Sutter's 1st win comes from unlikely source

Who would have guessed that it would be Kevin Weekes - rather than Martin Brodeur - in goal for Brent Sutter's first win as head coach of the New Jersey Devils?

That was more difficult to predict than that dream nonsense they tried to pull on Dallas back in the ’80s. Still can’t believe my folks fell for that. I wanted blood tests done.

Amazin’ Mess -- Can’t believe my New York Mets blew a seven-game lead with 17 to play, on so many different levels. Not only did I get shut out of seeing my favorite baseball team compete in October, but Jiggs McDonald didn’t get a chance to replace Howie Rose in the New York Islanders’ broadcast booth.

McDonald was the voice of the Isles for 15 years and was present for practically every special moment in franchise history. We’ve received word that he will be in the booth when the Islanders visit Philadelphia this Saturday, so that’s a broadcast Isles’ fans will not want to miss.

Not to worry, Howie. We like you, too.

Well Isle Be -- Speaking of the Islanders, what a start for Mike Comrie, who scored two goals in each of the team’s first two games of the season against the Buffalo Sabres, skating on a highly productive line with Bill Guerin and Ruslan Fedotenko. While it’s unlikely Comrie will finish the season with 164 goals, he’s looking to be a great pickup nonetheless.

Solid job this week by Islanders GM Garth Snow, who signed Radek Martinek and Richard Park to contract extensions. While both usually fly under the radar, they are integral pieces to this club. A healthy Martinek could be the difference for a team that certainly appears to be better than a lot of people think.

Beating His Hero -- What a day Saturday was in the NHL across the board. On the League’s busiest night of the year – 14 games across North America – Patrick Kane wins it for the Chicago Blackhawks with a goal against Dominik Hasek in a shootout victory over the Detroit Red Wings.

Kane, the top pick in the 2007 Draft, grew up in Buffalo watching Hasek while the world-class netminder was playing for the Sabres. Can you imagine having to face your boyhood hero at all, let alone with the game on the line?

Fortunately for me, I never had to stop a laser from Mike Bossy. I would have felt sorry for the poor soul who would have had to clean up that mess.

Capital Gain -- It took just over two full seasons – 165 games, to be exact – for Alexander Ovechkin to notch his 200th point in the NHL. An unbelievable talent, Ovechkin looks to have the pieces in place for the Washington Capitals to make a run at the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

By the way, anyone else love the new/old Caps’ jerseys? Great move going back to those. The only thing missing at the Verizon Center these days is Rod Langway. And that organist who used to play those same three notes over and over again at the Capital Centre.