Re: The NHL Thread
 

Honestly neither one scares me at all. Only thing that scares me is the Caps themselves.

Yep. Or 2-0 or 3-0 or any lead really. I hate to harp on it but if it's a series of regular season games they'd probably win them all. We'll see I guess.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

See my replies above

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Love the pic of Perry crying and the Dallas tough guy (Benn I assume) is damn funny as well. I honestly think we are gonna see another conference final between LA and CHI and it will be a damn good series!

PS - shove the OT GIF of that fucking game 7 loss where the sun doesn't shine!!!! :)

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Just look at it this way - it's all she has to use since the Kings didn't even make the playoffs last year while the Hawks were busy winning their 3rd Cup in 6 years.

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And hey, let us not forget the Avs. Sitting in last place in the West at one point, they are now pretty firmly in the second wildcard spot, only one point behind Minnesota for the first. A lot of that success has come from playing well in their division, beating teams a number of times who were ahead of them in the standings.

Now don't get me wrong; I don't harbor any illusions that that the Avs could beat the Hawks or Kings in a playoff series. But the improvement is encouraging. They're firmly middle-of-the-pack, but they seem to be getting better.

Their stars are scoring, their defense has improved (but still needs work), their depth is solid (I don't know if this is much to brag about, but I would contend they have the best 4th line in the league), and Varlamov is back to playing really well.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

I won't deny this.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

http://abload.de/img/foote6gwsdn.gif
http://abload.de/img/foote3wlsdd.gif
http://abload.de/img/foote10o1sj2.gif

Re: The NHL Thread
 

True!

Agreed, they are making progress, if they were in the Eastern conference they'd be in playoff contention.

Mainly because you can't. :)

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I've been meaning to bring this up for a while, but kept forgetting.

I'm praying for a Hawks/Avs series so I can go to games in Denver. :thumbsup

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It would be awesome and I'd definitely try to meet up with you there for at least one! :thumbsup

Plus, even though I'm sure the Hawks would come out victorious, that would be a helluva hockey series with how well the Avs have played against the Hawks the last couple seasons. Of all the teams in the wild card race, Hawks/Avs would be the best.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

10-4 :thumbsup
This is the second-nicest thing you've ever done for me. :hug

Plus, look at those dance moves on that first GIF. The guy didn't score much, but when he did...

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Even when he falls down.. http://abload.de/img/foote9ftoy0.gif I wish that gif was a little bit longer

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I knew what that was going to be before I clicked on it. :lol One of my faves.

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I always feel a little amped up for Flyers/Penguins.

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^ Agreed. And about time. Game 45 and facing them for the first time. Glad it's a home game for us at Consol.

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The good Schenn!

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Penguins finally beat the Flyers. ::slow golf clap::

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Mason playing his ass off because the team in front of him is hot garbage the last two periods.

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Well the Flyers made it interesting in the end.

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Ugh it was on Schenn's stick too. Pens deserved that win. Out-worked Philly the last 40 minutes. Mason was a monster.

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Motherfucking Tampa breaking the Hawks win streak with a damn power play goal. No idea why Kane was penalized coming out of the box. Fuck Tampa, fuck Jeb Bush and fuck florida in general. Cocksuckers. Kane with another assist though.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Don't click this link, don't watch the video at this link
http://deadspin.com/matt-hendricks-s...lls-1754418987

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There's absolutely no question about that. I'll rep my Bolland sweater if you rep your Foote.

Can't touch the puck before you've established yourself on the ice (a.k.a. steel on ice). Kane's skate hadn't touched yet. VERY close call. No idea how the ref was able to catch it that close, but it was the right call.

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Next time some idiot girl asks me "lol does it really hurt THAT bad?!" I'm going to show her that video.

A guy who would probably block a shot with his face and not leave the ice just collapsed like a sack of flour. Fuck, Gregory Campbell broke his fucking leg and finished his shift.

Not even Superman could stay on his feet after taking a shot to his beanbag.

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His skate hit the ice no puck or skate. Watch the replay again, simply awful call.

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Nice that Gogo gave him a tap on the shins while he skated off like "shit, sorry man."

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I know not to click that from seeing it already. I love the collective groan from the crowd when they must have shown the replay

Islanders haven't played since Sunday. I'm in withdrawal and need a game.

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did the Pens beat the Flyers at home last night or was that one of those Twilight Zone dreams that i have from time to time?

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:lol I almost like seeing the Hawks lose just to see your tirades after.
I haven't watched the replay and don't even really know the whole circumstances, but were BOTH skates down, i.e., fully out of the box and "established" like Chris said? They've gotta be fully on the ice. Just like if a player tries to play the puck when he's still halfway on the bench. Anyways, sounds like it was a close call.

No question.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

I probably would too. It is just an immediate reaction after the event. Nothing I can do about it - truthfully I wish I could just take it in stride like most because in general I am a very laid back person. Apologies to all.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Interesting article on the evolution of the Whalers logo and the cult following they have to this day. Have to say I was shocked to learn the NHL is still making money on the logo though, if I had to make a guess I would assume the designer who holds the patent would be making that money at this point.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/14...s-logo-endures

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Hartford Brass all the way! If the NHL is still licensing the logo from whoever holds the patent, I think the NHL would also make money I think?

Also, on a random note, I very briefly dated a girl whose dad was the Whalers' team dentist.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

It might have been. I was there and that place was louder than I thought possible.

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Agreed but why is the designer and patent holder not making a penny? He could make a case for a civil suit to get some money out of it and likely win but he just does not want to go through the legal nonsense which would probably cost him more than he would make by winning a suit.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

yea it was a great crowd for once

wish it was like that every night

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Only watched the first 8 minutes of the game last night and then passed out. Been sick for the past week sucks.

I'm just going to assume Flyers pulled out a gritty 1-0 win in their second home.

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:lol Flyers PP looked like it usually does against the Pens

but unfortunately for you, fatty Phil popped in a couple easy ones

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Flyers were capital B-A-D from minutes 21-55.

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Pretty incredible the league is planning to go ahead with the Ducks/Caps game this afternoon. How they think Anaheim flying out at 9pm is gonna actually happen is a mystery to me.

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They've wised up and postponed the game. No makeup date as yet.

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Just heard, and was coming back to post. Though this was the correct decision, rescheduling is going to prove nightmarish. Ducks only come back east once and the Caps are on the road while they are here. Basically the 3 options:

A) 3/13, which is the only day that both teams are available and no CBA rules are violated. Keep in mind the Caps play in San Jose on 3/12, so we're talking insane travel turn around for the Caps.

B) play two games when the Caps are in Anaheim on 3/7. This isn't great as this eliminates a home game for the Caps.

C) tack it onto the end of the season and play it on 4/10. This seems like the most desirable option. Still not great as both teams are in the midwest on 4/9. But no rules are violated. And it's equally fair.

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D) they play the game online in NHL 2016 and air it for everyone to watch. All players must play as themselves.

Xbone or PS4 to be voted on by the fans.

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:lol:lol:thumbsup

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Holy shit can we make this happen?!

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Fascinating look at Jagr and the work he puts in off the rink:

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/f...21-column.html

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John Torterella got injured at a Jackets practice after colliding with Rene Bourque.

I don't mean to laugh, but

:lol :lol :lol :lol :lol

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That's making me register to read this story.:rattle

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Fractured 2 ribs. That's gonna hurt for awhile.

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Wow, that was about the worst game Chicago has played in like 5 seasons. They couldn't do anything right, lousy O, bad D and awful goaltending. Bet they cannot wait to get out of florida soon enough. Just plain awful tonight.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

cry me a river

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I love when fans of good teams act so dramatic

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Blackhawks a bunch of cocksuckers, amirite?

;)

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Bunch of *filthy lying no good dirty cheating Commie cocksuckers

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Tomorrow's Caps/Pens tilt also postponed. Caps now looking at having to make up 2 games.

Of course, with how things are going this year they could just play 80 and still finish ahead of the rest of you clowns

Yes I know, *insert playoff joke here*

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Flyers and Islanders also postponed

Re: The NHL Thread
 

When you get outplayed as bad as Chicago did last night there isn't really much to bitch about. They deserved to loose. Yeah, I vent when my teams loose a tight game due to not finishing or making mental mistakes but when you get clobbered 4-0 without really taxing the opponent you just have to deal with it and wait for the next game. I am also a fan of both the Yankees and Raiders so I have had moments where I was so happy I was jumping up and down but I have also watched games where I wanted to throw the remote against a wall.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

You realize it is not loose, right?

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Guess I should take the word of a Flyers fan on this one. :)

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http://giphy.com/gifs/cheezburger-fa...14oWGhudXABkUE

:Ricky

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Crazy stat: because of the snow this weekend and the all star game next weekend, the Caps are currently in a stretch where they will only play 3 games in 15 nights

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Actually it's weirder than I thought: between 1/20 and 2/1, a 13 day stretch, the Capitals will play exactly once. For a team that already has played less games than most, they're gonna up 6 and 7 back on some teams once the all star break passes. That's crazy.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

You and I have slightly different definitions of "crazy stat."

Re: The NHL Thread
 

I guess read a dictionary then?

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k........

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:lol that's a weird response

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:popcorn

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Because yours was an oddly condescending response. How is someone supposed to respond to "go read a dictionary."

A crazy stat is that if Gretzky never scored a goal, he'd still be the all-time leader in points. Or that Ray Rourque never finished worse than 7th in Norris voting between the ages of 19-40. Or that the Edmonton Oilers scored 446 goals in 80 games during the 1983-84 season.

A crazy stat isn't that a blizzard and the All-star game break made an east coast team have some time off.

brb though, reading the dictionary.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Your initial reply seemed oddly condescending to me, so I proceeded accordingly

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That's a lot of down time. The first couple games back could be tough

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Ok ok. You guys like each other. Back to your corners. It's fine. Hard to read tone through the interwebs. Breathe. Breathe.

And return to the center. And...... Hug.

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Holy hell that Kings Sharks game.

Woman boner.

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Watch those highlights ya'll. Gonna get me a Vinny sweater for sure.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Yeah that was both fun and painful at the same time.

Just another day in the NHL thread.

Speaking of threads, my pops just got my the new Avs 3rd sweater for my b-day! Can't wait to get a #55 on it.

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Saw it. It's awesome.

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why don't you just throw 200 dollars down the drain.

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Here's a highlight video..Go to 1:30 for the good stuff (to the end). That doughty PP goal is extra special because Mike Brown is in the box for an elbow to the head on Doughty. Doughty was fired up on that goal. Sweet revenge (nasty hit is in link below).

https://sports.yahoo.com/video/los-a...061632912.html (highlights)


https://cdn.streamable.com/video/mp4/d0kx_1.mp4 (hit)
https://gfycat.com/PositiveHastyAcouchi (different view) - Will he be suspended? Probably not since Doughty wasn't hurt. :rolleyes
http://gfycat.com/DisgustingGratefulEmu (after the PP goal)

Now, that was a hockey game. I never get tired of spoiling the Sharks dreams of beating LA. Gabby shot...:hump That pass from Brown to the net at 12 secs left? :hump

Re: The NHL Thread
 

That really was a great game to see. Admittedly I initially was cheering for the Sharks because my lil brother has been rooting for them since the Whalers skipped town but once they tied it up so late I began to hope LA would win.

The West is stacked with solid teams this season, with the exception of Winnipeg, Edmonton and Calgary any of these teams can beat one another on any given night. When it comes to the playoffs though I think there is a very good chance we will see another Chicago/LA conference final. Dallas is solid but if you can contain Benn and Sequin their production drops dramatically and their defense and goaltending is average. Ditto with St. Louis, shit down Tarasenko and Steen and the production drops and their D is average but their goalies are outstanding.

That is not to say that Chicago and LA don't have some issues to work on but they are not as big a problem. Crawford is a good goalie but he is not great, their defense bails him out a lot when he has a brain fart. With LA their D could use some work but Quick is so good that he compensates for their D when needed.

The east is odd too. Except Columbus, Buffalo and Toronto I think any of those teams can beat each other. I think TB, NYR, NYI and Washington are the favorites to make deep playoff runs.

Lot of parity in both conferences so I expect an exciting second half and great playoffs.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Not really related to the NHL but I went skating yesterday with an old friend. She wanted to go to our local rink for a skate. I had no intention of renting figure skates and breaking my neck so I stopped by my house and grabbed my hockey bag. Got there, paid and then was told I could not bring my stick on the rink for safety reasons. I felt almost naked and it was damn frustrating. A few times I was backskating or doing things that just come naturally and I'd see a small child or older person in my path and had to make a quick switch and almost busted my ass a few times because I did not have a stick to balance myself better. It was fun but a nice pickup game would have been better!

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Huge win for my boys last night as their last game before the break. Especially since they struggle on Long Island.

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Boy it would be nice if I could see some hockey and have some thoughts about it

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All-star game is in a couple days for ya.

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I really wish they would've let John Scott wear his IceCaps jersey at the skills competition. That would've been awesome

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Barbs. Chances the flyers can beat the caps tomorrow?

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Nice article (complete with some video's) about Gretzky for his 55th birthday. I know I am older than many people here so I figured I would share this so you can see some of what I got to see when the great one was in his prime! I remember growing up half an hour from Hartford and going to plenty of Whalers games and anytime the Oilers came to town that arena was packed! Loved watching him play live, he was so much better than anyone else in the NHL I would find myself cheering for him even though he would constantly destroy the Whalers!

http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/14...-55th-birthday

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Do you think he has a chance to win any of the skills competitions though? It is a good story line but lets be honest, he is not that great a player.

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2%

No I don't think he's really got a chance. I just think it would be awesome to see him in an AHL sweater. Would've been a nice ending to all this ridiculousness.

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I really want to see John Scott just toss sauce all over the ice.

"Dangle, snipe, and celly boys." - John Scott

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Avs down 5-1 in the 3rd to the Sharks, MacKinnon just scored a BEAUTY of a PPG. Like, perfect snipe. The best part though? No celly. He knew the position the Avs were in, and despite scoring a gorgeous goal that he should be proud of, he just skates away. Didn't so much as smile. I love that about [most] hockey players.

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First, thanks Ducks. Wings needed that help. Second, wow Hawks. Go form 12 in a row to this? Not a huge deal at this part of the year and we're they are in the standings but I opened the app on my phone last night to check the scores and saw the Hawks score and said "holy shit" out loud.

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Now that tour dates are released, I'm back on Ants! I'm sorry to have not been here this season, but I'm sure that now that I am, my Caps will begin to tank, and it will be all my fault. I'm a bit scared that between Snowzilla and the All Star break, tonight is their only game in a two-week span.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Mason hurt and Couturier is out for tonight's game.

Flyers lose 195-2.

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I turned it off after two periods, they just looked helpless. Sloppy play all over the ice: no extended time in the Canes zone by any of our lines really, no control near the center ice, dumb mental mistakes, plenty of turnovers, defense looked awful - they gave Carolina so many opportunities to pepper the net with shots from the blue line with clear lanes to the net and basically allowed the canes to dictate the flow of the game. It would be easy to blame Crawford and Darling but with the exception of giving up too many second chances neither played all that bad - their defense just did nothing to help them like we are used to seeing. Without some great saves that game could easily have been 7 or 8 to nothing. They got outplayed, plain and simple, and deserved to loose. No worries though really, every team hits rough patches and if you look back they have won 13 of their last 16 games. Perfect timing for us on the all star break, they can relax a bit with the time off, reflect on the fact that they are still the best team in the West and defending champs to regain confidence and hopefully come back on a roll and win enough games to secure home ice advantage come playoff time.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Completely agree, this has been a charade since day one. He doesn't even belong in the all star game let alone being named a captain!

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Sup bro. Team's pretty good this year, eh?

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That's a crazy stat!! ;)

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:lol I thought about saying something along these lines

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Can't complain! Looking forward to the game tonight.

What's even crazier is that they're 3 points up on the Hawks for most in the league, and because of the postponed games, they have an incredible six games in hand. They're 6 points up on the Stars with 4 games in hand, and 10 points up on Florida with three games in hand. In the Metro, they're 14 points ahead of the Rags with three games in hand.

But they have the highest PDO in the league, so this is going to come back to earth at some point. Just hopefully not (but probably, because Caps) in the playoffs.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

I honestly won't be surprised by a win or loss. Caps are real rusty but they're also real good. Could go either way. Neuvirth vs Holtby has me sprung.

I pointed out how crazy all of this is one page ago and was informed it is in fact not that crazy

edit: it's also up to 7 in hand on the Hawks now

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Yeah, I should have backread. Sorry to steal your thunder :lol

And yeah, I didn't math correctly. You're right about the seven games in hand. Just means the Hawks will get more rest down the stretch, gotta wonder when they'll reschedule the Caps games. That Anaheim game in particular is gonna be tough to fit in, what with the whole cross-country thing.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

I assume you saw the story on Russian Machine about the two Swedish guys who flew over for the weekend. Sucks for those dudes! Pretty legit of Leonsis to sit them in the owner's box next time they come though. I honestly think they'll tack the Ducks game onto the end of the season. There's only one other date that works for CBA rules and arena availability and it's the day after the Caps play in San Jose in March. Doable, but somewhat unfair. Wouldn't surprise me if they drop the Pens game in there sometime that week though. I'm surprised we've heard basically nothing with regards to make up dates.