WillyGrips13

Yeah, I’ve heard that counter argument before. Five players all staring at the puck with they’re sticks in the air and having no idea where anyone other than the puck carrier is has nothing to do with speed. I’m referring mainly to plays not on the rush, but when a team has possession in the offensive zone. It’s too much “puck focus” and no head on a swivel.

It’s amazing how so many of these series are extending to 6 and 7 games. Leads are not safe. The game of hockey today is offensively-minded, it has exceptional goaltending, but with chaotic defending often looking hapless. As exciting as it is, it is a shame how poor the defending can be. So much puck watching, leaving men open in dangerous areas, deflecting pucks past their own goalie, screening their own goalie, and being careless with the puck in their own zone. All players are skilled, but kind of dumb in their own zone.

Advance stats like these are useful and will make it harder for the typical cop-out that many coaches make of blaming their goaltender for everything else going on around them. Hopefully the old guard of coaches who rely on that BS are being phased out of the game.

Whatever you think about Mike Smith, I think he’s mostly been pretty good. I wonder if he’ll retire after the season or finish the last year on his contract. If they can get an elite goalie, they should, but those are hard to come by. Oilers have been undisciplined at times. Nurse with the head-butt comes to mind.

You guys are talking about shorter goalies possibly making a comeback. But thinking of Tim Thomas, maybe the more robust body-type should make a comeback. Him and Marty had beer league bodies. Both were pretty durable. Sometimes I wonder if all the goalie injuries have something to do with these guys looking like stick-figures. No data to back this theory up, of course. Also, it would be nice if we had less flopping from goalies after the get bumped into. Act like it didn’t bother you.

Funny how the Vezina winner usually doesn’t win the Stanley Cup.

Suit up boys, they’re going to need us soon.

And just like that, he bounces back with a shutout.

All of the things you guys are saying are true. It just represents to me how foolish management can be, expecting a career average-to-good NHL goalie to be your answer for playoff success. Mike Smith is what he is. He’s not going to suddenly be elite. Also, I was watching the Penguins and Rangers game, so I did see the goalie change. I tuned in at the beginning of overtime, so I ended up seeing almost a full game. Happy for Domingue. Great performance from all three goalies. One of those games you wish no one had to lose.

On another note, why are so many teams without their starter or back up? Why are so many goalies injured? Are coaches overplaying them? At least four teams missing one of their regular starting goalies. Off the top of my head, Saros for Nashville, Mrazek for Toronto, Anderson for Carolina and Jarry for Pittsburgh. Dafuq?

I wouldn’t necessarily put that in the same category as the Mike Smith mistake. This is more like, nothing is going our way tonight. Whereas Mike Smith created the situation himself.

Oh, did he? I didn’t see any of that game. Pundits and fans love hitting the panic button early. Everyone forgets the bumps on the way to the championship.

I feel for the guy. Granted, he made a terrible play to cause the turnover for the winning goal, but otherwise he played good. Nurse deflected the third goal past him. He’s just awkward with the way he plays, so people don’t like him. Also, he’s not a rookie. So you knew what you were getting when you signed him. It’s unrealistic to expect him to suddenly be Vasilevsky. GMs do that crap all the time.

We won the championship again last Sunday. The final was a highly contentious, penalty-filled, defensive battle. In the semifinal we were outplayed early, finally scoring late to tie and then took the lead for good. Also, my girlfriend’s team won her division’s championship, too. She plays defense. Happy household. Summer session starts this Sunday already. The team I’m on is a good group of guys. Likely will have a pool party at the captain’s house in a month or so. P.S. I’m hiding my hairline with my mask positioning.

It’s the curse of that douchebag Mario Tremblay.

That franchise has been mismanaged for a while. All too often these owners use these teams as a piece in a larger real estate deal that is their pet project. I think that’s how this franchise ended up in Glendale. And it was a disaster. Would have been interesting to see if this franchise would have had financial success in a building built in Phoenix or at least near it. I don’t understand the vetting process for owners, but it needs to improve.

I couldn’t watch that game, I dislike both teams. I’m an Islander’s fan so I couldn’t root for the Rangers. I’m from New York, so I’m legally obligated to hate all the Philadelphia sports franchises, so I couldn’t root for the Flyers. Perhaps, those two teams have a lot of haters, which is why no one was watching relatively speaking. Then again I play hockey, yet rarely watch it. Maybe when the playoffs start.

Honestly, the one time 15 years ago I was scored on with the lacrosse move, I WAS on my feet. It’s more about the player moving from one side of the net to the other and executing the move quickly before the goalie can get all the way over. It’s a good reminder to turn and look at the attacker as you’re about to go to the other post. At worst, if you can’t get all the way over, you can lead with a hand and block it away.

It’s weird seeing that color scheme and the goalie is NOT in Vaughn.

Yea, beer league players aren’t learning $hit. They are who they are. Only way to improve is by changing personnel.

@Wonder35 always brings it with the photos.

They streamlined the logo for weight-savings.

My Salvi pads made in 2007. I use them from time to time at drop-ins. Bucky material treated with SnoSeal.

I like the subtle use of color to accent the black.

Well, you certainly built character, that’s for sure.