RussianGuyovich
Hella Ennui
- Jan 2, 2007
- 9,830
- 8,231
That's the point. The rules literally change to the real hockey rules in the post season and, right now, this team isn't ready. McD and Palat should make a huge difference, though.We get it they aren't playing great. But let's not turn this into what's real hockey vs not. The rules are what they are. This is what is real.
I agree on the bad habit thing, and that it can easily sink us (like last year), but I wouldn't be so sure this isn't a strategy that comes from the top down. We know 2014 was a big lesson for Cooper, when we went "all out" for home ice advantage, only to injure our #1 goalie, and kind of burn out in general. Cooper talked a lot about saving something for the post-season. Mind you, I'm not a fan of letting our foot off the gas in tie games, which seems like a bad habit. But when we're up 4-1? 5-1? Whatever. Don't get injured. It might not be a coincidence that this is the most injury-free we've been in years, and we've been consistently taking our foot off the gas since about December when we have a reasonable lead.
That's the point. The rules literally change to the real hockey rules in the post season and, right now, this team isn't ready. McD and Palat should make a huge difference, though.
I know some people in the organization say this same thing. It was actually SY that said in his Detroit days they did this. The grind of a long season can wear on you and if you play into may and June then it's hard to stay healthy. Some of this is definitely done purposely. I agree though that I don't like it as a fan. I would rather dominate every game.
A bit tired of all the yee hah! after underwhelming OT or SO wins against bad teams.This Matt Watson guy has chutzpah
I'm not saying their terrible at all and I don't know where you get that I'm assuming a tie is a loss, all I am saying is that the OT and SO rules are masking some significant deficiencies, the most glaring of which is the PK with a close second being the inability to close out teams in the third period.A lot of playoff games go to overtime too. It's not like we're terrible 5v5. You're assuming all overtime games will be a loss, and that's just not really a fair assumption. We have the best goal differential in the NHL. Even with our flaws, we're still better at this game than anybody else in the league right now.
A bit tired of all the yee hah! after underwhelming OT or SO wins against bad teams.
That's the point. The rules literally change to the real hockey rules in the post season and, right now, this team isn't ready. McD and Palat should make a huge difference, though.
I'll concede that there may be some truth in the points you have made, but it's a pretty hard thing to manipulate. I hope you are right and he is more of a puppet master than I give him credit for. Which is not to say that I don't think he is a great coach. I do.I agree on the bad habit thing, and that it can easily sink us (like last year), but I wouldn't be so sure this isn't a strategy that comes from the top down. We know 2014 was a big lesson for Cooper, when we went "all out" for home ice advantage, only to injure our #1 goalie, and kind of burn out in general. Cooper talked a lot about saving something for the post-season. Mind you, I'm not a fan of letting our foot off the gas in tie games, which seems like a bad habit. But when we're up 4-1? 5-1? Whatever. Don't get injured. It might not be a coincidence that this is the most injury-free we've been in years, and we've been consistently taking our foot off the gas since about December when we have a reasonable lead.
I'm not saying their terrible at all and I don't know where you get that I'm assuming a tie is a loss, all I am saying is that the OT and SO rules are masking some significant deficiencies, the most glaring of which is the PK with a close second being the inability to close out teams in the third period.
I think you made my point for me in the first and second sentences. As to the third, I'm not sure how I could say it any better or differently, so, if it isn't clear already; from a strictly "how well is the team playing" standpoint and not with regard to how the outcomes affect the standings, I place zero value on 3 on 3 OTs and shootouts, wins or losses. Zero.You are still using rules for post season in the reg season. Apple's and oranges. Teams have a different gear in the playoffs, it's almost a different game. I just think your point of the team not playing well is not the best way of saying it.
Friggin Boston won again ... they are going nuts over there right now. Playing without Backes, Bergeron, and McAvoy. We go 9 - 0 - 1 and can't pull away from that team.
Friggin Boston won again ... they are going nuts over there right now. Playing without Backes, Bergeron, and McAvoy. We go 9 - 0 - 1 and can't pull away from that team.
It's a fair point, but the lackluster play has been going on since long before a playoff spot was secure. But you're right, the Boston games will tell us something. Hopefully McD can shake a little more rust off in Ottawa beforehand.Not understanding the concern right now. Im ok with them not laying it all on the ice to be honest. Wins are nice but they know playoffs are right around the corner, no need to risk injuries and fatigue. If they don’t show up for the Boston game that would be concerning
The playoff spot was secured ages ago unless you want be a total smartass and say that it still is not.It's a fair point, but the lackluster play has been going on since long before a playoff spot was secure. But you're right, the Boston games will tell us something. Hopefully McD can shake a little more rust off in Ottawa beforehand.
It's a fair point, but the lackluster play has been going on since long before a playoff spot was secure. But you're right, the Boston games will tell us something. Hopefully McD can shake a little more rust off in Ottawa beforehand.
Not being a smartass. Lightning have a plus 10 goal differential since Jan 1, 5 of which are shootout wins which count as one goal, so really a plus 5. And until this run 9-0-1 run, which is really a 3-0-7 run, they were barely a .500 team. They are not as dominant as they're record would suggest is my only point.The playoff spot was secured ages ago unless you want be a total smartass and say that it still is not.
Jesus, what is everyone's problem? Can no one read? Where in any of my posts have I ever come close to saying that the Lightning are a bad team? They're a very good team that has the potential to be great, but they've got some work to do. That's all.But we're still beating teams. I think you're assuming every other team is going to take its game to a new level while we remain at this level. If there's one thing this team proved in 2015 and 2016, it's that we're capable of reaching that playoff-level gear too.
Last year the passive play was unquestionably out of hand. It seemed like the team believed the playoffs were a given. Then when they realized how they'd thrown their season away, they turned it on. This year we turned it on to open the season, and once we had a comfortable lead in the standings, we've coasted a fair bit. I'm not saying that's a good thing, but I don't think it's a sign that we're a bad team disguised as a good team. We're still winning a lot of hockey games.
I think you're kind of reading too much into things. Coburn-Sustr have been so bad recently that we've effectively been spotting teams a goal before the puck even drops. I'd wager that most of us on here have been waiting to see what the situation on D looks like once McD is up to speed before we start getting worried. And that Florida game was essentially a playoff game in terms of pace and play. Did you see what Point did? So money. Doesn't matter if it was 3v3. Florida had their guys out there too.Jesus, what is everyone's problem? Can no one read? Where in any of my posts have I ever come close to saying that the Lightning are a bad team? They're a very good team that has the potential to be great, but they've got some work to do. That's all.
Jesus, what is everyone's problem? Can no one read? Where in any of my posts have I ever come close to saying that the Lightning are a bad team? They're a very good team that has the potential to be great, but they've got some work to do. That's all.