Defense And Fan Support Spark Hasek
Buffalo goaltender Dominik Hasek’s play is beginning to resemble that which made him the NHL’s MVP last season. Hasek, who got off to a slow start this season, says his game has improved recently for two reasons.
“I think what helped me for sure (is that) the team (is playing) better defensively, and I feel more support from the Buffalo fans,” Hasek says. “I haven’t changed anything in practice. I haven’t changed anything in the game.”
A recent nine-game streak which included a 1.75 goals-against and .940 save percentage were closer to the kind of numbers he put up last season when he won both the Hart Trophy as most valuable player and Vezina Trophy as the top goaltender.
It’s quite a change from his early season start, when he was booed at home for his poor performance as well as his remarks last spring that led to the eventual departure of NHL coach of the year Ted Nolan. Lindy Ruff has since taken over as coach.
Asked if he was “more comfortable” with the new coach, Hasek responded:
“To be honest - I will give a very short answer - I am more comfortable with the coach this year.”
Method to his madness?
What do we make of the contract handling of New Jersey players by general manager Lou Lamoriello?
Lamoriello took a hard-line stance on forwards Bill Guerin, who held out until two weeks ago, and John MacLean, the soul of the team who forced a trade and was dealt to San Jose.
Lamoriello then immediately signed defenseman Scott Stevens to a four-year, $20 million deal and goaltender Martin Brodeur to a four-year deal in excess of $15 million.
Lamoriello knows that while solid forwards are a good commodity, it is harder to find great defensemen and goaltenders.
You make sure you tie up the people who win you a Stanley Cup first. And in Lamoriello’s mind, that meant Stevens and Brodeur. It’s tough to argue with him.
That said, expect Lamoriello to sign center Doug Gilmour soon.
Switching styles
With their neutral-zone trap, the Florida Panthers have been known for their defense since coming into the league in 1993. Suddenly, things have changed under new coach Bryan Murray, who took over when Doug MacLean was fired earlier this season.
In their first game under Murray, the Panthers beat the Boston Bruins 10-5.
“Obviously, we’re not going to score 10 goals every night,” said Florida goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck. “But we’re creating a lot more offensively, and we’re adapting (to the new coach) decently.”
Expanding and dividing
In a time of change, the NHL might be in for another one: separate conference play for the regular season.
At least Brian Burke thinks so. Chatting informally with the press at a recent Phoenix-Tampa Bay game in Florida, the NHL’s director of hockey operations was asked about the possibility of the conferences not playing each other during the regular season in light of more expansion.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we go to separate conference play altogether,” Burke said.
On the ice
The Tampa Bay Lightning ended a 16-game road winless streak by beating the Ottawa Senators 3-1 Saturday night in Kanata, Ontario.
Igor Ulanov, Rob Zamuner and Jason Wiemer scored for the Lightning (6-20-4), who last won away from home in Chicago on Oct. 9.
At Boston, Anson Carter set up Sergei Samsonov’s first-period power-play goal and also scored one, lifting the Boston Bruins to a 4-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens.