The Official 2008-09 NHL Season Discussion Thread

Franck · Post by **Franck** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 4:46 pm

Thinking of watching Panthers at Rangers tonight.
How are the Panthers doing atm? Rangers have been poor the past few games havn't they?

Post by **Shadd666** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 11:33 pm

Franck wrote:Thinking of watching Panthers at Rangers tonight.
How are the Panthers doing atm? Rangers have been poor the past few games havn't they?

darn, i've seen the game... I knew the Rags were unable to score this season, but i didn't thought they were able to be THAT lazy. 0-4. And the MSG who booed the Blue Shirts. Rags have been horrible... and they are top or close to the top in the East. No doubt: the Cup will stay in the West one more year!

Franck · Post by **Franck** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 11:46 pm

Yeah, Rangers game was terrible, really expected to see more from them.
Dallas game is cheering me up though! \o/

Franck · Post by **Franck** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 1:42 am

Congratulations Mike Modano for scoring point number 1.300 in the NHL.

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 2:28 am

How about the Bruins? Man, they are getting HOT! I was surprised to see Fernandez get both starts this weekend but he didn't disappoint. I was also happy to see the new combination of Wheeler, Krejci, and Ryder doing so well. Those guys just clicked! I'm also liking the Lucic, Savard, and Kessel line. I just wish Sturm would come back because I really don't like Axelsson on Bergeron's left wing. Kobasew is fine on the right side. Axelsson just has ZERO offensive ability. He's great defensively but he's seriously limiting the offensive production of that line.

Post by **archibalduk** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 7:45 pm

I totally agree with ya, B72.

It's been such a pleasure to watch the Bruins play this season. I'm completely hooked watching them; apart from the first seven games (I didn't have ESPN 360 at the time), I've watched all of their games this season. I've been meaning to watch some of the other teams play but at the moment I just can't get enough of seeing them kick ass!

I haven't watched the Detroit game (stupid bandwidth problems) but hopefully I will be able to watch it this evening (looks like my connection is just fast enough). I too am surprised to hear Fernandez started both games. I was expecting to see Thomas versus the Wings. Though, to be fair, I don't think Fernandez has done much wrong this season, it's just that Thomas has been on fire. I think Lucic is great - I love his great offensive skill and the fact that he combines this with great strength. It's funny to hear Julien instructing Lucic not to get into any more fights - it shows how important he is to the team's success.

It would be great to see the Bs go far in the Playoffs. Their determination to keep fighting to the end (e.g. against the Isles last week and also that 7-4 (iirc) win against the Sabres) is surely a promising sign. Having said that, I can't imagine them getting any further than the Conference finals because I think there's possibly stronger teams in the East...

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 8:53 pm

I found out that Manny got the 2 starts because Thomas was feeling a little under the weather. Not injured, just sick. Of course, now we'll have to see who gets the start Thursday. Sturm could be back in action (he's been out due to a concussion) but Ward is looking like he's going to be out for at least a week. They brought up Matt Lashoff and Johnny Boychuk have been brought up from Providence to shore up the defense. I guess Boychuk is leading the AHL's defensemen in points right now but Lashoff is a Bruins 1st round pick that a lot of people have been wondering when he'll make the jump to the big team.

Post by **archibalduk** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 10:05 pm

Ward didn't look in good shape after that collision. What is he out with? It looked like a head injury and a leg/foot injury.

A fantastic performance from the second line. I know what you mean - they really clicked! I bet Phoenix regret not signed Wheeler! Ah well, their loss.

Although, I do think Detroit were a bit unlucky not to get more from the game. The Bruins had far fewer shots but what they did have, they made them count.

Next up are Tampa Bay - they're currently on a four game losing streak. Hopefully the Bruins can take advantage of this...

Post by **getzlaf15** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 10:35 pm

Briere injured AGAIN, plays 2 periods against Tampa and leaves with the same injury he has just come back from... Is this the Flyers rushing him back? He isn't that injury prone is he?

Post by **batdad** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 11:43 pm

Meh...Sakic has had it happen 2x this season.And now he is out for 6 weeks. It is a case of the guys wanting back in, and not being ready. Vancouver....get ready.

Post by **getzlaf15** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 1:16 am

This is the 3rd stint that Briere will miss. And i have him in fantasy.

Woo, Ducks on British Television!

Post by **batdad** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 1:20 am

Paul Maurice--the Carolina Hurricanes discount coach. Get him at 1/2 price...the Leafs will happily pay the other half.

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 2:05 pm

archibalduk wrote:Ward didn't look in good shape after that collision. What is he out with? It looked like a head injury and a leg/foot injury.

A fantastic performance from the second line. I know what you mean - they really clicked! I bet Phoenix regret not signed Wheeler! Ah well, their loss. Although, I do think Detroit were a bit unlucky not to get more from the game. The Bruins had far fewer shots but what they did have, they made them count.

Next up are Tampa Bay - they're currently on a four game losing streak. Hopefully the Bruins can take advantage of this...

I haven't heard the specifics on Ward's injury. All I've heard is that it's a "leg injury".

Yeah, Phoenix wishes they could've signed Wheeler. It's not a case of Phoenix not trying to sign him though. They actually offered him more money than he got with Boston but he wanted to go to the Bruins because he liked the direction they were heading and how they handled their young talent. He say how they handled Lucic last year and liked that. Plus, he was a college friend and teammate of Phil Kessel. I'm sure he had some influence there as well.

I'm hoping they keep things rolling tonight!

Franck · Post by **Franck** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 12:03 am

So which game should I watch tonight?
Rangers vs. Canadiens could be interesting, might watch Penguins vs. Hurricanes though or maybe the Bruins game. Hmm

Post by **Shadd666** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:20 am

For me, it's Nucks@Wings. 3-3 after 40 minutes right now.

Since the start of the season, i have the impression that the Wings are on a practice regime, putting things slowly in place, piece by piece, to be fully ready for the post-season. Maybe just an impression though. But a scary one if it turns out to be true, as they are already darn efficient! But i guess the regular season is just a warm-up for them. Their real season starts in May/June, while half of the league is planning its golf schedule for the summer

Post by **batdad** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 3:08 am

ME thinks the dead things better find a goalie. Giving up 4 to Vancouver...painful. Even if you get 6.

Post by **getzlaf15** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 3:13 am

Make that 5 batdad.

Post by **batdad** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 3:24 am

yep. How could I forget the 5th? Burrows (ick) from Bieksa (YAY) and Ohlund (YAY!). How can you tell that relates to another thread?

Franck · Post by **Franck** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 7:34 am

I suppose I chose a good game in the Habs vs. Rangers one, shame I fell asleep after 4-0 though.

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:47 pm

I watched the Bruins vs Lightning game last night. I missed the first 15 minutes of the first period, so I didn't see the Lightning goal. I did get to see the Bruins come from behind and win it. That Krejci shorthanded goal was a beauty! Once again, I've got to point out how smart of a player he is.

I was a little concerned to learn that Dennis Wideman was out last night. We don't need another injury on defense, especially someone that plays as many minutes as Wideman. We've already got Ference out for a while and we haven't heard how long Ward is supposed to be out. Hunwick is doing well since coming up. Last night both Boychuk and Lashoff played but I'm not so confident in the team's success with them in for a long stretch. Maybe one of them but not both.

Post by **Shadd666** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 12:06 am

batdad wrote:ME thinks the dead things better find a goalie. Giving up 4 to Vancouver...painful. Even if you get 6.

Are you referring about Chris "i've allowed another center ice goal against Columbus" Osbad?

But goaltending issues apart, i have the impression that Detroit is playing in slow motion. Maybe it's just me. Yet it remains pretty effective.

Post by **getzlaf15** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 12:36 am

The Red Wings have been too good for the last 5 years, of course getting another 100 point season (which i think we all see them doing) would match the Canadians 6 in a row. Bring back the Dominator.

I'm still sticking with Sharks - Canadians finals. Sharks to win.

Post by **archibalduk** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 12:12 pm

bruins72 wrote:I was a little concerned to learn that Dennis Wideman was out last night. We don't need another injury on defense, especially someone that plays as many minutes as Wideman. We've already got Ference out for a while and we haven't heard how long Ward is supposed to be out. Hunwick is doing well since coming up. Last night both Boychuk and Lashoff played but I'm not so confident in the team's success with them in for a long stretch. Maybe one of them but not both.

I did wonder where Wideman had gone but the commentators didn't mention anything during the game about it. Our defence worries me a bit - it seems like we're starting to concede goals at the beginning of each game. I thought it took a while until the Bruins really got into the game - just like against the Islanders and when we beat the Sabres recently. I think at start of TB game, they had 9 shots on goal and we'd had none.

Yep, Krejci's goal really was a beauty! I love this guy - as well as Wheeler and Lucic. Our second SHG of the season

On a different note, what was up with the Rags the other night? They're becoming less consistent as of recent and will really slip down the standings if other teams win their games in hand.

I feel sorry for Marty Biron. He made a mistake with about a minute to go in the NJ-Phi game, allowing the Devils to tie it up (and then they scored in OT to win). Doh!

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 6:14 pm

As a few people have said, the Bruins are really a 3rd period team. I'd really rather them be a 60 minute team though. Either way, in that Tampa game the Bruins came out to a slow start mostly because they hadn't played in several days (since Saturday, IIRC) and had to find their game, IMO.

Did the Rangers have the same problem last year? They were great in the early part of the season and then struggled with consistency?

Post by **getzlaf15** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 6:30 pm

Looking at the Rangers team and player stats, it's hard to believe their 4th in the NHL. 77 Goals scored, 73 Goals Against. And they have just 3 players that have positive numbers in the +/- column.

Compared to Detroit who have the same points, 38, 90 goals scored and 76 goals against. The Wings have 10 players in the +.

The Rags need to strengthen 1 end of the ice. Either score more or concede less.