Youtube Video of the Day: Typical Leafs Fans

The funniest Leafs fan video around. I know not all Leafs fans are like this, but the normal ones have some 'splainin to do. Some may be jokes, but I know a couple of them have to be real. I'm pretty sure that second caller is our own Ron Guillet ;)

It's time!

It's finally arrived, ladies and gentlemen, it's time for the 2007-08 NHL season! (excluding those two games in London on the weekend... come on we all know no one counted those) Four games are slated to open the season tonight, in what looks to be one of the most exciting and tight seasons in recent memory.

Here's a short preview of tonight's games:

Anaheim Ducks vs. Detroit Red Wings
The Ducks already have a regular season win under their belts, but does that mean they come into this game hot, or cold, three nights out of their cross-atlantic road trip? I'm sure there's no more jet lag, but one team you don't want to face after a trip like that is the Red Wings. Most experts are predicting the Wings to finish 1st overall AGAIN this season. The Ducks probably aren't and won't be that far behind though. Either way, this is an explosive way to start the season, pitting the top two teams in the west against each other, as well as playoff rivals.
Prediction: Red Wings 3-1, goals from Holmstrom (2), Lidstrom and Pronger.

Montreal Canadiens vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Another set of former playoff rivals square off here, with an added twist. Both these teams missed the playoffs last year, and are out to prove that it won't happen again. The Hurricanes look very similar to the team that missed the playoffs last year, while the Habs look fresher, younger and fairly hungry. Cristobal Huet faces a ton of pressure with Carey Price breathing down his neck, Alex Kovalev has something to prove to everyone and a bunch of rookies and young players want to prove their worth to this team. Although the Hurricanes have had a good record in recent years against the Habs, I'm going to make the homer pick and say that the Habs might want it a little more tonight.
Prediction: Habs 5-4, goals from Grabovski, Kovalev, Plekanec, Ryder (2), Staal (3), Williams.

Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Most would hope that the nights of blowout wins are all but done in the NHL, but here's to hoping they're not, just for tonight. The Leafs have gotten a lot stronger this year, but the Senators are still one of the top teams in the east.
Prediction: Senators 7-3, goals from Alfredsson (3), Heatley (2), Redden, Vermette, Blake, Tucker, Kilger.

Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalance
The Dallas Stars are at the bottom of most people's predictions, and haven't done much since last season to show people that they're a playoff team this year. The Avalance, on the other hand, have made changes so that they don't disappoint their fans again this season. Will they be enough to win this home opener vs. the stars? Personally I'm a Stars fan but things don't bode well for the former Stanley Cup champs this season.
Prediction: Avs 4-2, goals from Brunette (2), Sakic, Smyth, Lehtinen, Barnes.



Four games that should excite and delight fans all across the scene in the NHL tonight, we hope you enjoy them. Please note that these predictions were based on my opinion and were mostly pulled out of my behind. Watch me be dead wrong on all of them. It's all in good fun, anyway, no?

Enjoy the games everyone!

Class is in Session

Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages, hockey fans all across the globe, the time has finally come for the much anticipated blogging debut of Professor Prax here on Everything Hockey! So take a seat, take out your notebooks and #2 HB (pun intended… most of you will get that one) pencils, and make sure to pay attention because Class is in session!

We’re at the beginning of the 2007-2008 NHL season, and it’s shaping up to be one of the tightest races in memory in both conferences. And we’ll have plenty of chances to talk about all aspects of that race between now, the start of training camp and the preseason, and early June, when we crown the 2008 Stanley Cup champion (*cough* Canadiens *cough*… hey a guy can dream, can’t he?), but for now, let me take some time to introduce you all to your teacher for the upcoming season (and for those of you who already know me… I’m sorry).

What is there to say? I’m an accounting student in university from Montreal, I’m a hockey nut, and I’m a bit of a nut in general, as if these first few paragraphs of your Prax Experience haven’t been indicative of that thus far. Specifically, as an earlier comment seemed to have implied) I’m a Montreal Canadiens fan, so consider me your Habs correspondent for the season, although I’m a fan of all hockey and will blog about whatever comes to mind and whatever grinds my gears at any particular moment.

Other than Habs talk, expect your professor to enlighten you about business related topics in the hockey world. As a business student, the business aspect of hockey and most sports is constantly buzzing through my head. Cap issues, accounting issues, financial issues all throughout the league and in industries that affect the league, you can be certain that we will be talking about all of these things as the season progresses and as people start to get sick of my rantings every time the Habs lose (so you know to expect those rants fairly often).

Speaking of the Habs, after their loss to the Islanders tonight in Moncton, they fall to a record of 1-2 in their preseason campaign, and, to be completely honest, as a unit, they haven’t looked impressive at all in any of the three games, even though several players have stood out. Kovalev in the first game, who provided 3 points, along with linemate Andrei Kostistyn, brought a lot of energy to the team and squeaked out the squad’s only win. Mark Streit and Josh Gorges were solid as a defensive unit in that same first game, and last night in game 2, Ryan O’Byrne, the big strong defenseman coming off great season in Montreal’s Hamilton AHL affiliate, made a case for a 6^th or 7^th spot on the team. Bryan Smolinski started earning his paycheck in his first game as a Hab, and Cristobal Huet shined in game 1 (although he was relatively weak in game 3).

But other than that, the two squads that took the ice the last three nights looked weaker than they should’ve preseason or not. Mikhael Grabovski looked fairly impressive and full of energy, but he needs to do more if he has any hopes of making this team for good. Dandenault and Bouillon, two experienced defensemen that can be valuable assets to this team, need to do a lot more if they want to keep their spots on their team. In reality, considering their salary and their experience, both will most likely make the team, but if I were a coach or a GM, I’d make sure to make it clear to both of them that performances like Dandenault’s in game 2 vs. the Pens last night (he was a -5) are just unacceptable, and that their spots aren’t as safe as they would imagine.

And that’s only naming a few… but I’m sure I’ll have many opportunities to whine about Montreal players as the season starts and progresses. For now, enjoy preseason action if you can, hope for some training camp trades, grab a beer and sit tight and wait for the season to start.

Since it’s the first day of class, I’ll let all of you out early. No homework. It is, after all, just the preseason.

Class is dismissed.