Hockey Day in America GDT/GNT

[BOSSMANPC]

I was thinking that it would be cool if one of our talented posters could do a "Hockey Day in America" thread for tomorrows games.

Some pretty good games on the schedule and having one combined thread (created by a poster with better skills than mine) might be interesting.

Anyone else like this idea? Who would like to take on the task?

Not sure how NBC will televise the games regional or nation wide

Pitt at Buff 12:30

Kings at Black Hawks 1:30

Caps at Rangers 6:00

Bruin also Playing the Jets 3:00

Not sure if any of the other games are part of it.

 

[IndyAndy]

Not sure what it is that you have in mind: Please elaborate.

I'm assuming that you mean something beyond just one continuous game day thread (?).

 

[BOSSMANPC]

Not sure what it is that you have in mind: Please elaborate.

I'm assuming that you mean something beyond just one continuous game day thread (?).

Just combining all of the GDT's into one. Just throwing it out there to see what others thought.

 

[IndyAndy]

Should be easy enough. I would think that such a thread would have a life of it's own, w/o the need for a 'moderator', so to speak. Folks will come in/drop out as the teams that they are interested in begin/end playing.

 

[BOSSMANPC]

Should be easy enough. I would think that such a thread would have a life of it's own, w/o the need for a 'moderator', so to speak. Folks will come in/drop out as the teams that they are interested in begin/end playing.

Yeah, I wasn't looking at it from a mods POV I just thought it would be cool.

 

[loki604]

12:30 start against my second fav team + Hockey Day in America = passed out by 6pm. Therefore I approve the creation of a monster thread for jovial drunken banter.

 

[BOSSMANPC]

12:30 start against my second fav team + Hockey Day in America = passed out by 6pm. Therefore I approve the creation of a monster thread for jovial drunken banter.

I approve that loki approves of a monster thread !!!

 

[pixburgher66]

GDT: Pens at Sabres

I'll be missing another game (curse you part time jobbbbbb), but I think I have a decent track record with starting threads. Sooooo, LETS GO PENS!

 

[Darkstone42]

I was going to watch this game with a friend who is a Sabres fan so we could trash talk back and forth, but we're both too tied up with work for that, so I'll just watch the game alone while reading some papers about furan and pyridine...

In any case, go Pens!

 

[evolver115]

Here ya go, Boss

12:30PM

v

With one of the league's stingiest defenses, the Pittsburgh Penguins have been quite comfortable playing on the road.

The Penguins, however, may have a difficult time making themselves at home on Sunday when they visit a Buffalo Sabres team looking to build off a big win.

Although it faced a road-heavy start to the lockout-shortened schedule, Pittsburgh (10-5-0) has won seven of nine away from home to move just behind New Jersey for the most points in the Eastern Conference.

The Penguins rank near the top of the East in goals allowed (2.33 per game) overall, but they've given up among the fewest (2.00) in the NHL on the road.

Marc-Andre Fleury has been a major catalyst to the road success. He made 25 saves in a 3-1 win at Winnipeg on Sunday, improving to 4-1-0 with a 1.58 goals-against average in five starts away from home.

Fleury has enjoyed success against Buffalo lately, winning six of his last seven starts with a 2.15 GAA and a shutout.

Sidney Crosby should also be happy to see the Sabres. He has seven goals and 13 assists during a 13-game point streak in the series, notching at least a point in all 12 career games at Buffalo.

This time, though, Buffalo (6-8-1) figures to be riding high following a 4-2 home victory over Northeast Division-leading Boston on Friday.

Christian Ehrhoff scored the game-winner as the Sabres rallied for three third-period goals en route to their third win in five games.

"We got a couple of good shifts in early in the third period," Ehrhoff said. "We rode from there, like a snowball effect."

Although the Sabres are last in the Northeast, they have handed the rival Bruins their only two losses in regulation.

After totaling 11 goals and 23 points in his first 11 games, Buffalo's Thomas Vanek has been held off the scoresheet in his last three contests. He does have a point in each of his last four games against Pittsburgh.

Also struggling lately is captain Jason Pominville, held without a point in five consecutive games after collecting six goals and eight assists in his first 10.

The Sabres also haven't gotten much out of the power play, converting 1 of 30 in over their last eight games.

It's been a much different story for the Penguins, who have scored on the power play in seven straight contests. They've gone 10 for 27 (37.0 percent) during that stretch, and rank near the top of the league (27.6) on the season.

James Neal leads the league with seven of his team-best 11 goals on the power play. He has six goals in his last six games and five in that same stretch against the Sabres.

Craig Adams scored his first two goals of the season Friday to key the team's second straight win.

"If I had more nights like this I would make a better living," Adams said.

The Penguins would do well to get off to a fast start, having won nine of 12 when scoring first. They've done so in an NHL-best 12 games, including all nine on the road.

While Buffalo's Ryan Miller has a 2.01 GAA in his last four starts, he's 1-5-0 with a 4.06 mark in his last seven against the Penguins.

Pittsburgh has won eight of 10 against the Sabres, including three of four in Buffalo.

 

[evolver115]

v

3:30PM​

The Chicago Blackhawks opened their season in brilliant style last month by spoiling the Los Angeles Kings' Stanley Cup title celebration. Since then, they've looked like a team that might have their own party at postseason's end.

The Blackhawks will try to add to one of the longest season-opening point streaks in NHL history in Sunday's rematch with the Kings at the United Center.

Having raised a championship banner before the 2010-11 season, Chicago understands the difficulty of a title defense, and the Blackhawks took advantage of an emotional night for Los Angeles while cruising to a 5-2 victory Jan. 19.

Chicago scored three goals in the opening period and Marian Hossa finished with a season-high three points (two goals, one assist). Patrick Kane had a goal and an assist in that victory and has continued to shine during his team's 11-0-3 start.

Kane is among the league leaders with 21 points after posting a career-low 66 in 2011-12. He extended an eight-game point streak in Friday's 4-1 victory over San Jose, the second of a season-high seven consecutive home games for the Blackhawks.

Chicago's 14-game point streak is tied for the third longest to open a season with the 1943-44 Montreal Canadiens. The 1984-85 Edmonton Oilers earned a point in their first 15, and the Anaheim Ducks established the NHL record with a 16-game streak in 2006-07.

All three of those teams went on to win Stanley Cups, with the Canadiens sweeping the Blackhawks to claim their title.

"We're going one game at a time, but we like our start," coach Joel Quenneville said. "We like the way we're playing, the consistency and the balance, but we've got a tough opponent next."

The Kings have gotten off an uneven start but seek a season-high third consecutive win when they visit Chicago. After allowing 15 goals in its first four games this month, Los Angeles (5-5-2) has given up one in each of its last two contests with backup goaltender Jonathan Bernier making his first starts in 2012-13.

Bernier got some help in Friday's 2-1 victory on Columbus as he faced only 13 shots. He's gotten the call lately because playoff MVP Jonathan Quick has started 3-4-2 with a 2.70 goals-against average.

Quick was a Vezina Trophy finalist last season after finishing with a career-best 1.95 GAA.

"I haven't thought about (who will start in Chicago)," coach Darryl Sutter said. "I said we were going to ride a hot goalie, but our schedule is going to demand that both play well for us."

Quick could get the call as he's been strong in his last two games in Chicago. He helped Los Angeles snap a 0-5-1 skid at the United Center with a 2-0 win Dec. 28, 2011, and outdueled Ray Emery in a 3-2 shootout victory March 11.

Quick might play against Emery again as Blackhawks starter Corey Crawford is day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Emery has allowed nine goals in a 4-0-0 start this season and given up five over his last three games, including the win over San Jose.

He's 1-0-1 with a 1.42 GAA in two lifetime starts against Los Angeles and Crawford is 5-2-0 with a 2.34 GAA in seven career matchups. Bernier gave up three goals on 28 shots in his only game versus Chicago, a 3-1 loss at the United Center on Oct. 27, 2010.

Chicago captain Jonathan Toews has four goals and three assists in his last five matchups with the Kings.​

 

[evolver115]

v

6:00PM​

Propelled by their recent offensive surge, the Washington Capitals appear to have put their early-season struggles behind them.

Keeping it going, however, isn't likely to be easy against the New York Rangers and Henrik Lundqvist, who has been very good lately.

The Capitals will try to win their fourth straight on Sunday night in the first meeting between the teams since the Rangers' seven-game victory in last season's Eastern Conference semifinals.

After averaging 2.3 goals per game during a 2-8-1 start, Washington (5-8-1) has totaled 15 while winning its last three.

"We had a talk and said the time is now," center Jay Beagle said. "We have to start winning and stringing a streak of wins together to try and climb."

Eric Fehr scored twice to lead the Capitals to a 4-3 victory at Tampa Bay on Thursday. All three of his goals this season have come over the past two games.

"He looks like he's got really good jump," coach Adam Oates said. "It's very noticeable out there. He's got a good stick. He's played better and better every game."

Troy Brouwer added his fourth goal in three games on Thursday, and helped get the streak started with a two-goal effort in a 5-0 win over Florida on Feb. 9.

After his five-game point streak was snapped against the Lightning, Alex Ovechkin looks to bounce back against the Rangers. He has eight goals and 15 points in his last 16 meetings, including the postseason.

The Capitals have gotten a big boost from their power play, leading the NHL with a 40.0 percent efficiency this month. They've converted 8 of 15 opportunities in the last six games.

Washington may have a difficult time maintaining that pace against the Rangers, who have killed each of their 12 short-handed situations over the last four games.

Lundqvist, who has allowed five goals during a personal three-game win streak, is 5-1-0 with a 1.83 goals-against average in his last six home games. He's expected to start after backing up Martin Biron in a 4-3 shootout loss to the New York Islanders on Thursday.

Lundqvist was outstanding in New York's playoff win over the Capitals last season, posting a 1.66 GAA in seven games.

Thursday's loss ended a three-game win streak for the Rangers (7-5-1), who are 5-1-1 in their last seven at Madison Square Garden.

"We had a number of guys struggle, but we got a point so we don't leave here naked," coach John Tortorella said.

"Do we have a lot of things to improve on? Yeah, but I'm not going to run them down because I thought we had some good minutes."

Marian Gaborik, who leads the team with seven goals, also had a major impact on last season's playoff series with three goals and four assists.

After tallying five goals and five assists in his last five games against the Capitals while with Columbus, Rick Nash faces Washington for the first time as a Ranger.

Braden Holtby has been in net every minute during Washington's three-game run, compiling a 2.66 GAA, but he has a 4.92 mark in four road starts.

Holtby, however, has been stingy against New York with a 1.71 GAA in nine career starts -- including the 2011-12 postseason.

 

[dash]

 

[BOSSMANPC]

Cool I should add the GDT to the topic. Good job.

 

[Darkstone42]

Might as well collapse pix's GDT into this one as well.

 

[dash]

Was it wrong that I was hoping one of those kids would trip JR during that interview?

 

[BOSSMANPC]

Might as well collapse pix's GDT into this one as well.

I merged them.

 

[BOSSMANPC]

Was it wrong that I was hoping one of those kids would trip JR during that interview?

High stick to the face would be better.

 

[Darkstone42]

I merged them.

Nice!

If I had time to read this whole thread when all is said and done, I would love to do so. It'll be like a collection of banter from a sports bar running hockey games all day. Except typed. And probably funnier.

 

[dash]

Nice work by the kids raising money for Hurricane Sandy relief...