Columbus at Chicago

Columbus +255

at

Chicago -310

The Blackhawks look to avenge an 8-3 drubbing they took at the hands of Columbus Thursday night when the two teams meet again in Chicago. The Blue Jackets travel to Chicago coming off a 4-3 Overtime loss to the New York Islanders last night.

Thursday's game saw Columbus take command early and erupt for 4 goals in the 2nd period. Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said "There was nothing to be excited about. Discount it and throw it in the garbage can." The Blackhawks will look to do just that. They own a 27-7-3 record at home and haven't played since their blowout loss on Thursday.

SureShotPick: Look for Chicago to take out frustrations and avenge their loss. Take the Blackhawks -310 and bet big.

Trade Deadline Day

It's March 3, 2010 and the trade deadline is at 3pm EST this afternoon. For many teams, it's a last ditched effort to plug any holes or bolster their lineup for the playoff push. While for others, it's about unloading parts that don't fit your plans for the future. Historically, it's a big day and for fans, it's like Christmas.
A lot of movement is likely at this deadline. Many teams think they are capable of winning the Stanley Cup and just about every team in the league has some sort of playoff shot. One the most intriguing scenario's for today has to be the Florida Panthers. The Panthers continue to be one of those teams that knocks on the door of the playoffs every year but falls short. Talent is there but ownership's not willing to take the extra steps needed to get better. The Panthers traded away Jay Bouwmeester, Oli Jokinen in the past few seasons and reports are that Tomas Vokoun will be next if he waives his No trade clause. It will be interesting to see if players like David Booth and Nathan Horton are also moved. With their lack of success and constant trading away of talented players, the Panthers could find themselves in serious trouble of even holding on to that franchise unless a new ideology is found.
Another topic of the day is goaltending. Several teams in the league want an upgrade and should attempt to upgrade. If anyone saw the Chicago Blackhawks and New York Islanders last night, you would know what I'm talking about. Dwayne Roloson withstood a shooting gallery in the first to keep the Islanders in the game, who then erupted for 4 goals in the 2nd period to win easily. Many of the Isles goals tonight could have been stopped and if the Blackhawks think they can win in the playoffs with shotty goaltending they can't, no matter how good they are.
With Ray Emery out for the season, look for the Flyers to acquire a goalie. Could Marty Biron be heading back? Will the Islanders trade Dwayne Roloson or Biron now that Dipietro could be out ? Where does Marty Turco end up? Do the Capitals stand pat with Varlomov and Theodore?
Please comment and discuss the day's action.

Talking Trades

Despite the win on the weekend over the Washington Capitals, the Toronto Maple Leafs are in a very tough spot. They are in last place and already 10 points back from the final playoff position. They aren't out of the race yet, but their odds continue to fall every week. The game tonight against the New York Islanders will give us a strong indication of whether this team will fight for a spot or if they are going to roll over.

This team needs a change both in the locker room and on the ice, and it needs some new blood. That is why the trade rumours continue to surround this hockey club. Could a trade be coming in the next few days or weeks?

One rumour making the rounds involves Chicago and Toronto. With Duncan Keith, Jonathan Toews, and Patrick Kane all due for new contracts, Chicago needs to shed some salary. Toronto is close to the cap, but is willing to move an expiring contract. One name that is thrown about is Brent Sopel. With a modest $2.3 million hit, moving Sopel would give Chicago the room they need moving forward to extend the contracts of their three young players. Sopel is not a poor player, though. He has struggled with injuries, but is a solid defensive defender who has shown some offensive ability. His 42 points in 2003/04 are proof of that. He is also a career plus player over the course of his NHL career. According to rumour, going the other way would be Garnett Exelby. "X" has a reputation as one of the better open ice hitters in the league, but he has looked only average so far this season. His salary and expiring contract make him very tradeable. Toronto would recieve a draft pick in compensation from Chicago is the deal, as well.

Would this be a trade Toronto should explore? I believe it is. Losing Exelby is not a loss, and Sopel's salary would not hinder the Leafs going forward as they shed a ton of salary in the off-season. Sopel would be a solid 5-6 defenceman for the Maple Leafs and would be a good depth player. Also, getting any draft picks would be a plus for the Maple Leafs after giving up their 1st and 2nd round picks in the Kessel deal.

There are other trade rumours involving Brian Campbell moving for Kaberle, and trading with St. Louis. I have only discussed the deal I feel is the most realistic and likely at the moment.

What do you think? Post a comment below and tell me your opinion!

Game 9

Steve says:

Ouch...
:-(

Chris says:

WTF was that? Ever been so mad at what's happening during a game that you've chucked a remote control at the television? My only consolation is that Raycroft wouldn't have been able to stop that either.

So. Another meltdown for the Leafs. The first two periods were great. Strong, consistent performances from the all the Leafs. We brought it right to the front door of the Chicago Blackhawks and the results were on the board. Up 3-1 by the top of the third.

But even as early as five minutes remaining at the bottom of the second the Leafs were showing signs of self destruction. It was a seemingly endless string of penalites that started it all.

Hooking, tripping, delay of game, apparently we were trying to run the entire gamut of the NHL penalty book. After starting the third with two men down it looked as if we were going to escape the glut of penalities unscathed.

Well, in the end, that wasn't the case. Andrei Zyuzin snapped a goal past Raycroft at 1:04 in the third period and the Leafs were done. Their mental focus was shot to hell and the Blackhawks proceeded to run up the score on them. In the end all the Leafs were able to do was score one more goal.

If they aren't hanging their heads in shame today they should be. But in all likelihood, would you hang your head in shame when you've got millions of dollars to make the pesky pain go away? I thought not.

It's one thing to loose a tightly fought match, but it's quite another to lose a game that you so neatly had in your hands.