Does Raffi Torres Deserve A Suspension for Hit on LA Kings’ Forward Jarret Stoll?

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In the 2nd period of tonight’s 2-0 Los Angeles Kings win in game one of the Western Conference semi-finals, San Jose Sharks’ forward Raffi Torres delivered a vicious hit on the unsuspecting Jarret Stoll which would injure the Kings’ center and keep him out of the remainder of the game, presumably with a concussion. If you haven’t yet seen the hit, watch it below.

My 2013 Round One NHL Playoffs Previews and Predictions:

Hopefully I didn’t give it away with the title, but this is where I’ll predict winners for the eight first-round playoff series in the NHL.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

(1)Chicago Blackhawks vs. (8)Minnesota Wild. The only advantage the Wild might have in this series is goaltending, as Nicklas Backstrom has historically been the better goaltender than Corey Crawford (who hasn’t?), but this year Crawford has actually played well, strange as that is to write. And other than that, the Wild are in trouble talent-wise because the Blackhawks have better top-end forwards in Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane compared to Mikko Koivu and Zach Parise, better forward depth, two all-star calibre defenseman in Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook to the Wild’s one in Suter, and better depth on defense, too. The Blackhawks are faster, more skilled, and deeper, and as long as their goaltending makes the easy saves, the Blackhawks will win the series. Blackhawks in 5 games.

My Most Wanted NHL Playoff Series: Western Conference

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With the NHL playoffs approaching, I thought it would be fun to go over which playoff series I would most like to see. Well, not fun, but, you know, something to pass the time and keep me from crying any more about what happened to Tiger Woods.

Two whole… points? Are you serious, Masters? (That’s what you call it, points, right?) How is he supposed to win his… next… Masters when you take away two points? He totally didn’t deserve that. He shot it from farther, not closer. If anything he deserves extra points for that!

Anyway, here are my most anticipated playoff series, first for the Western Conference.

1. Los Angeles Kings vs Chicago Blackhawks

2013 NHL Trade Deadline Winners: #8 Anaheim Ducks, #7 San Jose Sharks

I forgot the Anaheim Ducks and a few other teams when I wrote out all my “trade deadline winners” at once yesterday, so I don’t have my typical overly long explanation about why I consider them winners. But the short answer is because they acquired Matthew Lombardi, who I was a fan of a few seasons ago when he was basically the Phoenix Coyotes’ top center, for Brandon McMillan.

2013 NHL Trade Deadline Winners #9: Vancouver Canucks

At 3:00 PM Pacific Time today, an NHL trade deadline that saw only 15 total trades (on deadline day) passed. Here, I will take a look at the deadline’s winners (including deals that were consummated leading up to the deadline), starting with #9, the Vancouver Canucks, and counting down to #1 with each blog.

Why Are The Anaheim Ducks and Chicago Blackhawks So Much Better This Season?

When I watch the Chicago Blachhawks play this season, I see a much improved team as compared to last year, and in many areas of the game. And when I watch the Anaheim Ducks, I see the same thing. There’s just so much more speed on the ice than before, so much more depth, and a lot more beef on the blue-line (even if I haven’t been impressed with Bryan Allen).

However, while no one seems at all perplexed at how the Blackhawks have been able to improve so much despite no significant offseason additions–their biggest name signing was Sheldon Brookbank, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people question the Ducks’ improvement, saying things like, “The Ducks are the exact same team this year. How are they winning so many more games? They should be just as bad!”

Maybe it’s just because the Blackhawks are much more in the national spotlight, so casual onlookers have had a greater opportunity to see what’s changed in the Blackhawks’ team than they’ve had with the Ducks’ (who play many of their games at 10:00PM Eastern Time), but I’m surprised I haven’t heard that same question posed more about the Blackhawks, too, since the reasons for both teams’ ascensions this season are so similar.

Should the Los Angeles Kings Trade Jonathan Bernier for Jarome Iginla?

With the trade deadline fast approaching, rumor-season has kick-started into full gear, and speculation from more than one source has the Los Angeles Kings with significant interest in Calgary Flames forward Jarome Iginla. The asset speculated to go back Calgary’s way? Prized goaltending prospect, and current Kings’ backup to Jonathan Quick, Jonathan Bernier.

From Pierre Lebrun last thursday:

While it’s been widely (and accurately) reported that Boston and Pittsburgh have interest in the Flames captain should he become available, I believe the Kings would be right there in the mix as well and could be willing to dangle young backup netminder Jonathan Bernier.

One would imagine that would interest the Flames since life after Mikka Kiprusoff isn’t far off. But then again, who knows with the Flames?

It should surprise no one that the Kings have interest in Iginla.

Ryane Clowe Faces Potential 10-Game Suspension for Allegedly Leaving Bench To Attack Andrew Shaw, Appears Guilty

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As reported by TSN’s Darren Dreger, Ryane Clowe has been offered an in-person disciplinary-hearing on monday for allegedly leaving the bench during the Sharks’ 2-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on friday to attack forward Andrew Shaw in retaliation for Shaw’s hit on Joe Pavelski.

Rule 70. 1 of the NHL rule book, titled “Leaving the Bench,” reads:

No player or goalkeeper may leave the players’ or penalty bench at any time during an altercation or for the purpose of starting an altercation. Substitutions made prior to the altercation shall be permitted provided the players so substituting do not enter the altercation.

If found guilty, Clowe will face an automatic ten-game suspension, and head coach Todd Mclellan will be liable for disciplinary punishment from the league as well.

Is San Jose Sharks’ GM Doug Wilson Evaluating His Team With Rose-Colored Glasses On?

In a recent article by the San Jose Mercury News, Curtis Pashelka interviewed San Jose Sharks’ General Manager Doug Wilson about whether the Sharks needed to make any roster moves in response to their current seven-game losing streak.

Wilson made clear that he still has faith in the Sharks’ roster as it is now assembled, saying that “the answer lies within that room.” However, the justification he gave for his continued confidence in the team suggests to me that he is not evaluating the Sharks’ roster honestly, but rather with bias that is clouding his judgement.

Beware of Advanced Stats In The Hands of Less-Advanced Statisticians: The Fallacycy of Tom-aruhi Gilbert-miya

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If you’re not familiar with the animé the title is referencing, just pretend I titled it “The Tom Gilbert Fallacy Saga” or that I made a Vampire Diaries joke instead. Something like that was the more sensible title I was going to go with before I decided to be ridiculous instead.

Always choose ridiculous.

I should probably hashtag that. And maybe copyright it for an ad campaign, maybe for like a Katy Perry fashion line.

“Always Choose Ridiculous™” © 2013 – 2050. There. I’ve covered all my bases. Copyrighted. Katy Perry here I come!

Please don’t read that the wrong way.

Anyway, (changes to official sounding voice), hello and welcome to a series of blogs I will be doing over the next year, looking at some of the misinformation going around the hockey blogosphere under the guise of “advanced statistics.” My stance on these “advanced statistics” such as corsi-based stats is that they are helpful tools which, when used correctly, can tell you certain things about teams and players that traditional NHL stats cannot, however they are not the perfect, all-illuminating representation of a team or player’s value, either, that some who champion these stats as if they were a new religion would have you believe.