The Final Score

Attended the Rangers' 4-1 win over the Devils last night, and wrote my Web column on Henrik Lundqvist.

What struck me the most is that two years ago there was a legitimate debate in New York hockey circles about who is better - Lundqvist or DiPietro. No one is talking about that anymore. Now, the question should be: Who would you rather have in goal this season? Lundqvist or Brodeur?

Yes, that's a sign of how much DiPietro has fallen off the radar because of his multiple surgeries. But it's much more indicative of how well Lundqvist has played, night in and night out, for several years. And that's continued this year as the Rangers are 5-0.

Here's my column.

On Oct. 14, 1991, Mike Gartner scored his 500th NHL goal, triggering a season in which he'd also chalk up his 500th assist and 1,000th point.

Three things we've learned about the Islanders in three games:

* It's going to be a long season, as expected.
The win over the Blues Saturday night was nice, but keep in mind the Blues were widely predicted to be among the bottom five teams in the league (along with the Isles). It's also worth noting they had their season opener in St. Louis the night before. That doesn't mean the Islanders didn't play well - their aggressive style in the first period was a welcome sight for fans - but the level of the opposition is a major factor, as well.

* Scott Gordon comes from the Mangini-Girardi school of injuries
Why a coach takes time and energy to play the deception game is beyond me. Why are you hiding who's in goal? Why are you hiding injuries? Give the fans, the opposition and your own team more credit than that. The game is won on the ice because of your players, not because of what nuggets you withheld in your news conference. And, readers, please realize, this is not just about us in the media. This silly "team policy" cop-out affects you guys just as much. Arthur Staple had a great column about this in Sunday's newspaper. If you haven't read it, you should.

* The DiPietro backup status is so puzzling
This question has been asked so many times, but I haven't seen an answer yet. If Rick DiPietro is not healthy to start, why is healthy enough to be the backup? Very bizarre.

***

I'm coming to you live from MSG, where we're an hour away from tonight's Rangers-Devils game. Will post some thoughts on this team later on, or tomorrow.

You can't say he doesn't deserve it. Too bad they waited five years after the Colorado Avalanche did it.

Here's a news story about it.

I already knew that Roy's number would be in some pretty amazing company but just for fun, I looked up the Habs' numbers hanging from Centre Bell's rafters:

1 Jacques Plante
2 Doug Harvey
4 Jean Beliveau
5 Boom Boom Geoffrion
7 Howie Morenz
9 Rocket Richard
10 Guy Lafleur
12 Yvan Cournoyer and Dickie Moore
16 Henri Richard
18 Serge Savard
19 Larry Robinson
23 Bob Gainey
29 Ken Dryden

Just make sure that the Coliseum goal horn is in good working order.

By Grahame L. Jones
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

Slovakia led, 19-0, after 10 minutes in Sunday's game at Liepaja, Latvia, and 31-0 after the first period. Fourteen players scored and 12 had hat tricks.

Hunky NHL player interns at fashion magazine? Brilliant! Let's make a movie.

So who should play Avery? I'm sure Islanders fans would have some suggestions.

I'm going with Ryan Phillippe, who used to be married to Reese Witherspoon and who now isn't. Not a bright guy, apparently.

Oh, I like this.

Yours truly, Illinois Norm

Anyone remember Bobby Nystrom?

Dang, those Canucks take their goal sounds seriously. Love the sirens.

It's from some 1980 hockey game in Lake Placid, NY.

Holy ABBA!

The Swedish star says he doesn't know if he wants to play....but he isn't retired.

Read it here.