The ‘24-‘25 boredom thread..

[alta]

Team USA vs Finland tonight at 8pm.

[richkrt99]

I felt same - zero interest in the 4-nations tourney.  I did watch first 2 periods of the USA first game and then watched the entire USA vs Canada game.  Wow - what a level of play, and man Canada and US really don't like each other.  Three fights in the first 13 seconds is crazy.
Looked like the Tkachuk boys came to play in this tourney for sure.

Im hoping Canada wins today (1pm) and we get a rematch for the final with USA vs Canada.  Although it hardly seems right USA could go 3-0-0 and be far ahead of everyone then possibly lose in the final to a Canada team that could get to the final with a 0-2-1 record.

But any game other than USA/Canada in the final will be a let down.

Oh, and yes, all these MFr's can skate like the wind.  It's crazy how fast the play is basically the entire game.  USA seems to be better and limiting oppositions chances, and FFS Hellebuck in goal is incredible.  No wonder Winnipeg has such a good record.


Go USA!

[alta]

Canadia beat Sweden today. That means Team USA and Canadian play again for the ribbon, or whatever the prize is in this four nations thing.


Thursday, USA vs Canada at 8pm in Boston. Home crowd advantage.

[Mickstix]

Excuuuse me. The truck race was won by a Toyota because of a late wreck that took out the top ford drivers. The same way cheby won the bush and cup race.


I would have been fine if Hamlin won the 500.

Truck was won by a Toyota because Nascar DQ'd Kligerman (Chevy) after the race for being too low. (I'd of been fine with all Cheby wins, other than the 500) I only stomach Toyota's because of JGR. Would never buy one. 

[alta]

Team USA vs Canada Thursday night at 8pm.

NHL teams are holding official practices today. No one plays until Saturday.
Caps vs Hens at 3pm Saturday.

[richkrt99]

After 12 days off.....Caps play Hens 3pm Saturday and then Oilers 1pm Sunday.  Who exactly in the NHL offices hates the Caps franchise?
back to back games in different cities 22 hours apart?  I realize Shittsburgh to DC is like an hour long flight, but its still travel and FFS why a back to back right away?

[Beaglefan2]

Very excited about the game tonight. It's going to be tough for the US as Canada has Makar back and the US has some injuries.  Should be good!


The downside is that when we watch regular hockey on Saturday, they are going to look so slow.....

[alta]

In my opinion, the speed of these games is playoff hockey. Not regular season hockey. I don’t think any of these guys could sustain this over an entire season.

[alta]

Welp, I’ve finally saw McDavid do something to warrant this reputation he has as a great hockey player.

[Beaglefan2]

Yes, McJesus finally scored, but he had a ho-hum game overall.  The US outplayed them all night. Binnington had been just OK the whole tournament, but he won them the game in the third period and OT.  I didn't really care who won that much, it was just great hockey to watch.  Much better than an all-star game.

[waynerivers]

Terrible game by Adam Fox in the 4 Nations final.  He was out of position on the tying goal and wandering off into the corner leaving the whole slot open for McDavid on the winner. 

[waynerivers]

In my opinion, the speed of these games is playoff hockey. Not regular season hockey. I don’t think any of these guys could sustain this over an entire season.

The speed and hitting exceeded most playoff games, too.  The regular season is slow motion compared to these games.

[alta]

A few things happened in today’s game vs the Oilers..
OV gets his 882nd goal, 13 more to pass Gretzgy
OV is the first player to score 200+ goals in three different decades
OV is now tied with Jagr for most game winning goals at 135
OV is tied at 5th with Phil Esposito for most hat tricks at 32, Gretzgy had 50
OV is 2nd with multi goal games at 178, Gretzgy had 189
and OV has now scored on a record 181 different goalies


I also saw that this is the 20th team OV has scored a hat trick on, but I’ve not yet seen those records. I would think that’s close to or more than Gretzgy by the nature of the scheduling these days compared to when Gretzgy played.

[alta]

and the Hens lost to the Rags today

[Beaglefan2]

I'd rather see the Pens get in the playoffs than the Rags.  I just can't stand Laviolette and can't wait for him to get canned.

[Beaglefan2]

So a couple of guys stood out for me yesterday - and not who you think.


Mangiopanie. I have been thinking he is the one guy I would dump at the deadline, but he plays with heart. He goes to the net and mixes it up with guys that are way bigger than him and he is pretty effective.  He's not afraid to go in the corners either.  It would be nice if he scored more, but he is a keeper.


Raddysh.  He is a big body guy that just stays under the radar but plays a solid game.  He seems to have a little edge to him every now and then and I loved how he came back and plastered that guy coming up the boards yesterday.  I think he is going to be good in the playoffs when we need more physicality.

[BlackIce]

Meanwhile, just to keep everyone up to date, Protas' younger brother Ilya is actually accelerating his production at Windsor of the OHL.  He's now at just about 2 points per game after collecting 8 points in his last two games.  And this is his age 18 season - he has another season to go in juniors.  I know people are optimistic about Leonard and Cristall, but this guy looks like the real deal.   The guy looks like a steal as a 3rd round pick.

[Beaglefan2]

So when is the earliest age he could play in the NHL? I mean why can't the Caps catch lightening in a bottle?

[richkrt99]

Wow but wow...Caps seemed ready to play this weekend.

Caps are 14pts ahead of Carolina & NJ with 25 games to go in the season.
The 15 goals this weekend, pushed the Caps to highest scoring team in the NHL as well as 1st place overall.
Man o man, who would have thought this when the season started?
The GM and front office look like geniuses; every single guy they brought in is working (lets not talk about Vranna)
Carberry looks like THE only candidate for Jack Adams award.
Goaltending is fantastic, goal scoring is phenomenal, speed is up, D is ...well decent.

I think the only thing we are lacking is some MORE physical play.  Hoping Raddysh snarls it up a notch for playoffs although he has never played in a playoff game.  Maybe PLD has some more snarl in him for the playoffs as well.  Chicklets has got size too, but he's played maybe a handful of playoff hockey being on the Coyotes.  (I looked it up - he's been to the playoffs 1 year, played 9 games)
We have team with some very seasoned vets, but also some guys who have little or no playoff experience.

Not counting any chickens yet, but this team is something else so far this season.

[BlackIce]

So when is the earliest age he could play in the NHL? I mean why can't the Caps catch lightening in a bottle?

So far as I know, he could play in the NHL next season if the Caps wanted him to.  But I don't think they will; they tend to not rush prospects.  And besides, IF Ovie plays next year, let Ilya in the Juniors.  Then make a decision about him in the 2026/2027 season, when presumably Ovie will no longer be in the NHL.  Ilya is stated to be a LW.