Farewell To A Great Run and Random Sporty Thoughts

(photo via cbc.ca)

I learned a bunch of new things recently, friends. Mostly from watching hockey (which is the best way to learn anything, really). In no order of importance :

End Of An Era: The Detroit Red Wings' "Perfect Human" Nicklas Lidstrom Retires

(Photo via slapshotcentral.tumblr.com)

Stanley Cup Champion. Olympic Champion. World Champion. Norris Trophy Winner. Conn Smythe Recipient. All Star. After 20 dominant years, "Mr. Perfect" Nicklas Lidstrom retired from the franchise that drafted him 53rd overall in '89. He was selected after Sundin, Holik, Kolzig, Foote and Zamuner to name a few. He is the most decorated player of that draft and arguably the most important d-man of all time. 

NHLPA Beard-a-thon Update: Week 5

image via smr.newswire.ca

As promised, I'm providing an update on my progress in the NHLPA Beardathon.

Just about to enter Week 5, and the beard is coming in real nice right about now.

2012 NHL Playoffs: Top Seeds And Perennial Contenders Dropping Like Keslers

(Photo via sports.yahoo.com)

If the Washington Capitals find a way to take game 7 in Boston against the Bruins, we'll have no returning Cup champs in the tourney. No Penguins. No Wings. The Blackhawks are holding on by a thread and could be bumped out by Phoenix in the near future.

NHLPA Beard-a-thon: Growing Your Hair Because You Care

image via smr.newswire.ca

Growing a beard during the Stanley Cup Playoffs is a longstanding tradition for both players and fans alike.

This year, you can join in the tradition with some of your favourite players by supporting the NHLPA Beard-a-thon, with proceeds supporting the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

If you're an NHL hockey fan, or simply down with charitable causes (or both), check out the NHLPA Beardathon website  for more information on how you can get behind this great fundraising initiative.

NHLPA members Scott Hartnell, Claude Giroux, Jamal Mayers, Brooks Laich, Brian Elliott, Shea Weber, and Logan Couture are just some of the many players involved.

I'll be dropping my razor and supporting the cause as well.

Check P&B on the regular over the next few weeks .... I'll be posting update pics as my beard progresses.

Watch The Throne Beard!



-Turnbull

Dr. Integrity or: How I Learned To Stop Hating and Love Brian Burke

(Photo via hockeydraft.ca)

I was watching George Stroumboulopoulous Tonight on CBC a few nights ago and I experienced a revelation. Brian Burke, President and General Manager of your Toronto Maple Leafs, had a sit down with the talk show host and after his interview, I realized that I don't hate him. I might actually almost love that man. Here's the reason why I had a change of heart (but not allegiance).

UPDATE WITH STATEMENT - Hockey And Politics: Tim Thomas Refuses To Join The Boston Bruins For White House Celebration

(Photo via mobyrebuttal.blogspot.com)

Tim Thomas, the Conn Smythe trophy winner for the Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins, declined the White House's invitation to celebrate their accomplishment. Thomas is a known Tea Party supporter and we can only assume that this was the reason why he didn't show up. I don't agree with what Whyshynski wrote, but I will reserve my full comment until Thomas releases his statement on Facebook NHL.com.

My initial feeling is that this is a classless move by the Bruins goal tender. A visit to the White House is an honour and not an opportunity for grandstanding. Politics and pucks don't belong together.

UPDATE WITH TIM THOMAS' STATEMENT REGARDING BOYCOTTING THE BOSTON BRUINS' WHITE HOUSE VISIT

3 Reasons Why The Ottawa Senators Are A Team To Watch

(Photo via senators.nhl.com)

Many (everybody) predicted that the Ottawa Senators would be tenants in Bettman's basement this season, myself included. I wasn't going to flip out like I did last pre-season when all the puck pundits predicted the Sens would miss the playoffs. I decided to have no expectations for this club this year. In case you missed it, the Sens traded a few pieces away before the 2011 deadline that were considered "heart and soul" character players including fan favourite Mike Fisher and defensive specialist Chris Kelly. So, this Ottawa Senators team is rebooting and building the next chapter of their history through the draft and free agent signings. I would've never guessed that the Sens would be holding down fifth place in the conference, 2nd in the Northeast in January. Did I mention that they are one of the hottest teams in the league over the last 10 games? Ottawa is 7-1-2 with a couple come from behind wins. This has been their story this season.

Sidney Crosby Is a Special Athlete. Recognize.

(Photo via theglobeandmail.com

As you've surely read, the Kid is back. And he's still hands down the best in the business. He joins a Pittsburgh Penguin team that is currently 1st in the Eastern Conference (3rd in the league) and are poised to make a great run at Lord Stanley's Cup. All this talk about how he was afraid to return to the fastest game on the planet or cringed at the prospect of taking a major league hit have hovered over his head since his last game in January 2011. He let it all out in his debut this season.

Crosby's stat line for his return against the Islanders (which is a perfect game for his comeback: Sid has 66 points, including 20 goals, in 34 career games vs the Isles) was nothing short of awesome: 2 goals, 2 assists with 8 shots while taking in 15 minutes of ice time. It took him less than 6 minutes to score his first goal (on his first shot) with an amazing backhander that made it's way top right shelf. Crosby makes it look so easy and that's what all of the greats do. He's a student of the game, and will eventually become the head master of the sport.

For any of you that want to hate on Crosby and claim that he's a cry baby or a whiner, keep that shit to yourself. If your club of choice acquired him through a very unlikely trade, you would be ecstatic. You would say all of the things that I've written in this post. My advice: sit back and enjoy what the Kid is accomplishing in his career and for hockey. Sidney Crosby might play for the Penguins, but he's here for all of us puckheads to enjoy.

Here are the Crosby highlights from the game. His effort on the second goal is ridiculous, especially the "turn on a dime" on the half boards making Milan Jurcina look the fool.

-Paqman

The West is the Best: Stats (Like Hips) Don't Lie

This is the best picture that I can find that represents East vs West. Nuff said. (photo via smartassradio.com)

For those of you who don't know, I'm an Ottawa Senators fan. I don't need a shoulder to cry on or any type of consolation for this Club's luck (or lack of it) this year. 29th overall. Worse than the always crappy Islanders. Not doing much better than the young and rebuilding Oilers. And most painfully, the Leafs are in the hunt for that 8th seed in the home stretch while the Sens are planning their strategy for the 2011 Entry Draft. 1st or 2nd pick? Nugent-Thompkins, Laarsen, Landeskog, or Couturier? Not the kind of conversation you want your team to have at this point in the season. For more of my Sens ranting, check out my other blog Stranger In Leaf Nation.

The Race is On

I can't remember the last time the NHL Western playoff race was this tight. As of Saturday, March 12th, 8 points separate the 11th seed from 4th. Within that range we are looking at the Kings, Stars, Flames, Ducks, Predators, Coyotes, Hawks, and Wild. The top might change with Detroit, Vancouver and the Sharks sitting comfortably in the top 3 seeds, as the red hot Hawks are knocking on the door. The craziest part of the Western race has to be the 12th seeded Blue Jackets playing with a winning record at 31-26-8. Flip it to the East in the same spot, we're looking at the Devils at 31-32-4. The spread from 4th to 11th on the Atlantic side of the league is 18 points. The West continues to be the strongest side in the NHL year over year. But I've also noticed this trend in the NBA. Was Jim Morrison right all along? Is the West the best?