It's Opposite Day!

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It’s Opposite Day!

November 28, 2011 by Schnookie

Dude, everyone else in the league fired their coaches today, and the Devils didn’t? It’s madness! How does something like this happen? We’ve got no beef with DeBoer, but honestly, we must not let there be a coach-firing gap. Lou, get on it. You’re starting to look like you’ve lost your edge.

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Posted in Insightful Hockey Commentary | 77 Comments

77 Responses

on November 28, 2011 at 8:20 pm Frank Pugh

I think Lou lost his edge when he signed Kovalchuk. Deboer benches,sits, and sends players down. But Kovy gets awarded with more ice time for his bad play. We should boo Kovy until he gets the point.
on November 28, 2011 at 8:49 pm suenj97

I heard they did boo him. Fans who said they’ve ben polite, for quite some time, and want to be supportive, finally lost it after the idiotic turnover and the late UC penalty.

Apparently DeBoer didn’t bench Chuckles, after the turnover, he told him to get back out there and do something about it. It didn’t work.

At least Chuckles did say he took responsibility for the loss – and as bad as he was, it wasn’t all his doing. He was only responsible for one of the breakaways, that I can recall. There were lots of them. The whole team was sloppy – except Marty, and that’s sad.

I’m waiting for Sutter to get fired.
on November 28, 2011 at 9:35 pm Schnookie

I felt like that last game was a big case of Chuckles giveth and Chuckles taketh away. On the one hand, his mistakes led directly to the loss. On the other hand, he set up both Devils goals. I figure I’ll take it as long as he’s owning up to the fuck-ups. After years of listening to Langenbrunner blaming the fans for booing him when he screwed up, I’m just happy to hear a player who admits he did something wrong. :P

(That said, I see nothing wrong with booing him. That’s very well-placed booing, aiming at Chuckles after that game.)
on November 29, 2011 at 8:49 pm suenj97

An article on NHL.com decribes Hunter’s coaching styling as similar to Hitchcock’s. I’m looking at the Caps’ roster and trying to picture how that is supposed to work. Yes, I know Hitch coached Brett Hull successfully, but there was only one of Brett on Dallas, and by the time he got there, Brett wanted to be taken seriously and he wanted to win. He was willing to do what it took (even if it took a disputed goal).
on November 29, 2011 at 8:53 pm Pookie

Yeah, I’m really, really, really curious how Hunter’s going to work out. I want Ovechkin to fail miserably, so I’m hoping it’s going to work out exactly how I think it’s going to work out. Heh heh heh.
on November 29, 2011 at 8:54 pm Schnookie

but there was only one of Brett on Dallas

:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Yeeeeeeeeeah. And wasn’t part of Boudreau’s problem that he tried to be more like Hitchcock? All I know is, I hope the Caps continue to fail.
on November 29, 2011 at 9:00 pm suenj97

And wasn’t part of Boudreau’s problem that he tried to be more like Hitchcock?

I think the argument against that was he started out as everyone’s buddy and they were ‘having fun’ and when you are that kind of coach you can’t tighten the screws. I guess they think if they bring in someone who will scare the shit out of them – oh, sorry – ‘provide structure’ from the beginning, but who also has a reputation for playing his top guys an awful lot, it will help. I’m unconvinced.
on November 29, 2011 at 9:02 pm Schnookie

if they bring in someone who will scare the shit out of them – oh, sorry – ‘provide structure’ from the beginning

:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I agree with you, Sue, on the unconvinced front. There hasn’t been a lot from Ovechkin to make me think he’s interested in “structure”.
on November 29, 2011 at 9:07 pm suenj97

I’m kind of ‘meh’ on the Carolina coaching change, except if it works, it’s inconvenient, and I hate the ‘Canes. But I kind of like Muller. Too bad he was hired there.
on November 29, 2011 at 9:09 pm Schnookie

I liked the notion of Muller coaching the Devils, back when he was being rumored to be our new guy, so I’ll be pissed if he turns out to be awesome for someone else. :P
on November 29, 2011 at 9:13 pm suenj97

Yeah, I was interested in him for NJ as well, but after the MacLean debacle, Lou wasn’t going to hire a coach w/out NHL head coaching experience. So, I knew it wasn’t possible. I just don’t want him to be awesome for the ‘Canes because I don’t like them.
on November 29, 2011 at 9:16 pm suenj97

The Pens can beat up on most everyone, but they are losing to the Rangers 1-4?
on November 29, 2011 at 9:18 pm Schnookie

We actually had the Pens/Rangers game on, because I assumed it would be entertaining from a “watching the Rangers lose” perspective. Gah. Effin’ Pens aren’t good for anything.
on November 30, 2011 at 4:07 am EJGRgunner

Lou’s waiting for Christmas. It’s his not-quite-annual gift to the fans.
on November 30, 2011 at 12:38 pm mcguffers

Happy belated Thanksgiving everyone!! Hope the holiday was good to you! I just read “Leafs and Bruins battle for First Place” so clearly the hockey gods are being sick fuckers in this merriest time of year.

I haven’t been watching too much hockey this season. And by “too much” I mean “any”. I did go to an Amerks/Mini Devils game over Thanksgiving and got to see mini Zajac, mini Gionta, and a bunch of other dudes I remember being discussed here. And from what I’ve heard, the Sabres kind of blow. I could look that up, but Weber and I are going to put up Christmas decorations. My non-working fireplace (that has never promised to make people good at hockey) deserves some love.
on November 30, 2011 at 8:41 pm Pookie

Lou’s waiting for Christmas. It’s his not-quite-annual gift to the fans.

HAHAHAHAHA! This year, maybe he can give us the gift of ditching Janssen instead. (My gift to you, Gunner, was to not say Sykora. You’re welcome!)

Happy Thanksgiving to you, mcguggs! I hope the fireplace trimming goes delightfully. This is the first year we’ve put outdoor lights out at stately IPB Manor. Our crazy neighbor suddenly decided she also needed to put out lights. Almost identical to ours. ::eyeroll::
on November 30, 2011 at 9:25 pm suenj97

They should interview Elias more often, just so they can show that shot of him in the green plastic bowler hat.
on November 30, 2011 at 9:27 pm suenj97

And tonight’s waste of space in a NJ uniform is.. Eric Boulton. He’s back in the line-up. Bleh.
on November 30, 2011 at 9:35 pm Schnookie

Ew! Boulton? I missed the pregame because I was making marshmallows (EEEEEEEEEEEEEE! Just as an aside. I love Christmastime!), and clearly I was better off not knowing some of the information they were imparting.
on November 30, 2011 at 9:43 pm Tim

Why must Larsson (HBTN) test our faith so early?
on November 30, 2011 at 9:45 pm suenj97

(EEEEEEEEEEEEEE! Just as an aside. I love Christmastime!)

I’m a fan as well. My father, who “shouldn’t” pay much attention to the entire thing due to his religion, says he enjoys the grand spectacle – and that’s my opinion as well. Plus there’s always my Mom’s 7 kinds of Xmas cookies.

Yeah, Boulton’s on the 4th line. I believe Greene’s scratched (so is Egg), so Fraser’s in.
on November 30, 2011 at 9:47 pm Tim

That’s good to hear sue, zoroastrians are usually so huffy this time of year.
on November 30, 2011 at 9:48 pm Tim

Funfetti.
on November 30, 2011 at 9:48 pm EJGRgunner

Funfetti
on November 30, 2011 at 9:49 pm suenj97

Obviously, the cure for any team’s offensive struggle at home is to have NJ visit.
on November 30, 2011 at 9:50 pm Schnookie

That’s good to hear sue, zoroastrians are usually so huffy this time of year.

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

My father, who “shouldn’t” pay much attention to the entire thing due to his religion, says he enjoys the grand spectacle

That’s a good way to put it! We have a friend who’s Orthodox Jewish and she said she loves seeing Christmas decoration overload “because winter needs the hoopla”. (It should be noted that 7 kinds of Xmas cookies is the kind of hoopla I can get behind…)

Oh, and funfetti. Of course, the only way the Devils play good third periods is if they’re trailing, so maybe this is a good game plan?
on November 30, 2011 at 9:55 pm suenj97

I suddenly realized NJ dressed Janssen and Boulton. That might be enough for me to question whether it’s time to fire the coach. They can’t score and NJ dressed 2 goons? At least dress someone who can prevent a breakaway, then.
on November 30, 2011 at 9:59 pm Schnookie

Tallinder is fired. FIRED.
on November 30, 2011 at 9:59 pm suenj97

because winter needs the hoopla

It does. It needs the color and the scents. I walked out of the grocery store today, past the wreath display. In the past they would have been fake, but they were real and you could smell the pine needles. I stood there for a few minutes, pretending to browse, but I as really just sniffing.

Funfetti.

It’s not puzzling, Chico, They suck.
on November 30, 2011 at 10:00 pm EJGRgunner

FUNFETTI

Further funfetti will require cursing
on November 30, 2011 at 10:01 pm Pookie

Funfuckingfetti! (Like that?)
on November 30, 2011 at 10:02 pm Tim

Fuckfuckki
on November 30, 2011 at 10:03 pm Schnookie

They can’t score and NJ dressed 2 goons? At least dress someone who can prevent a breakaway, then.

Dude, maybe DeBoer figures that he survived Black Monday, so he’s clearly not going to get fired. If this sort of decision-making keeps up, I HOPE HE’S WRONG. :P

And we went to the garden center this past weekend to get our garden-fence wreaths, and I’m right there with you, Sue. Mmmm… Christmas pine!
on November 30, 2011 at 10:04 pm Pookie

Fuckfuckki

:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: That’s the best fantasy hockey team ever.
on November 30, 2011 at 10:04 pm Schnookie

Fuckfuckki

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Of course, Fuckfuckki is no laughing matter. It is REALLY going to make our cake look like ass.
on November 30, 2011 at 10:06 pm EJGRgunner

FUN-FUCKING-FETTI
on November 30, 2011 at 10:07 pm Pookie

What the fucking fuck? The team is all spunky and cute when I’m not watching. When I do watch they give up 3 to Colorado in the first?! Boomer just grumbled that there’s no way the Devils score 4. When she puts it like that, I wonder why I’m watching.
on November 30, 2011 at 10:07 pm Tim

%&*$#@^!
on November 30, 2011 at 10:10 pm EJGRgunner

Am I crazy or is Cam Janssen playing like our best player tonight?

How sad is that?
on November 30, 2011 at 10:11 pm suenj97

You’re perfectly sane and the rest of the team should be ashamed.
on November 30, 2011 at 10:18 pm Tim

I’ve already bought four Janssen jerseys.
on November 30, 2011 at 10:21 pm Schnookie

:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: to all three of you! I’d say the person who should be most ashamed is Tim, because seriously, four Janssen jerseys? But… he has been the best player tonight… It just makes so much sense!
on November 30, 2011 at 10:21 pm EJGRgunner

…know how bad the Devils have played? This Deb Placey piece with Duschesne was even worse.
on November 30, 2011 at 10:23 pm suenj97

I’m glad I missed it. I spent my time time, constructively, doing the dishes.
on November 30, 2011 at 10:25 pm Tim

I don’t know, I found it strangely arousing listening to Duchene discuss how he studies the curve in other players’ sticks.
on November 30, 2011 at 10:27 pm Pookie

I loved that we were promised an “encyclopedic knowledge of sticks” and all Duschense could come up with was that Kovalchuk and Parise booth use sticks good for shooting.
on November 30, 2011 at 10:28 pm EJGRgunner

The entire piece was “he memorized other players sticks” but actually, he just knows how curvy the blade is. “It’s kinda straight” isn’t a terrific feat of memorization.
on November 30, 2011 at 10:31 pm suenj97

It only sounds useful if you might want to challenge a player for an illegal stick. Otherwise, bleh.
on November 30, 2011 at 10:31 pm Schnookie

“It’s kinda straight” isn’t a terrific feat of memorization.

:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: That explains why I never did well in school — here I was really impressed with that feat of memorization. :P

I did like his insight into Clarkson’s improved stick situation. I love that Clarkson’s having his best year ever thanks to his brilliant switch to a shorter stick… that only happened because he couldn’t remember how long his stick was supposed to be. That’s our Clarkson. From great stupidity comes great beauty. Or, um, something.
on November 30, 2011 at 10:32 pm Pookie

I memorized all the skates the guys wear. Let’s see… Zach’s are pretty sharp. Chuckles also has sharp skates. Come to think of it, Henrique does too…
on November 30, 2011 at 10:34 pm suenj97

And Clarkson forgot to sharpen his skates…so he fell over.
on November 30, 2011 at 10:35 pm EJGRgunner

Clearly sharp skates are holding back Kovy and Parise.
on November 30, 2011 at 10:35 pm Schnookie

It only sounds useful if you might want to challenge a player for an illegal stick. Otherwise, bleh.

That, and as intermission filler for a team as boring as the Devils. Deb was probably like, “Wait, they have a guy who’s memorized everyone else’s sticks? That’s the most fascinating hockey-player hobby I’ve ever heard of!” (Lou doesn’t let the Devils memorize anything other than their quadrants. And unlike facial hair, he won’t even relent on that during the playoffs, dammit!)
on November 30, 2011 at 10:36 pm Tim

Thanks for reminding us of the goaltending Marty’s NOT doing tonight Chico. You fogey.
on November 30, 2011 at 10:38 pm EJGRgunner

I was at the game on Saturday. Nothing there tasted like greatness.

Except for the pasta bar. That tasted like greatness.
on November 30, 2011 at 10:39 pm Tim

If altitude’s out as an excuse, we’ll need to find new ones, like “actually believed what Chico keeps saying about them” and “being mega-flaky”.
on November 30, 2011 at 10:45 pm Tim

IWASN’TSTUDYINGSTICKCURVE!

I mean….um…..woooooooo
on November 30, 2011 at 10:46 pm Schnookie

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Zach, Chuckles, and Henrique don’t seem to realize that turnovers near the net are supposed to be happening on the defensive end for the Devils. Doing that on the offensive end is NOT tonight’s game plan. Hmph.
on November 30, 2011 at 10:47 pm EJGRgunner

The Devils are not back in the hockey game. They are now in the hockey game. They were not in the game in the first period.
on November 30, 2011 at 10:58 pm suenj97

I guess I just don’t understand. The idea of playing against Forsberg doesn’t stir me – and I remember when he was great. But I’m not a teenaged male Swedish hockey player.
on November 30, 2011 at 11:03 pm Tim

Teenaged male Swedish hockey players,
teenaged male Swedish hockey players,
teenaged male Swedish hockey players.
Heroes on the ice rink,
SWEDISH POWER!
on November 30, 2011 at 11:13 pm EJGRgunner

Landeskog leads, Larsson does machines
Zibanejad is cool but rude,
I couldn’t find another dude

Teenaged male Swedish hockey players,
teenaged male Swedish hockey players,
teenaged male Swedish hockey players.
Heroes on the ice rink,
SWEDISH POWER!
on November 30, 2011 at 11:18 pm Schnookie

::wipes away a tear::

That’s beautiful, y’all.
on November 30, 2011 at 11:19 pm Pookie

Landeskog leads, Larsson does machines
Zibanejad is cool but rude,
I couldn’t find another dude

:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
on November 30, 2011 at 11:19 pm Tim

Landeskog leads, Larsson does machines
Zibanejad is cool but rude,
I couldn’t find another dude

:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
on November 30, 2011 at 11:21 pm Schnookie

Chico, that was not a crazy goal. That was a repulsive goal. It was a fuckfuckki goal.
on November 30, 2011 at 11:25 pm Tim

Oh crap, our one reliable goalscorer is injured. Season’s over.
on November 30, 2011 at 11:34 pm Tim

I give up, I’m going back to Skyrim.
on November 30, 2011 at 11:35 pm EJGRgunner

Fire Adam Oates.
on November 30, 2011 at 11:35 pm suenj97

This is the first time this season I’ve turned the game off before the end. But, it’s over. Another fucking SH goal.
on November 30, 2011 at 11:36 pm suenj97

Is it possible to fire an entire team in the middle of a road trip?
on November 30, 2011 at 11:39 pm Schnookie

We turned the game off after the fourth goal. Life’s too short, man. But… yeah, surely they can all be fired?
on December 1, 2011 at 10:47 am Amy

It is REALLY going to make our cake look like ass.

I’m late to the party here, but our office birthday cake this month was funfetti. I had that line running through my head the entire time I was eating my ten pound slice of funfetti cake. (Seriously, this was a 2-layer funfetti cake with white cream in the middle and buttercream on top. It was sugar overload.)
on December 1, 2011 at 12:42 pm carolbrowne

I feel badly for Randy Carlyle. I used to watch him play helmet-less when I was in high school. I have no idea what kind of coach he is – clearly, not good enough. But he sported an awesome mullet back in the day.

Poor RC :-(
on December 1, 2011 at 7:14 pm suenj97

I hate the ‘Canes, but I have to root for them against the Rangers (for a reason other than the fact that I hate the Rangers more). Muller hired Johnny Mac as an Assistant (a job below his level of incompetence), moving him off of NJ’s payroll. So, thanks, Captain Kirk, I’m rooting for you tonight.
on December 2, 2011 at 4:54 pm Morgan

Just entered randomly assigned batch number 666 at work today. The Devils have to win tonight, right? After all, I was using the program “Oracle”…
on December 2, 2011 at 7:33 pm Grrrreg

I’m sure that’s a sign, Morgan.

This season really sucks. The habs are mediocre at best, and I can’t even turn to the Bulldogs and watch them being awesome as usual. They’re DEAD LAST in the AHL right now. The only team making me happy this year is the Blues. Can you believe I’m reduced to root for Langenbrunner’s team?

Is it october yet?