NHL Trade Deadline Options

[ThunderEvermore]

What a day so far.

Brian Campbell goes to the Sharks
Brad Richards goes to the Stars
Caps pick up Cristobal Huet!!!

I'm excited.

Reactions, thoughts, predictions?

[ThunderEvermore]

Well well, another 4/4 prediction.

The Washington Capitals prove once again that they are not a one man team, as Ovechkin didn't even get a shot off until the third period. But that didn't stop the rest of the team, including a former Flyer in Donald Brashear, to step up to the crease. Kudos to the Broad Street Bullies for keeping the Russian Machine contained, but what they didn't expect is the league's number one defenseman to put two in the net within five minutes to tie the game up. And with Alex the Great there to swipe the puck and give the go-ahead goal, all it took was the Caps' already hungry defense, having held the Flyers to 3 shots in the third, to clamp down on the zone and keep that lead. It was as close a game as I've ever seen, and with over 70 hits between the two teams, as physical as one as well.

Regards to Philly left wing Patrick Thoreson who suffered a ruptured testicle at the hands of a Mike Green slap shot. Talk about taking one for the team. Good luck in surgery, if you need it.

Ottawa stepped up their game for their second shot at the Penguins. But the Pens just kept up the offense, dishing out 54 shots to the Sens' 30. Oddly enough it still gives Ottawa's Martin Gerber a better Save% than the Pens' Fleury. If this show were a movie, however, the highlighted names would be Malkin, Crosby, and Hossa, who combine put up 9 of the possible 15 points gathered by the Penguins. I guess when you've got 3 superstars instead of one it makes your team exempt from the monikers.

The Rangers continued their season long domination of the Devils. Earlier I predicted this to go to seven games, and with the King and Brodeur between the pipes, it still could. But it's looking an awful lot more like 5 now. And who else with the game winner than Jaromir Jagr?

Finally, Colorado and Minny bring out another nail biter, taking it into OT. This time, however, Sakic didn't get the chance to clinch it for the Avs again. Another incredibly even game from these two teams, this series will be a tough one to predict.

So far:
Predicted series winner
Current series winner

East
Habs (1) - Bruins (0)
Pens (2) - Sens (0)
Caps (1) - Flyers (0)
Devils (0) - Rangers (2)

West
Wings (1) - Predators (0)
Sharks (1) - Flames (1)
Wild (1) - Avs (1)
Ducks (0) - Stars (1)

Tonight's Games:
Nashville @ Detroit
Boston @ Montreal
Dallas @ Anaheim

Look for:
A possible upset in Hockeytown? The Preds' young team needs to step up in D if they're going to have a chance to stop the top line in the league. However, if there's going to be an upset, it won't be tonight.

A hibernating bear to awaken? The Bruins were slammed last game, and Tim Thomas can't be happy about that. But Price is a rookie goalie, heck the kid looks like he's 15. If the Bears want to take this game they're going to have to get to him, he's young, new to the league, and new to the playoffs. Too young to know better? Maybe. But if the Bruins can step up the physicality like I know they can, it could make for a far more interesting series. Habs will win tonight.

A shooting Star? Turco shut down the Anaheim offense last game with a ridiculous shut out. The Ducks will look for some revenge, and it won't be nearly as it was in game one. Ducks will rally, and probably win tonight. But the series won't be theres.