March NHL Game Thread

PedroSpecialK

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I was under the impression that Richards's just hadn't kicked in, and that Carter's extension didn't include one
 

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SoSH's Doug Neidermeyer
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What I would give to get Luke Gazdic on the Bruins next year. 
I know Edmonton isn't exactly must see hockey - but this kid might be one of the toughest and craziest fighters in the league right now - while still being pretty respectable at playing D.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ze7FAL7hVjM
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hd8LiJHJLHw
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtKN5eig0Yc
 

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SoSH's Doug Neidermeyer
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veritas said:
I think you may be combining Gazdic with someone else. He's a great fighter, but not a defenseman, and pretty terrible at hockey
 
Leave me to my fantasies. I want another batshit insane defensemen who can cave in skulls. A Dman group with McQuaid, Miller, and Bizarro Defensemen Gazdic would be amazing.
 

MoGator71

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Fred in Lynn said:
Idiots. Not sure why you'd boo him. Lecavalier just hit both posts and the crossbar on one shot.
 
That was amazing. I was listening at the time and Chris Therien was marveling at that, and how you could try to do that 1000 times and never do it.
 
Re: Carter, he was just never as popular as Richards. I think there was a sense, fair or not, that Carter wasn't really a max effort guy, and that he disappeared in the playoffs. And the whole sleeping with his left winger's wife thing. Still stupid to boo him, and he was the best King on the ice in both games vs. the Flyers this year. 
 

Fred in Lynn

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PedroSpecialK said:
I was under the impression that Richards's just hadn't kicked in, and that Carter's extension didn't include one
Let's meet in the middle: it seems Carter's NTC didn't kick in until the 2012-13 season. Still not sure why any fan would boo him.
 

Fred in Lynn

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MoGator71 said:
 
Carter, he was just never as popular as Richards. I think there was a sense, fair or not, that Carter wasn't really a max effort guy, and that he disappeared in the playoffs. And the whole sleeping with his left winger's wife thing. Still stupid to boo him, and he was the best King on the ice in both games vs. the Flyers this year. 
Richie always more loved, no doubt about it. You're right. I recall a criticism from the short bus crowd also had to do with him missing the net a lot, which was obviously because he shot more than anyone else. Whatever the case, Carter for Voracek and the two draft picks was a no-brainer then and will continue to be going forward.
 

cshea

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Good night of hockey on tap, especially with the East playoff race being so tight. Detroit and Toronto currently occupy the 2 wild card spots, with each team having 80 points. Every team chasing the Leafs has at least 1 game in hand, as well. Tonight's action:
 
St. Louis @ Toronto- Leafs are in a free fall having lost 5 straight in regulation; Jonathan Bernier is a game time decision. 
LA @ Washington- Caps have come on of late, and find themselves 1 point behind Detroit and Toronto. 
Detroit @ Columbus (NBCSN)- Obviously a huge game here. Columbus is 2 points behind Detroit and Toronto. 
 
The top 7 in the West seem relatively safe, though Minnesota can't slip up. Phoenix and Dallas are dueling for the 8th spot, with the Coyotes currently holding a 1 point edge, though Dallas has a game in hand and essentially controls their own fate. Both teams are in action tonight, Phoenix visits Pittsburgh and Dallas is in Chicago. 
 

cshea

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Bernier's back for Toronto, and they welcome his return by allowing 16 shots on goal in the first 13 minutes. He saves them all and the Leafs cash in on a PP to grab a 1-0 lead. Elsewhere, Ovechkin's 2 PPG's has Washington on top of LA early. 
 
Also, Teuvo Teravainen will debut for Chicago tonight. 
 

Blacken

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Going to be in Toronto for the Bruins/Leafs game on April 3. How's the ACC as a visiting fan? (I'm not planning on being too obnoxious, but, well, you know.)
 

Blacken

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PedroSpecialK said:
If you're obnoxious and shit-faced in the family section you won't be well-received.
How would you know that, sir?
 

cshea

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Leafs lose in regulation, Washington loses in a SO and finally Columbus beats Detroit in regulation. So at the end of the day, those 4 teams have 80 points each and are all tied for the wild card spots. Columbus and Detroit are technically holding the spots since they've each played 72 games to Washington's 73 and Toronto's 74. 
 
Edit: Surprisingly, there's only 1 more head-to-head matchup amongst those teams the rest of the way. Detroit @ Toronto on Saturday is all that's left. 
 

ForceAtHome

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Kuznetsov got his first NHL goal with an empty net to force OT and earn the Caps a big point. It was technically a shorty, too. Ovechkin, who got an assist on the play, hadn't recorded a SHP in years.
 

soxhop411

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PedroSpecialK said:
Wait... How does an ENG tie a game?
I think he means that the goalie left the net so they had an extra attacker (kings were on the PP at the time)
 

ForceAtHome

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As others have stated, it was the Caps' net that was empty. The Caps were trailing 4-3 and also killing a penalty, so it was 5-on-5 in terms of skater power, but the Caps were without a goalie. Kuznetsov buried a rebound off an Ovechkin shot that sat in the crease behind a challenging Quick for his first career goal.
 
Amazingly, it was Ovechkin's first career short handed assist and his first SHP since January 3, 2009. In the past 8 seasons (since Ovechkin's rookie season), he has two short handed points with tonight's helper. Needless to say, he doesn't kill a lot of penalties.
 

RedOctober3829

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The Penguins are troubled, and with only 10 games remaining before the Stanley Cup playoffs, there is a sense that a once-inspiring season is headed for another early postseason exit.
“The biggest thing for us is that we lack a little bit of passion right now,” Scuderi said. “It's not in our game, especially on the penalty kill.”
Rob Scuderi said the Penguins lack “passion.”
Matt Niskanen said they are short on “pride.”
 
Orpik said then that he was not sure there existed evidence the Penguins would change their reputable undisciplined ways.
The longest-tenured Penguin and in the final season of his contract, Orpik also seemed confounded by the lack of composure from a group that included then-seven healthy regulars from the 2009 Cup championship club.
Orpik was not confounded after this loss.
Rather, Orpik admonished his teammates during a brief closed-door session.
Center Brandon Sutter said Orpik mentioned the offensive-zone penalties during his address.
Forward Craig Adams, one of those seven Stanley Cup Penguins, said the offensive-zone penalties — and discipline troubles — were “very concerning.”
The Penguins were “flat all game” against the Coyotes, Niskanen said.
The Coyotes had lost in overtime at the New York Rangers on Monday night. The Penguins had a short practice, and their Olympics players were given the day off.
“The guys in here need to show some energy and enthusiasm,” Niskanen said. “We need to show more pride than we did.”
"The passion we have for the game isn't there right now,” Scuderi said.
 
 
 
http://triblive.com/sports/penguins/pensgalleries/5820926-74/penguins-orpik-coyotes#axzz2x28IDB69
Some harsh words by Penguins veteran players after their 3-2 loss to Phoenix.  Seems like they have more to be worried about than injuries.
 

FL4WL3SS

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cshea said:
Leafs lose in regulation, Washington loses in a SO and finally Columbus beats Detroit in regulation. So at the end of the day, those 4 teams have 80 points each and are all tied for the wild card spots. Columbus and Detroit are technically holding the spots since they've each played 72 games to Washington's 73 and Toronto's 74. 
 
Edit: Surprisingly, there's only 1 more head-to-head matchup amongst those teams the rest of the way. Detroit @ Toronto on Saturday is all that's left. 
I'm just praying for Columbus in the 8th seed.
 

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FL4WL3SS said:
I'm just praying for Columbus in the 8th seed.
 
Even Detroit in their current injury depleted state doesn't scare me. Columbus with a Playoff Horton and a hot Bobrovski could surprise someone.
 
Toronto - with all their deficiencies - is still the worst possible match-up for the Bruins. 
 
Teams I'd want the Bruins to face in order of best scenario for the B's - 

Detroit / Columbus / Washington / Toronto
 

TheRealness

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TheShynessClinic said:
 
Even Detroit in their current injury depleted state doesn't scare me. Columbus with a Playoff Horton and a hot Bobrovski could surprise someone.
 
Toronto - with all their deficiencies - is still the worst possible match-up for the Bruins. 
 
Teams I'd want the Bruins to face in order of best scenario for the B's - 
Detroit / Columbus / Washington / Toronto
 
I would prefer to avoid Holtby. If they start Halak, great. But if Washington is playing Holtby, I don't want to face them. He hates the Bruins and makes it his life's mission to beat them. Fuck him.
 
I'd rank them Detroit/Columbus/Toronto/Washington.
 

cshea

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I'll take Toronto. They are a bottom 5 team in the league that is propped up by shootout wins and some outstanding goaltending.
 

FL4WL3SS

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TheShynessClinic said:
 
Even Detroit in their current injury depleted state doesn't scare me. Columbus with a Playoff Horton and a hot Bobrovski could surprise someone.
 
Toronto - with all their deficiencies - is still the worst possible match-up for the Bruins. 
 
Teams I'd want the Bruins to face in order of best scenario for the B's - 
Detroit / Columbus / Washington / Toronto
Oh it has absolutely nothing to do with matchup. I just want to go to a few games.
 

Greg29fan

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RedOctober3829 said:
 
 
http://triblive.com/sports/penguins/pensgalleries/5820926-74/penguins-orpik-coyotes#axzz2x28IDB69
Some harsh words by Penguins veteran players after their 3-2 loss to Phoenix.  Seems like they have more to be worried about than injuries.
 
 
Orpik and Scuderi are the two biggest pieces of shit in the organization and they're telling everybody else how to play hockey...that's the Penguin Way.  Because there's no leadership or accountability from the coaching staff or the good players.
 

MoGator71

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Could easily be the Flyers or Rangers in that wild card mix, those teams are bunched so closely together at this point it's impossible to even speculate.
 
If I was Boston/Pittsburgh I think I'd want Toronto.
 
Fred in Lynn said:
Richie always more loved, no doubt about it. You're right. I recall a criticism from the short bus crowd also had to do with him missing the net a lot, which was obviously because he shot more than anyone else. Whatever the case, Carter for Voracek and the two draft picks was a no-brainer then and will continue to be going forward.
 
Both those trades have worked out amazingly well for the Flyers. I saw/read something recently that Homer apparently asked for Johansson and Voracek but the Jackets balked at that and offered their first instead. 
 

Fred in Lynn

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MoGator71 said:
Both those trades have worked out amazingly well for the Flyers. I saw/read something recently that Homer apparently asked for Johansson and Voracek but the Jackets balked at that and offered their first instead. 
I remember that at the time of the trade. I t seemed a huge win for the Flyers in taking the pick, but Johansson's turned a corner this year. Still love the Couts.

I was screaming at the TV yesterday, which is always good for the toddlers to witness from their father, when O'Halloran called that ridiculous embellishment penalty on Voracek. It was a ridiculous call, but I realized my anger was over how dominant the Rangers were on defense last night. Flyers played a decent game, but the Dickheads deserve credit for having a stick in every passing zone and supporting the puck.
 

Greg29fan

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Marcel Goc just snapped his ankle or achilles or something bad so the man games lost to injury lead will continue to climb
 

mikeford

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Devils blow another shootout and lose.
 
1 for 28 in SO this year.
 
The 1 is Reid Boucher whos not on the team anymore.
 
Fuck everything we're 4 points out of a playoff spot, if we won even HALF of these goddamn shootouts we'd be in the playoffs.
 

MoGator71

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Fred in Lynn said:
I remember that at the time of the trade. I t seemed a huge win for the Flyers in taking the pick, but Johansson's turned a corner this year. Still love the Couts.

I was screaming at the TV yesterday, which is always good for the toddlers to witness from their father, when O'Halloran called that ridiculous embellishment penalty on Voracek. It was a ridiculous call, but I realized my anger was over how dominant the Rangers were on defense last night. Flyers played a decent game, but the Dickheads deserve credit for having a stick in every passing zone and supporting the puck.
I feel like the Rangers always do that to the Flyers. Particularly at MSG. Lundqvist obviously is a big part of it, but even if he wasn't there, it seems like they always struggle to create anything offensively with the Rangers. I was hoping that would change after both teams changed coaches.

And yes, I have absolutely no idea what Voracek did on that play that could have been viewed as embellishing. And it's not even like he's a guy who dives. Odd call.
 

ForceAtHome

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With the Red Wings losing the Montreal, things are even tighter for the final spots in the East.
 
Met3: Philadelphia - 83 points (72 GP, 35 ROW)
WC1: Columbus - 80 points (72 GP, 32 ROW)
WC2: Detroit - 80 points (73 GP, 28 ROW)
9th: Washington - 80 points (73 GP, 25 ROW)
10th - Toronto - 80 points (74 GP, 27 ROW)
 
Considering Philly still has two games against Columbus and one versus Toronto still to go, they're very much still on the bubble. Toronto and Detroit play each other once more, but Washington is on their own with respect to playing fellow bubble teams the rest of the way. I broke down the remaining opponents each of the above teams still has on the schedule into five categories. My breakdowns, based on point groupings, are below.
 
Elite: STL, BOS, CHI, PIT, COL (96-107 points)
Good: MON, TBL (89-91 points)
Bubble: PHI, CBJ, DET, TOR, DAL, NJD (76-83 points)
Poor: NSH, CAR, WPG, OTT (72-75 points)
Awful: CGY, NYI, FLA, BUF (48-67 points)
 
Remaining schedules:
Philadelphia (5 home/5 away): Tor, Bos, @Stl, Cbj, @Bos, Buf, @Fla, @Tbl, @Pit, Car
4 elite, 1 good, 2 bubble, 1 poor, 2 awful
 
Columbus still has (5 H/5 A): Pit, @Car, Col, @Phi, Chi, Nyi, Phi, @Dal (1-0 lead), @Tbl, @Fla
3 elite, 1 good, 3 bubble, 1 poor, 2 awful
 
Detroit (4 H/5 A): @Tor, Tbl, Bos, Buf, @Mon, @Buf, @Pit, Car, @Stl
3 elite, 2 good, 1 bubble, 1 poor, 2 awful
 
Washington (4 H/5 A): Bos, @Nsh, Dal, @Njd, @Nyi, @Stl, @Car, Chi, Tbl
3 elite, 1 good, 2 bubble, 2 poor, 1 awful
 
Toronto (4 H/4 A): @Phi, Det, Cgy, Bos, Wpg, @Tbl, @Fla, @Ott
1 elite, 1 good, 2 bubble, 2 poor, 2 awful
 
  • The Flyers have the most points and tied for the most games left. That's a good position to be in period. They have 4 elite games on the schedule though, three coming on the road (Bos, Pit, Stl). The Flyers really need to take care of business at home against bubble teams like Toronto and Columbus while also beating bad teams like Carolina and Buffalo.
  • Columbus is the other team with 10 games left, but falls in that crowded 80 point cluster. They end with three on the road, where they are just a .500 team. In their Dallas game, they will play a full 60 minutes but begin leading 1-0 in a resumption of the game in which Peverley collapsed. That's a nice buffer to have, but they need to make sure they're still in the playoff hunt before the final game in Sunrise. Early losses to Pittsburgh, Colorado, Chicago, and Philly (twice) could haunt them before that final road swing.
  • Detroit is hanging on for dear life despite missing so many key players. They can't count on a win in their final game at St. Louis, who would surely love to send them packing, so taking care of business before then is key. Two games against Buffalo are a must for four points, and their next game at Toronto is huge.
  • Like so many of these teams, Washington has a tough conclusion with the Blues, Blackhawks, and Lightning comprising three of their last four. They are at home for their last two, and the Caps are significantly better at the Verizon Center than on the road, so there's some solace there. The Predators-Stars-Devils-Islanders swing will be key. The Caps probably need 6 points there since they aren't in a position to win any tie breakers. Taking a point from the Bruins, if not two, would be enormous.
  • Toronto has just 8 games left, putting them at an immediate disadvantage. However, they play just one more elite opponent (Boston), whereas the other bubble teams all have three or four elite foes remaining. So, if the elite teams live up to their billing and do some damage, that difference could bring Toronto right back into the fray. Although Toronto isn't great on the road, their last four games are pretty reasonable with one good team, two poor teams, and one awful team. Getting through Philadelphia, Detroit, and Boston with at least a couple points will influence how much those final games matter.
 

cshea

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Leafs down 1-0 in Philly on a Vinny Lecavalier PP goal. It was a two man advantage, and the lineseman tossed McClement out of the draw. Phaneuf steps in to take it and 3 seconds later the puck was in the net. 
 

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Thank you, Pittsburgh! The Pens beating the Jackets tonight means that Columbus, Detroit, and Washington now all have 80 points and 9 games to go. Columbus and Detroit hold the ROW tiebreaker, putting those two into the current wild card slots, but Columbus' loss is still a huge result for the Caps. Toronto losing also keeps the Leafs in the mix at 80 points, but they have just 7 games left so their season is quickly coming to an end and their chances are sinking, though hardly over.
 
Philadelphia's win puts them in a very likely position to make the playoffs with 5 points of clearance over the 80 point pack. At this point, it seems quite likely that Boston will face WC2, Pittsburgh will get WC1, and NYR-PHI and MON-TBL will happen, though home ice is yet to be determined. Columbus, Detroit, and Washington appear to have the inside track on the two wild card slots, with Toronto and New Jersey hanging just on the edge of the frame.
 

MoGator71

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Not that this is any surprise to anyone, but Toronto is completely imploding. Captain Dion spent the entire game doing nothing, turned down a dance with Wayne Simmonds, then took a dumb penalty for running Jake Voracek down 2 in the last 2 minutes. Oh, and then dropped the gloves. Just a gutless bunch up and down the roster. 
 
Big win for the Flyers, since their next 4 games include 3 elite teams (Blues, Bruins x 2) and a battle for playoff position with Columbus. If they can make to next Sunday vs. Buffalo with a leg up on the rest they should be in decent shape.
 
Toronto/Detroit tonight, have to figure the loser is probably toast. Especially if it's the Leafs.
 

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Darren Helm get a hat trick, and Detroit beats Taranna 4-2. That's 8 in a row for the Leafs.

I hope Randy Carlyle looked into that Kevlar underwear I suggested last week.
 

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For historical perspective, in last year's short season, Toronto went 0-5 and Calgary went 0-3 in the shootout. In '06-'07 Carolina went 0-5. That's the complete list of shootout-winless teams since its inception; no team with more than 5 shootout opportunities has failed to win 1. The Devils are currently 0-10.
 

Dollar

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Stamkos had a "hat trick" of sorts tonight for the Lightning, but one of the three goals was... not what he had in mind.