The NHL Thread

[Rebecca De Mornay]

i'll be in NYC this weekend, any NYC area ants know bars that will be showing these games in the morning?

[Rebecca De Mornay]

Originally Posted by coldengrey12

Is there any doubt MacKinnon is gonna win the Conn Smythe? Dude has had a great rookie year.

The Avalanche have been a much better team than I expected, but I'll be surprised if they go farther than the second round of the playoffs. They need a little more seasoning.

I think you mean Calder

Conn Smythe goes to the stanley cup playoff MVP. I'd say there is a little doubt that MacKinnon already has that one wrapped up.

[coldengrey12]

Originally Posted by Rebecca De Mornay

I think you mean Calder

Conn Smythe goes to the stanley cup playoff MVP. I'd say there is a little doubt that MacKinnon already has that one wrapped up.

I know what I said! Avs all the way! Woohoo!

... I mean ... uh ... yes, I meant Calder. *hangs head in shame* Forgive me, it's early.

[TMoore4075]

Originally Posted by Roose13

I just sat here and put them all in my phone. #redeemed

You mean you weren't looking forward to the Latvia and Swiss game on Wednesday??? Sweden and Czech should be good but most of the good games start Thursday.

[Rebecca De Mornay]

I actually really enjoyed watching woman's hockey yesterday, i've never really paid attention to it before. it's a big upgrade from figure skating.

[fonzz41]

Originally Posted by coldengrey12

Is there any doubt MacKinnon is gonna win the Conn Smythe? Dude has had a great rookie year.

The Avalanche have been a much better team than I expected, but I'll be surprised if they go farther than the second round of the playoffs. They need a little more seasoning.

Agree with both your statements (taking into account Mornay's Calder correction).

MacKinnon has been a force to be reckoned with this season. He reminds me a lot of Crosby in that he plays with a lot of sheer will. He simply powers himself to places and wills himself to make things happen. Less attitude than Crosby, maybe a little less pure skill as well, but no one doubts that when he is on the ice, he wants nothing more than to carry his team to victory. That's a quality that, even more than his tremendous skating and creativity, will make him a great player for a long time. He simply wants it more than most. He's been the best player on the ice on a couple nights for the Avs and currently leads the team in goals.

I agree that the Avs probably need to feel the sting of a playoff exit or two before they really take it to the next level. They are young, hungry, talented, and smart, with all the core pieces at every position to win a Cup some day. And they've certainly got some good vets in guys like Jiggy, Sarich, and Talbot to help keep them grounded, but the leadership and future of this team is young. I see them PERHAPS making it to Conference Finals if they really start to gel. Unfortunately, I think Varly is starting to feel the effects of playing more games than he ever has, and that will come into play at the end of the season and going into the playoffs - especially after the Olympics where there is a great chance he will be starting.

None of what I just said though, should discredit the amazing steps the Avs have taken this year. Still a ways to go, but holy shit I'm excited. Everyone keeps talking about making a trade, but I'm starting to feel like they just need to stick it out with who they've got and let the guys gel and grow together.

[TMoore4075]

Originally Posted by Rebecca De Mornay

I actually really enjoyed watching woman's hockey yesterday, i've never really paid attention to it before. it's a big upgrade from figure skating.

Yeah it's not that bad. Problem is that it's really US and Canada and that's about it.

[Rebecca De Mornay]

Russia looked pretty good to me yesterday.

Haven't seen US or Canada play yet.

[HallowBillies7]

Originally Posted by Rebecca De Mornay

Russia looked pretty good to me yesterday.



Haven't seen US or Canada play yet.

Finland's goaltender is insane, I watched Finland vs USA and she got left high and dry by her team most of the game but she is a treat to watch. Something about those Finnish goalies I love watching them, must be something in the water over there.

[TMoore4075]

Originally Posted by HallowBillies7

Finland's goaltender is insane, I watched Finland vs USA and she got left high and dry by her team most of the game but she is a treat to watch. Something about those Finnish goalies I love watching them, must be something in the water over there.

She had like 29 saves or something in the first right? I remember seeing tweets about it.

[coldengrey12]

Originally Posted by fonzz41

Unfortunately, I think Varly is starting to feel the effects of playing more games than he ever has, and that will come into play at the end of the season and going into the playoffs - especially after the Olympics where there is a great chance he will be starting.

His transformation has surprised me a lot. Surely, having one of the greatest goalies in the history of the game as his head coach has had an effect, but I didn't expect it to be so sudden and drastic. He's become much more consistent.

[fonzz41]

Originally Posted by coldengrey12

His transformation has surprised me a lot. Surely, having one of the greatest goalies in the history of the game as his head coach has had an effect, but I didn't expect it to be so sudden and drastic. He's become much more consistent.

Absolutely. Even just watching this year to last year, you can see little nuances in his technique that are sooooo much better, particularly with his glove hand. He's showing a willingness and humility to bettering himself that is cool to see and is not always seen among young players.

I think Roy has helped in that it's nice to have someone who gets the position, but if you ask anyone, they attribute Varly's improvement to Francois Allaire, the Avs' goalie coach - who actually has coached both Roy and Jiggy at points during their career.

This has been a season of tremendous growth for Varly, and you're totally right about his consistency. Rarely is it HIS fault the team loses. I think once he gets used to the rigors of starting 65-ish games as a #1 goalie, look out.

[HallowBillies7]

Originally Posted by TMoore4075

She had like 29 saves or something in the first right? I remember seeing tweets about it.

Yeah and a game before the Olympics when they played USA they said she had 50 something saves. Emrick was saying how she is like a female version of Rask.

[coldengrey12]

Originally Posted by fonzz41

I think Roy has helped in that it's nice to have someone who gets the position, but if you ask anyone, they attribute Varly's improvement to Francois Allaire, the Avs' goalie coach - who actually has coached both Roy and Jiggy at points during their career.

That's one thing I miss by not being in Denver or closer to it. I don't have my finger on the pulse of the team to know details like that.

However, I'm less invested in sports in general during the last few years, so maybe it has nothing to do with where I live.

[TMoore4075]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSbv9TeBl-I

Matty, I saw this and thought you'd enjoy it, even if it is the Wings.

[bonzo48280]

we can all unite now in our hatred of Canada and Russia!

[fonzz41]

Originally Posted by coldengrey12

That's one thing I miss by not being in Denver or closer to it. I don't have my finger on the pulse of the team to know details like that.

S'all good man. I learn (I'm not in COL either) most stuff just from watching the Avs broadcasts. Haynes and McNab are some of the best out there, IMO, in terms of their team knowledge and insights. Let me know if you ever want to talk Avs.

Originally Posted by TMoore4075

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSbv9TeBl-I

Matty, I saw this and thought you'd enjoy it, even if it is the Wings.

ABSOLUTELY PERFECT!!!! THAT is why playing strong defense is done in partnerships, not alone, and why chemistry is such a key component of that partnership. It also illustrates how important the role of the center is in defensive assignments. Without Nyquist picking up his guy (clear back at the blue line), that play wouldn't have been nullified as quickly as it was.

Just perfect, Babcock-esque hockey right there.

Big time kudos to the commentator for pointing that out. People don't notice enough good defense being played.

[~Crashintome89~]

defensive orgasm!

[fonzz41]

<changing pants>

[TMoore4075]

In honor Niinimaa calling it a career today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lx3hZ26BRmU

[swordo84]

Originally Posted by bonzo48280

we can all unite now in our hatred of Canada and Russia!

Hey, fuck you guy! I'm with you on the commies though.

This makes my pants a little tighter;
Kunitz-Crosby-Carter; Sharp-Toews-Nash; Marleau-Getzlaf-Perry; Benn-Tavares-Bergeron; St. Louis/Duchene

[kev87lads]

Originally Posted by TMoore4075

In honor Niinimaa calling it a career today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lx3hZ26BRmU

Know what it is. Not clicking on it.

F 1997 finals.

[dmbetc]

USA Woman scored 3 goals in 55 seconds today? that's awesome.

[salrx95]

Looking forward to some Olympic hockey this week. Only issue is that I leave for Mexico Wednesday morning and not back til Tuesday. So if the resort doesn't carry the NBC sports network or whatever it is called, I'm locked out. Game times are perfect, too, because I'm always up early whereas wife likes to sleep in so I can get some hockey in before starting our day. Wifi will be spotty there so unlikely to get it online.

Looking forward to the Russia game most. Still something about that rivalry and it reminds me of one my all time favorite sports moments and that was the USA - Russia game at MSG during the World Cup in 1996. What an amazing game/experience that was. Top 10 live sporting event moments ever for me, maybe top 5. A lot more left over hatred still there from growing up during the end of the cold war and whole miracle on ice that got me going in my love for hockey.

[Harrycaray]

Originally Posted by TMoore4075

In honor Niinimaa calling it a career today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lx3hZ26BRmU

http://youtu.be/UVIIhPr93To

[bonzo48280]

I can cheer for Team USA and hope for nothing but bad things for David Backes, right? RIGHT?!

[Alazais]

Conversely, I want Kessel and JVR to light it up but for the US to fail MISERABLY.

[bonzo48280]

I want Toews Keith and Sharp to not do well. If they do well that's awesome, but I don't want it to happen.

[~Crashintome89~]

I hope Canada loses miserably in the Olympics.

[swordo84]

Originally Posted by ~Crashintome89~

I hope Canada loses miserably in the Olympics.

Who would you rather see do better, Russia or Canada?