Hockey Night in DSP-Season 2011-12

[toonarmy]

Boudreau's numbers are great -- quickest coach to 200 wins, most wins ever in his first 300 games. Yeah, he had a talented team in Washington, but those are still impressive numbers. The coach he replaces will land somewhere as a head coach again because he is a very good coach, but obviously he was not a good fit with the current Ducks' roster. Boudreau is very good with young talent, so I think he will do well in Anaheim. He may be just what the doctor ordered for an anemic offense that has the potential to be explosive. It'll be fun to see how he does in trying to revive an underachieving Ducks team compared to how the underachieving Caps do this season. Great hire by the Ducks.

[10spro]

It was good to see Mason Raymond finally back after his scary injury during the SC finals. He looked dangerous, his speed still creating havoc to the Flames D in a 5-1 win.

[10spro]

The board of governors have approved the much talked re-alignment for the next season.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/73212 ... nment-plan

I am OK with it, more heated rivalries will come out of it and all teams will play everyone again.

[MizzouRah]

The board of governors have approved the much talked re-alignment for the next season.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/73212 ... nment-plan

I am OK with it, more heated rivalries will come out of it and all teams will play everyone again.

I'm ok with it too.

[Naples39]

The board of governors have approved the much talked re-alignment for the next season.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/73212 ... nment-plan

I am OK with it, more heated rivalries will come out of it and all teams will play everyone again.

I'm ok with it too.

I have mixed feelings.

On the one hand, I like seeing every team in the NHL every season, home and away. On the other hand, it's a little bizarre for the Flyers to have as many games a season against the Calgary Flames as teams with which they are pretty testy, like the Leafs or Sabres.

The playoffs are more questionable. I ran the numbers last season, and 15 out of the 16 playoff teams retained their spots, but under the new format it is more likely a deserving team will miss out. Also, I'm not sure how I feel about the strong possibility of the seeing the same first and second round matchups year after year.

It is what it is though.

[pk500]

The new system is correct only because every team plays each other at least home and home per season. The current system, in which certain teams visit teams once every three seasons, is a farce.

[10spro]

For the playoffs under the current agreement the top four teams of each conference advance, the first place team would play the fourth place team, while second and third place finishers would square off. While not final, the GM's still need to determine the playoffs structure after round 2 in the proposed deal. With this realignment one of the main changes of course will be the leagues' schedule. It's aimed at evening out the travel schedules for all NHL teams with each team playing teams outside their conference twice per year like the old days, once at home and on the road. It's a good opportunity to see some new rivalries too.

I understand only 4 Eastern teams were against the new 4 conferences, not surprising as their bus rides will take more the shape of wings for a change.

[toonarmy]

I have no problem with the NHL trying to get a more balanced schedule and make travel more equitable among teams. However, I'm concerned about the playoff format and calling the new alignment "four conferences." I hope they end up keeping Eastern and Western conferences, each with two divisions, then have the champion of the West play the champ of the East. I will be pissed if the Prince of Wales Trophy and Clarence S. Campbell Trophy are eliminated. There's no reason that common sense has to be cast aside. One other crap thing about the new system is that only 4 teams from each conference make the playoffs, rather than the top eight from each conference in the old system. So basically a weak conference may put a team or two in that are not as deserving as the 5th/6th place teams in another conference with a better record. I love the current system whereby the top 8 teams make the playoffs in each conference. Perhaps the NHL could put the top 3 teams in the playoffs from each conference, then have wildcard teams round out the field, so that the conferences with better teams could get more teams into the playoffs than weaker conferences.

[10spro]

I have no problem with the NHL trying to get a more balanced schedule and make travel more equitable among teams. However, I'm concerned about the playoff format and calling the new alignment "four conferences." I hope they end up keeping Eastern and Western conferences, each with two divisions, then have the champion of the West play the champ of the East. I will be pissed if the Prince of Wales Trophy and Clarence S. Campbell Trophy are eliminated. There's no reason that common sense has to be cast aside. One other crap thing about the new system is that only 4 teams from each conference make the playoffs, rather than the top eight from each conference in the old system. So basically a weak conference may put a team or two in that are not as deserving as the 5th/6th place teams in another conference with a better record. I love the current system whereby the top 8 teams make the playoffs in each conference. Perhaps the NHL could put the top 3 teams in the playoffs from each conference, then have wildcard teams round out the field, so that the conferences with better teams could get more teams into the playoffs than weaker conferences.

The way I understand the agreement is that there's no more East vs West basically. That doesn't mean that the GM's won't tinker with the format after the 1st round of the playoffs. The question for me now is the crossovers during the playoffs among the 4 conferences. Again, nothing is set in stone yet for the playoffs format and one can argue that the two eastern 7 teams division have a better chance of making the playoffs (a future spot reserved for Quebec perhaps) and most likely will be retooled as the season comes to an end.

[10spro]

Costly 6-0 win for the 'Nucks against the Avs. David Booth who was starting to light it up and had good chemistry going along Higgins and Kesler was kneed in the first and when you look at the replay I just hope he's not gone for the year. Dirty f*&*%g play by Porter. Also Luongo was hit in the upper body and had to be replaced by Schneider. Bieksa had to go to the dressing room and all of the sudden Injuries are piling up in Van city.

[Diablo25]

Solid 1st period by the Flyers vs. Pens. Giroux is fun to watch

[MizzouRah]

I love you Hitchcock, what a difference you have made for this Blues team!

[Feanor]

Malkin's attempted attack on the head of Giroux was disgraceful.



And Leino only got one game for his Matt Cooke impersonation last night, so the NHL will probably let Malkin get away with it since he was too slow to actually make contact.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=605449

[Naples39]

I've been saying it for years. Malkin is a weasel. When teams get physical/pushy with him he only responds with cheapshots.

[pk500]

Giroux should be a boxer. That was a nice slip. Too bad Malkin's face wasn't still there for a counter.

[10spro]

Habs couldn't hold on to their early 3-0 lead against the Canucks and ended up losing in a SO as Luongo was back at his birth place and apparently good enough to start after suffering a neck injury last game. MON has a PP that's going absolutely nowhere and they took a chance in acquiring today T. Kaberle whose best days seem to be behind him and trading the oft injured T. Spacek to sweet CAR. Spacek will become a UFA and Kaberle has 2 more years in his contract. If he finds his game he may strive again in the Canadian market and help the young D core in la belle province.

[XXXIV]

James, when I said go Nucks I did not mean vs the Habs!

Forgetting about blowing the 3-0 lead for a minute ...Man have they sucked in shoot outs. Is 1-5 good?

Lets Go Habs?

[10spro]

James, when I said go Nucks I did not mean vs the Habs!

Forgetting about blowing the 3-0 lead for a minute ...Man have they sucked in shoot outs. Is 1-5 good?

Lets Go Habs?

Yes, why not? I don't despise them as I do the Leafs and as soon as they can trade that huge contract in Gomez (good luck) and get some fresher legs they'll be in the mix for a playoff run. Kaberle should help your ailing PP although he's slowed down too lately but hey it can't get any worse, right?

[XXXIV]

James, when I said go Nucks I did not mean vs the Habs!

Forgetting about blowing the 3-0 lead for a minute ...Man have they sucked in shoot outs. Is 1-5 good?

Lets Go Habs?

Yes, why not? I don't despise them as I do the Leafs and as soon as they can trade that huge contract in Gomez (good luck) and get some fresher legs they'll be in the mix for a playoff run. Kaberle should help your ailing PP although he's slowed down too lately but hey it can't get any worse, right?

Im not so sure. I thought Kaberle was a weak link in the Bruin defense during their Cup run.

Gomez has had it for a while now. He seemed to be the guy I was always screaming at.

[10spro]

Canucks continue with their eastern swing and are ahead 3-1 so far vs the Sens. If the zebras don't get a hold of this game it can get out of control as some bad blood is brewing between these two teams. A woozy C. Hodgson won't return for VAN after being rocked hard by M. Foligno who fought D. Weise and had another dirty hit against R. Kesler.

[10spro]

A. Sutton who was already suspended this season for an early hit to the head doesn't seem to get the message. Hope the new 8 games suspension for his latest crime, will.

[pk500]

I'm a passionate Oil fan, but there's no excuse for Sutton. He was an idiot in Atlanta; he remains a moron in Edmonton.

[Naples39]

Concussions ruining Pennsylvania hockey--Crosby and Pronger out indefinitely with post concussion syndromes, Giroux still being evaluated but out short term, at least.

[pk500]

Terrible news about Crosby. This must have career ramifications.

But remember: Gary Bettman thinks the NHL doesn't have a serious problem with head injuries, so this is just a mirage.

[10spro]

I feel bad for Sid. But it's better to be cautious than take any insignificant risks with him. With the team doing well, it's better to rest him and have him ready for the playoffs.