10.16.2010

Two minutes

THE GOOD...

Florida Panthers

Beware. These cats may not be as bad as advertised.

Following a pair of one-goal losses and a shutout win on a season-opening three-game trip through western Canada, the Panthers scored four first-period goals, and handed the Tampa Bay Lightning their first loss of the season, 6-0.

Tomas Vokoun made 29 saves to record his second straight shutout, and 40th of his career.

"Sometimes it's tough coming back from a road trip and sometimes there's a letdown. We didn't let that happen tonight," said defenseman Bryan McCabe told The Associated Press.

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins

This was only a matter of time.

Crosby scored two power-play goals in a 90-second span to help the Penguins to a 5-1 over the Flyers in Philadelphia, avenging a season-opening loss to their cross-state rivals last week in Pittsburgh.

"When we do get those chances, we have to make the most of them," Crosby said

Crosby had one goal in five games after tying Tampa Bay's Steven Stamkos for the league lead with 51 in 2009-10.

In 17 regular-season games in Philadelphia, Crosby has 13 goals and 15 assists.

Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames

Couldn't have picked a better time for his first goal - or point - of the season.

The longtime Flames captain scored on the power play with 12:11 to play, and Calgary went on to a 5-3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in the second chapter of the "Battle of Alberta" this season.

"I think Tangs (teammate Alex Tanguay) got sick of me missing those one-timers, so he decided to give me a 1-footer and I'll take it," Iginla said. "As it came right across the crease, my eyes got pretty big. I was pretty excited to see that one go in."

Iginla - the Flames' all-time scoring leader - had four assists in his past 14 games before Saturday.

THE BAD...

Marty Turco, Chicago Blackhawks

Before you start - yes, I know the Blackhawks beat the Buffalo Sabres 4-3. And I know there's been a lot of turnover in personnel, and yes, I am acutely aware that Chicago is missing one of its top defensemen in Brian Campbell.

However, there still seems to be a Stanley Cup hangover, and Turco has not been at his sharpest early on with his new team.

Given a 1-0 lead early in the contest. Turco gave up two goals 15 seconds apart, forcing Chicago to battle back. Patrick Sharp ended up scoring two goals for the second straight game to rescue his new netminder.

"There are no perfect games. We strive for them, but that was pretty far from it," Turco said."

Antti Niemi, San Jose Sharks

Stanley Cup hero? What have you done for me lately?

Niemi allowed the go-ahead goal to former Chicago teammate Dustin Byfuglien as San Jose fell 4-2 in its home opener to the Atlanta Thrashers.

"It's always fun to come back and play against a former teammate and have a good time," Byfuglien said of the goalie who ended a 49-year title drought in the Windy City. "At the same time we're here to do a job and we can't ease up on him. We wanted to put as many shots on him as we could.

"He's a pretty quiet guy, a good kid, and he has a bright future."

...AND THE QUOTABLE

"Btw I couldve made better ice for us to skate on tonight out of a 7/11 slurpee machine. Common ice crew, figure it out!" - Tweet by Phoenix forward Scottie Upshall about poor ice conditions at Jobing.com Arena during the Coyotes' 2-1 home-opening loss in overtime to the Detroit Red Wings.

1 comment:

Laura Maritza said...

Patrick Sharp has five goals thus far; he is my hero, and I love him. And Scottie Upshall is hot.

I know you knew I would say something like this, but I thought I'd share anyway. :-)

Oh, and please keep your blog posts coming - I am really enjoying reading them. It's almost like we're still working together, except now, I'm not nervous because you're editing my previews, lol.