Everything Else

Fascinating And Meaningless, All At The Same Time

By 1397

Once you get past the Predators’, or more to the point their fans’, constant bed-wetting over the refs (and really a lot of people’s), or the heavier amounts of bullshit we saw last night when the game got out of reach, there is something of a fascinating clash of styles going on here. And also an excellent example of how in hockey there really is only so much you can control, and it’s rarely enough to ensure things swing your way.

I guess you could call it that… except it’s probably not the Penguins plan to get throttled for huge swaths of the game and then pray that Matt Murray can bail them out of it. If it is… well bully for them.

Everything Else

We Like To Watch – June 9th: In The House And An Anniversary

By 1396

There’s an added buzz to the hockey world when the Stanley Cup actually enters the building. It will be in Pittsburgh tonight, and one gets the feeling it’s almost certainly going to come up for air. You tend to feel like that when one team hasn’t had a lead all series. At this point it almost feels like we’re just putting the Sharks out of their misery.

You would think that being on the brink would finally force DeBoer to empty the tanks, tell Dillon and Polak that they’re playing eight minutes each at most and try and keep his top four d-men out there as much as possible. But if it hasn’t happened yet it probably won’t now. And basically no matter how well the Sharks play tonight, one shift or two from those will turn the tides.

Everything Else

We Like To Watch – May 31st – Jeremy Jacobs’ Nightmare

By 1465

The “Fuck Boston” aspect of this series really isn’t getting enough play. While most are quick to rightfully piss all over Steve Simmons and his vendetta against Phil “Nice Guy, Tries Hard” Kessel, the fact that this is even a storyline along with Joe Thornton is because of the Bruins’ utter ineptitude in the front office. The entire organization perpetuates the city’s self-inflated image of being blue collar white guys getting by on minimal skill. It’s why Joe Haggerty has a dog named Looch and still has a priapism as a result of Shawn Thortnon’s leadership.

The first round picks this team has traded away is almost as staggering as the horseshit return they’ve received for them. Joe Thornton for Marco Sturm and Wayne Primeau. Kessel for picks. Blake Wheeler for Boris Valabik and Rich Peverley (sky point). Tyler Seguin (who was a pick in the Kessel trade) for a useful-but-who-gives-a-shit Loui Eriksson, and Dougie Hamilton (also a pick from the Kessel deal) for basically nothing. The pedigree they have shipped elsewhere because of some mythical and elusive notion of grit and leadership is truly amazing, added to the retrograde thinking at the highest levels of the team that have spearheaded three work stoppages. That they won a Cup in this era with this unbelievably bad asset management will go down as just as big of a “what the fuck?” cup winner as the Hurricanes once history gives proper perspective.

Everything Else

We Like To Watch – May 19th: The Cream… Rises To The Top

By 1265

Pens-Lightning Game 3

As the Lightning learned, or should have learned last spring, you simply can’t hide their dreck of a blue line behind Hedman-Stralman forever. Hedman makes up for a lot, and sometimes can do it all on his own as we saw in Games 1-3 in last year’s Final. But that’s not a sustainable model. The Penguins have essentially steamrolled the Lightning in three games, and Tampa only has Andrei Vasilevskiy to thank for not being pretty much finished at 0-3 down right now. The past two games the Penguins are carrying a 62% Corsi-percentage. That’s borderline ridiculous.

Everything Else

Muscles From Brussels – Hawks at Penguins Preview, Human Resources Webinar

By 1809

evil empire vs budicepenguintin

Game Time: 6:00PM Central
TV/Radio: CSN, SportsNet, WGN-AM 720
Ben Roethlisberger Is A Gray Dicked Rapist: PensBurgh

In a matchup of rivals that never were, much to the chagrin of Gary Bettman and NBCSN (despite what they’re pitting tomorrow’s game as), the Hawks travel to Pittsburgh for the first of yet another inter-conference mid-week home and home knocking out the season series in 27 hours. And in an even more remarkable turn of events, both Jonathan Toews and Sidney Crosby are upright for at least tonight’s contest, something that’s eluded both of them in this non-existent battle. Though to what degree is debateable.

Everything Else

Penguins Spotlight: Phil Kessel

By 1511

You might not have thought heading out of last year that the Penguins’ big problem was top six scoring. After all, Crosby and Malkin when healthy were over a point per game, even in a down year Chris Kunitz put up 17 goals, Brandon Sutter scored 21, Patric Hornqvist netted 25 goals. Sure, there are some missing wingers there but with Paul Martin set to depart and the injury history of Kris Letang, you would have thought the blue line was priority #1.

Well, you aren’t GM Jim Rutherford.

Everything Else

I’ve Heard It Before: Maple Leafs @ Blackhawks – Preview/Pre-Game Thread/Emissions Test

By Matthew Killion 1141 0

 

Canadian_maple_leaf_2-1 @ oldschool

Game Time: 6:00PM Central
TV/Radio: CBC, NHLN, WGN/WGN720
46 Years And Counting: Pension Plan Puppets, Down Goes Brown (kinda)

Well clearly, the biggest story coming into this game is the return of our old friend, Fabulous Weapon and potential psychopath himself, Dave Bolland. Drafted 32nd overall in the 2004 draft by the Hawks, Bolland was an integral part of the 2010 team, coming alive in the playoffs to become a major shutdown force and overall annoying pest to the Sedins and exhibitionist in waiting Joe Thornton. After a disappointing season last year capped off with the incredible game winner in Game 6, it came as no shock to see the rat shipped out of town. He landed in Toronto where he seems to have settled in pretty well. He’s got 6 points in three games, mostly skating on the Leafs third line.

And somehow, the Leafs actually find themselves in damn good standings so early into this season. They’re tied with Detroit for first place in their division and trail only Pitt and San Jose for the overall NHL lead. How is this possible? Fuck if I know.

Everything Else

I've Heard It Before: Maple Leafs @ Blackhawks – Preview/Pre-Game Thread/Emissions Test

By 1101 0

 

Canadian_maple_leaf_2-1 @ oldschool

Game Time: 6:00PM Central
TV/Radio: CBC, NHLN, WGN/WGN720
46 Years And Counting: Pension Plan Puppets, Down Goes Brown (kinda)

Well clearly, the biggest story coming into this game is the return of our old friend, Fabulous Weapon and potential psychopath himself, Dave Bolland. Drafted 32nd overall in the 2004 draft by the Hawks, Bolland was an integral part of the 2010 team, coming alive in the playoffs to become a major shutdown force and overall annoying pest to the Sedins and exhibitionist in waiting Joe Thornton. After a disappointing season last year capped off with the incredible game winner in Game 6, it came as no shock to see the rat shipped out of town. He landed in Toronto where he seems to have settled in pretty well. He’s got 6 points in three games, mostly skating on the Leafs third line.

And somehow, the Leafs actually find themselves in damn good standings so early into this season. They’re tied with Detroit for first place in their division and trail only Pitt and San Jose for the overall NHL lead. How is this possible? Fuck if I know.