February 18, 2004
NHL Roundup
East-leading Philly took a tumble in Tampa Bay, losing their second straight game, 5-2 to the Lightning. Taking advantage, Ottawa crept one point closer and into second place after a 1-1 tie with Washington.
Back in Ontario, Boston jumped all over Toronto goalie Trevor Kidd, downing the Maple Leafs 5-2, and New Jersey tied visiting Minnesota 4-4.
The result: a log jam atop the conference. Philly still leads with 78 points, with Ottawa just two behind with 76. By dint of their Southeast Division lead, Tampa Bay has a hammer lock on the third seed with 72 points, but it's clear they have their sights set higher (ESPN.com's Jim Kelley takes a look at the Lightning). Toronto is in fourth with 76, with Boston one behind in fifth with 75, and New Jersey three further back at 72.
Six points -- that's all that separates first from sixth place in the East.
Elsewhere, Montreal continued its recent struggles, dropping a 4-1 decision to Atlanta. They remain tied with the Islanders in seventh place with 64 points, with the Sabres nipping at their heels.
Think Pat Burns might be losing some sleep the next few weeks, knowing that Lou Lamiriello just hired former Devils head coach Robbie Ftorek to coach the team's top minor league affiliate, the Albany River Rats? It isn't as if the team has a history of making coaching changes in the middle of a playoff race, does it?
UPDATE: Capitals owner Ted Leonsis watched his first game from the owner's box at MCI Center since being suspended for an incident in which he got into an altercation involving a fan.
Not everyone in New York was excited about A-Rod coming to town:
Rick DiPietro has just one loss in his past 10 starts, but the Islanders goalie felt somewhat defeated yesterday when Alex Rodriguez pulled on a Yankees jersey.
"It's definitely a blow to Red Sox Nation," said DiPietro, a Massachusetts native and devout Red Sox fan.
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And now, Mr. Capital himself, Peter Bondra is headed to Ottawa. Can you smell it? It's the most exciting trading deadline in sports, the hockey deadline. The latest in the four major sports, it allows a team to decide, after 75% of the season, whether or not they can "make a run". I love it...good for the Sens, who, for a 2nd round pick and a prospect, pick up a guy who can score the clutch goal and make the special play. Even though Buffalo is my team and always will be, I've always thought Muckler's boys in OTT were the most like our squad given our small market roots and passion for hockey. In addition, Muck knows the clock is ticking; the West is at its weakest this year, and NJ and Philly both have holes that can be exploited. Therefore, his thoughts have appeared to center on getting the team ready now.
Unless we play them, I'll be pulling for the Sens this year.
Posted by:
at February 18, 2004 12:39 PM
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12:10 AM