A busy night around the NHL as 28 teams matched up in 14 highly intense, early season action. Former Islanders made their mark totalling 10 assists and 2 wins in net. Let us take a quick look:
* Tim Connolly assisted on Buffalo's second goal of the game in the Sabres 3-2 loss to the host Islanders. Connolly, who has had consecutive injury-plagued seasons, is looking to bounce back to form this year.
* Arron Asham assisted on the first Devils goal of the game while Panthers Captain Olli Jokinen assisted on the short-lived tying goal in New Jersey's 4-1 road win over Florida. After a career year, Jokinen is looking to lead Florida to the playoff promised land for the first time in recent memory. FI goaltender Kevin Weekes played formidably in his first start since joining the Devils. He stopped 32 of 33 shots and looks to provide solid backing for Martin Brodeur. Weekes is hoping to bounce back from his injury-plagued stint with the Rangers.
* FI Viktor Kozlov continues to show off with his new team, the Capitals, tallying an assist on the first goal of the game and Alex Ovechkin's first of the season in Washington's 2-0 shutout of the visiting Carolina Hurricanes. FI d-man John Erskine was credited with the secondary assist on that goal as well. Both are looking to help revitalize the lost Capitals franchise with Kozlov having already jump-started his sagging career in his 1-year stint with the Isles last season.
* A couple of big-time FI names made on impact on both sides of the scoresheet in Toronto's 4-3 OT win over the Montreal Canadiens. Bryan Smolinski notched his first point as a Canadien with an assist on the opening goal of the game. Brought in for veteran help, Smolinski is hoping to take Les Habs back to the playoffs after the team missed the postseason in what could only be viewed as a disappointing year. Bryan McCabe tallied his first assist of the season on the early tying goal (1-1). McCabe, as well, is looking to bring the Leafs back to the playoffs while trying to prove his more than just a point-accumulating, overpaid, defensive windbag (to put it nicely).
* Brent Sopel, who is now suiting up for the Chicago Blackhawks, assisted on Chicago's second goal in their 4-3 home SO win over the Detroit Redwings. With a newly formed team, it will be interesting how much play Sopel will get on the blueline for the Hawks.
* Roberto Luongo received his first point and his first win of the season in the same night. Luongo assisted on the second goal of Canucks goal of the game and bailed his team out with a 26 save performance in Vancouver's last second 4-3 OT against the host Calgary Flames. With the performance, Luongo pulled his record to 1-1-0.
* Captain Zdeno Chara and Co. beat the Phoenix Coyotes 3-1 in the desert on Saturday. The Boston Bruins d-man notched his first assist, a powerplay point, on the first goal of the game. Chara, like some many other big name FIs, is trying to lead his team back to playoff contention.
Sunday would be considerably less active. Check back soon to FIW.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Friday October 5
With six games on Friday night Former Islander action was hot. FIs accounted for 2 goals, 3 assists and a loss in net. Here is a quick recap:
* Jeff Hamilton, in his second game in a Hurricanes jersey after signing in the offseason, had his first big game. He notched a powerplay goal and 2 assists. Carolina knocked the Pittsburgh Penguins off 4-1 at home.
* The Washington Capitals, touting a revamped offense, beat the host Atlanta Thrashers 3-1. FIs made an impact on both sides of scoresheet. Viktor Kozlov scored the icer to cap the scoring at 3-1 for his first goal of the season. Defenseman Alexei Zhitnik assisted on the only Atlanta goal.
* 2007 Vezina finalist Roberto Luongo took the loss in Vancouver's 3-1 home loss to the San Jose Sharks on Friday. The Canucks tender, who often carries the lackluster Vancouver offense, could not do it all. He stopped 28 of 31 shots in the effort.
28 teams are in combat on Saturday as the league is now in full gear. Stay tuned to FIW.
* Jeff Hamilton, in his second game in a Hurricanes jersey after signing in the offseason, had his first big game. He notched a powerplay goal and 2 assists. Carolina knocked the Pittsburgh Penguins off 4-1 at home.
* The Washington Capitals, touting a revamped offense, beat the host Atlanta Thrashers 3-1. FIs made an impact on both sides of scoresheet. Viktor Kozlov scored the icer to cap the scoring at 3-1 for his first goal of the season. Defenseman Alexei Zhitnik assisted on the only Atlanta goal.
* 2007 Vezina finalist Roberto Luongo took the loss in Vancouver's 3-1 home loss to the San Jose Sharks on Friday. The Canucks tender, who often carries the lackluster Vancouver offense, could not do it all. He stopped 28 of 31 shots in the effort.
28 teams are in combat on Saturday as the league is now in full gear. Stay tuned to FIW.
Friday, October 5, 2007
Thursday October 4
With teams around the league getting their feet wet with regular season play, Thursday was a big night around the NHL with 8 games continuing the action. For Former Islanders the return was fairly paltry with only 2 goals and an assist to hold them over until next time. Here is a recap from the FI perspective:
* Martin Straka tallied the final goal in the New York Rangers 5-2 whomping of the visiting Florida Panthers. On a night where new addition Chris Drury shone the brightest for the Blueshirts, mainstay FI Straka continued to flex his scoring muscle.
* For the second straight night Jason Blake scored an assist for the Toronto Maple Leafs against the Ottawa Senators. For the second straight nights the Leafs lost to the Sens, this time in regulation, 3-2. Blake now has 2 points in 2 games with his new club.
* Robert Nilsson, part of the trade bait that brought Ryan Smyth to the Island (albeit temporarily), netted an extremely important shootout goal in the Edmonton Oiler's 3-2 home win over the San Jose Sharks. Though not officially a point, Nilsson might be showing a preview of what he can do as a full-time forward for the Oil.
* Mike York, who signed a 1-year deal with the Phoenix Coyotes in the offseason, began paying off with a shorthanded goal. The Yotes beat the St. Louis Blues 3-2 at home. York, who took a severe pay cut over the summer, is looking to bounce back to form after poor play between the Isles and Flyers last year.
Friday night is loaded with action as, among other things, the Islanders' season kicks off in Buffalo. Until next time.
* Martin Straka tallied the final goal in the New York Rangers 5-2 whomping of the visiting Florida Panthers. On a night where new addition Chris Drury shone the brightest for the Blueshirts, mainstay FI Straka continued to flex his scoring muscle.
* For the second straight night Jason Blake scored an assist for the Toronto Maple Leafs against the Ottawa Senators. For the second straight nights the Leafs lost to the Sens, this time in regulation, 3-2. Blake now has 2 points in 2 games with his new club.
* Robert Nilsson, part of the trade bait that brought Ryan Smyth to the Island (albeit temporarily), netted an extremely important shootout goal in the Edmonton Oiler's 3-2 home win over the San Jose Sharks. Though not officially a point, Nilsson might be showing a preview of what he can do as a full-time forward for the Oil.
* Mike York, who signed a 1-year deal with the Phoenix Coyotes in the offseason, began paying off with a shorthanded goal. The Yotes beat the St. Louis Blues 3-2 at home. York, who took a severe pay cut over the summer, is looking to bounce back to form after poor play between the Isles and Flyers last year.
Friday night is loaded with action as, among other things, the Islanders' season kicks off in Buffalo. Until next time.
Wednesday October 3
The more-or-less official night to the NHL season opened on Wednesday night following 2 regular season games between the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks "really" kicked things off in late September. After a wacky and wild offseason where big names flew the coup in surprising numbers, hockey fans were rewarded with a hard fought first night of hockey. For Former Islanders, they have already begun to make their impact. With 4 games on the schedule Wednesday, FIs accounted for a goal and 2 assists. Here is a quick look:
* In Anaheim's 3-2 SO loss to the host Detroit Redwings, Todd Bertuzzi notched his first points as a Duck with a goal and an assist. In the shootout, Bertuzzi was stuffed by Hasek on his attempt. Bertuzzi finally cracks out of the invisibility mode he seems to consistently find himself in to make his first impact with his newest team.
* One of the off-season's biggest signings, Jason Blake, did not disappoint in his debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Blake was credited with an assist on the Leafs first goal of the season. On the other hand, the Leafs almost always disappoint as they dropped a thriller, 4-3, in overtime to the Sens at home.
Until next time thank you for returning and/or joining the Former Islander fun at FIW.
P.S. On Wednesday, the Philadelphis Flyers signed FI Jim Dowd to a 1 year deal. The 38 year old veteran played most recently for the New Jersey Devils. No financial terms have been disclosed. In 656 career games the native of Brick, NJ has tallied 66 goals and 163 assists for 229 points. Dowd has previously played for the Devils, Canucks, Isles, Flames, Oilers, Wild, Canadiens, Blackhawks and Avalanche.
* In Anaheim's 3-2 SO loss to the host Detroit Redwings, Todd Bertuzzi notched his first points as a Duck with a goal and an assist. In the shootout, Bertuzzi was stuffed by Hasek on his attempt. Bertuzzi finally cracks out of the invisibility mode he seems to consistently find himself in to make his first impact with his newest team.
* One of the off-season's biggest signings, Jason Blake, did not disappoint in his debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Blake was credited with an assist on the Leafs first goal of the season. On the other hand, the Leafs almost always disappoint as they dropped a thriller, 4-3, in overtime to the Sens at home.
Until next time thank you for returning and/or joining the Former Islander fun at FIW.
P.S. On Wednesday, the Philadelphis Flyers signed FI Jim Dowd to a 1 year deal. The 38 year old veteran played most recently for the New Jersey Devils. No financial terms have been disclosed. In 656 career games the native of Brick, NJ has tallied 66 goals and 163 assists for 229 points. Dowd has previously played for the Devils, Canucks, Isles, Flames, Oilers, Wild, Canadiens, Blackhawks and Avalanche.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Sunday September 30
The Anaheim Ducks made a complete 360 rotation in less than 24 hours. After losing opening night to the Los Angeles Kings 4-1 the night before in host London, the Ducks turned the tables pulling out a 4-1 win over the Kings in the tail-end of the back-to-back series. For the second straight night, FI Todd Bertuzzi was nowhere to be found (a return to form we wonder?). For the Kings, FI Derek Armstrong notched an assist on LA's only goal which officially opened the scoring season for him. Expectations are high for Armstrong who has scored 35+ points in the last 4 seasons while playing no more than 67 games in any of those seasons. A healthy Armstrong could be a top producer for this Kings squad. Play picks up again on October 3. Until next time, we wait with baited breath for the full-blown kickoff to the season.
Saturday September 29 - Season Begins
In one of those weird and quirky behaviors of professional sports leagues, the season started on September 29 in London as the Los Angeles Kings and Stanley Cup Champion Anaheim Ducks played the first of back to back games. For the fourth time in the history of the NHL, the season started outside of Canada or the United States with the other three times coming in Japan (1997, 1998 and 2000). The O2 Arena played home to the two Southern California teams for two days. I mention this all only as a reference point to the season to come.
A 4-1 win by the Kings, FI Todd Bertuzzi was unexceptional in his Duck debut while fellow FI Derek Armstrong had a slow start with LA.
A 4-1 win by the Kings, FI Todd Bertuzzi was unexceptional in his Duck debut while fellow FI Derek Armstrong had a slow start with LA.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Pierre Turgeon
One of the greatest players of his generation officially retired the other day. Pierre Turgeon has officially called it quits are a career that spanned 19 seasons. Drafted 1st overall in the 1987 entry draft by the Buffalo Sabres, Turgeon's best season came wearing the blue and orange when he scored 132 points (58 goals, 74 assists) in the 1992-93 season. In 1294 career games Turgeon notched 515 goals and 812 assists for 1327 points. He has consistently played 60+ games in all but 2 seasons in the last decade. Last season was sadly shortened by injury for Turgeon as he managed to play in only 17 games scoring an uncommonly low 3 goals and 4 assists for 7 points. To continue the number-fest, Turgeon's career was stellar all around. With a +138 rating, only 452 penalty minutes and a shooting percentage greater than 16% Turgeon was a force for ever team he played for including the Sabres, Islanders, Canadiens, Blues, Stars and Avalanche.
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