Crosby VS Ovechkin

Number 87 versus number 8, Sid vs Ovi, Sid the Kid vs Alexander The Great.  All of their NHL careers they have been compared to each other. They were drafted a year apart, but entered the NHL during the same season because of the lockout in 2004.

From the time they started their careers, they didn't disappoint.  Ovechkin finished 3rd in league scoring and Crosby finished 6th in their 1st season. Ovechkin took home the Rookie of the year award that year.  If we are talking personal trophies, this is where we are at.

As you can see, Ovechkin has a lead in personal trophies. Although, a lot of people will only count cups by the time they retire, and in that regard, Crosby leads Ovechkin 1-0.

To add to their "rivalry", in 2009, their respective teams met in the 2nd round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.  The series went to seven, and boy did they impress.  The Penguins and Sidney Crosby ended up beating Ovechkin's Washington Captials 4-3.  Ovi and Sid had a wonderful series. Especially in game two, when both of them scored hattricks.

Ovechkin got his 500th point of his career on Feburary 4th 2010.  He managed to do this in just 373 games. Crosby you ask? Well he just HAD to show up Ovechkin and did it in 4 games less (369)

Where I am going with this, is we potentially have something special coming up.  Barring any long term injuries, (more than 10 games) these two studs could score their 1000th career points on the same night. Here is a look at where they are in relations to their 1000th career point.

As of Aug 15 2015

As you can see, Crosby will most likely blow away Ovechkin in games it takes to get to 1000 points, but they could get that 1000th point on the same night. How nice would it be to see them do this on the same night or maybe even against each other.


Follow @ByrneMGL
Follow @FrancisReport

Game 2: Leafs Host Penguins - Predictions

Hockey Night in Canada has it's debut tonight, with it's new cast, and new host, George Stroumboulopoulos.  I wish good luck to Strombo with this new adventure in his life.  He has some big shoes to fill.

Sidney Corsby and the Pittsburgh Penguins are in Toronto tonight to take on  The Buds. Crosby has had quite the career against The Leafs.  He has 20 goals 23 assists for 43 points in only 28 games.

Penguins: Penguins have won their only game. They over came a Corey Perry hattrick to beat The Ducks 6-4.
Record: 1-0-0
Point Leaders (G-A-P): Pascal Dupuis 1-3-4, Crosby 2-1-3, Ollie Maatta 0-3-3


Leafs: Leafs lost their season opener to the Montreal Canadiens 4-3.  The winning goal for the Habs came with less than a minute left in the game, when the puck went of rookie defence man Stuart Percy.
Record: 0-1-0
Point Leaders(G-A-P): Tyler Bozak 1-0-0, Nazem Kadri 1-0-0, Morgan Rielly 1-0-0

Predictions:
Mike (0-1): 4-2 Leafs.  Kessel with a big game and the game winner.
Jeff (0-1):  5-4 Leafs.  Phil Kessel will get the game winning goal.  

Up next for the Leafs visit The New York Rangers in  tomorrow (Sunday)

Follow @FrancisReport

Ice Hockey - Men's Olympic Team

The other day, I made had a Facebook status about who I wanted to win gold for Men's Ice Hockey at the Olympics.

Post by Jeffery Francis.

I was surprised that one of my friends asked me to explain myself.  So Here I am.  An attempt to try and explain my reasoning for the above statement.

For me, for as long as I can remember, it has always been about The Toronto Maple Leafs.  Watching games, browsing stats, talking about the Leafs with friends and family, and collecting memorabilia.  SO my reasoning may not come as a surprise to you.

Why NOT Canada:

1.  Sidney Crosby.  Is he great for hockey?  Ya, he sure is.  Find me a girl on twitter that isn't in love with this guy.  For me?  Awful!  There isn't a guy in hockey I dislike more!  I can't cheer for this whiner, who cries to the ref after every shift.

2. P.K. Subban.  He is also great for hockey.  He has a swagger about him that not a lot of other players have.  He has a great shot, and can skate really well, as well as his great 1st pass.  For me?  How can I, the biggest die hard of the Leafs, cheer for a Norris Trophy winning Defenseman from the arch rival Montreal Canadiens?  Not happening!

3. Carey Price.  He is what everyone classifies as a franchise goalie.  A guy you can build a team around.  He may not have a ton of playoff experience, but he makes the game look effortless.  Again, how can I cheer for the starting goalie of the Montreal Canadiens?  Makes the game look effortless?  He really just looks like he doesn't want to be there.  He doesn't look like he has that killer instinct that you need as a goalie.  He doesn't seem like a good pressure goalie.


Ok, so if NOT Canada, than WHO?

Team USA has 2 of the Leafs top players on their roster.  This makes the obvious choice on who I would be cheering for. They are Kessel and JVR.  These two guys are lights out in Toronto.  I want them to carry some success back to Toronto, and push it to the playoffs.  For me, it would be great, if JVR set up Kessel, on the "Golden Goal" in overtime, against Carey Price.  I would be super happy about that.   If I can't have that, then yes, Go Russia!

I have watched Canada win 2 of the last 3 Olympic gold medals.  If this was a 60 year drought, different story.  But they won on home soil just 4 years ago. Isn't that enough? Let's not be greedy.  In fact, that "Golden Goal" heard around the world was the moment I decided, that I will be cheering for Team USA next time.... Stupid Sidney Crosby, ruining everything for me...

With all this said, would I be upset if Canada won?  Nope.  I'd be happy with that.  But for me, when it comes to International Men's Ice Hockey, its the name on the back, not the crest on the front.  All other sports/events, Go! Canada Go!