Kane versus Toews

The competition between Kane and Toews appears to be heating up in Chicago, as both are competing for a spot in the all star game.

Toews has also released a video of his own.

Buffalo plays against Florida tonight, who is one of the few teams doing worse then the Sabres. Hopefully they can turn this into a win.

Why I support Chicago

Starting last season, and assuredly continuing this year, my team to root for in the Western conference is the Chicago Blackhawks. Well, this isn't to uncommon in Buffalo apparently I need to justify my allegiance for the Blackhawks.

Like me, most of my friends are really into hockey, and with the NHL center ice package will often just turn on a random game and watch it. Early last season that focus landed on Chicago. Following the draft I had heard alot through the Buffalo News and such, about number one draft pick and Buffalo native Patrick Kane. Well I had never seen him play I was glad that a local player was doing so well, and was mildly interested. Meanwhile one of my friends happens to be a big fan of the University of North Dakota hockey team, and as such knew Jonathan Toews and was excited to see him play in the NHL.

Then this goal pretty much sold me on the team full time. We were talking and only half paying attention to the game, but around midway through that play, we both kindof just stopped and watched in awe as Toews pulled off that spectacular play.

Between Toews and (rookie of the year winner) Kane, Chicago had a rather exciting team last season. I probably only watched around 30 of their games, but that is more than I watched for any other team besides Buffalo. Khabibulin and other players such as Byfuglien, Sharp, and Buffalo native Kevyn Adams made the team easy to root for.

This season the team has picked up Huet, who I've always kindof liked and former Sabre Brian Campbell, who unlike some others who have left Buffalo I still like.

Furthermore, my other favorite players in the west, Jerome Iginla, and Marty Turco are both on teams that have signed some scum players this off season.

Kane wins rookie of the year

Patrick Kane of the Blackhawks won the NHL's rookie of the year award over teammate Toews and Washington's Backstrom.

This was the right decision to be made. Well Toews had more goals, Kane proved himself to be a better all around player. Backstrom on the other hand lacked the leadership Kane showed, and got to play on a line with league MVP Ovechkin. Some people also considered Montreal's rookie goalie Price for the award, but given the limited number of starts he had in the regular season, and how poorly he did in the playoffs, he didn't really deserve this award.

Congratulations to Patrick Kane. At this point Sabre Nathan Gerbe should be the favorite to win rookie of the year for next season.

Sabres welcome Kane home, then beat his team

The Sabres beat the blackhawks 3-1 in what was Patrick Kane's first game in Buffalo.

To start off the game the ceremonial puck drop was performed by the grandfathers of Patrick Kane, and Sabres captain of the month Brian Campbell. Alot of attention has been given to the homecoming of Pat Kane in the last few days and with good reason, as he has been the best rookie of the season so far. Kane started out the game real well, and scored a goal within the first three minutes on a nice shot. However after that the game was all Sabres.

Roy and Vanek looked like they did last year, putting together a solid game and each getting two points on the night, mostly from hard work. Two players who haven't scored in a while (Stafford and Pominville) both hit the back of the net tonight, to earn the win for Buffalo.

After playing four games in the past six days the Sabres get some time off, and don't play until next Wednesday.

Official Three Stars

Ryan Miller

Thomas Vanek

Patrick Kane

My Three Stars

Thomas Vanek (two points including a goal)

Derek Roy (two assists)

Ryan Miller (only let one past him)

No Goals (and even less Defence)

The Sabres didn't show up for their Friday game against the Columbus BLue Jackets, droping the game 3-0. Apparently they missed my post the other day on how a high number of shots and goals are critical to their success. Although you can't ever win with zero points, Buffalo's defense was arguably worse.

Roy played really poorly in this game giving over turn over after turn over. Miller actually played really well, even stopping a penalty shot, but got no help. On the Blue Jackets first goal Peca was surrounded by four Sabres, yet none of them really moved towards the puck, allowing Peca's long chance swipe to bounce into the net. On the second goal on defender had for the most part forced Nash off of the puck, while a second defender kindof pointed his stick and the general direction rather then taking the for the most part free puck, while a third defender in the area just kindof stood there and watched.

Sabres play Montreal Saturday night. Perhaps redemption can come quick.

Official Three Stars

Rick Nash

Pascal Leclaire

Michael Peca

My Three Stars

Rick Nash

Pascal Leclaire

Michael Peca

Also in the Chicago game last night, the Blackhawks blew an early three goal lead but came back to beat the Colorado. Patrick Kane got his first NHL goal, which was a real pretty top corner one over the glove, but the highlight of the game came on the first goal of the game. Kane got what will probably be the easiest assist of his career when he passed it to Toews at the redline and then saw Toews skate around four defenders and slide the puck into the back of then net.

The rest of the league

Although the Sabres are really stumbling to start off the season, their rivals up in Ottawa are doing rather well. The Senators have gotten off to a 3-0 start, including two wins against Toronto. Chris Neil is already back to his cheap hits after injuring the Rangers Sean Avery with an elbow to the head. Granted there is a difference between Drury and Avery, but there is doubt that Neil's primary focus on the ice is not to play hockey, but to injure the opponents.

Out west the Ducks have already played five games and will be up to six the day before Buffalo takes to the ice for game number three. If they keep up this pace they will finish the regular season by the beginning of February.

Down in Philly Daniel Briere is having a good season so far, posting up 4 points (including 3 goals) after only two games. The team could well be 2-0 if they didn't kick a goal into their own net last Saturday.

2-1 Colorado is appreciating second year player Paul Stastny who is starting of the season even better than Briere is. After posting a hat-trick in the season opener he now has 4 goals and 4 assists after only three games.

Two games into his rookie season top draft pick Patrick Kane picked up his first point (an assist) for Chicago against the Red Wings, then went on to score the winner in the shootout. Even this early in the season it is hard to see anyone else winning rookie of the year...