Beau and sid on a line and watch Kunitz will be the one that gets hurt
- dbell646

He's not exactly an iron man anymore.

More shots = more goals!

Remember that one? Pretty sure I proved your analytical data (read that as general statement), wrong there Guile??

Sorry getting back so late but just saw that!
- Aussiepenguin

No, you didn't, not in the least. Good try waiting till I went to bed to get that post in, you had hours to repsond... but on topic, all you did was whine about it when I took the teams above average in shots, and it was... what was it again, 9 with more goals than average and 5 not above?

Looks like it showed it true on a more likely than not basis, and you still can't accept that is what analytics show. Probability.

I imagine Johnston getting home today and finally letting an emotion out as per usual for old stone face. Walking through the door, calmly closing it and once no one can see him he breaks into singing die another day and dances. Stone face will keep his job as long as the pens keeping winning random games like they did last night. I'm gonna hold onto hope that he is fired soon after new year and Richards or Boudreau (who might become available) is hired.

Anyways I hope Sammy had fun at the game and will bring that happiness to this board for once.

How about that Bennett right?! Every time I drop him in my fantasy league he starts scoring again.

No, you didn't, not in the least. Good try waiting till I went to bed to get that post in, you had hours to repsond... but on topic, all you did was whine about it when I took the teams above average in shots, and it was... what was it again, 9 with more goals than average and 5 not above?

Looks like it showed it true on a more likely than not basis, and you still can't accept that is what analytics show. Probability.
- Guile

There's no point to this. Aussie either doesn't understand or doesn't believe in probability. To understand the usefulness of metrics based in Corsi and Fenwik you must first grasp the simple concept of probability. You may as well be talking to a brick wall if you're arguing with someone who doesn't.

The D is much better w/o Scuds, he should not return.

Sprong looked decent for his 6 mins. Not sure why he sat so much.

2nd line didn't do much.

BB has a nice shot, but he is so slow. I dont see him as a long term fix.

Going down 2-0 to a bottom dweller is not good.

No, you didn't, not in the least. Good try waiting till I went to bed to get that post in, you had hours to repsond... but on topic, all you did was whine about it when I took the teams above average in shots, and it was... what was it again, 9 with more goals than average and 5 not above?

Looks like it showed it true on a more likely than not basis, and you still can't accept that is what analytics show. Probability.
- Guile

he lives in Australia...

The D is much better w/o Scuds, he should not return.

Sprong looked decent for his 6 mins. Not sure why he sat so much.

2nd line didn't do much.

BB has a nice shot, but he is so slow. I dont see him as a long term fix.

Going down 2-0 to a bottom dweller is not good.
- sammy87

this! the last couple of games they havn't done that much if geno is finally cooling down now then god help us

Sprong deserves more playing time whether it's with Sid or giving the 4th line more time. He had shades of Crosby that one shift where he used his quickness to keep the puck away and made a good pass. Also a hell of a shot

this! the last couple of games they havn't done that much if geno is finally cooling down now then god help us
- martox

I dont expect the highlight performance every night, but for Kessel to be a passenger as well......Warf looked good last night. It was an entertaining hockey game.

Sooo...you guys still interested in Hamhuis?
- jmatchett383

Not really. Never thought he was much of an improvement over Maatta/Dumoulin/Lovejoy.

Wonder what lines will be at next game day skate... sprong and plot has earn top 9 mins... while the kuni sid bennett line looks good, I'd like to see what a plot sid Sprong line could do for a shift...

It would be awesome if scuds was sent down or traded today but I could see cleds being sent down and a winger being recalled... then warsofsky being sat for scuds...

GMJR needs to grow some more balls and do something with scuds and MJ today before LA game...

My vote on the coaches front is hire Guy Boucher (sp) on Jan 1st

The D is much better w/o Scuds, he should not return.

Sprong looked decent for his 6 mins. Not sure why he sat so much.

2nd line didn't do much.

BB has a nice shot, but he is so slow. I dont see him as a long term fix.

Going down 2-0 to a bottom dweller is not good.
- sammy87

Sprong didn't play in the 3rd because they were protecting a lead or killing penalties much of the 3rd period and they don't trust him defensively which is understandable, he played a pretty regular shift through 2 periods and his ice time was right in line with guys like Bonino, Fehr and Cullen which I think is exceptable. I think game situation played a big part in his ice time and quite honestly outside of 1 really good shift and 1 shot off of a play where Cullen did all the work he wasn't very noticeable.

I think the big take away should be how much better the team looking seeing them run HCMJ's system in it's true form, having 6 defenseman on the ice that were capable of moving the puck in transition and joining the rush while still being reasonably defensively responsible allowed them to open up and run the system as it was intended to be run. Imagine now if GMJR takes the next step and adds another true top 4 player that fits in with the system.

Sprong deserves more playing time whether it's with Sid or giving the 4th line more time. He had shades of Crosby that one shift where he used his quickness to keep the puck away and made a good pass. Also a hell of a shot
- drummer829

mj hates "kids. why did you think he left the juniors and refuses to play sprong and pouliot (he deserved it though) and loves playing the old guys (scudz, cullen, kunitz, dupuis). sometimes I just believe he loves old people...

mj hates "kids. why did you think he left the juniors and refuses to play sprong and pouliot (he deserved it though) and loves playing the old guys (scudz, cullen, kunitz, dupuis). sometimes I just believe he loves old people...
- martox

Yeah but Disco was the exact same and Shero locked guys up till they were 90. Is it MJ or is it ownership?

Wonder what lines will be at next game day skate... sprong and plot has earn top 9 mins... while the kuni sid bennett line looks good, I'd like to see what a plot sid Sprong line could do for a shift...

It would be awesome if scuds was sent down or traded today but I could see cleds being sent down and a winger being recalled... then warsofsky being sat for scuds...

GMJR needs to grow some more balls and do something with scuds and MJ today before LA game...

My vote on the coaches front is hire Guy Boucher (sp) on Jan 1st
- nh4442

I used to believe that GMJR wa making HCMJ play scuds to drive up his trade value. But considering MJ doesn't play anyone else GMJR wants him to I dont know anymore.

Sprong didn't play in the 3rd because they were protecting a lead or killing penalties much of the 3rd period and they don't trust him defensively which is understandable, he played a pretty regular shift through 2 periods and his ice time was right in line with guys like Bonino, Fehr and Cullen which I think is exceptable. I think game situation played a big part in his ice time and quite honestly outside of 1 really good shift and 1 shot off of a play where Cullen did all the work he wasn't very noticeable.

I think the big take away should be how much better the team looking seeing them run HCMJ's system in it's true form, having 6 defenseman on the ice that were capable of moving the puck in transition and joining the rush while still being reasonably defensively responsible allowed them to open up and run the system as it was intended to be run. Imagine now if GMJR takes the next step and adds another true top 4 player that fits in with the system.
- jaydogg1974

MJ could have easily played sprong at even strength or on the 2nd pp where he was last 9 games... all other 4th liners played well over 10 mins... he doesn't use him to his ability... and idk what game you saw but every time sprong was on the ice he was not noticeable in a good way. He doesn't deserve to play 6 mins on 4th line. He can't improve while on the bench

Yeah but Disco was the exact same and Shero locked guys up till they were 90. Is it MJ or is it ownership?
- sammy87

Most coaches are that way because most coaches judge players on their merit/play not their age.

Sprong didn't play in the 3rd because they were protecting a lead or killing penalties much of the 3rd period and they don't trust him defensively which is understandable, he played a pretty regular shift through 2 periods and his ice time was right in line with guys like Bonino, Fehr and Cullen which I think is exceptable. I think game situation played a big part in his ice time and quite honestly outside of 1 really good shift and 1 shot off of a play where Cullen did all the work he wasn't very noticeable.

I think the big take away should be how much better the team looking seeing them run HCMJ's system in it's true form, having 6 defenseman on the ice that were capable of moving the puck in transition and joining the rush while still being reasonably defensively responsible allowed them to open up and run the system as it was intended to be run. Imagine now if GMJR takes the next step and adds another true top 4 player that fits in with the system.
- jaydogg1974

Last nights' game was really good, but I've seen this before several times this year. Every time we seem to turn a corner we regress. If we can string a good run of 3 out of the next 4 games then I'll start believing in MJ again. Until then, one good game against a bad team isn't going to make me retract my criticisms. Icing his optimal lineup with the pieces he has against LA is a start. If Scuderi is in and we regress he should be fired on the spot.

Yeah but Disco was the exact same and Shero locked guys up till they were 90. Is it MJ or is it ownership?
- sammy87

who knows. if it were shero still as gm I would say both but at this time I think it is mj.
the whole part about trading simon for lovejoy was rutherfords mistake wanting to "win now" and not accepting simons mistakes as a young player.

Last nights' game was really good, but I've seen this before several times this year. Every time we seem to turn a corner we regress. If we can string a good run of 3 out of the next 4 games then I'll start believing in MJ again. Until then, one good game against a bad team isn't going to make me retract my criticisms. Icing his optimal lineup with the pieces he has against LA is a start. If Scuderi is in and we regress he should be fired on the spot.
- Victoro311

Right. And we're not even sure how much of it is Rutherford basically insinuating that his job and lineup choices are closely linked. Johnston needs to show a lot more to secure his job.

Yep. Broke his jaw, lost a few teeth...Probably gonna miss a while.
- jmatchett383

He could be in a full body cast and he would still be better than Scuderi.

MJ could have easily played sprong at even strength or on the 2nd pp where he was last 9 games... all other 4th liners played well over 10 mins... he doesn't use him to his ability... and idk what game you saw but every time sprong was on the ice he was not noticeable in a good way. He doesn't deserve to play 6 mins on 4th line. He can't improve while on the bench
- nh4442

Through 2 periods Sprong's ice time was right in line with all of those players that ended with over 10 mins of ice time, Geno took a penalty 3:30 into the 3rd before Spong's line got a shift and that turned into a 5on3 when they got the too many men penalty, right after the penalties ended they scored 2 quick goals and we're now leading 3-2 so the coach tightened the bench to protect the lead and sat a young inexperienced player he doesn't trust defensively. It really isn't that uncommon of a practice around the league and happens on some team almost every night of the season, game situation dictated that protecting the lead and winning the game was more important than getting Sprong development time, so I'm not sure what game you were watching to not notice that.

And to the point about not improving on the bench, I point to TB lighting and Drouin as n example because that sitaution is probably the most comparable from around the league over the last few season, both are high pedigree play that came straight to the NHL as teenagers straight from the Q. Drouin was used in the bottom 6 most nights getting 8-9 minutes a game with the occasional but up if his play warranted it, was a healthy scratch some nights especially in the playoffs and he's developing just fine so don't say he can't develop in the role he's being used in.

Through 2 periods Sprong's ice time was right in line with all of those players that ended with over 10 mins of ice time, Geno took a penalty 3:30 into the 3rd before Spong's line got a shift and that turned into a 5on3 when they got the too many men penalty, right after the penalties ended they scored 2 quick goals and we're now leading 3-2 so the coach tightened the bench to protect the lead and sat a young inexperienced player he doesn't trust defensively. It really isn't that uncommon of a practice around the league and happens on some team almost every night of the season, game situation dictated that protecting the lead and winning the game was more important than getting Sprong development time, so I'm not sure what game you were watching to not notice that.

And to the point about not improving on the bench, I point to TB lighting and Drouin as n example because that sitaution is probably the most comparable from around the league over the last few season, both are high pedigree play that came straight to the NHL as teenagers straight from the Q. Drouin was used in the bottom 6 most nights getting 8-9 minutes a game with the occasional but up if his play warranted it, was a healthy scratch some nights especially in the playoffs and he's developing just fine so don't say he can't develop in the role he's being used in.
- jaydogg1974

Druin >>>>>> Sprong. Pretty much everyone agrees Druin's development was handled poorly. He's just so talented that he's back on track, but I think he could be even better if he was properly brought up. TB also has amazing forward talent so (frank)ing up Druin wouldn't put them in that bad of a spot. We need to be very careful with Danny Sprong

Last nights' game was really good, but I've seen this before several times this year. Every time we seem to turn a corner we regress. If we can string a good run of 3 out of the next 4 games then I'll start believing in MJ again. Until then, one good game against a bad team isn't going to make me retract my criticisms. Icing his optimal lineup with the pieces he has against LA is a start. If Scuderi is in and we regress he should be fired on the spot.
- Victoro311

I can agree with that, it's been a long way getting to this point because I think Letang's injury opening the door for Warsofsky to enter the lineup and solve the issue of having a player that can move the puck in transition and still be defensively responsible which in my opinion has been the missing piece to allow MJ to truly run his system but not that he's in their and this unit has shown it can run the system effectively it needs to stick. I've been somewhat defending MJ because I wanted to see what would happen if he had the pieces to properly run his system in place so while it isn't ideal he needs to stick with this optimal unit until GMJR can add another piece or I won't be able to defend him anymore.

Druin >>>>>> Sprong. Pretty much everyone agrees Druin's development was handled poorly. He's just so talented that he's back on track, but I think he could be even better if he was properly brought up. TB also has amazing forward talent so (frank)ing up Druin wouldn't put them in that bad of a spot. We need to be very careful with Danny Sprong
- Victoro311

I disagree. I watched a lot of TB last year and most night Drouin(not Druin) looked lost and out of place, TB wanted him to fill a big role and he wasn't able to handle it. I agree they need to be careful with Sprong but making him earn his playing time and guarding his minutes shouldn't hurt his development one bit.