travel_dude

It doesn't make a lot of sense that McD outpaces Gaudreau, where Leon was the best pure goal scorer on the team. He had more important goals for the team. And he did a lot of scoring away from McPoints. It's a disservice to award the Hart to a player that isn't at the top in both goals for and goals against. EV goals, Matthews led the way, while Johnny and McPoints were tied for 2nd. EV points, Gaudreau ahead of McP by 12 and Matthews by 13.

The Conn Smythe is the only time goalie should ever be considered a MVP. The Rags are winning despite the goalie looking average. Vasilevskiy is average this playoffs and the Leafs only have one victory more. The Johnny snub is exactly the thing Gaudreau needs. Not that he needs much motivation, but we haven't seen him go super nova yet. If and when we get to the next round, he will be a handful.

I just want them out of the playoffs. The media lovefest between him and Matthews is sickening. Sooner both those two teams are done the better. Tim & Friends can stop covering the daily angst of the Leaf fans or glorify a comeback loss.

Tonight being an elimination night for 4 teams could see the 2nd round start earlier than expected. I hope that 3 of 4 teams extend their series. In that, I want to see LA end the misery tonight.

I see that Johnny not one of the Hart finalists. Matthews McDavid Shesterkin Yeah, that makes sense. Eastern bias obviously. If Shesterkin is an MVP candidate, then so is Markstrom. Popularity contest among hacks that don't watch anything more than U-tube highlight reels.

McPoints and the Coach - we shouldn't have to score 4 goals. McPoints - they play a structured game. The OT goal was scored because the Oilers have zero structure. Have three forwards in position to get behind the other team. McD, Drai and Kane out to start and they don't even touch the puck. Won't get off the ice after a long shift. McD was behind the play because they thought breakaway and didn't support the D. No F anywhere near the blueline. Keith made a play out to the F, but they were already spent. Easily picked off. They will try to sign Kane for $5M for the shortest term they can, probably try to get him for 3 years. They can't afford him and have to re-sign McLeod, Yamamoto and Puljujarvi. And a goalie. And at least 2 other F. The fans are either wanting to get Poolparty more and better minutes, or want him gone. They expect Holland to bridge deal Pooly. The kid looks lost out there. Yammer is a badger out there but is Matt Phillips size and gets put down by 50% of the players he try to engage. And most of them are just being kind. Love the compete level, but I don't see him being a difference maker. When he's out with McPoints, the line is easily shut down.

Benn isn't the player he once was. He's doing what he can. And yes, that is slimeball stuff. Two fines in the first 4 games. And they missed the Tanev one. Without Ott, this was over in 4 games. Let's put them down and move on to a normal team.

They are targeting Tanev. Pounding him when they get a chance. That's probably why Stone is back in. Lucic and Guddy keep the other team honest, but we want to limit the hits on him. Tkachuk was killing the top line. He was a bit better playing with Jarnkrok. If you can't get offense going, at least play on the other side of the puck. Sutter mentioned him without naming him. He said the top line lacked flow. Toffoli isn't very fast but he doesn't give up the puck nearly as much as Tkachuk.

Ugg, a rough night for my pool. Elimination night potential for 4 teams tonight. Hope that 3 of 4 go to game 7. Hope that one is done to get rid of the McPoints.

Did they even have a team when Looch was there? Maybe a bit moreso than today. Now it's every man for himself. No support on breakouts, just get in the open. Maybe pass to some other guy in the open. The only thing they will do is go after anyone that goes after their stars (2 of them only). Kane acts tough, so he is the new policeman. He will only engage when it benefits himself. Or when someone checks him. Russell is the closest guy to Lucic; a guy that bleads for the team. Great vet, love the player except when he plays us. Team first, do whatever they ask. Blocks shots and plays big. Gets a rough ride because he gets caught when the team flies the zone. Most fans think he should go into the sunset. Puljujarvi is the latest of the whipping boys up there. Unless he is scoring, they don't want him. Rushed into the league and can't play in an unstructured environment. Probably gets traded because they can't afford to pay him and they want goal scoring. And Holland manages the cap. Nuff said.

Fixed that for you.

I assumed the one that popped out to Joe P was a HD chance. May not have been reorced that way. 2 minutes and change left. Joe in the slot and Marky gets a piece of it.

The NHL site had Marky as the 3rd star, but I got the graphic on twitter. I did feel that Marky did well, but was just part of the reason for one goal against. EDIT - I haven't had the reason to wear the jersey for a few years. The COVID year wasn't real hockey playoffs. We didn't even qualify, except by winning in the play in round. It just felt like the right time to start wearing it again. Kinda warm for inside, but I live in the camp of the enemy, so not much reasons to wear it outside. Yet. By tomorrow night, it might be safe.

Sutter mentioned that the Stars switched up their tactics and made even less room to move, even before the first goal. Some guys were not used to the change and had to fight to get to that level. It's one of the reasons why you saw Tkachuk not with Gaudreau and why Toffoli helped Johnny start getting some juice. Jarny and Dube did the same for Tkachuk.

I like your negative comment that seemed to spell the end of the Stars.

Heat up 2-0 in gams with another win for them against Oiler farm team. Wolfie 3 goals against in 2 games. Can clinch in Bakersfield on Friday.

^^^^ Not sure if that is right. I thought Markstrom was 3rd star.

It looked like about 25k people there tonight.

Sounds like at least a 4 hour drive, maybe longer. I think they are still tweaking the #REDLOT experience. Here's a link to the info page: https://www.nhl.com/flames/fans/fireitup?utm_source=Calgary+Flames+Insider&utm_campaign=bd1eb7cf97-INSIDER&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c4f6a3bb69-bd1eb7cf97-207017061&mc_cid=bd1eb7cf97&mc_eid=063148adda

Yep, they have been saying that all series. Blockchain the trend. HEHE.

This should be Mange's 1st GWG in the playoffs.

As soon as the Backs line reunited with Coles, they changed.

Lou, between your jersey and mine, we are unbeatable. Keep the trend going. Mine is off now to give it a rest.

RobRob the noted psychic, predicts the score and the method. Now, 1st goal is anyone's game, at least for us.