New Jersey - they've put two solid games together - responsible own-zone play for sure.
Anaheim - getting a win against a Minnesota team playing their brand of hockey when Getzlaf and Perry were mostly silent - wow.
New Jersey 2 New York Rangers 1 (OT) NOPE
Live blogged this one - boy, what a disappointment. The Rangers owned the first but got only one goal out of it. Again, Schneider will get a lot of credit for it, but really this Ranger team, going back three seasons now, has trouble finishing. Stepan got the lone goal and had another equally set up shot later that he missed on in that first period. He's not alone - the Rangers have a lot of trouble on the easier ones. Also, I don't like their play in front of the net - they really aren't getting in the goalie's line of sight a lot. New Jersey is plugging along. I tell you, that Adam Henrique is a really consistent tough player - think Plekanec of Montreal - responsible at both ends with very good vision and hands. Stempniak got the winner, but, like the Rangers in general, Stempniak had some other opportunities that he didn't finish on. "Poetic" that he got the winner, I guess, right after Stepan rang a shot off the post/crossbar.
St. Louis 4 Winnipeg 2 NOPE
The Blues looked stronger the entire game. Created more opportunities and controlled their end better as well. This is not any sort of stamp for the Jets, it only shows how tough the West is. Currently out of the 14 teams, the top 12 are all dangerous (I am giving LA and Anaheim credit for turning the corner on their bad start - Anaheim less so). Good win for St Louis. Learning game for Winnipeg. Tarasenko with two, but if he doesn't burn you another line can. St. Louis has some good forward depth, especially when Stastny is healthy. My boy Byfuglien was kinda invisible. Well, he can't be invisible but he wasn't a key to anything for Winnipeg.
Minnesota 1 Anaheim 4 NOPE
Nope - there is no way I would have called this one. Really happy for Anton Khudobin - he played well and the team helped him keep the high quality chances out of the goal. The one goal against was one of those breakaways and the shot was interfered with by the defense - so it came off the stick oddly. Hard to stop that. Anaheim was getting traffic in front of the net - goalies gotta feel the same as I do about traffic. Minnesota can't be disappointed in their play, just the outcome - they have that same problem the Rangers have - good runs of hard-work, creating chances but coming up empty, but right now, i think they are better than the Rangers. Anaheim still has a lot of work. Perry and Getzlaf still non-impact - that is on them not the opponents, I have to believe - chemistry issue? Coaching? Not getting enough sleep? Gotta solve it if they want the playoffs again.
Edmonton 2 Vancouver 1 (OT) NOPE
Edmonton played a more confident game. Vancouver was the same as they have been. Vancouver is one of those teams - I let any success surprise me because I don't think they really have the skills deep in their roster and their top-end talent is kinda soft. Then I re-adjust - over-compensate and give them too much credit - they are an average team. I think they play well together and if a team takes them lightly, the Sedins can exploit it. Edmonton didn't take them lightly and skated with them and held tight in their own zone. Vancouver had chances and Edmonton needs to grow. But still a good win for the Oil. (The OT winner by speedy Lauri Korpikoski - SWEET! Drafted by the Rangers in Raleigh in '04! He then played for the Coyotes, my daughter's team. The sweet soft saucer pass by Sekera, also nice.)
Colorado 1 Los Angeles 2 NOPE
I see hockey guys on twitter giving props to Jonathan Quick. LA is back to playing Kings hockey. It isn't Quick. Watch this game if you want to see what a good system executed by a really good group of players is all about. LA controlled the center of the ice. They transitioned well from their end, meaning they beat any forecheck most of the time. And they generated opportunities. The only thing that could bite them is penalties. I don't know how Colorado can feel good about their team's future only generating 23 shots while having 6 powerplays, even a 5-on-3 for about 1:40. Give credit to LA. Quick didn't have to work and Reto Berra equaled him in solidness.
0 - 5
This shows that either I don't know hockey or early season hockey is difficult to predict.
I am hoping it is the latter.
(Injuries will also make predictions difficult as the season goes on)
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