GDT: Four Nations Face-Off II - NO Politics!

[Bradely]

Sweeney's defensemen philosophy showing on team Canada tonight. Makar goes out and Morrissey is their only natural puck mover (at this caliber of player). Harley was the next best and wasn't even a roster selection.

Bad goal by Binnington.
But the problem is Canada scored one. One goal. Can't win against a well balance US team with one goal.

 

[Carl Hungus]

McAvoy an absolute dawg in this one, hell of a game

 

[KillerMillerTime]

Chuck got caught flat footed but kept Mcdavid to his backhand, still would like a play there.

Only Orr could have defended McDavid on that goal. Not on McAvoy at all.

 

[BadBruins]

That was a great game. It had 1st round of the playoff health and desperation combined with all-star talent.

USA Defense and goaltending is on another level from any other nation IMO. As a Canadian, I was quietly cheering for McAvoy. I actually think he played one of the biggest roles in turning momentum. Lighting up McDavid made my day. Again, why you don't trade 26/27 year old defenseman hitting a wall for the first time in his career after several successful seasons as a #1D and Norris candidate.

From the Canada side. Some interesting selections. That's all I have to say.

 

[The National]

Sweeney's defensemen philosophy showing on team Canada tonight. Makar goes out and Morrissey is their only natural puck mover (at this caliber of player). Harley was the next best and wasn't even a roster selection.

He also lost another puck mover in Theodore. Not really sure how you plan for losing Makar and Theodore in back to back games when building a national team.

The job is a joke tbh, I think people are way too concerned about Sweeney’s “building” of Team Canada. It’s mostly obvious superstars and some popularity contest choices, the few players on the fence aren’t gonna make or break them. Anyone could have picked this team.

They have average goaltending and like a lot of superstar national teams the guys don’t seem to know how to play together yet or haven’t figured out who defers to who.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

McAvoy got McDavid 2×

This is how he played G5 Panthers last year. Those are his two best games in the last 60 games he has played.

I was going to say why doesn't Charlie play like this all the time???

I would be fine with 20 games against top teams a year like this, but no one can do it all the time.

 

[KrejciWinger]

Bad goal by Binnington.
But the problem is Canada scored one. One goal. Can't win against a well balance US team with one goal.

Can't win without transitioning defense to offense. MacKinnon, McDavid, Marner are the best in the world with speed through the neutral zone but they weren't receiving anything

 

[Bradely]

Can't win without transitioning defense to offense. MacKinnon, McDavid, Marner are the best in the world with speed through the neutral zone but they weren't receiving anything

I agree with you.
But....
Marner IMO was bad, especially on the empty netter.
Crosby with either 29 or 97 is not efficient.

But that does not change the fact, that they score one goal. Not on Binington.

 

[Alicat]

Not even remotely surprised these three morons pre planned their fights.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

Brady somehow talks like us Mass holes

He is a bit like Gronk on skates.

Helleybuyck the difference

How was he not the #1 Star?

 

[KillerMillerTime]

Even better play by Boldy. Real quick transition by him off the turnover.

Was a nice pass by Boldy but that was a nice shot by Larkin. I wasn't happy they relegated Larkin to L4. Glad to seem him on L3. Maybe send a message to Matthews and either put Hughes at Center and Matthews to Wing. Larkin
is such an underrated hockey player. Has wheels and I wouldn't have an issue
with dropping Matthews down and elevating Larkin.

 

[Mione134]

 

[Olden McGroin]

 

[HumBucker]

I'll take all 3 in Boston right now.

That's how to set the tone.

Set the tone? They went down 0-1 after that.

 

[BruinDust]

Sweeney's defensemen philosophy showing on team Canada tonight. Makar goes out and Morrissey is their only natural puck mover (at this caliber of player). Harley was the next best and wasn't even a roster selection.

I mean, their original plan was two guys who could move the puck (Makar, Theodore) paired up with their NHL teammates. By game two, 3 of those 4 are not available.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

Jack Hughes not impressive tonight

Hughes was more noticeable than Matthews and Matthews is his center, dragging him down. I would flip them or elevate Larkin. Matthews sucked worse than any Bruins PO game.

 

[RoccoF14]

Not even remotely surprised these three morons pre planned their fights.

I think its brilliant.....Completely got everyone focused on the task at hand

Hughes was more noticeable than Matthews and Matthews is his center, dragging him down. I would flip them or elevate Larkin. Matthews sucked worse than any Bruins PO game.

I was saying that during the Finland game.....If you're gonna play Hughes and Matthews together, Hughes should be C and Matthews should play on the wing.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

Oettinger Monday

Should dress and play Oettinger and Swayman and give Hellebuyck the game off.
It means nothing for the US.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

Did really need to do much

He made some key stops. Bennett came in in a 2 on1 and he made important stops in close like when Crosby kept chopping him after. To me it should have been

1) Hellebuyck
2) Larkin
3) McAvoy or Slavin.

yeah Guentzel scored two with one an empty bet, but those three were the most impactful for the US.

 

[Mione134]

Set the tone? They went down 0-1 after that.

And? They won the game. McAvoy's hit on McDavid after getting beat by McDavid on the 1st goal changed the game. The physicality from the jump absolutely set the tone for the entire game.

 

[22Brad Park]

Canada has 2 right shots with McDavid and not the right one in my humble opinion.Hyman should have been there.He brings sandpaper in front with good hands.Then give him that LH option.How many times we see him set up Draisaitl? .A Tom Wilson would be huge to because he would be throwing heavy heavy hits on the opponents D men + can pot a few.This is not excuses either, I just think the powers that be made some mistakes for Canada.Anyhow they still have alot of great players & lost to a fantastic team.Thats hockey.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

Tell McDavid to shoot the puck and get more traffic in front of the net. And give Marchand more time. Can’t hurt. Doughety was strong on D.

We need a better goalie too

Try will work the Finland D over if time. It will be 6-1 like US\Finland. Still the favorites to me. I am glad Finland won so its a meaningful game for Finland.

 

[22Brad Park]

Hughes was more noticeable than Matthews and Matthews is his center, dragging him down. I would flip them or elevate Larkin. Matthews sucked worse than any Bruins PO game.

I thought Hughes got pushed around a bit.Matthews made alot of simple smart plays .I really noticed him when Tkachuk went down.

 

[22Brad Park]

Can't win without transitioning defense to offense. MacKinnon, McDavid, Marner are the best in the world with speed through the neutral zone but they weren't receiving anything

Marner had that big goal vs Swedes but not much sandpaper to his game.Its all perimeter

 

[KillerMillerTime]

It kills Canada that the US challenges them for a Championship. Use to be Soviets\Russia was all they cared about and US for good reason was the little brother. So every 8-10 years US puts together a team capable of edging Canada
in a best-on-best game.

Still expect a Canadian win by no AP and Theodore are big losses.