New York Rangers fans will remember what happened exactly 15 years ago today.
After Rangers captain Mark Messier made good on a guarantee in which the Rangers won Game 6 in New Jersey to send the Eastern Conference Finals to a deciding Game 7, Stephane Matteau would score one of the greatest goals in franchise history.
With 4:24 gone by in the second overtime period, Matteau sent the Rangers into 1994 Stanley Cup Finals by slipping the series-winning goal around the right post and past New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur. It sent Madison Square Garden into a frantic state of euphoria. Defeating the hated Devils was only part of this storybook season in which New York's 54-year Stanley Cup drought had finally come to an end just a few weeks later.
New York Rangers official site (May 27):
Stanley Cup Playoffs Flashback: May 27, 1994
video courtesy: NHL Productions
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
The Mark Messier Guarantee - May 25, 1994
New York Rangers fans will remember what happened exactly 15 years ago (give or take a few minutes here or there).
Against the archrival New Jersey Devils in which the Broadway Blueshirts were down 3-2 in the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals and staring at a 2-0 first period deficit, the captain Mark Messier made good on a guarantee that the Rangers would win Game 6 to send the series to a deciding Game 7. Not only did Messier make good on that promise, he delivered with victory.
Messier scored three goals and had one assist to lead New York to a 4-2 Game 6 win at what is now the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It will likely be one of the top moments of Messier's Hall of Fame career.
New York Rangers official site (May 25):
Stanley Cup Playoffs Flashback: May 25, 1994
video courtesy: NHL Productions
Against the archrival New Jersey Devils in which the Broadway Blueshirts were down 3-2 in the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals and staring at a 2-0 first period deficit, the captain Mark Messier made good on a guarantee that the Rangers would win Game 6 to send the series to a deciding Game 7. Not only did Messier make good on that promise, he delivered with victory.
Messier scored three goals and had one assist to lead New York to a 4-2 Game 6 win at what is now the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It will likely be one of the top moments of Messier's Hall of Fame career.
New York Rangers official site (May 25):
Stanley Cup Playoffs Flashback: May 25, 1994
video courtesy: NHL Productions
The NHL and Jerry Moyes agree on control of Phoenix Coyotes operations
Prior to this coming Wednesday's follow-up hearing at a downtown Phoenix courtroom, David Sloats of The Globe and Mail reported this afternoon that the National Hockey League and representatives for outgoing team owner Jerry Moyes have come to an agreement on how the Phoenix Coyotes will be operated until a new franchise buyer is found.
United States Bankruptcy Court Judge Redfield T. Baum ordered the two sides at the original hearing on May 19th to work out an agreement themselves under mediation. Baum, who represents the District of Arizona, will hear the progress report and learn of what was decided upon. According to Sloats' article, the issues of when the Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition was filed by Moyes, sale conditions of the team and its possible relocation should BlackBerry founder Jim Balsillie acquire the team and have the right to have it operate in Hamilton, Ontario as early as next season remain in question.
Interestingly enough, just hours earlier, Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star had stated Balsillie officially applied for the third time to be an owner of an NHL team. Moyes is expected to file a second application next week in order to allow for franchise relocation. The court has set aside June 22nd as the date in which the relocation issue of the bankruptcy case will be heard.
The Globe and Mail's sports page (May 25):
NHL, Coyotes agree on operating team
United States Bankruptcy Court Judge Redfield T. Baum ordered the two sides at the original hearing on May 19th to work out an agreement themselves under mediation. Baum, who represents the District of Arizona, will hear the progress report and learn of what was decided upon. According to Sloats' article, the issues of when the Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition was filed by Moyes, sale conditions of the team and its possible relocation should BlackBerry founder Jim Balsillie acquire the team and have the right to have it operate in Hamilton, Ontario as early as next season remain in question.
Interestingly enough, just hours earlier, Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star had stated Balsillie officially applied for the third time to be an owner of an NHL team. Moyes is expected to file a second application next week in order to allow for franchise relocation. The court has set aside June 22nd as the date in which the relocation issue of the bankruptcy case will be heard.
The Globe and Mail's sports page (May 25):
NHL, Coyotes agree on operating team
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Lightning and Oilers to play 2009 preseason game in Winnipeg
I thank my friend Heather who writes for her Reflections from the Ice Hockey Diva blog for the heads up on this story via her Twitter feed.
For the sixth time since the Jets left town, the city of Winnipeg will host an exhibition game between two National Hockey League teams.
Our Sports Central reports that the Tampa Bay Lightning and Edmonton Oilers have agreed to play a preseason game at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg on September 24th.
It will be the third time the Oilers have paid a visit to where their one-time Smythe Division rival had played. For the Lightning, it's their first appearance there since 1996.
Surprisingly, this is the only source that confirms the event will take place and with a set date and time. Neither NHL.com, the two NHL teams, the Manitoba Moose, the official American Hockey League site nor official MTS Centre web site have any press release posted at the time I posted this blog entry.
Our Sports Central press release (May 5):
Oilers and Lightning to strike at MTS Centre in NHL exhibition
For the sixth time since the Jets left town, the city of Winnipeg will host an exhibition game between two National Hockey League teams.
Our Sports Central reports that the Tampa Bay Lightning and Edmonton Oilers have agreed to play a preseason game at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg on September 24th.
It will be the third time the Oilers have paid a visit to where their one-time Smythe Division rival had played. For the Lightning, it's their first appearance there since 1996.
Surprisingly, this is the only source that confirms the event will take place and with a set date and time. Neither NHL.com, the two NHL teams, the Manitoba Moose, the official American Hockey League site nor official MTS Centre web site have any press release posted at the time I posted this blog entry.
Our Sports Central press release (May 5):
Oilers and Lightning to strike at MTS Centre in NHL exhibition
Monday, April 27, 2009
Donald Brashear suspended for 6 games for Game 6 incidents
The National Hockey League sent a clear message to Washington Capitals forward Donald Brashear. Don't mess with opposing players during pregame warmups and don't deliver cheap shots to their heads during games.
Earlier this afternoon, the league announced Brashear has been suspended for six games after initating contact with New York Rangers forward Colton Orr prior to Game 6 of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinals series at Madison Square Garden. During the game, he leveled Blair Betts with a shoulder to the head nearly halfway through the first period of Washington's 5-3 victory.
"Brashear delivered a shoulder hit to an unsuspecting player," NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell said. "It is also my opinion that the hit was delivered late and targeted the head of his opponent, causing significant injury."
Brashear will be ineligible to play in tomorrow night's Game 7 at the Verizon Center in Washington. This first game will be punishment for his prohibited contact with Orr during pregame warmups. Should the Capitals lose to the Rangers in Game 7, Brashear will serve the first five 2009-2010 regular season games for his head-hunting blow to Betts' head. If Washington advances to the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Brashear will sit out at least four games and then one additional game should their next series go to a Game 5.
Capitals head coach Bruce Boudreau has not announced who would replace Brashear in their lineup for Game 7 and possibly beyond. Chris Clark and Michael Nylander are the most likely candidates.
Earlier this afternoon, the league announced Brashear has been suspended for six games after initating contact with New York Rangers forward Colton Orr prior to Game 6 of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinals series at Madison Square Garden. During the game, he leveled Blair Betts with a shoulder to the head nearly halfway through the first period of Washington's 5-3 victory.
"Brashear delivered a shoulder hit to an unsuspecting player," NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell said. "It is also my opinion that the hit was delivered late and targeted the head of his opponent, causing significant injury."
Brashear will be ineligible to play in tomorrow night's Game 7 at the Verizon Center in Washington. This first game will be punishment for his prohibited contact with Orr during pregame warmups. Should the Capitals lose to the Rangers in Game 7, Brashear will serve the first five 2009-2010 regular season games for his head-hunting blow to Betts' head. If Washington advances to the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Brashear will sit out at least four games and then one additional game should their next series go to a Game 5.
Capitals head coach Bruce Boudreau has not announced who would replace Brashear in their lineup for Game 7 and possibly beyond. Chris Clark and Michael Nylander are the most likely candidates.
Should there even be a goalie controversy in New York?
When I saw this poll question posted on a New York Rangers message board yesterday, it was a stunner. I never thought to this day that such an idea would be discussed.
This 14-year-old kid from Rochester, New York (who is a Buffalo Sabres fan, I may add) was the one who brought the topic up for discussion. It is understandable that this poll question was raised and it is fine that it was. It gets people talking. But in all truthfulness here, there isn't any goalie controversy in New York City.
The Rangers are in a major dogfight to advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals and can only get there if they defeat the Washington Capitals tomorrow night at the Verizon Center in Game 7 of their first round series. Their team play has basically followed the trend of their regular season as one of the most consistently inconsistent teams in the entire league. That said, Rangers fans are frustrated with their team's play a lot more often than not.
In the aftermath of the Rangers having lost the last two playoff games of the series to the Capitals, backup goaltender Stephen Valiquette has played the last two third periods in place of Henrik Lundqvist who had looked at best as average. Valiquette held the fort together and has not allowed a goal in 9 shots he's faced. I know, not even a double figure shot total, but still, he did his job in a mop-up role.
Against Washington, the Rangers all but stole the first two games of the series on the road where the Verizon Center has been a house of horrors in recent memory in terms of them simply winning there. New York withstood a Washington rally in Game 1 on April 15th in which they had 3-1 lead, blown it, but still won 4-3 on the heroics of Brandon Dubinsky's game-winning goal in the third period. Lundqvist was excellent in net, but not as spectacular as he was in Game 2 on April 18th before a national audience on NBC. He would make 35 saves in his first career playoff shutout, a 1-0 victory. At the time, the Rangers had a 2-0 series lead and plenty of optimism as they headed home.
But New York would then lay an egg in Game 3 last Monday night at Madison Square Garden with a 4-0 loss. Twenty-year-old Capitals goaltender Simeon Varlamov turned the tables on the Rangers with his own first career playoff shutout with a 33-save effort. He has been in the Washington net since Game 1 after Jose Theodore was not his best.
Varlamov was good enough to have kept his starting job in this series where he had a shutout streak of 126:11 before Paul Mara and Chris Drury's offensive output would just be enough for a 2-1 Game 4 win. Lundqvist appeared to be back on track with one of the most impressive outings of his four-year National Hockey League career with 38 saves on 39 shots, including some brilliant stops in the process.
Along came Game 5 and from the onset, the Rangers looked unprepared, undisciplined and downright abysmal in a number of areas to their game. No offense, no consistent offensive threat and special teams were atrocious. As soon as Matt Bradley scored a shorthanded goal nearly five minutes into the game and later added another goal in which Lundqvist played it very poorly where Washington grabbed a 2-0 lead, many observers knew this wasn't New York's night. It was proven right in another 4-0 loss in which Lundqvist was pulled and Valiquette finished up.
Yesterday, the Rangers lost for the second time in three home games of this series as Lundqvist was again overwhelmed and off his game in a 5-3 loss in Game 6 where he allowed 5 goals on 20 shots before Valiquette once again played a flawless third period.
So do the Rangers throw in Valiquette for Game 7 as Washington did following Game 1?
Why would head coach John Tortorella bench Lundqvist for the most important game of the entire season when he is your MVP that got you into the playoffs to begin with? If it wasn't for Lundqvist, the Rangers would've already been playing golf by now.
I know, Lundqvist was pulled at the second intermission in each of the last two games and Valiquette did not allow a goal in both third periods. But the game was out of reach in each one, so it is not like Valiquette had to save the day for New York. It only proved that Valiquette is plenty capable of stopping pucks in playoff games.
If Valiquette starts tomorrow night over Lundqvist, not only does it mean the Rangers lost confidence in him, but they put out the white flag in surrendering the series and season to the Capitals. No offense to Valiquette, but Lundqvist is the big money goalie here and needs to be between the pipes if the Rangers stand any chance to move on to the second round.
So to anyone that even suggests there is a goaltender controversy is out of his mind. Time to see Lundqvist step up and prove once again why he is among the elite goaltenders in all of hockey. Win a Game 7 against a superior team like Washington, it'll help erase the bad memories of the last two contests and restore some confidence in the team they still have a shot to come out of the Eastern Conference this postseason.
This 14-year-old kid from Rochester, New York (who is a Buffalo Sabres fan, I may add) was the one who brought the topic up for discussion. It is understandable that this poll question was raised and it is fine that it was. It gets people talking. But in all truthfulness here, there isn't any goalie controversy in New York City.
The Rangers are in a major dogfight to advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals and can only get there if they defeat the Washington Capitals tomorrow night at the Verizon Center in Game 7 of their first round series. Their team play has basically followed the trend of their regular season as one of the most consistently inconsistent teams in the entire league. That said, Rangers fans are frustrated with their team's play a lot more often than not.
In the aftermath of the Rangers having lost the last two playoff games of the series to the Capitals, backup goaltender Stephen Valiquette has played the last two third periods in place of Henrik Lundqvist who had looked at best as average. Valiquette held the fort together and has not allowed a goal in 9 shots he's faced. I know, not even a double figure shot total, but still, he did his job in a mop-up role.
Against Washington, the Rangers all but stole the first two games of the series on the road where the Verizon Center has been a house of horrors in recent memory in terms of them simply winning there. New York withstood a Washington rally in Game 1 on April 15th in which they had 3-1 lead, blown it, but still won 4-3 on the heroics of Brandon Dubinsky's game-winning goal in the third period. Lundqvist was excellent in net, but not as spectacular as he was in Game 2 on April 18th before a national audience on NBC. He would make 35 saves in his first career playoff shutout, a 1-0 victory. At the time, the Rangers had a 2-0 series lead and plenty of optimism as they headed home.
But New York would then lay an egg in Game 3 last Monday night at Madison Square Garden with a 4-0 loss. Twenty-year-old Capitals goaltender Simeon Varlamov turned the tables on the Rangers with his own first career playoff shutout with a 33-save effort. He has been in the Washington net since Game 1 after Jose Theodore was not his best.
Varlamov was good enough to have kept his starting job in this series where he had a shutout streak of 126:11 before Paul Mara and Chris Drury's offensive output would just be enough for a 2-1 Game 4 win. Lundqvist appeared to be back on track with one of the most impressive outings of his four-year National Hockey League career with 38 saves on 39 shots, including some brilliant stops in the process.
Along came Game 5 and from the onset, the Rangers looked unprepared, undisciplined and downright abysmal in a number of areas to their game. No offense, no consistent offensive threat and special teams were atrocious. As soon as Matt Bradley scored a shorthanded goal nearly five minutes into the game and later added another goal in which Lundqvist played it very poorly where Washington grabbed a 2-0 lead, many observers knew this wasn't New York's night. It was proven right in another 4-0 loss in which Lundqvist was pulled and Valiquette finished up.
Yesterday, the Rangers lost for the second time in three home games of this series as Lundqvist was again overwhelmed and off his game in a 5-3 loss in Game 6 where he allowed 5 goals on 20 shots before Valiquette once again played a flawless third period.
So do the Rangers throw in Valiquette for Game 7 as Washington did following Game 1?
Why would head coach John Tortorella bench Lundqvist for the most important game of the entire season when he is your MVP that got you into the playoffs to begin with? If it wasn't for Lundqvist, the Rangers would've already been playing golf by now.
I know, Lundqvist was pulled at the second intermission in each of the last two games and Valiquette did not allow a goal in both third periods. But the game was out of reach in each one, so it is not like Valiquette had to save the day for New York. It only proved that Valiquette is plenty capable of stopping pucks in playoff games.
If Valiquette starts tomorrow night over Lundqvist, not only does it mean the Rangers lost confidence in him, but they put out the white flag in surrendering the series and season to the Capitals. No offense to Valiquette, but Lundqvist is the big money goalie here and needs to be between the pipes if the Rangers stand any chance to move on to the second round.
So to anyone that even suggests there is a goaltender controversy is out of his mind. Time to see Lundqvist step up and prove once again why he is among the elite goaltenders in all of hockey. Win a Game 7 against a superior team like Washington, it'll help erase the bad memories of the last two contests and restore some confidence in the team they still have a shot to come out of the Eastern Conference this postseason.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
2009 NHL trade deadline day is here
The day is finally here. This is an fantasy hockey player's wet dream. It's the NHL trade deadline, 2009 style.
Today is the day hockey fans around the world watch closely to see if their favorite team makes a trade... or two... or three (okay, not necessarily that many, but you get my point)... where they are either looking to bolster their roster to make a serious run at a Stanley Cup title or simply to execute a fire sale in building for the future.
This is when NHL owners and general managers pull their hair out and have a couple of coffee pots on standby. The weight of their teams falls on their shoulders to do what is best for their employer. This is the proving ground where their salaries are deserving or not when they were hired.
How many trades will be made by the deadline which is at 3:00 PM Eastern Standard Time? No one knows for sure, but there will be some made by then. What will be funny is that if there are so few to make this day not worth getting up in the morning and follow TSN, CBC, Rogers Sportsnet, The Score or even the NHL Network and the league office running NHL.com's trade deadline page, all those employees reporting to work extra early will be just a little bit aggravated. ESPN has a trade deadline blog you can follow. Not to say FOX Sports won't be paying any attention, but if you don't need the extensive marathon coverage those Canadian networks provide, you always have that American source to check out anytime. SB Nation (which just partnered up with Yahoo!) also has their trade deadline page with a number of team bloggers keep us updated.
Additional reliable online sources you can access include:
Spector's Hockey
The Fourth Period
Kukla's Korner
James Mirtle's From The Rink hockey blog
Sean Leahy's Twitter feed
Lyle Richardson (who is a very reputable journalist that runs the Spector's Hockey site) has listed a few more sources you can access for all your trade deadline need for juicy trade rumors and actual deals. But I highly recommend Lyle as someone that will be bringing you instant analysis on his blog that is also accessible at FOX Sports' NHL page.
NHL Network's NHL Live! radio show will be on the air for an extra hour today from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM Eastern Time. Then a special edition of NHL On The Fly will follow at 3:00 PM. For more details, see the NHL's February 27th press release. This is in addition to TSN and Rogers Sportsnet providing their usual trade deadline day coverage.
Here are a few transactions that were finalized since yesterday that likely have made an impact on today's trade deadline:
The Minnesota Wild signed goaltender Niklas Backstrom to a four-year, $24 million contract extension.
The Vancouver Canucks signed forward Alex Burrows to a four-year, $8 million contract extension.
The Ottawa Senators signed defenseman Filip Kuba to a three-year contract extension. TSN reports it is worth $11.1 million.
In addition to that signing, the Senators traded forward Antoine Vermette to the Columbus Blue Jackets for goaltender Pascal Leclaire and a 2009 second round draft pick.
TSN reports that the Buffalo Sabres signed forward Tim Connolly to a two-year, $9 million contract extension.
We'll see how things pan out between now and the end of tonight when any trades made by the deadline are announced. I'd be shocked if more than a few big names get moved today, but again, we shall see. Enjoy your trade deadline day and may your favorite team not disappoint you.
Today is the day hockey fans around the world watch closely to see if their favorite team makes a trade... or two... or three (okay, not necessarily that many, but you get my point)... where they are either looking to bolster their roster to make a serious run at a Stanley Cup title or simply to execute a fire sale in building for the future.
This is when NHL owners and general managers pull their hair out and have a couple of coffee pots on standby. The weight of their teams falls on their shoulders to do what is best for their employer. This is the proving ground where their salaries are deserving or not when they were hired.
How many trades will be made by the deadline which is at 3:00 PM Eastern Standard Time? No one knows for sure, but there will be some made by then. What will be funny is that if there are so few to make this day not worth getting up in the morning and follow TSN, CBC, Rogers Sportsnet, The Score or even the NHL Network and the league office running NHL.com's trade deadline page, all those employees reporting to work extra early will be just a little bit aggravated. ESPN has a trade deadline blog you can follow. Not to say FOX Sports won't be paying any attention, but if you don't need the extensive marathon coverage those Canadian networks provide, you always have that American source to check out anytime. SB Nation (which just partnered up with Yahoo!) also has their trade deadline page with a number of team bloggers keep us updated.
Additional reliable online sources you can access include:
Spector's Hockey
The Fourth Period
Kukla's Korner
James Mirtle's From The Rink hockey blog
Sean Leahy's Twitter feed
Lyle Richardson (who is a very reputable journalist that runs the Spector's Hockey site) has listed a few more sources you can access for all your trade deadline need for juicy trade rumors and actual deals. But I highly recommend Lyle as someone that will be bringing you instant analysis on his blog that is also accessible at FOX Sports' NHL page.
NHL Network's NHL Live! radio show will be on the air for an extra hour today from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM Eastern Time. Then a special edition of NHL On The Fly will follow at 3:00 PM. For more details, see the NHL's February 27th press release. This is in addition to TSN and Rogers Sportsnet providing their usual trade deadline day coverage.
Here are a few transactions that were finalized since yesterday that likely have made an impact on today's trade deadline:
The Minnesota Wild signed goaltender Niklas Backstrom to a four-year, $24 million contract extension.
The Vancouver Canucks signed forward Alex Burrows to a four-year, $8 million contract extension.
The Ottawa Senators signed defenseman Filip Kuba to a three-year contract extension. TSN reports it is worth $11.1 million.
In addition to that signing, the Senators traded forward Antoine Vermette to the Columbus Blue Jackets for goaltender Pascal Leclaire and a 2009 second round draft pick.
TSN reports that the Buffalo Sabres signed forward Tim Connolly to a two-year, $9 million contract extension.
We'll see how things pan out between now and the end of tonight when any trades made by the deadline are announced. I'd be shocked if more than a few big names get moved today, but again, we shall see. Enjoy your trade deadline day and may your favorite team not disappoint you.
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