The Crosby Count

Sidney pulled himself out of a slight slump the other night in the game against Boston. He had a nice jump to his step and potted a goal and assisted on two others.

Not to mention the fight.

Sid squared off against Andrew Ference - the instigator of the scrap - and fared quite nicely, thank you very much.

The Pens took that game in a shootout, but lost to the Islanders the next night. Crosby picked up a helper in that game, and got another helper in today's matinee against Boston again, a game the Pens won.

Now, Sid gets a nice holiday break. He's off until Thursday, December 27, when the Pens host Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals.

Rest well, Sid. Happy Christmas.


CROSBY COUNT
Games played: 36
Goals: 16
Assists: 32
Total points: 48


LUNCH: Overly sweet Chinese foot from the mall while doing some last-minute shopping.

Canada's best ambassadors

There was a great double header on TSN tonight. First, Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns were in Toronto to take on the Raptors. That game was followed by Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins in Edmonton to play the Oilers.

Nash and Crosby are both icons in their respective sports, and deservedly so. They both dominate play and, more importantly, they make their teammates better.

Nash - who has been taking some slack lately for saying he won't play in the Olympics even if Canada qualifies - didn't exactly put on a show tonight, but he certainly showed that he is a big reason that the Suns will again contend this year.

It's too bad that the Raptors, which actually look like a basketball team to watch, were missing their two biggies Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani, because if those two had been in the lineup, the Raptors would have made a better game of it.

As it was, a 45-point third quarter by the Suns was enough to put the Raptors down. Still, it was a great game, and it's always nice to see Nash playing in Canada.

Final score: Suns 136, Raptors 123.

The second half of the double-header had Sidney Crosby leading the Penguins on the team's first western Canada road trip since he entered the league three years ago.

In all these years, Crosby has never played hockey out west, except for an appearance at the Macs Midget tournament in Calgary. That's one reason there has been such a media circus in Edmonton for the past couple of days.

Crosby told media on Tuesday that trying to do too much was not a good strategy, and that he was going to just try and enjoy the game.

He couldn't have enjoyed the first couple of periods, because he didn't play so hot, and heading into the third, was spending more time on the bench than he's used to.

That did something, as Crosby assisted on three of Pittsburgh's four goals in the third period, and giving the Pens the win over the Oil. Talk about putting on a show.


Final score: Penguins 4, Oilers 2.


LUNCH: A tasty bowl of French Canadian pea soup

The Crosby Count

So the Kid had his point streak halted at 19 games. Pretty good for a twenty-year-old hockey player in his third NHL season.

After one game kept off the scoresheet, though, he was back on it, and last night he picked up a goal and a helper as the Pens shut out the Atlanta Thrashers. 

I wonder when we'll have to stop calling him the Kid. Any ideas on when that will become inappropriate? Or is it okay for him to be a 33-year-old kid someday?

On a related note, read this story from The Onion: Sidney Crosby's One-Goal, Two-Assist Performance Saves Hockey.

CROSBY COUNT
Games played: 23
Goals: 12
Assists: 21
Total points: 33

BREAKFAST: Just some Corn Flakes, as I'm keeping my appetite ready for a day of grazing; it's Grey Cup Day, fool!

The Crosby Count

The Pens snapped a four-game losing streak last night when they beat the Islanders 3-2.

More importantly, Crosby extended his point streak to 18 with an assist on George Laraque's game winner.

Next up are the Rangers, again, for the second time in just over a week. But this time the Kid and crew are at home. Here's hoping for an offensive explosion.

CROSBY COUNT
Games played: 19
Goals: 10
Assists: 18
Total points: 28


BREAKFAST: Cheerios and a banana

At the game: Oilers at Canucks

A client gave me tickets to the Canucks game for tonight, so I got a rare chance to see a game live.

I always forget how fast the game is; you lose that sense when watching games on television.

It was, all things considered, a boring game. The Oilers took the shootout win on the final shot. Hemsky roofed one on Luongo.

The Canucks came out strong in the first, but by the second period had started to lag, and in the third, the young Oilers team simply dominated.

Gagner and Cogliano are as fast as you've heard, and excited to be playing in the NHL, too.

Can't say the same for the Canucks. Well, not all of them, anyway.

Kesler and Cooke had the fire in their eyes, but Naslund and Morrison seemed like they would rather have been somewhere else.

What has happened to Morrison? He looks deflated.

Luongo was composed tonight, and made a couple of great stops that kept the Canucks from getting overwhelmed by the Oilers.

Like I said, the game was a bit boring.

But I'm glad I was there. You forget how fast they are.


LUNCH: Deli-style sandwich, heaped with pastrami

The Crosby Count

The Penguins have lost their last two games, but Crosby has points in both games, extending his streak to 17.

On Saturday night, the Pens lost 5-2 to Philadelphia, their second lost to the Flyers in four nights. Tonight, they lost 3-2 to the Devils. Against the Flyers, Sid notched an assist, and tonight he figured in both Penguins goals, scoring one and assisting on the other.

They get a couple of days off now, and host the Islanders on Thursday and the Rangers on Saturday. They must get sick of playing the same teams over and over again, don't you think? I don't care how much it costs or how tired the players get, I'm all for playing every team in the league twice every season, once at home, once in the other team's arena.

CROSBY COUNT
Games played: 18
Goals: 10
Assists: 17
Total points: 27


LUNCH: Lasagne with a side caesar salad

The Crosby Count

Sid's point streak is now 15 games because he wrangled an assist against the Rangers last night. They've had a bit of a busy schedule the past while, playing six games in eight days. Good thing they're in the Atlantic division.

Now Sid gets ready for Saturday's scrap against rivals the Philadelphia Flyers, who handed the Pens a loss on Wednesday. Time for some sweet revenge, Sidney. Time for another multi-point night, I think.

CROSBY COUNT
Games played: 16
Goals: 9
Assists: 15
Total points: 24


LUNCH: A massive burrito smothered in mole sauce

The Crosby Count

Coming off a pretty hairy road trip last week, the Penguins were at home last night, hosting the Flyers, who didn't win a game against the Pens last year.

The Flyers flipped that losing streak on its head, beating the Penguins 3-1. The Pittsburgh offense seemed a bit skunky, but the biggest problem was goaltending, as Dany Sabourin let in two goals on the first three shots of the game.

Suddenly, it becomes clear that whatever you might say about the Pens offensive production, goaltending is the real problem for Pittsburgh this year. I wonder if The Sieve has something he can add to my analysis on this.

Crosby maintained his streak, though, with an assist on the Pens' lone goal. He's got points in every game this season, except the opener on October 5.

CROSBY COUNT
Games played: 15
Goals: 9
Assists: 14
Total points: 23


LUNCH: A big bowl of chicken noodle soup with about a thousand crackers

The Crosby Count

The Kid notched a couple of nice goals against the New Jersey Devils last night, moving him into a tie - with Jarome Iginla - for second spot at the top of the NHL scoring chart.

You go, Sid! Keep getting Nate those sweet fantasy draft points!

CROSBY COUNT
Games played: 14
Goals: 9
Assists: 13
Total points: 22


LUNCH: Chicken pot pie

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.

The Crosby Count

The Penguins lost to the New York Islanders tonight and it was another low scoring affair: 3-2 in favour of the Isles.

Crosby picked up an assist, which isn't too bad when your team only scores two goals.

CROSBY COUNT
Games played: 13
Goals: 7
Assists: 13
Total points: 20


LUNCH: burger and fries in the pub, watching the last regular season CFL games

The Crosby Count

I think maybe it's begun. I think Sid the Kid has settled in to his new job as captain of the Penguins, and is about to take off in the game of goals and assists.

Unless by saying that, I'm jinxing him. Hope not.

Stay tuned to Giga Byte Me for daily updates on Sid's prolific output.

CROSBY COUNT
Games played: 12
Goals: 7
Assists: 12
Total points: 19

LUNCH: Chicken noodle soup and a ham sandwich

The Crosby Count

Oh, Sidney! You pot a goal and assist on three others in a game in which your team scores 4 goals.

That's more like it.

Bring on Colorado!

CROSBY COUNT
Games played: 11
Goals: 5
Assists: 12
Total points: 17


LUNCH: I'm on the road, so I had to visit the Queen Mum for pad thai; the best in Canada

The Crosby Count

Did you see the Canadiens play the Penguins? The Habs were up 3-0 and let the Pens come back on them.

Then we're treated to a whale of a shootout. It took 8 rounds before anyone scored. Some great saves by Dany Sabourin and Carey Price. Price, in particular, looked awesome. He simply would not move first. Crosby and Malkin ended up not knowing what to do with the puck in the shootout because Price simply outwaited them. That kid is the real deal.


CROSBY COUNT
Games played: 10
Goals: 4
Assists: 9
Total points: 13


LUNCH: Steak sandwich, nice and rare

The Crosby Count

I was really expecting more offense from the Pens this year. I'm glad they beat Washington, yeah, but with Crosby, Ovechkin, and Malkin on the ice, I expected the score to be bigger than 2-1.

Oh, well, at least the Kid nabbed an assist.

CROSBY COUNT
Games played: 7
Goals: 2
Assists: 7
Total points: 9


LUNCH: Early, yet, but I can tell you I plan on having a big bowl of chili

The Crosby Count

Sid scored the shootout winner in the game against Carolina tonight. Too bad shootout goals don't count in my hockey pool. He did snag a couple of assists, though. Not too shabby!

CROSBY COUNT
Games played: 6
Goals: 2
Assists: 6
Total points: 8

LUNCH: chicken salad sandwich with a big dill pickle

The Crosby Count

Okay, I was really excited to get the first pick in our hockey draft this year, because it meant that I could snap up Sidney Crosby, and instantly be in the running to win the draft. Sid the Kid really is that good.

Or, he was last year. And the year before.

But he's been slow to get rolling this season, and in four games with the Penguins so far this year, he's only got four points: 2 goals, 2 assists.

Which, for any other player would be phenomenal. But for Crosby it's mediocre.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not about to trade the Kid. I'm not the smartest guy in the world, but I'm not a moron. I'd like to see Crosby notch a few more points, sure, and I'm also sure that he will. So I've decided to start tracking his output in this blog.

So if you wanna know how Sidney Crosby is doing, check back here for a points update on the league's best player.

After the Penguins loss to the New Jersey Devils tonight, here's where the Kid stands:

CROSBY COUNT
Games played: 5
Goals: 2
Assists: 4
Total points: 6


LUNCH: A pita wrap with tuna salad. The pita was a bit dry, but the tuna had just the right amount of mayonnaise

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.

Fantasy hockey draft

The consensus among the learned hockey analysts is that Sidney Crosby will win the scoring title (cause that's a difficult prediction to make), but who rounds out the top 5 scorers for the 2007-2008 season?

Joe Thornton, Jaromir Jagr, Dany Heatley, Alexander Ovechkin, Vincent Lecavalier, Marian Hossa, and Henrik Zetterberg are certain to be at the top of the heap.

But after Crosby, who would you pick for spots 2 through 5?


LUNCH: a nice slice of pumpkin pie