NHL season 1/2 way point (actually now 2/3 into the season)

[nolealum99]

Okay so not everyone is at the halfway point as of yet, but since I am a Bolts fan, and they just played game 41 last night, I am starting the thread. I am ecstatic the Bolts are where they are, even though they have struggled a little bit as of the last few weeks. A good home stand to end the year helped that a bit.

There are some surprises and some teams that are not surprises at all, both on the good and bad side. Most teams still have a shot as all but two teams in both the East and West are within 10 points of a playoff spot. I think the top teams are teams that are going to be there for the long run, but it should be interesting to see how the rest shakes out.

There is something that I am excited for during the second half. I have to be out in the Anaheim for a trade show in February. I got online to see if I could catch a game at the Pond while I was there. Come to find out, the Bolts are on a West Coast swing while we are there and I will now be at the game.
This post was edited on 2/12 4:24 PM by nolealum99

NHL midpoint standings

 

[SeaPA]

Re: NHL season 1/2 way point


Excellent first half for the Bolts; they are a very fun team to watch, with a lot of guys who can score. Need Bishop to stay healthy, and need Filpulla to find his scoring touch; he's about the only guy I can think of who's been disappointing for them this season.

 

[nolealum99]

Re: NHL season 1/2 way point


I know it is hard to call out a guy who is currently 4th in the league in points, but Stamkos has me a bit confused. They have him moving around a lot on the power play and mostly not in those positions where he can rip that deadly one-timer on the PP. He is playing very hard, and by no means is he a disappointment, but I think he can get himself in some better spots.

That said, we got the line of Palat, Johnson, and Kucherov which is unreal!!!!! Johnson & Kucherov are 1-2 in the +/- stats in the league, and Palat is tied for 3rd. I love watching this line every time they are on the ice.

 

[barnnole]

Re: NHL season 1/2 way point


Bolts/Preds Stanley Cup Final...Canada explodes...

 

[nolealum99]

Re: NHL season 1/2 way point

Originally posted by barnnole:

Bolts/Preds Stanley Cup Final...Canada explodes...

That would be awesome. I listen to NHL Network on XM a lot and it is funny to hear everyone just bust on the Leafs for the train wreck that they have up there. Montreal is good, but I think they have some weaknesses. Obviously it is not the playoffs, but the Bolts seem to have wanted to make a statement this year after the sweep last year in the playoffs. Bolts have outscored Habs 11-3 in their two meeting so far this year. Lost Gudas for 4 months, which would be the start of the playoffs, if at all. while he is not the best D-man in the world, he does bring toughness.

 

[NY_22_Nole]

Re: NHL season 1/2 way point


My Islanders are looking mighty good so far. I have to say I am a little concerned about goaltending. But we have a decent amount of depth (for the first time in about 20 years!!!).

Looking forward to one last playoff run in the old barn!!!

Lets go Islanders!!!

Enjoy...

 

[timbo37059]

Re: NHL season 1/2 way point

Bruins have been a big disappointed this year. They did have some injuries early but the lack of scoring and bad hockey has made them hard to watch. Tuukka has been average. They have turned it around a little lately but feel like they need to make a few moves and get rid of dead weight.

 

[NY_22_Nole]

Re: NHL season 1/2 way point


Timbo - if the Bruins make the playoffs they will be one of the most dangerous teams - I certainly would not want to see my Islanders face them....

 

[timbo37059]

Re: NHL season 1/2 way point

If they play like they have for a week now then I agree with you but the first few weeks of December have been brutal.

Hockey is very unique in the fact that a lower seed team can beat a higher ranked team.

The islanders got a huge pickup in trading for Boychuk. Dude is a great leader, knows how to get it done in the playoffs, and that heavy shot is always a weapon. I think that trade really shook they Bruins locker room but they need to deal with it and move on.

It is good to see the islanders good again, it has been to long. You have your work cut out for you the Pens are going to be solid and have had injuries and it looks like the Rangers are starting to get it ramped up, Washington who knows with them though they looked good on New Years. Got quite a little log jam in the metropolitan.

 

[timbo37059]

Re: NHL season 1/2 way point

Bump for Bolts and Bruins this evening.

 

[NY_22_Nole]

Re: NHL season 1/2 way point


Boychuk was a great pickup - for a song no less - downside to economics for the B's.

 

[Manch.]

Re: NHL season 1/2 way point

Pastrnak decission by the Bruins should come shortly.

They are in a tough situation. If they send him down, they can't recall this year, if they keep him and he fizzles, oh boy. I don't think the B's will win it all, so let the kid stay up and play. He's quick, goes in the corners and charges the net.

I read that he is the youngest kid in the NHL, and the AHL.

I think the B's just got off of the Boychuk hangover.

 

[nolealum99]

Re: NHL season 1/2 way point

Originally posted by Manch.:
Pastrnak decission by the Bruins should come shortly.

They are in a tough situation. If they send him down, they can't recall this year, if they keep him and he fizzles, oh boy. I don't think the B's will win it all, so let the kid stay up and play. He's quick, goes in the corners and charges the net.

I read that he is the youngest kid in the NHL, and the AHL.

I think the B's just got off of the Boychuk hangover.

My personal opinion is that he can help this team and needs to stay. Yes he is young, and yes he will not keep up this pace, but even if he helps Boston win a few games, it is worth it. Not a Bruin fan, but think the kid is pretty damn good and can bring them something.

 

[JacksonvilleBlue904]

Re: NHL season 1/2 way point

Originally posted by SeaPA:

Excellent first half for the Bolts; they are a very fun team to watch, with a lot of guys who can score. Need Bishop to stay healthy, and need Filpulla to find his scoring touch; he's about the only guy I can think of who's been disappointing for them this season.

I kind of think Drouin has been disappointing but i think that's more so of my expectations than actual play.

 

[Manch.]

Re: NHL season 1/2 way point

Pastrnak has been a blessing. With the NBA and NFL, I get spoiled and expect top draft picks to come in and play right away in the NHL, and forget that it often takes a minimum of 2-3 for 18 year old's to reach the NHL. Seguin is lighting it up this year, but his early off ice immaturity really turned off the Bruins, and as great of a trade as the Cam Neely and a draft pick (Glen Wesley) for Barry Pederson was, the Tyler Seguin trade was the opposite. I think the Bruins goofed by giving him that big contract too soon and then Seguin's partying, immaturity and lack of hustle on the ice, turned the Bruin's off. Seguin didn't have an on/off the ice mentor in Boston, but even with his lack of physical game, the still had a +63 while in Boston, and Boston was scoring many goals, all though they played a stingy D. I cringed when the B's traded Seguin and his game has emerged to where he might be a top 5 player in the league in a year or two.

Pastrnak is the anti- young Seguin, in terms of that he hustles back on defense, hits the corners and charges the net. He had a +4 the other night, has 5 points in 9 games, is a +6 and he has a great instinct on where the puck and net is. I am stunned that he has performed this well after 9 games, but of course, he could come back to earth just as quick as he climbed, but the Bruins are 4-0 since his recall (he played in 5 games in late November/early December and last played in the NHL on Dec. 4th until he played again on January 8th), and the Bruins have points in their last 9 games and are 5-0 since owner called out the players.

I like the kid's guts and grit, and hopefully the Bruins don't trade him for 3 3rd liners and an 8th defenseman before the trade deadline.

As a bonus for Pastrnak, he has on and off the ice mentors in Zdano Chara and David Krejci, both Czechs who can help him adapt to the language, city and league.

 

[nolealum99]

Re: NHL season 1/2 way point

Originally posted by JacksonvilleBlue904:

Originally posted by SeaPA:

Excellent first half for the Bolts; they are a very fun team to watch, with a lot of guys who can score. Need Bishop to stay healthy, and need Filpulla to find his scoring touch; he's about the only guy I can think of who's been disappointing for them this season.

I kind of think Drouin has been disappointing but i think that's more so of my expectations than actual play.

I am with you, although I think I may have hoped too much. He is normally playing between 12-15 min/game, with a few games where he has been called on more. I think they are proceeding exactly as they should. Give him a feel and then let him ramp it up next year. The couple things I really like as I watch him on the ice, he is fast and his hands are ridiculous. He is just young and needs to learn. All part of the process.

 

[Manch.]

Re: NHL season 1/2 way point

Jax, the kid is only going to be 20 years old, and I wish he wore a B with spokes. I love this kid and hopefully he can live up to the expectations of a 3rd overall pick, but I think he's done OK. I guess he had a case of the mumps a little while ago, and that can deflate someone for a while. He has a great supporting cast and I think he will grow. There's enough pressure to go along with being a top 5 pick, but he is in the ideal situation on a top team loaded with vets, he doesn't need to do it all every night.

One thing I saw the other night that you rarely see in the NHL is a delayed penalty goal. There was a delayed penalty called against Drouin and the B's pulled Rask to skate 6 v 5, and as it turned out, the B's scored before the Lightning touched the puck or a whistle was called. Honestly, I hardly ever see that and can't remember the last time that it happened. It seems it's almost as rare as the triple play in baseball. Now, here's an honest question, if Marchand shoots while the penalty is delayed, and Bishop blocks the shoot, but not cleanly and trickles in without anyone else touching it, does the penalty get called and the goal waived off seeing that a Tampa player actually touched, or does play on come into play?

I am surprised that there was no talk of the World Juniors this year, and as usual, the Canucks won the gold while having the top 4 scorers. Sucked seeing the US lose in the quarters to eventual silver medalists, Russia.

 

[nolealum99]

Re: NHL season 1/2 way point

Originally posted by Manch.:
Jax, the kid is only going to be 20 years old, and I wish he wore a B with spokes. I love this kid and hopefully he can live up to the expectations of a 3rd overall pick, but I think he's done OK. I guess he had a case of the mumps a little while ago, and that can deflate someone for a while. He has a great supporting cast and I think he will grow. There's enough pressure to go along with being a top 5 pick, but he is in the ideal situation on a top team loaded with vets, he doesn't need to do it all every night.

One thing I saw the other night that you rarely see in the NHL is a delayed penalty goal. There was a delayed penalty called against Drouin and the B's pulled Rask to skate 6 v 5, and as it turned out, the B's scored before the Lightning touched the puck or a whistle was called. Honestly, I hardly ever see that and can't remember the last time that it happened. It seems it's almost as rare as the triple play in baseball. Now, here's an honest question, if Marchand shoots while the penalty is delayed, and Bishop blocks the shoot, but not cleanly and trickles in without anyone else touching it, does the penalty get called and the goal waived off seeing that a Tampa player actually touched, or does play on come into play?

I am surprised that there was no talk of the World Juniors this year, and as usual, the Canucks won the gold while having the top 4 scorers. Sucked seeing the US lose in the quarters to eventual silver medalists, Russia.

I would assume in your situation that it would all depend on a referee whistle. By the book, the offending team has to "gain control of the puck" in order for play to be stopped, so by your explanation the goal should be allowed. However, I have seen many times where it is questionable whether the puck was just touched or controlled. So it would all hinge on whether the ref blows the whistle or not. I too have not seen pulling the goalie work very often. Matter of fact I can remember at least one own goal scored this year when a team pulled the goalie.

US did not play up to its potential this year in the JRs, although they were very young. Canada was definitely the best team and deserved to win it. US does have a bright future though.

 

[kooterridesagain]

Re: NHL season 1/2 way point

Well the Pens still have Fleury so they'll once again be the team everyone wants to play in the playoffs. Such is life as a Pens fan and our "all star" fleury haha
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[nolealum99]

Re: NHL season 1/2 way point

Originally posted by kooterridesagain:
Well the Pens still have Fleury so they'll once again be the team everyone wants to play in the playoffs. Such is life as a Pens fan and our "all star" fleury haha

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I watched a little of that game in which he got chased yesterday. Pens are a strange team to me. They look like world beaters at times, and like yesterday, look uninspired at times.

 

[Manch.]

Re: NHL season 1/2 way point

Fleury was the next Ken Dryden when the Pens drafted him, he's had his moments, but I can't explain the periods where it seems that his mind is just not there. It seems like he was drafted 20 years ago.

Speaking of goalies, a buddy of mine were talking the other day about Reggie Lemelin and Andy Moog. Was there a better goalie tandem than those two. There almost certainly has, but we couldn't think of one off of the top of our heads.

Speaking of Lemelin, how about his daughter Stephanie, who's appeared in dozens of TV shows!!

 

[timbo37059]

Re: NHL season 1/2 way point

Reggie Reggie Reggie Reggie!

That is a tough one because they to me were the last team to really have success basically splitting games with no real drop off from either. Chigago had Belfour and Hašek at the same time. But Hašek wasn't the dominator at that point. Vernon and Osgood won some cups together I think. Recently Thomas and Rask was a good duo.

Andy Moog was my favorite growing up. The Bear mask and the Vaughn legacy pads is all I ever wanted as a kid. Haha

 

[Manch.]

Re: NHL season 1/2 way point

Recently Thomas and Rask was a good duo.

Andy Moog was my favorite growing up. The Bear mask and the Vaughn legacy pads is all I ever wanted as a kid. Haha

Thomas and Rask were a good tandem back in 2010-2011, except that Thomas was 35-11-9 and Rask was 11-14-2 and the GAA's were 2.0 vs 2.67 (Rask), and Thomas played in all 25 playoff games. I don't think it was close to Lemelin/Moog, but Rask was definitely a pretty good #2!

 

[Manch.]

Re: NHL season 1/2 way point

Also, it looks like the Bruins will get the 2016 NHL Winter Classic as they host the Montreal Canadians at Gillette Stadium, which holds 68,756, which could make it the 3rd highest NHL attendance figure, and 5th highest North American record (behind two Michigan/Michigan State college games 113,411-the highest ever at Ann harbor Stadium and 74,544 at Spartan Stadium-4th highest attended).

It's also possible that Minnesota and Colorado could host an outdoor game in 2016.

The 3rd highest attended game came at the 2010 IIHF World Championships in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, when the US hosted Germany in front of almost 78,000 German fans in Germany, in which the Germans won the game 2-1 (the US was the home team of record)

 

[timbo37059]

Re: NHL season 1/2 way point

I will be there for the Habs Bruins at Gillette. Going to be a great day of hockey. Glad the NHL finally bit the bullet and let a Canadien team in the winter classic. I was wondering when Minn or Colorado would got one. Great hockey areas and it will be huge.

 

[Manch.]

Re: NHL season 1/2 way point

Originally posted by timbo37059:
I will be there for the Habs Bruins at Gillette. Going to be a great day of hockey. Glad the NHL finally bit the bullet and let a Canadien team in the winter classic. I was wondering when Minn or Colorado would got one. Great hockey areas and it will be huge.

I think Toronto played at Detroit a few years back. Hopefully I'll be at the Razor next year, but I am not sitting up top for $200 a ticket.

 

[nolealum99]

Re: NHL season 1/2 way point

Holy cow Toronto is in full-on meltdown mode. 2 goals in their last five games. Numerous fans escorted out tonight for throwing jerseys on the ice, some in mid-play. I read that's the first time since like 1929 the Leafs have only had 2 goals in 5 games.
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[KA-NOLE]

Re: NHL season 1/2 way point

What team trades s player as talented as Seguin? Oh my, what s killer move... That guy is a rare talent...
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[nolealum99]

Re: NHL season 1/2 way point


I think the trade deadline is going to be good this year. You have multiple teams in both conferences that are basically done for the year already. Last year most teams at least thought they had a shot. I think you will see some big moves from the bottom feeders to boost their drafts and prospects.

Speaking of trades, the Bolts may be looking for a D man in a trade. With Gudas out till the end of regular season at least with his knee, and now Carle out 6-8 weeks having surgery on a torn abductor muscle, we are gonna need some help back there. You can always call up the someone from Cuse, but since they are near the top, I would expect them to try to get a piece that can really help in the playoffs, not just be a body to fill a hole.

 

[NoleMoreTears]

Re: NHL season 1/2 way point

Originally posted by Manch.:
Fleury was the next Ken Dryden when the Pens drafted him, he's had his moments, but I can't explain the periods where it seems that his mind is just not there. It seems like he was drafted 20 years ago.

Speaking of goalies, a buddy of mine were talking the other day about Reggie Lemelin and Andy Moog. Was there a better goalie tandem than those two. There almost certainly has, but we couldn't think of one off of the top of our heads.

Speaking of Lemelin, how about his daughter Stephanie, who's appeared in dozens of TV shows!!

Mike Richter and the beezer was pretty good.

Hasek and Osgood in Detroit.

Hasek and Belfour in Chicago

going back, Jacques Plante and Hall for the Blues.

Not enough hockey for me this year...almost none so far and it's getting annoying. I'll start to catch up in March.

 

[Bragglefraggle]

Re: NHL season 1/2 way point

Blues look good. Tarasenko with over 40 points, 11-0-1 in last 12 with Schwartz active, 7-0-1 in last 8, Brian Elliott with a 1.86 GAA
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[kooterridesagain]

Re: NHL season 1/2 way point

Pens in free fall, 4-10 in last 14 and horrible in close games with 5 of 10 losses in OT or shootout. Gotta stop the bleeding during all star break.

Thankfully 9 seed in east is 7 pts back
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[Manch.]

Re: NHL season 1/2 way point

kooter, the Bruins have been on a roll and remain in 8th place in the east (they are only 1 of 2 NHL with a regulation time loss in their last 10 games), 6 of the 7 teams ahead of them all have more points over the last 10 games.

The B's are 7 points up on 9th place Florida, but the Panthers have 4 games in hand.

With the streak the B's have been on, they should have climbed or made up some ground.

I will say it again, if I could change one rule in sports, I would eliminate the shootout and go back to the old 5 minute OT where you get 2 points for a win, 1 point for a tie and ZERO for a loss! I hate this 1 point for OT shit, what is this Little League where everyone gets a trophy?

The Isles have just 1 OT/SO loss, so by the old system, the would be tied for the most points, as some teams have 10-12 OT losses, and that's a 5-6 game swing, which would be huge in a point swing.

I think the NHL is getting like soccer, where teams, when they get to a certain part of the game, especially on the road against a better team, they settle for the tie and 1 point, and perhaps they get the extra point in OT or the shootout, if not, at least we got out 11th place medal because we all tried really hard and mommy is proud of us.

..and yes, the B's have 8 OT losses, and the Kings and Avalanche had 12 and 10 OT losses and remain in 9th and 10th place in the west, and are in striking distance of that 8th spot, but take away the 11th place medal and they are a staggering 10 points out of the playoff picture.

I know the OT loss crowds the teams in the standings and it makes the end of the season more interesting as 8 teams were within 10 points of 8th place last year with 5 games to play, and ratings go up tremendously during the shootout, but I F*CKING hate it!

What's next, a 2 point goal outside the blue line? No more offsides in the final minute?

 

[timbo37059]

Re: NHL season 1/2 way point

I agree Manch. The NHL regular season is a joke. If you are in 8th place by thanksgiving odds are you make the playoffs. Personally the east is locked up now. All a matter of seeding now.

The west could get interesting. I'm rooting for Calgary it's good to see a guy like Johnny Hockey do well. The Flames are holding on now but got a strong kings team, Avs and maybe even the stars all right there.

Pitt will be fine. They have huge injuries and as long as 87 is fine they are in the hunt.

 

[NoleMoreTears]

Re: NHL season 1/2 way point

All they need to do is make it 3 (or even 4) pts for an outright win. The 4-4 OT was a godsend for the league when it came out. I guess people forget how stagnant the old 5-5 OT was - for the exact fear of not getting any point! There were very few OT wins in that era, especially when combined with the trap wave of the 90's. Definitely some revised history going on now as people forget how uninspiring the game used to be. 0 points for OT loss would not be a good thing.

The situation is remarkably better, they need 2 more tweaks and all good.

I can tell you from personal experience the teams play very hard regular season but the life and schedule take their toll. Physiology eventually wins out. The desire for bunched standings has begun to backfire - again a simple fix.

 

[timbo37059]

Re: NHL season 1/2 way point

I recently went to a AHL game. They put up 7 mins on the board and play something like 3 mins of 4 on 4 then when to 3 on 3. I don't know the exact rules. But it was really fun to watch. Those boys got gassed and it is a lot of up and down leading to a eventual goal. I'd like to see this model used in OT.

 

[NY_22_Nole]

Re: NHL season 1/2 way point


I also hate the OT rules.

Pittsburgh may make the playoffs, but I doubt anyone will fear them with Fleury in net. As an aside I think the media (at least the small bit of attention they pay to hockey....) over-rates the Pens every year....

 

[hatsbo]

Re: NHL season 1/2 way point

Saw the Bolts Bruins game last week, Tampa Bay has an impressive team. That first line is lethal and really was impressed with Bishop, i.e. Ken Dryden. It looks like Yzerman and Cooper have tightened up on the defense, although the recent injuries will be a challenge. Don't see TB much, forget to watch them now that I'm in Virginia. Are they on FSS and tape delay? I don't have the NHL package this year, that's how I watch a lot of the Bruins games on NESN. The Bruins seem to be righting the ship now that the team is healing up some, and the addition of Pasternak seems to have kick started the offense. Hopefully the lines will settle down, my head was spinning from all the shake ups the first half of the season.

 

[kooterridesagain]

Re: NHL season 1/2 way point

I hate shootouts too, glad we all agree.
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[nolealum99]

Re: NHL season 1/2 way point


I actually like the shootout for the simple reason that I hate leaving the rink without seeing a winner. That is the reason the NHL does it at all. They want a winner and a loser, although they don't really have a complete loser as the team that doesn't win still gets a point. I like the 3 on 3 that the AHL is trying. The stats show that more games end before the shootout. What I would like to see is the losing team, either in regulation or OT getting 0 points. That would make teams play harder in OT. Only if the game goes to a shootout should the losing team get a point.

As the OP mentioned earlier about the Sharks, yes they are getting points and his take was that it helps them. I actually think the reverse will happen with them in the end. They will miss out and look at all those games where they missed on the extra point and wish they had won some of those games.