Taro T

Or is that just what it wants you to think? 😉

The LT #4 is likely in the system (the broad 50 contract one, not necessarily in Buffalo or Ra-cha-cha), in 1 form or another. Whether it be Jokiharju improving as he hits his prime, Johnson, Sanheim Lindgren or 1 of the Russians, or some F players/prospects that go out the door for him. Don't see Adams going FA for the LT answer there, but very well might go that route for the ST answer. Still expect the ST answer to come via FA like Lyubushkin did.

No. The analog is having Samuelsson, Jokiharju, Pilut, Fitzgerald, Clague, & Prow (Davies, Pritchett, other). How often do teams win that one?

Carolina got the SC that year because their opponents suffered key injuries (the Sabres well documented injuries, Williams putting his stick in Koivu's eye, breaking the Eulers' starter) while they only suffered 1 injury of their own & that when they had a great replacement finally healthy and ready to step in. Until game 6 of the Finals they never had a single one of their 20 dressed players unable to go in the next game due to injury. That run of injury-free luck will NEVER be repeated.

This. So much this. Yep. Go out & win the next one. Do that often enough and they're back in the mix.

He stood out more yesterday than he had as he is a significant step down from the other 5 when all are healthy and he misplayed the big rebound Anderson gave up for the 2nd goal. Personally would prefer to see him replaced by Pilut as am interested in seeing how he would work with a healthy Lyubushkin as they had good moments but when Buusch had a bad giveaway due presumably to his injury he couldn't cover for it. Should Granato ever drop Jokiharju to 3rd pairing, would keep Bryson in as expect he'd work better w/ Henri than Larry. And, yes, an upgrade would be great, but just don't see Adams doing that prior to the trade deadline at the earliest unless somebody unexpected becomes available.

Granato spoke highly of Jost's PK play. Expecting that was one of the reasons they took a flyer on him. While the rest of his game can be problematic at times, Jokiharju is a very good PKer. Wonder how much of the aggression on the PK by the F's was knowing they had Samuelsson & Henri behind them for the bulk of it rather than Bryson & an injured Lyubushkin behind them. Speaking of Buusch, he was playing like he did before catching that puck off the foot/leg. They might actually have all 6 of their regulars healthy finally. Still want to see how a healthy Buusch would look like to Power, but even deployed as Granato keeps insisting they be deployed, the D is much improved. (And maybe it's more knowing how the 3rd pairing gets deployed that's keeping Buusch down there. Henri & Bryson could be very scary if put against a strong line.)

He definitely has helped. But he's been there before this game. Even with that PP scoring reasonably it hasn't "looked" right and when they've scored it has seemed to be due to individual effort, not a unit working cohesively. Both units looked different last night. They passed the puck up ice to bring it into the zone, rather than using the drop pass. The net front skater was switching up with either guy set up on the boards. The puck movement wasn't strictly from Dahlin/Power to the boards & back. At least 3 guys & often 4 were moving which forced the box to move & lanes opened. And Cozens (in all 3 phases) & his whole line had a great game last night.

Especially w/ 1 hand tied behind their backs. (UPL) Here's to those R&B Goatheads being EXTREMELY motivating.

Not for nothing, but when Samuelsson went down, so ended Dahlin's goal scoring streak. Notice where Ras was when he received that puck on his goal. Without Muel on the ice, Dahlin isn't the 4th skater below the top of the faceoff circle. Speculation, sure, but did anybody recall seeing him do that when paired w/ Bryson or Power? This kid doesn't recall it.

Tyson Jost did not cause the 1st PP to move the puck in the 2nd minute of the game. He played well when he was out there on both sides. Liked that when he failed to clear the puck on one PK that he kept aggressive and got the puck back low & made the tougher clear. That said ... There was a philosophical difference in how they operated tonight. And, with everybody being so fast leaguewide, you NEED to be aggressive to be effective. Hope they continue to play that way.

What a great job on the PK tonight. Amazing how much of a difference playing aggressively makes. PP was aggressive too. And actually scored AND looked legit. Would really like to hear what they did differently heading into tonight in preparation. (And the followup - wtf did you wait until game 19 to do that?)

Darn shame Comrie is broken. Would be nice to have him available tomorrow to get a 2 game streak going heading into the Joisey game. Expecting UPL to cost them some points. Hopefully he doesn't but haven't seen any reason to expect he won't.

Whatevs. Watch the games on delay typically to avoid commercials. Hadn't seen a response by the end of the page.

He's been jockeying back and forth between 2nd & 3rd all year. The 4 game point streak probably has him back at 2. Will be tough to overtake 1st.

Nope. Pretty sure that one's out west somewhere. This is his brother.

Very encouraging that Lyubushkin is both hitting and skating the puck. Dare we suggest his foot/ankle might finally be healed? 6 healthy D would be huge for getting back on track.

He just passed now? Would've guessed he died a long time ago. Orchestrated the Braves leaving town.

Lost money on the Yotes. Only one so far this year. And contrary to the board's expectation, people have still been buying seats even with the losing streak.

17

Haven't watched much Amerks action after ~Bjork's 2nd game there. They SHOULD be good players there. Good to see they are. How many years did Matt Moulson extend his career after he was dog doo in the NHL? That huge difference in average talent levels between the 2 leagues is there whether guys are going up or down.

Even if everyone steps up, would like 1 more vet around as at least 1 of, if not both, Okposo & Girgensons will be limited by injuries if they're even re-signed. Time catches up to all. If it turns out a top 9 vet can't earn a spot out of camp, that really is a great problem to have. It's more likely Rousek or Kulich or even Savoie don't get to the big club as quickly as they'd hoped. But injuries happen & if there are legit YOUNG NHLers in Ra-cha-cha, well, again, 1st world problems. It's been so long since they lost Thorburn & risked losing Pominville. This team wouldn't even have to go there as a Hinostroza or a kid that doesn't need waivers can be sent down. Want the training wheels off this year, doesn't appear that'll be reality frustratingly. Don't see any way they can stay on next year.

Agree. 1 more Lyubushkin quality and ideally signing Johnson too. Bryson becomes the 7, Fitzgerald or Pilut or new guy the 8 with Johnson getting acclimated to playing against men & giving Henri or one of the Buusches a run for their money as the 6 down the stretch.

It was one of 2. Am almost getting brought around to the idea of letting Krebs play down there. Just afraid that if he does go down there, he'll never figure out what passes can work at this level & what can't.

It only feels like we're cursed because we are. 😉 BTW, welcome. 🍻