Jack Eichel Goal #1

The first of the 2017 campaign for Eichel, in a 6-3 loss to the Islanders. He's my keeper first rounder in my fantasy league. Need Eichel to be a gem.

Connor McDavid: 1, Jack Eichel: 0

[Event Summary]

[Cult of Hockey] [Die by the Blade]

I'm sad I wasn't watching this one on NHL Gamecentre. I missed one of Connor McDavid's first true great moments. 

He opened up scoring with his quickest goal to open a game in his career. Just :22 into the ballgame, McDavid got his 11th goal of the season on a little backhander. It looked easy. 

Then in overtime with about 80 seconds left before a shootout, Jack Eichel missed the Oilers goal. McDavid gets the puck at the bottom of the screen and decided to use his speed; his finest tool, to take the game and deliver it to the Oilers.



It was McDavid's second goal of the night, the game-winner in OT; and his 12th of the season. Clearly, the guy has the edge over a fine young player in Jack Eichel.

In what is shaping up to be another miserable season for the 24-34-7 Oilers, McDavid did all the work and delivered the Oilers a win in Buffalo.

Jack Eichel has two goals now

Things have gotten off to a better start for Buffalo Sabres superstar rookie Jack Eichel than for Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers. That shouldn't be a surprise. This afternoon up in Buffalo, Eichel netted his second goal of the season in a 4-2 Sabres win over the Blue Jackets.



And on another point, the Blue Jackets are totally overrated and the same moribund, Cleveland Browns-like franchise they have always been! They're 0-3 at the bottom of the standings as per usual. Sergei Bobrovsky is terrible. He's given up goals in excess now three straight games. Hard to decide if him or Jonathan Quick have been the most disappointing, supposed to be good goaltender yet.

Todd Richards and the Blue Jackets are in for a long year, you heard it here first. This is going to be a year similar to 2011-2012.

Oilers fall short in Buffalo

[Event Summary]

[Edmonton Journal]

The Oil played in Buffalo last night, where I've heard that they still hand out nice score sheets with your admission at the door to The First Niagara Center. 

I had this game on while watching the Michigan-Virginia Tech bowl game, and I have to say the Oilers played inspired hockey, taking this into the 3rd period tied 2-2. Somehow from there I just had a feeling that they wouldn't be able to hold things, that Buffalo would find a way to eek out this victory and sure enough, if I'd bet it I would have been right. 

This was their first game without Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Ales Hemsky said that the boys gave up.

Here's Taylor Hall's beauty Goal #12 on the season:


One of my resolution as a hockey fan was to pay better attention to the WJHC going on right now, and when they started a few days before Christmas. I've failed miserably. Russia and Sweden going for the gold.

Crosby delivers in true 'classic'

Assist for the first score. Shootout goal to win it. I'd say he showcased himself pretty nicely to America today.

[Box Score]

And one last video:

It's Sauerkraut Time.

Time for one of my favorite New Years Day traditions: sauerkraut and pork. It's good luck.

Have some, you filthy son-of-a-bitch!

Meanwhile in the Winter Classic, we're locked up at 1, as the Sabres added a second period goal after a flurry of shots to begin the 2nd period. Buffalo overall has turned up the pressure in this game and is creating more chances for themselves. The Penguins just aren't getting anything going.



*Also, check out my NFL Playoff Primer for the New York Giants over at The Nosebleeds NFL Blog.

1st intermission: Pens 1, Sabres 0

21 seconds in, Crosby fed Armstrong for the game's only score. The snow has stopped here at the first intermission report. Crosby made an amazing move balancing and bouncing the puck on his stick to get through defenders. This move caught the eye of Bob Costas and the other commentator, who said that mere mortals couldn't make this move; only guys who are not mere mortals like Sidney Crosby.

Ty Conklin had a huge save in the first period that got some glove and some post. Overall it's been a slow game because of the conditions of the ice. The ice crew was out working on the ice during stops in play, spraying CO2 on the ice to try and get the ice to remain solid.

Winter Classic is underway

CROSBY TO ARMSTRONG! 1-0 PENS

The snow is falling. This is what legends are made of in the NHL. The sights, the sounds, the atmosphere. New Years Day Hockey

Barry Melrose on the winter classic

The 2008 Winter Classic

Tomorrow's game is the Winter Classic; a nationally televised NHL game between the Buffalo Sabres and the Pittsburgh Penguins. The game is played outdoors unlike traditional NHL contests like the game was originally played. Due to the wind that is caused by playing outdoors, play will be stopped in the 3rd period to allow both teams the wind at their backs.

Be sure to tune into the winter classic to see two of the NHL's most exciting teams. The Penguins showcase the young stars of the league while Buffalo has a very successful veteran team together.

Check out the Pensblog for all kinds of coverage on this game.


Image courtesy of Empty Netters