point

I believe the Rangers fans would cope with an actual rebuilding process. The problem is that the media wouldn't let them do it. Look how the Devils organization is getting pounded in the press for lack of goal scoring! The reporters would have no big names to interview and make themselves feel important. Most game reports can be written from a close reading of the box score. These guys don't analyze anything. They just want to schmooze with the stars.

Martha is just another Jersey Girl trying to make a few bucks. Actually, the market is killing her. To save about $250,000 in stock losses on that IMCLONE deal, the market value of her own company has shrunk by something like $400 million. Now, that's a fine.

The Devils are on track to rack up 108 points this season. Burs is right- what counts is wins. It isn't the total goals scored, but the difference between goals scored and goals allowed. The Devils are +11. Scoring margin is the best predictor of winning.

You're correct that playing the Western Conference teams only once or twice a year is worse than not playing them at all. There is no enthusiasm for any but a handfull of players or teams. The league expandsed in order to generate national interest in the league, which is understandable, it is tough for TV stations in Texas to force non-hockey viewers to watch teams from Minnesota and Boston playing. But why would thay want to watch Dallas play Atlanta? Your suggestion makes a lot of sense.

Only 39 of the Pens 76 goals were at even strength. That is only 38%. If hte Devils stay out of the penalty box they can win. Tonight's officials are Stephen Walkom and Ian Walsh.

Looking at the game day stats, I am surprised at how weak the Pens actually are. only 6 players have a positive plus/minus. The team leader in that Dept is Robitaille, at plus 4. Even Mario is minus1. Kovy and Mario have scored 35% of the teams goals. If either of those guys goes down it will be over for this bunch.

Practically speaking, there is none. But it helps us beancounters keep track of the points, and the total wins and losses of the league balance out..

I think poor passing is more glaringly obvious when it results in blown scoring opportunities. I've been to 6-7 games this year, and I don't think they are dumping the puck into the offensive zone as much as in some prior years (3-4 years back), It seems to me that they are carrying the puck in more often this season, but missing passes inside the offensive zone. As you say, these players should be accustomed to their teammates' speed, positional proclivities etc by now. When all else fails- blame poor ice!

Is this game on real radio? Please tell me what station! Thanks

Did anyone notice that Pierre Dagenais was sent to San Antonio of the AHL? Apparently no one else needed him at the NHL level

In football they walk off the field with 35 seconds left on the clock, in basketball it turns into a fre throw contest. Hockey is the only sport where the game is played all 60 minutes. I like the current rule. They continue to play for the additional point. By the end of the season, those extra points might push a marginal team into the playoffs, but will those teams advance? Who knows?, Carolina made it to the SCF by winning in OT.

the coaches have other avenues to let Andy Von Hellemond know they are unhappy with the refs. The coaches aren't being censored, only slapped for saying things in public.

Schwab only saw 4 shots in the first 30 minutes of play, then TB came at him like a storm. It was a great game, and a great performance by Khabibulin. I must agree with others that Schwab should have seen some ice time sooner, but........

If Eric Lindros brought the game he had a few years ago to the CAA last night, maybe more fans would have showed up. Who wants to see him play the way he has? Agreed, the economy has a lot to do with attendance. My question is: Why don't they ever write about those empty seats at MSG? These writers continue to recycle old columns and get away with it. I am surprised he didn't try to tell us that the trapping style of play of the Devils turns fans off. SHHEEESH!

I enjoy the game the way it is being played and enforced. The Devils were so out of sync last night theire fast break was killed by offsides calls, not by the NYR neutral zone play. The Devils speed thru the neutral zone is fantastic and really can work well with the rules as enforced. Its good for the game and good for the Devils

Would you guys watch the sport if they played with powder puffs?

Will Burns roll the lines in reverse like he did against Montreal last Friday? He Started the Danton-Stevenson-McKenzie line and worked backwards from there. Really confused things for a few shifts, and made for interesting matchups.

Read this morning that the Blues AND the Kiel Center in St Louis were sold for about $100 million 3 years ago. Last year the Canadiens AND the Molson Center went for $178 million The Sabres And the HSBC Arena are going for about $100 million. If the arenas AND the teams are going for these prices, why is the Newark Arena all by itself going to cost $300 million?

My wife pointed out to me last night that the Rangers are 3-0 since Trottier has been out nursing his sore back.

bq- I read your post 2x and still can't figure out what your points are. Should Mary have gone to arbitration to get "fair market value"? How should the teammates of "equal importance" been compensated? What difference has Holik's absence made? Is the Bergen Record playing the big bad NY Rangers card or is Marty? Please explain. Thanks

See you there

The team never "got up" for any other substitute goalie, why should they suddenly change for Corey?

There were 355 comments to the TSN story on the SI story. I guess it hit a lot of nerves. And, of course, the SI Issue isn't even out yet, is it?

Unfortunately, most general sports fans probably get their impressions of hockey from SI. That means that they think "goons on ice" when they think of hockey. The Leafs give the sport a bad name. The New York Giants of the NFL lost 3 players to injuries last week, but does anyone object to the level of violence on the football field? Why does SI concentrate on the "most hated team in hockey" (even if it is true?)

Bol has become practically impoverished since he left the NBA. I read an article on him ocer a year ago in the NYT, and he was living in a hut somewhere in the Sudan. The Sudan has been at a civil war for the last 15 years. The entire country is a mess. Bol loaned or donated a lot of money to family, friends, and countrymen, and got nothing back. It is sad that it turned out that way. Who matches up against him? Zdeno Chara?