Rangers-Stars

I got a treat last night, being able to catch most of the final two periods of Rangers-Stars contest, thanks to HDNET television. A very quirky netwirk (79 on your DirecTV dial) that provides a mix of public affairs, movies, sports, concerts and old TV shows. It's the network begun by Dallas Mavs' owner Mark Cuban. Signature show is Dan Rather's new magazine-style effort, pretty mediocre, I thought, after one viewing. I may have to give it more time.

In any event, HDNet gives us at least 2 hockey contests a week and, needless to say, they're in HD. With the widescreen TV, I got to see my favorite team (Rangers) play in Dallas against a team that fired 45 shots at Henrik Lundquist. And I got to see a great young goalie on his game last night. Rangers didn't muster much offense, but they had enough to win 5-2 thanks to Lundquist, who had to have made at least 7 or 8 point-blank saves in the two periods I saw.

A goalie like that gives your offense a lot more breathing room on off nights, and also makes up for something that will come back to haunt Rangers eventually: Lack of muscle on defense.

Got to watch Eric Lindros, too, and though he's having something of a comeback year in Dallas, I wasn't that impressed. He didn't seem to be 'involved' in the old Lindros way. He's kind of like a hulk out there, now, almost like a Phil Esposito who hangs near the corner and comes to net hoping. But he's not playing physical as he used to. I guess 28 concussions will do it.

Make that 1 point in 4 games

Welcome Yadkinfan!

Tell any of your yearning hockey friends about the blog, too.

But last night was not a very good performance by the 'Canes, who continue to struggle to find consistent scoring. It's strange for a team that was so well-balanced last year. But this is what the first half of the season is about. Hopefully, Cam Ward is learning what it means to be an every day goalie, and their scoring/consistency will improve in the second half. They are lucky to be about .500.

But by the time the holidays are done, they will need to start picking up the pace in a very competitive conference.

I caught some of the Pittsburgh-Washington game last night. Very entertaining, though neither team seems likely to me to make it to the playoffs. If Pittsburgh can pick up some defensemen, they will be tough by next year. Their young goalie is way improved over the times I've been him in past.

'Canes top Canadiens

A very entertaining Thursday night contest featured a 'Canes 3rd period win at home.

You have to like 2 fast, smart-skating teams that weren't afraid to mix it up.

And it sure looks, despite the loss, that Cristobal Huet is the real deal in goal, not some Stanley Cup playoff fluke who got hot for a while as he did against the 'Canes last spring. The guy is leading the league in wins and save percentage at .940, and faced 48 shots last night, so even with allowing 4 goals kept his save percentage steady.

Ward, too, seems like the real deal as the season goes on. Very steady goaltender; might give up a few you'd think he should stop but, hey, he's still a kid.

By the way, anyone get a load of Commodore's hairstyle lately? The phrase 'old tennis-ball head' from the old baseball book "Ball Four'' should ring a bell.