Peter Mueller finally did something since returning that’s worth talking about, and I’m not just talking about the 2 Goals. He overcame a Concussion! No not that. He also had an Assist last night! No no that’s wrong too. Oh yeah, he finally saw more than 15 minutes on the ice. In fact he was out there for almost 20, including major Power Play time. It’s a good sign, and if it wasn’t for his Crosby-like concussion past I’d be screaming MUUUEEELLLEEEEERRRR from a mountain top. Unfortunately I’ve already been burned advocating for concussion victims, so I will temper expectations… But seriously those of you with garbage teams go pick him up now, his upside is high and if he gets concussed again you can just drop him.
Taylor Hall – LW (Edm): In case you haven’t heard, Hall is out for a while after getting gashed above the eye in pre-game warmups. It took 30 stitches to close the wound, which for a hockey player amounts to about 2 games (1 Game missed = 15 stitches, for you math majors). This of course assumes that that (that that? that that) blade to the head just caused massive bleeding and not the C word.
Jason Pominville – RW (Buf): It goes without saying that when a team is losing as many games as Buffalo has been, most players on the team will be slumping. Pominville hasn’t fallen off a cliff (2 Goals last night, 7 Points last 8 games) but these other guys I’m about to mention have not only fallen off the cliff, but their bodies have been identified and the funerals are on Saturday…
Thomas Vanek – LW (Buf): Here is the major offensive culprit in Tatanka…errrrr…. Buffalo. Vanek started the season red hot, but he’s now scoreless in 3 games and he’s got just 2 points in his last 9. HOWEVA, between Vanek and the next 2 Sabre’s I’m going to mention I trust him the most to turn it around.
Derek Roy – C (Buf): Roy G Biv has been just as cold as Vanek (2 Points last 9 games) but for some reason I have little to no faith in a turnaround. I blame his first name…
Ryan Miller – G (Buf): And we get to the last (and primary) culprit in the land of chicken wings and missed field goals. I will admit Goalies receive too much of the blame when a team is struggling, but thats just part of the job. It’s probably the worst position in sports when it comes to assigning blame. NFL Quarterbacks get too much blame when times are bad too, but when things are good for an NFL team the Quarterback gets ALL the credit. It’s rarely that way for an NHL Goalie. Can Miller Time return this season? It’s possible. Just remember 8 out of 10 recovering alcoholics will fall off the wagon.
Alex Ovechkin – RW (Wsh): The Russian Rapper scored a Goal last night to give him 19 on the season. Not exactly what was expected from a consensus top 3 pick in the draft, let alone the fact that this is ALEX OVECHKIN. Maybe he turns it on and manages to pull 40 Goals out of a hat, but I just don’t see it. Hell right now I’d be surprised to see him get to 80 points.
Francois Beauchemin – D (Ana): Just like Buffalo’s struggles lead to horrible individual slumps, Anaheim’s surge leads to individual hot streaks. Enter the Beauche-man. 2G/5A last 6 games means he’ll probably go pointless until February, but if you’re desperate for short term D help you could do worse.
