This past October we took a trip up to Buffalo and found ourselves spit-balling about the NHL with Katebits and Heather B. Among the topics of conversation were fighting and the shootout. Being the brilliant minds that we are, we quickly got to the bottom of both problems:
1. Staged fighting is stupid.
2. The shootout is here to stay but has grown a little stale.
We have no beef with caught-up-in-the-passion-of-the-moment fighting, like that awesome Getzi-on-Thorton beatdown from the playoffs a few years ago, but there’s really no place for the preening peacock style of staged fight between heavyweights in today’s NHL. Even putting aside the physical and mental health issues they pose, those fights don’t deter other players from taking liberties, rarely have any impact on the momentum of the game, and are, frankly, pretty boring. When you see your team has dressed a heavyweight, you know that it means the coach might as well just flush a roster spot down the toilet for the night. Lame!
Meanwhile, the shootout has become very predictable. Devils fans, for example, know that every shootout is going to go like this: Kovalchuck scores, Parise misses, Elias scores. Ho hum. The only fun part is watching to see if DeBoer has learned the players numbers yet when filling out the form to give the referees. If the NHL isn’t going to replace the shootout with All-Star Game-style super skills (seriously, NHL, we meant it — that would rawk!), it’s got to do something to jazz up the shootout, or else we’ll all get so jaded that we might as well just go back to the five-on-five trapping-to-get-a-tie OTs. ::shifty eyes::
Don’t worry, Gentle Reader, we have a solution! Katebits actually tweeted this at the time, but we feel like the idea is so solid that it deserves a full write up, especially in light of Brian Burke’s rant this week. Are you sitting down? Prepare to have your mind blown and your world rocked. Ready?
Instead of the coaches picking three shooters from their own team… the coaches should pick who shoots for the opposing team!
That’s right, the coaches should pick who shoots for the opposing team.
Think about it — of course the coaches would gravitate towards the worst players. Instead of seeing Kovalchuk, Parise, and Elias shoot for the Devils, the opposing coach would pick Janssen, Boulton, and, well, Tedenby. Sorry, Teddy. But here’s the thing, we want to see zany, little Tedenby trying to score in a shootout. We don’t want to see Janssen and Boulton taking shootouts. You know who else doesn’t want to see Janseen and Boulton taking shootouts? The coaching staff. How could they solve that? By not dressing Janseen and Boulton. You know who else doesn’t want to see Janssen and Boulton taking shootouts? Management. How could they solve that? By not drafting or signing players like Janssen and Boulton.
If for some reason (insanity?), the coaches and management did decide they really need enforcers, the enforcers will have the pressure of knowing the final result of the game could very well come down to their ability to score on an uncontested, staged breakaway. What are said enforcers going to do? Practice harder at being better skaters and shooters! How could that possibly be a bad thing for anyone? There’s a slight chance those skills could bleed into an actual in-game situation. Gone would be the days of ham-fisted goons! Instead we’d have, um, what’s slightly more subtle than a ham-fist? Welcome to the era of prosciutto-fisted goons!
Seriously, though, can you think of any other simple rule change that would do more to encourage teams to win in regulation than this? And if the games do go the distance, imagine how much more fun it will be to watch as a fan? We’ve all seen the best players in the game take breakaways. Won’t it be more fun to scheme over who you think would be the worst player for the other team to be forced to send out against your team’s goalie? Moreover, we all know the long shootouts are the ones that are the most fun. This set-up will undoubtedly lead to shootouts that require five or more rounds. Fans will get their money’s worth!
It’s brilliant. The only possible outcomes of instituting this rule would be any combination of the following:
1. Enforcers being forced to either become more skilled or be replaced in the lineup.
2. More games decided in regulation and overtime.
3. The shootout becoming more interesting for the fans.
NHL, the PA may have rejected your realignment plan, but there’s no way they’d reject this. Do it! You’ll thank us later.
It’s genius. Sheer fucking genius.
Thanks, Mags! We’re feeling pretty smart about figuring this out.
Chico about Elias, “He’s a smart one.”
Me, “Well, someone needs to compensate for Clarkson.”
Me, “Well, someone needs to compensate for Clarkson.”
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Yeah, if you’re going to have one guy wrecking the curve, might as well try to correct in the other direction.
I’d forgotten about the amazing ideas we had about fixing the shootout last year. Some of those were pure genius, and I still want to find a way to allow hotness to be considered as a significant factor when a team drafts, so we can add the center-ice hotness competition to Superskills.
Clearly, that would mean either all of us would need to be consultants to NHL teams at the draft, or Pierre would have to do it. It’s less creepy if it’s not Pierre.
But, your solution is absolutely brilliant. I love it. I can guarantee that the BOG won’t love it, but they are the idiots who gave us the trapezoid.
It’s less creepy if it’s not Pierre.
:^:::::::::::::::::::::: I’d worry that all the talented athletes in the world would skip to hockey to play other sports, just so they would never get scouted by Pierre.
As for this shootout plan, I think the BOG would hear “the shootout stays” and then decide that’s all they need to hear to approve it.
Poopfetti.
Clearly, that would mean either all of us would need to be consultants to NHL teams at the draft, or Pierre would have to do it. It’s less creepy if it’s not Pierre.
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I was just writing a response about how Pierre thinks he’s doing a bang-up job of assessing the hotness of the teen boys coming up to the draft, and then realized that, well, at the draft they’re still teen boys. Maybe I’ll let him keep that job, and I can be the consultant about who gets to come up from the minors?
As for the BOG liking our “let the coach pick the shooters for the other team” solution, it seems like it’s sort of needlessly complicated, which is right up their alley, right? SURELY they’ll like this idea!
Oh, and bumfetti.
Chico, “I don’t know what happened.”
Me, “NJ couldn’t clear the zone nd Marty fucked up.”
We’re having spaghetti tonight with some sausage from our Travis the Pig. And you know what? Travis the Person might be a gimpy-achillesed hockey player, but Travis the Pig is OUTSTANDING.
but Travis the Pig is OUTSTANDING
Sounds yummy.
No one said all Travises were created equal.
Neal’s a cheating cheater!
Neal’s a cheating cheater!
And he cheats.
No one said all Travises were created equal.
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I suspect, if you were into that, Travis the Person is probably delish. :P
And he cheats.
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I was just thinking about Chico’s Elias – The Early Years story (not a bad one from Chico, not too much rambling). It wasn’t shocking that Holik was no use as a translator.
It wasn’t shocking that Holik was no use as a translator.
Heh heh heh. Yeah, every story that illustrates what a massive douchebag Holik is causes me to say, “I’m not at all surprised to hear that.”
(We haven’t been listening to Chico. Boomer’s been going through all the National Geographic photo contest winners for this year, and we’ve all been joking about how we’re just a really nice camera away from being able to take pictures like that. :P)
It wasn’t shocking that Holik was no use as a translator.
Ugh, Holik. I was tickled to see TG’s tweet that it was a year ago that Langer was traded. It feels like less than a year of being Langer-free, doesn’t it?
It feels like less than a year of being Langer-free, doesn’t it?
Yes, it does, and when NJ players take really stupid hooking or slashing penalties, or whine to the officials when it won’t do any good, I feel like his aura is still around and influencing events.
Or, they could just suck on their own.
So, watching this War Room feature, we’re in agreement here that if you were on staff there, you’d have to constantly be quoting Dr. Strangelove. “Gentlemen, there’s no fighting here! This is the war room!”
and when NJ players take really stupid hooking or slashing penalties, or whine to the officials when it won’t do any good, I feel like his aura is still around and influencing events.
Or, they could just suck on their own.
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Clarkson’s like, “Look, some things are just universal.” (Actually, they seem a lot less whiny without Langer, don’t they?)
I’d probably get kicked out of the War Room for making too many “Dr. Strangelove” references that don’t pertain to the War Room. They’d be like, “There’s no fluoride here, shut up about the purity of essence!”
Chico: “I just saw Sidney Crosby sitting down in the owner’s box–”
Me: “EWWWWW! Sid has to sit with– Well, I suppose he’s getting good wine, so I guess it’s not too bad.”
Remember, Sid’s a Penguin. He probably likes Mario.
NJ’s going to get shut out tonight, aren’t they?
NJ’s going to get shut out tonight, aren’t they?
I’m waaay tipsy from my good wine with dinner. I’m like, “Whoa, NJ’s playing in this game?!” I think this is the ideal state of mind to be in with this era of Devils.
Remember, Sid’s a Penguin. He probably likes Mario.
My god, you’re right. That’s so horrible and sad.
And yeah, I’m getting pretty strong shutout vibes here. Like, not just loss vibes. Shutout vibes. It’s been looking rough pretty much from puck-drop, hasn’t it?
WHAT THE FUCK?! OK, that sobered me up quick. FUCK YOU, REFS!
What the fuck just happened? Has the shootout made it so that officials blow the whistle on breakaways immediately after the initial save? Because if that’s the case, I’m going to go on a murderous rampage.
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! We’ve all been saved a murderous rampage!
HAHAHAHAHA! I canNOT believe they overturned that! That is fucking awesome. And, let’s be honest, totally par for the course for Devils games in Pittsburgh. Heh.
This is interesting. Maybe it was just too blantent to disallow. I’m in shock, though.
I’m HUGELY impressed with the officials being chill enough to admit they were wrong on the initial call. Nice officiating, dudes! And yes, it’s beer-soaked mousepad time in Pittsburgh, yet again.
That is fucking awesome. And, let’s be honest, totally par for the course for Devils games in Pittsburgh. Heh.
Well, yes, but usually they are allowing wierd goals for the Pens.
And, NJ, you don’t want a PP. You know what happens…
Isn’t it always beer-soaked something time in Pittsburgh? Or is that Philly?
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What an unexpected turn of events! What happened to the shutout?
::tosses wine-soaked mousepads in the air::
Isn’t it always beer-soaked something time in Pittsburgh? Or is that Philly?
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I think Philly is beer-and-bitterness-soaked. :P
What happened to the shutout?
Maybe they sensed it and were insulted. Either that or we managed to curse Fluery.
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a completely strange turn of events! That passing! What HAPPENED? Who ARE these guys?
It makes me wish that game against Boston could have been in Pittsburgh.
Who ARE these guys?
I’m not sure. I’m pretty sure that PP couldn’t have been coached by Oates.
Oh, and whoever they are, until they screw up, I’d like to keep them. If Lou somehow managed to replace them all with look-alikes who know what they are doing, it’s none of the NHL’s business.
If Lou somehow managed to replace them all with look-alikes who know what they are doing, it’s none of the NHL’s business.
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: What they don’t know won’t hurt them.
Okay. My mind is blown. Best idea ever.
I’d say Tim Sestito is worse than Tedenby… it’s not like he does anything good (well, unless you consider sucking a good thing)
When you see your team has dressed a heavyweight, you know that it means the coach might as well just flush a roster spot down the toilet for the night
Dustin Penner was a late scratch yesterday and Kevin Westgarth played. Or rather, he sat on the bench for 59:05 and “played” for 55 seconds. Talk about a waste of a roster spot!
well, unless you consider sucking a good thing
HAHAHAHAHA! When you put it that way… Heh. I suspect the other coach would do what I do — forget Sesito is even on the team.
he sat on the bench for 59:05 and “played” for 55 seconds
Gah! It’s so stupid! You’ve got to think there’s someone on the Kings farm team who could contribute more than that, right?
I think a defenseman that was scratched would have been more productive at offense than Westgarth.
Oh, and get this. The LA Kings blogger noted that Penner started getting back spasms in the morning while he was eating pancakes. You just can’t make that sh*t up!
Wow. Those must have been some awful pancakes!
I’d say Tim Sestito is worse than Tedenby
Speaking of Sestito, I hear he’s on waivers.
Penner started getting back spasms in the morning while he was eating pancakes. You just can’t make that sh*t up!
It’d *almost* make sense if he were a coeliac. But then he’d have intestinal cramps, not back spasms. Penner can’t even get his anatomy right!
Penner can’t even get his anatomy right!
One more log on the “Kevin Lowe was SUCH an idiot to give him that contract” fire. The guy sucks at hockey AND at his anatomy!
Sestito’s on waivers? That makes our Sestito peppers sad. :P
To be fair, I’m pretty sure he’s not supposed to be good at anatomy. But there is no excuse for the “sucks at hockey” thing.
Penner out-crackerbacked Crackerback. That takes some doing.
I like the shootout idea. And WOOOOOOO! The NHL is coming to Boise next season. *
* – it’s only for one exhibition game of Dallas vs Minnesota. Dallas is having their training camp here next year, no doubt so the players won’t be distracted by all that fancy big city stuff like electricity and motorized vehicles.
Dallas is having their training camp here next year, no doubt so the players won’t be distracted by all that fancy big city stuff like electricity and motorized vehicles.
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Whoa! Mike, I bet this is the first step before there’s a full-time franchise in Boise!
Love, love, LOVE your fighting/shootout idea! In all seriousness, love love love it. It could actually work.
Yeah, that’s what’s so funny about this idea — it seems ridonk, but when you really think about it, it’s like, “WHOA.” We came up with this way back in October in Buffalo, and the conversation was hilarious, because we kept being like, “You guys, this has COMPLETELY BLOWN MY MIND.”
Mind = BLOWN. This is the most revolutionary change to hockey since they flattened the ball.
When the Flames and Oilers need a local celeb to show up to games, it’s gotta be Zap Rowsdower, right? There can’t be anyone more famous in Alberta.
This is the most revolutionary change to hockey since they flattened the ball.
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Although I like this idea, it’ll never happen… it’s just too mean-spirited. Picking the opposing players means basically saying “Hey, you suck.”
Think about how often Daneyko would have been picked under this rule and how often he’d have to answer questions about hurting the team. Dan-o wasn’t a bad player, and I imagine a lot of players who aren’t effective offensive contributors wouldn’t want that weakness being highlighted every shoot-out – and I imagine the NHLPA wouldn’t let it happen.
After watching a few Shanaban videos today, I’ve finally figured out what’s bothering me about Shanny. When he stands there in the blazer in front of the screen, he looks like he could be the host of a game show, maybe Family Feud.
I imagine a lot of players who aren’t effective offensive contributors wouldn’t want that weakness being highlighted every shoot-out
OK, what if we said the coaches have to pick 3 forwards? Leave d-men out of it for the first round of shooters. That means defensive-defensemen can not get picked on, but the ham-fisted goons can be. Why should the NHLPA protect goons anyway? I mean, it’s not like taking staged fighting out of the game is going to remove any paying jobs from players. It’s just going free up jobs for other players. ::shrugs::
Also? Funfetti.
Funfetti
Sue, I agree that Shanny is shockingly wooden in his videos. He was always so witty and off-the-cuff as a player. It’s like he had that portion of his personality removed upon retirement.
Funfetti indeed.
Can back-up goalies be required to be one of the three? Please? It’ll be hilarious.
OK, what if we said the coaches have to pick 3 forwards? Leave d-men out of it for the first round of shooters.
OR how about this: the coach picks the third shooter for the opposition, that way a guy only gets shamed if the “best” players do their jobs.
Double funfetti
I imagine a lot of players who aren’t effective offensive contributors wouldn’t want that weakness being highlighted every shoot-out – and I imagine the NHLPA wouldn’t let it happen.
Well, sure, but if they actually did make this change happen, turning the shootout into a trial by humiliation rather than the boring, cushy snore-fest that it is now would be a good thing. Just think how many more games would end in regulation as the players were all desperate not to have to go to a shootout! :P
You know what’s not a good thing? This game. Yeesh.
Um, shit.
Can back-up goalies be required to be one of the three? Please? It’ll be hilarious.
I like the way you think!
the coach picks the third shooter for the opposition
In for a penny, in for a pound. I don’t want to see the best players in the shootout! It’s boring!
Hooray! HD is back! Now to drink until it’s blurry again.
Good news everyone, it sounds like Chico might be losing his voice!
Hooray! HD is back! Now to drink until it’s blurry again.
Good news everyone, it sounds like Chico might be losing his voice!
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: to both of you!
Wow. I’m glad we got to wait two and a half extra hours before starting this game. Wouldn’t have wanted to waste this bouquet of beauty on a 7:00 start time.
Dude, Iginla is a FAR bigger pussy than I realized. He can’t handle being hit gently by a wee winkie like Henrique in a game that his team is up 3-0 well before the end of the first period? Hmph. HANDS OFF HENRIQUE, YOU ASSHOLE! ::sobs::
Fuck. The Devils are playing that game today. The late-start West coast game that used to make you wake up the next morning and wonder what the hell went wrong. You know, back when your parents made you go to bed before the game ended.
The late-start West coast game that used to make you wake up the next morning and wonder what the hell went wrong. You know, back when your parents made you go to bed before the game ended.
Dude, you are SO right. I hate that game. What really sucks is that they never give you any warning which one on the road trip it’s going to be.
HANDS OFF HENRIQUE, YOU ASSHOLE! ::sobs::
I’m fairly certain that Iginla will wake up tomorrow, naked, tied to a yew tree, and covered in goat’s blood.
Dude, Iginla is a FAR bigger pussy than I realized. He can’t handle being hit gently by a wee winkie like Henrique in a game that his team is up 3-0 well before the end of the first period? Hmph. HANDS OFF HENRIQUE, YOU ASSHOLE! ::sobs::
But…rookies are for hitting. That’s why they’re there.
I’m fairly certain that Iginla will wake up tomorrow, naked, tied to a yew tree, and covered in goat’s blood.
Not only that, but the tree will be in Alberta, and it’s January. Shouldn’t have messed with our cult leader.
Chico: Just a terrible 1st period by the Devils.
This is when you know it’s a historically bad game.
I’m fairly certain that Iginla will wake up tomorrow, naked, tied to a yew tree, and covered in goat’s blood.
Not only that, but the tree will be in Alberta, and it’s January. Shouldn’t have messed with our cult leader.
ROWSDOWER!
I’m fairly certain that Iginla will wake up tomorrow, naked, tied to a yew tree, and covered in goat’s blood.
Not only that, but the tree will be in Alberta, and it’s January. Shouldn’t have messed with our cult leader.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! And also, ::sniffle:: Thanks guys. You’re making me feel better. ::continues weaving an Iginla effigy out of rye and winter ivies, while mentally scouting possible bonfire locations::
Which team does Chico think he’s covering when he says that scoring four goals isn’t a big deal?
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: to all of you.
As for this being that game, I was all pissed at myself for forgetting to stop for gas on my way home because now I have to get up early to get it on my way to work but the game was going to keep my up late. You know, Devils, I appreciate you making it so I wouldn’t stay up too late, but honestly, you shouldn’t have.
I know they have to do it, but really, this is not the time to read the promo for ticket plans.
I know they have to do it, but really, this is not the time to read the promo for ticket plans.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: It’s reverse psychology. They figure if they mention the promo when things are looking really bleak, people will figure, “There must be PLENTY of good seats still available! Sign me up!”
Concussed officials? That explains a lot.
We flipped to the Stars/Ducks game during intermission and got back late. What’s all this about concussed officials? Is Chico blaming Marty’s bad play on them? :P
Apparently 5 linemen or referees are out with injury, 3 with concussion, which Chico blamed on “elbows”. He then admitted to not knowing what exactly connected the elbows to the concussions, but there you are.
He then admitted to not knowing what exactly connected the elbows to the concussions, but there you are.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: It all made sense inside his head. Or inside his elbow. He’s not sure which one, but wherever it was, it made sense.
It all made sense inside his head. Or inside his elbow. He’s not sure which one, but wherever it was, it made sense.
Incoherent: The Chico Resch Story.
Making no sense at a theater near you.
Woooooooooooooooooooo.
Wooooooooooooooooooooooo
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! See, Iginla? That’s how you play hockey! Heh. Just kidding.
Incoherent: The Chico Resch Story.
Making no sense at a theater near you.
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Oh, and BOOO. And then WOOOO.
Henrique brought a smile to my face. Didn’t think that would happen in this game.
Well, now Marty is off the hook for this debacle. I’m not sure whether that’s a good or a bad thing, or whether it just doesn’t matter.
11 shots???? They’ve given up 5 goals on 11 shots??? Someone tell me I’m wrong…..
wooooooooooooooo
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! This game is officially entering the crazy zone. What a weird one.
Sutter’s not really worried that NJ will tie the game. He’s pissed that Elias, his scapegoat, scored on his new team.
He’s pissed that Elias, his scapegoat, scored on his new team.
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And I guess my hopes that staying up for the end of this game might be worth it have been dashed. I might head off to bed now. I’m really impressed at the craptacularness on display here this evening. It’s sort of humbling.
Chico: The puck is too tempting for David
Clearly, Clarkson can resist everything but temptation.
Hey Tim, since you are such a fan of Rowsdower, you might want to see Cinematic Titanic in Newark at the end of March. It’s a must-see for any MST3k fan and they have meet and greets afterwards.
So, is anyone else out there optimistic that the Devils just had to get the craptitude out of their system last night, and are going to rawk tonight?
Yeah, me neither.
Taylor Hall looks like a blonde-ish Howdy Doody. Not attractive.
Oooh! Howdy Doody! That’s much more spot-on than what we were trying to verbalize:
Pookie: “He looks like the biggest rapist EVER.”
Me: “That, or like the biggest high school musical theater enthusiast ever.”
Yeah, in other words, a blonde-ish Howdy Doody.
There’s no way NJ really wants anything to do with Boston. I refuse to believe they want “another crack at” the Bruins.
Dude, if the Devils want “another crack at” them, that makes one of us.
I’m pretty sure, as a policy, the New Jersey Devils do not rock.
Know what I suddenly miss for no reason? Barry Melrose always saying “New Jersey Devils” after talking about a player on the roster. As in “Well, you know, ZachPariseNewJerseyDevils, what a great player, lots of teams going to be looking at what he does this year.”
I’m pretty sure, as a policy, the New Jersey Devils do not rock.
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: You’re right.
Wow, missing Barry Melrose? Anything about Barry Melrose? That also makes one of us.
Does Renney have one of those plaid jackets in every color? I remember his brown plaid one from his years in NY.
No one ever accused Tom Renney of not taking advantage of plaid suit sales when he sees them.
I don’t miss Barry Melrose, just that one weird tic of his.
I’m pretty sure, as a policy, the New Jersey Devils do not rock.
There is no rocking on the roof.
There is no growing beards on the roof.
Pookie, :^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
What’s wrong with the Oilers that they’re not up 4-0 yet?
What’s wrong with the Oilers that they’re not up 4-0 yet?
I was going to say that Renney’s playing for the 1-0 win in the shootout, but the Oilers seem to be ignoring him and they are trying to score.
What’s wrong with the Oilers that they’re not up 4-0 yet?
Apparently a lot of injuries. Or maybe it’s the just the folly of youth?
Know what I just realized? The main camera is on the wrong side. We get a view of the full penalty box with the benches cut off at the bottom. I think every other arena has it the other way round.
Gunner, you’re totally right. It drives me NUTS that they have the camera on the wrong side. Nuts, I tells ya!
I am seriously disturbed by the Lion King leotard from that Disney on Ice commercial.
Oooh, I’m going to have to pay extra attention for the Lion King leotard. I need something new in commercials to upset me, now that those horrible Hyundai Christmas commercials seem to be gone.
Would it disturb you less if it was filmed from the opposite side of the rink? No?
How is Henrique supposed to score shorthanded with Zach in the penalty box?
Know what I just realized? The main camera is on the wrong side.
I’m impressed that you can see anything. Rexall just has the worst lights and our feed is terrible. Any player that moves just turns blurry.
now that those horrible Hyundai Christmas commercials seem to be gone.
But the second one wasn’t Christmas themed! I’m not convinced it’s gone forever. It could be lurking just behind that Citi rock-climbing commercial or that fucking Randy-Knows-All-About-The-Hat-Trick shit, ready to pounce at any moment!
Rexall just has the worst lights and our feed is terrible. Any player that moves just turns blurry.
Normally I try to avoid feeds from Edmonton, because the picture always is so awful. But we’ve got glorious MSG+ HD tonight, so we can watch this in all it’s well-played, thrill-a-minute glory.
Any player that moves just turns blurry.
That wouldn’t hve been a bad thing last game. The whole thing should have been blurry.
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you had told me at this time last season that I would love the Devils PK as much as I do right now, I would never have believed you.
The look on Renney’s face was the one he had when he was coching Gomez.
Oh, and wooooooo!!!!!
The look on Renney’s face was the one he had when he was coching Gomez.
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I have come to the conclusion that NJ is taking penalties deliberately when they think they need a goal.
WOO!
I think I’m getting jaded. I only mustered a two ‘o’ woo for that shorty.
If you had told me at this time last season that I would love the Devils PK as much as I do right now, I would never have believed you.
Has the PK still scored more goals than the Devil’s PP?
Has the PK still scored more goals than the Devil’s PP?
I know it’s hard to believe, but the PP has actually 21 goals so far this season.
I have come to the conclusion that NJ is taking penalties deliberately when they think they need a goal.
It seems that way.
Has the PK still scored more goals than the Devil’s PP?
I’m inclined to say yes. In part because the PK kicks ass, and in part because the PP does not. :P
For the record:
NJD PPG: 21
NJD SHG: 11 (including tonight)
How many SHG have they given up?
How many SHG have they given up?
A billion.
Apparently Zach has decided to end his candidacy for the Lady Byng tonight.
NJD SHGA: 12
Apparently Zach has decided to end his candidacy for the Lady Byng tonight.
That’s what Pookie said! Zach is no lady, that’s for sure.
Zach wants the Master Byng.
Everything is poopitypoo.
Poopy poop.
Funfetti.
This game has taken a decided turn for the worse in this period.
I’m remembering why, as a NJ fan, I view third periods the way vampires view sunlight, crosses and holy water.
I’m remembering why, as a NJ fan, I view third periods the way vampires view sunlight, crosses and holy water.
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I was impressed by the “NJ has been outscored 53-33 in third periods” stat, because I would have guessed it was MUCH worse than that.
because I would have guessed it was MUCH worse than that.
Really. That’s all???
Well, it’s 54-33 now. :P
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It sure looked like they didn’t want to score there, but Master Byng can’t be denied.
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
WOOOOOOO!!!!! It wasn’t thrilling, but it was a win (and not in a shootout).
Not so much a “WOO” as a “aaaah” for me on that goal.
I need something new in commercials to upset me, now that those horrible Hyundai Christmas commercials seem to be gone.
Boomer and Carton don’t annoy you? I want to throw a brick at my TV every time I hear them saying that football is for men. Then I remember I love my TV and just wish I could throw a brick at Carton instead.
As for the game, I am having weird feelings of not hating Kovalchuk lately, is there help for this?
But we’ve got glorious MSG+ HD tonight
You have MSG. So jealous. I have to watch my team on my laptop through sites of dubious origin because Time Warner and MSG can’t play nice in the sandbox. And the fact that I’m doing all of this to watch a team that couldn’t pull off a two game winning streak even if you spotted them six goals and a soccer net says that I need to be checked into the cuckoo’s nest.
And to cycle back to Penner’s pancake injury follies, it’s kind of charming that he’s now having a charity raffle so fans can win a pancake breakfast with him. I love when a player can poke fun at themselves.
Woohoo! I’m late to the shoot-out party, but if I were the coach, I’d always pick the other team’s back up goalie. Heh! Suit up and score, Mr. Goalie.
Speaking of goalies, I found this on the twitter and thought of you all – http://twitpic.com/83a24g
:-)
Carol:
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
But that’s too thin to be Marty. Otherwise, it’s perfect.
Carol, that’s awesome!
Mike, the Boomer and Carton ads annoyed me a lot more last year. This year I don’t always register that they’re even on! The Ticketmaster and Citi ones, on the other hand… Grrrrrrr!
Then I remember I love my TV and just wish I could throw a brick at Carton instead.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Those commercials are so bad that I have so little respect for Carton that I can’t muster any response to that idiotic “football for men” shit because he frankly doesn’t deserve even a tiny shred of my outrage/annoyance/peevedness. (And I’m also liking Kovalchuk lately. It seems to be a response that is directly proportional to the quality of his play, but I don’t want to commit to saying that’s definitely the case. Good thing I’ve got another decade and a half of him being a Devil to further research the phenomenon.)
Speaking of decades of being a Devil, Carol, that picture of Marty is HILARIOUS!
And Amy, that is SO shitty that you’re caught in the middle of the TWC/MSG battle (and that your team is being so poopy that it’s sort of realistically difficult to be too strident in your fury at not getting to watch them). When it looked like MSG and DirecTV were going to have a falling-out, I had no idea what we were going to do. I’m so sorry it happened to you!
Hey there!
I want to say that I FULLY support this brilliant shootout idea. I would die laughing if we could see the coaches giggling while writing down the name of guys like Brandon Prust before the shootout. And it’s a bit the equivalent of being picked last in the All Star Game. Wouldn’t it be fun to see Ovie on the bench, taking pics of the guy picked for the other team with his cell phone?
Also, I’m pretty proud that the habs just accomplished one of the dreams of every hockey fan in the world and traded one player during a game. Too bad it wasn’t just following a dumb play or a stupid penalty though (and too bad it wasn’t Gomer either), but I’ll take it!
Also, I’m pretty proud that the habs just accomplished one of the dreams of every hockey fan in the world and traded one player during a game. Too bad it wasn’t just following a dumb play or a stupid penalty though
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: That whole situation was extremely impressive! It was the next best thing to rolling a giant cannon out to center ice, stuffing the player into it, and shooting him into the sun.
rolling a giant cannon out to center ice, stuffing the player into it, and shooting him into the sun.
I wonder whether,teams will be allowed to do this instead of just buying out one stupid contract w/out penalty before the first season of the next CBA.
Phhhew. This thread stinks like week old tuna. Or a Devils PP. Any chance we can get a new springtime fresh thread for the Jets game today?
I can’t decide if Parise’s #9 team hoodie is so super cool that I must have one or super dorky that I should just pretend that I never saw it. All I know for sure is that Boxworthy must hate it.
One non-stinky, springtime fresh thread coming right up!