Hoss

Sorta crazy stat: Ilya Kovalchuk has the SIXTH most NHL goals since 2001-2002... despite not playing the last five seasons.

If the throw is behind the line of scrimmage or the contact starts within a yard of the line then it’s legal. The Pats have been taking advantage of that (and being given the benefit of the doubt on close calls) forever now. They’re brilliant and it’s annoying.

Great take. The Amerks were a playoff team last year as was Pilut’s SHL squad.

As I the only one seeing the matrix here? Damn, a glitch.

Some good news: CJ Smith and Pilut have the goals for the Ameriks. Methinks if game one is a sign of things to come it won’t take long for those two to replace some names in the lineup.

He’s got much more security than the first dozen or so games.

I know you’re being facetious but all of these are true.

Rick is my hero. I’ve stated that many times. I’m ready for him to go off into the sunset, though. So is his wife.

PA is 100% right here. Everything about the in-arena experience is garbage. The PA guy set the tone with absolutely zero energy introducing the lineup last night. He sounded like he really wanted to get out of there.

I don’t like Ray in his current role but I would be open to keeping him in between the benches if they added a real color guy in the booth.

That or... they played the Sabres.

For the record, this is not the type of game that will sell a guy like Jeff Skinner on staying here long term.

From speaking with Rick and people close to him he has no desire to go until his vocal cords are rotting.

Housely went to the podium and quickly showed he’s got the same mindset as the fans. Was saying how they are “not going through this again” and they’ve got to “get out of this.”

The two biggest issues I’ve seen offensively is the absolute refusal to shoot the puck when there are open shots and passing to literally nobody. You don’t need to have a wide open net or a pile of bodies in front blocking the goalie’s view to shoot. Make a play and beat the goalie when you’ve got him one-on-one. I’m still hopeful the passing is purely a chemistry thing.

This is going to take some real leadership from Jack and co. This has been so bland and disappointing that I could easily see the booing putting them all right into “here we go, we all suck again” mode. They can’t think like that. Don’t want to overreact but this is real bad. Need them to bounce back as soon as possible, preferably the third.

More trash hockey for us. Very exciting.

That PK was a shitshow...

It’s something a ton of skill players do. The only real explanation is that when you hit that pass it’s either a goal or a monster save.

I think there’s some chemistry stuff that will be worked out in time. Haven’t seen too many real bad mistakes or misses.

Feel like we’ve been in their zone for a majority of the game so far. Some missed passed likely a chemistry thing at this point but feels like they’re playing fast than I’ve seen in years. Early in game one and don’t love the score but feeling decent.

Agh shooot that Jack

Three quick complaints: - Paul Hamilton is an idiot. He cited Halak’s stats on the season during the pregame. He played half a game. - The PA guy for us is absolute trash. He sounds bored and has no energy. - The crowd did not sound energized during warmups on TV.