Game on!

It's over!  The lockout is over!  My how quick everyone's attitude has changed in the last 12 hours.  Okay, maybe not everyone's, but a lot of people's attitude has changed since the announcement was made.

A 10 year deal is fantastic, but there is a catch.  There is an opt out at year 8, available to both the owners and the players.  Either side may decline the opt out, but we'll talk about that when that time comes.

First things first.  Roberto Luongo is heavily rumoured to be heading to The Leafs.  This is an alright idea if the Leafs want to make the playoffs, but a terrible idea if they want to actually contend for a Stanley Cup Championship.   We all have seen what Luongo does when he is under pressure.

The NHL will probably be looking at a 48 game season.  Here is what the NHL looked like after 48 games last season.

NHL sends memo to clubs indicating no camps before Saturday (and may not open until Monday), 48-game season to begin Jan. 19
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 7, 2013

After the 1st 48 games last year the playoffs were set.  In fact only one team manage to sneak in after the 48 game mark and that was the Coyotes.  They went on that magical run to the West final on the back of goaltender Mike Smith.

Also through 48 games, this is what Kessel and Lupul's point totals were.

Player	Goals	Assists	Points
Kessel	26	25	51
Lupul	20	32	52

When it is all said and one and the deal it ratified by the ownership and the union, I'll be pumped and ready to watch NHL hockey once again.  Along with my son, who at only 10 months, his eyes are glued to the TV when hockey is on, just the way I like it.

Leafs/Stars Preview Nov 25th 2011

Leafs are in Dallas tonight, and unless you have been living under a rock the last 48 hours, you would have heard already that Reimer is back practicing with the team.  They had an early practice yesterday and then jumped on a bus and went to the Cowboys game.  Which the Cowboys won 20-19 on a field goal with 3 seconds left. 

The Leafs find them selves almost instantly hot again, going 2-1 in their last 3 games outscoring their opponents 16-5 in those games.  Two convincing wins, over Tbay and Washington, has the Leafs bandwagon bulging out at the sides again.

Leafs are 12-8-2 with 26 points good for 2nd in the North-East Division
Stars are 13-8-0 with 26 points good for 2nd in the Pacific Division

Gustavsson will get the start tonight. In his last 5 appearances he has 2.48 GAA and a .920 save%.   Gustavsson also is 1-0-1 in his career vs Dallas, with a 2.44 GAA and a .914 save%

Also, in a press release today, it has been announced that The Ontario Teachers Pension Plan is not selling it's 79% stake in MLSE.  Probably so they don't miss out on the playoff revenue this year when the Leafs make it.

I think tonight, the Leafs win 4-2.  Kessel, Lupul, Steckel, Connolly.

Check out some Leafs stats here: Leafs Stats