THE 2014-2015 NHL Regular Season Thread

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Wed Nov 05, 2014 4:12 pm

Under the shortened headline: "Huge load for Rangers' Girardi"

Yes.

TheHumanComa · Post by **TheHumanComa** » Thu Nov 06, 2014 6:11 pm

degenerasian wrote:I heard the crowd in Montreal wants Therrien fired.

If you didn't look at anything else, one would wonder why a coach who took a team to the ECF and an 8-4-1 record might be fired

They are sitting in first in the Eastern Conference again after barely beating Buffalo in shootouts last night but they are -8 in goal differential, which is kind of weird for a first place team. I think they are averaging a goal a game in their last 6 games. Calling for the coach's head is a little premature but they do need someone more offensive minded, defense sure as shit isn't working for them.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Thu Nov 06, 2014 10:17 pm

Evander Kane makes it move.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Fri Nov 07, 2014 8:44 pm

I watched a period. Oilers vs Sabres reminds me of this:

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Fri Nov 07, 2014 10:15 pm

The Sabres gave up 52 shots to the Oilers. THE OILERS!

Do the Sabres' sticks even have blades?

rass · Post by **rass** » Tue Nov 11, 2014 12:47 pm

mister d wrote:Ha, Pens extend MAF 4 years at $23MM.

I like it. The money is more than reasonable (if anything a great deal for the Pens). MAF is no sure thing at this point, but he's a surer thing than any likely replacement, and has a higher upside than any such replacement, too.

That said the goal against the BJ's in the playoffs last spring almost killed me, so if this deal goes really bad for the Pens I may not be around to suffer long-term.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Tue Nov 11, 2014 12:52 pm

Among active goalies, MAF has the 2nd worst playoff save percentage. So if the only other option was signing Ray Emery, this was the right call. Unless Emery was signing for $2MM per on a short term deal, then you could probably shrug off the .003 difference.

rass · Post by **rass** » Tue Nov 11, 2014 1:17 pm

mister d wrote:Among active goalies, MAF has the 2nd worst playoff save percentage. So if the only other option was signing Ray Emery, this was the right call. Unless Emery was signing for $2MM per on a short term deal, then you could probably shrug off the .003 difference.

He can only half hear you.

Diamond · Post by **Diamond** » Tue Nov 11, 2014 1:40 pm

degenerasian wrote:The Sabres gave up 52 shots to the Oilers. THE OILERS!

Do the Sabres' sticks even have blades?

They've got maybe 10 no-question NHL players, two of whom are goalies. Three forwards I can envision with roles on a good Sabre team.

As short of talent as they are, I'm really starting to think Ted Nolan is a bad coach. The perfect placeholder for the rest of the season.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Tue Nov 11, 2014 2:13 pm

Or a genius at executing the plan that gives them the best shot at Crosby Jr.

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Thu Nov 13, 2014 10:19 pm

The Sharks are so puzzling to me. Tonight, on the road, they beat Tampa Bay, who has the best record in the East. They've also beaten the Kings and the Ducks, and they outshot the Canucks by 25, all top teams in the West. But, on the other hand, they've had ugly stinker losses to Buffalo and Florida. Frustrating.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Thu Nov 13, 2014 11:00 pm

sancarlos wrote:The Sharks are so puzzling to me. Tonight, on the road, they beat Tampa Bay, who has the best record in the East. They've also beaten the Kings and the Ducks, and they outshot the Canucks by 25, all top teams in the West. But, on the other hand, they've had ugly stinker losses to Buffalo and Florida. Frustrating.

It's a long physical season. Sometimes take the bad teams for granted. Did they lay their backup goalie?

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Fri Nov 14, 2014 5:31 am

Niemi had a great game. To be fair, so did the rest of SJ. They had the bolts bottled up all night.

TheHumanComa · Post by **TheHumanComa** » Sat Nov 15, 2014 1:09 am

Was there some change in standings rules that i didn't know about? Montreal and Anaheim are tied for first overall but Anaheim sits in first for some reason. I thought the team with the most wins, wins the tie. Montreal has 12 wins, Anaheim 11. Is it by regulation time wins now? because I know most of Montreal's wins have come in extra time or shootouts.

TheHumanComa · Post by **TheHumanComa** » Sat Nov 15, 2014 1:16 am

and what the hell does waffle boarding it mean? I've been playing NHL15 all night and they keep saying it. I have watched hockey for the last 25 years and never heard that expression. also, NHL15 has got to be the worst in game announcing i have ever heard. I think the guy in charge of sound took the money and ran...

Post by **brian** » Sat Nov 15, 2014 1:47 am

TheHumanComa wrote:Was there some change in standings rules that i didn't know about? Montreal and Anaheim are tied for first overall but Anaheim sits in first for some reason. I thought the team with the most wins, wins the tie. Montreal has 12 wins, Anaheim 11. Is it by regulation time wins now? because I know most of Montreal's wins have come in extra time or shootouts.

Yeah it's regulation wins now.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Sat Nov 15, 2014 9:53 am

You're far better at zoning out Emrick than I am, THC.

TheHumanComa · Post by **TheHumanComa** » Sat Nov 15, 2014 10:47 am

mister d wrote:You're far better at zoning out Emrick than I am, THC.

Had to google Emrick, but he's the fucker that came up with the term waffle boarding? I still don't understand what it means though and I can't play the game anymore because of it. I love my dogs, but if i hear someone say waffle boarding again, i will strangle one of them to death.

TheHumanComa · Post by **TheHumanComa** » Sat Nov 15, 2014 3:32 pm

I really need to know what waffle boarding means! my brain is about to explode. I started playing the game again, and every 30 seconds they say it! It is not a thing! no one says waffle boarding you dumb fucks! and it will not catch on if that's what you were hoping for. GRRRRR. I'll fucking waffle your board you fucking idiots.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Sat Nov 15, 2014 5:17 pm

When a goalie loses his stick and has to lunge back making a save with just his blocker.

Hasek used to do that a lot.

TheHumanComa · Post by **TheHumanComa** » Sat Nov 15, 2014 10:10 pm

Montreal back on top. of the league. Yeah, i gave up on them a week ago, when they lose, they lose big! I think their 4 losses are 7-1, 3-0, and 5-0. plus some other game i cant remember.

rass · Post by **rass** » Sat Nov 15, 2014 10:34 pm

I turned off the NYR/PIT game when Boyle "scored" in the SO to "win" it. Oops!

Plus side (in addition to the extra point that if missed) was that I heard Careless Whisper and Tempted on the radio.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Sat Nov 15, 2014 10:54 pm

rass wrote:I turned off the NYR/PIT game when Boyle "scored" in the SO to "win" it. Oops!

Plus side (in addition to the extra point that if missed) was that I heard Careless Whisper and Tempted on the radio.

MAF said he had to put his jock back on the continue the shootout.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Sat Nov 15, 2014 11:01 pm

Nobody likes hockey and you all smell.

TheHumanComa · Post by **TheHumanComa** » Sat Nov 15, 2014 11:18 pm

AB_skin_test wrote:Nobody likes hockey and you all smell.

Well, he's half right.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Sun Nov 16, 2014 10:28 am

Hey! Sorry bout that guys!

TheHumanComa · Post by **TheHumanComa** » Tue Nov 18, 2014 10:29 pm

a lot of waffle boarding going on in all the games tonight! but not so much in the Montreal game. (?) They lose 4-0 to Pittsburgh but still stay on top of the East and the League. Montreal likes to lose by a lot when they lose and i think they kept this loss close.

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Wed Nov 19, 2014 12:16 am

You know, Degen. I think maybe I'm starting to believe in your Flames. Some good young talent.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Wed Nov 19, 2014 12:50 am

sancarlos wrote:You know, Degen. I think maybe I'm starting to believe in your Flames. Some good young talent.

Tonight was really unexpected. Absolutely dominated by Anaheim for 2 periods and then all of a sudden the rally in the 3rd. First the Ducks had played 3 in 4 nights so they were tired and second perhaps the Flames' speed made them tired too. Can't remember a Flames team ever being fast, we tend to build big and tough teams.

Giordano and Brodie are turning into world class defensemen. Still a tough road, Chicago on Thursday and then in Anaheim and in San Jose Tuesday and Wednesday respectively. If they get through this month unscathed, they are for real.

MaxWebster · Post by **MaxWebster** » Wed Nov 19, 2014 1:05 am

i have used the phrase "waffle-boarding" my entire life. hm.

rass · Post by **rass** » Wed Nov 19, 2014 7:07 am

TheHumanComa wrote:a lot of waffle boarding going on in all the games tonight! but not so much in the Montreal game. (?) They lose 4-0 to Pittsburgh but still stay on top of the East and the League. Montreal likes to lose by a lot when they lose and i think they kept this loss close.

#maatastrong

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Wed Nov 19, 2014 8:47 am

So the NHL killed the dry scrape between 3rd period and OT. They also killed the zamboni before the shootout. Guess the numbers say having better ice did not make a difference in getting games finished before a shootout and most players were not staying inside the fresh ice lane for the shootout.

Post by **Sabo** » Wed Nov 19, 2014 1:26 pm

Big blow for the Pens, as they announce Pascal Dupuis has a blood clot in his lung and will be sidelined for six months.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Wed Nov 19, 2014 1:27 pm

Is this related to getting drilled in the neck or is his luck just total shit?

rass · Post by **rass** » Wed Nov 19, 2014 1:30 pm

Sabo wrote:Big blow for the Pens, as they announce Pascal Dupuis has a blood clot in his lung and will be sidelined for six months.

Shit. They were really mysterious about his condition over the weekend. I really feel for him, seems like a genuinely nice guy who likes playing for them. I guess we'll see if they really have more depth this season or not.

Post by **Sabo** » Wed Nov 19, 2014 1:32 pm

From what I've read on Twitter, he complained of some discomfort in his chest and they ran a bunch of tests and found the clot. He's had blood clots before.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Wed Nov 19, 2014 1:36 pm

I'm sure they'll sign Wojtek Wolski or some other dude who's been out of the league for two years and he'll put up a point a game on Crosby's wing.

rass · Post by **rass** » Wed Nov 19, 2014 1:40 pm

Sad teammates are :(.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Wed Nov 19, 2014 6:20 pm

I swear the Pens don't just have normal injury announcements anymore. Strokes, cancer, blood clots...what the heck is going on?

------

It's been nice to see the Flames so high up in the league-wide standings but part of that comes from having played a lot of games early. Most teams have games in hand. I thought I'd take the different number of games played out of the picture, and look at each team's record after its 20th game. So I took a few minutes to whomp up a spreadsheet.

So far, eight teams have played their 20th game of the season. Seven played those games last night. San Jose played theirs on the 16th (and have since lost to Buffalo). Here are the results for those eight:

Code: Select all

Team      Game 20 on   W   L  OT   P ROW   GF  GA Diff  Home   Away

Montreal       11/18  14   5   1  29  10   55  51    4  8-3-0  6-2-1
Tampa Bay      11/18  13   5   2  28  12   73  54   19  7-2-1  6-3-1
Anaheim        11/18  11   4   5  27   9   54  50    4  5-2-3  6-2-2
CALGARY        11/18  12   6   2  26  10   63  53   10  5-2-2  7-4-0
Boston         11/18  12   8   0  24  11   53  49    4  8-4-0  4-4-0
Winnipeg       11/18  10   7   3  23   8   40  43   -3  4-3-1  6-4-2
San Jose       11/16  10   8   2  22   8   56  53    3  2-3-0  8-5-2
Buffalo        11/18   5  13   2  12   3   34  69  -35  3-6-2  2-7-0

The Flames are middle of the pack, but to be fair, that's a pretty good pack – only one really bad team out of the 8. Second best goal differential of the bunch.

I note that the Sharks had a truly brutal schedule to start the year – 15 of their first 20 on the road. They should be due to move up in the standings when they get some home games in.

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Wed Nov 19, 2014 7:29 pm

I hope you are right about the Sharks. However, any team that loses to the Sabres twice isn't necessarily due anything.