November starts for the NHL
This was an interesting week for
the NHL, with roster changes,
impressive starts, slumps and
more.
As October ended, so did the NHL's breast cancer awareness month, during which many players sported pink laces, skates, gloves and mouth guards.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have lost their scoring touch, getting shut out in two of their last four games, which finally prompted GM Brian Burke to make some roster changes.
The New Jersey Devils could be the story of the year. After having trouble in the off-season signing their main man, they had their second- worst October in team history.
The Anaheim Ducks are also struggling so far this season. Considered a serious contender for the Stanley Cup before the season began, we have yet to see the kind of impressive playing that once led the team to Stanley Cup victory.
October was kind to the Los Angeles Kings, who are off to a roaring start and are sitting first in the Western Conference. The Kings have been finding a way to win despite missing their main defenseman for part of the month.
The Boston Bruins, backed by Tim Thomas, are off to a good start this year as well, with a log jam atop the Northeast division with the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas wasn't expected to be the number one on the "B's" but after his impressive start, who wouldn't put him at number one? He's 6-0 on the season with a goals against average of under one, and this past week shut out the Leafs and the Ottawa Senators. Also this week, we saw the number one overall pick, Taylor Hall finally get the monkey off his back scoring his first and second goals on the year.
Many players had big weeks, which made picking the three stars really hard. I would choose Tim Thomas three times if I could, but I was able to find two others that did well. The third star this week is Taylor Hall of the Edmonton Oilers who finally lived up to the hype, the second star comes from the Toronto Maple Leafs, J. S. Giguere who kept the team in three out of four games this week, and the first star is — no doubt about it — Tim Thomas who has been lights out in Boston.
Key games coming up this week include Ottawa on the road in Montreal, Nashville in Los Angeles in a battle atop the Western conference and Anaheim in San Jose in a battle of California.
My five predictions this week are:
Vancouver in Colorado: A battle in the Northwest division sees Vancouver in Colorado, look for Luongo to be on his game and for Sedins to be firing on all cylinders.
Vancouver 5-3
Ottawa in Montreal: A rivalry game will see the Sens fully healthy, taking on the Canadiens. Look for Carey Price's glove to be working, though.
Montreal 5-4 (SO)
Washington in New York (Rangers): It's the battle of Super 8 vs. King Henrik. Look for the Caps to get the best of the Rangers.
Washington 4-2
Toronto in Tampa Bay: The Leafs have struggled in previous years against the Lightning. With solid goaltending and some scoring, the Leafs should fair alright.
Toronto 6-3
Calgary in Colorado: The Flames have been struggling to say the least. Look for the Avalanche to take advantage of that, winning a nail-bitter.
Colorado 3-2
As October ended, so did the NHL's breast cancer awareness month, during which many players sported pink laces, skates, gloves and mouth guards.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have lost their scoring touch, getting shut out in two of their last four games, which finally prompted GM Brian Burke to make some roster changes.
The New Jersey Devils could be the story of the year. After having trouble in the off-season signing their main man, they had their second- worst October in team history.
The Anaheim Ducks are also struggling so far this season. Considered a serious contender for the Stanley Cup before the season began, we have yet to see the kind of impressive playing that once led the team to Stanley Cup victory.
October was kind to the Los Angeles Kings, who are off to a roaring start and are sitting first in the Western Conference. The Kings have been finding a way to win despite missing their main defenseman for part of the month.
The Boston Bruins, backed by Tim Thomas, are off to a good start this year as well, with a log jam atop the Northeast division with the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas wasn't expected to be the number one on the "B's" but after his impressive start, who wouldn't put him at number one? He's 6-0 on the season with a goals against average of under one, and this past week shut out the Leafs and the Ottawa Senators. Also this week, we saw the number one overall pick, Taylor Hall finally get the monkey off his back scoring his first and second goals on the year.
Many players had big weeks, which made picking the three stars really hard. I would choose Tim Thomas three times if I could, but I was able to find two others that did well. The third star this week is Taylor Hall of the Edmonton Oilers who finally lived up to the hype, the second star comes from the Toronto Maple Leafs, J. S. Giguere who kept the team in three out of four games this week, and the first star is — no doubt about it — Tim Thomas who has been lights out in Boston.
Key games coming up this week include Ottawa on the road in Montreal, Nashville in Los Angeles in a battle atop the Western conference and Anaheim in San Jose in a battle of California.
My five predictions this week are:
Vancouver in Colorado: A battle in the Northwest division sees Vancouver in Colorado, look for Luongo to be on his game and for Sedins to be firing on all cylinders.
Vancouver 5-3
Ottawa in Montreal: A rivalry game will see the Sens fully healthy, taking on the Canadiens. Look for Carey Price's glove to be working, though.
Montreal 5-4 (SO)
Washington in New York (Rangers): It's the battle of Super 8 vs. King Henrik. Look for the Caps to get the best of the Rangers.
Washington 4-2
Toronto in Tampa Bay: The Leafs have struggled in previous years against the Lightning. With solid goaltending and some scoring, the Leafs should fair alright.
Toronto 6-3
Calgary in Colorado: The Flames have been struggling to say the least. Look for the Avalanche to take advantage of that, winning a nail-bitter.
Colorado 3-2
