Pens played a great first half of the game in Edmonton.
Then the Oilers woke up and dropped a touchdown on Jarry and company.
Then the Oilers woke up and dropped a touchdown on Jarry and company.
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NHL Season 2022-23
- Thread starter MJ5150
- Start date
Blackhawks are at 5-3-2 so far, having pulled out several come from behind victories. They're an incredibly young team just starting a "rebuilding" year, so I don't expect them to make the playoffs, but it's good to see their aggressive attitude and work ethic.
Bruins won big over the Red Wings. First game back for Marchant (2 goals, 1 assist) and he looked great. For the first time this season, Swayman was sharp in net. The only negative was Krecji got hurt and will miss at least one game.
If "Stupid Leafs" was a drinking game, I'd be starting to feel pretty good.
I've only followed hockey closely for about 15 years and as the only French-Canadian in Massachusetts who can't skate backwards, I never played the game either. That said, I'm amazed at how much effect the head coach has on a team - probably the most of the major North American sports. It is early, but the top 2 NHL teams with 16 points each are the Bruins under new coach Jim Montgomery and the Golden Knights under former Bruin's coach Bruce Cassidy. Both teams finished 4th in their divisions last year. Is this something taken for granted but hockey aficionados and I'm a little slow on the uptake or does the yearly roster churn and luck avoiding injuries make a bigger difference.
I think you're right that coaching is more important to hockey than almost any other major team sport for several reasons.
First, playing style varies so much from team to team and the head coach is the one man who tailors the playing style to the capabilities of the team, and makes aure that individual players are right for their roles within that team setting. .
Second, because of the nature of the game, where the play clock is almost constantly running and players are jumping on and off the ice while play is ongoing, it takes a good coach to turn that potential chaos to his team's advantage.
At any given time, each team will typically have 6 players on the ice (5 forwards plus the goalie) and a good coach will be able to mix and match players, sometimes on the fly, from the 18 or so players available, to constitute optimim lines. Hockey has very few set plays and almost everything that happens on the ice is improvised on the fly, and it takes a good coach to keep the players sharp and responsive under those conditions
Third, the coach's character and personality are vitally important in motivating players to give their best at all times.
Recently, Coach Quenville of the Chicago Blackhawks lost a lot of respect from his players after his involvement in a past scandal where it was revealed that management tried to cover up the sexual misconduct of an assistant coach. The team environment became toxic and the Hawks' quality of play plummeted until they became one of the worst teams in the league. Despite Quenville being one of the most talented and successful coaches in NHL history, he was fired, out of necessity, because his team had lost all confidence in him as a person.
I have a theory that the Leafs will not reach their potential as long as they start Ingvall in any game. His presence creates a significant challenge for his linemates as he has never shown an interest in getting down and dirty for his team. Two guys working hard and a floater is a sure way to losing!
A softer player in the league would be a surprise for me!
If we look back at the last number of games played, the Leafs looked at their best against Winnipeg, when they dressed the fourth line with bruisers. They haven't done that since and they haven't really looked good since as well.
They have Philly on Wednesday and I fully expect that they will lose and be booed by the home town "faithful".
Fishheadjoe
I have to agree about Engvall...he is 6'4" and plays like he is 4'6".
Penguins implosion continues. Up 5-2 halfway through the game, they let the Bruins score 4 unanswered goals including the OT winner. At home, too.
Similar pattern to what happened in Edmonton...they played great for the first period and an half, then forget there's 60 minutes in a game, not 30.
Similar pattern to what happened in Edmonton...they played great for the first period and an half, then forget there's 60 minutes in a game, not 30.
Hey, Leafs fans, @GoLeafsGo & @Fishheadjoe, what do you think about the talk of Trotz replacing Keefe? Just rumors at this point and Trotz supposedly won't be available until December, but the talking heads are all over this one. Honestly don't feel he'd be a good fit, but what do I know.
Heck, since Babcock is still getting paid they might as well bring him back if Keefe gets the axe. No use paying TWO ex-coaches to sit at home.
Heck, since Babcock is still getting paid they might as well bring him back if Keefe gets the axe. No use paying TWO ex-coaches to sit at home.
Rumour mill is running hot and heavy on this one...lot's of folks thinking Leafs have quit on Keefe. Agree, not sure Trotz would be the best answer, but since Flyers poached Tortellini (and they WILL regret that), he might be the best one left. Anyway, much better game tonight, and the Flyers showed their expected class at the end of the game.
Sullivan is going to lose his job if that team doesn't hold it together for a full game, which will be unfortunate.
-Mike
-Mike
@GoLeafsGo and @Fishheadjoe: All your Leafs needed to get back on track was for the Flyers to drop in for a visit...
Firing Keefe right now would be an admission that the "Shanaplan" isn't working. That would put Brendan in the gun sights of the MLSE Board of Directors, along with Dubas. Shanahan has been invisible and silent through the beginning of this season, he knows what could happen if he says too much.
It's going to take a much longer losing stretch for anything that drastic to happen.
Johnny T sure carried the team last night!
Fishheadjoe
It's going to take a much longer losing stretch for anything that drastic to happen.
Johnny T sure carried the team last night!
Fishheadjoe
I think those Toronto kids have a problem with being coached. Babcock was too tough for 'em. Keefe was too soft.
Maybe the pressure of playing in a town like Toronto is is too much for today's youth.
They need a coach who can balance being tough without hurting their feelings, while dealing with the relentless media.
Also, maybe they have a player or 2 that aren't the leaders in the locker room that they need to be.
I don't know what the problem in Toronto is, but I suspect it's multi layered and just changing coaches won't fix it long term.
Babcock is a good coach. Maybe bring him back and get rid of the crybabies on the team?
Maybe the pressure of playing in a town like Toronto is is too much for today's youth.
They need a coach who can balance being tough without hurting their feelings, while dealing with the relentless media.
Also, maybe they have a player or 2 that aren't the leaders in the locker room that they need to be.
I don't know what the problem in Toronto is, but I suspect it's multi layered and just changing coaches won't fix it long term.
Babcock is a good coach. Maybe bring him back and get rid of the crybabies on the team?
