Ask FS! 2/18/07

Welcome back loyal readers! It's time for only advice column on ice (and that rhymes!), it's "Ask FS!" Today's question floats in from several readers.

Why weren't the Devils included in your "Hot" list this week?

That's a great question for the half dozen or so of you that wanted to know that. I'll tell you why. The Devils haven't been able to put it together when it's most important. This begins and ends with Marty Brodeur, the best goalie in the league. If the Devils want to continue stepping up, they need to start winning the big games. Beginning with Marty's sub-par performance at the All-Star game, the Devils have played great, except when other people were watching. On a nationally televised game against TB last weekend, the Devils had a lapse late in the second period, and into the third. So what did they do? They sat back and played the trap while down 3 and let the game wander away from them. This past week, in a much ballyhooed game on TSN against the NHL's new golden boys, the Penguins, Brodeur had another lackluster effort, and the Devils were simply unable to finish coming back, losing 5-4. Now I don't want to pick on Brodeur, in the other two games he played last week, he had a solid performance in a win against the Canadians. Last night, Brodeur shut out the Islanders. But not nearly as many people were watching these games, and Brodeur continued to try to fly under the radar. If the Devils want to pick it up and make a long postseason run, Brodeur needs to step it up. It's my experience that the further into the playoffs you go, the more people will be watching.

Thanks for the question all, and if you have a question that you'd like to see answered in a future edition of "Ask FS!," either place it firmly in the comments section below, or drop me an email via the link provided in my profile. That's it for today, so until next time, LET'S GO CAPS!

Hot! and Not! Week of 1/28/07

It's time for a new feature! Wooooo!Several people have asked me about the prospect of doing a "power rankings" sort of feature. I thought, "That's been done to death, and the comedy potential is a little lacking." So I'll do a "Hot and Not!" feature. Those aren't trite and everywhere! Ok, so they are, but the comedy potential is a lot higher.

So without further Apu, I present to you "Hot and Not" for this past week in Hockey, a special all-star edition!

HOT!

1. Chuck Norris. Seen at the NHL All-Star game, my only lament is that the poor lass interviewing him was not the recipient of one of his infamous roundhouse kicks to the head.
2. Daniel Briere. His performance in the All-Star game let the whole world no that he's actually hot, and not just flaming. He racked up more points at the All-Star game than anyone that's actually ever won anything in their lives.
3. The Wreckers. I'll let you draw your own Martin Brodeur joke here.
4. Zach Parise. *Sigh* Isn't he dreamy ladies?
5. Edge. It would have been nice to see some of his patented moves on some of those guys out there. Maybe he could show the aforementioned Daniel Briere how to perform the spear.

NOT!

1. Sidney Crosby. Despite the fact that he was held pointless, XM radio decided that he should be awarded the MVP for the entire tournament. Wait a second, is he CRYING in that photo?!?!?!
2. The Old-Timer's game. I wanted to see the legends of the NHL take on the legends of Dallas hockey!
3. The Fastest Skater competition. Seriously folks, stopwatches? We can do better than that, can't we? And we can't afford to have three of them and take an average? Is the league in such financial dire straits that my youth swim league had a better timing system than the NHL?
4. Giorgia Fumanti. She fell on her rear end walking off, and that was only half as embarrassing as her performance of the anthem.
5. Penalties in the Young Star game. Again, which was sadder, the fact that they called one, or the fact that it wasn't even a penalty?

Well, that wraps up our first edition of "Hot! and Not!" be back here this afternoon for "Ask FS!"