Use just once and destroy OR Bringing back THE HAT TRICK.

When I had my old blog (which may or may not still be in circulation but I don't remember the address) and when I was on NHL Connect for a hot minute, I had a segment I did called THE HAT TRICK. Pretty much what I did was pick three things I thought were interesting to me in the hockey world and babble on about it for a paragraph or three. Thus, I think I'm going to bring that back. Maybe make it a Wednesday or Thursday thing, since I usually have a ton of time on my hands.

So, ladies and gents, without further ado- THE HAT TRICK!

Chapeau 1- How sick are the Colorado Avalanche?

The answer- really sick. Sometimes, the folks in the hockey world get surprised by a team really early in the season. Last year, it was the Rangers. A few years back, it was the Sabres. This year, it looks like the Avalanche. Where did this team come from, I don't know. But whoever helped assemble this team, from the GM's and scouts on down, deserves a pat on the back. The big names aren't there, but the team is solidly built. From the goaltending of Craig Anderson, who really started to show his skills last year in Florida but is blossoming into a top-tier goaltender in Colorado. The play of young guys such as Matt Duchene and 18-year-old Ryan O'Reilly, a 2nd round pick this past year (from the Erie Otters- represent!) who is quietly making a name for himself in the NHL. The veteran leadership of Milan Hejduk, Darcy Tucker (who I hate a lot, but still- the guy is a presence) and Paul Stastny- who I list despite the fact that he is 23, he's still played three years. And Wojtek Wolski, a guy I used to trade for in NHL07 because he had a cool name. Wolski has been a pest to opponents all year- grinding his way to eight goals, five assists and a phenomenal +9. For a team that was slated to finish somewhere between 26th and 30th in the league, I'd say they are doing a great job at shutting their critics up something fierce. Let's hope this continues- but not at the expense of the Flames again, thank you very much.

Sombrero 2- The Sabres are playing pretty good.

One thing I don't like doing is getting excited about one of my teams having a hot start in the beginning of the season. I'll do it all day for the Avalanche, because they're hot but what do I care? The Sabres did the same thing last year, and we didn't even make the playoffs. But this year... hot damn. I watch this team, and I see resilience, toughness, and grit that I haven't seen in a while. I see all the lines playing hard, from the top to the bottom. We have nine guys with at least two goals this year, and that means that we don't have to rely on one person to score goals like we did at times with TomVanek last year. When guys like Roy and Vanek don't produce, you instead see guys like Gaustad, Myers, and MacArthur getting their names in the box score. You see guys standing up for their teammates more. This team makes me proud. I didn't really want to say anything, and I've kinda been hesitant because we're only nine games in, and you don't get any awards for having a great nine game record. But to say I'm excited for this team- that would be an understatement. Miller- what more can I say about Miller that I haven't said before? The guy must've been watching a TON of "Breakin' And Poppin'" this summer because he has made some pretty solid saves in net this season. He's on top of his game a little more than last year and I'd be a fool if I didn't mention that he's probably one of the big reasons we've started as hot as we have.


3, or Pop! Goes The Hat Trick. My Stanley Cup picks for this season.

I realized that I never put up my picks for this year, and like last year, I'd like to look at my picks and realize, "Boy. I really fucked this year up something fierce." So, from the lovely piece of paper I wrote it on at the end of September, here are my ECF/WCF and SCF picks.

Eastern Conference Finals- Pittsburgh vs. Washington
Western Conference Finals- San Jose vs. Calgary
Stanley Cup Finals- San Jose vs. Washington
Winner- San Jose Sharks.

Do you know how hard it was to pick AGAINST Calgary? Very. I just like the Sharks to win the West. I think this is FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY their year. But, I said something like that last year, and the Ducks harpooned them out in the first round. This is why I'm not an expert, and am writing on blogger.com instead of nhl.com.

And that's about it. Also, Paul Maurice- if you decide you're going to motivate the team extra hard at practice tomorrow, please let Scotty punch Aaron Ward in the other eye. Maybe that'll balance his brain out and make him play better. Thanks, Mo.

I've got nothing really left to report. I work all weekend minus Sunday so if I don't get around to updating beforehand, you all out there in the Blogosphere have a wonderfully Happy Halloween! :)