05-13-2022 Friday Puck Talk

Good morning Gentlemen and Jules

Just noticed it's Friday and it's the 13th . Congrats to the Blues on advancing (and winning my bet 1-0-1 last night and 24-12 playoffs). Very curious coaching decisions from Evason imo. Talbot was playing so much better than MAF to end the season and after game 1, that decision should have been easier. I am wondering if the call came from above Evason's head? That wasn't the only reason, as Fiala turned into Marner in the series. Wild need to find better secondary scoring moving forward, Kirill can't shoulder the load. That's 2 consecutive Leaf/Bolt games that have taken us down to the wire. Can we get a 3rd Saturday?  Serious question, how tight are the Leaf fans at this point? I am not here to bash in any shape or form, but going to a game 7 vs the 2 time defending champions and not winning a series since Moby Dick was a minnow has to be concerning. Now, we should all admit, this is not a normal Leafs team, vastly improved but to have to face Stammer, Vas, Point and Kuch in a winner take all situation is a little scary. No matter what, Saturday night at 7:00, will be electric. Canes/B's homer series continues. Similar, to the above statement, the Canes have to have a little tightness going into Saturday. I thought the Canes played uninspired hockey last night considering it was an elimination game. You get to a game 7 and anything can happen but unlike the Bolts/Leafs series, neither of these teams have shown they can win on away ice. Oil/Kings? Too late for me to comment. 

So who closes it out tonight and who lives to play another day? Crickets coming out of Pittsburgh on Sid. The only thing that has happened was they called up a forward from WBS. Without Sid, Jarry, DeSmith and Rakell, can Geno/Letang/Jake lead the team? I mean come on, look at that. No Captain, no 1st or 2nd goalie, how in the hell is it possible? The best thing going for the Pens is home ice tonight and that might be it. Heart is with the Pens but IF I lay money, it might go the other direction. Let's see what the day holds. Florida needs to come out and get on top early and keep the foot on the pedal. If the team reads the daily puck talk, here is my advice. Do NOT follow the Canes lead and go to a game 7 vs a veteran playoff team, finish it tonight. Actually, the Cats have controlled most of the play in the last 2 games but Bob needs to be better. I have a rather medium size future on Florida in 6 so.....Which Flames team will show up tonight? The tight Sutter one or the loose regular season one? Another under? Even with elimination on the line? Similar to the Wild, the Flames secondary scorers, need to pick it up. Dallas at home will be a tough out but I feel that if the Flames can ever build a 2 goal lead, the Stars cannot produce enough offense to catch it. 

Will be back later on but first, you know what it happening. What do you want to talk about? 

Agreed with you on wild. Kaprizov can’t do it all by himself-needs help. Also wonder what will happen off season with them? I think it’s going to be different team for sure. Possible coaching change? Trotz is available. Game 7s anything can happen. Tonight I’m with Florida and Calgary.

Interesting, just heard on NHL Morning Skate, and can't confirm but just stated that the teams that "out hit" the other team has losing records in the playoffs. The point was, teams are trying to be physical but it is taking them out of their normal game. Like I always said, dance with the one you brought to the dance, don't change your system just because it's the playoffs. 

Johnny Hockey not a Hart finalist....

Really disappointed I didn't go with the more obvious plays yesterday in the Bruins & Oilers. Thought they were good value plays too but instead, I went with the team that played a goalie who sat for 2 weeks and hasn't faired well against STL (shouldve listened to your stats yesterday, Doc). Live and learn. Oilers were my favorite play but I decided to get cute and it cost me. I watched that Leafs game and they were the better team, getting more chances but one little break is all TB needed to finish it in OT.

 

I shook the magic 8 ball and it says more game 7s on the way. All home teams win today which means Pens close out and the other 2 move on to game 7s. 

another interesting topic of discussion. 

I would throw Huberdeau's name in there as well. Both Hubbie and Johnnie finished with 115 points on division winning teams. Have no problem with McDavid or Austin, but Igor..throw him out (he has his own award in the Vezina) and give the other to Hubbie or Johnnie. 

@Omega_pix

 Interesting take as I am seeing just the opposite. Leaning Rangers, Cats and Flames. Shows how much people see things differently. 

Going to wait till later today to place bets

Hey Doc Leaf fan here as you know. Lots of stress around here that's for sure. That 5on3 last night was a killer especially considering that the first one called on Kampf hit Foot's shoulder and not his face as he pretended it did. Can you say embellishment! There were about 50 stick plays like that throughout the game. Killorn was taped grabbing on to Matthews sweater for 10 seconds in OT as he skied behind him with the ref watching and nothing called? Not making excuses but the ref's haven't been consistent at all in this series. Anyways bottom line is they were one shot away AGAIN to advancing and couldn't get done. 

On to Saturday Night it's there for the taking if The Leafs want it, but they will have to play their best game of the series to do it.

@thehuntman

 Yep, saw that Killorn incident. I get it. As a fan of a team, we see all the bad. As a Pens fan, I thought Trouba hit on Sid was a penalty, not intentional, but it was a shot to the head area. But, it happens to everyone, every game, but for the Leafs, it gets magnified. I think Saturday is one of the biggest night's of the season and I don't care who you are a fan for, this is great for the sport. Toronto trying to do something they haven't done forever vs the King of the Hill. 

@thehuntman

 And in the 1st period, the double penalty that led to the 4 on 4, the Lightning player was clearly tripped and penalized for embellishing, horrible call. As it turns out it didn't matter as the Bolts scored but there were questionable calls both ways. We're never going to get perfect officiating in any sport, I just chalk it up to the breaks of the game, however detrimental a bad call can be. If the Leafs play their best and keep their minds off recent failures in a close out situation, up 3-1 vs Montreal is not that long ago, they'll likely win. Vasy hasn't performed in a dominant fashion as in years before. A goal by Tavares dribbled off his glove over his shoulder into the net, just goals like that didn't happen before and shouldn't have happened last night as I'm sure he would tell you. No the hockey Gods may be with the Leafs this year, but I'll be praying for another Florida thunderstorm!

Honestly, my first thought was Cats & Flames as well with no good read on the Pens game.

Just trying to think outside of the box for a moment. 

@GASportsDoc

 And you, backing out on the Bolts game. What, cold weather shrunk the 2 boyz a wee bit? 

@mrusso

 Hey, at least I am man enough to admit it  Of course mother nature has done a good enough job without the winter weather. Looking forward to tomorrow though. 

"Tristan Jarry is the first Penguins player on the ice for the morning skate at PPG Paints Arena."

-Dan Rosen

@Omega_pix

 That changes things OR does it? We saw what rust did to Talbot last night. Jarry hasn't seen a game time puck in what 3 weeks? Might just put my money on the other two and watch this one. 

I love the Pens at home, even without Sid. Get in Igor's head as quick as possible. 

Might need someone to talk me out of the Pens but they might be a play tonight. 

Pens have to know if this goes to game 7, they are done. This is their chance, tonight.....

Duly noted about the Talbot point.

I kind of liked how Louie has played, last game aside.

You are right in that this game is too close to call and might be worth sitting out for. Tonight, I'm a fan of the Pens. 

PB posted Pens record without Sid is pretty good (like 67% win percentage).  I think Pens are a good play.  Waiting for all the NY Homers to bump up the line.  If it gets over +110, I am full unit on them.

I like the other teams with Home ice and as reasonably sized dogs.  Both Veteran teams going against the up and comers.  Just looking to split, and make a profit.

Nah, I can't sit this one out. This is do or die for the Pens (even tho the Rangers are the one who are legitimately in that situation). A loss here and they know they are done (going back to MSG would be tough). That arena will be shaking it will be so loud tonight. We now know the stat without Sid the kid in the lineup. Maybe they can rattle Igor one last time. I'm expecting a hell of an effort from them and here's to the floodgates of Igor being opened one..more...time. 

I'm on the Pens tonight. (Funny thing is I had the NYR from the start of the series but along the way I've lost a lot of faith in them, mostly in their offensive ability and of course, Igor). 

But if you're smart, you'd probably be on the Rags. 

What about Pittsburgh/Florida and Calgary Thoughts?

No Sid in morning skate. Louie on starters net. No Wilson for Caps

As of now I like both home dogs but it's early. It's likely one of these faves hits tonight (I think we are on a 7-1 faves run the past 2 nights) so tread carefully. Maybe Calgary closes it out but their first 2 periods from the last game are stuck in my head. Florida keeps coming back and winning so again.. tread carefully. I don't like either game much.

Carter Verhaeghe game time decision for Panthers.  That's a lot of offense, especially from Wednesday's historic output (franchise record 5 pts.)...and 10 pts. in 5 games (5G/5A).

Of course they can win without him; just sayin'...and it's a game time decision.

Cheers!

Leans with Caps, Rangers, and Stars.

Cheers and BOLTA