GDT: Exhibition • North America vs. Europe

[Semantics]

MacKinnon seems to only be able to either try to deke 1v5 or shoot at the net.

Well, that's earned him 2 goals so far so can't be too bad, right?

Goals aside, you can see in this game why Mackinnon has been a disappointing #1 pick and destined to be a 60-65 point player. Elite tools, no toolbox.

 

[Liminality]

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

How about the rest of the team? Thought Couturier did a good job on the PK's he was on, played his role really well.

 

[jj cale]

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.

The thing I worry about with him is getting hurt, he is just flying out there all the time and sometimes I see him go to the net and I see him just pulling away from the posts in the nick of time after a guy gets a hand on him trying to take him down.

He's so fun to watch, but how he plays is dangerous.

 

[authentic]

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 seemed like he was trying to show off but he did a good job of it. Somewhat of a selfish game but man can he fly and handle the puck.

 

[Crede777]

Tatar and Kopitar looked good

Thats about it with some nice shifts from Zucc

Josi was (relatively) good. Also feel like Halak was victimized.

And apparently I'm in the minority, but I thought Ryan Murray played better than Jones. Maybe I just prefer his no nonsense style, but he didn't miss an assignment all night.

 

[Semantics]

Give me a break. MacKinnon crushed it out there.

If it weren't for Matthews constantly causing turnovers on the EU breakout, that line would have been hemmed in their own zone due to MacKinnon's constant 1v3 turnovers.

 

[Quiksilver*]

Thought NA's top 4 D men were solid. Made quick, good, decisive decisions. They will have to play the same simple game when going up vs. Canada/Russia/USA types.

 

[Avs71]

Goals aside, you can see in this game why Mackinnon has been a disappointing #1 pick and destined to be a 60-65 point player. Elite tools, no toolbox.

His career high at 18 years old is already in that range.

 

[Mighty Makar]

Goals aside, you can see in this game why Mackinnon has been a disappointing #1 pick and destined to be a 60-65 point player. Elite tools, no toolbox.

Sure, bud.

 

[serp]

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

While a big part of this is the horrible roster composition that put too many has beens on the team . The whole Team Europe idea gives the players less reason to really play for the team instead of just themselves.

I mean when Sweden and Finnland or the Czechs played Russia today there was intensity in the games the players obviuosly somewhat cared.

In this one ? Didn't feel like Team Europe gave a crap , zero intensity.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

How about the rest of the team? Thought Couturier did a good job on the PK's he was on, played his role really well.

There were no bad performances on Team NA. Europe did not look very inspired this game, but it is an exhibition game. Some of these teams may be playing possum, and are saving it for later.

 

[tucker3434]

If it weren't for Matthews constantly causing turnovers on the EU breakout, that line would have been hemmed in their own zone due to MacKinnon's constant 1v3 turnovers.

Oh haha... Now I get it...

 

[Semantics]

His career high at 18 years old is already in that range.

How is 63 points higher than 60-65?

And his next two seasons were worse. I know, Roy, but still. He needs to play on a line with grinder types.

 

[Canuckistani]

Europe goes 0-3

Predicted it before, sure of it now.

 

[Soundwave]

MacKinnon scores 2 goals, gets crapped on in the game thread

 

[Liminality]

If it weren't for Matthews constantly causing turnovers on the EU breakout, that line would have been hemmed in their own zone due to MacKinnon's constant 1v3 turnovers.

Tone it down a bit, geez.

That was NA's first exhibition game and they're still rusty even with all that talent and speed.

 

[tucker3434]

MacKinnon scores 2 goals, gets crapped on in the game thread

I think it's the only reason he is getting crapped on. There were good players that were invisible tonight and not a word is being said.

 

[Mighty Makar]

MacKinnon scores 2 goals, gets crapped on in the game thread

Apparently, if it wasn't for Matthews, that line would have been hemmed in their zone all night.

 

[Semantics]

MacKinnon scores 2 goals, gets crapped on in the game thread

So we should only praise the good things, and not point out the bad? If he keeps trying those tunnel vision 1v3 rushes against the GOOD teams in the tournament he's probably not going to score 2 goals and will hurt his team. Don't be so sensitive, the criticism is absolutely warranted.

 

[ijuka]

If it weren't for Matthews constantly causing turnovers on the EU breakout, that line would have been hemmed in their own zone due to MacKinnon's constant 1v3 turnovers.

They actually were pinned down to their own end pretty often as it was.

 

[Alerion]

MacKinnon is a straight-line player and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. Every team needs a couple guys who are shoot first forwards and MacKinnon's tools are perfectly suited to that task. As he continues to mature (he just turned 21 last week) as a player he'll understand where to pick his spots to attack a bit better but I thought tonight perfectly demonstrated his insane acceleration and how aggressive it enables him to be on the forecheck or breakout. His best seasons are yet to come.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Give me a break. Mackinnon was fine tonight.

 

[Gert B Frobe]

Doesn't make up for his defensive limitations, IMO.

With the skill NA has up front, Reilly/Jones/Ekblad are more than capable of distributing the puck for PP1.

Regarding Gostisbehere - there are a lot of defensemen that are more than capable of distributing the puck for this PP1, and all of them are a good bit less capable than 53. In the corners against bigger forwards he's still 175 pounds but his transition D is very good and his offense is excellent. He's going to see a lot of ice time in this tournament and deservedly so.

 

[snipes]

I thought that the Matthews-Nuge-MacKinnon line looked great together

 

[Mighty Makar]

I didn't like Trouba's game tonight at all. What did everyone else think?