Monday Night Hockey/Record Intact!

by Anne

This Sabres Wednesday - Friday - Saturday schedule, while mostly annoying, is at least helpful in keeping track of when the Sabres play  this month.

Monday is not one of the days listed above, therefore, the Sabres did not play tonight. However, the Kings did.

The Kings played the Florida Panthers in Florida tonight in a very back and forth game. The first period was close and scoreless and the second started much the same until the Pussycats potted two fairly quick goals to make the game 2-0. The Los Angeles Kings, more experienced this season and less prone to panic, kept their wits about them. Wayne Simmonds decided to help things out the best way he knows how. Beating the crap out of someone:

Simmer (as he punches): WHAT. KIND. OF. NAME. IS. KENNDAL. ANYWAY?

Ok, the fight was fairly even actually, but I'm giving Simmer the edge on this one. Not long after, Jack Johnson or JJ3 or JMFJ as he has been known (the first only by me) scored. Jarret Stoll made it 2-2 and Randy Jones, filling in for The Piece who is out with injury, scored a shorty to give the Kings their first lead of the game.

Then a fustercluck (TM Amy at Shots Off the Crossbar) of activity in front of Quickie Monster gave the Panthers the equalizer. Quickie lost his stick and in the scrum a Panther shot his stick into the corner. Yes, it was definitely deliberate. Isn't that some kind of penalty? Ugh.

Anyway, nothing doing in OT so it headed to a shootout, the Kings' fourth of the season. The first two came against the San Jose Sharks and the Vancouver Canucks. The Kings lost both 2-1. The other was Saturday night in Tampa and the Kings won 2-1. Tonight, the Jon Quick was 3 for 3 and Jack Johnson scored in the shootout to give the Kings the win!

They finish this five game road trip 3-2. We are never speaking of that Thrashers game again.

The Kings next game is Wednesday night home against the Flyers. Ewww. Hopefully Mr. Jones can play against his former team. He's been pretty solid thusfar. I don't know if Scuds will be back by then.

Elsewhere:

The New Jersey Devils were vying for their 10th straight road victory to start the season, in an attempt to match the record set by our very own Buffalo Sabres in 2006. They faced the Phlyers. This is the only time in my life I have ever wanted to see Ray Emery win at anything. The Flyers won and the Sabres record still stands as their own. Woo!

Danny Paille scored his second of the year as the Bruins lost to the surprisingly not-terrible New York Islanders. I didn't say they were good, I just said they were not-terrible. They're quite like the 2008-2009 Los Angeles Kings. Not good, but not as bad as people were anticipating. Lots of youth, lots and lots of talent and a few veterans like Weight and Streit. They need more pieces, obviously, but the Islanders are treading water respectably.

Mouth open.

Perfect

I hate those yellow socks.

Vinny Lecavalier, a prominent Sunny Hedgehog Enchanter, remembered that he's really good at hockey and had himself a three point night (2+1) and was a +3 in the 4-1 win over the Coyotes. Fortunately, Vinny's Enchanters teammate Ilya Bryzgalov was not in goal.

Marty scored like that

Vinny helped

Tuesday night none of my teams play. Alas.

Lastly, enjoy this unmitigated FAIL from ESPN.com:

Oh ESPN.

Have a great Tuesday, everyone!

Team Canada is more interesting than Team USA

by Anne

Clearly I am an American citizen, having been born in New York State. Therefore I will be cheering for Team USA come Olympics time.

Yet, Team Canada boasts so many more players that I hold near and dear to my heart.

Sure Team USA has Miller, Kesler.... uhhhh and... ummmm David Backes? But Team Canada boasts such beloved favorites as Jarome Iginla, Rick Nash and Jordan Staal.

Must. Look. Less. Doofy. Than. Brothers.


The man can do no wrong


Nooo, please don't become a mountain man again, Nasher!
I'll adore you regardless but, pleeeeease?

If the sight of Derek Roy's photo didn't make me dry-heave, I might have posted it. However, as I cannot bear to subject you all to the grotesque eye-roll inducing portrait, I will leave it out.

There are, however, three portraits that cannot go un-ridiculed noted:

Dan Boyle will defeat the enemy with his Stink-Eye of Death


Tazer is only allowed out of the bell-tower to play hockey and stare uncomfortably at his opponents.


Vinny looks like he's about to puke and topple head-first into the camera
It suits him...?


A mutiny a-brewin', Lindy?


Marty St. Louis is horrified. Simply horrified.
He's just seen who his linemates are...


And its not these guys. They're Sid's wingmen
I love it.


What are the odds they're speaking English?


Adorable.

Proof that Marc and Jordan don't like Eric:


Jordan chills while a trainer... does something with Marc's ankles


Jordan: I'm gonna break Eric's stick
Marc: Ok, just make sure its really his and not mine this time, bro.
Nope, there are no photos of Eric with either of his baby bros. He must be a jerk.

That concludes my foray into the enemy's orientation camp. Not surprisingly, Team USA's stuff is not as interesting.

All-Star Voting is Complete, Christmas is Over, Time for Trade Rumors!

by Anne

We've all heard about Kovalchuck potentially being moved from Atlanta. He's an offensive superstar wasting away on a team that's ranked 28th in the league. However, in a move that most expected to come at the beginning of the season, the Thrashers have just NOW named Kovy their captain. Hard to believe he's only the fifth Russian born and trained player in history to be named captain of an NHL team. Does this quash the trade rumors? Does this mean Kovalchuk is happy in Hotlanta? Does this mean Don Waddell trades away the team's only legitimate star? Soupy was an alternate captain the month he was traded and captain only two months before that. I still say Kovy is moved.

Then there's his South East Division goal scoring hombre, Vinny Lecavalier. He's the team captain and just signed a DiPietro-esque 11 year contract extension that goes into effect this July 1. For the last few crappy Bolts seasons, there have been rumors that Marty St. Louis or Vinny were on the trade market, but for some reason this season the rumors are hotter than ever. The ever popular Vinny-to-the-Habs trade has come up yet again. Why in God's name would they trade him? I'm not saying that they won't trade him, because that genius parade running shop down in Tampa has done some pretty bone-headed things this past few months, but Vinny is their only superstar. If I lived in Tampa and there was no Vinny Lecavalier, who else would I go to watch? Marty "Don't Call Me Shortstack" St. Louis? He's good, but he's not the franchise player that Vinny is. Stamkos is floundering and probably should be back in Sarnia where he can gain some confidence, why wasn't he allowed to be in the World Juniors? That's beyond me. Basically, I don't want Vinny in Montreal because that just ups Montreal into serious contender status and that's bad for the Sabres. Bad bad bad.

What's the latest in trades for the Sabres? Darcy doesn't make splashy trades. Well, he gives away splashy but doesn't bring IN splashy. We could use Vinny up here! Tampa needs defense, right? I say Tallinder, Paetsch and a first rounder for Vinny. Who's with me?!

Another center that might be on the move is Jason Spezza. As much as I want a solid top line center for the Sabres, I feel like Spezza in Buffalo would be like that scene in Mighty Ducks when that kid who never appeared in any of the other movies called Adam Banks a "cake-eater" when he was forced to play for them when the divisional lines were redrawn and something about a lake being a cutoff point. I'm putting money on Royzie being the one to dish out that kind of smack talk.

Stafford for Kesler? As part of something bigger? That's the rumor from the unreliable Hockeybuzz.com. I love Kesler so if we were to lose Staffy it'd have to be for someone like Kes to avoid the onslaught of sadness. However, what would this "bigger" be, I wonder? If we got Kes, I'd want to keep him. What's with the Sabres trading with the Canucks all of a sudden? 1970 represent.

If Staffy gets traded, I have to say I TOTALLY CALLED IT. A month after that post, things are a little different and Staffy is producing more, meaning we'd get more a in a trade involving him than we would in a trade involving Pie.

Whatevs, I really love the trade deadline. It's my favorite hockey day of the year, followed closely by free agent day, opening day and the draft.

You Have GOT to Be Kidding Me

by Anne

Vinny Lecavalier signed a freakin' joke of an extension today. It was so ridiculous that when I woke up from my nap just now, I honestly thought I was still sleeping.

The owners of the Bolts have got to be out of their ever-loving minds. I understand that Vinny is an excellent player, there's no question about his deserving of a contract to reflect those talents. However, I'm sure that this is not the right move. ELEVEN YEARS? Not that many players make it to 39 in the NHL. To assume that he will is foolish. They say that its ok because it tapers off toward the end, should he decide to retire. Well, ain't that grand? Contracts like this are what's going to send us into another lockout.

These owners will either go down in history as the men who made the Bolts dynasty or go down in history as the biggest disaster in major professional sports. How can they possibly be under the cap at this point? If they are, they are financial geniuses.

I get the feeling Jay Feaster is a reasonable man and couldn't endorse this deal, among others, so he left the organization.

Why yes, I am crabby after my nap, why do you ask?

Sometimes I post like 10 times a day

by Anne

Top things that are annoying as all get out:

1. Pink Sabres Jerseys that are NOT in support of Breast Cancer research

Ew.

2. Jaromir Jagr's landing strip facial hair WITHOUT the mullet. Separately they're gross, but TOGETHER?!?! I'd still hate Jagsie but I'd LOVE to see that combo. BTW, did you know that he's currently the wealthiest player (in terms of career earnings, not including endorsements) playing in the NHL right now? He's got over $90 million in career earnings at this point.

HOTTNESS.

3. When you screw up your coffee order and accidentally say "2 cream 1 sugar" when you really mean "1 cream, 2 sugar" (write that down, when this blog makes it BIG and one of you is my personal assistant... I prefer french roast).

I want one.

4. When you can't remember a password to an account you rarely check and you try every conceivable password and username combination you've ever used since 1996 and STILL can't remember it so they email it to you, but you have 3 email addresses and you don't know which one you registered with, and then sometimes those systems kick you off for a day if you try an incorrect password 5 times and then 10 minutes later you remember your password.

Clearly, not me, I'm not that calm when I forget a password

5. When people will NOT SHUT UP about calling Sidney Crosby a diver (yo, dude had PLENTY of nasty hits that were NOT called and he didn't whine about it, leave him alone)

Awww, look how cute he is!
And kind of doable as well.

6. When you save something in the wrong folder in a directory and your computer doesn't have that "recently edited documents" section on the file menu because you use software that doesn't use Microsoft Word's storage space and you have to go searching through the computer to realize that you inverted the file number and it goes in "07-1066" not "06-1077" and you spend serious time contemplating your potential dyslexia.

Not my actual computer screen

7. When Darcy makes apparently good draft choices and smart off-season moves and Bills tickets are selling like hotcakes and people in Buffalo STILL can find something to complain about. I, for one, would like to see Max go and TimmyHO stay. I don't know what it is about TimmyTims but I'd really like to give him another chance. Then, if he doesn't produce, dump him like a scummy blind date who doesn't even OFFER to pay and you even wore your expensive push up bra for this guy... which, ironically, might actually be what its like to go on a date with Tim Connolly.

Oh yes, that IS Darcy Regier

This dude has HIS tickets, DO YOU?!?!

8. Barry Melrose being the coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning. I'm not sure why this irritates me so much, but it just reeks of a wacky publicity stunt by the Bolts new owners. They have Stamkos, and now they have Melrose. I know he had a good run with the Kings in the early 1990s and, as a commentator, he's still aware of the pulse of the new NHL, but it just seems like if Barry was still interested in coaching, he'd BE coaching somewhere, not sitting in a studio. That's probably an unfair judgment seeing as how I don' t know the man. Maybe its just because I'm used to the studio version of Barry Melrose, but I can't see this being a great idea. It just feels like a bad idea, it'll bring more press to the Bolts next season, that's for sure. But, as a team looking to regroup and rebuild, is bringing in someone like Melrose really a good idea? I hope for the new owners' sakes that Vinny and Louie like him. Because, Jokinen and Voukun did NOT like Jacques Martin, but there were tight with the Panthers' owner, and look who lost his job? Ironically, look who is now traded to Phoenix. Bye, Olli! I seriously doubt that the Bolts will trade Vinny, I don't care HOW good Stamkos is, he's not Vinny Lecavalier.

How can you trust a man whose hair looks like that?
I wouldn't trust Brian Engblom as far as I could throw him.
Or Donald Trump.

Does one really need a REASON to post this picture?

9. Ryan Miller. Why? For some reason my love for Ryan Miller has tempered and in the clear light of the off-season, I'm seeing Millsey from a new perspective. Is he that good? Is he worth a 5+ year contract? Is he worth Lundqvist money? Only time will tell, I guess. He was OUTSTANDING for 2 seasons and then, not so much this season. But, how much of that was really his fault? Don't get me wrong, I want Miller to stay and sign an extension this summer (OMG MILLSEY, DON'T LEAVE ME HERE WITH THEM!) but I just wonder how this upcoming season will turn out for him. Some strong defense would go a long way to helping him out. TEPPO?!?! I think my fear for Millsey is more concern about his back-up situation than it is actual concern about him. When Miller is on (which was about 90% of the time in 05-06 and 06-07) he's amazing, but without a reliable backup, will he push himself to play more than he should, for the sake of the team? Will he ignore the urge inside him to sit this one out, because his backup is a wild card? The situation, and not really Ryan Miller is what annoys me.

Don't worry, Millsey, we'll find you a backup!!

10. Limewire. It ruined my laptop DON'T USE IT. WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT DOWNLOAD LIMEWIRE. IT KILLS COMPUTERS. DON'T DO IT!!!

THE DEVIL NOT THE NEW JERSEY ONES, LIKE THE BAD ONE WITH THE FORKED TAIL.... BRIAN GIONTA?

And the Winners Are

by Anne

Some thoughts from the Awards show:

Dear sweet Ovie looked like a kid who got lost on the way to the prom. Did Tuxedo Junction hook him up? There was so much shiny red vest and tie going on, I couldn't handle it. Iggy appears to have gone to the same tailor, but they gave him white with black polka dots or something.

I was pleasantly surprised by how genuine Ovie seemed in his speeches. Genuine but boring. He was annoyingly humble. I wanted him to celebrate the Hart and the Pearson the same way he celebrates his goals. They should've put in some glass for him to throw himself into after his name was announced.

When Ron McLean interviewed Iggy in the audience, it was strange. Not gonna lie. NOT THAT I DON'T ENJOY ALL THE IGGY FACETIME I CAN GET. But it was like everyone was acknowleging that Ovie had already won and they wanted to give Iggy a chance to make his speech he probably hadn't prepared. IGGY!!!!! I STILL LOVE YOU! CALL ME!!

Pavel Datsyuk looks a lot like a kid I went to college with. I've never acknowledged this before on here, but it always throws me off.

As if trying to KILL ME, the man who introduced the Lady Byng decided to write the great American Novel while yammering his way towards the nominee video. Like, for serious, it was like the event organizers wanted people to care even less about the Lady Byng than most already do. I, of course had pinned all my HOPES AND DREAMS ON POMMER'S NAME APPEARING ON THAT TROPHY. But that's ok, Pavel Datsyuk. You're no where near as adorable and lovable as Cap'n Pommers. So PHOOEY ON YOU. POMMERS IS BETTER THAN YOU IN EVERYWAY POSSIBLE. I BET HIS GIRLFRIEND IS WAY HOTTER THAN YOUR GIRLFRIEND! If they gave out an award for the player who most embraces "The System" Pommer would win every year. The award for player who gives the most upbeat post-game interviews when staring into the face of a 7-2 loss? Pommer. The award for the player who most makes me feel like he makes bad things go away and makes rainbows appear after rainstorms? Jason Pominville. The award for the player with the most adorably doofy smile? Pommer. OMG DID YOU ALL SEE HOW UNBELIEVABLY ADORABLE HE LOOKED? I didn't really get a chance to see his lady, but the girl sitting next to him for the approximately 2 seconds we saw her, she looked pretty foxy, so, well done, possibly future Mrs. Pommerdoodle. I'm jealous of your life.

Trophy 2 of 3 that I cared about was the Jack Adams. No one pulled their team out of the basement more than Bruce Boudreau. He was a minor league coach who came in and coached a young, uneven team to a division title. Granted, it was a crappy division, but they were the best of the crappy. Yay Bruce! My mom was excited because he used to coach in Hershey and my mom grew up about 45 minutes from there. It doesn't take much for my mom to find deep, meaningful connections to random people, places and things.

Trophy 3 of 3 was the Calder. I was excited, but I knew Kaner was going to win, so I wasn't as nervous about it. That glorious Buffalo flat "a" vowel accepting an NHL Award did do wonders for my overall health and well-being though. It was a nice touch for him to give a shout-out to Buffalo, especially since he's probably been here since the World Championships ended and he knows that he'll catch slack if he didn't mention us. Yes, we in Buffalo are cracked out like that.

Vinny Lecavalier is one of the most attractive men on earth. What is not attractive is that buzz cut. I know he just had surgery and all, but, really? No. He must be single... or hate his girlfriend. Vinny's hair is one of his top 10 physical attributes, why would you change perfection? No one goes up to the Statue of David and tells him to put on some clothes. On that note, Vinny, I think you should strive to be more like the Statue of David each day. Start by being naked all the time. See how Tampa Bay embraces this habit. You may want to wait until after your hospital wing is dedicated. Being naked in front of a bunch of kids is probably not the way to win anymore King Clancy's. Just sayin'.

---

Private to whoever gave those kids who sat on stage those jerseys:

"Lidstrom" not "Lindstrom".

Wasn't that embarrassing.

You're fired.

Love,
Anne

BWHAT? WEE? HEH? HOO? HOW?!

by Anne



Whoa...



WHOA...



WHOA...


What the bleepity bleep was that?

My thoughts exactly, Sabres.com

I was enjoying some tasty Zebb's food with S(h)ara, Tina and Jess whilst watching the Sabres' game with an awkward 3 second video delay. After the 2nd, I was considering betting it all on the college basketball game on the TV next to me when...what's that? Oh, its 4-2? Ok. Hey, 4-3...Yay! Even if we lose- Yo-yo got #20! I accidentally high-fived a lamp I was so excited. No one else in Zebb's was nearly as pumped as I was. So I'm thinking: hey, we could do this...4-4! 4-5? 4-6! 4-7?!?!!??! After I collected myself off of the floor, I bounded happily home, ready to write about our joyous happenings and discuss the game in depth with S(h)ara on the car ride home.

WA-HOO!!! 6 goals in the 3rd period? On only 10 shots? WHAT? Thanks, Vinny! Thanks, Kari! I bet John Tortorella wishes he'd started Mikey Smith, who has never faced the Sabres.

20 goals in 3 games? Goals # 20 and #21 for Yo-yo? ANOTHER NATURAL HAT TRICK for Britney? Take that, Mogilny! 3 hat tricks for Thomas Vanek and 2 against the Lightning? In the last 3 years we're 11/12 against Tampa? WOOOO!

I'd like to point out that the Roysie, Staffy, Britney line combined on all 3 of Britney's goals. When those boys are good, they are SCARY good.

Poor Paul Ranger, that arm injury looked realllllly painful. If its not BADLY broken, I'll be shocked. It was so rough, I looked away for fear of protruding bone, that's how much pain he appeared to be in.

Caps lost BIG time, 5-0 to the Blackhawks so: Welcome back to 9th place, Sabres fans.

I can't even tell you how happy these games make me. Wow. Just, wow.

I have to rent a limo bus for this smoothie ride. Everyone in!

---

Private to Vincent Lecavalier:

Sorry, Vinny. You scored goals 38 and 39! I'm sorry your team (minus you and Tiny) sucks.

You look really good with the Art Ross Trophy, though!

I'm sorry my South East boyfriend... no hard feelings?

Love,

Anne

---

Dear Anne,

If I were mad, would I post this picture just for you?

Is that better Anne?

Anne?

Oh dear, she's collapsed. I suppose I'll have to finish this post for her....ummm GO BOLTS!

But, yeah, for serious, we really lost bad to your team, Buffalo. You're good.

Love,

Vinny,
Anne's South East Division Boyfriend

There is no hockey to watch tonight, ACK!

by Anne

Here's a question: Does ANY team really HATE the Buffalo Sabres?

I mean, honestly, most teams that we hate don't feel that strongly about us. Apparently, Carolina hates us, according to a broadcast heard by Matt at Life is like a Bowl of Porkchops, but I don't really see why. They eliminated us in 2006.

I think there's some mutual dislike between the Senators and the Sabres post-lockout, but I believe their rivalry with the Leafs is more prevalent for their fans as they're in the same province. Honestly, every team in the League...ok well maybe not every team, but most teams that have been around for almost 40 years, have that 1 rivalry in which they mutually hate each other's guts. I'm thinking the closest one we have this season is the Flyers or the Rangers, but I'd say Flyers and Penguins, once again because they're in the same state and/or province, is a much more heated rivalry. I mean, yes, we're 1 of 3 teams in New York State, but the Islanders, Rangers and Devils are much closer geographically and I think most people forget we're not in Ontario too because HSBC Arena is within spitting distance of Canada. Not that I'd spit on Canada, I like Canada and Canadians, except for that one douche bag who I met on Allen St. a few months ago who called me fat because he thought I was insulting Canada, but I was talking about how the Canadian national anthem is easier to sing than the American.... translation: Clearly, I think Canada should be blown up. That's what he heard anyway. Oh, and except for those morons who go to the outlet mall in Niagara Falls, buy tons of stuff and then leave all their empty packages and discarded tags and wrappings in the parking lot. I don't like those Canadians, but they don't represent you all. Besides, 1/2 our team is Canadian... and Canada has universal health care... and hockey comes from Canada.

I just Googled "I hate the Buffalo Sabres". The closest thing I got to actual hate for the team is 1 Leafs fan was mad about Saturday's game. And someone who posted that they didn't like the Sabres on a Newsies' discussion board in June of 2006. Without the quotation marks, you get 1 Senators fan who doesn't like Sabres fans, but doesn't hate the team. Wow, we're like the Switzerland of the NHL. No one really cares about us. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? I mean, people SHOULD be indifferent about teams like the Nashville Predators or the Columbus Blue Jackets or the Florida Panthers but I thought Buffalo would draw a little more attention being that we were the boss of (almost) everybody last year.

Ok, here we go: "I hate the Sabres" brings us Gus Katsaros who hated the team a year ago because we were so good, and he's a Leafs' fan. Ok, the next several are Heather B. and other frustrated Sabres fans. Yeah, apparently the odd Leafs fan or Senators fan hates us, but that's about it. Who knew we were so palatable by the reast of the League?

I'll close this post with another picture show, because I really like them.

Anne's NHL Divisional Boyfriends

2007-2008 Edition

Enjoy:

Western Conference

Pacific Division

Ryan Getzlaf

I'm sorry, but after finding this photo:



J.S. Giguere is my new Pacific Division boyfriend....I hope his wife is ok with that...

Central Division

Jay McKee (um, duh?)

Northwest Division

Jarome Iginla

There's really no reason for this, I just like the guy. I don't really follow the Flames, but he's the kind of team captain I like: scores goals, gives entertaining interviews, has a great smile and drops the gloves as needed.

Eastern Conference

South East

Ilya Kovalchuk

HA! No, seriously read back to the last post, its Vinny.

Atlantic Dvision

This was a TOUGH call. I cannot lie.

After MUCH debate and deliberation, I hand the Atlantic Division of my heart to:

Pretty Ricky.

North East Division

At first, I thought I'd never be able to choose just one North East Division boyfriend. I mean, do I choose a Sabre, just because it seems right? But how could I choose? Do I give the nod to Chris "Slumpy" Higgins, just because I think he's hot? That's more or less why I gave the nod to Rick DiPietro. That Marc Savard is kind of adorable... Patrick Eaves is now in the South East... It seemed an insurmountable task But, wait! How could I forget? What single man (no, its not Sabretooth) has been there through it all? Hahahahaha, foolish, foolish girl:

Lindy Ruff

Lastly, according to Google Analytics, someone found our blog by searching for:

"cca652debbbaa20c2c5a0d6ce7415e425f42f79360922ac785f39d3e3824647e14919543bdc37e2ae6498eb637a964394bc8cebfd82f30ea7d1804b486db2aa7"

Well, welcome aboard, 1 random person on March 10th.

There's no SabreHockey for 3 whole days?!

by Anne

So, my St. Patty's day was kinda lame. I drank too much and while I had some fun, not nearly as much fun as last year. It's all good. I was feeling the effects all day today though, blagh.

I had to volunteer at something downtown this afternoon so I couldn't watch the Pens game, which is a bummer because it had 2 things that I enjoy:

Cheering for the Penguins

and,

Cheering against the Flyers

Woo! Go Pens Go! I like Sid the Kid, I'm more of an Ovechkin or Malkin girl myself, but I still like Sid. However, howwwwwever, 14 goals in 2 games...neither game played with Sid? I don't want to go into ridiculous theories over here about how Our Lord and Savior messes with his teammates heads or how the Penguins game plan for most games is "Give puck to Crosby, score goals, win." But it is quite telling that they've had their best run of scoring and winning in years all without him. Perchance the Penguins should take a look around and see that, while he's still their best player, maybe, just maybe, they might have a good team, even without him.

I would like to share yet another of those "Well done, NHL.com, well done." moments:

For those who cannot read it, the caption reads "Drew Stafford (photo: Getty Images)"

I will pay you a bazillion dollars if you can find Drew Stafford in this photo. I know they're busy and have lots of photos to sift through, but there's only 1 Sabre in this photo and his back is to the camera. His back, where his name is. Ha.

The Lightning on Wednesday. While it's not crucial that we beat them, its one of those games that's a moral victory. After being royally trounced be the Kings this season, it has become all the more apparent that one must beat teams that are in the dregs of the standings, if for no other reason than its pretty embarrassing if you don't. Although, Tampa has Mike Smith in goal now, along with some other new forwards, but no Brad Richards, so this is a different Tampa Bay Lightning than the team we played earlier in the season. But, still, YOU HAVE TO BEAT THEM. BEAT 'EM GOOD! BOO TAMPA BOO!

Anne, what did you say?

Uh, um, what? Nothing. I would never say anything to offend my South East Division Boyfriend....Ok, I'll admit it, I did say that I wanted your team to lose. But, only because we'll make more good use out of the points than you will. That came out wrong.


Oh. I see.

No! Vinny Don't! I'm sorry, here, I'll make it up to you. I'll post an adorably swoon-worthy series of pictures of you:


Even whilst bleeding, Vinny never loses his intensity


Pratters won that cup with you! I mean, uh, no more Sabres talk. Yay, Vinny!


Vinny and Marty are BFFL (best friends for life), it's their comical height difference that brings them together

On and off the ice:

Vinny explains why he loves me Marty St. Louis. Marty gazes adoringly.


He also plays golf...and rocks a mean tan


Look at that smile, le sigh


I am totally overcome by how adorable this picture is

Ok, Vinny, is that better?


Yes ::sniff:: I'm touched.

I'm glad, Vinny, I'm glad.