GDT: 12/4/21 - 7:00PM EDT - Tampa Bay @ Boston

[Fabiobest]

Pretty sure we'll be better when we've got a healthy Joseph, Kucherov, Point and Cernak.

True story.

 

[U55]

we beat those scrubs without point or kucherov. i like how we gavem hope and then took their souls

 

[Master P]

Bolts win. Bruins fans salty.

Was a good night. Fun had by all.

 

[TheDaysOf 04]

That goal by Stammer ties Marty for the franchise record in OT goals (10) and Game Winning goals (64)

 

[DrMartinVanNostrand]

Never too early in the season to have a 7 point lead over the Bruins.

 

[Maelmoor]

Great two points! Keep grinding points!

 

[TheDaysOf 04]

Serge's behind the goal line when Pasta picks up the puck near the dot and does a hell of a job to not only catch him, but give Vasy some help. And then wasting no time makes the pass up to Stammer. Again, great job by Serge.

 

[SRQKiter]

Take the two points but Boston is as shorthanded as we are and smoked us everywhere but on the scoreboard. Zone entries and retrievals way too easy. Vasy will be a wet noodle by the time playoffs come around if we can't be better in front of him.

 

[Stormbreaker]

Brian Elliot revenge game tomorrow.

 

[BoltzManConstant]

Take the two points but Boston is as shorthanded as we are and smoked us everywhere but on the scoreboard. Zone entries and retrievals way too easy. Vasy will be a wet noodle by the time playoffs come around if we can't be better in front of him.

That's not how Vasy works.

 

[T REX]

Love to see this W.

Still dealing with some unfortunate family stuff but this brought some smiles tonight.

Stammer baby. Still gave a freezer full of crow. Lol

 

[CupsOverCash]

Keep piling up the points while we wait for Point and Kuch to get back!

 

[Sky04]

Pathetic.

 

[Hint1k]

Sergachev eats Pasta on breakfast

 

[TheDaysOf 04]

Sergachev eats Pasta on breakfast

 

[SRQKiter]

That's not how Vasy works.

I here ya but it's an 82 game season this time around. We haven't had one the past two years.

 

[DrMartinVanNostrand]

I here ya but it's an 82 game season this time around. We haven't had one the past two years.

This, and ideally his games played rate can continue to go down. Counting today's game - which we already know is Elliott's - Vasy is on pace to play 65 games this year. That's down a bit from the last time I checked his pace, but it's still too high. He appeared in 74% of the games in 2019-'20 and 75% last year, and right now that number for this year is 79%. Based on the previous two seasons, you not only want to get that number down closer to ~60 appearances, but then factor in two deep playoff runs and potentially the Olympics, and ideally you get that number down even further from there. If we can get to the playoffs without Vasi making more than ~55 appearances, that would be fantastic. It can't just be back-to-backs where he gets one of the games off; we need to spot him a little bit more here and there, like in St. Louis the other night.

Of course, playing without Kucherov and Point (and maybe without Cernak again) makes this more difficult.

 

[BoltzManConstant]

I here ya but it's an 82 game season this time around. We haven't had one the past two years.

Yeah but he's not getting worn down because we're not "better in front of him". He loves seeing a ton of pucks, in fact. All that matters to wear and tear is how many games we play him.

Yes, if we hit a significant losing streak we could be in a place where we have to play him extra just to get into the playoffs. But we've been picking up points and we're a long way from being at risk -- we're closer to leading the conference than we are to missing the playoffs.

 

[SRQKiter]

Yeah but he's not getting worn down because we're not "better in front of him". He loves seeing a ton of pucks, in fact. All that matters to wear and tear is how many games we play him.

Yes, if we hit a significant losing streak we could be in a place where we have to play him extra just to get into the playoffs. But we've been picking up points and we're a long way from being at risk -- we're closer to leading the conference than we are to missing the playoffs.

It's both, the number of games and how much rubber, and consequently how much energy he has to expend within those games, that matters. Yes, Vasy needs to see a lot of pucks to be sharp, but too many nights like last night will catch up to him. And DMVN makes a good point as well, if there is an Olympic tourney (still a big if and looking bigger every day, I admit) he will be right in the middle of it.

 

[MattM92]

Vasilevskiy is fine. He can handle 60+ games in the regular season no problem. He is an athletic freak of nature. We could always give him some extra games off later this year assuming we are settled into a playoff spot. Many players get maintenance days the last 10 or so games of the year if your postseason positioning is solid, so he is certainly a guy we can give 4-5 games off over the last 10-12 games to give him extra rest.

 

[CupsOverCash]

Vasilevskiy is fine. He can handle 60+ games in the regular season no problem. He is an athletic freak of nature. We could always give him some extra games off later this year assuming we are settled into a playoff spot. Many players get maintenance days the last 10 or so games of the year if your postseason positioning is solid, so he is certainly a guy we can give 4-5 games off over the last 10-12 games to give him extra rest.

Vasi, our d and top end talent is a reason we contend year in and out. As long as those are there again when playoffs roll around we will contend this year as well.