(Spoilers) The thread where CALIFORNIA LOOOOVE~!

[Hewey]

Pens win! I was not expecting that kind of game from them, very defensively sound game, and MAF was awesome, I really hope he comes through when it's playoff time.

[Gabriel]

The Flames first game is in the bag. Picked up the bitch point in a shootout loss, so not too bad.

Ramo looked good. The first goal came on a breakaway, and the two Ovechkin goals hit sticks and changed direction. The only complaint I had was that he was very weak moving side to side, and it cost us the shootout.

The team itself looked good, mostly. They played a hard work type of game and made their physical presence known. There were a few defensive lapses that ultimately gave up chances, but nothing more than last season with a more veteran group, so that's a positive.

With all of the hooplah about fighting right now, I have to wonder why the ref's aren't calling the instigator to help deter fights. Example: Bouma with a clean hit that happens to hurt Jack Hillen. Tom Wilson drops the gloves and forces him into a fight that he would not have been in otherwise. That, by the book, is instigating. You want to cut down on the amount of meaningless fights? Start calling the instigator and giving coaches a reason to punish guys for fighting, or a reason to keep goons off the ice.

Also, I haven't seen this discussed anywhere, but how would everyone feel about an additional two minute penalty for taking an opponent's feet out during a fight? Again, last night, when he'd had enough of it, Wilson grabbed behind the knee of Bouma and pulled, sending him to the ice. That's a dangerous play, and I could argue that it is even more dangerous than the fight that precedes it. Bouma's head could very easily have crashed into the ice because of that takedown from Wilson.

So, again, there are two ideas (one of which is supposed to be in play anyways) to help cut down on fighting, without eliminating fighting.

[Ruki]

Weber for Benn?

[Pizza]

Depends on how deep you are at their respective positions.

[Plubby]

3-1 Avs! Empty Netter! YOU WANT SOMMADIS, TROTZ?!

[The Buscher]

Fun Islanders game right off the bat. Can't go wrong with getting past Brodeur on opening night.

[caucasianheat]

Aside from a few nice saves, Brodeur was pretty lousy with two really leaky goals down low. I think the older goalies will have the hardest time adjusting to the new trimmed down pads this year.

[Ruki]

Depends on how deep you are at their respective positions.

Made tge trade....pissed off MPH doing it

[Hewey]

Detroit and Carolina had a hell of a game last night, great come from behind win by the Red Wings. But I was impressed with the Hurricanes, and Ward was looking really good last night.

Penguins play the Sabres tonight, won't be able to watch till I get home, here's hoping they play as well as they did on Thursday.

[Ruki]

The goalie controversy starts in Toronto. Reimer gets pulled in the second

Rielly looks good, though!

[Plubby]

Win #1 on the season for BOBROVSKY~!

[The Buscher]

I'll take 3 points in the first weekend.

[Plubby]

Wow, Bernier was very good in relief. Just seen the highlights.

[Hewey]

Damn, that was kind of a easy game for the Penguins, the only one doing anything for Buffalo was Enroth, the rest of the guys were playing horribly. It could have been a blowout loss for them if the Pens hadn't missed the net a few times, or gotten the post.

And yeah, in the Flyers game, Bernier looked awesome, it won't surprise me to see him become the starter, I didn't see last night's game, but he was great in the Flyers game. Speaking of them, 0-2 so far for the Flyers.

[SeanDMan]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2lflVgAqn8

That Backlund goal was sick.

[Toe]

Toronto has looked shaky defensively through the first three games. The goaltending is the reason for the 3-0 start.

[PatDaMan]

Flyers have already fired Peter Laviolette. Replaced with Craig Berube, who will also have Ian Lapperriere on his staff. Should've been Paul Holmgren instead, but that will only be a matter of time with Hextall working as AGM

[Hewey]

That's kinda early to fire the coach isn't it? I thought they would have given him atleast ten games.

[Pizza]

He was on thin ice after last year, which was incredibly disappointing. It was clear he didn't have the team anymore. Why wait?

[PatDaMan]

Makes no sense. I like Lavy a lot, he fit into Philly pretty well too, from a fan's standpoint, but if you're going to fire him this early, there's no point in waiting. Flyers owner Ed Snider got really snippy with the media in the press conference, too. He's the NHL's answer to Ed Snider.