Blackhawks Look to Spook Stars

Josh Vance — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 07:39:09 -0400

The Chicago Blackhawks (3-3-3) will play host to the Dallas Stars (4-4-2) on this All Hallows Eve at the United Center.

The Stars are seeking their third win in four games, but are going to have to overcome a few demons to get there. Former Roger Crozier Saving Grace award winner Marty Turco has had a less than stellar start to the season, posting an uncharacteristic 3-4-2 record, 4.26 goals against average, and a save percentage of .842.

Turco will have to rely on the help of rejuvenated assistant captain Mike Modano, who has found his stride, tallying four goals and six assists in ten games. Perhaps an even bigger relief to the struggling Turco was the sight of veteran defenseman Sergei Zubov, who returned to practice this week after missing the start of the season with hip surgery.

The Stars are going to need all the inspiration they can get to help them get the puck past the Bulin Wall. Khabibulin continues to make impressive arguments as to why he should be the No. 1 in Chicago, with a 2-1-2 record, 2.53 goals against average, .919 save percentage, and one shutout.

The news doesn’t get any better for the Stars as they look around the Hawks' lineup. Patrick Sharp has seemingly found the Midas Touch with his career-best start to a season coming in the form of six goals and six assists. Martin Havlat is defying naysayers with three goals and six assists, and Calder Trophy winner Patrick Kane is continuing where he left off with five goals and four assists on the season so far.

The only one left out of the scoring is new captain Jonathan Toews, who has only managed five assists on the season; but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Toews has found himself in the brink of a dominating year from the first drop of the puck. He nearly duplicated his Goal-of-the-Year-nominated undressing of the Avalanche from last year when he skated through all five Canuck players and nearly tucked one home through Luongo’s five-hole on October 19.

Even NHL odds-makers are catching Hawk-Fever, as they heavily favor the Hawks to skate away with the W tonight. That is something Hawk faithful should take comfort in since the Hawks are 8-2 in their last 10 contests when favored by the powers-that-be.

My Prediction

With the Blackhawks coming off nearly a week's rest, I expect the Stars to jump out to an early 1-0 lead in the first period. From there, the rust will start to fall off and the Hawks will come alive. Expect Toews to break his goal drought, getting an assist from Havlat. Expect Sharp to continue his brilliance as he and linemate Kane will come away with a point as well.

Hawks defeat Stars 5-2.

Sources for the article include:

NHL.com

Chicago Blackhawks Official Website

Dallas Stars Official Website

Yahoo! Sports

WashingtonPost.com

GoaliePost.com

The Teemu Selanne Conundrum

Josh Vance — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:15:41 -0400

It's hard to believe that less than a month into the season Teemu Selanne is only owned by just over 60 percent of fantasy teams. Teemu, now 38 years old, broke into the league during the '92-'93, season setting rookie records for goals and points as well as tying Alexander Mogilny for most goals in the NHL by a European born player.

Since rejoining the Ducks in 2005, Selanne has played in 199 games racking up 106 goals, 108 assists, and 214 points with a +19 rating, 136 PIMs, and solid power play numbers.

Over the past two seasons Selanne has set franchise records for the Ducks in career points, career goals, career power-play goals, single-season power-play goals, and playoff points.

Despite these recent accomplishments, Selanne has found himself labeled as "dispensable" in the minds of fantasy owners with his, and the Ducks', slow start. But that is about to change.

Selanne showed flashes of brilliance as he nearly single-handedly dismantled the Detroit Red Wings with three goals on four shots as the Ducks went on to win 5-4 in OT. Teemu has put up five goals and one assist over the past week, bringing his season total (over 11 games) to six goals with one assist.

A quick glance at the message boards in various fantasy leagues shows a flurry of anticipation and regret with topics like "Selanne HELP!!!!" and "Teemu, I told you so."

Advice: While one solid game doesn't mean everything, it does show Selanne looks to be returning to his old self again. Expect there to be a rush to the waiver/free agent market as managers check their collective rosters and see the night's events.

Bleacher Report - Articles by Josh Vance

Blackhawks Look to Spook Stars

The Teemu Selanne Conundrum