The Crosby Count

Well, Crosby didn't generate many points on the road trip into western Canada, but he led the Penguins to a sweep.

His 3-assist third period against the Oilers started the tour off nicely, and while he was kept off the score sheet in Calgary and Vancouver, the Penguins took both of those games in shootouts. Both shootouts, it should be noted, were won by Penguins defenceman Kris Letang.

The game against Vancouver - which I just finished watching - damn near ended up with a poetic, epic finish. With only a couple of minutes left in overtime, Sid got a jump on a loose puck and was tripped up by Miller while on a breakaway, which led to a penalty shot.

So we've suddenly got two franchise players - Crosby and Roberto Luongo - going head-to-head with the game on the line. Sid made a great move, but Luo did him one better, by keeping his eye on the puck and never letting up on the play. It was a great moment.

For the record, Luo stopped Sid a second time during the shootout.

Anyhow, I'm sure the Pens are counting this road trip a success.

Side note: Is it me or did Dany Sabourin play pretty good?

CROSBY COUNT
Games played: 29
Goals: 14
Assists: 26
Total points: 40


LUNCH: Eggs, toast, and breakfast sausages; more like a late breakfast (I think it's called brunch in some places)

Canucks sucking: discuss

I'm just not even sure what to think about the Vancouver Canucks. I can say I've been watching more Flames games and Eastern teams, because I just can't bring myself to tune in to a Canucks game.

But other people are talking about why they think the Canucks are off to such a bad start.

• Canucks Hockey Blog: "It was a mess, and unfortunately for Bieksa, Salo and the Canucks' 'D,' it was a bloody mess."
  
• Canucks and Beyond: "It’s hard to really work up a good head of insults about my least favorite team in the NHL [Colorado Avalanche], when my Canucks are currently flailing around like a beached whale searching for dinner."
  
• False Gods: "This team is in disarray both on and off the ice."

What is really going to hurt the Canucks is the loss of Kevin Bieksa to a "lacerated calf muscle," although some are saying it's his Achilles tendon that got sliced.

Ouch.

EDIT: The Canucks put together some offense against the Avalanche on Saturday night - six points between the Bobsy Twins - but I've gotta wonder if they are going to trade for a defensemen. Soon. With Bieksa and Salo both out, they are looking weak back there.

What ever happened to Fleury?

There was a time when Theo Fleury was the heart and soul of the Calgary Flames. He had a never-say-die attitude that belied his small stature. And he was a member of the Flames during that golden era when Lanny won them a Stanley Cup.

Oh, how he fell from grace.

The last I heard, Fleury was playing hockey in Ireland, of all places. But Eric Duhatschek caught up with Fleury in Calgary a few days ago, and fills in some recent history.

Tonight is hockey night. In Canada

There are 14 game in the NHL tonight, which means that every time in the league but two are on the ice. On Hockey Night in Canada on CBC we get Montreal in Toronto, followed by Vancouver at Calgary.

I know the season has been active for a couple of weeks, but it actually feels like hockey season now, don't you think?


LUNCH: More like breakfast, because I was so late getting to it. Bacon, eggs, toast.

Here comes hockey

So the NHL training camps start today (some start tomorrow), which means it's time to gird for the new season.

The Oilers, having traded away their franchise player (Ryan Smyth, duh) will get to play against him now, as he steps into Denver to play for the Colorado Avalanche. Nice work, Kevin Lowe.

And I had forgotten that Mike Keenan was the new head coach of the Calgary Flames. OMFG! Iron Mike!

Watch out, Northwest division. Even looking at a photo of Keenan scares me. Don't let the smile fool you. He only smiles before he crushes someone.

So get those spreadsheets out, because the time for fantasy drafts fast approaches.


LUNCH: a bowl of beef stew