-- Up top, watch former NHL goalie Ilya Bryzgalov explain PEMDAS (or, as it’s known in Canada, BEDMAS), which you may or may not remember from elementary school math class. Bryz was a real hit at the All-Star Game this weekend in Los Angeles. He does NOT think a hot-dog is a sandwich.
-- It’s the Super Bowl this Sunday in Houston, where the New England Patriots will take on the Atlanta Falcons. The Pats are only 3-point favorites, and NHLers are split on who’s gonna take it. Roberto Luongo is a big NFL fan, and he’s got a feeling about the underdogs: “I’m taking the Falcons. I don’t know, I think New England’s schedule has been a bit too easy this year, so they haven’t really faced like a juggernaut. I don’t know. I’ve just got a feeling Atlanta is going to somehow pull it out … 32-27.” (NHL.com)
-- Flyers GM Ron Hextall explains the thought process behind making youngsters like Shayne Gostisbehere and Travis Konecny healthy scratches: “When these decisions are made, the coaches analyze everything up, down and all around. These decisions aren’t made lightly. They’re made with a lot of thought and I’m happy with those two kids. ... It’s what the coaching staff deems the right thing right now and I’m fine with it. In terms of the minutes these kids have played this year, they’ve played a decent amount of minutes. I’m happy.” (Courier-Post)
-- Not all goalies are thrilled with the timing of the NHL’s decision to make streamlined pants mandatory. But all goalies must wear them starting tomorrow, regardless. The guy in charge of the changes, Kay Whitmore, explained it like this: “We addressed the safety concerns and felt it was the right decision to implement as soon as possible, regardless of the fact that it was midway through the year.” (NHL.com)
-- Last year, Andrew Shaw was suspended one playoff game for using a gay slur. Now he’s the Montreal Canadiens’ “Hockey Is For Everyone” ambassador. Said Shaw: “I volunteered to do it. I thought it would be a good opportunity to help out. What I went through last year, you know, I learned from it. Words affect people more than you think. It’s something I learned. With what I learned last year, it’s a good position to be in. I can take what I’ve learned from my experiences and help others learn the value of words.” (Yahoo Sports)
-- Could the NHL send players to the Olympics in South Korea and still keep playing games at home? It sounds unlikely, but Postmedia’s Michael Traikos reports: “One of the options being discussed behind closed doors is whether to have a team-by-team policy regarding player participation. That way star players get to attend the Olympics, but teams don’t have to close up shop at a time of the season when the NHL has its least competition.” (National Post)
Enjoy the games!
Related: Bettman argues that Olympic participation hurts NHL product