GDT: Los Angeles @ Carolina - Stand back! There's a Hurricane comin' through!

[Blueline Bomber]

If they insist on using a skills competition to decide games, do similar to football OT.

Each team will get alternating PP chances until one scores and the other doesn't. 5-on-4, then 5-on-3, then 4-on-3, etc.

We'd still lose a lot of them, but at least it'll be a more acceptable loss.

 

[Buenos Necas]

If they insist on using a skills competition to decide games, do similar to football OT.

Each team will get alternating PP chances until one scores and the other doesn't. 5-on-4, then 5-on-3, then 4-on-3, etc.

We'd still lose a lot of them, but at least it'll be a more acceptable loss.

Bingo, came here to suggest this. Either go with that method, or the 4v4 then 3v3 for 5 minutes each. Even if that ended in a tie (which it shouldn't with 3 on 3), I'd prefer it to the shootout.

Regardless, anything that moves away from the shootout would be a welcome change. None of this 3 pt ROW, 2 pt shootout win compromise, that just cements the shootouts position in the game.

 

[w e l o s t b o y s]

Outside taking these brutal penalties I don't really think Harrison has been that bad. Maybe I just expect way less from him than you guys.

 

[tarheelhockey]

The shootout isn't going anywhere. It's been used in the minors and international hockey for decades. It's in the junior and college leagues now. Pretty much anyone who is a player or fan at any level is exposed to them on a regular basis. It's even been in the NHL for nearly a decade now as well, which in NHL terms is long enough to make it a "tradition". We are about 5 years from the point where people would moan about replacing it on the basis that it's an integral part of the game or somesuch.

 

[Lazyking]

The shootout debate is for a separate thread. I don't like it but for this game, no one should have won. Both were sloppy and couldn't finish chances. Typical early Reg. season game.

Lindholm should be sent down when Ruutu returns to get stronger. He'll be important next year. Maybe give Rask a shot.

Jay Harrison should sit next game. Dude has been terrible besides getting the puck on net and taking penaltys.. Really, I like Komi and Bellemore but our defense is so slow. Put Murphy with Gleason when he returns.

Ward should get the next start.

 

[TheOllieC]

I can't believe JR made us lose again tonight.

JR drafts Jack Johnson
Trades him to LA we get Gleason
LA trades Johnson to Columbus for Carter
Gleason doesn't even play tonight
Carter scores in shootout

#conspircy #rumer #gleesin #satin

 

[bleedgreen]

I found the OT embarrassing. We touched the puck four times. After LA holds the puck in our end for a minute and a half, jstaal lofts a backhand blind from in front of the net over the red line where Dwyer catches up to it, fans on a shot from the blue line, then smacks it deep giving right back. LA recycles, regroups, takes the zone for another minute. Eventually we get it back, skinner sprints up the rink and loses it one on one in about three seconds to have LA regroup and draw the penalty.. To this point possession is approximately 2:50 LA :10 Carolina. Then hainsey and jstaal make one attempt, and semin shoots at the buzzer. Add another approx 20 seconds. That's all they had. Jr thinks we have enough skill. Our puck possession was a joke there, and wasn't much better all night. LA wasn't much better offensively but they played a great stifling road game.

Big bad play of the night, estaal with a lazy pass to Faulk who bobbles it twice and gives it up for a shorty. Big good play, skinner finally figures out where the net is seconds later. The rest was a boring, defensive struggle with not a lot of quality possession either way really. They killed us on draws and hitting. Komi did his job. Lindholm looks like he is still struggling from the same shoulder injury he's had since rookie camp, yet is still being allowed to play against guys big enough to hurt him with clean and not particularly hard finishes along the boards. Shut it down, it isn't healing. Give him a week or two off or send him home. With lots of pasta and some weights.

Thought ward was wardish. Positionally sound. Not super quick or agile. Estaal losing his **** on his stick on the bench would've been the comedic relief winner for the night if not for hainsey clotheslining skinner after the goal.

Ps. I have no problem with the shoutout. We didn't deserve that game, so no point squeezing about the SO robbing us of a point. It's fun to watch sometimes, and the layman fans love it.

 

[TheBigKahuna]

The shootout should happen before the game. Then, going into OT, you already know who wins if no one scores in the extra 5 minutes. Puts a LOT more pressure on one team to try to score!

 

[Finnish Jerk Train]

The shootout should happen before the game. Then, going into OT, you already know who wins if no one scores in the extra 5 minutes. Puts a LOT more pressure on one team to try to score!

That's crazy enough it just might work. Unfortunately, they'll never go for it.

Anyway, I agree with whoever said neither team deserved to win. Neither team really pushed the pace, except for those few busy minutes late in the game and in OT. Most of that was done by LA and the crowd noticed - they were much louder late in the third, right after the tying goal, than they were in OT and the shootout. Probably because they knew what was coming.

 

[the halleJOKEL]

whoever said ties only exist in one other sport, they are in every soccer leage and it works p. well for them

#justsayin #hashtags #iamriteandurong

 

[Mr America]

Cause yeah we want hockey to be more like soccer or a sport where people only play one way, and about 5 minutes of actual playing time the whole game.

 

[Buenos Necas]

The shootout should happen before the game. Then, going into OT, you already know who wins if no one scores in the extra 5 minutes. Puts a LOT more pressure on one team to try to score!

Whatever you say, Tree Bark

 

[What the Faulk]

I found the OT embarrassing. We touched the puck four times. After LA holds the puck in our end for a minute and a half, jstaal lofts a backhand blind from in front of the net over the red line where Dwyer catches up to it, fans on a shot from the blue line, then smacks it deep giving right back. LA recycles, regroups, takes the zone for another minute. Eventually we get it back, skinner sprints up the rink and loses it one on one in about three seconds to have LA regroup and draw the penalty.. To this point possession is approximately 2:50 LA :10 Carolina. Then hainsey and jstaal make one attempt, and semin shoots at the buzzer. Add another approx 20 seconds. That's all they had. Jr thinks we have enough skill. Our puck possession was a joke there, and wasn't much better all night. LA wasn't much better offensively but they played a great stifling road game.

Big bad play of the night, estaal with a lazy pass to Faulk who bobbles it twice and gives it up for a shorty. Big good play, skinner finally figures out where the net is seconds later. The rest was a boring, defensive struggle with not a lot of quality possession either way really. They killed us on draws and hitting. Komi did his job. Lindholm looks like he is still struggling from the same shoulder injury he's had since rookie camp, yet is still being allowed to play against guys big enough to hurt him with clean and not particularly hard finishes along the boards. Shut it down, it isn't healing. Give him a week or two off or send him home. With lots of pasta and some weights.

Thought ward was wardish. Positionally sound. Not super quick or agile. Estaal losing his **** on his stick on the bench would've been the comedic relief winner for the night if not for hainsey clotheslining skinner after the goal.

Ps. I have no problem with the shoutout. We didn't deserve that game, so no point squeezing about the SO robbing us of a point. It's fun to watch sometimes, and the layman fans love it.

They were in OT on the second half of a back to back against a rested team who won the Stanley Cup not too long ago. What did you expect? Faulk played 28 mins the night before and injured his something or other earlier in the game.

Lindholm's play says NHL, but his body says otherwise. If his shoulder were 100% he'd be fine here. But there's no way it is. These aren't hard hits he's taking. Shut him down, let the shoulder heal 100% then make the decision on where he belongs. There's no need to ship him back to Europe (and it doesn't even sound like he wants to go) if he's contributing when healthy. And he is.

 

[Unsustainable]

They were in OT on the second half of a back to back against a rested team who won the Stanley Cup not too long ago. What did you expect? Faulk played 28 mins the night before and injured his something or other earlier in the game.

Lindholm's play says NHL, but his body says otherwise. If his shoulder were 100% he'd be fine here. But there's no way it is. These aren't hard hits he's taking. Shut him down, let the shoulder heal 100% then make the decision on where he belongs. There's no need to ship him back to Europe (and it doesn't even sound like he wants to go) if he's contributing when healthy. And he is.

My only worry is how long it will take him to get 100% and potentially losing a year of ELC.

That kid is going to be great.

 

[the halleJOKEL]

Cause yeah we want hockey to be more like soccer or a sport where people only play one way, and about 5 minutes of actual playing time the whole game.

i would love hockey to be more like soccer

champions league, promotion/relegation, ties, no commercials during halfs/periods

sounds good to me

 

[raynman]

i would love hockey to be more like soccer

champions league, promotion/relegation, ties, no commercials during halfs/periods

sounds good to me

Not to mention everyone on the damn planet watching besides Amercia.

 

[Ole Gil]

As okay as Bellemore is positionally and physically, the kid is pretty bad with the puck on his stick. Passing from point A to point B doesn't seem to be an option, which leads to him playing long shifts all in his zone.

And in the offensive zone, forget about it.

If the team is going to get going, the zone exits need to improve. Having Murphy back in the lineup will help. And as below mediocre as Gleason is offensively, having him replace Bellemore should still be an improvement as well.

Re Lindholm, the Canes need him. His passing is A+. Soft and on the tape. Aside from Semin, there is noone else that does that. And with due respect to Mr. Nash, Lindholm is already an upgrade. Hypothetical pretend doctor'ing aside, if he can play this year in Carolina, we want him in Carolina.

 

[What the Faulk]

My only worry is how long it will take him to get 100% and potentially losing a year of ELC.

That kid is going to be great.

It depends where the team is at. If they're pushing for a playoff spot, then Lindholm would be an asset at no cost. If they're out of it, no need to burn his ELC

 

[rocky7]

that was a pretty good summation bleed and I'll try to be less specific. I think as fans we expected the team to pick up where they left off last year (at least when they were hot/top line dominating) in many regards while at the same time we expected improvement. the improvement can be seen but to a lesser extent to what we would like of course. it is fairly obvious that Muller, having had his camp and thereby "implementing his system", that the fans are watching the team play a very different game than what they are used to. to describe everything that I have observed and from my perspective would take too long but it's suffice to say that that new system is geared more for total team defence and in effect tends to stifle the dramatic offensive domination we watched at times last year, particularly from the top three guys.

I believe that this new approach of Muller's is going to take some time for the guys to catch onto if it's going to work overall, at all. this defensive concept has resulted in less offense from Jiri, Alex and Eric. short shifts that we are seeing are necassary when skating the entire sheet, backchecking hard and helping defensively deep in their own zone.

while it is still early, time is ticking fast. results have been o.k. so far but some balance is going to have to be struck. secondary offense is great and was desperately needed. I don't believe for a second that the top line has been playing poorly at all but that must be maintained and the top line has to start doing what they do best (not that their defensive play isn't great as well). it's complex to be sure, but a couple of things seem to stand out. as expected teams are focusing on the top line in ways I have described before imo. also, they can't be expected to be producing as offensively when their playing such a focused defensive style.

Muller swung the pendulum and now has to find the way to settle it back somewhat to begin to produce more offense. I certainly don't have the answers but Muller should. he has to figure out a way for the top line to regain that offensive domination that they are capable of. it's said that offense is the best defense and I think this team has the pieces to be a well rounded and complete team.

special teams have improved somewhat as well but, most certainly need more work.

I don't think I've been that harsh on Muller and recognize the things he seems to have done well. however, he is steering the ship and there is a lot of room for improvement. I have not called for his head or termination, and I will continue to give him time because it looks like he is steering the ship in the right direction. I expect him to be held accountable too and learn, adapt, adjust. they cannot be a one 'system' team just like they cannot be a one line team. so far so good but I do expect improvement from him as well, with him recognizing that the players *are* doing their best to execute his systems. I think that this team can do very well if the players can play up to their potential consistently.

that said, the top line must be given the flexibility to play the kind of game they excel at because this team needs those goals. that has been lacking so far and it's up to Muller to find a way to allow them to focus on their offense somehow within his new defensive game plan. hopefully that's yet to come soon and Muller views it as a process.

that's my opinion of what I've seen thus far, right or wrong.

 

[Blueline Bomber]

Muller's not the reason the top line has turned to ****.

The reason is obvious: Tlusty fell back down to earth (as expected) and the two "star" players on the line allow emotion to cloud their judgement.

You want the top line to produce more? Tell Staal that he's not a one-man line anymore, point out that taking half an hour to wind up a slapshot is going to get it blocked (Semin...), and tell them both to get their heads out of their respective *****

 

[rocky7]

Muller's not the reason the top line has turned to ****.

The reason is obvious: Tlusty fell back down to earth (as expected) and the two "star" players on the line allow emotion to cloud their judgement.

You want the top line to produce more? Tell Staal that he's not a one-man line anymore, point out that taking half an hour to wind up a slapshot is going to get it blocked (Semin...), and tell them both to get their heads out of their respective *****

yeah that should do it. great analysis there. it's so "obvious" now how these three top NHL players "turned to ****". Muller will tell Jiri to not be cover so closely by the other teams. He'll tell Eric and Alex to get their heads out of their *****. the slapshot (a guy that is reknown for his shot isn't doing it right), all of it you say. Muller should be able to handle that I would think. top line production solved. simple as that.

 

[Sens1Canes2]

yeah that should do it. great analysis there. it's so "obvious" now how these three top NHL players "turned to ****". Muller will tell Jiri to not be cover so closely by the other teams. He'll tell Eric and Alex to get their heads out of their *****. the slapshot (a guy that is reknown for his shot isn't doing it right), all of it you say. Muller should be able to handle that I would think. top line production solved. simple as that.

It IS as simple as that. You put an awful lot of stock in coaching, and virtually none in execution. This isnt football, every play is not scripted. Sure there are set plays, but there's also a lot of individuality involved.

Staal for some reason always starts slowly. He seems a little slow, and cannot complete a tape to tape pass at the moment.

Tlusty seems a little behind at the moment, but his hockey sense SHOULD come back to him. Most of his goals last year were him finding the gaps and going to the net hard.

Semin seems awful reluctant to shoot the puck, it's taking him forever to make the decision to fire away. That is not a coaching issue, that is a confidence issue. He shouldn't lack confidence, he has a great shot,

 

[Carolinas Identity*]

i would love hockey to be more like soccer

Bring back ties and make wins worth 3 pts. Sounds good to me

 

[bleedgreen]

The first line isn't working because they are playing a different game than last year, last year they played a fourth line cycle game, and this year they are playing a skill game. They aren't outworking the d for loose pucks. That's what they did last year. Force an additional cycle and everything opened up for them. This year staal and semin are just waiting for it to happen while tlusty tries to skate for the both of them. He's the garbage man and they need to create some for him to jump on it because he's the only one hustling on the line. He almost never scores goals by himself. He always chooses the right play, he chips it in deep. Doesn't lead to goals for himself. Someone has to go get the puck. Estaal and semin have been LAZY. Maybe they're both hurt. Either way, that's why the first line has failed. Not playing the same style.

 

[Ole Gil]

Semin and Tlusty look slow at the moment. Eric is just starting to play at his regular game speed. I'd guess that the preseason injuries has them starting the season a bit dinged up, and a bit behind in terms of getting back to game speed.

10 days into the season, there's no reason to start sweating it yet.