GDT: 9/18/16 - North America Vs Finland - 8PM ET (II)

[BB88]

Well he has been the most hyped player in the 2016 draft. I don't expect him to change the game, but you would expect to notice him and a few flashes of brilliance. Seems to have mailed it in since his team can't win.

That line has been the only line that has been able to keep up, it's not much but pretty promising when you look how the game has gone the last 40 minutes.

The problem for our team starts from defense, there's just 1 quality NHL player(top pairing), Lepisto from KHL, Pokka&Lindell from AHL, can't get the puck out of zone.

 

[CashMash]

Haha, cmon Finnish fans, you know you would dig at us Leafs fans a little bit if it was the other way around. It's literally the first game our 1st overall pick is playing in the ACC, while we shouldn't go overboard- expect a little bit of stroking and digging.

Why would Finns take digs at leafs fans specifically? Matthews isn't the only player on the team, neither is Laine.

This is getting ridiculous.

 

[Pablo El Perro]

There are like 15 guys that deserve to be in the "Bad" section before Risto

Not really. Not knocking him, but he's a great player having a hard time moving the puck out of the defensive zone.

 

[Keeptdos]

Say goodbye to Finland at the 2020 Bettman Cup. They and the Czechs clearly don't belong at an event as prestigious as this.

Can't be having 6-0 and 4-0 games when the whole point of this field was to do away with those 3-2 and 2-1 blowouts involving teams like Slovakia and Latvia.

Don't worry. We will have defending SC Champions and team Europe U23 in next Bettman cup instead of Finland and Czech

 

[Daximus]

That line has been the only line that has been able to keep up, it's not much but pretty promising when you look how the game has gone the last 40 minutes.

The problem for our team starts from defense, there's just 1 quality NHL player(top pairing), Lepisto from KHL, Pokka&Lindell from AHL, can't get the puck out of zone.

Yeah they won't do much if the D can't transition well.

 

[Dris]

Both those teams have something in common, they were playing NA. Coincidence?

Well, the Czechs owned them...

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Team NA has 3 lines rolling this game. Mcdavid, Eichel, RNH. All playing like #1 lines. The Troechek line is not bad line also. It will be interesting to see if this is sustainable against Canada. Crosby/Toews/Getzlaf 3 some if they eventually meet.

 

[X66]

How does a game like this tell that?
Ypu put Matthews to that Finnish team and you think he starts dominating out there?

The kids line is +/- 0 in this game and hasn't gotten dominated every shift.

Ive seen Matthews dominate on a garbage USA team at the worlds

He's that good.

His IQ is that elite.

 

[WesMcCauley]

but is he worth 8.5?

if he keeps scoring close to ppg he is. I mean Voracek got 8,25 and he is a 50-65 point player with one ppg season. He was a ufa i know but still.

 

[GirardSpinorama]

I'm very surprised the Fins can't find 6 legit nhl dmen.

 

[Bleedred]

That 1st period just all the more confirms why Rinne is not a good goaltender anymore, as if 3 of the last 4 NHL seasons weren't conclusive enough evidence.

He didn't even look bad on the actual goals against, but it should have really been 4-0 or 5-0 after the 1st period. He let in a couple dribblers through the legs that went wide and was beaten cleanly by a couple shots that dinged off the post back in the 1st. I think he was almost beaten on wraparound when it was still 1-0 early in the 2nd period. He looked shaky all 1st period.

He really had no chance on almost any of the goals scored (I didn't see the first goal allowed) but he really should have been lit up in the 1st more than the 2nd. One of those dribblers back in the 1st, stopped before it completely crossed the goal line.

 

[BB88]

Matthews has been a driver on his line. Laine simply hasn't.

McDavid?

 

[48g90a138pts]

but is he worth 8.5?

I think all the superstars in the NHL are underpaid. That US tv deal is such a ripoff. Bettman is a moron.

 

[hirawl]

Such a moronic move by Marjamaki to put Aho and Laine with Barkov. The most important player for the team handcuffed by babysitting duties.

Everyone with any hockey knowledge could see that in beforehand. Everyone.

 

[Auston Marlander]

How does a game like this tell that?
Ypu put Matthews to that Finnish team and you think he starts dominating out there?

The kids line is +/- 0 in this game and hasn't gotten dominated every shift.

Again, no one is saying Laine should be dominating, but I don't think not being invisable is too much to ask from a guy that's been so hyped.

 

[ijuka]

Well, that Laine is +/- 0 is actually comforting to me.

 

[sportsdynasty]

but is he worth 8.5?

Easily worth that. He's a top 5 offensive player in the NHL.

 

[AvroArrow]

Horrible first shift by Rielly in the 3rd

 

[KirkOut]

Just tuned in. How is Parayko looking for those who have been watching?

He's playing like a combination of Nick Lidstrom, Chris Pronger, and Jesus Christ himself

 

[snipes]

Nuge is NAs best defensive forward.

 

[Divine]

Well, the Czechs owned them...

No they didn't. Team NA dominated that game, they lost because they pulled their starter because it was a preliminary game and Czech scored 2 on the backup.

 

[McVespa99]

Sure do notice Matthews.

Yah but dont worry with more experience he will stop making all those silly mistakes you keep noticing.

 

[Pi]

Why would Finns take digs at leafs fans specifically? Matthews isn't the only player on the team, neither is Laine.

This is getting ridiculous.

Wasn't that way when Matthews was playing on a much inferior team USA at the WHC. Nothing against Laine but this is Matthews when he isn't even playing his natural position. Centres can just impact the game a lot more than wingers. I can't wait to see how he will do when he's the Leafs top line centre this season.

 

[NiL8r87]

How does a game like this tell that?
Ypu put Matthews to that Finnish team and you think he starts dominating out there?

The kids line is +/- 0 in this game and hasn't gotten dominated every shift.

Maybe we should put Laine on Belarus, see how he does then.

 

[Canuckistani]

With that logic USA doesn't belong either, they lost to EU 3-0 here and in Sochi they lost to Finland 5-0. Can't make statements like that after single games.

Using NHL logic Team USA should also be replaced, yes. Can't be having 3-0 losses in an event that Bettman said would feature evenly-matched games throughout.

So we're down to Canada, Sweden, Russia plus five gimmicks now.

2020 is going to be so exciting! Can't wait to see Team likes-reality-TV-shows.