I always grab my kids and stick them in front of the TV when something spectacular is about to happen in sports so that some day they can tell their kids “I watched Wayne Gretzky play his last game” or “I watched Tiger beat Jack’s major championship record”. I know that last one hasn’t happened yet, but you can bet that my entire family will be watching when it does. I’ve always thought that we live in a very exciting time for sports figures. Orr, Favre, Jordan, Tiger, Gretzky…

If you think about it, it’s really quite incredible.

As a result, I have always thought there were a handful of records in the NHL that I assumed would never be challenged. Gretzky’s 92 goal season or 215 point season, Selanne’s most goals as a rookie with 76, a little known goalie named Sam LoPresti’s record of stopping 80 shots in one game. Yes, it was only 3 periods (against the Bruins, of course) and no, he didn’t play for Toronto…it was Chicago, actually. The other big record that I never thought I would see fall is Terry Sawchuk’s 103 career shutouts, and yet Martin Brodeur is set to break it over the course of the next few weeks or months.

When I first heard how close he was, I have to admit that I was skeptical about the comparison. You know, I thought Sawchuk had played far fewer games than Brodeur…actually only 35 to date. That’s not a very big gap, so I compared the rest of the stats trying to find where Brodeur would fall short and Sawchuk would be far and away, the better goaltender. Feeling somewhat enlightened, let me share with you my findings;

Seasons Played – Brodeur 17/ Sawchuk 21
Minutes Played – Brodeur 59,448 min/ Sawchuk 57,194 min
Goals Against Average – Brodeur 2.21/ Sawchuk 2.51
Wins – Brodeur 561/ Sawchuk 447

Some other key differences are obviously, the size of the pads in today’s game. In comparison, the goalies that play today would look more like lacrosse goalies if put beside goalies of the 60’s (not to mention Sawchuk played without a mask until the 1962/63 season with just 8 seasons remaining in his career). In Brodeur’s defense, today’s players are bigger, faster and shoot harder. The game is quite different now in some aspects.

Sawchuk was taken from us too early, and there will always be a little bit of mystery surrounding his death. In the summer of 1970, an alcohol induced wrestling match with teammate Ron Stewart ended up in Sawchuk being rushed to a hospital. His gallbladder was removed and he also had a lacerated liver. Unable to recover, the nurse said “His heart just stopped”.

The HHoF’s 3 year waiting period was waived for him and he was inducted in 1971, which puts him exceptional company. The waiting period was waived for only ten players deemed exceptionally notable: Dit Clapper (1947), Maurice Richard (1961), Ted Lindsay (1966), Red Kelly (1969), Terry Sawchuk (1971), Jean Beliveau (1972), Gordie Howe (1972), Bobby Orr (1979), Mario Lemieux (1997) and Wayne Gretzky (1999).

It’s always difficult to compare players from different eras, but Brodeur is as close a comparison to Sawchuk that we will likely see in our generation.
We are indeed, very fortunate to be witness to some incredible athletes in sports history.

An emotional Gordie Howe was once quoted as saying this;

“The Uke (Sawchuk) was the best goalie I ever saw, everything that a goalie should be!”

He could say the same for Brodeur.

Posted By Pat Lynch

His team might be off to a slow start, but defenceman Nicklas Lidstrom isn’t letting that get to him. In fact, he reached a milestone in helping his Red Wings get back to a .500 record when he notched his 1,000 career point. That makes him the first European defender to reach that mark and the eighth player in NHL history to do it.

Of course, if you ask the veteran defenceman, he’s likely to tell you that Detroit’s 5-2 victory matters much more than his individual record does. And, in many ways, he’s right. Detroit has been struggling out of the gate this season and really needed tonight’s win over the Los Angeles Kings to bring them up to a 3-3 record.

Lidstrom’s accomplishment puts him in good company, especially when he’s among fellow Red Wings like Gordie Howe, Steve Yzerman and Alex Delvecchio. With 229 goals and 771 assists in 1,336 career games, his career is nothing short of spectacular. But some of his real accomplishments have little to do with scoring statistics, as Lidstrom is one of the league’s most defensively reliable players at any position.

Lidstrom, who is a six-time Norris winner, has been one of the NHL’s most consistent players. His conditioning is impeccable and he shows up every game with energy and the hunger to win. He is a model player for young kids looking to get into the game at the defence position and will remain so for a long time.

“It’s a huge accomplishment, 1,000 points, but he’s done it over his whole career,” Red Wings goalie Chris Osgood said. “So it’s something you can’t really be surprised about. It’s consistency over a long period of time.”

Indeed, Nicklas Lidstrom has been at this level for his whole career. In fact, The Hockey News recently selected him as the best European-trained player ever in the National Hockey League. At 39, it’s safe to say that Lidstrom’s career may be reaching its twilight hours, but it’s also safe to say that when he does retire, he’ll go out playing at the same consistent level we’re all used to.

Posted by Jordan Richardson.

After ten seasons with the storied franchise, veteran defenceman Chris Chelios will not be spending the 2009-2010 NHL season with the Detroit Red Wings. At age 47, many are speculating as to whether the rugged defender will be hanging up his skates for good.

Detroit GM Ken Holland informed Chelios that he won’t be offered a new contract with the club and thanked him for ten seasons of service.

“I met with Chelios and told him we would not be offering him a contract,” Holland told the Detroit Free Press. “He wants to play again. I really think that he does have another year in him. I think he can play 10 to 15 minutes. I think he can play on a third pair.”

Chelios didn’t record a single point in 28 regular season games this past season with the Red Wings. He also played in six playoff games.

Chelios has 948 career points (185 goals, 763 assists) in 1,644 games with the Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens and Red Wings. He has become known for his hard-edged style and outspoken locker room presence. Through the past few years, his on-ice efficacy has certainly been slipping but he still remains as one of the league’s most iconic defencemen.

Chelios was largely bothered by a leg problem in the 2008-2009 NHL season. He was put in a reduced role when he returned to the line-up, so the year was certainly a disappointment by his usual standards.

As far as Ken Holland his Red Wings are concerned, the time has come to move on and make some room for younger players. “It’s time for us to create opportunities for some of our younger kids,” Holland said. “His (Chelios) commitment to fitness is year round. I believe he’s got some hockey left in him. He’s been a great Red Wing in his time in Detroit.”

Chelios did not offer any comments to the media.

Posted by Jordan Richardson.

The scene at the Stanley Cup Finals after the game tends to be chaotic and this year was no different.

Pittsburgh Penguins team captain and superstar Sidney Crosby isn’t apologizing for an alleged snub of the Detroit Red Wings during the post-game celebration of Game 7 of the Finals. With some Red Wings leaving the ice before he joined the handshake line, it was interesting to note the backlash against Crosby coming from Red Wings forward Kris Draper.

“Nick (Lidstrom) was waiting and waiting, and Crosby didn’t come over to shake his hand. That’s ridiculous, especially as their captain, and make sure you write that I said that!” Draper told the Associated Press.

During the post-game celebration, Crosby was ushered around to various media outlets and took part in celebrating the Stanley Cup victory with his teammates. He was also the last person to join the line, by which time many key Red Wings players, including Lidstrom and Draper, had already left the ice. Somehow, Crosby received the blame for not doing the honours.

“I had no intentions of trying to skip guys and not shake their hands,” Crosby said. “I think that was a pretty unreasonable comment. The guys I shook their hands with, they realized I made the attempt. If I could shake half their team’s hands, I’m sure the other half wasn’t too far behind. I don’t know what happened there. I have no regrets. I’ve been on both sides of it, and it’s not fun being on the losing end. But it doesn’t change anything. You still shake hands no matter what.”

The comment from Draper is, in my opinion, more than unreasonable. It’s downright petty and rude. The reaction of some of the Red Wings players to leave the ice before the handshakes were fully completed, even if Crosby was somewhat late in arriving, simply reflects a sort of “sore loser” mentality. It was a classless display and it was even more classless to somehow blame their exit on Crosby.

Crosby shook hands with more than half of the Red Wings roster, including coach Babcock and goalie Chris Osgood.

It is interesting to note the contrast between this incident and last year’s. The entire Penguins roster waited around for the Red Wings to finish celebrating and reach the handshake line, but this year the shoe was on the other foot and the Wings acted like spoiled children not getting their way. It’s a situation that probably would have been largely ignored were it not for Draper’s idiotic post-game comments.

Grow up.

Posted by Jordan Richardson.

In true heart-pounding fashion, the Pittsburgh Penguins rose to the challenge and defeated the favourite Detroit Red Wings to win the Stanley Cup. That they did so without the services of Sidney Crosby for more than half the game was remarkable, too, but for the most part this win was about character and heart.

Winning their third Cup in franchise history in Detroit’s building couldn’t have been an easy task for these young Pens and it almost didn’t happen. Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury made a critical save in the dying seconds of the game to keep his team’s 2-1 lead and Maxime Talbot provided both Pittsburgh goals.

In the end, it wound up being about depth and role players for the Penguins. They were able to get pucks deep and play hard along the boards against the veteran Wings, giving their team and their young players the extra boost over the edge necessary to get the better of the prepared, skilled Detroit team.

Evgeni Malkin earned the Conn Smythe Trophy after scoring 36 points in the post-season. He is the first Russian-born player to win the award.

Crosby missed about half of the game after being clipped by Wings centre Johan Franzen along the boards in the second period. He returned for only one shift of the final period and had to sit on the bench while his team pulled off the victory. “I don’t recommend anyone trying watch the Stanley Cup final, Game 7 from the bench. It’s a tough situation,” Crosby said after raising the Cup as the youngest player to do so.

The Penguins also become the first road team since the ‘71 Habs to begin a Stanley Cup final down two games and yet still win it all in the seventh and deciding game away from home.

Posted by Jordan Richardson.

A big money save from Marc-Andre Fleury couldn’t have come at a better time as the Pittsburgh Penguins force Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Fleury stoned Dan Cleary on a breakaway with just over a minute and a half remaining, sliding across after Cleary seemed poised to play hero for the Detroit Red Wings. Finishing with 26 saves with the world seemingly on his shoulders, the win has to feel absolutely amazing for the young Pittsburgh goalie.

Along with Fleury’s great save, it was the play of Jordan Staal and linemates Tyler Kennedy and Matt Cooke that really kept the Penguins in the game. While the Penguins’ star players, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, were largely invisible, it was the play of the checking line that really brought things to a head.

Staal did everything asked of him, winning faceoffs and forcing chances while playing a desperate defensive game. He scored the game’s first goal, too, collecting his own rebound and popping the puck past Chris Osgood. Cooke’s physical play was outstanding, sending Detroit’s skilled forwards into overdrive and rattling a few cages. Kennedy was a big time player, too, scoring a goal and assisting on Staal’s goal.

Detroit frequently looked dangerous, however, and the Penguins were not in total control of the matchup. Bill Guerin looked wobbly and uncertain, taking an untimely penalty for a careless high-stick and generally looking lost with feeble attempts on goal from the outside when passing lanes were open.

Detroit was buzzing towards the end of the game despite being out-chanced. A key moment came near the conclusion of the game with a mad scramble in the crease, but Fleury was able to cover the puck before any damage could be done.

The series heads back to Detroit for the deciding game on Friday at 7:30 pm EST.

Posted by Jordan Richardson.

After obliterating the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night, the Detroit Red Wings enjoyed a day off on Sunday before getting back to it with a hard practice on Monday.

Chris Osgood was able to get caught up on his sleep, telling media that he was banking on some rest before heading off to Pittsburgh for Game 6 on Tuesday. Osgood is a Conn Smythe Trophy candidate, for certain, as his performance in the post-season has been nothing short of spectacular.

Once practice rolled around, however, the Red Wings hit the ice on a mission and Osgood wasn’t napping any longer.

“We haven’t had a lot of practices like that the last couple months,” Brad Stuart said of the pace set at Monday’s practice. “It’s good to get out there to make sure your body is working.”

Pavel Datsyuk, by all accounts, looked pretty good during the skate as well. Any lingering effects from injury were either pushed below for the sake of getting on with it or were simply no longer there. Coach Babcock noted that the forward looked “really good” out there. That goes without saying, as Datsyuk’s incredible performance in Game 5 (two assists and great overall energy) gave testimony to his quality as a player.

With the Red Wings assembling every piece of their puzzle, the Penguins have an uphill climb set in front of them on Tuesday. Despite only being down a game, it’s hard to imagine the Penguins getting into this series to pull of a Stanley Cup win. At this point, it’s hard to imagine the young Penguins as being any other than true underdogs.

As noted by the CBC, “if the Red Wings win Game 6, they will hoist the Stanley Cup on the road and in the same building…for the second time in as many years, something unseen since the Montreal Canadiens at the Boston Garden in 1977 and 1978.”

With the Red Wings more than comfortable on the road, they will have to undress a series trend that has found the home team winning each of the first five games in the series. Even if that trend stays alive, the Red Wings will be the series favourites.

Posted by Jordan Richardson.

The season is drawing to a close and we are now faced with the Stanley Cup Finals! This year’s matchup is a rematch from last year’s Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Detroit Red Wings matchup, marking the first time since 1984 with the Edmonton Oilers faced the New York Islanders a second time. The Oilers took the second meeting, kickstarting their dynasty and winning five championships over the next seven years.

Could the Pittsburgh Penguins accomplish the same feat? This series has a lot of similarities with that ‘84 series and should be incredibly exciting to watch. The NHL and NBC have bumped up the start of the series, so Game One gets underway Saturday.

The Stanley Cup Final matchup is:

Detroit Red Wings vs. Pittsburgh Penguins: I had anticipated much, much longer rounds earlier in the playoffs and didn’t think we’d be here this quickly, but the Penguins and Wings are playing as though they are possessed. Both squads are ready, both squads want to win more than anything, and both feature players at the top of their respective games.

The Red Wings will down a few key players, such as Pavel Datsyuk. Word ’round the campfire is, however, that Datsyuk may be back in business before we know it. The Wings have experience on their side, too, but the Penguins have shown tenacity and are as deep a team as there is in the National Hockey League. They can also boast experience, having been to the dance before last year.

In goaltending, I think the Penguins come into the series with a slight edge. Fleury is an energetic goaltender, but he plays with remarkable poise in big game situations. Osgood, on the other hand, is a seasoned pro but can be prone to making big mistakes in costly situations.

When all is said and done, the series will hinge around whether or not the Penguins can crack the defensive shell of the Red Wings and break through to put some heat on Osgood. If they can do that and if Crosby and Malkin are flying like they have been all season long thus far, I don’t think the Red Wings can pull off a repeat win. The longer the series goes, the better things will begin to look for the Wings.

My Prediction: Penguins in 6.

Feel free to list your predictions below in the comments section.

Posted by Jordan Richardson.

Looks like I got at least one prediction exactly right during this year’s post-season!

The Red Wings have eliminated the Chicago Blackhawks in five games, just like I predicted back on May 16. The Blackhawks gave the Wings a difficult fight, however, taking it overtime for three out of the last four games.

The Red Wings will now go on to meet the Penguins, who finished off a sweep of the Carolina Hurricanes yesterday, and will face off against each other in a rematch of last year’s Stanley Cup Finals. It should be interesting to see how the two teams have grown over the year and it should be a very exciting, up-tempo series.

The series is set to start a full week ahead of schedule, as the NHL doesn’t want a long layoff to curb the excitement brought forth in the post-season. The Stanley Cup Finals begin Saturday night in Detroit and I will have my predictions up shortly.

Detroit has proven that they can still go with the best of them even when they’re down players, as the absence of both Nicklas Lidstrom and Pavel Datsyuk left the Wings looking deep in the bench to polish off the Blackhawks. The scoring support came from players like Darren Helm and Dan Cleary, who proved that there’s a significant amount of depth on that Detroit squad.

Perhaps one of the most interesting components of the Stanley Cup Finals as they approach is the story of Marian Hossa. He finds himself on the Detroit Red Wings a year after heading to the Finals with the Penguins. Hossa was offered a long-term deal with the Penguins, but turned it down because he thought the Red Wings had a better chance at reaching the Cup. With both teams a heartbeat away from the ultimate prize, it looks like the series could be a matter of pride for Hossa.

The series marks the first Stanley Cup Finals rematch since 1984 when the Edmonton Oilers defeated the New York Islanders after losing to them the year prior.

Posted by Jordan Richardson.

Tonight’s Game Seven between the Detroit Red Wings and the Anaheim Ducks concluded a hard-fought series with a Red Wings victory, closing out a series that proved that both teams deserved to be there. The final score, 4-3 for Detroit, was clear evidence at how close these two squads were and just how much blood, sweat, and tears was left on the ice.

The Wings will now go on to face the Chicago Blackhawks in the conference final, thanks in large part to Dan Cleary’s tie-breaking goal scored with three minutes left. Already, the Wings are looking ahead.

“Most teams that have won the Stanley Cup don’t even get here,” Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. “For us to be in this situation is a real positive, but we have a hungry Chicago team waiting for us.”

It is indeed difficult for Stanley Cup-defending champs to make the conference finals, with the most recent team to accomplish the feat being the Colorado Avalanche. Coincidentally, the Avs lost in a brutal 7-0 game to the Detroit Red Wings in the deciding game. Clearly this year’s incarnation of the Wings hope they don’t receive the same fate they doled out years ago.

It’s hard to knock the National Hockey League at this point and time. With three conference semifinals decided in seventh game situations, this is a really exciting time to be a hockey fan. The Red Wings vs. Ducks series proved to be invigorating, with Babcock stating that it was the best series he’s ever been in and many players on both sides claiming the same.

Detroit goalie Chris Osgood agreed: “It was a tough series, probably one of the toughest we’ve played in a long time.”

So now the preparation for the young, fast, dangerous Chicago squad begins and the Red Wings by no means have an easy task in front of them. We’ll have a full slate of conference finals predictions ready to go soon, so be ready with your predictions.

Posted by Jordan Richardson.