2018-2019 NHL Hockey Thread

[CanadaJohn]

Disappointing result in the Leafs' game tonight - they played well enough to win but the bounces didn't go their way most of the game. They were badly outplayed on special teams, in my view, and their goalie didn't make many big saves and gave up goals at bad times, but some of that was related to sloppy defensive zone play by the Leafs. You score 4 goals, you should win most games, particularly in the playoffs. But it was again a cleanly played, fast paced game, and Boston was the better team.

Once again, however, the Leafs have the highest paid coach in the league who continually seems to be outcoached on a regular basis. The man has won one Stanley Cup and has had a couple of decades with above average talent given to him to work with. About time he started making some moves that prove he deserves his reputation - I don't think he does. He's stubborn, not open to change, very slow to react, and far too loyal to players not carrying their load.

Down to a best of three and the Leafs were the second or third best team in the league on the road this year so I'm still optimistic they can pull it out. Win one, lose one, seems to be the trend of this series, and that would work for the Leafs going forward, although the media's negative hype on another 7th game in Boston would be tough to take.

Another top seed, Calgary, looks to be in serious trouble with Colorado badly outplaying them. Cup finals look to be wide open at this point and I'd love to see the Leafs finally take advantage of the opportunities available but they need to be better and want it more.

 

[Dragonfly]

Disappointing result in the Leafs' game tonight

They almost came back.

I look forward to at least two more games in this match-up. It's been great fun to watch having no skin in the game.
I do hope Toronto wins the series, but I also suspect that with Tampa Bay being eliminated, Washington will win the East and go back to the Cup Finals.

For now though: GO MAPLE LEAFS!!!!

 

[Redress]

It took Carolina 17 seconds to score first. They are one of the local market teams here(along with Nashville), so I have gotten to see them play a good bit this season, and they are a fun, fun team. Nice more people getting a chance to find out about them.

 

[Redress]

Red Wings will announce Steve Yzerman as their new GM this afternoon. Holland will become a senior VP(and from their, probably take a job in Seattle). Red Wings fans, including myself, are excited, not just because Yzerman is a great GM, but because Stevie Y has come home.

 

[CanadaJohn]

Another entertaining, hard fought game in Boston tonight - perfect road game for the Leafs - need to close it out Sunday afternoon at home.

 

[Dragonfly]

Another entertaining, hard fought game in Boston tonight - perfect road game for the Leafs - need to close it out Sunday afternoon at home.

That first goal was quite a gift.
No Toronto fan should complain about refs for the rest of this series.

 

[CanadaJohn]

That first goal was quite a gift.
No Toronto fan should complain about refs for the rest of this series.

Really? I'm biased, but Hyman wasn't in the crease and the goalie isn't protected outside of the crease. Hyman bounced off the defenseman covering him and nudged Rask on the reaction. In addition, there wasn't a hope in hell that Rask was going to make the save on the shot.

And the Boston goal could have been called back as being offside - from the replays, it looked offside - but in both cases, the call on the ice was upheld.

And just to be clear, Boston got 3 powerplays in that game, the Leafs got one and that was for a Boston too many men on the ice - not a single discretionary call against Boston in the action and several could have been called and the two discretionary calls against the Leafs were cheap. Look it up - the Leafs had either the fewest or the second fewest powerplay chances in the league during the regular season.

As a fan, I reserve my constitutional right to blast the refs in any and all situations - chances are pretty good they deserve it.

A couple more top seeds have dropped out and Nashville may be next - if the Leafs are ever going to win a cup again, they likely won't find a better opportunity to do so and they better have enough sense of the timing on the team to realize it and go all out.

 

[calamity]

Jets eliminated by St Louis.

Flames ousted by Colorado.

Preds facing elimination from Dallas!

Caps, at least, are leading their series.

NHL's quirky playoffs continue. It could be wild ending this year. Avalanche vs. Blue Jackets in the final. :lol:

 

[CanadaJohn]

Another entertaining game, even if the Leafs were badly outplayed in the first two periods, largely as a result of poor special teams efficiency. Leafs played an inspired third period, owned the play, just couldn't get a bounce to tie the game. Leafs are generally a pretty unlucky team when it comes to getting the bounces, but they didn't play well enough for the majority of the game to deserve to win this one. Andersen was outstanding, however, and deserved a better result.

I may have watched my last game of the year - I won't be watching game 7 on Tuesday night - been there, done that, and if the result is different, I'll be pleasantly surprised and be ready for the Columbus series - if the result is the same, won't be there to witness it. Couple of things the Leafs have going for them this time - Boston is 3-20 in series where they've trailed 3-2 and no team has won 2 straight in this series, so win one-lose one favours the Leafs next game.

Good luck to all those who still have teams in the hunt - enjoy the time going forward!!

 

[calamity]

Another entertaining game, even if the Leafs were badly outplayed in the first two periods, largely as a result of poor special teams efficiency. Leafs played an inspired third period, owned the play, just couldn't get a bounce to tie the game. Leafs are generally a pretty unlucky team when it comes to getting the bounces, but they didn't play well enough for the majority of the game to deserve to win this one. Andersen was outstanding, however, and deserved a better result.

I may have watched my last game of the year - I won't be watching game 7 on Tuesday night - been there, done that, and if the result is different, I'll be pleasantly surprised and be ready for the Columbus series - if the result is the same, won't be there to witness it. Couple of things the Leafs have going for them this time - Boston is 3-20 in series where they've trailed 3-2 and no team has won 2 straight in this series, so win one-lose one favours the Leafs next game.

Good luck to all those who still have teams in the hunt - enjoy the time going forward!!

Game 7 in Boston. Hell of a first round series: Tor v Bos.

Competitive game 6 tonight in Vegas, Tie: 1-1; with Knights up on SJ 3 games to 2.

 

[Crosscheck]

Sharks push it to a 7th game. Scoring short handed.

It almost seemed surreal. But it is this type of score you often see in overtime. Ones that just catch you by surprise.

 

[Dragonfly]

I won't be watching game 7 on Tuesday night - been there, done that

 

[Crosscheck]

I thought that was odd too.

That is like watching a game and at the end of the 2 nd period it is tied up and you get up announce you will just go home and read the results in the paper the next day.

 

[Dragonfly]

I thought that was odd too.

That is like watching a game and at the end of the 2 nd period it is tied up and you get up announce you will just go home and read the results in the paper the next day.

When I think of what defines a "true hockey fan", it's most certainly NOT somebody who wouldn't just about kill to watch a game 7 of a playoff series involving "their team".

 

[CanadaJohn]

Something bad happens every time I watch such a defining game - last time something good happened was when I attended the 1993 game at Skydome when Joe Carter hit his 9th inning walk-off homerun to win the Jays second World Series in a row. Since then, nothing good has happened when I'm in attendance or watching. I've decided I may be a bit of a jinx, and if so I'll stay away for the good of all the other Leaf fans throughout Canada. No fan base has been more loyal and deserves some good outcomes than the Leafs' fan base.

 

[CanadaJohn]

When I think of what defines a "true hockey fan", it's most certainly NOT somebody who wouldn't just about kill to watch a game 7 of a playoff series involving "their team".

Having the Leafs win the game is far more important to me than me watching the game.

 

[Redress]

Having the Leafs win the game is far more important to me than me watching the game.

It is the Leafs, and a game 7. The Leafs already have enough problems.

 

[CanadaJohn]

It is the Leafs, and a game 7. The Leafs already have enough problems.

Leafs don't have a bad history in that regard - I remember some nice ones against your Red Wings in the past. Just not in the recent past.

 

[Crosscheck]

Something bad happens every time I watch such a defining game - last time something good happened was when I attended the 1993 game at Skydome when Joe Carter hit his 9th inning walk-off homerun to win the Jays second World Series in a row. Since then, nothing good has happened when I'm in attendance or watching. I've decided I may be a bit of a jinx, and if so I'll stay away for the good of all the other Leaf fans throughout Canada. No fan base has been more loyal and deserves some good outcomes than the Leafs' fan base.

Man, that is some heavy guilt you walk with.

I understand how we can become somewhat superstitious with our sports. I don't turn my hat around backwards but I do something goofy that nobody else detects. My actions never seem to help my team but I do what I can to support them.


Am not a Leaf fan due to how the fans treated a good friend of mine who played for them but if you watch the 7th game I will pull for them to get rid of that guilt.

 

[Threegoofs]

Something bad happens every time I watch such a defining game - last time something good happened was when I attended the 1993 game at Skydome when Joe Carter hit his 9th inning walk-off homerun to win the Jays second World Series in a row. Since then, nothing good has happened when I'm in attendance or watching. I've decided I may be a bit of a jinx, and if so I'll stay away for the good of all the other Leaf fans throughout Canada. No fan base has been more loyal and deserves some good outcomes than the Leafs' fan base.

I’ve got some news for you.

You’re not that important.

[emoji849]

 

[CanadaJohn]

Man, that is some heavy guilt you walk with.

I understand how we can become somewhat superstitious with our sports. I don't turn my hat around backwards but I do something goofy that nobody else detects. My actions never seem to help my team but I do what I can to support them.


Am not a Leaf fan due to how the fans treated a good friend of mine who played for them but if you watch the 7th game I will pull for them to get rid of that guilt.

No guilt do I feel - none, at all - It's not my fault if they happen to come up short again. But the Leafs are beloved in this city and by many across Canada and North America and if, for some strange reason, my not watching helps the team win and the fans enjoy some much deserved revelry, it's a small price for me to pay. And if they lose, I've saved myself another painful disappointment along the way.

Besides, I can't stand watching the highest paid coach in league history continually being outcoached by every opponent - his stubborn need to continue with what fails time after time, just adds to the displeasure of watching.

 

[CanadaJohn]

I’ve got some news for you.

You’re not that important.

[emoji849]

LOL - so ironic, considering the source.

 

[Hicup]

CanadaJohn, you can watch, trust me, I've tried everything. I've worn my jersey and we won, and worn it when we lost, smoke break only during intermission, and smoke breaks throughout all to no avail.. Had my kids wear their jerseys we won, and also when we lost.. I can't figure it out, but I'm quite sure that I am somehow responsible for their inability to win two games in a row. Not sure what I'm going to try tomorrow for game 7 but I'll come up with something..


Tim-

 

[Crosscheck]

No guilt do I feel - none, at all - It's not my fault if they happen to come up short again. But the Leafs are beloved in this city and by many across Canada and North America and if, for some strange reason, my not watching helps the team win and the fans enjoy some much deserved revelry, it's a small price for me to pay. And if they lose, I've saved myself another painful disappointment along the way.

Besides, I can't stand watching the highest paid coach in league history continually being outcoached by every opponent - his stubborn need to continue with what fails time after time, just adds to the displeasure of watching.

Oh please don't get me started on your coach. I won't bore others with stories but we were billets for his Canadian Junior Hockey team. Still have some resentment.

We have had 35 boys live with us. Almost all from Canada with the exception of a Slovakian and Russian.

Being your Canadian , you might find this humorous . One of our Canadian players talking to me about the American audience at a game vs the Canadian audience at a game. In Canada everyone thinks they are an expert.

 

[Threegoofs]

CanadaJohn, you can watch, trust me, I've tried everything. I've worn my jersey and we won, and worn it when we lost, smoke break only during intermission, and smoke breaks throughout all to no avail.. Had my kids wear their jerseys we won, and also when we lost.. I can't figure it out, but I'm quite sure that I am somehow responsible for their inability to win two games in a row. Not sure what I'm going to try tomorrow for game 7 but I'll come up with something..


Tim-

So what you’re saying is that you have tested out your total lack of importance, and therefore you feel that CanadaJohn is also as unimportant as yourself?

Or that you are so important, that its irrelevant what imaginary totems you perform, that the team will lose because of you no matter what, so CanadaJohn cant possibly be as important as you?

Or is that just too rational for this line of thinking?