Hockeyhead

Q: How good is Steve Mason

A: Pretty fucking good.

Aside from being the Western Conference’s most obvious All-Star snub, Mason is trying (and doing a rather dandy job) to become just the third rookie goaltender in league history to lead the NHL in SV%.  The two goalies already in that exclusive club are Ed Belfour (1991) and Ron Hextall (1987).

Paul Maurice comes home and his Hurricanes shut down the flaccid Toronto Maple Leafs attack 3-0. The Canadian Press reported that:

The Carolina Hurricanes coach was beaming as he gave his two young sons a quick tour of the visitor’s dressing room at Air Canada Centre in the wake of a 2-0 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

It’s something he didn’t do much while coaching the Maple Leafs over the last two seasons - choosing instead to keep his kids away from the high-pressure environment he worked in.

I tend to believe he kept the kids out of the room so they wouldn’t see a bunch of grown men naked and ignoring the words of their father.  Just a thought.

Brendan Shanahan scored in his first game back with the New Jersey Devils.  It was his first goal as a Devil since 1991.  Shanny didn’t look to out of place as he was shaking off the 8-month rust.   Jersey defeated the Nashville Predators 3-1, Shanahan’s goal broke a scoreless tie early in the second period.

The Bizarre:

After nearly six-years of retirement, Claude Lemieux is returning to the NHL.  The San Jose Sharks called up the 43 year-old “playoff performer” and noted dirt-bag.  Lemieux has been a part of 4 Stanley Cup winning teams.  I still don’t get it.

On Tonight: There are 8 games on the schedule tonight.  Two match-ups in the West are worth keeping an eye on: Edmonton hosts the rising Columbus Blue Jackets, while San Jose plays host to the Vancouver Canucks as they look to rediscover their winning identity.

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SL