Corey's save % up to .920. Nice comeback after a so so start.
Lehner .938.

I think it is interesting after the games that Crow starts you can see Lehner come up to Crow and it looks like he actually has a conversation with Crow, more than just a "good game". I get the feeling like they are very proud of their tandem, and they are encouraging each other. Also some friendly competition. Of course they are both playing on expiring contracts.
- -Doh-

https://twitter.com/Robin.../1199535790684090368?s=09

Corey's save % up to .920. Nice comeback after a so so start.
Lehner .938.

I think it is interesting after the games that Crow starts you can see Lehner come up to Crow and it looks like he actually has a conversation with Crow, more than just a "good game". I get the feeling like they are very proud of their tandem, and they are encouraging each other. Also some friendly competition. Of course they are both playing on expiring contracts.
- -Doh-

Sort of like baseball when a starting pitcher has a good game the rest of the rotation elevates their game wanting to do well.

Corey's save % up to .920. Nice comeback after a so so start.
Lehner .938.

I think it is interesting after the games that Crow starts you can see Lehner come up to Crow and it looks like he actually has a conversation with Crow, more than just a "good game". I get the feeling like they are very proud of their tandem, and they are encouraging each other. Also some friendly competition. Of course they are both playing on expiring contracts.
- -Doh-

Which brings up an interesting point:

Lehner (1st) and Crawford (12th)
Kuemper (2nd) and Raanta (9th)
Khudobin (3rd) and Bishop (11th)
Halak (4th) and Rask (7th)
Greiss (5th) and Varlamov (21st)

Interesting to me to see that a lot of teams that have the best sv% are teams that use a goalie tandem rather than the traditional one goalie starter. Obviously successful teams like the Caps, Jets, Knights, and Blues rely on one goalie, but might this be a start of a new trend across the league? Keeps goalies fresh, makes it difficult for other teams to game plan unknowing who will be in net, and could allow for coaches to coordinate starts based on opposing team strength/weaknesses.

Corey's save % up to .920. Nice comeback after a so so start.
Lehner .938.

I think it is interesting after the games that Crow starts you can see Lehner come up to Crow and it looks like he actually has a conversation with Crow, more than just a "good game". I get the feeling like they are very proud of their tandem, and they are encouraging each other. Also some friendly competition. Of course they are both playing on expiring contracts.
- -Doh-

I could be very wrong on this and posted before the season started with Lehner as a Hawk we will see what Crow has left.

Have a bad streak Crow and you will lose starts, get concussed Crow and it will take a while to get starts even when back and healthy, have the funks that you've had the last couple yrs and you will lose starts and get some very pedestrian offers at yrs end, fall down the steps at a concert and the net is Lehner's.

Simply said there are zero excuses that will help Crow, there is no buffer zone, it's not Delia you have to take the net from. .......... IMO we would not see the Crow we see if Lehner was not a Hawk.

That said I'm not sure if I've seen a quicker, quieter more efficient Crow, ever. Really really happy for him.

Good win tonight .Dach played a very respectable game .Of course Dallas played last night ,or the boy's would not have stood a chance . 3 of 4 points against red hot Dallas. HAWKS are playing all right now .Toews and Seebs had good games .Crow will not give up that net without a fight . Really did not understand all the angst after the game Saturday, HAWKS played a very good game .As Lehner said SO are not hockey ,now if we could just get Buttman and his Hench man to understand this ..
- oldduffman

I hate SO's, that said, after all the games played, The World Cup has come down to a shoot out more than once.

Sort of like baseball when a starting pitcher has a good game the rest of the rotation elevates their game wanting to do well.
- boilermaker100

Reminds me of the Islanders with Billy Smith and Glenn Resch sharing the net.

Which brings up an interesting point:

Lehner (1st) and Crawford (12th)
Kuemper (2nd) and Raanta (9th)
Khudobin (3rd) and Bishop (11th)
Halak (4th) and Rask (7th)
Greiss (5th) and Varlamov (21st)

Interesting to me to see that a lot of teams that have the best sv% are teams that use a goalie tandem rather than the traditional one goalie starter. Obviously successful teams like the Caps, Jets, Knights, and Blues rely on one goalie, but might this be a start of a new trend across the league? Keeps goalies fresh, makes it difficult for other teams to game plan unknowing who will be in net, and could allow for coaches to coordinate starts based on opposing team strength/weaknesses.
- TommyHawk

And, far more prepared if one goes down with a month or two month injury. Teams like Habs, and Leafs and other teams that ride the #1 (like us last year)...are sunk when that #1 gets injured long term.
Those 5 teams you listed, quite likely would be fine riding EITHER of the two guys for a while if the other was injured.

Better protected from injury....AND....well rested goalies all year. Seems like a "Win-win"...trouble is at SOME point BOTH want "Starter $$$ of 7-8-9 million a year...and then the 2 goalie plan goes right to heck.
But, while you can afford it....Great stuff!!!

I'm not defending Peters by any means but the image of an NHL coach kicking a player in the ass makes me laugh.

Verbal and mental abuse would seem to me to be much more hurtful and damaging. So if you believe that like I do, somebody better investigate Scotty Bowman, Punch Imlach, Darryl Sutter, Toe Blake, Mike Keenan, Viktor Tikkanen and a long list of other coaches who spent a long time in the NHL. They may have hurt some feelings along the way.
- RickJ

Was watching the Canadian feed of the Bruins vs Canadiens game last night and at intermission they talked about this. Think it was McKenzie who said you have to look at the culture of the TIME/era for context. Just as you are rightly pointing out.

Played em all in the 70's and 80's and with no statute of limitations I'd have 100 lawsuits today as would ANYONE who played. Been kicked in the facemask while my hands were on my knees head down and knocked on my back. Thrown to the ground by my facemask and I played QB!! Double sessions with no water. In a public school grabbed and thrown into the wall by the gym teacher.

That was the culture, to be abusive physically and mentally military style. It's great we've moved away from that but it had its advantages. Like my old man taught me as a 7 yr old, you can fool with the bull but you might get the horns (consequences). Follow the program in life and you're ok but don't and the horns will come. ........ Great kids aren't getting abused today but they're not getting the horns either!

IMO no place for racial attacks now or then but to understand a different era you need context.
- Mr Ricochet

I recall reading an article about Punch Imlach's methods with Frank Mahovolich who he decided was lazy. Among other things, he purposely pronounced his name Maholovich which drove big Frank nuts. The team wouldn't admit it, but he ended up in hospital under psychiatric care. Between Imlach and the fans booing, the guy was going over the edge in his life.

But that stuff was thought to be motivation in those days. Imlach eventually ran him out of town and said he was washed up. Fortunately for the Big M Detroit and Montreal knew better and he flourished again.

Mental torture doesn't work now and didn't work then with him.

But in NHL history there is a long list of players who have suffered 'abuse' at the hands of coaches, GMs and ownership. It was excused as motivation back then, its called abuse now.

Also side note, but just as we all predicted before the start of the season, Maatta has more points than PK Subban.

NJ is stuck with that contract for two more seasons after this one. Yuck.
- TommyHawk

PK will win the Norris Reputation Award this season!

Dach + Seabrook for Lucic
- DarthKane

Dach only has two years controlled cost left time to unload him.

Which brings up an interesting point:

Lehner (1st) and Crawford (12th)
Kuemper (2nd) and Raanta (9th)
Khudobin (3rd) and Bishop (11th)
Halak (4th) and Rask (7th)
Greiss (5th) and Varlamov (21st)

Interesting to me to see that a lot of teams that have the best sv% are teams that use a goalie tandem rather than the traditional one goalie starter. Obviously successful teams like the Caps, Jets, Knights, and Blues rely on one goalie, but might this be a start of a new trend across the league? Keeps goalies fresh, makes it difficult for other teams to game plan unknowing who will be in net, and could allow for coaches to coordinate starts based on opposing team strength/weaknesses.
- TommyHawk

I think it is a trend, Tommy. Tough to go with a tandem when you have a Bob making 10 mil but all things being equal I think the stats show a goalie in the playoffs with 45-50 reg season starts is better than one that played 60+ games.

Keumper had a shutout last week and old school Tocchet went with Raanta the next game, and it wasn't a back to back. ....... Yes, I do think it's a trend but dependent on the cap and the ability to have two capable goalies.

Toews for Caufiled hey darth?>
- SaskHawkFan

Toews for Danault.

I think it is a trend, Tommy. Tough to go with a tandem when you have a Bob making 10 mil but all things being equal I think the stats show a goalie in the playoffs with 45-50 reg season starts is better than one that played 60+ games.

Keumper had a shutout last week and old school Tocchet went with Raanta the next game, and it wasn't a back to back. ....... Yes, I do think it's a trend but dependent on the cap and the ability to have two capable goalies.
- Mr Ricochet

This is my line of thinking as well. We always seemingly talk about depth across all positions and the importance of being able to roll four lines or three defensive pairs, but we overlook goaltending. We won’t have the luxury of retaining both goalies beyond this season, but I think it underlies the importance of having two capable netminders rather than one, and it might (read: should) lead to GM’s rethinking how they allocate their cap space. Might be better to have two goalies at $4.5-$5M a year rather than one at $9+.

I recall reading an article about Punch Imlach's methods with Frank Mahovolich who he decided was lazy. Among other things, he purposely pronounced his name Maholovich which drove big Frank nuts. The team wouldn't admit it, but he ended up in hospital under psychiatric care. Between Imlach and the fans booing, the guy was going over the edge in his life.

But that stuff was thought to be motivation in those days. Imlach eventually ran him out of town and said he was washed up. Fortunately for the Big M Detroit and Montreal knew better and he flourished again.

Mental torture doesn't work now and didn't work then with him.

But in NHL history there is a long list of players who have suffered 'abuse' at the hands of coaches, GMs and ownership. It was excused as motivation back then, its called abuse now.
- RickJ

Yes. Well said. Abuse just doesn't work but there can be a fine line between it and motivation. Abusers cloak themselves saying it's motivation and many will point to a Bobby Knight as an example of "tough love" working. The other side will say tearing a human being down does not justify any positives (wins) that come from it.

IMO it will never go away and Peters will get fired.

Yes. Well said. Abuse just doesn't work but there can be a fine line between it and motivation. Abusers cloak themselves saying it's motivation and many will point to a Bobby Knight as an example of "tough love" working. The other side will say tearing a human being down does not justify any positives (wins) that come from it.

IMO it will never go away and Peters will get fired.
- Mr Ricochet

Jeff Skinner on Bill Peters:

"I don't really want to get into it. Obviously, they're gathering facts. They're doing their job and I'm sure you'll find out more from them. They'll get to the bottom of it."

This is my line of thinking as well. We always seemingly talk about depth across all positions and the importance of being able to roll four lines or three defensive pairs, but we overlook goaltending. We won’t have the luxury of retaining both goalies beyond this season, but I think it underlies the importance of having two capable netminders rather than one, and it might (read: should) lead to GM’s rethinking how they allocate their cap space. Might be better to have two goalies at $4.5-$5M a year rather than one at $9+.
- TommyHawk

More than one way to skin a cat. Yes 2 guys at 5 mil each or have a pipeline that allows a prospect to marinate a yr or 2 too long and when he comes up he can do well taking 30 starts from the 7-6 mil #1.

Right now Holtby is in the last yr of his deal and is sharing the net with Samsonov. Next yr they let Holtby go and can replace him with a Miller, Khudobin type FA at 3-4 mil.

EDM brought Smith in to share/compete with Koskinen. CAL brought Talbot to share/compete with Rittich are a few examples. It still seems most go with a true #1 to carry the load but I think you're right it's slowly changes when possible.

And again IMO the competition between two relatively equal goalies brings out the best in both.

Crow only faced 32 shots. Did they only play two periods?
- -Doh-

Nah, teams usually don’t get better defensively with new players getting accustomed to each other, that never happens. If it doesn’t work out after ten games, it will never work out, at least that is what I read here.

This, big jump for the 18 yr old in Game 20. Playing center vs the opponent's top lines in the NHL is a big task and it showed. Like you thought he handled it well, no huge gaffes, but he was overmatched IMO. Looking at his fancies last night is hard on the eye and IMO an extended stay at 2C he'll get exploited at this point (the club needs Strome badly). Didn't think he was tentative per say but thought he lost more pucks than in any game, probably due to the step up in class. ......... At this time IF they must move him into the top 6 I'd prefer wing with Johnny.

Think the defense looks better every game and last night it was pretty good at both ends. As mentioned they engaged in their slot and IMO they had some solid exits, quick and clean many times. Like how Maatta picks his spots as a 4th attacker. Has the IQ to help.

Does this club have a legit bottom 6??? Kampf and Kubalik are great together, lights out when Saad was a linemate, both to the eye and in the fancies. Shaw and his style/skills fit with them. They crushed em in the fancies and were very pleasing to the eye. Helluva line, leave it be please!!!!

Asked if anyone thought Smith looked as fast as he's been as a Hawk, no response. Guy is making plays, taking the correct angles, in the right spots, playing like he's comfortable. That'll make you look fast and allow you to play fast no matter your feet. Love when a guy has center pedigree and is playing wing. Nice fit with Carpenter. That 4th line last night destroyed in the fancies, 7-0 SOG and JC started em in the Ozone 57%, he liked em too.

Here's the fancies. Hawks clubbed em badly except for the Kane-Dach-Dcat line. Check out the Hawks forward lines section: https://www.naturalstattr...eason=20192020&game=20376
- Mr Ricochet

Under the circumstances, Dach did as well as could be expected in one game as a fill in 2C. Sure he is overmatched against a team like Dallas but he sucked up 15 minutes and the coach was smart enough to restrict him to 3 or 4 faceoffs. I don't expect him to take over from Strome (yet) unless the trainers have a magic formula to turn him into a 220 lb Ryan Getzlaf. But for an 18 year old, he is finding his way without too much pressure or expectations.

Zac Smith - you and I both know that if his salary was $1M not $3M+ he would get accolades on here as a terrific 4th liner. He isn't going to score much but he knows how to play the NHL game and he is probably good for the room.

What seems to be evolving with this team is a fairly solid roster 1-20. One superstar (Kane); 2 #1 NHL goaltenders; 3 rookies (Nylander, Dach and Highmore or somebody else from Rockford as needed) and the rest a group of NHL level players that need to work hard every night in order to win.

We"ll see how that plays out in the Central Division. So far, results are OK but Colorado and St. Louis still to come.

Want to watch a fast game - see Colorado and Edmonton tonight. Gotta watch McKinnon and McDavid in action against each other. If there is ever another Olympics or World Cup they are Team Canada's #1 and #2 C with Makar at #1 D. (And no Mike Babcock).

Jeff Skinner on Bill Peters:

"I don't really want to get into it. Obviously, they're gathering facts. They're doing their job and I'm sure you'll find out more from them. They'll get to the bottom of it."
- BINGO!

Sara Civ
@SaraCivian
·
4m
Rod Brind’Amour: “It definitely happened.”

Sara Civ
@SaraCivian
·
4m
Rod Brind’Amour: “It definitely happened.”
- BINGO!

I'm waiting for Don Cherry to come forward and confirm that he has never seen or been part of abuse in the NHL.

I'm waiting for Don Cherry to come forward and confirm that he has never seen or been part of abuse in the NHL.
- RickJ

Or how foreigners come over and don’t want to play Gordon Lightfoot in the locker room.

Or how foreigners come over and don’t want to play Gordon Lightfoot in the locker room.
- StLBravesFan

Heard "Carefree Highway" was Little Arty's favorite.

Heard "Carefree Highway" was Little Arty's favorite.
- HawkintheD

“Early Morning Rain” is mine.

Under the circumstances, Dach did as well as could be expected in one game as a fill in 2C. Sure he is overmatched against a team like Dallas but he sucked up 15 minutes and the coach was smart enough to restrict him to 3 or 4 faceoffs. I don't expect him to take over from Strome (yet) unless the trainers have a magic formula to turn him into a 220 lb Ryan Getzlaf. But for an 18 year old, he is finding his way without too much pressure or expectations.

Zac Smith - you and I both know that if his salary was $1M not $3M+ he would get accolades on here as a terrific 4th liner. He isn't going to score much but he knows how to play the NHL game and he is probably good for the room.

What seems to be evolving with this team is a fairly solid roster 1-20. One superstar (Kane); 2 #1 NHL goaltenders; 3 rookies (Nylander, Dach and Highmore or somebody else from Rockford as needed) and the rest a group of NHL level players that need to work hard every night in order to win.

We"ll see how that plays out in the Central Division. So far, results are OK but Colorado and St. Louis still to come.

Want to watch a fast game - see Colorado and Edmonton tonight. Gotta watch McKinnon and McDavid in action against each other. If there is ever another Olympics or World Cup they are Team Canada's #1 and #2 C with Makar at #1 D. (And no Mike Babcock).
- RickJ

I agree with your assessment. A marginal playoff team with great goaltending and a lot of young players. Trending up as players new to the team get used to playing together, younger players start to figure it out how to play at the NHL level and find their place, and coach finds out how to put them in position to win (though the jury is still out on Colliton).

Zach Smith - Like Toews and Seabs you cannot separate cap hit and performance. But I like Zach Smith to fill out the 3rd or 4th lines. I also think Seabs is a decent 2nd or 3rd pair dman playing some PK with ATOI about 18 miuntes. Toews is still a decent 1C/Captain, though he probably should be earning more like $8mil.

4 rookies to the NHL. Dach, Nylander, Highmore, Kubalik (plus Boqvist whom we could see again later this year).

Or how foreigners come over and don’t want to play Gordon Lightfoot in the locker room.
- StLBravesFan

I heard Grapes prefers Joni Mitchell.