HBO pumps up NHL Winter Classic

Even non-hockey fans can appreciate the game a bit more now, it seems, thanks to HBO's "24/7" miniseries on the Penguins and Capitals, leading up to Saturday's Winter Classic at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.

The world knows now that Caps coach Bruce Boudreau likes to use some choice, unprintable words. We also get an inside look at some of the personal lives of players, such as Penguins forward Pascal Dupuis.

The Winter Classic is still a big event for the National Hockey League, which has smartly maximized its reach, even to folks who won't be glued to their televisions for a game that is usually a thrill for those in attendance but a bit of a letdown for those watching.

Wang: We are disappointed

Charles Wang spoke up clearly about not selling the Islanders and hoping to find a home for them in the area beyond 2015, but he also chimed in with his hockey thoughts, saying that he clearly felt the Islanders were supposed to take a big step forward this season.

"This was not supposed to be a rebuilding year," Wang said during his and Garth Snow's appearance on commissioner Gary Bettman's satellite radio show. "We are probably as disappointed, if not more disappointed, than all the fans."

Reality check for Lemaire

Jacques Lemaire got the call from Lou Lamoriello on Wednesday night to come down from Montreal to try and put the Devils back on track.

Within 24 hours, Lemaire was wondering what he'd gotten himself into. He barely had time to learn some of the new players' names and numbers before the Islanders hung three goals in the first 11 minutes Thursday, just hours after Lemaire took over for John MacLean.

"After the first 11 minutes, what was I thinking?" Lemaire said. "Oh, I said, 'It's going to be rougher than I thought.' "

The Devils headed into the two-day holiday break in last place, with 20 points at 9-23-2. At the holiday break last season with Lemaire at the helm and no Ilya Kovalchuk, they were first overall with 53 points at 26-8-1.

According to the website sportsclubstats.com, which calculates playoff odds throughout the season based on a number of factors (schedule, home/away games), the Devils currently have a .009 percent chance of making the playoffs.

STATLINES

Junior achievement

Local prospects picked to play in the World Junior tournament, which starts today in Rochester and Buffalo.

Rangers prospects

Chris Kreider, LW, 2009 first-round pick (19th overall) - Scored six goals for the gold medal-winning U.S. World Junior Championship team in 2010 . . . Won an NCAA championship at Boston College last year . . . Good scoring touch. Perhaps the Rangers' most prized prospect.

Ryan Bourque, C, 2009 third-round pick - Ray Bourque's son also returns to the U.S. squad, this time as an alternate captain. Already has 20 goals in 22 games for Quebec of the QMJHL.

Jesper Fasth, RW, 2010 sixth-round pick - Smallish winger (5-11, 175) has four goals in 26 games for his Swedish team.

Roman Horak, LW, 2009 fifth-round pick - Making his second WJC appearance for the Czech Republic. Having a solid second season in the Western Hockey League, with 15 goals in 30 games.

Islanders prospects

Brock Nelson, C, 2010 first-round pick (30th overall) - Big, raw and young. He's scored only two goals as a freshman for North Dakota, but he could be a good depth forward for the U.S. team this week.

Casey Cizikas, C, 2009 fourth-round pick - On pace for his best junior season yet (16-20 in 28 games), he's playing for Team Canada under his junior coach, Dave Cameron. Could be a nice surprise in the tournament.

Calvin de Haan, D, 2009 first-round pick (12th overall) - Missed most of last season to shoulder surgery, but he's rebounded nicely and should make an impact with the Canadian team in the WJC.

Nino Niederreiter, LW, 2010 first-round pick (fifth overall) - Nearly stuck with the Isles this season, but instead he's back for Team Switzerland to the WJC, where he had his breakout performance a year ago.