Burrows back with Sedins. Thanks God.

Yup, but in the first two years he should have his name etched on the Jennings along with his team's goalies.
- Fosco

For sure. It's the goalies with defensive minded coaches that benefit the most. It's why I drafted Mike Smith and Carey Price(Therrien was pretty defensive minded in Pitt, most French coaches seem to be by nature).

To be fair, guys like Trotz and Tippet really have no choice if they want to keep their jobs. They don't have many guys that can take over a game offensively so the only way to have a chance is to play a smart defensive game and just try to make less mistakes than the other guys and hopefully your goalie keeps you in it. It's annoying when teams like the Lightning and Caps do it. I prefer the Detroit style game, puck possession and chances are that you'll win on most nights if you control the play and out shoot and out score the other team.
- Nucker101

Why complain, teams like Detroit and Colorado in the heyday of the dead puck era showed just how easy it is to exploit a team that relies on the "trap" or whatever defensive system those teams played.

Ahhh the soothing voices of Hughson and Simpson, thank you CBC
- claygolf83

Hughson is great, it's too bad he rarely does Canucks games anymore.

For sure. It's the goalies with defensive minded coaches that benefit the most. It's why I drafted Mike Smith and Carey Price(Therrien was pretty defensive minded in Pitt, most French coaches seem to be by nature).
- Nucker101

Therrien has same system as AV

I don't know what others think...but it's good to hear Hughson doing play by play again for the canucks.

They've definitely got problems now, but they were fun to watch a few years ago. I honestly think part of OV's decline is because the wanted to change the way he played, he's not having fun anymore.

08/09 - 108 pts
09/10 - 121 frickin pts
10/11 - 107 pts

They didn't win the Cup in those three years so they try and become a "defensive" team.
- LeftCoaster

True, but watching Ovechkin he's still working pretty hard(offensively) and playing a physical game and shooting the puck a ton. He just doesn't seem to score those ridiculous highlight reel goals as much anymore. He looks like he's getting back on track to at least being a 35-40 goal guy(82 game pace) with another goal tonight.

Is tripping no longer a penalty ?

Completely agree re the sh!tty teams. Although in saying that, the parity draft rules should mitigate that need, that is to say if suck long enough you should be loading up on elite talent. Obviously that's not always the case.

What pissed me off was LA playing like that.
- AlexF

Yeah, but the fact it worked for LA will just encourage other teams to do the same. It's mainly because players can get away with more penalties in the playoffs, which favours the defensive teams.

Why complain, teams like Detroit and Colorado in the heyday of the dead puck era showed just how easy it is to exploit a team that relies on the "trap" or whatever defensive system those teams played.
- DariusKnight

True, but that was in the non-cap era when those teams were just stacked. With more parity, it helps defensive teams IMO.

Bit of a slow start. Apparently there are no penalties tonight???

I give you permission to take it off
- pker2theend

Thank you my master

Therrien has same system as AV
- Bieksa#3

I remember reading about that somewhere a few years ago, but AV's adjusted his system a bit since MG took over(thank god).

Bit of a slow start. Apparently there are no penalties tonight???
- LeftCoaster

If the refs are gonna let things go, it's probably going to be a tight game.

Yeah, but the fact it worked for LA will just encourage other teams to do the same. It's mainly because players can get away with more penalties in the playoffs, which favours the defensive teams.
- Nucker101

That's exactly right. I've never seen another sport where the rulse change as much between the regular season and the playoffs. In hockey it's almost like a different sport.

My other secret desire is to open our rinks to international rinks sizing, introuding way more skill and speed and dropping the goon element, but that's probably taboo at this point.

True, but watching Ovechkin he's still working pretty hard(offensively) and playing a physical game and shooting the puck a ton. He just doesn't seem to score those ridiculous highlight reel goals as much anymore. He looks like he's getting back on track to at least being a 35-40 goal guy(82 game pace) with another goal tonight.
- Nucker101

Kesler

Dale W hurt, there goes the playoffs

No idea. You'll have to ask the site manager, PKer.

That's what happens when you pay your employees in memes and cat gifs...
- Fosco

Surprised he doesnt ask for free players from your fantasy team

That's exactly right. I've never seen another sport where the rulse change as much between the regular season and the playoffs. In hockey it's almost like a different sport.

My other secret desire is to open our rinks to international rinks sizing, introuding way more skill and speed and dropping the goon element, but that's probably taboo at this point.
- AlexF

Totally agree, but apparently the play is actually slower in the European leagues since players have more time and space which favours a more patient style of game. Maybe something in between the NA and European size rinks? Or it would be nice if the refs/league didn't change the way they officiate in the playoffs.

Wow AV really likes Schroeder, on the first unit with the Twins.

Dale W hurt, there goes the playoffs
- Bieksa#3

Not watching...
What happen?
Did he ram through the glass cuz he missed a check?

(frank), the one game when we need Raymond.

Raymond's nose was a faucet there....

There goes my guy for tonight

Not watching...
What happen?
Did he ram through the glass cuz he missed a check?
- RF_4eva

Blocked a shot.