The NHL Thread

[Mustard]

Not sure if anybody who posted in this has made it over to the new forum.

 

[Aberstone]

Me and Kieran have so there are at least 3 of us.

The Pens were completely undone by Kyle Okposo and the Islanders last night.

 

[Craig]

Been getting into ice hockey and basketball this season.

Few NHL games I've watched I've really enjoyed so far. Don't have a team yet but I'm leaning towards either the Detroit Red Wings or New Jersey Devils.

Also bought NHL15 to familiarise myself with the rules.

 

[thespus]

Went to the Blues - Avalanche last night. Enjoyable, comfortable victory for the Blues. Jaden Schwartz is some player. Tarasenko is rightfully getting all of the attention, but Schwartz is the most important forward on the team. Nearly a PPG player, is responsible defensively, and excellent at gaining zone entry.. Plays much bigger than his 5'11 frame.

 

[Mustard]

Huge deal between Winnipeg and Buffalo going down right now. Myers, Stafford, Armia, Lemieux + a First (I think it's the Islanders pick) for Kane and Bogosian.

Buffalo continue to tank by losing some pieces for this year but gain a potential superstar who needs a change in scenery and a decent dman, Winnipeg get pieces for the play-off run. Seems a fairly good all around deal but obviously depends if Kane ever fulfills his potential. Would be good on McDavid's wing.

 

[thespus]

Huge deal between Winnipeg and Buffalo going down right now. Myers, Stafford, Armia, Lemieux + a First (I think it's the Islanders pick) for Kane and Bogosian.

Buffalo continue to tank by losing some pieces for this year but gain a potential superstar who needs a change in scenery and a decent dman, Winnipeg get pieces for the play-off run. Seems a fairly good all around deal but obviously depends if Kane ever fulfills his potential. Would be good on McDavid's wing.

It's the Blues 1st round pick rather than the Isles, I believe.

I don't know too much about the prospects, but Armia is apparently the highest rated. I think Bogosian is just as talented as Meyers. Considering it's a late 1st + rental Stafford + mediocre prospects for Kane, I think Buffalo could reap the rewards of this deal in the coming years.

 

[Etienne Vermeer]

Kane's a headcase though.

 

[thespus]

Certainly a risk, but probably one Buffalo can afford with their plethora of first round draft picks and young talent. I think they'll be a playoff team in 2-3 years assuming the tank works out and they land McDavid or Eichel.

 

[Aberstone]

Liking the move the Preds made acquiring Cody Franson and Mike Santorelli, if only because they didn't give up much - a 1st round draft pick, a prospect and Olli Jokinen. In return they get a defenseman who can score points and can be involved on the PP plus a forward who can mesh on any forward line.

 

[Destruction]

Do we get this on any of the British TV channels?

 

[Mustard]

Predators defense is just too good, it's not really fair.

I think Premier Sports have the NHL rights Dessie. You have to pay extra for it. I think you can still get NHL's Gamecenter but I'm not sure if you can use that to watch the games Premier Sports have. I use other, less legal methods.

Just read that Steve Montador has died aged 35. Terrible news, that's far too young. 571 games in the NHL.

 

[thespus]

I still think the Predators need a game changer on offense to do well in the post-season. Forsberg is brilliant, but he's a rookie and won't find things as easy in a playoff matchup vs. the Blues/Blackhawks/Kings where space is at a premium. Scoring in the playoffs is a different proposition to the regular season. It's where the elite teams separate themselves. Something my Blues have learned all too harshly against LA/LA/CHI the past three seasons.

 

[Mustard]

Kane out for 12 weeks, huge blow for Chicago.

And LA have picked up Sekera from Carolina. Looks like Lombardi wants another cup. Despite how horrible they've been for much of the year, this recent run just shows that they have that extra gear and I wouldn't be surprised if they did win the cup again this year.

 

[Aberstone]

I'm not normally a fan of trading picks for rentals but I love the deal Jim Rutherford made yesterday to get Daniel Winnik to Pittsburgh. The Maple Leafs retain half of his salary, Zach Sill is sent the other way (hallelujah!) and the Leafs get a 4th round pick this year and a 2nd round pick next year.

Winnik has spent the most amount of time on the penalty kill than any other player in the NHL, is +15 for the season and has 25 points. Solidifies our bottom 6 and his tough, gritty style will be so useful once the play-offs start. Winnik, Sutter, Downie, Spaling, Bennett and Lapierre - that's the best bottom 6 the Pens have had since winning the Stanley Cup in 2009.

 

[thespus]

Predators are in a funk and have some difficult games coming up. I think the Blues will kick on and win the Central. What a division that is—fighting to avoid Chicago in the first round only to end up with the in-form Wild or Jets.

 

[kieran_vale]

Finally a little bit of daylight between the B's and the chasing pack for the last spot in the playoffs after beating Ottawa last night. I think we'll just about sneak in but even so man has this team sucked this year. Even when we have gone on a win streak it's always seemed like somewhat of a false dawn. Hard to point out one reason why either. Given as it stands it would be Montreal in round 1 of the playoffs I think it may be a short lived run as they have owned us this year as much as paying them back for last year would be sweet.

 

[spireite]

Big game tonight Caps vs Rangers. Rangers coming off a back-to-back though so I fancy us here

 

[Aberstone]

The Penguins are keeping tabs on the Rangers and Islanders, picking up 5 points from 6 on the road trip to California. The defeat to the Avalanche I've put into the cesspit of my mind.

For all my criticisms of Marc-Andre Fleury in recent seasons, he has been outstanding this year. Routinely he has kept the Penguins involved in games when the opposition have far superior scoring chances, has 9 shutouts this year (most in the NHL) and is a candidate for the Vezina Trophy. There may be a renaissance theme going on in Pittsburgh as Rob Scuderi has also looked half competent in the past couple of weeks.

Still think the Rangers are the team to beat in the East.

 

[spireite]

Rangers are definitely the team to beat I'd say. They combine solidity with goals (now that Nash has remember where he put his scoring stick).
However we are building a team and style for the playoffs in Washington and I wouldn't be surprised if we have a deep run

 

[thespus]

I think Detroit will be as difficult of an out in the Eastern playoffs as anyone else. Jimmy Howard is solid enough when healthy, their powerplay is excellent, and I still think Datsyuk and Zetterberg form an elite 1-2 center combo. They are better 2-way players than Crosby, Malkin, Backstrom, Stamkos, and Tavares, while being more dynamic than Stepan, Plekanec, Johnson (inexperienced), etc. Babcock is probably the best coach in the league. Zidlicky gives them another puck-mover and was a nice addition - wanted him on the Blues since it's clear how much we miss Shattenkirk on the PP. Tampa/Detroit/Montreal/Pittsburgh/New York Rangers/Washington could all win the East. I'll be rooting for the Islanders, but I can't see it. If I had to pick, I think it'll be Tampa. Not quite enough forward depth for the Red Wings.

Ultimately I think the Eastern conference playoffs will be the most entertaining as a whole, but I still think the Stanley Cup will be headed West again. Kings, Hawks, or Blues for me. Advanced statistics suggest the Ducks are mightily overachieving, but they do have some elite talent and are continuously winning these close contests. Rinne would have to eclipse his already world-class level for Nashville to challenge, in my opinion. Shea Weber should win the Norris, but they aren't as talented overall as any of the elite Western teams.

 

[spireite]

Ovechkin will piss the Rocket again, no reason he shouldn't have another 50+ goal season. The guy's a machine. I'd like to think he'd be in the run for the Hart as well. He drags Washington kicking and screaming to wins sometimes. The amount of GWG's he gets is incredible. he's literally the only guy you really need to watch on the Caps so he's always facing the opp's best D unit and is man-marked constantly, yet still continues to score when he fancies. He's really worked on his 2-way play this year too.

 

[Etienne Vermeer]

Backstrom is criminally underrated.

 

[spireite]

He's a skilled guy and spots a wonderful pass but goes missing when it really matters, which is a shame. Doesn't like things getting physical. Isn't likely to come up with some crazy when you need a goal either. Just a very very good playmaker

 

[Etienne Vermeer]

Can I just say I fucking love this Calgary Flames team? I've seen a couple of their games recently, and they're so fun to watch.

 

[Mustard]

I love watching Ovechkin when he's in this kind of mood, he was incredible last night. The release for his first goal, just unbelievably quick. It's going to be close between him and Price for the Hart this year but Ovechkin certainly made some ground last night. It's great to see him back at his best after the previous coaches played him all over the place.

 

[spireite]

I love watching Ovechkin when he's in this kind of mood, he was incredible last night. The release for his first goal, just unbelievably quick. It's going to be close between him and Price for the Hart this year but Ovechkin certainly made some ground last night. It's great to see him back at his best after the previous coaches played him all over the place.

Different gravy.

He's changed his game a fair bit whilst still keeping his goalscoring edge. His record since being in the NHL compared to his closest rivals is insane.

 

[thespus]

Ordered my first round Blues playoff tickets this morning on presale for select fans. $78/ticket to sit upper tier on the corner of the net where Blues shoot twice. Not bad considering I paid $86 to go to the 3OT game between STL and CHI in round one last year.

Massive night of puck for those chasing the playoffs and home ice advantage. I'll be at WPG - STL, but the CHI - MN and PIT - OTT games should be ace. Plenty of brilliant games left on the schedule for this week.

 

[JJ1532]

Can I just say I fucking love this Calgary Flames team? I've seen a couple of their games recently, and they're so fun to watch.

Late to this party, didn't realise a new thread had been created.

My team are the Flames. Started watching them midway through last year, they sucked last season. But this season has been incredible, in so many ways. Mark Giordano was on course for some serious Norris consideration before a season ending arm injury. TJ Brodie and Dennis Wideman have been immense since he went down, both set new career highs in points. Kris Russell has been nominated for the Masterton trophy after setting a new record for blocked shots in a full season. Sean Monahan has almost doubled his points production from last season, 60 points and counting for him, incredible as a 20 year old in only his 2nd season. Jiri Hudler also has a new career high in points. Lance Bouma, a guy that by all rights should be a 4th line grinder at best, has 34 points, including 16 goals, all at ES. Incredible year from him. Oh and perhaps the best of all, pint sized rookier Johnny Gaudreau is tied for the rookie scoring lead, managed 59 points so far this season. He has been incredible so far this season.

In terms of games, they have been so many incredible games to look back on. 2 OT winners in the Staples Centre, sweeping local rivals Edmonton in their 5 game series, loads of late comeback wins, loads of big deficits overturned(3-0 down to the Kings, won it 4-3 in OT & down 4-0 to Ottawa, tied it 4-4 before losing in a SO to name but 2).

Oh and to cap it all off, we are sat in a play off spot with 3 games to go. All this despite the roster being expected(from both inside and outside the club) to be sat near the bottom now. We are tied level with defending champions the Kings, who are currently outside a PO spot. All this made sweeter by the fact all we have done this season is strengthen our draft picks, not given up any worthwhile prospects or picks. So not only have we had a great year, we are well stocked to get another influx of young talent and hopefully improve next season.

Fantastic so far, would be the icing on the cake if we could make the play offs against all odds.

 

[Mustard]

Flames in, Kings miss out. Can't say it isn't deserved, Kings have been very disappointing this year. That being said I still expected them to scrape in and then go on a long run like in 2012. I think losing Voynov and Mitchell this year has really hurt them. Pleased for the Flames though, and the Jets too. Their arenas are going to be rocking in the playoffs.

Glad the Wild are home and dry now, even managed to win with Kuemper in net last night. I'm still terrified that Dubnyk will get injured at some point, but until then I think we're a match for anyone at the moment. Won 12 on the road in a row now as well to match the record, hopefully we haven't peaked to early.

My last hope is that Ottawa make the cut. Preferably ahead of Pittsburgh but I think Boston are more likely to miss out with the Penguins having two to play.

 

[thespus]

It'll likely be the Wild vs. the Blues. No easy match-ups in the Central, unfortunately. I am very excited for the atmosphere in St. Louis next week. Minnesota usually has a decent amount of traveling fans, though not near the bandwagon Blackhawks.