travel_dude

Toffoli, Lindholm, Mangiapane, Monahan, possibly Dube are primarily shooters. Having two shooters on one line doesn't work out so good. Mange-Backlund-Tkachuk works. Mange-Backlund-Coleman works. Gaudreau-Lindholm-Tkachuk works. We have a bit of a letdown with Toffoli and Mangiapane recently at 5v5. Not sure how to fix it. I thought Ruzie added some passing to Mangiapane. Maybe this would work: Coleman-Backlund-Toffoli Mangiapane-Dube-Jarnkrok

So, with him playing on Backlund's wing, the pass isn't coming from Backlund. Toffoli is a shooter. Backlund thinks he is one. I like his play, especially when he takes the puck hard to the net, but a 2 on 1 that doesn't see a finisher getting the pass is worrisome.

Some gems from Sutter: Re: guys that have cup experience - it's a what have you done lately, otherwise guys from cup winners in the past would still be playing. Re: goal scoring - scoring not the issue, but if you score goals and have disappeared for many game, then you need to get back to it. Re: chances - blue pain and just outside, you have to go there. If you just do 70 foot passes it's not going to work. Re: Jarnkrok - better than the last game. Re; playoffs - team has zero success, has to become a contender. Re: winning at home - team told him they wanted to be be better at home, make the Dome a scary place. First you institute the training and conditioning, then the \structure, then the effort. Only reason why we are top of Pacific.

Sutter was pretty critical on the PK. First goal - forward had a chance to clear it, but didn't. Happened before the final sequence. Second goal - poor read by the D. Suspect it was Tanev giving too much space to Nich. Or Guddy not blocking the shot-pass. Hard to say. He doesn't get into it. Said that it's still a process with some of the guys. First goal had Mange, Toffee, Guddy and Tanev out, but it was scored with 2 seconds left on the PK. I don't think the puck left the zone at all, not enough time to switch the D, but the forwards were replaced.

In hindsight, I'm not overly PO'd about the loss. The reffing was okay, but annoying where they made some calls and let others go. A trip is a trip, except when it isn't. Unfortunate that a dive that created the GWG was the difference, but it happens. There are teams we struggle with, but we won't face them in the playoffs unless the stars align. Dallas - tough team to play in round one STL - pretty even WPG - doubt we see this, but I think we square up well against them Vegas - no idea this year, since they have two teams, the one now and the possible one in the playoffs LA - possible round 2 matchup, but I think we should carry the play EDM - I don't see them making much noise, since they don't have goaltending to go anywhere

It would have changed the dynamic of the the last two years. Can't say if it would have been good or bad. We would have gained something for Brodie, instead of losing him for nothing. But that also would have meant playing Valimaki sooner and probably losing him to the expansion draft. And we would likely still have Gio and not improved otherwise with smart signings and trades. He would not have lasted under Sutter, assuming we got Sutter. The whole Butterfly Effect. I like where we are. Kadri is playing himself out of COL. They have $27M in cap for next year and half a team signed. MacKinnon one year remaining so they need to only sign players that don't prevent him from getting a massive payday. Tough choices. Sign him and then trade him, or lose him for nothing.

I think the only debate for the NHL was that the league was not benefiting from the games. They took on all the risk for the players (insurance, etc.) and got no financial benefit, well not enough. The same reason for going to the Olympics was the NHL going to Europe and China, etc. for season start games. It may not equate to a huge growth, but it's a global competition for sports. You sit out and you may lose a bit. That's worse than just a minor increase. The value of NHL teams continues to increase. The pandemic caused enough losses in profits, so they can't just cut off an attempt to increase it, just because the gains were small.

The Lucic one I can live with, but the last one against Lindholm was a joke. Can't stand players that dive.

We are getting back to win one lose one. Perfect opportunity to take the season series. Still some work to do.

Stop dicking around

Accidental, my Hash Rate

Backlund out with the EN. Oh my, what are we looking for, high chest?

Too much time looking for the perfect shot.

Free time out. Broken nose or at least bloody.

Don't pull the goalie yet. Don't pull the goalie yet. He's sporting a shutout right now. 3rd period one that is.

We end up injuring the other team late in games. Doesn;t help us any. If this is how we play in close games, we need to be better. That 2nd PP unit needs work

Bad puck luck. Hit the glove and it was headed in, then hit his mask and went out.

Begin Stage 2....

Okay Flames. Think 0-0 game. Get the next goal.

Even up call time there you Blockchaining refs

Waited till that to call a pemalty? No call on Nich?

We let them back in the 3rd. Stop that Satoshi Nakamoto right now. Make a well timed hit.

Stop blowing the zone with little passes. They are going into traffic.

D not activating much. It makes a difference. Very little traffic most shots.