DON

Nygren continues to add offense in SHL. What are odds he will ever be back in Hamilton?

Eller has more than 3x hits as Plekanec and most of any forward. Most blocks of any forward. Eller's faceoff % continues to climb and is 53% now, easily best of centres (Plekanec seems to be getting worse as season goes on, but has always been very weak on faceoffs, but his only glaring weakness). But, yes his hockey 'IQ' may not be, or ever be, his strong suit. But, if he ever gets that in order, he could be a super centreman and I just am not near as down on him as most.

Playoffs odds improved again last night and now @ 97.6%. Almost time to start thinking about resting minor injuries. Should be another entertaining match up today. Pacioretty due to score and hope hat trick gives Vanek a boost and should loosen his grip on stick.

http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1012033 Bournival had nice 1st game back and played well with Swiss kid & Stumpy jr

Dumont with penalty shot goal to go along with another fight in the first and he, like Blunden continue to play well. 3-1 dogs should do it for a win.

Yes, great to hear.

good stuff

Pateryn not playing? Blunden ties up @ 1-1, he must be pushing for call-up and been playing well, but 4th line depth with Habs must suck for him. Bournival involved in 2nd goal, Thomas from Bournival & Andrighetto. 2-1 dogs in 2nd

Habs playoff odds now @ 97.4% and Molson can safely count on extra playoff $$ rolln in. 3 more entertaining games coming up, then 3 very winnable ones after that next week. Too many players doing good things to note em all, but Desharnais has really bounced back and love the depth in both top and bottom six groups and Subban is just playing super.

Tinordi and Weaver did well. Nice to see the big fellow get 16+minutes. Fun game.

I miss Rene.

Don't even think Subban was captain in junior and if teammates/coaching staff first gave him an A for a year, same as #14, they possibly considered. Gorges is my only choice (unless Markov suddenly warms up to stupid inane media questions), after Gionta retires in another 2 years. But Gallagher in a few years or Plekanec anytime is fine by me.

Sorry Brian, poor wording, "If I had to choose which to resign, if both needed resigning..." And as you say LL will likely be resigned, or flipped for similar busting 1st rounder of another organization.

Both he and Dumont are 23 and almost equal offensive rate, so if I had to resign either, Dumont is easy choice, as he actually wins puck battles and not afraid to step up for teammates. Oh well, Timmins-Gainey made local fans happy in 2009, but cant hit on all picks.

With Duchene-MacKinnon-OReily-Landeskog-Stastny, the Aves are strong up front, but are weak on backend, which is a 'fun' mix and doubt this game will be boring. Duchene-MacKinnon can simply fly and can be worth price of admission some nights. I thought Aves would fade, but goaltending has been good.

Sitting @ 94.7%, could make playoffs even with Mayer in net. Fun 4 game stretch upcoming.

Crisp with 1a and a PP GWG in 2-1 win, nice finish for him as well.

Well, 3-1 now, can chalk up another L I think

didn't miss much I guess and frickin tough year for Holland, Thomas, Dietz and maybe few others. Nice back-end 3rd quarter breakdown Brian, cant disagree with any grades.

I also have suggested that maybe as a winger he would do well. But, the way he skates, his OK vision and puck skills, he would be more valuable as an offensive puck-mover than a winger. And they always say, defense can be taught/learned and he is a quite young d-man and by time he is 24 or so, he could be a super player (but always likely be not quite as focused in own zone).

Hudon finishs with Hat-Trick, 1 goal assisted by Gregoire and both had good years. See if Gregoire can light up playoffs again this year. Nevins finishes with 19th goal and a scrap. Crisp gets 27th and last game today. Reway & Vail sat; but both had 4 points in last 2 games.

Shit PP% must be nearing some kind of record (unlikely but must be gall darn low).

Really, I never heard that, I assumed a strain, that sucks.