NHL Top-10

1) Wayne Gretzky

The statistical record holder in every scoring category, no one even comes within 1000 points of “The Great One,” Wayne Gretzky.  He did all this and won the Lady Byng Trophy for sportsmanship five times.  Classy.

#1 Wayne Gretzky

2) Mario Lemieux

915 NHL games, 690 goals and 1,723 points.  On New Year’s Eve, 1988 in a game against the New Jersey Devils, Mario Lemieux became the only player to achieve the hockey equivalent of the cycle: a goal at even-strength, power-play, shorthanded, penalty shot, and empty-net.  Can anyone say incredible?  Though he spent five years of his career battling cancer, among other injuries, it is obvious that Mario made the most of his time on the ice.  If he’d had a healthy 20-year career like Gretzky, Lemieux would hold a fair portion of the scoring titles.

#2 Mario Lemeiux

3) Gordie Howe

The man is “Mr. Hockey.”  What more can one say about him?  How about six scoring titles and six MVPs?  Perhaps most amazing is that Gordie Howe dominated the game from 1946-1980, the longest NHL career ever.

#3 Gordie Howe

4) Bobby Orr

This guy should probably be closer to the top than fourth.  Bobby Orr is hands down the best defenseman the game has ever seen.  Winner of eight straight Norris Trophies and two scoring titles, a feat unheard of by a defensive player, Orr proved that he could hold the blue line and score goals at the same time.

#4 Bobby Orr

5) Martin Brodeur

The all-time leader in wins and shutouts, Martin Brodeur is deserving of a top-5 ranking.  The epitome of consistency, Brodeur has spent his entire nineteen year career with the New Jersey Devils while making seventeen playoff appearances.  Despite leading all goalies in games played, Brodeur shows no signs of slowing down after leading the league in the wins column after the 2009-2010 regular season.

#5 Martin Brodeur

6) Maurice “The Rocket” Richard

The first NHL player to reach the 500-goal mark never led the league in total points scored, but Maurice Richard topped the list of goal scorers five times in his storied career.  The Rocket's lightning speed and intensity helped him become the first player to score 50 goals in 50 games, a feat that took thirty-nine long years filled with talented goal scorers to duplicate.  Richard's eight Stanley Cup victories with the Canadiens—while serving as captain for four—never hurt either.

#6 Maurice Richard

7) Doug Harvey

Arguably the 2nd-best defenseman hockey has ever seen, Doug Harvey helped the Habs win five straight Cups from 1956-60 and won the Norris Trophy an astounding seven times!  Harvey also makes this list for his being blacklisted by the NHL after trying to form a player's association.

#7 Doug Harvey

8) Mark Messier

As the only player in NHL history to captain two different teams to Stanley Cup championships, “The Moose” proved himself to be one of sport's greatest leaders.  Mark Messier led by example, finishing his career second on the all-time points list.  His six Stanley Cup wins throughout the 2nd-longest career in NHL history are a testament to his consistent style of play.  As the New York Rangers captain down 3-2 in the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals to rival New Jersey, Messier personally guaranteed a Game Six victory to fans and the media.  Not one to renege on his word, Messier led the Ranger to victory with a natural hat trick in game six, and iced it with the game-winning goal in Game Seven of the Stanley Cup Finals.

#8 Mark Messier

9) Patrick Roy

I had to put another goalie in the top-10.  At first, I cringed as the memory of Patrick Roy, poised in the Statue of Liberty celebration pose, dropped the puck and let Brendan Shannahan put it in the back of the net during Game Six of the 2002 Western Conference Finals.  Despite the miscue, Roy clearly was one of the most solid playoff performers of all-time, with 150+ career playoff wins, three MVPs, and four Stanley Cups.  In 1986 and 1993, he literally carried mediocre Montreal Canadians teams on his back to Stanley Cup championships.  Goalies arguably have one of the toughest positions in all of sport, and Roy made it look easy.

#9 Patrick Roy

10) Jean Beliveau

Jean Beliveau is arguably my favorite player on this list.  Another model of consistency, Beliveau averaged over a point per game throughout his twenty-year career with the Habs and won the Stanley Cup an astonishing ten times.  Only Henri Richard has more as a player with eleven.  However, Jean didn't stop winning once he hung up the skates.  As an executive with his club, he won seven more Cups, bringing the grand total to seventeen.  Not only did this guy win, but he won with class and style.

#10 Jean Beliveau

--from Matt

(all images from flickr.com: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)

Stanley Cup Finals: Boston Bruins over Vancouver Canucks

When reviewing a series or other climactic sporting event, the question we ask ourselves is, “What did this tell us about the sport as a whole?"  What the 2011 Stanley Cup Final showed us is that hockey can be an ugly game.

Though the NHL has been gaining fans every year since the ’04-’05 lockout, this matchup between the Boston Bruins and Vancouver Canucks didn’t encourage much bandwagon jumping.  Outside of a couple of masked goalies, there were no real superstars for the NHL to market.  Vancouver is pretty much the opposite of an American draw: the NHL team farthest away from our East Coast bias—though warranted as 47% of America’s population lives in the Eastern time zone—and a team from north of the border.  Then there are the Boston Bruins who come from a city with an overabundance of championships in recent years.  Though the Bruins themselves hadn’t won a Stanley Cup since 1972, between Boston’s Red Sox, Celtics, and Patriots, a Bruins win would mean seven championships for the New England metropolis since 2001.

An ugly matchup carried over to ugly play on the ice.  From Alexandre Burrows biting a Bruins player’s finger, one blindside hit that led to Nathan Horton’s concussion, another hit that led to Mason Raymond’s cracked vertebra, Brad Marchand repeatedly punching a Sedin just for the hell of it, to the series’ wildly inconsistent energy level, this Stanley Cup Final was almost unwatchable.

Though something remains to be said about a championship-deciding series going to seven games, how these two teams got there was not tremendously riveting.  The team that scored first won every game.  The home team was undefeated until Game 7, but at that point the Bruins had demoralized the Canucks.  Prior to that though, Vancouver threatened to be the first team ever with a negative goal differential to win a Stanley Cup.  Through Game 6, the Bruins had outscored the Canucks 19-8.

Vancouver won Games 1 and 2 in an exciting fashion, playing to a 0-0 tie through 59:42 until Rafi Torres scored the decisive goal with just 18 seconds left in regulation.  Game 2 was an overtime contest where the winner came off the finger biter Burrows’ stick just 11 seconds into the extra period.

Shifting to Boston, it seemed like the Bruins were the only team that boarded the plane.  Boston won Game 3 by a score of 8-1 and shutout the Canucks in their next contest, winning 4-0.

I thought Game 5 was going to be a real statement game.  After getting their asses handed to them in Games 3 and 4, Vancouver got back to business on home ice.  Roberto Luongo recorded his second shutout of the Bruins, and the Canucks notched another 1-0 victory.

Game 6 back in Boston was the same old story though.  The Bruins scored four goals in about five minutes during first period of action, and the Canucks gave up, just flat out quit, seemingly biding their time until they could fly back to Vancouver.

But once back to comfortable confines of home ice, Vancouver didn’t elevate their play one bit.  Immediately after Boston scored the first goal, all the air went out of the stadium.  If there were any thoughts of coming back, they were quickly dispelled by Tim Thomas’ play and a second Bruins goal.  The B’s tacked on two more before the final horn blew, and Thomas blanked the Canucks once again for another 4-0 Boston win.

The ugliness on paper and on the ice even spilled onto the streets of Vancouver.  Just like in 1994 when the Canucks lost a heart-breaking Game 7 to the New York Rangers, citizens of Vancouver rioted and tore their fair city apart.

As a franchise, the Canucks have never won a Stanley Cup, and no Canadian team has won since the Montreal Canadiens last did it in 1993. Vancouver fans, and practically the entire nation of Canada, rested their hopes on the Canucks’ cause, so when the players on the ice didn’t live up to expectations, it was a monumental letdown.  Moving forward, I’d like to see a Canadian team win a championship in the sport they invented, but most of all I’d just like to see some cleaner hockey.

It wasn't pretty, but another Boston team claims a title.

--from @jeuneski

(image from flickr.com)

Stanley Cup Finals: Boston Bruins vs. Vancouver Canucks

This isn't a close matchup at all.

Vancouver is the juggernaut of the Western Conference Playoffs.  They ousted their long-time playoff hang-up, the Chicago Blackhawks, in the first round and outslopped the Nashville Predators in the second.  The Conference Finals were where Vancouver really turned it on, and they handily defeated the #2 seeded San Jose Sharks in five games.

With over a week off between the last game of the Western Conference Finals and the first of the Stanley Cup Finals, the Vancouver Canucks will certainly be more rested from their foes on the East Coast, the Boston Bruins.

Boston's road to the finals was a difficult one being taken to seven games in the first round by Montreal.  Then after a quick sweep of the defending Eastern Conference Champion Philadelphia Flyers, Boston had another grueling seven-game series against the upstart Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Bruins face a long road in this series as well, literally and figuratively.  Such a distance physically separates Boston and Vancouver, an entire continent, and the Canucks have home-ice.  Also there is a severe talent gap between them and the Presidents' Trophy-winning team.  Vancouver has the edge in forward play, overall defensivemen play, and special teams.  Boston may have the goalie advantage with Tim Thomas, but you absolutely cannot look past Roberto Luongo.

Yet to face a team a team this playoffs as deep offensively, defensively, or with as hot a goalie, I do not like Boston's chances to end their 39-year championship drought.  Instead I like Vancouver to win their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.

Prediction: Canucks in 5

--from @jeuneski

2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Conference Championships

#3 Boston Bruins vs. #5 Tampa Bay Lightning

Both these teams should be well-rested after nearly a week off since both quickly swept their higher ranked opponents in the Second Round.  

Even though this current group of Lightning players hasn't been in the playoffs together, you can't call this an inexperienced team.  Despite an offense led by the 21-year-old dynamo, Steven Stamkos, playoff-tested veterans pepper the roster.  Vinny Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis, and Pavel Kubina all won rings with the Lightning in 2004.  Ryan Malone reached the Stanley Cup Finals with Pittsburgh in 2008 and Simon Gagne with Philadelphia last year.  Plus, there's the 41-year-old goalie, Dwayne Roloson, who's on fire right now and has a little playoff experience of his own, taking the Edmonton Oilers to the Stanley Cup Final in 2007.

On the other hand, the Boston Bruins do have playoff experience together, though this is the first time in Boston's recent run of success that they've advanced past the Second Round.

If when you think Tampa Bay you think offense, when you think Boston you certainly think defense.  Vezina trophy finalist Tim Thomas gives this Boston team their identity in net.  He's the tough, scrappy fighter that won't give up.  He attacks the puck and set the record for goals against average in a season this year, .938.  In front of him is the ever imposing and Norris-nominated defender, Zdeno Chara.

With the two hottest goalies in the playoffs facing off against each other, goals will be at a premium.  So when picking this series, I'm going with the team that has better goal scorers.

Prediction: Lightning in 7

#1 Vancouver Canucks vs. #2 San Jose Sharks

At least one good thing will come out of this matchup: one of these teams can finally shake its "choke artist" label (for another round any way).

There's a bit of a contrast in styles here.  The Canucks are a star-laden team that typically relies on the efforts of its big guns the Sedin twins, Hart trophy finalist Daniel and brother Henrik, Ryan Kesler, and Roberto Luongo in net.  The Sharks have a more balanced approach with contributions coming from Joe Thornton, Dany Heatley, Patrick Marleau, Joe Pavelski, Devin Setoguchi, Ryan Clowe, and Dan Boyle.

Typically, the Canucks' playoff Achilles' heel has been the Chicago Blackhawks, a hurdle they thought they cleared in the first round.  What the Sharks have though is Chicago's Stanley Cup hoisting goalie from a year ago, Antti Niemi, protecting their net.  Even though the Canucks are probably the best team still alive in the playoffs, I'll say Niemi's presence is enough of an advantage to go with San Jose for my pick.

Prediction: Sharks in 6

--from Eric

2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Second Round Picks

#1 Washington Capitals vs. #5 Tampa Bay Lightning

Unlike Round 1, the Capitals face a team that has the guns to match their scoring ability.  Alexander Ovechkin didn't dominate the Rangers and needs to step up his game if he wants to lead his team to the next level.  The old vet Dwayne Roloson is playing well in net for Tampa, and combine his production with young Steven Stamkos', the Lightning will be a very tough out.  I like the Caps a little more, but this should be a fun series.

Prediction: Capitals in 7

#2 Philadelphia Flyers vs. #3 Boston Bruins

Another exciting series, this is as gritty as it gets.  Each team's identity is built on its toughness.  Expect the gloves to drop early and often.  In terms of who actually wins the series, I like the Flyers' goal scorers a lot more than Boston's, but I like Philly's goaltender situation a lot less.  The Flyers were my Eastern Conference pick going into the playoffs so I won't pick against them now, but an upset is all to easy to imagine.

Prediction: Flyers in 6

#1 Vancouver Canucks vs. #4 Nashville Predators

The Canucks already cleared their toughest hurdle en route to the Western Conference Finals.  By beating their playoff rival Chicago Blackhawks, the tension should let up a little in Vancouver, and the Canucks should dispatch Nashville with ease.  I'm still asking myself, "How did the Predators make the playoffs?"  Earning the #4 seed is a whole other mind boggler.

Prediction: Canucks in 5

#2 San Jose Sharks vs. #3 Detroit Red Wings

The Sharks didn't blow me away like they did last season, whereas the Red Wings have constantly surprised.  Detroit is playing very well right now and was the only team to sweep its first round series.  I'm going with Hockeytown.

Prediction: Red Wings in 5

--from Eric

2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs: First Round Picks

#1 Washington Capitals vs. #8 New York Rangers

This recent group of Washington Capitals, despite how successful they typically are during the regular season, consistently struggles in the playoffs.  Maintaining defensive intensity has always been the Caps' Achilles heel and will likely be their undoing again this postseason.  The other issue I'd like to bring up though is Alexander Ovechkin.  When a team is built around one player, like the Caps are with Ovechkin, they become much easier to stop over a seven game series—when a defense can gameplan and really focus on shutting down that one player—than in the regular season when they are just one game on the schedule.  Now, even though I'm not high on the Capitals' chances the rest of these Stanley Cup Playoffs, I don't think the Rangers have enough firepower to pull off the upset just yet.

Prediction: Capitals in 5

#2 Philadelphia Flyers vs. #7 Buffalo Sabres

The Flyers are probably my pick for Eastern Conference champions, so I say they get the train rolling here with a quick sweep.

Prediction: Flyers in 4

#3 Boston Bruins vs. #6 Montreal Canadiens

Goals should be tough to come by in this series as both teams are top-10 in the NHL in goals against.  I give the edge to Boston who has a better group of goal scorers than does Montreal.  Plus, Tim Thomas led all goalies this season in both goals against average and save percentage.

Prediction: Bruins in 6

#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #5 Tampa Bay Lightning

Even though they will be without Sidney Crosby this series, I'm going to go with playoff experience and pick the Penguins to beat the Lightning. 

Prediction: Penguins in 7

#1 Vancouver Canucks vs. #8 Chicago Blackhawks

This is the same Canucks team that lost to the Blackhawks in each of the past two postseasons, but these aren't the same Blackhawks that won the Stanley Cup last year and went to the Western Conference Finals the year before that.  If the Canucks do choke again this year, it won't be in the first round.

Prediction: Canucks in 6

#2 San Jose Sharks vs. #7 Los Angeles Kings

Speaking of choke artists...

Prediction: Kings in 6

#3 Detroit Red Wings vs. #6 Phoenix Coyotes

This is a rematch of the most exciting matchup from last year's first round, which the Red Wings won in seven.  I expect good hockey once more, but I don't think the results will be much different.

Prediction: Red Wings in 6

#4 Anaheim Ducks vs. #5 Nashville Predators

If that last matchup was the most exciting, this one might be the least.  Only in the Capitals-Rangers matchup did two opposing playoff teams score fewer goals this season.  (The Capitals and Rangers combined for 457 while the Ducks and Predators combined for 458.)  I have no idea who'll win, but I gotta pick somebody.

Prediction: Predators in 7

--from Eric

Notes from Lord Stanley

After a thrilling six-game series, the Chicago Blackhawks have won the Stanley Cup by overpowering their undermatched opponents, the Philadelphia Flyers.

Stanley Cup Final Preview

We've been going at these playoffs for a month and half (or forever) and we're finally here. Lord Stanley's Cup. And what a matchup: Chicago Blackhawks vs. Philadelphia Flyers

the hardware