GDT: Exhibition • North America vs. Europe

[snipes]

I think there were like 8 times this game that I thought "Wow, what a smart idea for a pass"(Even if it didn't quite work out) and every single time it was by McDavid

Happens every game he plays.

 

[Maplebeasts]

A team like NA makes me really wish Vegas wins the draft lottery. They could sure use a quality young talent like this to get started.

Well in all likelihood they will have at least a top 5 pick, unless none of 30,29,or them win a single lottery.

 

[Auston Marlander]

Not playing >>> Playing in this random Rag Tag band imho. You just get an unmotivated punching bad of a team.

Anyone who makes it this far is very competitive and wants to win every game they play. They just weren't as good.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Mackinnon was flying. Did you see him?

Yep, saw him. He was one of the better players. But I will take Gaudreau as star 1.

He hustled back to defend, he hustles on offence, he hustles in puck battles and wins quite his share for a smaller man. There is nothing not to like about him tonight.

 

[tucker3434]

I actually didn't like Mackinnon too much. Sure the goals were nice, but I felt he played a selfish game and was turnover prone.

Give me a break. MacKinnon crushed it out there.

 

[Taak19]

Mack played well, but ****,pass the puck. You can't beat everyone every time

I actually didn't like Mackinnon too much. Sure the goals were nice, but I felt he played a selfish game and was turnover prone.

He passed to your boy quite a bit, Matthews just couldn't finish a few times. If they keep playing together it will come.

 

[satbank]

Mackinnon/Gaudreau were the best players for NA. Team Europe was Kopitar.

 

[snipes]

Matthews had an excellent game.

 

[TheLeastOfTheBunch]

MacK runs into tunnel vision at times, opts for the 1 on 3 play instead of dumping the puck/passing it off.

 

[Liminality]

He passed to your boy quite a bit, Matthews just couldn't finish a few times. If they keep playing together it will come.

Wouldn't say quite a bit, I bet most of the shots Matthews took were off of turnovers.

 

[MessierII]

MacK runs into tunnel vision at times, opts for the 1 on 3 play instead of dumping the puck/passing it off.

Reminds of young Taylor Hall

 

[Taak19]

Wouldn't say quite a bit, I bet most of the shots Matthews took were off of turnovers.

At least a couple. But after playing with the Avs can you blame him for not passing?

 

[Maplebeasts]

He passed to your boy quite a bit, Matthews just couldn't finish a few times. If they keep playing together it will come.

I don't see where I mentioned Matthews at all. All I'm saying is I felt he tried to do too much with the puck often tonight. Happens to the best of them sometimes.

 

[izzy]

Tatar and Kopitar looked good

Thats about it with some nice shifts from Zucc

 

[Auston Marlander]

He passed to your boy quite a bit, Matthews just couldn't finish a few times. If they keep playing together it will come.

Nothing to do with Matthews, just in general, 4 or 5 times he skated right into 3+ people and not a single time it worked. His goal was always to make it to the net from the redline. Just used your team.

 

[Nalens Oga]

Mack played well, but ****,pass the puck. You can't beat everyone every time

The only coach he's had at the NHL level is Patrick Roy and some mediocre assistants. Hopefully Bednar will help improve his hockey IQ and his offensive awareness. It's a wonder Duchene's such a good playmaker with Sacco/Roy being his two NHL coaches.

 

[McFlyingV]

I think there were like 8 times this game that I thought "Wow, what a smart idea for a pass"(Even if it didn't quite work out) and every single time it was by McDavid

Thats my favourite part of his game aside from the obvious speed. Makes a ton of extremely smart and subtle passes that most players would never think of making.

 

[McVespa99]

Hope this game will shut up all the "why is Auston Matthews on the team" talk. He belongs.

Really? I never heard anyone say he should not be on the team

 

[91Stammer*]

Yikes Mack. Finally passes the puck and it's 3 feet behind the target.

Yea his passing game was absolute horrendous if at all. Good for him to score 2 goals but GL if wants to be a center in NHL with passing game like this. Murray for me is a standout, McDavid is McDavid, Rielly-Ekblad is everything for NA defense(I feel like they should get Ghost-Parayko, or Murray-Parayko with Jones filling in but no Trouba please).

My take is that as long as Murray plays for NA they have a chance to surprise everyone. McDavid is just gonna be amazing all tourney, put Matthews with McDavid as a LW, move Scheifele with Nuge and MacKinnon and another D pair has to come out and help Rielly-Ekblad a bit.

 

[Liminality]

At least a couple. But after playing with the Avs can you blame him for not passing?

Fair enough

Can't wait to see these guys get their chemistry together and start really show casing their offense.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

And I mentioned this earlier. Scheifele was very good tonight also. He gets a mention too.

 

[Auston Marlander]

Really? I never heard anyone say he should not be on the team

Sgt Otis made about 6 threads about it.

 

[torero]

The team has 6 players 34 and older . It doesn't matter if they care the roster is too old. Should've put guys like Ehlers / Kühnhackl and other younger players in instead of just going for name recognition alone . Speed is important and this roster doesn't bring much speed.

That is the image right now. YES.
For all the reasons i mention in the first post.

wait maybe 1 week ... and it could turn (i might be wrong though ;-) )
Team Europe isn't that bad ! and the NA young gunds are young ! ...
We had an unbalanced game commented in a very on sided manner. Not the best to have a fair understanding of what is going on.

(comments are by NA journalists, on their young guns ... positive to convince folks that it is a great even and a great idea ...)

Against speed ... on small surface ... you play physical ... and that ... they won't do it in pre-tournament games.

 

[jj cale]

MacK runs into tunnel vision at times, opts for the 1 on 3 play instead of dumping the puck/passing it off.

He is just not that creative a player, what you see is what you get.

Great speed, great shot, hustles, shoots well off the rush, great hands.

But if you are looking for creative passes and such Nate isn't your guy.

He's a pretty straightforward player, a damn good straightforward player mind you.

 

[snipes]

And I mentioned this earlier. Scheifele was very good tonight also. He gets a mention too.

Deserves a mention as well he was solid.

Ekblad (minus the penalties) and Rielly played well too. Just steady and did their jobs.