COL just needs any type of win, they crush LVG in RW (behind by one in ROW and I think RW is the tiebreaker), so 2 pts for COL and I believe they're the 1.
Doesn't matter much IMO, if I had to pick I guess I'd rather play STL the way MIN is playing right now.
I hate that noon start on Sunday. I'm going to end up missing the first period.
I got you beat. If it goes to game 7, I will be near the Virginia/NC border at puck drop on my way to Myrtle Beach. Brutal. Should make for an interesting car ride with the kids.
COL just needs any type of win, they crush LVG in RW (behind by one in ROW and I think RW is the tiebreaker), so 2 pts for COL and I believe they're the 1.
Doesn't matter much IMO, if I had to pick I guess I'd rather play STL the way MIN is playing right now.
The other advantage to the 1/4 match is that timewise only one game is likely to start outside of 9:30-10:30 PM Eastern start time. You tend to see less randomness when you have consistent starting times.
As long as Philly doesn't win another Cup, I'm good. So we're safe for this year. Now it's the Caps (re: Wilson, bandwagon fans, most of whom are also presumably WFT fans). Anyone but them. Bruins dislike (Ratelle/Park trade...) is always there, so after they beat the Caps, let them lose too.
Also, what is the Canadian team that gets tot he CF going to do? Are they traveling to Canada?
There are no Conference Finals this year, since there are no conferences. As I understand it, the 3rd round will follow the 1v4, 2v3 format as the first round, but teams will be seeded based on their regular-season records.
Also, what is the Canadian team that gets tot he CF going to do? Are they traveling to Canada?
TBD, I think the league is waiting to see the status of border travel between US and Canada after the division finals wrap because the mutual border closure was only until like May 21.
My guess is if cross border travel isn't an option the Canadian team will get hosed and have to play home games in Buffalo, Seattle or somewhere like that depending on who comes out of the North.
but not sure it matters THAT much, Canadian teams still cannot have fans I believe - but I'd bet everyone would rather be home.
playoff games. Great atmosphere. Hope whatever crowd the old barn gets, they bring the noise this time around.
I prefer the 3pm start time personally. Out of the barn at 6 and home at 610.
no idea how to explain it, when I watched the Devils play, especially when they were injury depleted, they looked like an AHL team a lot, except against the Bruins, they looked like the Red Army.
no idea how to explain it, when I watched the Devils play, especially when they were injury depleted, they looked like an AHL team a lot, except against the Bruins, they looked like the Red Army.
Had the best Defensemen in the league a couple years ago when they upset Washington in the playoffs. Now they have the likes of Bean, Gardener, and Murphy to chose from for their LD final pair. Plus they only have one decent goalie. As good and deep as they are in the forward group, I don’t see how they can overcome their deficiencies on the back end.
PIT vs NYI: NYI in 6. I have been trying to throw dirt on the grave of the Pens for a couple years, but in the playoffs I just don't think they have enough to compete with the disciplined (and talented) NYI
WAS vs BOS: BOS in 7. Should be a great series, hopefully we see Wilson and Marchand rip each others heads off, but likely playoffs will be tame as usual. I think these teams are close, especially since Holtby is gone and he kind of owned BOS
BOS vs NYI. BOS in 7. Another close series, decided by special teams, Marchand is a SH beast.
Central
CAR vs NSH. CAR Sweeps. Not often to people predict sweeps, but NSH is worse than many teams who did not make the playoffs.
FLA vs TBL. If Kucherov is back and himself (and he is expected to play), TBL in 6. FLA is a very good team, losing Ekblad hurts them more than people realize and if Kucherov is back for more than a cameo like Stamkos last year TBL is too much.
CAR vs TBL - a battle of the titans, could go either way, I'll pick TBL because of the goalie.
West:
COL vs STL. COL in 4. See my comments on NSH. STL is similar.
LVG vs MIN. LVG in 7. Maybe my favorite series, LVG is such a tough team to play, big power forwards, solid two-way D and consistency in net, but MIN is a lot of fun to watch right now. Kaprizov is so creative for a rookie (yeah a 23 year old rookie, but it's not like he's Hideki Matsui old for a rookie.
LVG vs COL - COL in 6. COL is my pick the past few years to win the cup, so much talent, time to show it.
North:
TOR vs MTL. TOR in 5. TOR is just too talented and MTL too banged up. I do think TOR is top heavy so if MTL can somehow neutralize the Marner/Matthews line and stay out of the box, they can hang for a game or 2, but TOR is too much especially how Campbell is playing.
EDM vs WIN. EDM in 5. McDavid, Draisaitl, Nugent-Hopkins - sick offensive talent. solid team overall. playoff style hockey benefits a team like them.
TOR vs EDM. TOR in 6. Again, TOR is too much. too deep, too physical now they have Foligno and Simmonds, they can't be pushed around like usual and expect to get inconsistent performance in net. TOR 4th line has been Thornton, Spezza and Simmonds - that's old and slow, but man that's some seasoned veteran depth.
Semis? Not sure how they will align, so I'll make assumptions.
TOR vs BOS. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss to quote The Who. BOS rolls.
TBL vs COL, epic battle, I'll say TBL in 7.
Finals, TAM vs BOS and TAM wins in 6.
my only rooting interest is for BOS and TOR to lose and for OT's and game 7's.
I disagree about the Pens, I think this is the most complete team they’ve had in years. Malkin is back, they are deep at forward and at the blue line, really depends on how Jarry plays. I think the Pens will score some goals this series, but they’ve shown this year they can win 1-0 just as easily as they can win 6-5. If the Islanders had home ice, I may be predicting them, but they have not been the same team on the road.
I disagree about the Pens, I think this is the most complete team they’ve had in years. Malkin is back, they are deep at forward and at the blue line, really depends on how Jarry plays. I think the Pens will score some goals this series, but they’ve shown this year they can win 1-0 just as easily as they can win 6-5. If the Islanders had home ice, I may be predicting them, but they have not been the same team on the road.
One point someone mentioned is the pandemic shortened season helps teams like the Pens with their age, and fair point.
I think the NYI showed in the bubble how their style can be tough, especially in the playoffs.
And nothing would surprise me - my predictions are usually wrong.
But like I said earlier, I feel like this is the most complete team the Pens have had since they won the Cup in 2017. I personally don’t think the Palmieri/Zajac trade was a good move for them, and think they would have been better suited setting their sights on Hall, a legitimate top line winger. He and Barzal together would have given opponents fits. Palmieri is probably a better two way player and I’m sure that’s why the Islanders went and got him, but what they really need is scoring punch. That’s why they lost to Tampa last year, and I think it will limit them this year as well.
Like you, I’m always wrong too, so we’ll see who’s really wrong this time! I picked the Islanders to get to the Conference Finals last year, I just think this year, it comes down to them not being a great road team, and Pittsburgh being dominant at home with the extra home game as the deciding factor, because these teams are close.
Winning lets MN-Vegas play. Vegas has a lot of trouble with MN while they pounded STL. Vegas went 3-5 vs MN.
Avs have 2 issues 1- will be health - McKinnon is questionable for game 1. They have enough talent for sure. 2 - Goalie - Grubauer is fantastic and they are going to have to ride him because their backup now is really not good and their other backup is on Covid list
Was-Bos, FLA-TB, MN-Vegas are going to be tremendous series where good teams are going to be eliminated
Fuck Jesper Fast. Let the Panthers or Predators win. Fuck the Icelanders. Fuck the Brooons. Fuck the Yinz. Fuck the Lightning. And a BIIIIIIIIG fuck to Tom Wilson and his merry band of pussies.
Plus, maybe an early exit would mean Rod the Bod would shake loose
and I guess if money is on the line the players will do what they have to, but geez it must be tough to get up for those games while the playoffs are going on around you. Very strange
and I guess it's for maybe incentives, etc. or some NHLPA thing they need to play all scheduled games.
I also forgot to mention that Vancouver has one player who it appears will meet the minimum games number for Expansion Draft if he plays in remaining games versus if their season ended today.
Physicality always goes sky high in the first round, but this year every series has seemingly instant hatred. A positive byproduct of the covid schedule. Guys are getting blown up like it's the steroid early aughts. It's wild.
What a good game - Landeskog is a beast - sneaky because he can score, but he's a nasty SOB when he wants to be and I could watch Makar/Mackinnon all day.
Sounds like B's vs Caps was also great, didn't hear much from CAR vs NSH, but sounds like the Canes took care of business as expected.
Today 3 playoff games:
PIT vs NYI (NYI up 1 - 0) 7:30
FLA vs TBL (TBL up 1 - 0) 8:00
MIN vs LVG (MIN up 1 - 0) 10:00
All three road teams won game 1 in these series, that seems unusual.
I get having the Canucks and Flames finish out their schedules, but why do the other teams have to wait for them? These games have no bearing on anything for the playoff teams right? I guess over the course of 2 rounds they can make up the lag without too much disruption to the schedule, but it seems unfair to the 4 playoff teams, and unnecessary.
I get having the Canucks and Flames finish out their schedules, but why do the other teams have to wait for them? These games have no bearing on anything for the playoff teams right? I guess over the course of 2 rounds they can make up the lag without too much disruption to the schedule, but it seems unfair to the 4 playoff teams, and unnecessary.
I get having the Canucks and Flames finish out their schedules, but why do the other teams have to wait for them? These games have no bearing on anything for the playoff teams right? I guess over the course of 2 rounds they can make up the lag without too much disruption to the schedule, but it seems unfair to the 4 playoff teams, and unnecessary.
I don't get this at all. It's so dumb.
agree, so stupid, but MTL needs all the rest they can get to help get Price, Gallagher, Weber, Tatar, Danault, and more back - they are the biggest underdog in any series.
not sure if it's the shorter season or what but these players seem like it's balls to the wall for 60+ minutes every game, the pace is crazy in all these games.
rolling won 3 - 0 to go up 2 - 0 in the series, starting to look Lord-Stanley-ish even though I predicted them to roll, NSH was torrid down the stretch.
WIN surprises EDM in EDM. An early exit will start to weigh on McDavid IMO.
COL steamrolls STL - too much talent in COL - Kadri being Kadri. He's like a less talented Tom Wilson, but equal in thuggery.
Tonight
TBL vs FLA (TBL up 2 - 0) @ 6:30
NYI vs PIT (series tied a 1) @ 7:00 (Malkin may be back)
TOR vs MTL (series opener) @ 7:30 (I read Kotkaniemi, Caufield and Romanov may be inactive. I don't think Ducharme want's this job long term if that is the case)
Who needs Eichel when we are going to get McDavid when he demands a trade this off-season? McDavid for Howden and second, who says no?
Yandle is apparently going to be scratched tonight. Does not impact his game streak.
I wouldn't even know how to put together a trade offer for McDavid.
31 teams would be interested and willing to give up a ton for him, but I don't think EDM even picks up the phone.
though to play devil's advocate, he has 1 more year before his NMC kicks in the next year would be the time to trade him if he was going to be moved.
then after 2021-2022 his NMC kicks and he is under contract 4 more years, in all 5 remaining years at $12.5M per and I think that's a bargain and will be when the deal is over.
end to OT, Samsonov can't leave that puck there. I'd rather he stay in the net than do that.
played such a great game and then becomes the goat.
Brutal is the word, the way he did not react it was as if he saw an icing and would just mosey back to his net. Hell, even if it was an icing he would have flipped the puck...somewhere. Unfathomable, except Boucher or whoever was doing color had commented at the beginning of the 1st or 2nd OT, with Samsonov's limited ice time since late April, was he going to fatigue. I don't think in his imagination he ever saw that manifestation. Ovvie not happy, barking in Russian to his beleaguered countryman?
Who needs Eichel when we are going to get McDavid when he demands a trade this off-season? McDavid for Howden and second, who says no?
Yandle is apparently going to be scratched tonight. Does not impact his game streak.
I wouldn't even know how to put together a trade offer for McDavid.
31 teams would be interested and willing to give up a ton for him, but I don't think EDM even picks up the phone.
though to play devil's advocate, he has 1 more year before his NMC kicks in the next year would be the time to trade him if he was going to be moved.
then after 2021-2022 his NMC kicks and he is under contract 4 more years, in all 5 remaining years at $12.5M per and I think that's a bargain and will be when the deal is over.
He's still 24 years old.
I think McDavid has leverage if he demands a trade. He isn't going to Buffalo or Arizona.
How many more years is he going to languish in EDM?
His NMC doesn't kick in until after 2021-2022 season.
I don't think he'll be traded, but like Eichel (although a better player) he has to be frustrated by his teams lack of success (and to be fair, they're just down 1 - 0 in the series, lol).
I do believe, in EDM, McDavid has had better talent than Eichel has had in BUF. Neither has had a great goalie though which makes a big difference.
Also unlike Eichel, he has another superstar on his team
McDavid's leverage is that he's going to do this again in a year with his shitty new team. A team trading for McDavid is doing it with him being there for ten years, they're not giving the assets up for him to leave in four years.
Theoretically, no leverage. But I think he does in reality. You can't give up the farm for a guy who doesn't want to be there IMO.
McDavid's leverage is that he's going to do this again in a year with his shitty new team. A team trading for McDavid is doing it with him being there for ten years, they're not giving the assets up for him to leave in four years.
Theoretically, no leverage. But I think he does in reality. You can't give up the farm for a guy who doesn't want to be there IMO.
well that's true though of every player ever traded though, right? If they don't want to be where they are they can make things hard on everyone.
See what happens this series/playoffs, I haven't heard one thing about McDavid even asking for a trade.
It was just a hypothetical if the Oilers do in fact have yet another unsuccessful season while having the Hart Trophy winner and a second player in the top 5.
The cost/optics gives the stars like McDavid and myself more leverage over Brett Howden or you.
Just my opinion. What you're saying is true.
And like I said (and you know), I'm just speculating.
This is what I was referencing about McDavid above:
Quote:
“I think the answer is no, he’s not patient,” Friedman said. “But he’s also willing to be convinced. I think they’ve got two years to show him they’re going in the right direction. This year and next year.”
Coliseum sounded completely wild despite 1/2 capacity. Isles overcame a shaky first 15 minutes and carried play most of the night but we’re let down by goaltending.
Need to start Sorokin in game 4 on Saturday. Must win game.
Coliseum sounded completely wild despite 1/2 capacity. Isles overcame a shaky first 15 minutes and carried play most of the night but we’re let down by goaltending.
Need to start Sorokin in game 4 on Saturday. Must win game.
Sorry if this gets me banned but fuck the unvaxed. Happy to post a pic but we were down an additional 3-8% capacity bc of them. You're welcome to your opinion on the vaccine but you're not entitled to tickets in a private venue. No idea if we win with more ppl but it was embarrassing to see the embryo seats and hear the missed cheers
Coliseum sounded completely wild despite 1/2 capacity. Isles overcame a shaky first 15 minutes and carried play most of the night but we’re let down by goaltending.
Need to start Sorokin in game 4 on Saturday. Must win game.
Sorry if this gets me banned but fuck the unvaxed. Happy to post a pic but we were down an additional 3-8% capacity bc of them. You're welcome to your opinion on the vaccine but you're not entitled to tickets in a private venue. No idea if we win with more ppl but it was embarrassing to see the embryo seats and hear the missed cheers
Coliseum sounded completely wild despite 1/2 capacity. Isles overcame a shaky first 15 minutes and carried play most of the night but we’re let down by goaltending.
Need to start Sorokin in game 4 on Saturday. Must win game.
Sorry if this gets me banned but fuck the unvaxed. Happy to post a pic but we were down an additional 3-8% capacity bc of them. You're welcome to your opinion on the vaccine but you're not entitled to tickets in a private venue. No idea if we win with more ppl but it was embarrassing to see the embryo seats and hear the missed cheers
Why did the unvaxxed cost seats? Can't you go in with a negative test? Or did they go to the venue and claim to be vaxxed or something? I don't know any of the rules.
Why did the unvaxxed cost seats? Can't you go in with a negative test? Or did they go to the venue and claim to be vaxxed or something? I don't know any of the rules.
They have about half the arena as distanced sections for unvaccinated fans. So that's a lot of reduced capacity.
Ya, the vaccinated section just had an empty seat separating the groups. The Unvaccinated sections had like 2 rows and 6 seats separating people. Felt like it was a game at Barclays where they only sold half the arena
with a nice cross check into Nick Ritchie's back while he's on all fours following a Bruins goal tonight. Almost drove his head right into the ice. But the NHL won't do shit.
The Bruins follow that up by crushing Ovechkin. Legally.
"You're welcome to your opinion on the vaccine but you're not entitled to tickets in a private venue."
If those venues are allowing un vaxed people in... Yeah... They're entitled to those seats. Not that I agree with not being vaccinated. I am. Well, of course... I'm an essential worker. If a business wants you to wear a dumb mask in their store, that's fine, those are their rules but eh, you can't say the same if they're rules you don't like.
BOS steamrolls WSH and takes a commanding 3 - 1 series lead.
WIN stuns EDM and wins both on the road, up 2 - 0 heading home. No fans in Canada, so not sure how much an advantage home ice is, but it's always better for your game to be in your own bed IMO.
COL cruising over the over-matched STL, up 3 - 0 - Kadri - a bigger POS than Wilson, gets 8 games for hit to head. 8 playoff games is roughly the equivalent of a 40 game regular season suspension. He deserved to be suspended but probably too heavy IMO, the league is very inconsistent with discipline.
Todays games:
TBL vs FLA (TBL leads 2 - 1) @ 12:30
NYI vs PIT (PIT leads 2 - 1) @ 3:00
TOR vs MTL (MTL leads 1 - 0) @ 7:00 Tavares out indefinitely with the concussion - scary play
MIN vs LVG (LVG leads 2 - 1) @ 8:00
is toast, and he's dirty, just a shell of himself.
I like the NYI approach, go after Crosby and smother him.
two games, two blow outs, not what we're looking for though in the early game Kucherov and Sergachev both injured by borderline (leaning toward dirty) hits when the game was out of reach so see how that works for next game.
RE: Also unlike Eichel, he has another superstar on his team
and yet the team still isn't all that good.
They're like the hockey version of the Angels.
At my daughter's grad school graduation party last night, one of her friends, wearing a Blueshirts forever t-shirt, we got talking hockey, of course. One of his good friends lives in Buffalo, was at a bar this spring, and texted Chris (daughter's bud) that Eichel was in the bar, so Chris' friend kept tabs. The supposed eye-witness account is that Eichel thought he was being dissed/rejected/ignored? by a girl and smacked her on her ass, which triggered Chris' friend's comment that Eichel is kind of a jerk and not well liked. German? Hearsay (for sure)...fwiw
is toast, and he's dirty, just a shell of himself.....two games, two blow outs, not what we're looking for though in the early game Kucherov and Sergachev both injured by borderline (leaning toward dirty) hits when the game was out of reach so see how that works for next game.
pj, what was borderline about Duclair's slash to the back of Kucherov's leg? Are you saying he didn't do it with enough force to cross the line? You're comment sounding Cooperesque. LOL
Where does that Sidney Crosby dive in the third period rank?
is toast, and he's dirty, just a shell of himself.....two games, two blow outs, not what we're looking for though in the early game Kucherov and Sergachev both injured by borderline (leaning toward dirty) hits when the game was out of reach so see how that works for next game.
pj, what was borderline about Duclair's slash to the back of Kucherov's leg? Are you saying he didn't do it with enough force to cross the line? You're comment sounding Cooperesque. LOL
Duclair slash obviously just dirty, the Hornqvist hit on Sergachev was borderline, but leaning toward dirty.
tomorrow I will be out traveling across new england for hockey and field hockey tournaments for my kids - leaving around 6:30 AM and won't get home until 7 PM (not complaining, I love it and only have a couple more years left being a sports parent/coach) but I'll just add tomorrows games now since I probably won't post:
NSH vs CAR (CAR up 2 - 1) @ 2:30
STL vs COL (first possible handshake game, COL up 3 - 0) @ 5:00
WSH vs BOS (second possible handshake game, BOS up 3 - 1) @ 7:00
WIN vs EDM (WIN up 2 - 0) @ 7:30
as Black Saturday as hockey fans, we deserve better than this. The 4 Stanley Cup playoff games today were all decided by 3+ goals....It's the first day with 4+ playoff games, all decided by at least 3 goals, since April 20, 1983.
That is quite a mind numbing stat. I have to think it is, at least in part, the product of the skewed, artificial groupings comprising the first round.
From the get go of this Cup competition, I'm very interested to see how inter-Divisional Play goes, as it has been impossible to measure relative team strength across Divisions because of the scheduling. In part this has been fed--and here a bit of denigration of the home town--by the notion that the NYR would have been a Playoffs qualifier had they not been placed in quote hockey's 'strongest Division'. I never credited that notion, partly because I thought it regional bias and partly because different styles and toughness of play do not necessarily translate into regular season statistics nor which teams are primed for Playoff hockey.
as Black Saturday as hockey fans, we deserve better than this. The 4 Stanley Cup playoff games today were all decided by 3+ goals....It's the first day with 4+ playoff games, all decided by at least 3 goals, since April 20, 1983.
That is quite a mind numbing stat. I have to think it is, at least in part, the product of the skewed, artificial groupings comprising the first round.
From the get go of this Cup competition, I'm very interested to see how inter-Divisional Play goes, as it has been impossible to measure relative team strength across Divisions because of the scheduling. In part this has been fed--and here a bit of denigration of the home town--by the notion that the NYR would have been a Playoffs qualifier had they not been placed in quote hockey's 'strongest Division'. I never credited that notion, partly because I thought it regional bias and partly because different styles and toughness of play do not necessarily translate into regular season statistics nor which teams are primed for Playoff hockey.
this is more like old school divisional playoffs (which I preferred) to conference wide playoffs. I love the old school division rivalries.
second best playoff game I ever went to was Bruins Whalers adams division 1st round, game 6.
just two teams who hated each other going at it - the fans were fighting in the stands, Whalers won in OT to force game 7.
That Whalers team was loaded, Francis, Dineen, Verbeek, Ferraro, Ulf, but couldn't get past Boston.
Bruins close out the Caps in 5 (I predicted 7 - I think we'll find out about a Backstrom injury - he was invisible all series)
Avs sweep (and I predicted a sweep - even a broken clock is right twice a day)
other results:
Preds shock canes and square the series at 2 (I predicted a Canes sweep and up 2 - 0 I looked like I knew what I was doing, but back to back double OT losses and the Canes are stung)
and as mentioned EDM losing a disastrous game, to go into a 3 game hole. I had EDM winning in 5.
Full slate - of 5 games today (three possible handshake games):
PIT vs NYI (series tied at 2) @ 7:00
MTL vs TOR (series tied at 1) @ 7:00
FLA vs TBL (TBL up 3 - 1) @ 8:00
and right back at it
WIN vs EDM (WIN up 3 - 0) @ 9:45 (what? that's what NHL says, weird start time - must be something with the staggering of start times)
LVG vs MIN (LVG up 3 - 1) @ 10:30
Everyone said the Canes were going to cruise against Nashville
Flying high today after the B's closed out the Caps. I was worried after that first game, but Boston stepped up their physically game and game 2 completely swung the series. Hope they extended Hall after the SCF/Expansion Draft
It's obvious they need a hard ass coach in the worst way. All the symptoms are there. Half assed close outs, turning down shot blocks, forwards cheating for offense, lack of physicality, stupid penalties. No accountability.
Stars in their early 20s generally don't want to play a defensive system that suppresses their own offense. McD will balk, but they have to do it anyway.
Conor has to make the transition like Yzerman, Modano, St Louis etc. Sacrifice a little offense, commit to two way play and they can contend.
It's obvious they need a hard ass coach in the worst way. All the symptoms are there. Half assed close outs, turning down shot blocks, forwards cheating for offense, lack of physicality, stupid penalties. No accountability.
Stars in their early 20s generally don't want to play a defensive system that suppresses their own offense. McD will balk, but they have to do it anyway.
Conor has to make the transition like Yzerman, Modano, St Louis etc. Sacrifice a little offense, commit to two way play and they can contend.
Interesting point.
How do you compare McDavid's two-way game to someone like Auston Matthews or Nikita Kucherov? Matthews hasn't won in the playoffs yet, but Kucherov obviously has.
I don't think McDavid's two-way game is Crosby level, certainly not Bergeron level. but it's been solidly improving every year - as has his face-offs.
I think the organizational failure to bring in a franchise goalie has been as important probably as a lenient coach to their failures to this point.
How do you compare McDavid's two-way game to someone like Auston Matthews or Nikita Kucherov? Matthews hasn't won in the playoffs yet, but Kucherov obviously has.
I don't think McDavid's two-way game is Crosby level, certainly not Bergeron level. but it's been solidly improving every year - as has his face-offs.
I think the organizational failure to bring in a franchise goalie has been as important probably as a lenient coach to their failures to this point.
but otherwise I agree with your post.
Agree on goalie, Smith is a nice story but he no longer has the athleticism to recover in scrambles. It's shown up multiple times.
Re McDavid, he can and has shown defensive ability, with his skating he can hound pucks when he wants and he will hit. My point is more toward the overall roster and lack of commitment. That supporting cast is full of soft, offense only players.
It has to be all the time, and you need a coach with enough gravitas to say if you don't follow the system your ice time will be affected.
Do Conor and Draisaitl want to play below the dots to support their defenseman on the breakout? No, they want to get out on the rush. That gets exposed in the playoffs. Tying up sticks, eating shots, sticking your nose in on the boards. None of it takes skill. The trick is getting a coach who will get buy in, and weather the friction with the superstars.
Bowman/Yzerman, Hitchcock/Modano, Torts/st Louis & Lecavalier were all rocky at the start but the teams became contenders.
Edmonton has put him on a pedestal and consults him on all organizational decisions. I suspect he wouldn't want a defense first coach but it's in the organ-eye-zations best interest
like you need 9 stars at forward and 4 on D to even compete.
Besides McDavid and Draisaitl, EDM has Nugent-Hopkins, Barrie and Nurse (who had a breakout season) on D, Puljujarvi who showed he can develop into an NHLer, Yamamoto (he and Puljujarvi were both almost .5 ppg as 22 year olds) what happened to Kyle Turris? He was a reliable 50-point player.
When I watch EDM and BUF I feel like they have some talented individuals but just are missing something as a team. depth is an issue as is goalie for both, but I'm sure coaching probably is too.
A lot of people trying to figure out what went wrong. Can't *just* be the goalie when you lose 4-3 in triple OT.
At least better hockey last night than 4 blowouts. Carey Price made the habs Leafs a lot closer than it should have been, he was incredible. And Campbell gives the Leafs something they haven't had the past few years. As do players like Wayne Simmonds and Zach Bogosian.
Good to see Spencer Knight show up in a big way after allowing a goal on his first shot, save the next 36 shots.
Last nights results:
NYI push PIT to the brink after a bad goalie giveaway in double OT. Up in the series now 3 - 2.
TOR beat MTL 2 - 1 to take a 2 - 1 series lead.
WIN beat EDM 4 - 3 in 3 OT to sweep the Oilers
FLA stayed alive with a 4 - 1 win over TBL, now down 3 - 2
Today's games (2):
MTL vs TOR right back at it (TOR leads 2 - 1) @ 7:30
CAR vs NSH (series tied at 2) @ 8:00
Lovely. Rangers fans and media have moved from obsessing over
I agree with Diversify, I think Draisatl and McDavid are incredibly bad defensively.
McDavid needs someone like Kakko on his wing - a great defensive forward who can spring him for rushes.
Edmonton is probably the biggest failure I can think of in sports. Maybe the Cavaliers in the NBA in LeBron's first go-round is a fair comparison.
What was Florida thinking signing Bobrovsky? What an albatross.
and they did that AFTER they drafted Knight at #13 overall.
What did they think 7 years, maybe he'll be ready?
Or even overlap 1 or 2? so 5 years?
made no sense to sign Bob after they drafted Knight unless they just felt like a massive goalie hedge makes sense because their lineup is so stacked with young talent.
I noticed it at the time and that's even if Bobrovsky plays well (he hasn't been great), why waste a 1st round pick, a top 15 pick at that.
Players taken after knight: Cam York (top pair D), Caufield (Sniper), Alex Newhook (top 6 forward), Krebs, Harley, McMichael, Heinola, Foote, Pinto, Kaliyev, etc. - that was such a deep draft this is the type of move that really hurts.
Bear and Koekkoek we SO bad they saw less than 15 minutes in a triple OT game. Think about that. I don't blame them either, e ery time Bear had a shift wpg got scoring chances. The bottom half of that roster is awful. Mismatched skillsets and former scorers that haven't accepted their roles.
In comment 15271494 MyNameIsMyName said:
Quote: Are in trouble. The goal tending difference is huge./////// Has to be one of the worst plays by a Goalie in a playoff game in recent history. Isles had no business winning that game.
Pens' 2nd period was the best period I've seen them play this year, not that I have seen them so much other than vs NYR. They were dynamic, near dominant, didn't know they had it in them.
I agree with Diversify, I think Draisatl and McDavid are incredibly bad defensively.
McDavid needs someone like Kakko on his wing - a great defensive forward who can spring him for rushes.
Edmonton is probably the biggest failure I can think of in sports. Maybe the Cavaliers in the NBA in LeBron's first go-round is a fair comparison.
What was Florida thinking signing Bobrovsky? What an albatross.
and they did that AFTER they drafted Knight at #13 overall.
What did they think 7 years, maybe he'll be ready?
Or even overlap 1 or 2? so 5 years?
made no sense to sign Bob after they drafted Knight unless they just felt like a massive goalie hedge makes sense because their lineup is so stacked with young talent.
I noticed it at the time and that's even if Bobrovsky plays well (he hasn't been great), why waste a 1st round pick, a top 15 pick at that.
Players taken after knight: Cam York (top pair D), Caufield (Sniper), Alex Newhook (top 6 forward), Krebs, Harley, McMichael, Heinola, Foote, Pinto, Kaliyev, etc. - that was such a deep draft this is the type of move that really hurts.
Oh yeah, this isn't hindsight albatross. It was obvious at the time.
but ever so much more glaring after last night...Knight being the reason Panthers came back and won going away. A 20 year old keeper in his SCP debut, smiling behind his mask, put heart and backbone in a talented roster. That series becomes very interesting now. TB looked anemic in the 3rd. Anyone recall ever seeing a keeper smiling inside his mask in a tight (while it was) must win game? Let alone debut in the playoffs?
but ever so much more glaring after last night...Knight being the reason Panthers came back and won going away. A 20 year old keeper in his SCP debut, smiling behind his mask, put heart and backbone in a talented roster. That series becomes very interesting now. TB looked anemic in the 3rd. Anyone recall ever seeing a keeper smiling inside his mask in a tight (while it was) must win game? Let alone debut in the playoffs?
Maybe bias on my part, but when I watch Knight (from the time he was 16/17) I see a young Carey Price. his hallmark is his poise, positioning, and even temperament, so I'm not surprised to see him smiling.
As a goalie do you see any comparisons? You played goalie, right?
Maybe bias on my part, but when I watch Knight (from the time he was 16/17) I see a young Carey Price. his hallmark is his poise, positioning, and even temperament, so I'm not surprised to see him smiling.
As a goalie do you see any comparisons? You played goalie, right?
Ha, ha, yes, but hardly worthwhile to dredge that up in discussion of last night, smh. In any event, first time I've seen him, what struck me early on (and the color guy--sure sounded like Rosen's sidekick Nicoletti--noted it as well), with TBL in possession in his zone but near the BL, Knight was standing straight up (tall > 6'3") to scope out puck location: you see keepers sometimes pop up straight and then drop down into crouch/semi-crouch, so this was different. He's slender, not like some of these Michelin Man profile goalies, Bobrovsky, et al. He's very twitchy and quick along the crease when he goes down to smother shots, almost enveloping the post rather than nudging up tight against it. He's not stand-up like Rogie or cat quick like Giacomin, nor is he a butterfly guy, based on this look, so maybe Price (whom I've not seen that much of), or even another Hab Dryden, who was so tall that it tooks time for him to get flat along the ice. I'll watch Price tonight.
...My point is more toward the overall roster and lack of commitment. That supporting cast is full of soft, offense only players.
It has to be all the time, and you need a coach with enough gravitas to say if you don't follow the system your ice time will be affected....
Do Conor and Draisaitl want to play below the dots to support their defenseman on the breakout? No, they want to get out on the rush. That gets exposed in the playoffs. Tying up sticks, eating shots, sticking your nose in on the boards. None of it takes skill. The trick is getting a coach who will get buy in, and weather the friction with the superstars....Edmonton has put him on a pedestal and consults him on all organizational decisions. I suspect he wouldn't want a defense first coach but it's in the organ-eye-zations best interest
to the bonds' man's comment, this from the Jets' beat writer Murat Ates in The Athletic this AM:
Quote:
The truth is that Winnipeg found a way to make one more save, one more block, and one more steal than Edmonton every critical moment. Whether it was Edmonton's third period, Game 3 collapse or the way it was an exhausted McDavid who gave the puck to Connor for the triple-overtime, sweep-clinching winner — the Jets exploited Edmonton's mistakes while the Oilers collapsed under the abject lack of depth to support their superstars.
I hate Toronto and I hate Carolina for giving him to the leafs because he's talented. Now we get to hear more sanctimonious horseshit about how the progressive enlightened ways of the leafs unlocked his potential.
I hate Toronto and I hate Carolina for giving him to the leafs because he's talented. Now we get to hear more sanctimonious horseshit about how the progressive enlightened ways of the leafs unlocked his potential.
yeah, he always had potential he had 46 and 56 points as a 20 and 21 year old. Just MTL needs coaches to play defense or center - they try and shoe horn players into bad fitting roles.
they did make out well in the trade getting Domi for Alex and flipping Domi a couple years later for Josh Anderson (who has been invisible these playoffs and is probably injured)
I hate Toronto and I hate Carolina for giving him to the leafs because he's talented. Now we get to hear more sanctimonious horseshit about how the progressive enlightened ways of the leafs unlocked his potential.
yeah, he always had potential he had 46 and 56 points as a 20 and 21 year old. Just MTL needs coaches to play defense or center - they try and shoe horn players into bad fitting roles.
they did make out well in the trade getting Domi for Alex and flipping Domi a couple years later for Josh Anderson (who has been invisible these playoffs and is probably injured)
Yes Habs definitely salvaged a great return in the end. Anderson was always a pain as a Jacket. I love big guys who can fly and enjoy killing people.
I don't understand how both defenseman watched Necas fly through the the zone and around the net without stepping up. Is there any system that calls for the forward to carry the attacker from the blue line to behind the net? Lol Duchene
Samsonov left the puck behind his own net for Bruins' Smith to collect it and shovel in the gamewinner in the 2nd OT there. We see shit happen when fatigue takes over, you just hope it isn't your team it happens to
is stepping down in his role as Vice Chairman with EDM and is taking on an analyst role with TNT (they have part of the hockey contract starting next year).
I suspect we will see more dominoes falling in EDM - not sure if this was all Gretzky's decision or what he even did as Vice Chairman (if anything), but I do expect changes there.
Aaron Portzline
@Aportzline
·
1m
Can confirm report by @CraigSMorgan
that former #TBLightning and #Yotes coach Rick Tocchet will interview later this week for #CBJ coaching vacancy.
Aaron Portzline
@Aportzline
·
1m
Can confirm report by @CraigSMorgan
that former #TBLightning and #Yotes coach Rick Tocchet will interview later this week for #CBJ coaching vacancy.
With JD back at Columbus, guessing that BJ gig might appear a bit more coach friendly than NYR? That said, pj, your thoughts on Tocchet? No sense of his style or ability behind the bench.
Aaron Portzline
@Aportzline
·
1m
Can confirm report by @CraigSMorgan
that former #TBLightning and #Yotes coach Rick Tocchet will interview later this week for #CBJ coaching vacancy.
With JD back at Columbus, guessing that BJ gig might appear a bit more coach friendly than NYR? That said, pj, your thoughts on Tocchet? No sense of his style or ability behind the bench.
I don't know much about his style or system, it's hard to evaluate his time in ARI because their team was generally so shitty.
but I think the bubble performance maybe gets him some positive recognition - beating NSH before losing steam vs COL was impressive.
I always like former players coaching until they prove they aren't good at it. It's like asking someone to be a manager who never had the job of the people who they're managing - just less effective IMO, so he checks that box at least.
I'd support an interview and let the people in charge determine fit.
Chris Ryan
@ChrisRyan_NJ
·
May 25
Assuming Connor McDavid wins the Hart Trophy this season:
The teams with the last 3 MVPs (Kucherov, Draisaitl, McDavid) have won a combined 0 playoff games in those seasons. The last team to win a playoff game the year a player won MVP was the Devils w/ Taylor Hall in 2018
Productive 11 year career, insane numbers in 92-93, with Pens, maybe playing on a line with Lemieux? Flyers, Pens, Kings, Bruins, Caps, Coyotes, finished with Flyers. Racked up healthy penalty minutes. 7 year gap between head coaching gigs before taking over Coyotes. Interesting
Pulock didn't leave and return? I'm not an Isles diehard so I would yield, but I thought he and Pageau picked up at same time. I could and very well may be wrong.
Pulock didn't leave and return? I'm not an Isles diehard so I would yield, but I thought he and Pageau picked up at same time. I could and very well may be wrong.
I am sure. They acquired Andy Greene at same trade deadline as Pageau.
that doesn't mean he won't be fired, but I'd be shocked.
That team massively overachieved
That's the word on the street. Hextall/Burke didn't hire Sullivan and Pittsburgh may tear it all down and press the reset button. They have one of the weakest farm systems in the NHL,
that doesn't mean he won't be fired, but I'd be shocked.
That team massively overachieved
That's the word on the street. Hextall/Burke didn't hire Sullivan and Pittsburgh may tear it all down and press the reset button. They have one of the weakest farm systems in the NHL,
and some of the least depth in all of the NHL.
I wonder if Crosby is moved. that would be more likely IMO than even Eichel or McDavid (if he wants to be).
that doesn't mean he won't be fired, but I'd be shocked.
That team massively overachieved
That's the word on the street. Hextall/Burke didn't hire Sullivan and Pittsburgh may tear it all down and press the reset button. They have one of the weakest farm systems in the NHL,
and some of the least depth in all of the NHL.
I wonder if Crosby is moved. that would be more likely IMO than even Eichel or McDavid (if he wants to be).
4 more years at $8.7M, but obviously a NMC.
I don’t think they move Crosby, but their D is awful and you have a lot of players who look good because of their linemates (Jake Geuntzel). The best line all series for Pens was Carter centering Zucker and Kapanen because they all could match physical play, but they still can skate and were not afraid to shoot the puck. Letang gets away with a lot that should be called penalties and Doumilon is good for one boneheaded play per game even though he is still their best defensive defenseman.
And if Mike Sullivan is let go, I'm hoping the Habs are the first ones on the phone. IMIO one of the best coaches in the league.
The Canadians won't hire him. He can't speak French, as far as I know :P . I don't know if Boudreau can speak French either, but he certainly has the last name!
But you have to ask yourself why have the Penguins faced three straight first round exits when they have two generational players in Crosby and Malkin, granted both are up there in age. I would imagine the same questions are being asked of Dave Tippett right now, except McDavid and Drai are very young and produced exceptionally this season.
Coming off a year of injury and playoff ineffectiveness, with a $9.5M cap hit has any trade value at all. I’d think the Penguins would need to eat a lot of that salary just to get someone to listen.
Coming off a year of injury and playoff ineffectiveness, with a $9.5M cap hit has any trade value at all. I’d think the Penguins would need to eat a lot of that salary just to get someone to listen.
I agree, if they do "burn it down" and can't find a trade partner I wonder if they buy him out.
Coming off a year of injury and playoff ineffectiveness, with a $9.5M cap hit has any trade value at all. I’d think the Penguins would need to eat a lot of that salary just to get someone to listen.
I agree, if they do "burn it down" and can't find a trade partner I wonder if they buy him out.
Do Ovi and Malkin still hate each other? Because Malkin would seem like a good fit in Washington.
Rangers obviously need C, but I would hope Drury steers clear
really seemed to comes down to the goaltending. They controlled play the last two games and dominated scoring chances. Jarry was horrific. Based on the quality of chances, the Islanders has 1.99 expected goals last night and Jarry let in 5. Says it all. If they want to fire Sullivan because of that, then absolutely the Rangers should be on the line immediately.
And if Mike Sullivan is let go, I'm hoping the Habs are the first ones on the phone. IMIO one of the best coaches in the league.
The Canadians won't hire him. He can't speak French, as far as I know :P . I don't know if Boudreau can speak French either, but he certainly has the last name!
But you have to ask yourself why have the Penguins faced three straight first round exits when they have two generational players in Crosby and Malkin, granted both are up there in age. I would imagine the same questions are being asked of Dave Tippett right now, except McDavid and Drai are very young and produced exceptionally this season.
The Pens made a big mistake trading a 2nd round pick to Vegas so they'd take MAF and kept Matt Murray.
And they kept trading top draft picks for marginal players at the deadline to keep the pulse of the corpse alive.
They have had 2, a whopping 2, 1st round picks since 2012.
and one of them was Kasperi Kapanen who they just traded a 1st round pick to re-acquire lol.
And they have no 1st round pick this year.
1st round picks in the NHL are gold, overwhelmingly higher odds of reaching the NHL and bigger drop off after round 1 than most sports.
BTW, if this isn't more evidence that the Rangers will go gritty
You have both the Islanders and Bruins advancing. Drury has definitely noticed.
And speaking of which, I really hope they keep these divisions. New York vs. Boston and New York vs. Philadelphia (and NY vs. Washington to a lesser extent) deserve to be in every sport. Keep the Bruins in the same division as the Rangers and Islanders. Fuck the Hurricanes and fuck the Sabres.
You have both the Islanders and Bruins advancing. Drury has definitely noticed.
And speaking of which, I really hope they keep these divisions. New York vs. Boston and New York vs. Philadelphia (and NY vs. Washington to a lesser extent) deserve to be in every sport. Keep the Bruins in the same division as the Rangers and Islanders. Fuck the Hurricanes and fuck the Sabres.
I’d love to keep the divisions how they are this year going forward and move to a 1-8 seeded playoff with the conference rotating each year. Year 1 could be east/central, then year 2 east/north and year 3 east/west.
Def feel like Buffalo and Boston are more natural rivals in the east compared to Carolina and Columbus.
the Pens have only a 2nd and 5th in this draft (plus some 7th's) and already traded a 3rd and 4th in 2022.
I don't put a ton of value in 3rd and 4th round picks, but they can help you move up in the first or 2nd round and can help add at the deadline - which is apparently what PIT has been doing - ineffectively.
RE: RE: BTW, if this isn't more evidence that the Rangers will go gritty
You have both the Islanders and Bruins advancing. Drury has definitely noticed.
And speaking of which, I really hope they keep these divisions. New York vs. Boston and New York vs. Philadelphia (and NY vs. Washington to a lesser extent) deserve to be in every sport. Keep the Bruins in the same division as the Rangers and Islanders. Fuck the Hurricanes and fuck the Sabres.
I’d love to keep the divisions how they are this year going forward and move to a 1-8 seeded playoff with the conference rotating each year. Year 1 could be east/central, then year 2 east/north and year 3 east/west.
Def feel like Buffalo and Boston are more natural rivals in the east compared to Carolina and Columbus.
RE: BTW, if this isn't more evidence that the Rangers will go gritty
You have both the Islanders and Bruins advancing. Drury has definitely noticed.
And speaking of which, I really hope they keep these divisions. New York vs. Boston and New York vs. Philadelphia (and NY vs. Washington to a lesser extent) deserve to be in every sport. Keep the Bruins in the same division as the Rangers and Islanders. Fuck the Hurricanes and fuck the Sabres.
divisional realignment and a return to the divisional playoff model (as opposed to conference playoffs).
I loved the old Adams division playoff battles. Same with the Norris. the teams seemed to actually hate each other.
but I do not support an all Canada division if it's not necessary.
I actually prefer the conference model (1v8, 2v7, etc) because it leads to more variety in the matchups. It also increases the chance that a better team makes it to the Cup Final, because otherwise the stronger division playoffs knock out good teams early, while the weaker division teams "coast" into the conference finals.
to conference based playoffs there have been 15 I believe 8 vs 1 upsets.
that more than 1 every other year, and in 35 years (so going back another 10 years) only 8 President's Trophy winners won the SCF, so the chances are probably better the #1 seed loses to #8 than wins the cup - with conference style playoffs.
I also like less variety in the playoffs I think it creates rivalries and IMO sports need rivalries.
but everyone has their opinion, and it's not like I feel strongly about it - just that's my opinion
....The best line all series for Pens was Carter centering Zucker and Kapanen because they all could match physical play, but they still can skate and were not afraid to shoot the puck. Letang gets away with a lot that should be called penalties and Doumilon is good for one boneheaded play per game even though he is still their best defensive defenseman.
Agree that, for sure. Carter was a fantastic pickup, exactly who the Rangers should have targeted but their collective mindset was elsewhere, bit of an indictment of Gorton/JD. He would add toughness, veteran savvy, without sacrificing (ha!) scoring threat. Good in the trenches both ways.
And, yes, it was Greene at the same time as Pulock, don't know how I conflated the two, exceot not a close follower of the team until the Bubble last year and forced diet this year.
Cassidy-Trotz, bottom six depth and third pair decent, evenly matched, though it seemed to me that Trotz was trying to limit third pair last night as Pulock and Greene swapped around, got a ton of ice time. Mayfield is damn solid.
Zajac stepped up.
though it seemed to me that Trotz was trying to limit third pair last night as Pulock and Greene swapped around, got a ton of ice time. Mayfield is damn solid.
Zajac stepped up.
Dobson didn't play in the third after getting laid out by Zucker, hence the juggling
1. Owen Power (big Canadian LD)
2. Mason McTavish (Swiss/Canadian C - lit up the U18 for Canada)
3. Kent Johnson (Canadian C)
4. Luke Hughes (USA LD - younger brother of Jack and Quinn - much bigger than both Quinn and Jack)
5. Dylan Guenther (Canadian F)
6. Matty Beniers (USA C, like him a lot)
7. Brandt Clarke (Canadian RD)
8. Brennan Othmann (Swiss/Canadian F - like him too)
9. Matthew Coronato (USA LW - NYC kid, Harvard commit - I like him but I find Harvard commits usually go to school for a few years - like Fox)
10. Cole Sillinger (US/Canadian C - identifies as Canadian)
top 10 NA skaters.
I don't know much about the euros other than:
William Eklund (Swedish F)
Simon Edvinsson (Big Swedish D)
Aatu Raty (Finnish C)
going to be a tough draft - like last year, since no juniors season, no memorial cup, truncated NCAA season, and not a ton of INTL tournaments and some COVID impact.
bonds man, most have been in the kitchen or taking the dog out, missed that, but Dobson was a bit of a liability before going out
Dobson has not been the same player since he came back from COVID. He was playing very well before that layoff and has seemed slower and less decisive since. Hopefully that will not be the case going into next season.
In the meantime I expect he will still play limited minutes the rest of the playoffs. There is nobody behind him who would be an upgrade.
closing out NSH we, as fanr were robbed of a game 7, but regardless we get our first game 7 of the 1st round tonight.
LVG vs MIN @ 9:00, would be an upset to see MIN win.
Tomorrow we have the start of round 2.
with BOS vs NYI @ 8:00
And the continuation of the first round in the North:
MTL vs TOR @ 7:30, Bell Center will have 2500 fans - I believe the first fans in Canada for pro hockey this season.
i thought it was local regulations, but if the league did have a say.....
NHL News
@PuckReportNHL
·
8m
NHL announces that they are no longer requiring fans to wear masks at arenas, starting in Round 2 of the Playoffs, as part of the Guest Experience Protocol
i thought it was local regulations, but if the league did have a say.....
NHL News
@PuckReportNHL
·
8m
NHL announces that they are no longer requiring fans to wear masks at arenas, starting in Round 2 of the Playoffs, as part of the Guest Experience Protocol
and Ontario, how weird it is seeing arenas coming up in CAR NASH Coliseum BOS and in Canadian rinks, mute tarpaulins pulled tight over the rows of seats. Sad
but long stretches of domination in the Isles end in the 2nd spelled an inevitable Brunz win to me.
What stood out 1st and 2nd: almost identical rebounds that Sorokin created--as in deliberate blocker/stick deflections to his right--Pasternak parked there, once he held the puck and held it some more and when Sorokin moved to the near post, Pasternak had a wide open far side as the traffic cleared; the 2nd was more bang bang as the puck deflected to him and snuck it inside near post, as I recall these. Trotz, Sorokin and backline going to have to adjust. But Boston just looked the better, quicker, more alert team.
That PP, that line, always in motion, always playing off one another, no weak link in that chain.
NHL News
@PuckReportNHL
·
10m
Aaron Portzline: “Sources have told The Athletic that the Columbus Blue Jackets, barring a change of heart by Seth Jones, are likely to trade (him) this summer, most likely near the NHL Draft in late July.” #CBJ
NHL News
@PuckReportNHL
·
10m
Aaron Portzline: “Sources have told The Athletic that the Columbus Blue Jackets, barring a change of heart by Seth Jones, are likely to trade (him) this summer, most likely near the NHL Draft in late July.” #CBJ
NHL News
@PuckReportNHL
·
10m
Aaron Portzline: “Sources have told The Athletic that the Columbus Blue Jackets, barring a change of heart by Seth Jones, are likely to trade (him) this summer, most likely near the NHL Draft in late July.” #CBJ
Why can't Columbus literally ever keep a good player?
they said MAF needs rest and being a road game against a high powered offense, they figured getting Lehner in there to try and steal one makes sense with MAF going game 2. At least that's what they said.
Also though, not like lehner is a typical backup, he and MAF won the Jennings.
He has to take one for the team here. They're not coming back in this game. You dont want to put Fleury in at this point you need to get him the night off and Lehner has to just suck it up
He has to take one for the team here. They're not coming back in this game. You dont want to put Fleury in at this point you need to get him the night off and Lehner has to just suck it up
Regardless of how tomorrow turns out the best thing for the Habs is playoff experience and contribution from the young guys.
Suzuki (21) 3 pts in 6 games (OT GW game 5), Kotkaniemi (20) (OT GW game 6) 3 pts in 5 games, Caufield (20) (1 point - sweet OT GW assist in game 5)
Wish Romanov was playing too, but by this amount of experience is worth it IMO vs not making the playoffs. I don't think Ducharme (so far) has earned the job, but I feel like with Julien, - not sure how much PT these guys would be getting.
Regardless of how tomorrow turns out the best thing for the Habs is playoff experience and contribution from the young guys.
Suzuki (21) 3 pts in 6 games (OT GW game 5), Kotkaniemi (20) (OT GW game 6) 3 pts in 5 games, Caufield (20) (1 point - sweet OT GW assist in game 5)
Wish Romanov was playing too, but by this amount of experience is worth it IMO vs not making the playoffs. I don't think Ducharme (so far) has earned the job, but I feel like with Julien, - not sure how much PT these guys would be getting.
Game 7 on tap and you're preemptively brightsiding? Lol
Fuck that. End the Leafs. The hockey internet beseeches you.
Regardless of how tomorrow turns out the best thing for the Habs is playoff experience and contribution from the young guys.
Suzuki (21) 3 pts in 6 games (OT GW game 5), Kotkaniemi (20) (OT GW game 6) 3 pts in 5 games, Caufield (20) (1 point - sweet OT GW assist in game 5)
Wish Romanov was playing too, but by this amount of experience is worth it IMO vs not making the playoffs. I don't think Ducharme (so far) has earned the job, but I feel like with Julien, - not sure how much PT these guys would be getting.
Game 7 on tap and you're preemptively brightsiding? Lol
Fuck that. End the Leafs. The hockey internet beseeches you.
LOL, The Habs were the biggest underdog in the first round, but I think they can win, just saying a lot of positive in it regardless.
I didn't realize that Lehner hadn't played since May 10th, hindsight is of course 2020, but knowing that not sure this was the best game to "keep him sharp"
Jesse Granger
@JesseGranger_
·
4m
DeBoer- "Flower had just played 7 games in 14 days, and an emotional game 7. It was a perfect opportunity in our minds to play our other starter."
He also said they want to keep Lehner sharp, not have him go too long without playing.
TOR VS MTL (Series tied 3 - 3) @ 7:00
BOS vs NYI (BOS leads 1 - 0) @ 7:30
Carey Price has gotten MTL this far, and if they win, I think they can beat WIN (whoever wins this series can beat WIN, but WIN is a little underrated - Schiefele, Connor, Ehlers, PLD, Stastny, Wheeler, Hellebuyck - just not a huge fan of their D).
In comment 15276375 ColHowPepper said:
Quote: Could it possibly have been worth it not to see the Caps and Pens eliminated?/////////
I went to the Galapagos Islands - had a great time.
It was worth it because that also meant the Bruins/Islanders advanced.
Ha, ha.
For real, Brett? Very cool. Went with some buddies and gals to Ecuador during the cholera epidemic spring 1991 (yikes, 30 years ago) just before first anniversary of marriage, wife not with us. Were in Quito (also to Otavalo and points north), but only flights to Galapagos during the plague were military flights and after six days of waiting for something to shake loose, I had to--had to!!--fly back to Miami where my wife was to meet me (we're still together, against all odds) for sojourn to Key West. Never made it. My buddies stayed and hopped on military cargo aircraft couple days after I left. Always regretted not getting there. Hope the getting there and back were not taxing. Damn!
Wonderful scenes from "Master Commander, Far Side of the World" (film Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany based on Patrick O'Brian's novels).
these two teams are both solid in all facets.
shame a softie decided it.
Similar impression, pj. Saw the first two periods (dinner out trumped the 3rd), and both teams so powerful on their skates, so fast. This is why I made comment a few days ago: want to see how the Metro teams left standing compare against teams we've had a steady diet of. I've seen very little of teams in other divisions. You could see CAR sag a bit after the PPG--Brayden Point seems always to come up big in Playoffs--but they regained their equilibrium, and more.
suspension appeal heard by Bettman and remains 8 games.
I wonder what Reaves gets. I do think he will be suspended and while it would not be the same loss to his team that Kadri is for COL or Wilson would be for WAS, he's still really good in his role - pound for pound maybe the best intimidator today, definitely top 5.
In comment 15276375 ColHowPepper said:
Quote: Could it possibly have been worth it not to see the Caps and Pens eliminated?/////////
I went to the Galapagos Islands - had a great time.
It was worth it because that also meant the Bruins/Islanders advanced.
Ha, ha.
For real, Brett? Very cool. Went with some buddies and gals to Ecuador during the cholera epidemic spring 1991 (yikes, 30 years ago) just before first anniversary of marriage, wife not with us. Were in Quito (also to Otavalo and points north), but only flights to Galapagos during the plague were military flights and after six days of waiting for something to shake loose, I had to--had to!!--fly back to Miami where my wife was to meet me (we're still together, against all odds) for sojourn to Key West. Never made it. My buddies stayed and hopped on military cargo aircraft couple days after I left. Always regretted not getting there. Hope the getting there and back were not taxing. Damn!
Wonderful scenes from "Master Commander, Far Side of the World" (film Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany based on Patrick O'Brian's novels).
Funny comment, jaybin!
haha, I was born in '91! It was a lot of flying (I flew into Guayaquil) - my initial flight to Guayaquil had us re-routed to Florida due to volcanic ash, so I wound up sleeping in the airport before finally arriving.
deserves a loss for getting ahead of a potential game 7 loss and softening the blow if it does indeed happy.
Kidding. Kind of
well in my defense, MTL has blown 3 and 2 goal leads the past two games, so nothing is over.
I wasn't softening the blow, a loss is a loss, but when you had the longest odds of the round and you get to game 7 it's not a more victory or anything, but it is an accomplishment - especially for the experience of the young guys (like I said)
haha, I was born in '91! It was a lot of flying (I flew into Guayaquil) - my initial flight to Guayaquil had us re-routed to Florida due to volcanic ash, so I wound up sleeping in the airport before finally arriving.
Stinker!!
We couldn't even get to Guayaquil via military, forget commercial at that time. All the sushi places in Quito boarded up, with cut outs of little gents in tux and tails saying "Lava tus manos".
Boston so physical. When Bruins scarfed Taylor Hall, I urged that it would be significant for them. One who shall remain nameless said, "Hall? Forget it! He's cooked." He's made his presence felt.
Would be huge is Isles could steal one in Beantown. Leafs look fragile.
My comment was made as opposed to missing the playoffs. Many people felt like CAL was going to catch MTL down the stretch and some fans even hoped for that because you get a better draft pick.
I never understand that logic. the difference between pick 12 and 18 (or whatever it is) in the NHL is not worth the playoff experience.
When you have a young team, like MTL core, you look to build on experience like this.
I obviously want them to win 12 more, but my point still stands, the experience is meaningful - especially for the young guys.
Pierre LeBrun
@PierreVLeBrun
·
22m
So the brackets are now set:
Winner of Avs/Golden Knights vs winner of Habs/Jets in one league semifinal.
And winner of Isles/Bruins versus winner of TB/Car in the other league semi.
will be 12k to 15k for games 3 and 4. That should make it plenty loud to give the Isles an advantage.
There is just one person I'd really like to see make an appearance in those games, and that is Mr. Barzal. He is starting to play better these last couple of games, but we can't plan to win playoff series with him simply having a couple of good shifts each night.
in its current state is a tad under 14K. Capacity for games 3 and 4 will be a tad over 12K.
It was plenty loud for game 6 and I expect it to be louder for these next games. Boston is tough but Isles looked a lot better in game 2. I think the last line change will make a difference for the games in NY.
...There is just one person I'd really like to see make an appearance in those games, and that is Mr. Barzal. He is starting to play better these last couple of games, but we can't plan to win playoff series with him simply having a couple of good shifts each night.
Mike, with all respect, acknowledging that you follow Isles closely and I'm an accidental tourist when they play NYR and in the Playoffs, but I thought Barzal had any number of good shifts. Hopefully, his confidence is rising and he'll take more shots on goal. Few d-men can stay with him when he's doing his whirling dervish thing, needs to translate that into shots with good angles and a bit less traffic in front.
Lost in the drama, Rask was very good last night, arguably can't fault him on any of the goals.
is injured. No idea what specifically, but Cassidy said he's not 100%.
I only caught the 3rd period (and in between periods of the Habs Leafs) but Barzal looked great to me. Eberle missed two or three high quality chances off great feeds from Barzal.
RE: RE: I challenge any person on earth to give me a logical explanation
Atlanta Thrashers
@NotThrashers
·
12h
The Thrashers and Leafs have advanced to the second round the same number of times since 2004
Ooof.
The Rangers no longer own the longest Cup drought in league history, so we've got that going for us.....which is nice.
Yep beat me to it. Leafs are now past their 54th year with no cup. Worse, they have endured some seriously awful playoff futility the last 17 years, even worse than what the Rangers were going through in the years leading up to 94.
Turns 37 in November. He may have had a real shot if he wasn't yanked around in PIT and VGK didn't split time.
Brodeur was starting 75+ games a year. No goalie touches that number anymore.
Plus his team was a perennial contender. Perfect storm.
Even if he wasn't dicked around (and he deserved it in PIT IMO - when he was on he was great, but when he wasn't he couldn't stop a beach ball - and some of those "when he wasn't" games were in the playoffs. Murray was simply better IMO) I don't think MAF passes Brodeur, but who knows he seems to be getting better with age.
I don't think we've met the goalie who will break Brodeur's record yet. Maybe Askarov if he doesn't stay in Russia too long.
I'd say Vasilevsky has a shot but he only starts 50-55 games a year.
Vasilevsky is the next one I was thinking. He's at 190, had a few seasons cut short. He took the reigns in 2016, really, so a little bit of a late start at 22.
Can someone like Spencer Knight do it? He's joining the team just as it's about to enter contender status (or should, IMO).
You have the win inflation from the shootouts partially off-setting the decline in starts. MAF had the right profile for the guy to break it but was too inconsistent - he got started early, was on good teams, etc.
Vasilevsky is the next one I was thinking. He's at 190, had a few seasons cut short. He took the reigns in 2016, really, so a little bit of a late start at 22.
Can someone like Spencer Knight do it? He's joining the team just as it's about to enter contender status (or should, IMO).
You have the win inflation from the shootouts partially off-setting the decline in starts. MAF had the right profile for the guy to break it but was too inconsistent - he got started early, was on good teams, etc.
Absolutely, I think the world of Spencer Knight, but he'd need to be named "the guy" soon and with Bobrovsky signed their long term I don't see Knight being given enough starts early enough.
I wonder if they try and work out a trade to Seattle.
Of course he also has a NMC, so he'd need to agree and everyone is different, and I think Seattle is a cool city (or was when I was there 8 or 9 years ago) but it's not Miami.
I can see Bobrovsky going along with it if it looks like he's only going to get 20 starts a year in Florida. I think players still care about playing time.
I'd hate to see the Leafs get Jones, but I wouldn't mind seeing Marner dealt even though he had a bad series.
As I said earlier, somebody is going to overpay for Seth. I'd be happy to see the Leafs do it. Highly doubt they would. They're heavy into analytics, and most advanced stats paint Jones as very good but not elite. He's a flashpoint in the eye test VS fancies arguments.
analytics to be as meaningful as some people. A data point, yes, but I'm not sure they tell a complete story.
it's such a team game with so many variables and individuals can only do so much and it's nearly impossible to isolate the one individuals impact to the results.
analytics can say what they will, but I would overpay for Jones (as opposed to Eichel for example who I also like).
But I also think there's a heavy cognitive bias for prototype attributes. You watch Columbus, you notice Jones. Size, skating, shot, physicality...all the tools are there. "wow look at that big guy rushing the puck" then ignoring that his crossing pass resulted in a turnover. You are impressed by him rubbing out a forward, but that play didn't result in possession. Things like that are where fancy stats help.
But I also think there's a heavy cognitive bias for prototype attributes. You watch Columbus, you notice Jones. Size, skating, shot, physicality...all the tools are there. "wow look at that big guy rushing the puck" then ignoring that his crossing pass resulted in a turnover. You are impressed by him rubbing out a forward, but that play didn't result in possession. Things like that are where fancy stats help.
right, I agree, but what's lost is the nuance. Unless Jones had an obvious outlet maybe it's the forward who was in the wrong spot, maybe Jones took a bad pass from D to D and had no time to find the outlet, maybe a forward made a bad a change, etc. there is just so much contextual stuff that happens I think analytics tell you what happened but not why.
If I'm the Leafs and decide to trade Marner, I look at something like Kreider and Buchnevich for Marner+ (this trade probably won't work for either team, just the type of caliber I'm looking for since I know NYR best). Look for two top six wingers instead of one elite guy. And you'll probably have to take some risk here and go for a 2nd or 3rd year guy.
Marner was brutal last night. Leafs Twitter says he was brutal all series.
If I'm the Leafs and decide to trade Marner, I look at something like Kreider and Buchnevich for Marner+ (this trade probably won't work for either team, just the type of caliber I'm looking for since I know NYR best). Look for two top six wingers instead of one elite guy. And you'll probably have to take some risk here and go for a 2nd or 3rd year guy.
Marner was brutal last night. Leafs Twitter says he was brutal all series.
Yeah, he was bad, but Matthews was too.
At some level you have to give Philip Danault some credit. He got abused on the dots, but held Matthews (and his line) to 2 goals in 7 games (1 for Matthews and 1 for Hyman).
Matthews and Marner combined to shoot 2%. 1 goal in 47 shots. Marner hasn't scored in something like 18 playoff games.
At some level you have to give Philip Danault some credit.
Absolute defensive stud. If the selke were actually about defense and not scorer who also plays defense, he would be nominated. Heaviest D zone starts in the league against elite players and he shuts them down. Nothing against Stone or Barkov, they're great two-way players, but guys like Danault and Eriksson-Ek should be receiving these awards.
is injured. No idea what specifically, but Cassidy said he's not 100%.
I only caught the 3rd period (and in between periods of the Habs Leafs) but Barzal looked great to me. Eberle missed two or three high quality chances off great feeds from Barzal.
Barzal looked good last night. Likely the best he has looked in a while. But they need his line coverting some chances. The Bruins are now lining their top D-pair against the Nelson line. They have to make then pay for that, and so far they haven't.
The two biggest stars to come into the game in the last 5-6 years
is happy that
Crosby
Malkin
Ovechkin
McDavid
Draisaitl
Matthews
Marner
and more...are home watching.
those are some of the biggest stars in the league
In other news I heard Malkin is aggressively "on the block"
Not surprised. Guy takes a litany of dumb penalties, and plays virtually no defense. He's become a strictly PP guy and I don't know how many teams can afford to have a scoring C/wing on the downside of his career who isn't top 6, doesn't take the body and misses time every season.
If I'm the Leafs and decide to trade Marner, I look at something like Kreider and Buchnevich for Marner+ (this trade probably won't work for either team, just the type of caliber I'm looking for since I know NYR best). Look for two top six wingers instead of one elite guy. And you'll probably have to take some risk here and go for a 2nd or 3rd year guy.
Marner was brutal last night. Leafs Twitter says he was brutal all series.
I like Marner. But is he really that much of an upgrade at 2C, and is he really worth $12M per year? I'd steer clear.
Marner usually plays wing - no, he's not a fit on the Rangers. A team like the Islanders should be gunning hard for him, though.
No chance. The flat cap (and Ill advised contracts) have the isles in cap squeeze. Toews was a huge casualty and there will be more.
I like Marner, but the playoffs are a different game and he doesn't want to go to the hard areas. It's more egregious when you watch slight little guys like Gallagher, Pageau, and Point play net front or along the wall with no fear.
I don't know how much I believe in guys who can't get it done in the playoffs - I think it's a learning process.
I love Barkov - why won't he re-sign in FL? Do they have cap issues?
He's heading into the last season of his contract (limited NMC). FLA has been trying to extend him, but he's put it off, publicly stating he wants to make see them put pieces in places to build a winning organization. FLA also up against the cap. They were just under the cap this season and will have about $10 million heading into next season, but have only 24 players under contract. Duclair and Bennett (4th overall from 2014) Juulsen (26th overall from 2015) are all RFA and are due raises. FLA will likely try to keep at least 2 of the 3 and that'll chip away.
This is all assuming they're not able to get dump Yandle (34 - 2 yrs remaining @ $6.3M - woof) and Stralman (34 - one year @ $5.5M - double woof).
was a waiver claim from MTL. He played 4 games. They thought his career was over when he took two pucks to the face in the same game as a rookie with the habs. He had vision issues, concussion issues, and I loved his potential but he just hasn't been able to come back. so far.
I don't think he's a priority re-sign.
Duclair is a journeyman at this point. He's 25 and the Panthers are his 6th NHL team. Also not a priority re-sign IMO. I do like Duclair, but at what cost? Not a lot IMO even coming off a good season.
I do think they will try and re-sign Bennett, probably a bridge deal, since he was just acquired this past trade deadline (for a 2nd round pick), but that should be a positive for Barkov, not a negative.
I think Yandle is a better buyout candidate than trade, but Stralman with just one year left at slightly less money I can see being moved.
Seattle changes a lot - kick them a draft pick and maybe they take a player like Nutivaara.
Either way, I don't think the cap condition is a reason to trade Barkov and if he is moved I think it would probably be next year's deadline, but if they can't re-sign him and they know that who knows what they'll do - I already think the Bobrovski contract is a firable offense, but Zito inherited that, he didn't create it.
And as I mentioned before - getting Bobrovsky to Seattle might be worth a 1st round pick - it opens up a ton of cap for the foreseeable future and Driedger and Knight are both better bets than Bob going forward.
I could be wrong, but I believe Barkov is UFA after this coming season. Pretty certain it's either resign him or deal him before the season kicks off (probably their best return) or at the deadline.
And I'm not suggesting the cap situation is the reason they deal him. I do believe he wants out of FLA and will force their hand.
If he wants out, and forces a trade that's one thing. but it's not like FLA is BUF, there is some talent in FLA and some success.
the Panthers very quietly were 3 pts off the Presidents Trophy pace and tied for 3rd in the league in ROW. They were 1 point behind CAR for the division. + 36 goal differential.
Obviously getting bounced 1st round in the playoffs is disappointing, but not TOR disappointing. If I'm Barkov I'm encouraged.
this format hurt them more than some other teams with them having to play TBL in the first round - and they finished ahead of TBL.
Duclair is 25. I wouldn't knock him for not finding his game yet and he asked to be traded out of ARI.
His production has steadily increased in each of the last few seasons. I'd gladly take him back in place of a guys like PDG, Rooney, Gauthier who're positively mediocre. At least Duclair can impact the game with his speed. A Chytil, Barron, Duclair pairing would be a nice little line with some scoring umph.
Duclair is 25. I wouldn't knock him for not finding his game yet and he asked to be traded out of ARI.
His production has steadily increased in each of the last few seasons. I'd gladly take him back in place of a guys like PDG, Rooney, Gauthier who're positively mediocre. At least Duclair can impact the game with his speed. A Chytil, Barron, Duclair pairing would be a nice little line with some scoring umph.
Absolutely over those guys on the Rangers - easy decision, like I said I like him, but at what cost? Not at the cost of Barkov. which just makes him not a priority signing. But i'd try and make it work.
John Shannon
@JShannonhl
·
1m
This is the 8th time that the Lightning have led 2-0 in a best of 7 series...in the previous 7...they have won all of them.
With the exception of those last 2 minutes. They looked and played like shit last night.
It is an on going theme with this group from the last few playoff seasons.
The opponent plays a style that forces Carolina out of their game which uses speed and puck control. Boston did it by pounding them.(so did Nashville starting the last two games of the season.
The Lightning are just boxing them out allowing Vasilevskiy (who is already the best goalie in the league) to see every shot. Then the Canes panic and cannot get back into a grove. They play hesitant. Then the crisp passing and accurate shooting disappears. They just start shooting hap hazard at the net hoping for a break.
As a fan it is frustrating. They need to play their game and grind it out. Force Tampa to take chances instead of the other way around.
On another note the fact that the Lightning played games with the cap and the Long Term Injury Reserve (LTIR) which has allowed them to spend an extra 12 million over the cap for their playoff roster is a joke.
but it was kind of risky playing the entire regular season without their best player (if you can allow Kucherov and not Point, Hedman or Vasilevsky is their best player).
Some teams wouldn't make the post-season doing that.
and also to play devil's advocate, Kucherov did have hip surgery. If you want to argue Gaborik and Nilsson were "games" that I agree with, but those are the rules. Any team could have done it - sort of like how Chris Pronger was being traded for his contract after he'd been out of the league for years but on the IL permanently.
draft lottery tonight - if you scroll up I shared a chart with odds for all lottery teams.
Two games tonight:
WIN vs MTL (game 1) @ 7:30
COL vs LVG (COL leads 1 - 0) @ 10:00
Also for the record for the people preferring the old conference style playoffs due to variety: in two of the 4 divisions #1 and #2 seeds were eliminated so we're left with #3 vs #4.
Hopefully not NHL Network, which I don't get (refuse to pay any premium to scummy Optimum). How would you seed the finalists, given that Canada missing huge chunk of their heavyweights?
Hopefully not NHL Network, which I don't get (refuse to pay any premium to scummy Optimum). How would you seed the finalists, given that Canada missing huge chunk of their heavyweights?
Sorry bud, NHL Network.
No idea, none of the teams have their heavyweights.
USA heavyweights are Colin Blackwell and Ryan Donato - Brian Boyle and Adam Clendening. None of those guys would sniff team USA - those are the biggest names - maybe Justin Abdelkader too - a lot of young guys/journeymen.
Canada heavyweights are Adam Henrique and Andrew Mangiapane.
Both the US and Canada have some interesting youngsters. Both countries top prospects (Matty Beniers and Owen Power respectively are playing)
I'd say Russia has the most talent:
Tarasenko
Orlov
Provorov
Zadorov
Grigorenko
Nesterov
draft lottery tonight - if you scroll up I shared a chart with odds for all lottery teams.
So Arizona was docked their 1st round pick, but is still included in the lottery, so they'll just redo the drawing if it's Arizona. Couldn't they (shouldn't they) just... take Arizona out to start with? Is this just the NHL doing something that doesn't make a lot of sense, or is there some reason for doing it this way? Adjusting the drawing so all the other teams' odds relative to each other would be unchanged isn't very advanced math.
draft lottery tonight - if you scroll up I shared a chart with odds for all lottery teams.
So Arizona was docked their 1st round pick, but is still included in the lottery, so they'll just redo the drawing if it's Arizona. Couldn't they (shouldn't they) just... take Arizona out to start with? Is this just the NHL doing something that doesn't make a lot of sense, or is there some reason for doing it this way? Adjusting the drawing so all the other teams' odds relative to each other would be unchanged isn't very advanced math.
I don't know why they're included, I hope they keep winning and forcing redraws.
Can't wait for the Rangers to win the lottery again.
Not sure this is the year to flip out if you win the draft lottery. Owen Power does look like a pretty good player and any team would love to add Beniers but I don't think they are head and shoulders above others below them nor do I think they are kids that likely go top 3 last year (maybe even not top 5).
But on the plus side, while missing the wow factor, the top 9 or 10 is pretty flat and those teams like the Rangers and Ottawa are in a pretty decent spot to get a nice player where they sit.
But I think the NHL put in a rule about winning consecutive lotteries?
Have you seen highlights of Matvei Michkov? Between him and Wright we might be looking at some insane #1 picks the next two years.
I watched a lot of the U18's.
Between Michkov and Connor Bedard I couldn't decide who I liked more for the '23 draft.
and Wright ('22) also put on a show.
I wish Michkoiv and Bedard were bigger, but they're still just 16 so should still grow.
and I agree the next few drafts are loaded.
This year's draft, unlike some past recent drafts, has a lot of D in the top half of the first round.
One of my buddies from growing up, his son will be in the '22 draft (BC commit). I have kids older than that (by a year), but that makes me feel older than my own kids ages, lol. Probably because I still watch the draft waiting for my name to be called.
But I think the NHL put in a rule about winning consecutive lotteries?
Have you seen highlights of Matvei Michkov? Between him and Wright we might be looking at some insane #1 picks the next two years.
I watched a lot of the U18's.
Between Michkov and Connor Bedard I couldn't decide who I liked more for the '23 draft.
and Wright ('22) also put on a show.
I wish Michkoiv and Bedard were bigger, but they're still just 16 so should still grow.
and I agree the next few drafts are loaded.
This year's draft, unlike some past recent drafts, has a lot of D in the top half of the first round.
One of my buddies from growing up, his son will be in the '22 draft (BC commit). I have kids older than that (by a year), but that makes me feel older than my own kids ages, lol. Probably because I still watch the draft waiting for my name to be called.
I think 09 was my draft year (August '91 birthday, which I'm sure you already have memorized) - it's been depressing every since.
Scheifele was acting like an ass most of the period after he took that penalty. I love the physicality of hockey, I hate these plays. " I'm pissed off and frustrated so let me inflict CTE on my opponent." No respect.
so lethal especially on the PP and their speed forces you to take penalties.
Watching Toews and Connor Clifton a couple days ago it's no wonder Quinnipiac was so good with those two on the blue line together for three years - so good with the puck and physical when they need to be.
Almost like McAvoy and Grzelcyk (not physical, but a smooth skater) light.
I'd give Scheifele seven games. I expect him to get two or three.
Agree. But if he comes back in this series, he will be forced to answer for his actions.
Joel Edmunson said
Quote:
“Yeah, it was a dirty hit but the league's going to take care of it,” Edmundson said. “If he gets back in the series we're going to make his life miserable, but I think the league's going to do a good job with that.”
sugar coating it. In measured terms he did not whitewash it: 'an unusual play', yes, but a 'heavy hit'.
I hope the League suspends him from the balance of the Series. Yes, the distance traveled in the charge is taken into account, in this case, at least from center ice to Jets' net, and that might be mitigated IF, IF, Schieffle had made the slightest attempt to play the puck.
There was not a shred of playing the puck, so no mitigation whatsoever that the play inherently involved that distance. Brutal and calculated hit.
sugar coating it. In measured terms he did not whitewash it: 'an unusual play', yes, but a 'heavy hit'.
I hope the League suspends him from the balance of the Series. Yes, the distance traveled in the charge is taken into account, in this case, at least from center ice to Jets' net, and that might be mitigated IF, IF, Schieffle had made the slightest attempt to play the puck.
There was not a shred of playing the puck, so no mitigation whatsoever that the play inherently involved that distance. Brutal and calculated hit.
CHP, agreed. People on Twitter are saying the actual hit (i.e., the last three feet) were clean. It misses the point: he skated ~170 feet to hit the guy and made no play on the puck.
He had a better chance of preventing a goal if he played the puck. It's dirty. Seeing a max of five games upsets me.
it was a unique play. The distance thing he's right, Sheifele was (in theory) trying to prevent an ENG in a 1-goal game. He had to skate that distance to get there.
but anyone with a brain can see he realized he was not going to prevent the goal, got frustrated, and said F-it - I'm going to blow up Evans.
He deserves a suspension, but part of me wants him back in the series to get his medicine.
MTL doesn't have a goon like Reaves or Wilson but they have guys who can fight and Shiefele deserves what he gets.
MTL is a chemistry team though (sum of the parts greater than the individuals and while Jake Evans is a loss teams should be able to withstand, he's a top 6 forward for them, plays on the PK, and is a tough SOB to play against, so who knows how they respond). I hope it galvanizes them.
WPG is down Scheifele, Stastny, and DeMelo. Poolman and Stanley are terribad but now will see more minutes plus Benn will draw in on D. Have to feel good if you're the Habs.
Sheifele was reckless and deserves a suspension but
there were 60 seconds left and there isn't a coach on the planet who doesn't want their player skating full tilt in that situation to try to prevent the goal. It started as a critical hockey play and ended as a reckless hit that was dangerous and deserving of punishment. Kind of like an NBA player intentionally fouling a guy on a fast break in that everyone would acknowledge fouling was the right play but that injuring on contact is too reckless.
the context of the situation however makes it a lot more understandable than other dirty hits where players were injured when skating routinely through the neutral zone or battling in a corner on a regular shift in the middle of a game. The context doesn't make it excusable, just frustrating that the NHL has put themselves in the business of making excuses so often the outcomes rarely seem logical.
WPG is down Scheifele, Stastny, and DeMelo. Poolman and Stanley are terribad but now will see more minutes plus Benn will draw in on D. Have to feel good if you're the Habs.
true, no complaints, but the Habs were already down Drouin Lehkonen, and Tatar, losing another top 6 forward (who is on PK unit) (Evans was playing on the 1st line with Danault and Gallagher and playing legit shutdown D) for them , when they are already not a deep team hurts.
I can't imagine Evans plays again this playoffs, and if it's another concussion his career may be in jeopardy. He was just coming into his own after an early career filled with injuries.
there were 60 seconds left and there isn't a coach on the planet who doesn't want their player skating full tilt in that situation to try to prevent the goal.
But that's what made it so egregious - he might have been able to prevent the goal with a poke check, but he made no effort to do so. His intent was 100% to hammer Evans, not to prevent the goal.
RE: RE: Sheifele was reckless and deserves a suspension but
there were 60 seconds left and there isn't a coach on the planet who doesn't want their player skating full tilt in that situation to try to prevent the goal.
But that's what made it so egregious - he might have been able to prevent the goal with a poke check, but he made no effort to do so. His intent was 100% to hammer Evans, not to prevent the goal.
He definitely intended to hammer Evans because he hammered him. Do you think he thought there was a better way to stop the goal and intentionally didn't do it?
Obviously there's no way to know for sure what was in his head but from a purely "keep puck out of net" standpoint I can see why trying to poke check the puck away from the net in exactly the opposite direction he was skating 20+ mph towards the net seems unlikely. So I think it's a least arguable that his best chance at preventing the goal was winning the foot race to the spot (which he obviously ended up losing).
off with the intent of trying to stop the goal, but I also think at some point during his chase he realized he could not prevent Evans from scoring and decided he was instead going to blow up Evans out of frustration.
Obviously none of us are in Scheifele's head, but I think that's a reasonable accounting of what happened.
off with the intent of trying to stop the goal, but I also think at some point during his chase he realized he could not prevent Evans from scoring and decided he was instead going to blow up Evans out of frustration.
Obviously none of us are in Scheifele's head, but I think that's a reasonable accounting of what happened.
Agreed. There's no defense of the outcome, it was reckless regardless of intent.
Agreed. There's no defense of the outcome, it was reckless regardless of intent.
Eric, your posts are all over the place on this. Let me fix your last sentence: "it was with reckless disregard of the consequences," sometimes phrased in the law as a wanton disregard, which is can be and often is culpable in a criminal context.
I called my wife's attention to the replays last night: she, as I, was horrified as we sat looking at Evans' seemingly lifeless body lying crumpled in distorted position. She asked if he could, outside the hockey context, be prosecuted. I replied, and pj can correct me, that there have been attempts to prosecute in the courts for reckless or wanton acts on the ice. Maybe there have been out-of-court settlements? I just don't follow the aftermaths that closely--we're talking 25-30 years or more of some really bad behavior on the ice.
a Habs fan once called 911 (or the Canadian version) when Chara hit Max Pacioretty into the stanchion near the penalty box (intentionally) and Max was knocked unconscious.
and yes, on occasion players have been charged legally for action on the ice (Bertuzzi, McSorley, Dino Ciccarelli -off the top of my head), but I don't think this is that level.
pj, just for the record, re. my comment on Maurice above,
It was only my first para there where I attempted to summarize his position based on the clip shown during the Knights-Avs game.
The rest of the comment was my assessment of the hit and context, coupled with a graphic that was shown during the PG or between games report per Keith Jones/Anson Carter, which showed the NHL rule on charging, which expressly takes into account the distance traveled. That dovetailed, I think, with Maurice's comment to effect it was an unusual play.
I'd not seen Scheifele play for any length of play cuz Jets haven't made it much to national TV that I've watched. I just knew he was good. Last night inalterably colors my view of him, perhaps unfairly.
and he was absolutely frustrated last night and it got the better of him.
the refs were bad (not just against MTL) there was one net front scrim where Scheifele wound up in the box, and I still don't know how just he wound up with the penalty, but I'm sure that added to his frustration.
Either way, hearing is going on now or is over, we should hear about any suspension or lack of soon.
who had Scheifele in a headlock behind the net before they both tumbled to the ice in a kind of bear hug made no sense to me either, with only Scheifele being penalized, should have been called roughing minors for both. But that was quite a number of minutes iirc before he laid out Evans. As you noted above, one fears for not only the rest of the SCP but his career, his life, given the prior history. Hope to hear that he is released from the hospital soon.
Matt Porter
@mattyports
·
39s
Calder Trophy finalists are the same three on my ballot.
Kaprizov
Robertson
Nedeljkovic
Having looked at zero stats I feel like Kaprizov should run away with this. He is 24 years old, which is old for a rookie I guess, but not Hideki Matsui old.
which I guess I am, but his eyes, his arms--no extension of his stick--his skating line, it's all about mayhem against Evans' body. There is absolutely no ambiguity about his 'intent' https://twitter.com/i/status/1400289054399287296
the commentary on the hit from 28 years ago is interesting. McSorley was sent packing, but this struck me as way more within the bounds of old time, hard hitting hockey than last night https://youtu.be/mUVl7qqmaAY
CHP, I'll confess it took me a few re-watches to realize how bad the hit was. The initial close-up just made it look so quick. The actual hit was clean. Him skating the full-length of the ice and not even going for the puck makes it so egregious.
I'm with Fraser. I want lengthy suspensions for this type of stuff.
....Him skating the full-length of the ice and not even going for the puck makes it so egregious.
I'm with Fraser. I want lengthy suspensions for this type of stuff.
Brett, the amazing thing to me is how many tweets in response to Doogs and Kerry Fraser (imo pretty much the gold standard) defend Scheifele saying it was a hockey play, Evans should have had his head up, so he was partially responsible, Scheifele was trying to prevent the ENG. Crazy stuff, so portable to other s..t going on in our lives.
he'll miss the rest of this series as it will go 5 games with the Jets winning the next 4. There's no way the Hockey Gods can let PJ get away with trying to soften the blow the night before game 7 of Leafs-Canadiens if they lost. Hockey karma needs to get him
Marchand, I couldn't tell if that was a soft goal in OT or a great shot and the more I watch it, that's maybe soft, I mean Varlamov should have been in position, but man that is an elite shot.
such a shitty person, but such a good player. I hate him.
I had my own game, so only caught the Bruins OT (at the rink).
Two games tonight:
WIN vs MTL (MTL leads 1 - 0) @ 7:30
LVG vs COL (COL leads 2 - 0) @ 10:00
COL won both at home (obviously) and I read a crazy stat - in their last 20 games at home (playoffs and reg season) COL is 19 - 0 - 1 (or something like that).
Marchand, I couldn't tell if that was a soft goal in OT or a great shot and the more I watch it, that's maybe soft, I mean Varlamov should have been in position, but man that is an elite shot.
such a shitty person, but such a good player. I hate him.
It was a great shot and it was a soft goal. Varlamov actually seemed to duck out of the way of the floating, oddly spinning puck. I might be alone, but as replay after regrettable replay were shown, it seemed to me that either the forward who was checking Marchand along the far boards or the d-man planted in front of the crease--I think the latter--gave a WTF smirk, how could my keeper not keep that out? All that said, from that angle, to catch that upper left corner was crazy good, stuff he does every day in practice as a WTF shot, w/o thinking twice about it.
I think Trotz goes with Sirokin on Saturday.
can't bench Varlamov - he almost stole them 2 in a row
the OT goal sucks but 99/100 times that crazy angle shot goes in short side - not far side. The priority for every goalie in that situation is lock down the short side and make sure there's no daylight at all.
How Marchand got it in far side from that angle I have no idea, especially since it was basically a no look shot. And I have no idea what Varlamov is supposed to do differently because anything to expand his positioning to cover the far side of the net has an immediate trade off short side (which is where the danger is).
tip cap, move on, it's like a 6 or 7 game series no matter what and Boston has played well enough to deserve to be the team up 2-1.
Agreed. There's no defense of the outcome, it was reckless regardless of intent.
Eric, your posts are all over the place on this. Let me fix your last sentence: "it was with reckless disregard of the consequences," sometimes phrased in the law as a wanton disregard, which is can be and often is culpable in a criminal context.
I missed this but I don't agree that my posts are all over the place - 2 things can be true at once.
1. The contact was dangerous and dirty, worthy of suspension. To steal your phrase and legal positioning the consequences (injured player) aggravated what the punishment should be as well.
2. Separate from the contact, everything leading up to the hit, including the decision to skate full tilt to play the man and dislodge him from the puck, IMO was the correct hockey play.
The latter (2) does not excuse the former (1) - but it puts the entire incident in a different context than other suspension worthy plays (Turgeon/Hunter being on the opposite end of the spectrum).
I tried and apparently failed to use an NBA analogy so i'll try football this time. Imagine 60 seconds left, Cowboys are driving to put the game away and on 3rd down Jabrill Peppers has a dead sprint from across the field to try to dislodge a pass into the end zone intended for Ceedee Lamb. Lamb looks to have a half step on him and Peppers doesn't think he can tip the pass away so he goes full tilt to separate the man from the ball before completing the catch. In the process he gets there a half second late, makes contact with Lamb's head, and knocks him out cold. Ends up a clear targeting penalty.
Since that's a football play with the game on the line isn't it a lot more understandable than the typical Vontaze Burfict type suspension worthy play?
2. Separate from the contact, everything leading up to the hit, including the decision to skate full tilt to play the man and dislodge him from the puck, IMO was the correct hockey play.
The latter (2) does not excuse the former (1) - but it puts the entire incident in a different context than other suspension worthy plays (Turgeon/Hunter being on the opposite end of the spectrum)....
The problem I have with your premise is, in para #2, 'to dislodge him from the puck'. I stay away from 'intent' because ascribing intent (or lack thereof) is inherently subjective or projective. For me, there is simply nothing in his full rink skate, the angle, the timing (a nod to the Peppers example), that his stick was not extended for a poke check, that comports with a hockey play, so for me context doesn't rescue Scheifele, as per earlier comment:
Quote:
the context of the situation however makes it a lot more understandable than other dirty hits where players were injured when skating routinely through the neutral zone or battling in a corner on a regular shift in the middle of a game. The context doesn't make it excusable, just frustrating that the NHL has put themselves in the business of making excuses so often the outcomes rarely seem logical.
He was a bad actor, in the sense both that he was an agent of severe injury and, if he was attempting to hang his hat on context, of a hockey play, he would be booed off the stage.
In re-reading your posts, though, saying all over the place is too harsh.
doesn't really work with hockey and doesn't really apply in this case anyway.
In a situation like this the way 99% of players would separate the player from the puck is not by hitting them, it's with their stick. They would poke check the puck away - they would use the body in cases along the boards or in some rare open ice cases, but not in this situation.
If Scheifele made even a slight attempt with his stick to knock the puck away from Evans that might be a case he could make.
But he did not. It's almost 100% certainty that Scheifele was sprinting toward Evans to prevent the empty net goal (a selfless hockey play and one no one disputes or faults him for trying to prevent an empty net goal) but during his approach resigned himself to the fact he would not be able to stop Evans from scoring and changed from trying to dislodge the puck from Evans stick to trying to blow Evans up. There was no other intent, he clearly knew what he was doing.
Scheifele changed from a hustle play to a dirty, dangerous, and cowardly play out of frustration.
the suspension was about right, I think maybe a little heavy if you use the 1 playoff game = 5 regular season games rule of thumb and the fact Scheifele does not have a track record.
doesn't really work with hockey and doesn't really apply in this case anyway.
In a situation like this the way 99% of players would separate the player from the puck is not by hitting them, it's with their stick. They would poke check the puck away - they would use the body in cases along the boards or in some rare open ice cases, but not in this situation.
If Scheifele made even a slight attempt with his stick to knock the puck away from Evans that might be a case he could make.
But he did not. It's almost 100% certainty that Scheifele was sprinting toward Evans to prevent the empty net goal (a selfless hockey play and one no one disputes or faults him for trying to prevent an empty net goal) but during his approach resigned himself to the fact he would not be able to stop Evans from scoring and changed from trying to dislodge the puck from Evans stick to trying to blow Evans up. There was no other intent, he clearly knew what he was doing.
Scheifele changed from a hustle play to a dirty, dangerous, and cowardly play out of frustration.
the suspension was about right, I think maybe a little heavy if you use the 1 playoff game = 5 regular season games rule of thumb and the fact Scheifele does not have a track record.
Agree with this take. To fix the football analogy to what happened...
Peppers is charging at Lamb, but arrives too late. As the referee is standing with his arms raised to signal touchdown, Peppers launches himself at Lamb's knees.
with 2 late-ish 3rd period goals to get back in the series with COL.
Price shuts out WIN, MTL leads the series 2 - 0 all they wanted to talk about in the studio was that Price wasn't really tested. I think we watched different games - sure he wasn't in a shooting gallery, but he made some tough saves especially in the 3rd period when the Jets dominated zone time.
this is the best Weber has played in a MTL uniform though too. And Philip Danault is showing the fact he never gets Selke consideration is a joke. After he and his linemates did a great job on Matthews line they're doing it again vs Wheeler Connor Lowry (Lowry filling in for Scheifele).
today's games:
TBL vs CAR (TBL leads 2 - 1) @ 4:00
NYI vs BOS (BOS leads 2 - 1) @ 7:15
NHL Public Relations
@PR_NHL
· 4m
Auston Matthews (@MapleLeafs), Jaccob Slavin (@Canes) and Jared Spurgeon (@mnwild) are the three finalists for the 2020-21 Lady Byng Memorial Trophy. #NHLAwards
with 2 late-ish 3rd period goals to get back in the series with COL.
Price shuts out WIN, MTL leads the series 2 - 0 all they wanted to talk about in the studio was that Price wasn't really tested. I think we watched different games - sure he wasn't in a shooting gallery, but he made some tough saves especially in the 3rd period when the Jets dominated zone time.
this is the best Weber has played in a MTL uniform though too. And Philip Danault is showing the fact he never gets Selke consideration is a joke. After he and his linemates did a great job on Matthews line they're doing it again vs Wheeler Connor Lowry (Lowry filling in for Scheifele).
today's games:
TBL vs CAR (TBL leads 2 - 1) @ 4:00
NYI vs BOS (BOS leads 2 - 1) @ 7:15
love both those series
The analysis of goaltending by fans/analysts is really poor. The outstanding saves people love are often due to athletic prowess saving poor positioning.
I'm rooting for all series to go seven even if it makes my.love of the Avs look a little silly.
The Weber/Subban trade looks funny now. I was so certain I was right, lol.
The analysis of goaltending by fans/analysts is really poor. The outstanding saves people love are often due to athletic prowess saving poor positioning.
Funny you should say this, Brett, because for much of the season I saw (Rosen/Nicoletti) and the Playoffs, whether Nicoletti, Boucher, MaGuire (?) and their pby partners (for me, Albert is 3rd of the 4), they often crescendo into 'great save by xxx' when the GK's position is solid and he goes to the ice hugging the puck, no rebound. It's a solid save. Great saves to me are the keeper going left-right post or v.v. on the attacking team's cycle and one-timer, getting the leg pad really extended and, for me, top of the pops, a break-away or semi-break-away or quick wrister from the slot or partial screen and the keeper has to make a really quick and accurate glove or blocker save, hardly any time to react, but good read of the shooter and excellent hand/eye accuracy. Sometimes when the keeper seems almost to pluck the puck right off the shooter's stick, pure reaction, hand is quicker than the eye.
Also a factor: when the pbp guy is selling his audience because the set-up on the ice suggests a big shot and potential big save, or score, imminent, so his intonation leads. But some the saves/scoring plays are in fact quicker than his eye and viewers and pby don't know what actually happened until a replay or 2 or 3. Nicoletti is good at picking those out real time. Not 100% accurate but his hockey gut as to what probably happened is good.
Couldn't watch any of last night, folks over, dag nabbit, have to wait 'til 6:00?.
pj, thanks for tabling the game times, papers no longer publish 'Sports on TV' graphic.
CHP, I know exactly what you're talking about. I think goaltending and defense are really poorly analyzed (and I don't claim to be smart on either, but especially goaltending). I do think analytics is pushing the conversation forward in both regards, particularly the value of mobile puck-moving defensemen over shot-blocking sleds.
One of my favorite Rosen/Joe moments is when the Rangers give up five shots on a penalty kill, are saved by Lundqvist (or now Shesterkin), and they go "great penalty killing by the Rangers!".
CHP, I know exactly what you're talking about. I think goaltending and defense are really poorly analyzed (and I don't claim to be smart on either, but especially goaltending). I do think analytics is pushing the conversation forward in both regards, particularly the value of mobile puck-moving defensemen over shot-blocking sleds.
One of my favorite Rosen/Joe moments is when the Rangers give up five shots on a penalty kill, are saved by Lundqvist (or now Shesterkin), and they go "great penalty killing by the Rangers!".
some of the best color guys will manage to get in a line that "often times you need your goalie to be your best penalty killer"
Says teams ca cross the border via private plane for the final two rounds of the playoffs.
About time, lol, did Trudeau have a choice? Shut down the Stanley Cup and be voted out of office on his already weak polling.
Brett, he doesn't get a lot props here that I recall, but imo Valiquette in his folksy, easy and accessible explanations is really good. Self deprecating because he didn't ascend very high or very long, but he's analytical, good with GK psychology and loves Benoit. He likes it when Igor comes well out of his crease to be aggressive and cut down angles. Haven't seen all of each of the games, but seems little opp'y for Varlamov (was plain wrong about my Sorokin guess) or Rask to be that aggressive because the traffic in front of the net both ends is heavy and non-stop and the offensive pressure has been so intense.
Watched last night's Coliseum game replay. I don't know...but if TBL closes out CAR in 5 or 6 and NYI-BOS goes 6 or 7, that's going to be one wasted Metro survivor in the Semis. What a series.
Bergeron (should name the award after him - been a finalist 12 times, won it 4, 5 would be a record)
Barkov
Stone
all worthy finalists IMO and I have no issue with any of them winning. I'd probably give it to Stone this year, he's so good at stealing the puck, but again, no issue with any of the three.
mediocre regular season, limped into the playoffs, down 3 - 1 to the Leafs and then things just clicked?
Is it all Carey Price? Chemistry? Underachieving Maple Leafs and mediocre Jets teams?
Whatever it is they look like a completely different team.
Still don't think if they close out the Jets they will beat the Av's or GK's but it's a good ride.
The whole Canadian division is an over glorified AHL division.
With the exception of the Leafs. Who were really only dominant because of the teams they played. It was close for most of the season. Price is in a groove right now but has he really been tested? If it was a normal year with a regular schedule. Other than the Leafs possibly making a 5-8 spot. Nobody in that division would have made the playoffs.
The Habs are having their moment but are going to run into a real NHL hockey team next round. In fact if they played any of the remaining teams (even the Canes who are shitting the bed, albeit against a very strong Lightning team) the Habs would be in trouble next round.
Granted since I cannot stand the Habs and them sucking gives me great joy. This may have saved both the coach and GM's jobs. Which means the team will continue to suck for the immediate future. This is a good thing. Bergevin is one of the worst gm's in the NHL that has only kept his job because he is French. So keep the suckage going.
scott, a little harsh. I am not a Ducharme or Bergevin fan per se, but Bergevin is definitely not the worst GM in the league.
the only really bad move he's made IMO is Sergachev for Drouin. I like his drafts, I like his trades and I like his FA signings.
I also agree though the Habs cinderella run likely ends this round, but it's fun to watch and I said (when Mook tried to claim I deserve bad karma) the experience for the young guys is so valuable.
Suzuki, Kotkaniemi, Caufield, etc...I just wish they had Romanov instead of Kulak active - all getting great experience that will help down the road.
and I hate the "is Price being tested" commentary, sounds like pure hater talk, he's absolutely being tested and he's been phenomenal.
The Habs are locked into the winner of the Avs/Knights series
If we allow us to assume that'll be a swift victory, that means that whomever wins this Isles-Bruins series has just a brutal road ahead of them. This series is grueling. Then they'll likely be getting Tampa, and then probably one of the top 2 teams in the league in the finals, if either managed to get that far.
Maybe it's too much. Maybe being battle tested will prepare them as the challenges get more difficult.
Just when I think I have it figured out and the Av's are Cup champs, the GKs show how hard they are to play against.
Solid goalie, solid D, and big physical forwards.
And, pj, you penned that at 8:01PM, well before VGK really started to bring it. They remind me a little bit of the LAKings NYR ran into SCP Finals, big, heavy teams, but Knights have more offensive fire power.
Habs, congrats on this run, must feel like manna from heaven. The 'Price has not been tested' meme comes, in part I think, because he is so fundamentally sound in positioning, angles, his experience, alertness that he makes most of his saves look routine when a different keeper might be flailing and flopping and drawing oohs and aahhs. Caufield is fun to watch, always hell bent to the net, devil take the hindmost. Barzal has been doing that too last two games.
Quote:
...whomever wins this Isles-Bruins series has just a brutal road ahead of them. This series is grueling. Then they'll likely be getting Tampa, and then probably one of the top 2 teams in the league in the finals, if either managed to get that far.
Maybe it's too much. Maybe being battle tested will prepare them as the challenges get more difficult.
Mike, this is what I said yesterday, though looking only as far as likely TBL matchup. If it goes 7, or even 6 with one or more OTs to come, strikes me as unavoidable--when you throw yourself 100% and all in to win the Series--there has to be a letdown even though you haven't won squat yet. But it won't feel that way.
RE: The Habs are locked into the winner of the Avs/Knights series
If we allow us to assume that'll be a swift victory, that means that whomever wins this Isles-Bruins series has just a brutal road ahead of them. This series is grueling. Then they'll likely be getting Tampa, and then probably one of the top 2 teams in the league in the finals, if either managed to get that far.
Maybe it's too much. Maybe being battle tested will prepare them as the challenges get more difficult.
Tampa is a machine right mow. I am still holding out hope for another 2006 Canes run. (Well until tomorrow).
pjcas18. Bergevin is not popular up here. The issue is that as long as the press fabricated language crisis and politics continue in play he will have a job because he is French. That is his one advantage. Not many Francophone's left who can be the GM of the Habs that would appease the language hard-liners. All the talk of Patrick Roy coming back may be out the window once the team beats the Jets.
This is the only place in the world where the language of your GM and Coach is more important than winning.
And most habs fans suck too. though I did spend a weekend when I was 19 in Montreal with Gilbert Dionne's wife - when he was still on the Canadiens (my best friend who is from Toronto grew up with her) and we were treated like royalty everywhere we went.
I just think when you evaluate Bergevin on the moves it's hard to be critical. I remember when Subban was traded and the sky was falling, turns out it was the right move. Domi was another good trade, getting Armia, and more for taking on Mason's contract another great move.
I like his drafts like I said - one move I hated and still hate - Drouin for Sergachev, but the rest how do you really criticize him?
Hiring Julien? Giving Price the long contract at his age?
Conor Ryan
@ConorRyan_93
·
1m
Bruce Cassidy is less than thrilled with the lack of calls on the Islanders:
"I think they sell a narrative over there — it's more like the New York Saints, not the New York Islanders. The exact calls that are getting called on us are not getting called on them."
and they would have been 3-2 in this one if Bergeron hadn't put one into the stands. Or is that what he means by "show a little respect for Bergeron" that they shouldn't call that because he's a great player?
RE: penalties for the series were almost even coming into this game
and they would have been 3-2 in this one if Bergeron hadn't put one into the stands. Or is that what he means by "show a little respect for Bergeron" that they shouldn't call that because he's a great player?
no, he clearly meant kicking Bergeron out of the face off circle which I hate when refs do, but the same rules should apply to Bergeron as apply to everyone else.
RE: RE: penalties for the series were almost even coming into this game
and they would have been 3-2 in this one if Bergeron hadn't put one into the stands. Or is that what he means by "show a little respect for Bergeron" that they shouldn't call that because he's a great player?
no, he clearly meant kicking Bergeron out of the face off circle which I hate when refs do, but the same rules should apply to Bergeron as apply to everyone else.
only saw the comments posted in the thread so didn't know what he was referencing, hence the question mark.
Because they believe it will help them with calls in game 6. I wonder if they know how bad that makes the NHL look?
The Isles were one of the least penalized teams in the league this year. Is there a reason that penalties should even out between disciplined teams and undisciplined teams? Do two former players really think that?
But I will say as a fan, I love to see the opponent obsessed with the idea that the refs are against them. Keep worrying about the New York Saints and the disrespect of the great Bergeron, Bruce. That should really help your team on Wednesday.
MTL as mentioned many times, last team to qualify for the playoffs, last team to make it out of the 1st round. But 1st one to make it to the "conference finals"
CAR vs TBL (TBL leads 3 - 1) @ 6:30
COL vs LVG (series tied at 2) @ 9:00
COL has not lost at home in forever (maybe one OTL in the regular season since like February), if LVG wants to move on they will need to end that streak.
LOL. We'll have to make an introduction: Mr. Cassidy, meet diehard fan Flounder in a peak performance.
In comment Mike from Ohio said:
Quote:
NBCSN studio crew loving Cassidy blasting the refs Because they believe it will help them with calls in game 6. I wonder if they know how bad that makes the NHL look?
The Isles were one of the least penalized teams in the league this year. Is there a reason that penalties should even out between disciplined teams and undisciplined teams? Do two former players really think that?
But I will say as a fan, I love to see the opponent obsessed with the idea that the refs are against them. ...That should really help your team on Wednesday.
True enough, but I didn't take that to heart so much as often talk across pro sports how when the coach barks and complains, he's trying to put a birdie in their ear. It does sometimes seem to aid the complainant.
More to your critique, I thought it was pretty cool how NBCSN then showed clips of each of the penalties called against BOS and they were no brainer calls, showed Bruins at their chippy best. Besides, it's hard for me to complain about KT's show. (: She leads 'Jonesy' and 'Sharpie' by their noses.
CAR vs TBL (TBL leads 3 - 1) @ 6:30
COL vs LVG (series tied at 2) @ 9:00
COL has not lost at home in forever (maybe one OTL in the regular season since like February), if LVG wants to move on they will need to end that streak.
I am surprisingly confident that the Canes can still win this series.
Despite making way too many mistakes (which is unusual for this team) in the first four games. They still stayed with the Lightning. They match up very well with them. Better than they did against Nashville.
I think that they pull it together tonight and go on a run.
I could be wrong but this team seems to be special. Hope I am right. Otherwise. Let's go Islanders!!
In no way am I criticizing KT. She is awesome and the studio show is very good. I like Carter and Sharpe. But I think there is a difference between planting an idea with the refs, and full on whining about calls. I think Cassidy slipped from the first into the second last night.
CAR vs TBL (TBL leads 3 - 1) @ 6:30
COL vs LVG (series tied at 2) @ 9:00
COL has not lost at home in forever (maybe one OTL in the regular season since like February), if LVG wants to move on they will need to end that streak.
I am surprisingly confident that the Canes can still win this series.
Despite making way too many mistakes (which is unusual for this team) in the first four games. They still stayed with the Lightning. They match up very well with them. Better than they did against Nashville.
I think that they pull it together tonight and go on a run.
I could be wrong but this team seems to be special. Hope I am right. Otherwise. Let's go Islanders!!
Who plays net? Your defense didn't do Mrazek any favors last game, but he wasn't sharp.
I have a teammate on my men's league team who is a holdover Whalers fan that still is a Hurricanes fan. The only one I know in that category, and he agrees with you, CAR will win.
I doubt it, but I just want to see a game 7, so I hope they win the next two at least.
CAR vs TBL (TBL leads 3 - 1) @ 6:30
COL vs LVG (series tied at 2) @ 9:00
COL has not lost at home in forever (maybe one OTL in the regular season since like February), if LVG wants to move on they will need to end that streak.
I am surprisingly confident that the Canes can still win this series.
Despite making way too many mistakes (which is unusual for this team) in the first four games. They still stayed with the Lightning. They match up very well with them. Better than they did against Nashville.
I think that they pull it together tonight and go on a run.
I could be wrong but this team seems to be special. Hope I am right. Otherwise. Let's go Islanders!!
Who plays net? Your defense didn't do Mrazek any favors last game, but he wasn't sharp.
I have a teammate on my men's league team who is a holdover Whalers fan that still is a Hurricanes fan. The only one I know in that category, and he agrees with you, CAR will win.
I doubt it, but I just want to see a game 7, so I hope they win the next two at least.
Another holdover Whalers fan? Not many of us left. I have been on that train since 1983.
I was surprised that RBA went with Mrazek for a second game in a row. I like him but he is not a goalie that will win you a cup. He is a stop gap. Give Ned a rest for a game and Mrazek got them a win. Ned should have been there the next game. Even in the two losses. Ned played well. He flubbed the one goal in game two that cost them but other than that. He has been solid.
I am not on the level of any NHL coach by any stretch of the imagination. However. I am amazed how the guy that got them to the division championship and almost the President's cup. Reimer has been completely absent. IMO (again take it as a fans perspective)he would have been my choice to back up Ned and be the stop gap. That is what he has done for almost his whole career. Similar to how they used CMac a couple of seasons ago.
All that being said. The Canes know that they can score on Vasilevskiy and he is human. When they won and even in the last loss. The Canes forced Tampa out of their game and made them play the Canes style. If they do that again. Ned will make some of those saves that Mrazek didn't and they will win.
It was almost all Rangers and Bruins fans and a surprising amount of Habs fans.
When I was a squirt we played against the Whalers alumni at my hometown rink and Gordie Howe played with the Whalers alumni and barely anyone was there to get a glimpse of Mr. Hockey.
I kind of regret having very little memory of that. I do remember having him sign a picture and getting our pictures taken with him, but not of the game really and it's a shame.
I went to Whalers games every now and then, but it was one of those social events b/c going to pro sporting events was fun.
I did go to the NHL Draft when it was in Hartford, got to see the Stanley Cup up close - the Ed Jovanovsky draft - one of the most boring events I've ever been to in my life. But seeing the cup up close was cool.
agree. Speaking of memorabilia, on my first trip to Toronto after the Hockey Hall of Fame, we went to Wayne Gretzky's restaurant to eat. Besides the awful food - and I mean awful - even for Canada - I was very disappointed in the memorabilia.
The most decorated player in the history of the game and some unimpressive pictures and plaques? It looked like a TGIF's with their fake rock 'n roll memorabilia.
Such a letdown, I hope no one goes there with high expectations.
Francis
Dineen
Ferraro
Verbeek (the little ball of hate - my favorite Whaler - even though he started as a Devil)
Holik
Ulf Samuelsson
Geoff Sandersson was a rookie
the aforementioned Zarley Zalapski
Francis
Dineen
Ferraro
Verbeek (the little ball of hate - my favorite Whaler - even though he started as a Devil)
Holik
Ulf Samuelsson
Geoff Sandersson was a rookie
the aforementioned Zarley Zalapski
and they were still finishing 4th in the Adams
Not really. Ferraro came to the island early in 90. Samuelsson went with Francis to the Pens for Cullen and Zalapski (lol)
Sanderson only played 2 games
i remember that 89-90 playoff series vs Boston, I went to game 6, Whalers OT win to force game 7 (which Boston won), but it was one of the best hockey games I have ever seen.
Ferraro was still on that Whalers team - with Francis, Dineen, Verbeek, Ulf, etc.
Man you don't have to know a lot about hockey to see what's clear on this June day; Carolina is getting bitched out by Tampa Bay. Not even close. Snore.
Not sure what that game plan was tonight, but you are not going to beat the best goalie in the league with nobody in front of him.
Vasilevskiy had a clear, clean view on 95% of those shots. Ugly offensive performance by the Canes. On to next year. The team will certainly look different at the star of next season. At least six guys will be gone.
another one where I would be ok with any of them winning. I'd probably vote Makar, but I think Fox gets it and I'm fine with it. Makar and Fox statistically had clone-ish seasons, but Makar at a ppg pace (he played less games).
Mark Scheig
@markscheig
·
9m
Norris finalists: Fox, Hedman, Makar.
62% expected goals 5v5 is insanity. Expected goals against is 7th in the league. Eye test too, he's at a different speed than everyone else on the ice, and he controls the game. If he played as many games as Fox it would be a landslide.
McAvoy should be there instead of Hedman. Hedman is a beast but this season wasn't up to his standards.
No disrespect to Fox, great season. He's from my hometown so I can't hate him.
"I thought I was going to be tried to be shut down by Phillip Danault," says Mark Scheifele. "Instead it was department of player safety that shut me down."
"I thought I was going to be tried to be shut down by Phillip Danault," says Mark Scheifele. "Instead it was department of player safety that shut me down."
I thought the suspension was a little heavy, but he definitely deserved to miss some time.
dominant game 6 W. Now they will face TBL in the "conference" finals.
One spot remains - LVG or COL - which can be decided tomorrow night.
if you're the Capitals, and you know you chose your 36 year old star over the best coach in the league coming off a stanley cup win, how do you reconcile that? Think they regret it?
if you're the Capitals, and you know you chose your 36 year old star over the best coach in the league coming off a stanley cup win, how do you reconcile that? Think they regret it?
I've never heard anything like that. Ovie and Trotz developed a good relationship. That was about the gm, Reirden, and $$$.
if you're the Capitals, and you know you chose your 36 year old star over the best coach in the league coming off a stanley cup win, how do you reconcile that? Think they regret it?
I've never heard anything like that. Ovie and Trotz developed a good relationship. That was about the gm, Reirden, and $$$.
One of my buddies last night at hockey told me Ovi forced it - said it's him or Trotz - I remember early on after Trotz became coach he and Ovi clashed and he benched Ovi for missing a meeting or something disciplinary. Seemed plausible so I believe it - shouldn't have shared it though since I've never verified it.
But making that decision about the GM, $$$ or Reirden is even worse.
They did clash early, but seemed they were on the same page in 2018 and seemed to genuinely like each other even after Trotz went to the Islanders.
That relationship he had with Ovi seems to be repeating itself with Barzal - being hard on his star, ultimately for his own good.
I always thought the Caps org thought Reirdan was the heir apparent and didn't want to lose him by extending (and paying) Trotz. If that was how the decision is made, whoever pushed for it should be out. What a franchise crushing decision.
1 game tonight, possible handshakes in what would be a mild upset:
LVG vs COL (LVG leads 3 - 2) @ 9:00
such a great series, I'm just rooting for OT and/or game 7, preferably both
I'm surprised at how swiftly Vegas has been able to shut down Colorado. I know they were the top two teams in the league point-wise in the regular season and they were division rivals this year so they know each other well, but the shift from the 7-1 rout in Game 1 to Vegas winning 3 in a row and being on the verge of the upset is quite striking.
1 game tonight, possible handshakes in what would be a mild upset:
LVG vs COL (LVG leads 3 - 2) @ 9:00
such a great series, I'm just rooting for OT and/or game 7, preferably both
I'm surprised at how swiftly Vegas has been able to shut down Colorado. I know they were the top two teams in the league point-wise in the regular season and they were division rivals this year so they know each other well, but the shift from the 7-1 rout in Game 1 to Vegas winning 3 in a row and being on the verge of the upset is quite striking.
Vegas has always been great on their home ice so to me it wasn't surprising to see them level it at 2-2 after going down 2-0. Vegas in my mind losing game 1 was almost expected since Colorado won in 4 and Vegas went 7 in the first round. So to me the series was always closer than it seemed be after the first two games.
At the same time, if Vegas does manange to close them out at home, winning 4 in a row would be impressive.
"I thought I was going to be tried to be shut down by Phillip Danault," says Mark Scheifele. "Instead it was department of player safety that shut me down."
Great to see him take responsibility for the hit.
Hamilton: “We lost to a team $18 million over the cap."
are about to play their first NHL team of the season. I hope Vegas steamrolls them. If only to shut up the press and annoying fans in this city.
I think that if the Islanders can split the first two games against the machine that is Tampa. They can win the series. Varlamov vs. Vasilevskiy is a great match up.
when the Avs got it going, especially in the 2nd, but almost as soon as they looked to be on a roll, Vegas put the body on them, hard, with a will and verve that were unmistakable. Avs did not, could not, would not counter with the same, and the dye was cast.
I give the isles less than a 20% chance. Tampa is just as deep with a lot more top end skill. Big mobile D corps give the Trotz Era Isles fits. They have the skill to nullify the forecheck and can gain the zone at will.
People point to the 6 game bubble series , but that islanders team was better. Toews-Mayfield and Leddy-Greene was much better than 75% Leddy-Mayfield, Greene-post covid Dobson. Obviously they had Anders Lee. Point missed 2 games and Stamkos didn't play.
I'm enjoying the ride but I'm not at all expecting a series win.
are about to play their first NHL team of the season. I hope Vegas steamrolls them. If only to shut up the press and annoying fans in this city.
I think that if the Islanders can split the first two games against the machine that is Tampa. They can win the series. Varlamov vs. Vasilevskiy is a great match up.
more than a slight exaggeration. Just because the Leafs wilt in the playoffs every year doesn't make them not a legit NHL team. They're a top 5 team in a normal year with regular conferences. Edmonton too is a legit team - just top heavy and not a cup contender, but they're also a legit team.
Not sure why as a Canes fan you have such animosity, I don't think the Canes are anything special that puts them on a different level than MTL. In fact if I had a choice on which roster I'd prefer I think a strong case could be made for the Habs.
I do think Vegas is a better team than MTL, but Vegas is better than 90% of the league, so we'll see what happens, and they probably do win, but no idea how a Canes fan adopts such condescension.
I expect this from Leafs fans (like 5bowls who is suddenly nowhere to be found), and we see where they are now.
People point to the 6 game bubble series , but that islanders team was better. Toews-Mayfield and Leddy-Greene was much better than 75% Leddy-Mayfield, Greene-post covid Dobson. Obviously they had Anders Lee. Point missed 2 games and Stamkos didn't play.
I'm enjoying the ride but I'm not at all expecting a series win.
Have to agree to disagree re: better last year vs this year. Having Pelech and Zeeker back are huge benefits and palmieri and Zajac, while different roles, have more than made up for Lee's absence. Then factoring in the added experience/play of guys like Beau, Nelson, Mayfield etc. I'd take this year's team over the one that faced Tampa last year
I give the isles less than a 20% chance. Tampa is just as deep with a lot more top end skill. Big mobile D corps give the Trotz Era Isles fits. They have the skill to nullify the forecheck and can gain the zone at will.
People point to the 6 game bubble series , but that islanders team was better. Toews-Mayfield and Leddy-Greene was much better than 75% Leddy-Mayfield, Greene-post covid Dobson. Obviously they had Anders Lee. Point missed 2 games and Stamkos didn't play.
I'm enjoying the ride but I'm not at all expecting a series win.
Toews-Mayfield was awful that series. Pelech has improved. Also, Palms and Zajac do add to the team. Leo Komarov might be a great character guy, but I wish Wahlstrom was healthy and on Barzal’s wing.
I don't disagree that the Islanders have an uphill
battle against Tampa. But I would disagree that they are not as good as they were last year. Lee is a big component who is missing, but the experience they gained last year is something.
The Islanders have the most goals of any team in the playoffs this year. Only Colorado is (was) averaging more goals per game. Yes, Tampa will be tougher to score on than either Pitt or Boston, but this is not the team of plucky overachievers everyone wants them to be. There is skill up and down this roster.
"I thought I was going to be tried to be shut down by Phillip Danault," says Mark Scheifele. "Instead it was department of player safety that shut me down."
Great to see him take responsibility for the hit.
Couldn't agree more, Brett, never mind that he's barking from the safety of his off-ice suspension, great way to impact a series and magnify his absence.
And on that point: has there been an update on Evans? All I've seen is a generic 'he's doing better' after being carried off the ice. Regardless of severity of the instant head trauma, i.e., the most recent or even an initial, the range of characteristic symptoms is very big, ranging from no 'hangover' (not necessarily prognostic for lack of severity) to bouts/continuation of headache, nausea, sensitivity to light, confusion, excessive sleep need, memory loss, imbalance, etc., etc.
though I think that's mostly because of seeing just how good they were last year, even with Stamkos out and Point injured.
Lee is a loss but they added Palmieri and have more depth (Zajac/Wahlstrom).
Dobson might be outplaying '20 Toews so I don't think that's a factor either way.
The biggest difference could be Hedman seemingly playing well under 100% because remember last year he was not only playing almost 30 mpg but also scoring seemingly every game too.
And as always if the goaltending bends one way or the other.
Overall every series the NYI play is competitive so I expect that to be the case again. The questions are if they have the talent to overcome TB and if TB has the will/toughness to take the punishment, stay disciplined, and withstand the NYI depth as the series goes on. As I said I'm less confident in a NYI win this year than I was last year. Unless Hedman is way off his game, then it's a new ballgame.
IMO have a better chance than last year for a few reasons.
1. I think NYI team is better this year
2. I don't think TB is quite as good as last year
3. Last year I didn't expect NYI to be there and while I did have them losing to BOS in 7, I feel like they were as good a team as BOS and I had BOS and TBL in the finals before I knew how they'd handle semis.
TBL is not a physical team, NYI are underdogs, I'm not going to claim differently, but I think they can win if they stay out of the box but play physical.
was on the ice last practice - just skating not participating but that's a good sign.
I doubt you ever get an honest update on his status until after the season - hockey coaches are notoriously Belichickian with injury updates.
Thanks, pj, good sign for sure, you never want to see outright debilitation even if absence of same is no guaranty of insignificant, longer term impact. As with all of these, just hope the team's docs will be very conservative with him. Another head jarring hit coming this next series (needn't be to the head itself) coming so soon on top of a severe, direct hit would be awful for him.
I don't quite get Scott in Montreal's venom for the team either. I've said a few times that I am very keen on seeing how teams from the different divisions stack up against one another after a season in isolation. Hard upon us.
was on the ice last practice - just skating not participating but that's a good sign.
I doubt you ever get an honest update on his status until after the season - hockey coaches are notoriously Belichickian with injury updates.
Thanks, pj, good sign for sure, you never want to see outright debilitation even if absence of same is no guaranty of insignificant, longer term impact. As with all of these, just hope the team's docs will be very conservative with him. Another head jarring hit coming this next series (needn't be to the head itself) coming so soon on top of a severe, direct hit would be awful for him.
I don't quite get Scott in Montreal's venom for the team either. I've said a few times that I am very keen on seeing how teams from the different divisions stack up against one another after a season in isolation. Hard upon us.
was on the ice last practice - just skating not participating but that's a good sign.
I doubt you ever get an honest update on his status until after the season - hockey coaches are notoriously Belichickian with injury updates.
Thanks, pj, good sign for sure, you never want to see outright debilitation even if absence of same is no guaranty of insignificant, longer term impact. As with all of these, just hope the team's docs will be very conservative with him. Another head jarring hit coming this next series (needn't be to the head itself) coming so soon on top of a severe, direct hit would be awful for him.
I don't quite get Scott in Montreal's venom for the team either. I've said a few times that I am very keen on seeing how teams from the different divisions stack up against one another after a season in isolation. Hard upon us.
Probably because he lives in MTL and isn't a fan of the team is my guess - sort of like how I hate the Patriots, Red Sox, and Bruins. I hate them more than some of my teams own rivals (though the Bruins are my teams rival so double hate for them).
I sort of get the skepticism on MTL but they also just won 7 straight. It's not like Toronto is a joke, they're pretty consistently in that second tier of teams. The Jets were a borderline playoff team before last season shut down.
And they're clearly playing better. A 7% chance to win the Cup is just too low IMO.
IMO have a better chance than last year for a few reasons....TBL is not a physical team, NYI are underdogs, I'm not going to claim differently, but I think they can win if they stay out of the box but play physical.
You're right, their game is not predicated on being a physical team, but it seems, this year when I've seen them mostly vs CAR last round and some last year, when a team does make a point of taking the body, Tampa Bay rolls with the punches, if you will, as well rounded and deep as they are. Savvy and experienced, having endured the frustrating Playoffs in which losing enough taught them how to win. I don't sell them short, and not because I don't think the Isles are good.
RE: I give the NYI the same odds vs TB as last year but im less optimistic
though I think that's mostly because of seeing just how good they were last year, even with Stamkos out and Point injured.
Lee is a loss but they added Palmieri and have more depth (Zajac/Wahlstrom).
Dobson might be outplaying '20 Toews so I don't think that's a factor either way.
The biggest difference could be Hedman seemingly playing well under 100% because remember last year he was not only playing almost 30 mpg but also scoring seemingly every game too.
.
I agree TB will be a big task, but the biggest factors IMO are having Cizikas and Pelech for this series
I think the NYI are maybe the team that matches up best with TBL, or maybe LVG - either of those two teams I think give TBL the best matchup because they have big physical forwards who cycle well, maintain puck possession and forcheck like demons, and have great goaltending.
To me this series will feature some great goalies and great D, and if the NYI forwards can sustain a forecheck like they did vs BOS they can win.
However, TBL D are much deeper than BOS, and they can't target 1 D on TBL like they did with McAvoy, because McDonagh, Sergachev, and even Cernak to an extent are all bigger and more physical than BOS D. I'd like to see Foote make an appearance for TBL, but he hasn't played in the playoffs yet so I doubt it.
TBL PP is lethal, so NYI will need to be disciplined (The NY Saints?), but the NYI PP has talent too so same goes for TBL.
I expect a close series, but unless there is a key injury I expect TBL to win in 7, but when you pick a team to win in 7 no outcome should be considered surprising.
The Isles certainly can win this series, but they need to play each game like they did the last couple against Boston. If they do, they have a chance.
The Isles can’t go shot for shot with TB so they need to wear them down the way they did Boston. You may not see the results in the first few games, but you will see it back in NY. Until then, Varly needs to be mid-season Varly that was a wall, and they need to convert offensive chances whenever they have them.
is this game in the bubble? do tampa fans know there's a game?
The only sound they made was booing the puck coming up the ice on the Islanders power plays. Not sure why they do that, but they seem to enjoy it, so it’s all good.
Overall a good period since the second power play. Keep playing that way and they can win.
can be better but there was nothing from that game that was scary. They barely got near the net and the atmosphere was dead. Mission accomplished. now win the 2nd on the road!
brought up the refs already? did he also say this is the team we beat easily in the bubble?
Did Cooper really complain about the refs? That is too good to be true! Please follow the blueprint of Cassidy and blame that flat effort by your team on the refs.
Has anyone asked Cassidy or Cooper why the league is trying so hard to tilt the ice in favor of the most boring team in the league?
brought up the refs already? did he also say this is the team we beat easily in the bubble?
Did Cooper really complain about the refs? That is too good to be true! Please follow the blueprint of Cassidy and blame that flat effort by your team on the refs.
Has anyone asked Cassidy or Cooper why the league is trying so hard to tilt the ice in favor of the most boring team in the league?
he said something like its hard to get certain players going when they cant get on ice because it was 3-0 in penalties at 1 point
Quote:more than a slight exaggeration. Just because the Leafs wilt in the playoffs every year doesn't make them not a legit NHL team. They're a top 5 team in a normal year with regular conferences. Edmonton too is a legit team - just top heavy and not a cup contender, but they're also a legit team.
Not sure why as a Canes fan you have such animosity, I don't think the Canes are anything special that puts them on a different level than MTL. In fact if I had a choice on which roster I'd prefer I think a strong case could be made for the Habs.
Well we can agree to disagree. The Canadian division was terrible this season. The argument could be made that if those teams played a regular schedule this year. The Leafs would have not finished above 5th or 6th spot and the Habs would have missed the playoffs again after playing all the other Atlantic and Metropolitan teams plus what ever Western powerhouses that beat the crap out of each other all season. There are a lot of really good hockey teams in those two divisions.
Other than Price over Mrazek I cannot see the Habs having a better roster than the Canes. Sure there are some good players on the Habs but the overall roster head to head easily goes to the Canes IMO. Even with that. Price is streaky and injured a lot. Not his fault. His shot count against was insane for most of the years he played because the Habs style and lack of talent left him out to dry. I would still probably take young Nedeljvkovic. He looks like he could be the real deal.
The animosity for the Habs comes from living here my whole life. The fans cannot help but make you hate everything about the team. They have done zero since 93 and they continuously talk about how fantastic they are. Even now. The "Bring the Cup Home" bullshit on every TV and radio station day after day makes you want to throw up. Then there is the politics. The Quebec Premier talking about how they would win every year if the team was made up of only French Quebec players. They just make them so easy to hate.
I guess you have to live it to understand.
After all that. I still cheer for the Habs over Toronto. Just because it is Toronto and they think that they are the center of the universe. Watching them suffer in whatever sport is very enjoyable.
but you think in a traditional season the Bruins and Lightning would finish ahead of the leafs - which is debatable - the Lightning finished 3rd in the Central without Kucherov all year and Boston got out of the gate strong, but then stagnated second half - but then two or three out of Florida, Detroit, Buffalo, Ottawa and Montreal also would have finished ahead of Toronto making them 5th or 6th?
They have rejuvenated Martinez and McNabb into viable defenseman again.
I like Martinez, I wanted him at the deadline last year. not a star, but good offensively at least.
LVG is just a better team, but when you look at the stat sheet:
Shots were similar (30 - 29 in favor of LVG)
MTL won on the dots by a lot
MTL outhit them by a lot
Blocked shots were close (16 - 15 in favor of LVG)
MTL won the specials battle (1/3 on the PP for MTL vs 0 for 4 for LVG)
MTL won the give away battle (5 to 10)
without watching the game, the stats say Carey Price got beat by MAF
but the context is of course missing - shots vs scoring chances is a huge difference. need to see more stats
Holden and Whitecloud are the D pair MTL has to exploit - but having last change maybe helped LVG there and that pair wound up +2 - that's probably the difference in the game.
but you think in a traditional season the Bruins and Lightning would finish ahead of the leafs - which is debatable - the Lightning finished 3rd in the Central without Kucherov all year and Boston got out of the gate strong, but then stagnated second half - but then two or three out of Florida, Detroit, Buffalo, Ottawa and Montreal also would have finished ahead of Toronto making them 5th or 6th?
Is that what you're saying?
Hate is strong word. I don't hate anyone. I can't stand them but I wouldn't go overboard.
What I am saying is that the Habs barely made the playoffs and struggled for most of the season with a power puff schedule. If they would have had to play against more of the stronger teams during the regular season. They would not have. I am confident that the Habs wouldn't have made the playoffs if they were in either the Islanders or Tampa divisions this year.
It happens all the time in most sports. Teams that have to grind out a season against the better teams and then still succeed tend to do better come playoff time than teams with weaker schedules that cruise, or teams that struggle against weaker competition and still squeak out a spot.
Last night they came out like gang busters but this was Vegas not Winnipeg. Vegas did not panic. They fought back and continued to play their game despite what the Habs were doing. There was a confidence they way they played. The Knights passing was impressive. The hitting was solid. The Habs had a couple of nice early hits, but that seemed to only piss the Knights of and then there was the scrum in the crease that got Fleury all riled up and he was on fire after that.
At one point late in the first. The NBC announcer said that they Habs had already made changes to their defensive pairings (which for me seemed early considering they were still playing well) and then said that they looked like they were going to go with their top four only like they did against the Jets. Again. This is not the Jets.
league lead in points they lost president's cup to COL in a tiebreaker
Obviously they're better than WIN.
but like Belichick says "you have to play the schedule they give you".
The habs did barely make the playoffs, but so did the 2007 Giants and like the Giants the habs were/are playing their best hockey of the season in the playoffs.
Now I'm not comparing per se, but in hockey teams can beat each other and the Habs were playing without their MVP on D.
Now I don't make personnel excuses in hockey, especially not by playoff time, so it's not an excuse, but some teams can overcome injuries better than others - and a team who barely made the playoffs probably isn't as easy to overcome the loss of their top D as teams with more depth.
Still fun, and still looking forward to the series and regardless if Mook thinks it's bad karma the experience for the young guys is priceless.
They have rejuvenated Martinez and McNabb into viable defenseman again.
I like Martinez, I wanted him at the deadline last year. not a star, but good offensively at least.
LVG is just a better team, but when you look at the stat sheet:
Shots were similar (30 - 29 in favor of LVG)
MTL won on the dots by a lot
MTL outhit them by a lot
Blocked shots were close (16 - 15 in favor of LVG)
MTL won the specials battle (1/3 on the PP for MTL vs 0 for 4 for LVG)
MTL won the give away battle (5 to 10)
without watching the game, the stats say Carey Price got beat by MAF
but the context is of course missing - shots vs scoring chances is a huge difference. need to see more stats
Holden and Whitecloud are the D pair MTL has to exploit - but having last change maybe helped LVG there and that pair wound up +2 - that's probably the difference in the game.
I don't think those stats are representative of the play. Some observations (zipping through off dvr last night)
-Price made some great saves. It could've been 8-1
-MTL pp looked good, crisp puck movement especially Suzuki and Caulfield
-Anderson is getting healthier. He was physical
-As you said, they really need Petry
-Tuch is a stud. I thought so in the 2017 finals too, how is this guy not a perennial all star?
-lvg 3rd pair is vulnerable, but the forwards support so closely, like the isles. Gives vulnerable dmen easy outs
Vegas was my cup pick at the start. Big, fast, and deep. Lehner as insurance for Flower.
always impressed by him - I was surprised so many teams gave up good players to protect others to LVG (Tuch, Theodore, MAF - at least).
Habs drafted Tuch's younger brother last year. A little smaller version but looks similar.
In hindsight those moves happen. Look at all Columbus gave up so that Las Vegas would draft William Karlsson. I think Las Vegas could have drafted Dylan Larkin from Detroit and instead took Nosek.
always impressed by him - I was surprised so many teams gave up good players to protect others to LVG (Tuch, Theodore, MAF - at least).
Habs drafted Tuch's younger brother last year. A little smaller version but looks similar.
In hindsight those moves happen. Look at all Columbus gave up so that Las Vegas would draft William Karlsson. I think Las Vegas could have drafted Dylan Larkin from Detroit and instead took Nosek.
Agree, someone like Tuch is hindsight to a point, he was a young prospect at the time but my point was he was traded to LVG to avoid them selecting someone else from the Wild - and it likely turned out that Tuch is better than who they would have selected, but anyway Larkin was not eligible to be selected by Vegas.
"And while I’m not saying the star center will get traded before the end of the playoffs, what I’m hearing is that conversations between the Buffalo Sabres and other interested teams are getting more intense and serious," Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic wrote Wednesday.
Byron Bader
@ByronMBader
· 6h
The Jack Eichel trade is going to be big. It will likely include at least a significant roster player, an A-level prospect and a 2021 1st round pick. There are 10 teams that should have no chance of landing Eichel because they lack one or more of these crucial three components:
Show this thread
....
Byron Bader
@ByronMBader
·
6h
7. Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens have the pieces to make it work. But the prospect piece should be Cole Caufield and the Habs are not trading Cole Caufield. For that reason, the Habs should be out. Or at least they should be out as a trading partner to Buffalo.
Byron Bader
@ByronMBader
· 6h
The Jack Eichel trade is going to be big. It will likely include at least a significant roster player, an A-level prospect and a 2021 1st round pick. There are 10 teams that should have no chance of landing Eichel because they lack one or more of these crucial three components:
Show this thread
....
Byron Bader
@ByronMBader
·
6h
7. Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens have the pieces to make it work. But the prospect piece should be Cole Caufield and the Habs are not trading Cole Caufield. For that reason, the Habs should be out. Or at least they should be out as a trading partner to Buffalo.
Lol, I was joking - I think a 'significant' roster player, an A prospect, and a first rounder is an overpay. For the Rangers, that's probably Buchnevich/Lundkvist or Schneider/their first.
Strome/Jones/the first or fuck off.
I'm convinced he's going to NYR, though, regardless of what I say.
Eric Engels
@EricEngels
· 31m
As @SNkylebukauskas just reported, Petry has bilateral subconjunctival hemorrhage. Speaking with doctors over the last few minutes, no pain or vision issues associated. Just some burst blood vessels and pooling.
Have many of these games been exciting this year? I haven't watched much but the small amount of playoff games I've watched this year seem kind of ... underwhelming.
RE: Here is the explanation of Petry's bloodshot eyes
Eric Engels
@EricEngels
· 31m
As @SNkylebukauskas just reported, Petry has bilateral subconjunctival hemorrhage. Speaking with doctors over the last few minutes, no pain or vision issues associated. Just some burst blood vessels and pooling.
Well.... yeah, but that hemorrhage is because he's on a massive painkiller cocktail lol
won the 1st period and lost the last 2, but Carey Price was a difference maker.
Petry too.
MTL is a team with almost no depth on the blue line, so they can't afford to lose players.
I hope though that Romanov is in next game for Merrill or Gustafsson.
I don't think Caufield played in the 3rd period and i get it - he's a rookie, he wasn't even added to MTL until very late in the season, but he's one of the best offensive players they have. I hate when teams play to protect a lead like that.
~3 minutes left, I can't believe that didn't go in.
Huge win for the Habs. Weber stepped up.
I like watching Reaves throw, but he's a complete piece of shit trying to sneak guys constantly.
He actually hurt them late. I'm glad DeBoer kept running him out there with the 4th line. MTL had Staal or Perry take Caufield's spot because he's a defensive liability, but Reaves (who I like too) is an offensive liability and i would have put Tuch or Paccioretty or someone out for a second shift with the 4th line - he turned the puck over so often in the 3rd they lost a lot of time regrouping.
like Staal and Perry - I try to tell the Rangers fans.
both guys are vet min (Staal was a deadline deal) or close to it and are so reliable and salty they're hard to play against.
Paul Byron, two GW goals in the playoffs (so far) who would have guessed that - a waiver wire pick up two years ago, a healthy scratch much of the season.
I hate when teams play to protect a lead like that.
but it worked so shows what I know. lol.
Yep, more often than not, playing like that invites the very result the team playing like that is trying like hell to avoid. Seems to make opponent play down hill, you're stuck in your own end, can't change, and your best case is a turnover at the blue line like when a McAvoy (?) cross ice at the BL ricocheted off skate of a teammate who wasn't supposed to be there and Cizikas (?) picked it up went and scored.
Congrats on the win, pj. Vegas plays such a heavy game, not sure how Habs parry that over a long, best of 7.
His camp wanted a cervical discectomy with fusion, a surgery never performed on an active NHL player. They are now going the conservative route of rest and rehab. Obviously any spinal/cervical injurylike this can affect all aspects of his play.
Combine that uncertainty with a 10 million price tag, add in Buffalo's clown show management. I can't foresee them getting any kind of a haul.
thrusts himself into the middle of it. I hope Carpy was right when he said earlier this week on a bit of a tangent on the Gallant hiring that Eichel seems to be less in the picture.
he has risk associated with him b/c of his injury but in case it wasn't clear #2 above in those two things from Friedman indicates team are far more willing to part with 1st round picks for this draft than normal.
Plus - at least at the top - it's not thought to be a particularly compelling draft.
Mark Scheig
@markscheig
·
7m
Dreger just said on Buffalo radio that he's "comfortable" saying Eichel is being traded. Also said there are "a number of suitors."
but seeing this it's no mystery why two cup runs in a row Matt Murray beat him out as starter. There are some clunkers in here. Though 2019 much better even with the clunkers.
Believed Montreal head coach Dominique Ducharme has a confirmed positive COVID test and will not be participating in Game 3 tonight. Will wait for further information, but that’s what we know at this time.
I loved his adjustments...Alex Burrows (?), you're up.
NHL News
@PuckReportNHL
·
1m
NHL confirms Dominique Ducharme has a confirmed positive test. All others are negative. #GoHabsGo received 2nd vaccine doses on June 9
Given that most athletes/sports teams are getting tested more frequently than the average person, aren't they a great resource for data on vaccine efficacy? Given the Yankees/Chris Paul/Habs coach, I'm skeptical that the efficacy rate is as high as they say (but am wary that I'm overweighting anecdotes).
Caufield is amazing. Imagine benching him in the third.
he didn't play the first couple games either.
Coaches are so conservative, they'd rather play 0 - 0 games then add a guy who can score.
It makes it worse because the Habs are the less talented team and need to take some risks. It's not like they're the Lightning. I also disagree that someone like him is a risky player. A bad defensive winger is a very easy thing to hide/paper over.
How has the NHL officiating gotten so bad this playoff season. It is one thing to let stuff go, but this is terrible, Obvious penalties that impact the game are missed, they forget to count how many guys are playing, and then an odd nothing call away from the play.
How has the NHL officiating gotten so bad this playoff season. It is one thing to let stuff go, but this is terrible, Obvious penalties that impact the game are missed, they forget to count how many guys are playing, and then an odd nothing call away from the play.
Refs are involving themselves in the game by trying not to get involved in the game. You're tilting the scales in the direction of the team not getting called.
How has the NHL officiating gotten so bad this playoff season. It is one thing to let stuff go, but this is terrible, Obvious penalties that impact the game are missed, they forget to count how many guys are playing, and then an odd nothing call away from the play.
when they added the 2nd ref (2016?) it was supposed to improve things, but somehow they got worse.
and not to go on a rant, but the 2nd ref had a trickle down effect. It took refs from each lower level and moved them up a level so in youth hockey now you get drunks and hobos reffing games for the $50 and who really don't want to be there.
this after his GW last game, but Paul Byron is a guy who wouldn't even be playing if Drouin didn't take a leave of absence and Tatar got injured.
two game winners (one a shortie) and this beautiful set up on the GW goal by Anderson.
Haven’t been able to congratulate you and your boys for beating my Leafs, sweeping Jets, and now playing their hearts out v Vegas…..when all the so called experts said you have no chance of winning. These same experts kept telling us our North division is so weak. Well, maybe if Habs beat Vegas that mantra will change. Anyhow, I hope your boys keep it going pjcas….win it all for the North!
Comments here last night very amusing. Byron has been in the thick of stuff, hasn't he, and I was thinking after the OT goal that Montreal's young legs had something to do with the win, even if not 'deserved', ha.
And it was said on the broadcast not a few times by Nicoletti and/or Pierre, Caufield sailing in on MAF like he's been there 100s of times before in this situation...consummate poise, stick, and finish
MAF literally hands a win away. Never see anything like that.
No matter how great they are goalies that can't handle it well get themselves into trouble when they think they can. MAF is pretty good with it. I was at a SCF game in '01 and Roy was flirting with danger doing it all series. Finally in game 4 up 1 late he handed the Devils a game flubbing it. Great run by the Habs. Funny so far Hughes' buddy Caulfield has been more impactful at this level than him. He's shown a better back at finishing. I think we knew he'd be better at that coming in though.
vs Hughes is a fair comparison though I know people will make it.
Caufield is awesome, he's a sniper and a steal where MTL took him, but he's being sheltered with his in-game usage and spent the past two years in NCAA. Hughes was playing top line center minutes.
Totally different roles and I think both will be good pros.
about Caufield though, he worked on his skating. He wasn't a bad skater, but man he gets the puck now and he's gone. I don't remember that gear from him.
Hughes always had that gear and his acceleration is still much better than Caufield - Hughes gets to top speed faster than almost anyone outside of McDavid.
about Caufield though, he worked on his skating. He wasn't a bad skater, but man he gets the puck now and he's gone. I don't remember that gear from him.
Hughes always had that gear and his acceleration is still much better than Caufield - Hughes gets to top speed faster than almost anyone outside of McDavid.
Oh definitely. I wasn't bashing Hughes, he definitely matured this year. Just saying his weaknesses is finishing and all along Caulfield has shown it to be his strength and at the end of the day goals win hockey games. He was a draft day steal. I bet 5 years from now he'll be no lower than 3 if you redo that draft.
Clearly on side. Nice work with cameras. I don’t know, but that hit on Maroon by Martin at the end of the 1st might have broken whatever fever the Isles had. The Coliseum seemed lit to start the game and it should keep humming through the third. This is a big period for the Isles in this series.
Thought the Isles really carried the play. Couple of laser by BP and TJ made it more interesting than it might have been. Isles battled tonight and skated with confidence. Nice work by the fans at Uniondale too.
Slavin wins Lady Byng. Not going to lie as a kid I used to laugh at this award because of the name - even though Gretzky or Mike Bossy seemingly won it almost every year.
Now, that I am no longer an immature kid I still find it funny - seriously I respect the award because it's not just a soft playing dude, but a player who plays at a high level and respects the boundaries of the rules.
Weird to see a D win it. 1 D in like past 50 years has won it.
What alertness and reaction to go to the ice as McD was completing his blind, 180 swivel--he just 'knew' he had 24 sq feet of open net and no thought given to lifting the puck, if he could. Sure seemed that Pulock closed his glove hand around the puck for a second, thought refs might blow a whistle and then last seconds' face off.
Gotta be nigh on unique ending for a SCP game. High drama, great game
What alertness and reaction to go to the ice as McD was completing his blind, 180 swivel--he just 'knew' he had 24 sq feet of open net and no thought given to lifting the puck, if he could. Sure seemed that Pulock closed his glove hand around the puck for a second, thought refs might blow a whistle and then last seconds' face off.
Gotta be nigh on unique ending for a SCP game. High drama, great game
Given McDonagh’s momentum, I think that puck goes over the net if he lifts it.
And my criticism of the officials isn’t some subtle dig at the Islanders - it was an incredible game and the win was well-deserved. Plus, they’ve been the victim of bad officiating as well.
I think we have had some superb hockey these playoffs - I just wish the officials would not be fucking awful every game.
Well, that assumes the refs do their job, which they haven’t all post-season.
That exciting ending helped the NHL shift the conversation - that call on Hedman was atrocious, IMO.
My thought at the time was payback for the non-high sticking call and the ridiculous interference call that led to TB goal (just after PP expired) in Game 3
Given McDonagh’s momentum, I think that puck goes over the net if he
if Pulock doesn't save that goal, whose gaffe was worse, Varlamov or Fleury? I think it'd have to be Varlamov. Anyone can get a back bounce handling a puck. It's happened many times before. A goalie literally getting deked and leaving the net empty as time expires?
was worse Varlamov was trying to make a play and prevent a goal McDonagh's spin move surprised me (and everyone - not only did I not think he had that move, I didn't think he had time for it), MAF got careless with the puck and it cost his team a game.
As evidence, Lehner in the starters net today, I bet he gets the nod over MAF.
if Pulock doesn't save that goal, whose gaffe was worse, Varlamov or Fleury? I think it'd have to be Varlamov. Anyone can get a back bounce handling a puck. It's happened many times before. A goalie literally getting deked and leaving the net empty as time expires?
Fleury's goal was and would have been worse. He doesn't play the puck there is no goal.
Pulock cleaned up his own mess. He turned the puck over trying to go around the boards. There was around 8 seconds and he had the puck behind the net. Could have probably run the clock out in a board battle.
is better than MAF. Higher floor. Sure MAF will have some ridiculous games (in a good way ridiculous), but if you look at the save %'s up above throughout the past two playoffs, when he's off he's bad.
The entire team loves MAF and Lehner's situation has always been a prickly subject so I don't think I'd have done it unless MAF is really beat up. I can understand the thinking that Lehner may be a better matchup vs. Montreal, but on the flip side putting the season on the line with the way he had played prior to today was a gamble. Looks pretty good so far.
The entire team loves MAF and Lehner's situation has always been a prickly subject so I don't think I'd have done it unless MAF is really beat up. I can understand the thinking that Lehner may be a better matchup vs. Montreal, but on the flip side putting the season on the line with the way he had played prior to today was a gamble. Looks pretty good so far.
I just reaalized it wasn't Marc-Andre Fleury once I saw the neck tattoo ...
And my criticism of the officials isn’t some subtle dig at the Islanders - it was an incredible game and the win was well-deserved. Plus, they’ve been the victim of bad officiating as well.
I think we have had some superb hockey these playoffs - I just wish the officials would not be fucking awful every game.
This is the truth. Over the long run it does probably all even out. But game to game, it could have an impact. The calls have not been tilted to or from any one team, but the refs have been consistently bad game to game. It is a shame because for some games it is becoming a story line that detracts from some really good games.
That's certainly how it seems and I wasn't speculating there was another reason - just saying I wouldn't have benched him unless he had some kind of injury (like Rask). MAF has just been so central to that entire team's energy.
That's certainly how it seems and I wasn't speculating there was another reason - just saying I wouldn't have benched him unless he had some kind of injury (like Rask). MAF has just been so central to that entire team's energy.
true, we may never really know NHL player injury status, but my sense was Lehner was brutal game 1 so they have been riding the hot hand, and MAF had been it, the turnover made the decision to go back to Lehner easier.
but what I've heard from people who know is that the whole team loves MAF while Lehner is just a unique personality not for everyone. From a NYI standpoint it always seemed odd that they let him walk the way they did so that seemed plausible.
Obviously MAF's season speaks for itself, so benching a guy who has been that good who also happens to be extremely popular in the room for 1 mistake just seems like going way out on a ledge. Especially given Lehner's game vs. COL.
Lehner's weakness on breakaways is an issue that's come up before. He's had a strong game but that one stings. Montreal has a big opportunity on this PP.
Over Lehner had more to do with getting a better mentor for Sorokin than a personality clash with Lehner. I read one article that also said that Korn and Greco thought Varlamov was simply a better goalie who they had looked into trying to acquire via trade before signing Lehner.
Clearly Lehner had problems elsewhere before coming to New York, but by all accounts I have seen is that his teammates liked him.
Wtf was Kotkaniemi doing there? Pretty sure Price was wondering the same thing as he was looking back at him.
Seemed like the Habs rna out of gas or something.
That's not on Kotkaniemi - it's on Weber and Chiarot. Kotkaniemi's guy was Tuch. Weber was out at the face off dot when the goal was scored.
Maybe, but I think the D switch Chiarot rolls over to cover the right post and Kotkani is basically in the way while Roy picks up the puck and scores. You gotta get on the body there as the center. Go back and watch Kotkani - he’s lazy from the face off to the goal. No excuse for that after the Habs had so much jump on Vegas. Especially coming out of the locker room at home. That was poor.
Wtf was Kotkaniemi doing there? Pretty sure Price was wondering the same thing as he was looking back at him.
Seemed like the Habs rna out of gas or something.
That's not on Kotkaniemi - it's on Weber and Chiarot. Kotkaniemi's guy was Tuch. Weber was out at the face off dot when the goal was scored.
Maybe, but I think the D switch Chiarot rolls over to cover the right post and Kotkani is basically in the way while Roy picks up the puck and scores. You gotta get on the body there as the center. Go back and watch Kotkani - he’s lazy from the face off to the goal. No excuse for that after the Habs had so much jump on Vegas. Especially coming out of the locker room at home. That was poor.
I watched it many times, Weber was with (really trailing) Pacioretty around the net, once he exits to the right side of the net at that point Chiarot who was covering no one, owns far post maybe net front if no one is on far post - Kotkaniemi went to initially cut off Pacioretty but noticed, smartly, two guys in front. One was Tuch (short side) who he picked up, the other was Roy (far side - Chiarot's guy).
What then happened is Tuch moved toward near post and both Kotkaniemi and Chiarot were covering the same guy - the one who was initially picked up by Kotkaniemi. By the time Kotkaniemi noticed he tried to just dive and stop the shot, but Chiarot should have never stayed near post.
It's one of those plays many people were caught flat footed by the Vegas speed/line change - and mostly it was because the D couldn't change because Chiarot who had a chance to clear didn't and he and Weber were caught with a long shift - in OT. recipe for disaster.
no complaining from me, it's a goal that happens - I'm not really looking for blame. MTL had chances, Lehner came up big. If that's the effort every game from MTL I think they come away winners more often that not.
Still not impressed that much with LVG who tied for most points in the league and is according to some people on here "the first real team MTL has played this season" and a team who would destroy MTL.
Still not impressed that much with LVG who tied for most points in the league and is according to some people on here "the first real team MTL has played this season" and a team who would destroy MTL.
Shots fired ;-)
I stand by what I said. Other than game two where Vegas came out flat and the Habs completely outplayed them for two of the three periods. Vegas has dominated for the most part. While I fully admit that the Habs have looked good at times and surprised Vegas. It is Price that has kept them in this.
If it wasn't for the MAF brain fart at the end of game three. This series is 3-1 Vegas and done tomorrow night.
Still not impressed that much with LVG who tied for most points in the league and is according to some people on here "the first real team MTL has played this season" and a team who would destroy MTL.
Shots fired ;-)
I stand by what I said. Other than game two where Vegas came out flat and the Habs completely outplayed them for two of the three periods. Vegas has dominated for the most part. While I fully admit that the Habs have looked good at times and surprised Vegas. It is Price that has kept them in this.
If it wasn't for the MAF brain fart at the end of game three. This series is 3-1 Vegas and done tomorrow night.
You can play the "if it wasn't for..." game for everything in history.
Habs have surprised me because they were mediocre during the regular season, but I think many people thought they underperformed - not that they were a mediocre team.
- worst case they hung around with Vegas as long as the Avalanche did (Presiden't Trophy winner). They don't look even a little bit out of place with the possible exception of game one when they played without Petry (they have no depth on the blue line).
best case is they do better than the Av's and move on to the SCF.
Lastly, I don't think Vegas dominated last night, in fact the opposite, MTL left some chances on the board and Lehner stole a win. Habs outshot (and had better chances), outhit, and outblocked LVG.
Credit to Lehner and LVG, but in no way would I say they dominated last night or even in game 2.
...Lastly, I don't think Vegas dominated last night, in fact the opposite, MTL left some chances on the board and Lehner stole a win. Habs outshot (and had better chances), outhit, and outblocked LVG...
I agree with this, albeit there were stretches when LVG imposed its will in the MTL end as well. Indeed, I think both semifinals have been characterized by long stretches of play, sometimes entire periods, when one team dominates and has large TOP and shots advantage over the other, only to see that reverse for much of the next period. Both series great back and forth hockey.
You can play the "if it wasn't for..." game for everything in history.
Habs have surprised me because they were mediocre during the regular season, but I think many people thought they underperformed - not that they were a mediocre team.
- worst case they hung around with Vegas as long as the Avalanche did (Presiden't Trophy winner). They don't look even a little bit out of place with the possible exception of game one when they played without Petry (they have no depth on the blue line).
best case is they do better than the Av's and move on to the SCF.
Lastly, I don't think Vegas dominated last night, in fact the opposite, MTL left some chances on the board and Lehner stole a win. Habs outshot (and had better chances), outhit, and outblocked LVG.
Credit to Lehner and LVG, but in no way would I say they dominated last night or even in game 2.
I agree with some of your points. The Habs are on a run. I disagree that they under performed during the season. That was the team. They are over performing now. Big difference. They do deserve the credit for the current run. I think that the Staal and Perry additions are a big part of it. Does not mean that they are a great team. Come next season with most of this roster intact and a regular schedule. They will be back to struggling to make the playoffs again.
If the Habs do manage to to pull this off. Which I still do not think that they will. The defining turning point that everyone will be talking about in the series is the MAF blowing his puck handling and giving the Habs the tying goal with under two minutes in game three which eventually lead to the OT loss.
Lehner was excellent last night. The first game where the Habs out shot the Knights.
Price is the reason they are still in this. 127 shots in four games is a lot. Only allowing 10 goals with four coming in game one is crazy.
signed Perry in December before the season started. So hard to really call him an "addition"
Staal has not been much of a factor - hard to harp on MAF's blunder but not Staal's. Staal was the sole reason for the 1st LVG goal in the same game MAF fumbled the puck.
The biggest addition is really Caufield.
Anyway, I never said the Canadiens were a better team than LVG, they were such underdogs it's obvious, but the gap clearly is not as wide as you thought it was. Whether it's Price, the team coming together, or whatever else you want to claim they're playing at a level where they are competitive with anyone.
As for next year, who knows. They're still playing without 3 top 6 forwards in Drouin, Tatar and Evans - maybe losing Drouin is addition by subtraction while I always found his skill tantalizing, I always found his play so frustrating
I thought the Canadiens were middle of the pack coming in to this season and fighting for a playoff spot (which I predicted they should get) and next year I think they'll be a little bit better than that and should be a playoff team.
People are stuck on what they were rather than what they are.
Clearly Caufield, Suzuki, and KK have taken a step in their development. These are first line talents that are growing into their roles.
In the playoffs board play and physicality are more of a focal point. Hence you see the Staal and Danault lines having much more impact than the regular season.
The plucky underdog riding a hot goalie narrative is lazy.
Habs have dominated in high danger chances (18-2 last night!) and xgf. Media and fans are slow to catch up.
The gap isn't as large as I thought, either. I think MTL should have won last night and were the better team. I think Las Vegas was the better team in the other three games - but not by much.
Vegas thrashed the Avs at times. We haven't quite seen that here.
I see a lot of people shit on MTL and even the Islanders. Montreal had an 'easier' road here, but they're playing really well.
I think we've seen some really good hockey this post-season - the officiating has been the only drawback.
I didn't watch much of either LVG or MTL this season
And like many, I expected LVG to win this series fairly easily. What I am seeing now is the gap between these two teams is not as big as I thought it was.
LVG is built to play a more wide open game. MTL has done a great job slowing them down and making them grind for goals which makes them look more pedestrian. The Isles are doing that to some extent to Tampa, but Tampa can play that game better than LVG can (at least so far).
I would not be surprised to see MTL win this series given how they are playing. I think both semifinal series are still very much up for grab.
I think we've seen some really good hockey this post-season - the officiating has been the only drawback.
It has been shockingly bad, negligent, at times. Last night, in a 2nd period scrum around Price's net, Nosek I think took an impossible-to-not see swing (at Gallagher, Kotkaniemi, Lahkonen? don't recall) and made scored a partial hit to the jaw, the Ref was looking right at it and didn't budge. It wasn't a case of two guys squaring off, agreeing to engage in a tussle that would result in both being sent off.
Huge night for the blueshirts. Best night since sometime in April.
Here’s to you, Ranger fans! A glorious night for your franchise. Someone else did what you can’t.
its funny. i think hes 1 of the reasons there needed to be separate mets and yanks threads during subway series. he was 1 that got his feefees hurt when mets fans taunted after winning. im sure he'll say he wasnt and have some clever response but he proved hes a bitch. only shows up tonight
I had my own men's league game and didn't see a second of this, but sometimes an ass kicking like this serves more to motivate you as a team than heartbreaking a 2 - 1 OT loss.
I think we've seen some really good hockey this post-season - the officiating has been the only drawback.
It has been shockingly bad, negligent, at times. Last night, in a 2nd period scrum around Price's net, Nosek I think took an impossible-to-not see swing (at Gallagher, Kotkaniemi, Lahkonen? don't recall) and made scored a partial hit to the jaw, the Ref was looking right at it and didn't budge. It wasn't a case of two guys squaring off, agreeing to engage in a tussle that would result in both being sent off.
Suzuki and it was McNabb and the ref was staring right at it - instead of calling a penalty for some reason he signals to run the clock out and end the period like a men's league game.
In fairness Suzuki pushed McNabb (in retaliation before being punched in the face) but nothing unusual for a net front scrum. The punch to the face was beyond egregious.
And it has been equally bad both way. Mostly with Chris Lee. He's terrible.
Huge night for the blueshirts. Best night since sometime in April.
Here’s to you, Ranger fans! A glorious night for your franchise. Someone else did what you can’t.
Hahaha. So deep. It's like the kid in elementary school who used the crazy windmill offense in a fight. The bitterness and feelings are hilarious.
You should take some solace in the fact that the Isles most likely win G6 at home. The home road splits are real.
A windmill offense? Bitterness?
I was mocking someone talking shit about a team in the semifinals when their team didn't even qualify the playoffs (largely because of the Islanders dominating them).
If that upsets you, buttercup, stay off the thread.
too good a package: adding C Eichel but parting with Strome, not sure how much better it makes the team, creating new hole at 2C w/o addressing roster need for trench warfare. Give Vitaly a chance ffs
RE: didn't Jones tell them he was going to test FA?
too good a package: adding C Eichel but parting with Strome, not sure how much better it makes the team, creating new hole at 2C w/o addressing roster need for trench warfare. Give Vitaly a chance ffs
Seriously? the gap between Eichel and Strome is cavernous.
And I'm a Strome fans fro his islander days, but you run to include him in any package for Eichel. Zerok hesitation.
His value is directly tied to playing with an elite, play-driving wing.
did acquire Eichel and didn't include Mika in the deal - those are your 1C and 2C.
3C could be Chytil or Kravtsov (though I think Kravtsov a top 6 forward).
And you sign someone like Eric Staal is your 4C.
He's got 7 pts in 14 games in the playoffs (and one brutal turnover), but he's the exact kind of bottom of the roster player I'd target and clear out the Rooney's Di Guisseppe's, etc.
Corey Perry too, slow yes, but still gritty, skilled, and a leader.
Doesn't have to be Staal and Perry - as mentioned previously tons of players like this - Wayne Simmonds, Nate Thompson, etc. reliable, dependable veterans with higher floors than the guys I mentioned above cutting loose.
Habs 2nd period last night was stellar, one of the best periods I've seen from any team given the competition.
re. Strome and Eichel, ok, you snarky know-it-alls, yes, of course he's better than Strome, cavernous or whatever, not my point, which is that deal is not going to result in the kind of change NYR need to compete at SCP level, it's too much to give up. Agree Kravtsov is better on the wing, where he has played, have no sense whether he could move. The more they give up to acquire more skill, the fewer options remain open.
Chytil is the guy they should deal. He may blossom in another year, and he has sparkled at times, it just doesn't seem that he has the finishing touch in him
Habs 2nd period last night was stellar, one of the best periods I've seen from any team given the competition.
re. Strome and Eichel, ok, you snarky know-it-alls, yes, of course he's better than Strome, cavernous or whatever, not my point, which is that deal is not going to result in the kind of change NYR need to compete at SCP level, it's too much to give up. Agree Kravtsov is better on the wing, where he has played, have no sense whether he could move. The more they give up to acquire more skill, the fewer options remain open.
Chytil is the guy they should deal. He may blossom in another year, and he has sparkled at times, it just doesn't seem that he has the finishing touch in him
Agree on Chytil. Difference between Eichel and Strome may be cavernous, but Strome isn't coming off of spinal surgery. I'm interested in Eichel, but only at a markdown price, particularly since BUF doesn't want to retain any of the contract. Some combination of Chytil/Robertson/Strome/Reunanen with a pick thrown in. I'm not giving up Kakko, Laf, Schneider, Jones, or any of the year 2 players.
Ideally, they move off of Eichel altogether and make a run at Barkov as I've been suggesting all along. He's the more complete player, is cheaper, healthier and exactly what this team needs in a 1/2C.
I like Chytil and would like to see him get a real shot to be 2C. With that said, if he's the guy that goes in a move, I'm fine with it. I think he can be a 50-60 point guy one day.
Habs 2nd period last night was stellar, one of the best periods I've seen from any team given the competition.
re. Strome and Eichel, ok, you snarky know-it-alls, yes, of course he's better than Strome, cavernous or whatever, not my point, which is that deal is not going to result in the kind of change NYR need to compete at SCP level, it's too much to give up. Agree Kravtsov is better on the wing, where he has played, have no sense whether he could move. The more they give up to acquire more skill, the fewer options remain open.
Chytil is the guy they should deal. He may blossom in another year, and he has sparkled at times, it just doesn't seem that he has the finishing touch in him
Agree on Chytil. Difference between Eichel and Strome may be cavernous, but Strome isn't coming off of spinal surgery. I'm interested in Eichel, but only at a markdown price, particularly since BUF doesn't want to retain any of the contract. Some combination of Chytil/Robertson/Strome/Reunanen with a pick thrown in. I'm not giving up Kakko, Laf, Schneider, Jones, or any of the year 2 players.
Ideally, they move off of Eichel altogether and make a run at Barkov as I've been suggesting all along. He's the more complete player, is cheaper, healthier and exactly what this team needs in a 1/2C.
I still don't know what we do with Zibanejad if we get either Eichel/Barkov.
is cheaper (and preferable for almost anyone), but he's under contract for just next year, and coming off a Selke win, he will very likely get more $$ in a LT contract than Eichel has now (5 years $50M left on Eichel) for more years and cost you significantly more (IMO) in terms of assets (players and picks).
If you can get Barkov you do it, but I doubt he's really available and Florida has some cap space opening up - they only have 4 or 5 players under contract after next year. FL has a good core, good young goalie, good coach, some good prospects (Lundell and Denisenko are top grade prospects, Serron Noel is massive).
That Bobrovsky contract is a killer though. No clue what they were thinking especially after using the #13 pick in the draft on Spencer Knight.
If I were them I'd try and make a trade with Seattle (and get Bob to waive his NMC)
this off-season and I won't mention Barkov only because if he's moved it costs you Kakko and Lundkvist IMO - something like that - plus picks.
if they get Eichel I'd have he and Mika as 1C/2C (doesn't matter which is which) and let them team play for a year (or most of it). the 4 wings would be some combo of (depending on who is traded): Panarin, Kreider, Kakko, Lafreniere, Kravtsov, Strome (that's a pretty awesome top 6 however it shakes out).
And if the team contends (like they should) you try and find a way to keep them together, if they disappoint you trade Mika at the deadline and recoup a lot of what you used to get Eichel.
Yeah, I don't see FL trading Barkov - even if he decides not to re-sign this off-season, you can trade him at the deadline. Or hope for a deep run that gets buy-in from him.
I don't see it - and I don't want to eat the cost of Kakko/Lundkvist (which I suspect you're correct about).
I didn't mean to be snarky, I like your opinions just felt like your comment was saying losing Strome to get Eichel was a neutral move, but I think it improves the Rangers a ton (if Eichel is healthy).
As for your habs comment, I agree and I have to say every time I watch Brendan Gallagher play I'm physically in awe that he can keep up that pace of play for so long. It's exhausting to watch.
Usually you see teams come out hot or fast paced but if you "weather the storm" as they say, things usually settle down and you get more time and space.
but lately he never lets up. It's so fun to watch and effort like that can neutralize a skill gap. Will MTL win? Who knows, I hope so, but if they play like this they could absolutely beat TBL IMO. The Canadiens right now remind me of the mid-90's Devils. The effort is crazy, positioning and discipline incredible, and they're clogging up the middle of the ice so much (in all zones) and pressuring the D so much they're forcing their opponents to adjust and those adjustments are not easy.
I think people are really underrating how good guys like Suzuki and Caufield are today.
Suzuki played at a ~60 point pace this season (over 82 games). That's low-end 1C numbers. He's playing like an all-star right now.
MTL was also 2nd in CF% at evens this year. The analytics community has been really down on them, though (which I kind of get because their opponents are so good, but still).
this off-season and I won't mention Barkov only because if he's moved it costs you Kakko and Lundkvist IMO - something like that - plus picks.
if they get Eichel I'd have he and Mika as 1C/2C (doesn't matter which is which) and let them team play for a year (or most of it). the 4 wings would be some combo of (depending on who is traded): Panarin, Kreider, Kakko, Lafreniere, Kravtsov, Strome (that's a pretty awesome top 6 however it shakes out).
And if the team contends (like they should) you try and find a way to keep them together, if they disappoint you trade Mika at the deadline and recoup a lot of what you used to get Eichel.
Totally agree with your take on things. I do think there's a possibility Barkov is available. Franchise centers don't typically make it to the final year of their contracts. He has already balked at a new deal and while I agree he will be more expensive than Eichel - he's a better player than Eichel and healthier; The longer he remains unsigned and playing on his current deal the lesser of a return FLA will get.
Would I give up Kakko + Lundkvist + picks for him now? Probably. Do I give them the same packaged at next year's deadline? Heck no.
Can't say I know a single thing about him.
Anyone know anything about the new head coach of the Kraken?
Pretty impressive resume, .560 winning % as HC of Flyers for 3.5 seasons (yep, those Flyers) and Ass't with the Leafs last two seasons. Great record with UnivND.
Did I recall/know any of this just seeing his name? None
the shots by Mayfield and Beauvillier were two pretty fucxing fantastic shots? Boucher, I guess, queried whether Vasilevskiy could have played Mayfield's shot any better (how many times out of 10 does he make that?), Beauvillier's not quite as remarkable, but cutting off Colton's (weak, short and ill-advised) pass just after another Isles' player vacated the forecheck to get back on D, headed toward the slot but let go the shot back toward the right post--Vas could have gloved it, I think, but so bang bang, too fast to set himself. After each of them went in botn, he whipped his head around in disbelief.
I'm not an Isles' fan--except for the Series vs BOS and TBL--and the way they dismembered and ended NYR's season left me more familiar with them than I'd otherwise want to be--but I'm a fan of Trotz and how his teams just keep digging in their heels. As underdogs the past two SCPs they've been easy to root for.
Barzal, like the younger Suzuki and Caufield, is putting his name on the marquis lights: interesting that it seems Cooper in key shifts has McDonough marking him one-on-one wherever he skates. His game has really grown too, #27.
I think that shot by Mayfield was great so not taking away from it, but I expect Vasilevsky to normally save it. Wouldn't you?
The Eberle backhand was much more impressive to me and maybe as a goalie you have thoughts on how effective hard, and nicely timed backhand shots can be to save - it seems like it's hard to predict where the puck leaves the stick and where it's going to go way more than forehand shots.
also, on your McDonagh to Barzal point...isn't it rare to see coaches match one D to a C (McDonagh to Barzal?) Isn't it usually D pair or even because a forward doesn't play a side like a D or more commonly forward line to forward line, and also NYI had last change last night, so they could have basically forced whatever matchup they wanted based on who TBL put on the ice.
it was sort of reminiscent of the Marchand goal in OT. I never played goalie but everything I've heard on TV is that "getting big" and forming a wall with pads low at the short side is the priority - which makes logical sense. That is the primary area to shoot for from that angle. So if the puck goes in short side either between the post and the pads or in between the pads, I think that's the technical "mistake", but anywhere else is more case by case based on the shot and the reaction. There's going to be an opening somewhere if the shooter puts the puck in the perfect spot and then it comes down to a reaction save. That's why shooters often aim for the bank shot off the helmet. Mayfield banked it off the bar so I think it was just one of those perfect shots that luckily found a spot that was open.
Not sure there was any difference in how Vasilevsky played it compared to any other shot off a post this series, this one just banked in instead of out.
hug the post, but anticipating a centering pass. He is staying low so he can push off and get across to the far post for a re-direct in front. If he gets tall along the post there and extends his legs up, he won't be able to get across quickly.
I think the shot honestly caught him off guard. I think he never expected there was enough room up top to put that puck in, especially for a d-man in that close.
From the goalie's perspective, it's very plausible to think he's going to try a centering or cross-ice pass. It's was just a really good, accurate shot.
In comment 15293365 ColHowPepper said:
Quote: As underdogs the past two SCPs they've been easy to root for.///////
I don't know how you show your face in Ranger threads again.
LOL...because I'm not you, Greg, I'm not you. Your disdain for and dislike of the Islanders has not gone unnoticed, but the Rangers didn't make these SCP (yes, in no small way due to NYI), but I'm a whore for the underdog, my love of sports, beginning with baseball in the mid-50s, began with my love for the Dodgers, another seminal way in which we differ, because they were the anti-NYYankees of the day. I remember vividly, racing home from 3rd grade, literally running all the way, to see the last three innings pitched by Johnny Podres in Game 7.
LOL, and notwithstanding, I'm still in a NYR corner.
I still think it's one Vasilevskiy wishes he had back and not just because it went in, but goalie plays shot, defense play pass. when goalies get caught cheating to play pass is when they get beat short side.
so, not saying it's a softie, when a player makes a shot like that you tip your hat to them, but it is a shot that should have been saved IMO.
I think the shot honestly caught him off guard. I think he never expected there was enough room up top to put that puck in, especially for a d-man in that close.
Think this is good, especially given that Mayfield is not exactly known to be much of a scoring threat.
To pj's point on re. Vas standing, or less of a crouch, against the near post, yes, you would think, but it seems that way more often than not it is a given as I watch GKs trying to fend off traffic in front of them or on breakaways/semi, they go down to their knees to bury a shot in their chest or go butterfly. So often you hear Niccoletti, or Boucher or Pierre exclaim about 'what a save' and I say to myself, eh, he was on his knees and swallowed a shot more or less directly at him. There was another goal given up by Vas, was it Barzal in Game 4?, and the TV comment was that Vas was beginning to dip his shoulder and blocker even before the shot was taken. It's understandable from the pov of getting bigger, lower down, for deflections or pucks you can't see.
I am not questioning or critiquing technique here at all, wtfdik, just observing. He's a fantastic keeper: looking over and over at the Mayfield shot, as Mike said, there just didn't seem to be any angle over his shoulder and under the cross bar the puck could go in. And the Marchand shot someone referenced, equally crazy, but the big difference there iirc was that Varlamov, I still believe, never even thought Marchand would take a shot from a 178 degree angle not far from the corner boards and thus did not ready himself for it.
Quote:
...isn't it rare to see coaches match one D to a C (McDonagh to Barzal?) Isn't it usually D pair or even because a forward doesn't play a side like a D or more commonly forward line to forward line...
I wasn't sure, pj, if you meant to write, 'it isn't rare...' so wasn't sure if your thought was that McD on Barzal was notable in its one-on-one.
watching the full sequence adds context to Vasilevsky's positioning
This starts not even 10 seconds before the goal, Barzal had come down a very similar track as Mayfield ends up taking, and Vasilevsky played what looked like a shot/pass exactly the same way he did on the Mayfield goal (though there was no Islander in front of the net). This happens at :02 in the video below.
The puck harmlessly ended up on the opposite boards, but Vasilevsky then had to push off and shift laterally all the way to the right post at which point the LD kept it in and got it back to Barzal circling off the half wall across the slot with speed and collapsing the entire TB D. At :05/:06 in the video below and just 3 seconds after his first shot Barzal is now in what is likely an even better shooting location on the other side of the ice with traffic in front.
At :06/:07 Barzal decides not to shoot and dekes as he skates forward on a path to basically complete a 360 circle in the TB zone from his original entry point. He then passes it back to Mayfield streaking down on the track he had just been on and shot from 5 seconds earlier.
The speed and shot from Mayfield had to be a surprise because he gets the shot off less than a second later at :08 and is already celebrating at :09.
So this wasn't a play where Vasilevsky could aggressively move to anticipate a shooter (imo), he was reading a play laterally from one side all the way to the other, probably most concerned with Barzal when he was in the slot, and then quickly back again to the short side with Mayfield who simply had a lot of speed and space and just made a perfect shot. https://www.nhl.com/islanders/video/mayfield-nets-tying-goal-off-bar/t-277437420/c-8626720 - ( New Window )
This starts not even 10 seconds before the goal, Barzal had come down a very similar track as Mayfield ends up taking, and Vasilevsky played what looked like a shot/pass exactly the same way he did on the Mayfield goal (though there was no Islander in front of the net). This happens at :02 in the video below.
The puck harmlessly ended up on the opposite boards, but Vasilevsky then had to push off and shift laterally all the way to the right post at which point the LD kept it in and got it back to Barzal circling off the half wall across the slot with speed and collapsing the entire TB D. At :05/:06 in the video below and just 3 seconds after his first shot Barzal is now in what is likely an even better shooting location on the other side of the ice with traffic in front.
At :06/:07 Barzal decides not to shoot and dekes as he skates forward on a path to basically complete a 360 circle in the TB zone from his original entry point. He then passes it back to Mayfield streaking down on the track he had just been on and shot from 5 seconds earlier.
The speed and shot from Mayfield had to be a surprise because he gets the shot off less than a second later at :08 and is already celebrating at :09.
So this wasn't a play where Vasilevsky could aggressively move to anticipate a shooter (imo), he was reading a play laterally from one side all the way to the other, probably most concerned with Barzal when he was in the slot, and then quickly back again to the short side with Mayfield who simply had a lot of speed and space and just made a perfect shot. https://www.nhl.com/islanders/video/mayfield-nets-tying-goal-off-bar/t-277437420/c-8626720 - ( New Window )
Good analysis.
I also think he may have been a bit tired and been leaning forward just really slightly.
I think it was a great shot, don’t blame the goalie at all there.
looked like Lehner came out a little further though.
yeah, very close. Looked like Lehner thought Caufield was going to cut in front of the net and began to cheat that way.
but similar goal.
My only point is as great shots as both were, from that location - more so for Mayfield, the goalie should save it, at least Caufield made the head fake to get Lehner leaning.
trying to go 5-hole vs Lehner in Game 4, made the comment here, why'd he go 5-hole, he's had such success going top shelf? What do I know from scouting reports, but it seemed in that failed attempt, he went away from his game, his strength. What a sniper, canny and fast. Where did Montreal take him, 16th, in the KK draft?
the hockey Gods haven't made pjcas18 pay yet for what he posted before game 7 of the first round. How are they letting him get away with that?
How fucking silly does Montreal look only allowing a small amount of fans meanwhile the streets are fucking packed shoulder to shoulder with fans. Just let the arena be full capacity you twats
RE: Lehner played that Caufield shot really poorly
the hockey Gods haven't made pjcas18 pay yet for what he posted before game 7 of the first round. How are they letting him get away with that?
How fucking silly does Montreal look only allowing a small amount of fans meanwhile the streets are fucking packed shoulder to shoulder with fans. Just let the arena be full capacity you twats
The hockey gods are rewarding me for being grateful for what I had and not greedy for more.
That is what karma is. not what you keep wishing on me, lol
the hockey Gods haven't made pjcas18 pay yet for what he posted before game 7 of the first round. How are they letting him get away with that?
That’s the thing about the hockey Gods. PJ’s comments were taken into account. But on some curling board before game 7, some guy posted that there was no possible way Toronto blows that series, and so they washed each other out.
especially asleep at the wheel allowing a team to make the SCF that wouldn't have even sniffed the playoffs in any year in recent memory if not for realignment because of Covid.
Vegas played a shit series after game 1. Montreal played very well, but Vegas not even getting to game 7 against the canadiens is lousy
especially asleep at the wheel allowing a team to make the SCF that wouldn't have even sniffed the playoffs in any year in recent memory if not for realignment because of Covid.
Vegas played a shit series after game 1. Montreal played very well, but Vegas not even getting to game 7 against the canadiens is lousy
Yeah so because of some invisible line, we have to see two teams from the East play each other in the Stanley Cup Finals?
are douchy (present company excluded) but as non-fans don't you have to root for the underdog?
no one expected them to be here.
I have no problem rooting for an underdog, but I hated how they did the realignment and didn't like a team like Montreal who was mediocre all season long making the playoffs only because of the realignment.
They're riding a really hot goaltender and getting clutch performances out of a few guys but I dont like a team making the playoffs only because of the realignment this year. They should have eliminated conferences and just take the top 16 teams points wise for this 1 season.
They had a negative goal differential and made the playoffs. I dont feel like they earned a playoff appearance, just got one because of covid and the dumb realignment as far as playoffs go.
if you actually analyze the results, the North teams were not that bad and got "hurt" in points by beating up each other because other than TOR they were so evenly matched.
They had no NJD or BUF in the North. Their worst teams (OTT and VAN) were better than the worst teams in the other divisions and for obvious reasons they had one less team than the other divisions - who knows if that team would have helped or hurt.
that said I agree, MTL was a mediocre team - mostly because Price was very mediocre and injured for a while.
But they got healthy, got some acquisitions (Caufield for one) and Price - and the team has peaked at the right time.
I don't think deserving to be there or not is questionable, they play the schedule the league game them (like Parcells would say), but it's definitely a unique year.
But if they don't win 4 more it's not really that meaningful.
and no conference trophies are being handed out. The Final could've been Winnipeg/Edmonton vs. Colorado/Vegas (West vs. West in a normal year). The only reason the semifinals were matched up this way was due to seeding based on regular season records.
and no conference trophies are being handed out. The Final could've been Winnipeg/Edmonton vs. Colorado/Vegas (West vs. West in a normal year). The only reason the semifinals were matched up this way was due to seeding based on regular season records.
they just handed out the Campbell Bowl to Montreal.
But Montreal ran the gauntlet and earned the right to play for the Cup. Toronto and Vegas were teams many expected to compete for the Cup and Montreal beat both of them in the playoffs. That matters.
Why can’t the city of Montreal just let all those fans gathered outside the Bell Center to go inside and watch the game? What difference does it make? Surely the people in power have to see how special this is and keeping them away serves no useful purpose because they are still gathering close up outside.
and no conference trophies are being handed out. The Final could've been Winnipeg/Edmonton vs. Colorado/Vegas (West vs. West in a normal year). The only reason the semifinals were matched up this way was due to seeding based on regular season records.
they just handed out the Campbell Bowl to Montreal.
and no conference trophies are being handed out. The Final could've been Winnipeg/Edmonton vs. Colorado/Vegas (West vs. West in a normal year). The only reason the semifinals were matched up this way was due to seeding based on regular season records.
they just handed out the Campbell Bowl to Montreal.
Ah, they must've changed their minds, then. Back in May they said this. I would've preferred they stuck to that; the traditional conference trophies make no sense in this year's alignment. NHL won't award famed conference championship trophies during Stanley Cup playoffs, league says - ( New Window )
I agree it's weird, but kind of cool to see a franchise as old as the Canadiens win a trophy they would never be able to win otherwise, and hopefully never again.
Because 1) I hate the Islanders and 2) I think TB-MON will be a great matchup.
The Isles and Habs are very similar. Both Play hard responsible hockey….no offensive superstars on either team. No goons, scoring spread out over 4 lines. Both with solid goaltending with Carey Price possibly having an edge, although i believe tje Isles let in the least amount of goals during the regular season.
Why can’t the city of Montreal just let all those fans gathered outside the Bell Center to go inside and watch the game? What difference does it make? Surely the people in power have to see how special this is and keeping them away serves no useful purpose because they are still gathering close up outside.
It's illogical to think that logic would fly these days
Ugh. I will eat my crow. I really blew my call on the Habs.
There was once a line in a Walking Dead episode that I think works perfectly for me.
"When one is served a shit sandwich. It is best not to nibble. Bite, chew, swallow and repeat."
Surprisingly after they won there was only minor rioting. Two arrested. They must have been to gassed from partying all day because it was the Sainte-Jean-Baptiste Quebec National Holiday yesterday.
The Habs going to the cup has done something that I never thought that I would do as a Canes fan. Cheer for Tampa. I was hoping for an Islanders/Golden Knights cup, but now it has to be the Lightning. Bite, chew, swallow and repeat.....
The Isles and Habs are very similar. Both Play hard responsible hockey….no offensive superstars on either team.
Maybe, but Barzal and Caufield/Suzuki are making a case very early in their careers. Not around long enough to crown them, but you have to like their chances.
For sure. I thought Weber had a terrible period in his own end, several careless no look sweeps of the puck behind his own net that were intercepted, and one such botched exchange behind the net with Charot led directly to the tying goal.
hopefully they open it up the Bell Center fully for fans otherwise I hope TBL wins, because NYI at home have a distinct home ice advantage with their crowd. TBL, not so much - I may even try to go to a game if it's TBL.
otherwise, just looking for a good game and hopefully OT, game 7 OT's are where heroes are born.
They won't let the arena be full in Montreal yet they allow 2 or 3 times as many people to congregate outside the arena all game? Dont give me this indoor vs outdoor bs. The crowd outside was huddled way closer than if they were inside the arena.
McDonagh was the Lightning's best dman this series IMO. He isn't as athletic and fast as he was on 2014 with the Rangers, but he's really turned into a brilliant defenseman.
McDonagh was the Lightning's best dman this series IMO. He isn't as athletic and fast as he was on 2014 with the Rangers, but he's really turned into a brilliant defenseman.
I thought McDonagh was a non-factor before this series started, but I agree with you. He was far and away their best defenseman. That says something on a team with a Hedman on it.
but it just feels dirty having a team from Florida in the Stanley Cup. Would have been nice to see the Isles make it. They got outplayed considerably, but that's a fun team to watch and they've got heart. Hope our Rangers exhibit some balls next season and make it interesting again.
Islanders pretty much shut the Lightning down except for
that shorthanded goal. They are going to remember that all offseason. If the Islanders won this game I thought they were going to beat Montreal and win the Cup
McDonagh was the Lightning's best dman this series IMO. He isn't as athletic and fast as he was on 2014 with the Rangers, but he's really turned into a brilliant defenseman.
I thought McDonagh was a non-factor before this series started, but I agree with you. He was far and away their best defenseman. That says something on a team with a Hedman on it.
I looked it up after I posted: he had 12 points in 50 games each of the last two seasons. I didn't realize his offensive game fell off that hard, but it's clear he lost some of the pop/skating that made him elite.
I actually thought Hedman was sort of not noticable this series.
I'm also a huge fan of Sergachev, I think he's great.
I think the Lightning have a season or two left of competing at most. Too many of these guys are getting old. They've had an incredible six year window so far, though.
They are an offensive juggernaut, but they play some damn fine defense. I underestimated how well they can p,any shut down defense. They are a very complete team.
The Isles have a ton of heart and play a disciplined game, but they don’t have the offensive talent to steal a game like this. They have skill, but not the two way skill Tampa has.
They are an offensive juggernaut, but they play some damn fine defense. I underestimated how well they can p,any shut down defense. They are a very complete team.
The Isles have a ton of heart and play a disciplined game, but they don’t have the offensive talent to steal a game like this. They have skill, but not the two way skill Tampa has.
Islanders don't have a Kucherov or a Brayden Point who can just dominate a game. Barzal is the closest thing they have to that type of player
They are an offensive juggernaut, but they play some damn fine defense. I underestimated how well they can p,any shut down defense. They are a very complete team.
The Isles have a ton of heart and play a disciplined game, but they don’t have the offensive talent to steal a game like this. They have skill, but not the two way skill Tampa has.
Islanders don't have a Kucherov or a Brayden Point who can just dominate a game. Barzal is the closest thing they have to that type of player
They don’t. Hoping Wahlstrom can become the sniper they so badly need, but we got Travis Zajac instead. I love Trotz, but at some point you need to realize that Travis Zajac is no longer a guy who is altering the trajectory of a series. That was frustrating to watch.
I thought McDonagh was a non-factor before this series started, but I agree with you. He was far and away their best defenseman. That says something on a team with a Hedman on it.//////
I looked it up after I posted: he had 12 points in 50 games each of the last two seasons. I didn't realize his offensive game fell off that hard, but it's clear he lost some of the pop/skating that made him elite.
Very likely, and you have among the best and keenest eyes on these NHL threads. Yet watching him hang close with Barzal when he was doing his 35 seconds (?) or more virtuoso solo performance trying to find an open man in Wednesday night's third period, I was struck at the time, and each time since when NBCSN/USA replayed that, how tightly McD did hang, wheel for wheel, reversal by reversal, in tight spirals, around Vasilevskiy's net, with Barzal. pj and I had a quasi-exchange as to the one-on-one (still not sure if pj agreed that it was unusual).
No doubt those scoring dropoffs are eye opening and likely indicate a drop-off in play, but I wonder too how much of it might be influenced by the abundance of talent around him, he doesn't need to try to do as much. For much or most his last four years with NYR (comparator for scoring?) I think Girardi was his d-partner, 'nuff said.
my point was you said it looked like TBL was matching up McDonagh to Barzal.
My point was it is unusual for two reasons: normally it's total D pair (maybe you meant the McDonagh/Cernak pairing?) and it's usually forward line to forward line and then lastly the game you mentioned that was in Long Island - and the Islanders had last change so could have adjusted any way they wanted to once TBL had their players on the ice. That last point doesn't mean it's not what TBL was doing but it did mean if that was the case NYI didn't care to adjust to it.
Yes, I remember writing how I thought Girardi was anchoring him as early as 2015.
I think you're right on the talent. He has had zero power play points the past two years (I couldn't find power play ice time, but I assume it must be like zero considering he only had five shots on the power play this year and none last year). His last year with the Rangers he had 9 PP points in 49 games, so that's definitely a big reason.
He clearly relies on his hockey IQ more than skating ability now (although he's still a good skater he isn't as fast as he once was).
Brendan Gallagher says as of right now it does not sound like Dominique Ducharme will be available before Game 3.
I was talking to one of my Bruins fan buddies about the habs (who he obviously hates) and he said Ducharme was the turning point for the Habs. He felt Julien style wasn't the best in MTL and they should do more "block shots clog up the center" type approach and it wasn't an easy transition, but I wonder if he's right. He wasn't critical of Julien just that coaches like Julien are sometimes inflexible in their approach.
Just something to consider when people say what happened to MTL - they're one of a handful of teams to get this far with a mid-season coaching change and maybe it's not as much an accident as some think.
Pj, thanks, I was curious about your thoughts on the impact of the coaching change. TBH, I didn't pay much attention to MTL this season since I never thought they would be a real contender.
Vigneault had the same issue with the Rangers. He never changed his system as the team lost some of its speed. He took forever to adapt to opponents or deteriorating of his players - I recall during the ECF against Tampa he took a few games to start giving Yandle and Boyle real ice time.
Given there have been not infrequent tangents on NYR topics, I'll proceed. I had not heard this before reading The Athletic column today on next steps for Drury and Gallant.
Quote:
Hyman is much more of a top-sixer than the others, but I think any of them would look better on the right of Ryan Strome and Artemi Panarin than Colin Blackwell does, for example, and arguably than Kaapo Kakko does.
By the way, it was Panarin who frequently asked coach David Quinn, if not begged or demanded, that Blackwell be on his right rather than Kakko, among others. Quinn usually deferred.
but it just feels dirty having a team from Florida in the Stanley Cup. Would have been nice to see the Isles make it. They got outplayed considerably, but that's a fun team to watch and they've got heart. Hope our Rangers exhibit some balls next season and make it interesting again.
You too? This is like all the BBI guys who were rooting for the Eagles to win the Super Bowl. The hell is that all about?
Given there have been not infrequent tangents on NYR topics, I'll proceed. I had not heard this before reading The Athletic column today on next steps for Drury and Gallant.
Quote:
Hyman is much more of a top-sixer than the others, but I think any of them would look better on the right of Ryan Strome and Artemi Panarin than Colin Blackwell does, for example, and arguably than Kaapo Kakko does.
By the way, it was Panarin who frequently asked coach David Quinn, if not begged or demanded, that Blackwell be on his right rather than Kakko, among others. Quinn usually deferred.
What does deferred mean here? Allowed it?
Only thing worse than a player picking their linemates (even at the pro level) is a coach who lets them.
Good luck pjcas18. When's the last time a team from Canada won it all? It's been awhile no?
Habs, '93.
It's been a decade since a Canadian team was even in the SCF (Canucks loss to the Bruins unless I'm forgetting someone).
I don't care about things like that, some people make a big deal about it (not saying you did but I know people do) - I'm American, I root for almost all the American players (at least to do well especially if they're on the Habs like Caufield, Petry, Merrill or even the injured Ryan Poehling), but I always find that stat silly - the league is still almost 45% Canadian players - by far the most for any country. So whenever a team wins the cup, there is a good chance it's got a majority of Canadian players.
I just think it'd be cool for a Canadian team to win it all. Our most popular sport in football & their is-far & away-hockey. And as you said, it'll be 28 years now since the country won it all.
I've been to Canada a ton of times & am always amused/impressed how seriously they take their hockey. Good for them.
a lot after the NHL playoffs, I know football players are tough, but I'm convinced there are no tougher athletes than hockey players. in 2013 Patrice Bergeron played through the SCF with a collapsed lung (not to mention cracked ribs and torn cartilage).
Oh, and I thought Alec Martinez was probably the GK's best player.
Quote:
Jesse Granger
@JesseGranger_
·
4h
Alec Martinez played the playoffs on a broken foot.
"I was getting wheeled around a lot. Our medical staff is awesome here."
Given there have been not infrequent tangents on NYR topics, I'll proceed. I had not heard this before reading The Athletic column today on next steps for Drury and Gallant.
Quote:
Hyman is much more of a top-sixer than the others, but I think any of them would look better on the right of Ryan Strome and Artemi Panarin than Colin Blackwell does, for example, and arguably than Kaapo Kakko does.
By the way, it was Panarin who frequently asked coach David Quinn, if not begged or demanded, that Blackwell be on his right rather than Kakko, among others. Quinn usually deferred.
This is interesting, but I get it. Blackwell is a strong forechecker and does the stuff that complements Panarin well. Kakko and Panarin are both puck possession players, so they might not play well together.
I’ve never played high level but there are guys who you don’t mesh well with even if they’re really good.
context, but it seems selfish of Panarin. Almost sounds like he's more interested in points than what's best for the team (which is what the coach should in theory be considering)
This is interesting, but I get it. Blackwell is a strong forechecker and does the stuff that complements Panarin well. Kakko and Panarin are both puck possession players, so they might not play well together.
I’ve never played high level but there are guys who you don’t mesh well with even if they’re really good.
Brett, that's a solid take, albeit I wouldn't have come up with that. KK is good when he is on the puck (keeping possession) but not that much seems to happen, and maybe that's what Panarin senses?
And pj, yes, I read it that Quinn deferred/acquiesced to Panarin's wishes, if true, and agree that's not a good take for the club, esp. if it leaked enough for a beat to disseminate it. Not that it cuts any way in particular, but I think the transition to NHL and NYR in particular (?) has not been easy for Kakko. He seems a bit aloof. Any good Fins who are FAs? (:
Good luck to les Habitants: also would love to see a Canadian team take the Cup, especially from a team from....Florida? wtf? But Tampa Bay, damn, last night the Islanders could not find their game against the Bolts, as if pixie dust drugged them and TBL just had their way. Very, very tough team to play against; of course, I thought and said the same about LVK against Montréal.
looked good, but the Fins are so disciplined they expect everyone to be in spots where they're not - I saw it with Kotkaniemi.
I think Kakko explodes next year into a budding star.
i see how he thinks the game - the US liked the Fins model so much they pattered the ADM model after it and it's taught from mites to pros now - and Kakko was one of the best.
He'll be fine IMO. But...Joel Armia is a FA and the Canadiens did put Armia with Kotkaniemi for a while early for the Finnish influence.
story is disgusting. It is going to blow up, I bet the league is hoping not until after the SC, I hope it does right now. No one is going to be held accountable for this and it sucks. link - ( New Window )
CHP, I think your analysis of Kakko is correct. I think Kakko is an elite defensive forward, a good puck possession player, and strong along the boards. But he doesn't have the offensive zone ability yet (which I think he'll develop the next season or two). I can see why him and Artemi don't mesh. Someone like Lafreniere might be a better style fit down the line.
context, but it seems selfish of Panarin. Almost sounds like he's more interested in points than what's best for the team (which is what the coach should in theory be considering)
I can see it being selfish but also think Panarin just views Kakko as incompatible. I don't know obviously.
He didn't score a ton this season but he was a terrific all-around player. Excellent defensive awareness and played very smart hockey for such a young guy. He may never be a big-time scorer, but I'll bet he ends up a 25 goal guy who is a Selke candidate and plays a rugged game.
story is disgusting. It is going to blow up, I bet the league is hoping not until after the SC, I hope it does right now. No one is going to be held accountable for this and it sucks. link - ( New Window )
I've been reading the articles - there was one person who pushed management to call the police. Why didn't that person call the police when management resisted?
I hope we get a real investigation. how can some of these people remain in hockey?
context, but it seems selfish of Panarin. Almost sounds like he's more interested in points than what's best for the team (which is what the coach should in theory be considering)
I can see it being selfish but also think Panarin just views Kakko as incompatible. I don't know obviously.
My sense though is Panarin, a veteran, should have said I'm going to make Kakko better, not thought like Kakko isn't going to retrieve pucks for me.
My daughter cried when I took her off the 1st line (where she was playing with two really good players and her friends) and I put her on the 3rd line because I wanted to even the lines out better.
She sat the whole 1st period.
I think something that should endure through professional hockey. What kind of message does it send to Kakko that Panarin wants to play for a JAG like Blackwell? What kind of message does it send to the rest of the team? It's a terrible way to coach and it should never be public.
There is nothing positive IMO from a player going public with Panarin begging or demanding to play with a specific mediocre player.
I don't know, I guess I feel strongly about this topic because on our youth team it was such a big deal about the concept of team vs individuals.
Maybe talk privately to the coach - one time - state your opinion, then let it go. Begging or demanding? without more context sounds awful for Panarin.
story is disgusting. It is going to blow up, I bet the league is hoping not until after the SC, I hope it does right now. No one is going to be held accountable for this and it sucks. link - ( New Window )
I've been reading the articles - there was one person who pushed management to call the police. Why didn't that person call the police when management resisted?
I hope we get a real investigation. how can some of these people remain in hockey?
They keep saying they're going to clean up the sport, but then shit like this keeps coming out.
I really don't need to hear from Carcillo though. He was a scum bag when he played and now that he's no longer of use to any team in the NHL he's holier than thou? fuck him - he can get back on his high horse and cheap shot himself now that he can't get paid to cheap shot anyone else.
thank God I haven't, but I dont know how one of those hockey players didnt beat the fuck out of the assistant coach for what he was apparently doing to them.
thank God I haven't, but I dont know how one of those hockey players didnt beat the fuck out of the assistant coach for what he was apparently doing to them.
Same. I can only imagine they're scared, embarrassed, and probably worried it could end their career and for most of them it's all they know and have done since they were 6 years old.
same. I can only imagine they're scared, embarrassed, and probably worried it could end their career and for most of them it's all they know and have done since they were 6 years old.
Most upsetting is the Black Hawks litigating against disclosures because stat. of limitations has run. Wtf? So the franchise's position is that, since no criminal liability can now attach, what good would disclosure achieve except to make us look bad for not doing the right thing? What a look.
Sure conjures up the Larry Nasser situation and USGymnastics and its Pres. Steve Penny, USOC, and MSU from covering up their roles in attempting to bury untold cases of abuse. ('Athlete A' on Netflix btw is a good documentary on this.) It's not quite the same as these were pre-adolescent and adolescent girls, not professional hockey players, or is it, as pj suggests? Were they just as under the screws as aspiring teen Olympians?
He didn't score a ton this season but he was a terrific all-around player. Excellent defensive awareness and played very smart hockey for such a young guy. He may never be a big-time scorer, but I'll bet he ends up a 25 goal guy who is a Selke candidate and plays a rugged game.
I do too, he had a really strong season after being dog shit his rookie year. I thought he was barely an NHL player.
Barkov and Huberdeau (and countless others) took 3-4 years to get going offensively. I'm hoping we get a PPG guy out of him - he looked dominant in the offensive zone in the World Championship before being drafted.
I hope you and Greg are right (pj has felt this way too). His first season, after the Worlds and full season of Fin Liga, he was still 18, exhausted, deer in the headlights, and, understandably, deferred to anything he saw on ice. 2021 was distinct improvement, and some fine moments, but not enough in the attacking end. I hope Panarin broaches this with him in a positive way.
Would be cool to see Evans come back if he's healthy.
Last we heard on Evans was at outset of LVK series you said he was at practice. Obviously he's been held out, or not fit. Wonder if any intel on his RTP progress or set-backs?
Two of the best goalies in the game, and neither goal was a particularly difficult shot. Goalies just seemed slow to react to each.
Lots of red sweaters in the crowd. More lightning fans seem to prefer sitting outside than inside. Odd since this could be their last home game until October.
And speaking of Tampa’s fans, why do they boo the most obvious calls like they were crimes. The McDonough high stick? That call can’t be more obvious. It seems to be the only thing that draws their attention.
9, if that's a reference to leaving the puck unattended behind Price's net, there have been several of that kind of headscratcher these Playoffs. Seemed not so much a decision as a mindless drop to no one. Brutal game for MTL to lose.
To change the modality a bit, of the four pbp callers when the four Divisions began, I think Kenny Albert is the 2nd worst, 3rd best. He calls it 'professionally', often has the timing on crescendoing his voice right, but has no innate feel for, pulse of, the game imo. A smashing check along the boards or a simo collision is called the same, 'Player A and Player B come together'. A really impressive sliding poke check to break up a rush is called "And MTL brings it out of its end".
And in the middle of some close, compelling in-zone passing or keeping the puck inside the BL, Albert will interject, 'Score is 2-1 BOS, series tied, two game apiece,". Yeah, the pbp guy IS supposed to set the context reasonably frequently from time to time, but he does it as if he's on radio and the viewer has no access to the info graphic in the upper right. Save it for the pause for an icing or offsides. Sorry for the pet peeves.
This has to be the dullest matchup in any finals or Super Bowl I've ever seen. I thought Pittsburgh vs Seattle Super Bowl was uninteresting but this one might top that.
I wonder if Ducharme being back behind the bench was a factor? The Habs seemed so crisp in game 2. And tonight they just seemed out of sorts. Bolts a better team, no doubt, but the Habs laid an egg tonight.
I don't know what substances are being injected in TB
Tampa is boosted.
Hedman hadn't looked like himself the whole playoff. Cernak got knocked out for multiple games against the isles. Ruutta and Sergachev also missed periods against the isles. McDonagh carried them that series. Now they're an all world defense corps again. Russian gas.
Gustafsson was brutal. Tie up a stick, find a man.
Agree, subpar for sure, fat rebound on one, mis-timed and errant blocker efforts on others, couple of those Wednesday also. Part of down assessment of Price unavoidably imo is by comp to Vas (not great last night either); I think he's worn down, reflexes and hand eye just not there.
Good look by NBC production team at the too short dump in and TB taking advantage of ill-timed line change by that long outlet pass for the 2-on-none for the Kucherov backhanded flip. Not one MTL skater on the left half of its own BL.
Hadn't realized Savard was a trade deadline pickup, emulating namesake Serge, and Hedman near doppelganger.
TB is just a beast of a team - what's their weakness?
or put another, which aspect of their team isn't the best in hockey?
their goalie is.
their overall skill level is right up there. Point doesn't even have a goal yet in the SC.
does anyone else in the league have a Tyler Johnson centering their 4th line?
by default their defense/depth would theoretically be the weakest link to try to attack, but then you look at the TOI numbers and see that their top 4 have all played a managable 20-22 mpg this postseason. Even with Hedman not playing at his usual Norris level the D is consistently strong. And the more you try to attack them the more you open yourself up to their ability to counter attack.
this offseason is going to start chipping away at that depth big time though. Hard to see any scenario where they can bring back Coleman and Goodrow. Rutta and Savard are both likely to walk too. and even with those guys off the books they're still projected over the cap. So you'd think someone else of consequence will need to be traded (Killorn, Johnson, Palat?). McDonaugh seems like to be exposed for the expansion draft if multiple of those guys aren't. Perhaps why they are all so locked in right now - they know they are running out of ways to keep this group together within the cap.
Ok gentleman and those who can do everything with a smile,
I hope your fourth of July was grandiose and I know we all love hockey but let's hope that this is the last remaining element of the covid-19, in the sports world!
For the love of God Tampa Bay, end this boring bullshit tonight. Please for the love of sugar. Dance the night away with the Stanley Cup with 12% capacity in Montreal. I wonder how many Canadian residents are actually Tampa Bay Lightning fans LOL in Montreal?
Did you exchange sweaters with Scott in Montreal? However one might want to throw shade at the Habs, they can't be accused of coming up short against an inferior team. Give TBL some credit, stellar organization from FO to the bench to behind the bench.
Covid 19 is going to be with us a long time, between variants, the need for boosters, the high %% of people who refuse vaccinations in US, the much higher numbers (hundreds of millions) in other countries who have no access to vaccination. It won't necessarily be as disruptive as 2020 and 2021, but we most certainly have not heard the last of fan attendance protocols, I'm afraid.
As far as SCP, why did NBCSN apparently demote KT to doing player interviews at intermissions?
If the Canadians are indeed done, they have a game left to prove they are not, eyes will in any event soon turn to the off-season where there will be a ton of anticipation and activity for the NYC area teams, esp. NYR with Drury and Gallant now in charge, a sea change from the end of the season and with a host of decisions to be made or deferred. First up, the expansion draft and pre-draft deals to protect or expose.
3,500 people inside while knowing there will be 10,000 crammed together, shoulder to shoulder outside?
Can the Lightening go down in history as the empty-arena dynasty? Playing in front of 3,500 sullen fans in Montreal probably won’t sound much different than a capacity crown in Amalie Arena.
Columbus Blue Jackets
@BlueJacketsNHL
·
2h
It’s with a very heavy heart that we share the news that goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks passed away last night at the age of 24.
We are heartbroken. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Novi police tell The Athletic Kivlenieks was part of a group fleeing a hot tub after a fireworks malfunction. He slipped and fell, his head hitting concrete.
Columbus Blue Jackets
@BlueJacketsNHL
·
2h
It’s with a very heavy heart that we share the news that goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks passed away last night at the age of 24.
We are heartbroken. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Rest in peace, Kivi.
https://cbj.co/3ys3BLI
24 years old! That is awful.
Fireworks related incident. Sounds like something went wrong near him and he scrambled to get out of a hot tub and run away and slipped and hit his head.
Did you exchange sweaters with Scott in Montreal? However one might want to throw shade at the Habs, they can't be accused of coming up short against an inferior team. Give TBL some credit, stellar organization from FO to the bench to behind the bench.
Covid 19 is going to be with us a long time, between variants, the need for boosters, the high %% of people who refuse vaccinations in US, the much higher numbers (hundreds of millions) in other countries who have no access to vaccination. It won't necessarily be as disruptive as 2020 and 2021, but we most certainly have not heard the last of fan attendance protocols, I'm afraid.
As far as SCP, why did NBCSN apparently demote KT to doing player interviews at intermissions?
If the Canadians are indeed done, they have a game left to prove they are not, eyes will in any event soon turn to the off-season where there will be a ton of anticipation and activity for the NYC area teams, esp. NYR with Drury and Gallant now in charge, a sea change from the end of the season and with a host of decisions to be made or deferred. First up, the expansion draft and pre-draft deals to protect or expose.
I still stand by what I originally said. They are not a great team. The Habs would not have made the playoffs during a regular year. The squeaked in and played above their talent level in the first two series against other average teams that would have also had a hard time making the playoffs during a regular year.
If MAF did not have the ultimate brain fart in game 4. Vegas goes up 3-1 in the series and the Habs would not have advanced. That was the series killer.
The Habs do have some good young players that hit their groove for this run. They hit a monster team with talent to spare. A team who does not make many mistakes and kills you when you make yours. Ask RBD and Mrazek.
My friends here that are Habs fans have already gone into "Well we made it to cup" mode. Nobody is going to remember who Tampa spanked in a couple of years. Finishing as a cup finalist and winning the "Kiss your sister Bowl" means fuck all.
The Habs are going back to being a mid to low pack team next season. Only difference is that they will have a lot of holes to fill to give a decent supporting cast to the few young budding stars they have. Won't be easy with a flat cap and Price eating up another 10.5 million for 5 more years.
I am looking forward to the expansion draft. I am curious how Francis is planning on building his new team. Will it be with a lot of wheeling and dealing to get draft picks. Or will it be like Vegas and draft to be a contender right away. Going to be fun to watch
I think Kotkaniemi is leading the team in 5v5 goals in the playoffs. Tough one for the kid, but he's always bounced back from these questionable coaching decisions. Kotkaniemi was brutal on the dots.
Romanov and Kulak in for Merrill and Gustafsson. about two games too late on this one.
Novi police tell The Athletic Kivlenieks was part of a group fleeing a hot tub after a fireworks malfunction. He slipped and fell, his head hitting concrete.
8 years $41M. Normally I'd say this is a bad deal, clearly putting resources into RNH hasn't yielded success along with McDavid and Draisaitl, but at this price, it's a good extension IMO.
is probably bad, it's July, has to be the latest the SCF have been played, no?
Literally last year was into September, pj. Pay attention!
I'm a little surprised they can't keep the ice better (if that's what was driving it) - this isn't Lake Tahoe.
ha, yeah, but it's cooler in September.
I remember in game 1 or 2 when Hedman scored he became the first player in NHL history to score a goal in all 12 months in a playoff or regular season game. They said the NHL never played a regular or playoff game in July (at least as I understood it).
Anyway, humidity is harder on the ice than heat/sun - at least in hour shitty New England youth hockey rinks. Every time those doors open the glass gets foggy, when we had the heat wave a few weeks ago there were puddles on the ice. it was terrible.
maybe it's not what's going on, but it was my guess.
Finally got an entertaining game from this series.
Game 2 was competitive, and more so, for MTL, had the clear better of play almost the entire game, just some brutal late lapses and a brutal loss. Last night they borrowed a page from that game and went hard at Kuch, Point, Hedman and for stretches, not long ones mind you, but stretches, TBL looked disorganized, overloading in zones and not intentionally.
Had to look at the replay several times: Anderson, similar to Point in game 2 (?) as he went to the ice, able to flip the puck in the brief moment there was an opening below Vas' blocker arm and above his right pad.
#27 critical factor, again, on both TBL goals and what should by all rights have been the game and Series winning shot threading the needle to Kuch at the far post. His play intercepting a poorly conceived clear at BL, cross ice to right point (Cernak?) and he glides down the slot, takes a return from Cernak, gets a shot off that Price blocks with his left pad and McDonagh with sleight of hand corrals the rebound in close and backhands a perfect pass back up the slot to Goodrow and a wide open net.
I remember a pass he made--back in blue--from his own BL threaded a narrow needle between two Kings d-men to Rick Nash at the Kings' BL springing him for a clean break away. Nash may even have buried it, but maybe not, as it was McDonagh's pass that sticks in my mind.
Montreal played with the desperation you would hope to see
In a team facing elimination. Tampa looked to be playing more of a “soft” game. I expect you will not see the same on Wednesday. Tampa wants to win a cup at home and I think you will see them step up the feistiness.
In the series against the Islanders, Tampa always seemed to have a response to what the Isles did the next game. I expect that will continue, although I hope it doesn’t because I would love to see this series go 6 or 7.
TBL played great - they had a ton of chances. Kucherov is going to have nightmares about that miss for a while - more so if MTL miraculously comes back.
And not that it matters, but no clue how Carey Price didn't get one of the three stars.
It was easily his best game of the series.
and the coaching changes had an impact. I'd probably have Kotkaniemi in over Staal, but Staal is better on face offs so I get it.
That line of Caufield, Suzuki and Anderson is probably the best Habs line in a decade. They're hard to play against.
I think this series has been better than people are saying - Habs easily could have won both games 2 and 3, and probably should have won at least one of them. We should be at a 2-2 series. It reminds me a little bit of LAK/NYR in 2014 in that sense.
I don't mean to shit on Price, but he cost them a game. He doesn't look as good as he did a series or two ago. I don't believe the Canadiens are a team being carried by their goaltender at all this post-season. They're playing well.
When the Rangers won game 4 in 2014 I started getting irrationally optimistic. Just win game 5, then you're at home and they're on their heels, etc.
is probably bad, it's July, has to be the latest the SCF have been played, no?
Literally last year was into September, pj. Pay attention!
I'm a little surprised they can't keep the ice better (if that's what was driving it) - this isn't Lake Tahoe.
ha, yeah, but it's cooler in September.
I remember in game 1 or 2 when Hedman scored he became the first player in NHL history to score a goal in all 12 months in a playoff or regular season game. They said the NHL never played a regular or playoff game in July (at least as I understood it).
Anyway, humidity is harder on the ice than heat/sun - at least in hour shitty New England youth hockey rinks. Every time those doors open the glass gets foggy, when we had the heat wave a few weeks ago there were puddles on the ice. it was terrible.
maybe it's not what's going on, but it was my guess.
Yeah, that happens in NY too - I would expect pro rinks to be better, though.
not irrationally confident, the Lightning are as good a team as there has been in a long, long time.
Almost no weakness. Perennial Vezina candidate in net, perennial Norris candidate on the blue line, and several perennial all-stars up front. Lethal PP, solid (or better) bottom 6 and can play physical or finesse.
They are $18M over the salary cap, but I'm not going to whine about that, if you can skate through the season without Kucherov and a lot of it without Stamkos, make the playoffs and get them back healthy, you are a good team.
Watching the Lightning break out is technically as sound as any team I have seen since the old Soviet teams. Surgical.
But...MTL has heart and talent of their own, despite what some might say but MTL margin for error is MUCH less. MTL needs to be just about perfect to win. Last night both major mistakes they made wound up in the back of their net, and a couple more hit posts.
They can win, but it's an uphill battle, I'd take it one game, one shift at a time, win the battles, get some breaks, stay out of the box.
not irrationally confident, the Lightning are as good a team as there has been in a long, long time.
Almost no weakness. Perennial Vezina candidate in net, perennial Norris candidate on the blue line, and several perennial all-stars up front. Lethal PP, solid (or better) bottom 6 and can play physical or finesse.
They are $18M over the salary cap, but I'm not going to whine about that, if you can skate through the season without Kucherov and a lot of it without Stamkos, make the playoffs and get them back healthy, you are a good team.
Watching the Lightning break out is technically as sound as any team I have seen since the old Soviet teams. Surgical.
But...MTL has heart and talent of their own, despite what some might say but MTL margin for error is MUCH less. MTL needs to be just about perfect to win. Last night both major mistakes they made wound up in the back of their net, and a couple more hit posts.
They can win, but it's an uphill battle, I'd take it one game, one shift at a time, win the battles, get some breaks, stay out of the box.
You sound like every Islander fan two weeks ago!
Other than Florida who tried to out-Tampa, Tampa, this is the only way to play against them. They can make mistakes and win. Their opponents can’t.
are better than MTL though, and it showed in the results.
Other than the one blow out game, NYI controlled and even dominated large parts of their series with TBL.
the best thing for me is MTL took TBL at least as far as CAR, lol, so maybe Scott in Montreal will take a little break in proclaiming how bad MTL is but CAR is not.
I know that technically anything is possible. But…yeah, not here. Tampa just has too much posse. I don’t know if it’s because I was watching on delay last night, but coming out in the first period Montreal didn’t seem like a team playing for the Cup. Maybe they were tight, I think getting swept would be horrible to endure in the Montreal / Quebec media. But either way, yeah, Tampa is a ridiculously complete team. TJ on the 4th line? I mean… good luck in Florida on Wednesday.
the best thing for me is MTL took TBL at least as far as CAR, lol, so maybe Scott in Montreal will take a little break in proclaiming how bad MTL is but CAR is not.
Ouch! No bloody way. Take a look at the two divisions. You cannot deny that the Canes had a much tougher schedule than the Habs this year. They held their own and won the division. I could be wrong but they went 4-4 against Tampa and all the losses except one were close.
As for the playoffs. The turning point for the Canes was starting Mrazek that second game where he shit the bed. They lost 6-4 and probably would have won that game with Ned in the nets. That was their MAF moment.
Hopefully they will get back to a regular schedule next season. Then we will see.
I know it's unlikely but i'd love to see Montreal shoot this TB roster
to the moon. I knew they were over the cap and the roster was unsustainable going forward but didn't realize it was by that much. Would be awesome to see them get blasted apart and remembered for another all time choke job as opposed to riding into the sunset.
Than the regular season one. Carolina won the division against the cap-constrained Lightning without arguably their best offensive player. The cap-free Lightning are not the same.
Tampa didn’t blow out Carolina as they didn’t blow out Montreal. While Carolina likely has more offensive weapons than Montreal, Price is leaps and bounds better than Ned or Mrazek. The separation between those teams isn’t large.
While I want Montreal to win the series, part of me wants it over in 5 just so I can feel like the Islanders are closer to Tampa than anyone else, because they are returning almost all the same pieces next year.
Than the regular season one. Carolina won the division against the cap-constrained Lightning without arguably their best offensive player. The cap-free Lightning are not the same.
Tampa didn’t blow out Carolina as they didn’t blow out Montreal. While Carolina likely has more offensive weapons than Montreal, Price is leaps and bounds better than Ned or Mrazek. The separation between those teams isn’t large.
While I want Montreal to win the series, part of me wants it over in 5 just so I can feel like the Islanders are closer to Tampa than anyone else, because they are returning almost all the same pieces next year.
the NYI system and style is just best equipped for playoff hockey. With a little perspective the gauntlet they ran through was pretty impressive. Pitt, Boston, and Tampa to a 1-0 game 7 is about as good of opponents as you can face - all three with home ice and the isles obviously without their captain. When the "worst" PP of teams you've faced has Crosby on it, and it's not even particularly close to the other 2, that's saying something. I'm excited entering the offseason because I think they are ahead on the Lee/Wahlstrom for Palmieri/Zajac swap (I expect them to bring Czikas back on a very prorated 5 or 6 year deal).
Also think Cizikas will be back. If for some reason he isn’t, probably have to hope the Kraken doesn’t take Koivula as he likely slots in at 4C with Cizikas gone.
the best thing for me is MTL took TBL at least as far as CAR, lol, so maybe Scott in Montreal will take a little break in proclaiming how bad MTL is but CAR is not.
Ouch! No bloody way. Take a look at the two divisions. You cannot deny that the Canes had a much tougher schedule than the Habs this year. They held their own and won the division. I could be wrong but they went 4-4 against Tampa and all the losses except one were close.
As for the playoffs. The turning point for the Canes was starting Mrazek that second game where he shit the bed. They lost 6-4 and probably would have won that game with Ned in the nets. That was their MAF moment.
Hopefully they will get back to a regular schedule next season. Then we will see.
TBL had a short-handed team all year - no Kucherov, a little over half season of Stamkos, deadline acquisitions, etc.
So, sure going 4 - 4 against them short handed is fine in the regular season, but playoffs with relatively healthy squads CAR went 1 - 4.
At worst same at MTL one more win from MTL and they did better - and MTL is playing without 3 top 9 forwards not even counting coaching decisions like Kotkaniemi.
Also think Cizikas will be back. If for some reason he isn’t, probably have to hope the Kraken doesn’t take Koivula as he likely slots in at 4C with Cizikas gone.
If someone blows Czikas' doors off I'd bet a lot they just bring back Zajac.
I'd put Bellows slightly ahead of Koivula in terms of likeliest expansion pick because he's actually shown some flashes and his shot is a standout trait. But something tells me Lou may go the other way though and try to bribe Seattle with a draft pick to shave off some salary. Komarov only has 1 year left at 3m so i don't think that would cost a premium draft pick, though Ladd's 2 years would (and I'd be very tempted to do that and just gain the $5m in space unless they have plans to eventually "IR" him).
Also think Cizikas will be back. If for some reason he isn’t, probably have to hope the Kraken doesn’t take Koivula as he likely slots in at 4C with Cizikas gone.
If someone blows Czikas' doors off I'd bet a lot they just bring back Zajac.
I'd put Bellows slightly ahead of Koivula in terms of likeliest expansion pick because he's actually shown some flashes and his shot is a standout trait. But something tells me Lou may go the other way though and try to bribe Seattle with a draft pick to shave off some salary. Komarov only has 1 year left at 3m so i don't think that would cost a premium draft pick, though Ladd's 2 years would (and I'd be very tempted to do that and just gain the $5m in space unless they have plans to eventually "IR" him).
That’s certainly a possibility. Zajac’s age and size limit what he can do physically on the 4th line. But I can see him back because he will be cheap and Trotz loves his “play the right way” guys.
When the playoffs started MTL had the longest odds of any playoff team, entering the finals they I believe were the biggest long shot in modern history (77% odds for the Lightning).
Down 3 - 0 they were at a .0001 % win probability.
And, TBL is a better team.
But that's why they play the games. So, yeah, no one is going out on a limb at all predicting TBL closes it out.
If @CanadiensMTL end up losing to Tampa, a suggestion has been made that we hold a Stanley Cup parade anyway as a way to salute the team for a great season where they 'almost' won the cup - basically the equivalent of an adult participation medal. Does anyone like this idea?
— Aaron Rand (@aaronrand) July 6, 2021
It is actually true. I listened to the whole thing on the radio yesterday. It was not (local radio host) Aaron Rand who started this. It was a jackass named Jay Pollack (who I happen to know personally. He is a giant twat)who started this stupidity.
The CJAD radio station Facebook page went crazy with people blasting the idea and then there was the losers who were all for this.
Like or hate the Habs. If they do this. They will have become more of a joke than all the stupidities that Montrealer's love to take shots at Toronto about.
Montreal use to be such a proud city. Not anymore. Just the thought of this turns my stomach. Parade for losers - ( New Window )
In your mind, is this iteration of TB the best team to win a cup in modern history? Back to back cups. Stamkos a HOF?
Probably most complete team.
In my lifetime we've had a bunch of dynasties so hard to say best.
Just in the past decade or so we've had Crosby/Malkin and Toews/Kane win three cups each. Pens winning back to back.
And going back further we had the Devils Brodeur teams, the Red Wings Fedorov/Yzerman teams, the Lemieux/Jagr teams, the Gretzky/Messier Oilers and the Islanders teams. Going back further it's basically the Canadiens dominating history for many reasons (with some Leafs/other teams sprinkled in).
I'd probably say the Gretzky/Messier/Coffey/Kurri/Fuhr teams were the best, but this Lightning team has to be up there in the conversation.
If @CanadiensMTL end up losing to Tampa, a suggestion has been made that we hold a Stanley Cup parade anyway as a way to salute the team for a great season where they 'almost' won the cup - basically the equivalent of an adult participation medal. Does anyone like this idea?
— Aaron Rand (@aaronrand) July 6, 2021
It is actually true. I listened to the whole thing on the radio yesterday. It was not (local radio host) Aaron Rand who started this. It was a jackass named Jay Pollack (who I happen to know personally. He is a giant twat)who started this stupidity.
The CJAD radio station Facebook page went crazy with people blasting the idea and then there was the losers who were all for this.
Like or hate the Habs. If they do this. They will have become more of a joke than all the stupidities that Montrealer's love to take shots at Toronto about.
Montreal use to be such a proud city. Not anymore. Just the thought of this turns my stomach. Parade for losers - ( New Window )
lol, what a joke, yes they would and should be a laughingstock if they did this.
but then again Boston held a parade for Ray Bourque when he won a cup with the Avs, so nothing would shock me.
This was a more fun time for me in Boston. Back when Boston was loserville. I miss those days.
If MTL does in fact do this, they deserve to be ridiculed.
Stamkos will probably finish his career with 5-600 goals and >1,000 points. I think he's a no-brainer. He had 34 points in 38 games this year - you have to assume they kept him out a bit at the end of the year due to the cap. Assume he has four good years left, maybe misses 10-20% of those games. Can get to 600 if he has 3-4 good years, and a few more average ones.
I hope we get a replay of what happened in OT last game but I think Tampa is gonna come out with their foot on the gas to start the 3rd and a big push to end it here.
Jeremy Rutherford
@jprutherford
· 48m
BREAKING: Blues winger Vladimir Tarasenko requests a trade, per sources: Why he wants out, possible destinations and more https://theathletic.com/2690474/2021/07/07/blues-winger-vladimir-tarasenko-requests-a-trade-per-sources-why-he-wants-out-possible-destinations-and-more/
#stlblues
And hey, watch yourself, using "Boomers" and "stupid" in the same sentence is redundant.
;-)
So true.
Pj, my men's league in NY isn't returning until September.
We had a brief pause in September (two weeks) and they reopened but no locker rooms and no beer in the parking lot, etc. - so I "opted out". I was not about to drive to the rink with my hockey equipment on and post-game beers is 90% of why I still play.
I was amazed some people actually did it - talk about love of the game (or just derangement).
We started back up full go in March - no masks, full locker rooms, no electronic whistles, - just no post game handshakes.
I like the handshake tradition and I (obviously not a boomer) come from the second best generation. and none of the players are boomers and they all like it too. players are at the oldest millennial, but more Gen z.
I miss league games - open hockey just isn't the same. They tried to open back up earlier in the year but there were too many teams hesitant, rather due to COVID or because too many of their players temporarily left NYC.
I actually like the tradition but I hate seeing the losing team waiting after a big celebration and hate handshakes personally.
From the time we were mites and we cried when we lost (at least I did), to being grown ups when we felt like punching something, soaking in the elation and glory of the victor is the price you pay for losing. Plus it's respectful IMO.
I think most people take it that way - other than the Lias Andersson's of the world who throw their medal in the stands (which I kind of liked too), but to the other point re: handshakes:
shaking hands post series is a sign of respect and unless you're an animal like Milan Lucic represents the sportsmanship of these athletes brutally hating each other and trying to rip each others heads off for an entire series and when it's all over you tip your hat to the victor, shake their hand, hopefully learn from it, and move on.
I don't see how it's a boomer thing unless sportsmanship and respect for your opponent died with the later generations.
I hope my kids can shake hands post-game this year in a COVID free sports world.
The Boomer 'I can judge a man by his handshake and the way he looks me in the eye mentality' makes them love handshakes.
Pros? I'm for it. Sportsmanship and all that shit. Beer league? I think it's a crock of shit - if you have respect for your opponents don't cross check them ten seconds after the whistle or slash them all game. It's not the NHL, brah.
The Boomer 'I can judge a man by his handshake and the way he looks me in the eye mentality' makes them love handshakes.
Pros? I'm for it. Sportsmanship and all that shit. Beer league? I think it's a crock of shit - if you have respect for your opponents don't cross check them ten seconds after the whistle or slash them all game. It's not the NHL, brah.
lol, yeah, like I said men's league did away with hand shakes with COVID and they never came back.
and our men's league went bankrupt with COVID (turns out they were playing a big shell game with ice time payments - using summer league (for example) team fees to back pay for winter ice and so on, and when the summer was canceled they had no money to pay for the prior winter.
Some other league wound up "buying" the league which pretty much meant just keeping all the teams. the new league announced they were wiping the stats which had been there from inception (mid-90's). I joined in 2000 and one of my teammates downloaded all the stats and added them up, over 20 years I spent the equivalent of a 40-hour work week in the penalty box. lol.
When I was younger I was a dick, not because I wanted to be a dick, but because the 20-somethings would come home from college and be dicks, so in retaliation I felt obligated to slow them down.
I don't think I have even got a 2 min penalty in the past 3 or 4 years, but that gap between "I used to be able to do this and I'm no longer able to do this" is tough on a man.
Lol, pj, I probably only get 2-3 penalties over a 16 game season - usually an accidental trip and one temper tantrum.
Only been thrown out of a game once.
We have a 3 penalty ejection rule, which comes with a 10 min misconduct on the stat sheet (so 16 min in penalties total for that). I had about 40 of those in my 30's.
none since (I don't think).
Plus there were a few fights I'm not proud of, but also don't regret, lol.
RE: RE: Here is the explanation of Petry's bloodshot eyes
Eric Engels
@EricEngels
· 31m
As @SNkylebukauskas just reported, Petry has bilateral subconjunctival hemorrhage. Speaking with doctors over the last few minutes, no pain or vision issues associated. Just some burst blood vessels and pooling.
Quote:
Diversify yo bonds said:
Well.... yeah, but that hemorrhage is because he's on a massive painkiller cocktail lol
not so sure about that.
Quote:
Montreal Canadiens defenceman Jeff Petry has confirmed that his demon eyes were the result of him passing out while they were trying to reset his broken pinky finger, busting all the blood vessels in his eyes.
I'd be all over this, but I'd also want the long-term commitment from Jones or my price would be a lot less.
Quote:
Flyers Nation
@FlyersNation
· 4m
Trade talks between Columbus and the #Flyers have reportedly died down because Seth Jones won’t commit to Philadelphia yet. Chuck Fletcher won’t pull the trigger without it. (@FriedgeHNIC)
David Pagnotta
@TheFourthPeriod
· 25m
Seth Jones trade talk has picked up. I'm told his camp is involved in the process & allowed to speak with other teams to help speed up a trade.
My latest has more on Jones, and touches on Bertuzzi, Eichel, Henrique, Johansen, Danault & more https://thefourthperiod.com/pagnotta/jones
only possible change is if COL wins tonight in regulation they become the 1 seed in the West and LVG becomes 2.
Doesn't matter much IMO, if I had to pick I guess I'd rather play STL the way MIN is playing right now.
I got you beat. If it goes to game 7, I will be near the Virginia/NC border at puck drop on my way to Myrtle Beach. Brutal. Should make for an interesting car ride with the kids.
LGI
Doesn't matter much IMO, if I had to pick I guess I'd rather play STL the way MIN is playing right now.
The other advantage to the 1/4 match is that timewise only one game is likely to start outside of 9:30-10:30 PM Eastern start time. You tend to see less randomness when you have consistent starting times.
There are no Conference Finals this year, since there are no conferences. As I understand it, the 3rd round will follow the 1v4, 2v3 format as the first round, but teams will be seeded based on their regular-season records.
It's about optics and ethics!
TBD, I think the league is waiting to see the status of border travel between US and Canada after the division finals wrap because the mutual border closure was only until like May 21.
My guess is if cross border travel isn't an option the Canadian team will get hosed and have to play home games in Buffalo, Seattle or somewhere like that depending on who comes out of the North.
but not sure it matters THAT much, Canadian teams still cannot have fans I believe - but I'd bet everyone would rather be home.
I prefer the 3pm start time personally. Out of the barn at 6 and home at 610.
But this year the B's took the season series, and I think a lot has to do with Holtby who just was in the Bruins' head.
Still expecting a tough series and either teams can win it.
no idea how to explain it, when I watched the Devils play, especially when they were injury depleted, they looked like an AHL team a lot, except against the Bruins, they looked like the Red Army.
I don't think there has been a correlation b/w Presidents Cup and playoff success, but still a cool accomplishment.
no idea how to explain it, when I watched the Devils play, especially when they were injury depleted, they looked like an AHL team a lot, except against the Bruins, they looked like the Red Army.
Maybe they just weren't trying those nights? Lol
Now I feel more comfortable picking Vegas for the Cup.
The East absolutely no outcome would surprise me. Any of the 4 could sweep, be swept, go 7.
I will miss the all day viewership of the bubble playoff s. Still, the first round is my favorite 2 weeks of the sports calendar.
Pens in 7
Bruins in 6
Carolina in 5
Tampa in 6
Toronto in 4
Edmonton in 6
Colorado in 5
Vegas in 7
PIT vs NYI: NYI in 6. I have been trying to throw dirt on the grave of the Pens for a couple years, but in the playoffs I just don't think they have enough to compete with the disciplined (and talented) NYI
WAS vs BOS: BOS in 7. Should be a great series, hopefully we see Wilson and Marchand rip each others heads off, but likely playoffs will be tame as usual. I think these teams are close, especially since Holtby is gone and he kind of owned BOS
BOS vs NYI. BOS in 7. Another close series, decided by special teams, Marchand is a SH beast.
Central
CAR vs NSH. CAR Sweeps. Not often to people predict sweeps, but NSH is worse than many teams who did not make the playoffs.
FLA vs TBL. If Kucherov is back and himself (and he is expected to play), TBL in 6. FLA is a very good team, losing Ekblad hurts them more than people realize and if Kucherov is back for more than a cameo like Stamkos last year TBL is too much.
CAR vs TBL - a battle of the titans, could go either way, I'll pick TBL because of the goalie.
West:
COL vs STL. COL in 4. See my comments on NSH. STL is similar.
LVG vs MIN. LVG in 7. Maybe my favorite series, LVG is such a tough team to play, big power forwards, solid two-way D and consistency in net, but MIN is a lot of fun to watch right now. Kaprizov is so creative for a rookie (yeah a 23 year old rookie, but it's not like he's Hideki Matsui old for a rookie.
LVG vs COL - COL in 6. COL is my pick the past few years to win the cup, so much talent, time to show it.
North:
TOR vs MTL. TOR in 5. TOR is just too talented and MTL too banged up. I do think TOR is top heavy so if MTL can somehow neutralize the Marner/Matthews line and stay out of the box, they can hang for a game or 2, but TOR is too much especially how Campbell is playing.
EDM vs WIN. EDM in 5. McDavid, Draisaitl, Nugent-Hopkins - sick offensive talent. solid team overall. playoff style hockey benefits a team like them.
TOR vs EDM. TOR in 6. Again, TOR is too much. too deep, too physical now they have Foligno and Simmonds, they can't be pushed around like usual and expect to get inconsistent performance in net. TOR 4th line has been Thornton, Spezza and Simmonds - that's old and slow, but man that's some seasoned veteran depth.
Semis? Not sure how they will align, so I'll make assumptions.
TOR vs BOS. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss to quote The Who. BOS rolls.
TBL vs COL, epic battle, I'll say TBL in 7.
Finals, TAM vs BOS and TAM wins in 6.
my only rooting interest is for BOS and TOR to lose and for OT's and game 7's.
Or Pittsburgh, or Tampa. Pretty much anyone from the east other than Carolina will annoy me.
One point someone mentioned is the pandemic shortened season helps teams like the Pens with their age, and fair point.
I think the NYI showed in the bubble how their style can be tough, especially in the playoffs.
And nothing would surprise me - my predictions are usually wrong.
Like you, I’m always wrong too, so we’ll see who’s really wrong this time! I picked the Islanders to get to the Conference Finals last year, I just think this year, it comes down to them not being a great road team, and Pittsburgh being dominant at home with the extra home game as the deciding factor, because these teams are close.
Hmmmmm....I am very nervous about this series for some reason.
Only two playoff teams were worse:
The Blues (-1)
The Habs (-9)
two teams who missed the playoffs had a better goal differential
Avs have 2 issues 1- will be health - McKinnon is questionable for game 1. They have enough talent for sure. 2 - Goalie - Grubauer is fantastic and they are going to have to ride him because their backup now is really not good and their other backup is on Covid list
Was-Bos, FLA-TB, MN-Vegas are going to be tremendous series where good teams are going to be eliminated
So I got Toronto winning the cup vs .... Nashville?
Malkin GTD for the pens, but Sullivan likes to play coy, I'd guess Malkin plays.
Plus, maybe an early exit would mean Rod the Bod would shake loose
Oshie wins it.
And Palmieri opens the scoring, deadline acquisitions paying dividends.
Score 2 - 1, 2-and a half min left in the 2nd.
NYI tied is (JGP), go ahead (Nelson) and then PIT came back to tie (Kapanen). 2nd straight OT to kick off the playoffs.
FLA gets a goal called back and TBL (Coleman) comes back with the shortie, 1 - 0, TBL
3 - 2 TBL
looks like huberdeau fanned on the shot, but sometime that makes it harder to save.
long way to go, but hoping for a 4th OT
FLA is playing very physical, but that doesn't work against TBL anymore. and 3 PP goals for TBL is why.
TBL up 5 - 4, 1:14 left.
Come on FLA
what a day of hockey, I love football, and many sports, but nothing beats playoff hockey.
NSH @ CAR (game 1) @ 8:00
STL @ COL (game 1) @ 10:00
Although following up one of the best days of playoff hockey I've ever seen Sunday with a completely meaningless regular season game is pretty funny.
Tampa/Florida was absolutely incredible
Seeding for draft lottery is also in play because you can't just assume that a team will still have the same points percentage in the remaining games.
I also forgot to mention that Vancouver has one player who it appears will meet the minimum games number for Expansion Draft if he plays in remaining games versus if their season ended today.
Physicality always goes sky high in the first round, but this year every series has seemingly instant hatred. A positive byproduct of the covid schedule. Guys are getting blown up like it's the steroid early aughts. It's wild.
Hate him but respect him. He went from a pk, energy line guy to first line LW on team Canada.
Washington has half a dozen total shit bags.
What a good game - Landeskog is a beast - sneaky because he can score, but he's a nasty SOB when he wants to be and I could watch Makar/Mackinnon all day.
Sounds like B's vs Caps was also great, didn't hear much from CAR vs NSH, but sounds like the Canes took care of business as expected.
Today 3 playoff games:
PIT vs NYI (NYI up 1 - 0) 7:30
FLA vs TBL (TBL up 1 - 0) 8:00
MIN vs LVG (MIN up 1 - 0) 10:00
All three road teams won game 1 in these series, that seems unusual.
Also, CAL vs VAN regular season on too.
I don't get this at all. It's so dumb.
FILTHY!!
Fuck the Yinz!!
Quote:
I get having the Canucks and Flames finish out their schedules, but why do the other teams have to wait for them? These games have no bearing on anything for the playoff teams right? I guess over the course of 2 rounds they can make up the lag without too much disruption to the schedule, but it seems unfair to the 4 playoff teams, and unnecessary.
I don't get this at all. It's so dumb.
agree, so stupid, but MTL needs all the rest they can get to help get Price, Gallagher, Weber, Tatar, Danault, and more back - they are the biggest underdog in any series.
60 minutes of intensity. The urgency of playoff hockey is just not paralleled in sports IMO.
putting the Panthers in a big hole.
They say momentum in a playoff series doesn't shift until you lose at home, well momentum has shifted, big time, in that series.
putting the Panthers in a big hole.
They say momentum in a playoff series doesn't shift until you lose at home, well momentum has shifted, big time, in that series.
Was anyone expecting this to be a close series? I don't know. Haven't been following like previous years.
putting the Panthers in a big hole.
They say momentum in a playoff series doesn't shift until you lose at home, well momentum has shifted, big time, in that series.
Was anyone expecting this to be a close series? I don't know. Haven't been following like previous years.
4 playoffs games on tap for today:
BOS vs WAS (tied 1 - 1) @ 6:30
CAR vs NSH (CAR up 1 - 0) @ 8:00
EDM vs WIN (series opener) @ 9:00
COL vs STL (COL up 1 - 0) @ 10:30
Also, North finishes up the regular season due to COVID cancellations, CAL leads VAN 5 - 2 in the 3rd.
another great game.
not sure if it's the shorter season or what but these players seem like it's balls to the wall for 60+ minutes every game, the pace is crazy in all these games.
2021 NHL Draft Lottery scheduled for June 2 - ( New Window )
Boston wins. Double OT.
played such a great game and then becomes the goat.
WIN surprises EDM in EDM. An early exit will start to weigh on McDavid IMO.
COL steamrolls STL - too much talent in COL - Kadri being Kadri. He's like a less talented Tom Wilson, but equal in thuggery.
Tonight
TBL vs FLA (TBL up 2 - 0) @ 6:30
NYI vs PIT (series tied a 1) @ 7:00 (Malkin may be back)
TOR vs MTL (series opener) @ 7:30 (I read Kotkaniemi, Caufield and Romanov may be inactive. I don't think Ducharme want's this job long term if that is the case)
MIN vs LVG (series tied at 1) @ 9:30
Not saying it's the most important thing in the world but wow these little delays are a bit annoying to keep track of and easy to forget.
Yandle is apparently going to be scratched tonight. Does not impact his game streak.
Yandle is apparently going to be scratched tonight. Does not impact his game streak.
Ryan Whitney in shambles
Yandle is apparently going to be scratched tonight. Does not impact his game streak.
I wouldn't even know how to put together a trade offer for McDavid.
31 teams would be interested and willing to give up a ton for him, but I don't think EDM even picks up the phone.
though to play devil's advocate, he has 1 more year before his NMC kicks in the next year would be the time to trade him if he was going to be moved.
then after 2021-2022 his NMC kicks and he is under contract 4 more years, in all 5 remaining years at $12.5M per and I think that's a bargain and will be when the deal is over.
He's still 24 years old.
played such a great game and then becomes the goat.
Quote:
Who needs Eichel when we are going to get McDavid when he demands a trade this off-season? McDavid for Howden and second, who says no?
Yandle is apparently going to be scratched tonight. Does not impact his game streak.
I wouldn't even know how to put together a trade offer for McDavid.
31 teams would be interested and willing to give up a ton for him, but I don't think EDM even picks up the phone.
though to play devil's advocate, he has 1 more year before his NMC kicks in the next year would be the time to trade him if he was going to be moved.
then after 2021-2022 his NMC kicks and he is under contract 4 more years, in all 5 remaining years at $12.5M per and I think that's a bargain and will be when the deal is over.
He's still 24 years old.
I think McDavid has leverage if he demands a trade. He isn't going to Buffalo or Arizona.
How many more years is he going to languish in EDM?
Agreed on that deal, its a bargain.
What's his leverage?
His NMC doesn't kick in until after 2021-2022 season.
I don't think he'll be traded, but like Eichel (although a better player) he has to be frustrated by his teams lack of success (and to be fair, they're just down 1 - 0 in the series, lol).
I do believe, in EDM, McDavid has had better talent than Eichel has had in BUF. Neither has had a great goalie though which makes a big difference.
They're like the hockey version of the Angels.
Theoretically, no leverage. But I think he does in reality. You can't give up the farm for a guy who doesn't want to be there IMO.
I'm guessing, but I recall reading he told the franchise they had two years to get it right.
Theoretically, no leverage. But I think he does in reality. You can't give up the farm for a guy who doesn't want to be there IMO.
well that's true though of every player ever traded though, right? If they don't want to be where they are they can make things hard on everyone.
See what happens this series/playoffs, I haven't heard one thing about McDavid even asking for a trade.
It was just a hypothetical if the Oilers do in fact have yet another unsuccessful season while having the Hart Trophy winner and a second player in the top 5.
IOW, he's no Denny Lemieux. Yet.
Just my opinion. What you're saying is true.
And like I said (and you know), I'm just speculating.
This is what I was referencing about McDavid above:
This was from 2019.
Pro Hockey Rumors - ( New Window )
Tavares got shoulder checked and then someone's knee/skate hit him square in the head when he was down
Jesus, lol.
I didn't even want Byron to play, lol.
Carey Price plays like this the Habs have a chance, but last time he played like this was last year in the bubble, so I'm not counting on it.
Need to start Sorokin in game 4 on Saturday. Must win game.
Need to start Sorokin in game 4 on Saturday. Must win game.
Sorry if this gets me banned but fuck the unvaxed. Happy to post a pic but we were down an additional 3-8% capacity bc of them. You're welcome to your opinion on the vaccine but you're not entitled to tickets in a private venue. No idea if we win with more ppl but it was embarrassing to see the embryo seats and hear the missed cheers
Quote:
Coliseum sounded completely wild despite 1/2 capacity. Isles overcame a shaky first 15 minutes and carried play most of the night but we’re let down by goaltending.
Need to start Sorokin in game 4 on Saturday. Must win game.
Sorry if this gets me banned but fuck the unvaxed. Happy to post a pic but we were down an additional 3-8% capacity bc of them. You're welcome to your opinion on the vaccine but you're not entitled to tickets in a private venue. No idea if we win with more ppl but it was embarrassing to see the embryo seats and hear the missed cheers
LOL. Embryo seats = empty seats
Win 5 - 2 to take a 2 - 1 series lead.
4 games tonight:
WAS vs BOS (BOS up 2 - 1) @ 6:30
NSH vs CAR (CAR up 2 - 0) @ 7:00
EDM vs WIN (WIN up 1 - 0) @ 9:00
STL vs COL (COL up 2 - 0) @ 9:30
Quote:
Coliseum sounded completely wild despite 1/2 capacity. Isles overcame a shaky first 15 minutes and carried play most of the night but we’re let down by goaltending.
Need to start Sorokin in game 4 on Saturday. Must win game.
Sorry if this gets me banned but fuck the unvaxed. Happy to post a pic but we were down an additional 3-8% capacity bc of them. You're welcome to your opinion on the vaccine but you're not entitled to tickets in a private venue. No idea if we win with more ppl but it was embarrassing to see the embryo seats and hear the missed cheers
Why did the unvaxxed cost seats? Can't you go in with a negative test? Or did they go to the venue and claim to be vaxxed or something? I don't know any of the rules.
They have about half the arena as distanced sections for unvaccinated fans. So that's a lot of reduced capacity.
Ya, the vaccinated section just had an empty seat separating the groups. The Unvaccinated sections had like 2 rows and 6 seats separating people. Felt like it was a game at Barclays where they only sold half the arena
NSH on life support, down 2 - 0 in the series, a loss could be lights out.
The Bruins follow that up by crushing Ovechkin. Legally.
If those venues are allowing un vaxed people in... Yeah... They're entitled to those seats. Not that I agree with not being vaccinated. I am. Well, of course... I'm an essential worker. If a business wants you to wear a dumb mask in their store, that's fine, those are their rules but eh, you can't say the same if they're rules you don't like.
Now down 2 - 1 in the series.
BOS steamrolls WSH and takes a commanding 3 - 1 series lead.
WIN stuns EDM and wins both on the road, up 2 - 0 heading home. No fans in Canada, so not sure how much an advantage home ice is, but it's always better for your game to be in your own bed IMO.
COL cruising over the over-matched STL, up 3 - 0 - Kadri - a bigger POS than Wilson, gets 8 games for hit to head. 8 playoff games is roughly the equivalent of a 40 game regular season suspension. He deserved to be suspended but probably too heavy IMO, the league is very inconsistent with discipline.
Todays games:
TBL vs FLA (TBL leads 2 - 1) @ 12:30
NYI vs PIT (PIT leads 2 - 1) @ 3:00
TOR vs MTL (MTL leads 1 - 0) @ 7:00 Tavares out indefinitely with the concussion - scary play
MIN vs LVG (LVG leads 2 - 1) @ 8:00
Another great day of playoff hockey
I like the NYI approach, go after Crosby and smother him.
two games, two blow outs, not what we're looking for though in the early game Kucherov and Sergachev both injured by borderline (leaning toward dirty) hits when the game was out of reach so see how that works for next game.
They're like the hockey version of the Angels.
Quote:
is toast, and he's dirty, just a shell of himself.....two games, two blow outs, not what we're looking for though in the early game Kucherov and Sergachev both injured by borderline (leaning toward dirty) hits when the game was out of reach so see how that works for next game.
pj, what was borderline about Duclair's slash to the back of Kucherov's leg? Are you saying he didn't do it with enough force to cross the line? You're comment sounding Cooperesque. LOL
Duclair slash obviously just dirty, the Hornqvist hit on Sergachev was borderline, but leaning toward dirty.
USA played Finland today but I won't spoil it for those who are watching it tonight.
4 penalties in the period, led to two Leafs goals.
2 goal deficit for the Habs in TOR.
LVG up 3 - 0 on the suddenly hapless Wild.
tomorrow I will be out traveling across new england for hockey and field hockey tournaments for my kids - leaving around 6:30 AM and won't get home until 7 PM (not complaining, I love it and only have a couple more years left being a sports parent/coach) but I'll just add tomorrows games now since I probably won't post:
NSH vs CAR (CAR up 2 - 1) @ 2:30
STL vs COL (first possible handshake game, COL up 3 - 0) @ 5:00
WSH vs BOS (second possible handshake game, BOS up 3 - 1) @ 7:00
WIN vs EDM (WIN up 2 - 0) @ 7:30
Stats By STATS
@StatsBySTATS
·
3m
The 4 Stanley Cup playoff games today were all decided by 3+ goals.
It's the first day with 4+ playoff games, all decided by at least 3 goals, since April 20, 1983.
From the get go of this Cup competition, I'm very interested to see how inter-Divisional Play goes, as it has been impossible to measure relative team strength across Divisions because of the scheduling. In part this has been fed--and here a bit of denigration of the home town--by the notion that the NYR would have been a Playoffs qualifier had they not been placed in quote hockey's 'strongest Division'. I never credited that notion, partly because I thought it regional bias and partly because different styles and toughness of play do not necessarily translate into regular season statistics nor which teams are primed for Playoff hockey.
Quote:
as Black Saturday as hockey fans, we deserve better than this. The 4 Stanley Cup playoff games today were all decided by 3+ goals....It's the first day with 4+ playoff games, all decided by at least 3 goals, since April 20, 1983.
That is quite a mind numbing stat. I have to think it is, at least in part, the product of the skewed, artificial groupings comprising the first round.
From the get go of this Cup competition, I'm very interested to see how inter-Divisional Play goes, as it has been impossible to measure relative team strength across Divisions because of the scheduling. In part this has been fed--and here a bit of denigration of the home town--by the notion that the NYR would have been a Playoffs qualifier had they not been placed in quote hockey's 'strongest Division'. I never credited that notion, partly because I thought it regional bias and partly because different styles and toughness of play do not necessarily translate into regular season statistics nor which teams are primed for Playoff hockey.
this is more like old school divisional playoffs (which I preferred) to conference wide playoffs. I love the old school division rivalries.
second best playoff game I ever went to was Bruins Whalers adams division 1st round, game 6.
just two teams who hated each other going at it - the fans were fighting in the stands, Whalers won in OT to force game 7.
That Whalers team was loaded, Francis, Dineen, Verbeek, Ferraro, Ulf, but couldn't get past Boston.
they lose, they're down 3 - 0.
They need to win. EDM outshooting WIN 48 - 33 so far
they lose, they're down 3 - 0.
They need to win. EDM outshooting WIN 48 - 33 so far
Lol. Fuck them and their empty arenas.
Bruins close out the Caps in 5 (I predicted 7 - I think we'll find out about a Backstrom injury - he was invisible all series)
Avs sweep (and I predicted a sweep - even a broken clock is right twice a day)
other results:
Preds shock canes and square the series at 2 (I predicted a Canes sweep and up 2 - 0 I looked like I knew what I was doing, but back to back double OT losses and the Canes are stung)
and as mentioned EDM losing a disastrous game, to go into a 3 game hole. I had EDM winning in 5.
Full slate - of 5 games today (three possible handshake games):
PIT vs NYI (series tied at 2) @ 7:00
MTL vs TOR (series tied at 1) @ 7:00
FLA vs TBL (TBL up 3 - 1) @ 8:00
and right back at it
WIN vs EDM (WIN up 3 - 0) @ 9:45 (what? that's what NHL says, weird start time - must be something with the staggering of start times)
LVG vs MIN (LVG up 3 - 1) @ 10:30
IIHF
@IIHFHockey
·
3h
BREAKING NEWS!!!!
Dmitri Orlov & Ilya Samsonov of the @Capitals
and Vladimir Tarasenko of the @StLouisBlues
will join @russiahockey
at the #IIHFWorlds after quarantine!
Read more: https://bit.ly/2SjUz3N
IIHF
@IIHFHockey
·
3h
BREAKING NEWS!!!!
Dmitri Orlov & Ilya Samsonov of the @Capitals
and Vladimir Tarasenko of the @StLouisBlues
will join @russiahockey
at the #IIHFWorlds after quarantine!
Read more: https://bit.ly/2SjUz3N
Knew that was coming as soon as Washington got eliminated.
Quote:
the worlds are going on....
IIHF
@IIHFHockey
·
3h
BREAKING NEWS!!!!
Dmitri Orlov & Ilya Samsonov of the @Capitals
and Vladimir Tarasenko of the @StLouisBlues
will join @russiahockey
at the #IIHFWorlds after quarantine!
Read more: https://bit.ly/2SjUz3N
Knew that was coming as soon as Washington got eliminated.
I thought Ovi might play. He's probably injured too or maybe he'll decide later.
Stars in their early 20s generally don't want to play a defensive system that suppresses their own offense. McD will balk, but they have to do it anyway.
Conor has to make the transition like Yzerman, Modano, St Louis etc. Sacrifice a little offense, commit to two way play and they can contend.
Stars in their early 20s generally don't want to play a defensive system that suppresses their own offense. McD will balk, but they have to do it anyway.
Conor has to make the transition like Yzerman, Modano, St Louis etc. Sacrifice a little offense, commit to two way play and they can contend.
Interesting point.
How do you compare McDavid's two-way game to someone like Auston Matthews or Nikita Kucherov? Matthews hasn't won in the playoffs yet, but Kucherov obviously has.
I don't think McDavid's two-way game is Crosby level, certainly not Bergeron level. but it's been solidly improving every year - as has his face-offs.
I think the organizational failure to bring in a franchise goalie has been as important probably as a lenient coach to their failures to this point.
but otherwise I agree with your post.
Interesting point.
How do you compare McDavid's two-way game to someone like Auston Matthews or Nikita Kucherov? Matthews hasn't won in the playoffs yet, but Kucherov obviously has.
I don't think McDavid's two-way game is Crosby level, certainly not Bergeron level. but it's been solidly improving every year - as has his face-offs.
I think the organizational failure to bring in a franchise goalie has been as important probably as a lenient coach to their failures to this point.
but otherwise I agree with your post.
Agree on goalie, Smith is a nice story but he no longer has the athleticism to recover in scrambles. It's shown up multiple times.
Re McDavid, he can and has shown defensive ability, with his skating he can hound pucks when he wants and he will hit. My point is more toward the overall roster and lack of commitment. That supporting cast is full of soft, offense only players.
It has to be all the time, and you need a coach with enough gravitas to say if you don't follow the system your ice time will be affected.
Do Conor and Draisaitl want to play below the dots to support their defenseman on the breakout? No, they want to get out on the rush. That gets exposed in the playoffs. Tying up sticks, eating shots, sticking your nose in on the boards. None of it takes skill. The trick is getting a coach who will get buy in, and weather the friction with the superstars.
Bowman/Yzerman, Hitchcock/Modano, Torts/st Louis & Lecavalier were all rocky at the start but the teams became contenders.
Edmonton has put him on a pedestal and consults him on all organizational decisions. I suspect he wouldn't want a defense first coach but it's in the organ-eye-zations best interest
Besides McDavid and Draisaitl, EDM has Nugent-Hopkins, Barrie and Nurse (who had a breakout season) on D, Puljujarvi who showed he can develop into an NHLer, Yamamoto (he and Puljujarvi were both almost .5 ppg as 22 year olds) what happened to Kyle Turris? He was a reliable 50-point player.
When I watch EDM and BUF I feel like they have some talented individuals but just are missing something as a team. depth is an issue as is goalie for both, but I'm sure coaching probably is too.
Has to be one of the worst plays by a Goalie in a playoff game in recent history. Isles had no business winning that game.
A lot of people trying to figure out what went wrong. Can't *just* be the goalie when you lose 4-3 in triple OT.
At least better hockey last night than 4 blowouts. Carey Price made the habs Leafs a lot closer than it should have been, he was incredible. And Campbell gives the Leafs something they haven't had the past few years. As do players like Wayne Simmonds and Zach Bogosian.
Good to see Spencer Knight show up in a big way after allowing a goal on his first shot, save the next 36 shots.
Last nights results:
NYI push PIT to the brink after a bad goalie giveaway in double OT. Up in the series now 3 - 2.
TOR beat MTL 2 - 1 to take a 2 - 1 series lead.
WIN beat EDM 4 - 3 in 3 OT to sweep the Oilers
FLA stayed alive with a 4 - 1 win over TBL, now down 3 - 2
Today's games (2):
MTL vs TOR right back at it (TOR leads 2 - 1) @ 7:30
CAR vs NSH (series tied at 2) @ 8:00
It's not happening, folks. And you want to talk about gutting the roster? It would cost, at the very minimum, Lafreniere, Kakko and Fox.
McDavid needs someone like Kakko on his wing - a great defensive forward who can spring him for rushes.
Edmonton is probably the biggest failure I can think of in sports. Maybe the Cavaliers in the NBA in LeBron's first go-round is a fair comparison.
What was Florida thinking signing Bobrovsky? What an albatross.
McDavid needs someone like Kakko on his wing - a great defensive forward who can spring him for rushes.
Edmonton is probably the biggest failure I can think of in sports. Maybe the Cavaliers in the NBA in LeBron's first go-round is a fair comparison.
What was Florida thinking signing Bobrovsky? What an albatross.
and they did that AFTER they drafted Knight at #13 overall.
What did they think 7 years, maybe he'll be ready?
Or even overlap 1 or 2? so 5 years?
made no sense to sign Bob after they drafted Knight unless they just felt like a massive goalie hedge makes sense because their lineup is so stacked with young talent.
I noticed it at the time and that's even if Bobrovsky plays well (he hasn't been great), why waste a 1st round pick, a top 15 pick at that.
Players taken after knight: Cam York (top pair D), Caufield (Sniper), Alex Newhook (top 6 forward), Krebs, Harley, McMichael, Heinola, Foote, Pinto, Kaliyev, etc. - that was such a deep draft this is the type of move that really hurts.
Quote: Are in trouble. The goal tending difference is huge./////// Has to be one of the worst plays by a Goalie in a playoff game in recent history. Isles had no business winning that game.
Waiting to hear about Backstrom. If he's not injured and just regressed to a normal player the Caps may free fall faster than I think the Pens will.
Quote:
I agree with Diversify, I think Draisatl and McDavid are incredibly bad defensively.
McDavid needs someone like Kakko on his wing - a great defensive forward who can spring him for rushes.
Edmonton is probably the biggest failure I can think of in sports. Maybe the Cavaliers in the NBA in LeBron's first go-round is a fair comparison.
What was Florida thinking signing Bobrovsky? What an albatross.
and they did that AFTER they drafted Knight at #13 overall.
What did they think 7 years, maybe he'll be ready?
Or even overlap 1 or 2? so 5 years?
made no sense to sign Bob after they drafted Knight unless they just felt like a massive goalie hedge makes sense because their lineup is so stacked with young talent.
I noticed it at the time and that's even if Bobrovsky plays well (he hasn't been great), why waste a 1st round pick, a top 15 pick at that.
Players taken after knight: Cam York (top pair D), Caufield (Sniper), Alex Newhook (top 6 forward), Krebs, Harley, McMichael, Heinola, Foote, Pinto, Kaliyev, etc. - that was such a deep draft this is the type of move that really hurts.
Oh yeah, this isn't hindsight albatross. It was obvious at the time.
Maybe bias on my part, but when I watch Knight (from the time he was 16/17) I see a young Carey Price. his hallmark is his poise, positioning, and even temperament, so I'm not surprised to see him smiling.
As a goalie do you see any comparisons? You played goalie, right?
As a goalie do you see any comparisons? You played goalie, right?
It has to be all the time, and you need a coach with enough gravitas to say if you don't follow the system your ice time will be affected....
Do Conor and Draisaitl want to play below the dots to support their defenseman on the breakout? No, they want to get out on the rush. That gets exposed in the playoffs. Tying up sticks, eating shots, sticking your nose in on the boards. None of it takes skill. The trick is getting a coach who will get buy in, and weather the friction with the superstars....Edmonton has put him on a pedestal and consults him on all organizational decisions. I suspect he wouldn't want a defense first coach but it's in the organ-eye-zations best interest
just can't generate scoring chances.
he already had two assists before that.
looks good, after about his 4th team after being traded from MTL
yeah, he always had potential he had 46 and 56 points as a 20 and 21 year old. Just MTL needs coaches to play defense or center - they try and shoe horn players into bad fitting roles.
they did make out well in the trade getting Domi for Alex and flipping Domi a couple years later for Josh Anderson (who has been invisible these playoffs and is probably injured)
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I hate Toronto and I hate Carolina for giving him to the leafs because he's talented. Now we get to hear more sanctimonious horseshit about how the progressive enlightened ways of the leafs unlocked his potential.
yeah, he always had potential he had 46 and 56 points as a 20 and 21 year old. Just MTL needs coaches to play defense or center - they try and shoe horn players into bad fitting roles.
they did make out well in the trade getting Domi for Alex and flipping Domi a couple years later for Josh Anderson (who has been invisible these playoffs and is probably injured)
Yes Habs definitely salvaged a great return in the end. Anderson was always a pain as a Jacket. I love big guys who can fly and enjoy killing people.
Habs down in seemingly insurmountable 3 - 1 hole after being simply over matched by TOR.
CAR takes a 3 - 2 series lead with an OT win.
today - 3 games - all possible handshakes
PIT vs NYI (NYI lead 3 - 2) @ 6:30
TBL vs FLA (TBL leads 3 - 2) @ 8:00
MIN vs LVG (LVG leads 3 - 2) @ 9:00
yeah, no idea why with three games, push Vegas to 9:30 or 10, start NYI at 7 or 7:30 the earliest.
It's NBC time, I'd bet puck drop is closer to 7pm
I suspect we will see more dominoes falling in EDM - not sure if this was all Gretzky's decision or what he even did as Vice Chairman (if anything), but I do expect changes there.
@Aportzline
·
1m
Can confirm report by @CraigSMorgan
that former #TBLightning and #Yotes coach Rick Tocchet will interview later this week for #CBJ coaching vacancy.
@Aportzline
·
1m
Can confirm report by @CraigSMorgan
that former #TBLightning and #Yotes coach Rick Tocchet will interview later this week for #CBJ coaching vacancy.
Quote:
Aaron Portzline
@Aportzline
·
1m
Can confirm report by @CraigSMorgan
that former #TBLightning and #Yotes coach Rick Tocchet will interview later this week for #CBJ coaching vacancy.
With JD back at Columbus, guessing that BJ gig might appear a bit more coach friendly than NYR? That said, pj, your thoughts on Tocchet? No sense of his style or ability behind the bench.
I don't know much about his style or system, it's hard to evaluate his time in ARI because their team was generally so shitty.
but I think the bubble performance maybe gets him some positive recognition - beating NSH before losing steam vs COL was impressive.
I always like former players coaching until they prove they aren't good at it. It's like asking someone to be a manager who never had the job of the people who they're managing - just less effective IMO, so he checks that box at least.
I'd support an interview and let the people in charge determine fit.
Chris Ryan
@ChrisRyan_NJ
·
May 25
Assuming Connor McDavid wins the Hart Trophy this season:
The teams with the last 3 MVPs (Kucherov, Draisaitl, McDavid) have won a combined 0 playoff games in those seasons. The last team to win a playoff game the year a player won MVP was the Devils w/ Taylor Hall in 2018
Pulock was a 1st Round pick from Garth Snow era
I was shocked the Pens got the #1 seed, but man Jarry is brutal.
I am sure. They acquired Andy Greene at same trade deadline as Pageau.
So far my only real blemish is EDM.
I did have CAR sweeping, but I think they close it out anyway tomorrow in 6.
I have BOS over NYI in 7 games. should be close series if the teams play to their potential.
that doesn't mean he won't be fired, but I'd be shocked.
That team massively overachieved
that doesn't mean he won't be fired, but I'd be shocked.
That team massively overachieved
That's the word on the street. Hextall/Burke didn't hire Sullivan and Pittsburgh may tear it all down and press the reset button. They have one of the weakest farm systems in the NHL,
Quote:
Sullivan has a strong case for Jack Adams.
that doesn't mean he won't be fired, but I'd be shocked.
That team massively overachieved
That's the word on the street. Hextall/Burke didn't hire Sullivan and Pittsburgh may tear it all down and press the reset button. They have one of the weakest farm systems in the NHL,
and some of the least depth in all of the NHL.
I wonder if Crosby is moved. that would be more likely IMO than even Eichel or McDavid (if he wants to be).
4 more years at $8.7M, but obviously a NMC.
Game 7 tomorrow.
two potential hand shake games tonight:
TOR vs MTL (TOR leads 3 - 1) @ 7:00
NSH vs CAR (CAR leads 3 - 2) @ 9:30
Quote:
In comment 15273431 pjcas18 said:
Quote:
Sullivan has a strong case for Jack Adams.
that doesn't mean he won't be fired, but I'd be shocked.
That team massively overachieved
That's the word on the street. Hextall/Burke didn't hire Sullivan and Pittsburgh may tear it all down and press the reset button. They have one of the weakest farm systems in the NHL,
and some of the least depth in all of the NHL.
I wonder if Crosby is moved. that would be more likely IMO than even Eichel or McDavid (if he wants to be).
4 more years at $8.7M, but obviously a NMC.
I don’t think they move Crosby, but their D is awful and you have a lot of players who look good because of their linemates (Jake Geuntzel). The best line all series for Pens was Carter centering Zucker and Kapanen because they all could match physical play, but they still can skate and were not afraid to shoot the puck. Letang gets away with a lot that should be called penalties and Doumilon is good for one boneheaded play per game even though he is still their best defensive defenseman.
Malkin will be 35 this offseason and has 1 year 9.5M left - and looked like he was toast.
I think Crosby's term makes him attractive, not less attractive.
Crosby is a year younger and has 4 years left.
Both have NMC's but any scenario where you try and fill in around them is not a "burn it down" scenario IMO.
And if Mike Sullivan is let go, I'm hoping the Habs are the first ones on the phone. IMIO one of the best coaches in the league.
The Canadians won't hire him. He can't speak French, as far as I know :P . I don't know if Boudreau can speak French either, but he certainly has the last name!
But you have to ask yourself why have the Penguins faced three straight first round exits when they have two generational players in Crosby and Malkin, granted both are up there in age. I would imagine the same questions are being asked of Dave Tippett right now, except McDavid and Drai are very young and produced exceptionally this season.
Not a ton of pros on the US roster, but Matt Berniers US draft eligible is playing. I like him.
Several rangers (Zac Jones, Rooney, and Blackwell (who gets the A)
Ryan Donato, Justin Abdelkader, Brian Boyle, Jack Drury (Chris' nephew), Christian Wolanin, Jason Robertson the other "names"on the team.
US is 2 - 1 so far. W's over Canada (who also lost to Germany) and Kazakhstan and a loss to Finland.
Usually as NHL teams are eliminated more NHL players get added to rosters, so the end of the worlds (10 days) is better than the start.
I agree, if they do "burn it down" and can't find a trade partner I wonder if they buy him out.
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Coming off a year of injury and playoff ineffectiveness, with a $9.5M cap hit has any trade value at all. I’d think the Penguins would need to eat a lot of that salary just to get someone to listen.
I agree, if they do "burn it down" and can't find a trade partner I wonder if they buy him out.
Do Ovi and Malkin still hate each other? Because Malkin would seem like a good fit in Washington.
Rangers obviously need C, but I would hope Drury steers clear
Quote:
And if Mike Sullivan is let go, I'm hoping the Habs are the first ones on the phone. IMIO one of the best coaches in the league.
The Canadians won't hire him. He can't speak French, as far as I know :P . I don't know if Boudreau can speak French either, but he certainly has the last name!
But you have to ask yourself why have the Penguins faced three straight first round exits when they have two generational players in Crosby and Malkin, granted both are up there in age. I would imagine the same questions are being asked of Dave Tippett right now, except McDavid and Drai are very young and produced exceptionally this season.
The Pens made a big mistake trading a 2nd round pick to Vegas so they'd take MAF and kept Matt Murray.
And they kept trading top draft picks for marginal players at the deadline to keep the pulse of the corpse alive.
They have had 2, a whopping 2, 1st round picks since 2012.
and one of them was Kasperi Kapanen who they just traded a 1st round pick to re-acquire lol.
And they have no 1st round pick this year.
1st round picks in the NHL are gold, overwhelmingly higher odds of reaching the NHL and bigger drop off after round 1 than most sports.
And speaking of which, I really hope they keep these divisions. New York vs. Boston and New York vs. Philadelphia (and NY vs. Washington to a lesser extent) deserve to be in every sport. Keep the Bruins in the same division as the Rangers and Islanders. Fuck the Hurricanes and fuck the Sabres.
they are so well rounded - solid three lines, solid 4 D, solid in net.
but make no mistake, I think they live and die with their top line and I think special teams may decide the BOS vs NYI series
And speaking of which, I really hope they keep these divisions. New York vs. Boston and New York vs. Philadelphia (and NY vs. Washington to a lesser extent) deserve to be in every sport. Keep the Bruins in the same division as the Rangers and Islanders. Fuck the Hurricanes and fuck the Sabres.
I’d love to keep the divisions how they are this year going forward and move to a 1-8 seeded playoff with the conference rotating each year. Year 1 could be east/central, then year 2 east/north and year 3 east/west.
Def feel like Buffalo and Boston are more natural rivals in the east compared to Carolina and Columbus.
I don't put a ton of value in 3rd and 4th round picks, but they can help you move up in the first or 2nd round and can help add at the deadline - which is apparently what PIT has been doing - ineffectively.
Quote:
You have both the Islanders and Bruins advancing. Drury has definitely noticed.
And speaking of which, I really hope they keep these divisions. New York vs. Boston and New York vs. Philadelphia (and NY vs. Washington to a lesser extent) deserve to be in every sport. Keep the Bruins in the same division as the Rangers and Islanders. Fuck the Hurricanes and fuck the Sabres.
I’d love to keep the divisions how they are this year going forward and move to a 1-8 seeded playoff with the conference rotating each year. Year 1 could be east/central, then year 2 east/north and year 3 east/west.
Def feel like Buffalo and Boston are more natural rivals in the east compared to Carolina and Columbus.
And speaking of which, I really hope they keep these divisions. New York vs. Boston and New York vs. Philadelphia (and NY vs. Washington to a lesser extent) deserve to be in every sport. Keep the Bruins in the same division as the Rangers and Islanders. Fuck the Hurricanes and fuck the Sabres.
maybe it's fuck you anakim!
I loved the old Adams division playoff battles. Same with the Norris. the teams seemed to actually hate each other.
but I do not support an all Canada division if it's not necessary.
I loved the old Adams division playoff battles. Same with the Norris. the teams seemed to actually hate each other.
but I do not support an all Canada division if it's not necessary.
I actually prefer the conference model (1v8, 2v7, etc) because it leads to more variety in the matchups. It also increases the chance that a better team makes it to the Cup Final, because otherwise the stronger division playoffs knock out good teams early, while the weaker division teams "coast" into the conference finals.
that more than 1 every other year, and in 35 years (so going back another 10 years) only 8 President's Trophy winners won the SCF, so the chances are probably better the #1 seed loses to #8 than wins the cup - with conference style playoffs.
I also like less variety in the playoffs I think it creates rivalries and IMO sports need rivalries.
but everyone has their opinion, and it's not like I feel strongly about it - just that's my opinion
And, yes, it was Greene at the same time as Pulock, don't know how I conflated the two, exceot not a close follower of the team until the Bubble last year and forced diet this year.
Cassidy-Trotz, bottom six depth and third pair decent, evenly matched, though it seemed to me that Trotz was trying to limit third pair last night as Pulock and Greene swapped around, got a ton of ice time. Mayfield is damn solid.
Zajac stepped up.
Zajac stepped up.
Dobson didn't play in the third after getting laid out by Zucker, hence the juggling
1. Owen Power (big Canadian LD)
2. Mason McTavish (Swiss/Canadian C - lit up the U18 for Canada)
3. Kent Johnson (Canadian C)
4. Luke Hughes (USA LD - younger brother of Jack and Quinn - much bigger than both Quinn and Jack)
5. Dylan Guenther (Canadian F)
6. Matty Beniers (USA C, like him a lot)
7. Brandt Clarke (Canadian RD)
8. Brennan Othmann (Swiss/Canadian F - like him too)
9. Matthew Coronato (USA LW - NYC kid, Harvard commit - I like him but I find Harvard commits usually go to school for a few years - like Fox)
10. Cole Sillinger (US/Canadian C - identifies as Canadian)
top 10 NA skaters.
I don't know much about the euros other than:
William Eklund (Swedish F)
Simon Edvinsson (Big Swedish D)
Aatu Raty (Finnish C)
going to be a tough draft - like last year, since no juniors season, no memorial cup, truncated NCAA season, and not a ton of INTL tournaments and some COVID impact.
link - ( New Window )
the fact Ducharme sat Caufield game 1 should be enough to make him unqualified to lose the interim tag and be named head coach.
Nope.
Dobson has not been the same player since he came back from COVID. He was playing very well before that layoff and has seemed slower and less decisive since. Hopefully that will not be the case going into next season.
In the meantime I expect he will still play limited minutes the rest of the playoffs. There is nobody behind him who would be an upgrade.
Tomorrow can't get here fast enough
LVG vs MIN @ 9:00, would be an upset to see MIN win.
Tomorrow we have the start of round 2.
with BOS vs NYI @ 8:00
And the continuation of the first round in the North:
MTL vs TOR @ 7:30, Bell Center will have 2500 fans - I believe the first fans in Canada for pro hockey this season.
NHL News
@PuckReportNHL
·
8m
NHL announces that they are no longer requiring fans to wear masks at arenas, starting in Round 2 of the Playoffs, as part of the Guest Experience Protocol
NHL News
@PuckReportNHL
·
8m
NHL announces that they are no longer requiring fans to wear masks at arenas, starting in Round 2 of the Playoffs, as part of the Guest Experience Protocol
Happy to accept their rules
Pretty sure Barzal is nursing something. He's passed up shots left and right for about a month, and when he does shoot its a muffin.
Leddy too, you don't go from elite skater losing races in 2 months.
He's not hitting which is sign #1, but he's not even skating well - almost looks tentative out there.
I suspect we'll hear about surgery for him after the season.
Hopefully Joel Edmunson too, after a solid 3rd pair season, as a reliable stay at home defenseman he's coughing up pucks consistently.
What stood out 1st and 2nd: almost identical rebounds that Sorokin created--as in deliberate blocker/stick deflections to his right--Pasternak parked there, once he held the puck and held it some more and when Sorokin moved to the near post, Pasternak had a wide open far side as the traffic cleared; the 2nd was more bang bang as the puck deflected to him and snuck it inside near post, as I recall these. Trotz, Sorokin and backline going to have to adjust. But Boston just looked the better, quicker, more alert team.
That PP, that line, always in motion, always playing off one another, no weak link in that chain.
NHL News
@PuckReportNHL
·
10m
Aaron Portzline: “Sources have told The Athletic that the Columbus Blue Jackets, barring a change of heart by Seth Jones, are likely to trade (him) this summer, most likely near the NHL Draft in late July.” #CBJ
CAR vs TBL @ 5:00
COL vs LVG @ 8:00
Seems like the Av's have been off a while since they swept and LVG went 7. Never sure which I prefer, time off is always good, but is it?
NHL News
@PuckReportNHL
·
10m
Aaron Portzline: “Sources have told The Athletic that the Columbus Blue Jackets, barring a change of heart by Seth Jones, are likely to trade (him) this summer, most likely near the NHL Draft in late July.” #CBJ
There's a guaranteed overpay waiting to happen
26 years old, top 5 RD in the league, I'd overpay for Jones.
NHL News
@PuckReportNHL
·
10m
Aaron Portzline: “Sources have told The Athletic that the Columbus Blue Jackets, barring a change of heart by Seth Jones, are likely to trade (him) this summer, most likely near the NHL Draft in late July.” #CBJ
Why can't Columbus literally ever keep a good player?
I've heard it's a great place to live.
A little weird to me.
I went to the Galapagos Islands - had a great time.
It was worth it because that also meant the Bruins/Islanders advanced.
shame a softie decided it.
they said MAF needs rest and being a road game against a high powered offense, they figured getting Lehner in there to try and steal one makes sense with MAF going game 2. At least that's what they said.
Also though, not like lehner is a typical backup, he and MAF won the Jennings.
I think I'd take him over Hedman.
He has to take one for the team here. They're not coming back in this game. You dont want to put Fleury in at this point you need to get him the night off and Lehner has to just suck it up
Quote:
Could it possibly have been worth it not to see the Caps and Pens eliminated?
I went to the Galapagos Islands - had a great time.
Hoping to figure out where someone like you came from? 🙂
Quote:
I guess at 4 - 0, what's the point?
He has to take one for the team here. They're not coming back in this game. You dont want to put Fleury in at this point you need to get him the night off and Lehner has to just suck it up
yeah, I agree.
5 - 0
Regardless of how tomorrow turns out the best thing for the Habs is playoff experience and contribution from the young guys.
Suzuki (21) 3 pts in 6 games (OT GW game 5), Kotkaniemi (20) (OT GW game 6) 3 pts in 5 games, Caufield (20) (1 point - sweet OT GW assist in game 5)
Wish Romanov was playing too, but by this amount of experience is worth it IMO vs not making the playoffs. I don't think Ducharme (so far) has earned the job, but I feel like with Julien, - not sure how much PT these guys would be getting.
Regardless of how tomorrow turns out the best thing for the Habs is playoff experience and contribution from the young guys.
Suzuki (21) 3 pts in 6 games (OT GW game 5), Kotkaniemi (20) (OT GW game 6) 3 pts in 5 games, Caufield (20) (1 point - sweet OT GW assist in game 5)
Wish Romanov was playing too, but by this amount of experience is worth it IMO vs not making the playoffs. I don't think Ducharme (so far) has earned the job, but I feel like with Julien, - not sure how much PT these guys would be getting.
Game 7 on tap and you're preemptively brightsiding? Lol
Fuck that. End the Leafs. The hockey internet beseeches you.
I get he's frustrated but that's a real POS move, and this on the heels of another POS move cross checking someone into the net last series.
He's in Tom Wilson category of POS, only without the talent.
Quote:
at MTL vs TOR.
Regardless of how tomorrow turns out the best thing for the Habs is playoff experience and contribution from the young guys.
Suzuki (21) 3 pts in 6 games (OT GW game 5), Kotkaniemi (20) (OT GW game 6) 3 pts in 5 games, Caufield (20) (1 point - sweet OT GW assist in game 5)
Wish Romanov was playing too, but by this amount of experience is worth it IMO vs not making the playoffs. I don't think Ducharme (so far) has earned the job, but I feel like with Julien, - not sure how much PT these guys would be getting.
Game 7 on tap and you're preemptively brightsiding? Lol
Fuck that. End the Leafs. The hockey internet beseeches you.
LOL, The Habs were the biggest underdog in the first round, but I think they can win, just saying a lot of positive in it regardless.
Jesse Granger
@JesseGranger_
·
4m
DeBoer- "Flower had just played 7 games in 14 days, and an emotional game 7. It was a perfect opportunity in our minds to play our other starter."
He also said they want to keep Lehner sharp, not have him go too long without playing.
Not that it's relevant, but saw this tweeted - same number of points Connor McDavid had the entire first series.
Quote:
In comment 15276375 ColHowPepper said:
Quote:
Could it possibly have been worth it not to see the Caps and Pens eliminated?
I went to the Galapagos Islands - had a great time.
Hoping to figure out where someone like you came from? 🙂
Exactly, I think I figured it out once I saw a male turtle raping another male turtle.
TOR VS MTL (Series tied 3 - 3) @ 7:00
BOS vs NYI (BOS leads 1 - 0) @ 7:30
Carey Price has gotten MTL this far, and if they win, I think they can beat WIN (whoever wins this series can beat WIN, but WIN is a little underrated - Schiefele, Connor, Ehlers, PLD, Stastny, Wheeler, Hellebuyck - just not a huge fan of their D).
Quote: Could it possibly have been worth it not to see the Caps and Pens eliminated?/////////
I went to the Galapagos Islands - had a great time.
It was worth it because that also meant the Bruins/Islanders advanced.
For real, Brett? Very cool. Went with some buddies and gals to Ecuador during the cholera epidemic spring 1991 (yikes, 30 years ago) just before first anniversary of marriage, wife not with us. Were in Quito (also to Otavalo and points north), but only flights to Galapagos during the plague were military flights and after six days of waiting for something to shake loose, I had to--had to!!--fly back to Miami where my wife was to meet me (we're still together, against all odds) for sojourn to Key West. Never made it. My buddies stayed and hopped on military cargo aircraft couple days after I left. Always regretted not getting there. Hope the getting there and back were not taxing. Damn!
Wonderful scenes from "Master Commander, Far Side of the World" (film Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany based on Patrick O'Brian's novels).
Funny comment, jaybin!
shame a softie decided it.
I wonder what Reaves gets. I do think he will be suspended and while it would not be the same loss to his team that Kadri is for COL or Wilson would be for WAS, he's still really good in his role - pound for pound maybe the best intimidator today, definitely top 5.
link - ( New Window )
tight game.
sort of soft goal.
Quote:
In comment 15276375 ColHowPepper said:
Quote: Could it possibly have been worth it not to see the Caps and Pens eliminated?/////////
I went to the Galapagos Islands - had a great time.
It was worth it because that also meant the Bruins/Islanders advanced.
Ha, ha.
For real, Brett? Very cool. Went with some buddies and gals to Ecuador during the cholera epidemic spring 1991 (yikes, 30 years ago) just before first anniversary of marriage, wife not with us. Were in Quito (also to Otavalo and points north), but only flights to Galapagos during the plague were military flights and after six days of waiting for something to shake loose, I had to--had to!!--fly back to Miami where my wife was to meet me (we're still together, against all odds) for sojourn to Key West. Never made it. My buddies stayed and hopped on military cargo aircraft couple days after I left. Always regretted not getting there. Hope the getting there and back were not taxing. Damn!
Wonderful scenes from "Master Commander, Far Side of the World" (film Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany based on Patrick O'Brian's novels).
Funny comment, jaybin!
haha, I was born in '91! It was a lot of flying (I flew into Guayaquil) - my initial flight to Guayaquil had us re-routed to Florida due to volcanic ash, so I wound up sleeping in the airport before finally arriving.
tight game.
sort of soft goal.
Soft as hell. Leafs look to be pressing now.
2 - 0
Kidding. Kind of
Kidding. Kind of
well in my defense, MTL has blown 3 and 2 goal leads the past two games, so nothing is over.
I wasn't softening the blow, a loss is a loss, but when you had the longest odds of the round and you get to game 7 it's not a more victory or anything, but it is an accomplishment - especially for the experience of the young guys (like I said)
and lol looks like Toronto is going to blow this one.
We couldn't even get to Guayaquil via military, forget commercial at that time. All the sushi places in Quito boarded up, with cut outs of little gents in tux and tails saying "Lava tus manos".
Boston so physical. When Bruins scarfed Taylor Hall, I urged that it would be significant for them. One who shall remain nameless said, "Hall? Forget it! He's cooked." He's made his presence felt.
Would be huge is Isles could steal one in Beantown. Leafs look fragile.
I don't know how the Leafs get better from here.
I don't know how the Leafs get better from here.
They have like no draft picks in 2021
Will Sheldon Keefe get the axe?
Will face WIN.
Carey Price stole a series.
Will face WIN.
Carey Price stole a series.
At least your youngsters got some experience
Quote:
takes the final spot of the 2nd round.
Will face WIN.
Carey Price stole a series.
At least your youngsters got some experience
lol, it matters.
My comment was made as opposed to missing the playoffs. Many people felt like CAL was going to catch MTL down the stretch and some fans even hoped for that because you get a better draft pick.
I never understand that logic. the difference between pick 12 and 18 (or whatever it is) in the NHL is not worth the playoff experience.
When you have a young team, like MTL core, you look to build on experience like this.
I obviously want them to win 12 more, but my point still stands, the experience is meaningful - especially for the young guys.
NYI up 3 - 1 a minute in.
Would be a great day if BOS and TOR both lose.
they have no 1st, 3rd, 4th or 7th this year.
and they already traded away 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 7th in 2022
NYI up 3 - 1 a minute in.
Would be a great day if BOS and TOR both lose.
Any great days include the islanders losing from my perspective
hope NYI have some push left.
@PierreVLeBrun
·
22m
So the brackets are now set:
Winner of Avs/Golden Knights vs winner of Habs/Jets in one league semifinal.
And winner of Isles/Bruins versus winner of TB/Car in the other league semi.
series tied at 1.
I thought I read the NYI would have 12,000, no?
lol - just like I said.
Defenseman on both sides are getting absolutely tuned up on the forecheck. The south winner is going to feast on whoever is left.
New York/New Jersey is pretty idiotic with everything they do.
Quote:
As to how the fucking Bruins can have a packed house of 18,000 but the Islanders play in front of 8,000 fans.
I thought I read the NYI would have 12,000, no?
Not sure. First series was capped at 8k. I hope so. Boston was loud AF. Nassau needs to match that.
Quote:
As to how the fucking Bruins can have a packed house of 18,000 but the Islanders play in front of 8,000 fans.
I thought I read the NYI would have 12,000, no?
Not sure. First series was capped at 8k. I hope so. Boston was loud AF. Nassau needs to match that.
@NotThrashers
·
12h
The Thrashers and Leafs have advanced to the second round the same number of times since 2004
@NotThrashers
·
12h
The Thrashers and Leafs have advanced to the second round the same number of times since 2004
Ooof.
The Rangers no longer own the longest Cup drought in league history, so we've got that going for us.....which is nice.
There is just one person I'd really like to see make an appearance in those games, and that is Mr. Barzal. He is starting to play better these last couple of games, but we can't plan to win playoff series with him simply having a couple of good shifts each night.
It was plenty loud for game 6 and I expect it to be louder for these next games. Boston is tough but Isles looked a lot better in game 2. I think the last line change will make a difference for the games in NY.
Lost in the drama, Rask was very good last night, arguably can't fault him on any of the goals.
I only caught the 3rd period (and in between periods of the Habs Leafs) but Barzal looked great to me. Eberle missed two or three high quality chances off great feeds from Barzal.
Quote:
As to how the fucking Bruins can have a packed house of 18,000 but the Islanders play in front of 8,000 fans.
New York/New Jersey is pretty idiotic with everything they do.
Really. By idiotic you mean this area locked shit down more so than other areas.
Quote:
Atlanta Thrashers
@NotThrashers
·
12h
The Thrashers and Leafs have advanced to the second round the same number of times since 2004
Ooof.
The Rangers no longer own the longest Cup drought in league history, so we've got that going for us.....which is nice.
Yep beat me to it. Leafs are now past their 54th year with no cup. Worse, they have endured some seriously awful playoff futility the last 17 years, even worse than what the Rangers were going through in the years leading up to 94.
@markscheig
·
4m
Vezina Finalists: Fleury, Grubauer and Vasilevskiy.
@markscheig
·
4m
Vezina Finalists: Fleury, Grubauer and Vasilevskiy.
Such a close race. I think I'd probably give it to Vasilevsky - he just faced so many more shots than either MAF or Grubauer.
I'd probably rank them:
Vasilevsky
Grubauer
MAF
but I have no issue with any of them winning.
Turns 37 in November. He may have had a real shot if he wasn't yanked around in PIT and VGK didn't split time.
Turns 37 in November. He may have had a real shot if he wasn't yanked around in PIT and VGK didn't split time.
Brodeur was starting 75+ games a year. No goalie touches that number anymore.
Plus his team was a perennial contender. Perfect storm.
Even if he wasn't dicked around (and he deserved it in PIT IMO - when he was on he was great, but when he wasn't he couldn't stop a beach ball - and some of those "when he wasn't" games were in the playoffs. Murray was simply better IMO) I don't think MAF passes Brodeur, but who knows he seems to be getting better with age.
I don't think we've met the goalie who will break Brodeur's record yet. Maybe Askarov if he doesn't stay in Russia too long.
I'd say Vasilevsky has a shot but he only starts 50-55 games a year.
Can someone like Spencer Knight do it? He's joining the team just as it's about to enter contender status (or should, IMO).
You have the win inflation from the shootouts partially off-setting the decline in starts. MAF had the right profile for the guy to break it but was too inconsistent - he got started early, was on good teams, etc.
Can someone like Spencer Knight do it? He's joining the team just as it's about to enter contender status (or should, IMO).
You have the win inflation from the shootouts partially off-setting the decline in starts. MAF had the right profile for the guy to break it but was too inconsistent - he got started early, was on good teams, etc.
Absolutely, I think the world of Spencer Knight, but he'd need to be named "the guy" soon and with Bobrovsky signed their long term I don't see Knight being given enough starts early enough.
I think that Bobrovsky signing is firable.
I wonder if they try and work out a trade to Seattle.
Of course he also has a NMC, so he'd need to agree and everyone is different, and I think Seattle is a cool city (or was when I was there 8 or 9 years ago) but it's not Miami.
Driedger outplayed Bobrovsky last year.
these two teams are fun to watch.
Point is easily becoming one of my favorite players.
And any time Svechnikov, Necas or Aho get the puck I'm just waiting for (and expecting) brilliance.
and that doesn't even consider Kucherov, Hedman, Stamkos, Staal, Cirelli, etc. all on the ice.
@PuckReportNHL
·
11m
Draft Lottery tomorrow is at 7pm ET / 4pm PT on NHLN/NBCSN and Sportsnet/TVAS
I'd hate to see the Leafs get Jones, but I wouldn't mind seeing Marner dealt even though he had a bad series.
I'd hate to see the Leafs get Jones, but I wouldn't mind seeing Marner dealt even though he had a bad series.
As I said earlier, somebody is going to overpay for Seth. I'd be happy to see the Leafs do it. Highly doubt they would. They're heavy into analytics, and most advanced stats paint Jones as very good but not elite. He's a flashpoint in the eye test VS fancies arguments.
it's such a team game with so many variables and individuals can only do so much and it's nearly impossible to isolate the one individuals impact to the results.
analytics can say what they will, but I would overpay for Jones (as opposed to Eichel for example who I also like).
right, I agree, but what's lost is the nuance. Unless Jones had an obvious outlet maybe it's the forward who was in the wrong spot, maybe Jones took a bad pass from D to D and had no time to find the outlet, maybe a forward made a bad a change, etc. there is just so much contextual stuff that happens I think analytics tell you what happened but not why.
Marner was brutal last night. Leafs Twitter says he was brutal all series.
Marner was brutal last night. Leafs Twitter says he was brutal all series.
Yeah, he was bad, but Matthews was too.
At some level you have to give Philip Danault some credit. He got abused on the dots, but held Matthews (and his line) to 2 goals in 7 games (1 for Matthews and 1 for Hyman).
Matthews and Marner combined to shoot 2%. 1 goal in 47 shots. Marner hasn't scored in something like 18 playoff games.
At some level you have to give Philip Danault some credit.
Absolute defensive stud. If the selke were actually about defense and not scorer who also plays defense, he would be nominated. Heaviest D zone starts in the league against elite players and he shuts them down. Nothing against Stone or Barkov, they're great two-way players, but guys like Danault and Eriksson-Ek should be receiving these awards.
I only caught the 3rd period (and in between periods of the Habs Leafs) but Barzal looked great to me. Eberle missed two or three high quality chances off great feeds from Barzal.
Barzal looked good last night. Likely the best he has looked in a while. But they need his line coverting some chances. The Bruins are now lining their top D-pair against the Nelson line. They have to make then pay for that, and so far they haven't.
Crosby
Malkin
Ovechkin
McDavid
Draisaitl
Matthews
Marner
and more...are home watching.
those are some of the biggest stars in the league
In other news I heard Malkin is aggressively "on the block"
Can't believe it's been four years since Tanner Glass scored that goal against Montreal.
Crosby
Malkin
Ovechkin
McDavid
Draisaitl
Matthews
Marner
and more...are home watching.
those are some of the biggest stars in the league
In other news I heard Malkin is aggressively "on the block"
Not surprised. Guy takes a litany of dumb penalties, and plays virtually no defense. He's become a strictly PP guy and I don't know how many teams can afford to have a scoring C/wing on the downside of his career who isn't top 6, doesn't take the body and misses time every season.
Marner was brutal last night. Leafs Twitter says he was brutal all series.
I like Marner. But is he really that much of an upgrade at 2C, and is he really worth $12M per year? I'd steer clear.
No chance. The flat cap (and Ill advised contracts) have the isles in cap squeeze. Toews was a huge casualty and there will be more.
I like Marner, but the playoffs are a different game and he doesn't want to go to the hard areas. It's more egregious when you watch slight little guys like Gallagher, Pageau, and Point play net front or along the wall with no fear.
I doubt the Panthers trade him but who knows - with an expansion draft this year strange things sometimes happen.
I think it's more likely they trade someone like Anton Stralman or Radko Gudas to clear cap if they get desperate.
I love Barkov - why won't he re-sign in FL? Do they have cap issues?
I love Barkov - why won't he re-sign in FL? Do they have cap issues?
He's heading into the last season of his contract (limited NMC). FLA has been trying to extend him, but he's put it off, publicly stating he wants to make see them put pieces in places to build a winning organization. FLA also up against the cap. They were just under the cap this season and will have about $10 million heading into next season, but have only 24 players under contract. Duclair and Bennett (4th overall from 2014) Juulsen (26th overall from 2015) are all RFA and are due raises. FLA will likely try to keep at least 2 of the 3 and that'll chip away.
This is all assuming they're not able to get dump Yandle (34 - 2 yrs remaining @ $6.3M - woof) and Stralman (34 - one year @ $5.5M - double woof).
I don't think he's a priority re-sign.
Duclair is a journeyman at this point. He's 25 and the Panthers are his 6th NHL team. Also not a priority re-sign IMO. I do like Duclair, but at what cost? Not a lot IMO even coming off a good season.
I do think they will try and re-sign Bennett, probably a bridge deal, since he was just acquired this past trade deadline (for a 2nd round pick), but that should be a positive for Barkov, not a negative.
I think Yandle is a better buyout candidate than trade, but Stralman with just one year left at slightly less money I can see being moved.
Seattle changes a lot - kick them a draft pick and maybe they take a player like Nutivaara.
Either way, I don't think the cap condition is a reason to trade Barkov and if he is moved I think it would probably be next year's deadline, but if they can't re-sign him and they know that who knows what they'll do - I already think the Bobrovski contract is a firable offense, but Zito inherited that, he didn't create it.
And as I mentioned before - getting Bobrovsky to Seattle might be worth a 1st round pick - it opens up a ton of cap for the foreseeable future and Driedger and Knight are both better bets than Bob going forward.
And I'm not suggesting the cap situation is the reason they deal him. I do believe he wants out of FLA and will force their hand.
If he wants out, and forces a trade that's one thing. but it's not like FLA is BUF, there is some talent in FLA and some success.
the Panthers very quietly were 3 pts off the Presidents Trophy pace and tied for 3rd in the league in ROW. They were 1 point behind CAR for the division. + 36 goal differential.
Obviously getting bounced 1st round in the playoffs is disappointing, but not TOR disappointing. If I'm Barkov I'm encouraged.
this format hurt them more than some other teams with them having to play TBL in the first round - and they finished ahead of TBL.
His production has steadily increased in each of the last few seasons. I'd gladly take him back in place of a guys like PDG, Rooney, Gauthier who're positively mediocre. At least Duclair can impact the game with his speed. A Chytil, Barron, Duclair pairing would be a nice little line with some scoring umph.
His production has steadily increased in each of the last few seasons. I'd gladly take him back in place of a guys like PDG, Rooney, Gauthier who're positively mediocre. At least Duclair can impact the game with his speed. A Chytil, Barron, Duclair pairing would be a nice little line with some scoring umph.
Absolutely over those guys on the Rangers - easy decision, like I said I like him, but at what cost? Not at the cost of Barkov. which just makes him not a priority signing. But i'd try and make it work.
and if I'm starting a team I'm still old school and prefer D like Power over smaller puck movers, but I don't see him as a "must have #1 pick" player
Cut the lead to 2 - 1 with 90 seconds left and their net empty.
@JShannonhl
·
1m
This is the 8th time that the Lightning have led 2-0 in a best of 7 series...in the previous 7...they have won all of them.
#StanleyCupPlayoffs
It is an on going theme with this group from the last few playoff seasons.
The opponent plays a style that forces Carolina out of their game which uses speed and puck control. Boston did it by pounding them.(so did Nashville starting the last two games of the season.
The Lightning are just boxing them out allowing Vasilevskiy (who is already the best goalie in the league) to see every shot. Then the Canes panic and cannot get back into a grove. They play hesitant. Then the crisp passing and accurate shooting disappears. They just start shooting hap hazard at the net hoping for a break.
As a fan it is frustrating. They need to play their game and grind it out. Force Tampa to take chances instead of the other way around.
On another note the fact that the Lightning played games with the cap and the Long Term Injury Reserve (LTIR) which has allowed them to spend an extra 12 million over the cap for their playoff roster is a joke.
Some teams wouldn't make the post-season doing that.
and also to play devil's advocate, Kucherov did have hip surgery. If you want to argue Gaborik and Nilsson were "games" that I agree with, but those are the rules. Any team could have done it - sort of like how Chris Pronger was being traded for his contract after he'd been out of the league for years but on the IL permanently.
Two games tonight:
WIN vs MTL (game 1) @ 7:30
COL vs LVG (COL leads 1 - 0) @ 10:00
Also for the record for the people preferring the old conference style playoffs due to variety: in two of the 4 divisions #1 and #2 seeds were eliminated so we're left with #3 vs #4.
This might work...if the Leafs will take Andrew Ladd, Leo Komarov and Jordan Eberle for him.
If they play hardball we can throw in some Islander pajamas for Tavares.
Quarterfinals:
USA vs Slovakia, tomorrow at 9:15 (I think)
Switzerland vs Germany, tomorrow at 9:15
Russia vs Canada, tomorrow at 1:15
Finland vs Czech Republic, tomorrow at 1:15
Sorry bud, NHL Network.
No idea, none of the teams have their heavyweights.
USA heavyweights are Colin Blackwell and Ryan Donato - Brian Boyle and Adam Clendening. None of those guys would sniff team USA - those are the biggest names - maybe Justin Abdelkader too - a lot of young guys/journeymen.
Canada heavyweights are Adam Henrique and Andrew Mangiapane.
Both the US and Canada have some interesting youngsters. Both countries top prospects (Matty Beniers and Owen Power respectively are playing)
I'd say Russia has the most talent:
Tarasenko
Orlov
Provorov
Zadorov
Grigorenko
Nesterov
They should win
So Arizona was docked their 1st round pick, but is still included in the lottery, so they'll just redo the drawing if it's Arizona. Couldn't they (shouldn't they) just... take Arizona out to start with? Is this just the NHL doing something that doesn't make a lot of sense, or is there some reason for doing it this way? Adjusting the drawing so all the other teams' odds relative to each other would be unchanged isn't very advanced math.
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draft lottery tonight - if you scroll up I shared a chart with odds for all lottery teams.
So Arizona was docked their 1st round pick, but is still included in the lottery, so they'll just redo the drawing if it's Arizona. Couldn't they (shouldn't they) just... take Arizona out to start with? Is this just the NHL doing something that doesn't make a lot of sense, or is there some reason for doing it this way? Adjusting the drawing so all the other teams' odds relative to each other would be unchanged isn't very advanced math.
I don't know why they're included, I hope they keep winning and forcing redraws.
save that horseshoe up the ass luck for the Shane Wright draft.
I like Owen Power but not enough to waste that kind of luck on.
Have you seen highlights of Matvei Michkov? Between him and Wright we might be looking at some insane #1 picks the next two years.
But on the plus side, while missing the wow factor, the top 9 or 10 is pretty flat and those teams like the Rangers and Ottawa are in a pretty decent spot to get a nice player where they sit.
+1
Have you seen highlights of Matvei Michkov? Between him and Wright we might be looking at some insane #1 picks the next two years.
I watched a lot of the U18's.
Between Michkov and Connor Bedard I couldn't decide who I liked more for the '23 draft.
and Wright ('22) also put on a show.
I wish Michkoiv and Bedard were bigger, but they're still just 16 so should still grow.
and I agree the next few drafts are loaded.
This year's draft, unlike some past recent drafts, has a lot of D in the top half of the first round.
One of my buddies from growing up, his son will be in the '22 draft (BC commit). I have kids older than that (by a year), but that makes me feel older than my own kids ages, lol. Probably because I still watch the draft waiting for my name to be called.
Taylor Hall strikes again...kinda
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But I think the NHL put in a rule about winning consecutive lotteries?
Have you seen highlights of Matvei Michkov? Between him and Wright we might be looking at some insane #1 picks the next two years.
I watched a lot of the U18's.
Between Michkov and Connor Bedard I couldn't decide who I liked more for the '23 draft.
and Wright ('22) also put on a show.
I wish Michkoiv and Bedard were bigger, but they're still just 16 so should still grow.
and I agree the next few drafts are loaded.
This year's draft, unlike some past recent drafts, has a lot of D in the top half of the first round.
One of my buddies from growing up, his son will be in the '22 draft (BC commit). I have kids older than that (by a year), but that makes me feel older than my own kids ages, lol. Probably because I still watch the draft waiting for my name to be called.
I think 09 was my draft year (August '91 birthday, which I'm sure you already have memorized) - it's been depressing every since.
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Seattle moves up to #2, Anaheim falls to #3.
Taylor Hall strikes again...kinda
Lol I think it should count
4 - 2 MTL up with 9 min.
WIN grabbing momentum though, getting their legs in the 3rd after the long layoff.
MTL needs to get some energy or this game will be a disaster
Scheifele, I think gets a suspension for that hit, defenseless player, high hit, dangerous
Dale hunter level of hate for him now if you're a Habs fan? (Haven't seen the hit yet)
Really dirty and dangerous hit
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That was brutal
Dale hunter level of hate for him now if you're a Habs fan? (Haven't seen the hit yet)
no, not that level of late and unsuspecting, but 100% unnecessary, dangerous, and dirty.
Yes he was wiping his face. I think they were extra cautious after the JT fiasco
huge respect to Ehlers for this. Looking at Evans laying there like that I think he's out cold.
so lethal especially on the PP and their speed forces you to take penalties.
Watching Toews and Connor Clifton a couple days ago it's no wonder Quinnipiac was so good with those two on the blue line together for three years - so good with the puck and physical when they need to be.
Almost like McAvoy and Grzelcyk (not physical, but a smooth skater) light.
TBL vs CAR (TBL leads 2 - 0) @ 8:00
The brackets work out so the winner of these two series play each other and the winner of last nights series play each other in the semis.
Agree. But if he comes back in this series, he will be forced to answer for his actions.
Joel Edmunson said
And in this case I think it's warranted
I hope the League suspends him from the balance of the Series. Yes, the distance traveled in the charge is taken into account, in this case, at least from center ice to Jets' net, and that might be mitigated IF, IF, Schieffle had made the slightest attempt to play the puck.
There was not a shred of playing the puck, so no mitigation whatsoever that the play inherently involved that distance. Brutal and calculated hit.
@FriedgeHNIC
·
4m
Scheifele hearing is not an in-person hearing. Maximum suspension is 5 games
I hope the League suspends him from the balance of the Series. Yes, the distance traveled in the charge is taken into account, in this case, at least from center ice to Jets' net, and that might be mitigated IF, IF, Schieffle had made the slightest attempt to play the puck.
There was not a shred of playing the puck, so no mitigation whatsoever that the play inherently involved that distance. Brutal and calculated hit.
CHP, agreed. People on Twitter are saying the actual hit (i.e., the last three feet) were clean. It misses the point: he skated ~170 feet to hit the guy and made no play on the puck.
He had a better chance of preventing a goal if he played the puck. It's dirty. Seeing a max of five games upsets me.
but anyone with a brain can see he realized he was not going to prevent the goal, got frustrated, and said F-it - I'm going to blow up Evans.
He deserves a suspension, but part of me wants him back in the series to get his medicine.
MTL doesn't have a goon like Reaves or Wilson but they have guys who can fight and Shiefele deserves what he gets.
MTL is a chemistry team though (sum of the parts greater than the individuals and while Jake Evans is a loss teams should be able to withstand, he's a top 6 forward for them, plays on the PK, and is a tough SOB to play against, so who knows how they respond). I hope it galvanizes them.
the context of the situation however makes it a lot more understandable than other dirty hits where players were injured when skating routinely through the neutral zone or battling in a corner on a regular shift in the middle of a game. The context doesn't make it excusable, just frustrating that the NHL has put themselves in the business of making excuses so often the outcomes rarely seem logical.
true, no complaints, but the Habs were already down Drouin Lehkonen, and Tatar, losing another top 6 forward (who is on PK unit) (Evans was playing on the 1st line with Danault and Gallagher and playing legit shutdown D) for them , when they are already not a deep team hurts.
I can't imagine Evans plays again this playoffs, and if it's another concussion his career may be in jeopardy. He was just coming into his own after an early career filled with injuries.
@Rontzeeez
·
2m
Jake Evans is out indefinitely with a concussion #HabsNews
Colin Blackwell had 2 goals.
Germany beat Switzerland 3 - 2 in a shootout in the other morning QF.
Russia vs Canada and Finland vs the Czechs coming up soon.
But that's what made it so egregious - he might have been able to prevent the goal with a poke check, but he made no effort to do so. His intent was 100% to hammer Evans, not to prevent the goal.
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there were 60 seconds left and there isn't a coach on the planet who doesn't want their player skating full tilt in that situation to try to prevent the goal.
But that's what made it so egregious - he might have been able to prevent the goal with a poke check, but he made no effort to do so. His intent was 100% to hammer Evans, not to prevent the goal.
He definitely intended to hammer Evans because he hammered him. Do you think he thought there was a better way to stop the goal and intentionally didn't do it?
Obviously there's no way to know for sure what was in his head but from a purely "keep puck out of net" standpoint I can see why trying to poke check the puck away from the net in exactly the opposite direction he was skating 20+ mph towards the net seems unlikely. So I think it's a least arguable that his best chance at preventing the goal was winning the foot race to the spot (which he obviously ended up losing).
Obviously none of us are in Scheifele's head, but I think that's a reasonable accounting of what happened.
Obviously none of us are in Scheifele's head, but I think that's a reasonable accounting of what happened.
Agreed. There's no defense of the outcome, it was reckless regardless of intent.
The semifinal contests are 6/5:
USA vs. Canada - 7:15 AM ET
Finland vs. Germany - 11:15 AM ET
I called my wife's attention to the replays last night: she, as I, was horrified as we sat looking at Evans' seemingly lifeless body lying crumpled in distorted position. She asked if he could, outside the hockey context, be prosecuted. I replied, and pj can correct me, that there have been attempts to prosecute in the courts for reckless or wanton acts on the ice. Maybe there have been out-of-court settlements? I just don't follow the aftermaths that closely--we're talking 25-30 years or more of some really bad behavior on the ice.
and yes, on occasion players have been charged legally for action on the ice (Bertuzzi, McSorley, Dino Ciccarelli -off the top of my head), but I don't think this is that level.
The rest of the comment was my assessment of the hit and context, coupled with a graphic that was shown during the PG or between games report per Keith Jones/Anson Carter, which showed the NHL rule on charging, which expressly takes into account the distance traveled. That dovetailed, I think, with Maurice's comment to effect it was an unusual play.
I'd not seen Scheifele play for any length of play cuz Jets haven't made it much to national TV that I've watched. I just knew he was good. Last night inalterably colors my view of him, perhaps unfairly.
the refs were bad (not just against MTL) there was one net front scrim where Scheifele wound up in the box, and I still don't know how just he wound up with the penalty, but I'm sure that added to his frustration.
Either way, hearing is going on now or is over, we should hear about any suspension or lack of soon.
Both players play specials in addition to being on their teams top lines.
@mattyports
·
39s
Calder Trophy finalists are the same three on my ballot.
Kaprizov
Robertson
Nedeljkovic
Having looked at zero stats I feel like Kaprizov should run away with this. He is 24 years old, which is old for a rookie I guess, but not Hideki Matsui old.
I'm with Fraser. I want lengthy suspensions for this type of stuff.
seems fair. 1st offense (as far as I know) and the rule of thumb is 1 playoff game = 5 regular season games.
I'm with Fraser. I want lengthy suspensions for this type of stuff.
such a shitty person, but such a good player. I hate him.
I had my own game, so only caught the Bruins OT (at the rink).
Two games tonight:
WIN vs MTL (MTL leads 1 - 0) @ 7:30
LVG vs COL (COL leads 2 - 0) @ 10:00
COL won both at home (obviously) and I read a crazy stat - in their last 20 games at home (playoffs and reg season) COL is 19 - 0 - 1 (or something like that).
such a shitty person, but such a good player. I hate him.
I think Trotz goes with Sirokin on Saturday.
How Marchand got it in far side from that angle I have no idea, especially since it was basically a no look shot. And I have no idea what Varlamov is supposed to do differently because anything to expand his positioning to cover the far side of the net has an immediate trade off short side (which is where the danger is).
tip cap, move on, it's like a 6 or 7 game series no matter what and Boston has played well enough to deserve to be the team up 2-1.
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Agreed. There's no defense of the outcome, it was reckless regardless of intent.
Eric, your posts are all over the place on this. Let me fix your last sentence: "it was with reckless disregard of the consequences," sometimes phrased in the law as a wanton disregard, which is can be and often is culpable in a criminal context.
I missed this but I don't agree that my posts are all over the place - 2 things can be true at once.
1. The contact was dangerous and dirty, worthy of suspension. To steal your phrase and legal positioning the consequences (injured player) aggravated what the punishment should be as well.
2. Separate from the contact, everything leading up to the hit, including the decision to skate full tilt to play the man and dislodge him from the puck, IMO was the correct hockey play.
The latter (2) does not excuse the former (1) - but it puts the entire incident in a different context than other suspension worthy plays (Turgeon/Hunter being on the opposite end of the spectrum).
I tried and apparently failed to use an NBA analogy so i'll try football this time. Imagine 60 seconds left, Cowboys are driving to put the game away and on 3rd down Jabrill Peppers has a dead sprint from across the field to try to dislodge a pass into the end zone intended for Ceedee Lamb. Lamb looks to have a half step on him and Peppers doesn't think he can tip the pass away so he goes full tilt to separate the man from the ball before completing the catch. In the process he gets there a half second late, makes contact with Lamb's head, and knocks him out cold. Ends up a clear targeting penalty.
Since that's a football play with the game on the line isn't it a lot more understandable than the typical Vontaze Burfict type suspension worthy play?
The latter (2) does not excuse the former (1) - but it puts the entire incident in a different context than other suspension worthy plays (Turgeon/Hunter being on the opposite end of the spectrum)....
In re-reading your posts, though, saying all over the place is too harsh.
In a situation like this the way 99% of players would separate the player from the puck is not by hitting them, it's with their stick. They would poke check the puck away - they would use the body in cases along the boards or in some rare open ice cases, but not in this situation.
If Scheifele made even a slight attempt with his stick to knock the puck away from Evans that might be a case he could make.
But he did not. It's almost 100% certainty that Scheifele was sprinting toward Evans to prevent the empty net goal (a selfless hockey play and one no one disputes or faults him for trying to prevent an empty net goal) but during his approach resigned himself to the fact he would not be able to stop Evans from scoring and changed from trying to dislodge the puck from Evans stick to trying to blow Evans up. There was no other intent, he clearly knew what he was doing.
Scheifele changed from a hustle play to a dirty, dangerous, and cowardly play out of frustration.
the suspension was about right, I think maybe a little heavy if you use the 1 playoff game = 5 regular season games rule of thumb and the fact Scheifele does not have a track record.
In a situation like this the way 99% of players would separate the player from the puck is not by hitting them, it's with their stick. They would poke check the puck away - they would use the body in cases along the boards or in some rare open ice cases, but not in this situation.
If Scheifele made even a slight attempt with his stick to knock the puck away from Evans that might be a case he could make.
But he did not. It's almost 100% certainty that Scheifele was sprinting toward Evans to prevent the empty net goal (a selfless hockey play and one no one disputes or faults him for trying to prevent an empty net goal) but during his approach resigned himself to the fact he would not be able to stop Evans from scoring and changed from trying to dislodge the puck from Evans stick to trying to blow Evans up. There was no other intent, he clearly knew what he was doing.
Scheifele changed from a hustle play to a dirty, dangerous, and cowardly play out of frustration.
the suspension was about right, I think maybe a little heavy if you use the 1 playoff game = 5 regular season games rule of thumb and the fact Scheifele does not have a track record.
Agree with this take. To fix the football analogy to what happened...
Peppers is charging at Lamb, but arrives too late. As the referee is standing with his arms raised to signal touchdown, Peppers launches himself at Lamb's knees.
Habs look really good. I'm not sure if they have the fire power to compete next round but they play a really cohesive game.
Habs look really good. I'm not sure if they have the fire power to compete next round but they play a really cohesive game.
They look reminiscent of mid-90's Devils. Clogging up the middle, great goalie, solid D, opportunistic scoring.
the play has been in their end this whole period and they missed two 2 on 1's. can't keep playing with fire.
This second round is the best hockey I can remember. Almost every game is excellent.
Price shuts out WIN, MTL leads the series 2 - 0 all they wanted to talk about in the studio was that Price wasn't really tested. I think we watched different games - sure he wasn't in a shooting gallery, but he made some tough saves especially in the 3rd period when the Jets dominated zone time.
this is the best Weber has played in a MTL uniform though too. And Philip Danault is showing the fact he never gets Selke consideration is a joke. After he and his linemates did a great job on Matthews line they're doing it again vs Wheeler Connor Lowry (Lowry filling in for Scheifele).
today's games:
TBL vs CAR (TBL leads 2 - 1) @ 4:00
NYI vs BOS (BOS leads 2 - 1) @ 7:15
love both those series
I saw some highlights. Zac Jones looked really good offensively, but has ways to go defensively.
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loses to Canada 4 - 2 in the semis (ENG). close game, not much talent on either team.
I saw some highlights. Zac Jones looked really good offensively, but has ways to go defensively.
I thought the same. I will say Owen Power impressed me more than I thought he would. But this was basically AHL.
He's going to be really good for a long time.
@PR_NHL
· 4m
Auston Matthews (@MapleLeafs), Jaccob Slavin (@Canes) and Jared Spurgeon (@mnwild) are the three finalists for the 2020-21 Lady Byng Memorial Trophy. #NHLAwards
Price shuts out WIN, MTL leads the series 2 - 0 all they wanted to talk about in the studio was that Price wasn't really tested. I think we watched different games - sure he wasn't in a shooting gallery, but he made some tough saves especially in the 3rd period when the Jets dominated zone time.
this is the best Weber has played in a MTL uniform though too. And Philip Danault is showing the fact he never gets Selke consideration is a joke. After he and his linemates did a great job on Matthews line they're doing it again vs Wheeler Connor Lowry (Lowry filling in for Scheifele).
today's games:
TBL vs CAR (TBL leads 2 - 1) @ 4:00
NYI vs BOS (BOS leads 2 - 1) @ 7:15
love both those series
The analysis of goaltending by fans/analysts is really poor. The outstanding saves people love are often due to athletic prowess saving poor positioning.
I'm rooting for all series to go seven even if it makes my.love of the Avs look a little silly.
The Weber/Subban trade looks funny now. I was so certain I was right, lol.
all tied up at 2.
that 8 goal 2nd period was a fun one to watch.
Down two goals in the second to leave that period with a lead was a series turning moment.
TBL now up 3 - 1.
BOS vs NYI was just intense hockey from puck drop until the 1st ENG sealed it. hard hitting (some over the line), lots of speed skill, good goalies.
that series is tied at 2.
Today, two games:
MTL vs WIN (MTL leads 2 - 0) @ 6:00
LVG vs COL (COL leads 2 - 1) @ 8:30
Also a factor: when the pbp guy is selling his audience because the set-up on the ice suggests a big shot and potential big save, or score, imminent, so his intonation leads. But some the saves/scoring plays are in fact quicker than his eye and viewers and pby don't know what actually happened until a replay or 2 or 3. Nicoletti is good at picking those out real time. Not 100% accurate but his hockey gut as to what probably happened is good.
Couldn't watch any of last night, folks over, dag nabbit, have to wait 'til 6:00?.
pj, thanks for tabling the game times, papers no longer publish 'Sports on TV' graphic.
Not disappointing given the roster
Canada vs Finland for the gold
One of my favorite Rosen/Joe moments is when the Rangers give up five shots on a penalty kill, are saved by Lundqvist (or now Shesterkin), and they go "great penalty killing by the Rangers!".
One of my favorite Rosen/Joe moments is when the Rangers give up five shots on a penalty kill, are saved by Lundqvist (or now Shesterkin), and they go "great penalty killing by the Rangers!".
some of the best color guys will manage to get in a line that "often times you need your goalie to be your best penalty killer"
Brett, he doesn't get a lot props here that I recall, but imo Valiquette in his folksy, easy and accessible explanations is really good. Self deprecating because he didn't ascend very high or very long, but he's analytical, good with GK psychology and loves Benoit. He likes it when Igor comes well out of his crease to be aggressive and cut down angles. Haven't seen all of each of the games, but seems little opp'y for Varlamov (was plain wrong about my Sorokin guess) or Rask to be that aggressive because the traffic in front of the net both ends is heavy and non-stop and the offensive pressure has been so intense.
Watched last night's Coliseum game replay. I don't know...but if TBL closes out CAR in 5 or 6 and NYI-BOS goes 6 or 7, that's going to be one wasted Metro survivor in the Semis. What a series.
Habs are dominating.
Is it all Carey Price? Chemistry? Underachieving Maple Leafs and mediocre Jets teams?
Whatever it is they look like a completely different team.
Still don't think if they close out the Jets they will beat the Av's or GK's but it's a good ride.
Solid goalie, solid D, and big physical forwards.
I didn't see the Av's though having a game like last night.
Tonight, two games (one possible handshake game):
BOS vs NYI (series tied at 2) @ 6:30
MTL vs WIN right back at it (MTL leads 3 - 0) @ 8:00
Bergeron (should name the award after him - been a finalist 12 times, won it 4, 5 would be a record)
Barkov
Stone
all worthy finalists IMO and I have no issue with any of them winning. I'd probably give it to Stone this year, he's so good at stealing the puck, but again, no issue with any of the three.
Is it all Carey Price? Chemistry? Underachieving Maple Leafs and mediocre Jets teams?
Whatever it is they look like a completely different team.
Still don't think if they close out the Jets they will beat the Av's or GK's but it's a good ride.
The whole Canadian division is an over glorified AHL division.
With the exception of the Leafs. Who were really only dominant because of the teams they played. It was close for most of the season. Price is in a groove right now but has he really been tested? If it was a normal year with a regular schedule. Other than the Leafs possibly making a 5-8 spot. Nobody in that division would have made the playoffs.
The Habs are having their moment but are going to run into a real NHL hockey team next round. In fact if they played any of the remaining teams (even the Canes who are shitting the bed, albeit against a very strong Lightning team) the Habs would be in trouble next round.
Granted since I cannot stand the Habs and them sucking gives me great joy. This may have saved both the coach and GM's jobs. Which means the team will continue to suck for the immediate future. This is a good thing. Bergevin is one of the worst gm's in the NHL that has only kept his job because he is French. So keep the suckage going.
the only really bad move he's made IMO is Sergachev for Drouin. I like his drafts, I like his trades and I like his FA signings.
I also agree though the Habs cinderella run likely ends this round, but it's fun to watch and I said (when Mook tried to claim I deserve bad karma) the experience for the young guys is so valuable.
Suzuki, Kotkaniemi, Caufield, etc...I just wish they had Romanov instead of Kulak active - all getting great experience that will help down the road.
and I hate the "is Price being tested" commentary, sounds like pure hater talk, he's absolutely being tested and he's been phenomenal.
Maybe it's too much. Maybe being battle tested will prepare them as the challenges get more difficult.
Solid goalie, solid D, and big physical forwards.
Habs, congrats on this run, must feel like manna from heaven. The 'Price has not been tested' meme comes, in part I think, because he is so fundamentally sound in positioning, angles, his experience, alertness that he makes most of his saves look routine when a different keeper might be flailing and flopping and drawing oohs and aahhs. Caufield is fun to watch, always hell bent to the net, devil take the hindmost. Barzal has been doing that too last two games.
Maybe it's too much. Maybe being battle tested will prepare them as the challenges get more difficult.
Maybe it's too much. Maybe being battle tested will prepare them as the challenges get more difficult.
Tampa is a machine right mow. I am still holding out hope for another 2006 Canes run. (Well until tomorrow).
pjcas18. Bergevin is not popular up here. The issue is that as long as the press fabricated language crisis and politics continue in play he will have a job because he is French. That is his one advantage. Not many Francophone's left who can be the GM of the Habs that would appease the language hard-liners. All the talk of Patrick Roy coming back may be out the window once the team beats the Jets.
This is the only place in the world where the language of your GM and Coach is more important than winning.
And most habs fans suck too. though I did spend a weekend when I was 19 in Montreal with Gilbert Dionne's wife - when he was still on the Canadiens (my best friend who is from Toronto grew up with her) and we were treated like royalty everywhere we went.
I just think when you evaluate Bergevin on the moves it's hard to be critical. I remember when Subban was traded and the sky was falling, turns out it was the right move. Domi was another good trade, getting Armia, and more for taking on Mason's contract another great move.
I like his drafts like I said - one move I hated and still hate - Drouin for Sergachev, but the rest how do you really criticize him?
Hiring Julien? Giving Price the long contract at his age?
Yeah, I don't know a single one I like.
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And most habs fans suck too
Yeah, I don't know a single one I like.
same
No Petry tonight for MTL. Big loss.
No Petry tonight for MTL. Big loss.
No Petry opens the door for Romanov, with a 3 - 0 lead I'll take it.
Cassidy mentioned Rask is not 100%
5 - 2 NYI
In BOS, Pasta scores again to cut the NYI lead to 5 - 3.
Final 5 presented by rocket mortgage coming up
where you been? I'm talking to myself on this thread, lol
Meanwhile, MTL coughs up a 2 - 0 lead to two Logan Stanely goals. Tied 2 - 2
Conor Ryan
@ConorRyan_93
·
1m
Cassidy: "It's obviously frustrating. We felt like we were the better team and we didn't win."
@ConorRyan_93
·
1m
Bruce Cassidy is less than thrilled with the lack of calls on the Islanders:
"I think they sell a narrative over there — it's more like the New York Saints, not the New York Islanders. The exact calls that are getting called on us are not getting called on them."
@ConorRyan_93
·
1m
Bruce Cassidy on Patrice Bergeron getting thrown out of faceoffs:
"Have a little respect for Patrice Bergeron. That's the way you treat him?
"(The officials) just need to be better than that. Quit listening to these outside influences. I don't think they were great tonight."
Conor Ryan
@ConorRyan_93
·
1m
Cassidy: "It's obviously frustrating. We felt like we were the better team and we didn't win."
I do think they were the better team tonight but I agree. Have to make the saves.
Sounds like he ordered fries from McDonalds and they came soggy and salt less
Conor Ryan
@ConorRyan_93
·
1m
Cassidy: "It's obviously frustrating. We felt like we were the better team and we didn't win."
I didn’t realize Flounder was Bruce Cassidy
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from coaches.
Conor Ryan
@ConorRyan_93
·
1m
Cassidy: "It's obviously frustrating. We felt like we were the better team and we didn't win."
I do think they were the better team tonight but I agree. Have to make the saves.
yeah, but that's something fans say, not a head coach.
no, he clearly meant kicking Bergeron out of the face off circle which I hate when refs do, but the same rules should apply to Bergeron as apply to everyone else.
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and they would have been 3-2 in this one if Bergeron hadn't put one into the stands. Or is that what he means by "show a little respect for Bergeron" that they shouldn't call that because he's a great player?
no, he clearly meant kicking Bergeron out of the face off circle which I hate when refs do, but the same rules should apply to Bergeron as apply to everyone else.
only saw the comments posted in the thread so didn't know what he was referencing, hence the question mark.
The Isles were one of the least penalized teams in the league this year. Is there a reason that penalties should even out between disciplined teams and undisciplined teams? Do two former players really think that?
But I will say as a fan, I love to see the opponent obsessed with the idea that the refs are against them. Keep worrying about the New York Saints and the disrespect of the great Bergeron, Bruce. That should really help your team on Wednesday.
What a pass from Caufield to Toffoli, set up by Suzuki
MTL as mentioned many times, last team to qualify for the playoffs, last team to make it out of the 1st round. But 1st one to make it to the "conference finals"
CAR vs TBL (TBL leads 3 - 1) @ 6:30
COL vs LVG (series tied at 2) @ 9:00
COL has not lost at home in forever (maybe one OTL in the regular season since like February), if LVG wants to move on they will need to end that streak.
@emilymkaplan
·
49m
Text from an NHL player last night that made me laugh:
“Montreal eliminated more teams in the last week than Toronto has in 17 years. This league man.”
@emilymkaplan
·
49m
Text from an NHL player last night that made me laugh:
“Montreal eliminated more teams in the last week than Toronto has in 17 years. This league man.”
That is awesome!
In comment Mike from Ohio said:
The Isles were one of the least penalized teams in the league this year. Is there a reason that penalties should even out between disciplined teams and undisciplined teams? Do two former players really think that?
But I will say as a fan, I love to see the opponent obsessed with the idea that the refs are against them. ...That should really help your team on Wednesday.
More to your critique, I thought it was pretty cool how NBCSN then showed clips of each of the penalties called against BOS and they were no brainer calls, showed Bruins at their chippy best. Besides, it's hard for me to complain about KT's show. (: She leads 'Jonesy' and 'Sharpie' by their noses.
Of course Kathryn Tappen is a legend, but I like Sharp, tons of on the money insight IMO.
CAR vs TBL (TBL leads 3 - 1) @ 6:30
COL vs LVG (series tied at 2) @ 9:00
COL has not lost at home in forever (maybe one OTL in the regular season since like February), if LVG wants to move on they will need to end that streak.
I am surprisingly confident that the Canes can still win this series.
Despite making way too many mistakes (which is unusual for this team) in the first four games. They still stayed with the Lightning. They match up very well with them. Better than they did against Nashville.
I think that they pull it together tonight and go on a run.
I could be wrong but this team seems to be special. Hope I am right. Otherwise. Let's go Islanders!!
I cannot imagine a ref reading that and consciously or subconsciously calling penalties differently to make up for a gap in PIMs
and it's a bad look for a coach even if he thinks it will pay off.
Quote:
one possible handshake game.
CAR vs TBL (TBL leads 3 - 1) @ 6:30
COL vs LVG (series tied at 2) @ 9:00
COL has not lost at home in forever (maybe one OTL in the regular season since like February), if LVG wants to move on they will need to end that streak.
I am surprisingly confident that the Canes can still win this series.
Despite making way too many mistakes (which is unusual for this team) in the first four games. They still stayed with the Lightning. They match up very well with them. Better than they did against Nashville.
I think that they pull it together tonight and go on a run.
I could be wrong but this team seems to be special. Hope I am right. Otherwise. Let's go Islanders!!
Who plays net? Your defense didn't do Mrazek any favors last game, but he wasn't sharp.
I have a teammate on my men's league team who is a holdover Whalers fan that still is a Hurricanes fan. The only one I know in that category, and he agrees with you, CAR will win.
I doubt it, but I just want to see a game 7, so I hope they win the next two at least.
Quote:
In comment 15282201 pjcas18 said:
Quote:
one possible handshake game.
CAR vs TBL (TBL leads 3 - 1) @ 6:30
COL vs LVG (series tied at 2) @ 9:00
COL has not lost at home in forever (maybe one OTL in the regular season since like February), if LVG wants to move on they will need to end that streak.
I am surprisingly confident that the Canes can still win this series.
Despite making way too many mistakes (which is unusual for this team) in the first four games. They still stayed with the Lightning. They match up very well with them. Better than they did against Nashville.
I think that they pull it together tonight and go on a run.
I could be wrong but this team seems to be special. Hope I am right. Otherwise. Let's go Islanders!!
Who plays net? Your defense didn't do Mrazek any favors last game, but he wasn't sharp.
I have a teammate on my men's league team who is a holdover Whalers fan that still is a Hurricanes fan. The only one I know in that category, and he agrees with you, CAR will win.
I doubt it, but I just want to see a game 7, so I hope they win the next two at least.
Another holdover Whalers fan? Not many of us left. I have been on that train since 1983.
I was surprised that RBA went with Mrazek for a second game in a row. I like him but he is not a goalie that will win you a cup. He is a stop gap. Give Ned a rest for a game and Mrazek got them a win. Ned should have been there the next game. Even in the two losses. Ned played well. He flubbed the one goal in game two that cost them but other than that. He has been solid.
I am not on the level of any NHL coach by any stretch of the imagination. However. I am amazed how the guy that got them to the division championship and almost the President's cup. Reimer has been completely absent. IMO (again take it as a fans perspective)he would have been my choice to back up Ned and be the stop gap. That is what he has done for almost his whole career. Similar to how they used CMac a couple of seasons ago.
All that being said. The Canes know that they can score on Vasilevskiy and he is human. When they won and even in the last loss. The Canes forced Tampa out of their game and made them play the Canes style. If they do that again. Ned will make some of those saves that Mrazek didn't and they will win.
It was almost all Rangers and Bruins fans and a surprising amount of Habs fans.
When I was a squirt we played against the Whalers alumni at my hometown rink and Gordie Howe played with the Whalers alumni and barely anyone was there to get a glimpse of Mr. Hockey.
I kind of regret having very little memory of that. I do remember having him sign a picture and getting our pictures taken with him, but not of the game really and it's a shame.
I went to Whalers games every now and then, but it was one of those social events b/c going to pro sporting events was fun.
I did go to the NHL Draft when it was in Hartford, got to see the Stanley Cup up close - the Ed Jovanovsky draft - one of the most boring events I've ever been to in my life. But seeing the cup up close was cool.
agree. Speaking of memorabilia, on my first trip to Toronto after the Hockey Hall of Fame, we went to Wayne Gretzky's restaurant to eat. Besides the awful food - and I mean awful - even for Canada - I was very disappointed in the memorabilia.
The most decorated player in the history of the game and some unimpressive pictures and plaques? It looked like a TGIF's with their fake rock 'n roll memorabilia.
Such a letdown, I hope no one goes there with high expectations.
One of my cousins still rocks a blue Shanahan whalers sweater to games.
I was always partial to Zarley Zalapski in NHL 94
Francis
Dineen
Ferraro
Verbeek (the little ball of hate - my favorite Whaler - even though he started as a Devil)
Holik
Ulf Samuelsson
Geoff Sandersson was a rookie
the aforementioned Zarley Zalapski
and they were still finishing 4th in the Adams
Francis
Dineen
Ferraro
Verbeek (the little ball of hate - my favorite Whaler - even though he started as a Devil)
Holik
Ulf Samuelsson
Geoff Sandersson was a rookie
the aforementioned Zarley Zalapski
and they were still finishing 4th in the Adams
Not really. Ferraro came to the island early in 90. Samuelsson went with Francis to the Pens for Cullen and Zalapski (lol)
Sanderson only played 2 games
They completely squandered their talent to Millbury levels
Ferraro was still on that Whalers team - with Francis, Dineen, Verbeek, Ulf, etc.
@PuckReportNHL
·
5m
Trocheck and Niederreiter warming up for #LetsGoCanes. No Warren Foegele, Nedeljkovic starts
Harman Dayal
@harmandayal2
·
1m
The Canadiens have spent nearly an hour (57 mins) on the penalty kill through two rounds so far.
They somehow outscored TOR and WPG 4-3 in those shorthanded minutes. Pretty crazy stuff.
Vasilevskiy had a clear, clean view on 95% of those shots. Ugly offensive performance by the Canes. On to next year. The team will certainly look different at the star of next season. At least six guys will be gone.
COL went from up 2 - 0 and looking like a cake walk to the SCF to on the verge of getting bounced by a solid in all facets LVG team.
Some part of me thinks it would be awesome to see a Habs vs Bruins SCF but that prospect is on life support.
Mark Scheig
@markscheig
·
9m
Norris finalists: Fox, Hedman, Makar.
McAvoy should be there instead of Hedman. Hedman is a beast but this season wasn't up to his standards.
No disrespect to Fox, great season. He's from my hometown so I can't hate him.
I'd vote for Makar but I think the difference the two had in xGF is their shooting % which for Fox was below average and I'd expect that to increase.
Fox had a higher point share.
Makar does dazzle though, so agree on the eye test, but man Fox is just so smart and makes so many subtle plays that lead to chances.
So, I don't think it's as wide a gap as you, but agree Makar should win.
I agree on Hedman - he was a bit worse this year than last.
I thought the suspension was a little heavy, but he definitely deserved to miss some time.
One spot remains - LVG or COL - which can be decided tomorrow night.
if you're the Capitals, and you know you chose your 36 year old star over the best coach in the league coming off a stanley cup win, how do you reconcile that? Think they regret it?
if you're the Capitals, and you know you chose your 36 year old star over the best coach in the league coming off a stanley cup win, how do you reconcile that? Think they regret it?
Quote:
if you're the Capitals, and you know you chose your 36 year old star over the best coach in the league coming off a stanley cup win, how do you reconcile that? Think they regret it?
I've never heard anything like that. Ovie and Trotz developed a good relationship. That was about the gm, Reirden, and $$$.
One of my buddies last night at hockey told me Ovi forced it - said it's him or Trotz - I remember early on after Trotz became coach he and Ovi clashed and he benched Ovi for missing a meeting or something disciplinary. Seemed plausible so I believe it - shouldn't have shared it though since I've never verified it.
But making that decision about the GM, $$$ or Reirden is even worse.
That relationship he had with Ovi seems to be repeating itself with Barzal - being hard on his star, ultimately for his own good.
I always thought the Caps org thought Reirdan was the heir apparent and didn't want to lose him by extending (and paying) Trotz. If that was how the decision is made, whoever pushed for it should be out. What a franchise crushing decision.
LVG vs COL (LVG leads 3 - 2) @ 9:00
such a great series, I'm just rooting for OT and/or game 7, preferably both
LVG vs COL (LVG leads 3 - 2) @ 9:00
such a great series, I'm just rooting for OT and/or game 7, preferably both
I'm surprised at how swiftly Vegas has been able to shut down Colorado. I know they were the top two teams in the league point-wise in the regular season and they were division rivals this year so they know each other well, but the shift from the 7-1 rout in Game 1 to Vegas winning 3 in a row and being on the verge of the upset is quite striking.
Hart trophy: all 3 are deserving, I think McDavid should win.
Spector's Hockey
@SpectorsHockey
·
31m
Nathan MacKinnon, Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid are your Hart Trophy finalists for 2020-21.
Quote:
1 game tonight, possible handshakes in what would be a mild upset:
LVG vs COL (LVG leads 3 - 2) @ 9:00
such a great series, I'm just rooting for OT and/or game 7, preferably both
I'm surprised at how swiftly Vegas has been able to shut down Colorado. I know they were the top two teams in the league point-wise in the regular season and they were division rivals this year so they know each other well, but the shift from the 7-1 rout in Game 1 to Vegas winning 3 in a row and being on the verge of the upset is quite striking.
Vegas has always been great on their home ice so to me it wasn't surprising to see them level it at 2-2 after going down 2-0. Vegas in my mind losing game 1 was almost expected since Colorado won in 4 and Vegas went 7 in the first round. So to me the series was always closer than it seemed be after the first two games.
At the same time, if Vegas does manange to close them out at home, winning 4 in a row would be impressive.
Great to see him take responsibility for the hit.
Hamilton: “We lost to a team $18 million over the cap."
Sick of this whining, get over it.
Great call by me btw.
Sick of this whining, get over it.
Its surprising to hear hockey players openly whine and make excuses. Bad look.
When coaches do it it sounds like they are out of answers and grasping.
Shut up, accept responsibility, and stew privately.
Mackinnon to Toews 20-something seconds in,.
1 - 0 Avs
Nick Holden (?) from the point.
Grubauer had no clue where the puck was, soft goal.
Rantanen on the PP (from MacKinnon) ties it up.
Forecheck is ridiculous
President's trophy curse alive and well
Girard was brutal.
Even Makar and Toews seemed to struggle with the size of the Vegas forwards, though they didn't wilt like Girard who was a turnover machine.
My only hope is the size of the Habs D helps them - Weber, Edmundson, Petry and Chiarot are all massive.
Graves is the only D with size in COL top 4.
If LVG plays the way they did the past three games it will be a short series. they look like they are firing on all cylinders.
I think that if the Islanders can split the first two games against the machine that is Tampa. They can win the series. Varlamov vs. Vasilevskiy is a great match up.
I'm stunned the Knights won four straight. I really believed in the Avs. Shows how hard it is to win the Cup.
Rooting for the winner of the MTL/VGK series to win it all. NYI/TB begin Sunday at 3, VGK/MTL Monday at 9.
I give the isles less than a 20% chance. Tampa is just as deep with a lot more top end skill. Big mobile D corps give the Trotz Era Isles fits. They have the skill to nullify the forecheck and can gain the zone at will.
People point to the 6 game bubble series , but that islanders team was better. Toews-Mayfield and Leddy-Greene was much better than 75% Leddy-Mayfield, Greene-post covid Dobson. Obviously they had Anders Lee. Point missed 2 games and Stamkos didn't play.
I'm enjoying the ride but I'm not at all expecting a series win.
I think that if the Islanders can split the first two games against the machine that is Tampa. They can win the series. Varlamov vs. Vasilevskiy is a great match up.
more than a slight exaggeration. Just because the Leafs wilt in the playoffs every year doesn't make them not a legit NHL team. They're a top 5 team in a normal year with regular conferences. Edmonton too is a legit team - just top heavy and not a cup contender, but they're also a legit team.
Not sure why as a Canes fan you have such animosity, I don't think the Canes are anything special that puts them on a different level than MTL. In fact if I had a choice on which roster I'd prefer I think a strong case could be made for the Habs.
I do think Vegas is a better team than MTL, but Vegas is better than 90% of the league, so we'll see what happens, and they probably do win, but no idea how a Canes fan adopts such condescension.
I expect this from Leafs fans (like 5bowls who is suddenly nowhere to be found), and we see where they are now.
People point to the 6 game bubble series , but that islanders team was better. Toews-Mayfield and Leddy-Greene was much better than 75% Leddy-Mayfield, Greene-post covid Dobson. Obviously they had Anders Lee. Point missed 2 games and Stamkos didn't play.
I'm enjoying the ride but I'm not at all expecting a series win.
Have to agree to disagree re: better last year vs this year. Having Pelech and Zeeker back are huge benefits and palmieri and Zajac, while different roles, have more than made up for Lee's absence. Then factoring in the added experience/play of guys like Beau, Nelson, Mayfield etc. I'd take this year's team over the one that faced Tampa last year
Jeff Sherman
@golfodds
·
2m
NHL Stanley Cup winner updated @SuperBookSports
Vegas Golden Knights Even
Tampa Bay Lightning 17/10
New York Islanders 8/1
Montreal Canadiens 12/1
Semifinal Series Prices
New York Islanders +240
Tampa Bay Lightning -280
Montreal Canadiens +375
Vegas Golden Knights -450
I give the isles less than a 20% chance. Tampa is just as deep with a lot more top end skill. Big mobile D corps give the Trotz Era Isles fits. They have the skill to nullify the forecheck and can gain the zone at will.
People point to the 6 game bubble series , but that islanders team was better. Toews-Mayfield and Leddy-Greene was much better than 75% Leddy-Mayfield, Greene-post covid Dobson. Obviously they had Anders Lee. Point missed 2 games and Stamkos didn't play.
I'm enjoying the ride but I'm not at all expecting a series win.
Toews-Mayfield was awful that series. Pelech has improved. Also, Palms and Zajac do add to the team. Leo Komarov might be a great character guy, but I wish Wahlstrom was healthy and on Barzal’s wing.
The Islanders have the most goals of any team in the playoffs this year. Only Colorado is (was) averaging more goals per game. Yes, Tampa will be tougher to score on than either Pitt or Boston, but this is not the team of plucky overachievers everyone wants them to be. There is skill up and down this roster.
Great to see him take responsibility for the hit.
And on that point: has there been an update on Evans? All I've seen is a generic 'he's doing better' after being carried off the ice. Regardless of severity of the instant head trauma, i.e., the most recent or even an initial, the range of characteristic symptoms is very big, ranging from no 'hangover' (not necessarily prognostic for lack of severity) to bouts/continuation of headache, nausea, sensitivity to light, confusion, excessive sleep need, memory loss, imbalance, etc., etc.
I doubt you ever get an honest update on his status until after the season - hockey coaches are notoriously Belichickian with injury updates.
Lee is a loss but they added Palmieri and have more depth (Zajac/Wahlstrom).
Dobson might be outplaying '20 Toews so I don't think that's a factor either way.
The biggest difference could be Hedman seemingly playing well under 100% because remember last year he was not only playing almost 30 mpg but also scoring seemingly every game too.
And as always if the goaltending bends one way or the other.
Overall every series the NYI play is competitive so I expect that to be the case again. The questions are if they have the talent to overcome TB and if TB has the will/toughness to take the punishment, stay disciplined, and withstand the NYI depth as the series goes on. As I said I'm less confident in a NYI win this year than I was last year. Unless Hedman is way off his game, then it's a new ballgame.
Twitter - ( New Window )
1. I think NYI team is better this year
2. I don't think TB is quite as good as last year
3. Last year I didn't expect NYI to be there and while I did have them losing to BOS in 7, I feel like they were as good a team as BOS and I had BOS and TBL in the finals before I knew how they'd handle semis.
TBL is not a physical team, NYI are underdogs, I'm not going to claim differently, but I think they can win if they stay out of the box but play physical.
I doubt you ever get an honest update on his status until after the season - hockey coaches are notoriously Belichickian with injury updates.
I don't quite get Scott in Montreal's venom for the team either. I've said a few times that I am very keen on seeing how teams from the different divisions stack up against one another after a season in isolation. Hard upon us.
I doubt you ever get an honest update on his status until after the season - hockey coaches are notoriously Belichickian with injury updates.
I don't quite get Scott in Montreal's venom for the team either. I've said a few times that I am very keen on seeing how teams from the different divisions stack up against one another after a season in isolation. Hard upon us.
Like this one:
I think that's way too low for both. TB is favored, no doubt, but I expect a 6 or 7 game series.
Quote:
was on the ice last practice - just skating not participating but that's a good sign.
I doubt you ever get an honest update on his status until after the season - hockey coaches are notoriously Belichickian with injury updates.
Thanks, pj, good sign for sure, you never want to see outright debilitation even if absence of same is no guaranty of insignificant, longer term impact. As with all of these, just hope the team's docs will be very conservative with him. Another head jarring hit coming this next series (needn't be to the head itself) coming so soon on top of a severe, direct hit would be awful for him.
I don't quite get Scott in Montreal's venom for the team either. I've said a few times that I am very keen on seeing how teams from the different divisions stack up against one another after a season in isolation. Hard upon us.
Probably because he lives in MTL and isn't a fan of the team is my guess - sort of like how I hate the Patriots, Red Sox, and Bruins. I hate them more than some of my teams own rivals (though the Bruins are my teams rival so double hate for them).
Like this one:
I think that's way too low for both. TB is favored, no doubt, but I expect a 6 or 7 game series.
MTL had the longest odds in the 1st round too (meaning they were the least likely team to advance out of round 1).
And they're clearly playing better. A 7% chance to win the Cup is just too low IMO.
MTL is a middling team, they don't have an elite scorer, and their goalie has been post-peak for a couple years.
but that's the great thing about hockey is MTL can win a game from Vegas and then they can win two, and who knows, maybe it will be a series.
Lee is a loss but they added Palmieri and have more depth (Zajac/Wahlstrom).
Dobson might be outplaying '20 Toews so I don't think that's a factor either way.
The biggest difference could be Hedman seemingly playing well under 100% because remember last year he was not only playing almost 30 mpg but also scoring seemingly every game too.
.
I agree TB will be a big task, but the biggest factors IMO are having Cizikas and Pelech for this series
First time since the season began?
TBL vs NYI - game 1, @ 3:00
I think the NYI are maybe the team that matches up best with TBL, or maybe LVG - either of those two teams I think give TBL the best matchup because they have big physical forwards who cycle well, maintain puck possession and forcheck like demons, and have great goaltending.
To me this series will feature some great goalies and great D, and if the NYI forwards can sustain a forecheck like they did vs BOS they can win.
However, TBL D are much deeper than BOS, and they can't target 1 D on TBL like they did with McAvoy, because McDonagh, Sergachev, and even Cernak to an extent are all bigger and more physical than BOS D. I'd like to see Foote make an appearance for TBL, but he hasn't played in the playoffs yet so I doubt it.
TBL PP is lethal, so NYI will need to be disciplined (The NY Saints?), but the NYI PP has talent too so same goes for TBL.
I expect a close series, but unless there is a key injury I expect TBL to win in 7, but when you pick a team to win in 7 no outcome should be considered surprising.
...
The Isles can’t go shot for shot with TB so they need to wear them down the way they did Boston. You may not see the results in the first few games, but you will see it back in NY. Until then, Varly needs to be mid-season Varly that was a wall, and they need to convert offensive chances whenever they have them.
LGI!!!!
The only sound they made was booing the puck coming up the ice on the Islanders power plays. Not sure why they do that, but they seem to enjoy it, so it’s all good.
Overall a good period since the second power play. Keep playing that way and they can win.
TB had almost no threat offensively.
Did Cooper really complain about the refs? That is too good to be true! Please follow the blueprint of Cassidy and blame that flat effort by your team on the refs.
Has anyone asked Cassidy or Cooper why the league is trying so hard to tilt the ice in favor of the most boring team in the league?
Quote:
brought up the refs already? did he also say this is the team we beat easily in the bubble?
Did Cooper really complain about the refs? That is too good to be true! Please follow the blueprint of Cassidy and blame that flat effort by your team on the refs.
Has anyone asked Cassidy or Cooper why the league is trying so hard to tilt the ice in favor of the most boring team in the league?
he said something like its hard to get certain players going when they cant get on ice because it was 3-0 in penalties at 1 point
This whining is so obnoxious.
Quote:more than a slight exaggeration. Just because the Leafs wilt in the playoffs every year doesn't make them not a legit NHL team. They're a top 5 team in a normal year with regular conferences. Edmonton too is a legit team - just top heavy and not a cup contender, but they're also a legit team.
Not sure why as a Canes fan you have such animosity, I don't think the Canes are anything special that puts them on a different level than MTL. In fact if I had a choice on which roster I'd prefer I think a strong case could be made for the Habs.
Well we can agree to disagree. The Canadian division was terrible this season. The argument could be made that if those teams played a regular schedule this year. The Leafs would have not finished above 5th or 6th spot and the Habs would have missed the playoffs again after playing all the other Atlantic and Metropolitan teams plus what ever Western powerhouses that beat the crap out of each other all season. There are a lot of really good hockey teams in those two divisions.
Other than Price over Mrazek I cannot see the Habs having a better roster than the Canes. Sure there are some good players on the Habs but the overall roster head to head easily goes to the Canes IMO. Even with that. Price is streaky and injured a lot. Not his fault. His shot count against was insane for most of the years he played because the Habs style and lack of talent left him out to dry. I would still probably take young Nedeljvkovic. He looks like he could be the real deal.
The animosity for the Habs comes from living here my whole life. The fans cannot help but make you hate everything about the team. They have done zero since 93 and they continuously talk about how fantastic they are. Even now. The "Bring the Cup Home" bullshit on every TV and radio station day after day makes you want to throw up. Then there is the politics. The Quebec Premier talking about how they would win every year if the team was made up of only French Quebec players. They just make them so easy to hate.
I guess you have to live it to understand.
After all that. I still cheer for the Habs over Toronto. Just because it is Toronto and they think that they are the center of the universe. Watching them suffer in whatever sport is very enjoyable.
Is that what you're saying?
I had my own game at 10pm so missed it.
Looking forward to seeing if they can adjust next game - maybe get Petry back - that injury was a very freak injury.
if not, could be a short series.
tonight NYI vs TBL game 2 @ 8:00
I like Martinez, I wanted him at the deadline last year. not a star, but good offensively at least.
LVG is just a better team, but when you look at the stat sheet:
Shots were similar (30 - 29 in favor of LVG)
MTL won on the dots by a lot
MTL outhit them by a lot
Blocked shots were close (16 - 15 in favor of LVG)
MTL won the specials battle (1/3 on the PP for MTL vs 0 for 4 for LVG)
MTL won the give away battle (5 to 10)
without watching the game, the stats say Carey Price got beat by MAF
but the context is of course missing - shots vs scoring chances is a huge difference. need to see more stats
Holden and Whitecloud are the D pair MTL has to exploit - but having last change maybe helped LVG there and that pair wound up +2 - that's probably the difference in the game.
Is that what you're saying?
Hate is strong word. I don't hate anyone. I can't stand them but I wouldn't go overboard.
What I am saying is that the Habs barely made the playoffs and struggled for most of the season with a power puff schedule. If they would have had to play against more of the stronger teams during the regular season. They would not have. I am confident that the Habs wouldn't have made the playoffs if they were in either the Islanders or Tampa divisions this year.
It happens all the time in most sports. Teams that have to grind out a season against the better teams and then still succeed tend to do better come playoff time than teams with weaker schedules that cruise, or teams that struggle against weaker competition and still squeak out a spot.
Last night they came out like gang busters but this was Vegas not Winnipeg. Vegas did not panic. They fought back and continued to play their game despite what the Habs were doing. There was a confidence they way they played. The Knights passing was impressive. The hitting was solid. The Habs had a couple of nice early hits, but that seemed to only piss the Knights of and then there was the scrum in the crease that got Fleury all riled up and he was on fire after that.
At one point late in the first. The NBC announcer said that they Habs had already made changes to their defensive pairings (which for me seemed early considering they were still playing well) and then said that they looked like they were going to go with their top four only like they did against the Jets. Again. This is not the Jets.
Obviously they're better than WIN.
but like Belichick says "you have to play the schedule they give you".
The habs did barely make the playoffs, but so did the 2007 Giants and like the Giants the habs were/are playing their best hockey of the season in the playoffs.
Now I'm not comparing per se, but in hockey teams can beat each other and the Habs were playing without their MVP on D.
Now I don't make personnel excuses in hockey, especially not by playoff time, so it's not an excuse, but some teams can overcome injuries better than others - and a team who barely made the playoffs probably isn't as easy to overcome the loss of their top D as teams with more depth.
Still fun, and still looking forward to the series and regardless if Mook thinks it's bad karma the experience for the young guys is priceless.
Quote:
They have rejuvenated Martinez and McNabb into viable defenseman again.
I like Martinez, I wanted him at the deadline last year. not a star, but good offensively at least.
LVG is just a better team, but when you look at the stat sheet:
Shots were similar (30 - 29 in favor of LVG)
MTL won on the dots by a lot
MTL outhit them by a lot
Blocked shots were close (16 - 15 in favor of LVG)
MTL won the specials battle (1/3 on the PP for MTL vs 0 for 4 for LVG)
MTL won the give away battle (5 to 10)
without watching the game, the stats say Carey Price got beat by MAF
but the context is of course missing - shots vs scoring chances is a huge difference. need to see more stats
Holden and Whitecloud are the D pair MTL has to exploit - but having last change maybe helped LVG there and that pair wound up +2 - that's probably the difference in the game.
-Price made some great saves. It could've been 8-1
-MTL pp looked good, crisp puck movement especially Suzuki and Caulfield
-Anderson is getting healthier. He was physical
-As you said, they really need Petry
-Tuch is a stud. I thought so in the 2017 finals too, how is this guy not a perennial all star?
-lvg 3rd pair is vulnerable, but the forwards support so closely, like the isles. Gives vulnerable dmen easy outs
Vegas was my cup pick at the start. Big, fast, and deep. Lehner as insurance for Flower.
Habs drafted Tuch's younger brother last year. A little smaller version but looks similar.
Habs drafted Tuch's younger brother last year. A little smaller version but looks similar.
In hindsight those moves happen. Look at all Columbus gave up so that Las Vegas would draft William Karlsson. I think Las Vegas could have drafted Dylan Larkin from Detroit and instead took Nosek.
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always impressed by him - I was surprised so many teams gave up good players to protect others to LVG (Tuch, Theodore, MAF - at least).
Habs drafted Tuch's younger brother last year. A little smaller version but looks similar.
In hindsight those moves happen. Look at all Columbus gave up so that Las Vegas would draft William Karlsson. I think Las Vegas could have drafted Dylan Larkin from Detroit and instead took Nosek.
Agree, someone like Tuch is hindsight to a point, he was a young prospect at the time but my point was he was traded to LVG to avoid them selecting someone else from the Wild - and it likely turned out that Tuch is better than who they would have selected, but anyway Larkin was not eligible to be selected by Vegas.
McPhee was isles assistant gm for a few years so they made a deal to protect them but this core would be very different.
Even in a game where you felt like from the 2nd goal on TBL had control the NYI made it a game.
Tonight is as close to a must-win in a 7-game series as there could be. MTL will have to win a game in LVG if they have any shot at winning.
Petry reportedly back, though not at 100%, so not sure what the point is, but at least it removes any excuse.
LVG vs MTK (LVG leads 1 - 0) @ 9:00
one of the cool things about this series if you like pageantry and the best game openings are in MTL and LVG. It's like a show before the game.
I went to a game in LV and it's a lot of fun.
Eichel to the Habs confirmed.
NBC Sports - ( New Window )
Byron Bader
@ByronMBader
· 6h
The Jack Eichel trade is going to be big. It will likely include at least a significant roster player, an A-level prospect and a 2021 1st round pick. There are 10 teams that should have no chance of landing Eichel because they lack one or more of these crucial three components:
Show this thread
....
Byron Bader
@ByronMBader
·
6h
7. Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens have the pieces to make it work. But the prospect piece should be Cole Caufield and the Habs are not trading Cole Caufield. For that reason, the Habs should be out. Or at least they should be out as a trading partner to Buffalo.
Byron Bader
@ByronMBader
· 6h
The Jack Eichel trade is going to be big. It will likely include at least a significant roster player, an A-level prospect and a 2021 1st round pick. There are 10 teams that should have no chance of landing Eichel because they lack one or more of these crucial three components:
Show this thread
....
Byron Bader
@ByronMBader
·
6h
7. Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens have the pieces to make it work. But the prospect piece should be Cole Caufield and the Habs are not trading Cole Caufield. For that reason, the Habs should be out. Or at least they should be out as a trading partner to Buffalo.
Lol, I was joking - I think a 'significant' roster player, an A prospect, and a first rounder is an overpay. For the Rangers, that's probably Buchnevich/Lundkvist or Schneider/their first.
Strome/Jones/the first or fuck off.
I'm convinced he's going to NYR, though, regardless of what I say.
Probably even one of the D prospects.
Probably even one of the D prospects.
I think the Nash/Stone deals are frameworks for what Eichel will cost. Add in the cost and neck injury and I can’t justify paying more.
Price is already making some incredible saves.
1-0 Habs.
tough way to play against.
Good forecheck by MTL 4th line.
3 - 1
I see a shooting gallery 3rd period, and have to hope Vegas gets over aggressive offensively and MTL capitalizes on whatever chances they can get.
Not a huge fan of having Merrill and Gustafsson as the 3rd pair on D, neither one has a shred of defensive ability.
@EricEngels
· 31m
As @SNkylebukauskas just reported, Petry has bilateral subconjunctival hemorrhage. Speaking with doctors over the last few minutes, no pain or vision issues associated. Just some burst blood vessels and pooling.
@EricEngels
· 31m
As @SNkylebukauskas just reported, Petry has bilateral subconjunctival hemorrhage. Speaking with doctors over the last few minutes, no pain or vision issues associated. Just some burst blood vessels and pooling.
Well.... yeah, but that hemorrhage is because he's on a massive painkiller cocktail lol
3 - 2
the little things add up in hockey so much
Good win
Petry too.
MTL is a team with almost no depth on the blue line, so they can't afford to lose players.
I hope though that Romanov is in next game for Merrill or Gustafsson.
I don't think Caufield played in the 3rd period and i get it - he's a rookie, he wasn't even added to MTL until very late in the season, but he's one of the best offensive players they have. I hate when teams play to protect a lead like that.
but it worked so shows what I know. lol.
Huge win for the Habs. Weber stepped up.
I like watching Reaves throw, but he's a complete piece of shit trying to sneak guys constantly.
Huge win for the Habs. Weber stepped up.
I like watching Reaves throw, but he's a complete piece of shit trying to sneak guys constantly.
He actually hurt them late. I'm glad DeBoer kept running him out there with the 4th line. MTL had Staal or Perry take Caufield's spot because he's a defensive liability, but Reaves (who I like too) is an offensive liability and i would have put Tuch or Paccioretty or someone out for a second shift with the 4th line - he turned the puck over so often in the 3rd they lost a lot of time regrouping.
both guys are vet min (Staal was a deadline deal) or close to it and are so reliable and salty they're hard to play against.
Paul Byron, two GW goals in the playoffs (so far) who would have guessed that - a waiver wire pick up two years ago, a healthy scratch much of the season.
Pivotal game 3 tonight in LI.
NYI vs LVG (series tied at 1) at 8:00 PM on USA Network
Pivotal game 3 tonight in LI.
NYI vs LVG (series tied at 1) at 8:00 PM on USA Network
Just scooped a pair for tonight. 🤞🤞🤞
Quote:
I love MTL, even if I wasn't a habs fan, it's a fun city.
Pivotal game 3 tonight in LI.
NYI vs LVG (series tied at 1) at 8:00 PM on USA Network
Just scooped a pair for tonight. 🤞🤞🤞
holy shit. enjoy, place should be insane.
My wife and kids are Bruins fans, so I sprung for Stanley Cup Finals tickets in 2019 Bruins vs the Blues.
Game 2, OT loss for the Bruins, so while I wasn't openly rooting against the Bruins I was happy inside, lol.
But such a cool atmosphere and game to see.
but it worked so shows what I know. lol.
Congrats on the win, pj. Vegas plays such a heavy game, not sure how Habs parry that over a long, best of 7.
@markscheig
·
27m
Two interesting things from Friedman's interview on WGR just now.
1. Says Sabres preference is to trade Eichel out west to get away from division or conference. Ducks said to be in middle of this.
2. Also says teams are wary about this draft due to not being able to see players
Combine that uncertainty with a 10 million price tag, add in Buffalo's clown show management. I can't foresee them getting any kind of a haul.
Plus - at least at the top - it's not thought to be a particularly compelling draft.
Rangers have to address the Zibanejad question internally before making a move.
I do think the Rangers will get him, though.
That's pretty cheap, no?
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extended in CAR, 3 years, $1.8M per
That's pretty cheap, no?
Relative to Gallant I guess.
Sporting Free - ( New Window )
NYI had momentum but that goal didn't have to happen.
Tonight:
MTL vs LVG (series tied at 1) 08:00 on USA
@markscheig
·
7m
Dreger just said on Buffalo radio that he's "comfortable" saying Eichel is being traded. Also said there are "a number of suitors."
Me: The price is sky high with high demand.
Joshua Clipperton
@JClipperton_CP
· 22m
Alex Tuch skating between Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty at the #Knights’ morning skate. #Habs
I feel the same way.
yves fredette
@fredette
#NHL #VGK #VegasBorn #Habs #GoHabsGo
You don't always know what you get with Goal net Marc-André Fleury in the #NHLPlayoffs
Last games before being eliminated
2018 vs #ALLCAPS
.857
.885
.885
.739
.879
2019 vs #SJSharks
.875
.919
.893
1.000
.857
.931
.896
Quote:
to get Eichel. Feel like it's bound to happen this summer and I can't help think that I'm going to be upset at it
I feel the same way.
Seeing some mock trades going around..
Miller
Kravtsov
Chytil
3 1sts
for
Eichel
I think I can speak for Rangers fans everywhere..
FUCK. THAT.
Quote:
In comment 15289043 Giants in 07 said:
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to get Eichel. Feel like it's bound to happen this summer and I can't help think that I'm going to be upset at it
I feel the same way.
Seeing some mock trades going around..
Miller
Kravtsov
Chytil
3 1sts
for
Eichel
I think I can speak for Rangers fans everywhere..
FUCK. THAT.
I'd do that for McDavid or MacKinnon but not Eichel. That's absolutely insane.
NHL News
@PuckReportNHL
·
1m
NHL confirms Dominique Ducharme has a confirmed positive test. All others are negative. #GoHabsGo received 2nd vaccine doses on June 9
Given that most athletes/sports teams are getting tested more frequently than the average person, aren't they a great resource for data on vaccine efficacy? Given the Yankees/Chris Paul/Habs coach, I'm skeptical that the efficacy rate is as high as they say (but am wary that I'm overweighting anecdotes).
refs not helping, Armia gets a penalty for a good hit.
Price keeping it a game.
Barkov is one of my favorites non-Rangers. It's a shame FL didn't get much prime time TV.
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wins selke. Such a good player, one of those who exemplifies the Finnish style that the USNDTP tried to emulate (and successfully I may add).
Barkov is one of my favorites non-Rangers. It's a shame FL didn't get much prime time TV.
Not many players have that combination of skill and grit.
he didn't play the first couple games either.
Coaches are so conservative, they'd rather play 0 - 0 games then add a guy who can score.
Lehkonen tripped then boarded play on. lol. Pacioretty gets a stick in his hands and the arm comes up.
I hate refs.
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Caufield is amazing. Imagine benching him in the third.
he didn't play the first couple games either.
Coaches are so conservative, they'd rather play 0 - 0 games then add a guy who can score.
It makes it worse because the Habs are the less talented team and need to take some risks. It's not like they're the Lightning. I also disagree that someone like him is a risky player. A bad defensive winger is a very easy thing to hide/paper over.
He wasn't wrong.
but I'll take it.
Don't see that often.
But it shows you how in hockey a goalie can steal (and lose) a game.
How has the NHL officiating gotten so bad this playoff season. It is one thing to let stuff go, but this is terrible, Obvious penalties that impact the game are missed, they forget to count how many guys are playing, and then an odd nothing call away from the play.
How has the NHL officiating gotten so bad this playoff season. It is one thing to let stuff go, but this is terrible, Obvious penalties that impact the game are missed, they forget to count how many guys are playing, and then an odd nothing call away from the play.
Refs are involving themselves in the game by trying not to get involved in the game. You're tilting the scales in the direction of the team not getting called.
How has the NHL officiating gotten so bad this playoff season. It is one thing to let stuff go, but this is terrible, Obvious penalties that impact the game are missed, they forget to count how many guys are playing, and then an odd nothing call away from the play.
when they added the 2nd ref (2016?) it was supposed to improve things, but somehow they got worse.
and not to go on a rant, but the 2nd ref had a trickle down effect. It took refs from each lower level and moved them up a level so in youth hockey now you get drunks and hobos reffing games for the $50 and who really don't want to be there.
two game winners (one a shortie) and this beautiful set up on the GW goal by Anderson.
two game winners (one a shortie) and this beautiful set up on the GW goal by Anderson.
Haven’t been able to congratulate you and your boys for beating my Leafs, sweeping Jets, and now playing their hearts out v Vegas…..when all the so called experts said you have no chance of winning. These same experts kept telling us our North division is so weak. Well, maybe if Habs beat Vegas that mantra will change. Anyhow, I hope your boys keep it going pjcas….win it all for the North!
Last night was a strange game, but a W is a W.
Tonight
NYI vs TBL (TBL leads 2 - 1) @ 8:00 on USA
great series so far.
And it was said on the broadcast not a few times by Nicoletti and/or Pierre, Caufield sailing in on MAF like he's been there 100s of times before in this situation...consummate poise, stick, and finish
No matter how great they are goalies that can't handle it well get themselves into trouble when they think they can. MAF is pretty good with it. I was at a SCF game in '01 and Roy was flirting with danger doing it all series. Finally in game 4 up 1 late he handed the Devils a game flubbing it. Great run by the Habs. Funny so far Hughes' buddy Caulfield has been more impactful at this level than him. He's shown a better back at finishing. I think we knew he'd be better at that coming in though.
Caufield is awesome, he's a sniper and a steal where MTL took him, but he's being sheltered with his in-game usage and spent the past two years in NCAA. Hughes was playing top line center minutes.
Totally different roles and I think both will be good pros.
Hughes always had that gear and his acceleration is still much better than Caufield - Hughes gets to top speed faster than almost anyone outside of McDavid.
Hughes always had that gear and his acceleration is still much better than Caufield - Hughes gets to top speed faster than almost anyone outside of McDavid.
Oh definitely. I wasn't bashing Hughes, he definitely matured this year. Just saying his weaknesses is finishing and all along Caulfield has shown it to be his strength and at the end of the day goals win hockey games. He was a draft day steal. I bet 5 years from now he'll be no lower than 3 if you redo that draft.
TBL coughing the puck up in the D zone, NYI need to take advantage and bury one.
NYI can put this game away
Need to keep fore checking and can't sit on leads against teams like TBL
great series.
MTV vs LVG (MTL leads 2 - 1) @ 8:00 on NBCSN
Same refs
Slavin wins Lady Byng. Not going to lie as a kid I used to laugh at this award because of the name - even though Gretzky or Mike Bossy seemingly won it almost every year.
Now, that I am no longer an immature kid I still find it funny - seriously I respect the award because it's not just a soft playing dude, but a player who plays at a high level and respects the boundaries of the rules.
Weird to see a D win it. 1 D in like past 50 years has won it.
Gotta be nigh on unique ending for a SCP game. High drama, great game
He was in the crease.
Gotta be nigh on unique ending for a SCP game. High drama, great game
Given McDonagh’s momentum, I think that puck goes over the net if he lifts it.
He was in the crease.
Well, that assumes the refs do their job, which they haven’t all post-season.
That exciting ending helped the NHL shift the conversation - that call on Hedman was atrocious, IMO.
I think we have had some superb hockey these playoffs - I just wish the officials would not be fucking awful every game.
That exciting ending helped the NHL shift the conversation - that call on Hedman was atrocious, IMO.
and of course pj is correct on closing glove on the puck in the crease...did look, momentarily, as if he did
As evidence, Lehner in the starters net today, I bet he gets the nod over MAF.
Pulock cleaned up his own mess. He turned the puck over trying to go around the boards. There was around 8 seconds and he had the puck behind the net. Could have probably run the clock out in a board battle.
Fluery's play wS
I think Lehner is the right call.
I just reaalized it wasn't Marc-Andre Fleury once I saw the neck tattoo ...
I think we have had some superb hockey these playoffs - I just wish the officials would not be fucking awful every game.
This is the truth. Over the long run it does probably all even out. But game to game, it could have an impact. The calls have not been tilted to or from any one team, but the refs have been consistently bad game to game. It is a shame because for some games it is becoming a story line that detracts from some really good games.
He's being benched.
He's being benched.
That's certainly how it seems and I wasn't speculating there was another reason - just saying I wouldn't have benched him unless he had some kind of injury (like Rask). MAF has just been so central to that entire team's energy.
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isn't beat up, he lost his team a game.
He's being benched.
That's certainly how it seems and I wasn't speculating there was another reason - just saying I wouldn't have benched him unless he had some kind of injury (like Rask). MAF has just been so central to that entire team's energy.
true, we may never really know NHL player injury status, but my sense was Lehner was brutal game 1 so they have been riding the hot hand, and MAF had been it, the turnover made the decision to go back to Lehner easier.
but I have no knowledge if MAF is injured.
Obviously MAF's season speaks for itself, so benching a guy who has been that good who also happens to be extremely popular in the room for 1 mistake just seems like going way out on a ledge. Especially given Lehner's game vs. COL.
I think the mistake opened the door to make the change.
Clearly Lehner had problems elsewhere before coming to New York, but by all accounts I have seen is that his teammates liked him.
Two really good semifinal series this year.
Seemed like the Habs rna out of gas or something.
Lehner was the difference.
Seemed like the Habs rna out of gas or something.
That's not on Kotkaniemi - it's on Weber and Chiarot. Kotkaniemi's guy was Tuch. Weber was out at the face off dot when the goal was scored.
Lehner was the difference.
Yup great call by Deboer and ballsy. Not many coaches are benching a Vezina. Really happy for Lehner too. McNabb's uppercut to the nuts celly was A+.
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if MAF was playing the Habs win.
Lehner was the difference.
Yup great call by Deboer and ballsy. Not many coaches are benching a Vezina. Really happy for Lehner too. McNabb's uppercut to the nuts celly was A+.
he has to stick with Lehner now right?
Quote:
Wtf was Kotkaniemi doing there? Pretty sure Price was wondering the same thing as he was looking back at him.
Seemed like the Habs rna out of gas or something.
That's not on Kotkaniemi - it's on Weber and Chiarot. Kotkaniemi's guy was Tuch. Weber was out at the face off dot when the goal was scored.
Maybe, but I think the D switch Chiarot rolls over to cover the right post and Kotkani is basically in the way while Roy picks up the puck and scores. You gotta get on the body there as the center. Go back and watch Kotkani - he’s lazy from the face off to the goal. No excuse for that after the Habs had so much jump on Vegas. Especially coming out of the locker room at home. That was poor.
Quote:
In comment 15290761 pjcas18 said:
Quote:
if MAF was playing the Habs win.
Lehner was the difference.
Yup great call by Deboer and ballsy. Not many coaches are benching a Vezina. Really happy for Lehner too. McNabb's uppercut to the nuts celly was A+.
he has to stick with Lehner now right?
I'd say yes - ride the hot hand. And if Lehner puts up a bad one then you have MAF to come back in and give the team a lift in gm 6.
Quote:
In comment 15290756 trueblueinpw said:
Quote:
Wtf was Kotkaniemi doing there? Pretty sure Price was wondering the same thing as he was looking back at him.
Seemed like the Habs rna out of gas or something.
That's not on Kotkaniemi - it's on Weber and Chiarot. Kotkaniemi's guy was Tuch. Weber was out at the face off dot when the goal was scored.
Maybe, but I think the D switch Chiarot rolls over to cover the right post and Kotkani is basically in the way while Roy picks up the puck and scores. You gotta get on the body there as the center. Go back and watch Kotkani - he’s lazy from the face off to the goal. No excuse for that after the Habs had so much jump on Vegas. Especially coming out of the locker room at home. That was poor.
I watched it many times, Weber was with (really trailing) Pacioretty around the net, once he exits to the right side of the net at that point Chiarot who was covering no one, owns far post maybe net front if no one is on far post - Kotkaniemi went to initially cut off Pacioretty but noticed, smartly, two guys in front. One was Tuch (short side) who he picked up, the other was Roy (far side - Chiarot's guy).
What then happened is Tuch moved toward near post and both Kotkaniemi and Chiarot were covering the same guy - the one who was initially picked up by Kotkaniemi. By the time Kotkaniemi noticed he tried to just dive and stop the shot, but Chiarot should have never stayed near post.
It's one of those plays many people were caught flat footed by the Vegas speed/line change - and mostly it was because the D couldn't change because Chiarot who had a chance to clear didn't and he and Weber were caught with a long shift - in OT. recipe for disaster.
no complaining from me, it's a goal that happens - I'm not really looking for blame. MTL had chances, Lehner came up big. If that's the effort every game from MTL I think they come away winners more often that not.
Still not impressed that much with LVG who tied for most points in the league and is according to some people on here "the first real team MTL has played this season" and a team who would destroy MTL.
TBL vs NYI (series tied at 2) @ 8:00 NBCSN
The play I'd like to see a do-over? Caufield's breakaway--he's had so much success going top shelf, why go away from it?
Shots fired ;-)
I stand by what I said. Other than game two where Vegas came out flat and the Habs completely outplayed them for two of the three periods. Vegas has dominated for the most part. While I fully admit that the Habs have looked good at times and surprised Vegas. It is Price that has kept them in this.
If it wasn't for the MAF brain fart at the end of game three. This series is 3-1 Vegas and done tomorrow night.
Quote:
Still not impressed that much with LVG who tied for most points in the league and is according to some people on here "the first real team MTL has played this season" and a team who would destroy MTL.
Shots fired ;-)
I stand by what I said. Other than game two where Vegas came out flat and the Habs completely outplayed them for two of the three periods. Vegas has dominated for the most part. While I fully admit that the Habs have looked good at times and surprised Vegas. It is Price that has kept them in this.
If it wasn't for the MAF brain fart at the end of game three. This series is 3-1 Vegas and done tomorrow night.
You can play the "if it wasn't for..." game for everything in history.
Habs have surprised me because they were mediocre during the regular season, but I think many people thought they underperformed - not that they were a mediocre team.
- worst case they hung around with Vegas as long as the Avalanche did (Presiden't Trophy winner). They don't look even a little bit out of place with the possible exception of game one when they played without Petry (they have no depth on the blue line).
best case is they do better than the Av's and move on to the SCF.
Lastly, I don't think Vegas dominated last night, in fact the opposite, MTL left some chances on the board and Lehner stole a win. Habs outshot (and had better chances), outhit, and outblocked LVG.
Credit to Lehner and LVG, but in no way would I say they dominated last night or even in game 2.
pjcas18 said:
Habs have surprised me because they were mediocre during the regular season, but I think many people thought they underperformed - not that they were a mediocre team.
- worst case they hung around with Vegas as long as the Avalanche did (Presiden't Trophy winner). They don't look even a little bit out of place with the possible exception of game one when they played without Petry (they have no depth on the blue line).
best case is they do better than the Av's and move on to the SCF.
Lastly, I don't think Vegas dominated last night, in fact the opposite, MTL left some chances on the board and Lehner stole a win. Habs outshot (and had better chances), outhit, and outblocked LVG.
Credit to Lehner and LVG, but in no way would I say they dominated last night or even in game 2.
I agree with some of your points. The Habs are on a run. I disagree that they under performed during the season. That was the team. They are over performing now. Big difference. They do deserve the credit for the current run. I think that the Staal and Perry additions are a big part of it. Does not mean that they are a great team. Come next season with most of this roster intact and a regular schedule. They will be back to struggling to make the playoffs again.
If the Habs do manage to to pull this off. Which I still do not think that they will. The defining turning point that everyone will be talking about in the series is the MAF blowing his puck handling and giving the Habs the tying goal with under two minutes in game three which eventually lead to the OT loss.
Lehner was excellent last night. The first game where the Habs out shot the Knights.
Price is the reason they are still in this. 127 shots in four games is a lot. Only allowing 10 goals with four coming in game one is crazy.
I guess we will see. It is now a best 2 out of 3.
Staal has not been much of a factor - hard to harp on MAF's blunder but not Staal's. Staal was the sole reason for the 1st LVG goal in the same game MAF fumbled the puck.
The biggest addition is really Caufield.
Anyway, I never said the Canadiens were a better team than LVG, they were such underdogs it's obvious, but the gap clearly is not as wide as you thought it was. Whether it's Price, the team coming together, or whatever else you want to claim they're playing at a level where they are competitive with anyone.
As for next year, who knows. They're still playing without 3 top 6 forwards in Drouin, Tatar and Evans - maybe losing Drouin is addition by subtraction while I always found his skill tantalizing, I always found his play so frustrating
I thought the Canadiens were middle of the pack coming in to this season and fighting for a playoff spot (which I predicted they should get) and next year I think they'll be a little bit better than that and should be a playoff team.
Clearly Caufield, Suzuki, and KK have taken a step in their development. These are first line talents that are growing into their roles.
In the playoffs board play and physicality are more of a focal point. Hence you see the Staal and Danault lines having much more impact than the regular season.
The plucky underdog riding a hot goalie narrative is lazy.
Habs have dominated in high danger chances (18-2 last night!) and xgf. Media and fans are slow to catch up.
Vegas thrashed the Avs at times. We haven't quite seen that here.
I see a lot of people shit on MTL and even the Islanders. Montreal had an 'easier' road here, but they're playing really well.
I think we've seen some really good hockey this post-season - the officiating has been the only drawback.
LVG is built to play a more wide open game. MTL has done a great job slowing them down and making them grind for goals which makes them look more pedestrian. The Isles are doing that to some extent to Tampa, but Tampa can play that game better than LVG can (at least so far).
I would not be surprised to see MTL win this series given how they are playing. I think both semifinal series are still very much up for grab.
It's been a really good week of hockey so far.
Glad the Rangers fans finally found a reason to care about the playoffs for a change.
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And I couldn't be happier about it
Glad the Rangers fans finally found a reason to care about the playoffs for a change.
Truth. Did you mark your calendar for the rangers Super Bowl next year at UBS?
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And I couldn't be happier about it
Glad the Rangers fans finally found a reason to care about the playoffs for a change.
Ouch. That's Fucking funny. Well done.
Honestly I’m so used to the Rangers getting humiliated it’s gotten old.
Huge night for the blueshirts. Best night since sometime in April.
Here’s to you, Ranger fans! A glorious night for your franchise. Someone else did what you can’t.
Huge night for the blueshirts. Best night since sometime in April.
Here’s to you, Ranger fans! A glorious night for your franchise. Someone else did what you can’t.
its funny. i think hes 1 of the reasons there needed to be separate mets and yanks threads during subway series. he was 1 that got his feefees hurt when mets fans taunted after winning. im sure he'll say he wasnt and have some clever response but he proved hes a bitch. only shows up tonight
Huge night for the blueshirts. Best night since sometime in April.
Here’s to you, Ranger fans! A glorious night for your franchise. Someone else did what you can’t.
Hahaha. So deep. It's like the kid in elementary school who used the crazy windmill offense in a fight. The bitterness and feelings are hilarious.
You should take some solace in the fact that the Isles most likely win G6 at home. The home road splits are real.
I had my own men's league game and didn't see a second of this, but sometimes an ass kicking like this serves more to motivate you as a team than heartbreaking a 2 - 1 OT loss.
See how they respond.
Tonight, pivotal game 5 back in sin city.
LVG vs MTL (series tied at 2) @ 9:00 on NBCSN
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I think we've seen some really good hockey this post-season - the officiating has been the only drawback.
It has been shockingly bad, negligent, at times. Last night, in a 2nd period scrum around Price's net, Nosek I think took an impossible-to-not see swing (at Gallagher, Kotkaniemi, Lahkonen? don't recall) and made scored a partial hit to the jaw, the Ref was looking right at it and didn't budge. It wasn't a case of two guys squaring off, agreeing to engage in a tussle that would result in both being sent off.
Suzuki and it was McNabb and the ref was staring right at it - instead of calling a penalty for some reason he signals to run the clock out and end the period like a men's league game.
In fairness Suzuki pushed McNabb (in retaliation before being punched in the face) but nothing unusual for a net front scrum. The punch to the face was beyond egregious.
And it has been equally bad both way. Mostly with Chris Lee. He's terrible.
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No question about. The Rangers didn’t.
Huge night for the blueshirts. Best night since sometime in April.
Here’s to you, Ranger fans! A glorious night for your franchise. Someone else did what you can’t.
Hahaha. So deep. It's like the kid in elementary school who used the crazy windmill offense in a fight. The bitterness and feelings are hilarious.
You should take some solace in the fact that the Isles most likely win G6 at home. The home road splits are real.
A windmill offense? Bitterness?
I was mocking someone talking shit about a team in the semifinals when their team didn't even qualify the playoffs (largely because of the Islanders dominating them).
If that upsets you, buttercup, stay off the thread.
The Daily Goal Horn
@DailyGoalHorn
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3m
#NHL Rumors: #FlyTogether and #CBJ closing in on a Jack Eichel trade from #LetsGoBuffalo
link - ( New Window )
I don't see CBJ, either.
I don't see CBJ, either.
I think CBJ is talking Seth Jones, so that changes things.
Somehow Jones is on the block.
maybe after next year, he's under contract 21-22 (with a M-NTC)
Seriously? the gap between Eichel and Strome is cavernous.
His value is directly tied to playing with an elite, play-driving wing.
3C could be Chytil or Kravtsov (though I think Kravtsov a top 6 forward).
And you sign someone like Eric Staal is your 4C.
He's got 7 pts in 14 games in the playoffs (and one brutal turnover), but he's the exact kind of bottom of the roster player I'd target and clear out the Rooney's Di Guisseppe's, etc.
Corey Perry too, slow yes, but still gritty, skilled, and a leader.
Doesn't have to be Staal and Perry - as mentioned previously tons of players like this - Wayne Simmonds, Nate Thompson, etc. reliable, dependable veterans with higher floors than the guys I mentioned above cutting loose.
MTL 1 - 0
he's becoming such a complete player.
fanned on the shot, but stayed right there.
Pacioretty.
3 - 1
still 3 - 1 just over 3 min left.
Corey Perry just tried to give LVG a goal.
Assume it's gonna be Lehner game six.
I actually think Habs can win it all if they play Isles…..don’t feel this way against mighty Tampa.
re. Strome and Eichel, ok, you snarky know-it-alls, yes, of course he's better than Strome, cavernous or whatever, not my point, which is that deal is not going to result in the kind of change NYR need to compete at SCP level, it's too much to give up. Agree Kravtsov is better on the wing, where he has played, have no sense whether he could move. The more they give up to acquire more skill, the fewer options remain open.
Chytil is the guy they should deal. He may blossom in another year, and he has sparkled at times, it just doesn't seem that he has the finishing touch in him
re. Strome and Eichel, ok, you snarky know-it-alls, yes, of course he's better than Strome, cavernous or whatever, not my point, which is that deal is not going to result in the kind of change NYR need to compete at SCP level, it's too much to give up. Agree Kravtsov is better on the wing, where he has played, have no sense whether he could move. The more they give up to acquire more skill, the fewer options remain open.
Chytil is the guy they should deal. He may blossom in another year, and he has sparkled at times, it just doesn't seem that he has the finishing touch in him
Agree on Chytil. Difference between Eichel and Strome may be cavernous, but Strome isn't coming off of spinal surgery. I'm interested in Eichel, but only at a markdown price, particularly since BUF doesn't want to retain any of the contract. Some combination of Chytil/Robertson/Strome/Reunanen with a pick thrown in. I'm not giving up Kakko, Laf, Schneider, Jones, or any of the year 2 players.
Ideally, they move off of Eichel altogether and make a run at Barkov as I've been suggesting all along. He's the more complete player, is cheaper, healthier and exactly what this team needs in a 1/2C.
I actually think Habs can win it all if they play Isles…..don’t feel this way against mighty Tampa.
I think they can beat either one, but Tampa would definitely be more heavily favored.
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Habs 2nd period last night was stellar, one of the best periods I've seen from any team given the competition.
re. Strome and Eichel, ok, you snarky know-it-alls, yes, of course he's better than Strome, cavernous or whatever, not my point, which is that deal is not going to result in the kind of change NYR need to compete at SCP level, it's too much to give up. Agree Kravtsov is better on the wing, where he has played, have no sense whether he could move. The more they give up to acquire more skill, the fewer options remain open.
Chytil is the guy they should deal. He may blossom in another year, and he has sparkled at times, it just doesn't seem that he has the finishing touch in him
Agree on Chytil. Difference between Eichel and Strome may be cavernous, but Strome isn't coming off of spinal surgery. I'm interested in Eichel, but only at a markdown price, particularly since BUF doesn't want to retain any of the contract. Some combination of Chytil/Robertson/Strome/Reunanen with a pick thrown in. I'm not giving up Kakko, Laf, Schneider, Jones, or any of the year 2 players.
Ideally, they move off of Eichel altogether and make a run at Barkov as I've been suggesting all along. He's the more complete player, is cheaper, healthier and exactly what this team needs in a 1/2C.
I still don't know what we do with Zibanejad if we get either Eichel/Barkov.
If you can get Barkov you do it, but I doubt he's really available and Florida has some cap space opening up - they only have 4 or 5 players under contract after next year. FL has a good core, good young goalie, good coach, some good prospects (Lundell and Denisenko are top grade prospects, Serron Noel is massive).
That Bobrovsky contract is a killer though. No clue what they were thinking especially after using the #13 pick in the draft on Spencer Knight.
If I were them I'd try and make a trade with Seattle (and get Bob to waive his NMC)
just my opinion
if they get Eichel I'd have he and Mika as 1C/2C (doesn't matter which is which) and let them team play for a year (or most of it). the 4 wings would be some combo of (depending on who is traded): Panarin, Kreider, Kakko, Lafreniere, Kravtsov, Strome (that's a pretty awesome top 6 however it shakes out).
And if the team contends (like they should) you try and find a way to keep them together, if they disappoint you trade Mika at the deadline and recoup a lot of what you used to get Eichel.
I don't see it - and I don't want to eat the cost of Kakko/Lundkvist (which I suspect you're correct about).
As for your habs comment, I agree and I have to say every time I watch Brendan Gallagher play I'm physically in awe that he can keep up that pace of play for so long. It's exhausting to watch.
Usually you see teams come out hot or fast paced but if you "weather the storm" as they say, things usually settle down and you get more time and space.
but lately he never lets up. It's so fun to watch and effort like that can neutralize a skill gap. Will MTL win? Who knows, I hope so, but if they play like this they could absolutely beat TBL IMO. The Canadiens right now remind me of the mid-90's Devils. The effort is crazy, positioning and discipline incredible, and they're clogging up the middle of the ice so much (in all zones) and pressuring the D so much they're forcing their opponents to adjust and those adjustments are not easy.
Suzuki played at a ~60 point pace this season (over 82 games). That's low-end 1C numbers. He's playing like an all-star right now.
MTL was also 2nd in CF% at evens this year. The analytics community has been really down on them, though (which I kind of get because their opponents are so good, but still).
Two things: Petry and Caufield. Neither played game 1.
Suzuki it's not just the offense which is great, his defense is so strong for a player his age.
if they get Eichel I'd have he and Mika as 1C/2C (doesn't matter which is which) and let them team play for a year (or most of it). the 4 wings would be some combo of (depending on who is traded): Panarin, Kreider, Kakko, Lafreniere, Kravtsov, Strome (that's a pretty awesome top 6 however it shakes out).
And if the team contends (like they should) you try and find a way to keep them together, if they disappoint you trade Mika at the deadline and recoup a lot of what you used to get Eichel.
Totally agree with your take on things. I do think there's a possibility Barkov is available. Franchise centers don't typically make it to the final year of their contracts. He has already balked at a new deal and while I agree he will be more expensive than Eichel - he's a better player than Eichel and healthier; The longer he remains unsigned and playing on his current deal the lesser of a return FLA will get.
Would I give up Kakko + Lundkvist + picks for him now? Probably. Do I give them the same packaged at next year's deadline? Heck no.
I think Barkov ultimately moves.
And the deadline would depend on the Panthers current status at the time (are they playoff contender, etc.)
I can see if Florida is a contender they'd be in a spot like CBJ was and simply letting Barkov walk like CBJ did with Panarin and Bobrovsky.
But ultimately I think a deal gets done in FLA.
Anyone know anything about the new head coach of the Kraken?
Anyone know anything about the new head coach of the Kraken?
Did I recall/know any of this just seeing his name? None
https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/31701043/seattle-kracken-name-dave-hakstol-their-first-head-coach
Hoping for a good one tonight.
I'm not an Isles' fan--except for the Series vs BOS and TBL--and the way they dismembered and ended NYR's season left me more familiar with them than I'd otherwise want to be--but I'm a fan of Trotz and how his teams just keep digging in their heels. As underdogs the past two SCPs they've been easy to root for.
Barzal, like the younger Suzuki and Caufield, is putting his name on the marquis lights: interesting that it seems Cooper in key shifts has McDonough marking him one-on-one wherever he skates. His game has really grown too, #27.
The Eberle backhand was much more impressive to me and maybe as a goalie you have thoughts on how effective hard, and nicely timed backhand shots can be to save - it seems like it's hard to predict where the puck leaves the stick and where it's going to go way more than forehand shots.
also, on your McDonagh to Barzal point...isn't it rare to see coaches match one D to a C (McDonagh to Barzal?) Isn't it usually D pair or even because a forward doesn't play a side like a D or more commonly forward line to forward line, and also NYI had last change last night, so they could have basically forced whatever matchup they wanted based on who TBL put on the ice.
I don't know how you show your face in Ranger threads again.
Not sure there was any difference in how Vasilevsky played it compared to any other shot off a post this series, this one just banked in instead of out.
I'm not questioning the degree of difficulty, but I expect a goalie to cover that.
Point is, I don't care if Wayne Gretzky is taking the shot, at this angle the goalie should maybe still be upright.
I think the shot honestly caught him off guard. I think he never expected there was enough room up top to put that puck in, especially for a d-man in that close.
Quote: As underdogs the past two SCPs they've been easy to root for.///////
I don't know how you show your face in Ranger threads again.
LOL, and notwithstanding, I'm still in a NYR corner.
so, not saying it's a softie, when a player makes a shot like that you tip your hat to them, but it is a shot that should have been saved IMO.
To pj's point on re. Vas standing, or less of a crouch, against the near post, yes, you would think, but it seems that way more often than not it is a given as I watch GKs trying to fend off traffic in front of them or on breakaways/semi, they go down to their knees to bury a shot in their chest or go butterfly. So often you hear Niccoletti, or Boucher or Pierre exclaim about 'what a save' and I say to myself, eh, he was on his knees and swallowed a shot more or less directly at him. There was another goal given up by Vas, was it Barzal in Game 4?, and the TV comment was that Vas was beginning to dip his shoulder and blocker even before the shot was taken. It's understandable from the pov of getting bigger, lower down, for deflections or pucks you can't see.
I am not questioning or critiquing technique here at all, wtfdik, just observing. He's a fantastic keeper: looking over and over at the Mayfield shot, as Mike said, there just didn't seem to be any angle over his shoulder and under the cross bar the puck could go in. And the Marchand shot someone referenced, equally crazy, but the big difference there iirc was that Varlamov, I still believe, never even thought Marchand would take a shot from a 178 degree angle not far from the corner boards and thus did not ready himself for it.
The puck harmlessly ended up on the opposite boards, but Vasilevsky then had to push off and shift laterally all the way to the right post at which point the LD kept it in and got it back to Barzal circling off the half wall across the slot with speed and collapsing the entire TB D. At :05/:06 in the video below and just 3 seconds after his first shot Barzal is now in what is likely an even better shooting location on the other side of the ice with traffic in front.
At :06/:07 Barzal decides not to shoot and dekes as he skates forward on a path to basically complete a 360 circle in the TB zone from his original entry point. He then passes it back to Mayfield streaking down on the track he had just been on and shot from 5 seconds earlier.
The speed and shot from Mayfield had to be a surprise because he gets the shot off less than a second later at :08 and is already celebrating at :09.
So this wasn't a play where Vasilevsky could aggressively move to anticipate a shooter (imo), he was reading a play laterally from one side all the way to the other, probably most concerned with Barzal when he was in the slot, and then quickly back again to the short side with Mayfield who simply had a lot of speed and space and just made a perfect shot.
https://www.nhl.com/islanders/video/mayfield-nets-tying-goal-off-bar/t-277437420/c-8626720 - ( New Window )
The puck harmlessly ended up on the opposite boards, but Vasilevsky then had to push off and shift laterally all the way to the right post at which point the LD kept it in and got it back to Barzal circling off the half wall across the slot with speed and collapsing the entire TB D. At :05/:06 in the video below and just 3 seconds after his first shot Barzal is now in what is likely an even better shooting location on the other side of the ice with traffic in front.
At :06/:07 Barzal decides not to shoot and dekes as he skates forward on a path to basically complete a 360 circle in the TB zone from his original entry point. He then passes it back to Mayfield streaking down on the track he had just been on and shot from 5 seconds earlier.
The speed and shot from Mayfield had to be a surprise because he gets the shot off less than a second later at :08 and is already celebrating at :09.
So this wasn't a play where Vasilevsky could aggressively move to anticipate a shooter (imo), he was reading a play laterally from one side all the way to the other, probably most concerned with Barzal when he was in the slot, and then quickly back again to the short side with Mayfield who simply had a lot of speed and space and just made a perfect shot. https://www.nhl.com/islanders/video/mayfield-nets-tying-goal-off-bar/t-277437420/c-8626720 - ( New Window )
Good analysis.
I also think he may have been a bit tired and been leaning forward just really slightly.
I think it was a great shot, don’t blame the goalie at all there.
yeah, very close. Looked like Lehner thought Caufield was going to cut in front of the net and began to cheat that way.
but similar goal.
My only point is as great shots as both were, from that location - more so for Mayfield, the goalie should save it, at least Caufield made the head fake to get Lehner leaning.
Montreal playing really well. Vegas looks a little like they are running out of answers.
How fucking silly does Montreal look only allowing a small amount of fans meanwhile the streets are fucking packed shoulder to shoulder with fans. Just let the arena be full capacity you twats
Montreal playing really well. Vegas looks a little like they are running out of answers.
Vegas had a few solid opportunities but have not been able to create the frenetic up and down pace they usually do.
It did look like there was a lot of open space top shelf from Lehner on the replay.
How fucking silly does Montreal look only allowing a small amount of fans meanwhile the streets are fucking packed shoulder to shoulder with fans. Just let the arena be full capacity you twats
The hockey gods are rewarding me for being grateful for what I had and not greedy for more.
That is what karma is. not what you keep wishing on me, lol
That’s the thing about the hockey Gods. PJ’s comments were taken into account. But on some curling board before game 7, some guy posted that there was no possible way Toronto blows that series, and so they washed each other out.
Even the hockey Gods couldn’t help Winnipeg.
That was a nice goal.
Only possible because they are playing in the West.
Don't touch it Weber.
Vegas played a shit series after game 1. Montreal played very well, but Vegas not even getting to game 7 against the canadiens is lousy
no one expected them to be here.
no one expected them to be here.
Yeah that's cool that no one gave them a chance and Montreal is heading to the Finals. I just don't care about them lol
Vegas played a shit series after game 1. Montreal played very well, but Vegas not even getting to game 7 against the canadiens is lousy
Yeah so because of some invisible line, we have to see two teams from the East play each other in the Stanley Cup Finals?
no one expected them to be here.
I can't root for NYI/TBL, so Canadiens it is.
no one expected them to be here.
I have no problem rooting for an underdog, but I hated how they did the realignment and didn't like a team like Montreal who was mediocre all season long making the playoffs only because of the realignment.
They're riding a really hot goaltender and getting clutch performances out of a few guys but I dont like a team making the playoffs only because of the realignment this year. They should have eliminated conferences and just take the top 16 teams points wise for this 1 season.
They had a negative goal differential and made the playoffs. I dont feel like they earned a playoff appearance, just got one because of covid and the dumb realignment as far as playoffs go.
They had no NJD or BUF in the North. Their worst teams (OTT and VAN) were better than the worst teams in the other divisions and for obvious reasons they had one less team than the other divisions - who knows if that team would have helped or hurt.
that said I agree, MTL was a mediocre team - mostly because Price was very mediocre and injured for a while.
But they got healthy, got some acquisitions (Caufield for one) and Price - and the team has peaked at the right time.
I don't think deserving to be there or not is questionable, they play the schedule the league game them (like Parcells would say), but it's definitely a unique year.
But if they don't win 4 more it's not really that meaningful.
they just handed out the Campbell Bowl to Montreal.
Congrats, PJ. It’s been a heck of a run so far.
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and no conference trophies are being handed out. The Final could've been Winnipeg/Edmonton vs. Colorado/Vegas (West vs. West in a normal year). The only reason the semifinals were matched up this way was due to seeding based on regular season records.
they just handed out the Campbell Bowl to Montreal.
Ah, they must've changed their minds, then. Back in May they said this. I would've preferred they stuck to that; the traditional conference trophies make no sense in this year's alignment.
NHL won't award famed conference championship trophies during Stanley Cup playoffs, league says - ( New Window )
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In comment 15293805 NYerInMA said:
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and no conference trophies are being handed out. The Final could've been Winnipeg/Edmonton vs. Colorado/Vegas (West vs. West in a normal year). The only reason the semifinals were matched up this way was due to seeding based on regular season records.
they just handed out the Campbell Bowl to Montreal.
Ah, they must've changed their minds, then. Back in May they said this. I would've preferred they stuck to that; the traditional conference trophies make no sense in this year's alignment. NHL won't award famed conference championship trophies during Stanley Cup playoffs, league says - ( New Window )
I agree it's weird, but kind of cool to see a franchise as old as the Canadiens win a trophy they would never be able to win otherwise, and hopefully never again.
The Isles and Habs are very similar. Both Play hard responsible hockey….no offensive superstars on either team. No goons, scoring spread out over 4 lines. Both with solid goaltending with Carey Price possibly having an edge, although i believe tje Isles let in the least amount of goals during the regular season.
It's illogical to think that logic would fly these days
There was once a line in a Walking Dead episode that I think works perfectly for me.
"When one is served a shit sandwich. It is best not to nibble. Bite, chew, swallow and repeat."
Surprisingly after they won there was only minor rioting. Two arrested. They must have been to gassed from partying all day because it was the Sainte-Jean-Baptiste Quebec National Holiday yesterday.
The Habs going to the cup has done something that I never thought that I would do as a Canes fan. Cheer for Tampa. I was hoping for an Islanders/Golden Knights cup, but now it has to be the Lightning. Bite, chew, swallow and repeat.....
Same, although I will be rooting for Tampa for one more game
otherwise, just looking for a good game and hopefully OT, game 7 OT's are where heroes are born.
TBL vs NYI (series tied at 3) 8:00 PM on NBCSN
thanks, hope they seal the deal now, sucks to get this far and lose.
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thanks, hope they seal the deal now, sucks to get this far and lose.
Fortunately that's never happened to the Rangers.
I thought McDonagh was a non-factor before this series started, but I agree with you. He was far and away their best defenseman. That says something on a team with a Hedman on it.
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McDonagh was the Lightning's best dman this series IMO. He isn't as athletic and fast as he was on 2014 with the Rangers, but he's really turned into a brilliant defenseman.
I thought McDonagh was a non-factor before this series started, but I agree with you. He was far and away their best defenseman. That says something on a team with a Hedman on it.
I looked it up after I posted: he had 12 points in 50 games each of the last two seasons. I didn't realize his offensive game fell off that hard, but it's clear he lost some of the pop/skating that made him elite.
I actually thought Hedman was sort of not noticable this series.
I'm also a huge fan of Sergachev, I think he's great.
I think the Lightning have a season or two left of competing at most. Too many of these guys are getting old. They've had an incredible six year window so far, though.
The Isles have a ton of heart and play a disciplined game, but they don’t have the offensive talent to steal a game like this. They have skill, but not the two way skill Tampa has.
The Isles have a ton of heart and play a disciplined game, but they don’t have the offensive talent to steal a game like this. They have skill, but not the two way skill Tampa has.
Islanders don't have a Kucherov or a Brayden Point who can just dominate a game. Barzal is the closest thing they have to that type of player
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They are an offensive juggernaut, but they play some damn fine defense. I underestimated how well they can p,any shut down defense. They are a very complete team.
The Isles have a ton of heart and play a disciplined game, but they don’t have the offensive talent to steal a game like this. They have skill, but not the two way skill Tampa has.
Islanders don't have a Kucherov or a Brayden Point who can just dominate a game. Barzal is the closest thing they have to that type of player
They don’t. Hoping Wahlstrom can become the sniper they so badly need, but we got Travis Zajac instead. I love Trotz, but at some point you need to realize that Travis Zajac is no longer a guy who is altering the trajectory of a series. That was frustrating to watch.
I looked it up after I posted: he had 12 points in 50 games each of the last two seasons. I didn't realize his offensive game fell off that hard, but it's clear he lost some of the pop/skating that made him elite.
No doubt those scoring dropoffs are eye opening and likely indicate a drop-off in play, but I wonder too how much of it might be influenced by the abundance of talent around him, he doesn't need to try to do as much. For much or most his last four years with NYR (comparator for scoring?) I think Girardi was his d-partner, 'nuff said.
My point was it is unusual for two reasons: normally it's total D pair (maybe you meant the McDonagh/Cernak pairing?) and it's usually forward line to forward line and then lastly the game you mentioned that was in Long Island - and the Islanders had last change so could have adjusted any way they wanted to once TBL had their players on the ice. That last point doesn't mean it's not what TBL was doing but it did mean if that was the case NYI didn't care to adjust to it.
Yes, I remember writing how I thought Girardi was anchoring him as early as 2015.
I think you're right on the talent. He has had zero power play points the past two years (I couldn't find power play ice time, but I assume it must be like zero considering he only had five shots on the power play this year and none last year). His last year with the Rangers he had 9 PP points in 49 games, so that's definitely a big reason.
He clearly relies on his hockey IQ more than skating ability now (although he's still a good skater he isn't as fast as he once was).
I was talking to one of my Bruins fan buddies about the habs (who he obviously hates) and he said Ducharme was the turning point for the Habs. He felt Julien style wasn't the best in MTL and they should do more "block shots clog up the center" type approach and it wasn't an easy transition, but I wonder if he's right. He wasn't critical of Julien just that coaches like Julien are sometimes inflexible in their approach.
Just something to consider when people say what happened to MTL - they're one of a handful of teams to get this far with a mid-season coaching change and maybe it's not as much an accident as some think.
Vigneault had the same issue with the Rangers. He never changed his system as the team lost some of its speed. He took forever to adapt to opponents or deteriorating of his players - I recall during the ECF against Tampa he took a few games to start giving Yandle and Boyle real ice time.
By the way, it was Panarin who frequently asked coach David Quinn, if not begged or demanded, that Blackwell be on his right rather than Kakko, among others. Quinn usually deferred.
You too? This is like all the BBI guys who were rooting for the Eagles to win the Super Bowl. The hell is that all about?
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Hyman is much more of a top-sixer than the others, but I think any of them would look better on the right of Ryan Strome and Artemi Panarin than Colin Blackwell does, for example, and arguably than Kaapo Kakko does.
By the way, it was Panarin who frequently asked coach David Quinn, if not begged or demanded, that Blackwell be on his right rather than Kakko, among others. Quinn usually deferred.
What does deferred mean here? Allowed it?
Only thing worse than a player picking their linemates (even at the pro level) is a coach who lets them.
Habs, '93.
It's been a decade since a Canadian team was even in the SCF (Canucks loss to the Bruins unless I'm forgetting someone).
I don't care about things like that, some people make a big deal about it (not saying you did but I know people do) - I'm American, I root for almost all the American players (at least to do well especially if they're on the Habs like Caufield, Petry, Merrill or even the injured Ryan Poehling), but I always find that stat silly - the league is still almost 45% Canadian players - by far the most for any country. So whenever a team wins the cup, there is a good chance it's got a majority of Canadian players.
I've been to Canada a ton of times & am always amused/impressed how seriously they take their hockey. Good for them.
Oh, and I thought Alec Martinez was probably the GK's best player.
@JesseGranger_
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4h
Alec Martinez played the playoffs on a broken foot.
"I was getting wheeled around a lot. Our medical staff is awesome here."
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Hyman is much more of a top-sixer than the others, but I think any of them would look better on the right of Ryan Strome and Artemi Panarin than Colin Blackwell does, for example, and arguably than Kaapo Kakko does.
By the way, it was Panarin who frequently asked coach David Quinn, if not begged or demanded, that Blackwell be on his right rather than Kakko, among others. Quinn usually deferred.
This is interesting, but I get it. Blackwell is a strong forechecker and does the stuff that complements Panarin well. Kakko and Panarin are both puck possession players, so they might not play well together.
I’ve never played high level but there are guys who you don’t mesh well with even if they’re really good.
I’ve never played high level but there are guys who you don’t mesh well with even if they’re really good.
And pj, yes, I read it that Quinn deferred/acquiesced to Panarin's wishes, if true, and agree that's not a good take for the club, esp. if it leaked enough for a beat to disseminate it. Not that it cuts any way in particular, but I think the transition to NHL and NYR in particular (?) has not been easy for Kakko. He seems a bit aloof. Any good Fins who are FAs? (:
Good luck to les Habitants: also would love to see a Canadian team take the Cup, especially from a team from....Florida? wtf? But Tampa Bay, damn, last night the Islanders could not find their game against the Bolts, as if pixie dust drugged them and TBL just had their way. Very, very tough team to play against; of course, I thought and said the same about LVK against Montréal.
I think Kakko explodes next year into a budding star.
i see how he thinks the game - the US liked the Fins model so much they pattered the ADM model after it and it's taught from mites to pros now - and Kakko was one of the best.
He'll be fine IMO. But...Joel Armia is a FA and the Canadiens did put Armia with Kotkaniemi for a while early for the Finnish influence.
link - ( New Window )
I can see it being selfish but also think Panarin just views Kakko as incompatible. I don't know obviously.
I've been reading the articles - there was one person who pushed management to call the police. Why didn't that person call the police when management resisted?
I hope we get a real investigation. how can some of these people remain in hockey?
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context, but it seems selfish of Panarin. Almost sounds like he's more interested in points than what's best for the team (which is what the coach should in theory be considering)
I can see it being selfish but also think Panarin just views Kakko as incompatible. I don't know obviously.
My sense though is Panarin, a veteran, should have said I'm going to make Kakko better, not thought like Kakko isn't going to retrieve pucks for me.
My daughter cried when I took her off the 1st line (where she was playing with two really good players and her friends) and I put her on the 3rd line because I wanted to even the lines out better.
She sat the whole 1st period.
I think something that should endure through professional hockey. What kind of message does it send to Kakko that Panarin wants to play for a JAG like Blackwell? What kind of message does it send to the rest of the team? It's a terrible way to coach and it should never be public.
There is nothing positive IMO from a player going public with Panarin begging or demanding to play with a specific mediocre player.
I don't know, I guess I feel strongly about this topic because on our youth team it was such a big deal about the concept of team vs individuals.
Maybe talk privately to the coach - one time - state your opinion, then let it go. Begging or demanding? without more context sounds awful for Panarin.
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story is disgusting. It is going to blow up, I bet the league is hoping not until after the SC, I hope it does right now. No one is going to be held accountable for this and it sucks. link - ( New Window )
I've been reading the articles - there was one person who pushed management to call the police. Why didn't that person call the police when management resisted?
I hope we get a real investigation. how can some of these people remain in hockey?
They keep saying they're going to clean up the sport, but then shit like this keeps coming out.
I really don't need to hear from Carcillo though. He was a scum bag when he played and now that he's no longer of use to any team in the NHL he's holier than thou? fuck him - he can get back on his high horse and cheap shot himself now that he can't get paid to cheap shot anyone else.
Same. I can only imagine they're scared, embarrassed, and probably worried it could end their career and for most of them it's all they know and have done since they were 6 years old.
Sure conjures up the Larry Nasser situation and USGymnastics and its Pres. Steve Penny, USOC, and MSU from covering up their roles in attempting to bury untold cases of abuse. ('Athlete A' on Netflix btw is a good documentary on this.) It's not quite the same as these were pre-adolescent and adolescent girls, not professional hockey players, or is it, as pj suggests? Were they just as under the screws as aspiring teen Olympians?
Elliotte Friedman
@FriedgeHNIC
·
34m
Marc Bergevin says Joel Armia is in COVID protocol, and there will be further updates later on.
I do too, he had a really strong season after being dog shit his rookie year. I thought he was barely an NHL player.
Barkov and Huberdeau (and countless others) took 3-4 years to get going offensively. I'm hoping we get a PPG guy out of him - he looked dominant in the offensive zone in the World Championship before being drafted.
And getting blown the fuck out. 5-1.
And getting blown the fuck out. 5-1.
What an odd (and boring) Stanley Cup Finals matchup.
Lots of red sweaters in the crowd. More lightning fans seem to prefer sitting outside than inside. Odd since this could be their last home game until October.
And speaking of Tampa’s fans, why do they boo the most obvious calls like they were crimes. The McDonough high stick? That call can’t be more obvious. It seems to be the only thing that draws their attention.
Really good team, very strange fans.
And how bad is Pierre McGuire? He seems to get worse as the action picks up. Saying stuff just to stay stuff.
To change the modality a bit, of the four pbp callers when the four Divisions began, I think Kenny Albert is the 2nd worst, 3rd best. He calls it 'professionally', often has the timing on crescendoing his voice right, but has no innate feel for, pulse of, the game imo. A smashing check along the boards or a simo collision is called the same, 'Player A and Player B come together'. A really impressive sliding poke check to break up a rush is called "And MTL brings it out of its end".
And in the middle of some close, compelling in-zone passing or keeping the puck inside the BL, Albert will interject, 'Score is 2-1 BOS, series tied, two game apiece,". Yeah, the pbp guy IS supposed to set the context reasonably frequently from time to time, but he does it as if he's on radio and the viewer has no access to the info graphic in the upper right. Save it for the pause for an icing or offsides. Sorry for the pet peeves.
This has to be the dullest matchup in any finals or Super Bowl I've ever seen. I thought Pittsburgh vs Seattle Super Bowl was uninteresting but this one might top that.
I’d think long and hard about throwing game 4.
Hedman hadn't looked like himself the whole playoff. Cernak got knocked out for multiple games against the isles. Ruutta and Sergachev also missed periods against the isles. McDonagh carried them that series. Now they're an all world defense corps again. Russian gas.
Gustafsson was brutal. Tie up a stick, find a man.
Good look by NBC production team at the too short dump in and TB taking advantage of ill-timed line change by that long outlet pass for the 2-on-none for the Kucherov backhanded flip. Not one MTL skater on the left half of its own BL.
Hadn't realized Savard was a trade deadline pickup, emulating namesake Serge, and Hedman near doppelganger.
their goalie is.
their overall skill level is right up there. Point doesn't even have a goal yet in the SC.
does anyone else in the league have a Tyler Johnson centering their 4th line?
by default their defense/depth would theoretically be the weakest link to try to attack, but then you look at the TOI numbers and see that their top 4 have all played a managable 20-22 mpg this postseason. Even with Hedman not playing at his usual Norris level the D is consistently strong. And the more you try to attack them the more you open yourself up to their ability to counter attack.
this offseason is going to start chipping away at that depth big time though. Hard to see any scenario where they can bring back Coleman and Goodrow. Rutta and Savard are both likely to walk too. and even with those guys off the books they're still projected over the cap. So you'd think someone else of consequence will need to be traded (Killorn, Johnson, Palat?). McDonaugh seems like to be exposed for the expansion draft if multiple of those guys aren't. Perhaps why they are all so locked in right now - they know they are running out of ways to keep this group together within the cap.
I hope your fourth of July was grandiose and I know we all love hockey but let's hope that this is the last remaining element of the covid-19, in the sports world!
For the love of God Tampa Bay, end this boring bullshit tonight. Please for the love of sugar. Dance the night away with the Stanley Cup with 12% capacity in Montreal. I wonder how many Canadian residents are actually Tampa Bay Lightning fans LOL in Montreal?
Covid 19 is going to be with us a long time, between variants, the need for boosters, the high %% of people who refuse vaccinations in US, the much higher numbers (hundreds of millions) in other countries who have no access to vaccination. It won't necessarily be as disruptive as 2020 and 2021, but we most certainly have not heard the last of fan attendance protocols, I'm afraid.
As far as SCP, why did NBCSN apparently demote KT to doing player interviews at intermissions?
If the Canadians are indeed done, they have a game left to prove they are not, eyes will in any event soon turn to the off-season where there will be a ton of anticipation and activity for the NYC area teams, esp. NYR with Drury and Gallant now in charge, a sea change from the end of the season and with a host of decisions to be made or deferred. First up, the expansion draft and pre-draft deals to protect or expose.
Can the Lightening go down in history as the empty-arena dynasty? Playing in front of 3,500 sullen fans in Montreal probably won’t sound much different than a capacity crown in Amalie Arena.
@BlueJacketsNHL
·
2h
It’s with a very heavy heart that we share the news that goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks passed away last night at the age of 24.
We are heartbroken. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Rest in peace, Kivi.
https://cbj.co/3ys3BLI
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Columbus Blue Jackets
@BlueJacketsNHL
·
2h
It’s with a very heavy heart that we share the news that goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks passed away last night at the age of 24.
We are heartbroken. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Rest in peace, Kivi.
https://cbj.co/3ys3BLI
24 years old! That is awful.
Fireworks related incident. Sounds like something went wrong near him and he scrambled to get out of a hot tub and run away and slipped and hit his head.
RIP
Covid 19 is going to be with us a long time, between variants, the need for boosters, the high %% of people who refuse vaccinations in US, the much higher numbers (hundreds of millions) in other countries who have no access to vaccination. It won't necessarily be as disruptive as 2020 and 2021, but we most certainly have not heard the last of fan attendance protocols, I'm afraid.
As far as SCP, why did NBCSN apparently demote KT to doing player interviews at intermissions?
If the Canadians are indeed done, they have a game left to prove they are not, eyes will in any event soon turn to the off-season where there will be a ton of anticipation and activity for the NYC area teams, esp. NYR with Drury and Gallant now in charge, a sea change from the end of the season and with a host of decisions to be made or deferred. First up, the expansion draft and pre-draft deals to protect or expose.
I still stand by what I originally said. They are not a great team. The Habs would not have made the playoffs during a regular year. The squeaked in and played above their talent level in the first two series against other average teams that would have also had a hard time making the playoffs during a regular year.
If MAF did not have the ultimate brain fart in game 4. Vegas goes up 3-1 in the series and the Habs would not have advanced. That was the series killer.
The Habs do have some good young players that hit their groove for this run. They hit a monster team with talent to spare. A team who does not make many mistakes and kills you when you make yours. Ask RBD and Mrazek.
My friends here that are Habs fans have already gone into "Well we made it to cup" mode. Nobody is going to remember who Tampa spanked in a couple of years. Finishing as a cup finalist and winning the "Kiss your sister Bowl" means fuck all.
The Habs are going back to being a mid to low pack team next season. Only difference is that they will have a lot of holes to fill to give a decent supporting cast to the few young budding stars they have. Won't be easy with a flat cap and Price eating up another 10.5 million for 5 more years.
I am looking forward to the expansion draft. I am curious how Francis is planning on building his new team. Will it be with a lot of wheeling and dealing to get draft picks. Or will it be like Vegas and draft to be a contender right away. Going to be fun to watch
I think Kotkaniemi is leading the team in 5v5 goals in the playoffs. Tough one for the kid, but he's always bounced back from these questionable coaching decisions. Kotkaniemi was brutal on the dots.
Romanov and Kulak in for Merrill and Gustafsson. about two games too late on this one.
JFC. 24...Good Lord. What a tragic event. RIP.
8 years $41M. Normally I'd say this is a bad deal, clearly putting resources into RNH hasn't yielded success along with McDavid and Draisaitl, but at this price, it's a good extension IMO.
It's been terrible.
This is the lamest 4 min PP I've ever seen. Yes that includes the Rangers and their follies.
At least one more night of hockey.
Win in Tampa on Wednesday and the complexion of this series changes quite a bit.
Literally last year was into September, pj. Pay attention!
I'm a little surprised they can't keep the ice better (if that's what was driving it) - this isn't Lake Tahoe.
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is probably bad, it's July, has to be the latest the SCF have been played, no?
Literally last year was into September, pj. Pay attention!
I'm a little surprised they can't keep the ice better (if that's what was driving it) - this isn't Lake Tahoe.
ha, yeah, but it's cooler in September.
I remember in game 1 or 2 when Hedman scored he became the first player in NHL history to score a goal in all 12 months in a playoff or regular season game. They said the NHL never played a regular or playoff game in July (at least as I understood it).
Anyway, humidity is harder on the ice than heat/sun - at least in hour shitty New England youth hockey rinks. Every time those doors open the glass gets foggy, when we had the heat wave a few weeks ago there were puddles on the ice. it was terrible.
maybe it's not what's going on, but it was my guess.
Had to look at the replay several times: Anderson, similar to Point in game 2 (?) as he went to the ice, able to flip the puck in the brief moment there was an opening below Vas' blocker arm and above his right pad.
#27 critical factor, again, on both TBL goals and what should by all rights have been the game and Series winning shot threading the needle to Kuch at the far post. His play intercepting a poorly conceived clear at BL, cross ice to right point (Cernak?) and he glides down the slot, takes a return from Cernak, gets a shot off that Price blocks with his left pad and McDonagh with sleight of hand corrals the rebound in close and backhands a perfect pass back up the slot to Goodrow and a wide open net.
I remember a pass he made--back in blue--from his own BL threaded a narrow needle between two Kings d-men to Rick Nash at the Kings' BL springing him for a clean break away. Nash may even have buried it, but maybe not, as it was McDonagh's pass that sticks in my mind.
In the series against the Islanders, Tampa always seemed to have a response to what the Isles did the next game. I expect that will continue, although I hope it doesn’t because I would love to see this series go 6 or 7.
And not that it matters, but no clue how Carey Price didn't get one of the three stars.
It was easily his best game of the series.
and the coaching changes had an impact. I'd probably have Kotkaniemi in over Staal, but Staal is better on face offs so I get it.
That line of Caufield, Suzuki and Anderson is probably the best Habs line in a decade. They're hard to play against.
I don't mean to shit on Price, but he cost them a game. He doesn't look as good as he did a series or two ago. I don't believe the Canadiens are a team being carried by their goaltender at all this post-season. They're playing well.
When the Rangers won game 4 in 2014 I started getting irrationally optimistic. Just win game 5, then you're at home and they're on their heels, etc.
I don't remember how that series ended, though?
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In comment 15299708 pjcas18 said:
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is probably bad, it's July, has to be the latest the SCF have been played, no?
Literally last year was into September, pj. Pay attention!
I'm a little surprised they can't keep the ice better (if that's what was driving it) - this isn't Lake Tahoe.
ha, yeah, but it's cooler in September.
I remember in game 1 or 2 when Hedman scored he became the first player in NHL history to score a goal in all 12 months in a playoff or regular season game. They said the NHL never played a regular or playoff game in July (at least as I understood it).
Anyway, humidity is harder on the ice than heat/sun - at least in hour shitty New England youth hockey rinks. Every time those doors open the glass gets foggy, when we had the heat wave a few weeks ago there were puddles on the ice. it was terrible.
maybe it's not what's going on, but it was my guess.
Yeah, that happens in NY too - I would expect pro rinks to be better, though.
Almost no weakness. Perennial Vezina candidate in net, perennial Norris candidate on the blue line, and several perennial all-stars up front. Lethal PP, solid (or better) bottom 6 and can play physical or finesse.
They are $18M over the salary cap, but I'm not going to whine about that, if you can skate through the season without Kucherov and a lot of it without Stamkos, make the playoffs and get them back healthy, you are a good team.
Watching the Lightning break out is technically as sound as any team I have seen since the old Soviet teams. Surgical.
But...MTL has heart and talent of their own, despite what some might say but MTL margin for error is MUCH less. MTL needs to be just about perfect to win. Last night both major mistakes they made wound up in the back of their net, and a couple more hit posts.
They can win, but it's an uphill battle, I'd take it one game, one shift at a time, win the battles, get some breaks, stay out of the box.
Almost no weakness. Perennial Vezina candidate in net, perennial Norris candidate on the blue line, and several perennial all-stars up front. Lethal PP, solid (or better) bottom 6 and can play physical or finesse.
They are $18M over the salary cap, but I'm not going to whine about that, if you can skate through the season without Kucherov and a lot of it without Stamkos, make the playoffs and get them back healthy, you are a good team.
Watching the Lightning break out is technically as sound as any team I have seen since the old Soviet teams. Surgical.
But...MTL has heart and talent of their own, despite what some might say but MTL margin for error is MUCH less. MTL needs to be just about perfect to win. Last night both major mistakes they made wound up in the back of their net, and a couple more hit posts.
They can win, but it's an uphill battle, I'd take it one game, one shift at a time, win the battles, get some breaks, stay out of the box.
You sound like every Islander fan two weeks ago!
Other than Florida who tried to out-Tampa, Tampa, this is the only way to play against them. They can make mistakes and win. Their opponents can’t.
Other than the one blow out game, NYI controlled and even dominated large parts of their series with TBL.
the best thing for me is MTL took TBL at least as far as CAR, lol, so maybe Scott in Montreal will take a little break in proclaiming how bad MTL is but CAR is not.
the best thing for me is MTL took TBL at least as far as CAR, lol, so maybe Scott in Montreal will take a little break in proclaiming how bad MTL is but CAR is not.
Ouch! No bloody way. Take a look at the two divisions. You cannot deny that the Canes had a much tougher schedule than the Habs this year. They held their own and won the division. I could be wrong but they went 4-4 against Tampa and all the losses except one were close.
As for the playoffs. The turning point for the Canes was starting Mrazek that second game where he shit the bed. They lost 6-4 and probably would have won that game with Ned in the nets. That was their MAF moment.
Hopefully they will get back to a regular schedule next season. Then we will see.
Tampa didn’t blow out Carolina as they didn’t blow out Montreal. While Carolina likely has more offensive weapons than Montreal, Price is leaps and bounds better than Ned or Mrazek. The separation between those teams isn’t large.
While I want Montreal to win the series, part of me wants it over in 5 just so I can feel like the Islanders are closer to Tampa than anyone else, because they are returning almost all the same pieces next year.
Tampa didn’t blow out Carolina as they didn’t blow out Montreal. While Carolina likely has more offensive weapons than Montreal, Price is leaps and bounds better than Ned or Mrazek. The separation between those teams isn’t large.
While I want Montreal to win the series, part of me wants it over in 5 just so I can feel like the Islanders are closer to Tampa than anyone else, because they are returning almost all the same pieces next year.
the NYI system and style is just best equipped for playoff hockey. With a little perspective the gauntlet they ran through was pretty impressive. Pitt, Boston, and Tampa to a 1-0 game 7 is about as good of opponents as you can face - all three with home ice and the isles obviously without their captain. When the "worst" PP of teams you've faced has Crosby on it, and it's not even particularly close to the other 2, that's saying something. I'm excited entering the offseason because I think they are ahead on the Lee/Wahlstrom for Palmieri/Zajac swap (I expect them to bring Czikas back on a very prorated 5 or 6 year deal).
Also think Cizikas will be back. If for some reason he isn’t, probably have to hope the Kraken doesn’t take Koivula as he likely slots in at 4C with Cizikas gone.
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the best thing for me is MTL took TBL at least as far as CAR, lol, so maybe Scott in Montreal will take a little break in proclaiming how bad MTL is but CAR is not.
Ouch! No bloody way. Take a look at the two divisions. You cannot deny that the Canes had a much tougher schedule than the Habs this year. They held their own and won the division. I could be wrong but they went 4-4 against Tampa and all the losses except one were close.
As for the playoffs. The turning point for the Canes was starting Mrazek that second game where he shit the bed. They lost 6-4 and probably would have won that game with Ned in the nets. That was their MAF moment.
Hopefully they will get back to a regular schedule next season. Then we will see.
TBL had a short-handed team all year - no Kucherov, a little over half season of Stamkos, deadline acquisitions, etc.
So, sure going 4 - 4 against them short handed is fine in the regular season, but playoffs with relatively healthy squads CAR went 1 - 4.
At worst same at MTL one more win from MTL and they did better - and MTL is playing without 3 top 9 forwards not even counting coaching decisions like Kotkaniemi.
Also think Cizikas will be back. If for some reason he isn’t, probably have to hope the Kraken doesn’t take Koivula as he likely slots in at 4C with Cizikas gone.
If someone blows Czikas' doors off I'd bet a lot they just bring back Zajac.
I'd put Bellows slightly ahead of Koivula in terms of likeliest expansion pick because he's actually shown some flashes and his shot is a standout trait. But something tells me Lou may go the other way though and try to bribe Seattle with a draft pick to shave off some salary. Komarov only has 1 year left at 3m so i don't think that would cost a premium draft pick, though Ladd's 2 years would (and I'd be very tempted to do that and just gain the $5m in space unless they have plans to eventually "IR" him).
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Lee & Wahlstrom >>>>>>> Palmieri & Zajac.
Also think Cizikas will be back. If for some reason he isn’t, probably have to hope the Kraken doesn’t take Koivula as he likely slots in at 4C with Cizikas gone.
If someone blows Czikas' doors off I'd bet a lot they just bring back Zajac.
I'd put Bellows slightly ahead of Koivula in terms of likeliest expansion pick because he's actually shown some flashes and his shot is a standout trait. But something tells me Lou may go the other way though and try to bribe Seattle with a draft pick to shave off some salary. Komarov only has 1 year left at 3m so i don't think that would cost a premium draft pick, though Ladd's 2 years would (and I'd be very tempted to do that and just gain the $5m in space unless they have plans to eventually "IR" him).
That’s certainly a possibility. Zajac’s age and size limit what he can do physically on the 4th line. But I can see him back because he will be cheap and Trotz loves his “play the right way” guys.
Obviously tall odds.
When the playoffs started MTL had the longest odds of any playoff team, entering the finals they I believe were the biggest long shot in modern history (77% odds for the Lightning).
Down 3 - 0 they were at a .0001 % win probability.
And, TBL is a better team.
But that's why they play the games. So, yeah, no one is going out on a limb at all predicting TBL closes it out.
TBL is -225, a prohibitive favorite in this game.
the goal line is TBL -1.5
I hope there's a game 6 back in MTL.
Would the Sabres be favored in a series against TBL assuming they had a 3-1 lead? Probably.
So it's really hard to come back. Just have to win one.
I think TBL wins tonight. But I'm rooting for MTL. They have not been badly outclassed this series outside of a couple periods.
— Aaron Rand (@aaronrand) July 6, 2021
It is actually true. I listened to the whole thing on the radio yesterday. It was not (local radio host) Aaron Rand who started this. It was a jackass named Jay Pollack (who I happen to know personally. He is a giant twat)who started this stupidity.
The CJAD radio station Facebook page went crazy with people blasting the idea and then there was the losers who were all for this.
Like or hate the Habs. If they do this. They will have become more of a joke than all the stupidities that Montrealer's love to take shots at Toronto about.
Montreal use to be such a proud city. Not anymore. Just the thought of this turns my stomach.
Parade for losers - ( New Window )
Probably most complete team.
In my lifetime we've had a bunch of dynasties so hard to say best.
Just in the past decade or so we've had Crosby/Malkin and Toews/Kane win three cups each. Pens winning back to back.
And going back further we had the Devils Brodeur teams, the Red Wings Fedorov/Yzerman teams, the Lemieux/Jagr teams, the Gretzky/Messier Oilers and the Islanders teams. Going back further it's basically the Canadiens dominating history for many reasons (with some Leafs/other teams sprinkled in).
I'd probably say the Gretzky/Messier/Coffey/Kurri/Fuhr teams were the best, but this Lightning team has to be up there in the conversation.
they don't have a weakness.
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If @CanadiensMTL end up losing to Tampa, a suggestion has been made that we hold a Stanley Cup parade anyway as a way to salute the team for a great season where they 'almost' won the cup - basically the equivalent of an adult participation medal. Does anyone like this idea?
— Aaron Rand (@aaronrand) July 6, 2021
It is actually true. I listened to the whole thing on the radio yesterday. It was not (local radio host) Aaron Rand who started this. It was a jackass named Jay Pollack (who I happen to know personally. He is a giant twat)who started this stupidity.
The CJAD radio station Facebook page went crazy with people blasting the idea and then there was the losers who were all for this.
Like or hate the Habs. If they do this. They will have become more of a joke than all the stupidities that Montrealer's love to take shots at Toronto about.
Montreal use to be such a proud city. Not anymore. Just the thought of this turns my stomach. Parade for losers - ( New Window )
lol, what a joke, yes they would and should be a laughingstock if they did this.
but then again Boston held a parade for Ray Bourque when he won a cup with the Avs, so nothing would shock me.
This was a more fun time for me in Boston. Back when Boston was loserville. I miss those days.
If MTL does in fact do this, they deserve to be ridiculed.
injuries have slowed him down, but I think he's achieved enough to this point to get in.
@jprutherford
· 48m
BREAKING: Blues winger Vladimir Tarasenko requests a trade, per sources: Why he wants out, possible destinations and more https://theathletic.com/2690474/2021/07/07/blues-winger-vladimir-tarasenko-requests-a-trade-per-sources-why-he-wants-out-possible-destinations-and-more/
#stlblues
The officiating has been bad every series but the Habs have been on the short end the entire postseason IMO
Maybe Red Wings Devils in 1995?
Oh and what a lame crowd lol
Happy for McDonagh.
Thank God. Worst Finals I can think of.
Handshakes are for stupid boomers, I wish the pandemic ended them.
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Best ritual in sports.
Handshakes are for stupid boomers, I wish the pandemic ended them.
We all know you prefer skipolling after a game. Double Fist Brett.
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Best ritual in sports.
Handshakes are for stupid boomers, I wish the pandemic ended them.
it ended them for men's league.
;-)
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In comment 15301227 Bricktop said:
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Best ritual in sports.
Handshakes are for stupid boomers, I wish the pandemic ended them.
We all know you prefer skipolling after a game. Double Fist Brett.
Anything to improve my wrist shot.
;-)
So true.
Pj, my men's league in NY isn't returning until September.
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And hey, watch yourself, using "Boomers" and "stupid" in the same sentence is redundant.
;-)
So true.
Pj, my men's league in NY isn't returning until September.
We had a brief pause in September (two weeks) and they reopened but no locker rooms and no beer in the parking lot, etc. - so I "opted out". I was not about to drive to the rink with my hockey equipment on and post-game beers is 90% of why I still play.
I was amazed some people actually did it - talk about love of the game (or just derangement).
We started back up full go in March - no masks, full locker rooms, no electronic whistles, - just no post game handshakes.
I like the handshake tradition and I (obviously not a boomer) come from the second best generation. and none of the players are boomers and they all like it too. players are at the oldest millennial, but more Gen z.
I actually like the tradition but I hate seeing the losing team waiting after a big celebration and hate handshakes personally.
BTW, this Kucherov clip is hilarious.
Twitter - ( New Window )
From the time we were mites and we cried when we lost (at least I did), to being grown ups when we felt like punching something, soaking in the elation and glory of the victor is the price you pay for losing. Plus it's respectful IMO.
I think most people take it that way - other than the Lias Andersson's of the world who throw their medal in the stands (which I kind of liked too), but to the other point re: handshakes:
shaking hands post series is a sign of respect and unless you're an animal like Milan Lucic represents the sportsmanship of these athletes brutally hating each other and trying to rip each others heads off for an entire series and when it's all over you tip your hat to the victor, shake their hand, hopefully learn from it, and move on.
I don't see how it's a boomer thing unless sportsmanship and respect for your opponent died with the later generations.
I hope my kids can shake hands post-game this year in a COVID free sports world.
Pros? I'm for it. Sportsmanship and all that shit. Beer league? I think it's a crock of shit - if you have respect for your opponents don't cross check them ten seconds after the whistle or slash them all game. It's not the NHL, brah.
Pros? I'm for it. Sportsmanship and all that shit. Beer league? I think it's a crock of shit - if you have respect for your opponents don't cross check them ten seconds after the whistle or slash them all game. It's not the NHL, brah.
lol, yeah, like I said men's league did away with hand shakes with COVID and they never came back.
and our men's league went bankrupt with COVID (turns out they were playing a big shell game with ice time payments - using summer league (for example) team fees to back pay for winter ice and so on, and when the summer was canceled they had no money to pay for the prior winter.
Some other league wound up "buying" the league which pretty much meant just keeping all the teams. the new league announced they were wiping the stats which had been there from inception (mid-90's). I joined in 2000 and one of my teammates downloaded all the stats and added them up, over 20 years I spent the equivalent of a 40-hour work week in the penalty box. lol.
When I was younger I was a dick, not because I wanted to be a dick, but because the 20-somethings would come home from college and be dicks, so in retaliation I felt obligated to slow them down.
I don't think I have even got a 2 min penalty in the past 3 or 4 years, but that gap between "I used to be able to do this and I'm no longer able to do this" is tough on a man.
The Lightning won the Cup, but we all won, because there’s no more Pierre McGuire - ( New Window )
Only been thrown out of a game once.
Only been thrown out of a game once.
We have a 3 penalty ejection rule, which comes with a 10 min misconduct on the stat sheet (so 16 min in penalties total for that). I had about 40 of those in my 30's.
none since (I don't think).
Plus there were a few fights I'm not proud of, but also don't regret, lol.
Quote:
Eric Engels
@EricEngels
· 31m
As @SNkylebukauskas just reported, Petry has bilateral subconjunctival hemorrhage. Speaking with doctors over the last few minutes, no pain or vision issues associated. Just some burst blood vessels and pooling.
Well.... yeah, but that hemorrhage is because he's on a massive painkiller cocktail lol
not so sure about that.
7/17: expansion draft protection lists due
7/21: expansion draft
7/23: round 1 of the draft
7/24: rounds 2 through 7 of the draft
Here is a image file inventory of the draft order:
@PuckReportNHL
THREAD: Full 2021 #NHLDraft Order
NOTE: Rounds 2-7 may change by +1 depending how NHL deals with #Yotes’ forfeited 1st rounder
3:00 PM · Jul 9, 2021·Twitter for iPhone
Round 1:
Round 2:
Round 3:
Round 4:
Round 5:
Round 6:
Round 7:
@FlyersNation
· 4m
Trade talks between Columbus and the #Flyers have reportedly died down because Seth Jones won’t commit to Philadelphia yet. Chuck Fletcher won’t pull the trigger without it. (@FriedgeHNIC)
@TheFourthPeriod
· 25m
Seth Jones trade talk has picked up. I'm told his camp is involved in the process & allowed to speak with other teams to help speed up a trade.
My latest has more on Jones, and touches on Bertuzzi, Eichel, Henrique, Johansen, Danault & more https://thefourthperiod.com/pagnotta/jones