Adams Division Blog

Interdivisional Match up: Boston at Buffalo

2009-11-20T10:45:00.000-05:00

Buffalo Sabres Record: 12-5-1

Boston Bruins Record: 9-8-4

Sabres Record vs. Bruins Since 2005: 12-6-0

Sabres Likely Goalie: Ryan Miller

Bruins Likely Goalie: Tim Thomas

Sabres Top Scorer: Thomas Vanek (6)

Bruins Top Scorer: Patrice Bergeron (6)

Injury Report: It's still not sure whether Savard will be play tonight, but I be they'll give him the weekend to rest a little more.

Mike Grier and Toni Lydman are still resting their groins.

Preview Notes: Well despite what most people probably expected, the Bruins found their offense and managed to put up 3 goals in regulation. All the while, they were able to keep their defense in check and shut down Kovalchuk (kinda). The Bruins had a great game against Buffalo last time they met, but it'll be interesting to see how they match up against Miller and not a rookie.

Canadiens Take on Washington

2009-11-20T10:35:00.000-05:00

Montreal Canadiens Record: 10-11-0

Washington Capitals Record: 13-4-4

Canadiens Record vs. Capitals Since 2005: 8-5-3

Canadiens Likely Goalie: Carey Price

Capitals Likely Goalie: Semyon Varlamov

Canadiens Top Scorer: Mike Cammalleri (8)

Capitals Top Scorer: Who the hell do you think??

Injury Report: Both teams are hurt by injuries. Washington is stuck without Knuble, Semin, Gordon, Jurcina and Morrisonn.

Canadiens are still without Markov of course. Also Gill, Gionta, and D'Agostini are out as well.

Preview Notes: Montreal's defense has their work cut out for them tonight, they'll need to shut down Ovechkin since getting into a scoring match with him will be suicide. Having Semin out of Washington's line up will help soften the blow a little, but Montreal has their own injuries to cancel that out. Montreal doesn't have the most stellar road record (4-6-0) but they'll be trying to put together some kind of consistant win streak.

Bs Manage to Not Completely Blow Lead, Win in SO

2009-11-20T10:30:00.000-05:00

Three Stars:
1. Michael Ryder (2 goals, 0 assists)
2. Ilya Kovalchuk (1 goal, 2 assists)
3. Ondrej Pavelec (SV: 39, SV%: .929)

Final Score:
Atlanta Thrashers: 3
Boston Bruins: 4

Goalie Stats
Ondrej Pavelec: SV: 39 SV%: .929 GA: 3
Tuukka Rask: SV: 32 SV%: .914 GA: 3

Recap Notes:
-Despite the 3 goals, Rask had a great game.
-Bruins broke a 3 game losing streak, 2 of which occurred out of regulation.
-Lucic looked solid in his first game back.
-Atlanta has NO fans. Seriously, turn on a Thrashers home game and look at the stands, it's sad.
-Despite having 7 power plays, Boston held Atlanta to one PP goal.
-See what happens when you're smart about your shootout lineup Julien??

Preview: Bruins Travel to Lose in Atlanta

2009-11-19T10:30:00.000-05:00

Boston Bruins Record: 8-8-4

Atlanta Thrashers Record: 10-6-1

Bruins Record vs. Thrashers Since 2005: 9-6-1

Bruins Likely Goalie: Tim Thomas

Thrashers Likely Goalie: Ondrej Pavelec

Bruins Top Scorer: Patrice Bergeron (6)

Thrashers Top Scorer: Ilya Kovalchuk (12)

Injury Report: There is a strong chance that Milan Lucic could be active to play tonight. Mark Savard is quoted saying that he will be benched tonight, but will probably return tomorrow against Buffalo.

Preview Notes: Please please please Bruins, get your defense back in gear or Kovalchuk is going to violate you. You were doing so well with it this season despite the horrible offensive slump, but lately, you got nothing! Also, lets talk about the 12.9 conversion percentage on the power play. Actually, lets not talk about that, it's depressing, not as a Bruins fan, but as a hockey fan. It could be worse for the Bruins though, they could be Toronto.

Recap: Buffalo Gets Embarassed

2009-11-19T09:00:00.000-05:00

Three Stars:
1. Michael Frolik (2 goals, 0 assists)
2. Keith Ballard (0 goals, 3 assists)
3. Stephen Weiss (1 goal, 0 assists)

Final Score:
Buffalo Sabres: 2
Florida Panters: 6

Goalie Stats
Ryan Miller: SV: 18 SV%: .783 GA: 5
Thomas Vokoun SV: 26 SV%: .929 GA: 2

Recap Notes:
-What makes this lose so painful is how hard we've been sucking off Buffalo here at ADB lately...
-That was gross, I apologize
-This was the most goals Buffalo let up this season
-Miller had one of the worst reasons for losing ever: "They just played boring until they got a lead and then they played more boring". Sorry if the game wasn't exciting enough for you, maybe it would have been more exciting if you stopped a few goals.
-Buffalo's next game will be against the slumping Bruins tomorrow.

Gionta Out Indefinitely

2009-11-18T13:39:00.002-05:00

The Montreal Canadiens got some bad news today as Brian Gionta will be out indefinitely with a broken foot. No news yet as to who gets the call up to replace him on the roster, or exactly how long he'll be gone. With the Canadiens recent struggles this could not have come at a worse time.

Have Fun in the AHL Mathieu Carle

2009-11-18T13:25:00.002-05:00

The Montreal Canadiens announced today that they have sent D-man Mathieu Carle back to their AHL affiliate Hamilton Bulldogs. Carle was held pointless in the 3 games he played. Judging by the picture above, he wants to be in Buffalo!

Preview: Florida visits Buffalo.

2009-11-18T10:00:00.003-05:00

Buffalo Sabres Record: 12-4-1

Florida Panthers Record: 7-9-2

Sabres Record vs. Panthers Since 2005: 11-6-0

Sabres Likely Goalie: Ryan Miller

Panthers Likely Goalie: Tomas Vokoun

Sabres Top Scorer: Thomas Vanek (6)

Flyers Top Scorer: Steve Reinprecht (9)

Injury Report: Buffalo's Mike Grier (groin) and Florida's David Booth (concussion) should be sitting this one out.

Preview Notes: Well if you remember the last time these two teams met, Buffalo did horrible, horrible things to the Panthers. If I had to guess, I'd look for a repeat, Buffalo is just the better team, although they have come a long way since their 2-7-1 start. Vokoun starting in net tonight instead of Clemmensen should help, although they're going to have to rest him soon. Miller will look to continue his outstanding overall performance.

Toronto Played Last Night, Guess What Happened!?

2009-11-18T10:00:00.002-05:00

Three Stars:
1. Pascal Leclaire (SV: 30, SV%: .938)
2. Mike Fisher (2 goals, 0 assists)
3. Phil Kessel (1 goal, 1 nut)

Final Score:
Toronto Maple Leafs: 2
Ottawa Senators: 3

Goalie Stats
Vesa Toskala: SV: 18 SV%: .857 GA: 3
Pascal Leclaire: SV: 30 SV%: .938 GA: 2

Recap Notes:
- Toronto lost again (4th straight)
- Gustavsson > Toskala
- Kessel > all of Toronto
- Speaking of Kessel, He has 5 goals in 5 games
- 1st period was rowdy, 3 fights.

Carolina Still Sucks, Montreal Wins in SO

2009-11-18T09:35:00.000-05:00

Three Stars:
1. Tomas Plekanec (0 goals, 2 assists)
2. Matt Cullen (0 goals, 1 assist)
3. Carey Price (30 saves)

Final Score:
Carolina Hurricanes: 2
Montreal Canadiens: 3

Goalie Stats
Manny Legace: SV: 23 SV%: .958 GA: 1
Mike Leighton: SV: 10 SV%: .909 GA: 1
Carey Price: SV: 30 SV%: .938 GA: 2

Recap Notes:
-Do I even need to point out how awful the Hurricanes are?? Seriously, Montreal should be ashamed that this went to a shootout!
-Michael Leighton left the game with an injury, Carolina is going to run out of goalies.
-Shootout went to 6 rounds, before Montreal won...making them the envy of Bruins fans.
-Price is on a 2 game streak of playing well!
-Good lord, the Canadiens have a tough rest of the month. They are facing Washington and Detroit back to back. Then after 2 days, Columbus and Pittsburgh back to back.

Division Battle: Maple Leafs vs Senators

2009-11-17T13:09:00.003-05:00

Toronto Maple Leafs Record: 3-10-5 (Last in the Northeast)

Ottawa Senators Record: 8-6-3 (3rd in the Northeast)

Maple Leafs Record vs. Senators Since 2005: 12-14-2-3

Maple Leafs Likely Goalie: Vesa Toskala... sooooo Sens win!

Senators Likely Goalie: Pascal Leclaire

Maple Leafs Top Scorer: Tomas Kaberle (2 goals, 21 points)

Senators Top Scorer: Daniel Aldredsson (6 goals, 19 points)

Injury Report: Leafs D-man Mike "No Talent" Komisarek is still out with a sore vagina. Senators D-man Anton Volchenkov is still nursing and elbow injury

Preview Notes: The Senators claimed the first round of this divisional series, a 2-1 win on October 6th. Ottawa has struggled lately after a strong start, and Alfredsson states the obvious:

"It’s not easy to win games," Alfredsson said. "You look at the standings and it's extremely close. Every game is important."

The Maple Leafs still love giving opposing teams early leads like Eric Lindros loves skating with his head down. Coach Ron Wilson has publicly expressed his displeasure, but no one in Toronto cares. You poor, poor Toronto fans. You have nothing to look forward too. Well, maybe Kessel. He's going good. You have Kessel guys.

Preview: Whalers vs Canadiens

2009-11-17T13:08:00.003-05:00

Montreal Canadiens Record: 9-11-0 (4th in the Northeast)

Carolina Hurricanes Record: 3-12-4 (Last in the Southeast)

Canadiens Record vs. Hurricanes Since 2005: 4-11-1-0

Canadiens Likely Goalie: Carey Price

Hurricanes Likely Goalie: Michael Leighton

Canadiens Top Scorer: Tomas Plekanec (4 goals, 17 points)

Hurricanes Top Scorer: Ray Whitney (6 goals, 13 points)

Injury Report: The Whalers will be without Chris Pronger, Ron Francis... oh sorry.

The Hurricanes will be without Michael Ryan (upper-body), Cam Ward (knife fight) and Eric ~~Douchebag~~ Staal (upper body).

Les Habitants will be without Andrei Markov (ankle), Hal Gill (no talent), Ryan O'Byrne (lower-body), Georges Laraque (less talent)and Matt D'Agostini (concussion). Brian Gionta is questionable (lower-body)

Preview Notes: The Carolina Hurricanes are fresh off their first victory ~~of the season~~ since the Nixon administration. There was a parade held in their honor. The 'Canes blew leads of 3-0 and 4-1 against the offensively challenged Wild, so let's not get too excited here.

If the 53 save version of Price is in net tonight, just chalk up a victory for the Montreal Canadiens. If the "bad" Price is in net...well, you can probably still just give the Canadiens a victory. The Habs are struggling as well, but not nearly as bad as the Hurricanes. Should be an ugly, ugly game.

Wow the Bruins Suck

2009-11-17T12:54:00.003-05:00

Three Stars:
1. Matt Moulson (2 goals, name is a beer!)
2. Richard Park (3 assists)
3. David Krejci (1 assist)

Final Score:
New York Islanders: 4
Boston Bruins: 1

Goalie Stats
Dwayne "The Rock" Roloson: SV: 28 SV%: .966 GA: 1
Tuukka Rask: SV: 17 SV%: .850 GA: 3

Recap Notes:
- Wow... the Bruins are just terrible
- Matt Moulson is not terrible
- With all their trouble on the wing... you think Pittsburgh regrets giving up Moulson?
- Does anyone on the Bruins even care?
- I mean really... you took all your shots from the outside
- Bruins need someone who can finish like a porn star
- The Bruins are apparently allergic to throwing hits
- Once again... the Bruins 4th line is the best line on the team... if only they could score
- Can Lucic and Savard save this team?

Julien's Secret Revealed.....

2009-11-15T16:53:00.002-05:00

Recently, Boston Bruins coach Claude Julien has made some very... curious decisions. First, he put Mark Recchi 3rd in a shootout. Then... he put Chara 3rd in a shootout. Today, we found a picture that explains everything:

Game of the Year: Penguins Win!

2009-11-15T14:05:00.000-05:00

Three Stars:
1. Pascal Dupuis (2 goals, including OT winner)
2. Sidney Crosby (1 goal, 2 assists)
3. Evgeni Malkin (3 assists)

Final Score:
Pittsburgh Penguins: 6
Boston Bruins: 5

Goalie Stats
Brent Johnson: SV: 28 SV%: .848 GA: 5
Tim Thomas: SV: 27 SV%: .818 GA: 6

Recap Notes:
- What a game. Seriously. Hockey at its finest
- So... safe to say the scoring drought is over for both teams
- What a difference Malkin makes
- Start the MVP chants Penguins fans
- Malkin looks unstoppable at times. Malkin > Ovechkin
- Really, the highlights speak for themselves
- But what an epic mistake by Tim Thomas:

Sabres Do Less Coke than the Flyers, Win!

2009-11-15T14:02:00.008-05:00

Three Stars:
1. Ryan Miller (29 saves)
2. Jeff Carter (1 goal, 1 assist)
3. Tyler Ennis (1 goal)

Final Score:
Buffalo Sabres: 3
Philadelphia Flyers: 2

Goalie Stats
Ryan Miller: SV: 29 SV%: .935 GA: 2
Ray Emery: SV: 22 SV%: .880 GA: 3

Recap Notes:
- Congrats to Tyler Ennis on his first NHL game/goal
- Buffalo's D is pretty awesome
- Ryan Miller is even better
- The Flyers should go fuck themselves
- But they are fairly good short handed
- Briere probably hurt his groin in the press conference
- Hopefully Vanek is catching fire... my fantasy team can't score

Senators Lose Goalie Battle In Shootout

2009-11-15T14:02:00.004-05:00

Three Stars:
1. Henrik Lundqvist (35 saves)
2. Brian Elliot (27 saves)
3. Chris Phillips

Final Score:
New York Rangers: 2
Ottawa Senators: 1

Goalie Stats
Henrik Lundqvist: SV: 35 SV%: .972 GA: 1
Brian Elliot: SV: 27 SV%: .964 GA: 1

Recap Notes:
- You let your goalie down by letting up a short handed goal Senators
- Vinny Prospal scored a short handed goal!
- 7 round shoot out... nice miss Michalek
- Can't this be like the Special Olympics and everyone wins?
- Callahan must've pissed Alfredsson of, as Alfie kept shooting directly at him
- The goal is to shoot around players, not at them
- Both teams missed fantastic opportunities to end the game in regulation
- Everyone but the goalies should be ashamed of themselves

Leafs Lose..... No one Surprised

2009-11-15T14:01:00.009-05:00

Three Stars:
1. Jarome Iginla (2 goals, being awesome)
2. Miikka Kiprusoff (38 saves, being awesome)
3. Francois Beauchemin (1 goal, 1 assist, on an awful team)

Final Score:
Calgary Flames: 5
Toronto Maple Leafs: 2

Goalie Stats
Miikka Kiprusoff: SV: 38 SV%: .950 GA: 2
Jonas Gustavsson: SV: 2 SV%: .400 GA: 3
Vesa Toskala: SV: 15 SV%: .882 GA: 2

Recap Notes:
- Gustavsson allowed 3 goals on 5 shots... the bubble has officially burst
- Experts said Kessel would be nothing without Savard... Kessel is lighting it up on a shitty team
- I mean seriously... the Maple Leafs suck ass. Kessel made a huge mistake
- But he wipes his ass with our yearly salary
- Iginla and Nystrom scored 16 seconds apart
- It was 80's night in Toronto... and the team played like they did in the 80's
- That means they really sucked, for you youngsters

Price Stops 53.... Canadiens Still Lose

2009-11-15T14:01:00.006-05:00

Three Stars:
1. Steve Sullivan (2 goals)
2. Pekke Rinne (The shutouts!!!!)
3. Carey Price (53 saves)

Final Score:
Nashville Predators: 2
Montreal Canadiens: 0

Goalie Stats
Pekka Rinne: SV: 20 SV%: 1.000 GA: 0
Carey Price: SV: 53 SV%: .964 GA: 2

Recap Notes:
- Carey Price was ridiculous tonight... tied a Canadiens record with 53 saves
- His team must hate him... they couldn't score
- Nashville had a franchise record 55 shots
- Seriously Canadiens... you lost 2-0 to the offensively challenged Predators
- How long until Price demands a trade?
- Pekke Rinne pretty much summed it up: "The guys on defense did a great job, I didn't have to face too many shots," Rinne said. "Obviously you have your good saves and your moments, but it was one of the easier games that we have had this year so far."
- You were the easiest game the Predators have had this season Montreal. Be proud!

Preview: Bruins visit Penguins.

2009-11-14T16:08:00.013-05:00

Boston Bruins Record: 8-7-3

Pittsburgh Penguins Record: 12-7-0

Bruins Record vs. Penguins Since 2005: 10-4-0-2

Bruins Likely Goalie: Tim Thomas

Penguins Likely Goalie: Marc-Andre Fleury

Bruins Top Scorer: Patrice Bergeron (6)

Penguins Top Scorer: Sidney Crosby (9)

Injury Report: Umm...alot. Pittsburgh will be without, Maxime Talbot (shoulder), Sergei Gonchar (wrist), Tyler Kennedy (undisclosed), Kris Letang (shoulder), and Brooks Orpik (lower body).

Boston will still be without Marc Savard (broken foot)and Milan Lucic (finger).

Preview Notes: We got two teams here who really haven't been performing as well as they would like lately. B's won decisively last Tuesday against the Penguins, however, with Malkin coming back, the offensive dynamic of this team is going to be very different. The Bruins will be looking to keep doing what they've been doing on defense to disrupt any rhythm that Pittsburgh tries to generate. The Bruins best chance to win is for this game to NOT go to a shootout, because apparently when that happens, coach Julien becomes a blithering idiot.

Preview: Flames vs Maple Leafs

2009-11-14T15:44:00.006-05:00

Toronto Maple Leafs Record: HAHAHAHAHAHA

Calgary Flames Record: 11-4-2

Maple Leafs Record vs. Flames Since 2005: 2-2-0

Maple Leafs Likely Goalie: Jonas Gustavsson, as it should be

Flames Likely Goalie: Miikka Kiprusoff, who else?

Maple Leafs Top Scorer: Alexei Ponikarovsky (7)

Flames Top Scorer: Jarome Iginla (9)

Injury Report: Mike Komisarek is resting his vagina err...quadriceps for the next few weeks.

Preview Notes: The only thing that may give Toronto a chance is The Monster in net and that Kessel is getting his groove back. Well that and that fact that Kiprusoff is probably starting to get tired from starting nearly EVERY game. That being said, the Flames have not had the best history when traveling to Toronto, but this year's Leafs team is special (like retard special, not good special) so we'll see what happens.

Preview: Ottawa hosts....whoops

2009-11-14T15:31:00.007-05:00

Yeah...Didn't realize that the Ottawa game was at 2pm today. Sorry! We'll do better next time. Late in the 2nd, the game is tied 1-1.

Preview: Sabres vs Flyers

2009-11-14T15:09:00.007-05:00

Buffalo Sabres Record: 11-4-1

Philadelphia Flyers Record: 10-4-1

Sabres Record vs. Flyers Since 2005: 9-7-1

Sabres Likely Goalie: Ryan Miller

Flyers Likely Goalie: Ray Emery

Sabres Top Scorer: Thomas Vanek (5)

Flyers Top Scorer: Mike Richards (8)

Injury Report: Flyers have Grier out with a lower body injury. Ryan Parent is still nursing his groin and Ole-Kristian Tollefsen is concussed.

For Buffalo, Toni Lydman is probably going to still be out with groin problems.

Preview Notes: Well the Flyers must be feeling pretty good about themselves after wins in their past 5 games (one of which against Buffalo). The Sabres, who are in the process of starting a win streak themselves, will be looking to redeem themselves tonight. Special teams could be a factor tonight as Philly has the advantage in both PP and PK.

Toronto Loses, Big Suprise.

2009-11-14T10:58:00.006-05:00

Three Stars:
1. Duncan Keith (1 goal, 1 assist)
2. Phil Kessel (2 goals, 0 assists)
3. Patrick Kane (1 goal, 0 cabbie KOs)

Final Score:
Toronto Maple Leafs: 2
Chicago Blackhawks: 3

Goalie Stats
Vesa Toskala: SV: 31 SV%: .912 GA: 3
Cristobal Huet: SV: 29 SV%: .935 GA: 2

Recap Notes:

-Phil Kessel got the only points for Maple Leafs, go figure.
-Despite the score, Toskala played well? Interesting.
-Kane went all night without physically assaulting a cabbie!!
-Schenn is pressing robbery charges against Kane.
-In fairness to Toronto, they got robbed of a goal at the end of the first.
-Toronto faces a better goalie in Kiprusoff tonight

Preview: Toronto visits Chicago

2009-11-13T14:00:00.001-05:00

Toronto Maple Leafs Record: 3-8-5

Chicago Blackhawks Record: 10-5-2

Maple Leafs Record vs. Blackhawks Since 2005: 0-2-1-0

Maple Leafs Likely Goalie: Vesa Toskala

Blackhawks Likely Goalie: Cristobal Huet

Maple Leafs Top Scorer: Tomas Kaberle (2 goals, 20 points)

Blackhawks Top Scorer: Patrick Kane (5 goals, 17 points)

Injury Report: Chicago's Marian Hossa (shoulder) is still a couple weeks away. Dav Bolland (back surgery) is out for 3-4 months.

Once again, Toronto's blueline will get a boost as Mike Komisarek is out three weeks with a quad tear.

Preview Notes: Well the Blackhawks can go ahead and just put a W in the win/loss column as Vesa Toskala is in net tonight.

Toronto has been absolutely abysmal this season but has shown signs of life since Gustavsson and Kessel came back from injury. Luckily for the Leafs, Toskala and their awful D, this is the only game of the season against Original Six opponent Chicago.

Huet hasn't been strong himself and the 'Hawks have been struggling a bit but Cabbie Kane and the rest of the boys are incredibly dangerous and will most likely make this a very unpleasant night for Leafs Nation.