The Utica Comets will try to use pure volume to help their cause as they try to even their AHL playoff series with the Albany Devils tonight and force a deciding Game 5.
Pretty impressive that the fans in their 3,860-seat arena are so close to the indoor world record. I wonder if they can eclipse that mark tonight?
Here's a reminder of the status of the Canucks' affiliation with the city of Utica.
The Aquilinis own the team, but the earliest they could move it west without complications would be at the end of that six-year agreement.
This stat actually bodes well for the Comets' chances tonight. According to
their website, Utica's home penalty kill was the best in the AHL this year, with a 90 percent success rate, while the Devils' power play drops from 23.5 percent at home (third-best) to 13.2 percent on the road (ranked 22nd).
Albany's lone goal on Tuesday did come on the power play, with Andrey Pedan in the box for holding.
Puck drop, once again, is a 4 p.m. PT.
Meanwhile, in the NHL, the playoffs march on.
The Islanders made me look good for favouring them over Tampa Bay in the first game of their new series, and I know I'm not alone in losing another branch of my bracket thanks to the Predators' win over Anaheim last night.
The 2003 NHL draft is often said to be one of the best of all time and it basically built the Ducks as we've known them for the last decade. They took Ryan Getzlaf at No. 19 and Corey Perry at 28—and Ryan Kesler was chosen by the Canucks at No. 23.
Now that these players are into their 30s, there's actually quite a lot of hardship that has struck players from that first round.
Click here for the full list, from Hockey DB.
A quick rundown of notable players and their draft positions:
1. Marc-Andre Fleury - sidelined with a concussion, still experiencing symptoms
2. Eric Staal - in decline - playoff bust with New York Rangers
3. Nathan Horton - on LTIR with back issues
4. Nikolai Zherdev - in KHL
5. Thomas Vanek - likely buyout candidate in Minnesota
6. Milan Michalek - only played 45 games last season due to injuries; traded to Toronto in Dion Phaneuf deal
7. Ryan Suter - still playing well!
...and so on...
As we build excitement over this year's draft and draft lottery, a look at a list like this reminds me of all the different possible paths that players can take after their names are called.
Other success stories from that first round who are playing some of the best hockey of their careers include Jeff Carter (11), Brent Seabrook (14) and Brent Burns (20), while Dustin Brown (13) may also be looking at a buyout and Zach Parise (17) is talking about undertaking rehab in an effort to avoid back surgery.
It's tough to have a long, successful career in this game. I wonder if we're seeing the beginning of the decline for Getzlaf and Perry?
Of course, maybe the Ducks' problem is just their name...
Maybe they need to become Mighty again!
One other note before I leave the 2003 draft class behind. Back in those days, the draft still went nine rounds—and there were some late gems uncovered in those final picks.
From the seventh round on...
205. Joe Pavelski
239. Toby Enstrom
245. Dustin Byfuglien
263. Matt Moulson
271. Jaroslav Halak
288. David Jones
291. Brian Elliott
Chosen second-last, Elliott is writing the best chapter of his career story so far in this year's playoffs.
Now that the Ducks are out, I realize that the only playoff team that's still alive in our nearest two time zones is San Jose. And the northernmost teams still playing are Pittsburgh and the Islanders.
I think those are the only two markets still alive that even get snow?
I'm expecting a lot of bad ice as the postseason wears on...
One side effect this year's strange playoff configuration is the opportunity to draw new fans to the sport. Are you following the story of Tony X in St. Louis?
He stumbled across Game 7 of the St. Louis/Chicago series on Monday night...shared his enthusiasm while watching his first hockey game ever, and became an instant Twitter legend.
His account is down this morning after growing from 2,000 to more than 60,000 followers since Monday. That earned him an invitation to Game 3 of the Blues series, a Skype appearance with Michael Strahan, side-by-side with Brett Hull, on Good Morning America and a request from Vladimir Tarasenko that his number be chosen for the new fan's first Blues jersey.
He also got into a funny little back-and-forth with our pal @strombone1 last night about the psychology of goalies.
After the way this story blew up, I wouldn't be surprised if he's just taking a couple of days under the radar to get his life back in order before his big debut at Game 3 next Tuesday. I miss him already!
Click here for the story so far from Greg Wyshynski at Puck Daddy.
Just one game on the NHL schedule tonight. Sid vs. Ovi begins in Washington at 5 p.m.
That's all I have for ya today. Go Comets!
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • 
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