Simmer's-9; Just a little face wash to get started

April 8, 2012 - 11:42 PM ET

1) Regular season note: The Rangers swept the Flyers in a season series for the first time in forty years, and they did it in dominant fashion. 6-0-0, outscoring Philly 24-11 overall and going 8 for 25 on the power play. 1A) Meanwhile, the Rangers lost the season series to their first round o...

3 Series Open - 6 Key "Other" Guys

April 10, 2012 - 9:18 AM ET

6 "other" guys to watch 1) Wayne Simmonds - strong on his feet, despite being -5 versus Pitt this season overall, he had 3 goals and 3 assists in 6 games. Look for this physical stalwart to score a big goal or two from in front. May be one of the last men standing, ha ha. Great pick-up by GM...

5 More Series; 10 More "Other" Guys (& picks)

April 11, 2012 - 10:54 PM ET

10 guys to watch 1) Zack Smith - OTT - The Sen's knew what they were getting when they drafted him in the 3rd round in 2008, they just hoped the desire and ability would develop at the NHL level. He has size, is gritty and versatile, and can win draws when dragged in to do so. All of the above...

Is Crosby OK? Sid the Kid's Sunday Diary

April 15, 2012 - 10:15 PM ET

Sidney Crosby’s Sunday afternoon in Philly: A shift diary for the “greatest player in the world”; how he affected the game, and how the game, at times an out of control penalty-fest, affected his shifts and opportunity. This isn't pro or anti Sid, just a micro-view of one significant play...

Simmer's 9 - Quickie to start your week off right

April 22, 2012 - 11:32 PM ET

1) The just-tweaking days are over for Ken Holland in Detroit. He has some work to do. Mike Babcock mentioned lack of depth up front after the series; holy smokes, how about the D? Kyle Quincey was as big a liability as seen anywhere in the first round. And life without Nick ….. time to get c...

Simmer's 9 - ANOTHER one; new and improved

April 24, 2012 - 1:05 PM ET

1) Based on a tweet exchange between a Jets fans and Bob McKenzie of TSN; it is actually pretty wild if you think about it. The Coyotes never won a playoffs series since coming from Winnipeg, and now that Winnipeg has their Jets back, the Coyotes win one. Curse lifted, as the fan put it. Pretty...

Kovalchuk's Shift Diary from Game-1 Loss

April 29, 2012 - 10:31 PM ET

Given his propensity to imitate Espo and others at times, with 2+ minute shifts, and to sometimes float, I thought it interesting to isolate the play of New Jersey gazzillionaire forward Ilya Kovalchuk with a shift diary from Game-1 on Sunday in Philly. Keep in mind, it's believed Kovy is sufferi...