A forecast of rain and freezing temperatures this weekend in Southern California has created the rare possibility of White Christmas in that western state. Keep in mind that average high Los Angeles temperature in December is 68. That’s why we probably won’t be needing the Bing Crosby song. Except in the mountains, you will likely just see rain and not the white stuff.
But 54 years ago, on Dec. 23, 1967, Los Angeles Kings goaltender Terry Sawchuk delivered on his promise of a White Christmas for his children.
Sawchuk cut a deal to have a truckload of crushed ice dumped on his front lawn at his home in Hermosa Beach, California.
The Hall of Fame goalie had a reputation of being a grumpy to surly athlete who often seemed to be having a bad day. But on this day, he was the coolest dad on the block.
Sawchuk died three years later at age 40 after being injured in a fight, at his home, with his New York Rangers teammate Ron Stewart.
Here are Thursday Thoughts as teams enjoy the Christmas break:
2. Don’t bet against the Los Angeles Kings on the road. The Kings are 10-4 against the spread on the road and 9-7 at home. Only the Ducks (26-6) and Columbus Blue Jackets (19-9) are better overall against the spread.
3. Players are protected from being moved during the holiday by a collectively bargained roster freeze. Management and coaches don’t have the same protection. The New Jersey Devils fired coach Pete DeBoer on Dec. 26, 2014.
4. Veteran Edmonton writer Jim Matheson says the Oilers have interest in Phil Kessel. Like everyone else, the Oilers want Arizona to retain salary.
5. Florida Hockey Now reports that Aleksander Barkov is close to returning from injury. The Panthers are 7-5 without Barkov.
6. Why do people believe it would be difficult for the Coyotes to trade Jakob Chychrun? True, he has three more seasons left on this contract. But he’s 23 and his deal is for $4.6 million per season. That’s not an impediment. That’s an enticement. The problem is Coyotes may not trade him and if they did they are going to want an eye-catching return.
7. The Panthers do have a flaw that could hurt them in the postseason: They are the NHL’s worst faceoff team (45.6%).
8. Last week, Video caught New Jersey Devils player Mason Geertsen taunting Red Wings forward Tyler Bertuzzi about his vaccination status.
9. Vancouver Director of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford asked for permission to speak to Penguins assistant general manager Patrik Allvin. Also don’t rule Seattle assistant GM Jason Botterill. He also served under Rutherford.
10. If the Flyers fall off the pace and decide to trade Rasmus Ristolainen, you can expect teams lining up to make an offer. Toronto Maple Leafs. Tampa Bay Lightning. Edmonton Oilers. His right-shot status and grit add to his desirability.
11. On this day, Dec. 23, 43 years ago, Bryan Trottier set an NHL record with six points in the second period. He finished the game with five goals and three assists. This came in the New York Islanders’ last game before the Christmas break. Mike Bossy also had five points.
12. Also on this date in 1933, the great Howie Morenz scored his 249th goal to become the NHL’s all-time scoring leader.
13. At one point during this COVID surge, the Calgary Flames had 18 players on the COVID list.
14. By my last count, we are heading toward150 players on the NHL’s COVID list. That’s roughly 19 percent of the league. Six head coaches are on the list.
15. From 1921 through 1971, the NHL played games on Christmas Day. The last Christmas game was between the Los Angeles Kings and California Golden Seals in 1971. The Golden Seals won 3-1. Future Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Craig Patrick, Walt McKechnie and Stan Gilbertson scored for California. The Golden Seals also played Dec.26 in Vancouver.
16. After Bruce Boudreau’s 6-0 start in Vancouver, he now has a .637 regular-season winning percentage (573-302-115). That puts him ahead of Toe Blake (.634), Bruce Cassidy (.628), Mike Sullivan (.616). Mike Babcock (.608) and Ken Hitchcock (.599) among others.
17. Carolina Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell has a great story about receiving one of his favorite Christmas gifts: the only NHL jersey he ever wore. He played one game with the Los Angeles Kings in 1980-81. Several years ago, his wife, with the help of long-time NHL team executive Jack Ferreira, was able to track down the jersey and give it to her husband for Christmas.
18. Do you think Kyle Palmieri asked Santa for goals for Christmas? Palmieri has one this season. In 42 games with the Islanders, he only has three. This is a player who averaged 26.4 goals per season for the Islanders in his first five seasons there.
19. One of my favorite Christmas gifts in the 1960s was a Munro Bobby Hull table hockey game. Played that game for hours.
20. Want to wish all of my readers a very Merry Christmas. It has been a joy for me to continue my career in the Hockeybuzz space. Stay well, stay safe this Holiday weekend.