egroen

Wow, my feed is delayed... Just scored now.

When has a live octopus ever been thrown onto the ice? Imagine sneaking that in under your pants!

True. And right about the time the third line finds their groove another line will slump and everyone will clamor to make wholesale changes to the other line at that time. The top two lines are looking great, the 2nd line simply capitalizing on their chances better right now. I have no problem tinkering a bit with the lower lines right now, but definitely do not want anything toyed with at the top, on the off-chance it could spur the 3rd line. Don't mess with a good thing (3 out 4 lines performing well at the same time is about as good as it gets) and definitely too early to be overly concerned.

Lol at Kindl there.

Kindl?

4 minutes of 5 on 5 then 4 minutes of 4 on 4 is about perfect, without a shootout. It still works to decrease the chance of a tie (but also making ties more meaningful in a hard fought game - there is no question the intensity in over-time is what it was, as now they know it's not -really- over yet.), and more importantly does not resort to some all-star skills competition gimmick to decide games (3 on 3 and the shootout). The problem before was that there were *too many* ties prior to the lockout, not the ties itself. It seems you could at least come up with a way to make a dent in them, without completely eradicating them from the season and decide close games with the equivalent of a slam dunk competition.

It's certainly close enough that any self-respecting Duck's fan would scoff at any evidence, dismiss it outright, call everyone else sissies and then go back to staring at his George Parros poster.

I also secretly hoped for Crosby in the lottery year. Though I have to think he would have benefited from a more veteran team like Detroit and not come across as so whiney/douchey. Who knows?

They has most of their playing time together in GR.

Hudler right now looks like he has been out of the NHL for 5 years and not 1. Definitely rusty and looking lost at times. Despite that, he is already on pace for over 40 points and producing the same as Zetterberg... With lots of time to pick it up. Modano, Hudler and Cleary have pretty much never played together so it would actually be a lot more shocking if they were producing at a great clip right now. Hudler is less reliant on linemates than most Wings - he actually made Helm and McCarty into a dangerous scoring line in the 08 playoffs. Wouldn't mind seeing Helm bumped up from time to time as Hudler can actually do something with all the chances Helm creates. Ultimately not too worried. He has been in perfect position to pot 2 or 3 wide open goals already and completely whiffed on them - a less rusty Hudler will bury those in the future.

They've commented on air a number of times that they get a lot of complaints about not talking hockey, but when hockey comes up on the air the lines go dead. They'll talk about it for 2 minutes and you can tell they quickly have to move on because 1) few of them understand the league dynamics and players from other teams, so they rarely are able to put a red wing event into the proper context to keep a conversation going like they can with the other sports. 2) they get such few calls. Which is funny because by the time I realize they are actually talking hockey and phone in, they are already onto the next topic. That has happened to me almost every time I call in - talk to screener, hold, screener comes on and informs me they are back to the Lions.

I'm all for playing the 4th line for most of the final period - at least we would see some hustle.

Going out of the period with a bang! ???

Will someone at least kick Ott's ass?

Are we sure Hudler actually played somewhere last year??

I'm in - thanks!

Yep - now just waiting for approval email

Waiting for email confirm for Drum's site... Anyone else have a stream url?

70 points would be huge for Filppula... So far he is scoring with pure hustle and tenacity; have loved his game. Not sure if he has the skill to really sustain it, but hope so.

Three times Kopecky had complete gimmees handed to him by Kane and Toews and didn't even close each time. It still blows my mind he is playing on the first line.

Nothing kills the excitement of a game better.

Lol, Same ol' Kopecky. Sad they have to give him so many minutes.

4th line looked sloppy.

I loved going to bull fights in Madrid. Before the event there are ads up all along and around the arena, but prior to it beginning they will literally take every single one down. You'd be amazed at the change - we've become so used to it, but without the ads it is like you are transported back decades in time. Tough to explain how it can make such a difference, but I just loved that aspect of it. No distractions, no fluff - just the event you paid to see.

Lol, though it was annoying to see them not score with all that 5 on 3 time!