Non-Penguins NHL Games 2023-24

[mikey]

KC, do you consider 2019 St. Louis and 2023 Vegas to be similar though?

Not that I necessarily disagree that they needed that...but they got that in Jake. And if he's not the threshold, then I question Kreider - who, going into last night had 44 goals and was a -12 in 116 playoff games.

[King Colby]

The 2019 blues were actually the team that came to mind for me as most similar, but Carolina doesn't have anything close to AP from that year on the back end. The guy was a machine. Actually AP stats last playoffs weren't great but I'd take him over any of the 6 in carolina.. and I'd probably put eichel/stone above anyone on Carolina to be honest. I also don't know that I see a guy who stepped up for them the way marchessault did for Vegas last year.

Aho is great but you get what you get with him. Nothing more, nothing less. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, like at all, but I don't think anyone anywhere is even inserting Aho into the conversation of guys around the league you want on the ice in game 7 overtime.

[JC2]

A roster doesn't need a superstar, but Carolina did need scorers to get them over the hump and they finally had them this year (and healthy).

The fact that their powerplay turned into the Pens' also cost them.

[mikey]

I don't think Aho gets credit for what a star he is. He's an excellent, well-rounded player and an engine that makes that team go. Not dissimilar to Brayden Point for me.

Conversely, I'm not sure that Alex Pietrangelo gets enough discredit for how easy he can be to play against...but I guess that wasn't totally the case in St. Louis...but yeah, I guess they don't quite have that level in Carolina regardless...I don't think Skjei is as smart as Petro. Petro can be more precise in his game than Skjei too...

[JC2]

Watching the playoffs the past few years, some commentator always mentions how everyone will realize what a star Aho is now on the national stage. But he just isn't.

Like you said, mikey, he's a fantastic two-way player that everyone would like on their team, but much to KC's point, he really isn't close to that handful of players you'd want on the ice looking for a goal to tie the game late in the 3rd...

[mikey]

A goal...? Perhaps not.

If the whole thing of players that qualifies, though, is only "a handful" then sure...I won't fight that. He's not quite good enough to be considered for that handful...

But I'll still go back to - this is results based (which I understand), it's not process based. Their goalie gave a goal on a puck he had effectively frozen, up 2, in the 3rd period...the Rangers had nothing going on until that moment. These posts don't happen if that's a whistle. And further, I'm actually quite confident the Canes win game 7 because I don't think the Rangers are mentally strong enough (despite having the league's best leader as chosen by some bald ***hole) sit and stew on that game for a couple days and still win it...

But...unfortunately, we'll never know. What a dumb sport this is sometimes...

[JC2]

For sure, it's Andersen's fault.

I think I posted here in game 4 that I was surprised they went back to him. They may have lost game 3, but none of that was really on the goalie as opposed to games 1 and 2.

Edit: I could tell that you were extremely concerned when the Canes couldn't get that extra goal in the 3rd. Andersen just looked out of it all game. I'd have benched him after
the 2nd period last night, personally.

[JC2]

Pretty goal there from Zacha.

[Orlando Penguin]

Kinda close to some interference there in the Boston zone right as the breakout play started.

[meow]

that is a national hockey league goal. my goodness

[Orlando Penguin]

A too many men penalty on Boston? I heard that was -145 on Draftkings today.

[meow]

Swayman is dialed in

[meow]

[Orlando Penguin]

If they confirm this as a major...

[mikey]

*nothing play*
Play continues
*random whistle*
"We're gonna make a bad call and see if it's right"
*review of nothing*
"We made a bad call, thank you"

[shafnutz05]

Mcavoy is awful

[mikey]

Crotch is worse.

[skullman80]

Suck it Boston.

[meow]

**** love forsling

[King Colby]

Wow that was sloppy defense

[mikey]

Wow, seeing eye puck there...

[Orlando Penguin]

BOSTON WEAK

[dodint]

What a goal to lose on, lol.

[JC2]

Can't wait to see Igor flopping against the Panthers...

[mikey]

Florida is tough man...