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NHL Regular Season 2017-18
- Thread starter MJ5150
- Start date
Pretty much agree here. Look at how the play changed when Letang went down, too. It'd be very nice to see a threepeat, but, I think the Pens time in post season is short. If they manage to make it past the Flyers, I don't think they could win against Washington or Jackets.
I don't see where you're getting that opinion of Mike. Maybe because I've known him for years, but, you've missed the mark pretty wide. He's just taking a realistic viewpoint, not one colored by fanboi-ism and wishful thinking. He doesn't have blind allegiance and unlimited faith in a team. IMO, he (and I share this, I think) has more of a healthy, enjoy-the-sport-not-a-team approach.
It's not bad with local coverage(Panthers),MSNBC and NHL network but I miss ESPN covering nearly everything.
Perhaps I am reading too much into his comments, and if so, I humbly apologize.
I guess it's just seems all his comments are son negative on "his team", that it makes me wonder why he roots for them.
I'll proudly wear the Leafs fanboi tag, I was raised into the cult, lol. But I'm also a fan of the sport, which is why I look at the Pens, and can see they'll beat the Flyers, and could easily beat Columbus or the Caps. So as a fan of that team, I would relish that.
Maybe it's beacuse of 14 years of either not making the playoffs, or the lowly 2 times that we have made it and (this year notwithstanding...yet) never made it past the first round, that I don't understand the negativity. It's so hard to get to the second round, so hard. It's something I'd be proud of.
2 goals five seconds apart. Pens 2-for-3 on power plays so far. The difference in this game between the first and second periods is night and day, wow.
Flyers were on fire early in the game. Lots of good chances, but none of them went in. I said to my wife, "Flyers have been outplaying them so far; but because they haven't scored despite all those chances, the Pens will turn it around and win it." I think the Pens scored on either their 1st or 2nd official shot.
Players that I think the Flyers could do without next year (because they've shown me very little this year):
Lehtera - Virtually no contributions.
Laughton - Excellent hustle, but can rarely finish a scoring chance.
Weiss - Who???? Not sure why he's even on the roster.
And probably the most painful for me to say - Wayne Simmonds. One of my very favorite Flyers for a long time. I love the guy, but he seems to be slowing down quite a bit. Didn't do nearly as much this season, and I've hardly even heard his name called during these first 3 games.
On the other hand, I think Nolan Patrick is gonna be special. Great hands and hockey instincts. And Travis Konecny. This kid plays hard, and can really kick in the afterburners.
Players that I think the Flyers could do without next year (because they've shown me very little this year):
Lehtera - Virtually no contributions.
Laughton - Excellent hustle, but can rarely finish a scoring chance.
Weiss - Who???? Not sure why he's even on the roster.
And probably the most painful for me to say - Wayne Simmonds. One of my very favorite Flyers for a long time. I love the guy, but he seems to be slowing down quite a bit. Didn't do nearly as much this season, and I've hardly even heard his name called during these first 3 games.
On the other hand, I think Nolan Patrick is gonna be special. Great hands and hockey instincts. And Travis Konecny. This kid plays hard, and can really kick in the afterburners.
Seems like most of the time I heard Simmonds name it was a penalty.
With how the Flyers were playing in the first, I wasn't expecting much. I thought it'd be a 1 or two point game.
Pens are great on the puck, but had a few moments where they were a little too light on it. Flyers didn't always take advantage of those opportunities. Add on no scoring on the powerplay, and yeah, that's a long afternoon for them.
On the flip side, Pens came out flat footed but Murray kept them in it. Then the Pens laid on goals and made the Flyers pay for their penalities. 4-on-4 hockey sure is exciting, and Pens seem to excel at it as well as the powerplay.
Glad to get a W on the road. Couple of days off and then back at it. Hopefull I can catch some of the Vegas game tonight too.
Pens are great on the puck, but had a few moments where they were a little too light on it. Flyers didn't always take advantage of those opportunities. Add on no scoring on the powerplay, and yeah, that's a long afternoon for them.
On the flip side, Pens came out flat footed but Murray kept them in it. Then the Pens laid on goals and made the Flyers pay for their penalities. 4-on-4 hockey sure is exciting, and Pens seem to excel at it as well as the powerplay.
Glad to get a W on the road. Couple of days off and then back at it. Hopefull I can catch some of the Vegas game tonight too.
I like hockey, at all levels. These threads move along better when everyone picks a team they root for.
I'm from Central Pennsylvania, so I grew up a fan of Pittsburgh sports. For that reason, I most identify with the Penguins. I don't consider them 'my' team. When they're good I'll cheer along, when they're lame I'll call it out. I don't wear rose colored glasses, I'm not a fanboi, I don't care anymore about the team and players than they do me.
The recent success of the Penguins has raised the bar and expectations of fans, rightfully so. When they do stupid stuff like ignore the defense to bolster the fourth line, I'll say something. The Fleury situation still bothers me, and I'm still unsure about Murray.
For years, I was an ultimate fan. I've moved past that phase in my life. I just enjoy the game and talking about it.
I will be disappointed when the NHL season ends, no matter who wins the SC.
-Mike
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Don't think they really ignored the defense, Sure, Pens need a big stud defensman, but so does everyone else. And there were none available, unless you count Phaneuf. Maybe not an offensive stud, but really good number 3 D. So to improve the team, without being able to get what Pens, (and every one else!) wanted, he did the best he could, I think they still have a very good shot to win the cup.
Gotcha. Now I see where you're coming from.
And maybe why I was so confounded by some of your statements.
I'm in a different spot, waiting my whole life to see the Leafs hoist the Cup, literally, they won it 8 months before I was born, and I was raised as a Leafs fan. So I'm pretty passionate about them, win or lose.
Thought about this a bit more, few more things to add. Yes, the Pens could have got Karlsson from Ottawa. But it would have cost Geno or Phil and some other parts. You willing to give that up? Because that's what an improvement in your D would cost. And I think that trade off would not improve your team. People who have a valuable big time D man are not going to give him up for a third line player or a 3rd round draft pick.
I was in Grade 5, so I can at least (sort of) remember it. Hey Derek, as all true Leaf fans know....there is always next year!
Hockey doesn't really have "rent-a-player" like baseball does. The Wild seem to be doing well! Caps and Jackets are keepin' it tight. Fairly good night.
You have a good exciting team there in Minny, but think you are right, the Jets might go pretty far this year.
Nothing to do w/ hockey, I've gone on gigs where I play my '67 non-reverse Thunderbird w/ my Squier VMJag SS as backup. Mutt and Jeff.
The Pens didn't need to add anyone at the trade deadline. All they had to do was not trade away Cole and Reaves.
That is what I meant by ignoring the defense. Rutherford gutted that defense so he could have some average guy as the fourth line center in Brassard.
The Pens struggled early, finally put it together as 2018 started, then Rutherford cleans house. Dumb.
Even despite that, they don't have any veteran leadership. Sure, Crosby is a veteran now and an amazing talent. But he's not your Guerin/Cullen type that this team is going to need as the playoffs roll on. They've had that the last two years, now they don't and it's going to cost them.
-Mike
That is what I meant by ignoring the defense. Rutherford gutted that defense so he could have some average guy as the fourth line center in Brassard.
The Pens struggled early, finally put it together as 2018 started, then Rutherford cleans house. Dumb.
Even despite that, they don't have any veteran leadership. Sure, Crosby is a veteran now and an amazing talent. But he's not your Guerin/Cullen type that this team is going to need as the playoffs roll on. They've had that the last two years, now they don't and it's going to cost them.
-Mike
