If you missed it, download the Pratt and Taylor podcast from May 5 for an hour-long "discussion" with Mike Gillis. Here's the edited version:
Mikey likeys the Sandy Alderson (updated translation: Billy Beane of the Oakland A's) way of approaching the evaluation of players (meaning maybe the Nux will start to draft actual talent and not off the NHL's Central Scouting list). He can't really tell you much about anything he's really going to do because you media guys keep really bugging me...really. His dulcet tones can even put those donkey-braying yahoos who par-tay on Granville Street to sleep. And, oh yeah, he likes the hockey that is being played in this year's playoffs.
Other than that, at least apparently Luongo wants to stay and the Gillman hinted he "likes" an uptempo style of play.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Monday, May 5, 2008
Marathon OT Win = Ultimate Victory?
Given the Dallas Stars' OT marathon to take their series over the San Jose Sharks, you might want to place a wager on the Detroit Red Wings to take Game 1 and, possibly, the series.
Since the 67/8 Expansion, only five series have ended with a triple (or better) OT game. With a short turnaround to the next series, that dog-tired hockey team was dragging and quite naturally lost Game 1 of the next series.
'87
The NY Islanders beat the Caps in the memorable 4-OT Easter Sunday marathon Game 7. Two days later they lost to the Flyers and fell behind 3-1 in the series before getting their legs and pushing that series to seven before losing.
'03
The Lightning beat the (snakebit again!) Caps in the 3rd OT. That left the 'Ning with little left in the tank after a four-day break and the Devils shut them down and out 4-0 in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Semi-Final. Worse was to come as the 'Ning would have the tables turned on them as NJ beat TB in Game 5 in triple OT.
Of course, NJ after a triple OT win would lose Game 1 to their next opponent, the back then underachieving Sens. This happened despite an eight-day layoff so rest did them no good other than the fact the Devils did win end up beating Ottawa in seven before going on to take the Cup.
The only two success stories as far as these series ending post-OT marathons have been the '96 Blackhawks and the '99 Stars. Both had a full nine days off between series as their triple-OT series clinchers were in Game 4s vs. the Flames and the Oilers respectively.
Overall, in games following marathon OT (3 OTs or more) wins since the '67/68 playoffs, the winning teams are 11-10. In the actual series results, there is a clearer winner by 15 series taken to 6 lost to the marathon OT game winning team.
Draw your own conclusions, but if there's an early marathon OT game in any series, you're odds on (at a nice 2 1/2 to 1) that that team will take the series in question.
Since the 67/8 Expansion, only five series have ended with a triple (or better) OT game. With a short turnaround to the next series, that dog-tired hockey team was dragging and quite naturally lost Game 1 of the next series.
'87
The NY Islanders beat the Caps in the memorable 4-OT Easter Sunday marathon Game 7. Two days later they lost to the Flyers and fell behind 3-1 in the series before getting their legs and pushing that series to seven before losing.
'03
The Lightning beat the (snakebit again!) Caps in the 3rd OT. That left the 'Ning with little left in the tank after a four-day break and the Devils shut them down and out 4-0 in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Semi-Final. Worse was to come as the 'Ning would have the tables turned on them as NJ beat TB in Game 5 in triple OT.
Of course, NJ after a triple OT win would lose Game 1 to their next opponent, the back then underachieving Sens. This happened despite an eight-day layoff so rest did them no good other than the fact the Devils did win end up beating Ottawa in seven before going on to take the Cup.
The only two success stories as far as these series ending post-OT marathons have been the '96 Blackhawks and the '99 Stars. Both had a full nine days off between series as their triple-OT series clinchers were in Game 4s vs. the Flames and the Oilers respectively.
Overall, in games following marathon OT (3 OTs or more) wins since the '67/68 playoffs, the winning teams are 11-10. In the actual series results, there is a clearer winner by 15 series taken to 6 lost to the marathon OT game winning team.
Draw your own conclusions, but if there's an early marathon OT game in any series, you're odds on (at a nice 2 1/2 to 1) that that team will take the series in question.
Over...boring!
Let them play! How often have we heard this refrain? Don't call the chintzy penalties. Well, what you end up with is overtime after overtime of tired players, who even though they make mistakes due to that lack of energy, they can't get anything on their shots...or they're too punchdrunk to hit the net.
Last night's Sharks-Stars Game 6 was not exactly an NHL classic. Sure, there was enough action but when the announcers were going on about Turco and Nabokov making 50+ saves, this was no Dan Ellis performance over 60 minutes vs. the high-powered Red Wings in rd. 1.
Overtime is exciting...maybe at best through two periods but after that it's a war of attrition, and let's face facts, more tension- than action-filled. I'm not saying the NHL, or any hockey league, should change it, but stop going on and on about how "great" long OTs are. Just end it already!
Which brings us to the officiating. If the refs would call a penalty, a penalty and not revert back to the dead puck days, then games would end quicker. But, noooooo, we can't let the refs decide the games so let's let the players get away with tackle football.
This is why no matter how hard the NHL tries, it always ends up looking like the league that has no clue. A penalty is a penalty is a penalty...oh, yeah, except in overtime in the new, old and whatever NHL playoffs.
Last night's Sharks-Stars Game 6 was not exactly an NHL classic. Sure, there was enough action but when the announcers were going on about Turco and Nabokov making 50+ saves, this was no Dan Ellis performance over 60 minutes vs. the high-powered Red Wings in rd. 1.
Overtime is exciting...maybe at best through two periods but after that it's a war of attrition, and let's face facts, more tension- than action-filled. I'm not saying the NHL, or any hockey league, should change it, but stop going on and on about how "great" long OTs are. Just end it already!
Which brings us to the officiating. If the refs would call a penalty, a penalty and not revert back to the dead puck days, then games would end quicker. But, noooooo, we can't let the refs decide the games so let's let the players get away with tackle football.
This is why no matter how hard the NHL tries, it always ends up looking like the league that has no clue. A penalty is a penalty is a penalty...oh, yeah, except in overtime in the new, old and whatever NHL playoffs.
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