Happy NHL Regular Season!

[skatingtripods]

The regular season kicks off tonight, with four games, including a doubleheader on Vs. At 7, Detroit hosts Toronto. At 10, Colorado hosts Boston. Two other games include Calgary at Vancouver and Anaheim at San Jose.

The Jackets open up tomorrow in Dallas.

[jack_tors]

Finally! Cant wait to see the Jackets tomorrow! Rough start to the season in Dallas but perhaps they can pull out the win.

Also, not sure if this is available via all cable outlets but Time Warner is previewing the Center Ice package through the first weekend. Check it out while it is free!

[Babrook]

I'm gonna miss Zherdev, but I think former-buckeye R. J. Umberger is gonna bring a lot.

[skatingtripods]

I realize it was the second game of a back-to-back out west to open the season, but everything I felt would be a weakness for the Jackets was last night against Phoenix. They cannot exit the zone well because none of their defensemen are very good puck movers. Tyutin seemed to have gotten benched for part of the 2nd period. They were completely undisciplined. I didn't get to watch Friday's game cause I was playing hockey, but blowing a two-goal lead in the final four minutes is pretty awful.

It's a long season and they've got a lot of new guys. At least the things that they need to work on are very clear.

On another note, I love my pick of Phoenix as a playoff team. They've got all kinds of skill up front. They're one defenseman at the deadine away from putting a scare into a top-seeded playoff team come April.

[skatingtripods]

Same shit different day for Columbus. They only manage two powerplay goals, which are negated by two shorthanded goals in a 5-2 loss to San Jose. Yes, SJ is a much better team, I'm fully aware. But Kris Russell and Jan Hejda were absolutely brutal. They still can't exit the zone cleanly with good breakout passes because of their suspect defense.

They will gel as the season moves along, but they can't be buried either.

[jack_tors]

Same shit different day for Columbus. They only manage two powerplay goals, which are negated by two shorthanded goals in a 5-2 loss to San Jose. Yes, SJ is a much better team, I'm fully aware. But Kris Russell and Jan Hejda were absolutely brutal. They still can't exit the zone cleanly with good breakout passes because of their suspect defense.

They will gel as the season moves along, but they can't be buried either.

Your preseason take was dead on, their power play has been uninspired and downright atrocious at times. Things better gel quick cause this division can get out of hand quickly.

I am surprised at San Jose's fast start. They are playing very good right now, it will be interesting to see if they stay competitive all season.

[jack_tors]

Another one bites the dust, Barry Melrose is out of a job as Tampa showed him the door.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=AnBgwDrjI2q2nOtumTmn2E17vLYF?slug=ap-lightning-melrosefired&prov=ap&type=lgns

Dead last in offense will do that to a coach, especially since they went out this offseason and spent a ton trying to upgrade the area.

[skatingtripods]

Another one bites the dust, Barry Melrose is out of a job as Tampa showed him the door.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=AnBgwDrjI2q2nOtumTmn2E17vLYF?slug=ap-lightning-melrosefired&prov=ap&type=lgns

Dead last in offense will do that to a coach, especially since they went out this offseason and spent a ton trying to upgrade the area.

They needed to upgrade the defense and goaltending moreso than the offense. They still have two of the top ten offensive forwards in the game in Lecavalier and St. Louis.

I think this move comes because Melrose was under-utilizing Steven Stamkos, and he's supposed to be the savior of the franchise.

Honestly, I think it's bogus and there has to be more behind it. I think Melrose wanted more say in the personnel side of it than the new GM was willing to give him. Sixteen games is not a fair shake to see what Melrose can do with the team, and honestly, they haven't played that badly.