NHL Hockey-new season

Grga · #31 (**permalink**) 06-10-2006, 22:08

Quote:

New Jersey (0-0-0) at Carolina (0-0-1)

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Game Info: 7:00 pm EDT Fri Oct 6, 2006
TV: FSNY, FSS Add to Calendar
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By MIKE VOTTA, STATS Senior Writer

During a regular season filled with changes, the New Jersey Devils closed strong and had plenty of momentum through the first round of the playoffs -- until they ran into the Carolina Hurricanes.

In a rematch of one of last season's Eastern Conference semifinals, the Devils open their season Friday against the Hurricanes at the RBC Center.

Last season began a new and tumultuous era for New Jersey, winners of three Stanley Cups since the 1994-95 season. Longtime defensemen Scott Stevens and Ken Daneyko retired, and fellow blueliner Scott Niedermayer signed as a free agent with Anaheim.

High-scoring center Patrik Elias was sidelined until January with hepatitis A, and coach Larry Robinson, citing his own health concerns, unexpectedly resigned on Dec. 19. Five months earlier, Robinson was introduced to replace Pat Burns, who was diagnosed with cancer.

General manager Lou Lamoriello took over behind the bench, and the Devils responded, winning nine in a row from Jan. 3-21 and ending the regular season on an 11-game winning streak to win the Atlantic Division title. New Jersey then swept the New York Rangers in the opening round of the postseason, but lost to the eventual-champion Hurricanes in five games.

"We've grown a lot from last year," said goaltender Martin Brodeur, who enters his 13th season with New Jersey after tying his career high of 43 wins last season. "This year they didn't make tons of big changes, so it's the same guys coming back.

"So we don't see any reason why we shouldn't be as successful as when we were able to turn it around."

In June, Lamoriello hired Claude Julien, who coached Montreal for parts of three seasons before being fired on Jan. 14. A defensive-minded coach, Julien said that philosophy won't change.

"The way the Devils have traditionally played fits right into what I believe," he said in July. "This is a team that has had success, not so much because of the individual players, but because of how they play as a team."

During his illness-shortened regular season, Elias averaged better than a point per game, finishing with 16 goals and 29 assists. He opened the postseason with a six-point game versus New York, but had just one goal and four assists versus the 'Canes.

In July, Elias was rewarded with a seven-year, $42 million contract, and he was named the seventh captain on team history on Thursday.

"There is no question Patrik has demonstrated throughout the years that he is a leader of this team on and off the ice," Lamoriello said. "He became the logical choice."

Center Scott Gomez, who posted career highs of 33 goals and 84 points, is back after being awarded $5 million for this season in arbitration.

On Tuesday, the Devils re-signed Brian Gionta, who set team records with 48 goals and 24 power-play goals last season, to a three-year, $12 million deal after Lamoriello created salary cap room by dealing defenseman Vladimir Malakhov to San Jose.

The Hurricanes raised their Stanley Cup banner during a 20-minute pregame ceremony Wednesday, but lost their season-opener 3-2 in a shootout to Buffalo -- a team they eliminated to reach the Cup finals.

"Obviously this is a game you'd like to win," defenseman Mike Commodore said. "You'd like to win your home opener and definitely when you're raising the banner. It just didn't work out.

"It was an amazing year, but now it's over. The banner's raised and it's time to do it again."

Erik Cole and Eric Staal each scored, and Ray Whitney assisted on both goals for the Hurricanes, who went 8-2 in shootouts last season.

Carolina used a potent offense last season to win the title and ranked third in the NHL with 286 goals -- and average of 3.5 per game. Staal led the team with 45 goals and 100 points.

"We've got the experience, we've got guys who will make sure everyone's focused and ready for this season," said Staal, who had three goals and four assists in the postseason against the Devils.

The Devils and Hurricanes split their four regular-season matchups last season, with New Jersey winning the last two. Gionta had two goals and three assists, while Carolina's Rod Brind'Amour had three goals and one assist.

Pick:Carolina on 1X2 @ 2.20

ChE · #32 (**permalink**) 07-10-2006, 19:32

I'm not sure that NHL thread is still alive here

, anyway will put my picks for tonight:

Atlanta @1.80 3pts
Sharks @ 1.55 5pts
Predators @ 2.25 3pts
Ducks @ 2.10 3pts
Columbus @2.50 2pts

GL

ChE · #33 (**permalink**) 08-10-2006, 07:54

Atlanta @1.80 3pts
Sharks @ 1.55 5pts
Predators @ 2.25 3pts
Ducks @ 2.10 3pts
Columbus @2.50 2pts

4 days of NHL were rather suprising for me, just complitly opposite to my RSL results. Hope, things will stay this way.

Grga · #34 (**permalink**) 08-10-2006, 19:46

Quote:

Vancouver (2-0-0) at Colorado (0-0-2)
Vancouver (2-0-0) at Colorado (0-0-2)

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Game Info: 8:00 pm EDT Sun Oct 8, 2006
TV: RSW, ALTI Add to Calendar
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By MIKE VOTTA, STATS Senior Writer

A new top line has given the Vancouver Canucks an early season spark.

The Canucks look to open their season with three consecutive victories for the first time this decade when they visit the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday.

Vancouver (2-0-0) has paired Markus Naslund with Daniel and Henrik Sedin in its first two games, and the trio has combined for eight points. The Canucks won 3-1 at Detroit on Thursday and 3-2 in overtime at Columbus the following night.

Daniel Sedin scored twice on Friday and was assisted by his twin brother on both goals, including the game-winner. Henrik tried a wraparound that was blocked, but the rebound came right to Daniel, who put it in the net 31 seconds into the extra period.

It was a great play by him," Daniel said with a grin. "I had an open net. It's not that hard."

Naslund, who scored a power-play goal against the Red Wings, recorded an assist on Daniel's game-tying goal in the third period Friday.

"It's a little more cycling," Daniel said. "Both Hank and I have to go to the net a little more than last year. It's a little bit of an adjustment from last year, but it's a work in progress."

The Canucks won Thursday despite putting just 17 shots on goal, but took 44 shots against the Blue Jackets. Last season, Vancouver ranked 22nd in the NHL with 28.8 shots per game.

"We've been talking about shooting a lot. Every game," Daniel said. "The last two periods, we really worked hard. We got shots on the net."

This is the third time this decade Vancouver has opened with back-to-back wins, but the team hasn't won three straight to begin a season since 1999-00.

Goalie Roberto Luongo, acquired in a five-player trade with Florida in June, has stopped 48 of the 51 shots he has seen through two games.

The Canucks, who close a season-opening four-game road trip at Minnesota on Tuesday, are playing nine of their first 11 games away from home.

Vancouver will try to keep its offense in gear against the Avalanche (0-0-2), who have allowed 33 shots in each of their first two games. Colorado's defense is struggling without Rob Blake, who signed with Los Angeles in the offseason, and Jordan Leopold, who likely will be on the injured list for another month with a hernia.

Colorado dropped its season opener against Dallas 3-2 in overtime on Wednesday, and fell 3-2 in overtime to Minnesota the next day.

"I don't think it's all negative," said Brad Richardson, who scored twice against the Wild. "We played pretty well both games. We had a couple letups here and there, but those are two good teams. We just need to focus and play a 60-minute game, and I think we'll be fine."

The Avalanche are off to their worst start since opening the 1998-99 season with four straight losses.

John-Michael Liles, who has two assists, is the only Colorado player besides Richardson with more than one point, though the Avalanche have taken 69 shots through two games.

Vancouver went 4-3-1 against its Northwest Division rival last season and won the final three meetings. Brendan Morrison had five goals and three assists against the Avalanche in the eight games.

Colorado's Joe Sakic had five goals and five assists in the season series.

Pick: Vancouver ML @ 2.20

ChE · #35 (**permalink**) 09-10-2006, 20:22

For tonight I’m taking 2 bets submitted by h2h records, present form and advantage of the home ice. Bet nr. 31 – Ducks Vs. Blues @1.60 (1x2) 5pts ( 4 years without home loss to Blues)., Nr. 32 – Maple leafs Vs. Panters @1.65 (ML) 4pts (Toronto is looking for the 6 straight win over Florida). And one more, with a bit lower confidence Nr.33 - Sharks Vs. Calgary @2.20 2pts. One of the best penalty killing teams (sharks didn’t concede short handed goal yet) vs. one of the worst power play (Calgary went 0 from 16) . Nabokov seems to be in good form and its common knowledge that goalie is more then a half of the team

. (Calgary went 3-1-0 against Sharks last season…). Present total hockey run record is: 30 bets, Stake: 102pts; Return: 115.14; Profit: 13.14pts Yield: 12.88%. Not a big profit, but better less then nothing…

Grga · #36 (**permalink**) 09-10-2006, 21:57

Ducks/Blue Jackets double @ 3.20 for me tonght

ChE · #37 (**permalink**) 10-10-2006, 13:13

Ducks Vs. Blues @1.60 (1x2) 5pts

Maple Leafs Vs. Florida @1.65 (Ml) 4pts

Sharks Vs. Calgary @2.20 (Ml) 2pts

Grga, congrats with your long double. Nice one.

GaNgStA kEeKs · #38 (**permalink**) 10-10-2006, 14:36

Yeah superb tipping folks

Long may it continue

Grga · #39 (**permalink**) 11-10-2006, 00:47

Quote:

NY Islanders (0-2-0) at Los Angeles (1-1-0)

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Game Info: 10:30 pm EDT Tue Oct 10, 2006
TV: FSNY, FSW Add to Calendar
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By NICOLINO Di BENEDETTO, STATS Writer

The New York Islanders will try to get their first win of the season on Tuesday and avoid setting a dubious franchise record.

The Islanders visit the Los Angeles Kings, hoping to prevent their first season-opening three-game losing streak since entering the NHL in 1972.

New York (0-2-0) lost 2-0 to the San Jose Sharks on Saturday after allowing first-period power-play goals to Matt Carle and Christian Ehrhoff less than four minutes apart.

"It's too easy to look at the mistakes right now (rather) than the positives," Islanders coach Ted Nolan said. "We need to tighten up our defense and grab some chemistry. Rick (DiPietro) played a great game. Both of the goals came quickly and he wasn't at fault."

DiPietro made 25 saves in the loss after a disappointing season debut. The goaltender was pulled after the second period of Thursday's opener, allowing six goals on 32 shots during a 6-3 loss to Phoenix.

The first overall selection in the 2000 NHL draft, DiPietro is being looked upon as the cornerstone of the franchise after signing a league-record 15-year, $67.5 million contract on Sept. 12.

He last dropped three consecutive starts during a four-game losing streak from March 28-April 6.

DiPietro has only faced the Kings once, when he was named the first star for making 29 saves in a 1-1 tie on Feb. 16, 2004 -- the last meeting between the teams.

DiPietro is one of five Islanders left from that contest, including Arron Asham, who scored the lone New York goal.

The Kings (1-1-0) hope to build off of Saturday's 4-1 win over St. Louis as they play the second game of a season-high six-game homestand.

Rookie center Anze Kopitar had three assists, giving him five points in the first two games of the season. He scored two goals in a 4-3 loss to Anaheim on Friday.

"I don't think I could even dream like that," Kopitar said. "I feel real confident on the ice right now."

Kopitar, the 11th overall selection in the 2005 draft, spent the last two seasons with Sodertalje SK of the Swedish Elitserien.

A native of Slovenia, Kopitar was named the top European prospect in 2005 by the NHL's European scouting service.

"I can pretty much sum it up by saying the kid can play, he's got game," Kings center Michael Cammalleri said. "He does a lot of things very well. He's done it consistently in the exhibition season and in the first two games."

The Kings will have to decide between goalies Mathieu Garon and Dan Cloutier on Tuesday.

Garon, who was the team's starter last season, made 35 saves in Saturday's victory. Cloutier made 28 stops but also allowed four scores on Friday.

Los Angeles will try to take advantage of the Islanders' unorthodox opening schedule, which has New York playing its first four games in the Pacific Time Zone. After this road trip, the Isles will leave the Eastern Time Zone only once -- a Nov. 15 contest at Dallas.

New York is just 1-for-12 on the power play through its first two games

Pick:LA Kings @ 1.90

ChE · #40 (**permalink**) 11-10-2006, 19:58

Had problems with i-net provider last night… was unable to post my lonely pick. Anyway, have three picks for today, first one is double Wings+Ducks @2.5 4pts. In addition, I will put smth on Carolina first win of the season @1.95 (ML) 2pts and Thrashers @1.75 (ML) 3pts.

GL