Winter Classic - Sabres vs. Penguins

[Ran]

I've had dominant fantasy teams during the regular season only to shit the bed in the playoffs, so I know how you feel.

It is kind of screwed up that I ignored my team for half the season. Then I started paying attention again and lost Patrick Kane to injury. To balance it out, I finished 7th out of 12 in my other league. I lost Malkin to injury at some point in that one. I managed to win the consolation bracket, which means I was the best loser.

Back to real hockey...
The Sabres broke the record for most goalies dressed on one season this year. The guy that finished Saturday's game and started in Sunday's game was in the ECHL at one point this season. The draft lottery is tomorrow. They have a bunch of picks in the first 2 rounds. They have the Islanders' pick either this year or next year from the Vanek trade. They are probably picking in the top 5, so I'd imagine they would keep it and give the Sabres next year's pick. The Sabres also get St. Louis' 1st round pick if the Blues make the Conference finals or if the Blues re-sign Miller.

Good luck to the Wings against Boston. Zetterberg might be coming back soon.

[Diabolical]

Good luck to the Wings against Boston. Zetterberg might be coming back soon.

It could wind up as a slaughter, but I'm just glad Detroit made for the 23rd year, especially considering the injury bug hit Detroit hard this year. They blew away their previous record of man games lost to injury a few weeks ago.

On the bright side, Detroit took 3 out of 4 from Boston in the regular season.

[jjreason]

Detroit can beat Boston. They may not (and I theorize they'll lose 4-1 in games, but they'll be good games for the most part), but they certainly have the capacity. I would have much preferred seeing Crysby & the Penguins in round 1.

Boston 4 Detroit 1
Montreal 4 Lightning 3
Penguins 4 Jackets 2
Flyers 4 Rangers 2

Avs 4 Wild 1
Ducks 4 Stars 1
Blues 4 Hawks 3
Sharks 4 Kings 2

[Ran]

I need a 2nd opinion. Darren Dreger tweeted this:

‏@DarrenDreger
Leafs meetings continue in Vegas. The fact Carlyle hasn't been fired to this point indicates he will back for another season on Leafs bench.

Is this as dumb of a statement as I think it is? It seems pretty obvious he is still the coach because he hasn't been fired yet.

[jjreason]

Not in light of them having just hired Shanny as their president. The Canucks waited to fire Torts until Linden was in place. There is a media report linking Babcock to the Leafs job, though I don't think it has any basis in fact.

[Ran]

Any rioting in Toronto? I saw that he was actually given an extension and it isn't a particularly popular decision with the fans.

[jjreason]

No reports yet. I'm shocked personally, figured he was done around Christmas and they were letting him play out the string. Guess not.

[Ran]

The Sabres locked up dead last, so they get McDavid or Eichel. Hooray for the future.

It appears that the Toothless Grins have won the Tie Domi Fan Club fantasy league for the 2nd straight year (and the 4th time since 2007).

[jjreason]

Congrats on the fantasy win. If I were any other NHL team right now, I would NOT want to be playing Ottawa in the first round.

[Diabolical]

Congrats on the fantasy win. If I were any other NHL team right now, I would NOT want to be playing Ottawa in the first round.

Montreal. Carey Price. That should be one hell of a series.

[jjreason]

They will be absolutely flying out there, it's going to be fun to watch!

[Ran]

Lanny McDonald's mustache is still inspirational.

[Ran]

I was never much of a Sheldon Souray fan, but he wrote a pretty good retirement letter.

http://www.theplayerstribune.com/sheldo ... nt-letter/

[jjreason]

Yeah that is absolutely awesome. My earliest memory of him is playing for the Habs, I even thought he was from Quebec with a name like that. Interesting story.

[Ran]

So...No Tie Domi Fan Club league this year?