The Air Is Thin --

**Thanks to Nick/Webb20 from NYIC for the amazing photography that I'm going to be stealing... uh... borrowing from here on in. Nice to have friends with such amazing TALENT!

So the Islanders are in Colorado where the air is thin and team has a far better record than they do. The Avalanche is 24-13-6. Yeah, tough crowd. This will be John Tavares' first meeting with fellow draft pick Matt Duchene. They can laugh over the whole Tav-a-duch thing on we had going on Long Island last summer. Good times.....

Okay, so everyone gets their wish. It has been confirmed that Rick DiPietro will back up Dwayne Roloson tonight. I'm sure, Marty Biron will be dressed to the nines in the press box charming anyone who wishes to speak to him.

Are you people HAPPY NOW???? Poor Scott Gordon. Maybe he just figured to dress Rick tonight so the press would leave him alone.

Well, good luck Rick and welcome back.

See everyone after the game.

Newsday's Greg Logan says "Door No. 3!"

Greg Logan called in from a tent at the US Open where phones are allowed. Greg, who is normally incredibly soft spoken, was almost yelling into the phone to be heard. They must have been have a great time in that tent at 12:45 pm today at Bethpage Black.

“I’m going to chose door #3 and take Duchene.” He professed on air to Islanders ex-GM (for a nanosecond) Neil Smith and NY Rangers announcer Sam Rosen. I almost lost my lunch. “Even though Tavares could put more butts in seats, I just have a feeling they don’t believe that Tavares is the best guy for the team.” This will be his article for Sunday’s Newsday. He did go on to qualify his astounding prediction by mentioning that last year at the pre-draft interviews, he crossed Josh Bailey off his list as he felt they’d never take him.

Greg has spoke with Garth recently, but he continues to stay very elusive. Everyone would love to know what name he will say when he walks up to that podium, but we will all just have to wait until next Friday. The beat writer in Logan senses that the Islanders have potential misgivings about John Tavares will pan out. That is why they have encouraged the writers to keep Matt Duchene in the mix.

“It would seem that Hedman would have the greatest upside. Size, reach, and he’s already been rookie of the year in the Swedish Elite league. If Hedman has that recovery speed, that could be your corner stone guy for a long time.” But according to Logan, he’s just playing a hunch.

Garth and Company certainly expect this year’s #1 Draft pick to play next season in the NHL. They have already done that with Josh Bailey, even though he wasn’t exactly ready. But this year’s #1 choice will enjoy the benefits of starting his career in the NHL and of going down in Hockey history as going First overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

It's Going to Take Seven!

Which is exactly what those of us who don't really have a horse in this race were hoping for. The sheer idea of holding onto the hockey season just a little longer.

While everyone was preparing for the Red Wings to waltz around with the cup last night on the Penguins ice, there were those of us in the Twitterverse crossing our fingers for an upset to bring about a game seven.

Marc Andre Fluery heard us and granted our wish. Lord Stanley was promptly put back in it's case and escorted out of the building and back onto a plane. The hockey faithful get one more game. The Pittsburgh Penguins get one more shot at winning it all. We won't know if they are up to the task until Friday.

Yesterday, while listening to Bill Watters on Toronoto's 640AM radio at work, I had the pleasure of actually hearing an interview with NHL top prospect Matt Duchene. I was more than impressed. So were his radio hosts.

"He's not seventeen! He can't be! He's at least 23." The host exclaimed because the answers Matt gave to each of the questions in the 12 minute segment were thoughtful and mature. He discussed the types of questions that are asked at the grueling combine he attended. The one he remembers most was "What are you most afraid of." It took a little but Matt fessed up to his answer.

"My worst fear is being insignificant." He went on to explain in brilliant detail what he expects to accomplish. It was an eye-opener. They should put the podcast link up so everyone can hear it. When they do, I will post it.

Okay, so what the heck is up with NBC & the NHL and not airing the games on the big screens at the arenas? I would be very interested in an official statement from the NHL or NBC regarding the thought process behind garnering the anger of so many hockey fans. No. Seriously. Give me a valid reason for this clause to be put into NBC's contract because I can't see the value in it.

My thought: Let's boycott an NBC airing of "The Office" to show our anger. Anyone want to join in on that?