Good night: Iggy’s got your back
The Lead
Preemptive warning: For some reason people get vaguely upset when I write about the Flames (because, presumably, there are my favorite team and this is somehow offensive?). This is going to be one of those times. Also, if you have an ultra high-res copy of the above picture I want to see Olli Jokinen’s excited face as large as humanly possible for some reason.
It’s pretty impressive, what’s happening here. Jarome Iginla is hefting the Flames on his back for what has to be like the 300th time and making them, kicking and screaming, not-terrible despite their best efforts.
By anyone’s definition, he had a slow start, scoring just two goals and two assists in eight games and everyone was like “Old man Iginla’s finally lost it.” Peep these stats though: 14 goals in his last 14 games, 11 in his last 10, seven in his last five. Handful of assists thrown in there as well. I guess ya take that if you’re Calgary.
I’m pretty sure that science will never figure out how the guy does it. Calgary has had a pretty decent record for most of the season, and certainly didn’t seem to need Iginla in those first eight games, during which it went 5-2-1. But almost all of those were at home. During that 10-game, 12-goal stretch, though, the Flames have been on the road for seven of them and in those road games, he’s scored 10 times, including three multiple-goal games. In those seven road games, the Flames are 5-0-2.
And why’s all that important? Because the latest goal in that 12-goal run came with 18 freaking seconds left and got the Flames into overtime after playing two and a half periods of largely tepid hockey despite a hefty shot total in the mid-40s. Because if Jarome Iginla’s good for anything, it’s saving Calgary’s ass on a nightly basis.
Elsewhere…
Nashville 3, Detroit 1
Odd. This was the Predators’ one national TV game this year. They punked the Red Wings pretty good too. Too bad everyone in Nashville was watching the Tennessee Titans roll over someone I forget on Monday Night Football. Smart scheduling by the league there.
New York Islanders 4, Toronto 3 (OT)
Rather innocuous result, isn’t it? Leafs can get to OT but can’t close a game out. Oh wait, they had 61 shots on goal! Will someone explain to me how it is humanly possible to only score three goals on 61 shots against the Islanders? By the way, Vesa Toskala pulled himself from the game after giving up the third goal because he hurt his groin. And by groin, I mean “chances of getting an NHL contract after this season.”
New York Rangers 7, Columbus4
Marian Gaborik scored twice and added two assists. Michael Del Zotto had a beautiful goal. Et cetera. Attention Ranger fans: insert praise for your team here. I didn’t watch the game.
Ottawa 4, Washingto 3 (OT)
Hey Mike Green, I think you’re confused. That giveaways stat ISN’T the one defensemen are supposed to pile up.
Pittsburgh 3, Florida 2 (OT)
THE REFS! Or I don’t know, something like that. Florida at least rolled out their new third jerseys which are like if the current St. Louis third and the University of Maine’s road jerseys had a baby with a stupid cat head on them.
Boston 4, St. Louis 2
Decent night for the Bruins’ special teams. The power play went 2 for 3, and the PK went 3 for 3 with a shorthanded goal. Yeah, it doesn’t get a whole hell of a lot better than that. Also, Patrice Bergeron assisted on every Bruins goal tonight, which I guess is okay.
Dallas 2, Carolina 0
Why yes, the Hurricanes are very bad. They’re shut-out-by-Dallas bad.
Colorado 5, Philadelphia 4
Didn’t see a second of the game, but word on the street is that Ray Emery was just brutal. Stats bear that out. Four goals on 17 shots. Oh yeah, I forgot, Colorado’s For Real (© Avs Fans, 2009).
Edmonton 4, Phoenix 0
HOW is this possible? How does any team on the PLANET put 36 shots on Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers and not score ONCE? Have they seen this kid play? He’s awful! I’m unduly outraged by this turn of events. It has no bearing on my life. And yet Drouin-Deslauriers has a shutout against an NHL team. I don’t know how you people sleep at night knowing these things go on in the world.
November 24th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Yes, Ray Emery was pretty bad but he had some seriously soft, if one could be serious and soft, play going on in front of him.
Jeff Carter is the only player who can score two goals in a game and still have me convinced his head is securely stuck up his ass. He is to me what Jokinen is to you.
And keep talking about Calgary, you’re awesome at it.