2024 NHL Thread

[Cobra Mgr]

Screw Ratanen

[Amazin69]

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

Screw Ratanen

Only if you take the refs with him. You know, the ones who missed Viktor Arvidsson cross-checking Gavrikov in the face in the 3rd period of Game 6. Both linesmen saw it, but they can't actually over-rule the refs unless it's a double-minor or a major. But why do you have two refs on ice if they can't spot a blatant case of "stick, meet chin; Chin, meet stick"?

And then there's the case of when, with Pickard out of the net, John Klingberg sat in the goal-mouth (understandable; it's not as if he was going to play defense, after all) and when the puck bounced into the crease, put one leg on top of it, and then put the other leg right next to it for maximum coverage. Sure, anybody but the goalie covering the puck in the crease is supposed to be a Penalty Shot, but why quibble? This a Canadian team (with "McJesus" still looking for the Promised Land), so the rules are different, don't you know, eh?

(And yes, none of this would have mattered if Jim Hiller hadn't been so spooked by the near-choke in Game 1 that he went into panic mode in both Game 3 and Game 4, shortening the bench to about 13 skaters (3 lines, 2 d-pairs) which didn't work so well. Or if the refs hadn't screwed up Game 4 as well. Or if Byfield had made a proper clearing pass with the clock ticking down, although honestly I'm less upset about that. Sigh.)

***************
"Fun" playoff stats: The Kings averaged 4 GPG across the 6 games, and our power play (8/20, 40%) was the best in the playoffs.

And with a great defense like ours, to boot…

*********************
And so goes Nick Nickson's broadcasting career. 44 seasons with the team, from TV to rado and back. Tying Bob Miller's club record for service, and presumably tying Bob (and Gretzky, Robitaille, Dustin Brown) for number of statues outside the arena, sometime next season.

Not that the Kings didn't already give Nick a fine send-off, before the Winnipeg game described upthread. Highlight was their digging up an interview Nick did with Dave Taylor in 1991 (right before the newly-injury-retired Jim Fox bumped Nick from his analyst role and sent him to the radio booth), where Nick had "dug up" a "lost" "interview" Nick did when Dave first joined the team, back in "1977".

(Quite a feat, as math tells us Nick didn't join the broadcast crew until 1981, but anyhow.)

Dave and Nick were both sporting big 1970s hair and Nick's mustache (still large by 1991 standards) was almost big enough to qualify for AFTRA membership "back then" as we watched Dave talk about how the NHL was really different than he expected, but this Gretzky kid might turn out real good and other "prescient" "insights". The worst part, "Dave" told us, was the cost of LA real estate…why, a 4-bedroom house around LA might cost $70,000! Shocking!

Hilarious stuff (I don't think I did it justice). Happy Trails, Nick!

(If they promote Josh Schaefer, I riot.)

[Cobra Mgr]

Hellebuck is doing one helluva choke.

[Amazin69]

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

Hellebuck is doing one helluva choke.

Well, if Hellebuyck spits the bit as badly as Kuemper did, I would say that Vasilievsky can start polishing his acceptance speech for the Vezina.

Except that the Lighning are out, as well. Florida scored 4.2 GPG against Vas.

Is it too late to write in Pyotr?

[Cobra Mgr]

I don't care if Ehlers got the hockey assist on the game tying goal. Jets need to sit his sorry butt down.

[Cobra Mgr]

Originally Posted by Amazin69

Is it too late to write in Pyotr?

We ain't that desperate yet.

[Cobra Mgr]

I thought the NHL was all about protecting the goalies? 2nd time this postseason a netminder got taken out of the game due to unnecessary contact in the crease. What's worse, neither received a penalty.

[Cobra Mgr]

Slavin slays 'em!!!!!!!!!

[Amazin69]

It's nice that Stank got that tying goal. Wasting one of Freddie's better efforts would have been a crime.

[Cobra Mgr]

It'd been a shame to lose period because Canes really dominated the game. Caps got only 14 SOG in an OT game. Caps have no chance if they don't find a way to stay on the other side of the ice. Let's hope they don't find a way.

[Cobra Mgr]

I know I'm no hockey expert so this might sound silly.

But you think somebody should be checking Ratanen?

That make sense? Yes? No? Maybe?

[Cobra Mgr]

I'm Freddie Andersen's biggest critic. But this 2nd round he has been the Canes best player.

[Cobra Mgr]

Freddie continues to be the Canes best player. The 2 goals he gave up weren't his fault. The 1st came when his own player blocked him in the crease. The 2nd came on a 5 on 3 PP thanks to a stupid interference call on Orlov. Orlov is a vet that should have known better. Interestingly, for the 2nd time in this series, a Cane ended up in the box for the crime of letting himself get punched in the face.

[Cobra Mgr]

Leaf fans after last night.

[CONN CHRIS]

I just found this in the basement from a game that dad and I attended the year before the NHL merger. Good memories.

[Cobra Mgr]

Originally Posted by CONN CHRIS

I just found this in the basement from a game that dad and I attended the year before the NHL merger. Good memories.

oh wow! I know that brings back some memories.

[Cobra Mgr]

It's astounding how depressed the announcers sound when something happens good to the Canes.

[Cobra Mgr]

Leafs & Matthews finally showed a pair.

[Cobra Mgr]

Mark Schiffle's dad unexpectedly died. Unknown if he will play tonight's game 6.

[Amazin69]

Scheifele is out there. Scored the 1st goal. May even be the hero by now (I'm 25 minutes behind).

Bravo, regardless.

In other news, apparently Edmon**** eliminated VGK at some point. (I didn't watch a second of that series, obviously.)

Come on, whoever wins WIN-DAL! Your duty awaits!!

ETA: Or, perhaps the Scheif is going to be the goat. Took a penalty trying to stop a breakaway with 14.8 seconds left in regulation, with a 1-1 tie. Lucky the refs weren't going to award a penalty shot unless Mark had pulled out a Glock and put a couple of rounds of lead in Sam Steel. (And perhaps not even then.)

ETAA: Yep, goat. Stars scored on the ensuing PP in OT. Scheif's dad would be spinning in his grave, except he isn't there yet.

(I tease, but obviously it was still impressive work under the circumstances. At least hopefully this way Mark will get fewer death threats from frustrated 'Peg "fans"…although whichever ones he does get will probably be really gross. And not just if they read "86 55".)

So now it's Ratanen's time to do what needs to be done to keep "McJesus" firmly on the Cross of Loser-dom. I want to hear "Stars! Dallas! Stars! Dallas!" on repeat, kids!

(Also, either Cats or Canes, don't forget to make Steve Dangle whimper. it's no fun if Toronto actually wins, y'know.)