2024-25 NHL THREAD.

[Chip]

If anyone had any doubt as to how much this game means to both teams, the first 9 seconds probably answered that.

 

[im4cuse]

If anyone had any doubt as to how much this game means to both teams, the first 9 seconds probably answered that.

Remind me how many Cups has McDavid won?

 

[jncuse]

Binnington just appears shaky out there.

Canada would have probably been better to take Logan Thompson as the #3 guy in December, and if his hot streak had ended (and it never did), nothing much was lost.

He probably would have started if he had made the team. Goal is our biggest weakness by far.

 

[Cusefan95]

If anyone had any doubt as to how much this game means to both teams, the first 9 seconds probably answered that.

The most shocking thing that will probably happen in the entire tournament is Matt Tkachuk dropping the gloves. I’d need more than two hands to count the number of cheap shots he’s taken on opponents in the NHL where he’s been challenged to fight and didn’t.

 

[jncuse]

The most shocking thing that will probably happen in the entire tournament is Matt Tkachuk dropping the gloves. I’d need more than two hands to count the number of cheap shots he’s taken on opponents in the NHL where he’s been challenged to fight and didn’t.

Brady is more of the fighter. This game has so much energy around it. It's a rivalry that the players never had a chance to play in for almost 10 years for some so it built up. And its amplified by the politics (that don't need to be discussed on this forum) -- but whatever your thoughts on them they are adding energy to the building.

 

[jncuse]

The way that Hellybuyck made that save against Point in front of the net on the PP was so cool and composed.. Hybrid movement, where he still sort of standing with one leg down... instead of going to the immediate flop that is the goalie standard.

He is so much better than Binnington... we (Canada) might need to get a goal that is a bit fluky.

 

[Cusefan95]

The way that Hellybuyck made that save against Point in front of the net on the PP was so cool and composed.. Hybrid movement, where he still sort of standing with one leg down... instead of going to the immediate flop that is the goalie standard.

He is so much better than Binnington... we (Canada) might need to get a goal that is a bit fluky.

Canada outplayed the US in the 1st period; it should be 1-0 right now. Bennington is Canada’s achilles heel.

 

[Cowtown]

The most shocking thing that will probably happen in the entire tournament is Matt Tkachuk dropping the gloves. I’d need more than two hands to count the number of cheap shots he’s taken on opponents in the NHL where he’s been challenged to fight and didn’t.

The night Zack Kassian rag dolled him in the corner and nobody came to help him told everyone what his team mates thought of him. His father was a jerk also.

 

[jncuse]

The night Zack Kassian rag dolled him in the corner and nobody came to help him told everyone what his team mates thought of him. His father was a jerk also.

Hell of a player though, and has played tough through in the playoffs. Its a bit of an oxymoron as he can play like an antagonizing coward fairly often.

 

[Cowtown]

Hell of a player though, and has played tough through injuries and does have heart in the playoffs. Its a bit of an oxymoron as he can play like an antagonizing coward fairly often.

Claude Lemieux, Ken Linseman, Keith Acton, Esa Tiikanen ... those are just the ones I can think of.

 

[jncuse]

Claude Lemieux, Ken Linseman, Keith Acton, Esa Tiikanen ... those are just the ones I can think of.

Agreed on the comparable styles. But Tkachuk is at another level as a player ... two time second team all star.

You could probably also add Brad Marchand to the list.

Tkachuk seems to work as a fit on Florida. But he is also probably the kind of guy that might not fit well in certain dressing rooms either.

 

[jncuse]

Sign me up for a 1972 Summit Series style (Canada-Soviets), best of 5 battle between Canada and USA, in September 2025.

This rivalry doesn't need to be constrained by trying to make it fit within an international tournament or winning a gold medal or WC.

 

[jncuse]

Great shot by Larkin--- I think that Binnington should have stopped it though.

 

[jncuse]

The Tampa Bay line (Cirella-Point-Hagel) has been very strong for Canada creating some chances, and contaning the Tkachuk line which was great last game.

 

[OburgOrange]

Bennington is doing his best to lose this game. Should have had both goals. Weak sauce

 

[jncuse]

Bennington is doing his best to lose this game. Should have had both goals. Weak sauce

Or at least 1 of the two. It's been a pretty balanced matchup -- perhaps Canada has had a slight few more chances, but its very close. But goalies ultimately are part of the teams. Seeing Carey Price at the intermission made me pine for that level of goalie again in our nets.

 

[jncuse]

Guentzel had the open net on the 3 on 1. Big break Canada.

 

[jncuse]

Kudos to the American players, other than the Tkachuks, for getting the job done in Canada.

Hopefully we can get that rematch by beating Finland in regulation on Monday.

 

[jncuse]

Defence unit was also very strong for the US tonight. It was pretty good for Canada as well -- US didn't get many great interior chances -- but the D did have a couple neutral zone breakdowns (or a bad line change) that led to at least a few odd man rushes. They will need to clean that up.

The D of the two teams were fairly comparable heading into the tournament especially with Hughes out. But now without Makar, Theodore, and Pietrangelo, US has probably taken back control of the D vs D matchup. Hopefully Makar's virus issue, is cleared up by Thursday (if we win Monday of course which is no gimme)

 

[Cowtown]

Bennington is doing his best to lose this game. Should have had both goals. Weak sauce

Binnington is unfortunately the poster boy for the dearth of good Canadian goalies these days. I don't know why this phenomenon has occurred, but it certainly has. The Finns and Swedes especially, but Europe generally has produced many good goalies lately. More than parts extant.

 

[Cowtown]

Defence unit was also very strong for the US tonight. It was pretty good for Canada as well -- US didn't get many great interior chances -- but the D did have a couple neutral zone breakdowns (or a bad line change) that led to at least a few odd man rushes. They will need to clean that up.

The D of the two teams were fairly comparable heading into the tournament especially with Hughes out. But now without Makar, Theodore, and Pietrangelo, US has probably taken back control of the D vs D matchup. Hopefully Makar's virus issue, is cleared up by Thursday (if we win Monday of course which is no gimme)

Outstanding. Slavin, Fox and Werenski were terrific. Hanifin, too. And the forwards all came back hard, there was almost never a gap. There was always someone to get the breakout pass to.

And yes, Canada most certainly missed Makar. Interesting how while the US also missed Hughes on D, the next level from the US was stronger than their counterparts. At least tonight, anyway. That said, the US went into their defensive shell pretty early.

Cooper doesn't seem to know who to put out there with McDavid. Marchand might work. We'll see. But first things first, put this game behind you/them. It's necessary to beat the Finns in regulation. Get focused.

Finally, the Canadians betrayed themselves again tonight as they have in the past, spending two periods on emotional energy and having not much left in the tank for the 3rd.

 

[CanadianSU]

Good game but disappointing third. Not thrilled with coach coopers non adjustments. McDavid and Marner/Reinhart is not working.

 

[Cusefan95]

The 3rd period felt like a 20 minute penalty kill by the US. I thought they went into a shallow way too early, but apparently not. The defense was great, but the commitment of the forwards to defense in the third was key. I had no idea Matthews was that strong of a defensive forward, and Jack Hughes occasionally played something that looked vaguely like defense (which as a Devils fan I recognize as a rare thing).

I’m curious to see what the ratings for the game are in the US; I was getting texts throughout the game from people who are not hockey fans, but know that I am talking to me about the game. I’m hoping that means the game had a lot of casual fan interest and it’s going to have a really strong TV rating.

 

[Cowtown]

I don't dislike McDavid. But let's face it, in a competition like this he's not having his way with minimum contract players on bottom half teams. Also, his scoring the first goal was a Pyrrhic victory: "See what happens when you lose track of him?"

 

[upperdeck]

more people need to enjoy hockey. In person its awesome. College hockey at many arenas is even better.