What did I say that was wrong?

Blocked shots are pretty clearly a lack of possession, unless Karlsson is blocking his own teammates shots.
- Feeling Glucky?

I think the point he was making is that you can't suck and blow at the same time. Karlsson is playing great team and defensive hockey. He has clearly become comfortable with the leadership of this team. His laughter and apparent joy about hockey seems to be carrying over to all the players.

Montreal has already lost 2x to Ottawa because of their inability to contain Karlsson. Karlsson is now booed whenever he touches the puck in Montreal. There is no higher tribute. Only Bobby Hull and Bobby Orr were able to sustain that honour for an extended period and, only when they were at the top of their careers.

If Ottawa goes deep in the playoffs it will be because they get by Montreal in the first round (I think Tampa comes in first in the Division with Ottawa and Montreal fighting for 2nd and 3rd). All of this is entirely possible based primariy on the remarkable hockey that we are seeing today from Eric Karlsson.

I think the point he was making is that you can't suck and blow at the same time. Karlsson is playing great team and defensive hockey. He has clearly become comfortable with the leadership of this team. His laughter and apparent joy about hockey seems to be carrying over to all the players.

Montreal has already lost 2x to Ottawa because of their inability to contain Karlsson. Karlsson is now booed whenever he touches the puck in Montreal. There is no higher tribute. Only Bobby Hull and Bobby Orr were able to sustain that honour for an extended period and, only when they were at the top of their careers.

If Ottawa goes deep in the playoffs it will be because they get by Montreal in the first round (I think Tampa comes in first in the Division with Ottawa and Montreal fighting for 2nd and 3rd). All of this is entirely possible based primariy on the remarkable hockey that we are seeing from King Karl.
- spatso

- Pie

A nervous laugh no doubt. Never have been able to figure out the difference between Montreal and Leaf fans in the way that they respond to talented rivals.

Leaf fans pretend Crosby is no good and slag him at every opportunity. Montreal fans see him as a Devil but in an admiring way and even though they cheer against him they acknowledge his hockey skill. Leaf fans have never been able to figure that out. Some have suggested that Leaf fans are only Leaf fans and they are not true hockey fans. I don't think that is the case. I think it has more to do with a 50 year history of losing with bad hockey teams and, even worse, bad management pretending the team is something that it is not. I do believe that Shanahan is clearly on the right track, I hope that he is able to sustain the approach.

A nervous laugh no doubt. Never have been able to figure out the difference between Montreal and Leaf fans in the way that they respond to talented rivals.

Leaf fans pretend Crosby is no good and slag him at every opportunity. Montreal fans see him as a Devil but in an admiring way and even though they cheer against him they acknowledge his hockey skill. Leaf fans have never been able to figure that out. Some have suggested that Leaf fans are only Leaf fans and they are not true hockey fans. I don't think that is the case. I think it has more to do with a 50 year history of losing with bad hockey teams and, even worse, bad management pretending the team is something that it is not. I do believe that Shanahan is clearly on the right track, I hope that he is able to sustain the approach.
- spatso

I'm laughing because you're either making poop up or you're ignorant. Karlsson doesn't receive 1/10th the hate as guys like Chara, Crosby, Kreider or even Gomez when he played for them. Karlsson isn't even on the radar. As for the last game against Ottawa, Sens get the win, but Habs continue to play like that and they will beat Ottawa more often than not. As for having to go through Ottawa to get past the first round of the POs, if the Habs can't then they don't belong there.

I'm laughing because you're either making poop up or you're ignorant. Karlsson doesn't receive 1/10th the hate as guys like Chara, Crosby, Kreider or even Gomez when he played for them. Karlsson isn't even on the radar. As for the last game against Ottawa, Sens get the win, but Habs continue to play like that and they will beat Ottawa more often than not. As for having to go through Ottawa to get past the first round of the POs, if the Habs can't then they don't belong there.
- Pie

Duh, Ottawa is 2 for 2 against Montreal and does not appear to have had any difficulty with Price as other teams seem to have. You will note that Ottawa does something that other teams don't usually do against Montreal. They do not let Price handle the puck. They will even pull the puck our of the zone rather than let Price handle it.

Other teams are going to pick up on it soon enough. Montreal wants to trade scoring chances believing their goalie can make key saves more than their opponent. Montreal's success has been to counter attack off of a Price save or puck handling opportunity. Montreal is the one team where you never want to feed them easy shots.

A nervous laugh no doubt. Never have been able to figure out the difference between Montreal and Leaf fans in the way that they respond to talented rivals.

Leaf fans pretend Crosby is no good and slag him at every opportunity. Montreal fans see him as a Devil but in an admiring way and even though they cheer against him they acknowledge his hockey skill. Leaf fans have never been able to figure that out. Some have suggested that Leaf fans are only Leaf fans and they are not true hockey fans. I don't think that is the case. I think it has more to do with a 50 year history of losing with bad hockey teams and, even worse, bad management pretending the team is something that it is not. I do believe that Shanahan is clearly on the right track, I hope that he is able to sustain the approach.
- spatso

I'm laughing because you're either making poop up or you're ignorant.
- Pie

It's Spatso. So both.

Duh, Ottawa is 2 for 2 against Montreal and does not appear to have had any difficulty with Price as other teams seem to have. You will note that Ottawa does something that other teams don't usually do against Montreal. They do not let Price handle the puck. They will even pull the puck our of the zone rather than let Price handle it.

Other teams are going to pick up on it soon enough. Montreal wants to trade scoring chances believing their goalie can make key saves more than their opponent. Montreal's success has been to counter attack off of a Price save or puck handling opportunity. Montreal is the one team where you never want to feed them easy shots.
- spatso

No difficulty beating the Price led Habs in two games.

Except...

Both were 1 goal games. Hardly easy wins..

One of the two required shootouts. Not a void of "difficulty " win.

Except Price didn't start one of the games.

Habs have the best goalie and dman in the league this season. They aren't an easy opponent despite what you think after 2 games. Let the Sens make the playoffs before you start throwing around besting them in a series.

Seems like you're not giving the Habs any credit while you piss moan whine and cry that Karlsson isn't getting enough respect. It always feels good to beat the top team but don't get carried away. Pun intended. Habs are still much much better than the Sens and it starts with where the teams are right now when it comes to goaltending.

- Pie

Chara would like a word with him.

- systemtool

This is not nearly good enough. In past years you were never this sloppy.

Last year Karlsson put on a big second half push. He ended the season with 82 points, the team scored 230 goals. Karlsson was on the scoresheet in 35.6% of goal scoring. This year, his pace is 34.0%. He is playing the best hockey of his career, the team is winning. The primary goal has been to reduce goals against and they have succeeded brilliantly, so far. Karlsson has been the team leader in all aspects of the turn around. No idea of the point your trying to make.
- spatso

for the last several seasons he has led the league in goals against while on the ice, at 5 on 5. they are trying to cut down on goals against because the whole team was plain bad defensively. they paid no attention to defense and that's why he scored 82 points. this season proves that.

for the last several seasons he has led the league in goals against while on the ice, at 5 on 5. they are trying to cut down on goals against because the whole team was plain bad defensively. they paid no attention to defense and that's why he scored 82 points. this season proves that.
- prock

So are you telling us that a defense man with a career Corsi (5v5) rating of 48, is way worse defensively, than another defense man with a career Corsi (5v5) rating of 53.3 (for example)???

So are you telling us that a defense man with a career Corsi (5v5) rating of 48, is way worse defensively, than another defense man with a career Corsi (5v5) rating of 53.3 (for example)???
- D0PPELGANGER

I wouldn't be able to answer that without knowing far more. Qualcomp? zone deployment? rate of high scoring chances against? most common partner? goals against?

nor would I use career numbers in most cases to judge the current level of play of someone.

I wouldn't be able to answer that without knowing far more. Qualcomp? zone deployment? rate of high scoring chances against? most common partner? goals against?

nor would I use career numbers in most cases to judge the current level of play of someone.
- prock

So 53.3 is not better than 48?

the sens are not the second youngest team in the league they are one of the very oldest. they have no developing youth accomplishing anything of note. there is no sign of better things to come. and with a super easy schedule to date they're onlyb3 points ahead in the standings right now.


- prock

Just wondering, how do you determine what a "super easy schedule" is?

Has the leafs schedule been "super hard"?

You do know, with the exception of playing each other, they play the exact same teams, the exact number of times in a season............ right?


Do you look at playing the teams below them in the standing as being easier than playing teams above them in the standings?


A little clarification would be nice, if possible.



Also, how much difference do you really put into average ages of teams?

The leafs average age is 26.638, and the Senators average age is 27.982 .... a difference of 1.344 years ........ is that really all that different?

Wow! Turris again. Phaneuf played his best game for the Sens.

Huge test tonight against Rangers on the road.

I think Karlsson believes he will take this team to the Stanley Cup. Most amazing conversation on broadcast by colour commentator (York). He explained how Methot and Karlsson frequently argue on the bench. Apparently, Karlsson does not hesitate to rip people when they miss a defensive assignment and fail to back each other up. York explained that conversations between Methot and Karlsson become heated. Methot thinks that nobody is able to see, process and play the game at the same speed as Karlsson does. Karlsson just sees the game and the ice very differently than the average player.

This is so exciting!

I think Karlsson believes he will take this team to the Stanley Cup
- spatso

Then Karlsson is just as much of an idiot as you are.

This is so exciting!
- daeth

I know, right!? Turris !!!!!!!

I know, right!? Turris !!!!!!!
- systemtool

What a great trade ........... where is Rundblad (113 NHL games, 4 Goals & 21 assists) now?

What a great trade ........... where is Rundblad (113 NHL games, 4 Goals & 21 assists) now?
- D0PPELGANGER

Probably wherever Schenn is.

Probably wherever Schenn is.
- systemtool

Kadri also scored a nice goal last night.

Kadri also scored a nice goal last night.
- D0PPELGANGER

He's been good all year, really coming around at both ends of the ice.

You know who isn't scoring nice goals? The Casucks.

What a great trade ........... where is Rundblad (113 NHL games, 4 Goals & 21 assists) now?
- D0PPELGANGER

not sure. but st Louis sure is glad you traded for him.

not sure. but st Louis sure is glad you traded for him.
- prock

though it's not like ottawa has shown that they have the ability to make good draft selections like that anyway