09-30-2009, 11:35 PM | #51 | |||
College Benchwarmer
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Quote:
I just hope Tyler Myers gets a real shot at sticking with the club. Gosh, outside of Brian Campbell (who was a mid-round pick), the Sabres haven't had a defenseman they drafted this highly-touted since Phil Housley. And that's over 25 years ago! I think the Sabres will surprise some pundits this year, many of whom seem to think that inactivity in free agency equals doom in the regular season. As we've seen over the years from teams like the Rangers and the Leafs, overpaying players past their prime isn't a recipe for success. I mean *really*, is Jeff Finger that much better than Ian White? I see them once again fighting for one of the last three playoff spots. I think they have a ceiling of second in the division, with Boston seemingly the class of the Northeast. Toronto is much improved and scare me much more than the Montreal midgets and the Sens but only if the Leafs brass finally admit that Toskala is just another in the long line of goaltending busts for the club. That all said, an injury to Ryan Miller would be catastrophic...Patick Lalime is not an NHL quality keeper anymore. I very much worry about the backup goaltending situation. Keeping Tim Connolly healthy is also of utmost importance, although the emergence of Buffalo native Tim Kennedy is a positive development. Kennedy made the team out of camp but will have to score points early and often if he intends to stick. The Sabres have the makings of two quality scoring lines with Thomas Vanek, Derek Roy, Drew Stafford, Connolly and Jason Pominville in the top six. Clarke MacArthur is currently the second line left winger after a great training camp but he'll need to be much more consistent if he intends to maintain that lofty status. Kennedy or mighty midget Nathan Gerbe, who was just sent down to the AHL after winning the rookie of the year in that league last year, can step into top six roles if necessary. The checking line is excellent: Jochen Hecht (who had a horrific year last year but is in a much better role as a third liner in 09/10), Paul Gaustad and Mike 'Stonehands' Grier should be a great shutdown trio although I'm sure I'll be screaming at Grier all year for missing empty net after empty net. The fourth line is full of energy and pests, with overacheiver Matt Ellis centering Adam Mair (when healthy) and Patrick Kaleta (perhaps one of the most hated players in the league). The defense is a question mark - who will quarterback the powerplay after the departure of Jaro Spacek? Likely sophomore Chris Butler, who impressed in a half season as a rookie. Craig Rivet, newcomer Steve Montador and Myers will likely get time as well early in the season. Henrik Tallinder, who two years ago likely was the best d-man on the team, will have to fight to keep a spot in the lineup...he had a rotten camp and is coming off a bad season. If I were a betting man, and I am, I'd bet on the Sabres finishing around 8th and making the postseason but again, they need to keep Miller healthy AND get wins out of Lalime when he plays, especially in an Olympic year when Miller will need a bit of rest.
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MY CURRENT FM19 DYNASTY - FM19: "Ludere causa Ludendi - To Play for the Sake of Playing" - Queen's Park FC (Scottish League Two) MY OLD FM11 DYNASTY - FM11: From Semi-Pro Minnows to the EPL - Dover Athletic FC My Personal Blog - Now on the Tee - Golf, Sports, Poker, Life 2006 GOLDEN SCRIBE AWARD WINNER FOR BEST 'OTHER SPORT' DYNASTY - EHM2005: Sharpening Swords in Buffalo |
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10-01-2009, 07:58 AM | #52 |
High School Varsity
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Western NY
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Great summary, 'Skillz.
I really see the second line and the D being all important this year. This is the first time in a long time I've come into a season not really having much idea of what to expect out of the blueliners. The second line guys -- Staff, Timmy, Mac -- all have something to prove this year. If they all live up to their upside [and stay healthy], then we can be pretty dangerous. I like the extra grit and leadership this year -- that alone might pay dividends. Elsewhere in the division, I totally agree that Toronto is becoming a more scary prospect than Montreal and that we're all looking up at Boston, but I wouldn't be shocked if Ottawa has a bounce-back year. I think Leclair has the skills to be a very solid G. |
10-01-2009, 10:35 AM | #53 |
Hockey Boy
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Royal Oak, MI
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I am looking forward to the Toronto/Montreal game tonight. Not only do I enjoy the rivalry, but the match up between the big, truculent Leafs and the wee, little Canadiens is something that I've really been interested in watching. Montreal's big, vegan-yogi tough guy could really have his hands full.
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Steve Yzerman: 1,755 points in 1,514 regular season games. 185 points in 196 postseason games. A First-Team All-Star, Conn Smythe Trophy winner, Selke Trophy winner, Masterton Trophy winner, member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, Olympic gold medallist, and a three-time Stanley Cup Champion. Longest serving captain of one team in the history of the NHL (19 seasons). |
10-01-2009, 10:38 AM | #54 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New Hampshire
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Go Go Black & Gold!
I'm wicked excited for the season. I don't see the B's ending the season first in the east again, but no lower than fourth either. I think Thomas will fall a little back to Earth, and the offense will sputter a bit. But overall I think this team is better suited for the playoffs than lat year's version. |
10-01-2009, 10:39 AM | #55 | |
Grizzled Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Stuck in Yinzerville, PA
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Quote:
When have the Flyers done anything that has made sense? |
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10-01-2009, 10:46 AM | #56 |
Bounty Hunter
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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No real comment about the Sabres, but this makes me think of how Patrick Kaleta's NHL career started. His very first game was that comic experience against Ottawa a couple of years ago, the game where the Senators sent out Spezza, Comrie, and Heatley, and then Lindy Ruff countered with his tough guys. Kaleta is the guy who was matched up with Heatley at the faceoff, right before Heatley ran like a girl. That's what I'll always remember about Patrick Kaleta.
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10-01-2009, 10:52 AM | #57 |
Coordinator
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Keene, NH
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the Avs are retiring Joe Sakic's jersey tonight.
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Mile High Hockey |
10-01-2009, 11:02 AM | #58 | |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: St. Catharines, Canada
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Quote:
Ahhh, that brings back fond memories! I was at that game and it was right after Chris Neil knocked the crap out of Chris Drury with a cheapshot hit. Drew Stafford (a rookie that year) went after Neil then Ruff sent out Peters, Mair and Kaleta against the Spezza line. Heatley was skating for his life as Spezza took a beating from Mair then of course, the goalies got into it before Peters and Ray Emery went toe to toe. I think the Sabres finished the game with 13 skaters but won the game 6-5 or something. One of the greatest games I've seen in person...that building was ROCKING that night.
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MY CURRENT FM19 DYNASTY - FM19: "Ludere causa Ludendi - To Play for the Sake of Playing" - Queen's Park FC (Scottish League Two) MY OLD FM11 DYNASTY - FM11: From Semi-Pro Minnows to the EPL - Dover Athletic FC My Personal Blog - Now on the Tee - Golf, Sports, Poker, Life 2006 GOLDEN SCRIBE AWARD WINNER FOR BEST 'OTHER SPORT' DYNASTY - EHM2005: Sharpening Swords in Buffalo |
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10-01-2009, 11:23 AM | #59 |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Where Hip Hop lives
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Is that the one where Emery was wierdly smiling as he got into the fight?
Whatever fight that was, that's when I knew Emery wasn't all there.
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10-01-2009, 11:41 AM | #60 |
Grizzled Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Stuck in Yinzerville, PA
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Here are the Flyers Line combos to start the season:
Gagne-Richards-Pyorala Hartnell-Carter-Briere JVR-Powe-Giroux Dan Carcillo-Blair Betts-IIan Laperriere. Pronger-Carle Timonen-Coburn Parent-Syvret |
10-01-2009, 11:44 AM | #61 |
Pro Starter
Join Date: May 2001
Location: toronto
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Woohoo Briere on RW....that helps my pool team big time
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Pumpy Tudors Now that I've cracked and made that admission, I wonder if I'm only a couple of steps away from wanting to tongue-kiss Jaromir Jagr and give Bobby Clarke a blowjob. |
10-01-2009, 12:24 PM | #62 | |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: St. Catharines, Canada
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Quote:
Yup, that was the one. He dispatched poor Marty Biron in about three seconds then Peters said "how about you try someone your own size?". Emery, who likes to box on the side, was more than willing to accommodate.
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MY CURRENT FM19 DYNASTY - FM19: "Ludere causa Ludendi - To Play for the Sake of Playing" - Queen's Park FC (Scottish League Two) MY OLD FM11 DYNASTY - FM11: From Semi-Pro Minnows to the EPL - Dover Athletic FC My Personal Blog - Now on the Tee - Golf, Sports, Poker, Life 2006 GOLDEN SCRIBE AWARD WINNER FOR BEST 'OTHER SPORT' DYNASTY - EHM2005: Sharpening Swords in Buffalo |
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10-01-2009, 01:09 PM | #63 |
Grizzled Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Stuck in Yinzerville, PA
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I'm hearing that Shanny has left the Devils and will retire.
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10-01-2009, 01:11 PM | #64 | ||
Favored Bitch #2
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Here
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He just signed with them less than a month ago, didn't he? I wonder if he has a problem with Lemaire....
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10-01-2009, 01:12 PM | #65 |
Grizzled Veteran
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Location: Stuck in Yinzerville, PA
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10-01-2009, 02:03 PM | #66 |
Hall Of Famer
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Location: Newburgh, NY
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Love this Nylander cartoon.
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10-01-2009, 02:26 PM | #67 |
Pro Starter
Join Date: May 2001
Location: toronto
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4.5 hours till puck drop...woohoo!
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Pumpy Tudors Now that I've cracked and made that admission, I wonder if I'm only a couple of steps away from wanting to tongue-kiss Jaromir Jagr and give Bobby Clarke a blowjob. |
10-01-2009, 04:54 PM | #68 | |
Pro Starter
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NC
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Quote:
Really? I'm not sure I agree. As much as I didn't like his attitude Kessel was still a very good goal scorer and, although Sturm is a good player he is injury prone and is hardly a sure thing. I think in order for the Bruins to really step it up they will need guys like Sturm and Derek Morris to play very well and Wheeler to put in a full season's worth of production. I think this year's team will experience an inevitable dropoff from last year's team, especially in the scoring department, and so I'm not sure I see them as being better suited for a playoff run. Still I hope they prove the ESPN analysts wrong: every analyst chose Boston to win their division but not even advance to the Eastern Conference finals.
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10-01-2009, 07:50 PM | #69 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Michigan
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Halfway through the first in Toronto and there have been 2 fights.
And Gionta just buries one seconds after a Komisarek penalty. Last edited by DeToxRox : 10-01-2009 at 08:06 PM. |
10-01-2009, 07:55 PM | #70 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Michigan
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And Toronto ties it up on a nice forecheck from Hagman. He gets it out to Ponikarovsky who buries it from the slot.
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10-01-2009, 08:02 PM | #71 | |
Pro Starter
Join Date: May 2001
Location: toronto
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Quote:
You mean in Toronto
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Pumpy Tudors Now that I've cracked and made that admission, I wonder if I'm only a couple of steps away from wanting to tongue-kiss Jaromir Jagr and give Bobby Clarke a blowjob. |
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10-01-2009, 08:05 PM | #72 |
Head Coach
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Location: Michigan
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10-01-2009, 08:13 PM | #73 |
Pro Starter
Join Date: May 2001
Location: toronto
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Don't make him get truculant on your ass.
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Pumpy Tudors Now that I've cracked and made that admission, I wonder if I'm only a couple of steps away from wanting to tongue-kiss Jaromir Jagr and give Bobby Clarke a blowjob. |
10-01-2009, 09:46 PM | #74 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Michigan
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Another dumb Komisarek penalty leads to a Montreal PPG to tie it up with 4 minutes left.
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10-01-2009, 11:40 PM | #75 | ||
Favored Bitch #2
Join Date: Nov 2007
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After watching parts of three games tonight (haven't watched the Calgary/Vancouver game), I have a few thoughts.
1. Toronto looked rather slow and out of sync, and Montreal was all over the ice, yet the Leafs severely outshot them. Not sure how that happened exactly. 2. Nabakov looks terrible for the Sharks. Just terrible. 3. Tim Thomas also did not look very good. 4. Ovechkin leads the league in goals and probably will all season. So far, the goaltending has looked quite ordinary, even outright bad in some instances. I am looking for it to stabilize as the season wears on. Hopefully.
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10-01-2009, 11:49 PM | #76 |
Pro Starter
Join Date: May 2001
Location: toronto
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So far, the goaltending has looked quite ordinary, even outright bad in some instances. I am looking for it to stabilize as the season wears on. Hopefully
And Osgood has'nt even played yet
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Pumpy Tudors Now that I've cracked and made that admission, I wonder if I'm only a couple of steps away from wanting to tongue-kiss Jaromir Jagr and give Bobby Clarke a blowjob. |
10-01-2009, 11:50 PM | #77 | |||
Favored Bitch #2
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Here
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Quote:
Yeah, I was thinking about that as I typed it. Nabakov, Luongo, Kiprusoff, all look awful. Maybe this is Osgood's year to win the Vezina.
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10-01-2009, 11:57 PM | #78 | |
Coordinator
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Keene, NH
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Quote:
Emery either
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Mile High Hockey |
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10-02-2009, 12:23 PM | #79 |
Pro Starter
Join Date: May 2001
Location: toronto
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I get the award for teh first major injury to my fantasy team as Andrei Markov is out for 2 to 3 months......I knew i should never have drafted an f'n Hab.
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Pumpy Tudors Now that I've cracked and made that admission, I wonder if I'm only a couple of steps away from wanting to tongue-kiss Jaromir Jagr and give Bobby Clarke a blowjob. |
10-02-2009, 12:24 PM | #80 | |||
Favored Bitch #2
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Here
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Quote:
That sucks. Kessel is out for me until November, but that pales in comparison to your situation.
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10-02-2009, 12:29 PM | #81 |
Grizzled Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Stuck in Yinzerville, PA
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I gotta admit the crowd singing O' Canada at the start of the Toronto/Montreal game gave me goose bumps. Really cool!
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10-02-2009, 12:36 PM | #82 |
Bounty Hunter
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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So I didn't get to watch a LOT of hockey last night, but what's the deal with this Gionta guy for Montreal? He actually scored a goal? It seems like ages since I saw a guy named Gionta score a goal. So confusing.
In other news, I hear that Lemaire flipped a coin to decide who'd play wing on the second line in New Jersey. My wife won the coin toss, so Shanahan left. Wifey will be wearing #44 in honor of Mike Peluso's hair tomorrow night. I predict that she'll score 3 goals this season, which should put her third on the team behind Parise and Brodeur. Go Devils.
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No, I am not Batman, and I will not repair your food processor. |
10-02-2009, 12:40 PM | #83 | |||
Favored Bitch #2
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Quote:
You never disappoint, Pumpy.
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10-02-2009, 12:42 PM | #84 |
Bounty Hunter
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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While I'm in this thread, I'd like to borrow bbor's toothbrush for about an hour.
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No, I am not Batman, and I will not repair your food processor. |
10-02-2009, 12:44 PM | #85 | |
Pro Starter
Join Date: May 2001
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Quote:
LOL
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Pumpy Tudors Now that I've cracked and made that admission, I wonder if I'm only a couple of steps away from wanting to tongue-kiss Jaromir Jagr and give Bobby Clarke a blowjob. |
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10-02-2009, 12:45 PM | #86 | |
Pro Starter
Join Date: May 2001
Location: toronto
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Quote:
hmmm..... It is a 'Reach" toothbrush
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Pumpy Tudors Now that I've cracked and made that admission, I wonder if I'm only a couple of steps away from wanting to tongue-kiss Jaromir Jagr and give Bobby Clarke a blowjob. |
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10-02-2009, 12:47 PM | #87 |
Bounty Hunter
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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I've got the Nerf football ready to go.
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No, I am not Batman, and I will not repair your food processor. |
10-02-2009, 03:05 PM | #88 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Michigan
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Bad news for the Hab. Andrei Markov is out 4 months with a lacerated tendon in his ankle.
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10-02-2009, 03:06 PM | #89 | ||
Favored Bitch #2
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Here
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Blackhawks lose their first game in a shootout to Florida. I would be lying if I didn't admit that I like this.
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10-02-2009, 04:37 PM | #90 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Michigan
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Osgood is pretty miserable, yeesh. Not all his fault as the D didn't do much to help him out so far but he has looked all out of sorts since the first preseason game.
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10-02-2009, 04:40 PM | #91 | |||
Favored Bitch #2
Join Date: Nov 2007
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Quote:
4 goals already, and they blew a 3-1 lead. Yikes.
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10-02-2009, 10:28 PM | #92 |
Pro Rookie
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Carolina couldn't hit the broad side of a barn in a 2-0 loss at home to Philly tonight. Emery made some good saves for Philly, but we had so many badly-off-target shots it was laughable. 0-for-8 on the PP, too. At least that picked up where it left off in the playoffs.
Last edited by Wolfpack : 10-03-2009 at 01:38 AM. |
10-03-2009, 03:20 PM | #93 | ||
Favored Bitch #2
Join Date: Nov 2007
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Cleary scores just 2 minutes in....hopefully today will have a better outcome.
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10-03-2009, 03:26 PM | #94 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Michigan
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Cleary scores again, and it's 3-0.
EDIT: No goal. Last edited by DeToxRox : 10-03-2009 at 03:26 PM. |
10-03-2009, 04:27 PM | #95 | ||
Favored Bitch #2
Join Date: Nov 2007
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I know it's early, but this team just doesn't look like they have the same drive as in past seasons. Goaltending could be a problem too. *shrug*
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10-03-2009, 05:57 PM | #96 |
Pro Rookie
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Rahway, NJ
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Pumped about the Coyotes-Kings game tonight!
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10-03-2009, 07:47 PM | #97 |
Dark Cloud
Join Date: Apr 2001
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Are you a Yotes fan because they "used" to be the Jets?
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10-03-2009, 08:01 PM | #98 |
Pro Rookie
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Rahway, NJ
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Haha....that does reinforce my fan-hood, but it's mostly because I randomly decided to play as them way back in NHL98 for the PC. I kept playing as them each year because I knew the players. To be completely honest though, this year is my first real attempt to follow the NHL. I've always loved hockey. I played it as a kid, but I've never really followed a team before and I thought I'd start now. |
10-03-2009, 08:09 PM | #99 |
Pro Starter
Join Date: May 2001
Location: toronto
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Monster in for the Leafs....Toskula pulled.
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Pumpy Tudors Now that I've cracked and made that admission, I wonder if I'm only a couple of steps away from wanting to tongue-kiss Jaromir Jagr and give Bobby Clarke a blowjob. |
10-03-2009, 08:32 PM | #100 |
Hall Of Famer
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4-1 Thrashers over Tampa late in the 2nd period. 10 different players with at least 1 point for Atlanta, including goals from two D-men.
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