NHL

Season report

By TOM JONES
Published January 8, 2006

Scoring is up. Fighting is down. And the "new" NHL has settled in to be everything the league promised. The clutch and grabbing is gone and offensive life has been pumped into the game.

That has been the best news of the first half of the season.

But not the only news. Here's a look at our picks for some of the best and worst of the first half:

FIRST-HALF MVP: Admit it, you thought Jaromir Jagr's best days were behind him. Turns out, he has proven again that when he's motivated, he remains the best player in the world. Surrounded by average talent, Jagr has not only thrived, but carried the Rangers to a strong first half. The Rangers were supposed to be awful. With Jagr, they're headed to the postseason for the first time in seven years.

BEST GOALIE: With the new rules helping the offense, goaltending is more important than ever. And yet the goalie who used to be the best in the game is the best in the game again. Ottawa's Dominik Hasek entered the weekend second in the league in victories, goals-against average, save percentage and shutouts.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: It's a two-man race between former No. 1 picks: Washington's Alex Ovechkin and Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby. Entering the weekend, their numbers were almost identical. Both of their teams are awful, but Crosby is surrounded by a bit more talent. It's a flip of the coin, but Ovechkin is our pick.

COACH OF THE FIRST HALF: Lindy Ruff, Buffalo. The Sabres have no stars, no pure scorers, an average defense and just good (but not great) goaltending. Yet they enter the weekend with a 27-12-2 record built on hard work and a great system. Credit for that goes to Ruff.

Also, hats off to Los Angeles' Andy Murray, the Rangers' Tom Renney and Carolina's Peter Laviolette.

BIGGEST SURPRISE (PLAYER): Most figured Carolina's Eric Staal would be a good player someday, but no one thought he would be this good this soon. He had 11 goals in 2003-04. In the first 39 games this season, he had 26, which was fourth in the league entering the weekend.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT (PLAYER): When the Blackhawks dished out nearly $7-million to sign former Lightning goalie Nikolai Khabibulin, they expected to become immediate Cup contenders. They certainly didn't expect an 11-17-3 record with an .880 save percentage and a 3.34 goals-against average. And now he isn't even playing at all. He's out with a groin injury.

PLAYER WHO HAS MADE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE: Even with Jagr playing like he did 10 years ago, the Rangers would be foundering if not for goalie Henrik Lundqvist, who was 14-5-5-1 with a 2.14 GAA entering the weekend.

BEST TEAM: The Ottawa Senators have only confirmed the preseason predictions that they are the team to beat in the NHL.

WORST TEAM: The Blackhawks don't have the worst record, but they will by season's end.

BIGGEST SURPRISES: Did anyone think Buffalo and the Rangers were not only playoff teams, but threats to go deep into the playoffs?

The Red Wings were supposed to be hurt by the salary cap, but they remain the class of the West, just ahead of Nashville, which has gone from solid to excellent.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENTS: Of course, we start here in Tampa Bay, where the defending champs are in a dog fight to just make the playoffs. The Penguins and Blackhawks spent millions on free agents and it has turned out to be money poorly spent. Neither is even a toll call from a playoff spot.

Other disappointments include San Jose and the Islanders.

TEAMS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN SECOND HALF: Atlanta has overcome a horrible start to become a playoff contender. In the West, the Sharks are 12th overall, but could work themselves back in the mix, especially with Joe Thornton settling in.

PLAYOFF PICKS IN THE EAST: Our prediction for the Eastern Conference playoffs: 1. Ottawa. 2. Philadelphia. 3. Carolina. 4. Buffalo. 5. Rangers. 6. Tampa Bay. 7. Montreal. 8. Atlanta.

PLAYOFF PICKS IN THE WEST: 1. Detroit. 2. Calgary. 3. Los Angeles. 4. Nashville. 5. Dallas. 6. Edmonton. 7. Colorado. 8. Vancouver.

STANLEY CUP PICK: Senators over the Flames.

[Last modified January 8, 2006, 00:45:14]