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Digital Psychosis |
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October 23, 2005, 10:21 AM ET
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Thankfully,in Requiem for a Heavyweight' with Jackie Gleason, Anthony
Quinn and Mickey Rooney failed to overrule NHL Center Ice this Saturday
night. Here is my schizophrenic hockey observations from a bevy of
games all going on at the same time.
So how does Washington coach Glen Hanlon maximize Alexander Ovechkin's
talent? Hanlon used the Russian phenom for under 18 minutes and the
Canes keyed on shutting him down. On one rush, Ovechkin went 1-on-3 and
the defenders played the triangle perfectly. Limiting Ovechkin's space
and monitoring his every movement will increasingly become THE strategy
against the Caps. Teams can handle Jeff Friesen wailing away pointless
shots from the perimeter but don't let Ovechkin isolate a player
one-on-one cause he'll burn 'em. I'd like to see Hanlon bouncing him
between different lines and positions and playing him until he drops.
Another two-pointer for the Leafs' Bryan McCabe. He processes pucks on
the power play like a machine. His shot is hard, quick and gets through
seams - usually forcing goalies to make a save. Also notice how
McCabe is using his passing skills more and that is opening space for
the big cannon. He knocked a puck down and made a rink-wide pass to
Tomas Kaberle last night that was almost quicker than the eye.
Poor effort from the Pens last night. Sergei Gonchar looks a little
better each game, getting in shape as we go. Long John Leclair should
really think about retiring. It's gone Johnny. Mario didn't look good
at all, lost the puck off his stick a few times and seemed unable to
kickstart his aging wingers. Crosby and Palffy mostly failed to connect
on this night. Some nice fancy moves, including a between-the-legs
redirect by Crosby, but nothing coherent nor close to artistry. Put
Crosby with Lemieux. It's time!
New Jersey's downlow coverage against the Thrashers was painful to
watch. Atlanta's turbo line of Savard, Petrovicky and Bondra ran
circles around the poor Devil defenders ? The bright side - Brian
Gionta is very effective in the new NHL and the Devils could be a
formidable foe if Mogilny stays healthy and Patrik Elias bounces back
from illness.
Jason Williams logged under 13 minutes yet notched a hattrick in the
first period against the wayward Blue Jackets. Poor Marc Denis.
Detroit's powerplay is still a thing of beauty. Their skilled players
really know how to utilize open space in order to create the next space
for a teammate. And Jason Williams is getting himself into the inner
circle. One to watch for sure.
Another two assists from Minnesota Wild stallion Marion Gaborik though
also a nasty knee-on-knee hit against St. Louis center Doug Weight.
Speaking of Weight, is it just me or is he showing his age after the
lockout?
Tremendous opening period between the Stars and Flames. Lots of skating
and hitting. I have to say that Mike Modano has bounced back. He's got
that gazelle thing going again in his step. That Antti Miettinen is
much tougher than he looks as teams are finding out. I noticed how the
Stars were vary wary of letting Dion Phaneuf shoot the onetimer on the
powerplay - and for good reason. Dion fires the puck with such
vengeance, remarkable given his age.
Alexei Kovalev's got it back. Sleek and dangerous again, and getting
inspired with young Alex Perezhogin blossoming with each game.
Perezhogin is a player to pursue in your fantasy leagues. It's no
wonder everyone was raving about this youngster in Russia last season.
The perfect Nashville Preds moved to 7-0 with a masterful Vokoun-ing
performance with the winning goal coming on a surprising skating surge
from David Legwand who did a fine job opening up ice to get his shot to
the net that Scott Hartnell finished. I predicted Nashville to finish
first in their division but even this start is a shocker. Ryan Suter
and Dan Hamhuis have been terrific and there's Shea Weber and Ryan
Parent waiting in the wings. Scary. Speaking of Parent, tried to catch
a glimpse of him and Guelph against Owen Sound but the Rogers feed
looked like it was being sent through a submarine window.
Buffalo were trying desperately to get Thomas Vanek his first goal late
against the Rangers though taking him off the top line doesn't help.
Vanek made a breathtaking pass on Rory Fitzpatrick's game-winning tally
in the second. The Austrian Artist needs to get back alongside Daniel
Briere, among the league's best players so far, and be more selfish
about shooting the puck. Goalie Ryan Miller was sensational in stopping
NHL scoring leader Jaromir Jagr's six shots including a few strong
onetimers. There's so much more in store for Sabres fans.
