Alex in Chains

I'm the man in the box
Can't control my stick
Won't you come and save me?

With both Alex's becoming so familiar with the penalty box, Theo just couldn't save them against the Senators.

There'll be no weeping and gnashing of teeth from me on this one. It was the back end of a "two games in two nights" affair, with a nice break ahead, and they just played a stupid, unfocused game. It's not like they're in do-or-die mode.

One player who was very focused (on winning the Academy Award) was Jarkko Ruutu. His performance on the play that banished Mike Green to the box for roughing was Shatner-esque. Soccer players from around the world must have rejoiced at the way he collapsed to the ice as though he'd been shot by a sniper. I'm sure they'll advise him to get helped off the ice in apparent agony by team-mates next time only to come back ready to go for his next shift. What a pest that guy is...

So it's break time for a while so the league can showcase the turd that is the All-Star game. I'm hoping the guys get some good down-time (including Backstrom, who wisely opted out of the Young Stars game). Maybe they'll return more with a renewed mental sharpness.