Author Archives: Brian Monzo

The NHL announced its first ’3 Stars of the Week,’ for the 2009-2010 season.

FIRST STAR — ALEX OVECHKIN, LW, WASHINGTON CAPITALS

Ovechkin took the early lead in the NHL scoring race with consecutive three-point performances and a cumulative +4 rating as the Capitals opened the regular season with victories over the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs. The reigning League MVP tallied two goals, including the game-winner, plus one assist, five shots, three hits and a +2 rating in a 4-1 victory at Boston Oct. 1 and notched one goal, two assists, five shots, four hits and a +2 rating in a 6-4 victory against Toronto in the Caps’ home opener Oct. 3.

SECOND STAR — CRAIG ANDERSON, G, COLORADO AVALANCHE

Anderson stopped 73 of 74 shots in posting a 2-0-0 record with a 1.00 goals-against average, .973 save percentage and one shutout as the Avalanche opened the season with a pair of home victories. Anderson recorded 38 saves in a 5-2 win over the San Jose Sharks Oct. 1 and stopped 35 shots for his eighth career shutout in a 3-0 victory over the Vancouver Canucks Oct. 3. Anderson signed with Colorado as a free agent July 1 after three seasons with the Florida Panthers. He finished third among NHL goaltenders last season with a .924 save percentage and posted a 15-7-5 record in 31 appearances.

THIRD STAR — KEITH TKACHUK, C, ST. LOUIS BLUES

Tkachuk opened the season by notching four points (two goals, two assists) in the Blues’ two-game sweep over the Detroit Red Wings in the 2009 Compuware NHL Premiere Stockholm series. After tallying one assist in a 4-3 victory Oct. 2, Tkachuk notched three points (two goals, one assist) and earned First Star honors in a 5-3 win Oct. 3. He led all players in the game with seven hits, recorded five shots and won nine of 16 face-offs. Playing In his 18th NHL season, the Melrose, Mass. native increased his career goals total to 527, second all-time among U.S.-born players and 31st all-time.

Monzo: Not to be too much of a homer, but I was thinking Marian Gaborik had a chance to make this list.  I am sure he will before long enough.

Other then the last goal scored by Ottawa with five seconds left, there is not much negative you can say about last nights win.

Here are a few thoughts:

• -It is straight up scary watching Marian Gaborik.  I’ve never been a ‘big name’ fan, but he is a pure scorer and gets to the net.
• -They didn’t score last night, but like Joe Micheletti said, the power-play is going to score.
• -I thought again Michael Del Zotto looked nervous, but after scoring he looked good and was solid on the power-play.
• -While his skating is as good as it gets, there were two instances where Matt Gilroy got beat for icing — once by Alex Kovalev and another by Jason Spezza, which lead to a goal.
• -Looking forward to Sean Avery‘s return — mainly because Enver Lisin will add a lot of speed to a fourth line, if that is the role he moves to.
• -Henrik Lundqvist played unreal, stopping 19 of 20 shots in the 2nd period.
• -Two games in Brandon Dubinsky is proving his worth of his contract.
• -Wade Redden and Michal Rozsival have been invisible and at times, I forget they are on the team.

More later….

Check out my latest ’3 Minute Minor’ on WFAN.com — we preview the season and the keys to the Rangers success.

I have joined on with Metro Hockey as a guest contributor.  I will be doing bi-weekly Q&A’s about the Rangers and all things NHL.

The first edition was just released.  Be sure to check it out.

This week we talked about Matt Gilroy, Michael Del Zotto and a look at the Islanders and Devils.

Despite a valiant effort the Rangers fell to the Pens last night in the season opener.

I saw a lot of positives in this game, and a handful of negatives:

• Henrik Lundqvist played in the form we expect him.
• Matt Gilroy looked like a veteran, not a rookie.
• Michael Del Zotto looked like a rookie, but got better as the game went on.
• Marian Gaborik is a better skater then I thought.  He is a instant game changer.
• Ryan Callahan deserves the ‘A’ and never gives less then %110.
• Chris Higgins has a knack for the puck and always finds open ice.
• Enver Lisin always finds a way to get the puck on net.
• Wade Redden looks like he will never get better.

I wrote my 2009-2010 Rangers preview on WFAN.com.  It’s all about the Ranger improving their offense this season.  We touched up that, the defense, new additions and of course, Henrik Lundqvist.

Here is a tidbit about Marian Gaborik:

“Gaborik is the key to the Rangers season. Gaborik is a prolific goal scorer and perhaps the best skater in the league since Pavel Bure (on a side note, the Rangers drafted Chris Kreider in June, projected to be one of the best skaters in the league when ready).”

Click here to read the entire preview.

Former Ranger coach and newest MSG analyst Mike Keenan will join Mike Francesa on WFAN this afternoon at 2:05P ET.

You can hear the interview on WFAN 660 AM or on WFAN.com.

Monzo: Francesa told me today that he and Keenan had a great relationship back in 94 and have had one ever since.  Keenan is still much loved by Ranger fans, despite the awkward way his relationship with the Rangers ended.  Looking forward to hear this.

Just spoke to someone from MSG and they confirmed that former Ranger coach, and obviously the coach of the 94 team, Mike Keenan will be joining MSG Network as as pre/post analyst.

Brian Leetch and Mike Richter will be in studio for select home games as well.

Monzo: I am impartial to this — but I love the fact that Keenan coached several teams and he chooses a team he coached one year, won a Cup, to become an analyst with.  I am a little shocked Neil Smith hasn’t gotten a chance.  However you can catch Smith on SNY for any major NHL news story and on my video blogs right here on SNYRangersblog throughout the season.

(Update 1:34P ET) Steve Zipay reports the issue with Semenov has been resolved and he will travel to Pittsburgh.

(Original Post) According to Steve Zipay via Twitter, and more reports when they arise, there is an ‘issue’ with Alexei Semenov’s contract and he may not dress tomorrow.

John Tortorella will announce alternate captains tomorrow morning — my guess? Marian Gaborik and Michal Rozsival.

The Rangers will be on the bench tomorrow night when the Penguins raise their Cup banner.

Monzo: If that isn’t motivation to win, then I don’t know what is.

The New Jersey Devils and Brendan Shanahan announced that Shanahan will not return to the Devils for his 22nd NHL season.

“When I signed this past summer, Lou Lamoriello, Jacques Lemaire, and I agreed that if we were unable to find a suitable fit in which I would be able to compete and contribute at the level I expect from myself, then I would simply step aside,” said Shanahan in a statement.

Shanahan has not decided yet whether or not he will retire.

‘Fire and Ice,’ the blog by savvy Devils reporter Tom Gulitti has more.

Monzo: Shanahan isn’t content with playing on a fourth line.  My initial thought is that he will retire, but a few months from now I can see Shanahan signing on with a Stanley Cup contender for another crack to raise the Cup.

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