Canucks for sure stole game 4. I hope the Preds win it tonight as I do have them taking the series in 7, but after game 4, I don't think that is probable anymore.
- scifi-man

Even with suspect goaltending, or average goaltending, the Canucks lose three games in a row.

Sure, but international play isn't quite the same as the NHL playoffs, I still maintain that were the series in favor of Nashville 2-1 or if we were facing elimination, he plays DeSmith anyways unless DeSmith literally couldn't get on the ice and at least start the game. If Silovs plays today then probably DeSmith is much more badly injured then we realize and RT has no choice (although they said that DeSmith will backup Silovs if he starts) but to play him. I doubt Silovs would be his first choice if all were equal, because you want to play the guy that got you there unless he drops the ball or is too injured to at least start the game.
- DariusKnight

Another way to look at this is that in the last weeks of the season Desmith was letting them down, going 1-4-0 in his last 5 starts, while Silovs was getting them the points they needed to finish 1st in the division, going 3-0-1.

I'm not saying I think one is way better than the other, I think if one guy has an injury, it's close enough to say start whoever is healthy.

Another way to look at this is that in the last weeks of the season Desmith was letting them down, going 1-4-0 in his last 5 starts, while Silovs was getting them the points they needed to finish 1st in the division, going 3-0-1.

I'm not saying I think one is way better than the other, I think if one guy has an injury, it's close enough to say start whoever is healthy.
- NorthNuck

He’s being a lunatic, if DeSmith wasn’t able to even be a backup clearly he couldn’t play. He’s a conspiracy theorist extraordinaire.

Another way to look at this is that in the last weeks of the season Desmith was letting them down, going 1-4-0 in his last 5 starts, while Silovs was getting them the points they needed to finish 1st in the division, going 3-0-1.

I'm not saying I think one is way better than the other, I think if one guy has an injury, it's close enough to say start whoever is healthy.
- NorthNuck

Silvos was a smart decision made by experienced staff. I'm good with it, he looked comfortable and confident in the last game.

Another way to look at this is that in the last weeks of the season Desmith was letting them down, going 1-4-0 in his last 5 starts, while Silovs was getting them the points they needed to finish 1st in the division, going 3-0-1.

I'm not saying I think one is way better than the other, I think if one guy has an injury, it's close enough to say start whoever is healthy.
- NorthNuck

To be fair to DeSmith, the team around him wasn't really playing all that well either, so you can't hang all those losses solely on him. Silovs was playing the backup role too and ended up getting favorable matchups where DeSmith was playing the Dallas's, Winnipegs, Colorados and the like while Demko was out. But yeah, I agree, if you're up 2-1 or 3-1 and your main (or 2nd main in this case) guy is injured, play the healthy goalie. But if you're on the ropes or you need to win, I don't think you play the healthy goalie unless the injured goalie literally can't play... that's all I'm saying.

Forget Silovs for a moment, do you think RT plays DeSmith if Demko could manage to put on skates and play even at 50% of what he can normally? Especially if the game is pivotal like where the team was down 2-1 and might be badly in a hole? or 2-2? or even if we were facing elimination? I sure don't, and you know Demko if he could get on the ice would play regardless because that's the type of player he is, but if you're planning on a long playoff run you want to get your injured goalie as much rest as possible so if you aren't in any danger of losing the entire series then you play your backup and hope he steals a game for you. I worded it wrong originally when I said that RT didn't care if he won or lost the game, of course he cares, I just don't think he cared so much that he was willing to risk a potential long run by playing DeSmith if he had an injury that wasn't too serious and needed a day or two of rest and win or lose, would give him the option to go back to him if he had to.

Silvos was a smart decision made by experienced staff. I'm good with it, he looked comfortable and confident in the last game.
- Marwood

He did. I was definitely worried the moment might get to him a bit but he looked totally fine out there. Hopefully it is the same story in front of the home crowd. Like I said, big game experience matters and he has played a lot of big games for a young guy

To be fair to DeSmith, the team around him wasn't really playing all that well either, so you can't hang all those losses solely on him. Silovs was playing the backup role too and ended up getting favorable matchups where DeSmith was playing the Dallas's, Winnipegs, Colorados and the like while Demko was out. But yeah, I agree, if you're up 2-1 or 3-1 and your main (or 2nd main in this case) guy is injured, play the healthy goalie. But if you're on the ropes or you need to win, I don't think you play the healthy goalie unless the injured goalie literally can't play... that's all I'm saying.

Forget Silovs for a moment, do you think RT plays DeSmith if Demko could manage to put on skates and play even at 50% of what he can normally? Especially if the game is pivotal like where the team was down 2-1 and might be badly in a hole? or 2-2? or even if we were facing elimination? I sure don't, and you know Demko if he could get on the ice would play regardless because that's the type of player he is, but if you're planning on a long playoff run you want to get your injured goalie as much rest as possible so if you aren't in any danger of losing the entire series then you play your backup and hope he steals a game for you. I worded it wrong originally when I said that RT didn't care if he won or lost the game, of course he cares, I just don't think he cared so much that he was willing to risk a potential long run by playing DeSmith if he had an injury that wasn't too serious and needed a day or two of rest and win or lose, would give him the option to go back to him if he had to.
- DariusKnight

The gap between Demko and Desmith is much larger than the gap between Desmith and Silovs imo.

I don't think it's a fair comparison, because Demko is a top 5 in the world, game-stealing, highlight reel save kind of goalie, the other 2 are not.

Thanks NYN. I read your blogs as well, much appreciated.

That was the joke...
- Pacificgem

So was my post. You must be closing in on sixty now. You are getting to the cranky old man stage.

The gap between Demko and Desmith is much larger than the gap between Desmith and Silovs imo.

I don't think it's a fair comparison, because Demko is a top 5 in the world, game-stealing, highlight reel save kind of goalie, the other 2 are not.
- NorthNuck

No, but the point remains that the choice between a backup and a backup to a backup is just as large especially when you factor in lack of NHL experience. I don't think it's quite as close as you make it considering Silovs was Abby's backup for quite a while this season. Am I making too big of a deal out of this as Lefty thinks? Maybe, but whatever, I still don't think RT would have put Silovs in Game 4 if the series were reversed and if there was any possible chance DeSmith could have played, injured or not. But what do I know anyways, nothing, like the rest of you.

The craftsman, not the tools, wields the true power. Despite using TP5 golf balls, my golf game has a 21 handicap.
- Bakwas

lol TP5 is a pretty good ball too. As an 8 handicap I found going for a proper fitting for the clubs made the biggest difference to dropping strokes overall. Having said that the ball designs have become very advanced and is one of the reasons the PGA is looking at rolling ball technology back...whcih would suck IMO. But even a ham and egger like me can notice the difference in shaping out balls. Yes you still have to hit the ball well, however club technology especially in drivers you can pretty much buy yourself a game now lol

And only has 2 less points than your favorite player. Oh and he hasn't even played yet.
- VANTEL

lol once Petey draws from his 2020 PO experiences like Miller and Boeser he'll be fine IMO. Just needs a greasy one or two and there rest will follow. Kid's too good but I do believe he is playing injured looks labouring out there.

lol once Petey draws from his 2020 PO experiences like Miller and Boeser he'll be fine IMO. Just needs a greasy one or two and there rest will follow. Kid's too good but I do believe he is playing injured looks labouring out there.
- LordHumungous

I thought after he got dissed in the Nashville goal celebration scrum, he would have switched into angry mode.

Then why play Silovs? You can't tell me that if it were an elimination game, or a game where the team could be in the hole down 3-1 that he wouldn't play DeSmith unless DeSmith is so badly injured that he literally can't get on the ice. There's no way in hell an NHL Head Coach would throw Silovs who's been mostly the Abby Canucks backup into a pivotal game unless he had no other choice. Sorry, I just don't buy it, he played him because he wanted DeSmith ready for game 5 and beyond and he wasn't AS worried about winning or losing game 4. Of COURSE he wanted to win that game, but you can't tell me that you play Silovs over DeSmith unless DeSmith literally can't put on skates and at least start the game.
- DariusKnight

You could argue that he’s more of a money goalie than Hellebuyck seeing as he’s choked in the playoffs yet again.

lol once Petey draws from his 2020 PO experiences like Miller and Boeser he'll be fine IMO. Just needs a greasy one or two and there rest will follow. Kid's too good but I do believe he is playing injured looks labouring out there.
- LordHumungous

When he came to the league he had Boeser to help point production, then the lotto line, then Kuzmenko. Now he has Mikheyev. I think his playoff production he is just sending the fans a glimpse of what next year is going to look like with no wingers.

You could argue that he’s more of a money goalie than Hellebuyck seeing as he’s choked in the playoffs yet again.
- Shuswap Wap

Fair, Hellebuyck might win the Vezina, but he isn't showing it in his series vs Colorado.

Even with suspect goaltending, or average goaltending, the Canucks lose three games in a row.
- Pacificgem

It doesn't matter who's in net, goaltenders aren't real hockey players anyway.

“With cigarettes, my wife and I, we made a deal. We only smoke after sex. I've got the same pack now since 1975. What bothers me is my wife. She's up to three packs a day.”

Rodney Dangerfield.

I thought after he got dissed in the Nashville goal celebration scrum, he would have switched into angry mode.

- Shuswap Wap

As good as Petey is he's soft. But agree, to sit there and take that was disappointing.

You could argue that he’s more of a money goalie than Hellebuyck seeing as he’s choked in the playoffs yet again.
- Shuswap Wap

Luongo, Rinne and few others come to mind. Great reg. season guys but just can't get it done in big PO games. Like Hellbuyck for now.

When he came to the league he had Boeser to help point production, then the lotto line, then Kuzmenko. Now he has Mikheyev. I think his playoff production he is just sending the fans a glimpse of what next year is going to look like with no wingers.

- VANTEL

Possibly. Highly doubt he's buried on the third line next year with players like Mikheyev TBH. Hasn't been the same without Kuzmenko. Next year is a wait and see obviously. Once Petey is back in the 'top 6' he'll be fine IMO.

I thought after he got dissed in the Nashville goal celebration scrum, he would have switched into angry mode.

- Shuswap Wap

Or, he felt at the time, this might be the only chance I get to celebrate a goal that night and wanted to join the celebration. The Preds wanted no part of it.

It doesn't matter who's in net, goaltenders aren't real hockey players anyway.

- VanHockeyGuy

True story. Goalies belong in a 'special' category and if society deemed it normal goalies would be required to wear helmets full time in public. You know, in case they slip stepping off the short bus...

Possibly. Highly doubt he's buried on the third line next year with players like Mikheyev TBH. Hasn't been the same without Kuzmenko. Next year is a wait and see obviously. Once Petey is back in the 'top 6' he'll be fine IMO.
- LordHumungous

I think he will buzz around the PPG mark and that is fine. I would rather spread the cap money and bring back Lindholm Zadarov and Joshua and not follow TOR's template of cap management.

I think he will buzz around the PPG mark and that is fine. I would rather spread the cap money and bring back Lindholm Zadarov and Joshua and not follow TOR's template of cap management.
- VANTEL

True. Having 4 players making over 41 mil probably isn't the way to go lol