Faceoff Factor

A Week Out West - November 4-10

Ashley Gallant | National Hockey League

Nov 11, 10:00 PM | Hype this story!

I guess I lied. I wrote that I would be posting this wrap-up tomorrow night, but it looks like I got it done 24 hours ahead of schedule.

Quote of the Week
“I guess I had a large behind when I got there. That was Kris Draper’s funny joke. First it was ‘Big Swede,’ then ‘Big Ass,’ then ‘Bubble Butt,’ then ‘Bubba.’ Now, most of the guys just call me ‘Bubs.’ That’s the evolution of the whole thing. It’s stuck for 12 years.” –Flames defenceman Anders Eriksson, on how he got his nickname ‘Bubs.’

The Dominators
Mike Modano, Centre, Dallas Stars (3G, 1A, 4 games); Jeremy Roenick, Centre, San Jose Sharks (1G, 2A, 3 games)
These two definitely belong at the top of this list, with their record-breaking weeks. Modano broke the record for most points by an American-born NHL player, while Roenick scored his 500th career goal (see below), becoming the third American-born player to do so. Not a bad week for American players, eh?

Steven Reinprecht, Centre, Phoenix Coyotes (4G, 3A, 3 games)
The Coyotes have been involved in a few high-scoring games lately…and they’ve been doing the scoring! Reinprecht is one of the players to benefit from this scoring surge, more than doubling his points total in the last three games.

Peter Mueller, Centre, Phoenix Coyotes (3G, 3A, 3 games)
Rookie centre Mueller started the week with 2 points, and thanks to a hat trick against the Ducks and a trio of assists in the following two games, he ended the week with 8 points. I guess that’s what you would call a good week.

The games that made you cheer. Or freak out. Or cry. Or all of the above.
Los Angeles Kings (6) Dallas Stars (5) – Saturday, November 10th, 2007
With 10 minutes left in the third period, and Dallas up 4-0, it looks as though the Stars were going to win the game. Then, the Kings stormed back and scored five goals on six shots, all in a franchise record of 5:07. Mike Modano’s late power play goal sent the game into overtime, and Anze Kopitar won the contest for the Kings. Is it possible to have a more exciting finish?

Vancouver Canucks (3) Calgary Flames (2) – Thursday, November 8th, 2007
The Canucks have struggled a bit since the start of the season, but they have put together a bit of a mini winning streak in the last week or so. In this game, Vancouver scored three goals in the second frame and managed to hold on while Calgary shot everything at them (scoring twice) in the third period. Luongo was, by far, the best player of the game, making 22 saves in the third period (and 36 in total). This is the Luongo the Canucks need, as half of their blue line is on IR.

Detroit Red Wings (3) Nashville Predators (2) (shootout) – Wednesday, November 7th, 2007
So close…so very, very close. The Preds almost stole a win from the Red Wings, as they were able to force overtime by scoring twice in the last 10 minutes of the game. However, it wasn’t meant to be, as Datsyuk scored the game winner in a shootout.

Injury Report
Daymond Langkow, Centre, Calgary Flames – concussion
It was a hit from behind courtesy of Vancouver’s Matt Cooke that gave Langkow a concussion. The Flames are in the midst of a 5-game losing streak and missing their third leading scorer. Not good.

Kevin Bieksa, Defenceman, Vancouver Canucks – leg
I wrote last week that Bieksa would be out 6 or so weeks after suffering a deep cut to his calf. Well, it looks like his injury is much, much worse than originally thought. Bieksa will likely be out of commission for 4 months, so I’m thinking that the Canucks will bring in a new defenceman to help the youngsters. Scott Morrison threw out the name Richard Matvichuk on Saturday night (on Hockey Night in Canada). Perhaps a deal with New Jersey in the future? Not starting a rumour here, just stating a possibility.

Kevyn Adams, Centre, Chicago Blackhawks – torn ACL in left knee
Adams was placed on IR after injuring his knee November 7th. He’ll probably be out awhile, but his absence will likely not hurt the Blackhawks very much.

Odds and Ends
Roenick’s milestone goal was a bit of a fluke
The always-quotable Jeremy Roenick scored his 500th career goal on Saturday night, and I don’t think he meant to score on that shot. He shot the puck from outside the blue line and Alex Auld kind of mishandled the puck and it trickled into the net. Not exactly pretty, but definitely memorable – take a look for yourself.

Time for some dancing…

Detroit still going strong
Detroit’s win over the Blue Jackets on Friday was their ninth consecutive win this season, which ties a franchise record. Looks like the Red Wings are the Ottawa Senators of the Western Conference, eh?

The Week Ahead
Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild – Sunday, November 11th, 8 PM ET.
The Avs and the Wild are the top two teams in the Northwest, and sit second and third in the entire Western Conference. Oh, and they are separated by only one point.

Columbus Blue Jackets and Nashville Predators – Monday, November 12th, 7 PM ET.
These two teams intrigue me – not many people expected them to do well this season, but they’re putting on a bit of a show. The Preds are on a 5-game points streak, looking for their 10th straight win over the Blue Jackets. Columbus, meanwhile, is in a bit of a slump after starting the season strong. Who shall be victorious? You’ll have to watch to find out!

Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames – Saturday, November 17th, 10 PM ET.
The Battle of Alberta resumes. Will the Oilers be able to hand the Flames yet another loss?