The Boys are Back

                             

Since the win streak ended, the boys played 5 games and won 4, receiving 9 of a possible 10 points.  Their only loss was to their rival Toronto in a shoot out last night. They came back strong tonight and beat Atlanta 4-1.  Ryan Miller was superb in net and kept them in it at crucial times.  He missed a good portion of the beginning of the season after a fluke shot that his thumb.  He was looked over to play in the Olympics for the Americans and I think it's a shame.  The goalies chosen, Grahame with a 2.94 goals against, DiPietro with 3.43 both playing 30 games.  Ryan has only played 13 but boasts a 2.50 goals against.  Doesn't seem right to me.  Sure maybe I am a bit bias :)  I know he has to be disappointed but he can rest before the play off push instead of being in Italy.  The winter Olympics are in Italy, aren't they?  The boys have a crazy schedule in March and play like 17 games.  We will need all the guys rested and ready to go!  

We play home for the next 6 games and then we are off to the West Coast.  We?  LOL Don't you just love that I include myself?  Historically the boys don't play well out west, but this isn't the historical boys either.  Hopefully they can stay on their run and gather points to stay in the front of the pack.  Currently they sit in second place in the entire league and are only 3 points behind the leading Senators.   In the conference they fall to 4th because of the seeding rules.  Each Division leader is automatically ranked 1-3 then they go in order of points.   

Pictured in the graphic above.  Goalies Marty Biron (without the mask) and Ryan Miller (mask resting on his head).  Forwards Thomas Vanek with his stick in the air after celebrating a goal and Max Afinogenov (My Maxie!).  Laying on his butt is defensemen, Rory Fitzpatrick.