The Everything NHL Thread

[jrrrrrrr]

I love the Sabres. Their response to the Lucic hit on Miller was to prove they are a team of cowards and cheap-shot artists. Hitting Marchand in the back, starting a fight in the first two minutes of the game, they are pathetic. Just like the Canucks but with half of the talent. The Bruins are going to run them into the ground again, even with the refs gifting the Sabres multiple power plays already in the first period.

I also think it's weird that everyone focuses on Lucic's open ice hit of Miller and nobody cares that Miller swung his stick violently at Lucic's knees after the fact. I think Miller's actions are far more serious. If he had connected, what would the consequences of that be? Miller wouldn't even say anything on the ice, he decided to wait until a press conference to insult Lucic behind his back. Complete lack of class. The entire appeal of hockey for me is that the players police themselves on the ice, and Miller just cries to the media like a chump.

 

[pookar]

Boston: City of Blindfolds and Crybabies

 

[Carl]

Fights happen 2 minutes into games from time to time.. especially when there's bad blood between teams.

Miller's stick didn't connect so who cares.

Pretty sure press conferences can be seen and heard by anyone so that's hardly "behind Lucic's back."

Just my 2 cents..

 

[jrrrrrrr]

Fights happen 2 minutes into games from time to time.. especially when there's bad blood between teams.

That's true. When I wrote that, I think I was just surprised that anyone on the spineless Buffalo team would be willing to fight. The Miller hit happened in the first period of that game and nobody on that team fought for the rest of it. Now suddenly, a week later, it's a huge issue with bad blood? I don't buy that. Gaustad didn't even look like he wanted to be in the same arena as Lucic when they dropped gloves. If he was trying to "send a message" or whatever by fighting so early, his message was "you're going to beat us up for the whole game and we can't stop you". Lucic was laughing the whole time, it was borderline freakish.

Miller's stick didn't connect so who cares.

Swinging a hockey stick at someone's knees is a pretty serious action whether it connects or not IMO. I was just saying that I think it's more concerning than a clean hit on a player handling the puck in open ice, even if that player is a goalie.

Pretty sure press conferences can be seen and heard by anyone so that's hardly "behind Lucic's back."

Compared to the usual policy of dealing with things on the ice, I think it is. The NHL prides itself on this self-policing but Miller decided that he wanted some face time. It strikes me as a typical diva move. Sad actions all around in the last week from Buffalo, culminating in a predictable epic collapse at the end of the game. This is by far the most satisfying win of the season for this obvious Bruins fan.

2nd in GAA and 2nd in GPG. Worst to first in 16 days!

Boston: City of Blindfolds and Crybabies

That's rich from you pookie bear. You can feel free to sip my tears out of the Stanley Cup :'D

 

[Vineon]

If the NHL prides itself on self-policing, that just once again confirms how much of a fucking joke it is as a pro league. This kind of mentality from a large portion of the fanbase makes me hate the sport sometimes.

Just watched the hit on YT and the Buffalo commentators were just retarded.

"Perhaps it is time to remind Boston they also have a goalie".

 

[jrrrrrrr]

Vineon, If that announcer was really encouraging the Buffalo players to go after Boston's goalie, that really is retarded. Tim Thomas hits harder than anybody on the Sabre bench, they would be walking into a meat grinder if they listened to that advice.

 

[Aldaron]

The Bruins are awesome. I still have the Sharks winning the cup, but man, the Bruins are solid, offensively, defensively, depth-wise, goaltending wise, mixture of veteran / youth wise. Just awesome through and through.

I can't wait for Bruins vs. Penguins eastern conference finals.

 

[DM]

I also think it's weird that everyone focuses on Lucic's open ice hit of Miller and nobody cares that Miller swung his stick violently at Lucic's knees after the fact.

If I weren't supposed to get hit and I did, as violently as he did, I'd try to do something about it too.

I think Miller's actions are far more serious. If he had connected, what would the consequences of that be?

He would've hit a shin guard and done absolutely fuckall.

Miller wouldn't even say anything on the ice, he decided to wait until a press conference to insult Lucic behind his back. Complete lack of class. The entire appeal of hockey for me is that the players police themselves on the ice, and Miller just cries to the media like a chump.

Really? What the fuck was he supposed to do, go after a professional boxer twice his size? Way to think that one through.

Watch the video closely. First, he was too busy laying down on the ice after the hit to do anything, probably because, oh, I don't know, HE WAS FUCKING CONCUSSED. And second, when Lucic was being skated off Miller was up and screaming at him, trying to get in his face, so you're completely wrong that he didn't "say anything on the ice."

The Miller hit happened in the first period of that game and nobody on that team fought for the rest of it. Now suddenly, a week later, it's a huge issue with bad blood? I don't buy that.

I'm not surprised, as you're not from Buffalo, but the lack of response from the team was a HUGE deal here starting right after the game. Gaustad came out the next day and said he was embarrassed for everyone on the team, and that they would never handle a situation like that the same way. The bad taste from that last game has been festering ever since.

Gaustad didn't even look like he wanted to be in the same arena as Lucic when they dropped gloves. If he was trying to "send a message" or whatever by fighting so early, his message was "you're going to beat us up for the whole game and we can't stop you". Lucic was laughing the whole time, it was borderline freakish.

Gaustad never was a great fighter, and considering we were missing both Patrick Kaleta (our best hitter) and Cody McCormick (by far our best fighter), it fell to him. But it doesn't matter if he wanted to fight or not, he took one on the chin for the team, literally. It sent the message that you may be physical, but we're not going to back down. Besides, I seem to recall owning that first period after the fight, so once again, you're ignoring reality.

Swinging a hockey stick at someone's knees is a pretty serious action whether it connects or not IMO. I was just saying that I think it's more concerning than a clean hit on a player handling the puck in open ice, even if that player is a goalie.

Your argument is automatically bullshit because you think that was a clean hit. A hit on a goalie is NEVER clean, I don't care what that douchebag toady Shanahan says. A poll of hockey fans in the days after the hit found that 70% of people thought that Lucic should've been penalized more than he was, so you're obviously in an incredibly small minority (which is most likely confined to the greater Boston area).

Compared to the usual policy of dealing with things on the ice, I think it is. The NHL prides itself on this self-policing but Miller decided that he wanted some face time.

It does? Since when, 1985? Hi, I'm the instigator penalty, apparently we haven't met.

 

[jrrrrrrr]

I'm not surprised, as you're not from Buffalo, but the lack of response from the team was a HUGE deal here starting right after the game. Gaustad came out the next day and said he was embarrassed for everyone on the team, and that they would never handle a situation like that the same way. The bad taste from that last game has been festering ever since.

I watched both games and I didn't get the feeling that Buffalo wanted to handle the situation any differently than they did. Like I said, that Miller hit happened in the first period in a game that got out of hand quickly because of how much Boston scored. They had plenty of chances to do something. The fans seemed way more upset than the team did. I just feel bad (and somewhat proud) for Gaustad because he was clearly pressured by the fans and his scared teammates into calling Lucic out. I'd be scared to death having to fight a borderline psychopath with Lucic's size

What the fuck was he supposed to do, go after a professional boxer twice his size?

I don't know the answer to that, but I know the answer isn't to swing a hockey stick at his knees and then call a press conference just to call him a piece of shit.

Besides, I seem to recall owning that first period after the fight, so once again, you're ignoring reality.

Two power play goals on phantom penalties is hardly owning, IMO. Lucic was going to get sent to the box on basically any contact, so that first one was understandable....but somehow Buffalo ended up with a Power Play after the Chara fight (which started because of a blatant boarding against Marchand that wasn't called). They backed down quite a bit after that flood of adrenaline settled down as I expected they would. I got some green on Streak for the Cash by picking the Bruins in this one, although I admit I thought they'd win in regulation

Your argument is automatically bullshit because you think that was a clean hit. A hit on a goalie is NEVER clean, I don't care what that douchebag toady Shanahan says. A poll of hockey fans in the days after the hit found that 70% of people thought that Lucic should've been penalized more than he was, so you're obviously in an incredibly small minority (which is most likely confined to the greater Boston area).

The hit itself was clean. Miller got hit in the body while he was facing forward with the puck in open ice, nowhere near the crease. Seriously, look at how far he came out for that, he was pretty much on the faceoff dot. I'm not sure why he would expect to be untouchable when he's basically acting as a defenseman in that situation, it was pretty obvious Lucic was going to making a play for the puck.

Whether or not you think goalies deserve special protection is a different debate. As a Bruins fan I've seen quite a few dirty hits, from Horton to Savard to Savard again to McSorely. The hit on Miller doesn't even compare. I agree that goalies should get some kind of protection, but calling the hit "dirty" just makes the really dirty hits less severe. If Miller didn't want to get hit, he should have stayed in the crease where he belonged.

 

[Synre]

god i hate it when fairweather fans talk about sports

 

[Buzzcut]

god i hate it when fairweather fans talk about sports

Agreed. One of my big pet peeves (anyone talking about something they don't fully understand is pretty annoying to begin with).

 

[Aldaron]

If the fairweather fan comment is referring to jrrrrrrr, he is more a new fan to hockey than necessarily a fairweather bruins fan.

I remember he said in #stark / #dreamworld that he was just getting into hockey (and the Bruins have been good the whole time).

Regarding the Lucic / Miller incident, ask psycho, he still plays. People use that split second "didn't know couldn't help it" excuse a lot, but man...I haven't played in 6 years but in high school (lol totally aware it's a completely difference pace) we knew exactly where we were going and even in rare cases, could stop or shift momentum immediately.

Look at the play: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TERA-GY2K1o

There is no excuse for him hitting Miller there. He got upset he couldnt reach the puck and in a petulant rage took it out on Miller. That's the bottom line. Miller was an idiot for swinging the stick and sounded like a massive bitch to the media but 90% of the sin was on Lucic. He was going forward and perfectly aware Miller made the play on the puck.

EDIT: Also, looking at the slow replay about 48 seconds in, Lucic freaking squares up on Miller and pushing his arms forward to crush him lol...give me a break to anyone claiming Lucic couldn't change direction on that. That's total nonsense. It was a boneheaded, gutless move. I'm getting disgusted looking at it in slow motion. Anyone who plays hockey (again, psycho is better to ask since he plays now in college level) will tell you Lucic could have changed direction on that.

Summary:

1.) Lucic is a total nimrod (definitely the main sinner) for walloping Miller; he saw Miller, wasn't even going full speed at time of collision (you see him start to glide), and threw his weight into the hit before contact
2.) Miller is an idiot for swinging the stick.
3.) The sabres announcer is an idiot for later saying "time to remind them you have a goalie too." <-- to clarify, I don't think the announcer is an idiot overall...it was just an idiotic singular line.

 

[CaptainKishimoto]

As long as he gets educated! We don't need a Jack Edwards in this thread.

 

[DM]

I watched both games and I didn't get the feeling that Buffalo wanted to handle the situation any differently than they did. Like I said, that Miller hit happened in the first period in a game that got out of hand quickly because of how much Boston scored. They had plenty of chances to do something. The fans seemed way more upset than the team did. I just feel bad (and somewhat proud) for Gaustad because he was clearly pressured by the fans and his scared teammates into calling Lucic out. I'd be scared to death having to fight a borderline psychopath with Lucic's size

No, you're right about our team. We are nothing like the Bruins, a team on which any player will punch you in the mouth without a second thought; we are a team of pansies who prefer not to get their hands dirty. We have guys with size like Gaustad and Myers and Stafford who rarely use it to their advantage, and probably don't even know how to.

I don't know the answer to that, but I know the answer isn't to swing a hockey stick at his knees and then call a press conference just to call him a piece of shit.

Is slashing at Lucic's legs a proper response to the hit? No. Do I understand why he did it, in the anger and heat of the moment after taking a monstrous hit he didn't expect at all? Yes.

The hit itself was clean. Miller got hit in the body while he was facing forward with the puck in open ice, nowhere near the crease. Seriously, look at how far he came out for that, he was pretty much on the faceoff dot. I'm not sure why he would expect to be untouchable when he's basically acting as a defenseman in that situation, it was pretty obvious Lucic was going to making a play for the puck.

Whether or not you think goalies deserve special protection is a different debate.

Aldaron already outlined above why Lucic could've avoided the hit (he glides about 5-6 feet before the hit, it's plain as fucking day he had all year to change direction, and accidental "hits" aren't complete with raising the elbow on a full follow-through), but beyond that, I don't think you understand the rules: no matter what you think about the cleanliness/dirtiness of the hit, it is AGAINST THE RULES. PERIOD. Whether I want special attention for goalies doesn't even enter the conversation, because in no way, shape, or form was Lucic in the right. He should've gotten 5 and a game, followed by a 2-4 game suspension.

3.) The sabres announcer is an idiot for later saying "time to remind them you have a goalie too."

You have pretty selective hearing, because mere seconds before that he said "this is exactly the kind of stuff they're trying to get out of the game." Then, after he saw the Sabres pisspoor response on the ice (both from the Sabres players and the referees) and said what every single person in Buffalo was thinking: you fuck with our goalie, we fuck with yours.

Also, Rick Jeanneret is one of the most respected announcers in any sport, ever, and he knows more about the game than all of us put together. He knows what's right and wrong, and in no way was he suggesting an attempt to injure Tim Thomas, or anything close to what happened to Miller. He was saying the Sabres need to get their big bodies in Thomas's face, nudge him, jostle him, get in his head, and get him rattled the right way. I fully support what he said.

 

[Aldaron]

You have pretty selective hearing, because mere seconds before that he said "this is exactly the kind of stuff they're trying to get out of the game." Then, after he saw the Sabres pisspoor response on the ice (both from the Sabres players and the referees) and said what every single person in Buffalo was thinking: you fuck with our goalie, we fuck with yours.

Also, Rick Jeanneret is one of the most respected announcers in any sport, ever, and he knows more about the game than all of us put together. He knows what's right and wrong, and in no way was he suggesting an attempt to injure Tim Thomas, or anything close to what happened to Miller. He was saying the Sabres need to get their big bodies in Thomas's face, nudge him, jostle him, get in his head, and get him rattled the right way. I fully support what he said.

Nah man, I heard it all. He was an idiot for his one line. When I say idiot, I mean only for that one line. I love him as an announcer and don't think he's an idiot overall, but the one line "time to remind them you have a goalie too" was idiotic.

The rest of what he said was fine, but it's unfortunate he said that one line. Now I'm perfectly aware that he was angry at a bunch of things about that play (Lucic, lack of Sabres' response) and that line was probably just a heat of the moment thing, which is why I definitely don't think he is idiot overall...just an idiotic, singular line.

 

[Vineon]

Rick Jeanneret is awesome but handled himself really poorly there. While I might also have selective hearing, what I did hear didn't sound like anything I wanted to hear from a respected announcer.

Perhaps your interpretation is the right one but that's definitely not one most would make after hearing it. Besides, even if I'm certain you know the man very well, I don't think it gives you the authority to imply knowing what exactly he did mean as if you were reading his mind. The guy was definitely still shaken and speaking out of emotion and that makes us all get out of line occasionally. At that point he didn't know Miller was injured yet, so he wasn't asking a tooth for a tooth on a play that resulted in an injury.. but he was certainly warning the Bruins that two can play the same game. You said it yourself, "you fuck with our goalie, we fuck with yours". This is the sort of retarded mentality we like to entertain in this joke of a garage league and one we should work on getting rid of.

 

[Eraddd]

This is the sort of retarded mentality we like to entertain in this joke of a garage league and one we should work on getting rid of.

Out of curiosity, do you think Lucic should have been suspended for the hit then? Because while dirty, I honestly think the max punishment should have been a major penalty.

I think Aldaron covered most of the points, but my only issue is the lack of respect Lucic (and by extension, some other players) have for other players in this league, especially when they're losing the momentum, or losing. If I recall correctly, Boston was down a goal, or were being outplayed, and it's my opinion that Lucic kind of let his passion get out of control and made that stupid hit. I understand that Lucic is the type of player who plays with huge passion (I've been a Vancouver Giants fan for years, and he's always played with spirit) but it's my opinion that Lucic is letting his emotions get in the way of respect and safety of other players.

As for Miller, I understand why he had his angry rant in the post game interview (it wasn't a press conference by the way). Obviously he was still shaken from the hit, and if any player, especially one who is much heavier and has a great deal of momentum and speed coming my way, hits me without bothering to stop, I'd be pretty angry and emotional too.

 

[Vineon]

Probably would have suspended, yeah. He had clearly lost his race to the puck and took it out on Miller, the goalie. It was a highly dangerous move and sure enough someone was injured. For any team, your goalie getting hurt is a huge loss and their equipment makes them more vulnerable ; they do not get preferential treatment in the rule book for nothing.

I'd also like to get rid of "self-policing" in this league and that pretty much can only be done in tandem with harsher penalties.

 

[DM]

If I recall correctly, Boston was down a goal, or were being outplayed, and it's my opinion that Lucic kind of let his passion get out of control and made that stupid hit.

It was tied at 1 at that point, and Buffalo was hanging in there against Boston in Boston, tough place to play on the road. After the hit, they scored 2 quick ones on an increasingly fucked up Miller in the second, and from there the rout was on. Enroth had to start the 3rd period because Miller wasn't allowed back to the bench after 2nd intermission, and by that time the team was completely deflated and gave up 3 more. Awful game from a Buffalo perspective.

As for Jeanneret... maybe I am assuming an interpretation of that sentence, but having listened to the man call Sabres games for 20+ years, it's a perfectly reasonable one. Jeanneret isn't one of those Mike Milbury-type shitheaded "old school hockey" primates; he respects the game a ton, and there is no way he would ever suggest the Sabres run Tim Thomas. I know it's just my opinion, but I have every reason to believe it's fact.

 

[Aldaron]

BizNasty on tough roster decisions: "Had to drop myself in fantasy hockey today. Welcome back Sidney Crosby(notes)."

Man, Paul Bissonnette is hilarious lol

​

 

[Eraddd]

Buffalo puts on a solid effort against Boston and then is promptly blown out by the Blue Jackets?

Also, I didn't know Phoenix signed Hasek in the offseason. Smith is a revelation. Edit: Of course, this was before he let in 5 goals after the 1st?

 

[jrrrrrrr]

Bruins win streak got snapped, at least they got a point out of it =[. I wonder what would have happened with Thomas back there, although I don't know if anyone alive could have stopped some of those goals. Detroit has some wizards up front. Just like I called during last year's playoffs in this thread, Detroit is one of few teams I would be worried about my Boston facing in a 7-game series.

Buffalo puts on a solid effort against Boston and then is promptly blown out by the Blue Jackets?

That is the mark of a spineless front-running team. They're great until they see some adversity, then they suddenly go into coasting mode and get burned. The more I pay attention to this Sabre team the more confident I am in my comparing them to a less-talented Canucks.

because in no way, shape, or form was Lucic in the right. He should've gotten 5 and a game, followed by a 2-4 game suspension.

2-4 games for that? On what precedent? I honestly want to know, I've only been interested in the NHL since the lockout ended. It seems counter-intuitive to me to set specific rules about the crease and the trapezoid but then continue to treat goalies differently when they are clearly acting in a different position on the ice.

I'd also like to get rid of "self-policing" in this league and that pretty much can only be done in tandem with harsher penalties.

Harsher penalties would be nice as long as they're applied evenly. I personally think the Lucic/Miller hit and the ensuing fights are a non-issue while people like Matt Cooke and Todd Bertuzzi are still allowed in the league. I like that Shanahan isn't dishing out penalties just to flex his muscles, he seems to be taking a very reasoned approach to every hearing.

god i hate it when fairweather fans talk about sports

god i hate it when pompous holier-than-thou fans insult people they don't know anonymously over an internet forum instead of addressing their posts. Haters like you and pookar are way worse than homers like me. If I made the same post about you I would have been infracted so lets keep this thread about NHL discussion.

 

[popemobile]

jr you are the definition of a "fan". Start watching hockey while your team is doing great, win a cup, and talk shit like it's your job

give it a rest

 

[DM]

That is the mark of a spineless front-running team. They're great until they see some adversity, then they suddenly go into coasting mode and get burned. The more I pay attention to this Sabre team the more confident I am in my comparing them to a less-talented Canucks.

Rather than letting your overwhelming bias taint your view of the Sabres, you should try paying attention to the fact that we're currently missing Ennis, Myers, Weber, McCormick, Kaleta, Boyes, and Ryan Fucking Miller. The Jackets beat up on our farm team, and considering how they're coming together right now, I can't say I'm too surprised.

2-4 games for that? On what precedent? I honestly want to know, I've only been interested in the NHL since the lockout ended. It seems counter-intuitive to me to set specific rules about the crease and the trapezoid but then continue to treat goalies differently when they are clearly acting in a different position on the ice.

There is no precedent for hitting goalies because nobody does it, especially to the extent Lucic did. He should've gotten 2-4 games because he's a repeat offender.

god i hate it when pompous holier-than-thou fans insult people they don't know anonymously over an internet forum instead of addressing their posts. Haters like you and pookar are way worse than homers like me. If I made the same post about you I would have been infracted so lets keep this thread about NHL discussion.

Your infraction self-martyrdom is really stale, stop kicking that horse.

 

[Eraddd]

god i hate it when pompous holier-than-thou fans insult people they don't know anonymously over an internet forum instead of addressing their posts. Haters like you and pookar are way worse than homers like me. If I made the same post about you I would have been infracted so lets keep this thread about NHL discussion.

To be fair, Synre would only delete your post!

Speaking of deleted posts, I recall my post that Higgins potting 40 points was deleted. At the moment, he has 11 points in 22 games, and playing some of the best hockey of his life. I think my post was more than justified.

And I don't think jrrrrrrr is a fairweather fan, if what Aldaron says is true. He probably isn't the most devoted of fans, but I'm going to say that he probably has more hockey knowledge than most Bruins fans that jumped on the bandwagon last playoff. Doesn't change the fact that he's still a scumbag Bruins fan though!

Edit: When I said "scumbag Bruins fan" I meant in tongue-in-cheek.