Somethings to consider.
Why do players still wait for the puck to come to them? By the time the puck gets to the player, an opponent has time to get right up on him, or take the puck away from him. A bad habit to get into.
It's still hard to find a player that will go to the front of the net. Only Hartz, and Simmonds are consistent in doing so. More guys have to step up, or it's going to continue to be one, and done. Or, we make the back-up goalie look like a superstar.
Stop over skating the puck guys. Man, if someone gets that excited to have the puck come their way, then they need to be on some meds. They either take off without the puck, or over pursue the puck, and allow for an odd man rush going the other way. Slow down a little, and think about what you are doing.
Forwards, quit watching the puck, and pick up the guy on the weak side. How many times does a guy go to the back door, and score on Mace. Too, many times.Now don't throw rotten tomatoes at me, but I don't know if G has his game going, or is upset that he might not be in the Olympics. However, his play has picked up recently, and is playing like the player that we know, and love. The real test will be if he goes to the Olympics, and what he does after the Olympics. If he only works hard for select games, then he has a spoiled player problem.
Thanks for listening.
- OrangeAndBlack1

This...I think this sort of thing is a primary issue for them in defensive zone coverage. I like that they (under Berube) set up more of a structured defensive scheme as opposed to everyone bunching up on the puck carrier (leaving open men in scoring position) but they need to refine the approach by covering opposing players better instead of letting them streak into the slot or get open in dangerous areas down low...too many times they stay static and leave open guys...it's something I think they can work on and improve.

Giveaways per 60 minutes:

Meszaros: 2.81
Gustafsson: 2.13
Grossmann: 1.93
Coburn: 1.75
Timonen: 1.39
L. Schenn: 1.23
Streit: 1.22
It's science.
- Moose_15

Streit last 7GP:

3G 3A 6pts +8 (avg around 21 mins TOI/gm)

Streit last 7GP:

3G 3A 6pts +8 (avg around 21 mins TOI/gm)
- exlund

Yeah, I don't knwo what's turned him around but he's finally playing well.

Its a relief to see Giroux taking his game to a higher level. Hopefully he can maintain tgat down the road.

Its a shame to see luke schenn score so many goals... Against us!

Its a relief to see Giroux taking his game to a higher level. Hopefully he can maintain tgat down the road.

Its a shame to see luke schenn score so many goals... Against us!
- JoeRussomanno

He's just this close to jamming it down his pants and flinging himself into the net.

And I get the whole "hockey is a team game and shootouts are an individual thing, and therefore, I don't like it" argument.

But, the shootouts are not a gimmick, as I've seen it referred to here and elsewhere.

It would be a gimmick if they made the goalie stand somewhere other than in his crease when it started or if they let players on the bench throw their gloves at the player when he is going to shoot.

Breakaways are actually part of hockey and therefore, not what I would consider a gimmick.

It's a "skills competition".....even when that term is used sarcastically (as I think Bill M. tends to use it), at least "skills competition" describes what's really going on.

I'd rather a hockey game be settled that way than end in a tie, because some team turtled up (HI NEW JERSEY DEVILS OF THE '90s!) in their own zone to preserve a tie.
- johndewar

I agree. It's a tie breaker and not much different from a batting order in a pitcher's duel in baseball.

Really hoping Coach Chief reunites Downie--Couturier--Read line.

That line was fun to watch every shift.
- Moose_15

I'm still wondering why Chief doesn't put them back together myself.b

I'm still wondering why Chief doesn't put them back together myself.b
- Schenn2shine

Did we ever find out what happened to Downie to begin with?

I fell into the holiday/family/general laziness vortex and didn't see if anyone published why he was out to begin with.

I'm still wondering why Chief doesn't put them back together myself.b
- Schenn2shine

who would you move to the 4th line?

Fun day of WJC Hockey and now the Twilight Zone marathon.

who would you move to the 4th line?
- Crimsoninja

Lazy Jake Voracek

who would you move to the 4th line?
- Crimsoninja

Everyone is gonna hate this but I would go back to...

Hartnell-Giroux-Voracek
Schenn-Lecavalier-Simmonds
Read-Couturier-Downie
Raffl-Hall-Rinaldo

I feel this restores balance to the line up and Raffl can move up anywhere in a pinch.

He's just this close to jamming it down his pants and flinging himself into the net.
- mayorofangrytown

Its a shame cause i really like luke, but its hard to root for him this year.

Agreed.

I still believe he was more injured than originally reported.

Also, I think having two functional linemates has helped.

Raffl on that line has surprised me, greatly.
- johndewar

I know--I was so set to start the "Awful Raffl" (salute your shorts) mantra.

But I can't now.

Its okay. We lost to them in the prelims last year and in 2010.
- jmatchett383

Everyone is gonna hate this but I would go back to...

Hartnell-Giroux-Voracek
Schenn-Lecavalier-Simmonds
Read-Couturier-Downie
Raffl-Hall-Rinaldo

I feel this restores balance to the line up and Raffl can move up anywhere in a pinch.
- Schenn2shine

Ugh--But Hartnell has been Charles Barkley trrrible on that line this year. Raffl has given Perogi and Giroux someone who play as quick as they do.

Everyone is gonna hate this but I would go back to...

Hartnell-Giroux-Voracek
Schenn-Lecavalier-Simmonds
Read-Couturier-Downie
Raffl-Hall-Rinaldo

I feel this restores balance to the line up and Raffl can move up anywhere in a pinch.
- Schenn2shine

Mess with the one line that consistently threatens while on even strength for the sake of not messing with any of the other lines that don't produce 5 v 5?

Yes, I hate it because it makes no sense right now.

I agree. It's a tie breaker and not much different from a batting order in a pitcher's duel in baseball.
- Schenn2shine

Except a batting order in baseball is actually part of the game. It's not taking away part of the game and deciding a winner solely on that part of it.

Everyone is gonna hate this but I would go back to...

Hartnell-Giroux-Voracek
Schenn-Lecavalier-Simmonds
Read-Couturier-Downie
Raffl-Hall-Rinaldo

I feel this restores balance to the line up and Raffl can move up anywhere in a pinch.
- Schenn2shine

Here he goes again.....

Raffl has been one of the better players on the ice and is clicking on a line with G and V. NO! Just NO.

Here he goes again.....

Raffl has been one of the better players on the ice and is clicking on a line with G and V. NO! Just NO.
- youarewrong

Agreed. As much as I LOVE everything about the game Downie 2.0 brings--he's the odd man out here (because Hartnell can't be moved to 4th line).

ugh it looks like we get russia in the quarterfinals

Agreed. As much as I LOVE everything about the game Downie 2.0 brings--he's the odd man out here (because Hartnell can't be moved to 4th line).
- Moose_15

why can't hartnell be moved to the fourth line. i have no problem with that. 4th line and powerplay until someone else gets hurt.

Everyone is gonna hate this but I would go back to...

Hartnell-Giroux-Voracek
Schenn-Lecavalier-Simmonds
Read-Couturier-Downie
Raffl-Hall-Rinaldo

I feel this restores balance to the line up and Raffl can move up anywhere in a pinch.
- Schenn2shine

No

why can't hartnell be moved to the fourth line. i have no problem with that. 4th line and powerplay until someone else gets hurt.
- -davies-

And honestly, if that doesnt lite a fire under his ass.. im not sure anything will.

ugh it looks like we get russia in the quarterfinals
- -davies-

No problem... They have a ton of skill.. no doubt.. but they dont know how to play a two way team game.