WHAT'S HAPPENING SO FAR???

With the season well under way, we should take a look at how the teams are looking, and who are the favorites from the get-go. Let's take a look at who gets the thumbs up and who gets the thumbs down after the 1st week of play:


THUMBS UP - THE NEW YORK RANGERS

You read it here first: the Rangers mean business this year, and have stormed out of the gate with a 5-0-0 record thus far. Mind you, 2 of those games were against a young Tampa Bay team that is still searching for its identity, but beating divison rivals the Flyers and Devils and the young-gun Blackhawks were excellent efforts by the Blueshirts. If the season were to end today, the Rangers and the Sharks would be the favorites to play for the Cup, and oddly enough, they are my picks to play in that series. It will be a long season though, so let's see what happens.

THUMBS DOWN - THE CALGARY FLAMES

As it pains me to see the Flames struggling, and probably brings a big smile to Benji's face, I guess I have to remind myself that the season is young. A goal differential of 4 GF : 11 GA in only 2 games is something to be worried about though, as Kiprusoff is supposed to be among the elite keepers in the league, and on paper, the Flames have one of the best defenses in the league. Mike Camalerri seems to be fitting in, but Iggy has to step it up if the Flames plan to contend in the Northwest this season.

THUMBS UP - THE VANCOUVER CANUCKS

I don't see the Canucks making playoffs this year, but an impressive opening two games against the Flames, including a 6-0 opening night stomping show that the team that averaged less than 3 goals a game last year is doing quite well.

THUMBS WAAAAY DOWN - THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Even though the Leafs impressed everybody with an opening night win over the defending champion Red Wings, I am unconvinced. The worst team in hockey showed their true colours against the rival Canadiens, losing 6-1 without a prayer. The home opener was no better either, as in "regular Leafs' fashion", blew a 3-0 lead with a bonehead major boarding penalty from Ryan Hollweg agains the St. Louis Blues, only to lose in a shootout. The Leafs are now 1-1-1, but coach Ron Wilson is already showing his frustration, and Leafs fans will be trying to sell their season tickets by December. Say hello to the Chicago Cubs of hockey. (But in this case, nobody expects the Leafs to win)

THUMBS UP - TEAMS BUILDING AROUND YOUNG-GUNS

Here at the Prairiepuck, we support the NHL's youth movement, and are impressed at how these young kids are storming the league. We also are very impressed with the support that these organizations are putting behind their young players by signing them to long term contracts, and committing to them in the long haul by bestowing the captaincy in young hands. The teams with the brightest futures in the league, such as the Pittsburgh Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks, and Philadelphia Flyers all have captains under the age of 23: Sid the kid at 21, Mike Richards at 23, and Jonathan Toews at 20.

THUMBS UP- THE MONTREAL CANADIENS

Kudos to the Habs for starting off their centennial year in style, with a shootout loss to Buffalo, a 6-1 stomping of the Leafs, and a 5-3 victory over Philly. A special Kudos goes to the Canadiens offense, particularly their powerplay on Saturday night, notching 3 goals, with Alex Tanguay finding a spark on his new team with 1 goal and 3 assists. I have to give props to the keepers as well, as Carey Price has made save after save, tallying two of the best highlight-reel saves this season, and we're only 3 games in. Not only Price, but Halak managed a solid game Saturday night against the Leafs, and I would like to see Halak suit up for up to 30 games this season.

THUMBS UP - THE VANCOUVER CANUCKS

I know you may be thinking that I already gave the Canucks a thumbs up, but they deserve an extra 2 thumbs up not only for their 6-0 performance on opening night agains the Flames, but for the special ceremony heald before the game. Missing the playoffs last year, the Canucks were unable to hold a traditional ceremony/moment of silence for their departed teammate, and they did a great job on opening night, and paid tribute to a great young player in a classy fashion. The hockey community hates to see when tragedies like these occur, and it's definitely a great thing the Canucks organization did to celebrate Bourdon's life.

On that note, check out our next post: A special piece on Alexei Cherepenov



Cheers,


THE PRAIRIEPUCK