The NHL Thread

[coldengrey12]

Originally Posted by dmbetc

Canadian World Cup jerseys look slick.

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/03/2016...hockey-jerseys

Those Europeans ones are a disaster.

Originally Posted by swordo84

What are the playoffs? (am I saying that right? Play-offs?)

They're games that take place *after* the regular season when you're really good.

The Oilers used to know that time of year well! I think his name was Great-Sky. Gretz-Key? Something like that.

[daveshookme]

September rosters look dope for the most part. USA gonna be hard to top but there's some great D-men out there that can really work the zone.

[Brohan_Santana]

Originally Posted by barbogast

Oh I don't blame the Rangers when the Caps lose. Never have. And I mean it's the way it's always been, especially over the past 8 years or whatever since we've started meeting virtually every year in the playoffs. I have nothing but love for Rangers fans, especially the ones in here. Same for the Pens and Flyers fans in here. I think you guys are swell and I'm happy for you guys when your teams do well. I'll admit I'm a tad jealous I've never felt it. But I have never blamed the Rangers certainly. And while it's true I won't ever root for any of the aforementioned teams, that doesn't necessarily mean I'm not happy for you guys as fans when your team experiences good fortune nor do I rejoice in your disappointment if your team does end up losing.

I'm honestly surprised you're as fond of the Caps as you are. It's been a pretty heavy rivalry for close to a decade now.

I'm with Barbs on this one. When the Caps/Rags face-off against each other I hate the Rags with a passion. But last year when the Rangers went on I surprisingly didn't have a huge disdain or hatred for them, very surprised. I also think it had a lot to do with the fact that it was a Caps let down and not Rangers truly beating them last year. I also always used to love a good Torts meltdown in the playoffs. Really made for some good lulz

[Brohan_Santana]

Originally Posted by barbogast

Agreed. It's like they kinda just wait around until they win. Which most nights they're good enough to do that. The record doesn't indicate it, and it may sound weird if you aren't paying close attention to the team, but they haven't been all that great for the last couple weeks. Kinda sloppy, pretty passive. Waiting for things to happen. Just kinda feels lethargic.

All of this. Next couple weeks will be a true test to Trotz and the leadership of the team to get them focused and back on track. The issue has been not coming out and setting the tone.

In all honesty I'm kind of ok with them 'cruising' right now. They just need to turn it on come end of March.

I've noticed recently too that the Caps 3rd line production has severely dwindled lately. When they were crushing that 3rd line was really producing and rolling. I think I saw Chimera only had 6 points all month in February, which is not necessarily on pace to his previous production this year.

One thing I've noticed over the past couple months is Wilson's play has been much more controlled. Not sure if Trotz had him start controlling his play recently to try and shake his 'bad boy' image. But there was a point earlier in the year where any questionable hit or play by Wilson the refs were blowing the whistle very quickly....Just did a quick look and calculation, last year Wilson had a 2.56 PIM/game and it's down to 2.16 this year.

[TMoore4075]

Well that sucked....that is all.

[Roose13]

Love North America's roster so far. There are still seven spots left and you have to believe Gostisbehere will be on it.

What do you guys think of the jerseys? I think they all look really good.

[barbogast]

The jerseys all look great. Finland's looks the best, which is often the case at international tournaments.

[Lcsulla]

Damn, last night was some wild games. No idea how the Caps did not blow out the leafs instead of coming back to eek out a one goal win against lowly Toronto. Also not sure how Anahein had to win in a shootout against lowly Montreal. Also surprised that Chicago pretty much blew out a solid Wings team. 2 late goals (one PP goal) made it a bit more interesting but the outcome was never really in doubt. Equally I have no idea why a penalty was not called for roughing when that dickhead essentially bashed Desjardins head first into the board. Nice to see Ladd get his first goal for Chicago this season. Solid play from Crawford (including some highlight reel saves) throughout the game. Seabrook and Kane each had 3 point (each a goal and two assists) - no idea why teams do not do their homework and do better stopping the rifles he puts on net, also no idea why teams give Kane so much open ice to work with. Another two goals by Panarin. Fun game to watch all around, now just repeat this tonight in Boston.

[fonzz41]

That Anaheim/Montreal game was a blast to watch.

Montreal has so many injuries and has written off the playoffs, so they dressed all these kids, probably just to give them some NHL experience before the end of the season. I felt like I didn't recognize half the names I was seeing on the backs of their sweaters (all French Canadian though, of course).

Anyways, you could tell they were all trying to prove they belong in the NHL, and it led to a fun physical matchup, as you know Anaheim's not going to back down from the chippy stuff. Just a good, entertaining hockey game where I had no vested interested in either team and could just enjoy it.

[Roose13]

I find it bull shit that Giroux isn't on Canada's roster.

[kev87lads]

Probably because the Canadian police hate him. Lobbied to keep him out again like in 2014. #conspiracytheory #melgibson

[JRS1386]

Giroux, just like his line mates Fata and Daigle, does not get the respect he deserves.

[fonzz41]

Originally Posted by Roose13

I find it bull shit that Giroux isn't on Canada's roster.

1) The roster isn't full yet, so there's still a chance. This fact slightly dampened my joy of not seeing Subban on the initial list.

2) Who would he replace on the current roster?

But yeah, Daigle's snub is a damn travesty.

[unccrombie]

what an awful last 3 minutes for the rangers.
gave up 3 goals in like 2:25

[BeyondKnight]

what an amazing last 3 minutes for the Pens.
took 3 goals in like 2:25

[unccrombie]

Hank out for the 3rd?
wtffffffff

[dmbetc]

Originally Posted by unccrombie

Hank out for the 3rd?
wtffffffff

He let in 3 goals in 2:25 though

[BeyondKnight]

Wow, I wonder if they yanked him or if he sat himself down. He didn't even come back to the bench,

[unccrombie]

Originally Posted by dmbetc

He let in 3 goals in 2:25 though

really unspirited game all around, so who knows

[unccrombie]

Caps are going to wax us 6-0 tomorrow if we play like this

[Lcsulla]

Dammit, let down game by the Hawks today. They had their chances but could only convert 2 of them. They just got beaten all over the ice and are lucky to only have lost by 2.

[AJF_41]

wild squeak one out
need fl now
#avscollapse

[TMoore4075]

Wings need to pull their heads out of their asses. Florida is nosediving. Get your butts moving and maybe you can move up.

[hailtopitt]

Originally Posted by unccrombie

what an awful last 3 minutes for the rangers.
gave up 3 goals in like 2:25

that escalated quickly

that Crosby goal was awesome. nothing Hank could do about that, just quick reaction on Crosby's part

Originally Posted by unccrombie

Hank out for the 3rd?
wtffffffff

Originally Posted by BeyondKnight

Wow, I wonder if they yanked him or if he sat himself down. He didn't even come back to the bench,

do you think he may have been actually hurt? or just too embarrassed from purposely knocking the net off like a baby?

[unccrombie]

Originally Posted by hailtopitt

that escalated quickly

that Crosby goal was awesome. nothing Hank could do about that, just quick reaction on Crosby's part





do you think he may have been actually hurt? or just too embarrassed from purposely knocking the net off like a baby?

the ESPN ticker said he had neck spasms.
not sure how much I was buying that.

Pens had him rattled when he lost his stick and shot the puck at him on the whistle.

[hailtopitt]

Originally Posted by unccrombie

the ESPN ticker said he had neck spasms.
not sure how much I was buying that.

Pens had him rattled when he lost his stick and shot the puck at him on the whistle.

yea, it was nice to see the Pens rattle a team instead of the other way around

however, that game was way more important for the Pens than it was for the Rags

Rags need to get it together on the road though or they aren't going anywhere in the playoffs

[unccrombie]

Originally Posted by hailtopitt

yea, it was nice to see the Pens rattle a team instead of the other way around

however, that game was way more important for the Pens than it was for the Rags

Rags need to get it together on the road though or they aren't going anywhere in the playoffs

worst road PK in the league
agreed, sir.
tonight should be....interesting

[hailtopitt]

Originally Posted by unccrombie

worst road PK in the league
agreed, sir.
tonight should be....interesting

rooting for Caps in that one, as much as it pain me to say that

if Rags lose tonight and Pens win tomorrow, we'll only be 4 points behind

[barbogast]

Lundqvist

That's gotta be the most extreme example of intentional dislodging of the goal I've ever seen

[hailtopitt]

Originally Posted by barbogast

Lundqvist

That's gotta be the most extreme example of intentional dislodging of the goal I've ever seen

it was ridiculous

probably a good thing he didn't come out for the 3rd period because after he dislodged the net, the crowd was ON him