Top 5 NHL Stories

By Michael Rappaport

1. Lucic Doesn’t Receive Suspension For Hit on Miller

Throughout the season, concussions and head shots have been a recurring story, and last week was no exception. Last Saturday, Milan Lucic of the Bruins was chasing the puck in the Sabres zone, attempting to get a breakaway chance. The Sabres’ goalie, Ryan Miller came out to the faceoff circle to play the puck, and Lucic barreled over Miller. The call on the play was a two-minute penalty to Lucic for charging, and Miller suffered a concussion as a result of the hit. Despite the result, league disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan felt that no supplemental discipline was needed, and Lucic wasn’t suspended.

The play caused controversy throughout the NHL, even spilling over into the discussion during the NHL Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Toronto two days later. However, it’s only controversial because it was a hit on a goaltender. If Lucic had hit a defenseman the way he hit Miller, there wouldn’t be any discussion. There is no rule that states that the goaltender isn’t “fair game” outside of his goal crease, and if a goalie wants to skate halfway out into the defensive zone to prevent a breakaway, he should expect a possibility of receiving contact.

To read more about the Lucic-Miller incident, check out the opinions from people around the NHL, including Ryan Miller, in this article.

2. Crosby On the Mend, but Not Sure When He Will be in the Lineup

It has been eight months since Sidney Crosby started skating again, and one month since he was cleared for contact. However, it has been ten months since the Penguins’ captain has played in an NHL game, and for the foreseeable future, Crosby will watch his teammates from the press box.

Although Crosby made the road trip with the Penguins to Florida, he didn’t play in Thursday’s game in Tampa Bay, and head coach Dan Bylsma has ruled him out of Saturday’s game against the Panthers. While the NHL waits for the game’s premier player to return, the Penguins have found a way to win without him, going 11-5-3 to start the season.

To read more on Crosby’s injury update, check out Dan Bylsma’s quote at NHL.com.

3. NHL Determines 1-3-1 “Stalemate” Needs Monitoring

In a game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Flyers refused to make an offensive attack against Tampa Bay’s 1-3-1 defensive system. As a result, the Flyers remained in their own zone for thirty seconds without making a move, until the referee blew the whistle and ended the play.

Although the Flyers’ reaction to the 1-3-1 defense isn’t a regular sighting in the NHL, the topic was brought up during the General Managers meetings. The point was made that whatever rule changes are made by the league, coaches will always find a way to adjust and beat the changes. After the lockout in 2004-05, the league made rule changes to eliminate the neutral zone trap, and many teams in the league adjusted to playing a 1-3-1 defensive system. 

To read more about the general managers’ opinions on the 1-3-1 system, read this article.

4. Ovechkin Scoring, Shooting Less

Last season, Alex Ovechkin attributed his goal scoring decline to the 180-degree change the Capitals made with their playing style. This season, Ovechkin’s goal totals are down from his normal pace, but the most radical change in his numbers is the number of shots he has taken.

After scoring at least 46 goals in each of his first five seasons, Ovechkin’s goal total dipped to 32. He has 7 goals and 14 points through 17 games this season, but after leading the league in shots in every year of his career, Ovechkin is only tied for 22nd in the league in shots this year with 59.

Although Capitals’ head coach Bruce Boudreau’s system is designed to help the Capitals go far in the playoffs, it might be coming at the expense of his best player. When Ovechkin is on his game, he is arguably the best player in the game, or at least at a 1-1A level with Crosby. The only way Ovechkin is going to contribute more offensively is if he willing to fire away.

To read more on Ovechkin’s struggles, read this article from the London Free Press.

5. NHL Players Actively Taking Part in Movember

“Movember” is a month-long campaign to promote awareness of cancers that affect men through the growing of mustaches. For the 2nd year of “Movember”, NHL players are coming up with other ways besides only growing mustaches to raise awareness.

This year, Anaheim Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller has a special mask for the month of November (above). The mask features pictures of all of his Ducks teammates and how they would all look with mustaches. While the pictures and the possibilities of what the players would look like are entertaining, Hiller’s mask also is a great symbol to send out a message to people to be aware of what “Movember” is all about.

To read more about how Hiller feels about the “Movember” movement and the NHL’s participation, check out this article from NHL.com.