Ritter's Rant: News And Notes from Around the NHL

Given the severity of the hit on Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook I completely understand why he is pissed off at Anaheim Ducks defenseman (and his friend) James Wisnewski.

That said, it is a long know fact that once the puck drops there are no friends on the ice, always has and always will be that way. I suspect once Seabrook has time to reflect on this that he will realize that Wisnewski was merely doing his job, albeit in a dangerous and gutless fashion.

Seabrook can be mad at James Wisnewski the hockey player, but if they are really as tight as they suggest they are, then Seabrook can’t be mad at Wisnewski as a friend, can he?

For the record, Seabrook practiced yesterday and feels ready to go as soon as the Hawks medical staff gives him the green light.

Comparatively, Boston Bruins forward Marc Savard is still out of the lineup recovery from a vicious hit from Pittsburgh Penguins forward Matt Cooke and is not expected back anytime soon. The NHL handed out an eight game suspension for Wisnewski’s hit on Seabrook, Matt Cooke (the player that leveled Savard) received no discipline at all. Tell me again how this is fair?

It’s always good to be a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, at least in the month of March. The Leafs boast a very healthy 6-3-1 record in their past ten games and have knocked off the likes of the Boston Bruins, New Jersey Devils and the Ottawa Senators along the way.

It’s no coincidence that once the “pressure” is off the Leafs they seem to find their way. Don’t get caught up in the Leafs recent success, unless Burke can find a way to get Phil Kessel a No. 1 center and shore up the Leafs defensive play next season will be another tough year.

The Leafs are not as good as they appear to be right now, that said, they are not as bad as their 25-34-12 record would suggest either.

With approximately a dozen games left in the NHL season it’s a little premature to do this, but here’s a look at the match ups for the first round of the playoffs should things stay status quo.

Eastern Conference:

Washington Capitals Vs. Boston Bruins
Pittsburgh Penguins Vs. Montreal Canadiens
Buffalo Sabres Vs. Ottawa Senators
New Jersey Devils Vs. Philadelphia Flyers


Western Conference:

Chicago Blackhawks Vs. Detroit Red Wings
San Jose Sharks Vs. Nashville Predators
Vancouver Canucks Vs. Los Angeles Kings
Phoenix Coyotes Vs. Colorado Avalanche

Out of those eight series I suspect New Jersey/Philly would be a good series as would Vancouver/Los Angeles. The most intriguing series would likely be Colorado/Phoenix—two teams that many suspected would be amongst the bottom feeders of the NHL.

Alexander Ovechkin will return form his two game suspension tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightning. I think it’s safe to say that Ovechkin will have leaned nothing from his two game vacation, so don’t look for him to change his game one iota.

The game of the night has to be the Phoenix Coyotes versus the Chicago Blackhawks. For the Coyotes it is another opportunity to show all the doubters that they, in fact, are a legitimate Stanley Cup threat by knocking off the top ranked Hawks.

For the record, the Coyotes are 2-0 versus the Hawks this season and given the Hawks injury woes that trend may continue.

Since being traded from the Phoenix Coyotes Colorado Avalanche forward Peter Mueller has registered four goals and seven assists. Comparatively, Wojtek Wolski (the player that went the other way in the deal) has registered two goals and three assists.

It’s not as if Wolski has played poorly in Phoenix, in fact he’s played well. That said, Mueller seems to have found his way again in Colorado, which, in the long run, may prove to tilt the trade in Colorado’s favor. Kudo’s to the Avalanche for taking a chance on Mueller when other teams wouldn’t.

To read more NHL news and notes please visit my website at www.theslapshot.com

Until next time,

Peace!