The Chicago Blackhawks are fortunate that they started off the 2011-12 season so strong, otherwise they would be in a lot worse shape than 65 points and the sixth spot in the Western Conference standings.
The Hawks are winless in nine straight (0-8-1), including seven in a row on the road. Things won’t get any easier for the club as they head into Thursday’s showdown at the Garden against the No. 1 team in the league, the New York Rangers.
However, despite the Hawks’ recent woes, the team is trying to remain positive.
With the 48 points and the best record in the NHL, the Chicago Blackhawks can afford to have a little fun.
And what better way to have some fun than by showing their holiday spirit with an over-top-top sing-along Christmas album?
There are too many classic hits on this album to list here, but my personal favorite is Frolik Navidad.
The only disappointing aspect of this spoof is that there really is no where to purchase the album. But you can guarantee that all of these guys will have successful careers after their hockey days are over.
Of the four men who were inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame Monday night, there is one common theme that ran consistently throughout each of their careers: perseverance.
Yes, Ed Belfour, Doug Gilmour, Joe Nieuwendyk and Mark Howe were all NHL superstars in their time, but each of them had their own hills to climb in order to one day be immortalized in that wonderful building in Downtown Toronto.
Belfour, who was often considered eccentric—even for a goaltender—went undrafted after playing collegiate hockey for the University of North Dakota. He then would have to cut his teeth in the IHL before finally being given the chance to start for the Chicago Blackhawks.
New York Rangers head coach John Tortorella would probably just call it a coincidence if you brought it to his attention, but the facts are the facts: The Rangers have been undefeated since they re-called Sean Avery back on Oct. 31.
Since then, the Rangers have been the hottest team in the NHL, having won six straight games over nearly a two-week span in which they have outscored their opponents 23-9.
Yeah, it’s true that Avery’s presence and the Rangers’ winning ways probably is a coincidence, but for a guy who was deemed not good enough to be on the roster before the season, he sure has been making a case for a spot on the team now.
After winning their first Stanley Cup in 49 years at the conclusion of the 2009-10 season, the Chicago Blackhawks showed during the 2010-11 regular season that they weren’t the same dominant team from the year prior. In fact, the Blackhawks nearly missed the postseason—they needed Dallas to lose on the final day of the season just to back into the eighth seed in the Western Conference.
It was then that the Blackhawks lost three straight games to the Vancouver Canucks in the opening round, only to rally and win three straight to force a Game 7 before losing in the final game of the series in overtime.
On Tuesday, Eddie the Eagle Belfour was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, joining Doug Gilmour, Mark Howe and Joe Nieuwendyk as the newest class of inductees.
The two-time Vezina Trophy winner as the league’s top goalie posted 484 wins (third all time on the NHL career list) and 76 shutouts during a 17-year career during which he played for Chicago, San Jose, Dallas, Toronto and Florida.
With the Philadelphia Flyers signing of Ilya Bryzgalov to a huge nine-year, $51 million contract, it’s important to keep in mind that there are still plenty of talented goaltenders available on the free-agent market. Here are the top five.
1. Tomas Vokoun
It’s no secret that Vokoun wants out of Florida. The 35-year-old netminder is nearing the end of his career and he seems pretty hellbent on only playing for a contender. He has already been offered a deal from Avangard Omsk of the KHL over in Russia, so unless a Cup contender comes to the table (ahem, the Washington Capitals), we may have seen the last of Vokoun in the NHL.
I am happy to announce a new promotion here at Hockey Tickets Online. Beginning in October 2011, we will giving away way two tickets each month to a regular season NHL game.
To enter, simply leave your name and email address below. Once you are entered into the contest, your will be eligible to win tickets every month.
Congratulations to Eric who is our October ticket winner. Eric gets two tickets to the Panthers v Penguins game in November.
2011 didn’t pan out the way Marty Turco or the Chicago Blackhawks had hoped. The Hawks were hoping that the veteran netminder would be able to help them repeat as Stanley Cup champions, but the 35-year-old netminder struggled early on in the season and the Blackhawks ended up getting eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
But Turco’s disappointing season gave way to rookie Corey Crawford, who ended up taking over the No.1 role midway through the season. Crawford’s play turned a lot of heads and now the Hawks are rewording him with a new contract. The 26-year-old signed a three-year contract worth $8 million.
Wednesday, April 13 at Washington, 7:30 p.m. TSN, VERSUS (JIP)
Friday, April 15 at Washington, 7:30 p.m. TSN, VERSUS
Sunday, April 17 at New York, 3:00 p.m. NBC (HD), TSN
Wednesday, April 20 at New York, 7:00 p.m. TSN, VERSUS
*Saturday, April 23 at Washington, 3:00 p.m. TSN, NBC (HD)
*Monday, April 25 at New York, TBD TSN
*Wednesday, April 27 at Washington, TBD TSN
The Chicago Blackhawks are fortunate that they started off the 2011-12 season so strong, otherwise they would be in a lot worse shape than 65 points and the sixth spot in the Western Conference standings.
