Star of the Day 9/27/12: Evgeni Malkin

Today's SOTD is Evgeni Malkin. He led his team to a convincing 6-1 Victory today with 1 goal and 2 assists. The fans cheered loudly whenever Malkin touched the puck, and he seems to be very welcome on KHL's Metallurg, his team during the (hopefully temporary) NHL Lockout.

Goal of the Day: Nikolai Zherdev, KHL

In Lieu of the NHL...

This blog was originally created to follow the NHL. However, due to the lockout, in lieu of the NHL, this blog will be following the KHL, AHL, OHL, WHL, and QMJHL instead. I will switch off as I see fit, but MAINLY I will follow the KHL and AHL, as those are the two leagues I prefer. I hope you continue reading!

Playoff Predictions: VERY EARLY!

Here are the predictions for the playoffs if they were to happen with my predicted NHL standings:
WEST
1st ROUND

1. Vancouver
8. Colorado

Vancouver's depth overwhelms young Avalanche team and wins in 5 games.
 Winner: VAN
2. St. Louis
7. Nashville

St. Louis' goaltending and solid Defense stymies the Nashville Predators for the full 7 games.
 Winner: STL

3. San Jose
6. Chicago

Chicago's star power overwhelms San Jose and players like Stalberg and Bickell step up, this series goes 6 games.
Winner: CHI

4. Los Angeles
5. Detroit


The reigning champs and their stunning offense and goaltending outmatch the aging Red Wings in 5 games.
Winner: LA

 2nd ROUND

1. Vancouver
6. Chicago

The home ice advantage is no plus to Vancouver as the Road Warriors take the series in 7 games with the help of superstar Jonathan Toews.
Winner: CHI

2. St. Louis
4. Los Angeles

This goaltending duel between Halak/Elliot and Quick comes to a head in the 7th game, which sees Quick reign supreme.
Winner: LA

3rd ROUND

4. Los Angeles
6. Chicago

In a thrilling 6 game series, Chicago's offense overwhelms Los Angeles and win the series.
Winner: CHI

EAST:
 1st ROUND

1. Pittsburgh
8. Buffalo

Buffalo shows real heart taking the series 6, but Pittsburgh's outstanding star power and offense gets it done.
Winner: PIT

2. Winnipeg
7. Washington

Ovechkin has his way with the regular season surprise Jets, and Washington wins in 7.
Winner: WSH

3. Boston
6. Toronto

Tuuka Rask shows he is playoff ready, and this Original Six matchup goes 5 games as Boston is victorious.
Winner: BOS

4. New York Rangers
5.  Carolina

The much-improved Hurricanes take this series to game 6 with the Staal brothers, but Nash and Company win the series.
 Winner: NYR

2nd ROUND

1. Pittsburgh
7. Washington

In a surprise upset, Ovechkin and Holtby/Neuvirth take center stage and thwart Pittsburgh, winning the series in 7
Winner: WSH

3. Boston
4. New York Rangers

In an Origianl 6 matchup, the solid depth of the New York Rangers will outlast the defense of the Boston Bruins, leading to a 7 game series victory for New York.
Winner: NYR

3rd ROUND

1. Pittsburgh
4. New York Rangers

The New York Rangers will move to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1994 with this surprisingly short 5 game victory over the Penguins.
Winner: NYR

FINALS

6. Chicago
4. New York Rangers

In an epic O6 matchup, New York's supreme goaltending and stellar depth will overcome Chicago's massive amount of starpower in 7 games, leading to their first championship since '94.
STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS: NEW YORK RANGERS

Top 5 Captains in the NHL Today

5. Sidney Crosby: Possibly the most talented on this list, he led his Penguins to their first cup since '92 and became the youngest captain in history to win the Stanley Cup in 2009.
4. Jarome Iginla: One of the best players in the game, he has scored over 500 goals in his career, which has been based entirely in Calgary for the Flames organization, leading his team to the Finals for the first time since 1989.
3. Ryan Callahan: Always willing to go down to block a shot, take, or give a hit, he leads his team by example, and is a great role model in terms of playing style and energy.
2. Shane Doan: Shane Doan is the spark for his team, the Phoenix Coyotes, and he never says die. He has played for the same organization for his entire career. He has led his team to the playoffs (an accomplishment for the Coyotes) multiple times and last year led them to the Western Conference Finals. He always plays hard and is a great leader.
1. Jonathan Toews: "Captain Serious" is the heart and soul of Chicago, especially after leading the before hapless Hawks to the Stanley Cup for the first time in 49 years. He is all business, plays as hard as he can every shift, drops the gloves, scores goals, racks up points, blocks, assists, hits, and is one of the takeaway leaders in the league. He leads by example and will speak up in the lockerroom to get his team riled up. The number one captain in the league today.

Luongo Says Trade to Florida "Makes Sense"

Roberto Luongo, who was recently found skating in the Florida Panthers practice facility (he made sure to leave before Jose Theodore arrived there) was quoted in saying a trade to Florida "makes sense". Is he trying to force a trade to Florida? It is obvious he wants the majority of starts for his club and since he no longer holds the number one job in Vancouver, Florida seems to be a good fit for him. The Florida Panthers already have a history with Luongo, whom they traded to Vancouver years ago.

Landeskog Named Captain

Gabriel Landeskog has been named captain of the Colorado Avalanche, at the age of 19 years, making him the youngest captain in NHL history. This is certainly an interesting move by the Colorado Avalanche, and we will have to see how it plays out next season.