Wednesday Night Rivalry Oct 26th
Tonight is another installment of NBC Sports Wednesday Night Rivalry. The latest semi successful venture aimed to bring hockey to the American masses. Every Wednesday Mike Emrick, Pierre McGuire, and Keith Jones pretend that Mike Milbury is still relevant in hockey (Boom Roasted). I mean, who doesn't want to hear the opinion of a guy who beat a man with his own shoe? Admittedly that was actually kind of awesome. Unfortunately, Milbury went on to tank his GM and Head Coaching duties with the Islanders, signing contracts crippling the team for decades, while micromanaging his staff like he was auditioning for a role in Office Space, and then finally selling the team to a con artist (not so awesome). But on Wednesday's none of that matters as we sit down with this eclectic Brady Bunch to see how long into the show it takes for Mikey to go off the rails, start sweating and then trail off into absurdity while Mike Emrick and Pierre Mcguire attempt to bring some insight to the game.
Each week NBC does its best to secure the rights to what it dubs as a rivalry, sometimes they hit it big. They opened the season with the Chicago Blackhawks facing the St. Louis Blues followed by the Los Angeles Kings visiting the San Jose Sharks. Other times it feels like they are ramming the square block into the triangular hole. Overall they try, mainly feeding us divisional match ups with original six teams. I’m ok with that. Bringing us to tonight where the Bruins of Boston visit the Rangers of New York.
Boston is coming off a tough 5-0 loss to the Wild, facing injures (Bakes is out), and a goaltending headache. Tuukka Rask is day to day. He’s most likely suffering from late onset PTSD from the World Cup which wrapped in September. Rask and his countrymen from Finland were unable to win a single game. Battling hard with the US to be dead last in the tournament. Meanwhile his teammate Brad Marchand had a breakout performance in the World Cup, winning it all with Canada while playing on the top line with Crosby. I think Rask has had trouble coming to terms with Marchand’s new friend and although sources tell me Brad has assured him it was just a tournament thing, he keeps getting these texts that he suspiciously hides from Tuukka. Oh the mental anguish of goaltenders.
Anton Khudobin the regular Boston backup who in the past has done his job in times of need is injured and out for at least 3 weeks. Forcing the Bruins to dip into their prospect pool calling up 22 year old Malcolm Subban (yes THAT Subban) and Zane McIntyre. After Subbans performance in the B’s loss Tuesday Zane McIntyre 24, makes his NHL debut tonight. He relieved Malcolm Subban on Tuesday against the Wild. His brief glimpse of NHL experience was rocky to say the most, letting in 2 goals in 17 shots.
The Rangers on the other hand on coming off a two game win streak and although missing some veteran players on D have seen the new guys pick up the slack. Hendrick Lunquist has been reliable early in the season showing no signs of slowing down or hanging it up. He also plays in a band with John McEnroe, just saying.
It can be tough for teams early in the season who are still finding their groove, even tougher with injuries. While coaches ponder over lines and fans burn the GM at the stake after every loss it is important to remember that it's a long season that’s just begun. Injuries can bring opportunity, and the Bruins are going to need to capitalize on every opportunity tonight if they want add one to the W column. Although coming off a 5-0 defeat will cause the Bruins to start strong and strike early, I can’t see it taking them all the way tonight. The Rangers are prepared, rested and generally healthier than the Bruins. I expect New York to send them packing tonight. I predict a 3-1 defeat for the Bruins.
Gut Picks:
Montreal Canadiens 2 vs New York Islanders 4 - Montreal has enjoyed a nice stretch which will be stopped by Tavares and the Islanders tonight.
Washington Capitals 4 vs Edmonton Oilers 1 - I’d like to see the Oilers hand the Caps a loss tonight but I’m not feeling it. Ovi likes to perform when presented with a challenge and with all the media chatter about McDavid so far this season, I think Ovi aims to remind Connor how to score a goal or two.
Nashville Predators 3 vs Anaheim Ducks 2 (OT) - The Predators will take this one in OT. Trust me (or don’t).
