2017-2018 NHL Season

[CrazyFinn]

Penguins DWFs were happy when the team traded a first round draft pick to get Ryan Reaves, but not anymore. He's a very good fighter, but fights are becoming close to extinct in the NHL, as are goons in general. Reaves as a hockey player is garbage, no talent whatsover, but he is still getting minutes each game on the Penguins' crap fourth line. It was ridiculous to trade a first rounder for him. Wouldn't surprise me if he's traded or sent to the AHL at some point, but that might be admitting they made a huge mistake in obtaining him in the first place.

The Penguins in general are a big disappointment so far with the regular season nearly half over. Their third and fourth lines have AHL level scoring ability if that, and the team seems incapable of putting together more than 20 or 30 minutes of focused hockey in a game. I wasn't worried about it in the beginning of the season as it seemed like it could be excused as a slow start after winning the Cup back to back, but now it's getting close to the point of worrying about whether they'll even make the playoffs this season.

Reaves has been traded to Vegas, and there's some chatter that this will now leave Crosby and Malkin exposed, especially come playoff time. But I'm not so sure. I think goons and enforcers are more like deadweight these days, specifically someone like Reaves with his 4-6 min playing time and non-NHL hockey skills. The Penguins may still pick up a big body, but I don't think this trade is that big of a deal.

 

[Don Wassall]

The Penguins traded for defenseman Jamie Oleksiak earlier in the season, who is 6'7" and will fight if necessary, which made Reaves even more expendable. Reaves had his fans while in Pittsburgh, and of course the local media adored him, but many fans also saw him as the mostly dead weight he was as he is slow and lumbering with no offensive or defensive skills on the ice. What sucks is they traded a first round pick to get him.

Malkin is big and strong and can take care of himself. Crosby hasn't been abused nearly as much this season, but the playoffs are a different animal. The Pens are an averaged sized team now instead of being one of the smaller ones so between that and having Oleksiak I don't expect it to be as bad in this year's playoffs. Anyway, it didn't stop them from hoisting the Stanley Cup the past two years.

 

[Jack Lambert]

Reaves did have some value to the Pens - he was shipped to Vegas so Pittsburgh could make some cap room for Derick Brassard. I think Brassard was a great pick up for the Pens, as it allows them to roll their four lines again. Although Sullivan will have to scratch one of Rowney/Kuhnackel on the 4th line to actually make it effective. However, their defense is still a bit of a weak-point right now.

Malkin's been playing on another level the month or so; the guy has been on fire.

I agree that Oleksiak made Reaves expendable. His 4-6 minutes were not near enough for him to make an impact. Plus, what if the guy he went after to fight simply turtled and didn't fight? Reaves' purpose was useless. Sure he can hit him, but with not much ice time, if a person wanted to run away from Reaves, they could.

 

[Don Wassall]

But, but, the NHL is a niche league:

Seattle sells 25,000 NHL season ticket commitments in 2 hours

Apparently, sports fans in Seattle are ready for the NHL.

The group looking to bring an expansion team to Seattle for the 2020 season said it surpassed 25,000 ticket commitments in two hours after kicking off its season-ticket drive Thursday. The season-ticket drive is one the steps required by the NHL as part of the expansion process and is meant to gauge the interest in the market. Fans were required to put down a deposit of $500 per ticket or $1,000 for club tickets.

If the first day is any indication, Seattle and Oak View Group will have no problem demonstrating the desire for an NHL franchise in Seattle. By comparison, a similar season-ticket drive to gauge the interest in Las Vegas took two days to reach 5,000 deposits and a month to reach 9,000.

http://triblive.com/sports/nhl/1337...5000-nhl-season-ticket-commitments-in-2-hours

 

[Don Wassall]

Alexander Ovechkin scored his 600th career goal tonight. He is the fourth fastest to get there as far as number of games played, very very impressive given the low scoring era he's playing in.

 

[sprintstar]

I was watching Vegas/Vancouver game the other night and was horrified to see three negroes on the ice for Vegas at the same time...When Vancouver had Archiblad(mulatto) on the ice at the same time that meant 30% of the players on the ice at that time were non white... Another of my complaints is there are far too many European goalies in the league taking jobs away from Canadian and American born goalies. The NHL brass definitely has an agenda.

 

[Don Wassall]

The Canadian national anthem is now "gender neutral." I noticed it as the anthems were sung before tonight's Canadiens-Penguins game.

‘O Canada’ Will Become Gender Neutral With New Lyrics

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/01/world/canada/o-canada-lyrics-gender-neutral.html

 

[Don Wassall]

Great group of first round matchups, the Stanley Cup playoffs are finally here!

 

[Don Wassall]

The playoffs are off and running. CBJ and the Caps are headed to overtime in D.C. as I write this. Columbus playing very tough and could make the Caps' miserable playoff history that much worse this year in the first round. But it takes 16 wins over two months of non-stop grueling competition to hoist the most coveted and difficult to win trophy in sports.

On the predictable and lamentable side, I watched the NHL Network for a while today, and every single go-to reporter they went to from playoff cities was a White girl in her 20s or 30s. And the Nashville-Colorado game "features" a White girl color analyst, who sounds as jarring and unqualified as Dottie Pepper doing The Masters and other golf tournaments. White men are allowed not a single space of their own, while White women have countless ones and are being force-fed at warp speed as sports experts as quickly as are Magical Negroes.

 

[Jack Lambert]

It's that time of the year; the Stanley Cup Playoffs!! As Don mentioned, there are a lot of good matchups this year.

In the first game of the Battle of Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh annihilated the Flyers 7-0. It was the most complete game I've seen from the Pens in a while this year; everybody played well. Malkin and Crosby were unreal, with both of them scoring highlight reel goals. Murray was also very solid again; a very encouraging sign after an inconsistent regular season. I'm hoping they'll be able to keep it up, but Philly will come out strong next game.

Columbus beats Washington in OT. Personally, I'm glad Pittsburgh didn't have to deal with Columbus in the 1st round. The Blue Jackets have been very hot lately, and they're going to be a handful for Washington.

Also, it was great to see Vegas win their first playoff game last night! It looks like the City has really taken to the Golden Knights. I enjoyed watching the pregame festivities before the game started. It was different seeing Fleury suiting up for Vegas, but I'm glad he got the shutout. That is an interesting matchup with the Kings. A faster, quicker team in Vegas against the No.1 defense in the league in the heavy-hitting Kings. I'm looking forward to seeing how that series plays out.

Nashville/Colorado has been VERY fast paced so far; it's currently tied at 2-2. I agree with Don that the female color analyst seems very out of place; like Beth Mowins doing the early Big 10 football games on ESPN.

All in all, there should be some great series in this 1st round of games.

 

[white is right]

The playoffs are off and running. CBJ and the Caps are headed to overtime in D.C. as I write this. Columbus playing very tough and could make the Caps' miserable playoff history that much worse this year in the first round. But it takes 16 wins over two months of non-stop grueling competition to hoist the most coveted and difficult to win trophy in sports.

On the predictable and lamentable side, I watched the NHL Network for a while today, and every single go-to reporter they went to from playoff cities was a White girl in her 20s or 30s. And the Nashville-Colorado game "features" a White girl color analyst, who sounds as jarring and unqualified as Dottie Pepper doing The Masters and other golf tournaments. White men are allowed not a single space of their own, while White women have countless ones and are being force-fed at warp speed as sports experts as quickly as are Magical Negroes.

I actually don't have a problem with most female reporters.

Like you I do have a problem with why they are hired and promoted to on air talent.

In the past sideline reporters were usually ex players that were demoted from the main booth because they weren't eloquent enough for the play by play team ie OJ Simpson or were guys who were from junior broadcast teams being promoted for late round playoff games ie Steve Tasker. Now this job is nearly exclusively reserved for qualified eye candy type reporters.

As for the NHL they would show naked women if they could get away with it as they are desperate for eye balls to increase their advertising revenue.

PS, Washington is already down and the ghost of playoff failure pasts could enter the locker room if they lose game 2 at home....

 

[FootballDad]

I actually don't have a problem with most female reporters.

Like you I do have a problem with why they are hired and promoted to on air talent.

In the past sideline reporters were usually ex players that were demoted from the main booth because they weren't eloquent enough for the play by play team ie OJ Simpson or were guys who were from junior broadcast teams being promoted for late round playoff games ie Steve Tasker. Now this job is nearly exclusively reserved for qualified eye candy type reporters.

As for the NHL they would show naked women if they could get away with it as they are desperate for eye balls to increase their advertising revenue.

PS, Washington is already down and the ghost of playoff failure pasts could enter the locker room if they lose game 2 at home....

Like WiR, I don't have a problem with the city-to-city ground female reporters. If the goal is to increase male viewership, this is a smart move as I'd rather watch a cute girl read from a prompter than some guy. But in the booth as color commetators and play-by-play announcers does not work for me or for most (make that all) guys that I watch games with.

 

[Don Wassall]

Like WiR, I don't have a problem with the city-to-city ground female reporters. If the goal is to increase male viewership, this is a smart move as I'd rather watch a cute girl read from a prompter than some guy. But in the booth as color commetators and play-by-play announcers does not work for me or for most (make that all) guys that I watch games with.

That's not what I was referring to. These young girls, one after another, were the go-to analysts for the playoff teams. They weren't the equivalent of sideline reporters in football, interviewing a player or coach or reading a script, they were being asked to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each team in detail, much like color analysts during the actual broadcasts do. I'd rather watch some ugly guy that's been covering hockey and his team for 30 years than a non-stop array of young women usurping their roles. The fault isn't with the women; it's the network(s) hiring them to replace qualified men, part of the war against men, masculinity, and male authority.

 

[FootballDad]

That's not what I was referring to. These young girls, one after another, were the go-to analysts for the playoff teams. They weren't the equivalent of sideline reporters in football, interviewing a player or coach or reading a script, they were being asked to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each team in detail, much like color analysts during the actual broadcasts do. I'd rather watch some ugly guy that's been covering hockey and his team for 30 years than a non-stop array of young women usurping their roles. The fault isn't with the women; it's the network(s) hiring them to replace qualified men, part of the war against men, masculinity, and male authority.

Ah. I had not seen the offending coverage and analysis. In this situation, it sounds positively absurd. So in other words, we're supposed to believe that these infobabes have been submerged in hockey culture for most of their lives, right? Sounds like a good time to just turn off the sound.

 

[Don Wassall]

Six teams are in big, big trouble. Vegas up 3-0 over LA after winning last night in La-La Land. San Jose beat Anaheim twice in Anaheim. And Columbus won both games in Washington over the Caps, winning in OT again last night. The frustration of Caps fans must be off the charts as it looks like yet another season failing to get beyond the second round despite having a very strong team in the regular season every year.

Nashville is firmly in control over Colorado. And Boston pretty much toyed with Toronto in Boston the first two games. The Bruins look frighteningly good, if they match up against Tampa, which leads NJ 2 games to 0, in the next round it should be quite a showdown. 21-year-old David Pastrnak is becoming a scoring machine for Boston.

The Penguins continue to alternate between looking unbeatable and quite beatable, leading Philly 2 games to 1. If they're to have a chance to three-peat they need to buckle down and bring their best every game, not just when they feel like it.

 

[Jack Lambert]

Six teams are in big, big trouble. Vegas up 3-0 over LA after winning last night in La-La Land. San Jose beat Anaheim twice in Anaheim. And Columbus won both games in Washington over the Caps, winning in OT again last night. The frustration of Caps fans must be off the charts as it looks like yet another season failing to get beyond the second round despite having a very strong team in the regular season every year.

Nashville is firmly in control over Colorado. And Boston pretty much toyed with Toronto in Boston the first two games. The Bruins look frighteningly good, if they match up against Tampa, which leads NJ 2 games to 0, in the next round it should be quite a showdown. 21-year-old David Pastrnak is becoming a scoring machine for Boston.

The Penguins continue to alternate between looking unbeatable and quite beatable, leading Philly 2 games to 1. If they're to have a chance to three-peat they need to buckle down and bring their best every game, not just when they feel like it.

Good observations Don. I agree with you on Pittsburgh. If they can consistently play like they have in Games 1 and 3, I'll feel better about their chances to three-peat. Having Murray playing like the last couple of playoff runs really helps too. He keeps the Penguins in the game during their lackluster stages (such as the beginning of Game 3, when the Pens could've been down 2-0 fairly quickly). With Murray playing like that, and Crosby and Malkin playing well; anything is possible with the Penguins. They have the best center depth in the NHL.You know things are good when Riley Sheahan is the 4th line center. Brassard is starting to find his bearings more in Pittsburgh as well. I'm hoping Pittsburgh can get another win in Philly Wednesday to start putting some pressure on the Flyers.

Looking like a LOT of good 2nd round series potentially in the making.

Vegas/San Jose should be entertaining, as should TB/Boston.

 

[Jack Lambert]

Well, it's been an exciting night thus far. New Jersey and Toronto both win thrillers and get themselves back into their respective series in the process. Colorado currently up 3-0 in the 2nd, and Anaheim tied 1-1 with Nashville.

 

[celticdb15]

Watching some Stanley Cup Playoffs. Check out this beautiful play!

https://www.nhl.com/video/pastrnak-sets-up-marchand/t-277350912/c-60003103

 

[Don Wassall]

Vegas's amazing run continues as they eliminated the Kings in four games. They play San Jose next, the only other team to sweep their series.

But all the other series are now 3-1 except Columbus-Washington which is tied 2-2. In that one the road team has won all four games.

Over six more weeks of Stanley Cup action still to come!

 

[Don Wassall]

The Penguins lack the killer instinct and let Philly back into the series in Game 5 in the Burgh. They dominated the game as far as shots and territory, but let in a pathetic short-handed goal near the end of the second period that proved to be the difference maker. Now the Flyers have life and a decent chance to stretch it to a Game 7 with all the unpredictability that entails.

In the West, it looks like all four series will be over in five games max unless Colorado finds a way to beat Nashville on the road in Game 5. Vegas-San Jose and Nashville-Winnipeg should be great second round series.

The fans in Winnipeg are going crazy as it's the first time ever the Jets have made it past the first round in the playoffs. I don't watch the NBA anymore but I have a hard time believing the frenzy of NHL fans during the Stanley Cup playoffs is matched by the enthusiasm of NBA fans. The NHL and its rabid fans have to constantly be downplayed by the system media because its 95% whiteness is such a sharp contrast to just about everything else one sees on television these days, whether shows or commercials.

 

[Jack Lambert]

The Penguins lack the killer instinct and let Philly back into the series in Game 5 in the Burgh. They dominated the game as far as shots and territory, but let in a pathetic short-handed goal near the end of the second period that proved to be the difference maker. Now the Flyers have life and a decent chance to stretch it to a Game 7 with all the unpredictability that entails.

In the West, it looks like all four series will be over in five games max unless Colorado finds a way to beat Nashville on the road in Game 5. Vegas-San Jose and Nashville-Winnipeg should be great second round series.

The fans in Winnipeg are going crazy as it's the first time ever the Jets have made it past the first round in the playoffs. I don't watch the NBA anymore but I have a hard time believing the frenzy of NHL fans during the Stanley Cup playoffs is matched by the enthusiasm of NBA fans. The NHL and its rabid fans have to constantly be downplayed by the system media because its 95% whiteness is such a sharp contrast to just about everything else one sees on television these days, whether shows or commercials.

Pittsburgh certainly had that killer instinct today in the 3rd period. After another so-so start and letting Philly get the first goal, the Penguins responded and went up 2-1, only for Philly to go up 4-2. With Malkin out and Hagelin leaving during the 2nd, the Pens could've folded, but they fought back and tied it 4-4 going into the 3rd. The Pens pretty much took over from there, with Guentzel scoring an astounding 4 goals in a row, taking Pittsburgh from 3-4 down to up 8-4. Philly added a late one, but wow, what a crazy game. There were a lot of hard hits in this game that made it more reminiscent of a usual Penguin/Flyers game.

The Pens obviously won't be able to give up that many goals going forward, but Murray did step up in the 3rd, as did the team's defense. Hopefully Malkin and Hagelin are healthy going forward.

Nashville and Colorado are currently on right now. The Avs showed some resilience in winning in Nashville Friday night. They've got a fun young team to watch, headlined by Nathan MacKinnon. Toronto and Boston has also went to 6 games, as has Columbus/Washington (which was going to anyways). Tampa Bay closed out New Jersey on Saturday.

There should be some great 2nd round series; they should be closer than some of the 1st round ones were.

Don, I also agree with your comment on NHL fans. I know NBA fans are pretty good during the playoffs, but do they fill outside of arenas to watch the games like in Winnipeg (or Nashville and Pittsburgh last year)? I don't think so. If the NHL had even half of the media marketing and relations leagues like the NFL and NBA do, hockey would not be seen as such a "niche" sport.

 

[CrazyFinn]

It was an impressive performance by the Penguins today. Up 5-4 with Philly on the PP, they get the short-handed goal and then another to make it 7-4 and it was over just like that.

You need to take care of these early teams as quickly as possible if you're going to make a run at the Cup. As long as you have 87 you have a pretty good chance. I wasn't sure if the Penguins could take it up a level in the playoffs but they look primed for another deep run.

 

[Don Wassall]

The Penguins outscored the Flyers 18 to 5 in three playoff games in Philly yet somehow it was still a series going into today's game. The Pens showed they still have resiliency, which was the trademark characteristic of their two Cup runs, but seemed to be absent at times this year during the regular season. Outscoring the Flyers 6-1 after being down 4-2 was pretty amazing, as was Jake Guentzel, who scored four goals. They showed today they can still rise to the occasion, albeit against a team that is still a ways from being a genuine Cup contender. No way they wanted that to go seven, with all the freak things that can happen in one game.

All four second round series should be great theater, no matter how the Boston-Toronto and CBJ-Wash series end up. Nashville is about to eliminate Colorado; all four remaining Western Conference teams are very strong.

 

[Don Wassall]

Toronto somehow beats Boston again and pushes it to Game 7. It was a heck of an entertaining game to watch, with the Leafs fans in a frenzy inside and outside the arena.

The Caps win and will face the Penguins in the second round for the third year in a row, it should be some battle!

 

[Riggins44]

Toronto somehow beats Boston again and pushes it to Game 7. It was a heck of an entertaining game to watch, with the Leafs fans in a frenzy inside and outside the arena.

The Caps win and will face the Penguins in the second round for the third year in a row, it should be some battle!

Have the Caps ever beat the Penguins in a playoff series? It sure doesn't seem like it.