Some Interesting Notes

After having watched that Barney Rubble Hairpieces-Ottawa Senators game last night, I am thoroughly impressed with Ray Emery. I knew he was a decent goalie, and probably worth more money that what he's currently making, but who knew he was the team's second-best enforcer behind Brian McGrattan? I was, however, disappointed that Emery wasn't able to prove that he can beat the Hairpieces. He did show Martin Biron how to throw fists, and then took on the bigger Andrew Peters. Ray Emery did have 72 PIM with the Binghamton Senators in 2003-04, so it's not like he doesn't know about taking penalties. Heck, he just served a three-game suspension for his slash to the face on Maxim Lapierre. All I know is that this game was entertaining. The video below shows all the fun.

On to some more interesting notes:

- Never before in the history of the NHL have the two teams that competed in the Stanley Cup Finals the year before both missed the playoffs. Edmonton is seven points behind 8th-place Calgary right now, while Carolina is sitting in 8th place in the Eastern Conference.

- The last time the Stanley Cup Champion missed the playoffs the following year was in 1996 when the New Jersey Devils failed to qualify for the playoffs. If the Hurricanes miss this year, they'll only be the second team in the NHL's history to accomplish this feat.

- The lowest-scoring team in the playoffs right now is the Vancouver Canucks. They've scored just 163 goals in 61 games. Ironically, they are the 3rd seed in the West because they lead the Northwest Division in points. The next lowest-scoring team? The 2nd seed in the East, the New Jersey Devils, who have scored 165 goals in 61 games, and lead the Atlantic Division.

- The Nashville Predators are 1-1-1 since acquiring Peter Forsberg, including a shootout loss last night to the Montreal Canadiens. Forsberg has zero points since the trade as well. And after last night's shootout debacle by Forsberg, I am officially stating that Nashville will be the 4th seed in the Western Conference. You heard it here, folks.

- Todd Bertuzzi will not be traded for two reasons: a) he hasn't played; and b) no one wants to give up a first-round pick and a blue-chip prospect for a guy who has more rust on him than a car in a scrap heap. He wasn't very good before back surgery, and he'll surely be worse now.

- Anson Carter has been dealt to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for a fifth-round pick in 2008. Honestly, if Detroit was serious about getting a solid scoring winger, why wait on Bill Guerin when Carter is a solid checker and a reliable scorer? My notes on Carolina missing the playoffs above may now be void if Carter can mesh into their system quickly.

- Lastly, the Senators and the Hairpieces clash again on Saturday. I expect McGrattan to be in the lineup for this game, even if it means that a more-skilled forward has to sit. I feel this game will be a playoff-style game, too. Expect lots of hitting, a few fights, and some goals. Hockey Night in Canada should move the Leafs off the national broadcast, and show this tilt instead.

That's all for now! Keep your sticks on the ice!