NHL 2017-2018

[mcanadiens]

https://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2018/02/15/caps-players-wacky-pregame-rituals-include-john-carlson-giving-alex-ovechkin-cup-check/

[billchao]

1 hour ago, mcanadiens said:

Also appreciate the fact that you are seeing one of the more preposterous things in NHL history, a first-year expansion team that has dominated on the way to the playoffs. The NHL has traditionally had expansion drafts that assure the newcomer of being hopelessly bad. 

Yea the media keeps making a big deal about VGK being the first expansion team to be this successful and whatever, but they never talk about how the expansion draft was set up to ensure they would have a good team to begin with.

Before the season started, the team was already better than at least ten other teams on paper.

[DaveP043]

38 minutes ago, billchao said:

Yea the media keeps making a big deal about VGK being the first expansion team to be this successful and whatever, but they never talk about how the expansion draft was set up to ensure they would have a good team to begin with.

Before the season started, the team was already better than at least ten other teams on paper.

Not that more expansion is imminent, but I'd bet we see the next expansion draft structured very differently.

[SG11118]

Yeah - the protections on the expansion draft were very favorable to Vegas compared to past expansion teams

[billchao]

1 hour ago, DaveP043 said:

Not that more expansion is imminent, but I'd bet we see the next expansion draft structured very differently.

Seattle is in the works. It won't be too long before the league expands again.

I don't know that they'd change it. Having a successful new franchise is good for the NHL. Maybe they exempt VGK or tweak the details slightly, but that's all I expect will be different.

[Patch]

4 hours ago, mcanadiens said:

Have fun. It should definitely be an interesting experience. 

Also appreciate the fact that you are seeing one of the more preposterous things in NHL history, a first-year expansion team that has dominated on the way to the playoffs. The NHL has traditionally had expansion drafts that assure the newcomer of being hopelessly bad. 

I will have a good time. I have also been reading up on the Vegas team.  As for some of the finer points of the game, I will have one of my Grand Daughters explain it to me. 

[DaveP043]

2 hours ago, billchao said:

Seattle is in the works. It won't be too long before the league expands again.

I don't know that they'd change it. Having a successful new franchise is good for the NHL. Maybe they exempt VGK or tweak the details slightly, but that's all I expect will be different.

I'd bet that most owners care more about what's good for their own team more than what's good for the league.  The difference might be to increase the number of players a team can protect somehow.  I'd have a hard time exempting VGK after the season they've had.

[Warren Zevon]

With Toronto on the verge of elimination, I can’t wait for the daily TSN updates on what Austen Matthews is shooting on the golf course.  

And on the spearing (or nut shot, whatever works for you) subject.  I counted at least two from an Avalanche player in last nights game.  Neither got called, although said nut shot receiver did manage to lose his shit and take a retaliation penalty.  

As to not aggravate the missus any more than normal, I’m going to skip the two early games and try to watch the Preds/ Avs tilt in its entirety.   It’s been a nice, aggressive hockey series so far.  

 

Edited April 20, 2018 by Warren Zevon
Nut shot, not but shot

[billchao]

16 hours ago, DaveP043 said:

I'd bet that most owners care more about what's good for their own team more than what's good for the league.  The difference might be to increase the number of players a team can protect somehow.  I'd have a hard time exempting VGK after the season they've had.

I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that Bill Daly said Seattle will have the same expansion rules, but you're right they probably won't exempt VGK.

[billchao]

On 4/18/2018 at 4:37 PM, mcanadiens said:

Well some people can remain douchebags even after they become adults. Maybe he's one of them.

Apparently, not.

Gotta respect when a guy can own up to his mistakes.

[Warren Zevon]

Not a Flyers fan at all, but I have to give props to Sean Couturier for playing through a torn MCL for the Pittsburgh series.  

I think the Jets / Preds series could be one for the ages.  

[DaveP043]

On 4/11/2018 at 12:49 PM, DaveP043 said:

Once again the Washington Capitals are in the playoffs, this time against the Blue Jackets.  My official prediction, the Caps win, and go on to lose in 7 to Pittsburgh.  Why should this year be any different?

Actually, I'm a little optimistic.  The past two years, the Caps got such a big lead in the regular season that they seemed to be coasting for at least a month at the end of the season.  This year, they needed to play hard almost to the end, so I think they've not had much of a chance to get "soft" in their routines.  Whether this means a difference in the playoffs, I have no clue, but if a fan can't find a reason for hope entering the playoffs, he shouldn't even be watching.

 

Here we go again, Caps-Pens.  No predictions, no boasts, just hope.  

[iacas]

1 hour ago, DaveP043 said:

Here we go again, Caps-Pens.  No predictions, no boasts, just hope.  

One would think the law of averages has to apply at some point.

[DaveP043]

7 hours ago, iacas said:

One would think the law of averages has to apply at some point.

Its a funny game, the luck of the bounces in hockey is such a big part of the result, possibly more than in any other sport.  

[mcanadiens]

The frustrating thing about what I saw of the CBJ-Washington series, was the total refusal of Columbus to adjust the PK. Everyone knows what the caps love to do with No. 8 on the far circle. Jackets let it happen over and over. Holtby was very strong as well. CBJ compted in all but one of those games. Holtby was better than Bob.

 

[DaveP043]

I think the Caps did a couple of things to change the tide.  Obviously, putting Holtby back in net was one of them.  Grubauer was clearly better over the last couple months of regular season, but struggled in the playoffs.  Holtby was solid.  The other, they adapted to hold Panarin down.  He had way too much possession in open ice through the first two games, and the Caps largely took that away as the series went on.  

[klineka]

16 minutes ago, mcanadiens said:

The frustrating thing about what I saw of the CBJ-Washington series, was the total refusal of Columbus to adjust the PK.

If CBJ doesnt go 0-15 on powerplays its an entirely different series. That was pathetic. 

[mcanadiens]

51 minutes ago, klineka said:

If CBJ doesnt go 0-15 on powerplays its an entirely different series. That was pathetic. 

0 and 15 is the number for the four games they lost correct? 

Of course that coincides with the switch in goal to Holtby if I remember right.. Really, the CBJ powerplay has had problems all year. It's got some pieces, but there isn't much net presence. You sure as hell didn't want this series to come down to who has the better powerplay. That was the Caps from Day One. It's a difference in talent.

On the other hand, CBJ could have played a more disciplined brand of hockey, not given up so many penalties  and made alterations on the penalty kill to force Washington to do something different. You got to work with what you've got. I'm not sure they did as good a job of that as they could have.

 

Edited April 24, 2018 by mcanadiens