NHL 2005-2006: The thread

[hardinda]

Sabres won again tonight 3-2 with a win in the shootout against Tampa. Anyone starting to believe me yet? 4-1 to start the year.

[Uncle Ronny]

Nope.

[hardinda]

Nope.

Of course you don't, you still think the Maple Leafs are actually good.

[MountainHawk]

If they are still in the top 3 of that division come Christmas, I'll start to believe.

[seabass]

Sabres won again tonight 3-2 with a win in the shootout against Tampa. Anyone starting to believe me yet? 4-1 to start the year.

The jury is out on alot of things this season. Calgary hasn't come close to their expectations, and somehow, Nashville is the only undefeated team out west (good team, but 4-0 team????). The Islanders went 11-1-1 or something to start the 2001-2002 season, and proceeded to play .500 hockey the rest of the way. So its better to wait it out and see if they stick around come December-January. In any case, the Sabres look like a solid team so far.

[Irish Blues]

Thus far:

GAMES PLAYED: 70
GAMES THAT WENT TO OVERTIME: 13
GAMES THAT WENT TO A SHOOTOUT: 7

Let's see how this plays out....but I get the feeling that you may see fewer games decided in the 5-minute OT than you have in years past when the season is complete.

[Uncle Ronny]

The Islanders went 11-1-1 or something to start the 2001-2002 season, and proceeded to play .500 hockey the rest of the way.Then in 02/03 the Flames start the season 13-2 or something like that, and miss the playoffs. Sorry hardina, if I don't jump on the bandwagon as quick as you do. If you want to award the Sabres the cup already, be my guest, I'll wait to see them win more than 4 games and take a $%#&kicking.

In other hockey news, anyone see Dieon Phanoeuf fight Bill Guerrin last night? Guerrin's pretty tough but he looks like he got hit by a truck and caught in the wheelwell for half a block. Everyone's talking about Crosby and Ovechkin, and rightfully so, but Phanoeuf's a player. Two points from the blueline so far, then shows his toughness in a good ole scrap. Phanoeuf'll end up being my favorite hockey player before too long. I just gotta learn how to spell his name.

[MountainHawk]

6/13 is far less that the percent that were settled in OT in 03-04?

[Wannabe Actuary]

Rangers won last night. 5 games, and they're 2-1-2 to give them 6 points. I like the start fellas.

[MountainHawk]

Man, the Devils looked Awful last night. I realize Elias is out and Stevens retired, but I didn't expect them to come out of the gate so poorly. I'm sure they'll pull it together at some point, but it's been a while since I've seen the Devils look that bad.

[Wannabe Actuary]

interesting, so far washington has allowed 31 goals....columbus has only scored 7...I bet columbus wishes they played washington a lot...

[Uncle Ronny]

I'm sure they'll pull it together at some pointNope, if they have a bad start, they're a bad team. If they have a good start, they're a good team. You can pretty much tell how the season is going to go after the first 3 games of the season.

[hardinda]

Nope, if they have a bad start, they're a bad team. If they have a good start, they're a good team. You can pretty much tell how the season is going to go after the first 3 games of the season.

This is only true in Toronto.

As far as the Sabres go, everyone on here said it was a "laugher" that the sabres would even have a shot at the playoffs. Well, a 4-1 start is not a laugher and that's the point I was trying to make. That everyone jumped to conclusions.

As far as Nashville being the only Western Conf undefeated team. That's not a fluke either. They are a very good team. I've watched a few of their games this year.

It's obvious under these new rules that teams who used to run the trap and haven't adjusted (NJ) will not be powerhouses in this new NHL. They better learn to adjust or it'll be a long season.

Also, anyone who watched the Sabres vs Lightning games last night, I wouldn't care who won if we could see 75% of the games playout like that one did. Great offensive chances, great goaltending, just an overall great game. I thought the PHX vs NSH game was very similar as well. I'm still loving this new NHL.

[Uncle Ronny]

Sabres are off to a great start, and that's something to be excited about. I haven't seen them play a game yet but I'm going to two Sabres games this year and I'm sure I'll see a lot on TV. All I'm saying is a lot of teams are still adjusting. Things will settle down once teams get used to the new rules, penalties etc. Buffalo has had the 3rd most powerplay opportunities in the league, and the 3rd fewest penalties against. It's great for them that they've adjusted to the rules, but the rest of the teams will follow suit eventually, and we'll have to see how Buffalo does when they're not on the powerplay twice as much as the team they're playing against every night. Granted Buffalo's powerplay hasn't been very good, it's still a huge advantage.

[hardinda]

Sabres are off to a great start, and that's something to be excited about. I haven't seen them play a game yet but I'm going to two Sabres games this year and I'm sure I'll see a lot on TV. All I'm saying is a lot of teams are still adjusting. Things will settle down once teams get used to the new rules, penalties etc. Buffalo has had the 3rd most powerplay opportunities in the league, and the 3rd fewest penalties against. It's great for them that they've adjusted to the rules, but the rest of the teams will follow suit eventually, and we'll have to see how Buffalo does when they're not on the powerplay twice as much as the team they're playing against every night. Granted Buffalo's powerplay hasn't been very good, it's still a huge advantage.

They are 0 for 20 in their last 20 PP's. If their PP was working, these games would be blowouts and not close OT games.

I think alot of it has to do with how teams are setup for the new NHL, not if they'll be able to adjust to the new NHL. The Sabres went with speed, it seems to be paying off in a few respects, they are drawing lots of penalties and playing exciting hockey.

Ryan Miller has also had a great start to the season, hope to see him get named to the USA olympic team this fall.

[MountainHawk]

I just wanted to point out that Gagne is on pace for 123 goals and 62 assists for 185 points. Forsberg is on pace for 185 assists. (What's sick is, Gagne is on fire, and he's STILL not on pace to break Gretzky's record. :lol: )

:)

[Uncle Ronny]

And the Flyers are on pace to miss the playoffs. :lol:

Hey hardina, I'm liking your Atlanta call. They looked real good last night. The Leafs mercy-ruled them. They didn't stop running the clock after whistles in the last 10 minutes that was so ugly. But don't tell anyone, cause the Leafs suck :lol:

[MountainHawk]

It's an easy game when you get 16 PP. ;)

But Domi needs to be suspended minimum 5 games for that cross check.

[MountainHawk]

And the Flyers are on pace to miss the playoffs. :lol:

Hey hardina, I'm liking your Atlanta call. They looked real good last night. The Leafs mercy-ruled them. They didn't stop running the clock after whistles in the last 10 minutes that was so ugly. But don't tell anyone, cause the Leafs suck :lol:


There are 8 teams in the East that are on pace for more than 82 points?

Edit: Nope. We are tied with Tampa Bay, on pace for 82 points. ;)

[Uncle Ronny]

I wasn't looking at games played, just total points. Was just kidding around. Anyway, the Thrashers were being outplayed and outclassed, that's why they took all the stupid penalties. The game was 4-0 before the 5 powerplay goals in the 3rd. Domi's cross-check was in responce to Bolton going after Lindros' head. Andy Sutton needs to be thrown out of the league. He's a goon, and a terrible hockey player. You'd think a guy that big could fight but all he does is take cheap shots. He's an embarrassement to the sport.

The Thrashers are a bush league franchise with a bush league coach. Outplayed and outclassed. That was an embarrassment for everyone.

[Irish Blues]

Nope, if they have a bad start, they're a bad team. If they have a good start, they're a good team. You can pretty much tell how the season is going to go after the first 3 games of the season.
No, you can't. Calgary was 12-3-2 early on a few seasons back, and went on to struggle the rest of the season and miss the playoffs. And I recall the Rangers being something like 24-9-3 and in command in the East around the same time before utterly collapsing and missing the playoffs by about 10 points.

On the other hand, the Blues started 0-2 in 1999-2000 and finished 51-20-1. Detroit was 5-5-1 in '95-96 before going 57-8-6 the rest of the way.

3 games is not enough to figure out a team. 15, 20 games - that's a better indicator, and generally the teams in the top 8 after about 30-35 games are the teams that will be in the top 8 at the end of the season. Perhaps one or two of the 16 playoff-bound teams will drop out after 35 games, but that's it. If you're in the top 8 by game 35, there's a roughly 90% chance you're going to be in the playoffs at the end of the season.

[MountainHawk]

I wasn't looking at games played, just total points. Was just kidding around. Anyway, the Thrashers were being outplayed and outclassed, that's why they took all the stupid penalties. The game was 4-0 before the 5 powerplay goals in the 3rd. Domi's cross-check was in responce to Bolton going after Lindros' head. Andy Sutton needs to be thrown out of the league. He's a goon, and a terrible hockey player. You'd think a guy that big could fight but all he does is take cheap shots. He's an embarrassement to the sport.

The Thrashers are a bush league franchise with a bush league coach. Outplayed and outclassed. That was an embarrassment for everyone.


LMAO

If we are throwing out players from the NHL for being goons and hacks ... Domi and Tucker are near the top of that list.

It's all pure comedy that the team that is the ONLY one to not put 'Thank You Fans' on the blue line (instead having thank you leafs fans) can 'outclass' anyone.

[Uncle Ronny]

No, you can't. Calgary was 12-3-2 early on a few seasons back, and went on to struggle the rest of the season and miss the playoffs. And I recall the Rangers being something like 24-9-3 and in command in the East around the same time before utterly collapsing and missing the playoffs by about 10 points.

On the other hand, the Blues started 0-2 in 1999-2000 and finished 51-20-1. Detroit was 5-5-1 in '95-96 before going 57-8-6 the rest of the way.

3 games is not enough to figure out a team. 15, 20 games - that's a better indicator, and generally the teams in the top 8 after about 30-35 games are the teams that will be in the top 8 at the end of the season. Perhaps one or two of the 16 playoff-bound teams will drop out after 35 games, but that's it. If you're in the top 8 by game 35, there's a roughly 90% chance you're going to be in the playoffs at the end of the season.:oyh: :lol: You should read the rest of the thread.

(Here's a hint: My post was extremely sarcastic)

[Uncle Ronny]

LMAO

If we are throwing out players from the NHL for being goons and hacks ... Domi and Tucker are near the top of that list.

It's all pure comedy that the team that is the ONLY one to not put 'Thank You Fans' on the blue line (instead having thank you leafs fans) can 'outclass' anyone.Are you sure Domi's hit was a cross check? I'm not saying it wasn't...but I've seen it a couple times and it looks like he hit Bolton with his glove, not his stick. I think it was a punch while still holding his stick. Either way, Domi got his face filled.

LOL I won't disagree with you about Tucker though, but I still love him. Domi has had some ugly moments in his career, the elbow on Neidermeyer comes to mind, but for the most part he's a classy player, and he's very well respected around the league. Guys like Sutton and Avery have no respect in the league, they have nothing positive to contribute to the game. That's the difference.

[MountainHawk]

Dude ... what about that time Domi made that Flyer fan fall on him in the penalty box. He should have been in major trouble for that ... but nothing. Damn Toronto bias. ;-)

[Uncle Ronny]

Might as well make it 3 posts in a row here.

Are people really that worked up about it saying Thank you Leaf fans? What does it matter, it's in the Leafs arena...each team should worry about their own fans. I'm trying to look at this from an unbiased perspective, and I honestly don't think I'd care, if the Leafs thing said "Thank you fans" and some other team put "Thank you ____ fans".

[Uncle Ronny]

Dude ... what about that time Domi made that Flyer fan fall on him in the penalty box. He should have been in major trouble for that ... but nothing. Damn Toronto bias. ;-):lol: That was one of my favorite hockey moments ever. That series was actually great. I just love the three way playoff rivalry between the Leafs, Sens and Flyers. It's like paper-rock-scissor. Leafs beat Sens, Sens beat Flyers, Flyers beat Leafs.

[MountainHawk]

It's just more evidence of the Leafs arrogance. The NHL mandated they put something on the ice, and the Leafs ignored it and did their own thing. Personally, I think they ought to be fined something like $10-$25K a game that it's wrong.

I know Torontoians don't realize it, but if you go to a lot of other hockey cities and asked about the most arrogant, classless organizations, Toronto is going to be high on that list. (So is Philly, but hey, that's our style.) ;)

[Irish Blues]

:oyh: :lol: You should read the rest of the thread.

(Here's a hint: My post was extremely sarcastic)
OK....I missed that. I would have read everything, but I'm too busy sitting here doing nothing while it rains outside for then 53rd straight day. (Although it's supposed to let up later on....and be replaced by winds of 40-50 mph for the next day or so.)

[Irish Blues]

Are people really that worked up about it saying Thank you Leaf fans?
Yes - only because it's Toronto. That's the only reason. Any other team it'd be written off as "they've got great fans, we can understand it" or "everyone knows (insert city name here) knows nothing about hockey, it's no big surprise they'd screw something up."

[Uncle Ronny]

Oh don't worry. We're quite aware everyone hates us. That's the way it always works though. Toronto is the biggest hockey market in the world. Leafs have the most fans, make the most money, get the most attention and win the most Cups.

Well, scratch that last one. Anyway, it's like the Yankees. Everyone who doesn't love em, hates em. Toronto is just hockey's version of the Yankees. You know, minus all the success...

[Uncle Ronny]

Yes - only because it's Toronto. That's the only reason. Any other team it'd be written off as "they've got great fans, we can understand it" or "everyone knows (insert city name here) knows nothing about hockey, it's no big surprise they'd screw something up."That makes sense...Don't blame then. Other cities can't help but be jealous of our 1 Stanley Cup over the last 40 years.

[Matty]

It's just more evidence of the Leafs arrogance. The NHL mandated they put something on the ice, and the Leafs ignored it and did their own thing. Personally, I think they ought to be fined something like $10-$25K a game that it's wrong.

I know Torontoians don't realize it, but if you go to a lot of other hockey cities and asked about the most arrogant, classless organizations, Toronto is going to be high on that list. (So is Philly, but hey, that's our style.) ;)

We just like to be unique. It's the same reason the Jays used to be the only team in the majors that didn't play "take me out to the ball game" during the 7th inning stretch.

[MountainHawk]

No, that's because noone in Toronto actually wanted to go to that morgue to see a game. They'd get sued for false advertising if they played it.

[DoctorNo]

I know Torontoians don't realize it, but if you go to a lot of other hockey cities and asked about the most arrogant, classless organizations, Toronto is going to be high on that list. (So is Philly, but hey, that's our style.) ;)

I think that, if I were a Leafs fan, I'd be pretty proud of that fact. Let other teams' fans get worked up about us for nothing.

(Keep in mind that the Leafs are #2 on my "root against" list, after Detroit :) ).

[Irish Blues]

Ottawa looked fantastic in dominating Boston last night.

Brett Hull calls it quits after just 5 games - I'll let everyone else add their pro-Hull or anti-Hull comments.

Carolina made New Jersey look pathetic.

Detroit and Nashville win again, Van Ryn adds another 3 assists in a Florida win over Buffalo.

And the Rangers take a turn in beating up on Atlanta.

[MountainHawk]

I'm shocked at how bad NJ has looked this season. I figured the Flyers had passed them, but right now they aren't even looking like a playoff team. They need Elias back ASAP, or they are going to have a hole to climb out of come January.

[Uncle Ronny]

Calgary looked better blanking Edmonton 3-0, and Toronto looked great beating Montreal. Toronto's the league's highest scoring team.

You know, Martin Havlat is a player I would like to like. Good player, but he's getting out of control. He's a weak man, can't defend himself so he does a lot of very stupid things. He's been suspended in the past for kicking, not to mention some ugly stick work, and last night he kicks Hal Gill. Kicking is the most disgraceful play in hockey. He'll probably end up with 5 or 6 games, but I think he should get 10. Especially since it's a second offense. Players have to realize that kicking is absolutely unacceptable. I say make an example of him.

[Irish Blues]

You know, Martin Havlat is a player I would like to like. Good player, but he's getting out of control. He's a weak man, can't defend himself so he does a lot of very stupid things. He's been suspended in the past for kicking, not to mention some ugly stick work, and last night he kicks Hal Gill. Kicking is the most disgraceful play in hockey. He'll probably end up with 5 or 6 games, but I think he should get 10. Especially since it's a second offense. Players have to realize that kicking is absolutely unacceptable. I say make an example of him.
Look at all the times Bryan Marchment has been suspended for elbowing and kneeing - and if he gets 3 games once, he gets 3 games the next time. I don't think he's ever gotten more than 8 games for any incident, even after he turns around and does it again.

So I wouldn't hold my breath on Havlat getting a stiffer punishment b/c of his past history. Marchment never got a stiffer punishment, and the league knew he was doing it again and again.

[Uncle Ronny]

Kicking's a whole new ballgame though. It's in a league of it's own as far as punishments go. Elbowing is a 2 minute minor most of the time. Kneeing can be 2 or 5 minutes, or more. Kicking is always a match penalty, with intent to injure, and a review by a disciplinary hearing if the ref sees it, which he didn't in this case.

[MountainHawk]

I agree. Havlat's the Sens answer to someone like Tucker. He may have skill, but it's completely overshadow by his cowardice and dirty play.

[Irish Blues]

Kicking's a whole new ballgame though. It's in a league of it's own as far as punishments go. Elbowing is a 2 minute minor most of the time. Kneeing can be 2 or 5 minutes, or more. Kicking is always a match penalty, with intent to injure, and a review by a disciplinary hearing if the ref sees it, which he didn't in this case.
And after you get suspended for kneeing 3 times in 2 years, the 4th time should be *much* more severe. It shouldn't be another 3-game suspension. Marchment would get 3 games for kneeing, 6 games for elbowing, then get nailed again for elbowing and get 3 games, then get nailed again for kneeing and get 3 games again.

And it's really rare that a kneeing penalty is only 2 minutes - it's almost always 5 minutes, most of the time it comes with a game misconduct as well.

I'm not saying Havlat *shouldn't* get a harsher punishment than he did the 1st time, but knowing how the NHL disciplines its players, I'm saying don't be surprised if it's what he got last time. At most, I wouldn't expect another game or two more than what he got previously.

[Real American Hero]

On the other hand, I went to the Home opener for the Thrashers. The Thrashers are not only a playoff team, but with the announcement of signing Kovalchuk and the rest of the firepower this team has, they will compete for winning the Eastern conference in the regular season. I also wouldn't be surprised if they score the most goals in the NHL this year.
Vs. Caps: 2-0, 15 Goals
Vs. rest of the league: 0-4, 2 Goals.

Feel free to draw your own conclusions.

[Wannabe Actuary]

Question: I was never much for odds and betting. I understand some lines, like football for instance. But hockey and basbeall I just don't get....Cardinals are (-130) tonight at Houston

the Rangers are (-130) tonight at home against the Panthers...

can someone explain those to me?

thanks.

[GefilteFish144]

I'm shocked at how bad NJ has looked this season. I figured the Flyers had passed them, but right now they aren't even looking like a playoff team. They need Elias back ASAP, or they are going to have a hole to climb out of come January.

It's not just Elias. The backbone of the team has been defense, which has helped Brodeur by significantly limiting the number of saves he's had to make. Now with Stevens and Niedermayer gone, along with the rule changes that have made it difficult for them to run their neutral zone trap, this team has a lot of adjustments to make if they want to remain a contender.

[MountainHawk]

Question: I was never much for odds and betting. I understand some lines, like football for instance. But hockey and basbeall I just don't get....Cardinals are (-130) tonight at Houston

the Rangers are (-130) tonight at home against the Panthers...

can someone explain those to me?

thanks.


If the Rangers are -130, you must bet $130 to win $100. The Panthers are probably something like +115, which means you win $115 for a $100 bet.

[Mike and Maddog]

The Flyers led by 5-1 in the second period before the Penguins roared back. Dick Tarnstrom made the score 5-4 with a power-play goal at 5 minutes, 20 seconds of the third period.

Then Niittymaki gave up an 89-foot goal. Maxime Talbot won a draw at center ice and sent a dump-in shot to get Lemieux's line on. Niittymaki was gazing at the Sony Jumbotron replay of a fancy Forsberg move. The shot went in and tied the game at 5.

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/hockey/12907342.htm

That is something an eight year old might do in soccer, but a pro hockey player?

[MountainHawk]

The Flyers led by 5-1 in the second period before the Penguins roared back. Dick Tarnstrom made the score 5-4 with a power-play goal at 5 minutes, 20 seconds of the third period.

Then Niittymaki gave up an 89-foot goal. Maxime Talbot won a draw at center ice and sent a dump-in shot to get Lemieux's line on. Niittymaki was gazing at the Sony Jumbotron replay of a fancy Forsberg move. The shot went in and tied the game at 5.

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/hockey/12907342.htm

That is something an eight year old might do in soccer, but a pro hockey player?


Then the Flyers won the game anyway, and destroyed the Islanders the next night.

And Niittymaki has still never lost in the NHL.

[Uncle Ronny]

Vs. Caps: 2-0, 15 Goals
Vs. rest of the league: 0-4, 2 Goals.

Feel free to draw your own conclusions.Looks good, I'd say they'll be competing for the Eastern conference title :lol:

Hey in the 0-4, how many goals against? I know they've been outscored 14-2 in their last 2 games...

[Wannabe Actuary]

If the Rangers are -130, you must bet $130 to win $100. The Panthers are probably something like +115, which means you win $115 for a $100 bet.Thanks.

[hardinda]

Vs. Caps: 2-0, 15 Goals
Vs. rest of the league: 0-4, 2 Goals.

Feel free to draw your own conclusions.

Yeah, can't believe how bad they've looked in all their games besides the Caps. I knew the Caps were bad, but didn't realize they were that bad. Thrashers better figure out a way to use all their talent or they will once again be left behind. The game I saw obviously made them look much better than they actually are, or maybe they are the Rangers. All talent, no chemistry.

[DoctorNo]

That is something an eight year old might do in soccer, but a pro hockey player?

I'm not normally the type to throw Mike Richter under the bus, but since you're a Rangers fan and all - the name "Ron Francis" comes to mind.

[Irish Blues]

I still remember a game from years ago when Sean Burke was in Hartford - the Whalers were on the PP and the other team cleared the puck. It goes toward the net, Burke comes out to between the circles to play it, just absolutely screws it up, the puck goes between his legs, he falls down, rolls over, and with the puck headed slowly toward the net Burke lunges at it and ends up throwing his stick. Had he left it alone, the puck probably would have stopped short of the goal line - instead, the stick smacks the puck and the puck slides in. (Had it not gone in, it likely would have been counted since the stick was thrown.)

One of the *worst* goals allowed I've ever seen at *any* level of hockey.

[GefilteFish144]

I'm not normally the type to throw Mike Richter under the bus, but since you're a Rangers fan and all - the name "Ron Francis" comes to mind.

Wasn't that the soft goal Pittsburgh scored against the Rangers in the early 90's?

[DoctorNo]

Wasn't that the soft goal Pittsburgh scored against the Rangers in the early 90's?

That's the one. 1992 playoffs, 65-foot shot from Ron Francis. Tied the game, the Rangers lost in overtime, Richter was replaced by Vanbiesbrouck for the remainder of the series, and the Presidents' Cup-winning Rangers continued their then-52 year streak of playoff futility.

[DoctorNo]

Mike Palmateer gave up a 180-foot goal to Ray Bourque in the early 1980s. Bourque was icing the puck, it took a nasty skip inside the Leafs' zone and went right past Mike.

[GefilteFish144]

That's the one. 1992 playoffs, 65-foot shot from Ron Francis. Tied the game, the Rangers lost in overtime, Richter was replaced by Vanbiesbrouck for the remainder of the series, and the Presidents' Cup-winning Rangers continued their then-52 year streak of playoff futility.

Fortunately for Richter and the Rangers, the team had their "Red Sox" moment in 1994 and all the "1940" chants came to an end. Not sure when the "1994" chants will begin -- probably one of these decades when the Flies or Isles win one.

[GefilteFish144]

There was a few years ago when Marty Brodeur knocked in his own clearing pass against the Ducks, thereby changing the momentum in what would have been a cakewalk for the Devils. NJ did a good job brushing that one off and won it in 7.

[MountainHawk]

If we are talking about bad goalie screwups, you can't forget Marc-Andre Fluery firing a clearing pass directly into his own player and back into the net giving the US the gold medal at the World Junior Championships.

[Uncle Ronny]

Cloutier, what, 3 years ago? let a Lidstrom shot in from the red line in the playoffs. That was pretty.

[Uncle Ronny]

If we are talking about bad goalie screwups, you can't forget Marc-Andre Fluery firing a clearing pass directly into his own player and back into the net giving the US the gold medal at the World Junior Championships.:swear:

[MountainHawk]

:swear:

It was awesome. I got the TSN/CBC/whatever moose channel it was on feed from Center Ice. I thought the announcers were going to cry. ;)

[MountainHawk]

The best part is that you know I'm only one of hundreds of Americans that knew the tourney was going on and was watching that game, and we still beat Canada.

[Big D]

Cloutier, what, 3 years ago? let a Lidstrom shot in from the red line in the playoffs. That was pretty.

Remember Allan Bester giving up that goal against St Louis in the playoffs the year Ballard died? It might even have been in overtime. Somebody steps over the red line and fires it right at him...right between his legs and in.

[MountainHawk]

5 games for havlat.

http://cbs.sportsline.com/nhl/story/8975861

[DoctorNo]

Fortunately for Richter and the Rangers, the team had their "Red Sox" moment in 1994 and all the "1940" chants came to an end.

I still chant "1940" to this guy that plays pickup hockey in a Rangers sweater. Usually after I stop him on a breakaway or something.

[MountainHawk]

Just for Hardinda:

http://cbs.sportsline.com/nhl/story/8967519

[Uncle Ronny]

It was awesome. I got the TSN/CBC/whatever moose channel it was on feed from Center Ice. I thought the announcers were going to cry. ;)TSN carries the world juniors.

While we're on international tournaments, Tommy Salo against Belarus in the 2002 Olympics. :lol:

[hardinda]

Just for Hardinda:

http://cbs.sportsline.com/nhl/story/8967519

Good read, thanks MH. I don't think NHL teams are taking the Sabres lightly anymore. They lost at Florida on Saturday night, I didn't get to see the game yet (it's tivo'd), but I guess the Sabres had their chances to put the game away and couldn't. They were once again kept in the game by Ryan Miller with a 39 save performance. The real test will be the away game on Thursday at the new look Boston Bruins (Boynton back in the lineup).

[MountainHawk]

The Sabres are playing well enough that I'm tempted to hop the train after work and go to that game.

[Uncle Ronny]

I'm going to see the Sabres a couple times this year. Once in Buffalo, once in Montreal. Should be good. I've been giving Hardina a hard time about some of his predictions, but the Sabres do look good so far (even though they're only tied with the Leafs in points). I'm just not ready to award them the Cup yet. Haven't got to see a Sabres game so far this year so I'll reserve judgement until I see them play for 60 minutes.

[hardinda]

I never said anything about a Cup. I just said they'll make the playoffs.

Edit: I hope it's another Leafs vs Sabres series. I'll never forget the last one. Leafs fans on one side of the street in bflo in front of HSBC, Sabres fans on the other and cops in between. It was great.

[Real American Hero]

The Sabres are playing well enough that I'm tempted to hop the train after work and go to that game.
Must be nice to be able to just walk up and get a ticket.

[MountainHawk]

Must be nice to be able to just walk up and get a ticket.


True Story:

2000 Eastern Conference Finals. Game 6. The Flyers lead the Devils 3 games to 2 (Sadly, we know how that ended).

Day of game comes, and they still have tickets available, so I decided to drive out there and see what I could get. I walk up to the ticket counter, and ask for the 'best available single ticket'. It surprised me, because it cost something like $90. I go to my seat, and I am on the blue line, 4th row up.

On game day.

Of game 6.

Of the conference finals.


That was the day that I lost all respect for Devils fans.

[Real American Hero]

Unka Ronny,

Have you had a chance to see the next "Next Big Thing" aka John Tavares in action yet?

[MountainHawk]

Unka Ronny,

Have you had a chance to see the next "Next Big Thing" aka John Tavares in action yet?


I assume you don't mean the 39 yr old star player for the Buffalo Bandits? ;-)

[Real American Hero]

I assume you don't mean the 39 yr old star player for the Buffalo Bandits? ;-)
You are correct. Tavares is the kid for whom the OHL rewrote their draft rules, to make him eligible at 14. Currently tied for 4th with 10 goals (in 9 games) playing for the doormats known as the Oshawa Generals.

[Uncle Ronny]

You are correct. Tavares is the kid for whom the OHL rewrote their draft rules, to make him eligible at 14. Currently tied for 4th with 10 goals (in 9 games) playing for the doormats known as the Oshawa Generals.Haven't seen him play a full game. Only highlights. He's got an odd playing style, can't wait to see him play a full game. He doesn't seem to be a great skater from what I've seen. Basically just got a great head, big strong kid, good hands. It'll be interesting to see how he develops over the next few years.

I won't have time to watch any OHL games until after my exam Nov 2nd. I'll try find an Oshawa game on TV after that, or maybe try to get to one in person.

[hardinda]

I assume you don't mean the 39 yr old star player for the Buffalo Bandits? ;-)

He's the cornerstone of all those Bandits championships.

[Uncle Ronny]

Came across this on TSN RAH.
McKenzie: OHL's Tavares is standing out
TSN.ca Staff
10/14/2005

When the Ontario Hockey League changed its rules last May to allow an "exceptional" 15-year-old to play in the league this season, many people wondered just how exceptional the first exception was going to be.

Well, the early returns would seem to indicate that John Tavares is nothing if not exceptional.

Going into this weekend's OHL action, the Oshawa Generals' rookie centre, who just turned 15 on Sept. 20, is averaging better than a goal per game.

In his first eight outings with the 1-6-1 Generals, Tavares had nine goals and four assists. He had goals in all but two games and was held pointless in only one.

In five of those eight games, Tavares was named one of the three stars.

Now Oshawa GM Brad Selwood wasn't just sheltering his prodigy when he said before the season started he said he would be ecstatic if Tavares could get between 10 and 15 goals and 30 to 40 points in his rookie season.

He actually believed that.

What Selwood believes now is that Tavares is, "even better than we all thought."

And that is saying something.

No one is suggesting the Oakville, Ont., native will maintain his goal a game pace all season.

But for those who thought the 15-year-old was biting off more than he could chew, or that the OHL made a grave error in judgment by allowing him into the league?

Well - so far anyways - Tavares is not just fitting in.

He's standing out.

[Real American Hero]

Haven't seen him play a full game. Only highlights. He's got an odd playing style, can't wait to see him play a full game. He doesn't seem to be a great skater from what I've seen. Basically just got a great head, big strong kid, good hands. It'll be interesting to see how he develops over the next few years.

I won't have time to watch any OHL games until after my exam Nov 2nd. I'll try find an Oshawa game on TV after that, or maybe try to get to one in person.
I can tell you he plays in all situations (PP and PK), has good vision, a wicked wrister, and gets away with more hooking than anyone else on the ice. Not much of a back checker - not sure if that's because he's slow or not giving it 100% all the time. I thought from his low assist numbers, maybe he didn't share well. That didn't seem to be the case - the other guys just couldn't finish worth a crap (which may be why they've only won 1 of their first 9).

[Wannabe Actuary]

Rangers in again...blanked the division leading Panthers last night...

[MountainHawk]

You are correct. Tavares is the kid for whom the OHL rewrote their draft rules, to make him eligible at 14. Currently tied for 4th with 10 goals (in 9 games) playing for the doormats known as the Oshawa Generals.

I know that. I believe he's JT's nephew.

[MountainHawk]

He's the cornerstone of all those Bandits championships.


Best box lacrosse player I've never seen play ... including those guys named 'Gait'.

[DoctorNo]

Best box lacrosse player I've never seen play ... including those guys named 'Gait'.

Finally got to watch Gary Gait up close after the Mammoth came to Denver. Even at his age, he was a lot of fun to watch live - television really doesn't capture how well he sees the field.

[MountainHawk]

Finally got to watch Gary Gait up close after the Mammoth came to Denver. Even at his age, he was a lot of fun to watch live - television really doesn't capture how well he sees the field.

Don't get me wrong ... the Gaits are phenomenal. They both played for Philly in the mid 90s ... it's was incredible to watch. But JT is just as phenomenal, and he didn't get the benefit of the '2 minutes for looking at a Gait' penalty that Paul and Gary got in their prime.

[Wannabe Actuary]

Oh yeah, look who's leading the league in Goals against average and save percentage....WOOOO HOOO

[Wannabe Actuary]

Just realized the Rangers are 6th in the league on the powerplay and 4th in the league on the penalty kill....this is a HUGE improvement from recent years...

[GefilteFish144]

Just realized the Rangers are 6th in the league on the powerplay and 4th in the league on the penalty kill....this is a HUGE improvement from recent years...

3 of 8 against the Panthers certainly helps a lot. Big thing is that Jagr can be a superstar instead of clashing egos with other overpriced stars on the team. As for the penalty kill, that's Lundqvist for you. All it takes to turn around a bad team is a good goalie -- let's hope this keeps up.

Good to be strong in both the PP and penalty kill, especially early in the season when refs will be blowing a lot of whistles.

[Irish Blues]

Giguere went out of last night's game against St. Louis with a groin injury, possibly related to his hip surgery. If this is anything serious, the Ducks may be floundering.

The Islanders beat the Rangers yet again. (I picked up Straka and Rucinsky for my fantasy hockey team...and then Jagr scores a goal unassisted. :swear: )

And can anyone say "goaltending problems in Denver?" Once again, the Avs grab a 3-goal lead early and Aebischer helps them blow it on the way to a loss.

[DoctorNo]

I've got a phrase that I've been using since 1997. That phrase is:

"F****** Avs".

Last night, I spent $105 per ticket to remind myself why I say this phrase a lot. F****** Avs, indeed.

[Wannabe Actuary]

The Islanders beat the Rangers yet again.


Yet again? The rangers won all 6 meetings in the last season they played. In the last 10 matchups the Rangers were 8-0-2....
I think you have that backwards.

[DoctorNo]

And can anyone say "goaltending problems in Denver?" Once again, the Avs grab a 3-goal lead early and Aebischer helps them blow it on the way to a loss.

It wasn't Aebby's fault at all - and I was sitting twenty feet from him for two periods last night. In fact, he's largely why we had the three-goal lead in the first place.

The only goal I could really fault him for was the last one, because he was behind the net playing the puck, and it rolled on him out of the trapezoid where he couldn't go get it. Even then, Conroy was wide-open in front of the net, and none of our so-called defensemen seemed to care about that.

[Irish Blues]

Yet again? The rangers won all 6 meetings in the last season they played. In the last 10 matchups the Rangers were 8-0-2....
I think you have that backwards.
Yeah, I knew that - hence the "again" part. Sort of like when Roger Craig was something like 2-17 on the 1962 Mets and he won a game, and the sports reporter wanted the headline to read "CRAIG WINS AGAIN!" and got nixed on it.

[GefilteFish144]

Yet again? The rangers won all 6 meetings in the last season they played. In the last 10 matchups the Rangers were 8-0-2....
I think you have that backwards.

I remember in the 90's the Rangers rarely won at Nassau Mausoleum. I remember they won a game there in 1994 and local sportswriters could smell the curse fading away.

[hardinda]

Tonight, I'll be attending the Lightning @ Thrashers game and Tivoing the Sabres @ Bruins game ... hopefully one of them will turn out to be a good game.

My prediction:

Lighting win 5 - 3
Sabres win 6-5

[JustASix]

Tonight, I'll be attending the Lightning @ Thrashers game and Tivoing the Sabres @ Bruins game ... hopefully one of them will turn out to be a good game.

My prediction:

Lighting win 5 - 3
Sabres win 6-5Where do you get your Thrashers tickets? Can I find cheap ones easily? I live blocks from Phillips and would love to go to more games.

[hardinda]

Where do you get your Thrashers tickets? Can I find cheap ones easily? I live blocks from Phillips and would love to go to more games.

I usually end up going with ppl from work who have extra tickets (like tonight). You can usually find good deals if they are running any radio station deals. Also, the cheap seats are only $25 or something like that.

[Uncle Ronny]

Also, the cheap seats are only $25 or something like that.:swear: That's how much a beer costs at the Air Canada center! :swear:

[hardinda]

Thrashers = horrible, i've seen junior hockey teams play better

Sabres - BIG 4-3 win on the road. Sabres bump their record to 5-2.

[Wannabe Actuary]

Jagr scores 3 (2 on the powerplay - he's crazy on the powerplay)...but the Rangers lose 5-4

[DoctorNo]

Jagr scores 3 (2 on the powerplay - he's crazy on the powerplay)...but the Rangers lose 5-4

Now would be a great time for this!


The Islanders beat the Rangers yet again.

[Wannabe Actuary]

Now would be a great time for this!yes, now it would be accurate. And they play again in 7 days...they had 3 games against each other scheduled within 9 days...

[MountainHawk]

Good win for the Thrashers. Miller made a couple of decent saves, but let one weak one in (2nd goal, iirc). Toivonen was very unimpressive for Boston.

Very fast and well played game.

Hardinda, if you see a guy in the corner with a grey shirt and bright blue Phillies hat, that's me. ;-)

[GefilteFish144]

Jagr scores 3 (2 on the powerplay - he's crazy on the powerplay)...but the Rangers lose 5-4

Weekes -- totally weak. :(

[hardinda]

Good win for the Thrashers. Miller made a couple of decent saves, but let one weak one in (2nd goal, iirc). Toivonen was very unimpressive for Boston.

Very fast and well played game.

Hardinda, if you see a guy in the corner with a grey shirt and bright blue Phillies hat, that's me. ;-)

Think you mean Sabres ... I watched the last 4 mins on Tivo so far, still gotta go back and watch the rest. I wasted my time at that Thrashers game.

[hardinda]

I don't think Eric Boulton will be on the Thrashers too much longer. Hartley won't take cheap shots from his own players in a 6-0 game and 9-1 game.

[MountainHawk]

Think you mean Sabres ... I watched the last 4 mins on Tivo so far, still gotta go back and watch the rest. I wasted my time at that Thrashers game.


Yeah, I thought about that as I watched the TBY score tick up like a clock on the out of town scoreboard. (And yes, I did mean Sabres.)

Sabres can skate, that's for sure. Fastest game of hockey I've seen in a while other than the Olympics.

[Wannabe Actuary]

Weekes -- totally weak. :(Yes, let the Rookie get back between the pipes...

[GefilteFish144]

Yes, let the Rookie get back between the pipes...

Hey, let's not wear the kid down this early in the season. I enjoy the fact that Lundqvist still hasn't lost a game in regulation this season.

[Boink]

I don't think Eric Boulton will be on the Thrashers too much longer. Hartley won't take cheap shots from his own players in a 6-0 game and 9-1 game.


If he was o.k. with keeping Boulton after the Toronto game, why should things be any different now?

[Wannabe Actuary]

Hey, let's not wear the kid down this early in the season. I enjoy the fact that Lundqvist still hasn't lost a game in regulation this season.But why mess with what's working? The eventual goal was to work Lundqvist into the regular starter position anyway.

They put K.W. back in net and he gives up 3 goals in the first period....that's more than Lundqvist is averaging per game....it's more than TWICE what he's giving up per game....:shake:

[Eaglet82]

Jagr scores 3 (2 on the powerplay - he's crazy on the powerplay)...but the Rangers lose 5-4

Yeah, mostly 5 on 3 power plays.

[MountainHawk]

Flyers haven't lost in over a week! :)

[Irish Blues]

Turco looked horrible early on and Los Angeles jumped all over the Stars 7-2 as a result. And I haven't seen the GWG in the Canucks-Coyotes game, but I hear people (mostly Coyotes fans) are just livid that the goal was allowed. Anyone?

[Big D]

If he was o.k. with keeping Boulton after the Toronto game, why should things be any different now?

At the time, I dismissed Domi's comments about Hartley as a heat of the moment thing, but maybe he was right.

[hardinda]

If he was o.k. with keeping Boulton after the Toronto game, why should things be any different now?

I don't think Hartley went into the Leafs locker room to apologize like he did last night.

[Wannabe Actuary]

Yeah, mostly 5 on 3 power plays.
He has 10 goals this year, 8 on the powerplay....
He's scoring, and with the game this year, there are going to be lots of powerplay chances. the NYR are 5th in the league on the powerplay and 6th in the league in penalty kill...those are going to be huge factors this year given how the game is being refed

[hardinda]

Hope the Rangers are prepared to lose tomorrow night in Buffalo!!

[Big D]

I don't think Hartley went into the Leafs locker room to apologize like he did last night.

He didn't go into the Tampa locker room either. He went to the coach's office. And from what I read on ESPN.com, nobody was saying what they talked about. Maybe he went there to ***** about the tirade that Tortorella went on about Boulton. Maybe he went to see how badly hurt the kid was. Maybe something else. It is interesting that Boulton was a scratch the game between the 9-1 and 6-0 losses. Maybe it was Hartley's attempt at internal punishment.

Anyway, the point is that how Hartley handles things now will show whether or not Tie was right about him. If Boulton serves his seemingly inevitable suspension, and then his first game back he is out there with 2 minutes to go in a 6-0 game, we'll have a pretty good evidence that Hartley is either a dirtbag, or an idiot.

[hardinda]

He didn't go into the Tampa locker room either. He went to the coach's office. And from what I read on ESPN.com, nobody was saying what they talked about. Maybe he went there to ***** about the tirade that Tortorella went on about Boulton. Maybe he went to see how badly hurt the kid was. Maybe something else. It is interesting that Boulton was a scratch the game between the 9-1 and 6-0 losses. Maybe it was Hartley's attempt at internal punishment.

Get your facts str8. He went in there before Torts rampage. AJC said he went in there to apologize and tell Torts he did not send Boulton on the ice to attack someone. He is out there to check ppl, just legally.

Toronto on the other hand. Lindros and Tucker deserve any cheap shots anyone puts on them, b/c they have no problem delivering cheap shots themselves.

[Uncle Gary]

Turco looked horrible early on and Los Angeles jumped all over the Stars 7-2 as a result. And I haven't seen the GWG in the Canucks-Coyotes game, but I hear people (mostly Coyotes fans) are just livid that the goal was allowed. Anyone?I like Vancouver, but the goal should not have been allowed. It's pretty ridiculous that it was actually. Couldn't tell who it was, but a Vancouver guy gets a bit of a little breakaway, Joseph stops his shot, rebound comes out, the guy who got the breakaway can't stop in time, runs right into Joseph and the net. He doesn't knock the net off, but he hanging from the cross bar and Cujo can't get up, Cooke comes along and pops in the rebound. I have no idea how it was not goaltender interference.

[Uncle Gary]

Lindros and Tucker deserve any cheap shots anyone puts on them, b/c they have no problem delivering cheap shots themselves.Who has Lindros given a cheap shot to?

[hardinda]

Who has Lindros given a cheap shot to?

Well, let's start with the Quebec Nordiques

[MountainHawk]

Well, let's start with the Quebec Nordiques

You have to start with Sault Ste. Marie. He did the exact same thing in juniors as he did in the NHL.

[Irish Blues]

Well, let's start with the Quebec Nordiques
By that line of thinking, I guess J.D. Drew, John Elway, and Eli Manning are cheap-shot artists too.

:crazy:

[Uncle Gary]

Refusing to play for a team means you deserve to get sucker-punched, elbowed, slashed and high-sticked?

Hey hardina, you ever turn down a job offer? Keep your head up, brother.

(I know it's not the same thing, but you're making a ridiculous assertion, why can't I make one?)

[hardinda]

By that line of thinking, I guess J.D. Drew, John Elway, and Eli Manning are cheap-shot artists too.

:crazy:

Yes, Yes, and Yes

[MountainHawk]

Refusing to play for a team means you deserve to get sucker-punched, elbowed, slashed and high-sticked?

Hey hardina, you ever turn down a job offer? Keep your head up, brother.

(I know it's not the same thing, but you're making a ridiculous assertion, why can't I make one?)


What about the time Lindros head butted Stevens elbow? You can't say that wasn't a cheap shot!! :-)

[hardinda]

What about the time Lindros head butted Stevens elbow? You can't say that wasn't a cheap shot!! :-)

Scott Stevens just wanted to get back at Lindros for his cheap shots. That guy spent his first 3 or 4 seasons in the NHL known as a dirty player with a lot of talent that he never used, oh wait, that's how he's still known.

[MountainHawk]

Lindros was a dirty player early on ... but not with 'cheap shots'. He had a lot of 'creative' stickwork, but he hardly ever when head or knee hunting like the true cheap shot artists like Stevens and Kasparitis.

[hardinda]

Lindros was a dirty player early on ... but not with 'cheap shots'. He had a lot of 'creative' stickwork, but he hardly ever when head or knee hunting like the true cheap shot artists like Stevens and Kasparitis.

I still believe that Stevens hit was a clean hit. He just lowered his shoulder into Lindros when Lindros wasn't expecting it. There was no elbow. Kasparitis and Dale Hunter were def the biggest cheap shot artists.

Dale Hunter was the king of cheapshots though.

[GefilteFish144]

I still believe that Stevens hit was a clean hit. He just lowered his shoulder into Lindros when Lindros wasn't expecting it. There was no elbow. Kasparitis and Dale Hunter were def the biggest cheap shot artists.

Dale Hunter was the king of cheapshots though.

The NHL experts all agree that the Stevens hit was clean. Not his fault that Lindros keeps getting concussions.

[Uncle Gary]

The NHL experts all agree that the Stevens hit was clean. Not his fault that Lindros keeps getting concussions.Link? I've seen it a hundred times and I still think he brought his elbow up.

[MountainHawk]

He did bring his elbow up. The fact that the 'hockey elite' didn't hate on Stevens the way they hate on Kasparitis is because of the country on the front of Stevens passport. He's not a cheap shot artist ... he's a hard nosed Canadian boy.

[hardinda]

He did bring his elbow up. The fact that the 'hockey elite' didn't hate on Stevens the way they hate on Kasparitis is because of the country on the front of Stevens passport. He's not a cheap shot artist ... he's a hard nosed Canadian boy.

He did not bring his elbow up. The only ppl I've ever seen say he did were either Flyers fans or Flyers writers. Everyone else around the league thought it was a clean hit.

[Uncle Gary]

He did not bring his elbow up.You're wrong, plain and simple. The elbow came up, without a doubt. The matter is whether he hit him with his elbow. If you don't think his elbow came up, you're not remembering it correctly. Here's (http://www.actuarialoutpost.com/actuarial_discussion_forum/showpost.php?p=1133203&postcount=339) someone else who remembered it differently than it actually happened, when we were talking about it a couple months ago.

You're also wrong abotu only Flyers fans/writers thinking it was dirty. I'm neither, and think it was dirty, as do tons of other people.

MH's right about Canadian players with any skill getting a lot more slack on dirty plans than Europeans, although I'd the playing field has been leveled significantly over the past few years. Mostly since the McSorley incident. Bertuzzi was treated very harshly.

[hardinda]

I wish I could still see that clip. I'd like to see how he hit him between the shoulder and elbow. If you bring your elbow up, it's tough to hit someone between your shoulder and elbow, b/c the elbow would be away from the body. If the elbow was not away from the body, then it's not elbowing.

Edit: The reason it wouldn't be elbowing, is b/c ppl can be different heights. The one thing I remember from quite a few Stevens hits is him leaving his feet (Kariya). I can't remember if he left his feet for this hit or not.

[Uncle Freddy]

Go the the thread where the post I linked to is from. I seriously doubt the link to the video still works, but can't hurt to try. Otherwise I'm sure you can find it on the internet, or on Kazza or one of those file sharing programs. The elbow was away from the body, this is what it looked like. Sitting at your desk, leave your arms by your side. Reach in front of you with your left arm. Bend at the elbow and bring left hand to right shoulder. That's the position of Stevens arm when he hits Lindros. He made contact with Lindros' head somewhere between the shoulder and the elbow. I think it was closer to elbow, some say shoulder.

[Uncle Freddy]

Edit: The reason it wouldn't be elbowing, is b/c ppl can be different heights. The one thing I remember from quite a few Stevens hits is him leaving his feet (Kariya). I can't remember if he left his feet for this hit or not.He didn't leave his feet. Lindros is 6'4, Stevens is about 6'. He didn't hit Lindros in the head with his elbow b/c Lindros is too short....he hit him in the head because he wanted to hit him in the head.

[hardinda]

He didn't leave his feet. Lindros is 6'4, Stevens is about 6'. He didn't hit Lindros in the head with his elbow b/c Lindros is too short....he hit him in the head because he wanted to hit him in the head.

You admit your self in the other thread that he did not hit him with the point of his elbow. So what did he hit him with?

[Uncle Billy]

You admit your self in the other thread that he did not hit him with the point of his elbow. So what did he hit him with?The funny bone. You don't have to hit someone with the point of your elbow for it to be an elbow.

[hardinda]

The funny bone. You don't have to hit someone with the point of your elbow for it to be an elbow.

The elbow does have to be extended away from the body for it to be elbowing. That's why I'd like to see the clip again. After a google seach and checking your link, I can't find the clip online. I remember also thinking the hit was with his shoulder, but I haven't seen the clip as recently as you have. I just remember when it happened I thought it was clean.

[Uncle Larry]

The approach was clean, that's why everyone thinks it was fine. But right before he makes contact the arm shoots up into the position I described. Do you have Kazaa or anything like that? Should be able to find it on there.

[hardinda]

The approach was clean, that's why everyone thinks it was fine. But right before he makes contact the arm shoots up into the position I described. Do you have Kazaa or anything like that? Should be able to find it on there.

Kazaa? That's about 5 years ago, isn't it? I tried a few bit torrent sites and didn't see it on there.

[hardinda]

I just watched the Tivo of the Sabres game. WOW are those Bruins announcers homers. I thought the Sabres announcers were bad (as far as being homers, the Sabres actually have the best play by play guy in the business), but those guys were horrible. I'd hate to be a Bruins fan and have to listen to them every game.

[hardinda]

The approach was clean, that's why everyone thinks it was fine. But right before he makes contact the arm shoots up into the position I described. Do you have Kazaa or anything like that? Should be able to find it on there.

Found a link to Scott Stevens top 10 hits. I looked at the Lindros one again (#1). I do see how you can say his elbow came out. It's not that he led with the elbow, but it did come through on the hit. I still wouldn't call it a textbook elbow. I also think it was still a legal hit.

http://www.m90.org/view_image.php?image_id=7795

[Irish Blues]

Stevens did have his elbow up - but he didn't hit him with the elbow. The elbow came up as a result of the hit - think of trying to knock a door open that's stuck closed. He hit them with the shoulder. It was a clean hit, they were both just going fast toward each other and Lindros had his head down and was bent over. Stevens had him lined up perfectly, and dished a hell of a hit. There was no intent to hit Lindros in the head - but there was all kinds of intent to put Lindros on his (tail).

[Irish Blues]

Did Edmonton really look that bad last night against Colorado? 7-0 after 2 periods, the huge surprise was that at that point there were only 3 players on the Oilers who didn't have a minus - one of those being Chris Pronger, who had played about 17 minutes to lead all Oilers in ice time.

And to think that Edmonton started off really well, they've almost stunk it up as bad as Atlanta recently.

[DoctorNo]

Did Edmonton really look that bad last night against Colorado? 7-0 after 2 periods, the huge surprise was that at that point there were only 3 players on the Oilers who didn't have a minus - one of those being Chris Pronger, who had played about 17 minutes to lead all Oilers in ice time.

The key to this win was that I didn't watch the game, instead staying in my office to study for my exam. I listened on the internet.

When I left the office to go to the bars, it was 7-0, so I'm largely to blame for Aebischer losing the shutout.

[Irish Blues]

Allow me to officially nominate the Pittsburgh Penguins as the worst team in the NHL in 2005-06. For all the talk about how the Blues and Capitals were going to stink it up, at least they each have 2 wins. The Pens are about halfway through the Boston game tonight and are being outshot 32-9 while losing 4-1.

Also let this officially put to bed any discussion about how Jocelyn Thibault is a great goalie. He's not - he's always been average at best with occasional flashes of brilliance in-between injuries, this year we're seeing Thibault in all his glorious mediocrity.

[DoctorNo]

Allow me to officially nominate the Pittsburgh Penguins as the worst team in the NHL in 2005-06. For all the talk about how the Blues and Capitals were going to stink it up, at least they each have 2 wins. The Pens are about halfway through the Boston game tonight and are being outshot 32-9 while losing 4-1.

I'm listening over the internet radio. This game is abysmal, yet I cannot change the channel.

[DoctorNo]

Actually, I just figured it out (probably because I'm a Washington Husky fan).

Pittsburgh Penguins hockey = Washington Husky football.

Both were great in the early 1990s, and decent through the mid-1990s. Now both are Godawful.

[hardinda]

Hope the Rangers are prepared to lose tomorrow night in Buffalo!!


They were prepared to lose ... 3-1 BUFFALO!!!!

6-2 record, undefeated at home.

[Irish Blues]

I'm not going to say that the Detroit Red Wings aren't a good team - they're 8-1-0 after tonight's whitewash of Columbus - but it's really not *that* impressive of an 8-1-0 record. They've beaten 7 teams that are currently under .500 - they've beaten Los Angeles and lost to Vancouver. Beating St. Louis and Columbus should count as a victory and a half total, Calgary was just horrible at the time, and San Jose, Phoenix and Anaheim aren't exactly striking fear in the hearts of anyone.

Their next three games are against Columbus, Chicago (27th), Chicago (29th) and Chicago (1st). There's no excuse for them not to be 12-1-0 on November 2, and after Edmonton, Phoenix and St. Louis in the week after they could very easily be an impressive-looking 15-1-0 without playing anyone even moderately tough in the next 2 1/2 weeks (unless Edmonton finally gets untracked).

[Wannabe Actuary]

They were prepared to lose ... 3-1 BUFFALO!!!!

6-2 record, undefeated at home. welll, they gave 8 powerplays to the Sabres...the Sabres tied the game on a powerplay goal and made it a two goal lead with a 5-on-3 goal.

[GefilteFish144]

welll, they gave 8 powerplays to the Sabres...the Sabres tied the game on a powerplay goal and made it a two goal lead with a 5-on-3 goal.

8 seems to be the standard for teams these days. It's just that the Rangers seem to pick the worst times, like when they are on the PP or SH.

[hardinda]

welll, they gave 8 powerplays to the Sabres...the Sabres tied the game on a powerplay goal and made it a two goal lead with a 5-on-3 goal.

Rangers had a 5-3 powerplay right before this and couldn't score.

[Wannabe Actuary]

Rangers had a 5-3 powerplay right before this and couldn't score. I understand, they can't score on all the opportunities, but the Sabres only had 6 penalties, the Rangers had 8....2 powerplay goals by the Sabres. Seems those two extra opportunities made a lot of difference. In the games the Rangers have lost in regulation, they've spent a good amount of time in the box...

[hardinda]

I understand, they can't score on all the opportunities, but the Sabres only had 6 penalties, the Rangers had 8....2 powerplay goals by the Sabres. Seems those two extra opportunities made a lot of difference. In the games the Rangers have lost in regulation, they've spent a good amount of time in the box...

The Sabres have been very good at staying out of the box this year.

[Irish Blues]

Also allow me to say that even though Nashville is 7-0, they have played the weakest schedule of any of the 30 NHL teams. Thus far they've beaten:

San Jose 3-2
Anaheim 3-2 (in a shootout)
Colorado 5-4
Phoenix 5-4 (in a shootout)
St. Louis 4-1
St. Louis 3-2 (in a shootout)
San Jose 2-1

Now....Colorado and Anaheim are 3-4-1, San Jose is 3-5-1, Phoenix is 3-6-1, and St. Louis is 2-5-1. Not exactly any incarnation of the Red Army, much less the mid-80s Washington Capitals.

To top it off, their next 2 games will be against Chicago and Columbus - so they should be 9-0 before they play Edmonton at the end of the month. Just like Detroit - I'm not saying this isn't a good team, but until they finally beat someone that's above .500, let's not get overly excited about how they deserve as much (or more) respect than Ottawa.

[hardinda]

Ottawa on the other hand, is the real deal

[Uncle Larry]

Not tonight! Carolina hands Ottawa their medicine. In other news, Brian McCabe moves into a tie for the nhl scoring lead with Jagr?:eek: :yikes: :confused: :notworth: :shake: :party:

[Wannabe Actuary]

just found out the other day that for those US customers with Comcast and HD boxes...some of the HD channels (InHD and InHD2) are owned by comcast, just like OLN, and often broadcast the hockey game live in HD!!

Last night was the Detroit vs. Columbus game. Sweet deal, hockey's back and I get some of it in HD no less!!!

[Real American Hero]

Just like Detroit - I'm not saying this (Nashville) isn't a good team, but until they finally beat someone that's above .500, let's not get overly excited about how they deserve as much (or more) respect than Ottawa.
I'd agree with you. Neither has beaten a particularly good team, however both have done what good teams need to do - beat teams you're supposed to beat, night in and night out.

[Irish Blues]

I saw Pittsburgh go up 3-2 last night and told my wife that with their luck they'd blow the lead in the final 3 minutes and then lose in OT or the shootout. That team has such bad luck right now, the league could tell the Pens they'd get 2 points for just showing up in Atlanta and the team bus would break down on the way to the arena.

And Nashville at 8-0...:eek: Of course, if you count the shootouts as ties they'd be 5-0-3 and 5 points back of Detroit.

[Smashville]

Nashville - weakest schedule? I'd have to agree. Let's look at what's upcoming.

Tonight: At Columbus (2-7). Playing on back to back night with Mason probably playing instead of Vokoun, it's the sort of game we're supposed to win, but might let slip away in a sloppy performance. It's probably, but not a given, that we get to 9-0.

Saturday: vs Edmonton (3-6-1). No good reason to not win this one on home ice, unless boredom and complacency set in. 10-0 looks very reasonable, but, to agree with the other posters, it has been a pretty easy schedule.

Then it's off road games on back-to-back nights in Anaheim and San Jose. It will be Anaheim's fourth straight home game, and Anaheim is looking at a very possible 6-5-1 record, 6-3-1 minus the Predators; good, but not great considering the level of competition in their other games. If the Preds are still undefeated, Anaheim has to be salivating over a shot to avenge their shootout loss to Kiraya. 11-0 is possible, but getting a little harder.

San Jose, without the Nashville games, is 3-3-1. They are on the road against Dallas (5-3) and Los Angeles (7-3), then home against .500ish Calgary. If they win two of those three then I've got to think of San Jose as respectable, especially playing at San Jose.

If we get to 12-0, you've got to take that seriously. The first 'true test', if we're still somehow undefeated, is on the road against the 7-3 Kings. If we somehow get to 13-0, we're for real. I'm hoping we can get to 13-0, since I have tickets in the 2nd row on the red line for the next game, which is the evening of exam day.

[Uncle Larry]

Well after that big huge post, Nashville goes and drops one to the BJ's, however they still pull out a point by making it into OT. So they're quasi-undefeated I guess, or have collected a point in every game so far. That's why I don't like overtime/shoot-out loss points. They lost but...they got a point? Doesn't make sense.

[GefilteFish144]

Well after that big huge post, Nashville goes and drops one to the BJ's, however they still pull out a point by making it into OT. So they're quasi-undefeated I guess, or have collected a point in every game so far. That's why I don't like overtime/shoot-out loss points. They lost but...they got a point? Doesn't make sense.

Never followed the whole OL thing. I guess they originally instituted it a couple years ago so that teams wouldn't just dump the puck in the zone for the final 5 minutes. If you already have a point, you have nothing to lose, so try to score.

I'm in favor of giving teams partial credit for reaching the shootout phase, since shootouts are mainly for the fans and are not "real hockey". But if we give it for shootouts and not for OT, then we're back to the issue of 5 minutes of conservative hockey. (Actually, 10-15 minutes if you include the end of regulation.)

[MountainHawk]

I think the best point structure for having exciting hockey all the way through is:

2 points for a regulation or OT win
1 point for a shootout win
0 points for any loss

No reason to play conservative at the end of regulation, because getting to OT doesn't get you anything. No reason to play conservative for the shootout, because all you are doing is guaranteeing you won't get 2 points.

[hardinda]

I was thinking this structure

2 points for any win in OT or regulation
0 points for any loss at any time
if tied after OT, teams battle off with the breaking targets game from All Star wkd, most broken targets get a point, oh wait .. maybe it should be the skate off, yeah the skate off

[Irish Blues]

Uh-oh.....here goes this argument.

I maintain that if you win in regulation, it should be worth more than a win in OT or in a shootout, and a win in OT should be worth more than a win in a shootout. So I want to see:

Regulation win = 3 points
OT win = 2 points
Shootout win = 1 point
Loss (at any time) = 0 points

However, I'd rather see the shootout done away with (and this debate deserves it's own thread). And giving 2 points for an OT win and a point for a tie would just encourage teams to play for a tie....and I don't have a *good* alternative drawn up yet.

[Wannabe Actuary]

no shoot out, points only for a win...if you tie, well, you didn't win, sorry no points....you lost, sorry no points.

ok, I haven't thought this through yet....let me dwell on it

[Uncle Larry]

Never followed the whole OL thing. I guess they originally instituted it a couple years ago so that teams wouldn't just dump the puck in the zone for the final 5 minutes.Ya, just like when they used to have ties teams just dumped the puck down for the 60 minutes of game time. I mean they just played for the tie right? People always say "Oh now you can go for it because you have nothing to lose". Guess what, if you lose in overtime, you're giving the other team another point. That hurts you in the standings. I don't find overtime is any more offensive than regulation, and if it is it's because they made it 4 on 4. Another stupid idea. It's a gimmick. I always hated the 4 on 4. "Well it's more exciting". Ya? Then why don't they just make hockey 4 on 4 all the time if it's more exciting?

I say 10 minutes of 5 on 5 overtime, if it's tied, each team gets a point. If there's a winner they get 2 points and 0 points. Why do people think a regulation win is more valuable than an overtime win. Do peopl who think that think the same for baseball, football and basketball. Should overtime/extra innings wins in those sports count for less?

[Uncle Larry]

2 points for a regulation or OT win
1 point for a shootout win
0 points for any lossThat would be an improvement. If we have to have the shootout, I'd prefer this system.

[Uncle Larry]

Uh-oh.....here goes this argument.

I maintain that if you win in regulation, it should be worth more than a win in OT or in a shootout, and a win in OT should be worth more than a win in a shootout. So I want to see:

Regulation win = 3 points
OT win = 2 points
Shootout win = 1 point
Loss (at any time) = 0 points

However, I'd rather see the shootout done away with (and this debate deserves it's own thread). And giving 2 points for an OT win and a point for a tie would just encourage teams to play for a tie....and I don't have a *good* alternative drawn up yet.But what if you win by 5 goals? Surely that should be worth.

Why don't we make the points awarded like this.

Winner gets (Final score - opponents score)*(3)-(Overtime win indicator)*(2) - (Shootout win indicator)*(1) where overtime indicator = 1 if victory was during overtime, and shootout indicator = 1 if victory was in shootout, and zero otherwise.

Actually, I'll bet NASA could come up with a better system, why don't we send the tapes of each game to them, and they can figure out a system, then they can let us know at the end of the year who won the Stanley Cup.

[Uncle Larry]

What the hell is wrong with Atlanta? They're up 4-0 against the only winless team in the league, so they decide to see if they can take as many penalties as possible, give up 7 goals in a row and lose 7-5? Ilya Kovalchuk takes 4 minors, including a diving, and an unsportsmanlike conduct? That guy has endless talent, but he's too selfish, no team will ever go anywhere with him. If he ended up on the Leafs, I'd stop cheering for the Leafs.

PS - Lemieux picks up FIVE points...unbelievable that guy.

I still think once Pittsburgh gels they'll come together and make the playoffs. Having a bad streak for 7-10 games isn't that uncommon. Lots of good teams have aweful runs, lots of bad teams have good runs. Season's still early.

[DoctorNo]

Just got back from Vancouver-Colorado.

Easily the proudest I've been to be a part of a crowd. Nothing thrown on the ice, no fights in the stands that I could see, but the loudest booing I've heard directed at one person ever. And the "Bertuzzi Sucks" chant at the end was well-articulated and LOUD.

It was obvious (to me, at least) that it worked, too. Keep it up on Saturday!

[DoctorNo]

Actually, I'll bet NASA could come up with a better system, why don't we send the tapes of each game to them, and they can figure out a system, then they can let us know at the end of the year who won the Stanley Cup.

What they should do is conduct a sample of ten media members after the game, five representing each team, as to who played better. Each team then gets (# of votes) as points in the standings.

[hardinda]

What they should do is conduct a sample of ten media members after the game, five representing each team, as to who played better. Each team then gets (# of votes) as points in the standings.

Sweet, like the three stars selections.

[Rockhound]

Uh-oh.....here goes this argument.

I maintain that if you win in regulation, it should be worth more than a win in OT or in a shootout, and a win in OT should be worth more than a win in a shootout. So I want to see:

Regulation win = 3 points
OT win = 2 points
Shootout win = 1 point
Loss (at any time) = 0 points



I thought the NHL considered this. It makes so much more sense than the current way, where some games are worth 2 points and some games are worth 3 points.

Current system creates the situatuation where the most sensible course of action when two teams from different conferences play, is to to agree to skate to a tie, thus raising the value of that game to 3 points.

Even within your conference that strategy is the most productive in most cases.

[MountainHawk]

Nice comeback win for the Flyers last night. Now they have to bounce back and beat Carolina in the back end of a back-to-back, then they face Ottawa on Sunday to finish up the 3 in 4.

Esche is quickly losing his job though. Way too many rebounds, and too many games with a bad goal. I think it's just about time for Frank to get a serious shot at winning the job.

[Not Mike]

What the hell is wrong with Atlanta? They're up 4-0 against the only winless team in the league, so they decide to see if they can take as many penalties as possible, give up 7 goals in a row and lose 7-5? Ilya Kovalchuk takes 4 minors, including a diving, and an unsportsmanlike conduct? That guy has endless talent, but he's too selfish, no team will ever go anywhere with him. If he ended up on the Leafs, I'd stop cheering for the Leafs.

PS - Lemieux picks up FIVE points...unbelievable that guy.

I still think once Pittsburgh gels they'll come together and make the playoffs. Having a bad streak for 7-10 games isn't that uncommon. Lots of good teams have aweful runs, lots of bad teams have good runs. Season's still early.
The Pens should've won on Tuesday night as well, definitely outplayed the Panthers, but they decided to "shut it down" up 1 with ten minutes left and ended up blowing the game.

The only positive about the winless streak was 5 points in 9 games. I, too, think they'll rally to make the playoffs, but no if they stick with Thibault... he's been terrible. It's time to bring up MAF and ride him.

Crosby is unbelievable... once he starts scoring goals I think the faucet will open. He drew six minors against the Panthers the other night.

Mario definitely isn't playing as good as the 5-point night would indicate, but last night was the first time that Edzo used Mario and Sid on the same line and same PP. Gonchar, who also sucked rocks the first 8ish games, has started to play much better.

[MountainHawk]

Went to Bruins/Devils tonight.

The Devils are horrendous on defense. I don't think the Devils made as many dumb passes in their own zone in the entire 03-04 season has they did tonight.

Saw my first live shootout, and I wasn't as impressed as I'd thought I'd be. Still not opposed to the concept, but not as in favor of it as before. I'll wait to see the Flyers in a few before I decide finally which side of the fence I'm on.

[Matty]

Went to Bruins/Devils tonight.

The Devils are horrendous on defense. I don't think the Devils made as many dumb passes in their own zone in the entire 03-04 season has they did tonight.

Saw my first live shootout, and I wasn't as impressed as I'd thought I'd be. Still not opposed to the concept, but not as in favor of it as before. I'll wait to see the Flyers in a few before I decide finally which side of the fence I'm on.

I think it's hilarious that Boston plays in the "TD Banknorth Garden". You do know what the T stands for, don't you?

[MountainHawk]

It's Toronto Dominion Bank, isn't it?

Carolina plays in the RBC Center too. ;-)

[MountainHawk]

I also think it's hilarious that the Leafs were the first team shutout in a week last night :D

[Uncle Larry]

That game was a disgrace.

[GefilteFish144]

Went to Bruins/Devils tonight.

The Devils are horrendous on defense. I don't think the Devils made as many dumb passes in their own zone in the entire 03-04 season has they did tonight.

Saw my first live shootout, and I wasn't as impressed as I'd thought I'd be. Still not opposed to the concept, but not as in favor of it as before. I'll wait to see the Flyers in a few before I decide finally which side of the fence I'm on.

Not to take anything away from Brodeur, but his impressive career stats were padded by the fact that he didn't see as many shots in a game as other goalies. Now with Clemmensen in goal, I think the defense is getting the message that they have to get their act together. Devils played well against Buffalo except for a 3rd period lapse in which they blew a 2-goal lead in the blink of an eye.

Don't think that the Devils will be able to fill the shoes of Stevens and Nieder, but seems that the offense is responding very well to the rule changes, especially the Russians. Brylin was an insignificant 3rd-liner under Burns -- now he has 6 goals already.

[MountainHawk]

Big, big win for the Flyers last night (well, big for an October game). Winning in Ottawa is not going to be a trivial task for anyone, and the Flyers played very well and deserved the win.

[Mike and Maddog]

Big, big win for the Flyers last night (well, big for an October game). Winning in Ottawa is not going to be a trivial task for anyone, and the Flyers played very well and deserved the win.

Ottawa without Havlat.

Followed a big, big loss the other night. Blew a 2 goal third period lead and lost 8-6 to Carolina.

[MountainHawk]

Carolina is playing well. It was a bad loss, but you are going to lose 20 games no matter what you do.

The Flyers didn't have Kapanen, Primeau, or Stevenson, plus they lost Johnsson early in the game. Getting two points in Ottawa is a big deal, and will give the Flyers confidence heading into a 'soft' part of the schedule which a bunch of home games coming up.

[Uncle Larry]

Big, big win for the Flyers last night (well, big for an October game). Winning in Ottawa is not going to be a trivial task for anyone, and the Flyers played very well and deserved the win.The 3 way rivalry is all backwards this year. Ottawa beating Toronto, Toronto beating Philly and Philly beating Ottawa. Weird stuff. Although it usually only holds in the playoffs anyway.

[Uncle Larry]

Ottawa without Havlat.

Followed a big, big loss the other night. Blew a 2 goal third period lead and lost 8-6 to Carolina.:lol: Ottawa without Havlat. Who cares? He's like their 6th best forward.

[MountainHawk]

The 3 way rivalry is all backwards this year. Ottawa beating Toronto, Toronto beating Philly and Philly beating Ottawa. Weird stuff. Although it usually only holds in the playoffs anyway.
Philly leads Toronto in aggregate goals 7 to 6. ;-)

[Irish Blues]

Did I say that Pittsburgh was the worst team in the NHL and Columbus would be fighting them for last? Sorry, I meant that St. Louis may be the worst team in the NHL and it may not be close before the season is over.

They can't play defense, they can't hold a lead, they can't keep from taking stupid penalties, and right now they can't stay healthy. They're currently missing Doug Weight, Keith Tkachuk, Eric Boguinecki, and Christian Backman due to injuries, and Dallas Drake is suspended for a hit to Corey Perry in the Anaheim game Friday night that neither referee saw fit to call a penalty for.

And if the Blues actually finish last, with their they'll either lose the lottery and draft 2nd (and thus not get Phil Kessel) or the NHL will hit them with another tampering penalty and give the #1 pick to New Jersey or Phoenix.

[Uncle Larry]

and Dallas Drake is suspended for a hit to Corey Perry in the Anaheim game Friday night that neither referee saw fit to call a penalty for.Did you see it? That was ugly. Refs missing a cal <> clean hit.

[Irish Blues]

Did you see it? That was ugly. Refs missing a cal <> clean hit.
No, I didn't see it. My point was that if the NHL thought it was worth a 2-game suspension, there should have been a penalty called. Since the refs *didn't* call a penalty, it's a really good sign they blew it.

However, I'm sure they made sure to call at least 4 questionable obstruction penalties as part of this 71st league-mandated crackdown on obstruction....and for some, that's more important than making the calls (like this one) that need to be made.

[Wannabe Actuary]

Rangers have already taken 9-10 penalties and it's not even midway through the 3rd. They've had a lot of scoring chances, but they're down 1-0 due to a powerplay goal from Montreal. Montreal just took a penalty, so hopefully they can get things rolling.
I love hockey in HD btw.

[Wannabe Actuary]

another penalty...two man advantage for 1:10. Gotta get it done here fellas.

[Wannabe Actuary]

Jagr rips a nassty shot to tie the game, still have a powerplay for 1:30 or so...
looked like 5-hole

[Wannabe Actuary]

so much for that, rangers get caught on the ice too long with dead legs and give up a 2-1 break while on the powerplay and give up the shorthanded goal.

down 2-1 now.

[Wannabe Actuary]

caught out of position on the third goal, empty net for the 4th.
gotta play smarter, all of those goals could easily have been avoided.

[Uncle Larry]

Can you wait til the games over and post a summary? We've only got one hockey thread and if everyone starts posting play by play analysis of game's they're watching all our conversations will get buried and the thread will become useless.

[Wannabe Actuary]

Can you wait til the games over and post a summary? We've only got one hockey thread and if everyone starts posting play by play analysis of game's they're watching all our conversations will get buried and the thread will become useless.it was more or less just the goals, but I see your point. I'll do my best to wait till the game is over, or, I'll start a Rangers thread.

[Uncle Larry]

Sounds good man. Actually we should start some team threads like they had for baseball. Maybe I'll start a Leafs thread.

And on that note, Belfour was great tonght after the debacle on Saturday, big win against the Panthers.

[Mike and Maddog]

Can you wait til the games over and post a summary? We've only got one hockey thread and if everyone starts posting play by play analysis of game's they're watching all our conversations will get buried and the thread will become useless.


Become?

[MountainHawk]

Anyone watch the OLN game last night?

Why can't JD and Sam Rosen say Kovalev's name right? They kept saying it as if it ends in -ov, it doesn't! I mean he played for the Rangers for how long?

They also either need to stick to either an English version of the pronunciation of Canadiens (as if there is an a instead of the the e), or actually learn how it's pronounced in French, because the franglais pronounciation they had going last night was pretty grating. ;-)

[Wannabe Actuary]

Anyone watch the OLN game last night?

Why can't JD and Sam Rosen say Kovalev's name right? They kept saying it as if it ends in -ov, it doesn't! I mean he played for the Rangers for how long?

They also either need to stick to either an English version of the pronunciation of Canadiens (as if there is an a instead of the the e), or actually learn how it's pronounced in French, because the franglais pronounciation they had going last night was pretty grating. ;-)yeah MH, I watched the OLN broadcast, but OLN is owned by comcast, as in InHD and InHD2...so comcast broadcasts the game on InHD2 and it's a million times better pic quality than the crappy OLN channel. Same announcers though.

[Uncle Larry]

Is the OLN coverage starting to come along yet? Or still not great?

[MountainHawk]

The camera guys need some work yet ... but the team that have assembled is fanastic. Pierre McGuire, Keith Jones, and Bill Clement in the studio and John Davidson, Sam Rosen, and Mike Emrick all as announcers all really know their stuff.

[Wannabe Actuary]

but as mentioned, knowing their stuff and being able to say names doesn't always go hand in hand. I thought the camera work last night was pretty good. Then again, the HD camera gets more in view than the normal one, so perhaps I saw things that the regular OLN broadcast missed.

[GefilteFish144]

Anyone watch the OLN game last night?

Why can't JD and Sam Rosen say Kovalev's name right? They kept saying it as if it ends in -ov, it doesn't! I mean he played for the Rangers for how long?

They also either need to stick to either an English version of the pronunciation of Canadiens (as if there is an a instead of the the e), or actually learn how it's pronounced in French, because the franglais pronounciation they had going last night was pretty grating. ;-)

Having watched JD and Sam Rosen for years doing Rangers broadcasts, I could care less how they pronounce players' names. They know their hockey, that's for sure. I always find it strange to see Rosen do NFL games, but for a guy assigned to do crap games he's not bad.

[Uncle Larry]

Pierre McGuire:lol: Oh man, is that where Pierre went? Please tell me you don't like McGuire....I think he's the most hated man in Canada.

[Wannabe Actuary]

Having watched JD and Sam Rosen for years doing Rangers broadcasts, I could care less how they pronounce players' names. They know their hockey, that's for sure. I always find it strange to see Rosen do NFL games, but for a guy assigned to do crap games he's not bad.
[pet peeve]so you do care?
perhaps you mean couldn't care less...if you could care less that means you do care.[/petpeeve]

[MountainHawk]

Why is he hated in Canada? Because he doesn't bow down and worship the Leafs? ;-)

[Uncle Larry]

No, because he's annoying...You haven't noticed that?

[MountainHawk]

Having watched JD and Sam Rosen for years doing Rangers broadcasts, I could care less how they pronounce players' names. They know their hockey, that's for sure. I always find it strange to see Rosen do NFL games, but for a guy assigned to do crap games he's not bad.
If a guy gets a hard Russian name wrong early in the guys career, then I'm ok with that. I mean, the Flyers announcers pronounced the names 'Dee-jard-din-es' and 'Gag-knee' when those players first came to the Flyers. But it's not hard to learn how to say the guys name, and for a player that has been around as long as Kovalev, they should be able to pronounce his name. It's unprofessional of them to get it wrong.

[MountainHawk]

No, because he's annoying...You haven't noticed that?

Not yet, but it's only been 4 weeks and I only watch the OLN game if it's the game that's most interesting to me.

[Uncle Larry]

[pet peeve]so you do care?
perhaps you mean couldn't care less...if you could care less that means you do care.[/petpeeve][pet peeve]Can you please stop correcting people on this? I could care less is a sarcastic alternative to I couldn't care less. They mean the same thing. Everyone knows this. It is widely used, widely understood and a completely legitimate phrase. [/pet peeve]

[Uncle Larry]

Not yet, but it's only been 4 weeks and I only watch the OLN game if it's the game that's most interesting to me.You'll notice it. He's not as bad in studio, did you ever hear him call the World Junior games on TSN? His colour commentary is way more annoying than the studio stuff. After you hear him call a game you can never take him seriously again.

[Wannabe Actuary]

[pet peeve]Can you please stop correcting people on this? I could care less is a sarcastic alternative to I couldn't care less. They mean the same thing. Everyone knows this. It is widely used, widely understood and a completely legitimate phrase. [/pet peeve]it's widely used, and widely annoying. I would not say it's widely accepted. it's the similar to 'same difference'....it doesn't mean what you want it to mean....ahhhh, makes me want to scream.

also, it may be only the second or third time I've corrected someone on this.

[Uncle Larry]

it's widely used, and widely annoying. I would not say it's widely accepted. it's the similar to 'same difference'....it doesn't mean what you want it to mean....ahhhh, makes me want to scream.

also, it may be only the second or third time I've corrected someone on this.It doesn't mean what you want it to mean because it's sarcastic. Have you ever heard someone say "Like I really care"? That's also a sarcastic phrase, you usually say it when you don't care. Do you correct someone everytime they say that? Have you ever heard someone say "I can't wait", when in fact they were talking about something they didn't want to happen? Yup, you guessed it. Sarcasm. Do you correct those people as well?

[Wannabe Actuary]

It doesn't mean what you want it to mean because it's sarcastic. Have you ever heard someone say "Like I really care"? That's also a sarcastic phrase, you usually say it when you don't care. Do you correct someone everytime they say that? Have you ever heard someone say "I can't wait", when in fact they were talking about something they didn't want to happen? Yup, you guessed it. Sarcasm. Do you correct those people as well?no, because that IS sarcasm. Someone saying I could care less is NOT meant to be sarcastic, it comes from the incorrect interpretation of I couldn't care less. Ask gelite, I can almost guarantee that sarcasm was NOT intended. I've NEVER heard anyone say that with sarcasm in their voice, it's always been with a serious tone.

[MountainHawk]

no, because that IS sarcasm. Someone saying I could care less is NOT meant to be sarcastic, it comes from the incorrect interpretation of I couldn't care less. Ask gelite, I can almost guarantee that sarcasm was NOT intended. I've NEVER heard anyone say that with sarcasm in their voice, it's always been with a serious tone.


I do not discur, but save it for the grammar police thread. ;-)

[Uncle Larry]

Your wrong.

[Matty]

You'll notice it. He's not as bad in studio, did you ever hear him call the World Junior games on TSN? His colour commentary is way more annoying than the studio stuff. After you hear him call a game you can never take him seriously again.

Do you remember Jiggs MacDonald? Used to do the Leafs games maybe 6-7 years ago. I remember it being so bad I had to mute the TV and turn on the radio. I think he's doing games in Florida now.

[Wannabe Actuary]

Your right.
Thanks, I knew you would see the right way.

[Wannabe Actuary]

here, for educational purposes....

http://www.incompetech.com/gallimaufry/care_less.html

[Uncle Larry]

Do you remember Jiggs MacDonald? Used to do the Leafs games maybe 6-7 years ago. I remember it being so bad I had to mute the TV and turn on the radio. I think he's doing games in Florida now.Na, don't remember him. Was he on CBC or TSN?

[Matty]

Na, don't remember him. Was he on CBC or TSN?

Neither - he was on CH, back when it was called OnTV.

[MountainHawk]

Standings on 11/1/2005:



Team W L OT Pts Win% AW% GF GPG GA GAA
Atlantic Division
NYR 6 4 3 15 .577 .526 41 3.15 33 2.54
PHI 6 3 1 13 .650 .592 44 4.40 37 3.70
NJD 6 5 0 12 .545 .497 36 3.27 40 3.64
NYI 5 6 0 10 .455 .414 34 3.09 41 3.73
PIT 1 5 5 7 .318 .290 36 3.27 53 4.82
Northeast Division
MTL 8 3 1 17 .708 .645 37 3.08 33 2.75
OTT 8 2 0 16 .800 .729 44 4.40 22 2.20
BUF 7 4 0 14 .636 .580 36 3.27 32 2.91
TOR 6 4 2 14 .583 .531 42 3.50 43 3.58
BOS 5 5 3 13 .500 .455 44 3.38 47 3.62
Southeast Division
CAR 8 2 1 17 .773 .704 48 4.36 32 2.91
TBY 7 3 2 16 .667 .607 37 3.08 28 2.33
FLA 6 5 1 13 .542 .493 28 2.33 30 2.50
WSH 4 7 0 8 .364 .331 25 2.27 46 4.18
ATL 3 8 0 6 .273 .248 31 2.82 45 4.09
Central Division
DET 11 1 0 22 .917 .835 51 4.25 23 1.92
NSH 8 1 1 17 .850 .774 33 3.30 27 2.70
CLB 4 8 0 8 .333 .304 23 1.92 38 3.17
CHI 3 8 0 6 .273 .248 31 2.82 43 3.91
STL 2 7 2 6 .273 .248 32 2.91 45 4.09
Northwest Division
VAN 8 2 2 18 .750 .683 43 3.58 38 3.17
MIN 6 4 2 14 .583 .531 37 3.08 26 2.17
COL 6 4 1 13 .591 .538 49 4.45 37 3.36
EDM 5 6 1 11 .458 .418 33 2.75 40 3.33
CGY 4 7 2 10 .385 .350 29 2.23 40 3.08
Pacific Division
LAK 8 4 0 16 .667 .607 43 3.58 32 2.67
DAL 6 4 1 13 .591 .538 34 3.09 39 3.55
ANA 6 5 1 13 .542 .493 37 3.08 36 3.00
SJS 6 5 1 13 .542 .493 38 3.17 44 3.67
PHX 5 8 1 11 .393 .358 36 2.57 42 3.00


Winning percentage is Points / (GP *2)
Adjusted winning percentage is Points / (GP * 2.2), because there has been an average of 2.2 earned in the NHL per game played.

Team Statistics:


Top 5 Offenses:

1. COL 4.45
2. PHI 4.40
OTT 4.40
4. CAR 4.36
5. DET 4.25

Worst 5 Offenses:

1. CLB 1.92
2. CGY 2.23
3. WSH 2.27
4. FLA 2.33
5. PHX 2.57

Top 5 Defenses:

1. DET 1.92
2. MIN 2.17
3. OTT 2.20
4. TBY 2.33
5. FLA 2.50

Worst 5 Defenses:

1. PIT 4.82
2. WSH 4.18
3. STL 4.09
ATL 4.09
5. CHI 3.91

Top 5 Power Plays:

1. DET 27.8%
2. TOR 26.5%
3. MIN 23.8%
4. COL 23.6%
5. PIT 22.2%

Worst 5 Power Plays:

1. CLB 9.7%
2. WSH 11.2%
3. TBY 12.0%
4. CAL 12.3%
5. CHI 13.1%

Top 5 Penalty Kills:

1. TBY 95.1%
2. MIN 93.3%
3. DET 93.0%
4. NYR 88.1%
5. COL 87.6%

Worst 5 Penalty Kills:

1. ATL 74.4%
2. PIT 74.7%
3. PHI 75.0%
4. CGY 75.5%
5. WSH 76.0%



Individual Statistics:



Goals

1. Jagr 12
2. Gagne 10
3. Staal 9
Selanne 9
Briere 9

Assists

1. Forsberg 17
2. Thornton 14
3. Staal 13
Spezza 13
Straka 13

Points

1. Staal 22
2. Jagr 19
Forsberg 19
4. Heatley 18
Spezza 18

PIM

1. Erksine 41
2. Nash 40
3. Stevenson 39
4. Boulton 38
Sutton 38

Rookie Points

1. Crosby 14
2. Ovechkin 13
3. Vorobiev 11
Svatos 11
5. Richards 9
Michalek 9

GAA

1. Fernandez 1.65
2. Labarbera 1.70
3. Lundqvist 1.76
4. Legace 1.81
5. Hasek 2.09

Save Percentage

1. Fernandez 94.7%
2. Lundqvist 93.8%
Labarbera 93.8%
4. Roloson 93.2%
5. Luongo 92.7%
Hasek 92.7%




And some final fun numbers:

Goals per game: 6.391
Points awarded per game: 2.195
Number of shutouts: 12
Number of OT games: 34
Number of shootouts: 15
Percentage of Games ending in regulation: 80.5%
Percentage of OT Games ending before shootout: 55.9%
Percentage of games ending in shootout: 8.6%

Shootout Statistics:

Games in shootout:15
Shots taken: 91
Goals scored: 30
Shootout save percentage: 67.0%

[Wannabe Actuary]

I thought this was interesting.

GAA
2. Labarbera 1.70
3. Lundqvist 1.76

2. from the Ranger farm system (Hartford wolfpack)...not seriously considered to stay with the team because they didn't think he had real NHL potential :lol:
3. Ranger rookie.

[Uncle Larry]

Neither - he was on CH, back when it was called OnTV.Never heard of OnTV, I'm not from Ontario. Well I live in Ontario now, but CH doesn't carry hockey games anymore I guess.

[MountainHawk]

It's good to be this Flyers fan:

http://www.philadelphiaflyers.com/pressbox/archive/2259.asp


The Philadelphia Flyers will welcome their 25-millionth fan on Saturday, November 5, when they host the Atlanta Thrashers at the Wachovia Center beginning at 7 p.m. The Flyers will present the lucky fan with "millions" of gifts, literally.

"The Flyers have the best fans in all of sports. Having started the team in 1967, I couldn't possibly imagine that someday we would be welcoming our 25-millionth fan," said Flyers Chairman and Governor Ed Snider. Snider is also Chairman of Comcast-Spectacor.

Upon entering the Wachovia Center, Snider will present the 25-millionth fan with a team-signed Flyers jersey which reads ’Million’ on the back with No. 25. In addition, the Flyers will shower the 25-millionth fan with confetti as the lucky entrant proceeds down the orange carpet under the spotlights.

The lucky fan will also receive:

· Men's limited edition Lochman watch in black graphite dial/automatic, which retails for just under $1,000, courtesy of Bernie Robbins Fine Jewelry
· A Sharp Aquos flat-screen HD-LCD television
· Prime Rate interest for a day on $25 Million courtesy of the Flyers
· Round-trip airfare for two courtesy of Southwest Airlines
· Accommodations for an eight-day, seven-night stay in Florida, courtesy of Celebration World Resort, including passes to Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando
· Catered balcony suite at the Wachovia Center for a future Flyers game
· Meet -and-Greet with the Flyers and locker room tour at a future Flyers game
· Limousine ride and dinner for four in Victors Club at Wachovia Center to future Flyers game
· Attend Flyers Head Coach Ken Hitchcock’s post-game press conference at future Flyers game
· Ride the Zamboni during intermission of the Flyers/Thrashers game on Saturday, November 5
· In-game recognition during the Flyers/Thrashers game on Saturday, November 5
· Will be featured of www.philadelphiaflyers.com

[Uncle Larry]

I hope it's a from-out-of-town Thrashers fan :lol:

[MountainHawk]

There are Thrashers fans?

[Wannabe Actuary]

maybe I'll go....wearing a rangers jersey...:lol:

[maynard]

i'll be there. so i just have to review all the attendance records going back to 1967 (i wonder if they're counting attendance or ticket sales as they announce in game) and get there early enough to count all the people going in ...

[seabass]

maybe I'll go....wearing a rangers jersey...:lol:

My all-time favorite Islanders game moment was on Santa night a couple of years back. People dressed as Santa got in for free, and during one of the intermissions, the Santas also got to parade around the rink. Two or three of the Santas tore off their costumes to reveal Rangers jerseys, and the rest of the Santas went berzerk. Seeing Santas get into full on hockey fights was probably the best entertainment of the night.

[MountainHawk]

My all-time favorite Islanders game moment was on Santa night a couple of years back. People dressed as Santa got in for free, and during one of the intermissions, the Santas also got to parade around the rink. Two or three of the Santas tore off their costumes to reveal Rangers jerseys, and the rest of the Santas went berzerk. Seeing Santas get into full on hockey fights was probably the best entertainment of the night.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Wannabe Actuary]

while I joke about this, I wouldn't do it. Hockey is different than other sports. I wore my boston jersey to a phillies game and a boston shirt to the game the next day and I wasn't worried. I wouldn't wear my teams shirt/hat to a division rival's arena. So I won't wear any rangers gear to the flyers games, and I won't wear any giants gear at the Linc.....well, perhaps if I was in a large enough group of people I knew.

[Irish Blues]

My all-time favorite Islanders game moment was on Santa night a couple of years back. People dressed as Santa got in for free, and during one of the intermissions, the Santas also got to parade around the rink. Two or three of the Santas tore off their costumes to reveal Rangers jerseys, and the rest of the Santas went berzerk. Seeing Santas get into full on hockey fights was probably the best entertainment of the night.
How about the night some radio station in Montreal offered a prize to the person who did the best job disrupting the Habs game?

[hardinda]

Sabres play Ottawa tonight, Hasek isn't starting. It'll be a real test for the Sabres on home ice.

On another note, for those from Southern Ontario, I heard Friday night's game against Montreal is Canadian at par night, that's like a 40% discount. They always check to make sure you have Canadian ID, I always thought that was wrong when I tried to use my Canadian money from hitting up the bars in the Falls.

[MountainHawk]

Sabres play Ottawa tonight, Hasek isn't starting. It'll be a real test for the Sabres on home ice.

On another note, for those from Southern Ontario, I heard Friday night's game against Montreal is Canadian at par night, that's like a 40% discount. They always check to make sure you have Canadian ID, I always thought that was wrong when I tried to use my Canadian money from hitting up the bars in the Falls.
Sadly, it's only a 15% discount these days. ;-)

[Uncle Larry]

Sabres play Ottawa tonight, Hasek isn't starting. It'll be a real test for the Sabres on home ice.Well I feel a bit better about the Leafs loss to Ottawa Saturday, although Sabres at least put a few goals up.

[DoctorNo]

Four goals is the new three goals!

[hardinda]

The loss isn't the toughest part for the Sabres. Ryan Miller broke his hand in the morning practice and will be out 4-6 weeks. It's a good thing the Sabres didn't move one of their goalies. It'll be interesting to see how Biron and Mika respond to more playing time, if last night is any indication, it's gonna be a long 6 weeks.

[Uncle Larry]

Prediction: Osgood goes down with a brutal injury in the next week or so. All my other fantasy goalies have...:roll:

[Mike and Maddog]

:lol: Ottawa without Havlat. Who cares? He's like their 6th best forward.

Those first 5 must be pretty good.

4 goals for Havlat last night.