Hockeyhead

The NHL is borrowing a page from the NBA’s All-Star weekend format.  This year’s YoungStars game will be the first to feature a rookies Vs. sophomores format.

The lineups were released today, and they feature more than a couple players worthy of actual All-Star selections.  Steve Mason will get the call in goal for the rookie team.  The Columbus Blue Jackets’ goaltender is leading the NHL in both Goals Against Average, and Save Percentage.

Milan Lucic was named to the sophomore squad and he’ll be joined by Niklas Backstrom of the Washington Capitals, and Bryan Little of the Atlanta Thrashers.  You can view the complete rosters at tsn.ca .

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Thursday night’s action offered up no shortage of fireworks.  Habs fans will be smiling today as the Leafs took a severe beating (6-2) in a fight filled affair.  Toronto fans can take some solace after Tomas Kaberle “hinted” at waiving his no-trade clause.  Kaberle scored for the first time in 24 games.  In a related note, Tomas Kaberle still has yet to shave his face at the professional level.

Another former Toronto Maple Leaf put on one hella good performance in Colorado last night; Andrew Raycroft made (count’em) 43 saves as the Avs downed Chicago 2-1.  Razor lifted his SV% over .900 and improved to 8-1-0 on the season.

Scott “Hennig” Hartnell struck again, scoring a goal and racking up 6 PIMS in a 3-1 Philly victory over the Wild.  Hennig has 16 goals on the season, putting him on pace for 32.

The guy drafted second overall after Sidney Crosby scored a hat-trick for the Anaheim Ducks in a losing effort.  The Kings came out on top in the battle of Los Angeles 4-3.  Bobby Ryan now has 11 goals and 25 points in 24 games.  I believe it was Yoda who said “patience”.

Two teams who are struggling to no end right now are the Pens and Sens.  Pittsburgh blew a three goal lead in Nashville to lose by a final score of 5-3.  The loss was the Penguins’ seventh in their last nine games.  Ottawa looks to be on the fast-track to the John Tavares sweepstakes, losing to the mighty Bruins 6-4 in Boston.  That makes seven losses in their last eight games, and the Sens currently sit at 13th place in the Eastern Conference.

Chris Neil and Shawn Thornton squared off in a barbaric battle, check it:

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On Tonight:

Five games on tap in the NHL this evening, I’ll be watching my Oilers to see if they can get something going versus San Jose (not likely).  The Canucks host the Blues for all you Mats Sundin lovers and haters.  It’s Friday, do something fun tonight.

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