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Devils @ Blue Jackets: Nary A Green Bowler In Sight

March 20, 2011 by Schnookie

Dude, a 5:00 game on a Sunday? Who do the Devils think they are? The Ducks? Anyway, here’s an open thread.

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Posted in Open Thread | 71 Comments

71 Responses

on March 20, 2011 at 5:25 pm SueNJ97

Welcome to the first epsode of “NJ plays out the string to the sound of Chico’s delusions”
on March 20, 2011 at 5:30 pm Schnookie

HAHAHAHAHAHA! You make it sound like these last few weeks are going to be a ton of fun, Sue. :P
on March 20, 2011 at 5:31 pm Schnookie

Oh, and by the way, wooooooo! It doesn’t get allcaps “W” and “O”s, because hey — they’re just playing out the string.
on March 20, 2011 at 5:34 pm Mags

They get a WOOOO from me, because I was awake and I saw it. So there.
on March 20, 2011 at 5:36 pm Schnookie

Those are both great reasons to allcaps WOOO!, Mags!
on March 20, 2011 at 5:37 pm SueNJ97

Yeah, I couldn’t bring myself to “W”.

I figure if Chico becomes delusional enough, if he starts doing entire periods of color commentary describing games other than the one in front of him, because he just can’t face it, there’s still fun to be had.
on March 20, 2011 at 5:53 pm Schnookie

Unrelated to the hockey, we planted two cherry trees in our front yard today, and Pookie decided to look on Flickr to see what we can expect them to look like when they’re grown up. To our horror, this is what she found: LINK TO CHERRY TREE. I’m afraid.
on March 20, 2011 at 6:05 pm SueNJ97

Wait, those don’t look anything like the cherry trees in, say, Washington DC.
on March 20, 2011 at 6:06 pm Pookie

The variety in DC must be a different, daintier kind. :D
on March 20, 2011 at 6:07 pm Schnookie

Yeah, I was thinking much more of the DC sort of look. Not the “completely consumes your entire front yard and your house” look. It’s a bit off-putting.
on March 20, 2011 at 6:08 pm Schnookie

I always feel so bad for the BJs when their fans finally start booing them for sucking. They’re just so hapless!
on March 20, 2011 at 6:08 pm Mags

You could prune/trim/whateveryoucallthat them…
on March 20, 2011 at 6:12 pm Schnookie

You could prune/trim/whateveryoucallthat them…

Hm. Good point. But what if that makes it angry? :P
on March 20, 2011 at 6:14 pm Mags

But what if that makes it angry?

Lord of the Rings has taught me that all you need in that case is a Tom Bombadil or an Ent. I’m sure they aren’t hard to come by!
on March 20, 2011 at 6:14 pm Pookie

::throws string-playing-out-colored confetti::
on March 20, 2011 at 6:14 pm Schnookie

WOO HOOOOO! Chico believes again! (Wait, “again”? Chico never stopped believing…)
on March 20, 2011 at 6:14 pm SueNJ97

Ilya’s fired.
on March 20, 2011 at 6:15 pm Schnookie

Dude, what does Kovalchuk think this is? Pre-January? He’s reverting back to early-season form there.
on March 20, 2011 at 6:22 pm SueNJ97

Well, you noticed that as soon as NJ came w/in sniffing distance of a playoff spot, Ilya became useless. Why he’s still useless now that they’re done for, I don’t know, maybe it hasn’t sunk in yet.
on March 20, 2011 at 6:23 pm Mags

Maybe the BJ’s are rubbing off on him?
on March 20, 2011 at 6:27 pm Schnookie

Why he’s still useless now that they’re done for, I don’t know, maybe it hasn’t sunk in yet.

Is he not very smart? :P
on March 20, 2011 at 6:28 pm Mags

Is he not very smart?

Was this ever in question?
on March 20, 2011 at 6:31 pm SueNJ97

Is he not very smart? :P

=) It never occurred to me to try and figure out how smart he is. After all, with the immortal example of David “Pretty but Dim” Clarkson in front of us, it’s sometimes hard to tell. Generally, other NJ players seem at least less stupid in comparison.
on March 20, 2011 at 6:33 pm SueNJ97

Then again, Clarkson, Ilya and Marty are the 3 who can’t seem to resist the lure of Sean Avery when they are on the ice. Maybe they have other things in common.
on March 20, 2011 at 6:46 pm Schnookie

Then again, Clarkson, Ilya and Marty are the 3 who can’t seem to resist the lure of Sean Avery when they are on the ice. Maybe they have other things in common.

:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

And maybe the Devils are trying to dumb down, so that Chico seems less glaringly so by comparison. Instead of smarting up the color commentary, they’re just going to lower the bar of everyone around Chico.
on March 20, 2011 at 6:55 pm Schnookie

WOOOOOOOOO!!!! Kovalchuk’s like, “Nick, no! We’re trying NOT to do that!”
on March 20, 2011 at 6:56 pm SueNJ97

Well, Palmieri saves me from having to fire Rolston, who we know won’t leave (and nobody will take him) and I’ve already fired Ilya, so firing him again does no good.
on March 20, 2011 at 6:57 pm SueNJ97

Kovalchuk’s like, “Nick, no! We’re trying NOT to do that!”

Plus, “You’re making me and Winky look bad”.
on March 20, 2011 at 7:00 pm SueNJ97

Once again, Chico is delusional. Ilya wasn’t distracted, he fanned on the shot. He fucked up. How difficult is it to just admit it?
on March 20, 2011 at 7:06 pm Pookie

How difficult is it to just admit it?

Chico: Can you guys hear anything? Lalalalala! Tell SueNJ97 that she’s crazy.
on March 20, 2011 at 7:09 pm SueNJ97

Tell Chico it’s getting difficult to differentiate him from Joe M. Except I think Joe still has his own hair.
on March 20, 2011 at 7:18 pm Schnookie

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! That was delightful!
on March 20, 2011 at 7:18 pm SueNJ97

Somewhere, I hear someone talking in Snotty Marty Voice about shutouts….
on March 20, 2011 at 7:20 pm Schnookie

Somewhere, I hear someone talking in Snotty Marty Voice about shutouts….

:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: And it’s music to your ears, right? :D
on March 20, 2011 at 7:23 pm Pookie

This string-playing out is going swimmingly!
on March 20, 2011 at 7:26 pm SueNJ97

And it’s music to your ears, right? :D

:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Of course. It’s an aria in the opera of hockey “take that’s”.
on March 20, 2011 at 7:28 pm Schnookie

It’s an aria in the opera of hockey “take that’s”.

:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: You really can’t ask for anything more than that. Heh.
on March 20, 2011 at 8:00 pm carolbrowne

UGH! I missed you guys AGAIN! My timing stinks. But hey, it looks like New Jersey won. Yay!
on March 20, 2011 at 8:09 pm Schnookie

I’m so sorry, Carol — you would have really loved today’s game. Or, um, you would have viewed it as a casual observer with no real rooting interest. One or the other. :P
on March 20, 2011 at 8:22 pm Schnookie

The Ducks/Flames game is delightful so far, too! It’s been a nice day for sports at stately IPB Manor, what with the Devils winning, Djokovic beating Nadal, and now this game. (I see it hasn’t been as good a day for Sabres fans. Bummerdude, as Boomer would say…)
on March 20, 2011 at 9:39 pm Schnookie

For the record, this Ducks game has gotten POOPY.
on March 20, 2011 at 9:51 pm SueNJ97

I’ve been watching Lady Chatterley, a miniseries from the early 1990′s, when Sean Bean was young. It’s also one of the few things I’ve seen him in where his character doesn’t die.
on March 20, 2011 at 9:54 pm Schnookie

I didn’t realize they were allowed to not make Sean Bean die in movies/miniseries.
on March 20, 2011 at 9:56 pm SueNJ97

I know. I thought it was a requirement before he was signed to a project, that his character was going to be killed off.
on March 20, 2011 at 10:15 pm Patty (in Dallas)

I’m watching the Coyotes game. The poor Sabres let the reprehensible Preds catch up and win their game. Now they’ve passed the Stars. And the Coyotes/Blackhawks game and the Ducks/Flames games are all going to go to OT, I just know it. And the Stars are helpless to do anything about it until Wednesday.

Oh, and congrats to the Devils! There’s still time!
on March 20, 2011 at 10:34 pm Schnookie

Thanks for the congrats, Patty, but it’s pretty clear that the Devils have shifted from “insane late-season comeback run” mode to “playing out the string” mode. That’s all good, though. I’m ready to have a stress-free April. :D

Meanwhile, I’m sorry the Stars are in dire straits today, but I wouldn’t worry overmuch about the Ducks forcing OT. They’re looking pretty colossally awful right now. And that’s not just because they’re ugly! Har har!
on March 20, 2011 at 10:42 pm Schnookie

Okay, I lied. The Ducks DID force OT. But how could I have known???
on March 20, 2011 at 10:48 pm Patty (in Dallas)

You could have known because I told you so! :P

DAMMIT!
on March 20, 2011 at 10:52 pm Schnookie

You could have known because I told you so! :P

DAMMIT!

:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I should never doubt you. Ever.
on March 20, 2011 at 10:56 pm mcguffers

I don’t care if Bobby Ryan didn’t score this time. He clearly led the way to the final goal!!!

::stops smiling:: Uh, sorry Stars fans. Not only did my team let you down with the Preds, but then the Flames/Ducks game went to OT. Stars have been hoodwinked!!

(Flaming Ducks is going to be my Fantasy Team name next season. I’ve just decided it.)
on March 20, 2011 at 11:01 pm Patty (in Dallas)

Flaming Ducks is a great name.

Yeah, the Stars went from 7th to 9th tonight. Stupid loser points. And Ducks.
on March 20, 2011 at 11:01 pm Schnookie

He clearly led the way to the final goal!!!

He did! It was obvious that the rest of those slackers were just going to roll over and lose if not for him. And Getzi’s studly faceoff-winning skillz, of course.

Flaming Ducks is going to be my Fantasy Team name next season.

:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
on March 20, 2011 at 11:02 pm Schnookie

Stupid loser points. And Ducks.

:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I’m so sorry. Both of those things suck (except the second one).
on March 20, 2011 at 11:06 pm Patty (in Dallas)

That’s spelled, “especially.” Not “except.” :P
on March 20, 2011 at 11:08 pm mcguffers

I’m so sorry. Both of those things suck (except the second one).

That’s spelled, “especially.” Not “except.”

:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
on March 20, 2011 at 11:12 pm Schnookie

That’s spelled, “especially.” Not “except.”

:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: No, I double-checked — I was right the first time. :P
on March 21, 2011 at 7:09 pm mcguffers

Dear NHL,

Why is Matt Cooke still in the NHL?

Sincerely,
All of Humanity.
*******************************************************

Dear NHL,

Thank you!

Love,
MRI Technicians of North America
on March 21, 2011 at 7:43 pm SueNJ97

Dear All of Humanity,

Mario has pictures of Bettman with farm animals.

Hugs and Kisses,

NHL

*******************************************************

Dear MRI Technicians of North America

Don’t worry, if we ever do kick his sorry ass to the curb, the revolving Islander goalies will keep you in business for years to come.

Hugs and Kisses,

NHL
on March 21, 2011 at 9:38 pm Schnookie

I kind of like the thought that the League is challenging Mario to put his money where his mouth is. They’re like, “There! We threw the book at him in as much as we throw the book at anyone, because we’re stupid. Anyway, now it’s your turn to prove that you’re serious about taking this element out of the game by, we don’t know… not employing players like Matt Cooke?” :P
on March 22, 2011 at 8:10 am Amy

now it’s your turn to prove that you’re serious about taking this element out of the game by, we don’t know… not employing players like Matt Cooke?

Supposedly Mario & Cooke had a come to Jesus meeting yesterday. Mario told Cooke that if he didn’t straighten up and fly right, he would no longer be a member of the Penguins organization.
on March 22, 2011 at 9:37 am Pam

yeah okay, Mario.

I love how the Penguins’ players are all “he’s a great player.”

No he’s not! If he didn’t do that “agitator” shit he’d be as useless as David Clarkson.
on March 22, 2011 at 10:32 am SueNJ97

If he didn’t do that “agitator” shit he’d be as useless as David Clarkson.

And not nearly as pretty.

It ws interesting that after all the times the Pens organization had said they had warned Cooke, Bylsma admitted in an interview that he had never sat down and spoken with him personally. He had only spoken to all the players about what was and wasn’t allowed. So if Bylsma hadn’t done it, Mario hadn’t done it before yesterday, who was responsible for what wasn’t getting through to Cooke, Shero? Or, as I suspect, were they lying when they said they talked to him before this. Gee, what a surprise.
on March 22, 2011 at 11:00 am Pam

And not nearly as pretty. Truth!

The bottom line is that Matt Cooke is responsible for his own actions. He knows what’s right and what’s wrong. He just doesn’t care.

Or, as I suspect, were they lying when they said they talked to him before this. Gee, what a surprise.

Agreed. Where the Penguins deserve shit, is in their phony public response to it all. I guess I don’t know what I would expect from them. Maybe something like this:

“We know that Matt Cooke is an asshole who is a danger to the game, but we employ him because he pisses off and sometimes seriously hurts our opponents, which we feel gives us a better chance to win. Afterall, the NHL does want to see Sidney succeed.”
on March 22, 2011 at 11:32 am SueNJ97

“We know that Matt Cooke is an asshole who is a danger to the game, but we employ him because he pisses off and sometimes seriously hurts our opponents, which we feel gives us a better chance to win. Afterall, the NHL does want to see Sidney succeed.”

Actually, Shero came very close to this in his interview with SI earlier this year when he admitted that “dirty” players (and he specifically cited Ulf S – so he wasn’t just talking about guys who agitate a bit) have a place in the NHL. They just need to know where the line is. Clearly Cooke never learned it – and they never bothered to talk to him until, as Puck Daddy pointed out today, he embarrassed Mario.

And the really ironic thing is, Mario probably wouldn’t have been “embarrassed” if he’d kept his mouth shut a few weeks ago, and so the Pens wouldn’t have had to do anything from their end – although you’d hope they would anyway. So, for once, Mario getting called on his game did some good.
on March 22, 2011 at 11:41 am SueNJ97

Clearly, the Flyers are using frozen Kool-Aid.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/What-8217-s-inside-the-Flyers-8217-magic-Slur?urn=nhl-wp813

But, what’s been added lately to cause the losing streak?
on March 22, 2011 at 11:49 am Schnookie

Or, as I suspect, were they lying when they said they talked to him before this. Gee, what a surprise.

:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: It’s so shocking to find out what levels of hypocrisy are at play here! I never would have guessed! (I’m kind of at a point as a fan where I have ‘controversial hit debate’ fatigue, so for the most part I’m kind of just over it all until the league actually makes some changes. But the whole Mario angle of this situation is too hilarious to ignore. I’m loving it!)

I’d seen the Trannies’ slushee machine in the background of interview videos, and was totally transfixed by it. Here I’d thought that everyone had one, and that slushees had become a sports industry standard. How exciting to find out that they’re special!
on March 22, 2011 at 11:51 am Amy

Shero came very close to this in his interview with SI earlier this year when he admitted that “dirty” players (and he specifically cited Ulf S – so he wasn’t just talking about guys who agitate a bit) have a place in the NHL. They just need to know where the line is.

That’s interesting, especially in light of the fact that Shero is a member of the GM Trio (along with BUF & CAR) who want to remove all head hits from the game. So we can be “dirty,” just not towards the head. So does that make knees fair game?
on March 22, 2011 at 12:07 pm SueNJ97

Amy, I thought Shero’s use of Ulf as an example was odd, since he went after all parts of opposing players’ bodies, knees (and, as Can Neely can testify, thighs), he used to spear players in the groin, kidneys, etc., he would cross-check players in the head, elbow them in the head, etc. So, was Shero saying that he wants a player like Ulf except they shouldn’t target the head? He wasn’t particularly clear. Actually, if you look at it, maybe that’s what he sees in Cooke, except he can’t reconcile it with his “no hits to the head” stance.
on March 22, 2011 at 4:18 pm Mike in Idaho

So do we all still believe? I don’t think I do anymore but will keep watching until the next loss at which point I think even Chico might have to admit the jig is up.
on March 22, 2011 at 10:02 pm Schnookie

Well, I’m glad that WordPress was down for most of the game tonight, because it was a sad one. It was better just to be alone with the dying breaths of the Belief. RIP, Believing. It was a good run.
on March 22, 2011 at 10:11 pm Pookie

Fortunately, I didn’t believe going into this game, so it’s not too, too upsetting.