Master Index of Archived Threads


Greasy Snappers, Top Corns: 2019 Hockey Thread

Johnny Lunchbucket Jan 04 2019 11:37 AM

Islanders are playing really well: 5 in a row, 8 of 10 and getting contributions from everybody including the amazin Barzal. Last night they beat Chicago in OT on the 1st NHL goal by newly called-up rookie defenseman Devon Toews, who looks very good already. I hope Ceetar comes back so somebody talks about this with me [YOUTUBE]MDNdOzGmnvg[/YOUTUBE]

Frayed Knot Jan 04 2019 01:28 PM Re: Greasy Snappers, Top Corns: 2019 Hockey Thread

I actually saw much of the 3rd period of this one. Then I switched channels while they prepared for the OT and forgot to flick back in time so I missed the winner, winner, chicken dinner.

Johnny Lunchbucket Jan 11 2019 08:49 AM Re: Greasy Snappers, Top Corns: 2019 Hockey Thread

So last night I ventured to the ambitious "Islanders bar" that's on those MSG commercials (Offside Tavern) on 14th street to watch the Rangers-Islanders game. How the hell such a place survives on nongame nights I dunno but it was lively and fun last night with lot of Islanders fans and a few Rangers fans and a result (tiebeaking/gamewinning goal by Bailey with 90 seconds left) that made the majority go home happy. Wings were good even if the kitchen service was slow. Between periods one of the Islanders fans and one of the Rangers fans exchanged one of those stupid here's why my team is better than yours arguments. The young Islanders fan came at 'em with the how-many-rings thing, despite his not even have been alive in the 1980s. No surprise he also reveals he's a MFY fan.

Johnny Lunchbucket Apr 09 2019 10:10 AM Re: Greasy Snappers, Top Corns: 2019 Hockey Thread

Well the Islanders didn't last in first place all season but they finished a strong 2nd and host the Penguins in the first round starting tomorrow. As good as things went for them they have a lot of a weaknesses (their power play is terrible, they suck at winning faceoffs, and they really don't have any super scorers) so the experts are predicting Penguins in 6 or less. That said they had these weaknesses all year and still did little other than win. Great goaltending was one advantage; a no-bullshit approach to the game where everyone seems to be giving their best effort at all times has also helped. The guy who really exemplifies the Islander approach, and who I'd really come to admire this year, is 4th-line center Casey Cizikas. That guy is like the soul of the Islanders.

Ceetar Apr 09 2019 11:53 AM Re: Greasy Snappers, Top Corns: 2019 Hockey Thread

I think I read that this is the first home ice advantage playoff series for the Islanders since I've been alive or something.

Johnny Lunchbucket Apr 09 2019 12:28 PM Re: Greasy Snappers, Top Corns: 2019 Hockey Thread

First since 1988, I read.

Frayed Knot Apr 10 2019 07:12 PM Re: Greasy Snappers, Top Corns: 2019 Hockey Thread

Penguins just got a power play goal to tie up the Icelanders 2-2 late in the 2nd

Frayed Knot Apr 10 2019 08:33 PM Re: Greasy Snappers, Top Corns: 2019 Hockey Thread

Pens tied it late in the 3rd ... and then the Islanders hit a post in the final minute. And we're going to OT Meanwhile, the NHL is always the most unpredictable of post-seasons. In this case, the Tampa Bay Lightning, who set and challenged records this year for best regular season ever, lost their first game at home tonight.

Johnny Lunchbucket Apr 10 2019 10:11 PM Re: Greasy Snappers, Top Corns: 2019 Hockey Thread

The lightning not only lost but lost 4-3 after leading 3-0. Islanders clearly out-talented by Pittsburgh but hit harder and work harder, blow 3 leads and still win. Of course their most talented guy sets up the winner, Barzal is becoming an expert at slowing time when he's in front of the net to create a winner.

Ceetar Apr 11 2019 07:04 AM Re: Greasy Snappers, Top Corns: 2019 Hockey Thread

Puck crosses line before guys skate by 0.01 seconds is the NHL version of 'guy overslid base by 0.01mm' well, except not. Because the overslid the base thing is exactly what the rule is meant to do, whereas the offsides rule is meant to prevent something that was not happening in this case (the early offsides/goal reversal). Having a player fractionally still in the zone, while quickly skating OUT of the zone provides zero advantage to the Islanders and is actually a DISadvantage. There is no reason the NHL should allow that to be reviewed. Sure, when a guy is moving IN to the zone and gets there ahead of the puck, fine, review that. That's a valid offsides where every inch creates advantage (though marginal)

Johnny Lunchbucket Apr 11 2019 09:56 AM Re: Greasy Snappers, Top Corns: 2019 Hockey Thread

It is niggling but I'm not so upset. Seemed to me one of the reasons Kuhnackl was able to walk in like that was because the Pittsburgh defense know how slow a skater Martin is and that he wasn't going to cross back in time. Replay the same scenario with a swifter skater and I suspect it gets played differently, that's why it's important to look at it on film. Fans love Martin but I think I can skate faster than him and nobody misses more open shots at the goal. Apropos of nothing, fans seem to hate Nelson, but I think he's prolly the most skilled all-around Islander. I like him, Cizikas, Eberle (struggled this year but always hustles and has a nose for the net) and Barzal just to watch him skate. All the defensemen too.

Ceetar Apr 11 2019 11:23 AM Re: Greasy Snappers, Top Corns: 2019 Hockey Thread

Johnny Lunchbucket wrote: It is niggling but I'm not so upset. Seemed to me one of the reasons Kuhnackl was able to walk in like that was because the Pittsburgh defense know how slow a skater Martin is and that he wasn't going to cross back in time. Replay the same scenario with a swifter skater and I suspect it gets played differently, that's why it's important to look at it on film. Fans love Martin but I think I can skate faster than him and nobody misses more open shots at the goal. Apropos of nothing, fans seem to hate Nelson, but I think he's prolly the most skilled all-around Islander. I like him, Cizikas, Eberle (struggled this year but always hustles and has a nose for the net) and Barzal just to watch him skate. All the defensemen too. I don't care for Martin myself, though granted I haven't watched much this year. That explanation makes sense, if it's more than that microsecond maybe. I can buy that they thought Martin was still back there and maybe thought they had another second or two, but if that was the case Kuhnackl would've just turned on the line, or hell, if he'd lifted his stick off the puck/ice for a half second he'd have been home free. Seems like bad strategy. More likely that were still mentally in the 'clear the zone' phase and didn't realize it was about to switch to a forecheck. They were caught flatfooted, and even so the defense's thinking doesn't change the viability of the offensive attack without the offsides penalty existing.

Johnny Lunchbucket Apr 16 2019 09:42 PM Re: Greasy Snappers, Top Corns: 2019 Hockey Thread

That was an undressing. 4 game sweep of the supposedly superior talent team. Bring on whoever's next!

Ceetar Apr 17 2019 07:56 AM Re: Greasy Snappers, Top Corns: 2019 Hockey Thread

That was fun, yes.

Frayed Knot Apr 17 2019 09:46 AM Re: Greasy Snappers, Top Corns: 2019 Hockey Thread

So how 'bout them 'ning!?! Coming off a season where they not only logged the best record in the league by a YUGE amount (21 points better than 2nd best) but also one of the great seasons EVER*, they not only lose in the first round but get swept! After putting up a 3-0 lead in game one they then proceeded to get out-scored 19-5 over the next three-plus games. I wouldn't know what to say to a Lightning fan about this ... even if I were convinced that such a thing exists. * although judging this on the points-per-game basis is more than a bit misleading on account of OT & SO games awarding more than 2 points total which wasn't possible in the old days ... but still

Johnny Lunchbucket Apr 17 2019 09:57 AM Re: Greasy Snappers, Top Corns: 2019 Hockey Thread

Hafta say, I didn't buy into the Lightning hype based on the times I saw 'em play the Islanders. But I've come to realize that's what the Islanders do -- they're not on the face of things, a good team-- they are a pretty good team that drags better teams down to their level.

Frayed Knot Apr 24 2019 05:15 PM Re: Greasy Snappers, Top Corns: 2019 Hockey Thread

Islanders finally get to find out who their next opponent is as the Washington Capitals face off tonight in a Game 7 at home vs the Carolina Hurricanes What has it been, like two months since they won their opening round? Or maybe it just seems that way. Weird hockey stuff out west on Tuesday night. San Jose fell behind 3-0 at home in the third period of their Game 7 game vs last year's expansion team/S-Cup finalist Las Vegas Knights. But a five-minute major to LVK (the kind where you Don't get your player back if you give up a power play goal) resulted in FOUR SJS goals in that five minute span. Vegas wound up tying the game in the final minute after pulling their goalie, but San Josie won in OT to advance (after winning Game 6 in Double-OT)

Johnny Lunchbucket Apr 24 2019 06:17 PM Re: Greasy Snappers, Top Corns: 2019 Hockey Thread

Lots of talk that the call leading to the penalty was harshly unjust, but do yourself a favor and don't watch the replay, as it's gross. The officials made no call initially only after they realized he was injured did they throw the major. That said cup champions don't give up 3 goal leads and they equalized in the last minute so they got a chance to win in ot

Frayed Knot Apr 24 2019 06:24 PM Re: Greasy Snappers, Top Corns: 2019 Hockey Thread

And even if the call was bad* it ain't the ref's fault that you coughed up a four goals during a five-minute span, even if short-handed, or that you wound up losing consecutive OT games. * I've always disliked the idea of linking the size of the penalty to the extent of an injury, but that's a whole 'nother kettle of frozen fish

Johnny Lunchbucket Apr 24 2019 08:17 PM Re: Greasy Snappers, Top Corns: 2019 Hockey Thread

Caps-Canes going to OT NOW!!!!! @jon_bois: why watch overtime playoff hockey when you can simply snort cocaine and ride a motorcycle out of a helicopter

Johnny Lunchbucket Apr 24 2019 09:37 PM Re: Greasy Snappers, Top Corns: 2019 Hockey Thread

Hurricanes win in 2OT... This gives Islanders home court the rest of the way

Frayed Knot Apr 28 2019 04:20 PM Re: Greasy Snappers, Top Corns: 2019 Hockey Thread

Isles missed a couple of open chances (and I only saw a small part of the game) to lose 2-1 (in regulation this time) and go down 2-0 in the series Looking at round 2, I see that, in typical NHL fashion, the first round of playoffs eliminated the #1, #2, #3 (and defending SC champ) and #6 seeds in the east leaving the (theoretical at least) 4th, 5th, 7th & 8th best teams to fight it out. And in the west the #1, #3, #4, and #7 are gone leaving the 2nd, 5th, 6th, & 8th best teams still alive. All this is as opposed to the NBA where the 1, 2, 3, & 4 seeded teams advanced (and mostly with token resistance at best)in both the east and west. That's completely different from how hockey is going although very much the typical pattern for them. Not sure which pattern is "better" but 16 teams in the playoffs is too many in both cases so I'm not sure there's a right answer in either case.

Johnny Lunchbucket Apr 28 2019 08:49 PM Re: Greasy Snappers, Top Corns: 2019 Hockey Thread

Tough L for the Islanders, who did nearly everything better except win. Hard to think that having 2 home arenas is an advantage. Everyone prefers Nassau except me

MFS62 Apr 29 2019 07:55 AM Re: Greasy Snappers, Top Corns: 2019 Hockey Thread

We were driving back from my grandson's birthday party and turned on the radio. When I heard the Isles were winning 1-0 in the second period I said to my wife, "They're going to lose 2-1". The team is great defensively (I think they led the NHL in fewest goals allowed) but really can't score. Later

Johnny Lunchbucket May 04 2019 09:18 AM Re: Greasy Snappers, Top Corns: 2019 Hockey Thread

Well that was disappointing. I don't think they lost 3 in a row all year, much less 4. Sadder still the end came at the hands of a team that does pretty much the same thing the Islanders do, only they did it much better than the Islanders did. Grind out the pucks, ram into the defensemen, have shitty power plays, answer their goals quickly every time.

Frayed Knot May 06 2019 10:03 PM Re: Greasy Snappers, Top Corns: 2019 Hockey Thread

The Bruins win game 7 thus ruining NBC's dream Eastern Conference Finals matchup of Raleigh vs Columbus

Willets Point May 07 2019 08:55 AM Re: Greasy Snappers, Top Corns: 2019 Hockey Thread

If only they were still the Hartford Whalers and thus be an all-New England finals.

Willets Point May 16 2019 08:48 PM Re: Greasy Snappers, Top Corns: 2019 Hockey Thread

Here we go, Bruins, here we go! Going to the Stanley Cup Finals!

Frayed Knot May 26 2019 05:40 PM Re: Greasy Snappers, Top Corns: 2019 Hockey Thread

The pressure will be on the Bruins as they hope to break the nearly four month championship drought for the city of Boston. If they do win, only the Celtics -- losers in the NBA's second playoff round despite being thought by many hoopsters to be the best team in the east prior to the season -- won't be a winner in the previous eight months. This Cup final will be a replay of 49 years ago. The last one turned out to be not much of a series as the Bostons won 4-0, but it ended with a great photo phinish: https://imagesvc.timeincapp.com/v3/mm/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn-s3.si.com%2Fs3fs-public%2Fimages%2F1970-Bobby-Orr.jpg&w=800&q=85 > Orr, Game 4, OT, nuff said. As one of the 'second six' expansion teams that doubled the size of the NHL in 1967, the Blues are the longest existing club never to win a Stanley Cup. They've been in three, all in the first three years of existence thanks to the (dubious) strategy that put all six new teams in one division thus guaranteeing a SC final of one old team vs one new one. The divisions were, of course, a mismatch and the Blues didn't win even a single game in any of those three years.

Johnny Lunchbucket Jun 14 2019 10:47 AM Re: Greasy Snappers, Top Corns: 2019 Hockey Thread

So congrats to the Blues. Not a classic Game 7 but nice to have a new champion. And of course they have great sweaters. The Islanders have re-signed Eberle to a 5-year contract, Every article or column I've read assumed it was a matter of course he was a free-agent goner. I like Eberle. Not the strongest player in the league but he has that goal-scoring gene.