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"Where bad hockey analysis comes to die" is the slogan.  Yet, here, one week and change removed from the culmination of the 2012 season, I find our quaint little corner of internet paradise as desolate as Lions & Tigers & Beers.  Sure, we have plenty of excuses to throw around, but I think the main reason as to why we haven't been so committed to this once-exciting project (aside from the lack of actual readership and/or practical gain) is that we've grown tired.  There is plenty of NHL journalism to pick apart and banish to the swamplands, but it has all become humdrum and almost expected.  We can only insult so many posts related to how often a team wins when their superstars score, or how highlighting a goaltender's win record tells the entire story of a team's success.  Anything else -- whether a botched statistic shown via telecast, a ridiculous opinion of an important league-related issue, or anything Don Cherry says about anything, ever -- seems miniscule and not particularly critique-worthy.  So, in order to give our slice of pie some more flavor and substance, I'm going to focus on other material for the off-season.

The 2012 NHL Draft takes place this Friday.  Unlike recent drafts, the projected talent through the first round or so is fairly well-balanced, which means we could see some high-risers (Brian Lee, anyone?), late-round steals (Rob Schremp, anyone?), and plenty more kids who fans will mistakenly covet as the answer to all of their team's shortcommings.  Here is my attempt at a mock draft for the first round, including my reasoning for why each team would want to waste their time on these kids.  Let's go!

Gary Bettman: Now... let's get things started!
Consol Energy Center Crowd: Boooooo! Fuck you, Bettman!
Bettman: Fantastic.  The first overall pick... in this year's NHL... Entry Draft... belongs... to the Edmonton Oilers!

1. Edmonton Oilers select RW Nail Yakupov, Sarnia Sting (OHL)
The Oilers desperately need help on the backend and in goal, but they won't find it here.  Yakupov has been touted as the consensus #1 pick for over a year and it would be foolish for the Oilers to use this pick on anyone else.  He was an offensive dynamo in Sarnia (he actually broke Stamkos' rookie goal-scoring record during the '10-'11 season) and performed well within a playmaker role during this year's WJC for Russia.  Recent reports state that they won't be shopping their first overall pick, so blue line and goal line help must come from elsewhere.  It might be a good time to see what sort of return they could get for Taylor Hall, as Yakupov has the potential to surpass Hall's offensive ability on what should become a prolific offensive unit in Edmonton.

2. Columbus Blue Jackets select D Ryan Murray, Everett (WHL)
With Nash likely to leave town for good in just a couple weeks, it's sensible for Columbus to draft an offensive prospect.  Yet, I feel that it is more sensible for them to draft a strong, two-way defender who will become a mogul on their blueline (and who will make up for Jack Johnson's absolutely horrible defensive game).

3. Montreal Canadiens select LW/C Alex Galchenyuk, Sarnia (OHL)
Galchenyuk suffered a severe knee injury early last season, allowing him to play only two regular season games before suiting up for the playoffs.  To still be ranked this high after missing so much time only speaks for how talented this kid really is.  The potential is there for him to become Montreal's number one center of the future.  If he doesn't, Habs fans will flip him over and set him on fire. No biggie.

4. New York Islanders select RW/C Filip Forsberg, Leksand (SEL)
While the Islanders are also in great need for a blue-chip defensive prospect, Forsberg is too good to pass up at this point. Not Foppa plays a solid two-way game and is very capable -- albeit, far from flashy -- offensively.  He should compliment Tavares very well and could become a fixture on the PK.

5. Toronto Maple Leafs select D Matt Dumba, Red Deer (WHL)
If you aren't aware of this by now, Brian Burke is a big fan of aggressive players who aren't afraid to drive to the net, throw their weight around, and shut down the other team's best players.  Dumba should be good for at least two of those criteria.  He is a talented offensive defenseman who can give big hits with the best of them.  Working alongside Phaneuf should (in theory) help him bring his game to the next level.

6. Anaheim Ducks select D Morgan Reilly, Moose Jaw (WHL)
The Ducks have a few solid offensive prospects looking to crack next season's roster.  That, and with top defensive prospect Justin Schultz expected to hit free agency this summer, the Ducks need to shore up their backend.  Reilly was injured for the majority of this season, but showed elite skill when he did suit up.  He and Fowler could form a potent powerplay duo.

7. Minnesota Wild selects D Griffin Reinhart, Edmonton (WHL)
Reinhart has continued to climb the draft rankings, so Minnesota would do well to snag him.  Capable offensively and uses his size effectively, although he's not particularly aggressive.  He was one of the best two-way defensemen in the Dub this season and should develop into a first pair defender in the NHL.  Another very safe pick.

8. Carolina Hurricanes select D Jacob Trouba, U.S. NTDP
Having added some exciting offensive performers through the previous two drafts, the Hurricanes should consider Trouba, a defensive defenseman who's capable of contributing offensively.  He is an excellent counterbalance to last year's first round pick Ryan Murphy, who continued to put up fantastic offensive numbers with Kitchener last season.

9. Winnipeg Jets select C Mikhail Grigorenko, Quebec (QMJHL)
Winnipeg is looking for size in this draft, and Grigorenko has an NHL-ready frame.  He dominated the competition in the Q this season, but had a less than impressive showing during the postseason.  Recently ranked in the top three, his postseason results caused his ranking to drop considerably (although recent reports state Grigorenko was dealing with mono during that time, perhaps affecting his output).  The Jets would be fortunate to see him fall into their hands.

10. Tampa Bay Lightning selects D Cody Ceci, Ottawa (OHL)
Tampa's blueline situation is abysmal.  Sorry, I meant downright embarrassing.  Ceci is a talented offensive defenseman, someone the Lightning have been searching for since the Dan Boyle trade.  Unlike most offensive D prospects, he already has the size (6'2'', 207).  Now he just needs some time to round out his defensive game.

11. Washington Capitals select C Radek Faksa, Kitchener (OHL)
With the pick received from Colorado in last year's Varlamov trade, the Capitals take a big kid with a well-developed game all around.  Labeled as a power forward, he will provide a great balance of grit, offensive capability, and defensive responsibility.  He was runner up for rookie of the year in the OHL this season (16-year-old Aaron Ekblad took the award... he might become a big deal one day), and would benefit greatly from another season in Kitchener.

12. Buffalo Sabres select D Derrick Pouliot, Portland (WHL)
Portland has developed some intriguing prospects over the past few seasons, which should make this a safe pick for the Sabres.  The hope is that this Pouliot doesn't underwhelm like the Pouliots drafted before him.  He will bring some needed offense to the blueline and is a suitable replacement for Marc-Andre Gragnani, who was part of the Hodgson trade last season.

13. Dallas Stars select D Hampus Lindholm, Rogle Jr. (SWE)
The Stars have been one of the most mediocre teams over the past few seasons.  This leaves them within the awful area of being too good to draft impact prospects, yet too lousy to make the playoffs.  Needless to say (but I'll say it anyway, dammit), they could use some good fortune.  Another prospect who has risen through the rankings of late, Lindholm plays a complete two-way game and will complement last year's first round pick, 6'7" defensive defenseman Jamie Oleksiak.  Now they just need to make the roster (along with Scott Glennie and Jack Campbell).

14. Calgary Flames select D Olli Maatta, London (OHL)
While Dallas actually has the mediocre draft picks to go with their mediocre output, Calgary can't even hold on to their own picks.  They need a few (dozen) great prospects in their system, and Maatta would certainly fit that bill. Another two-way defenseman who is very close to being NHL ready.

15. Ottawa Senators select LW Teuvo Teravainen, Jokerit (FIN)
The Senators would be best to take a defenseman with this pick, but Teravainen is too talented to pass up.  He was rookie of the year in the SM-Liiga this season, but would likely need another season in Finland in order to round out his game and drink some Muscle Milk.

16. Washington Capitals select D Slater Koekkoek, Peterborough (OHL)
Oh, back so soon?  Koekkoek (pronounced Kook-Kook... how awesome is that?) is an aggressive two-way defenseman who will be a nice addition on the Washington blueline within a couple of years.

Bettman: We have a trade to announce!  San Jose... trades pick number... seventeen... for a roster player... who won't meet expectations!

17. San Jose Sharks select D Matt Finn, Guelph (OHL)
This is reliant on San Jose actually keeping a first round draft pick for once, but Finn would become at least the second best defensive prospect in their system.  Reminds me a lot of Matt Carle, who San Jose has likely missed since getting rid of him.


18. Chicago Blackhawks select C Zemgus Girgensons, Dubuque (USHL)
For as much star power as you'll find on the Blackhawks roster, there is a huge absence of capable depth players.  Girgensons is a tough customer who doesn't shy away from physical play and works well in the corners.  He is a safe bet to become at least a third line center in the near future.

19. Tampa Bay Lightning selects G Andrei Vasilevski, Ufa Tolpar (RUS Jr.)
You mean Roloson isn't the answer?  Shit.  Well, this kid has huge potential (he was absolutely lights out until the very end of the WJC) and will give Tampa another (hopefully better) option in case Dustin Tokarski doesn't pan out.

20. Philadelphia Flyers select C Brendan Gaunce, Belleville (OHL)
Another team in need of some significant prospects, Gaunce is the best player available at this point.  While he may not have the potential to become an elite first line player, he has the size, skill, and work ethic to develop into a capable top-six player.

21. Buffalo Sabres select RW Henrik Samuelsson, Edmonton (WHL)
Yes, he's Ulf's son.  Sorry, but nobody cares.  Anyway, he shot up the rankings after a fantastic postseason and would bring much-needed grit (and support for those pipsqueaks, Ennis and Gerbe) to the wing.

22. Pittsburgh Penguins select D Brady Skjei, U.S. NTDP
This kid is -- you guessed it -- a reliable two-way defender who can skate well and play physically.  Based on their postseason results, Pittsburgh's blueline is set for seasons to come, so expect Skjei to crack the roster some point after DiPietro's contract expires.

23. Florida Panthers select C Tomas Hertl, Slavia Praha (CZE)
Czech players are pretty cool, and Hertl is a very entertaining player from what I've seen.  He was rookie of the year in the Extraliga this season and performed very well in the WJC this winter.  Florida can afford to take their time to make sure he develops properly.

24. Boston Bruins select G Malcom Subban, Belleville (OHL)
Baby Subban is extremely athletic and does well within breakaway situations (I believe he stopped all 12 shootout attempts he faced this season... since that has to matter, apparently).  He brings depth to perhaps the only lacking area within Boston's system.

25. St. Louis Blues select RW Sebastien Collberg, Frolunda (SWE)
Collberg possesses a dangerous wrist shot and his skating ability makes him irritating for defenders to handle.  He is another wildcard and could be a steal at this point of the first round.

26. Vancouver Canucks select LW Pontus Åberg, Djurgarden (SWE)
Åberg sees the ice very well and can make smart plays at both ends.  He has an accurate shot and controls the puck well down low.  Do you think he would fit in well with any other Swedes in Vancouver?  Nah...

27. Phoenix Coyotes select RW Tom Wilson, Plymouth (OHL)
As Shane Doan gets closer to retirement, Phoenix finds a great replacement in Wilson.  He's a big kid who plays a gritty game and isn't afraid to drive to the net for opportunities.

28. New York Rangers select C Stefan Matteau, U.S. NTDP
Blah, blah, blah, related to Stephan Matteau, yada, yada, yada.  Plays an aggressive game and can take the body as much as he can dish it out.  He will be a better Brandon Dubinsky than Brandon Dubinsky could ever be.  Speaking of which, how has he not been traded to Columbus yet?  More on that later (or not).


29. New Jersey Devils select G Oscar Dansk, Brynas (SWE)
Has a similar style to Henrik Lundqvist, although one shouldn't expect him to reach that level.  Plays a very calm and focused game and has great technical skills.  He'll be ready to go when Brodeur starts to consider retirement or relegating to backup duty (2017 or so).

30. Los Angeles Kings select RW Martin Frk, Halifax (QMJHL)
Frk is all offense, all the time.  He possesses a lethal shot and fantastic speed down the wing.  Ranked within the top ten at the beginning of the season, injuries (and subsequent trouble returning to form) have caused that rank to drop significantly.  There is a good chance he could slide until late in the second round, but LA would be wise to grab him now.

200. Detroit Red Wings select D Nicklas Lidström, Detroit (NHL)
"PLEASE COME BACK, NICK! PLEASE!  WHO DO YOU THINK WILL REPLACE YOU!? KINDL'S A BUST! BRENDAN SMITH SUCKS! IAN WHITE'S MUSTACHE CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH! KRONWALL CAN'T KRONWALL EVERYONE AND STUART'S A TRAITOR WHO WOULD RATHER BE WITH HIS FAMILY THAN WIN STANLEY CUPS! WAAAHHHHH!" Ah... music to my ears.

Picture Time Again!

This was the home page for tsn.ca/nhl at some point on Saturday. (much like my bulge, click to enlarge)

"Will Jets, Leafs or Oilers make the playoffs first?" At least we can all agree that Calgary won't be making the playoffs any time soon. I understand not including Montreal within this group, as they made the playoffs just last season (and three straight seasons before last), but the Flames haven't made the big dance since 2009. Perhaps they didn't want to make room for Mark Giordano's fat head on that corner of the homepage. 

Whew. I've been building up the motivation to write another post since February.  I'm sure there's more nonsense to this post, but I'm too tired to read it all now. Some of us work...you're driving me crazy.

Boiling Point

Remember Down with Detroit?  They're posting up a storm on Facebook this afternoon, most likely in relation to today's wonderful hockey match between the Detroit Red Wings and the NHL Anti-Wingerees.  Here's (the complete opposite of) my favorite one!

That's right, Thornton!  Step aside and let the WORTHY PLAYERS wear this sacred number.  Praise Jiri Tlusty!  Can I get an amen, Jim Slater!?  Glory, Blair Jones, Hallelujah!

Of course, no Wings-Sharks game is complete without humble recognition of the officiating.

(Getty Images®: Stephen Walkom re-enjoying some White Kessel Umbergers)

This still frustrates me to such a high degree, but I'm not sure why.  I always expect this volatile mix of unbridled loyalty, passion, and ignorance from Wings fans to explode in my face on a game-to-game basis.  I get it: things aren't going to change.  Even with a team that has won 23 in a row at home, currently sits atop the NHL standings, has brought home four championships since 1997 and hasn't missed the postseason since 1990, Wings fans will still find every opposing goal, powerplay, shot on goal, shot off goal, offensive rush, successful line change, and safe team plane landing at Metro Airport to be the work of Jafar-esque officials, Gary Bettman's witchcraft, voodoo carnival magic, or just a statistical impossibility.  

JUST GIVE IT A REST, PEOPLE.

I recognize and respect that the Wings are one of the most successful franchises in all of pro sports, and it is easy for someone to become a fan of a team that consistently plays at an elite level.  This loyalty makes people do and say stupid things, though.  From Flyers fans jumping a military veteran in a Rangers jersey, to the joyous riots in Montreal, and to the ridiculous riot in Vancouver, I can't begin to imagine what this sort of pride feels like.  While Red Wings fandom hasn't become physically cantankerous just yet, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Ren Cen topple into the river if "our boys" ever lose at home again.  Brace yourselves, kids.

You Fät Pig!

What the shmear?! It's time for the Brooklyn Water Bagel Company PLAYER NOSH!

The real question should be: With a diet including Brooklyn Water Bagel Company bagels, how in God's Greentree Earth is Jack Skille not the greatest physical specimen on the Panthers roster?  I'm thoroughly Stumpel'd.

Rotologic

Those Nashville coaches sure are dumbass dumbasses. Sergei Kostitsyn led the NHL last year in shot percentage. Mind you, he took only 93 shots, but 23 went in. This year, he’s 2nd in the league behind Curtis Glencross. Rotowire gives both the fantasy-hockey-playing public and Nashville brass something to ponder:

Feb 10 Kostitsyn has 15 points (9G, 6A) in his last 17 games since the start of January.

Recommendation: The Preds' coaching staff must be pulling their collective hair out these days, trying to get Kostitsyn to shoot the puck more, as he currently leads the entire NHL in shooting percentage (.246) but his paltry shot total of just 57 doesn't even land him in the top 300. Regardless, he continues to be a very effective point producer for the Preds, skating on the first line with Mike Fisher and Martin Erat.

Yes, clearly, Kostitsyn needs to start firing shots at the net willy-nilly because look at that shot percentage! Kosnipesyn!

Here are two fun lists! You like lists, right?

Goals scored by yearly shot % leader and where they ranked in total shots:

10-11 Kostitsyn 23 (349th)
09-10 Andrew Brunette 25 (229th)
08-09 Ryan Malone 26 (242nd)
07-08 Mike Ribeiro 27 (276th)
06-07 Jordan Staal 29 (219th)
05-06 Alex Tanguay 29 (236th)
03-04 Mark Parrish 24 (278th)
02-03 Milan Hejduk 50 (28th)
01-02 Danny Briere 32 (142nd)
00-01 Gary Roberts 29 (160th)
99-00 Mike Eastwood 19 (333rd)
98-99 Dmitri Khristich 29 (139th)
97-98 Mike Sillinger 21 (250th)

Now, here are the shot % of the league leader in goals along with where they placed in total shots:

10-11 Corey Perry 17.2 (9th)
09-10 Steven Stamkos 17.2 (6th)
Sidney Crosby 17.1 (5th)
08-09 Alexander Ovechkin 10.6 (1st)
07-08 Alexander Ovechkin 14.6(1st)
06-07 Vincent Lecavalier 15.3 (4th)
05-06 Jonathan Cheechoo 17.7 (7th)
03-04 Rick Nash 15.2 (7th)
Ilya Kovalchuk 12.0 (1st)
Jarome Iginla 15.5 (9th)
02-03 Milan Hejduk 20.5 (28th)
01-02 Jarome Iginla 16.7 (4th)
00-01 Pavel Bure 15.4 (1st)
99-00 Pavel Bure 16.1 (1st)
98-99 Teemu Selanne 16.7 (10th)
97-98 Teemu Selanne 19.4 (8th)
Peter Bondra 18.3 (5th)

There might, JUST MIGHT, be some correlation between high shot percentages and low shot totals. I don’t know. The evidence is shaky.

When you score a lot of goals and have a high shot percentage, it’s because you’re taking quality shots. IF YOU THROW EVERY PUCK AT THE NET YES YOU WILL SCORE MORE GOALS BUT YOUR SHOT PERCENTAGE WILL DECREASE AND YOU WILL BE SERGEI BEREZIN NOT SERGEI KOSTITSYN.

If I take one shot and it goes in that doesn't mean if I keep shooting I'll end up with a scenario where # of shots=# of goals. I'm not Mr. Perfect.

But what do I know? I never played in the NHL like Rotowire. Sergei Kostitsyn might just have a really accurate shot and he needs to unleash!

Feb 7 LW Sergei Kostitsyn scored a goal off a skate deflection in the second period. He has 15 points in his last 16 games.

SEE?

Soggy Depends® Sports News of the Hoary Type

The 36 year old Evgeni Nabokov recently became the 26th tender to hit the 300 win marker and described it in his words as "Awesome." This is a milestone that the 35 year old Miikka Kiprusoff will be going after tonight against San Jose. Without a doubt in my mind, both of these men pee a little when they sneeze.

Speaking of hip surgery, Lleyton Hewitt, 30, and a dinosaur, according to tennis god Brad Gilbert, is going to be making his 32nd appearance for Australia in the Fed Cup against China. This will equal the mark set by FORMER world No. 19 Todd Woodbridge, 40, who retired due to the invention of the tennis ball.

Coming back to hockey, in his last start and loss on Feb. 7 to the LA Kings, Dwayne Roloson, 42, learned modern day hockey pucks are made of vulcanized rubber, not wood, as previously used in the late 1800s when he earned his last shutout. Expect a resurgence in fantasy relevance.

P.S. Gordie Howe still has dementia.

Nitpicking a Nitpicker.

HOLD ON, guys. I have breaking news: Sam Gagner recorded 4 goals and 4 assists against the Blackhawks on Thursday. Gagner's eight points bring him into a tie with Brett Gretzky and Starbucks Coffey for the franchise record for points in a single game. Isn't that impressive? Isn't it more impressive that I'm the first internet writer to report this awesome offensive performance? Fuck, man, I rule.

Okay, never mind, I far from rule. Sam has suddenly become the talk of the hockey world after this performance, though. Can he put together career season after putting up 11 points in his last two games? With his heightened trade value, should Edmonton consider shipping him for who would immediately become their best defenseman? Does Dave still enforce a curfew upon him?

But, again, HOLD ON, guys. I'm not sure how this happened, but the doorman accidentally allowed Buzz Killington into the party.

It was one for the ages to be sure. Too bad it should never have happened.

Is this because Reptar on Ice was originally scheduled for that evening? That would have been a show for the (early 20-somethings) ages, too.

That’s because even though Gagner was credited with eight points in the game, he should have only earned seven. Don’t believe me? Watch the replay of the Oilers third goal of the game, the one scored by defenseman Ryan Whitney.

Don't believe you? It's not so much about believing you, but whether I actually give a shit. You post this article four days after the game, way beyond the allowed time for the league to make any official scoring changes. At this point, why even write about it? Oh well. Keep trying to convince me, Kenny.

Gagner gains the Chicago Blackhawks zone with speed and cuts to the middle of the slot. That’s when Blackhawks defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson knocks the puck off his stick. Then David Bolland of the Blackhawks pounces on the loose puck and tries to clear the zone. But he fails to do so and the puck ends up on Whitney’s stick before the Oilers defenseman blasts it from the blueline past Chicago goalie Corey Crawford.

Dave Bolland, jungle panther, attempts to pounce upon the puck, only to get distracted by a laser pointer being shined upon Ryan Jones' back. You call it pouncing, which could indicate possession (perhaps some playful biting and scratching, as well) but I see a desperate attempt to clear the puck, which I've never considered to be possession.

Any way you look at it, there’s no way Gagner deserves an assist on that goal. Two Blackhawks touched the puck between Gagner and Whitney, with Bolland clearly having the puck on his stick before committing the giveaway. That goes against rule 33.2 which governs goals and assists, which says: “An assist is awarded to the player or players (maximum two) who touches the puck prior to the goal scorer, provided no defender plays or possesses the puck in between.” (Italics mine.)

This is where it gets a little tricky, and I can (faintly) understand why Campbell feels this way. From what I've learned and always known through watching hockey, playing the puck and possessing the puck are the same damn thing. To commit either actions would mean said player must have full control over the puck. If Bolland were able to cradle the puck and stick-handle, that would be possession. If Hjalmarsson controlled the puck, rather than getting a piece of it on his one-handed stick-check, that would be playing the puck. Since Bolland was able to get two hands on his stick and attempt to dump the puck, Campbell assumes that Chicago controlled the play. It's close, but Bolland didn't establish control on that play. Sven, Dacque, Marbles; would anyone care to attempt to validate my claim? I need at least eight people to agree with me, although Campbell would probably mistake Dacque to be a Sedin, which would mean that he isn't human, but a hockey robot incapable of forming opinions. Then I'd only have seven people agreeing with me, which isn't special at all.

Despite that, Gagner was awarded an assist on the ice by the referee, but that’s not where the mistake was made. Every goal scored in the NHL is reviewed by the official scorer, who would have had plenty of opportunity to watch the replay before coming up with the official scoring play. How anyone could see a goal under those circumstances and still award an assist to Gagner is beyond comprehension. In fact, it’s right in the same rule that the official scorer’s duties and responsibilities are spelled out. The rule also reads: “The official scorer shall award the points for the goals and assists and his decision shall be final. The official scorer shall use the video goal judge system to verify the proper awarding of goals and assists.”

If the official scorer awarded Gagner with an assist on that play, then it's the right call. It was the same call on the ice, as well. Why does this matter so much to you, Ken? Do you truly care about the legitimacy of Gretzky and Coffey's shared record, or were you just trying to crank out another fresh article before lunchtime? So far, with two referees and an official scorer on my side, I'm up to three people who agree with me. Fuck yes!

Need more evidence? Actually it was provided in a game that was played that very same night. In the Dallas Stars 5-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks, Stars defenseman Trevor Daley makes a long pass to Steve Ott, which bounces off Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle before coming back to Ott, who shoots it in the net. Daley was not awarded an assist on that play.

This is where I'd like to thank Nicholas Monak for renewing his hockeystreams.com account this season. All I had to do was watch the replay for Ott's goal (so conveniently omitted from the NHL.com highlight provided by Ken) to see that Dan Boyle shot this puck into his own net. Need more evidence?

(You are gazing into the pixels of proper criticism)

Commentary from that replay:

"(Ott)'s going to come up and he's going to beat Dan Boyle, and Dan Boyle shoots this puck into his own net."

While I couldn't find this spelled out for us in Rule 78 (Goals), I'm slightly certain that there are no assists awarded for own goals. Dan Boyle didn't even pass it to anyone first, that selfish fuck. Anyway, Daley didn't receive an assist and that was, again, the right call by the official scorer. Are we done yet, Mr. Campbell?

Go ahead, accuse us of being nitpickers and killjoys here, but this was a franchise record-tying event we’re talking about. Of course, the official scorer had no way of knowing things would turn out the way they did when the third goal was scored, but when you watch the replay there’s still no excuse for awarding Gagner an assist. (A long-time NHL observer came to precisely the same conclusion when he reviewed the goal, by the way.)

Oh yeah? Who was it? Nick Kypreos? PJ Stock? Bryan Berard? Yourself? I have no idea what you mean by "A long-time NHL observer". I've "observed" the NHL for almost twenty years, so perhaps I know a thing or three. Also, even if the official scorer had some way of knowing about the outcome of that game beforehand, it wouldn't have made a difference. I expect that he reviewed the play with proper understanding of rule 33.2, thus designating the correct award of an assist to Gagner.

Since the official scorer’s decision is final, there’s no way the assist can be taken away from Gagner, nor should it at this point. After all, players have scored at least eight points in a game 13 times previously in NHL history and there’s a chance they could have received phantom points as well. Wayne Gretzky scored eight points on two occasions in the 1983-84 season and the joke around the league then was that Gretzky received an assist for every goal scored in Alberta.

Yet, you still decided to write an article about it. If fans, official scorers, and "observers" were fine with occasional phantom points back then, it shouldn't be a catastrophe if one is awarded now. Regardless, there were no phantom points on that play. Sam Gagner earned eight points that evening. I'm happy for him, as you should be, too (and if not, then you just shouldn't care).

But had the points on that goal been properly awarded in the first place using video technology the league has embraced, there would be no reason to point it out because Gagner would have finished the evening with seven points.

Poor Trevor Daley.