What a game last night! The Flyers haven’t won their season opener since the lockout if my memory serves me correctly. Actually, I feared it would end up being a repeat of the 2005 start against the mediocre Rangers; they were in the lead, then choked. Now if they can maintain their first-period intensity for another 81 games. The $52-million wonder boy Briere proved he’s got the hands with his two goals, one being the GWG with less than two minutes remaining. I still hope Phoenix and Philly regret trading Daymond Langkow as he scored both of Calgary’s points. I think the best part was Briere’s post-game interview when he credited the whole team for the victory. He also admitted it was a great relief to make goals in the opener because it takes the pressure off sooner; he is currently one of the highest paid forwards in the league.
Besides the win, it was great to finally see the defense actually operating well so the burden wasn’t all on Biron in goal and having a couple guys capable of bringing the puck up without turning it over at the center line. Maybe it’s a good thing we don’t have cable right now, I would have to get accustomed to this team not repeating all the mistakes they made for the last two seasons. Namely not having a power play capable of scoring or getting decent shots up close. I would like to see a couple more games before I’m convinced GM Holmgren knows what he’s doing. Only Gagne remains from the group that almost won the East in 2004.
I forgot to post my predictions for 2007-08 as I did last year.
Flyers: Having a real number one goalie and the return of Boucher is the most promising situation in a while. I disagree with ESPN claiming Biron will be a bust, I think he’ll be fine because the other gripe with the blue line was addressed. For defense, grabbing Nashville’s Timonen was another smart move along with Smith from Edmonton; better successors to Desjardins and Johnsson than Hatcher, Rathje and Baumgarten ever were. Holmgren also “gets it” with forwards unlike Clarke as there’s more emphasis with speed and passing. Alas, it’s still a rebuilding year which is where my expectations will be. They will be knocked out in the second round of the playoffs; Ottawa, Pittsburgh and the Rangers are the real threats.
Coyotes: My long-term favorite in the West will stink on ice even more than last season. With the new ownership and failures, count on Gretzky resigning after Christmas, he can’t be fired for he’s a partial owner. I don’t really have much interest in them neither, outside of Ed J, it’s a team of kids and nobodies, all the big names left: CuJo, Nolan, Ricci, Roenick, Laraque, Comrie, and Nagy are retired or playing for winners. The Kings may be a tad messier with their acquisitions but they’ll still finish 5-10 points higher than the ‘Yotes. I agree with the ESPN pundits on changing their slogan from a Decade in the Desert to Eleven in the Wilderness.
Sharks: This is the team in the West I will be watching more. Not only for JR as I count down his 500-goal target (note to ESPN pundits who say he’ll quit by Thanksgiving, “Suck it! Dead Dollar Bill televises more hockey than you so who believes what you say?”), but these guys have the best shot at winning it and taking the Cup. I dislike the Ducks and doubt they could pull off a two-peat. Their core from last season is pretty intact too.
The Divisions: The Atlantic will be a toss up between the Pens and Rangers, the era of Devils dominance shall coast into the sunset. The Northeast should easily go to the Sens for the Sabres were gutted this Summer. Couldn’t care less for the Southeast as none of their teams will make it past the first round of the playoffs. The Pacific may go to the Ducks yet the Sharks will remain the team with the grit. The Northwest is too uninteresting to care yet I’ll randomly pick Calgary, they can give everyone fits. Lastly, the Central will be a guess too for Detroit is a fave yet they practically need walkers on the ice. Nashville may take the prize unless their pending sale and/or move proves too much of a distraction. In the end, I’ll go on a limb for the Cup: Sharks v. Sens.