Post: #26

(06-13-2017 12:45 AM)Sidney Crosby Wrote:  ^ remember a few seasons ago when he had a slow start and everyone was like "OMG he's done, he's not an elite player anymore"

McDavid is flashier but I doubt he will ever be as complete as Crosby.

Crosby usually plays with plugs too, seems like they stick him with 3rd liners and he makes them into 30+ goal scorers. I thought trading for Hansen at the deadline would have been perfect for Crosby.

Playing with Crosby makes everyone play better. He is a fantastic leader and just watching him organize plays on the fly is poetry. Even if he isn't putting pucks in the net himself, his leadership carries so much of the team..

Congrats to the Pens and a great show from Nashville. Their fans just might be my new second favorite (after the Oilers).

Post: #27

I've just been reflecting on what a tremendous playoffs it was for the Penguins the last few days. First off, to play throughout the whole playoffs without your top defenseman (top by a mile, I might add) and still win is an amazing feat. Letang drives so much of their offensive transitions and is a big part of the powerplay, meanwhile the other 6-7 d-men they used in the playoffs would be second or third pairing guys anywhere else. Maatta was miserable from the OTT series on (IMO), but was on the top pairing half the time. Second, Matt Murray has two Stanley Cups having just finished what was technically his rookie year. And to top it off, we just learned today that he was playing the last two rounds while recovering from a torn hamstring that made him miss the first two rounds. Guentzel, a rookie, led the NHL playoffs in goals. First team to win back-to-back Cups in 19 years. And they had the hardest path to the Cup of any team, going through the 4th best team in the NHL in the first round(!!) and then the best team in the second(!!). You just gotta tip your hats to them. Lastly, of course it was Hornqvist, the former Pred, who got the game and series and championship clinching goal--perfect script.

Post: #28

(05-27-2017 01:16 AM)Sidney Crosby Wrote:  I actually think the Caps need to trade OV. They need to retool and he can probably get you two top prospects and a pick.

Let's say they lose Oshie AND Shattenkirk for nothing (upcoming UFA's) maybe they manage to trade their rights for late picks, They don't have too much else. Ok, they have Backstrom, but he's getting up there.

Holtby is a top 5 goalie though.

A team like Buffalo would have the pieces for that type of deal.

I really don't understand this idea I've seen from so many that the team needs to be blown up and Ovi dealt. Even from our own fanbase, it's just mindboggling. The team's talent is fine, we just won the President's trophy for the second year in a row. It's not like we finally missed the playoffs after several seasons of slowly dropping off so now it's time to blow it all up and rebuild or cut the talent loose. Our coach is a retard. That playoff performance and coaching job was humiliating. Besides, no one is taking that salary for a forward who only plays defense when he feels like it. I don't think he's easy to coach or slide into a system either. He'd probably just retire and go play in the KHL if he was moved. I'd like to see him cut down from 240 to 220 or so. He was still pretty fast for that weight but never once beat any defender entering the zone last season. Wilson hits just fine at the weight.

Shattenkirk was so garbage he was a liability for us and clearly didn't fit into the system, no way he was coming back...and he wants, laughably, #1 money which we could never afford. We'll probably hang onto Oshie, I hope. Backstrom is only 29. Kuznetsov is an ocean of untapped potential and a solid 2nd center when he's not psyching himself out. Johansson is a solid 2nd line winger, but probably replaceable. Burakovsky was looking good before his injury and will probably replace Williams on the second line. We've got Orlov and Schmidt who are both very talented and dynamic to fill out our top 4 on D with Niskanen and Carlson. Orlov showed amazing development during the season and will be a top level player for years to come. Our forth line is really good with Beagle and Winnik and the third was showing chemistry when Wilson moved up there. These Shattenkirk and Eller deals probably won't be a net gain in the long run though. Right wingers is a weakness, especially if Oshie goes, and Williams. Connolly was mostly garbage. I think we're counting on Vrana and Barber as prospects...eh.

I feel like our age issue is mostly overblown, no one is that old. It's mostly money...and we'd actually probably have a much easier time if fucking Oprik wasn't eating up five goddamn million dollars a year being a liability on the third pairing. I'd like to send the entire team to some sports psychiatrist or something. Preferably Anaheim's, that team went through so much shit in the post season and never seemed fazed. Next season is probably a wash though when Ovi, Orlov, and Kuzy go to the Olympics while the rest of the league stays at home and plays hockey.

Fuck Bettman for not letting them go. I got into hockey by watching the NHLers in the olympics.

Post: #29

Oh and congrats to the Penguins for working their asses off and winning The Cup. And who, if they stay healthy next year, will surely kick my team's ass yet again...if we even make it into the playoffs.



there, I did it...

Post: #30

I can't say enough about Matt Murray. The series was tied 2-2, and he shut out the Predators twice. That was 51 shots. The Pens wouldn't have won either Cup without him.

How many guys have had two shutouts in the finals? How many guys have done it in the deciding game and in the game before that?

Post: #31

Terry Sawchuk in '52, Johnny Mowers in '43, and Earl Robertson in '37, had a shutout in the deciding game and in the game before that.

Others with 2 shutouts in Finals from 1953 to 2016:

Gerry McNeil, 1953: Games 3 and 5, won in 5.

Gump Worsley, 1965: 2 shutouts, Game 2 and 7.

Patrick Roy, 2001: 2 shutouts, Games 1 and 6, won in 7.

Martin Brodeur, 2003: 3 shutouts, Games 1, 2, and 7.

Chris Osgood, 2008: 2 shutouts, Games 1 and 2, won in 6.

Tim Thomas, 2011: 2 shutouts, Games 4 and 7.

Roberto Luongo, 2011: 2 shutouts, Games 1 and 5

Post: #32

(06-17-2017 05:36 PM)puckerman Wrote:  I can't say enough about Matt Murray. The series was tied 2-2, and he shut out the Predators twice. That was 51 shots. The Pens wouldn't have won either Cup without him.

How many guys have had two shutouts in the finals? How many guys have done it in the deciding game and in the game before that?

And how many rookies are 2 time Stanley Cup champions?

Post: #33

I wouldn't blame Bettman for the NHL not going to Olympics. The NHL isn't compensated fairly and there is a huge risk of injury to the players. If I was a team would I want to send my best players and then have them get a season ending injury?

Post: #34

(06-17-2017 07:00 PM)Sidney Crosby Wrote:  I wouldn't blame Bettman for the NHL not going to Olympics. The NHL isn't compensated fairly and there is a huge risk of injury to the players. If I was a team would I want to send my best players and then have them get a season ending injury?

Well they do the World Hockey Classic and given the grind of that plus a full NHL season it's wise he doesn't do that.

Post: #35

Did anyone see Marcel Dionne and Aly Raisman in an awards show? Marcel complimented Aly on her legs. Aly didn't care and just took it in stride. Others have been having a hissyfit about it.

Post: #36

Been a fun week for the NHL with the expansion draft, awards, jersey reveals, trades, and now the entry draft.

ARI looking to compete now with some solid moves.

Panarin for Saad is puzzling. Hawks also lose the Hammer deal.

Draft is going to be interesting. After Nico/Nolan it'll be a crapshoot. I predict the top ten...

1. Hischier
2. Patrick
3. Heiskanen
4. Makar
5. Vilardi
6. Mittelstadt
7. Glass
8. Pettersson
9. Necas
10. Tippett

The steal of the draft will be whoever picks Suzuki.

Vegas getting flack for poor expansion draft but did well considering most of the big names were never actually available to begin with. Also did well with their inaugural jersey despite what most people think.

Post: #37

Couple reasons for the Saad trade: Panarin was disappearing in the playoffs and is primarily a perimeter player. Guy's a goal scorer for sure but a lot of that was by virtue of playing with Kane. Lets see how he does away from Kane and playing for Tortorella. Panarin is getting 6M now and his contract is up in 2 years. No way the Hawks would be able to keep him. Saad on the other hand is signed for another 5 years at 6M.

Saad is fast, much better in the D zone and is still able to put up points, albeit not as much as Panarin. He's physical and will go to the dirty areas that Panarin would not. As a Hawks fan I'm quite happy with this trade. Plus they got a decent goalie prospect who will likely be Crawford's back up which they really needed.

As for Hjalmarsson, same issue with the contract so they sold him off. I feel his game is going to drop off soon due to his style of play with all the shot blocking. Hawks got a couple of good younger players in this deal so this one is one I can live with. Hawks are likely not done yet.

Post: #38

@doc holliday

I get that but I see it as front office trying to prop up Toews and thinking Kane can score with just anybody on his line. In a vacuum the Hawks are now weaker up front and on the backend. For a team in win now mode who also lost Hossa, it's puzzling.

IMO the value of cost controlling that LW and RD slots outweigh the decline of players like Toews, Seabrook, Keith, and Crawford as they age.

Being a Nucks fan I'm familiar with Torts. He won't make the same mistake in Columbus and will allow Panarin to play his game which is exactly what CBJ needs anyway.

Post: #39

I agree that Toews needs to find his game again if the Hawks have any hope of being a Cup champion. The thing the Hawks are trying to do is to get younger and faster. The core is getting older and the only way they can continue having success is to get younger players in to go along with the younger guys they already have like Schmaltz and Hartman. Plus Toews and Kane are only 29 years old so they still have a few years left. They are weaker on the back end so lets see what they do to bolster that.

Haven't paid much attention to the Canucks. What are they doing these days to get better? Any hope there?

Post: #40

Zero hope for the Canucks but I can't seem to walk away. Bad case of oneitis for this bitch of a hockey team.

Terrible front office. Meddling owner. Old stale core. Possibly the softest team in the league. Only positive is decent prospects in the pipeline but still nothing to write home about.

Sedins are old but still serviceable as second liners. Horvat emerging as a solid two way center. The back end is atrocious, our 1D is Tanev. We'll be a lottery team for the next 3 years at least which is actually a good thing.

Greedy ownership took a long time to realize it was time for a rebuild. So finally started unloading assets for futures, Hansen for Goldobin, Burrows for Dahlen at the deadline. Went with high skill high ceiling type draft picks this year in Petersson and Lind, which is the right move.

Post: #41

(06-23-2017 12:44 AM)puckerman Wrote:  Did anyone see Marcel Dionne and Aly Raisman in an awards show? Marcel complimented Aly on her legs. Aly didn't care and just took it in stride. Others have been having a hissyfit about it.

Had no idea who she was so just Googled her... and oh boyyy! I wouldn't sell my soul for fame or some shit like that... but damn I think I would in exchange of sticking it that Booty Raw and Lick that fine A$$hole. I'm in love!

       

May the Lord bless that A$$! Amen

Post: #42

(06-24-2017 04:00 PM)MX90 Wrote:  Zero hope for the Canucks but I can't seem to walk away. Bad case of oneitis for this bitch of a hockey team.

Terrible front office. Meddling owner. Old stale core. Possibly the softest team in the league. Only positive is decent prospects in the pipeline but still nothing to write home about.

Sedins are old but still serviceable as second liners. Horvat emerging as a solid two way center. The back end is atrocious, our 1D is Tanev. We'll be a lottery team for the next 3 years at least which is actually a good thing.

Greedy ownership took a long time to realize it was time for a rebuild. So finally started unloading assets for futures, Hansen for Goldobin, Burrows for Dahlen at the deadline. Went with high skill high ceiling type draft picks this year in Petersson and Lind, which is the right move.

I saw Utica play a lot last year as a Marlies fan. Demko has the makings of a future #1 goalie. Jordan Subban is also dangerous offensively for a Dman. There are at least a few bright spots already in the farm system over there.

Post: #43

Bumping this thread for the 2018 Stanley Cup. Capitals vs. Golden Knights. Tied 1-1 and coming to DC tonight.

I must say I didn't want to jinx it, but I had a feeling the Caps would be in it this year. Facing Pittsburgh I felt believe it or not was a blessing. No way they were going to lose to them three playoff series in a row plus the Pens were not the same team from the previous years, especially without Fleury. Had the Caps faced Philly in the second round we might be talking about Washington's dreaded "second round curse".

I am going with the Capitals to win. Their physicality combined with Ovechkin's determination to win the Cup and the Washington's crowds energy should be enough to put them over the edge. Not to mention Holtby is playing out of this world. He has made some big saves this playoffs that simply weren't there in the Capitals' previous playoff years when they choked.

Post: #44

Yeah man that save by Holtby late in that last game was just unbelievable.

   


Only thing I worry about with the Caps is there ability to keep up with the Knights speed. Those guys just swarm all over the ice and they just took Winnipeg to school with that speed. Definitely would like to see Ovechkin win his first Cup, especially since he was finally able to beat Crosby this year.

Post: #45

(06-02-2018 02:20 PM)doc holliday Wrote:  Yeah man that save by Holtby late in that last game was just unbelievable.




Only thing I worry about with the Caps is there ability to keep up with the Knights speed. Those guys just swarm all over the ice and they just took Winnipeg to school with that speed. Definitely would like to see Ovechkin win his first Cup, especially since he was finally able to beat Crosby this year.

That save will definitely be played over and over again if the Capitals win this series. Also noted that Washington killed a 5-3 advantage in that game as well. That was CRUCIAL. I thought for sure Vegas would score, especially with the Capitals giving up so many power play goals in the playoffs.

Yeah the Knights are a fast team, they have been playing very physical this series too. But I think its in response to the Caps bringing it themselves. Washington is doing it by the book, play physical hockey to neutralize Vegas' speed, as well as good defense and goal tending. As long as the Caps neutralize the penalties they will be alright.

Post: #46

MD the Caps played that physical, tight D game to a tee last night. If Holtby hadn't messed up that clearing attempt, he would have had a shutout. I'm very impressed with how the Caps are playing and I'm now starting to believe they can win the Cup. I really though Vegas would win this series but I'm not so sure about that anymore. Can't wait for game 4.

Post: #47

(06-03-2018 02:04 PM)doc holliday Wrote:  MD the Caps played that physical, tight D game to a tee last night. If Holtby hadn't messed up that clearing attempt, he would have had a shutout. I'm very impressed with how the Caps are playing and I'm now starting to believe they can win the Cup. I really though Vegas would win this series but I'm not so sure about that anymore. Can't wait for game 4.

Going for Ovi to win that first Cup. It's not just the Penguins of years past, but this Caps team has blown many winnable playoff series against the meh Rangers. Not taking anything away from Tampa in 2015 either, but that was another winnable round the Caps blew too.

Post: #48

Game 4 tonight! Can the Caps win again at home? Will Vegas figure out the Caps stifling D? Should be a great game tonight, cannot wait.

Post: #49

(06-03-2018 10:31 PM)Brosemite Wrote:  Going for Ovi to win that first Cup. It's not just the Penguins of years past, but this Caps team has blown many winnable playoff series against the meh Rangers. Not taking anything away from Tampa in 2015 either, but that was another winnable round the Caps blew too.

I remember the 2015 series. The Capitals just had to hold on for a minute and a half in the 3rd period and they would've went to the Conference Finals to win the series. They blew that, then lost both games 6 and 7. Besides Montreal in 2010 that was probably the worst choke job of any of the Capitals' playoff series.

(06-03-2018 02:04 PM)doc holliday Wrote:  MD the Caps played that physical, tight D game to a tee last night. If Holtby hadn't messed up that clearing attempt, he would have had a shutout. I'm very impressed with how the Caps are playing and I'm now starting to believe they can win the Cup. I really though Vegas would win this series but I'm not so sure about that anymore. Can't wait for game 4.

Other than that botched clearing attempt, Holtby's play has been nothing short of legendary. The clutch save in game two then the almost shut out in game three.

Post: #50

Holtby has to keep outplaying Fleury but so far, so good. He's been excellent the last two games. I love how the Washington D is clearing rebounds and not giving Vegas second and third chances, something Winnipeg failed at miserably. Their D game is the biggest difference between this year and the choke jobs of years past.