GDT: #52 ⋅ MTL @ ANA ⋅ 1:00 PM PST

[HanSolo]

I don’t criticize Johnston for being a fighter, I blame him for rarely having a fight that is worthy of big called a fight. Dropping your gloves and hugging for 30-90 seconds sparks nothing except discussions as to why enforcers are a waste of a roster spot.

Also, he NEEDS to throw his weight around with hits. Zegras puts more effort into trying to punish people than he does on a routine basis.

Yep. As @Boo Boo said, I don't imagine the majority of posters here are anti fighting or anti physicality. We just don't want our designated tough guys to be bad at hockey.

I mean the majority of this board was disgusted over several examples of this team not seeking retribution on other teams that crossed the line against our players.

As usual, Dirk is living in some fantasy where to him if you criticize a fourth line plug like Johnston that means everyone here is against his wish for a return to old time hockey and that we'd all prefer if the game was as soft as possible. Johnston occasionally dropping the gloves, usually badly, doesn't excuse how bad he is at this sport most nights.

 

[Ducks DVM]

Yep. As @Boo Boo said, I don't imagine the majority of posters here are anti fighting or anti physicality. We just don't want our designated tough guys to be bad at hockey.

I mean the majority of this board was disgusted over several examples of this team not seeking retribution on other teams that crossed the line against our players.

As usual, Dirk is living in some fantasy where to him if you criticize a fourth line plug like Johnston that means everyone here is against his wish for a return to old time hockey and that we'd all prefer if the game was as soft as possible. Johnston occasionally dropping the gloves, usually badly, doesn't excuse how bad he is at this sport most nights.

The frustrating thing about him is that he CAN hit, and he CAN fight, and he CAN make some nice hockey plays.

He just rarely actually does much of any of it in a game.

 

[HanSolo]

The frustrating thing about him is that he CAN hit, and he CAN fight, and he CAN make some nice hockey plays.

He just rarely actually does much of any of it in a game.

Especially when you'd expect him to. Many games where other teams start taking liberties against our boys Johnston will do exactly f*** all about it. Like I get the people who defend the role of the enforcer in today's NHL, but way more nights than not he doesn't play that role at all. So it makes it that much worse that he sucks at the actual game of hockey itself.

 

[CrazyDuck4u]

Great to get the 2 points.. next 2 games will be tough.

 

[robbieboy3686]

Great to get the 2 points.. next 2 games will be tough.

Unless we win both , I’d prefer to start losing to assure that Cronin and the current coaching staff aren’t playing meaningful games in march( to assure they’re all gone before next season)

 

[snowave]

Decent game. Loved that the Ducks played physical. They almost looked mad out there, at times. I feel like it helped other aspects of the game, (as it usually does).

 

[mightyquack]

Unless we win both , I’d prefer to start losing to assure that Cronin and the current coaching staff aren’t playing meaningful games in march( to assure they’re all gone before next season)

We should want to be playing meaningful games in March no matter who the coach is.....this team and young players need to be exposed to some meaningful hockey instead of being able to coast the last 3 months of the season.

Otherwise we have a core of players who are happy being losers (see Buffalo).

 

[Hockey Duckie]

In Mac's past 10 games, he's scored 10 points (7g + 3a) and has a +2 rating. He's flashing that ppg streak, which he did show a couple of times last year.

 

[All Mighty]

Thought I'd try something different today, so I tracked all of the shot attempts taken in this game. Here are some visualizations made with the data:

This one is 5v5 shot contributions grouped by player:

These are graphs of the shot attempts at all situations (ES, PP, PK, EN):

This is the first time I've ever tried this, so if I do it again, I will try to clean it up more.

 

[Terry Yake]

good to see leo finally get on the scoresheet. hopefully this is the start of a hot streak

 

[CrazyDuck4u]

Unless we win both , I’d prefer to start losing to assure that Cronin and the current coaching staff aren’t playing meaningful games in march( to assure they’re all gone before next season)

Well Calgary just won. We're 9 points out.. That single loss to Calgary really put a dagger in the season. Your right

 

[Hey234]

Bad first but they responded. LaCombe continues to lead the defense. Might have been Killorn's best game all season. Glad to see a win. That 3rd goal magic. These next two games before the break might be rough. If they can come out with a win in one of the two, I'll be happy.

Still not pleased with their overall play. Special teams still a mess. Terry's absence is always strongly felt. New coach please.

 

[McDonald19]

Ross Johnston playing, my disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined

Ross had a good game, very physical.

What’s the point of that fight? Johnston isn’t motivating anyone

Seems it did.

 

[Leonardo87]

good to see leo finally get on the scoresheet. hopefully this is the start of a hot streak

It’s funny, that was the first time this year Killorn has finished one of his passes or had Leo assist on one of his goals. Only took 40 something games. Not bad. I guess better late than never?