SMC 11/11/2018
ANOTHER ONE BITES THE ICE DUST- Why not? Bohemian Rhapsody just came out in theaters, so it’s apropos.
Getting cold here in the Northeast, so grab your hot cup of coffee and settle in.
Another one bites the dust, this time in Chicago. Wasn’t too much of a shock with Stevens, but with Quenneville, well, that was a surprise. But when your team is supposed to be a contender and not a pretender, you can’t wait too long to salvage the season.
Some team will benefit from Quenneville’s experience, but probably not until next season.
The coaching change isn’t working out yet in Chicago. Ugh!
Now is the time of year when the standings will start to settle in to what was expected of teams. However, there will be 2 teams that will defy the notion that ‘The cream always rises to the top”.
And who might those 2 teams be? How about the NY Rangers & Arizona Coyotes. Why? Well, the Rangers have an experienced goaltender and a good one at that. Plus they have some veteran defensemen in front of him. The Coyotes have Antti Raanta and he just needs to stay healthy. With all that young talent, it is only a matter of time before they start to put it together. Those are my 2 picks.
It is time to try and grab some Florida Panthers from other teams before they start to really turn it on. Could be your last chance to get players like Barkov, Trocheck, Huberdeau, Dadonov and Yandle on the cheap.
Panthers beat the Islanders 4-2 giving them 3 wins in a row, scoring 4 goals in each. Two ships passing in the night going in opposite directions from where they started.
Roberto Luongo is their core and most valuable player.
The Buffalo Sabres are winning of late. I still don’t know how well they will be this season, but like the ride so far.
That Elias Pettersson is some player! WOW! Taking the NHL by storm! Taking Casey Mittelstadt instead of Pettersson is coming back to bite me in the “you-know where.”
Sean Couturier is heating up in November with 7 points in 5 games so far. Proving that last year was no fluke.
Nolan Patrick saw some decent PP time against the Hawks on Saturday. Hasn’t had any PP points yet. Notched an assist in the game though giving him 5 points in 5 November games. Available in your league? Take a Flyer! Couldn’t resist.
The Nashville Predators just seem to have it all this season. They may also have the monopoly on players whose first name is Ryan.
Speaking of Ryan, how about that Dzingel character in Ottawa? 8 goals, some quality PP time.
Saturday Surprise? Ottawa wins at Tampa Bay. 6-4! That secret cab video footage has spurred the Senators. Propaganda works in mysterious ways.
The Bruins spanked the Leafs 5-1 on Saturday after withstanding an opening period barrage of shots on goal.
Are the Vegas Golden Knights beginning to put it together?
Has Matt Murray lost his starting job in Pittsburgh to Casey DeSmith? DeSmith has played lights out when in the crease this season.
Detroit has been winning but I still think this will be a long season for the winged wheel.
The Rangers beat the Blue Jackets after letting an almost sure win slip from their grasps the night before in Detroit. The Blueshirts are not as bad as people may think. And if their talented youngsters start to gain some confidence for the second half, could be real interesting.
Pierre-Luc DuBois is ready to explode. I can feel it.
Calgary should continue to alternate between their two goalies. I can’t foresee either one being a solid, go-to #1 goalie. Smith too old and not consistent enough and Rittich needs more experience and needs to build his stamina for the long NHL season.
Enjoy your day and hope all your fantasies come true this week!