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Injury updates and thoughts from other series |
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We still have another day until the next Penguins and Flyers game and we have some injury news.
The Flyers may be without one of their top wingers
It remains to be seen if Couturier will miss time. The Penguins will be missing one of their top six wingers
Welcome back Dominik Simon?
I wouldn’t thrust him back on the top line. I would probably keep Rust up there. I’d bump Conor Sheary to the right side and let Zach Aston-Reese to the third line. The fourth line would consist of Kuhnhackl-Sheahan-Simon.
Here are some thoughts from the other series:
Toronto didn’t look great in Game 3, but a win is a win. They held on despite a barrage of high quality scoring chances that didn’t find their way into the net. David Pastrnak alone could have had like four goals on a different night. I’m glad Toronto did win because I didn’t want to see either team in this series go up 3-0. Toronto still has a chance even though I think Boston has clearly been the better team. By winning last night Toronto guarantees that Nazem Kadri will play again this season. For Toronto to make this a series Frederick Andersen cannot have a single off night.
Kaspari Kapanen should be given some more ice time. He shouldn’t be stuck on a fourth line. Put him with Bozak and van Riemsdyk on the third line and see what he can do. He’s dynamic and can make plays. Give him some guys that create more time and space and see what comes of it.
How about that Auston Matthews release? One of few with that ability. Wait until he adds more strength in the next few years. You will never be able to get the puck from him. He will either shoot before you can react or Jaromir Jagr the hell out of it. He is a bonafide superstar.
I can’t blame Brad Marchand for being the way he is. He is enabled by the officials and the league. He is never held accountable for his actions. He had another “accidental” moment when he took the legs out of Andreas Johnsson. Nobody in the league has more of these ‘accidents’ than Marchand. He’s highly cerebral and opportunistic. He knew the Leafs were turning the play up the other way while on the PK and just took the player out to stop it. Also worth noting that he committed an act of sexual harassment under any reasonable workplace standard, but hey it’s hockey and pointing that out makes you weak so I guess we move on.
Capitals gonna Capital. Allow me to fire up Alexander Ovechkin to the Vegas Golden Knights rumor. Barry Trotz has a reputation as a successful coach. I find him mediocre and that is exactly what the Capitals get. He wasted Orlov’s entry level value. He’s now doing it with Jakub Vrana. He doesn’t play his best lineup. Washington has their work cut out for them now down 2-0 heading to Columbus for Games 3 and 4. Glass half-empty is that they have the lowest high-danger save percentage in the playoffs. Glass half-full is that they can turn to Braden Holtby and they are driving play against Columbus.
Taylor Hall is amazing. His contract is amazing. He was traded. It remains laugh out loud funny. I wouldn’t trade Jake Guentzel for Adam Larsson let alone a legitimate superstar. Hall had another three points last night for the Devils who avoided the dreaded 0-3 hole. Tampa Bay has a lot of skill, but look sloppy. They might be able to get through the Devils like that. They won’t get by Boston that way if Boston prevails against Toronto.
On to the Western Conference.
Anaheim through a temper tantrum because the Sharks have effectively ended their season. I’ll give the Ducks credit though. They solved their Bruce Boudreau problem. You can’t lose a game seven if you lose the series in four games. The Sharks have a pretty decent path in the playoffs as the Pacific Division is the easiest of the four. If Joe Thornton returns I could see an appearance in the Western Conference Finals.
Winnipeg had a speed bump in Minnesota the other night. I believe they will find their game again in Game 4 and their breadth of talent will give them a commanding 3-1 series lead. Eric Staal scored his first playoff goal since 2009. For reference that was the first Stanley Cup for the Crosby/Malkin era. It’s been a long time for Eric whose career is undergoing a tremendous renascence.
Nashville is my favorite to win it all. Pekka Rinne had a great regular season. He is not having a very good round one. If anything is going to slow down the Predators it will be him. Love seeing Nate MacKinnon performing on the big stage. Love how he finally had his break through year. His high-end talent has always been evident.
Vegas is up 3-0 in their series against the Kings. Marc-Andre Fleury has been great so far. He’s had a shutout, a one goal game, and a two goal game. Hopefully that isn’t a pattern for the Golden Knights sake. A lot of people missed the mark on predictions for Vegas, I’m no exception to that. You have to enjoy their commitment to team speed and taking advantage of ignorant hockey men like Dale Tallon. The more you think about it the more the Ryan Reaves trade was just a thank you to Jim Rutherford for giving them Fleury and a second round pick. Reaves has not dressed for the playoffs and nothing else makes logical sense on why Vegas would pick up the tab on Derick Brassard.
Thanks for reading!
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