The Guru that is Giroux rises!

Concussions are a big story in the league this year. Concussed players range from the all-star Defensemen Kris Letang to the forwards, like Rocket Richard hopeful Milan Michalek.

It almost seems that each team is hit with this epidemic at some point. One such team had the pleasure of losing not only their gritty Captain Chris Pronger but also was welcomed with a concussion to their leading scorer and MVP of the team.

The Flyers have been an injury plagued team all season, the tipping point that would really test this squad was when leading scorer Claude Giroux went down on friendly fire which gave him a concussion.

The scary part about concussions is that the injuries can be unpredictable in terms of how long a player needs to sit out, yet the promising forward only missed 4 games.

Claude returned to play against a physical and aggressive Dallas Stars team, but that did not stop Giroux from wanting to play.

Immediately he was placed back in his role of being the top countermen for the team and he did not skip a beat.

Giroux ended up playing 15:15 minutes of the game, while getting a goal and 3 assists; to solidify his league leading point totals to 43.

Coach Laviolette played the forward in just about all situations as if he was never injured.

This game not only continued the Flyers winning streak but also is a confidence boost to a team that keeps getting hammered with injuries.

Giroux's return now makes this already dangerous team, even stronger as the season progresses.

- Justin Stefani

Kris Letang, He's a Kick in the Glass

Every team in the NHL should have that one defender that you can rely on in all situations. The Pittsburgh Penguins drafted one such defenseman in the 2005 entry draft.

Kris is a Canadian born player, raised in Montreal, Quebec. He played in the Junior Quebec league, in QMJHL and the World Junior games, winning back to back gold medals for Canada. He also won quite a few awards in Juniors, best defenseman, best defensive defenseman and the best personality, all in 2007.

Letang was drafted in the 3^rd round 62^nd overall, this was the same draft that the penguins won the lottery and took Sidney Crosby 1^st overall. Being a rare right handed defenseman was just what the Penguins needed to finish their rebuild and help the new core of players.

Letang played his first game in 2006-2007 leagues and only played 7 games before being sent back to juniors and then the AHL. Pittsburgh was a bit patient with Kris before giving him a full season, this was to let him mature and blossom into the all around defenseman he is today. Yet they did recall him when needed and when he just made a mockery of the AHL with his play.

Over time the Penguins gradually moved him up the line up and was given more and more responsibilities…especially with Ryan Whitney being traded and Gonchar leaving, this made way for Letang to be the blue line quarterback. In his 2^nd full season he helped lead the way for Pittsburgh to win the Stanley Cup.

This young defender can play 33 minutes a night and look like he can play another 33… on average he can play upwards of 25 minutes a night, depending on his opponents. This iron man can play in all situations, literally, and the Penguins do use him every where; from playing shut down to being the break out player for an offensive spark on 5 on 5, he is the Pens quarterback for the power play and their shorthanded unit first line. Lets not forget he can even score in the shoot out and is usually part of the first 3 to shoot for Pittsburgh.

Letang is one of those players that can make his forwards better, and playing half the year without Malkin and Crosby, we were able to see what kind of defenseman he has become, by helping lead his team into the second round Now with Malkin back and Crosby returning this season there is so much potential for this 24 year old to have a huge offensive year. My prediction for Kris and his long locks: 60 points and staying over +10 all year.

Kris Letang is a big part of the Penguins Core of Malkin, Crosby, Staal, and Marc Andre Fleury, and all being 26 years old or younger, the fans will have team to cheer every night for a long time!

Justin Stefani

San Jose Sharks - Quick Glimpse of the 3-0 Road Trip

Every season, a team can go on a streak, either for winning or for losing…the sharks hit a small one at the beginning. For having such a talented team like San Jose, it does not sit well for fans as the Sharks enter a road trip going 1-3-0 anchored at the bottom of the division. But road trips can give surprising results, as the San Jose Sharks are now 4-3-0, on a 3 game winning streak, its seems a little trip was just what the team needed to jump start what was called a struggling offense.

Before the road trip had started the Sharks had faced the ducks, twice, and the St. Louis Blues. Each a different goalie that decided to “stand on their head” as the Sharks peppered each goaltender with more than 30 shots each, taking 3 losses in that span.

Now it seems the Sharks have conquered the so called “hot goaltender curse” and have been loving to play against the “big name” goaltenders, as they have beaten out All Stars such as Tim Thomas and Pekka Rinne!

In their first game against the Devils the Sharks were being shut out 2-0 by their goaltending replacement in Johan Hedberg. Big Joe Thornton decided to show why he is has been playing in 1000 games, as he scored the first goal for the Sharks.  Then the goal scoring machine “jump started,” as clutch goals were scored by Ryane Clowe with 4 minutes left in the 3^rd to bring the Sharks closer to tying the 3-2 game. This is when Joe Pavelski, with 33 seconds left in regulation, decided  to show why he such an important piece to the top 6 by scoring the game tying 3^rd goal and bringing the game to the shootout where Michal Handzus and Ryane Clowe sealed the game with shoot out goals, ultimately winning the game 4-3.

After a clutch game against the Devils, one would think San Jose would be ecstatic but a little tired as they faced the defending Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins. Yet the Sharks controlled the pace for the first 2 periods holding the Bruins to 0 goals and having Joe Pavelski score the first goal and Logan Couture scoring the second (his first). In the 3^rd period, Milan Lucic capitalized on defensive lapses by Dan Boyle and Douglas Murray to score one passed Niemi to make 2-1. The scoring did no end there; in less than a minute the Bruins scored again as Tyler Seguin caught a pass from Lucic and beat Niemi to tie up the game at 2-2. Thomas was holding down his fort as the Sharks tried to put more pressure back on in 3^rd period and finally Massachusetts Native Benn Ferriero scored off of a nice rebound to score the game winning goal. In the end the Sharks would win 4-2, scoring another as Patrick Marleau scored his first of the year on an empty net.

The Sharks were given a day off to rest before facing the Predators and everything seemed great as they sat on a 2 game win streak. The offense was working, Niemi is playing great, the defense was doing well…all great for the Sharks and their fans. The bad news hit when Nashville announced they would have Mike Fisher back and Francis Boullion. Mike Fisher is an excellent 2 way player and an expert on faceoffs while Boullion is a good strong Defenseman who is returning from a concussion. This game was going to be emotional for the Preds.

Last year each game was won by a 1 goal margin. This game was going to be a hard fought defensive grind it out type of game, which is the Predator style. In the beginning the pairing of Shea Weber and Ryan Suter were sent out, shutting down the Sharks top line. It was not until a penalty against Justin Braun, where a goal was finally scored. Logan Couture caught a nifty pass from Marty Havlat, who is on a point per game pace, and scored short handed! There were puck battles and hits but no goals were scored again until the 3^rd period. The Predators had a weak power play, but this did not stop the youngster, Craig Smith, from scoring on it. The game was tied 1-1 and Joe Pavelski again decided he would be the Sharks go to guy and scored the next 2 goals to win the game 3-1 and with assists from Thornton on both goals. Big Joe now joined an elite class with 700 career assists!

There are ups and downs in a season. Thankfully the Sharks are on the upside for this road trip with a 3 game win streak. San Jose’s next game is against Detroit, who is itching to get back at the Sharks for bouncing them from the play offs 2 years in a row.

This will be a game to watch!

-Justin Stefani

Matt Read is One to Watch for the Philadelphia Flyers

When teams sign an undrafted player, it usually is just an experiment for the young player and put him into the farm team.  Yet there have been many instances in the history of the NHL where undrafted players reach elite status, examples being: Peter Statsny, Dino Ciccarelli, Ed Belfour; there are even recent undrafted All Stars like Martin St. Louis or Dan Boyle. All that to say, on March 24, 2011 the Philadelphia Flyers signed a young 24 year old undrafted college hockey player by the name of Matt Read.

Read’s great play and defense first mentality got him a 3 year one way contract in Philadelphia. This signing was a steal for the Flyers, as Matt had put up good numbers in college and is a great 2 way forward. He put up almost a point per game numbers in during his college hockey days.  He is a versatile center/winger and even though he is considered a “rookie” this season, at age 25 he is a big complete player. Many people thought this rookie would not even make it out of training camp, yet his play silenced his critics and earned him a spot on the 3^rd line. Coach Peter Laviolette trusts Read and is wiling to throw him out there in a lot of tough situations this season. He, like his rookie line mate Sean Courtier, can play in all conditions: killing penalties, power play, 3^rd line duties at even strength. Besides the 3^rd line duties, it looks as though Read had filled holes that were left when ex Captain Mike Richards left.

The potential for this young Flyer is only going up! It has only been 5 games into the season and he is killing it out there with 6 points (2G, 4A), he is also playing with a +4. His game against Ottawa really show cased some talent, as he put up 4 of his 6 points, 1 goal and 3 assists. He probably will not be able to keep this pace going, but Philadelphia must love that they have a capable rookie putting up a little more than a point per game numbers in the beginning of the season.

-Justin Stefani

Follow on Twitter: @Jutt89

Little Joe, Big Impact - The Sharks Love this Guy

For years, the San Jose Sharks were a team meant to contend for the Stanley Cup. General Manager Doug Wilson created a core for the Sharks by making blockbuster trades for stars, or signing the right role players to the team; yet the draft also has a hand in helping this team be so great, and its the late round gem being highlighted today.

Joe Pavelski is an American born hockey player. He was raised in Wisconsin and even played college hockey for the University of Wisconsin where he helped the team win the 2006 championship. Little Joe was drafted in 2003 by the Sharks in the 7th round, going 205th overall. For being such a late pick he has made his impact on the Sharks.

Joe is one of those players that can play all roles: Power Play, Short Handed and 5v5. He has played center for most of his career with the Sharks, bouncing around from 3rd line duties to 2nd line center, now as the right wing for the top line. His hockey awareness on the ice really separates himself from the average player, he may not be the fastest skater out there but he seems to know where to be to block a passing lane or catch a pass from an opposing player. Another plus to this guy: he is also one of the Sharks Shoot out specialists.

Pavelski played his first game for the Sharks in 2006 and scored his first goal as well. He made quite an impact for his first stint with 14 goals and 14 assists in 46 games. In the 2007-2008 season he played all 82 games, scoring 19 goals and 21 assists; increasing 12 points from his previous year; the year after he increased to 59 points. The last 2 seasons Little Joe did not play the full 82 games; in 2009-2010 he was limited to just 67 games but still put up decent numbers, scoring 51 points (25 goals and 26 assists). Yet in 74 games of the 2010-2011 season he scored 66 points, increasing his number again. (this was while he played as a 3rd line center for part of season as well).

The real value of Pavelski is not just that he can put up decent numbers in the regular season; he is a legend in San Jose as being a playoff hero. Around San Jose he has been called "captain clutch" for his timely goals or you will hear the name “the Big Pavelski for scoring the game winning goals and being the kick to start the Sharks offense. He is a player that you can trust throughout the playoffs for a sometimes inconsistent Sharks team.

This Season Coach Todd McClellan decided to move the natural center to play right wing along side of the Captain Joe Thornton and left wing speedster, also center, Patrick Marleau. This line has it all; puck control, hockey awareness, defensively responsible, and bonus each can take face offs!

Each year, after 06-07 season, he has played he has taken over 200 shots and now that he has premier play-maker Big Joe Thornton passing the puck he has the potential to score upwards his career high of 25 goals. This young winger is entering his prime years and now playing top line minutes he can flourish and really show fans and viewers what he is made of. 

My prediction for Little Joe: Another 60-70 points is in store for him, especially with his new line mates.

- Justin Stefani

Sharks feeling Blue

After their first game of the season and waiting a week to play, the Sharks lose 1-0 to their division rival Anaheim Ducks Friday night... After the game the Sharks on the plane headed home, now eager to play their 3rd game in hopes to getting back on a winning note.

Visiting the HP Pavillion were the St Louis Blues. The Blues are full of great potential, led by the big captain David Backes.
 

Last season the Sharks went 3-1 against the Blues and hoped to keep a winning record against them again this season. Instead it was the Sharks singing the blues tonight as St. Louis won 4-2.
 

The first goal started out with a "cough up" turnover (aka bad pass) intended for Logan Couture but instead got to the stick of Matt D'Agostini, which then beat Griess for the first goal of the game. It was not until a power play at the end of the period where Michal Handzus chipped in a power play goal to tie up.

Brent Burns would then fire a cannon of a shot that beat Brian Elliot and end up being the lone goal of the Second Period. [P.S.]The flex of his stick was ridiculous!

The 3rd period ended up being all St. Louis goals (3), 1 by former shark Kent Huskins to tie it up, then Alex Steen with the Game winner…and to put the nail in the coffin, Captain Backes scores the empty netter to make it 4-2.

Also to add to the pain…Brian Elliot decided to play a brilliant game against the Sharks and make phenomenal stops tonight.

Now this is not to say the Sharks played all bad tonight, because there were very good shifts and some very bad shifts.

The first line of Marleau - Thornton - Pavelski had great zone time but could not finish, and each would finish -1 tonight.
 

The Sharks also dominated in the faceoff circle tonight which is a another plus to a bad game, as well as the physical play started to go in the Sharks favor as they were out matched in the first period.

Over all this weekend was not the best for the San Jose Sharks, but this should not cause any doubt about the talent this team has...
 

If anything this should end up making the Sharks desire to bounce back even more…which leads us to Monday's rematch against the Anaheim Ducks. Arch Rivals? Sharks wanting revenge after a horrible weekend? Yeah, I would tune into Mondays tilt  

 -Justin Stefani