GDT: Sweden vs. Canada | 12 February 2025 | 8:00 p.m. EST, 2:00 a.m. CET, 3:00 a.m. EET

[bucks_oil]

And Canada doesnt need the risk on the blue line. Again, hes not bouncing Makar from the top PP unit. What does Bouchard bring to the team if hes not on the #1 PP. Almost every single defenseman there is someone you are comfortable with in any game situation. Without having to have an Ekholm like babysitter.

Even strength outscoring. No matter who is on the ice.

Here are his numbers with and without “Ekholm babysitting” (I already showed you with/without McDrai):

Even strength GF%: 62 with Ekholm, 59 without.
Even strength XGF%: 60 with Ekholm, 62 without

Basically 60% no matter who he plays with.

By reference Makar is 60+% playing with MacK and Rantanen but only 46% without.

 

[Nucks2001]

Colton Parayko looked GREAT out there tonight. I now see what management saw in him.

 

[bucks_oil]

lol… I don’t like him either

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

Colton Parayko looked GREAT out there tonight. I now see what management saw in him.

...yup...played that 3rd Sweden goal BRILLIANTLY...after HE iced it for no reason...

 

[Zirakzigil]

lol… I don’t like him either

I personally like Marner the player. Just leaf fans earlier were complaining about Mack, Sid and McDavid getting all the love.

 

[boltsfan86]

Wow he was driving to the net and shooting? How surprising. It’s what he does every season. The dude has 21 goals on 9.8% shooting this year. That is his style of play, and it definitely isn’t a winning formula when you are playing with superstars around you.

Someone should get Kucherov Canadian citizenship just so we can watch him play with McDavid. He is the opposite of Mack in the sense that he won't shoot until he's mad that his linemates won't score on any of his set up passes

Agreed. That line was by far the best at reading plays. The Crosby line had its moments too, but I really think the 3rd line jived together really nice.

Not a lot of talk about the 4th line. IMO, they were “meh”. Cirelli and Hagel were great on the PK. I still think Marner should be the 4th line RW and they should move Konecny up with McDavid. Allows McDavid to have the puck more and Konency is a great finisher

They are great penalty killers but they weren't really playing with the speed in their game that they usually have. They are super aggressive forecheckers but didn't have the chance to do that much. Think it might be mutually beneficial to swap Marner and Konecny. Marner plays very similar to Cirelli and Hagel but just with a bit more finesse and less bite. They'd gel nicely

 

[Razamanaz]

Rolex? What is this, 1988?

Why not?!

Do you have megalomania for real Canada?!

You - Canada - win nothing easy on ice nowadays.

Yeah.

 

[Zirakzigil]

Even strength outscoring. No matter who is on the ice.

Here are his numbers with and without “Ekholm babysitting” (I already showed you with/without McDrai):

Even strength GF%: 62 with Ekholm, 59 without.
Even strength XGF%: 60 with Ekholm, 62 without

Basically 60% no matter who he plays with.

By reference Makar is 60+% playing with MacK and Rantanen but only 46% without.

And every other defenseman on the Canadian blueline can provide offense, less risk and play a good defensive game. Bouchard is not there because team management and the coaching staff dont want the risk he brings. Like I said before. 5 on 5 hes not bringing anything unique to the team.

 

[bucks_oil]

All credit to Marner. But if Bennington gives up that goal he’s crucified by Canada.

As for MacKinnon, I agree with the masses that he was overly selfish. I guess if there’s one thing to say on it is that id rather too selfish than too passive. By all means go to the net but use your teammates more.

I’m sure we would crucify Binnington, Canadians are very hard on goalies, but then again we call goalies “voodoo” and “just stop the puck target” and then wonder why we can’t develop any…

Any actual goalie,or goalie coach will tell you, cross seam, blocker side, post and in is about as perfect as shots get.

 

[22Brad Park]

Hate seeing games decided 3 on 3 but that was some game by both teams
I really enjoyed that game can't lie.

 

[bucks_oil]

...yup...played that 3rd Sweden goal BRILLIANTLY...after HE iced it for no reason...

But I thought you said management knew everything?

 

[syz]

And every other defenseman on the Canadian blueline can provide offense, less risk and play a good defensive game. Bouchard is not there because team management and the coaching staff dont want the risk he brings. Like I said before. 5 on 5 hes not bringing anything unique to the team.

He'd be their best outlet passer IMO. Most of Canada's D move the puck via their legs.

 

[22Brad Park]

This is Montreal.. damn right it will be sold out.

They are about to get nailed with back to back storms..Hopefully everyone travelling to these games stays safe.

 

[ClarkSittler]

End of the day, Canada won and Marner is the hero. Rejoice Leaf fans. This doesnt happen to you very often

It's happened a few times:

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

But I thought you said management knew everything?

...I'm not kicking him off the team for a brain fart...as opposed to a skating one like said other Dman you seem to adore...

 

[Zirakzigil]

He'd be their best outlet passer IMO. Most of Canada's D move the puck via their legs.

Canada was nailing stretch passes for the 1st period until Sweden adapted to it. They only started having problems when Theodore went down. And I dont blame them. 5 guys, only 2 of which are familiar with each other, playing with someone new each shift and sometimes on your off side. Thats difficult.

 

[NOTENOUGHRYJOTHINGS]

Wow he was driving to the net and shooting? How surprising. It’s what he does every season. The dude has 21 goals on 9.8% shooting this year. That is his style of play, and it definitely isn’t a winning formula when you are playing with superstars around you.

Driving the net and shooting isn't the problem. 1 on 1 MacGinnon can burn even the best in the league.

Driving the net 1vs3 that's the problem. Doing it four times in a row is even a bigger problem.

The only reason he could possibly be doing this is that he's trying to show up McDavid.

Cooper and Crosby needs to stop the MacGinnon selfishness or it could cripple the team. Worst case scenario they can keep McDavid and MacK on separate lines. But if Makar and Toews are also going to let petty grudges get in the way of winning then Canada is sunk.

 

[bucks_oil]

And every other defenseman on the Canadian blueline can provide offense, less risk and play a good defensive game. Bouchard is not there because team management and the coaching staff dont want the risk he brings. Like I said before. 5 on 5 hes not bringing anything unique to the team.

5v5 he’s bringing literally the best stats on the team. OUTscoring is not the same as SCORING… it also INCLUDES defense and literally means you tilt the ice away from your defensive end and it is still how we measure wins and losses…

And no, every other defender on the team are NOT bringing a positive 5v5 goal share.

 

[22Brad Park]

Driving the net and shooting isn't the problem. 1 on 1 MacGinnon can burn even the best in the league.

Driving the net 1vs3 that's the problem. Doing it four times in a row is even a bigger problem.

The only reason he could possibly be doing this is that he's trying to show up McDavid.

Cooper and Crosby needs to stop the MacGinnon selfishness or it could cripple the team. Worst case scenario they can keep McDavid and MacK on separate lines. But if Makar and Toews are also going to let petty grudges get in the way of winning then Canada is sunk.

If Mackinnon does not shoot from there everyone would be saying he is over passing.He backed the D man right in with his speed and has scored from there alot of times.Goalie made a couple nice saves on him.

 

[Zirakzigil]

5v5 he’s bringing literally the best stats on the team. OUTscoring is not the same as SCORING… it also INCLUDES defense and literally means you tilt the ice away from your defensive end and it is still how we measure wins and losses…

And no, every other defender on the team are NOT bringing a positive 5v5 goal share.

Its not about scoring or goal share, which is why you dont get it. Its about coaches trust and chemistry. The coaches obviously dont trust him defensively, or hed be there. And there isnt enough time in this tournament for his partner to learn his tendencies to be able to cover for him. If you dont believe me than go look at the Oilers last game and watch the highlights of the Avs torching him.

 

[M21]

It was a great game with an excellent OT. If every game in the tournament is like this one fans of hockey should be excited . All players are risking their NHL season (if injured) yet still gave 100% on both sides. Hope Theodore’s injury is not serious. And selfishly as a Leafs fan great to see Marner with the winner

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I’m sure we would crucify Binnington, Canadians are very hard on goalies, but then again we call goalies “voodoo” and “just stop the puck target” and then wonder why we can’t develop any…

Any actual goalie,or goalie coach will tell you, cross seam, blocker side, post and in is about as perfect as shots get.

I don’t want to take anything from Marner. I’ve been critical of him and have said this for years. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t want him to score tonight.

Bottom line is we badly needed that goal and he came through with a massive clutch score. I hope he does it again and again. He rose to meet the moment and that’s all that matters.

 

[5 14 6 1]

I dont mind MacKinnon being selfish in OT. Players usually start up a pass fest and never shoot. Mack was rushing the puck and firing on the net.

I agree but a 3 on 1 is basically a turnover

 

[Zirakzigil]

I don’t want to take anything from Marner. I’ve been critical of him and have said this for years. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t want him to score tonight.

Bottom line is we badly needed that goal and he came through with a massive clutch score. I hope he does it again and again.

Better not say that, then hes being selfish and not passing to McDavid

 

[NOTENOUGHRYJOTHINGS]

5v5 he’s bringing literally the best stats on the team. OUTscoring is not the same as SCORING… it also INCLUDES defense and literally means you tilt the ice away from your defensive end and it is still how we measure wins and losses…

And no, every other defender on the team are NOT bringing a positive 5v5 goal share.

Parakyo fills a unique role with his skating and having the wingspan of a Boeing (one of the ones that doesn't blow up when landing).

Makar and Toews come attached at the hip and Makar is one of the better skating attacking defenses in the league.

But there's still four other defensive spots. Bouchard should easily be on the team. I don't think he supplants Makar or Parakyo who have a different aspect to their game. But Bouchard is better than anybody else that Canada brought.