(Video) Milan Lucic cup checks Danny DeKeyser

That's going to leave a mark. Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic cup checks Detroit Red Wings defenseman Danny DeKeyser There was no call on the play.

Because It's The Cup: 2014 Playoffs

Because it's the Cup.... The 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs start tomorrow night. Who's your pick to win the Stanley Cup?

My NHL Stanley Cup Predictions - Bruins win Rematch over the Blackhawks

Zach Hawkins has made his predictions for the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs, here's mine. Feel free to chime in with your picks.

2014 Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions

EAST:
Round 1:
Boston over Detroit
Montreal over Tampa
Philly over NYR
Pittsburgh over Columbus

Round 2:
Philly over Pittsburgh
Boston over Montreal

Round 3:
Philly over Boston

WEST:
Round 1:
Anaheim over Dallas
LA over San Jose
Colorado over Minnesota
Chicago over St. Louis

Round 2:
Anaheim over LA
Colorado over Chicago

Round 3:
Colorado over Anaheim

STANLEY CUP FINALS:
Colorado over Philly

Bruins get tough draw with Red Wings

There's a common theme starting to appear on line. I keep reading how the Boston Bruins don't match-up well against the Detroit Red Wings, because they're a fast skating team. It's true, the Red Wings won 3-of-4 games during the regular season. As a Bruins fan, the match-up with the Red Wings and the Montreal Canadiens are the least attractive to me.

@Real_ESPNLeBrun -- If I had to pick a Cup champion right now, I'd go with the Bruins, especially because the East should be a more navigable journey compared to the contender-deep West. Yet I'm sure Bruins fans aren't exactly overjoyed their team drew the dangerous Red Wings in the opening round, a team that beat Boston three out of four games this season. I'm still picking Boston to prevail, but the matchup proves yet again that there's no such thing as a layup in the salary-cap era. All 16 teams that made the postseason have a shot.

History tells us that the Boston Bruins haven't done very well against the Montreal Canadiens. Boston had a 1-2-1 record against the Habs this past season. That's a fact that well documented. So what did the Habs do, they added former Buffalo Sabres forward Thomas Vanek, a known Bruins killer at the NHL trade deadline. Bruins fans are hoping that the Tampa Bay Lightning knock the Habs out during the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs.

During his NHL career, Thomas Vanek has scored 62 points, including 30 goals, against the Bruins, far and away the most against any opponent he has faced. Vanek is really hot right now, finally breaking out with his new team by scoring a hat trick against the Colorado Avalanche (Mark Wallace Graham, Hockey Writers)

The Bruins have a 2-5-2 record against the Red Wings and the Habs. Now, here’s the good news, the Boston Bruins have 15-1-0 record against the rest of the eastern teams in the playoffs. I know it sounds cliché, but anything can happen during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Pittsburgh Pengiuns: Jussi Jokinen shootout goal

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jussi Jokinen was given a gift when Red Wings goalie Jonas Gustavsson tries to stick check him and knocks the puck in his own net in the shootout.

Terry Sawchuck the face of Hockey

Yikes. "@HistoryInPicsTerry Sawchuk - The face of a hockey goalie before masks became standard game equipment, 1966. pic.twitter.com/Wb2HRbg3vK"
— Rick Ralph (@RickRalphTSN) March 9, 2014

The Slovakian 2014 Olympic hockey team

Defense 

Zdeno Chara  (Boston Bruins)

Martin Marincin (Edmonton Oilers)

Andrej Meszaros (Philadelphia Flyers)

Andrej Sekera (Carolina Hurricanes)

Lubomir Visnovsky (New York Islanders)

Ivan Baranka

Dominik Granak

Michal Sersen

Forwards
Marian Gaborik, (Columbus Blue Jackets)
Michal Handzus, (Chicago Blackhawks)
Marian Hossa, (Chicago Blackhawks)
Tomas Jurco, (Detroit Red Wings)
Tomas Kopecky, (Florida Panthers)
Richard Panik, (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Tomas Tatar, (Detroit Red Wings)
Milan Bartovic
Marcel Hossa
Tomas Marcinko
Michel Miklik
Peter Olvecky
Tomas Surovy
Tomas Zaborsk

The Russian Olympic team for the 2014 Sochi games

English: Columbus Blue Jackets defenceman Fedor Tyutin prior to a National Hockey League game against the Calgary Flames, in Calgary]] (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Goaltenders

Sergei Bobrovsky (Columbus Blue Jackets)
Semyon Varlamov (Colorado Avalanche)
Alexander Eremenko ( Dynamo Moscow)

Defense

Anton Belov (Edmonton Oilers)
Vyacheslav Voynov (Los Angeles Kings)
Alexei Emelin (Montreal Canadiens)
Andrei Markov (Montreal Canadiens)
Evgeni Medvedev (AK Bars)
Nikita Nikitin (Columbus Blue Jackets)
Ilya Nikulin (AK Bars)
Fedor Tyutin (Columbus BlueJackets)

Forwards

Artem Anisimov (Columbus Blue Jackets)
Pavel Datsyuk (Detroit Red Wings)
Ilya Kovalchuk (SKA)
Denis Kokarev (Dynamo Moscow)
Nikolai Kulemin (Toronto Maple Leafs)
Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh Penguins)
Valery Nichushkin (Dallas Stars)
Alex Ovechkin (Washington Capitals)
Alexander Popov (Avangard)
Alexander Radulov (CKA)
Vladimir Tarasenko (St. Louis Blues)
Alexei Tereschenko (SKA)
Viktor Tikhonov (SKA)
Sergei Soin (Dynamo Moscow)

Winter Classic Humor

s/t Addicted Hockey Fans. The game is going to the dogs.

Jonas Gustavsson makes a save on Dion Phaneuf.

Red Wings goalie Jonas Gustavsson makes a beautiful 10-bell save on Toronto Leafs defenseman Dion Phaneuf. This has to be one of the top saves of the season so far. This is a game changing save right here.

Red Wings Pavel Datsyuk chicken winged

I know this video is a few days old, but Detroit Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk was chicken wings by Ottawas Jared Cowen. Why isn't there a suspension on this hit? Datsyuk is doubtful for the game against the Boston Bruins tomorrow night.

Related articles

• Red Wings Update: Datsyuk, Bertuzzi Out Wednesday (thehockeywriters.com)

Red Wings DeKeyser hurt

Red Wings defenseman Danny DeKeyser was injuried in last night's game against the Nashville Preditors. Not good news for the Detroit Red Wings. DeKeyser went straight from playing for the Western Michigan Broncos to playing in the NHL and the Stanley Cup Playoffs last spring. Adjust those fantasy rosters.

UPDATE: Danny DeKeyser will not return tonight after suffering a left shoulder injury. #RedWings
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) November 20, 2013

Cody McLeod has in person hearing for hit on Niklas Kronwall

#Avalanche Cody McLeod has earned an in-person hearing with the #NHL for his hit on #Redwings Nik Kronwall. Date TBD.
— Nick Kypreos (@RealKyper) October 18, 2013

Here's the good news, Colorado Avalanche forward Cody McLeod is set to have the book thrown at him. The Colorado Avalanche forward has in person hearing for hit with the NHL Department of Player Safety, for his dirty, bush league, unnecessary hit on Red Wings Defenseman Niklas Kronwall. Logic is, with an in person hearing, he's going to get a least a 5-game suspension. If I was McLeod, I would be a bit worried. Buffalo Sabres "Rat" Patrick Kaleta was given a 10-game suspension after an in person hearing for his dirty hit on Jack Johnson. Of course, he's going to appeal that suspension.

NHL.COM -- Avalanche left wing Cody McLeod will have a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety for a boarding incident during Thursday's game against the Detroit Red Wings at Pepsi Center.

McLeod was offered the opportunity for an in-person hearing as required by provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement for any suspension that can exceed five games.

At 2:13 of the first period, McLeod was assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct for boarding Detroit's Niklas Kronwall. Kronwall remained down and was taken from the ice on a stretcher. He did not return. After the game, the Red Wings announced Kronwall sustained a concussion and cuts to his right ear.

The following grounds are being considered for supplemental discipline: boarding. However, the Department of Player Safety retains the right to make adjustments to the infraction upon review.

Detroit won the game, 4-2.

Cody McLeod's inexcusable hit on Niklas Kronwall

There's no excuse for this duty, senseless, hit by the Colorado Avalanche hack Cody McLeod. This hit should garner McLeod at least five games, there is no way that you can defend this hit. If you watch the video you will see that McLeod targets the head of Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall, with his elbow, knocking him out and sending him off the ice on a stretcher.

NHL Hockey: A Pair of Rookies Suspended by the NHL

The preseason and the suspensions are adding up already... One could say that the Director of Players Safety is a busy man. So, this week, Tampa Bay Lightning rookie Adam Erne has been suspended for three pre-season games. You can watch the suspension video to see the reason why.

Not to be out done, Detroit Red Wings rookie forward Teemu Pulkkinen was suspended 4 pre-season games. You can watch the suspension video to see the reason why.

Also, add the suspension to Coyotes enforcer/cement head Paul Bissonnette was handed a heavy 10-game suspension to be served during the regular season for leaving the bench in an illegal line change during an altercation on the ice.

Craig Custance: NHL overtime rules be changed

I know that hockey purists don't like to see hockey games decided by the shootout. I also know that fans are split on the shootout. When the NCHC announced that they were going to settle games by the shootout, many fans chimed in to tell me their disgust and how they hate the shootout. This could be a proposal that might be well received.

Craig Custance, ESPN - Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland isn't anti-shootout. He's just in favor of letting actual hockey decide games.

So during NHL GM meetings in the past, he's suggested that overtime sessions consist of five (or four) minutes of 4-on-4, then five (or four) minutes of 3-on-3. If the game is still tied, then a shootout would determine the winner.

There was some support in the past, just not enough.

In the prospect tournament he runs in Traverse City, Michigan, Holland implemented his version of overtime. On Sunday, he and other general managers in the building got to see what it looked like in actual game action for the first time when the Dallas Stars' prospects beat those from the Minnesota Wild in a shootout that followed the first 3-on-3 overtime session of the tournament.

What do you think of this idea? Would you be in favor of these O.T. rules to settle ties? Would you be in favor of college hockey using these rules to break ties as well?

Related articles

• Goalie Tim Thomas reported to be close to deal with unspecified hockey team (nhl.si.com)
• An NHL Rule Change I'd Like to See: Three-on-Three Overtime (hockeywilderness.com)
• NCHC Hockey: Conference to use Shootouts to Break Ties (thehockeywriters.com)

NHL schedule includes “6” Outdoor Games

Chew on this for a minute, there are six outdoor games this season. They’re listed below in chronological order, and they’re scheduled as follows. One game is actually in L.A.

2014 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic

* Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Detroit Red Wings - Michigan Stadium

Wednesday, Jan. 1, 12:30 p.m. ET -- NBC, CBC, RDS

Coors Light NHL Stadium Series

* Anaheim Ducks vs. Los Angeles Kings - Dodger Stadium

Saturday, Jan. 25, 9:30 p.m. ET -- NBC Sports Network, CBC

* New York Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils - Yankee Stadium

Sunday, Jan. 26, 12:30 p.m. ET -- NBC, CBC

* New York Rangers vs. New York Islanders - Yankee Stadium

Wednesday, Jan. 29, 7 p.m. ET -- NBC Sports Network

* Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Chicago Blackhawks - Soldier Field

Saturday, March 1, 8 p.m. ET

2014 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic

* Ottawa Senators vs. Vancouver Canucks – BC Place

Sunday, March 2, 4 p.m. ET -- CBC, RDS, NBC Sports Network

The Wild make some Wild moves (RW77) - UPDATED

Alternate logo since 2000. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Free Agency has started and with it comes some interesting moves.

First, the Wild traded away Devon Setoguchi for a 2nd round pick, but that's a "who cares" kindof trade.  The big news?

THE CHEAPEST HACK IN THE NHL IS NOW A MINNESOTA WILD!

Matt Cooke, more famous for ending careers than winning games, signed a 3 year contract with the Minnesota Wild.


Ok, the upside to this:  Matt Cooke is a big hitting forward that is an obvious replacement of Cal Clutterbuck.  He has been on winning teams in the past.  He can score goals on occasion.  He was nominated for the Masterton and lost to current Wild Josh Harding.

The downside?  This is a player that is almost universally reviled.  I say almost because the Pens fans still defend him for the same reason, invariably, that Wild fans will inevitably defend him:  He's on your team.  Another downside?  He's one blindside Savard-esque hit from being McSorley'd.  This guy skates on thin ice everywhere he goes.

CORRECTION:  3 years $7.5 million contract or $2.5 million a year.  THAT, my friends, is OVERPAYING worse than Stalberg's new contract.

He did have a decent year last year blocking shots but then again, someone had to because Marc Andre Sievry couldn't.

Trust me when I say it:  This was a BAD idea.  If the Wild really did want Cooke's services, they should have gone for a 1 year contract with a club option (if that's possible) for a second year.  He may have only had 36 PIM in 48 games last season, but he's still one of the most if not the most dangerous skater in the NHL and that's saying something (as a Red Wings fan who couldn't defend the Wings' signing Bertuzzi).

Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) on Twitter said it best:  The Wild traded 1 year contract of Devon Setoguchi for 1 2nd round pick and 3 years of Matt Cooke.

Be Proud Minnesota.

Odds for the 2014 Stanley Cup

Puck Daddy has the odds posted from the gambling site Bovada and the Pittsburgh Penguins are the favorites or win next season’s Stanley Cup. I would bet good money that they will choke or underperform yet again.  Also, I would be willing to bet that the Blackhawks and Bruins don’t go as deep in the playoffs this season after how long they played into the summer and how beat up both teams are. I would have to say that my early favorite for the Stanley Cup next season is the Detroit Red Wings. Yep, I have a bad feeling we’re going to be watching paint dry next summer.

Odds to win the 2014 Stanley Cup

Pittsburgh Penguins 13/2
Chicago Blackhawks 15/2
Boston Bruins 9/1
St. Louis Blues 12/1
Los Angeles Kings 14/1
Vancouver Canucks 14/1
Detroit Red Wings 16/1
New York Rangers 16/1
San Jose Sharks 16/1
Anaheim Ducks 20/1
Toronto Maple Leafs 25/1
Washington Capitals 25/1
Montreal Canadiens 28/1
Carolina Hurricanes 33/1
Edmonton Oilers 33/1
Minnesota Wild 33/1
New York Islanders 33/1
Ottawa Senators 33/1
Philadelphia Flyers 33/1
Colorado Avalanche 40/1
Columbus Blue Jackets 40/1
Nashville Predators 40/1
New Jersey Devils 40/1
Tampa Bay Lightning 40/1
Winnipeg Jets 40/1
Buffalo Sabres 50/1
Calgary Flames 50/1
Dallas Stars 50/1
Phoenix Coyotes 50/1
Florida Panthers 100/1