NHL 2008

[MJ5150]

Mike - I'd give a LOT of the credit for the Pen's resurgence to the return of Gonchar.

I agree. People are pointing at Bylsma, Guerin, Kunitz, etc for the turnaround, but Gonchar has as much to do with it as anything else. As I get some distance from it, I am thinking the firing of Therrien wasn't the smartest move. Probably knee jerk from Shero, but I'll cut him some slack. He hasn't made many mistakes since coming here in '06.

Very cool on the Red Wings kicking everyones butt again this season. Z is having a good season, but I wish he'd make more plays to get on the ESPN highlight reels every night. I bet the Red Wings win the Cup again this year.

-Mike

 

[TheXym]

I agree. People are pointing at Bylsma, Guerin, Kunitz, etc for the turnaround, but Gonchar has as much to do with it as anything else. As I get some distance from it, I am thinking the firing of Therrien wasn't the smartest move. Probably knee jerk from Shero, but I'll cut him some slack. He hasn't made many mistakes since coming here in '06.

It's always easy to look at the changes from outside as being the huge factor. Gonchar is the top flight puck-moving defenseman the Pens did NOT have when they were struggling. I agree getting help on the Wing for Crosby and Malkin was important, but it's far too easy and trendy to overlook the d-man who can consistently carry the puck or make the clean tape-to-tape outlet pass. For all the fancy plays the stars can make, in many cases, it was a fundamentally solid play that was the catalyst for it more often than not.

Shero has been decent as GM. Therrien imho had lost the room and I thought he'd have been canned earlier. He was a pretty good coach, but after a certain amount of time, it doesn't matter who the coach is, the team will start to tune them out. If anything, firiing Shero got the players to wake up a bit. To be honest, it reminds me of the Wings getting rid of Jacques Demers after he got them some success after years of abysmal hockey. Probert, Klima, and others ran afoul of the law, which led to his dismissal. There were rumors that Yzerman had a say in that firing, much like some I've heard that Crosby had a say in the Therrien firing. I don't give that much credence to either.

Very cool on the Red Wings kicking everyones butt again this season. Z is having a good season, but I wish he'd make more plays to get on the ESPN highlight reels every night. I bet the Red Wings win the Cup again this year.

-Mike

Z's been doing well, but Datsyuk has been absolutely sick at times this year. Z is more like Lidstrom on defense - he's so consistently good you don't notice it after a while. You just get used to seeing him at that level. Check the TSN.ca highlights, they tend to be a bit better If the Wings play lockdown D like they did against the jackets on Sunday, and Ozzie plays with that swagger, they're easily the favorite.

 

[Andrew Jones]

I don't think there's ever been a doubt that they are the favorite.At least not in my mind.



Aj

 

[MJ5150]

.....If the Wings play lockdown D like they did against the jackets on Sunday.....

You mean like they did against us in the Cup Finals last year? The lockdown D that smothered the life out us slowly and precisely? That's the lockdown D I remember unfortunately.

-Mike

 

[TheXym]

You mean like they did against us in the Cup Finals last year? The lockdown D that smothered the life out us slowly and precisely? That's the lockdown D I remember unfortunately.

-Mike

You, sir, are correct

I don't think there's ever been a doubt that they are the favorite.At least not in my mind.

They'll always be my favorite, but I've been watching far too long to always look at the game through Red-wing colored glasses. As good as the Wings are/have been, they're not always the favorite to an objective observer, which I try to be as much as possible. When they play to their potential, the question is moot, but they haven't always done it. I think this past weekend and a few selected statement games during the season were the real wings. I just hope they don't mistakenly think there's a switch to flip come playoff time.


Interesting tidbit for tonight's game, which is annoying the local Flyers fans (including my superintendent as well as my Father) - since I've told them that if the Flyers win, it was due to probability being on their side. The Wings have a 15 game regular season unbeaten streak at home against the Flyers (13-0-2). If you include the 97 Finals it's 15-0-2. Last time they met in 07, the Flyers won big at home. Despite the huge imbalance on Detroit ice historically, I'm expecting a well fought game, with special teams being the difference.

 

[warwick.hoy]

You, sir, are correct





They'll always be my favorite, but I've been watching far too long to always look at the game through Red-wing colored glasses. As good as the Wings are/have been, they're not always the favorite to an objective observer, which I try to be as much as possible. When they play to their potential, the question is moot, but they haven't always done it. I think this past weekend and a few selected statement games during the season were the real wings. I just hope they don't mistakenly think there's a switch to flip come playoff time.


Interesting tidbit for tonight's game, which is annoying the local Flyers fans (including my superintendent as well as my Father) - since I've told them that if the Flyers win, it was due to probability being on their side. The Wings have a 15 game regular season unbeaten streak at home against the Flyers (13-0-2). If you include the 97 Finals it's 15-0-2. Last time they met in 07, the Flyers won big at home. Despite the huge imbalance on Detroit ice historically, I'm expecting a well fought game, with special teams being the difference.

Looking forward to this game. Flyers got caught up in Avery's shenanigans on Sunday and lost 4-1. These are valuable points for the Flyers and they have that streak to beat. They always seem to bounce back after a loss. This should be a good game.

 

[TheXym]

Update for tonight's game. Flippula is out (back spasms) and Holmstrom is also out (knee strain from 2nd to last shift of the Columbus game)

 

[MJ5150]

Just read this on the Pens website......The Penguins' game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday, March 22 at Mellon Arena will be televised nationally by NBC.

Game time is 12:30 pm. The game originally had been scheduled for 3:00 pm, but was moved up to accommodate the national broadcast schedule.

Awesome.....

-Mike

 

[burk48237]

Well, make it a 16 game unbeaten streak.

 

[warwick.hoy]

Well, make it a 16 game unbeaten streak.

Yup Way to blow a 2 goal lead knuckleheads.

I could tell from the beginning it wasn't the Flyers game to win. We will not do well in the playoffs.

 

[TheXym]

Well, make it a 16 game unbeaten streak.

Gladly A decent game by both teams. I thought Ozzie should have stopped the Lupul goal, and if he'd come out to challenge I think he would have. Still, he played pretty well for the most part, and is peaking at the right time. By the same token, I'm thinking Flyers fans would want Biron to stop that Datsyuk goal, but it's Datsyuk, he's going to get that kind of goal.

The Wings vaunted powerplay should have connected at least once in the first. Huge props to the Flyers' PK for their effort, particularly on the extended 5 on 3. Coburns' outlet pass was a thing of beauty for the first goal. Atlanta was desperate to make a splash in their first playoff run, and traded him for Zhitnik. That trade in retrospect is so lopsided against the Thrashers that Mike Milbury would have LOVED it if he was the Atlanta GM. If Coburn keeps going at this rate, he's going to end up with more than one Norris on his shelf. I hope in a couple of years that Ericsson of Detroit pans out in a similar way.

The Coyotes were huge last night, going up 3-0 then pulling out the win on a BEAUTIFUL effort by Shane Doan with about 27 seconds left. I didn't see the first or second period of that game, but I couldn't fall asleep so I went back out to the living room to watch it. Was Nabokov pulled? Were the goals his fault or were they defensive breakdowns. Kserg or other Sharks fans, can I get your thoughts on it?

Seeing SJ claw back to tie it was a good sign for them, though I'm not going to complain Detroit about being 3 points up since the Sharks still have 2 games in hand. The wings are still first but not really first due to the in hand situation, and I think it's going to go to the wire.

Finally, congrats to Martin Brodeur for achieving the NHL wins record - nice touch to take the net. Side note - Patrick Elias also set the Devils franchise scoring record in that game.

 

[warwick.hoy]

Gladly A decent game by both teams. I thought Ozzie should have stopped the Lupul goal, and if he'd come out to challenge I think he would have. Still, he played pretty well for the most part, and is peaking at the right time. By the same token, I'm thinking Flyers fans would want Biron to stop that Datsyuk goal, but it's Datsyuk, he's going to get that kind of goal.

That puck had eyes. How about that pass through the crease to Franzen that Biron could have gotten his stick on.

The Wings vaunted powerplay should have connected at least once in the first. Huge props to the Flyers' PK for their effort, particularly on the extended 5 on 3.

Aside from those penalties....the Flyers did a good job of staying disciplined. They worked hard, but those PPs killed them in the shots allowed department.

Coburns' outlet pass was a thing of beauty for the first goal. Atlanta was desperate to make a splash in their first playoff run, and traded him for Zhitnik. That trade in retrospect is so lopsided against the Thrashers that Mike Milbury would have LOVED it if he was the Atlanta GM. If Coburn keeps going at this rate, he's going to end up with more than one Norris on his shelf. I hope in a couple of years that Ericsson of Detroit pans out in a similar way.

Coburn is an excellent defenseman. Very much an asset to the team.

Paul Holmgren has fleeced Nashville as well; trading (might as well retire) Forsberg for Scottie Upshall; whom he traded for Dan Carcillo at this season's trade deadline, and also Ryan Parent who is starting to come into his own. He also traded a 2007 1st round pick (Jonathon Blum) for underrated and one of the best D-man in the league, Kimmo Timonen and one of my favorite Flyers, Scott Hartnell.

Finally, congrats to Martin Brodeur for achieving the NHL wins record - nice touch to take the net. Side note - Patrick Elias also set the Devils franchise scoring record in that game.

Here Here. He has a few more seasons left to play so lots of time to run away with that record. One of the best goalies period and one I wish was in the Orange and Black. Surely you hate to play against the guy but would love to have him on your team.

 

[Andrew Jones]

MARTY,MARTY,MARTY

 

[TheXym]

Coburn is an excellent defenseman. Very much an asset to the team.

Like I said, he's going to have a Norris on his shelf if he keeps it up.

Paul Holmgren has fleeced Nashville as well; trading (might as well retire) Forsberg for Scottie Upshall; whom he traded for Dan Carcillo at this season's trade deadline, and also Ryan Parent who is starting to come into his own.

I laughed hysterically at that when the Forsberg trade went down. I guess it's so I can laugh at the Preds fans who thought it was genius.

He also traded a 2007 1st round pick (Jonathon Blum) for underrated and one of the best D-man in the league, Kimmo Timonen and one of my favorite Flyers, Scott Hartnell.

Had Timonen been healthy in the Eastern semis, the Pens would have had a more difficult time advancing. I fully agree Timonen is a very underrated d-man.

Here Here. He has a few more seasons left to play so lots of time to run away with that record. One of the best goalies period and one I wish was in the Orange and Black. Surely you hate to play against the guy but would love to have him on your team.

I wouldn't be surprised if he'd take it close to 700. Part of me wants to see him match Gretzky's career goal total in his wins column but 894 is pushing it. Figure the way Jersey is built, and the fact that he's a standup goalie who's not going to kill his hips the way butterfly goalies do (good article on cnnsi.com today about it), he's good for at least 30-40 wins/season if he's healthy. I'd love to have him in Detroit, but it'd never happen with the cap.

 

[warwick.hoy]

Agreed about Timo. He is usually the guy they use to shutdown the opposition's star players.

I wonder why there aren't more stand up goalies in hockey...using Broduer as the mold. Seems like butterfly is the standard. I heard that Broduer has a 12 year contract extension. My guess is that he is going to retire a Devil.

 

[MJ5150]

Had Timonen been healthy in the Eastern semis, the Pens would have had a more difficult time advancing. I fully agree Timonen is a very underrated d-man.

Yeah, maybe the Flyers would have won two games in the series, or held us to only four goals in the deciding game.



Seriously....I like him. He is a good guy.

-Mike

 

[TheXym]

Yeah, maybe the Flyers would have won two games in the series, or held us to only four goals in the deciding game.



Seriously....I like him. He is a good guy.

-Mike

For the record, I said they'd have had a more difficult time advancing, not that they wouldn't have advanced Malkin vs Ovy for the Hart this season. It's going to go down to the wire imho. And to be honest, I'm not sure who I'd pick at this moment.

 

[warwick.hoy]

Briere gets two goals to lead the Flyers over the Sabres. Not sure about the Knuble goal. He played it into the net with a high stick. The Buffalo commentary certainly didn't think it should count. On the replays you could see that the puck was pushed in off of Lalime's (the goalie) stick. Something the Buffalo commentary conveniently ignored. Another complaint is the play by play announcer's pre-pubescent scream of SHOT every time a Sabre takes a shot. Hopefully I'm not making fun of a guy who lost his balls to testicular cancer or some other tragedy.

I don't know how that works. If you play the puck with a high stick and goes to the opposing team player is the play dead?

Flyers complete a season sweep of Buffalo and stay tied with Pittsburgh at 84 points going into a big game on Sunday. Certainly I'd like to see the Flyers get home ice advantage. If they split it would be a good 1st round.

 

[Larz48]

For the record, I said they'd have had a more difficult time advancing, not that they wouldn't have advanced Malkin vs Ovy for the Hart this season. It's going to go down to the wire imho. And to be honest, I'm not sure who I'd pick at this moment.

The way Malkin has played the last 3 games at least? MALKIN. He still pulls some stuff that irrates me but I'm your typical Pittsburgh fan, love em when they win, hate em when they don't lol.

 

[guitar ed]

I went to the Sharks game today, against Dallas. The Sharks won 5-2. A dominating performance, similar to what they were doing earlier in the year.

If the Sharks can get back to the way they played at the beginning of the year, the East teams could be in for an unpleasant time.

On the other hand, having 5 starting forwards out, might make it harder for the Sharks. They are all supposed to be back for the post season, but I am not holding my breath.

Later from the left coast,

edg