TRADE DEADLINE: WINNERS AND LOSERS

Now that the wheeling and dealing has slowed (minutes after the 3:00 deadline), let's take a look at the winners and losers of the 2009 trade deadline. Keep in mind, some trades can be announced a bit after the deadline, so this may change if anything major is announced.

WINNERS
Calgary Flames- The Flames added Olli Jokinen and former Hobey-Baker award winner Jordan Leopold. They've added both offense and defense and the only significant piece they moved was Matthew Lombardi. Calgary currently sits third in the west and is in prime position to make a long playoff run.

Boston Bruins- Boston, the top team in the Eastern Conference, has been struggling recently. At just 3-5-3 in their last 11 games, the Bruins needed a bit of a shakeup, and they got one from GM Peter Chiarelli. Chiarelli dealt young players Matt Lashoff, Martins Karsums, and Petteri Nokelainen, and picked up Steve Montador from Anaheim and Mark Recchi from Tampa Bay. Both players should boost the Bruins' strong core, and Recchi will almost certainly replace PJ Axelsson on the power play.

LOSERS
Colorado Avalance- Lawrence Nycholat, one of the defenseman the Avs acquired from the Calgary Flames in the Jordan Leopold deal, was recently waived by the Flames. Why pass on him and then trade a solid defenseman for him? I understand the need to deal Leopold from a financian perspective, but come on. The Avs could have gotten more than Nycholat, Ryan Wilson, and a 2nd round pick.

Anaheim Ducks- The Ducks offense stinks. Why trade forward Chris Kunitz for defenseman Ryan Whitney? Clearly the Ducks aren't straight up sellers, deciding to hold on to Chris Pronger and Scott Neidermayer. So why trade another defenseman, Steve Montador, for a very young player looking for playing time in Nokelainen. It seems like Anaheim couldn't decide if it wanted to sell or stand pat. I don't like their moves.

TRADE DEADLINE: TODAY'S UPDATES

The deadline is inching ever closer, and plenty of deals have gone down, and will continue to do so until 3:00pm, when the NHL trade deadline officially passes. Here is a brief recap of what's gone down thus far.

Penguins get: Andy Wozniewski (D)
Blues get: Danny Richmond (D)
A very minor deal in which Pittsburgh and St. Louis swap young defenseman. Neither of these players are destined for greatness. This one is a draw.

Sabres get: Mikael Tellqvist (G)
Coyotes get: 2010 4th round pick
The Sabres pick up a backup goalie from the financially strapped Coyotes. With Ryan Miller injured, this is a smart pickup for Buffalo. The compensation seems fair for a backup netminder, especially considering Phoenix's hesitation to take back any salary whatsoever.

Blue Jackets get: Antoine Vermette (C)
Senators get: Pascal LeClaire (G), 2009 2nd round pick
Columbus, right in the thick of the Western Conference playoff hunt, pick up a serviceable veteran forward who can put the puck in the net. Mason is set in goal, making LeClaire expendable. The Sens build for the future with the draft pick, and pick up a goalie to replace Martin Gerber, who was claimed off waivers by the Toronto Maple Leafs earlier in the day.

Bruins get: Steve Montador (D)
Ducks get: Petteri Nokelainen (C)
Boston picks up a savvy veteran blue liner for a young forward. Nokelainen is still developing, but the Bruins are ripe with young forwards. Adding a defenseman was a top priority, and Boston gets a good one in Montador. The Bruins win this deal.

Flames get: Jordan Leopold (D)
Avalanche get: Lawrence Nycholat (D), Ryan Wilson (D), 2009 2nd round pick
The Flames clearly believe they can win the Cup this season, and they are stocking up for the stretch run. The Avs, currently last in the west, are building for the future. Leopold returns to Calgary and will certainly help the Flames out.

Flames get: Olli Jokinen (C)
Coyotes get: Matthew Lombardi (F), Brandon Prust (F), 2009 1st round pick
The floundering Desert Dogs are smart to deal Jokinen and his large salary. While the Flames are building for a run this season, the Coyotes rebuild for the future once again, and the 1st round pick will certainly help out with that.

Bruins get: Mark Recchi (F), 2010 2nd round pick
Lightning get: Matt Lashoff (D), Martins Karsums (F)
Boston adds another piece to their power play, which could boost them in the long run. Karsums seems to be nothing more than a fourth line forward (at best), but Lashoff is a nice addition for Tampa Bay. The Bruins first round pick a few years back, Lashoff should get something in Tampa Bay that he couldn't get in Boston: playing time. That will only help his growth for the Lightning.

Teams are also signing their own players to extensions rather than dealing them. Tim Connolly signed a 2-year, $9 million deal to stay with Buffalo, Filip Kuba signed a 3-year extension with the Ottawa Senators, and goalie Niklas Backstrom inked a 4-year deal to remain in Minnesota. Backstrom's deal apparently has a no-trade provision as well.

More to come as the deadline draws nearer....

B'S RUMORS SWIRL AS DEADLINE NEARS

Some interesting rumors are swirling around Boston in preparation for Wednesday's NHL trade deadline (3:00pm). Both have the Bruins acquiring a big name blue liner, but I guess we'll just have to wait and see whether or not one of these two deals becomes a reality.

One trade, as reported here, has Boston sending Mark Stuart, last season's first round pick Joe Colbourne, a 2009 first round pick, and possibly another roster player to Anaheim in exchange for Chris Pronger. It's interesting to note that previous reports on this deal had Bruins forward Phil Kessel moving west as well, but that apparently is not the case. Pronger has one year remaining on his current deal with the Ducks, valued at $6.25 million.

The other trade, as mentioned on ESPN.com's Rumor Central page (Insider Only), has Boston acquiring Toronto's Tomas Kaberle in exchange for Colbourne, a 2009 first round pick, and a 2009 third round pick. It's currently unknown whether this rumor has legs because Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke has previously stated that he wants a pick, a prospect, and a roster player for his prized defenseman. The current deal has no roster player, and who knows what Peter Chiarelli would be willing to move to land Kaberle, certainly not a highly skilled player, as he would be dealt within the Northeast division.

Either one of these puck moving defenseman would look good in black and gold. If the price is too high though, Chiarelli can't pull the trigger. He won't want to mortgage his club's bright future for a better shot this year.

THE ALL-TIME BRUINS TEAM

In a new feature here at Through the Five Hole, we'll be taking a look at the all-time teams for the Original Six franchises. Just like our Team USA and Team Canada roster picks, we'll create the roster with lines that, had this been an actual team, a coach would certainly have to use. Here is the all-time team for the Boston Bruins.

OFFENSIVE LINES
LW: Johnny Bucyk C: Phil Esposito RW: Ken Hodge
LW: Wayne Cashman C: Milt Schmidt RW: Cam Neely
LW: Terry O'Reilly C: Adam Oates RW: Rick Middleton
LW: Donald Marcotte C: Peter McNab RW: Dit Clapper

DEFENSE
Bobby Orr, Ray Bourque
Eddie Shore, Don Sweeney
Mike Milbury, Glen Wesley

GOALIES
Gerry Cheevers
Frank Brimsek
Eddie Johnston

Head Coach: Art Ross

Captain: Ray Bourque
Assistant Captains: Bobby Orr, Johnny Bucyk

GLEN WESLEY: A CLASS ACT ALL THE WAY

The Carolina Hurricanes raised Glen Wesley's number 2 to the rafters last night in a touching tribute before they took to the ice against the big defenseman's old squad, the Boston Bruins. Boston won the game, 5-1, but the night truly belonged to Wesley, one of the game's true greats and a class act all the way.

It was extremely fitting that the ceremony took place before the Canes met the Bruins, as those were the only two teams Wesley played for in his 20 NHL seasons (OK, he spent half a season in Toronto, whatever). The 6'0 redhead from Red Deer, Alberta--now working in the front office with the Hurricanes--was the only player to play in Carolina for the club's first ten seasons since moving south from Hartford back in 1997.

Drafted third overall by the Bruins in 1987 (with the pick the Bruins got from Vancouver, along with Cam Neely, for Barry Pederson), Wesley spent his first seven NHL seasons playing alongside Ray Bourque in the Boston Garden. Boston reached the Stanley Cup Finals twice during Wesley's tenure with the team, in 1988 and 1990, both losses to Edmonton. He was dealt to Hartford in 1994 for three first round picks. One of those picks--Sergei Samsonov who went eighth overall to Boston in 1997--is currently in his second season with the Hurricanes and spent last season as a teammate of Wesley in Carolina. Besides a brief stop in Toronto, part of a deadline deal in 2002 (he re-signed with Carolina during the offseason), he truly was a Hurricane, and last night's ceremony was certainly deserved.

Wesley finished his career with 128 goals and 409 assists in 1457 NHL games. He won one Stanley Cup during his illustrious career--in 2006 with the 'Canes--and was always the consumate professional. It was great to see Glen Wesley finally honored for his brilliant career, and his number--along with his legacy--will be with the franchise forever.

THE TOP 5 FIGHTS IN NHL HISTORY

Continuing the various top five lists we've posted, here are five of the greatest hockey fights of all-time. Many of these are all out brawls with two entire teams going at it. All of them get the crowds going (some more literally than others), and all, like any good fight, ratchet up the intensity for the rest of the game. Enjoy.

5. Boston Bruins vs. Washington Capitals



Always great to see goalies fighting, but it's especially fun considering Kolzig and Dafoe are best friends. I especially like the jawing afterwords between Boston coach Pat Burns and Caps head coach Ron Wilson.

4. Tie Domi vs. Bob Probert



Love the "championship belt" celebration by Domi before all hell breaks lose on the ice. Probert is quite a bit bigger than him, but Domi is the clear winner of this one.

3. PJ Stock vs. Stephen Peat



In the Bruins/Caps rematch (see above), PJ Stock--always a fan favorite in Boston--and Stephen Peat throw about a million punches in one minute. Haymaker after haymaker after haymaker. Great fight.

2. Patrick Roy vs. Chris Osgood



Roy wanted a fight and got all he could handle--and more. Osgood was hesitant at first but ended up kicking Roy's ass. I especially love the atmosphere in Detroit after this fight, with the sellout crowd chanting "Ozzy, Ozzy." Only one fight could knock this one out of the top spot...

1. Boston Bruins vs. New York Rangers, People of New York



Nothing else needs to be said...

FIVE MORE TRADES THAT SHOULD HAPPEN

A few days ago, we posted three trades we'd like to see happen. Well, the deadline is a little closer, and nothing major has happened yet. In the meantime, here are three more possibilities.

Colorado Gets: Joffrey Lupul, Philadelphia Gets: Jordan Leopold, 2009 5th round pick

The Flyers are looking to shed some salary and improve their blue line. The emergence of Jeff Carter and Mike Richards makes Lupul expendable, and Leopold only makes $1.5 million for the season, with his contract expiring at the end of the year. The Avs get a proven veteran who is signed through 2012-13.

Columbus Gets: Nik Antropov, Toronto Gets: Alexandre Picard, Peter Pohl

Antropov is clearly on his way out of Toronto, and the Jackets certainly have the cap room for his $2.05 million contract. In return, Brian Burke gets some young players, and more importantly, cap space. Neither Picard nor Pohl make anything close to $1 million a year. Columbus would love to add a player to bolster their depth heading into the stretch run.

Pittsburgh Gets: Milan Hejduk, Colorado Gets: Ryan Whitney

In Whitney, the Avalanche acquire a potential cornerstone defenseman who is only 26 and signed for four more years after this one. Pittsburgh picks up another top notch scorer to pair with Crosby and Malkin. Hejduk's $3.9 million expires after next season, when the Pens will need all the cap space they can get.

Washington Gets: Nicholas Havelid, Atlanta Gets: Chris Bourque, Sean Collins

Atlanta, constantly rebuilding, adds Bourque and Collins, two young prospects for Havelid and his $2 million annual salary. Washington gets depth for their blue line as they look forward to the playoffs.

Boston Gets: Radek Bonk, Nashville Gets: Andrew Bodnarchuk

The Bruins get what they want, a left handed shot for their power play in Bonk, the third overall pick back in 1994. His $1.475 million contract expires at the end of the season, so he would be strictly a rental player for Peter Chiarelli's club. The Preds get a defensive prospect in Bodnarchuk, only 20, with good potential, as they continue building for the future.

DON'T HATE ON JUMBO JOE

Joe Thornton's return to Boston was perfect...for the Sharks. With four goals in the third period, San Jose rallied to beat the Bruins 5-2 last night at TD Banknorth Garden. And yes, I know that my predictions for the game were hilariously off base. One thing that stuck out--besides the officials seemingly being bullied by Todd McLellan into not calling a high sticking penalty on Dan Boyle--was the crowd's reaction to their former superstar. Thornton was booed every time he touched the puck, which simply should not have happened.

Thornton was the first overall pick by the Bruins in 1997 and played in 55 games with the big club in his first year in professional hockey. His improvement was rapid, and by 2000 he was one of the best players in the entire league. In 2002-03, Thornton put up a 36-65-101 stat line for the East's top seed, but the Bruins couldn't escape the first round of the postseason.

Joe was always the one to blame for the club's playoff failures, and that has never really been fair. It's not always the captain's fault for losses, and the cheap ownership and bad decisions of the front office cost the team more than he did. Thornton's effort was always questioned in Boston, yet in 2005-06, the year he was dealt to San Jose, Jumbo Joe's effort was exemplary, as he put up 33 points in just 23 games for the Bruins.

Blame the front office for not surrounding him with talent. Blame the owner for not giving a damn when he was here. And blame the media for driving unfair criticisms into him when things weren't going well. But don't blame Joe Thornton. He's a superstar, one of the best players in the sport, and a great teammate to boot. I know that whenever he returns to the place he called home for seven and a half seasons, I'll always cheer for Jumbo Joe.

A QUICK LOOK AT SHARKS VS. BRUINS

The San Jose Sharks skate in to Boston tonight to take on the Bruins in what is setting up to be one of the biggest games of the year. When the puck drops at seven (on Versus), here are some things to look out for, as well as some significant stats about each team, and some keys to the game.

Boston: 39-8-7, 85 points, 19-3-4 at home
San Jose: 36-7-7, 79 points, 13-5-4 away

Home Ice Advantage Is Huge
The action taking place at TB Banknorth Garden helps the Bruins significantly in this matchup of President's Trophy contenders. Playing at home on the season, Boston has scored 108 goals in 26 games. Only Calgary and San Jose, which have each played more home games than the Bruins, have scored more. Boston's defense is outstanding on home ice as well, as they have only allowed 62 goals at the Garden this year. On the road, where San Jose has played more games than over half of the teams in the league, they've scored only 64 goals and are 21st in the league in that category.

Boston Has the Edge in the Third Period
San Jose has the most first period goals of any team in the NHL, but are nowhere near as high in the last two frames. In fact, when the third period rolls around, the Sharks 50 goals are fewer than 11 other teams. The Bruins have scored 66 third period goals, which is one behind the Detroit Red Wings for most in the league. Boston also has the stingiest defense in the league in the final twenty minutes, having allowed the puck in their net only 32 times in the third. The Sharks will have to jump out to a quick lead for their best chance to win.

The Sharks Best Hope is on the Power Play
Boston has the best five on five team in hockey. They've scored 118 goals five on five, while San Jose has only netted 93. In five on four, the Sharks are the better team, and in four on four, they are way ahead of the Bruins. San Jose scores at a 24.5% clip during power plays on the road, the second best percentage in the league. For the Sharks to win, they'll need to draw some penalties and convert on the man advantage.

The First Goal of the Game Doesn't Mean All That Much
Announcers like to talk about the importance of getting on the board first during big games. It won't be all that significant in this one though. While, yes, both the Sharks and Bruins have outstanding records when scoring the first goal of the game (SJ: 25-3-3, BOS: 24-4-4), they are also the two best teams in the league when giving up the first goal. The Bruins are 15-5-4 (.682) and the Sharks are 11-4-4 (.579) when their opponent scores first, both tremendous records.

The Joe Thornton Factor
This is one unquantifiable factor that could very well determine the game tonight. Jumbo Joe, former captain of the B's, makes his second return to his old stomping grounds, and first since his very brief comeback in January, 2006. Thornton was ejected just 5:13 into that one for an alleged hit from behind on defenseman Hal Gill. Any hit from behind garners an automatic game misconduct, and Jumbo Joe hasn't been back since. If he's nervous and not playing like himself, or extra amped up and playing out of his mind, it could swing how the game is played, and won. Same goes for the crowd. Playing at home, the Bruins could be energized by the home fans like they were earlier this year against Detroit. That game, played way back in November, was big because it was so early in the season, that nobody knew how the Bruins would respond in an important game against one of the best teams in the league. The crowd was in it early, and Boston rocked Detroit 4-1.

One things for sure: this game is more important than just another regular season affair. Could it be a Stanley Cup Finals preview? Who knows. What we do know is that these teams are 1a and 1b as the best in the NHL right now. Let's drop the puck!

WOULD A TRADE BENEFIT THE B'S?

With the March 1 trade deadline rapidly approaching, many GM's are looking for that one extra piece that could get their team over the hump. One of those teams, the Boston Bruins, are in an ideal situation. At 39-8-6, Boston has a 14-point lead on second place Washington in the Eastern Conference standings, and an acquisition certainly isn't a necessity, but more of a luxury for Peter Chiarelli's team. While one addition could key a long playoff run, the Bruins certainly shouldn't overpay for a two month rental.

One of the names being bounced around the rumor mill is Eric Cole of the Edmonton Oilers. Despite the Oilers still being in the playoff hunt, trading Cole might benefit them if they are unable to come to terms with the left wing on a long term deal, as his contract expires at the end of the season. According to ESPN.com, an Edmonton scout has been watching the Bruins as of late and Boston may have to part with defenseman Matt Hunwick and/or Vladimir Sobotka to complete any deal. Instead of trading two talented young players for a rental player (Cole is making $4 million this season and the Bruins don't have the cap space to re-sign him), I'd rather see Chiarelli move just one prospect for someone like Keith Tkachuk. If St. Louis would be willing to take Sobotka for Tkachuk straight up, or even Sobotka and a mid-level prospect like Johnny Boychuk, the Bruins would benefit greatly.

Another name being thrown around is Jay Bouwmeester of the Florida Panthers, and Boston would be flat out stupid to trade for the 6'4 blue-liner. Not only do the Bruins not have the cap space to sign Bouwmeester, with Phil Kessel, David Krejci, Tim Thomas, and (possibly) Manny Fernandez needing to be re-signed, but they would be forced to mortgage their future as well. The Boston Globe speculates that the B's would have to part with either Milan Lucic or Blake Wheeler in a package for Bouwmeester, which they absolutely should not do.

With such a big lead in the standings, any move the Bruins make would be strictly to get them over the hump this season. With a left-handed shot for the power play as their top priority, Tkachuk, Cole, or even Nik Antropov of the Leafs would be great additions to Boston's roster. Whatever happens, the Bruins shouldn't gamble their future, so they should only deal if the price is right.

JULIEN AND CHIARELLI HAVE BOSTON IN THE HUNT AGAIN

The Boston Bruins haven't won a Stanley Cup Championhip since 1972. During the drought, the B's have had some good teams, they've even had some great teams, but haven't had that extra something that propells some teams to titles. Horrid ownership, poor decision making upstairs, and flat out cheapness have contributed to the decline in one of the original six teams, and attendance figures and fan support have waned.

But now, the big bad Bruins are back. I know that during the past 36 years there have been some good Boston clubs, but the 2008-09 incarnation just seems different. Head coach Claude Julien and general manager Peter Chiarelli have the Bruins on top of the league again, and poised to make a run for that long awaited next Cup.

The potent combination of system and smarts are why Boston is in such good shape. When Chiarelli took over the Bruins, he vowed to make them younger and quicker. Julien's system has worked perfectly for the players that Chiarelli acquired, and the team has really bought in to their head coach's pleas.

The Bruins are much better defensively now, keeping pucks out of their own net. Smart neutral zone plays (not a full out trap, but getting there) lead to offensive rushes, and the B's have certainly been able to convert.

The combo of smart free agent signings (Savard, Chara, Ryder, Stephane Yelle, Blake Wheeler) and perfect drafting (Lucic, Kessel, Krejci), with a few trades thrown in (Dennis Wideman for Brad Boyes) have produced one of the deepest, most talented teams in hockey.

With Chiarelli upstairs (with Cam Neely) making the personnel decisions, and Julien on the ice with the players, Boston is, as NESN so often reminds us, a hockey town once again. The B's, who lead San Jose by five points in the race for the President's Trophy, certainly have captured the city's imagination and have Boston thinking Stanley Cup once again.

WHY THE GAME NEEDS FIGHTING

Last night, 20-year-old Garrett Klotz of the Philadelphia Phantoms had a seizure after a particularly long and bloody fight against a member of the Manchester Monarchs. This, plus the untimely death of Don Sanderson, who hit his head on the ice after a fight, and the argument about whether fighting really belongs in hockey is wide open for discussion.

Despite these horrible situations, fighting should remain legal. Believe it or not, fighting actually keeps the players more safe out on the ice, and taking that away would make for more cheap shots and probably more serious injuries. When the Dallas Stars visited the Boston Bruins on November 1, Dallas agitators Steve Ott and Sean Avery (especially Ott though) took cheap shot after cheap shot on Bruins players. He went after the knee of Stephane Yelle, and then backed into Milan Lucic's knees, clearly trying to hurt either one of them. So how did Boston respond? Well, Ott refused to fight, so enforcer Shawn Thornton fought Kris Barch. Andrew Ference fought Avery. In fact, just about all the Bruins were ready to drop the gloves to defend their teammates. And they did it all legally. Had fighting been outlawed in the game, the only way for them to reply to Ott's antics would be to go after him illegally. Maybe they would have hit him low, like he did to them. Maybe a shot after the whistle. Who knows? But what we do know is that fighting let the players police themselves and nobody got hurt.

Taking fights out of the game would lead to more Ulf Samuelsson-Cam Neely situations. And I don't think anybody wants that.

MID-SEASON AWARD PREDICTIONS

With the All-Star break finally here, let's take a quick look forward and predict some NHL awards. Here are most of the league's real awards, plus some other special ones. Here goes...

Hart Trophy (League MVP)
1. Alexander Ovechkin- Washington Capitals
2. Evgeni Malkin- Pittsburgh Penguins
3. Marc Savard- Boston Bruins

Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year)
1. Steve Mason- Columbus Blue Jackets
2. Kris Versteeg- Chicago Blackhawks
3. Blake Wheeler- Boston Bruins

Norris Trophy (Best Defenceman)
1. Zdeno Chara- Boston Bruins
2. Mike Green- Washington Capitals
3. Shea Weber- Nashville Predators

Vezina Trophy (Best Goaltender)
1. Tim Thomas- Boston Bruins
2. Steve Mason- Columbus Blue Jackets
3. Niklas Backstrom- Minnesota Wild

Art Ross Trophy (Most Regular Season Points)
1. Evgeni Malkin- Pittsburgh Penguins
2. Alexander Ovechkin- Washington Capitals
3. Sidney Crosby- Pittsburgh Penguins

Jack Adams Award (Coach of the Year)
1. Claude Julien- Boston Bruins
2. Todd McLellan- San Jose Sharks
3. Bruce Boudreau- Washington Capitals

Biggest Surprise (Player)
1. Steve Mason- Columbus Blue Jackets
2. David Krejci- Boston Bruins
3. Loui Eriksson- Dallas Stars

Biggest Disappointment (Player)
1. Jonathan Cheechoo- San Jose Sharks
2. Wade Redden- New York Rangers
3. Craig Rivet- Buffalo Sabres

Biggest Surprise (Team)
1. Boston Bruins
2. Phoenix Coyotes
3. New Jersey Devils

Biggest Disappointment (Team)
1. Ottawa Senators
2. Pittsburgh Penguins
3. Anaheim Ducks

GM of the Year
1. Peter Chiarelli- Boston Bruins
2. Doug Wilson- San Jose Sharks
3. Lou Lamoriello- New Jersey Devils

There ya have it. Some real, some not. All (probably) wrong. More predictions, including those for the playoffs and Stanley Cup Finals, will be posted a little later on.

THE TOP 5 ALTERNATE JERSEYS IN THE NHL

The NHL's decision to create new alternate jerseys for some of it's teams was certainly an interesting one. Teams change jersey designs so often, it seems like every couple of weeks a new logo appears. By creating these new third jerseys the NHL has put a stop to teams unveiling new designs so often, and have in turn created some fantastic looking jerseys, and some of the most hideous uniforms you will ever see. Here are the five best looking alternates, with the five worst coming later on.

5. Boston Bruins
Thankfully, the B's decided to abandon the mustard yellow jerseys and get back to the black alternates. I love the walking bear logo, which appears to be a more modernized version of the team's old logo.






4. San Jose Sharks
The Sharks decided not to completely overhaul the "shark biting hockey stick" logo that they have used ever since the team's creation, but slight tweaks make their new alternate a keeper. The draw string up top give the jersey an old-timey feel, and the teal arm stripes look pretty sweet. I also like the interlocking SJ on the shoulders.




3. Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers are essentially just going back to their hay day with these new jerseys. While Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, and Grant Fuhr may not be walking through that door, Edmonton is trying to bring back some of the magic from those teams. I especially like the orange coloring at the bottom of the sleeves.




2. Chicago Blackhawks
These jerseys, that the 'Hawks unveiled at the Winter Classic, are pretty awesome looking. They actually use a combination of two different jerseys from the past, combining them into these beauties. I really like the circle with team name surrounding the main logo.





1. Buffalo Sabres
I've always been a big fan of the Sabres old jerseys. The black uniforms with the buffalo's head are pretty stupid looking, and the jerseys they've worn for the past two seasons just can't compare. I'm glad they are going back to their original look with these alternates. If only the Sabres would wear them every game...

GET WELL PAT BURNS

Former Bruins, Devils, Canadiens, and Maple Leafs head coach Pat Burns is fighting his third bout with cancer in the past six years. Burns, who was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2003, and liver cancer in 2005, learned in May, 2008 that the disease has returned in his lungs. I think I can speak for most hockey fans when I say that I sincerely hope Burns beats this thing once again.

As a Bruins fan, I loved the way Burns liked to mix it up with opposing coaches. His argument with Capitals coach Ron Wilson after the team's--goalies included--brawled during a game in Boston in 1998 was certainly memorable. He always said what was on his mind without being afraid of the consequences, and was a hell of a coach as well. Burns won three Jack Adams awards as the NHL coach of the year for three different teams, and won a Cup with New Jersey back in 2003.

Burns, who's career record stands at 501-350-161, has been doing some scouting for the Devils but was hoping to get back into coaching before he was diagnosed. Hopefully he'll be able to make a triumphant return to the bench at some point soon.

WHAT A GAME!

As a Bruins fan I was disappointed. But as a hockey fan I was thrilled. My first chance to see this season's B's team in person had everything: scoring, fighting, and one of the most unbelievable finishes of the season. It all happened this afternoon at TD Banknorth Garden, where the St. Louis Blues beat Boston 5-4 in a shootout.

St. Louis led 2-1 heading into the third period, and had possession of the puck for much of the final frame. David Backes hooked Michael Ryder to the ground with Boston already on the power play, giving the Bruins a 48-second two-man advantage in the final five minutes. Just 20 ticks later and Ryder wristed a feed from David Krejci over Chris Mason's shoulder to tie the game at two.

Still up a man, the Bruins took a 3-2 lead just 19 seconds later when PJ Axelsson blasted a slapper by Mason. Then 1:20 later, captain Zdeno Chara beat the Blues goalie five-hole, 4-2 Bruins.

With just 2:48 left, Stephane Yelle was called for tripping. Mason was pulled for an extra attacker, and the Blues wasted little time in six on four. David Perron netted a tip-in pulling St. Louis back within a goal with 1:20 remaining. Mason again went to the bench for the extra skater, but all looked lost for St. Louis as Bruins forward Blake Wheeler stormed towards the empty net in the final minute. Wheeler's snapper trickled just wide, and the Blues mounted a final rush in the last five seconds of the game. Perron's blast from just past the face-off dot ricocheted off Tim Thomas' left arm and straight up in the air. David Backes batted the puck out of mid air past and past Thomas as the buzzer began to sound, tying the game at four.

After a lengthy review--making sure the puck went in before 0:00 was on the clock, and to see if he had made contact with the puck higher than the crossbar--the goal was upheld. According to ESPN's Game Report though, "The puck was slightly above the cross bar when Backes hit it, the video showed" which should have nullified the tying score. It was so close though, that leaving it as it was called on the ice was probably the right move.

Former Bruin Brad Boyes beat Thomas between the pads to end the game, giving the Blues the 2-0 shootout win, and a 5-4 victory in the game. Plus, based on their play, the Bruins didn't really have any business winning this one, leaving Boston head coach Claude Julien to remark, "we got what we deserved."

Despite the loss, it was an awesome game between the top team in the east and the cellar dwellers of the west. Zdeno Chara and Brad Winchester got into it throughout the afternoon, and a few scrums in front of the nets livened up the action and created chippiness between the two teams. Five goals were scored in the last five minutes of regulation, and the final thirty seconds alone was worth the price of admission.

A tremendous play capped off a tremendous afternoon. Hopefully the Bruins will learn from their defensive lapses in the final minute and come back stronger after the all-star break.

WERE LAST NIGHT'S GAMES CONFERENCE FINALS PREVIEWS?

With the NFL playing it's Conference Championship games today, I can't help but wonder about the NHL playoffs coming up in a couple of months; especially with the one versus two matchups taking place in both the west and east last night. But are Boston, Washington, and San Jose, Detroit going to still be the top seeds once the post-season finally does roll around? There is no way to know for sure. What we do know though, is that all four of these clubs will be in the playoffs, and all appear poised to make a run towards Lord Stanley's Cup.

Despite a 2-1 loss in D.C. last night, the Boston Bruins remain the top overall seed in the Eastern Conference. At 33-8-4, Boston is in the driver's seat and seems ready to claim home ice advantage throughout the playoffs. The team's 70 points are nine ahead of the second place Capitals, and the B's have played one fewer game than Washington. They lead the Canadiens (4th in the East) by 10 points in the Northeast Division.

Washington too, seems set for the playoffs. They are 29-14-3 and sit 12 points up on Florida in the weak Southeast. Their second win over the Bruins this season shouldn't come as too big a shock. The Caps are 19-3-1 inside the Verizon Center this year, making it the toughest place to play in the Eastern Conference (Boston is 17-3-1 at home).

Out west, San Jose held serve on home ice, defeating the defending Cup Champion Red Wings last night, 6-5. The Sharks and Detroit are clearly the two best teams in the west (sorry Blackhawks), and last night's game proved that they are seemingly interchangeable in going for that number one seed. The Wings sit three points back of the Sharks, but those three points could turn out to be huge. Should these two teams meet in the Western Conference Finals, San Jose would really benefit from playing games one and two (and potentially game seven) in the Shark Tank. San Jose's 21-1-2 record on home ice is the best in the NHL.

While it is certainly too early to be saying last night's games were Conference Final Previews, that really wouldn't be a surprise. Either way, I'm looking forward to April, when we will learn the final standings, and let one through eight battle it out in the quest for the Stanley Cup.