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!

Turco Overcomes Playoff Woes... Kinda

Marty Turco has been haunted by his play in the playoffs ever since he received the starting role for the Dallas Stars in 2002. Last offseason he aimed to change that. He made changes to his diet and exercise plan, and even shied away from group activities within the team, all in hopes of changing his luck in the postseason. The result: a first round playoff exit by the hands of the Vancouver Canucks. It was not at all his fault though. He had 3 shutouts, and led all playoff goaltenders with a 1.30 GAA. He played very well for the Stars in that series, the problem was that they just couldn't score for him. If Turco continues these routines, he will be doing what every goalie wishes to do, and that is give your team a chance to win. With the talent Turco has, he should be able to do that, and more. 06/07 was a very good year for goalies in the big D in general, as first-year backup Mike Smith stepped in unbelievably, playing 23 games, and posting a 2.23 GAA. He should continue to improve, and be a solid backup for Turco for years to come. He may even be able to step in for Turco, sometime down the road.

In terms of prospects, the Stars have a Swiss netminder named Tobias Stephan. He spent his first year in North America last season with Iowa of the AHL. He only played in 27 games, but proved that he could handle more, and now that he's accustomed to the different style of play, he should continue to make strides at the pro level. He's a calm, cool, and collected butterfly style goaltender, and rarely seems to panic. He has excellent size and great reflexes, a good combination. He is criticized for having a weak five-hole, and has some consistency issues, which could be due to lack of endurance. Those are all things that can be fixed, so Stars fans should not be worried. He is certainly a name to watch this upcoming season, because if he continues to get better, he may be called up sooner than we all thought. Other than Stephan the Stars are very weak in the depth charts at goaltending, mainly due to their confidence in Turco, so they haven't been drafting any young goalies. Turco should be the man between the pipes for the Stars in the foreseeable future, with Mike Smith waiting in the wings, and Tobias Stephan in the background.