RotoSynthesishttp://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/The Ultimate Fantasy Sports BlogCopywrite Rotowire.com 2009Lord Stanley Game Three
  • Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool Joel Quennville four times? Shame on the organization. Zdeno Chara was in the dressing room with a skate issue for at least four shifts and Quennville failed to get Jonathan Toews on the ice for any of them. How does that happen with today's technology?
  • Tuukka Rask. Wow. Great game, but "the ice gets sh$^% at the ends of periods"? NBC's Pierre McGuire seems to inspire swearing, eh? Andrew Shaw got him at the end of Game 1, too.
]]>http://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/Lord%2DStanley%2DGame%2DThree-BBD4419.htmhttp://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/Lord%2DStanley%2DGame%2DThree-BBD4419.htmTue, 18 Jun 2013 5:14:00 GMTLord Stanley Game Two
  • How many Hawks can a Bruin hit if a Bruin could hit Hawks? Answer? 50. Wow. Hit the ice tubs, boys.
  • Jaromir Jagr and his anti-beard -- so close, yet so far, far away. Maybe the posts have fattened up over the duration of his career.
]]>http://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/Lord%2DStanley%2DGame%2DTwo-BBD4418.htmhttp://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/Lord%2DStanley%2DGame%2DTwo-BBD4418.htmSun, 16 Jun 2013 4:50:00 GMTLord Stanley Game One
  • I almost went to bed after the third Boston goal. What a mistake that would have been, eh?! Cue the comeback.
  • Marian Hossa will do anything to win. He, Milan Lucic and Tuukka Rask were the best players on the ice through two OTs.
]]>http://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/Lord%2DStanley%2DGame%2DOne-BBD4417.htmhttp://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/Lord%2DStanley%2DGame%2DOne-BBD4417.htmThu, 13 Jun 2013 5:38:00 GMTNHL Playoff Observations -- Cup Runneth Over
  • Is Corey Crawford the Rodney Dangerfield of NHL twinetenders? He don't get no respect.
  • June 9 sure is a big day for Patrick Kane. A natural hat trick sends the Hawks to the final. Three years ago, his goal delivered a Cup ... on exactly the same day.
]]>http://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DCup%2DRunneth%2DOver-BBD4416.htmhttp://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DCup%2DRunneth%2DOver-BBD4416.htmSun, 9 Jun 2013 6:26:00 GMTNHL Playoff Observations -- Brooms Come Out
  • Best save of the night? Zdeno Chara's backhanded snag in the last minute. That stung, but not as much as it would have had the puck found twine.
  • Tuukka Rask, second-best goalie in the world or just lucky? Discuss.
]]>http://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DBrooms%2DCome%2DOut-BBD4415.htmhttp://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DBrooms%2DCome%2DOut-BBD4415.htmSat, 8 Jun 2013 5:22:00 GMTNHL Playoff Observations -- Pens on the Ropes
  • Soooo ... who would you rather have on your team this postseason? Sidney Crosby or David Krejci? Discuss.
  • Repeat after me -- Jarome Iginla does not belong in black and gold. And that's not because I'm a Flames' fan. He has never fit into the Pens system and looks lost. That whistling sound you hear is the air coming out of his FA value
]]>http://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DPens%2Don%2Dthe%2DRopes-BBD4414.htmhttp://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DPens%2Don%2Dthe%2DRopes-BBD4414.htmThu, 6 Jun 2013 5:26:00 GMTNHL Playoff Observations -- Conference Finals Monday
  • Coincidence or not? Sidney Crosby sheds his jaw protector and goes two games without a point, the first time this season he's been held pointless for that duration of time. He looked ... average, at best.
  • The Kings scored 11 goals in five games against the Blues, 14 in seven against the Sharks and now three in two against the Hawks. Their average goals-per-game is on a serious decline. They'd better get serious about scoring goals when they return to La-La-Land.
]]>http://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DConference%2DFinals%2DMonday-BBD4413.htmhttp://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DConference%2DFinals%2DMonday-BBD4413.htmTue, 4 Jun 2013 4:54:00 GMTNHL Playoff Observations -- Round Three Begins
  • I'm not sure I've seen Sidney Crosby as angry as he was at the end of the second period. He let Tuukka Rask get under his skin and then popped Rask in the chest (twice). And he chirped Zdeno Chara who had his number all night long (hint: he's too big for you Sid). He let them get him off his game. 
  • Why is Corey Crawford the least-desirable goalie in the conference semis? That goal Saturday was a fluke. And he's allowed just a single goal in three of his last four games.
]]>http://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DRound%2DThree%2DBegins-BBD4412.htmhttp://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DRound%2DThree%2DBegins-BBD4412.htmSun, 2 Jun 2013 4:13:00 GMTNHL Playoff Observations -- Round Two Is Over
  • If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. I'm talking about you, Brent Seabrook. It's a rare day when you score the game winner twice ... in the same game.
  • Block the shot or get out of the bloody way. Niklas Kronwall is going to be seeing that one in his sleep for a long, long time.
]]>http://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DRound%2DTwo%2DIs%2DOver-BBD4409.htmhttp://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DRound%2DTwo%2DIs%2DOver-BBD4409.htmThu, 30 May 2013 4:41:00 GMTNHL Playoff Observations -- Round Two Monday
  • Corey Crawford had the yips for the entire third period. Joakim Andersson and his knucklers can do that to any one. Not.
  • Look who showed up. Marian Hossa had his best game of the series. He's still elite, but he's definitely a buy-out candidate after next year.
]]>http://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DRound%2DTwo%2DMonday-BBD4408.htmhttp://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DRound%2DTwo%2DMonday-BBD4408.htmTue, 28 May 2013 4:53:00 GMTNHL Playoff Observations -- Saturday
  • Isn't it interesting that the final four could be comprised of the last four Stanley Cup winners? Or four of the last five? Parity has been the catch phrase of the NHL for years, but that smells like dominance to me.
  • Why did it take Joel Quennville until Game 5 to get Jonathan Toews away from Henrik Zetterberg?
]]>http://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DSaturday-BBD4407.htmhttp://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DSaturday-BBD4407.htmSun, 26 May 2013 5:27:00 GMTNHL Playoff Observations -- Thursday
  • Brad Richards, popcorn vendor? I know he has struggled, but there's no way be should be in the press box. No bloody way.
  • Patrick Kane just hasn't been good enough. Three shifts in the last 11 minutes? And the last was after the empty netter? Where's the fire in the belly? He's giving up way too easily.
]]>http://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DThursday-BBD4406.htmhttp://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DThursday-BBD4406.htmFri, 24 May 2013 5:5:00 GMTNHL Playoff Observations -- Tuesday
  • Joe Thornton's first period might have been his most dominant playoff performance. Ever. Jumbo? Nope. Larger than life ... including the massive man beard.
  • Stick a fork in the Rangers. That stupid defensive system is sinking them. Bu-bye, Torts. Maybe Patrick Roy is holding out for a gig on Broadway instead of in Mile High.
]]>http://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DTuesday-BBD4405.htmhttp://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DTuesday-BBD4405.htmWed, 22 May 2013 5:4:00 GMTNHL Playoff Observations -- Weekend
  • Abuse of an official? I guess I went to bed too early. You're a bad, bad boy, Jonathan Quick. I wonder if they have the onions to lay down some supplemental discipline under Rule 39.5. It's a possibility when a game misconduct is called for abuse of an official.
  • Uh-oh. Henrik Lundqvist has an injured shoulder and is undergoing evaluation Sunday night. The Rangers can kiss that series goodbye without the King.
]]>http://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DWeekend-BBD4404.htmhttp://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DWeekend-BBD4404.htmMon, 20 May 2013 1:48:00 GMTNHL Playoff Observations -- Friday (Thursday, too)
  • Four shots, three goals ... and his second career hat playoff hat trick. The third goal was Sidney Crosby's 100th playoff point, a feat accomplished in merely 75 games. Plus he's the fifth fastest to hit that 100-point mark. Who was faster? Just Wayne Gretzky (46 games), Mario Lemieux (50), Jari Kurri (67) and Mike Bossy (74). Now that's elite company.
  • Where-o-where has my Brad Richards gone? Oh, where-o-where could he be? Oh right -- behind the play, struggling to catch up. Sometimes skills trickle away; sometimes they just fall off a cliff. Sad.
]]>http://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DFriday%2D%28Thursday%2Dtoo%29-BBD4403.htmhttp://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DFriday%2D%28Thursday%2Dtoo%29-BBD4403.htmSat, 18 May 2013 4:26:00 GMTNHL Playoff Observations -- Round Two Wednesday
  • Patrick Sharp is 31-3 this season. Yes, the Hawks have only lost three times with him in the lineup. Wow.
  • Moths to a light -- the Wings were puck focused all night long. That will change next game ... might not change the outcome by much, though.
]]>http://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DRound%2DTwo%2DWednesday-BBD4401.htmhttp://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DRound%2DTwo%2DWednesday-BBD4401.htmThu, 16 May 2013 4:30:00 GMTNHL Playoff Observations -- Round Two Tuesday
  • Team captains do not act like children. They do not blame others. They stand up and accept responsibility. Alexander Ovechkin has been looking in that fun house mirror again. Have I ever mentioned how I much I can't stand people like that?
    • Special teams -- will they be the story of the second round? They sure were in Pittsburgh on Tuesday night.
    ]]>    http://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DRound%2DTwo%2DTuesday-BBD4400.htmhttp://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DRound%2DTwo%2DTuesday-BBD4400.htmWed, 15 May 2013 5:13:00 GMT    NHL Playoff Observations -- Monday
    • Chris Hadfield returned to Earth at 10:31 p.m. Eastern time a sad man -- Canada's space station commander is a HUGE Leafs' fan. No wonder he had a hard time getting out of the space capsule. He had to dry his tears first.
    • Andrew Ference arrived at the arena in a walking boot. Wade Redden was a late scratch. And the Bruins lost Dennis Seidenberg after two shifts. They may have gotten out of the first round, but they won't get far with a back-end held together with chewing gum and bailing wire.
    ]]>    http://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DMonday-BBD4399.htmhttp://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DMonday-BBD4399.htmTue, 14 May 2013 4:52:00 GMT    NHL Playoff Observations -- Sunday
    • Optimus Reim. Reim Minister. I don't care if the nicknames are any good; I just know the goalie is. James Reimer has proved his detractors wrong and even Roberto Luongo has become a fan. Bobby Lou's tweet after the game? #REIM4SOCHI. Now that's funny.
    • Ho hum, Henrik Lundqvist was the difference for the Rangers. Again. The guy was his typical brilliant self. But why isn't anyone talking about Braden Holtby who has allowed one fewer goal in the same six games? Just wondering ...
    ]]>    http://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DSunday-BBD4397.htmhttp://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DSunday-BBD4397.htmMon, 13 May 2013 5:6:00 GMT    NHL Playoff Observations -- Saturday
    • What's the over-under on the number of questions Erik Karlsson will get about "the Matt Cooke incident." You know, team owner Eugene Melnyk still believes it was deliberate and says he is getting forensic evidence to prove it. Quick, take away his tin foil.
    • Man, the Isles looked good early -- they should have been up by at least two. But they just couldn't sustain it. Dang.
    ]]>    http://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DSaturday-BBD4396.htmhttp://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DSaturday-BBD4396.htmSun, 12 May 2013 4:48:00 GMT    NHL Playoff Observations -- Friday
    • James Reimer, two; Roberto Luongo, zero. Playoff wins, that is -- isn't that what Leafs' fans thought they'd get out of a Bobby Lou trade? Any chance they eat crow?
    • Where are you, Rick Nash? Brad Richards? And how much cash is tied up in you two stiffs?
    ]]>    http://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DFriday-BBD4394.htmhttp://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DFriday-BBD4394.htmSat, 11 May 2013 5:37:00 GMT    NHL Playoff Observations -- WednesdayJust a few things that caught my eye:

     

    • Read my lips, Dion Phaneuf – hit the guy if you’re going to pinch. Better yet, DO NOT PINCH. He’s a decent player, but a crappy decision maker. Yikes.
     
    • David Krejci is money in the bank in the postseason. His hattie was just his third, three-point effort in his last four games. Ten points in four games. Wow.
    ]]>    http://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DWednesday-BBD4393.htmhttp://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DWednesday-BBD4393.htmFri, 10 May 2013 1:42:00 GMT    NHL Playoff Observations -- Tuesday
    • No offense to Peter Budaj, but Montreal has no hope without Carey Price between the pipes. He was terrific before he went down. #HabsDown.
    • The Isles are like a bad rash -- they just won't go away. They haven't figured out they're supposed to lose to the Penguins. Andrew MacDonald will be hard to replace, though.
    ]]>    http://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DTuesday-BBD4392.htmhttp://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DTuesday-BBD4392.htmWed, 8 May 2013 4:53:00 GMT    NHL Playoff Observations -- Sunday
    • Nine seconds, Vancouver. Nine seconds. That smell is worse than a pig farmer stirring up his liquid manure tank.
    • The Sens and Habs clearly hate each other. But then again, the Habs hate each other, too. Seems like a marriage made in heaven if you're a Sens' fan.
    ]]>    http://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DSunday-BBD4389.htmhttp://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DSunday-BBD4389.htmMon, 6 May 2013 5:44:00 GMT    NHL Playoff Observations -- Saturday
    • Strong skating is one of Drew Doughty's calling cards. Yet David Backes blew Doughty away on a breakaway in the first period. And by several steps. Doughty's overall game has been in slow, steady decline since his sophomore season. Is he suffering from Dion Phaneuf-itis?
    • Don Cherry was at it again: "He's a lazy hockey player." He is Evgeni Malkin. Now if only he was Canadian ....
    ]]>    http://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DSaturday-BBD4388.htmhttp://rotosynthesis.rotowire.com/NHL%2DPlayoff%2DObservations%2D%2D%2D%2DSaturday-BBD4388.htmSun, 5 May 2013 5:47:00 GMT