Buzzmaster

  (2:01 PM)

We've got Barry!

Barry Melrose

  (2:02 PM)

It's going to be interesting to see if Vancouver can end Detroit's streak tonight. If any team can, it is Vancouver.

Paul (Mesa,AZ)

How impressive have the Red Wings been at home?

Barry Melrose

  (2:03 PM)

I think it's a record that's not getting enough ink. There are no bad teams in the NHL. They're in a tough division. To not have an off night in 23 is amazing. It's a real great record.

Rob (NJ)

Given the way the Devils have been playing as of late, if they continue this roll do you think they have a shot of making a run in the playoffs like Tampa Bay did last year?

Barry Melrose

  (2:03 PM)

Definitely. I like the Devils a lot. Kovalchuk is probably playing the best hockey he's played in years. They're playing solid and winning games. They've got a lot of guys that have won Cups in that room. They're always dangerous in the playoffs.

tdiddy (winnipeg) [via mobile]

Hey Barry. Been to a Jets game yet? Also, do you see them selling, buying or holding a the trade deadline. I think they'll move Oduya and that's about it.

Barry Melrose

  (2:04 PM)

First off, I haven't been to a Jets game this year, I apologize for that, but I did see plenty at the old building, having played there. I think they'll be buyers at the deadline. Nothing crazy, but if they can find a deal to make their team better, they'll do it. They're in a race with five other teams for those last two playoff spots.

Matt Bradshaw (Winona, MN)

Will the Leafs actually make a move at the goaltender position?

Barry Melrose

  (2:05 PM)

I think the Leafs are going to do something. Burke has done a lot of things. This is his fourth year. They were supposed to be in the playoffs by now. I think they need to make the playoffs in Toronto. I think he'll be active and try to do something.

Steve (Orlando)

Have my Black Hawks turned the ship around? Can we still be contenders? Thanks.

Barry Melrose

  (2:06 PM)

Definitely. They're playing good right now.I don't know how they lost 9 in a row. That was the craziest thing I've ever seen. They're playing well. They're fast. Maybe they'll look back and say the losing streak was the best thing that's ever happened to them. They'll do some damage.

Ben (SJ)

I'm trying to be patient through the Sharks' recent woes but it's tough! How come they decided to stop playing defense?

Barry Melrose

  (2:07 PM)

Actually, the Sharks are one of the teams mentioned in the Rick Nash sweepstakes. You might end up with him down the road. They're hard to figure out. They're one of the most talented in the NHL. But if Chicago can lose 9 in a row then San Jose can lose 4-5 in a row.

Bacilli (NY)

Where does Nash end up, gut feeling?

Barry Melrose

  (2:08 PM)

It looks like the Rangers are really after him. San Jose is in the mix. Supposedly LA is in the mix. But I would say right now if he goes anywhere, which I'm not sure he does, but the Rangers.

Brendan (Boston)

Can the Rangers win it all if Lundquist doesn't keep up his current pace?

Barry Melrose

  (2:09 PM)

No team is going to win without great goaltending. If Boston's goalies go down or New York's or Detroits then they're not going to win. But I don't see that happening with 20 games to go in the season.

Keith (Chicago)

is the trade deadline too late?

Barry Melrose

  (2:10 PM)

Yeah, I'd like to see it made earlier. I think it would be more important for teams. They can have the player longer, have a bigger impact. I'm not sure that I like the fact that teams can make changes late in the year and change the power with 20 games to go. I'd like to see it maybe a month earlier. I think that would be better for the league and make it interesting.

Andrew (Ohio)

Any chance Paul Martin wears a jersey other than black and gold this season?

Barry Melrose

  (2:10 PM)

I doubt it. I don't think Pittsburgh's looking to sell. They look as good as anybody right now. I think they're looking to add players.

Zach (California)

Now that it has crept back in the game, is the NHL going to decide that obstruction should be called again? It seems the game is starting to look a lot like it did pre-lockout. What happened to the fast, skilled game they wanted to promote?

Barry Melrose

  (2:11 PM)

I hope so. I hate obstruction. I've always hated it. It takes speed away from the player. It takes forechecking away. I have no problem with the NHL reinvigorating the call.

Rich (Chicago)

Will Sidney Crosby play again this year?

Barry Melrose

  (2:12 PM)

Yeah, I do. I hope so. He's got 20-something games remaining. He's skating with the team. His symptoms are diminishing. Even if it's for the last 3-4 games of the year, it would be huge for Pittsburgh for the playoffs and for the NHL.

Rick (Jersey)

Barry, what do the Devils do with Zach? They are playing so well, they can't trade him away, but can they risk losing him for nothing after the year?

Barry Melrose

  (2:12 PM)

Well, you've only got two options. You either sign him or he walks. That's it. It doesn't look like they'll move him by the deadline, so they'll take a chance to sign him by July 1.

Drew (Boston)

If the Bruins are only able to upgrade one position, should they go after another D man (to replace Corvo), or another Winger to upgrade the Horton/Peverley absence?

Barry Melrose

  (2:13 PM)

I think a forward. The defense is adequate. It's a solid defense. They won the Cup last year. With Horton out, a winger would be the most important thing.

Allen (Dallas)

The Kings are a disaster right now. Is there much hope left for this season?

Barry Melrose

  (2:14 PM)

I think the Kings will end up with Nash or Carter. They're in both of those deals. They can't score. The other night they scored 4 and lost. That can't happen. Right now they need a deal to jumpstart them.

Rich (Chicago)

Who's your choice for the Selke winner right now?

Barry Melrose

  (2:15 PM)

Oh, I would probably say you can always pick Datsyuk. That's easy. But I think Bergeron in Boston. I don't think he gets the respect he deserves.

Alex (Lubbock)

The stars are struggling this year. Who do they need to pick up to get better?

Barry Melrose

  (2:15 PM)

I don't think the Stars are going to be buyers at the deadline. Morrow being hurt hurts the team. They just don't have enough scoring. I think you'll see them start trading people pretty soon before the deadline.

Andrew (St. Louis)

Barry, do you see the Blues doing anything at the deadline? Perhaps moving a goaltender for a top-level scorer?

Barry Melrose

  (2:16 PM)

No. I don't think so. I think the Blues aren't going to move any of their goaltenders. I think they like their team. They feel like they're setup to be good for a number of years. I think they like their team and will make a run this year at winning with this team.

Matt (NY)

Do the Avs have a plan? Seems like Sherman is just flailing in the wind. They got fleeced in the Downie trade. They need a new coach. And they need to lock up their young talent, but ownership just doesn't seem to care. This used to be a model franchise. Do we still have any hope?

Barry Melrose

  (2:17 PM)

They're only 4 points out of a playoff spot, so they're not that messy. The Quincy deal was interesting, but they might have lost him. They wanted a gritty forward. They're a good team. They're right in it. They won last night. They still think they're in it and have a chance.

Anderson (Pittsburgh)

What is the NHL 2012 season's best rivalry?

Barry Melrose

  (2:18 PM)

Oh geez....good question. I think Boston and the Rangers have had some great games. Pitt and Philly have had some great games. Detroit and Chicago have had some great games. No shortage out there. The best games I would say are Boston and New York earlier in the year.

Justin (Philadelphia)

How likely is a 2nd team in Toronto in the next few seasons

Barry Melrose

  (2:19 PM)

I don't think so. I don't think the Leafs would let that happen. I can't see them ever going into that 50-mile radius. Could they support one? Yes, but I don't think it will happen.

Murph (Tampa FL)

Are the Bolts throwing in the towel, or cashing in on players who are overvalued?

Barry Melrose

  (2:20 PM)

I think at the start Yzerman felt his team was done and started moving players. But they've won three in a row and they've climbed in the standings. It will be interesting to see if they move any more with how good they're playing right now.

Zach (California)

Back to my question about obstruction, do you think Bettman and the NHL are aware that it's slowing the game down and are likely to do something about it?

Barry Melrose

  (2:21 PM)

Very much so. They've already done something about it a few years ago. They changed the rules. If they feel it's coming back and is becoming frequent again, they'll mandate the refs call it again. We saw it with goaltender interference calls.

SJ (Nashville)

Barry- Please elp me understand why everyone seems to have already awarded the Vezina to H. Lundqvist. I know he is a great goaltender on a very good team, but my guy Pekke Rinne is leading the league in Wins, Saves, and Shots Against through Tuesday night. What gives, what will it take for Pekke to win the award?

Barry Melrose

  (2:22 PM)

I would say right now it's Lundqvist. But you're right Rinne has been fabulous. But right now if I had a vote, it's Lundqvist. He hasn't played a bad game all year. He's been out of this world.

Gene Mullett (Columbus, OH)

Martin St. Louis has a Cup, a Hart trophy, an Art Ross trophy, & a Hart trophy. What are the odds he makes the Hall of Fame?

Barry Melrose

  (2:23 PM)

Boy, I hope so. I think he's what hockey's all about. He's overcome a lot of things. Wasn't drafted. He's been one of the best players in the NHL. I've coached him. I know what he's like in the dressing room. Once he gets closer to retirement, I hope his numbers bear it out.

Monty (TX)

Do you think the canucks will deal Schneider before the deadline? Perhaps make a team take Ballards bad contract with him?

Barry Melrose

  (2:23 PM)

No. I am not sure they totally believe in Luongo. What happens if they deal Schneider and Luongo struggles in the playoffs?

Jim (Chi-Town)

Toews is out with the dreaded "upper body Injury" Talk here that Toews is battling a concussion from the San Jose game. Is there a player in the league that their team can least afford to lose than Chicago and No. 19?

Barry Melrose

  (2:25 PM)

Well, thank God Chicago is so deep offensively. They've got Kane, Hossa, Sharp, they have some forwards, so they might be able to overcome it. Pittsburgh overcame the Crosby injury. I think Chicago can get by. If he's gone for weeks and months it gets tougher, but for a short period of time, they should be OK.

Kieran (Arlington VA)

Barry, do you see the Caps making any moves? I know that Hamrlik is being shopped, but could you see Semin moving?

Barry Melrose

  (2:25 PM)

They're not going to make the playoffs. This team is terrible. They're not beating anyone. No one is playing well. Ovechkin is hurt. This team is a disaster right now.

B-Diddy (Munstoeville, WYO)

Avs are TWO points out, barry. TWO. That being said, who gets the 8 seed in the west?

Barry Melrose

  (2:26 PM)

I think Calgary. I think they get the 8 seed. I think LA misses. They just don't score enough. Phoenix makes it at 7 and Calgary at 8.

Rich (Chicago)

Toughest first round match for the Hawks: Van, Detroit, St. Louis or Nash?

Barry Melrose

  (2:27 PM)

They're all tough! That's the thing about the West, there are no bad teams! You're going to have to beat three big time teams to get out of the West. If you finish in the 3, 4, 5, 6 range, you're going to be playing three monsters. It will be great hockey.

AJ (Delaware)

What are your thoughts on the flyers winning the stanley cup?

Barry Melrose

  (2:27 PM)

Not with that goaltending. It's not good enough. Bryzgalov gives up soft goals. They should have won that game the other night.

Zach (California)

Should the Caps go back to their attacking, fun n' gun style, or keep trying to adopt the slow the game down, plumber style?

Barry Melrose

  (2:28 PM)

Well, Dale Hunter doesn't coach like that. He's a defense first coach. They felt they couldn't win with the offensive style and they went with defense, but it hasn't worked.

Barry Melrose

  (2:29 PM)

Enjoy the hockey! Every night we have three or four games that are playoff games. Great time to be a hockey fan.