Congrats, JJ…ya bastard.

Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 10/16/09 at 10:44 AM ET

Rafalski?  On a short handed goal?  When the F does a defenseman get a shortie?

Clearly the Fix is in.

Posted by RWBill from the Land of 12 in 12. on 10/16/09 at 10:52 AM ET

Brian Rafalski.  Seriously. 

From the bushes outside of his house, I overheard J.J. correctly guess that Ovechkin would have 13 shots on goal last night.  He’s absolutely on fire right now.

Posted by Triple Deke Tyler from Lansing on 10/16/09 at 10:53 AM ET

If it helps, I was picturing Rafalski doing it on a screened wrist shot from the point while the Wings were on a power play.  I also guessed that Franzen and Datsyuk would be on the ice.

Then again, my second guess was Osgood with an empty netter with the Wings down two men.  Maybe lady luck just split the difference?

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 10/16/09 at 11:00 AM ET

I was extremely disheartened to read the opening page of the live blog last night. It was full of panic-laden spamming and wild predictions.  I couldn’t believe I was reading A2Y!

ChristPuncher, it’s only the 6th game of the season, and we’re 3-1 in North America.  All of you who were rambling in a panic infested stew on the first page of the LB last night need to get a grip and put some confidence in The Franchise.  All of your fears should have been allayed in the first period anyhoo.

Posted by RWBill from the Land of 12 in 12. on 10/16/09 at 11:02 AM ET

From the bushes outside of his house, I overheard J.J. correctly guess that Ovechkin would have 13 shots on goal last night.  He’s absolutely on fire right now.
Posted by Triple Deke Tyler from Lansing on 10/16/09 at 11:53 AM ET

Yeah, but then I heard him tell Keith Jones that Heatley would score 70 goals this year.  Congrats JJ.

Posted by calquake on 10/16/09 at 11:04 AM ET

*thump*

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 10/16/09 at 11:09 AM ET

From the bushes outside of his house, I overheard J.J.
Posted by Triple Deke Tyler from Lansing on 10/16/09 at 11:53 AM ET

Welcome aboard, Tyler.  Will you be wanting to borrow these?

Posted by RWBill from the Land of 12 in 12. on 10/16/09 at 11:22 AM ET

It wasn’t a shorty because Raffi was the guy in the box, he had just come out which is why he was down ice wide open for the breakaway.

Posted by John W. from a bubble wrap cocoon on 10/16/09 at 12:03 PM ET

Is there a way to check a person’s career empty netters?  I wanted to see if this was Rafi’s first.

Posted by Triple Deke Tyler from Lansing on 10/16/09 at 12:09 PM ET

Damn, I really wanted those (plane) tickets.

On other news, I’m relieved by yesterday’s win, because:

1-Ozzie played well
2-PK was 5/5
3-Back at .500
4-It gave me reasons to think that, when I finally gather some money, I’ll be able to go to the US and see a good Red Wings game, instead of the Sabres-game-joke.

In non-related news, my family and college guys thought I was making up the Balloon Boy story.

Posted by Guilherme from Brazsil on 10/16/09 at 12:10 PM ET

I was extremely disheartened to read the opening page of the live blog last night. It was full of panic-laden spamming and wild predictions.  I couldn’t believe I was reading A2Y!

I’m confused. Was there ever a time when we weren’t knee-jerk, “the sky is falling” reactionaries? It’s like we never talk anymore RWB.

Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 10/16/09 at 12:24 PM ET

Rafalski?  On a short handed goal?  When the F does a defenseman get a shortie?
Clearly the Fix is in

Bill, I don’t know what NHL.com or ESPN are saying about the goal, but it could not have been a shorty because Rafi was the player that was in the box. He scored the goal after the penalty expired.

Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from Warm and sunny SoCal on 10/16/09 at 12:39 PM ET

All of your fears should have been allayed in the first period anyhoo.

  Good one Bill. I missed the 1st last night, but after reading the comments and asking the 19 how bad it was, I began drinking heavily.

Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from Warm and sunny SoCal on 10/16/09 at 12:41 PM ET

JJ, congrats.
But, honestly, did you really think Raffi would come through, or was your pick just SWAG?

Man, a defensemen with a short-handed goal for the win ...

/shakes head in disbelief/

Posted by stonehands-78 from the beginning ... a WingsFan, on 10/16/09 at 01:02 PM ET

Congrats JJ

Dive on Saturday Night at the JLA.

You know a rivalry is non-existent when you don’t know who their coach is, and can’t even name 3 guys on their roster. 

Ahh, for the good old days of pure hatred.

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 10/16/09 at 01:08 PM ET

Man, a defensemen with an empty net goal for the JJ win ...
Posted by stonehands-78 from the beginning ... a WingsFan; on 10/16/09 at 02:02 PM ET

fixed

/still shaking head in disbelief/

Posted by stonehands-78 from the beginning ... a WingsFan, on 10/16/09 at 01:11 PM ET

Speaking of the ‘Dique, Khan(!) has updates from practice:

Pavel Datsyuk (upper-body injury) skated and reported improvement, but coach Mike Babcock said he will not play Saturday against Colorado. . .

Chris Osgood will start in goal vs. the Avalanche. . .

Babcock said Brad Maywill return to the lineup Saturday. He hadn’t decided who will sit out, but it won’t be Kris Draper or Kirk Maltby, as Babcock indicated that line, along with Tomas Holmstrom, will play.

Here are the lines they skated with:

Bertuzzi-Zetterberg-Cleary (Datsyuk working in)
Leino-Filppula-Williams
Helm-Abdelkader-Eaves (May working in)
Holmstrom-Draper-Maltby

Lidstrom-Kronwall
Stuart-Rafalski
Ericsson-Lebda
Meech

Osgood (starting)
Howard

Uncle Mike must be thinking there (Brad) May be flies to swat.

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 10/16/09 at 01:12 PM ET

“It appears you are not the Zetter-man…”

Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 10/16/09 at 01:14 PM ET

Drew, I gotta thank you. Thanks to your “she dreams in red” comment yesterday, I got Pearl Jam’s Backspacer. Awesome.

Posted by Guilherme from Brazsil on 10/16/09 at 01:21 PM ET

Babcock said Brad Maywill return to the lineup Saturday. He hadn’t decided who will sit out, but it won’t be Kris Draper or Kirk Maltby,

My guess is Abdelkader.

Posted by Triple Deke Tyler from Lansing on 10/16/09 at 01:22 PM ET

ESPN is pure comic genius.

The box score is saying it’s a Rafi goal (EN) with no assists, yet when you watch the video with the Mullet, the box score graphic shows Z with a goal and an assist..and Melrose even said it was a two point night for the Zetterman.

Posted by mrfluffy from Long Beach on 10/16/09 at 01:22 PM ET

Drew, I gotta thank you. Thanks to your “she dreams in red” comment yesterday, I got Pearl Jam’s Backspacer. Awesome.

If you think that’s good, you should hear there song “Zetter-man”.

Posted by Triple Deke Tyler from Lansing on 10/16/09 at 01:22 PM ET

Or “their” song.  Wow.

Posted by Triple Deke Tyler from Lansing on 10/16/09 at 01:29 PM ET

She dreams in color, she dreams in red, can’t find a Zetterman…

Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 10/15/09 at 01:53 PM ET

Let’s try to keep up with the rest of the class shall we?

Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 10/16/09 at 01:32 PM ET

JJ, congrats.
But, honestly, did you really think Raffi would come through, or was your pick just SWAG?

Man, a defensemen with a short-handed goal for the win ...

/shakes head in disbelief/

Posted by stonehands-78 from the beginning ... a WingsFan, on 10/16/09 at 02:02 PM ET

First off, thanks for all the congrats.  Second, sorry, but I’ve already offered the second ticket to my hockey-mad sister.

As far as the Raffi pick, to be honest, I was told by a coyote who sounded like Johnny Cash during a peyote trip.

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 10/16/09 at 01:32 PM ET

Let’s try to keep up with the rest of the class shall we?

I think I’m going to let myself out now.  I stopped reading at “Pearl Jam” and thought I’d say something clever that hadn’t been done yet. 

Or would you buy that I’m riffing off the whole Intellectual Property thing?  No?

Posted by Triple Deke Tyler from Lansing on 10/16/09 at 01:36 PM ET

Or would you buy that I’m riffing off the whole Intellectual Property thing?  No?

I still don’t know what it means…I was just trying to impress you.

Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 10/16/09 at 01:46 PM ET

NHL officially added helpers to Zetterberg and Ericsson…which is awesome for my fantasy team.

Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 10/16/09 at 01:47 PM ET

From the main page:

“Hasek’s Goal - Vancouver 2010”

insanity

Posted by stonehands-78 from the beginning ... a WingsFan, on 10/16/09 at 02:04 PM ET

Props to J.J.,good job.

I should get a shoutout too, at the least. 
I had an empty netter againt L.A. Thursday night.That’s impressive.
I’m not lying check the record, it’s there.

Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 10/16/09 at 02:09 PM ET

I have Rafalski on my fantasy team, so that empty netter was sweet.  I’ve got Dustin Brown too, so last night’s game was a win-win.  Also have Pavel,  and despite the fact he’s being outscored by Maltby at this point in the season, I dominated in week 1 and am on the same path in week 2.  Having Ryan Miller and Steve Mason in goal doesn’t hurt.

Posted by John W. from a bubble wrap cocoon on 10/16/09 at 02:11 PM ET

Congrats, JJ!!

Coach of the Dive is Joe Sacco (former Washington Capital)

Players you may know on the Dive:  Adam Foote, Milan Hejduk (I think that’s all that’s left from the rivalry days), Paul Stastny

I guess they are playing well but I haven’t watched any of their games this year.

Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 10/16/09 at 03:23 PM ET

@ Lindas1stfailedabortion….....What are you talking about? I don’t get it.

Posted by Itrusteddrrahmani from Nyc by way of A2 on 10/16/09 at 03:23 PM ET

I don’t get it.

‘Cause you’re a dope!!

Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 10/16/09 at 03:37 PM ET

Z’s assist helps my team too, if they would actually credit it!  I need to find out where to go to dispute stats and direct their stupid asses to the updated official NHL box score.  Now if my team as a whole could actually turn things around, I started the season god awfully, I’m in 9th out of 10, and that’s with Pavel, Zetterman, Kronwall, and Steve Mason.

Posted by stayouttamalibu from Temporarily in Tempe, AZ on 10/16/09 at 03:49 PM ET

Babcock said Brad Maywill return to the lineup Saturday. He hadn’t decided who will sit out, but it won’t be Kris Draper or Kirk Maltby, as Babcock indicated that line, along with Tomas Holmstrom, will play.

Sit Lebda.

Posted by Cliff on 10/16/09 at 03:57 PM ET

This is my full team, first place (!)

C Pavel Datsyuk
C Mike Richards
C Ryan Getzlaf
LW Kris Versteeg
LW Slava Kozlov
LW James Neal
RW Alexander Semin
RW Ales Hemsky
RW Dustin Brown
D Brian Rafalski
D Nik Kronwall
D Duncan Keith
D Victor Hedman
D Lubomir Visnovsky
D Denis Grebeshkov
Util Patrick Sharp (C)
BN Nik Antropov (C,RW)
BN Tim Connolly (C)
BN Ville Leino (LW)
IR Johan Franzen (RW)

G Ryan Miller
BN Steve Mason (G)

Posted by John W. from a bubble wrap cocoon on 10/16/09 at 04:04 PM ET

JJ, congratulations.  And given how you had right guy, wrong situation, howzabout you give me some lottery numbers and I’ll pick which one to play them in?  Then when I win I’ll spend the money on hookers and coke…er, split it with you.  That’s what I meant.

Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from Fortress Europe on 10/16/09 at 04:36 PM ET

Nicely done JJ. Congrats and have a blast. I’m sure you’ll be a great Ambassador for the 19. Oh, I’m with Andrew regarding the Lottery numbers. Pick em’ and I’ll play em’.

Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!

Posted by Kate from Pa.-made in Detroit on 10/16/09 at 06:04 PM ET

LW Slava Kozlov  

Posted by John W.  from Lansing, MI on 10/16/09 at 05:04 PM ET

One of my all time favorites. I hated to see him go.

Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!

Posted by Kate from Pa.-made in Detroit on 10/16/09 at 06:08 PM ET

Congrats JJ -

First 10 minutes of the 1st felt a bit shaky, but turned out to be a good game to win on - have fun in TO

Posted by Trish from PalmBeachCntyFL on 10/16/09 at 06:27 PM ET

Congrats JJ. Be sure to share your pics when you get back.

Big year at the JJ house, no? Congrats all around.

Posted by Osrt on 10/16/09 at 08:12 PM ET

Yes, my mistake, it was an EN not a shortie,  Still….

And tonight?  I’m watching The Prisoner.  Damn that Bubble, will he ever escape?

“Be Seeing You”

Posted by RWBill from the Land of 12 in 12. on 10/16/09 at 09:32 PM ET

Watching VAN/CGY.
Flames with a 5-0 lead going into the 3rd.

Posted by HockeyTownTodd on 10/16/09 at 09:45 PM ET

Watching VAN/CGY.
Flames with a 5-0 lead going into the 3rd.

Posted by HockeyTownTodd from Madmen is in my 19th year on 10/16/09 at 10:45 PM ET

Must be one of those “elite” goaltenders. The Flames defense is bipolar.

Posted by mrfluffy from Long Beach on 10/16/09 at 10:05 PM ET

The Flames defense is bipolar.

Good one, I like that.
Game over 5-3.
Raycroft reokaced Luongo to start the 3rd.
Flames with penalty problems in 3rd,  2 of those Goals were PP, one a 3 on 5.

Posted by HockeyTownTodd on 10/16/09 at 10:38 PM ET

Great job, J.J. I hope you enjoy your trip.  Touch base with me by email soon.
gmail.com @ completeshow
Pardon my dyslexia.

Emperor Paul, any update on a KK meetup induction weekend?

Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 10/16/09 at 10:56 PM ET

Via Malik:

I take him out, we lose 6-2, and I think to myself, ‘He’s right, I’m wrong, and let’s get on with my day.’

Babbles on Draper. Awesome.

Posted by Osrt on 10/16/09 at 11:11 PM ET

And on the Captain:

If you ask him a question, he gives you an answer.  When he’s got a better way, he tells you.  When he thinks you’re out of line, he comes and sees you.  I think that’s a pretty impressive player and captain.

Posted by Osrt on 10/16/09 at 11:12 PM ET