Nick Ritchie in Toronto

[DraftSchmaft]

No reason to let it wait. Things like that need to be dealt with and there is no reason why that would prevent them from winning.

The fact is we won. So there's nothing to change. You have no idea how the game would have went otherwise. You've probably watched hockey for decades, so you know it's pretty common for the retaliating team to get an extra penalty. Not sure why you'd want to change the script if it introduces even the slightest possibility we lose.

Like I said we'll meet them again and Ritchie and Simmonds will remember what happened.

 

[AvroArrow]

He helped generate a few chances but his backcheck made me wanna punch a wall. You gotta skate with more intensity and effort, that was brutal. We had numbers going back, tell me how Muzzin who starts back checking from like 5 feet behind Ritchie ends up 5ft ahead of him by the time the play reaches our net. His legs weren't even moving on Tampas goal, he needs to hustle more. After that play it seemed like he woke up but that was completely unacceptable by Ritchie on the Tampa goal.

 

[AndyWozniewski]

I can't tell if he's slow or just lazy. Probably a combination of both.

 

[egd27]

It's a one goal game and a guaranteed loss if he does. Take the number, file it away.

People need to stop thinking it's the players. It's the organizational mandate.

There will be another time to look after that issue . At least the whole line stud up and got involved with the TB players. Right now its more important that we get our game together.

Still more games left to play. We'll see them again Judge later.

Mission was still to win. Abandoning that would be inexcusable.

Could be worse. No answer + loss

The hit happened with a couple minutes left in the FIRST period. I can agree with waiting if you were down a goal in the third, but there were two full periods to make up a single goal.

So do we need a 3 goal lead before we address one of our $11M players taking a head shot?

 

[IPS]

When Mikheyev comes back, Ritchie can go see the press box. The 4th line needs some speed anyway.

 

[barilko05]

When Mikheyev comes back, Ritchie can go see the press box. The 4th line needs some speed anyway.

I think that may be a game to game decision. Mik is a great PKer but soft. Ritchie more grit but pretty one dimensional. Neither can score (it appears). I think whoever suits who we are playing draws in until one of them begins to really stand out.

 

[Notsince67]

Someone should have, inexcusable

Tavares went right after him. Props to him. I think Keefe put a leash on the team

 

[Jozay]

They need to get rid of his 2.5 cap hit

 

[IPS]

I think that may be a game to game decision. Mik is a great PKer but soft. Ritchie more grit but pretty one dimensional. Neither can score (it appears). I think whoever suits who we are playing draws in until one of them begins to really stand out.

This grit that Ritchie is bringing appears to be making no difference whatsoever unfortunately.

 

[kb]

This grit that Ritchie is bringing appears to be making no difference whatsoever unfortunately.

I will say that outside of the Sergachev hit, there has been very little in the way of cheap shots or extra curricular activities this season.

IMO the whole point of a nuclear arsenal is to never have to use it.

 

[Twine Tickler]

honestly, I get the discontent with his cap hit and the difference between the expectation vs the reality, but that 4th line is buzzing.

I've been very happy with them. I think the back check from Ritchie on the GA was terrible, but aside from that 1 bad play, that line was excellent, yet again. It sucks, because that play will haunt Ritchie, however that was absolutely idiotic on Muzz's end, and a soft goal on Campbell. was kind of a perfect shit storm. Overall though, I thought he played OK last night, and like I've said many times, I love that 4th line. Would have liked to see a bit more physicality from that line yesterday, but they played with the puck a lot. Hard to lay a hit when you play with the puck that much.

70% Chances For Percentage
57.56% Expected Goals Percentage
71.43% Shots For Percentage

Just a dominating performance from a 4th line against a championship roster

 

[Super Mega]

The problem with Ritchie is he has another year at 2.5M with play that is more in the below 1M region. We would have to give him away at this point, not sure if that make sense this early

 

[ottomaddox]

I watched Maroon challenge Ritchie last night just before a faceoff. Ritchie did not respond at all.

If there was one way Ritchie was going to slightly appeal to the fans and his team this was it.

 

[4thline]

I watched Maroon challenge Ritchie last night just before a faceoff. Ritchie did not respond at all.

If there was one way Ritchie was going to slightly appeal to the fans and his team this was it.

Ironically, that decision indirectly cost the team a goal.

But actually, it was 100% the right decision. We had their 4th line tired after an icing, and Maroon's challenge was 100% gamesmanship to try and bail his line out.

 

[ottomaddox]

Ironically, that decision indirectly cost the team a goal.

But actually, it was 100% the right decision. We had their 4th line tired after an icing, and Maroon's challenge was 100% gamesmanship to try and bail his line out.

I think you give Ritchie too much credit.

He is not that bright and methodical.

 

[4thline]

I think you give Ritchie too much credit.

He is not that bright and methodical.

It doesn't require much brightness at all to know what was happening, and what the right decision was. Just an ounce of experience and understanding.

Taking that fight would have been dumb.

 

[ACC1224]

I watched Maroon challenge Ritchie last night just before a faceoff. Ritchie did not respond at all.

If there was one way Ritchie was going to slightly appeal to the fans and his team this was it.

He did? I think you may be mistaken

 

[4thline]

He did? I think you may be mistaken

Nah it was pretty blatant, was reaching across and spearing/poking him in the back of the leg Remember the sequence clearly because
A. That 4th line is slow as hell and having them trapped after an icing had be excited at a chance to open the scoring
B. Going with our 4thline rather than one of the big guns was a nice "players coach gesture", but I questioned it tactically in a 0-0 game against a division rival of that stature
C. Laughed at Maroon's audacity for such a blatant ploy
D. Was happy that Ritchie isn't a moron
E. Moment of excitement off the draw when the pass hit Muzz in the open
F. Got sad, B's doubts were vindicated

 

[ShaneFalco]

When Mikheyev comes back, Ritchie can go see the press box. The 4th line needs some speed anyway.

I think we'll see a few changes with the 3rd and 4th lines before long - Mikheyev back, Ho Sang up? Semyonov given a look?

 

[ACC1224]

Nah it was pretty blatant, was reaching across and spearing/poking him in the back of the leg Remember the sequence clearly because
A. That 4th line is slow as hell and having them trapped after an icing had be excited at a chance to open the scoring
B. Going with our 4thline rather than one of the big guns was a nice "players coach gesture", but I questioned it tactically in a 0-0 game against a division rival of that stature
C. Laughed at Maroon's audacity for such a blatant ploy
D. Was happy that Ritchie isn't a moron
E. Moment of excitement off the draw when the pass hit Muzz in the open
F. Got sad, B's doubts were vindicated

I must have missed it, this stuff never happens in close games.

 

[4thline]

I must have missed it, this stuff never happens in close games.

Pretty unique scenario all around. How often does a heavy get put out against a tired 4th line, and what heavy that's been in the game long enough to the NHL is stupid enough to fall for it and ensure it's the last time coach ever gives him that opportunity?

Cemented my appreciation for Maroon. Not only a smart play, but selfless as hell too. Going into that scrap gassed if he doesn't get a good grip off the start he's going to get tuned.

 

[Gabriel426]

I have a feeling he will have a big game against the Bruins tomorrow night.

 

[ottomaddox]

He did? I think you may be mistaken

He did. No. No mistake. Why would Maroon keep taping his stick on Ritchie skates before puck drop? They're friends and he wanted to clean the snow off his skates?

 

[123offtheglass]

He did. No. No mistake. Why would Maroon keep taping his stick on Ritchie skates before puck drop? They're friends and he wanted to clean the snow off his skates?

I thought that was Perry? Looked like he kept poking his blade against the front of Ritchie's skate blate as if to just annoy him & put him off balance on the draw.

 

[WTFMAN99]

He's apart of one of the better 4th lines in hockey.