PavelValerievichDatsyuk

Jensen wasn't flashy, but very noticeably good this game. And that XO pairing looked very dependable. Honestly, I wasn't that impressed by Coreau when he first came up, but he's really gotten his timing and positioning in order the past couple of games. Another lesson that you shouldn't judge from the first few NHL games (Howie was horrible in his first couple). Definitely making a case for himself. It will be interesting to see what we do if Howard's still injured and Coreau plays beyond waiver eligibility (10 games). We'll be forced to expose him to waivers or trade one of Mraz or Howard.

Nice Game!!!!

Did Vanek's groin score?

For those that were against DK on the PP, he's doing some good puck distribution and some good work saving the puck in the zone. Doesn't have the big shot, but those aspects are important.

LGW! Didn't know there was a game and the 3:00 start almost slipped by me.

It's all about having more nuance in judgement than blanket statements like that. Blash hasn't been great, but he's not the cause of all the team's problems and not all his choices have been bad. P.S. When you're trying not to be considered a hater, you probably shouldn't call him Trashill.

Maybe at this point Mantha more developed into his permanent role, but Mantha's had 2+ years in GR while Larkin stepped onto the team when first eligible and was an immediate impact player. I think Larkin's on the lower lines learning his chops as a center. Some seem to say "turning him into what he's not," but he's always been a responsible 2-way player so he's not being forced into that. I think he's been scouted and targeted more than he was as a new player (i noticed in the beginning of the year big hitters seemed magnetically drawn to him). That, lesser linemates, and finding his footing with the larger role of center are responsible for his step back this season compared to last (or at least the first half of last season).

I second this motion!

Thought it was interesting in this gameday preview before the Hawks game, you can see Tatar walking around with his shoulder all wrapped up in a pretty intense-looking sling. (beginning and around 2:00) https://www.nhl.com/video/gameday-preview--110-chi/t-278867578/c-48246303

Watch the first goal again. The puck hits Marchenko and changes directions right in front of Mrazek. Your comment does apply to the OT goal, though you could argue he was pretty well screened by Glendening. I thought Mrazek was pretty good. For me it counts as 2 games out of his slump and hopefully that countinues and he gets back to top form. Hope Blash plays him next game.

I know it a penalty kill, but shouldn't have Glendening and Miller out there for OT.

Nice hustle Glendening. almost made something of that.

Lines do look good. Would still like Jurco over Miller, but the top 9 looks like it could do some damage if everyone's going. I'll bet the idea of moving Tatar down is to give Larkin a quality scorer (Though of course Tats has not been in top form). Hope Green helps out that weak PP and Mrazek plays as well as he did his last game in.

Yeah, Z is obvious choice (with Howard's injured), but he probably wants the rest. He was actually a game-time decision for a recent game (think it was the Arizona game), so he must be dealing with one of those mid-season injuries or maybe just the running back problem. We really need him to stay healthy so I'm sure they would try to get him some rest. That's a good point. It might just be a good idea to keep rookies away from the all-star games since they have enough to deal with and get used to in their first year in the league and the grind of a full season. The all-star game is as much a media event as anything and that could be a distraction. Actually, didn't Larkin start to slow down after he played the all-star game last year. I'm not really going to blame just that game, but he talked about being a bit overwhelmed with the grind of the 82 game season and it couldn't have helped to throw in extra travel, media attention, etc just when you're starting to feel the effects of that.

I ran it through Bing Translate (which is more accurate) and the section on the possibility of a trade translates to: "You've arrived at the um, bad results can result in the fact that you will replace the Club? "It's possible, if we do not fight your way into the playoffs, so here it is the big things and changes. Some teams will want to certainly foster before play-off. It is always about business. Maybe General Manager gets a good offer for me and it will be on the exchange of thinking. I thought about it many times, especially after last season, after which I was not happy in Detroit. Promised me that will change everything, but it's hard. I am unsatisfied with my performance. " Still says he thought about it, but it comes off a bit differently to me. "thought about it" could mean the possibility of being traded. Who knows if a couple important words are imprecise in translation. I wish we could track down a slovak or get some english coverage on the article to confirm what it says.

Hmm, that's quite the interview. You can't say you want out to the media - especially halfway through the season when there's still opportunity - it's selfish and a slap in the face for your teammates. You should ask the GM quietly for a trade, if you do want out. It's also weird to hear him complain about the situation when he's on the top line and underperforming dramatically - to me, you can sometimes call out the team when you're on top of your game (or in a situation like last offseason where he was misused/under-utilized), but not from his current situation. It's too bad since I like Tatar. It's a mystery why he's been kept playing with the injury - especially that he acknowledges here that it's bad for him and the team. I guess the hard part is that they don't know what it is. Does sound like a nerve thing with a sharp pain (NerveDamage, somehow I'm blaming you). P.S. Kick, to me, those clips don't show Nyquist's speed too well. If you notice, the Van guys are faster than him on the back-check (Yannick Weber looks really fast both ways) and his break (he beats the guy from the bench due to a head start)

Missed this one. From the highlights, it looks like Dekeyser had a rough game. That last Sharks goal DK had a mid-air deflection that Holmstrom would have been jealous of. Another redirected off his skate and he was standing in front of the crease for 2 others. Good to see Mantha still scoring and AA's getting going. As for the ice time storyline that been talked about on the forum - Ott, Miller, and Glendening got the fewest minutes as should be. I think they had a lot last game because we had a significant lead for a while - rest your skill guys in those situations (and don't risk unnecessary injuries. I disagree with a lot of Blash's choices but no problem with that choice.

Way to go, Sissy! Come on, you know that's got to be his nickname.

One thing I like about that goal is that Z is clearly open on the left side, but Mantha wants to shoot and trusts his shot. We often have too many passes and let them set up the defence. Also, having too much reverence for the captain could be a problem for a young player, but Z+Mantha are working together helping each other out from what I've seen.

FWIW, Dale Hunter (London's coach) has a well established history of clashing with some players. Ovechkin was definitely one. He's also clashed with OHL referees (abused a couple off ice), OHL management, not to mention his history as a player suggests he goes over the edge in conflicts. But, if it's just AA not working hard enough in practice, that shouldn't stand.

But in the context of Howard being tradable or not, his poor play is the most relevant. Halak's situation was brought up in this context assumably to say: "a goalie of Halak's caliber, and with a lighter contract, can't be traded and had to be waived, so Howard definitely is unmovable." But with him playing so badly it negates the point. If they wanted to go with youth and Halak was playing like Howard was, they might very well have been able to move him. And for the record, I wasn't saying we should trade Howard, just that Halak shouldn't be used as a yardstick to measure the likelihood of that. Anyway, Howard's injury would stop any trade inquiries until he's back, in my opinion.

Meh, you're rarely going to win a game when you lose 2 Dmen for more than a period. The neutered offence is still a huge problem. Bright side: - Mrazek played well. - Larkin was a boss in the faceoff circle: 78%. In his development as a center that was a problem at the beginning of the year. Just need to get him some wingers that he gels with (need to try AA there). Next game: - get Ott the hell off the PP. Everyone knew this wasn't going to go well. - AA back - Call up replacement D (assuming at least one of the two is out). Is Sproul injured? Are we at Russo now in the depth chart or do we get to see Lashoff again?

Great, apparently we're down to 4 Dmen.

Ah, missed that. So, the situation room in Toronto is biased toward the Montreal team. Got it! It's so hard to keep up with the league conspiracies.

Uh, Brendan smith is from Ontario....