Archive for March, 2006

NHL Shootouts and 5 on 3 hockey - A New Idea to Finish Ties

I don’t usually enter into the land of hockey punditry.
There are some very good sites that do a very good job at that sort of thing.

And, for the most part, I took the NHL lockout off; hoping it would end like a bad dream: quickly and inconsequentally.

Yet, during that time, there were a number of rule changes that were openly discussed by fans and NHL officials. Some were even implemented by the new NHL.

One of these, obviously, is the shootout; which I suppose has been a success.

When I talk to people about the shootout, the consensus I get is that it’s something traditional fans can live with. But many of those same fans also fear that it will inevitably creep its way into the playoff format. And that’s a frightening thought.

Then on Tuesday night, I was switching in between the DET/NAS game and the EDM/VAN game. I wanted to watch both because, simultaneously, Edmonton was on a 5 on 3 powerplay and the Wings/Predators game was going into overtime and then into a shootout.
And that’s when this occurred to me:

Why not have a 5 on 3 shootout overtime?

So, after a couple days of leaving comments on Off Wing, I decided to officially lay out the logistics of this idea.

First things first.
There would need to be a choice made on whether or not to have a 5 minute overtime at all.
I’m personally in favor of going straight from regulation to the below method.
It also should be noted that I’m not in favor of seeing anything other than sudden death, 20 minute periods during the playoffs.

NCAA Football Style 5 on 3 Hockey


1. It’s hard for me to imagine a coin toss at a hockey game, so the home team gets the advantage in possession.
   They are on defense first, and the road team opens the OT on offense.


2. The road team get possession of the puck at center ice with a determined amount of time on the clock.
   The time factor is another debate, so for discussion here, let’s just say it’s 60 seconds.
   The road team starts with 5 skaters + goalie at the center line.
   The home team starts with 3 skaters + goalie at their blue line or behind.
   
   
3. From the puck drop, the clock starts and the road team has a 60 second 5 on 3 powerplay.
   All regular game rules apply.
   If the home team commits a penalty during this time, an additional 60 seconds gets put on the clock.
   
   
4. If the road team scores, the 60 seconds is over and it becomes the home team’s turn to score or the home team losses.
   If the road team does not score within their time limit, it becomes the home team’s turn to score and win or we move on to round two.
   If either team scores a shorthanded goal, they win.
   
   
5. If both teams or neither of the two teams score within a particular round, they will go to round two; which may or may not involve the swapping of order.

That’s basically it.
The spirit of the game is preserved, the tie is settled, and the fans are entertained.
And hopefully they would then not have to award that extra point.

Personally, I’ll always enjoy a good 5 on 3 powerplay over a penalty shot.
And I think since it’s less of a gimmick, won’t ever get old. It is, after all, still hockey.

Fantasy Baseball Preview - Part XIII - Value Infielders

First Basemen
With so many options, it’s pretty easy to find a guy who can hit at least 100-30-100.
They key is getting one who can stay above .300 and if you’re lucky, go 120-40-120.
Here’s who you can get the best value from:



Todd Helton

Now that he’s lumped into the mix with with Carlos Delgado and Paul Konerko and Lance Berkman and Travis Hafner, grab Helton before any of those other guys because after the 4 big names, Helton separates himself from the second tier because he’ll hit above .340. Before the break last year, Helton hit .288. He averaged .367 after. The Rockies will be better, and so will Helton.

Paul Konerko

Bringing Jim Thome over should help Konerko more than any other Sox hitter. The 30 year old hit .323 after the break and proved that he could put up numbers both at home and on the road. The last two seasons have shown that Konerko is a consistent 40 HR hitter and if he ends up at or above .300, he’ll be a top 5 1B.

Mike Jacobs

It’s too late to get Ryan Howard without everyone else noticing, but there is another young, big time power first baseman in the NL East. Jacobs hit 11 HRs in 100 ABs last season, which would translate to something like 60+ over an entire year. Of course that won’t happen this season or maybe ever, but like Howard, the kid has big time power.


Second Basemen
A position that continues to improve itself, but they’re usually aren’t many sleepers. Except:



Mark Loretta

I like Cantu and Giles and Figgins and Weeks, but after they are all gone, Loretta will still be around. He’s practically a lock to hit over .300 and score 100 runs because of where he plays and where he’ll hit. Loretta has played 1230 career games and still has a career average of .301. He should get back up to 40 doubles this season; bouncing pitches off of the monster.


Short Stops
The great thing about picking SS’s these days is that there are so many players who can give you a different set of numbers. There are also some great values:



Jose Reyes

Another year of 60 steals, playing under Randolph, plus 100+ runs and a near .300 average (finally). Yet, Reyes will still will probably be the 4th or 5th shortstop taken and that’s too low.

Bobby Crosby

Crosby turned 26 in January and comes into the season with 890 official at bats under him. This will be his 3rd full season in the majors, and he hit nearly 2.5 doubles for ever homerun last year. Expect that to land closer to 2:1 this season plus a .300 batting average. This looks like Crosby’s breakout year. He’s had a strong spring too.

Jhonny Peralta

The next big power SS, but will the average be there this season? Turns 24 in May, so I have doubts, but he’ll still challenge Tejada for the HR lead among short stops.

Carlos Guillen

Another guy that people seem to have forgotten after an injury filled 2005. Remember his first year in Detroit? .318 97-20-97 and 12 SBs? Before the break last season he was hitting .353 and making a run for the batting crown. And now he’s valued on the same level as Juan Uribe and Orlando Cabrera? Guillen went just 2/18 in the WBC, but he says his knee is fine. If so, he’s a steal.


Third Basemen
Many vote this as the worst position in fantasy baseball, and these two players are listed for lack of better options.



Adrian Beltre

Yes, it’s worth a shot. He’s fallen just too far. I’d say that a majority of people think that 2004 was a fluke. yet based where you can get Beltre this season, 100-30-100 is still a great deal. He’s still just 26, and if you’re trying to decide between him and someone like the 34 year old Melvin Mora, take Beltre.

Chad Tracy

Tracy hit 19 doubles and 9 homers at home last year (almost a 2:1 ratio) and 15 doubles and 18 homers on the road (better than 1:1). He kills righties (.324 23 of 27 HR last season) and if he earns enough playing time at third, he’s a steal. Tracy will bat in a prime RBI spot this year, and he’ll hit .300. So it’s just a matter of if he gets enough starts at third. It hopefully won’t be on the days that Brandon Webb pitches.

Fantasy Baseball Preview - Part XII - Starting Pitchers

If there’s always a category you can count on picking up as the season goes along, it’s starting pitching. But at the same time, almost every winning team has at least 1 top level starter. The chances are very slim of you grabbing one of those off of free agency or in the late rounds of a draft.

So out of the top 30 or so SPs this year, here’s who I like to offer the most value:



Roy Halladay	2005 Stats 141.7 12 108 2.41 0.96
Remember that the injury that kept Halladay from contending for the AL Cy Young last year was not on his pitching arm, but on his left leg (tibia). The Jays went shopping during the off-season, but the pickup that will most directly improve Halladay’s season was catcher Bengie Molina. The two are reportedly off to a strong start this pre-season, and Molina brings with him a reputation as a solid game caller. Halladay is just 28 years old and he recently signed a contact extension through 2010. He’s thrown just 274.2 innings over the last two seasons and could be in line for his second career Cy Young award.
Brandon Webb	2005 Stats 229.0 14 172 3.54 1.26
Last season was certainly a rebound for Webb, after a disappointing sophomore season in 2004. But this is the year I think Webb really puts it all together for the Diamondbacks. Arizona is a young team on the upswing of a rebuilding movement and Webb is very much the team’s pitching cornerstone. Webb’s a first rate ground ball pitcher and the addition of Orlando Hudson at 2B should be a huge help to the right. Left handed batters have always been Webb’s weakness (.298 average last season) but Hudson’s range and Conor Jackson’s improved defense should help bring that average down to a more manageable number.
Barry Zito	2005 Stats 228.1 14 171 3.86 1.20
If you take out Zito’s April numbers from last season, he would have ended the year with an WHIP of 1.08. And his September was worse than his April. He didn’t get traded during the off-season ands says he wants to stay with the A’s. Zito’s one of those players who doesn’t put money as the #1 priority for where he plays. After reworking his mechanics prior to last season, I think Zito will put together a more consistent 2006 and end up in the top 10 or 15 of starting pitchers this season.
Tim Hudson	2005 Stats 192.0 14 115 3.52 1.35
I really thought Hudson’s move to the NL last season would bring with it a return to an ERA in the 2’s and a WHIP below 1.10. That didn’t happen last season, but no one can be sure if that is because Hudson has moved into his 30s or if there were other factors involved (strained oblique). Hudson’s post All-Star Break numbers were 8-4 3.30 1.21. He struggled a little on the road and also fell victim to Atlanta’s bullpen on numerous occasions. At the very least, you can count of Hudson for 15 wins, but I think he’s got at least one more great season in him.


Past the top names, here’s some names that should make your late picks winners:



Rick Helling	2005 Stats 49.0 3 42 2.39 1.16
The legend of Mike Maddux continues with the 35 year old former first round pick. Helling will most likely start the season in long relief, due to some shoulder tightness this spring. But Sheets is out for opening day, and I really think Helling will be a good pickup sometime this season. In leagues like espn that do not track innings, middle relievers who put up good numbers are as valuable as any. Keep an eye also on Dave Bush, the man who will most likely take the 4th spot in the rotation. One or both of these guys will put up good numbers.
Erik Bedard	2005 Stats 141.2 6 125 4.00 1.38
Speaking of pitching coaches, welcome to Baltimore Leo Mazzone. Forget about Kris Benson, the guy I’m looking at in Baltimore is Bedard. He’s the right age, 27, and showed at the beginning of last season that he can dominate (2.08 ERA in 60.2 innings before the break). Bedard is Canadian, and played for his country in the WBC, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he started a little slow. But Mazzone’s presence in Baltimore has to lead to at least one great season from an O’s pitcher. Right?
Brad Penny	2005 Stats 175.1 7 122 3.90 1.29
Penny admits that he never felt right throwing his curve ball last season; after coming off a torn biceps injury in late 2004. He seems to be healthy this spring and could finally fulfill expectations. Penny posted a 3.06 ERA at home last season, so he’s at least good for a season of starts there.
Javier Vazquez	2005 Stats 215.2 11 192 4.42 1.25
I’m not sure why Vazquez is ranking so low in drafts this preseason. He alternated good months with bad months last year but has moved over to the defending world champs; a team that wins games on pitching a defense. In 2 career starts at US Cellular, he has pitched 16.0 innings with a 2.25 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 16 Ks. Bank One is also known as a hitters park, so I’m not convinced that fantasy managers should be scared off so easily. Perhaps playing for Guillen will help smooth out Vazquez’s track record of inconsistency.
Jeremy Bonderman	2005 Stats 215.2 11 192 4.42 1.25
It was just a season ago that Bonderman was everyone’s preseason darling. And since then, the only thing that has really happened is that the Tigers have become a better baseball team. Jeremy is still very young, and throw too many pitches to last long into games, but he greatly improved his walk rate last season and should be able to extend his first half numbers from last year (11-5 3.99 1.24) over an entire season. For a guy that’s been over-rated for years, this is probably the best position one can get Bonderman at for the next 5 seasons- if he can keep that WHIP under 1.30 that is.
Brett Myers	2005 Stats 215.1 13 208 3.72 1.21
On the road last season, opponents hit .199 against Myers. And despite his struggles during the second half of last season, the 25 year old righty finsihed with solid numbers. There isn’t much sleeper value here, but I just had to mention Myers because of his live arm and team potential.


Sure, adding Rick Helling to this list is mostly just for fun, and there really aren’t any names here that should come as a surprise. But for the most part, they all are guys who are coming into the year at a price below what the market should be paying. And that’s all that really matters.

Puck Periodic - Wednesday

Carolina (at BUF)
• 3rd game in 5 days
• 6-3-2 since break
• Played last night at TOR (2-3 L)
• Lost 2 in a row
• 10-4-2 after a loss
• 4-5-2 with 0 days off
• PP is 5/31 (16.1%) in last 5 games, 18.4% for season
• PK is 20/26 (76.9%) in last 5 games, 82.1% for season
• 18-12-5 away
• Final game of 4 game road trip (1-2-0 on trip)
• 3-3-1 in final game of road trips of 2+ games
• 2-1-0 after 2 straight regulaton losses
• Weight and Ward sat out last night and are day-to-day
• 2-0-0 vs BUF this season
Buffalo (vs CAR)
• 3rd game in 5 days
• 8-3-0 since break
• Last played Monday at ATL (0-5 L)
• Lost 2 in a row
• 10-6-1 after a loss
• 24-8-1 with 1 day off
• PP is 7/31 (22.5%) in last 5 games, 21.3% for season
• PK is 29/35 (82.8%) in last 5 games, 85.6% for season
• 23-8-3 at home
• First game home after 2 game road trip
• 13-4-2 in first game back home
• 3-2-0 in first game back home after road trip of 2+ games
• Biron started last game
• Miller is 7-0-0 in games he’s started following a Biron start

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Colorado (at ANA)
• 3rd game in 4 days
• 6-4-0 since break
• Last played Monday at LA (5-0 W)
• 21-13-3 after a win
• 20-13-6 with 1 day off
• PP is 2/18 (11.1%) in last 5 games, 19.2% for season
• PK is 17/20 (85%) in last 5 games, 84.5% for season
• 17-17-1 away
• 4th game of 5 game road trip (1-2-0 so far)
• 9th road game in last 10 games, 19 days
• Budaj has started last 5 games (3-2-0)
• Tanguay missed last game (knee) and is out until mid-April
• 2-0-0 vs ANA this season
Anaheim (vs COL)
• 3rd game in 4 days
• 7-2-1 since break
• Last played Monday at DAL (2-1 W)
• Won 3 in a row
• 15-11-7 after a win
• 20-12-6 with 1 day off
• PP is 3/27 (11.1%) in last 5 games, 16.4% for season
• PK is 23/26 (88.4%) in last 5 games, 84.3% for season
• 20-9-5 at home
• First game home after 4 game road trip (3-1-0 on trip)
• 10-3-1 in first game back at home
• 7-1-0 ni first game back at home after road trip of 2+ games

Search Engine Plug-Ins

Firefox users:

If you ever want to add a search icon to your list (top right hand search window) that Firefox doesn’t offer here, it’s fairly easy to create your own.

This link gives a good step by step explanation on how do make one.

So to add the beach to your list of search engines, download these below two files into the following folder:
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\searchplugins
(or where ever you have FF stored)
beachthe.src
beachthe.gif

That second file you’ll have to right click to save as, since it’s an extension that your browser recognizes.

Add your favorite blog to your listings.
For example, since it’s baseball season, I’ll certainly be using this Baseball Musings search plugin:
baseballmusings.src
baseballmusings.gif

Puck Periodic - Tuesday

Nashville (at DET)
• 3rd game in 4 days
• 7-1-2 since break
• Played last night vs STL (4-2 W)
• Won 4 in a row
• 26-8-5 after a win
• 7-3-3 with 0 days off
• PP is 7/29 (24.1%) in last 5 games, 18.7% for season
• PK is 33/39 (84.6%) in last 5 games, 85.1% for season
• 14-13-7 away
• First game of 4 game road trip
• 5-6-3 in first game on road
• Mason played last night, Vokoun expected to play tonight
• Have outscored opponents 20-6 in last 4 games
• Averaging 7.4 short handed chances in 10 games since break
• 2-3-0 vs DET this season
• 7-5-1 when playing 3rd game in 4 days
Detroit (vs NAS)
• 3rd game in 4 days
• Last played Sunday at VAN (7-3 W)
• Won 6 in a row
• 34-10-2 after a win
• 16-7-3 with 1 day off
• PP is 7/33 (21.2%) in last 5 games, 23.3% for season
• PK is 18/21 (85.7%) in last 5 games, 84.9% for season
• 23-9-2 at home
• First game home after 2 game road trip
• First of 3 game home stand
• 13-5-0 in first game back at home
• 15-5-2 when they have 7+ PP chances
• Legace expected back after sitting out in VAN with the flu

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Vancouver (at EDM)
• 3rd game in 5 days
• 3-6-1 since break
• Last played Sunday vs DET (3-7 L)
• 13-10-3 after a loss
• 17-16-4 with 1 day off
• PP is 5/27 (18.5%) in last 5 games, 18.2% for season
• PK is 32/37 (86.4%) in last 5 games, 81.9% for season
• 16-19-2 away
• First of 3 straight games this week against EDM
• 0-3-2 vs EDM this season
Edmonton (vs VAN)
• 3rd game in 6 days
• 4-3-2 since break
• Last played Saturday vs DET (3-4 SO L)
• 3-6-1 after an OT loss
• 9-4-2 with 2 days off
• PP is 6/25 (24%) in last 5 games, 18.1% for season
• PK is 30/36 (83.3%) in last 5 games, 83% for season
• 16-12-6 at home
• Final game of 3 game homestand
• 4-2-2 in final game of homestand of 2+ games, 3-0-2 in final of 3+ game homestand
• 8 of 10 games since break have been decided by 1 goal

Puck Periodic - Saturday

Philadelphia (at ATL)
• 3rd game in 4 days
• 3-5-1 since break
• Played last night at TB (3-6 L)
• 13-3-4 after a loss
• 6-7-0 with 0 days off
• PP is 2/22 (9.1%) in last 5 games, 17.4% for season
• PK is 27/33 (81.8%) in last 5 games, 78.6% for season
• 18-11-4 away
• Now 10-9-3 in road games this season that weren’t part of 11 game road tip (that went 8-2-1)
• Final game of 4 game road trip (1-2-0 so far)
• Other than this and the 11 gamer, haven’t had another road trip this season longer than 2 games
• Esche has started last 3 games
• 2-3-2 when playing 3rd game in 4 days
• 2-0-1 vs ATL this season, two games ended in OT
Atlanta (vs PHI)
• 3rd game in 7 days
• 6-2-0 since break
• Last played Thursday vs NYI (4-2 W)
• Won 2 in a row
• 17-9-5 after a win
• 17-13-3 with 1 day off
• PP is 3/26 (11.5%) in last 5 games, 19.2% for season
• PK is 27/29 (93.1%) in last 5 games, 80% for season
• 18-12-4 at home
• 2nd game of 3 game homestand
• Avg 2.1 goals against in last 10 games (8-2-0)
• 6-2-0 when home on Saturday night
• 12-7-1 on weekends overall

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Florida (at WAS)
• 3rd game in 4 days
• 5-3-1 since break
• Played last night vs NYI (4-2 W)
• 10-13-3 after a win
• 3-8-3 with 0 days off
• PP is 1/22 (4.5%) in last 5 games, 14.7% for season
• PK is 21/23 (91.3%) in last 5 games, 83% for season
• 8-21-5 away
• Single road game in between 8 at home
• 0-2-0 in single game road trips this season
• 2-10-0 in first game on road
• 6-11-1 on weekends
• 3-7-1 when playing 3rd game in 4 days
• 5-0-0 vs WAS this season, 4 of 5 games decided by 1 goal
Washington (vs FLA)
• 3rd game in 5 days
• 3-4-2 since break
• Last played Thursday at NYR (4-5 L)
• Lost 4 in a row
• 14-18-3 after a loss
• 7-18-4 with 1 day off
• PP is 5/33 (15.1%) in last 5 games, 14.5% for season
• PK is 21/29 (72.4%) in last 5 games, 78.2% for season
• 15-16-5 at home
• 3-2-0 at when home on Saturday night
• 7-9-3 on weekends

Puck Periodic - Friday

NY Islanders (at FLA)
• 3rd game in 4 days
• 6-3-0 since break
• Played last night at ATL (2-4 L)
• 20-8-1 after a loss
• 4-2-0 with 0 days off
• PP is 0/22 (0%) in last 5 games, 17.2% for season
• PK is 23/26 (88.4%) in last 5 games, 79% for season
• 15-16-2 away
• 4th game of 5 game road trip (2-1 so far)
• 2-1-0 vs FLA this season, 3-1-0 last season
• Second game without Asham and Zhitnik
• 1-4-0 on Fridays
Florida (vs NYI)
• 3rd game in 7 days
• 4-3-1 since break
• Last played Wednesday vs PHI (0-4 L)
• 12-11-6 after a loss
• 13-14-2 with 1 day off
• PP is 0/19 (0%) in last 5 games, 14.5% for season
• PK is 21/22 (95.4%) in last 5 games, 83.1% for season
• 18-9-4 at home
• Final game of 5 game homestand (3-1-0 so far)
• 8-3-1 in final game home
• 2-4-2 after being shut out
• 6-3-0 on Fridays

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Philadelphia (at TB)
• 3rd game in 6 days
• 3-4-1 since break
• Last played Wednesday at FLA (4-0 W)
• 18-13-4 after a win
• 17-6-6 with 1 day off
• PP is 3/22 (13.6%) in last 5 games, 17.5% for season
• PK is 24/29 (82.7%) in last 5 games, 78.9% for season
• 18-10-4 away
• 3rd game of 4 game road trip (1-1-0 so far)
• 10-8-3 in road games that didn’t occur on 11 game road trip (8-2-1)
• 3-5-1 on road since 11 game road trip
• 0-3-0 vs TB this season
• 6-2-0 on Fridays
Tampa Bay (vs PHI)
• 3rd game in 5 days
• 2-6-0 since break
• Last played Tuesday at OTT (3-4 L)
• 13-13-1 after a loss
• 6-4-1 with 2 days off
• PP is 5/31 (16.1%) in last 5 games, 15.1% for season
• PK is 21/29 (72.4%) in last 5 games, 82% for season
• 16-12-2 at home
• First game home after 5 game road trip (2-3-0 on trip)
• 7-7-1 in first game back at home
• 3-5-1 when home after road trip of 2+ games
• Lost OTT game with 7 seconds left in regulation
• Grahame to start after Burke fractured finger
• 4-6-0 on Fridays

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Vancouver (at CLB)
• 3rd game in 5 days
• 2-5-1 since break
• Last played Tuesday at NAS (0-5 L)
• Lost 5 in a row
• 12-10-3 after a loss
• 10-4-1 with 2 days off
• PP is 1/28 (3.5%) in last 5 games, 17.6% for season
• PK is 25/30 (83.3%) in last 5 games, 81.6% for season
• 15-19-2 away
• Final game of 3 game road trip (0-2-0 so far)
• 6-3-1 in final game of road trip of 2+ games
• 5-1-1 in final game of road trip of 3+ games
• 2-2-0 after being shut out
• 2-1-0 vs CLB this season, 2-2-0 last season
• 5-2-1 on Fridays
Columbus (vs VAN)
• 3rd game in 5 days
• 3-4-1 since break
• Last played Wednesday at CHI (2-3 L)
• Lost 2 in a row
• 14-20-2 after a loss
• 11-20-2 with 1 day off
• PP is 2/26 (7.7%) in last 5 games, 14.2% for season
• PK is 20/25 (80%) in last 5 games, 81% for season
• 17-14-0 at home
• First game home after 2 game road trip (0-2-0 on trip)
• 8-4-0 in first game back home
• 6-3-0 when home after a road loss
• Fedorov missed much of the 2nd and 3rd period of last game, but not listed as injured

Puck Periodic - Thursday

Ottawa (at BOS)
• 3rd game in 5 days
• 7-1-0 since break
• Last played Tuesday vs TB (4-3 W)
• Won 3 in a row
• 22-7-1 with 1 day off
• PP is 4/23 (17.3%) in last 5 games, 20.6% for season
• PK is 25/27 (92.5%) in last 5 games, 85.8% for season
• 20-9-4 away
• 6-2-0 in single game road trips
• 13-2-2 on weekdays
• 3-3-0 vs BOS this season, 0-3-0 in last 3
Boston (vs OTT)
• 3rd game in 5 days
• Last played Tuesday at TOR (4-5 SO L)
• Lost 6 in a row
• 6-2-2 after an OT loss
• 10-16-4 after a regulation loss
• 12-15-6 with 1 day off
• PP is 4/23 (17.3%) in last 5 games, 15.7% for season
• PK is 25/34 (73.5%) in last 5 games, 83.7% for season
• 12-14-6 at home
• First game of 2 game homestand
• 7-6-4 in first game back at home

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Washington (at NYR)
• 3rd game in 5 days
• 2-3-2 since break
• Last played Tuesday vs BUF (4-6 L)
• Lost 3 in a row
• 14-17-3 after a loss
• 7-17-4 with 1 day off
• PP is 6/31 (19.3%) in last 5 games, 14.7% for season
• PK is 24/29 (82.7%) in last 5 games, 78.6% for season
• 7-19-2 away
• 1-10-1 in single game road trips
• 2-0-1 vs NYR this season
NY Rangers (vs WAS)
• 3rd game in 5 days
• 1-4-2 since break
• Last played Tuesday at CAR (3-5 L)
• Lost 6 in a row
• 10-6-2 after a loss
• 20-13-6 with 1 day off
• PP is 3/29 (10.3%) in last 5 games, 17.8% for season
• PK is 28/32 (87.5%) in last 5 games, 85.2% for season
• 19-7-6 at home
• First game of 4 game homestand
• 8-3-3 in first game back at home
• First game without Rucinsky, went 10-5-0 earlier this seaon w/o him

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Carolina (at MTL)
• 3rd game in 6 days
• 6-1-2 since break
• Last played Tuesday vs NYR (5-3 W)
• 31-8-4 after a win
• 24-7-1 with 1 day off
• PP is 2/31 (6.4%) in last 5 games, 18.5% for season
• PK is 25/27 (92.6%) in last 5 games, 82.8% for season
• 17-10-5 away
• First game of 4 game road trip
• 10-3-1 in first game on road
• 5 of last 6 games have been away, not including tonight
• 32-7-5 on weekdays
• 2-1-2 since Cole injury, PP is just 2/31 since then
• 3-0-0 vs MON this season, outscoring them 20-8
Montreal (vs CAR)
• 3rd game in 6 days
• 5-2-1 since break
• Last played Monday vs TB (1-2 L)
• 12-8-3 after a loss
• 9-10-0 with 2 days off
• PP is 8/30 (26.7%) in last 5 games, 19% for season
• PK is 25/31 (80.65) in last 5 games, 81.3% for season
• 17-8-4 at home
• 3rd game of 4 game homestand
• Huet has started last 14 games, 8-3-3 over that span
• Theodore was starter for 3 previouw games vs CAR this season
• Huet relieved him twice, stopping 30 of 35 shots

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Calgary (at EDM)
• 3rd game in 5 days
• Last played Monday vs COL (4-3 W)
• 21-11-4 after a win
• 8-4-2 with 2 days off
• PP is 3/23 (13%) in last 5 games, 18% for season
• PK is 23/25 (92%) in last 5 games, 83.7% for season
• 13-13-4 away
• First game of 7 game road trip
• 1-3-1 in first game of road trip of 3+ games
• Lone win was at EDM
• 5-4-1 in first game on road
• 25-7-5 on weekdays
• 4-1-1 vs EDM this season, 1-1-0 in EDM
Edmonton (vs CGY)
• 3rd game in 5 days
• Last played Tuesday at MIN (2-1 W)
• 17-9-6 after a win
• 18-8-7 with 1 day off
• PP is 5/18 (27.8%) in last 5 games, 18.4% for season
• PK is 26/30 (86.7%) in last 5 games, 83% for season
• 15-12-5 at home
• First home game of 3 game homestand
• Returned after 4 game road trip (1-3-0 on trip)
• 6-6-2 in first game back at home
• Roloson has started last 4 games (1-2-1), facing 30+ shots in each
• Roloson is 6-13-2 when facing 30+ shots this season
• 27-16-5 on weekdays

Puck Periodic - Wednesday

Philadelphia (at FLA)
• 3rd game in 5 days
• 2-4-1 since break
• Last played Sunday at PIT (0-2 L)
• Lost 2 in a row
• 12-3-4 after a loss
• 10-5-3 with 2 days off
• PP is 4/26 (15.3%) in last 5 games, 17.6% for season
• PK is 25/32 (78.1%) in last 5 games, 78.7% for season
• 17-10-4 away
• 2nd game of 4 game road trip
• Have only had 1 road trip this season longer than 2 games
• 3-0-0 after being shut out this season
• 3-0-0 vs FLA this season, including 1 OT win, 1 SO win
Florida (vs PHI)
• 3rd game in 6 days
• 4-2-1 since break
• Last played Saturday vs CAR (4-3 W)
• Won 3 in a row
• 10-12-3 after a win
• 5-4-1 with 3+ days off
• 9-7-4 with 2+ days off
• PP is 1/23 (4.3%) in last 5 games, 14.6% for season
• PK is 25/27 (92.6%) in last 5 games, 83% for season
• 18-8-4 at home
• Have not won 4 in a row since 2001

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Columbus (at CHI)
• 3rd game in 5 days
• 3-3-1 since break, 1-2-1 on road
• Last played Monday at STL (2-3 L)
• 14-20-2 after a loss
• 11-19-2 with 1 day off
• PP is 3/30 (10%) in last 5 games, 14.2% for season
• PK is 22/28 (78.5%) in last 5 games, 80.8% for season
• 9-22-3 on road
• Final game of 2 game road trip
• 4-1-0 in last 5 at CHI
• 3-1-0 vs CHI this season
Chicago (vs CLB)
• 3rd game in 5 days
• 2-4-1 since break
• Last played Sunday vs DET (3-5 L)
• Lost 3 in a row
• 14-17-3 after a loss
• 3-7-2 with 2 days off
• PP is 2/18 (11.1%) in last 5 games, 12.7% for season
• PK is 22/27 (81.4%) in last 5 games, 83.9% for season
• 11-16-4 at home
• 2nd game of 4 game homestand
• Khabibulin has started last 3 games, pulled from last 2

Puck Periodic - Tuesday

NY Rangers (at CAR)
• 3rd game in 4 days
• 1-3-2 since break
• Last played Sunday vs ATL (2-3 L)
• Lost 5 in a row
• 3-3-3 after an OT loss
• 10-6-2 after a regulation loss
• 20-12-6 with 1 day off
• PP is 2/27 (7.4%) in last 5 games, 17.7% for season
• PK is 29/33 (87.8%) in last 5 games, 85.3% for season
• 17-11-4 away
• 3rd away games in last 4 games
• Each of last 5 losses have been by 1 goal, 2 in OT
• 1-2-0 vs CAR this season
• Prucha returned to lineup on Sunday, after missing 8 games
• Rucinsky is questionable after injuring knee on Sunday
• Jagr also missed some time on Sunday with a recurring hip injury, but he played the 3rd period
Carolina (vs NYR)
• 3rd game in 5 days
• 5-1-2 since break
• Last played Saturday at FLA (3-4 OTL)
• Lost 3 in a row
• 2-3-0 after an OT loss
• 10-3-2 after a regulation loss
• 10-1-2 with 2 days off
• PP is 4/34 (11.7%) in last 5 games, 18.4% for season
• PK is 24/26 (92.3%) in last 5 games, 82.9% for season
• 26-5-1 at home
• First game home after 5 game road trip (2-1-2 on trip)
• 10-3-1 in first game back home
• Lone home game before 4 game road trip
• 1-1-2 since Cole injury
• Staal is 0 goals, 3 assists, -5 since Cole injury

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Vancouver (at NAS)
• 3rd game in 4 days
• 2-4-1 since break
• Played last night at DAL (2-4 L)
• Lost 4 in a row
• 12-9-3 after a loss
• 3-6-0 with 0 days off
• PP is 4/32 (12.5%) in last 5 games, 17.9% for season
• PK is 28/35 (80%) in last 5 games, 81.4% for season
• 15-18-2 away
• 2nd game of 3 game road trip
• 1-1-1 vs NAS this season
• Naslund - Morrison - Bertuzzi line pointless in last 4 games
• There are rumors of a division in the VAN clubhouse
Nashville (vs VAN)
• 3rd game in 6 days
• 3-1-2 since break
• Last played Saturday at SJ (2-3 L)
• 8-10-1 after a loss
• 6-3-2 with 2 days off
• PP is 4/24 (16.7%) in last 5 games, 18.3% for season
• PK is 31/39 (79.4%) in last 5 games, 85% for season
• 23-6-1 at home
• First game home after 4 game road trip (2-0-2 on trip)
• 8-5-0 in first game back at home
• Markov expected to return tonight

Puck Periodic - Monday

Tampa Bay (at MTL)
• 3rd game in 5 days
• 1-5-0 since break
• Last played Saturday at TOR (1-5 L)
• Lost 2 in a row
• 12-13-1 after a loss
• 13-15-0 with 1 day off
• PP is 5/31 (16.1%) in last 5 games, 15.2% for season
• PK is 18/24 (75%) in last 5 games, 82.4% for season
• 17-15-2 away
• 4th game of 5 game road trip (1-2-0 so far)
• Lone win since break came in shootout at PIT
• Have given up 4+ goal in each of last 3 games
Montreal (vs TB)
• 3rd game in 5 days
• 5-1-1 since break
• Last played Saturday vs NYR (1-0 W)
• Won 2 in a row
• 13-12-5 after a win
• 14-7-8 with 1 day off
• PP is 8/27 (29.6%) in last 5 games, 19.1% for season
• PK is 29/36 (80.5%) in last 5 games, 81.2% for season
• 17-7-4 at home
• 2nd game of 4 game homestand
• 5-7-0 when following two straight regulation losses
• Huet has started 13 straight games, 8-2-3 over that stretch with 5 shutouts
• 3-0-0 vs TB this season

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Colorado (at CGY)
• 3rd game in 5 days
• 5-2-0 since break
• Played last night vs CGY (3-0 W)
• Won 3 in a row
• 21-12-3 after a win
• 3-6-0 with 0 days off
• PP is 4/26 (15.3%) in last 5 games, 19.5% for season
• PK is 20/25 (80%) in last 5 games, 84.6% for season
• 16-15-1 away
• First game of 5 game road trip
• Last game was lone home game mixed in between a span of 9 road games
• 8-6-1 in first game back on road
• Budaj has started last two games since Aebsicher trade (2-0)
• 3-1-1 vs CGY this season
Calgary (vs COL)
• 3rd game in 5 days
• 3-3-0 since break
• Played last night at COL (0-3 L)
• 12-5-2 after a loss
• 23-9-3 with 1 day off
• PP is 3/23 (13%) in last 5 games, 17.9% for season
• PK is 27/28 (96.4%) in last 5 games, 83.8% for season
• 23-7-3 at home
• Last home game before 7 game road trip

2006 NFL Combine - John Lott

Anyone lucky enough to have the NFL Network these past few years may have already had the pleasure of being introduced to John Lott, the Cleveland Browns Strength and Conditioning Coach who also spends February in Indiana at the Scouting Combine.

Any NFL fan in the unfortunate position to not have the Network, Lott has enjoyed quite a bit of fame for his unique personality and comments during the Combine’s bench press trials. Recently, Total Access put together a highlight clip of Lott’s best work.

So to bring in a new beach feature, video.beachthe.net has been launched with its debut entry being the Best of John Lott.

Enjoy.

Fantasy Baseball Preview - Part XI - Projected Closers

Projected Closers (Pre-Spring)
AL EAST	AL CENTRAL	AL WEST
BAL Chris Ray BOS Keith Foulke NYY Mariano Rivera TB Chad Orvella TOR B.J. Ryan	CHW Bobby Jenks CLE Bob Wickman DET Todd Jones KC Mike MacDougal MIN Joe Nathan	ANA Francisco Rodriguez OAK Huston Street SEA Eddie Guardado TEX Francisco Cordero
NL EAST	NL CENTRAL	NL WEST
ATL Chris Reitsma FLA Joe Borowski NYM Billy Wagner PHI Tom Gordon WAS Chad Cordero	CHI Ryan Dempster CIN Dave Weathers HOU Brad Lidge MIL Derrick Turnbow PIT Mike Gonzalez STL Jason Isringhausen	ARZ Jose Valverde COL Brian Fuentes LA Eric Gagne SD Trevor Hoffman SF Armando Benitez

Puck Periodic - Saturday

Nashville (at SJ)
• 3rd game in 5 days
• 3-1-1 since break
• Last played Thursday at VAN (3-2 W)
• 24-8-4 after a win
• 18-10-1 with 1 day off
• PP is 3/25 (12%) last 5 games, 18.3% for season
• PK is 29/35 (82.8%) last 5 games, 85.1% for season
• 14-13-6 on road
• Final game of 4 game road trip (2-1-0 so far)
• 3-4-2 in final game of road trip of 2+ games
• Dmen Markov, Eaton on IR; Timmonen day to day
• First game with D Witt
• 2-0-1 vs SJ this season, 2-2-0 last season
• Home team has won last 7 meetings
San Jose (vs NAS)
• 3rd game in 5 days
• 1-2-1 since break
• Last played Thursday vs EDM (5-2 W)
• 19-6-3 after a win
• 16-13-3 with 1 day off
• PP is 1/19 (5.2%) since break, 17.8% for season
• PK is 16/18 (88.9%) since break, 81.2% for season
• 18-7-5 at home
• 2nd game of 6 game homestand
• 2nd game since acquiring Nieminen from PHI
• Nabakov day to day, didn’t dress last game

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Edmonton (at CLB)
• 3rd game in 5 days
• 2-2-1 since break
• Last played Thursday at SJ (2-5 L)
• Lost 2 in a row
• 11-8-2 after a loss
• 17-8-6 with 1 day off
• PP is 4/27 (14.8%) in last 5 games, 17.7% for season
• PK is 14/18 (77.8%) in last 5 games, 83% for season
• 17-10-4 on road
• 2nd game of 4 game road trip
• 6-6-4 on weekends
• First game with Samsonov in lineup
• 2nd game with Rolosson, who played well in 2-5 loss to SJ
• 2-0-1 vs CLB this season, 2-0-2 last season
Columbus (vs EDM)
• 3rd game in 5 days
• 2-3-0 since break
• Last played Thursday vs PHX (5-4 W)
• 10-14-0 after a win
• 10-19-1 with 1 day off
• PP is 3/36 (8.3%) in last 5 games, 14.6% for season
• PK is 25/29 (86.2%) in last 5 games, 81.2% for season
• 16-14-0 at home
• Final game of 3 game homestand (1-1-0 so far)
• 4-4-0 in final game of homestand of 2+ games