The Official 2010-11 NHL Hockey Talk Thread!

[Easy]

Ok after watching HBO 24/7's awesome series of the Penguins and Capitals road to the Winter classic. I'm now a hockey fan.

Unfortunately there is zero coverage of the sport in Australia. Anyone know where I can get NHL streamed online? Kind of like what they do with the NBA?

[GaijinGolfer]

My Blackhawks pretty much suck this year.  Their stars just arent scoring goals like they need to and the defense isnt good enough to carry the team.  Corey Crawford has been great at goal this year though.  He is slowly evolving into one of the NHL's elite goalies.

Also, the Capitals suck too.  Theyve been in a slump all year and arent getting any better.  So, basically I dont expect to have a horse in the race when playoff time rolls around.

IMO, this year's SCF will come down the Vancouver vs Philly.  I normally wont cheer for the Canadian teams, but I really cant stand Philly, so I will have to root for Vancouver if that what it comes down to.

[sean_miller]

Take heart in the fact Vancouver's best all around player is an American. Ryan Kessler is from Michigan (sorry - that probably doesn't help) and plays like an angry Pavel Datsyuk.

  TitleistWI said:

Originally Posted by TitleistWI

My Blackhawks pretty much suck this year.  Their stars just arent scoring goals like they need to and the defense isnt good enough to carry the team.  Corey Crawford has been great at goal this year though.  He is slowly evolving into one of the NHL's elite goalies.

Also, the Capitals suck too.  Theyve been in a slump all year and arent getting any better.  So, basically I dont expect to have a horse in the race when playoff time rolls around.

IMO, this year's SCF will come down the Vancouver vs Philly.  I normally wont cheer for the Canadian teams, but I really cant stand Philly, so I will have to root for Vancouver if that what it comes down to.

[darkhunter139]

  Easy said:

Originally Posted by Easy

Ok after watching HBO 24/7's awesome series of the Penguins and Capitals road to the Winter classic. I'm now a hockey fan.

Unfortunately there is zero coverage of the sport in Australia. Anyone know where I can get NHL streamed online? Kind of like what they do with the NBA?

I am not sure if you can get NHL center ice there but if you can its like $160 for the entire season and you can watch basically every game.

Just don't become a Capitals or Penguins fan :)

[Easy]

Thanks mate. I signed up to NHLvault for 5 bucks a month. It gives me 10min highlights of current games and full games of classics from the past. If I become a super fan I will buy the season package for 120.

As for not being a penguins or caps fan. Too late :P

[shades9323]

  Easy said:

Originally Posted by Easy

Ok after watching HBO 24/7's awesome series of the Penguins and Capitals road to the Winter classic. I'm now a hockey fan.

Unfortunately there is zero coverage of the sport in Australia. Anyone know where I can get NHL streamed online? Kind of like what they do with the NBA?

http://atdhenet.tv/index.html

  TitleistWI said:

Originally Posted by TitleistWI

My Blackhawks pretty much suck this year.  Their stars just arent scoring goals like they need to and the defense isnt good enough to carry the team.  Corey Crawford has been great at goal this year though.  He is slowly evolving into one of the NHL's elite goalies.

Also, the Capitals suck too.  Theyve been in a slump all year and arent getting any better.  So, basically I dont expect to have a horse in the race when playoff time rolls around.

IMO, this year's SCF will come down the Vancouver vs Philly.  I normally wont cheer for the Canadian teams, but I really cant stand Philly, so I will have to root for Vancouver if that what it comes down to.

Corey Crawford evolving into an elite?  Not even close.  He is a product of a good D.  They are sixth in shots against.  They are fourth in goals per game so I don't see how they aren't scoring.  They are only 3points out of the playoffs in a stelar west.

Caps suck?  I have to question if you even watch hockey!

Vancouver is lacking scoring aside from the Sedin-Sedin-Burrows line.  Their second line is too streaky and their 3rd and 4th lines can't score at all.  So stop the Sedin's, stop the Canucks. I don't see them in the SC finals.

I can see Philly though.  Their goaltending might be suspect in the playoffs with the rookie Bobrovsky and Boucher.  We shall see on that one.

[sean_miller]

  shades9323 said:

Originally Posted by shades9323

Quote:

Originally Posted by Easy

Ok after watching HBO 24/7's awesome series of the Penguins and Capitals road to the Winter classic. I'm now a hockey fan.

Unfortunately there is zero coverage of the sport in Australia. Anyone know where I can get NHL streamed online? Kind of like what they do with the NBA?

http://atdhenet.tv/index.html NoImage = NoSigImagedocument.write(pgdCode("


_____________________________

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/Shades9323/Detroit-Red-Wings-Hokey-Town-1-WOTLEF43Q2-1024x768.jpg[/IMG]"))

Quote:

Originally Posted by TitleistWI

My Blackhawks pretty much suck this year.  Their stars just arent scoring goals like they need to and the defense isnt good enough to carry the team.  Corey Crawford has been great at goal this year though.  He is slowly evolving into one of the NHL's elite goalies.

Also, the Capitals suck too.  Theyve been in a slump all year and arent getting any better.  So, basically I dont expect to have a horse in the race when playoff time rolls around.

IMO, this year's SCF will come down the Vancouver vs Philly.  I normally wont cheer for the Canadian teams, but I really cant stand Philly, so I will have to root for Vancouver if that what it comes down to.

Corey Crawford evolving into an elite?  Not even close.  He is a product of a good D.  They are sixth in shots against.  They are fourth in goals per game so I don't see how they aren't scoring.  They are only 3points out of the playoffs in a stelar west.

Caps suck?  I have to question if you even watch hockey!

Vancouver is lacking scoring aside from the Sedin-Sedin-Burrows line.  Their second line is too streaky and their 3rd and 4th lines can't score at all.  So stop the Sedin's, stop the Canucks. I don't see them in the SC finals.

I can see Philly though.  Their goaltending might be suspect in the playoffs with the rookie Bobrovsky and Boucher.  We shall see on that one.

The odds of Vancouver making it to the SCF are no better or worse than any of the other division leaders in the West.

To call them a one line team is to ignore the fact they're the highest scoring team and have allowed the fewest goals per game. They're not just media darlings this year, even though I've heard a few people in the hockey media call them the most balanced team in the NHL right now. They get the nod over Philly, since obvously their goaltending tandem trumps Philly's.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/teamstats.htm?fetchKey=20112ALLAAAAll&sort;=points&viewName;=summary

[shades9323]

  sean_miller said:

Originally Posted by sean_miller

The odds of Vancouver making it to the SCF are no better or worse than any of the other division leaders in the West.

To call them a one line team is to ignore the fact they're the highest scoring team and have allowed the fewest goals per game. They're not just media darlings this year, even though I've heard a few people in the hockey media call them the most balanced team in the NHL right now. They get the nod over Philly, since obvously their goaltending tandem trumps Philly's.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/teamstats.htm?fetchKey=20112ALLAAAAll&sort;=points&viewName;=summary

As long as the second line remains streaky, they only have one solid scoring line.   Samuelsson and Raymond strike fear in no one.  Kessler is the only one on the second line that does.   Besides, we will just send out Datsyuk to neutralize Datsyuk lite! The Wings are 2-1 vs the Canucks this year with our sad excuse for a goalie!

If you take the Canucks goals scored per game lead of .06 over the WIngs, it amounts to less than 5 goals over the course of the season.

[sean_miller]

  shades9323 said:

Originally Posted by shades9323

As long as the second line remains streaky, they only have one solid scoring line.   Samuelsson and Raymond strike fear in no one.  Kessler is the only one on the second line that does.   Besides, we will just send out Datsyuk to neutralize Datsyuk lite!  The Wings are 2-0 vs the Canucks this year!

I pull for the Wings and Canucks (among other teams), but I've pulled for Vancouver for 30+ years. They've been snakebitten by long goals and drawing the one team they struggle against (Hawks, Flames). The regular season matchups don't have a lot do with playoff succes. If that was the case, the Bruins would have fared better agains the Habs over the years. The Wings haven't been as prone to the first round choke in the Babcock era, but they have a lot of key guys still limping or out. Still, head to head my money's on the Wings. Since that matchup will likely have to be in the WCF, it's win win for me.

I wouldn't put a lot of money on either team getting there since the Pacific Division is scary good this year.

EDIT: Edge on team defense goes to Vancouver by a wide margin. If the Wings don't improve on defense soon there's going to be some player movement. Howard is in a slump and no Stuart means their pairings are messed up. Rafalski and Kronwall are dynamic players, but they don't match up well with bigger bodied teams like the Ducks and Canucks.

[mdiogo]

just wondering about you input on the bruins lately...first 5 game win streak of the year...beat a solid team in the canucks and beat the struggling oilers yesterday...do you guys think they have a team to make it deep into the playoffs this year?

being from the boston area and being a avid hockey fan, i am dying to see the bruins be successful in the playoffs and i feel after the trades that were just made, they may have the team this year to be a serious contender

[Huffy2k]

HUUUGGGEEEE hockey fan here.  In fact, it was hockey that interrupted my golf progression as I had to devote many years to raising 2 sons who played the sport pretty much year-round.  Now that both are in college, I'm back to golf with a passion!

My Penguins have really been decimated by the injury bug this year.  Their chances of winning a series or two without Crosby are slim to none.  At this point, I hope the Pens management takes the long term view and just shuts Sid down for the year.  I'd hate to see him hurt again (and possibly end up like Lindros, Savard) by coming back too soon.

I will root for the Bruins (real soft spot for Mark Recchi) if/when the Pens bow out...

[GaijinGolfer]

Its nice to see my Blackhawks playing well again.  If they keep it up, they should be able to make the playoffs.  Crawford is still playing really well, the defense has gotten a little better and they are FINALLY scoring some goals.  Who woulda thunk it!

As for the Caps, they are still pretty pathetic but they have gotten a little bit better as well.

[mdiogo]

  Huffy2k said:

Originally Posted by Huffy2k

I will root for the Bruins (real soft spot for Mark Recchi) if/when the Pens bow out...

watching Recchi is unreal...being a 20 year old kid like myself, seeing someone who is my just about my dads age still putting up the numbers that he does is great. he is a true coverboy for the NHL if you ask me. he is a true class act

as for you not rooting for the Bruins..i let that go under the radar

[shades9323]

  mdiogo said:

Originally Posted by mdiogo

just wondering about you input on the bruins lately...first 5 game win streak of the year...beat a solid team in the canucks and beat the struggling oilers yesterday...do you guys think they have a team to make it deep into the playoffs this year?

being from the boston area and being a avid hockey fan, i am dying to see the bruins be successful in the playoffs and i feel after the trades that were just made, they may have the team this year to be a serious contender

They have a chance.  I still think the Flyers are a better team.  They have more offensive and defensive depth.  Goaltending is the question for the Flyers.  If Sid comes back the Pens will be dangerous too.  Not sold on the Lightning.  Defense and goaltending leaves A LOT to be disired.

  Huffy2k said:

Originally Posted by Huffy2k

HUUUGGGEEEE hockey fan here.  In fact, it was hockey that interrupted my golf progression as I had to devote many years to raising 2 sons who played the sport pretty much year-round.  Now that both are in college, I'm back to golf with a passion!

My Penguins have really been decimated by the injury bug this year.  Their chances of winning a series or two without Crosby are slim to none.  At this point, I hope the Pens management takes the long term view and just shuts Sid down for the year.  I'd hate to see him hurt again (and possibly end up like Lindros, Savard) by coming back too soon.

I will root for the Bruins (real soft spot for Mark Recchi) if/when the Pens bow out...

I think Crosby will be back by the playoffs.  Why else would they trade for Kovalev?  The Neal trade was great for them since he is a young winger for the future.

[Huffy2k]

  shades9323 said:

Originally Posted by shades9323

I think Crosby will be back by the playoffs.  Why else would they trade for Kovalev?  The Neal trade was great for them since he is a young winger for the future.

I hope Crosby shuts it down for the year actually - the risk is too great.  I think Shero picked up Kovalev for 2 reasons: 1) it only cost him a 7th (potentially a 6th) rounder; 2) It showed the guys still playing that the organIzation thinks they have a chance to do some damage even without Sid/Geno...

[iacas]

  Huffy2k said:

Originally Posted by Huffy2k

I hope Crosby shuts it down for the year actually - the risk is too great.  I think Shero picked up Kovalev for 2 reasons: 1) it only cost him a 7th (potentially a 6th) rounder; 2) It showed the guys still playing that the organIzation thinks they have a chance to do some damage even without Sid/Geno...

You forgot the third reason: Mario likes him (and he likes Mario).

[shades9323]

  Huffy2k said:

Originally Posted by Huffy2k

I hope Crosby shuts it down for the year actually - the risk is too great.  I think Shero picked up Kovalev for 2 reasons: 1) it only cost him a 7th (potentially a 6th) rounder; 2) It showed the guys still playing that the organIzation thinks they have a chance to do some damage even without Sid/Geno...

I don't think adding Kovalev shows your 2nd point very well.  As for your first point, a 38 year old Kovalev who is a UFA at the end of the season is less enticing than a 6/7th rounder.  It will be interesting to see what happens for sure.  Their D will keep them in it with a little help from Fleury.  But without Sid, the Pens are a non-factor in the playoffs.

I think Iacas' point probably makes the most sense.

[MrKadash]

Perfect example of arguably the best team in hockey being decimated by injury, so the eventual NHL champ gets an asterisk next to their name at seasons end.  Shero did what he had to do however short-term the changes may be (Kovalev).  The concussion suffered by Crosby must be a hum-dinger to keep him out two months.