And now it’s the Islanders turn to head out to Western Canada and based on Monday’s 4-0 thrashing, they may have the same problems the Rangers did. Early in the second, Ales Hemsky skated in on two defenders and through a harmless shot towards the net, that Rick DiPietro somehow let in and the rout was on. The Oliers added two more goals in the second and another one in the third to complete the scoring. New York outshot Edmonton 35-33, but Mathieu Garon kept the puck out of the net.
Last Night's Action: The Islanders Start Badly
Last Night's Action: Nets Making a Move?
Professional Lacrosse Comes to NYC
Just what you've been waiting for: Our fair city has its newest sports franchise. The National Lacrosse League is brining a franchise to the Big Apple, and four of the games will be at Madison Square Garden. Mayor Bloomberg played intramural lacrosse at Johns Hopkins, and the NY Times writes that he "showed off his command of the sports esoterica":
I know you all agree with me that there’s nothing quite like a middie clamping down on a rock on a face-off, scooping it up and cradling it with his wand and then dishing it off to a crease attackman who stuffs it into the back of the cage.Huh, it actually sounds kind of dirty. Lacrosse is apparently the fastest growing sports franchise in the country, so New York was eager to bring it on. Check out the Lacrosse Meetup of NYC.
New York/New York
Peter Sykora was openly campaigning to join the Rangers. He had watched their early-season success and he wanted to get out of Anaheim. His wish was granted Sunday and he immediately made his presence felt in the Rangers 4-2 victory over Calgary. Sykora scored a goal, had an assist and manned the point on the Rangers’ power play unit. The win puts the Rangers five points out of first place with about half the season remaining.
Lord Stanley, Florida. Florida, Lord Stanley
Last night, the Tampa Bay Lightning won The Stanley Cup, defeating the Calgary Flames 2-1 in the 7th game of the NHL Finals. Led by Ruslan Fedotenko's two goals, the 12 year-old Lightning franchise won its first championship and is the first team formed in the 90's to win the Cup. There is nothing quite like a 12 year-old team winning The Stanley Cup, a trophy awarded for 111 years making it the oldest trophy in sport. The Calgary Flames franchise is also relatively young, starting in 1980 when the Atlanta Flames moved north. The Flames were attempting to become the first Canadian team to win the Cup since the Montreal Canadiens in 1993.
Is Hockey the Most Demanding Playoff Sport?
The NBA and its players have had an absurd playoff schedule so far this season. It almost seems like they only play Thursday-Sunday and take the rest of the week off. Games are 48 minutes long, plus add on all their commercial breaks, time outs, and fouling in the final two minutes and you have plenty of rest for the players. NBA play, while physical, doesn't tend to result in concussions or many contusions at all.

