2019-2020 NHL Thread (c'mon, it's almost December)

[Carman Bulldog]

Kind of surprised that there had been no NHL thread to date. Lots of intriguing things going on thus far...

-The Leafs fire Mike Babcock
-Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid on pace for 150 points and the highest Art Ross total since Lemieux in 96-96. If they keep up this pace, one of them could record the highest ever Art Ross total by someone not named Gretzky or Lemieux.
-David Pastrnak on pace for 70+ goals
-Capitals defenceman John Carlson on pace for 120 points
-The Robert Bortuzzo cross-check on Viktor Arvidsson that someone only managed to get him a 4-game suspension

Many others. Discuss.

[Honolulu_Blue]

-The Red Wings are in dead last place
-Bill Peters will soon be fired for throwing out racial slurs towards a black player he coached in juniors

[britrock88]

H/t to Maple Leafs for the funniest piece of sports journalism I've read in a while.

Down Goes Brown: Attempting to answer a simple question about jersey numbers – The Athletic (https://theathletic.com/1708548/2020/03/30/down-goes-brown-attempting-to-answer-a-simple-question-about-jersey-numbers/)

[molson]

Cancel the season and give the Cup to the Bruins already.

[Fidatelo]

H/t to Maple Leafs for the funniest piece of sports journalism I've read in a while.

Down Goes Brown: Attempting to answer a simple question about jersey numbers – The Athletic (https://theathletic.com/1708548/2020/03/30/down-goes-brown-attempting-to-answer-a-simple-question-about-jersey-numbers/)


Phenomenal!

[Honolulu_Blue]

I know it's not easy being a sports writer in these uncertain times given that, you know, there are no sports actually happening. That said, Down Goes Brown's latest piece in The Athletic feels a bit personal and mean-spirited.

“Oh right, the Red Wings exist.” Come on. Having to deal with more than my fair share of Nikolai Borschevsky's one moment of relevance, I'm getting this now?

[Atocep]

Seattle's team is officially the Kraken.

[Butter]

Not saying I hate it, but I already hate the number of "Release the Kraken" headlines I'm bound to see.

[Warhammer]

For intros before the game it’ll be great.

[Ksyrup]

I like how the color scheme and nautical pieces of the logo complement the Mariners.

[ISiddiqui]

I like how the color scheme and nautical pieces of the logo complement the Mariners.

With the Mariners, Sounders, Seahawks, and Kraken all Seattle teams echo the water. Pretty good synergy.

[bob]

From a purely financial standpoint, doesn't that hurt merchandise sales? Why buy a new shirt when you already have a green one that says Seattle on it?

[ISiddiqui]

From a purely financial standpoint, doesn't that hurt merchandise sales? Why buy a new shirt when you already have a green one that says Seattle on it?

They are all a little different. For one, Kraken jerseys are going to be long sleeve while none of the others are :D.

And if you are just getting merch to represent the city, you'll likely just get the NFL or MLB team anyways.

[sterlingice]

I think it's going to feel dated in 20 years but I kindof like it now

SI

[Fidatelo]

I love the name. Logo looks cool. Jersey and colours aren't the greatest, but I think they'll grow on me and overall are decent enough regardless. Pretty good 'launch' if you ask me.

Can't wait for the Jets to take on the Sea Monsters some day!

[bob]

Obligatory "Fuck Winnipeg"

[britrock88]

Hockey in August?!? Loving it so far.

[cuervo72]

The backdrop/"covering" on the seats is just...weird. Perhaps I just didn't give myself time to adjust to it, but watching the end of the PHI/BOS game it just felt claustrophobic. I dare say I actually prefer cardboard cutouts.

(How are we not at a point where we can just computer generate an entire crowd? Get EA in there or something.)

[JonInMiddleGA]

Get EA in there or something.)

They can all stand and sit in unision? :lol:

[bhlloy]

This ending to the Blues - Avs game is one of the more insane things I’ve seen. Shame it’s “only” a seeding game and not a real game 1.

[JonInMiddleGA]

That's about as close as a goal can cut it.

[claphamsa]

go avs!
:D

[JonInMiddleGA]

The Arkells in the between period stuff?

Haven't sports fans suffered enough in 2020 already?

[JonInMiddleGA]

Weird to see an ad for Huawei

[Fidatelo]

Hockey being back was fun for about 5 minutes on Saturday night, and then I watched Scheifele go down howling in pain and I was reminded how hard sports can punch you in the gut.

[Carman Bulldog]

Hockey being back was fun for about 5 minutes on Saturday night, and then I watched Scheifele go down howling in pain and I was reminded how hard sports can punch you in the gut.

Right? I had just purchased NHL Live right before that and thought of seeking a refund at that moment. If there are hockey gods (and karma), if the Jets lose due to these injuries, hopefully they are rewarded with Alexis Lafrenière, particularly considering it was their original draft position that was the placeholder for the first overall pick.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Right? I had just purchased NHL Live right before that and thought of seeking a refund at that moment. If there are hockey gods (and karma), if the Jets lose due to these injuries, hopefully they are rewarded with Alexis Lafrenière, particularly considering it was their original draft position that was the placeholder for the first overall pick.

<insert fart noise here>

[Carman Bulldog]

<insert fart noise here>

Hard to feel for a franchise that just a few seasons ago had a playoff streak of 25 years end, which included 4 Stanley Cups and two other finals appearances. I mean, Ottawa arguably has the bigger gripe not winding up with the first (or second) when one considers they also had San Jose's selection.

Also, with Yzerman running things, I'm confident that Detroit will turn things around soon. Honestly, I'm kind of surprised that they haven't hired Gerard Gallant yet to replace Blashill.

[BishopMVP]

Lightning/Blue Jackets starting it off with a 4OT(at least) game... I was wondering how long they'd said between games, figured maybe 45, but they just they need at least 87!!! Maybe that's due to COVID protocols, but hockey locker rooms are a place I don't think Coronavirus is the biggest worry, even now.

[bhlloy]

Going to be a lot of Bruins fans calling in sick to work tomorrow... also this is nuts in a game 1, when the players haven't really had the usual preparation and when there are already back to backs on the schedule. Part of me wonders if this was to go 6 or 7 whether they might have to call it at some point just in terms of player safety.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Heh, I just came to post the phrase #instantclassic

[sterlingice]

<samp class="EmbedCode-container"><code class="EmbedCode-code"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hey <a href="https://twitter.com/NHL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NHL</a>, not to tattle but we were supposed to play at 8:00 and the <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJacketsNHL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BlueJacketsNHL</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/TBLightning?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TBLightning</a> won't get off the ice</p>&mdash; Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) <a href="https://twitter.com/Canes/status/1293335998181638144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

SI
</code></samp>

[JonInMiddleGA]

Bos-Car now pushed back to 11am wednesday

[cartman]

If TB had lost that game, they would have to be thinking what in the hell do they have to do to beat Columbus. Got swept by them in the 1st round last year.

[molson]

First game of any kind I sit down to watch since the pandemic started and it gets pushed to 9AM local time tomorrow.

[The Jackal]

.....go flyers

[MizzouRah]

Damn Blues looked good until the 3rd period.

[QuikSand]

loving this thread title now btw

[MizzouRah]

Blues tie it up with 6 seconds left and then allow Bo Horvat a breakaway in OT to win the game.

[bhlloy]

Rask opts out to be with family... Halak is a decent backup but you'd think that ends any chances of the Bruins being a serious contender, which is pretty wild as they came in to the bubble as the best team in the league and really haven't looked that good so far

[Arles]

Glad the Blues won the cup last year as they look lost in the bubble. It would be nice to win atleast one game in this setup ;)

[Ksyrup]

I have watched more hockey in the past week than I have watched since the strike. My daughter has become a huge fan overnight and it's all we've been watching.

[britrock88]

Rask opts out to be with family... Halak is a decent backup but you'd think that ends any chances of the Bruins being a serious contender, which is pretty wild as they came in to the bubble as the best team in the league and really haven't looked that good so far

Yet the Bs skated the Canes off the ice yesterday!

[BishopMVP]

Yet the Bs skated the Canes off the ice yesterday!
And then that 3rd period happened tonight... my god that McAvoy hit on Staal
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Charlie McAvoy on Jordan Staal. Massive hit. <a href="https://t.co/aIkRk4w2do">pic.twitter.com/aIkRk4w2do</a></p>&mdash; Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) <a href="https://twitter.com/BradyTrett/status/1295547456768286720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

They didn't even make him go back to the bench, just opened up the side door to the locker room tunnel while play was still going on! :lol:

[JonInMiddleGA]

Staal looks a little bit like Kenny Omega there, but on the wrong end of a V-Trigger

[MizzouRah]

Blues getting their act together and Allen has taken the goalie position over from Binnington.

[britrock88]

That was quite a collapse indeed.

[MizzouRah]

Goodnight Blues... I'm not even upset though. Last season was a dream come true.

[Ksyrup]

FYI, the Stars/Avs game is on USA Network at 4pm, thanks to NBCSN airing the KY Oaks.

[cartman]

Stars make it to the Stanley Cup final for the first time in 20 years. The Bolts couldn't close out their series against the Islanders last night. Tampa Bay is up 3 games to 2.

[MizzouRah]

Congrats to the Stars! Now lets go Tampa Bay!!

[miami_fan]

So I guess Florida Man won the Cup?

At least that what I gather from the noise outside.

[MizzouRah]

BIG RIG gets 2nd cup in a row!!!

[JonInMiddleGA]

Good shit right here. Sharks use sign language to announce their 1st round pick, a 17 year old winger whose mother is deaf and uses ASL to communicate.

Just a thoughtful gesture afaic. Good on the Sharks.

Sharks announced their first round pick in ASL for Ozzy Wiesblatt's mother - Article - Bardown (https://www.bardown.com/sharks-announced-their-first-round-pick-in-asl-for-ozzy-wiesblatt-s-mother-1.1535414?fbclid=IwAR30BAA_5gNnNbl4BRy7y8mgL0yRm6mZiahR59nrlXRFoW_g-VvO4RtEqLw)

[JonInMiddleGA]

Emrick retiring from hockey broadcasting after 47 years | NHL.com (https://www.nhl.com/news/broadcaster-doc-emrick-retires-from-nhl-broadcasts/c-319475172)

[sterlingice]

NHL sells naming rights to four new divisions (https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/30656402/nhl-sells-naming-rights-four-new-divisions)

Seriously?

The NHL has sold the naming rights to its four divisions for the first time in its history. The league announced Tuesday that its teams will play in the Scotia NHL North Division, Honda NHL West Division, Discover NHL Central Division and the MassMutual NHL East Division during the 2020-21 season, which runs 56 games and begins on Jan. 13.


SI

[Honolulu_Blue]

NHL sells naming rights to four new divisions (https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/30656402/nhl-sells-naming-rights-four-new-divisions)

Seriously?



SI

From what I have seen so far, the names/logos of these companies just show up on screen when the names of the divisions are listed. I don’t think they’re verbally referred to. If that’s the case, that’s fine with me. I feel the same way about ads on helmets. No big deal. They need to be creative in ways to generate revenue during the pandemic.

[Carman Bulldog]

They need to be creative in ways to generate revenue during the pandemic.

I don't have an issue with creativity in times of the pandemic. My concern is that once these revenue streams are created, there's no going back.

[thesloppy]

Yeah it feels pretty easy to argue that "How about corporate sponsorship??" is the definition of NOT getting creative when it comes to fundraising in sports.

[Fidatelo]

The owners have been angling for this for years but were too uncertain of the blow-back to go through with it. This situation gives them the perfect cover to get the ads-on-uniforms foot in the door. These helmet logos will never go away now, and I fully expect something on the jerseys by the end of the decade.

[thesloppy]

The owners have been angling for this for years but were too uncertain of the blow-back to go through with it. This situation gives them the perfect cover to get the ads-on-uniforms foot in the door. These helmet logos will never go away now, and I fully expect something on the jerseys by the end of the decade.


I feel like there is some basic truth/parable about modern capitalism and sports-as-big-business in here. Like eventually ALL modern sports are practically destined to have ads on the jerseys because as long as the bottom line is the primary/only motivating factor, a handful of rotating forces in the back of every single organization will be continually pushing for it, simply because it's a remarkably easy and entirely obvious source of revenue.

[Honolulu_Blue]

With Don Cherry long gone from Hockey Night in Canada and both Roenick and Mike Milbury no longer on NBC, will there be any loud mouth doofuses left?

[sterlingice]

I am confident the world will never run out of loud mouth doofuses, especially in positions of visibility and leadership

SI

[miami_fan]

With Don Cherry long gone from Hockey Night in Canada and both Roenick and Mike Milbury no longer on NBC, will there be any loud mouth doofuses left?

Umm, I hear there is a guy who will unemployed in nine days that might fit the description. He has experience working with NBC as well. ;)

[Fidatelo]

So, uh, how 'bout that Laine for Dubois trade?

[JonInMiddleGA]

So, uh, how 'bout that Laine for Dubois trade?

My guess? It'll eventually be the undoing of Cheveldayoff.

[Fidatelo]

My guess? It'll eventually be the undoing of Cheveldayoff.


It's definitely got that potential. He clearly 'lost' the trade in the sense that we gave up the best player, sent out another NHL player while getting a 3rd round pick back, AND ate salary.


On the other hand, a center is more important to a team than a winger overall, and also we have other excellent scoring wingers to compensate somewhat for the loss of Laine. And Roslovic was dead to us, so really it's not much of a loss even if he is technically worth more than a 3rd.


After having some time to calm down I am far less upset about the trade itself than I am in the fact that it ever came to this with Laine. 5 years ago we drafted a weird dude from Finland that just wanted to score goals and play video games with his best buddy Ehlers. Somehow in attempting to mold him into a more complete franchise player the Jets screwed that up to the point of him wanting out. I don't know if it was fights with teammates, disagreements with the coach, or contract negotiations, or maybe all of it. But ultimately Chevy didn't do enough to smooth out whatever was bothering Laine, and that to me is a major failing.

[JonInMiddleGA]

The kid got to see FLA vs NAS in person tonight.

Despite the 2-1 loss for his Preds, it was the first fun thing he's gotten to do in Miami (okay, Ft. Lauderdale really but whatever) since arriving back in August.

Even the loss doesn't seem so bad after six months of desolation.

[Carman Bulldog]

It's definitely got that potential. He clearly 'lost' the trade in the sense that we gave up the best player, sent out another NHL player while getting a 3rd round pick back, AND ate salary.

On the other hand, a center is more important to a team than a winger overall, and also we have other excellent scoring wingers to compensate somewhat for the loss of Laine. And Roslovic was dead to us, so really it's not much of a loss even if he is technically worth more than a 3rd.

After having some time to calm down I am far less upset about the trade itself than I am in the fact that it ever came to this with Laine. 5 years ago we drafted a weird dude from Finland that just wanted to score goals and play video games with his best buddy Ehlers. Somehow in attempting to mold him into a more complete franchise player the Jets screwed that up to the point of him wanting out. I don't know if it was fights with teammates, disagreements with the coach, or contract negotiations, or maybe all of it. But ultimately Chevy didn't do enough to smooth out whatever was bothering Laine, and that to me is a major failing.

I'm not convinced that Laine is, or turns out to be, the best player in the trade, with the caveat that I include the ability to play centre as part of the assessment.

Laine is certainly the better goal scorer and unquestionably has more star power. He sells tickets and jerseys and that also counts for something. But he is atrocious defensively and doesn't generate scoring chances. Sure, he could score 55-60 playing with a guy like Nathan McKinnon but absent that, I really think he's closer to a consistent 30-35 goal scorer. Which is great, if you bring something else to the table.

I'm assuming he wanted to be paid like the guy who scored 80 goals his first two seasons and not 58 goals the past two. This would have been a foolish mistake.

And ultimately, if the goal was to make the Jets a better team both this year and going forward, I think the trade accomplished this.

At 5-on-5, a top four over the next few years that involves some pairing of Connor-Scheifele and Dubois-Ehlers is far, far better than Connor-Scheifele and Ehlers-Laine.

None of this even includes the fact that Dubois has an extra year of team controlled salary.

Roslovic doesn't bother me at all. He was likely going to be lost to Seattle anyway (Jets can only protect Wheeler, Connor, Scheifele, Ehlers, Laine/Dubois, Lowry, Copp), so a 3rd rounder back is a good return if that's what it took to make the trade happen.

[albionmoonlight]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Maybe if you're a mic'd up ref, you shouldn't express how you wanted to call a penalty against a team earlier in the game, changing how you ref the rest of the game.<br><br>&quot;It wasn't much but I wanted to get a fuckin' penalty against Nashville early in the...&quot;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Preds?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Preds</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LGRW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LGRW</a> <a href="https://t.co/6fZImkdqLr">pic.twitter.com/6fZImkdqLr</a></p>&mdash; Matt Best (@bestofmatt) <a href="https://twitter.com/bestofmatt/status/1374533125406097408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[bhlloy]

Peel is probably my least favorite official in all sports. Nice to see he’s finally run himself out of the league although it’s about 5 or 6 years too late.

[Bobble]

I've heard from refs that this isn't as damning as it might sound on the surface. If one team keeps pushing it, a ref might want to call a penalty early to make sure they know where the boundaries are before the game gets out of hand.

[Fidatelo]

I've heard from refs that this isn't as damning as it might sound on the surface. If one team keeps pushing it, a ref might want to call a penalty early to make sure they know where the boundaries are before the game gets out of hand.


Yeah that was my first thought as well. I think it's a little frustrating that the league just canned him (which is kind of the easy road especially given he was set to retire next month anyways). I'd like to hear an explanation from him or the league on perhaps why he said what he said (did Nashville get out of hand in the last game he officiated and he wanted to set an early tone?), how the other ref responded, how common this sort of thing is (or supposedly isn't), why or when it is or isn't ok, etc. And I'd also like to hear thoughts from ex-refs on the situation.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I'd like to hear an explanation from him or the league on perhaps why he said what he said (did Nashville get out of hand in the last game he officiated and he wanted to set an early tone?)

The consensus seems to be that it was a makeup call for an earlier powerplay opportunity rather than a tone thing or a gotcha deal.

[sterlingice]

Which, we all know that happens all the time, too

SI

[Carman Bulldog]

It looks like it was in fact a makeup call for a first period penalty against the Wings during which the Predators scored. I haven't seen that penalty, so I'm not sure if that call was ticky-tacky or not.

And as everyone has pointed out, this happens all the time. Rather than addressing the actual issue, the NHL seems like they want to pretend it doesn't and has simply chosen to discipline Peel.

[JonInMiddleGA]

And as everyone has pointed out, this happens all the time. Rather than addressing the actual issue, the NHL seems like they want to pretend it doesn't and has simply chosen to discipline Peel.

Pretty much.

They ain't mad cause it happened, they mad cause it got blatantly exposed.

[JPhillips]

They gave him his retirement three weeks early. They were embarrassed, but the official didn't really get punished.

[sovereignstar v2]

North Dakota and UMD are going to a fourth 20 minute OT in the Midwest Regional Final....

[PilotMan]

North Dakota and UMD are going to a fourth 20 minute OT in the Midwest Regional Final....


You gotta add that UND was down 2-0 with less than 2 min to play and got 2 empty net goals to tie it up. That's about where I joined the action.

[sovereignstar v2]

There will be a 5th OT. Longest game in tourney history. Likely will be at least the 3rd longest game ever, which is around 141 minutes. Record is 151 something.

Refs probably regret overturning UMD's winner in the first overtime.

[cuervo72]

Seeing too many obnoxious Canadiens memes, must root against.

[Vegas Vic]

It's too early to tell, but if this trend continues for the Vegas Golden Knights, I fear they're going to become the NHL's version of the 90's Buffalo Bills. Team owner Bill Foley fired former head coach Gerard Gallant (who had a 3-year winning percentage of .611) because he couldn't get them over the hump. I wonder if the same fate awaits current coach Peter DeBoer?

[sovereignstar v2]

You've got to feel for the Golden Knights fans. It's been a long four years of existence since the NHL rolled out the red carpet for them.

[bhlloy]

You've got to feel for the Golden Knights fans. It's been a long four years of existence since the NHL rolled out the red carpet for them.

Truth. My heart bleeds for their long suffering fans.

In other NHL news, the stuff coming out about the Blackhawks not reporting sexual misconduct to the police or the league allowing the offender to then get a job at a college and volunteer at a youth program (multiple times) is absolutely fucking disgusting, and I hope the league throws the book at them - but I imagine there's zero chance of that ever happening and it will get swept under the rug.

[miami_fan]

Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Matiss Kivlenieks, 24, dies after being struck by fireworks (https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/31764017/columbus-blue-jackets-goalie-matiss-kivlenieks-24-dies-tragic-accident)

I’m not familiar with the different types of fireworks so all I have as a frame of reference are mortars used in combat and man… this sounds horrible.

[bhlloy]

Yeah, fuckkkkk... not that slipping and hitting your head on concrete is a good way to go, but at least you probably don't know too much about that. Actually getting hit in the chest with a firework mortar, christ.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Matiss Kivlenieks, 24, dies after being struck by fireworks (https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/31764017/columbus-blue-jackets-goalie-matiss-kivlenieks-24-dies-tragic-accident)

I’m not familiar with the different types of fireworks so all I have as a frame of reference are mortars used in combat and man… this sounds horrible.

Same principle, less destructive due to the difference in the shell.

Basically a mortar simply refers to the tube that a round is fired from.

[miami_fan]

Same principle, less destructive due to the difference in the shell.

Basically a mortar simply refers to the tube that a round is fired from.

Thanks. I did google "mortar fireworks". Unfortunately, Mr. Kivlenieks is not the only person to meet their demise as a result of these devices.

[miami_fan]

Different sport, maybe a different gender, same issues.

Chicago Blackhawks report out; president Stan Bowman resigns (https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/32479861/chicago-blackhawks-report-president-stan-bowman-resigns)

[weegeebored]

I hope that more people receive consequences for their part in the cover-up, or lack of action if you prefer.

On a hockey note, Bowman gets way too much credit for championships that were essentially personnel decisions by Dale Tallon. Fans gloss over his mistakes because of the Cups, but look at how he has destroyed this team. Jeremy Colliton over Quenneville? Panarin for Saad? Signing a old Seabrook to a terrible long-term deal when even a casual fan could see his skills were gone? The list of terrible decisions is long.

[bhlloy]

Quenneville does the decent thing and resigns and doesn’t make excuses in his statement, which doesn’t sound like much but is significantly above the bar for this particular incident. Toews and Keith could learn something from that among others.

[miami_fan]

The feeling is not exclusive to Quenneville's statement but damn I hate that the bar is set so low for statements like this.

[JonInMiddleGA]

McDavid doing things that are probably illegal in several states

NHL on Twitter: "CONNOR MCDAVID (@cmcdavid97) IS NOT A HUMAN BEING.… " (https://twitter.com/NHL/status/1456834964666920964)

[sterlingice]

The puck handling, dear lord

SI

[JonInMiddleGA]

Just ... damn :(
Rest in peace

Bryan Marchment death Winnipeg Jets Toronto Maple Leafs San Jose Sharks Edmonton Oilers - TSN.ca (https://www.tsn.ca/bryan-marchment-death-winnipeg-jets-toronto-maple-leafs-san-jose-sharks-edmonton-oilers-1.1822212)

[sovereignstar v2]

Just awesome....

https://theathletic.com/3404266/2022/07/06/kirill-kaprizov-russia-flight/

[sterlingice]

Which franchise just announced a Law Enforcement Appreciation Night and Thin Blue Line shirt? Naturally, it's the Minnesota Wild, who play about 15 minutes away from the site of George Floyd's death.

NHL world reacts to Minnesota Wild's controversial promotion (https://thecomeback.com/nhl/minnesota-wild-thin-blue-line-shirt-promotion.html)

SI

[Ksyrup]

Apparently this is the latest NHL thread?

Well, I came here to say... Even the 2001 Mariners won a damn series.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Also, congrats, Maple Leafs!!

19 years is a long, long time to wait. Enjoy it, brother!

[JonInMiddleGA]

Game 7, on the road, Tkachuk takes only one shot all night while Montour takes six ... and WIN?

Ain't nothing comes close to playoff hockey, there just ain't.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Colorado has now lost its last six Game 7s. The last time the Avalanche won a winner-take-all Game 7 was 2002, when they beat San Jose 1-0 courtesy of a goal from Hall of Fame forward Peter Forsberg.

My nearly-lawyer kid was FOUR !

[sterlingice]

Game 7, on the road, Tkachuk takes only one shot all night while Montour takes six ... and WIN?

Ain't nothing comes close to playoff hockey, there just ain't.


Oh man, I just saw the score in that game


SI

[Honolulu_Blue]

Petr Kilma, my first ever favorite hockey player, has passed away at 58.

RIP, Petr.

[Fidatelo]

Klima was a monster in the original EA NHL game for Genesis.

[NobodyHere]

Yeah this ain't NHL, but can I give a Shout Out to the Toledo Walleye who just completed their second consecutive sweep in this year's ECHL playoffs!

Our Fish Our Fight!

[miami_fan]

This is great work by the Carolina social media team.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Feeling the love from Jersey 🫶<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LetsGoCanes?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LetsGoCanes</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/BookCameo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BookCameo</a> <a href="https://t.co/RAo7E37AeV">pic.twitter.com/RAo7E37AeV</a></p>&mdash; Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) <a href="https://twitter.com/Canes/status/1656846818028802048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[JonInMiddleGA]

Yeah this ain't NHL, but can I give a Shout Out to the Toledo Walleye who just completed their second consecutive sweep in this year's ECHL playoffs!

Our Fish Our Fight!

Nothing wrong with a little recognition for 'em.

Some of the most fun I've ever had at sporting events (and with playoff runs) have involved minor league hockey.

[albionmoonlight]

Nothing like playoff hockey.

[Lathum]

I watched the first OT then tapped out.

[Fidatelo]

Oh is hockey still happening? *cries in Jets fan*

[albionmoonlight]

My co-worker went to the game. I'm curious to know what it was like driving home at 2AM after a loss.

[sterlingice]

I always come back to this


<samp class="EmbedCode-container"><code class="EmbedCode-code"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">why watch overtime playoff hockey when you can simply snort cocaine and ride a motorcycle out of a helicopter</p>&mdash; Jon Bois (@jon_bois) <a href="https://twitter.com/jon_bois/status/456616952153128960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </code></samp>


SI

[albionmoonlight]

LOL

[JonInMiddleGA]

Turned out to be quite a fun finish :)

[cuervo72]

If they were the MLB they'd just start overtime with extra pucks.

[henry296]

If they were the MLB they'd just start overtime with extra pucks.

NHL does that for regular season, too. Its the shootout.

[cuervo72]

Fair point.

[JonInMiddleGA]

The difference in this Florida team vs last year's team is dramatic. Less impressive as offensive machines go but the attitude difference is stark.

I don't know if anyone was 100% sure about the deal they made but man has Tkachuk made it look genius.

[Vegas Vic]

Stay classy, Stars' fans!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">this is the most embarrassing thing to ever happen to the Dallas Stars organization. horrible night to be a fan <a href="https://t.co/P5Fs65dWpF">pic.twitter.com/P5Fs65dWpF</a></p>&mdash; Luke Evangelist (@lukeevangelist_) <a href="https://twitter.com/lukeevangelist_/status/1661189313340620802?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[JonInMiddleGA]

Stay classy, Stars' fans!

Just reflecting the team's composure I guess.

This came after Max Domi got himself a game misconduct in the final minute of the second period but the inexplicably stupid game misconduct captain Jordie Benn got early in the first really set the evening for Dallas.

THAT was one of the more braindead things I've seen anyone do in quite a while.

edit to add: if you haven't seen the Benn penalty, look it up. There's no explanation for what was in his head on that one that I can come up with

[JonInMiddleGA]

27 years since the last time, the Panthers will go for the Cup

[MJ4H]

As a die-hard Flames fan, it both hurts and feels great to see Tkachuk thriving like this.

[JonInMiddleGA]

NHL appears to have hired the NBA refs to officiate the finals.

Fuck Gary Bettman, fuck the Golden Knights -- ESPECIALLY that little cunt Hill in net -- somebody needs to crack his fucking skull

[Mota]

Now imagine how Canadians across the country feel, after yet another year where a Canadian team isn't close to the finals.

[Vegas Vic]

Nice cheap shot by Brandon Montour (#62) three seconds after the game is over. Then, those classy Panthers' fans pelt the ice with trash.



<iframe width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/90CEIt6tJzU" title="Panthers vs. Golden Knights Game 4 Ends in Chaos | 2023 NHL Stanley Cup Final" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[JonInMiddleGA]

This is some of the most rigged shit I've ever seen.

Vegas goal #2 comes after an obvious whistle was blown ... announcers ignore it, officials "ignore" it.

[bronconick]

https://twitter.com/PenaltyBoxRadio/status/1674107713159036939

Penalty Box Radio, doing man on the street interviews in
Nashville, doesn’t realize they’re interviewing the Blackhawks GM

[miami_fan]

Not jumping on the bandwagon or anything like that. I am just happy that loyal crazy fan base down in Sunrise finally got to see their team lift Lord Stanley's Cup. Homer announcers for the win though I do feel for the play by play guy who probably had his lines ready but Bill Lindsey the color guy was not having any of that professionalism.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Doug Plagens with the call for the Florida Panthers Radio Network. ������️��<br><br>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/_piccone?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_piccone</a>) <a href="https://t.co/1HmfB21TKq">pic.twitter.com/1HmfB21TKq</a></p>&mdash; Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) <a href="https://twitter.com/awfulannouncing/status/1805444130463793381?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[MJ4H]

As a loyal fan of [ANYONE BUT EDMONTON] I couldn't be happier for this result.

[JonInMiddleGA]

It was a stressful 3rd period here in the batcave to say the least.

Will figures this means that he now should go to Japan during the playoffs every year lol

[RainMaker]

No dog in the fight but that was a really fun game. Those last 10 minutes were pretty intense as Edmonton poured it on.

[Ksyrup]

That last 95 seconds was at once tense, but also a complete letdown. Edmonton had put so much into the previous 12-15 minutes that even with the TO at 1:35 left, they came out with nothing left in the tank. They looked like they were skating through quicksand. They barely possessed the puck the entire time, to the point where the goalie barely could get off the ice.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Marchand to the Panthers is one of the more ... conflicting ... deals involving a team I have some interest in for quite some time.

Not as conflicting as it is for Boston fans, but still.

That the cost appears to have only been a conditional first in 2027 at least makes it a cost-tolerable rental.

[SirFozzie]

2nd in 2027, becomes a first in 2028 if he plays 25% in Florida's first two rounds

And.. well.. as a team fanbase, we're mostly understanding the trade, we have the example of Ray Bourque who went to the Avs and won the Stanley Cup there.

And it's kinda a fitting line, they'll have a line of "rats", and it's inevitable a Hockey player accused of licking his opponents would become a Florida Man.

[JonInMiddleGA]

2nd in 2027, becomes a first in 2028 if he plays 25% in Florida's first two rounds

And.. well.. as a team fanbase, we're mostly understanding the trade, we have the example of Ray Bourque who went to the Avs and won the Stanley Cup there.

And it's kinda a fitting line, they'll have a line of "rats", and it's inevitable a Hockey player accused of licking his opponents would become a Florida Man.

Yeah, I was kinda disappointed that the conditions were so low tbh. Not sure many folks in the area are happy about the deal, mostly just accepting of the price being somewhat reasonable. Insurance policy, and insurance ain't cheap.

[BishopMVP]

Marchand to the Panthers is one of the more ... conflicting ... deals involving a team I have some interest in for quite some time.

Not as conflicting as it is for Boston fans, but still.

That the cost appears to have only been a conditional first in 2027 at least makes it a cost-tolerable rental.
0.0% conflicted here, if the Bruins are owned by the Jacobs and they're gonna let Don load up bottom 6 grinders in the draft with the admittedly solid trade deadline haul I'm ready for an eject button. Loved the Panthers build and style as they slapped us around lately, obviously everyone in Boston is back to more pro-Tkachuk than we were a month ago, and the conditional part of the trade even makes it pro-B's if they win 2 rounds.

Like as long as Boston is out am I supposed to root for the Canes, or Lightning, an NY/NJ/Philly team, the Maple Leafs or the Canadiens? I guess the Senators are inoffensive but their owner might be worse than ours.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Like as long as Boston is out am I supposed to root for the Canes, or Lightning, an NY/NJ/Philly team, the Maple Leafs or the Canadiens? I guess the Senators are inoffensive but their owner might be worse than ours.

The East ain't exactly overflowin with teams that are easy to root for, much less adopt.

Of the options, I don't dislike the younger crop of players in Philly but yeah, most of those you mentioned I couldn't root for against North Korea.

[flere-imsaho]

Sean does a column each year with the pros and cons of rooting for each team in the playoffs if your team is out, so you could wait for that.

[Critch]

The one team in the East that you're all forgetting is the best team in the East. The Caps.

They're a lovable bunch with a couple of rogues thrown in.

[miami_fan]

Is this a regular thing in hockey?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Legend recognize legend 🤝 <br><br>Alex Ovechkin brought the Capitals back onto the ice to shake hands with Marc-André Fleury in their last matchup 👏💐 <a href="https://t.co/UMnhZ2pptM">pic.twitter.com/UMnhZ2pptM</a></p>&mdash; ESPN (@espn) <a href="https://twitter.com/espn/status/1905447189054124346?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I get that players at the end of games in other sports regularly hang around to dap up guys who are retiring from the game. The end of playoff series handshake line for one guy is next level respect IMO. I agree with the announcers that it says a lot about Fleury's standing in the game.

[henry296]

Is this a regular thing in hockey?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Legend recognize legend 🤝 <br><br>Alex Ovechkin brought the Capitals back onto the ice to shake hands with Marc-André Fleury in their last matchup 👏💐 <a href="https://t.co/UMnhZ2pptM">pic.twitter.com/UMnhZ2pptM</a></p>&mdash; ESPN (@espn) <a href="https://twitter.com/espn/status/1905447189054124346?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I get that players at the end of games in other sports regularly hang around to dap up guys who are retiring from the game. The end of playoff series handshake line for one guy is next level respect IMO. I agree with the announcers that it says a lot about Fleury's standing in the game.

Not common but has been done for a few of Fleury's other last games, such as last vs. the Pens and last in Montreal.

[RainMaker]

Some school called Bentley is hanging tight with Boston College in the first round of the tournament because their goalie is having an insane performance.

[Edward64]

Not a hockey fan but I’ve heard of Gretzky so congrats to the new guy

Ovechkin caught Gretzky with one fewer game played, hitting 894 in 1,846 games against Gretzky's 1,847. As fun as trying the record with two goals was, everyone in the crowd, Gretzky included, wanted to see Ovechkin break the record with a hat trick.

[albionmoonlight]

The Hurricanes are the only big league team in the Raleigh area, so people here get pretty excited about them.

Something about being the only game in town makes it kind of special.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Back. To. Back.

It's a beautiful thing.

[JonInMiddleGA]

A quiet (by his standards) post-season for Tkachuk makes a lot more sense when we now learn that he played with both a sports hernia and an abductor muscle that was "torn off the bone".

Aside from the respect for the insanity of being able to play after such injuries, my next reaction is even stronger hatred for the already dumb-as-hell mid season random-Cup-of-the-moment extraneous bullshit that he got hurt during in the first place.

[Critch]

The stitched up scar on Barkov's hand is pretty hurty looking too, definitely looks sub-optimal for somebody who holds a stick for a living.