The week got off to an ugly start as the New York Jets shamed all of New York and New Jersey (and parts of Connecticut) on Monday night. And they did it again on Sunday, as they were not only outscored by the Miami Dolphins, they were outscored by the New York Rangers, as well, 7-6. Meanwhile the New York Giants' game was postponed until Monday, when they'll take on the Vikings in Detroit. And it's an upside down world nowadays with the almost-always successful New Jersey Devils losing one game after another without a clue as to how to turn things around, while the usually inept New York Knicks are a winning machine, becoming the toast of the town once again. The New York Islanders and New Jersey Nets, though, are right where they have been the last few years. And now . . . the Player of the Week:
Winner
Amar'e Stoudemire: We'll just rename the Player of the Week the New York Loves Amar'e Stoudemire Award until further notice. The Knicks won four more times this week, and they actually defeated a good team when they edged the Denver Nuggets on Sunday afternoon. Stoudemire set a franchise record this week, when he notched his eighth consecutive 30-point game against the Nuggets. This was a tough one for him, as he was close to getting a second technical in the second quarter and he only scored six points in the first half. But he made it to 30, and the Knicks upped their record to 16-9. On Friday, he racked up a triple-double--two-thirds good, one-third bad. He scored 36 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, but turned the ball over 11 times. He did block a John Wall shot with 25 seconds left in the game, though. Raymond Felton is keeping pace with his buddy, and piled up 17 assists in the Denver game. And Wilson Chandler is the new member of the Big Three. He poured in 27 points and drained a huge three with 30 seconds left in Sunday's victory.
Runners Up & Other Notables
Brandon Dubinsky: No. 17 of the Rangers is the team's player of the week just for beating up Alex Ovechkin in Sunday's game. Sidney Crosby, watch out, you're next. Dubinsky also scored a goal and notched an assist, as he completed the Gordie Howe Hat Trick. The left winger assisted on Marc Staal's goal in Saturday's loss to Columbus, and he put the finishing touches on Thursday's win over Ottawa with an empty-netter. He's continuing on with the best season of his career, and now has 14 goals and 13 assists. Ryan Callahan hit the back of the net twice in the romp over Washington, and was plus-4. Ruslan Fedotenko had a beauty of an assist in Saturday's game and scored vs. the Senators on Thursday. And Henrik Lundqvist bounced back after letting in that killer softie on Saturday by shutting out the Capitals.
Rob Schremp: The Islanders almost won on a game on Saturday night. And this loss hurt. As 1,100 fans from Quebec stormed Nassau Coliseum (leave the Islaners, take the Thrashers), center Rob Schremp was in the right place at the right time and tied the game up on a rebound goal, giving the Isles all the momentum. But Rick DiPietro was distracted by . . . who knows what (was he daydreaming about Marc Tardiff, Real Cloutier and the 1977 Avco Cup-winning Nordiques?). . . and let the puck fly by him on a faceoff, giving Atlanta the lead back, and ultimately the game. Schremp notched two assists in the game and also scored a goal in the team's loss to Boston on Thursday. Matt Moulson had a goal and assist in Saturday's loss, while Blake Comeau tallied a goal and two assists. And Frans Nielsen scored on a penalty shot in Thursday's game.
Patrik Elias: The old Devil scored two goals this week, so that makes Elias New Jersey's pick for player of the week. The team lost three more games this week as they attempt to match the Islanders' rate of futility. Martin Brodeur returned in Friday's game vs. Ottawa and picked up his 36th career point, when he assisted on Elias' goal. They lost the game, though, of course.
Jets: The Jets played two games this week, and I searched long and hard and couldn't come up with one player that deserves any kudos, nor any coach--especially not Sal Alosi.
Nets: Hell, I don't know . . . your guess is as good as mine.
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