The Official 2013 NHL Regular Season Thread

[Fidatelo]

Jets manage to sneak out of NY with a win over the Rangers. First 50 minutes they looked great, last 10 they were hanging on for dear life.

4 out of 5 on the road has them back in the hunt after us locals were starting to talk about top 3 draft picks only a week ago.

[Young Drachma]

I like the new realignment idea. I mean, I liked the old one better but this will do. Too bad they won't change the division names back.

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by Suburban Rhythm

Immediate reaction is 16/14 split is dumb. Plus what happens when either a new franchise or Phoenix ends up in QC or Hamilton?

Phoenix is probably going to Seattle. And they're denying any plans for expansion anytime soon. Which is smart given the state of the league.

[samifan24]

Why does the realignment have Columbus in the Atlantic and Boston in the Central?

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by samifan24

Why does the realignment have Columbus in the Atlantic and Boston in the Central?

Probably because there was no way they would put Boston and Montreal into different divisions/conferences.

[RomaGoth]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

I like whatever proposal puts Detroit in the East.

The rest is all secondary foofarah.

Exactly. About time the Wings stay in their own time zone.

[claphamsa]

Originally Posted by RomaGoth

Exactly. About time the Wings stay in their own time zone.

I vote we contract the wings.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by samifan24

Why does the realignment have Columbus in the Atlantic and Boston in the Central?

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Probably because there was no way they would put Boston and Montreal into different divisions/conferences.

Exactly why we need to go back to Adams, Patrick, Norris and Smythe divisions.

Geographic references aren't accurate at all.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by claphamsa

I vote we contract the wings.

I vote we contract your face!

[Chief Rum]

The Ducks obliterated the Predators last night. Kyle Palmieri gets a hat.

Odd fact, the Ducks have two hats already this season, and neither one is by their big guns Getzlaf, Perry, Ryan or Selanne. Palmieri last night and Bonino last month. Go figure.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

The Ducks obliterated the Predators last night. Kyle Palmieri gets a hat trick.

Odd fact, the Ducks have two hat tricks already this season, and neither one is by their big guns Getzlaf, Perry, Ryan or Selanne. Palmieri last night and Bonino last month. Go figure.

I had to fix that. Apparently referring to a "hat trick" as simply a "hat" is a personal pet peeve. I never knew I had it, but apprently I do!

Learn something new every day.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

I had to fix that. Apparently referring to a "hat trick" as simply a "hat" is a personal pet peeve. I never knew I had it, but apprently I do!

Learn something new every day.

Got it. I can understand that. I prefer saying hat trick, too, but I am typing a lot today, so I cut a corner there.

[bhlloy]

The one thing I got out of last nights game along with a few other preds highlights I've seen is that Weber is not worth 8 million a year without Suter next to him. He's still good but that contract is going to look horrible in 3-4 years, never mind 13

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Got it. I can understand that. I prefer saying hat trick, too, but I am typing a lot today, so I cut a corner there.

No worries!

I remember the old Chief Rum who used to write posts longer than some novellas. The ravages of time, my friend...

[Logan]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Got it. I can understand that. I prefer saying hat trick, too, but I am typing a lot today, so I cut a corner there.

Better than saying "hatty". Or how he "potted a hatty".

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by bhlloy

The one thing I got out of last nights game along with a few other preds highlights I've seen is that Weber is not worth 8 million a year without Suter next to him. He's still good but that contract is going to look horrible in 3-4 years, never mind 13

I reckon the Wild are saying the same thing about Suter without Weber next to him. On HNiC last week, they showed a few clips of Suter and they were pretty brutal. It wasn't quite Milbury vs. Ovechkin, but it wasn't great.

[bhlloy]

I really think that was the perfect defensive pairing. One big physical guy and one more mobile guy, both excellent in the defensive zone, neither offensive minded but with a notable offensive weapon and the ability to contribute. Not really a surprise that neither looks as good without the other I guess. Josi is brutal.

Not to jinx it but I think it's a formula the Ducks have somewhat tried to copy with Souray and Beauchemin, which is arguably the best defensive pairing in the league so far this year

[Wolfpack]

What a difference a healthy team makes. Carolina had been pretty much scuffling along for a couple of weeks as injuries left AHL players playing defense (not to mention an emergency call-up of #1 pick Ryan Murphy from juniors) and no scoring punch on the second line with Skinner out. Most of the injured came back tonight aside from Pitkanen and they basically manhandled the Pens 4-1 at home. Skinner scored one in his return and the top line bagged the other three goals (1 for Staal, 2 more for Tlusty). It helped a bit that Malkin wasn't playing, but the Pens played horrible defense on most of the Carolina goals as just about all of them were race-to-the-net efforts with little or no presence from the Pens to help out Fleury.

Carolina still leads a rather pathetic division, but strangely enough have actually won all their games outside the division. They're 0-5 against other teams in the Southeast. They get two cracks to break that problem in a home-and-home with Florida this weekend.

[Logan]

COL matched the Flames 2 year, $10MM offer sheet on O'Reilly.

[britrock88]

Originally Posted by Wolfpack

What a difference a healthy team makes. Carolina had been pretty much scuffling along for a couple of weeks as injuries left AHL players playing defense (not to mention an emergency call-up of #1 pick Ryan Murphy from juniors) and no scoring punch on the second line with Skinner out. Most of the injured came back tonight aside from Pitkanen and they basically manhandled the Pens 4-1 at home. Skinner scored one in his return and the top line bagged the other three goals (1 for Staal, 2 more for Tlusty). It helped a bit that Malkin wasn't playing, but the Pens played horrible defense on most of the Carolina goals as just about all of them were race-to-the-net efforts with little or no presence from the Pens to help out Fleury.

Carolina still leads a rather pathetic division, but strangely enough have actually won all their games outside the division. They're 0-5 against other teams in the Southeast. They get two cracks to break that problem in a home-and-home with Florida this weekend.

Didn't watch, but woo!

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by Wolfpack

What a difference a healthy team makes. Carolina had been pretty much scuffling along for a couple of weeks as injuries left AHL players playing defense (not to mention an emergency call-up of #1 pick Ryan Murphy from juniors) and no scoring punch on the second line with Skinner out. Most of the injured came back tonight aside from Pitkanen and they basically manhandled the Pens 4-1 at home. Skinner scored one in his return and the top line bagged the other three goals (1 for Staal, 2 more for Tlusty). It helped a bit that Malkin wasn't playing, but the Pens played horrible defense on most of the Carolina goals as just about all of them were race-to-the-net efforts with little or no presence from the Pens to help out Fleury.

Carolina still leads a rather pathetic division, but strangely enough have actually won all their games outside the division. They're 0-5 against other teams in the Southeast. They get two cracks to break that problem in a home-and-home with Florida this weekend.

Originally Posted by britrock88

Didn't watch, but woo!

Penguins are a hot pile of steaming crap right now.

MAF was the only reason that wasn't over about 6 minutes into the game, should have been 3-0.

Bylsma just passed the mythical 4 year mark. I don't think they make a move mid-season in a shortened year. If they don't win at least a round in the playoffs, I wouldn't be shocked if he's gone.

And I like Bylsma. Hockey more than any sport, the coaches are hired to be fired. I don't believe it's his fault. Nobody is telling Letang to pinch every single time. Nobody is telling Orpik to allow guy to step out from behind the net.

[Fidatelo]

Jets and Devils played some seriously entertaining hockey last night. It seemed like there were odd-man rushes and great chances both ways happening all the time. Both goalies made some quality stops. The final period especially was a blast.

The coaches probably hated it, but as a fan I was on the edge of my (couch) seat for large portions of the game and I can't ask for anything more. And against the Devils no less. Who knew?!

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

No worries!

I remember the old Chief Rum who used to write posts longer than some novellas. The ravages of time, my friend...

If you had played in my recent WW gane, you might not think that old Chief Rum has quite gone away yet.

[Logan]

Nash came back from his "who knows" injury last night and played like a man possessed. Had 12 SOG and just dominated on the puck. I've really loved watching him play this year and it's a shame so much of his career was spent in Columbus.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Pretty random, but one of the best hockey tidbits I've read in awhile. Maybe some of you already knew about this-

Dmitry Chesnokov | Good deeds

Here’s a story for you about one of the most humble people - Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk and how his good deed possibly went further than he thought it would himself.
About 10 years or so ago there was a young boy who lived in the Russian city of Kazan. His name was Alexander. Even though he was about eight at the time, he excelled in hockey. Unfortunately, there were problems with hockey equipment, or lack thereof. So some friends asked Pavel Datsyuk to help. And he did, sending some professional hockey sticks and skates to the boy Datsyuk had never even met.
Right now that boy, who also happens to be a former first round draft pick, is a star forward for the Winnipeg Jets. His name is Alexander Burmistrov.

[Fidatelo]

Hey that's really neat! Thanks for posting that, SR.

[hoopsguy]

Hawks now up to 18-0-3. FOFC, perhaps more in tune with ESPN SportsCenter than I would have suspected, issues a collective yawn.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by hoopsguy

Hawks now up to 18-0-3. FOFC, perhaps more in tune with ESPN SportsCenter than I would have suspected, issues a collective yawn.

I think it's amazing on two levels. One is the obvious, wow, look at how well they're playin level. The other is, how it must bug them that, despite that streak, they are only 8 points up on the Ducks, and the Ducks have two games in hand.

I looked it up--the Hawks finally make it out to Anaheim on March 20.

[hoopsguy]

Chief, I was looking at standings a week ago and had same thought on both Ducks and Bruins. And that I was hearing even less about how good their starts were because they didn't have the "0" in their line, but were still stacking up points.

[EagleFan]

Originally Posted by hoopsguy

Hawks now up to 18-0-3. FOFC, perhaps more in tune with ESPN SportsCenter than I would have suspected, issues a collective yawn.

Only 3 losses in 21 games, not a bad start at all.

[samifan24]

Big comeback win for the Bruins yesterday against Tampa. Boston is now tied with Montreal for the Eastern Conference lead with 30 points. Guess who plays each other tonight...

[Sublime 2]

Originally Posted by samifan24

Big comeback win for the Bruins yesterday against Tampa. Boston is now tied with Montreal for the Eastern Conference lead with 30 points. Guess who plays each other tonight...

Heading to the game right now! Pretty pumped.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Love this kind of stuff

Florida Panthers ‏@FlaPanthers#FlaPanthers goalie coach Robb Tallas serving as backup to Clem (signed one day tryout) until @j_markstrom's pads arrive sometime tonight.

[Wolfpack]

Canes swept the back-to-back. Markstrom's gear did eventually get there, but he stayed on the bench even after Clemenson gave up three more to Carolina, including two in a minute span just before the end of the first.

However, it's not all good as Ward got run into by one of his own players trying to beat someone to the goal. He tried to shrug it off, but the next time he tried to make a save, something gave out and he crumpled to the ice (oddly enough, Theodore seemed to have something similar happen to him in the game last night in Raleigh). Dan Ellis came in and played admirably in spite of being sick (Ellis was supposed to start, but Ward played when Ellis became ill) and made some good saves and the goals given up weren't his fault for the most part.

Still, it's going to be interesting to see to what extent Ward is injured and how well Ellis will be able to carry the team as a #1 if it's going to be a long absence. Carolina's got some cushion now in the Southeast, but it's still a thinner margin from division lead to out of the playoffs in this division than any other.

[Suburban Rhythm]

The Penguins re-signed Tom Kostopolous. He was playing on a tryout deal in the AHL for Wilkes-Barre Scranton, and was on those awful terrible Penguins teams of the early 2000's.

More importantly, should 4th line RW Craig Adams get injured, I'm praying he's the first guy recalled, joining Glass and Vitale on the 4th line.

They can bill themselves as 'The Full House' line:

TANNER (Glass) - JOEY (Vitale) - (Tom) KOSTOPOLOUS

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Suburban Rhythm

The Penguins re-signed Tom Kostopolous. He was playing on a tryout deal in the AHL for Wilkes-Barre Scranton, and was on those awful terrible Penguins teams of the early 2000's.

More importantly, should 4th line RW Craig Adams get injured, I'm praying he's the first guy recalled, joining Glass and Vitale on the 4th line.

They can bill themselves as 'The Full House' line:

TANNER (Glass) - JOEY (Vitale) - (Tom) KOSTOPOLOUS

Heh... Kostopolous...

He was always one of mine and my brother's favorite players because of our impression that he loses every fight he gets in.... and yet continues to get into fights regularly.

[Logan]

Marc Staal took a deflected slapshot to the eye tonight. Watching him thrashing on the ice in pain was so scary. Not a ton of blood and he was able to skate off. At this point, hoping its *just* a broken orbital bone.

[Pyser]

Originally Posted by Suburban Rhythm

The Penguins re-signed Tom Kostopolous. He was playing on a tryout deal in the AHL for Wilkes-Barre Scranton, and was on those awful terrible Penguins teams of the early 2000's.

More importantly, should 4th line RW Craig Adams get injured, I'm praying he's the first guy recalled, joining Glass and Vitale on the 4th line.

They can bill themselves as 'The Full House' line:

TANNER (Glass) - JOEY (Vitale) - (Tom) KOSTOPOLOUS

the devils claimed kostopolous, ruining your awesome line

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by Pyser

the devils claimed kostopolous, ruining your awesome line

Got a great text earlier from a buddy upon hearing the news

Screw Lou! Why not just sign him outright to begin with? Let's go sign Stephane Richer to teach him a lesson!

Immediately followed by

Kidding...let's never do that again

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Suburban Rhythm

Love this kind of stuff

Straight out of the lower minor leagues kind of thing. ECHL Gwinnett dressed some unknown guy well into his 40s as the backup for a few nights while their regular keepers were doing the AHL yo-yo thing.

[Logan]

Originally Posted by Logan

Marc Staal took a deflected slapshot to the eye tonight. Watching him thrashing on the ice in pain was so scary. Not a ton of blood and he was able to skate off. At this point, hoping its *just* a broken orbital bone.

Looks like Staal got lucky. Rangers just released a statement that he's made some significant improvement since last night and his doctors are optimistic he'll make a full recovery. Out indefinitely for now. Great news.

[claphamsa]

Originally Posted by Logan

Looks like Staal got lucky. Rangers just released a statement that he's made some significant improvement since last night and his doctors are optimistic he'll make a full recovery. Out indefinitely for now. Great news.

I see guys in my league playing with only visors... I get hit in the face all the time! give me my full cage thank you!

[johnnyshaka]

Originally Posted by claphamsa

I see guys in my league playing with only visors... I get hit in the face all the time! give me my full cage thank you!

Ditto.

[chadritt]

If I owned a team then visors, if not cages, would be a mandatory part of every contract. Im not giving you $7 million and not making sure you're as safe as possible.

[Fidatelo]

Originally Posted by claphamsa

I see guys in my league playing with only visors... I get hit in the face all the time! give me my full cage thank you!

+1

I wore a visor until about 3 years ago. My brother-in-law who plays with me used to routinely harass me for not wearing a cage. Then one day he shot the puck into my face. Thankfully with his noodle-arms no damage was done, but the point was made and I now wear the cage

The upshot is that I actually like it better. It never fogs and I feel a lot more comfortable attempting to keep pucks in the zone along the glass than I ever did with a visor. I don't even notice the bars anymore. I think it's a huge win.

[Logan]

Originally Posted by chadritt

If I owned a team then visors, if not cages, would be a mandatory part of every contract. Im not giving you $7 million and not making sure you're as safe as possible.

Items in contracts need to be collectively bargained.

I don't fall on the "make them mandatory" side but if I was playing, there's no way I wouldn't be wearing one.

[Honolulu_Blue]

The NHLPA has consented to realignment.

[JPhillips]

When do the Blackhawks start resting starters for the playoffs?

[bhlloy]

What the hell is it with Flyers v Penguins that mean neither goalie can stop a shot? Has there been a game in the last two years that had less than 7/8 goals? This game is nuts

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by bhlloy

What the hell is it with Flyers v Penguins that mean neither goalie can stop a shot? Has there been a game in the last two years that had less than 7/8 goals? This game is nuts

The season opener was 3-1.

But yes. I am embarrassed to let my 6 year old watch these games. He started skating last year and is now playing mites. I don't want him picking up anything he might see between these two teams. Total cluster.