Friday 2.17.2012 NHL results

@ Winnipeg Jets 4 Boston Bruins 2 (late surge of Jets wins in this middle of Canada hockey town)
@ New Jersey Devils 3 Anaheim Ducks 2 (shootout win for the Devils)
@ Buffalo Sabres 4 Montreal Canadians 3 (shootout)

Saturday 2.18.2012 NHL matchups:

1pm E/10am P - Pittsburgh Penguins @ Philadelphia Flyers
4pm E/1pm P - Toronto Maple Leafs @ Vancouver Canucks
10pm E/7pm P - Calgary Flames at Los Angeles Kings

That's about as un-classy as it gets. And not very clever either, which I'm sure they think they were. Dumbasses.

Yes, I'm a firm believer of having a team without one single superstar that's supposed to be the beginning and end of a team. I much prefer the way the Bruins are built, with depth that carries the team. Well, at least most of the time.

I'm not sure. You could be very well correct. But the playoffs aren't exactly around the corner-- we still have 26 regular season games ahead of us. They have to realize that. And we haven't yet embarked on our toughest month. Starting March 1st, we'll have 17 games in 31 days, and 21 in 38 days. That's a lot of hockey right before the playoffs start. I'm not so sure about our playoff chances now, if this is what the team will be about. I personally think the schedule is totally screwed up, we had tons of days off in the first few months, now it's all of a sudden going to crazy. Leading into the playoffs, they might be too tired to make a long playoff run. We will see. But the goaltending has to get better, and the offense has to wake up, if we are going to have a chance at an extended playoff run.

Not only that but far too many home games at the start as well. Bruins were lucky to not have many injuries before, now we have got a few and seem to be struggling. Although I'm not blaming it on injuries because it's still the way they were playing. Neither of Thomas or Rask are performing right now, neither is Chara. It seems when he doesn't play well, Boston doesn't.

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Edited 2/18/2012 1:20 pm ET by lester31

Totally agree, it was something like 13 out of 17 at home at one point. Way too much.

I'm definitely not blaming it on injuries, part of the game, and it's really not even our main problem. We have enough talent on this team where it shouldn't matter. That said, I still want Ray Whitney.

Chara hasn't been very good for a few weeks now, and that horrific turnover that Cole scored off of the other night was the lowest point. He's got to pick it up. He's the Bruins captain and leader in more ways than that. He's supposed to stabilize this team, and for the most part, he has. He was my pick for league MVP at one point.

I know Seguin hasn't been picking up many points, but is it just me or does it seem like he's just not getting any luck? There are some nights where he's played really well, but has just been held off the scoreboard. I'm thinking he's going to start racking up the points again soon.

Is Ryan Whitney back playing yet? I don't care for the 'Fail for Nail' so I don't pay attention to the terrible teams.

Yeah, not sure whats up with Chara, whether it's a physical problem or if he is just not playing well for whatever reason.

I think there are multiple people who just need a little luck to get going. I'm hoping Krejci goes on a tear now. I'm sure the M-B-S line will do well most games.

Hockey it one of a few pro sports, where "every" player is involved in "every" game . Therefore, "requiring" 100% effort "all" the time . And, while that is "not" possible, due to injuries and other factors, the team that comes "closest" to accomplishing that, has the "best" chance at the Cup .

Hockey is also the sport, where the "under dog" has the "best" chance to beat a better team . Like, the other night, when the Blackhawks, losers of 10 in a row, beat the Rangers, winners of 10 in a row .

There's no question that the Bruins schedule, this year is nothing short of "terrible" ! But, they "knew" that, going in, meaning they needed to put teams in their rear-view mirror .......... and, they didn't .

If they hadn't "shown" how well they are "capable" of playing, people wouldn't be so critical of their efforts, of late .

Yes, I think he's been back for a little while now. I doubt the Bruins want him though, signed until next year at $4M, but with Boychuk's cap hit going up so much, I don't think they'd be able to afford the defenseman Whitney.

Hopefully it's he's just not playing well right now. That can be easier to cure than an injury.

If I recall, Krejci went on a tear around now this time last year? If we get the winger Whitney (I really, really hope so), do you think he'll be moved to RW to play with Krejci and Lucic? Anyhow, I think it's time for Krejci to put this team on his back and carry them offensively for the rest of the way. Bergeron has been doing it all year, help him out David.

Speaking of Bergeron, do you, in your unbiased honest opinion, actually think he'll win the Selke? I think he'll be nominated, but finish behind both Datsyuk and Toews. He might finish second at best, but it's definitely Datsyuk's, no matter what.

Yeah, he'll play with Lucic and Krejci until Horton is back(if he returns). Then move down to Kelly and Peverley.

He'll be nominated but won't win. If he doesn't get nominated then Backes probably does but I'd have Bergeron ahead of him.

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Edited 2/18/2012 2:51 pm ET by lester31

I'm starting to think Horton won't be returning. Or if he does, not in the regular season.

I don't know how they could justify not giving him a nomination, the man is a beast. He has to get 70 points if he has a shot though. Backes definitely should not go ahead of him. I think Datsyuk is the only better than him in the aspect of Selke-talk.

Let's say Corey Perry is available (he isn't, but let's just say). What do you trade for him?

A lot less than other teams would pay.

As for your other question in the other thread

Anaheim - Teemu Selanne
Boston - Patrice Bergeron
Buffalo - Jason Pominville
Calgary - Jarome Iginla
Carolina - Cam Ward
Chicago - Jonathan Toews
Colorado - Milan Hejduk
Columbus - Vinny Prospal
Dallas - Loui Eriksson
Detroit - Pavel Datsyuk
Edmonton - Ryan Smyth - been massively overpaid for a long time though
Florida - Marco Sturm
Los Angeles- Dustin Brown
Minnesota - Cal Clutterbuck
Montreal - Scott Gomez - anyone that gets paid so much and does so little for them is respected by me. - Travis Moen will do though
Nashville - Jordin Tootoo
New Jersey - Zach Parise
NY Islanders - Matt Moulson
NY Rangers - Henrik Lundqvist
Ottawa - Daniel Alfredsson
Philadelphia - Ilya Bryzgalov
Phoenix - Keith Yandle
Pittsburgh - James Neal
St. Louis - David Backes
San Jose - Joe Thornton
Tampa Bay - Steven Stamkos
Toronto - Luke Schenn
Vancouver - David Booth
Washington - Mike Knuble - he's done though
Winnipeg - Mark Stuart

Considering his cheap cap hit, along with the talent, it would be crazy what some teams would pay for him.

Like the Montreal reasoning. I can't stand Gomez though.

Going to Toronto for sure. 1st and one of Kadri or Colborne plus Komisarek. That way they get a young forward and a defenseman plus a pick for a forward.

Vancouver was tough one, I was tempted to go with the super talented Byron Bitz but didn't.

As for Montreal, I was trying to pick someone who won't be a Canadiens player much longer.

Hahahaha! Classic Toronto stuff right there. You've been paying attention to 'em. Good stuff.

I only wish we could acquire a superstar like Byron Bitz. What an incredible player. Art Ross, here Bitz comes.

That would be Moen. I think they'd like to get rid of Gomez, but good luck with that. I still can't figure out why anyone would sign him to that deal. Even worse, why would you trade for that deal.

He's so good that they're going to rename it the Byron Bitz award.

I'm still wondering why he traded for Kaberle.

Oh, they have Calgary at LA after NASCAR, so I'll watch that tonight. Brown will score, bank on it.

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Edited 2/18/2012 4:29 pm ET by lester31

Actually, I'm pretty sure they're just going to name every award after him. Makes it easier that way. He does it all.

One of the wackiest trades in a while. I like it though, it just screws the Habs up even more. So nice.

He'll get 1 one goal and 1 assist. And probably 5 or 6 hits.

He seems to do well when I watch. Last year more so than this year.

So have you decided what games you're watching tonight?

I'll probably watch Toronto-Vancouver, then Los Angeles-Calgary.

What kind of deal do you think Kris Versteeg will get on the open market?