fletch

Conspiracy theory, but I think the rep star colors were changed so that Phil can have red, white, and blue stars. ;)

Yeah, two worries for the NHL home office: 1. timing of the Olympic Games, disruption of regular season 2. control of competition ceded to Olympic Committee By creating the artificial World Cup of Hockey NHL controls the timing and the competition. Athletes lose in not being part of the Olympic experience (athletes from all the Olympic sports) and winning an Olympic medal for their home country.

https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/27038843/rebooting-world-cup-part-nhl-labor-talks "VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- With labor talks having already begun on an informal basis, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and union chief Don Fehr are in favor of rebooting the World Cup of Hockey tournament and holding it every four years. ... "We think the World Cup of Hockey can be a wonderful event, particularly if we don't go to the Olympics,'' Bettman said. ------------ My opinion: terribly out-of-touch statement by Bettman. Players are mad that they can't play in the Olympics. Maybe the players get behind the World Cup, but they would much rather play in the Olympics

https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/z/zuckeja01.html https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/k/kreidch01.html Depends on how you want to construct your roster. Both Zucker and Kreider are productive players. Kreider is better at going to the net, Zucker is a better playmaker. Get a lot of Wild games in Minnesota so I've seen a lot of Zucker.

I think both sides say no. Lundqvist says no to waiving his no trade clause. Sharks say no to acquiring Lundqvist at 4 million and giving up an asset. Rangers don't even start a conversation with the Sharks if Lundqvist won't waive the no-trade. Only way I can see Lundqvist waiving his no trade is if he is in true platoon (only going to play 40ish games a year) or if he loses his starting job. Then he might be interested in going to a contender. But no interest in a contender in acquiring Lundqvist unless he shows he can still perform as a no. 1. Would be shocked if Lundqvist doesn't finish his contract with the Rangers.

great trade

how did this turn into a karlsson thread? finding answers in defensive zone are more important than even panarin. watching boston and st. louis just lock up the defensive zone, been so long since the rangers had that structure. and if our goaltending is closer to middle of the pack rather than top five, our defensive zone is going to be cringe worthy.

Almost always the team that gets the best player wins a trade. Trouba is the best player in the trade scenarios listed

A strong no. 1 defensemen is key to a deep playoff run. A rock that can distribute the puck out of the defensive zone, and lock down forwards in front of the net. The rest of the defensive corps feed off the calm from the no. 1 and elevate their play. Down one goal in the third, a good no. 1 can pinch, join the offensive push, and help tie up the game. No. 1 center, no. 1 defensemen, and goalie are probably the three most important positions on the roster, rank them however you choose. But as long as the Rangers have chaos in their back end, they can't compete. I'm giving up late first round picks, Buchnevich, a prospect - JD can figure out a combination that works - and giving a long-term contract at full-value for Trouba. A long-term deal for a stud defensemen that is just entering his prime? Yes please!

I'm sure the Rangers are doing their due diligence and checking in. Don't think he's back with the Rangers because he is a better fit elsewhere and so can get more years/money from a different team.

i like the hire

Such a good road game. Bruins dominated first period but found themselves down 2-0 because of a brilliant deflection goal from Ryan effing O'Reilly and a great scoring play from Pietrangelo. Binnington slammed the door shut until game was no longer in doubt. So good from the Blues, congratulations St Louis after a long wait. Nice to see Tarasenko contribute on the third goal. Truly a team effort, well deserved.

St Louis now 6-7 at home, much better on the road in these playoffs (9-3). Only silver lining I can find.

Such a hard trophy to win and a thin margin of error. Give up a 5-3 powerplay goal and go from an opportunity to clinching on home ice to being an underdog on the road in game 7, unless the Blues can turn things around in the third. Let's go Blues!!!

Ref missed an obvious trip. There were still four other Bruins that the Blues passed around, and Rask got beat to make it 2-0. Bruins had an avalanche of chances in the first period they didn't convert. Blues went into a defensive shell in the third, and Bruins couldn't find a way to tie it up. Binnington had his stick knocked away by a Bruin with about two minutes left in the third. Later in the play puck gets behind him, and I believe it was Gustafson that had to fling the puck to safety. Refs missed that call too. If the Bruins tie up the game on that play and win the game in overtime, did the referees 'decide' the outcome?

even if Chara can play, doesn't broken jaw usually only mean liquid food? Less than 100% for sure. Series is a war of attrition and Blues are healthier at the moment

Teams that win game 5 win the series about 80% of the time https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/playoff-history.cgi

After all those years in Buffalo I'm sure O'Reilly has some desperation for these Finals.

Too good of a series to end in five. Let's go six... or seven. Ryan effing O'Reilly!!!

I still remember Richter almost knocking into the ref when that goal went in near the end of regulation

Either 2-2 or 3-1 after tonight, Blues really need this game. Time for some Gloria!

Nice to see Blues tie the series up. Going to be an interesting game 3

Bad turnover leads to the second Blues goal, after that, too much Bruins. Need more from St Louis in the third to earn a road victory.

Agree the Blues are a tougher matchup for the Bs than the Sharks, Martin Jones was really leaking oil and the Sharks were really banged up at the end of that series. I just see more offensive threats up and down the Boston lineup, and the experience in goal and at key positions. Both teams love the forecheck so the third and fourth lines could be key in generating scoring opportunities.

After opening goal, strong few minutes from the Blues. Don't love the two offensive zone penalties as the Bruins gained some momentum during some dangerous Power Plays. A good game one so far.