GDT: Winnipeg Jets at St. Louis Blues Saturday February 22nd 6PM CST, SportsNet, CJOB

[ps241]

The one bright spot is we have seen Kyle perform in the playoffs before - I think his play in 4 Nations was more a result of being on Team USA, and probably wanting to do too much. I do think that where Kyle differs from say an Ehlers is that he uses his skill well within a system. He is a pretty disciplined player.

I have high hopes for him in the post season

Me too. My most strong prediction is that these will be KFC’s best playoffs.

 

[ps241]

To be fair, even McDavid didn’t have any room in the final game until he did in OT and scored.

I just think the US coaching staff didn’t like his lack of size and physicality.

100% it was a war.

In fairness the “forwards” who looked the best suited for this format were the power guys like Brady T and Bennett (shockingly). I think power with attitude really helped. If you look at the goals in Canada vs US over the two games they were heavy type plays usually. Hard to the net then puck on and off the stick right away. Either that or forced turnovers that created a crack of space.

Heavy heavy entertaining but not pretty hockey.

The D players looked much better but that was because they were talented as f*** but they were also getting amazing back pressure support from all the forwards. Such solid hockey

There is zero for KFC to be embarrassed about, he was in a long line of super stars that could not get to their game.

 

[voyageur]

I'm interested to see how Ville plays in this game. He's either playing to show something of trade value, or playing to show Scott Arniel he can play more than he has. With Josh out, and they may give him some time to get healthy with the cushion they have, this is Ville's first chance at PP reps this year. I'm also not sure if he has played a single game this year with Miller as his d-partner, so see what that looks like.

Stan and De Melo have some experience playing together. For everybody else it's going back to a role they are familiar with.

 

[SUX2BU]

Me too. My most strong prediction is that these will be KFC’s best playoffs.

If you’re ain’t first, you’re last

 

[Cnile]

I'm interested to see how Ville plays in this game. He's either playing to show something of trade value, or playing to show Scott Arniel he can play more than he has. With Josh out, and they may give him some time to get healthy with the cushion they have, this is Ville's first chance at PP reps this year. I'm also not sure if he has played a single game this year with Miller as his d-partner, so see what that looks like.

Stan and De Melo have some experience playing together. For everybody else it's going back to a role they are familiar with.

Ville gets an opportunity every once in a while, but seldom consistently.
He probably is not the answer but in fairness to him it is like trying to play low handicap golf when you only play 8 rounds a summer

 

[ps241]

Ville gets an opportunity every once in a while, but seldom consistently.
He probably is not the answer but in fairness to him it is like trying to play low handicap golf when you only play 8 rounds a summer

Ville is there for emergencies and injuries. Best we can hope for with this usage level is he doesn’t screw up too bad.

 

[Cnile]

Ville is there for emergencies and injuries. Best we can hope for with this usage level is he doesn’t screw up too bad.

He may have been a starter had it not been for his injury.
We could make the exact same statement about Stanley as well.

 

[MardyBum]

It doesn't matter what Heinola does tonight.

 

[bustamente]

It doesn't matter what Heinola does tonight.

Yup 1 game and back to the PB, looks more and more he will never be more than a fill in for the Jets.

 

[flin flon bombers]

Ya. Matt Tkachuck was not ready to play and totally useless, and kreider was ok, but KFC was exactly what they needed in OT. Thankfully for Canada, he didn't play

I thought it was selfish for Matt to play after seeing him sit on bench a majority of the game,but the coach was going on what mat told him,and nobody is picking kc over Matt in a big game,kc didn't really show himself to be worthy and neither did jack hughes,and yes I understand he is not suited to play a bottom 6 role,but usa was winning on grit.how many guys kept chirping and getting in binningtons grill and crease compared to helle who was getting none, yet binnington showed his character that helped win a cup and why he was picked.

 

[Jets 31]

I thought it was selfish for Matt to play after seeing him sit on bench a majority of the game,but the coach was going on what mat told him,and nobody is picking kc over Matt in a big game,kc didn't really show himself to be worthy and neither did jack hughes,and yes I understand he is not suited to play a bottom 6 role,but usa was winning on grit.how many guys kept chirping and getting in binningtons grill and crease compared to helle who was getting none, yet binnington showed his character that helped win a cup and why he was picked.

People were getting in Binnington's grill because he was so far out of his net all the time . Helly had guys hacking away at him lots too and guys screening him.

 

[Hobble]

KFC will light up the rest of the season, and when he retires a Cup-winning Jet, he should start a fried chicken restaurant in Winnipeg called Kyle’s Fried Chicken.

I thought it was selfish for Matt to play after seeing him sit on bench a majority of the game,but the coach was going on what mat told him,and nobody is picking kc over Matt in a big game,kc didn't really show himself to be worthy and neither did jack hughes,and yes I understand he is not suited to play a bottom 6 role,but usa was winning on grit.how many guys kept chirping and getting in binningtons grill and crease compared to helle who was getting none, yet binnington showed his character that helped win a cup and why he was picked.

Not to mention like three US players who tripped Binnington when he was behind the net to play the puck. They were obviously trying to set off his fuse, but like a true Canadian, he kept his cool when it mattered.

Also, Tkachuk playing injured over Connor is the typical American spirit, where it’s more about the individual than the team.

 

[macmaroon]

Thanks @The Blue Baron for the "meaty" GDT for tonight's game, well done!

Nice to see Vladdy get the extension, hope there are plenty more players that get one in the coming days *cough* Ehlers *cough*...

I am assuming Bugeyes is in net tonight, but with Helle in Winnipeg, who's the backup? Edit: It's Kappo...

Let's put the "Lose" in B-lose tonight!

And keep putting the "Win" in Winnipeg...

Go Jets Go!

 

[The Blue Baron]

Thanks @The Blue Baron for the "meaty" GDT for tonight's game, well done!

Nice to see Vladdy get the extension, hope there are plenty more players that get one in the coming days *cough* Ehlers *cough*...

I am assuming Bugeyes is in net tonight, but with Helle in Winnipeg, who's the backup?

Let's put the "Lose" in B-lose tonight!

And keep putting the "Win" in Winnipeg...

Go Jets Go!

Can’t wait to get my John Wicks On!

 

[raideralex99]

Winnipeg Jets KFC that gets some time and space is what they needed but not team USA Kyle in a game with zero time and space available. Kyle wouldn’t have seen the ice in OT on the 4th line and that is where he would have been for good reason. Yes of course he has slick hands but we didn’t see any of that during the 3 games he played because he had no room. Lots of great goal scorers on both teams but no room to breath. Goals were being generated by forecheck, turnovers, net front banging and crashing or in OT by a defensive breakdown for once in this game. I love KFC but he was not suited to that format where they weren’t calling penalties and the games were way more physical and intense.

The best thing that can come of it is that he uses the adversity as fuel for the upcoming playoffs.

Weird I saw the game opening up and according to stats the hitting was down 25% too. Playing the heavy game only works for awhile eventually the injuries pile up. Connor was second in hits with 4 behind Brady who had 6 in one game. You forgot about the 2 on 1 where Connor fed Nelson where he went in all alone. US PPs 0-5 since the first game and you have Connor on the bench the top PP goal scorer. I'll admit Connor had a bad first game but he still got an assist on the GWG. The other 2 games he was better than a few players on the US team.
I don't know if Sullivan has something against KFC but he blew it ... he was out coached by Cooper.