The Conor Era starts with a win 4-2

Bedsy finishes with an assist. Good start.

11 shot attempts which is a good sign. That will translate into goals. Got pushed around a little bit, but he is only 18!

You are lucky to have him!

My daughter wants to go watch him when he comes to town. :)

The NHL thread got me thinking about Barry Melrose. He's been diagnosed with Parkinson's and is retiring. Best wishes Barry. Nobody wears a mullet like Barry.

I read that yesterday. Sorry to see. We got to meet him during the Stanley Cup run in 2017. The Predators do a lot of fundraising for Parkinson’s research because Brent Peterson, one of our former coaches, has suffered from Parkinson’s for a number of years and does a lot of fundraising and programming for it.

And, Preds dropped their opener to Tampa Bay last night. A young team and a new coach means it’s probably going to be a long year.

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clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com

Starting year 3 or 4 of the Avalanche not being on Comcast, great work again by team Kroenke. It sounds like they may try to get a public TV contract which would be the biggest win for hockey and basketball in Colorado. 2 championships in 2 years and most people can’t watch them without cable and an additional package. If these idiots had half a brain they’d make a station with the Rockies and other Colorado sports teams but apparently that is too difficult to work together.

Also countdown is starting on finding out if Landeskog can comeback for the playoffs or come back at all. If he doesn’t that makes the rest of the Avs window pretty tough, at least this year since they couldn’t sign someone to replace him. I’m hopeful but damn that’s a shit surgery. Rare surgeries are generally not great for procedure improvements. It took them 10 years to be able to even figure out how do my knee and the surgery still failed in 5 years. This one is even more difficult to come back from.

Both kids are playing for the first time this year so they are way more excited. I was able to get them both Lemieux numbers. One Hall of Famer and one turtle was the best I could do though.

Couldn't last forever

Canucks off to a good start. Boeser already has 1/5 of the total goals he scored last season.

Yeah another year having to look up the Avs box score each morning. I don't know how closely you follow the Rockies broadcasts, but AT&T Sportsnet Rocky Mountains is shutting down, last day I think was 10/6. No idea where the Rockies end up next year. If they go to Altitude that might be enough for me to get a Fubo subscription.



5-2 over the Kings last night.

---

--------------------------
The secret of a long life is you try not to shorten it.
-Nobody

I watched that game. They need to change they way their PP works, right now it's too easy to defend. Double team Wonderkid and dare the other shitty players to beat you. Anytime he got the puck on the PP he had guys all over him. They need to move him around, he needs to find a way to get lost to the defense. Standing on the faceoff circle waiting for a pass isn't going to work.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Bruins Hawks last night, both teams showcasing young talent, Bahdarhd and Matt Poitras, Poitras did not look out of place. I worry about their size, both of them. Luckily, it's not your father's NHL anymore.

---

"one eye doubles my eyesight, so things don't look half bad" John Hiatt

NHL66.ir normally works otherwise I just look up a stream for it.

It’s insane that we can’t watch it without a 90/month fubo feed or needing to have DirectTv along with comcast then for our internet.

I understand where Comcast is coming from. I’m sure they don’t make money from Altitude, but if Kroenke can’t figure out how to make TV money from the Avs and Nuggets right now they never will.

Matthews back to back hat tricks to start the season. He’s on pace for 246 goals.

I say he does it.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

And I say Sammy gives up 2 easy ones every game. I then guess we can allow 2+ more goals that no goalie could save for a continued 4.43 GAA.

We can outscored our goalies woes.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Set an alert on your phone, maybe?

---

"What's your claim?" - Ben Gravy
"Your best work is the work you're excited about" - Rick Rubin

Deja vu all over again. It took our scoring phenom 14 years to hoist the cup partly through a complete team effort with a bit more dedication to the other end of the ice.

You think you can hang for another 7 years?

It does make for an entertaining regular season. Enjoy!

You were saying.....?

He just needs to get 6 next game.

Classic trap game. The Leafs never fail to fall into a trap game.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

An original six team is a trap game?

Your team is shit.

The Leafs looked at this and thought 'easy win before a road trip'. It's what they do.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

The team tied for first in the central is shit?

Yes. Your team is shit. They will
Compete for the #1 pick again this year. They suck.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

That's really pathetic you lost 4-1 to us then

Tell me about it.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

A bit of a trap game and an improving previously shit team who win the Windy award of first place for the first week. Can't blame the claim as there has been none for a while now.

Trap game with a suspect goaltending. BLeP and the "faithful" leaf fans will be setting the suicide watch and or hiring the sports psychologist for their goalie tandem soon.

Enjoy Bedard as he appears to be the real deal and partially NHL ready.

Oh there’s some Windy genius. Tied for first by playing twice as many games as the Avs so far to get to 4 points. That’s one hell of an accomplishment.

What's up with your boy Ovie? Is father time catching up with him? or just lots of bad luck?

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Really good game for Bedard last night. Twice stole the puck leading to goals. Fought off Hedman for a tap in in front. Seriously Hedman? He's 120 pounds soaking wet....

Really nice pass on one of his assists.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

And here I was going to write you and ask what's up with my boy Sammy? Looks like the other guy is letting more than his share pass by too though.

As for Ovie, hard to say. My wife says he has not been the same since his old man passed. My take is he is playing at less than 100% effort. I have been to all the home games and have watched him on each of his shifts. Same Ovie as before puck handling and skating . There seems to be less juice on his one timer from his office on the PP. They are adding some wrinkles to that PP with the new coaching staff and his chance numbers are off with the PP not clicking just yet. On defense he has always played to minimum, but so far he is just a tick slower in covering and pursuing the puck when in his own zone. It's a long season and it looks like he is pacing for the grind. He does inspire the team when he comes out with a want to engage, but that is not an automatic thing most nights.

Father time is there, so you see him sliding in and holding his net presence as more pronounced and there have been at least 2 or 3 goals called back for goalie interference or off sides on the entry, so there is a bit of bad luck too. Right now I would not put money down on him getting to Gretzky, but I would not count him out either.

Sammy has been generally terrible this season. He's in his own head at this point.

Woll has been generally good this season, a couple of off nights made worse by absolutely porous defense.

Our new GM let 5 or 6 decent defensive players leave and replaced them with 5 or 6 guys that think defense is optional. And it's showing.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

The Leafs like offensive players. I hear McJesus will be available.

You guys need to add him! :)

Ovie now has 2 goals in non-empty nets in 13 games this season.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Hey now. The Great Eight is now tied with The Great One for empty net goals.

I think the new coach has now settled his O lines. Wilson and Kuzy are back together with Ovie. I have always liked the pairing of Wilson and Ovie and it seems that the coach has given the keys to the car to Kuzy now that Backstrom and management made a very fair "lets hang em up" call after seeing the 2 young up and coming centers perform to expectation.

It remains a distinct pleasure to be a Caps/ Ovie fan regardless of the doldrums, giveaways, sloppy goals, lazy skating and poor officiating. FWIW, my Rocking the Red game jersey is an Oshie 77 and not an Ovie 8.

This is awesome.

“Carolina Hurricanes to wear Whalers uniforms one night only on 02/10/24.”

https://x.com/...VXZiCUm1aguM6ABLo7hA

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The devil made me do it the first time, second time I done it on my own - W

Re: the Great 8.
Mike Milbury was always quick to criticize (or question) Ovechkin too. Back in '13 Ovie snapped out of a mini goal scoring drought and had this to say to the local paper responding to his criticism.

I just try to do my best,” Ovechkin said.

"Right now I’m scoring goals and I’m the king of the world. And a couple weeks ago I was almost in the toilet. So maybe you just forget to flush me.”

3 goals in the last 3 games. The new coach looks to be of the mindset to ride the hot goalie regardless of #1 or 2 status and the Caps are riding Chuckie on a really hot penalty kill streak while idling into dead last in the league on PP scoring.

Ovie was Playing like shit. I merely pointed it out.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Leafs lose to the Hawks 4-3....assuming it was a turkey hangover for the Leafs

The game went to OT and was won on a rebound off the back wall that was collected on a hawk stick and punched past the goalie. Tough to call that turkey day hangover performing.

From my perspective, I continue to be entertained by the sport and the league. My Caps just had a huge turkey hangover event against a team who had just fired their coach for early season under performing and are led by arguably the most talented player in the world.

My grandson and I were thoroughly stressed and entertained with a last minute goal to tie in regulation and then a last second to win in OT on the day before turkey day. And then yesterday my nephew and I were entertained by a dazzling performance from Connor McDavid (4 assists and one jock strap losing embarrassing moment for a top defense man) as the Caps were soundly beaten by the Oilers.

Enjoy the ride as the Connor Bedard show takes hold, or doesn't.

I was just trying to help BLeP out since he thinks the Hawks are "shit."

https://forum.slowtwitch.com/...ost=8026687#p8026687

He is too much the fan and he does need help for his being too critical.

nope. Just the Leafs playing down to their competition.

It’s what they do.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

The Hawks are shit. This is an objective truth.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Jeff O'Neil on the Leafs losing to the Hawks: "The Leafs lost to the Hawks, twice. And they are a complete dumpster fire."

And he wasn't even referring to the Corey Perry rumours and the very vague statement they just put out today that does nothing to dispel those rumours.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Yeah that Perry thing is weird.

We need more high draft picks

Your GM said this afternoon that the rumours are absolutely not true.

But of course he would say that even if they were true.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Before the presser i said to wife .. if they deny it and say it’s simply a personal matter then he did it.
Damn booze on those mom road trips …

https://nypost.com/...paign=site%20buttons

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clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com

November 26th, 1983, BLeP attends his first Maple Leafs game with his Dad. Leafs lose 7-6 in OT to the Minnesota North Stars.

November 30th, 2023, BLeP Jr 1.0 attends his first Maple Leafs game with his Dad. Leafs win 4-3 in a shootout over Seattle Kraken.

Realized this week that it was 40 years to the week from when I went to my first game.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

And the Leafs have been in the Cup finals how many times since then?

Your team is now in last in the NHL. Yes, they are shit.

But maybe you'll get another #1 pick.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Ovie has 3 goals with goalies in the net to stop the puck this season.

Ooooof.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Here's hoping

I will say, Bedard is going to be damned good. That goal he scored against the Oilers the other night was ridiculous. I don't think I have ever seen anyone do that before.

Almost a complete troll job on the defenceman.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Very Leafy Leaf’s game tonight.

Down 5-0 after 2 to a shitty team. Come all the way back to force overtime. Soft goal in ot to lose.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

The press down here is not nearly as critical of the home team as the criticism your Leafs are exposed to but this has not gone unreported with the new coach on the record with his ooooof.

No one is ready to flush him yet and Wilson continues to create open space for Ovie to operate.

Pasta's shootout winner vs. the Islanders last night was filthy. That is all.

Did Sammy give up all 9? Sabres lose giving up 9 and then win with 9. Crazy!

Ovi finally got off the schneid!! Wilson ends up in the net and comes out with the goalie getting the roughing penalty. Crazy.

Sammy only gave up 5. Man that guy sucks this season.

Sammy, not Ovie.

But also Ovie.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

BTW it’s always amusing watching the Leafs play in Buffalo. The crowd is about 60/40 Leaf fans/Sabres fans.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Don't worry, they suck no matter where they play.

I think that we have very different definitions of the word ‘suck’.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Probably. Mine includes losing HORRIBLY to a 14-17 team.

Sammy placed on waivers today.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

OooPs. So there wasn't a Russian speaking goalie shrink on the payroll huh?

I am working on a major conspiracy here. Ovie had another goal disallowed for goalie interference last night. And it was a potential GWG . Since it was inside a minute to play (but was it really?), the NHL ops crew up in Toronto called it in. I am smelling some Rusky disfavor from your neck of the woods. You think a call to Dudley Do Right of the CMP can fix? https://russianmachineneverbreaks.com/...goalie-interference/


Has a Russian goalie ever fared well in Toronto?

Bedard is out after a cheap shot by the Devils

Game is VERY chippy with multiple fights

Hawks need to take runs at Hughes til he's done

(BLEP you can skip this game since it has checking, chippiness, and fights)

So someone on the Devils welcomed the boy to the big boy league. Haven't seen the hit. Brendan Smith has a bit of a rep and history. As read in the AP the hit was not reported as dirty or a head shot.

Nice to see the Hawks stood up for him with some brawling and filling the box. Old school script followed.

Bullshit it was a perfect textbook hit. Just cause the kid wasn’t ready for it doesn’t mean it was cheap.

100% clean hit. Sucks that he got hurt but not a cheap shot.

Clean hit, and quite frankly not that bad. Maybe split lip/missing a tooth.

Maurice

I had you pegged as an ex-athlete. Please tell me that you were simply trolling with your "cheap" qualification to that hit. Otherwise I will have to reevaluate your athlete status to poser and your Bedard Black Hawks fan status to clueless homer.

I am no hockey expert, but that hit as described by the above two posters was an exceptionally clean open ice check. Hopefully Bedard will learn from it and be more aware with the puck on his stick in center ice.

The one thing about the NHL that does make it highly entertaining for us non-hockey playing schooled fans is that hits to the star player do enhance the chippiness and brawls often ensue. Are you not entertained? There is a good reason why dropping the gloves remains legislated in the game. I encourage you to view the 2010 documentary film Broad Street Bullies. They won two cups playing that way. The purists and the elites took note and moved the game back to normalcy. Not surprisingly, the skill level of the junior players took off as well.

The NHL game right now excites beyond measure with how good the stars are and how well they play the game without the momentary pauses for gloved face washing scrums or eye for eye choreographed set-tos. But the latter still remains for good reasons.

As a side, and in an effort to wake up our boy from Leaf country, I would offer that the league does the best work of all the pro sports leagues both legislating and officiating the games.

Clean. Good lesson on both sounds. Keep your head up kid. And, don't touch our kid.

Reminds me of this. I hated that I loved how tough Scott Stevens was. Our seats were right above that blue line....

(Fun fact, current Hawks coach Luke Richardson missed his assignment to give up that Game 7 game winning goal)

On our coach certification for USA hockey, they played a video explaining how on defense stick on puck then go for the hit. Mainly because of the new checking rules. However, video had Stevens explaining how to do this. Everyone was like did he even play with a stick. Agree with the concept moronic person to be explaining it. I was waiting for a Sean Avery video next.

Broken jaw for Bedard. Sucks but not surprising, that’s always risk with super skilled stick handlers that aren’t built like a truck.

He’ll be fine though just a jaw.

Lindros never learned to skate with his head up. He never needed to. Until he got to the NHL if anyone tried to hit him he would run them over.

Then he met Scott Stevens.

Of course Stevens would have been the most suspended player ever if he played today.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

So your new star has a glass jaw and is out of action on the IR.

So when do they start manipulating the roster because of the monies just awarded Nylander? I assume Tavares is too old to re-up when his contract expires, but Garner and Matthews would they be looking for even more monies than Nylander?

I had to chuckle at the Danny Briere and Torts comments about their next star in waiting not wanting to be a Flyer so they then traded him away and got reduced value. Has Gauthier gone on record yet on why he refuses to play for Torts?

Matthews signed a 4 year extension that kicks in next year. As does the Nylander extension for 8 years.

Marner and Tavares contracts expire at the end of next year. Marner will likely get a bit of a raise. The Leafs will gladly resign Tavares but he will have to take a shave. He makes 11 now. I figure his next deal is in the 7 million range.

No clue on the Philly kid that was traded. I read that he hasn't said what his issue is. Basically his agent won't talk to the team and neither will he. So they traded him.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

The Blackhawks have internalized the Chicago Way.

San Jose assholes board our guy we immediately retaliate.

Why BLeP hates fights I still don't understand

I don’t hate fights. You misunderstand my position.

I hate staged fights. I am very glad that staged fights are mostly a thing of the past.

I hate when skill player A hits skill player B and then goon B beats up goon A in retaliation.

Neither of these are good for the game in any way.

I don’t mind fights if they are like what happened with your boy Bedard.

The meal ticket gets roughed up, go attack the guy who did it. Send a message that you won’t tolerate that shit.

Two nights ago Matthews was cross checked. Nobody did anything about it. Message? Feel free to cross check our star with impunity.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Curious to know. So are you becoming a fan of the game?

BLeP explained well how legislated fighting has evolved in the NHL. My own noviceness about the game is currently centered on how the league will evolve wrt its rules about physical conduct along the boards. I note that a big difference between the minor leagues and the big leagues is the size of the players on the rosters. And that the just as skilled, or even better skilled, smaller player is placed into a competitive disadvantage in the big league when he is caught up in a a scrum with the bigger bodies near the puck and near the boards. Only the cream of the crop small guys make it to the bigs and they then become protected or tend to shy away from digging pucks out of corners.

Yo BLeP: As big as Matthews is I would have thought he could elect to engage on his own behalf in retaliation hits.

Um I uses to listen to Blackhawks games on the radio under the covers as a kid because Wirtz wouldn't televise home games and it was past my bedtime anyways.

He did that once in the regular season and they suspended him for 2 games.

He did that once in the playoffs and he got 17 minutes of penalty time. The NHL is a fucking joke.

Someone else should fucking step up.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

My issue with this thinking is I don't remember ever noticing a reduction in cheap shots when you have "tough guys" retaliating. Is there any evidence of this?

I have no evidence. And I never liked the concept of thugs who play 5 minutes per game as a deterrent.

I am talking about standing up for your team mates. Not hiring a goon to go beat someone up who may or may not have committed the violation.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

I agree. I HATE HATE HATE, when there is a clean big check and everyone has to go after the guy that hit him. That drives me crazy. My teammates use to hate me as I could tell them to skate with their heads up more. ;)

Ya, I hate when that is described as "toughness". It's not tough. Toughness is taking the hit, getting up and moving on. Maybe take the number and deliver one back when there's a chance. But apparently to some, toughness is having a hissy fit because you messed up and someone caught you. Or jumping someone because they delivered a hit within the rules of the game.

Ya, I guess I'm thinking of the thugs. I was told that getting Reaves on the Leafs was great to stop the other team from taking cheap shots. Then liljegren was injured by Marchand with Reaves on the bench. Pointless.

Or people seeing cheap shots and saying "back in the day that wouldn't happen. They would be too scared." Dude, there were sooooo many cheap shots "back in the day".

Well, I don’t know what happened to Sammy but he’s back. The Leafs released him. He went down to the Marlies. Didn’t even play a game. Just practised and had therapy.

He earned a 1-0 shutout tonight. Fans were chanting his name several times during the game.

He said he almost cried.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

I tuned into the NHL network and they had the Leafs on a look- in with 5 to go in the 3rd and I saw that Sammy was in net and pitching his shutout. I was so happy for him. And glad to hear the always critical leaf fans can be supportive as well. I'll keep my fingers crossed for his continued good work. The black unis seemed a bit off and so non leaf-like.

I think Leaf fans are pretty fair. If you are playing like crap they’ll let you know. If you start playing well, all is forgiven and they will cheer you.

I am indifferent towards the black unis. They only wear them about 5 times per season.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Re : Ovechkin revisit

With a large dollar 2021 contract signed for 5 years, the Caps and Ovi became tied to the end of his playing career and the potential market success to be had in the pursuit of Gretzky's record while remaining loyal to one team. This was a league and team business decision. Strictly business!

Half way into the season allow me to update where I am at. While he is getting older, he is also getting fatter. Ovi showed up out of shape by some 20 pounds (my guess, as nothing is written or spoken just yet) and he remains out of shape. Ovi recently missed four games with a lower body injury and the team performed well in his absence. The coach rolled 4 lines, each with good chemistry and each performing well with positive results and team wins. On his return, there has been loss after loss and a shuffling effort to find the right lines. It is obvious to even the most casual observer that he is the anchor on his line regardless of whatever combo of centermen and wingers the coach puts together.

Ownership made a commitment to him, but Ovi has not or cannot live up to his end of the deal. His confidence and swagger are noticeably absent as he continues to under-perform. He may have been cognizant of wanting to do this in the right way, but so far it ain't happening the right way. I wonder how long this can stay. I don't think anyone knows for certain whether Ovi has it within himself to turn it around. After this mid season break something is going to have to give as they can't keep ignoring the elephant in the locker room.

For reference, Ownership's position just after they inked the deal:

"I’m sure there’ll be an influx of some young players, but we’re not gonna rebuild the team,” Leonsis told Wyshynski .”To me, a rebuild is when you look the players, the coaches, the fans in the eye and say we’re gonna be really, really bad. And if we were really, really bad, I don’t think Alex would break the record.”

Both Ovechkin and Leonsis have come to the agreement that if the Capitals remained competitive, Ovi “will get a lot of goals, a lot of power-play chances.” Ovechkin is chasing Gretzky’s record, but his focus remains on winning another Stanley Cup before hanging up the skates. He keeps working to be at his best and wants Washington to be a relevant and competitive team until the end of his deal.

“He’s very cognizant of doing this the right way,” Leonsis added. “Alex said, ‘I’m not gonna be a third-line guy playing 8-10 minutes a game (where you) trot me out on the power play and let me score my goals. That’s not what I want to do. Promise me you’ll keep the team competitive (and) a playoff team.’ And he promised to come in shape all the time and not be fixated on the record but be fixated on winning another Stanley Cup.”

Time for Ted to have a sit down with Ovi and talk about promises made and not kept.

Ovi on pace for 15 goals this season. If he keeps this pace up he will need 4 more seasons to beat the record.

Not going to lie, I want Gretzky to keep the record.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

The lead sport columnist describes best my emotions about the Ovechkin Moment. Playoff cusp out looking in; half empty glass while the team loses big and wins close at a fairly even clip; 13 games before the trade deadline; we won't be buyers but then we can't sell out the Great 8 either; but wait, hasn't he sold us out with out of shape play? https://wapo.st/3UsRBYV

Not going to lie, I want Ovechkin to beat the record.

In the first game back from break, a blowout loss, he looked like his old self. He has got this plus the next 2 seasons under contract. It is going to be a tough row to hoe.

I see your Leafs came out of the break with a loss. Still middling results there, eh?

Beat Dallas last night.

They are wildly inconsistent.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Hey BLeP any thoughts on last night's Leafs ending?

Yeah, Ovi probably will have to hang in there like Jagr to pass the record. Its kind of an unwritten rule in sports. You don't hang around to break a record.

🇲🇽

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Just saw it. Rielly should probably get 5 games for that. Idiot.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Sheldon Keefe on what he thought of Morgan Rielly’s reaction to cross checking Ridly Greig for the empty net slapshot: “I thought it was appropriate,” then later added, “Our players have the right to react.”

🙄

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

While I have no issue with Rielly being suspended, what in the ever living fuck is this?

https://x.com/...qV6nxOSePsSnKig4JMgw

The DPoS hates the Leafs.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

As I am following your team, I read the box scores and noted the 5 min major to reilly and the concurrent EN and wondered what he might have done. Since it was brought up here, I went in search of the video. I get that there are unwritten rules and codes of conduct and that maybe slap shotting from the crease is an offense to one of those rules. I am curious if the team captain, coach and management are in support of this man's self enforcement there. Is this an overall rally round boys positive note or is it a locker room dissent source and detracts from their goal of the cup?

As for your dogged pursuit of fairness with the League's player safety, I await your comparison of the $5K fine awarded to the Ranger to that which your guy gets. Personally, I am shocked that the Ranger did not receive a season suspension for that.

Re: my boy . Goals in 5 straight. Last year when he moved into 2nd place, the team gave away an Ovechkin bobble head doll that has a mechanical counter on it. My counter clicker was sticking badly for the first 44 games this season. It has loosened up considerably of late.

Reilly has never been suspended and was in contention for Lady Bing until this.

Yet he’ll get 6 games minimum. Leafs will appeal.

I don’t think Marchand has ever been suspended for more than 5 games for all the shit he’s done.

The DPoS hates the Leafs.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Retire his number immediately.

"I want to thank my girlfriend..she's too young to remember I played in Pittsburgh."

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The devil made me do it the first time, second time I done it on my own - W

Replying to last.

Matthews has 49 goals in 53 games this season. He’s on pace for 75 goals.

He should pass Mats Sundin to become the Leafs all time goals leader next season.

Unreal. (Also a testament to how mediocre this franchise has been)

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

51 in 54 so far.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Before I start my post I need to make it clear... the Leafs lost last night because the Bruins outplayed them. Plain and simple. I am not blaming the refs for the loss. Capiche?

Having said that, every time the Leafs play the Bruins I think: what nonsensical crap will the refs do tonight?


And they didn't let me down. This happened not once, but twice in one period.

Leafs draw a penalty and have full possession during the delayed call. Not even a Bruin near the puck. Twice the refs blow the whistle and stop the play. Once is a mistake, how the fuck does that happen twice in one game? On back to back delayed penalty calls?

Holy fuck NHL, get better.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

So far tonight we have a bullshit 5-3 for the Bruins.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

You’re right, it should’ve been a 4-minute 5-4 PP. No worries though, they gave the Leafs a bullshit 4-minute PP to make up for it.

Two things:
1. You are welcome. He should be a plus for the playoffs. Solid D in a good skating, with cup experience, big body.
2. You must give up on finding fault with the refs. Save those rants for the porch and the kids tearing the tarp off the shed.

Oh yeah, a third
3. Our boy Rasmus got signed to a nice 5 year deal. He has played well

And a fourth,
4. 10 in the last 15, only 54 back. Purposely not looking at his plus minus stat line. I am sure he is near the league lead there.

Not dead yet.

Knies didn't do anything. No chance refs are calling two cross checks on same player.

Should have been 2 minutes 4-4. Or at worst 5-4 for 2 minutes.

Nice turtle by your "Captain" in the third period.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Deadline day!

It won't be Guentzel. Let's see what non-household name wing you pick up to provide the secondary scoring that is missing every spring.

Leafs don’t have secondary scoring issues. At least that isn’t the biggest concern.

The power play runs dry every spring. That hurts more.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Seven game playoffs allow familiarity to set in for defenders. Referees' whistles tend to get put away in games 5-7.

Power play hurt is shared by all participants late in the series. Square up and play solid 5 on 5 hockey.

Sure. But scoring 1 PP goal in a series isn’t going to cut it. And that’s what we do.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Kelly's Heroes and Sergeant Oddball: "Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves." "Always with the negative waves."

If reality is negative then I am not sure what to say here.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

What about Zub throwing an elbow to Perron's face?

Reality is they have not won since 67. That is the negative wave of Tsunami strength. I am loathe to go Zen here, but until you and the Leaf Nation lose all the other negative waves whether it's the PP, the officials and their calls, the league, the goalie or whatever, then the cup will continue to elude. Good luck comes easier and more fulsomely to those without the negative wave baggage.

On many levels I know this to be BS nonsense, but then the mind is the most powerful organ in the body and when cluttered with negativity it can adversely affect desired outcomes.

I will ditch the negative vibes when they do something positive in the playoffs.

Last year we won a round but Tampa out played us. We won three games in OT.

Then we got goalied in the second round.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Here’s a fun play.

Leafs have a power play. 3 of the 4 Flyer on the ice either lose their sticks or have it broken.

Have never seen this before

https://x.com/...qV6nxOSePsSnKig4JMgw

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Fun play if you're a Leaf fan. Negative waves would be allowed were the Leafs not to have scored there even though the PP had just expired. Thanks for the win. My Caps are not quite dead yet and the Flyers are the catch target.

So, is it a different team and different Matthews without his sidekick Marner ? And, how is it they lost last night to the Flyers? I was hoping tonight to see the leafs as a back end of a back to back team coming off a win and not a loss, and we kinda needed you to beat those Flyers.

Looking forward to tonight's game. I see that the odds for the Leafs to either move up or down from their current playoff slotting to be quite high and that they might just be playing out the string without much emotion. Which Leaf player should I keep an eye on early to gauge which Leaf team shows up?

Well there was some bad luck last night. They hit 5 or 6 posts.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Puck luck and hot goalies and just how much they influence the outcome of games, I find to be the most unique aspect to this sport that I have found a passion for. Couldas, wouldas and the but fors are rabbit holes that should be avoided.

Well it was mostly net that they hit last night. I did not hear one post ring nor much glass either. Your boy is the real deal. Opening tip had Dowd's checking line opposed and they lost a puck battle along the boards giving Domi easy access to the untended danger man. 16 seconds in and dagger! It actually was an entertaining game until 13 minutes left.

I leave you with a quiz. I saw 3 Toronto jerseys in the stands not #'ed 34 16 and 88. The numbers were 12, 27 and 21. Without assist list those 3 guys. I have two hints if needed.

I still see in your defense one that doesn't close tight enough or fast enough in a smothering playoff fashion. Movement between the blues in center ice seemed too easy. Also Matthews gets an enormous amount of offensive zone shifting.

Ovi is now at 49 to tie.

21 is Salming
27 would either be Mahavolich or Sittler. Or if a fan of goons it could be Kordic. My guess is Sittler though.
12? Tough one… best guess is Mark Osborne. That would be weird though.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

I may have misremembered the #12. how about #13 and Sundin? Salming and Sittler were the two. Naturally, all three were gray and silver haired gentlemen.

Yeah 13 was Sundin.

Another 12 option was Patrick Marleau.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

With the understanding that you are the subject matter expert, I need a ruling. Wilson's 6 games?

I saw it in person and the high stick motion went by too fast and escaped my eye. I saw the board action and then an immediate "ah shit, I'm sorry, did not intend for that to happen" hug. I get his history with the player safety office, but he has been a somewhat solid citizen since the team put the A on his jersey. Up to that point I did not notice any malcontent feelings between the teams or the players that would lead one to think retaliation was in the offing.

Honestly I thought 1 or 2 games would have sufficed. I don’t think he intended any harm, was instantly remorseful. Leaf player isn’t injured.

But you need to control your stick.

DPoS came down awfully hard on him.

Department of player safety treats Wilson like the repeat offender that he is.

They do not treat Brad Marchand like the repeat offender that he is.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Shouldn't you join the conversation? Your young team and new coach appear to be not dead yet. Experiencing a similar path with my Caps. Our coach is the youngest and in his first year, the GM just sold proven playoff assets at the trade deadline, the youngsters are stepping up and into the vacancies and wouldn't you know they are energizing the old guard. Each and every game is being played with playoff intensity. I for one am enjoying the ride.

Yes! And we just won a barn burner overtime game last night. They are on a16-0-2 run.

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clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com

I think Flyers took a locker room vote two weeks ago and said, we get Torts fired.

Tort is good at getting fired.

My young Preds qualified for the playoffs last night.

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clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com

Torts after last night's rout up in Montreal:

“I’m not questioning their effort. I just think we’ve lost ourselves in managing games. I think some guys may feel it a little bit because they may wanna try to get us out of this. But I don’t question the care. I don’t question the effort. It’s been a strong group all year long. I’m frustrated for them, because this was rock bottom for us. Hate to see us at this time of the year playing this way after all of the good minutes we’ve put in throughout the year.”

Not like Torts to be this charitable. I would think the long season was just a couple weeks too long for his boys and that they have not quit on him.

Still, they are not dead yet.

I took my wife to a Flyers/Bruins game a few weeks ago for her birthday. Flyers won on a late goal and we were getting some big heads thinking that they could actually get into the playoffs. They haven't won since, so we are officially the jinx.

Wings Capital's last night.. UGH

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Just Triing
Triathlete since 9:56:39 AM EST Aug 20, 2006.
Be kind English is my 2nd language. My primary language is Dave it's a unique evolution of English.

Chuckie is the reason the Caps have made it this far and sit in the enviable position with the Wings and the Flyers and the Pens and the Islanders of being not dead yet and looking to be the last team standing. The last 10 days of the regular season remain their own personal round one of the playoffs.

Jinxes and superstitions are a bitch. Yet our NHL 2024 thread master up in Toronto fails to understand fully how they work. "Always with the negative vibes, Moriarity."

Maybe, we’ll see. They have shanked a couple of gotta have it games to bad teams.

I actually don’t mind him. I always preferred a tough coach. I just think he was wrong guy. He is more guy that gets a seasoned almost there team across the line. Not the lose 55 games rebuild guy. The goalie situation not his fault.

Unless there's more going on behind the scenes, I think he survives... though I read recently there are at least some rumblings that he wants to retire. From the start, The Flyers saw this season as the first season of a rebuild. The fact that they were in the playoff hunt as long as they were is an overachievement. On the flip side, Torts has a Mike Keenan-like way of wearing on his players. I wonder if they've already hit that point.

Who would have thunk it. Tomorrow's Flyers v Caps still has meaning for both clubs. Caps win and they are in. Your jinx being still in effect would be nice. But something tells me it is going to be a barn burner.

Red Wings in OT! Killing me.

Tomorrow should be fun. At least we get one playoff game.

Doesn't have to be pretty.

Torts pulled Ersson needing to win in regulation, not knowing Red Wings were guaranteed a point and Flyers eliminated. So empty net gift sealed your berth!

Have the Leafs been eliminated yet?

Nothing in this entire season has been pretty for the Caps. Can't argue the pulled goalie as needing to win in regulation was key.

So I guess the Leafs now get the deflating Bruins in Rd#1.

5 more games. Lol

I am pulling for BLeP's team. The Bruins are gettable. Don't know if the Leafs have the DNA in their play to do the getting.

You're welcome...

Hard for me to be too disappointed. The Flyers were supposed to stink out loud this year. For the first time in my lifetime, the organization is actually sticking to a rebuild and not thinking that they are just one player away. The fact that the season actually featured a meaningful game #82 is a bonus.

Agreed! And am pretty happy with Briere at the desk. He seems like right guy to map where they need to go.

Looking forward to the playoffs. I live out West, and catch a bunch of games later. I had no idea until recently how good Dallas is. They beat Edmonton 5-0, nobody from first line scored. Oettinger a stud.

Well we drew Boston in the 1st round, so... yes.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

And a somewhat tardy thank you. Torts & Briere and rebuild: I would think there is a core group of overachieviers on the current roster that can be formed into a solid performing hockey team that will contend and play hard. And that just might be the winning ticket as opposed to that team that is built around the next Wayne Gretzky who might not fit playing the Torts way. It certainly would fit the persona of the town to get by with scrappers and gamers.

The current roster on the Caps squad is a very pleasant surprise. Not a complete rebuild but a significant part of the veteran core has been stripped away and the new guys have stepped up from the AHL Hershey team and have proven worthy. Nice to see them rewarded after management decided to be sellers at the trade deadline. They now get to play with house money and maybe ride a hot goalie to put a scare into the President's Trophy winning Rangers.

I can't take credit, saw it elsewhere:

So bunch of boys from Toronto Canada miss that Rapture thingee bein reprobates of the highest order and all and they ends up in Hell somehow but no matter they just whoop her up and are havin a grand old time of her and this pisses off Satan so he makes Hell even hotter but them boys they just strip down to their skivvies and keep on pounding them Molsons and the Devil he’s pissed he says why do you boys like that heat so much and they says where we come from it’s colder than a witches tit so this here heat is mighty nice so Lucifer he thinks I’ll switch gears on them fellas really make them pay so he makes that part of Hell a frozen wasteland minus forty she was and blowin like a son of a bitch wind chill minus sixty-five or so and don’t them boys start partyin even harder just havin the time of their lives and the old Devil he just can’t figure her out so he says what now you crazy bastards I make it cold and miserable and you here you’re freezin your nuts off but happier than pigs in shit and them fellas they say well Mr. Devil sir once we seen Hell freeze over here that can only mean one thing – the Maple Leafs have won the Stanley Cup!

Nobody from Toronto talks like that.

-3 points

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

That's entirely fair; nobody in TO knows what a reprobate is.

Random gripe. I can’t stand anthems sung in Opera voice without music.

Let’s Go Bleps!!

5-1 Bruins. And I didn’t think the Bruins played particularly well. This could be a very short series.

Matthews and Marner need to show up at some point for the Leafs to have any chance. A goalie making a couple of saves would also be nice.

Yeah, right.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

The first minutes were encouraging. They then got burnt with two men simultaneously making one hit on one bruin allowing the odd man rush goal. They then abandoned that style of play. The Bruins are a gettable team. i gotta think that the Bruins win streak over the Leafs and their one goalie being hot against the Leafs is playing heavily against your team turning the table.

Is Nylander expected back and can Reaves and the fourth line play smart, strong on their sticks, fore- checking hard along the boards hockey? Find that player and play, and I think Matthews and Marner will find their groove.

No word on Nylander other than it’s not considered long term. Aside from him they miss Bobby McMann on the third line. He’s out for a while.

But Matthews and Marner need to do something next game or it’s lights out.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

It's lights out until Tavares' contract is up, until then we don't have the money to make any meaningful moves.

B's had some defensive lapses and a very rough start to the 2nd period, but I think this series comes down to a significant difference in net. I think the teams are fairly well matched offensively/defensively - maybe the B's are a little stronger on the back end, Toronto maybe has a little more firepower overall. But nothing much separating the two teams...except in net, and it showed last night.

I was at the Garden last night, place was electric. My first playoff game since I sat in the last row of the bleachers in a series against Montreal like 20 years ago, it was a hell of a time. Hoping for more of the same tomorrow night :)

I thought Swayman was good but he wasn’t amazing. He was certainly good enough. If the Leafs had any kind of goaltending and our big boys showed up, they could have taken that one. Instead they lost 5-1.

I am used to seeing the Bruins dominate the forecheck and the cycle game. That definitely didnt happen.

Sammy made DeBrusk look like a superstar.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Holy cow, 6 goals in the first in Winnipeg. LOL

Blep....WTF was Domi thinking about Saturday night?

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"one eye doubles my eyesight, so things don't look half bad" John Hiatt

Thought it would be cool to take stupid penalties I guess.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Matthews activated beast mode tonight. He needs to play like that every game.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Better defense, Samsonov makes key saves, Matthews scores first goal in 7 playoff games and the Leafs win, now lets keep it up...lol

Go Leafs!

As a tortured Leafs fan, particularly against Boston, I don't want to get my hopes up. But they played well tonight.
Just cut out the moronic penalties... McCabe and Bertuzzi, I'm looking at you.

I thought your whole team played beast mode. Team wins.

He brought it tonight.

Mrs wimsey and wimsey jr were at the game. Living in eastern MA, we are B's fans and so are bummed they lost, but hard to argue with Matthews' performance.

They lasted longer than the wings.

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Just Triing
Triathlete since 9:56:39 AM EST Aug 20, 2006.
Be kind English is my 2nd language. My primary language is Dave it's a unique evolution of English.

Mark Stone scores after being out two months. Tomas Hertl was a great pick up for the playoff run. Vegas is still scary good.

McDavid with 5 assists so far. They look like they are on a power play for three periods.

And Boston is looking very beatable, they're not playing as well as I thought they would, so yes stay out of the box, keep pushing and this series is very winnable.

He's magically healed for Game 1 of the playoffs.

That loophole needs to be fixed.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Ruptured spleen is technically a hole. An image reported the hole as fixed. They eke out an 8th seed without him and now bring him back rusty and out of game action shape. What loophole would you see as a problem here?

While we are looking for loopholes and reporting of injuries, Nylander, illness or injury? It can't be a coach doghouse decision can it?

Stone played 22 shifts and enjoyed the most time on ice for Vegas forwards after Eichel. This suggests he is not rusty and out of game shape. Another possibility: he has been healthy for some time, and Vegas is guilty of circumventing the cap.

Rules are rules.
They didn't do anything wrong according to said rules.

Does the issue need to be fixed? Yes. But this has been going on for years with other clubs.

I may be mistaken, but I think if the NHL has suspicion about a player's injury, they can have 3rd party verify if it's legit.
I remember this coming up a few years ago with the Lightning and it was deemed legit.

Nylander is injured.

Stone didn’t look rusty to me.

I am not saying that he wasn’t injured. What I am saying is that it’s the same as Kucherov a few years ago. Goes on LTIR. Team is able to go over cap with out him. Player is magically healed for game 1 of the playoffs

My suggestion… if you go on LTIR and can’t come back for game 82… you shouldn’t be eligible for game 1 of the playoffs. Maybe you have to miss a minimum of 2 playoff games or something.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Got it. Cap and roster rules. Would think if Stone and Kucherov are one offs, then the matter does not make it to the commissioner's desk. If the LTIR is routinely abused by playoff bound teams and injured stars are being "rested" as opposed to "recovering" then the rule could be changed.

No he did not look rusty to me either. Is it a secret how to prepare skating and passing and puck handling at game speed without the benefit of being in a game so as to not show the rust that is routinely referred to for all players after prolonged absence?

Kuch was particularly egregious. He was ready about a month before the playoffs started but they couldn't activate him because they were way over the cap. Stone probably wasn't ready until the last week of the season, but again, they couldn't activate him because they purposely went over the cap.

It's bullshit and it needs to stop or there should be some sort of penalty. Like I said, maybe you have to sit out a minimum number of games once the playoffs start.

There are certainly other examples but these two were the most egregious because of their high salary cap hit.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

I swear people were complaining about Vegas doing this in the past too. I need to search around and refresh my brain on which player etc….

I can’t remember. Did they do that with Eichel last year?

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

My memory is fuzzy but I swear as soon as Stone went down people were basically saying Vegas at it again sort of thing.

either way, this is up to the owners and league if they want to stop it from happening. Make some modifications to the rule to dissuade it from happening.

Full commitment tonight. Wow. They taking the body every chance. 30+ blocked shots! 80 attempts and only 16 got through so far. Anything that does, Saros all over.

I get it. But this has been going on for a while and lots of teams have tweaked.

As a fan, I don’t particularly care, because for the next 4 weeks these first two rounds are the best hockey you will see, anywhere. 6-9 hours every night. And as the 4th rated major North American pro sport (lowest average attendance, lowest TV revenue), this is why the league and GMs continue to look the other way. They now have a major contract with both ESPN and TNT/TBS, and they need to maximize. The salary cap born out of several lockouts is pretty restrictive to try and facilitate parity, which is generally a good thing. But there really doesn’t seem to be a strong appetite to close this loophole to help the haves when the most cameras are on.

Yes! Way to steal a game on the road. I can’t wait for Friday night.

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clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com

Matthews disappears, Samsonov lets in a softie, PP 0-5, Leafs lose, back to normal...lol

Garner answers on the ice last night after answering off the ice before the game. Let's see if the Team acquires the "us against the world " bonding chip on the shoulder. I sense that attitude creeping into their play and in their support for their goalie.

Maybe I am wrong. Matthews maybe disappeared from the scoring sheet last night, but he has definitely played a solid 200 ft game in all three. I think the light bulb to winning playoff hockey is now on and understood in that locker room.

Same shit year after year. Power play is 1/11 in the series. Bruins PP is 5/10.

That's why we're losing. That's it... no other reason.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Duh! 10 v 11 is what I take away. The refs are not the problem then.

Penalty kill: sucks due to what? Scheme? Intensity and want to sell out with blocks? Puck luck in the crease? If your goalie is not your best defenseman on the kill, then avoid the penalties. The refs seem to be willing to not nickel dime their calls.

Power play: From what I saw last night they were in position hacking at the puck near the crease on more than one occasion and either the hot goalie or bad puck luck prevented goals. Keep hacking away.

Not yet time for the negative vibes Moriarity! So who do you want to see in the 2nd round?

When did I complain about the refs?

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

You didn't. I just wanted to put it to rest and move to solutions within the control of your team to effect.

I have already said. Score on the PP, stop their PP. This isn't rocket science. They are down 5-1 in PP goals in 3 games.

Was Matthews tackled with no call? Sure. Is Marchand getting away with murder? Definitely.

Does any of that matter when your PP can't score? Nope.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Sorry. Please delete my Duh! from original post. I see how it was not in order. Your team can turn it around even though the negative scrutiny can't be avoided. The PP will get some loose pucks near the goal, keep hacking on them.

That and Boston's first goal can't go in, just brutal on Samsonov.

No excuse but Sammy might have been distracted by the Marchand/Bertuzzi nonsense that was going on at the blueline. The refs should have called that. The play should have been dead. Penalties for both. Of course all of this was about 15 seconds after Matthews was tackled behind Bostons net.

But… agreed, Sammy need to make that save.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

The officiating was pretty bad last night, mostly to Toronto's benefit. If the refs are going to hand you all those opportunities you better figure out how to capitalize on a few of them.

 
Replying to thread / last...

It's a good time to be NY fan.... Rangers through to second round :-)

On paper, no surprises versus the Caps. Even the sweep. Games were still pretty competitive I thought.

Preds up 3–1 and give up two goals in the last five minutes and then losing overtime. That game sucked. If they play like they played in the last five minutes, they do not deserve to win.

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clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com

I tuned in for the Rangers game and saw that ending! Preds missed an empty netter as well. High drama for sure.

On a tangential note, the travel hockey program teams that my son played on were also called Predators - and for spring season had yellow jerseys. Spring season were tournament events and whether designated as the home or away team, we could always just go with the same jersey. Vs going with whites and darks.

It was unbelievable, great for me as a Canucks fan.

The empty net miss is going to haunt.

A painful outcome, but you are being too hard on your guys. As Clint Eastwood famously observed, deserves got nothing to do with it.

You should be happy tonight.

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clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com

Tonight’s win was never in doubt. That’s not the Leafs way. No, they will force game 7, get ours hopes up, then crush our souls.

That’s the Leafs way.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Ha!

I fell asleep last night and woke up to happily see the Preds won to force a game six back here on Friday night.

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clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com

I only hope for you to be pleasantly surprised and not soul crushed. Remember ---negative vibes----can be preordaining. Attribution: The Hockey God, aka Moriarity.

But since soul crushing simply builds character, "May I have another, Sir?" , have the faithful reached consensus already on roster moves for next year's run?

So, do you think the Bruins fans are getting a bit of Deja vu from last year though? 3-1 lead in series, lose game 5 at home in OT…. I have a super annoying friend who posts every time the bruins win. I really hope the Leafs can follow the Panthers script from last year.

I always think of what the Leafiest outcome is. And that’s what they typically do.

So to me, the Leafiest outcome is to come back and force a game 7 then completely shit the bed in game 7.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

It’s getting Leafy up in here.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

I can't believe how well we played defensively and Woll makes a huge difference, but man got to get the PP going.

Woll was great last night once the B’s actually getting pucks to the net. Bruins had no answers for him and the Leafs are doing a good job shutting down their best players. I’m not sure if the Leafs changed something in their scheme but the B’s have not been able to enter the zone cleanly and get set up, even on the PP. That missed boarding call was brutal though.

Yup. That could have been 5 and the game. Instead no call.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Sigh.... not just game 7 but game seven overtime to lose again... classic Leafs.... sigh.

Pasta!

Not sure what happened to Woll but the Leafs better hold onto him.

That is a tough L to take for the leafs. Hopefully one day all that parade planning their fans do every October will be put to good use.

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Long Chile was a silly place.

I think the biggest play of regulation was the Lindholm goal 1:20 after Leafs grabbed the lead. If they had been able to hold the B’s off 4-5 minutes, then they would’ve been pressing, and I don’t know that they would’ve pulled it off.

Hell, I'm *still* surprised the B's were able to pull it off! Or, out... whatever.

Florida will show just how mediocre the B's actually are, unfortunately. Goal tending will probably be the only way we stay some-what in the series.
- Jeff

Are you going to come out of silence?

Your take: Same result. Out in 7 to the B's.

My take: But a different way of executing. They played playoff hockey last night. It is a process. Keep the faith.

I have nothing to add. I told you exactly what would happen.

It happened.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

A perfect Leaf ending, you couldn't script it better, down 3-1 in the series, then Woll comes in and they play two of the best games they've ever played, series tied, they give their fans hope but alas it's the Leafs and less than two hours before game 7 guess what? No Woll, here we go...lol But wait, Samsonov actually steps up and plays good for two and a half periods and we strike first woohoo! But alas it's the Leafs and less than 2 minutes later Lindholm shoots and it whiffs right through Samsonov, game tied, so now off to OT and the only way this game and series could end, on a dump in both Marner and Rielly completely ignore Pastrnak who simply skates around them picks up the puck that Samsonov for some bizarre reason instead of coming out to play on the bounce off the boards or challenging Pastrnak stays deep in the crease and.... Perfect Leaf game 7. LMAO!!

Have yet to see the OT play and Just read +50's account. I guess your "doom" mode as explanation will have to stand.

Or,
So maybe if Sammy lurches upward an inch higher and the tying shot is not netted but rather rebounds up and off his shoulder and into the netting for a face off and they then continue to hold strong and escape with a well deserved win to break the curse. Your take is that this was never in the cards sucks. It reeks of the Cubs and Red Sox curses

Marner,Reilly and Sammy blame in the OT: So it is their play on the winning dump-in off the board bounce that is the sole cause for the loss? To my eye the Leaf team that scores what 12 or so goals over 7 games and is within the " that close scenario" of winning the series does not read anywhere near the Leafyness picture that prevails in your hood.

Negative vibes preordain negative outcomes. I guess there really is no Good Witch of the North and a pair of ruby slippers to click for a different outcome.

It's not a curse. It's that these guys always find a way to lose. I know this. I have seen it time and time again.

This group of players do not have the killer instinct. When the pressure is on they play to not lose instead of playing to win.

As for the OT goal that looked like a set play that went perfectly in Boston's favour.

And I won't complain about the refs but the reffing was weird in the final game.

Liljegren gets a legit penalty for hooking.

Then Boston gets called for hooking but it was a very weak call. Should have been let go.

Knies then gets the make up weak slashing call. Should have been let go.

Knies then comes out of the box, gets a breakaway. Tripped on the play... no call.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Re killer instinct and play not to lose under pressure.

Tell me then in the past 8 years which cup winning team best epitomized the killer instinct. Regardless of standings in a series and regardless of the score they did not adjust their play and just kept pouring it on and won. I got the Avalanche and that's it. Maybe the Panthers this year. Don't the coaches also dictate whether the team can even play to a killer instinct ( an ill-defined quality) given that they have systems of play in place and game specific strategies that are dependent on many situational variables?

Just digging a bit into your criticism of your team because I thought I saw a correct mindset and play from the Leafs in games 5,6,and 7.

re refs and complaining. I guess if you are going to "both sides" criticize it is not complaining. Though your "weird" critique does raise further questions.

What I am saying is that I don’t want to sound like I am blaming the refs for us losing. I don’t.

But after the previous three calls I was at a loss as to why the Knies trip was let go. Especially since it was a scoring chance.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

I understood your position about not blaming refs. I ask then, do you , as management has, blame the coach? His winning percentage is off the charts (less playoffs) and he is let go today after signing back in August of last year for more years yet. He is walking out the door shouting give me my money.

I do miss your input and was surprised while searching for our Boston fan to find you first.

I stayed up to watch the National Anthem and the first period and first goal.

First: Danged if that wasn't special when the singer ceased singing, held the mic up in the air and allowed the fans to sing without her contribution. I almost teared up. Well done Vancouver faithful.

Second: So how the fuck did you come back after down 4-1 to win? Well done to the Canucks. Now off to find our Boston fan.

Dude, I hope you have tickets to tomorrow's game. Last night's game was definitely a watch event and sets up for either a dud win at home after the refs take charge early on and call a tight game; or Tkachuk and Montour play their taunt game and get the Bruins to bite. Must see TV for me. The cameras caught the preparatory words between the last 2 pugilists (gracious recognition there for your boy) and then your boy informing his coach. I see Tkachuk as the new Marchand with his taunt and cheap punch after Pasta was on his back. But then maybe Montour just revived the old Brad that I used to loathe.

Can't bring myself yet to yell Go Bruins just yet, but for sure there is no lets go Panthers chant until that taunting chip on the collective shoulder of the Panthers gets knocked off.

It’s not the coaches fault but he’s also not the coach the GM wanted. GM inherited him.

I am not shocked by this development in any way.GM is trying to put his stamp on the team.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Tonight is appointment viewing. I expect Swayman to be back in net and the B's to come out with some fire. If I were Montgomery I'd start the Maroon line and tell him to hunt down Tkachuk on the first shift and blow him up.

More importantly though, the B's better figure out how to handle Florida's forecheck or this series isn't going to be much fun for them.

Shanahan needs to go as well, the Shanaplan isn't working.

It’s kind of impressive how badly Edmonton is botching having one of the best players ever to play the game. Year 9 of McDavid and the best goalie they’ve managed to have in any of those years was the corpse of Mike Smith. Stuart Skinner now statistically with some of the worst playoff goalie numbers is history.

McDavid and Draisaitl played nearly 30 minutes in a game with no OT.

Can’t wait to see them eliminated again.