Staal Falls

Photo credit:  http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/photos?photoId=272111&gameId=291105008

We're going to have to combine this week's games between the Pens and Ducks/Kings as not much happened in either game and they both had similar dastardly endings.  We’re still missing Malkin,  Gonchar and Talbot and even the return of Kennedy couldn’t make up for their absence.  The highlight of Tuesday’s game (Ducks) was Crosby’s baseball inspired slide into the goal to keep the Ducks from scoring. As far as Thursday’s game, although the Kings scored the first goal, Staal managed to tie the game within a minute of the Kings scoring their first goal and less than a minute and a half into the game.   No one seemed more confused than Staal who appeared genuinely surprised that his shot went in (see above picture).  We also really enjoyed Adams’ check, which resulted in the shattering of one of the rink’s glass panes, and the 5 minute intermission it took for someone to find a piece of glass that was the right size to replace it.  Here are this week’s combined totals for Staal falls:

++Total times Jordan Staal fell: 3

++Most people involved in a Staal fall: None

++Staal falls resulting in a goal: 1 (technically he scored the goal right before he was tripped but it was still a goal with a fall)

++Number of times Crosby landed in the box (since Malkin is currently out of commission): 1

++Jordan Staal award for excellence in falling this game goes to:  Number 11 on the King’s for a Staal-worthy faceplant into the boards during the second third.

Finally those of us at Staal Falls would like to extend a hearty WTF to the NHL and all of their currently injured players.  According to our count nearly all of our favorite players arecurrently injured.  This list includes Malkin, Gonchar, Eric Staal, Ovechkin, Talbot, Kovalchuk, and as of this afternoon Cam Ward.  We’ve noticed that this list includes a large number of assistant captains as well as players recently having encountered the Columbus Blue Jackets (we smell a conspiracy).  We hope these guys get better soon and that Flower, Jordan Staal, Semin and Crosby are all taking care of themselves as they’re all that’s left of our favorite players.  Be safe guys!  -Slick and Riz