Cornwall ON – I’m as guilty as many for vilifying Andrei Kostitsyn. It’s a bit of what I call Kovalev condition which is where you have a player that can be so much yet finds a way to never really reach that level.
Many people wouldn’t resign AK 46 with his salary of $3.25M, but compare his stats say to $6M man Mike Cammallieri. Andrei: 40 points in 71 games – avg Ice time about 15 minutes per game. Mike: 39 points in 57 games – avg Ice time over 18 minutes per game. Mike shoots more. And that’s what Andrei needs to do; be more assertive, aggressive and hit the net.
And that’s what PK Subban did tonight scoring his first NHL Hat Trick; one of which was one of the prettiest I’ve seen in awhile. Number 76 literally entered the zone, skated around fending off the opposition before banking a shot off of a Minnesota defender and past Jose Theodore!
Ryan White who is becoming a favorite of mine notched his first Gordie Howe Hat Trick which is a goal, an assist, and a fight! Kudo’s to Mr. White for filling a role on this team that was much needed.
I wouldn’t want to be Alex Picard as he caused a penalty shot for Minnesota by putting his hand over the puck in the crease which resulted in a Mikko Koivu goal ending Alex Auld’s shut out bid.
In other NHL Scores: the Rangers kept pace beating Pittsburgh 5-2; Blake Geoffrion’s Hat Trick was the difference as Nashville beat Buffalo 4-3; Marty Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils shut out Columbus 3-0.
Calgary 0 and Anaheim3; and Chicago & Phoenix were scoreless as of Press Time.