***Official 2017-18 NHL Season Thread***

[ChiefsCountry]

The thread to talk about the NHL.

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Bracket Challenge Stuff

https://bracketchallenge.nhl.com

Joe.1			Otter
OnThe.1			OnTheWarpath58
Joel.1			CaliforniaChief
DaFace			DaFace
Leafs win the Cup	Gadzooks
William.2		?????
Noah			CaliforniaChief's Kid
c.o_THjtt		Al_Bundy
frozen chief		frozen chief
One Magnificent Bracket	KCtotheSB
KC_Lee			KC_Lee
j.1			Shag

[KC_Lee]

Originally Posted by Pasta Giant Meatball

It'sa rough sport, not Nancy ball

[DaFace]

To some extent, I wonder if we're seeing the downside of the league collectively phasing out the enforcer role. 20 years ago, if someone throws a forearm shiver into the back of a star player's head, he's getting his face punched in on the next shift. Without that role, most of the time the only potential downside is getting sent to the box for two minutes.

It's kind of like the guy who took a cheap shot at Kelce in the playoffs. He takes a penalty, but Kelce's knocked out of the game. If there were another guy standing there who was allowed to beat his ass, he might think twice about making that kind of hit.

[Shag]

Originally Posted by DaFace

To some extent, I wonder if we're seeing the downside of the league collectively phasing out the enforcer role. 20 years ago, if someone throws a forearm shiver into the back of a star player's head, he's getting his face punched in on the next shift. Without that role, most of the time the only potential downside is getting sent to the box for two minutes.

It's kind of like the guy who took a cheap shot at Kelce in the playoffs. He takes a penalty, but Kelce's knocked out of the game. If there were another guy standing there who was allowed to beat his ass, he might think twice about making that kind of hit.

It's absolutely having an effect, and not a good one. I understand that the NHL is trying to change their image a bit, and is concerned about player safety, but enforcers played an important role. Combine that with the officiating completely changing in the postseason, and the game is suddenly heavily slanted toward the big, physical teams that can just bully their way to victory.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

But don't sneeze on Cindy and company though

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by DaFace

To some extent, I wonder if we're seeing the downside of the league collectively phasing out the enforcer role. 20 years ago, if someone throws a forearm shiver into the back of a star player's head, he's getting his face punched in on the next shift. Without that role, most of the time the only potential downside is getting sent to the box for two minutes.

It's kind of like the guy who took a cheap shot at Kelce in the playoffs. He takes a penalty, but Kelce's knocked out of the game. If there were another guy standing there who was allowed to beat his ass, he might think twice about making that kind of hit.

It's always felt weird explaining this to people when they ask why there's fighting in the NHL and minor leagues, especially since it doesn't exist in college hockey, the Olympics, or internationally.

OTOH, if the NHL got their shit together and handed out relatively long suspensions (playoffs or not), there may not be a reason to otherwise waste roster spots on enforcers (or telling a player who wants to contribute in other ways that he's on the team to punch people in the face).

[Otter]

Originally Posted by DaFace

To some extent, I wonder if we're seeing the downside of the league collectively phasing out the enforcer role. 20 years ago, if someone throws a forearm shiver into the back of a star player's head, he's getting his face punched in on the next shift. Without that role, most of the time the only potential downside is getting sent to the box for two minutes.

It's kind of like the guy who took a cheap shot at Kelce in the playoffs. He takes a penalty, but Kelce's knocked out of the game. If there were another guy standing there who was allowed to beat his ass, he might think twice about making that kind of hit.

I read an article on the declining role of the NHL enforcer in Rolling Stones Magazine that was pretty good. The whole article was worth reading but I think this paragraph sums it up pretty well:

Of course, this end might actually be more of an evolution. Pure punchers are on the way out, replaced by the likes of Boston's Milan Lucic, Vancouver's Alex Burrows and Toronto's David Clarkson: guys who don't necessarily fight, but are Grade-A pests, and, more importantly, are capable of changing a game with their play.

It's a microcosm of how society is changing. Whether it's for better or worse only time will tell but it sure as shit is turning sports like the NFL and NHL from a "mans" sport into a millennial generation like slap fight.

Full Article Link

[Gadzooks]

In game 1 of the BOS TOR series - Kadri gets a 3 game suspension for the head shot on Wingels after Wingels elbows Marner in the head with no call.
In game 2 Schaller gives a head shot to Marner where he leaves his feet as an attempt to injure. Hainsey comes in and gives Schaller a couple of shots to the the face. No call on the Schaller hit. Not looked into by the league. Hainsey gets a penalty for roughing. Bruins score on the PP. The play is at the 0:57 mark of the video in this link:
https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/games/2039004/
The NHL HAS TO STOP PANDERING TO THE PUSSIES!!! Fighting is good.
The only problem with hockey is the NHL (AND THEM LISTENING TO PUSSIES)
The only problem with football is the NFL.
These leagues are killing themselves by letting officials determine the outcome of games based on marginal calls or non-calls - to who's benefit? The league's ratings? I have no idea...

[DaFace]

Three elimination games tonight should make for an exciting evening. Hope the Avs can push it at least one more game (especially since I picked Preds to win it in 6...).

[MMXcalibur]

Jets are up 4-0 with 6:00 left in the 1st period.
Why did Minnesota even bother making the trip North?

[Otter]

Originally Posted by KCtotheSB

The Penguins are on pace to win the series, 4-0 and outscore the Flyers 28-0.
There's absolutely no way the Flyers come back with a vengeance in Game 2. Absolutely no way.

.....


.....yup.

Originally Posted by KCtotheSB

Enjoy your lone playoff victory of the 2018 playoffs.
Live it up.

Care to go for the trifecta?

[MMXcalibur]

Originally Posted by Otter

Care to go for the trifecta?

Down in the series, holding on by a thread, and still squawking?
Bold strategy.

[Otter]

Originally Posted by KCtotheSB

Down in the series, holding on by a thread, and still squawking?
Bold strategy.

I picked the Flyers to lose the series actually. It's just fun watching you try to play Nostradamus.

There's only one guy talking shit in this conversation and he's in the room with you.

I'll take that as a "no" on the trifecta.

[Shag]

Originally Posted by KCtotheSB

Jets are up 4-0 with 6:00 left in the 1st period.
Why did Minnesota even bother making the trip North?

****ing embarrassing, per usual.

[MMXcalibur]

Originally Posted by Otter

I picked the Flyers to lose the series actually. It's just fun watching you try to play Nostradamus.

There's only one guy talking shit in this conversation and he's in the room with you.

I'll take that as a "no" on the trifecta.

I predict that the Flyers will win 3-2 in Game 6 and then win Game 7 by a final score of 4-1.

There, now what are you gonna do?

[DaFace]

Crazy game. 0-0 with 10 minutes to go and the Avs win it 2-1 in regulation. Game 6 here we come.