The Two-Line Pass

The Lead

Somewhere in Montreal, Bob Gainey is wringing his hands with great relish.

As anyone who’s read HFBoards over the past two or three can tell you, Jaroslav Halak has been on the auction block for what seems like decades. It was always “(Excellent second-line center/puckrushing defenseman) for Halak + a 2nd in (following year’s draft).” And despite literally hundreds of such rumors circulating amongst the internetizens, no such trade has ever come about because, well, no one would be stupid enough to trade anything of that value for a mediocre backup goalie.

QUI EST-IL BIEN QUE RIRE EST MAINTENANT?

Including tonight’s 34-save shutout over the Canucks, Halak has allowed 15 goals in his last five games. I know that doesn’t sound impressive, but he has also faced 203 shots in that time. TWO HUNDRED AND THREE, ALRIGHT? That’s a save percentage of .926! He’s also 3-2-0 in those games which, given how bad Montreal has been for the last… oh, I don’t know… season, is fairly impressive. He’s winning 60 percent of his games! Wow!

In addition to these stats, the above picture makes me suspect Halak has gained some sort of ability to manipulate pucks with his mind1

So Gainey can now pick up the phone and answer with confidence that yes, Halak is available, yes, he has psychic powers not unlike Professor X, and yes, he will take that puckrushing defenseman you enquired about. You’ll just have to add in Sid Crosby and a couple of firsts.

Y’know, to even it out.

Elsewhere…

Boston 6, Florida 1

Not a bad return leg of that home and home for the Bruins, who were postively awful last week. Perhaps, though, they were inspired by the official recognition of the Jack Edwards Bingo Card, which the people at NESN are still yet to realize is meant to be insulting. Also, Michael Ryder broke his face pretty badly not too long ago and played tonight and had a goal and an assist. He looked awful, physically, but his game was so, so pretty.

Anaheim 3, Buffalo 2

When no one on the Sabres beat the hell out of Scott Gomez for running Ryan Miller, I knew there was no hope that someone would take it upon themselves to beat the hell out of Corey Perry for being a douche. Terribly disappointing, these Sabres.

Philadelphia 4, Washington 2

Two of the best goalscorers in the league today went head-to-head tonight. Ovechkin had a goal (obviously) and so did Jeff Carter. It was Ovie’s 44th (!!!) and Carter’s 35th (!). But the Caps probably want the second half of this game back. They led 2-0 almost halfway through the second before giving up four straight goals. That’s not how you win hockey games, just FYI, guys.

Atlanta 4, Colorado 3

The Thrashers should petition the league to see if they can get moved to the Western Conference permanently. They are 3-2-1 in a stretch of six straight against opponents from the West that included Chicago, Anaheim, LA, Phoenix, San Jose and now Colorado. Those aren’t easy teams to beat (well, except Phoenix I guess), and certainly not on the road. Compare those seven points in six games to the 41 they earned in their previous 54.

Ottawa 4, Carolina 2

And this was part one of your twice-weekly “Our starter sucked and had to get the hook” performance by the Hurricanes. Cam Ward gave up three goals on nine shots and that was all the Sens needed. Even Mike Comrie scored for his new team. Fantasy points for me! Oh wait, I have Cam Ward too. God dammit.

Nashville 5, Chicago 3

Hahahaha what? Oh Chicago, what won’t you do to amuse me? Losing to Nashville while Calgary wins to give the Flames sole possession of third in the West. Thanks guys, you’re the best. Well, not at hockey, obviously.

Los Angeles 2, Minnesota 1 (SO)

Defensive struggle? Naaaaaah. Only 49 combined shots and two goals. What an exciting game this must’ve been. At least Drew Doughty, who is awesome, scored the shootout winner. God I wish he was American. Instead I gotta settle for freakin’ Jack Johnson. *kicks at rocks* Oh Jack Johnson scored tonight? Sounds good to me! Also, I think LA has to lead the league in “Guys you refer to by both their first and last name at all times.” Drew Doughty, Jack Johnson, Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown, Sean O’Donnell, Alex Frolov, Jarett Stoll. Who else has that many guys? Maybe the Leafs, led by Luke Schenn. Maybe.

St. Louis 2, Phoenix 1

Yeah, Phoenix is cooked. Good thing they’ve been squatting at their rink for the last seven months. They should really not be motivated to move somewhere they’ll be appreciated and encouraged so they can grow up. STOP CODDLING THEM, GLENDALE! They’ll never grow up this way!

Calgary 4, Columbus 1

Ladies and gentlemen, Jarome Iginla is back! Two goals and two assists tonight. It’s about goddamn time. Mike Cammalleri was also involved for the first time in a few games, scoring a goal and two assists. Even Dion Phaneuf scored. Crazy night, for sure.

Edmonton 5, Tampa Bay 3

I know I really shouldn’t be hoping for a Tampa win in Edmonton, but come onnnnnnnnnnnnn. Help me out, Bolts, you lousy bums.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 25th, 2009 at 1:36 am and is filed under Good night. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.