Pre-Game Talk: WEEK 25: A Week at Home. vs. Pitt, vs. Habs, vs. Rags, vs. Preds

[missionAvs]

I don't see a loss in any of these.

I see 4 games, 5 losses.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

W vs MTL
W vs NYR
Massive L vs NSH

 

[dahrougem2]

W vs MTL
W vs NYR
Massive L vs NSH

The boys are going to make a statement vs Nashville.

I actually think they lose to Montreal (St. Louis returning to the bench) and lose to NYR in a close game but thump Nashville to send a message.

 

[The Kingslayer]

I don't see a loss in any of these.

OTL-L-OTL

 

[Muffin]

Guess Montreal will be pumped up for tomorrow, better be ready

Martin St-Louis to return to Canadiens bench | Montréal Canadiens

Habs head coach will be back for Tuesday’s game against the Avalanche in Denver

www.nhl.com

 

[JLo217]

Has Newhook been hurt this year? I’ve heard nothing about him.

 

[The Moops]

how quickly you all forget about the goal of the century

 

[Grigowski]

They’ll go down 0-4 in every game and come back win it 5-4 in OT

...and run out of gas for game 1 in the playoffs... Not a good idea....

Expect them to beat Montreal, lose to the Rangers and beat Nashville.

 

[Avsboy]

They say opposites attract

 

[Colorado Avalanche]

Has Newhook been hurt this year? I’ve heard nothing about him.

24 points in 42 games, you could say it paid of for Montreal.

 

[RECKLESS]

W-W-W

We're not losing to any of these f***ers in our f***ing barn.

 

[JLo217]

24 points in 42 games, you could say it paid of for Montreal.

Meh... seems like what you'd expect with elevated ice time on a worst team.

 

[henchman21]

24 points in 42 games, you could say it paid of for Montreal.

Meh still remains to be seen. He's been up and down for them. He'll go on a mini heater and look great for 5-7 games. Then just be abysmal for 3 or 4. I think when he moves over to wing full time next year (Dach's health permitting), it should free him up a bit more to utilize his shot and have him clear into the 25-30g range. Which would be a good return for what they paid. His ability to find space and IQ still leaves a lot to be desired. If he can have a guy on his line to free him up, maybe the playmaking improves... That'll probably be the difference between him being a 45-50 point guy vs a 55-60 point.

 

[JLo217]

Meh still remains to be seen. He's been up and down for them. He'll go on a mini heater and look great for 5-7 games. Then just be abysmal for 3 or 4. I think when he moves over to wing full time next year (Dach's health permitting), it should free him up a bit more to utilize his shot and have him clear into the 25-30g range. Which would be a good return for what they paid. His ability to find space and IQ still leaves a lot to be desired. If he can have a guy on his line to free him up, maybe the playmaking improves... That'll probably be the difference between him being a 45-50 point guy vs a 55-60 point.

Is he willing to put in the effort though?

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

I'm gonna say 3-1. W, W, L, W.

I think the Rags will beat them, and Nashville is due for an L or two here soon.

 

[henchman21]

Is he willing to put in the effort though?

I don't see work ethic as Newhook's issue. I know people hate when I harp on it, but skating is his biggest issue. It isn't good enough to create/close the separation needed to be effective in tight spaces... either defensively or offensively. He can fly when he gets 3-4 steps, but that isn't all that useful in the NHL with how tight systems are. His issues are with a guy on him or if he has to close space.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

I don't see work ethic as Newhook's issue. I know people hate when I harp on it, but skating is his biggest issue. It isn't good enough to create/close the separation needed to be effective in tight spaces... either defensively or offensively. He can fly when he gets 3-4 steps, but that isn't all that useful in the NHL with how tight systems are. His issues are with a guy on him or if he has to close space.

I mean, he's a better skater than Suzuki who is noticeably below average on his feet. The difference is Newhook skates to a lot of useless places and doesn't read the game anywhere close to how Suzuki does. Suzuki is extremely intelligent, super high hockey IQ, and moves accordingly. Newhook does a lot of chasing.

 

[Pokecheque]

Has Newhook been hurt this year? I’ve heard nothing about him.

Had two goals the other night. He's been a'ight for them.

 

[henchman21]

I mean, he's a better skater than Suzuki who is noticeably below average on his feet. The difference is Newhook skates to a lot of useless places and doesn't read the game anywhere close to how Suzuki does. Suzuki is extremely intelligent, super high hockey IQ, and moves accordingly. Newhook does a lot of chasing.

I don't disagree with that. Suzuki is a rare cat though... guys with his level of intelligence are super rare. He's probably in the top 20-30 of the whole NHL in that area. I remember in Suzuki's draft year stating that his IQ was just so high that he'd overcome his deficiencies.... and that Vegas keeping Glass over him would be a mistake. He is just a next level thinker of the game in the realm of ROR. 95+% of NHLers are never going to be that level of thinker and the expectation of it is unrealistic. Great when it is there, but you can't count on it. Just like you can't count on Brink becoming a MacK level skater over time.

 

[ANewHope]

I mean, he's a better skater than Suzuki who is noticeably below average on his feet. The difference is Newhook skates to a lot of useless places and doesn't read the game anywhere close to how Suzuki does. Suzuki is extremely intelligent, super high hockey IQ, and moves accordingly. Newhook does a lot of chasing.

Exactly how I see it. Newhook basically makes a young Matt Duchene look like Patrice Bergeron. Unless Newhook gets the puck and can just skate in a straight line he has no idea what to do.

He has the tools to produce off talent alone but a very flawed player. I was pretty hyped for him and could understand Montreal fans being excited but not sure the hockey IQ exists for him to reach his ceiling.

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

 

[sethro109]

Justus for all!

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

Wonder if he was sent down?

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

 

[LOFIN]

Wonder if he was sent down?

Why would they send him down?