Greetings, hockey nerds, and welcome to the Gritty Shitposting Thread!
This has been one of the bigger offseasons in recent memory: Karlsson's escape from the Canadian wastelands, Tavares causing Toronto fans to have a false sense of hope in July rather than December, the Flyers employing the bastard love child of Animal and the Philly Phanatic as their new mascot.... but one thing still remains the same: JimmyJRaynor is still banned from posting here!
YEAH QH!!! THREAD FTW. Best StanleyCup picture ever too! haha. Last season was probably the most interesting season i've ever witnessed. Hopefully this one doesn't disappoint.
This Thursday Pens vs Caps will be so hype. Pens really struggled early season last year, but there seems to be less complacency than last year so hopefully they come out strong.
Yeah it is. Rangers D got absolutely throttled by fucking Carolina. Three games only, but the D is a dumpster fire as expected. Offense isn't totally terrible surprisingly.
On October 15 2018 01:35 lueiGi! wrote: Thoughts on the Matheson hit on Pettersson?
Initial hit didn't seem too bad, but the "chokeslam" after was pretty dirty.
I think it was dirty as hell. The way Matheson gets his stick between Pettersson's legs sweeps him and makes it impossible for Pettersson to soften the fall. Helping Pettersson to the ice didn't help...
The thing for me though, was that the run-up to the hit makes me convinced Matheson were actively hunting here. I really hope Pettersson is alright.
They are for real, the question will be if they can keep the pace in the playoffs when things get nastier and tighter. I have no doubt they finish top 5 in the regular season though.
On October 17 2018 01:49 JimmiC wrote: They are for real, the question will be if they can keep the pace in the playoffs when things get nastier and tighter. I have no doubt they finish top 5 in the regular season though.
I hope that latter on the burnout is real as Tampa needs to get a cup this year, otherwise this core will slowly be separated and our chances will decrease dramatically.
Pettersson is a godsend. He's the reason i'm always checking the canucks clips every game as there are no live games where i am at the moment. I hope he treats this injury as fuel for his competitive drive.
I love the hype talks how John Tavares - Aston Matthews are the new most dangerous centers duo in the league since Sid-Geno (as in the Penguins duo is old now). And then Geno and Murray blanks them in a face-off. Cool story
On November 02 2018 20:25 fLyiNgDroNe wrote: so far we have the best start of the season for canadian teams, with the exception of Sens. Habs and Flames impress the most though. Will it last?
I think it is more sustainable for the flames then the habs, but a hot price can make up for a lot. I think van will cool off but their fan base must be excited with the youth. The oilers have also been hot. I dont trust their d but if people other than conner can score they should be good.
Habs are still without Weber, too. I wonder what will happen when he comes back. Tatar and Domi with 11 and 12 points... Maybe Bergevin was right all along XD
There has been tons of exciting games this year. High scoring, close and intense. Despite what some people say you can have a boring high scoring game if there is no intensity. So far a bunch of the games I have watched have had it all.
I knew they were going to be ass but my god does it suck watching the Rangers be awful again and knowing Hank is destined to retire without a cup.
At least they were a legit top tier team for a few years towards the end of his run, but by and large the Rangers squandered his prime on some teams that would struggle for 30 wins with an average goalie. Ugh.
I wish they'd fucking trade Kevin Hayes stupid ass already. So many overrated forwards on this group.
On October 17 2018 20:34 polgas wrote: Pettersson is a godsend. He's the reason i'm always checking the canucks clips every game as there are no live games where i am at the moment. I hope he treats this injury as fuel for his competitive drive.
On October 17 2018 20:34 polgas wrote: Pettersson is a godsend. He's the reason i'm always checking the canucks clips every game as there are no live games where i am at the moment. I hope he treats this injury as fuel for his competitive drive.
Yeo and Mclellen fired. Oilers have already announced Hitchcock as their head coach to fail (sorry Oilers fans, I just don't think it is coaching that is the issue, it is team construction and ownership).
On November 21 2018 01:32 JimmiC wrote: Yeo and Mclellen fired. Oilers have already announced Hitchcock as their head coach to fail (sorry Oilers fans, I just don't think it is coaching that is the issue, it is team construction and ownership).
Agreed. I think he's good at putting together a cohesive unit so they will improve. But it's dumb shit like Larsson for Hall and the lucic signing that have boned this team. Not underperforming players/coach.
Laine is so stupidly good with his shot. It's insane.
This season has been odd. Rangers have no business being as good as they are. I am sure they'll regress. That D is way too leaky. The Sabres, they have better high end talent, but I still think they will regress as well.
On December 03 2018 06:26 imgbaby wrote: Hall and Oates LEAFS GOAL SONG Cup is coming to Canada!
You mean Hull? As in Brett Hull and Adam Oates?
haha nice one. I'm actually old enough to remember Brett Hull and Adam Oates.
Just spreading the vibe of the Toronto fans when the leafs score and the song "You Make My Dreams" By Hall & Oates plays at the Scotia Bank Center. Mathews is back and we have Slick Willy in the line up too!
so Ovi is 33 years old, won a cup, fathered a son. And yet he is leading the league, AGAIN, in goals, having 25 in 30 games (lol), averaging 21 minutes ice time a game, and contributing to the defense as well. What a legend.
Hos is Dahlin doing? Does he look as promising as the hype? I know its early and he is just a kid but what are your thoughts so far? I watched him alot in Sweden but havent seen him play much in NHL yet.
Thoughts on other rookies?, Anyone challenging Eliasson for the Calder? God i miss nhl, i Will try to watch more games after new years.
On December 23 2018 07:16 hak wrote: Hos is Dahlin doing? Does he look as promising as the hype? I know its early and he is just a kid but what are your thoughts so far? I watched him alot in Sweden but havent seen him play much in NHL yet.
Thoughts on other rookies?, Anyone challenging Eliasson for the Calder? God i miss nhl, i Will try to watch more games after new years.
He is doing fairly well, not putting up big numbers but it usually takes Dmen a while to develop. I would say the Sabers are still very happy with their pick.
Eliasson is the clear favorite and should win easily baring injury. Brady Tkachuk is maybe a minor threat since he is putting up pretty good numbers, with some sandpaper in his game, but he missed some time and even healthy he is just too far back.
Havent watch many games this year. Is McJesus still carrying them hard? Or is the team working as a whole? From the previous comment it seems the team is not that well.
The Sharks have turned into an absolute buzz saw since the new year. Icing two Norris-caliber defensemen 50 minutes out of 60 every game isn't fair, and the scoring depth among the forward corps is looking scary. Martin Jones has been playing noticeably better in net as well. As long as he continues to round back into form, the Sharks should be the team to come out of the west and face the Bolts.
On February 16 2019 08:11 KobraKay wrote: Havent watch many games this year. Is McJesus still carrying them hard? Or is the team working as a whole? From the previous comment it seems the team is not that well.
As far as last week, neither really. The Oilers have fired both their coach and their GM this season. Mcdavid has been himself but one person referred to some of their forwards as "AHL fodder"
As for the cup, it's hard to bet against the lightning but I still like the leafs, especially if they pick up a right handed defenceman for a Johnsson or Kappanen (as good as they are)...in the west I got Nashville (strong blue line with people who can really powder the puck)
i would say Tampa has the best shot coming out of east this year. WSH is struggling under their joke of a coach and are not that hungry anymore and Pens well ... they are picking up the pace as they always do at the post-season mark, but are inconsistent and are pretty vulnerable. And Toronto are not ready yet. However the problem for Bolts last year was they were not physical enough in the post-season. I do see them doing better in that regard this year. Cant say much for the West, but Nash, Winnipeg and SJ all look pretty dope to me.
Yeah, that trade is ass. 2nd and 3rd for a guy who is on pace for another 50-60pt season. Dzingle got 2 2nds and a top 9, cost controlled young guy who hit 20goals and 40+ points a few years back. The conditionals (get to conference final > 1st; resign > 1st) aren't fucking happening. Dallas blows and Zucc just came off of a 4 year, $4.5 per deal where his performance remained consistent. He will get 5x$5m on the open market and Dallas isn't going to cough up a first to resign him til he is 37.
If that's the return to expect for Hayes they should have just done the fire sale last year and let the kids play this year so they could really tank. Overall I am just not really that thrilled about the rebuild and the chances of the team being good over the next 3 years. Kravtsov is basically their one big chance at a legit scoring stud, but he is 19 and probably 2-3 years away for being a consistent roster player. Chytil looks like he'll be a solid top 6 playmaker but not a 30G a year scoring dynamo that they really need... and they're using him as a winger rather than center. Those are really the only two non-goalie blue chip prospects and I don't think anyone else currently on the roster (Vesey, Buchnevich, DeAngelo, Poink, etc) is going to turn into an all star.
The Rangers also have a god awful D and have a lot of money locked up there through 2021. Staal hasn't been an NHL-level player for nearly 3 years and the Rangers will be paying him nearly $6m through 2021.They're also paying Brendan Smith almost $4.5m. Shattenkirk looks like dogshit and is getting $6.6m for it. Miller is probably their one good prospect on the blueline.
Brandon Smith was the poster boy for over payment based on "analytics". He couldn't past the eye test but what about those underlying numbers! Shattenkrik is a odd one. As a teams 3rd D man wherethey can protect him and put him in the right situations he is elite! But as a #1 he looks awful, very strange. It seems like King Henrik just wants to wait it out but it is too bad he doesn't do the Bourque and join the Lightning or the Sharks for a chance at the Cup even if it is just as the backup.
Edit: Speaking of the Rangers they traded Hayes to the Jets for a first and Lemieux, good deal for them I think even though its a late first Hayes being a UFA and them going no where makes sense for them to get some value, and they got good value.
Flames clinched last night and are looking pretty strong. Would be interesting to see how far they go. Oh and AZ might get in, that's something i'm totally not prepared for
Yotes are a wagon bud, jump on! I'll be real happy to see them in the playoffs, they have a hell of a strong forecheck game, and it's hard not feel for a team that's had 4/5 of their centers missing significant time to injuries, not to mention the D-men and starting goaltender.
On March 19 2019 05:38 Mordanis wrote: Yotes are a wagon bud, jump on! I'll be real happy to see them in the playoffs, they have a hell of a strong forecheck game, and it's hard not feel for a team that's had 4/5 of their centers missing significant time to injuries, not to mention the D-men and starting goaltender.
Hope they do not demoralize after today's game against Tampa xD
On March 19 2019 05:38 Mordanis wrote: Yotes are a wagon bud, jump on! I'll be real happy to see them in the playoffs, they have a hell of a strong forecheck game, and it's hard not feel for a team that's had 4/5 of their centers missing significant time to injuries, not to mention the D-men and starting goaltender.
Hope they do not demoralize after today's game against Tampa xD
in the post-game interviews they were actually happy how they played. We are at the point when losing to Tampa in a somewhat decent manner is a successful evening
On March 19 2019 05:38 Mordanis wrote: Yotes are a wagon bud, jump on! I'll be real happy to see them in the playoffs, they have a hell of a strong forecheck game, and it's hard not feel for a team that's had 4/5 of their centers missing significant time to injuries, not to mention the D-men and starting goaltender.
Hope they do not demoralize after today's game against Tampa xD
in the post-game interviews they were actually happy how they played. We are at the point when losing to Tampa in a somewhat decent manner is a successful evening
At this point, does anyone not have Tampa as Cup favorites?
On March 19 2019 05:38 Mordanis wrote: Yotes are a wagon bud, jump on! I'll be real happy to see them in the playoffs, they have a hell of a strong forecheck game, and it's hard not feel for a team that's had 4/5 of their centers missing significant time to injuries, not to mention the D-men and starting goaltender.
Hope they do not demoralize after today's game against Tampa xD
in the post-game interviews they were actually happy how they played. We are at the point when losing to Tampa in a somewhat decent manner is a successful evening
At this point, does anyone not have Tampa as Cup favorites?
You are right, however we learned the hard way with Caps that some teams have certain blocks in playoffs and it takes years to overcome those
I could see Nashville winning. They are also stupid deep. I think they're probably on par with Boston, Calgary, Washington, Winnepeg, SJ, etc as far as being in that next tier down from Tampa.
I feel that there are way more deep teams than the last couple years? There's only a couple obvious 1st round fodder teams (Arizona, Montreal, Carolina, Colorado) and teams like Toronto have glaring weaknesses but are still pretty deep elsewhere.
I'm excited for playoffs since i've sure as fuck not been watching any meaningful hockey with the Rangers this year.
yeah this year a lot of teams are potential contenders. Tampa is sick strong, but anything can happen in the playoffs, especially when you face Pens, Caps or Bruins. West is very exciting. Blues and Vegas are hot second part of the season, Nashville, Calgary and Jets were strong all year long. This is going to be close and brutal.
Yeah NHL is crazy because one hot goalie can ruin a teams life. And even without that there is just a bunch of strong deep teams. Hoping for a Bruins Flames finals.
I'm really hoping for the Sharks and Blues in the West, teams that just seem to always disappoint come the playoffs but play a fun brand of hockey. In the East, probably the Bolts and Penguins.
Bolts seem way to predictable to actually win it. It is like how I won my march madness bracket at work by going, everyone is gonna pick Duke, I'm gonna pick Virginia because no one else will and if they win I'll win it all. Whereas if I go with Duke and they win I'm going to have had to get a bunch of the early shit right.
I don't know if this makes sense, but I am on pain killers.... Go Flames and Bruins!
Sharks looked dominant last night against the Golden Knights. The game was an absolute beating through two periods in which Vegas was limited to 10 shots. The Sharks' blue line strength was particularly noticeable. Icing one of Burns and/or Karlsson for an entire game just isn't fair.
I'm hoping for the Bruins and Flames but if the sharks did I would be pretty happy. I would love to see Thornton get a cup, guy is a absolute beast, did not get a fair shake in Boston and has consistently been excellent forever. A true hall of famer.
Lightning did not show up for the third period. It is a strange actualization of possible worlds when David Savard makes Victor Hedman look like Dan Girardi.
The sharks get eliminated to early to suffer true heart break. Like the flames scoring the game winner only to have it called no goal because the refs fucking stupid and then lose that game and game 7. To go from the glory of winning the cup to agony of defeat is worth at least 20 first and second round exits.
On April 13 2019 13:18 JimmiC wrote: The sharks get eliminated to early to suffer true heart break. Like the flames scoring the game winner only to have it called no goal because the refs fucking stupid and then lose that game and game 7. To go from the glory of winning the cup to agony of defeat is worth at least 20 first and second round exits.
You are severely discounting the Sharks’ numerous choke jobs.
it’s mostly just shadenfreude more than anything else from the incredible season they’ve had, but i’m also kind of hoping Kucherov gets a game or two off from that cheap hit too. the pain would be almost palpable.
As an avid Blue Jackets fan, it is quite perplexing but also rewarding to see this team finally understand that the most critical zone on the ice is the neutral zone.
This team has basically since its inception played with a heavy forechecking mentality (not the most elegant, nor my favorite style, for certain). This tendency has been exacerbated by Tortorella's 2-1-2 defensive schema; at this stage in the season, I expected him to double down on the "pucks out, pucks deep" mantra, especially given that the team's best breakout-passing defensive (Ryan Murray) is still injured.
I did not expect a sudden switch to a 1-2-2 backchecking system. And I certainly did not expect the Blue Jackets would execute this switch flawlessly and stymie the best team in the lockout era.
On April 14 2019 06:31 warandpeaches wrote: As an avid Blue Jackets fan, it is quite perplexing but also rewarding to see this team finally understand that the most critical zone on the ice is the neutral zone.
This team has basically since its inception played with a heavy forechecking mentality (not the most elegant, nor my favorite style, for certain). This tendency has been exacerbated by Tortorella's 2-1-2 defensive schema; at this stage in the season, I expected him to double down on the "pucks out, pucks deep" mantra, especially given that the team's best breakout-passing defensive (Ryan Murray) is still injured.
I did not expect a sudden switch to a 1-2-2 backchecking system. And I certainly did not expect the Blue Jackets would execute this switch flawlessly and stymie the best team in the lockout era.
A couple things
1) I don't think forechecking is great fun to watch unless you're a pigeon forward who loves absolutely running at D-Men and making them cough up pucks.
2) Bob stole games 1 and 2. The Jackets won game 3. So I'm not ready to call TB out because if Bob fades I can see the Lightning figuring out the change and pulling their thumbs out of their asses.
Evander Kane is such a clown. That team and him in particular has much more skill than the knights yet he’s out there getting his ass kicked by a fuckin 4th liner because he’s a stupid as shit hothead.
He’s the most infuriating player. He’s got enough skill to be a 40g-70pt guy every year but he’s got a shitty attitude and is gonna have 40pim in this series by the time he’s eliminated.
I usually like skill guys who can fight but he so unbelievably dumb for getting goaded by reaves of all people
On April 15 2019 22:17 QuanticHawk wrote: Evander Kane is such a clown. That team and him in particular has much more skill than the knights yet he’s out there getting his ass kicked by a fuckin 4th liner because he’s a stupid as shit hothead.
He’s the most infuriating player. He’s got enough skill to be a 40g-70pt guy every year but he’s got a shitty attitude and is gonna have 40pim in this series by the time he’s eliminated.
I usually like skill guys who can fight but he so unbelievably dumb for getting goaded by reaves of all people
Let’s not forget about Martin Jones, who has more gaping holes in his game than a prostitute at a truck stop.
Watching the games with my son for the first time when he was interested he just turned 6. And after a goal hes like oh no they scored again, all sad. And I was like "no buddy that is just a replay". 😭 lol good times.
i know he literally asked for it, but i still feel bad for Svechnikov. Ovi dunked him so hard. That stupid idiot is only 19 and Ovi has more than a couple dozen pounds on him.
my favorite joke to come from it though, is Svechnikov took more shots that period than Mrazek.
although like the author, apparently i also thought the fight happened early in the 2nd, not 10 minutes into the 1st. now i feel even worse for the kid.
Yeah, you go after the bulls you gonna get the horns. Hopefully it is not a long term thing and he just learns that he is not a fighter and not to fuck with big strong dudes. Leave that to your team tough guys. He probably earned some respect from his teammates for being a young Russian and not backing down so that part is all good.
Columbus is a perfect example of a team that is not a cup contender (i say they get rekt next round) but can steal the series from a potential champion. Bolts were dominated all but the first period of game 1.
Sometimes big disappointments fuel teams to greatness Bos was up 3-0 against Philly they pulled off the reverse sweep. The next year no one was stopping Chara and the Bergeron Lucic Machant line and they won their first cup in forever.
Perhaps this will destroy them, but with that much talent, and most of it under contract I suspect it will light a fire under them.
If anyone had said before the playoffs that Mike Smith would be the best goalie in the playoffs and the Flames would be down 3-1 I would have called them a dirty liar. I thought Goaltending was their only weak spot.
the caps-canes game 5 last night looked kinda unfair, kinda like an ovi-svechnikov fight lol. And Jets with another early exit, becoming one of those teams ...
it was crazy to watch the caps dominate the game like that, you’d think their zone time would suffer without Oshie. he chases the puck more than anyone. but Backstrom-Ovi combo has some really intense playoffs buffs.
heartwarming to see the home arena welcome smith-pelly back. he did OK, but he did only see 10 min of ice time. got 5 hits and a good look! but those shoes are just too big to fill, i don’t know. hopefully my man Vrana can get some work in on the 2nd line.
the arena got loud as soon as he hit the ice, louder on his first hit, and then he almost had a great shot at the end of the 3rd, i was so ready. but his first goal for his return will have to wait.
man, they went right back to looking helpless. home team has won every game.
If SJ ends up winning this game... wow. Already one of the worst blown calls of all time no? I would be absolutely enraged if I was a VGK fan. Hell I'm angry anyways
as much fun as "howisyourbracket is, caps should get this one and move on for the ultimate caps-trotz series which btw i think trotz wins if we get there
I was in a weird one this year which sucks because in the one I'm normally in I would be winning running away since I always take top players from the underdogs. This year I'd have everyone left instead of a few randoms
Crosby, Kucherov, McDavid in running for award given to NHL most valuable player BWHAHAHAHA swept in round1, 0 goals, 1 point swept in round1, 0 goals, 2 points did not qualify for playoffs This season keeps delivering.
On April 29 2019 17:20 fLyiNgDroNe wrote: Crosby, Kucherov, McDavid in running for award given to NHL most valuable player BWHAHAHAHA swept in round1, 0 goals, 1 point swept in round1, 0 goals, 2 points did not qualify for playoffs This season keeps delivering.
You have the CS for the playoff performance.
Turning up for a month is great in terms of championship potential wins but not for all the other months in the season that were required to be in that position in the first place.
On April 29 2019 17:20 fLyiNgDroNe wrote: Crosby, Kucherov, McDavid in running for award given to NHL most valuable player BWHAHAHAHA swept in round1, 0 goals, 1 point swept in round1, 0 goals, 2 points did not qualify for playoffs This season keeps delivering.
You have the CS for the playoff performance.
Turning up for a month is great in terms of championship potential wins but not for all the other months in the season that were required to be in that position in the first place.
i was going for irony there, but sure, your comments makes perfect sense too.
How freaking crazy is it that right now the Canes are the betting favorite? How many people even had them in the playoffs? Before they started the playoffs they were bottom 5 of those who got there.
I mean Avs, Stars and Jackets are pretty crazy too but like the Jackets were thought of as pretty good before the seasons started. Ilanders I guess are in the same boat as the hurricanes they just right now are at the bottom of the odds.
Also for those people who have used the threads for a long time there is one in the feedback session about our old friend JimmyJraynor. He is up to his old tricks, just in new places! Read the third post, it is a hilarious break down.
As mentioned above by face_1. I think Nathan mackinnon is undoubtably the best player in the world right now. All season long he strapped Colorado on his back, yes I know it wasn’t all him and he had some great help. But he is truly a difference maker every shift he has
The Flames series really opened my eyes to him. Much like the first year Benn played for team Canada and was the best player. Mackinnnon has obviously always been good but he has turned it up to another level!
Awards are never just about one year like they should be. If they were Chara would have more Norris's and so on. You need a few good years and then they consider you. I bet even if he is worse next year than this (but still good of course) he will end up on the ballot for hart.
It is criminal that MacKinnon didn't get a Hart nomination. That top line that he anchors is the Avs. They have garbage depth behind it and a pedestrian blue line at best.
Sergei Bobrovsky is such a beast goalie this playoffs. He made the Bruins look silly last night. CBJ is actually looking legit, their series vs TB definitely doesn't feel like a fluke right now.
I agree, I mean the 3 goal posts helped, but he has been incredible. Which is especially amazing since it wasn't long ago that the book on him was that he was great in the regular season and fell apart in the playoffs.
Do you guys think Marchant will catch a game for his little drive by punch? It wasn't much but it is him being a dick again just for the sake of being a dick. If so thats a big blow to the Bruins. I love the guy (I know im in the minority) but he needs to cut out the stupid shit.
That is really stupid that there is video evidence that the puck clearly hit the mesh. Everyone knows it shouldn't count but we count it because....... ??? Why get it right when you stick to a technicality.
Edit: NHL is lucky the Bruins won if they lost because of that people would not be happy.
Yeah me and my father-in-law were appalled that they didn't do a booth review for that - it 100000% hit the net, and every ref missed it. Bruce Cassidy should have challenged it but in the end it didn't end up mattering.
I love the irony of me pointing out that Bobrovsky was playing super well and the next game he shits the bed. Bruins are finally starting to heat up after a shaky start. Pastrnak has looked miserable so far, but luckily Rask had a great game last night to help carry them.
All in all last nights game was super physical and fun, albeit in the end not that close.
On May 04 2019 01:53 vult wrote: Yeah me and my father-in-law were appalled that they didn't do a booth review for that - it 100000% hit the net, and every ref missed it. Bruce Cassidy should have challenged it but in the end it didn't end up mattering.
I love the irony of me pointing out that Bobrovsky was playing super well and the next game he shits the bed. Bruins are finally starting to heat up after a shaky start. Pastrnak has looked miserable so far, but luckily Rask had a great game last night to help carry them.
All in all last nights game was super physical and fun, albeit in the end not that close.
Score was misleading for sure. After that "goal" the game was super close, Bruins were hitting posts and the Jackets were getting their chances as well. As You mention Rask was a monster, the guy always seems calm nothing shakes him.
From what I read Cassidy tried to challenge it but the refs told him that "hitting the mesh" was not something they could look at. Why get it right when you can follow a technicality?
It is my favorite series and I think the winner of it will be my cup favorite. This is my favorite round because all the teams are good enough to make it through the first round but there is still hockey every night!
On May 04 2019 01:53 vult wrote: Yeah me and my father-in-law were appalled that they didn't do a booth review for that - it 100000% hit the net, and every ref missed it. Bruce Cassidy should have challenged it but in the end it didn't end up mattering.
He probably knew the rules and because of that decided not to challenge. There was nothing to review.
Do you guys think they should make it reviewable or just treat the mesh like the glass. I just thought of the later and while it would be weird it would also get rid of that annoying penalty when guys accidentally shoot it to high clearing the zone.
its an interesting stat that since 2001 Canes made playoffs only 4 times, but each of the times they advanced to at least conference finals. Some teams have a really hard time transitioning into playoff hockey after successful regular season, while Carolina somehow cuts through first rounds pretty easily (while struggles to sustain motivation for 82 meaningless games). RN im actually not sure if Bruins/Bobrovsky can stop them. This being said, i do like West much more this season. All 4 teams are pretty exciting to watch
I guess that depends on your thoughts on the Islanders, they did barely get by the Caps. I think the winners of CLB vs Bos will make the finals. and I'm bettering on Bos.
The third period of the Bruins vs CLB is the best of the year. And its not close! Wow what a period!!!! Nkt going to spoil it if you have not seen it find a way too, you will not be disapointed.
oh yeah it was great! nailbiter, luckily Pastranak is back on his game he could really help the Bruins go the distance. He is probably my favorite player right now, other than Ovechkin
Pastranak is great. I love watching him. Torts guaranteed a game 7. This is gonna be good. I kinda want an all expansion conference finals. As long as there are no canadian clubs everything is okay.
On May 01 2019 12:18 xDaunt wrote: It is criminal that MacKinnon didn't get a Hart nomination. That top line that he anchors is the Avs. They have garbage depth behind it and a pedestrian blue line at best.
Yeah he's fantastic. The Avs right now remind me of how Taylor Hall dragged the Devils to the playoffs last year. He's got a little more help but it's still similar. I am kinda amazed the Avs have done as well as they did (I totally picked Calgary last round)
He can flat out score, Marchant made the play on both his goals and then he is a finisher. That line has it all Bergeron to be best face off guy and best defensive forward in hockey still good offence. Marchant while being an complete jackass at times, is a super fast and shift skater really good in his end really good on offense and his transition game is great. Then Pasta is getting better at D but he is just a straight up sniper, pure goal scorer. Hearing it called the perfection line on TV over and over is annoying, but they are not wrong.
On May 06 2019 00:39 JimmiC wrote: He can flat out score, Marchant made the play on both his goals and then he is a finisher. That line has it all Bergeron to be best face off guy and best defensive forward in hockey still good offence. Marchant while being an complete jackass at times, is a super fast and shift skater really good in his end really good on offense and his transition game is great. Then Pasta is getting better at D but he is just a straight up sniper, pure goal scorer. Hearing it called the perfection line on TV over and over is annoying, but they are not wrong.
Oh yeah I think they're the best all around line in the league hands down. And they still play really pretty hockey. I basically want to see the B's move on just because I like watching them.
yeah its a shame Marchant gets his inner asshole coming out at times, but for the rest, he is a super slick handler and skater. That line has been consistently the best in the league for some time, exciting to watch. I do prefer Bruins for the conference finals, but will not mind game 7
Bruins are going to win it all I think. Their top line is finally in form and Rask is playing so well rn. Carolina is strong but they must be running out of gas.
what a game. So many chances and nerves taking the top of the players, exactly the game7 experience! Happy for Blues, but already looking forward for another game 7 tonight!
I would pick Huges but that could be because I've been lusting for him for years now, where as Kakko is "new" to me as a top contender.
I'm pretty excited for the game tonight. As a Bruins fan I'm obviously hoping we get the win and that pretty much is the series. But if the Hurricanes can win tonight looking the worse team in the first two almost does not matter.
The thing with international. Man the Russians participate. It always seems like their are Canadians opting out, whereas every year it seems like every Russian that can play does.
On May 14 2019 23:57 JimmiC wrote: The thing with international. Man the Russians participate. It always seems like their are Canadians opting out, whereas every year it seems like every Russian that can play does.
You are just salty cause you lost to the finnish phenomenom xD
I watched the Canada Vs Slav yeaterday and it was pretty intense. Lots of checks, goal, etc.
And I agree i'm sad how many canadien refused the invite.
For the current playoff, I'm pretty sure the Bruins already won the series so no need to talk alot about this one. The West tough is another story... who ever get out of this series will not be in top shape to play vs the Bruins.
Though I am rooting for the Bruins, I don't want to see them greatly exceed expectations and then completely crumble..
Also I wouldn't mind seeing Canes win because my sister in law entered a $2000 playoffs bracket comp (20$ buyin) not knowing anything about hockey, and picked the Hurricanes to win the Stanley Cup, so if they did she'd basically stumble into 2K.
So Draisatl won a huge game for Germany against host nation and probably secured good playoff spot. They are currently 4-0 in their group but next 3 games are against favorites. I still think they come out from 3 or even 2nd place. Italy meanwhile is 0-30 after 4 games. I don't think this is an enjoyable experience for the players or fans ..
On May 16 2019 06:07 fLyiNgDroNe wrote: So Draisatl won a huge game for Germany against host nation and probably secured good playoff spot. They are currently 4-0 in their group but next 3 games are against favorites. I still think they come out from 3 or even 2nd place. Italy meanwhile is 0-30 after 4 games. I don't think this is an enjoyable experience for the players or fans ..
Tbh Slovakia were big favorites against Germany as well (and they dominated the game for a long while). The game ended kinda like Canada vs Slovakia, poor Slovakian fans.
On May 16 2019 06:07 fLyiNgDroNe wrote: So Draisatl won a huge game for Germany against host nation and probably secured good playoff spot. They are currently 4-0 in their group but next 3 games are against favorites. I still think they come out from 3 or even 2nd place. Italy meanwhile is 0-30 after 4 games. I don't think this is an enjoyable experience for the players or fans ..
It is for the players. They know what they are getting into and are likely Canadians playing in Europe, it is pretty fun to get to match yourself against the best since you likely were pretty close yourself. I have some friends who play beer league hockey who got to do this one with team Italy and one with Kazakhstan. I'm not sure if the guy who plays for Italy played in this tournament himself or the one under it but he said he played against the big countries and got hammerd that could have been exhibitions mind you. But then again I guess this sort of is as well for Italy and GB no one thought they would be making it out.
yeah i see your point. Its like that one time when i got to play against LiquidDrone and got smashed, but was still happy. However that was a "game for fun" not in front of many people. It just feels like a major mismatch, this 0-30 But yeah, i see the fun in it too. Are we talking about hand pass and video reviews on this forum?
On May 16 2019 06:07 fLyiNgDroNe wrote: So Draisatl won a huge game for Germany against host nation and probably secured good playoff spot. They are currently 4-0 in their group but next 3 games are against favorites. I still think they come out from 3 or even 2nd place. Italy meanwhile is 0-30 after 4 games. I don't think this is an enjoyable experience for the players or fans ..
It was about time Draisaitl showed us some of his magic I'm not sure if this is just bias but the Refs were absolute shit that game too. Nagy should have gotten 5+game for that foul on Seider. Also there was one foul were a guy goes directly for Draisaitls knee and only got "tripping" for it. Not okay
On May 16 2019 17:11 fLyiNgDroNe wrote: yeah i see your point. Its like that one time when i got to play against LiquidDrone and got smashed, but was still happy. However that was a "game for fun" not in front of many people. It just feels like a major mismatch, this 0-30 But yeah, i see the fun in it too. Are we talking about hand pass and video reviews on this forum?
I’m not going to apologize for that hand pass no-call at all. First, it would have been a marginal call to begin with. It incidentally went to another Sharks player after first making contact with Pietrangelo. But more importantly, the Sharks have a rich history of getting screwed by the refs in the playoffs notwithstanding the big calls that have gone their way this year. And besides, the refs fucked the Sharks earlier in the game with multiple no calls on what should have been penalties to the Blues.
yeah the last game was painful to watch. Not only was the Rask unbeatable, he didn't have much work to do in the first place. I actually expected this result in Caps-Canes series (given how they played last year), but Caps did not decide to show up for round1 and paid the price. Moving on to the finals, i thought it was time West takes it, but man Bruins look too strong now.
When you say "Bruins look too strong" it's should actualyl say, the first line of the Bruins look too strong. Like is there anyone else in their team that do stuff (other then the goalie).
If you stop their top line and stay out of the box, you should have a good shoot at winning against them.
On May 17 2019 18:40 FaCE_1 wrote: When you say "Bruins look too strong" it's should actualyl say, the first line of the Bruins look too strong. Like is there anyone else in their team that do stuff (other then the goalie).
If you stop their top line and stay out of the box, you should have a good shoot at winning against them.
I think defensively the whole team is doing quite well and in case when you don't allow many goals, all you need is 1-2 strikes from your top line and/or couple of those PP situations.
I think before game 4 against the hurricanes the top line only had one goal in 5v5. So they are getting some spread out secondary scoring. They also have the depth their 4th line is more then playable. They are also being able to stay healthy on the back end in the past few years they have been playing their 9th defenseman and crap. And then they have a great mobile puck mover on each pairing Mcavoy, Krug and Gryz.
Now with that all being said Rask is the MVP, outside of that one goal in the TO series from the corner he has just not made mistakes. And made big saves at big moments. I think the finals will still be hard but against either they should have the best line and the best goalie. So to me they will be favorites.
He is unflappable, his worst game is still pretty damn solid and his best is game stealing. Anything can happen but you need your depth scoring to beat rask because your best line is being shutdown by Bergeron/Marchant
I’m not sure I agree with that assessment of the Bruins lines. Their 2nd line is solid with Debrusk and Krecji, and Coyle on the 3rd line is solid too. Sure their first line is more dazzling, but their other lines tend to keep up the pressure the first line puts on the opposing defense.
On May 20 2019 23:41 QuanticHawk wrote: Their first is imo the best all around line by a mile. But they absolutely are not a one line team.
Is there any big money player more useless than evander Kane right now?? Dudes got 1 point in this series and two in his last ten games.
I'm pretty sure that Kane is hurt. Something's wrong with his shoulder. Hell, the Sharks are a trauma ward on ice right now. They have a ton of critical players skating hurt.
On May 22 2019 11:44 Psychonian wrote: St. Louis and Boston are now the only two cities to meet in the championship final of all 4 major American sports leagues.
On May 22 2019 11:44 Psychonian wrote: St. Louis and Boston are now the only two cities to meet in the championship final of all 4 major American sports leagues.
You mean they played in the NBA, NHL, NFL and the super boring league all in this season?
Edit Ahhhh now I get it. You mean those are the only two cities which ever played a final in all 4 competitions
such a treat watching Nikitas Kucherov and Gusev playing together. They know each other from childhood and man do they abuse this on the ice. Maybe Tampa needs to get Gusev back from Vegas ... That would be such an addition..
On May 27 2019 05:31 JimmiC wrote: sad times, but at least we came out ahead of the US and Russia!
thats a bit of a strange thing to say considering you lost 2 times vs finland and never played russia, but on paper its correct. Team Finland are beasts when it matters!
On May 27 2019 05:31 JimmiC wrote: sad times, but at least we came out ahead of the US and Russia!
thats a bit of a strange thing to say considering you lost 2 times vs finland and never played russia, but on paper its correct. Team Finland are beasts when it matters!
What is strange, I didn't say we were ahead of finland? And US and Russia are the main rivals. It is about finding the silver lineing. A lot of Canadians cheer for Finland if we are out because it is a style of play we appreciate.
On May 27 2019 05:31 JimmiC wrote: sad times, but at least we came out ahead of the US and Russia!
thats a bit of a strange thing to say considering you lost 2 times vs finland and never played russia, but on paper its correct. Team Finland are beasts when it matters!
What is strange, I didn't say we were ahead of finland? And US and Russia are the main rivals. It is about finding the silver lineing. A lot of Canadians cheer for Finland if we are out because it is a style of play we appreciate.
I'm hoping for the blues to get that, they never won it and it would be a nice story since they were dead last in January. But the bruins are so good, it will be really hard.
They should make everything reviewable but the standard of proof be indisputable. I dont want obvious shit like hand passes or off the netting go, but I also dont need 10 mins to try to figure out if pkayer b's back foot was slightly off tge ice .1 sec early.
Eh. I have an irrational love for three zone players who can hit and protect the puck jagr style. I also think he played his balls off in this tourney. I think undersized players are generally better suited to wing. I think both are at absolute worst top 6 players at their peak.
Game 7 boyssss it's down to the wire. Very interesting series, basically win-trading the entire way. Rask has been a fucking monster though.
This save by McAvoy last night was NUTS. He bats the puck mid air before it goes in the goal and Rask catches it behind his back, turns around and frees the puck. https://streamable.com/61o1c
Idk who is going to win game 7, hard to call given how everything has played out so far. As a Bruins fan I hope they win at home because Boston will collapse in a blaze of its own self-indulgence and success. But the Blues winning wouldn't be the worst thing, they deserve a cup finally.
Kinda funny how Bruins are like a plus 7 or something and its tied 3-3. When the Bruins win they have tended to win big and the Blue have won the closer games. Now last night was a super close game until the third, but still!
Yeah the Bruins have won big and lost small. But in the end a win is a win and a loss is a loss. B's averaging 3.5 gpg vs 2.3 from STL, though G2 and G6 had a bunch of garbage time goals/EN goals.
What a season, and what a story for Blues! Holy shit, this was incredible. From dead last in Jan to winning the cup on the shoulders of a rookie goalie with just fantastic team effort. Im impressed. Great recognition to oReilly, he was in beast mode!
also:
On May 28 2019 05:33 fLyiNgDroNe wrote: Blues in 6 or 7
That was a fun playoffs. ROR is pure stud. Still can’t beleive how bad Marchand was in game 7.
I think the Karlsson deal is going to be fine but expensive for at least 3-4 years. It’s going to hurt on the back 9 of it. Even short term it’s going to cost them a lot of talented middle six talent and depth. I think they had to though based on how good he is.
The Hayes deal is god awful. He’s hit 20g once and 50 pats once and he’s 27. The rangers totallly worked Winnipeg. Traded them back their own first. So they effectively got Trouba and lemiuex for poink (who is really bad in his own end) and two months of Hayes. I’m so glad they’re not paying for Hayes.
I’m really hoping devils go Hughes first so the Rangers get Kakko. Ignoring the rest of his game, his puck carrying ability and shielding with his body is Jagr-Esque. The rangers really haven’t nailed a 1st round forward since fucking Kovalev. I’m excited to see them rebuild now. It looks like they could be good within the next two years. I can’t wait til staal and smith are gone.
Kadri to Avs: good riddance. He was more of a liability rather than an asset to Leafs to be honest. Devils and Rangers so far have made the most splash with draft and signings.
On July 02 2019 18:47 FaCE_1 wrote: there 0% chance that the Canes doesn't match that offer. As much has I want Aho, their is no way that they can't match that contract.
Yeah but it definitely is a poison pill contract. First few years are huge signing bonuses which hurt small market teams. Waddell said he’s going to wait the full seven days to make sure Montreal has that money tied up lol. Bergevin is an idiot. It would have made more sense to target Marner since Toronto doesn’t have much wiggle room without sacrificing depth players.
This has been the best rangers offseason in ages. That defense is still ass as long as smith and staal are on it and there is some forward questions. But you could do a lot worse than a top 6 that includes Z, Panarin, Kakko, and Kreider. If Buchnevich takes another step forward and one of those young centers turns into a 40-50 pt guy this year they’ve got a solid top 6. I would be amazed if Kakko doesn’t come in and have an immediate 40-50 pt season himself.
Devils moves were also really good. I’m excited for the rivalry to have meaningful games again.
Marner cost is huge. it's what 4 first pick ? that's a lot of potential for a winger.
The two big thing about the contract is the first year which cost 21 millions (something like 11 at the signature and 10 for the year).Like you said, this isn't small money for a team like the Canes but they should be able to find it.
Also, the contract is only 5 years so after it, Aho is free.
Last thing is i'm pretty sure Aho doesn't want to play there anymore. but it's not really is choice yet...
As for the general way the day went, the race for the playoff in the East will be really intense. Devils, Rangers, Panters and Flyers all did some improvement (tough, I don't think Rangers are up there yet), Habs will be much better if Aho is in the team, and the big team are still all really strong (Botls, Bruins, Pitts, Caps, etc).
I sure as hell hope not, hockey has fallen so far behind the big 3 leagues and this would be like the 3rd strike in not very long? Baseball is the next closest but they have required. Basketball and football have no had one in forever and I don't think it is not connected that they are still kicking ass.
Now adays people watch tons of sports, if hockey is out it will just be forgotten, you still have your NFL, NBA, UFC, golf, racing, tennis, and whatever else people watch.
I think teams like Vegas that are just building momentum would be hit the hardest. It would be really bad for the league.
Hey, we need QH to put away his drink and hit us with a new thread, so we could put early predictions and thoughts on what to be hyped about (Devils amirite?)
Devils look ok, Hughes did play a really good game yesterday. It really depends if Schneider can play like he can since i'm not sure if the defence will be good enough. It's not like Subban is a good "defence" player.
I wonder when the next batch of elite RFA forwards are going to get signed. I thought after Marner did the rest would be done. All the D seem done but Rantanen, Laine, Tkachuk, Point are still out there.
You hear about Laine and Rantanen and it doesn't sound pretty, the other guys I have not heard a peep which I think is good. But the Flames need Tkachuk, he is the straw that stirs the drink on that second line not to mention he is also some of the only sandpaper they have to make playing against them difficult. TB can live without Point for a while.
Hold outs suck for the league, here is hoping they get sorted out soon.
I agree, this is not helping anyone. We gotta get those boys on the ice and playing the damn game! Hughes with a nice breakaway goal last night, the rangers-devils rivalry is gonna be fun to watch.