Lose One for the Kipper

After Ross Mckeon predicted the Canucks to be the worst team ever this season, I should have figured they'd jump out to a hot start. Still, 6 goals on 23 shots on Mikka Kiprusoff was beyond anyone's wildest dreams. The Flames were without their second best defenseman, Robyn Regehr, and as a result Adam Pardy (???) was third on the team in time on ice. Still, you can't blame this one on a pardy foul (wah wah), Kipper has to get his act together. I appreciate Mike Keenan leaving him in for the whole game, as opposed to last year when he would have been pulled on the second goal. But Kipper needs to face the facts. His stats have been declining for three seasons. He's prone to bad early season starts and not showing up to camp in great shape. He supposedly had worked all that out in the off season. If he's going to prove he's still an elite NHL goalie, now is the time he has to do it, because by the time he puts together another strong end to his season, nobody will care.

Chris Osgood - Either the Maple Leafs offense is way better than expected, or Osgood owners should check and see if Ty Conklin is still available. I'm not convinced that Ozzie has a repeat of last season.

Peter Budaj - 5 goals on 20 shots. How in the hell the Avs' ownership looked at their fans with a straight face and said "It's okay guys, we have Peter Budaj AND Andrew Raycroft in net this season." and didn't get run out of town is beyond me.

Patrice Bergeron - 16 minutes of ice time, 2 A, +1, 5 SOG, 2 PIM. If you got him late in your draft, you can finally exhale. Just don't do it too close to Patrice, for fear that the gust of wind might give him another concussion.

Michael Ryder - I think he's playing on the top line with Savard, although it's hard to tell since almost EVERY forward on Boston had the same amount of ice time last night. But he did score his first goal as a Bruin, assisted by Savard. If he's next to Savard all year, he breaks 40 goals without breaking a sweat.

Milan Hejduk - 1 G, 1 A, +1, 7 SOG. You know how often Hejduk had seven or more SOG last season? Once. "Oh, I wasn't scoring goals because I wasn't SHOOTING?? Huh, go figure."

Nikita Filatov - Scored the game tying goal and then the winning goal in a shootout to finish off an extremely impressive preseason for the Blue Jackets. Was promptly sent down to the minors. If he's not back up on the big league club by the end of the season, I'd be surprised. Keepers, keep your eye on him.

Jonathan Cheechoo - Two goals in the first game of the season. I wanted to grab him late in one of my leagues but didn't get the chance. Should rebound with a nice season.

Randy Jones - May need hip surgery. Unless you're in a deep, deep league, not worth waiting out to see if/when he's put on the IR.

Daniel Alfredsson - Out at least 2 weeks with knee surgery. Remember what I was saying about Jesse Winchester?

Dan Boyle / Rob Blake - Could they combine for more points than Lidstrom & Rafalski?? Well... probably not. But maybe!

Steve Bernier - Forget the goal, the plus 2, and the big upside of him playing next to the Sedins. He fought Dion Phaneuf! Are the Canucks NOT a bunch of pussies this year?? Well I'll be damned!