NHL Regular Season 2017-18

[MJ5150]

A completely wrong night for the Pens.
This regular season schedule is getting to be stupid too. Here all of these teams in the metro are playing, and the Pens sit idle until Tuesday. Six days between games. Practically another one of those dumb bye weeks.

-Mike

 

[dangnewt]

It is only one game but I love the debut of Ryan Donato, former Bruin and current Harvard coach Ted Donato's son. The winger got a goal and two assists in an overtime loss against the Blue Jackets. It is odd to write that a goalie that gave up 4 goals was outstanding but that is the kind of night that Korpisalo had.

Donato reminds me of McAvoy in that he looked totally at home in a pro game from the very start.

 

[D M C]

Korpisalo was amazing. The Bruins were relentless and the Jackets did not deserve that win.

 

[dangnewt]

Korpisalo was amazing. The Bruins were relentless and the Jackets did not deserve that win.

I agree that this was a textbook example of "the goalie stole the game" but to the Jackets credit, they did not give up when down 2 goals late in the 2nd and actually got a one goal lead midway through the 3rd. Even though it was only good for one point in the standings for the B's, it was extremely entertaining hockey.

 

[dwm74]

Every time I see a player making his debut a memorable one I'm reminded of a guy by the name of Al Hill. I remember his debut for the Flyers back in '77, and looked amazing with 5 pts in his first NHL game (2G/3A). Unfortunately for Mr Hill, for the rest of his career he only managed 90 more points (over parts of six seasons).

I don't think young Donato will suffer the same fate though. Lots of skill in that young man.

 

[GoLeafsGo]

Korpisalo was amazing. The Bruins were relentless and the Jackets did not deserve that win.

Not amazing enough. He let the Bruins get a point.

 

[D M C]

Not amazing enough. He let the Bruins get a point.

Nah, he was plenty amazing but he could have used some help from his teammates. I blame the inability to keep the Bruins out of their defensive zone on the point ceded.

 

[MJ5150]

The Pens break is over, finally. Game on tonight!

Oh, and youn'z are going to love this. As talk for the NHL in Seattle heats up even more, the governor of the state of Washington has already declared that Seattle/Vancouver will be the greatest hockey rivalry in North America.

Can I have clueless for $1,000 Alex?

-Mike

 

[jimfist]

Bruins played well without Bergeron, Chara, McAvoy, Backes, Rick Nash, and DeBrusk. That's a pretty talented list of key players to be missing. It would be an impressive feat to stay ahead of Toronto and within striking distance of Tampa with all of these players missing. Should be interesting to see if they can do it. Can't be too unhappy about pulling a point out of the Columbus game considering how much young and new talent is seeing a lot of ice time.

 

[MJ5150]

Pens lose, not surprised.
However, the Islanders have a young guy named Mathew Barzal who we enjoyed watching as a Seattle Thunderbird.
He had a goal and an assist in the game, so that's cool.

-Mike

 

[D M C]

The Redwings pull out a SO win. First win in 12 games.

Jackets beat the Rangers & slide into 3rd slot in the Metro ahead of the Fliers.

 

[Jeff K]

The Redwings pull out a SO win. First win in 12 games.

Jackets beat the Rangers & slide into 3rd slot in the Metro ahead of the Fliers.

After a lackluster 1st period, the Flyers played pretty well in the 2nd & 3rd. But I knew if they didn't get the 2 points in the O/T, they'd lose in a shootout. They almost always do...

 

[Selta]

I'm still digesting last nights' game.

 

[grrg63]

I think they were rusty after too many days off. Also Murray's first game back. Hopefully they will be pissed at themselves and fired up tonight.

 

[Selta]

I think they were rusty after too many days off. Also Murray's first game back. Hopefully they will be pissed at themselves and fired up tonight.

It's getting difficult for me to use the same excuses.

 

[dwm74]

Hopefully they catch Carey Price's return and take advantage of his rustiness the way the Islanders did with Murray.

 

[grrg63]

Hopefully they catch Carey Price's return and take advantage of his rustiness the way the Islanders did with Murray.

I didnt think Murray really played all that bad and made some nice saves. The rest of the team though...

 

[dwm74]

I'm still digesting last nights' game.

The thing is, they had their chances. Kuhnackl was in great position to score twice and misfired/mishandled the puck each time, and Hornqvist and Kessel both missed at least one or two good chances. Just the way the puck bounces some games. And Sid...he's still making plays and doing the little things that go unnoticed but he's not producing any points and looks to be a step slow. Perhaps it's an undisclosed nagging injury or could just be his linemates are slumping too and can't finish. Still waiting for Brassard to get in stride.

 

[dangnewt]

The Pens break is over, finally. Game on tonight!

Oh, and youn'z are going to love this. As talk for the NHL in Seattle heats up even more, the governor of the state of Washington has already declared that Seattle/Vancouver will be the greatest hockey rivalry in North America.

Can I have clueless for $1,000 Alex?

-Mike

That would be news in Montreal and Boston. I'm sure there are other rivalries as good.

That said, Sea-Van could turn into a good one. The cities are not far apart so those games are likely to have a lot of fans from both teams at them. Part of the reason the games with the Habs are fun is how many Montreal fans come down to the Garden.

 

[MJ5150]

If NHL hockey got faster and higher scoring in the playoffs, I'd have to say Rutherford has his Pens team lined up to win another SC. We all know that's not true, and it's not going to suddenly be true this coming playoffs.
Lot's of 'woulda, coulda, and shoulda' from the NYI game as well as a few others recently. Flashes here and there of what the team could be. Problem is, the Carolinas, Montreals, and Ottawas aren't going to be around for the Pens to pick on once the playoffs start. Real teams that play defense with solid goaltenders (well OK, except for Philly...hahaha) are waiting for the Pens. Teams that are sick and tired of losing to the Pens in the playoffs are waiting.
The Pens had a nice run in January/February. I just hope they didn't blow their hot streak too soon and have enough in them to do it again in a couple weeks.
The thing that has me worried about the Pens getting on a hot streak like that again is the last time they had that streak was before Rutherford gutted the defense in favor of some fourth line center.

-Mike