I like this. I'm not nearly knowledgeable to back this up, but I get the feeling that Babs is doing a pretty good job matching his best defenders on the B's top line. Spreading out some of the scoring and making the other lines more threatening may restrict Bab's ability to match lines like he has/wants.[snip]
The result of that is:
Marchand - Bergeron - Heinen
DeBrusk - Krejci - Pastrnak
Johansson - Coyle - Kuhlman
Nordstrom - Acciari - Backes/Wagner
Once the next round is set Columbus will be back down near the bottom of likelihood to win the cup. This model is run every day, so the 100% to advance out of the first round is really helping them I bet.Where was Columbus to start the playoffs?
Sure would like to know given it is Easter Sunday and I'd guess a lot of people have plans.When does everyone think they'll play on Sunday? If Vegas and Calgary win tonight, there will be 3 games on Sunday. Locations would be Toronto, Colorado, and Vegas. Will Bruins play at 3 and the two WC games at night or will one of the WC games be at 3 and the Bruins at 7:30?
I think we'll know tomorrow as Calgary/Colorado and Vegas/SJ play tonight and would determine whether Game 6's in those series are necessary.Sure would like to know given it is Easter Sunday and I'd guess a lot of people have plans.
Afternoon is the Sunday primetime for indoor sports. If it was Saturday, then it would be at 8.I think they’ll be primetime no matter what happens. It’s the best series right now.
Acciari really seems to have benefitted from Kuraly's return and return to form.Kuraly was playing a lot of wing with Acciari at center even before he broke his wrist. I don't think we'll see him back at center this season. I don't think Acciari's been good in the playoffs but he's probably their 4th best center right now.
He’s been benefitting from playing with Kuraly for 2 years nowAcciari really seems to have benefitted from Kuraly's return and return to form.
True. I never quite realized it as much as during Kuraly's most recent absence.He’s been benefitting from playing with Kuraly for 2 years now
I know this is a topic for another day, but I’d really like to see a 4th line next year with Kuraly and a couple of fast kids that can get in on the forecheck. I’m done with guys like Accardi and Wagner. Time to work in some kids on the bottom 6.True. I never quite realized it as much as during Kuraly's most recent absence.
What happens to a dream deferred...Of all the amazing comments on the athletic by Toronto fans, I think this one may be the best:
Gardiner in on the winning goal would be sweet redemption, and deserved.
But let’s be clear, the future direction of the NHL is a stake here. The leafs are the purest example of a roster chosen for talent & speed vs physical force, and most of the others are already eliminated.
If the leafs win, others will follow and we will have a new era of skill based hockey. Bruins win, and the inevitable is delayed.
If the Leafs don’t win, the sport of hockey is doomed.
http://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/26581789/bruins-cassidy-questions-leafs-skating-tacticsOn Monday, Cassidy was asked by a reporter whether he felt slew footing was an issue in the series.
Cassidy said he didn't think so, because the act of slew footing requires an arm -- but the coach did say he felt Toronto players were bumping into the back of Bruins skates a lot. "Whether it's just dumb luck, or how they battle for pucks," Cassidy said, "we've brought it up with the supervisor."
Seriously, Anglophone versions of Habs fans. It even comes with an unearned complex of reclaiming some long-ago lost glory.Of all the amazing comments on the athletic by Toronto fans, I think this one may be the best:
Gardiner in on the winning goal would be sweet redemption, and deserved.
But let’s be clear, the future direction of the NHL is a stake here. The leafs are the purest example of a roster chosen for talent & speed vs physical force, and most of the others are already eliminated.
If the leafs win, others will follow and we will have a new era of skill based hockey. Bruins win, and the inevitable is delayed.
If the Leafs don’t win, the sport of hockey is doomed.
One would think that if an the other examples are already out maaaybe its not the best way to build a winning hockey team. The old hockey advice still works, to beat a faster and more skilled team you out physical them.Seriously, Anglophone versions of Habs fans. It even comes with an unearned complex of reclaiming some long-ago lost glory.
Just sayin'They really miss Kuraly and maybe even missed Backes tonight. The good news is there are some easy fixes if they’re willing to do the work. Which they’ve done all year.
Downtown TO was PACKED with people in Leafs garb yesterday. Mostly young people, lots of women. As a buddy said, these are Torontonians who haven't been around long enough to absorb the hopelessness and futility of Leafdom.I am in Japan at the moment and cannot enjoy Leafs Nation tears. Knowing they are there will be enough.
They only gotta be like 7 to know who their daddy is.Downtown TO was PACKED with people in Leafs garb yesterday. Mostly young people, lots of women. As a buddy said, these are Torontonians who haven't been around long enough to absorb the hopelessness and futility of Leafdom.
"In what's become an annual event..."Downtown TO was PACKED with people in Leafs garb yesterday. Mostly young people, lots of women. As a buddy said, these are Torontonians who haven't been around long enough to absorb the hopelessness and futility of Leafdom.