GDT: Game 1: Islanders @ Hurricanes, 7pm

[spockBokk]

Anyone else find it odd that the only callup they’ve announced so far is Kochetkov?

It’d make more sense if the Wolves were in the AHL playoffs and still playing, but I’d don’t really understand why they haven’t at least called up so more forwards. They technically only have Puljujarvi now as the 13th forward. They may be set on D with Coghlan and de Haan waiting in the wings, but seems like it’d make some sense to bring up at least one or two of Ponomarev, Rees, Suzuki, Stromwall, etc.

 

[CandyCanes]

 

[Ole Gil]

Playoff Jordan is my favorite Jordan. He was just tossing people around, winning 1 on 3's. Looks like a man playing with children out there.

 

[Sigurd]

I would love to see Carolina have more powerplays like last night. Those 2 PPGs were fantastic! So refreshing.

On the flip side, with the following two powerplays, they struggled to even set up. I said before that even if they aren't one of the highest ranked PP teams, I'd be okay with that if they didn't have what seems like so many PPs where they were lucky to get even one shot on goal if even that.

 

[Joe McGrath]

I really need a playoff burner account so I can go scorched earth on the main board.

 

[chaz4hockey]

Anyone else find it odd that the only callup they’ve announced so far is Kochetkov?

It’d make more sense if the Wolves were in the AHL playoffs and still playing, but I’d don’t really understand why they haven’t at least called up so more forwards. They technically only have Puljujarvi now as the 13th forward. They may be set on D with Coghlan and de Haan waiting in the wings, but seems like it’d make some sense to bring up at least one or two of Ponomarev, Rees, Suzuki, Stromwall, etc.

Perhaps a crowded practice ice situation but I agree anyone/perhaps all of those 4 should be up with the main squad (at very least getting a view into SC playoffs).

 

[Svechhammer]

So what I'm hearing is that we need Tripp to do the siren before Game 2 to make good on all of Jarvis' suggestions

 

[IronLion]

Sorokin nearly stole that one, we should have had 5 or 6

I agree with this, was talking last night post-game and was saying should have been 4-0. We had so many high quality chances.

 

[Big Daddy Cane]

They didn't get a goal out of it, but Burns had another nice in-zone dangle, driving from the point to the net in the 3rd. He's been really effective at that. Pretty unique skill from the blueline.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Brent Burns I thought was our best player from what I saw. He was probably the best player on both teams if you don't count Sorokin. Our whole defense was awesome. Chatfield has such elite skating. He has quickly gone from "he's a decent skater" to "he has NHL skating" to "his skating is among the top 25% of NHL defenseman" this year.

I hadn’t really thought about it until I read this, but I wonder if Burns’ resurgence over the course of the season had anything to do with the fitness expectations and general day-to-day intensity of playing for Rod. Not to say the Sharks did anything wrong, but it’s tough when you’re on a lottery team in California, especially for an easygoing and outdoorsy guy like Burns. The Coyotes and Panthers and Ducks have had this problem too at times. It’s just psychologically easy to let certain things slip when the work doesn’t really mean anything, and that has domino effects.

Despite his general demeanor, Burns seems like a pretty intense and focused hockey player when he’s actually on the ice. Maybe the environment is tapping into something that he lost the past couple of years.

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

I hadn’t really thought about it until I read this, but I wonder if Burns’ resurgence over the course of the season had anything to do with the fitness expectations and general day-to-day intensity of playing for Rod. Not to say the Sharks did anything wrong, but it’s tough when you’re on a lottery team in California, especially for an easygoing and outdoorsy guy like Burns. The Coyotes and Panthers and Ducks have had this problem too at times. It’s just psychologically easy to let certain things slip when the work doesn’t really mean anything, and that has domino effects.

Despite his general demeanor, Burns seems like a pretty intense and focused hockey player when he’s actually on the ice. Maybe the environment is tapping into something that he lost the past couple of years.

My understanding is that Burns was an absolute fitness freak well before coming here, I honestly doubt if he changed much. Fit in seamlessly yeah but I actually can't imagine him skimping on strength/stamina training. Also he only had 7 less points last year... He's on a much better team with better player around him which will elevate his game too, I don't think it's much of a resurgence as he has always been a great player.

 

[Nikishin Go Boom]

Once Vlasic became a shell of his former self and Karlsson was hurt all the time, the SJ defense was Burns and 5 bottom pair guys (if that in some cases). He was carrying the load offensively and defensively. He would look vulnerable because he didn’t have a good partner or depth to carry the defensive burden. Burns doesn’t have to play every minute against the top 2 lines here as the 2nd pair can easily shoulder some of the burden allowing Burns to get some better matchups. He has a partner that allows him to dangle through the offensive zone.

 

[Lempo]

My understanding is that Burns was an absolute fitness freak well before coming here, I honestly doubt if he changed much. Fit in seamlessly yeah but I actually can't imagine him skimping on strength/stamina training.

I stress that absolutely don't claim any motivational issue beforehand, but: it might well be an extra motivator for a guy like that to get to play for a like-minded coach.

 

[Anton Dubinchuk]

Or maybe he’s such a fitness freak in such a balls to the wall system that as the season goes on and everyone else gets tired he’s still got his legs.

Or maybe, like Dougie before him, it takes a little while in that spot next to Slavin to figure out the system, and now he’ll be this dangerous until his body fails him in a season or three.

Who knows. I’m happy he’s playing so well.

 

[DaveG]

I hadn’t really thought about it until I read this, but I wonder if Burns’ resurgence over the course of the season had anything to do with the fitness expectations and general day-to-day intensity of playing for Rod. Not to say the Sharks did anything wrong, but it’s tough when you’re on a lottery team in California, especially for an easygoing and outdoorsy guy like Burns. The Coyotes and Panthers and Ducks have had this problem too at times. It’s just psychologically easy to let certain things slip when the work doesn’t really mean anything, and that has domino effects.

Despite his general demeanor, Burns seems like a pretty intense and focused hockey player when he’s actually on the ice. Maybe the environment is tapping into something that he lost the past couple of years.

The other part of it is going from 26 minutes a night to 23 a night may be helping as well. That might not seem like that much especially to the casual observer but that extra 10-12% ice time per game can take a toll as the season goes along with such a long grind. The NHL can't really get away with the same game management shenanigans that the NBA has been doing for years, so in-game load balancing is going to help. Not to mention it helps when your 2nd pair is elite in its own right compared to being the only quality defensive unit on the team.

 

[TheReelChuckFletcher]

I mean, Burns will eventually become a potato like every other NHLer does, but it also wouldn't shock if it didn't happen until his (gasp) next contract. He may still have a couple of years in the tank in his 40s, and no doubt there will be some team willing to pay stupid short-term money to see how much it will be.

 

[hblueridgegal]

Might be time to up the ante

 

[CandyCanes]

Might be time to up the ante

Matthew Barzal wants to be a huge Caniac confirmed

 

[hockeynjune]

Might be time to up the ante

I’m still horse.

 

[Sens1Canes2]

Sorokin did nearly steal it … but Raanta *did* steal it. He stopped a whole bunch of point blank chances, especially in the 3rd. Loved how aggressive he was. Good to see. Now … glass, don’t break

I imagine the games will largely look like this one, offensively challenged teams finding offense hard to come by.

Initial PPs looked really good with Burns as the only D (have they been doing that?).

Finally - it was pretty crazy in the first period in particular, how many chances the Canes were getting right off faceoffs. Lots of set plays, I’d imagine, and they were working quite nicely.

 

[Tryamw]

I’m still horse.

I'd have thought donkey but whatevs / grin

 

[Daeavorn]

Nm

 

[hockeynjune]

I'd have thought donkey but whatevs / grin

The donkey is a perpetual thing , horse is only when I yell a lot. Least that’s what my wife says.