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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Hyperplex on June 28, 2017, 09:23:39 PM
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2017 Awards are over, time to start fresh on the next year.
https://www.nhl.com/news/connor-mcdavid-nearing-extension-with-edmonton-oilers/c-290209886
McDavid looking at an 8-year $106 million extension for the largest single season cap hit in the NHL.
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2017 Awards are over, time to start fresh on the next year.
https://www.nhl.com/news/connor-mcdavid-nearing-extension-with-edmonton-oilers/c-290209886
McDavid looking at an 8-year $106 million extension for the largest single season cap hit in the NHL.
I'd love it if they gave him that contract. In a cap league that is literally expanding, with a diluted talent pool, please designate that much money to one guy, their team (overall) will certainly suffer for it.
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Go Vegas (wtf not?)
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2017 Awards are over, time to start fresh on the next year.
https://www.nhl.com/news/connor-mcdavid-nearing-extension-with-edmonton-oilers/c-290209886
McDavid looking at an 8-year $106 million extension for the largest single season cap hit in the NHL.
I'd love it if they gave him that contract. In a cap league that is literally expanding, with a diluted talent pool, please designate that much money to one guy, their team (overall) will certainly suffer for it.
Funny, coming from a Pitt fan who's own best-in-the-world player set new the cap "rules". For the next 'generational' player, this is not unsurprising, and a good move to lock him down. Who knows what the next CBA might bring?
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Funny, coming from a Pitt fan who's own best-in-the-world player set new the cap "rules". For the next 'generational' player, this is not unsurprising, and a good move to lock him down. Who knows what the next CBA might bring?
You know Sid isn't even the highest paid player on the team, right? He took a cut to play here so they could keep the rest of the core in tact long-term.
Don't get me wrong, I'll never blame a player for taking the money, that's what I'd do, good on Conor. I just think it will result in the Oilers possibly having too much money tied up in one guy, that's all. Add on to that the fact that they (the Oilers) haven't made the best personnel decisions in recent years, we will see how they fare.
Go Vegas (wtf not?)
Not sure if we discussed this in the last thread, but I feel like McPhee has made the roster worse since the initial expansion draft. Looks like he's really banking on building his team through the draft in the next couple years. I admittedly have no clue what prospects look like for the next couple drafts, seems like on the surface he might end up looking like a genius in a couple years or not so much.
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You know Sid isn't even the highest paid player on the team, right?
No, I didn't. Who is?
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You know Sid isn't even the highest paid player on the team, right?
No, I didn't. Who is?
Malkin has a higher cap hit:
https://www.capfriendly.com/teams/penguins
Sid is an admitted obsessive compulsive person, he likes things to line up. He was born 8/7/87, he is number 87, so he thought his cap hit should be 8.7.
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Gotchya... I didn't know that. I guess I was thrown off by the 12 year/$105M, and his current annual salary ($10.9 vs Geno's $9.5)
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Mikey, I'm sorry, but you have absolutely no argument here. Still looking for the article, but here is the basis:
When Crosby signed his second contract the cap hit was 17.3% of the total cap.
If McDavid signs for 13.25m cap hit it will be 17.6% of the total cap.
If my numbers are wrong, the margin is definitely correct, it was 0.3% difference.
Both coming off of years where they took home the three big pieces of hardware, with McDavid pushing his team one round further into the playoffs.
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Gotchya... I didn't know that. I guess I was thrown off by the 12 year/$105M, and his current annual salary ($10.9 vs Geno's $9.5)
Right his salary is more than Geno's, but his cap hit is less.
Mikey, I'm sorry, but you have absolutely no argument here. Still looking for the article, but here is the basis:
When Crosby signed his second contract the cap hit was 17.3% of the total cap.
If McDavid signs for 13.25m cap hit it will be 17.6% of the total cap.
If my numbers are wrong, the margin is definitely correct, it was 0.3% difference.
Both coming off of years where they took home the three big pieces of hardware, with McDavid pushing his team one round further into the playoffs.
Good post, I honestly didn't know the cap had gone up that much since Sid signed his deal (on the surface a 8.7 cap hit looks like a lot less than a 13.25 cap hit). I stand corrected.
:tup
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Damn... I missed the news that Semenko passed away earlier this week.
:-[
Wish the NHL would allow 'enforcers' again to protect the true superstars. Would Gretz be the undeniable greatest and have the point tally he did without Dave and Marty? Who knows. But, we do know that all the tier-1 superstars get some kind of on-ice injury with a lot more regularity than they did in the 20th century.
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Damn... I missed the news that Semenko passed away earlier this week.
:-[
Damn. So did I. :sad:
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Wish the NHL would allow 'enforcers' again to protect the true superstars. Would Gretz be the undeniable greatest and have the point tally he did without Dave and Marty? Who knows. But, we do know that all the tier-1 superstars get some kind of on-ice injury with a lot more regularity than they did in the 20th century.
At the same time, should teams really use a roster spot for a guy who's only use is hitting people? He'll spend most of the time in the penalty box and then there's one less spot for a guy who can actually score. The league has changed drastically in the last 20 years and I don't believe that there's really a place for enforcers anymore. What I do think is that coaches need to teach toughness to their players. If these superstar players could actually defend themselves when getting bullied by some of the dirtier players in the league. A guy like Crosby or Kane shouldn't need someone else to stick up for them. They should be able to do so themselves.
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I would disagree there. Fans and players alike respected the 'enforcer' - think about how beloved people like Kelly Chase, Tie Domi, Bob Probert etc... were. Nothing (other than a goal), gets the fans on their feet faster than a guy that can hit and be a shit disturber, or a good fight. It's foolish to say that Sid/Kane and the like "should" be able to take care of themselves. That's not their role, and you don't want them taking themselves off the ice for 5 minutes.
There was a role for the enforcer (they could still play, and weren't any more of a liability to a team than a low-end 3rd/4th line player. Hell, Domi was a 15 goal scorer with the Leafs one year, and was only twice during of his 17-year career was he minus double-digits.
As I said... superstars of the 90s and earlier didn't go down with the kinds of on-ice injuries that players do nowadays. For that alone, I liked having 'goons' in hockey.
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I would disagree there. Fans and players alike respected the 'enforcer' - think about how beloved people like Kelly Chase, Tie Domi, Bob Probert etc... were. Nothing (other than a goal), gets the fans on their feet faster than a guy that can hit and be a shit disturber, or a good fight. It's foolish to say that Sid/Kane and the like "should" be able to take care of themselves. That's not their role, and you don't want them taking themselves off the ice for 5 minutes.
There was a role for the enforcer (they could still play, and weren't any more of a liability to a team than a low-end 3rd/4th line player. Hell, Domi was a 15 goal scorer with the Leafs one year, and was only twice during of his 17-year career was he minus double-digits.
As I said... superstars of the 90s and earlier didn't go down with the kinds of on-ice injuries that players do nowadays. For that alone, I liked having 'goons' in hockey.
Totally with jingle on this one. To add on to his thoughts, I also think that one of the reasons scoring is down in this era of hockey (one of many reasons) is the lack of the enforcer. Superstar players in this era get abused in ways that a player like Gretz absolutely never did, that hinders their ability to be stars. Stars score.
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Lots of reasons why scoring is down, but this I agree is one of them.
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Lots of reasons why scoring is down, but this I agree is one of them.
I love it when you and I can agree in a hockey thread. :biggrin:
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Lots of reasons why scoring is down, but this I agree is one of them.
I love it when you and I can agree in a hockey thread. :biggrin:
(https://media.tenor.com/images/8bb794f4342ad92f204575bf85ec9f25/tenor.gif)
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Trevor Daley picked up by Detroit. Good to see them actually targeting a need finally, tho I still hate that Mike Green is a Red Wing.
Caps lose Shattenkirk, Alzner, and Williams as expected, and now everyone is saying the Cup window is closing/closed. Boyle is a Devil and Thornton will be a Shark another year. Sharp is a Hawk again. Lots more going on. We'll see how the rest of the off-season goes.
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So apparently the 2017-18 thread is going lol....
McDavid is well worth the 13-14mil he'll get. It's only his 2nd season and he's head and shoulders better than everyone else right now. He contributed to something like 47% of all 5 on 5 offense for the team, and like 65% of poweplay offense. He deserves way more than the cap max allows, which would be around 15 per. It's Draisaitl that will be grossly overpaid, and cripple the team. And that bloody Lucic contract. Drai will greatly benefit from playing on McDavid's line. Don't get me wrong, i like him in an oilers uni, but he's not worth anything close to the 8-10mil that people are throwing around.
Price at $10.5 is kinda crazy. You can win in the nhl without an elite tender, so I've never understood paying them crazy money.
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When did Peter Chiarelli become the GM of the Canadiens? WTF'nF?
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Wow, Marleau to the leafs is huge for them. And 3 years is pretty good term. He can definitely still score.
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I think $6.25 mil is steep for a 38 year old. Excited to have him as part of the team though. I can see him entering #2 line with Marner and JVR.
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I think $6.25 mil is steep for a 38 year old. Excited to have him as part of the team though. I can see him entering #2 line with Marner and JVR.
I agree that 6.25 is a bit high, but the term makes it manageable. If that's 5 years, or say Lucic's ridiculous 6×7 contract here, then there would be trouble. Although, i suppose that 6.25 in year 3 might impact the leafs with the truckload of money they'll need to give Matthews.
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I think $6.25 mil is steep for a 38 year old. Excited to have him as part of the team though. I can see him entering #2 line with Marner and JVR.
I agree that 6.25 is a bit high, but the term makes it manageable. If that's 5 years, or say Lucic's ridiculous 6×7 contract here, then there would be trouble. Although, i suppose that 6.25 in year 3 might impact the leafs with the truckload of money they'll need to give Matthews.
Not to mention Marner and Nylander. I'd really like them to keep that crop of 3 together... but it wouldn't surprise me to see Lou move one of them this year or next to get that Tier-1 / 2-way / 26+ minute per night d-man that we need. Hainsey is a nice addition to strengthen the blueline a bit, but he doesn't address the primary need. I really don't see O'Reilly or Gardiner stepping up to fill that role.
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I think $6.25 mil is steep for a 38 year old. Excited to have him as part of the team though. I can see him entering #2 line with Marner and JVR.
I agree that 6.25 is a bit high, but the term makes it manageable. If that's 5 years, or say Lucic's ridiculous 6×7 contract here, then there would be trouble. Although, i suppose that 6.25 in year 3 might impact the leafs with the truckload of money they'll need to give Matthews.
Not to mention Marner and Nylander. I'd really like them to keep that crop of 3 together... but it wouldn't surprise me to see Lou move one of them this year or next to get that Tier-1 / 2-way / 26+ minute per night d-man that we need. Hainsey is a nice addition to strengthen the blueline a bit, but he doesn't address the primary need. I really don't see O'Reilly or Gardiner stepping up to fill that role.
Yeah, i could see Nylander moving for a d-man, but I think it would be terrible for the Leafs if they shipped Marner out. Kid is an absolute stud out there.
I think Rielly is a solid top 4 shut down guy, but there isn't really a puck mover in that d core. Gardiner, in my opinion, never really grew into that role. With the changes in the Atlantic division so far this off-season, i think the Leafs have the best chance to win the division next year.
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I think $6.25 mil is steep for a 38 year old. Excited to have him as part of the team though. I can see him entering #2 line with Marner and JVR.
I agree that 6.25 is a bit high, but the term makes it manageable. If that's 5 years, or say Lucic's ridiculous 6×7 contract here, then there would be trouble. Although, i suppose that 6.25 in year 3 might impact the leafs with the truckload of money they'll need to give Matthews.
Not to mention Marner and Nylander. I'd really like them to keep that crop of 3 together... but it wouldn't surprise me to see Lou move one of them this year or next to get that Tier-1 / 2-way / 26+ minute per night d-man that we need. Hainsey is a nice addition to strengthen the blueline a bit, but he doesn't address the primary need. I really don't see O'Reilly or Gardiner stepping up to fill that role.
Yeah, i could see Nylander moving for a d-man, but I think it would be terrible for the Leafs if they shipped Marner out. Kid is an absolute stud out there.
I would say he and Nylander are on par with one another. 2a and 2b as far as rookies went this year. There were at times - when Matthews was in one of his two big slumps - that they picked up the slack. Marner set the team rookie record for assists, and Nylander set the team rookie record for consecutive games with a point. Nylander was consistent as hell all season and terrifically complemented Matthews. I can see them being an incredibly potent line pairing for many years.
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I'm quite surprised to read how strict Bergevin is being with his UFAs. He was quoted as saying there are no negotiations, take his offer as is or nothing. He's risking losing both Radulov and Markov. Maybe I'm naive to some of it but I don't remember a GM in recent memory being so stringent.
Also, Kuznetsov gets 8 years, $62.4 million from Washington. Friends of mine who are Caps fans (ugh) dislike the deal. They joke he got the deal for his bird dance (which I think is a ridiculous celebration anyway)...they all fear their Cup window is closing, especially after trading Johanssen away.
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And like that, Radulov signs 5 years with Dallas. I wonder if Bergevin will be able to sign Markov.
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Since the Habs are a distant 2nd favourite team after the Pens, I want them to do well, but I have a feeling they are missing the playoffs this coming season. They essentially swapped Radulov for Drouin, which is about a chop, so they aren't going to be better offensively, their defence is worse than last year, and I don't think it was very good then either. Price will be Price, but at $10.5 after this year he handcuffs his teams ability to build a real solid contender around him, not that I trust Bergevin to be able to do that.
I didn't like the Weber-Subban trade last year, and I hate it now. Weber is good and all, but it's obvious he's already lost a step from 2-3 years ago, and they have him signed for what, 8 more years? Losing Emelin and Beaulieu hurts when you don't have the organizational depth to fill those spots after trading Sergachev, and they still don't have a top line center, and it's arguable that they don't even have a true 2nd line center either. They should be in "win now" mode in Price's prime, but they are NOWHERE close to doing that. They better hope his knees hold up considering his history, or that could be an albatross in 4 or 5 years, and the contract is virtually buyout proof and would be almost untradeable.
But they signed Hemsky.
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The other thought beyond Markov is Pacioretty next year.
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Yeah, some very questionable dealings and approach by Bergevin. Putting all of those chips on Price is strange. A tier-1 goalie alone cannot carry the team to the Cup. A hot goalie can be a difference maker, but there's far more situations was a 'good enough' goalie can be a cup winner.
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MacLellan in DC taking a bit of local flak for his decisions. I guess it's an entire off-season of "Monday morning GM" across the league, but he drew roster/strategy comparisons between his team and Pitt, and without the Cups, he can't really make that comparison and is sort of putting his foot in it.
It really is an interesting ecosystem that the salary cap creates. I had blocked the ludicrous Kovalchuk contract from NJ out of my mind until I read that he wants back in. Sigghhhhhhh
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Yeah, some very questionable dealings and approach by Bergevin. Putting all of those chips on Price is strange. A tier-1 goalie alone cannot carry the team to the Cup. A hot goalie can be a difference maker, but there's far more situations was a 'good enough' goalie can be a cup winner.
Ex: Corey Crawford.
He's not an elite goaltender in my book but he's solid and makes the saves he's supposed to....and sprinkles some dazzlers in there as well. Id say the same about Pitts goalie.
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I think $6.25 mil is steep for a 38 year old. Excited to have him as part of the team though. I can see him entering #2 line with Marner and JVR.
I agree that 6.25 is a bit high, but the term makes it manageable. If that's 5 years, or say Lucic's ridiculous 6×7 contract here, then there would be trouble. Although, i suppose that 6.25 in year 3 might impact the leafs with the truckload of money they'll need to give Matthews.
Not to mention Marner and Nylander. I'd really like them to keep that crop of 3 together... but it wouldn't surprise me to see Lou move one of them this year or next to get that Tier-1 / 2-way / 26+ minute per night d-man that we need. Hainsey is a nice addition to strengthen the blueline a bit, but he doesn't address the primary need. I really don't see O'Reilly or Gardiner stepping up to fill that role.
Yeah, i could see Nylander moving for a d-man, but I think it would be terrible for the Leafs if they shipped Marner out. Kid is an absolute stud out there.
I would say he and Nylander are on par with one another. 2a and 2b as far as rookies went this year. There were at times - when Matthews was in one of his two big slumps - that they picked up the slack. Marner set the team rookie record for assists, and Nylander set the team rookie record for consecutive games with a point. Nylander was consistent as hell all season and terrifically complemented Matthews. I can see them being an incredibly potent line pairing for many years.
Jumping in late to this conversation...My first thought when I saw the Marleau deal was that the term might affect the MLs ability to re-sign some of their young studs in a couple years because they have money tied up in (what will be) a guy over the age of 40.
That being said, if they think they can win now with this young group of players (which is reasonable) then you have to respect them bringing a skilled vet in to help put them over the top.
Yeah, some very questionable dealings and approach by Bergevin. Putting all of those chips on Price is strange. A tier-1 goalie alone cannot carry the team to the Cup. A hot goalie can be a difference maker, but there's far more situations was a 'good enough' goalie can be a cup winner.
Ex: Corey Crawford.
He's not an elite goaltender in my book but he's solid and makes the saves he's supposed to....and sprinkles some dazzlers in there as well. Id say the same about Pitts goalie.
Agreed all the way around, that's a lot to be tied up in a goalie. It is the most important position on the ice, but still... we will see how that plays out I guess.
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McDavid...what a fucking bargain!!
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McDavid...what a fucking bargain!!
:lol 12.5 is a bargain now?!
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McDavid...what a fucking bargain!!
:lol 12.5 is a bargain now?!
Considering he could have asked for 14 million and got it, and considering he was at 13.25 million and reportedly took another million AAV off the top to help the club, I'd say that's a bargain. If you recall our earlier conversation McDavid now sits a smooth margin under Crosby as far as AAV as % of current cap. The kid cashed in, as everyone expected, but certainly didn't gut the team in doing so.
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McDavid...what a fucking bargain!!
:lol 12.5 is a bargain now?!
Considering he could have asked for 14 million and got it, and considering he was at 13.25 million and reportedly took another million AAV off the top to help the club, I'd say that's a bargain. If you recall our earlier conversation McDavid now sits a smooth margin under Crosby as far as AAV as % of current cap. The kid cashed in, as everyone expected, but certainly didn't gut the team in doing so.
Oh I know, I was kidding. That makes him the highest paid player in the league, right? Good for him, honestly I wouldn't have even given the team a discount :lol
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McDavid...what a fucking bargain!!
:lol 12.5 is a bargain now?!
Considering he could have asked for 14 million and got it, and considering he was at 13.25 million and reportedly took another million AAV off the top to help the club, I'd say that's a bargain. If you recall our earlier conversation McDavid now sits a smooth margin under Crosby as far as AAV as % of current cap. The kid cashed in, as everyone expected, but certainly didn't gut the team in doing so.
Oh I know, I was kidding. That makes him the highest paid player in the league, right? Good for him, honestly I wouldn't have even given the team a discount :lol
I think he realized he needed to take a lower amount to truly allow the team to be built around him. He definitely wants to win some cups. I just hope the 1M in savings doesn't end up in Leon's contract.
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I think he realized he needed to take a lower amount to truly allow the team to be built around him. He definitely wants to win some cups. I just hope the 1M in savings doesn't end up in Leon's contract.
Yeah obviously that was the case, hopefully the Oilers can make the right decisions with that extra money moving forward.
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Peter Chiarelli..WTF??
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Peter Chiarelli..WTF??
He only overpaid by about $500k-1M. Not bad relative to that fucking Lucic contract.
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I watched Draisitl (sp?) singlehandedly destroy the Bruins this year. But that's a ton of money. the thing is, you can overpay for a contract or two, but when you (Chiarelli) overpay on every contract...well...
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The real kicker will be the Maroon contract. If he gives him 4 or 5 mil, i might actually go slap the fat bastard.
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Get ready!
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I think I said before that the Oilers will have a ton of money tied up in a couple key guys.
Usually, that either works really well cause the guys live up to the hype (see Hawks, Pens, etc...) or it doesn't and the roster doesn't ever really come together because there is too much money tied up in a couple players. I actually hope it works out for the Oilers, they would be a fun team to watch if these guys live up to the hype.
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Did not know this thread existed.
Big Pens and Lightning fan here on the East. I also like the Maple Leafs. On the West, I'm an Avs fan as well as and also follow the Stars and Oilers.
-Pens - Will probably get to the Eastern Conference Final. They have played a lot hockey the last 2-3 years. Not sure if they will go all the way.
-Oilers - Will be the surprise team this year. 2nd round or Western Conference finals in the playoffs is my prediction.
-Lightning - Eastern Conference or Stanley Cup Final.
-Maple Leafs - 2nd Round playoffs. They need more experience.
-Avs - :'( Not sure if Sakic is GM material. Has made very questionable moves and they are looking to move Duchesne. Another high pick in the 1st round of draft.
-Stars - On paper, they look great. I'm not a fan of Hitchcock's system. The Stars have a lof of offensive power but not sure if Hitch's system will help the Stars. I disagreed with Ruff being Nill's coach. Jim Nill has made great moves for the roster but in my opinion, Jim's weakness has been the coaches he has hired. IF everything goes right for the Stars, they will be going to at least the 2nd round of the playoffs.
Prediction of SC Final: Nashville/Chicago on the west and Lightning/Pens on thee East.
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Did not know this thread existed.
Big Pens and Lightning fan here on the East. I also like the Maple Leafs. On the West, I'm an Avs fan as well as and also follow the Stars and Oilers.
-Pens - Will probably get to the Eastern Conference Final. They have played a lot hockey the last 2-3 years. Not sure if they will go all the way.
-Oilers - Will be the surprise team this year. 2nd round or Western Conference finals in the playoffs is my prediction.
-Lightning - Eastern Conference or Stanley Cup Final.
-Maple Leafs - 2nd Round playoffs. They need more experience.
-Avs - :'( Not sure if Sakic is GM material. Has made very questionable moves and they are looking to move Duchesne. Another high pick in the 1st round of draft.
-Stars - On paper, they look great. I'm not a fan of Hitchcock's system. The Stars have a lof of offensive power but not sure if Hitch's system will help the Stars. I disagreed with Ruff being Nill's coach. Jim Nill has made great moves for the roster but in my opinion, Jim's weakness has been the coaches he has hired. IF everything goes right for the Stars, they will be going to at least the 2nd round of the playoffs.
Prediction of SC Final: Nashville/Chicago on the west and Lightning/Pens on thee East.
Pens need to address the center position below Sid and Geno if they want to go deep again, it's going to be tough, they have played an insane amount of hockey over the last two years. It wouldn't surprise me to see the Lighting have a good year (health permitting of course).
I agree with most of your assessments except for this - Nashville. This might be considered controversial but I think last year was their shot. I don't see them as a team or organization that is going to continuing playing that well in post season series moving forward. I don't see them being there next season. Maybe I'll be wrong, but I see them getting into (maybe) the first round and losing.
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Did not know this thread existed.
Big Pens and Lightning fan here on the East. I also like the Maple Leafs. On the West, I'm an Avs fan as well as and also follow the Stars and Oilers.
-Pens - Will probably get to the Eastern Conference Final. They have played a lot hockey the last 2-3 years. Not sure if they will go all the way.
-Oilers - Will be the surprise team this year. 2nd round or Western Conference finals in the playoffs is my prediction.
-Lightning - Eastern Conference or Stanley Cup Final.
-Maple Leafs - 2nd Round playoffs. They need more experience.
-Avs - :'( Not sure if Sakic is GM material. Has made very questionable moves and they are looking to move Duchesne. Another high pick in the 1st round of draft.
-Stars - On paper, they look great. I'm not a fan of Hitchcock's system. The Stars have a lof of offensive power but not sure if Hitch's system will help the Stars. I disagreed with Ruff being Nill's coach. Jim Nill has made great moves for the roster but in my opinion, Jim's weakness has been the coaches he has hired. IF everything goes right for the Stars, they will be going to at least the 2nd round of the playoffs.
Prediction of SC Final: Nashville/Chicago on the west and Lightning/Pens on thee East.
Pens need to address the center position below Sid and Geno if they want to go deep again, it's going to be tough, they have played an insane amount of hockey over the last two years. It wouldn't surprise me to see the Lighting have a good year (health permitting of course).
I agree with most of your assessments except for this - Nashville. This might be considered controversial but I think last year was their shot. I don't see them as a team or organization that is going to continuing playing that well in post season series moving forward. I don't see them being there next season. Maybe I'll be wrong, but I see them getting into (maybe) the first round and losing.
I think they can still have the momentum. Johansson's injury was a big bummer during their playoff run and they capitalized on it. Defensively they are pretty set. Offensively is where I see the struggle. And Peka's play needs to improve when he is not playing at home. I'm thinking this is more of a psychological issue and Nashville needs to address it someway. But I see your point. I still think they need another Top 6 forward and maybe a #1 or #2 center. Not sure about Johansen being the #1 guy.
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Did not know this thread existed.
Big Pens and Lightning fan here on the East. I also like the Maple Leafs. On the West, I'm an Avs fan as well as and also follow the Stars and Oilers.
-Pens - Will probably get to the Eastern Conference Final. They have played a lot hockey the last 2-3 years. Not sure if they will go all the way.
-Oilers - Will be the surprise team this year. 2nd round or Western Conference finals in the playoffs is my prediction.
-Lightning - Eastern Conference or Stanley Cup Final.
-Maple Leafs - 2nd Round playoffs. They need more experience.
-Avs - :'( Not sure if Sakic is GM material. Has made very questionable moves and they are looking to move Duchesne. Another high pick in the 1st round of draft.
-Stars - On paper, they look great. I'm not a fan of Hitchcock's system. The Stars have a lof of offensive power but not sure if Hitch's system will help the Stars. I disagreed with Ruff being Nill's coach. Jim Nill has made great moves for the roster but in my opinion, Jim's weakness has been the coaches he has hired. IF everything goes right for the Stars, they will be going to at least the 2nd round of the playoffs.
Prediction of SC Final: Nashville/Chicago on the west and Lightning/Pens on thee East.
Pens need to address the center position below Sid and Geno if they want to go deep again, it's going to be tough, they have played an insane amount of hockey over the last two years. It wouldn't surprise me to see the Lighting have a good year (health permitting of course).
I agree with most of your assessments except for this - Nashville. This might be considered controversial but I think last year was their shot. I don't see them as a team or organization that is going to continuing playing that well in post season series moving forward. I don't see them being there next season. Maybe I'll be wrong, but I see them getting into (maybe) the first round and losing.
Agree on the Nashville front. They were an 8th seed surprise as it was last season, so I'd be shocked if they even make the playoffs. Oilers made an improbable run as an 8 seed in '06, and the moves they made at the deadline that year cost them a decade of playoffs. Poile is a smart GM though, so maybe he can re-tool the roster more quickly. Still no offence though.
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I think they can still have the momentum. Johansson's injury was a big bummer during their playoff run and they capitalized on it. Defensively they are pretty set. Offensively is where I see the struggle. And Peka's play needs to improve when he is not playing at home. I'm thinking this is more of a psychological issue and Nashville needs to address it someway. But I see your point. I still think they need another Top 6 forward and maybe a #1 or #2 center. Not sure about Johansen being the #1 guy.
I don't disagree with any of that. Honestly, for me, they just strike me as that kind of team that had a cinderella year and won't be able to maintain it moving forward. I know that's kinda flimsy analysis, that's just where I'm at.
The big thing for them will be scoring. Losing Neal will hurt and like you said, I too am not sure about Johnansen being "the" guy. Also, don't discount the loss of Fisher. He was past his prime, but was a difference maker for them in a lot of ways last year. I also think they think Bonino is going to be answer for some of these issues, I don't see it happening. His success in Pittsburgh was a direct result of playing 3rd center behind two of the best centers in the world and having top 6 winger talent play with him on the 3rd line. Even with that, he went through huge dry spells in scoring in the regular season.
Agree on the Nashville front. They were an 8th seed surprise as it was last season, so I'd be shocked if they even make the playoffs. Oilers made an improbable run as an 8 seed in '06, and the moves they made at the deadline that year cost them a decade of playoffs. Poile is a smart GM though, so maybe he can re-tool the roster more quickly. Still no offence though.
Yup.
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The big thing for them will be scoring. Losing Neal will hurt and like you said, I too am not sure about Johnansen being "the" guy. Also, don't discount the loss of Fisher. He was past his prime, but was a difference maker for them in a lot of ways last year. I also think they think Bonino is going to be answer for some of these issues, I don't see it happening. His success in Pittsburgh was a direct result of playing 3rd center behind two of the best centers in the world and having top 6 winger talent play with him on the 3rd line. Even with that, he went through huge dry spells in scoring in the regular season.
Oh crap. Forgot about the Neal loss. And you are spot on Bonino's assessment. They do have a strong defense and strong core mainly in the 1st two lines. Nashville would greatly benefit if Fisher stayed in some sort of coaching role.
On a different note, I would of loved to see Laviolette going to the Stars instead of Hitchcock.
What do you guys think about Vegas' roster?
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What do you guys think about Vegas' roster?
I don't think they'll really be able to score with any consistency either, they are pretty weak down the middle. Flower will give them a solid foundation in goal and the D won't be bad, I just think they will struggle to score. The story of the team will come down to how they draft and develop over the next couple years. I think the expansion draft did as it is designed to do, it gave them just enough to start to build, now it's up to them.
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The big thing for them will be scoring. Losing Neal will hurt and like you said, I too am not sure about Johnansen being "the" guy. Also, don't discount the loss of Fisher. He was past his prime, but was a difference maker for them in a lot of ways last year. I also think they think Bonino is going to be answer for some of these issues, I don't see it happening. His success in Pittsburgh was a direct result of playing 3rd center behind two of the best centers in the world and having top 6 winger talent play with him on the 3rd line. Even with that, he went through huge dry spells in scoring in the regular season.
Oh crap. Forgot about the Neal loss. And you are spot on Bonino's assessment. They do have a strong defense and strong core mainly in the 1st two lines. Nashville would greatly benefit if Fisher stayed in some sort of coaching role.
On a different note, I would of loved to see Laviolette going to the Stars instead of Hitchcock.
What do you guys think about Vegas' roster?
You missed all the Vegas discussion at the end of the 16-17 thread lol. Team will be lucky to get 60 points, and they're going to be absolute fodder for the pacific division.
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I think Nashville was punching out of their weight class during the playoff run for all the reasons listed. Their "big-4' defencemen have to prove that they are a 'big-4'. If they can play like they did in Apr-Jun for 82 games, then they have arguably the best top 4 guys in the league. Pekka needs to do the same, otherwise their goaltending isn't even Top 10, imo. And everyone is already claiming offence is their weak spot.
Playoffs might be a stretch for them. In the Central, Winnipeg continues to improve, same with Dallas (though, I don't think they're playoff material yet). Chi/StL/Min didn't get any worse, so it's gonna be a hella tough division.
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FWIW, I think Chicago got worse, not considerably, but within that division I now consider them a bubble playoff team. Winnipeg has a good thing going, but I don't see any possibility of them making the playoffs this year, too many good teams in the west.
What do people think of StL's off season and what they may do this coming year? I consider them as a sleeper event though they are a real good team, and losing Shattenkirk didn't hurt much with the depth they have on the back end. If Allen can play the way he did the last month or two of the season and playoffs, I think they can do some damage. At least I'm hoping so, I have their goaltenders in my fantasy league. :lol
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What do people think of StL's off season and what they may do this coming year? I consider them as a sleeper event though they are a real good team, and losing Shattenkirk didn't hurt much with the depth they have on the back end. If Allen can play the way he did the last month or two of the season and playoffs, I think they can do some damage. At least I'm hoping so, I have their goaltenders in my fantasy league. :lol
I'm optimistic about next year. As people have mentioned, I'm not too concerned that Nashville is just going to route everyone because their playoff run had a TON of things go right for them...including a host of fortunate calls that shifted the momentum of games. So...the Preds may be in the hunt but I don't see them dominating everyone.
As far as StL I'm stoked to see a full year under Yeo....be rid of that waste of a player Lehtera.....and have Allen playing with confidence after making it through his first full year as 'the man' and playing incredible in goal. Let's not forget that he near single handedly beat Minnesota and that's something the Blues have not had in some time, a goalie who can steal a series much less a game.
I see them finishing in the top two or three with just as good a shot as Chicago, Dallas or the Preds to win the division. (Winnipeg is a sleeper...they are on the cusp of being dominant) It's a tough, competitive division but I expect the Blues to be playing for the right to go to the Cup finals.....
of which they will win and then steamroll whatever Eastern Conference team is there!!!!!! St. Louis Blues Stanley Cup Champions!!!!!! :metal :metal :metal :metal :metal
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Ah, Gary, the eternal optimist...for a while. :biggrin: :lol
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Ah, Gary, the eternal optimist...for a while. :biggrin: :lol
At least until the season starts. :lol
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I give it 3 or 4 pages until his first rage-post of the season.
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I give it 3 or 4 pages until his first rage-post of the season.
Who....me? :\
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I just read an article on SB Nation saying that the Sens took 1,500 seats out of their arena because they can't sell out any games, including playoffs. Hilarious.
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I just read an article on SB Nation saying that the Sens took 1,500 seats out of their arena because they can't sell out any games, including playoffs. Hilarious.
Well that seems like a weird way to address a problem :lol
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I just read an article on SB Nation saying that the Sens took 1,500 seats out of their arena because they can't sell out any games, including playoffs. Hilarious.
Well that seems like a weird way to address a problem :lol
They call it a "short term solution"
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Anyone been noticing that the majority of the beat writers for each cities Hockey teams have been joining 'The Athletic'? A subscription based sports webisite? I personally know the St. Louis Blues beat writer....Jeremy Rutherford....and a month or so ago we were having some Wings and he was telling me he was thinking of leaving the St. Louis Post Dispatch who he'd been at for 21 years to go to the Athletic. He said all his colleagues were heading to it.
So, he ultimately did and I signed up for the subscription...it's $40 for a year and I have to say the site and App are pretty slick. You can customize what teams you want to follow...not just hockey it's every sport.....what writers...etc etc and it delivers that content. No adds or pop ups....I've only had it a few days but it's been pretty neat.
anyway...if you're a sports nut it's a neat App/site to buy into.
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They call it a "short term solution"
:lol Of course.
Anyone been noticing that the majority of the beat writers for each cities Hockey teams have been joining 'The Athletic'? A subscription based sports webisite? I personally know the St. Louis Blues beat writer....Jeremy Rutherford....and a month or so ago we were having some Wings and he was telling me he was thinking of leaving the St. Louis Post Dispatch who he'd been at for 21 years to go to the Athletic. He said all his colleagues were heading to it.
So, he ultimately did and I signed up for the subscription...it's $40 for a year and I have to say the site and App are pretty slick. You can customize what teams you want to follow...not just hockey it's every sport.....what writers...etc etc and it delivers that content. No adds or pop ups....I've only had it a few days but it's been pretty neat.
anyway...if you're a sports nut it's a neat App/site to buy into.
That's the way these things are going I think. In Pittsburgh, the best sports coverage around is a site that is exactly like you just described - subscription based website and app - started by a respected journalist in Pittsburgh who has been around for like 20 years and he has slowly pulled together a staff of other veteran journalists from the city who left traditional media jobs for it.
Dude has the best Pittsburgh sports coverage without question -
https://www.dkpittsburghsports.com/
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That's the way these things are going I think.
Yep. That was the consensus that my buddy said many of his conversations with industry mentors were indicating. That the 'free' publications of the Post or NY Times, Washington Post etc etc. simply aren't making money and subscription based services....whether 'we' like it or not....will be the wave of the future. He basically was told he'd be a fool not to take a shot and get in on the ground floor.
He said the founder of 'The Athletic' is a wealthy venture capitalist who basically told his team to go out and hire the best beat writers in each city. And, like I mentioned the web site and App are really slick and nice. It's not going to bother me paying $40 a year to get in on the benefits of this site.
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Does the Athletic have a fantasy sports slant to it, or is it just purely reporting on stories? I'm a junkie for fantasy hockey and always looking for websites/products that can give me a leg up on the competition :lol
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IDK, there's so much free content everywhere that I'm hard pressed to pay for any subscription. I would need a whole lot more than written articles to justify that cost, even just $40 on the year.
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Does the Athletic have a fantasy sports slant to it, or is it just purely reporting on stories? I'm a junkie for fantasy hockey and always looking for websites/products that can give me a leg up on the competition :lol
I have not seen any fantasy talk. I can't imagine they won't eventually have it though given it's popularity.
IDK, there's so much free content everywhere that I'm hard pressed to pay for any subscription. I would need a whole lot more than written articles to justify that cost, even just $40 on the year.
Totally understood. The thought is the entities that offer the free content out there now are not making money and will eventually have to charge. These companies like the Athletic are hiring the best writers now to build their base and when the other entities try to play catch up they'll have a hard time doing so.
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IDK, there's so much free content everywhere that I'm hard pressed to pay for any subscription. I would need a whole lot more than written articles to justify that cost, even just $40 on the year.
The Pittsburgh one I linked above is $29.99 a year and does written content, video content, podcasts, radio content, social, etc... They do a ton. But the main difference is who they have doing those things, a number of excellent reporters who previously worked in traditional media in and around Pittsburgh work there now and frankly, their coverage is simply better.
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The Pittsburgh one I linked above is $29.99 a year and does written content, video content, podcasts, radio content, social, etc... They do a ton. But the main difference is who they have doing those things, a number of excellent reporters who previously worked in traditional media in and around Pittsburgh work there now and frankly, their coverage is simply better.
that's the gist of the moment I think. Hire the cream of the crop talent and allow them to write/produce stories other than boring game summaries and regurgitated cliche' after game interviews. The average joe may not subscribe but those of us out there that want a bit more meat and potatoes will cough up the drop in the bucket $30-$40 for it. As I said, I've only had 'The Athletic' for a week and I already consider it $40 well spent.
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Haha, so I go to The Athletic website to check it out, and the very first article is an Oilers piece from my absolute least favourite hockey writer. No thanks, for now.
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Also, I'm wondering how their business model works since Willis is still writing for several other, free, outlets. I'm assuming they have to submit some exclusive content to The Athletic, otherwise this makes no sense.
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As I understand it, the companies that are releasing their content for free are no longer making money, or at least enough of it, so by gathering all the best writers and putting them behind a paywall they are just setting themselves to be WAY ahead of their competitors when they choose/Are forced to do the same.
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As I understand it, the companies that are releasing their content for free are no longer making money, or at least enough of it, so by gathering all the best writers and putting them behind a paywall they are just setting themselves to be WAY ahead of their competitors when they choose/Are forced to do the same.
That's exactly it. And the freedom these writers are going to get to write stories with more content and meat on the bone is going to blow the boring game summary and standard post game interview dribble out of the water. This may not excite an average fan but as for me, I'll gladly sacrifice the same ol same ol story/reportage for more in depth/behind the scenes type reporting.
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As I understand it, the companies that are releasing their content for free are no longer making money, or at least enough of it, so by gathering all the best writers and putting them behind a paywall they are just setting themselves to be WAY ahead of their competitors when they choose/Are forced to do the same.
That's exactly it. And the freedom these writers are going to get to write stories with more content and meat on the bone is going to blow the boring game summary and standard post game interview dribble out of the water. This may not excite an average fan but as for me, I'll gladly sacrifice the same ol same ol story/reportage for more in depth/behind the scenes type reporting.
Yup, it's the opportunity for the reporters to be almost entrepreneurial. Not all will like that, but a lot will.
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As I understand it, the companies that are releasing their content for free are no longer making money, or at least enough of it, so by gathering all the best writers and putting them behind a paywall they are just setting themselves to be WAY ahead of their competitors when they choose/Are forced to do the same.
That's exactly it. And the freedom these writers are going to get to write stories with more content and meat on the bone is going to blow the boring game summary and standard post game interview dribble out of the water. This may not excite an average fan but as for me, I'll gladly sacrifice the same ol same ol story/reportage for more in depth/behind the scenes type reporting.
Yup, it's the opportunity for the reporters to be almost entrepreneurial. Not all will like that, but a lot will.
I can tell you that my buddy who has joined is pumped that he can now spend three or four days putting together an in depth story rather than churning and burning game summary's (that in his words no one reads) for midnight deadlines and finding different ways to write the same old interview questions.
Like you said...not everyone will want to pay for content like that and that's fine. But I think a lot will AND the eventuality is you're going to end up paying for content anyway one way or the other. I look at it as an investment at this point.
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Watching the Bruins/Red Wings game tonight. WOW, the new arena in Detroit looks amazing!!
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Watching the Bruins/Red Wings game tonight. WOW, the new arena in Detroit looks amazing!!
It's going to be the only thing that looks amazing with this year's Red Wings.
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Watching the Bruins/Red Wings game tonight. WOW, the new arena in Detroit looks amazing!!
It's going to be the only thing that looks amazing with this year's Red Wings.
Not if they play the Bruins every game. Wow, the B's looked putrid.
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Watching the Bruins/Red Wings game tonight. WOW, the new arena in Detroit looks amazing!!
It's going to be the only thing that looks amazing with this year's Red Wings.
Not if they play the Bruins every game. Wow, the B's looked putrid.
It's only the preseason. With the way the Bruins have dominated the Wings since their move to the East, one would think that Zdeno Chara and Brad Marchand have a controlling interest in the Wings.
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RIP Dave Strader
https://www.tsn.ca/hockey-broadcaster-strader-dies-at-62-1.872234
He was an excellent play by play guy.
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RIP Dave Strader
https://www.tsn.ca/hockey-broadcaster-strader-dies-at-62-1.872234
He was an excellent play by play guy.
Well shit. That's depressing. Strader/Pang was one of my favorite pairings (along with Thorne/Clement).
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Hot damn I'm ready for the season to begin. Easily the most excited I've been for a Maple Leafs team since '93/'94. I think everyone in the city would probably say the same thing. Though I was really hoping for Marleau to be lined up with Matthews, Babcock seems to be keeping the top-2 lines the same as last year. We still have an issue at D, but we'll see how those youngins develop.
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If the Blues can't win the Cup then my next wish is for the Leafs to get it Chad. Good luck. I'm just hoping that the slew of injuries the Blues sustained in Pre season doesn't kill them. Too competitive of a division to give away points early and try to dig back into it.
Ready for some hockey though :metal
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Definitely ready for some hockey tonight, although I certainly don't share the same opinion about the Leafs. It would bring a smile to my face if they somehow lost every game this season ;D
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If the Blues can't win the Cup then my next wish is for the Leafs to get it Chad. Good luck. I'm just hoping that the slew of injuries the Blues sustained in Pre season doesn't kill them. Too competitive of a division to give away points early and try to dig back into it.
Ready for some hockey though :metal
The sad reality of trading draft picks... this year I'm all for Suck Blues Suck!
Seriously though, you got Schenn for an overprice potential opening night scratch, that first rounder better be gold next year.
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If the Blues can't win the Cup then my next wish is for the Leafs to get it Chad. Good luck. I'm just hoping that the slew of injuries the Blues sustained in Pre season doesn't kill them. Too competitive of a division to give away points early and try to dig back into it.
Ready for some hockey though :metal
Yeah, that ain't gonna happen this year. I'll be happy for a 2-3 round run in the Playoffs. My hope is that they follow the Hawks trajectory after they drafted Toews/Kane. I'd be happy with a quasi-dynasty over the coming years. Gonna be hard though, because I think Edmonton could be on that trajectory as well. It would be great if those two - sometime in the next few years - could give us an all-Canada Final for the first time since '89.
I like the Leafs chances in the division though... Tampa should rebound - hard; Ottawa looks pretty solid. Really not sure Montreal is going anywhere but down - and that's a shame for Price. Detroit, Florida and Buffalo are still 'pretenders' imo (even though most are expecting big improvements from the Sabres); who knows how the Bruins are going to pan out, I think they're going languish in mediocrity. Potential injuries notwithstanding, there's an outside chance the Leafs could take the division, or at least 2nd.
[quote author=Nick link=topic=50440.msg2362229#msg2362229 date=1507126584
Seriously though, you got Schenn for an overprice potential opening night scratch, that first rounder better be gold next year.
[/quote]
Not the first time you've screwed the pooch in a trade involving a Schenn.
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The sad reality of trading draft picks... this year I'm all for Suck Blues Suck!
Seriously though, you got Schenn for an overprice potential opening night scratch, that first rounder better be gold next year.
I'm still floored anyone took Lehtera but I won't cry about it. Schenn has looked good (and by that I mean way better than Lehtera) in pre-season so we'll see how it goes and yes....we have some youngsters that are going to need to be put into the fire soon because there's no other choice.
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Indeed Chad, a far second place as far as trades involving a Schenn!
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I think Price is the only thing that will keep Montreal from being a bottom 3 lottery team this year. They're going to be all kinds of awful.
Out West, I think the Blues have as good a chance as any other team if they can get, and stay, healthy. Their top 6 are pretty solid, and they have 2 legitimate top pair d-men in Boumeester and Pietrangelo. I could easily see a Blues/Oilers western final (that is, of course, if McLellan doesn't work Talbot to death again this season).
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I think Price is the only thing that will keep Montreal from being a bottom 3 lottery team this year. They're going to be all kinds of awful.
Out West, I think the Blues have as good a chance as any other team if they can get, and stay, healthy. Their top 6 are pretty solid, and they have 2 legitimate top pair d-men in Boumeester and Pietrangelo. I could easily see a Blues/Oilers western final (that is, of course, if McLellan doesn't work Talbot to death again this season).
If they are 1a and 1b, I'd put Parayko as a VERY close #2. I'd kill to have that guy on my team. And yeah, Talbot can't (or at least shouldn't) do another 60+ game season. That's just crazy.
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Push for three in a row starts tonight! :metal
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I think Price is the only thing that will keep Montreal from being a bottom 3 lottery team this year. They're going to be all kinds of awful.
Out West, I think the Blues have as good a chance as any other team if they can get, and stay, healthy. Their top 6 are pretty solid, and they have 2 legitimate top pair d-men in Boumeester and Pietrangelo. I could easily see a Blues/Oilers western final (that is, of course, if McLellan doesn't work Talbot to death again this season).
If they are 1a and 1b, I'd put Parayko as a VERY close #2. I'd kill to have that guy on my team. And yeah, Talbot can't (or at least shouldn't) do another 60+ game season. That's just crazy.
Boumeester is past his prime. He chews up minutes so he's a good partner but his skills have diminished and as far as I'm concerned I'd rather have one of our youngsters in the line up over him....And Chad's right.....Parayko is a freaking stud.... and I'd put him above Petrangelo at this point because the kid is just slick. He just signed a 5 year deal with the Blues in the off season so I'm sure he will have a season ending injury soon.
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He just signed a 5 year deal with the Blues in the off season so I'm sure he will have a season ending injury soon.
:rollin :rollin
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He just signed a 5 year deal with the Blues in the off season so I'm sure he will have a season ending injury soon.
:rollin :rollin
Spoken like a true Blues fan!! ;) ;D
I'm not optimistic about the Wings chances this year, at either a playoff spot or at the number 1 pick. Ken Holland doesn't seem to have a plan beyond, "once we get in, anything can happen." The Wings are most likely going to be like Calgary during the last few years of Iginla and Kiiprusoff: not good enough to get in, not bad enough to get that high lottery pick. I want Mantha and Larkin to take the next step this year while losing enough games to get the best chance at the #1 pick. Ideally, the Wings would do everything they can to get rid of their albatross contracts and let a new GM come in this upcoming offseason to get things back on course. We'll see.
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Toronto embarrassed Winnipeg on their rink tonight to open the season. Poor Steve Mason, but a good game for Auston Matthews and Patrick Marleau
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That was the first of many Leon-to-Connor goals this season. ..
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Toronto embarrassed Winnipeg on their rink tonight to open the season. Poor Steve Mason, but a good game for Auston Matthews and Patrick Marleau
The scoreboard would say so, but the game was a different story. Jets had 15 shots on goal (from 3 PPs) in the first 13 minutes. Andersen stole that victory by keeping the Leafs in the game with some clutch saves. Great all-around W for the Leafs... 8-8 on the PK; 2-4 on the PP; scoring from all over the place; stellar goaltending (the 2 WPG goals were both late in the 3rd, and one was a garbage/broken play).
Complaints... the fucking refs. Seriously, 12 penalties in the game - one of which was an equipment violation on Komarav and his visor. Plus the refs on a few occasions were busting players for jerseys being tucked in (inadvertently). Those 2 rules are BS/nitpicking.
Mason did not look good as the Jets #1 puck-stopper.
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Nice OT win by the Blues. :hat
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Nice OT win by the Blues. :hat
Yeah. That'd have been a tough loss after playing such a great game.
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Nice OT win by the Blues. :hat
Yeah. That'd have been a tough loss after playing such a great game.
Thank you Blues for ruining the Penguins season opener.
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Great opening night from the Oilers, and especially from McDavid! He could have easily had 5 goals had Smith not played as well as he did. I look forward to watching them stomp the Flames again this season.
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Nice OT win by the Blues. :hat
Yeah. That'd have been a tough loss after playing such a great game.
Thank you Blues for ruining the Penguins season opener.
:lol Believe me, I'm cool with winning two cups in a row and losing the season opener. I think us Pens fans will live.
Blues did deserve to win that game, IMO, good on them for closing it out in OT.
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Losing to the Penguins in Game 7 Double OT in the Eastern Finals, it feels good to see them lose both games to start the season and one of them being 10-1. I have no clue what happened there, Niemi didn’t look good and Murray, for good reason, looked tired.
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Losing to the Penguins in Game 7 Double OT in the Eastern Finals, it feels good to see them lose both games to start the season and one of them being 10-1. I have no clue what happened there, Niemi didn’t look good and Murray, for good reason, looked tired.
Yeah rough game last night. It's hard to analyze a lot from 2 games but so far I'd say this - Niemi and Murray have to be better.
Murray has been my big concern going into this season, I'm still not sold on the guy being a work-horse, nailed on, number 1 goalie that will give you 60 starts a year. He has never, since Juniors, done that successfully yet. Faced with the expansion draft, the Pens did what they had to do this off season and let Flower go, it was the right decision, but sometimes you come to regret even those decisions.
Second thing, I haven't seen the same or similar systems that the Pens found success with over the last couple years in these first two games. The D are trying to create offense but are forgetting about playing defense. If Hunwick doesn't start playing better, he will get benched.
The interesting thing though, is that the "weakness" everyone has been talking about with the Pens going into this season hasn't been one - third line center. We lost Bonino, and weren't able to make a deal before the season started. McKegg has been fine there and will be until they can find someone else. People forget Bonino wasn't much before he got slotted down the middle behind Sid and Geno. Nashville will quickly learn this, they will be paying a guy over $4 million a year to score a couple goals and PK.
I'll be interested to see how Sullivan adjusts to this start. That said - looking at the Pens schedule for the first couple months, the majority of their games are on the road, and they have a bunch of back to backs, some being home and away back to backs. Additionally, the quality of competition through this first stretch is pretty good. Add that to playing more games than any other team over the last couple years, and I wouldn't be terribly surprised or overly concerned if the Pens were a 500 team through the first 15 or so games.
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Wouldn't surprise me if they were a .500 team thru the all-star break. Your point of them having played more games than anyone else - and add their star power roster that played in the World Cup - fatigue is gonna set in. Might be a good thing that the NHL isn't going to the Olympics in Feb.
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Wouldn't surprise me if they were a .500 team thru the all-star break. Your point of them having played more games than anyone else - and add their star power roster that played in the World Cup - fatigue is gonna set in. Might be a good thing that the NHL isn't going to the Olympics in Feb.
I think it is.
To your larger point though, yes I agree. They might floated around 500 till the break. It's early but I could easily see them being a lower seed and going out early in the playoffs this year. Time will tell, it's very, very early.
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Yeah rough game last night. It's hard to analyze a lot from 2 games but so far I'd say this - Niemi and Murray have to be better.
Niemi? Annti Niemi? Good luck with that. I've seen many Kings/Sharks games that has Niemi on goal and my observations were this. He's either going to do really good and probably make some impossible saves that gets everyone muttering or he's going to do really poorly and lose a lot of goals and then gets pulled. I reveled in those days where the Kings were able to get a lot of goals on Niemi and now we kinda have to gulp a little since Niemi is no longer with the Sharks and their goalie now is Martin Jones (a former Kings goalie that actually helped carry the team greatly in late 2013 when Quick was injured) whose really good.
As for me, I'm pretty happy about how things turned out in the Kings opener against the Flyers. It's basically a textbook Kings game. Get a lead. Apply some good pressure in small bursts. Do poorly on the power play. Hold on for dear life in the 3rd period and killing lots of penalties and Quick is being tremendous. Eventually Carter or Toffoli will score a goal and Quick gets the shutout. If only Kopitar and Doughty got some points, then it would have been really textbook.
It's great to watch hockey again. In all honesty, I haven't been much of a Kings fan or a hockey fan in the last three years due to school, work, World of Warcraft and sadly the Kings' last three seasons have not been the greatest. Well, that's going to change now, I feel. Going to commit to watching more games and enjoying the glorious game of hockey once again like I did pre-mid 2014. I remember during those times where I was watching four games of hockey at once. I want to enjoy that feeling once again.
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^ Well in fairness, he's a back up in Pittsburgh. So when I say he needs to be better, I mean the team needs like 15 to 20 quality starts out of him this season. That's all.
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That was a fun, but FUGLY game. Leafs put it into cruise in the 2nd period forgetting that NYR is a high-powered offence themselves. Still, a W is a W.
Mason and Lundqvist shouldn't feel bad... methinks that the Leafs will make a lot of goalies look bad this year. Man do they have some firepower.
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That was a fun, but FUGLY game. Leafs put it into cruise in the 2nd period forgetting that NYR is a high-powered offence themselves. Still, a W is a W.
Mason and Lundqvist shouldn't feel bad... methinks that the Leafs will make a lot of goalies look bad this year. Man do they have some firepower.
Wait, so the Maple Leafs looks to be good this year? I know Oilers are going to be good. Flames might be competent. Whose going to be the dumpster fire teams this year? I know Avalanches had a terrible year last year and I don't hear any signs of that changing swiftly soon. Sharks? Canadiens?
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That was a fun, but FUGLY game. Leafs put it into cruise in the 2nd period forgetting that NYR is a high-powered offence themselves. Still, a W is a W.
Mason and Lundqvist shouldn't feel bad... methinks that the Leafs will make a lot of goalies look bad this year. Man do they have some firepower.
Wait, so the Maple Leafs looks to be good this year? I know Oilers are going to be good. Flames might be competent. Whose going to be the dumpster fire teams this year? I know Avalanches had a terrible year last year and I don't hear any signs of that changing swiftly soon. Sharks? Canadiens?
There's a lot more parity across the NHL, so there's likely only to be a few "dumpster fires". As to those that are highly unlikely to be playoff bound, my money is on Detroit (don't look to be very good anytime soon); Vegas (naturally - despite being 2-0 at the moment); Panthers; Canucks; Buffalo (I'm still not sold on their 'growth'); Winnipeg (unless Mason proves he can be a #1 puckstopper); New Jersey; Islanders; LA; Carolina; Montreal; Arizona.
Holy shit... how 'bout Ovie!?!?! Is this gonna be another year of regular season ass-kicking / playoff disappointment for the Caps?
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Ovi is off to an incredible.
And how about those Vegas Golden Knights? Great start for them but lol at the NHL for making them start on the road.
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Ovie will need to be incredible all year for that team to have a shot at making and losing in the playoffs, as per the usual.
On a side note - it only took 3 games and Reaves is already a fan favorite in Pittsburgh.
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On a side note - it only took 3 games and Reaves is already a fan favorite in Pittsburgh.
He's a likeable guy and player. Pretty high energy and fun to watch play when he's on his game. Prior to last season, he spent the entire summer working on his skating and skills which in turn improved his all around game. He's not just a 'fighter' now....he's a strong 4th line player.
I don't agree with a lot of the St. Louis fans that were distraught and ticked off after we traded him like we traded away Gretzky in his prime...I get it he was a fan favorite but what we got in return helps our team. It was a win-win IMO.
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He's a likeable guy and player. Pretty high energy and fun to watch play when he's on his game. Prior to last season, he spent the entire summer working on his skating and skills which in turn improved his all around game. He's not just a 'fighter' now....he's a strong 4th line player.
His skating has been pretty good so far, he's playing on a fast Pens team and looks fine, that said he's averaging like 6:30 a game.
I don't agree with a lot of the St. Louis fans that were distraught and ticked off after we traded him like we traded away Gretzky in his prime...I get it he was a fan favorite but what we got in return helps our team. It was a win-win IMO.
Yeah, I mean he's a fourth liner. It's a cap league, guys like that will cycle from team to team that's the business. Clearly, the Blues aren't going to tank merely because of his absence. Just gotta love a guy that played under 7 minutes Saturday, scored a goal and got in two fights :lol
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Very nice comeback win by the Leafs tonight (coming back from 2-0; and 3-1 in third), and a killer OT goal by Matthews. They deserved that win - one of Chicago's goals was a lucky fluke off Marner's stick, and they were out-shot 43-21. Forsberg kept them in that game, but the Leafs just kept pouring it on.
Man this is a fun team to watch.
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Very nice comeback win by the Leafs tonight (coming back from 2-0; and 3-1 in third), and a killer OT goal by Matthews. They deserved that win - one of Chicago's goals was a lucky fluke off Marner's stick, and they were out-shot 43-21. Forsberg kept them in that game, but the Leafs just kept pouring it on.
Man this is a fun team to watch.
It would be my luck to have the Blues play for the Cup this year against Toronto and lose.
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Very nice comeback win by the Leafs tonight (coming back from 2-0; and 3-1 in third), and a killer OT goal by Matthews. They deserved that win - one of Chicago's goals was a lucky fluke off Marner's stick, and they were out-shot 43-21. Forsberg kept them in that game, but the Leafs just kept pouring it on.
Man this is a fun team to watch.
It would be my luck to have the Blues play for the Cup this year against Toronto and lose.
In the famous words of Winston Wolf ... "Let's not start suckin each others' dick's just yet."
It's only game 3.
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And there are the Leafs I've come to know and (not) love for the past 15 years. Two - TWO - 5-3 Power Plays (one of which was a FULL 2 mins), and they end up -1. :mehlin They are not going anywhere if they don't shore up that defence, and Freddie has to find his groove sooner than the middle of November this year. Again, it ain't their offence - 50 shots last night. Schneider just out-played them.
Which begs the question, is New Jersey for real?
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Which begs the question, is New Jersey for real?
Too soon to tell, but they totally have the potential to be real solid.
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Which begs the question, is New Jersey for real?
Almost certainly no. Schneider is definitely capable of stealing a game, but NJ is going to be near the bottom of the East again this season. The Leafs were due to lose like that given how poorly their D and tenders have played to start this season. You can't rely solely on offence to win games.
I like Buffalo's chances more than NJ's to go from the basement to at least competing for a playoff spot this season. Outside of Taylor Hall (you're welcome, NJ) there's nothing in that roster that leads me to believe they can hit 95+ pts.
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Which begs the question, is New Jersey for real?
Almost certainly no. Schneider is definitely capable of stealing a game, but NJ is going to be near the bottom of the East again this season. The Leafs were due to lose like that given how poorly their D and tenders have played to start this season. You can't rely solely on offence to win games.
Freddie Andersen is a notorious slow starter, and can be 'streaky'. He was mid .800 save percentage for the first 5 weeks, then cranked it up to be .940-something thru the end of the calendar year. Then he shat the bed again in Jan/Feb, only to crank it up to end the season, and was dynamite in the playoffs. I'm hoping this is his break-out year to be a TRUE #1 goalie that can be more consistent over a 60ish game campaign.
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Which begs the question, is New Jersey for real?
Almost certainly no. Schneider is definitely capable of stealing a game, but NJ is going to be near the bottom of the East again this season. The Leafs were due to lose like that given how poorly their D and tenders have played to start this season. You can't rely solely on offence to win games.
Freddie Andersen is a notorious slow starter, and can be 'streaky'. He was mid .800 save percentage for the first 5 weeks, then cranked it up to be .940-something thru the end of the calendar year. Then he shat the bed again in Jan/Feb, only to crank it up to end the season, and was dynamite in the playoffs. I'm hoping this is his break-out year to be a TRUE #1 goalie that can be more consistent over a 60ish game campaign.
I think Andersen has the goods to be a starter, no doubt. If he can stay healthy, and if they can shore up their defense a little, the Leafs should make the playoffs no problem. They could even challenge for the division title this season if they can keep pace with Tampa. I'm not expecting much competition from the B's, Habs or Sens this season.
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I think Andersen has the goods to be a starter, no doubt. If he can stay healthy, and if they can shore up their defense a little, the Leafs should make the playoffs no problem. They could even challenge for the division title this season if they can keep pace with Tampa. I'm not expecting much competition from the B's, Habs or Sens this season.
Oh, he has the goods to be a starter, I'd just like to see him be far more consistent ... which would then put him in the Top 10 category.
And you're right, the Leafs should be able to finish 2nd at a minimum, but if they can get more disciplined on D, they could have a shot at the division title. We have the fortune of being in a fairly weak division to begin with - arguably the weakest of the four.
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Heading to Newport Beach for work tomorrow morning. Plan on catching the Ducks game tomorrow night. Going to try and get up to LA for the Kings game Wednesday so I can root against the Canadiens.
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Well, this has certainly been a disappointing start of the season for the Oil. This Sens game is an absolute dumpster fire.
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Well, this has certainly been a disappointing start of the season for the Oil. This Sens game is an absolute dumpster fire.
Yep. I'm pretty happy with how this one is going. Although, I really wanted back to back 6-0 games, that would have made it better
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Flyers have not had a recent history of good home openers, but tonight that certainly changed. Not going to even say the defense was great or anything, but holy hell, we were making dazzling offensive moves left and right. 8-2 against the Caps and even though they had their backup in net that's far and away from the reason that was the final score.
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What the hell... Lundqvist's best days are clearly behind him. Rangers look awful. Also... Edmonton not looking like an up-and-coming team - whereas the Knights are! Kucherov/Stamkos are looking easily like the best duo in the league right now.
Nice to see the Leafs A) shut down the top 3 scorers in the league and B) show they can win a low-scoring game.
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What the hell... Lundqvist's best days are clearly behind him. Rangers look awful.
AV needs to go. The team has no heart or guts. At least with Torts they fought for every game.
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What the hell... Lundqvist's best days are clearly behind him. Rangers look awful.
AV needs to go. The team has no heart or guts. At least with Torts they fought for every game.
Don't forget that AV took the Rangers to 2 finals though. ..
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What the hell... Lundqvist's best days are clearly behind him. Rangers look awful.
AV needs to go. The team has no heart or guts. At least with Torts they fought for every game.
Don't forget that AV took the Rangers to 2 finals though. ..
One final. He had more success with Vancouver and they canned him after the team didn't play up to expectations as well.
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:lol You know a team is struggling when fans pine for Torts.
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Don't know how/why the Devils have come out of the gate so hot, but I'm not complaining :D
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A win over Chicago is always sweet. :hat :coolio
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A win over Chicago is always sweet. :hat :coolio
Beautiful win by the Blues. Well played game all around.
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Well, I honestly did not expect this start from the Kings. There was only two things I wanted from them this season.
1. Have Kopitar return to his former glory after a disappointing season in his first year as captain (and his first year having that near $10 million a year contract).
2. Have no key players get injured (well, that happened with Carter getting a lower-body injury today. Will see if he has to sit out the road trip.)
So far, they are 5-0-1. Kopitar is off to a good start. Surprisingly, Dustin Brown is making things happen (something that hasn't happened for him in the last few seasons). Quick is Quick. Adrian Kempe, one of the younger guys, really had a big impact against the Canadiens today credited with four points (including a hat trick!).
The teams they've beaten though so far (aside from perhaps the Sharks, since all Sharks/Kings games have such high variance in terms of scoring) have been easy relatively targets. We'll see how they will fair against teams like Maple Leafs, Blues, Bruins, etc. on this road trip.
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:lol You know a team is struggling when fans pine for Torts.
Oh Torts sucked. But at least his teams play with heart.
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:lol You know a team is struggling when fans pine for Torts.
Oh Torts sucked. But at least his teams play with heart.
I feel you, just gotta recognize how funny that is from an outside perspective.
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Nice of the Refs to stick it up the Blues a$$ in overtime against Vegas. FFS I know it's a cool story and all but a penalty is a penalty.....you're supposed to call them when they happen.
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F'n Bruins blow a 4-1 lead over the Sabres. THE SABRES!! :censored
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Nice of the Refs to stick it up the Blues a$$ in overtime against Vegas. FFS I know it's a cool story and all but a penalty is a penalty.....you're supposed to call them when they happen.
Right after I read this, the play came up on On The Fly. That was definitely a trip. The guy got "all foot".
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F'n Bruins blow a 4-1 lead over the Sabres. THE SABRES!! :censored
Love it. :tup :tup
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Nice of the Refs to stick it up the Blues a$$ in overtime against Vegas. FFS I know it's a cool story and all but a penalty is a penalty.....you're supposed to call them when they happen.
Right after I read this, the play came up on On The Fly. That was definitely a trip. The guy got "all foot".
There were (2) of those that happened within a minute of each other.....two non calls then Vegas gets a two on one rush down the ice and scores. Those non calls aren't what lost the game for the Blues....49 shots on goal and only (2) goals is.....but, clear...outright penalties not being called is a joke.
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So a guy's toe one inch over the line in a faceoff is an issue, but an absolute takedown by the ankles on a breakaway is OK?
I hear you.
It's so much worse in basketball.
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It's so much worse in basketball.
I cannot watch professional basketball. It has zero appeal to me. I'll watch college games but pro basketball is just silly in my eyes.
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Basketball is the worst of the major sports, and it's not particularly close.
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Great bounce-back victory agains the Kings last night after the debacle in Ottawa on Saturday. Nice to hand the best team in the West their first regulation loss. Marner had a terrific game given his struggles so far.
Again, what the hell is with the Rangers and Lundqvist? He looks terrible.
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Great bounce-back victory agains the Kings last night after the debacle in Ottawa on Saturday. Nice to hand the best team in the West their first regulation loss. Marner had a terrific game given his struggles so far.
Again, what the hell is with the Rangers and Lundqvist? He looks terrible.
That’s funny considering in a one on one interview in ‘The Athletic’ Drew Doughty was asked what he thought of the Leafs and he said they were fun to watch but had a LONG way to go before they were a real threat to win the Cup.
The interviewer failed to ask him why the woman who accused him of drugging and raping her suddenly dropped the case out of nowhere.
Doughty is a D bag
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Great bounce-back victory agains the Kings last night after the debacle in Ottawa on Saturday. Nice to hand the best team in the West their first regulation loss. Marner had a terrific game given his struggles so far.
Again, what the hell is with the Rangers and Lundqvist? He looks terrible.
That’s funny considering in a one on one interview in ‘The Athletic’ Drew Doughty was asked what he thought of the Leafs and he said they were fun to watch but had a LONG way to go before they were a real threat to win the Cup.
The interviewer failed to ask him why the woman who accused him of drugging and raping her suddenly dropped the case out of nowhere.
Doughty is a D bag
The local broadcast talked about Doughty's comments at length. To tell you the truth, I can't say I disagree with them. It was great to see Roman Polak sign a 1-year deal... gives the D some extra PK depth, and some grit/toughness they were sorely lacking. They do still have a long way to go, and I can totally see the team trading some offence to get a A or B list defenceman. They've got enough depth up front - the saying around here is that we have 10 Top-9 forwards. When Marner is on the "4th" line, that talks to the depth.
Problems may come next year when they have to sign all their 3rd year players - Matthews, Connor Brown (20-goal scorer last year), Nylander, Marner, Hyman (3rd man with Matthew/Nylander).
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The local broadcast talked about Doughty's comments at length. To tell you the truth, I can't say I disagree with them. It was great to see Roman Polak sign a 1-year deal... gives the D some extra PK depth, and some grit/toughness they were sorely lacking. They do still have a long way to go, and I can totally see the team trading some offence to get a A or B list defenceman. They've got enough depth up front - the saying around here is that we have 10 Top-9 forwards. When Marner is on the "4th" line, that talks to the depth.
Problems may come next year when they have to sign all their 3rd year players - Matthews, Connor Brown (20-goal scorer last year), Nylander, Marner, Hyman (3rd man with Matthew/Nylander).
I'm sure there is some substance to the thought that the Leafs aren't there yet. But, what rubbed me wrong was the 'tone' of the comment as almost like a dismissive....yeah, they're 'cute' right now but they ain't got nothin' on us. The dude has always came off as a jacka$$ and this interview didn't do much to help that image.
And the thing is....all it takes is a team getting hot at the right time entering the playoffs and they could win it. The Hurricanes did it when they won it all....Nashville rode out a hot streak to the Finals last year......it's not out of the question for the Leafs to hit the playoffs on a streak and then just keep it going.
IMO there isn't a great difference between a #8 seed and #1 seed anymore when it comes to hockey. All these teams are pretty good, it's an extra win here and there that really separates them. So, to think that the Leafs or any other "young" team don't have a shot is crazy. I think when the playoffs start that theres a legit 10-12 teams that could win the Cup in any given playoff. It's all about momentum, breaks going your way and good team work.
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And a hot goalie that can steal a game here and there.
To be fair, Carolina was the #2 seed in '06. Edmonton is the better example as the #8 seed that year - who started by taking out the Red Wings (who had 17 more wins that season)
IMO, any playoff team has a chance to win the cup. How many other examples of 1vs8 seeds over the years have looked like they would/should be over in 3 games, only to see the #1 seed playing golf 2 weeks later (see above)? I remember the Buffalo/Boston series in '93 - Bruins finished 8-0-0 to wrap the season, then were swept by the Sabres - who finished 23 points behind them in the Adams. Pretty much same story with Hawks/Blues that year (courtesy of a hot goalie in CuJo).
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IMO, any playoff team has a chance to win the cup. How many other examples of 1vs8 seeds over the years have looked like they would/should be over in 3 games, only to see the #1 seed playing golf 2 weeks later (see above)? I remember the Buffalo/Boston series in '93 - Bruins finished 8-0-0 to wrap the season, then were swept by the Sabres - who finished 23 points behind them in the Adams. Pretty much same story with Hawks/Blues that year (courtesy of a hot goalie in CuJo).
Yeah I agree, that's one of the things that makes the Stanley Cup Playoffs awesome to watch, any team 1 through 8 can win it.
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A few days late on this, but....
Yeah, I absolutely concur. No one is really safe or is a lock to beat any team in the playoffs. A lot of high variance in that one and unpredictability which makes it fun to watch, but nerve-wracking for the fans of the teams in the playoffs. This generation's Blackhawks, who I really thought would be absolutely indestructible, would be hard to beat against any team in the playoffs, they got swept against Predators in their big run last season and the Blackhawks hardly scored in that series. When the Kings won the cup in 2012, they were #8 in the Western Conference (but in all fairness, about two weeks prior to the end of the season, they were 1st in the Pacific, but teams like Sharks, Stars, and Coyotes was really close in the standings that it was anybody's ballgame to make it to the playoffs and win the Pacific Division). Heck, they beat the President's Trophy winner, Canucks, in 5 games.
That stated. The 2013 Blackhawks team was truly untouchable. They went like what, 25 games, without losing in regulation? It made me mad that year, especially when they were so untouchable at the Kings' expenses (they humiliated the Kings at the first game of the season and beat them in five in the conference finals). 2014 was a much better breather.
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Just checking in after two Phil Kessel OT winners in a row baby!! :metal
A few days late on this, but....
Yeah, I absolutely concur. No one is really safe or is a lock to beat any team in the playoffs. A lot of high variance in that one and unpredictability which makes it fun to watch, but nerve-wracking for the fans of the teams in the playoffs. This generation's Blackhawks, who I really thought would be absolutely indestructible, would be hard to beat against any team in the playoffs, they got swept against Predators in their big run last season and the Blackhawks hardly scored in that series. When the Kings won the cup in 2012, they were #8 in the Western Conference (but in all fairness, about two weeks prior to the end of the season, they were 1st in the Pacific, but teams like Sharks, Stars, and Coyotes was really close in the standings that it was anybody's ballgame to make it to the playoffs and win the Pacific Division). Heck, they beat the President's Trophy winner, Canucks, in 5 games.
Yup and all that makes hockey incredibly fun to watch. With the salary cap in the league, and frankly the talent pool being stretched kinda thin, teams better work or else anyone can beat anyone any given night.
That stated. The 2013 Blackhawks team was truly untouchable. They went like what, 25 games, without losing in regulation? It made me mad that year, especially when they were so untouchable at the Kings' expenses (they humiliated the Kings at the first game of the season and beat them in five in the conference finals). 2014 was a much better breather.
The record holding 92-93 Pens would like a word with you.
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So I'll just admit right now how wrong i was about vegas. I think i said no more than 60 points this season, or something stupid like that. They're killing it. Neal is playing like the 40 goal scorer of years past, and they're running with an AHL goalie. I'm wondering if they could actually make the playoffs this season?
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So I'll just admit right now how wrong i was about vegas. I think i said no more than 60 points this season, or something stupid like that. They're killing it. Neal is playing like the 40 goal scorer of years past, and they're running with an AHL goalie. I'm wondering if they could actually make the playoffs this season?
I'll be quite stunned if the shine on them doesn't wear off fast. I suppose it's possible, but given the competition in the West, highly improbably for them to make the playoffs. On the whole, the teams that are better than them (in no particular order) - Chicago, St.L, Edmonton, Dallas, Anaheim, San Jose, LA, Nashville... probably Winnipeg and Minnesota as well. Calgary is going to be very competitive too. Some of those aren't exactly firing on all cylinders yet, but I can't see VGK out-performing them over 82 games.
Look, I'm not knocking an 8-1 start. But....
- they haven't exactly played the toughest teams (AZ twice, Buf, and Col)
- 4 of their wins have been by 1 goal (with a 5th win having an empty netter). Good on them to hold that lead or take the OT win, but they could've dropped those just as easily as they won them.
- they got a very generous call in the St.L OT win
- 6 home games, 3 vs Eastern Conference teams who might be a little fatigued
- teams may have under-estimated them coming out of the gate
The real test comes now - 6-game road swing, and 14 of their next 20 are on the road.
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On The Fly is FANTASTIC this morning!!! :heart
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So I'll just admit right now how wrong i was about vegas. I think i said no more than 60 points this season, or something stupid like that. They're killing it. Neal is playing like the 40 goal scorer of years past, and they're running with an AHL goalie. I'm wondering if they could actually make the playoffs this season?
I'll be quite stunned if the shine on them doesn't wear off fast. I suppose it's possible, but given the competition in the West, highly improbably for them to make the playoffs. On the whole, the teams that are better than them (in no particular order) - Chicago, St.L, Edmonton, Dallas, Anaheim, San Jose, LA, Nashville... probably Winnipeg and Minnesota as well. Calgary is going to be very competitive too. Some of those aren't exactly firing on all cylinders yet, but I can't see VGK out-performing them over 82 games.
Look, I'm not knocking an 8-1 start. But....
- they haven't exactly played the toughest teams (AZ twice, Buf, and Col)
- 4 of their wins have been by 1 goal (with a 5th win having an empty netter). Good on them to hold that lead or take the OT win, but they could've dropped those just as easily as they won them.
- they got a very generous call in the St.L OT win
- 6 home games, 3 vs Eastern Conference teams who might be a little fatigued
- teams may have under-estimated them coming out of the gate
The real test comes now - 6-game road swing, and 14 of their next 20 are on the road.
Oh, i realize it's still early. That being said, i would have bet my house they wouldn't start 8-1.
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Vegas will come back down to earth like Jingle said, great to see them start well though. Always good for an expansion team to actually be decent.
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With Vegas, I agree, it is an amazing start (more wins than the expansion Capitals got in a full season, fun fact), but everything Jingle said will contribute down the road, as well as the unfortunate string of goalie injuries they are now having. At the 41 game mark it'll be great to see how they are doing. Even if they miss the playoffs it's a great start by them, and if they do make the playoffs it'll be awesome to watch.
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I would think that Vegas is also facing backup goaltenders for the most part, no?
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Pre- season i predicted no more than 60pts. I think they could easily get 75+ with the head start they've given themselves, but surely only an actual, home-bred, VGK fan would think they actually have a shot at the playoffs.
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I would think that Vegas is also facing backup goaltenders for the most part, no?
Good point. Quick review of the box scores tells us they got Dallas' backup after Bishop got injured; AZ... does it really matter?! They got Jimmy Howard against Detroit; Rask against Boston; Johnson against Buf; Allen against St.L; Crawford against Chi; Varmalav against Col; Halak against NYI; and King Henrik against NYR.
So no... it doesn't look like they're getting too many backups.
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Well the Pens got out of the month of October in better shape than I thought they would. Between the crazy amount of games they have played over the last two years, the number of games and travel on their schedule for the month, the number of back-to-backs they had, and the usual Stanley Cup hangover, I'm happy with their first month. Tons of room to improve and lots to work on, but honestly a better start than I thought they would have.
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Flyers posting a great shutout of the Blues tonight, especially considering the Flyers have 4 defensemen injured.
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Flyers posting a great shutout of the Blues tonight, especially considering the Flyers have 4 defensemen injured.
Your goalie stood on his head.....the flyers must have had 25 blocked shots also...maybe 30. They played a good game. Blues were 'off' a bit all night though. I knew after our first PP when we had 9 shots on goal and didn't score it was going to be a long night. Tarasenko misses the net 4 times, two of which should have been buried...hits a post...yadda yadda yadda. Can't win em all. that was their first loss at home this season so can't complain too much.
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Figures that the first time this season that my brother and I meet a favorite cousin at a sports bar to watch a Blues game, they get shut out. :lol :facepalm:
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Flyers posting a great shutout of the Blues tonight, especially considering the Flyers have 4 defensemen injured.
Your goalie stood on his head.....the flyers must have had 25 blocked shots also...maybe 30. They played a good game. Blues were 'off' a bit all night though. I knew after our first PP when we had 9 shots on goal and didn't score it was going to be a long night. Tarasenko misses the net 4 times, two of which should have been buried...hits a post...yadda yadda yadda. Can't win em all. that was their first loss at home this season so can't complain too much.
Goalie played great, but as you said, blocked shots as well, Provorov had over 10 himself.
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Is there a bigger douche in the NHL than Brooks Orpick?
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Brad Marchand
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:lol
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Excited to see that the Senators finally acquired Duchene. They pulled him off ice mid game :lol
Gonna miss Turris and Hammond (to a degree), though.
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Excited to see that the Senators finally acquired Duchene. They pulled him off ice mid game :lol
Gonna miss Turris and Hammond (to a degree), though.
Oh shoot. I didn't hear that. I love Turris. He's a Bruins killer.
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Interesting 3-Way Trade
To Ottawa
Matt Duchene
To Nashville
Kyle Turris
To Colorado
Samuel Girard
Vlad Kamenev
Shane Bowers
Andrew Hammond
2nd Round pick in 2018
1st and 3rd round picks from Ottawa
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Man, today's Kings/Ducks went the way I honestly did not expect for their first meeting of the regular season. That game was nasty as f. Kings took a five minute major from what it looked like a regular "finishing the check on a player just after the player passed the puck," but then the guy got nailed hard and looked to be out of the game which caused the penalty. Then the Kings were down 2-0, then Kopitar managed to score one after all hope looked lost in the first.
Then the second period came, and the LA Kings insider, Jon Rosen, said it best on Twitter, "I feel we all aged 15 years during that second period." Corey Perry continues to be a dickhead and getting in Quick's area a little too much for comfort and Quick got into his face, both guys and Forbort (a Kings' defensemen) got a penalty in that mess. Then it became 3-1 and then Adrian Kempe manage to keep that light shining at the last minute of the second scoring a goal.
And then the third...... It was nice when Dustin Brown scored and the Kings finally tied it up capitalizing on a Ducks' too many on ice penalty. I felt like, "Oh thank goodness. Hopefully, we can go back to square one and hope for a clean hockey game to finish it off." That did not happen. Kings scored twice and both goals were disallowed. One because of an offside and the other because the goalie's mask fell off after taking a shot to the mask before the puck went in the net and then he was out and Ryan Miller (I didn't even know he was with the Ducks now) was in.
Thankfully, Kings got found a great position on a two on one in OT and got it done. I feel like this game was the best of times for the Kings and the worst of times where it felt like they got the bad end of the ref calls for the most part of the game. I need to catch my breath now.
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Awesome to hear that rivalries heating up this early in the season, and delivering awesome hockey. :tup
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Nice home/home victories by the Leafs... albeit over a beat up Bruins squad. 3-game win streak now with Auston Matthews nursing an injury, the team keeping the GAA to 2 or less, and now 5 days rest for the team. :coolio
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Brutal game. Leafs just throw it at the net and it goes in. the Bruins worked too hard even for what little they got.
I'm a Mitch Marner guy, even before he schooled Rask last night. That was a laser. What is he, the first 14 y/o to score a goal in an NHL game?
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Rask is paid to be elite but has not lived up to his contract at all.
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Not even close. And not that he's bad either. But Chiarelli was handing out huge contracts like candy. Krejhi? C'mon.
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1st goal was a bad giveaway and laser by MM. 2nd, well executed power play goal. 3rd... puck came in bouncing like it was in a pinball machine - hard to fault Rask there. Mcelhinney robbed the B's on more than a couple of occasions. The loss certainly wasn't for lack of offensive effort. Just one of those games. I'd have been more frustrated with Fridays loss. The Bs snatched defeat right from the jaws of victory.
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Elite goalies make unbelievable one or 2 saves that keep you in the game. Rask does not.
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Elite goalies make unbelievable one or 2 saves that keep you in the game. Rask does not.
Exactly. He is a great goalie and I would certainly rank him in the top half of the league, but he will never be like Price and Talbot or Lundqvist and Quick in their prime.
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Elite goalies make unbelievable one or 2 saves that keep you in the game. Rask does not.
Exactly. He is a great goalie and I would certainly rank him in the top half of the league, but he will never be like Price and Talbot or Lundqvist and Quick in their prime.
Not the best examples (other than Quick) to use given the start of this year. :lol Henrik seems to have come around, but man was he bad in October.
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Elite goalies make unbelievable one or 2 saves that keep you in the game. Rask does not.
Exactly. He is a great goalie and I would certainly rank him in the top half of the league, but he will never be like Price and Talbot or Lundqvist and Quick in their prime.
Not the best examples (other than Quick) to use given the start of this year. :lol Henrik seems to have come around, but man was he bad in October.
Well that’s why I said in their prime lol. Six years ago there was no goalie better than Hank.
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Elite goalies make unbelievable one or 2 saves that keep you in the game. Rask does not.
Thus far this young season this is what the Blues goalies have been doing, especially Jake Allen. He makes at least three saves a game that are highlight reel....that keeps the momentum from shifting and often time that allows the Blues to get it together.
I don't know how sustainable this will be....game against the Islanders the other night was an example of the entire team just being flat all at once which I guess is inevitable, but back to your post....it's nice to have a goalie(s) that can come up with some momentum saving or changing saves when you need it.
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I don't know how sustainable this will be....game against the Islanders the other night was an example of the entire team just being flat all at once which I guess is inevitable
Yeo said after the game that it was 3rd game in a row that they came out flat at the start, and then make a comment about how that happens when you start feeling too good about yourselves. I would expect their new few practices to be ass-kickers. :lol :lol
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I don't know how sustainable this will be....game against the Islanders the other night was an example of the entire team just being flat all at once which I guess is inevitable
Yeo said after the game that it was 3rd game in a row that they came out flat at the start, and then make a comment about how that happens when you start feeling too good about yourselves. I would expect their new few practices to be ass-kickers. :lol :lol
Yeah, I read that also and I agree. They'll probably be hating practices for the next couple weeks.
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The oilers are an absolute dumpster fire this year. Sigh.
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The oilers are an absolute dumpster fire this year. Sigh.
Why are they such a train wreck? Lack of depth after McD and Draisaitl??
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I still can’t beleive the Blues got Schenn for Lehtera and a couple picks. I’d have just given Lehtera away for free. Schenn has found himself quite a good spot and is playing on the top 5 on 5 line in the league. Oh, and he has a 7 game point streak going as well(5 g 10 a) in that span
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The oilers are an absolute dumpster fire this year. Sigh.
Why are they such a train wreck? Lack of depth after McD and Draisaitl??
That's definitely part of the problem. Nuge is having a good season, but Lucic and Maroon are all but useless. No Sekera hurts on the back end, and Klefbom is having a down offensive year. And to top it all off, Talbot is playing like he did in his first season in Edmonton (i.e terrible). It's going to be a long season, likely ending in no playoffs.
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I still can’t beleive the Blues got Schenn for Lehtera and a couple picks. I’d have just given Lehtera away for free. Schenn has found himself quite a good spot and is playing on the top 5 on 5 line in the league. Oh, and he has a 7 game point streak going as well(5 g 10 a) in that span
Highway robbery is what that trade ended up being. :tup :tup
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I still can’t beleive the Blues got Schenn for Lehtera and a couple picks. I’d have just given Lehtera away for free. Schenn has found himself quite a good spot and is playing on the top 5 on 5 line in the league. Oh, and he has a 7 game point streak going as well(5 g 10 a) in that span
Highway robbery is what that trade ended up being. :tup :tup
Not accustomed to trades working out like that for the Blues. The player we trade usually goes on to play insanely good and the player we get usually has a career ending injury or forgets how to ice skate.
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Bittersweet loss for the Leafs. There was a 13-year old kid at the game whose favorite player is Ovie. He got to hang with the team pre-game, on the bench for the warmups, read the starting lineup for them in the dressing room, then watch Ovie play lights out a fireoff a hattie. Ovie even said in the post-game interview that he (pulled a Babe) told the kid he'd score for him tonight.
Been a great Hockey Fights Cancer week. Highlight had to be Brian Boyle's goal, then the crowd chanting his name (can't find video of it anywhere, but I caught that highlight). Awesome.
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Picture taken from David Backes' Twitter. Just announcing that I just had his baby. Not sure who that crazy woman is holding him. The baby's last name is actually going to be TAC-kes!
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DRvS7meV4AAI2AM.jpg)
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So I'm reading the Olympic tropes on TVTropes.org and that got me thinking about the upcoming Winter Olympics which naturally leads to thinking about the idea of no NHL players will be playing in the Olympic games. I understand that there were a lot of thinking and pros and cons that goes into the decision for Bettman and the team owners to make the decision to not send the NHL players in the Olympic hockey tournament. I know that most people that follow hockey on any level would say that "Bettman is an idiot," regarding the decision (well, they always say that about him), but what about you guys?
For me, I'm a bit bummed to not see NHL players in the Olympics since that's what I'm always pumped for when it comes to the Winter Olympic games (I'm always more pumped for the Winter Olympic games in general over the summer games) and to see which hockey superpower country reigns supreme in those games (highly likely that it will be Canada). On the other hand, I can see why Bettman and the league owners do not want to send their players, since the NHL does not profit from it directly and have to stop their season for a few weeks and in terms of insurance coverage for their players and the chaos that goes if one of their key players get injured during the Olympics.
So anyway, I just want to open that up for discussion.
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I'm bummed about it too... first time since what, '98 that we don't get NHL players at the Olympics? I completely understand why (what you mentioned, and also because of it being in Korea - not a big gateway market for the NHL, plus time-zone differences limit viewing and exposure), but it is a bummer. Unfortunately, we don't have the next World Cup until 2020, so it'll be a long time before we see best-on-best again.
Also gotta say that I'm due for a nice helping of crow soon... Vegas looks legit as fuck. And that is shocking as fuck.
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Vegas!!! :metal
Personally, I have no interest in the NHLers ever playing in the Olympics. Leave it to the kids. I actually find that more interesting. I hate shutting down the league for it.
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Well, we've got lots of other tourney's to showcase kids/amateurs - World Jr's start today. Also the Spengler Cup, Under-17, World Championships... Personally, I'll take best-on-best anytime I can get it.
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Without a doubt, I'm disappointed the Olympic tournament will be missing NHLers. As mentioned by others, i don't want to wait until the world cup for a best - on - best.
And i already conceded defeat on the Vegas issue. Pre- season i predicted Vegas would finish with 60pts max. They might hit that by the half way mark.
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Also gotta say that I'm due for a nice helping of crow soon... Vegas looks legit as fuck. And that is shocking as fuck.
Just to add insult to injury they'll probably win a Cup before the Blues or Leafs do....
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I think we’ve discussed the Olypmic thing here before, my stance hasn’t changed- I totally get why the NHL doesn’t want to do it anymore, it’s not what’s best for their business. Personally, I think it’s cool to see those guys play in the Olypmics but I think it’ll be cool to see other players represent their countries as well.
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I think we’ve discussed the Olypmic thing here before, my stance hasn’t changed- I totally get why the NHL doesn’t want to do it anymore, it’s not what’s best for their business. Personally, I think it’s cool to see those guys play in the Olypmics but I think it’ll be cool to see other players represent their countries as well.
This is where I'm at.
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Man, still salty the next day that the Devils only got one point in STL last night. Go ahead goal overturned in the third and then a couple chances where I don't know how they didn't go in late in the third and in OT. Knew we'd lose if it went to a shootout.
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Man, still salty the next day that the Devils only got one point in STL last night. Go ahead goal overturned in the third and then a couple chances where I don't know how they didn't go in late in the third and in OT. Knew we'd lose if it went to a shootout.
Couple great saves :lol It was a good game. Blues could have came out of the 1st period up 3-0 if not for a post and a crossbar.....then the second and third it was pretty much back and forth with good action both ways.
And despite the offside's call going for the Blues I'd still be ticked if that happened to my team. IMO that play isn't why the replay use was put into place. I mean, his skate 'technically' was off the ice so that's why he was offside but they have to amend that rule to have the Blue line project upwards or something because something like that call last night shouldn't happen.
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Yeah, the blue line should be measured vertically as well, not just on the ice. That would solve a lot of these challenge problems.
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Yeah, I only caught the third period and beyond but it was plenty entertaining. This is I think the second straight game where we had a go-ahead goal in the third overturned on a *very* close offsides. If not two in a row than two out of three.
It is nice though just to have a reason to be annoyed at games halfway into the year, definitely overall gone way better than I would have expected.
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Yeah, the blue line should be measured vertically as well, not just on the ice. That would solve a lot of these challenge problems.
I mean, if 'we' here have been saying this for two years now....you'd have to imagine it's been brought up at meetings or something? Why wouldn't you change it? What's the downside?
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Just found this thread...
I'm way stoked at how my Kings are playing. Much better than expected. While I loved Darryl Sutter's approach that brought us two Cups in three years, it's awesome to see the team loosened up offensively, and the team is still ranked first in goals against and PK%. Even better, Kopitar, Brown, Doughty and Quick are playing like they're on a mission. Gaborik has come back strong from his injury, and the new kids -- especially Adrian Kempe -- are contributing and playing smart hockey. I'm really looking forward to what happens when Jeff Carter comes back and the playoffs start. More brutal series against San Jose and Anaheim...
And Vegas?? WTF? I had that franchise pegged as a failure right out of the box, but someone must have made a pact with Satan. Their coach and GM are shoe-ins for postseason hardware unless things change dramatically.
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With Vegas I also wonder what an early season losing skid, as opposed to such a strong start would have made for the franchise. With losses, especially with the excess of players you could see a lot of changes and experimenting, which could have further hurt things. But they started strong and have never looked back.
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Just found this thread...
I'm way stoked at how my Kings are playing. Much better than expected. While I loved Darryl Sutter's approach that brought us two Cups in three years, it's awesome to see the team loosened up offensively, and the team is still ranked first in goals against and PK%. Even better, Kopitar, Brown, Doughty and Quick are playing like they're on a mission. Gaborik has come back strong from his injury, and the new kids -- especially Adrian Kempe -- are contributing and playing smart hockey. I'm really looking forward to what happens when Jeff Carter comes back and the playoffs start. More brutal series against San Jose and Anaheim...
And Vegas?? WTF? I had that franchise pegged as a failure right out of the box, but someone must have made a pact with Satan. Their coach and GM are shoe-ins for postseason hardware unless things change dramatically.
Yep, all of the above, this. I concur.
The Pacific Division is already a tough division with the three California teams mainly front and center and teams like Flames and Oilers do not like seem like punching bags of the past (well, for the most part). Vegas being really good so far this season makes this division really competitive.
I'm just glad the Kings are in the thick of it (unlike last year). Now they just need some good decisive wins (i.e. in regulation wins) over Golden Knights in the remaining games against them and maintain playing good hockey, and everything should be all right.
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Ugh... Leafs are into their old habits of blowing 3rd period leads - 2nd time this season to the Flyers, and 3 out of their last 4 games (and the 4th, they gave up the winning goal with <3 mins to go. Lots of offensive slumps - Kadri has 1 point in his last 18 games (and truthfully, I thought that was a goal that should've been called back). Hopefully this is just January blues. Anderson is the only reason they've snuck away with a couple of OTL points. Dude is regularly called on to make god-tier saves.
Thankfully, the rest of the Atlantic is so shyte, it would take a monumental slump to put the playoff position at risk.
Really nice tribute to Lindross last night. Man that guy was fun to watch play. One of my fave players from the 90s. For a guy that had never played an NHL game, he was a beast in the '91 Canada Cup.
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How about them B's!!!
Bergeron with 2 hat tricks in 3 games.
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How about them B's!!!
Bergeron with 2 hat tricks in 3 games.
They've been on fire! I saw a stat on Rask the other night that he's only got like 1 regular time loss since the beginning of December!?!?! :omg:
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They've got a point in the last 17 games. Crazy!
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Molson Canadian has Original 6 bottles!
(https://i.imgur.com/pfoIqfc.jpg)
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Molson Canadian has Original 6 bottles!
(https://i.imgur.com/pfoIqfc.jpg)
Love it!
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Except for the fact it's Molson Canadian (Canada's version of Coors Light), that's awesome. Would've been better with the stubby neck bottle.
HOCKEY DAY IN CANADA today!!!!
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Except for the fact it's Molson Canadian (Canada's version of Coors Light), that's awesome. Would've been better with the stubby neck bottle.
HOCKEY DAY IN CANADA today!!!!
Molson makes Coors Light in Canada, so that's not quite right. And Canadian is 5% instead of 4%. Still garbage though, so I'm just arguing semantics here
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I like Coors regular, but I don’t drink light beers.
I’m definitely a Moosehead guy, but I saw these and wanted a set.
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I like Coors regular, but I don’t drink light beers.
I’m definitely a Moosehead guy, but I saw these and wanted a set.
Moosehead huh? Are you Canadian?
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I like Coors regular, but I don’t drink light beers.
I’m definitely a Moosehead guy, but I saw these and wanted a set.
Moosehead huh? Are you Canadian?
Nope. Just south of Boston.
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A knucklehead, yes.
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(https://pics.me.me/what-did-you-say-nfl-memes-ididintoute-catch-that-i-14196986.png)
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I like Coors regular, but I don’t drink light beers.
I’m definitely a Moosehead guy, but I saw these and wanted a set.
Moosehead huh? Are you Canadian?
Nope. Just south of Boston.
Do they sell moosehead down there?
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Yes they do. It's everywhere.
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Yes they do. It's everywhere.
Like Chicken Man
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Like getting points in 16 games in a row!
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Yes they do. It's everywhere.
Like Chicken Man
Bom Bom Bom Bom
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Thought the Leafs were on their way to a 5th loss in a row with a brutal 2nd period, but they came out guns a blazing in the 3rd, and managed to hang on in the end.
Now they host the Avalanche tomorrow - 9 wins in a row! :omg: Calgary was on the verge of an 8th straight win yesterday, and Flyers have won 6 of 7. Lots of streaks going on at the moment.
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Lots of streaks going on at the moment.
Fortunately, my Kings ended their relatively brief losing streak with a nice 4-2 win over the Rangers last night. Now we just need to weather the next month with only two home games (how the fuck does that happen?!). As usual, the top of the Western Conference is logjammed, so we aren't going to have much clarity until April.
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Holy. Fucking. Knights.
Prior to the Bolts win last night they led the league with 66 points. They are now 1 point behind and have a game in hand on the Bolts and at least 1 game in hand on the 3 teams behind them.
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Holy. Fucking. Knights.
Prior to the Bolts win last night they led the league with 66 points. They are now 1 point behind and have a game in hand on the Bolts and at least 1 game in hand on the 3 teams behind them.
Yeah. They are legit as fuck. Gallant ought to be hands down winner of the Jack Adams.
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Holy. Fucking. Knights.
Prior to the Bolts win last night they led the league with 66 points. They are now 1 point behind and have a game in hand on the Bolts and at least 1 game in hand on the 3 teams behind them.
Yeah. They are legit as fuck. Gallant ought to be hands down winner of the Jack Adams.
It'll be another solid swift kick in the nuts to Blues fans as yet another expansion team wins a Cup before they do.
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Holy. Fucking. Knights.
Prior to the Bolts win last night they led the league with 66 points. They are now 1 point behind and have a game in hand on the Bolts and at least 1 game in hand on the 3 teams behind them.
Yeah. They are legit as fuck. Gallant ought to be hands down winner of the Jack Adams.
It'll be another solid swift kick in the nuts to Blues fans as yet another expansion team wins a Cup before they do.
I'll generally watch other games when I can, but haven't much this year and regret that I actually haven't seen the Knights play at all this year so far. That said we do have tickets for when they come to Philly in March.
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Holy. Fucking. Knights.
Prior to the Bolts win last night they led the league with 66 points. They are now 1 point behind and have a game in hand on the Bolts and at least 1 game in hand on the 3 teams behind them.
Yeah. They are legit as fuck. Gallant ought to be hands down winner of the Jack Adams.
It'll be another solid swift kick in the nuts to Blues fans as yet another expansion team wins a Cup before they do.
I'll generally watch other games when I can, but haven't much this year and regret that I actually haven't seen the Knights play at all this year so far. That said we do have tickets for when they come to Philly in March.
They're like a pack of swarming bees.
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Holy. Fucking. Knights.
Prior to the Bolts win last night they led the league with 66 points. They are now 1 point behind and have a game in hand on the Bolts and at least 1 game in hand on the 3 teams behind them.
Yeah. They are legit as fuck. Gallant ought to be hands down winner of the Jack Adams.
It'll be another solid swift kick in the nuts to Blues fans as yet another expansion team wins a Cup before they do.
I'll generally watch other games when I can, but haven't much this year and regret that I actually haven't seen the Knights play at all this year so far. That said we do have tickets for when they come to Philly in March.
They're like a pack of swarming bees.
Yup they are definitely super impressive and reflective of this entire season thus far (at least from my perspective) in that a lot of unexpected teams are killing it right now and some of the more "premier" franchises of the last decade, not so much.
When the Devils, Jets, Knights, and Flames are sitting pretty while the Oilers, Black hawks, Pens, and Wild are all on the outside looking in - you know it's been an interesting year :lol
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^ add Colorado and Montreal/Ottawa to that list of 'surprises'. Philly too.... considering they went winless in 10 games back in Nov/Dec.
It's gonna be a fun 2nd half to the season.
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The Oil this year are like the Avs from the first 2 seasons under Roy. They went from near last to a playoff team back to near last over 3 seasons. At first I was hoping they were just slow to start, but as the season has gone on it's been clear that they just don't have the horses this year. Also, Talbot is playing like Talbot from year 1, which is to say poorly.
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^ add Colorado and Montreal/Ottawa to that list of 'surprises'. Philly too.... considering they went winless in 10 games back in Nov/Dec.
Yup! No doubt, there are honestly a ton of surprises, I just typed the ones that came to mind right away.
The Oil this year are like the Avs from the first 2 seasons under Roy. They went from near last to a playoff team back to near last over 3 seasons. At first I was hoping they were just slow to start, but as the season has gone on it's been clear that they just don't have the horses this year. Also, Talbot is playing like Talbot from year 1, which is to say poorly.
This is all of Pittsburgh right now. The Pens had a crazy difficult schedule for the first 6 weeks of the season, so everyone just wrote it off as a slow start and have been waiting for the team to go on a run. In all honestly, I don't know if there is enough fuel in the tank of this team to put together a run. It's a combination of a LOT of factors that I could write about till the season ends, but in short, where they stand today I give the 2 time, back to back, defending champs (who I have loved since I was young) a 50/50 shot to even make the playoffs. Weird season.
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I'll generally watch other games when I can, but haven't much this year and regret that I actually haven't seen the Knights play at all this year so far. That said we do have tickets for when they come to Philly in March.
Are y'all in Philly hearing talk of a Wayne Simmonds for Tanner Pearson trade between the Flyers and Kings? A fairly well-connected blogger for the Kings posted about the possibility a couple days ago, and I'm not sure how I feel about it. Simmonds is the one guy that the Kings have let go in the past 5-10 whom I really miss, but the trade paved the way for the Kings to win their first Cup. He's better now and in the prime of his career, so I'd love to have him back, but I'm not sure giving up Pearson is a great thing.
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I'll generally watch other games when I can, but haven't much this year and regret that I actually haven't seen the Knights play at all this year so far. That said we do have tickets for when they come to Philly in March.
Are y'all in Philly hearing talk of a Wayne Simmonds for Tanner Pearson trade between the Flyers and Kings? A fairly well-connected blogger for the Kings posted about the possibility a couple days ago, and I'm not sure how I feel about it. Simmonds is the one guy that the Kings have let go in the past 5-10 whom I really miss, but the trade paved the way for the Kings to win their first Cup. He's better now and in the prime of his career, so I'd love to have him back, but I'm not sure giving up Pearson is a great thing.
I haven't heard about it, but I would be open to that trade. Simmonds is a physical net front presence, but a smaller person for that role. While he has excelled in that capacity and especially on the power play I don't find him to be a driving presence at 5v5 and he is not overly great defensively either. Considering his age and the way he has played his game he'll be commanding way too much after next season when it comes time for a new contract. I see a sharp decline for him at some point, and while I think he will rebound from this poor season a bit, we could already be seeing it.
I'll happily chip in Lehtera is that helps at all. :p
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We’ll take Simmonds!!
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^ add Colorado and Montreal/Ottawa to that list of 'surprises'. Philly too.... considering they went winless in 10 games back in Nov/Dec.
Yup! No doubt, there are honestly a ton of surprises, I just typed the ones that came to mind right away.
The Oil this year are like the Avs from the first 2 seasons under Roy. They went from near last to a playoff team back to near last over 3 seasons. At first I was hoping they were just slow to start, but as the season has gone on it's been clear that they just don't have the horses this year. Also, Talbot is playing like Talbot from year 1, which is to say poorly.
This is all of Pittsburgh right now. The Pens had a crazy difficult schedule for the first 6 weeks of the season, so everyone just wrote it off as a slow start and have been waiting for the team to go on a run. In all honestly, I don't know if there is enough fuel in the tank of this team to put together a run. It's a combination of a LOT of factors that I could write about till the season ends, but in short, where they stand today I give the 2 time, back to back, defending champs (who I have loved since I was young) a 50/50 shot to even make the playoffs. Weird season.
At least the Pens have an excuse. They barely turned over their roster during the off season, so those guys have played a lot of puck the past 2 seasons.
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At least the Pens have an excuse. They barely turned over their roster during the off season, so those guys have played a lot of puck the past 2 seasons.
I hate to make excuses for teams I root for, but, yeah. There are several specific examples of simple fatigue showing itself, especially with our core players. The amount of hockey those guys have played over the last 2+ years is insane, two Stanley Cup runs plus the World Cup of Hockey.
That said, there are several more practical reasons they are not as good this year. Role players are not playing as well as role players did the last two years. The young call ups aren't contributing as much as our call ups have the last couple years. The goal tending has not been great, it mostly had been over the last few years, etc...etc...
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I'll happily chip in Lehtera is that helps at all. :p
I’m still baffled and utterly delighted that the Blues found a team to take him AND give us a player who has fit in well.
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We’ll take Simmonds!!
Yeah, everyone would for free, you offering up something better than Tanner Pearson?
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It'll be another solid swift kick in the nuts to Blues fans as yet another expansion team wins a Cup before they do.
My hockey balls feel no pain anymore. Too many swift kicks have numbed them.
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We’ll take Simmonds!!
Yeah, everyone would for free, you offering up something better than Tanner Pearson?
(https://memecrunch.com/meme/BHRU7/pretty-please/image.gif?w=500&c=1)
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Leafs nearly got hosed last night.
On Monday (vs the Avalanche), Matthews had a goal called back after review because he impeded the goaltender's stick while (mildly) in the crease. Now, there was about a 4% chance that a save could've been made without the interference, but by the letter of the rule, it was interference. Bummer call, but it is what it is. Goal was initially allowed, then called back.
Last night... Chicago has a virtually identical play... Hawks player has his foot fully in the crease, and while Andersen is sprawled out reaching to make a save, the Hawks player is 100% impeding Andersen's ability to use his stick. Again, very small chance he would've been able to make the save, but it was upheld on review.
I don't believe I'm being a homer here, the plays were far too similar - player impedes goalie's stick; wouldn't have made a difference to their ability to make the save - one is a good goal; one is called back. I'm also not calling 'conspiracy', just 'inconsistency'.
Thankfully, they got the win in OT, but a regular time victory would've been nicer - the Leafs haven't had one of those in over a month.
Also... I hate it when sportscasters call out some statistical streak, because invariably it's a jinx. Last night, it's highlighted that Chicago is 0-32 on the PP at home over their last 10 home games. Not 30 seconds later what happens.... Chicago goes up 1-0 with a PPG. :zeltar: This happens so often. I remember an NFL game, and Jim Nance announces that the FG kicker has hit 49 straight FGs under 30 yards (or something like that). What happens... SHANK!
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Leafs nearly got hosed last night.
On Monday (vs the Avalanche), Matthews had a goal called back after review because he impeded the goaltender's stick while (mildly) in the crease. Now, there was about a 4% chance that a save could've been made without the interference, but by the letter of the rule, it was interference. Bummer call, but it is what it is. Goal was initially allowed, then called back.
Last night... Chicago has a virtually identical play... Hawks player has his foot fully in the crease, and while Andersen is sprawled out reaching to make a save, the Hawks player is 100% impeding Andersen's ability to use his stick. Again, very small chance he would've been able to make the save, but it was upheld on review.
I don't believe I'm being a homer here, the plays were far too similar - player impedes goalie's stick; wouldn't have made a difference to their ability to make the save - one is a good goal; one is called back. I'm also not calling 'conspiracy', just 'inconsistency'.
Thankfully, they got the win in OT, but a regular time victory would've been nicer - the Leafs haven't had one of those in over a month.
Also... I hate it when sportscasters call out some statistical streak, because invariably it's a jinx. Last night, it's highlighted that Chicago is 0-32 on the PP at home over their last 10 home games. Not 30 seconds later what happens.... Chicago goes up 1-0 with a PPG. :zeltar: This happens so often. I remember an NFL game, and Jim Nance announces that the FG kicker has hit 49 straight FGs under 30 yards (or something like that). What happens... SHANK!
Yet another clear indicator that this league is fixed for the Patriots.
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I'm also not calling 'conspiracy', just 'inconsistency'.
This is my issue. When Refs allow everything and the kitchen sink to be done in after play scrums or what not for two periods but then end up calling your team for something that was far less worse than was going on for 40 minutes thus far, or not call an obvious hook or interference on one end of the ice but then three minutes later call it??
I get these guys are human and they won't see everything and what not....but there are countless times where the inconsistency places 'your' team in a bad spot or maybe even causes a loss. I'm looking at you Game Three of the Blues/Preds in last years playoffs. A loss for the Blues directly influenced by horrid...inconsistent officiating that changed the tide of the series.
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What's the deal with Jake Allen lately? Seems like he barely starts anymore, which is not helpful for my fantasy team :lol
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What's the deal with Jake Allen lately? Seems like he barely starts anymore, which is not helpful for my fantasy team :lol
The team went through a patch where their D sucked and we weren’t scoring and he was like 1-7. No offensive support. He took it hard and head cased out to where he couldn’t stop a beach ball.....Hutton got some starts and has been really good. Allen will be fine but Hutton is playing so well you can’t take the guy out.
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Leafs nearly got hosed last night.
On Monday (vs the Avalanche), Matthews had a goal called back after review because he impeded the goaltender's stick while (mildly) in the crease. Now, there was about a 4% chance that a save could've been made without the interference, but by the letter of the rule, it was interference. Bummer call, but it is what it is. Goal was initially allowed, then called back.
Last night... Chicago has a virtually identical play... Hawks player has his foot fully in the crease, and while Andersen is sprawled out reaching to make a save, the Hawks player is 100% impeding Andersen's ability to use his stick. Again, very small chance he would've been able to make the save, but it was upheld on review.
I don't believe I'm being a homer here, the plays were far too similar - player impedes goalie's stick; wouldn't have made a difference to their ability to make the save - one is a good goal; one is called back. I'm also not calling 'conspiracy', just 'inconsistency'.
Thankfully, they got the win in OT, but a regular time victory would've been nicer - the Leafs haven't had one of those in over a month.
Also... I hate it when sportscasters call out some statistical streak, because invariably it's a jinx. Last night, it's highlighted that Chicago is 0-32 on the PP at home over their last 10 home games. Not 30 seconds later what happens.... Chicago goes up 1-0 with a PPG. :zeltar: This happens so often. I remember an NFL game, and Jim Nance announces that the FG kicker has hit 49 straight FGs under 30 yards (or something like that). What happens... SHANK!
Yet another clear indicator that this league is fixed for the Patriots.
(https://replygif.net/i/156.gif)
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:lol
No comment.
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I have to hand it to the NHL for its All-Star weekend. REALLY entertaining.
For starters, I love how much screen time they gave to the women's Olympic hockey team. The tournament starting in a couple weeks should be very good, and I hope the U.S. can pull out a gold medal over Canada. Also, Hilary Knight is not only a badass hockey player, but also my not-so-secret crush (notwithstanding that she was born 4 years after I graduated high school).
The skills competition is just plain fun. MLB has home run derby, which just gets boring after a while because it's the same thing over and over and over for 8 hours or however long it is. The NBA has the slam dunk competition, which is just silly nowadays and doesn't attract top players anymore, and the 3-point competition, which is ok, but only really interesting if you're rooting for one of the competitors or someone is knocking down nearly every shot. And I don't even know what the NFL does for a skills competition. The NHL has a little bit of everything. Like fast skaters? Got it. Like 100+ mph slap shots? Got it. Like one-on-one skaters against goalies? Got it. And about six other events. Watching those guys putting pucks into tiny little nets and hitting targets from 50 feet is pretty amazing.
But the game itself is where the NHL really deserves credit. Up until a couple years ago, the game wasn't much better than the NFL Pro Bowl. Of course, it's understandable. You can't really play a legitimate all star hockey or football game under normal rules. You COULD play a legit all star basketball game, but the players simply refuse to play anything resembling defense. That's why the MLB always has had the best all star game -- especially back before interleague play and the players really cared about winning and losing (which is not a dig against interleague play). The advent of the 3-on-3 overtime int he NHL and the use of that format in the all star game really makes it fun. You get 3 mini-games that are fast-paced and pretty indicative of how the 3-on-3 format plays out in an actual game. Of course, it's way more high scoring than regular 5-on-5 hockey, but like I said, that's not a viable format for an all-star game.
Gary Bettman gets a lot of grief, and most of it is well-deserved, but he and the rest of the NHL's brass should get a lot of credit for what the all star weekend has become.
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I agree... the NHL has really evolved the skills competition, and all-star game over the past few years. Still some strides that can be made - that last stage of the puck-handling gauntlet was dumb. Putting up $25k for individual winners, and $1M for the winning team probably helped push the effort forward. Still a few too many instances of standing around and not playing defense, but man there were a lot of good defensive plays, and stellar saves too. How many of the goals were off the post? at least 5-6. Shows how good you've got to be to beat these netminders.
Overall, the most entertaining of the all the all-star games for sure, and the skills competition really shows how skilled they are. When Boeser can hit the targets in 11 seconds, and Kopitar takes 50 seconds ( :omg:), shows that there is a tremendous amount of skill. Same with Pieterangelo (46 seconds) vs Kucherov (1:40) in the passing challenge. Mad skills. It'd probably take me 46 minutes to get thru that challenge.
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Funny to see Marchand embrace the "bad guy" role.
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Funny to see Marchand embrace the "bad guy" role.
Not amused :censored
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I know but be did embrace it at the all star game.
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When Boeser can hit the targets in 11 seconds, and Kopitar takes 50 seconds ( :omg:), shows that there is a tremendous amount of skill. Same with Pieterangelo (46 seconds) vs Kucherov (1:40) in the passing challenge. Mad skills. It'd probably take me 46 minutes to get thru that challenge.
LOL! It was amazing how the times went down on the passing challenge with each player for the first half dozen guys, and thing of it is that, if they all had to do it over, the results would probably turn out completely different. I had to laugh when my guy Doughty just started firing the puck after he had some trouble and knew he wasn't going to win.
Funny to see Marchand embrace the "bad guy" role.
Ehh....it was basically, "if they think I'm a douchebag, I'll be a douchebag," which is pretty much exactly what he is.
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A 40 goal scoring douchebag. As Bill knows, he can't continue to do the cheap stuff. Be a pest but don't injure others.
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I have a big NHL All Star weekend post tomorrow...
Gary Bettman gets a lot of grief, and most of it is well-deserved, but he and the rest of the NHL's brass should get a lot of credit for what the all star weekend has become.
How is most of it well deserved?
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I have a big NHL All Star weekend post tomorrow...
Gary Bettman gets a lot of grief, and most of it is well-deserved, but he and the rest of the NHL's brass should get a lot of credit for what the all star weekend has become.
How is most of it well deserved?
Mostly because he has presided over three separate lockouts that resulted in the League losing a full season and two nearly half seasons. If you want to take the position that the blame for that falls on the owner and not Bettman, that's fine, but I don't agree.
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Do you really feel that Bettman is against the players? I don't. I think Bettman has worked pretty hard to get a system that works. I actually feel that Bettman wasn't necessarily acting solely as an agent of the owners, but more as saying, "Everyone, we are not going any further until we come to an agreement."
I don't think the players have it all that bad at all in the NHL.
pg1067, are you in an NHL city, and if so, may I ask which one?
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Do you really feel that Bettman is against the players? I don't. I think Bettman has worked pretty hard to get a system that works. I actually feel that Bettman wasn't necessarily acting solely as an agent of the owners, but more as saying, "Everyone, we are not going any further until we come to an agreement."
Bettman is FOR the owners - he was hired (and is paid for) by them after all. He cares about the players insomuch as they are the product his customer sells. I think he's a douche that has done plenty of good, and plenty of bad for the game - all on behalf of the owners. He's an incredibly intelligent individual, but I still hate him. Whether he deserves the hate or not, he's the captain of the owner's ship, and the captain takes responsibility. Other than the Illitch family, or your hometown owners, name me another owner of a hockey franchise. I can't. He is the face of the ownership.
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What has he done that's bad for the game?
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Just like Goodell.
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What has he done that's bad for the game?
3 lockouts in 20 years - only major sport to cancel and entire season
The toughest salary cap of the big-4 NA sports
Relocating both the Jets and Nordiques state-side - and still no expansion back into Quebec
Atlanta Thrashers
He started out hated, and never got out of the hole for a lot of people - American, never a 'hockey guy' and lock out just 2 years into his reign.
It's easier to hate one guy than 31 owners
By no means is he all bad, but those are the reasons I can't stand the guy.
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What has he done that's bad for the game?
3 lockouts in 20 years - only major sport to cancel and entire season
The toughest salary cap of the big-4 NA sports
Relocating both the Jets and Nordiques state-side - and still no expansion back into Quebec
Atlanta Thrashers
He started out hated, and never got out of the hole for a lot of people - American, never a 'hockey guy' and lock out just 2 years into his reign.
It's easier to hate one guy than 31 owners
By no means is he all bad, but those are the reasons I can't stand the guy.
For the record, I agree with most of what you said here. Just wanted to focus in on the bolded. Honest question - do Canadians really hold it against Bettman that he's American? Like is that really a factor? I've kinda gotten the vibe it was, and since you mentioned it, I thought I'd ask.
Largely, that's an interesting dynamic the NHL has to deal with that the other big NA leagues don't. Their game is largely a game rooted in the tradition of one country, run (basically) from one country, but the vast majority of the teams are not in that country.
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What has he done that's bad for the game?
3 lockouts in 20 years - only major sport to cancel and entire season
The toughest salary cap of the big-4 NA sports
Relocating both the Jets and Nordiques state-side - and still no expansion back into Quebec
Atlanta Thrashers
He started out hated, and never got out of the hole for a lot of people - American, never a 'hockey guy' and lock out just 2 years into his reign.
It's easier to hate one guy than 31 owners
By no means is he all bad, but those are the reasons I can't stand the guy.
For the record, I agree with most of what you said here. Just wanted to focus in on the bolded. Honest question - do Canadians really hold it against Bettman that he's American? Like is that really a factor? I've kinda gotten the vibe it was, and since you mentioned it, I thought I'd ask.
Largely, that's an interesting dynamic the NHL has to deal with that the other big NA leagues don't. Their game is largely a game rooted in the tradition of one country, run (basically) from one country, but the vast majority of the teams are not in that country.
re: Bettman being American. Not entirely... the fact he didn't know jack shit about the sport before getting the job is more of a rub. You couldn't say that about a single solitary Canadian. Most Americans (including hockey fans) cannot comprehend the passion for the league in Canada. I'll never forget seeing this chart back in 2010. It was estimated that 80% of the country watched that gold medal game. It was the most watched anything in the history of TV in Canada.
(https://i.bnet.com/blogs/epcor_edmonton_water_usage_flush_olympic_gold_game.jpg)
On your last part, it's simple economics. Depending on your standard of measure, the Canadian economy is typically between 7%-10% the size of the the US. By that factor, there should be at least 70 American teams to equate to the 7 Canadian teams. Nationality of NHL players is still dominated by Canadians - currently 46%
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Sorry, Chad, but the owners needed someone who could be the ultimate dick to everyone and no Canadian was fit for the position.
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Sorry, Chad, but the owners needed someone who could be the ultimate dick to everyone and no Canadian was fit for the position.
There is one.
;D
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Sorry, Chad, but the owners needed someone who could be the ultimate dick to everyone and no Canadian was fit for the position.
:clap:
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re: Bettman being American. Not entirely... the fact he didn't know jack shit about the sport before getting the job is more of a rub. You couldn't say that about a single solitary Canadian. Most Americans (including hockey fans) cannot comprehend the passion for the league in Canada. I'll never forget seeing this chart back in 2010. It was estimated that 80% of the country watched that gold medal game. It was the most watched anything in the history of TV in Canada.
Interesting, I generally agree with your point, but I will say as an American fan while I respect the tradition and passion Canada has for the game - it kinda makes sense that Bettman (as an American) got the gig. Like you said he's for the owners and basically works for their best interests, and with most of the teams being in the US it makes sense the owners would want a US guy because (I'm assuming) most of those owners are American or at the very least live in America the majority of the time. Not saying it was a good call on their part, just saying.
On your last part, it's simple economics. Depending on your standard of measure, the Canadian economy is typically between 7%-10% the size of the the US. By that factor, there should be at least 70 American teams to equate to the 7 Canadian teams. Nationality of NHL players is still dominated by Canadians - currently 46%
Yup, you are totally right on the economics of things, like I said before, I just find it to be an interesting situation because the other leagues don't really have to deal with it. Down here (read-America) a lot of hockey conversation revolves around Canadian influence being too rooted in tradition which can prevent the league from moving forward in a variety of ways. That's just simply something the NBA or the NFL or the MLB don't really have to deal with. There's no pointing fingers (valid or not) across borders.
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In what ways is Canadian influence is preventing the league from moving forward? Serious question. This decade, we've seen global expansion for games, domestic team expansion (with Seattle still to come), instant replays, the ref-cam, 3-3 overtime, bye-weeks, mic'd referees to announce penalties (Wes McAuley is AWESOME!), wildcard playoff format.... that's all I can think of off the top of my head.
A lot of which seem to mimic the NFL.
Also, did the US coverage of the All-Star Game test the drone/ariel play-by-play camera?
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In what ways is Canadian influence is preventing the league from moving forward? Serious question. This decade, we've seen global expansion for games, domestic team expansion (with Seattle still to come), instant replays, the ref-cam, 3-3 overtime, bye-weeks, mic'd referees to announce penalties (Wes McAuley is AWESOME!), wildcard playoff format.... that's all I can think of off the top of my head.
A lot of which seem to mimic the NFL.
Also, did the US coverage of the All-Star Game test the drone/ariel play-by-play camera?
Oh, I don't think it's an issue, I was merely saying it was a point of conversation down here. You've really never heard that sort of thing?
A lot of it has to do with the Canadian mentality of tough guy, grinder hockey, having a league that values the 4th line right wing curtain jerker as much as the super stars. Most folks in the states would like to see a high-speed, high-skill, high-scoring game. So the way the game is being called right now is frustrating to a lot of people. Those people tend to look at Toronto and point the finger that a way (whether right or wrong).
Like I said, I don't see that as a particular issue, but plenty do.
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Most folks in the states would like to see a high-speed, high-skill, high-scoring game. So the way the game is being called right now is frustrating to a lot of people. Those people tend to look at Toronto and point the finger that a way (whether right or wrong).
Like I said, I don't see that as a particular issue, but plenty do.
That boggles me. League scoring is up across the board. The holding/slashing calls nowadays are intended to do EXACTLY what you're suggesting - increase speed/scoring. The 90s (read, New Jersey "trap") was the worst time for this. Problem with wanting ONLY a high flying / high scoring game is A) there aren't 18*31 high-skilled hockey players, and the goal is to win, not score as many goals. Just like in Football and Baseball, defence/pitching is what wins championships. In the NBA, 3-pt% :biggrin:.
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Most folks in the states would like to see a high-speed, high-skill, high-scoring game. So the way the game is being called right now is frustrating to a lot of people. Those people tend to look at Toronto and point the finger that a way (whether right or wrong).
Like I said, I don't see that as a particular issue, but plenty do.
That boggles me. League scoring is up across the board. The holding/slashing calls nowadays are intended to do EXACTLY what you're suggesting - increase speed/scoring. The 90s (read, New Jersey "trap") was the worst time for this. Problem with wanting ONLY a high flying / high scoring game is A there aren't 18*31 high-skilled hockey players, and the goal is to win, not score as many goals. Just like in Football and Baseball, defence/pitching is what wins championships. In the NBA, 3-pt% :biggrin:.
While I agree with your overall point, I just wanted to point out something about the bolded, which, as a Canadian, you likely already know. The sheer amount of EXTREMELY high skilled players that never made it the NHL is astounding. I have played senior hockey in a league where 70ish% of the players played CHL, NCAA, ECHL, and even a couple that played in the NHL for a short while, and there are so many guys that can control the puck like Malkin and makr scrubs like me look really stupid :lol
If the league was geared toward marketability and putting a better product on the ice, those types of players should absolutely be on an NHL roster rather than guys like Reaves, Martin, etc, and even purely defensive minded players. We all watch the World Juniors and love the open style of hockey, so why isn't the NHL like that? With all those super-skilled players in the lineup there would be more goals (both because they can score and can't defend) and more overall excitement. A league that struggles to gain fans in the US would benefit greatly from such a paradigm shift.
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That boggles me. League scoring is up across the board. The holding/slashing calls nowadays are intended to do EXACTLY what you're suggesting - increase speed/scoring. The 90s (read, New Jersey "trap") was the worst time for this. Problem with wanting ONLY a high flying / high scoring game is A) there aren't 18*31 high-skilled hockey players, and the goal is to win, not score as many goals. Just like in Football and Baseball, defence/pitching is what wins championships. In the NBA, 3-pt% :biggrin:.
I'm pretty darn sure on average there are less goals scored per game now than in the 90s. Totally disagree on the skill part... But you highlight a specific problem - if the NHL actually just simply called their rule book, everytime, all the time - the same in October as in June - they would solve a lot of problems right quick.
If the league was geared toward marketability and putting a better product on the ice, those types of players should absolutely be on an NHL roster rather than guys like Reaves, Martin, etc, and even purely defensive minded players. We all watch the World Juniors and love the open style of hockey, so why isn't the NHL like that? With all those super-skilled players in the lineup there would be more goals (both because they can score and can't defend) and more overall excitement. A league that struggles to gain fans in the US would benefit greatly from such a paradigm shift.
Jarlaxle said it better than I could have. And this is kinda what I was pointing to earlier with my statement that many people in the US feel like Canada is holding on to the 4th line grinder role and wanting that role to be as important as the 30 goal scorer. Also like Jarlaxle pointed out this is one of the reasons why the NHL continues to struggle to gain popularity.
I mean look at a simple stat - goals. Now a days if a guy can score 50 goals in a season it's a huge accomplishment. In the 80s guys were scoring literally almost twice as many. I guarantee you the league would explode in popularity in the states if that was the case now. And to make matters worse, the league has actually had those generational talents the last 10-15 years that could pull it off - Ovie, Sid, Geno, Kane, now Connor, etc...
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Respectfully, I disagree vehemently. Except in rare circumstances, 18 and 19 year olds - even the Tier 1 players - don't play in the NHL because they can't. They aren't physically or mentally prepared, and older more experienced players (even 3rd and 4th liners) would school them. I'm not talking about the McDavid's and Matthews' of the world, but take Victor Mete for instance - Top 2 defenceman on Team Canada Jr, barely making the roster on the Montreal Canadiens.
These kids are great and HIGHLY entertaining - relatively speaking. They are great when compared against other kids. Put them against the regulars of the NJL, and they'd look silly. Hell, Matthews still makes really bad plays on occasion.
I won't argue that some of the *best* in the world are not in the NHL... but that isn't always the NHL's call. Lots of players want to play in Europe or Russia. And fwiw, it doesn't take a lot of stupendous skill to make the average Joe look bad (no offense intended). I have a buddy who plays in a mens league with Ron McLean; My brother used with Rick Walmsley. As a forward, Walmsley was dancing circles around the average guy... same with McLean.
Lastly - goals per game:
https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/stats.html
Higher this year at 2.95 than anytime since '05/'06. The early 90s were in the 3's, but late 90s crashed to the 2.6/2.7 range. Of course, early 80s was the hey-day, when it was close to 4. Back when we had named enforcers and goons. :biggrin:
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I think you took my point too literally when I compared the WJC to the NHL. I'm not saying those exact players should be in the NHL right now, but those players 3-5 years down the line when they can compete physically with men, who "can't" play NHL because they don't have a well-rounded game. Drake Batherson might never make the NHL, but he was phenomenal and he showed his offensive ability on the tournament. I'd rather the puck squirted out to him in the slot in game 7 than Reaves.
I think the NHL is (slowly) shifting toward this style of play, it's why the Penguins won back to back cups, and why they don't win this year because they have a pilon taking up space on the forth line (can you tell I'm a Pens fan less than pleased we gave up a perfect 4th line center and Klim Kostin for a player that holds no value on any team, because cheap shots still happen with him on the team :lol). The biggest issue is coaching, I think. There are coaches for eveey situation on the bench, trying to keep players into their prototypical player box all game. Marek from Sportsnet has an excellent idea, to limit teams to one coach on the bench during games, which would inevitably lead to more mistakes (by players and coach) and more scoring/excitement.
And as for your men's league comment, I'll respectfully disagree there. While I'm not an amazing hockey player, I was the last 1 or 2 cuts on my CIS hockey team, which is better hockey than the CHL. Even so, lots of these guys have the ability to make me look like a beer leaguer. There are 5 guys on our team that also play AAA senior hockey (where many retired NHLers play). The one guy had a tryout a few years back with Minnesota when he was 19, and afterward was offered multiple KHL contracts. Watching him play is sublime, and there's no doubt in my mind if he had been given an opportunity at the NHL level he would have been a good player.
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Do you really feel that Bettman is against the players? I don't. I think Bettman has worked pretty hard to get a system that works. I actually feel that Bettman wasn't necessarily acting solely as an agent of the owners, but more as saying, "Everyone, we are not going any further until we come to an agreement."
I don't think the players have it all that bad at all in the NHL.
pg1067, are you in an NHL city, and if so, may I ask which one?
I live roughly halfway between Staples Center and the Pond in Anaheim. Kings fan for nearly 30 years.
As far as Bettman, I don't disagree that the NHL has experienced a lot of growth during his tenure, but he constantly makes bad decisions. The success of the new Vegas franchise notwithstanding, the NHL does NOT need expansion. The league has half a dozen teams that haven't been able to fill their arenas in years. Those teams should be contracted or moved. Winnipeg couldn't support a team, so the team moved to Phoenix, who also doesn't support the team. The league puts a new team in Atlanta, which doesn't support the team, so that team moves to Winnipeg? Huh? The lockouts are the most obvious thing, and they took away a LOT of the league's momentum (two steps forward and three steps back). Losing the entire 2004-05 season irreparably damaged the league.
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Also, did the US coverage of the All-Star Game test the drone/ariel play-by-play camera?
I don't recall see that too much during the all-star game (maybe a couple replays), but there was some sort of aerial camera used during the Winter Classic, and it was god-awful (an opinion shared by my several hockey fan friends).
I mean look at a simple stat - goals. Now a days if a guy can score 50 goals in a season it's a huge accomplishment. In the 80s guys were scoring literally almost twice as many. I guarantee you the league would explode in popularity in the states if that was the case now.
I don't know. Every so often, I catch a replay of a game from the 80s, and it looks like nobody gave a rip about playing defense. Goalie play has also improved immeasurably. The New Jersey trap of the 90s was awful, but the style of play over the past 10+ years is much more appealing to me than what I've seen of the 80s style. Of course, maybe I'd think differently if I'd been watching the game at the time, but finding hockey on TV in Socal before the Gretzky trade was not an easy thing to do.
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@ Jarl... yeah, I guess I did take you statement literally. No biggie. But you kinda made your point regarding the guy who never made it to the NHL but is awesome - he got a tryout with Minn, and didn't make the cut. Babcock just made a point to the press before the All-Star break regarding the lull that kids on the Leafs (Marner in particular) are going thru, and I'll paraphrase... he said 'guys who show up in their 1st year of camp regularly scoring 100+ points in Jr quickly realize there are 14 other players better than them here, so they have to figure out how they're gonna make it in the league.' Amazing hockey players aren't necessarily amazing NHL hockey players.
Batherson's a bad example... he'll make it to the NHL one day. But just because any given 18-year old is flashy, can dangle his way to the net and put the biscuit in the basket doesn't mean shit if he's a -14 by the end of his first week in the league. There are roles for all kinds of players - as there is in the NFL and NBA. You can't have 5 Crosby's or Ovechkin's on the ice at all times. Not everyone is going to be a super-talented point-getter. But that doesn't mean they aren't skilled. Skills come in many different sizes and shapes. I know I love Matt Martin on the Leafs. Grinder, willing to hit, muck it up in the corner, get physical. Him laying out a guy in the corner, stealing the puck and giving the team possession has value.
Just my perspective. I love all different kinds of skills on the ice today.
I agree, the drone-cam was terrible.
Ironic the mention of the 80s style of play. That was a way rougher and more violent game than we've got today, with a ton of 'checker' and 'goon' role players. Plus some of the most talented hockey players ever to play the game (21 of the top 30 all-time point getters played thru the 80s) and only a 21 team league - 10 more teams; 180 more players, 820 more games... naturally there will be less goals/game. We'll never see scoring like that again in our lifetime.
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Ironic the mention of the 80s style of play. That was a way rougher and more violent game than we've got today, with a ton of 'checker' and 'goon' role players. Plus some of the most talented hockey players ever to play the game (21 of the top 30 all-time point getters played thru the 80s) and only a 21 team league - 10 more teams; 180 more players, 820 more games... naturally there will be less goals/game. We'll never see scoring like that again in our lifetime.
Right, but what I've been saying is that's what is more marketable in the states, like it or not. High octane scoring and more violence.
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I don't doubt that at all. The 80s was the best, and I'm grateful I got to see it unfold live. I still contend the '89 Flames/Habs Stanley Cup was the best ever (imo), followed ever so closely by the '87 Oilers/Flyers (I was a big Flyers fan back then). I don't see any future that gets us back to that kind of hockey.
So, changing lanes... a question that's been on my mind for a while, which is the tougher division - Central or Metropolitan? Atlantic is clearly the weakest (Tampa and Boston notwithstanding), and the Pacific is 1/2 killer, 1/2 filler. So, which is the toughest in peoples' opinion?
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So, changing lanes... a question that's been on my mind for a while, which is the tougher division - Central or Metropolitan? Atlantic is clearly the weakest (Tampa and Boston notwithstanding), and the Pacific is 1/2 killer, 1/2 filler. So, which is the toughest in peoples' opinion?
Despite my bias I would still say the Central. Top to bottom there isn't one really 'weak' team. There will be a 90 point team sitting watching the playoffs this year....again.
Central (right now) has four teams with 60+ points.....Metropolitan one. Second place pts (57) in Metropolitan right now is tied for 5th/6th in Central. Night after night it's playoff hockey in the central with teams rarely losing two in a row. It's not really close IMO
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I don't know, the Metro is sooo tight right now. Literally 2 points separate 2nd place and 7th place. That's crazy tight.
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Central, without a doubt. It'll be well represented with 5 teams in the playoffs.
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Central, without a doubt. It'll be well represented with 5 teams in the playoffs.
Couldn't you say the same about the Metro?
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Central, without a doubt. It'll be well represented with 5 teams in the playoffs.
Couldn't you say the same about the Metro?
That's a foregone conclusion - though, it has as much to do with the weakness of the Atlantic cellar-dwellers. There's a chance that there could be 4 Pacific teams in the playoffs - Calgary, LA and Anaheim are all in the hunt.
I'm torn as to which is the toughest. I gotta go with Metro by a hair. The differences between first and seventh is a four game win-streak / slump. Sure, the Central has higher point totals and every team is in the black when it comes to GF/GA, but the competitiveness of the Metro is what tips them over the edge at this point.
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It’s a tough call. I don’t discount what’s been said about the Metropolitan division but i see more of the Central division games and know first hand how tough it is to beat those teams. I see the Central as ‘tougher’ teams to play and that division is just as volitile when it comes to first place to missing the playoffs. It’s only 9 pts from first to second wild card spot with final wild card team having two games in hand on first place.....so theoretically it could be 5 points.
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I live roughly halfway between Staples Center and the Pond in Anaheim. Kings fan for nearly 30 years.
As far as Bettman, I don't disagree that the NHL has experienced a lot of growth during his tenure, but he constantly makes bad decisions. The success of the new Vegas franchise notwithstanding, the NHL does NOT need expansion. The league has half a dozen teams that haven't been able to fill their arenas in years. Those teams should be contracted or moved. Winnipeg couldn't support a team, so the team moved to Phoenix, who also doesn't support the team. The league puts a new team in Atlanta, which doesn't support the team, so that team moves to Winnipeg? Huh? The lockouts are the most obvious thing, and they took away a LOT of the league's momentum (two steps forward and three steps back). Losing the entire 2004-05 season irreparably damaged the league.
Cool, thanks.
I'm not defending Bettman. I just don't understand the hate.
Honestly, the lockouts don't bother me. The system since the last one seems to be working pretty good. And I'm not one that thinks hard salary cap=evil owners and commisioner.
The expansion is a little nuts. Why go back to Atlanta? I'm one that thinks the more Canadian cities, the better. It shoudn't be up to whoever ponies up the expansion cash. But I guess sometimes you never know. Nashville, of all places, seems to be working out pretty good. I know I'm going back a bit, but San Jose has worked.
So did anyone watch the round table on the NHL Network this weekend with Pang, Weekes, Stevens, and Melrose? I really enjoyed it. Panger is excellent as always, and I love Kevin Weekes. He is one of the best anylists out there. But I could listen to Scott Stevens talk hockey all day long. I love when he's on the brpoadcasts.
But I was surprised to see Melrose on the NHL Network. Apparently no longer with ESPN. My thought watching the round table is that Melrose will have to step it up with his preparation. I actually like Melrose, but hockey people are paying attention and I thought he was a bit outclassed on the round table.
But my biggest gripe of All Star weekend was the lack of Kelly Nash.
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So did anyone watch the round table on the NHL Network this weekend with Pang, Weekes, Stevens, and Melrose? I really enjoyed it. Panger is excellent as always, and I love Kevin Weekes. He is one of the best anylists out there. But I could listen to Scott Stevens talk hockey all day long. I love when he's on the brpoadcasts.
But I was surprised to see Melrose on the NHL Network. Apparently no longer with ESPN. My thought watching the round table is that Melrose will have to step it up with his preparation. I actually like Melrose, but hockey people are paying attention and I thought he was a bit outclassed on the round table.
But my biggest gripe of All Star weekend was the lack of Kelly Nash.
Melrose has been working with the NHL Network since 2011 and is still with ESPN.
For me, Kathryn Tappen >>>> Kelly Nash. If you're a baseball fan, Kelly Nash shows up quite frequently on the MLB Network's Quick Pitch and Plays of the Week shows, although I much prefer Heidi Watney on Quick Pitch.
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For us up here, the HNIC round-table crew includes Nick Kypreos and Kelly Hrudey. Those guys have been analysts pretty much out of the gate since they retired. On alternate nights, we've got Doug MacLean.
TSN's panel has Dave Poulin and Jeff O'Neill + 2 long-time TV analysts. O'Neill can be a bit smug and arrogant at times, but otherwise it's a good crew with good chemistry. IIRC, Pang was on TSN a few years back, and yeah, he's good.
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I’d like to see Nick Kypreos choke on a steak. His phantom flop onto Grant Fuhr cost the Blues a legit shot at the Cup. Dirty little D Bag.
Edit: I really don’t wish the guy dead. He’s just a cheap player who cost the Blues big time. Maybe if he’d just tear his ACL or develop erectile disfunction I’d call it even
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So did anyone watch the round table on the NHL Network this weekend with Pang, Weekes, Stevens, and Melrose? I really enjoyed it. Panger is excellent as always, and I love Kevin Weekes. He is one of the best anylists out there. But I could listen to Scott Stevens talk hockey all day long. I love when he's on the brpoadcasts.
But I was surprised to see Melrose on the NHL Network. Apparently no longer with ESPN. My thought watching the round table is that Melrose will have to step it up with his preparation. I actually like Melrose, but hockey people are paying attention and I thought he was a bit outclassed on the round table.
But my biggest gripe of All Star weekend was the lack of Kelly Nash.
Melrose has been working with the NHL Network since 2011 and is still with ESPN.
For me, Kathryn Tappen >>>> Kelly Nash. If you're a baseball fan, Kelly Nash shows up quite frequently on the MLB Network's Quick Pitch and Plays of the Week shows, although I much prefer Heidi Watney on Quick Pitch.
I have the NHL Network on every day, and I don't remember Melrose on it at all, until he popped up a few weeks ago. In fact I'm sure I've never seen him.
I also have the MLB Network on everyday during baseball season.
I actually find Heidi Whatney kind of skanky. Remember, we had her here on the local broadcast and she had quite a reputation in the Sox clubhouse.
Kathryn Tappen used to be the studio host for the Bruins games before she moved on to the NHL Network.
For us up here, the HNIC round-table crew includes Nick Kypreos and Kelly Hrudey. Those guys have been analysts pretty much out of the gate since they retired. On alternate nights, we've got Doug MacLean.
At noon each day, the NHL Network shows a Sportsnet talk show that usually has Kypreos and MacLean (who is awesome BTW). It's actually pretty boring, but I'll put it on if I'm home.
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I’d like to see Nick Kypreos choke on a steak. His phantom flop onto Grant Fuhr cost the Blues a legit shot at the Cup. Dirty little D Bag.
Edit: I really don’t wish the guy dead. He’s just a cheap player who cost the Blues big time. Maybe if he’d just tear his ACL or develop erectile disfunction I’d call it even
Well, tell us how you really feel! lol
I forgot that was Kyp'r that did that one. Yeah, that was quite an 'accidentally on purpose" flop on Fuhr, and highly unfortunate it blew his knee out. Casey did take them pretty deep into the playoffs though, iirc.
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I’d like to see Nick Kypreos choke on a steak. His phantom flop onto Grant Fuhr cost the Blues a legit shot at the Cup. Dirty little D Bag.
Edit: I really don’t wish the guy dead. He’s just a cheap player who cost the Blues big time. Maybe if he’d just tear his ACL or develop erectile disfunction I’d call it even
I am totally on board with this. :tup :tup
I forgot that was Kyp'r that did that one. Yeah, that was quite an 'accidentally on purpose" flop on Fuhr, and highly unfortunate it blew his knee out. Casey did take them pretty deep into the playoffs though, iirc.
Casey played tremendous for most of the playoffs after that, although Game 2 against the Red Wings was rough. I have never held the Yzerman Game 7 winner against him. That was a one in a million shot that would have beaten just about any goaltender (it happened so fast and you aren't expecting a shot from that far out to hit the far upper corner).
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Yeah. Casey did fine. I blame the Yzerman goal on Gretzky who 10 seconds prior coughed up the puck right to Yserman instead of breaking into the offensive zone.
Kypreos was nudged by our D and somehow fell with tremendous force in the opposite direction of which he was pushed :lol
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I have never held the Yzerman Game 7 winner against him. That was a one in a million shot that would have beaten just about any goaltender (it happened so fast and you aren't expecting a shot from that far out to hit the far upper corner).
One of the greatest playoff goals ever. This one camera angle from behind the net that shows it ... on a rope like it's a laser beam. Perfect shot.
https://youtu.be/VPUSDvgyAvU?t=687
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I am not clicking on that link. :censored :censored :censored
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I have never held the Yzerman Game 7 winner against him. That was a one in a million shot that would have beaten just about any goaltender (it happened so fast and you aren't expecting a shot from that far out to hit the far upper corner).
One of the greatest playoff goals ever. This one camera angle from behind the net that shows it ... on a rope like it's a laser beam. Perfect shot.
https://youtu.be/VPUSDvgyAvU?t=687
Watched the whole vid to stroll down memory lane. I totally forgot that the Blues dominated the first OT and had more than enough opportunities to win that game.
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Both Osgood and Casey were lights out amazing that game. I was just starting my final semester in Uni, so I'm certain I would've been watching all of the final rounds of the Cup.
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I remember falling asleep during that game and somehow waking up about 5 minutes before Yzerman scored that goal. I remember being surprised that it went in, and I remember jumping up and down in my parents' family room trying really hard not to wake up the rest of the house. Given how good the Red Wings were that year, I was surprised and concerned that the Blues took them to the limit. I was not surprised when they ultimately lost to the Avalanche in the conference finals.
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Given how good the Red Wings were that year, I was surprised and concerned that the Blues took them to the limit.
Blues were pretty dang good that year as well. Had Kypreos not Rowdy Roddy Pipere'd Fuhr's knee.....things could have been a lot different that year.
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I actually find Heidi Whatney kind of skanky. Remember, we had her here on the local broadcast and she had quite a reputation in the Sox clubhouse.
Kathryn Tappen used to be the studio host for the Bruins games before she moved on to the NHL Network.
If I had one of those "lists" of women with whom I could cheat on my spouse with impunity, Heidi would be on it. As far as her having a "reputation," from what I've read, that's pretty much a prerequisite for being a Sox "sideline" reporter (Jenny Dell, Hazel Mae, Jessica Moran, etc.).
Every time I've seen TSN/HNIC coverage (which isn't very often considering where I live), it's been superb. When the Kings made their Cup runs in 2012 and 2014, lots of folks on the Kings message boards were bitching up, down and sideways about the American coverage (mostly it was a bunch of idiots who don't comprehend why the hometown announcers don't call the playoffs on TV) and trying to figure out how to watch the TSN feed. Of course, I really like Doc Emrick and most of the other NBC/NBCSN announcerts, so it wasn't a problem for me.
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Doc and Eddie O were a great tandem to listen to whenever I was traveling in the States, or picking up a US-feed. Hoping things turn out for Eddie. Doc is as good as it gets for US play-by-play... though I do recognize my exposure to different announcers is very limited.
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Doc and Eddie O were a great tandem to listen to whenever I was traveling in the States, or picking up a US-feed. Hoping things turn out for Eddie. Doc is as good as it gets for US play-by-play... though I do recognize my exposure to different announcers is very limited.
Nobody compares to the Doc. For those in the US who watch hockey but aren't like seemingly every Canadian and know hockey as if you were playing in the womb, Doc perfectly toes the line between not babying the listeners by explaining things like nobody knows what is going on (like almost every other US play-by-play announcer does), and recognizing that many US viewers are new to the game and that there has to be some element of "teaching" the viewers.
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I think a few of the regular Canadian play-by-play crew also have US-based agreements. Chris Cuthbert I think I heard on an NBC feed earlier this year, and I know Glenn Healey and Ray Ferraro do color (for NBC?). As much as Pierre McGuire is a total fucking creep, I never had a problem with his in-game coverage... though he gets a too bombastic at times.
For me, Bob Cole will be the voice of hockey. He was the #1 guy on HNIC from the time I can remember watching it, and is still doing the odd game here and there when there are multiple Canadian home games scheduled on the same day. Jim Hughson is now anchoring the play-by-play roster... that guy has been around since the late 80s too.
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Sorry, I should have said compared to American team-feeds, not national coverage. Cuthbert is also really good, but Glenn Healey should not have a job in hockey. I agree with you on Pierre, he is super knowledgeable, but sometimes he gets a bit cringey, but overall I think he does a good job. I've always thought he would make a great GM, and I know he's interviewed plenty of times for open GM positions.
But god do I dislike Jim Hughson. His banter seems forced, and he repeats the same calls over and over again, he says (or at least used to) "he shoots the puck intentionally wide" so many times each game that I could no longer watch him. Personally, I think Gord Miller and Ray Ferraro are the absolute gold standard for play-by-play and color. Miller's calls are so exciting and passionate, and Ferraro has the ability to not need to hear his voice all the time and slow down to really think about what wants to say and say it in an articulate and knowledgeable manner. This is why it is such a treat to watch the World Juniors every year when they work together.
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As much as Pierre McGuire is a total fucking creep...
Understatement.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_i5zXLZHGI4
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As much as Pierre McGuire is a total fucking creep...
Understatement.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_i5zXLZHGI4
Knew exactly what that was before I even clicked it. That's the kind of shit that you can't unsee. I think Dutch still has nightmares about it.
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Also this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofmR1Gpkhpw
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Pierre McGuire had an orgasm over this save, and quite frankly, when you look at it, you can almost say that you don't blame his reaction. Almost.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WotDeGtaScs
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Pierre McGuire had an orgasm over this save, and quite frankly, when you look at it, you can almost say that you don't blame his reaction. Almost.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WotDeGtaScs
That save was ridiculous.
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Talk about getting dicked on a non goalie interference call? Geez.
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Talk about getting dicked on a non goalie interference call? Geez.
Like clockwork! :lol
I actually missed the goal as I was having dinner, but while I was ironing, they mentioned a coaches challenge on the goal, and I knew there'd be a post on DTF from a certain person.
Sure enough I turn DTF on and there it is!
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Talk about getting dicked on a non goalie interference call? Geez.
Like clockwork! :lol
I actually missed the goal as I was having dinner, but while I was ironing, they mentioned a coaches challenge on the goal, and I knew there'd be a post on DTF from a certain person.
Sure enough I turn DTF on and there it is!
It was horrid D by the Blues that led to the goal but please watch the play. Pretty clear cut interference
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Well, you won't see a more blatant goalie interference, yet the goal still counted. Similar to how no one knows what a catch is anymore in the NFL, I have no idea what goalie interference in the NHL is (that same play could happen tomorrow and be called goalie interference).
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I missed it.
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They were explaining it on our broadcast that because it was a rebound situation, the same rules don't apply. I mean Debrusk totally cleared Allen out, albeit incidentally.
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They were explaining it on our broadcast that because it was a rebound situation, the same rules don't apply. I mean Debrusk totally cleared Allen out, albeit incidentally.
:lol If by incidentally you mean he was untouched and pushed Allen seven foot out of the goalie crease then yeah.....incidentally
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Well, with the Superbowl looming, it's never to early to start getting calls! :lol
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Well, with the Superbowl looming, it's never to early to start getting calls! :lol
I don’t think the Pats ‘getting a call’ will Be an issue. :lol
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:tup thank you NHL. Love it when a horse shit call costs your team a game.....at least (1) point in this case.
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Well, with the Superbowl looming, it's never to early to start getting calls! :lol
Holy shit dude. :lol
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I'm gonna side with the Blues fans here.... Allen was conveniently nudged way out of the crease, and never had the opportunity to get back into the crease to be in position.
Here's the pendulum swinging the other way now ... after the couple of band calls disallowing goals before the All-Star break, refs were told *not* to look for a reason to disallow a goal, so it's going to take something super egregious to call back a goal. I now see the benefit of all goalie challenges being handled centrally by one team of officials - it's really the only way to ensure consistency for something subjective.
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Leafs v Bruins tonight
(https://78.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lcrtz02G9u1qzj5ggo1_400.gif)
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BRING IT ON!!
*Grabs hammer*
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(https://media.giphy.com/media/iw1GJj8o2jgju/giphy.gif)
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Considering the shocking turn of events last time, I think it would be so exciting if the Bruins met the Maple Leafs in the first round
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I think the matchup is inevitable this year.
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Two bad hits by Nashville in 30 seconds. No penalties. What a joke.
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Two bad hits by Nashville in 30 seconds. No penalties. What a joke.
That’s a typical game against them. What’s even better is the pick play they run when entering the offensive zone that is interference every time. Never a call....it was so bad last year in the playoffs national commentators were laughing about it.
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Two bad hits by Nashville in 30 seconds. No penalties. What a joke.
First one... for sure. Second one... maybe a 1/2 a second too late, but I don't think the Nashville player either saw the pass, or could stop the hit - he was pretty committed to making it with the Ranger player coming out from behind the net.
I think the matchup is inevitable this year.
It's a virtual certainty, and the Bs will have home ice advantage. >:( It's gonna take a big slump by either Tampa or Boston for this not to be a 1st round matchup. I'm liking the fact that Boston is using up all their good play now. I'd rather see the Leafs get streak-y in April. :biggrin:
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I'm liking the fact that Boston is using up all their good play now. I'd rather see the Leafs get streak-y in April. :biggrin:
Yeah, that's the fear.
In his last 20 games Rask is 18-0-2 with a 1.58GAA and a 9.43 S%. WTF??
NO way he's that good!
The thing about this streak is that they have really been the better team in most of these games.
I mean, I know I sound like a homer, but I'm shocked at how this has gone.
And while David Backes has only played in 33 games this season due to colon surgery, the Bruins have only lost 3 games in regulation with him in the lineup.
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Well, I haven't seen the other 19 games, but they were definitely the better team last night. The were swarming the Leafs like a hive of bees. No one could get any space... it seemed like where ever the puck was, there was ALWAYS 2 or more black jerseys there within 2 seconds. And that paddle save Rask made on Bozak was sick. If they score there to go up 2-1, it might've changed the complexion of the period/game. Bergeron and Chara did an A+ job against Matthews.
Hopefully the B's cool off a bit before April, otherwise the Leafs will be golfing by the start of May.
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Two bad hits by Nashville in 30 seconds. No penalties. What a joke.
I only saw the Vesey hit on On The Fly this morning, but all I would say is, "Keep your head up, son.".
The were swarming the Leafs like a hive of bees.
They've been like that for most of this streak.
Now 3-1 without Marchand.
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Solid bounce-back by the Leafs after their shellacking at the hands of the Bruins on Saturday. Glad to see Andersen didn't take too much damage with the skate to the helmet, but even still, McElhinney has been a fantastic backup. On soft goal, but about a 1/2 dozen 4* saves when the game was still in reach for the Ducks.
Oilers came up big time too... which was nice to see since the Bolts have an upcoming stop in Toronto. Maybe they're not so invincible.
3 weeks to trade deadline. Rumours are starting.
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Glad to see Andersen didn't take too much damage with the skate to the helmet,
That was scary.
Oilers came up big time too...
That goal by McDavid was ridiculous from the odd angle. 4 goals? Wow!!
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Glad to see Andersen didn't take too much damage with the skate to the helmet,
That was scary.
Visions of Clint Malarchuk.
Oilers came up big time too...
That goal by McDavid was ridiculous from the odd angle. 4 goals? Wow!!
Sic. Just sic.
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Man, what is it about the Devils that's inspiring people to act like shitheads lately :lol First it was Marchand and now Burrows just got ten games for throwing knees into Taylor Hall's head last night like he was an MMA fighter.
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It's the smell from the turnpike! It makes me rage as well! :lol
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What a dumpster fire the Rangers are. They have a bunch of guys who are overpaid and a coach who has no guts. They need to make a lot of changes soon, but I’m sure they’ll make the wrong ones like getting rid of guys who actually contribute. And I swear that if they trade Zuccarello, they’ll be losing a lifelong fan as well. He’s the heart and soul of this team right now and their true captain. If he goes, I go.
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What a dumpster fire the Rangers are. They have a bunch of guys who are overpaid and a coach who has no guts. They need to make a lot of changes soon, but I’m sure they’ll make the wrong ones like getting rid of guys who actually contribute. And I swear that if they trade Zuccarello, they’ll be losing a lifelong fan as well. He’s the heart and soul of this team right now and their true captain. If he goes, I go.
Let’s have a two for one and throw the Blues in that fire as well. Zero heart. Zero grit. Zero desperation to earn points in arguably the toughest division where points are at a premium.
Players have abandoned the team game and are trying to do it all alone. It’s a mess. Inside a week we will be fighting for a wild card spot.....and even if they do make it into the playoffs they’ll just be a warm up for a true contender.
But we do have some great talent in the pipeline that will be up soon so good things to come. Just got to take the yearly kick to the balls again to get there.
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What a dumpster fire the Rangers are. They have a bunch of guys who are overpaid and a coach who has no guts. They need to make a lot of changes soon, but I’m sure they’ll make the wrong ones like getting rid of guys who actually contribute. And I swear that if they trade Zuccarello, they’ll be losing a lifelong fan as well. He’s the heart and soul of this team right now and their true captain. If he goes, I go.
Let’s have a two for one and throw the Blues in that fire as well. Zero heart. Zero grit. Zero desperation to earn points in arguably the toughest division where points are at a premium.
Players have abandoned the team game and are trying to do it all alone. It’s a mess. Inside a week we will be fighting for a wild card spot.....and even if they do make it into the playoffs they’ll just be a warm up for a true contender.
But we do have some great talent in the pipeline that will be up soon so good things to come. Just got to take the yearly kick to the balls again to get there.
The Blues are the Rangers of the Western Conference. Funnily enough I quite like the Blues, although I will apologize to you in advance because if it comes to me turning my back on the Rangers, the Blackhawks would be my team.
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What a dumpster fire the Rangers are. They have a bunch of guys who are overpaid and a coach who has no guts. They need to make a lot of changes soon, but I’m sure they’ll make the wrong ones like getting rid of guys who actually contribute. And I swear that if they trade Zuccarello, they’ll be losing a lifelong fan as well. He’s the heart and soul of this team right now and their true captain. If he goes, I go.
I'm shocked to be honest. hey were such a powerhouse a few years ago. hell, I'm shocked how well the B's are playing with the youth they have!
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What a dumpster fire the Rangers are. They have a bunch of guys who are overpaid and a coach who has no guts. They need to make a lot of changes soon, but I’m sure they’ll make the wrong ones like getting rid of guys who actually contribute. And I swear that if they trade Zuccarello, they’ll be losing a lifelong fan as well. He’s the heart and soul of this team right now and their true captain. If he goes, I go.
Let’s have a two for one and throw the Blues in that fire as well. Zero heart. Zero grit. Zero desperation to earn points in arguably the toughest division where points are at a premium.
Players have abandoned the team game and are trying to do it all alone. It’s a mess. Inside a week we will be fighting for a wild card spot.....and even if they do make it into the playoffs they’ll just be a warm up for a true contender.
But we do have some great talent in the pipeline that will be up soon so good things to come. Just got to take the yearly kick to the balls again to get there.
The Blues are the Rangers of the Western Conference. Funnily enough I quite like the Blues, although I will apologize to you in advance because if it comes to me turning my back on the Rangers, the Blackhawks would be my team.
No apologies needed. As much as I despise the Hawks you can't deny the run they had. Although now it's catching up to them.
My issue with the Blues is when the got off to that hot start this year we had a couple key veterans that were out so these young guys were in...fighting and playing well. We have two vets in particular come back....Berglund and Boumeester and the Blues are 15-14 with them in the lineup. Now, a portion of that is when Jaden Schwartz was out as well and he's a pretty key player BUT...one player does not make a team.
Fact is, our leadership on our team is non existent. David Backes when he was here and Captain would get in guys faces at practice and in the media if they weren't doing there job. I like Petrangelo but he seems to be Mr. Nice guy with all the right cliche quotes rather than holding some feet to the fire.
The Blues are one of four teams who have made the playoffs eight years in a row. As much as it pains me to say....i think they may need to miss the playoffs in hopes of it wakes a few of them up and makes them hungry again. We will have some younger players that will make the roster and it'll be a more energized team.
The only scenario I see working this season for the Blues is that somehow....they get their :censored together and spend the remainder of the season fighting for a playoff spot ala the Preds from last year. Every game is like a playoff game so they'd hit the playoffs in full stride and ride that momentum out. I don't see that happening with what I've seen from this team over the past three weeks...but, it could I guess.
The more likely scenario is the Preds make it to the Cup again....probably win this time.....and my mother :censored brother in law NEVER lets me hear the end of it. It'll be that special parting gift from the Blues just to twist the knife a bit more.
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What a dumpster fire the Rangers are. They have a bunch of guys who are overpaid and a coach who has no guts. They need to make a lot of changes soon, but I’m sure they’ll make the wrong ones like getting rid of guys who actually contribute. And I swear that if they trade Zuccarello, they’ll be losing a lifelong fan as well. He’s the heart and soul of this team right now and their true captain. If he goes, I go.
Let’s have a two for one and throw the Blues in that fire as well. Zero heart. Zero grit. Zero desperation to earn points in arguably the toughest division where points are at a premium.
Players have abandoned the team game and are trying to do it all alone. It’s a mess. Inside a week we will be fighting for a wild card spot.....and even if they do make it into the playoffs they’ll just be a warm up for a true contender.
But we do have some great talent in the pipeline that will be up soon so good things to come. Just got to take the yearly kick to the balls again to get there.
The Blues are the Rangers of the Western Conference. Funnily enough I quite like the Blues, although I will apologize to you in advance because if it comes to me turning my back on the Rangers, the Blackhawks would be my team.
No apologies needed. As much as I despise the Hawks you can't deny the run they had. Although now it's catching up to them.
My issue with the Blues is when the got off to that hot start this year we had a couple key veterans that were out so these young guys were in...fighting and playing well. We have two vets in particular come back....Berglund and Boumeester and the Blues are 15-14 with them in the lineup. Now, a portion of that is when Jaden Schwartz was out as well and he's a pretty key player BUT...one player does not make a team.
Fact is, our leadership on our team is non existent. David Backes when he was here and Captain would get in guys faces at practice and in the media if they weren't doing there job. I like Petrangelo but he seems to be Mr. Nice guy with all the right cliche quotes rather than holding some feet to the fire.
The Blues are one of four teams who have made the playoffs eight years in a row. As much as it pains me to say....i think they may need to miss the playoffs in hopes of it wakes a few of them up and makes them hungry again. We will have some younger players that will make the roster and it'll be a more energized team.
The only scenario I see working this season for the Blues is that somehow....they get their :censored together and spend the remainder of the season fighting for a playoff spot ala the Preds from last year. Every game is like a playoff game so they'd hit the playoffs in full stride and ride that momentum out. I don't see that happening with what I've seen from this team over the past three weeks...but, it could I guess.
The more likely scenario is the Preds make it to the Cup again....probably win this time.....and my mother :censored brother in law NEVER lets me hear the end of it. It'll be that special parting gift from the Blues just to twist the knife a bit more.
To be fair, there aren't many (any? I can't think of any off the top of my head) captains anymore that go into the media and call people out, unless that person is themselves. That's just not the way to do it anymore, because then it becomes an unneeded controversy. I don't think anyone would argue when I say that Sid is one of the best captains in the game, but his quotes read like a script from a robot, that's just what we get in the media.
However, we don't know what they are like in the dressing room. I don't see a guy like Sid being very vocal in the room, just his presence and focus show the other guys how they should be acting as well. Maybe Petro is like that in the room, sets an example and when he actually does speak everyone listens, or maybe he gets into the room and kicks garbage cans and makes guys accountable for their mistakes, who knows?
Sorry, I don't want it so seem like I'm picking you out, I just have a thing about people judging players on their media personas. Maybe it's true, but I think it is impossible to know without being in a dressing room.
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What a dumpster fire the Rangers are. They have a bunch of guys who are overpaid and a coach who has no guts. They need to make a lot of changes soon, but I’m sure they’ll make the wrong ones like getting rid of guys who actually contribute. And I swear that if they trade Zuccarello, they’ll be losing a lifelong fan as well. He’s the heart and soul of this team right now and their true captain. If he goes, I go.
Let’s have a two for one and throw the Blues in that fire as well. Zero heart. Zero grit. Zero desperation to earn points in arguably the toughest division where points are at a premium.
Players have abandoned the team game and are trying to do it all alone. It’s a mess. Inside a week we will be fighting for a wild card spot.....and even if they do make it into the playoffs they’ll just be a warm up for a true contender.
But we do have some great talent in the pipeline that will be up soon so good things to come. Just got to take the yearly kick to the balls again to get there.
The Blues are the Rangers of the Western Conference. Funnily enough I quite like the Blues, although I will apologize to you in advance because if it comes to me turning my back on the Rangers, the Blackhawks would be my team.
No apologies needed. As much as I despise the Hawks you can't deny the run they had. Although now it's catching up to them.
My issue with the Blues is when the got off to that hot start this year we had a couple key veterans that were out so these young guys were in...fighting and playing well. We have two vets in particular come back....Berglund and Boumeester and the Blues are 15-14 with them in the lineup. Now, a portion of that is when Jaden Schwartz was out as well and he's a pretty key player BUT...one player does not make a team.
Fact is, our leadership on our team is non existent. David Backes when he was here and Captain would get in guys faces at practice and in the media if they weren't doing there job. I like Petrangelo but he seems to be Mr. Nice guy with all the right cliche quotes rather than holding some feet to the fire.
The Blues are one of four teams who have made the playoffs eight years in a row. As much as it pains me to say....i think they may need to miss the playoffs in hopes of it wakes a few of them up and makes them hungry again. We will have some younger players that will make the roster and it'll be a more energized team.
The only scenario I see working this season for the Blues is that somehow....they get their :censored together and spend the remainder of the season fighting for a playoff spot ala the Preds from last year. Every game is like a playoff game so they'd hit the playoffs in full stride and ride that momentum out. I don't see that happening with what I've seen from this team over the past three weeks...but, it could I guess.
The more likely scenario is the Preds make it to the Cup again....probably win this time.....and my mother :censored brother in law NEVER lets me hear the end of it. It'll be that special parting gift from the Blues just to twist the knife a bit more.
To be fair, there aren't many (any? I can't think of any off the top of my head) captains anymore that go into the media and call people out, unless that person is themselves. That's just not the way to do it anymore, because then it becomes an unneeded controversy. I don't think anyone would argue when I say that Sid is one of the best captains in the game, but his quotes read like a script from a robot, that's just what we get in the media.
However, we don't know what they are like in the dressing room. I don't see a guy like Sid being very vocal in the room, just his presence and focus show the other guys how they should be acting as well. Maybe Petro is like that in the room, sets an example and when he actually does speak everyone listens, or maybe he gets into the room and kicks garbage cans and makes guys accountable for their mistakes, who knows?
Sorry, I don't want it so seem like I'm picking you out, I just have a thing about people judging players on their media personas. Maybe it's true, but I think it is impossible to know without being in a dressing room.
There were only a handful of times that Backes would say something in the media and he ALWAYS included himself in the comment. He never threw a teammate under the bus but anyone with any common sense knew who/what he was talking about.
BUT, there were plenty of rumors/stories etc. about how he was in the locker room....at practices and quite simply.....he wouldn't tolerate the BS.
Right now....there is a ton of BS going on with the Blues. Tarasenko seems to think he's Sergie Federov and can play an entire shift on his own and go down and score. He can't. And he's turning the puck over non stop because of it. There are multiple players that aren't on the 'team' page who are playing an individual game right now.
On top of the fact we're hamstrung by 'older' veteran contracts that aren't producing. Yadda Yadda Yadda. It's the same ol' crap, different year.
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A great leader...
(https://cbsboston.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/628-david-backes-bruins-blues.jpg?w=628)
...and quite handsome! :lol
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Man, what is it about the Devils that's inspiring people to act like shitheads lately :lol First it was Marchand and now Burrows just got ten games for throwing knees into Taylor Hall's head last night like he was an MMA fighter.
Couldn't be happier to lose Burrows for 10 games, I wish it was more games that he was suspended for :lol
I don't think I've seen a fanbase happier to have one of their players suspended
Also, props to the Rangers for being so transparent about what they plan on doing for the deadline and the offseason. This will go a long way for them
https://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2018/2/8/16992070/new-york-rangers-trade-rumors-fire-sale-rebuilding-rick-nash-ryan-mcdonagh-2018 (https://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2018/2/8/16992070/new-york-rangers-trade-rumors-fire-sale-rebuilding-rick-nash-ryan-mcdonagh-2018)
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Bold
I heard rumours of them renting out Nash and/or Mcdonagh only then to sign them as FA's and bring them back next year.
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Henrik Zetterberg only scored his 7th goal tonight? Is that right? WTF??
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Maybe he'll get his 8th in DC when I get my annual dosage of seeing the Winged Wheels in person on Sunday. To say that the atmosphere for Red Wings-Capitals games has changed these last five years would be an understatement. I'm hoping it doesn't take five years for Detroit to be relevant again.
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As much of a mess as the Blues have looked at times in the last two months, they are still 6th in the league in points right now. :tup :tup
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As much of a mess as the Blues have looked at times in the last two months, they are still 6th in the league in points right now. :tup :tup
They’ve looked so good at times and like a Jr. league team at others. Would love to see them hit the playoffs in full stride
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Tim/King... that's gotta sting - regular time loss to Buffalo of all teams. Buffalo! lolololol
Leafs v Bolts tomorrow. Hope it's a good one. 3-0 so far on this 5-game homestand. I'm kinda liking the Leafs position... yeah, the Bs and Bolts have games in hand, but they have to play those games, and the Leafs will have a (quantity-wise) softer schedule coming in. Hopefully that's a good thing.
Looks like Colorado has come back to reality. I wonder if Chicago will be a 'seller' come the trade deadline.
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Lack of focus. Can't take a night off.
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So on top of a phantom slash penalty call against Boumeester against Crosby, a blatant too many men on the ice on the Penguins that wasn’t called.....they reverse a ‘high stick’ goal for the Blues that was right at bar level (if that were Crosby it’s still a goal) and now the Pens go up 2-1 instead of the Blues.
Just another game against the Pens....
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Another freebie hook given to the Penguins. Would love to have a bit of that favoritism
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Another freebie hook given to the Penguins. Would love to have a bit of that favoritism
:lol I was actually surprised they reversed that goal on the high stick call, but obviously they saw it clearly enough.
Good game though, much closer than the final indicated.
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Another freebie hook given to the Penguins. Would love to have a bit of that favoritism
:lol I was actually surprised they reversed that goal on the high stick call, but obviously they saw it clearly enough.
Good game though, much closer than the final indicated.
For playing their third game in four days the Blues played good and the game was much better than the score indicates. Would just love to have some even officiating. I mean, when the Pens are now 11-1 over the past couple years when Hebert is the Ref.....c’mon. Some blatant missed calls ‘for’ the Pens and a couple head scratchers called against the Blues.
Not blaming the loss on the horrible officiating. But it’s tough enough to beat the Pens straight up....throw in favorable officiating and it becomes even tougher.
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^ well hold up, the Blues did have more power plays than the Pens, so they had their chances, Murray played great and stole that game.
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^ well hold up, the Blues did have more power plays than the Pens, so they had their chances, Murray played great and stole that game.
Sure. And on one of those PP’s when it was 2-1’Pens, Gunnerson was hooked...fell over (right in front of Hebert) that was glaring and would have put us on a 5-3 for over a minute. Game changing momentum potentially. It was a no call that actually led to a short handed chance.
Murray did steal that game, ill agree with that. But that’s nothing new for an opposing goalie to stifle the Blues. They’re pretty good at making opposing goalies look great.
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^ well hold up, the Blues did have more power plays than the Pens, so they had their chances, Murray played great and stole that game.
Sure. And on one of those PP’s when it was 2-1’Pens, Gunnerson was hooked...fell over (right in front of Hebert) that was glaring and would have put us on a 5-3 for over a minute. Game changing momentum potentially. It was a no call that actually led to a short handed chance.
Murray did steal that game, ill agree with that. But that’s nothing new for an opposing goalie to stifle the Blues. They’re pretty good at making opposing goalies look great.
Yup, I’ll definitely give you that, that’s the one big non-call of the game that sticks out to me. Rust kinda grabbed his jersey from behind and tugged.
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^ well hold up, the Blues did have more power plays than the Pens, so they had their chances, Murray played great and stole that game.
Sure. And on one of those PP’s when it was 2-1’Pens, Gunnerson was hooked...fell over (right in front of Hebert) that was glaring and would have put us on a 5-3 for over a minute. Game changing momentum potentially. It was a no call that actually led to a short handed chance.
Murray did steal that game, ill agree with that. But that’s nothing new for an opposing goalie to stifle the Blues. They’re pretty good at making opposing goalies look great.
Yup, I’ll definitely give you that, that’s the one big non-call of the game that sticks out to me. Rust kinda grabbed his jersey from behind and tugged.
Great teams over come that type of thing. The Blues unfortunately seem to be doomed to forever teeter on the cusp of really good and ‘great’.
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I hear ya. That said, I do think the Blues can make a run this year. Nashville is overrated, as are the Jets. Even though they are playing great, it’s still hard to imagine the Knights making a deep run (maybe I’m wrong on that) - either way I think it shakes down to some very winnable matchups for the Blues in the post season.
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I hear ya. That said, I do think the Blues can make a run this year. Nashville is overrated, as are the Jets. Even though they are playing great, it’s still hard to imagine the Knights making a deep run (maybe I’m wrong on that) - either way I think it shakes down to some very winnable matchups for the Blues in the post season.
Would love to see it. It’s all about how you’re playing entering the playoffs and if you can get your game together. Nashville proved that last year.
It’s gonna be tough to get in though. Pretty tough division. Can’t afford to leave too many points out there.
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I hear ya. That said, I do think the Blues can make a run this year. Nashville is overrated, as are the Jets. Even though they are playing great, it’s still hard to imagine the Knights making a deep run (maybe I’m wrong on that) - either way I think it shakes down to some very winnable matchups for the Blues in the post season.
Disagree on both those fronts. Nashville has the best top-4 d-men in the league, and it isn't even close, and Rinne can still steal a game ... he did last night, and almost did it the game before against the Leafs. Re: the Jets... if Hellebucyk continues to play as well as he has, the Jets are legit. Though, it could just be a flash-in-the-pan season for him... ala Talbot and Dubnyk last year. They've got a solid top-6 forward rotation that can put the biscuit in the basket quite easily.
The Knights are still an enigma to me. How the hell do they have the record they have?!?!?! Gallant has instilled some rock-solid fundamentals into that team.
But, as is the case with the NHL, all it takes is to get an invite to the dance, and then anyone can take home the crown.
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Eichel out again indefinitely with a high ankle sprain, this time his other ankle. He just can't catch a break.
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Chad, I have a buddy who has season tickets to the Knights. He grew up next to me and we are good buds. He's out there because he's a professional poker player.
He's always sending me tweets from the golden Knights. Their Twitter account is hilarious.
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Northeastern wins the Beanpot for the first time in 30 years!
Congrats!
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The Leafs nearly snatched defeat from the jaws of victory - blowing a 3-0 lead, but ended up holding on to get the regular time win against the Bolts. :fistpump:
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Eichel out again indefinitely with a high ankle sprain, this time his other ankle. He just can't catch a break.
But he can catch a sprain.
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This game went from "we are kicking the Predators butt in Nashville" to "I'll be happy to at least get a point." :facepalm: :lol
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Phaneuf to LA for Gaborik.
meh.
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This game went from "we are kicking the Predators butt in Nashville" to "I'll be happy to at least get a point." :facepalm: :lol
Threres no word to describe how :censored I am about this game. To lose this game when you’re up 3-0 with ten minutes to go is inexcusable. The wheels came off. There is no leader on our team. Losing that game and giving up that lead is a lack of leadership and a horribly coached game. Why Yeo didn’t call a timeout when the Preds got within on goal and were smelling blood is baffling. So mad right now. Pretty much done with this version of the Blues. Gimme the youngsters next year and lets get moving. F this current cast of jokes
That being said, it still baffles me that the Preds can run that pick play entering the offensive zone 8/10 times they enter the zone and not get called for it is utter horse :censored. And don’t get me started on that penalty shot call in OT. :lol what a :censored joke. The Preds are indeed the Red Wings of the 90’s now with the ‘fortunate’ calls they continually get. It’s maddening.
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Ouch... that's a tough one to take. I'm sure you'll be wanting to tell your BIL to eat and asshole sammich.
Nothing more infuriating than blowing a late lead.
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Nothing more infuriating than blowing a late lead.
Watching the new darlings of the league do whatever the F they want with no recourse is near just as infuriating
I say this with all sincerity....my wish now is that the Blues just miss the playoffs completely. Just, skip the false hope and one or two exciting playoff victories only to succumb to a real contender. Let Statsny walk after this year....maybe sign a mid tier free agent but then turn the team over to the kids next year and let that be that.
And, as much as I like Petrangelo as a person....he’s a swell dude.....I strip him of the C and give it to someone who can lead this team. It’s never been more evident than after tonight that he’s incapable of doing it.
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Most people believe that missing the playoffs was the best thing to happen the Tampa Bay last year.... now look at them. Of course a full season with a healthy Stamkos helps too. Sometimes hitting rock bottom is what's necessary to elevate to greatness - as you know all too well.
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Phaneuf to LA for Gaborik.
meh.
That's kinda my reaction as well, although after seeing that the Kings got skunked by the Canes last night (7-3), I feel like something needs to be done to spark the Kings' defense. Not sure Phaneuf (who's only had two positive +/- seasons in the last 10 years) is the answer, but Gaborik wasn't doing much, so we'll see. It'll be interesting to see how Nick Shore pans out in a place where he'll probably get more ice time than he got in LA.
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This game went from "we are kicking the Predators butt in Nashville" to "I'll be happy to at least get a point." :facepalm: :lol
Threres no word to describe how :censored I am about this game. To lose this game when you’re up 3-0 with ten minutes to go is inexcusable. The wheels came off. There is no leader on our team. Losing that game and giving up that lead is a lack of leadership and a horribly coached game. Why Yeo didn’t call a timeout when the Preds got within on goal and were smelling blood is baffling. So mad right now. Pretty much done with this version of the Blues. Gimme the youngsters next year and lets get moving. F this current cast of jokes
That being said, it still baffles me that the Preds can run that pick play entering the offensive zone 8/10 times they enter the zone and not get called for it is utter horse :censored. And don’t get me started on that penalty shot call in OT. :lol what a :censored joke. The Preds are indeed the Red Wings of the 90’s now with the ‘fortunate’ calls they continually get. It’s maddening.
Hey, at least that didn't happen in Game 7 of a playoff series. You can talk to Maple Leaf fans about that one.
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^ Don't get me started. When Rask made that breakaway save that kept it at 4-2 with only 3.5 minutes to go, I knew the Leafs were gonna blow it. Reimer played brilliantly for 48 minutes.
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I was actually mad when Lucic scored to make it 4-3. All that year the B's had been coming back late in games and still losing with "too-little-too-late" rushes of scoring, to make the final scores look like they didn't get outplayed all game. When they actually won I was shocked.
Then they did it to themselves in the final game against Chicago, giving up the game-tying AND Cup-winning goals in the last 90 seconds of Game 6. Brutal loss after that comeback against the Leafs. Made it all for nothing.
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Slightly off-topic, but maybe not (and I haven't seen an Olympics related thread).
The Slovenian ice hockey team beat the U.S. team in the Olympics (3-2 in OT). The Slovenian team includes no current or former NHL players. The U.S. roster has two (at least I think it's only two) players with NHL experience. Russia also lost to Slovakia, although that is a lesser magnitude upset.
The U.S. team's has apparently resulted in a huge (relatively speaking) backlash against the NHL and Gary Bettman for not allowing NHL players to play in the Olympics. For starters, I find this amusing because a lot of folks who are bitching about this couldn't otherwise give a rat's ass about international ice hockey. Second, I am completely in favor of the NHL not shutting down for 2-3 weeks for the Olympics and tiring out its best players. Third, I think it's pretty cool to seek "David beats Goliath" stories like this (kinda like the "miracle on ice" team from 1980) and, while I'm as patriotic as the next guy, I don't feel like it's some sort of national embarrassment when some other country beats the U.S. in the Olympics. It's not like anyone gives a crap that the U.S. didn't make the podium in the women's 3K speed skating event (for that matter, no one even in the top 20), so why is one loss in a hockey tournament such an issue?
Thoughts?
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The U.S. team's has apparently resulted in a huge (relatively speaking) backlash against the NHL and Gary Bettman for not allowing NHL players to play in the Olympics. For starters, I find this amusing because a lot of folks who are bitching about this couldn't otherwise give a rat's ass about international ice hockey. Second, I am completely in favor of the NHL not shutting down for 2-3 weeks for the Olympics and tiring out its best players. Third, I think it's pretty cool to seek "David beats Goliath" stories like this (kinda like the "miracle on ice" team from 1980) and, while I'm as patriotic as the next guy, I don't feel like it's some sort of national embarrassment when some other country beats the U.S. in the Olympics. It's not like anyone gives a crap that the U.S. didn't make the podium in the women's 3K speed skating event (for that matter, no one even in the top 20), so why is one loss in a hockey tournament such an issue?
Yeah, I'm pretty much with you on this. I back the NHL's decision to not send players and as a result, had pretty much no expectations for the US team. They could win gold or not win a game, neither would surprise or upset me.
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I am completely in favor of the NHL not shutting down for 2-3 weeks for the Olympics
We've had this discussion here before, but this is my stance. Let the college/junior kids have the Olympics. I don't want to go without hockey for that long.
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As much as I love best-on-best hockey, I totally understand and agree with the League's decision not to go this time around. Just sucks that we won't see players like Crosby and McDavid on the same team/line; or Matthews and Kane. And we may never see them again. World Cup '20 still isn't greenlit, and in four years, guys like Crosby/Kane might not even make the Olympic team - you can be damn sure the NHL will be in Beijing for '22
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Interesting read.
https://www.tsn.ca/talent/dion-phaneuf-s-complicated-legacy-in-ottawa-1.998987
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As much as I love best-on-best hockey, I totally understand and agree with the League's decision not to go this time around. Just sucks that we won't see players like Crosby and McDavid on the same team/line; or Matthews and Kane. And we may never see them again. World Cup '20 still isn't greenlit, and in four years, guys like Crosby/Kane might not even make the Olympic team - you can be damn sure the NHL will be in Beijing for '22
Good points. I think they will do the World Cup in 2020 but you're right that a lot of the stars of the Sid, Ovie, Kane, etc... generation will certainly be out of their prime by 2022 but so be it.
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Interesting read.
https://www.tsn.ca/talent/dion-phaneuf-s-complicated-legacy-in-ottawa-1.998987
Phaneuf seems to get a raw deal wherever he goes. The fact he wore the "C" for most of his time in Toronto (while they were shyte) and was an average player (certainly not a player worth the contract he has) was his downfall here. As a person and in the community, few are better and more giving/accessible - as evidenced in this article too.
Hopefully he can perform well in LA. I like the guy, but I think he was punching out of his weight-class in Calgary, and has been anchored by lofty expectations ever since.
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Nice to see Dion putting up some goals. :tup
What the hell is with the Blackhawks? Did they take their toys and go home? First-to-worst by the looks of things. Sheesh! 1-8-1 in the last 10.
And Philly! Whoulda thunk it after that 10 game winless streak they had in November.
Looks like the men are separating from the boys. The West looks more entertaining than the East, that's for sure. St. Louis is one point in and one point from being out of the Wildcard.
Boston can lose a few games anytime now.
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And Philly! Whoulda thunk it after that 10 game winless streak they had in November.
Well, it's only fair since last year we became the first team with a 10-game win streak to miss the playoffs.
Things in Philly are certainly positive now, but not without some concerns. Goalies being injured left and right is one, but I'm hopeful that our new toy from Detroit and Alex Lyon will hold things together to at least get us into the playoffs, prior to which both Elliot and Neuvirth will be due to return. It's also worth noting that a certainly lesser known name in Anthony Stolarz, who was called up a few times last year when we had injuries and played well, has been out all season up to this point with an injury as well. One hidden bonus in getting Mrazek from Detroit is that Stolie can get some work with the Phantoms and help them in what has been a great year thus far in the AHL.
On defense the great thing is we have, and should have for many years to come a great top pair, finally, in Ghost and Provorov. The bad news is that beyond that we're average at best. I do think that in a year or two we'll be among the league leaders defensively, but not sure if the crew now has enough to make a full push. On offense, again, we have some guys like Giroux, Voracek, and Coots who are having phenomenal seasons. We also have anchors like Lehtera, Weiss, and Filpula that will be holding us back for another year or two. The biggest surprise and a big help in our recent push is the young forwards of Patrick and Konecny are having strong play now. Typically those guys start hot and struggle as the season moves on, but for both it seems that the adjustments have been made and hopefully they stay hotter.
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St. Louis is one point in and one point from being out of the Wildcard.
Blues are a mess. It's baffling how a team that played so well and confident to start the season now can't even do simple things like forwards back checking to stop easy tap in goals. There are SO many things wrong with the team right now it's honestly not even any fun to watch. In fact, it takes more effort for me to get mad at them these days than the effort you see them giving in the games.
There are still a few highlights though and reason to be excited about the future. Vince Dunn for one is a gem of a D-Man. So fun to watch. And Paryako....still a stud. But outside of Schwartz, Tarasenko...Schenn, we have nothing but third and fourth line forwards on our team. It's brutal to watch.
I subscribe to THE ATHLETIC (which is an awesome subscription service sports website) and Jeremy Rutherford who covered the Blues for over 20 years for the St. Louis Post Dispatch is now the Blues writer for them. Once a week he does a 'mailbag' segment where he will take questions from us the fans and answer them based on his observations and experience. Below is my question and his answer to that question last Saturday. It is a refreshing thing to hear a reporter of such regard as he is around St. Louis and the industry answer with such honesty. And, on the site....his answer was received with rave reviews from countless subscribers....the common comment was 'thank you for the honest answer'. I can't imagine his comments didn't get back to management and the players.
see below:
No. 1
Hey JR,
There's no beating around the bush — the Predator loss was brutal. That game glorified every strength the Blues have and magnified every weakness as well. And in my opinion, the weaknesses outshined the strengths. This very frustrated fan of 30 years has all but turned the page on this season as the Blues have not shown they have the capability to play against the likes of a team with Moxi like the Predators, Lightning or even the Pens.
My sentiment is at this point I'd rather see them miss the playoffs this year, have a gut check over the summer and come back embarrassed and on a mission next year. I think it'd be the best thing for the team honestly because they need something to change the culture in that locker room and missing the playoffs with talent like they have may do it. It's clear whatever message Mike Yeo is suggesting or leadership tactics being used by the vets isn't working. Do you think missing the playoffs is what this team needs to 'wake up'?
-Gary
JR: In order to answer this question, I need to break it down into two parts and keep it as real as possible.
1) Would missing the playoffs wake up the Blues?
2) If the Blues missed the playoffs, would Doug Armstrong make the necessary moves to change the culture?
But before I answer No. 1, let's make sure we're on the same page. When someone asks me whether missing the playoffs would “wake up” the Blues, give them a “gut check” and put them “on a mission,” I take that to mean you're asking about the players. You might be referring to the organization from top to bottom, but I prefer to focus my answer from a players' perspective. And my answer is “no,” it would not wake up them any more than losing in the second round woke them up last season. Would they be disappointed? Certainly. Would they tell media and fans that it's unacceptable? More times than you want to hear. But would they do any more self-examination than they did any other year or talk more amongst themselves about why they're so inconsistent? No and no. Some of you might be asking why nothing would change. I'm not saying nothing would change. I'm just saying I don't believe the Blues missing the playoffs by three points is going to put a more determined, ticked off team on the ice next season. Call me fatigued on the end-of-the-season post-mortem interviews. Every May, I see a despondent group of players and every October-April I see the same group making the same mistakes and excuses.
Now No. 2, what could be a benefit of missing the playoffs: changing the culture. Whether the Blues make the playoffs or not, I think they have to address this issue. Listen, the Blues obviously have talented players and they have good people in their locker room. But I think they have a roster that has too many players who just brush everything off. Nothing is ever a major deal in their eyes. Yeah, they might get mad at times, but there's always another game tomorrow, there's always a chance to fix things. I understand that. It's a long season and you're not going to play well every night. You lose a game, you regroup and play better next time. But I believe, if they had more players who got pissed off in the moment, like let's turn this game around now, let's not wait for the next game, they'd have a better record. I think that part of the reason we don't see this is because they don't pull together like they should. I'm not saying these guys don't like playing together, but they don't pull together.
This is the part of my answer where I'll try to keep it as real as possible. I think some players resent that Vladimir Tarasenko doesn't work as hard as he should. I think some players who think that about Tarasenko aren't working as hard as they should be. I don't think the leaders are doing a good enough job of taking the different personalities in the locker room and making everybody feel like one. Is Dmitrij Jaskin a bit of a loner? Yeah. Have the Blues tried to make him feel like them? Maybe more than I know. But has it been enough? No. Not just with Jaskin, but others, too, whether it's been this year or in the past. That translates on the ice. Guys are just playing hockey, many of them not playing FOR EACH OTHER. And I haven't even mentioned the guys who are just playing for the paycheck or the lifestyle, which in this case I'm not going to name names, but they know who they are.
I truly believe that whether the Blues make the playoffs or not, Armstrong is going to have to address the attitude of this team. If I know it's a problem, he has to know. It will be hard to change the culture — it's hard to move contracts in the NHL — but I believe it's necessary. I don't believe the team's problems can be found in analyzing a bad goal, a bad loss or a bad homestand. I believe they're tied to the fact that it's a group of players who are passing the puck to each other because they were either drafted or signed contracts to play for the Blues and they happen to be wearing the same crest on their sweater — not because they're going to go to the front of the net, take a slash to the leg, absorb the pain and score a goal, because that's what you do for your teammates and your coach and your fans. When you can show me that that's how much these guys care, then I'll show you a team that doesn't poop its pants on the ice and then repeat the same B.S. to reporters game after game after game. Does that answer your question?
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Nice to see Dion putting up some goals. :tup
Boston can lose a few games anytime now.
I keep waiting for a losing streak with this young team but they just keep winning.
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Nice to see Dion putting up some goals. :tup
Boston can lose a few games anytime now.
I keep waiting for a losing streak with this young team but they just keep winning.
During the Leafs broadcast last night, it was mentioned that the Panthers and Bruins haven't played each other yet - so 4 of the 24 games the Bs have left are against Florida. Hopefully Luongo can steal a couple of those.
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St. Louis is one point in and one point from being out of the Wildcard.
Blues are a mess. It's baffling how a team that played so well and confident to start the season now can't even do simple things like forwards back checking to stop easy tap in goals. There are SO many things wrong with the team right now it's honestly not even any fun to watch. In fact, it takes more effort for me to get mad at them these days than the effort you see them giving in the games.
There are still a few highlights though and reason to be excited about the future. Vince Dunn for one is a gem of a D-Man. So fun to watch. And Paryako....still a stud. But outside of Schwartz, Tarasenko...Schenn, we have nothing but third and fourth line forwards on our team. It's brutal to watch.
I subscribe to THE ATHLETIC (which is an awesome subscription service sports website) and Jeremy Rutherford who covered the Blues for over 20 years for the St. Louis Post Dispatch is now the Blues writer for them. Once a week he does a 'mailbag' segment where he will take questions from us the fans and answer them based on his observations and experience. Below is my question and his answer to that question last Saturday. It is a refreshing thing to hear a reporter of such regard as he is around St. Louis and the industry answer with such honesty. And, on the site....his answer was received with rave reviews from countless subscribers....the common comment was 'thank you for the honest answer'. I can't imagine his comments didn't get back to management and the players.
see below:
No. 1
Hey JR,
There's no beating around the bush — the Predator loss was brutal. That game glorified every strength the Blues have and magnified every weakness as well. And in my opinion, the weaknesses outshined the strengths. This very frustrated fan of 30 years has all but turned the page on this season as the Blues have not shown they have the capability to play against the likes of a team with Moxi like the Predators, Lightning or even the Pens.
My sentiment is at this point I'd rather see them miss the playoffs this year, have a gut check over the summer and come back embarrassed and on a mission next year. I think it'd be the best thing for the team honestly because they need something to change the culture in that locker room and missing the playoffs with talent like they have may do it. It's clear whatever message Mike Yeo is suggesting or leadership tactics being used by the vets isn't working. Do you think missing the playoffs is what this team needs to 'wake up'?
-Gary
JR: In order to answer this question, I need to break it down into two parts and keep it as real as possible.
1) Would missing the playoffs wake up the Blues?
2) If the Blues missed the playoffs, would Doug Armstrong make the necessary moves to change the culture?
But before I answer No. 1, let's make sure we're on the same page. When someone asks me whether missing the playoffs would “wake up” the Blues, give them a “gut check” and put them “on a mission,” I take that to mean you're asking about the players. You might be referring to the organization from top to bottom, but I prefer to focus my answer from a players' perspective. And my answer is “no,” it would not wake up them any more than losing in the second round woke them up last season. Would they be disappointed? Certainly. Would they tell media and fans that it's unacceptable? More times than you want to hear. But would they do any more self-examination than they did any other year or talk more amongst themselves about why they're so inconsistent? No and no. Some of you might be asking why nothing would change. I'm not saying nothing would change. I'm just saying I don't believe the Blues missing the playoffs by three points is going to put a more determined, ticked off team on the ice next season. Call me fatigued on the end-of-the-season post-mortem interviews. Every May, I see a despondent group of players and every October-April I see the same group making the same mistakes and excuses.
Now No. 2, what could be a benefit of missing the playoffs: changing the culture. Whether the Blues make the playoffs or not, I think they have to address this issue. Listen, the Blues obviously have talented players and they have good people in their locker room. But I think they have a roster that has too many players who just brush everything off. Nothing is ever a major deal in their eyes. Yeah, they might get mad at times, but there's always another game tomorrow, there's always a chance to fix things. I understand that. It's a long season and you're not going to play well every night. You lose a game, you regroup and play better next time. But I believe, if they had more players who got pissed off in the moment, like let's turn this game around now, let's not wait for the next game, they'd have a better record. I think that part of the reason we don't see this is because they don't pull together like they should. I'm not saying these guys don't like playing together, but they don't pull together.
This is the part of my answer where I'll try to keep it as real as possible. I think some players resent that Vladimir Tarasenko doesn't work as hard as he should. I think some players who think that about Tarasenko aren't working as hard as they should be. I don't think the leaders are doing a good enough job of taking the different personalities in the locker room and making everybody feel like one. Is Dmitrij Jaskin a bit of a loner? Yeah. Have the Blues tried to make him feel like them? Maybe more than I know. But has it been enough? No. Not just with Jaskin, but others, too, whether it's been this year or in the past. That translates on the ice. Guys are just playing hockey, many of them not playing FOR EACH OTHER. And I haven't even mentioned the guys who are just playing for the paycheck or the lifestyle, which in this case I'm not going to name names, but they know who they are.
I truly believe that whether the Blues make the playoffs or not, Armstrong is going to have to address the attitude of this team. If I know it's a problem, he has to know. It will be hard to change the culture — it's hard to move contracts in the NHL — but I believe it's necessary. I don't believe the team's problems can be found in analyzing a bad goal, a bad loss or a bad homestand. I believe they're tied to the fact that it's a group of players who are passing the puck to each other because they were either drafted or signed contracts to play for the Blues and they happen to be wearing the same crest on their sweater — not because they're going to go to the front of the net, take a slash to the leg, absorb the pain and score a goal, because that's what you do for your teammates and your coach and your fans. When you can show me that that's how much these guys care, then I'll show you a team that doesn't poop its pants on the ice and then repeat the same B.S. to reporters game after game after game. Does that answer your question?
That's a very interesting answer, especially the part about Tarasenko not working as hard as other guys and the negative trickle down effect it has. That's a huge red flag to me as a lack of leadership, whether it's players or coaches or both.
Example - when Kessel came to the Pens a couple off seasons ago he came with all the baggage the Canadian media had basically given him - he's not tough, doesn't work hard, doesn't do the little things right, he's fat, etc... Over his time here, it's become clear that Phil plays a certain way, there are things he does and things he simply does not do. This includes working on certain aspects of his game at practice. So how have the Pens won two Stanley Cups since he arrived? The leadership group of players on the team and the coaching staff have purposely not let that affect anyone else's work ethic or style of play. The coaches have put Phil in a position where they ask him to do specific things that play to his strengths and they rely on guys like Crosby (who in my opinion might work too hard) to be the examples of practice, tenacity, discipline, etc... It's worked pretty well for all parties involved thus far.
If the Blues are letting that sort of thing bring the collective down, that screams lack of leadership and accountability. I'm the type that firmly believes that actual, tangible, talent supersedes intangible things like "leadership" but in this case, that sort of scenario would definitely worry me if I was a Blues fan.
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Nice to see Dion putting up some goals. :tup
Boston can lose a few games anytime now.
I keep waiting for a losing streak with this young team but they just keep winning.
During the Leafs broadcast last night, it was mentioned that the Panthers and Bruins haven't played each other yet - so 4 of the 24 games the Bs have left are against Florida. Hopefully Luongo can steal a couple of those.
This soft in the head goalie?
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/550x700q90/924/OmQVir.png) (https://imageshack.com/f/poOmQVirp)
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The Athletic
Just popping in to note that I also subscribe to and highly recommend The Athletic. For hockey it often is icing on the cake given I follow things rather closely, but for football and the Niners which I don't delve deep on otherwise their articles are always fantastic and insightful.
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The Athletic
Just popping in to note that I also subscribe to and highly recommend The Athletic. For hockey it often is icing on the cake given I follow things rather closely, but for football and the Niners which I don't delve deep on otherwise their articles are always fantastic and insightful.
Yeah. It’s been worth every penny. And it’s not even baseball season yet. I can’t recommend it enough.
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If the Blues are letting that sort of thing bring the collective down, that screams lack of leadership and accountability. I'm the type that firmly believes that actual, tangible, talent supersedes intangible things like "leadership" but in this case, that sort of scenario would definitely worry me if I was a Blues fan.
I am not worried about Tarasenko or his lack of apparent 'effort'. Like Rutherford said in that article....the few players that may be griping about it need to take a long look at THEIR effort and quit worrying about his. Tarasenko is an elite player who is going to get you 30-40 goals a year. A recent article in the ATHLETIC also broke down the scoring the Blues get off of his shots....meaning, how many goals are scored within 3 seconds of him taking a shot if it's not a goal. He generates offense. Tarasenko's issue is that when he isn't scoring he plain an simple pouts about it and it 'looks' bad. He does have games where he could be doing more responsibility wise but HE isn't the Blues issue. I know for a fact he wants to win and he hates to lose. If it were about lifestyle for him he would have stayed in Russia and played in the KHL his whole life. His grandfather, father and family are there.
The Blues issue right now is flat out attitude and "moxi". The good teams have it.....the Blues don't. You can't get by on talent alone....you have to have that extra attitude and it's just non existent for the Blues right now.
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Gary, interesting read.
Two questions, three actually..
1. Do the Blues miss David Backes? Just watch his play on the B's GW goal last night after erasing a 2 goal deficit in Edmonton on the second of B2B and 3rd game in 4 nights.
2. Is Mike Yeo the right guy? He strikes me as more of a College or AHL level coach.
3. Should they have kept Shattenkirk and moved on from Pietrangelo instead?
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And Philly! Whoulda thunk it after that 10 game winless streak they had in November.
Well, it's only fair since last year we became the first team with a 10-game win streak to miss the playoffs.
Things in Philly are certainly positive now, but not without some concerns. Goalies being injured left and right is one, but I'm hopeful that our new toy from Detroit and Alex Lyon will hold things together to at least get us into the playoffs, prior to which both Elliot and Neuvirth will be due to return. It's also worth noting that a certainly lesser known name in Anthony Stolarz, who was called up a few times last year when we had injuries and played well, has been out all season up to this point with an injury as well. One hidden bonus in getting Mrazek from Detroit is that Stolie can get some work with the Phantoms and help them in what has been a great year thus far in the AHL.
On defense the great thing is we have, and should have for many years to come a great top pair, finally, in Ghost and Provorov. The bad news is that beyond that we're average at best. I do think that in a year or two we'll be among the league leaders defensively, but not sure if the crew now has enough to make a full push. On offense, again, we have some guys like Giroux, Voracek, and Coots who are having phenomenal seasons. We also have anchors like Lehtera, Weiss, and Filpula that will be holding us back for another year or two. The biggest surprise and a big help in our recent push is the young forwards of Patrick and Konecny are having strong play now. Typically those guys start hot and struggle as the season moves on, but for both it seems that the adjustments have been made and hopefully they stay hotter.
As a Wings fan, I was slightly bummed that they gave up on Mrazek, but Ken Holland and Co. mis-handled him. He should have been given the net as the starter years ago. I'm hoping the change of scenery will do Mrazek some good, because when he's on, he's ON. He has the potential to steal a series or two for the Flyers. Not only that, I want those conditional picks to reach their maximum!
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These obviously are just my thoughts....
1. Do the Blues miss David Backes? Just watch his play on the B's GW goal last night after erasing a 2 goal deficit in Edmonton on the second of B2B and 3rd game in 4 nights.
100% absolutely. Not only do they miss his leadership.....they do not have a single player that is willing to pay the price for a goal like Backes did for us and now does for the Bruins. Now, the Blues have had scoring issues for a LONG time....even when he was around but his leadership is sorely missed, no doubt about it.
2. Is Mike Yeo the right guy? He strikes me as more of a College or AHL level coach.
I'm not sold on him, at all. I'd agree he's an AHL level guy. We went from a stickler (Hitchcock) to Yeo, who comes across entirely too soft IMO. I don't think he has command of the Blues right now. IF....and that's a big if, Quennville were to get canned by the Hawks I'd dump Yeo and hire him at all costs if I were the Blues. I just don't see him as 'the' coach that gets us there. Especially after the consistent comments from the Minnesota fans in the articles on in the ATHLETIC all year. They've all but verified the issues 'we' are seeing now plagued the Wild why he was there.
3. Should they have kept Shattenkirk and moved on from Pietrangelo instead?
Nope. Pietrangelo is a far superior D Man than Shattenkirk. The issue is, he's just not Captain material IMO. I don't think he has the right personality for it. You need a gritty, hard nosed....no BS type of person to be a Captain IMO and Petro just isn't that guy. Heck of a player, just isn't getting the job done as a Captain.
In fact, my question for this weeks mailbag for Rutherford will be if he agrees with me and that I think in order to begin the culture change in the locker room I'd strip all A's from the Alternate Captains and the C from Petro.....right now....to let it be known that what's going on is unacceptable. But, when it comes to things like that....I get a bit extreme. Just ask my kids. They lost their PS4 for 6 months last year because I got sick of their disrespectful attitudes....when I hinted that I'd take it away the rest of the year I was 'challenged' per say with a "you can't do that". :lol Umm...yeah I can :biggrin: Anyway....to change the culture in that locker room some drastic measures need to take place.
I'd also bench a few of the vets for a game or two across the board and call up some youngsters and let them play a bit. But that's tougher to do given roster spots and how difficult it is to bring up/send down folks.
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Yes, the Blues miss David Backes dearly. And Kevin Shattenkirk. And Troy Brouwer. And definitely Brian Elliott, who had an occasional bad game, but who was much more consistent and reliable than Allen. At the start of the season, I couldn't recall a time when the Blues looked so sharp and quick, but now it's absolutely painful to watch them, especially since every other Central division team minus the Blackhawks (whose downfall is one of the season's most surprising developments) is really turning up the intensity and doing whatever they can to win. Looking at the current standings is nightmarish if you're a Blues fan, but at least there is still plenty of hockey to play this season and anything can happen; as the Predators showed us last year, it's best to find your groove at the very end of the season. Speaking of Nashville, my money is definitely on them to win the cup this year.
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All this talk about the Blues makes me think back fondly to the 2012 conference semifinal series between the Kings and the Blues. I got a last minute ticket to game 4, and the "ELLL-i-OTTTT" chants were almost as good as the "Lu-OONNNN-go" chants from the Vancouver series. I remember towards the end of the game when the Blues were desperately trying to get back in the game, and Slava Voynov single-handedly played keep-away with the puck for what seemed like a full minute or more. The whole thing was a nice bit of payback for 1998 and Sean O'Donnell's second dumbest penalty in Kings history.
Ahhh...memories. ;D
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Btw, Chad, you are going down Saturday night! :xbones
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We got the Isles to worry about tomorrow first. You guys get all rested up for us.
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We got the Isles to worry about tomorrow first. You guys get all rested up for us.
You know it! Is it Hockey Night in Canada?
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These obviously are just my thoughts....
1. Do the Blues miss David Backes? Just watch his play on the B's GW goal last night after erasing a 2 goal deficit in Edmonton on the second of B2B and 3rd game in 4 nights.
100% absolutely. Not only do they miss his leadership.....they do not have a single player that is willing to pay the price for a goal like Backes did for us and now does for the Bruins. Now, the Blues have had scoring issues for a LONG time....even when he was around but his leadership is sorely missed, no doubt about it.
And he's handsome. You forgot to mention that he was handsome. ;D
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Yes, the Blues miss David Backes dearly. And Kevin Shattenkirk. And Troy Brouwer. And definitely Brian Elliott, who had an occasional bad game, but who was much more consistent and reliable than Allen. At the start of the season, I couldn't recall a time when the Blues looked so sharp and quick, but now it's absolutely painful to watch them, especially since every other Central division team minus the Blackhawks (whose downfall is one of the season's most surprising developments) is really turning up the intensity and doing whatever they can to win. Looking at the current standings is nightmarish if you're a Blues fan, but at least there is still plenty of hockey to play this season and anything can happen; as the Predators showed us last year, it's best to find your groove at the very end of the season. Speaking of Nashville, my money is definitely on them to win the cup this year.
Ehh...I think you and I disagree on Elliot. He’s a good back up goalie....decent starter but I’d still take Allen. Allen has some issues every now and then but his largest issue is support. Take his last 13 starts for instance, in 8 of those 13 the Blues have scored 1 goal or less. That is huge pressure knowing basically that if you let a single goal in your team is going to lose.
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We got the Isles to worry about tomorrow first. You guys get all rested up for us.
You know it! Is it Hockey Night in Canada?
Every Saturday is HNIC
These obviously are just my thoughts....
1. Do the Blues miss David Backes? Just watch his play on the B's GW goal last night after erasing a 2 goal deficit in Edmonton on the second of B2B and 3rd game in 4 nights.
100% absolutely. Not only do they miss his leadership.....they do not have a single player that is willing to pay the price for a goal like Backes did for us and now does for the Bruins. Now, the Blues have had scoring issues for a LONG time....even when he was around but his leadership is sorely missed, no doubt about it.
And he's handsome. You forgot to mention that he was handsome. ;D
#alittlehomo
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Womens Gold Medal game was insane. Shootout victory for USA. I’m tired now.
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Womens Gold Medal game was insane. Shootout victory for USA. I’m tired now.
That was intense. I’ve never enjoyed watching a game of any sport more than that one. And to see the US team finally beat Canada was even better (with all due respect to any Canadians on these forums, watching them win a big rivalry game for the gold after coming up short in the same situation for the past two Olympics was so satisfying). It was clear from the beginning of the tournament that it was USA and Canada, and then everybody else. These two teams are so evenly matched and perform on such an elite level that a close game was expected, but I don’t think anybody expected the nail-biter that we ended up getting. This type of game could help put women’s hockey in the spotlight and keep it there, because without the NHL players in the Olympics, it was the US-Canada women’s rivalry that was getting all of the focus instead of the men’s tournament. Hopefully this leads to some big things for women’s hockey because these two teams proved that the women can be just as competitive as the men and I think there’s a market for a women’s hockey league and the potential for a NWHL expansion.
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Womens Gold Medal game was insane. Shootout victory for USA. I’m tired now.
That was intense. I’ve never enjoyed watching a game of any sport more than that one. And to see the US team finally beat Canada was even better (with all due respect to any Canadians on these forums, watching them win a big rivalry game for the gold after coming up short in the same situation for the past two Olympics was so satisfying). It was clear from the beginning of the tournament that it was USA and Canada, and then everybody else. These two teams are so evenly matched and perform on such an elite level that a close game was expected, but I don’t think anybody expected the nail-biter that we ended up getting. This type of game could help put women’s hockey in the spotlight and keep it there, because without the NHL players in the Olympics, it was the US-Canada women’s rivalry that was getting all of the focus instead of the men’s tournament. Hopefully this leads to some big things for women’s hockey because these two teams proved that the women can be just as competitive as the men and I think there’s a market for a women’s hockey league and the potential for a NWHL expansion.
Yeah....it was a GREAT game!! I felt like the USA had the better of the overall play but Canada capitalized on their two great chances when they happened.
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And Philly! Whoulda thunk it after that 10 game winless streak they had in November.
Well, it's only fair since last year we became the first team with a 10-game win streak to miss the playoffs.
Things in Philly are certainly positive now, but not without some concerns. Goalies being injured left and right is one, but I'm hopeful that our new toy from Detroit and Alex Lyon will hold things together to at least get us into the playoffs, prior to which both Elliot and Neuvirth will be due to return. It's also worth noting that a certainly lesser known name in Anthony Stolarz, who was called up a few times last year when we had injuries and played well, has been out all season up to this point with an injury as well. One hidden bonus in getting Mrazek from Detroit is that Stolie can get some work with the Phantoms and help them in what has been a great year thus far in the AHL.
On defense the great thing is we have, and should have for many years to come a great top pair, finally, in Ghost and Provorov. The bad news is that beyond that we're average at best. I do think that in a year or two we'll be among the league leaders defensively, but not sure if the crew now has enough to make a full push. On offense, again, we have some guys like Giroux, Voracek, and Coots who are having phenomenal seasons. We also have anchors like Lehtera, Weiss, and Filpula that will be holding us back for another year or two. The biggest surprise and a big help in our recent push is the young forwards of Patrick and Konecny are having strong play now. Typically those guys start hot and struggle as the season moves on, but for both it seems that the adjustments have been made and hopefully they stay hotter.
As a Wings fan, I was slightly bummed that they gave up on Mrazek, but Ken Holland and Co. mis-handled him. He should have been given the net as the starter years ago. I'm hoping the change of scenery will do Mrazek some good, because when he's on, he's ON. He has the potential to steal a series or two for the Flyers. Not only that, I want those conditional picks to reach their maximum!
It was a smart move by the Flyers that only really works out well for you guys if he does really well, in which case we can't complain. Getting 5 wins and making the playoffs is not a stretch, so the 4th likely becomes a 3rd. Much less likely he wins 6 playoff games and we get to the conference finals, simply because by that time both our other goalies should be healthy and so he is likely not the starter, let alone getting 6 wins even if we make the conference finals.
The condition on the other 3rd round pick is a stretch as well as we'd have to re-sign him. The only way that happens is if he plays so well we move on from either of Neuvirth or Elliot via trade or buyout as both are still under contract next season.
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Womens Gold Medal game was insane. Shootout victory for USA. I’m tired now.
That was intense. I’ve never enjoyed watching a game of any sport more than that one. And to see the US team finally beat Canada was even better (with all due respect to any Canadians on these forums, watching them win a big rivalry game for the gold after coming up short in the same situation for the past two Olympics was so satisfying). It was clear from the beginning of the tournament that it was USA and Canada, and then everybody else. These two teams are so evenly matched and perform on such an elite level that a close game was expected, but I don’t think anybody expected the nail-biter that we ended up getting. This type of game could help put women’s hockey in the spotlight and keep it there, because without the NHL players in the Olympics, it was the US-Canada women’s rivalry that was getting all of the focus instead of the men’s tournament. Hopefully this leads to some big things for women’s hockey because these two teams proved that the women can be just as competitive as the men and I think there’s a market for a women’s hockey league and the potential for a NWHL expansion.
I agree with almost all of this (having seen the Miracle on Ice (albeit on tape delay) and a couple of Stanley Cup wins for my team, I won't say this was the most enjoyable game I've seen). What a nail biter! The Lamoureux twins came up HUGE in the clutch. It was looking like Canada was going to squeak out a 2-1 win when Monique got a breakaway. A lesser player might have gripped, but she showed what a veteran she is, and her release on that shot was amazing. Jocelyne's goal in the shootout was just plain filthy, and Maddie Rooney stopping Meghan Agosta's last chance shot -- despite Agosta having schooled Rooney earlier in the shootout -- was the epitome of clutch.
The only thing I didn't like was deciding the gold medal with a shootout. I get why they do it, but I'm not really sure it's necessary. The U.S. dominated in the shootout, so I'm not too disappointed.
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And Philly! Whoulda thunk it after that 10 game winless streak they had in November.
Well, it's only fair since last year we became the first team with a 10-game win streak to miss the playoffs.
Things in Philly are certainly positive now, but not without some concerns. Goalies being injured left and right is one, but I'm hopeful that our new toy from Detroit and Alex Lyon will hold things together to at least get us into the playoffs, prior to which both Elliot and Neuvirth will be due to return. It's also worth noting that a certainly lesser known name in Anthony Stolarz, who was called up a few times last year when we had injuries and played well, has been out all season up to this point with an injury as well. One hidden bonus in getting Mrazek from Detroit is that Stolie can get some work with the Phantoms and help them in what has been a great year thus far in the AHL.
On defense the great thing is we have, and should have for many years to come a great top pair, finally, in Ghost and Provorov. The bad news is that beyond that we're average at best. I do think that in a year or two we'll be among the league leaders defensively, but not sure if the crew now has enough to make a full push. On offense, again, we have some guys like Giroux, Voracek, and Coots who are having phenomenal seasons. We also have anchors like Lehtera, Weiss, and Filpula that will be holding us back for another year or two. The biggest surprise and a big help in our recent push is the young forwards of Patrick and Konecny are having strong play now. Typically those guys start hot and struggle as the season moves on, but for both it seems that the adjustments have been made and hopefully they stay hotter.
As a Wings fan, I was slightly bummed that they gave up on Mrazek, but Ken Holland and Co. mis-handled him. He should have been given the net as the starter years ago. I'm hoping the change of scenery will do Mrazek some good, because when he's on, he's ON. He has the potential to steal a series or two for the Flyers. Not only that, I want those conditional picks to reach their maximum!
It was a smart move by the Flyers that only really works out well for you guys if he does really well, in which case we can't complain. Getting 5 wins and making the playoffs is not a stretch, so the 4th likely becomes a 3rd. Much less likely he wins 6 playoff games and we get to the conference finals, simply because by that time both our other goalies should be healthy and so he is likely not the starter, let alone getting 6 wins even if we make the conference finals.
The condition on the other 3rd round pick is a stretch as well as we'd have to re-sign him. The only way that happens is if he plays so well we move on from either of Neuvirth or Elliot via trade or buyout as both are still under contract next season.
He looked pretty darn good for the Flyers last night. I hope he keeps it up.
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He was on fire against the Leafs last Sunday. They were lucky to come away with a victory. I'm betting he's a solid addition for them, and will supplant one of Elliott or Neuvirth
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Way to trade one of your best players to one of your biggest rivals Rangers. That won’t come back to bite you in the ass at all. :facepalm:
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Way to trade one of your best players to one of your biggest rivals Rangers. That won’t come back to bite you in the ass at all. :facepalm:
Yeah... most times people don't like divisional trades for just that reason. I get that it's a fire-sale in Ranger-ville, but surely there was another taker outside of the division? Maybe not though.
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https://www.theplayerstribune.com/patrik-elias-forever-a-devil/
Very happy my friends and I decided to do tickets for his jersey retirement game rather than opening night this year.
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Fly Flyers Fly?
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Pens going all out for the 3 peat. :metal
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Apparently I missed a helluva game... watched the 9 minute game recap this morning. :fistpump:
That second goal by Marchand was a thing of beauty. Now let's see what the Leafs can do against Tampa tomorrow.
Checking the news... mother-fucker, you bastards grabbed Nash. He ought to be good for the playoff push. Thoughts on the trade Tim/Joe? Did you guys get good value for the rental, or are there intentions of signing him too?
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Apparently I missed a helluva game... watched the 9 minute game recap this morning. :fistpump:
That second goal by Marchand was a thing of beauty. Now let's see what the Leafs can do against Tampa tomorrow.
Lots of crying about the last goal and the goalie interference here in Boston.
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Apparently I missed a helluva game... watched the 9 minute game recap this morning. :fistpump:
That second goal by Marchand was a thing of beauty. Now let's see what the Leafs can do against Tampa tomorrow.
Lots of crying about the last goal and the goalie interference here in Boston.
I can see that. 4 weeks ago, I'm sure it would've been likely been disallowed. Check my edit above.
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So... just casually looking at the rest of the schedule, Boston is gonna be in tough. There's only one 2-day break from now to the end of the season, and 2 back-to-back games (one a home-and-home vs Chicago); 3 games against Tampa (2 in Tampa). Luckily, you've got a lot of games against shit-kicker teams, but also a handful against playoff bubble teams like Carolina, St.Louis, and Columbus.
First 1/2 of March is gonna make or break the gap. Leafs have 5 games from the 28th-16th; Boston has 8.
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At the airport heading home. No issue with the goal last night. Love the trade. Talk later.
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Apparently I missed a helluva game... watched the 9 minute game recap this morning. :fistpump:
That second goal by Marchand was a thing of beauty. Now let's see what the Leafs can do against Tampa tomorrow.
Checking the news... mother-fucker, you bastards grabbed Nash. He ought to be good for the playoff push. Thoughts on the trade Tim/Joe? Did you guys get good value for the rental, or are there intentions of signing him too?
I think its a pretty good trade. Bruins need to solidify two lines. They've had quite a few for us Rounders the last 4 years.
Though Ryan Spooner was finally playing to potential he was going to leave after this year. Beleskey has been a bust so no big deal. I truly look at it as Nash for a first-round draft pick.
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*awaits Gary's rage post*. :corn
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*awaits Gary's rage post*. :corn
Ha ha ha. I don’t have the energy for it. If I thought the players actually gave a crap then I would as well. It’s clear there’s a major issue going on in that locker room....
and I’d fire Yeo immediately after the season ends. He’s too soft.
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2-0 Sabres. Same old start of late for the B's. Can't do that in the playoffs.
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2-0 Sabres. Same old start of late for the B's. Can't do that in the playoffs.
As long as they don't have to face the Sabres, they should be good. ;D
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How about the Leafs? They are 1-3 against them.
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I'm not saying they'd handle the Leafs, but the ONLY team in the East that they have NO shot against is Washington.
The Leafs would be a great series and they're going to end up playing them anyway.
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and I’d fire Yeo immediately after the season ends. He’s too soft.
You say that, but I still believe that here in Minnesota he was let go because he was too hard on the veterans and they all turned on him
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and I’d fire Yeo immediately after the season ends. He’s too soft.
You say that, but I still believe that here in Minnesota he was let go because he was too hard on the veterans and they all turned on him
Well, he’s done a 180 then. Entirely too dismissive of some clear veteran leadership issues on the team. And, that team is not responding to his message or plan or whatever you want to call it right now.
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Pieterangelo was -4 yesterday!?!?
#goodjob
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Pieterangelo was -4 yesterday!?!?
#goodjob
Well....unless you count the assists he had by giving the puck away that directly led to Nashville goals. They were clean passes....
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Well, it would still place them below many teams in the league, but the Flyers have a chance tonight to take sole lead of the Metro division with a win. That perspective is even with those 78 points the Flyers would still be 4th, 3rd, and 2nd in the other divisions.
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Ryan McDonough and TJ Miller to the Lightning is the highlight of the day. Word is Yzerman pumped the breaks on this deal long enough to freeze up any possible Mike Green and Erik Karlsson deals. That's like knowing Pronger is skating in hard to take out your knee, and moving at the last second and causing Pronger to blow out his knee instead, missing all of the next season in the process. Well played, Stevie, well played indeed.
Also surprised by Vegas giving up 3 picks for Tomas Tatar. I was hoping the Wings would clean house, but Ken Holland gives away NTC's and NMC's like candy on Halloween. Stastny to Winnipeg was a good deal for the Jets. Impressed that Cheveldayoff made a trade, and a good one at that.
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Yeah... TB got even stronger today. Not sure Tatar was worth the price that LV paid. Sure, the 1st rounder is gonna be a late round pick, but given Maroon went for a single 3rd-round pick, I think LV overpaid for Tatar.
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Definitely thought the Devils needed help on D more than anything else, but hopefully Grabner and Maroon should give us a little more firepower for the stretch run.
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I'm cool with the Flyers having stayed pretty quiet today, I'd have been very displeased if they'd given up part of the future core for a rental, especially given the inflated prices for today's trades.
Also, back in December that was a 9% chance of the Flyers even making the playoffs, and as of tonight they are in sole possession of first in the Metro...I knew they were better than that losing streak, but I didn't see this coming.
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I'm very excited that the Penguins have shown, over the last couple of days, full intention of trying to maximize the remaining window this franchise realistically has before a rebuild is needed. I'd guess Sid and Geno probably have 2 more seasons or so after this one still producing at an elite rate. The Pens now have Brassard through the end of next year, they are locking up Hornqvist as we speak, Kessel is under contract for a couple more years, they have two young quality goalies, our top d-men are locked up for the next couple years and we have good, young, affordable talent to compliment.
Good on them for trying to maximize the rest of this window before the stars start their career declines. Exciting times regardless of how this season ends for the Pens, the next couple years (barring horrible injury) should be full of potential.
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I'm still in shock of how quickly the wheels came off of the Blues this season. I'm not saying they were top dogs by any means, but they 'were' certainly a playoff team that if the right things happen....puck luck....good roll....hot goalie....could have made a fun run of it.
But man, did they bust open at the seams and crap the bed. Just a tailspin of all tailspins and they look confused as all get out. I'll still watch, and root a bit and maybe they make a small run and squeak in the playoffs but there's not a snowballs chance in hell they'd make it out of the first round IF they were able to. And honestly, they aren't going to get in. They're one of only four teams that have made the playoffs six years straight...so I guess the ride is over.
The remainder of my hockey season will be spent Rooting for whoever plays the Predators. They simply cannot win the cup, for the sake of my sanity. I cannot bear to live the remainder of my days having to listen to my brother in law gloat about 'his' team winning the cup, despite him being a new fan of the team. Anyone who plays them will be my favorite team for a series.
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I wouldn't close the books on at least a Blues playoff appearance. Keep in mind they traded Shattenkirk at the deadline last year and still made it.
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I wouldn't close the books on at least a Blues playoff appearance. Keep in mind they traded Shattenkirk at the deadline last year and still made it.
Yeah, but in that case everyone knew it was coming. This has a whole different 'feel'. Per the comments from Rutherford in the ATHLETIC and the portion I quoted here....there is an obvious division in the locker room, meaning...something is going on with the players and no one can pinpoint it. The talent is there to make a run, but they have looked like a last place AHL team the past 6 games....all losses. There's zero confidence, it's brutal. In Jake Allen's last 14 starts the Blues have scored 1 goal or less!!! Imagine knowing if you give up a goal you're gonna lose!?
They could make a push and get in, I just don't see it happening. I think they'll have a little push back in Minnesota tonight because Statsny was beloved by his team mates but, I can't see it being sustained.
I just think this is exactly what a city gets for naming it's Hockey team the 'Blues'. I mean, WTF did you think would happen? :lol
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F-ing AMAZING comeback by the Kings against the Knights last night! Of course, the Kings looked like crap getting down 2-0 right at the start of the third period. Whatever they pumped into Marc-Andre Fleury in Vegas, I want some. The Kings finally broke through with a fluke goal by Jeff Carter off a Vegas d-man's head a little past the halfway mark of the third, and Anze Kopitar tied the game with an absolute laser of a one-timer off a beautiful Dion Phaneuf pass with only 11 seconds left in regulation. OT was tight until Vegas took a questionable penalty, and Dustin Brown made them pay with some really skillful stickwork in front of the net. He took a crossing pass off his skate, onto his backhand, then to his forehand, and into the net.
The win moved the Kings into the second wild card spot (by virtue of the ROW tiebreaker). The Pacific Division is still an absolute logjam, with two points separating second place from fifth place. The Kings really need to pick things up at home if they want to make the playoffs. Strap yourselves in for the next 18-20 games. Should be fun!
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I'm very excited that the Penguins have shown, over the last couple of days, full intention of trying to maximize the remaining window this franchise realistically has before a rebuild is needed. I'd guess Sid and Geno probably have 2 more seasons or so after this one still producing at an elite rate. The Pens now have Brassard through the end of next year, they are locking up Hornqvist as we speak, Kessel is under contract for a couple more years, they have two young quality goalies, our top d-men are locked up for the next couple years and we have good, young, affordable talent to compliment.
Good on them for trying to maximize the rest of this window before the stars start their career declines. Exciting times regardless of how this season ends for the Pens, the next couple years (barring horrible injury) should be full of potential.
I'm just glad you took Riley Sheahan from the Wings. I was tired of the Wings wasting a roster space on him.
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I'm very excited that the Penguins have shown, over the last couple of days, full intention of trying to maximize the remaining window this franchise realistically has before a rebuild is needed. I'd guess Sid and Geno probably have 2 more seasons or so after this one still producing at an elite rate. The Pens now have Brassard through the end of next year, they are locking up Hornqvist as we speak, Kessel is under contract for a couple more years, they have two young quality goalies, our top d-men are locked up for the next couple years and we have good, young, affordable talent to compliment.
Good on them for trying to maximize the rest of this window before the stars start their career declines. Exciting times regardless of how this season ends for the Pens, the next couple years (barring horrible injury) should be full of potential.
I'm just glad you took Riley Sheahan from the Wings. I was tired of the Wings wasting a roster space on him.
And I'm glad we took him too. He's been pretty good this year. 8 goals, 16 assists, 24 points. Not bad at all. Plays a good 200 foot game. With the addition of Brassard, he'll slot down to the 4th center, in that position he'll be excellent.
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I'm very excited that the Penguins have shown, over the last couple of days, full intention of trying to maximize the remaining window this franchise realistically has before a rebuild is needed. I'd guess Sid and Geno probably have 2 more seasons or so after this one still producing at an elite rate. The Pens now have Brassard through the end of next year, they are locking up Hornqvist as we speak, Kessel is under contract for a couple more years, they have two young quality goalies, our top d-men are locked up for the next couple years and we have good, young, affordable talent to compliment.
Good on them for trying to maximize the rest of this window before the stars start their career declines. Exciting times regardless of how this season ends for the Pens, the next couple years (barring horrible injury) should be full of potential.
I'm just glad you took Riley Sheahan from the Wings. I was tired of the Wings wasting a roster space on him.
And I'm glad we took him too. He's been pretty good this year. 8 goals, 16 assists, 24 points. Not bad at all. Plays a good 200 foot game. With the addition of Brassard, he'll slot down to the 4th center, in that position he'll be excellent.
I think the change of scenery did him some good. He was starting to regress pretty badly in Detroit, but I don't think Blashill knew how to best deploy him. I don't like how the Red Wings have two very different standards for their young guys and their vets. I think it screwed up the development of the young guys. Then again, I think the Red Wings should have committed to the rebuild after Lidstrom retired. They wouldn't be in the shape they're in now if Holland had the sense to move up and let Yzerman take over as GM.
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Bergeron out for the B's for 2 weeks with a broken foot from a blocked shot Saturday night. Not got at all.
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Sucks for you guys, but I ain’t crying about it.
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Sucks for you guys, but I ain’t crying about it.
Oh I know you SOB. :lol
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Bergeron out for the B's for 2 weeks with a broken foot from a blocked shot Saturday night. Not got at all.
Oh he GOT it! ;D
This blows.
Let the Tommy Wingels era begin!! :lol
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Let the Tommy Wingels era begin!! :lol
(https://private.h-fangirl.com/photoshopdonthread/showthread1.php_files/don.jpg)
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:lol
Goal and an assist tonight! :metal
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:lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol
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As a Sens fan, I miss Wingels. He and Stalberg brought stability to the 4th line
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F-ing AMAZING comeback by the Kings against the Knights last night! Of course, the Kings looked like crap getting down 2-0 right at the start of the third period. Whatever they pumped into Marc-Andre Fleury in Vegas, I want some. The Kings finally broke through with a fluke goal by Jeff Carter off a Vegas d-man's head a little past the halfway mark of the third, and Anze Kopitar tied the game with an absolute laser of a one-timer off a beautiful Dion Phaneuf pass with only 11 seconds left in regulation. OT was tight until Vegas took a questionable penalty, and Dustin Brown made them pay with some really skillful stickwork in front of the net. He took a crossing pass off his skate, onto his backhand, then to his forehand, and into the net.
The win moved the Kings into the second wild card spot (by virtue of the ROW tiebreaker). The Pacific Division is still an absolute logjam, with two points separating second place from fifth place. The Kings really need to pick things up at home if they want to make the playoffs. Strap yourselves in for the next 18-20 games. Should be fun!
Even better: back to back wins against Vegas!!! :o :metal :metal :metal
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Damn... Florida looks like they're gonna be tough to go against from here on out. Two games in a row that Luongo has been stellar, and they're playing solidly up and down the lineup. 5 points out with 3 games in hand. Glad the Leafs only have to face them once more. And given the environment in Parkland, they are playing inspired hockey.
On the Vegas issue.... maybe the bubble is bursting? Or did LA just play *that* good.
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Bergeron out for the B's for 2 weeks with a broken foot from a blocked shot Saturday night. Not got at all.
Really, this isn't all that bad. B's will have no trouble making the playoffs anyway, and all that matters is getting in and then going from there. He'll have plenty of time back prior to the playoffs.
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Through my flu haze last night, I was still able to make out what was obvious: this Blues team has quit on the season.
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Bergeron out for the B's for 2 weeks with a broken foot from a blocked shot Saturday night. Not got at all.
Really, this isn't all that bad. B's will have no trouble making the playoffs anyway, and all that matters is getting in and then going from there. He'll have plenty of time back prior to the playoffs.
Take a look at our schedule the rest of the year and you'll think differently.
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Through my flu haze last night, I was still able to make out what was obvious: this Blues team has quit on the season.
dude....I can't recall the last time they looked THIS horrid!? It's just baffling. Had all the chemistry in the world at the beginning of the season, then Berglund and Boumeester come back from injury....a few games later they lose Schwartz and BOOM.....they are a completely different team.
That piece I clipped into here from Jeremy Rutherford speaks to the issue....and the issue is there seems to be a locker room problem going on. There are simply players on that team that could care less about winning and losing a hockey game, they are in it for the $$ and the lifestyle. He didn't name names in the article but I know who he was speaking towards (Berglund, Sbotka) and it's cancerous.
I'll be interested to see tonight's game because Yeo was livid after that loss last night.....a reporter asked him if he was going to bench veteran players and he said yes and they said well you can't bench (6) of them...to which he said, well....we will start with who we can and go from there.
As I said earlier....my favorite team from this point on in the season is whoever is playing the Predators. They CANNOT win the cup!!!
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8-fucking-3. Wow. And the Preds came back from being down 5-3 in the third! Jets snatched defeat from the jaws of victory there!
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8-fucking-3. Wow.
Seven in a row....given up 16 goals in the last three games :lol I mean, there are no wheels left to come off the truck.....the train came off the track long ago now it's just tumbling down the mountainside. It's insane and comical all at once.
#nocupforPreds
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Bergeron out for the B's for 2 weeks with a broken foot from a blocked shot Saturday night. Not got at all.
Really, this isn't all that bad. B's will have no trouble making the playoffs anyway, and all that matters is getting in and then going from there. He'll have plenty of time back prior to the playoffs.
Take a look at our schedule the rest of the year and you'll think differently.
Fair enough, I mean you do play the Flyers soon. :p
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F-ing AMAZING comeback by the Kings against the Knights last night! Of course, the Kings looked like crap getting down 2-0 right at the start of the third period. Whatever they pumped into Marc-Andre Fleury in Vegas, I want some. The Kings finally broke through with a fluke goal by Jeff Carter off a Vegas d-man's head a little past the halfway mark of the third, and Anze Kopitar tied the game with an absolute laser of a one-timer off a beautiful Dion Phaneuf pass with only 11 seconds left in regulation. OT was tight until Vegas took a questionable penalty, and Dustin Brown made them pay with some really skillful stickwork in front of the net. He took a crossing pass off his skate, onto his backhand, then to his forehand, and into the net.
The win moved the Kings into the second wild card spot (by virtue of the ROW tiebreaker). The Pacific Division is still an absolute logjam, with two points separating second place from fifth place. The Kings really need to pick things up at home if they want to make the playoffs. Strap yourselves in for the next 18-20 games. Should be fun!
Even better: back to back wins against Vegas!!! :o :metal :metal :metal
Damn straight! And this one was far more convincing.
And Ryan Reeves...what a prick!
On the Vegas issue.... maybe the bubble is bursting? Or did LA just play *that* good.
The Kings played like crap for the first 2+ periods on Monday to get down 2-0. They got a fluke goal about halfway through the third (it bounced off one of their d-man's heads into the net). The tying goal was just a thing of beauty with Quick pulled. That seemed to give the Kings life in OT. Yesterday's game was much better for the Kings. Four unanswered goals after going down 1-0 early, but a solid game throughout (and Ryan Reeves running around taking stupid penalties in the last 5 minutes or so helped the Kings ice the game).
Vegas went 8-5-1 in February and still has a 10 point cushion in the Pacific Division, so I wouldn't say the bubble is bursting. The Kings won the first game through puck luck and a bit of grit, but Vegas probably "deserved" to win. The Kings were just better in the second game, but Vegas continues to impress me.
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Bergeron out for the B's for 2 weeks with a broken foot from a blocked shot Saturday night. Not got at all.
Really, this isn't all that bad. B's will have no trouble making the playoffs anyway, and all that matters is getting in and then going from there. He'll have plenty of time back prior to the playoffs.
Take a look at our schedule the rest of the year and you'll think differently.
Fair enough, I mean you do play the Flyers soon. :p
:lol
Shaking in my boots Nick!
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Bergeron out for the B's for 2 weeks with a broken foot from a blocked shot Saturday night. Not got at all.
Really, this isn't all that bad. B's will have no trouble making the playoffs anyway, and all that matters is getting in and then going from there. He'll have plenty of time back prior to the playoffs.
Take a look at our schedule the rest of the year and you'll think differently.
Fair enough, I mean you do play the Flyers soon. :p
:lol
Shaking in my boots Nick!
Nick... please do your part in ensuring the Leafs have home-ice advantage in round 1.
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Take about getting on your knees and.......
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Take about getting on your knees and.......
No, I was hinting at Philly taking out some of the Bruins at the knees. :biggrin:
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:lol
Next thing you'll ask Montreal for help.
I can't picture that ever!
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B's vs. Penn's. So I will leave this.
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/550x700q90/923/lgQLFf.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/f/pnlgQLFfj)
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8-3 B's 39 minutes into the game against the Pens? Never expected that!
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Crazy fucking game.
Love Charlie MacAvoy going right back after Hornquist.
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Crazy fucking game.
Love Charlie MacAvoy going right back after Hornquist.
As do I. This is the physical game I love to see.
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8-3 B's 39 minutes into the game against the Pens? Never expected that!
Da fuq? Nice time for the Pens to take a night off!
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Kings have another shitty first period at home, going down 2-0 to CBJ (the only NHL team whose abbreviation also stands for a sex act) but then wake up and score 5 unanswered goals. I REALLY like what I've seen from Alex Iafallo this year.
On another note, yesterday's game was "Pride Night" for the Kings (https://www.nhl.com/kings/tickets/theme-games/pride-night). Am I completely off the mark in thinking this is a silly promotion? Do other teams do this?
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8-3 B's 39 minutes into the game against the Pens? Never expected that!
Da fuq? Nice time for the Pens to take a night off!
Gotta get Murray back, our backups have been struggling.
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Kings have another shitty first period at home, going down 2-0 to CBJ (the only NHL team whose abbreviation also stands for a sex act) but then wake up and score 5 unanswered goals. I REALLY like what I've seen from Alex Iafallo this year.
On another note, yesterday's game was "Pride Night" for the Kings (https://www.nhl.com/kings/tickets/theme-games/pride-night). Am I completely off the mark in thinking this is a silly promotion? Do other teams do this?
The Blues have done (2) Pride nights
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The Blues have done (2) Pride nights
Which is ironic coming from the team that (seemingly according to your multiple posts) has no pride. :D
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The Blues have done (2) Pride nights
Which is ironic coming from the team that (seemingly according to your multiple posts) has no pride. :D
Ha. No kidding.
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8-3 B's 39 minutes into the game against the Pens? Never expected that!
Da fuq? Nice time for the Pens to take a night off!
Gotta get Murray back, our backups have been struggling.
I agree he is,important. How long will he be out?
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Kings have another shitty first period at home, going down 2-0 to CBJ (the only NHL team whose abbreviation also stands for a sex act) but then wake up and score 5 unanswered goals. I REALLY like what I've seen from Alex Iafallo this year.
On another note, yesterday's game was "Pride Night" for the Kings (https://www.nhl.com/kings/tickets/theme-games/pride-night). Am I completely off the mark in thinking this is a silly promotion? Do other teams do this?
The Blues have done (2) Pride nights
My thought is always: why are we celebrating sexual preferences/orientations or the fact that some folks like to dress in a manner more closely associated with the other gender? If you're a hockey fan, great; I couldn't care less whom or what you wants to f**k. If we're having LGBTQ "pride night," why aren't we having "BDSM night"? While I am, of course, being facetious about that, I cannot perceive any legitimate difference between the two concepts.
Anyhoo....
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8-3 B's 39 minutes into the game against the Pens? Never expected that!
Da fuq? Nice time for the Pens to take a night off!
Gotta get Murray back, our backups have been struggling.
I agree he is,important. How long will he be out?
Hard to say, he has a concussion, so he could be back in a couple days or a couple weeks. Hoping for a quick recovery but you know how concussions are - tough to tell.
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Seriously. There is no time table for that.
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Gotta love last minute free hockey tickets :D Got to see a big win last, both in terms of final score and hopefully getting the Devils back on track in this final stretch run of the regular season. Taylor Hall has just been unreal, at least one point in I think 26 straight games now.
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Taylor Hall has just been unreal, at least one point in I think 26 straight games now.
Yeah, he's been on fire.
As opposed to the Leafs who lost 4 straight after going 9-1-1. And with the Bs (both Bolts and Bruins) still winning, the gap is widening. Doubt they have a chance at home-ice, regardless of who finishes 2nd. Hopefully Matthews is back for Saturday.
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Big Pens win last night against the Flyers. :metal
Malkin, since the turn of the calendar year, has been playing possibly the best consistent hockey I've ever seen him play (for this duration of time at least). 29 points in his last 16 games - incredible.
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Yeah, he too is on fire. Pens are gonna be a force in the post-season. Matthews not likely to be back for Saturday, so it's gonna be a tough haul against you guys.
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Yeah, he too is on fire. Pens are gonna be a force in the post-season. Matthews not likely to be back for Saturday, so it's gonna be a tough haul against you guys.
Yeah the Pens seem to be coming on at the right time, the Brassard addition and Hörnqvist re-signing firmed up that management is fully committed to competing in the remaining prime window of this core.
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Jeezus... can't anyone hold a lead against the Bruins!?!?! Down 4-3 to start the 3rd, and they win 7-4. Thanks Chicago.
:zeltar:
Leafs need to show up tonight, and even still, 2nd place is a long-shot. And Florida is surging, so a prolonged slump would make things unnecessarily interesting.
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And show up they did - about 8 minutes into the game :lol ... and then made the finish interesting. Nice to get a regular time win though.
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Well, nice to see Conner throwing the team on his back again and scoring 2 in the 2nd. The only thing i have to cheer for is the scoring race, so I'll take what i can get. I still think the Oil mange to blow this 2 goal lead in the 3rd. This is the last game of the year for me in my season seat group, and i say thankya.
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Jeezus... can't anyone hold a lead against the Bruins!?!?! Down 4-3 to start the 3rd, and they win 7-4. Thanks Chicago.
:zeltar:
I can't believe how resilient the B's have been this year.
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Jeezus... can't anyone hold a lead against the Bruins!?!?! Down 4-3 to start the 3rd, and they win 7-4. Thanks Chicago.
:zeltar:
I can't believe how resilient the B's have been this year.
Rite?? And this with McEvoy and Bergeron out the past few games. If not for Gallant, Cassidy would be a shoe-in for the Adams.
Hopefully we're your Kryptonite. :biggrin:
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Don't forget Backes has been out 3 games for a suspension as well.
It looks like we are on a collision course for the first round.
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Don't forget Backes has been out 3 games for a suspension as well.
It looks like we are on a collision course for the first round.
It's a virtual certainty. I'm not sure I see you guys catching the Bolts... and I surely don't see the Panthers catching the Leafs.
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Well the bolts are 6 points ahead but we have 3 games in hand.
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Well the bolts are 6 points ahead but we have 3 games in hand.
Still don't see it happening, especially now that McDonagh is in their lineup. Though, you guys do have 3 games against each other (2 of which are in TB), so those will be huge. YUGE!
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I dont see it happening with too many games bunched up in the last month of the season.
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B's down 4-1 with 10 minutes left and win 6-4. Chad, your head may explode now.
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Exactly what I was thinking.
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Considering I had Cam Ward playing for my fantasy team tonight, I was not happy :lol
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You were for 50 minutes Bill. :lol
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And the Lightning lost!
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Considering I had Cam Ward playing for my fantasy team tonight, I was not happy :lol
The Bruins are 3rd in the league in goals. Why would you have Cam Ward active?
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B's down 4-1 with 10 minutes left and win 6-4. Chad, your head may explode now.
2012 Playoffs all over again.
:splode:
Bs tagline... rope a dope.
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Bs are indeed looking good. So good they could get off to a 3-0 lead in a game 4 when they're up in the series 3-0. And of course nothing bad could happen from there. :D
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Bs are indeed looking good. So good they could get off to a 3-0 lead in a game 4 when they're up in the series 3-0. And of course nothing bad could happen from there. :D
You do remember the year after don't you? ;D ;D ;D
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Bs are indeed looking good. So good they could get off to a 3-0 lead in a game 4 when they're up in the series 3-0. And of course nothing bad could happen from there. :D
You do remember the year after don't you? ;D ;D ;D
No, that year fails my memory for some reason.
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:lol
I am worried because there is so many injuries to key players right now. Somehow they keep winning. We just need them healthy for the playoffs.
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2012 Playoffs all over again.
As a Kings fan, I can only hope!
Seriously, though, the Kings "mood swings" are infuriating. Looked like crap in 7-2 beatdown against STL on Saturday, then had one of their strongest games of the year against an admittedly weak Vancouver team on Monday, and then went down 2-0 early last night against the worst team in the league and had to struggle mightily to force OT and earn a point after a shootout loss. The Kings' remaining schedule is relatively easy, but if they continue to play like crap against teams that are below them in the standings, the next four weeks are going to be long and painful.
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Considering I had Cam Ward playing for my fantasy team tonight, I was not happy :lol
The Bruins are 3rd in the league in goals. Why would you have Cam Ward active?
I can start two goalies per day and he was one of only two who were starting last night :lol It's very had for goalies in our league to earn negative points in a given game, he just got way fewer points for me than he would have if they held course at 4-1. Although, in the grand scheme of things this probably helps thin out the race for one of the wild card spots so I can't complain too much :D
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Big win by the Leafs last night, and I was at our company box as a last minute invite. :metal That was a solid back and forth game... but I haven't seen what the issue was with Anderson coming out.
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Free box seats ftw :hat
Hoping that the Devils are picking the right time to get hot, they stopped the Predators' winning streak on Saturday and then dropped an 8-spot on Vegas last night, both on the road. What's annoying is that I had planned on going out to Vegas for the game last night until something came up at work that meant I couldn't get away this week. Would have been a really fun game to get to.
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Man that Western conference Wild Card race is gonna be a tight one.
In the East... not so much. Carolina has managed to play their way out of contention, whereas the Panthers are killing it. I'm glad the Leafs only have one game left against them, and the Bs have three more. :biggrin:
And the bodies keep piling up... Komarav (Leafs' best defensive forward) looks like a bad knee injury; who knows what the deal is with Andersen. Chara now on the shelf? It's gonna be a grind for the next 3 weeks!
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Man that Western conference Wild Card race is gonna be a tight one.
It's maddening! It seems like every Kings win vaults them from out of the playoffs completely and into a WC spot or third place in the Pacific, and ever loss pushes them out of the playoffs.
Five points separate 2nd place from 5th place in the Pacific,, and 3rd through 5th place in the Central are separated by only two points. Likewise, five teams are within 5 points of each other for the two WC spots.
No one has more than one game in hand on anyone else, and the Kings and Avs currently own the ROW tiebreaker.
Tonight I'll be rooting for the Sens over Stars, Flames over the Sharts, Wings over Sucks, and Knights over Wild.
Fasten your seatbelts!
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Blues are out of that race. They lost to the Av's at home last night despite having 45 shots on goal (22) of which were quality scoring chances. the Av's goalie of course stood on his head.
The Blues are 1 of 4 teams who have made the playoffs six years in a row.....looks like that streak will end this season. Which I think is a good thing being that there are issues that need to be addressed and missing the playoffs would force those to be a priority.
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I'm hoping the Red Wings continue the losing streak. It's time to start Fallin' for Dahlin, or Suck Assmus for Rasmus, whichever you prefer. Anything that forces Chris Illitch to make a change! Watching Jeff Blashill's line blender the past 3 seasons has been frustrating.
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Blues are out of that race. They lost to the Av's at home last night despite having 45 shots on goal (22) of which were quality scoring chances. the Av's goalie of course stood on his head.
No complaining about the refs, or are we just assuming it? ;D
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The Blues might be sucking, but I am going tomorrow night now. All-inclusive, courtesy of my cousin who I am going with, meaning free beer, free foods (nachos!!), and seats 10 rows from the ice. :coolio
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The Blues might be sucking, but I am going tomorrow night now. All-inclusive, courtesy of my cousin who I am going with, meaning free beer, free foods (nachos!!), and seats 10 rows from the ice. :coolio
Can't beat that, even if it is a frustrating product on the ice.
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The Blues might be sucking, but I am going tomorrow night now. All-inclusive, courtesy of my cousin who I am going with, meaning free beer, free foods (nachos!!), and seats 10 rows from the ice. :coolio
That’s awesome! I’m sure you’ll get to see a good game. They’re acting like they want to win again. Issue is you can’t lose 7 games in a row in the Central Divison and think you’ll be fine. It’s just too tough a division.
Armstrong has a LOT to prove over the summer. I’d still love to hear his excuse as to why he didn’t sign Panarin two years ago when he, Tarasenko and his agent were begging the Blues to sign him.
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Awesome National Anthem in Tampa tonight.
Oh, and I love David Backes. Have I mentioned that before?
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The Blues might be sucking, but I am going tomorrow night now. All-inclusive, courtesy of my cousin who I am going with, meaning free beer, free foods (nachos!!), and seats 10 rows from the ice. :coolio
That’s awesome! I’m sure you’ll get to see a good game.
Or I will wake up sick to my stomach the morning of the game and not be well enough to attend. :censored :censored :censored
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Oh, and I love David Backes. Have I mentioned that before?
Scary looking injury there. The urgency suggests he might've got a major artery. :omg:
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Oh, and I love David Backes. Have I mentioned that before?
Scary looking injury there. The urgency suggests he might've got a major artery. :omg:
Well the Bruins statement says that he had a laceration above the knee and had multiple stitches, and is "resting". It didn't mention going to the hospital, so hopefully he dodged a bullet.
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Phew. Never want to see anyone get a bad injury.
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I try not to come in here and pump the Bruins tires, but tonight was one of, if not the, best games of the year. A 3-0 win in Tampa.
No Bergeron
No Chara
No MacCavoy
No Debrusk
No Backes after the 1st.
Just winning battles all over the ice. Rask was ridiculous as well.
:metal :metal :metal
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I think there are only 2, maybe 3 teams in each division that are legitimate Stanley Cup threats. In the West it is NSH and WPG (if they can get healthy), but since that is unfortunately looking like a round 2 matchup I will throw Vegas in there, but it looks like their magic is starting to run out.
In the east there is BOS, and then maybe PIT (If Murray can get healthy and bring his playoff mojo) and TB (they really haven't played good hockey since December). I'm predicting a NSH-BOS final.
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I try not to come in here and pump the Bruins tires, but tonight was one of, if not the, best games of the year. A 3-0 win in Tampa.
No Bergeron
No Chara
No MacCavoy
No Debrusk
No Backes after the 1st.
Just winning battles all over the ice. Rask was ridiculous as well.
:metal :metal :metal
A BIG HELL YEAH!!
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Free box seats ftw :hat
Hoping that the Devils are picking the right time to get hot, they stopped the Predators' winning streak on Saturday and then dropped an 8-spot on Vegas last night, both on the road. What's annoying is that I had planned on going out to Vegas for the game last night until something came up at work that meant I couldn't get away this week. Would have been a really fun game to get to.
And so it continues, pitching a shutout in LA today. Don't think it's possible to enjoy watching your team go up 2-0 less than I enjoyed watching the first period of today's game. The Kings outshot the Devils 19-4 and had 4 power plays (including a minute of 5 on 3) but the Devils managed to score twice.
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I think there are only 2, maybe 3 teams in each division that are legitimate Stanley Cup threats. In the West it is NSH and WPG (if they can get healthy), but since that is unfortunately looking like a round 2 matchup I will throw Vegas in there, but it looks like their magic is starting to run out.
In the east there is BOS, and then maybe PIT (If Murray can get healthy and bring his playoff mojo) and TB (they really haven't played good hockey since December). I'm predicting a NSH-BOS final.
On paper, you're right. You're reasoning is sound, but that's why they play the games. #8 seeds can easily topple a #1 - just ask Nashville and LA fans... both #8 seeds this decade that made it to the finals (LA winning). There's also lots of examples of #7 and #8 teams at least providing a 1st round upset, if not a run to the conference finals.
That's what I love about the NHL (vs NBA). Don't count anyone out. A hot goalie, a couple of (un)lucky bounces, a key injury, a 1-2 game slump... all can send top ranked teams to an early golf season. For that reason, I never make any predictions.
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Anyone else watching NHL On The Fly this morning?
:drool:
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Anyone else watching NHL On The Fly this morning?
:drool:
Oh my. Not nearly enough screen time for her :lol
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Ted Donato's son Ryan scores his 1st goal as a Bruin in his 1st pro game.
I can't imagine dad, who was a Bruin seeing his son score for them.
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Marchand's goal was filthy.
My brother played on a travel team with Teddy Donato in Pee Wee. Teddy used to skate circles around every other kid.
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Anyone else watching NHL On The Fly this morning?
:drool:
Oh my. Not nearly enough screen time for her :lol
Whom were we talking about here? Kelly Nash? Jamie Hersch? Sadly, I no longer get NHLN.
On the subject of actual hockey, the Kings' Jekyll and Hyde month continues to infuriate. A 4-3 OT win over Minnesota on Monday and a 2-1 OT loss to the Jets last night. All I can say is thank goodness for the ROW tiebreaker.
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Leafs snatched defeat from the jaws of victory last night. For 36 mins, the dominated the Bolts. Gave up 1 late in the 2nd, then came out flat for the 3rd to allow 3 more for the regular time loss. :angry:
Guess that's why TB is best in the east. Gotta play a full 60 minutes.
And damn a lot of Leaf fans are gonna be mad to lose JVR in the off-season - I just hope there isn't too much resentment on Marleau. If he doesn't he stays a 25+ goal scorer, I fear he's gonna be very disliked going forward.
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A couple weeks ago I believe there were 8 teams battling for 5 Playoff positions in the Western conference. Now it looks like Minnesota and San Jose have all but secured their spots. I don't see Colorado running out of steam anytime soon. Calgary and Dallas are falling out of contention fast. So as a Blues fan, I really hope that teams start defeating Anaheim and Los Angeles soon! I also hope that the Bruins will decide to act like gentlemen tonight for a change and blindfold their goalie to give us a fighting chance.
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A couple weeks ago I believe there were 8 teams battling for 5 Playoff positions in the Western conference. Now it looks like Minnesota and San Jose have all but secured their spots. I don't see Colorado running out of steam anytime soon. Calgary and Dallas are falling out of contention fast. So as a Blues fan, I really hope that teams start defeating Anaheim and Los Angeles soon! I also hope that the Bruins will decide to act like gentlemen tonight for a change and blindfold their goalie to give us a fighting chance.
Rask isn't starting for the Bruins tonight which is good.....he stole the game the last time we played Boston. Like you said, the way it looks it's one of three teams right now for the final spot....The Blues, LA or Anaheim. The Blues have (2) games in hand on LA and are (4) pts behind them (1) game in hand on Anaheim and are (3) pts behind them.
To even have a shot the Blues need to go no worse than 6-3-1 in the final ten games and even then that'd be close. 7-3 should get it done....if it's better than that then I think they get in. Four of their next five opponents, Boston, Columbus, San Jose and Vegas, are all playoff teams with more points than the Blues. There's also a game with Washington coming up. They'd need to beat Chicago twice (which we just beat them last game so going 3 for 3 in a two week span seems doubtful) a suddenly hot Arizona (6-3-1 in its past 10) and Colorado on the final day of the season.
Bottom line is....I think the Blues players are golfing early this year and it serves them right.
Dream scenario is they scrape in and draw Nashville the first round and eliminate them.....giving me relief from my brother in law's certain bragging and pain in the a$$ fake fandom over 'his' Preds.
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I also hope that the Bruins will decide to act like gentlemen tonight for a change and blindfold their goalie to give us a fighting chance.
Rask isn't starting for the Bruins tonight which is good.....he stole the game the last time we played Boston.
If the Blues can't beat the Bruins tonight, then they deserve to be playing golf early.
No Bergeron
No Chara
No McAvoy
No Backes
No Debrusk (their top offenseive rookie)
No Nash (Rick)
No Rask
Anyone else watching NHL On The Fly this morning?
:drool:
Oh my. Not nearly enough screen time for her :lol
Whom were we talking about here? Kelly Nash? Jamie Hersch? Sadly, I no longer get NHLN.
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Tim.....I have full confidence that the Blues can find a way to lose tonight against the ailing Bruins :lol
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Tim.....I have full confidence that the Blues can find a way to lose tonight against the ailing Bruins :lol
I'll be watching, for sure!
You must be happy at least that the Blackhawks are out.
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Tim.....I have full confidence that the Blues can find a way to lose tonight against the ailing Bruins :lol
I'll be watching, for sure!
You must be happy at least that the Blackhawks are out.
For sure. But my issue is that the Blues have been ‘this close’ since I can remember. They were ‘this close’ in the 90’s but Detroit was ‘the team’ then that killed their dreams. Then Detroit fell away and Chicago took their place. Now Nashville has leap frogged them as being ‘the team’
Blues are perpetually on the cusp of reaching that next, elite level. Always in the mix but can never get over the hump.
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....and now Torey Krug is out!
This is more like a pre-season lineup.
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A couple weeks ago I believe there were 8 teams battling for 5 Playoff positions in the Western conference. Now it looks like Minnesota and San Jose have all but secured their spots. I don't see Colorado running out of steam anytime soon. Calgary and Dallas are falling out of contention fast. So as a Blues fan, I really hope that teams start defeating Anaheim and Los Angeles soon!
Calgary will really have to work hard to get back in the hunt. They'd have to leapfrog three teams (two of which have a game in hand) just to get into wildcard position. Dallas in in only slightly better shape, but STL may sneak in if they take advantage of having one or two games in hand on everyone else. It seems like it will be between the Kings and Anaheim for 3rd spot in the Pacific. The game on March 30 should be a great one, and both teams have similar strengths of schedule for their remaining games. Seems like Minnesota and Colorado will take 3rd in the Central and the first wildcard, with the Kings/Anaheim, Dallas and St. Louis fighting for the second wildcard
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Oh Gary...
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Joe and and Tim....there’s a fine example of the type of luck the Blues have :lol Off the ref right to the slot and buried
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Oh Gary...
Was typing when you posted. I’m used to it by now
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Donato!!
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That Crosby goal was SIIIICKKK!!!
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AJ Mileisko (sp?) is sure as hell better than Jessica Mendoza.
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Bruins are on their heels here.
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Oh Gary...
Was typing when you posted. I’m used to it by now
But i will be ticked if they end up losing this game 1-0 on that crap
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Schwartz!!
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Whew!
What a relief. Keep the pedal to the metal
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Khudobin saved the game there.
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Khudobin saved the game there.
Holy shit!
They hung in there for the point.
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Khudobin saved the game there.
Holy shit!
They hung in there for the point.
Man....would have loved for that to get buy him there
Blues NEED this point.
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Well the Blues get 2 points.
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Boom shacka lacka!
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Choke on it for a night, Boston. :P :lol
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Could Gryzlyk back up any further??
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Could Gryzlyk back up any further??
Yeah, that was a bad play. Gave Schwartz too much space and screened his goalie.
I’ll take it though :lol
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Great bounce-back by the Leafs. Completely dominated the Preds for 3 full periods (as opposed to the 2.75 periods they dominated the Bolts). It could've very easily been an even bigger blowout. The rest of the sched looks pretty favorable for them - only 2 of the remaining 8 games are against playoff bound teams (Jets and Devils). The Bs on the other hand have 5 games against playoff bound teams, and 3 vs the Panthers... who still just might be fighting hard for the last wild card spot.
Better stay sharp Bruins.
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Anze Kopitar with a four goal night against the Avs. Yeah!!!
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Anze Kopitar with a four goal night against the Avs. Yeah!!!
:metal :metal :metal
Kinda scared about them not making the playoffs. Gonna come down to the end.
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Great bounce-back by the Leafs. Completely dominated the Preds for 3 full periods (as opposed to the 2.75 periods they dominated the Bolts). It could've very easily been an even bigger blowout. The rest of the sched looks pretty favorable for them - only 2 of the remaining 8 games are against playoff bound teams (Jets and Devils). The Bs on the other hand have 5 games against playoff bound teams, and 3 vs the Panthers... who still just might be fighting hard for the last wild card spot.
Better stay sharp Bruins.
This victory means nothing being that they didn’t injure Rinne.
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Great bounce-back by the Leafs. Completely dominated the Preds for 3 full periods (as opposed to the 2.75 periods they dominated the Bolts). It could've very easily been an even bigger blowout. The rest of the sched looks pretty favorable for them - only 2 of the remaining 8 games are against playoff bound teams (Jets and Devils). The Bs on the other hand have 5 games against playoff bound teams, and 3 vs the Panthers... who still just might be fighting hard for the last wild card spot.
Better stay sharp Bruins.
This victory means nothing being that they didn’t injure Rinne.
Kypper is retired. ;)
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Great bounce-back by the Leafs. Completely dominated the Preds for 3 full periods (as opposed to the 2.75 periods they dominated the Bolts). It could've very easily been an even bigger blowout. The rest of the sched looks pretty favorable for them - only 2 of the remaining 8 games are against playoff bound teams (Jets and Devils). The Bs on the other hand have 5 games against playoff bound teams, and 3 vs the Panthers... who still just might be fighting hard for the last wild card spot.
Better stay sharp Bruins.
This victory means nothing being that they didn’t injure Rinne.
Kypper is retired. ;)
He got creative when a nudge miraculously propelled him the the opposite direction it should have ......he should have interviewed Rinne after the game and tripped him with the microphone cord
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Great bounce-back by the Leafs. Completely dominated the Preds for 3 full periods (as opposed to the 2.75 periods they dominated the Bolts). It could've very easily been an even bigger blowout. The rest of the sched looks pretty favorable for them - only 2 of the remaining 8 games are against playoff bound teams (Jets and Devils). The Bs on the other hand have 5 games against playoff bound teams, and 3 vs the Panthers... who still just might be fighting hard for the last wild card spot.
Better stay sharp Bruins.
This victory means nothing being that they didn’t injure Rinne.
Kypper is retired. ;)
He got creative when a nudge miraculously propelled him the the opposite direction it should have ......he should have interviewed Rinne after the game and tripped him with the microphone cord
Or just wrapped it around his neck and choked him out.
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Anze Kopitar with a four goal night against the Avs. Yeah!!!
:metal :metal :metal
Kinda scared about them not making the playoffs. Gonna come down to the end.
Kopi and the whole team played out of their minds last night. I could have done without Foxy's constant prattling about Kopi being a Hart Trophy candidate, though. The Kings' Facebook feed (and I assume the Twitter feed also) has even gotten into the act. Remember when folks were trumpeting Bernier over Quick (even after the 2012 Cup run)?! Ha!
As far as the playoffs, you feel good about 89 points, but it's too damn close to have any comfort at this point. As of this morning, the Kings are only a point ahead of Anaheim, and Anaheim (who plays Winnipeg tonight) has a game in hand. The most comforting thing is that the Kings pretty much have a lock on the ROW tiebreaker against Anaheim. Also, Calgary has all but fallen out of the race. On the other hand, every other team in the west has at least one game in hand on the Kings. Next Friday's game at the Pond may effectively determine third place in the Pacific (although I wouldn't be at all bothered if San Jose went into the tank for the last couple weeks and opened up the #2 spot in the Pacific).
It was funny to look at the standings this morning and see six of the eight teams in the Atlantic either clinched or eliminated. Toronto looks like a lock for the #3 spot, and the fight for the second wild card will be between Florida and Jersey.
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Great bounce-back by the Leafs. Completely dominated the Preds for 3 full periods (as opposed to the 2.75 periods they dominated the Bolts). It could've very easily been an even bigger blowout. The rest of the sched looks pretty favorable for them - only 2 of the remaining 8 games are against playoff bound teams (Jets and Devils). The Bs on the other hand have 5 games against playoff bound teams, and 3 vs the Panthers... who still just might be fighting hard for the last wild card spot.
Better stay sharp Bruins.
Not so sure about that, might only be one :( Out of town scoreboard has been brutal lately.
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Great bounce-back by the Leafs. Completely dominated the Preds for 3 full periods (as opposed to the 2.75 periods they dominated the Bolts). It could've very easily been an even bigger blowout. The rest of the sched looks pretty favorable for them - only 2 of the remaining 8 games are against playoff bound teams (Jets and Devils). The Bs on the other hand have 5 games against playoff bound teams, and 3 vs the Panthers... who still just might be fighting hard for the last wild card spot.
Better stay sharp Bruins.
Getting guys healthy is the priority right now.
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The two Wild Card spots in the West could easily be 2 of 5 teams. LA, Colorado, Anaheim, St. Louis and Dallas each have a legit shot at them. I like St. Louis having two games in hand on LA right now and on game in hand on the others.....but that's only good if you win those games.
Outside of Dallas who has lost (6) in a Row....all the other teams are playing inspired, good hockey. St. Louis's final game of the season is IN Colorado. It'd be something if it came down to winner gets the final spot....or if we (st. louis) win we're in.
There's just no room for a loss at this point but it's unrealistic to think we're gonna rattle off nine games in a row here, especially being that we've won three in a row already.
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Well, Tarasenko is back tonight.
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Well, Tarasenko is back tonight.
Yeah....might be a little rust on the joints and maybe still some cobwebs from what everyone believes to be a mild concussion....but it can't hurt having him in the line up.
A LOT of folks in St. Louis are wanting them to trade him. :lol Seriously, that's been rumbling around. Just because he's had an 'off' season. Dude has led the league in even strength goals since the 2014-15 season.....only trails a handful of players in PP goals in that time frame and is one of the hardest competitors out there and just because he's had an off year it's all 'trade em'!!' F'n idiots :facepalm:
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The two Wild Card spots in the West could easily be 2 of 5 teams. LA, Colorado, Anaheim, St. Louis and Dallas each have a legit shot at them. I like St. Louis having two games in hand on LA right now and on game in hand on the others.....but that's only good if you win those games.
That's why it's important for the Kings to wrap up third place in the Pacific -- so that they don't have to worry about the wild card or teams from the Central. If the Kings take care of their own business, then they'll be fine.
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Minnesota could get knocked down to the Wild Card too
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It was really surprising to see the Kings dominate the Avalanche last night. While I would have preferred the Kings to lose, I'm just glad it didn't go to overtime. A Blues win and an Anaheim loss tonight would be such a great start to the weekend!
Can you imagine a Playoff series that went to Game 7 Overtime, and was decided on a goal like this from last night? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPksHvlGaZg :rollin
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Yeah, that was bullshit. The ref clearly lost sight of the puck long before it went into the net - that's on him for not blowing the play dead. The goal light never went on, the ref never called the goal live, so I don't know how the review could have 'upheld' the call on the ice.
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Dallas has done a masterful job of playing themselves out of the race. 8 game losing skid at the most crucial time of the season. Yikes.
Fugly win by the Leafs last night, but a regular time win is still 2 important points. Tampa better look out ... here come the Bs - 2 back, with a game in hand. Still, a tough 7 games.
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Dallas has done a masterful job of playing themselves out of the race. 8 game losing skid at the most crucial time of the season. Yikes.
Fugly win by the Leafs last night, but a regular time win is still 2 important points. Tampa better look out ... here come the Bs - 2 back, with a game in hand. Still, a tough 7 games.
Doing this with missing crucial players as well. I can't believe how well the kids played this year.
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Dallas has done a masterful job of playing themselves out of the race. 8 game losing skid at the most crucial time of the season. Yikes.
Fugly win by the Leafs last night, but a regular time win is still 2 important points. Tampa better look out ... here come the Bs - 2 back, with a game in hand. Still, a tough 7 games.
Doing this with missing crucial players as well. I can't believe how well the kids played this year.
It's been pretty epic. My hope (if they don't over-take Tampa), is that they flame-out come the post season. :biggrin:
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Dallas has done a masterful job of playing themselves out of the race. 8 game losing skid at the most crucial time of the season. Yikes.
Fugly win by the Leafs last night, but a regular time win is still 2 important points. Tampa better look out ... here come the Bs - 2 back, with a game in hand. Still, a tough 7 games.
Doing this with missing crucial players as well. I can't believe how well the kids played this year.
It's been pretty epic. My hope (if they don't over-take Tampa), is that they flame-out come the post season. :biggrin:
You mean play the Leafs in the playoffs. :lol
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Dallas has done a masterful job of playing themselves out of the race. 8 game losing skid at the most crucial time of the season. Yikes
Yeah...what a brutal stretch of games for them.....doesn’t break my heart though. :biggrin: It’s still crazy right now for the two wild card spots in the West. Heck, the Blues are only (4) back of Minnesota for third place. It’s gonna be a crazy last 7 games.
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Dallas has done a masterful job of playing themselves out of the race. 8 game losing skid at the most crucial time of the season. Yikes
Yeah...what a brutal stretch of games for them.....doesn’t break my heart though. :biggrin: It’s still crazy right now for the two wild card spots in the West. Heck, the Blues are only (4) back of Minnesota for third place. It’s gonna be a crazy last 7 games.
My hope for you is that you go up against Nashville, and sweep them.
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Dallas has done a masterful job of playing themselves out of the race. 8 game losing skid at the most crucial time of the season. Yikes
Yeah...what a brutal stretch of games for them.....doesn’t break my heart though. :biggrin: It’s still crazy right now for the two wild card spots in the West. Heck, the Blues are only (4) back of Minnesota for third place. It’s gonna be a crazy last 7 games.
My hope for you is that you go up against Nashville, and sweep them.
I'd like to hit the lottery while we're dreaming.
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Dallas has done a masterful job of playing themselves out of the race. 8 game losing skid at the most crucial time of the season. Yikes
Yeah...what a brutal stretch of games for them.....doesn’t break my heart though. :biggrin: It’s still crazy right now for the two wild card spots in the West. Heck, the Blues are only (4) back of Minnesota for third place. It’s gonna be a crazy last 7 games.
My hope for you is that you go up against Nashville, and sweep them.
I'd like to hit the lottery while we're dreaming.
You guys got your upgrade last year.
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Dallas has done a masterful job of playing themselves out of the race. 8 game losing skid at the most crucial time of the season. Yikes
Yeah...what a brutal stretch of games for them.....doesn’t break my heart though. :biggrin: It’s still crazy right now for the two wild card spots in the West. Heck, the Blues are only (4) back of Minnesota for third place. It’s gonna be a crazy last 7 games.
My hope for you is that you go up against Nashville, and sweep them.
I'd like to hit the lottery while we're dreaming.
It's not that big a stretch.....maybe the sweep part but the Blues facing Nashville in the First round is my hope right now. We always play them well (outside of the past two games) and ALL the pressure would be on them due to them being SO good.
If not for a couple fortunate calls in game 4 last year in Nashville the Blues win that game and are up 3 games to 2. That utter horse shit call on Reaves when everyone on the ice was scrumming after the play that led to a Nashville go ahead PP goal was terrible....just a terrible, lucky a$$ call. Especially considering the Blues had taken the crowd out of the game and had Nashville on their heels at that moment. It was a load of crap is what it was.
Anyway....I would love to face them in the first round. It's a no lose situation. We lose the series....oh well, we're 'supposed' to. We win it....that's a huge momentum and confidence boost and who knows what happens after that? I do know that ALL the pressure would be on them to perform. I'm just curious to see if they'll continue to be the leagues 'darling' team and keep getting those timely calls/non calls.
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Anything can happen - ask Nashville and LA fans. A hot goalie, and lucky bounce or two. Who knows... maybe Allen or Hutton get red hot, and Rinne turns mediocre.
Never deprive anyone of hope... it might be all they have.
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It was really surprising to see the Kings dominate the Avalanche last night.
And then they turned around and gagged against the Oilers. Edmonton has been a bad matchup for the Kings the past few years. Worse yet, Anaheim earned 3 points in its two weekend games. Kings are now 2 points behind Anaheim, with both teams having 6 games to play. Kings are also in a dead heat with STL and one point behind Colorado in the wild card race. Kings and STL have 89 points and 39 ROWs. Colorado has 90 points and 39 ROWs. The bad part is that both Colorado and STL have a game in hand on the Kings.
Kings' margin of error is basically down to zero at this point, but I'm still eyeing Friday's game at Anaheim as the most critical game. I thought about grabbing some tickets, but prices are approximating those for a playoff game (which it basically is).
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And then they turned around and gagged against the Oilers. Edmonton has been a bad matchup for the Kings the past few years. Worse yet, Anaheim earned 3 points in its two weekend games. Kings are now 2 points behind Anaheim, with both teams having 6 games to play. Kings are also in a dead heat with STL and one point behind Colorado in the wild card race. Kings and STL have 89 points and 39 ROWs. Colorado has 90 points and 39 ROWs. The bad part is that both Colorado and STL have a game in hand on the Kings.
Kings' margin of error is basically down to zero at this point, but I'm still eyeing Friday's game at Anaheim as the most critical game. I thought about grabbing some tickets, but prices are approximating those for a playoff game (which it basically is).
IF the teams involved (LA, Anaheim, StL, Colorado) play at the pace their playing on....I think whichever team (LA,Anaheim) that gets the third place spot makes the playoffs and the other is out. The two Wild Card spots will be either StL, Colorado OR the Wild. StL has an outside chance of taking over third place which then throws the Wild in the wild card mix.
It's pretty crazy. Like you said....the margin of error is 'you can't lose a game' :lol
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And then they turned around and gagged against the Oilers. Edmonton has been a bad matchup for the Kings the past few years. Worse yet, Anaheim earned 3 points in its two weekend games. Kings are now 2 points behind Anaheim, with both teams having 6 games to play. Kings are also in a dead heat with STL and one point behind Colorado in the wild card race. Kings and STL have 89 points and 39 ROWs. Colorado has 90 points and 39 ROWs. The bad part is that both Colorado and STL have a game in hand on the Kings.
Kings' margin of error is basically down to zero at this point, but I'm still eyeing Friday's game at Anaheim as the most critical game. I thought about grabbing some tickets, but prices are approximating those for a playoff game (which it basically is).
IF the teams involved (LA, Anaheim, StL, Colorado) play at the pace their playing on....I think whichever team (LA,Anaheim) that gets the third place spot makes the playoffs and the other is out. The two Wild Card spots will be either StL, Colorado OR the Wild. StL has an outside chance of taking over third place which then throws the Wild in the wild card mix.
It's pretty crazy. Like you said....the margin of error is 'you can't lose a game' :lol
That's how it's looking -- like the two wild cards will come from the Central Division. However, the teams in the hunt all play each other a fair amount, so it'll be those head-to-head games that decide everything. The remaining schedules:
MIN: @NSH, DAL, @DAL, EDM, @ANA, @LA, @SJ
COL: @LAS, PHI, CHI, @ANA, @LA, @SJ, STL
STL: SJ, @LAS, @AZ, WAS, CHI, @CHI, @COL
ANA: @VAN, LA, COL, MIN, DAL, @AZ
LA: CAL, AZ, @ANA, COL, MIN, DAL
The Central Division teams have the advantage simply by virtue of having games in hand. The Kings' game tonight against Calgary is all but a "must win." If they don't get 2 points, they'll be tied in points with STL, and with STL having TWO games in hand. Hopefully Vegas will view clinching its inevitable playoff spot as a priority and beat Colorado in regulation. Then I'll have to cheer for San Jose to beat St. Louis tomorrow (rooting for SJ is almost too repugnant to comprehend).
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Anything can happen - ask Nashville and LA fans. A hot goalie, and lucky bounce or two. Who knows... maybe Allen or Hutton get red hot, and Rinne turns mediocre.
Never deprive anyone of hope... it might be all they have.
Avatar from Dictator to Rainbow dash. My youngest granddaughter loves my little pony. I even got a Discord shirt to watch the show with her.
I live outside Nashville and people here are upset the Predators have lost a few lately.
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Right about now is when I start to get pretty ticked about how many OTL points teams have. Anaheim has (13) pts from losing. Looking throught the standings it looks like the average is from 5-8. Gonna be hot if they slide into the playoffs with that many points from losses.
I know ‘every’ team has this chance and it’s all the same across the board for every team.....but seems like there could be a better way to either punish teams for losing a game in OT or reward teams for winning them in OT.
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Right about now is when I start to get pretty ticked about how many OTL points teams have. Anaheim has (13) pts from losing. Looking throught the standings it looks like the average is from 5-8. Gonna be hot if they slide into the playoffs with that many points from losses.
I know ‘every’ team has this chance and it’s all the same across the board for every team.....but seems like there could be a better way to either punish teams for losing a game in OT or reward teams for winning them in OT.
There is ... 2 points vs 1. :biggrin:
You've got to look at the other side of the coin - it's not a loss ... it's a 1 point reward for the regular time tie. Just the same as in the old days before OT/shootouts.
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Right about now is when I start to get pretty ticked about how many OTL points teams have. Anaheim has (13) pts from losing. Looking throught the standings it looks like the average is from 5-8. Gonna be hot if they slide into the playoffs with that many points from losses.
I know ‘every’ team has this chance and it’s all the same across the board for every team.....but seems like there could be a better way to either punish teams for losing a game in OT or reward teams for winning them in OT.
There is ... 2 points vs 1. :biggrin:
You've got to look at the other side of the coin - it's not a loss ... it's a 1 point reward for the regular time tie. Just the same as in the old days before OT/shootouts.
I understand that....but, in my eyes teams are now playing for the tie rather than the win. There has to be a greater value placed on the 'W'....so if that's 3 pts for an OT win or 0 points for an OTL....however it is.....there has to be a greater benefit to the teams that win the OT games and greater 'punishment' for those who lose them.
I'll keep picking on Anaheim for this illustration....but they are battling the Kings for third in their division. Tied with LA with 91 points but have (3) less actual wins....but have (13) OTL compared to LA's (7). StL has (3) more wins than them.....only (5) OTL yet sits at 89 pts.
I think there's something wrong with a system when it's rewarding mediocrity......and that's how I see it.
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Right about now is when I start to get pretty ticked about how many OTL points teams have. Anaheim has (13) pts from losing. Looking throught the standings it looks like the average is from 5-8. Gonna be hot if they slide into the playoffs with that many points from losses.
I know ‘every’ team has this chance and it’s all the same across the board for every team.....but seems like there could be a better way to either punish teams for losing a game in OT or reward teams for winning them in OT.
There is ... 2 points vs 1. :biggrin:
You've got to look at the other side of the coin - it's not a loss ... it's a 1 point reward for the regular time tie. Just the same as in the old days before OT/shootouts.
I understand that....but, in my eyes teams are now playing for the tie rather than the win. There has to be a greater value placed on the 'W'....so if that's 3 pts for an OT win or 0 points for an OTL....however it is.....there has to be a greater benefit to the teams that win the OT games and greater 'punishment' for those who lose them.
I'll keep picking on Anaheim for this illustration....but they are battling the Kings for third in their division. Tied with LA with 91 points but have (3) less actual wins....but have (13) OTL compared to LA's (7). StL has (3) more wins than them.....only (5) OTL yet sits at 89 pts.
I think there's something wrong with a system when it's rewarding mediocrity......and that's how I see it.
They do adjust for the OTL, and even the shootout wins, in the tie breaker. They put emphasis on a team's ROW, so they do punish losing in OT or winning in shootouts.
I'd still like to see them award 3 points for a regulation win, 2 for the OT or shootout win, and then the loser point for the tie (OTL or SOL). I think the whole purpose of the current system is to keep as many teams in the race, as late in the season as possible. To that effect it works pretty well, I'd say.
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I'd still like to see them award 3 points for a regulation win, 2 for the OT or shootout win, and then the loser point for the tie (OTL or SOL). I think the whole purpose of the current system is to keep as many teams in the race, as late in the season as possible. To that effect it works pretty well, I'd say.
I'd love to see them award 3 points for a regulation win, 2 points for a OT or shootout win, and no loser points, no matter what.
But, like you said, they won't do that because the current system keeps more teams in the hunt longer.
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Right about now is when I start to get pretty ticked about how many OTL points teams have. Anaheim has (13) pts from losing. Looking throught the standings it looks like the average is from 5-8. Gonna be hot if they slide into the playoffs with that many points from losses.
I know ‘every’ team has this chance and it’s all the same across the board for every team.....but seems like there could be a better way to either punish teams for losing a game in OT or reward teams for winning them in OT.
There is ... 2 points vs 1. :biggrin:
You've got to look at the other side of the coin - it's not a loss ... it's a 1 point reward for the regular time tie. Just the same as in the old days before OT/shootouts.
I understand that....but, in my eyes teams are now playing for the tie rather than the win. There has to be a greater value placed on the 'W'....so if that's 3 pts for an OT win or 0 points for an OTL....however it is.....there has to be a greater benefit to the teams that win the OT games and greater 'punishment' for those who lose them.
I'll keep picking on Anaheim for this illustration....but they are battling the Kings for third in their division. Tied with LA with 91 points but have (3) less actual wins....but have (13) OTL compared to LA's (7). StL has (3) more wins than them.....only (5) OTL yet sits at 89 pts.
I think there's something wrong with a system when it's rewarding mediocrity......and that's how I see it.
They do adjust for the OTL, and even the shootout wins, in the tie breaker. They put emphasis on a team's ROW, so they do punish losing in OT or winning in shootouts.
I'd still like to see them award 3 points for a regulation win, 2 for the OT or shootout win, and then the loser point for the tie (OTL or SOL). I think the whole purpose of the current system is to keep as many teams in the race, as late in the season as possible. To that effect it works pretty well, I'd say.
I guess you could look at it like that.....I see it different. I think it keeps teams that maybe shouldn't be in it......in it longer and potentially getting in ahead of teams that have more actual regulation wins.
Put it like this....if I'm Colorado or St. Louis and Anaheim ends up in that Final wild card spot having won three or four fewer games than my team I'd be friggin' ticked. And that is a very real possibility right now.
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Right about now is when I start to get pretty ticked about how many OTL points teams have. Anaheim has (13) pts from losing. Looking throught the standings it looks like the average is from 5-8. Gonna be hot if they slide into the playoffs with that many points from losses.
I know ‘every’ team has this chance and it’s all the same across the board for every team.....but seems like there could be a better way to either punish teams for losing a game in OT or reward teams for winning them in OT.
Well...the idea behind the current system is that a team that loses in OT or a shootout should be rewarded. Why? Because under the old system (pre-shootout era), if a game ended in a tie, both teams earned a point. The system that I think probably makes most sense is 3 points for a regulation win, 2 points for an OT or shootout win, 1 point for an OT or shootout loss, and 0 points for a regulation loss. Of course, that may be too complicated for the average fan, but it not only rewards the losing team for getting to OT, it also rewards teams for winning in regulation. It would be interesting to see what some seasons' standings would look like under this system (as well as a system that simply gives 2 points for a win and 0 points for a loss).
Happy to see the Kings play like they're capable last night and to see the Avs get spanked.
Tonight, I'm rooting for Nashville over Minnesota, Vancouver over Anaheim and San Jose over St. Louis (that last one hurt to say).
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You've got to look at the other side of the coin - it's not a loss ... it's a 1 point reward for the regular time tie. Just the same as in the old days before OT/shootouts.
Not quite, in the OLD days, it was simply 2 points available per game. The winner got 2 and the loser got 0, regardless of whether the win came in regulation or OT. If the game ended in a tie, then each team got 1 point. Then they changed it to give 1 point for a tie or an OTL. After the 04-05 lockout, ties were eliminated and the current system put in place.
I appreciate gmillerdrake's point. As a Kings fan, I can't complain too much about the current system. In 2011-12, the Kings finished as the 8th seed with 95 points and a 40-27-15 record (aka 40-42). Dallas, on the other hand, finished out of the playoffs with 89 points, but with a 42-35-5 record (i.e., 42-40) (and, by the way, Calgary finished with 90 points and a 37-29-16 record). The Kings made the playoffs and went on to win the Cup, but in a pure wins and losses system, Dallas would have finished ahead of the Kings and the Kings out of the playoffs.
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Although I'm not counting on it, a Blues win over the red-hot Sharks tonight would be huge!!! Not only would it give the Blues a huge boost in their playoffs hopes, but it would make a first round upset against a team like the Golden Knights seem quite possible. However, I don't think they could win a single game against the Predators. Nashville is just playing on an entirely different level right now, and I'll definitely have them winning the cup on my playoff bracket this year.
The Canucks have been absolutely worthless so they probably won't help the Blues by beating Anaheim tonight. A Wild loss tonight would make this crazy Western fight even more interesting because they've suddenly become vulnerable again.
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Sharks throwing the Blues a bone tonight and starting their back up Aaron Dell. Although a quick peek at his numbers show he’s no slouch.
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Put it like this....if I'm Colorado or St. Louis and Anaheim ends up in that Final wild card spot having won three or four fewer games than my team I'd be friggin' ticked. And that is a very real possibility right now.
I guess I see the other side of the coin... Anaheim also has fewer regular time losses than Colorado and St. Louis. Now, without going thru their OTLs game-by-game, I can't say if they came from behind to tie a game up, or blew a lead to end up in a tie. I don't have a problem with the current system... and suspect you wouldn't either if it was your Blues that had the 13 OTLs. :biggrin:
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McDavid has 3 points through 1 period tonight. Pretty sure he's focused like a laser on winning the Art Ross. He, Drai and Nuge are the only reasons to watch these games down the stretch.
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Blues win in OT!!
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I just saw a penalty called on a dump in I guess the Bruins and it sickens me. How referees can't see embellishment on a absolutely clean hit is beyond me.
Come on rafts get your s*** together.
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Yeah, that was brutal. This has been a crazy fucking game. I think the Bruins are ready to get on a plane.
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I understand protecting the players but the rest can't differentiate between a guy diving in a real penalty. It's disgusting.
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I understand protecting the players but the rest can't differentiate between a guy diving in a real penalty. It's disgusting.
Refs weren't very good at all last night and the Bruins were lucky to get a point because of it. The first goal for the Wild that was waived off, but then mysteriously overturned BEFORE it was looked at, and then to not have enough evidence to RE-overturn it... I never saw the puck cross the line, and I'm 100% convinced it never did. Then the third goal for the Wild should have been an icing call (in today's NHL). Play not blown dead, possession for the Wild, puck in the net. Then that horrendous call on Miller you're talking about. Luckily no goals were scored on the power play. I'll take the point, but the B's played well enough to win that game, they just got terrible officiating against them and couldn't climb out of the hole.
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should have been an icing call (in today's NHL).
There's a whole other topic. Drives me nuts how much icing there is. Between pucks that were intentionally *not* touched by the defending team, or players who look like they're skating thru mud to make sure they don't catch the puck, the linesmen are brutal in their judgment of what's 'playable'. I'd love to see the NHL adopt international/Europe/Russia standards - if it's anywhere close to be playable (by either team) ... no icing.
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I understand protecting the players but the rest can't differentiate between a guy diving in a real penalty. It's disgusting.
Refs weren't very good at all last night and the Bruins were lucky to get a point because of it. The first goal for the Wild that was waived off, but then mysteriously overturned BEFORE it was looked at, and then to not have enough evidence to RE-overturn it... I never saw the puck cross the line, and I'm 100% convinced it never did. Then the third goal for the Wild should have been an icing call (in today's NHL). Play not blown dead, possession for the Wild, puck in the net. Then that horrendous call on Miller you're talking about. Luckily no goals were scored on the power play. I'll take the point, but the B's played well enough to win that game, they just got terrible officiating against them and couldn't climb out of the hole.
Yeah that Miller hit is exactly what I was talking about. Man how can they even call a clean hit like that a penalty?
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should have been an icing call (in today's NHL).
There's a whole other topic. Drives me nuts how much icing there is. Between pucks that were intentionally *not* touched by the defending team, or players who look like they're skating thru mud to make sure they don't catch the puck, the linesmen are brutal in their judgment of what's 'playable'. I'd love to see the NHL adopt international/Europe/Russia standards - if it's anywhere close to be playable (by either team) ... no icing.
Agreed. It’s become a fine art and gamesmanship to ‘earn’ that icing call for your team. Some instances are pretty blatant.
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Blues win in OT!!
Damnit.
But the more important result (from my perspective) was that Vancouver beat Anaheim! I almost want to take back every unkind thing I've ever said about the Canucks and the Sedins.
The Kings and Anaheim are now tied with 91 points and both teams having 5 games remaining. The Kings have 5 more ROW than Anaheim, so that tiebreaker is pretty well in hand. STL also has 91 points and the same number of ROW as the Kings but one game in hand on both the Kings and Anaheim.
Part of me wants Colorado to win tonight to knock Anaheim out of the second wild card spot, but I think the Kings' interests are ultimately best served by Colorado losing, so GO FLYERS.
The big showdown between the Kings and Anaheim looms on Friday. I just hope the Kings show up to play against Arizona tomorrow. I'm sure Jack Campbell will start in net because of the back-to-back, and that game has huge potential to be a trap game for the Kings.
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Philly beat Colorado last night. That's a good thing.
Minnesota and St. Louis have a game in hand on the other teams in the hunt for the playoffs. Only two games tonight with Western Conference playoff implications:
Dallas @ Minnesota
Arizona @ Kings
I think Minnesota is going to make it into the playoffs one way or another, and Dallas is on life support, so I don't really have a preference in that game. I assume the St. Louis fans here are pulling for Dallas
Kings are 1-0-2 against Arizona this year, which isn't good against one of the worst teams in the league. They need to beat a team they should beat and avoid looking ahead to the big game tomorrow against Anaheim.
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I think Minnesota is going to make it into the playoffs one way or another, and Dallas is on life support, so I don't really have a preference in that game. I assume the St. Louis fans here are pulling for Dallas
There's an off chance we could overtake Minnesota for third place....which, I don't know if I'd like that. Honestly, I'd rather play the Predators or Vegas in the first round than Winnipeg.
Vegas rode their hot start to a nice position but they've looked more and more beatable. And, as I've said already.....I wouldn't mind seeing the Blues matchup against the Preds first round and just get it over one way or the other. Preds are 'supposed' to win so all the pressure is on them no matter who they face. If we lose...oh well....but if you beat them that's a huge boost to the team psyche and there's no telling what could happen ......ala the Preds of last year.
Winnipeg is a scary team in my eyes.
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1st place on the line tonight.
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1000x800q90/922/CIxpmU.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/f/pmCIxpmUj)
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/500x300q90/922/GUhgDy.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/f/pmGUhgDyj)
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1000x800q90/924/Qd39id.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/f/poQd39idj)
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Go Tampa! No way in hell could I ever root for the Bs, even if it means getting closer to a 1st round matchup with yous guyz
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Lol. We get one player back tonight. Backes.
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Big game for the Devils tonight, trying to finish a season sweep of Pittsburgh and keep a little distance between ourselves and the Panthers.
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When the hell did the NHL start hiring NBA officials to call the games? WTF'nF?
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:lol
Chippy game so far. I like it.
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David Pastrnak is still only 21 years old. Amazing.
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Chippy game so far. I like it.
A playoff feel for sure.
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You know us old school bastards, I'd rather see stuff not called let the boys play.
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PATRICE BRGERON!!
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:omg:
That goal was ridiculous!
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1st place on the line tonight.
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1000x800q90/922/CIxpmU.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/f/pmCIxpmUj)
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/500x300q90/922/GUhgDy.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/f/pmGUhgDyj)
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1000x800q90/924/Qd39id.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/f/poQd39idj)
Hahaha! Those are f'ing hilarious. Where are they hanging?
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Another goal from the Bruins version of the Trottier-Bossy-Gilles line.
Seriously, they are inches away from scoring on what seems like every shift.
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Seeing the Lightning again next week!
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Oh yeah Chad. Number one seed with a game in hand. Oh yeah!
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So as far as the Bruins go, the only team they CANNOT beat is Washington.
Their second toughest matchup in the East is Toronto.
The Bruins CAN beat every other team, including Pittsburgh and Tampa, who they surprisingly matchup well against.
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Oh yeah Chad. Number one seed with a game in hand. Oh yeah!
The way Tampa's been playing lately, I'd rather face them than the Bruins. The Leafs dominated them last week, and then screwed the pooch in the 3rd to blow a two goal lead; and the Bolts lost bad to the Coyotes recently! Seems as though them (and Vegas) are limping in to the playoffs.
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Damn! Jeff Carter with a hat trick as the Kings avoid a trap game against Arizona and win back-to-back games for the first time in March.
Steel cage death match against Anaheim tomorrow. They'd better come to play.
As an aside, congrats to Dave Jackson, who officiated in his final regular season game in LA tonight. The players from both teams lined up to shake his hand after the game as if it were the end of a playoff series. Nicely done.
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Man oh man... both Calgary and Dallas have let their fans down with such epic collapses. In the last 10 games, Calgary is 2-8; Dallas is 1-7-2. Panthers seem to be running out of steam too. I think the only thing in question is the Wild Wild West. Which one of St.Lou, Ana, LA and Co are going to go home early. My money would be on Colorado. Anaheim has a slightly easier sched, and only one more road game. Could very well come down to the final game/weekend of the season.
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Man oh man... both Calgary and Dallas have let their fans down with such epic collapses. In the last 10 games, Calgary is 2-8; Dallas is 1-7-2. Panthers seem to be running out of steam too. I think the only thing in question is the Wild Wild West. Which one of St.Lou, Ana, LA and Co are going to go home early. My money would be on Colorado. Anaheim has a slightly easier sched, and only one more road game. Could very well come down to the final game/weekend of the season.
If StL can win 3 of the last 5 that'd put them at 97 pts and I'm pretty confident that'd get them in. I'd love to see LA win tonight because that'd mean Anaheim would essentially be fighting for a wild card spot and the Blues hold all the tie breakers over them. I'd also love for the Blues to get their business taken care of before playing Colorado at Colorado the final game of the season. Would hate to have to go in to Colorado needing to win or tie to get in.
They have a game against Arizona and (2) against Chicago. I can see Chicago winning at least one of those games but the Blues need to hammer Arizona and also do themselves a favor and beat Vegas tonight. If they can win tonight I'll start to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
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Much as I don't want to because Brad Marchand is such a piece of shit (more than two months later, Marcus Johansson still hasn't returned from the concussion he got courtesy of Marchand), I have to be a Bruins fan for the rest of the season because half of Florida's remaining games are against the B's :lol
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Bill, it pleases me seeing you profess your love for Marchand. :lol
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The only time I like Marchand is when he plays for Team Canada. Otherwise, he can go choke on a cock.
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:lol
He's Ken Linesman to me but more talented. I hated Linesman on the Flyers but when he became a Bruin I loved him.
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:lol
He's Ken Linesman to me but more talented. I hated Linesman on the Flyers but when he became a Bruin I loved him.
Oh, I get it... I'd love him if he wore blue and white.
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Well...Kings didn’t pull it out against Anaheim yesterday, but the shootout loss is the next best thing. Anaheim has a game in hand and is only one point back going into the game against Colorado tomorrow.
St. Louis laid a major egg against Arizona.
Keep your seatbelts fastened!
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The bad news for Colorado is the loss of Varmalov.
No kidding ... a couple of eggs laid last night - Dallas taking it to Minnesota too. And looks like a bad injury to Suter, which is a huge loss.
Hope the Leafs can stay somewhat motivated over the last 3 games - especially given the teams they're facing. NJ will be likely be pretty motivated, but I'd like to see them spank the shit out of both Buffalo and Montreal - because they should.
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Well...Kings didn’t pull it out against Anaheim yesterday, but the shootout loss is the next best thing. Anaheim has a game in hand and is only one point back going into the game against Colorado tomorrow.
St. Louis laid a major egg against Arizona.
Keep your seatbelts fastened!
I wasn't surprised. They were due for a bad game after a run of so many great games, and with it being the second night of a back to back on the west coast, it was fairly predictable. But hey, four games to play and they control their own destiny, so it is put up or shut up time.
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Well...Kings didn’t pull it out against Anaheim yesterday, but the shootout loss is the next best thing. Anaheim has a game in hand and is only one point back going into the game against Colorado tomorrow.
St. Louis laid a major egg against Arizona.
Keep your seatbelts fastened!
I wasn't surprised. They were due for a bad game after a run of so many great games, and with it being the second night of a back to back on the west coast, it was fairly predictable. But hey, four games to play and they control their own destiny, so it is put up or shut up time.
Yeah...you could feel that one coming. It's just a bummer that was a huge wasted opportunity to put a bit of space between Colorado with that being our game in hand.
Blues do have their destiny in their own hands but I honestly see them maybe going 2-2 in the final 4 games....which, only puts them at 96 pts. Like I said, they missed a golden opportunity last night to collect 2 pts....and they failed big time at that.
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It's funny... the shit-kicker teams are playing tough lately. Az with road wins at both Tampa and Vegas; the Sabres handing Nashville their asses; Chicago schooling Winnipeg. No game can be taken for granted.
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Very true.
I am shocked that Brad Marchand resorted to dirty tactics today, said no one ever.
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It's too bad about Marchand. He's an elite tallent but can't stop the dirty s***.
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Once a dirty bastard, always a dirty bastard. :lol :lol
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I am shocked that Brad Marchand resorted to dirty tactics today, said no one ever.
So he cross checked some dude after getting hit from behind. Guys have been running him all year, and the refs are looking the other way.
Once a dirty bastard, always a dirty bastard. :lol :lol
Says a one time dirty bastard..
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They run him because of his actions. They know they'll elicit a response. Brad needs to wait for his moment and run a guy cleanly.
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I also get where Tim is coming from. Today's NHL isn't the same as I grew up with. I miss the days of retaliations or a goon protecting a star player. I like the violence in hockey but of course as time goes on we learn more about injuries and concussions and that stuff has to be taken out. All Marchand had to do is take his hand off of the stick and punch with his hand.
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Big win for the Devils tonight against the Canadians, in a game they didn't deserve to win based on the first two periods. Up seven points now on Florida for the wild card, so hopefully that's enough distance that we'll be able to end our playoff drought.
Go Bruins in their two remaining games against the Panthers, but once those are over I hope someone stabs Marchand in the dick with a rusty knife :lol
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So...it's Monday morning in the Wild West.
Colorado had a 3-1 lead against Anaheim early in the third period and choked it away. As a result, Anaheim leapfrogged the Kings for third place in the Pacific Division by one point, with both teams having three games to play. Thanks for nothing, Colorado (I still can't believe some Kings fans used to lobby for Jonathan Bernier over Jonathan Quick).
Notwithstanding, the Kings currently hold the first wild card spot by a point over Colorado and two points over St. Louis. The Kings need to take care of business tonight against Colorado. A win puts them back in third place. A loss won't be the end of the world, but it will depend on what St. Louis does against Washington. Go Caps! St. Louis also has a tough three games in four nights to end the season, with the last game against Colorado possibly determining who's in and who's out.
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the last game against Colorado possibly determining who's in and who's out.
I was hoping that StL would have taken care of business by then to where they wouldn't be forced to win AT Colorado to make it in. I just don't see that happening. Honestly, it wouldn't shock me to see them go 1-3 in these last four games. Tonight's game will tell the tale. If they can win against the Caps then that's some good momentum and gives them the tiniest of a breath. They lose tonight and it's butt pucker time and all but forces them to win out the final three games to get in.
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Now that the Caps have clinched the Metro, perhaps they might be letting out a sigh of relief, and play pretty flat.
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Kinda mad that the Red Wings have now decided they'd rather win games than improve their draft position. On one hand, it is nice seeing the young guys leading the charge on this win streak, but man, if they end up outside the top 10 in the draft, I'm going to be disappointed.
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Now that the Caps have clinched the Metro, perhaps they might be letting out a sigh of relief, and play pretty flat.
I hope. Although, I suspect Ovechkin wants that (50) goal mark so I'm sure he'll pump in at least one tonight.
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For a Blues fan, the past weekend was a fucking nightmare. Not only did they lose twice, but both the Ducks-Avalanche game and the Ducks-Kings game went to Overtime. If the Avalanche-Kings game also goes to overtime tonight, then I'll assume there's a conspiracy. Also, I hate knowing that those damn Blackhawks might be ending our season yet again. This week is going to be emotionally exhausting for sure
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For a Blues fan, the past weekend was a fucking nightmare. Not only did they lose twice, but both the Ducks-Avalanche game and the Ducks-Kings game went to Overtime. If the Avalanche-Kings game also goes to overtime tonight, then I'll assume there's a conspiracy. Also, I hate knowing that those damn Blackhawks might be ending our season yet again. This week is going to be emotionally exhausting for sure
Yeah....this week is going to wreak havoc on the Blood Pressure :lol Would love to get the 2 pts tonight and be able to take the tiniest of breaths. An LA win over Colorado with a Blues win would ease things a bit as well given we still have a game in hand on them.
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That got ugly fast. :( :censored :facepalm:
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That got ugly fast. :( :censored :facepalm:
Nothing like watching your teams season slip away in real time.
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Well, they got one back and are swarming again, so they aren't going down without a fight.
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That’ll do it for the Blues season. Especially if Colorado wins tonight.
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For a Blues fan, the past weekend was a fucking nightmare. Not only did they lose twice, but both the Ducks-Avalanche game and the Ducks-Kings game went to Overtime. If the Avalanche-Kings game also goes to overtime tonight, then I'll assume there's a conspiracy. Also, I hate knowing that those damn Blackhawks might be ending our season yet again. This week is going to be emotionally exhausting for sure
That's a funny thing about that. When I saw the scoreboard for Ducks/Avalanches at the end of the 2nd, yesterday, it was 3-1 Avs. Then I saw the scoreboard about a few hours later, 4-3 Ducks in OT, I'm like "WTF? Those guys are straight up colluding against the Kings. Avs shouldn't deserve a point after that one."
Kings beat Avalanches in regulation a few minutes back, which is insanely great to see. It gives you Blues fans some hope there, I think. Now I really wished that the Avs lost in regulation yesterday.
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Yes, it was definitely a relief to see the Avalanche lose in regulation for a change! The past few days have been soul-crushing for Blues fans, but I bet Avalanche fans are feeling even worse right now because they have to play the Sharks next, and the Blues have a game in hand. Talk about a crazy finish to this rollercoaster of a season! It could very well come down to the final game to determine which team advances, and if it goes into overtime, my nerves might force me to turn off the TV.
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Dear Canucks fans,
Earlier this year we wrote a letter to the city, and to everyone who has supported us for the past 18 years. Many people were asking what the future holds. We said we'd take it one year at a time. We said when the time was right, we'd talk with our families and sit down with management to discuss it.
We started the year with the mindset that a decision would be made in the postseason. But it became clear, after discussions with our families throughout the year, that this will be our last season. This feels right for all of us.
Being part of the Canucks family for 18 seasons has been the best period of our lives. But it's time to focus on our families and life after hockey. It's time to help with homework every night. It's time to be at every birthday party and to stand in the cold at every hockey rink, soccer game and riding lesson on weekends. It's time to be at home for dinner every night.
We're saying it now because we want to share these final three games with you. We also want to share these games with our families, friends, teammates, coaches, trainers, staff and everyone at the Canucks who have supported us. You've all been with us every step of the way, and we want to thank you.
It's time to let the next generation of young players lead the Canucks. Travis is building a strong culture and emphasizes a style of play we know will be successful. The team is in great hands, with people who care about its success and it's headed in the right direction. We know there is a bright future for the Canucks.
As we've said before, Vancouver has become home. This is our family's home. We plan to be part of this community long after we retire. Vancouver has given us so much and we've tried to give everything we have in return. That won't change.
In the meantime, we still have some games to play, and we still have some work to do.
Henrik and Daniel
End of an era. I seriously doubt there'll never be a brother duo like these two ever again in my lifetime.
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You mean two pussies Chad? :lol
Sorry, that was the Marchand in me speaking up.
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Such a shame that here in the East, we just never saw enough of them. I wish the NHL, or NBC, would somehow give some of these Western teams some exposure.
I am so sick of seeing the Penguins, Rangers, and Blackhawks. Bring on the Canucks, the Jets, the Flames.
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I'm too old to stay up to see the western games. I only get to see the highlights on the NHL Network.
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Well, that's just it. I feel like the NHL never cashed in on the Sedins like they should have. If the Sedins played in an Eastern city, they would be such bigger stars. I mean they are stars, and first ballot HOFers, but I still feel they were ultimately undersold.
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That is the benefit that the west coast sport fans have over us. They can see all the games.
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It gives you Blues fans some hope there
:lol You used the word 'hope' in a sentence when speaking about the St. Louis Blues :lol The only thing they do with 'hope' is send it through a wood chipper then boil it in acid....not just any acid, but the acid that the Xenomorph's from ALIENS bleed.
Blues 1 pt behind Colorado with a game in hand. Play two against Chicago and final game of season is at Colorado. I guess best case is Blues Chicago twice and Colorado loses their next game.....that'd seal the deal. But, it's the Blues so I'm sure that Final game of the season will be a winner gets in game....of which something heartbreaking will happen
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Such a shame that here in the East, we just never saw enough of them. I wish the NHL, or NBC, would somehow give some of these Western teams some exposure.
I am so sick of seeing the Penguins, Rangers, and Blackhawks. Bring on the Canucks, the Jets, the Flames.
A lot of that has to do with the NHL making a bad deal to pretty much exclusively give national coverage in the states to NBC.
Looking at the NFL, they have deals with CBS, FOX, NBC, and ESPN. Same with MLB - they are on FOX, ABC, ESPN, TBS, etc... The NHL limited their nationally televised audience pretty dramatically by only contracting with one network group.
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I've seen enough Capital/Flyers games to last forever.
Ironically, I'm in an Atlantic city, and all we get are Metro games.
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Such a shame that here in the East, we just never saw enough of them. I wish the NHL, or NBC, would somehow give some of these Western teams some exposure.
I am so sick of seeing the Penguins, Rangers, and Blackhawks. Bring on the Canucks, the Jets, the Flames.
A lot of that has to do with the NHL making a bad deal to pretty much exclusively give national coverage in the states to NBC.
Looking at the NFL, they have deals with CBS, FOX, NBC, and ESPN. Same with MLB - they are on FOX, ABC, ESPN, TBS, etc... The NHL limited their nationally televised audience pretty dramatically by only contracting with one network group.
The joys of being Canadian. There's a consortium of networks that banded together a couple years ago to provide close to 100% coverage of all Canadian teams - and before that, Saturday provided full coast-to-coast coverage along with every Leafs and Canadiens game. My only limiting factor nowadays is how long I can stay conscious.
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The joys of being Canadian. There's a consortium of networks that banded together a couple years ago to provide close to 100% coverage of all Canadian teams - and before that, Saturday provided full coast-to-coast coverage along with every Leafs and Canadiens game. My only limiting factor nowadays is how long I can stay conscious.
Yup, consider yourself lucky for sure! Outside of a regional sports network for the specific team in your area, we in the states are limited to whatever NBC wants to broadcast (which usually isn't much). The NHL really needs to get out of an exclusive agreement with NBC to spread the coverage around to a couple more network groups.
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The NHL network also broadcasts games. I mean, there are opportunities to see Western Conference games, but it requires staying up way too late.
I get that NBC wants to show the Rangers, but how about Rangers/Jets as opposed to Rangers/Flyers.?
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I've seen enough Capital/Flyers games to last forever.
How about Rangers/Jets as opposed to Rangers/Flyers?
Hater. :p
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No offense! :lol
Might be seeing a whole lotta Philly next week.
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The NHL network also broadcasts games. I mean, there are opportunities to see Western Conference games, but it requires staying up way too late.
I get that NBC wants to show the Rangers, but how about Rangers/Jets as opposed to Rangers/Flyers.?
For sure, but I'm talking about major network diversification.
That would be like saying you wanted to watch Sunday night football, but the game was on the NFL network instead of NBC. I'm sure a small fraction of the people that have access to NBC have access to the NFL network. The NHL would just be well served to be on a couple major national networks, that's all.
As to your other point about certain teams being shown more than others, I'm sure that just comes down to ratings.
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No offense! :lol
Might be seeing a whole lotta Philly next week.
Or might not, it's so up in the air right now. We have the easiest schedule to finish out of the teams running tight in the East, but anything can happen. We could play the Pens or Blue Jackets home or away, or start on the road against the Bruins, Lightning, or Capitals. Hell, I think we could still theoretically get 2/3 in the division with New Jersey and play them first round.
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No offense! :lol
Might be seeing a whole lotta Philly next week.
Or might not, it's so up in the air right now. We have the easiest schedule to finish out of the teams running tight in the East, but anything can happen. We could play the Pens or Blue Jackets home or away, or start on the road against the Bruins, Lightning, or Capitals. Hell, I think we could still theoretically get 2/3 in the division with New Jersey and play them first round.
I want Pens and Flyers first round match up baby.
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I bet Avalanche fans are feeling even worse right now because they have to play the Sharks next
San Jose clinched a playoff spot yesterday (although it's been a foregone conclusion for a while), so I'm hoping they're off their game tonight against the recently eliminated Stars. Kings are only two points back of San Jose for second place in the Pacific and were lights out against Colorado last night.
Last night had to be brutal for St. Louis fans.
We're now officially down to four teams for three playoff spots:
Kings -- 96 points and 42 ROW (2 games left)
Anaheim -- 95 points and 37 ROW (3 games left)
Colorado -- 93 points and 40 ROW (2 games left)
St. Louis -- 92 points and 40 ROW (3 games left)
I hate that Anaheim always seems to have a game in hand on the Kings!
No games on tonight's schedule that impact these teams fighting for the remaining playoff spots. Huge games for St. Louis and Anaheim tomorrow. Hopefully Minnesota will go Wild in Anaheim.
The east looks like the same 3 teams for 4 spots situation, but Florida looks to be on life support.
End of an era. I seriously doubt there'll never be a brother duo like these two ever again in my lifetime.
Wow...I didn't realize it had been 18 seasons! One of the lasting memories of the Kings 2012 Cup run is Dustin Brown clocking Henrik right in front of the Vancouver bench.
I wonder, if one of them is elected to the HHOF and the other isn't, if the one elected will refuse to show up for the ceremony....
That is the benefit that the west coast sport fans have over us. They can see all the games.
Every time I travel to the east coast I wonder how y'all handle it. World Series and MNF games starting at 8pm and frequently not ending until after midnight. I turned off the Dodger game last night around 10:15 (after the Dodgers choked away a 3 run lead in the bottom of the 9th) and woke up this morning to see that the game went 15 innings! Some folks on the east coast might have been waking up while that game was still going. Every once in a while, my wife renews her "I wish we lived back east" mantra. I typically squelch that by reminding her that she can watch all the Celtics games by buying the NBA package (which she's done for the past half dozen years or so), but I'd almost never be able to watch Kings or Dodgers games because they wouldn't even start until 10:30 eastern time.
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If the Flyers or Devils were playing really poorly I'd give Florida a shot, but realistically, even if they win out, they are done I think. Which is pretty much the fate they deserve given they let Gallant go.
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It's essentially StL or Colorado getting the second wild card in the West and then getting throttled by Nashville. Neither team can match up against the Preds.....maybe there's a 'miracle' series there for either of those teams and Nashville collapses under the pressure of them being the favorites to win it all, but I doubt it.
Me personally....I'd love to see StL make it in and pull off the miracle against the Preds. For those of you who don't know my brother in law lives in Nashville and is a Predator "fan"....meaning.....he knows zippity squat about hockey and started liking them about two years ago when they started playing well. The texts and conversation he gears towards me when the Blues play the Preds are brutal to deal with....made even more brutal by the recent history of those match ups. So yeah....I have that to look forward to should the Blues get lucky enough to back in to the last wild card spot.
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It's essentially StL or Colorado getting the second wild card in the West and then getting throttled by Nashville. Neither team can match up against the Preds.....maybe there's a 'miracle' series there for either of those teams and Nashville collapses under the pressure of them being the favorites to win it all, but I doubt it.
Me personally....I'd love to see StL make it in and pull off the miracle against the Preds. For those of you who don't know my brother in law lives in Nashville and is a Predator "fan"....meaning.....he knows zippity squat about hockey and started liking them about two years ago when they started playing well. The texts and conversation he gears towards me when the Blues play the Preds are brutal to deal with....made even more brutal by the recent history of those match ups. So yeah....I have that to look forward to should the Blues get lucky enough to back in to the last wild card spot.
I surely wouldn't want to the Kings to get that matchup against the Preds. They didn't fare so well against Nashville this season as well. Either they go against Golden Knights (which is probably the best team they can go up against given the circumstances) or they face the......... Sharks (again, for the 5th time in 8 years, in the first round for the 4th time in 8 years). Man, that Kings/Sharks matchup in the playoffs is the west coast version of Rangers/Capitals. I think a small part of me wants the Ducks to get the 3rd slot in the Pacific and Kings get the first wild card slot. Let the Ducks/Sharks duke it out for once.
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It's essentially StL or Colorado getting the second wild card in the West and then getting throttled by Nashville. Neither team can match up against the Preds.....maybe there's a 'miracle' series there for either of those teams and Nashville collapses under the pressure of them being the favorites to win it all, but I doubt it.
Me personally....I'd love to see StL make it in and pull off the miracle against the Preds. For those of you who don't know my brother in law lives in Nashville and is a Predator "fan"....meaning.....he knows zippity squat about hockey and started liking them about two years ago when they started playing well. The texts and conversation he gears towards me when the Blues play the Preds are brutal to deal with....made even more brutal by the recent history of those match ups. So yeah....I have that to look forward to should the Blues get lucky enough to back in to the last wild card spot.
I surely wouldn't want to the Kings to get that matchup against the Preds. They didn't fare so well against Nashville this season as well. Either they go against Golden Knights (which is probably the best team they can go up against given the circumstances) or they face the......... Sharks (again, for the 5th time in 8 years, in the first round for the 4th time in 8 years). Man, that Kings/Sharks matchup in the playoffs is the west coast version of Rangers/Capitals. I think a small part of me wants the Ducks to get the 3rd slot in the Pacific and Kings get the first wild card slot. Let the Ducks/Sharks duke it out for once.
I don't think anyone except Minnesota matches up well against the Preds this year. They're 51-17-11 (or 51-28), and they only lost 15 games to other Western Conference teams. Of the teams in the WC playoff hunt, only Minnesota (3 times) and Vegas and Winnipeg (twice each) have beaten Nashville more than once. Kings are 0-2-1 against Nashville; 2-1-1 against Vegas; and 1-3-0 against San Jose. I guess, all in all, Vegas is the best matchup for the Kings, but there are no "easy" playoff matchups.
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No offense! :lol
Might be seeing a whole lotta Philly next week.
Or might not, it's so up in the air right now. We have the easiest schedule to finish out of the teams running tight in the East, but anything can happen. We could play the Pens or Blue Jackets home or away, or start on the road against the Bruins, Lightning, or Capitals. Hell, I think we could still theoretically get 2/3 in the division with New Jersey and play them first round.
The Leafs are the only team you're guaranteed NOT to play. I don't see you playing NJ either.
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It's essentially StL or Colorado getting the second wild card in the West and then getting throttled by Nashville. Neither team can match up against the Preds.....maybe there's a 'miracle' series there for either of those teams and Nashville collapses under the pressure of them being the favorites to win it all, but I doubt it.
Me personally....I'd love to see StL make it in and pull off the miracle against the Preds. For those of you who don't know my brother in law lives in Nashville and is a Predator "fan"....meaning.....he knows zippity squat about hockey and started liking them about two years ago when they started playing well. The texts and conversation he gears towards me when the Blues play the Preds are brutal to deal with....made even more brutal by the recent history of those match ups. So yeah....I have that to look forward to should the Blues get lucky enough to back in to the last wild card spot.
Ignore the texts. Do not respond to them. Or respond to them talking about something else. Easy solution. :biggrin:
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It's essentially StL or Colorado getting the second wild card in the West and then getting throttled by Nashville. Neither team can match up against the Preds.....maybe there's a 'miracle' series there for either of those teams and Nashville collapses under the pressure of them being the favorites to win it all, but I doubt it.
Me personally....I'd love to see StL make it in and pull off the miracle against the Preds. For those of you who don't know my brother in law lives in Nashville and is a Predator "fan"....meaning.....he knows zippity squat about hockey and started liking them about two years ago when they started playing well. The texts and conversation he gears towards me when the Blues play the Preds are brutal to deal with....made even more brutal by the recent history of those match ups. So yeah....I have that to look forward to should the Blues get lucky enough to back in to the last wild card spot.
Ignore the texts. Do not respond to them. Or respond to them talking about something else. Easy solution. :biggrin:
Clearly you’ve never met my bro in law. :lol It’s just not that simple
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It's essentially StL or Colorado getting the second wild card in the West and then getting throttled by Nashville. Neither team can match up against the Preds.....maybe there's a 'miracle' series there for either of those teams and Nashville collapses under the pressure of them being the favorites to win it all, but I doubt it.
Me personally....I'd love to see StL make it in and pull off the miracle against the Preds. For those of you who don't know my brother in law lives in Nashville and is a Predator "fan"....meaning.....he knows zippity squat about hockey and started liking them about two years ago when they started playing well. The texts and conversation he gears towards me when the Blues play the Preds are brutal to deal with....made even more brutal by the recent history of those match ups. So yeah....I have that to look forward to should the Blues get lucky enough to back in to the last wild card spot.
Ignore the texts. Do not respond to them. Or respond to them talking about something else. Easy solution. :biggrin:
Clearly you’ve never met my bro in law. :lol It’s just not that simple
You need to up your trash talk game.
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Chad, it seems like you guys are pretty locked into 3rd place in the Atlantic, so if you want to rest some players on Thursday that would be just fine with me :lol
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Chad, it seems like you guys are pretty locked into 3rd place in the Atlantic, so if you want to rest some players on Thursday that would be just fine with me :lol
We are absolutely 100% locked in. The only question is whether we start in Tampa or Boston. Not sure if Babs is going to rest anyone... we gotta stay sharp. He is rotating the fourth-liners, to get them some action before heading in to the playoffs, but all the top lines have stayed in the lineup.
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Meanwhile over in the Metropolitan Division, Pittsburgh and Columbus are in second and third place tied with 96 points (and they play each other tomorrow), and the Devils and Flyers are in the two wild card spots with 95 and 94 points respectively. Florida needs to run the table (2 games against the Bruins and one against Buffalo) but they theoretically have a shot at the second wild card spot. Going to be a very interesting last few days of the season, and it's going to kill me that I likely won't be able to watch any of it.
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Dallas was polite enough to beat San Jose last night -- even came back to win 4-2 after being down 0-2 early.
Kings are 2 points back of San Jose for second place in the Pacific, and both teams have 2 games to play, and the Kings have clinched the ROW tiebreaker against San Jose. San Jose's remaining games are against Colorado and Minnesota.
Of course, the Kings are also only a point in front of Anaheim, and Anaheim has 3 games to play. If Anaheim wins out, they'll finish ahead of the Kings, so the Kings need a little bit of help from one of Anaheim's remaining opponents (Minnesota, Dallas and Arizona).
The Kings remaining games are against Minnesota and Dallas, so those two teams will play a big role in shaping both the Pacific Division and the wild card.
St. Louis is in a similar situation as Anaheim. If the Blues win out, they'll finish ahead of Colorado. They need to win and need help as against the Kings and Anaheim. In fact, I believe the Kings will clinch a play off spot if St. Louis loses in regulation tonight (unless they can win their last two games in regulation with a combined goal differential of at least +33), so GO MINNESOTA and GO CHICAGO tonight.
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The end of the Florida-Nashville game last night was very entertaining! The Predators pulled their goalie and tied the game up with 0.6 seconds to go (of course they did), but after a few minutes of looking at the footage, the goal was overturned due to goaltender interference. It makes me wish the Devils had lost their game so that this outcome would have mattered more.
Those goddamn Blackhawks have been responsible for ending so many seasons for the Blues (watch this video for proof https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HUwd3fKsj0 ) and so it sure makes me uneasy knowing that they get yet another opportunity this week. But it's comforting to know that the Sharks will be really hungry for a victory tomorrow (against Colorado) seeing as how they've now lost three in a row.
I want to blue myself tonight so Let's go Blues!!! :)
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Those goddamn Blackhawks have been responsible for ending so many seasons for the Blues (watch this video for proof https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HUwd3fKsj0 ) and so it sure makes me uneasy knowing that they get yet another opportunity this week. But it's comforting to know that the Sharks will be really hungry for a victory tomorrow (against Colorado) seeing as how they've now lost three in a row.
I want to blue myself tonight so Let's go Blues!!! :)
All the Hawks keystone players are quoted and on record as stating they'd love to destroy the Blue's playoff hopes. So, these two games are not going to be easy by any means. If I had to guess I'd say they'll split the two with the Hawks. Which, if Colorado does lose then against San Jose it puts the Blues in a must win on Saturday.
Best case is Blues win tonight....Colorado loses tomorrow against San Jose and the Blues go in to the game Friday against the Hawks knowing all they need is 1 pt to get in being they hold all the tie breakers over Colorado.
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Jake Allen is itching to get on my Blues goalie shit list, currently occupied by Roman Turek and Ryan Miller. If we lose tonight, it's on him. :censored
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Duncan Keith with a dagger to the Blues’ season.
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Rage post is imminent
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Jake Allen sucks.
Blues power play sucks.
Please let this team not make the playoffs so I can actually enjoy the first round of the playoffs without another playoff loss by the Blues tainting my enjoyment.
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And the Blues’ loss means the Kings clinch! Never thought I’d be appreciative of Duncan Keith.
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Jake Allen sucks.
Blues power play sucks.
Please let this team not make the playoffs so I can actually enjoy the first round of the playoffs without another playoff loss by the Blues tainting my enjoyment.
I hope they squeak in so they can get utterly throttled and embarrassed by the Preds. That’s what they deserve....to be nationally embarrassed. Bunch of heartless pansies.
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Nope, I love the first round, and I'd rather enjoy it without having the annoyance and stress of the Blues every other night.
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Nope, I love the first round, and I'd rather enjoy it without having the annoyance and stress of the Blues every other night.
It’s stress free. They don’t have a chance in hell if winning a series in the playoffs.....maybe not a single game.
It’s a mute point anyway......they’re not going to win either of the two games they have left.
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Dallas was polite enough to beat San Jose last night -- even came back to win 4-2 after being down 0-2 early.
Freakin stupid. 3 goals in the 3rd. :\
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Saturday night Blues vs Avalanche is gonna be a lot of fun
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Saturday night Blues vs Avalanche is gonna be a lot of fun
I won’t even matter. Blues will lose Friday, Colorado will beat San Jose tomorrow. The Blues suck and are now finding new and creative ways to abuse their fan base.
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Wow... those were three super soft goals. Can't really fault him on the Keith goal - double screen by his own players. Good swift kick to the balls for the Blues fans. I think it would just prolonging their inevitable demise if the got in the playoffs. I hope the Hawks just take them out to the woodshed and put everyone out of their misery.
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Wow... those were three super soft goals. Can't really fault him on the Keith goal - double screen by his own players. Good swift kick to the balls for the Blues fans. I think it would just prolonging their inevitable demise if the got in the playoffs. I hope the Hawks just take them out to the woodshed and put everyone out of their misery.
Ehh...I think they were all soft....even the Keith goal. Freaking ugly.
This F’n team finds new, creative ways to torture their fan base each season. Rather than wait to the playoffs this year.....they decide to tease us with a gripping win streak to propel themselves into the playoffs only to crap the bed the second they get right up to the line...refusing to cross it.
At this point I wish desperately that they make the playoffs. Not because I think they’ll make any noise whatsoever.....but because I want them to get utterly throttled and embarrassed by Nashville. They deserve that. They deserve to be whipped Nationally and embarrassed for the team they are. Armstrong deserves it.....they players....all of them. They need a National spanking and if they get lucky and somehow back into the playoffs (not convinced they will...I say the Blackhawks beat them again and Colorado wins tonight) it will be tough to watch, but much like a Father who has to spank his kid for spitting in his moms face....he doesn’t want to but he has to.....I want to watch the Blues get their a$$es handed to them by the Predators and get humiliated. That’s what they deserve.
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Big game for the Pens tonight. A win against the Jackets nearly locks the Pens into 2nd place in the Metro. A loss tonight could have them drop down to a wild-card spot.
I'm cool with the Pens facing pretty much any Metro team in the first round, I really don't want to see them drop down and have to play Boston or Tampa in the first.
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Well...the Wild sucked last night, letting Anaheim leapfrog the Kings again. Hopefully they continue to stink against the Kings tonight. Need to take advantage of getting Minnesota on the second night of a back-to-back.
Also pulling for the Avs over the Sharks, but the Kings really need help from either Dallas or Arizona in the final two games against Anaheim. If Anaheim wins out, the Kings won't be able to pass the Sucks in the standings. However, with some help, the Kings could end up in second place in the Pacific.
Of course, a first round series against Vegas would be intriguing (and might require an impromptu road trip).
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So, based on the posts here, if I were to sum up the essence of the Blues franchise in one single play from their entire history, the most accurate would be a play from Game 4 of the 2002 Western Conference Semi-Finals, when Chris Pronger skated in on Steve Yzerman to take his knee out and instead blew out his own ACL and missed the rest of the series and almost the entire next season. Does that describe the general futility of the Blues franchise?
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Scholars maintain that there is no correct arrangement of words that could ever accurately depict nor describe the true futility of the Blues franchise.
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Scholars maintain that there is no correct arrangement of words that could ever accurately depict nor describe the true futility of the Blues franchise.
Without faith, without hope, there can be no peace of mind.
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Scholars maintain that there is no correct arrangement of words that could ever accurately depict nor describe the true futility of the Blues franchise.
Without faith, without hope, there can be no peace of mind.
I don't think he's got truth or love at this point either.
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Holy crap the Metro is bunched up!
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Scholars maintain that there is no correct arrangement of words that could ever accurately depict nor describe the true futility of the Blues franchise.
Without faith, without hope, there can be no peace of mind.
I don't think he's got truth or love at this point either.
Definitely lacking all of those things when it comes to the Blues
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So, based on the posts here, if I were to sum up the essence of the Blues franchise in one single play from their entire history, the most accurate would be a play from Game 4 of the 2002 Western Conference Semi-Finals, when Chris Pronger skated in on Steve Yzerman to take his knee out and instead blew out his own ACL and missed the rest of the series and almost the entire next season. Does that describe the general futility of the Blues franchise?
Yeah, that unfortunate incident sure doomed the Blues in that series against Detroit. I think that was also the game where a Blues player scored a goal that the referees didn't call, and the play went on only for him to score again 30 seconds later The Blues were taking penalties left and right but they sure were playing with more intensity and urgency than they are right now. I don't think I'm even going to watch the game tomorrow because having to watch all those Blackhawks fans sing "da da da... hey, hey, hey... goodbye" to the Blues, in addition to hearing that obnoxious goal celebration song, would be a terrible way to start a weekend!
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Ah, thanks to the Sharks, it turns out the Blues don't have to win tomorrow after all. Good god, how could both the Blues and the Avalanche be choking this bad?
It was nice to see that the Sedin twins had a really magical farewell for their last game in Vancouver
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It was nice to see that the Sedin twins had a really magical farewell for their last game in Vancouver
No shit... you couldn't have scripted it better in a movie!
'scuse me for a moment, seems I've got something in my eye. :'(
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It was nice to see that the Sedin twins had a really magical farewell for their last game in Vancouver
No shit... you couldn't have scripted it better in a movie!
'scuse me for a moment, seems I've got something in my eye. :'(
Yeah, just watched the highlights of that game, such a cool ending.
As for the Flyers, thankfully they pulled it out and got the win last night so their magic number is 1 and the Panthers have 2 game remaining. So the only way the Panthers get in and boot the Flyers out is if the Flyers lose their game in regulation and Panthers win both of their remaining games. Not solidified yet, but a good spot to be in.
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It was nice to see that the Sedin twins had a really magical farewell for their last game in Vancouver
No shit... you couldn't have scripted it better in a movie!
'scuse me for a moment, seems I've got something in my eye. :'(
Vintage Sedins, that's for sure. It's a shame they didn't achieve wider recognition. Easily the two best players to play for the Canucks.
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Thank you Phil Kessel you beautiful man.
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What happened in the Sedins’ last game?
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What happened in the Sedins’ last game?
Last game in Vancouver.
They connected for a goal in regulation and then again for the OT winner.
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So, based on the posts here, if I were to sum up the essence of the Blues franchise in one single play from their entire history, the most accurate would be a play from Game 4 of the 2002 Western Conference Semi-Finals, when Chris Pronger skated in on Steve Yzerman to take his knee out and instead blew out his own ACL and missed the rest of the series and almost the entire next season. Does that describe the general futility of the Blues franchise?
Yeah, that unfortunate incident sure doomed the Blues in that series against Detroit. I think that was also the game where a Blues player scored a goal that the referees didn't call, and the play went on only for him to score again 30 seconds later The Blues were taking penalties left and right but they sure were playing with more intensity and urgency than they are right now. I don't think I'm even going to watch the game tomorrow because having to watch all those Blackhawks fans sing "da da da... hey, hey, hey... goodbye" to the Blues, in addition to hearing that obnoxious goal celebration song, would be a terrible way to start a weekend!
This is all karma for what happened in the first round in 1998. Let's call it the Curse of Geoff Courtnall.
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In other news, for the second time in ten days, a Kings player scored four goals in a game. Dustin Brown got the hat trick in regulation and then scored the game winner less than 30 seconds into overtime! Brown is playing as well as he did in 2012 (when he and Kopitar tied for the playoff scoring lead), and he really looks like he's on a mission. Same with Drew Doughty.
The Kings and Anaheim are now fighting for third place in the Pacific Division and the first wild card spot (with a slight chance of passing San Jose for second place in the Pacific). Unfortunately, Anaheim has a game in hand. Dallas will be at the Pond tonight, so GO STARS! Whoever gets the first wild card will play Vegas in the first round and the other team will play San Jose.
It's down to St. Louis and Colorado for the second wild card spot, with the Blue having a game in hand, and first round date with Nashville.
That leaves Winnipeg and Minnesota locked in for the Central Division 2 v. 3 matchup.
It looks like lots of stuff is still up in the air in the east (although mostly positioning).
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Yes, only thing up in the air in the East non-positioning is if it's the Flyers or Panthers that get in.
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It's down to St. Louis and Colorado for the second wild card spot, with the Blue having a game in hand, and first round date with Nashville.
You underestimate the Blues ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of certain victory. I would not surprise me one little bit if they were to lose these last two games. In fact, I'm near positive they'll get creamed tonight in Chicago....leaving them to find a unique way to lose the game in Colorado. Because, I'll wager in that game that it won't be Colorado who beats the Blues....but the Blues will find a way to do all they can NOT to win that game. That's how little faith I have in them right now.
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It's down to St. Louis and Colorado for the second wild card spot, with the Blue having a game in hand, and first round date with Nashville.
You underestimate the Blues ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of certain victory. I would not surprise me one little bit if they were to lose these last two games. In fact, I'm near positive they'll get creamed tonight in Chicago....leaving them to find a unique way to lose the game in Colorado. Because, I'll wager in that game that it won't be Colorado who beats the Blues....but the Blues will find a way to do all they can NOT to win that game. That's how little faith I have in them right now.
I was saying that it's down to STL and COL for the first round date with Nashville. And the Blues do have a game in hand.
I just looked at the Blues season schedule. Eight in a row (and 8-2-1 in the month of April) before dropping the last four games. Brutal.
As a fellow fan of a 67 expansion team, I feel for you guys a little bit, but then again, there's that whole Geoff Courtnall thing, so....
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It's down to St. Louis and Colorado for the second wild card spot, with the Blue having a game in hand, and first round date with Nashville.
You underestimate the Blues ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of certain victory. I would not surprise me one little bit if they were to lose these last two games. In fact, I'm near positive they'll get creamed tonight in Chicago....leaving them to find a unique way to lose the game in Colorado. Because, I'll wager in that game that it won't be Colorado who beats the Blues....but the Blues will find a way to do all they can NOT to win that game. That's how little faith I have in them right now.
I was saying that it's down to STL and COL for the first round date with Nashville. And the Blues do have a game in hand.
I just looked at the Blues season schedule. Eight in a row (and 8-2-1 in the month of April) before dropping the last four games. Brutal.
As a fellow fan of a 67 expansion team, I feel for you guys a little bit, but then again, there's that whole Geoff Courtnall thing, so....
As far as I'm concerned the Courtnall ordeal was deserved :biggrin: But yeah.....they went on a pretty good streak there and had the ball rolling....then have crapped the bed the past few games....outside of the lambasting they took from Arizona, the other three were very winnable and we did all we could to make sure we lost.
It's been a Jekyl and Hyde team of streaks this season which has made it either really fun to watch or just flat out brutal. I have zero confidence if they do squeak in the playoffs that they make any noise. Especially heading into a President Cup Nashville team.
The only thing that I could hope for is they hit one of their hot streaks and the pressure on Nashville that they now face as the team that 'should' win the cup works against them. I mean, no matter who Nashville faces they will be the favorite at this point so all the pressure is on them....especially in the first round. So, whoever faces them could use that to their advantage as a 'nothing to lose' scenario and just go balls out. Stranger things have happened.
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As far as I'm concerned the Courtnall ordeal was deserved :biggrin: But yeah.....they went on a pretty good streak there and had the ball rolling....then have crapped the bed the past few games....outside of the lambasting they took from Arizona, the other three were very winnable and we did all we could to make sure we lost.
It's been a Jekyl and Hyde team of streaks this season which has made it either really fun to watch or just flat out brutal.
Not to live in the past too much...I was at the game when Courtnall ran Jamie Storr. Kings were cruising, and then that happened and Sean O'Donnell (who now works on the Kings pre- and post-game shows) committed the second dumbest penalty in Kings history (don't get me started on Marty McSorley). I have NEVER felt the energy drain from a building the way it did after the Blues scored four goals on the major PP against our concussed goalie. It's probably how Devils fans felt after Steve Bernier took the major penalty (except that was game 6 of the SCF, although it was much earlier in the game).
Anyway...streaky seasons are terrible to endure. We've all been there.
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LA wasn't going win that series anyway; the Courtnall play just sped things up. :biggrin:
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There go the Blues. Toying with their fans' emotions.
Gary, you called it. Tie/Win and you're in tomorrow night! Am I right in that Col needs a regular time win? Even an OT win doesn't help them, because St. L would still hold a 1 game ROW win advantage over them.
Crazy scenario... if the Flyers lose to the Rangers by 2 goals, and the Panthers win both remaining games in a shoot-out, then the two of them play in a 1-game head-to-head matchup to see who goes to the playoffs (the 4th tie-breaker!).
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Yes, the Blues make it with a win tonight or OT loss. Colorado has to win in regulation, which could make it interesting if the game is tied late in regulation, as they would likely pull the goalie in a tie game.
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Giroux is the first Flyer in 20+ years to get over 100 points in a season, and with 20 minutes to play it looks like the Flyers will be going to the playoffs. :hat
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Dallas did the Kings no favors last night, so we have to get some help from Arizona tonight.
Go KINGS!
Go Coyotes....
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Aaaaand....the Flyers earn themselves the final Eastern Conference playoff spot.
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Kings, Sharks and Ducks are in the playoffs. California represent! :metal
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B's win tomorrow, get ready Bill!
B's lose tomorrow get ready Chad!!
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B's win tomorrow, get ready Bill!
B's lose tomorrow get ready Chad!!
Whatever happens, get ready Joe! :metal
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B's win tomorrow, get ready Bill!
B's lose tomorrow get ready Chad!!
Carolina did you guys a solid. Too bad Florida has nothing to play for tomorrow.
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Blues just got fucking dicked on an onside call that was offside by an inch. So fucking pissed.
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Darren Pang is great, but he was a total homer on that one. It was very close, but I don't think you could say 100% that it was offsides, so that call on the ice has to stand. The bottom line is that the Avs look like a team that wants to make the playoffs, and the Blues look ready to go home.
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The bottom line is that the Avs look like a team that wants to make the playoffs, and the Blues look ready to go home.
That's the game that I'm watching.
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Blue Jackets lose... Devils lose...
Flyers have the first shot at denying the Penguins the three-peat.
We have not played are best against he Penguins this year, and we got swept in the season series, but come playoffs I think we'll hang just fine IF we can get decent goaltending from someone. Going to be one hell of a series no matter what.
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Darren Pang is great, but he was a total homer on that one. It was very close, but I don't think you could say 100% that it was offsides, so that call on the ice has to stand. The bottom line is that the Avs look like a team that wants to make the playoffs, and the Blues look ready to go home.
You’re insane. That was 100% offside. Clear white between puck and line. Horrid call in a game like this.
Up until that point Blues had the momentum in the period. That changed everything.
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Haha, I might be. :lol :lol
But what kind of video was that? This is 2018, yet the quality of the replay was like watching a VHS tape from the 80s. :facepalm: :facepalm:
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Allen is labouring. Wonder where he's hurting?
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Allen is labouring. Wonder where he's hurting?
It’s probably his back from carrying the team this game.
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Yeah, he's been pretty solid considering the turd he laid against Chicago a few nights ago. And this period too.
Tick-tock.
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In the famous words of Gorilla Monsoon... stick a fork in 'em, they're done.
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Best of luck to all your teams gents......gonna be rooting for the Leafs to make some noise!
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Losing Tarasenko early in the game sure didn't help, but the Blues lost 5 of their last 6. It was there for the taking and they blew it.
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Losing Tarasenko early in the game sure didn't help, but the Blues lost 5 of their last 6. It was there for the taking and they blew it.
8.5 seconds. That was the the difference. I'm sure Keith is gonna take some satisfaction from that all summer.
Too little, too late.
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Actually, getting a point against Chicago Wednesday would have ended up not mattering. The Avs would have still gotten the playoff spot based on the 4th tiebreaker. Now, had we won in OT Wednesday...
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Both the Kings and Sharks are crapping a turd tonight when they've both got a shot to take #2 with a win.
The only other thing to be decided is the Atlantic/East #1 seed. I'm really torn about who I'd rather see the Leafs play. I'm sure Boston would rather play the Devils vs the Leafs, so they'll be playing hard tomorrow, and Florida has nothing on the line.
Classy opening at Winnipeg, and both teams wearing Broncos on their jerseys. :'( :'( Many tears shed tonight - all day really.
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Darren Pang is great, but he was a total homer on that one. It was very close, but I don't think you could say 100% that it was offsides, so that call on the ice has to stand. The bottom line is that the Avs look like a team that wants to make the playoffs, and the Blues look ready to go home.
You’re insane. That was 100% offside. Clear white between puck and line. Horrid call in a game like this.
Up until that point Blues had the momentum in the period. That changed everything.
:lol You might need a new TV or new glasses if you think that was offside.
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Darren Pang is great, but he was a total homer on that one. It was very close, but I don't think you could say 100% that it was offsides, so that call on the ice has to stand. The bottom line is that the Avs look like a team that wants to make the playoffs, and the Blues look ready to go home.
You’re insane. That was 100% offside. Clear white between puck and line. Horrid call in a game like this.
Up until that point Blues had the momentum in the period. That changed everything.
:lol You might need a new TV or new glasses if you think that was offside.
Nope and nope....
(https://i.imgur.com/nIgQKIj.jpg)
It was clear on every replay they used that puck came out. The call completely reversed the momentum of that period, of which the Blues had came out and were controlling for the first six minutes. It's their fault for taking a tripping penalty...but still, that BS non off sides call leads to a goal and from that point on Colorado was in control.
The Blues don't / didn't deserve a trip to the playoffs....I'm not arguing that. But to try and say that play wasn't off sides is just not true. It was and it's baffling how Toronto made that call.
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In case you need more evidence....
https://twitter.com/twitter/statuses/982806996985569281
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Considering how long the review took, Stan Kroenke probably called Toronto and threw his weight around to get the call to stick, just to stick it to St Louis one last time.
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Considering how long the review took, Stan Kroenke probably called Toronto and threw his weight around to get the call to stick, just to stick it to St Louis one last time.
Ha!
I’m convinced it goes back to the game six months when they called the AV’s guy offside and dis-allowed that goal.....then came out the next day and said the goal should have counted.
Whatever it was it was the wrong call. Period. It’s clearly offside. It was clear to everyone, including the Colorado players who saw it on the bench and were seen mouthing to one another...”it’s offsides”
Changed the whole momentum of the game, but...it also made sure the team with the best chance to upset Nashville will play them. StL would have gotten waxed by the Preds and Colorado might....but at least Colorado has an outside shot at beating them.
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Tarasenko's arm was in a sling after the game, and Yeo said it would have been a long term injury, so he likely doesn't play in the first round anyway. And they said Allen pulled his hamstring, which is why he looked to be in such discomfort for the latter part of the game (why the hell did he keep playing??). It would have been really ugly. Missing the playoffs is better than getting swept by those buttheads in Nashville. :lol :lol
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Bruins WTF??
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It's on like Donkey-fuking-Kong.
The Leafs and the Bruins were the only two teams with three 30-goal scorers.
The Leafs/Wild/Preds were the only three teams with two 50-point D-men
The Leafs PP has been clipping along at almost 50% for the last 5 weeks.
The Leafs were tied for 2nd in the league in total goals; Marner (top point getter) was 37th in the league in scoring. How's that for a balanced offense?
The Bruins have just as many glowing stats as well, considering how many man-games they lost to injury, it's f'n impressive they were even in the playoff race, let alone 1 game from the Eastern title.
(https://i2.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/010/100/dis%20gon%20be%20good.gif)
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#anyonebutPreds
Looks to be some good Hockey coming up.
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Let's go Tampa!
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Bruins WTF??
Yup. You can't show up the last 20 minutes and expect to win. Such a poor performance when the #1 seed is attainable.
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Really looking forward to the first round Pens and Flyers matchup! :metal
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I have no idea who I want to root for in the playoffs this year, with the exception of the Bruins, the Ducks, and the Penguins. I hope they get destroyed in the first round.
Being a Wings fan, I wouldn't mind seeing Steve Yzerman get his first Stanley Cup as GM. I'd be happy if Babcock brought the Cup back to Toronto. I also wouldn't mind seeing Petr Mrazek lead the Flyers to the Conference Final so the Wings get a 2nd round pick in the draft this year. As a hockey fan, I hope Ovi gets past the second round. Flyers need to do their part and take out the defending champs.
Out West, I can get behind Nashville and Winnipeg, but it's too bad one of those teams is gone by the end of the second round. The NHL needs to scrap the division playoff format.
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^ Bro, it's okay - you can root for the Pens.
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I'm team Leafs. I empathize with the pangs of no championship in 51 years. And, I think that they have the team that could pull it off this playoffs. A bunch of good teams in it....but should they play their game they'll but just as tough to beat as any other team out there.
#anyonebutPreds
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^ Bro, it's okay - you can root for the Pens.
No! Never!
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^ Bro, it's okay - you can root for the Pens.
No! Never!
:lol
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Out West, I can get behind Nashville and Winnipeg, but it's too bad one of those teams is gone by the end of the second round. The NHL needs to scrap the division playoff format.
Yeah... I see pros and cons to the divisional format. I could swing either way with going back to the re-seeding after round 1, or leaving it as is. I don't think that the current divisional rivalries are like they were back in the 21-team days with the Smythe, Patrick, Adams and Norris divisions. THOSE were rivalries.
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I'm team Leafs. I empathize with the pangs of no championship in 51 years. And, I think that they have the team that could pull it off this playoffs. A bunch of good teams in it....but should they play their game they'll but just as tough to beat as any other team out there.
#anyonebutPreds
You are now my enemy. :lol
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Out West, I can get behind Nashville and Winnipeg, but it's too bad one of those teams is gone by the end of the second round. The NHL needs to scrap the division playoff format.
Yeah... I see pros and cons to the divisional format. I could swing either way with going back to the re-seeding after round 1, or leaving it as is. I don't think that the current divisional rivalries are like they were back in the 21-team days with the Smythe, Patrick, Adams and Norris divisions. THOSE were rivalries.
Especially in the Norris Division. Bloodbaths!
I think the current divisions are too big to create any meaningful rivalries, and I really miss the Red Wings playing in the Western Conference. I could give a rat's ass about playing Buffalo, Ottawa and Florida. Yawn! I'd much rather see the Blackhawks, Blues, Preds and Jets.
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I'm team Leafs. I empathize with the pangs of no championship in 51 years. And, I think that they have the team that could pull it off this playoffs. A bunch of good teams in it....but should they play their game they'll but just as tough to beat as any other team out there.
#anyonebutPreds
You are now my enemy. :lol
I like Boston a lot. I just have to throw my support behind a team and fan base who has suffered as much as the Blues. But I'll contend every day of the week and twice on Sunday's that the Blues are far more brutal to their fan base as far as disappointment :lol
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I'm team Leafs. I empathize with the pangs of no championship in 51 years. And, I think that they have the team that could pull it off this playoffs. A bunch of good teams in it....but should they play their game they'll but just as tough to beat as any other team out there.
#anyonebutPreds
You are now my enemy. :lol
Don't sweat it Gary. He's fresh of the DL... we can take him - with or without TAC. I mean, how tough can a Disney fanboi really be?
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Out West, I can get behind Nashville and Winnipeg, but it's too bad one of those teams is gone by the end of the second round. The NHL needs to scrap the division playoff format.
Yeah... I see pros and cons to the divisional format. I could swing either way with going back to the re-seeding after round 1, or leaving it as is. I don't think that the current divisional rivalries are like they were back in the 21-team days with the Smythe, Patrick, Adams and Norris divisions. THOSE were rivalries.
I generally agree, but I would say the Pacific Division rivalries are as strong as they ever were, if not stronger. Of course, part of that is a result of the addition of natural rivals for the Kings in Anaheim and San Jose. Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver had strong geographic rivalries, and rivalries developed with the Kings as a result of numerous playoff battles. Anyway...
Kings gagged away an opportunity for a better seed on Saturday, so we're off to play Vegas in their first ever playoff series. I'm honestly not sure how I feel about this match up (as opposed to a match up against Anaheim or San Jose). I think, however, the Kings' playoff experience will help a lot, although guys like Fleury and Neal also have tons of playoff experience. Should be a good series.
My assumption is that the Anaheim v. San Jose series will go 6 or 7 games and will leave whichever team that wins in a vulnerable position going into the second round.
I don't see Colorado having a chance against Nashville, and I think Minnesota v. Winnipeg will a relatively short series, but I'm not sure who wins. For whatever reason, it feels like a series that will go 5 games, but with every game being a one goal game and at least 2-3 games going OT.
I don't have a strong feel for the Eastern Conference series, but I assume Boston v. Toronto will be a bloodbath. Pittsburgh v. Philly should be good, but I have a hard time believing the Flyers can hang with the Penguins. Caps should dispatch CBJ pretty easily, which means we'll get the usual Pittsburgh v. Washington series in the second round. Likewise, I expect Tampa Bay will destroy Jersey.
The first round is always a blast.
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I'm team Leafs. I empathize with the pangs of no championship in 51 years. And, I think that they have the team that could pull it off this playoffs. A bunch of good teams in it....but should they play their game they'll but just as tough to beat as any other team out there.
#anyonebutPreds
You are now my enemy. :lol
Don't sweat it Gary. He's fresh of the DL... we can take him - with or without TAC. I mean, how tough can a Disney fanboi really be?
*Looks for his McQuaid sweater*
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I don't see Colorado having a chance against Nashville
While I agree if you compare their seasons and success this series should be a no brainer.....I also believe that Colorado has the quickness and players to pull off the upset. President Trophy winners have historically had issues in the playoffs and the Preds have ALL the pressure of winning this series AND the Cup. Colorado has zero pressure at all and they have nothing to lose. Although this should be a slam dunk for Nashville it wouldn't surprise me if Colorado threw together a great series and upset them.
At least....that's what I'll be sacrificing my neighborhood stray cats for.
#anyonebutPreds
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NEVER write anyone off ... especially before a single puck has dropped. I remember back in the 2001 playoffs, Leafs vs Sens in round 1. Sens had a 20 point advantage in the regular season over the Leafs. A lot of the Toronto media were predicting Sens in 3 :lol
The Leafs swept the Sens.
This millenium, 5 President's winners have lost in the 1st round; 4 more have lost in the 2nd round.
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NEVER write anyone off ... especially before a single puck has dropped. I remember back in the 2001 playoffs, Leafs vs Sens in round 1. Sens had a 20 point advantage in the regular season over the Leafs. A lot of the Toronto media were predicting Sens in 3 :lol
The Leafs swept the Sens.
This millenium, 5 President's winners have lost in the 1st round; 4 more have lost in the 2nd round.
I get what you're saying, but at even money you're either a Colorado homer, Nashville hater, or downright fool to bet on the Avalanche at even money.
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I don't see Colorado having a chance against Nashville
While I agree if you compare their seasons and success this series should be a no brainer.....I also believe that Colorado has the quickness and players to pull off the upset. President Trophy winners have historically had issues in the playoffs and the Preds have ALL the pressure of winning this series AND the Cup. Colorado has zero pressure at all and they have nothing to lose. Although this should be a slam dunk for Nashville it wouldn't surprise me if Colorado threw together a great series and upset them.
The President's Trophy has been awarded 32 times (starting with the 1985-86 season and including the current season). The winner has won the Cup 25% of the time (most recently the 2013 Blackhawks). It was really just the stretch from 2006-2012, when four of the seven winners lost in the first round of the playoffs, that gave rise to the theory that winners have a difficult time in the Playoffs. Also, and for what it's worth, in the 18 post-expansion seasons before the introduction of the President's Trophy (1967-68 through 1984-85), the team with the best overall record won the Cup 11 times.
All that said, nothing that happens in the first round should be truly surprising to anyone, and I don't disagree that Colorado is a dangerous team.
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I'm team Leafs. I empathize with the pangs of no championship in 51 years. And, I think that they have the team that could pull it off this playoffs. A bunch of good teams in it....but should they play their game they'll but just as tough to beat as any other team out there.
#anyonebutPreds
You are now my enemy. :lol
Don't sweat it Gary. He's fresh of the DL... we can take him - with or without TAC. I mean, how tough can a Disney fanboi really be?
*Looks for his McQuaid sweater*
:lol
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First Round Predictions:
Lightning-Devils
Bruins-Maple Leafs
Capitals-Blue Jackets
Penguins-Flyers
Predators-Avalanche
Jets-Wild
Golden Knights-Kings
Ducks-Sharks
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Hey Tim are you abandoning your team with the way they played the last six games?
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Hey Tim are you abandoning your team with the way they played the last six games?
I don't like the match up. At. All.
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Though that cross my mind it's time to put up or shut up. This team has played great all year and they need to beat tough teams like Toronto to get further in the playoffs.
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First Round Predictions:
Lightning-Devils
Bruins-Maple Leafs
Capitals-Blue Jackets
Penguins-Flyers
Predators-Avalanche
Jets-Wild
Golden Knights-Kings
Ducks-Sharks
This is exactly what I would’ve called. Though I would flip a coin in the Ducks/Sharks series.
Which puts Pens/Caps as a 2nd round series for the third straight year. God I hope the Caps can get over that hump.
I’m gonna call Jets/Bolts for the finals.
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Ducks-Sharks
This is exactly what I would’ve called. Though I would flip a coin in the Ducks/Sharks series.
Yeah, it's a pick 'em for sure. Easily the toughest choice of the 8 series.
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I would love to see the Jets go to the finals. I call that if the Jets go to the finals jjrock has to post a picture of himself.
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As a hockey watcher since the early 80's, it just looks weird to see none of these teams in the playoffs:
St Louis Blues
Detroit Red Wings
Montreal Canadians
Dallas Stars
Edmonton Oilers
NY Rangers
Chicago Blackhawks
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As a hockey watcher since the early 80's, it just looks weird to see none of these teams in the playoffs:
St Louis Blues
Detroit Red Wings
Montreal Canadians
Dallas Stars
Edmonton Oilers
NY Rangers
Chicago Blackhawks
And as a guy whose first introduction to hockey was the Mighty Ducks movies (which is quite odd, since I'm a Kings fan), I'm surprised that all three California teams has been a relative fixture in the Stanley Cup playoffs this decade. Also, I'm surprised that the Ducks (which was owned by Disney and was quite the laughing stock I hear in their first few years as a team, due to the Disney connection and the movies) can be quite the good/great team (and a team that can be quite a thorn to the Kings' side, not as big of a thorn like the Sharks, but a thorn nonetheless).
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As a hockey watcher since the early 80's, it just looks weird to see none of these teams in the playoffs:
St Louis Blues
Detroit Red Wings
Montreal Canadians
Dallas Stars
Edmonton Oilers
NY Rangers
Chicago Blackhawks
Throw the Islanders into that mix too. I'd forgotten that they were the last team to win 3+ consecutive Cups. If not for Steve Smith, surely the Oilers would've won 5-straight.
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Hopefully the Devils' performance against Tampa in the regular season (3-0-0) is a sign of things to come in the playoffs. Got my ticket for game three at The Rock :hat
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Sweet Bill!
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Lightning-Devils
Bruins-Maple Leafs
Capitals-Blue Jackets
Penguins-Flyers
Predators-Avalanche
Jets-Wild
Golden Knights-Kings
Ducks-Sharks
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My picks:
Lightning-Devils
Bruins-Maple Leafs
Capitals-Blue Jackets
Penguins-Flyers
Predators-Avalanche
Jets-Wild
Golden Knights-Kings
Ducks-Sharks
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As a hockey watcher since the early 80's, it just looks weird to see none of these teams in the playoffs:
St Louis Blues
Detroit Red Wings
Montreal Canadians
Dallas Stars
Edmonton Oilers
NY Rangers
Chicago Blackhawks
Only 2 of the Original Six made it in, and they play each other in the first round. There's a possibility of a Columbus v. Minnesota final. Up is down, down is up!
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Lightning-Devils
Bruins-Maple Leafs
Capitals-Blue Jackets
Penguins-Flyers
Predators-Avalanche
Jets-Wild
Golden Knights-Kings
Ducks-Sharks
Picking against the Flyers Nick?!
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Lightning-Devils
Bruins-Maple Leafs
Capitals-Blue Jackets
Penguins-Flyers
Predators-Avalanche
Jets-Wild
Golden Knights-Kings
Ducks-Sharks
Picking against the Flyers Nick?!
Honestly, it would be another story IF Elliot had more time back from injury OR had Mrazek played great prior to Elliot's return, but the regular season shows that the Penguins have scoring depth we'll have trouble keeping up with, and you combine that with questionable goaltending and I don't know if we'll be able to keep enough pucks out of the net. Going to be a high scoring series I'd say.
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Honestly, it would be another story IF Elliot had more time back from injury OR had Mrazek played great prior to Elliot's return, but the regular season shows that the Penguins have scoring depth we'll have trouble keeping up with, and you combine that with questionable goaltending and I don't know if we'll be able to keep enough pucks out of the net. Going to be a high scoring series I'd say.
I agree. It's definitely going to be a high scoring series. The Pens have gaps going into the playoffs this year, but I feel like they do match up very well against the Flyers. I think the Pens will win this series in 5 or maybe 6. The key for the Pens will be if Murray can step up his play in the post season (like he has in the past).
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I believe the only real contenders for the cup will be the ones with goalies who have demonstrated prolonged periods of excellence. And that would mean Rinne, Vasilevskiy, Rask, Hellebuyck vault their teams to the top... maybe Fleury, but I'm not feeling it from the Knights overall. I think they peaked, and are running out of gas. Andersen is a wild card - he can be spectacular, but also be simply overwhelmed with the number of shots the Leafs give up.
Ducks, Devils and Caps have their backups starting ffs. Can't see Bobrovsky carrying the Jackets for 16 wins. Jones, Murray, Dubnyk and Quick have been average (at best). Reimer - please. Whoever the Flyers use... unlikely.
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It is worth noting that the last time the Flyers came within 1 goal of a game 7 chance at the cup they rotated through 3 goalies throughout the playoffs.
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I believe the only real contenders for the cup will be the ones with goalies who have demonstrated prolonged periods of excellence. And that would mean Rinne, Vasilevskiy, Rask, Hellebuyck vault their teams to the top... maybe Fleury, but I'm not feeling it from the Knights overall. I think they peaked, and are running out of gas. Andersen is a wild card - he can be spectacular, but also be simply overwhelmed with the number of shots the Leafs give up.
Ducks, Devils and Caps have their backups starting ffs. Can't see Bobrovsky carrying the Jackets for 16 wins. Jones, Murray, Dubnyk and Quick have been average (at best). Reimer - please. Whoever the Flyers use... unlikely.
Then the last two cups don't make much sense :lol
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And as a guy whose first introduction to hockey was the Mighty Ducks movies (which is quite odd, since I'm a Kings fan), I'm surprised that all three California teams has been a relative fixture in the Stanley Cup playoffs this decade. Also, I'm surprised that the Ducks (which was owned by Disney and was quite the laughing stock I hear in their first few years as a team, due to the Disney connection and the movies) can be quite the good/great team (and a team that can be quite a thorn to the Kings' side, not as big of a thorn like the Sharks, but a thorn nonetheless).
Find and watch the opening ceremony for the first Mightily Sucks game back in 1993. I was at that game because my roommates and I had a mini plan for that first season. We were all Kings fans, but the idea of an NHL team in OC was appealing at first. Anyway, the opening ceremony at that first game was so cringy and bad that it's hilarious (especially "The Iceman," who was fired after that first game). It really set the tone for the team being a laughing stock. Unfortunately, they overcame that to a large extent in 2007 and have been a large pain in the ass ever since (as have their fans). Of course...2014.
I believe the only real contenders for the cup will be the ones with goalies who have demonstrated prolonged periods of excellence. . . .
Jones, Murray, Dubnyk and Quick have been average (at best).
You mean the guy who won the Jennings Trophy while backstopping the league's best defensive team?
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It is worth noting that the last time the Flyers came within 1 goal of a game 7 chance at the cup they rotated through 3 goalies throughout the playoffs.
It's also worth noting that Backlund played 1 fucking minute! That's hardly a 3-goalie rotation. And just because Boucher was a shitty 6-6 hardly means it was a "rotation" - you guys thankfully had Leighton play a bit better than Boucher.
Other than last year, name me a single Stanley Cup winner who didn't ride one goalie the whole way? Over this millennium, 11 winners had their goalies start every game, and log all 16 wins. Of the 5 others, 13 wins was the minimum - Bishop, and only because he was injured for a few games. I can't think of a single Cup winner that had shared goal-tending - except because of injury. Fuhr/Moog had an 11/4 split on the wins once, but I can't recall if that was because of an injury to Fuhr.
@ mikey... Murray had 15 wins 2 years ago. I'd say Sullivan rode him hard. ;)
@ pg... Jennings award is a token gift. I didn't even know the criteria until I looked it up! Pretty meaningless individual award imo. Why doesn't the d-men with the highest +/- on the lowest goals-against team get anything? Granted, I don't see a lot of the Kings' games, and maybe his stats look average (particularly the w-l) because of the team in front of him. Perhaps it would have been more accurate to have made the same comment about Quick as I did Bobrovsky... can't see him carrying that LAK team to 16 wins.
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@ mikey... Murray had 15 wins 2 years ago. I'd say Sullivan rode him hard. ;)
Yup, he did. That's not what you said. You said -
I believe the only real contenders for the cup will be the ones with goalies who have demonstrated prolonged periods of excellence.
So my comment was that outside of two postseason runs, Murray hasn't really shown himself to be excellent for long periods of time. To be honest, it's my primary concern with the Pens in the playoffs this year, Murray has been up and down all year and I fear he won't be consistent enough to string together the wins they will need.
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I have my doubts on Rask. He tends to let up a soft goal when an elite goal will make the big saves.
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@ mikey... Murray had 15 wins 2 years ago. I'd say Sullivan rode him hard. ;)
Yup, he did. That's not what you said. You said -
I believe the only real contenders for the cup will be the ones with goalies who have demonstrated prolonged periods of excellence.
So my comment was that outside of two postseason runs, Murray hasn't really shown himself to be excellent for long periods of time. To be honest, it's my primary concern with the Pens in the playoffs this year, Murray has been up and down all year and I fear he won't be consistent enough to string together the wins they will need.
Fair enough... I meant to imply that my beliefs for this year are that there's a particular need for top-shelf goaltending. In the recent past, good/very good goaltending could get it done (Crawford, Luongo, Jones, Niemi, Fleury/Murray), but I don't think that'll cut it this year.
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Fair enough... I meant to imply that my beliefs for this year are that there's a particular need for top-shelf goaltending. In the recent past, good/very good goaltending could get it done (Crawford, Luongo, Jones, Niemi, Fleury/Murray), but I don't think that'll cut it this year.
Ah, gotcha. Yeah, I don't know, we will see. Like I said, Murray is my primary concern for the Pens, so I guess I might agree with you there.
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4-0 Penguins to start. They’re making a statement
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Well, the good news is that 1 game down is 1 game down whether you lose 1-0 or 10-0. At this point I almost hope for the latter to wake the Flyers the fuck up and make the rest of this series competitive.
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5-0 and NOW they pull Elliott?
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That score made it easy to flip over to Jets/Wild. And the Jets just broke the scoreless tie late in the 2nd...
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That Laine goal was ridiculous. I didn't realize he was still only 19.
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Well that went well. Strong first game by the Pens, can’t slow down at all next game. Gotta keep that tempo up.
Beautiful hat trick for the captain :metal
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Wow... Elliott was a sieve. Those were a couple of very soft goals. Can't get much worse for the Flyers.
Nice win by the Jets.
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Crosby's deflections/redirects on his 2nd and 3rd goals tonight were pretty filthy.
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Crosby's deflections/redirects on his 2nd and 3rd goals tonight were pretty filthy.
Indeed they were. Those kinds of play(er)s can carry a team to the Cup/final. If he keeps that up, they could 3-peat.
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Crosby's deflections/redirects on his 2nd and 3rd goals tonight were pretty filthy.
Indeed they were. Those kinds of play(er)s can carry a team to the Cup/final. If he keeps that up, they could 3-peat.
That would be nuts in this day and age.
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Crosby's deflections/redirects on his 2nd and 3rd goals tonight were pretty filthy.
Indeed they were. Those kinds of play(er)s can carry a team to the Cup/final. If he keeps that up, they could 3-peat.
That would be nuts in this day and age.
It would be. Honestly, as a life long Pens fan at this point it's all icing on the cake.
In the Crosby - Malkin era they have made the playoffs the last 12 years, made the finals 4 of those years, and won the cup 3 times. As a fan in the salary cap era, you really can't ask for more. To win 3 in a row would be incredible, but I'm counting on nothing, these guys have delivered and then some over their time here.
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Bruins looking great tonight. Kadri is going to get suspended for that hit.
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I'm glad he got tossed. They've been trying to bait Marchand all night.
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As well they should They know he's chippy but they know how important he is to the Bruins.
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I'm pretty sure all it takes to bait Marchand is to be out on the ice in the other team's jersey :P
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You biased mother
Oh wait.....
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I'm pretty sure all it takes to bait Marchand is to be out on the ice in the other team's jersey :P
:lol
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I'm glad he got tossed. They've been trying to bait Marchand all night.
Yeah, like Marchand going all smoochie-smoochie with Komarov - TWICE - isn't baiting anyone.
The better team won tonight. It was closer than 5-1... Leafs deserved better than 0-3 on the PP, but got sloppy on a few occasions. Both Backes' and Pasternak's goal were sloppy defensive efforts.
We can all expect a better effort on Saturday - with Kadri in the press box.
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Can I ask, what the hell is what up with licking Kamarov? I don’t even think that’s getting into his head, it’s just...weird. I’m honestly surprised no one has gone after him more. There’s just nothing that I like about him. He comes off to me as a guy that isn’t nice off the ice.
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Can I ask, what the hell is what up with licking Kamarov? I don’t even think that’s getting into his head, it’s just...weird. I’m honestly surprised no one has gone after him more. There’s just nothing that I like about him. He comes off to me as a guy that isn’t nice off the ice.
Even Sean Avery would have said, "whoa, bro, that's too much!"
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They've been trying to bait Marchand all night.
Yeah, like Marchand going all smoochie-smoochie with Komarov - TWICE - isn't baiting anyone.
(https://www.bardown.com/polopoly_fs/1.1055649!/fileimage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_620/brad-marchand.jpg)
:natalieportman: :natalieportman:
The better team won tonight. It was closer than 5-1... Leafs deserved better than 0-3 on the PP, but got sloppy on a few occasions. Both Backes' and Pasternak's goal were sloppy defensive efforts.
We can all expect a better effort on Saturday - with Kadri in the press box.
I agree with most of this. It was closer, especially the second period, but I felt that the Leafs accepted their fate when Kadri got the major. Tough to mount a comeback under those circumstances.
The Leaf's PP looks deadly. They did everything but score.
I love Mitch Marner. He put on a show. Matthews was MIA though.
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Reilly completely screwed the pooch on Kuraly's goal as well - puck-watching instead of taking the man. That'll get fixed for tomorrow.
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@ pg... Jennings award is a token gift. I didn't even know the criteria until I looked it up! Pretty meaningless individual award imo. Why doesn't the d-men with the highest +/- on the lowest goals-against team get anything? Granted, I don't see a lot of the Kings' games, and maybe his stats look average (particularly the w-l) because of the team in front of him. Perhaps it would have been more accurate to have made the same comment about Quick as I did Bobrovsky... can't see him carrying that LAK team to 16 wins.
I don't disagree that the Jennings is more of a team award, but you don't win it -- and you certainly don't finish first in the league in defense -- with an "average at best" goalie.
I didn't get to see game 1 against Vegas because I was traveling and the hotel where I stayed didn't have NBCSN, but it was pretty clear that defense/goaltending wasn't the problem for the Kings. Quick is healthy and wasn't overworked during the regular season, so if the Kings don't advance, it won't be because of Quick.
The bigger problem is that the Kings will have to play tonight without 3 of their top 5 defensemen. Muzzin and Forbort are still injured, and Doughty is out because of a BULLSHIT suspension. Dion Phaneuf has been a pleasant surprise since coming over from Ottawa, but he's not a #1 d-man anymore, but he'll have to play like it tonight for the Kings to have any chance. Doughty's absence will hurt the offense as well since he's the power play quarterback, and guys like Kopitar, Carter and Brown will have to step up their defensive game more than usual to make up for Doughty's absence.
We might win 2-1 tonight or might lose 5-1. We'll see....
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I agree that was a BS suspension on Doughty. Kadri on the other hand, that should be a 1-gamer.
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I agree that was a BS suspension on Doughty. Kadri on the other hand, that should be a 1-gamer.
Kadri has a history, doesn't he (unlike Doughty)? I didn't see the hit, but from what I heard it definitely sounds suspension-worthy. Should find out soon. I thought Doughty's was worth a fine...at most.
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I agree that was a BS suspension on Doughty. Kadri on the other hand, that should be a 1-gamer.
Kadri has a history, doesn't he (unlike Doughty)? I didn't see the hit, but from what I heard it definitely sounds suspension-worthy. Should find out soon. I thought Doughty's was worth a fine...at most.
He has a history of being a super-pest. Not as bad as Marchand (or as talented for that matter), but kinda like that. Early in his career, he was worse... he's matured a little, but yesterday he clearly slipped into his old ways.
Doughty might not have a 'history', but I always thought he had a 'reputation'.
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He has a history of being a super-pest. Not as bad as Marchand (or as talented for that matter), but kinda like that. Early in his career, he was worse... he's matured a little, but yesterday he clearly slipped into his old ways.
After the hit, you can read Chara's lips," Are you kidding me? Are you kidding me? Come on."
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So I was just watching some clips on the TSN website, and I saw Leo Komorov and I immediately thought of Randy from A Christmas Story.
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Q0dUmykdtJA/maxresdefault.jpg)
(https://nhl.bamcontent.com/images/photos/281806132/1136x640/cut.jpeg)
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I knew my Red Wings were toast at the end of last year.
My best friend's Blackhawks were nothing to follow.
The neighboring Caps have not made the conference finals in twenty years.
I really, really, really miss the 1 through 8 conference seeding for the playoffs. I hated the divisional stuff eons ago, I hate it now. The old format provided for more rivalries (even if I had to stay up until 1 or 2 AM when the Wings were out west), it was more fair, and who wants to see the two best teams meet in the quarterfinals (conference semis)?
And...we basically 'cut the cord' two years ago. So, no hockey at all unless it's on NBC. grrrrr
Grouse over: Penguins against ? in the East, N'ville against ? in the West, Pittsburgh loses in the finals.
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Not surprised the Devils lost game one for a few reasons, but hopefully all the young guys got their playoff jitters out of their system and we can take care of business on Saturday. Also, I've decided I'm rooting against Nashville in the West because I caught the end of the game last night and the chanting after Nashville scores is obnoxiously long and complicated :lol
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Wow... 3 games for Kadri. :omg:
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Wow... 3 games for Kadri. :omg:
If this were the regular season it would've been at least 5 games.
If he had just skated over and kissed Wingels on the neck, he'd be playing in Game 2.. :lol
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The Mild are so soft. Winnipeg has had them against the ropes all 2nd period
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Ridiculous pass by Coutourier (sp WTF) on the Flyers 4th goal.
They have responded big time.
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Ridiculous pass by Coutourier (sp WTF) on the Flyers 4th goal.
They have responded big time.
I mean 2-0 and 1-1 is a huge difference at any time, but to swing it back our way after game 1 while still playing in Pittsburgh is really really huge.
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Pens did themselves a disservice from Sid's hattie.
Jets look like the real deal. Buf's hit on Koivu was nasty (in a good way)
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Jets look like the real deal.
Jets-Preds will be a great series. Technically it'll be the Western Conference Finals.
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Quite a reversal for Philly, and Winnipeg seems like they’re headed for a sweep (although all they’ve done so far is hold serve).
Hope my Kings can turn things around with a mostly AHL defense corps.
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Jets look like the real deal.
Jets-Preds will be a great series. Technically it'll be the Western Conference Finals.
Yeah, the league should go back to re-seeding after round 1. Divisional games in round 1 is fine, but it's brutal that the two best teams in the league are (likely) playing in Round 2.
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Like the Bruins/Leafs in Round 1. In reality, they're the 2 and 3 seeds in the East.
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Ridiculous pass by Coutourier (sp WTF) on the Flyers 4th goal.
They have responded big time.
I mean 2-0 and 1-1 is a huge difference at any time, but to swing it back our way after game 1 while still playing in Pittsburgh is really really huge.
Yup, that was a HUGE win for the Flyers, good on them.
For the Pens that was a combination of some poor play and some really bad puck luck. Anyways, on to game 3!
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Kings go down in 2OT, down 0-2. Yeesh.
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Well, that just fuckin blew. I turned off the game after the 1st. I'm fully convinced that if Kapanen had scored (instead of hitting the post) on that s/h breakaway, it would've been a totally different game. 1-1 at that point instead of another quick PPG goal, then two favorable home-ice bounces to make it 4-0 put the game away. 4 goals on 6 shots! Not a lot of good to take from that game for the Leafs - Haisey and Zaitsev (in particular) were as useful as a Chino-pylon. Babcock has to take some of the blame too - two of the 1st period goals he was rushing a change to get a line matchup, and it cost the d-pair.
Fuck Pasternak-Marchand-Bergeron are scary as shit, and they are on their game right now. Offensively, they remind me of Gretz-Kurri-Tikkanen.
My only hope is that Pasternak's fancy-shmancy goal with 100 seconds left to get the hattie stirs up the Leafs the way Sid's hattie stirred up the Flyers.
This will be a sweep if the Leafs don't get their heads out their asses. Do-or-die tomorrow.... 2-1 is a lot different than 3-0.
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After the way the Bruins were playing towards the end the season I didn't expect this kind of play. I'm actually very surprised.
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After the way the Bruins were playing towards the end the season I didn't expect this kind of play. I'm actually very surprised.
They're capitalizing on virtually every mistake by the Leafs, and Anderson didn't bail anyone out last night. And it seems like everytime there's a loose puck, there was at least 1 black shirt in the vicinity - or getting to it before the Leafs do.
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Dave Reid, who is way underrated, made good points of showing the Leafs pulling up out of hits.
Matthews standing up straight and letting up on Pasta's third goal is scary. Not good scary.
Chad, what's the deal with Komorov? The way he was trying to skate, it looked like a hip.
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After the way the Bruins were playing towards the end the season I didn't expect this kind of play. I'm actually very surprised.
They're capitalizing on virtually every mistake by the Leafs, and Anderson didn't bail anyone out last night. And it seems like everytime there's a loose puck, there was at least 1 black shirt in the vicinity - or getting to it before the Leafs do.
It really is about the effort to get to the puck first. Let's see the Leafs energy tonight.
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Matthews standing up straight and letting up on Pasta's third goal is scary. Not good scary.
Chad, what's the deal with Komorov? The way he was trying to skate, it looked like a hip.
Matthews simply is not a physical player, and by that time the Leafs had thrown in the towel. Matthews is actually a very good defensive player.
Komarov... no idea. Like I said, I turned the game off. He did miss a few games towards the end of the season after a bad collision that I swore looked like some kind of 'xCL' (ie ACL or MCL) tear. I would've sworn he was gone for the season, but he came back after 4 or 5 games... so it must've just been a really bad hyper-extension of his knee. Could be lingering effects of that?
King... game isn't until tomorrow.
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Yeah I just saw that watching the NHL channel.
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Wasn't expecting CBJ to take two in Washington. Not looking good for the Caps. And it's looking even worse for the Kings. At least those games have been close.
I'm hoping for a Wild-like bounce-back by the Leafs tonight.
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Strong response from the Pens in Philly yesterday afternoon, that's the kind of win they needed after a horrible effort and bad puck luck in the second game.
Wasn't expecting CBJ to take two in Washington. Not looking good for the Caps.
I wasn't necessarily expecting the Jackets to win the first two in DC, but the Jackets winning the series seems about right to me. Watching these games in DC is fascinating, it's like their fan base is waiting for them to lose. It comes across on TV, as soon as they go down you can feel the arena all collectively thinking "oh here we go again".
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WTF Kings??? 3 goals in the 3rd at home????? Guess I'm a Sharks fan now.
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WTF Kings??? 3 goals in the 3rd at home????? Guess I'm a Sharks fan now.
Yeah, I don't want to say this series is over, since the Kings have played it really close the entire series, but coming back from 3 games down is nearly impossible if you're not playing some chump team like the Bruins or Sharks.
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WTF Kings??? 3 goals in the 3rd at home????? Guess I'm a Sharks fan now.
UGH!!! That game was just depressing. The Kings' performance in game 2 was inspiring. They were so out-manned but battled to extend the game to nearly 5 full periods. Quick stood on his head. They should have ridden that momentum to a game 3 win, and they looked REALLY good with Doughty and Muzzin back in the lineup, which freed up the forwards a LOT. Now I think warding off a sweep will be tough.
Thankfully, the Sucks are in an even worse position, having dropped the first two games at home. I guess I hate the Sharts only slightly less than the Sucks. I think either of them will get spanked by Vegas int he second round.
Minnesota did what the Kings should have done by demonstrating how important home ice really is.
The battle of Pennsylvania is shaping up like the best series of the first round. Bruins look like they're going to roll over the Leafs. Columbus over Washington is a bit of a surprise, and I haven't seen a second of Tampa Bay and Jersey.
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Hopefully the switch to Schneider and the return of Marcus Johansson *glares at Joe* gives the Devils a boost tonight, especially as I'll be there at The Rock :metal
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I just hope the Leafs blueliners remember how to play defense. Hainsey/Zaitsev/Gardiner have been BRUTAL so far, and Pasta/Berg/March have made them pay. Anderson needs to get his mojo flowing too.
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Bad call in the refs that led to a power-play goal for the Leafs. He cleared that off the the boards. The replay shows that. Oh well, 2 periods to go.
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Bad call in the refs that led to a power-play goal for the Leafs. He cleared that off the the boards. The replay shows that. Oh well, 2 periods to go.
Love how the Penalty Box guy opens the door while the officials are discussing it. :lol
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I saw that as well. :lol
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Not the Bruins night tonight. Hit two posts on the PP. Ain't gonna happen tonight.
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Pasta has to finish that goal and not at the post. There was nothing but net.
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Game over. Great response by The Leafs.
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Let's go Celtics!!
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Holy s*** what a save!
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Anderson brought his mojo tonight and then some. That last save was out of sight. D-men played a solid physical game. Plecanec/Marleau/Marner did a great job shutting down Pasta and crew.
This is the kind of series that we were expecting.
Jersey with a nice response too.
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Bruins look like they're going to roll over the Leafs.
You were saying?? ;D Just need the Leafs to show up like that again on Thursday, and it's a best of 3.
Holy shit Anaheim! Are the Sharks that good, or the Ducks that bad?
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There was no way the Leafs woyld drop an egg in game 3 at home. That last save on Pastrňák was nasty.
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There was no way the Leafs woyld drop an egg in game 3 at home. That last save on Pastrňák was nasty.
If he doesn't stop that, it's 2012 all over again. One goal game with 2 minutes to go. That was just absolutely sick ... and a bit of home-ice luck of course.
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You don't win a 7 game series without a little luck. Makes game 4 real interesting.
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You don't win a 7 game series without a little luck. Makes game 4 real interesting.
Indeed... and I'm on a plane (on my way home) for most of it. Gonna record it, and try to stay spoiler-free until I get home.
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You don't win a 7 game series without a little luck. Makes game 4 real interesting.
Indeed... and I'm on a plane (on my way home) for most of it. Gonna record it, and try to stay spoiler-free until I get home.
No texting you then!
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I'm going to miss Game 4 too. It's our anniversary.
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I'm going to miss Game 4 too. It's our anniversary.
Priorities right there Tim. A must there. Going anywhere for dinner?
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I'm going to miss Game 4 too. It's our anniversary.
Priorities right there Tim. A must there. Going anywhere for dinner?
At least. We still don't have plans yet...my wife is in No Spending mode bigtime, so she's been hesitating on going away.
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Damn, how the hell are the Ducks shitting the bed so badly in both this series and that last game?
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8-1 Sharks! :lol Looks like that series is over too.
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You don't win a 7 game series without a little luck. Makes game 4 real interesting.
Indeed... and I'm on a plane (on my way home) for most of it. Gonna record it, and try to stay spoiler-free until I get home.
No texting you then!
I would appreciate that! ;D
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Based on the regular season stats, the Bruins hit SIX GAMES worth of posts last night! :lol
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Bruins look like they're going to roll over the Leafs.
You were saying?? ;D Just need the Leafs to show up like that again on Thursday, and it's a best of 3.
Holy shit Anaheim! Are the Sharks that good, or the Ducks that bad?
Yeah...I also thought the Kings had a chance against the Knights and that the Sharks v. Ducks series would be a very close match up. I think it's more of a matter of the Sharks taking their game to a new level than anything else. The Ducks are also not doing any of the things they ordinarily do well.
Do or die for the Kings tonight. I am not optimistic for a repeat of 2014.
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Based on the regular season stats, the Bruins hit SIX GAMES worth of posts last night! :lol
Kapanen has a 2-game post streak of his own.
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Oh man, what a blast to be at the Devils game last night. They didn't start great, but really came on for the end of the second and then the third period. Hopefully they can sustain that through game 4 on Wednesday. Things also got pretty heated at the end last night, curious to see if that bleeds into the next game at all. Only problem is that I was so damn amped after the game that I couldn't even think about going to sleep until after 1am :lol Definitely feeling that today, but so worth it :hat
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There you have it, as everyone predicted at the beginning of the season the Vegas Golden Knights are the first team to finish off an opponent and proceed to round 2 of the playoffs.
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Dammit, there goes my chance of winning the NHL Playoffs Bracket Challenge. I picked the Kings to win in 7 games.
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Dammit, there goes my chance of winning the NHL Playoffs Bracket Challenge. I picked the Kings to win in 7 games.
Impressive sweep from the Knights, that's for sure.
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Anyone shocked that it's Rinne, Vasilevsky and Hellebuyck for the Vezina? I thought that Rask might've bumped Vas given the latter's sub-standard performance in the stretch, but I guess Rask was fairly ordinary in March as well. Really tough year to narrow it down to 3, because Rask and Fleury were also very worthy candidates.
Predictions:
Hart - Hall, Kucherov, MacKinnon
Norris - Klingberg, Hedman, Josi
Calder - Barazel... doesn't matter who else, he's 100% lock. Gourde should get a nomination. Boesser might've if he hadn't gotten injured - still might get a nomination.
Adams - Gallant ... doesn't matter who else, he's a 100% lock. Too bad, because Bednar and Cassidy are very deserving.
Selke - dunno who the best defensive players are. Karlsson (VGK)?
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Coots will hopefully get a nomination for the Selke this year and I think Giroux should be getting one for MVP.
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Coots will hopefully get a nomination for the Selke this year and I think Giroux should be getting one for MVP.
I could see him bumping Kucherov. MacKinnon led a team that had (I think this is what I saw) the 3rd biggest one year point increase in the history of the NHL. Hall was almost 2x more in points than the next highest point-getter on the team. I have to think those two are a lock for nominations - despite their respective 8th place finishes. Almost all other playoff teams had some semblance of balance, without a single player that stands out as much as they do.
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What about Marc Andre Fleury for Hart?
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What about Marc Andre Fleury for Hart?
if Vegas wins the cup, then yeah.
COME ON BRUINS!
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Dammit, there goes my chance of winning the NHL Playoffs Bracket Challenge. I picked the Kings to win in 7 games.
Impressive sweep from the Knights, that's for sure.
Ugh...that was just depressing. The thing of it is that I don't really feel like this was a situation in which the Kings crapped the bed. Rather, I feel like all credit goes to Vegas. They looked unstoppable. At times, it reminded me of some of the early/mid-2000s games between the Kings and the Red Wings. Most of the game would involve the Wings getting chance after chance and the Kings dumping and chasing and maybe getting a handful of scoring opportunities. But the way Vegas played this series went beyond that. They were fast and swarming and never seemed to lose energy or focus. The Kings only gave up 7 goals in four games. That's pretty damn good. All of the teams that are up 2 games to 1 have given up more than 7 goals to their opponents in only 3 games. But the Kings just couldn't score, so it really didn't matter how few goals they gave up. When the Sharks finish dispatching the Sucks tonight, the next round between Vegas and San Jose should be really good.
Anyone shocked that it's Rinne, Vasilevsky and Hellebuyck for the Vezina? I thought that Rask might've bumped Vas given the latter's sub-standard performance in the stretch, but I guess Rask was fairly ordinary in March as well. Really tough year to narrow it down to 3, because Rask and Fleury were also very worthy candidates.
Predictions:
Hart - Hall, Kucherov, MacKinnon
Norris - Klingberg, Hedman, Josi
Calder - Barazel... doesn't matter who else, he's 100% lock. Gourde should get a nomination. Boesser might've if he hadn't gotten injured - still might get a nomination.
Adams - Gallant ... doesn't matter who else, he's a 100% lock. Too bad, because Bednar and Cassidy are very deserving.
Selke - dunno who the best defensive players are. Karlsson (VGK)?
And whoever the Vegas GM is will win that award.
Drew Doughty is more deserving of the Norris than Roman Josi, and Anze Kopitar will be nominated for the Selke, as will Patrice Bergeron, because he always gets nominated, whether he deserves it or not. Antti Raanta probably deserved a nomination for the Vezina, but he suffered from a crappy team in front of him and being in the Pacific time zone. By comparison, Vasilevskiy -- 12th in GAA and tied for 8th in S% among goalies who played in at least 40 games -- benefited from being on a good east coast team. The nominees should have been Rinne, Fleury and Raanta.
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What about Marc Andre Fleury for Hart?
if Vegas wins the cup, then yeah.
COME ON BRUINS!
Considering voting is already in - as it should be so Playoffs don't influence the regular season awards - it won't matter. I don't see him getting a Hart nomination. That team was balanced as fuck - they had to be.
Fuck the Bruins. :biggrin:
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:lol
Chad, does our son like Hockey?
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Fuck the Bruins. :biggrin:
oh.. my dear sir.. You just made yourself a mortal enemy.
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:lol
Chad, does our son like Hockey?
Since when did you bear children of mine? WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME!?!?!?
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Hockey dads. :lol
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jingle.son is a casual fan at best. He's an arts kid - sports ain't his thing ... but he takes a mild interest in the Leafs success.
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Brian's son if full blown brainwashed. He'll get up on the weekend turn on the X-Box One and watch NHL highlights until his parents get up.
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Sharks sweep the Ducks!
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Yeah, that was quite surprising. The series seemed like an actual shark was facing off against a duck. Colorado is doing a hell of a lot better than I anticipated because tonight they came so close to tying up the series. I'll be rooting for the Maple Leafs tomorrow because I'd love to see that series go to 7 games!
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Yeah, that was quite surprising. The series seemed like an actual shark was facing off against a duck. Colorado is doing a hell of a lot better than I anticipated because tonight they came so close to tying up the series. I'll be rooting for the Maple Leafs tomorrow because I'd love to see that series go to 7 games!
Colorado could just as easily be up 3-1 right now. The two games they lost by 1 goal were that close.
F’n Predators.
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Good win for the Pens last night! :metal
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Good win for the Pens last night! :metal
They're just playing on another level than the Flyers.
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Good win for the Pens last night! :metal
They're just playing on another level than the Flyers.
Last night was the first time so far in the playoffs that I honestly thought they looked like a championship caliber team. There was a moment in the third period where they were just so sharp, shutting down every chance the Flyers had, transitions and passing was perfect, the team was just stellar from top to bottom.
All without Hornqvist.
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And Sid just passed Lemieux as the all-time leading playoff scorer for the Pens. *He* is playing on another level too. It's like he saved everything for the playoffs.
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Yeah, that was quite surprising. The series seemed like an actual shark was facing off against a duck.
:lol :lol :lol
Pretty much. Anaheim getting outscored 16-4 in a four game sweep makes me feel just a teensy bit better about the Kings getting outscored 7-3 in a four game sweep. At least all of the Kings' losses were one-goal games.
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And Sid just passed Lemieux as the all-time leading playoff scorer for the Pens. *He* is playing on another level too. It's like he saved everything for the playoffs.
Yup and Murray is now the fastest goalie to 25 playoff wins. Pretty impressive post season performer.
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Yeah, that was quite surprising. The series seemed like an actual shark was facing off against a duck.
:lol :lol :lol
Pretty much. Anaheim getting outscored 16-4 in a four game sweep makes me feel just a teensy bit better about the Kings getting outscored 7-3 in a four game sweep. At least all of the Kings' losses were one-goal games.
I concur. That particular game 4 between Sharks/Ducks, I wanted either the Ducks to get swept or for the Sharks to lose four in a row and choke away another 3-0 lead against a SoCal team in a playoff series. Only those two options would made me feel a bit better about the Kings getting eliminated, so Ducks losing yesterday made me feel a bit better about the scenario.
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If the Kings are out I'm glad the Ducks are too. SJS/VGK should be a good fight.
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I was hoping to like Vegas when they were announced, and I would except I can't get past that name. Same with Univ of Oregon. I like their uniform ideas, but hate the name Ducks.
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Good lord Colorado just got F’d. That goal was kicked in.....called no goal by the ref.....then reversed after the replay shows it was kicked in?
Fn Preds literally get near every call they need to get. It’s unreal and annoying as all hell.
And that 8th grade softball chanting crap their crowd does is Busch league. So annoying.
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Great job Colorado. :metal
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Ryan O'Reilly over Bergeron as a Selke finalist? Guess the league wants to spread the love.
Well, I've finally settled down after the Leafs loss the other night. Got home late from business travel, and stayed up until 12:30 to watch the game. I'd had a cup of coffee late in the evening to make sure I made it thru... well, that caffeine wasn't out of my system by the time I went to bed, so I slept like shit, and ended up tired and grumpy all day yesterday. Those 2-on-1 goals were pathetically defended by the Leafs - particularly Zaitsev on Marchand's goal. He looked like it was the first time he ever defended a 2-on-1. Totally hung Andersen out to dry - Marchand had the entire net to shoot at. Polak's wasn't much better. Leafs had their chances, but couldn't bury them. Reilly Nash was a beast on the face-offs. Wonder what the lineup change is going to be with Kadri coming back.
Series is over - no way the Leafs win 3 in a row, having to take 2 out of those 3 at the TD Garden. It's just a matter of time.
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Just watched the game recaps from last night. Hoping the Leafs can follow suit with the Avs and Pens and win on the road - and not go the way of the Wild.
@ Gary... I don't know when they changed the "kicking" rule, but I hate it. That was actually a "good" goal. Despite the fact Bonnino clearly and intentionally used his skate/foot to 'direct' the puck in, that's allowed so long as it isn't a distinct kicking motion with his leg. I think it's total bull-shit, but that is the rule.
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I don't think he kicked it in, or directed it in. He was clearly trying to use his skate to gain control of the bouncing puck. It just happened to continue bouncing into the net after hitting his skate.
It's a good goal.
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I don't think he kicked it in, or directed it in. He was clearly trying to use his skate to gain control of the bouncing puck. It just happened to continue bouncing into the net after hitting his skate.
It's a good goal.
That’s certainly what he was trying to do. But his leg/foot was moving forward which is a kicking motion. Plus, it was called a ‘no goal’ on the ice.
It’s impossible to know....BUT....I have little to zero doubt that had that play been reversed and that was a Colorado player kicking in a goal with 7 minutes to go in the game AT Nashville that was called ‘no goal’ that the review comes back ‘call stands’.
I was just happy to see justice be served and Colorado come away with the ‘W’.
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It’s impossible to know....BUT....I have little to zero doubt that had that play been reversed and that was a Colorado player kicking in a goal with 7 minutes to go in the game AT Nashville that was called ‘no goal’ that the review comes back ‘call stands’.
If only just to fuck with you! :lol
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#gmillerdrakeNHLconspiracies
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All I know is that I was happy to see Nashville lose. :hat
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#gmillerdrakeNHLconspiracies
I have plenty of them. ;)
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Ryan O'Reilly over Bergeron as a Selke finalist? Guess the league wants to spread the love.
Did I miss something? Aren’t the finalists Bergeron, Couturier and Kopitar??
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Goodnight New Jersey and good riddance. Not that I like Tampa that much more, but the Devils very existence makes me angry.
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Ryan O'Reilly over Bergeron as a Selke finalist? Guess the league wants to spread the love.
Did I miss something? Aren’t the finalists Bergeron, Couturier and Kopitar??
My bad... this is why you shouldn't post before a 2nd cup of coffee. Lady Byng finalists were Barkov, Karlsson (VGK) and O'Reilly. And actually, Barkov could've/should've been a Selke nominee.
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Holtby now 3-0 in these playoffs. Makes you wonder why he didn’t start either of the first two games.
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Very sad to see the Devils season comes to an end, but for a team that was supposed to be a basement dweller this year they took us for a pretty good ride. Equally as excited for next season though as it's a young team with a core that should remain intact and hopefully take this series with Tampa Bay as a learning experience. With a good off-season we could be ready to make some real noise next year.
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Bolts baby!!!
Great series to the Devils fans here, and you should be proud of the grit your team showed facing us. I was very impressed by Taylor Hall, and I expect nothing but great things from him in the future.
Anxiously waiting to see if the Bruins put away Toronto tonight. That’s going to be a very good but tough series for us.
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Toronto coming out fast. 2-0 Leafs all ready.
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Bruins did everything but score on that PP. Another post by Pasta!!
We're going back to Toronto I'm afraid.
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My brothers losing it on Rask just texted me, "CAN RASK HAVE TWO GREAT GAMES IN A ROW"?
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I'm watching the Sox. I'm not switching back until the Bruins score.
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Not me.
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(https://www.pga.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/blog_large/blogs/pti-kornheiser-wilbon-640x360.jpg)
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Keep watching the Red Sox.
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:lol
Even they're losing! WTF??
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You can't as a team come out fast and a goalie letting in soft goals early on and expect to win. 60 damn minutes Bruins.
On to game 6 in Toronto.
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This is a fun eight minute watch.....
https://youtu.be/-HUwd3fKsj0
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Andersen stole that one. 20-5 SOG in the 3rd alone.... 45-21 overall. The better team did not win tonight, but I'll take it. Pasternak was robbed more than a couple of times, and a few VERY narrow misses of the net. The Bs also had a bit help from the stripes... that first penalty where Nash broke his stick? :lolpalm: Some of the other penalties were kinda questionable - 6PP for the Bruins; 1 for the Leafs :lolpalm:. Totally stymied any offensive flow the Leafs could've put together.
Now they just need to take care of business at home, and give the Bruins the yips.
Thank god the 4-1 lead wasn't the curse of them.
Glad to see the Caps on the rebound as well. Always looking for a good Torts meltdown presser. :lol
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Honestly, I don't think there is such a thing as "taking care of business at home" in the NHL playoffs. Home ice means absolutely nothing in the NHL playoffs, as we are seeing once again. Home teams are 20-18 in these playoffs.
That aside, I get your sentiment. :biggrin:
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Honestly, I don't think there is such a thing as "taking care of business at home" in the NHL playoffs. Home ice means absolutely nothing in the NHL playoffs, as we are seeing once again. Home teams are 20-18 in these playoffs.
That aside, I get your sentiment. :biggrin:
Can't argue that point too much given the 20-18 record, but it was as much about 'taking care of business' period - and it happens to be at home. Two more elimination games for the Leafs to get thru.
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I would love if this Philly/Pitt series went to 7.
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That Letang cross check on Giroux has to be called.
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That Letang cross check on Giroux has to be called.
At least, the silver lining was that Giroux delivered a big hit that eventually led to a Penguin's penalty, and that after the PP was done, Flyers got a goal.
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Letang also got away with a clear holdingthestick on the 2 on 1.
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That Letang cross check on Giroux has to be called.
Letang also got away with a clear holdingthestick on the 2 on 1.
I'm surprised there are missed calls this year in the playoffs, that usually doesn't happen... :lol
I'm glad the Pens won that series, but man, they have to clean up a lot of messy transition work if they hope to beat any team of a higher caliber than Philly (pretty much any other team in the playoffs).
I'll sit waiting to see who wins the Caps/Jackets series, rooting for a 7 game series. Geno needs to get healthy if we want to beat either of those teams.
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That Letang cross check on Giroux has to be called.
Letang also got away with a clear holdingthestick on the 2 on 1.
I'm surprised there are missed calls this year in the playoffs, that usually doesn't happen... :lol
I'm glad the Pens won that series, but man, they have to clean up a lot of messy transition work if they hope to beat any team of a higher caliber than Philly (pretty much any other team in the playoffs).
I'll sit waiting to see who wins the Caps/Jackets series, rooting for a 7 game series. Geno needs to get healthy if we want to beat either of those teams.
I'm not saying the Flyers deserved to win that series, but that was a bullshit ending. A blatant trip on a guy with a torn MCL isn't called and a goal is scored. So instead of one down on a powerplay the Flyers are two down with the life sucked out of them. Again, the Flyers might have lost the game anyway, and chances are they would have lost the series even if they won that game, but that was not the right ending.
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Lightning-Devils
Bruins-Maple Leafs
Capitals-Blue Jackets
Penguins-Flyers
Predators-Avalanche
Jets-Wild
Golden Knights-Kings
Ducks-Sharks
On a positive note, I'm 4-2 thus far, and am hopeful to finish 5-3 or better. Felt like the Kings series could have easily gone the other way aside from the sweep, but I still can't get over how the Sharks murdered the Ducks, wow.
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I'm not saying the Flyers deserved to win that series, but that was a bullshit ending. A blatant trip on a guy with a torn MCL isn't called and a goal is scored. So instead of one down on a powerplay the Flyers are two down with the life sucked out of them. Again, the Flyers might have lost the game anyway, and chances are they would have lost the series even if they won that game, but that was not the right ending.
While I agree, that should have been called, two things - (1) I think the ref saw him swing and hit the puck, and then the follow through hit the legs, I know that doesn't really matter but I think that's what he saw. (2) Whether or not a dude has a torn MCL has absolutely nothing to do with anything.
That was definitely a big moment, but like I referenced above, I've given up on the NHL consistently getting calls right at all. Nothing called or not called surprises me at this point, unfortunately.
That all said, regardless of how upset Philly fans might have been, throwing full beer cans on the ice at the players was ridiculous and dangerous. Not what you want to see from a fan base, someone could have really gotten hurt.
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I'm not saying the Flyers deserved to win that series, but that was a bullshit ending. A blatant trip on a guy with a torn MCL isn't called and a goal is scored. So instead of one down on a powerplay the Flyers are two down with the life sucked out of them. Again, the Flyers might have lost the game anyway, and chances are they would have lost the series even if they won that game, but that was not the right ending.
While I agree, that should have been called, two things - (1) I think the ref saw him swing and hit the puck, and then the follow through hit the legs, I know that doesn't really matter but I think that's what he saw. (2) Whether or not a dude has a torn MCL has absolutely nothing to do with anything.
That was definitely a big moment, but like I referenced above, I've given up on the NHL consistently getting calls right at all. Nothing called or not called surprises me at this point, unfortunately.
That all said, regardless of how upset Philly fans might have been, throwing full beer cans on the ice at the players was ridiculous and dangerous. Not what you want to see from a fan base, someone could have really gotten hurt.
I fully agree that the torn MCL has no impact on the call, just salt in the wound. And while I can see why they might not have wanted to call it, it was in fact a blatant penalty. And yes, of course the throwing incident was bad. But FWIW 1/3 were probably being thrown at the refs and another 1/3 at the Flyers, so it's not like it was just the usual Penguins hatred.
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I fully agree that the torn MCL has no impact on the call, just salt in the wound. And while I can see why they might not have wanted to call it, it was in fact a blatant penalty. And yes, of course the throwing incident was bad. But FWIW 1/3 were probably being thrown at the refs and another 1/3 at the Flyers, so it's not like it was just the usual Penguins hatred.
Like I said, overall I agree with you, that should have been called. And yes, it did seem the hatred was spread out pretty equally in the building, looked like everyone was everything at everybody. I get the frustration, but I just hate to see it happen, could have been bad.
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Unlike Gary's Brother in-law, I do not pretend to know a lot about the game of hockey. What kind of game plan will be effective against the Preds and what team has the best shot against them?
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Unlike Gary's Brother in-law, I do not pretend to know a lot about the game of hockey. What kind of game plan will be effective against the Preds and what team has the best shot against them?
:lol I wish he hadn't ruined the Preds for me....they'd been my second favorite team forever.
but my opinion to you question is 'punch them back'. A lot of teams allow the Preds to walk all over them and try to just sustain that and counter attack which rarely works. I think if you get a team....much like the Avalanche did at times....that will take it to them and push them they'd have success.
I think Winnipeg is going to beat them personally. Rinne hasn't been as sharp as he normally has been (I know he just had a shut out) and he's giving up a lot of rebounds. Winnipeg is a team that is not scared of the Preds which is where a lot of teams lose the game. Take the Blues for instance....for whatever reason they Blues can handle a lot of the Western conference teams but when it comes to the Preds they clam up and abandon their game.
I'd be willing to bet the winner of Winnipeg/Preds is the Western Conference Representative for the Cup.
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Unlike Gary's Brother in-law, I do not pretend to know a lot about the game of hockey. What kind of game plan will be effective against the Preds and what team has the best shot against them?
I haven't seen enough Preds games to speak too intelligently, but here's what can be easily culled from some of the available stats:
Against the remaining Western Conference playoff teams, Nashville performed as follows:
Winnipeg 3-1-1, with an average of 4.4 GF/G and 4.0 GA/G
San Jose 2-1-0, with an average of 4.33 GF/G and 2.67 GA/G
Vegas 1-1-1, with an average of 1.33. GF/G and 2.33 GA/G
Keep in mind that Nashville will have home ice throughout the playoffs.
Nashville is balanced and has no glaring weaknesses. They had 11 players score more than 30 points this season. And, of course, they have a perennial Vezina Trophy candidate in net.
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I'll probably regret saying this, but I said after the finals last year, I don't see this Preds team going back to the finals and winning it. I think last year was their shot and they came up short. Obviously, they are a good team who had a good regular season, but I still don't see it. The Caps are also a good team who have had several great regular seasons in a row, look how many Cups they have gotten from that.
I know they are a favorite to win it all for a lot of people, so it might not make much sense (and like I said, I might regret saying it) but I just don't see it. For whatever reason, I think they are missing that intangible something it takes, and this is coming from a guy that doesn't put a lot of stock in silly intangible things in sports.
I think the Jets or the Knights will be representing the West in the finals this year. That's based on nothing more than a gut feeling.
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I think the Jets are big, tough, and fast enough to contain the Preds. You luck at Buf, Wheeler, Scheifle ... they're all big dudes. Hell, even Laine brings a bit of size. They're balanced offensively, with the ability to be explosive. I like their chances against the Preds. I'm gonna be watching that series, for sure - I'm calling the Jets to make it, and win the Cup still. Hellabucyk looks like he's in the zone - that 6 goal game notwithstanding.
I think the Sharks/Knights is gonna be a helluva goal-tending series. I take back what I previously said about Jones - he's been stellar, and can/could steal a game or two - from anyone.
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I think the Jets are big, tough, and fast enough to contain the Preds. You luck at Buf, Wheeler, Scheifle ... they're all big dudes. Hell, even Laine brings a bit of size. They're balanced offensively, with the ability to be explosive. I like their chances against the Preds. I'm gonna be watching that series, for sure - I'm calling the Jets to make it, and win the Cup still. Hellabucyk looks like he's in the zone - that 6 goal game notwithstanding.
I think the Sharks/Knights is gonna be a helluva goal-tending series. I take back what I previously said about Jones - he's been stellar, and can/could steal a game or two - from anyone.
Laine is 6'5" and 206 lbs. I'd say that's more than a bit of size. BTW, the Jets roster has 10 guys on it that are at least 6'3" and 200+ lbs, and only 3 guys under 6'0". Winnipeg Jumbo Jets would be an accurate description of that team. I'm on their bandwagon though. They seem to have fun and also have a killer instinct. The series against Nashville is going to be epic.
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Andersson is going to steal another fucking game??
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Let's hope so. :)
How Boston didn't score on the last sequence is beyond me.
And the Leafs score as I type this!!
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Marner has been great this entire series.
Rask has to make that stop.
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Andersson is going to steal another fucking game??
I hope so. The Western Conference results so far messed up my bracket and I need Toronto to pull out a series win to get back on track. If Toronto and Washington win their respective series, I’ll be 6-2 with a perfect Eastern Conference after the first round after starting 2-2.
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Feels like the Leafs are taking over.
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Feels like the Leafs are taking over.
Not really. Boston has been carrying the play. They could be up by 3 easy if not for Andersson. Bullcrap call on Miller.
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Welp. Game 7 coming up.
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I could tell in the first period. Leafs need to thank their goalie.
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Washington looks like they are going to close out the Blue Jackets, so at least we will get one game 7 in the 1st round. :hat
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That's 2 games Andersen has stolen - let's hope it can be a full team effort on Wednesday. That sequence in the 2nd just before Marner's goal had me yelling at the TV repeatedly - way too many turnovers. 3, 4, 5 attempts to clear the zone every time. At least they played much more solidly in the 3rd compared to Saturday night. FFS, Bergeron is a machine on the faceoffs - 23 for 29. As a team, they were 43-68. Completely reminded me of Game 7 from '13 in that regard. Amazing to get the win when you're chasing the puck 63% of the time play resumes.
Hopefully this gives the Bs the yips. Caps, Sharks, Knights all took 4 straight.... who's to say the Leafs can't take 3 straight!?!?!
Hard to believe there was only one Game 7 last year (round 2 Pens/Caps). But there were a shit-ton of overtime games - 18 in the first round alone. Gonna be an exciting one for sure.
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At first I did not want Tampa to play Boston, but now I’m not sure :huh: Toronto are some sneaky bastards! Game 7 is going to be a good one!
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Hard to believe there was only one Game 7 last year (round 2 Pens/Caps). But there were a shit-ton of overtime games - 18 in the first round alone. Gonna be an exciting one for sure.
Wasn’t Ottawa/Pittsburgh in the East Finals a game 7? My heart is still aching.
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Hard to believe there was only one Game 7 last year (round 2 Pens/Caps). But there were a shit-ton of overtime games - 18 in the first round alone. Gonna be an exciting one for sure.
Wasn’t Ottawa/Pittsburgh in the East Finals a game 7? My heart is still aching.
Of course! :lolpalm: I was just doing a real quick skim of the final bracket for the 4-3 series'. Not sure how I could've missed/forgotten that one.
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That's 2 games Andersen has stolen - let's hope it can be a full team effort on Wednesday. That sequence in the 2nd just before Marner's goal had me yelling at the TV repeatedly - way too many turnovers. 3, 4, 5 attempts to clear the zone every time. At least they played much more solidly in the 3rd compared to Saturday night. FFS, Bergeron is a machine on the faceoffs - 23 for 29. As a team, they were 43-68. Completely reminded me of Game 7 from '13 in that regard. Amazing to get the win when you're chasing the puck 63% of the time play resumes.
Hopefully this gives the Bs the yips. Caps, Sharks, Knights all took 4 straight.... who's to say the Leafs can't take 3 straight!?!?!
Hard to believe there was only one Game 7 last year (round 2 Pens/Caps). But there were a shit-ton of overtime games - 18 in the first round alone. Gonna be an exciting one for sure.
I don't believe he stole anything last night. The top two lines of the Bruins had severe "Zack Smith Syndrome" as evidenced by Pasta's first official shot on goal coming in the third period. ZSS...also known as "high n wide" syndrome....is when players attempt to hit a tiny little spot with the puck that has little or no chance of going in. The Leafs goaltending has been decent. Their defense is horrendous. Hit the goalie, get rebound. Series over.
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But to that end, don't you think it's possible that the Bruins realized they had to make THE perfect shot to beat Freddie? I mean, his rebound control, positioning, and anticipation have all been stellar the past 3 games (those 2-on-1s were all the fault of Zaitsev/Polak*) . Yeah, Pasta couldn't hit the broad side of a barn last night, but I believe a big part of that is because he (and the rest of the team) knew that just firing towards the net and praying for the best wasn't going to cut it. Freddie didn't steal it because of the stops he DID make, but also because of the stops he didn't have to make.
That's what I think.
* - you notice the 2-1's last night... D-man took away the pass; Freddie got the shooter - no goals.
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Oh FFS... both Leafs and Raptors play tomorrow night!
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Oh FFS... both Leafs and Raptors play tomorrow night!
I fail to see the issue here.
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Pens vs Caps yet again! Should be fun!
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Pens vs Caps yet again! Should be fun!
Maybe the Caps can break their curse. I hope Holtby has a stand-out series. The way the Pens look, the Caps are gonna need it.
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Pens vs Caps yet again! Should be fun!
Maybe the Caps can break their curse. I hope Holtby has a stand-out series. The way the Pens look, the Caps are gonna need it.
Eh I don't know, the Pens were far from consistent against a Flyers squad they honestly should have looked better against. I think this will be a tough series for both teams, could go either way.
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Yesterday was the first day since the playoffs started without any games on the schedule. It made me sad. :| :sadpanda:
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Yesterday was the first day since the playoffs started without any games on the schedule. It made me sad. :| :sadpanda:
Hah, I just said the same thing to a couple guys at work! Back at it tonight with what should be a good game 7!
Kinda surprised the NHL waited to announce game one of the next round starting Thursday till late on Tuesday. I thought they would have started on Friday and Saturday arena schedules permitting.
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This Leafs/Bruins game is already insane!!
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This Leafs/Bruins game is already insane!!
I'm dyiing. :lol
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This tempo is crazy. These players are gonna be cooked after this game.
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If the Leafs have to win to ensure that I never have to see Rene Rancourt sing an anthem and do the hand gestures ever again, then so be it.
Also, I think this game is gonna be a lot of fun
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This tempo is crazy. These players are gonna be cooked after this game.
I'm already cooked.
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This game is gonna come down to who's goalie wants to start making some big saves. Not to take away from the goals that have been scored because there's been deflections and screen shots and what not....but, it looks like whichever goalie cranks it up is gonna get his team a 'W'
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Which is why the Bruins are going to lose.
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I love hockey, but I haven’t really had the time to follow with this year so far. But I am definitely tuning in for this game. Right now I am not disappointed!
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Typical dirty play by Marchand, ducking out of the way so the puck hits a Leaf in the face.
:P
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Typical dirty play by Marchand, ducking out of the way so the puck hits a Leaf in the face.
Well...I'd have done the same thing. :lol If it's me or you getting busted in the nose by a slap shot, sorry bro :lol
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He's lucky Chara only hit him with a knuckleball.
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Hell of a sequence by David Backes! :heart :heart :heart
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Hell of a sequence by David Backes! :heart :heart :heart
Do you need a moment alone?
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Hell of a sequence by David Backes! :heart :heart :heart
Do you need a moment alone?
(https://i.imgur.com/goCp7si.gif)
All set!! ;D
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Typical dirty play by Marchand, ducking out of the way so the puck hits a Leaf in the face.
:P
:lol
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Hell of a sequence by David Backes! :heart :heart :heart
Do you need a moment alone?
(https://i.imgur.com/goCp7si.gif)
All set!! ;D
:spitcoffee:
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Honestly....where on earth does this guy get his suits? I know its his "thing", but seriously...are they custom made for him? Surely there's not a shop somewhere that sells these atrocities...
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..........or am I the only one watching Coach's Corner? Did y'all go to the can?
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..........or am I the only one watching Coach's Corner? Did y'all go to the can?
We know Tim did for at least 45 seconds....
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:rollin
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..........or am I the only one watching Coach's Corner? Did y'all go to the can?
We know Tim did for at least 45 seconds....
:lol
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This isn't over....
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Someone help Rask get dressed after that one.
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I mean....this game if freaking nuts
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Someone help Rask get dressed after that one.
Is the accountant from Chicago available?
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Someone help Rask get dressed after that one.
Is the accountant from Chicago available?
lol
Freddie as returned to form; Rask ... not so much. 4 goals on 13 shots got him pulled in Game 5...Kuhdoban (sp?) to start the 3rd?
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I don't think so. But the team needs a jolt. The difference in this series is the goalies. No question.
The Bruins only have themselves to blame. They lost 5 of their last 6 games. They needed only ONE more win to get the top seed and play NJ. The two teams I feared the most were Washington, who the B's will not beat, and Toronto, who was the next toughest matchup.
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And here we go...
I'm hoping the Bs back-end heavy schedule has finally caught up with them. They haven't had more than 3 rest since when... end of Feb?
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Rick Nash, let's fucking go!!! Jake Debrusk is making him look like a fucking Sally.
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Nash! Don't retaliate!!!
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Nash! Don't retaliate!!!
Undisciplined. Thanks Rick!
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The Bruins will promptly give that goal back.
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2013 all over again. :censored :censored :censored
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Rick Nash, let's fucking go!!! Jake Debrusk is making him look like a fucking Sally.
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Thank God for alcohol during this game.
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Hopefully Rask stopped drinking after the 2nd period.
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I've done 4 loads of laundry during this game. :lol
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I've done 4 loads of laundry during this game. :lol
Don't throw your Dokken t-shirt in the dryer by mistake and shrink it.
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It's Saxon, but yeah!
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That's all she wrote folks. Terrible. Thinking 100% offense, and forgetting basic defensive responsibility.
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Really bummed. I was rooting for the Leafs. But right now, Boston is playing to win. Two goals up, and (as teams should, but almost never do) they are turning up the heat and playing aggressive.
Toronto is just playing "beaten" right now.
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Rask is in net, so the Leafs still have a chance. :lol :lol
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Game over. One hell of a first round.
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4-goal 3rd period was a weak effort. That was the one thing the Leafs immensely improved on this year - holding a 3rd period lead. Not tonight.
I said at the start of the playoffs that I'd be 'ok' if they lost in round 1. You look at all the great young teams/players - Sid, Kane/Toews in particular... they didn't make the playoffs their first year. IMO, this Leafs group is 1-year ahead of schedule, having made the playoffs last year.
Bummer. At least now I can watch the Jets games without watching hockey 8 days a week.
2nd happiest group tonight ... Tampa Bay and their fans. :lol
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2nd happiest group tonight ... Tampa Bay and their fans. :lol
WUT?
You could've watched the Blue Jays you know..Oh wait. Boston beat 'em. :P
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I still think this playoff set up is messed up. We as a #2 just beat the #3 seed in the 1st round and now we face #1?
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I still think this playoff set up is messed up. We as a #2just beat the #3 in the 1st round and now we face #1?
Yeah. This is jacked up. Has been for some time.
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2nd happiest group tonight ... Tampa Bay and their fans. :lol
WUT?
The fact it was such a hard fought and gruelling game.
oh... and lol-baseball.
I too think that playoff seeding needs to be addressed... #4 and #6 teams in the entire league face each other in round 1!?!?! And now #1 and #2 teams face each other in round 2 - on both sides of the league! The top 4 teams in the league are playing each other!!! Two of the best four teams will be eliminated in round 2. That's beyond fucked. Imagine the Rockets facing the Warriors in Round 2 of the NBA playoffs. <shake-my-fucking-head>
The Bruins better pick up their game, or Tampa will light them up. The Leafs fell apart in the 3rd, and Freddie finally gave up a couple of softie's. They better not count on that against the Bolts.
The Leafs will look much different next year, that's a certainty. Bozak and JVR are gone, maybe Komarov; defense need to be addressed too. Matthews/Marner/Nylander will continue to grow.
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The B's always play well against the Lightning. Weird to say but true.
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The fact it was such a hard fought and gruelling game.
Ah..gotcha!
I too think that playoff seeding needs to be addressed... #4 and #6 teams in the entire league face each other in round 1!?!?! And now #1 and #2 teams face each other in round 2 - on both sides of the league! The top 4 teams in the league are playing each other!!! Two of the best four teams will be eliminated in round 2. That's beyond fucked. Imagine the Rockets facing the Warriors in Round 2 of the NBA playoffs. <shake-my-fucking-head>
I think the bottom half of the Atlantic was pretty soft. I like the divisional format.
The B's always play well against the Lightning. Weird to say but true.
Right. The Leafs have been a tough matchup all year, wheras the Bruins fared much better against TB.
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Mike Rupp looks like he's going to cry on the NHL Network.
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That was a conflicting series for me. I dislike Boston more strongly as a rival, but I get more schadenfreude out of the Leafs. In the end I think I prefer a Boston victory there, but conflicting either way. :lol
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As a Bruins fan, I rubbed my eyes twice reading that from a Habs fan. :lol
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The score was 7-4 in one single game. The funny thing is that in the entire Golden Knights/Kings series, the combined goals scored was 7-3. It's just unbelievable how that can happen sometimes with these series.
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As a Bruins fan, I rubbed my eyes twice reading that from a Habs fan. :lol
I think it has to do with living in Ontario and having to deal with hyperconcentrated Leafs media and fans all the time. Kinda makes you really want it to be over with. :lol
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Unsurprisingly, Bednar/Gallant/Cassidy for the Adams. Too bad Bednar and Cassidy don't have a chance, because they both had stellar years with their teams - Bednar for (I think this is what I saw) the 3rd best 1-season point increase in NHL history; Cassidy for all the injuries the team had all... fucking .... year, and to be 1 point within the Eastern top seed.
But what Gallant did never has, and never will be matched. And it wasn't even close. I predict 100% 1st-place votes for him.
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Way to pull out a win Bs, good luck with TB.
This second round is going to have some great matchups can't wait for it to kick off tonight!
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Dammit Leafs.
5-3 first round.
I think the Nashville-Jets series is going to be amazing, even better than Caps/Preds, and think those series will be the toughest to call, that said...
Preds
Sharks
Lightning
Caps
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I like it Nick when you pick against the B's. :biggrin:
The B's were 3-1 this year against the Lightning. They always play well against them. Just like the Caps always have the B's #. So go Penguins! :lol
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Every series could be a 'pick-em'
Jets - Their D will stifle the offense
Sharks - I have a feeling Jones will out-duel Fleury, and Kane will rise to the occasion and be a "the guy"
Caps - Injuries to Pens... god I hope this is finally the Caps year to bust past them.
Bolts - Boston can go fuck a flock of seagulls.
There's as good a chance of this being 0-4 as it is being 3-1 / 4-0.
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Every series could be a 'pick-em'
Jets - Their D will stifle the offense
Agree. I think the Jets will win the series in 6 games. The Preds are really good but I don't see them as imposing as they're being billed.
Sharks - I have a feeling Jones will out-duel Fleury, and Kane will rise to the occasion and be a "the guy"
Disagree. I see the fairly tale continuing. Fleury shines and the Knights players rise to the occasion.
Caps - Injuries to Pens... god I hope this is finally the Caps year to bust past them.
Got a feeling this is the Caps year. It's near impossible to Three-peat and I think the games are catching up to the Pens.
Bolts - Boston can go fuck a flock of seagulls.
Boston wins just to continue twisting the knife into Chad's heart.
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Preds
Sharks
Lightning
Caps
Ironically, I'm picking the other teams in all these.
Jets
Knights
Bs
Pens
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Preds
Sharks
Lightning
Caps
Ironically, I'm picking the other teams in all these.
Jets
Knights
Bs
Pens
Only one I'll even strongly argue for is the Sharks, and I HATE rooting for the Sharks and LOVE rooting for Vegas. That said the way the Sharks rolled over the ducks in round 1 was super impressive. Their offense was immense, and will be enough to crack the shell of Vegas and I don't think they'll be able to respond with enough firepower of their own.
-
Preds
Sharks
Lightning
Caps
Ironically, I'm picking the other teams in all these.
Jets
Knights
Bs
Pens
Only one I'll even strongly argue for is the Sharks, and I HATE rooting for the Sharks and LOVE rooting for Vegas. That said the way the Sharks rolled over the ducks in round 1 was super impressive. Their offense was immense, and will be enough to crack the shell of Vegas and I don't think they'll be able to respond with enough firepower of their own.
I hear ya, I think these are all good match ups and honestly could each go either way. Should be a great second round.
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I don't personally have a big problem with the division based playoff setup, but I can see why it bothers some.
Under the old conference-based setup, we would have had:
TB v. NJ
BOS v. CBJ
WAS v. PHI
TOR v. PIT
NSH v. COL
WPG v. LA
VGK v. SJ
MIN v. ANA
In the east, I'd be very surprised if the same four teams didn't advance, but we'd have TB v. PIT and BOS v. WAS in the second round. The west would have been a little different, with MIN or ANA taking the place of VGK or SJ.
Anyway, back to reality. I'm picking:
BOS over TB
WAS over PIT
WPG over NSH
SJ over VGK
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I don't personally have a big problem with the division based playoff setup, but I can see why it bothers some.
The problem is that certain divisions end up stronger than the other. All three teams from the Atlantic this year finished better than any team in the Metro. Central had the top 2 teams in the entire league. Last year, it was the Metro that got screwed.
There's no perfect scenario, but maybe it's time to go back to a straight 1-8 rating? Perhaps with the caveat that the two divisional winners get the top 2 seeds, then re-seed spots 3-8 after that regardless of division. At the very least, re-seed after round 1. The current format goes across divisions to favour the lower standing teams (ie, if 5th place in one division is 8th in the conference, they get the last spot). The league should extend that to favoring a format that goes across divisions to favour the higher performing teams as well.
In that scenario, re-seeding would give us Preds v Sharks and Jets v Knights; Bolts v Pens, and Bs v Caps.
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The problem is that certain divisions end up stronger than the other. All three teams from the Atlantic this year finished better than any team in the Metro. Central had the top 2 teams in the entire league. Last year, it was the Metro that got screwed.
There's no perfect scenario, but maybe it's time to go back to a straight 1-8 rating? Perhaps with the caveat that the two divisional winners get the top 2 seeds, then re-seed spots 3-8 after that regardless of division. At the very least, re-seed after round 1. The current format goes across divisions to favour the lower standing teams (ie, if 5th place in one division is 8th in the conference, they get the last spot). The league should extend that to favoring a format that goes across divisions to favour the higher performing teams as well.
Like I said, I understand why some folks don't like the division-based format, but the part that I bolded is the most significant thing. "Perfect" is in the eye of the beholder, and there's no format that will work "perfectly" every year. The division-based format allows for traditional rivalries in the first two rounds more so than a conference-based format. And why is conference-based any better than division-based? I'm not a big NBA fan, but I've heard a lot of folks complaining for a few years that the playoffs should take the top 16 teams in the league, regardless of conference.
For me, I like the division-based format because of the reason I mentioned in the prior paragraph and because it's what existed when I became a fan of the NHL. I thought it was "weird" when they got rid of the Smythe, Norris, Patrick and Adams Divisions and the Campbell and Wales Conferences. When the NHL re-aligned back into four divisions, I was hoping they'd revert back to those names, but alas.
Ultimately, my (meaningless) vote is to stop tinkering.
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I would prefer they go back to conference based seedings with the division winners getting the top seeds. Toronto, if they had advanced all the way to Cup finals, would have had the equivalent path to what an 8 seed would have faced in the old system, and they had the 7th best record in the league. Ted Leonsis may be the off-ice owner, but Sidney Crosby owns them on-ice.
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The conference split (NBA and NHL) is for travel and timezone (ie, TV revenue) issues. Having east ET teams play MT or PT teams throughout (potentially) all four rounds would be hell on the players, and fans. It's truly amazing what the Red Wings did as part of the Western conference for 20 years, but that wouldn't work for mere mortal teams and fans (or networks) if that was happening regularly in the post season.
And you're right... some years it works out fine for some/most teams, other years, not as much.
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I mean for a team like the Dallas Stars that was lumped in the Pacific Division along with the California teams and Arizona Coyotes, in 2006-2013, I don't think it is great for their fans if they have to watch a good amount of the Stars away games at around 9-9:30 P.M.
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Boston can go fuck a flock of seagulls.
Pretty sure they just did! ;D
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4-0 Vegas after 1 period!!! :omg:
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Preds
Sharks
Lightning
Caps
Ironically, I'm picking the other teams in all these.
Jets
Knights
Bs
Pens
Only one I'll even strongly argue for is the Sharks, and I HATE rooting for the Sharks and LOVE rooting for Vegas. That said the way the Sharks rolled over the ducks in round 1 was super impressive. Their offense was immense, and will be enough to crack the shell of Vegas and I don't think they'll be able to respond with enough firepower of their own.
Well, I guess I'll just shut the fuck up from here on out, holy fuck.
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This can't be real right now. 7 goals to nil in the Golden Knights/Sharks game? I want the Sharks to feel some form of agony, but man, if you are letting in the same amount of goals in 50 minutes as the Kings let in in 4.5 games against this team, you got some leaks to work on and not get rattled and unravel against this team.
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WTF was that??? 4 goals in the first 12 minutes??? :censored :censored :censored :loser:
-
Preds
Sharks
Lightning
Caps
Ironically, I'm picking the other teams in all these.
Jets
Knights
Bs
Pens
Only one I'll even strongly argue for is the Sharks, and I HATE rooting for the Sharks and LOVE rooting for Vegas. That said the way the Sharks rolled over the ducks in round 1 was super impressive. Their offense was immense, and will be enough to crack the shell of Vegas and I don't think they'll be able to respond with enough firepower of their own.
Well, I guess I'll just shut the fuck up from here on out, holy fuck.
Promise? :)
Kidding of course, long way to go, but yeah the Knights looked good and seemed to match up well against the Sharks. That said, it's only one game.
The Pens win in DC last night was about as big as one win in a 7 game series can be. It was on the road, without Malkin and Haglin, and looked to be pretty deflating to the Caps. Once again, it's only one game so it really doesn't matter how it was won, but it felt important for this Pens team to be able to do that.
Oh and Sidney Crosby is really good at hockey.
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WTF was that??? 4 goals in the first 12 minutes??? :censored :censored :censored :loser:
That's as many goals as Martin Jones allowed in the entire first round series against the Sucks.
I just cannot explain what I'm seeing from this Vegas team.
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It's tough being a Blues fan, but it could be worse: I could be a Capitals fan. :lol :lol
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It's tough being a Blues fan, but it could be worse: I could be a Capitals fan. :lol :lol
It could still be worse. You could have a Penguin loving texting brother-in-law!
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It's tough being a Blues fan, but it could be worse: I could be a Capitals fan. :lol :lol
It could still be worse. You could have a Penguin loving texting brother-in-law!
:rollin
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(https://i.imgflip.com/2994os.jpg) (https://imgflip.com/i/2994os)via Imgflip Meme Generator (https://imgflip.com/memegenerator)
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J-E-T-S... JETS JETS JETS.
Wait, fuck that. God, please don't let Winnipeg take up that chant. Excellent performance to take game 1.
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At least now we won't have to endure that nauseating "Nashville's amazing fans give them such a home ice advantage" nonsense, no matter what happens going forward.
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2-0 so far for the B's. Nice start.
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Stop posting.
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And the B's give one back.
Ninja'd. I know.
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ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME??
THAT'S A CROSS CHECK??
#Garyrant
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I need Vasy to wake up right about now
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ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME??
THAT'S A CROSS CHECK??
#Garyrant
When they let everything go in the first series.
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They've let worse go in this game!!!
I mean, it's Pasta. He hit him with a noodle!
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This ref is on the take.
-
Granted i’ve only been watching hockey for about 12 years, but I never seen a blade come off like that before
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Now they don't call the play dead wiith Rask's blade fell off?! He's screaming at the ref to call the play dead anbs the Lightning score! Unreal!
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We’ll take it :lol
That time off didnt do us any good, and its showing on the ice. We look clumsy, and Vasy is taking a nap at the goal
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I think we'll hear what the actual rule is shortly.
Pretty sure they don't blow the whistle though. But I've never seen a goalie's blade come off.
And what a bullshit call on Debrusk.
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INTERFERENCE!!!
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According to the rules, refs will only blow a whistle if a goalie’s mask comes off. The blade coming off is a equipment issue, not a safety issue
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According to the rules, refs will only blow a whistle if a goalie’s mask comes off. The blade coming off is a equipment issue, not a safety issue
Yeah, Jonesie just said that and that's good enough for me. Rask, obviously didn't know the rule.
But I'm some bum sitting on the couch. I'm not supposed to know the rule. Rask has to!
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Time to pull Vasy out of the game. I dont know where the hell his head is at. He hasnt played this poorly all season. When our defense isnt playing well like we are right now, he always steps up. Two easy goals for Bergeron.
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Not saying Debrusk technically didn't cross check the guy, but it's another weak call.
I didn't know the NHL used NBA officials.
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Time to pull Vasy out of the game.
Pretty sure that's not what you had in mind. :lol
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:facepalm:
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Not saying Debrusk technically didn't cross check the guy, but it's another weak call.
I didn't know the NHL used NBA officials.
On Kuch??? No man, that was the right call.
Pitiful show from the Bolts though. I havent been this dissapointed in them all year. We didn’t show up at all.
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Not saying Debrusk technically didn't cross check the guy, but it's another weak call.
I didn't know the NHL used NBA officials.
On Kuch??? No man, that was the right call.
Pitiful show from the Bolts though. I havent been this dissapointed in them all year. We didn’t show up at all.
That seems to be the Bruins mutant ability.
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Not saying Debrusk technically didn't cross check the guy, but it's another weak call.
I didn't know the NHL used NBA officials.
On Kuch??? No man, that was the right call.
I'm not saying it was the wrong call. It was just a weak call. There was so much worse that went on that wasn't called.
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Is there any doubt that the NHL will give the #1 pick to Montreal?
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Found this picture from 5 years ago. The TACs took a night off from Disney to go see the Bruins in Tampa.
(https://i.imgur.com/xuovdBS.jpg)
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Sharks get 3 goals in the 2nd!!! :metal :metal :metal :corn
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Knights got dicked. That goalie interference call was questionable. Certainly some contact but Jones was way up top of the crease and the SJ D-man helped interfere just as much.
I’d be pretty ticked if I were a Vegas fan.
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Is there any doubt that the NHL will give the #1 pick to Montreal?
Apparently there was.
Glad to see Buffalo get it. They've been bottom dwellers for so long, it's about time they got a #1 pick. Could you imagine if Edmonton had gotten it ... YET AGAIN?!? I don't like the fact that three Atlantic Division teams were the finalists, but c'est la vie. The Atlantic division was quite bi-polar this year.
@ gary... earlier in the year, it might not have been, but that subtle nudge to Jone's arm/stick threw him off balance, and that was enough. Borderline, and it could've gone either way. Jones played great overall - including a lucky one of the shaft of his stick on Neal in OT. Seems as though the Knights were a little undisciplined - 7 PP for the Sharks, and they got the better of them four-on-four.
Honestly, I hope this fairy tale for Vegas ends soon ... plus, I've been a Sharks fan ever since they entered the league.
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Is there any doubt that the NHL will give the #1 pick to Montreal?
Apparently there was.
Glad to see Buffalo get it.
I'm shocked the league didn't try and prop up Montreal. Well, Buffalo is a Canadian city any way, right?
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Is there any doubt that the NHL will give the #1 pick to Montreal?
Apparently there was.
Glad to see Buffalo get it.
I'm shocked the league didn't try and prop up Montreal. Well, Buffalo is a Canadian city any way, right?
Oh Hellz no! You can keep that dump. :lol
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Toronto is in bed with it's football team though. :lol
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Toronto is in bed with it's football team though. :lol
Pretty hard to um...Argo with that.
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Chad is a Bills fan.
ADMIT IT CHAD!!!
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Chad is a Bills fan.
ADMIT IT CHAD!!!
I haven't been a Bills fan since University. Bronco's baby!
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Just as bad. Lol
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Is there any doubt that the NHL will give the #1 pick to Montreal?
Apparently there was.
Glad to see Buffalo get it. They've been bottom dwellers for so long, it's about time they got a #1 pick. Could you imagine if Edmonton had gotten it ... YET AGAIN?!? I don't like the fact that three Atlantic Division teams were the finalists, but c'est la vie. The Atlantic division was quite bi-polar this year.
@ gary... earlier in the year, it might not have been, but that subtle nudge to Jone's arm/stick threw him off balance, and that was enough. Borderline, and it could've gone either way. Jones played great overall - including a lucky one of the shaft of his stick on Neal in OT. Seems as though the Knights were a little undisciplined - 7 PP for the Sharks, and they got the better of them four-on-four.
Honestly, I hope this fairy tale for Vegas ends soon ... plus, I've been a Sharks fan ever since they entered the league.
That’s the thing....it was borderline and was called a goal on the ice. I think Jones embellished the heck out of gettting ‘hit’....he went the opposite direction that he should of had the player actually ran into him. Yeah his stick was nudged but his arm and stick were also a solid foot outside of the crease.
I mean it really doesn’t matter anyway because both Nashville or the Jets will beat whichever team comes out of this bracket. Your Western conference Stanley cup representatives are either the Jets or Preds.
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I've seen less than that called back this year. It's in line with what they've been calling.
I don't know if Jones embellished or not. It's hard to judge the speed/force that his stick was pushed.
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I gotta say, while Rask was a bit of a whiny bitch over the blade loss, I do think the NHL might need to think about a change that rule. The goalie is at a pretty big disadvantage. I think they should address it the same way a down player is ruled - don't blow the whistle if there's when there's active offensive pressure, but as soon as it's relieved, blow the whistle.
He's got to make a better effort to be in some kind of position though.
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I've seen less than that called back this year. It's in line with what they've been calling.
I don't know if Jones embellished or not. It's hard to judge the speed/force that his stick was pushed.
But I’ve also seen way worse than that and the goal still be allowed. I know it’s been an issue for the league and I don’t think it’s going to get any easier for them. It’s a flip of the coin as to ‘how’ they’re gonna rule these things and that’s BS.
I have no dog in the hunt with either of those teams. All I know is I’d be hot if I were a Vegas fan.
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Just as bad. Lol
(https://media.giphy.com/media/Vr9KXaqXsm4w0/giphy.gif)
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;D
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Glad I'm not a Penguins fan.
'No conclusive evidence' on the disallowed goal? WTW were they looking at,.... a two inch screen!?!
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I gotta say, while Rask was a bit of a whiny bitch over the blade loss, I do think the NHL might need to think about a change that rule. The goalie is at a pretty big disadvantage. I think they should address it the same way a down player is ruled - don't blow the whistle if there's when there's active offensive pressure, but as soon as it's relieved, blow the whistle.
He's got to make a better effort to be in some kind of position though.
I disagree. If Rask just focused on the ongoing play instead of trying to get the refs attention then he could have easily just kicked off the post and made a simple save there. I see what you're saying though, but I have no doubt that if a forward was going 1-on-1 with a D-man and the D-man's blade fell out, allowing the forward to skate by him with ease and score a goal, everyone would just say "tough luck."
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At least a non-goalie can get to the bench and change. The goalie is fucked until a whistle. That's why I compare it to an injured player that can't get to the bench.
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Okay, reading your post again I agree with that. For some reason I took it to mean that if TB had offensive pressure on Rask then the play would be blown down, but I get it now.
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Glad I'm not a Penguins fan.
'No conclusive evidence' on the disallowed goal? WTW were they looking at,.... a two inch screen!?!
Yeah... for real. I'm at a loss for what happened yesterday. Completely blown call by the league.
That said, the Pens weren't playing well enough to win anyway, but still... gotta get this stuff right.
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Glad I'm not a Penguins fan.
'No conclusive evidence' on the disallowed goal? WTW were they looking at,.... a two inch screen!?!
Yeah... for real. I'm at a loss for what happened yesterday. Completely blown call by the league.
That said, the Pens weren't playing well enough to win anyway, but still... gotta get this stuff right.
I think the bigger news is that there was a call in a playoff game that went against the Penguins. Glad I was sitting down when I read that! ;)
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Is there any doubt that the NHL will give the #1 pick to Montreal?
Apparently there was.
Glad to see Buffalo get it.
I'm shocked the league didn't try and prop up Montreal. Well, Buffalo is a Canadian city any way, right?
Oh Hellz no! You can keep that dump. :lol
I would've been okay with that pick and Rasmus Dahlin going to Montreal, because the Montreal media eventually would have forced Bergevin to trade him due to a: "character issues" and b: he doesn't speak French. Bergevin would have then traded him to Detroit for Justin Abdelkader, Jonathan Ericsson and a bag of pucks.
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I think the bigger news is that there was a call in a playoff game that went against the Penguins. Glad I was sitting down when I read that! ;)
Yeah, there was more than one last night. Hopefully that kills this weird notion the NHL favors the Pens. Their (the NHL's) incompetence applies to all.
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the Montreal media eventually would have forced Bergevin to trade him due to a: "character issues" and b: he doesn't speak French.
In Montreal, by "character issues", they actually mean he doesn't speak French.
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Glad I'm not a Penguins fan.
'No conclusive evidence' on the disallowed goal? WTW were they looking at,.... a two inch screen!?!
Yeah... for real. I'm at a loss for what happened yesterday. Completely blown call by the league.
That said, the Pens weren't playing well enough to win anyway, but still... gotta get this stuff right.
Yeah...but they came back from a two goal deficit to win Game 1. Making it 3-2, after being down 3-0, would have made for quite the drama those final 8 minutes or so. It was also another <insert any major league> :facepalm: review kerfuffle.
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The Lighting DOMINATED the 1st period and gave up a goal. 1-1. Deflating.
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I nearly had an anxiety attack on that 5 on 3. Thought the Bruins were gonna score on us. But of course, you got us after. Great physical period.
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Marchand draws TWO roughing penalties against in 15 seconds. :lol
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Rask fighting the puck big time in the 2nd.
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BOLTS!!!
Braydon Point with his first 4pt game. Great physical play from both sides. I think it’s going to get chippier the next game.
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That guy is awesome. I like him a lot.
Fucking refs have sucked these first two games.
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Lighting clearly played better buht the officiating has sucked bad.
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San Jose should be extremely grateful for that fortunate call the other night or they’re down 3-0
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In other news, there's a GM opening in both Carolina and Toronto.
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I heard they changed the title in Toronto from General Manager to Shanny's Bitch.
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I heard they changed the title in Toronto from General Manager to Shanny's Bitch.
Boy, someone's salty the morning after a loss.
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No it's not that actually.
It's just everythime I see Shanahan on TV he just looks so damn pouty. I would think working for him would be miserable.
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No it's not that actually.
It's just everythime I see Shanahan on TV he just looks so damn pouty. I would think working for him would be miserable.
Whereas Lou was the embodiment of excitement? :lol
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Ovechkin is in turbo mode these playoffs. :metal :metal
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What a fucking game in Winnipeg too! The Jets looked lost in the 1st period, and if not for the post, it could've been 4-0 going in to the 2nd period.
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Disappointing finish last night for the Pens... I'm not sure what else to say. Hopefully Tom Wilson can concuss another Pen next game and make it three head shots in a row!
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What a fucking game in Winnipeg too! The Jets looked lost in the 1st period, and if not for the post, it could've been 4-0 going in to the 2nd period.
The play on the Byfuglien goal was amazing. Laine's pass was beautiful, and Byfuglien's shot was a laser.
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Disappointing finish last night for the Pens... I'm not sure what else to say. Hopefully Tom Wilson can concuss another Pen next game and make it three head shots in a row!
One slo-mo angle makes it look really bad, for sure. In real time, it's hard to say that it was an issue of player safety.
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Disappointing finish last night for the Pens... I'm not sure what else to say. Hopefully Tom Wilson can concuss another Pen next game and make it three head shots in a row!
One slo-mo angle makes it look really bad, for sure. In real time, it's hard to say that it was an issue of player safety.
Eh, I think the NHL needs to follow the NFL's stance and really crack down on head shots of any kind. Intent shouldn't matter at this point, any contact to the head should follow a process, whether it be a fine, then suspension, escalating by offense or whatever. In general, that would be best for the health of the players and really the league as well - they are going to get hammered down the line with player law suits because they have continually failed to disciple or even discourage head shots.
I think the international rules are much closer to getting this sort of thing right -
(https://imageshack.com/i/pnEKTPeVj)
Oh also - I thought this was interesting, Dan Carcillo, of all people broke the hit down on twitter -
1/ If u have played the game the way I have, this clip is not that difficult to break down. Notice Wilson’s right skate before or at the initial point of contact. It is leaving the ice intentionally, which means he thrusts his body into an upward direction, which is towards the 2/ head of Reese. If we look at the left skate during the point of contact, Wilson is rising up onto his toe, as if he is trying to jump, hence the reason he ended up sitting on the dasher of his own bench after the hit. It is clear that Reese sees Wilson coming but that has very 3/ little to do with the fact that Wilson clearly makes contact with the head/jaw of Reese, in direct result of jumping and thrusting his body in an upward motion. Bc of this, we have a human being who may get the right diagnosis of a #concussion yet will he receive the treatment 4/ he so very clearly deserves, from a league that refuses to admit a link between traumatic brain injuries and the need for treatment
Here's a link to his post, pretty solid analysis actually -
https://twitter.com/CarBombBoom13/status/991665700786683904
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I had only seen the replays as the end-of-game summary on TV when I made my last comment. Seeing the outcome and more review of it, it is a bit much from Wilson. Aggressive contact is one thing, but it needs to be a bit more controlled. You can lay people out (Byfuglien has been doing it all playoffs) without the injury/head contact.
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I had only seen the replays as the end-of-game summary on TV when I made my last comment. Seeing the outcome and more review of it, it is a bit much from Wilson. Aggressive contact is one thing, but it needs to be a bit more controlled. You can lay people out (Byfuglien has been doing it all playoffs) without the injury/head contact.
For sure, I'm all for good, clean, aggressive hits, but the NHL really needs to start cracking down and anytime there is head contact fine or suspend accordingly. Guys will adjust and start taking the body and not the head.
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Disappointing finish last night for the Pens... I'm not sure what else to say. Hopefully Tom Wilson can concuss another Pen next game and make it three head shots in a row!
One slo-mo angle makes it look really bad, for sure. In real time, it's hard to say that it was an issue of player safety.
That hit was worse that the Drew Doughty hit that merited a one game suspension. I don't know Wilson's history, but I'll be surprised if he doesn't get at least a game or two. Hearing will be held today.
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That hit was worse that the Drew Doughty hit that merited a one game suspension. I don't know Wilson's history, but I'll be surprised if he doesn't get at least a game or two. Hearing will be held today.
I think Wilson has been suspended twice before, not sure without looking it up. But, the question is - does the league try to make up for the fact that this is his third VERY questionable hit thus far in the playoffs? IMO, he should have been suspended for those hits, so does the league try to make up for lost time or look at things in a vacuum? I really have no clue, the NHL is so inconsistent with this stuff, who knows. :lol
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I had only seen the replays as the end-of-game summary on TV when I made my last comment. Seeing the outcome and more review of it, it is a bit much from Wilson. Aggressive contact is one thing, but it needs to be a bit more controlled. You can lay people out (Byfuglien has been doing it all playoffs) without the injury/head contact.
For sure, I'm all for good, clean, aggressive hits, but the NHL really needs to start cracking down and anytime there is head contact fine or suspend accordingly. Guys will adjust and start taking the body and not the head.
My concern has always been (and this goes for the NFL too) the responsibilities of the hit-ee. Clearly this isn't the case with Wilson/Aston-Reese last night, but if it is movement by the hit-ee at the last split second that creates the head-shot, why is the hitter held responsible for what would have otherwise been (in all likelihood) a clean hit?
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I had only seen the replays as the end-of-game summary on TV when I made my last comment. Seeing the outcome and more review of it, it is a bit much from Wilson. Aggressive contact is one thing, but it needs to be a bit more controlled. You can lay people out (Byfuglien has been doing it all playoffs) without the injury/head contact.
For sure, I'm all for good, clean, aggressive hits, but the NHL really needs to start cracking down and anytime there is head contact fine or suspend accordingly. Guys will adjust and start taking the body and not the head.
My concern has always been (and this goes for the NFL too) the responsibilities of the hit-ee. Clearly this isn't the case with Wilson/Aston-Reese last night, but if it is movement by the hit-ee at the last split second that creates the head-shot, why is the hitter held responsible for what would have otherwise been (in all likelihood) a clean hit?
To me it comes down to whether a player maintains what they were doing, or actively makes the hit worse on themselves. In this case Reese did clearly see the hit coming a moment before it did, but didn't have time to do anything except maybe brace himself a little bit. Certainly lifting up a bit would have protected his head, but on this case that onus is not on him. On the other hand had he been standing tall and lowered himself right as he saw the hit coming, then yes, I believe he would be partially to blame for the outcome.
I watched this hit a bunch of times, and found a new opinion with every angle. I truly to not believe Wilson targeted the head. I think he wanted to deliver a devastating hit, but I think he meant for it to be shoulder to shoulder. That said, the contact was made, there was an element of charging there as Carcillo pointed out, and I think a suspension of 1-3 games is justified, especially since their was no penalty in the game.
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To me it comes down to whether a player maintains what they were doing, or actively makes the hit worse on themselves. In this case Reese did clearly see the hit coming a moment before it did, but didn't have time to do anything except maybe brace himself a little bit. Certainly lifting up a bit would have protected his head, but on this case that onus is not on him. On the other hand had he been standing tall and lowered himself right as he saw the hit coming, then yes, I believe he would be partially to blame for the outcome.
I watched this hit a bunch of times, and found a new opinion with every angle. I truly to not believe Wilson targeted the head. I think he wanted to deliver a devastating hit, but I think he meant for it to be shoulder to shoulder. That said, the contact was made, there was an element of charging there as Carcillo pointed out, and I think a suspension of 1-3 games is justified, especially since their was no penalty in the game.
Nick, I think I agree with your overall assessment, I guess my larger point is that I'd like to see the element of intent taken out of the analysis all together.
Did the hitter make contact with the head? If yes - Did the hit-ee make some sort of obvious move to be struck in the head? If no - then fine and/or suspend appropriately depending on the players track record. It should be that simple.
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I think I'm somewhere in between the two of you. Perhaps a message does need to be sent (to and THRU Wilson) of "control how you hit a little bit better folks... if you can't SAFELY make a big hit, then you shouldn't be trying to make a big hit".
Scott Stevens would not fare well in today's league. :lol
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I think I'm somewhere in between the two of you. Perhaps a message does need to be sent (to and THRU Wilson) of "control how you hit a little bit better folks... if you can't SAFELY make a big hit, then you shouldn't be trying to make a big hit".
Scott Stevens would not fare well in today's league. :lol
I think we are past the point of saying "control how you hit a little better". I think the league needs to disciple all shots to the head, regardless of perceived intent, the only exception being, like you mentioned, when the hit-ee essentially causes the head contact, but that should be the exception not the usual.
They tried to do it with slashing this year, I have absolutely no idea why they wouldn't try to crack down on head shots in a similar manner, knowing all we now know about brain trauma. Like I said, I think the NHL is setting itself up horribly for a major class-action in the not too distance future, if they were smart they'd try to take a proactive approach to mitigating the issue.
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(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/750x500q90/922/n7sFQS.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/f/pmn7sFQSj)
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I think I'm somewhere in between the two of you. Perhaps a message does need to be sent (to and THRU Wilson) of "control how you hit a little bit better folks... if you can't SAFELY make a big hit, then you shouldn't be trying to make a big hit".
Scott Stevens would not fare well in today's league. :lol
What are you talking about, every one of these would be fine by today's standards :neverusethis:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7U7jUbKQYdw
I'm pretty sure Ron Francis is still trying to find the bench :lol
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I miss the days of Cam Neely dragging Claude Lemieux like a rag doll throwing him against the boards then pummeling him with a thousand punches.
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I think I'm somewhere in between the two of you. Perhaps a message does need to be sent (to and THRU Wilson) of "control how you hit a little bit better folks... if you can't SAFELY make a big hit, then you shouldn't be trying to make a big hit".
Scott Stevens would not fare well in today's league. :lol
What are you talking about, every one of these would be fine by today's standards :neverusethis:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7U7jUbKQYdw
I'm pretty sure Ron Francis is still trying to find the bench :lol
I love the color commentator comments:
"Perfect body check"
"Just a good, solid, clean, hard hit"
Dear lord... every single one of those was a head-shot.
The thing I hate is that those hits on Kariya and Lindross brought an early end to each's career.
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To me it comes down to whether a player maintains what they were doing, or actively makes the hit worse on themselves. In this case Reese did clearly see the hit coming a moment before it did, but didn't have time to do anything except maybe brace himself a little bit. Certainly lifting up a bit would have protected his head, but on this case that onus is not on him. On the other hand had he been standing tall and lowered himself right as he saw the hit coming, then yes, I believe he would be partially to blame for the outcome.
I watched this hit a bunch of times, and found a new opinion with every angle. I truly to not believe Wilson targeted the head. I think he wanted to deliver a devastating hit, but I think he meant for it to be shoulder to shoulder. That said, the contact was made, there was an element of charging there as Carcillo pointed out, and I think a suspension of 1-3 games is justified, especially since their was no penalty in the game.
Nick, I think I agree with your overall assessment, I guess my larger point is that I'd like to see the element of intent taken out of the analysis all together.
Did the hitter make contact with the head? If yes - Did the hit-ee make some sort of obvious move to be struck in the head? If no - then fine and/or suspend appropriately depending on the players track record. It should be that simple.
According to the video that the DPS issued with the Doughty suspension, that's how this is supposed to work. Whether there was intent to make contact with the head doesn't matter (again, according to that video), although it might be taken into account in assessing a suspension versus a fine or determining how may games the suspension will be. What seems to me to be determinative in this case is that dude left his feet to deliver the hit (as evidenced by the fact that he essentially ended up on the bench after the hit).
I miss the days of Cam Neely dragging Claude Lemieux like a rag doll throwing him against the boards then pummeling him with a thousand punches.
This makes me want to go find and watch (again) the video of the Red Wings v. Avs line brawl from the mid-90s.
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According to the video that the DPS issued with the Doughty suspension, that's how this is supposed to work. Whether there was intent to make contact with the head doesn't matter (again, according to that video), although it might be taken into account in assessing a suspension versus a fine or determining how may games the suspension will be. What seems to me to be determinative in this case is that dude left his feet to deliver the hit (as evidenced by the fact that he essentially ended up on the bench after the hit).
If that's the case, I wouldn't have an issue today with Wilson's hit last night because he wouldn't have been playing in the game last night. If the league actually did that, Wilson would have been suspended for his previous head shots this post-season.
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I think I'm somewhere in between the two of you. Perhaps a message does need to be sent (to and THRU Wilson) of "control how you hit a little bit better folks... if you can't SAFELY make a big hit, then you shouldn't be trying to make a big hit".
Scott Stevens would not fare well in today's league. :lol
What are you talking about, every one of these would be fine by today's standards :neverusethis:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7U7jUbKQYdw
I'm pretty sure Ron Francis is still trying to find the bench :lol
I love the color commentator comments:
"Perfect body check"
"Just a good, solid, clean, hard hit"
Dear lord... every single one of those was a head-shot.
The thing I hate is that those hits on Kariya and Lindross brought an early end to each's career.
Video was blurry, but at least in most cases the player had the puck, but for Kariya... man, that was fucking awful.
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This makes me want to go find and watch (again) the video of the Red Wings v. Avs line brawl from the mid-90s.
1987... Montreal v Philly - PRE GAME!!! with no officials to break 'em up.
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I love this site.
https://www.hockeyfights.com/
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This makes me want to go find and watch (again) the video of the Red Wings v. Avs line brawl from the mid-90s.
1987... Montreal v Philly - PRE GAME!!! with no officials to break 'em up.
Claude Lemieux with his famous Turtle Maneuver, but it was pretty tame compared to the Good Friday game a few years earlier.
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I thought Wilson's hit in Game 2 was fine (the Pen turned his head into him at the last second because he saw Ovechkin coming), but last night's was ugly. That has to be a suspension.
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GGRRRRRRRRRRR
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WTF??
Can Mookie Betts skate?
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Wow! That was ugly.
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Way to set the tone at home B's.
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I can't even flip over to the Sox or the Celts either.
(https://dazedimg.dazedgroup.netdna-cdn.com/900/azure/dazed-prod/1130/5/1135340.jpg)
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I can't even flip over to the Sox or the Celts either.
Sucks to be you! :P
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Troll Alert!!! :lol
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.
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BOLTS!!!
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BOLTS!!!
NOT-THE-BRUINS!!!
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SON OF A....
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SHARKS BLANK THE KNIGHTS!!!!! :eek :metal :metal :metal
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In other news... Wilson gets 3 games.
Good.
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In other news... Wilson gets 3 games.
Good.
That's fair. 3 Playoff games is like 6-8 regular season.
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Better showing by the Pens last night.
The defense was much better, both from the d-men and forwards. Pinches were better, and the needed coverage was better, resulting in less odd man breaks the other way. Still need to find some scoring from our bottom lines, our top line can't be expected to carry the team forever.
Geno looked better last night as well, his first game back he was still finding his footing, and Haglin made a big impact in his first game back. His speed and fore check doesn't show up on the score sheet, but it's a game changer for sure.
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Looking like all four series could go 7 games. Except for Boston. Boston can choke on it.
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Looking like all four series could go 7 games. Except for Boston. Boston can choke on it.
yep. this has been a fun playoff to watch. So much more enjoyable when you don't have to monitor your blood pressure due to 'your' team being in it :lol
Oh and 'F' the Preds
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Looking like all four series could go 7 games. Except for Boston. Boston can choke on it.
:lol
yep. this has been a fun playoff to watch. So much more enjoyable when you don't have to monitor your blood pressure due to 'your' team being in it :lol
Oh and 'F' the Preds
Very fun playoff to watch, especially this round thus far.
Oh and yes, F the Preds.
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Aside from game 1 in the Vegas v. SJ series and game three at Winnipeg, I don't think there have been any big blowouts, so that make it enjoyable for someone whose team barely made a blip in the radar in the first round.
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Another brutally officiated game.
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Another brutally officiated game.
You're right, Marchand should've got 2 and a 10 minute misconduct for licking the lips/nose of Callahan. That is one prick mother fucker who deserves to have his clock cleaned. Cooper said it best in the post-game conference ... "There's no place in the game for that".
Nonetheless, the Bolts benefitted nicely from a non-call to get the tying goal.
I is happy.
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I’d give Marchand a swift little upper cut to the chin right as he tried to lick me. That’d put an end to that nonsense. Freaking disgusting.
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I'm gonna pull a Marchand to Chad in October.
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You never wish an injury on any player, but you just the feeling that if someone broke their stick over Marchand's head in Game 5 and gave him a concussion, NHL players and fans everywhere would stand up and applaud.
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I'd buy whoever did it's jersey :lol
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Missed the game because I was getting sleep from an overnight photo shoot I worked on, but I did see the video of Marchand licking Callahan. Gross misconduct. What the hell is wrong with that guy?? Unfortunately, the NHL isnt going to do anything except inform the Bruins he needs to stop.
That being said...we’re up 3-1!!! Hope to close this out at home Friday!
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Seriously, what would Cam Neely have done if Esa Tikkanen did that to him?? I can't believe Neely hasn't pulled that shit-tard aside and put him in his place.
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Seriously, what would Cam Neely have done if Esa Tikkanen did that to him?? I can't believe Neely hasn't pulled that shit-tard aside and put him in his place.
Because the league and it's fans are pussies and took enforcing out of the game.
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Seriously, what would Cam Neely have done if Esa Tikkanen did that to him?? I can't believe Neely hasn't pulled that shit-tard aside and put him in his place.
Because the league and it's fans are pussies and took enforcing out of the game.
Agreed... my comment was more towards Neely, than the state of the game (ie, allowing players to take care of shit like that on the ice).
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Neely is PC now in his position. If youd ask him privately, he would ssy he would pummel him.
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This Caps/Pens game is un-fucking-real.
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Yeah, great matchup.
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Man I hope the Caps can finally get the monkey... er, Penguin off their back. One more W to go.
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Man I hope the Caps can finally get the monkey... er, Penguin off their back. One more W to go.
I don't. I hate the Caps. Let's go Pens!!!
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Man I hope the Caps can finally get the monkey... er, Penguin off their back. One more W to go.
I don't. I hate the Caps. Let's go Pens!!!
Surely not as much as I hate the Bs??
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Good job Jets :tup One more to go......don’t let me down.
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Good job Jets :tup One more to go......don’t let me down.
Is Brother in law silent with the texts when the preds lose?
Even though the Jets have the series lead, the pressure will be on them to close it out at home. I favor the preds if tied up and back to Nashville.
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Good job Jets :tup One more to go......don’t let me down.
Is Brother in law silent with the texts when the preds lose?
Even though the Jets have the series lead, the pressure will be on them to close it out at home. I favor the preds if tied up and back to Nashville.
Yeah... 3-2 lead coming home is always a bitch. Jets have been the better team this series, and I don't expect that to change. Unreal that Rinne has been pulled in 3 of 11 games! He's not having a great playoff. Jets offense is lethal.
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Good job Jets :tup One more to go......don’t let me down.
Is Brother in law silent with the texts when the preds lose?
Even though the Jets have the series lead, the pressure will be on them to close it out at home. I favor the preds if tied up and back to Nashville.
The texts have been along the lines of “man I hate hockey”.....or he’ll just rip on whichever player is playing poorly. He’s pretty subdued.
I’ve been pretty tight lipped. Not gonna say anything until after they lose (if they lose) then my only response is gonna be stating how they’re just another victim of the Presidents Trophy curse.
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I was stunned to see how careless Nashville was last night. So many poor turnovers. It makes me wonder if they got a little too big for their britches and forgot how to do the little things after making the finals and winning the President's Cup.
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I was stunned to see how careless Nashville was last night. So many poor turnovers. It makes me wonder if they got a little too big for their britches and forgot how to do the little things after making the finals and winning the President's Cup.
I know it was stating the obvious.....but prior to the playoffs I made the comment that all the pressure was/is on Nashville. They aren't a 'secret' anymore and with all that success comes the expectation. It was going to be interesting to see how they responded to it. It's not like they are 'choking' or playing bad but Winnipeg was only 3 pts behind them in the standings...second highest scoring team in the NHL and they're tuff as well.
We will see the Pred's response but I expect the Jets to close it out in Winnipeg.
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I have no expectations in hockey when it comes to the playoffs and home ice. I've lost track of how many times in the NHL playoffs a 2-2 series saw a team lose game 5 at home and then go win game 6 on the road. Home ice means so little in hockey that it makes every game exciting because anybody can win any game (unless basketball or baseball where it seems like home teams win at a much greater frequency in the playoffs).
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BOLTS!!!
NOT-THE-BRUINS!!!
Oh thank god this came to fruition! I feel the bad in the eensy-ist possible way for my pals TAC and Shmegland, but THANK FUCKING GOD the Bs are out.
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Tampa Bay moves on to the Eastern Conference Championship!!!!
Marchand can LICK mah balls!
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Tampa Bay moves on to the Eastern Conference Championship!!!!
3 times in the last 4 years. If not for the injuries last year, they could've been there then too!
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Well.....
The Bruins simply did not have their A game, but that said, the Lightning were much stronger all the way around.
Rask takes a lot of heat in this town, but he was the B's best player against the Lightning. He was hung out to dry.
Rick Nash...I don't want to say he didn't compete, because he did, but he did not stand out, and he doesn't get paid to compete. He get's paid to produce.
Nothing to dislike about Tampa. I think Jon Cooper is excellent as is Rick Bowness.
Now I can sit back, relax, and enjoy the playoffs.
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Kudos to the Lightning. They were obviously the better team. Great team defense.
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My reaction when Brad Marchand and the Bruins are eliminated from the playoffs
(https://media1.tenor.com/images/1f2f3b706cce14073d49a85398602bcc/tenor.gif?itemid=5141080)
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How dare you use Rene against us!
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My reaction when Brad Marchand and the Bruins are eliminated from the playoffs
(https://media1.tenor.com/images/1f2f3b706cce14073d49a85398602bcc/tenor.gif?itemid=5141080)
:clap:
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Sharks eliminated again. 19 times to the playoffs, one trip to the finals. ::)
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Tampa Bay moves on to the Eastern Conference Championship!!!!
Marchand can LICK mah balls!
Careful now, he may actually do it.
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Do or die tonight for the Pens. Honestly, with the gaps the team has shown in this series so far, I'm not sure about tonight at all. Maybe they'll win, maybe they won't. I have no idea what team will actually show up.
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Friggin' Vegas.
Seriously...can someone explain this team's dominance to me? I look at the roster, and there are some decent players, but no one really special. Obviously Fleury was a standout goalie 5-10 years ago, but he wasn't even his own team's starter the last two years. Everyone else was no better than a second line guy or #3/4 defenseman. And yet here they are in the Western Conference Finals, with an 8-2 record in the first two rounds after having gone wire to wire in first place in what was generally considered to be a very strong Pacific Division (although the playoff performance of the other Pacific Division teams suggests otherwise).
Go Jets! Go Caps!
That is all.
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Friggin' Vegas.
Seriously...can someone explain this team's dominance to me? I look at the roster, and there are some decent players, but no one really special. Obviously Fleury was a standout goalie 5-10 years ago, but he wasn't even his own team's starter the last two years. Everyone else was no better than a second line guy or #3/4 defenseman. And yet here they are in the Western Conference Finals, with an 8-2 record in the first two rounds after having gone wire to wire in first place in what was generally considered to be a very strong Pacific Division (although the playoff performance of the other Pacific Division teams suggests otherwise).
Go Jets! Go Caps!
That is all.
Get out of my brain!!! Seriously, I could've typed that whole post word-for-word. Flower has certainly had a resurgence (4 shut-outs in 10 games!?!?!?), and the team chemistry coming out of the tragedy last September I think has a role to play. There has never been a truer case of the whole being greater than the sum of the individual parts.
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Friggin' Vegas.
Seriously...can someone explain this team's dominance to me? I look at the roster, and there are some decent players, but no one really special. Obviously Fleury was a standout goalie 5-10 years ago, but he wasn't even his own team's starter the last two years. Everyone else was no better than a second line guy or #3/4 defenseman. And yet here they are in the Western Conference Finals, with an 8-2 record in the first two rounds after having gone wire to wire in first place in what was generally considered to be a very strong Pacific Division (although the playoff performance of the other Pacific Division teams suggests otherwise).
Go Jets! Go Caps!
That is all.
That's tricky though. He wasn't the starter for the last two Cup wins, but it was basically due to injury and then a young goalie playing (what looks like now) above his head. And he still played a big role in both those Cup runs, IMO. Remember, he was the goalie that basically beat the Caps last year, something that it looks like Murray isn't going to be able to do. I'll put it this way, there are a lot of people in Pittsburgh that would really prefer to have Fleury right now.
That said, looking at the team as a whole, on paper, they are decent at best. They seem like they are getting production above a lot of guys typical work. I thought at some point it would dry up, but until it does, I gotta give them props.
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Friggin' Vegas.
Seriously...can someone explain this team's dominance to me? I look at the roster, and there are some decent players, but no one really special. Obviously Fleury was a standout goalie 5-10 years ago, but he wasn't even his own team's starter the last two years. Everyone else was no better than a second line guy or #3/4 defenseman. And yet here they are in the Western Conference Finals, with an 8-2 record in the first two rounds after having gone wire to wire in first place in what was generally considered to be a very strong Pacific Division (although the playoff performance of the other Pacific Division teams suggests otherwise).
Go Jets! Go Caps!
That is all.
That's tricky though. He wasn't the starter for the last two Cup wins, but it was basically due to injury and then a young goalie playing (what looks like now) above his head. And he still played a big role in both those Cup runs, IMO. Remember, he was the goalie that basically beat the Caps last year, something that it looks like Murray isn't going to be able to do. I'll put it this way, there are a lot of people in Pittsburgh that would really prefer to have Fleury right now.
That said, looking at the team as a whole, on paper, they are decent at best. They seem like they are getting production above a lot of guys typical work. I thought at some point it would dry up, but until it does, I gotta give them props.
These guys have an 'us vs. the rest of the world' mentality. They're the players that weren't wanted by their old teams, they were expendable. They're playing for one another and have bought all in with each other and their coach. Couple that with the Vegas Shooting tragedy that brought the fans and team immediately together......they are just playing as a united team...plain and simple.
I think this season will be magical for them no matter what. It already has been. But I don't think you can sustain that 'us vs. them' swagger past this season. Like I said, there was a perfect storm of circumstance that united this team THIS year....it is 'special'. But You can't sustain that or carry it over from season to season.
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These guys have an 'us vs. the rest of the world' mentality. They're the players that weren't wanted by their old teams, they were expendable. They're playing for one another and have bought all in with each other and their coach. Couple that with the Vegas Shooting tragedy that brought the fans and team immediately together......they are just playing as a united team...plain and simple.
I think this season will be magical for them no matter what. It already has been. But I don't think you can sustain that 'us vs. them' swagger past this season. Like I said, there was a perfect storm of circumstance that united this team THIS year....it is 'special'. But You can't sustain that or carry it over from season to season.
Your post is spot on, but to me, talent always ends up beating intangible emotion. That's why I keep waiting for them to run out of intangible steam... They just haven't :lol
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These guys have an 'us vs. the rest of the world' mentality. They're the players that weren't wanted by their old teams, they were expendable. They're playing for one another and have bought all in with each other and their coach. Couple that with the Vegas Shooting tragedy that brought the fans and team immediately together......they are just playing as a united team...plain and simple.
I think this season will be magical for them no matter what. It already has been. But I don't think you can sustain that 'us vs. them' swagger past this season. Like I said, there was a perfect storm of circumstance that united this team THIS year....it is 'special'. But You can't sustain that or carry it over from season to season.
Your post is spot on, but to me, talent always ends up beating intangible emotion. That's why I keep waiting for them to run out of intangible steam... They just haven't :lol
They may not all be super stars but what they are is 'blue collar' grinders. They work.....nearly every shift. They just hustle and grind and that can trump superstar talent in many cases.
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There has never been a truer case of the whole being greater than the sum of the individual parts.
That's why Gerard Gallant and George McPhee are shoe-ins for the Jack Adams and GM of the Year awards, but they kinda came out of nowhere too.
These guys have an 'us vs. the rest of the world' mentality. They're the players that weren't wanted by their old teams, they were expendable. They're playing for one another and have bought all in with each other and their coach. Couple that with the Vegas Shooting tragedy that brought the fans and team immediately together......they are just playing as a united team...plain and simple.
The first part is true of any expansion team.
talent always ends up beating intangible emotion. That's why I keep waiting for them to run out of intangible steam... They just haven't :lol
And waiting and waiting and waiting....
I'm gonna chalk it up to an endless supply of hookers and blow. :hat
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These guys have an 'us vs. the rest of the world' mentality. They're the players that weren't wanted by their old teams, they were expendable. They're playing for one another and have bought all in with each other and their coach. Couple that with the Vegas Shooting tragedy that brought the fans and team immediately together......they are just playing as a united team...plain and simple.
The first part is true of any expansion team.
While that may be true there aren't many expansion teams that have turned that into the success that these guys have.
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I'm gonna chalk it up to an endless supply of hookers and blow. :hat
For the opposing teams coming in to LV.
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I'm gonna chalk it up to an endless supply of hookers and blow. :hat
For the opposing teams coming in to LV.
Exactly what I was going to say!
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The way the Predators-Jets series has gone so far, I would not be surprised if the Predators win at the Jets tonight and the series goes back to Nashville for game 7. If that happens, I do not see Nashville losing at home for a third time in this series.
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Let's hope the Jets win tonight so we don't have to worry about it. :biggrin:
Caps dominating and up 1-0. You just get the feeling that they had better win this game and the series tonight. A game 7 against the Pens might get in their heads too much.
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Dominating and only up one never feels like a good thing.
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The way the Predators-Jets series has gone so far, I would not be surprised if the Predators win at the Jets tonight and the series goes back to Nashville for game 7. If that happens, I do not see Nashville losing at home for a third time in this series.
Agreed. Tonight is the Jets shot. Preds aren’t losing that game 7 at home.
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CAPS!!!! I literally just flipped to the game 30 seconds ago.
So nice to see them get the monkey off their back.
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The good news is that there'll be a new Cup Champion.
Let's go Lightning!!!!!!!!!!!!
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So excited to see the Caps make it this far and finally beat the Penguins in the playoffs. Can't wait to watch the Eastern Finals :metal
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CAPS!!!! I literally just flipped to the game 30 seconds ago.
So nice to see them get the monkey off their back.
Very surprising!!
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Red Wings fan here....now living north of Baltimore
FINALLY !!!
I am simply happy as a 'Northerner' that the Caps have finally advanced past the 2nd round for the first time in twenty years (oh, btw, they were swept by the defending champs in the Finals that year). I do feel a bit of sadness that this series was not the conference finals (I hate the divisional setup). I am also a prejudicial Northerner, and hate most if not all southern teams. But how can I hate a team that has Steve Yzerman as its GM?
...I have two sports jerseys .....#3 Alan Trammell, #19 Steve Yzerman
Just wish I wasn't going to be traveling out of the country, otherwise I'd be dishing out bucco bucks to see Game 4 in DC.
oh...and congrats to that expansion team and the Atlanta transplants out west
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The Jets were shut out at home last night. Can they win for a third time in Nashville?
Vegas will be well rested for the next round.
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Preds played like the best team in Hockey last night....which sucks.
I don’t see the Jets winning a third time in Nashville. Not saying they can’t it’s just tough to imagine the Preds losing three games at home this series. Such a bummer too because I don’t see any other team left being able to beat the Preds. Jets have the best shot.
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Picked the wrong year to jump of the Caps wagon. Oh well... no regrets. Just glad that we'll have a new Cup winner.
My order of want at this point is 1. Vegas 2. Winnipeg 3. Washington 4. Tampa 5. Nashville
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This Preds/Jets series has been nuts. No consecutive games won... hoping that trend continues on Thursday.
Damn... 2 nights without hockey this time of year is also nuts!
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My Pens weren't able to put it together this year... Congratulations to the Caps, well played series!
For the Pens, too many defensive mistakes, and those types of mistakes ended up costing them their season.
After the amazing experience of winning two Cups in a row, I've never been more okay with seeing the Pens get knocked out. They have certainly delivered the goods over the last couple years and need, NEED some time off. Well deserved rest boys.
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This Preds/Jets series has been nuts. No consecutive games won... hoping that trend continues on Thursday.
Damn... 2 nights without hockey this time of year is also nuts!
Apparently, there is a Justin Timberlake concert Wednesday night at Bridgestone Arena.
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WTF??
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nhl/lightning-enforcing-dress-code-for-capitals-fans/ar-AAx1UwJ?li=BBnb7Kz
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WTF??
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nhl/lightning-enforcing-dress-code-for-capitals-fans/ar-AAx1UwJ?li=BBnb7Kz
It's not uncommon for teams to have a dress code for "seats against the glass, or in the . . . luxury suites." This has happened more than once to Dodgers fans at Chase Field in Phoenix (for REGULAR SEASON games).
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Huh? I guess I've never heard of it. Seems fucking petty.
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Seems fucking petty.
I don't disagree -- especially since it's probably not enforced very often during the regular season.
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Huh? I guess I've never heard of it. Seems fucking petty.
this... All the fucking power to the ballsiest of people that go in to the opposing team's 'lion den'. You see those 2 Nashville fans wearing yellow in the "Sea of White" on Monday?
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It's not like there will be any Capitals fans there in the first place unless they live in Florida, according to this statement below in that link. I understand the Lightning's intentions to try to build a great home atmosphere for the team, but I don't think this is the greatest approach to make it happen.
Tickets for Capitals fans are already limited, since Tampa Bay will not allow anyone who doesn't reside in Florida to purchase a ticket through the team site or Ticketmaster.
“Orders by residents outside of Florida will be canceled without notice and refunds given,” the team said.
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We did this some time ago during a playoff series with the Rangers, and I have Rangers fans back home in Orlando that loathe Tampa Bay for it. To be fair, we're not the first franchise in all of sports to have done this.
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We did this some time ago during a playoff series with the Rangers, and I have Rangers fans back home in Orlando that loathe Tampa Bay for it. To be fair, we're not the first franchise in all of sports to have done this.
Just because you're not the only one or first one doesn't make it right/ok. :)
I think this is a douche move by any organization. Wouldn't you love to see European Football teams try something like this? "No singing or chanting for the visiting team allowed; all will be ejected".
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BS penalty call on Jets let’s the Preds back into the game and fires up that annoying crowd.
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We did this some time ago during a playoff series with the Rangers, and I have Rangers fans back home in Orlando that loathe Tampa Bay for it. To be fair, we're not the first franchise in all of sports to have done this.
Just because you're not the only one or first one doesn't make it right/ok. :)
I think this is a douche move by any organization. Wouldn't you love to see European Football teams try something like this? "No singing or chanting for the visiting team allowed; all will be ejected".
I’m not saying it’s right/ok, im just saying we’re not the only ones who’ve done it!
That being said, I hate Ovechkin and the Caps so im ok with it :lol
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That being said, I hate Ovechkin and the Caps so im ok with it :lol
OK, well I'm with you there.
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Jets get their first PP with 8:28 left. :lol :lol
Come on, Jets, finish this.
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Jets get their first PP with 8:28 left. :lol :lol
Come on, Jets, finish this.
They made that one count pretty quickly.
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Freaking Stastny. We couldn't buy playoff goals out of him when he was here. Now he can't stop scoring them for the Jets. Such is the plight of Blues fans. :lol :lol
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Freaking Stastny. We couldn't buy playoff goals out of him when he was here. Now he can't stop scoring them for the Jets. Such is the plight of Blues fans. :lol :lol
I know. It’s just the way it is. He vanished in the playoffs for us. Freaking stud for the Jets.
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The fact that the Preds lost at home in front of those annoying a$$ fans means the world to me. I can’t remember the last time I was THIS happy for a team to lose and this happy for a team outside of the Blues to win :lol
The Jets take three of four games AT the Preds. That’s crazy.
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Love seeing them lose on home ice. :biggrin:
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Welp my bracket, as well as many other people, is now officially fucked. Also, anyone here have Vegas and Winnipeg in the Western Conference Finals at the beginning of the season?
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Just glad there's still a Canadian team in the hunt.
Welp my bracket, as well as many other people, is now officially fucked. Also, anyone here have Vegas and Winnipeg in the Western Conference Finals at the beginning of the season?
I'll bet most didn't have either of them making the playoffs!
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Just glad there's still a Canadian team in the hunt.
Me too. I’m American, but it just feels wrong to not have had a Canadian Cup winner since Montreal in ‘93. I pulled for Edmonton, Calgary, and Ottawa, all of them, when they each had their chance in the Cup finals. All couldn’t finish. I’ve pulled for any Canadian team in the playoffs for the last decade at least, or more. Now I’m pulling for Winnipeg, and they’re looking great. Can this be the year?
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All of Canada hopes so.
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On another note, tonight’s game and result was perfect to watch, except for the fact that NBC insists on putting Pierre McGuire between the glass if he’s remotely available. God, that guy annoys me... But maybe that should go in the “Mildly Irritating” thread instead.
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Just glad there's still a Canadian team in the hunt.
Me too. I’m American, but it just feels wrong to not have had a Canadian Cup winner since Montreal in ‘93. I pulled for Edmonton, Calgary, and Ottawa, all of them, when they each had their chance in the Cup finals. All couldn’t finish. I’ve pulled for any Canadian team in the playoffs for the last decade at least, or more. Now I’m pulling for Winnipeg, and they’re looking great. Can this be the year?
I hope not. I find it quite amusing that Canada hasn’t won the top championship in their own sport in 25 years. The troll in me would love to see that continue, and I found myself on the Vegas bandwagon big time this year. I just feel that the story of a first year franchise winning it all would be absolutely incredible. My pecking order for the final four basically goes as follows:
1: Vegas (I explained my reasoning above, but I also think it would be great redemption for Fleury, who I feel was the guy that Pittsburgh should have kept.)
2: Washington (I love Ovechkin.)
3: Winnipeg (I don’t hate them but I don’t want to see them win a title before my New York Jets do and I want the American Stanley Cup winning streak to continue.)
4: Tampa (They’ve won a cup already and they would basically be winning by taking a bunch of the Rangers best players. The only good thing would be that the draft pick we got for J.T. Miller would turn into a first round pick.)
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Yeah, my bracket is officially toast. I thought that Nashville and Boston would be meeting in the finals for sure. I'm really happy for the Jets though and I'll be rooting for them to win the cup, because their fans have been suffering for a long time, and because Winnipeg is the only city in the entire world where Brian DePalma's amazing 1974 film Phantom of the Paradise was a hit (go watch it now!!!).
If you had told me in January that Paul Stastny would score 2 goals in a game 7, I would have been extremely happy.
Considering how well the Golden Knights have done, expectations are going to be unfairly high for Seattle's inaugural season. Unless the governor misspoke, the official team name is going to be the Seattle Totems.
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Just glad there's still a Canadian team in the hunt.
Me too. I’m American, but it just feels wrong to not have had a Canadian Cup winner since Montreal in ‘93. I pulled for Edmonton, Calgary, and Ottawa, all of them, when they each had their chance in the Cup finals. All couldn’t finish. I’ve pulled for any Canadian team in the playoffs for the last decade at least, or more. Now I’m pulling for Winnipeg, and they’re looking great. Can this be the year?
I hope not. I find it quite amusing that Canada hasn’t won the top championship in their own sport in 25 years. The troll in me would love to see that continue, and I found myself on the Vegas bandwagon big time this year. I just feel that the story of a first year franchise winning it all would be absolutely incredible.
I think your reasoning is flawed. It's still 'our' sport - Canadians make up the largest nationality of players in the NHL... I'd have to look it up, but I'd be surprised if there was any team in the NHL where another country had the largest number of players on the roster. So, it isn't about "Canada" not winning the championship... as a country, we feel LOTS of pride when we are dominating the play from the winning teams (since '93, only 6 non-Canadians have won the Conn Smythe... and I think Leetch may have been the first non-Canadian EVER to win it - he was the first American, and I doubt there were many Europeans winning it pre '90s). Also... all four teams remaining are coached by Canadians. :P
It's simply a matter of pride and national unity to see success from Canadian franchises. So, I give you a big.
:psychosane:
Much as I'm sure how you felt towards anyone who wanted to see the Rangers lose in '94. ;)
P.S. I'm personally very tired of the Vegas storyline. I'm so ready for this fairy-tale ending to end (despite the fact they have 11 Canadians on the roster at the moment - and coached by a Canadian)
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Not to take away anything from the Kings or Sharks.....but Vegas hasn’t really played a complete team yet. The Jets are complete....from top to bottom and are going to be the toughest team they’ve faced yet.
I think the Jets may beat them in 5 games....most likely six.
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I think the Jets beat Vegas, and that Tampa beats the Caps.
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Not to take away anything from the Kings or Sharks.....but Vegas hasn’t really played a complete team yet. The Jets are complete....from top to bottom and are going to be the toughest team they’ve faced yet.
I think the Jets may beat them in 5 games....most likely six.
I'll agree with you re: Kings. I think the Sharks were more "complete" - but Jones didn't steal one. Hellebucyk has proven he can steal a game (or more). I think he was the MVP last night, and despite the 5-1 score, he stole that victory (and he definitely stole Game 1). Nashville had plenty of chances, but Hella was a stone wall.
The Jets very much dominated Nashville... the Preds only strong game was Game 6 - the other two victories were both by 1 goal (and gm 2 in double OT); Jets victories were by 3 and 4 goals.
On paper, the Jets should handle this... but that's why they play the games. I really don't understand playoff seeding - Vegas was the #2 seed for round's 1 and 2, but now Winnipeg is higher seeded? Don't get me wrong, I like that the Jets have home ice advantage, but don't understand the logic of re-seeding happens in round 3, but not round 2. :dunno:
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Nice win by the Jets! Here's hoping for a Caps-Jets final.
Interesting note, this year's conference finals features 3 teams that used to be in the Southeast Division, and an expansion team. That's amazing.
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Dammit Leafs.
5-3 first round.
I think the Nashville-Jets series is going to be amazing, even better than Caps/Preds, and think those series will be the toughest to call, that said...
Preds
Sharks
Lightning
Caps
7-5 through the first two rounds.
I'll take the Jets and Capitals.
Sure, I think the Knights will win at this point, but I want them to win, and if picking against them is helping, then I'll take the hit. :lol
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Me too. I’m American, but it just feels wrong to not have had a Canadian Cup winner since Montreal in ‘93.
I feel the same way, but I have a friend -- a fellow Kings fan -- who insists that it's karma for the Habs supposedly "cheating" their way to a win in game 2 of the 1993 SCF against the Kings. She's a big Marty McSorley fan, and whenever the subject comes up, I remind her that it's McSorley's fault that the Kings lost game 2 (it's his fault for using an illegal stick and if that penalty isn't called, Kings take first two games on the road, and the series plays out very differently). She, on the other hand, buys into the notion that the Habs somehow surreptitiously looked at the Kings' stick rack to find out who was using illegal sticks and then, when the opportunity presented itself, the Habs used their "illegally" obtained knowledge. My response, among other things, is that, even if that happened (and there's no real evidence it did), it's still McSorley's fault for using the illegal stick.
Anyway, go Caps; go Jets! Vegas winning would be an amazing story and might be good for the sport as a whole, but I don't want to see it. Beyond that, since I have no rooting interest in any of the remaining teams, I default to teams that haven't won it all and, in particular, the Canadian team.
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I really don't understand playoff seeding - Vegas was the #2 seed for round's 1 and 2, but now Winnipeg is higher seeded? Don't get me wrong, I like that the Jets have home ice advantage, but don't understand the logic of re-seeding happens in round 3, but not round 2. :dunno:
The Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Finals determine home ice advantage by record instead of seeding. Since Winnipeg had the better regular season record (second best in the league), they get home ice. Round 2 is determined by division, so the winner of 1 vs 4 will play the winner of 2 vs 3. For example, had New Jersey had beaten Tampa, they would have played Boston because they got sorted into the Atlantic Division seeding of the playoffs due to them being the lower wildcard and Tampa being the better division winner. It’s very confusing and I hate it. I wish they would go back to the original format. It makes a lot more sense that way.
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I wish they would go back to the original format. It makes a lot more sense that way.
"Original format"???
You mean Smythe/Norris/Patrick/Adams 1 v. Smythe/Norris/Patrick/Adams 4 and Smythe/Norris/Patrick/Adams 2 v. Smythe/Norris/Patrick/Adams 3, with the winners of the Smythe and Norris Divisions playing in the Campbell Conference Finals and the winners of the Patrick and Adams Divisions playing in the Wales Conference Finals? I agree...I'd love to go back to that, although it's pretty darn close to what we have now! Or did you mean the 1-16 format that was in place before that, and after the NHL expanded the playoffs from 12 to 16 teams?
I really don't understand playoff seeding - Vegas was the #2 seed for round's 1 and 2, but now Winnipeg is higher seeded? Don't get me wrong, I like that the Jets have home ice advantage, but don't understand the logic of re-seeding happens in round 3, but not round 2. :dunno:
Where'd you get the idea that Vegas was the #2 seed? Vegas was the #1 seed in the Pacific Division, and Nashville was the #1 seed in the Central Division. Because Nashville had a better record than Vegas, Nashville played the Western Conference wild card team with the worse record (Colorado), and Vegas played the wild card team with the better record (the Kings). The #2 and #3 seeds in each division played each other in the first round. Because both Nashville and Vegas won in the first round, they had home ice against the winners of the 2 v. 3 series. In the conference finals, the team with the better record gets home ice (Winnipeg > Vegas and TB > Washington)
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We're looking forward to Game 2 of the 'bolts-Caps. We'll be in Tampa on Sunday, cruising to Cuba on Monday. We plan on going to a nearby pub, or sitting in the hotel lobby, wearing our Red Wings gear (me with my Yzerman jersey, the wife with her red tee). Much respect for Tampa Bay and its GM (obviously, though I despise the Southern teams), but so pulling for the Caps.
(hoping to go to a Cup Final game for once in my life in DC)
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Me too. I’m American, but it just feels wrong to not have had a Canadian Cup winner since Montreal in ‘93.
I feel the same way, but I have a friend -- a fellow Kings fan -- who insists that it's karma for the Habs supposedly "cheating" their way to a win in game 2 of the 1993 SCF against the Kings. She's a big Marty McSorley fan, and whenever the subject comes up, I remind her that it's McSorley's fault that the Kings lost game 2 (it's his fault for using an illegal stick and if that penalty isn't called, Kings take first two games on the road, and the series plays out very differently). She, on the other hand, buys into the notion that the Habs somehow surreptitiously looked at the Kings' stick rack to find out who was using illegal sticks and then, when the opportunity presented itself, the Habs used their "illegally" obtained knowledge. My response, among other things, is that, even if that happened (and there's no real evidence it did), it's still McSorley's fault for using the illegal stick.
Exactly.
Besides, the Kings have won the Cup twice now. She can let the grudge go any time...
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Me too. I’m American, but it just feels wrong to not have had a Canadian Cup winner since Montreal in ‘93.
I feel the same way, but I have a friend -- a fellow Kings fan -- who insists that it's karma for the Habs supposedly "cheating" their way to a win in game 2 of the 1993 SCF against the Kings. She's a big Marty McSorley fan, and whenever the subject comes up, I remind her that it's McSorley's fault that the Kings lost game 2 (it's his fault for using an illegal stick and if that penalty isn't called, Kings take first two games on the road, and the series plays out very differently). She, on the other hand, buys into the notion that the Habs somehow surreptitiously looked at the Kings' stick rack to find out who was using illegal sticks and then, when the opportunity presented itself, the Habs used their "illegally" obtained knowledge. My response, among other things, is that, even if that happened (and there's no real evidence it did), it's still McSorley's fault for using the illegal stick.
Please also remind her the Kings probably didn't shouldn't have even made a Game 7 vs the Leafs in the semi-final - let alone getting to the Cup Final. Gretz had a high-stick that drew blood on Gilmour in the Game 6 OT, and didn't even get a minor penalty, let alone the 5-and-a-game that a bloody high-stick earned everyone back in those days. Gretz then scores the OT winner, and has the game of his career in #7.
So, remind her of that the next time she brings up being "cheated".
No, Canada (especially Toronto) has not gotten over the missed opportunity to see a modern day Toronto-Montreal Cup final. It'll surely never happen in my lifetime.
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Me too. I’m American, but it just feels wrong to not have had a Canadian Cup winner since Montreal in ‘93.
I feel the same way, but I have a friend -- a fellow Kings fan -- who insists that it's karma for the Habs supposedly "cheating" their way to a win in game 2 of the 1993 SCF against the Kings. She's a big Marty McSorley fan, and whenever the subject comes up, I remind her that it's McSorley's fault that the Kings lost game 2 (it's his fault for using an illegal stick and if that penalty isn't called, Kings take first two games on the road, and the series plays out very differently). She, on the other hand, buys into the notion that the Habs somehow surreptitiously looked at the Kings' stick rack to find out who was using illegal sticks and then, when the opportunity presented itself, the Habs used their "illegally" obtained knowledge. My response, among other things, is that, even if that happened (and there's no real evidence it did), it's still McSorley's fault for using the illegal stick.
Exactly.
Besides, the Kings have won the Cup twice now. She can let the grudge go any time...
Yup. That too. Mostly I just enjoy poking her over this.
(hoping to go to a Cup Final game for once in my life in DC)
Currently $836 just to get in the building for home game #1 and over $1,400 for home game #3 (series games 3 and 6 since the Caps won't have home ice over either Winnipeg or Vegas) on Stubhub. When the Kings won their first Cup in 2012, I went to all three home games (series games 3, 4 and 6). I dropped about $2k total, and it was worth every penny (even the loss in game 4, which was the most expensive ticket)!
Please also remind her the Kings probably didn't shouldn't have even made a Game 7 vs the Leafs in the semi-final - let alone getting to the Cup Final. Gretz had a high-stick that drew blood on Gilmour in the Game 6 OT, and didn't even get a minor penalty
Meh. First of all, there was only one referee, and Fraser was watching the shot Gretzky had just taken, and neither of the linesmen saw what happened. Second, after Fraser saw Gilmour bent over and holding his chin, he skated over to him and asked him what happened, and Gilmour told him that he got clippled on the follow through after the shot, which wasn't (and still isn't?) a penalty (even though it wasn't really a follow through). We can go back through that series and find hundreds of penalties that could have been called that might have changed the outcome of any of the games (including Gilmour's head butt in game 1, and y=you could even quibble about the Glenn Anderson roughing penalty at the end of regulation in game 6). But it's the same sort of thing. Kings and Habs were tied 1-1 when the series went back to LA. Kings didn't take care of business at home. Neither did the Leafs in game 7.
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Hey... I get all the explanations and reasoning. But if she's gonna bitch that a 2-minute illegal stick is Karma for Canada, then you can sure as shit draw an equivalency that a 5-minute major and Gretzky not being tossed should've been some big-assed Karma for the Kings - it was a more impactful event in hurting the Leafs chances than the illegal stick was in hurting the Kings'.
iirc, didn't McSorley's stick break, and a Habs player was the one that simply picked up one of the broken ends off the ice and that's what led to them questioning Marty's curve?
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Hey... I get all the explanations and reasoning. But if she's gonna bitch that a 2-minute illegal stick is Karma for Canada, then you can sure as shit draw an equivalency that a 5-minute major and Gretzky not being tossed should've been some big-assed Karma for the Kings - it was a more impactful event in hurting the Leafs chances than the illegal stick was in hurting the Kings'.
That could be fun. Maybe I'll try it next time the subject comes up.
iirc, didn't McSorley's stick break, and a Habs player was the one that simply picked up one of the broken ends off the ice and that's what led to them questioning Marty's curve?
I don't remember that particular explanation. There are a couple of stories that are far more logical and plausible than the story about someone from Montreal "breaking in" to the Kings locker room and looking at the stick rack. I've read that someone did see the stick rack when it was in a "public" hallway beneath the locker rooms. I doubt, however, that anyone in that situation would have had time to make any sort of conclusive measurements. The more plausible explanation is that some of the Habs players had noticed McSorley's stick in game 1 and/or in the two games that the teams played during the regular season, and reported their observations to Jacques Demers, who kept the info in his back pocket until the right time. I've seen an interview with Luc Robitaille about how 30-40% of the Kings players (as well as players on other teams) had over-curved sticks that they used in the first two periods but changed to legal sticks in the third period or when there was a high leverage situation. I find that a lot more plausible since top level pros presumably can spot an illegal stick pretty easily (especially someone like Guy Carbonneau), so it was just a matter of Demers having the balls to take the risk of asking for a measurement.
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I wish they would go back to the original format. It makes a lot more sense that way.
"Original format"???
You mean Smythe/Norris/Patrick/Adams 1 v. Smythe/Norris/Patrick/Adams 4 and Smythe/Norris/Patrick/Adams 2 v. Smythe/Norris/Patrick/Adams 3, with the winners of the Smythe and Norris Divisions playing in the Campbell Conference Finals and the winners of the Patrick and Adams Divisions playing in the Wales Conference Finals? I agree...I'd love to go back to that, although it's pretty darn close to what we have now! Or did you mean the 1-16 format that was in place before that, and after the NHL expanded the playoffs from 12 to 16 teams?
I meant before the most recent realignment. It would be so easy to adjust to having four divisions as well. The two division winners would be the 1 and 2 seed while seeds 3-8 would go to wildcard teams. The highest remaining seed would always play the lowest remaining seed that way. It’s ridiculous that the President’s Trophy winning team had to play the second best team in their conference in the second round. Nashville-Winnipeg shouldn’t have happened until the Conference Finals and in the old playoff format that would have been the case.
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Didn’t watch the game and couldn’t check on the score from a highly sensitive commercial shoot where my phone was placed in a ziplock bag before entering set. And thats all I can say about it.
However, Tampa Bay are now 2-6 when hosting Game 1’s under Jon Cooper. As worrisome as that should be, that clearly doesn’t bother this Bolts team. We’ll bounce back like we did against Boston and put up a better fight.
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The Caps are not Boston.
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The Caps haven't exactly dominated anyone to this point, I would be shocked if Tampa didn't bounce back and make this a great series. I have a feeling this will go to 7 games.
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The Caps haven't exactly dominated anyone to this point, I would be shocked if Tampa didn't bounce back and make this a great series. I have a feeling this will go to 7 games.
Exactamundo
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Settling in for the Jets/Knights :metal
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Only caught the 3rd period. The Jets completely blanketed them. Excellent start to the series.
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The Caps haven't exactly dominated anyone to this point, I would be shocked if Tampa didn't bounce back and make this a great series. I have a feeling this will go to 7 games.
Colour me shocked. Tampa was outclassed tonight.
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Ever get the feeling every time you watch your team play, they don't play well?
Mine is the opposite. When I don't watch the Lightning play, they lose 6-2 to the fucking Caps. And I got 12 hr days on set every damn day this week :censored :'(
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Man, now that the Caps have conquered their El Guapo, they are just rolling. I don't see how the Bolts come back from this. Washington looks like a team of destiny.
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Man, now that the Caps have conquered their El Guapo, they are just rolling. I don't see how the Bolts come back from this. Washington looks like a team of destiny.
Well, the Caps came back from 2 opening home-ice losses. I wouldn't count the bolts out yet. If they go down 3-0... then thats a death sentence.
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Man, now that the Caps have conquered their El Guapo, they are just rolling. I don't see how the Bolts come back from this. Washington looks like a team of destiny.
Well, the Caps came back from 2 opening home-ice losses. I wouldn't count the bolts out yet. If they go down 3-0... then thats a death sentence.
To quote the great Megatron from the best Transformers movie of them all.............."It's OVER Prime"
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Man, now that the Caps have conquered their El Guapo, they are just rolling. I don't see how the Bolts come back from this. Washington looks like a team of destiny.
Agreed. I thought Washington would beat TB, but didn't expect them to steamroll the Lightning in the first two games. A hockey series is never over till it's over, though. In the NBA or MLB, if you lose the first two games at home, you are done 99% of the time, but not in the NHL.
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The Caps haven't exactly dominated anyone to this point, I would be shocked if Tampa didn't bounce back and make this a great series. I have a feeling this will go to 7 games.
Colour me shocked. Tampa was outclassed tonight.
Yup, same here... very impressed with the way the Caps have played so far. It's not too late for Tampa to make this a series, but obviously very few teams can overcome losing the first 2 games of a series at home. Especially when they're outplayed like that...
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Go Bolts :'(
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GO BOLTS!!! :metal
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Vegas is now two wins away from a Stanley Cup Finals appearance. No matter what happens, this season can’t be considered anything else but a success. Nobody had Vegas even making the playoffs, but winning their division and making a run to the Conference Finals was completely unthinkable at the start of the season.
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Flower stole that game. Hellebuyck's giveaway was nasty. And ffs, the Jets have now given up what ... 3 or 4 goals when they don't get the puck deep and d-men start (or go fully) to change. :zeltar:
I'm so, SOOOOO, over this Vegas Cinderella storyline. How the fuck did teams leave some of these players unprotected in the draft. Pitt must be kicking themselves; Florida certainly is.
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Flower stole that game. Hellebuyck's giveaway was nasty. And ffs, the Jets have now given up what ... 3 or 4 goals when they don't get the puck deep and d-men start (or go fully) to change. :zeltar:
I'm so, SOOOOO, over this Vegas Cinderella storyline. How the fuck did teams leave some of these players unprotected in the draft. Pitt must be kicking themselves; Florida certainly is.
Right there with ya. The Jets ‘could’ have had two or three goals in the third but Fleury flat out robbed them.
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I'm so, SOOOOO, over this Vegas Cinderella storyline. How the fuck did teams leave some of these players unprotected in the draft. Pitt must be kicking themselves; Florida certainly is.
I don't even want to talk about it :lol
Honestly though, I'm happy for Flower, great dude. And even looking back on it, the Pens couldn't have done anything differently.
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I'm so, SOOOOO, over this Vegas Cinderella storyline. How the fuck did teams leave some of these players unprotected in the draft. Pitt must be kicking themselves; Florida certainly is.
I'm over it too. HOWEVER, look at this list -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_NHL_Expansion_Draft#Draft_results -- and tell me that, a year ago, you could have predicted that this group of players would form the nucleus of a top 5 team that would be up 2 games to 1 in the conference finals. That's what drives me crazy about Vegas and is the reason their GM and coach will be getting trophies in a month or so. That said, Florida choosing to leave Marchessault unprotected so that they could protect guys like Alex Petrovic and Mark Pysyk seems inexplicable.
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I'm so, SOOOOO, over this Vegas Cinderella storyline. How the fuck did teams leave some of these players unprotected in the draft. Pitt must be kicking themselves; Florida certainly is.
I'm over it too. HOWEVER, look at this list -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_NHL_Expansion_Draft#Draft_results -- and tell me that, a year ago, you could have predicted that this group of players would form the nucleus of a top 5 team that would be up 2 games to 1 in the conference finals. That's what drives me crazy about Vegas and is the reason their GM and coach will be getting trophies in a month or so. That said, Florida choosing to leave Marchessault unprotected so that they could protect guys like Alex Petrovic and Mark Pysyk seems inexplicable.
I mentioned this pages ago, along with the fact that they also fired the coach that has glued the Vegas team together.
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Man, now that the Caps have conquered their El Guapo, they are just rolling. I don't see how the Bolts come back from this. Washington looks like a team of destiny.
Agreed. I thought Washington would beat TB, but didn't expect them to steamroll the Lightning in the first two games. A hockey series is never over till it's over, though. In the NBA or MLB, if you lose the first two games at home, you are done 99% of the time, but not in the NHL.
This is one of those rare times where I feel really smart. :P
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Man, now that the Caps have conquered their El Guapo, they are just rolling. I don't see how the Bolts come back from this. Washington looks like a team of destiny.
Agreed. I thought Washington would beat TB, but didn't expect them to steamroll the Lightning in the first two games. A hockey series is never over till it's over, though. In the NBA or MLB, if you lose the first two games at home, you are done 99% of the time, but not in the NHL.
This is one of those rare times where I feel really smart. :P
RARE?
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Haha, okay "slightly rare." :P
I am sure my next sports prediction or whatever that was above will be totally off and all will be back to normal. :lol :lol
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Crunch time now for the Caps. Sure the series is tied, but based on this team's history in recent years and their rep for crumbling and not being mentally tough - the next game in this series seems like a must win for them.
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Crunch time now for the Caps. Sure the series is tied, but based on this team's history in recent years and their rep for crumbling and not being mentally tough - the next game in this series seems like a must win for them.
I would agree. Frankly, any team dropping 3 straight at any point of a 7-game series has to give ya the yips.
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Crunch time now for the Caps. Sure the series is tied, but based on this team's history in recent years and their rep for crumbling and not being mentally tough - the next game in this series seems like a must win for them.
I would agree. Frankly, any team dropping 3 straight at any point of a 7-game series has to give ya the yips.
Oh for sure, but I think with the Caps it's even more than that. They have had this narrative for the last several years that they aren't mentally tough enough to win a Cup (at least that's been the narrative in Pittsburgh for several years :lol). I think that stuff does creep into players heads a bit, even though they would never admit it.
On another note - I'm hearing a lot of talk about where Tavares is going to land... Any thoughts?
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re Tavares... I have no idea who has the cap space and need for a guy like him Sabres? Ducks? Canadiens?
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I've heard Buffalo, but who knows. I don't think Jack would take it well if he got bumped down to second line center if Tavares lands there. I also think the Tavares is the type of player that teams will make room for if needed.
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Was able to watch the game today! Our defense looked really good, and Vasy was sharp. One more game!!!
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Gotta hand it to Vegas. They are just flat on a mission it seems. Unreal.
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An expansion team will play for the Stanley Cup. This is absolute madness.
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Amazing. I hope they win it.
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Me too...unless they end up playing Tampa :lol
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Me too...unless they end up playing Tampa :lol
For me it’s the opposite. I want them to win it all especially if they play Tampa.
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Geez, we can’t win the respect! :lol
If we play Vegas, people will root for Vegas for the fairy tale story.
Even if it wasn’t Vegas, people will still root against us because we’re not Original 6 or Canadian. We’re a god damn team from Florida! :lol
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I'd be an ecstatic fan if they had a better name.
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So I'm actually in Vegas right now for a work conference that starts tomorrow. I was at Dick's Sporting goods shortly after the game ended, and it was a mad spree of people buying conference champs shirts and other merch. I think i was the only person of about 200 in line who just needed another damn pair of shorts.
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So you bought Conference Championship shorts? ;D
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So you bought Conference Championship shorts? ;D
Lol. Well, considering i have an Oilers logo in my tattoo sleeve... no, no i didn't.
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Personally, I hate this. And objectively, I don't think it's good for the Vegas fans, Seattle fans or for the league in general - and it sucks for about 15 other teams/cities who have had to suffer through years/decades of a lack of success. To see the 'perfect storm' of the Golden Knights is a bitter pill. Save a couple of salary cap issues, this is a team of players that were no better then 3/4th line, or 3rd defence-pair. How does a team like that make the Cup final?
1) A handful of players stepped up to become 'top-line' players (Marchessault/Karlson); Schmidt on D.
2) The rest of the team has consistently punched out of their weight class
3) Terrific coaching
4) Sad to say, but the Vegas shooting last fall brought about a camaraderie and bonding that has given them a balanced team all season.
They beat Winnipeg by playing mistake-free (where the Jets had a few issues), a forecheck that is stunningly good, and Flower Power stealing 2 of those games. Good on them for that.
However, the team has nowhere to go but down next year and Seattle fans are going to expect at least some level of success. I fear the backlash against the franchises if there isn't success.
Don't get me wrong, what they (players, coaches, management) have collectively accomplished is beyond impressive. And yes, I'm bitter because Toronto is one of those many teams that haven't tasted much success in a long time.
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yeah.....this perfect storm of circumstances that has led to this season/post season for Vegas will not bleed over to next season. It really has been a situation where they’re getting max payoff from each player/position/coach. Just don’t see that surviving the summer and holding momentum. Too many variables will change.
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Personally, I hate this. And objectively, I don't think it's good for the Vegas fans, Seattle fans or for the league in general - and it sucks for about 15 other teams/cities who have had to suffer through years/decades of a lack of success. To see the 'perfect storm' of the Golden Knights is a bitter pill. Save a couple of salary cap issues, this is a team of players that were no better then 3/4th line, or 3rd defence-pair. How does a team like that make the Cup final?
1) A handful of players stepped up to become 'top-line' players (Marchessault/Karlson); Schmidt on D.
2) The rest of the team has consistently punched out of their weight class
3) Terrific coaching
4) Sad to say, but the Vegas shooting last fall brought about a camaraderie and bonding that has given them a balanced team all season.
They beat Winnipeg by playing mistake-free (where the Jets had a few issues), a forecheck that is stunningly good, and Flower Power stealing 2 of those games. Good on them for that.
However, the team has nowhere to go but down next year and Seattle fans are going to expect at least some level of success. I fear the backlash against the franchises if there isn't success.
Don't get me wrong, what they (players, coaches, management) have collectively accomplished is beyond impressive. And yes, I'm bitter because Toronto is one of those many teams that haven't tasted much success in a long time.
Good post, I agree. I'd also add that (if I'm not mistaken) they changed the expansion rules for Vegas and clearly (1) they either made the rules too advantageous for Vegas or (2) the other GMs didn't fully know how to prepare for the expansion draft. Or maybe a combo of both things.
Who knows, anyway - only the NHL could manage to have a first year expansion team in a salary cap league compete for the championship. It's both frustrating and impressive.
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Personally, I hate this. And objectively, I don't think it's good for the Vegas fans, Seattle fans or for the league in general - and it sucks for about 15 other teams/cities who have had to suffer through years/decades of a lack of success. To see the 'perfect storm' of the Golden Knights is a bitter pill. Save a couple of salary cap issues, this is a team of players that were no better then 3/4th line, or 3rd defence-pair. How does a team like that make the Cup final?
1) A handful of players stepped up to become 'top-line' players (Marchessault/Karlson); Schmidt on D.
2) The rest of the team has consistently punched out of their weight class
3) Terrific coaching
4) Sad to say, but the Vegas shooting last fall brought about a camaraderie and bonding that has given them a balanced team all season.
They beat Winnipeg by playing mistake-free (where the Jets had a few issues), a forecheck that is stunningly good, and Flower Power stealing 2 of those games. Good on them for that.
However, the team has nowhere to go but down next year and Seattle fans are going to expect at least some level of success. I fear the backlash against the franchises if there isn't success.
Don't get me wrong, what they (players, coaches, management) have collectively accomplished is beyond impressive. And yes, I'm bitter because Toronto is one of those many teams that haven't tasted much success in a long time.
Good post, I agree. I'd also add that (if I'm not mistaken) they changed the expansion rules for Vegas and clearly (1) they either made the rules too advantageous for Vegas or (2) the other GMs didn't fully know how to prepare for the expansion draft. Or maybe a combo of both things.
Who knows, anyway - only the NHL could manage to have a first year expansion team in a salary cap league compete for the championship. It's both frustrating and impressive.
I am SO done with this Vegas thing. I've heard folks mention how the changed the expansion draft rules and, while that may be true, as Jingle said (and as I posted a few pages ago), none of the guys on Vegas's roster seemed particularly impressive as of a year ago. They'll be all but obligated to keep the same rules in place for Seattle, so that'll be interesting.
Speaking of Seattle, what does the NHL do in terms of divisions when Seattle joins? Right now, the NHL has three 8-team divisions and one 7-team division. Putting Seattle in the Central would be dumb for any number of reasons, so does a current Pacific Division team move to the Central? If so, is it the Coyotes (the geographically closest team to any Central Division team, but a team that plays in a city that is on Pacific time 2/3 of the year)? Or does the NHL go through yet another round of realignment?
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Don't forget that AZ is actually in Mountain time - they just don't recognize DST. So, from Nov-March (most of the regular season), they are only 1-hour different from most of the Central teams.
I don't see bigger re-alignment. Being 1 time zone away ain't too much of an issue. Even two time zones is manageable - Jets were in with the Canucks and Kings back in the Smythe Division days.
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yeah.....this perfect storm of circumstances that has led to this season/post season for Vegas will not bleed over to next season. It really has been a situation where they’re getting max payoff from each player/position/coach. Just don’t see that surviving the summer and holding momentum. Too many variables will change.
While you are correct in the idea that the over-performance by... well... everyone likely won't keep up forever it is balances by one big thing. Going into the season you had to think that for several years Las Vegas would be seen as a tough sell to free agents. Now? Cup or no cup they can be seen as a serious contender and should have no problem getting people into a system that is shown to have a rock solid foundation.
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yeah.....this perfect storm of circumstances that has led to this season/post season for Vegas will not bleed over to next season. It really has been a situation where they’re getting max payoff from each player/position/coach. Just don’t see that surviving the summer and holding momentum. Too many variables will change.
While you are correct in the idea that the over-performance by... well... everyone likely won't keep up forever it is balances by one big thing. Going into the season you had to think that for several years Las Vegas would be seen as a tough sell to free agents. Now? Cup or no cup they can be seen as a serious contender and should have no problem getting people into a system that is shown to have a rock solid foundation.
Very true. And have a ravenous fan base already with a great atmosphere.
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Don't forget that AZ is actually in Mountain time - they just don't recognize DST. So, from Nov-March (most of the regular season), they are only 1-hour different from most of the Central teams.
I don't see bigger re-alignment. Being 1 time zone away ain't too much of an issue. Even two time zones is manageable - Jets were in with the Canucks and Kings back in the Smythe Division days.
Good point re Arizona.
If you had told me a year ago that the Pacific would have two new expansion teams in the next half decade, I'd have thought that was great. Now maybe not so much.
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yeah.....this perfect storm of circumstances that has led to this season/post season for Vegas will not bleed over to next season. It really has been a situation where they’re getting max payoff from each player/position/coach. Just don’t see that surviving the summer and holding momentum. Too many variables will change.
While you are correct in the idea that the over-performance by... well... everyone likely won't keep up forever it is balances by one big thing. Going into the season you had to think that for several years Las Vegas would be seen as a tough sell to free agents. Now? Cup or no cup they can be seen as a serious contender and should have no problem getting people into a system that is shown to have a rock solid foundation.
Very true. And have a ravenous fan base already with a great atmosphere.
I think they will be a highly sought after destination for free agents this summer. Like you guys mentioned they are now automatically considered a contender next year, they have a super fan base and also - what rich athlete wouldn't want to call Vegas home? :lol
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yeah.....this perfect storm of circumstances that has led to this season/post season for Vegas will not bleed over to next season. It really has been a situation where they’re getting max payoff from each player/position/coach. Just don’t see that surviving the summer and holding momentum. Too many variables will change.
While you are correct in the idea that the over-performance by... well... everyone likely won't keep up forever it is balances by one big thing. Going into the season you had to think that for several years Las Vegas would be seen as a tough sell to free agents. Now? Cup or no cup they can be seen as a serious contender and should have no problem getting people into a system that is shown to have a rock solid foundation.
Very true. And have a ravenous fan base already with a great atmosphere.
I think they will be a highly sought after destination for free agents this summer. Like you guys mentioned they are now automatically considered a contender next year, they have a super fan base and also - what rich athlete wouldn't want to call Vegas home? :lol
**** all contracts to include monthly penicillin injections
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:lol
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Let’s go Bolts!
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Let’s go Bolts!
:tup
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We just fucking suck tonight. No excuses. Boneheaded passes. Leaving guys open on the point. Caps had the puck whenever they wanted it. We play like that in game 7, we deserve to lose the ECF.
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Caps sure did play determined - just the way a team on the brink of elimination should.
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We just fucking suck tonight. No excuses. Boneheaded passes. Leaving guys open on the point. Caps had the puck whenever they wanted it. We play like that in game 7, we deserve to lose the ECF.
It wasn't your best game, but you didn't suck, that game was a result of the Capitals turning everything up to 11 and the Lightning not being able to match. Backs against the wall on Wednesday I expect one hell of a game. I won't see it though, I'll be in Lehigh Valley hopefully watching the Phantoms claw back in their series against Chad's damn Marlies.
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We just fucking suck tonight. No excuses. Boneheaded passes. Leaving guys open on the point. Caps had the puck whenever they wanted it. We play like that in game 7, we deserve to lose the ECF.
It wasn't your best game, but you didn't suck, that game was a result of the Capitals turning everything up to 11 and the Lightning not being able to match. Backs against the wall on Wednesday I expect one hell of a game. I won't see it though, I'll be in Lehigh Valley hopefully watching the Phantoms claw back in their series against Chad's damn Marlies.
Man I wish the AHL games were televised. :angry:
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I hope the Caps get it done.
Ovi deserves it.
Vegas....it's more than a perfect storm. The GM absolutely fleeced the NHL. He has another and possibly ANOTHER full team of veterans/picks/prospects that he could throw to the coach and say "here...make another perfect storm".
go Caps.
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Vegas....it's more than a perfect storm. The GM absolutely fleeced the NHL. He has another and possibly ANOTHER full team of veterans/picks/prospects that he could throw to the coach and say "here...make another perfect storm".
Easy to say/recognize that in hindsight. Did you feel/think this right after the expansion draft? If so, you would've been one of the the very few. ;)
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The GM absolutely fleeced the NHL.
No he didn't. How so?
He fleeced the Bruins out of Colin Miller? They simply left him unprotected.
He did do a great job in making deals but I think fleeced is a bit overblown.
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Vegas....it's more than a perfect storm. The GM absolutely fleeced the NHL. He has another and possibly ANOTHER full team of veterans/picks/prospects that he could throw to the coach and say "here...make another perfect storm".
Easy to say/recognize that in hindsight. Did you feel/think this right after the expansion draft? If so, you would've been one of the the very few. ;)
Exactly what I was going to post. Hindsight is 20/20 - at the time it didn't look great. Vegas had several guys play WAY above their heads this year.
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Vegas....it's more than a perfect storm. The GM absolutely fleeced the NHL. He has another and possibly ANOTHER full team of veterans/picks/prospects that he could throw to the coach and say "here...make another perfect storm".
Nah....what Vegas's leadership did differently was in lieu of trading away all the players they selected from all the teams for draft picks and more manageable contracts.....they stood pat, "coached up" the 'unwanted' players they selected and decided to make a run at it all right now rather than sell it all for the future.
And, as it's been mentioned......that horrific tragedy unified that city and team in a way that couldn't have been foreseen. THAT in itself is something that Seattle's team won't have. That event is a major cog in why that Vegas team started the way they did and from there they just had the belief and the moxi which really didn't stop all season but for a few games here and there.
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THAT in itself is something that Seattle's team won't have.
Unfortunately this is America, so there is no way you can say that for sure. :'(
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Nah....what Vegas's leadership did differently was in lieu of trading away all the players they selected from all the teams for draft picks and more manageable contracts.....they stood pat, "coached up" the 'unwanted' players they selected and decided to make a run at it all right now rather than sell it all for the future.
They did a bit of both... keeping Neal and Murray are great examples of the above; trading Methot and Van Reimsdyk contradicts the above. Also, they made a couple of deals for prospects and/or draft picks in exchange of passing on a good exposed player (eg, Eric Staal, Josh Bailey)
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people actually paid them with picks to take Karlson and Fleury (fleeced). Only the Tatar deal looks "off"
And while their stockpile of picks in next years' draft dips slightly it picks back up in 2020. Not one of their first round picks was forcefed into the NHL early. And they all look REALLY good.
he has a bunch of kids in junior..a couple with the Wolves.
I didn't know they'd gell like this - not all. I'm just saying the GM studied how he could get the most out of the expansion format. And he did very well.
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people actually paid them with picks to take Karlson and Fleury (fleeced).
Regarding Karlsson, it was a matter of 'pick-your-poison'. Columbus was gonna lose someone they didn't want to, so they put their bet on Karlsson, and clearly VGK got the better of that bet - the dude hadn't topped 25 points in his career! For the Pens, they bet on Murray, and wanted to ensure they didn't lose a key forward (since they decided to protect 4 d-men) like Hagelin or Rust - plus it also freed up a lot of salary cap. Same deal with Marchessault - though taking a $10M risk on Reilly + Marchessault was a big bet - one that clearly has paid off for Vegas.
Again... easy to say that VGK fleeced the rest of the league, but the reality is it has been a lot of EXTREMELY good fortune for the way things turned out in a significant number of the moves/picks. Any one of them doesn't play out as it does, and they are struggling for just to earn a playoff spot
If Reilly and Marchessault don't both produce the way they did, McPhee looks like a doofus paying $10M for those two.
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people actually paid them with picks to take Karlson and Fleury (fleeced). Only the Tatar deal looks "off"
There is no logical reason why the Pens, at that point in time, would have let Vegas take Murray instead of Flower. Literally no reason. And that's what it came down to for them. Vegas was going to take one of their goalies, they just had to decide which one. There's no "fleecing" there.
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Vegas....it's more than a perfect storm. The GM absolutely fleeced the NHL.
How do you figure?
Vegas did the following: (1) selected players that other teams chose to leave unprotected; and (2) acquired draft picks and other players by agreeing to select or not select particular players in the expansion draft.
Look at the list of players drafted: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_NHL_Expansion_Draft#Draft_results As of June 21, 2017, did you look at this list and say, "Oh my god! This team is going to be one of the two teams in the Stanley Cup Final"? I bet you didn't.
Vegas's top scoring player, William Karlsson, scored 43-35-78. Karlsson was selected in the expansion draft from Columbus after having scored a total of 18 goals in 183 prior NHL games. Not only did Columbus make Karlsson available in the expansion draft, the team also traded to Vegas a second round pick in 2019 and David Clarkson (in a salary dump by Columbus) in exchange for Vegas agreeing to take Karlsson in the expansion draft. That's how much Columbus didn't want the guy.
One of Vegas's better defensemen, Shea Theodore, was acquired in a similar deal. Anaheim traded Theodore to Vegas in exchange for Vegas agreeing to take Clayton Stoner in the expansion draft (again, a salary dump).
I could go on and on.
While it's true that the expansion draft rules were set up to make Vegas competitive right out of the box, no one could have foreseen this.
By the way, I looked up previous expansion drafts to see just how much the rules had changed.
In 1998 (Nashville), 1999 (Atlanta) and 2000 (Columbus and Minnesota), existing teams were allowed to protect either (a) one goalie, five d-men and nine forwards or (b) two goalies, three d-men and seven forwards.
In 1999, any team who lost a goalie in the prior expansion draft did not have to expose any goalies. In 2000, except that there were requirements in place relating to recent NHL experience of unprotected players.
The 2017 rules for Vegas allowed existing teams to protect one goalie and either (a) three d-men and seven forwards or (b) eight skaters regardless of position. Players with less than two years of pro experience (NHL or AHL) were excluded from the draft, and teams were required to protect players with no move clauses. 23 of the 30 teams went with option (a).
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people actually paid them with picks to take Karlson and Fleury (fleeced). . . .
I didn't know they'd gell like this - not all. I'm just saying the GM studied how he could get the most out of the expansion format. And he did very well.
Fleury was hardly "fleeced" from the Pens. No sane GM would have protected Fleury and his $5.75M cap hit and exposed Matt Murray and his $3.75M cap hit. Arguably, Pittsburgh was a victime of the rule that didn't give teams the option of protecting two goalies, but no one saw this sort of performance coming from Fleury. No one.
And McPhee doing his homework is a far cry from "fleecing" other GMs.
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By the way, I looked up previous expansion drafts to see just how much the rules had changed.
In 1998 (Nashville), 1999 (Atlanta) and 2000 (Columbus and Minnesota), existing teams were allowed to protect either (a) one goalie, five d-men and nine forwards or (b) two goalies, three d-men and seven forwards.
In 1999, any team who lost a goalie in the prior expansion draft did not have to expose any goalies. In 2000, except that there were requirements in place relating to recent NHL experience of unprotected players.
The 2017 rules for Vegas allowed existing teams to protect one goalie and either (a) three d-men and seven forwards or (b) eight skaters regardless of position. Players with less than two years of pro experience (NHL or AHL) were excluded from the draft, and teams were required to protect players with no move clauses. 23 of the 30 teams went with option (a).
Thanks pg. I was going to look it up later.
So for Option A, in 1998 you could protect 15 guys as opposed to 11 in 2017, and for Option B in 1998 you could protect 12 guys as opposed to 8 in 2017.
So they definitely had more to choose from.
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They had more 'experienced' players to chose from. I don't think the 2-year rule was in effect in the 98 or 00 expansion drafts? Thus, young teams (like the Leafs) didn't have to protect their young players this time around (eg, Marner, Nylander, Matthews et al). Given that 5 of their top 6 forwards were rookies, they were in a very enviable position of not having anyone of consequence at risk. Other teams ultimately had to leave good-to-very good players exposed. VGK grabbed a few of those, and got extremely lucky on a few others. A LOT of things had to go absolutely right for VGK to be in the position they are in - McPhee 'fleecing' the other GMs wasn't one of them. The only fleecing I potentially see is Schmidt - McPhee signed him in Washington, so knew what he was getting. Then again, who else was Washington going to expose - Carlson, Niskanen, or Orlov? All three are important elements of their D.
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They had more 'experienced' players to chose from. I don't think the 2-year rule was in effect in the 98 or 00 expansion drafts? Thus, young teams (like the Leafs) didn't have to protect their young players this time around (eg, Marner, Nylander, Matthews et al). Given that 5 of their top 6 forwards were rookies, they were in a very enviable position of not having anyone of consequence at risk. Other teams ultimately had to leave good-to-very good players exposed.
Right. Very true.
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Ultimately, they had a better group of players to select from. If a team protected seven forwards and three d-men, then Vegas could take a top four d-man. If a team protected eight skaters (in order to protect 4-5 d-men), then Vegas can take a second line forward. Or Vegas gets a #2 goalie.
Under the rules used in 98-00, it would've been tough to get anything better than a third pair d-man or fourth line forward or a #2 goalie.
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Ultimately, they had a better group of players to select from. If a team protected seven forwards and three d-men, then Vegas could take a top four d-man. If a team protected eight skaters (in order to protect 4-5 d-men), then Vegas can take a second line forward. Or Vegas gets a #2 goalie.
Under the rules used in 98-00, it would've been tough to get anything better than a third pair d-man or fourth line forward or a #2 goalie.
Bingo.
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A fight in game 7. Awesome.
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Awesome start to the game.
I'll come back to it when Lebron starts kicking the Celtics' asses.
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>:( :censored :censored :censored :-[ :'(
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Trotz skates pretty good for someone his size and age. Better than me! :lol
And the Gr8 is finally going to the Stanley Cup
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Im gonna sign off the internet for the rest of the night with only a few minutea left of the game. I’m devastated.
Congrats Caps. You wanted to win more than we did, apparently.
Im all aboard the Fire Cooper train.
As always, and forever, GO BOLTS.
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Happy for Ovi and the Caps organization. Hope they kick Vegas' ass.
Tampa didn't play at all like the #1 seed in the east at all the past few games.
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Caps just outplayed them, plain and simple.
Hope the Caps finish it and win the Cup.
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Happy to see Trotz do this well at Washington after leaving Nashville.
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It would have been devastating for the Caps to finally get past Pittsburgh, only to lose in the next round.
Ovechkin vs. Vegas. I bet old Bettman is pleased.
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It's not so much that I'm rooting for the Knights, but I'm definitely rooting against any team that has Brooks Orpik, the biggest POS in the league.
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Tweet of the Day:
"So the Stanley Cup Final will feature a morally bankrupt city that is built on corruption, greed & deception against Las Vegas."
:rollin :rollin :rollin
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Either way you look at it there will be more former Blues players getting their Cup. I don’t know any official ‘stat’ but I swear the Blues have to lead the league in players leaving for other teams and eventually win a cup
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Tweet of the Day:
"So the Stanley Cup Final will feature a morally bankrupt city that is built on corruption, greed & deception against Las Vegas."
:rollin :rollin :rollin
That's awesome :lol
Caps vs Vegas will be interesting, I'm pulling for Vegas. I'm happy for Ovie to finally find some post-season success but I just can't bring myself to root for the Caps.
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This is the happiest I've been about hockey in pretty much ever. Rip em apart Ovi! :heart
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It's not so much that I'm rooting for the Knights, but I'm definitely rooting against any team that has Brooks Orpik, the biggest POS in the league.
Says the guy who roots for the team employing Marchand :P
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I'm hoping ovi wins a cup and he and putin can drink vodka and watch hookers pee.
in other news...the series will take a stupidly long time to play with three travel days each location change
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in other news...the series will take a stupidly long time to play with three travel days each location change
It's actually two travel days (not 3) between games 2/3 and every game from game 4-7. Regardless, the NHL always seems to screw this up.
Vegas last played on Sunday, May 20. They'll end up with 8 days off, but a long layoff is inevitable with a five game series and the next opponent plays a seven game series.
I assume game 7 of the WCF would have been today if it had gone that far, and game 7 of the ECF was obviously last night. Pink is playing at T-Mobile Arena Saturday night, and I assume that was scheduled months ago, so they have to work around that, but I can't see any good reason why game 1 couldn't be played on Sunday. There are no other scheduling conflicts at T-Mobile Arena until July, so there should be no problems there. That would allow for game 2 on Tuesday, 5/29, and game 3 in Washington on 5/31, and game 4 on 6/2 (which is when game 3 is currently scheduled (Capital One Arena's schedule shows something called the Washington Valor on Saturday, June 2, but that's apparently getting bumped for game 3 anyway). Then back to Vegas for game 5 on Monday, 6/4; game 6 in Washington on Wednesday, 6/6; and game 7 in Vegas on Friday, 6/8 (or, if you don't like the idea of having a potential game 7 on a Friday night, push it to Saturday, 6/9).
Maybe there's something in the CBA that requires two travel days in the Final? I didn't go back to see what the SCF schedule has been over the last few years. There wasn't much travel burden in 2017, 2015 or 2013, but 2014 and 2016 required cross-country trips, and I don't remember lots of days off in 2014.
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Rangers fan here and I couldn’t be happier for Ovechkin. I’ve always been a fan of his and hope he can finally win the cup as he is well deserving of it!
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Rangers fan here and I couldn’t be happier for Ovechkin. I’ve always been a fan of his and hope he can finally win the cup as he is well deserving of it!
Same here. I’ve never hated the Capitals quite like I hate the Penguins, Flyers, Devils, and Islanders. Ovechkin is a huge part of that.
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Anyone else watching the game tonight? Awesome game. Multiple lead changes.
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Anyone else watching the game tonight? Awesome game. Multiple lead changes.
Yeah. Crazy game.
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Great game, from what I have seen (watching both this and the NBA game).
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I'm done watching basketball this year. :lol
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I am tonight. That game looks fixed.
Hockey is better anyway. :coolio
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If this is how these two teams are gonna play, I really hope this goes to seven. What a game.
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Fantastic game... but a timely non-call on Reaves' cross-check on Carlson to allow him to snipe the 4-4 tying goal. And wtf with Perron jumping on the ice. How was that not a game mis-conduct?
Two hot goalies, and we get 9 goals + EN. Wow.
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Fantastic game... but a timely non-call on Reaves' cross-check on Carlson to allow him to snipe the 4-4 tying goal. And wtf with Perron jumping on the ice. How was that not a game mis-conduct?
Two hot goalies, and we get 9 goals + EN. Wow.
A fantastic game with some definite officiating mishaps. If that Wilson hit is seen by an orange stripe chances are it's a 5-minute major, especially with his history in these playoffs. That was just stupid and unnecessary. That said I think the Knights still got the better of things considering Perron was allowed to stay and they got a goal instead of a Reaves penalty.
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Fantastic game... but a timely non-call on Reaves' cross-check on Carlson to allow him to snipe the 4-4 tying goal. And wtf with Perron jumping on the ice. How was that not a game mis-conduct?
Two hot goalies, and we get 9 goals + EN. Wow.
A fantastic game with some definite officiating mishaps. If that Wilson hit is seen by an orange stripe chances are it's a 5-minute major, especially with his history in these playoffs. That was just stupid and unnecessary. That said I think the Knights still got the better of things considering Perron was allowed to stay and they got a goal instead of a Reaves penalty.
I mostly agree... though Marchessault played it up. You could see him mouthing "I'm fine" several times after he finally got his ass up. Joke's on him for having to go to the quiet room and miss a couple of shifts for embellishing it. Yes, it was definitely a late hit, and worthy of an interference call - 5 minute major for what? It wasn't an elbow, it wasn't a board, wasn't a high-stick. I don't think I've ever heard of a major for interference.
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Fantastic game... but a timely non-call on Reaves' cross-check on Carlson to allow him to snipe the 4-4 tying goal. And wtf with Perron jumping on the ice. How was that not a game mis-conduct?
Two hot goalies, and we get 9 goals + EN. Wow.
A fantastic game with some definite officiating mishaps. If that Wilson hit is seen by an orange stripe chances are it's a 5-minute major, especially with his history in these playoffs. That was just stupid and unnecessary. That said I think the Knights still got the better of things considering Perron was allowed to stay and they got a goal instead of a Reaves penalty.
I mostly agree... though Marchessault played it up. You could see him mouthing "I'm fine" several times after he finally got his ass up. Joke's on him for having to go to the quiet room and miss a couple of shifts for embellishing it. Yes, it was definitely a late hit, and worthy of an interference call - 5 minute major for what? It wasn't an elbow, it wasn't a board, wasn't a high-stick. I don't think I've ever heard of a major for interference.
A little interference is one thing, but that was a blatant dirty blind side hit. And call it interference, roughing, unsportsmanlike, or whatever, I believe any penalty can be a major penalty.
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Paul Kariya would've told him to skate it off. :lol
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Fantastic game... but a timely non-call on Reaves' cross-check on Carlson to allow him to snipe the 4-4 tying goal. And wtf with Perron jumping on the ice. How was that not a game mis-conduct?
Two hot goalies, and we get 9 goals + EN. Wow.
A fantastic game with some definite officiating mishaps. If that Wilson hit is seen by an orange stripe chances are it's a 5-minute major, especially with his history in these playoffs. That was just stupid and unnecessary. That said I think the Knights still got the better of things considering Perron was allowed to stay and they got a goal instead of a Reaves penalty.
I mostly agree... though Marchessault played it up. You could see him mouthing "I'm fine" several times after he finally got his ass up. Joke's on him for having to go to the quiet room and miss a couple of shifts for embellishing it. Yes, it was definitely a late hit, and worthy of an interference call - 5 minute major for what? It wasn't an elbow, it wasn't a board, wasn't a high-stick. I don't think I've ever heard of a major for interference.
I don't think Marchessault embellished it, the way Wilson's elbow (or maybe the way Marchessault's elbow gets hit into himself) slams him in the ribs he probably couldn't breath very well. :lol Or just as likely, it probably really stung because he got legitimately trucked.
As for the major for interference, there's definitely precedent, though it doesn't happen very often. Kerry Fraser tweeted out last night that the reason the "5 and a game" for interference got put in was for late, blindside hits, which I would say this hit is classified as. Some people are calling for a suspension, but I don't see it. It was late, but not ridiculously late (see: Stevens), there was no head contact and no injury. The only reason I could Wilson getting suspended is because he has been suspended 3 times THIS SEASON, and has already had 3 (or is it 4 now?) hits looked at by DOPS these playoffs. At some point DOPS has to lay down the law and teach players a lesson that constantly having one foot over the line can accumulate into a suspension, even if the "current" hit isn't suspension worthy in a vacuum.
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As for the major for interference, there's definitely precedent, though it doesn't happen very often. Kerry Fraser tweeted out last night that the reason the "5 and a game" for interference got put in was for late, blindside hits, which I would say this hit is classified as. Some people are calling for a suspension, but I don't see it. It was late, but not ridiculously late (see: Stevens), there was no head contact and no injury. The only reason I could Wilson getting suspended is because he has been suspended 3 times THIS SEASON, and has already had 3 (or is it 4 now?) hits looked at by DOPS these playoffs. At some point DOPS has to lay down the law and teach players a lesson that constantly having one foot over the line can accumulate into a suspension, even if the "current" hit isn't suspension worthy in a vacuum.
Ahh... wasn't aware. Thanks for the clarity. And I agree with the rest of this post.
And FWIW, I don't think it was a 'nothing' hit, or that it was 100% (ie, soccer-like) embellishment, but I don't think it was the kind of heavy/hard hit that normally keeps people down resulting in a play stoppage (sure, it was icing anyway), but he was down for a solid minute. I think there was some embellishment. Maybe I'm wrong, but it's just my view.
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I'd solve it the old fashion way and tell Reave's to beat the $hit out of him. Wilson can't handle someone like him in a fight.
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I'd solve it the old fashion way and tell Reave's to beat the $hit out of him. Wilson can't handle someone like him in a fight.
Sorry, that's just silly, the Knights need their goal scorer on the ice, not in the box for 5. :D
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I caught most of the second half of the game. Crazy offensive game! I REALLY don't want Vegas to win, but this series promises to be entertaining AF.
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Another awesome game tonight.
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Are you kidding me with that stick save?
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Are you kidding me with that stick save?
That was amazing. I thought it went in.
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The funny thing about that save is, if the Vegas player gets the puck up at all, it's an easy goal.
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I was just waiting to hear the foghorn when I saw the pass go cross-ice. Unbelievable stop by Holtby. 90% luck, but still... he didn't quit on the play. :hefdaddy
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I was just waiting to hear the foghorn when I saw the pass go cross-ice. Unbelievable stop by Holtby. 90% luck, but still... he didn't quit on the play. :hefdaddy
The majority of those incredible saves like that are sheer luck. But they are awesome to see!
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Are you kidding me with that stick save?
That was amazing. I thought it went in.
Completely ridiculous! I couldn't believe it didn't go in. I saw it and just said, "how?!" until they showed the replay. Hopefully the Caps ride that to a sweep of the two games in Washington. I think Vegas unquestionably wins game 5, so it will be almost imperative for the Caps to be up 3-1 going into that game.
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Holtby has killed the B's since he's been in the league. He has our #.
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So I love the idea of getting a team captain to write something instead of just somebody in the organization, but am I wrong for reading this email and thinking, "wow, talk about a PR guy writing a letter and putting it in front of the captain to sign."
For the AHL Phantoms, btw:
Phantoms Fans,
What an incredible ride we had together this season! From the very first puck drop on Opening Night until the final whistle of the playoffs, your unwavering support was a key factor to our team's success. Opposing teams acknowledged your involvement and the intense noise level you created and we certainly felt your incredible support each and every time we took the ice at PPL Center.
Together, we accomplished great things this season, including an Atlantic Division Championship, the second-best overall record in the American Hockey League, and the most home wins (27) of any of the 30 AHL clubs. These were all team accomplishments, and we couldn't have achieved any of them without your dedication and commitment.
We look forward to seeing and hearing you again next season. As a team, we took another huge step this season but our goal of capturing a Calder Cup Championship is not yet complete. Together though, we know we can get there.
Thanks again for all of your support throughout another incredible season. We hope you have a wonderful summer and look forward to being back together again next season.
Your Captain,
Colin McDonald
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Yeah, that's bad, Nick.
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Amazing first period of Game 3.
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I really want to know where this guy gets his suits.
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:rollin :rollin :rollin
Getting lost on the Congress joke! OMG
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Plenty of good action so far in the second period.
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Anybody catch "Home" playing during a stoppage in play about halfway through the second period? That was a nice surprise.
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That's cool. I'm listening to music on my iPod so I'm not really listening to the telecast.
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Next stop. NHL for my 6 year old nephew. I think his face is frozen with a smile. :lol
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/650x400q90/924/uXAGNu.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/f/pouXAGNuj)
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I love Keith Jones. Just sayin'.
Watching the pregame, and the outdoor crowd is really engaging him, and he's reciprocating.
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I'm surprised Fleury is still in the net :lol This is definitely not what I was expecting, especially because Vegas seemed to start the game pretty strong. I'm rooting for the Caps though so I'm happy :metal
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I'm rooting for Vegas but that is because of my undying hatred for Brooks Orpik. I really don't mind the rest of the Caps though. Love Holtby, Carlson, Oshie.
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I'm not a huge fan of Orpik myself, but I've been rooting for Ovechkin to win a cup for a long time now. There are a lot of likable players on that team though like Holtby, Oshie, Carlson as you mentioned. I've also been a fan of Backstrom since he entered the league.
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So nice to see Vegas playing like an expansion team finally. They could've/should've been up 2-0 in the first 10 minutes.
Whoops... spoke too soon. Looks like it's gonna be an exciting finish.
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Yes! Phew.... I hope.
Fleury has been uncharacteristically mediocre (at best).
Twice Ovi has passed on a 2-on-1. SHOOT THAT DAMN PUCK SON!
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Vegas looked like they were starting to build some momentum to go into the next game with but the Caps squashed it pretty quickly :lol
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A little YYZ over the PA at the Caps’ arena. Nice!
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Not too impressed with Gallant. Putting Reaves out there as a penalty killer with less than a minute to go is a bush league move.
What a putz.
Methinks (hopes) the Cinderella story is about to come to an unceremonious ending.
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Methinks (hopes) the Cinderella story is about to come to an unceremonious ending.
Agreed. Vegas looks totally overmatched.
A little YYZ over the PA at the Caps’ arena. Nice!
I caught that, too! :metal
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Methinks (hopes) the Cinderella story is about to come to an unceremonious ending.
Agreed. Vegas looks totally overmatched.
Frankly, they were fortunate to get a W in Game 1. I'm still irked about the Reaves cross-check which allowed him to get the 4-4 goal.
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I think the Caps take home the cup in game 5. I remember someone saying that there is no way that Vegas loses the game coming home, but on the flip side with blood in the water I think you could put Ovi out 1v5 in the next game and he'd find a way to will himself to victory. I hope I'm wrong as I'm pulling for Vegas, but after all the magic the Capitals have outplayed them and looked like the better team this series. While the of course looked much better earlier in the playoffs, the Knights do not look like a team that can take 3 straight from the Caps right now.
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So nice to see Vegas playing like an expansion team finally. They could've/should've been up 2-0 in the first 10 minutes.
Whoops... spoke too soon. Looks like it's gonna be an exciting finish.
Yup, that's what I've been waiting for all post-season. Looks like they might be coming back down to earth finally.
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I think the Caps take home the cup in game 5. I remember someone saying that there is no way that Vegas loses the game coming home, but on the flip side with blood in the water I think you could put Ovi out 1v5 in the next game and he'd find a way to will himself to victory. I hope I'm wrong as I'm pulling for Vegas, but after all the magic the Capitals have outplayed them and looked like the better team this series. While the of course looked much better earlier in the playoffs, the Knights do not look like a team that can take 3 of the last 4 from the Caps right now.
Yep. Like Chad mentioned, Vegas was fortunate to get the Win in game 1 and the Caps have just been better, period. I don't see how Vegas Rattles off three in a row....I guess it's not 'impossible' but I think it's highly unlikely. Especially considering what you mentioned about Ovi. I don't see him allowing this chance to slip away....it's pretty much his best and maybe last chance for the Cup considering how hard it is to win it.
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So the Canadian broadcast crew was hypothesizing last night... assuming the Caps bring this home, who gets the Conn Smythe? Ovi, or Kuznetsov?
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It seems to me that, in the first three rounds, Vegas was able to control the style of play, whereas in the SCF, Washington figured out a way to deal with Vegas's style, and Vegas has been unable to adjust.
As far as the Conn Smythe, based on the playoffs so far, I think Kuznetsov has the edge. His numbers are better than Ovi's in every category except goals. Caveat: I didn't see a lot of Washington's games in the first couple of rounds.
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So the Canadian broadcast crew was hypothesizing last night... assuming the Caps bring this home, who gets the Conn Smythe? Ovi, or Kuznetsov?
I think if Ovi has a 'game' in the Championship clinching win they'll give it to him. If he scores a goal or two, especially if it's the game/cup winning goal.....it'll go to him. Otherwise it'd seemingly be Kuzetsov
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So the Canadian broadcast crew was hypothesizing last night... assuming the Caps bring this home, who gets the Conn Smythe? Ovi, or Kuznetsov?
I think if Ovi has a 'game' in the Championship clinching win they'll give it to him. If he scores a goal or two, especially if it's the game/cup winning goal.....it'll go to him. Otherwise it'd seemingly be Kuzetsov
Agreed... just wonder if there's any subconsciousness of the writers to lean towards Ovi as more of a 'lifetime achievement award'. In-and-of-itself, Birdman has been the better (statistical) player.
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So the Canadian broadcast crew was hypothesizing last night... assuming the Caps bring this home, who gets the Conn Smythe? Ovi, or Kuznetsov?
I think if Ovi has a 'game' in the Championship clinching win they'll give it to him. If he scores a goal or two, especially if it's the game/cup winning goal.....it'll go to him. Otherwise it'd seemingly be Kuzetsov
Agreed... just wonder if there's any subconsciousness of the writers to lean towards Ovi as more of a 'lifetime achievement award'. In-and-of-itself, Birdman has been the better (statistical) player.
Outside of if he has a killer clinching game? Like, they'd give it to him anyway no matter if he has a goal and an assist or is kept off the score card?
That'd be interesting to see. My inclination is 'yes'.....yes they will.
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Game 5 tonight. I think whichever team scores first wins.
Since I don't really have a rooting interest, I think I'd prefer to see Washington win the Cup at home. That always makes for a more enjoyable viewing experience. I also really hope, if Washington wins, NBC sticks with the postgame through the end of the hoisting of the Cup.
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Game 5 tonight. I think whichever team scores first wins.
Since I don't really have a rooting interest, I think I'd prefer to see Washington win the Cup at home. That always makes for a more enjoyable viewing experience. I also really hope, if Washington wins, NBC sticks with the postgame through the end of the hoisting of the Cup.
A - way to go out on a limb with that first statement!
B - I agree... it's always nice to see the winning team do it at home.
C - seriously? NBC doesn't always show all the post-game stuff? That's like cutting out before Roger Doger gets to hand over the Lombardi! No worries about that for me... there's always a ton of post-game coverage for the last game of the year.
I always stick around for the playoff montage that the CBC caps things off with. One of my most favorite ones from my childhood - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1GjxoMgdIA. Perfect song to use.
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<sarcasmfont>I'm shocked that CBC does hockey better than NBC!<sarcasmfontoff>
It mattered more to me in 2012 and 2014, but still....
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Game 5 tonight. I think whichever team scores first wins.
Since I don't really have a rooting interest, I think I'd prefer to see Washington win the Cup at home. That always makes for a more enjoyable viewing experience. I also really hope, if Washington wins, NBC sticks with the postgame through the end of the hoisting of the Cup.
NBC will likely switch over to the NBC Sports Network. You're on the West Coast, so they might stay with it there, but out here, they'll switch to the nightly local news.
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Fucking Orpik, you dick.
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I LOVE Braden Holtby.
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Nice play by Orpik on that tying goal. CBC broadcast crew just mentioned he's +17 for the playoffs. I'd take him on my blueline.
Why the hate for him, Tim?
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Brutal giveaway there.
I love it!!!!
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5.5 minutes to go for greatness.
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Yay for Ovi and a lot of others.
And finally, Cinderella breaks her slipper.
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I am reminded of this video below. The St. Louis Blues: A Legacy of Failure and they listed how a lot of prominent Blues players left to another team and end up winning cups. I guess you can add TJ Oshie to that list now. Also, I guess The Washington Capitals: A Legacy of Failure video, also below, can be now deemed void.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HUwd3fKsj0
The Washington Capitals: A Legacy of Failure (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmC1lNvVwlI)
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There was nobody else who could have gotten that trophy. Ovechkin is the best player of this generation and he more than earned the Conn Smythe.
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I can't disagree with that... but I think they 'rounded up' to give it to him over Kuznetsov. But I'm thrilled for it all. It's been a long time since I've been so happy about/for the winning team.
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So happy to see Ovechkin win. I don’t know that I’ve ever been happier for a player on a team I’m not a fan of. He so deserved this!!!
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Happy for Ovechkin, Oshie and the Capitals. I enjoyed that more than I thought I would. :hat
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Congrats to the Caps, good to see Ovie get one!
There was nobody else who could have gotten that trophy. Ovechkin is the best player of this generation and he more than earned the Conn Smythe.
Yeah.... no way :lol
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Congrats to the Caps, good to see Ovie get one!
There was nobody else who could have gotten that trophy. Ovechkin is the best player of this generation and he more than earned the Conn Smythe.
Yeah.... no way :lol
He's definitely behind Sid. When you look at the modern era players that made the Top 100 of all-time, a case can be made for Ovi to be #2 or #3:
Kane
Toews
Keith
Lidstrom
Datsyuk
(let's not even get into the debate of how Malkin didn't make the Top 100 of all time!)
I'd put Lidstrom ahead of Ovi.
And depending on whether ya want to include McDavid in the same 'generation', that changes the rating as well.
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Ovi was the biggest star (the Dan Marino of hockey) until this SC. Highly Drafted, a game changer from day one.
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He's definitely behind Sid. When you look at the modern era players that made the Top 100 of all-time, a case can be made for Ovi to be #2 or #3:
Kane
Toews
Keith
Lidstrom
Datsyuk
(let's not even get into the debate of how Malkin didn't make the Top 100 of all time!)
I'd put Lidstrom ahead of Ovi.
And depending on whether ya want to include McDavid in the same 'generation', that changes the rating as well.
I'd say McDavid would be the next generation, right? Sid, Ovie, Kane, etc... are all in the same generation, I look at guys like McDavid, Matthews, etc... as the next generation after those guys.
But yeah, Sid is the greatest player of his generation in my mind without question. I agree with the other guys you listed as well, mixed in with those names, I think Ovie would probably sit 2 or 3 for me as well. Dude is an insane goal scorer, but far, far too often throughout his career he has been completely a one trick pony.
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It was hard not to smile watching Ovie getting ready to hoist the cup last night. Not a Caps fan but I think last night was about as happy as I'll ever be when a team that I'm not a fan of wins a championship. :tup
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It was hard not to smile watching Ovie getting ready to hoist the cup last night. Not a Caps fan but I think last night was about as happy as I'll ever be when a team that I'm not a fan of wins a championship. :tup
Seems to be the general consensus here. I was actually clapping my hands as I watched him get the Conn and the Cup.
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It was hard not to smile watching Ovie getting ready to hoist the cup last night. Not a Caps fan but I think last night was about as happy as I'll ever be when a team that I'm not a fan of wins a championship. :tup
Seems to be the general consensus here. I was actually clapping my hands as I watched him get the Conn and the Cup.
For sure. As a hard core Pens fan, I'm happy for the guy. He's played his game at a high level for many years now, good to see him get a cup. Oddly, I'm not happy about anyone else on that team getting a win but I am for Ovie. :lol
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It was hard not to smile watching Ovie getting ready to hoist the cup last night. Not a Caps fan but I think last night was about as happy as I'll ever be when a team that I'm not a fan of wins a championship. :tup
Seems to be the general consensus here. I was actually clapping my hands as I watched him get the Conn and the Cup.
For sure. As a hard core Pens fan, I'm happy for the guy. He's played his game at a high level for many years now, good to see him get a cup. Oddly, I'm not happy about anyone else on that team getting a win but I am for Ovie. :lol
+1
But also, I think this is the best Alex we have seen ever. He was a very complete player throughout the playoffs (and for most part of the regular season), blocking shots, checking, finishing plays, scoring, passionate and most importantly, being a vocal leader and leading by example. He was the complete package this year.
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It was hard not to smile watching Ovie getting ready to hoist the cup last night. Not a Caps fan but I think last night was about as happy as I'll ever be when a team that I'm not a fan of wins a championship. :tup
Seems to be the general consensus here. I was actually clapping my hands as I watched him get the Conn and the Cup.
Same here.
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But also, I think this is the best Alex we have seen ever. He was a very complete player throughout the playoffs (and for most part of the regular season), blocking shots, checking, finishing plays, scoring, passionate and most importantly, being a vocal leader and leading by example. He was the complete package this year.
Eh, let's not get carried away here. Did Ovie play very well on this post season run? Absolutely. He just won the Cup and the Conn. Did he score goals? Yup. Did he check and block? Yup. Was he passionate and vocal? Yup. But let's not assign Ovie some status of being a complete player just because his team won a Cup finally. He still really is a guy that sticks to doing a few things well. He has never been and still isn't a great 200 foot player. Winning a Cup doesn't really change that. Yeah he played great, but he's still primarily a sniper, nothing more.
I'm not trying to take anything away from the guy, like I said, I'm happy for him. But let's keep some perspective.
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But also, I think this is the best Alex we have seen ever. He was a very complete player throughout the playoffs (and for most part of the regular season), blocking shots, checking, finishing plays, scoring, passionate and most importantly, being a vocal leader and leading by example. He was the complete package this year.
Eh, let's not get carried away here. Did Ovie play very well on this post season run? Absolutely. He just won the Cup and the Conn. Did he score goals? Yup. Did he check and block? Yup. Was he passionate and vocal? Yup. But let's not assign Ovie some status of being a complete player just because his team won a Cup finally. He still really is a guy that sticks to doing a few things well. He has never been and still isn't a great 200 foot player. Winning a Cup doesn't really change that. Yeah he played great, but he's still primarily a sniper, nothing more.
I'm not trying to take anything away from the guy, like I said, I'm happy for him. But let's keep some perspective.
I respectfully disagree, not sure what perspective you are talking about. I thought he played balls out this post season, including the defensive side. Yes, he is a sniper, I agree...but he did more than that in this playoff run. And this might be the day we'll see a different Ovechkin maybe playing to a different level. Not a Caps fan here but I give credit where credit is due and he was the best this post season.
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I respectfully disagree, not sure what perspective you are talking about. I thought he played balls out this post season, including the defensive side. Yes, he is a sniper, I agree...but he did more than that in this playoff run. And this might be the day we'll see a different Ovechkin maybe playing to a different level. Not a Caps fan here but I give credit where credit is due and he was the best this post season.
That's cool, we can disagree on this. All I'm saying is that Ovie played great, but he's not some complete player. His defensive game still isn't great, he still isn't a great play maker for others, etc... Some of that is because he's a wing rather than a center, some of that is because those components of his game still aren't great.
Being a good 200 foot player means playing great in all three zones in October just like in June. I'll be curious to see what Ovie we get in Oct. Once again, not trying to take anything away from a great run by the guy, I just don't see him as a truly great complete player. I see him as a world class, once in a generation goal scorer who got hot on a post season run and played well.
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On a side note, I was kind of rooting for both teams LOL. I'm usually a fan of the game and indivdiual players and Alex is on my list. I wanted him to win a Cup. But the Golden Knights story was even better, the whole community embracing the team before and after the LV shooting tragedy; how a bunch of players with really no bond in the beginning of the season took this team to the finals. I feel sorry for the Panthers because Gallant is an excellent coach and teacher. There is a lot of good stories this year for the Golden Knights and hope they can continue this magical run into next year.
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I'll be curious to see what Ovie we get in Oct.
Yes, totally agree on this. I hope this playoff run/win takes him to a new level of playing. I think Barry Trotz has been the best coach he has had and seems like Ovie finally bought into a coaching system. Question is, will Trotz be back? He's been coaching for 20 yrs, no contract for next season (however, Washington GM said if Trotz wants back, he'll make it work)...so, will Trotz retire on top after winning the SC? Stay in DC? Go to the Islanders (only vacancy right now)?
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Naturally, the Pittsburgh-ian is the one pointing out the flaws. ;D :P
No one can play a full season at the level that the GREAT players do for a playoff run - no matter what their specialty or specialties. I guarantee next year that Bergeron will have many games where he is under 50% for face-offs; Kopitar will have games where he's a -4; Rinne will let in 5 at some point next season (or some points); Laine will have a multi-game goal-less drought; Hedman will have many giveaways that lead to a goal; Ovi will coast on a back-check.
This doesn't mean Ovi (or any of the 'elite') isn't a complete player. He may not be THE MOST complete player (he doesn't PK), but for what he does (which is a lot), he's clearly one of the best... making hime one of the best all-around players.
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Ovi might be better than Crosby. We'll never know. Imagine Malkin being in Washington instead of Pittsburgh.
Happy for the Caps. Was a casual fan for many years. But I'm all in on Philly teams now...
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Naturally, the Pittsburgh-ian is the one pointing out the flaws. ;D :P
:tup
Ovi might be better than Crosby. We'll never know. Imagine Malkin being in Washington instead of Pittsburgh.
If anything Malkin's career has been elevated by Sid's presence, not the other way around. 99.9% of the time Sid draws the top D pair of the other team, leaving Geno with good matchups.
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Congrats to the Caps, good to see Ovie get one!
There was nobody else who could have gotten that trophy. Ovechkin is the best player of this generation and he more than earned the Conn Smythe.
Yeah.... no way :lol
He's definitely behind Sid. When you look at the modern era players that made the Top 100 of all-time, a case can be made for Ovi to be #2 or #3:
Kane
Toews
Keith
Lidstrom
Datsyuk
(let's not even get into the debate of how Malkin didn't make the Top 100 of all time!)
Can we get into a debate about Duncan Keith? I nearly did a spit take when he was announced.
As for last night, that was a great ending. Very happy with the outcome. And yes, they switched over to NBCSN. I seem to recall some issue with that in prior years, but maybe I'm just thinking of how my DVR recordings got screwed up in 2014 when the Kings won and I wasn't watching at home.
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Ovi is the greatest goal scorer there's ever been, and one of the most impactful players we've ever seen, but that being said, the reason the Caps won is because the their other players (especially Kuz, Holtby, Oshie, Eller, Carlson) were difference makers as well. I'm very happy to see every Capital win the Cup, other than that trash bag Wilson, even as a Pens fan.
Also, let's stop comparing Ovi-Sid. It's really not even a contest, and it's even less of a contest when you compare #2 to #3.
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Ovi is the greatest goal scorer there's ever been. . . .
Also, let's stop comparing Ovi-Sid. It's really not even a contest
Ummm.... :huh: :huh:
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Can we get into a debate about Duncan Keith? I nearly did a spit take when he was announced.
Sure. I think his inclusions was one of the more glaring :wtf: moments with that. Him and not Doughty or Chara (if you just wanna compare modern era defensemen)? Him over Malkin? Or even Zetterberg? Not to mention other great D-Men in other eras I'd take over him - Rod Langway and Rob Blake come to mind.
Ovi is the greatest goal scorer there's ever been,
That's a bold statement. I could easily name 5-10 that are arguably (if not definitively) better - Hull (pick either of them), Esposito, Bossy, Lafleur, Kurri, Selanne, Gartner, Dionne... Hell, I'd even argue that Gretz and Lemiuex were better goal scorers - they simply aren't recognized as "goal scorers" because they were even BETTER playmakers.
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Ovi is the greatest goal scorer there's ever been,
That's a bold statement. I could easily name 5-10 that are arguably (if not definitively) better - Hull (pick either of them), Esposito, Bossy, Lafleur, Kurri, Selanne, Gartner, Dionne... Hell, I'd even argue that Gretz and Lemiuex were better goal scorers - they simply aren't recognized as "goal scorers" because they were even BETTER playmakers.
Yeah, I certainly wouldn't consider Ovie the greatest goal scorer ever. To the bolded - that's what I was trying to get at with the complete player comments.
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Also, let's stop comparing Ovi-Sid. It's really not even a contest, and it's even less of a contest when you compare #2 to #3.
In what reality is Ovi a better player than Crosby? I agree it's no contest, but i don't think any sane hockey fan would say ovechkin is a better player. Sure, Ovi can score goals as good as anyone who ever played, but he's 1 dimensional. I'll take the perennial 90-100 points Crosby has every time over Ovi's 40-50 goals.
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Any bets Ovi leaves for the KHL after this contract expires now that he has his Cup?
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Can we get into a debate about Duncan Keith? I nearly did a spit take when he was announced.
Sure. I think his inclusions was one of the more glaring :wtf: moments with that. Him and not Doughty or Chara (if you just wanna compare modern era defensemen)? Him over Malkin? Or even Zetterberg? Not to mention other great D-Men in other eras I'd take over him - Rod Langway and Rob Blake come to mind.
Ovi is the greatest goal scorer there's ever been,
That's a bold statement. I could easily name 5-10 that are arguably (if not definitively) better - Hull (pick either of them), Esposito, Bossy, Lafleur, Kurri, Selanne, Gartner, Dionne... Hell, I'd even argue that Gretz and Lemiuex were better goal scorers - they simply aren't recognized as "goal scorers" because they were even BETTER playmakers.
Not much of a debate if I agree with every word you wrote. Keith isn't the best defenseman playing today (or of the last 10 years), much less one of the NHL's top 100 players of all time.
Ditto re Ovi being "the greatest goal scorer there's ever been" (a statement that really makes makes me wonder how old Jarlaxle is). Greatest goal scorer currently playing? Maybe, if you ignore the fact that Jaromir Jagr is still playing in Europe. Of all time? Not a chance.
Ovi is currently 19th on the all time NHL goals list. Depending on a lot of factors, he's got a fair chance of finishing his career in the mid-700s, which would make him top-5. He's also 5th in goals per game, which is likely to drop over the next few years.
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Ditto re Ovi being "the greatest goal scorer there's ever been" (a statement that really makes makes me wonder how old Jarlaxle is).
Forum profile says he's 26.
Ovi is currently 19th on the all time NHL goals list. Depending on a lot of factors, he's got a fair chance of finishing his career in the mid-700s, which would make him top-5. He's also 5th in goals per game, which is likely to drop over the next few years.
Was going to make the same comment... he's 5th when measuring the prime of his career. Take a few players behind him in that stat (Bure, Hull... even Tim Kerr - one of my all-time FAVORITES, btw) when they were only 32 (ie, the prime of their career), and I'm sure they'd be higher than Ovi.
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Gretzky is both the greatest goal scorer ever and the great playmaker ever. Good luck arguing for anyone else in either regard.
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Ovi might be better than Crosby. We'll never know. Imagine Malkin being in Washington instead of Pittsburgh.
Happy for the Caps. Was a casual fan for many years. But I'm all in on Philly teams now...
I hate Sid and love Ovi, but I have to respectfully disagree. As much as I can’t stand Sid, I don’t think there’s any player in the league close to as good as him.
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Also, let's stop comparing Ovi-Sid. It's really not even a contest, and it's even less of a contest when you compare #2 to #3.
In what reality is Ovi a better player than Crosby? I agree it's no contest, but i don't think any sane hockey fan would say ovechkin is a better player. Sure, Ovi can score goals as good as anyone who ever played, but he's 1 dimensional. I'll take the perennial 90-100 points Crosby has every time over Ovi's 40-50 goals.
I don't think Ovi is better. Like I said, Ovi is (IMO) the greatest goal scorer there has ever been, but Crosby is the better player and I don't think its particularly close.
As for the arguments against my opinion against Ovi being the greatest goal scorer ever, part of it is the eye test, the other part is just stats. I only figured out the numbers for 3 players (not enough time), Bossy, Gretzky, and Ovi:
Bossy: 0.762 goals/game. NHL averaged 7.501 goals/game during his career, so his average is 10.16% of goals scored during his career.
Gretzky: 0.601 goals/game. NHL average 6.66 goals/game = 9.02%
Ovechkin: 0.626 goal/game. NHL average 5.65 goals/game = 11.08%
If you remove Gretzky's last 8 seasons, his numbers go to 0.804, 6.96 = 11.55% However, that is removing seasons where Gretzky only scored 11 goals (48 games), 15 (62), 25 (82), 23 (82), 9 (70). I really don't see Ovechkin's goal scoring regressing to totals that consistently low. Throughout his career he has been a player that routinely scores 50 goals when no one scores 40. I don't think Ovechkin is as good of a goal scorer as he was 5 years ago and he still is the best. Maybe if I ran the numbers for more players I would be proven wrong, but he's incredible, and for my money he's pound for pound the best (most natural?) goal scorer ever.
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Ummmm...... I’d take Brett Hull in his prime over Ovi in his prime every day of the week. He’s your ‘best’ natural goal scorer. He was scoring 50, 60.....80 goals a season when you could literally clutch and grab every appendage that wasn’t tied down.....Ovi’s never seen that type of league. You can’t touch goal scorers now days without getting a penalty.
Ovi certainly is awesome and a true talent but let’s not get carried away with all this ‘best ever’ talk. I know everyone’s excited for the guy but let’s regain some perspective here.
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That would be you assuming that I'm only saying this because he won the Cup, which would be wrong. However, I do respect your choice of Hull.
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Brett Hull also had Adam Oates, so there's that. :biggrin: And I say that with much love, because Oates was one of my top-3 favorite players from that era.
Look, Ovi is top-10 all-time goal scorer, that's for sure. I see one out of about 7 or 8 people here claiming best ever, and I've NEVER heard anyone in the sports media or anyone outside of you Jarlaxle put him on that pedestal. Any one of us could slice/dice a number of different stats, or point to intangible factors (eg, Gary's point on style of play; one could also point to changes in goaltending equipment made it easier to score in the past) to paint the right picture. You say part of that is the 'eye test'... well, it's only your eye that says he's GOAT in this regard. ;D I will absolutely grant you that it *is* harder to score nowadays than back in the 70s and 80s. When players like Charlie Simmer, Rick Vaive and Rick Kehoe can pot 50+, that's kinda my eye-test in that regard. :lol
Time will tell I suppose, but I can certainly see Ovi's production declining over the next couple of years. You pointed to Gretz... he was scoring 80-90 when just getting 50 was an accomplishment - plus he had Kurri/Messier/Anderson hogging a bunch of goals too :biggrin:. Take away any of them (who combined had seven 50+ goal seasons) and Gretz might've had even higher totals. See... stats can be manipulated in anyone's favour. :biggrin:
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Brett Hull also had Adam Oates, so there's that. :biggrin: And I say that with much love, because Oates was one of my top-3 favorite players from that era.
Look, Ovi is top-10 all-time goal scorer, that's for sure. I see one out of about 7 or 8 people here claiming best ever, and I've NEVER heard anyone in the sports media or anyone outside of you Jarlaxle put him on that pedestal. Any one of us could slice/dice a number of different stats, or point to intangible factors (eg, Gary's point on style of play; one could also point to changes in goaltending equipment made it easier to score in the past) to paint the right picture. You say part of that is the 'eye test'... well, it's only your eye that says he's GOAT in this regard. ;D I will absolutely grant you that it *is* harder to score nowadays than back in the 70s and 80s. When players like Charlie Simmer, Rick Vaive and Rick Kehoe can pot 50+, that's kinda my eye-test in that regard. :lol
Time will tell I suppose, but I can certainly see Ovi's production declining over the next couple of years. You pointed to Gretz... he was scoring 80-90 when just getting 50 was an accomplishment - plus he had Kurri/Messier/Anderson hogging a bunch of goals too :biggrin:. Take away any of them (who combined had seven 50+ goal seasons) and Gretz might've had even higher totals. See... stats can be manipulated in anyone's favour. :biggrin:
The 'era' argument will never end....that's for sure. I personally think half of Gretzky's goals were rubbish.....the goal tending when he came into the league was utterly laughable. BUT...he was a talent that was far and above his peers at the time...so, I guess he 'deserves' his accolades. However I'm 'Team Lemiuex' when it comes to who was better out of those two.
I just took notice of the usage of 'greatest pure goal scorer' that was used....and needed to point out that Hull was scoring 60-80 goals a season at a period of time in the league when you could prison shank a player in the kidneys and not be penalized. Not to take anything away from Ovi because the dude is a flat out talent and sniper....but, he's not the first or the last one to be gifted like that.
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The 'era' argument will never end....that's for sure. I personally think half of Gretzky's goals were rubbish.....the goal tending when he came into the league was utterly laughable. BUT...he was a talent that was far and above his peers at the time...so, I guess he 'deserves' his accolades. However I'm 'Team Lemiuex' when it comes to who was better out of those two.
If it was so easy because the goaltending was weak, why weren't more people scoring 70+?? :biggrin: It's all relative I suppose.
I just took notice of the usage of 'greatest pure goal scorer' that was used....and needed to point out that Hull was scoring 60-80 goals a season at a period of time in the league when you could prison shank a player in the kidneys and not be penalized. Not to take anything away from Ovi because the dude is a flat out talent and sniper....but, he's not the first or the last one to be gifted like that.
Again, all relative. The number of 50+ goal scorers in Hull's time (let's say '89-98) there were 56 50+ goal scorers (with the lockout 1/2 season in there. 56 in 8 seasons. In the last 10 years since Ovi was drafted, there's been 20. State your view on the rules making it harder in the 90s all you want, the stats don't lie - it is harder to score nowadays than it was in the 20th Century. MUCH harder.
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Chad...I think...not sure, but we're trying to say the same thing. It's just impossible to compare. Maybe Hull has 90 goals in today's game because he can just post up at the circle the way Ovi does and rip shot after shot. He was pinpoint accurate with his shots. Maybe Ovi only has tops 35 goals because he just can't take the abuse of the hacks and whacks to the wrists and kidneys for 82 games.
Gretzky was a lot like Tiger Woods was when he blew up the golf world. He was the first one at that 'next level'. He hit the scene and the game changed....it just took a few years for the 'old guard' to wash out of the league and that next generation of players that he inspired to become better to get in and go. Same thing happened in Golf with Tiger.
The 'era' debates are always fun but it's just impossible to really judge or ever know. I mean shoot.....put current day Ovi in the league that a young #99 played in and Ovi may score 200 goals. Those goalies back then were laughable compared to what he's facing today. :lol
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Fair points.
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Gmiller, you said a lot of the points that I'm considering when I say that I think Ovi is the best goal scorer. The data isn't available anywhere, but in Gretzky's LAST season he averaged more ice time than Ovi ever did in a single season. I think it's reasonable to think Gretzky played more against opponents that frankly just weren't good :lol (thats why I think more people weren't scoring 70 goals). Scoring is spread throughout lineups now too, which I think also sucks away a lot of potential offense for star players now.
Again, this is all just my opinion, but if Ovi can have 2-3 more years scoring 45-50 goals, which I have no doubt that he will, he's easily within reach of Gretzky's all time goal record.
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Bossy: 0.762 goals/game.
:metal
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Again, this is all just my opinion, but if Ovi can have 2-3 more years scoring 45-50 goals, which I have no doubt that he will, he's easily within reach of Gretzky's all time goal record.
Easier said than done. Ovechkin is reaching that age where players typically start to see a dip in production (Father Time always wins), and he needs 285 goals to pass Gretzky. I can see Ovechkin playing 6 more seasons, which means he needs to average over 40 goals a season, as he get older, and he has to stay healthy every season to have a realistic shot. The odds are not in his favor. He needed a couple of those 70-80 goal seasons in his 20's to spike the numbers up a bit to offset the inevitable decline in production that is coming sooner than you think.
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Maybe Hull has 90 goals in today's game because he can just post up at the circle the way Ovi does and rip shot after shot.
Isn't that exactly what he did?
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Again, this is all just my opinion, but if Ovi can have 2-3 more years scoring 45-50 goals, which I have no doubt that he will, he's easily within reach of Gretzky's all time goal record.
Easier said than done. Ovechkin is reaching that age where players typically start to see a dip in production (Father Time always wins), and he needs 285 goals to pass Gretzky. I can see Ovechkin playing 6 more seasons, which means he needs to average over 40 goals a season, as he get older, and he has to stay healthy every season to have a realistic shot. The odds are not in his favor. He needed a couple of those 70-80 goal seasons in his 20's to spike the numbers up a bit to offset the inevitable decline in production that is coming sooner than you think.
I totally agree. I don't think he'll do it, but if last years rise in powerplays and offense continues into the coming seasons I could see him having 3 more 50 goal seasons, then he at least has a shot if he extends his career.
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I could see him not playing again and just partying for the next 10 years. :lol
Seriously, check out some of the pics on the web of him with the Cup. He is having the time of his life.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DfVDloJXcAUxvTr.jpg:large)
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In the Hull vs. Ovie debate:
It’s been mentioned about the differences in what would be a penalty then vs. today. What I want to add to the debate is the two line pass rule. It was eliminated in the 04-05 lockout, right when Hull’s career ended and Ovie’s began. It’s much easier to get behind a defense obviously with this rule being gone and making it easier to score. And with Ovechkin’s cherry picking tendencies...
Of the older generation snipers, I’d have loved to watch Mike Bossy. Started watching hockey just after his career finished.
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I could see him not playing again and just partying for the next 10 years. :lol
Seriously, check out some of the pics on the web of him with the Cup. He is having the time of his life.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DfVDloJXcAUxvTr.jpg:large)
As an NHL fan seeing him party is just so amazing.
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In the Hull vs. Ovie debate:
It’s been mentioned about the differences in what would be a penalty then vs. today. What I want to add to the debate is the two line pass rule. It was eliminated in the 04-05 lockout, right when Hull’s career ended and Ovie’s began. It’s much easier to get behind a defense obviously with this rule being gone and making it easier to score. And with Ovechkin’s cherry picking tendencies...
Great point. Another little known fact is Hull had ZERO empty net goals. He viewed them as cheap and unearned.
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I'll never forget seeing Al Iafrate on a breakaway shoot a puck into the corner instead of potting an empty netter. When asked int he post game interview about it, his response was "empty net goals are for faggots"
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In the Hull vs. Ovie debate:
It’s been mentioned about the differences in what would be a penalty then vs. today. What I want to add to the debate is the two line pass rule. It was eliminated in the 04-05 lockout, right when Hull’s career ended and Ovie’s began. It’s much easier to get behind a defense obviously with this rule being gone and making it easier to score. And with Ovechkin’s cherry picking tendencies...
Great point. Another little known fact is Hull had ZERO empty net goals. He viewed them as cheap and unearned.
Then on this he was a fool. Yeah, it's cheap on the score sheet, but you're hurting your team. What happens if the other team ends up getting the puck and scoring? Instead of winning by two goals you're going to overtime, just stupid.
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Anyone watching the Draft? Boy, did Joel Quennville look creepy looking at Kathryn Tappen during that interview. :lol
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Kings just signed Ilya Kovalchuk for three years at $6.25M a year. FFS. We only got like $7.5M of cap space left (and we needed to save at least $2M to Doughty when/if he resigns). This guy hasn't played in the bloody league in five years (I think he spent the interim in the Russian leagues) and he quitted on the Devils then. I don't like it when the team I follow signed quitters. He's also 35 as well. I also don't like signing aging players that quit on a team as well. That usually brings bad ju-ju and we're still getting over the bad ju-ju that was the Voynov debacle that plagued the 2014-2015 season.
Now I'm just going to speak incoherent sentences for the rest of the day.
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Seems as though you've already started! :D
And Trotz to the Isles. Seems that org is committed to improvement. Now if they can just re-sign Tavares, they have a promising future ahead of them. Wonder who the Caps will go out and hire, or promote from within?
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Kings just signed Ilya Kovalchuk for three years at $6.25M a year. FFS. We only got like $7.5M of cap space left (and we needed to save at least $2M to Doughty when/if he resigns). This guy hasn't played in the bloody league in five years (I think he spent the interim in the Russian leagues) and he quitted on the Devils then. I don't like it when the team I follow signed quitters. He's also 35 as well. I also don't like signing aging players that quit on a team as well. That usually brings bad ju-ju and we're still getting over the bad ju-ju that was the Voynov debacle that plagued the 2014-2015 season.
Now I'm just going to speak incoherent sentences for the rest of the day.
I don't understand giving that kind of $$ to a 35yo player who hasn't played int he NHL in five seasons (and I don't care what he did in the KHL). Fortunately, this won't really affect Doughty since he's under contract for 2018-19, so his extension won't go into effect until the following season.
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So glad the Bruins didn't sign Kovalchuck. WTF were they thinking?
And Trotz to the Isles.
Seemed like the obvious move from the start.
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So I like the Hurricanes new 3rd Jersey logo way more than their regular logo.
(https://www.newsobserver.com/latest-news/vedni4/picture213699024/alternates/LANDSCAPE_1140/canes.new.jpg)
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Yeah, that's a pretty sweet uniform.
Don't know the first thing about hockey prospects, but from what I've seen it sounds like the Devils had a pretty solid defenseman fall to them at 17. Seems like he might be a little small yet to contribute this year (he only just turned 18), but I guess we'll see come the fall.
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So I like the Hurricanes new 3rd Jersey logo way more than their regular logo.
(https://www.newsobserver.com/latest-news/vedni4/picture213699024/alternates/LANDSCAPE_1140/canes.new.jpg)
Damn those uniforms are nice.
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^ Agreed, those are pretty sweet!
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Drew Doughty 8x11. Fucking crazy.
An awesome player to be sure, but they'll be looking to get out of that contract within 4 years.
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Drew Doughty 8x11. Fucking crazy.
An awesome player to be sure, but they'll be looking to get out of that contract within 4 years.
That's just stupid. No player is worth $11m when they are 34+... and if the rational is that he's worth more now to drive that average up, they're wrong. He's not worth more than $11m.
The happiest person in the NHL this morning is Erik Karlsson.
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And who pays?
It's so expensive now for a family to go to games that 11 million prices me out of seeing 1 game.
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Well Nick, looks like you guys are getting JVR back. Enjoy.
I really hope the Isles sign Tavares, or he goes to the West. Not sure I see him being the 1b centre behind Matthews, Bergeron, or Stamkos. Neither of those teams need him, and it'd be crazy for them to offer long-term contracts to him blowing the cap space - that Toronto desperately needs for Matthews/Marner/Nylander (and a few other 3rd year players)
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I like JVR. He's always been a Bruins killer.
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Well Nick, looks like you guys are getting JVR back. Enjoy.
I really hope the Isles sign Tavares, or he goes to the West. Not sure I see him being the 1b centre behind Matthews, Bergeron, or Stamkos. Neither of those teams need him, and it'd be crazy for them to offer long-term contracts to him blowing the cap space - that Toronto desperately needs for Matthews/Marner/Nylander (and a few other 3rd year players)
I agree Tavares likely won't want to play 2nd line centre in those top Eastern teams. That being said, i sure don't want him to land in the West. There's been lots of SJ talk, and the last thing i need is Tavares playing on an already good team in the Pacific.
On the subject of Matthews, Marner and Nylander, how much do you think those contracts will cost the Leafs? I was debating this with my boss Friday. My guess is Matthews gets $10.5-12M, and Marner/Nylander are in the $8-10M range with how salaries have escalated the past few seasons.
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I like JVR. He's always been a Bruins killer.
I do too... he's just too one-dimensional. Despite being 10 years older, I like having Marleau over JVR... Marleau will benefit from a few add'l PP minutes to fill the gap from JVR, and he also logs PK minutes. JVR is never on the ice in key defensive situations, which is why he only averages 14-16 minutes per game. He's a premier offensive threat for sure, but not well balanced player.
As for Matthews/Marner/Nylander... it really depends on how much they each improve again. On paper it goes Matthews>Marner>>Nylander, each had some tough stretches last year - Matthews lost 20 games due to 3 different injuries (shoulder, concussion and I forget the third issue); Marner had a VERY sluggish start to the season, but was by far their MVP after the all-star game. Nylander slightly improved, and showed a few stints of greatness.
Your numbers aren't too far off... Nylander can get extended before Matthews and Marner, and the talk was $6M-$6.5M range (comparable to Pasternak and Ehlers). With the cap increase in effect now, I could see it going to the 7-ish range. There's a possibility that Nylander might opt for a cheaper bridge deal, and try to get himself into that $8M-$9M range in a couple of years.
As for Matthews and Marner, again... depends on the kinda year they have. If Matthews gets more PP1 time, and potentially PK (which I believe he's trying to lobby for), he could get himself in and around the $10M mark. If Marner demonstrates he can consistently be the player he was in the 2nd half, he could be in the $10M range to. These two are like Stamkos/Kucherov - it's hard to really say who is better/more valuable.
Personally, I'd love to see Babcock put them on the same line together - and I'm not the only one.
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JT to Toronto. Totally expected. They let Bozak go and may ultimately have to move on from Marner or more likely Nylander in the future.
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JT to Toronto. Totally expected. They let Bozak go and may ultimately have to move on from Marner or more likely Nylander in the future.
I'm genuinely stunned. Bozak and JVR were gone, everyone knew that. With Tavares at $11M, I don't any way they can afford all three of Matthews/Marner/Nylander. I hope they don't move Mitch... that dude is gonna be a top 5 player in the league. Count on it. Maybe moving Nylander can get them the stud defencemen that the team so desperately needs.
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Actually... if they can get Nylander to agree to a relatively cheap 2-year deal as a bridge, then they can sign him for bigger/longer money once Marleau's contract is over - there's only 2 years at that, and he's eating up $6.25M of cap space.
hhhhmmmm....
Blues picked up a couple of nice players in Bozak and Perron.
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Blues picked up a couple of nice players in Bozak and Perron.
..and Ryan O'Reilly.
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Blues picked up a couple of nice players in Bozak and Perron.
..and Ryan O'Reilly.
...and dumped two players that had been perpetually underperforming. Sbotka has not been the same player he was since he came back from the KHL. Left a gritty, hard nosed third liner who was just an utter pest....leaves and scores a few goals over seas and comes back and thinks he’s going to be a goal scorer now. He never returned to form or at least to the player the Blues ‘thought’ they’d be getting.
And Berglund has underachieved his entire career. Has flashes of good play but just so inconsistent and unreliable. Not to mention the dude gets hurt all the time. Sucks to lose good picks and a talented young player like Thompson to make it happen but I think it was totally worth it.
Don’t know much about Bozak but he’s essentially replacing Brodziak....and I here he can fill that role. And I’ve always liked Perron.
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In Bozak, you're getting a really good 2nd/3rd line centre- not necessarily a checking centre, but a balanced one that is as good at both ends of the ice. Plus, he was the go-to faceoff guy in key situations over the past 2 years. He was also the key setup guy below the goal line on PP1. If he gets PP time, and has a decent enough line-mates, he's a 50-point guy offensively.
Add O'Reilly to the mix, and you have 2 of the best faceoff guys in the league - wasn't O'Reilly #1 last year?
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I like the moves the Blues made. They got rid of some dead weight and added some potentially really good players. Now we just have to hope that Jake Allen has his head on straight next season. :lol :facepalm:
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Can't believe that Ottawa is going to trade Karlsson. Actually I can, Melnyk doesn't want to even own the team anymore and is doing it just to alienate a fanbase and other owners and Dorion doesn't have a clue. There's no plan. Karlsson wants out of it, which I understand.
Oh well, as long as we get a first round pick back in a trade so we can tank and get a top 3 pick, hopefully it helps
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Can't believe that Ottawa is going to trade Karlsson. Actually I can, Melnyk doesn't want to even own the team anymore and is doing it just to alienate a fanbase and other owners and Dorion doesn't have a clue. There's no plan. Karlsson wants out of it, which I understand.
Oh well, as long as we get a first round pick back in a trade so we can tank and get a top 3 pick, hopefully it helps
I, uh...hate to break it to ya, but the teams trading for Karlsson that would be giving Ottawa a first round pick are not going to be in the draft lottery, or at the very worst they won't have good odds at all. :lol
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:facepalm:
Just let me live in my fantasy world
:(
There’s no way that the Sens are going to be anywhere near competitive. I don’t think last place, but pretty close
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He wasn't from my era of watching the NHL, but he was certainly a legend and icon.
https://www.nhl.com/news/stan-mikita-hall-of-famer-dead/c-299698868
Stan Mikita, the leading scorer in the history of the Chicago Blackhawks, a two-time Hart Trophy winner and member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, died Tuesday. He was 78.
Mikita played his entire 22-year NHL career with the Blackhawks and is their all-time leader in points (1,467), assists (926) and games played (1,394). He became the first Blackhawks player to have his number retired when his No. 21 was raised to the rafters at Chicago Stadium in 1980. Mikita is the only player in NHL history to win the Art Ross, Hart and Lady Byng trophies in the same season, and he did it back-to-back (1966-67, 1967-68).
:sadpanda:
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I worked for a really nice private golf course when I was in high school, ‘The Legends’. When I was a junior there was a Pro Am and Stan Makita was one of the golfers. I ended up carrying his leaderboard for a day. Really nice guy....very chatty and fun. He bought me snacks and drinks all day....even tried to buy me a beer but his wife yelled at him and told him I was ‘just a kid’. :rollin
RIP Stan
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That's awesome :lol
First thing I think of when I hear his name is always that he owned the donut shop in Wayne's World.
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Stan Mikita's Donuts :tup
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He wasn't from my era of watching the NHL, but he was certainly a legend and icon.
https://www.nhl.com/news/stan-mikita-hall-of-famer-dead/c-299698868
Stan Mikita, the leading scorer in the history of the Chicago Blackhawks, a two-time Hart Trophy winner and member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, died Tuesday. He was 78.
Mikita played his entire 22-year NHL career with the Blackhawks and is their all-time leader in points (1,467), assists (926) and games played (1,394). He became the first Blackhawks player to have his number retired when his No. 21 was raised to the rafters at Chicago Stadium in 1980. Mikita is the only player in NHL history to win the Art Ross, Hart and Lady Byng trophies in the same season, and he did it back-to-back (1966-67, 1967-68).
:sadpanda:
That about sums it up. When I grew up, I read about the legends of baseball, so I've always felt familiar with players from before my time (Cobb, Ruth, Greenberg, etc.) or who were just finishing up their careers (Aaron), but I never did that with hockey since I didn't become a fan until my early 20s.
But Mikita is certainly one of those legendary names whose death deserves recognition and respect.
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Today is exactly 30 years since The Trade - Gretzky's trade from Edmonton to LA Kings.
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Today is exactly 30 years since The Trade - Gretzky's trade from Edmonton to LA Kings.
Still one of the most unbelievable sports moments ever. I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news.
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Today is exactly 30 years since The Trade - Gretzky's trade from Edmonton to LA Kings.
Still one of the most unbelievable sports moments ever. I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news.
A Dokken concert?
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Today is exactly 30 years since The Trade - Gretzky's trade from Edmonton to LA Kings.
Still one of the most unbelievable sports moments ever. I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news.
A Dokken concert?
Close...I saw Dokken on 6/26 of that summer. ;D
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Today is exactly 30 years since The Trade - Gretzky's trade from Edmonton to LA Kings.
Still one of the most unbelievable sports moments ever. I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news.
A Dokken concert?
LOL!
I don't remember where I was, but it was probably the first time hockey ever made the news here in Southern California.
On an unrelated note, I was at a Judas Priest concert (Dokken was not the opening act) the night Kirk Gibson hit his walk off homer in game 1 of the 1988 World Series.
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I saw Dokken open for Judas Priest, but in 1986. I didn't go to the Ram It Down tour in 1988.
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I saw Dokken open for Judas Priest, but in 1986. I didn't go to the Ram It Down tour in 1988.
You were too busy ramin it down?
:zydarscouch:
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Just got lucky.
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Someone needs to break the Ice on a 2018-2019 Thread. I would do it, but feel that one of the diehard hockey fans should have the honor.