No it's definitely not magic, but when you look at the pace of an NHL game, how often do you see a guy have enough time to crouch down to get enough leverage on the puck to pick it up like that? The game moves so fast that the guy would be knocked over by a defenseman or have the puck batted away from him before he could complete the move 99% of the time. It's the rarity of the trick that makes it so exciting. Read more...
Does anyone else think it's pure sacrilege to allow people to customize jerseys using the number of an NHL legend, like #4 in Boston (Bobby Orr) or #9 in Detroit/Montreal (Gordie Howe / Maurice Richard) to have a name other than those on them?
The only name an Oilers #99 jersey should ever show is Gretzky. No exceptions. Does anyone else think this is an unconditional jersey foul? Read more...
I think you don't see it because it's pretty difficult, especially since in the NHL you likely only have one shot at it before getting steamrolled by a 6'6" defenseman. It's not like you can temporarily suspend the law of gravity and get the puck to stick to the blade of your stick. Sure, you can use friction tape and wax and stuff along those lines, but even those won't guarantee the puck will stick. I've never heard about any such move being illegal. Read more...
Definitely sad and amazingly inspiring. The guy has such a positive outlook for his situation. It's just a shame that every Bruins game that had the team honor victims or law enforcement or anyone related to the Marathon attacks, they lost. Read more...
I'm not sure what everyone's obsession is with "authentic" merchandise. If someone is selling a jersey for $41, it's not going to be what the NHL shop calls "authentic". Their "authentic" is basically what the pros wear, very lightweight breathable fabrics, pro stitching, etc. It is the highest quality, and therefore the most expensive ($330). The NHL shop also sells other quality levels, "premier" and "replica". The premier is still pretty high quality, but at a lower price point ($125). Usually, the replica just looks like a pro jersey, but use lower quality materials. All of these are NHL licensed products.
Moral of the story is, if you're looking at a site that's selling a jersey for $41, it's almost guaranteed it's not an "authentic" garment, but probably a replica. Read more...
Gotta love how moments later when the Senators had a 5 on 3 power play, they only had 5 guys on the bench. They were just swapping out full lines. I think they should have swapped goalies every shift too, just for that moment where there isn't a single player on the bench.
This series has been by far the most entertaining one of the first round. Can't wait for game 4! Read more...
Wow, I'm glad I didn't bet on that because I would have lost money for sure. That looked like a perfectly clean hit to me. Violent and massive, but clean. Plus he had already been "suspended" for half of the game by getting ejected. Read more...
Anyone see this monstrous hit that Eric Gryba landed on Lars Eller last night? Here's the video if you haven't:
Was it legal? Gryba was given a 5 minute major penalty and a game misconduct for the hit, and has a hearing with the NHL's Department of Player Safety today at noon.
It looked to me like a perfectly legal hit. It was a full body contact hit, and unfortunately Eller's teammate Diaz set him up perfectly with a suicide pass. I know the referees see a massive collision in real time, that resulted in an obvious concussion and a puddle of blood on the ice, but I think they blew the call. The principle point of contact wasn't the head, so no Rule 48 violation. It wasn't interference, since the puck made contact with Eller's stick before Gryba landed the hit. It obviously wasn't elbowing. I don't expect the NHL to send down any further discipline on Gryba, as the time he's already served was more than enough. Read more...
I started getting a little worried when the Leafs put one in so quickly on the power play in the first. The B's PK was lights out until April this year, when they dropped from 1st to 4th in a matter of 2 weeks., but Wade Redden of all people had a fantastic game. I'll admit, I was kind of surprised to see Redden starting over Hamilton (even if just for the storyline, Hamilton vs Toronto, the team that gave the Bruins the draft pick) but Claude Julien seems to rely very heavily on the veterans, especially on defense. All in all, great recovery from a shaky first few minutes, and I hope to see more of the same over the next few games. I really think that unless Reimer can steal a game, or Van Riemsdyk goes crazy, this will be a very short series. Read more...
If the "we" in your statement is the Leafs, I agree. Kadri has gone cold, Kessel is afraid to skate on the same ice as Chara, and they still haven't solved their goalie problems of past years. I know the Bruins have the tendency to make every Joe Schmo goalie look like Patrick Roy, but I don't see them winning this series. Read more...
I have some opinions on the matchup between the Bruins and Maple Leafs and figured I'd see what everyone else's thoughts are as well. I'd imagine the Bruins are feeling a little disappointed about not hanging on to the Northeast division lead by going 0-1-1 on the season's final weekend. I think the series against the Leafs will be exactly what they need to get in gear though. I don't want to jinx anything, but over the past few years they've had a fantastic record against the Leafs, virtually shutting down Phil Kessel's offense and making the Leafs' defense look porous as a sponge. There are several Bruins who are from the Toronto area as well. Even during the regular season, games against the Leafs were circled on many Bruins' calendars, and it may provide the spark to get them into the playoff mindset.
Anyone else like this matchup better than say, Bruins-Rangers, Bruins-Islanders, or Bruins- Senators? Read more...
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11 days ago
