National Hockey League 2018-2019

Loving the way Cassidy has the Bruins playing. Picking a fight with Chara is never a good idea; then again, Kane loves a bad idea. Like fucking up a 3 on 2 by skating backwards and the resulting offsides. He's such a headcase that he'd be a perfect fit on the current Celtics.

People were highly critical of Sweeney at the deadline, not getting Stone or Simmonds, but I would've shuddered. The Bruins are 10-0-4 in their last 14 games. Are we one player away from Tampa? I have no idea. We'll see come the Spring.

Hockey used to be a good sport for 'plug and play' rental players (like baseball), but with the current salaries I don't think that's as appealing as it used to be.

Either way, looking forward to seeing if we can get THREE CHAMPIONSHIPS IN ONE YEAR. (Celtics aren't winning anything except fans' dismay; what a complete craphound Irving is).

 
Whatever. There is no way in hell that Karlssons hit that got him a suspension was more egregious than Charas. There just isn't, and quite a few talking heads in the hockey world agree. The Sharks played poorly in that game, no doubt. All I ask in any sporting competition is that the rules be applied equally, whether that means 'let the boys play' or calling every infraction.
 
Which talking head agrees? Your local sports radio drive time hosts?

This is a pattern: whining after losses.
 
Roenick, Milbury, and Jones for starters. Anyone not a Bruins fanboi for that matter. I watched the post game coverage on both NBC and NHL network.

And just stop the ad hominem bullshit.

The refs got it wrong, again. They called Chara for elbowing, when anyone with a working set of eyes knows he hit him directly in the head with his shoulder. Show me a clip where Chara elbows Kane. Didn't happen. Shoulder to head into glass, yeah.

Now, watch the Karlsson hit to Wagner, and tell me why they are different. Or hell, the McDavid hit to Leddy.

The only reason you are defending Chara is because he's one of 'yours'
 
"fanboi" ... "bullshit" sToP tHe aD hOmInEm ....

Irony level: unintentional professional.
Hockey level: cadet.
 
"Brad Marchand cross-checked, doesn't retaliate, then shows great moves."
- Jeremy Roenick

:: crickets ::
 
Did you also see Marchand's spin move in the third period?

Here's where 'narratives' are not a path to appreciating a sport more deeply - the Tampa Bay paper described that play as "the Lightning refusing to react to Marchand's antics." People who know hockey (like, say, Sid Crosby) know how good he is. You may wish to reflect upon the strangeness that a large part of Marchand's 'reputation' comes from his licking of opponents. And while that's against the rules, I'd say the reaction to it shows a ton of homophobia.

In addition, Marchand's game changed quite a bit after the World Championships ... not realizing that shows casual fandom.

Hitting is part of hockey. Tampa last night gave Kuraly a good whacking, and I don't see anything wrong with that play (and I'm glad it wasn't called, and honestly, they really shouldn't have reviewed it). The true cheap shots tend to be things that aren't arguable. Matt Cooke ending Marc Savard's career; Tie Domi skating onto the ice and going headhunting; etc.

Should I dislike Nazr Kadri? Sure! Do I think he 'oughtta be suspended?' Hell, no. He's a very good and physical hockey player.

Day to day physicality is part of the game - just like line play in football. There is holding on every play in the NFL; calling it is both a science and art, and officials try to establish limits and expectations. Same with hockey with the stick work, late finishes on checks, etc.

Trying to draw a line in hockey is about as sensible as drawing that same line for NFL linemen. They're not going to play nice. Every team has guys - or is desperately searching for guys - who will bring the nasty. Complaining about calls/non-calls misses the point entirely, which is that it doesn't matter until it radically shifts the outcome of a game (e.g., a clear offside that leads to an important goal or a pattern of calls that tilts the time of special teams).

TLDR: Part of playing hockey is getting hit.
 
Danhedonia said:
You may wish to reflect upon the strangeness that a large part of Marchand's 'reputation' comes from his licking of opponents. And while that's against the rules, I'd say the reaction to it shows a ton of homophobia.
Click to expand...

The really strange thing is that he was a 'licker' for what - two months? Was there 3 'licking incidents'? And people out of the woodwork knew him as the licker. This all proved that "you suck one..."

On Tie Domi: I wouldn't call what he did 'headhunting'. He played in a time when every team had at least one fighter. He would go out and fight their fighter (probably often be sent to fight their fighter).

Side story: I saw L.A Kings play the Winnipeg Jets before they left Winnipeg. Marty McSorley fought Kris King and Tie Domi in the same game. Not only is that feat unreal in the level of exhaustion that it would bestow upon McSorley but he was a force in the game - all over the ice, hitting, puck pursuit - a complete hockey player. Impressive. Very impressive.
 
Marchand has had a reputation for a lot longer and a lot more than the licking thing, though that did get a lot of press. I thought it was funny, but try that with a co-worker sometime and see where that gets you.
 
Brad Marchand scores the only goal in the Bruins' 1-0 victory over the Devils.

They have not lost in regulation since mid January, and are 20-2-4 in 2019.
 
Danhedonia said:
Brad Marchand scores the only goal in the Bruins' 1-0 victory over the Devils.

They have not lost in regulation since mid January, and are 20-2-4 in 2019.
Click to expand...

They have been playing well but I would be a bit concerned about their overall lack of scoring/reliance on the PP to score in the playoffs when everyone tightens up and the whistles tend to get swallowed. Will they have enough offence? The saddest thing about the NHL playoffs is the 2 of 4 good teams that could go deep in the playoffs will be out after the first round (Sharks/Vegas Bruins/Leafs are all pretty much locked into their slots, only the Sharks have an outside chance at catching Calgary but then it would be Calgary or Vegas). The other 2 series don't have quite the same degree of potential unfairness of a good season wasted. I would still prefer the NBA approach (1-8 seeding). The B's would then likely play the Pens (as of today's standing) and the Sharks Dallas

And RIP Ted Lindsay another great now gone
 
335clone said:
Sharks are 2nd in the West, 4th in the league.
Click to expand...
1st out of the playoffs. (Probably not true but I loved saying it and laughed hard!)

The Leafs will place well for the playoffs but they won't do well in the playoffs. Their D is too poor.
 
Are you kidding? Pastrnak hasn't even been in the lineup (injured his thumb on a drunken evening in early Feb). DeBrusk, Heinen, et al are bringing the scoring opportunities, and we just picked up Johannson to go with Krejci.

I'm seeing a trip to the Finals.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top