Hockey is back!
 

Exhibition games started yesterday:
The Leafs beat the Habs :)
The Flyers beat the Pens :)
In my opinion we are off to a good start.

Today, Caps/Canes 4 pm and Islanders/Rangers (no love between those two neighbors) 8 pm.

So, what do you think? Nothing like this have ever happened before. All the players are rested and healed. No one has a real home advantage. Everyone has rust. Do you give the edge to the younger players who can shake off the rust quicker or, the experienced players who will not rattle as easily? I'm torn on this one.

What about goalies? Lundqvist (experience but horrible stats this year) or Georgiev (virtually no playoff experience but great stats)? How about Rinne or Saros?
I think the teams will go with the experience but there will be a very short leash if they aren't up to speed immediately.

I will be disappointed if we don't have some friendly trash talk.

One more thought: BEWARE OF THE BEAR!
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1596029106.jpg

Fans or no fans the action is on the ice.

I think the young guns have a clear advantage in the early days. They can play with a bit of rust and shake it off more easily. But when the older lions get moving, get adapted their muscle memory and well honed aggression will kick in.

Varlamov and Greissy have better stats but the Rags have the playoff experience. Lundy may get in trouble early on and then get it together.

My streaming service is not currently carrying matches so I may need to subscribe to NHL.com :(

The Bear? What about the KRAKEN? ;-)

I must admit I’m a bit “meh” at this point. That will probably change as things heat up.

Speaking of rust, did you see the Pens managed to put 11 men on the ice last night? SmileWavy

Remember that the newbies may have more jitters and have a hard time settling down. Forwards may rush the shot, young goalies may over skate the move from left to right in the crease...

My opinion of the Seattle name: "Release the Crackhead"? Way too cheesy a name.

Did Crosby whine when they got called on it?

Pens looked good in their return--especially Sheary, Guentzel, Rust and Malkin


Real hockey starts Saturday .

I saw Marchand has an allowed absence to attend the grand opening of his new "ratatouille" ride in Disney World

Now that's what I call some trash talk! One point for you. Warning: keep it up and Crosby is fair game. :p

whaddah calling it... i'll go first east BOS/TPA vs VGA/COL

Willing to dish and willing to take it. Hats of to you! Thumbs up. Could be a interesting thread. Sadly my Canucks likely won't make it out of the "play in" round... lol

Cheers

and heeeeeere we GO! :D

I will watch any game where Toronto is losing.

No losers in the first round, the teams booted out all have a 12.5% chance at ALF.

The commentators say if you don't get off to a fast start you are in deep trouble. The Rangers have Henry playing reasonably but, you have to have excellent to get anywhere in the Playoffs. They may be in trouble. The Isles are making Trots look good.
I'll be watching the Pens/Habs tonight. Not sure which one I like less. Prolly the Habs since it is in the DNA of a Bruins fan. That said, Crosby and Mongo (Malkin) are not favs of mine.