Finally, They Meet Again

As many of you already know, I'm not a big worrier over the NHL schedule, and I wasn't a huge believer in changing it just so Sidney Crosby could visit every city and help their attendance.

In general, staying in the conference is preferable, and from a Toronto point of view, the next time L.A., Dallas, Phoenix or Nashville comes to town doesn't bother me one way or another.

That said, the fact that the Senators and Ducks will meet tonight for the first time since Anaheim crushed Ottawa in last spring's Stanley Cup final makes absolutely no sense.

Maybe they need a schedule that always ensures the two finalists meet again on opening night. Maybe it should be part of Hockey Day in Canada.

But March 4 the following year is just too long, and let's face it, it could easily have been not at all if the Northeast and Pacific divisions didn't happen to be on each other's dance cards this season.

Both teams, interestingly, have 37 wins, but they could not be in more different situations as the season moves into the final five weeks.

The defending champs are rolling in a huge way, having won nine of 10, and are looking very much like the odds-on favourite to win again. Scott Niedermayer and Teemu Selanne are back in form, the Ducks are crashing the crease every shift, they're back to taking lots of penalties for all kinds of nasty stuff and killing 'em all off.

Ottawa, meanwhile, may or may not be back on track after beating Pittsburgh on Saturday. We know for certain they're still allowing too many goals, and giving up three or four tonight against the Ducks will likely be a death sentence. We know the Ducks will try to push them around, and how the Sens respond as a group will say a lot about how they feel about themselves as a team these days.

It's the game I want to watch, but it'll have to be on tape 'cause I'm heading to see Springsteen tonight at Copps Coliseum. If there's any interest, I'll let you know how good of a show The Boss puts on tonight.

Comments

[Jason Robinson]

Enjoy the show tonight, Damien. Think he'll play "Jessie's Girl"?

[Matt]

I've heard some suggest that Ottawa could possibly not make the play offs but some also suggest Toronto will. If you ask me, Ottawa will still be in the playoffs, the real question is "How far they will go?".

Bryan Murry should have really addressed the goaltending situation and dealt one of two at the Trade Deadline. Having a goaltending issue during the playoffs will only be a distraction and will cost them a chance at a repeat and the cup. Stick to one and stand behind him!

[Hockey Fan, therefore by Definition Not a Leaf Fan]

Ottawa will be rolled over by this juggernaut. As much as I hate it, the top 4 in the west are head and shoulders better than the best in the east. Montreal is in San Jose tonight, and that will be likely another schooling by the west over the east. Montreal, in fact, is starting a brutal 6 game stretch. 4 games out west, including San Jose and Anaheim, then back east for Jersey and Ottawa. If Montreal can pull 7-8 points out of the next 6 games, I would be pleasantly surprised.

[Marijan Kalman]

Dear Damien,

in the last two days in this league you had one CLEAR goal for Calgary NOT allowed, intentional head injury to Colorado player, intentional stick hit to jaw of Chicago player, goal allowed to Buffalo after play was stopped, three intentional hits from behind in Oilers game, every pass that offensive player makes is interfered, no penalties called.

Last week Avs player intentionally injures best player in the league, elbow to the head and going after his knees and idiots in the rink pretend that nothing happened!!
REFEREEING IS BEYOND TERRIBLE,IT IS DISGUSTING, and you are writing about Senators.

Look at the number of penalties called after the strike and today

This kind of referring just propels goons and dirtiest teams like Ducks, Flames to be even dirtier.

Funny thing not one of hockey writers said one word about most important thing REFERRING!!

Do you all pretend that this is not issue or in secret hockey world you don't write about real problems?

Marijan

[vhigge]

Rule Number One.
Every Team needs an Every Day Player!
Rule Number Two.
Nothing Starts until the Playoffs Begin!

[Sharkey]

How was Springsteen? That's all I care about lol

[Steve Barnett]

Hey Cox...dont forget your Bic lighter and your rolling papers

[vhigge]

The Honeymoon is Over!!
Yes! Yes! Yes!
New Jersey and Toronto!

"Although It does happen."
-"A Knight's Tale"
"You have been weighed.
You have been meassured.
You have been found wanting"
-"A Knight's Tale"

"Is all within the Writer's Scope.
Well maybe not, Yours!"
-"A Knight's Tale."

Go Leafs Go!!

[Rick Springfield]

The Boss didn't write "Jesse's Girl."
I did!

[Peter]

Leafs better not try for a better position in the draft. Their draft history has been abyssmal. Throw darts at a board Fletch. Porbably will work out better and will not hurt the brain trying to figure out who to pick.

[Ted Logan]

Damion Damion Damion...you have never played a sport in your life have you? Telling pro athletes they should pack it in for 17 old at the draft, who might end up being an Alexandre Daigle for all we know is simple idiotic. So your brilliant wisdom thinks it is good for a guy like Dominic Moore who is a UFA to not try hard and show his skills in an effort to land a contract for next season? You are one foolish man and have no idea when it comes to pro sports. The Leafs (not Toronto media) are playing for Pride and some of them their jobs. Maybe Damion should keep writing articles like this so the Star can replace you with a journalist out of McGill who is supposed to be the next great sports writer.