kipwinger

Rasmussen with 3 points (2 goals) in the last 5 games, and he's a key part of a penalty kill that's been perfect in the last 20 powerplays against. He's not scoring like we'd hoped after how he finished last season but I'm happy to see him contributing to wins in other ways as well. Living up to their reputation as the most "f*ckable" team in the league, take a look at goaltender Alex Lyon. Glad to know he'll have a great second career as a fragrance model for Christian Dior. That's a good looking dude.

Whelp, it wasn't pretty but it still counts. At this point all wins are big wins, but going 3-0 on the road is huge for this team right now.

Anaheim is trying to goon it up and I really wish anybody on our team would respond to it.

I f*cking hate Trevor Zegras and I hope someone crosschecks him in the teeth. The little crybaby pouty face he does when he’s begging for a call makes me want to puke.

2023 started with a bang and ended with a whimper for the boys in red. Fortunately they're coming off an emotional win that they really needed and they've shown they can beat the Bruins when they play correctly. A win here would be huge and could be a turning point for this team. The 3rd divisional seed in the Atlantic is still very much up for grabs and now is the time to get dialed in. No significant injuries, no significant excuses. It's a new season baby. LGW!

I can’t believe we have the record we do. We start games like s*** and finish worse.

Jesus Christ

I was never a Smith fan, but he definitely doesn't play scared and he's the exact type guy to teach Bedard that he's not in Kansas anymore. These young finesse players need to know that they're not playing 16 year olds anymore. They're playing adult men with careers, million of dollars, and pride on the line. Those kinds of guys are not going to let up on you, ever. Welcome to the NHL kid.

Berggren (2), Mazur, Johansson, Lombardi, Kasper, and Sodorblom with points for the Griffs tonight. Wallstedt is playing well but the Wild are just falling off a cliff due to injuries (sound familiar?) and GR is all over them.

So as I've mentioned, I watch a lot of Griffins games. One thing that sticks out about AHL broadcasts is just how DUMB career AHL players sound during their interviews. I really think that explains those guys that dominate in the AHL but suck in the NHL. I think they're just way too dumb to play NHL systems correctly.

I wanted Trocheck at the time to fill the 2C role. Hard to say whether he had any interest or not, but he's a Michigan guy too. My concern with Copp was that he didn't really ever play center very much in Winnipeg and he'd only had one decent offensive season (his contract year) prior to free agency. We expected too much out of him and are paying him for his best (and only) good season. And by "we" I mean Steve Yzerman is paying a guy 5.6 million dollars for 4 seasons to play a role he's not any good at.

Good point. What would we do without him?

Weren't you also a big proponent of signing Copp as a 2C before SY did it?

That was a beating. The Wild are one of the better teams in the AHL and GR just stomped them. Cossa looked really solid. He's now beaten Askarov and Wallstedt in head to head matchups in the last month. Those guys (and Spencer Knight) were the top goalie picks in the last five years and it's good to see Cossa playing as well as his high-end peers.

Whelp, the Griffins are up 2-0 now. Tuomisto with a nice shot. He’s really coming around now that he’s healthy.

That’s basically what’s going on so far.

Speaking of which, Cossa vs. Wallstedt head to head tonight in the Griffins game. 0-0 in the first. Wallstedt has been getting peppered and has stood tall. Cossa hasn’t had as much to do but did have to face a powerplay.

Trey Augustine was the man today. I REALLY hope he grows just a little bit more.

I'm not sure it's an either/or scenario. There's only so much Lalonde can do when he's got three goalies who aren't any good and 5 of his 7 defensemen that don't defend well. This is particularly an SY issue because he explicitly hired Lalonde to improve the team defense and then gave him nothing to work with in that particular respect. Lalonde deserves criticism for his line combos, powerplay "strategy" (or lack thereof), and reluctance to recognize when something isn't working and adapt. But I don't blame him for the defense and the goaltending. SY has given Lalonde TWO decent defenders (Seider and Walman) and Lalonde plays them a zillion minutes a night against the toughest competition in the league. What else can he do?

I'd be more interested in Hanafin than Lindholm given how well JT Compher is playing (and how "meh" Lindholm has been). And it definitely wouldn't cost Edvinsson to get Hanafin.

Can you imagine how good ASP is going to be at 3 on 3?

Holy smokes that was an entertaining 3rd period and overtime. Can you even imagine trying to stop Kane on a shootout? Poor backup goalie had no chance.

This game just turned really really fun. The Kings are pushing the pace and we're responding well.

I take back everything bad I've ever said about Robby Fabbri. He's a gamer. Awesome backcheck by Raymond right there to break up a rush. One more offseason of lifting and he's going to be a star. And another great defensive play with a stick lift and steal. Lucas is turning into Mark Stone.

Dispensary Thoughts with Kip: Over the years we've gotten to know the friends and family of beloved character "Flo" from the Progressive Insurance commercials. Who knew that character would have such staying power? And who knew she rolled with a posse like she's Taylor Swift? God bless you Flo.