Valentines' Day is a Time to Celebrate our Love of Rivalries

The NHL has some of the best rivalries in professional sports.  These rivalries  bring out the best in players, fans and teams.  Fans have watched NHL legends star in rivalries which are in the highlight reels for generations to come.     

This tradition of hardcore rivalries lives well and prospers in today's NHL.  From left to right on the dial we have some pretty decent rivalries which keep fans on the edge of their seats.

In Western, Canada you have the Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers which have seen incredible battles.  Luongo and the Nucks can look forward to growing competition to the kiddie brigade in Edmonton.  The young Oilers have some incredible talent which should challenge Vancouver which are perennial Cup contenders.

In the rest of Canada the focus of hockey fans is on two other teams. The Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens are pretty much the center piece rivalry for Canadian hockey fans and the rest of the NHL.  Ever since their Original Six days; these squads have been bashing out some hardcore hockey.  No matter who is ahead of who in the standings; a Leafs versus Habs game is a treat for fans around the league.

American NHL fans tune in to see clashes between the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers as well as games between the Detroit Red Wings and the Chicago Blackhawks.  These four teams lay it down large ad leave the blood , sweat and tears on the rink. 

Other note worthy rivalries include:

Red Wings versus Stars (on tonight)

and

Rangers versus Bruins (on tonight)

So enough about flowers, chocolates, and movies like The Notebook; it's time to dig your teeth into something you can really love. Tune out and tune in to watch some of the best rivalries the NHL has to offer.  Who says hockey isn't about love ?

   

Red Wings Come out on Top vs Stars (Game Recap)

Injuries depleted both teams for this match up as Robidas and Souray were missing from the Dallas defence whilst Helm, Holmstrom and Eaves were missing from the Detroit forward line.

The first big chance of the game fell to Jiri Hudler 5 minutes in but Lehtonen robbed the Detroit forward as he pulled off a big glove save. Hudler somehow not burying the puck as he was wide open on the Dallas doorstep with just the netminder to beat.

Filppula gave Detroit the lead at 8.02. Lidstrom and then White sent in shots wide on Lehtinen which managed to pull the netminder out of position and when the puck bounced

Hudler made it 2-0 with 2.54 left on the 1^st period. Zetterberg miss hit a shot which flew straight into the skates of Hudler and into the net. It was judged a good goal on the ice and the review confirmed that no kicking motion was made.

Erikson cut the lead in half only 50 seconds later. He picked up his own rebound off Howard as the netminder made a save short side and circled back around infront and fired the puck back through traffic and behind Jimmy Howard.

However, Detroit regained their 2 goal lead with a minute left on the period as Zetterberg skated from deep in his own zone, layed a puck off to Filppula on the wing and he sent it across to Hudler who skated infront unchallenged and buried his 2^nd past Lehtonen.

The Zetterberg, Filppula, Hudler line was absolutely on fire through the 1^st period, scoring all 3 goals and running the Dallas defence ragged. If Lehtonen hadn’t been as good as he had been through the period then Detroit could have had a lead of 4 or 5.

It took just over 1 minute of the 2^nd period for Dallas to score their 2^nd of the game as Jamie Benn picked up on a puck that was purposely shot wide by Goligoski and quickly fired it in before Howard could get across.

Corey Emmerton scored at 3.51 to put Detroit back into a 2 goal lead as he fired the puck from behind the goal line into the back of Lehtonen’s skates and into the goal.

With just over 7 minutes gone Michael Ryder made it 4-3 as he fired in a shot from the wing the crept passed Howard on his blocker side.

Franzen then made it 5-3 at 11.46 of the period as Datsyuk stole the puck behind the Dallas net and his quick pass was one timed high into the net by the Swedish forward.

That was to end the scoring in the 2^nd period even though Dallas came extremely close towards the end of the period as the post was struck by Pardy on a shot from the point.

It took 14 minutes of the 3^rd period before the lamp was lit again and it was Ryder with his 2^nd as Dallas yet again closed to within 1 goal. He picked up a puck just inside the Detroit zone and delayed on making a pass before choosing to shoot and send it high glove side past a screened Howard.

With time running out for Dallas to get the game tying goal, Lehtonen was pulled but to no avail as the clock ran down and Detroit took a 5-4 win.

It was a fast and furious opening 2 periods with goals galore. Both netminders conceded where they should have saved but both pulled off great saves as well. There was a distinct lack of penalties called in the game, the only one being 15 seconds into the game on Bertuzzi for Holding The Stick. This meant the game was played even handed throughout and made for a riveting contest.

Another 2 points for Detroit as they moved to only 1 point behind Western leading Chicago.

- Adam Yates

Aki Kaurismäki and the Dallas Stars?

For those of you not aware of Kaurismäki, you might be thinking “Hmm, Finnish SM-Liiga product, likely finesse player, maybe goalie.. did the Stars sign him?”

BZZT. Wrong!

After I watched the game on Saturday, I almost lost my mind. I've been trying to get motivated ever since but it's been rough. There were some brilliant plays but in the end the Stars lost. Not just lost, but lost to the ISLANDERS. That's 2 steps and a bus ride away from losing to a small market AHL squad. So yeah, it's been rough. When I get burnt out or uninspired I tend to watch a film by one of my favorite directors. It seems that the Dallas Stars need a little more direction (bad pun, I know) and a little more Kaurismäki.

Kaurismäki is a world renowned film director known for his deadpan, depictions of working class and everyday Finns, and unexpected warmth in even despair-ridden times. Sound like Dallas lately? For all of the stress we've had to endure during the Raycroft error.. err.. era, there have been bright sides and solid plays. Sure, in the end Dallas is on a rough slide and it's hard to find the shining diamond in the hunk of coal that the latter part of November and the first part of December have been, but it must be done by any real fan.

The injury front is something that can’t be helped and the team as a whole shouldn’t be blamed for that which they cannot control, yet they can play harder to make up for the gaps. It’s obvious at this point (and obvious for several years to anyone who had to endure the ‘national feed’ of Hockey Night in Canada during the dreaded ‘Nothing but Leafs’ era) that Andrew Raycroft is anything but an elite goalie and needs extra help from the defensive pairings.

.Yes, a lot of these pairings are in disarray. Some of the younger guys have a chance to come into the forefront of the public mind though. It could take one single show of brilliance and they could be the next Morrow. They've got to get motivated and think bigger than one game. They've got to stop thinking “We're shorthanded, Kari is out.. nobody expects us to win”.

We do expect you to win, and we know you can do it. With the midseason having came and passed and each win becoming more crucial, it's time to stand behind our team win or lose. Let's grind our teeth and instead of yell obscenities, let's find one good thing to take home with us.

.. and if that doesn't work for you, here's a clip from one of Kaurismäki's most well known franchises in the West, Leningrad Cowboys. We can remember the meteoric rise earlier in the season and know that our favourite Finn will be returning sooner rather than later.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEORJ3_EQ_A&feature=related

- Trenton Ray

Ray Trenton of GetRealHockey Scores an Exclusive Interview with Eric Nystrom of the Dallas Stars

To say the 2011-2012 Dallas Stars season has been a rollercoaster would be the understatement of the year. With ownership changes finally done and a young core building the Stars back into a powerhouse, it's easy to get excited about the future.. something that was frankly scary a year ago. One of the key elements to the on-ice success is the Stars checking line. Eric Nystrom, Vernon Fiddler, and Radek Dvorak have been pressuring opponents up and down the rinks of the National Hockey League.

The son of the NY Islander's 4 time Stanley Cup winner Bob Nystrom, Eric has big shoes to fill. A veteran of the Michigan State Wolverines, Calgary Flames, and Minnesota Wild, Nystrom brings an energy to the Stars locker room that is both welcomed and embraced by his fellow players.

Starting the season with the Minnesota Wild, Nystrom was unexpectedly waived on October 6^th, but quickly picked up by the Stars. With something to prove and a newfound energy, Nystrom has excelled. With 9 points, a positive +/- score, and more hits than I can count, Nystrom's contributions to the team have been immediate.

Recently I sat down with left winger Eric Nystrom who was kind enough to answer a few questions about the success of the NyFidRak line (I know, I need to come up with a better nickname), how he's adjusting to Dallas, and a few other questions including one that may settle an age-old dispute!

1) A lot has been made about the Stars 'youth factor' this season, especially with Glen Gulutzan in charge. Is there a noticeable energy in the locker room/on the ice?

Nystrom: There's definitely a noticeable energy both on the ice and in the room! The coaching staff is very positive and that rubs off on us as players. Everyone has a lot of enthusiasm. It's awesome!!

2) Since coming to the Stars, you've already started out on a career-best season. Any special factors leading up to this? Line chemistry?

Nystrom: My linemates have been awesome. We definitely read well off each other. Also, i have a bit of a chip on my shoulder and I'm super motivated to prove myself!!

3) Speaking of line chemistry, it's not often that a checking line is the talk of the league. Any keys to success? I think it's a blessing in disguise that you were picked up on waivers because you've made an immediate impact. Was there much of an adjustment period from being released to being picked up? Did that motivate you even more to put up the strong numbers you have already posted this season?

Nystrom: Devo (Radek Dvorak, RW) Fids (Vernon Fiddler, C) and I all play a pretty straight line, predictable game. Because of that, we know what's on each others minds and we're not guessing! Plus those guys have great speed on the forecheck which is tough for opposing d to handle. I'm very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to play with these guys. It has definitely made the adjustment really smooth. With us its a lot more than putting up points, theres so many small details we pride ourselves in!

4) Since I'm also participating in Movember I'm curious about this one.. on December 1st, are you going to shave or have you and your teammates grown attached to your staches?

Nystrom: I always have the scruff going. I hate shaving!! I'll prob just trim it up since my beard grows so quick.

5) I know you're sick of getting this one but... having lived in both Calgary and Dallas.. settle the score for us. Alberta beef or Texas beef?

Nystrom: I go grass-fed, so wherever that's comin' from is my choice of beef!!

GetRealHockey.com thanks Eric Nystrom for his time. Nystrom's Movember page can be found at http://us.movember.com/mospace/1503814, and you can keep up with him on Twitter, @enystrom23. I'm also on Twitter, @txhockeyroundup should you want to say hi!

November 26^th, 2011
Trenton Ray

FULL SCHEDULE TONIGHT IN THE NHL - EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

Looks like hockey fans will have a full plate tonight.  There are some amazing games on the slate in the NHL. We think fanes should expect the unexpected. It has been a heck of a roller coaster so far this year in the NHL;  red hot teams have turned cold and expected champions are showing signs of life.  We still like the Capitals for the Cup and we are very impressed with the Oilers.  Everything else is up in the air. Issues and drama are plaguing teams in unexpected and unfavorable ways.   The Luongo saga in Vancouver is keeping the Canucks from exploding higher and Ovechkin on the bench or not (@ critical times) seems to be casting a shadow over the Capitals right now.  

Some of the primo match ups for this evening should be a special treat for hockey junkies. We have the red hot Bruins clashing with the Sabres.  The Maple Leafs are trying to extend their winning streak against the cardiac kids otherwise known as the Ottawa Senators.   The best game tonight should be the Red Wings and Stars.  Many of these games are a toss up but on the premise of putting our asses on the line; we like the Bruins, Leafs and Stars in these match ups.  Buckle down guys and enjoy.  Great hockey is great hockey ; no matter who you support.

NHL Players of the Month for October

The players of the month in October have been named, and not a single one of these players would have been picked as a favorite for the award in the preseason. Phil Kessel, Kari Lehtonen, and Nikolai Khabibulin were all somewhat of underdogs coming into this season. Yet every single one of them, is not only playing at an extremely high level, but playing what is probably the best hockey of their respective careers. Let’s take a look at why each of these players were given the award.

Phil Kessel - Toronto Maple Leafs: 11 GP, 10 Goals, 8 assists, 18 points, +6, 3 GWG

Phil Kessel was voted the month’s #1 star of October, and for good reason! Kessel was essentially unstoppable. He ranked 1^st in the league in goals, points, and game-winning goals for the month. Kessel was not only good, he was flat out dominant. He flat out took over some games, as he had 5 multi-point games (nearly half of his outings). For those of you who think this award was due to a few games, think again as he had points in 9 out of 11 games. His month was just about as consistent as could be. Kessel has been all over the ice so far this season, playing well in all 3 zones. That is nowhere more evident than in his +- for the month, as he posted a very impressive +6 rating. What makes Kessel’s 10 goals in 11 games even more impressive, is the fact that only one of those has come with a man-advantage. Meaning he has created 90% of his goals at even strength, that is the true sign of a dominant player. Kessel has always been a great goal-scorer, but this year we have seen him develop into a true NHL superstar, being able to set up plays for others just as well as creating his own scoring chances. For those of you who think that he will slow down in November, he has played one game in which he had 2 assists and was a +3. He now has 20 points in 12 games and is a +9. He now ranks 1^st in the league in goals, points, gwg’s, and plus/minus. He also is top 5 in the league in assists, and is showing no signs of slowing down!

Kari Lehtonen – Dallas Stars: 9 GP, 8-1-0, 1.75 GAA, .947 save%

Kari Lehtonen was the 2^nd star of the month due to his near perfect start to the season for the Dallas Stars. Lehtonen managed to win 8 of his 9 starts, and is the #1 reason why the Stars are at the top of their division. His wins aren’t the only reason he earned this spot, as his stats were equally as impressive. He posted a 1.75 GAA, and a .947 save%, and with numbers like that clearly gave his team a chance to win every single night. In his 8 wins, he never allowed more than 2 goals, so the wins were in large part due to him. His 1 loss was his only poor performance as he allowed 4 goals, but has been phenomenal in every other start. The Stars are vastly improved this year, considering they ranked dead last in their division last season. With the loss of Brad Richards, many people thought that the Stars would struggle out of the gate; however, they are off to an incredible start due in large part to Lehtonen’s performance. Remember they are 0-2 in the 2 games that he didn’t start!

Nikolai Khabibulin – Edmonton Oilers: 7 GP, 5-0-2, 1.12 GAA, .960 save%

He might be #3 on this list, but in my opinion, he could have equally been ranked #2, or even #1. The only reason he wasn’t ranked ahead of Lehtonen was because he only played in 7 games. But in those 7 games, Khabibulin never lost in regulation, banking at least 1 point for the Oilers in every single game that he started. It’s not just his record that has impressed me so far though; it’s how he has performed in those wins. He has yet to allow more than 2 goals in any game, which is very good after 7 games. But what’s even more impressive is that he has allowed 1 or less goals in 5 out of 7 games, which is just unheard of! For those of you who argue that his GAA is due to Edmonton playing good D, and a lack of shots, you are just flat out wrong. As he has faced 30+ shots in 5 of his games! Edmonton has 16 points in 11 games, and to put that into perspective, this is a team that managed to attain only 62 points all of last season. The Oilers have 25% of the points they had last year in the 1^st month of the season, this is a vastly improved team, and it is in large part due to Khabibulin. Nugent-Hopkins and the rest of the kid-line have been great, but Edmonton is barely scoring over 2 goals a game. So the fact that they have a winning record is due almost solely to the goaltender. And his out of this world .960 save% is reminding us all why he was nicknamed the Bulin-Wall when he won the cup with the Lightning.

That covers the 3 players of the month for October, let’s see if they could keep it up this month.

Grant Robinson (@Thesportsgrind)