All Star Selections

The new All-Star game format, where the selected Captains pick their teams like you would in a fantasy draft, is a very original idea. It's cutting edge.

Back to Back

I've noticed that when NHL teams play their second night in a row, on the tail end of a back to back, they lose the majority of their games to teams who had the previous night off.

I think the NHL needs to look at the schedule, and fix this problem.

Playing a team on the second night of a back to back, when you have the night off, is a clear advantage in every way.

Hockey R & D

The only rule changes that make sense:

1. No touch icing. Name one advantage to keeping the current icing rule?

2. OT: 4 on 4 for 5 minutes. 3 on 3 for 5 minutes. Shoot out.

3. Point System: 0 points for a loss of any kind.

Game Plan

When you force your opposition into playing your team's game plan, you've got them beat. Vancouver tried to play tough against the Hawks, and they abandoned their speed and skill, taking dumb penalties along the way. I'm seeing the same thing in the Habs Flyers series, with players like Gomez and Gionta taking dumb penalties.

Fan Conduct

By convincing yourself that you "hate" players on opposing teams, and deciding that players like Ovechkin and Crosby "suck", you're only limiting yourself as a hockey fan. I know many people who hated players like Gretzky and Orr because they were fans of their rivals, and now in their old age, they all feel like they missed out on watching something special.

Early Conn Smythe Candidates

Are there any two players more important to their teams right now, than Jaroslav Halak and Dustin Byfuglien?

Original Switch

Two years ago, the Montreal Canadiens finished first in the Eastern conference while the Bruins finished eighth. Montreal eliminated the Bruins then went on to lose in the second round. The following year, Boston finished in first place, then eliminated 8th place Montreal before losing in the second round. This year both teams fight for the last few playoff spots in the East. Both Julien and Carbonneau went from hero to zero. If I'm supposed to follow patterns here, Peter Chiarelli will coach the last couple of games in Boston like Gainey did in Montreal.

Head Shots

Both direct and indirect head shots need clear and swift penalties. The idea that implementing these types of rules will make hockey a soft sport is ridiculous. I want an NHL where players like Lafontaine and Lindros can finish out there careers properly. When the players know what is expected of them, they adjust.

Put it this way, nobody in Football is complaining about the lack of physicality, or using the speed of the game as an excuse against judgment. The NFL has been very progressive with their rules governing hits to the head, and the game is still alive and well.

Coaching Questions?

They Phoenix Coyotes currently sit tied for first place in the Western Conference with the Chicago Blackhawks. Is their success based simply on the coaching change? Replacing Gretzky with Tippett? How bad was Gretzky, or, how brilliant is Tippett? Does coaching really play that big of a role in sports?

Fighting. Don Cherry. Really?

I used to love fighting in hockey. Don Cherry was right. But now, I no longer like fighting in hockey, and think it's unnecessary. Don Cherry is still entertaining, but wrong.

Despite Wisniewski's apology, his hit on Seabrook was both a blow to the head, and a deliberate retaliatory charge from the blue line. These types of headlines are hurting the sport, no matter what the dinosaurs in the broadcast booth tell you.

Ovechkin is more reckless than he is dirty. Still, the 2 games were deserved and seem about right to me. Other things call. Go to go.

Ovechkin Suspension?

Ovechkin gets tossed out of the Blackhawks game, with a hit on Campbell that looked an awful lot like Lapierre's hit on San Jose's Scott Nichol. Watch this one closely. Lapierre got 4. Ovechkin is a repeat offender. Do stars get special treatment?

Crosby Goal

Sid the Kids OT goal was our generation's 1972 Paul Henderson moment. As amazing as the 2010 goal was, 1972 meant more to a nation.

Post Olympic Thought 1

Kesler was a stand out. He's officially "on the map" now.