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NHL
Wednesday, December 9
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Pucking the trends: Why the Flames are smoking hot
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Bruin a Cup of Stanley?
After a slow start, the Boston Bruins find themselves at the top of the Northeast division.
A big reason for Boston’s success has been the play of goaltenders Tim Thomas and Tuukka Rask.
Thomas has a 2.48 goals against average, a save percentage of .914 and three shutouts.
Rask has been even better, posting a 1.97 goals against average, .932 save percentage and a shutout.
“It’s nice to have two solid, solid goaltenders,” Bruins captain Zdeno Chara told reporters. “Each can basically steal the game for us. (Rask) and Timmy both are playing extremely well.”
Boston has gone 9-2-3 following a 6-7-2 stretch to open the season.
Snow easy schedule
Terry Frei of the Denver Post observes that Colorado’s success has come despite playing only 11 games at home and a league high 21 games on the road.
According to Avs coach Joe Sacco, the early road games were beneficial to his young squad.
"It started on that first road trip," said Sacco. "We got off to a great start, we formed some chemistry with each other, and the guys believed. That's the bottom line. When you believe in each other, you have that feeling that you can go out and win any game."
Colorado has a record of 10-7-4 on the road, and a 17-9-6 record overall.
Flying low
Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer thinks the Philadelphia Flyers are at a crossroads.
After a 12-5-1 start, the Flyers have fallen to 13-13-1. Another goaltender controversy is emerging, the offense has scored five goals in Philadelphia’s last five games and its power play is 0-19 during that span.
The Flyers lost their most recent game despite allowing just 13 shots.
"There's a long way to go in all three zones . . . and a lot of work that's needed,” said new coach Peter Laviolette.
Winning is a Bryz
The Coyotes have won five games in a row and the main reason for the Coyotes’ success has been the play of goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov.
Bryzgalov ranks third in the NHL with a 1.99 goals against average and leads the NHL with four shutouts. He has a record of 17-8-1.
Jim Gintonio of the Arizona Republic is of the opinion that Bryzgalov has done an excellent job cleaning up scoring chances created as a result of Coyotes’ mistakes.
"He's so confident," said Coyotes captain Shane Doan. "He makes the game look so easy, and it really isn't that easy. He's just always square to the puck, it always seem to be hitting him in the middle of his body … He's just making it look incredibly simple."
Phoenix is 18-11-1, and has an over/under record of 7-22-1.
On schedule
Thursday December 10, Atlanta Thrashers vs. Vancouver Canucks
Flying from the Southeastern United States to Western Canada to play a road game is difficult. It’s even more difficult when it’s your second road game in as many nights and third road game in four nights.
Saturday December 12, Carolina Hurricanes at Ottawa Senators
The Hurricanes finish their grueling road trip in Ottawa after playing in Pittsburgh, New Jersey, and Washington earlier in the week. Carolina is playing the second game of a back-to-back situation against a Senators team playing on regular rest.
Saturday December 12, Florida Panthers at Pittsburgh Penguins
Florida plays Wednesday in Columbus, before playing an exhausting Devils team Friday, then traveling to Pittsburgh Saturday to play against the defending Stanley Cup Champions.
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Wednesday, December 9
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pucking the trends: Why the Flames are smoking hot
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bruin a Cup of Stanley?
After a slow start, the Boston Bruins find themselves at the top of the Northeast division.
A big reason for Boston’s success has been the play of goaltenders Tim Thomas and Tuukka Rask.
Thomas has a 2.48 goals against average, a save percentage of .914 and three shutouts.
Rask has been even better, posting a 1.97 goals against average, .932 save percentage and a shutout.
“It’s nice to have two solid, solid goaltenders,” Bruins captain Zdeno Chara told reporters. “Each can basically steal the game for us. (Rask) and Timmy both are playing extremely well.”
Boston has gone 9-2-3 following a 6-7-2 stretch to open the season.
Snow easy schedule
Terry Frei of the Denver Post observes that Colorado’s success has come despite playing only 11 games at home and a league high 21 games on the road.
According to Avs coach Joe Sacco, the early road games were beneficial to his young squad.
"It started on that first road trip," said Sacco. "We got off to a great start, we formed some chemistry with each other, and the guys believed. That's the bottom line. When you believe in each other, you have that feeling that you can go out and win any game."
Colorado has a record of 10-7-4 on the road, and a 17-9-6 record overall.
Flying low
Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer thinks the Philadelphia Flyers are at a crossroads.
After a 12-5-1 start, the Flyers have fallen to 13-13-1. Another goaltender controversy is emerging, the offense has scored five goals in Philadelphia’s last five games and its power play is 0-19 during that span.
The Flyers lost their most recent game despite allowing just 13 shots.
"There's a long way to go in all three zones . . . and a lot of work that's needed,” said new coach Peter Laviolette.
Winning is a Bryz
The Coyotes have won five games in a row and the main reason for the Coyotes’ success has been the play of goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov.
Bryzgalov ranks third in the NHL with a 1.99 goals against average and leads the NHL with four shutouts. He has a record of 17-8-1.
Jim Gintonio of the Arizona Republic is of the opinion that Bryzgalov has done an excellent job cleaning up scoring chances created as a result of Coyotes’ mistakes.
"He's so confident," said Coyotes captain Shane Doan. "He makes the game look so easy, and it really isn't that easy. He's just always square to the puck, it always seem to be hitting him in the middle of his body … He's just making it look incredibly simple."
Phoenix is 18-11-1, and has an over/under record of 7-22-1.
On schedule
Thursday December 10, Atlanta Thrashers vs. Vancouver Canucks
Flying from the Southeastern United States to Western Canada to play a road game is difficult. It’s even more difficult when it’s your second road game in as many nights and third road game in four nights.
Saturday December 12, Carolina Hurricanes at Ottawa Senators
The Hurricanes finish their grueling road trip in Ottawa after playing in Pittsburgh, New Jersey, and Washington earlier in the week. Carolina is playing the second game of a back-to-back situation against a Senators team playing on regular rest.
Saturday December 12, Florida Panthers at Pittsburgh Penguins
Florida plays Wednesday in Columbus, before playing an exhausting Devils team Friday, then traveling to Pittsburgh Saturday to play against the defending Stanley Cup Champions.
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