2023-24 NHL Season

[Cap'tain Fantastic]

It was somewhat fortuitous,

It’s only fair since Dallas got robbed by Toronto with the 1st overtime period "winning" goal, I can’t believe that decision!

I started to watch at the end of the 3rd, and the kids, Robertson and Johnston were playing solid but Matt Duchene was the one who made the biggest impression. He was all over the ice and constantly in the the face of Georgiev. The veteran forward was playing like he really didn’t want to go back home having to play in a do or die game.

 

[gaby]

True it was only fair...and the best team won....will have to wait now CANUCKS---OILERS playing tonight.....should b a thriller too....enjoy.

 

[EagerBeaver]

Mike Sullivan named US Olympic Team Hockey Coach:

Sullivan named U.S. hockey coach for Milan 2026

Mike Sullivan was selected U.S. coach for the 2026 Milan Olympics on Saturday, an expected move that puts the two-time Stanley Cup champion in charge of the country's bid for its first gold medal since the "Miracle On Ice" in 1980.

www.espn.com

This is a big deal. The USA will field its best Olympic Team ever. They have both offensive talent and goaltender and defensive talent. It should be fun.

 

[EagerBeaver]

True it was only fair...and the best team won....will have to wait now CANUCKS---OILERS playing tonight.....should b a thriller too....enjoy.

Edmonton has to have this game. McDavid and Draisatll had a combined 1 point the last game and they are being controlled by Vancouver's big physical gorilla defensemen. Another 1 point combined performance at home CANNOT HAPPEN. Edmonton is already stymied by disappointing services from their goalies, they can't have their 2 offensive superstars also laying eggs.

 

[EagerBeaver]

Tkachuk, Cole Caulfield are the Studs As Team USA Advances!!!!!!!!

Tkachuk's 4 points lift U.S. into playoffs at worlds

Brady Tkachuk tallied four points and Cole Caufield scored twice to lead the U.S. to a win over Poland and a trip to world hockey championships playoff round.

www.espn.com

 

[gaby]

With their win today 4-3 vs FINLAND Team Canada is still perfect...with no superstar...sorry TAVARES.....lol...BUT un bon mixte of young and experienced players....BINNINGTON playing as #1 goaly n'est rien de rassurant pour la suite....à suivre.

 

[EagerBeaver]

Good ESPN article on Dallas Stars and how they have made it this far:

Stars win the race to the Western Conference finals: Keys to their rise, outlook for next matchup

Dallas is halfway to a Stanley Cup. Here are the biggest trends so far and which ones will stick in the next rounds.

www.espn.com

 

[ThunderLipps]

Edmonton is already stymied by disappointing services from their goalies, they can't have their 2 offensive superstars also laying eggs.

..

The last game Pickard played well, the rest of the team did not.

 

[EagerBeaver]

..

The last game Pickard played well, the rest of the team did not.

Pickard played well 1 game. He is a .905 % save pct goalie which I believe is at or below league average.

 

[Cap'tain Fantastic]

I had the Stars vs Panthers for the cup final. Still stands.

 

[EagerBeaver]

I had the Stars vs Panthers for the cup final. Still stands.

Reasonable picks- I see both teams as favorites in the next round. I am hoping NY Rangers home ice advantage will count for something. Florida won the season series 2-1 but all games were close. Dallas won the season series with both Edmonton and Vancouver.

 

[EagerBeaver]

..

The last game Pickard played well, the rest of the team did not.

If there was as much confidence in Pickard with the Edmonton coaching staff as you have, he would be starting, but he isn't. Skinner back in net:

Oilers to start Skinner in net for G6 vs. Canucks

Goaltender Stuart Skinner will start in net as the Oilers attempt to stave off elimination versus the visiting Canucks in Game 6 of their Western Conference semifinal series.

www.espn.com

This is the problem with Edmonton. They have been playing musical chairs with their goalies because they don't have confidence in any of them. When you see this in the NFL with QBs it spells disaster, and when you see it in the NHL playoffs it also spells disaster. It reminds me of that series when the Flyers started 3 different goalies and benched all 3 in a disastrous series against the Penguins, around 10 years ago. When you play a game of musical chairs you eventually have no place to go, and lose.

 

[ThunderLipps]

If there was as much confidence in Pickard with the Edmonton coaching staff as you have, he would be starting, but he isn't. Skinner back in net

Yeah, like game 5 last year when Skinner was put in net after being pulled in game 4, they lost that game. I would put Campbell in before Skinner today.

 

[EagerBeaver]

Bissonnette Accuses Refs of Betting on Colorado on controversial disallowed goal- this is what they signed up for when they made sports gambling legal:

Paul Bissonnette questions if ref was betting after controversial Stars-Avalanche call

Paul Bissonnette stoked the flames in what was already a controversy.

nypost.com

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1791704113459409330

 

[gaby]

SKINNER on the spot tonight....will go with OILERS.....enjoy.

 

[Cap'tain Fantastic]

Bissonnette Accuses Refs of Betting on Colorado on controversial disallowed goal- this is what they signed up for when they made sports gambling legal:

Paul Bissonnette questions if ref was betting after controversial Stars-Avalanche call

Paul Bissonnette stoked the flames in what was already a controversy.

nypost.com

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1791704113459409330

And of course king Henrik had to agree with the call!

 

[EagerBeaver]

And of course king Henrik had to agree with the call!

His entire role on the pregame and halftime show is goalie advocacy, goalie analysis and explaining goalie fundamentals, and he does all of those things well. Bissonnette's role on the show is as DT- Designated Troll. You heard of the designated hitter in baseball? In hockey pregame shows, you need a DT, and Bissonnette plays that role well. I actually like both of these guys in these roles.

 

[Cap'tain Fantastic]

@EagerBeaver

Don’t get me wrong here, I love the TNT show format! I think it’s very refreshing compared to all the others who are so boring that most of the time I watch the game with no sound and music in the background.

 

[gaby]

EDM 5 VAN 1...that says all....lol...and not looking good for CANUCKS pour la suite....will SILOVS b the one?????.....they will go to war with him....DeSmith is not a sure value et n'a pas joué récemment.....so better to go with the one who drove them there...

 

[Cap'tain Fantastic]

Canucks were lacking energy and grit from the start, after 5 minutes into the game I knew they would get a beating. They seemed helpless facing the aggressive start from Edmonton.