Around the League: You Like Mammoth?

[F A N]

It wasn't due to turtling.

It was probably the most inept coaching strategy I have seen since Willie's 1-2-3-4.

All Hiller had to do was roll 4 lines and load manage Doughty and Kopitar. He instead elected to shorten the bench....EVEN WHEN THEY WERE LEADING! The Kings kept blowing leads due to pure exhaustion. They had zero gas in the tank in Game 5 and 6.

So all Hiller had to do was Willie’s 1-2-3-4?

 

[BenningHurtsMySoul]

In the 2009 series, the Canucks also had their blown moment where they were so close to going up 3-1 in the series... it's what I kept thinking about.

Who could forget the failed clear up the wall?

 

[F A N]

I know everyone is down on Pettersson, and justifiably so, but there is a real possibility that he harnesses all the off-season criticism he is receiving into motivation. I'd imagine he is a competitive person to be playing at this level, and I expect a massive chip on his shoulder to prove his naysayers wrong. As for the other stuff, it isn't even July 1 yet, who knows how they address some of those issues but let's give management time to do so, especially since we don't even know who the coach is yet.

Oh I hope Petey bounces back and I am willing to believe it. But it’s not a guarantee at this point. Neither is Demko’s ability to stay healthy and compete for the Vezina. I think 2C is a massive hole at this point.

Lastly, you conveniently failed to mention the massively improved defence compared to the start of last season. Why do they get no credit for that?

We were comparing teams’ ability to “correct issues.” At the start of this season the issue was on D but the team had Hughes and Hronek. I think it’s much easier to add a 2nd pairing Dman than a 2C like Miller or a Vezina finalist like Demko (at his best).

 

[vancityluongo]

What's always crazy to me about the Leafs is they have all the talent in the world to make a legit push. On paper, they should give Florida a serious run: more so than Washington or Carolina will imo. It's just strange how players as good as Matthews and Marner consistently struggle in the playoffs.

As for the Kings. I called it right after that OT in game 4. They were dead men walking. Losing the way they did killed any real morale they had. If there was ever a series where you could squarely blame coaching, that's it right there.

Imagine using a system that got you 105, top 15 in offense and second lowest GA only to default back to turtling the second things go awry. It's just mystifying.

the leafs need to be an entirely different team mentally to get through florida, but the path to the finals is there for them if they can. this is an absolutely *insane* stat heading into last night though:

1-13 in series deciding games before last night. that has to be standard deviations worse than just unlucky.

i do think the oilers deserve some credit for staying relentless against la, but la absolutely let their foot off the gas. that's not happening for edmonton in the next round; if they can't clean things up defensively, the oilers are going to get pummeled by vegas lol. the eichel line is going to feast on nurse-bouchard backed by pickard. offensively, if the big dogs can stay rolling, and if guys like brown can stay hot, they might have a shot. but the path to the finals in the west is killer.

 

[stats1]

Weird to say but this is going to be the Leafs season. If they can beat the Panthers they’re going to the cup final. Florida will be by far their biggest test, you gotta think they’d be favourites against either Washington or Carolina. And then it’s a flip of a coin for the Cup

 

[StreetHawk]

In the 2009 series, the Canucks also had their blown moment where they were so close to going up 3-1 in the series... it's what I kept thinking about.

That was a game they have a chance. Up 1 til the final 3 minutes. But the shots in the game were 28-15. Canucks were hanging on vs at least even in play.

But that’s the margin between winning and losing. Always one play away in a close game.

 

[quat]

That was a game they have a chance. Up 1 til the final 3 minutes. But the shots in the game were 28-15. Canucks were hanging on vs at least even in play.

But that’s the margin between winning and losing. Always one play away in a close game.

I recall the Canucks sitting on leads as that was what AV preached and asked the team to play. It made no sense, give the Canucks strength was in controlling play. It gave the Hawks every opportunity to score as there was zero risk the Canucks would threaten offence.

 

[tantalum]

Definitely not good times in Canuck land watching our "rivals" make the 2nd round.

Let’s face it…the Oilers have McDavid and Draisatl. It shouldn’t even be a question that they will be in the second round. The fact that it is makes me happy.

Canucks haven’t really been good enough for Vegas to be a rival.

 

[SeawaterOnIce]

Let’s face it…the Oilers have McDavid and Draisatl. It shouldn’t even be a question that they will be in the second round. The fact that it is makes me happy.

Canucks haven’t really been good enough for Vegas to be a rival.

A rivalry is nice when you get a comeuppance on them from time to time. We haven't had a true hockey rivalry since 2011, but even then, the Blackhawks and Bruins pulled away with their continued success afterwards.

 

[VanJack]

How do you correct? What is the plan to turn Petey back to being a 100 point #1C? What is the plan to acquire a 2C the calibre of Miller? What is the plan to get Demko to stay healthy and compete for the Vezina? Who will you hire as head coach?

What makes you think the Wild and Kings have it any better? They're definitely worse in goal. And I'd say they're definitely worse than the Canucks on the blueline. There's not really any debate about that.

The Kings are still relying on aging warhorses Kopitar and Doughty. And after that, it's basically just Kempe, Fialia and maybe Byfield. As for the Wild, their offense drops off a cliff if Kaprizov is either hurt or out of the lineup.

As far as the Canucks are concerned, I'm convinced they're going 'younger and cheaper' anyway....which probably means that both Raty and Sasson are their everyday centers. And Karlsson and Lekkerimaki make the team on the wing.

Let's face it. Sooner or later your prospects and AHL players have to step up and make the grade. All competitive NHL teams absolutely need that to happen.

As far as coaching is concerned--Spencer Carbery in Washington proved one thing. There are a batch of young bench bosses around the league who could come in here and do just fine.

 

[me2]

Alright, I'll just go f*** myself

Stop bragging

 

[arttk]

What is the plan to turn Petey back to being a 100 point #1C?

healthy offseason

 

[andora]

What makes you think the Wild and Kings have it any better? They're definitely worse in goal. And I'd say they're definitely worse than the Canucks on the blueline. There's not really any debate about that.

The Kings are still relying on aging warhorses Kopitar and Doughty. And after that, it's basically just Kempe, Fialia and maybe Byfield. As for the Wild, their offense drops off a cliff if Kaprizov is either hurt or out of the lineup.

As far as the Canucks are concerned, I'm convinced they're going 'younger and cheaper' anyway....which probably means that both Raty and Sasson are their everyday centers. And Karlsson and Lekkerimaki make the team on the wing.

Let's face it. Sooner or later your prospects and AHL players have to step up and make the grade. All competitive NHL teams absolutely need that to happen.

As far as coaching is concerned--Spencer Carbery in Washington proved one thing. There are a batch of young bench bosses around the league who could come in here and do just fine.

I think you can do better with describing kings and wild

Their rosters are not that dire

 

[F A N]

What makes you think the Wild and Kings have it any better? They're definitely worse in goal. And I'd say they're definitely worse than the Canucks on the blueline. There's not really any debate about that.

The Kings are still relying on aging warhorses Kopitar and Doughty. And after that, it's basically just Kempe, Fialia and maybe Byfield. As for the Wild, their offense drops off a cliff if Kaprizov is either hurt or out of the lineup.

I was asking you about the Canucks. Whether other teams are worse is irrelevant to whether the Canucks drop off this season is "correctable."

As far as the Canucks are concerned, I'm convinced they're going 'younger and cheaper' anyway....which probably means that both Raty and Sasson are their everyday centers. And Karlsson and Lekkerimaki make the team on the wing.

So we will suck and probably miss the playoffs if that's Allvin's plan.

Let's face it. Sooner or later your prospects and AHL players have to step up and make the grade. All competitive NHL teams absolutely need that to happen.

Yes and I've consistently supported integrating young players into the lineup. Not all at once though since we're not rebuilding.

As far as coaching is concerned--Spencer Carbery in Washington proved one thing. There are a batch of young bench bosses around the league who could come in here and do just fine.

I'm not worried about coaching either since I don't think Tocchet was some elite coach.

 

[Flik]

Go Jets!

Man, I hope they close the Blues out tonight and get a bit of rest.

 

[DFAC]

Jets look COOKED

 

[tantalum]

Hellebuyck is just swimming around the crease. Just panic.

 

[Vancouver_2010]

wow, its very embarrassing to only have two shots so far in the game, jets you can do better!

 

[Zanon]

In the 2009 series, the Canucks also had their blown moment where they were so close to going up 3-1 in the series... it's what I kept thinking about.

I was thinking about that too lol

 

[tantalum]

Good lord Hellebuyck. Jets are going to have to figure out a way to move him. I just don’t think it’ll be a healthy relationship for either of them moving forward.

 

[ghostingtaro]

hellebuyck doing his luongo impression

 

[Isi]

look it's not easy taking on a guy like Nathan Walker

 

[tantalum]

Jets are playing like shit but they also look like a team that has no confidence in their goaltender. It’s just a scramble and hoping for the best.

 

[Zanon]

And Canucks fans thought Luongo struggled in the playoffs

 

[arttk]

I think you can do better with describing kings and wild

Their rosters are not that dire

Kings without Doughty and Kopitar would be pretty dire…. I mean they would get more cap without them but those are 2 giant holes. Kopitar is still their #1C and Byfield is nowhere close.