So far...

So most teams have about 80 games left to play in the regular season and things are heating up. Well, actually, they’re not. I do, however, have a few first impressions to share after watching only four games. My impressions will be limited, as I’ve only seen four teams from the Northeast division play (Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa and Buffalo).

1. I don’t regret picking Buffalo as the top-rated team for the regular season. Man, they’re fast and they finally have a consensus #1 goalie (who is great, by the way). They will be fun to watch. Unfortunately, they now have the ugliest jersey’s in the league.

2. Refereeing, which is one of the only bad things about NHL hockey, is so much better than it was pre-lockout, but is still horribly inconsistent. Was anyone else totally confused by the fact that Daniel Brière seemed to have talked his was out of a call after spearing Radek Bonk?

3. When will the Senators figure out that the pre-season is over? Seriously. Two losses in their own building, one of which was a 6-0 thrashing from the Leafs. The leafs? Alfredson won’t make it to the All-Star break. He’s gone.

4. Tie Domi on TSN: How excruciatingly painful is that? My God, it’s like watching…aw, fuck it…there is no comparison. It’s Tie Domi as broadcaster! WTF?

5. I need to stay up later to catch some of the games featuring teams in the West. The West will be strong and I need to know if Dallas’ 2-0 start is just a fluke or are Soft Mellon and Mickey Ribs going to be the new odd couple.

Onward…