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!

Ward Looking to Bounce Back After Shaky Sophmore Season

Cam Ward seemed to crack under the pressure of being a full-time starter in the NHL last season. His below average save percentage of .899 proves my point. The Hurricanes are still confident in their young netminder though, and will continue to start him next season. Some fans blamed his play down the stretch as the reason why they did not qualify for the playoffs, but he was a little banged up, and was not used to playing a full NHL season. I would cut him some slack if I was a Hurricanes fan, after all, he did play a major role in the Stanley Cup championship of 06. He should be fine, so look for him, and the Hurricanes as a team to bounce back next season. John Grahame will be back next season as the backup, and should continue to be steady for the 'Canes through next season.

Michael Leighton was traded from Montreal to Carolina this offseason, mainly as insurance in case one goalie goes down. He played a little for Philadelphia last season, and held his own, but you will likely see him playing for Albany of the AHL once the season begins. The Hurricanes' biggest prospect in net a few years ago was Cam Ward, but now, as you know, he is in the NHL. That means the next biggest prospect they have is a kid named Justin Peters, who played for Albany last season. He didn't have the best of seasons, but they should see him improve enough to back-up Ward sometime in the future. The Hurricanes also have a prospect by the name of Daniel Manzato, who played for Basel of the Swiss Elite League last season. At 23 he is running out of time, but still may impress some people with his quick-as-lightning reflexes. He did not perform very well last season, but he has the tools to get better. I don't see him going far, but you cannot tell with some goalies. Many are late bloomers and you can really see them come alive in their mid-to-late twenties. I'm not giving up hope on Manzato, it's just that he can't make an NHL squad, or an AHL one for that matter, the way he is now.