The 2010-2011 NHL Season Thread - Progressive Rock Music Forum

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rushfan4

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Posted: January 30 2011 at 13:44

Anyone planning on watching the All-Star game which starts in just over an hour? Kind of an interesting way of selecting teams this year, with the two Captains picking teams like we used to do on the playground or in Canada on the frozen pond. I'm kind of disappointed that Lidstrom is the only Red Wing present, but I suppose with all of their injuries it isn't entirely surprising. I would have liked to see Franzen and Zetterberg get to go to the game, but I guess on the bright side, it gives them all some extra rest and no chance of a freak injury during the game.

cannon

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Posted: February 07 2011 at 07:49

I'm a huge Canucks fan and a diehard fan of hockey. I watch two games a night on average on the NHL Center Ice. It's great to see the Canucks in first place and have thier best chance to go all the way this year. It's been a long 40 years, especially the first 20 seemed like a 100 years.

IMO the game is great and rivals the entertainment of the '80's and the early 90's. The speed and skill is amazing. The NHL implemented some good rules to open the game up post lock out to take out the dead puck era(clutch and grab) and the trap style defence though some of the few bottom dwelling teams still use it(NYI, NJD).

The playoff races are fantastic especially in the west. Last years Cup champions 'Hawks might not make it. There is more parody in the NHL than in other pro team league IMO.

rushfan4

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Posted: February 07 2011 at 16:22

I'm pretty psyched. I'm going to see an Original Six matchup between the Red Wings and the New York Rangers tonight. Should be pretty good? Assuming that either team is capable of scoring a goal.

cannon

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Posted: February 07 2011 at 17:02

^^^^^ The Wings have been shot out the last two games. The NYR are the hardest working team in the league IMO. Not much offence, but great defensively and led the league in block shots. Will Jimmy Howard be able to get back on his game or will the Wings go out and get another 'tender(?). Enjoy the game.

rushfan4

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Posted: February 08 2011 at 08:40

It was a pretty good game last night. It was great to have Pavel Datsyuk back in the line-up last night. He was the number 1 star with a goal and an assist. Howard made 45 saves, a number of them standing on his head-type saves. Jiri Hudler also scored a goal and had an assist last night, which was great to see. I was just commenting on what a disappointment he has been this year and he scored a goal about 10 seconds later.

Dalezilla

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Posted: February 08 2011 at 15:11

Canucks are looking good! Thumbs Up

cannon

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Posted: February 08 2011 at 23:50

^^^^^ Another one of our D got hurt last night. It was ugly. Keith Ballard twisted his knee. Milan Mihalek somewhat slew-footed him IMO. MRI was done on his knee today. I haven't heard the results yet.

rushfan4 wrote:

It was a pretty good game last night. It was great to have Pavel Datsyuk back in the line-up last night. He was the number 1 star with a goal and an assist. Howard made 45 saves, a number of them standing on his head-type saves. Jiri Hudler also scored a goal and had an assist last night, which was great to see. I was just commenting on what a disappointment he has been this year and he scored a goal about 10 seconds later.

I watched the game on TV. Howard was the star of the game. Ryan Kesler and Datsyuk will be battling it out for the Selke. I would say Kesler has the edge as of right now as Pavel has been hurt. Both great palyers.

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Posted: February 10 2011 at 10:55

Last night in Boston, Bruins 8 Habs 6. Lots of fights. I think that was the only interesting part of the game last night. Not like watching a habs /Bruins game back in the 70s when you actually got to see a hockey game. I mean the goofiest thing is watching goaltenders brawl. I remember Ken Dryden just leaning on his stick whenever a bench clearing brawl would break out as if nothing was happening as if to say " I'm waiting guys".

Just got this by Jim Souhan of the Minneaplolis Tribune : Rewritig The Sports Bible.

"There aren't enough skilled players to make the average game interesting, the shootout is silly and the teams are given a point even when they have effectively lost the contest, makig the NHL the professional version of 5th grade in-house soccer ( congradulations little Billy, you didn't fall down! Here's a medal.

Every game should be a winner takes all 2 points. Eliminating the self-esteem point will make for more dramatic races and encourage teams to win at the end aof regulation overtime.

Get rid of the shootout, and make teams play 4 on 4 then 3 on 3 then 2 on 2 then 1 on 1, until there's a winer.

Ditch 4 teams, get rid of unsustainable markets and ensure there is always something to watch. You've heard of basketball's " shot clock?" Install a fight clock. Every 10 minutes, the goons skate to center ice and brawl, while play goes on around them. The need for new teeth will stimulate the economy."

Edited by Vibrationbaby - February 10 2011 at 10:55

cannon

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Posted: February 10 2011 at 20:20

^^^^^ I watched that game last night. Entertaining but a sloopy game in all aspects; positioning, goaltending, turnovers, etc. Reminded me a game between the two from 1983. Bruins pounded the Habs physically.

Every game isn't going to be a barn burner. That's the same in every pro team league in NA. IMO, the NHL has more parody than the NFL, NBA, and MLB. Detraction of teams could be argued for every league.

I agree with the shootout being silly. I found it a novelty when it was first introduced but now it find it ridiculous. The self-esteem point actually makes for a better races in the conferences but is not reflective of the true standings. Maybe a 3-2-1 point system which would give incentive to a team to win in regulation time and also in OT.

No question some teams should be moved but Bettman's ego is in the way. I think there will be some movement within the next couple of years.

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Posted: February 11 2011 at 09:41

I could handle the first two expansions but when WHA teams started becoming NHL teams that's when my interest started to wane. I grew up with the habs in the 70s when they were winning cup after cup. When players were loyal to the team. There's no spirit in the game anymore. $$$$$ that's it. A trade is no longer a trade but no more than a business deal. And the playing is heartles and sloppy and the Boston / Montréal game the other night was a case in point.

Like Souhan suggests ditch a few teams reduce the number of games. Teams are playing back-to-back games. Last night the habs were back here in Montréal losing to the NYI in the last round of the bloody shootout. A team can't be 100 % after playing the previous night and jumping on a plane and having to play the next night. I don't know if Price was suspended after that fisticuffs in Boston but Auld faced almost 40 shots in regulation time. Montréal's defence were like a bunch of zombies.

I just looked at a video my friend made of the greatest hockey fights ever and even the fights were better back in the seventies ! Bouchard vs Schultz round . There was even one with Larry Robinson clocking the hell out of Dave Schultz.

cannon

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Posted: February 11 2011 at 18:53

^^^^^I also grew up with hockey in the '70's and was a Broad Street Bully fan when I was an early teenager, then becoming a full fledge Canucks fan in the late 70's. I hated the Habs back in those days as they won so often. No question, one of the greatest team ever in any pro sports league. Larry "Big Bird" Robinson did beat the hell out of Schultz. He didn't fight very often but man, when he got mad, look out. A class guy. He's on my D for my all time team.

The players were loyal to the teams, more so then as now, but none the less alot of players still are. The owners "back in the day" were a lot less loyal to the players as compared to present day IMO. The owners and GM's treated the players like poo. Big money has changed the business in all sports league, probably more so in the leagues where there is a salary cap.

That Bruins/Habs game was an exception. Most games I've seen this year have been very good. There's no doubt in my mind that the players are more skilled, faster, and teams implement more sophisicated game plans, schemes and designed plays.

One reason why the scoring in the NHL isn't as high as it used to be is because of the goaltending. IMO, the position that has advanced the most. Now, goalies play a butterfly/positioning game as comapred to the standup/react/reflex goalies of the 70's, 80's and even some in the eraly 90's. Also the equipment has helped out as well.

I don't know if they fights were better then or not. There is some pounding and punching in todays game. Bigger boys throwing haymakers and IMO players are quicker with thier punches now.

I some what equate the hockey of the 70's, 80's and early '90's to the "golden era of prog"('69-'75), as it is based on nostalgia in many ways. "The good old days" one might say.

rushfan4

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Posted: April 03 2011 at 18:29

Good weekend for the Wings. They came from down 3-0 to beat Nashville 4 to 3 yesterday, and they have just defeated the Minnesota Wild 4 to 2, to clinch the Central Division, and either the number 2 or number 3 seed in the playoffs. Go Wings!!!!

Stooge

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Posted: April 03 2011 at 19:42

Leafs are almost officially eliminated from the playoffs Embarrassed

. They've been playing their balls off since the all-star break, but you can't expect teams to collapse in order to get in. It would be even harder for us if we were still in the West (if the Leafs have the same record of course).

Oh and I just saw this morning that Jimmy Howard played in Detroit's last game. I'm glad he's okay. I apologize on behalf of Joffrey Lupul for that injury, but we lost that game anyways. LOL

A fun place to review and discuss metal: MetalMusicArchives

darkmatter View Drop Down

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Posted: April 07 2011 at 13:33

Ugh, I really don't like watching the Flyers limp into the playoffs like this. They've been playing like crap lately. Hopefully, they'll turn it around soon.

And don't get me started on shootouts....

rushfan4

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Posted: April 13 2011 at 22:10

The Wings win game 1 against the Phoenix Coyotes...err...Winnipeg Coyotes? Jets? 4 to 2. Jimmy Howard looked pretty good tonight, and The Mule had a goal and an assist. This guy just loves playoff hockey.

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Posted: April 13 2011 at 22:19

rushfan4 wrote:

The Wings win game 1 against the Phoenix Coyotes...err...Winnipeg Coyotes? Jets? 4 to 2.

And all without Zetterberg! I'd let him rest for game 2 as well, and not worry about it until the series goes to Winnipeg...errr...Phoenix.

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rushfan4

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Posted: April 16 2011 at 13:25

Wings up 4 - 0 early in the 2nd period.

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Posted: April 16 2011 at 14:16

If the league wants to bring in more fans they better hope someone knocks the clutch and grab Wings out before they get to the finals. Only thing worse than them making it again would be if the Devils had made the playoffs. If you want a good example of how to interfere every play without getting called, though, then the Wings are your team.