Game Thread: NHL Action - 2/3/14

[pixburgher66]

Yup. The interference penalty wasn't a good call. The Pens player started to go down before contact was initiated. There were a lot of plays like that on both sides that went uncalled. I thought it was a very weak call but the game was not decided, or interfered with, by the refs. That's all you can ask.

Unless you're playing Toronto on a Saturday. In that case you just hope one of your players won't be injured on a non-call.

Honestly, they missed a lot of subtle interference, and I think they finally had enough and just called it. The reffing wasn't what I'm used to from the NHL (aka, they weren't all over the teams), so it got frustrating to watch some of the clutch and grab that was happening. Sens are tight checking on the back end, and it worked.

 

[dare2be]

Sid was definitely not the factor he usually is. The pace of the game made his game harder to play. Karlsson also played really well against him. One of the few D-men who Sid has a hard time getting a step on.

Turris was also instrumental in keeping Sid in lower gear. Like I said, he did a great job staying with him all night.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

Honestly, they missed a lot of subtle interference, and I think they finally had enough and just called it. The reffing wasn't what I'm used to from the NHL (aka, they weren't all over the teams), so it got frustrating to watch some of the clutch and grab that was happening. Sens are tight checking on the back end, and it worked.

Well...we'll have to agree to disagree here. I thought, if anyone, the Pens got away with a lot of pick plays and such. They always do. They know the refs won't call it and they're smart to do it in the subtle way that they do. Tonight was no exception, IMO.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

Turris was also instrumental in keeping Sid in lower gear. Like I said, he did a great job staying with him all night.

Turris is really kind of the next Bergeron. Such a good two-way player.

If Canada had to take a Sens forward this year I'd take him over Spezza every day of the week and twice on Sundays. He's been great.

 

[pixburgher66]

Well...we'll have to agree to disagree here. I thought, if anyone, the Pens got away with a lot of pick plays and such. They always do. They know the refs won't call it and they're smart to do it in the subtle way that they do. Tonight was no exception, IMO.

Trust me, I wasn't being specific to the one team, haha

 

[dare2be]

Turris catching the handle of his stick in the midsection of Sid's jersey a few times helped in the slowing down process, which I believe is an example of what Pix is referring to with the "subtle interference".

But I'm not at all complaining...both teams disguised their game to the borderline of the rules and played exceptionally well.

 

[pixburgher66]

Actually, when you look at the scores from night to night in the NHL, it seems (not statistically backed up) that scoring is down a bit. NHL slowly finding the happy place between clutch/grab and high flyin'?

 

[dare2be]

Still, I hate the term clutch/grab...has too many negative connotations from the 90s. How about shadowing/blanketing?

 

[Cobiemonster]

First time this season that all three California teams lost at home on the same night

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

Sid was definitely not the factor he usually is. The pace of the game made his game harder to play. Karlsson also played really well against him. One of the few D-men who Sid has a hard time getting a step on.

Malkin is the harder matchup for Ottawa, IMO. Methot was out against him a lot and did a good job but when Malkin is moving his feet he's almost unstoppable.

Is there really anyone who can get a step on Karlsson? He doesn't have the flat out speed of some guys, but he's one of the smoothest skaters I've ever seen.

And I think part of the Crosby/Malkin matchup problem comes from using your top guys (Turris and Karlsson's D pair) to shut down Crosby as priority #1. That doesn't leave the same caliber of guys trying to shut down Malkin, so it makes it easier for him.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Sid hasn't been a factor at all the past couple games. I hope he's feeling alright. I often worry about Sid.

 

[forty_three]

First time this season that all three California teams lost at home on the same night

Who's the windshield, who's the bug?

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Who's the windshield, who's the bug?

 

[jstewismybastardson]

 

[jstewismybastardson]

I guess in the post-game presser Torts said that David Booth was their best forward at the Joe tonight.

@The3rdSedin: "@BradZiemer: One more Torts gem: "I thought our best forward was David Booth, which is good for him. That’s not good for our team.” LOL

meanwhile, Booth was saying stuff without saying "it" last night



First, it was David Booth who may have been throwing a subtle shot at John Tortorella when he was asked what it meant to have Torts back.

“I don’t care who is back there,” Booth said. “I play for the integrity of the game, I don’t play for a person.”
.
.
.

Booth and Weise kind of became kindred spirits on the team.

I said it before, but it was like Keith Ballard had been split into two.

Neither guy was ever going to catch a break with this coaching staff.

They grew close.

“He was one of my better buddies on the team,” Booth said. “He was such a positive guy.

“He’s a guy who wanted to succeed but it was tough here for him. I’m happy for him. I am.

“It’s a new opportunity and sometimes that’s all guys want.

“For some guys it’s good to get a change like that.”

Which guys?

Guys named David Booth?