The month of January

As the NFL packs away its pads for the next seven and half months, you might ask your self what now? How bout some Hockey! Last month kicked off things in grand fashion for the Hockey league with the playing of the now traditional winter classic. Pitting central division rivals Detroit and Chicago against each other, saw the home town Blackhawks jump out to the early lead in front of a national audience at historic Wrigley Field. After both teams entered the ice, crossing home plate bye the way, the game got under way. The Hawks jumped out to the early lead with a goal roughly 3 minutes in by Kris Versteeg but it was evened up with a Detroit goal from Mikael Samuelsson. Martin Havlat and Ben Eager would score before the end of the 1st for the Hawks. Detroit took over the next period with two goals from Jiri Hudler and Pavel Datsyuk to erase the Chicago lead. In the third Brian Rafalski nailed the dagger for Detroit and Brett Lebda threw the salt to push Detroit's lead to three. Duncan Keith managed to score one last goal for the Hawks with ten seconds to go to give the final of 6-4 for the defending Stanley cup champs. Although they lost the game the Hawks continue to pursue the Redwings behind by about ten points but are currently battling to be number 3 in the western conference. Looking ahead they have two crucial games coming up on the road, one tonight against Calgary; ranked 3rd in the conference, and one at Vancouver. Detroit started off after the classic with a great 4 game win streak they followed with a tough loss against League leading San Jose. Detroit faces off with an Edmonton team trying to find their way into the top eight before visiting Pittsburgh.

The New York Rangers started off as one of the best teams, now they have slipped out of 1st in the Atlantic. This is more to the play of the New Jersey Devils who rattled off an eight game win streak last month. The Devils scored huge wins over Pittsburgh, Montreal, and league leading Boston. The Devils have Atlanta and Los Angeles before a huge game against the Rangers. The Rangers are out of first but only by a mere 4 points or two wins. 

Boston has vaulted itself to be the top team in the NHL. Boston stands with 82 points something that San Jose thought would be obtaining first. Boston road a ten game win streak right into 2009 and followed with wins over Pittsburgh, Montreal, and Toronto. Next week the Bruins have two important games that should be a great test. One game at home against the best of the west San Jose. Then they visit New Jersey.  That'll do it for me until next time Ice fans.