There were some nice things in here about José, so I'll share this too.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2010020616&navid=DLNHLhome
PITTSBURGH (AP) - Few goalies have shut down the Pittsburgh Penguins as often as Jose Theodore has. Facing them without Sidney Crosby made this win that much easier.
Theodore made 26 saves for his 30th career shutout, and the Minnesota Wild shut down the Crosby-less Penguins 4-0 on Saturday night. Theodore improved 19-4-3 all-time against Pittsburgh.
Theodore, 17-1-3 in his past 21 starts against Pittsburgh, has won each of the past four games in leading Minnesota to a season-high winning streak while starter Niklas Backstrom is out with a groin injury.
"Right now, we are rolling with him," Minnesota coach Todd Richards said. "He is on top of his game."
Chuck Kobasew, Martin Havlat, Cal Clutterbuck and Kyle Brodziak scored for the Wild, who is on a 8-2-1 stretch and has won three straight road games for the first time since the start of the 2008-09 season.
The Wild are 9-2-1 against the Penguins. Minnesota has won six of seven games in Pittsburgh, having never allowed more than two goals in a game there.
Crosby missed his second straight game because of a concussion, and the NHL's leading scorer isn't expected to play Monday against Boston or Wednesday at Montreal. Pittsburgh is 21-12-8 in games Crosby has sat out and has won only one of seven games this season in which he didn't play or didn't record a point.
"Obviously we miss the best player in the game right now," Penguins winger Pascal Dupuis said. "But I think we have a pretty deep team. We've just got to chip in, me included."
Theodore saved a shot from in close by Evgeni Malkin, 5 minutes in. He also made a nice stop on Arron Asham early in the third. But without Crosby, Pittsburgh didn't test him much beyond that and was shut out for the second time this season.
"I sensed a frustrated group over on the other side," Richards said.
The Penguins have lost four of five and are 5-5-2 since having a 12-game winning streak snapped.
"It happens to every team, I guess," defenseman Kris Letang said. "We just haven't played our game since the first loss after our streak. We just need to get back to our game and work harder and play better.
"We didn't create anything tonight," Letang added. "It's tough to score goals when you don't create."
According to STATS LLC., since New Jersey's Martin Brodeur entered the NHL in 1991-92, he is the only goalie with more wins against the Penguins (40) than Theodore. Among active goalies, only Patrick Lalime (2.27) has a better goals-against average in that time against Pittsburgh than Theodore's 2.32.
"It's just one of those things; you know there's buildings and teams you have more success against," said Theodore, whose shutout was his first of the season.
"It's just a team that, maybe playing against (Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux) when I was in Montreal was always a big challenge for me, and the rivalry when I was with Washington, it was always a big game," he said. "So I don't know, it's just obviously fun to see."
Kobasew gave the Wild a 1-0 lead with 6:37 left in the first when a shot by Mikko Koivu deflected off his body and into the net while he stood just in front of goalie Marc-Andre Fleury.
Havlat made it 2-0 4:43 later. Brodziak won a faceoff in the Penguins end, and Pierre-Marc Bouchard took a shot. Havlat beat the Pittsburgh defense to the rebound and fired a shot between Fleury's legs.
Pittsburgh defenseman Zbynek Michalek hit the post with a slap shot from the point 3 minutes into the third, and Asham was denied by Theodore on an open shot from the right circle 3 minutes later.
Seconds after that, Clutterbuck beat Fleury with a similar shot from a similar spot on the opposite end of the ice. Clutterbuck had struggled off the ice after blocking a Paul Martin shot off his calf later in the second period.
The Penguins pulled Fleury during a 4-on-4 situation with 3:20 to play. Soon after the faceoff in the Wild zone, Brodziak iced the game when he flipped a puck from his own end that slowly trickled into the empty net to make it 4-0 with 2:59 left.
"We're playing so well, boxing out so I can see the puck, and when you can see those pucks, you can control rebounds so there's no second shots," Theodore said. "Right now we're all in sync in our own zone, from the defense and the goalie to the forwards."
NOTES: It was the first shutout at new Consol Energy Center. ... The Penguins lost in regulation for only the third time in 16 home games. ... The Wild have not allowed a power-play goal in five games.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Article from nhl.com (José Theodore Has Wild In Playoff Race)
Thanks to Berni for pointing me in the direction of this article today on nhl.com
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=548882&cmpid=rss-kreiser
For a guy who was picked up almost as an afterthought by the Minnesota Wild, Theodore has turned out to be invaluable.
Theodore started the season seeing only occasional playing time behind Niklas Backstrom. But with Backstrom troubled by hip problems, Theodore has been seeing more playing time – and has been making the most of his opportunities.
The 2002 Hart Trophy winner was at his best last week, going 3-0-0 for the Wild which allowing just two goals on 84 shots against. He capped his week with a 26-save shutout at Pittsburgh on Saturday.
In all, Theodore has won his last four starts and is 8-5-2 with a 2.46 goals-against average and .921 save percentage.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=548882&cmpid=rss-kreiser
For a guy who was picked up almost as an afterthought by the Minnesota Wild, Theodore has turned out to be invaluable.
Theodore started the season seeing only occasional playing time behind Niklas Backstrom. But with Backstrom troubled by hip problems, Theodore has been seeing more playing time – and has been making the most of his opportunities.
The 2002 Hart Trophy winner was at his best last week, going 3-0-0 for the Wild which allowing just two goals on 84 shots against. He capped his week with a 26-save shutout at Pittsburgh on Saturday.
In all, Theodore has won his last four starts and is 8-5-2 with a 2.46 goals-against average and .921 save percentage.
PondCast Interview with José from Last Night (and a few other tidbits)
So much to blog and so little time to do it in! I was out of town from early this morning and just got home. Where I was only had dial-up internet, not good enough for blogging. There's some great stuff out there today, and if I don't get it blogged before tonight's 5:00 CST start time, then I'll do it later.
And, oh yeah, José starts tonight against Dallas!
Ok, here's the link to the Pondcast.
Also, he was selected first star on nhl.com today!! (Too bad they used this year's headshot...worst one ever! ;o) He's still a stud though. ;o) The interviewer mentioned his "body heat." Haha! Too funny.
And, oh yeah, José starts tonight against Dallas!
Ok, here's the link to the Pondcast.
Also, he was selected first star on nhl.com today!! (Too bad they used this year's headshot...worst one ever! ;o) He's still a stud though. ;o) The interviewer mentioned his "body heat." Haha! Too funny.
Post Game Interview after Pittsburgh Shutout
FSN came through with another José post-game interview. Beautiful smile we got to see here.
http://www.foxsportsnorth.com/pages/video?PID=6D9bUKXOo8JRRXRHJHS_AkgI_PgNavYJ
There's probably more out there, but I need to get to bed. I have an early morning. I'll try to get anything else posted tomorrow evening after I'm home. They haven't announced who will start tomorrow when they play Dallas at home. If José is up for it, I'd say it will be him. But if he's too tired, then Khudobin.
http://www.foxsportsnorth.com/pages/video?PID=6D9bUKXOo8JRRXRHJHS_AkgI_PgNavYJ
This was the intro to the article about the game on FSN:
Here are José's recent stats (click to see bigger):
And he was 1st start tonight!
There's probably more out there, but I need to get to bed. I have an early morning. I'll try to get anything else posted tomorrow evening after I'm home. They haven't announced who will start tomorrow when they play Dallas at home. If José is up for it, I'd say it will be him. But if he's too tired, then Khudobin.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Wild @ Penguins, 1/8/2011 (Wild win 4-0! Theo's 30th career shutout)
The Wild are leading 2-0 after the 1st period. José has faced 10 SOG. Go Wild!! Go Theo!!
José faced 10 more SOG. Some nice saves in there. Another great game so far. Wild still lead 2-0.
José ended up with the shutout!! 30th of his career, first with the Wild. Faced 26 SOG.
Goalie love with the youngster.
Here's hoping Backs gets good news from his MRI. I miss him with Theo. No offense to Khudobin.
Gameday Wild @ Penguins, 6:00 CST (Theo Starts)
José will be starting the game tonight in Pittsburgh.
This is from the Wild's website:
With Niklas Backstrom still nursing a lower-body injury, the Minnesota Wild recalled Anton Khudobin from Houston of the American Hockey League. In his NHL career, Khudobin is 2-0-0 with a 0.86 goals-against average. But for now, Khudobin’s place is on the Wild bench with a baseball cap on, because the net belongs to red-hot Jose Theodore, who has won his last three starts and will be looking to give the Wild its first four-game winning streak by beating the Pittsburgh Penguins minus Sidney Crosby.
Theodore stopped 35-of-36 shots on Thursday night as the Wild defeated the Boston Bruins, 3-1.
That's Khudobin in the photo below:
Theodore has allowed one goal in each of his past two starts, including a stellar, 35-save performance in Boston Thursday night. He's now 7-5-2 with a 2.63 GAA and a .916 SV% in 15 games this season. Look for Jose to continue his hot play tonight in Pittsburgh, after having success against the Penguins throughout his career.
Last season, Theodore was 3-0-0 with a 3.20 GAA and a .913 SV% in three starts against the Penguins with Washington. Overall, he is 18-4-3 (16-1-3 in his last 20 starts) against the Pens, with a 2.41 GAA, a .914 SV% and three shutouts. His numbers are even more impressive in Pittsburgh, where he has a 7-1-1 record with a 1.99 GAA, a .931 SV% and two shutouts.
The rest of his Wild teammates should be a help to Jose tonight, since the team has allowed two goals or less in all six of its games in Pittsburgh and nine of its 11 games all-time against the Penguins.
This is from the Wild's website:
With Niklas Backstrom still nursing a lower-body injury, the Minnesota Wild recalled Anton Khudobin from Houston of the American Hockey League. In his NHL career, Khudobin is 2-0-0 with a 0.86 goals-against average. But for now, Khudobin’s place is on the Wild bench with a baseball cap on, because the net belongs to red-hot Jose Theodore, who has won his last three starts and will be looking to give the Wild its first four-game winning streak by beating the Pittsburgh Penguins minus Sidney Crosby.
Theodore stopped 35-of-36 shots on Thursday night as the Wild defeated the Boston Bruins, 3-1.
That's Khudobin in the photo below:
This from Russo:
Backstrom has hip injury, going to Vail for MRI early next week; Backstrom had hip surgery 2 years ago; he hopes not same thing.
More from the Wild's site:
Perhaps no position in hockey is more important than the man guarding the net. Thankfully for the Wild, it has again had an outstanding duo protecting the Minnesota goal this season. When one netminder falters or is injured, the other seems to jump right in and shut down the opposition without difficulty. While Niklas Backstrom currently sits on the sidelines with a minor injury, Jose Theodore has played lights out for the Wild, leading the team to wins in its past three games.
Theodore has allowed one goal in each of his past two starts, including a stellar, 35-save performance in Boston Thursday night. He's now 7-5-2 with a 2.63 GAA and a .916 SV% in 15 games this season. Look for Jose to continue his hot play tonight in Pittsburgh, after having success against the Penguins throughout his career.
Last season, Theodore was 3-0-0 with a 3.20 GAA and a .913 SV% in three starts against the Penguins with Washington. Overall, he is 18-4-3 (16-1-3 in his last 20 starts) against the Pens, with a 2.41 GAA, a .914 SV% and three shutouts. His numbers are even more impressive in Pittsburgh, where he has a 7-1-1 record with a 1.99 GAA, a .931 SV% and two shutouts.
The rest of his Wild teammates should be a help to Jose tonight, since the team has allowed two goals or less in all six of its games in Pittsburgh and nine of its 11 games all-time against the Penguins.
Friday, January 7, 2011
So Much Love Out There Today For Theo
Well, we here on THE blog have been shouting Theo's praises all season long (longer than that, but you know what I mean.) But after his recent string of great games there is a lot of Theo love out there today. This from Mike Russo of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune:
"Red-hot Jose Theodore, one of the best free-agent pickups in the NHL, will get his fourth consecutive start Saturday night vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins. Theodore's had a lot of real good starts this season, but last night he was just tremendous in a building he loves to play in (TD Garden, but Fleetcenter in my heart).
Theodore is 18-4-3 with a 2.41 GAA, a .914 SV% and one shutout in 25 starts lifetime against the Pens. Theodore's won three in a row, and it's clear the Wild's confident whenever he's in the cage. You just don't miss a beat with Theodore in net, and I've got to think a handful of teams are kicking themselves (Tampa) for not snatching this guy up in the summertime.
I mean just think about this: Jose Theodore, a former Hart and Vezina winner, a guy that won 30 games last year and didn't lose in regulation basically in the second half, was signed in OCTOBER by the Wild. Crazy.
There is a slight issue, though, with the Wild's goaltending. The Wild plays a home game at 5 p.m. against Dallas on Sunday. That is a tough, tough back-to-back. Road, then home, and an early game to boot.
Niklas Backstrom is still hampered by what we're thinking is a groin problem. Coach Todd Richards said there is concern as to whether Backstrom can start Sunday against Jamie Langenbrunner and the Stars, and with such a tough back-to-back, can you really risk Theodore's health less than 24 hours later with tough travel by starting him again? Plus, the Wild hits the road again Monday for Nashville.
So, Richards said he planned to talk to GM Chuck Fletcher about maybe calling up a goalie from Houston, potentially to start vs. the Stars. IF, and I stress if, this were to happen, I'd assume it would be Anton Khudobin considering he's 2-0 with the Wild with a 0.87 GAA and .979 SP.
But again, this is just conjecture now. Maybe Backstrom can start, or maybe Theodore says he's good to go two in a row despite it not being your normal back-to-back."
And now some photos from the Devils game earlier this week. The photographer at that game was feeling the love for José too...he had the camera on him A LOT!
"Red-hot Jose Theodore, one of the best free-agent pickups in the NHL, will get his fourth consecutive start Saturday night vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins. Theodore's had a lot of real good starts this season, but last night he was just tremendous in a building he loves to play in (TD Garden, but Fleetcenter in my heart).
Theodore is 18-4-3 with a 2.41 GAA, a .914 SV% and one shutout in 25 starts lifetime against the Pens. Theodore's won three in a row, and it's clear the Wild's confident whenever he's in the cage. You just don't miss a beat with Theodore in net, and I've got to think a handful of teams are kicking themselves (Tampa) for not snatching this guy up in the summertime.
I mean just think about this: Jose Theodore, a former Hart and Vezina winner, a guy that won 30 games last year and didn't lose in regulation basically in the second half, was signed in OCTOBER by the Wild. Crazy.
There is a slight issue, though, with the Wild's goaltending. The Wild plays a home game at 5 p.m. against Dallas on Sunday. That is a tough, tough back-to-back. Road, then home, and an early game to boot.
Niklas Backstrom is still hampered by what we're thinking is a groin problem. Coach Todd Richards said there is concern as to whether Backstrom can start Sunday against Jamie Langenbrunner and the Stars, and with such a tough back-to-back, can you really risk Theodore's health less than 24 hours later with tough travel by starting him again? Plus, the Wild hits the road again Monday for Nashville.
So, Richards said he planned to talk to GM Chuck Fletcher about maybe calling up a goalie from Houston, potentially to start vs. the Stars. IF, and I stress if, this were to happen, I'd assume it would be Anton Khudobin considering he's 2-0 with the Wild with a 0.87 GAA and .979 SP.
But again, this is just conjecture now. Maybe Backstrom can start, or maybe Theodore says he's good to go two in a row despite it not being your normal back-to-back."
And now some photos from the Devils game earlier this week. The photographer at that game was feeling the love for José too...he had the camera on him A LOT!
And now some goalie love. ♥
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