The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle, Oh No It's the Wings

With 12 days left in the NHL Regular Season, the Flyers, Habs, Bruins, Thrashers, and Rangers find themselves jockeying for the final three spots to the spring formal.

The Bruins, Thrashers, and Rangers were all able to grind out huge wins last night. Nik Antropov came up big for Atlanta - as has been much case for John Anderson's club all season long - and scored the game-winner in the third period against his former mates in Toronto. For the Bruins, Patrice Bergeron - their top forward by a wide margin this season - was able to propel the B's past the Devils 1-0 in the extra session. Meanwhile, the Rangers were able to shake off a disgusting first period performance to top the rival Islanders 4-3.

Philadelphia, Montreal, and Boston currently hold the enviable sixth, seventh, and eight playoff spots. Each team has 82 points with six games remaining. Atlanta sits two points out with five games left, while the Rangers remain four points back with six games to go.

Of Atlanta and New York, you'd have to think the Rangers have the best shot of overtaking one of the three squads with 82 points. The Thrashers remaining schedule features two games against Washington, two games against Pittsburgh, and one contest against the Devils - Ouch. The Rangers next four games feature Tampa Bay (14th), Florida (12th), Buffalo (3rd), and Toronto (15th), before finishing the season with what should be a two-game playoff series against the Flyers.

Let's be real - if the Rangers can't come away with at least three wins in their next four, they don't deserve to get into the playoffs. The Rangers don't need to be scoreboard watchers if (big if) they can just take care of their own business. Their schedule sets up well - no excuses anymore.

While the absence of Ryan Callahan and Sean Avery could be devastating down the stretch, it's been great to see P.A. Parenteau bringing a much needed spark to the Rangers lineup. But, like John Tortorella said after the Leafs game, if Parenteau is one of his top forwards each night, the Blueshirts are in trouble...

First, it was "are they too old?" Then, it was "will they even make the playoffs." Now, the only question left is "how high will they finish?"

Detroit is healthy, well situated in net, and has run roughshod over their opponents upon seeing many of their previously injured players step out of the infirmary and back onto the ice. They are 9-0-1 in their last ten, are currently sporting a six-game winning streak, and are in a great position to finish as high as fifth in the Western Conference, which would most likely result in a first round matchup against the Coyotes.

A closer look at how Detroit has faired against the top four teams in the Western Conference proves that the Wings are still a sure-fire contender: Detroit is 10-3-4 against the Sharks, Hawks, 'Nucks, and 'Yotes.

Anytime you need to go up against a team over the course of a seven-game series and they can throw out Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg down the middle and Nicklas Lidstrom, Brian Rafalski, and Niklas Kronwall on the back-end you're in a for an uphill dog fight. One big difference this season, too - they've received excellence and consistency in net thanks to Jimmy Howard.

Don't discount Detroit.

Rangers Still in the Hunt, Top-Eight All but Set out West, Mueller Not Taking Any Days off in Colorado

Just when it was beginning to look like they were done, the Rangers found a way to pull themselves back up. Now - believe it, or not - the Broadway Blueshirts control their own destiny. (*EDIT - Technically they don't control their own destiny since Atlanta is ahead of them, but I think it's safe to say Atlanta won't win out.)

With the Flyers 4-1 loss to the Penguins earlier this afternoon, The Rangers find themselves five points back of Philadelphia with a game in hand. While the Bruins have the same number of points as the Flyers, it's beginning to look as if the Flyers are the squad the Rangers will be chasing. Why? The Rangers will take on the Flyers in a home and home in their final two games of the season.

If the Rangers can find a way to beat the Maple Leafs tonight, the Rangers will be three points behind the Flyers. Theoretically, if they were to win out (which would see the Flyers lose their final two games of the season), they're in, guaranteed.

Now this may sound pretty good in theory for John Tortorella's Club, but you better believe this will be a difficult uphill climb.

Chris Drury needs to continue his excellent post-Olympic play (and by the way, how about "Dru" coming up with the biggest goal of the Rangers' season to push their Thursday night game with the Devils into overtime? Simply clutch). Sean Avery needs to continue toeing the line while employing his shenanigans. Ryan Callahan, who will miss tonight's game, needs to get healthy. Marian Gaborik needs to up his level of play, healthy, or not (no way he's remotely healthy - I'd put him at 75%, tops). And, it goes without saying; Henrik Lundqvist will need to be Tortorella's best player.

As inconsistent and frustrating as the Rangers' play has been this season, I can't help but tip my hat to the team's ability to come up with two big wins to stay in the hunt...

With Calgary's ugly 5-0 loss to the Bruins earlier this afternoon, it appears as if the divide between the top eight and bottom seven teams in the Western Conference can be drawn in permanent marker.

The streaking eighth-place Red Wings (four straight wins) now command a five-point lead over the ninth-place Flames, and also hold a game in hand.

So much for Jay Bouwmeester getting his first taste of post-season action this season, huh?

While the top-eight teams may be shoe-ins, nearly all the seedings are still very much up in the air. The Predators (5th), Kings (6th), Avalanche (7th), and Wings (8th) are separated by all of two points. San Jose (1st), Chicago (2nd), and Phoenix (4th) are also separated by just two points, and will continue to battle for the top spot in the Conference down the stretch...

How does Joe Sacco's Club do it? Chris Stewart. Brandon Yip. T.J. Galiardi. 18-year olds Matt Duchene and Ryan O'Reilly.

The number of young Avalanche players that have busted out this season is simply dumbfounding. Seriously, I'm beginning to think I could sign with the Avalanche and put up numbers.

Trade deadline acquisition Peter Mueller has been the latest addition to this enviable trend.

After posting just four goals and 17 points in 54 games with the 'Yotes, Mueller has exploded for five goals and 15 points in 11 games while playing alongside Duchene on the Avs' "second" line. The eighth overall pick in the 2006 draft has been able to regain some confidence and swagger, and it's resulted in points in 13 of the 15 games he has played in an Avalanche Sweater.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again - Joe Sacco's propensity to put young players in positions to succeed, while also maximizing their contributions to the team is something special.

The Wild, Wild West: Why the Western Conference Is Wide Open

"Had to find some higher ground.
Had some fear to get around.
You can say what you don't know.
Later on won't work no more.
Last time through I hid my tracks.
So well I could not get back.
Yeah my way was hard to find.
Can't sell your soul for peace of mind.
Square one, my slate is clear.
Rest your head on me my dear.
It took a world of trouble, took a world of tears.
It took a long time to get back here."
- Square One, Tom Petty

This year's road through the West to Lord Stanley's Cup is riddled with questions, mystery, and unexpected roadblocks.

Over the last couple of years, handicapping the Western Conference has been a piece of cake.

There was Detroit and everybody else. Questions would loom about the Sharks ability to perform come spring, while a handful of other teams would linger behind the Wings.

This year is a different story. Detroit is older, has been riddled with injuries, and is currently just hoping to hold onto a playoff spot. San Jose is facing the same old questions, and are also winless over their last six games. Chicago has a big year of playoff experience under their belt, and although they suffered some recent injuries, are still arguably the top team out West. Young upstart squads - Los Angeles, Colorado, and the Coyotes (who are riding an unbelievable nine game winning streak) - have enjoyed great seasons, and should see their first playoff action in some time. Vancouver boasts top-shelf goaltending as well as the top scoring team in the Western Conference (who saw that coming?). The Predators are one of the toughest opponents in the NHL, and boast a league best nine players with 30 or more points.

And those on the outside looking in - Calgary, St. Louis, Anaheim, and Minnesota - are far from walk-over's.

But, every team has some big concerns. Can the Hawks overcome questionable goaltending? Will Phoenix be able to ramp it up and score enough goals in a playoff atmosphere? Can the Canucks overcome some defensive injuries and continue to get well-rounded scoring? Is San Jose going to finally shake their playoff demons? Can Nashville score enough goals consistently? Does Los Angeles have enough experience? Can the Avs continue to employ their "bend but not break" approach successfully? Does Detroit have enough left in the tank for a long playoff run?

If the playoffs were to start today, we'd be looking at these four matchups:

(1) Chicago Blackhawks vs. (8) Detroit Red Wings
(2) Phoenix Coyotes vs. (7) Colorado Avalanche
(3) Vancouver Canucks vs. (6) Los Angeles Kings
(4) San Jose Sharks vs. (5) Nashville Predators

Are any of these matchups easy to project? A healthy Detroit team that finally has some goaltending versus a Hawks team that has taken some hits on defense and boasts a duo of questionable tenders? Two inexperienced teams (Phoenix and Colorado) who have both been successful in tight games throughout the season? A tough-skinned Canucks squad against a young, well balanced team (Kings) who dominates along the boards? A Sharks team (winless in six) going in one direction and a Predators team (five-game winning streak) heading in the other?

The one thing I can guarantee - watching the eight Western Conference Playoff teams duke it out is going to be a treat.

Big Weekend for the Rangers, Poor Colin Campbell

It's the worst sight any non-Ranger fan can lay eyes on.

Sean Avery throwing his patented "celly" to the Garden faithful, both hands pumping to the sky, a slight grin on that face that oh so many players would love to throw a fist into.

But for Rangers fans, the above picture is Picasso-esque.

Coming off of a healthy scratch the game before, Avery brought one of his best games of the season to the Garden ice on Sunday, scoring two goals, drawing three penalties, taking one penalty, and bringing a whole bunch of nasty to the table against the Flyers.

And for that, kudos to John Tortorella.

Without Avery in the lineup, the Rangers came storming out of the gate against the Thrashers on Friday - it was a must win for the Rangers, and they sure played like it. They worked their tails off, drew some Atlanta penalties early, and capitalized.

On Sunday, Tortorella got just what he wanted from Avery, along with another excellent performance from the team as a whole. The Olympics did wonders for the confidence of Chris Drury, who picked up four assists on the weekend while continuing his great play defensively, both at even strength and on the penalty kill. The Rangers Captain has found his groove playing on the right wing, and has seemed to gain back some of his "mojo" playing the front of the net on the Rangers' top power play unit.

Wade Redden - yes, that bum - played arguably his two best games of the season. Redden is a plus seven over his last nine games, and was able to eliminate any "five star" mistakes from his game this weekend.

The Rangers are getting contributions up and down the lineup, have seemed to find the right line combinations, and have seen their agitator get back to his agitating ways. If the Rangers can carry this momentum forward - including their big game tonight against the Canadiens - they can become a formidable opponent down the stretch. It's also worth noting that the eighth place Bruins will be without their top offensive player, Marc Savard, for the season, and have also lost their last two contests.

I don't want to get my hopes up (let's be honest, would anybody be surprised if the Rangers laid an egg tonight versus Montreal?), but this weekend was very, very encouraging for the Broadway Blueshirts...

I've been critical of Colin Campbell a lot over the past. So have everyone else, media, teams, and fans, alike.

But of late, I have to admit I've grown a little sympathetic to the guy. Let's start with the Matt Cooke hit. Simply put, the hit was not a suspendable offense under the current NHL rules. The hit was dirty, malicious, and we all know what Cooke was after, but it was a shoulder check to a player that didn't break any rules. And yet, seemingly every member of the media is calling for a suspension. Some have had said they should've suspended Cooke under "intent to injury," while others have made up various other reasons to suspend the Pittsburgh agitator.

The Cooke hit was a black-eye for hockey (wish I had a dime every time I said "black-eye for hockey"), but the bottom line is it was within the rules, precedent had been set (Mike Richards on David Booth), and there were zero grounds for suspension.

And yet, the ridicule still poured in.

I can understand the animosity towards Cooke - I'm not a Bruins fan and I still wanted to hop through my television set and jump the little scumbag - but you can't suspend a player who doesn't break any rules.

Things got worse this weekend. Alex Ovechkin absolutely rocked Brian Campbell, sending him to the infirmary, and now word is out that he is done for the season with a broken collarbone and broken ribs. Everyone has an opinion, and funny thing, they are all different! Mike Milbury and Pierre McGuire thought the hit didn't warrant a game misconduct. Over on TSN, Matthew Barnaby and Bob McKenzie were happy with the two game suspension handed out. Darren Dreger wanted three or four games.

So here's the situation Colin Campbell faces. Arguably your most marketable player just got ejected from a game. Many in the media are condemning the hit, labeling Ovechkin as dirty, wreckless, and a player in need of a lesson. Others maintain that the hit wasn't that bad, and was a result of Campbell turning weirdly and Ovechkin just being ridiculously strong. He's already been suspended once this season, but because half a season passed (41 games) since, he's no longer listed as a "repeat offender." And to make matters worse, the player Ovechkin hit looks to be done for at least the regular season. Plus, you just suspended a player (Maxim Lapierre) four games for a hit that many people find eerily similar, despite the fact that they definitely aren't.

It's a no win situation. Any decision Campbell makes is going to piss off people who already hate your guts (not that this previous malcontent isn't at least some what...err, very...warranted).

I saw the hit live. I've watched it at least 15 times since. I still cannot make up my mind whether the hit was suspendable or not. Live, I said no chance, that Campbell knew he was there and just maneuvered weirdly, and that Ovechkin shouldn't be punished for being ridiculously strong. On the other hand, it does seem to be from the back, and it was fairly reckless by Ovechkin to finish his hit with Campbell in that position.

Talk about shades of gray.

But, my sympathy for Colin Campbell came and went after hearing that Steve Downie wouldn't be suspended for his leg-lock takedown of Sidney Crosby.

Downie clearly, clearly is trying to hurt Crosby in this situation. If Crosby was hurt, I'd bet any amount of money Downie would've gotten the book thrown at him, as has been his case in the past. We are talking about a player who was suspended 20 NHL games before ever playing an NHL regular season game.

Guessing whether or not a player is going to be suspended or not, and for how long, has become virtually impossible. Here's hoping we can talk about hockey for the rest of the season - not this crap.

Are the Top Eight Set in the East? When Will "Marty" Get His Due?

It was just a few weeks ago that seemingly every team outside of the Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs still had a legitimate chance to lay claim to a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

That time has come and gone.

The Islanders have hit a wall. The Panthers haven't been able to find the back of the net on a consistent basis. Tampa Bay is 3-6-1 in their last ten. The Thrashers have lost four straight. The Rangers are winless in four.

Meanwhile, the Flyers and Bruins have are both 7-2-1 in their last ten, while the Canadiens have won four straight.

The difference between eighth (Bruins) and ninth place (Rangers) is now five points, and the Bruins have just 66 games played.

Can Atlanta get back in the race with their current roster? Doubtful. The Lightning have received Herculean efforts from Martin St. Louis and Steven Stamkos, and they're still having trouble piling up points in the standings. I thought Henrik Lundqvist, alone, would be enough to get the Rangers into the bottom of the top-eight. It doesn't look as if that's going to be the case - the Rangers just have too many problems...

Steven Stamkos is on fire (understatement of day). With 42 goals and 80 points in 66 games played, the 20-year old has seen more than his fair share of media attention, and right fully so.

But if you think Stamkos is the driving force behind the Lightning, you're sadly mistaken. That honor goes to former Hart-Trophy Winner Marty St. Louis.

Over the last three seasons, St. Louis has amassed 102, 83, and 80 points, respectively, and is on pace for 100 points here in '09-'10. But as far as media attention goes, St. Louis has taken a back-seat to two first overall picks, first Vincent Lecavalier and now Stamkos.

Think of him as the "sidekick" all you want - St. Louis is the little engine that runs the show in Tampa Bay. It was natural for Lecavalier, and now Stamkos, to get most of the attention. They've scored goals in bunches, and therefore get much of the credit. But watch one Lightning game and you'll realize much of that is due to the innate passing ability of St. Louis. There's a good reason that Stamkos is able to score the same goal with the man advantage, over and over again, from the top left circle.

St. Louis has an unbelievable knack for drawing defenders to himself before distributing the puck to the open guy. And, when that guy happens to have the shooting ability of a Steven Stamkos, the goals will come in flocks.

The 5'9'' (if he's actually 5'9'' then I'm Zdeno Chara) right-winger is great along the boards, plays well in all three zones, is great on special teams, and - most importantly - he makes everyone around him better.

Two Struggling Squads Faceoff in the Battle of the Hudson, Duchene Makes His Mark, The Headshot Debate

The Devils have lost two games in a row and are just 2-5-1 in their last 8. The Rangers are winless in three.

Something's got to give.

Tonight's contest at "The Rock" in Newark is a big game for both the Devils and the Rangers. The Devils - who lost their last game 2-0 to the lowly Oilers - have seen the Penguins fly past them in the standings to lay their hands on the top spot in the Atlantic Division, while the Rangers are simply looking for a way to close the three-point gap that separates them from the eighth place Bruins.

The Devils have surrendered 21 goals over their last five games, which won't make Head Coach Jacques Lemaire happy. The Devils need to get back to what makes them such a formidable opponent - stingy team defense, good neutral zone pressure, tenacious back checking, capitalizing on their opponents' mistakes, and timely scoring.

For the Rangers, the answers are far less easy to come by. While Olympians Ryan Callahan and Chris Drury are playing inarguably their best hockey of the season, Marian Gaborik - I'd call him the straw that stirs the drink offensively for the Rangers, but it might be more realistic to say he's the not just the straw, but also the cup that holds the drink, the hand that pours the drink...you get the picture - is struggling due to a leg injury. Rumor is it's his infamous groin (insert phony "groin" joke here).

If the Rangers are to find a way into the spring dance, it'll take more than just superb play from Henrik Lundqvist. Gaborik needs to get healthy, the secondary scorers need to do their job, and the defense needs to find some consistency...

It's often the case for many NHL rookies to slow down as the season progresses. See: Tavares, John; van Riemsdyk, James; Del Zotto, Michael. It's even more likely when that rookie is jumping directly into the "Big Show" right after being drafted.

But, this hasn't been the story for the second overall selection in the 2009 NHL Draft. While Matt Duchene's effort has been pretty even-keel all season long in Colorado, his offensive production has increased dramatically. After starting the season with two goals and seven points in his first 21 games, Duchene currently sits with 23 goals and 47 points through 66 games.

He has 11 more points and four more goals than any other NHL rookie, and is also tied with Buffalo's first-year defenseman Tyler Myers for the rookie-lead in helpers.

Duchene's quickness, hands, and above all, hockey sense, have allowed him to quickly learn the tricks of the trade of scoring at the NHL level. He consistently goes to the net - that's where nearly all his goals have been scored - and makes those around him better.

Just ask the newly acquired Peter Mueller. The 21-year old ex-Coyote has notched two goals and six points in his first four games since coming to Colorado from Phoenix. Mueller has lined up with Duchene at even strength, and has also played the point on the first unit power play (which also includes Duchene).

Joe Sacco has certainly found something special in this young dynamic duo...

I was planning on ranting yesterday about the whole "Headshot Debate," but then I read Greg Wyshynski's (Puck Daddy's) response to a truly hilarious and idiotic rant on the subject of headshots by NESN's Jack Edwards (if you've watched a single Bruins broadcast you know Edwards is both a homer and, well, kind of an idiot. Good thing he has Andy Brickley - one of the best color guys in the league - to even things out).

Wyshynski echoes my exact feelings on the issue:

"I had more than a few battles Monday: on the blog, on the radio, and especially on Twitter. To restate the thesis: I'm in favor of a (clearly defined) ban on blindside hits, getting the Cooke hit and the Richards hit (which I'll continue to defend) out of the game. Perhaps even as the first step to something larger.

I'm not in favor of banning all contact with the shoulder to the head on hits, because it would penalize what are essentially good hockey plays (Doug Weight's hit on Brandon Sutter, close to the blindside but just a nasty open-ice hit) or the types of collisions that make hockey more entertaining for me ([Alex] Ovechkin's hit on [Jaromir] Jagr in Vancouver, which by the letter of the IIHF law was a head shot and should have been penalized)."

Banning all hits to the head is a slippery, slippery slope. Making the game safer is important, but penalizing all hits to the head in such a fast-paced, quick-moving sport is going over the top...

Weekend in Review: Wings Rounding into Form, Pens Gearing up for Playoffs (Sound Familiar?)

The Red Wings are finally healthy.

Sorry, Western Conference.

Detroit's 5-4 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks yesterday, which featured a five-goal Red Wing outburst in the second stanza, showed that the Wings are back - healthy, driven, and capable of causing one unlucky top-seeded Western Conference team some definite discomfort come first round in the playoffs.

(As a side note, could you imagine if San Jose draws Detroit in the first round? If that's the case, the "Hockey Gods" really are cruel.)

Remember when Nicklas Lidstrom had just 13 points in 37 games, and word was he lost a step? Well, he has 27 points over his last 28 contests, and is still an astounding plus 20 despite the Wings' injury troubles and the fact that he goes against the other teams' top lines, night after night.

Pavel Datsyuk has 18 points over his last 14 contests, and will only see his numbers continue to rise with the return of Johan Franzen and Tomas Holmstrom. Heck, Datsyuk could go pointless for the remainder of the season and still be a force for the Wings due to his defensive prowess. We all know nobody makes watching defense as fun as Pavel does.

And there's one new, big plus for the Wings this season - they have a goaltender that has consistently played some great hockey. No offense to Chris Osgood, but his play over the past two seasons - which has seen the Wings in the Cup final both years - hails in comparison to the effort the Wings are receiving from Jimmy Howard.

The Wings can be fairly termed an "old" team, but don't let their age or position in the standings fool you - Detroit is a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.

Let's put it this way - would you want your favorite team facing Detroit in a best-of-seven playoff series?

Didn't think so...

Remember last season when the Penguins sat on the outside looking in at the playoffs with 25 games to go, before going 18-3-4 down the stretch under Dan Bylsma?

Well, the Penguins might be better situated in the standings this time around, but they're certainly playing as if every game is a "must win."

Pittsburgh has strung together four straight wins since coming out of the Olympic break, and seem poised to send a message to the rest of the Eastern Conference heading into the playoffs.

As a collective team, the Penguins are hitting everything that moves (they set a record for hits an NHL regular season game against the Rangers on Thursday...and outshot them 55-16...boy, being a Rangers fan sucks right now.), and are getting contributions from up and down the lineup.

Evgeni Malkin, whose having a somewhat disappointing season point-wise by his standards, just recently had a 15-game point streak snapped. Jordan Staal has been arguably the best Pittsburgh forward coming out of the break, and has notched two goals and five points over his last four contests. Sidney Crosby has continued to lead the charge for the Pens, as he's recorded a point in each of the four post-Olympic Pens' games, and six in total.

The fact that Pittsburgh has at least one of Crosby, Malkin, or Staal on the ice at almost all times is what makes it so hard for me to see the Penguins losing to any Eastern Conference Team over a seven-game series...

Lapierre Embarrasses Himself...Like Usual, Another Idiotic Anti-Fighting Article, Wolski Sticks it to His Former Mates

Maxim Lapierre has little respect amongst many in the hockey world. His actions last night certainly won't help his cause.

While Lapierre has never been suspended (he should after this blatant cross-check to the back of an unsuspecting Scott Nichol), he's been in on more than his fair share of "dirty" play. I've seen him put his stick into peoples' skates as they are skating towards or near the boards, refuse to fight after chirping or throwing a dirty hit - all sorts of shenanigans.

*EDIT: Lapierre has been suspended for four games - sounds about right, to me.*

The animosity towards Lapierre is fierce - from both players and hockey analysts, alike.

Much was made of an incident in which he refused to fight the Bruins' Andrew Ference earlier this season, to which TSN analyst Pierre McGuire said that Lapierre had a reputation for talking the talk, but refusing to walk the walk. In last year's post-season, Milan Lucic was suspended two games for cross-checking Lapierre in the face.

Lapierre's reputation is well earned. He constantly acts tough and talks a big game, but shows little desire to get involved physically until the officials stand between him and his opponent. For a guy that makes his living playing on the edge and pissing off whoever the Habs' rival happens to be that night, he's dropped the mitts just eight times in his 260 NHL regular-season and post-season games.

His opponents show just the kind of "courage" Lapierre possesses:

P.J. Axelsson
Keith Ballard (twice)
Zach Bogosian
Steve Downie
Brian Lee
Petr Prucha
Maxime Talbot

Look, I'm not suggesting Lapierre should be "dropping 'em" with the NHL's heavyweights on a nightly basis, but your reputation is going to take a huge hit when you're unwilling to answer the bell for your actions, and an even bigger hit when you enter the ring versus players who will never be confused with Bob Probert.

But, hey, so long as the NHL continues to sport the Instigator Rule - the worst rule in all of sports - gutless agitators like Lapierre can hide behind the zebras whenever the going gets tough.

Why let the players handle it themselves? I'm sure somebody like Lapierre running around like an idiot doing stuff like this without any on-ice repercussions is safer...pssst.

After Lapierre's ugly hit on Nichol last night, TSN analyst and long-time NHL player Ray Ferraro had this to say:

"This is garbage. Gutless play by Max Lapierre...when they figure it out somebody should go fix his wagon...Now it's safe, Max, get in there, the linesman's there...Look at this play by Lapierre. Garbage. Gutless...this is what players talk about the lack of respect by players - that's it right there. That's a vulnerable position. Lapierre is a cheap player, at times...That is a gutless play by Max Lapierre. [camera shows Lapierre laughing on the bench] He thinks it's funny. I think the way he plays is funny. He's lucky he didn't play 15 years ago, 'cause he'd be playing with a different set of circumstances."

Right on the money, Ray, right on the money...

If you haven't read this anti-fighting article by Bob Ford making its rounds in the "Twitter world," check it out for a good chuckle.

Apparently the reason that the Olympics were wildly successful as far as number of viewers and far exceeded the popularity of the NHL is due to the fact that fighting is banned (suspension-worthy) under IIHF rules, while it's legal in the NHL.

Yeah, Mr. Ford, it doesn't have anything to do with the Olympics pinning the best players in the world against each other, the Americans' successful run, or a Canada/America overtime finale.

What a ridiculous article...

Props to Wojtek Wolski for sticking it to his former mates last night in his first game with the Coyotes.

Wolski scored the game-winning goal with just 22 ticks left in regulation, earning his new team a big two points while also denying the Avalanche from adding to their point total in the standings.

If Wolski is willing to get more involved physically and go to the dirty areas in the offensive zone, he will become wildly successful out in the desert.

Peter Mueller has chipped in with a goal and an assist in his first two games with the Avs, and after looking a little tentative and unsure of himself in his first game, looked much more confident and composed in the period and half I watched him last night.

It all comes down to confidence for Mueller - something he's lost since suffering a concussion midway through last season.

I really like Joe Sacco's decision to put him on the point on the top power play unit and alongside Matt Duchene at even strength. Coaching young players is all about putting them in positions in which they can most easily find success - something Sacco has shown an ability to do.

It will be very interesting to see how this trade turns out down the road...

NHL Trade Deadline Breakdown

Oh, Edmonton Oilers, you never cease to make me laugh.

Seriously Steve Tambellini, have you watched Ryan Whitney play over the past two seasons? Whitney is constantly caught out of position, and is prone to looking foolish in his defensive zone - on the reg.

Lubomir Visnovsky is a vastly superior player, and has been one of (okay, maybe the only) bright spot in a horrific Edmonton Oilers lineup this season. At 33, there is little doubt in my mind that Visnovsky will continue to be a prolific performer for the duration of his contract, which still has three years left after this season at a cap hit of $5.6.

Whitney has three years left, too, at a $4 million cap hit. Rebuilding or not, does $1.6 million a year in cap space over the next three seasons justify trading a top pairing, puck-moving defenseman for a player that has struggled mightily since his sophomore season in the big leagues? Definitely not.

If the Oilers are expecting a reincarnation of Whitney's '06-'07 season in Pittsburgh when he notched 59 points, they are in for a rough awakening. As far as I know, he won't be playing with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Sergei Gonchar, and Ryan Malone alongside him with the man advantage anytime soon in Oil Town.

Can Whitney regain his confidence and become a key contributor on the backend in Edmonton? Possibly, but I don't see it. Awful trade for Steve Tambellini and the Oilers.

As for the Ducks, their playoff push just got a big lift. Visnovsky's contract becomes even more feasible when one considers that this is likely Scott Niedermayer's final season in the NHL. Regardless, a $1.6 million increase in payroll (not actual payroll, but "salary cap" payroll) is well worth it for a significant and much needed defensive upgrade. Visnovsky will help them with the man advantage, as well as transitioning out of their own zone...

How many people thought that the Coyotes might find themselves in the position of "buyer" at the NHL Trade Deadline?

Don Maloney pulled the trigger on seven - yes, count 'em, seven - deals this morning. The reacquisition of Derek Morris will add a stabilizing figure to the backend (still don't really understand why the Bruins made this move...Morris is better than Dennis Seidenberg, who they acquired from Florida). Mathieu Schneider - essentially a low cost Hail Mary - will get a chance to bring a much needed boost to the Phoenix power play.

But the most intriguing move made by Maloney was the addition of Wojtek Wolski in exchange for Peter Mueller and Kevin Porter.

Wolski, a pending restricted free agent, is a very interesting player. He's in the midst of a career season, and has the talent to be a top-line winger. But, is he willing to go into the dirty areas and become a go-to guy? He will certainly help Phoenix for the present, and I could see him having a lot of success alongside of Shane Doan.

Mueller needed a change of scenery. As a 19-year old rookie, Mueller potted 22 goals and 54 points under Wayne Gretzky as 'Yotes Bench Boss. But since sustaining a concussion during his second NHL season, he hasn't been the same. His desire to play hockey has also been called into question. If he pans out - and a young Avalanche team with a coach (Joe Sacco) who has shown the ability to put young players in positions to succeed is just the ticket - this trade could be a homerun for the Avalanche. And, it's not as if Kevin Porter is a "throw-in". Porter registered 183 points during his 162 games at the University of Michigan, and has shown the ability to score at the AHL level over the parts of two seasons since...

I like what Caps' General Manager George McPhee did at the deadline, but I still would've liked to see him bring in a veteran stay-at-home type defenseman.

Joe Corvo is a high risk, high reward type player, but could potentially thrive on the backend under Bruce Boudreau. Bringing Milan Jurcina back? Eh, not a big deal.

The additions of Eric Belanger and Scott Walker up front will bring help in the form of solid two-way play and penalty killing. Belanger can be used either on a secondary scoring line or in a checking role. Walker will bring the toughness and sound defensive play that is needed for any team to enjoy a long playoff run.

Still though, adding some more stability on the backend would've helped. I'm not sold that the Capitals can win a cup giving up the number of goals they do. It's not as easy to score in bunches to hide defensive mistakes come playoff time...