Quick Hits on a Monday

What we learned this weekend:

Boston is really good.

The Bruins jumped out to a quick two-goal lead and then played the left-wing lock for the rest of the afternoon. The Isles couldn't string two passes together and had trouble gaining the zone against the much bigger Bruins and their trap.

I think we have a winner: Yann Danis over Joey MacDonald. I can't believe I am going to say this but Danis has better rebound control.

Peter Mannino made 40 saves for his first NHL win and the good news is that his family arrived in Chicago in time to see him do it.

Mark Streit scored two goals--after that sick end-to-ender Saturday in Boston--and added an assist while playing over 27 minutes.

Blake Comeau had two assists as he proves to be a legitimate top-six option with his hard work.

Richard Park returned from the injured list and had a goal and an assist in Chicago.

Bruno Gervais proved that he can be a bit of a playmaker by pushing it into the offensive zone. He assisted on one of Streit's goals by taking it to the defense and dishing to his partner. Good stuff.


What we already knew:

Most of that stuff...except the Bruins parts. I mean, you see a team leading the league like that so of course you know they're good but because I am on orange alert every time I heard Jack Edwards' voice, I have not seen a lot of Bruins games this year. Luckily on Saturday people were talking around me a lot while I was watching the game so he didn't pish me off too much. But, yeah, them Bruins are good and they're big and Thomas might be able to do some real damage in the playoffs. They have to be the one team in the East that you can say, as an impartial observer, looks like they can make it to the finals. Sure, everyone is hoping the Caps do well so Ovie can get on center stage but with Theodore in net, you are going to have question marks. He can look really, really good or piss poor in a heartbeat.

Taking a look at The Ping Pong Ball Standings:

Colorado 70 games; 63 points
Atlanta 69 games; 62 points.
Phoenix 69 games; 62 points.
Tampa Bay 69 games; 60 points.
NY Islanders 70 games; 56 points.

As we know, the Islanders are off until Friday, when they go to Carolina (whoo!) to face the Hurricanes.

Colorado plays twice before Friday--at the Wild and hosting the Oil.

Atlanta plays the Caps tonight, at the Crosbies tomorrow, and host Detroit on Friday.

Phoenix and their 62 points host San Jose and Anaheim this week.

The Bolts (60) host Toronto and the Ovies on Thursday.

...and our Islanders (56) play in Carolina Friday and then in Ottawa on Saturday.

And last but not least, check out this link to a hockey guide from 1898!

http://www.library.unh.edu/special/index.php/hockey/spalding-guide