GDT: Game 23 - 11/24/2018 - Sabres @ Red Wings - 7 PM ET FS-D

[theYman]

I don't understand why at the point where Athanasiou scores we don't win. Like in baseball or football does for the home team. There should be a sudden death after the 1st 3 rounds. But if the visiting team scores the home team gets a chance to tie it.

 

[avssuc]

Jensen has been playing better than expected of late. Dekeyser too... even though he forced Larkin to take that penalty in OT.

 

[Lampedampe]

Boring shootout but a fun game.

Nielsen is looking a lot better this season, AA and Larkin both had some great shifts. Kronwall and Cholo looks like a great pair, Kronwall actually stood out today with consistent plays.

It looks like Ullmark will be very annoying to face the coming years.

 

[JoesuffP]

I don't understand why at the point where Athanasiou scores we don't win. Like in baseball or football does for the home team. There should be a sudden death after the 1st 3 rounds. But if the visiting team scores the home team gets a chance to tie it.

For some reason Blashill opts to shoot first but the home team has the option to shoot first or second. I would definitely prefer shooting second

 

[Bondurant]

Who’s this Thompson guy?

That was awful Howard.

Kid from Phoenix. When Buffalo came to AZ a few weeks ago he had zero points. Stepping up his game a bit.

A tough loss after playing well but this is the way to lose if you're going to sacrifice points. Team is playing on a different level than the first 7 games or so.

 

[lilidk]

For some reason Blashill opts to shoot first but the home team has the option to shoot first or second. I would definitely prefer shooting second

Pavel always was first shooter to put pressure on other team

 

[KJoe88]

Kid from Phoenix. When Buffalo came to AZ a few weeks ago he had zero points. Stepping up his game a bit.

A tough loss after playing well but this is the way to lose if you're going to sacrifice points. Team is playing on a different level than the first 7 games or so.

I genuinely believe we’d be in a playoff spot if it weren’t for that start.

Wildcard of course.

 

[lilidk]

good game , we don't need second point , glad sabers got it. Larkin looks hurt and tired , stop overuse him , 23 min a game with intensity he plays bit to much

 

[kliq]

I genuinely believe we’d be in a playoff spot if it weren’t for that start.

Wildcard of course.

100%. If we win just 3 of those 7 regulation loses in our first 10 games games, we are sitting in the 2nd WC spot with 29 points.
Though one can argue that as if we dont get a few breaks during our winning streak, and we are way out.
It all evens out.

 

[Reddwit]

Who’s this Thompson guy?

That was awful Howard.

Kid from Phoenix. When Buffalo came to AZ a few weeks ago he had zero points. Stepping up his game a bit.

That's selling him pretty short. He was a late 1st round pick that many considered to be something of a darkhorse stud in his draft class. Loads of potential. Interestingly reminiscent of what Berglund was billed to be (before ultimately disappointing) - a guy he was traded with. He was a big trade chip in that ROR deal.

 

[Filppula]

Larkin was fantastic, Athanasiou great too. Mantha and Bertuzzi with nice moments. Love the fact the kids are contributing so much.

 

[chris05]

How do you not have AA in your top 3 rotation?
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You have to give the other players a chance to score . The same reason why you did not see AA on the ice with the goalie pulled for almost 3 minutes in the Washington game until the last minute of the game. AND AA STILL had the best scoring chance late late in that game. The wings have a MoRON for a head coach.​

 

[Flowah]

He was at least hitting people tonight but yeah, the guy has had a very blessed career in terms of opportunities. The most I've seen since Kopecky.

I always liked Kopecky's skillset over Abby's.

 

[Dotter]

How do you not have AA in your top 3 rotation?
—————————————————————————-

You have to give the other players a chance to score . The same reason why you did not see AA on the ice with the goalie pulled for almost 3 minutes in the Washington game until the last minute of the game. AND AA STILL had the best scoring chance late late in that game. The wings have a MoRON for a head coach. ​

I think that moron is overachieving with the roster he has.

 

[Flowah]

I think that moron is overachieving with the roster he has.

He "is" but it's mostly due to luck.

Our 2 goalies are playing out of their minds right now. Coming back from 2 goal deficits to win, our high SV%, our high SH%, getting outshot every game but still winning somehow. Those are all signs of unsustainability.

 

[kliq]

He "is" but it's mostly due to luck.

Our 2 goalies are playing out of their minds right now. Coming back from 2 goal deficits to win, our high SV%, our high SH%, getting outshot every game but still winning somehow. Those are all signs of unsustainability.

Definitely some truth here, but if Blashill was this complete moron that some would lead you to believe, we’d be blown out every game.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

He "is" but it's mostly due to luck.

Our 2 goalies are playing out of their minds right now. Coming back from 2 goal deficits to win, our high SV%, our high SH%, getting outshot every game but still winning somehow. Those are all signs of unsustainability.

I especially like this being pointed out in back to back games where our underlying numbers and shot totals actually dictated we would win. Certainly the Caps game should tilt in our favor in the stats community, guessing the Buffalo game was more of a flip'em situation. I don't look as closely at that stuff as a ton of people.

I think we will sink back down the standings because I look at our talent level and realize Larkin and AA along with the goalies cannot be expected to continue producing at this level.

 

[kliq]

I especially like this being pointed out in back to back games where our underlying numbers and shot totals actually dictated we would win. Certainly the Caps game should tilt in our favor in the stats community, guessing the Buffalo game was more of a flip'em situation. I don't look as closely at that stuff as a ton of people.

I think we will sink back down the standings because I look at our talent level and realize Larkin and AA along with the goalies cannot be expected to continue producing at this level.

Out of curiosity, do you (or anyone) know what Howard's career numbers are if we are looking at ONLY his stats prior to his first lengthy injury of a season? Seems like he always plays this way, gets hurt, then comes back and kills his number. The reason why I ask this, is I wonder if he can keep this up if he stays healthy for the entire season.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

Out of curiosity, do you (or anyone) know what Howard's career numbers are if we are looking at ONLY his stats prior to his first lengthy injury of a season? Seems like he always plays this way, gets hurt, then comes back and kills his number. The reason why I ask this, is I wonder if he can keep this up if he stays healthy for the entire season.

I am sure it is out there to comb through with the jump in analytical analysis of all NHL players.

I don't think it is reasonable to assume his health, there is a substantial track record there. I get that goalies sometimes put together miraculous seasons, it would be nice for Jimmy if he did do that.

We are in tight games night in and night out. Bernier or Howard losing even a little of what they are producing means Ls for us in my opinion. Time will tell, again I expect this to be a very rocky month, hopefully the kids can stay with it and the guys keep giving these kind of efforts every night. I won't have a ton to complain about if they keep playing hard but I think December is going to be a lucky to win 4 or 5 games kind of month, that is with a positive outlook in my opinion. We are coming up on our second toughest segment of the schedule after the opening month 10 games being the hardest in my opinion.

One of the reasons the tank aligned this year is the schedule in my opinion. I realize you play the same games and teams no matter what, but the league scheduler gave us a real couple opportunities to have the season go off the cliff. The guys bounced back from the first one to avoid and Avs or Sabres kind of debacle. However, the second tipping point is right in front of us in my opinion. December could run this team permanently in the ditch as well. It will be interesting to see how the young guys handle it. I don't think they will loan him back but it is part of the reason I had always hoped Zadina and Rasmussen would be at the WJC and missing what I expect to be a rocky stretch.

 

[Nut Upstrom]

damn, larkin is an animal. unreal engine and best player on the ice tonight

I have not watched the game yet, but damn, D-Boss. 10 shots on goal and a snip show! looking forward to sitting down for this one.

As for Larks making 80 pts. I have to think it won't happen this year. He's not picking up enough multi-point games to make up for the cold streaks and droughts that will likely hit him during an 82 game season. I see 70 as more reasonable, but 80 would be the bee's knees for sure. Loving how he's playing.

Props to AA. I was nervously excited when management decided to show some confidence in him and give him the contract they did. I was hoping it would be a fresh start all around and that AA would step up to the plate and give a solid and consistent effort. So far so good. A year ago it looked like he had no future with this club and would jump ship the first chance he got (a reason why many suggested trading him); things seem far more cheerful and optimistic with AA and the dude is really delivering on all that potential.

 

[Flowah]

Definitely some truth here, but if Blashill was this complete moron that some would lead you to believe, we’d be blown out every game.

He's a decent coach. He has done a lot of winning at every level he's coached at so far. He's not a moron.

No one, from the fans, to management, to outside analysts, to TV talking heads looks at our roster and says "they should be competing." Maybe Scotty Bowman makes them flirt with a wildcard spot. Blash got unlucky in the first 10 games, then lucky in the past 10 games. This team is doing about what it should. The same kind of line combo quibbles that people use against Blashill are the exact same kind of critiques we made of Mike Babcock. Abby on the first line began under Babcock. Babcock is universally regarded as one of the best coaches in the league.

The kids are getting good ice time. A few of them are producing well. I like that part. Losing a game in the shootout because Abby > Mantha. I just don't care.

 

[kliq]

I am sure it is out there to comb through with the jump in analytical analysis of all NHL players.

I don't think it is reasonable to assume his health, there is a substantial track record there. I get that goalies sometimes put together miraculous seasons, it would be nice for Jimmy if he did do that.

We are in tight games night in and night out. Bernier or Howard losing even a little of what they are producing means Ls for us in my opinion. Time will tell, again I expect this to be a very rocky month, hopefully the kids can stay with it and the guys keep giving these kind of efforts every night. I won't have a ton to complain about if they keep playing hard but I think December is going to be a lucky to win 4 or 5 games kind of month, that is with a positive outlook in my opinion. We are coming up on our second toughest segment of the schedule after the opening month 10 games being the hardest in my opinion.

One of the reasons the tank aligned this year is the schedule in my opinion. I realize you play the same games and teams no matter what, but the league scheduler gave us a real couple opportunities to have the season go off the cliff. The guys bounced back from the first one to avoid and Avs or Sabres kind of debacle. However, the second tipping point is right in front of us in my opinion. December could run this team permanently in the ditch as well. It will be interesting to see how the young guys handle it. I don't think they will loan him back but it is part of the reason I had always hoped Zadina and Rasmussen would be at the WJC and missing what I expect to be a rocky stretch.

I don't think he will stay healthy either, but if he does I dont think its far fetched to see him stay at a high level.

 

[JoesuffP]

Not a fan of Vanek in the lineup at all. Felt like they finally had an identity playing fast and tenacious in all three zones. I understand having an offensive specialist but man is on pace for 25 points and a -30. No thanks. If you aren’t scoring than you need to be able to skate or your just hurting the team