TK seems to have hit the rookie wall, which is not surprising in the slightest for a kid of his age and size. And yet there are fans screaming for Hakstol's blood for not playing him 15-20 minutes last night in a meaningless game against a Devils team that called up a couple of hired goons. I really don't get it.

I liked vecchione for a couple of reasons in his limited play. Face offs- thank God someone other than g can win em.

Couturier has won 55.1% of his faceoffs this season. That's the 15th best percentage in the entire league (minimum 500 faceoffs).

http://www.nhl.com/stats/...e,500&sort=faceoffWinPctg

I thought Morin did a helluva job.

This game got built into a bit of a grudge match with the idea of fighting and Morin just played hockey. That impressed me more than his fighting prowess could have.
- johndewar

He looked solid overall, but he needs to work on his quick decision making. A few times, he seemed to rush a play when he was pressured. It's nothing to get upset about after one game, especially since Provorov (I'm not directly comparing the 2 players) had similar issues in his NHL regular season debut. I'm sure nerves and player speed/skill come into play. But his defensive play, both physically and uses his size to break up plays, was what I'd expected. He also jumped up a few times, which was interesting.

Otherwise, I thought Ghost looked great in both zones. Provorov continues to be Provorov. Mason looked really good, still pissed we re-upped Neuvirth.

Chris VandeVelde got 15 minutes of ice time. So that was a thing.

Nick Schultz continues to play. Also was a thing.

Thought Morin played well and I look forward to seeing him in the lineup next season.
Vecchione understandably played sparingly, but I thought he looked good too.

Provy was a beast and Ghost had a strong game. Konecny was ok, but I think at this point in the season he's just worn down which is to be expected for a kid in his first season and also just goes to show how amazing Provorov really is.

Mason played great. With Hart and/or Sandstrom at least 2, and more likely 3 years away, I'd be fine with re-signing him to a 3 year deal.
- BiggE

Agree. He had a very strong game on both sides of the puck, except on the game winning goal. In my opinion, he did not take pass option away effectively.

Couturier has won 55.1% of his faceoffs this season. That's the 15th best percentage in the entire league (minimum 500 faceoffs).

http://www.nhl.com/stats/...e,500&sort=faceoffWinPctg
- Feanor

But Selke trophy guy Patrice Bergeron wins almost 60%

He looked solid overall, but he needs to work on his quick decision making. A few times, he seemed to rush a play when he was pressured. It's nothing to get upset about after one game, especially since Provorov (I'm not directly comparing the 2 players) had similar issues in his NHL regular season debut. I'm sure nerves and player speed/skill come into play. But his defensive play, both physically and uses his size to break up plays, was what I'd expected. He also jumped up a few times, which was interesting.

Otherwise, I thought Ghost looked great in both zones. Provorov continues to be Provorov. Mason looked really good, still pissed we re-upped Neuvirth.

Chris VandeVelde got 15 minutes of ice time. So that was a thing.

Nick Schultz continues to play. Also was a thing.
- jmatchett383

I am more concerned with V decision making inability and G's futility at this point. Rather than playing time of the player who is not in the plans moving forward.

Exactly.

Plus, I didn't see a whole lot of Devil players stepping up to challenge him either.

- BiggE

I would have liked to see him beat the piss out of Thompson, but I'd rather see him play hockey.

Agree. He had a very strong game on both sides of the puck, except on the game winning goal. In my opinion, he did not take pass option away effectively.
- missingmike

Agreed. But he was completely gassed.

He looked solid overall, but he needs to work on his quick decision making. A few times, he seemed to rush a play when he was pressured. It's nothing to get upset about after one game, especially since Provorov (I'm not directly comparing the 2 players) had similar issues in his NHL regular season debut. I'm sure nerves and player speed/skill come into play. But his defensive play, both physically and uses his size to break up plays, was what I'd expected. He also jumped up a few times, which was interesting.

Otherwise, I thought Ghost looked great in both zones. Provorov continues to be Provorov. Mason looked really good, still pissed we re-upped Neuvirth.

Chris VandeVelde got 15 minutes of ice time. So that was a thing.

Nick Schultz continues to play. Also was a thing.
- jmatchett383

Gudas and Manning are out. We only had 7 D before those injuries. You call up Morin and slot in Schultz. No issues here with that.

Couturier has won 55.1% of his faceoffs this season. That's the 15th best percentage in the entire league (minimum 500 faceoffs).

http://www.nhl.com/stats/...e,500&sort=faceoffWinPctg
- Feanor

This is why I just don't get not starting Coots on the PK and going to PEB on the 2nd shift

I am more concerned with V decision making inability and G's futility at this point. Rather than playing time of the player who is not in the plans moving forward.
- missingmike

I never said it was great, good, bad, or detrimental. I merely stated the fact that a player who was originally slated to be a healthy scratch played 15 minutes.

The Devils are a disgrace to the league. Their alien masquerading as a human/head coach actually defended their goon hitting Gudas when the puck was at the other end of the rink.

http://www.nj.com/devils/...isagreed_with_suspen.html

"It's disappointing in the decision, based on what happened," Hynes said. "We're proud of what Dalton did and that's disappointing to hear the result of what it is. But we've got to live with the decision."

Gudas and Manning are out. We only had 7 D before those injuries. You call up Morin and slot in Schultz. No issues here with that.
- dragonoffrost

I'd rather give TJ Brennan a chance to play for his hometown team, honestly. Not sure where our call-up limit is though. But again, just stating that it happened.

TK seems to have hit the rookie wall, which is not surprising in the slightest for a kid of his age and size. And yet there are fans screaming for Hakstol's blood for not playing him 15-20 minutes last night in a meaningless game against a Devils team that called up a couple of hired goons. I really don't get it.
- Feanor

Flyers HF board got particularly toxic about it. It seems that NHL coaching is the easiest job on the planet- everyone seems to know how to do it.

This is why I just don't get not starting Coots on the PK and going to PEB on the 2nd shift
- BiggE

That would make a lot more sense. I don't know why, even if PEB and VdV are both killing penalties, they have to do it together. It's not like the results are great!

Flyers HF board got particularly toxic about it. It seems that NHL coaching is the easiest job on the planet- everyone seems to know how to do it.
- missingmike

Many people think they do, but there are only so many people like me who actually understand it.

I never said it was great, good, bad, or detrimental. I merely stated the fact that a player who was originally slated to be a healthy scratch played 15 minutes.
- jmatchett383

I was not throwing darts at you. Sorry, if perceived that way.

I never said it was great, good, bad, or detrimental. I merely stated the fact that a player who was originally slated to be a healthy scratch played 15 minutes.
- jmatchett383

If Weal is healthy how many minutes does the fourth line/PK player get? Remember 6 of those minutes he got are PK minutes.

If Weal is healthy how many minutes does the fourth line/PK player get? Remember 6 of those minutes he got are PK minutes.
- dragonoffrost

According to the lineup earlier in the day, that particular player was getting 0 minutes. And he played less than 5 minutes SH.

Edit: If we want to throw out special teams, Wayne Simmonds played 1:08 more ES than he did. So, essentially, they got the same ES TOI.

Again, just stating that was the case, not saying it was good or bad.

But Selke trophy guy Patrice Bergeron wins almost 60%
- dragonoffrost

But Bergeron did it!

I don't want to blow anyone's minds this early in the morning, but if he stays healthy Patrice is a lock for the HHoF and Sean is not. We may as well negatively compare everything Ghost does to Erik Karlsson.

According to the lineup earlier in the day, that particular player was getting 0 minutes. And he played less than 5 minutes SH.
- jmatchett383

My math was off early in the morning but he did get more than 5 SH unless he got PP time.

Earlier in the day Weal was considered able to play. At game time he wasn't. Come on, you are better than that.

My math was off early in the morning but he did get more than 5 SH unless he got PP time.

Earlier in the day Weal was considered able to play. At game time he wasn't. Come on, you are better than that.
- dragonoffrost

According to the NHL site, he played 4:49 SH and 0:16 PP.

And yes, he was a late addition after being slated to be healthy scratched. And in ES TOI, he played 1:08 less than our season MVP.

Again, I'm just stating the facts. I'll let you guys take them out of context.

I love that they paired Morin with Gost. And what he said about fighting and him being coached to stay on the ice as more important than fighting.
- bodiva88

Mutt and Jeff.... for those of you who are old enough to remember

Thought Morin played well and I look forward to seeing him in the lineup next season.
Vecchione understandably played sparingly, but I thought he looked good too.

Provy was a beast and Ghost had a strong game. Konecny was ok, but I think at this point in the season he's just worn down which is to be expected for a kid in his first season and also just goes to show how amazing Provorov really is.

Mason played great. With Hart and/or Sandstrom at least 2, and more likely 3 years away, I'd be fine with re-signing him to a 3 year deal.
- BiggE

I thought Vecchione looked better as the game progressed and played well in the 3rd. Considering the kid hadn't played in a week and jumped from college to the NHL with little practice time, I give him the thumbs up.

I was very happy with Morin. I know Bill and some others say otherwise but I still think the kid could stand to put a few more pounds of muscle on. and my goodness, can he be interviewed every game regardless of how he plays. He just says what he thinks with excitement

According to the NHL site, he played 4:49 SH and 0:16 PP.

Again, I'm just stating the facts. I'll let you guys take them out of context.
- jmatchett383

But pointing out about his ice time on the basis he was supposed to be a scratch before someone got ill is lame and you should know that. Especially since he's been a lightning rod here for criticism. The guy only played because he was next man up when someone went down.

Half of his ice time was against the NJ goon line from Albany again. I'm fine with it.