2005–06 NHL season: Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 02:07, 19 April 2006
This article documents a current sporting event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses. Initial news reports, scores, or statistics may be unreliable. The last updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. |
The 2005-06 NHL season is the 88th season (originally the 89th season) of the National Hockey League. This is the season after the 2004-05 season which was cancelled due to a labor dispute with the NHL Players Association over the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the league and its players.
On July 13, 2005, the NHL and NHLPA jointly announced that they had tentatively agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement which would allow the resumption of hockey for the 2005-06 season. The agreement was voted on July 21 by NHLPA members, and approved by a nearly 7-to-1 margin. The following day, the NHL's board of governors (owners) voted unanimously to approve the new agreement.
A new logo for the NHL was also unveiled, with "NHL" printed in upward-reading letters to project a vibrant, optimistic image, and having silver as the dominant colour to pay homage to the Stanley Cup. Also, new Eastern and Western Conference logos were unveiled before the Olympic break, with red as the dominant East color, and blue as the dominant West hue.[1]
American television also has a new look. OLN (formerly Outdoor Life Network) took over broadcasting rights after ESPN decided not to renew their rights on cable television. The network, owned by Comcast, will have Monday and Tuesday night games during the regular season under an exclusivity clause prohibiting local telecasts those nights in the two participating teams' markets. NBC returned as the NHL's over-the-air partner after ABC parted ways following the 2003-04 season. Comcast high-speed cable internet customers can watch at least seven games a week over the internet as part of the new TV deal.
Rule changes
A number of new rules were introduced for the 2005-06 season:
- In case of a tie game after overtime, there is a shoot out with three shots per team, and if it is still tied, the shootout becomes sudden death. In preseason games (regardless of the outcome) shootouts were held. (NOTE: This rule is only in effect for regular-season games. Playoff games will continue with twenty-minute periods until a sudden-death goal is scored.)
- The "tag-up offside" rule that was eliminated in 1995 was reinstated this season. An attacking player is considered offside if he or she enters his or her offensive zone prior to the puck entering the zone. Between 1995-2004, if a player was offside, the play would continue only if the attacking players cleared the zone and allowed the defending team to carry the puck all of the way out of the zone. The tag-up offside rule allows for play to continue as long as all offside players are clear of the offensive zone simutaneously by touching the blue line (and "tags-up") prior to touching the puck or becoming involved in the play.
- The size of goaltender equipment was decreased by about 11%. In addition, the only area behind the goal line where a goalie can play the puck is in a new trapezoid-shaped zone directly behind the net.
- The goalie may still play the puck forward of the goal line in the same manner as before.
- The neutral zone becomes smaller by four feet (1.2 m), while the goal line was moved two feet (0.6 m) closer to the boards.
- If a team ices the puck, it is not allowed to make a line change afterwards.
- Linesmen are given more discretion when it comes to waving off icing calls when they are accidentally made as the result of a failed pass attempt.
- Players who instigate a fight in the last five minutes of a game will be given a game misconduct penalty plus a one-game suspension and the player's coach will be fined $10,000 (US).
- All referees are equipped with wireless microphones so they can now announce penalties over the public address system.
- With multiple penalties, only the first will be announced by the referee calling the penalty, with the others being announced by the arena's ice-side PA announcer.
- Any player that shoots the puck over the glass (without deflection) from his own defensive zone will be penalized for delay of game. After the 2006 Olympic break, the rule has been modified to read that the puck must cross the glass before crossing the blue line.
- After the 2006 Olympic break, all sticks to be used in the shootout will be measured prior to use.
The purpose of these new rule changes are to create a more exciting game and will create more scoring opportunities, and therefore more goals.
Regular season
The NHL season began on October 5, and for the first time in the league's history, all of the league's thirty teams played a game on opening night. In the first period of each game, all teams wore a jersey (or "sweater") with a special patch as the league and players association auctioned off those jerseys for the benefit of the Red Cross in both the USA and Canada earmarking the proceeds for Hurricane Katrina victims. On opening night of this season, Daniel Alfredsson and Dany Heatley, of the Ottawa Senators became the first players to score the winning goals for a shoot out in NHL history, they both scored against Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Ed Belfour. Their sticks were subsequently sent to the nearby Hockey Hall of Fame.
The All-Star Game, which would have been in Phoenix this year, did not take place (they will get the 2009 event as a replacement); the league instead took a break in February so that many of its players could participate in the XX Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy. The new schedule features more intra-division games in order to promote division rivalries. Consequently, there are whole divisions in the opposite conference that teams will never play in the season.
On November 26 the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals played the longest shootout to date. Marek Malik, a Rangers defenseman, scored the winning goal against Olaf Kolzig in the 15th round to give the Rangers the victory by the final score of 3-2.
Four games had to be rescheduled due to various events. Hurricane Wilma had forced the NHL (among other major league sports) to reschedule two Florida Panthers home games. Their game against Ottawa Senators scheduled on October 22 was rescheduled to December 5, the game against Washington Capitals scheduled for October 29 was moved to December 1. The Nashville Predators-Detroit Red Wings game on November 22 was called with 7:30 left in the first period after Red Wings defenseman Jíři Fischer suffered a seizure and had to be resuscitated. It was rescheduled to January 23,2006. Thus, the originally scheduled game at Nashville between the two teams was moved to March 30, 2006.
Also of note, on January 16, 2006, Alexander Ovechkin scored what has been called by some sports analysts as one of the most amazing goals in NHL history against the Phoenix Coyotes (pictured right). The play is commonly referred to as "The Goal".
The season was rocked with scandal in early February when it came to light that Phoenix Coyotes assistant coach Rick Tocchet was found to be involved in a $1.6 million illegal sports gambling ring with Mafia ties. Apparently no betting on NHL games was being done, but bets were being placed on college and professional football and college and professional basketball. Although Coyotes head coach Wayne Gretzky denied any knowledge or involvement in the ring, initial reports stated that wiretapped phone conversations he had proved that he not only knew about the ring, but was trying to find ways to conceal his wife's involvement in it. He was later cleared of these accusations, but long-term implications to his reputation are still unknown. For more information, see Operation Slapshot.
On April 15, in the Nashville Predators' 81st game of the season, Nashville goaltender Chris Mason was credited with a goal when Phoenix Coyote Geoff Sanderson put the puck in his own net. Mason was given the goal as he was the last Predator to have touched the puck. It was the ninth regular season goal scored by a goaltender in NHL history.
Standings
After games played on April 17, 2006. Each team plays 82 games.
Green shaded denotes top eight teams in each conference
Yellow shaded denotes clinched division
Orange shaded denotes clinched conference
Red shaded denotes clinched Presidents' Trophy
Atlantic Division | GP | W | L | OTL | GF | GA | PTS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
File:NY Rangers.gif New York Rangers (3) | 82 | 44 | 26 | 12 | 257 | 215 | 100 |
File:New Jersey Devils.gif New Jersey Devils (5) | 81 | 45 | 27 | 9 | 238 | 226 | 99 |
File:Philadelphia Flyers.gif Philadelphia Flyers (6) | 81 | 44 | 26 | 11 | 263 | 258 | 99 |
File:NY Islanders.gif New York Islanders (12) | 81 | 36 | 39 | 6 | 229 | 274 | 78 |
File:Pittsburgh Penguins.gif Pittsburgh Penguins (15) | 81 | 22 | 45 | 14 | 241 | 311 | 58 |
Northeast Division | GP | W | L | OTL | GF | GA | PTS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
File:Ottawa Senators.gif Ottawa Senators (1) | 82 | 52 | 21 | 9 | 314 | 211 | 113 |
File:Buffalo Sabres.gif Buffalo Sabres (4) | 82 | 52 | 24 | 6 | 281 | 239 | 110 |
File:Montreal Canadiens.gif Montreal Canadiens (7) | 81 | 42 | 30 | 9 | 240 | 243 | 93 |
File:Toronto Maple Leafs.gif Toronto Maple Leafs (10) | 81 | 40 | 33 | 8 | 252 | 267 | 88 |
File:Boston Bruins.gif Boston Bruins (13) | 82 | 29 | 37 | 16 | 230 | 266 | 74 |
Southeast Division | GP | W | L | OTL | GF | GA | PTS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
File:Carolina Hurricanes.gif Carolina Hurricanes (2) | 82 | 52 | 22 | 8 | 294 | 260 | 112 |
File:Tampa Bay Lightning.gif Tampa Bay Lightning (8) | 81 | 43 | 32 | 6 | 251 | 256 | 92 |
File:Atlanta Thrashers.gif Atlanta Thrashers (9) | 81 | 41 | 33 | 7 | 280 | 273 | 89 |
File:Florida Panthers.gif Florida Panthers (11) | 81 | 36 | 34 | 11 | 238 | 256 | 83 |
File:Washington Capitals.gif Washington Capitals (14) | 81 | 28 | 41 | 12 | 233 | 305 | 68 |
Central Division | GP | W | L | OTL | GF | GA | PTS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
File:Detroit Redwings.gif Detroit Red Wings (1) | 81 | 58 | 15 | 8 | 302 | 203 | 124 |
File:Nashville Predators.gif Nashville Predators (4) | 81 | 48 | 25 | 8 | 253 | 224 | 104 |
File:Columbus Bluejackets.gif Columbus Blue Jackets (13) | 81 | 34 | 43 | 4 | 218 | 275 | 72 |
File:Chicago Blackhawks.gif Chicago Blackhawks (14) | 81 | 25 | 43 | 13 | 208 | 283 | 63 |
File:StLouis Blues.gif St. Louis Blues (15) | 81 | 21 | 46 | 14 | 195 | 289 | 56 |
Northwest Division | GP | W | L | OTL | GF | GA | PTS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
File:Calgary Flames.gif Calgary Flames (3) | 82 | 46 | 25 | 11 | 218 | 200 | 103 |
File:Colorado Avalanche.gif Colorado Avalanche (7) | 82 | 43 | 30 | 9 | 283 | 257 | 95 |
File:Edmonton Oilers.gif Edmonton Oilers (8) | 82 | 41 | 28 | 13 | 256 | 251 | 95 |
File:Vancouver Canucks.gif Vancouver Canucks (9) | 82 | 42 | 32 | 8 | 256 | 255 | 92 |
File:Minnesota Wild.gif Minnesota Wild (11) | 82 | 38 | 36 | 8 | 231 | 215 | 84 |
Pacific Division | GP | W | L | OTL | GF | GA | PTS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
File:Dallas Stars.gif Dallas Stars (2) | 81 | 53 | 22 | 6 | 261 | 213 | 112 |
File:San Jose Sharks.gif San Jose Sharks (5) | 82 | 44 | 27 | 11 | 266 | 242 | 99 |
File:Anaheim Mighty Ducks.gif Anaheim Mighty Ducks (6) | 82 | 43 | 27 | 12 | 254 | 229 | 98 |
File:Los Angeles Kings.gif Los Angeles Kings (10) | 82 | 42 | 35 | 5 | 249 | 270 | 89 |
File:Phoenix Coyotes.gif Phoenix Coyotes (12) | 82 | 38 | 39 | 5 | 246 | 271 | 81 |
Tiebreakers
In the event of a tie in points, the following criteria is used:
- The fewer number of games played (i.e., superior points percentage).
- The greater number of games won.
- The greater number of points earned in games between the tied clubs. If two clubs are tied, and have not played an equal number of home games against each other, points earned in the first game played in the city that had the extra game shall not be included. If more than two clubs are tied, the higher percentage of available points earned in games among those clubs, and not including any "odd" games, shall be used to determine the standing.
- The greater differential between goals for and against for the entire regular season.
Scoring leaders
As of April 17, 2006 2:00 AM EDT
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = Plus/Minus; PIM = Penalty Minutes
Player | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Joe Thornton | Boston Bruins/San Jose Sharks | 81 | 29 | 96 | 125 | +31 | 61 |
Jaromir Jagr | New York Rangers | 81 | 54 | 68 | 122 | +35 | 66 |
Alexander Ovechkin | Washington Capitals | 80 | 52 | 53 | 105 | +2 | 52 |
Dany Heatley | Ottawa Senators | 81 | 49 | 52 | 101 | +28 | 86 |
Eric Staal | Carolina Hurricanes | 81 | 45 | 55 | 100 | -8 | 79 |
Daniel Alfredsson | Ottawa Senators | 76 | 42 | 58 | 100 | +29 | 50 |
Sidney Crosby | Pittsburgh Penguins | 80 | 38 | 62 | 100 | -1 | 108 |
Ilya Kovalchuk | Atlanta Thrashers | 76 | 52 | 46 | 98 | -7 | 68 |
Marc Savard | Atlanta Thrashers | 81 | 28 | 69 | 97 | +8 | 100 |
Jonathan Cheechoo | San Jose Sharks | 82 | 56 | 37 | 93 | +24 | 58 |
Leading goaltenders
As of April 16, 2006. Minimum 1,000 minutes played.
Note: GP = Games Played; TOI = Time On Ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime/Shootout Losses; GA = Goals Against; SO = Shutouts; Sv% = Save Percentage; GAA = Goals Against Average
Player | Team | GP | TOI | W | L | OT | GA | SO | Sv% | GAA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Miikka Kiprusoff | Calgary Flames | 74 | 4379:40 | 42 | 20 | 11 | 151 | 10 | .923 | 2.07 |
Dominik Hasek | Ottawa Senators | 43 | 2583:58 | 28 | 10 | 4 | 90 | 5 | .925 | 2.09 |
Cristobal Huet | Montreal Canadiens | 35 | 2044:19 | 18 | 10 | 4 | 73 | 7 | .930 | 2.14 |
Henrik Lundqvist | New York Rangers | 52 | 3051:53 | 30 | 11 | 9 | 111 | 2 | .924 | 2.18 |
Manny Legace | Detroit Red Wings | 50 | 2845:09 | 36 | 8 | 3 | 104 | 7 | .914 | 2.19 |
- Main article: 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Stanley Cup finals
NHL awards
See also
- List of Stanley Cup champions
- 2005 NHL Entry Draft
- NHL All-Rookie Team
- Ice hockey at the 2006 Winter Olympics
- 2005 in sports
- 2006 in sports