Would you trust this man?

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae if she is checking in.

So Bill Daly, NHL Deputy Commissioner, held a press conference to respond to findings in the Mitchell Report. According to Bill, a tow the line "mouthpiece" if there ever was one, the NHL doesn't have the same problem as baseball when it comes to use of performance-enhancing drugs. In his statement, Daly talks about how hockey players have long been tested at the international level and, since January 2006, three times a year by the NHL.

Ummm, ok, if you say so Bill. Obviously Bill hasn't heard of "stacking" or "cycles" of use - which would allow a player to avoid detection during the season. Hell, the NHL doesn't even test for that many substances. Again, we ask- "Would you trust this man?"

Leafs win again in Atlanta last night - Alexei Ponikarovsky comes back from a semi-cheap shot courtesy of Bobby Holik and scores two third period goals to seal a 4-0 win over the Thrashers. The Leafs played a somewhat boring road game - only pressing the play when Sundin-Antropov-Ponikarovsky or Wellwood-Blake-Tucker were on the ice. Really though, Sundin and Antropov dominated the game again - they were strong on the puck and controlled it inside the Atlanta zone resulting in three goals where the Thrashers D were left watching. Vesa Toskala continues to play like the number one guy Leafs fans hoped he would be when he was aquired. Talk on TSN last night was the the Penguins and Lightning might be looking at a guy like Andrew Raycroft to help their putrid goaltending situation. We can only hope.


FRIDAY'S THREE STARS
Read re-cap of Leafs/Thrashers game and pick - Toskala with a shutout, Sundin with a goal and an assist, Ponikarovsky with two goals and an assist, or Nik Antropov who was again dominant with three assists. Good day for Leaf Nation...just ask Hazel.


SATURDAY THREE PLAY
Another 2-1 night results in a minimal gain - even with picking a big dog (Calgary over Carolina); still can't understand how the Ducks lost to the Wild. Total for the week stands at + $85. Tonight's suggestions:

Ottawa over Atlanta - if you saw the Thrashers play last night, you'd know why we are suggesting the Tards as the play of the night. Lay $100 on Ottawa - $260.

Detroit over Florida - we had an uneasy feeling about Detroit/Edmonton, now the the Wings have lost their home game for the month, expect them to pound on Florida tonight. Lay $100 on Detroit - $250.

Tampa Bay over Washington - the Caps played last night against a fast skating and somewhat physical Buffalo team, so they'll be a little gassed. The Lightning are coming off an awful game against Calgary on Thursday - so they should be better. Lay $100 on the Lightning - $170.

Buffalo over Chicago - Sabres need to get on a roll at home, it should start with a win over the road wimp Blackhawks. Lay $100 on the Sabres - $140.

We'd also suggest Toronto and Columbus over Boston - but we'd be accused to suggestions based on the heart; they'll both win tonight.

Cincinnati -8.5 over San Francisco - this one looks like a gift; maybe people think Frank Gore can control the game and keep it close - we wouldn't subscribe to that line of thinking. Carson Palmer will have a big game tonight and the Bengals win by 10 or more. Lay $100 on the Bengals.

That's it for today gang - thanks for taking the time to check in. Have a great one peeps.

Hazel, we hope things are groovy in your world.

We're Out!