Today’s picture of the day comes courtesy of the revamped Ralph Wilson Stadium which is finally ready for the second ever NHL Hockey Heritage Outdoor Classic. Here, a few Sabres get in some practice time to familiarize themselves with the created ice rink.

They’re supposed to faceoff against rating Hart Trophy winner Sidney Crosby and the Penguins on New Year’s Day with the activities set to get underway at 1 ET/10 PT tomorrow on NBC.

It is expected to snow up in Buffalo. Hopefully it will be of light variety so the festivities aren’t delayed which would be a complete debacle for the league.

More than 73,000 spectators are expected to be there for this exciting event.

“Today was fun, (Tuesday) will be a lot more serious, get down to business,” Buffalo defenseman Brian Campbell told the Associated Press.

“We’re privileged to be part of this,” Pens’ coach Michel Therrien stated. “But in the meantime we’ve got to understand this is a regular-season game, and I’m sure Lindy Ruff (is saying) the same thing. He wants to have those two points and we want to have those two points.” 

While today’s weather conditions were picture perfect, that’s not expected to be the case tomorrow where they’re forecasting temperatures to drop into the mid-20’s and maybe reach 32 degrees with a 90 percent chance of snow.

“I think we were kind of spoiled with the weather,” the 20 year-old Crosby pointed out. “Everything seemed pretty perfect. Have to see tomorrow how it is. If it’s a little bit colder maybe you adjust.”

“Things that we can’t control – the weather – we can adjust for it,” Sabres’ netminder Ryan Miller noted. “But it’s going to do what it’s going to do.”

If they do get snow, there’d be nothing better than seeing players fight through some light flakes with windy conditions.

Pond hockey. For now, just wait and see.

Last night was our final show of 2007. As usual, much was covered throughout including the Rangers’ 4-3 overtime home win over the Canadiens.

I was later joined by co-hosts Rob “Kraze” Davis, Jeff Bashlor and good buddy Brian Sanborn as we got into the final week of the NFL discussing our two Bills’ fans favorite topic, the New England Patriots and Tom Brady.

Do the Giants have a chance next week in Tampa Bay? Find out this and what our panel sees taking place in the 2008 NFL playoffs as the AFC and NFC first round gets underway next weekend.

We also get into the NBA and discuss the dreadful Knicks and St. John’s as I continue my search for a watchable NYC team. Plus Nate Sousa joins us from California and talks about the surprising Lakers as well as league surprises Portland and Atlanta.

Preview of the Outdoor Classic between Pens and Sabres at Ralph Wilson Stadium on New Year’s Day 1 ET on NBC. Plus New Year’s resolutions, Dan da Man and random other stuff. 

To check out older shows from 2007, please go here:

Hard Hits 

For much of his first season on Broadway, Chris Drury has struggled to fit in. Despite an impressive resume helping Colorado win their second Cup and being an integral part of two Sabres teams the past two seasons which got to the Eastern Conference Final, the well respected 31 year-old former Trumbull Connecticut Little League World Series (LLWS) hero hasn’t played up to capability as a Blueshirt.

However, if tonight was any indication, Drury looks primed to breakout and have a much better second half for his favorite team growing up.

With the Rangers laying a proverbial egg in a brutal second period which saw the visiting Canadiens please their loyal French Canadian supporters scattered around Madison Square Garden with goals 2:36 apart by Andrei Kostitsyn and Tomas Plekanec, Drury took it upon himself to knot the contest up with a money goal rebounding home a deflected Paul Mara point shot off a faceoff win for his 10th with 5:51 left to force overtime.

But Mr. Clutch as he’s come to be known wasn’t done helping setup veteran finisher Brendan Shanahan’s game-winner just 1:06 into the extra session.

After being outscored 2-0 and outshot 7-1 in a dreadful second, the Rangers came to play in the third outshooting Les Habitants 8-3 and were rewarded for their hard work.

Though they had an apparent tying goal from defenseman Fedor Tyutin wiped out by a lengthy video review up in Toronto moments earlier, the Rangers persevered to tie it up when who else but Drury won a crucial draw and went to the net and found the rebound.

On Shanny’s game-winner, the Blueshirts took advantage of a Roman Hamrlik turnover at his own blueline forced by Ranger defenseman Daniel Girardi. With essentially a two-on-0, even though Drury stumbled, he still had the presence to push the puck to a streaking Shanahan who did the rest beating Cristobal Huet on the breakaway going top shelf to send the MSG fans home happy.

It was a good comeback win making it three straight and a winning streak as the Rangers get ready for a tough three-game trip in Western Canada to start 2008.

At least they can be happy as they celebrate the new year.

 ”I think we still have a lot of work to do,” top pivot Scott Gomez told the Associated Press after extending his career best point streak to 12 in a row with two primary assists on first period markers by Girardi and team captain Jaromir Jagr (three straight for No.68).

“Good hockey clubs find a way in the third. You’ve got to be able to come from behind in this league, and I think we are starting to show that.”

That they are. We’ll see if they can keep it going in Calgary, Vancouver and Edmonton.

More Rangers

Maybe Alexander Ovechkin was sick of Ilya Kovalchuk hogging the spotlight. It was just a few days ago where his Russian buddy had scored twice to become the quickest NHL player to 30 goals since Anaheim’s Teemu Selanne did it nearly a decade prior on Dec.22, 1997.

The league released the impressive list after Kovalchuk’s two for No’s 31 and 32 on Dec.27 in a 5-3 defeat to Florida:

First NHL player to score 30 goals (since 1997-98)

2007-08 Ilya Kovalchuk, Atl. December 27
2006-07 Teemu Selanne, Ana. January 18
2005-06 Ilya Kovalchuk, Atl. January 6
2003-04 Rick Nash, CBJ January 24
2002-03 Markus Naslund, Van. January 8
2001-02 Jarome Iginla, Cgy. January 17
2000-01 Markus Naslund, Van. January 24
1999-00 Jaromir Jagr, Pit. December 30
1998-99 John LeClair, Phi. January 30
1997-98 Teemu Selanne, Ana. December 22
 

You can now add Ovechkin’s name to that list as well. He got there in special fashion by notching his first career four-goal game in a wild 8-6 road victory over the Eastern Conference’s best team Ottawa at Scotia Bank Place last night.

The 22 year-old former 2005-06 Calder winner scored a goal each in the three stanzas before putting the exclamation point on his team’s win with a 180-foot empty netter for goal No.4.

The hat trick was his third career and first since ironically enough a 3-2 win over Kovalchuk and the Thrashers over a year ago on Dec.15, 2006.

That he was able to play after suffering a leg cut which needed stitches in a 4-3 OT loss to the Pens Thursday night was proof of just how special and tough the Russian sniper is. Something that wasn’t lost by Washington veteran netminder Olaf Kolzig.

“What impresses me most is that he actually played tonight,” the Caps’ goalie later told the Associated Press.

“If you guys would have seen the gash on his leg and I know a lot of guys were, not begging him but leaning towards, ‘Hey, you think you can play tonight?’ He had a lot of courage and he put on a heck of a show.“   

“I was looking for his skate to cut his other thigh, if that’s what he’s going to do every game,” coach Bruce Boudreau remarked.

A vintage performance by a player who only needs two more goals to reach 130 for his brief career. He’s got 128 already along with 118 assists for 246 points in 202 NHL games. Remarkable.

To watch the highlights of this performance, please check it out below:

Ovechkin puts on show in Ottawa 

We got to run now. Rangers and Habs at the Garden tonight. See ya later. Be sure to tune into our last Hard Hits show of the year!

With the Patriots coming back to beat the Giants Saturday night to successfully finish with a perfect 16-0 mark and become the first NFL team since the 1972 Miami Dolphins to go undefeated in the regular season, we’ll be hosting a special final show of 2007 later tonight after we get back from Habs-Rangers at the Garden.

It should be another fun filled action packed show where we cover a variety of topics as always.

In order to check it out, please follow the link below:

Hard Hits 

We’ll have much more later today on the Pats’ win, the Rangers revival along with the Islanders plus more on the NBA. Are the Nets suddenly turning the corner? Find out what we think later today! 

Do you remember those silly Deep Thoughts segments on SNL? Well, that’s kind of what our Random Thoughts have always been like here. On a night when the Nets actually got 20-or-more for the first time this season from their big three (J-Kidd, RJ and Vincesanity) in a three-point win over the Wizards and the Dumb and Dumber Clown Management Knickerbockers couldn’t make anyone scream obscenities, here are some of the things floating around my head:

1.Dwight Howard is a monster these days with the Magic. In his team’s latest win (121-114 over hapless Miami in OT), the 22 year-old fourth-year big man finished with 29 points and pulled down 21 boards (seven offensive which is 2-3 more than Eddy Curry gets in a whole night). Part of the reason he’s made such a huge quantum leap in year four is the key addition of ex-Knick franchise center Patrick Ewing. How ironic that he would play a role in a young big man’s development while Fat Albert is glued to the bench for long stretches in Isiah Thomas’ dog house.

Explains a lot about the utter disgrace that is Knicks basketball these days.

This season, Howard is averaging a career high 23.1 PPG, 14.9 RPG and nearly three blocks (2.7 avg)

He also shoots better than 60 percent from the field mostly cause he scores most of his points from in close. Just imagine what kind of player he’ll become if he develops more in the low post and from the outside a la Ewing.

Fyi…he was selected first overall by the Magic in 2004. Just imagine that kind of young player developing here in the Big Apple. It would never happen.

Well, hey. The Knicks got their center piece in Curry!

2.While Curry struggles for PT, Nets’ 2007 first round pick Sean Williams is busy earning more minutes under Lawrence Frank as a starter. The 21 year-old former Boston College star who is still a project shows a lot of potential in the box where he’s a great finisher who is active on both sides of the floor. In the Nets’ 109-106 win over the Wizards, Williams posted a double/double (14 and 10) along with five blocked shots in nearly 34 minutes. Not too bad for a guy who didn’t play last season due to suspension for marijuana possession.

He shows the ability to impact the game on the defensive end and is a monster on the offensive glass. It’s the first time the Nets have boasted a big man like this since Kenyon Martin.

If he develops offensively, watch out.

3.Isn’t it utterly amazing how one-time Knick Nazr Mohammed (15 pts, 14 rebs in 99-85 loss to Hornets) consistently is putting up numbers for the Bobcats while they continue to get nothing from the middle?!?!?!?!?! Just remember, he’s got one more ring than most Knicks outside Malik Rose who also won one with San Antonio.

4.Curry’s former Bulls teammate Tyson Chandler is continuing to improve under the rebuilt Hornets. In their road win over Charlotte Friday night, he shot seven for eight from the field with 17 points, 17 rebounds and was a plus-13 in helping improve New Orleans to 19-10.

5.One thing I can’t seem to figure out is how Bulls GM John Paxson keeps his job. He dealt Chandler for PJ Brown and swapped LaMarcus Aldridge to Portland for Tyrus Thomas (0 pts, 1 reb, 2 TO, -7 rating in 4:12 in last night’s win over Milwaukee) who hasn’t shown much consistency yet.

Firing Scott Skiles is what my good Chicago buddy and stat mastah John Giagnorio wanted for Christmas and got. But when does the GM finally start being looked at for the team’s problems?

Paxson also committed way too many years to aging vet Ben Wallace.

6.Is there a better coaching job than the one being done in the nation’s capital by Eddie Jordan minus leading scorer Gilbert Arenas? Granted. Caron Butler (28 pts, 6 rebs, 6 dimes) and Antawn Jamison (27 and 13) are All-Stars who have carried the team. But what about the supporting cast around them including Deshawn Stevenson, Roger Mason and even center Brendan Haywood. They’re also missing one of the league’s best backup PG’s in vet Antonio Daniels (MCL sprain) yet are still .500 (14-14) hanging around. Rookie Nick Young out of USC came off the bench for 15 last night.

It comes down to coaching. Jordan is an underappreciated coach who gets the most out of his players and will get them in the playoffs. And you know they’ll be a tough out.

7.All this talk about whether the Giants should play to win tonight against the Pats as they aim for history at Giants Stadium has just gotten overblown. Enough already! They should go out and play hard without chancing injuries to Plaxico Burress and Brandon Jacobs. Sure. Nothing’s on the line here for them. But it is a big deal and they shouldn’t lay down for Bill Belichick’s club. It’s not in Tom Coughlin’s personality to do it half ass.

I happen to agree with WFAN’s Mike Francesa about this being a golden opportunity for Coughlin’s Giants to show the country that they are capable of making a run in this NFC next January. If they can win seven of eight on the road, why can’t they go into Tampa next week and win?

Tell ya one thing. If Big Blue is to get themselves into the division round. They’re going to need a lot more than they’re getting from Eli Manning. If that means taking a sack and keeping it simple, so be it. 

8.We’d sure like to see more of Ahmad Bradshaw.

9.If the Pats win tonight, it will be significant but if they don’t win the whole thing, you know that won’t sit well in Massachusetts. Run the table and they stamp their case as arguably the best NFL team in history. But lose in the playoffs say to the Colts in the championship round and it will rain on their parade.

10.Does anyone really care who’s a better coach for the Jets now: Eric Mangini or Herm “You Play To Win Da Game” Edwards?!?!?!?!?!

11.It’s 10 PM and Isiah still doesn’t know where Stephon Marbury is.

12.I guess it’s a good thing that Jim Dolan decided to settle up with former Ranger skater Courtney Prince. What tipped him off? $11.5 million reasons.

13.Isn’t it amazing how much better a player Kobe Bryant looks when he uses his teammates? Phil Jackson is doing some job there and deserves Coach of The Year consideration if it continues. Jersey native Andrew Bynum continues to make strides. The best thing that happened to that team was Kwame Brown’s injury because now he comes off the bench while the 20 year-old Bynum starts.

14.Every season, the Devils are written off after losing more stars from their Cup teams. And then Martin Brodeur goes out and continues this unbelievable high level which keeps his team in games. They don’t score much but here they are once again leading the Atlantic by five points. It just further cements the legacy of the 35 year-old three-time Cup and Vezina winner who’s been the model for the franchise.

15.Speaking of which, does anyone else find it just a little curious how favorable those new boards have been for the Devs at The Prudential Center? Just saying.

16.Ilya Kovalchuk has made the art of goalscoring matter again and that’s a very big deal in today’s defensive oriented NHL where goalies are much more athletic and defensemen are well schooled. His 31 goals in Atlanta’s first 37 contests is the fastest an NHL player has reached 30 since Teemu Selanne way back in 1997-98 with the Ducks. This is a big thing. How many will the exciting Russian sniper get? Can he carry his very average team into the postseason and collect a first Hart Trophy? Remains to be seen but it should be fun to follow. Here’s hoping he gets 60!

17.Speaking of hockey, who isn’t excited to see this second Hockey Heritage Outdoor Game which is scheduled in Buffalo at Ralph Wilson Stadium for New Year’s Day at noon on NBC? Even if you’re not a big puck fan, you just might want to tune in for some of what should be a very exciting contest between the host Sabres and rating league MVP Sidney Crosby’s Pens. The work that goes into that preparing the ice, etc for this once in a lifetime event is unreal. And here’s the best part. They’re calling for snow. Just imagine the players fighting through checks and snow and wind gusts as well. Hopefully, it won’t be bad enough to postpone. If that happens, they’d play it the next day.

18.I haven’t talked much college hoops these days but watching my alma mater St. John’s struggle on offense speaks to how poorly coached they are by Norm Roberts. Like many others, I felt he was the right guy to turn a once proud tradition around. Instead, you see a bunch of players who don’t pass the ball enough and are chucking up shots rather than be team oriented. They play solid enough in the defensive end but why does the offense have to make you queazy? It shouldn’t be that way. Basic fundamentals are something anyone can teach. There are no more excuses for the lack of progress.

19.Make me care about Jessica Simpson.

20.The tragedy which former Yankee 1996 World Series hero Jim Leyritz caused in crashing his vehicle and killing a woman on impact is devastating. He was charged with DUI manslaughter and could face up to 15 years behind bars. That alcohol looks to be involved tells you this kind of awful incident could’ve been prevented. I always liked Leyritz on and off the field. After his playing days ended with six teams, the ex-catcher became an MSG baseball analyst and was pretty astute.

But if he was so irresponsible here and refused a blood test, then the 44 year-old must own up and pay the price for his actions. You know he won’t do close to the max but this is a very serious offense which could’ve been committed by anyone behind the wheel who made an unconscious decision. I just hate double standards.

21.Have the Mets signed Bartolo Colon or Livan Hernandez yet? Just checking my Christmas list.

22.If Mark Prior comes back well after so much time off, that could be one heck of a steal for San Diego.

23.Can the Rocket make anymore of an ass out of himself?

24.Jessica Alba is pregnant and the guy doesn’t look like a model. To actually think we had a shot. Who knew?

I’m not really sure what we’re going to put up here cause there’s so much that’s been on my mind lately. It will probably be just a cool combination.

We’ll do some music first and maybe a few comments. Then a surprise I was thinking about.

I should’ve put this one up on Christmas cause it’s the best time of year and there are so many who are less fortunate that don’t have what most of us do like a good place to live and celebrate the holidays with loved ones.

I happen to love this song and had it on my old pc before it broke. It was old. Anyway, here’s the classic from Band Aid circa 1985, “Do The Know It’s Christmas?”

Who doesn’t love a good Christmas song? Especially one where all these rockers put their egos aside for a good cause!

I feel like being all over the map tonight. So with that, I feel like featuring this classic Prince song, “Little Red Corvette“ which is so retro 80’s. :lol:

It’s one of his better songs and just rocks. 

Let’s fast forward now. Oh god. I can’t believe I’m going to link this song but it kind of takes me back. Hahahaha. So yeah. Just freaking dance and not like that idiot Homo Larry!

C & C Music Factory: ”Gonna Make You Sweat”

I really like this next song by Nelly featuring Kelly Rowland. Let’s be honest. The video for “Dilemma” is just dope. Whoever produced it is a genius. They play off each other well and the lyrics work. You even find yourself paying close attention to them in the video from start to finish.

Somehow, I’m going to go from that to my favorite basketball movie. Gee. What do you think it is?

Just watch these couple of scenes and you’ll know:

Scene I 

Scene II

I have a little friendly advice for the Dumb and Dumber Clown Managment at 2 Penn Plaza. Make them watch it over and over again!!!!! :lol:

A great freaking movie about how it’s supposed to be done!

I just came across a great edited video of Hoosiers but kinda like the real thing. Just watch it!

The Valpo Hoosiers

The reaction at the end by a drunken Dennis Hopper is comical.

-There have been a couple of nice stories in the NBA this season. We covered the Blazers’ resurgence last week. Their win streak is now at 11 after a Christmas night 10-point win over Kevin Durant and the Sonics. 2006-07 Rookie of The Year Brandon Roy was one of four Blazers in double digits including backup PG Jarrett Jack (17 pts) and ex-Knick Channing Frye (12 pts). Portland’s bench outscored Seattle 48-35.

While Portland (16-12) sits only a game out of first in the Northwest, the league’s other pleasant surprise the Atlanta Hawks (15-12) remain two and a half behind Orlando in the improved Southeast.  

For years, the Hawks have been a league dormat last taken seriously when NBA Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins was lighting up opponents. After making some progress last year with 30 wins, they look to be taking a big step forward where they’re already halfway to that total thanks to a core which includes leading scorer Joe Johnson (22.3 PPG, 5.6 APG), athletic forwards Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, Josh Childress along with rookie center Al Horford.

What’s the difference this season? Well, the recently turned 22 year-old Smith continues to improve averaging 17.3 PPG, 8.1 RPG plus 3.5 assists, over three blocks-a-game and nearly two thefts-per-night. The lanky 6-9 235 pound forward is a match-up problem due to his superior athleticism and quickness.

Meanwhile, third-year pro Williams is finally evolving. The former UNC star who was taken second overall in 2005 is shooting over 50 percent from the field averaging 16.7 PPG and 5.7 RPG.

Ex-Stanford star Childress also puts up double digits (11.6 PPG) and grabs five boards.

The addition of Gators star big man Horford is something which was badly needed for the Hawks, especially on the interior. In over 30 minutes, the 21 year-old from the Dominican leads the team in rebounding with 9.5-per-game (6.8 Def, 2.7 Off). He also gets over nine points-a-night and shoots better than 50 percent.

Entering his first year from winning back-to-back NCAA championships with Florida, Horford is a proven winner who understands the game. Solid defense and rebounding is what wins in any league. Just ask the Knicks.

You don’t have to be the most talented player to make an impact. Sometimes, it’s the little intangible things which help make a difference. Just one of the reasons why the Hawks suddenly are gaining respect.

Atlanta has won eight of 10 and boast a 10-6 home mark. They’re also 6-1 within the division and 9-9 against the East.

So, can these Hawks qualify for their first postseason since 1998-99? Why the heck not? Outside of Boston and Detroit, there aren’t any other elite teams in the conference. The Magic continue to make strides but must prove themselves come next Spring.

It’s all there for this young budding team.

-Thinking of the Hawks actually having a competitive team takes us back when The Human Highlight Film was going shot for shot with Larry Bird in a classic Game 7 Eastern semi duel two decades prior. ’Nique just never had that other star player who could help his team get past the second round. Doc Rivers was a heady pass-oriented point guard who would’ve dominated today. Kevin Willis was a beast down low who owned the glass. Spud Webb was a small superfast spark plug off the bench. Jon Koncak was a serviceable center who could hit from the outside. Cliff Levingston, Randy Wittman and Tree Rollins were solid support players.

The problem for those Hawks was the window lasted only three years and the Celtics and Pistons were both better. Once Michael Jordan had Scottie Pippen, you knew it was just a matter of time before the Bulls owned the league.

It was a fun time to be a hoops fan.

Definitely check out the best of Dominique. 

Here’s some more classic No.21 in what can best be described as a scintillating tribute video with kick ass edits and music:

The Human Highlight Film Livin’ It Up 

On a day where there really wasn’t much to blog about and just see loved ones and enjoy Christmas, I figured I’d go with a sentimental throwback video from the 80’s for this edition.

Crowded House is an Australian band who recently got back together and toured. Seems a lot of old bands are reforming and doing that which is cool. Otherwise, how would we be able to see great acts such as The Police and Van Halen?!?!?!?!?!

Maybe one day I’ll actually give my reviews on those concerts and a little musical insight as well since I absolutely love music as much as sports. I own an electric guitar which needs repairing and boy would it be nice to fix it up and start jamming!

In any event, here’s a live version of Crowded House’s most popular song entitled, “Don’t Dream It’s Over.”

I kind of like this song and the lyrics in it because it can pretty much apply to anything in life. Just very well put together with words which mean a lot.

I also stumbled across a pretty cool new video of “Don’t Stop Now.”

Hope ya enjoy these videos and this special holiday season.

Last night, we hosted a special Hard Hits Christmas Eve show covering all boundaries.

Here’s some of what took place:

Breakdown of the Giants playoff clinching win over the Bills. JPG celebrates the firing of Scott Skiles. Plus I unveil a surprise. JPG freestyles. Who should get what for Christmas? Favorite Christmas movies? Justin makes a cameo as the guys talk puck. A Dan da Man Christmas. Plus some NBA as we take a trip down memory lane and discusses one of the league’s greatest players, Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins.

To check out the show archive, just click on the link below: 

Hard Hits 12-24-07 Christmas Eve Show