2013 NHL Season!!!!

[M2]

The Bruins beat the Rangers again today. I enjoy victories against New York more than any team. They had an intense rivalry in the late 1960s and 1970s. I will never forget the opening minutes of the 1970 playoffs when the Rangers ganged up and jumped Derek Sanderson. It didn't help. The Bruins still won that round.

Both franchises had been the dregs of the NHL in the early and mid 1960s. They got better in a hurry after the first wave of expansion. When they got jammed together in the East division in the early '70s it got pretty intense. Add in the 1970 playoffs, the 1972 Stanley Cup and the 1973 playoffs (at least the Rangers won one of those matchups). There were five great teams in that 1967-75 expansion era - the Canadiens, Bruins, Rangers, Blackhawks and Flyers. The Rangers and Blackhawks conspired somehow to win zero Stanley Cups between them despite each having a core of Hall-of-Famers.

As a Rangers fan I figure they can't beat the Islanders enough to satisfy my revengelust. Then there's the Flyers and Devils. The Bruins fall into my third tier of hockey enemies with the Penguins and Caps.

[OldRightHander]

I've got my tickets for Blues vs. Blue Jackets tomorrow night, 3rd row on the blue line. Going in my Blues gear and going to make a valiant attempt at behaving myself.

[Joseph]

you can do it brother! Fans are pretty calm there for the most part.

[OldRightHander]

you can do it brother! Fans are pretty calm there for the most part.

I know. I go every time the Blues are in town and it's always a good experience.

[Spitball]

If we don't go to Mardi Gras this year, we plan to go to see the Bruins versus the Blues in St. Louis on February 6. I'd like to do both...and might.

[MikeThierry]

If we don't go to Mardi Gras this year, we plan to go to see the Bruins versus the Blues in St. Louis on February 6. I'd like to do both...and might.

Mardi Gras is a fun, fun time. Just not the next morning

[MikeThierry]

I know. I go every time the Blues are in town and it's always a good experience.

That was a great, character building game for the Blues. That said, not playing well in the first period is starting to become a trend for them. I'm glad for the victory but there are some warning signs that they need to fix before it gets out of hand.

[Stephenk29]

Headed to Nashville and Pittsburg for the first time for games. Anyone have recommendations for the two arenas?

[Kingspoint]

Ouch. Nashville took the Hawks to the woodshed tonight. Hawks looked slow, lethargic, and a step behind on almost everything all night.

Toronto does it, too.

But, Hawks' league dominance going on a full-season and a third now. Remarkable run.

Go Hawks!

[OldRightHander]

Ok, I have to give some major props to the Blue Jackets organization. I've been attending games every time the Blues come into town for several years now and the experience has always been first class. So now today I get an email with some sort of survey about my experience and the darn thing was pretty thorough. Then they turned around and called me asking how my experience was at the game and if I would attend any future games or recommend it to any friends. I told her that I enjoyed myself immensely, especially the outcome of the game, and we had a decent conversation for a few minutes about how I came to root for the other team while living here, etc.

Anyway, I have to wonder how many professional sports franchises make efforts like that to reach out to fans the way they do. It seems that a lot of teams take their fan base for granted and just assume they're always going to show up. Could it be because hockey is more of a niche sport or is it just that this organization is actively trying to court a good loyal fan base? Whatever the motive, it seems that they don't take their fans for granted, and that seems like something other organizations could take to heart.

[Joseph]

Got tickets for the Stadium Series game at Soldier Field on March 1st. I hope I don't freeze to death.

[OldRightHander]

Well, the Oilers put together one decent period against the Blues tonight with nothing to show for it, and have been taken to the woodshed since then.

[Joseph]

Hawks laying the wood to the Avs tonight. Big matchup with the Blues coming.

[Kingspoint]

Hawks laying the wood to the Avs tonight. Big matchup with the Blues coming.

Sharp and Toews dominant!

[OldRightHander]

Blues and Hawks always good for entertaining games this season. This one was great from the last part of the 3rd period on.