Lineups for the NHL All-Star Game as chosen by the team captains (with overall selection position in Thursday's draft and the team each player represents) TEAM CHARA Goalies 3. Tim Thomas (Boston) 13. Carey Price (Montreal) 19.

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BOSTON - Montreal's games against the hated Boston Bruins don't quite seem as nasty as they used to be.

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MONTREAL - The Philadelphia Flyers kept on winning when star defenceman Chris Pronger suffered a concussion and they hope to do the same now that the plague of head injuries has claimed NHL scoring leader Claude Giroux.

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MONTREAL - Sitting in last place overall in the NHL was not what defenceman James Wisniewski imagined when he signed a six-year contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets last summer.

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MONTREAL - Marco Sturm admits he's a little surprised to find himself in a Florida Panthers jersey this early in the season.

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MONTREAL - The atmosphere is all positive around the Buffalo Sabres this season under a new free-spending owner who made them into a key buyer during the annual summer free agent season.

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For these reviews we will do it in numeric order.

So since we do not have a #1, I guess #2 will do.

Mark Streit

Here is his stats.

Games 82, Goals 11, Assists 38, Points 49, +- 0, 48 PIM, 9 PPG, 2 GWG, 187 Shots 5.9% efficiency

Yes, the numbers are a little behind last years stellar numbers, but in this season, he did not have to take the defensive scoring load all to himself. He was able to play fully in all three zones with a little more comfortability.

He was fifth in the league with minutes played per game with over 25. And with his quiet demeanor, he led by example. I think players like Andy MacDonald, and Jack Hillen will definitely get some skills and advice from the “A”. I really think Montreal would like to re-think their position by not re-signing him last year. They just did not rely on his defensive capabilities and showed the NHL what kind of player he really is.

Mark is a solid foundation for a young defensive corps that have a great base to build on. With three years to go on his contract, he is showing that the money given to him was defnintely worth it.

I give him a B+ this year. What do you think?  Please add your comments to this grade.  I will be comparing to see if the readers of this blog are on the same page that I am on.

Next review – Mark Flood #4.

Posted under 2009-10 Review

Well – as my friend Hockey Moose – a UK hockey fan working for the British government in DC asked me tonight – who would I think would win tonight?

I told her to read here.

As Theodore and Roloson lead their teammates onto the practice ice, I see that the CAPTAIN is once again missing…. He may not be on the score sheet that much, but he is providing a lot that the casual fan just does not see. He wil be missed tonight.

Bruno is out on the ice. Glad they found his sweater. However, there are 7 D on the ice right now – so let’s see who gets the heave ho.

What do I think the Isles need to do tonight? Skate with a purpose. Look like you mean to be there. At the game in Montreal the other night – They looked like a bunch of lost puppy dogs. They have to put the like they want to win the game, and slam, Ovie to oblivion, while keeping their eyes on the rest of the team.

If you are following the game and checking out the blog – I will create entries for the Pre-Game, and I will submit one after each period, with my thoughts and comments.

See ya.

PS – Mark Aliberti – a die-hard Isles fan that IM’s me ALL the time (and I do appreciate it…) predicts a 5-2 loss for our guys. I am going to call a 4-3 win.

Why, you ask?

Just a hunch – but I think we are due to make an upset. Tonight is the night – and I am hoping that ROLLIE steals one for us, like the veteran he is.

Posted under Blog Box, Islanders 09-10

You know when you try to save some space on your computer, and you delete all these files that you no longer want? Or you remove these programs that have been on your computer since you bought it, and you never run them; so you go into your control panel and get them out?

Well – remember – you have deleted the files, but a good CSI guy can find them on your hard drive, nevertheless.

That is how I feel after last night. Erase that game from the memory, but somehow – the pain from it still does not go away…

Happy for Bailey for finally getting on the board. He still needs to shoot a LOT more – but maybe that will come now.

OK – tomorrow is another day… But then you see Ovechkin, Green, Semin and the rest of the Crapitals are coming into town tomorrow night… Sheesh.

And by the way, what pile of hash was the schedule maker smoking when he set up this home game inbetween two road games in Montreal? Wow – maybe we need some of that?

Oh well – have a good day folks, see you tomorrow from the Coli. Will be in the Blog Box tomorrow — if you are by Sec 201 – stop by and say hi!

Posted under Blog Box, Islanders 09-10

I just thought I would type a little…

Jackman – glad he is signed for another season. He brings such a great amount of grit and tenacity to the game. He plays every shift like it is his last. Whether it is a check, a fight, or even blocking a shot – you always know that #28 is there, making an impact.

I hear that we were on TV last night. CJ Papa introduced us and mentioned the fact that we were bussing through the night, and were there to support our boys. I am glad we were there, and the Ottawa people were very nice to us. It is definitely not like going to Montreal, that’s for sure.

Comrie (alias Tinkerbell) had the flu and could not play last night. I was so heartbroken, because I so many NICE things to say about him… Oh well, have to wait till next year.

Campoli did not have much of a factor in the game last night. I can see that he was involved in the action, but in some cases, he looks tentative and when he had to make a check – he did not finish it.

Did you know that Joel Rechlicz is not even 22 yet? That surprises me. I thought he tolled around the ECHL for years but he just moved up to the AHL this season, and now has 7 games under his belt in the NHL. Unfortunately for him, he just does not have the skills to stay up here. With the new NHL – his game will not work.

My battery is starting to fade, so I will end this. With a long busy week in the office, and spending time with my mother at night (she is doing better, she is out of ICU — but still has a long way to go), it is just in my interest.

Have a great week, everyone…

Posted under Booster Club, Islanders 08-09