for display only
Big Blue Interactive The Corner Forum  
Back to the Corner

Archived Thread

NFT: NHL Season opens tomorrow: thoughts, predictions, etc

pjcas18 : 10/2/2018 10:41 am
always love hockey season even though the Canadiens will be brutal.

Habs @ Leafs, B's @ Caps, Flames @ Canucks, and Ducks @ Sharks

Some interesting games to start.


My predictions on standings (just by conference) * = playoffs
East:
*Tampa
*Toronto
*Washington
*Boston
*Pittsburgh
*CBJ
*Buffalo
*NJ
Philly
Florida
Carolina
Detroit
Islanders
Rangers
Habs
Ottawa

West:
*SJS
*Nashville
*Winnipeg
*Kings
*Calgary
*Chicago
*Canucks
*Dallas
Minnesota
Colorado
St Louis
Vegas (FU Vegas)
Anaheim
Edmonton
Arizona


Conference Finals:
East: Tampa vs Toronto
West: SJS vs Winnipeg

Finals: Tampa vs Win, Tampa wins

Awards:
Hart: McDavid
Lindsay: Crosby
Ross: Laine
Selke: Kopitar
Vezina: Martin Jones
Norris: Subban
Calder: Kotkaniemi
Adams: Maurice
Byng: who cares

That's it.
Pages: 1 2 3 <<Prev | Show All |
Ill be at  
Bones : 10/4/2018 4:01 pm : link
Ranger Carolina game Sunday myself. First time seeing them live since I saw them in Hartford in th 80s.

I think the Blues will be the sleeper team in the league this year.
RE: Another piece of shit  
pjcas18 : 10/4/2018 4:02 pm : link
In comment 14106417 Greg from LI said:
Quote:
What a tough guy, beating up on Lars Ellers, who never fights.


No shit, this was literally Eller's third career fight.

Eller is almost 30 and this is his 10th NHL season.

Some great games last night  
pjcas18 : 10/5/2018 8:32 am : link
Islanders @CAR was good, WAS vs PIT was crazy (in an all-star game kind of way), NYR vs NSH was a good game from what I saw. CHI vs OTT, CBJ vs DET - both OT games (Anakim's most desired future Ranger with the GW for CBJ).

Jets looked great.

Sadly the Bruins bounced back.

and Vegas got rolled by PHI @ home.

Just two games tonight, CBJ vs CAR and LAK open up hosting SJS.

Full slate on SAT, most of our teams back in action.
And I really wanted to hate this  
pjcas18 : 10/5/2018 8:38 am : link
"Hockey Days" video by Vegas done to the theme from Happy Days, but it's well done, Vegas definitely brings an entertainment element to hockey we've never seen.

the pre-game openings were overdone, but what isn't in Vegas?
Link - ( New Window )
Other interesting (or not) facts  
pjcas18 : 10/5/2018 8:45 am : link
Jesperi Kotkaniemi, MTL 18 year old rookie center, became the first pro-athlete in any major sport in North America to be born in the year 2000.

Rasmus Dhalin didn't debut until the next night, he's a little older than Kotkaniemi (3 mos) as did Andrei Svechnikov (also a few mos older than Kotkaniemi).

Talk about feeling old I was already out of college and on my second job before this guy was even born.
I have t-shirts older than those guys  
Greg from LI : 10/5/2018 9:25 am : link
.
RE: I have t-shirts older than those guys  
pjcas18 : 10/5/2018 9:28 am : link
In comment 14107041 Greg from LI said:
Quote:
.


That's awesome.

my mother lives in Vegas and when UNLV won the NCAA hoops title she sent me a national champs t-shirt.

It has the year on it (1990). I still wear it. My wife hates it (of course she does) because it kind of shows it's age. It's my oldest remaining shirt. But that t-shirt was 10 before these guys were born. LOL.
I got to see Svechnikov last night in the NYI-CAR game  
pganut : 10/5/2018 10:57 am : link
Man, what strong wrists. Phenomenal shooter. Hit iron twice, but he's gonna score a lot in the 'Chel.
The Isles were AWFUL  
KWhite2250 : 10/5/2018 11:03 am : link
Thankfully Greiss played well and get alot of help from the posts. But it was nice to see the true islander score the winner. A win is a win
RE: I got to see Svechnikov last night in the NYI-CAR game  
pjcas18 : 10/5/2018 11:07 am : link
In comment 14107221 pganut said:
Quote:
Man, what strong wrists. Phenomenal shooter. Hit iron twice, but he's gonna score a lot in the 'Chel.


He and Dahlin were the two no-brainers in the draft. I wished their was another option so Svechnikov fell to MTL, but it was never in doubt. It was Dahlin and Svechnikov for about 3 months leading up to the draft (at least).

Only thing I did read was a couple people (very small percentage) had Svechnikov ahead of Dahlin. I wouldn't have, but a few people did. He's that good.
Agreed  
pganut : 10/5/2018 11:11 am : link
He has a Laine/Ovechkin level shot.
This Leafs  
pjcas18 : 10/7/2018 9:51 pm : link
Blackhawks game is insane, like Caps Penguins opening night, sort of like an all-star game (though Hawks not nearly as good as the other 3 teams).

Matthews, Tavares and company going head to head with Kane (who is putting on a show), Toews, etc...

Leafs scored (Matthews 2nd of the game) with a minute and a half left to take a 6 - 5 lead, Kane comes back his 2nd a minute later to send it to OT.

In OT now

Some good hockey  
pjcas18 : 10/8/2018 9:28 am : link
this weekend, and some entertaining, but not good hockey (the NYR vs CAR game was 8 - 5 and TOR vs CHI was 7 - 6 in OT).

But yesterday ANA vs LAK great. on SAT LVG vs MIN was great, Patches netted his 1st as a GK to tie the game with a minute plus.

Some interesting games today - Columbus Day matinees, BOS vs OTT, and NYI vs SJS. LVG vs BUF at 3pm.

Lehner with a shutout in his Isles debut  
timintey : 10/8/2018 5:12 pm : link
Against a strong cup favorite. Nice!!!
RE: Lehner with a shutout in his Isles debut  
Mike in Long Beach : 10/8/2018 5:17 pm : link
In comment 14114270 timintey said:
Quote:
Against a strong cup favorite. Nice!!!


And the team played very well too (as they did against Nashville in a loss).

They were winning the shots and possession battle until late in the 3rd when the Sharks, trailing 3-0, pulled their goalie with 5 minutes left and also had a 6-on-4 advantage during that stretch after a Clutterbuck penalty. But other than a few spurts from San Jose, the Islanders were the better team.

Having said that, 4-0 isn't indicative of the game. It was a much closer game for sure, but the Islanders deserved to win even outside of Lehner's performance.

Pretty encouraging pair of games after a piss poor effort against the Canes in the opener where they were very lucky to win.
Hank's replacement  
pjcas18 : 10/9/2018 8:06 am : link

Mike Morreale
‏Verified account @mikemorrealeNHL

Rangers goaltending prospect Igor Shesterkin (2014 Draft, No. 118) of SKA St. Petersburg (KHL) is 6-0-0 w/ a 0.83 GAA, 3 shutouts, and .966 SV% (141 saves on 146 shots) in 6 gms this season.
10:21 AM - 8 Oct 2018
RE: RE: Lehner with a shutout in his Isles debut  
Drewcon40 : 10/9/2018 9:10 am : link
In comment 14114278 Mike in Long Beach said:
Quote:
In comment 14114270 timintey said:


Quote:


Against a strong cup favorite. Nice!!!



And the team played very well too (as they did against Nashville in a loss).

They were winning the shots and possession battle until late in the 3rd when the Sharks, trailing 3-0, pulled their goalie with 5 minutes left and also had a 6-on-4 advantage during that stretch after a Clutterbuck penalty. But other than a few spurts from San Jose, the Islanders were the better team.

Having said that, 4-0 isn't indicative of the game. It was a much closer game for sure, but the Islanders deserved to win even outside of Lehner's performance.

Pretty encouraging pair of games after a piss poor effort against the Canes in the opener where they were very lucky to win.


Mike - hold your breath I am about to compliment the Islanders : )

Maybe it's because the Ranger expectations are low due to this rebuild and of course you know the referees always have it in for us. I know the Tavares situation was a crappy experience but I think in the long term you guys will balance out nicely. I think you guys had a good draft on paper and have a lot of young talent. A good coach and a GM with a good history. Man, I hope pganut doesn't read this, he'll think I am getting soft (probably the case).

Speaking of officiating - on Saturday we were joking about the refs and then we have the Giant debacle on Sunday. Talk about one sided officiating.
.  
pjcas18 : 10/9/2018 9:30 am : link
Rick Nash to retire
Sounds like Shattenkirk will be a healthy scratch next game  
Anakim : 10/9/2018 1:10 pm : link
Wow
RE: .  
Anakim : 10/9/2018 1:12 pm : link
In comment 14115336 pjcas18 said:
Quote:
Rick Nash to retire


Darren Dreger

Verified account

@DarrenDreger

Statement from Joe Resnick, Rick Nashs agent, addressing speculation: There is no truth to the tweet that Rick Nash is retiring today. Our position has not changed since July 1.
RE: RE: RE: Lehner with a shutout in his Isles debut  
pganut : 10/9/2018 1:21 pm : link
In comment 14115308 Drewcon40 said:
Quote:
Mike - hold your breath I am about to compliment the Islanders : )

Maybe it's because the Ranger expectations are low due to this rebuild and of course you know the referees always have it in for us. I know the Tavares situation was a crappy experience but I think in the long term you guys will balance out nicely. I think you guys had a good draft on paper and have a lot of young talent. A good coach and a GM with a good history. Man, I hope pganut doesn't read this, he'll think I am getting soft (probably the case).
Shhhh...you beautiful boy, you. Bring it in. Dont fight it. Youre getting a nice internet hug, Drew.

Hope youre well, buddy.
Quinn  
Drewcon40 : 10/9/2018 1:25 pm : link
I hope Quinn continues this reshaping of the team's culture. This is the time to instill accountability while rebuilding this. Namestnikov was likely scratched due to his reaction to being asked to server the too many men penalty and Shattenkirk possibly being scratched is also a pretty bold move. The next game is not until Thursday so things can change but I would love it if it was the Rangers philosophy were to be based on play and effort instead of salary and past accomplishments.
RE: RE: RE: RE: Lehner with a shutout in his Isles debut  
Drewcon40 : 10/9/2018 1:26 pm : link
In comment 14115877 pganut said:
Quote:
In comment 14115308 Drewcon40 said:


Quote:


Mike - hold your breath I am about to compliment the Islanders : )

Maybe it's because the Ranger expectations are low due to this rebuild and of course you know the referees always have it in for us. I know the Tavares situation was a crappy experience but I think in the long term you guys will balance out nicely. I think you guys had a good draft on paper and have a lot of young talent. A good coach and a GM with a good history. Man, I hope pganut doesn't read this, he'll think I am getting soft (probably the case).

Shhhh...you beautiful boy, you. Bring it in. Dont fight it. Youre getting a nice internet hug, Drew.

Hope youre well, buddy.


Haha - Hey PGA - good to hear from you - I hope all is well with you.
All good, pal  
pganut : 10/9/2018 3:04 pm : link
Under no false illusions about Isles chances, but glad experienced, successful adults are now in charge. It's refreshing.

I'll poke my head in here from time to time. Besides, B and I are working on getting the band back together.
Auston Matthews  
pjcas18 : 10/9/2018 3:16 pm : link
8 pts in 3 games and Matthew Tkachuk 5 points in 2 games, in action tonight among the American youth movement.

Elias Pettersson, 5 points in two games, probably leading all rookies in this early part of the season also in action.

Canucks have some good young players
I'm starting to think Auston Matthews  
pjcas18 : 10/11/2018 1:11 pm : link
may wind up better than McDavid.

Not sure if anyone has seen the Leafs play this year, but apparently Matthews worked all off-season on his shooting angles. Meaning most people shoot with their stick extended, he has been working on shooting from different angles and positions of his stick. I saw it opening night against MTL, he pulled the puck in close to his body and drilled a wrist show top shelf on Price.

It's hard to defend and stop as a goalie you just don't know when he'll shoot and goalies aren't prepared for the angle.

this is revolutionary type stuff IMO. I'll see if I can find a gif or youtube. He may not wind up with the same overall point numbers, but the way he plays defense and distributes he could be the better player.

Fun to watch.
RE: I'm starting to think Auston Matthews  
Greg from LI : 10/11/2018 1:23 pm : link
In comment 14119207 pjcas18 said:
Quote:
may wind up better than McDavid.


Which is pretty cool, too, because it won't be because McDavid is a disappointment, but because Matthews is even more incredible than McDavid.

The talent level in the league is getting insane.
RE: RE: RE: RE: Lehner with a shutout in his Isles debut  
Mike in Long Beach : 10/11/2018 1:48 pm : link
In comment 14115877 pganut said:
Quote:
In comment 14115308 Drewcon40 said:


Quote:


Mike - hold your breath I am about to compliment the Islanders : )

Maybe it's because the Ranger expectations are low due to this rebuild and of course you know the referees always have it in for us. I know the Tavares situation was a crappy experience but I think in the long term you guys will balance out nicely. I think you guys had a good draft on paper and have a lot of young talent. A good coach and a GM with a good history. Man, I hope pganut doesn't read this, he'll think I am getting soft (probably the case).

Shhhh...you beautiful boy, you. Bring it in. Dont fight it. Youre getting a nice internet hug, Drew.

Hope youre well, buddy.


Well said and thanks, man.

As it stands now, I think we're slightly better than what most have us pegged as. I've got us around 88 points.

Having said that, if they can catch some lightning in a bottle at some point and sneak into mid-January trending 6-8 points better than that, I think you'll see them make a move for someone that could make them a playoff-contender.

As of now, I've got them 10th or 11th.
RE: RE: I'm starting to think Auston Matthews  
pjcas18 : 10/11/2018 2:56 pm : link
In comment 14119239 Greg from LI said:
Quote:
In comment 14119207 pjcas18 said:


Quote:


may wind up better than McDavid.




Which is pretty cool, too, because it won't be because McDavid is a disappointment, but because Matthews is even more incredible than McDavid.

The talent level in the league is getting insane.


100% agree. McDavid is insanely talented. They call him "McJesus" (controversially) in the city that watched the best years of the "Great One".

I've been watching the NHL for almost 40 years and even the high scoring hey day with Gretzky and Lemieux in their primes I don't know of any era that matched today in terms of the combination of talent and youth.

Habs home opener  
pjcas18 : 10/11/2018 3:26 pm : link
tonight, even if you're not a Habs fan, seeing the passing of the torch is always cool to see. New captain too. I believe Weber might take part in the ceremony. If not, torch I think goes to Gallagher.

I think Lyle Odelein will take part in the ceremony - I believe I linked his story up earlier in the thread.

Amazing and scary story.
Check out the whip  
pjcas18 : 10/11/2018 11:30 pm : link
in Kessel's shot:

Matthews  
pjcas18 : 10/12/2018 9:03 am : link
with two more goals last night. He's scored in each of the Leafs first 5 games.

Meanwhile, Morgan Reilly is tried with Matthews at 12 for the league lead in points through 5 games.

Tavares and Marner also near the top of that list.

After their opening night debacle, the Bruins unfortunately have righted the ship and reeled off 3 wins in a row.

NYR had a nice win last night, no clue what Dell was looking at on the OT winner, goalie plays shot, D plays pass. Dell played neither.

Blackhawks gave up the game tying goal, a shortie with 23 seconds left, then lost in OT. That will piss off a coach.

Canadiens  
pjcas18 : 10/15/2018 11:44 am : link
beat the Pens again (can't remember the last time they beat the pens twice in the same season), this time in a shootout.

Penguins also lost Justin Schulz for 4 months with a broken leg. Huge loss.

Bruins look all the way back from opening night embarrassment. I'd solidly put Pastrnak in the "will compete for Hart/Ross trophy" category. He's among the elite players at 22 years, in case anyone still had doubts. I didn't.

What a debacle in CHI  
pjcas18 : 10/15/2018 1:29 pm : link
they famously traded Artemi Panarin to CBJ for Brandon Saad.

Which I never understood. I don't think it was an expansion draft related trade.

And now Saad is likely to become a healthy scratch moving forward in CHI after already being demoted to the 4th line.

Matthews goal streak  
pjcas18 : 10/16/2018 10:02 am : link
ends, but he continues his multiple points in a game streak.

He has 16 points in his teams first 7 games, and multiple points in all 7. His 45% shooting percentage is ridiculously unsustainable, but suffice it to say he's off to a ridiculous start.

11 of his 16 points are 5v5, so while he does have some pp points, not like he's loading up on them.

Leafs are a juggernaut.

And I think DET may be a lock for Hughes. I don't know I've seen a team as bad defensively (they gave up 15 goals their last two games - including 7 to the offensively challenged Canadiens). In their defense (no pun intended), they lost 4 of their top 6 D.
naaah  
Greg from LI : 10/16/2018 10:19 am : link
Rangers are gonna lock down Hughes. So it is written, so let it be done.
RE: naaah  
pjcas18 : 10/16/2018 10:33 am : link
In comment 14130919 Greg from LI said:
Quote:
Rangers are gonna lock down Hughes. So it is written, so let it be done.


Well there is the whole lottery process too, so nothing is guaranteed, and I think many of our teams will be in the lottery.

Rangers should see some good skill tonight with McKinnon. Another sub-25 year old super star.
Rangers deserve a break  
Greg from LI : 10/16/2018 10:36 am : link
They haven't had a homegrown superstar skater since Leetch 30 years ago.
RE: Rangers deserve a break  
pjcas18 : 10/16/2018 10:42 am : link
In comment 14130945 Greg from LI said:
Quote:
They haven't had a homegrown superstar skater since Leetch 30 years ago.


Well that's somewhat self-inflicted due to good play (drafting late), trading away a lot of picks, and some terrible picks when they did keep them (El Cubano, McIlraith, Brendl, etc.).

This is a pretty awesome video  
pjcas18 : 10/16/2018 3:59 pm : link
I know a lot of you hate Crosby, but man this guy does shit like this every off-season multiple times per off-season.

Tim Hortons brings Kenyan hockey team to Canada.
Link - ( New Window )
RE: This is a pretty awesome video  
Rover : 10/16/2018 10:49 pm : link
In comment 14131669 pjcas18 said:
Quote:
I know a lot of you hate Crosby, but man this guy does shit like this every off-season multiple times per off-season.

Tim Hortons brings Kenyan hockey team to Canada. Link - ( New Window )

Exactly.
Guy does everything the NHL asks, totally low key, doesn't even have social media. Class act.
I get the hate  
pjcas18 : 10/17/2018 3:23 pm : link
he's a rival with multiple rings, but I don't share it, so I post positive Crosby stuff on here. My daughter, a Bruins fan, loves him. I took her to a game in my company's luxury box, and Crosby scored to send the game to OT with no time left and then Bergeron won it in OT, she was ecstatic. She was 9 at the time, but still glad she got to see Crosby at his best and her team win. Luxury box seats are not that great though. The sky boxes at least. I like the lower level open air boxes better.


Brady Tkachuk out long term with a knee injury  
pjcas18 : 10/17/2018 3:42 pm : link
4 weeks or so, sucks because he was playing well to start his career.

Some good games on tap tonight.

Habs vs Blues
B's @ Flames
NYR @ Caps
NYI @ Ducks

Some great games  
pjcas18 : 10/18/2018 7:53 am : link
Bruins finally lost. I hate West Coast hockey trips, has been a horror show for the Canadiens lately, hopefully the Bruins get some of that too.

I like the Flames as an up and coming team, not sure if this year, but soon if they keep adding pieces.

Canadiens pulled off a stunner (not that they won, the Blues are off to a poor start), but they were leading most of the game, gave up the lead with a couple minutes left, and the team seemed resigned to each get a point and see what happens in OT, but no one told Brendan Gallagher, he stole a Parayko misfire clearing attempt and redirected a Tatar pass to the net over Allen's shoulder with under 10 seconds left.

Fans are not yet revolting in Montreal. I don't think this early season success is sustainable, they, like the Rangers, lack blue line depth and elite scoring, but some nice things happening early. Kotkaniemi, while not a finished product by any stretch, seems to fit in fine (except on the dots where he's brutal) and Tatar and Domi are playing really well.

I watched part of the Rangers Caps, not sure how teams still let Ovie camp out in that same spot. Pionk played a great game until OT when he tired out or just lost Niskanen.

Didn't see any of Islanders game.
Some Isles thoughts....  
Metnut : 10/18/2018 9:38 am : link
I only stayed up for the first two periods but thought that they played pretty well.... with the huge exception of Greiss.

Johnson is already better than Martin. That 4th line (especially Clutter and Martin) only has value when they are fresh and playing with maximum energy. Johnson should rotate in with that line so that Martin or Clutterbuck never play a back to back game. Let's keep these guys strong throughout the season.

Please please please put Pulock on the first power play. The power play didn't look bad, but Pulock would make it better.

Signs of life for Andrew Ladd? He's looked good his first few games back. He's another guy that we need to give 10-15 games off this year so that he stays relatively fresh. He'll never live up to his contract but if he can be an above average 3rd liner for the next few years it would help.

Biggest job for Lou this offseason isn't signing Panarin or even signing a new D-man, it's convincing Sorokin to come over here and locking him up long-term. The difference between bottom 5 goaltending and top 5 goaltending cannot be overstated.

IMO, you're crazy if you want to blame Trotz for 2-3. This is one of the least talented rosters we've had in a long time. They look MUCH better coached and smarter than they ever did under Cap or Weight and Trotz has only had a training camp and a week of practice. The way they exit the D-zone and work to gain offensive zone entry is light years more organized that the train wreck we saw last year.
PJ  
Greg from LI : 10/18/2018 9:52 am : link
I think Niskanen's goal was just miscommunication between Pionk and Zuccarello.

Guy who surprised me in this one was Frederik Claesson. He was really solid.
RE: PJ  
pjcas18 : 10/18/2018 10:01 am : link
In comment 14133941 Greg from LI said:
Quote:
I think Niskanen's goal was just miscommunication between Pionk and Zuccarello.

Guy who surprised me in this one was Frederik Claesson. He was really solid.


probably, and miscommunicate on 3v3 and someone scores.

Claesson is IMO the epitome of a stay at home defenseman. He will usually give you solid, unspectacular minutes. Solid 3rd pair/7th D. Andy may have more insight on him watching him the past three years I only really paid attention to him if the Sens played the Habs and he was in the lineup, but I don't think he's going to give you much offense (which is fine, not counted on from him)

On a side note, I may have mentioned this before, but I actually love the 3v3 OT. I think they should play until there's a winner. forget the shootout. Not sure the downside, those games won't go on forever IMO.

I think they'll at least expand 3 v 3  
Metnut : 10/18/2018 11:37 am : link
to 7 or 8 minutes after the next CBA.
Nylander is the only player who comes to mind  
pjcas18 : 10/18/2018 5:05 pm : link
but I think he's still unsigned.

Quote:

Chris Johnston
‏Verified account @reporterchris
59m59 minutes ago

Four teams are sending TWO scouts to tonight's #leafs-#pens game: Carolina, New Jersey, N.Y. Rangers and Tampa.

That's unusual.


Would be a great addition to any of these 4 teams. Hope it's not TB. Otherwise, not sure the significance.
I see - it appears a Nylander  
pjcas18 : 10/18/2018 5:14 pm : link
signing is getting close, so the Leafs may have to/want to deal a player to clear space.

Some rumors are Kadri, Kapanen, and other forwards.
Pages: 1 2 3 <<Prev | Show All |
Back to the Corner