NHL Hockey: If the Playoffs Started today (Western Conference)

If the playoffs were to start today here's what it would look like. #NHLonNBC pic.twitter.com/sqWrTTaF4p
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) March 10, 2014

After watching the Blue shred the Wild tonight, I hope they can move up.

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

(Video) David Backes wipes out Pekka Rinne

St. Louis forward David Backes runs over Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne.  Depending on your perspective. Nothing like going hard to the net. The boxscores reads after the play was over (see below).

12:27 NSH Mike Fisher Roughing - 2 min against David Backes
12:27 STL David Backes Roughing - 2 min against Mike Fisher
12:27 NSH Mike Fisher served by Viktor Stalberg Roughing - 2 min against David Backes

Corban Knight makes his NHL Debut

#Flames Snapshot: @CorbanKnight hits the ice for his first @NHL shift! #CGYOTT pic.twitter.com/ns8ZUcnC2M
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) March 6, 2014

Former Fighting Sioux forward Corban Knight became the 13th former UND hockey player to play in the NHL this season.

Nice to see the kid get a shot. pic.twitter.com/Bl0kfspplO
— Eric J. Burton THW (@goon48) March 6, 2014

Flyers and Capitals line brawl

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Rivalry Night in Philly. The official boxscore will read (see below). Two players were kicked out of the game for their efforts.

11:59 WSH Tom Wilson Fighting (maj) - 5 min against Luke Schenn
11:59 PHI Luke Schenn Fighting (maj) - 5 min against Tom Wilson
11:59 PHI Vincent Lecavalier Fighting (maj) - 5 min against John Erskine
11:59 WSH John Erskine Fighting (maj) - 5 min against Vincent Lecavalier
11:59 PHI Vincent Lecavalier Game misconduct - 10 min
11:59 WSH Tom Wilson Instigator - 2 min
11:59 WSH Tom Wilson Game misconduct - 10 min
11:59 PHI Wayne Simmonds Cross checking - 2 min against Connor Carrick
11:59 PHI Wayne Simmonds served by Steve Downie Slashing - 2 min against Connor Carrick
11:59 WSH John Erskine Game misconduct - 10 min against Vincent Lecavalier

Corban Knight Will make NHL debut with Flames tonight

Former Fighting Sioux forward Corban Knight will make his NHL debut tonight.

.@CorbanKnight hits the ice at the Saddledome! pic.twitter.com/y01VwQWpox
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) March 5, 2014

Bob Hartley confirms that TJ Galiardi suffered an injury in the gym and @CorbanKnight will play his first #NHL game tonight! #CGYOTT
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) March 5, 2014

Related articles

• Former UND forward Corban Knight signs with Flames (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Feaster Finally Gets His Man: Calgary Flames Acquire Corban Knight (thehockeywriters.com)
• Calgary Flames Acquire Smilin' Corban Knight (thehockeywriters.com)

Drew Stafford to the Wild?

One of the rumors to be surfacing today is the that Minnesota Wild might be interested in former UND Fighting Sioux forward Drew Stafford. Apparently, some of the Sioux hating Gopher fans don't like the idea. One person that might benifit from a change of scenery might be Stafford.

Michael Russo, Russo's Rants --- As I reported in today’s newspaper and on last night’s blog, multiple sources tell me the Wild is very interested in Drew Stafford, who has been playing at a consistently high level for some time for the Sabres. There have been lots of conversations between Fletcher and Sabres GM Tim Murray lately and the big question is whether Murray is indeed willing to trade Stafford, 28, and what the price would be.

He wouldn’t be a rental. He has another year left on his contract at a pretty attractive $4 million (remember, the cap is going up), so this would be more of a “hockey trade” (one of my favorite terms; I’d love to know who coined it).

So it could cost a second-tier prospect, salaried player (Wild would need to trade some cash unless it just puts Backstrom or Harding on LTIR, which allows you to top the cap ceiling by their cap hit if you need the space) and/or a pick.

Stafford is very good friends with Zach Parise from their days at Shattuck and North Dakota, he’s a former teammate of Jason Pominville. (By the way, even though I'm mentioning Stafford on here, I'm not saying it's going to happen. I'm sure Fletcher has many balls in the air and this is just one I've heard about).

BLOG: #mnwild talking to the Buffalo Sabres about Drew Stafford http://t.co/uU1fHguls4
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) March 5, 2014

Stafford has heard same MIN rumors: "There's chatter about everything. .. It happens. We're in here watching the same thing all of you are."
— Mike Harrington (@BNHarrington) March 5, 2014

Minnesota Wild: Sweet Military Appreciation Jersey's

At tonight's game? These #mnwild camo jerseys auctioned off at section 121 benefiting @DefTheBlueLine #mnwildmilitary pic.twitter.com/ixVwagqkbH
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) March 4, 2014

These are sweet jerseys.

Washington's Dmitry Orlov suspended two games for boarding.

Washington's Dmitry Orlov suspended for boarding. Video: http://t.co/jXtTlSIsP1
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) March 3, 2014

That's a nasty hit, and these types of hits needs to be removed from the game of hockey.

Related articles

• (Video) Dmitry Orlov Boards Brayden Schenn; Orlov has hearing for hit (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Vancouver Canucks: Daniel Sedin Injury (Video)

Vancouver Canucks forward Daniel Sedin was injured on this play today. Sedin had to be helped off of the ice. I didn't think the hit was malicious or dirty. If Sedin is gone for any length of time it would have a huge impact on the Canucks who are God-awful right now. The Canucks are in the Wild Card race, they're tied with Dallas and Winnipeg for the final Wild Card spot.

Drew Stafford Smoking Hot Right Now

PLAYER TO WATCH: Drew Stafford has six goals and nine points in his past seven games for the @BuffaloSabres. pic.twitter.com/UwWiIiqLLk
— NHL (@NHL) February 26, 2014

There was 23 scouts in the Buffalo Sabres press box for the past two games, preparing for the fire sale that's going to take place in Buffalo. I wonder if Drew Stafford is making the case to be traded? Stafford has scored (10g-14a—24pts) in 51 games this season. Stafford has scored (3g-3a—6pts) in the last five games.

Boston Bruins: Torrey Krug sweet move (Vine)

Here's a sweet shootout move by former Michigan State Spartan  and current Boston Bruins defenseman Tory Krug.

NHL & College Hockey: Monday Links

ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun interview executive director of the NHL Players' Association. There’s some interesting things in this interview that are worth looking at. (Click to read)

LeBrun: All 700-plus NHL players are not here in the Olympics. What's always intrigued me is the idea of how rank-and-file players who never get to play in the Olympics really feel about shutting down the game for the Olympics and whether their input is heeded.

Fehr: We do, we do [ask them]. It's no secret, there are three things that go on: There are players who play; there are players who, even if they're not playing, hope that in the future they will, or players who did in the past and think it's a good opportunity for current ones to have. The second thing is, guys like the time off; they like to see their families; they like to do that. And the third thing is, there's at least the opportunity for some nagging injuries to heal. That's not so bad. But to answer your question more directly, as far as the players' association is concerned, this decision will be made by all 720 to 750 players -- it's not made by a small group.

Apparently, David Backes and T.J. Oshie have adopted some stray dogs from Russia.

More on the Niklas Bäckström doping case... ESPN: Backstrom victim of testing debacle

Scott Burnside, ESPN.COM – He's an innocent victim of circumstances," added Dr. Mark Aubry, the IIHF's chief medical officer. "There is no doping in this instance."

Well, technically it is doping, though, isn't it? The acceptable level for the substance pseudoephedrine in an athlete's body for in-competition testing is 150 micrograms per milliliter, and officials said Sunday that Backstrom's level was around 190. But there is a precedent for players being allowed a test again if that threshold is breached

Check out this gamer from the new beat writer for the UMD Bulldogs Rick Weegman. (click to view)

The trophy, awarded to the National Collegiate Hockey Conference regular-season champion, is making a tour of all the conference home sites.

After North Dakota’s 6-2 victory over Minnesota Duluth tonight, it’s undoubtedly the last time that the trophy will show up in Duluth this season.

It may find an out-of-season home in Grand Forks, N.D., however.

According to Michael Russo, Wild winger Jason Zucker will miss the upcoming road trip to Edmonton and Vancouver.

Next time you're drinking a Tim Horton's coffee, think of this article by Andrew Forbes from the Hockey Writers: A Common Ground: Where Hockey Meets Coffee

USA Hockey: Patrick Kane misses twice on the Penalty Shot (GIFS)

s/t NESN Coming into the Bronze Medal game against Finland, Chicago's Patrick Kane was 1-for-11 in the shootout this year. According to the NBCSN broadcast, the only goal that he had was against Tukka Rask. Now he's 1-for-3 against Rask.

Deadspin: IIHF To Change Rule That Gave U.S. Victory Over Russia

100 px (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Apparently, all of the grumbling about the way USA won the game against the Russians will cause the IIHF to change the dislodged net rule.

Barry Petchesky, Deadspin – The IIHF intends to go that route too. President Rene Fasel spoke to reporters today. From Championat.ru, via and translated by Puck Daddy:

What can you say about the disallowed goal because of the dislodged net?

"We will change that rule. To disallow a goal because of two centimeters? That's nonsense. But that is the existing rule, nothing can be done. That's why I think that this rule needs to be changed and officiate the way it is done in the NHL. That's what we will do."

NHL won't adopt T.J. Oshie Rule

Original NHL logo, used until 2005. A version of the logo features it in the shape of a hockey puck. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

According to Greg Wyshynski of Puck Daddy, don't count on the NHL adopting the T.J. Oshie Rule. I would say that I like this... It works great for International play.

Puck Daddy -- “Obviously, the one feature that’s different in international competition and the National Hockey League is the ability to use the same shooter in a game-winning shots competition,” said deputy commissioner Bill Daly on Tuesday, before the qualification round of the Sochi Olympic tournament.

“We haven’t even talked about that with our general managers at any point and time, but I would very surprised if the general managers would ever be supportive of that type of concept. It’s tough enough that they don’t like the shootout as it is.”

One of the reasons why the GMs would find the concept repellant: The idea that “shootout specialists” might need to be a consideration on their rosters. Which would be great news for the Linus Omarks of the world, but not something Daly sees the League’s team executives desiring all that much.

No NHL players in 2018 Olympic games?

I think it’s a horrible idea to not send the NHL players to the 2018 Olympics games. I like the concept of having the best players in the world playing in the Olympics games. The hockey this season has been amazing.

Steve Keating -- SOCHI, Russia (Reuters)The National Hockey League (NHL) was non-committal about players' future participation in the Olympics on Tuesday, leaving open the possibility that the Sochi Games might be the last to showcase the world's best players.

The three most powerful men in hockey - Rene Fasel, head of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and NHL Players Association chief Donald Fehr - had no firm answers for reporters when asked whether NHL players would be back in four years' time.

"Yes, Rene would love for Don and I to say today that we are coming (to Pyeongchang), but he knows that's not the case," said Bettman. "This is the fifth time we have participated in the Olympic tournament - where we are in this process should not be a shock to anybody."

In North America, talk persists that Sochi will mark the final time that NHL players will be seen on Olympic ice. Bettman insisted nothing has been decided and negotiations would continue, as has been the case after every Winter Games.

I remain hopeful that will see the NHL players in Pyeongchang. Thoughts on this?

Erik Johnson suspended two games by the NHL

Former Gopher and current Colorado Avalanche Eric Johnson has been suspended two games by the NHL for his dirty slash on New York Islanders forward Frans Nielsen. Personally, I think it should be longer.

NEW YORK - Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson has been suspended for two games, without pay, for slashing New York Islanders forward Frans Nielsen during NHL Game No. 878 in New York on Saturday, Feb. 8, the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety announced today. The incident occurred at 12:09 of the third period. Johnson was assessed a minor penalty for slashing. Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and based on his average annual salary, Johnson will forfeit $38,461.54. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

T.J. Oshie's game winning goal against Boston

Of all the people to beat my favorite hockey team, it had to be former Fighting Sioux forward  T.J. Oshie. Actually, Boston Boston overcame a 2-0 deficit to come back and tie the game in the third period. Before Oshie won it for the Blues in overtime.

Oh marvelous, T.J. Oshie scores for the Blues to beat the Bruins in O.T.
— Eric J. Burton THW (@goon48) February 7, 2014

Related articles

• T.J. Oshie hit on Torey Krug (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

T.J. Oshie hit on Torey Krug

Well former Fighting Sioux forward T.J. Oshie was engaged tonight. I wish the refs would have let Johnny Boychuk and Oshie fight first. Osh had his glove off.

The box score reads.
17:59 BOS Johnny Boychuk Roughing - 2 min against T.J. Oshie
17:59 BOS Johnny Boychuk served by Shawn Thornton Roughing - 2 min against T.J. Oshie
17:59 STL T.J. Oshie Roughing - 2 min against Johnny Boychuk