BattleTech - The Board Game of Armored Combat
Off Topic and Technical Support => Off Topic => Topic started by: ItsTehPope on 30 September 2013, 09:44:39
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Ladies, Gentlemen and Goalies!
The greatest season is about to begin its 82 game to determine who is good enough to play for another 20 games.
As usual, please keep it clean and polite. For the past few years we've been able to go without warnings, bans and locks. In the past, we have not been so lucky.
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You know, I enjoyed the reduced schedule last year. It kept my interest the entire time.
Oh right, rebuilding year.
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Aw crap it's that time of year already. I'm looking forward to the AVs squandering all that young talent and fenish in the bottom three of the league as Patrick Roy continues the exercise mediocrity that is the Colorado Avalanche.
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I missed NHL Tonight when they were going to talk about the newly designed Pacific Division. Going to be interesting to see how the re-alignment works this year. And hopefully the Sharks will be in the top 3
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I have higher than average hopes for the Stars this year. They looked promising in the silly season.
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Bruins basics:
Let's start with the losses. Jagr, to my honest surprise, wasn't invited back and is now in New Jersey. Nathan Horton is gone, signing with the Blue Jackets. Backup goalie Anton Khudobin signed with the Canes. Tyler Seguin is off to Dallas, and took Rich Peverly with him. And perhaps most painful to longtime B's fans, Andrew Ference is now the new captain of the Edmonton Oilers. Most other roster losses were pretty minor stuff like Wade Redden not returning.
And the gains? Trading off party-boy Seguin produced Loui Ericksson in return. That's huge. Seguin was a dingus, but he produced a lot of points, so if you're going to lose him you have to get something significant in reply. Ericksson is a guy I've admired for a long time, glad to have him on board. Chad Johnson is looking like he's the new backup to replace Khudobin, I'll reserve judgement until I've seen him play a bit. Ference gets replaced by one of the multitude of young defensemen the B's have had going (expect to see a lot more of Dougie Hamilton this year!). And of course, no talk of changes in Boston is complete without mentioning Jarome Iginla, although I'm not going to believe it until the puck drops and he's in a spoked-B jersey. Until then, there's too much chance that the Penguins sneak in again.
So, really, call it a wash. They lost some major talent in the offseason, they gained back quite a bit, and while they're a little older up front than they were last year they're also still talented, and got younger and arguably more talented on the back end (with all apologies to Ference).
I predict the Bruins will be a force to be reckoned with in the East again, almost certainly in the playoffs, probably a high seed, and have as good of a chance at the Cup as any team in the NHL.
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Greetings once again, everyone.
The Detroit Red Wings are buoyed by a mighty tide of youth, and more valuable prospects cultivating their skills are on the way. Carefully scouted late round picks, and rookie free agent signings have yielded more young talent that manifested itself late in the shortened season past. They further surprised everyone in the playoffs (that they barely made thanks to an awkward and inauspicious first two thirds of the season), only to let it slip away after a hard-fought seven game second round with the Blackhawks. We all know what they went on to do.
Dan Cleary has stayed, and at a puzzlingly reduced price considering he was our second highest scorer in the playoffs. I thought for sure Pittsburgh would have him when I heard that Syd Crosby called Cleary about it himself, but he's still here. Dallas had also flown him down to Texas a few times for talks. Darren Helm, who injured his back about a year (year and a half, actually) ago doing insane power lifting squats at some level of weight that nobody on the inside will specify, is once more on long-term IR after attempting to come back this training camp, though this may also be a salary cap ploy to start the season. However, it doesn't sound good for him, his injury is one that pains him every day even though he hadn't played since the start of last season.
The noted acquisition of both Weiss and Alfredson should have a noticeable affect on the team once the shooting starts. The Wings' power play looks scary to a lot of folks, don't want to talk about it until I see it in action more. Datsyuk and Zetterberg still on top... and they will start the season paired with Abdelkader. He played with them for most of the 48 games last year, and yet only mustered 16 points. One would think that osmosis alone would have padded his numbers. Still, I don't think Z or Pavel really know how to properly facewash anyone, so he can be said to provide certain intangibles.
Let's see how the east welcomes us. The preseason can only say so much.
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Wow. Eight kids from Youth Hockey just carried the Blackhawks' 2013 Stanley Cup Banner onto the ice. How cool it is for those kids.
Also, Blackhawks win the Cup in five (it's their thing).
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That bump out of the goal line is huge, you could drive a tank through the area below it.
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Well Hockey has officially gotten under way
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If you didn't cringe when you saw the replay of Parros' face hitting the ice last night, you didn't actually watch it. Owch.
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Hmmm Flyers picked up Emery for goal. What could possibly go wrong?
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Hmmm Flyers picked up Emery for goal. What could possibly go wrong?
Emery had a pretty solid season with the Hawks last year. Its even more impressive when you consider he shouldn't be walking right now.
The fact that they gave Steve Barking Mason a contract is scary.
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If you didn't cringe when you saw the replay of Parros' face hitting the ice last night, you didn't actually watch it. Owch.
That looked really bad and he is out indefinitely. Heck my body shivered when I saw that replay
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If you didn't cringe when you saw the replay of Parros' face hitting the ice last night, you didn't actually watch it. Owch.
That was brutal to watch. It's amazing he only has a concussion and didn't dislocate his jaw. The Canadians are reporting that he only has a concussion and has been released from the hospital. Fortunately for Parros, Orr recognized immediately how bad it was and called for the trainers immediately to get him assistance.
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Wings vs Sabres! Eastern Conference action. Loving it already.
It was a good game after Buffalo finally showed up in the late second period and most of the third.
Wings had jumped out to a 2 all lead in the first (both goals in quick succession), then tailed off a bit in the second to start looking flat as the Sabres rattled to life and got one in the third. Nothing looked certain, they kept pouring it on. Jimmy Howard saw what looked like a shutout almost tied up, as he had been saved by an adoring goal post (they love him! it's true) a few minutes before the Sabres scored. Sabres could not get a shot off after pulling Ryan Miller, Wings stifled them with the top line, but we couldn't get a shot at the empty net either.
Abdelkader managed not to get involved with any of the penalties that took place in the first two periods, and looked like he might do better than a projected 30 or so points this year.
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Avs win again in a home opener. Destroying hapless Victor Fasth in the process.
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They brought the Stanley Cup to my office (United Airlines Network Ops Center) on Wednesday morning. If I could have stayed after my overnight shift, I could have gotten my picture taken with it. :)
But I figure it will be back next year. O0
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They brought the Stanley Cup to my office (United Airlines Network Ops Center) on Wednesday morning. If I could have stayed after my overnight shift, I could have gotten my picture taken with it. :)
But I figure it will be back next year. O0
Possible, but I can't think of which Bruins player would bring it to Chicago.
^-^
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Oh, and in case people missed it, Patrick Roy hasn't changed much in ten years away from the NHL:
http://deadspin.com/patrick-roy-goes-nuts-breaks-stuff-1440570398 (http://deadspin.com/patrick-roy-goes-nuts-breaks-stuff-1440570398)
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What, this?
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Looking forward to seeing my Wings play in the eastern conference, and to kicking Ben Rome's rear in his fantasy hockey league.... :)
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Oh, and in case people missed it, Patrick Roy hasn't changed much in ten years away from the NHL:
http://deadspin.com/patrick-roy-goes-nuts-breaks-stuff-1440570398 (http://deadspin.com/patrick-roy-goes-nuts-breaks-stuff-1440570398)
When I saw it, his behavior struck me as acting. Like he was remembering Marc Crawford flipping his lid on Scotty Bowman through the glass in a near identical scene back in the day when both teams (Avs and Wings) were much more relevant. What Roy may be missing is the fact that Scotty Bowman was feeding on Marc Crawford like a psychic vampire. A cold smiling, occasionally nodding instigator of meltdowns. Just supposition and judgement on my part, but I imagine Roy as saying all the things he thought Crawford should have said. ;) Well, more realistically I thought it was a show to set a tone that he's "No-Nonsense Patty" and he's the new sheriff. Other than that, I shouldn't want to know how he thinks.
Wings fans are not usually empathetic towards him, or the Avs, or other teams in general, but I had hoped for better from him. But who knows, maybe his schtick will work for a little while. We'll find out.
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well poo. Dallas fell apart tonight. and they looked so good in the preseason. they looked terrible on both the power play and the penalty kill. and they werent charging the net at all. :(
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Sharks looked really good last night and hoping that they don't implode after game 9 this year
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Not often you see a team score two shorthanded goals (one a penalty shot!) in a game... figures, Boston traditionally is awful on the power play, but has no trouble scoring on someone elses' man-advantage. ;D
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Not often you see a team score two shorthanded goals (one a penalty shot!) in a game... figures, Boston traditionally is awful on the power play, but has no trouble scoring on someone elses' man-advantage. ;D
Reminds me of the 'Hawks last year.
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Speaking of the Hawks... did you guys see the ad a few weeks ago with Patrick Kane doing that insane stick-handling? (If not, Google it, because it's worth seeing)
As it turns out, his teammate Brandon Bollig did one as well, with... different... results.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3B8v_ZHA10 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3B8v_ZHA10)
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well poo. Dallas fell apart tonight. and they looked so good in the preseason. they looked terrible on both the power play and the penalty kill. and they werent charging the net at all. :(
Good news is tomorrow you play Washington. Pretty much anyone can score on us. Just don't take any penalties and you will be just fine!
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Carolina had a 2 all lead going into the third period tonight against the Wings... Had. Zetterberg helped Abdelkader get his first of the year, then scored his own to tie it up. Weiss came through with his first as a Red Wing in the OT period, averting the shootout.
On to Boston tomorrow night. :)
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Avs win again WTH
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I like Detroit in the east conference.
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I like it a lot better when we don't lose 4 to 1 in Boston. Good game, for them. Not so much for the red and white unis. We had our moments, but the kids were not ready for the slick veterans. Maybe they'll remember some of what they saw happen tonight and apply it to their own game.
Next time is not far off, though. On the 14th of this month Wings play the Bruins again in the B.
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I like it a lot better when we don't lose 4 to 1 in Boston. Good game, for them. Not so much for the red and white unis. We had our moments, but the kids were not ready for the slick veterans. Maybe they'll remember some of what they saw happen tonight and apply it to their own game.
Next time is not far off, though. On the 14th of this month Wings play the Bruins again in the B.
Welcome to the East ^-^
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Welcome to the East ^-^
To Red Wings Fans: Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it. (Ancient Proverb)
I don't think this is going to turn out like you guys want it to. The East is not as much as a pushover as the West.
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To Red Wings Fans: Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it. (Ancient Proverb)
I don't think this is going to turn out like you guys want it to. The East is not as much as a pushover as the West.
Eh, I don't know. They had some tough customers to face out there too (Chicago, St. Louis). And there's still some pretty rotten teams now for them to feed on for easy points (Buffalo, Florida) so I don't think a whole lot really has changed for them other than making it easier for fans to catch the games.
They looked exhausted last night- three games in four nights on the road, finishing it with a physical team like the Bruins? Owch. I expect next time they'll be better able to handle the challenge. Detroit is a good team, this was a bad night for them and nothing more.
...just happy to see the B's get two power play goals- that team has had an awful power play since Marc Savard's injury, and that's been a LONG time now. :-\
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I don't think this is going to turn out like you guys want it to. The East is not as much as a pushover as the West.
Really yet the East looks pretty easy so far.
Sharks rolled over the Coyotes last night in a game that saw the rookie Tomas Hertl score his 1st two goals of the season. Becoming the youngest player to score 2 goals in just his 2nd game in a long time. I believe that though is they are comparing it to when Marleau did it in his rookie year :P
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I'm just going to leave this right here...
http://deadspin.com/nhl-referee-accurately-if-unhelpfully-explains-penalt-1442294588 (http://deadspin.com/nhl-referee-accurately-if-unhelpfully-explains-penalt-1442294588)
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Omg Quick what did you do? Wait you scored a goal for the opposing team!
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Omg Quick what did you do? Wait you scored a goal for the opposing team!
Yeah, that was... ugh.
I've had it happen- that stick gets away sometimes. But what he did wrong was focus on the stick, and not on where the puck was going. If he'd dove after the puck instead, he might have been able to get on it and cover up still. Bad mental decision on his part.
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We have the AHL here, and there was a Oilers vs Stars exhibition they did in town . . . to be honest, the minor league game is more interesting because it seems more intense. Not to mention the Oilers' timing and unity were off . . . just missed a pass, pass was just out of place, the shot was a few seconds slow, etc.
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Yeah, that was... ugh.
I've had it happen- that stick gets away sometimes. But what he did wrong was focus on the stick, and not on where the puck was going. If he'd dove after the puck instead, he might have been able to get on it and cover up still. Bad mental decision on his part.
My older brother played goalie as well going to have to ask him if that ever happened to him. I mean I think Quick is one of the best Goalies but man that was a serious mental error
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OHHHHHHH WOW.. I missed the game but saw the highlights of the Sharks feasting on the Rangers and what a night for that youngster Tomas Hertl 4 Goals +3 rating on 7 shots. And that 4th goal...OH BOY what a goal and has my vote for Goal of the year.
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It's been a week (four days is close enough) without hockey for the Wings since the drubbing in Boston. Tomorrow night we play the Phoenix Coyotes at home. Thought it was Joe Louis West for a minute. Then we still have that visit to look forward to this season.
If the franchise can hang on out there, there are plenty of hockey fans to convert to the Coyotes. But it will take a steady program that has the wherewithal to build without restraint while also building their fanbase and aiming to keep those fans . I've criticized the whole deal of the Jets moving there becaue it didn't seem right that expansion of the game into new territory should come at the expense of Canadian cities. But it is good for hockey to open up any market that it can. I hope they can stay through these hard times since they are already there. Hockey's history is filled with stories of franchises that collapsed, or survived collapse. I read that during the early 50s, the Blackhawks were literally trading people for bags of pucks and the like. Other teams donated players to them one season. Phoenix isn't in that bad of shape, but business these days seems to demand billions of dollars, and not just millions. But then again, if they can't fill more than 6k or 7k seats on an average night at times, then they aren't even going to have thousands left, let alone real money.
Edit: The kids from the desert came in and won a great game that saw the lead change hands several times. Good game, Coyotes.
Rumors of a deadly power play for the winged wheelers are as yet completely unfounded through four games.
Flyers in town Saturday, then onward to Boston Monday for some more hard-knock life lessons.
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http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=2013020057-282-h
That was Lundqvist more or less just going "Screw it, I'll clear it myself!" cause no one else will.
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http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=2013020057-282-h
That was Lundqvist more or less just going "Screw it, I'll clear it myself!" cause no one else will.
Part of me feels bad for him being so frustrated.
Part of me remembers the drubbing he took in San Jose and feels less like he's a victim. ???
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For the Rangers to be beaten like that by San Jose and Anaheim is kind of bothersome not that I really care about any New York team but hey...if they have all cylinders going when the Sharks come to NY oh boy...
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I can't say that I'm at all enjoying their misfortune, however, I can't wait now until the end of the month when they play the Islanders. That game could get really ugly real fast if the Islanders lay it on anywhere near as bad as either San Jose or Anaheim has on them the last two games.
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Big sports weekend in Detroit, after a big sports week. Red Wings are completely overshadowed by other teams in other leagues right at the moment. But I'll be watching the Flyers Wings game tonight as much as possible considering all the distractions.
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Game on for me Sharks vs Sens... and the Sharks are up 1-0
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Great games all around tonight. Wings finally starting to bring the goals per game average up above 2. Power play finally showed up.
Good news in other sports arenas, too. O0
Caught a little Edmonton-Toronto action on Hockey Night in Canada, too.
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Big sports weekend in Detroit, after a big sports week. Red Wings are completely overshadowed by other teams in other leagues right at the moment. But I'll be watching the Flyers Wings game tonight as much as possible considering all the distractions.
It is a big sports weekend in the D. Liked Jimmy Howard's get up today.
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Avs are undefeated at 5-0 with only four goals against. Where did the defense come from?
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And the Canadien was able to produce a goal without even touching the puck... ;D ;D #P
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And the Canadien was able to produce a goal without even touching the puck... ;D ;D #P
Man, I'd hate to be Dan Hamhuis going into that locker room... Luongo owes him a punch in the mouth for that gaff.
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Sharks are unbeaten but I hope they don't self destruct like they did last season.
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Man, I'd hate to be Dan Hamhuis going into that locker room... Luongo owes him a punch in the mouth for that gaff.
Yeah. I actually felt bad for Bobby Lou on that one.
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Yeah. I actually felt bad for Bobby Lou on that one.
I don't. In the end he was complacent for the wrong moment. He was bitten for it.
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Listened to the Wings/Bruins matinee game at work on the radio, wish I had seen it at home. Good game! It sounded like Boston was going to tie it up in that last 90 seconds, even the announcers were like "It's all Boston right now." Gustavsson stood on his head, by reports.
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Listened to the Wings/Bruins matinee game at work on the radio, wish I had seen it at home. Good game! It sounded like Boston was going to tie it up in that last 90 seconds, even the announcers were like "It's all Boston right now." Gustavsson stood on his head, by reports.
He made some awesome saves. I always have thought he was a goalie who had some great talent, just on a bad team in Toronto (and the health problems didn't help his cause any). Nice to see him show off for an afternoon that he really is the real deal- he didn't have a chance on either goal. If Detroit has to have a game where Howard can't go (like today and tomorrow, from the sound of it), they don't have anything to worry about based on what I saw this afternoon.
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He made some awesome saves. I always have thought he was a goalie who had some great talent, just on a bad team in Toronto (and the health problems didn't help his cause any). Nice to see him show off for an afternoon that he really is the real deal- he didn't have a chance on either goal. If Detroit has to have a game where Howard can't go (like today and tomorrow, from the sound of it), they don't have anything to worry about based on what I saw this afternoon.
Yeah, last year it was more of an issue. Everyone behind Howard was either injured or too new to pro hockey and/or life to be trusted. :) And there were certainly enough questions about Howard around here until late season and our suddenly surprise play off appearance.
Zetterberg and Datsyuk are working wonders every game. Kronwall is off to a good start, too. At one point he was +5, when the team had only 6 goals. :D That man is to never leave the ice! :D He's finding his level now, though. The rest of the defense has matured nicely around him, and the young players will get more than 48 games under their belts (nice warm-up season for them it was).
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Chicago won a game in Carolina today. Some perspective on this event:
The last time Chicago won a game in Carolina the team was one season removed from being the Hartford Whalers.
The Hurricanes played eighty miles away from where they're playing now, at the Greensboro Coliseum. Their current home was not even built.
BattleTech products that came out that year? Maximum Tech (Revised), The Dragon Roars, BattlePack: Fourth Succession War, Field Manual: Crusader Clans, BattleTech Master Rules, BattleTech Record Sheets: 3060, Twilight of the Clans, Field Manual: Warden Clans, Technical Readout: 3060 (The Future of Warfare), and MechCommander. Oh, and FASA still has just over three years of life left in her.
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Man, glad to see that Dan Boyle is going to be okay- that looked terrifying.
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Man, glad to see that Dan Boyle is going to be okay- that looked terrifying.
I couldn't find the game and even with the center ice preview it wasn't showing up?? It had all the other games going but that one.. And I missed the highlights on NHL Tonight.. just how bad was the hit?
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Hit from behind while he was angled towards the corner boards. His jaw hit the interface between the glass and wall. Stayed down and was wheeled off the ice.
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Not quite NHL related, but here are my new pillows - Bauer ReFlex rx10, 36+1 dual break, standard toe bridge (I'm changing it out for a sliding one when I can and adding some more comfortable surfaces to land my knees on) They were worn by David Leneveu during his tenure in Columbus.
https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1375257_10151903480141590_64648034_n.jpg
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McLeod was ejected for a bush league hit on Kronwall. Drew the major for boarding and the misconduct. After seeing that hit I pray the meeting is face-to-face. There seems to be a run on bad boarding penalties, maybe a longer suspension will help dissuade.
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It seems common as of late. Hope Shanny blasts him for a couple of weeks. But more importantly, I hope Kronwall is OK, and was held out for precautionary reasons and doctor's observation.
But we won it. :) Datsyuk and the Mule each got a pair of goals. Zetterberg and Alfredsson continue scoring too. Gustavsson let in two that he won't be proud of, but that's three wins in a row for him. This is the Detroit Red Wings report, aka, Team Sweden picayune. :))
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Yeah, I'm all for some bruises and the occasional scuffle, but the guys are supposed to be professionals, not padded thugs.
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McLeod was ejected for a bush league hit on Kronwall. Drew the major for boarding and the misconduct. After seeing that hit I pray the meeting is face-to-face. There seems to be a run on bad boarding penalties, maybe a longer suspension will help dissuade.
Slow down the video ab it and it looks like Kronwall was about to turn when he got hit. There's no way McLeod could stop. It was bang-bang play according to Altitude Sports' Marc/Mark Rycroft. I dunno myself, but hockey is a violent to begin with and it beginning to get wussified just like the NFL. It was still a pretty bad looking hit, but I agree with Rycroft, 20-25 years ago they wouldn't have called that a penalty.
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The Colorado vs Detroit games used to be a penalty fest and great games to watch with the rivalry.
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So San Jose is still technically undefeated getting an OT loss in a shoot out in Dallas today. Great game but they looked tired in the 2nd period.
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No. They lost. They are however continuing point streak.
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No. They lost. They are however continuing point streak.
It is my dream to someday get rid of the point for losing in OT... you lost, there shouldn't be a reward for it. Drives me nuts- particularly when you see two teams late in the third just skating in circles for overtime so they both get a point out of it. Disgusting- I'll never understand why this appealed to the NHL.
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It is my dream to someday get rid of the point for losing in OT... you lost, there shouldn't be a reward for it. Drives me nuts- particularly when you see two teams late in the third just skating in circles for overtime so they both get a point out of it. Disgusting- I'll never understand why this appealed to the NHL.
It appealed b/c they think the fans can't survive having a game end in a tie, there must be a winner. I don't mind giving points for losing in OT or a shootout, but the point system must account for it. You can't use this 2+1 point system. A 3 point system would work, 3 for a reg win, 2 for a OT/SO win, 1 for a OT/SO loss, and 0 for a reg loss. Or a 5 point system, 5 for a reg win, 4 for a OT win, 3 for a SO win, 2 for a SO loss, 1 for an OT loss, 0 for a reg loss. Although the 5 point system might push teams to play for the shootout once they make it to OT.
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The MacLeod/Kronwall collision event wasn't quite as bad as it seemed last night. But it looks avoidable, and no footage of heads colliding with glass and rails looks particularly good. It could have been a lot worse. Still, a mild concussion, and Kroner is listed day to day. Sounds like more of a close call.
The team certainly rallied well, however. Drew Miller looked a bit like a young Steve Martin had somehow skated into a world of boo and miraculously knew how to fight.
edited due to many Millers.
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And of course, no talk of changes in Boston is complete without mentioning Jarome Iginla, although I'm not going to believe it until the puck drops and he's in a spoked-B jersey. Until then, there's too much chance that the Penguins sneak in again.
I have Iginla in my pool. So far, he's not exactly setting things on fire.... >:(
Man, I'd hate to be Dan Hamhuis going into that locker room... Luongo owes him a punch in the mouth for that gaff.
Meh, you win some and lose some. ???
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So San Jose is still technically undefeated getting an OT loss in a shoot out in Dallas today. Great game but they looked tired in the 2nd period.
Hertl is starting to scare people. I predict the Sharks to take the Pacific. Avs are obviously looking good, but it looks like Chicago is still Chicago. Perhaps even more so this year. ;)
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It is my dream to someday get rid of the point for losing in OT... you lost, there shouldn't be a reward for it. Drives me nuts- particularly when you see two teams late in the third just skating in circles for overtime so they both get a point out of it. Disgusting- I'll never understand why this appealed to the NHL.
Skip the point but just use it as the second tie breaker. Wins then OTL.
I wish I could say I'm surprised by the disparity in East vs West play. November 30th should provide some really interesting hockey. Probably a little on the bi-polar side but interesting.
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To me, if you really want to keep the OTL point, switch to a win being worth three points, OT win two points, OT loss one point, regulation loss zero points. Now there's a reason for teams to fight like hell to avoid OT instead of the last ten minutes of the third being the two teams staring at each other. Even that's not a great solution (and it doesn't address the shootout, which I despise), but it makes more sense than the current situation, where it's actually possible for two teams to have winning records against each other in the same season.
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To me, if you really want to keep the OTL point, switch to a win being worth three points,
I would rather see a 2 point system, but with half-points, so that yearly results could be compared to historical results. Also, overtime should be a 10 minute period.
Win = 2 points.
OT win = 1.5 points
OTL = 0.5 points
Shootout win - 1 point
shootout loss - 0.5 points
Losing an addition half-point for the shootout win would sure provide some incentive to try to wrap it up in overtime, rather than go to the goofy shootout. Also the teams would have a huge incentive not to go to OT, and to bang out a regulation win ;)
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To me, if you really want to keep the OTL point, switch to a win being worth three points, OT win two points, OT loss one point, regulation loss zero points. Now there's a reason for teams to fight like hell to avoid OT instead of the last ten minutes of the third being the two teams staring at each other. Even that's not a great solution (and it doesn't address the shootout, which I despise), but it makes more sense than the current situation, where it's actually possible for two teams to have winning records against each other in the same season.
+1 for this. Take the shoot out of the equation. 10 Minute OT period, no one scores, then no one gets points. Play to win.
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Last night, Red Wings took a lead then gave it back to the Coyotes and let them run off with it. Of course, one could define "let them" as suffering a series of unfortunate events, starting with the third Wings goal that got called back due to what reeks of floppery. I guess the bright side is the Wings won't be seeing the Coyotes again this season.
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Payback for knocking us out of the playoffs several seasons in a row? Glad we don't have to face in the playoffs (except the final round) anymore. On the plus side, that was a sweet goal by Smith.
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Payback for knocking us out of the playoffs several seasons in a row? Glad we don't have to face in the playoffs (except the final round) anymore. On the plus side, that was a sweet goal by Smith.
Probably a sign of things to come for the club.
And that was a good goal for Smith. Two more, and he'll be tied for all time goals leader for goalies. ;D Also, Zetterberg and Datsyuk continue to work their magic.
edit: and get this. Chris Osgood was the color commentator for this game in his awkward first season (he has to be better than Larry Murphy, I figure), with the Detroit broadcast crew, anyway. He didn't like the called back third goal, but he's always been about offense from the goal himself. He knew it was in before they timed it out and made sure.
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It came... from the internet...
"Mike Smith's goal last night gives him a one-goal lead on Claude Giroux in the race for the Rocket Richard trophy."
Owch.
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Red Wings were unable to hand the Sharks their first regulation loss. It was a 0-0 tie that was supposedly settled by a shootout ;) I'm getting tired of it, too. It's a skills competition, it's not what real hockey games are about. (edit: If we won, I would totally still agree, but someone else would have to drag that old dead one in for a beatin')
During the Wing's prospect tournament held in Traverse City, MI, during the preseason, they used a short period of four on four, followed by an equal length period of three on three hockey, then a shootout. Thing is, it's probably not radical enough for the commish. ;D From what I heard today, it has been submitted to a mysterious body of wizards who weave these arcane rule changes the commish, but who knows if it will even be considered.
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Rebs it was a great game and I like the shoot out rule however I miss the game ending in a Tie too.
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I hear ya. At least both goalies get shutouts for it, and it was a great game. The score made every play important in a way you don't get if the Sharks eat us up.
Our young defense really stood tall, you guys are the early offense machine of the league. But you got the win regardless. We'll be seeing you at your place soon enough.
As shown in this game, but still totally related, this western conference dominance thing is crazy this year. Any theories out there?
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I don't miss ties at all. It's too much like soccer, or a Donovan McNabb football game. Play until there's a winner, and if you can't get it done with your lines then hand it to the skills players.
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If I remember correctly for years and years it was always the Eastern Conference and then in the 80's for the most part when Detroit started signing the Russians they became the dominant force until other teams went out and got players from Europe as well. But for how the Western Conference is just continuing to have the dominance over the Eastern Conference teams is maybe its parity or Karma is just finally catching up.
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If I remember correctly for years and years it was always the Eastern Conference and then in the 80's for the most part when Detroit started signing the Russians they became the dominant force until other teams went out and got players from Europe as well. But for how the Western Conference is just continuing to have the dominance over the Eastern Conference teams is maybe its parity or Karma is just finally catching up.
To this point in the season there hasn't been a real good sample of good East vs West match ups. To this point in the season I think the East is more or less what you'd figured it would be except for the fact that Philly and the Rangers have not just been bad, but downright wretched. Not to downplay how good though some of the good Western Conference teams highlights have been though this season Phoenix has beat the Wings twice and the Avs just beat the Pens this week 1-0! So props to the Avs. Aside from that match up there isn't a lot of quality vs quality games that have taken place this season. Thursday night though should be a good night for the East vs West games as we have Boston vs San Jose. I hope I can find that on TV somewhere.
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Whelp, I think we can officially admit the Rangers are in trouble and will be that way most of the first half of the year.
We all know how badly they've struggled on every position of the ice.
With Brion retiring, there was no clear replacement for a backup goaltender, as Cam Talbot and Jason Missiaen rotating between the AHL and the NHL. Now Lundqvist is a scratch for Thursday vs the Flyers. Not riding pine. Scratch. Talbot gets his first NHL start with Missiaen running backup.
And this is with Nash, Callahan, Hagelin all out for injuries as well.
Fun note: Currently Mike Smith has more points (1G 1A) than the following Rangers
Mark Staal, John Moore, Derek Dorsett, Anton Strahlman, Girardi, Zucarello, Pyatt, DelZotto, Pouliot, Moore and is tied with McDonough and Boyle.
Gulp.
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With Brion retiring, there was no clear replacement for a backup goaltender, as Cam Talbot and Jason Missiaen rotating between the AHL and the NHL. Now Lundqvist is a scratch for Thursday vs the Flyers. Not riding pine. Scratch. Talbot gets his first NHL start with Missiaen running backup.
It's never to late! Ilya Bryzgalov is available!
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Rangers are coming to Detroit this Saturday. If the Wings play like they did tonight, someone in blue and white will get a hat trick. Likely, anyway.
Tonight, Alfredsson played rather timid I thought. Can't blame him too much, though. Even the mighty Chelios with a soul made of depleted uranium had to leave his first game against Chicago as a Red Wing after only a few shifts, iirc. Of course it was in Chicago, and he was booed hard. It looked like it really stung. We'll see how Ottawa treats Alf. If preseason against the Leafs is any indicator, it's not going to go well in that regard.
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I know the NHL loves to squawk about player safety and all that fun stuff, but at some point I would like to see them actually DO something about it. Because until they do, cheap shots like the one tonight by Jon Scott against Loui Ericcson will simply continue, because players know they can get away with it with only a slap on the wrist in return. As of this typing I haven't heard if he has a concussion, and really it shouldn't matter if he does or not- either way, Scott should be looking at a long suspension for something like this. And yet, he's expendable- if he misses time, the Sabres lose... what exactly? A fourth-line goon who doesn't really help them anyway?
Start making this count. If a player does something this stupid, he should be suspended. And the team that employs the goon should get dinged too- and that's not "Hellbie hates on Buffalo", that's ANY team that employs someone who pulls crap like this. I'm just as critical of the hit on Kronwall by MacLeod last week, which means I'm in favor of the Avalanche (one of my two teams) being hit with a hefty fine by the league for this crap. Employ a repeat offender, or multiple goons who keep doing this while under your employ? Fines not getting your attention? Hit them in the salary cap and see if THAT works.
Bottom line, this shit needs to stop. If the league is hoping the problem will just go away if they keep pretending to care, won't it be interesting to see the outcry next time a marquee player like Stamkos, Ovechkin, or heaven forbid Crosby (again) goes down long-term...
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Start making this count. If a player does something this stupid, he should be suspended. And the team that employs the goon should get dinged too- and that's not "Hellbie hates on Buffalo", that's ANY team that employs someone who pulls crap like this. I'm just as critical of the hit on Kronwall by MacLeod last week, which means I'm in favor of the Avalanche (one of my two teams) being hit with a hefty fine by the league for this crap. Employ a repeat offender, or multiple goons who keep doing this while under your employ? Fines not getting your attention? Hit them in the salary cap and see if THAT works.
Buffalo's coach was fined in the preseason for some of his line choices, let's see if that happens here.
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Well Boston has been playing good hockey and the Sharks are coming to play. Hellbie I look forward to tonights game.
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Well Boston has been playing good hockey and the Sharks are coming to play. Hellbie I look forward to tonights game.
Well.
THAT was quite the unexpected ending! :o
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The Canucks will face St. Louis as the last opponent on a 7 game road game. It will be the second half of a back-to-back tomorrow with their backup goaltender, 9 forwards*, and the top line having clocked over 25 minutes each tonight against New Jersey.
The Blues haven't played since last Friday.
Yeah, what could possibly go wrong?
On the injured list are Dale Weise and David Booth from tonight's game. Jannik Hansen is on LTIR after what looks like a shoulder injury after a nasty crash in the Islanders game, Schroeder and Burrows were both already injured before the road trip, although Burrows is travelling with the team. For those keeping count, that's 3 top-9 wingers, the third-line center, and a 4th line winger out and counting.
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John Scott suspended indefinitely. However long it ends up being, it should be at least twice as long as how many games Erikson misses due to the concussion or 25 games whichever comes first. That hit could have ended up as being as bad as the Bitchtuzzi hit on Steve Moore (the single most horrifying event in my hockey viewing experience)
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Jon Scott suspended indefinitely. However long it ends up being, it should be at least twice as long as how many games Erikson misses due to the concussion or 25 games whichever comes first. That hit could have ended up as being as bd as the Bitchtuzzi hit on Steve Moore (the single most horrifying event in my hockey viewing experience)
There's a lot of interesting reading to be done about Scott right at the top few entries of a google search. I had forgotten about him in college.
The McLeod hit could have been worse, but he veered right into Kronwall's back, instead of the other way, around the glass. He had control and used to maximize a hit right into the numbers. He's lucky, Nick's Lucky, we're all lucky he didn't do another player a dollop of brain damage.
The NHL will be forced to do something drastic soon because of these players. If it keeps happening, change will come real soon.
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Well.
THAT was quite the unexpected ending! :o
Well all in all that was a great game. And yeah that was definitely not something I expected. Was looking forward to OT or another shoot out but hey that is the way the biscuit crumbles :P Good job on giving my team their 1st regular loss.
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Again, Red Wings take a lead twice and give it up twice, while they give up 40+ shots. Weak turnovers due to the occasional bout of lacadasical puck handling, and inconsistent passing was aplenty. Finally, NYR makes good on their scoring chances to win it in a spirited OT round. Good game, but not so much the ending.
edit Credit to the Rangers, they were jumping in the 2nd and 3rd last night. But if a team - any team - smells blood like that, they should step up and take the game. It stops their skid, and maybe gives them some confidence to try and mitigate this bad season start in the upcoming games.
Wings go to Vancouver and then do the rest of the Western Canada tango next. Plenty more teams like the NYR to roast us if we don't get the offensive ship to right.
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Sharks are come right back and beat the Habs in Montreal 2-0 thank you :)
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http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=688275
"Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith is one of the best puck-handling goaltenders in the NHL. He became the first goalie to record his first professional win, get a shutout and score a goal on the same night with Lexington of the ECHL in 2002-03. Fast-forward 10 years later to last Saturday when Smith became the first goalie in Phoenix/Winnipeg franchise history and just the 11th goaltender in NHL history to score a goal when he registered an empty-netter against Detroit. Off the ice Smith is just as intriguing as his record-setting stats."
Wat.
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Well THAT'S a puck you save to put on your mantle someday!
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John Scott suspended indefinitely. However long it ends up being, it should be at least twice as long as how many games Erikson misses due to the concussion or 25 games whichever comes first. That hit could have ended up as being as bad as the Bitchtuzzi hit on Steve Moore (the single most horrifying event in my hockey viewing experience)
Personally I hate those kinds of open-ended punishments. In an ideal situation it's a great punishment (take out another player and you have to sit out as long as they do). But it has the potential to be abused. Say a star player on your team accidentally hits a grinder player on the other team in a bad way. Your player gets suspended until the other player returns. What if the other team, knowing your player is more valuable to your team than their player is to their team, keeps saying their guy is injured for the rest of the season? What about 2 seasons? On IR the injured player still gets paid, the team can still use that salary cap space.
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I'd have to agree. I don't like punishments being meted out based on the amount of time someone misses, but it's more for me because I don't like the outcome determining the punishment. If I throw an elbow and hit Wantec in the head (hi, buddy!), and he gets a major concussion, then I deserve punishment, right? If I throw the exact same hit two nights earlier though on Pope here, and he lucks out and doesn't miss time... I made the same boneheaded play, right? Just because one of these players got up and was okay and the other wasn't, to me that shouldn't determine my suspension. I was still a goon, no matter the outcome for the other guy.
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Impacting a given team's cap for that season in some way could really be the best bet, at least amongst the suggestions I've heard so far. In addition to a measured suspension.
That or the old-fashioned NHL way, with more fisticuffs. And it doesn't seem to be going in that direction at the moment.
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Every year we do the Teemu Selanne watch- will he retire, will he come back, if so who will he play for, etc.
If last night's high-stick, which gave him several broken teeth and two weeks off to recover from surgery, doesn't talk him into calling it a career at the end of this campaign, nothing will. Me, I was impressed- I figured for sure he'd get up and the camera would show half his face torn off to reveal metal and a glowing red eye.
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I figured for sure he'd get up and the camera would show half his face torn off to reveal metal and a glowing red eye.
http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2013/10/30/photos-nhl-players-treat-us-with-halloween-costumes/
Brandon Dubinsky is sporting the Teemu Selanne look this year.
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Can anything stop the Colorado Avalanche?
Sure. Denver P.D.
Dammit, Varlamov...
http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2013/10/30/report-avs-varlamov-charged-with-domestic-violence/ (http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2013/10/30/report-avs-varlamov-charged-with-domestic-violence/)
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So, ah... anything interesting happen between the Capitals and Flyers tonight? I wasn't paying attention. ::)
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So, ah... anything interesting happen between the Capitals and Flyers tonight? I wasn't paying attention. ::)
Some schmuck named Ovechkin didn't play tonight. I really hope they suspend Emery for that crap fighting stunt he pulled tonight. I'm neither for or against fighting and 10 years ago I would have been highly amused and entertained by a goalie fight, but tonight's 'fight' was just uncalled for. I'm glad he got the gate, but that somehow doesn't seem like it's enough. Sadly being the backup tender he's not going to see much playing time anyhow unless Mason spontaneously combusts so any suspension is going to be a slap on the wrists.
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Some schmuck named Ovechkin didn't play tonight. I really hope they suspend Emery for that crap fighting stunt he pulled tonight. I'm neither for or against fighting and 10 years ago I would have been highly amused and entertained by a goalie fight, but tonight's 'fight' was just uncalled for. I'm glad he got the gate, but that somehow doesn't seem like it's enough. Sadly being the backup tender he's not going to see much playing time anyhow unless Mason spontaneously combusts so any suspension is going to be a slap on the wrists.
Bear in mind that I'm a former goalie myself, so I'm a bit biased, but... I'm not clear on why Emery should be punished differently than anyone else on the ice would be for getting into a fight. Yes, he wears the big pads, but he got an instigator penalty and the misconduct to match. Why should he get more than that just because he's a goalie?
(Disclaimer: I used to love getting into a good goalie brawl myself, to be fair)
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Doesn't the NHL treat someone with both Instigator and Aggressor penalties for the same fight differently than anything else? We know he is subject to two fines already (both $200, one for leaving the crease and the other for the game misconduct).
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Speaking of Goalie brawls, here is a link to a page with the Patrick Roy/Chris Osgood fight (only about 30 seconds or so) but more importantly, an awesome 14 minute interview from this year... Chris Osgood (analyst for Fox Sports Detroit) and Av's Head Coach Patrick Roy. Very cool stuff.
With this post, I'm promoting the interview more than the fight, to be clear.
http://www.foxsportsdetroit.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/story/Full-interview-Chris-Osgood-and-Patrick-?blockID=952119 (http://www.foxsportsdetroit.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/story/Full-interview-Chris-Osgood-and-Patrick-?blockID=952119)
Wings had a good game on Wednesday against Vancouver, I managed to watch a small percentage of it between falling asleep sitting up and a few fleeting moments of wakefulness. Then last night, a confident Red Wings lineup goes out and takes a 2-0 lead, then in a familiar pattern, Calgary evened it up in the second. Fighting off a feeling of dread, I was glad to see the Wings take control of the third period instead of living in whatever shell it is that they crawl into after having a two goal lead.
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Doesn't the NHL treat someone with both Instigator and Aggressor penalties for the same fight differently than anything else? We know he is subject to two fines already (both $200, one for leaving the crease and the other for the game misconduct).
Boy, the players must be shaking in their boots when the league threatens a $200 penalty.
Gotta mortgage his house or sell the Ferrari I suppose... ???
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Bear in mind that I'm a former goalie myself, so I'm a bit biased, but... I'm not clear on why Emery should be punished differently than anyone else on the ice would be for getting into a fight. Yes, he wears the big pads, but he got an instigator penalty and the misconduct to match. Why should he get more than that just because he's a goalie?
(Disclaimer: I used to love getting into a good goalie brawl myself, to be fair)
I get it if the guy flipped out because the other team plays you hard, I get it that the Flyers were getting blown out. But it is not as if they were running Emery the entire game, stopping just short of him, giving him a wash, or even running him down outside the crease. He flipped his lid and rather than picking anyone down at his end he skated down to the other zone to fight a guy who didn't want to go with him and pummel him. He received the penalties he should have and got the gate for it. So its fair. It however is not much of a deterrent in him doing any less the next time Emery plays poo poo and loses his cool.
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Boy, the players must be shaking in their boots when the league threatens a $200 penalty.
Gotta mortgage his house or sell the Ferrari I suppose... ???
No kidding, right? Two hundred bucks? Let me check the couch cushions.
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Thought that might have been a severe typo. Do they also have provision for horse feed/transportation fuel reimbursement?
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I'm not sure what Kadri did to deserve it, but Lupul totally gave him the business in tonight's game
https://vine.co/v/hj5Fr117A7t (https://vine.co/v/hj5Fr117A7t)
Also, Burrows compliments Kessel's lumberjack skills (shortly before the two of them get into a fight. I thought that was what the Leafs kept Orr and McLaren around for?)
(http://i.imgur.com/xyAmEyD.gif)
Chippy game for teams that barely ever face each other
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Darren Helm got one tonight in the 5 - 0 Red Wings' pasting of Edmonton. Good to see him back. That he's making his presence known quickly by getting one in his first game back in ages is kind of a bonus, as it might be expected for him to have simply eased his way back in.
Young Petr Mrazek gets a shutout in his fourth game as a pro. Fox cable had him stopping 14 shots, while Red Wings dot com has him facing only 12. Poor, poor Oilers.
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You'd think a team that drafts high in the 1st round year after year, always taking ridiculously-talented forwards with those picks, would find a way to get more than a dozen shots on goal in a game. Starting to really wonder what the hell it's going to take to finally make things happen in Edmonton- with that much firepower (on paper), they should be able to keep up in any scoring race-style game. Very confusing.
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It was strange and kind of sad learning to accept the mediocre/bad Oilers of the late 90s early 2000s (who did the same thing, draft high for years, little comes of it for them), after their 80s prime and glory of the Gretzky/Messier/Coffey/Fuhr/Kurri era. Even Andy Moog was something of a perennial all-star as Fuhr's backup, and I know I'm forgetting more great names. Like Kevin Lowe, Glenn Anderson, etc... The crowd last night was giving the Oilers the business pretty good, but that's been going on for a while, I imagine. If they could score a few goals every night, they could knock the crowd out of it, and maybe play with some peace. ;) It's not good. It's like the beginnings of a sports curse for them.
Meanwhile in Detroit, it's safe to say the Alfredsson experiment is a success. Weiss is said to be still acclimating to an entirely different hockey culture on and off the ice than the one that he was brought up in in Fla. Actually not surprising to me. He's been getting the hang of the system and was noticeably more involved in the plays against Calgary. I think soon he'll rocket up from 2 points to at least 6 or 7, and get to the top of the lower pack on the team charts, but he's got time. Alfredsson being such a great addition has bought him that time, I suspect. If Alfie starts flat, then the grumbling amplifies and Weiss would be in a worse spot, I think.
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See, I don't buy the 'new system' thing for Weiss. The only difference really is that he wins games on occasion now- otherwise, he's doing the same job he did before in Florida. The big adustment, from my standpoint, is that he's not the top-guy on the team, so he's seeing less ice time. Martin Erat had the same adjustment last year and early this year in Washington- rather than being a top-six forward in Nashville, suddenly he was playing behind Ovechkin, Backstrom, etc. in Washington, and he struggled with it. He gets top minutes now because he's earned it with his play- Weiss could use a look at a player like that to put things in perspective.
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That is a good comparison to look at. Weiss doesn't look to be as nervous as he was, but he still needs to relax and find his role. It's sometimes difficult to nail down the lines, they are changing a lot this year, even the top line, but I hope Weiss just finds his place. Calgary was a good game for him, though he didn't show up in the scoring. Last night was good for everyone. No matter what, he'll still get minutes and I think he'll show his value soon.
Winnipeg is next on Monday, then a nice home stand beginning with Dallas coming to town Thursday. Maybe we can turn things around on home ice, which has been a problem thus far.
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It does take time, sometimes, to gel with new teammates. Take Jarome Iginla- he started off the first half-dozen games this year without a point, and just looked lost at times, but he's been a bull in a china shop since then. Sometimes it takes longer to get used to a new team though- take Dany Heatley, who never has seemed to be able to adjust to... well, any of the teams he's gone to since leaving Ottawa. That said, that's what happens when you don't adjust- you end up with multiple former teams in the rear view mirror. If Weiss still looks like this in January, the Wings might want to consider what they can get in a trade.
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An inverse situation to this would be Jiri Hudler, who is buried here in Detroit where he came up, but in Calgary he's a respected dynamic presence who leads the team in scoring by a few points so far this season. He's had a year to adjust, though. Still, I was glad to see it happen for him, it doesn't always work out like that. We're known for sometimes producing players whose statistics are a product of our system and not so much limited by it as other players sometimes are. Example, Marty Lapointe was a favorite here, but he was a role-player who slowly accumulated points until one year when he really broke out. I was sorry to see such a lackluster performance once he went to Boston.
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Eh, that was back when Boston was where players went to close out otherwise good careers with one last paycheck for skating in figure-8s all season. And lest you think I'm just being funny, I remind you of such illustrious Bruins careers as Paul Coffey, Brian Leetch, Alexei Zhamnov... all great players, like Lapointe, but all were pretty much at the end and got offers to waste one last season in a black and yellow uniform for ridiculous money.
If I'm being honest, when they brought in Zdeno Chara I thought they were doing the same thing again, bringing in a guy for a lot of money who was going to just phone it in for a couple of years with a bunch of unknowns- after all, at that point names like Patrice Bergeron and Milan Lucic were unknowns as well.
Now, that makes you wonder what team full of 'who?' names right now will be looked back on in ten years as the developing monster-team in the making, but I digress- for a few years there, that's all the Bruins were was a collection of used-up veterans and questionable prospects. Then came Peter Chiarelli as GM, Claude Julien as head coach, a roster that looked vaguely like an NHL team...
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You'd think a team that drafts high in the 1st round year after year, always taking ridiculously-talented forwards with those picks, would find a way to get more than a dozen shots on goal in a game. Starting to really wonder what the hell it's going to take to finally make things happen in Edmonton- with that much firepower (on paper), they should be able to keep up in any scoring race-style game. Very confusing.
I don't follow them close enough to know, but maybe it's an issue with the coaching staff, gotta get someone to wrangle all those young guys in the right direction.
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I don't follow them close enough to know, but maybe it's an issue with the coaching staff, gotta get someone to wrangle all those young guys in the right direction.
I want to think so, but... this is three coaches now in a row who aren't getting it done there.
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Good game in Winnipeg. Losing sucks, but it was an exciting game at least. Howard played as well as could be expected considering the devastating load of chances we gave up. But the Jets were hungry tonight.
That crowd in Winnipeg is something else, they really got into the game, it was annoying as all heck. ;D But they are one of the teams I like to watch, and seeing them down there with Edmonton isn't great fun. They don't deserve that, but I wish they chose some other night to show some real signs of life.
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I want to think so, but... this is three coaches now in a row who aren't getting it done there.
It's an inexperienced team with an inexperienced coach. I wonder if it might just be that no one's shown them the ropes?
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It's an inexperienced team with an inexperienced coach. I wonder if it might just be that no one's shown them the ropes?
Sounds great, but that means they're hiring the wrong coaches. At some point, a team has to either improve with what it has, or find a way to do it otherwise. Edmonton has been awful for WAY too long, through several coaches and top drafts. Something has to change.
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Sounds great, but that means they're hiring the wrong coaches. At some point, a team has to either improve with what it has, or find a way to do it otherwise. Edmonton has been awful for WAY too long, through several coaches and top drafts. Something has to change.
Yeah, their rebuild needs a rebuild.
Also, it looks like the main factor in determining playoff seeding in the Pacific division is going to be who can beat more points out of the Eastern teams
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Yeah, their rebuild needs a rebuild.
Also, it looks like the main factor in determining playoff seeding in the Pacific division is going to be who can beat more points out of the Eastern teams
I think the Wings will weather that storm, being fresh from your Conference full of deserts and Chicago. ^-^
How is the ownership in Edmonton? Isn't the current owner a hot/cold runner about the Oilers financially?
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I think the Wings will weather that storm, being fresh from your Conference full of deserts and Chicago. ^-^
How is the ownership in Edmonton? Isn't the current owner a hot/cold runner about the Oilers financially?
It makes money, but the owner (Katz) wanted the city of Edmonton to pony up an even bigger share/offer more attractive terms for the new arena in a bad rendition of Vader's "I am altering the deal." to which the city told him to pound sand. (They were fairly confident that the NHL wasn't just going to let Katz up and move the team to Seattle). Seems like the issue's been settled now.
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Sounds like it's been tough for them to have a fully functioning organization that makes decisions based on the current demands of the game and the league. I remember the situation prior to the capping of salary, and Edmonton was amongst the leaders claiming they would fold or move on back then, too.
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Sounds great, but that means they're hiring the wrong coaches. At some point, a team has to either improve with what it has, or find a way to do it otherwise. Edmonton has been awful for WAY too long, through several coaches and top drafts. Something has to change.
Drafting D and getting a capable goaltender would probably help. I think the carousel of former Oilers golden day players being hired and or promoted has got to stop. They need some fresh vision/direction which hey still don't appear to have any of.
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Welcome back to the NHL Manny Malhotra,
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Welcome back to the NHL Manny Malhotra,
This
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Welcome back to the NHL Manny Malhotra,
That goal was a bright spot in an otherwise completely fail-filled hockey game. Neither team deserved points out of it.
And there's an amusing theory going around the interwebs that I caught today. Figuring out the Steve Downie for Max Talbot trade has been tough. Theory goes that Downie was traded because he was the one nailing Simeon Varlamov's girlfriend. I dunno if I believe that (Downie's a UFA anyway, and Holmgren/Ed Snider isn't actually collecting hockey players out in Philly - only undisciplined goons - in an effort, like every year, to recreate the Broad Street Bullies), but the timing does match up.
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That goal was a bright spot in an otherwise completely fail-filled hockey game. Neither team deserved points out of it.
And there's an amusing theory going around the interwebs that I caught today. Figuring out the Steve Downie for Max Talbot trade has been tough. Theory goes that Downie was traded because he was the one nailing Simeon Varlamov's girlfriend. I dunno if I believe that (Downie's a UFA anyway, and Holmgren/Ed Snider isn't actually collecting hockey players out in Philly - only undisciplined goons - in an effort, like every year, to recreate the Broad Street Bullies), but the timing does match up.
I count myself lucky that I didn't watch the whole game. Just the part of the 3rd and OT where everyone scored. I flipped over after watching the Caps get me half priced pizza tomorrow. I think though I'd take Talbot any day over Downie. Maybe that's just me speaking from a perspective of how many times he's burned my team. On another note, because I'm not watching the game on the tube right now, who broke the Sharks and why are they losing to the Sabres?
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Allegedly, the Avs acquired Talbot for his play on the penalty kill. However, the Avs, prior to the trade, were around 92% on the penalty kill. so go figure
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Welcome back to the NHL Manny Malhotra,
Yeah it's a shame that he couldn't make it back with the 'Nucks, but seems what he really needed was a half year or so to work out & build his way back up. Don't expect him to do that every night though. ;)
I'm not sure what Kadri did to deserve it, but Lupul totally gave him the business in tonight's game
https://vine.co/v/hj5Fr117A7t (https://vine.co/v/hj5Fr117A7t)
Also, Burrows compliments Kessel's lumberjack skills (shortly before the two of them get into a fight. I thought that was what the Leafs kept Orr and McLaren around for?)
(http://i.imgur.com/xyAmEyD.gif)
Chippy game for teams that barely ever face each other
That was a pretty lame effort for the Leafs, getting dominated and shut out 4-0, especially as it was on National TV - HNIC.
Toronto is not popular around here, and getting shafted by the Leafs GM didn't go over well either.
Anybody notice how lopsided the two conferences are?
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Anyone notice how lopsided the two conferences are?
Yep. I noticed that because of the East's failure to hold its own, the Central Division has all but one team above .500 win/loss wise. Of course, they are chewing on the Pacific Division pretty good, too, but not as much as they are the Eastern Conference.
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I'm aware, Lord Cameron, I'm in Van too. =P
Playoff seeding and spots for Pacific teams not in Alberta will probably be decided by seeing which team can beat more points out of the East, especially the piñatas of the Metropolitan division.
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Damn. One more for the west, as the Stars come into town shooting.
Zetterberg had a three assist night, and pavel Datsyuk will be facing manslaughter charges come morning for making a few Dallas defensemen's skeletons split their own skin. What a mess. But it was all for naught. Boston's additions to Dallas shined brightly tonight, even if they didn't all get on the boxscore. (and ignoring their minor three way collision :-[ )
Oddly enough, this is the second game in a row one of our young defensemen scored their first-ever goal in the NHL. Adam Almquist tonight, DeKeyser the other night. Lost both games. Bummer. Good game, Dallas.
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Article title says it all: "Luongo victimized by one of the worst bounces in history."
I mean...Christ, just look at it: http://nhl.si.com/2013/11/08/roberto-luongo-victimized-by-one-of-the-worst-bounces-in-history/
Guy CANNOT catch a break.
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Article title says it all: "Luongo victimized by one of the worst bounces in history."
I mean...Christ, just look at it: http://nhl.si.com/2013/11/08/roberto-luongo-victimized-by-one-of-the-worst-bounces-in-history/
Guy CANNOT catch a break.
I think he actually has the same sort of luck I do. I mean, SERIOUSLY.
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Panthers have fired their coaching staff because they... were the Panthers, I guess? They were exactly what we figured they'd be- a team rebuilding around a core of young talent. They had some bad players to work with- Scott Gomez, seriously?- and injuries haven't helped. So, we expected them to be pretty bad this year- hard to see why you'd fire this group based on what he had to work with. Very odd move, to me.
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The Oilers are all set to take that 8th seed in the West and be the next Western Conference Champions!
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/ilya-bryzgalov-signs-north-pole-er-edmonton-oilers-021017371--nhl.html (http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/ilya-bryzgalov-signs-north-pole-er-edmonton-oilers-021017371--nhl.html)
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The Oilers are all set to take that 8th seed in the West and be the next Western Conference Champions!
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/ilya-bryzgalov-signs-north-pole-er-edmonton-oilers-021017371--nhl.html (http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/ilya-bryzgalov-signs-north-pole-er-edmonton-oilers-021017371--nhl.html)
It's easy to forget, after the past couple of years, that prior to going to Philly Bryzgalov was a fantastic goalie in Phoenix and prior to that in Anaheim. Wouldn't it be funny if he returned to form once he's away from the Flyers?
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Article title says it all: "Luongo victimized by one of the worst bounces in history."
I mean...Christ, just look at it: http://nhl.si.com/2013/11/08/roberto-luongo-victimized-by-one-of-the-worst-bounces-in-history/
Guy CANNOT catch a break.
First goal in with 0 shots on net! Canucks scored with their first on net, so I guess the game might have been tied at 1-1 with only 1 SOG recorded at one point?
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It's easy to forget, after the past couple of years, that prior to going to Philly Bryzgalov was a fantastic goalie in Phoenix and prior to that in Anaheim. Wouldn't it be funny if he returned to form once he's away from the Flyers?
I don't think he's a bad goalie. As I pointed out in last year's thread his numbers in Philly were not horrible and are in line with his career average. There is only so much one guy can do though behind that dreadful defense they have. I think also they over played him last year. He played 40 of 48 and in a short season where you play every 2nd or 3rd day I can't imagine that didn't wear on him. Sadly for him he's going to another team that doesn't play good defense. I think the conditions are more favorable for him in Edmonton. He can't do any worse for them than they are doing with their current goalies and it isn't Philly where the goaltender is generally viewed as the reason why the team failed.
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Have you SEEN the Oiler's D? ???
And they gave up one of their (few remaining) experienced top-4 Dmen before signing Bryz.
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Bryz got a raw deal with Philly last year (EVERYONE gets a raw deal in Philly...), but it looks like Edmonton will be more of the same. No defence in front of him, his confidence can only take him so far. But still, he's not a bad goalie like some people seem think. He's only as good as what he's surrounded by, so as Chanman and others are pointing out, it's not going to be a great year in Edmonton.
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Welcome to the 2014 season, Claude Giroux.
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Have you SEEN the Oiler's D? ???
And they gave up one of their (few remaining) experienced top-4 Dmen before signing Bryz.
Let me just expand on what I said before. They are equally as bad, but Edmonton has a far better chance of digging themselves out of the hole they put themselves in both on the ice and on the backend. The Flyers are going to be cash strapped for the next 2 or 3 seasons because of these bad deals they keep making by overpaying for talent. Edmonton on the other hand, is not nearly as handcuffed. Only a couple guys have NMC. Philly, no such luxury. Hartnell or Timonen who could both bring back value if they were traded have them. Oh and it seems the Talbot deal, regardless of whether or not Downie does anything useful this season, get another player off their roster at the end of the year and cap space which right now is the best thing the Flyers could otherwise trade for outside of productive players.
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While Edmonton has the potential to dig themselves out more easily, the performance of management over this 7 year rebuild suggests they might not be able to do so.
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While Edmonton has the potential to dig themselves out more easily, the performance of management over this 7 year rebuild suggests they might not be able to do so.
I wish I could argue this, but... yeah, this team is spinning its wheels, and that starts at the top unfortunately. Same can be said for a few other teams, too- Calgary, Buffalo, and really even Philadelphia all suffer the same problem- bad ideas at the upper levels causing dysfunction on the ice. Bad drafting, bad contracts handed out to the wrong players, poor coaching hires... not good.
It can change, of course- Colorado is looking like the poster child for that right now, for example, and looking back a few years at Chicago and Boston both it's hard to believe that they became Cup winners within a few years of the doldrums they both were in around, say, 2006. But, in both cases things changed at the top (Chiarelli being hired by the Bruins, Bill Wirtz passing away and turning over control to his son in Chicago), and that prompted positive changes all the way down the line. Until changes at the GM level (I'll pass on wishing death on owners!) are made in some of these cities, these teams are just going to continue to suffer. Colorado made big changes in key off-ice positions, and it's paying off. One can't help but wonder what a similar revival would take in places like Philly.
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The games played obviously vary, and the season is still early but has anyone looked at the League standings? Pittsburgh, top of its division and tied with Toronto for second in the Eastern Conference wouldn't be in a playoff spot in the West. The Kings have the same 11-6-0 record and are 9th in the Western Conference. ??? ???
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I can't dispute how well the West is doing vs the East but I was interested in seeing how each modestly successful team was going vs. their rival conference.
For this post I took into account the following:
-Minimum 6 games against the opposing conference, therefore you will notice neither Pittsburgh or Boston in this post because neither has played more than 4 games against the West.
-Divided them up into games vs quality teams of today (.500 record or better)
-Whether the games were home and or away.
East
Tampa 6-0 vs the west with 2 against Chicago and 1 against St Louis. 2 others with winning records.
Toronto 6-3 vs the west, 2-3 vs teams with winning records, both of those wins at home
Redwings 4-3-2, 2-2 vs winning records, both of those winds on the road
Montreal 5-6-1, 2 wins against winning records, one of those a home.
Washington 5-6-1, 0 vs winning records
West
Colorado 8-1 vs the east. 5-1 vs winning teams, only loss to Detroit at home
Chicago 7-0-2, 2-2, 2 wins of quality at home. Loss both games to the Bolts
St Louis 5-1, 3-1, all 3 wins on the road
Wild 5-2-2, 1 win against winning teams, came at home
Dallas 5-2, 3-2 against winning teams, 1 a home
Anaheim 8-2 vs the east, 2-3 vs winning teams, 1 of those at home
Vancouver 7-3-1 vs east, 2-3 vs winning teams, 2 of those at home
Without a large sample size against the Bruins or the Pens (8 games total between both clubs) I suspect that the numbers will shift more to the middle on East vs West then causing a larger gap. So what we have thus far is most everyone is sacking and pillaging the bad teams of the other conference for points. Which is what one might expect if you plan on making the playoffs. Will it hold up that way? No I doubt it.
Until Stamkos got hurt today I'd say that Tampa could remain good competition for Toronto and Boston, but I expect them to make their way down to the middle of the pack now. I expect Colorado to eventually come back down to earth with the rest of the West. Chicago and St. Louis I'm not so certain they will continue at their current pace, but I don't expect either just to collapse. I think when all is said and done 3 of the East teams I mentioned will be play off teams. Out of the west I can pick 5 of 8 of them being in the playoffs. The other 3 are going to be fighting for the bottom spots.
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Feeding the west isn't easy, but the Red Wings are doing our part. Datsyuk's scoring was huge tonight. Zetterberg same the other night... but it's all them. Everyone else is just watching them play it seems.
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Nazem Kadri. Anyone happen to catch the Maple Leafs/Wild game? This guy is the number one argument against banning fighting in the NHL (edit: until the next clown steps up, or down, to that post). I hope he gets a taste of the sword that he lives by, and gets it soon.
Maybe people who flagrantly or repeatedly do these things should be banned from postseason play for that season, in addition to suspensions and fines. That'd hurt a player's desirability nice and swift-like.
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Lafontaine and Nolan in charge in Buffalo, what year is it again? When does Hasaek come in and replace Ryan Miller!?
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Nazem Kadri. Anyone happen to catch the Maple Leafs/Wild game? This guy is the number one argument against banning fighting in the NHL (edit: until the next clown steps up, or down, to that post). I hope he gets a taste of the sword that he lives by, and gets it soon.
Maybe people who flagrantly or repeatedly do these things should be banned from postseason play for that season, in addition to suspensions and fines. That'd hurt a player's desirability nice and swift-like.
But he totally did! Didn't you see his own teammate Lupul give him the ol' elbow in the face about a week and a half ago?
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Saw it again just now. http://kuklaskorner.com/hockey/comments/video-joffrey-lupuls-elbow-intended-for-henrik-sedin-catches-nazem-kadri (http://kuklaskorner.com/hockey/comments/video-joffrey-lupuls-elbow-intended-for-henrik-sedin-catches-nazem-kadri)
And the Leafs did go on to lose, feeding another one to the West.
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Lafontaine and Nolan in charge in Buffalo, what year is it again? When does Hasaek come in and replace Ryan Miller!?
I was glad to hear about it. Lafontaine has both great hockey sense from his time playing, and business sense from his family in real life, who are big in the auto industry. It was pretty quick to fire their coach, but I think that was meant to be temporary while a real plan is put into play to take their entire organization into the present. Things have changed, and teams all have to have strong player development system and minor teams in order to bring up their own talent to fill the ranks between the star players. Of course they all want their own stars as well, but we ll know they go to the highest bidder, and with the cap the way it is compared to roster sizes, that can be difficult for anyone to simply be ready for the next big free agent.
But don't say the H name three times, or he does come back and makes your current goalie turn into a highly paid jello sculpture that quivers with rage all season long because no one will trade much for him since you're stuck with him on your tab. That's what happened to CuJo, at least. I felt bad for him, though. Just didn't get a fair shake.
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Wow. The Stars showed the Flames who was in town last night!!
Kinda sorry I missed the game.
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The Flames are looking like the team they are rather than what they did the first couple weeks of the season. Senguin made them look silly last night. Tampa also flogged the Ducks remaining unbeaten against the West with 2 wins agaist Chicago and 1 against Blues. Pretty frightening how well they have started the season.
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This goal scored might be more amusing then the one Luango 'let in' recently.
http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=485680 (http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=485680)
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Red Wings are on an epic losing streak, unprecedented for us since the mid 80s. But the difference between then an now is we are dragging everyone to OT where we get a point.
Last night against the Capitals, the Mule made his presence known, getting two of our three goals. Young Danny DeKeyser, who is now a leader in ice time, logging almost the same amount of minutes as Nick "Junior" Kronwall, scored the other goal. Considering he's still played under fifty regular season games, his progress and mature play are impressive. He's also a plus player, unlike several others, including proven defenceman like Kyle Quincy, who is -12 at the moment.
Wasn't enough scoring against Ovechkin and crew, and the shell we crawl into once we get a two-goal lead betrayed us once again.
edit
When it rains, it pours. Just got our butts kicked by the Nashvile Predators at home, and it tastes @#$%$ bitter. Jumped the gun before, now we are entering mid 80s territory for consecutive losses in Detroit.
edit
Streak broken, but not without gaining a two goal lead, blowing it, then jumping out from a tie to get another two goal lead just before letting the Hurricanes get one more and threaten near the end. I'll still take it.
People here in the D have been quietly grumbling about why Nyquist started the season in Grand Rapids. But he took things well, and has lots of encouragement on the team, as we know. He comes up for one night and gets two goals, helping Zettergerg to a three point night. We even started the game with a Swedish six tonight. O0
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Took a bit to even talk about the following... but a couple of weeks ago I bought myself a Datsyuk Winter Classic sweater. A couple of nights later, he gets an elbow to the head [tickedoff]
The other side of this unfortunate coin is I bought my dad a Zetterberg Winter Classic sweater for Christmas and gave it too him early. He loves it. And Z has been skating smoother and smoother ever since.
Lesson learned? In theory this could be a rather expensive superstition.
Ottawa tonight, we'll see how things go.
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Oh that's an old problem. It's why I almost never buy named jerseys- the guy always gets traded, retires, etc. almost immediately the instant you order it. My only one in years was an Alex Ovechkin jersey- I'm not a big Capitals fan, but I liked Ovechkin's approach to the game. It was almost immediate that he all but stopped playing for two years (at least by his standards) and just started his lazy period. Thaaaanks ;)
(I don't have the money to try the inverse, and see if it would work to ruin players on rival teams... a Carey Price jersey might curse someone that this old Bruins fan would love to see have a bad stretch... }:) )
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A great win for the Wings against a Senators team that could have swept all three regular season games that these two have played this year. The Alfredsson welcome was nice to see. Plenty of booing at spots during the ensuing game, but it wasn't nasty by any means. Cool to see him get one, even if it was an empty netter, it was still not an easy thing to do the way the Sens were rallying.
Yeah... I hung the Datsyuk jersey in my closet, and still haven't worn it outside yet trying to sneak it past the hockey gods, but no dice. The team has responded by waking the heck up, though. They really were just watching the Euro show, I guess. Who knew?
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http://www.reddit.com/r/funny/comments/1roswb/my_friend_had_a_hockey_practice_last_night_he/
http://www.reddit.com/r/funny/comments/1roswb/my_friend_had_a_hockey_practice_last_night_he/cdpe95f
Go to the first link and then click on the second. Depending on your corporation, Reddit may or may not be blocked, so you may want to tentatively consider it NSFW.
Thankfully, my Labrador does not fit into my goalie bag.
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I think my favorite part is the look of irritation on the cat's face. "Dude, zip me back up, the light in here sucks!"
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Oh that's an old problem. It's why I almost never buy named jerseys- the guy always gets traded, retires, etc. almost immediately the instant you order it. My only one in years was an Alex Ovechkin jersey- I'm not a big Capitals fan, but I liked Ovechkin's approach to the game. It was almost immediate that he all but stopped playing for two years (at least by his standards) and just started his lazy period. Thaaaanks ;)
(I don't have the money to try the inverse, and see if it would work to ruin players on rival teams... a Carey Price jersey might curse someone that this old Bruins fan would love to see have a bad stretch... }:) )
Hmmm... Can I interest you in a full team collection of named Penguins jerseys?
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Hmmm... Can I interest you in a full team collection of named Penguins jerseys?
If you're paying, I'll gladly keep a Crosby jersey handy ;D
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Nameless/numberless sweaters also work great if you're trying to get a whole bunch of autographs from a team.
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That reminds me- there was an interview during the Penguins/Lightning game on Friday with Penguins players asking what the strangest thing they ever signed was. Among the fairly tame stuff (an infant's head was one, as was the chest of a young lady) was one from Sidney Crosby: "An Alex Ovechkin jersey." Reason given? To show Sid owns Ovi enough to sign his shirt.
So did he sign it? Crosby just laughed and wouldn't answer, which tells you everything you need to know. ;)
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I bet it wasn't a very neat signature, though. :D
Here's one. Wondering if it's an urban legend everywhere that a guy has a jersey - in this case I'll say Red Wings since it's the version I once heard - it was a nice one, a Starter or Nike, and it was signed by the entire team. Perhaps they happened to be back to back cup champions :) It's a home away home at the time white with red sweater, kept in a clear plastic dry cleaning bag and is not ever worn. Anyway, while the fellow who owns it is away on a business trip, his wife wears it to a bar with her friends and spills a bloody mary on it. She panics and rushes home to wash it, smearing the signatures. They can still be seen... but it can also plainly be seen that it's now a piece of turd looking bit of cloth. In a plastic bag in the closet where it was hanging when he left.
Again, urban legend? I can't imagine it not being so.
(edit: nobody was physically hurt in this story that I heard, so if it was real, it was simply lamentation for the loss of a fine material thing.)
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Mike McKenna (G) Emergency Recall by CBJ. Bob looks like he has nasty groin or hip injury.
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PIT vs NYI last night; incredible third period by the Pens ties it up...and then Crosby single-handedly wins the game in OT, stealing the puck and then splitting the defensemen as the puck just levitates off his stick and past Nilsson (http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2013/12/03/crosbys-two-goals-extend-isles-skid-to-seven-games/).
Amazing.
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PIT vs NYI last night; incredible third period by the Pens ties it up...and then Crosby single-handedly wins the game in OT, stealing the puck and then splitting the defensemen as the puck just levitates off his stick and past Nilsson (http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2013/12/03/crosbys-two-goals-extend-isles-skid-to-seven-games/).
Amazing.
There are times that he makes it look almost routine, like playing at a ridiculously talented level is just another days' work. That might be the thing that's most impressive about a player like Crosby, or Lebron James, or Tiger Woods- someone like that makes the near-impossible almost feel... boring isn't the word, but you get the idea.
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"According to Darren Dreger the deal is for seven years at $8.5M per, making him the highest-paid (per year) player on the team." Just saw this blurb. I'm a Rangers fan and don't think this is a very good signing.
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Oh man, yeah, King got PAID.
...for a good three years longer than I'd have given him, considering age, but I'm not an NHL GM (as I'm so frequently reminded by my bank statement).
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Oh man, yeah, King got PAID.
...for a good three years longer than I'd have given him, considering age, but I'm not an NHL GM (as I'm so frequently reminded by my bank statement).
Like Sather's known for his fiscal responsibility. ;D
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Curse came full circle, Zetterberg down. Wings play Philly tonight without either of the big guns. Can the team make the system work with Alfie and his new A pulling into a leadership role here? We'll see tonight, perhaps not definitively, but we'll still have a look at what the young bloods will do.
edit: And... If we're not going to play the third period, we need more than three goals. I had a delusion that Jimmy Howard was going to clamp down that third period. Then the third period started. Bad passes, bad giveaways and penalties always hinder too, it's the old bit. This game and several others taken together say that the kids don't yet have the formula to solve a sustained forecheck. Flyers did that, and looked like stars on game night. Good show, too bad orange came through and whooped us. When the boys learn to take advantage of two skaters up like that, they'll put more sixers on people and hopefully take a few less just by possession.
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I watched part of that one, rebs. That was awful- like the Wings just stopped caring in the third period. (And, after it became 5-3, so did I!)
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I was seriously zoning out in the last five minutes, but I stuck it out like a fan. I've watched (or listened to) most of every game so far this season. Doc E pointed out that fans were booing the Wings in spots. What he missed (as per usual, actually*...) was the nuance. Kindl, Quincy and Weiss were getting booed.
* Years ago, he thought Luc Robitaille and the Wings' power play was getting booed. That's a no-brainer and he missed it.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBilRHk-ZnU&feature=youtu.be
TSNs Guthie interviews Torts. Very fascinating interview. Very honest.
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Found this on /r/hockeygoalies. Figured the crowd here would appreciate it:
http://imgur.com/a/eyEaI
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I was loving it until the backplate, with the life-hearts.
And now I can't stop laughing. That is AWESOME.
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Fitting for a hockey game. The bomb was a great and versatile implement. But if the Winter Classic comes and the weather's still like this, maybe the goalie should equip the candle.
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All Jan 1st games should be played outside to truly give a "winter classics' feel,,,,at least up north here.
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Hey George, how ya been? I think we're headed that way, actually. The demand for frostbite is huge. ;D
OK, I think it's safe to say that the 2013-2014 Red Wings are the worst team ever in the NHL at the shootout. Not googling it yet (but do I really need to?), it seems like we at least own that at this level. I know we have the OT loss record going back to '80 or '78 or so, just grabbed that ring last night in spite of Datsyuk's return. Gotta take the good with the bad, I figure.
Things still look a little bright, the younger players all need times like this to see who can rise up and take to this level, and who needs to go. We keep getting points for losing with style, it's just like going .500 when you've not quite earned that. Competition heats up a bit later this week with the Lightning x 2 and the Penguins. Not sure how I feel about that, not until the clocks have wound down.
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Look, I know that Florida/Dallas/Philly are a combined 37-42-13 on the season, but they're professionals. There is no reason they would combine to score as many goals (6) as the Blackhawks did in two of the last three games played. Chicago put up 19 goals in the last three games, against six given up. That is just *brutal*.
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Ugh, I wanted to strangle Emery tonight... naturally, I started him on my fantasy team.
I need my goalies to get healthy, you can tell I'm desperate when I start signing Flyers goalies.
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Ugh, I wanted to strangle Emery tonight... naturally, I started him on my fantasy team.
I need my goalies to get healthy, you can tell I'm desperate when I start signing Flyers goalies.
Only crazy people do that. What's next, Oilers goalies? [blank]
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Hey George, how ya been? I think we're headed that way, actually. The demand for frostbite is huge. ;D
OK, I think it's safe to say that the 2013-2014 Red Wings are the worst team ever in the NHL at the shootout. Not googling it yet (but do I really need to?), it seems like we at least own that at this level. I know we have the OT loss record going back to '80 or '78 or so, just grabbed that ring last night in spite of Datsyuk's return. Gotta take the good with the bad, I figure.
Things still look a little bright, the younger players all need times like this to see who can rise up and take to this level, and who needs to go. We keep getting points for losing with style, it's just like going .500 when you've not quite earned that. Competition heats up a bit later this week with the Lightning x 2 and the Penguins. Not sure how I feel about that, not until the clocks have wound down.
The winter classic kicks,,,,reminds me of being a kidand playing with bout' 20 others"Down on the marsh",,,frostbite and all.
No worries,,,,,Detroit does not get the Hounor of that in a shoot-out and to be honest I wish they did away with the shoot-out for more ice time(Boston wouldn't argue),,,go to the "take away a man" to 4 on 4 or 3 on 3 and the NHL will have their high scoring games,and the media will be happy.Do you hear me LB?
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Only crazy people do that. What's next, Oilers goalies? [blank]
Nah, someone else in my league already has all of them. (Serious. Drafted them on day one, even. Enjoy Dubinyk!)
Same guy has BOTH Sedin brothers though, so I'm not exactly weeping in sympathy here.
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Update your resumes and add a Flames logo- there are now openings in the GM office. Feaster is canned.
...Well, I mean, in theory there's openings. In practice, it's now Burke's show, because we all saw that coming the instant he took that weird 'advisor' position. He'll be named GM in no time, I'm sure.
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Feaster is canned.
Am I the only one who first read that as "Fester is canned."?
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Nah, someone else in my league already has all of them. (Serious. Drafted them on day one, even. Enjoy Dubinyk!)
Same guy has BOTH Sedin brothers though, so I'm not exactly weeping in sympathy here.
Not all. I grabbed Bryz out of desperation with Fasth on IR. Oh, look....
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Not all. I grabbed Bryz out of desperation with Fasth on IR. Oh, look....
Oh, I thought he got Bryz too! Good. It's nice to know that I'm not the only one looking at his GAA and wishing for tequila. ;D
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Any night, the goalies can steal the show. Gustavsson played great, took the Wings to the 5th or 6th frame of the shootout against the Lightning. But the shooters just skated and didn't get a thing past big Bishop. That guy is a force. Both goalies played great, though, and the skills competition may have decided things for the 11th straight time this season, but it's real close to splitting hairs as to deciding who played better. The winner takes it, but it was so close. Good game.
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Update: CBJ McElhinney out. CBJ has one G left on active Roster, Mike McKenna (If you ever read InGoal Magazine, you know who he is) I don't think CBJ has another goalie who is NHL ready. Anton Forsberg and Jeremy Smith, who are both in the A. I think only Smith can come up and go back without waivers.
I will not comment on the Rangers. It makes me sad.
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Update: CBJ McElhinney out. CBJ has one G left on active Roster, Mike McKenna (If you ever read InGoal Magazine, you know who he is) I don't think CBJ has another goalie who is NHL ready. Anton Forsberg and Jeremy Smith, who are both in the A. I think only Smith can come up and go back without waivers.
I will not comment on the Rangers. It makes me sad.
There's NHL talent available on the trade market... the Capitals are looking to see what they can get for Michael Neuvirth, for example.
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There's NHL talent available on the trade market... the Capitals are looking to see what they can get for Michael Neuvirth, for example.
He can most definitely be had. Not sure that Washington would trade him to someone within the division, however he could be potentially go for either a pick or a 3rd liner. Neuvirth's knock is that you shouldn't expect him to steal a game for you. He can bail out a crummy defensive breakdown sometime, just don't expect it all the time. Also don't expect to win a shoot out with him. He has played surprisingly well this season given his limited duty, but Oates, like Hunter before him leans on Holtby. That might change as Philipp Grubauer has played outstanding the last couple games. However, his sample size is pretty small, 5 total NHL games so trading Neuvirth isn't a sure thing. The pro is the Neuvirth would get in regular play and we rid ourselves of some salary, 2.5 mil against the cap. That's not horrible for cost for a backup and he could even push Bob when he comes back.
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Ugh, I wanted to strangle Emery tonight... naturally, I started him on my fantasy team.
I need my goalies to get healthy, you can tell I'm desperate when I start signing Flyers goalies.
I'd pick up Grubauer for a short run. He's obviously not going to get a lot of starts in the long run, but he is going to start at least one other game in the next 5 days. Probably not tomorrow, but one of the games in the home and home against the Flyers coming up he will. If Holtby is at all stinking up the joint early, I don't think Oates will hesitate and to put him in the game either.
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Maybe Iginla would have been a good short runner for ya,,,,,And I'm not just saying that cuz I'm a Boston fan.
Hey Jade,,,,how many games does Thort' get?
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There's NHL talent available on the trade market... the Capitals are looking to see what they can get for Michael Neuvirth, for example.
Yeah, but is Neuvirth on a two way AND is he cheap? CBJ is actually fighting the cap right now.
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He is not on a two way and according to capgeek CBJ has about 4 mil free. Neuvirth is 2.5 mil. It could be an issue when horton comes off IR, atm since he is on LTIR I don't think that counts against their cap.
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He is not on a two way and according to capgeek CBJ has about 4 mil free. Neuvirth is 2.5 mil. It could be an issue when horton comes off IR, atm since he is on LTIR I don't think that counts against their cap.
LTIR means his cap hit comes off for the duration of the injury. It sounds like McElhinney is a short term injury, so who knows.
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Gustavsson will be getting all the starts he can handle for the next 14 to 30 days. Howard out with a sprained ACL. Huge news for anyone who took the Monster for fantasy leagues.
Now, here in Detroit, let the goalie controversy begin. That's been the talk today; will Gustavsson roll with this shot and excel? He has the tools and has played superb so far this season. Either way, he's going to be the man between the pipes for a time.
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Yeah, but is Neuvirth on a two way AND is he cheap? CBJ is actually fighting the cap right now.
He just got sent down to AHL Hershey for a conditioning assignment, so I think so. I know his deal is pretty reasonable, but I don't have the numbers handy. (Wantec, I know you've memorized all things Capital in nature, chime in here!)
Maybe Iginla would have been a good short runner for ya,,,,,And I'm not just saying that cuz I'm a Boston fan.
Hey Jade,,,,how many games does Thort' get?
I'm assuming they'll throw the book at him, and they should. The mitigating factor is that Thornton, unlike most enforcers, has never had a run-in with the league before, other than on-ice penalties of course. So, as a first-time offender, who's been in the league for several years and kept his nose clean, but who did something monumentally stupid, I'd say ten games is fair. Higher wouldn't surprise me, but less would be a huge shock. They can't give him a wrist-slap for that little move. So, I'll call ten games, maybe twelve.
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I'm assuming they'll throw the book at him, and they should. The mitigating factor is that Thornton, unlike most enforcers, has never had a run-in with the league before, other than on-ice penalties of course. So, as a first-time offender, who's been in the league for several years and kept his nose clean, but who did something monumentally stupid, I'd say ten games is fair. Higher wouldn't surprise me, but less would be a huge shock. They can't give him a wrist-slap for that little move. So, I'll call ten games, maybe twelve.
Have you heard anything about a timeline for Eriksson's return? Or are the Bruins keeping it close to the vest?
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Have you heard anything about a timeline for Eriksson's return? Or are the Bruins keeping it close to the vest?
You know the drill on concussions- no real timetable. Bear in mind this is a guy who has a history of them, and has already had one THIS SEASON, so I'd be pretty surprised if we see him anytime in the next couple of months. They'll play it very safe with him- perhaps more than other teams even would, considering the lesson the Bruins' training staff learned a few years ago with bringing Marc Savard back too soon.
Whether or not he returns this season, honestly, is a question mark- some guys come back from a concussion after two games after a hit that looks nightmarish (Claude Giroux a couple of years ago comes to mind), and others take what seems like an innocuous hit that keeps them out for months- or forever, even. No other injury works the way a concussion does- you can say how long it takes a knee or back or something to heal, but the brain is just... a mess to figure out.
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Might not be that long of a supention,,,,Eriksson gets leveled when he doesn't have the puck,,,so that's charging or maybe the intemadation rule comes to play.Playing the line(or anyone playing the line)you better be ready ,he should have expected Thorton was ready when he threw down his gloves,not cover up like a 10 year old.Ref's lost control of that when they didn't call anything on the Eriksson hit and "knew" that something was coming.
As for the Concussion,,,who knows.Some players can lie about the effects they feel to get back in the game,,,,not so much with a knee or such.
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Veuvy has a contract through 2015 but pretty reasonable.
http://www.capgeek.com/player/876
Capgeek is your friend for these things.
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Thorton got 15 games is what it looks like.
Also, Labarbra to Chicago for Future Considerations, reporting to Chi's AHL team. Which means Raanta is there to stay in the NHL.
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15's tough to swallow,seeing whats been handed out as of late.He'll fight it I'm sure.Just another man down for tonights game.
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Oilers looked like a defeated team last night. Not 'defeated' as in they lost, but defeated as in they were made to expect and accept the loss. The California leg of this road trip could get ugly. If Daniel Sedin of all people is flattening Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on an open-ice hit, I don't know if they can survive a game against LA.
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It looks like the Leafs are having a Nerd Rage Moment tonight...
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It looks like the Leafs are having a Nerd Rage Moment tonight...
With Chicago damn near having to nail 2X4s over their net to play goal, tonight's the night to pour on the offense for sure.
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Wings lost to the Pens 4 to 1, but didn't play like they lost that bad, the effort was there, and there were no real or stupid breakdowns. Penguins played excellent, and the new young goalie was outstanding. Not much we could do about it tonight, nearly every scoring play was executed perfectly.
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15's tough to swallow,seeing whats been handed out as of late.He'll fight it I'm sure.Just another man down for tonights game.
He deserved it. He punched Orpik wile his head was down on the ice. It was bush league move on Thronton's. He got what his punk ass deserved. There's a difference between a tough guy and dumbass. Too bad he proved that he was the latter.
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Really?Seeing Orpik take a run on Eriksson,Thorton does what he's does.Orpik "knew" Thorton was gonna drop gloves and if he wants to lay people out like that he better start defending himself instead of laying on the ice like some "punk ass" who didn't "do anything".I'll take it you haven't seen the hit/non-fight or the game inquestion,,,,myself that's all they're showing/talking about lately here.He might have lost it but your right,,,,he proved hes still tough and didn't stand for Orpiks(is it Punk-ass or Dumbass) antics
And the Bruins "still" won against a red-hot team(I'll be glad when this road trip is over)
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Sorry. I'm just not seeing any way to defend what Thorton did. Yes Orpik deserved something that evening but you still do not come up from the blind side, pull someone down on the ice, and proceed to beat him savagely. Yo can still instigate a fight with him being reluctant. You are going to take the instigator penalty but for this purpose, that is more than fine.
As long as they took Thornton's history into account to give out the 15 games, I'm okay. If someone with a history of doing stupid things did it, they better be suspended for half of the season.
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1st off,,,I didn't defend Thorton's actions as much as pointing out what lead to it.If your going the suspension rout make sure all party's get what they deserve out of the incident.If both sides had a part in the issue shouldn't both get something instead burning Thorton at the stake cuz Orpik got the worst of it,,,ohhh and we quikly forget what he just did some 5 min's before?The ref's should have nip'd it in the bud right when Orpik made the run on Eriksson,not let it get to the point when Thorton says "anuff is a anuff".
I,myself look at it from a "Fan of the game" point of view 1st,beffore the "Lets go bruin's" view.Ether way they are both to blame.
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Last week Scott Hartnell punched Gus Nyquist in the back of the head while he was laying on the ice after a collision and the whistle. Nyquist is by no means an Orpik, and was just playing hockey. All we got was two minutes of powerplay for it, so at least someone's players are protected by the rules, even if he (in this case, Orpik) was cruisin' for the bruisin' he got by being a mega pest. Not to mitigate a punch to the head of a prone player, but consistency needs to accompany these punishments.
edit: The Wings deserved the score tonight, kind of... Bishop was excellent, and caught lucky breaks early to keep things scoreless. Had a feeling this wasn't going to be a fun weekend for the boys. Half the team is on the dead wagon riding along and the Lightning and Pens have been hot, hotter than us. Franzen took a cheapie, and was mad as a mule, see the replay of his outburst and the ensuing unsportsmanlike call. Kind of sums it all up tonight.
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Still not a fan of James "K"Neal's skating through Marchand's head after he got tripped up. Neal's response to reporters, something along the lines of "I guess I need to avoid him"
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Still not a fan of James "K"Neal's skating through Marchand's head after he got tripped up. Neal's response to reporters, something along the lines of "I guess I need to avoid him"
I personally think that is what inflamed the situation that led to Thornton's attack on Orpik. Thornton was fired up when Orpik hit Eriksson. Neal's actions were probably the tipping point...
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I didn't see the game, only the "highlights" afterwards. How did Marchand end up on the ice? Was that anything egregious as well?
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I'm not sure how Marchand ended up on the ice, but you could see Neal skating towards the bench. And when Neal sees Marchand on the ground, he sticks out his knee to hit Marchand in the face.
Needless to say I was moderately annoyed by the incident as both Orpik AND Eriksson are on my fantasy team... (Also, I glad to know that both are OK...)
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I guess that depends on your definition of 'OK'... They both lived, so from THAT standpoint... #P
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Shanny needs to lower the boom now. This state of affairs is ridiculous and more than a little annoying to fans who want to see the game played by the skilled players, the checks delivered solid but not in the numbers, and I don't want to see those who compensate for a lack of game by trying to hurt others who are flying around the ice at top speed keep playing while a better player than them is laid up because of their Busch league goonery and orc-work.
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I'm not sure how Marchand ended up on the ice, but you could see Neal skating towards the bench. And when Neal sees Marchand on the ground, he sticks out his knee to hit Marchand in the face.
Needless to say I was moderately annoyed by the incident as both Orpik AND Eriksson are on my fantasy team... (Also, I glad to know that both are OK...)
Eriksson out with 2nd con' in 3 weeks,,,from what the radio saying,,,no ice till further notice.
Shanny needs to lower the boom now. This state of affairs is ridiculous and more than a little annoying to fans who want to see the game played by the skilled players, the checks delivered solid but not in the numbers, and I don't want to see those who compensate for a lack of game by trying to hurt others who are flying around the ice at top speed keep playing while a better player than them is laid up because of their Busch league goonery and orc-work.
Why?He seems inconcestant with his fines and such,,,,Orpik still stakein'. >:D
Who's the player that "slashed" a guys ankle and broke it?I havnt seen what he was getting,,,,but I bet it's only 5 games.Was that a game in Dallas last week I missed?
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Wow,,,,Pitt called up Dumoulin and he made his presents felt,good for you kid you diserve it.
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By the way, Happy Holidays from the San Jose Sharks:
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/san-jose-sharks-christmas-party-just-put-team-042720944--nhl.html (http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/san-jose-sharks-christmas-party-just-put-team-042720944--nhl.html)
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http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/85931/the-venn-diagram-of-hockey-hate (http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/85931/the-venn-diagram-of-hockey-hate)
I'll just leave this here. ;D
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Good links, both O0 I needed to be reminded to laugh at these lunks.
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Brilliant!
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Tom Wilson (caps rookie) is likely to be getting a Shanaban soon. He wrecked Brayden Schenn during the second period of their game against the Flyers this evening. It was a pretty even game to that point in the evening. Wilson doesn't make any attempt to stop short and while I don't think he meant to hurt him, it was gross negligence on his part. Easy 3 games if not more. Schenn never even saw it coming.
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Kyle Quincy did a little orc-work on Getzlaff, got a game misconduct and a 5 minute major for the Wings. Looked like an accident, but still it was careless and largely avoidable if he plays the puck and not the player (who's face was to the boards).
Other than that, things are looking pretty good considering the players who are out. Injuries way up all over the league this year from what I understand.
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Chara with not one, but TWO power play goals to give the B's the win tonight.
When your old-man pylon defenseman is your total offense on the power play, you've got a thin roster. ;D
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Was kinda woundering where he took the high stick in the 1st,,,,,,but they didn't get away with the second one did they. ;D
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Chara with not one, but TWO power play goals to give the B's the win tonight.
When your old-man pylon defenseman is your total offense on the power play, you've got a thin roster. ;D
Hey, if it works, it works. I'm just glad the B's are getting wins where they can. Going to be a hard road after the Olympics.
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Feliz Niskanen!
http://penguins.nhl.com/v2/ext/html/holiday2013.html
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Feliz Niskanen!
http://penguins.nhl.com/v2/ext/html/holiday2013.html
"Flyers Got Run Over By A Reindeer" was pretty great as well. ;D
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How did you like the kid they called up from Prov?
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How did you like the kid they called up from Prov?
Miller? Not much choice but to send him back down, sadly- he hit the 10 game limit, and there's no way he's staying up full-time yet, but if he'd stayed longer and they sent him down later he'd get picked up by someone else in no time flat. But I liked what I saw, he's got a good awareness in his own zone that a lot of NHL defensemen lack. Hoping to see him next year.
...Is that team stacked with young defensemen lately, or what? Miller, Hamilton, Krug, Bartkowski... it's kind of fun to see, really.
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It's fun in theory, and when it's working, everyone is happy (I miss DeKeyser, like everyone else around here in the D. The highest compliments for his abillity are being uttered right now). I was psyched for this season, though I knew things would be rough, wasn't quite aware of how much so. Our affiliate, the Griffins of the AHL are champs, but bringing the boys up now in emergency fashion was bound to happen. In a perfect word, it would be a while before most of these kids play. Ken Holland likes to over-ripen players before they are brought up, so we'll never have another 18 year old Stevey Y. ever again. I don't really like that or think it necessary in all cases, but there should be exceptions, and if neccessity dictates, we'll make more of those exceptions soon. The kids should all get a good taste of the NHL, I think it makes them better for when they get sent back to Grand Rapids.
Right now, it's rough, though. Glad I had a few beers last night and kept it in perspective. They lost, it was awful, but like all the other games of late, we are the ones coughing up the puck and serving up the sweet scoring chances. Can't fault the Ducks, or the Pens, or the Lightning or anyone else for cashing those chances in right away on some of those occasions. Still, it's cool. Things are changing and for the better - one day.
edit: Frosty the Beerman... O0
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Miller? Not much choice but to send him back down, sadly- he hit the 10 game limit, and there's no way he's staying up full-time yet, but if he'd stayed longer and they sent him down later he'd get picked up by someone else in no time flat. But I liked what I saw, he's got a good awareness in his own zone that a lot of NHL defensemen lack. Hoping to see him next year.
...Is that team stacked with young defensemen lately, or what? Miller, Hamilton, Krug, Bartkowski... it's kind of fun to see, really.
Cunningham was the kid I was hinting at,,,,they sent him back down too.Thing I like is their getting on the ice when they come up and not "warming pine".
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It's been a rough season (to say the least) so far for Claude Giroux, but as the Flyers' impressive turnaround continues he's starting to look a little more like his usual self again. Last night's goal might be the goal of the year so far.
http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2013/12/19/video-girouxs-stunning-game-winner/ (http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2013/12/19/video-girouxs-stunning-game-winner/)
(reminder: reading the comments section on PHT is hazardous to your mental health, avoid as you would with any toxic item like expired milk or a Youtube comments section.)
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reminder: reading the comments section on PHT is hazardous to your mental health, avoid as you would with any toxic item like expired milk or a Youtube comments section.
Bah. PFT and PHT both have great comment sections. No matter how bad my day is going, all I need to do is look there for a great laugh.
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The "Ducks"?who could belive their on a roll.
Hey Rebs ,I didt know the Griff's was the local Aff'
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I would have liked to say that the Wings tried to stop the Ducks' roll, but we lost 5 to 2 earlier in the week, so we didn't really have a good "try" at it at all. :-\
Yeah, the Griffins are our affiliate. It used to be the Adirondack boys back in the day until they folded, then it was the K-Wings of Kalamazoo, which sounds like a joke, but isn't. I used to wish our old IHL team the Detroit Vipers were our affiliate, because then we would have had access to players like Peter Bondra and Sergei Samsonov, but I guess we didn't really need them that much to do what we did back in the late 90s and early oughts.
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I've been telling Oilers fans this week that they should look at the Leafs to see where their team will be in 7 years - fast and skilled up top with negligible depth scoring, nigh-uncoachable (watch some shots of the Leafs or Oilers bench while Carlyle or Eakins is working the whiteboard) and with the impression that defence is that thing that goes around de yard.
Also, since I know a couple of you are/were goalies...
(http://postmediaprovince.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/lacks1.gif)
(http://postmediaprovince.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/luongoglove.gif)
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Wings vs Maple Leafs turned out to be a great Saturday night performance. It was a game of highlights, Wing's here http://redwings.nhl.com/index.html (http://redwings.nhl.com/index.html) and Leaf's there http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/index.html (http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/index.html). Both are needed to tell the tale of how the Red Wings finally won a shootout this season. Great game, though, plenty of action. The refs were not very neutral in this one, making it all more satisfying.
Edit: No Wings until tomorrow night. Tuned into the Blackhawks/Avs game out of boredom and it turns into a total spanking of Colorado. Wish it was the Wings doing this. What a game for Sharp. Toews too.
Edit: Patrick Kane for Art Ross winner. Calling it right now ;D I know he has haters in abundance, but that's part of being good.
Edit: the story of how the Wings bought Kris Draper for $1 American from the original Jets franchise after they stuck him back in the OHL. Little uttered outside of this area.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=697652&navid=DL|NHL|home (http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=697652&navid=DL|NHL|home)
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105,000+ for frost bite,,,,kinda wished I was one of em.
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Me too, George.
I watched every bit of both days on the tube. The Alumni games were incredible, they pulled people in more than the actual Winter Classic game. Red Berenson directing the first team like a coach on the ice (and he won several key face offs at age 74, lol...),
Petr Klima and Lanny McDonald of the Leafs could both still fire a shot on goal and score. Manny Legace was hilarious miked up (Slava!!! You're too old to be blocking shots! But thank you! (to Fetisov)), though Eddie Mio in game one stole a lot of the show, diving and kicking that puck away in his mid 60's.
Too bad about the main one, but it was still fun.
The sad parts were seeing the guys who can't really skate anymore, like Yzerman and Wendel Clark. The pain on their faces just from moving around on skates in the cold was really something.
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It was a great hockey weekend in Detroit. The temps being 10 to 20 with the wind blowing and snowfalling. There is nothing like hearing 105000 people cheer for a hockey game.
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And a sea of blue jerseys. The folks from Toronto seemed fun, though. And their classic jersey is really nice looking, almost as nice as our new "classics" from this year. Kind of makes me want to see if I could put a curse on VanReimsdyk, because I would like the jersey after all, it's very nice }:)
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Patrick Sharp. Two hat tricks in five games. Tonight was against a future Hall of Fame goalie, and he got it done with five total shots.
Some other fun facts:
There was a point tonight that the top four +/- players were Chicago players. As it is, it's now 2-5.
Chicago is tied with Ottowa and Phoenix for spreading the scoring love around, as each team has six players with double-digit goals. However Chicago is well ahead of how many total goals those six players scored (104 vs OTT 72 and PXH 67).
Chicago is also second in percentage of points obtained at an even .750. They are only slightly behind St. Louis, who have .763.
Speaking of scoring goals, with six players amounting for more than 100 goals just over halfway through the season it should be no surprise that the Blackhawks lead the League in scoring with 161 goals. What I find interesting is that you need all of Buffalo and Florida's goals, plus two from Calgary (the three lowest scoring teams) to match where the Blackhawks are.
All of these stats, by the way, are when the Blackhawks have played 22 home games and 22 away games. A dead even split on games, with a five goal scoring differential between the two.
So I hear that teams are supposed to have Stanley Cup hang-overs. Doesn't look like it this year. And thank God for that, given how the Bears' season ended.
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Patrick Sharp. Two hat tricks in five games. Tonight was against a future Hall of Fame goalie, and he got it done with five total shots.
Some other fun facts:
There was a point tonight that the top four +/- players were Chicago players. As it is, it's now 2-5.
Chicago is tied with Ottowa and Phoenix for spreading the scoring love around, as each team has six players with double-digit goals. However Chicago is well ahead of how many total goals those six players scored (104 vs OTT 72 and PXH 67).
Chicago is also second in percentage of points obtained at an even .750. They are only slightly behind St. Louis, who have .763.
Speaking of scoring goals, with six players amounting for more than 100 goals just over halfway through the season it should be no surprise that the Blackhawks lead the League in scoring with 161 goals. What I find interesting is that you need all of Buffalo and Florida's goals, plus two from Calgary (the three lowest scoring teams) to match where the Blackhawks are.
All of these stats, by the way, are when the Blackhawks have played 22 home games and 22 away games. A dead even split on games, with a five goal scoring differential between the two.
So I hear that teams are supposed to have Stanley Cup hang-overs. Doesn't look like it this year. And thank God for that, given how the Bears' season ended.
I wonder how often the Jets regret the move to the Western Conference
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So I hear that teams are supposed to have Stanley Cup hang-overs. Doesn't look like it this year. And thank God for that, given how the Bears' season ended.
I wonder how often the Jets regret the move to the Western Conference
Just looking at the scoring leaders myself a bit ago... Chicago owns three places in the top 10, Sharpie is in second now for goals scored, and positioned to try and make a run at the stalling Ovechkin. It could happen. Kane doesn't have as good a shot at the Art Ross Trophy as Crosby, but he's still got the best shot of anyone else in the league of catching him, and I'm a fan of the odds, so that was why I'd bet him the the scoring race.
St. Louis will be the 'hawks main competition baring their way to a repeat championship. Will they meet hot or cold Penguins, Bruins or maybe someone else in the finals, that's the question.
And the lament of the Jets is the utter relief of the Red Wings. We hope, if all goes as planned.
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Chi-town is to good not to repet,,,,,,,,the old saying "It's theirs to lose" jumps at me.
Yeah rebs,,,,I miss the "outdoor game".Did have a chance to see UNH vs. ME at Fenway a while back.Game just feels different outside.
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I actually got to sit my butt in a stadium seat for the first time in years courtesy of an xmas present from the gf. Stars vs Canadiens. A solid, close game, but late in the third, after having difficulty controlling the puck, Lindy decides to pull Lehtonen. And the Habs score (shocking, i know. I saw it happen before the puck even dropped).
Just glad the tix werent for the blowout Detroit handed them the next game.
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Best game I ever saw live was Red Wings vs Canadians, Wings won 6 to 5 in OT.
But at least as of last night, it's officially John Tavares' world we're all skating in, everyone else is just renting ice time. Been some good games on TV, I caught the Rangers wasting the Leafs Saturday, which also was quite the scene.
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Worst game I've ever been to was 1997, at the old McNichols Arena in Denver- the Avalanche were playing the Sharks, and this was the old 'ridiculous super-team' Avs days, so we figured to see a great game. Bonus, the Sharks were using a goalie in his first ever NHL game, so we figured he'd be lunch meat for Forsberg, Sakic, etc.- some dude named Evgeni Nabokov, who I'm sure never played another game in his life after that (heh).
So, my friends and I showed up with posterboards and markers so we could make signs on the spot, hoping we could get on TV at some point in the broadcast, set VCRs (it was 1997!) to record the game so we could see if we were successful...
The game went to OT tied 0-0, and by the late 3rd period we were already begging for SOMEONE to score- didn't have to be a Colorado player, just SOMEONE please save us from a tie game! No. No, we finished the game 0-0. It was awful.
But not all was lost, because when we got home and checked the tape... as the announcers signed off for the evening, there we were, four idiot teenagers sitting in a row, with two of them holding up a large, hastily-scrawled orange sign that said "WE WANT OUR MONEY BACK".
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The game went to OT tied 0-0, and by the late 3rd period we were already begging for SOMEONE to score- didn't have to be a Colorado player, just SOMEONE please save us from a tie game! No. No, we finished the game 0-0. It was awful.
And this is why I am a proponant of the shootout. Even OT games can end in ties, with the shootout there will be a winner before the night is done. And it's less wear-and-tear on the players (as a whole) than longer OT periods.
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Despite the fact that the Caps have certainly benefited from the shoot out this year I am still against it as long as it produces a three point game in the standings. If the loser is going to continue get a charity point they should move to a 3 pt regulation win, 2 ot win, and 1 pt for the ot loss. The current format does not support going for the win anymore then the old system did.
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I'm a proponent of ditching the charity point completely. Yes, you got past the first sixty minutes. Awesome, but you still lost in the end.
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The "nice loss, broski!" point is an oddity. But I can no longer complain this year, because without it, the Wings would be doormats beneath the other teams on the bubble.
The whispers of 4 minutes of four-on-four hockey followed by 4 minutes of three-on-three hockey before a shootout (which looks like it is here to stay permanently no matter how points are calculated now or in the future) sounds very intriguing. Actually, my real dream is for the NHL adopt Olympic-sized ice, but that is never going to happen because it entails at least 30 arenas being totally razed, at least on the inside. But extending OT by three minutes while using less players to open up the ice will do nicely. :) I just hope it's being seriously looked into.
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Howard stops 44 of 45 shots to see the Wings through a win in LA. :)) After the feeding frenzy in the Shark Tank on Thursday, people were not expecting any points from this California trip. The young fireplug Tatar assisted on the first goal and scored the game winner in this one, the day after his father passed back home in Slovakia. He's headed home after the game tomorrow with the Ducks.
Just noticed Boston won in the said Tank. Good deal, looks like Tuuka also had a great night, he's got the shutout lead now :)
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Yeah, California road trips should just be known as 'the buzzsaw' from now on
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The 3 California teams combined have yet to lose 10 games combined in regulation. Anyone going to their house is for a tough go of it.
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Howard stops 44 of 45 shots to see the Wings through a win in LA. :)) After the feeding frenzy in the Shark Tank on Thursday, people were not expecting any points from this California trip. The young fireplug Tatar assisted on the first goal and scored the game winner in this one, the day after his father passed back home in Slovakia. He's headed home after the game tomorrow with the Ducks.
Just noticed Boston won in the said Tank. Good deal, looks like Tuuka also had a great night, he's got the shutout lead now :)
It's a good thing Rask was on for that game, because during this road trip the offense has been just awful. Really, Rask wasn't great the previous two games either (he got pulled from the Anaheim game), so it was nice to see some facet of the Bruins perform well at last.
Now if only the offense would start pulling its weight...
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What do the Blue Jackets and Jets have in common?
Firing Claude Noel.
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What do the Blue Jackets and Jets have in common?
Firing Claude Noel.
I'm not sure why the Jets bothered. What was Noel supposed to do with this roster? There's not much offense, the defense is pretty vanilla, the goaltending is just awful... they're not the worst team out there, but they're not playoff caliber. That's not on Noel, who I think got plenty out of a lame roster- that's on the GM staff. The team couldn't pay people to watch them in Atlanta, so they moved, and... now what? Look at the roster- the core is still the same group of underperformers that failed repeatedly in Atlanta, three years later! If they were awful as Thrashers, why would they be better as Jets?
Noel is the scapegoat for a much bigger problem in Winnipeg- firing him is a big step backward for a team that won't be any better until there's some turnover in personnel on the ice, particularly in net.
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Not to mention that moving to the west was accompanied by terrible timing. This Jets team could compete on the bubble in the east, maybe. But they have no hope this season. Might as well have let him finish out, but whatever.
I suspect this move may have been an attempt to placate all of those loud booing fans, and more importantly, their wallets. It's a nasty business, but I don't think doing things like this helps. The team isn't going to discover chemistry any easier with an interim boss, or gel while under the gun of imminent trades. And i bet trades are in the works, otherwise, fire the coach after the season and trade deadline, right?
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Jets fans think Claude's been doing a poor job in his choice of strategies. http://jetsnation.ca/2014/1/9/team-comparables-are-the-2014-jets-like-the-2009-oilers (http://jetsnation.ca/2014/1/9/team-comparables-are-the-2014-jets-like-the-2009-oilers)
http://jetsnation.ca/2013/12/28/the-difference-between-byfuglien-and-suter-in-two-pictures (http://jetsnation.ca/2013/12/28/the-difference-between-byfuglien-and-suter-in-two-pictures), causing further degradation in performance from their line up.
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Edmonton's had a busy day. Traded Devan Dubnyk to Nashville for Matt Hendricks, then immediately traded a third round pick to the Kings for Ben Scrivens to replace him as Bryz' backup.
Not bad, Oilers. Dubnyk was awful, so trading him out for Scrivens is a big upgrade. Hendricks was a very solid performer in Washington prior to heading to the Preds, so that's a good guy to add some grit to the team. So they upgraded in goal and added some muscle, losing a third round pick in the process. Solid moves.
Where I'm concerned is... if Nashville is making a trade for Dubnyk, what does that mean about Pekka Rinne's recovery from his health problems?
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The 3 California teams combined have yet to lose 10 games combined in regulation. Anyone going to their house is for a tough go of it.
The Sharks have only lost once this year at home - to the Canucks.
Canucks looked darn good on Monday but lost 1 - 0 in LA.
Ducks haven't lost at home this year either, so tonight's Canucks @ Ducks game should be an epic battle
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Ahhhh... So when Chanman called California the Buzzsaw, he was speaking from the seat of dread, and not the seat of lament. Though at this point, what's the difference? It's all the same sad song for every team that travels through there. (great link to the hockey nation site, btw, Chanman)
I wondered about LA holding on to Scrivens with the way he's been playing. LA plays a good system, but he has been great when they needed him to play for Quick. Nice getting him for a third rounder.
Datsyuk named captain of team Russia. That makes two olympic captains from the Red Wings. Ten players total going to Sochi, more than any other team this year according to sources. Makes the happenings of this season hit even harder, though it also highlights exactly how injuries can derail a team. *edited out that annoying extra space below...
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Ten players total going to Sochi, more than any other team this year according to sources.
It's best you check your sources. Chicago and St. Louis each have ten players going to Sochi for their respected homelands.
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It's best you check your sources. Chicago and St. Louis each have ten players going to Sochi for their respected homelands.
It was OK a few days ago. NHL.com reported it. :-[
But as you say, the Blues, the Blackhawks, and the Red Wings. This season (and last, and last again...), one of these things is so not like the others, and that thing is red. Injuries have only made it worse.
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My favorite matchup every season is the Penguins/Capitals. Because both teams (and fanbases) hate each other on these nights - there are no friends when these two play - and usually the game is an absolute excitement-laden grudge match.
Last night was no exception. Best game between the two in a couple years, and I'm utterly thrilled Ollie got the GWG.
It helps that I can continue my streak of annoying the two Caps fans on my office floor, too. :D
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So... the Red Wings own the Kings this season? I can live with that.
Lost two games 1 to 0 in between that time, to the Ducks and Rangers respectively.
Funny that around here folks on the sports radio are calling in and freaking out in various ways, but it's not that bad. Sure, we're out of it for now, and it's slowly looking bleaker. Streaks are not everything. And the Wings and their fans may have to see some very hard decisions made this year, some kind of combination of older players and younger ones will be let go, that much is obvious from the numbers of kids we've called up this year. Scouts are at every game, from many teams waiting to see who we let go to waivers. It's just tough luck right now. It's a skid that's hard to break out of, but not that bad because every game has been hyper-competitive and could have been tied up on any play. And the goalies are owning it. Howard is on it suddenly.
Like tonight. Twist of fate, and Tatar comes through again returning from Europe after missing NYR. He was missed.
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Wow, Jacob Trouba had two shorthanded goals tonight... :o
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Man, that goal by the Red Wings at the end of regulation tonight was total crap... that puck is WAY out of play before coming back down and hitting Jonathan Quick in the back. Totally ridiculous that the officials let that count.
Now, let's see if anyone survives the Canucks/Flames game... line brawl at faceoff, coaches fighting in hallways between periods... quite the day.
EDIT: Oh yeah, I forgot about the earlier game. San Jose 5, (Martin) St. Louis 4. What a game that guy had today!
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Now, let's see if anyone survives the Canucks/Flames game... line brawl at faceoff, coaches fighting in hallways between periods... quite the day.
Yeah, Torts will probably get a nasty-gram from the NHL for that.
He's normally such a mellow, calm dude.... :D
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Man, that goal by the Red Wings at the end of regulation tonight was total crap... that puck is WAY out of play before coming back down and hitting Jonathan Quick in the back. Totally ridiculous that the officials let that count.
If I were Quick, I would be livid. Puck hit him right below the Q and rolled in. But it hit the mesh and four sets of eyes didn't see it so it was not a reviewable play was the explanation...
If the officiating this year had not already been shaky and "different" in almost every game as to what gets called against whom, or outright biased against us most nights, but strangely "for" us on some other nights, I'd complain too that this goal wasn't right. But the stripes called it, we'll take it. They're a fickle bunch.
Problem is we have no idea what they'll call the next game like. They are apt to take away a perfectly legit goal in a random upcoming game. And it doesn't help that the announcers notice too and say things accordingly. If it happens, they are the first to say "such as such was for what happened the other night..."
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I wonder what kind of repurcussions that goal will have for the playoffs. It won't affect things as long as the Wings don't make the playoffs (or are two at least 2 points above the next team) and the Kings make the playoffs and don't lose position because of a single point.
I have not clue why that isn't review-able. Inexcusable.
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I agree, the officiating has been horrible in some games. The last two Wild games had a couple that were blatant non-calls by the refs.
Last night:
Intentional elbow to the face in open ice, wrestling like takedown move, sitting on goolie, taking players stick tossing to the corner...
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Funny thing is no one here except me (...maybe just me, maybe not) has noticed the Wings' goals that have been disallowed for no good reason, which alters the game, and we went on to lose a couple of them. I certainly don't bring that complaining here (maybe last year, but that was different ;D ).
If the refs finally intended for us to win one with their help, then good, but we need at least one more because I know two loses that we would have at least got a point from if the refs didn't wave off goals because the chicken bones in their pregame dinner told them to do it.
Not to be a smartass, but I do feel obliged to say the cheating/fast and loose bufoonery with the rules wasn't on our end. Blame the stripes, but I also invite you to watch for the retributive call that will come in one of the games coming up, it always does.
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I'm not blaming the Wings. I'll be honest, I can't even blame the zebras for most of it. This is firmly at the feet of the league and their review rules.
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I agree totally. We at home got to see it hit the mesh net from 4 or 5 angles, and everyone (myself included) knew that we were getting a giant break. This is a rare occurrence so it would not slow the game too much just to review it. It would be better than thinking about how we'll get something small held on us in a big way in the future, whether that's a true concern or not.
Glad this was not actually in the playoffs. Everyone in the league had to hear about Brett Hull's foot for two years after the Stars beat the Panthers in the finals ;)
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Wings beat Blackhawks 5 to 4 in a shootout, our best of the season so far. Tatar opened up the scoring again, this kid is something else. Scoring was spread out for both teams, and Gustavsson stood huge in the skills contest after showing rust in the first two periods.
And congratulations to the Jets for knocking the Ducks off their high horse at home last night. That was a good game too. Good hockey around the league in general lately.
The goalies across the league have been stealing the show one way or another lately, and tonight is no exception.
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For my 40th I decided to treat myself and my wife and my father to a Wild game. My brother is also coming in from out of town, along with some other friends, looks like about 10 of us heading to the Excel Energy Center. Hopes to be a good time, I have been to a couple Gophers games but never gotten the chance to see the Wild yet. 2 months away and I am already looking forward to it.
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Canucks are currently out 3 centers: Sedin is day-to-day with injured ribs, Santorelli is 'worse than day-to-day' according to the team (shoulder), and Schroeder broke his ankle twice in the fall although he should be back soon (playing a couple conditioning games with the AHL team first). Know anyone who plays center? There might be some openings!
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Canucks are currently out 3 centers: Sedin is day-to-day with injured ribs, Santorelli is 'worse than day-to-day' according to the team (shoulder), and Schroeder broke his ankle twice in the fall although he should be back soon (playing a couple conditioning games with the AHL team first). Know anyone who plays center? There might be some openings!
Pfffft. What's the point in drafting identical twins if they aren't interchangeable? Get off your ass, Sedin! ;D
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Pfffft. What's the point in drafting identical twins if they aren't interchangeable? Get off your ass, Sedin! ;D
Something became evident from the video of the twins signing their contract extension this year. They're opposite handed. ???
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Canucks are currently out 3 centers: Sedin is day-to-day with injured ribs, Santorelli is 'worse than day-to-day' according to the team (shoulder), and Schroeder broke his ankle twice in the fall although he should be back soon (playing a couple conditioning games with the AHL team first). Know anyone who plays center? There might be some openings!
Lucky our next 3 games are Nashville, Phoenix & Edmonton. ^-^
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I was flipping through some hockey news, when I caught word of the Edmonton/San Jose game. Ben Scrivens, the Edmonton goalie, had an NHL record-setting night, getting fifty-nine saves in the 3-0 shutout. Scrivens' record is for stops in a shutout, by the way, as the record for the most stops in a regular season game is 70. That game, as well as the now number three game for stops in a game, both went into overtime. Scrivens did this in regulation. Impressive...
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That was a monster game. If I'm Bryzgalov, I'm nervous about keeping that starting job now.
...and if I'm Dubnyk, I'm sobbing into my pillow in Tennessee. :P
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That was a monster game. If I'm Bryzgalov, I'm nervous about keeping that starting job now.
...and if I'm Dubnyk, I'm sobbing into my pillow in Tennessee. :P
If I'm Scrivens I'm nervously asking if this is normal for Edmonton. O:-)
(This answers the question of "How bad are the Oilers?": "We require record-breaking goaltending bad")
(http://oilersnation.com/uploads/Image/30-Scrivens-5.png)
(http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3931331/oilerspklulz.png)
Also, the Sharks lost to the Flames tonight. Flames now with wins over Chicago and San Jose this week
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The waiver wickedness has begun in Detroit. Mikael Samuelson has cleared waivers, surprise! Bertuzzi will possibly also do so, it is expected. From there, the cuts get younger. Jacub Kindl may become a waiver fatality, and then center Joakim Andersson might also be gone. People call for Quincy's head, but he'll be here for a while, he may be the healthiest defender this year, even if his numbers have left people wanting a lot more.
And of course, Scrivens' game was awesome to read about and a sorrow to have missed. He has answered my question about him from earlier; was this season really him, or a product of playing behind the LA Kings? I think they're going to be sorry they couldn't have gotten more for him.
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Gus Nyquist was ok'd for the Swedish Olympic Team roster spot vacated by a concussed Johan Franzen today. Bad news for the Mule ends up being a golden opportunity for a kid who thought he was only going to spectate a week ago. To bad the Wings couldn't have taken both games against the Caps, but at least no one was bored during the two great games they played this passed weekend. And seeing the kids take over scoring is awesome at the least.
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It really depends on your point of view as to whether either was a boring game. Cliffhangers, yes, entertaining not so much for this Caps fan. Detroit played extremely well on Friday night and when the game tightened up in overtime Howard carried the way and through the shootout. I'm not certain what Neuvirth's shootout record for his career is, but in general over the last couple years it never seems to be all that awesome. I was generally pleased by the fact he got as far as he did. Given that most all the Red Wings shots on him in the shootout were generally directed to the same side of the net and his weak side I was surprised he gave up only the one goal.
I was at the game on Sunday and it was exciting to a point. The two quick goals were great, but as has been the story all season long, it doesn't matter until the final horn sounds. The ice was horrendous, no where near as bad as MSG slush, but guys were falling down left and right for no good reason what so ever. The ref's penalty calls were fairly inconsistent. That is including the call where the Caps got the call that lead to the PP game winner. That call, one has to figure, was a make up for some of the earlier ones from the third period where there were non calls against Detroit for a hold or blatant interference. In any event both games were yet another wonderful display of cardiac Caps hockey.
It also isn't looking pretty for the trade deadline for us either. On the cap we 200k left open at the moment. The player that would potentially get a modest return, Mike Green, is again concussed. While I'd love to see John Erskine sit and bring back either Olesky or Schmidt it isn't going to happen unless either Erskine ends up in a coma or Green gets placed on LTIR. Both Olesky and Schmidt played well this year, but both are a victim of numbers and two way contracts.
So here is who the Caps have left to trade that isn't restricted by some sort of NTC: Joel Ward, Jason Chimera, Holtby, or Neuvirth. Trading either Ward or Chimera is effectively flying the white flag on the season that we won't make the playoffs. The Caps just have to many holes to fill. They need Grabovski back badly. If not for his scoring, at the very least for his ability to win a face off which is otherwise lacking from our other centers. Grabovski also needs a winger who can put the puck in the net from time to time. Laich has lost almost 50 more then he has won this season and is in and out hurt to boot. Backstrom is just south of 50% overall and is winning less draws at even strength. Beagle is running about 56% but has only about 1/3 the draws of Backstrom and half that of Grabovski. It is just one giant large quagmire here in Washington and the choices are start gutting some of the minor talent now and free up some cap space for this year and next for some return. Or wait two years for some of these contract to fall off the books and start the rebuild. Only one good thing can come of it all if the Caps don't make the playoffs this year and no sell off occurs. George Mcphee is more likely to get let go which would make me very happy.
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There's a lot of griping on the local radio over the Canucks performance.
Mind you, they are currently out 5 of the top 8 D-men on the depth chart (including probably the top three defencemen and both of the spares. Edler and Stanton just returned injury in the last 2-3 weeks as well), intermittently 3 centers (Henrik has been playing hurt and will miss the Olympics, Santorelli is out for the season due to surgery. Both were injured by Hanzal in the same game, Richardson just returned from a foot injury, Schroeder just returned not even two weeks ago from breaking his ankle twice last year).
Higgins is likely playing injured (he missed the Bruins game but came back for Montreal), and Burrows never got his season started (broke his foot early and then his jaw soon after returning).
There have been so many AHL call-ups that I'm wondering if some idiot got a monkey's paw for Christmas and wished that the Canucks would play their prospects more (Incidentally, their AHL affiliate is in last place)
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Olympic time. Make your predictions here for Olympic hockey so we can all laugh at you when you're wrong in two weeks. ;)
Here, I'll start:
Gold: USA
Silver: Finland
Bronze: Canada
That's right, Finland. I stand by my lunacy. ;)
EDIT: This prediction was made before finding out that Koivu and Fillpula will miss the Olympics for Finland. Crap. There goes that idea...
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*walks to podium, shuffling papers*
Right, so first I have my Olympic predictions:
Gold: Canada
Silver: Sweden
Bronze: U.S.
And with that out of the way....could you dim the lights please? Thanks. I'll just leave this right here....
http://youtu.be/LprzxFAoH9w
*slips out the back*
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Bravo, Torts! O0
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Whoa. Kris Letang had a stroke last week. It sounds like the treatment is to keep his blood thinner than normal (be careful not to get cut Kris), but the fix sounds like closing up the hole that's in his heart. Given that the Olympic break is coming up, Letang being out six weeks won't be as bad as if it were any other year.
Best of health man.
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2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.
Men's Hockey Tournament.
Sweden - Gold
America - Silver
Slovakia - Bronze
I know, Red and White Koolaid may be to blame for this group of selections. ;D But I like it.
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Gold: Canada
Silver: USA
Bronze: Sweden
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Glad this was not actually in the playoffs. Everyone in the league had to hear about Brett Hull's foot for two years after the Stars beat the Panthers in the finals ;)
Actually the Stars beat the Sabres. The only appearance of the Panthers in the finals was a 4-0 sweep to the Avalanche.
Least we let Buffalo forget though Brett Hull was still reminding the the Sabers about it in 2011:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Brett-Hull-trolling-Sabres-fans-on-Twitter-is-th?urn=nhl-wp15595 (http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Brett-Hull-trolling-Sabres-fans-on-Twitter-is-th?urn=nhl-wp15595)
and also 2012:
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/brett-hull-halloween-pumpkin-trolling-buffalo-sabres-fans-012319384--nhl.html (http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/brett-hull-halloween-pumpkin-trolling-buffalo-sabres-fans-012319384--nhl.html)
a summary of 2013 and other highlights are here:
http://www.sportingnews.com/nhl/story/2013-06-19/brett-hull-twitter-stars-stanley-cup-anniversary-in-the-crease-rule (http://www.sportingnews.com/nhl/story/2013-06-19/brett-hull-twitter-stars-stanley-cup-anniversary-in-the-crease-rule)
So in 4 months and 11 days we can expect something awe inspiring for the the 15th anniversary of the greatest goal ever!
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Gold: Canada
Silver: Russia
Bronze: Finland
Canada is stacked for the Gold. Russia plays inspired on home ice, but falls short. Finland wins the Bronze, because it's Finland and that's what they do.
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Gold-Canada
Silver-Slovakia
Tin on yarn-USA
For some reason,these olyimpic games don't jump out at me,,,stickin with "bean pot" terny
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Actually the Stars beat the Sabres. The only appearance of the Panthers in the finals was a 4-0 sweep to the Avalanche.
Least we let Buffalo forget though Brett Hull was still reminding the the Sabers about it in 2011:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Brett-Hull-trolling-Sabres-fans-on-Twitter-is-th?urn=nhl-wp15595 (http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Brett-Hull-trolling-Sabres-fans-on-Twitter-is-th?urn=nhl-wp15595)
and also 2012:
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/brett-hull-halloween-pumpkin-trolling-buffalo-sabres-fans-012319384--nhl.html (http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/brett-hull-halloween-pumpkin-trolling-buffalo-sabres-fans-012319384--nhl.html)
a summary of 2013 and other highlights are here:
http://www.sportingnews.com/nhl/story/2013-06-19/brett-hull-twitter-stars-stanley-cup-anniversary-in-the-crease-rule (http://www.sportingnews.com/nhl/story/2013-06-19/brett-hull-twitter-stars-stanley-cup-anniversary-in-the-crease-rule)
So in 4 months and 11 days we can expect something awe inspiring for the the 15th anniversary of the greatest goal ever!
See? I was doing my part to forget ;) (Honestly, I did. I was thinking he beat Beezer stick-side, totally forgot that was the Avs that did that, amid being pelted by black rubber rats.)
I know I've said it before, but if Hull were to break his jaw, there's a good possibility of it being fatal to him.
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Sweden beating the US for gold
Russia beating Canada for bronze
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Men's
Gold: Sweden
Silver: Canada
Bronze: Czech Republic
Women's
Gold: Canada
Silver: USA
Bronze: Who cares, there are only two noteworthy Women's Teams, the rest play for third.
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Tre Kroner looked impressive in their win over the Czech Republic team today. Zetterberg's viking beard seems poised for victory. Canada and the US feature powerhouse offenses on their teams. Lundqvist will obviously be their best defender, and he will have to be for the gold to be attainable.
(http://1.cdn.nhle.com/redwings/images/upload/2014/02/4hz0212.jpg)
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Not certain what to make of Canada after watching their game today. They played very well in that second period seldom giving any space to Norway when they did manage to get into Canadian territory. However, the fact they didn't blow their doors off is mildly surprising. A lot of that had to do with Norwegian goaltender, Haugen, playing out of his mind, but if he can do that over the next 2 games Norway might manage to win them both. I wouldn't mind watching their next game, but unless some miracle happens and they don't plow tonight I'll be at work during the game.
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;)
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By the way, Hail to Jaroslav Halak (Olympic Version), same as the Jaroslav Halak (NHL Version)... ::)
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Anyone got Zetterberg on their fantasy team?
Might want to keep a very close eye on him... he's out for the rest of the Olympics due to a herniated disc, and it sounds like they don't expect that he'll be ready when the NHL returns for the final stretch to the playoffs. So... yeah. That sucks.
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Anyone got Zetterberg on their fantasy team?
Might want to keep a very close eye on him... he's out for the rest of the Olympics due to a herniated disc, and it sounds like they don't expect that he'll be ready when the NHL returns for the final stretch to the playoffs. So... yeah. That sucks.
Get your earplugs. I'm sure someone will have something to say...
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Get your earplugs. I'm sure someone will have something to say...
Well, I hope someone realizes earplugs are infective on the net, and eyeplugs are an idea that should not leave the concept stage. ^-^
All I have to say is I thought I used up all my curse energy on Patrick Kane. Guess I was wrong. Need to be more careful about where I point this thing, the season is almost over...
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USA vs. Russia,,,,man this is sweet. ;D
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USA vs. Russia,,,,man this is sweet. ;D
Fell asleep after 2 AM... up at 7:30... no coffee... this had better be a great game, because that's the only way I'm staying awake through this thing. ;D
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What a gem so far! I passed out early last night, and knew the sleep would serve me well. Datsyuk just tied it 2 - 2.
Too bad about Slovakia, they fed the Slovenia hockey machine today.
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What a gem so far! I passed out early last night, and knew the sleep would serve me well. Datsyuk just tied it 2 - 2.
Yeah, but did you see the one after that? That poor terrified ref making the call that noone expected, and the look on Putin's face...
...yeah, I think there's definitely gonna be a missing officiating crew after this. God that was a wild finish. Go Oshie!
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And its a member of the Minnesota Tribe that gets the shoot out goal!
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Great win for the US. At least Datsyuk earned some respect and got to play a great game in front of his home crowd, even if it wasn't enough against this US squad and the mighty, mighty TJ Oshie.
And of course the poor hapless whistling zebra who will face all the things rule 4 protects us innocent forumites from. ;)
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So the international shootout rules just allow you to use the same guy over and over, apparently? I actually found that disappointing- with rosters as deep as we see from these two teams, just seeing Kovalchuk/Datsyuk and Oshie over and over was a little disappointing.
Loving the result though. Definitely glad I dragged myself out of bed early for that game, what a good one.
(Also, just for the record, I VERY much disagree with the disallowed goal. If the net was off its moorings, play should have stopped before the puck ever had a chance to be shot. If it wasn't a big deal before the goal, then it shouldn't have been a big enough deal to cancel the goal. Russia got boned on that one.)
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Apparently the net was knocked a second or two before the shot by Quick.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BghdfomCQAESdEA.jpg (https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BghdfomCQAESdEA.jpg)
The refs may not have even NOTICED the hit for how little it was off, but it was spotted on replay. Still, though...to be the poor sucker who had to make that call, and now I imagine people are going to suspect Quick knocked the net to prevent the goal in the first place. I doubt it, but it IS a dick move that would work.
Talk about one nasty call changing the whole freaking outcome. And yeah, I was disappointed they weren't cycling through the team for shooters, but I guess when you've got someone with a 70% penalty completion in the NHL you're gonna use the hell out of him.
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I would rather see the entire team cycled through, as well. It's already a skills competition, using only one player really circumvents the concept of team sports. But whatever, someone else was treated to a great dinner and drinks and who knows what else to make the rules what they are. ;D
Oshie will take it, I'm sure.
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Sad that i missed most of this one, saw it started at 730 EST, so i figured well 830 CST, obviously I don't know how timezones work...
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Sad that i missed most of this one, saw it started at 730 EST, so i figured well 830 CST, obviously I don't know how timezones work...
try 6:30am CST that would have been 4:30am PST for me.. um no thank you I saw that we won and I happy for that. I missed a great game
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try 6:30am CST that would have been 4:30am PST for me.. um no thank you I saw that we won and I happy for that. I missed a great game
Yeah they should have posted the times in GMT...that would have made it easier.
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Apparently the net was knocked a second or two before the shot by Quick.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BghdfomCQAESdEA.jpg (https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BghdfomCQAESdEA.jpg)
The refs may not have even NOTICED the hit for how little it was off, but it was spotted on replay. Still, though...to be the poor sucker who had to make that call, and now I imagine people are going to suspect Quick knocked the net to prevent the goal in the first place. I doubt it, but it IS a dick move that would work.
Talk about one nasty call changing the whole freaking outcome. And yeah, I was disappointed they weren't cycling through the team for shooters, but I guess when you've got someone with a 70% penalty completion in the NHL you're gonna use the hell out of him.
It was interesting that Quick was immediately trying to discuss it with the ref- I thought it might have been a high stick at first that he was pointing out, but it may be that he knew the net had moved, and was saving that tidbit of info in case he needed it- when he did, he had an ace in the hole.
I did netminding for a long time, I've pulled some dumb stuff like that myself. Being totally up front with my rotten behavior, it sounds like something I'D do if I thought I could get away with it. ;)
Interesting to note- had the collapsible posts under the net stanchions been colored neon green as they are in the NHL, this would have been noticed immediately- but since they were apparently the same red as the stanchions, that made it impossible for the referee to see until the replay. I found that interesting.
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The Canada/Finland game, while exciting in its own way in flashes and jolts, was rather anti-climactic in comparison to the US/Russia match up yesterday. Drew Doughty is hard to cheer for, and that's entirely his own fault for being a good defenseman for the Kings. ;D Opinions may differ sharply for perfectly good reasons.
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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/winter-olympics/10649343/Sochi-2014-Vladimir-Putin-furious-as-Russia-crash-out-of-Winter-Olympics-ice-hockey-tournament-to-Finland.html
Finland eliminated Russia from the Winter Olympics men's ice-hockey tournament with a 3-1 victory on Wednesday, putting a stunning end to the Russians' enormous expectations at home in front of a visibly furious Vladimir Putin. ...Alex Ovechkin, the reigning NHL MVP and one of the Sochi Games' most public faces, failed to score another goal for Russia after scoring on his first shot just 1:17 into Russia's opener against Slovenia.
OUCH. Talk about a lot of hopes for the finals, and a lot of jokes about a repeat gold-medal showdown between the US and Russia again; I admit I was looking forward to such a thing as a rematch of the awful prelim meetup. That goal, man, that goal. Talk about a heartbreaker, and doubly so with the way this turned out, but that comment about the president?
Overchicken: RUN. Right now, get to the airport, fly right the hell back, do everything you can to get out of the country. Don't ever think about going back.
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Please, PLEASE, let's keep this focused on HOCKEY. I don't want another mention of Putin or anything like that in this thread, please. There's plenty of places for that- these forums ain't it. You do NOT want to see how mad I'll get if the hockey thread gets locked up. >:/!
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No no no I didn't mean it like that! I apologize, and really only meant to post the rather surprising results of the match. Frankly I guess Finland's in contention for medals; the men have aced all four of their games while the women went 3-1; they're on a tear. And this is new to me; the US-Russia game was the first hockey game I watched - and that was a good one.
Idly, more NHL and less olympic related, what ever happened to the 'photon torpedo puck,' the overlay of a colored special effect to make the thing easier to follow for viewers.
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No sweat- figured it was either-or, wanted to make sure it didn't go further than that. :)
You picked a good first hockey game to watch, for what it's worth- that was one of the better games I've ever watched, and I've been a hockey fan since I was a toddler. Not sure where you live, but if you're in an American/Canadian market the NHL playoff hunt is just about to get interesting, and picks up again with these same players heading back to their NHL teams starting on Wednesday night (Buffalo and Boston face off on NBC Sports).
As for the 'glowing puck', there are a couple of reasons it's gone. One is that Fox owned the rights to it, so when Fox lost NHL rights the glowing puck didn't come with them. Another part was that players said the sensor in the puck unbalanced it, making for strange passes sometimes due to the weight imbalance. (No idea how true that is, I never got to try one, but I'm sure the tech has advanced enough now to try again).
The big problem though was that it didn't really help the way Fox wanted it to. The idea was to bring in new fans by making the puck easier to watch, and it didn't really do that- it made a glowing spot on the screen, but it didn't bring in new fans just for that reason. And it annoyed people who were already fans (hello!) to have that thing on the screen like that. (Key to watching hockey, as well as playing- if you want to know where the puck is, don't bother watching for the puck. Watch instead where the players are looking- THEY know where it is, so just follow what they're looking at.)
...I will admit though, having the puck stop against the boards during a stop in play and create a glowing halo over some bald guy's head always did make me laugh. ;)
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No sweat- figured it was either-or, wanted to make sure it didn't go further than that. :)
Yeah. Mostly meant to show that Putin was REALLY hoping for the win, and apparently was a very unhappy camper as was most of Russia after that. Especially after the US-RU game, and the feeling of the takeaway no-goal that would have won the game for the Russians...and now here's Ovechkin, NHL superstar, and he can't even win? I wouldn't be at ALL surprised if there were a lot of fans grumbling about his being a ringer who threw it, and well...I can't help but call him the Overchicken anymore after my mother saw his jersey and misread it as that out loud.
You picked a good first hockey game to watch, for what it's worth- that was one of the better games I've ever watched, and I've been a hockey fan since I was a toddler. Not sure where you live, but if you're in an American/Canadian market the NHL playoff hunt is just about to get interesting, and picks up again with these same players heading back to their NHL teams starting on Wednesday night (Buffalo and Boston face off on NBC Sports).
So I keep hearing. Well, it was a freakin nailbiter for me. And, I'm out in Winchester. So technically I'm a Caps fan, I guess, by sheer proximity!
As for the 'glowing puck', there are a couple of reasons it's gone. One is that Fox owned the rights to it, so when Fox lost NHL rights the glowing puck didn't come with them. Another part was that players said the sensor in the puck unbalanced it, making for strange passes sometimes due to the weight imbalance. (No idea how true that is, I never got to try one, but I'm sure the tech has advanced enough now to try again).
The big problem though was that it didn't really help the way Fox wanted it to. The idea was to bring in new fans by making the puck easier to watch, and it didn't really do that- it made a glowing spot on the screen, but it didn't bring in new fans just for that reason. And it annoyed people who were already fans (hello!) to have that thing on the screen like that. (Key to watching hockey, as well as playing- if you want to know where the puck is, don't bother watching for the puck. Watch instead where the players are looking- THEY know where it is, so just follow what they're looking at.)
...I will admit though, having the puck stop against the boards during a stop in play and create a glowing halo over some bald guy's head always did make me laugh. ;)
Okay that's just plain hilarious. Yeah, figured it was something like that, but I'm a baseball fan so yeah - I'm partly used to being able to see where the small ball is from the camera. Plus with the puck going into the blind below the wall, or bouncing off of like five people at once, it's hard for me to follow but I'll learn.
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Oh hell, you're a lot closer than I realized! (I'm over in Alexandria)- yeah, the Caps usually are on Comcast Sports Network, and while they're... not a good team right now, to say the least, the games are exciting anyway. Ovechkin has a lot of unfortunate baggage attached to him as being a 'choker', that he disappears in big games, and he does- but it's worth pointing out that the rest of his team seems to do the same, both in Washington and for Russia, so it's not all that fair to point at him specifically. Still... fact is, he has never won an Olympic medal of any kind, never has been out of the second round of the NHL playoffs, and those are some pretty glaring resume problems compared to the other 'top tier' players out there like Sid Crosby or Jonathan Toews.
("Overchicken", by the way, is hilarious, I'm using that myself now.)
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We now have our final four.
Sweden vs. Finland
USA vs. Canada
Latvia put up a hell of a fight against Canada, but... not enough.
This, friends, is going to be a damned good finish. :)
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That sounds epic.
Didn't Overchicken play for the Bruins or am I crazy?
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That sounds epic.
Didn't Overchicken play for the Bruins or am I crazy?
Nope, he was drafted by the Caps and has been there ever since.
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Oh hell, you're a lot closer than I realized! (I'm over in Alexandria)- yeah, the Caps usually are on Comcast Sports Network, and while they're... not a good team right now, to say the least, the games are exciting anyway. Ovechkin has a lot of unfortunate baggage attached to him as being a 'choker', that he disappears in big games, and he does- but it's worth pointing out that the rest of his team seems to do the same, both in Washington and for Russia, so it's not all that fair to point at him specifically. Still... fact is, he has never won an Olympic medal of any kind, never has been out of the second round of the NHL playoffs, and those are some pretty glaring resume problems compared to the other 'top tier' players out there like Sid Crosby or Jonathan Toews.
("Overchicken", by the way, is hilarious, I'm using that myself now.)
Oh come on now, you can say it, the Russians were... "Enigmatic" ;D
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Oh come on now, you can say it, the Russians were... "Enigmatic" ;D
If by 'enigmatic' you mean 'the enigma is where the hell their goal-scoring went', then yes. VERY 'enigmatic' indeed. ;D
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Why the Russians never seemed to be interested in feeding pucks to the PP sniper in his favorite spot boggles my mind. With his penchant for burning goalies with that shot from the dot, why wouldn't you try it? At worst, it makes the defense pay attention to him and devote a PKer to him (freeing up some ice elsewhere)
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Canucks are currently out 3 centers: Sedin is day-to-day with injured ribs, Santorelli is 'worse than day-to-day' according to the team (shoulder), and Schroeder broke his ankle twice in the fall although he should be back soon
Hey, but are now unbeaten in the last ten days!! :D
Idly, more NHL and less olympic related.
Oh god yes!
I'm not even that excited about the Olympic hockey finals, let's just get back to the REAL hockey. ;)
(Strangely, my kitten is uninterested in hockey, but is fascinated by curling ??? )
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Glad it wasn't Datsyuk's fault. Russia lost as ateam. Some players stand out for not playing to expectations, of course. Overchicken certainly, but Malkin also was playing like it was an All-Star game, and not an Olympic game. But not Datsyuk the playmaker turning sniper.
I still hope he's home soon, though :D
And there might be centers coming available from the Red Wings soon. But again probably not Datsyuk. He can stay. :)
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Idly, more NHL and less olympic related, what ever happened to the 'photon torpedo puck,' the overlay of a colored special effect to make the thing easier to follow for viewers.
In addition to Hellbie's explanation, which is all true and accurate, a good slapshot would break the thing sometimes, and people actually started complaining about the dot a lot more after watching parts of games without it. Anecdotal, but still amusing.
HD has eliminated the need for the puck glow. It's arguable that no other sport benefits as much as hockey does from it, and it's all about seeing the puck.
When I was a kid, my dad told me just to watch for where players are moving the most intensely and playing the hardest, and the puck was easy to watch, even on a BW 13 inch with rabbit ears O0
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Glad it wasn't Datsyuk's fault. Russia lost as ateam. Some players stand out for not playing to expectations, of course. Overchicken certainly, but Malkin also was playing like it was an All-Star game, and not an Olympic game. But not Datsyuk the playmaker turning sniper.
I still hope he's home soon, though :D
And there might be centers coming available from the Red Wings soon. But again probably not Datsyuk. He can stay. :)
It was odd, wasn't it? Datsyuk looked pretty good for most of it, Kovalchuk had his moments, even Radulov had several points (just mixed in with some boneheaded penalties!). Malkin and Ovechkin played in the first game- Ovechkin scored on his first shot- and that was the end of those two for the tournament.
Now, Overchicken takes a lot of beatings around here for the Capitals' playoff woes- when they make their annual spring swan dive, it's always his fault, whether deserved or not (usually he plays pretty well, and the rest of the team watches him do it). The stigma he's collected as a 'big game choker' to me isn't really fair, at least not to the extent that he gets. But... here we are. Ovechkin has been in the NHL now since the 2005/'06 season, has played in two Olympics, and has no Cup rings- not even a trip to the third round of the playoffs- and no medals to show for it. He DOES have two gold medals in World Championship play, to be fair, but... when I look at the ridiculous amount of talent he brings to the ice- one of the top five players in the world, and with a case to claim #1 on talent alone at least- that resume looks pretty thin.
I'm not even going to compare him to Crosby at this point- it's overdone, and their records speak for themselves. Let's go with someone else, a different Canadian:
Ovechkin: ???
Stanley Cup: 0 1 (plus one other trip to the Finals)
Olympic medals: 0 1 gold (plus still alive in this year's tournament)
World Championship: 2 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze 1 gold
World Juniors: 1 gold, 1 silver 1 gold
Looks a little lopsided, doesn't it? Those lower two are nice, but pro players tend to agree that it's those top two that really matter. And those are a pair of big goose eggs for Ovechkin in eight and a half seasons since entering the NHL.
So who is our mystery opponent? Another of those top five players? No. Maybe a top 25? Debatable, at least. But few would think to compare skill levels between Ovechkin and our friend here- yet those accolades earned are pretty lopsided. And our friend here could still earn another medal this weekend, to say nothing of waltzing to another Stanley Cup if the Bruins get back there this season (which isn't all that unlikely, really).
Our friend is Patrice Bergeron, and at this point I'd rather draft him than Ovechkin if I had to pick between them. Both entered the league at the same time (Bergeron was drafted earlier, but didn't come to the NHL full time until the '06 season). Both are considered the heart and soul of their teams. Ovechkin's raw talent makes the goal/point numbers look almost gaudy compared to Bergeron, and of course Bergeron's concussion issues stick out on the stat sheet as well in terms of missed games. But... one modified his game from 'sniper' to 'top defensive forward' because that's what his team needed, and when things become clutch Bergeron always seems to be the guy the Bruins turn to (remember that last-second comeback in Game 7 against Toronto last year?). Ovechkin... plays his game, and nothing more. And so far, for Washington and for Russia, that hasn't been nearly enough.
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So in the space of a few hours we have John Tavares out the rest of the season with a torn MCL, and Tomas Vanek having to apologize to Team Austria for being out drinking and partying hours before his game on Sunday.
Seriously, can I get an Islander fan in here to explain what is up with the bad luck of this team? I mean a lot of it is incompetence at the top, but... this is getting scary for you guys at this point.
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And just to comment on the Olympics, the CAN-USA women's hockey gold-medal is just about to start. Hopefully it's as good as the USA-RUS game!
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And just to comment on the Olympics, the CAN-USA women's hockey gold-medal is just about to start. Hopefully it's as good as the USA-RUS game!
It's a nail-biter of a game!
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It's a nail-biter of a game!
You say that THEN!
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You say that THEN!
Tie Game!!! Go Canada GO!
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[AAAH]
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Woohoo! Canada wins! (insert happy dance here)
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Canadian Women's Hockey is now four gold medals consecutive. Nice O0
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And that really sucks for Tavares, got to say. The Isles will have to dig deep to do good without what he brings to the ice.
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Canadian Women's Hockey is now four gold medals consecutive. Nice O0
Meanwhile tomorrow's gonna be just as crazy after that, even if it's not the match for the Gold.
So Hellbie, spill the beans man, who's who on the Caps and sell me on watching your silly Hawkee game. It looks fun.
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Meanwhile tomorrow's gonna be just as crazy after that, even if it's not the match for the Gold.
So Hellbie, spill the beans man, who's who on the Caps and sell me on watching your silly Hawkee game. It looks fun.
The Caps are easy to identify. #8 is Ovechkin, #19 is Nicklas Backstrom, and everybody else is dead weight.
Serioiusly, Ovechkin pretty much carries that team- I honestly don't know what would happen if he missed significant time with an injury. They have a number of talented players- there have been great seasons in the past from guys like Marcus Johannsen, Brooks Laich, Troy Brouwer, and Joel Ward is having a pretty good season. But the Caps need to find a way to get more out of those guys, because as talented as Ovechkin is (he leads the NHL in goals this season by a good margin), the Caps won't get anywhere in the playoffs without other forwards stepping up. No one needs to find his game more than their offseason acquisition, Mikhael Grabovski- he had three goals in the first game of the season, and has skated in figure-eights ever since. With a month-ish left before the playoffs, and the Caps not in a strong spot in the standings, guys like that need to start finding the back of the net.
Defense is at least a legit flaw on this team, for what that's worth- the forwards are a strong group that underperforms. Defense... this just isn't a good team defensively. The big name is Mike Green, a former point-scoring nightmare for other teams, who... just doesn't seem to care anymore. Maybe it's the injuries he's had the past few years, maybe it's that he's already getting paid enormous money so he doesn't feel like trying anymore, but whatever the reason Greeen is a guy who makes a good offense better... sometimes. At this point he should be a top priority to trade just to get rid of that enormous paycheck. To be honest, there's not much else to report on defensively- it's a group that tries, but just can't stop an opposing team from snapping off shots at the net almost at will these days.
And goaltending... let's talk goalies in Washington. Most teams have a starting goalie that they use for 60-70 games per year, and a backup who takes over every so often when the starter needs a right off or- heaven forbid- gets injured. The Caps though have three that they keep trying to rotate between- Brayden Holtby, Michael Neuvirth, and Philipp Grubauer. None of the three seems to be able to just grab the starting job from the other two, and the old rule is when you have three starting goalies, you don't have a starting goalie at all. All three have good nights and bad nights, but with the defense being so bland one of them needs to step up and take over, or this team is dead in the water.
If this sounds very negative, well, it is. Not because I hate the Caps- I do watch a lot of them, even though I'm a Boston and Colorado fan personally, and I just see a team that was designed to score goals at high volumes... not do that. There doesn't feel like there's much direction in Washington right now other than 'hope Ovechkini scores a lot', and in the modern NHL that just isn't going to be a solid recipe for success. Ever team has its good years and bad years, and the Caps are definitely on a slide downwards right now.
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*walks to podium, shuffling papers*
Right, so first I have my Olympic predictions:
Gold: Canada
Silver: Sweden
Bronze: U.S.
So I'm halfway to being right....
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So I'm halfway to being right....
Hey I'd have done better if Finland's roster hadn't started falling apart before the tournament started. Remember Terminator 2, when the T-1000 gets frozen by the liquid nitrogen (SPOILER!) and still tries to walk after our heroes? And every time he takes a step he leaves big chunks of himself behind, until finally he gets shattered to a million pieces? That's what Finland felt like in this Olympics- how many injuries does a team have to endure in two weeks?
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Hey I'd have done better if Finland's roster hadn't started falling apart before the tournament started. Remember Terminator 2, when the T-1000 gets frozen by the liquid nitrogen (SPOILER!) and still tries to walk after our heroes? And every time he takes a step he leaves big chunks of himself behind, until finally he gets shattered to a million pieces? That's what Finland felt like in this Olympics- how many injuries does a team have to endure in two weeks?
Less than the Penguins. :)
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Less than the Penguins. :)
...Yeeeah, about that... might want to check why Paul Martin isn't playing for USA today. :-\
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Gold: Canada
Silver: Russia
Bronze: Finland
Canada is stacked for the Gold. Russia plays inspired on home ice, but falls short. Finland wins the Bronze, because it's Finland and that's what they do.
I might get two right. I hope not though.
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...Yeeeah, about that... might want to check why Paul Martin isn't playing for USA today. :-\
Hey, I have John Tavares in my hockey pool, so maybe he'll crank it up in the second half. O0
Or maybe not.... #P
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I have only one out: Tre Kronor must rule Canada. It must be done.
Good luck to the combatants.
(at least the US has a shot to medal still... provided they can take out the Finnish terminator squad) O0
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...Yeeeah, about that... might want to check why Paul Martin isn't playing for USA today. :-\
Like I said...
(Word is he'll be out another month, but he hasn't been checked by the team yet.)
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wow so Canada Vs Sweden for gold GO SWEDEN! and US vs Fins for Bronze.... well its still a Medal go USA
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GO SWEDEN!
Red Wings and friends! Much better sounding.
I feel dirty.
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Red Wings Canucks and friends! Much better sounding.
I feel dirty.
How do you feel now? >:D
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Worse. But aren't there only two players from the Canucks on the Swedish team? There are 6 Red Wings on that team. I think they even managed to pull an entire forward line that has played together. That is huge. They managed to pick up the Backstrom and Johansson pair that play on the same line most of the time. Are the two Dmen from the Wings a pairing or had spent time paired together this season?
I just find it interesting that Babcock is now stuck dealing with some of the monstrosity that he helped create in team Sweden.
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Cavingjan is correct. However, it's defence pairings and forwards O0
;D
So.... GO RED WINGS AND FRIENDS!!! Go Sweden.
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So...the Americans are playing for the Russians, the Canadians are playing for the Swedes, and...
...how is this the olympics again? ???
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So...the Americans are playing for the Russians, the Canadians are playing for the Swedes, and...
...how is this the olympics again? ???
A lot of folks lately are arguing that we shouldn't send the pros anymore. Before the Sochi Olympics that idea had been brewing around here in Detroit area. Mostly because it's a top concern for a lot of Red Wing fans. And it happened to Zetterberg, the ultimate fear coming true. Injury, surgery, out for season.
Personally, either way is fine by me. If NHL will send the top players to the Olympics, I'm cheering for them and not begrudging them the right to represent their nation in the games.
But I heard a rumor not long ago that the NHL was looking into focusing more on the World Championship, and not the Olympics. We'll see, I guess. Commish Bettman is prone to hairbrain schemes and wishful thinking, but you never know until it's implemented how something like that would turn out. I wouldn't mind that, either.
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I don't mind NHLers (or other pro athletes) going into the olympics, but at least do it for the same country you play in...
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Or make it that you have significant manditory practice time with your country's team. The Olympic teams look like a cross between the NHL all star game and a regular NHL game. National teams should have more team cohesiveness than this. The womens teams were much more cohesive across the board than the mens teams.
The easy solution is if you want to play in the Olympics, you have to take a year off from team. I sorta felt that way four years ago. More so now.
And now we deal with the aftermath: injuries, team chemistry dissolved, hope you weren't on a hot streak before the break because odds are you will be at the other end of the spectrum after the break.
Sorry. I'll get off my snow mound.
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Or make it that you have significant manditory practice time with your country's team. The Olympic teams look like a cross between the NHL all star game and a regular NHL game. National teams should have more team cohesiveness than this. The womens teams were much more cohesive across the board than the mens teams.
The easy solution is if you want to play in the Olympics, you have to take a year off from team. I sorta felt that way four years ago. More so now.
And now we deal with the aftermath: injuries, team chemistry dissolved, hope you weren't on a hot streak before the break because odds are you will be at the other end of the spectrum after the break.
Sorry. I'll get off my snow mound.
ALL the American and Canadian women's teams do is play together. I'd argue that they're far more professional than the men's teams as they spend far more time training for international tournaments
Worse. But aren't there only two players from the Canucks on the Swedish team? There are 6 Red Wings on that team. I think they even managed to pull an entire forward line that has played together. That is huge. They managed to pick up the Backstrom and Johansson pair that play on the same line most of the time. Are the two Dmen from the Wings a pairing or had spent time paired together this season?
I just find it interesting that Babcock is now stuck dealing with some of the monstrosity that he helped create in team Sweden.
There are also two Canucks on Team Canada (Luongo and Hamhuis)
Also, I'd point out that most of the men's players are professionals - even the non-NHLers come from professional European leagues like the Swedish Elite League, the KHL, or the Czech, Swiss, or Finnish leagues. Barring NHLers really just puts Team Canada and Team USA fielding AHLers and junior league players (OHL, WHL).
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There are also two Canucks on Team Canada (Luongo and Hamhuis)
Has Luongo even played more than a game or two in the Prelim round? :-\
So the Olympics end on Sunday - am I missing something or did Team USA check out on Friday? :o
Yikes....
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ALL the American and Canadian women's teams do is play together. I'd argue that they're far more professional than the men's teams as they spend far more time training for international tournaments
Only on Olympic years in which the womens college hockey seasons are suspended. Judging by how many US collegiate players were on the ice during the Olympic tourney, I'd say they probably have to.
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Has Luongo even played more than a game or two in the Prelim round? :-\
So the Olympics end on Sunday - am I missing something or did Team USA check out on Friday? :o
Yikes....
Airline ticket prices go up over the weekend.
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But I heard a rumor not long ago that the NHL was looking into focusing more on the World Championship, and not the Olympics. We'll see, I guess. Commish Bettman is prone to hairbrain schemes and wishful thinking, but you never know until it's implemented how something like that would turn out. I wouldn't mind that, either.
I think the aim is to restart the World Cup of Hockey again. Their main issue with suspending the play for the Olympics is that they no money off of the event and their players to the teams' detriment could be injured while under contract. That doesn't make the league very happy. Especially if the injury to a player means they miss the NHL playoffs.
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Congratulations to Team Canada for their Gold Medal performance.
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Yzerman stepped down as GM of Team Canada yesterday. Said it was time to let someone else have a shot. Two gold medals in a row makes it feel easy, I guess. Now he can concentrate on more Stanley Cups in Tampa. Best of luck to him.
I'm happy for Coach Babcock, too. And glad we have him here.
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LOL,,,looking at all 3 coaches for team Canada and there players,,,it wouldn't surprise me.It's like a NHL all-star team.Everyone right down to the waterboy is in the NHL.
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Could be the last time Canada wins if the NHL decides to ban NHLers from playing Hockey in the Olympics. My understanding is that the NHL doesnot like shutting down the league for three weeks right in the middle of the season every four years due to financial implications and risk to players (Zetterberg and Tavares to name two who got hurt).
Canada and USA can't compete with the other nations without NHLers. Those two teams were made up entirely of NHLers, while Sweden, Russia, the Swiss and the Czechs drew anumber of players from their own national leagues. I can't see Canada and USA being competitive with minor leaguers. collegians and juniors on their respective teams.
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I agree,,,also the NHL don't get the rating bump they hoped in north America,,,,who wants to see a 2am game.
Even better,the next winter games is in korea,,,,so I can see games at 11pm,,,,,good lord.
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If the Hockey World Cup could take place in early September, before the season starts, I think I could be behind it for a week or ten days of hockey every year, instead of three weeks off every four years in mid season, as Sharpnel said. I've heard that it may go that way, but we'll have to wait and see, I imagine.
As for the Red Wings, I hope the young players listen to what Babcock is pushing. We're in a better position than last season in the West, but we aren't the only team that will be looking to turn their fortunes around before the playoffs.
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I'm quite confedant in Claude' seeing some of the D' team Canada was using....Bruin's flash-back.
As time off for non-NHL games,injery is the only down-side,,,maybe time zone thing too?I know I hate getting up a 2sm for work sucks,,,but to play a Hockey game?Wow-wah!
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Time zone is only the first day or two. Sun light is more a driving force than the time on your watch.
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NBCSN doubleheader tonight to get you back in the swing of things. Hide your cell phone in the fridge and tell your wife to go see her mom for the night, the NHL is back!
7:30 EST, we get it going with the Bruins picking up where they left off against the Sabres
10:00 EST, the Kings try to get their offense back on track against the surprising Avalanche.
So both of my teams are playing on national TV tonight. So... yeah, no one should expect to hear from me after about 6:00 tonight. If I'm still missing by morning, it's because they both lost and seppuku is the only logical option. ^-^
(GhostBear, you will be my second. If I begin to show pain... eh, you'll think it's funny if hockey causes me pain.)
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So both of my teams are playing on national TV tonight. So... yeah, no one should expect to hear from me after about 6:00 tonight. If I'm still missing by morning, it's because they both lost and seppuku is the only logical option. ^-^
Time to find my Ming the Merciless costume and a bowl of popcorn.
And some bore-worms for Hellbie.
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Wings vs Habs tonight! ;D
Is it right to be excited about facing Carey Price, the Olympic Gold Medalist fresh off of such superlative performances as nearly every game he played in the tourney can be described? [blank]
edit: No Price, he was injured in practice this morning. Budaj between the pipes. Still, gonna need a show tonight from the kids, I suspect.
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Red Wings took down Montreal 2 to 1 in OT last night.
Now tonight, Ottawa falls 6 to 1. The Mule got a hat trick, and the kids shored up the rest of the scoring.
Both games were good fun for their own reasons. And check out that penalty summary in the 3rd tonight against the Sens. What a frustrated bunch that was, Neil in particular was a class act.
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Loved the sharks game against the flyers but that goal should have counted. No explanation as to why it was no goal
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So, did I miss anything in the NHL today?
No... just this.
http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/28/sabres-send-miller-ott-to-blues-for-package-including-halak-stewart/ (http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/28/sabres-send-miller-ott-to-blues-for-package-including-halak-stewart/)
Holy. Crap.
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And there's still good odds that come the playoffs, the Kings will eliminate them in the playoffs in five games, each decided by one goal.
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And there's still good odds that come the playoffs, the Kings will eliminate them in the playoffs in five games, each decided by one goal.
I'd feel better about the odds of that happening again if the Kings could figure out how to score goals again.
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I'd feel better about the odds of that happening again if the Kings could figure out how to score goals again.
To riff off Letterman, noone on the Kings has come out as an openly-good player yet?
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I'd feel better about the odds of that happening again if the Kings could figure out how to score goals again.
They'll just shut the other team down until their opponents manage an own-goal :(
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So, did I miss anything in the NHL today?
No... just this.
http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/28/sabres-send-miller-ott-to-blues-for-package-including-halak-stewart/ (http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/28/sabres-send-miller-ott-to-blues-for-package-including-halak-stewart/)
Holy. Crap.
I saw that. It has me...concerned.
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And surfing on the contrails of the Ryan Miller trade, LaFontaine resigns to resume his old position in the NHL offices of development and community affairs. Strange affairs, but it makes sense if the owner didn't trust anyone else around him with the restructuring of the Sabres and the handling of an asset like Miller. A true mercenary to pull the trigger.
Wow.
Back to the games in progress. Seems six is a strong theme in the final scores tonight. And the Pens vs Blackhawks outdoors is just starting. Plenty of hockey after that, in the continuing War of Alberta. O0
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Lou's wife must be a happy, happy woman:
http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/04/breaking-canucks-trade-luongo-to-panthers/
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Today... has been... insanity...
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Lou's wife must be a happy, happy woman:
http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/04/breaking-canucks-trade-luongo-to-panthers/
Today... has been... insanity...
Scrivens can sit firm in the 1 spot in Edmonton, Bryz was sent to Minnesota.
The Miller deal set the tone for everything that happened today. So the asking price was too high this year for the Red Wings. Understandably, no one else wants what we need to unload, they all want the younglings. And without a standout defenseman without question marks wanting to move on from where they are at, or being shopped, period, we have no incentive to knock doors for offers, anyway.
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Scrivens can sit firm in the 1 spot in Edmonton, Bryz was sent to Minnesota.
The Miller deal set the tone for everything that happened today. So the asking price was too high this year for the Red Wings. Understandably, no one else wants what we need to unload, they all want the younglings. And without a standout defenseman without question marks wanting to move on from where they are at, or being shopped, period, we have no incentive to knock doors for offers, anyway.
Scrivens, hell. Viktor Fasth is the starter there now, until he proves otherwise.
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Scrivens, hell. Viktor Fasth is the starter there now, until he proves otherwise.
Whoops. Just saw that on the Robidas trade article. ;D I'm catching up on it all now.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=707637&navid=nhl:topheads (http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=707637&navid=nhl:topheads)
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Today... has been... insanity...
Indeed, who knew Mcphee would actually be able to unload Erat's horrible contract on another team and get something useful to boot. Klesla is another d-man with NHL experience at best and at worst is off our cap at the end of the year. The Penner pick up was also a pleasant surprise and one I hope goes well. If he plays poorly can be cleared off the books at the end of the year. If they manage to make a trade that gets either Green, Erskine, or Neuvirth off the roster too I'd say that Mcphee had a successful trade deadline. It also means he has a higher probability of keeping his job if they don't make the playoffs. Not that we won't lose to Pittsburgh in the first round if that does happen.
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Indeed, who knew Mcphee would actually be able to unload Erat's horrible contract on another team and get something useful to boot. Klesla is another d-man with NHL experience at best and at worst is off our cap at the end of the year. The Penner pick up was also a pleasant surprise and one I hope goes well. If he plays poorly can be cleared off the books at the end of the year. If they manage to make a trade that gets either Green, Erskine, or Neuvirth off the roster too I'd say that Mcphee had a successful trade deadline. It also means he has a higher probability of keeping his job if they don't make the playoffs. Not that we won't lose to Pittsburgh in the first round if that does happen.
Great move by the Caps, for sure- Klesla is a good pickup. Even with him aside, getting Erat out of town is addition by subtraction. I wonder how long until he complains about how he hates playing in Phoenix too?
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Scrivens, hell. Viktor Fasth is the starter there now, until he proves otherwise.
Scrivens is going apparently going to have to make 70 saves and score the loan goal to win the game to get someone in this league to give him a crack at a full time starting job.
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Great move by the Caps, for sure- Klesla is a good pickup. Even with him aside, getting Erat out of town is addition by subtraction. I wonder how long until he complains about how he hates playing in Phoenix too?
I'm not certain he could have asked for a better place to land given his past year of production. I think Tippett can make better use of him then Oates did and might be able to rehab his offensive talent. If not, then it's safe to say when his contract runs out Erat will be done in the NHL. There were only two things I really hated about Erat, his contract and the fact that Mcphee traded for him with Forsberg going the other way. I never had any problems with his effort and his defensive play.
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Tim Thomas and Lou are going to be best buds now too!
http://www.sportingnews.com/nhl/story/2014-03-04/roberto-luongo-tim-thomas-comments-nhl-trade-deadline (http://www.sportingnews.com/nhl/story/2014-03-04/roberto-luongo-tim-thomas-comments-nhl-trade-deadline)
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Tim Thomas and Lou are going to be best buds now too!
http://www.sportingnews.com/nhl/story/2014-03-04/roberto-luongo-tim-thomas-comments-nhl-trade-deadline (http://www.sportingnews.com/nhl/story/2014-03-04/roberto-luongo-tim-thomas-comments-nhl-trade-deadline)
We know.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zgbBbBSKCLE/UxaWnir0p7I/AAAAAAAAUzs/HHU_ewFvlL4/s720/Florida-Panthers-Tim-Thomas-Roberto-Luongo-StepBrothers.png)
(Thank you to Bruins humor blog Days Of Y'Orr for that one)
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That is a bit more creepy then the Miami Vice photo shop I found earlier.
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And yet that was the only big trade by deadline(that I've herd off) :o
Wished the B's got another Defenceman,,,,,,ohh well,it's what they've got now. :o
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I think the deadline is at 6PM EST today, though I could be mixing up my sports.
EDIT: It's 3PM EST today
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Oh yes. Today will be very, very interesting. Perhaps nothing more surprising than to have nothing happen- after all, with Kesler, Vanek, Brodeur, etc. all still waiting for their calls, how can we not have another day of trading today? (Note that Vanek in particular was held out of his game last night- there's no way he's an Islander by tonight).
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... (Note that Vanek in particular was held out of his game last night- there's no way he's an Islander by tonight).
As long as he's not an Av (too expensive) at sundown I don't care where he goes
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And we're off. Rangers trade Ryan Callahan to the Lightning for Martin St. Louis.
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Sad to hear about Broduer. End of an era.
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We know.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zgbBbBSKCLE/UxaWnir0p7I/AAAAAAAAUzs/HHU_ewFvlL4/s720/Florida-Panthers-Tim-Thomas-Roberto-Luongo-StepBrothers.png)
(Thank you to Bruins humor blog Days Of Y'Orr for that one)
Didn't last. Thomas is now in Dallas.
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Hot damn we got Halak. It is like I am having flashback. When we get eliminated this year I can blame a familar face!
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Hot damn we got Halak. It is like I am having flashback. When we get eliminated this year I can blame a familar face!
Baffled by that. Even McPhee admits this isn't a huge improvement at goal (trading Neuvirth at least was a move well past time to make), but... they gave up Klesla as well- the tough stay-at-home defenseman they just got YESTERDAY that was supposed to help stabilize their blue line!
Come on, McPhee! Your goal wasn't great, but this is a lateral move- and you got rid of the only real improvement to the biggest problem you have. And you DIDN'T find a way to get rid of Mike Green.
29 NHL GMs get a letter grade for their actions the past few days in making their teams better or not. You don't even get an 'F', McPhee. You get a grade 'WTF'.
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Datsyuk out three weeks at least. So the Wings get desperate and have to give more to get David Legwand than was given in exchange for Vanek. I have no idea why, except to save the streak. Seems ineffectual on the surface, but it does fill the new need at center with a veteran player. Still, doesn't look good for the Wings with their two top guns down for the immediate future. :-\
edit:
And I heard earlier today that a deal for Ryan Kesler to the Wings was a go for both sides, until Kessler said he won't waive his no trade clause. The worm has turned, and magical hockeytown is a far cry from where it was when it took up that moniker. Too bad, indeed.
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Montreal seems the only winner,,,,,and the Bruin's have to face another contender in the East(who you didn't need to get better)
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Sad to hear about Brodeur. End of an era.
Turned out to be baseless speculation. He might be up for free agency next season, but not this one. Someone has to make sure his kid isn't botching things.
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Baffled by that. Even McPhee admits this isn't a huge improvement at goal (trading Neuvirth at least was a move well past time to make), but... they gave up Klesla as well- the tough stay-at-home defenseman they just got YESTERDAY that was supposed to help stabilize their blue line!
Come on, McPhee! Your goal wasn't great, but this is a lateral move- and you got rid of the only real improvement to the biggest problem you have. And you DIDN'T find a way to get rid of Mike Green.
29 NHL GMs get a letter grade for their actions the past few days in making their teams better or not. You don't even get an 'F', McPhee. You get a grade 'WTF'.
He really didn't do that horrible. I scratch my head at Klesla going the other way. Klesla though has an expiring contract and was likely not going to be resigned. Then they traded Neuvirth with him as well. Effectively they get rid of one expiring contract and a disgruntled goalie and in exchange get a bigger contract that expires at the end of the season. It is entirely lateral, but no money obligation to Halak at the end of the year if they don't feel the need to re-sign him. Mike Green getting traded was going to be a gift of god and it didn't happen. I can't really fault him there, he might have tried, but with 6 mil on the books for next year there would be only a handful of teams that could take him. Also he has a modified NTC which I'm sure would nix a trade to possibly 90% of the destinations they could have sent him to otherwise. I gave Mcphee a B for his day at the office. I really still want to give him an F for Fired, but I have to wait on that.
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Wings came out on the wrong side of an otherwise great OT game against the Avs tonight. Congrats to them, and to MacKinnon, who stole a rookie point streak record from Gretzky in the process. Any time a player can break one of his records, it's a good night for that player.
Legwand was steady, and familiar with a lot of our players. It turns out that he lives up here and skates in the summer at Joe Louis Arena with guys from the team who live here. Didn't think about it from that angle.
He really didn't do that horrible. I scratch my head at Klesla going the other way. Klesla though has an expiring contract and was likely not going to be resigned. Then they traded Neuvirth with him as well. Effectively they get rid of one expiring contract and a disgruntled goalie and in exchange get a bigger contract that expires at the end of the season. It is entirely lateral, but no money obligation to Halak at the end of the year if they don't feel the need to re-sign him. Mike Green getting traded was going to be a gift of god and it didn't happen. I can't really fault him there, he might have tried, but with 6 mil on the books for next year there would be only a handful of teams that could take him. Also he has a modified NTC which I'm sure would nix a trade to possibly 90% of the destinations they could have sent him to otherwise. I gave Mcphee a B for his day at the office. I really still want to give him an F for Fired, but I have to wait on that.
Wings' GM Ken Holland is starting to come under increasing fire for his decision making lately. It's not a ground swell, but more than past seasons. And it's mostly based on the perception that he doesn't try to get big names in here at trade deadlines, which is a BS rap. He knows who he wants and who he doesn't. It's the matter of getting them here that has issues. And if they fall to injury, there isn't much you can do, as we've relearned this season with Weiss.
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Wings win 7-4 over the New Jersey Devils tonight. Nyquist put up a 4 point night with a goal and three assists (one of them a goal stolen by a Franzen tip-in), and Legwand scored his first goal in a three point night for himself. A good fit so far.
Hopefully we can keep flying high like this for Sunday when we meet the Rangers on national television.
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Turned out to be baseless speculation. He might be up for free agency next season, but not this one. Someone has to make sure his kid isn't botching things.
Not baseless speculation. It was the other GMs not willing to pay whatever price the Devils wanted for Brodeur.
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Price for Brod' was to much for a rental player,,,,,He only wanted a trade to a contender team?If I remember right.
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Price for Brod' was to much for a rental player,,,,,He only wanted a trade to a contender team?If I remember right.
Yup. He wanted a Cup- why accept a rental trade to a team that is rebuilding at his age? Problem is, if a team is a contender, they're probably a contender because they're happy with their goaltending already (St. Louis being the sole exception, and Brodeur wouldn't have been an upgrade there anyway- certainly not compared to Miller!). So it was either accept a trade that didn't do anything for him, or stay put.
I'll be very interested to see what he decides to do this summer, but if he thinks he's going to be the starter for a legit contending team, I think he's going to be mighty disappointed this summer the way he is right now. If this was ten years ago, teams would be falling all over themselves to get him, but... this is 2014, and Brodeur isn't what he used to be. It seems the only person not seeing that right now is Brodeur.
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My sources aren't always right, but I heard it that Brodeur is an imminent retirement risk who was working with their GM to get something for him before he's gone. Nice gesture, but no one wants to be the other GM who makes a trade for nothing, essentially. No team wanted to give up anything just to have him suit up for a month of games before he's done.
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My sources aren't always right, but I heard it that Brodeur is an imminent retirement risk who was working with their GM to get something for him before he's gone. Nice gesture, but no one wants to be the other GM who makes a trade for nothing, essentially. No team wanted to give up anything just to have him suit up for a month of games before he's done.
Looks like he wants to play, at least. Whether anyone takes him is a different story.
http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/08/brodeur-wants-to-play-next-season/ (http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/08/brodeur-wants-to-play-next-season/)
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Sick.
Goal.
http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/08/video-hurricanes-prospect-scores-between-the-legs-goal-skating-backwards/
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Brod' will get picked up next season,,,but it aint going to be the teams "He'd" want.That's the way it is these days,sorry "ol'man".
And yes,,,,that was just sick,,,,,and a lil'nasty too. >:D
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Rich Peverly/DAL collapsed on the bench tonight from a heart attack at about th e7 minute mark vs CBJ. Dallas reports he is conscious and talking coherently.
Game cancelled at this time.
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Rich Peverly/DAL collapsed on the bench tonight from a heart attack at about th e7 minute mark vs CBJ. Dallas reports he is conscious and talking coherently.
Game cancelled at this time.
What in the... that's the second player that's had a heart attack this season, isn't it?
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His second occurrence this season. Or at the very least his 2nd known issue with his heart this season. Poor guy, might be time to hang it up.
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Man and I thought the Caps couldn't get a line change right.
http://youtu.be/flP8ych5wYs (http://youtu.be/flP8ych5wYs)
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The Canucks finished the second period against the New York Islanders leading 3-0. They lost the game 4-7. The Islander went up from 14th to 10th in scoring this game. :( #P
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Maybe the Isles are due for a goose egg next game... or maybe not since I just cursed the curse. ^-^ Maybe, it could happen.
Amusing how happy Henrik Lundqvist is when he sees his pals on the Red Wings so he won't let anyone score. Our best home game of the season is followed by a strong worst game candidate. It's a reflection of the entire season so far, in a strong high cross-checking kind of way.
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The Canucks finished the second period against the New York Islanders leading 3-0. They lost the game 4-7. The Islander went up from 14th to 10th in scoring this game. :( #P
*checks who his starting goalie was in his fantasy league tonight*
...
*sees it's Lack*
****!!!
*hits Google Maps to find the tallest bridge in the area*
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http://news.yahoo.com/dallas-stars-forward-peverly-collapses-bench-022321102--nhl.html
Peverly's stable, but apparently suffered some kind of heart condition. I will daresay that his season's over, if not career.
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yeah they are saying Pev's season is over. Career may be as well. going in for surgery soon.
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On the ice... don't look now, but last year's Cup champ got knocked out of their comfy second-place spot in the Central division by losing to the new second-place team... last year's worst team in the west.
The slip-up I was worried about seems to have never come about this season. It's mid-March and we're looking at a high playoff berth. Welcome back to NHL relevancy, Colorado Avalanche. Nice to see you again. Now keep it up!
I don't think either has a chance to catch the Blues at this point, barring a shocking collapse over the last few weeks remaining, but that battle for second is going to get mighty interesting now.
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Who knew managing to beat Edmonton in an OT shootout would be so exciting? First win in a minute for Wings, and it was not looking good for us with the record of Mr. Eberle in the shootout. Howard withstood the storm of Oilers offensive talent, giving us this chance to win.
And while I'm at it, best of luck and wishes to Pevs and the Stars fans. Years ago we lost Jiri Fischer to a heart ailment, but only on ice. He's alive and at the head of our player development office. Maybe Peverly can hang on to hockey somehow, too.
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Watching the Wild win from the 9th row last night in a group of friends and family. Definitely a great way to celebrate turning 40.
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Nine straight wins for the B's (including tonight's drubbing of the Wild) has them sitting pretty with a nigh-insurmountable lead in the division, a narrow lead for the top spot in the East (helped by the Penguins biffing two in two days against the Flyers, which I admit I may have enjoyed), players like Iginla and Smith are starting to pick up, Rask is playing out of his mind... I don't know what Claude Julien feeds this team from March 1 onward every year, but this is looking a lot like the kind of play they put on that gave them the Cup in '11 and put them a few minutes from Game 7 last year. It will NOT be fun to see this team in the first round.
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The Canucks finished the second period against the New York Islanders leading 3-0. They lost the game 4-7.
Meh, don't mortgage your house to buy playoff tickets this year. ^-^
The Canucks customary bottom-10 draft pick is actually looking to climb into the top 10 this year. :D
Not really surprising, we have 3 of the top 6 forwards out (Kesler, Sedin & Santorelli), and just traded away the #1 goalie.
Things are looking much better for next year though, Burrows & the rookie Jensen on point streaks, and finally solved the goalie soap opera. (hopefully Lack can prove that he's a #1)
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Meh, don't mortgage your house to buy playoff tickets this year. ^-^
The Canucks customary bottom-10 draft pick is actually looking to climb into the top 10 this year. :D
Not really surprising, we have 3 of the top 6 forwards out (Kesler, Sedin & Santorelli), and just traded away the #1 goalie.
Things are looking much better for next year though, Burrows & the rookie Jensen on point streaks, and finally solved the goalie soap opera. (hopefully Lack can prove that he's a #1)
Normally, when a team has two number one goalies, they don't need to trade them both away to resolve it
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Normally, when a team has two number one goalies, they don't need to trade them both away to resolve it
All I can figure is Gillis feels Eddie Lack was actually a third #1 goalie waiting in the wings.
Based on what I've seen so far of Lack since the trade... Gillis was not correct.
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Days Of Y'Orr shared this in their preview of tonight's Devils/Bruins game, where they were discussing Jaromir Jagr and his 'eh' time with Boston last year as opposed to his insane season with the Devils this year. Looks like someone wanted to get a good selfie with Jagr in the background, and got a surprise... ;)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bi0LVCXIEAAZsmY.jpg)
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All I can figure is Gillis feels Eddie Lack was actually a third #1 goalie waiting in the wings.
Based on what I've seen so far of Lack since the trade... Gillis was not correct.
I'm still trying to figure out whether to consider this situation a Lack of success or a Lack of failure.
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A successful failure perhaps? ???
Speaking of which, Red Wings are up and down. Sunday, we all heard Chelsea Dagger a bunch. Toews scored what has to be one of the top 10 prettiest goals of the season for any player, Hossa reminds Ken Holland he could have let someone else slide. He would have been great to have with Tater and Jurco. They all three played as well as could be expected in Sochi for their injury sabotaged squad that couldn't back them up offensively.
Then tonight we beat the Leafs by the skin of our teeth. Nyquist gets a twofer, and Alfredsson declares he's still alive by getting a third one, which we would need as the Leafs poured it on at the end to come back from a two goal deficit and almost tie it up at 3 apiece.
And I was sorry to see the Flyers dominate the Pens over the weekend. I was very much hoping for a reverse of that to aid our struggle.
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The Caps played an okay road game. It's hard to generate offense when you are taking so many penalties. They took advantage of their power play chances in return and also Halak played another solid game to lock up the win. Caps got some, but not a load of help from other teams in front of them. The still need a few more things to shift in their favor, but if they can managed to play a few more games on this trip like the one tonight and otherwise cut down on the penalties they might manage to stay in the playoff picture. Or at least I can keep telling that to myself to make the game I'm going to next weekend seem worth something.
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Normally, when a team has two number one goalies, they don't need to trade them both away to resolve it
My take on that was that he figured that there was going to be no way in the next few years to draft high enough to get a #1 center prospect, so he had to take the chance.
If Horvat pans out & Lack can fill Cory's/Lu's skates, then he made the right choice.
All I can figure is Gillis feels Eddie Lack was actually a third #1 goalie waiting in the wings.
Based on what I've seen so far of Lack since the trade... Gillis was not correct.
There seems to be a bit of a surplus of goalies lately, so if BOTH goalie prospects bomb, then he may go shopping. Either way, the way things are now a goalie is easier to find than a bona fide #1 blue chip center. :-\
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What a great game! Best. Game. Of. The. Year. Brute ugly, to be sure. It was still fun to watch.
Wings beat the Penguins 5 to 4 in OT scoring in the final .4 seconds, off a shot from Alfredsson. Kind of. It still hit Scuderi before going past Fleury in net. Three goals tonight bounced in off Pittsburgh defensemen. But the plays were good, fast and chaotic, there's not much you can do about it when that happens.
Legwand almost ruined it with the ever classy stick to the jewels of Malkin behind the play... but killing that resulting 5 minute major was what made this game. It meant everything.
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A rare treat for me tonight- due to the 10:30 EST start time and my miserable insomnia I was able to catch most of tonight's game between the Capitals and Kings. The Caps made it interesting late, Kings managed to win it in a shootout, and I realized that if Johnathan Quick isn't the best goalie in the game, he's definitely the best in the Western Conference- I'd have to say it's down to him, Lundqvist, and Rask in some order or other. He made some saves tonight that were inhuman- even the Caps broadcast crew was laughing at one point that someone who missed time earlier this year with a groin injury shouldn't have been able to do some of what he was doing.
I don't know who the Kings will face in the playoffs, but they're up against one incredible goalie- one who, if anything, looks like he's playing better now than he did a couple of years ago when he won the Cup. Uh oh.
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well, i can say with fair confidence that the starts will not be in the playoff this year. again. the usual l
"last month crap in the bed" tactics rears it's ugly head. they had 8th place. then decide to go 0-4. #P
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well, i can say with fair confidence that the starts will not be in the playoff this year. again. the usual l
"last month crap in the bed" tactics rears it's ugly head. they had 8th place. then decide to go 0-4. #P
With a difference though- a year ago, they biffed it and it looked like there wasn't much to look forward to different the following year. This year, I saw a lot of improvement overall in Dallas the few times I got to watch them (East coast media bias, you know). Tyler Seguin is someone you all will be able to build around for the next decade- this team is going to just get better as they mature and add a few more parts. Next year, I'll be shocked if Dallas doesn't get in- not even as a wild card, just in as one of the top three in the division.
Unrelated, tonight is my 'drink till you don't care anymore' night for hockey. It comes twice a year- Bruins & Avalanche. My two teams facing off against each other- what to do? As always I look to the standings and see who needs it more, and for tonight I think the B's are sitting pretty- the division is all but wrapped up, the lead over the Penguins for top in the East is manageable, but the Avs are in a dogfight with Chicago for second in the Central- gotta go with them tonight (and hope for OT, of course).
This is the first year, believe it or not, since the Avs arrived from Quebec that I've had this problem this late in the season. Normally when one is doing well, the other is pretty bad- note that the B's only became the current league powerhouse that they are around the time the Avs sank into mediocrity back in '07... and the less said about Boston prior to that, when the Avs were winning Cups, the better. This year though, would you look at those standings... Still not expecting to see them in the Finals together (sorry Colorado, not QUITE there yet), but... it's fun to think that I might actually get to see them both with real chances to go deep in the playoffs for the first time.
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Roy has done an incredible job with the Avs.
I thought that first game was a portend of much posturing and bluster in the media to come, that he was going to make Torts look like a dainty lad before the season's over.
Turns out that it was just an old time motivational tactic of showing that he'll go to war for his boys, plus probably a little bit of:
"Woa.. remind me not to get on Coach's bad side!"
"%@%&*$@ for real that, dude!"
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I look around the league, and one of the teams that stands out as having gone through a similar experience to what the Wings have this season (injury-wise), and that's Boston. Biggest difference is that the kids Boston is bringing in are getting immediately acquainted with great team success. That worked out good for us, as Datsyuk and Zetterberg were both brought into the same kind of winning culture of team defense first. Reilly Smith will be a great forward from the looks of it, and Torey Krug could become like Erik Karlsson.
Thing is, these kids the Wings are finally bringing up after they "baked" in Grand Rapids really can't be compared, as they are having to bring their game to this level to help a team that could have reeled its way to near the bottom of the standings given just a few more bad breaks. And they are doing it on some nights, it's fun to watch the development process from last year to this for some of them.
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If anything has defined the Bruins over the past forty years or so, it's being strong at defense. From Orr, to Bourque, to... well, there was a gap until Chara... that's long been the team's strength, even when other areas like offense and goaltending suffered (say, turn of the century-ish). So it's not surprising to me that Chiarelli has brought in young defenseman through the draft to keep that tradition going- still, as good as guys like Hamilton have been (and despite his development problems, he really is going to be something), Krug was the biggest surprise to me. Boston never really seems to go for this kind of player usually, the Karlsson/Mike Green style offensive defenseman, but that kid can play some great hockey in the attacking zone- on the power play in particular he's been awesome. Very impressed with what they have in this kid- and even as they transition this season, with Andy Ference gone, Seidenberg out for much of the season, and McQuaid being dead (well, I mean, pretty much), the defense hasn't missed a beat. Chara and Boychuk, of course, sure don't hurt matters any, even if Chara is slowing down a lot the past couple of years.
That's the fun part to this Bruins team- it's not that they're awesome NOW. Krug, Bartkowski, Soderberg, Smith, Hamilton, Lucic, Marchand, Rask... this team is full of good young players that could make this a fantastic team for the next decade. Boston isn't just good now- they could get even better as time goes on. That's amazing.
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Thing is, these kids the Wings are finally bringing up after they "baked" in Grand Rapids really can't be compared, as the are having to bring their game to this level to help a team that could have reeled its way to near the bottom of the standings given just a few more bad breaks. And they are doing it on some nights, it's fun to watch the development process from last year to this for some of them.
Nyquist... O0
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The Caps made it interesting late, Kings managed to win it in a shootout, and I realized that if Johnathan Quick isn't the best goalie in the game, he's definitely the best in the Western Conference- I'd have to say it's down to him, Lundqvist, and Rask in some order or other.
Now that I work close the only games I get to watch or listen to are those on weekends or west coast games. I was fairly bummed last night at the result, but given how good Quick played it's hard to complain that we only got one point out of it. That complaining will come at the end of the season when we miss the playoffs. Quick's wonderful play overshadowed an almost equal display by Halak. Without some of his extraordinary timely saves the Caps wouldn't have made it to OT. He's also made it perfectly clear to this point that unless he exhibits some sort of meltdown he is going to be high priority to re-sign. Whether it can be done at an affordable cost the Caps is debatable.
Detroit still has the inside track on one of the final playoff spots. Though they are playing from behind, they have 2 more games to play then most of the teams immediately in front of them. They also have 2 games that could serve as '4 point games'. So they could more easily close the gap or fall quickly out of the race with losses in games against Columbus and Toronto.
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(http://images.wikia.com/icehockey/images/archive/3/34/20080314171913!BostonBruins.PNG)
PLAYOFF BERTH: CLINCHED
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Nyquist... O0
Last year he was billed as "a poor man's Datsyuk", which was intriguing to think about but actually kind of diminishes the value of what he does. He puts in a lot of work on ice defensively. And those scoring plays he's involved with are foreshadowed by the work he puts in to get the plays to develop. He gets it going, then gets in a position to finish after working up ice.
Detroit still has the inside track on one of the final playoff spots. Though they are playing from behind, they have 2 more games to play then most of the teams immediately in front of them. They also have 2 games that could serve as '4 point games'. So they could more easily close the gap or fall quickly out of the race with losses in games against Columbus and Toronto.
We still have work to do. It starts tomorrow at 2 PM Eastern against Minnesota for the beginning of a home and home. Wish us luck!
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12 straight wins now for the Bruins, thanks to the 4-2 win over Phoenix tonight. Next up, the hated Habs on Monday night.
They cannot be stopped. They cannot be contained. You can only hope to slow them down. They are the Boston Bruins... and I don't know that I've ever been this impressed with them, even in the Cup run a few years back. Where the hell is Iginla pulling all this out of lately?
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Only in the first round of the playoffs.
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Red Wings tried to help the Dallas Stars out (except for the third period tonight, Wings did not try to help anyone at that time, not even their selves), but Minnesota pulled out the big win in OT in spite of a strong showing of the Nyquist and Tatar Show. The old guys need to get one every now and then, too. Franzen runs hot and cold too often. But they took us at home tonight, we took them in theirs night last. Fair trade, and we get three points to their two, bringing us up with the Leafs.
However, tonight we were gifted this minor jewel:
"Doc" Emrick regarding Kronwall: "I have him as one of my stars tonight, even though he's a defenseman." What a pal.
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Oh, the Leafs... It looks like they plan to make things interesting for the Wings, Caps, etc. down the stretch. Five straight losses and a rough schedule remaining, this isn't the time to slump like this... Or to keep relying on Reimer, who has looked awful at times.
...I wonder if this collapse could be setting up another first round with the Bruins? }:)
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Oh, the Leafs... It looks like they plan to make things interesting for the Wings, Caps, etc. down the stretch. Five straight losses and a rough schedule remaining, this isn't the time to slump like this... Or to keep relying on Reimer, who has looked awful at times.
...I wonder if this collapse could be setting up another first round with the Bruins? }:)
Have you seen Edmonton's remaining schedule? They're being set up to go from hamburger to frappe
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Have you seen Edmonton's remaining schedule? They're being set up to go from hamburger to frappe
After seeing them throw in the towel (no matter their coach's claim otherwise) 8-1 against the Flames? They could face my old high school league and probably not hit .500, at this rate. I hate to say 'time to blow up the Oilers', because that doesn't seem to fix things when they try it there, but... what they have is a collection of young forwards who should be making the West's goalies wake up in cold sweats, who just... aren't.
Really, I know injuries have kept some of them out for stretches, but... Hall, Nugent-Hopkins, Gagner, Yakupov... that's a who's-who of recent 'ZOMG' draft picks. OK, goaltending has sucked for a while (Fasth was a good pickup, I admit), defense is crap, but... think of the 2009 Caps. Sure, we're letting in three or four goals a night, but we're scoring five or six! It got them a Presidents Trophy- maybe not a good playoff run, but you get the idea. This style CAN be made to work. And for whatever reason, in Edmonton, it's just not. So... if it's not working, time to either find a new system, or bring in players better suited to the one they're already doing. Either way, might be time to look into trading off some of these guys. It's just not working as-is, to hell with the 'all is well, it's just the fans not being patient' crap the management and coaches are spewing.
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Edmonton plays the Sharks on Tuesday, Ducks on Friday, Rangers on Saturday to finish off the month. April, they face the Sharks and Ducks again on a April 1/2 back-to-back.
After that, they play every second night (4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, 12th) against the Coyotes, Ducks again, Avalanche, Kings, and the Canucks to close off the season.
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For the record, no word yet on how bad it is, but if Mike Smith is ready for NEXT season to start I'll be amazed. That looked really, REALLY bad tonight. Best of luck to him, but I have a feeling his injury is pretty serious.
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Anybody else see highlights of Lecavalier hit both posts and the crossbar on a shot?
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Anybody else see highlights of Lecavalier hit both posts and the crossbar on a shot?
I feel like if you can hit the iron three times on one shot, that should not only be a goal, but should be worth TWO points just for style.
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So it looks like all 4 teams in this wild card playoff format are going to continue to make it interesting. Toronto for all the wrong reasons, Washington because they can't win anything in regulation, Bob has the flu in Columbus, and Detroit despite all odds is still hanging in there. As of this evening Columbus and Detroit still controls their own playoff destiny. Washington and Toronto need help along the way. If the Caps can managed to beat the Bruins on Saturday I'll be impressed and hold out hope. Otherwise it will be a long and agonizing 2 week daily watch for me until the end of the season.
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So it looks like all 4 teams in this wild card playoff format are going to continue to make it interesting. Toronto for all the wrong reasons, Washington because they can't win anything in regulation, Bob has the flu in Columbus, and Detroit despite all odds is still hanging in there. As of this evening Columbus and Detroit still controls their own playoff destiny. Washington and Toronto need help along the way. If the Caps can managed to beat the Bruins on Saturday I'll be impressed and hold out hope. Otherwise it will be a long and agonizing 2 week daily watch for me until the end of the season.
BWAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA- wait, you were serious? ;)
The Caps need to stop giving up two-goal leads. That's happened a LOT lately- it's almost scary how many points they're leaving on the board these days. Hopefully Backstrom's injury isn't too bad, or they really are sunk.
Glad to see Columbus claw their way up to seventh- now just hold on guys... I really want to see this team finally make a playoff run, those fans deserve to finally get their first playoff win. (As long as they don't face Boston, mind you). Glad that team is finally moving in the right direction after over a decade of ineptness.
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I don't want to see Columbus bumped from the playoffs, either. Honestly.
Again, Nyquist, with some help from Tatar, put some pucks into the net, but got no other scoring support to speak of. Add in poor defensive zone puck movement leading to stupid turnovers, and you have the Wings in this one tying up a two goal lead, then losing the game because that was all that was in the tank tonight.
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BWAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA- wait, you were serious? ;)
The Caps need to stop giving up two-goal leads. That's happened a LOT lately- it's almost scary how many points they're leaving on the board these days. Hopefully Backstrom's injury isn't too bad, or they really are sunk.
They keep hanging in there earning points which right now is doing just fine. But they need the wins. If they manage the win against Boston then they have 4 games against mediocre teams that they should beat (and must beat). At least they aren't Toronto who if they lose to the Red Wings are going need a ton of help going forward.
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Wings fell to the Habs in reg 5 to 4. No goal for him tonight :'( but Nyquist got a big assist helping to wake up the Mule, and Tatar struck for two goals with the return of linemate and olympic team mate Jurco from a broken rib and seven games off. Need more old guys scoring!
Good game but would have been a lot better to win it and be on the good side of a four point swing.
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And once again, horrible officiating affects the outcome of a game. Kings/Pens last night, Sutter is cross-checked into the back as he drives to the net, does his best to avoid Quick as the puck slides in....and the refs call it "goalie interference" and disallow the goal. And it's upheld by Toronto!
WTF?
Consistent, multi-angle replay showed Sutter not even TOUCHING Quick as he twisted to the side of the net. The game would've been 3-3, the Pens on a renewed momentum, and quite possible popped the game into OT.
Now, the Pens aren't in danger of losing a seed at this point - I'm resigned to the point they'll settle at #2 in the East, but for ******'s sake! That's the third good goal that's been poorly called in the last week!
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And once again, horrible officiating affects the outcome of a game. Kings/Pens last night, Sutter is cross-checked into the back as he drives to the net, does his best to avoid Quick as the puck slides in....and the refs call it "goalie interference" and disallow the goal. And it's upheld by Toronto!
WTF?
Consistent, multi-angle replay showed Sutter not even TOUCHING Quick as he twisted to the side of the net. The game would've been 3-3, the Pens on a renewed momentum, and quite possible popped the game into OT.
Now, the Pens aren't in danger of losing a seed at this point - I'm resigned to the point they'll settle at #2 in the East, but for ******'s sake! That's the third good goal that's been poorly called in the last week!
I can't figure out what on earth you're talking about. Why, we just had the NHL owners' meetings, and they felt that everything in the NHL is just perfect, with no needs to change anything silly like 'making sure the refs can review things', or any of that. You just don't get it, man! :P
Nah, you're 100% right, the Pens got hosed on that one last night. As a Kings fan friend of mine noted though, they got hosed by that stupid goal by Detroit right before the Olympics, but benefitted from this one- all you can do is hope that the inept refs in this league eventually gaff in your favor next time. Sucks, but there don't appear to be any changes to the way it works coming. :(
(I'm politely leaving out any comments about the resignation about being #2 in the East! Aren't you proud of me? ;) )
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All season I have stayed quiet because the officiating of many games this year feels tainted by an outside sense of fairness that is arbitrarily applied, and it would have been easy to get verbose about it so I err on the side of saving the energy.
I agree with and sympathize with all who have seen their teams taken advantage of for the sake of investors who want more interesting outcomes than might be naturally obtained through the course of a game or whatever is going on. ::Deep breaths::
At least our sport isn't famous for teams tanking on purpose, like a certain other sport that is played this time of year that shall not be named because we all know what it is. In the NHL, it's easy enough to lose a ton just because you're a bad team.
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At least our sport isn't famous for teams tanking on purpose, like a certain other sport that is played this time of year that shall not be named because we all know what it is. In the NHL, it's easy enough to lose a ton just because you're a bad team.
Or you really, really want to get Randy Carlyle run out of town. Toronto's play tonight made most of the Caps' defensive cough ups this season look pretty tame. Randy's post game conference also made him look a deer that just got blinded by headlights.
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Nah, you're 100% right, the Pens got hosed on that one last night. As a Kings fan friend of mine noted though, they got hosed by that stupid goal by Detroit right before the Olympics, but benefitted from this one- all you can do is hope that the inept refs in this league eventually gaff in your favor next time. Sucks, but there don't appear to be any changes to the way it works coming. :(
The Kings won't get hurt by that one nearly as much as the now 4 way tie in the east that it help create. That assumes the Avs don't tank or the Kings don't go into a tailspin. Nobodies really in the range where one point would matter.
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Can someone explain the Leafs at this point to me? I don't get this anymore.
Make that seven straight losses, and Phaneuf should get credited with an assist on Simmonds' goal. That was just flat-out rotten defensive play by the captain.
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Can someone explain the Leafs at this point to me? I don't get this anymore.
Make that seven straight losses, and Phaneuf should get credited with an assist on Simmonds' goal. That was just flat-out rotten defensive play by the captain.
My cousin lives in Toronto is a long-time Leafs fan. He maintains that the Leafs only ever succeed in order to set them up the disappointment bomb later.
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Can someone explain the Leafs at this point to me? I don't get this anymore.
Only if you explain the Oilers first.
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Only if you explain the Oilers first.
Oh. Yeah, that's easy.
Stop hiring the same three guys to act as GM and coach in a cycling patter, stop drafting the flashy forward of the week in the draft, bring in some veterans who can point out which end of the ice to defend, and... well, ok, they seem to have fixed their big one from earlier this year, getting a cat-damned goalie worth a crap (suddenly they have two!).
Big problem is upstairs though. Seriously, look back through the past 15 years, they just keep hiring the same few "ol' buddies" to run the team. It isn't working- these guys just aren't building a team. You almost have to work to suck as bad as this group has at screwing up over and over- and look at the results! They've brought in a gaggle of young talent who can't skate their way out of a paper bag, because there's no development. Remember when Taylor Hall was the can't-miss #1 pick, and the Bruins got 'stuck' with Tyler Seguin at #2? Seguin had his problems (which is why he wears green these days and not black), but look at what he's done so far- a Cup ring, another trip to the Finals, led the B's in scoring twice, running away as the big gun in Dallas... what's Hall done? Gagner, Yakupov, Ekman-Larsson, COME ON PEOPLE. How are they NOT scoring in bushels?
The talent is right, it's the people running the show- and that includes coaching- that's been the problem. If we've learned anything this season in the West, let it be that a change in management and coaching can do a TON to change things around in an organization (well hello, Avalanche). The Oilers need to really, REALLY look at that lesson, probably more than any other NHL team. Because otherwise they're just going to get another high pick this summer, spend it on a speedy forward because OF COURSE they will, and do this same dance next year.
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Can someone explain the Leafs at this point to me? I don't get this anymore.
Make that seven straight losses, and Phaneuf should get credited with an assist on Simmonds' goal. That was just flat-out rotten defensive play by the captain.
Must have been a bit of curse power in my stating that I wanted a VanRiemsdyk Toronto Winter Classic jersey sweater, because I was at least 70% serious about that ;D
Seriously... I don't know. It's just some kind of choke. Sometimes things like this have to do with players listening too much to their fans, and thus letting some of them into their heads. And when that happens, we know it usually isn't the cool fans that are in their heads, it's the ones who jostle and nudge the chip that weighs down on certain player's shoulders. Wreakers of havoc.
Just an intuitive guess on my part. I know those Toronto fans are crazy about their team.
edit: wish us luck on taking them to eight in a row. Law of averages says the Wings should be the ones looking out tonight, but I seriously hope different.
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Wings beat the Leafs at home on a Saturday night. Don Cherry was raging, it was awesome. edit: He was gushing about Milan Lucic and the Bruins, however. Well, of course the Wings aren't as tough in corners! We wish we had him and Krejci and Bergeron and... But we have our crew, for good or ill. And it's cool either way, this season has just been fun to see unfold. The youth movement is working, and after this season, we can shed a lot of expiring veteran contracts. But that bridge will be burned a different day. Not now.
Helm Hat Trick! What a night for him, great stuff in light of his battle with injuries that has consumed so much of this season and last season too. Nyquist showed back up on the goal list after freaking forever ;D nice to see that. What a find.
But I totally lost it earlier and rofl'd all over when at one point Jurco and Phaneuf started mixing it up, when Chubs McKessel skates up and shoves Tatar. Tats the Waterbug (he's a rock though at almost 190lbs) turned around and jumped on Kessel full frontal, bearhugged him and dragged him to the ice where he was on top of Kessel when the refs pulled him off. Nyquist is the shiznat right now, we all know this and love it, but this Tatar is just fun to watch most every night, and it's his inner fight that does it.
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All season I have stayed quiet because the officiating of many games this year feels tainted by...
Spheroid Freebirth blasphemy? :D
(sorry, couldn't resist :P )
Can someone explain the Leafs at this point to me? I don't get this anymore.
Make that seven straight losses, and Phaneuf should get credited with an assist on Simmonds' goal. That was just flat-out rotten defensive play by the captain.
Surely they can't lose 8 in a row? :o
Perhaps they do this as a public service to the other Canadian teams - - yeah our team sucks this year, but look at the Leafs! #P
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I am sorry Hellbie I don't see Quick has the best goalie in the west if he was.. then the Kings would have clinched the top spot in that conference. Mind you I do believe Quick is a good goalie and deep down I am hoping that the Sharks can finally make it to the championship vs the Penguins :)
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Some good games today.
My own Wings played pretty good at home against the Lightning, and pulled out the win. Gus Nyquist's impossigoal was impossibly awesome. We'll be seeing that highlight for a minute or two now, I think. He ducked a Radko Goudas brain scrambler later as well, but maintained a strong D role in the waning minutes of the game and took first star honors to go with the show.
Bruins vs Flyers was one good freaking hockey game! Pittsburgh vs Chicago was brutal.
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I am sorry Hellbie I don't see Quick has the best goalie in the west if he was.. then the Kings would have clinched the top spot in that conference. Mind you I do believe Quick is a good goalie and deep down I am hoping that the Sharks can finally make it to the championship vs the Penguins :)
Best goalie doesn't equal top team, you know that. Otherwise the Rangers would be leading their division, right?
Look at Quick's kick-save from a couple of nights ago and tell me he's not as good as it gets... his problem is that the team in front of him took a few weeks off prior to the Olympics.
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My own Wings played pretty good at home against the Lightning, and pulled out the win.
Bruins vs Flyers was one good freaking hockey game!
The Lightning game was painful to watch; the Bruins v. Flyers was a great show. Both losses were :'(
My beloved Flyers...
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The Lightning game was painful to watch; the Bruins v. Flyers was a great show. Both losses were :'(
My beloved Flyers...
If it helps... if you'd told me back in December that they Flyers would be in a non-wild card playoff spot at this point, I'd have assumed you had a drug problem. Losing today sucks, but they got an OT point, and honestly their play since New Years has been among the best in the NHL.
Between you and me, the Penguins being as hurt as they are right now, no team in the East worries me as a B's fan as much as the Flyers right now. Today is proof that it would be one rough and close series between those two.
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The Lightning game was painful to watch; the Bruins v. Flyers was a great show. Both losses were :'(
My beloved Flyers...
Glad was I that Mr. Stamkos was quiet today. Who knows what this season could have been for him had he not taken that unfortunate spill.
But on the bright side, a broken leg destroyed Babe Dye's career long ago in the primordial hockey era. Stamkos' break wasn't as bad, but having modern care also makes all the difference. He's going to be a force for a long time.
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Not saying that Quick sucks I do believe he is one of the best goalies but I think there are 1 or 2 that are better than him in the West.
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Duchene out for four weeks on freak injury. Avs may fall out of home ice position for the first round of playoffs and their hopes of going past the 1st round are diminshed as well.
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Well I think tonight's loss pretty much sucked the life out of me for the rest of the season. Another day closer, hopefully, to George Mcphee's last as GM. I'm still debating in my mind whether it is worth it to keep Oates after this season either. His contract is through the end of next year, however at some point you have to lay the team's trouble on his plate too. Ovechkin hasn't had an even strength point in 15+ games now and part of that has to do with the line combinations other than Ward, Fehr, and Chimera.
I mean no disrespect to Jay Beagle because he is maybe the one guy who can reliably take a draw on this team right now, but he doesn't have the play making ability of other centers on the team. The fact they have been out there together for as long as they have is just incredibly stupid. I get it they would rather have Johansson on wing, but with Grabovski being injured for a quarter of the season he would have seemed the better option. Having a first line in name, rather than fact, is yet another reason why this team is where it is right now.
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For those who missed it, Colorado defeated Columbus 3-2... that's nothing shocking really... but what IS is that the Avs came back from being down 2-0 to win it... by getting three goals all by bouncing them in past Bobrovsky off opposing defensemen. All three were banked off Columbus players- which I don't think I've ever seen happen before like that.
This Avs team is fun to watch. :)
(Agreeing also with Firesprocket, the Caps gave up tonight- on the game and on the season. Just disgusting effort. It's time to start looking into how to rebuild the team, and I'm not sure the current GM/coaching staffs should be involved.)
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Our post season collapse came a little early this year.
I can't believe I'm about to say this but, I miss Schultz. He was better than several of our current dmen which is rather sad. Still no clue why they haven't brought Olesky back other than Oates' unhealthy obsessions with only playing people on their natural side. Olesky was a heart and soul guy.
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The "Ovechtrick" ad was wrong- an "Ovechtrick" is going -3 in a must-win game. :-\
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Great game, Boston! You all knew about Nyquist, but I tried to warn you about Tatar. He was ecstatic about getting one past Tuuk. And who knew Howie would be able to fend off the offensive might he faced tonight? When he made that save on Bergeron's breakaway in the 1st, I knew it was going to be a rough night for him, and he saw it coughed up plenty. And it was ugly, but he was equal to the task tonight.
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In case anyone wants to see the wild card spots in the East shake down live in front of you tonight, NBCSN has the Devils and Capitals tonight. Not sure either team really has a good shot at getting in anymore, but whomever loses tonight is absolutely done for... and if you've watched the Capitals at all the past several years, you know what that means.
A must-win game for the Caps = a total failure to show up oftentimes. Expect the Devils to rock this one- and for the voices calling for the heads of GM McPhee, coach Oates, and Mr. Ovechkin's heads on pikes to get a LOT louder.
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Red Wings in Montreal tonight. Horrible 1st and 2nd periods on the Wings' part meant we had to come back from a 3 goal deficit in the 3rd period. And we didz it! Then Montreal got two more and the fans were singing Away, Away (as they were in the 1st, razafraggin...) Bad scene for the red and white team.
Nyquist watch: he got an assist on a Kronwall goal after a game with no points, ending his ten game point streak. He and the others can't be slackin if we are to make it. We don't have the tiebreaker with a couple of teams, things can get dicey without 93 or so points at least.
But you know what this game really was? It was the game Boston lost, only Montreal won. In a sense. Luck was not on the Wings side, however, and the Habs capitalized on our terrible defensive zone element. Gustavsson, while acrobatic and effective on stopping many a horrifying gaffe from becoming another goal, was not able to keep up a wall of the caliber needed to snuff out the onslaught of odd man rushes.
edit: And Price was excellent. The Habs' defense is not what the B's was at all, he was huge until the 3rd.
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As of this morning, THN says the Capitals have a 2.6% chance of making the playoffs.
What a waste...
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As of this morning, THN says the Capitals have a 2.6% chance of making the playoffs.
What a waste...
Damn. No annual Penguins beatdown on the Caps playoff matchup this year. Too bad, so sad. (NOT!)
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Damn. No annual Penguins beatdown on the Caps playoff matchup this year. Too bad, so sad. (NOT!)
Looking like you get Detroit instead. Have fun with that- this old Avs fan has seen quite enough of Detroit in the playoffs for one lifetime, thank you very much ;)
Me, I'm just looking forward to another third-round matchup with your boys, and getting the series we wanted last year this time. I demand a real rematch!
Oh- anyone see the Blues totally lose their composure against the Avs? Oh my... it's only one game, but did the Avs just find a way to get under the mighty Blues' skin and get them to do something stupid? Intriguing.
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Damn. No annual Penguins beatdown on the Caps playoff matchup this year. Too bad, so sad. (NOT!)
How many years has it been since the Pens and Caps have seen each other in the playoffs? I want to say we've met once in the last decade. (I think that was also the year that Fluery didn't choke in the post season. Sorry I had to go there.)
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How many years has it been since the Pens and Caps have seen each other in the playoffs? I want to say we've met once in the last decade. (I think that was also the year that Fluery didn't choke in the post season. Sorry I had to go there.)
That would have been... 2008, I think? The seven-game series that the Caps thought was only six?
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Not to be confused with the Rangers series that the Caps only thought was 6 games too.
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Looking like you get Detroit instead. Have fun with that- this old Avs fan has seen quite enough of Detroit in the playoffs for one lifetime, thank you very much ;)
I was waiting for someone else to say it first and maybe keep quiet about playoffs until the Kardiac Kids take their seeding.
But I didn't have to wait long. And reminded once again am I that it's good to not be in the west anymore. Ever since they ditched the yeti, poof, no more Avs rivalry... ;)
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With a week left, we are seeing some of these series take form now, and that's kind of fun. No question we're getting Montreal/Tampa, we're getting Chicago/Colorado... Rangers and Flyers is likely, assuming the Flyers don't keep dropping games like they are lately... Los Angeles has either Anaheim or San Jose, but that's still close.
Past that, those wild card races are getting interesting. The East is starting to shape up a little more now, with the Caps bowing out and the Devils and Leafs both looking likely done for- I'm safely calling it Detroit getting Pittsburgh and Columbus getting the Bruins. In the West, the Wild probably are good for that top wild-card spot and a date with the winner of the San Jose/Anaheim dogfight... after that, the Blues are looking at getting... someone? Dallas or Phoenix, anyway- hard to pick between the two right now, though I'm always biased in favor of the team with the better goaltending- and with Smith still out, that's Dallas.
Weird, isn't it? We have a week remaining, and there's still so much that can change. Someone could go on a tear in the last few days, or go into a total collapse, and the whole conference seeding system could come crashing down and cause the whole thing to be re-seeded.
So, as of now, to reiterate:
EAST:
Boston - Columbus
Pittsburgh - Detroit
Rangers - Flyers
Montreal - Tampa Bay
Still possible to get in: New Jersey, Toronto, Washington (on paper anyway)
WEST:
St. Louis - Dallas
San Jose - Minnesota
Chicago - Colorado
Anaheim - Los Angeles
Still possible to get in: Phoenix
(Subject to a hell of a lot of change)
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How many years has it been since the Pens and Caps have seen each other in the playoffs? I want to say we've met once in the last decade. (I think that was also the year that Fluery didn't choke in the post season. Sorry I had to go there.)
It was 2009, the year the Caps thought they were "all that" and then forgot the playoffs go to 7. And the Penguins went on to win the Cup. :D
But yeah, it's been once in a decade. Guess I was just so used to the beatdowns in the 90s I just superimposed it here, too. :D
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Looking at Columbus this year - they need to either play New York or Philly - they can't hang with Boston or the Pens, and the Rangers and Flayers games have all been really good one way or another. Added bonus, Bob is starting to get hot again as well.
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Leaving this here for a laugh.
http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/10-fan-signs-in-nhl-arenas-that-made-us-laugh/ (http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/10-fan-signs-in-nhl-arenas-that-made-us-laugh/)
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Leaving this here for a laugh.
http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/10-fan-signs-in-nhl-arenas-that-made-us-laugh/ (http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/10-fan-signs-in-nhl-arenas-that-made-us-laugh/)
I saw a "Schultz is a Bum!" sign yesterday while reading through an old stack of Hockey Digests. O0 I think that picture is world famous.
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Great job, Calgary Flames! Shutting out Jagr and the Devils 1-0 is a nice boon for the winged wheel's cause.
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well, i can say with fair confidence that the stars will not be in the playoff this year. again. the usual l
"last month crap in the bed" tactics rears it's ugly head. they had 8th place. then decide to go 0-4. #P
Don't look now, but who's crawled back into 8th.... :-\
And the first GM head rolls before the season is even finished... :o
After back-to-back Presidents trophies and a Stanley Cup final appearance, the Canucks have been swept in the first round and now miss the playoffs - GM Gillis gets the axe today.
"Hey Boss, it looks like we failed to make the playoffs this year"
"Don't worry my friend, I'm sure you won't fail me again... by the way, have you seen my piranha pool?"
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On March 10th, when the Blue Jackets played the Dallas Stars, Nathan Horton had scored a goal prior to Rich Peverly cardiac incident on the Stars' bench. The game was called that night, the NHL said the game would get made up at a later date. The League said the make-up game will keep the score at the time the first game was postponed, but the make-up game would still be a full 60 minutes.
Tonight is the make-up game. On the official scorecard for the game Horton will be credited with a goal at 0:00, with Calvert and Wisniewski getting the assist. No other stats will carry forward, including the goal against. Last night, Horton was injured in the game against Phoenix. He's not going to suit up tonight, he didn't even travel with the Blue Jackets. But he's still going to get credit for a goal in tonight's game.
Let that one sink in for a minute...
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It gets better. The goal stands, but there's NO shots on goal credited, and whichever Dallas goalie plays tonight (Thomas was in on Mar. 10) will start with the usual 0.00 GAA.
Which means if the Stars win, there's a chance that we could see a game in which Columbus gets shut out, and still has a goal. ^-^
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That's an interesting scenario. Now let's have a fun what-if scenario:
What if Peverly's incident happened prior to the trade deadline, say the March 4th matchup between these two teams. Somebody comes in with an offer for Horton, the Blue Jackets take them up on the offer, and Horton's playing elsewhere. After the trade he gets credit for a goal scored at a game he didn't play in, for a team he doesn't play for? And hey, let's go full goofy: the Blue Jackets and the Stars were the two teams involved in the trade.
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Great game, Pens! Wings lose 4 - 3 in the shootout, yeah, and it was a nail bitter and I thought for sure we would get it but no dice. Still, that point was the biggest one of the season, obviously.
What a performance by the goalies. Fleury and Gustavsson were huge when needed, for the most part anyway, when it mattered the most. James Neal had several chances at a hat trick and none better than a shot in the final seconds of regular OT that Gustavsson challenged on successfully to force the skills competition. And both were great, but a bounce of the puck off of the goalie stick took us out of it in three frames of shooting.
And now they Wings can take their spot in the playoffs. ;D Just as Helbie said. Good job having more faith than I was having at that point, dude. This season has been great to watch, all of the woe only intensified that. And it forced Ken Holland to release the kids into the system and that has been all the difference.
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And with Columbus winning, that means we have our eight in the East... Where they finish in seeding is still debatable- only the Bruins and Penguins are fixed in place as of now- but the eight are set. The Wings and Jackets have clinched, and that leaves the Devils and Capitals on the outside.
...The next few days are going to be very interesting for Caps fans, let's just say that.
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I shall start of the interesting times by doing what I've always done after the Caps are eliminated in the first round*, rooting through my surrogate. Go BRUINS!!!!
*exception given to those years the Caps eliminated the Bruins in the first round.
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I shall start of the interesting times by doing what I've always done after the Caps are eliminated in the first round*, rooting through my surrogate. Go BRUINS!!!!
*exception given to those years the Caps eliminated the Bruins in the first round.
I don't know what you're talking about. That never happened.
That NEVER HAPPENED.
NEVER.
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3OT winner was the best game I ever attended.
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Todd Kriger, driving in blatently off sides and the refs don't call it. 30 seconds later he scored and I even forget why I was cursing him as useless the minute before. Game 2 of the ECF in 1998.
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Todd Kriger, driving in blatently off sides and the refs don't call it. 30 seconds later he scored and I even forget why I was cursing him as useless the minute before. Game 2 of the ECF in 1998.
+1 Happened to the Wings twice in the third period last game we played against Montreal, and they buried us with those two non-calls. But my team has been the recipient of the generous call and non-call on other occasions. We have no choice but to take it, and prepare for when it rains crap whistles and other phantasms.
On the other hand, Nyquist should take note for near-future reference while his star is still shiny in League eyes, methinks... he could be a secret prize non-call phenom a really lucky chap on top of everything else for all we know ;) And he is lucky, but that's a good check mark.
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That's an interesting scenario. Now let's have a fun what-if scenario:
What if Peverly's incident happened prior to the trade deadline, say the March 4th matchup between these two teams. Somebody comes in with an offer for Horton, the Blue Jackets take them up on the offer, and Horton's playing elsewhere. After the trade he gets credit for a goal scored at a game he didn't play in, for a team he doesn't play for? And hey, let's go full goofy: the Blue Jackets and the Stars were the two teams involved in the trade.
Hey, why stop there?
Horton gets traded for Thomas, then the makeup game ends up a 1-1 tie, with Horton scoring the goal for each team, and Thomas letting in both goals for both teams. }:)
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Avs in first place. Roy will be named coach of the year, probably unanimously
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Avs in first place. Roy will be named coach of the year, probably unanimously
I see the occasional grousing about it being people like Julien in Boston or Hitchcock in St. Louis, but I'd be amazed if anyone but Roy got serious consideration for it. The turnaround in Denver is incredible- 29th last year, possibly first in the West this year (I don't think they can win the President's Trophy with two games left, but I haven't done the math on what the tiebreaker situation looks like assuming Boston loses their last two). That's insane- particularly when you realize that most of the roster is unchanged. A few tweaks here and there, adding MacKinnon isn't a small thing obviously but it's just one part of many... this is last year's personnel for the most part. That points at a change at the coaching level, when this many players step up huge.
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Avs in first place.
Didn't last. They're a point behind Anaheim.
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Roy for Jack Adams is the right vote. Said a Red Wings fan. Babcock has done a lot here to keep us going, but I think we should wait for an international committee to decide that, since his gold medals deserve their own attention. Roy deserves this. I was waiting for him to eff up, too, honestly. He gave me nothing, and has really impressed me.
No question about the Hart Trophy this year. Or the Art Ross, since Crosby ran away with that.
Early this season, 20 game in, it looked like Chicago was king. But this season was the perfect one to follow last year's abbreviated crash course, really. We saw the rise of California as the new home of hockey dominance for one thing. St Louis rising to challenge Chicago was another huge change. Colorado, Roy, the madness returns. ;D
Boston pulling everything together to ride to the top also huge. Two games left, but they sit in the driver's seat. Pittsburgh is coasting at a low rumble right now it seems. Good thing they are separated by divisional rounds. But Montreal and Tampa Bay cannot be discounted, and surely not the Rangers.
And then there's my lowly team slinking in before the gate closes again, though a lot closer than last year. Easy to get lost in the glorious hockey power perched above them in the seedings, but we still have a whole series to prove ourselves. And two more games to go until that series starts.
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No question about the Hart Trophy this year.
Um, really?
It's the most valuable player award (to his team), not the best player award.
Is Crosby really so much more important to his team's success than say, Chara or Toews? (or Varlamov?)
Especially with Malkin on the team....
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I'd love to give Varlamov my vote for the Hart, but I always feel a little bit weird about nominating a goalie for that one... My gut says Bergeron in Boston, but again it's about most valuable player to their team, and I feel like as amazing as he's been Boston would still have been okay without him if that had come to pass.
The jerk in me wants to nominate Ovechkin, because where would they be without his goals... and his lack of defense... ;)
But you know what? You'll think I'm insane, but I'm actually going to go with Claude Giroux in Philly. Seriously. And I'll tell you why- because we not only can imagine how bad things would be for the Flyers without Giroux, we've SEEN it. He basically skipped the first three months of the season, and look how bad the Flyers looked back at Christmas. And look at them after that, when he suddenly decided that hockey was a good idea. Once he got playing at the insane level he was at post-Christmas, the Flyers took right off- without him, that likely never happens and we're looking at the Flyers down there with the Leafs and Caps as also-rans.
So yeah- as weird as it feels to nominate a player who chose to ****** off for half the season (and for a team I really don't like, no less!), I really think there's something to be said for Giroux as MVP this year. I'm weird like that, but by the definition of 'MVP', I can't imagine a non-goalie who deserves the award more.
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Um, really?
It's the most valuable player award (to his team), not the best player award.
Is Crosby really so much more important to his team's success than say, Chara or Toews? (or Varlamov?)
Especially with Malkin on the team....
Really. My opinion is that he was the most valuable player to his team, from season beginning to end.
edit: And I was hoping to draw more opinions about MVP candidates as well. You must have one, as you don't care for my pick so much. :)
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Really. My opinion is that he was the most valuable player to his team, from season beginning to end.
edit: And I was hoping to draw more opinions about MVP candidates as well. You must have one, as you don't care for my pick so much. :)
Meh, he might still back into it. ;)
The problem with Crosby is that the team has demonstrated that they can roll along just fine without him.
Secondly he (they) don't seem to be able to get anywhere in the playoffs.
(I know it's not supposed to matter, but I'm wondering if there'll be another flame-out)
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Meh, he might still back into it. ;)
Back into it... like what my Red Wings look like they are doing into the playoffs right now after losing 2-1 to Carolina? ;) Yeah, I know what you mean.
Coach B has to really keep them focused, that's for sure. And Fleury can't freeze up. He looked like a smiling madman the other night, grinning with his spine twisted backwards making saves. He will need to stay that way until summer for his team.
edit: and to jump back to picks for season awards.... the Vezina: Varlamov or Rask? Niemi, Bishop and Quick are not chopped liver either. Tough choices for this one, I could not pick one I think.
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Hellbie's reasoning is quite sound. As an example, Canucks fans often regard Kesler as the most valuable Canuck, but the fact is that he's missing at least part of every season due to injury, and the Canucks manage to limp through without him (the shortened season especially, since he was either injured or obviously playing impaired by injury for almost the whole season).
Henrik's ironman streak ended this year and the performance drop-off in the games he was away from was much worse - but it would have been hard to notice since he hadn't missed a game for so long before this season.
And I agree that goalies shouldn't count since they can single-handedly steal or give up games independent of the rest of the team
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The problem with Crosby is that the team has demonstrated that they can roll along just fine without him.
Secondly he (they) don't seem to be able to get anywhere in the playoffs.
(I know it's not supposed to matter, but I'm wondering if there'll be another flame-out)
Yes, but it is doubtful that this season without him though that they finish anywhere near the top of the standings and/or possibly miss the playoffs. Yeah that last part is probably bold but consider this:
Malkin has missed 20 games due to injury.
Dupuis played less than half a season.
Neal has missed over 20 games this season do to injury or suspension.
Scuderi, Martin, and Letang have all missed sizable chunks of time.
Sure Sid doesn't play on the blue line, but you are talking 7 of your main starters that have been out for about a quarter of the season. All he does when he is on the ice is control tempo and kept the team afloat while 1/3 of the team has been out. The good news for the Penguins this year is that they probably aren't playing either the Flyers and certainly won't play the Bruins in the first round. So they should have at least until the conference final before getting beaten by the Bruins. I will now take my leave to get this foul taste out my mouth for supporting Crosby for anything.
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Hellbie's criteria for the Hart as described above are excellent. Giroux is a good candidate, too. Those Flyers have been fun to watch when I've caught them. NBC has had a good eye for games this year. And many of those games weren't total stinkers compared to the hype.
Lightning fans should be depressed about Stamkos' injury this season, as well. He could have been a threat for the Rocket Richard. And what if Steen had not come back to earth?
Norris Trophy... Erik Karlsson looks like an obvious candidate. But should he win an award with a plus minus like that? I know it has been done before. And I know of people who think plus/minus is not an important stat unless your league counts it for fantasy. I think it's the best stat for measuring a defenseman and his impact on the team, though one should consider the team in question and the season, too, and weigh that in to the decision.
Duncan Keith on the other hand has been a solid playmaker season long as evidenced by his massive assist pile and +22 rating. However, he's not Erik Karlsson. Byfuglien is on a team with halfway decent plus minus stats, and is in the muck himself. Or back on the positive side, Niskanen, Boychuck and Vlasic, who are all loved and indispensable to their teams.
Overchicken is not a defenseman, but his D value as measured by plus/minus equals Dumpy.
Too easy a target? ;D
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*inhales deeply*
OK, here's the thing. Norris rant incoming.
****** THE NORRIS TROPHY. Or anyway, what it has become.
See, the Norris has changed over the past, what, five years or so into something that is... ugh, almost unrecognizable from what it should be. The award should be, as stated, for the top defenseman in the National Hockey League in the season. Awesome. But... that's not how it works anymore. Now it's for the defenseman who has the flashiest, highest-scoring season. And that's total shit, pardon my saying so. Because that's not what makes a great defenseman!
You want a defenseman who can score? Great. There's no shortage- Mike Green, Erik Karlsson, guys like that can get goals and assists and make it look easy. And they're just as much of a liability in their own zone- Green in particular is little more than a turnstile for opposing forwards to go zipping past. And yet he's been nominated for the Norris despite being a glorified winger! He's a god-awful defenseman AS A DEFENSEMAN- but he gets a lot of points (well, before he stopped caring), so he's a Norris candidate. ARGH.
Want a real defenseman? Someone who really shines at the job he's supposed to do? I bet you think I'm going to say Zdeno Chara, huh? In years past, damn right. But Chara's lost a step, and he's a pylon now- anything that skates in reach of that huge stick is in trouble, but he's easy to avoid now. So no, not Chara. Shea Weber? Hey, now THAT'S a great D-man... playing for a team not in playoff contention even. That's tough to overlook, despite his doing everything in his power to get there. PK Subban? Oh god, don't make me say nice things about a Montreal player... fine, fine, ok, he's a great player in both ends of the ice, great at digging pucks out of corners... he still makes a lot more mistakes in his own end than I'd like, and his penchant for diving and other questionable behavior makes me roll my eyes, but he's at least justifiable to me as a Norris guy.
So who would I pick? Brent Seabrook. The man is a monster in his own end of the ice- other teams might as well not even bother with trying to score when he's on the ice- and that's an issue, since he usually seems to be out there against the other team's top lines. He chips in on point production, but he's fantastic in his own end- his +/- is good, he gets power play time- and makes it count... If it sounds like I'm a fan, I remind you what happened to my Bruins last spring against the Blackhawks. THAT is where I became a fan of Seabrook (and despised him at the same time, naturally). He made life hell on them last Finals- and it impressed the hell out of me.
So, yeah. Seabrook for Norris. And let's go about making the Norris what it SHOULD be again instead of just a defenseman's version of the Richard trophy.
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What, not Drew Doughty?
How much do you think Ben Scrivens misses that LA D-corps?
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The Norris trophy is well past being split into two. The defensive minded Dmen really don't stand much of a chance at it anymore as a good one makesit look easy to the point of rarely being impresses by them which is a shame. I'd rather take Alzner or Carlson in that defensive pairing simply because I know Alzner. Won't do something stupid and will give me good sound defense.
Plus/minus just needs to be chucked out the wind for the clunky but easy to calculate stat that it is. Yields way too many oddities like Jeff Schultz. The best it can do is tell you if positive, neutral, or negative for goal scoring but even then it can be off by one category. When the highest plus/minus guy in the 09-10 season was a Dman who went from top pairing to bottom pairing in a year and never really carried a opsitive plus/minus again, it just shows that it isn't reliable. Corsi and Fenwick are better but still have limitations.
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Good point about the Norris, Hellbie, and I agree.
However, it's been more than five years that that's been the case (it kind of goes in starts and fits).
I remember being little and the first thing I ever heard of the Norris Trophy was people saying Paul Coffey didn't actually deserve to win it because he abandons his team's defense to do his thing and is also prone to masive brain farts, like turning and firing the puck past his own goalie on occasion. It was a raging debate even back then. I didn't hear anywhere near as much complaining about Ray Borque...
Seabrook is a good choice, him and Keith are out there for more than half the game, and he gets it done as said. Drew Doughty is another good consideration for the Norris Trophy. The dude is a rock wall. (hack, hack, hack... no not calling Doughty names, just coughing that taste out of my mouth!)
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It appears that Martin Brodeur will play his final game in a Devils uniform (and if he's smart, his final NHL game) tomorrow against Boston. With the Devils eliminated, it makes sense to make that season finale mean something, at least- if that's a 'goodbye' to their greatest player, so be it.
Here's hoping it goes to a shootout, just because I want to see them extend that insane shootout record another notch. (I believe they're now 0-13 in the shootout, something like that)
EDIT: Actually, I think the Devils might win tomorrow now. I expect the Bruins will rest as many people as possible, particularly Chara and Iginla. There's nothing left to play for now- by beating Buffalo 4-1, they just clinched the President's Trophy.
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I just had an odd thought. Does anyone else notice their NHL team's core fitting fairly well into the Five-Man Band (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/FiveManBand) archetype?
An outgrowth of a suspicion I had that certain personalities are more fans of specific players. I think jerks might be attracted to Ryan Kesler jerseys the same way they are to BMWs.
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Plus/minus just needs to be chucked out the wind for the clunky but easy to calculate stat that it is. Yields way too many oddities like Jeff Schultz. The best it can do is tell you if positive, neutral, or negative for goal scoring but even then it can be off by one category. When the highest plus/minus guy in the 09-10 season was a Dman who went from top pairing to bottom pairing in a year and never really carried a opsitive plus/minus again, it just shows that it isn't reliable. Corsi and Fenwick are better but still have limitations.
My take is if you are comparing plus/minus stats, you have to take a look at the teams of the players in question. Teams at the top will have players with high positive numbers that aren't reliably comparable to players on teams in the middle of the standings, and definitely not with players on teams at the bottom. This relationship is reciprocal up and down.
I agree, it isn't really useful like that.
Where I think plus/minus does work is comparing players on teams with similar Goals Allowed and Goals For numbers.
But the most accurate way to use it by far is for comparing and measuring the roles of players on the same team. Then once we have that data, you can compare select players with similar roles, similar ice time, etc... Comparing Mr. Studd's plus/minus to that of Fourth Line Joe Penalty Killer isn't going to yield much in the way of useful information or insight. ;D
Example: The Blackhawks
Lots of good forwards on this team, the score a ton and yet stress team defense. The plus/minus stat for players like Toews and Sharp show that the are leaders in this system, both for their D work ethic, but also for their positive scoring which vastly outpaces that of other teams most of the time, when the team is healthy.
Most Blackhawk players in turn follow the system. The defense, led by Keith and Seabrook, serves many minutes on ice, yet they have (or had...) amongst the highest plus/minus on their team, showing that they facilitate negative scoring with their play, and they do that quite well.
Then you have Kane. His plus/minus being an order of magnitude lower than that of the rest of the players on his team who play every day could indicate that he serves a lot of ice time... but other players on the 'hawks average more time with much better plus/minus, so nope, not in this case. His high number of points (leading his team though most of the season) should give him a naturally higher plus/minus, and it does :) , only Kane makes up for that state of affairs by not really playing D very much. That too should be taken into account on this type of analysis.
What it ends up showing is that Kane has a preference for hanging out by the blueline in his own zone (if one does not already know that by watching some Blackhawk games). It also indicates, that of all the players on the Blackhawks, he is the sieve. If you need to score a goal to tie it up or win against the Blackhawks, you will have a most favorable chance to do so when Kane is on the ice.
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And so we bid goodbye to the regular season, and to fourteen teams that just didn't quite cut the mustard. See you all next year.
And for the remaining sixteen, the schedule is out.
http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/04/13/heres-the-schedule-for-the-first-round-of-the-2014-playoffs/ (http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/04/13/heres-the-schedule-for-the-first-round-of-the-2014-playoffs/)
(Just avoid the comments section. In general, avoid that stuff.)
I have to wait until FRIDAY to watch the Bruins. This is displeasing. ;) Fortunately, NBC is seeing to it that EVERY GAME is televised nationally again, so we sure aren't going to lack for hockey to watch over the next couple of weeks!
Predictions (because I'm an idiot):
Boston in six
Tampa in seven
Pittsburgh in five
Rangers in seven
Colorado in six
Chicago in six
Anaheim in five
Los Angeles in seven
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Shea Weber? Hey, now THAT'S a great D-man... playing for a team not in playoff contention even. That's tough to overlook, despite his doing everything in his power to get there.
Weber should win the "I listened to stupid advice from my agent award" :-\
If he was smart, he would have signed a 1 yr or 2 yr offer sheet, play out the year(s) and then go into free agency where he could play where he wants, probably for what he's getting now.
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Instead, he's locked up his career with a team that's got little chance to win the cup in the next few years.
Worse yet, he has no NTC so he could see himself wind up in Edmonton or Buffalo or anywhere. :o
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Weber should win the "I listened to stupid advice from my agent award" :-\
If he was smart, he would have signed a 1 yr or 2 yr offer sheet, play out the year(s) and then go into free agency where he could play where he wants, probably for what he's getting now.
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Instead, he's locked up his career with a team that's got little chance to win the cup in the next few years.
Worse yet, he has no NTC so he could see himself wind up in Edmonton or Buffalo or anywhere. :o
To be fair, that advice got him a long-term deal with the Flyers. It's just that the Preds answered the call and matched it.
And really, if Weber wants to point fingers at management for letting top players like his BFF Suter leave town, or not bring in top-flight replacements... He can look at the cap hit that he and Rinne put on the Preds and maybe understand why the team isn't exactly dominating the West these days. That's not to say the staff in Nashville has done a great job with what they've got left- it's kind of a dull team with little to be excited about, right now. But there's not a lot of room to help them right now in terms of cap space. He and Rinne got paid, and that's great- but it almost guarantees that they'll never win a Cup. :-\
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Just avoid the comments section. In general, avoid that stuff.
But those are the best parts!
I have to wait until FRIDAY to watch the Bruins. This is displeasing. ;) Fortunately, NBC is seeing to it that EVERY GAME is televised nationally again, so we sure aren't going to lack for hockey to watch over the next couple of weeks!
I'll be in Toronto next week, thankfully the PHT schedule shows both the US and Canadian broadcasters. I hope to catch the Blackhawks games, and I hope that CBC includes the Anthem. Nobody does it better than Chicago. Nobody.
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Nobody does it better than Chicago. Nobody.
Agreed, though I'm more of a fan of the Wayne Messmer era, myself.
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Agreed, though I'm more of a fan of the Wayne Messmer era, myself.
Call me a homer, but I do enjoy the enthusiasm that Rene Rancourt brings to the start of a Bruins game. Fist-pumps for ALL!
The guy that used to do it in Denver was Jake Schroeder, who was the front man for a great local band called Opie Gone Bad. The band has sadly broken up (great music, if you're interested), and Jake no longer does Avs games, but that guy could freaking SING. Take a listen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJWnqTUV-tE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJWnqTUV-tE)
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We have our first canned coach of the offseason. Barry Trotz is out in Nashville. :-\
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We have our first canned coach of the offseason. Barry Trotz is out in Nashville. :-\
I'm still not buying it. Trotz was given between fart and all to work with this year due to the massive contracts of Rinne and Weber, and Rinne has an excuse this year for not being that great.
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We have our first canned coach of the offseason. Barry Trotz is out in Nashville.
Not really a firing, he contract was ending this season and it didn't get picked up. He was offered a position in the team's Hockey Operations group, so it's not like the team is kicking him to the curb. The question is what will Barry do?
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...but that guy could freaking SING. Take a listen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJWnqTUV-tE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJWnqTUV-tE)
It's not bad. Here's what Chicago gets to hear before every home game. It's from a few years back, but I wanted to find a game where Jim Cornelison sang both O Canada and the Star Spangled Banner. I was hoping to find a recording of the recent game against Montreal, Cornelison sang the French lyrics rather than the English lyrics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_nQ-GNdo3E
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I'm still not buying it. Trotz was given between fart and all to work with this year due to the massive contracts of Rinne and Weber, and Rinne has an excuse this year for not being that great.
So if Weber wins the Norris, which he probably won't, is he still massively over paid? Seems as long as he doesn't nose dive his contract would be on par with any other star in the game. Lord knows he is a big reason why instead of the Preds being horrible, they are at least mediocre.
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And so we bid goodbye to the regular season, and to fourteen teams that just didn't quite cut the mustard. See you all next year.
And for the remaining sixteen, the schedule is out.
http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/04/13/heres-the-schedule-for-the-first-round-of-the-2014-playoffs/ (http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/04/13/heres-the-schedule-for-the-first-round-of-the-2014-playoffs/)
(Just avoid the comments section. In general, avoid that stuff.)
I have to wait until FRIDAY to watch the Bruins. This is displeasing. ;) Fortunately, NBC is seeing to it that EVERY GAME is televised nationally again, so we sure aren't going to lack for hockey to watch over the next couple of weeks!
Predictions (because I'm an idiot):
Boston in six
Tampa in seven
Pittsburgh in five
Rangers in seven
Colorado in six
Chicago in six
Anaheim in five
Los Angeles in seven
Predictions, ehh... (if you're an idiot, I'll be idiot number one to follow you to the cliffs... )
The Beasty East:
Boston in seven. But only because it's the game we must get to for there to any true hope of the Red and White team winning this series. :) Boston is the better team, and not by accident, as Babs said earlier in an interview. Wings will have to outskate the B's and do so every game against a team that plays the game in the same team ideal that we also aim for, no matter the current talent disparity amongst the forwards, and especially amongst the Dmen.
Tampa in five games
Pittsburgh in seven games - Blue Jackets fight to the death this year.
Flyers in six games
In the Wicked West:
Anaheim in six games
Chicago in five games
Colorado in seven games
San Jose in seven games
edit:
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(Montreal is playing Tampa and the Rangers are playing the Flyers)
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I was in a hurry to get it over with for round one. Haste makes such waste. :-[
edit
I may not have caught that until after the playoffs start if I didn't look back. They are hasty gut picks, but still I would rather keep them legit to see how right/wrong I am. ;D
I was hoping to see some other prognostications for the first round of the playoffs. I don't usually bother until later, I think a lot of people are that way, because so many teams and fan bases will be crushed in 4 to 7 games. But what the hey...
edit: Playoffs start tonight. Soooo... no one else is feeling secure enough to post their first round picks on a public thread? :)
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Scroll up. I had mine in to mark the end of the regular season.
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I'm fairly late to this party of picks because of work but here it goes anyhow:
Bruins in 6. Because the Red Wings just won't die.
Pens in 5. All but one game is close.
Montreal in 5. I don't see the Bolts stealing more than one game without Bishop and it they will only win that one game because of Steve Stamkos wills it to happen.
Rangers in 5. If Mason can't go and Emery plays multiple games they are hosed.
Avs in 5. Yes, that quickly.
Ducks in 4. I just can't see the Stars hanging with the Ducks at all
Kings in 7. Quick and that defense keep the Sharks largely off the board. The games will all be close except for one which the Sharks blow the Kings out of the water giving the Sharks a false sense of security that they have gotten over the hump. Quick then shuts them out for the last 2 games of the series.
Blackhawks in 6. Pick the Blues to get out of the first round? I don't think that is conceivable.
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It is now 4 days after the season ended and Oates hasn't been fired and Mcphee is still around. Yet Trotz is finally let go. What's wrong with this universe. Well I guess it could be worse, at least my team hasn't endorsed Ondrej Pavelec returning. There must be a quota in Winnipeg for each sound decision which they make, which I don't know there has been all that many (though signing Paul Maurice to an extension is a good one) they make another bone headed one.
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Brief thoughts from the first night:
+ Ohhhh Ducks. For 30 minutes they owned Dallas, then they let them get back into it. They still won, but that wasn't a good effort late in that game- if they do that again in game 2, they might not be able to hold off the comeback. Benn, Seguin, and co. are too good to let them get back into a game the way they did tonight. I expect Anaheim to come out a hell of a lot better for the latter half of Game 2, or this could get ugly.
+ Speaking of teams that put on good efforts, I know they lost, but man Colombus gave the Pens a tough one. That last goal was bizarre, otherwise this could have gone either direction. At times the Jax looked dominant, and if that shorthander to start the 2nd wasn't one of the best goals you've seen this season you don't watch enough hockey. This one might be a better series than people are giving credit for.
+ That leaves the game I admit I didn't watch because I watched PIT/COL, but judging from the highlight reel we have another close one between Montreal and Tampa, to boot. Stamkos was awesome, the goalies looked shaky, we got OT... man, it's the freakin' playoffs, how great is this?
Now, let's get that burgundy colored shirt out for tomorrow... the Avalanche are back!
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The COL/PIT game was brilliantly intense. Told you this series will be close.
Fleury looked solid, too - 2 of the 3 goals were nowhere near his fault; that shortie he could've stopped if he hadn't been overcommitted...but then again, Letang blew the pooch with the turnover in the first place. I'm glad Bylsma sat his butt down for a while after that; Letang had a horrible night.
Last night really showed the Pens need to resign Niskanen no matter the cost, and trade off Letang. (Yes, I finally said it.)
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All three games were a great start to this years tourney, a great reason to go to work tired!
Columbus looked awesome. Dallas also looked good, and what can be said about any playoff OT game like TB vs Montreal? I'll say all that too, then! ;D
And the Red Wings are surely scouting Niskanen, as well as about fifteen or twenty other teams, probably. Reliable defense is a commodity in such short supply.
Scroll up. I had mine in to mark the end of the regular season.
I know, man. I was being an arse about trying to nudge more predictions out of people. I'll keep it to myself.
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I know, man. I was being an arse about trying to nudge more predictions out of people. I'll keep it to myself.
Late, but I'd told these to Hellbie on Tuesday, so not really late.
Pens in 6
Habs in 6
Bruins in 7
Rangers in 7
Ducks in 5
Kings in 6
Avs in 5
Hawks in 7
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The COL/PIT game was brilliantly intense. Told you this series will be close.
Fleury looked solid, too - 2 of the 3 goals were nowhere near his fault; that shortie he could've stopped if he hadn't been overcommitted...but then again, Letang blew the pooch with the turnover in the first place. I'm glad Bylsma sat his butt down for a while after that; Letang had a horrible night.
Last night really showed the Pens need to resign Niskanen no matter the cost, and trade off Letang. (Yes, I finally said it.)
Part of me almost wants to give Letang a mulligan- I mean, he's just now getting back after a freaking STROKE!- but yeah, that was an AWFUL play on his part.
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Crazy sob Roy pulls his goalie with a face off in the neutral zone, yet it worked. Now I might be up all night watching the hockey. Well at least I don't have to be into work until 1230 O0
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Crazy sob Roy pulls his goalie with a face off in the neutral zone, yet it worked. Now I might be up all night watching the hockey. Well at least I don't have to be into work until 1230 O0
Dude, Eric Johnson stopping the empty-net goal was INSANE. That the Avs then scored to go to OT? Priceless. This is great. O0
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So I hear this Paul Stastny guys is pretty freaking good eh?
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With a name like Stastny... wait, that might be rule four territory ;)
Yesterday's hockey was some good hockey. Tonight was way freaking better!
Rangers took control of Philly, then the OT's happened in St' Louis. Ryan Miller proved his worth tonight. He kept the Blues alive agains the 'hawks and deserved First Star honors, I thought. And Roy reinvents the wheel, or at least puts his spin on it, and it works with seconds left. What a game that was, too...
I can't repeat last night :-\ The Battle of Cali will have to wait for another night. High scoring early periods have trended to light scoring defensive third periods tonight, let's see how that ends up tomorrow.
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*twitching after one of the most amazing endings to a hockey game I've ever seen*
AVS!!!
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So the Blackhawks lost last night in a marathon game, 48th longest NHL game ever as it turns out. There was a chance it would have ended in the 2nd OT, when the Blackhawks went on the power play. During those two minutes, St. Louis chipped the puck over the boards without any other contact. The refs ruled that a Blackhawks player also touched it, waiving off the penalty and preventing the Blackhawks from going on the 5-on-3. Coach Quenneville was suitably upset, as he indicated with a hand gesture. So he decided to apologize:
http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/04/18/quenneville-apologizes-for-bush-league-move-in-ot-vs-blues/
Did...did...did he actually use the term "bush" in his apology? Did he snicker too, hide a grin under the 'stache of his?
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That was a good game. Didn't expect a Wings win going in to game one in Boston, but we needed to steal one, obviously. Howard suddenly looks like he hasn't looked since last spring. Unbelievable defensive effort on part of both teams, too. The B's stayed composed, even after Datsyuk's goal. But for some reason, I suspect next game to be a bit more edgy. Because it's the playoffs. :)
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Paging the Bruins' forwards... B's forwards, please report to the Red Wings' goal and put some pressure on in game 2 please. Again, paging Boston forwards...
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And Montreal got a second win tonigh [watch] [rockon] [cheers] [cheers] [cheers]
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And Montreal got a second win tonigh [watch] [rockon] [cheers] [cheers] [cheers]
I didn't watch any of that one, but from what it looked like the Lightning need Ben Bishop back right about yesterday, or this series is over.
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Tampa'll need to win at least one game in Montreal to make it out of this series. The crowds in Montreal will be unkind.
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Do you expect nothing less? ^-^ >:D >:D #P
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Well, my gut feeling that the Blues were going to be in fairly big trouble drawing the Blackhawks in Round 1 turned out to be bad gas. What a game! Another OT performance between two well-matched teams.
The hitting was ferocious this game. Seabrook almost put Backes through the wall. Hope he's OK... Seabs may get the hammer for this and it will not help his teams cause as they fall behind two games to none.
Looking forward to Pens and Jackets, Avs and Wild. 8)
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Upon seeing the first ever playoff victory for my team, I may have woken up my dog with hooting and hollering.
And the neighbours dog.
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Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog are freaking RIDICULOUS.
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Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog are freaking RIDICULOUS.
MacKinnon and Stastny were in on all 4 goals!?
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Hottest line on ice right now. They sets the *%@$ on fire. ;D
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And now, Montreal lead 3-nothing this battle! >:D #P
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I cannot for the life of me figure out why Tampa's would-be second goal was waved off. I've watched that replay half a dozen times, and I'm totally baffled.
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Worst part is that a lot of Montrealers agrees with you... :-\ :-\ :-\ :-\
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Chara's a damned scary dude when he's smiling. That was some brutal old time hockey earlier today. Wings will have to score more than just one soon. Bruins played like they were going to win a Cup, that's what I thought about that first period. They have the experience and the ability and it's their time. The rest of the game was in-hand after the tone was set like that.
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Chara's a damned scary dude when he's smiling. That was some brutal old time hockey earlier today. Wings will have to score more than just one soon. Bruins played like they were going to win a Cup, that's what I thought about that first period. They have the experience and the ability and it's their time. The rest of the game was in-hand after the tone was set like that.
God, that was funny. I have no doubt Smith is a tough kid, but... walk away, junior, walk away. When the guy is laughing his ass off at you and holding you at arms' length, this isn't going to go well if you pursue it further.
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God, that was funny. I have no doubt Smith is a tough kid, but... walk away, junior, walk away. When the guy is laughing his ass off at you and holding you at arms' length, this isn't going to go well if you pursue it further.
It was funny in that frustrating sort of way. Little horrifying. ;)
But yeah, Zedno didn't want to fight or he would have swung. Smith was just huffy about the singling out. If Smith does not crack from all of this, it will make him stronger, no doubt about that.
They'll all see the tape. The boys will have two games at home here to try and make the Bruins' series as uncomfortable as possible. But if they play like they did in the first, I think few or rather no team, really, could withstand that pounding.
PS: Holy Sharktic Vortex, Batman! (Don't tell syfy that one ;D it's mine) San Jose is an unstoppable offensive machine in two games against the Kings.
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It was funny in that frustrating sort of way. Little horrifying. ;)
But yeah, Zedno didn't want to fight or he would have swung. Smith was just huffy about the singling out. If Smith does not crack from all of this, it will make him stronger, no doubt about that.
They'll all see the tape. The boys will have two games at home here to try and make the Bruins' series as uncomfortable as possible. But if they play like they did in the first, I think few or rather no team, really, could withstand that pounding.
PS: Holy Sharktic Vortex, Batman! (Don't tell syfy that one ;D it's mine) San Jose is an unstoppable offensive machine in two games against the Kings.
The Kings are normally an excellent possession team, but both games they've been bleeding shots against to the Sharks like they were the Leafs or something ???
Maybe the Sharks are still ticked that LA eliminated them last season...
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The Kings are normally an excellent possession team, but both games they've been bleeding shots against to the Sharks like they were the Leafs or something ???
Maybe the Sharks are still ticked that LA eliminated them last season...
Whatever it is, the Kings had better find an answer for it pronto. This is ugly so far.
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The whole Chara vs Smith incident reminds me of the scene from Spaceballs where Lonestar (Bill Pulman) is sitting there holding Dark Helmet (Rick Morranis) in place while he is swing wildly away with his schwartz. Good for Smith's health though that he only got a face wash.
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Oh, Matt Cooke, how we've missed you...
If he doesn't get a few games off for that shit-show, it's a travesty.
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Pens & Jackets, here's the winning strategy for game 4: Give up the first two goals.
It's worked so far. ???
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Oh, Matt Cooke, how we've missed you...
If he doesn't get a few games off for that shit-show, it's a travesty.
I'll say 1 game. It was a dumb play and it's going to cost the Avs in long run Barrie for a long stretch. Cookie hasn't been suspended in 3 years now? So the puts him outside of repeat offender territory believe?
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I'll say 1 game. It was a dumb play and it's going to cost the Avs in long run Barrie for a long stretch. Cookie hasn't been suspended in 3 years now? So the puts him outside of repeat offender territory believe?
Three sounds about right, but... there were several prior to that, plus a very iffy decision to make on the issue with Erik Karlsson (I do believe that one was accidental, but taken as part of the larger picture...)
Remember that his last suspension saw him miss an entire playoff run. Three years between them or not, there's a prior pattern of disturbing behavior. If he's allowed back in this series, at the very least, I'll be pretty surprised. If it was someone else- hell, almost anyone else- I'd say a couple of games. Because it's HIM, and he has the history he does, I'd ask for a bare minimum of four games- and even that would be surprisingly lenient.
EDIT: Cooke has been invited for an in-person hearing tomorrow... That's not a good sign for him.
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Saw this and thought it was too funny not to share...
(https://i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/8154169600/h098D655A/)
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Saw this and thought it was too funny not to share...
snip
Even the baby knows that re-signing Niskanen is top priority for the Pens. O0
EDIT: Cooke has been invited for an in-person hearing tomorrow... That's not a good sign for him.
I think times will be changing really soon with regard to trying to mitigate some of the more extreme violence of the sport. We knew that was coming one day, GMs were quoted talking about how fighting will one day be eliminated more than a few times this off season and during the season as well. But I think this playoff will be remembered for speeding that change.
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TSN signed Luongo to a 2 day contract as an analyst on their panel for I think the 27th, 28th. ;D
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TSN signed Luongo to a 2 day contract as an analyst on their panel for I think the 27th, 28th. ;D
Wait, really? I didn't think they could do that.
Not that I'm complaining. That's awesome! He's a lot of fun in interviews and on Twitter especially, so let's see if that translates to analysis. He's getting up in years, I'd love to see him go into announcing after he finally hangs them up.
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http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=450017 (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=450017)
Wouldn't it be hilarious if he showed up in something Don Cherry would wear? >:D
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That was painful. Seriously. Red Wings looked bad right out of the gate and never recovered. That tone set in period one of last game was still in effect it looked like. We were giving the Bruins all the room and not hustling, and certainly not hustling with skill.
Tuuka got the shutout, but the whole team got assists on it. It was a team game, big time.
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That was painful. Seriously. Red Wings looked bad right out of the gate and never recovered. That tone set in period one of last game was still in effect it looked like. We were giving the Bruins all the room and not hustling, and certainly not hustling with skill.
Tuuka got the shutout, but the whole team got assists on it. It was a team game, big time.
The sleeping giant napped in game 1... I think they're awake now.
It could just as easily have been 4-0- that shot by Hamilton in the first that went off the post literally made me spit out my ice water a little.
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So the Habs are in the second round and LA being out LA'd by the Sharks. The Sharks just appear to be putting on a clinic this series. Even though it was a one goal game tonight, the Kings only looked like that control for a few shifts outside of OT. The Sharks would just keep the center of the ice cleared out and if they didn't and a puck got to Niemi they just cleared it out. They certainly can't give up 23 shots in a period again if they want to win.
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I'm not surprised the Sharks are playing well. But that the Kings are this awful? Stunned. At least this one required OT, but... who would have thought this a week and a half ago?
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I guess I'm just to used to San Jose throwing in the towel come playoff time. I don't think LA was awful tonight, but they weren't playing as well as they could or should. I think it will be over in 4 at this point. That Gaborik goal was a beauty though. At that point I thought they were going to take control, but that idea went out the window quickly. The other possibility is that Tomas Hertl's minions might have something to do with it.
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I had a good feeling about the Sharks vs the Kings this year. But I didn't know it would be a smack down like this.
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Upon seeing the first ever playoff victory for my team, I may have woken up my dog with hooting and hollering.
And the neighbours dog.
Wait are you a Jackets fan? 8)
I'd love to see the Jackets bump off the Pens. >:D
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This is one of the best first rounds in a while. O0 Blue Jackets fans will be too busy to post for a bit. Stars fans too.
Only one lopsided series per conference (...so far :-\ ), but both of them are kind of on the mind-blowing side.
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Apparently, the strategy for both teams in game 5 for the Columbus-Pittsburgh should be to hurry up and give up a goal or three first. Am I correct in remembering that the eventual winner of all 4 games so far had to come from behind at least 2 goals?
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Apparently, the strategy for both teams in game 5 for the Columbus-Pittsburgh should be to hurry up and give up a goal or three first. Am I correct in remembering that the eventual winner of all 4 games so far had to come from behind at least 2 goals?
That is correct, which it appears gives the Penguins a huge advantage- Marc-Andre Fleury seems to be letting in some bad ones again (it's the playoffs!), so they may be down a couple of goals immediately in Game 5. ;D
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So every CBJ-PP game has involved a team giving up a 3-1 lead to lose 4-3 and all the Chicago-St. Louis games went to OT? :o
Btw, if San Jose finishes off LA and Anaheim beats Dallas, then San Jose won't even have to leave California until the Conference Finals :o
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Hockeytown became Scapegoat City today. People blaming Jimmy Howard and Franzen were everywhere. Have to remind them that this series would be 3 - 0 Bruins if not for Howard. But Franzen is a Houdini as of late and is in everyone's doghouse, including Babcock who called him out immediately when asked - for not skating to the inside, not being a presence on the ice. Not much defense for him right now, unless he can do something to change that in the upcoming games.
Sure, no one wants to become the target of the B's D-men, or their forwards, either, which is what happens when hockey is played in the playoffs. Beatings and other orc-work occur. But if we don't start taking up our share of space on ice in front of and around Rask, we're completely doomed because he's not letting in softies that he sees coming right now.
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...and all the Chicago-St. Louis games went to OT?
Just Games 1, 2 and 4. Game 3 was a Chicago shutout.
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So every CBJ-PP game has involved a team giving up a 3-1 lead to lose 4-3 and all the Chicago-St. Louis games went to OT? :o
Btw, if San Jose finishes off LA and Anaheim beats Dallas, then San Jose won't even have to leave California until the Conference Finals :o
Correct.
They also blew out a bunch of speakers at Nationwide last night trying to keep up with the crowd.
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Correct.
They also blew out a bunch of speakers at Nationwide last night trying to keep up with the crowd.
Understandable, I suppose. Not like they've ever had a crowd to test against before. ;D
(Hey, I'm just glad they have one NOW!)
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Understandable, I suppose. Not like they've ever had a crowd to test against before. ;D
(Hey, I'm just glad they have one NOW!)
Aaron Portzline said it was the loudest thing he had ever heard. Louder than the first game at home in 2008 playoffs.
And you know what? Its solid money that they'll make the second round at this rate. NYR/CBJ would be incredible - lots of haterade between those two teams these days. And I'll put good money Callahan goes to CBJ after this season as well.
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Surprise! Zetterberg is in for Game 4 tonight.
...Uh oh.
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Surprise! Zetterberg is in for Game 4 tonight.
...Uh oh.
Not sure if it's the best decision, because now we need to politely ask the Bruins bench to take it easy on the convalescing Swedish athlete at the beginning of each period. But what's done is done and no one is going to tell that dude no this time of the year.
Bertuzzi will be there too. Problem with Bert these days - aside from the fact that Chara can point and call him a pylon ;D - is that I think he has to let someone hit him several times before he can retaliate without fear of league reprisal. It's his own fault, but still, not much of a goon because of that.
Joking a little but you know what I mean. ;D Good luck to everyone tonight.
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Man... ok, so Game 4 got a little hairy, eh?
3-2 OT win, and Boston can close this thing on Saturday afternoon. Ugly game- the first period was all Detroit, and even when Boston got going it seemed like they weren't making things happen- as many times as Gustavsson gave them a wide open net to shoot into, it seemed like they almost weren't willing to take the gifts- Marchand in particular is going to be up all night thinking about a few of his chances.
But... a win is a win, I guess. I'm already looking for my 'HABS SUCK' shirt.
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I seriously don't know who I hate more, Lucic or Marchand. But they are good at what they do. A power forward with determined skill and a mean streak as big as he is at 230 + lbs. Elite player. And then there's the other one. A pest - an old simple word, root of pestilence as we know it, but likely known and pronounced in many different yet similar ways, and he is it and that is what he was set to do. Except he can score too, just not tonight. He's what Kirk Maltby always wished he was, honestly. Man, what a hateful turd that dude is! Gah! ;D
Zetterberg looked good considering he had blades cutting and scraping near his spine in February and hasn't played a game since game one of the Olympics. And the team responded to his return by waking up early tonight. We came close, but it was not enough and now we have to win in a nice comfortable afternoon game in Boston on Saturday - just to stay alive this year. We used to be good on the road. Let's see what it brings.
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Hurray, Oates and Mcphee aren't going to be back next season! Wonderful news to wake up to.
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Good game, Boston! We tried to make it a series, but you didn't want that it seems.
Defeat is always odious. But it is mitigated somewhat by knowledge that for the second year in a row, we were eliminated by the best and brightest in the conference, and probably the entire league. Vindication will only come in a couple of months, but it will be amazing if the B's are not there to play for the Cup.
Like Rene Rancourt motions after singing, give them one, give them two, give them three right in the face.
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Maybe Detroit threw the series because they wanted to see a Habs-Bruins series too :P
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None of the NHL sites are loading right now. It's a sign that the Habs-Bruins collision event will change the world forever.
edit: there they went, back up. But for two or three minutes there I was wondering what had happened.
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Avs... was at a local tavern watching this one, and the Cbus/Pitt game. Everyone could tell MacKinnon was going to play huge in OT. And boy he did just that. And before that, the Pens played a strong game, too. But Columbus has their crowd for next game, we'll see if Fleury stays in the zone or not.
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Tough game for the Wild last night. Doesn't help when you are playing against the Avs and the refs...
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Man I can't seem to figure out what is going on with the Sharks???? They should have taken the game last night but the Kings just outplayed them.
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Just wanted to say any inflammatory things I said about Marchand were meant in only the old-time hockey sense of accolades due a player who does good things for his team at the expense of my own team. O0
The Bruins destroyed the Wings. Destroy the rest of them, now.
I feel fine because I heard the sound of many expiring contracts screaming as one, and then, silence... and a void filled with millions of greenbacks to work with. And an amnesty buyout. And a couple of targets to buy out. Things will be a-hopping soon. Rumor has it at least one youngster will be moved. Don't know who, but Holland will choose wisely, I feel, no matter the outcome.
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Game sevens are so great to watch, and all the more enjoyable when you don't have a horse in the race.
Congrats NYR for dispatching the Flyers. Philly made it a close series, as close as you can get without OT in game seven.
Now for Colorado/Minnesota and then the real Battle of California.
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Game sevens are so great to watch, and all the more enjoyable when you don't have a horse in the race.
Congrats NYR for dispatching the Flyers. Philly made it a close series, as close as you can get without OT in game seven.
Now for Colorado/Minnisota and then the real Battle of California.
No, the Battle of California Part One. To be followed soon by the Battle of California Part Two.
Do you think Oilers management ever look at their new division, calculate their chances of making the playoffs and conclude that their odds of making it any given year add up to Whisky?
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WILD!!!!!!!
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Dang good game, great end to a nail biting series!
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Some guy not named Andrew Brunette caused me not to go 8 for 8 on my picks :'(
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So with Round 2 starting tomorrow here are my picks
Boston over Habs in 6. Boston is just the better team.
Rangers over the Penguins in 7. I can't pick the Penguins two rounds in a row and I can't imagine the Rangers winning a series in less than 7 games.
LA over Anaheim in 6. I believe the real Kings are back.
Blackhawks over the Wild in 6. The Wild proved they won't die, but I just don't know that they can hang with the battle tested 'Hawks.
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Hurray, Oates and Mcphee aren't going to be back next season! Wonderful news to wake up to.
Late news from the West Coast is that Torts will get the axe tomorrow too... :o
Hockeytown became Scapegoat City today. People blaming Jimmy Howard and Franzen were everywhere. Have to remind them that this series would be 3 - 0 Bruins if not for Howard. But Franzen is a Houdini as of late and is in everyone's doghouse, including Babcock who called him out immediately when asked - for not skating to the inside, not being a presence on the ice. Not much defense for him right now, unless he can do something to change that in the upcoming games.
Clearly Babcock is the problem. :P
Hey, wanna trade coaches with the Canucks? ^-^
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Clearly Babcock is the problem. :P
Please fire Babcock! The Caps need a coach. Seriously though, if Holland was insane, and obviously he's not I'm certain Babcock would get any job he would want and be handsomely compensated.
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I'd have more respect for Torts' 'gut feelings' if his gut feelings didn't also induce him to repeatedly play Bieksa and Edler together. Individually, excellent offensive defencemen. Together... total tire fire (to the eyes and the numbers). I believe the CanucksArmy guys crunched the numbers for shot chance differential, and they were far and away the worst of any regular or semi-regular D-men pairing, but we kept seeing it right to the end of the season. #P
Hey, if the Sharks fire McLellan, his style would be a good fit for the Canucks roster. As long as his style doesn't also include 'unfortunate playoff collapses' as well
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Some guy not named Andrew Brunette caused me not to go 8 for 8 on my picks :'(
My picks started out being fairly OK today when I woke up this morning. It all went to being a heaping bunch of mehh tonight/this morning. But my feelings were close on a more than a few. Chicago came through a game late, true. The Bruins came through two games early... very true.
OK, that's in the past now. ;)
No, the Battle of California Part One. To be followed soon by the Battle of California Part Two.
Do you think Oilers management ever look at their new division, calculate their chances of making the playoffs and conclude that their odds of making it any given year add up to Whisky?
Battle of California: The Franchise.
As for whisky, I found this on urban dictionary:
"A drink which makes old men's I.Q.s increase exponentially after every shot, eventually leading to a bar full of omniscient men who can't even begin to consider that for once they might just be wrong. "
I figured this must be a lot like what the Oilers management does to prepare for the season.
Clearly Babcock is the problem. :P
Hey, wanna trade coaches with the Canucks? ^-^
Hold the phone, every day I hear at least one armchair GM on the line with the local radio station utter something like: "Tell me how he's so good. Team Canada can basically coach itself, bla bla bla... "
Sorry about Vancouver's coaching woes for real. Torts is a character to really stress the word out. I heard him sited as Babcocks replacement, so you may have hope if the idiots ever take power. ;D
I have a lot of Maple Leaf fans in my family, so I do indeed hear a lot about their coaching woes too. A lot, sometimes.
edited because #%@#% west coast games ;)
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After a sub .500 season and first playoff absence since '08, Torts is out. So is the assistant, and (previously fired) GM Gillis. Where will Torts go? Washington?
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After a sub .500 season and first playoff absence since '08, Torts is out. So is the assistant, and (previously fired) GM Gillis. Where will Torts go? Washington?
Torts and Ovi. That'll be an EPIC trainwreck. I'm in.
Nashville is the logical destination.
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After a sub .500 season and first playoff absence since '08, Torts is out. So is the assistant, and (previously fired) GM Gillis.
I actually thought that GM Mike Gillis did a decent job over the last 6 years.
Rumour in Vancouver is that the hiring of Torts was pushed by the owners, so they are stuck with their own mess. Supposedly Tort's $8 mil 4 year contract has a 20% buyout clause ( $1.6 mil) so obviously someone was hedging their bets. :-\
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Torts and Ovi. That'll be an EPIC trainwreck. I'm in.
Nashville is the logical destination.
I like Torts. Or at least I like his press conferences. I don't think he'd go over well here though because of his past clash with the fans. Nashville does make a lot of sense from a hiring perspective, I don't think it really makes sense for him though unless he really wants to coaching quick. I think it makes a lot more sense to take time off and/or go back to TV. I am now waiting for the other shoe to drop in San Jose and see who gets the ax or gets traded.
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I am now waiting for the other shoe to drop in San Jose and see who gets the ax or gets traded.
I don't think it will happen about Mac getting the ax but I can see some trades taking place
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Looks like the same crummy officiating from the MN/Col series has carried into the NY/PIT games. Having to score twice in sudden death!?!
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How can Bickle be so blah during the season, yet he's a playoff goal scoring titan of sorts the past two seasons? Not that weird, I know, because players sometimes are playoff performers who are quiet during the season, it happens. But Bickle's case seems especially pronounced.
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Kind of like Claude Lemiuex. Willing to rumble all the time, but seldom showing up on the score sheet in numbers until the post season starts.
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Definitely a good comparison. And like Claude, Bickell gets paid and recognized for it, too. He does not have to get 30 goals during the season for that in the new Blackhawks, it seems. And he proves his worth in cups.
It's another good hockey weekend. Kings and Ducks fought hard last night kicking off their first ever playoff series, OT was great, but better for the Kings than the Ducks.
There's something to be said about these red-hot teams out there.
Montreal is dangerous, and Boston cannot slack like they could in round one [tickedoff]
And now the Kings have gone from herky-jerky consistency to a five game winning head of steam that features a comeback so epic that it isn't abusing the word epic in the least.
Pittsburgh is in for one heck of a series with a red, white and blue team - again.
And then there's Chicago doing what they came to do. They feature a Patrick Kane who is +8, leading all skaters in the playoffs, and proving that number crunching nerddom in the regular season predicts little about the post-season. So far.
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Holy crap! A two goal lead finally held up in a Pens playoff game! ??? :o [cheers] [rockon]
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...here's a post about how for the second game in a row a Pens two-goal lead against the Rangers holds true. And in it is mentioned that they became the shutdown squad during this two game good two-goal lead stretch because everyone saw that coming. ;)
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Nothing of importance ever happens for the Rangers before game. They are just luring the Penguins into a false sense of security.
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Wild win again, convincingly this time.
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Convincingly? Maybe the third period, but not the first two.
Still, it bothers me not. The Blackhawks have lost the first road game of every playoff series they have played in going back to 2010. And while I know Helbie like to take the occasional jab at ProHockeyTalk's message board denizens I find them to be quite humorous:
Wild Fan: Let’s hear it Hawk’s fans!!! Lay it on us!
Blackhawks Fan: Wild won Game 3 last year. How did that turn out again?
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Wow, the Rangers have folded their tents.
I can count on one hand the number of shifts tonight where they actually showed some desperation.
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Well we are on to game 5. This is usually the time the Rangers choose to make it interesting and the King starts to play out of his mind.
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Well we are on to game 5. This is usually the time the Rangers choose to make it interesting and the King starts to play out of his mind.
Against the Penguins, however, this is too little, too late.
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You know, I had Boston pegged to win the cup this year. But it looks like they are letting P.K. Suban get under their skin.
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Against the Penguins, however, this is too little, too late.
It isn't majority of the Pens that would concerns me. It is that Fluery guy that mans the net that would. Yes, he has won a cup, but he hasn't shown consistanly since then he won't fold in tough situations again. Lunqvist has the ability to steal the series against any teamm
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You know, I had Boston pegged to win the cup this year. But it looks like they are letting P.K. Suban get under their skin.
I was feeling the same way, but then I mellowed out at the B's just taking the east, and not calling the Cup winner just yet. I just wonder where is the Boston squad that pummeled the Red Wings in game two period one of the first round? That's the danger of turning it on and off, it don't always work out. Montreal is a better team than the Wings, and Price's play is a major factor too, but still. This is a good series that can get out of control soon if the B's offense cannot get going consistently. This from an outside of fanbase perspective, of course.
The Kings and the Blackhawks are probably going to be there to challenge. At this point I'm not sure who will win any of those matches. And we can't totally count out their current series opponents, either. Not yet, anyway.
Now the Habs are steaming hot and the Pens are Scary Actual for the time being. This playoff looked one way and went a totally different direction.
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It isn't majority of the Pens that would concerns me. It is that Fluery guy that mans the net that would. Yes, he has won a cup, but he hasn't shown consistanly since then he won't fold in tough situations again. Lunqvist has the ability to steal the series against any teamm
I'm sorry, what season are you watching? Fleury hasn't folded in any tough situations. He let in a couple flubby goals against the Jackets, but it didn't derail him like they did in the Isles series last year. He's been more consistent and solid this year, much like his 2009 form.
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I'm sorry, what season are you watching? Fleury hasn't folded in any tough situations. He let in a couple flubby goals against the Jackets, but it didn't derail him like they did in the Isles series last year. He's been more consistent and solid this year, much like his 2009 form.
I'm not of the opinion of if, but when he is going to choke. If he proves me wrong good for him. By the numbers he is blowing his 2009 numbers out of the water in pretty much all relevant stats. He's well above the bell curve right now in his play. There is bound to be some sort of correction though at some point.
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Never mind that crap about "the B's need to get their offense going consistently", because Tuuka and the defense only need one guy to show up per game when they are both on like they seemed to have been tonight (even if that guy ends up being a defenseman). Old time hockey, and the whistles were very few.
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Subban is an RFA this off-season. Montreal's going to regret not locking him up long term a couple years ago when they had the chance.
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Subban is an RFA this off-season. Montreal's going to regret not locking him up long term a couple years ago when they had the chance.
He was playing like he was trying to impress when Montreal was in town during the regular season. In our first match up of the season he blew scoring a game tying goal late in the 3rd on a wide open net because he tried to bounce the puck off his own skates, then slap it in and he basically messed up and fired it behind him. Our home announcer Mickey "couple of gingerales" Redmond was like "what kind of mickey mouse stuff was he trying to do there?"
That makes sense that he was trying to clown the Red Wings D for what he felt was a good reason. We are known for our hunger for defensemen, and he's quite aware of the situation for all parties.
Edit: Saw hordes of angry fans howling about Toronto extending Carlyle this morning on the Leaf's website.
That's great news for us, because everyone was nervous about Babcock recently saying that he wouldn't mind going year to year, and speculation about Shanahan seeking him out. I think the move is coming, but it's at least a season away, probably more like two or three. And I'm being hopeful.
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I'm not of the opinion of if, but when he is going to choke. If he proves me wrong good for him. By the numbers he is blowing his 2009 numbers out of the water in pretty much all relevant stats. He's well above the bell curve right now in his play. There is bound to be some sort of correction though at some point.
Maybe, but Fleury's seriously elevated his game this year (http://thehockeywriters.com/marc-andre-fleury-road-to-resurgence/). If the Penguins tank this time, it'll be because of dried-up scoring from the forwards, just like in the ECF series last year.
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Maybe, but Fleury's seriously elevated his game this year (http://thehockeywriters.com/marc-andre-fleury-road-to-resurgence/). If the Penguins tank this time, it'll be because of dried-up scoring from the forwards, just like in the ECF series last year.
If he has elevated his game since winning the cup it is not really reflected in his stats. His new program at the beginning of the year has possibly reduced the amount of visible gaffes and miscues that he has personally been responsible for in his moments of poor play I will grant you that. His stat line for Wins, GAA, Sv Pct, Win, and pretty much any other stat you want to pull is a model of consistency in the regular season and the post season. Above average to tops in the league in the regular season and in the bottom half of the stat line in the post season including sub .91 save percentage. Fleury is only as good as the team in front of him. He hasn't shown me that he can steal a game when it matters in some time. If the Pens do what they did tonight and Lundqvist plays sharp like he did this evening on Sunday then there will be a game 7. Fleury has to step and make some of those saves he didn't tonight and close the door.
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Its now a best of 3 series for Wild/Hawks.
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Leafs fans are more amusing than the Leafs themselves
Fan reaction to Randy Carlyle extension:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwDEt807JHI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwDEt807JHI)
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Leafs fans are more amusing than the Leafs themselves
Fan reaction to Randy Carlyle extension:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwDEt807JHI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwDEt807JHI)
My favorite line- "THE LEAFS NEED A NEW PAIR OF SHOES AND FIRED THE LACES".
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The observation that he'll just go to Vancouver within a week or so if fired was spot-on.
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And there will be a game 7 for the Pens-Rangers.
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I'm wondering if all 4 ongoing series are going to end up going 7 games. :o
The observation that he'll just go to Vancouver within a week or so if fired was spot-on.
The quote was Florida, although that's almost like a Vancouver subsidiary what with the trading back and forth. If McLellan had been fired, he probably would have been the top choice, but it sounds like that won't be the case.
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I could have sworn I saw a Vancouver one there too, but it was a lot of comments.
And who knows about the game sevens. This has been a wild playoff, what great battles so far. O0
edit:
Anaheim has now won three in a row over the Kings to take a three games to two lead last night.
And tonight we have the first of this round's game sevens. Pitt and NYR - how did it get to this point?
Chicago will have a shot to avoid game seven tonight, but Minnisota will see about that, won't they?
And tomorrow night Boston and Montreal clash in game seven number two. What a freaking battle that series has been.
Good luck to all teams.
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So with Round 2 starting tomorrow here are my picks
Boston over Habs in 6. Boston is just the better team.
Rangers over the Penguins in 7. I can't pick the Penguins two rounds in a row and I can't imagine the Rangers winning a series in less than 7 games.
LA over Anaheim in 6. I believe the real Kings are back.
Blackhawks over the Wild in 6. The Wild proved they won't die, but I just don't know that they can hang with the battle tested 'Hawks.
Thus far 2 for 2 on my picks that closed out. In my other two I could still pick the winner, but won't get the game count right.
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And it's Montreal - New York for the semi-finals!!!!!! [cheers] [cheers] [rockon] [rockon] [rockon] [rockon] [fiddle] [fiddle] [fiddle] [fiddle] [copper]
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And it's Montreal - New York for the semi-finals!!!!!! [cheers] [cheers] [rockon] [rockon] [rockon] [rockon] [fiddle] [fiddle] [fiddle] [fiddle] [copper]
Wasn't the league-leading team supposed to take this one in 5? :P
Here's to hoping the Habs still have something left in the tank for the Rangers...
cheers,
Gabe
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well the 2 teams i thought would meet in the end are now out...
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Who is The NHL's Highest-Paid Players 2013-14?
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Who is The NHL's Highest-Paid Players 2013-14?
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Who+is+The+NHL%27s+Highest-Paid+Players+2013-14%3F
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So, now I know what that noise was last night, it was JHB moaning at the loss by his Bruins
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Who is The NHL's Highest-Paid Players 2013-14?
Capgeek is your friend.
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So, now I know what that noise was last night, it was JHB moaning at the loss by his Bruins
Still no word...Hellbie must REALLY be in shock...
cheers,
Gabe
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Did I do something to make him mad? :P
I guess he's plotting a way to get revenge on his disappointing Bruins ;D :P ^-^
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Did I do something to make him mad? :P
Uhmmm... I thought that was me who did that.
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Summary of the first 2 periods of the Kings vs Ducks.
http://youtu.be/u14T5wzicqw (http://youtu.be/u14T5wzicqw)
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Uhmmm... I thought that was me who did that.
Well, think about how Pens fans must be feeling...at least the Bruins-Habs series was a seesaw battle, and fans of either team wouldn't want it any other way. The Pens had a stranglehold on their series...and somehow let it get away.
cheers,
Gabe
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Well, think about how Pens fans must be feeling...at least the Bruins-Habs series was a seesaw battle, and fans of either team wouldn't want it any other way. The Pens had a stranglehold on their series...and somehow let it get away.
cheers,
Gabe
They can keep the Sharks fans company then.
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Penguins chillin' with Sharks. That tells a story.
Montreal is an interesting team. Not sure who will win this series in the East, I'm just along for the ride. But to take a guess (and not to dis the Rangers, who are not exactly predictable to me this season), I think Montreal wins it in six.
In the West, I'm liking Chicago still, but you can't discount a hot goalie. Quick and company will put up a fight. Chicago in six as well.
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Rangers in 7 (it's their magic number after all).
Chicago in 6, because if it goes to 7 they are hosed.
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Rangers scored 7. You're right!
Man, so much for home advantage.
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You bet! :-\ We're wondering if they partied their good fortune yesterday and if so ... SOBER UP!!! NOW!!!!!!! :( :( :( :(
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Penguins chillin' with Sharks. That tells a story.
Montreal is an interesting team. Not sure who will win this series in the East, I'm just along for the ride. But to take a guess (and not to dis the Rangers, who are not exactly predictable to me this season), I think Montreal wins it in six.
What, we have to play more games?!?!?
The Habs were thinking that the league should just give them the cup already, after they beat the Bruins. ;D
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Aaaaand...the Habs survive for 1 more game...they just had to make it interesting this time, didn't they? But, Game 5 showed that they can win, and win big, without Price.
Even if they do fall to the Rangers, they deserve thanks for a great season and managing to get farther than anyone thought possible for a team without any real superstars (save perhaps aforementioned goaltender).
cheers,
Gabe
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We all need to be very careful about any "interesting series" talk. :) Every round so far saw someone unexpectedly curb stomped by an underdog, or an epic bone crushing series comeback, as well as expected wins and losses. The aliens could present the Cup this year, and it would fit right in.
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"We've called in the Flyers and Penguins to fill in as stunt doubles for the Canadiens and the Rangers. Let's see if anyone notices"
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Chicago on the ropes. But they won a game last night to stay alive. Sounds a little familiar...
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And Montreal's season is over :'( :'(
Like I said, thanks for a great run guys, that next Cup will have to wait at least another year. An entire nation's weight on your shoulders was too much.
At least there's something good to build on for the future.
cheers,
Gabe
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Wanting the Rangers to win a series was physically painful... but, lesser of two evils, I guess.
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Ah, that's a hard one for 'nucks fans.
You know how sports writers like to go for the tired question about what a team's identity is? I'll tell you what the Canucks identity is (thanks, management!): The protagonist in a chick flick.
See, the Canucks' are in a long term deal with AV, but after an especially stressful year, they tell Coach V that maybe they should see other people. The Canucks are looking for someone more passionate, fiery and intense because they're getting tired of the cheerfully big-boned AV's dispassionate detachment and endless lozenges.
So they wish each other the best and give half-hearted promises to stay friends, then the Canucks promptly settle down with the more rugged Tortorella who's just been dumped by the snobby eastern rival that broke the Canucks heart years ago. The Canucks swoon over his love for dogs and gut feelings and passion for physical hockey. They buy his promise that he's reformed and fixed his anger issues.
Vigneault meanwhile gets snapped up by the snobby Eastern rival, and they immediately start working through a rocky start. 8 months later, the Canucks decide that Torts is actually a bit of a bum who won't take out the trash and leaves dog hair all over the nice couch and finally kick him out. Shortly thereafter, ex-Coach V and his new partner get an invite to the big dance. The Canucks call up the childhood friend they haven't seen in years to invite them over for tubs of ice cream and a roster makeover.
Ladies and gentlemen, youuuuuur Vancouver Canucks: The annoying protagonist in every romcom ever.
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Chicago wins again. This time in the final game of the series to be played in LA, which conveniently became their first and only victory in that venue this postseason. Again, something sounds familiar about these events. But anything can happen in a game seven. We'll just have to see.
And there the heck I was just starting to get used to the thought of an LA/NY Stanley Cup Finals... que the aliens landing and Bettman disembarking from the mothership amid a throng of sectoids.
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A bit sad that my team lost but considering nobody in october would see them going that far, I'm happy with the result. O0
Good luck Rangers! Hope to see you with Lord Stanley's cup [cheers] [cheers]
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Ah, that's a hard one for 'nucks fans.
You know how sports writers like to go for the tired question about what a team's identity is? I'll tell you what the Canucks identity is (thanks, management!): The protagonist in a chick flick.
See, the Canucks' are in a long term deal with AV, but after an especially stressful year, they tell Coach V that maybe they should see other people. The Canucks are looking for someone more passionate, fiery and intense because they're getting tired of the cheerfully big-boned AV's dispassionate detachment and endless lozenges.
So they wish each other the best and give half-hearted promises to stay friends, then the Canucks promptly settle down with the more rugged Tortorella who's just been dumped by the snobby eastern rival that broke the Canucks heart years ago. The Canucks swoon over his love for dogs and gut feelings and passion for physical hockey. They buy his promise that he's reformed and fixed his anger issues.
Vigneault meanwhile gets snapped up by the snobby Eastern rival, and they immediately start working through a rocky start. 8 months later, the Canucks decide that Torts is actually a bit of a bum who won't take out the trash and leaves dog hair all over the nice couch and finally kick him out. Shortly thereafter, ex-Coach V and his new partner get an invite to the big dance. The Canucks call up the childhood friend they haven't seen in years to invite them over for tubs of ice cream and a roster makeover.
Ladies and gentlemen, youuuuuur Vancouver Canucks: The annoying protagonist in every romcom ever.
Meh, pretty hard to do well with 3 of your centers out of action in the stretch run. :(
At least they didn't do a "Calgary", finish up in 17th or 18th place every year - miss the playoffs but still get a crappy pick. ???
The 'Nucks managed to drop all the way down to 6th pick, not bad. ;D
Did you notice that AV didn't repeat his big screw up from the 2011 Stanley Cup?
IMO, he really goofed by leaving Lu in for all 8 goals in game 3, seems the team lost confidence after that.
Now in NY, he pulls Lundquist after 4 goals, and leaves the backup in even after the team ties it up. :-\
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Chicago couldn't find another goal to defend their championship with, and the Kings win it in overtime of game 7 to meet the Rangers in what will be the first ever NY/LA Stanley Cup Finals. Congratulations to the victors of this grueling trial.
edit: What a freaky game to cap off a great series. Chicago has to have the worst kind of taste in their mouth right now. And I cannot know what Crawford feels right now. I think that's something only goalies would grip beyond the basic feeling of loss at a crucial moment, when it mattered most.
edit: oh yeah, Firesprocket totally called it. Magnificent job there, Karnak of the Puck ;)
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Chicago couldn't find another goal to defend their championship with, and the Kings win it in overtime of game 7 to meet the Rangers in what will be the first ever NY/LA Stanley Cup Finals. Congratulations to the victors of this grueling trial.
edit: What a freaky game to cap off a great series. Chicago has to have the worst kind of taste in their mouth right now. And I cannot know what Crawford feels right now. I think that's something only goalies would grip beyond the basic feeling of loss at a crucial moment, when it mattered most.
You were expecting something else from a series between the 2012 and 2013 champs that played each other in the conference finals last year as well?
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So if they continue to swap Stanley Cups every other year can we consider them both dynasty teams?
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So if they continue to swap Stanley Cups every other year can we consider them both dynasty teams?
In this day and age, yes! O0
You were expecting something else from a series between the 2012 and 2013 champs that played each other in the conference finals last year as well?
Not really, I guess. I called Chicago and was sticking to it, even if it was going to be a game later than I thought. But I already knew things were going to be a surprise. Still this really isn't too shocking, because the Kings are good and gritty as hell. And plenty of happy Chicago haters do I know who loved this. [cheers]
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Prediction LA over NY in 7 games. On the other hand, I'm hoping Lundqvist wins the cup.
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Prediction LA over NY in 7 games. On the other hand, I'm hoping Lundqvist wins the cup.
Because LA wants ALL THE GAMES
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It would be ironic is LA wins it in 7 games if for no reason other than as a franchise they would have on of the shortest runs to the cup and the longest as well.
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So, who should I support? On the one hand, the Kings just knocked out my favorite team; on the other, I really, really dislike the Rangers coach (all those years as the Canucks whiner-in-chief does that), and it's reppaland principle to support any team playing against New York teams...
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So, who should I support? On the one hand, the Kings just knocked out my favorite team; on the other, I really, really dislike the Rangers coach (all those years as the Canucks whiner-in-chief does that), and it's reppaland principle to support any team playing against New York teams...
In general, I don't root for any team other than the home team--if there's one thing I've learned from longtime Capellan players, you ALWAYS back the home side, even when the chips are down and the management sucks. That aside, this time I would back the Kings. For one, because the Rangers eliminated my home team (the only Canadian team that even made the playoffs!), and because, had the Habs made it through, I would've wanted a rematch of the 1993 final. (Not that the Habs would win this time.)
So yeah...go L.A.
cheers,
Gabe
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In general, I don't root for any team other than the home team--if there's one thing I've learned from longtime Capellan players, you ALWAYS back the home side, even when the chips are down and the management sucks. That aside, this time I would back the Kings. For one, because the Rangers eliminated my home team (the only Canadian team that even made the playoffs!), and because, had the Habs made it through, I would've wanted a rematch of the 1993 final. (Not that the Habs would win this time.)
So yeah...go L.A.
cheers,
Gabe
Okay, and pulling for LA isn't quite as foreign to me, since I did when they won the last time. The Habs are perhaps my favorite Canadian team, so that would've been more interesting.
I am quite pleased none of my 3 least favorite teams even got a sniff this year (if anyone is curious -- in order -- the Caps, the Leafs, the Canucks).
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Kings in 6.
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I was all about LA the first time around for them, but then again, I had just moved back from minimal hockey land in the south earlier that year. But it was so cool seeing them make it I had to root for them, they were the hot anomally that year, and no joking about dynasty was even remotely in the field of thought for folks
I can't help but think that NYR will have their work cut out for them if they are going to top the Kings. Don Cherry pointed out that in game six of the western finals the Kings hit more than the Habs and the Rangers combined for total hits in their last match up. Hitting is not the be-all end-all of hockey, or Philadelphia would have won a cup back in 96-97, but when the entire team is focused on grinding people to bonemeal defensively, and then flowing out into offense from there, it's totally different.
Kings sweep.
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I honestly think the Rangers are a faster version of the Kings. So I'll just call them Kings Lite. It eleminates the stigma of me rooting for them. I'm really hoping it goes to 7 games so we can officially corrinate the King of Kings as either Lunqvist or Justin Williams.
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Make mine Kings in six, and Gaborik gets the last laugh over the Rangers.
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Kings in 5 with Schultz getting the last laugh on the Caps.
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Kings in 5 with Schultz getting the last laugh on the Caps.
Oh, I doubt it's the LAST one. ^-^
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With the way the Rangers are skating Schultz would be lucky enough if he served as a pylon during the Kings game day practice. Game 1 is pretty damn good. Not as good as the Kings vs Hawks, but both teams are putting up strong displays on both side of the puck. I was prepared to say Doughty looked pretty stupefied after he gave up the puck that lead to the Rangers goal but somewhat made up for it with his counter punch later in the game. One thing is for certain, the Rangers definitely are playing a solid road game and look like they could have scored at least 1 or 2 more to this point. The St. Louis pass that missed was amazingly sick.
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I missed most of the game due to DirecTV crapping out during the thunderstorms that rolled through tonight, but it looks like it was a hell of a game. 3-2 OT win for the Kings.
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The Kings more or less manhandled the Rangers in the third. If not Lunqvist it would have never made it to overtime. When it did Captain clutch, Justin Williams buried it on a bad turn over in the Rangers' defensive zone. Body language from St. Louis and Lunqvist says some folks were getting an earful after the game ended and they made it into the locker room.
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The Kings more or less manhandled the Rangers in the third. If not Lunqvist it would have never made it to overtime. When it did Captain clutch, Justin Williams buried it on a bad turn over in the Rangers' defensive zone. Body language from St. Louis and Lunqvist says some folks were getting an earful after the game ended and they made it into the locker room.
That's par for an AV-coached team. His tendency is to let the players figure it out (perhaps even too much. Chara's reach basically destroys the short-pass game of the Sedins but AV never found a good counter for it. Back in the fall, when the Canucks played the Bruins, Claude Julien hard matched Chara to the twins again and Torts adopted the tactic of simply not playing the twins as long as Chara was on the ice.)
What I think is that how the playoff post-game locker room dynamics work is going to determine who the Rangers' new captain will be.
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Stanley Cup off day!
In order for the Rangers to win the cup Lundqvist is going to have to pull out of this funk he is and put more rubber on net.
http://www.theonion.com/articles/rangers-counting-on-henrik-lundqvist-to-step-up-on,36203/?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=SocialMarketing&utm_campaign=Default:1:Default (http://www.theonion.com/articles/rangers-counting-on-henrik-lundqvist-to-step-up-on,36203/?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=SocialMarketing&utm_campaign=Default:1:Default)
and Simpsonfied logos on instagram. I think the Bruins logo is pretty sweet. They could use it as their stadium jersey next time around.
http://instagram.com/ak47_studios# (http://instagram.com/ak47_studios#)
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Pittsburgh: Jim Rutherford (GM) in, Dan Bylsma (HC) out. The former surprises me a bit, the latter does not.
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For the record, I hate picking against Henrik Lundqvist. I like the guy, even don't mind the charging rhino of pucks TV commercial. He's the goalie for my second favorite hockey team ;D
But these first two games show how powerful this Kings team really is. They can play half-arsed for two periods, then turn it on like a faucet during the third period, and carry that energy into OT (multiple frames even).
Still, I hope he can prove my feeling of a sweep wrong for a game or two. Going to be a hard road for the Rangers, and it still won't be easy for the Kings, but things are approaching finale. We'll just see how the next games unfold.
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And just like that, the Kings are on the brink of winning it all...both teams will be playing like they're possessed in game 4.
Will be mildly satisfying if the Kings sweep. >:D
cheers,
Gabe
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At this point, I'm expecting it.
The Rangers played awful in Game 3, but in the first two games they played pretty good games on the road. Maybe not 'A'-level, but enough to win games most nights. And they lost both. I'm not sure if they pull that A-level game out now that they would be able to beat the Kings anyway... the Kings, to use the wrong team's analogy, smell blood in the water now- nothing is going to stop them at this point.
The Rags might find a way to win Game 4, but... I wouldn't bet on it.
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At this point, I'm expecting it.
The Rangers played awful in Game 3, but in the first two games they played pretty good games on the road. Maybe not 'A'-level, but enough to win games most nights. And they lost both. I'm not sure if they pull that A-level game out now that they would be able to beat the Kings anyway... the Kings, to use the wrong team's analogy, smell blood in the water now- nothing is going to stop them at this point.
The Rags might find a way to win Game 4, but... I wouldn't bet on it.
The playoff Kings are more like sharks than the actual Sharks. They lurk in the lower seeding, and then you get the ominous music and next thing you know, the water's all pink.
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The playoff Kings are more like sharks than the actual Sharks. They lurk in the lower seeding, and then you get the ominous music and next thing you know, the water's all pink.
Whereas San Jose uses all their energy swimming to the top of the standings, and end up belly-up by the end of round two every year. ^-^
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So the western conference verrion of the Caps and Pens.
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So the western conference verrion of the Caps and Pens.
Pretty much, but if you can believe it I think the Caps are in better shape than the Sharks. The Capitals need to figure out how to build something around a couple of high-priced and somewhat streaky superstar players. For the Sharks, it's those star players that are the problem- so it's building either around them and accepting that it's not going to work any better now than it did ten years ago with this same group, or finding a way to get rid of them and start over. There's no realistic option in Washington for doing the same. It really appears the Sharks are shopping Joe Thornton right now (todays news out of Ottawa about Jason Spezza makes that an interesting possibility), and Marleau I'm sure they'd drop at a moments notice as well if they could get a good return- and they SHOULD. The Caps? Backstrom isn't going anywhere, and any talk about Ovechkin getting traded somewhere is total hogwash, at the moment at least. If Ovechkin wears another uniform in the next couple of years, it will be a Moscow Dynamo jersey, not another NHL team's shirt.
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Whereas San Jose uses all their energy swimming to the top of the standings, and end up belly-up by the end of round two every year. ^-^
The San Jose Sockeye doesn't have the same ring to it
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Lundqvist came through for his team in another weird game this playoffs, one that saw luck shine on the blueshirts. Now it goes back to the Staples Center. And the palm trees. And the ocean breeze, and the skimpy clothes. All clearly marking a land where hockey is played at the highest levels of excellence. O0
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And the Rangers stay alive to fight one more game. It would be really something if they push the Kings to another seven game series.
Lundqvist came through for his team in another weird game this playoffs, one that saw luck shine on the blueshirts. Now it goes back to the Staples Center. And the palm trees. And the ocean breeze, and the skimpy clothes. All clearly marking a land where hockey is played at the highest levels of excellence. O0
Hey, that hurts. Canadians like to think of hockey as "our game", but what does it say about the state of pro hockey in Canada when only one of our pro teams can make the playoffs, and it's the one without any real stars? (with the possible exception of the first-string goalie)
cheers,
Gabe
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Hey, that hurts. Canadians like to think of hockey as "our game", but what does it say about the state of pro hockey in Canada when only one of our pro teams can make the playoffs, and it's the one without any real stars? (with the possible exception of the first-string goalie)
cheers,
Gabe
I thought it was a terribly ironic posting, but I didn't mean for it to be sharply so. I for one acknowledge the great players who come to my city here in the mitten state to play hockey. Many of "our" stars are yours. We're just paying them for the time being.
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And the Rangers stay alive to fight one more game. It would be really something if they push the Kings to another seven game series.
Hey, that hurts. Canadians like to think of hockey as "our game", but what does it say about the state of pro hockey in Canada when only one of our pro teams can make the playoffs, and it's the one without any real stars? (with the possible exception of the first-string goalie)
cheers,
Gabe
Well... in a couple of cases, it means that the cycle of ups and downs most NHL teams go through has hit teams like Vancouver and Ottawa, after years of being successes. In other cases, it means management is totally incompetent and ownership is either totally cool with that (Edmonton, Toronto, Winnipeg), or the changes made haven't had time to take effect yet (Calgary).
And that leaves Montreal, who were a good team this year and have some big question marks for next season on what they do with free agency looming and a good amount of cap space to go shopping with.
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By the many strange faces of Darryl Sutter, this has been one wild play off ride for everyone.
Congratulations LA Kings. From the brink of elimination at the hands of the Sharks in April, to playing right now in June, this team has seen it all in this run.
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Bravo to the Kings- and to the Rangers, who played a great series, it just... didn't come together.
Now, let's see what the offseason brings us, with the draft, free agency... is it October yet?
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Bravo to the Kings- and to the Rangers, who played a great series, it just... didn't come together.
Now, let's see what the offseason brings us, with the draft, free agency... is it October yet?
I'm convinced the Kings have figured out that the solution to the Cup hangover is to just sleepwalk through the regular season and then waking up when the moon is full. I mean, the playoffs.
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I'm convinced the Kings have figured out that the solution to the Cup hangover is to just sleepwalk through the regular season and then waking up when the moon is full. I mean, the playoffs.
It seems to have worked twice for them now, for sure.
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It seems to have worked twice for them now, for sure.
They made the conference finals last year too between their two cups. Mind you, the shortened season gave them a longer break than normal.
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They made the conference finals last year too between their two cups. Mind you, the shortened season gave them a longer break than normal.
You won't hear me argue. The scary part is that I can't think of any reason they can't pull the same act and be right back in the mix for the Cup next season.
We have a long offseason ahead (well, sort of), and when the draft and free agency are done several teams are going to look awfully different. We'll see players moving around like Jason Spezza, Martin Brodeur, Ryan Miller, Tomas Vanek... and look what adding a (truly remarkable) player in the draft did for the Avalanche this year with Nathan MacKinnon. Teams may look very different very soon, but things are likely to look roughly similar by April of next year in terms of the standings. The Kings, the Ducks, the Blackhawks, the Blues (ok, Miller didn't work out)... with the Sharks, Avalanche, Stars, and Coyotes fighting it out for the other playoff spots. The East, the Bruins are still the king of the conference, with impressive teams in Montreal, Pittsburgh, New York, and Philadelphia as well. None of this is surprising, right?
And yet... think of it this way. This season we saw Colorado jump from the second-worst team in the league in 2013 to the top team in the west, despite only adding MacKinnon and changing the coaching staff (and some minor moves). We saw perennial powerhouse Vancouver go from having the best goaltending tandem to having first Schneider, then Luongo both leave town- and the team simply collapse all the while around all this chaos. Two teams that for years were set in their ways- one a bottom feeder for years, the other a playoff monster that came a hair from a Stanley Cup just a few years prior- suddenly switched places, and no one saw it coming. And look elsewhere- at Christmas, we all looked at the awful three months that had passed for the Rangers and Flyers, and gave them up for dead- one might struggle back to the eighth spot, but these teams were done for. Both made the playoffs- one made it to the Finals!
It sure gets hard to predict things this far out, but... the Kings are looking dangerous again next season. And if we learned nothing else this season, we learned that it's likely going to be a whole lot of fun to see what comes of all this next season. Just like always. ^-^
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They made the conference finals last year too between their two cups. Mind you, the shortened season gave them a longer break than normal.
No argument here, either. But we'll see how they fit everyone into the payroll as the years trudge steadily by. That may be the one shining ray of hope for the rest of the league. Chicago and Boston cannot be ignored (and Pitt, too), and both are as prime as the Kings roster. A disappointing run coming up short (or two or three...) is sometimes what a good team needs to really ignite the fire. Anger at falling, and using that experience to dig deep. I can't wait either. ;D
I'm thankful that the last two years the Red Wings even made the playoffs at all. I know how the unlucky fans on the outside with their teams feel. Lions... ::) Wish the Wings were a tougher lot, but next season brings with it more players with decent size up front and on the blueline, so we can only see.
Does anyone think I'm in the wrong for feeling like this season will be the toughest yet of the last few? Red Wings will have turnover, just check out capgeek to see the free agents twisting in the winds if you have not already witnessed it.
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Glad to see LA win it again, if nothing more than to pester my youngest cousin about it, as she's a... *shudder* Ducks fan. Hope the Wings finally ditch Bertuzzi so I can go back to rooting for them.
Is it too early to talk about 15 Stanley Cup? 'Cause I'm thinking Kings - Bruins this time around...
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We saw perennial powerhouse Vancouver go from having the best goaltending tandem to having first Schneider, then Luongo both leave town- and the team simply collapse all the while around all this chaos. Two teams that for years were set in their ways- one a bottom feeder for years, the other a playoff monster that came a hair from a Stanley Cup just a few years prior- suddenly switched places, and no one saw it coming.
Didn't help having their top 3 centers all out of action for a month or more around the Olympic break, especially after Torts over-played them early during the season. ???
With a new GM & coach hopefully Kesler will want to stay, and after the Booth buyout they finally have some cap room. :-\
I'm looking forward to seeing the Canucks-Avs play this year, and I still need to get to a hockey game in the mile high city. >:D
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It's sounding like Kesler is still wanting a trade. I can hardly blame him, really, but I do wish he'd at least wait until they get everything in place again and see what they look like for the season until demanding the trade again. Leaving over Torts and Gillis is fine, but... they're not here anymore.
Colorado hockey games are a good time, I've always enjoyed a good Avalanche game at Pepsi Center- very nice arena they have there, and the fans are as rabid as they get (particularly now that the team looks pretty good again, they have more reason to cheer!). They're knowledgeable fans, friendly towards fans of the opposing team (as long as it isn't Detroit, because they DO have long memories)... oh, and of course, beware at some of the restaurants in the arena. The menu may say 'oysters', but please remember where you are- that's not shellfish, let's leave it at that. ^-^
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Whereas San Jose uses all their energy swimming to the top of the standings, and end up belly-up by the end of round two every year. ^-^
I love my Sharks but that is the truth :(
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Tootoo is available. Wings unburied his contract and complianced him to the bricks. If anyone was feigning disinterest when he was first put on waivers, now is the time to come out of hiding. ;D (I guess he'll be a lot cheaper to obtain this way...)
Edit: Toots has a lot of heart and he's fun to watch, fighting in front of his home crowd right from the puck drop in our game in Winipeg this season and all that. But Babcock didn't think he could skate with the crew, and he played it out in Grand Rapids most of last season except for a couple of appearances toward the end of it. Hopefully he can maybe find his way to the Peg and fight it out every night for an NHL team.
Mule would be too long of a commitment for this buyout, as he's signed past 2020, so he's here to stay. Besides - Red Wings management will do nothing to offend the Swedish players if they can help it. Franzen has a lot of friends on this team, and it could have perhaps caused a problem, regardless of professionality.
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It's sounding like Kesler is still wanting a trade. I can hardly blame him, really, but I do wish he'd at least wait until they get everything in place again and see what they look like for the season until demanding the trade again. Leaving over Torts and Gillis is fine, but... they're not here anymore.
He may not get his wish, he signed a long term deal with an NTC, so he may have to live with it. :-\
They're set on defense, so unless another team is willing to pony up a bona fide #2 center, I can't see the Canucks trading him unless a blue chip is coming back, certainly not for spare parts & a bag of pucks.
How about Kesler for Ovechkin? >:D
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He may not get his wish, he signed a long term deal with an NTC, so he may have to live with it. :-\
They're set on defense, so unless another team is willing to pony up a bona fide #2 center, I can't see the Canucks trading him unless a blue chip is coming back, certainly not for spare parts & a bag of pucks.
How about Kesler for Ovechkin? >:D
Doesn't do much good for either team, really... A deal with Florida for that #1 pick in the draft though would be a good idea for the Canucks, and the Panthers gain a bonafide top forward to build around.
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He may not get his wish, he signed a long term deal with an NTC, so he may have to live with it. :-\
They're set on defense, so unless another team is willing to pony up a bona fide #2 center, I can't see the Canucks trading him unless a blue chip is coming back, certainly not for spare parts & a bag of pucks.
How about Kesler for Ovechkin? >:D
Well-sourced local rumor from just after the playoffs was that Nyquist was the mystery player who was offered for Kesler at the trade deadline. Don't know if that makes ya feel any better about Kesler putting the kibosh to the deal, but I was thinking he might have done us a great big favor if this is true.
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Doesn't do much good for either team, really... A deal with Florida for that #1 pick in the draft though would be a good idea for the Canucks, and the Panthers gain a bonafide top forward to build around.
If they manage the trade, Kesler's supposed to be willing to waive his NTC for contending teams. The short list seems to include Chicago, Anaheim, and Pittsburgh. The first two, obviously are looking for center depth to counter LA. Anaheim has more flexibility in putting together a package though since they have two first round picks (they got Ottawa's #10 as well as their own 24th pick) along with a bevy of prospects. Chicago has a couple of really good prospects that they probably aren't keen on giving up and their own draft pick is all the way down at 27th.
If Kesler goes to Anaheim *and* the 10th pick is part of the package, then the likelihood of Vancouver trying for the Panthers' first (Elliotte Friedman claims the package offered is supposed to be Vancouver's 6th overall pick, Hunter Shinkaruk, and a roster player but he doesn't know the roster player)
The process of elimination would suggest that Chris Tanev is the likely roster player - Florida is known to be looking for d-men, and Hamhuis, Bieksa, and Edler all have NTCs. Garrison just left Florida, so it seems unlikely that he might be the player offered back to Florida.
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So here we are on the 3rd most exciting day of hockey of the year (1 and 2 being last game of the SCF and opening night) the first day of free agency! Starting off with my Caps where the slogan for the off season is We can't beat Pittsburgh until we become Pittsburgh! To this end we signed Matt Niskanen, Brooks Orpik, and some random guy who probably got more playing time because of all the injuries in Pittsburgh named Chris Conner. I have to imagine that the real reasons for these hires was not because of the awesomeness they will bring to the table. Instead the whole reason for these signings were made started with a need to placate color anchor Craig Laughlin's desire to say the name 'Matty' incessantly over and over again during the game. Mathieu Perreault was no longer available after being signed by Winnipeg (props for the contract, poor guy though is condemned to Winnipeg for 3 years). Throwing almost 6 million a year at that problem assured Niskanen would be ours. As for Orpik, we needed a new Jeff Schultz type pylon. However since Schultz was signed by the Kings (as part of the NHL's pylon affirmative action program) and we had money to burn, Orpik was more than happy to take it. I imagine the negotiations with Orpik looked something like this:
(http://quenya101.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/shut-up-and-take-my-money-23274.jpg)
The rest of our reasonable looking transactions for the day included the resigning Michael Latta for 2 years cheap. He is that other guy not named Martin Erat that came over in the trade for Filip Forsberg. When Latta was healthy he played respectably on the 4th line. Little known fact about his contract, the second year of his contract requires Michael to legally change his name to Filip Forsberg. A second provision of his contract states that if he names his dog's name to Martin Erat, Latta will earn a $500,000 bonus in the second year of his contract. No word on whether he gets a bonus if he renames cat's name to Sheneneh.
Justin Peters was signed to backup Holtby with a 2 year deal which is smart, but not inspiring. He's a veteran and cheap backup who shouldn't challenge Holtby unless he suddenly goes full Jim Carey. Phillipp Grubauer is left to stew at least another year down in Hershey. Bad for him, however good for us and Hershey.
What is left to do? We still need a second line center and we don't have much money to do it with right now. Grabovski played decent, when healthy, and is a good possession player that would have made sense to get him re-signed for a short deal, but seems unlikely. Mike Green's contract is still here and still needs to go elsewhere. I'd suggest trading him to Calgary. Who we get back is of little consequence. Brian Burke can pull a name out of a hat and we will take him. I mean, if he really wants to, he can even send us a rodeo clown in a Flames jersey. I'm sure we can work him into the blue line when Orpik or Niskanen get injured. Would anyone really notice the difference between a rodeo clown and John Erskine playing defense? Of course not! We can't possibly allow Nate Schmidt or Steven Oleksy on the ice it would be a travesty!
For Burke it even sounds like a good investment. He could have had Green for one year for less than he'll pay out to Deryk Engelland over the next 3 years! Best of all it would have made it real easy to get to the cap floor. Burke must have had to take a break in the conference call to go to the bathroom. I suspect he found out like the rest of us checking out the latest blog reports that his new GM Brad Treliving signed Engelland on to a contract when he was checking out player movement on his phone and was totally floored when he saw the announcement like the rest of us. Certainly he must be bummed out like the rest of us that Florida beat him to the punch in signing Shawn Thornton. I think his best plan of attack is to fly to New York tomorrow, with an intern or two in tow. Lure Gary and the rest of the guys out of the office for lunch to discuss hosting a Winter Classic in 2017. Dennis Wideman will be gone and Calgary should have some talent by then to showcase. While all this is going on the interns sneak into the NHL offices and change all of the relevant paperwork so the name says Derrick England. Problem solved as Derrick England never shows up for training camp and is suspended without pay for the foreseeable future.
Elsewhere in the NHL, that crafty Yzerman fellow signed Evgeni Nabokov, Brian Boyle, and Anton Stahlman. On the surface these all seem like solid hockey moves. Nabokov provides insurance in case Ben Bishop gets injured again. Brian Boyle and Anton Stahlman provide stalwart play on defense when called upon. The truth is more sinister though. It turns out they are filming a remake of Escape from New York and needed people who looked the part. Rumor has it Martin St. Louis will be playing the part of the Duke of New York.
In Chicago, Brad Richards is the new Michal Handzus. In other news, the rest of the Blackhawks are in mourning over the signing of Brad Richards.
Andrej Meszaros is no longer in Boston and signed with Buffalo. Zdeno Chara no longer has to pretend to like him anymore and and can once again hate him!
Cory Conacher is now in Buffalo! One step closer in his dream to play for all 30 NHL teams before he retires!
Dallas signs Ales Hemsky which gets them solid depth down the middle and means they might make the playoffs again next year. That is as long as Anders Lindback doesn't find a way to screw their season up. How that pans out exactly directly correlates to how quickly Kari Lehtonen ends up on IR. If I'm the Stars, I'm hiring a few guys to follow Lehtonen around so that he so much as starts to sway in any direction they are there to catch him.
And last but not least Emperor Lou found more retreads to make a playoff run with including retread retread Scott Clemmenson!
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Avs lost Stastny, but gained Stuart (via Trade) and Iginla (for less per year than Stastny got). I look at that as a win as the Avs get some blue line help (which they desperately needed)
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So here we are on the 3rd most exciting day of hockey of the year (1 and 2 being last game of the SCF and opening night) the first day of free agency!
OMG, Firesprocket, that was one of the best and hilarious rundowns I've read yet about yesterday.
You need to look into writing for Japer's Rink. Seriously.
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OMG, Firesprocket, that was one of the best and hilarious rundowns I've read yet about yesterday.
You need to look into writing for Japer's Rink. Seriously.
100% agreed!
By the way, the Green to Flames deal suggested won't work. The Flames lack a rodeo clown to trade, Cammalleri left town already. Sorry.
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Thank you both for your kind words. So many signings and so many players I see are being thrown insane money. It is to the point I think I'll just pencil in another work stoppage at the end of the current cba. Teams obviously can't manage any self control. I don't have any real issues with the Caps moves, except that they overpaid and have probably hamstung themselves for the forseeable future.
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You have the flair, the passion for the game, and dedication as a fan of your team. Go for it O0
As all know quite well, Niskanen pfffffffffted the Red Wings. If I called it a big surprise, I would be doing sarcasm an injustice. But it still mangles the rigging of the dream ship I keep hoping to see emerge from these years of falling into NHL mediocrity. Kyle Quincy, here's two more years.
But we keep signing free agent players who were great in college. Babcock is not for everyone, but give him any kind of talent, and witness the miracle he can make from it. We'll see what this season brings. There's still more kids coming up yet, and a trade for one of the good younger players is still always a possibility.
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I imagine Vrbata's interview with Vancouver went something like this:
GM Benning: We need someone to score all of the goals.
Vrbata: I would like to score all of the goals, and get paid all of the money
GM Benning: We have some guys that can help you score all of the goals and then a bad GM will pay you all of their money. Then they'll buy you out for the rest of the money when you retire
Vrbata: This plan has merit but sounds familiar
GM Benning: It's basically Plan Erhoff except you won't need to skate backwards.
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Idle midsummer hockey banter. Poor Kimmo Timonen is in not so good shape with blood clots and may be out long term and/or may never play again. And the international map of hockey hatred....
https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/nearly-everyone-in-the-world-hates-the-boston-bruins-194036654.html (https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/nearly-everyone-in-the-world-hates-the-boston-bruins-194036654.html)
I'm not sure what is more amusing about this map. The fact that the world over reviles the Bruins, California hate the Kings, or that when Winnipeg relocates next time they should steer clear of that hockey hotbed in Africa.
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Idle midsummer hockey banter. Poor Kimmo Timonen is in not so good shape with blood clots and may be out long term and/or may never play again. And the international map of hockey hatred....
https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/nearly-everyone-in-the-world-hates-the-boston-bruins-194036654.html (https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/nearly-everyone-in-the-world-hates-the-boston-bruins-194036654.html)
I'm not sure what is more amusing about this map. The fact that the world over reviles the Bruins, California hate the Kings, or that when Winnipeg relocates next time they should steer clear of that hockey hotbed in Africa.
I love that the Red Wings are hated by a lump of states that only boast one NHL hockey team between all of them.
But the funniest part for me was a tie up between Alabama hockey fan hating on the Vancouver Canucks ('fan' because I assume there is only one of those there who cared to vote), and the folk of West Virginia who rage against the Philadelphia Flyers. And the curious part was Pennsylvania hating their Pittsburgh Penguins. Unless that dynamic exists from the Philadelphia votes skewing the results. Then it makes sense.
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I love that the Red Wings are hated by a lump of states that only boast one NHL hockey team between all of them.
But the funniest part for me was a tie up between Alabama hockey fan hating on the Vancouver Canucks ('fan' because I assume there is only one of those there who cared to vote),
Or the 1 Wyoming fan that hates the Sens... ???
I can understand why the Bruins would be hated in Ontario & Quebec, but why Sask & Manitoba? Interesting, would have thought the Jets fans would hate the Wild, Hawks or Blues more... :-\
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It was announced today that the lawsuit filed by Steve Moore against Todd Bertuzzi has been settled out of court. Terms are undisclosed due to confidentiality, but I'm sure it is to Moore's favor. This brings some conclusion to a tragic incident that ended a young man's career as a hockey player and damaged him forever physically and, quite possibly, emotionally. To this day I have an undying hatred for Bertuzzi and wonder why this thug is still getting to play the game when another mancan't due to Bertuzzi's actions.