2013 NHL Thread

[Davi323]

I am going to be thrilled if/when the Wings move to the East. Those late night playoff games on the west coast suck big time.

Also, this isn't the first time this team has gone on a losing streak of 6 games in recent memory. They had a 6 game losing streak in the middle of a stretch that saw them lose 10 out of 11 games in 2008 too. Definitely a cause for concern. The team has a recent history of having really rough stretches.

Oh wait. They won the fucking Stanley Cup in 2008. No cause for concern. The Wings are the Wings. Their streaks will eventually even out, and they will simply play at a fairly consistent level...which is usually pretty damn high.

 

[Megatron]

I am going to be thrilled if/when the Wings move to the East. Those late night playoff games on the west coast suck big time.

Also, this isn't the first time this team has gone on a losing streak of 6 games in recent memory. They had a 6 game losing streak in the middle of a stretch that saw them lose 10 out of 11 games in 2008 too. Definitely a cause for concern. The team has a recent history of having really rough stretches.

Oh wait. They won the fucking Stanley Cup in 2008. No cause for concern. The Wings are the Wings. Their streaks will eventually even out, and they will simply play at a fairly consistent level...which is usually pretty damn high.

No need for the hostility, bro. I'm not worried at all about the Wings chances of making the playoffs - I'll believe it when I see it on them missing out - but obviously I want them to compete for the divisional title and get home ice in the first round. Datsyuk and Zetteberg need to meet their expected production, though, if they really wanna challenge the Blackhawks in the Central. They need better production on the road, offensively, then what they've been getting. That's not up for debate. 3 goals in 4 games isn't gonna win you much on the road. These are just observations I've made in the past few games. That's all.

 

[Davi323]

No need for the hostility, bro. I'm not worried at all about the Wings chances of making the playoffs - I'll believe it when I see it on them missing out - but obviously I want them to compete for the divisional title and get home ice in the first round. Datsyuk and Zetteberg need to meet their expected production, though, if they really wanna challenge the Blackhawks in the Central. They need better production on the road, offensively, then what they've been getting. That's not up for debate. 3 goals in 4 games isn't gonna win you much on the road. These are just observations I've made in the past few games. That's all.

Wasn't hostile...more being supportive in a snarky kind of way. Basically, yeah, they are having a tough stretch, but it's not quite time to hit the panic button yet, that's all I was really saying.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

Did I not call that? The New York Rangers + the city of Montréal, Québec + Saturday Nights = recipe for disaster for the last six years, if not longer.

Knew this would be the end of our streak. Absolutely knew it.

Just gotta hope the team regroups and comes out strong against Florida on the 23rd, but speaking of recipes for disasters... Rangers + Holidays + trips to Florida also = major worry for developing a mini-slump here.

 

[hatehabsforever]

Did I not call that? The New York Rangers + the city of Montréal, Québec + Saturday Nights = recipe for disaster for the last six years, if not longer.

Knew this would be the end of our streak. Absolutely knew it.

Just gotta hope the team regroups and comes out strong against Florida on the 23rd, but speaking of recipes for disasters... Rangers + Holidays + trips to Florida also = major worry for developing a mini-slump here.

Give credit where credit is due. You called it right on the money. Now you know why I hate those bastards. Forever.

On a happier note, really pleased with the Bruins current 8 game winning streak. Hopefully it continues, although I think they play the Canadiens on Monday night, and we all know the Bruins' history with those guys. Bastards!

 

[hatehabsforever]

Two burning questions in the NHL tonight.

Do the Bruins extend their winning streak to nine consecutive games, or do the dreaded Habs play streak killer again?

How will the return of the best player in the game go this evening? Will he pick up where he left off, or will he have a significant layer of rust? And how physical will he be, or more significantly, how physically will his opponents play him?

 

[LSN80]

Two burning questions in the NHL tonight.


How will the return of the best player in the game go this evening? Will he pick up where he left off, or will he have a significant layer of rust? And how physical will he be, or more significantly, how physically will his opponents play him?

Two burning questions? Funny, I only see one....

Crosby's return is the biggest thing in the NHL not only tonight, but will continue to be for some time. For Pens fans such as yours truly, the questions you asked here are the ones that we have been asking since the beginning of the season. You know, as a, "When the time comes" type of thing. Well, the time has come, and my nerves are shot as I sit here and watch Dan Bylsma's pregame speech.

As to rust, I don't see how he can't have some. The joke here in Pittsburgh has been that Crosby only enjoys sex due to the cardiovascular aspect of it. He's a freak of nature in terms of his conditioning, but all the conditioning, hitting in practice, and drills can't prepare you for the riggors of a long NHL shift. I expect the Pens will pick their spots with Crosby and won't overexpose him at first in terms of ice time.

As for him shying away from hitting and being hit, I dont see it being an issue, honestly. Crosby has never shyed away from contact, and his doctors have taken every necessary precaution to ensure he's 100%. I've never seen someone be so protected in this fashion in my life, and I truly don't believe Crosby would have come back if he feared or was tentative of being hit in the slightest. That being said, there's no real way to know until he gets on the ice. And I'd expect teams to challenge him physically, they'ld be silly not to. If you feel you can get an advantage by laying an early big hit on Crosby, why not go for it? This is something I expect to be attempted all season.

And he scored 4 minutes in! Rust my ass!

 

[hatehabsforever]

Two burning questions? Funny, I only see one....

Crosby's return is the biggest thing in the NHL not only tonight, but will continue to be for some time. For Pens fans such as yours truly, the questions you asked here are the ones that we have been asking since the beginning of the season. You know, as a, "When the time comes" type of thing. Well, the time has come, and my nerves are shot as I sit here and watch Dan Bylsma's pregame speech.

As to rust, I don't see how he can't have some. The joke here in Pittsburgh has been that Crosby only enjoys sex due to the cardiovascular aspect of it. He's a freak of nature in terms of his conditioning, but all the conditioning, hitting in practice, and drills can't prepare you for the riggors of a long NHL shift. I expect the Pens will pick their spots with Crosby and won't overexpose him at first in terms of ice time.

As for him shying away from hitting and being hit, I dont see it being an issue, honestly. Crosby has never shyed away from contact, and his doctors have taken every necessary precaution to ensure he's 100%. I've never seen someone be so protected in this fashion in my life, and I truly don't believe Crosby would have come back if he feared or was tentative of being hit in the slightest. That being said, there's no real way to know until he gets on the ice. And I'd expect teams to challenge him physically, they'ld be silly not to. If you feel you can get an advantage by laying an early big hit on Crosby, why not go for it? This is something I expect to be attempted all season.

And he scored 4 minutes in! Rust my ass!

Hey, I never suggested he would be rusty, I was simply posing the question. I figured he would pick up right where he left off, and I hope he does. Except for the games when he plays Boston.

By the way, you accidentally forgot the more pressing question

 

[LSN80]

Hey, I never suggested he would be rusty, I was simply posing the question. I figured he would pick up right where he left off, and I hope he does. Except for the games when he plays Boston.

I know you didn't suggest it- I did. I honestly didn't expect him to come out, set up two post shots, and score on a beautiful backhander just 1o minutes in to his first game back. Gave me chills! He answered the questions about shying away from hitting when he hammered Mark Streit & got up right after Hamrlik slammed him into the boards, & simply looked for the puck! Great freaking stuff! A goal & an assist in his first period back! Not too shabby!

By the way, you accidentally forgot the more pressing question

Ill actually get the Bos-Mon matchup @ 7:30 with my package, which ill turn to at the intermission here. As for the Bruins here? My goodness, either the Bruins or IDR's Rangers are the best teams in the East right now, with all apologies to my beloved Penguins. I believe the Habs are the last team to defeat Boston, correct? I don't see that happening tonight, despite how solid their PK has been.

I truly believe Boston goes to 9 in a row tonight, & I'm immensely looking forward to the Pens ending that streak if it's still going on December 5th! Whats been the biggest reason for the major upward swing from their lousy start Habs?

 

[hatehabsforever]

And then it was nine. Exciting night for the Bruins again, bring on the Sabres!

And that Crosby fellow, well I guess he had a pretty exciting night too. A pretty impressive return with two goals and two assists.

 

[NSL]

Did I not call that? The New York Rangers + the city of Montréal, Québec + Saturday Nights = recipe for disaster for the last six years, if not longer.

Knew this would be the end of our streak. Absolutely knew it.

Just gotta hope the team regroups and comes out strong against Florida on the 23rd, but speaking of recipes for disasters... Rangers + Holidays + trips to Florida also = major worry for developing a mini-slump here.

I knew there was a reason I liked you, when you first joined, besides your love of TNA (congrats,by the way)...

On-topic: I'm not too worried about the Florida game. Yes, they're getting hot, or at the least lukewarm, but Tortorella was pretty pissed about the lack of emotion again the Habs, and is drilling the point home. The Rangers have had a sick amount of off days so far (they've pleayed the least amount of games in the league), and the time off was killing them. This game against Florida starts a stretch where they're starting to play more regularly, and that, combined with a new attitude, should get them started right. King Henrik will be well rested (8 days off), and the lines will be better sorted (WTF was Richards doing on the 3rd line in Montreal??).

Basically...I think it'll be a good win, but not an easy one. A well-fought 2-1 or 3-2 shouldn't be far-fetched.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

I knew there was a reason I liked you, when you first joined, besides your love of TNA (congrats,by the way)...

On-topic: I'm not too worried about the Florida game. Yes, they're getting hot, or at the least lukewarm, but Tortorella was pretty pissed about the lack of emotion again the Habs, and is drilling the point home. The Rangers have had a sick amount of off days so far (they've pleayed the least amount of games in the league), and the time off was killing them. This game against Florida starts a stretch where they're starting to play more regularly, and that, combined with a new attitude, should get them started right. King Henrik will be well rested (8 days off), and the lines will be better sorted (WTF was Richards doing on the 3rd line in Montreal??).

Basically...I think it'll be a good win, but not an easy one. A well-fought 2-1 or 3-2 shouldn't be far-fetched.

Florida is for real, IMO. 97% of teams in playoff contention at Thanksgiving have gone on to make them, historically speaking, so the first-place in the South Eastern Panthers are going to be anything but a pushover.

Tortorella was pissed about the lack of emotion in that shit show, granted, and that could start a fire, but the Panthers are structured very similarly to how the Rangers were years ago when we began this mini rebuild to begin with — they work hard on every shift and won't simply roll over like they did in the past.

I'm not nearly as worried about this game as I was about the Montréal game (that I knew we'd lose), but I'm not exactly confident we'll win this with certainty. Like you said, it's probably a hard-fought low-scoring game.

 

[Poop Master Flex]

Looks like a year off the ice didn't slow down Sid one bit, 2 goals and 2 assists in his first game back is pretty impressive if you ask this guy.

Also nice seeing my Red Wings winning some games lately again, I just hope they can keep momentum going and not slump as bad as they did after winning their first 5 games.

Edmonton seems to be slowing down after starting the season flying, not too surprised I still think that team has a few years to go before they become a playoff team.

Florida has been a pleasant surprise this year from what I've seen, I think I'm with IDR in thinking that they are for real this year. I wouldn't be shocked at all for them to take one of the top 3 seeds in the playoffs this year.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

Looks like a year off the ice didn't slow down Sid one bit, 2 goals and 2 assists in his first game back is pretty impressive if you ask this guy.

Also nice seeing my Red Wings winning some games lately again, I just hope they can keep momentum going and not slump as bad as they did after winning their first 5 games.

Edmonton seems to be slowing down after starting the season flying, not too surprised I still think that team has a few years to go before they become a playoff team.

Florida has been a pleasant surprise this year from what I've seen, I think I'm with IDR in thinking that they are for real this year. I wouldn't be shocked at all for them to take one of the top 3 seeds in the playoffs this year.

That I doubt will happen. They will come back to earth when Theodore does, but I still consider them a playoff club. I just think they'll be closer to the 6/7/8 seed then they will the 1/2/3.

They are a byproduct of hard work, and so long as hard work continues to work hard, it'll usually be awarded with more wins than losses despite any team deficiencies.

 

[Poop Master Flex]

That I doubt will happen. They will come back to earth when Theodore does, but I still consider them a playoff club. I just think they'll be closer to the 6/7/8 seed then they will the 1/2/3.

They are a byproduct of hard work, and so long as hard work continues to work hard, it'll usually be awarded with more wins than losses despite any team deficiencies.

You could be right as it will be a feat to take the division from Washington. My only gripe is with the Caps is they are all offense, Vokoun is a decent goalie but not very clutch. They still have a great front line but over the first 20 games of the season are starting to show signs of weakness when usually they are flying during the regular season. The problem with Washington is when Ovechkin stops performing, so does the rest of the team.

Theodore is one of those goalies that can play fantastic when he wants to but at the same time he is inconsistent, you never know when that guy is going to fold.

Florida is definitely a playoff team though, even though they aren't amazing they are hard workers and that can pay dividends especially during the end of the season and playoff time.

 

[NSL]

I'm not nearly as worried about this game as I was about the Montréal game (that I knew we'd lose), but I'm not exactly confident we'll win this with certainty. Like you said, it's probably a hard-fought low-scoring game.

The biggest thing I've noticed the Rangers missing, is a forecheck. We have some solid shooters now (Gaborik, Richards, Callahan), and some great passers (Anisimov, Stepan), but we don't have a body that can get up there, and create shooting lanes, a la Adam Graves. Dubinsky is supposed to be that guy, and is racking up penalty minutes, so he needs to move it from the defensive end, to the offensive zone.

Florida has been a pleasant surprise this year from what I've seen, I think I'm with IDR in thinking that they are for real this year. I wouldn't be shocked at all for them to take one of the top 3 seeds in the playoffs this year.

Playoffs, yes. Top 3 seed...I doubt it. They're eventually going to hit a stretch where the growing pains are too much, and they'll level off, and finish as a 6, or maybe even a good 5. But a 3 they are not. Washington is playing solid, with Ovechkin not even having a "good" season (by his standards).

 

[It's Damn Real!]

The biggest thing I've noticed the Rangers missing, is a forecheck. We have some solid shooters now (Gaborik, Richards, Callahan), and some great passers (Anisimov, Stepan), but we don't have a body that can get up there, and create shooting lanes, a la Adam Graves. Dubinsky is supposed to be that guy, and is racking up penalty minutes, so he needs to move it from the defensive end, to the offensive zone.

Disagree. They were missing a forecheck (as well as just about everything) against Montréal, but under normal circumstances what they lack is creativity, not forecheck.

If you look at the breakdown of the team based on skill v. non-skill (grinder, fighter, etc) it comes down to:

Skilled: Richards, Wolski, Stepan, Anisimov, Gáborík, Del Zotto

Non-Skilled: Avery, Boyle, Callahan, Deveaux, Dubinsky, Fedotenko, Prust, Rupp, Eminger, Girardi, McDonagh, Sauer, Staal, Woywitka

I'd put Strålman and Christensen into the "irrelevant" category, because neither can be counted on for more than spot duty despite being "skilled" in nature.

That means less than 30% of the club are capable of being a go-to guy, IMO, in a sense of creating offense. This is why the Rangers play such a tight defensive game and rely so much on Lundqvist to win the majority of games.

That's likely to change in the future with Kreider and potential UFA's coming in, but all in all I'd say what we miss most is simply talent.

Speaking of talent, Bergfors is on waivers. If I'm the Rangers I put a claim in on him, especially considering the talent level and salary ($575K) involved. Worst case scenario is he sucks and we waive him again.

 

[hatehabsforever]

The Bruins pull off yet another victory, a shocking tenth consecutive one. A little more tense tonight, but at least they managed to get the victory.

By the way, for those of you predicting the fate of the Florida Panthers, here's the way I see it. Out of the playoffs. Again. The main reason for this? Jose Theodore. He has never been able to recapture the magic since leaving Montreal.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

By the way, for those of you predicting the fate of the Florida Panthers, here's the way I see it. Out of the playoffs. Again. The main reason for this? Jose Theodore. He has never been able to recapture the magic since leaving Montreal.

97% of teams in playoff contention by Thanksgiving are fit to remain there by the time the playoffs actually come around.

You really think the third seed in the Eastern Conference is going to fall out of the playoffs entirely by then? I don't. Slip to 6/7/8? Sure. Fall out entirely? No.

Have you actually seen Theodore play yet? He looks like a man reborn. If it could work for Khabibulin, Roloson, Thomas, etc. there's no reason it can't for Theodore.

 

[hatehabsforever]

97% of teams in playoff contention by Thanksgiving are fit to remain there by the time the playoffs actually come around.

That's all well and good. I just think that the Florida Panthers will fall squarely in the other 3%. I think they are playing over their heads, and I don't think they can sustain it. More specifically, I don't think Theodore can continue to play as well as he has. He has never been the same goalie since leaving La Belle Province, and I think things are going to catch up on him again this time. Florida has never shown the ability to sustain this level of play. They have a long history of failure. This season will be no different. And the people in Florida still won't care.

You really think the third seed in the Eastern Conference is going to fall out of the playoffs entirely by then? I don't. Slip to 6/7/8? Sure. Fall out entirely? No.

At the moment, four perennial playoff teams are on the outside looking in: NJ, Montreal, Ottawa, and TB. OK, that's a bit of a stretch with the last two, but they do have a far richer history than the Panthers. Toronto and Florida are the new kids on the block in terms of recent playoff exposure. Toronto can sustain it, Florida cannot. One of the aforementioned teams will unseat the Panthers.

There's such parity in the league now, there's not much difference in the point totals between a team in second or third and someone on the outside. Look how fast the Bruins went from dead last to third (and onwards) . I can see Florida experience an equally sudden change, but in the opposite direction.

Have you actually seen Theodore play yet? He looks like a man reborn. If it could work for Khabibulin, Roloson, Thomas, etc. there's no reason it can't for Theodore.

That's what Theodore does. He appears to have reinvented himself, then poof and he's gone. He lacks the passion to sustain it, and he will falter again. Count on it. He's no Khabibulin. He's no Roloson. And he's certainly no Tim Thomas (very few guys are) . He'll tank it later in the year, and the fortunes of the Florida Panthers will go with him.

 

[LSN80]

Huge game in the East tonight, as the Penguins visit division rivals in the New York Rangers. The Rangers always concern me come regular season, as they're 5-1-2 in their last 8 games against the Pens. Gaborik lead the way for the Rangers last year against the Penguins, and they've added Brad Richards as well this year. The Rangers haven't been a great or even a good goal-scoring team this year, but they've played excellent defense, and have gotten phenomenal goaltending from Lundqvist thusfar.

That being said, the Penguins are 3-0-1 in the 4 games they've played since Sidney Crosby has returned. Much like the Rangers, the Penguins have relied on great goaltending and solid defense to lead the Eastern Conference thus far this year, but the offense has been clicking on all cylinders since Sid has returned.

For the Penguins to win, the offense is going to have to be good again tonight, as they'll be without their top defenseman in Kris Letang, who broke his nose on an absolute cheap shot from Max Paxioretty Saturday against the Canadiens. Top 4 defenseman Zybynek Michalek, who just returned from injury, will also be out of the lineup. The Rangers have won the last 6 against the Pens in New York as well.

The Pens have their top three lines all intact, however, which gives them the most depth in the NHL in my opinion. With Crosby/Dupuis/Kunitz, Malkin/Neal/Sullivan, and Staal/Cooke/Kennedy, it's hard for any team, even the Rangers, to play matchups against the Penguins. Any of these lines can win a game for the Penguins on a given night, giving the Penguins the most balance in terms of scoring in the league. It will be interesting to see how that plays out tonight against a Rangers team the Pens have had little success against as of late, although the Pens haven't had a healthy lineup offensively during that time either. Should be a good matchup here tonight, although I hate this matchup for the Pens.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

The loss of Letang and Michálek together is gonna be the toughest pill to swallow for Pittsburgh right now. Rangers took advantage of the Flyers last game with their depleted roster (minus Pronger, Jágr and more), and if they play the same way (pressure down low, hard forecheck, get pucks on net and take away space in the defensive zone) they should be able to do the same against the Penguins tonight.

With Letang out the Pens' PP is also less formidable, though a major key will also be staying out of the box. Letang or not, the Pens have too many offensive weapons to risk giving them multiple opportunities to take over the game.

LET'S GO RANGERS!

 

[It's Damn Real!]

Told ya!

Pressure down low. Hard forecheck. Pucks on net and taking away space from the forwards in the defensive zone. 4-3 playoff-like win for the Rangers, just like that.

On an unrelated note, but interesting nonetheless (and I'm sure habs will be here in a matter of moments to make inferences about the 90's Rangers clubs who tried to buy championships), Bobby Ryan's name has surfaced with regard to a potential trade lately and Larry Brooks reported a day or so ago that Glen Sather has had preliminary talks with Anaheim about the potential to acquire him.

I can tell you right now, the Rangers are two pieces away from being a sure-fire cup contender:

1. Marc Staal's return.
2. A top-6 scoring left wing.

Cue Bobby Ryan.

I'll tell you this much... if the reported asking price of a top-6 player (likely a centerman), a defenseman or top defensive prospect and a high draft pick are in play, I'm on the phone offering Brandon Dubinsky (LW/C), Dylan McIlrath (or a player of similar stature, perhaps Tim Erixon) and a 1st round pick as a means to pick up Ryan.

Anisimov/Stepan/Gáborík
Ryan/Richards/Callahan

Yeah... I'll take that into the playoffs any day of the week.

Oh, and before you go running your mouth, Habby, Ryan is 24, not over 30 and isn't even in his prime yet, so let's go ahead and curb all that rhetoric you're about to type about the Rangers trying to buy a championship, eh?

 

[hatehabsforever]

Bruins win again tonight against their division rival Toronto Maple Leafs. 12/13, with their only loss being a shootout loss to the Red Wins. Not a bad month if I do say so myself.

 

[LSN80]

Told ya!

Pressure down low. Hard forecheck. Pucks on net and taking away space from the forwards in the defensive zone. 4-3 playoff-like win for the Rangers, just like that.

All things I feared going into the game. The Rangers simply outworked and outplayed the Penguins- and it wasn't even close- for the first two periods. The Penguins have relied on too often on being so skilled through three lines that they can come back in the third- that it's starting to bite them in the ass. It's just not enough against contending teams like the Rangers. Couple that with the fact that the Penguins had two defensemen in the lineup with a combination of less then five NHL games, and the Rangers were simply too much for the Penguins.

Fortunately, the Penguins got back to the basics Thursday against the Caps- They simply outworked them on their way to a 2-1 victory. The fourth line got the scoring started, with Crosby and Malkin held scoreless. There will be games like this, so it was good to see the Penguins take a defensive-minded approach against the free-falling but highly skilled Capitals.

I can tell you right now, the Rangers are two pieces away from being a sure-fire cup contender:

1. Marc Staal's return.
2. A top-6 scoring left wing.

I think Staal's return is the bigger piece of the picture for the Rangers, to be honest. Without him, they're a decent defensive corps. Del Zotto, Girardi, McDonaugh and Eminger have done a nice job holding down the fort, better then I expected, to be honest. Staal's return really makes this a very good defensive club, and would provide a tremendous spark on the PP.

Anisimov/Stepan/Gáborík
Ryan/Richards/Callahan

Very good to great top 6 in terms of forwards. But ask yourself, how do thise lines, even with the addition of Ryan, stack up in comparison with the Penguins top three lines?

Dupuis/Crosby/Kunitz
Sullivan/Malkin/Neal
Cooke/Staal/Kennedy

I'll say the top two lines are close to a wash(assuming the Rangers get the highly skilled Ryan, which I hope to God they don't), with the Penguins coming out on top based on having the best player in the league centering their top line. And I'll take the Penguins third line, essential in the playoffs for success, over any third line in the league.

And I'll agree on one more thing: Getting Ryan wouldn't be trying to buy a championship, it would be an investment into now and the future, as he's only going to get much, much better.