Backstrom > Luongo

Roberto Luongo is a good goalie. I've watched enough of his games on Center Ice over the last 4 seasons to understand this. In Florida he was at times spectacular and in Vancouver he has been very good as well, but I do not agree with the majority of hockey broadcasters that think he is a hyrbid of Glenn Hall and Jesus Christ.

Luongo is overrated for several reasons. For one, he's the best goalie playing on a Canadian team. Hockey is religion in Canada and he is their best stopper. Canadian media love him because he's their best, although he's simply a just an above-average goaltender.

Secondly, he looks sexy. With that slick-backed GQ hairstlye and Italian-Stallion look he has hockey fans both male and female alike secretly in love with him and and puck-stopping abilities. I bet he spends more than $20.00 on a bottle of shampoo.

Lastly, people love saying his name. Roberto Luongo Roberto Luongo, Roberto Luongo, IT IS fun to say. It flows out out your mouth like butter. It's not fun to say "Cam Ward" or "Pekka Rinne" but these guys are good goalies as well.

Niklas Backstrom is every bit the goalie Luongo is. His numbers over the last 2 seasons are just as good and he comes at a much more affordable price. But people everywhere think Luongo's the better goalie because Backstrom is an average guy from Finland who washes his hair with Prell and doesn't have a sexy-sounding name. Give me Niklas Backstrom every day and I'll give you a better netminder with money to spare.

A Wild Fan's Guide to the Playoffs

Big week for the Wild, but more about that in a coming post. For now, please enjoy this guide to the first round of the playoffs from a Wild fan's perspective:

1. Boston v. Montreal ~ not much to like or dislike here, although it'd be nice to see Mikko's older brother succeed. For Gopher hockey rubes there's the Phil Kessel / Blake Wheeler connection. I don't expect Manny Fernandez to see the light of day unless there's a blowout.

2. Washington v. New York ~ Wild fans like me always hate New York based teams, so I'm pulling for the Caps here, and besides, they've got a Nicklas Backstrom.

3. New Jersey v. Carolina ~ I'm big on the Devils, and not just because I've become a trap-lover over the last nine seasons. New Jersey has several Minnesotans on the roster including Zach Parise, Paul Martin and Jamie Langenbrunner. Brian Rolston helps too, go Devils!

4. Pittsburgh v. Philadelphia ~ I'm leaning Penguins here with the Pascal Dupuis connection, although Matt Cooke doesn't help their cause any.

5. San Jose v. Anaheim ~ come on, does anyone really like the Ducks?

6. Detroit v. Columbus ~ I'm always hoping the Red Wings go belly-up, and besides, Columbus is sort of like our sister franchise, coming into the league at the same time.

7. Vancouver v. St. Louis ~ Blues in a landslide. Spring Lake Park's David Backes is the real thing, not to mention T.J. Oshie. Have I mentioned that I hate the Canucks?

8. Chicago v. Calgary ~ Number 2 on my hate list is the Flames. Dion Phaneuf is Satan, enough said.

There you have it. Tomorrow I've got a great post in mind about the public's tendency to overrate Roberto Luongo just because they like saying his name.

And There Was Much Rejoicing!

What Could Have Been

Although I'm more than sure last night's Calgary Flames team wasn't at their best, we did get a glimpse of what the 2008-09 Minnesota Wild season could have been like. Gaborik and Koivu both healthy and playing exceptional hockey. Backstrom shutting the door. Nick Schultz, yes, Nick Schultz, playing sound defensive hockey and blocking shots. But alas, this season is slipping away...