Hockey Day in Canadaaaaa

Not sure if I'll watch Sens/Jets today but if I'm not doing anything else I'll throw it on. Could be fun.

Feb 13, 2021 14:06:43 GMT Zappy said:

Another entertaining game against the Bruins. Rangers played well just could not buy a goal. Halak was tested more so in the first period, but not much after that. It was a defensive game by both teams. Hard for anyone to create quality chances. And,, a lot of physical play especially in the second period. Apparently Marchand and Zibanejad were playing games with each other during warm up. Zibanejad needs to get his game back before wasting time and not focusing on the game like that.

Their powerplay strategy has to change. Last minute and a half on the powerplay and empty net the Bruins held on to the puck along the boards until there were 15 seconds left. Kreider makes a horrible pass, and the game is over. That is unacceptable and embarrassing.

Rangers definitely seem like they matchup well with Boston from a spectator perspective don't they? I'm glad I was able to watch it on demand because it was a real humdinger. Again it was a case of New York not scoring when they were on top, Zibanejad and Buchnevich both shot wide of the net on open looks, Boston turned it into a scrapfest after that and they're obviously good in those conditions (even if they are dirty Massholes - that cheapshot on Shesterkin was really nasty).

I thought Kakko and Lafreniere had more active games than usual, they should keep playing together as there's obviously a bit of chemistry there. Put Panarin with Zibanejad when he's back and see if that can get Mika going. 

Feel like they have to beat the Devils coming off their long Covid hiatus. 

Oh boy. The Leafs imploded BIG TIME tonight. Blew a 5-1 lead, and lost 6-5 in overtime TO THE FUCKING SENATORS!!!

I hope this doesn't turn into trouble for Toronto.

I'm glad the Coyotes are using their old uniforms again. They are sick.

Feb 15, 2021 4:55:28 GMT @admin said:

Feb 13, 2021 14:06:43 GMT Zappy said:

Another entertaining game against the Bruins. Rangers played well just could not buy a goal. Halak was tested more so in the first period, but not much after that. It was a defensive game by both teams. Hard for anyone to create quality chances. And,, a lot of physical play especially in the second period. Apparently Marchand and Zibanejad were playing games with each other during warm up. Zibanejad needs to get his game back before wasting time and not focusing on the game like that.

Their powerplay strategy has to change. Last minute and a half on the powerplay and empty net the Bruins held on to the puck along the boards until there were 15 seconds left. Kreider makes a horrible pass, and the game is over. That is unacceptable and embarrassing.

Rangers definitely seem like they matchup well with Boston from a spectator perspective don't they? I'm glad I was able to watch it on demand because it was a real humdinger. Again it was a case of New York not scoring when they were on top, Zibanejad and Buchnevich both shot wide of the net on open looks, Boston turned it into a scrapfest after that and they're obviously good in those conditions (even if they are dirty Massholes - that cheapshot on Shesterkin was really nasty).

I thought Kakko and Lafreniere had more active games than usual, they should keep playing together as there's obviously a bit of chemistry there. Put Panarin with Zibanejad when he's back and see if that can get Mika going. 

Feel like they have to beat the Devils coming off their long Covid hiatus. 

I agree keep Lafraniere and Kakko together with Strome. Zibanejad with Panarin and Buchnevich. That leaves Kreider as the odd man out so I highly doubt Quinn would do that unfortunately.

As long as the Rangers stick to their game they can match up with anyone. They desperately need to get their powerplay going though.

Islanders held the Sabres to zero shots on goal in the third period while defending a two goal lead. Talk about playoffs ready team.

Feb 16, 2021 2:57:23 GMT CM Punk'd said:

Oh boy. The Leafs imploded BIG TIME tonight. Blew a 5-1 lead, and lost 6-5 in overtime TO THE FUCKING SENATORS!!!

I hope this doesn't turn into trouble for Toronto.

Unbelievable come back. Best comeback in Sens history. Dadanov game saving save transitioned into the game winning goal.

Feb 16, 2021 22:38:54 GMT Zappy said:

Islanders held the Sabres to zero shots on goal in the third period while defending a two goal lead. Talk about playoffs ready team.

Feb 16, 2021 2:57:23 GMT CM Punk'd said:

Oh boy. The Leafs imploded BIG TIME tonight. Blew a 5-1 lead, and lost 6-5 in overtime TO THE FUCKING SENATORS!!!

I hope this doesn't turn into trouble for Toronto.

Unbelievable come back. Best comeback in Sens history. Dadanov game saving save transitioned into the game winning goal.

Yeah.  I heard they were 0-234-3 when trailing by four or more goals coming into that game.

When they scored at the end of the 2nd to make it 5-2 I knew the comeback was happening. I've watched enough Leafs hockey to know a collapse when I see it.

Credit to the Sens but Leafs fans saw it coming a mile away. 5-3 to start the 3rd confirmed it.

Back to bad Rangers tonight. Defence was compromised with Miller out and Trouba getting injured in the second period but getting whipped by a team that they're supposed to be better than coming back off a long layoff is not good. The Devils came out of the blocks hot and it was only a series of great saves by Shesterkin that kept the Rangers in it, and they finished the game much stronger too.

Rangers seemed intent on doing things as hard as humanly possible tonight but at least they ended the losing streak. Still plenty of the same problems - slow start, getting minimal production from the top 6 - but the bottom half guys really came through tonight. Bitetto and Hajek have done a nice job the last couple of games as they've moved up to the #2 defensive pairing, Smith also made a couple of key defensive plays and scored, and Blackwell's return has improved the potency of his line.

The Leafs went up 5-1 again on Ottawa last night and didn't blow it this time. That's good.

Didn't have anything to do tonight so I cracked a couple of beers and watched Jets/Canucks. Very polished performance from Winnipeg, they dominated the first period and really took advantage of some of Vancouver's sloppy passing and difficulties bringing the puck out of defence. Jets are a fast team with guys like Schiefele, Wheeler and Ehlers, they got in behind the Canucks defence numerous times and could have easily had a few more goals if not for a strong performance by Demko in defeat.

Anyone else catch the hilarity of last night's outdoor game? 1st intermission was almost 9 hours long.

Feb 21, 2021 23:36:12 GMT RT said:

Anyone else catch the hilarity of last night's outdoor game? 1st intermission was almost 9 hours long.

I'm kinda glad the second game got postponed to tonight so I can watch because the setting looks absolutely unbelievable. Not quite as spectacular at night but that can't be helped if the ice was melting. Maybe they should play outdoors in Texas? I hear it's cold there.

Feb 21, 2021 23:44:46 GMT @admin said:

Feb 21, 2021 23:36:12 GMT RT said:

Anyone else catch the hilarity of last night's outdoor game? 1st intermission was almost 9 hours long.

I'm kinda glad the second game got postponed to tonight so I can watch because the setting looks absolutely unbelievable. Not quite as spectacular at night but that can't be helped if the ice was melting. Maybe they should play outdoors in Texas? I hear it's cold there.

Well, they did play the Winter Classic at the Cotton Bowl one time.

Imagine the sight of the sunset on Tahoe as the game goes on. It'll be like the sunsets you see during the Rose Bowl.

It was absolutely beautiful, what a spectacle. Mike Tirico on the call really topped it off too.

Philly will be sick of the sight of Boston, they're 0-3-2 against them whilst being 8-1-1 against the rest of the East. Pastrnak especially is whipping them. Watching them absolutely pile it on in the second period made me feel a lot better about the close games the Rangers were able to hold them to last week.

Jets/Canucks was a great fucking game tonight.

Remember I told you Foos that Dubois is a Leaf killer. He's the new Eric Staal. He drank our milkshake in the playoffs last year and when the Jets and Leafs play again on March 9th I'm gonna be scared.

And these Canucks are fucking tenacious. That wasn't the same Canucks team the Leafs destroyed. They're bouncing back and staying tough and they're going to surprise some people later in the season.

Any fallout from the big pileup that Hoglander started at the end of the previous game RT? Kinda felt like they would be back at it tonight.

Feb 22, 2021 6:20:41 GMT @admin said:

Any fallout from the big pileup that Hoglander started at the end of the previous game RT? Kinda felt like they would be back at it tonight.

I'm glad you asked!

streamable.com/nz5ba6

Good fight. Also Sam Bennett and Jujhar Khaira threw down in the battle of Alberta last night. McDavid lit the Flames up though.



The North Division is getting nuts. Toronto, Montreal and Edmonton are showing like they'll run away with the top 3, so the battle for 4th is quickly turning into a dog fight. I fucking love it.

EDIT: THE JETS ARE IN 3RD!?!? I HAD NO IDEA.

Oh shit.

Jets third place standings are artificially high due to numerous wins over Ottawa and Vancouver. We'll be battling for fourth near the end.

Speaking of the North Division. Sens overtime win against apparently the Stanley Cup favorites. Allen kept the Canadiens in the game. Multiple breakaway saves in regulation plus a couple of grade A saves in overtime.

Typical bullshit, Panarin getting a political hit against him by Russia. Costs NYR one of their top players. Shameful tactics by the ex KHL coach.

Feb 23, 2021 1:47:15 GMT Blindy said:

Typical bullshit, Panarin getting a political hit against him by Russia. Costs NYR one of their top players. Shameful tactics by the ex KHL coach.

This Rangers season is fucking WILD man. :lol:

Most importantly, let's hope that his family is OK. The organisation coming out with such a strong statement makes it pretty clear that this a complete fabrication - but it shows why none if any of the other Russian NHL players are critical of Putin. 

Feb 23, 2021 2:07:55 GMT @admin said:

Feb 23, 2021 1:47:15 GMT Blindy said:

Typical bullshit, Panarin getting a political hit against him by Russia. Costs NYR one of their top players. Shameful tactics by the ex KHL coach.

This Rangers season is fucking WILD man.

Most importantly, let's hope that his family is OK. The organisation coming out with such a strong statement makes it pretty clear that this a complete fabrication - but it shows why none if any of the other Russian NHL players are critical of Putin. 

You'd think Ovechkin would bother to standup for Panarin here but that wouldn't be in his best interest. 

Feb 23, 2021 2:09:36 GMT Blindy said:

Feb 23, 2021 2:07:55 GMT @admin said:

This Rangers season is fucking WILD man.

Most importantly, let's hope that his family is OK. The organisation coming out with such a strong statement makes it pretty clear that this a complete fabrication - but it shows why none if any of the other Russian NHL players are critical of Putin. 

You'd think Ovechkin would bother to standup for Panarin here but that wouldn't be in his best interest. 

Putin and Ovechkin are BFFs! The top post on the Rangers subreddit is a joke about how Ovechkin called this in as a favour after we beat the Caps on the weekend. :lol:

Marc-Andre Fleury was just insane tonight against Colorado. I fluked into drafting him in fantasy because he was one of the few goalies I'd heard of before the season but it's looking like a masterstroke! I don't think the Avs were quite at their best (and it will be interesting to track how they fare on this relentless upcoming schedule of theirs) but they threw pretty much everything they could at him only to encounter a complete brick wall.

Glad to see push back from the NHL. Would like to see that from the NBA regarding China.

Looking at this from the Rangers perspective this is just a weird and unexpected situation obviously. I don't expect the Rangers to do much without Panarin plus Zibanejad is no where near where he was last year. This does give a tremendous opportunity for Lafreniere. I hope he is consistently in the top 6.

I sense there's trouble in Montreal. After losing 2 in a row against lowly Ottawa, they fired coach Claude Julien.

Feb 24, 2021 16:08:41 GMT CM Punk'd said:

I sense there's trouble in Montreal. After losing 2 in a row against lowly Ottawa, they fired coach Claude Julien.

They came out the gate hot but reality caught up with them. Obviously Julien was on thin ice already and they had to pull the cord before it got any worse.

Montreal had one gameplan that worked for the first 10 games of the season and as soon as teams figured it out they were fucked. That's just bad coaching. Also when your OT strategy is "play defence and hope they don't score," you're double fucked.