Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: 3/5/12
- bmeltzer

the kids line was the best line on the ice, they deserved that gwg

That was the first game that I can recall where I felt confident and comfortable with Bryz in net.

The past 35 games or so, I kept waiting for that one, inevitable soft goal that he almost always delivered. It wasn't a pessimistic outlook, but more of a reflection of his on-ice demeanor and attitude.

This would be a great time to get and stay on a roll. Hopefully some of the troops from the blue line heal quickly.
- bradleyc4

you?? nooooooo.

I wouldn't take him over Bourque, either. But I would take him over Paul Coffey without a moment's hesitation.
- bmeltzer

Whats your reasoning? Bourque and Coffey have the same points totals, I mean Coffeys teams were better overall, but whats the difference between then 2?

you?? nooooooo.
- Don'tForgetTocchet

shaddap

shaddap
- bradleyc4

me?? noooooo...

On a completely separate note, the Islanders 3rd jersey with its NY Mets color scheme is horrible. It might actually be in the top 3 over the last ten years of third jerseys introduced.

Whoa whoa..... Howe was a fantastic defenseman no doubt about it, but he wasn't better than Ray Bourque in any way, shape or form.
- PLindbergh31

Mark Howe +54 in the playoffs, Ray Bourque +5. Give me the guy who gets it done when it matters.

On a completely separate note, the Islanders 3rd jersey with its NY Mets color scheme is horrible. It might actually be in the top 3 over the last ten years of third jerseys introduced.
- ravishingone

Am i the only one that hopes the Islanders get a new stadium and become revelant again. I feel bad for that fan base.

Am i the only one that hopes the Islanders get a new stadium and become revelant again. I feel bad for that fan base.
- RooNosHockey

I feel the same way. If they haven't jumped ship for the Rags or Devils by now, they have my respect.

Whats your reasoning? Bourque and Coffey have the same points totals, I mean Coffeys teams were better overall, but whats the difference between then 2?
- flyers4487

Coffey was a horrible defensive defenseman. Bourque was good at both ends.

Absolutely. Howe was an elite defenseman in every sense. Equally good in both zones. He didn't start playing in the NHL until he was 24, he was certainly plenty good enough to play in the League much earlier than that.
- PLindbergh31

Howe was also an all star winger before becoming a Norris level defenseman. He had a unique career.

Mark Howe +54 in the playoffs, Ray Bourque +5. Give me the guy who gets it done when it matters.
- JoeRussomanno

+/- is overrated - what are point totals?

Welcome back. Boy did I miss you.

I didn't realize you were back, or else I wouldn't have generalized; expecting you to understand that what a generalization is. Yes, there were SOME chances from the slot, but the effort was much better. And yes, the defense does need to improve, but they did really well considering they were without Timonen, and Meszaros.
- RooNosHockey

I agree, I was pleased with the effort overall. But still there were still some very bad coverage mistakes. And I apologise. I must have misunderstood what all the Caps shots were from the outside or bad angles, meant. I didn't realise it was a generalization.

Coffey was a horrible defensive defenseman. Bourque was good at both ends.
- Jsaquella

I still feel Howe was a better crunch time Dman than any of them

Howe was a once-in-a-generation player in his own right, in that he could have had a HHOF-type career as a two-way forward and made the transition -- with very few hiccups -- to being an elite defenseman who wasn't just a fine offensive player but also outstanding in his own end of the ice.
- bmeltzer

Had he transitioned to D before the merger?

Was it his idea to switch?

+/- is overrated - what are point totals?
- BingoLady

How do you figure?

+/- is overrated - what are point totals?
- BingoLady

Plus Minus is not overrated. It's a more representative of what a defensive player does.

Sorry, but if I'm only going to see them once a year, I'd like to see Lidstrom (may never get another chance) and Pavel.
- bodiva88

Im hunting stubhub for tickets to this game, thank god its on a tuesday. if this was on a weekend the prices would be nuts!

Plus Minus is not overrated. It's a more representative of what a defensive player does.
- JoeRussomanno

That only gives you a perspective from 5 on 5. It can be skewed by what team you play for. Special teams needs to be added in as well.

Am i the only one that hopes the Islanders get a new stadium and become revelant again. I feel bad for that fan base.
- RooNosHockey

no

I have had a busy morning! A new hire in the office will do that!

Anyway,

Bryz was a stud last night. Awesome to see.

Carle with another great game.

Grossman is really an impressive stay at home D-man. He just seems to make the smart play 9 out of 10 times.

Nice to see Wellwood come in and victimize OV!!!

the Flyers played a very solid team defense game. Not perfect but far better then in the recent 15+ games.

This a great way for the Flyers to start this tough stretch over the month of March.

Am i the only one that hopes the Islanders get a new stadium and become revelant again. I feel bad for that fan base.
- RooNosHockey

i feel you bro

That only gives you a perspective from 5 on 5. It can be skewed by what team you play for. Special teams needs to be added in as well.
- stveshdy

I could say the same for assists too. Off of any goal you can have 2-3 guys get an assist. Did it have a whole lot to do with them or the fact they eventually fed a sniper the puck on a given routine play.

Edit: Furthermore Howe was never a negative player in the playoffs, Bourque was several times.

Plus Minus is not overrated. It's a more representative of what a defensive player does.
- JoeRussomanno

It is a weak statistic to follow.

For example.

Last season:
Nicklas Lidstrom was a -2 for the Redwings.

Rostislav Klesla was a +9 on the Blue Jackets.

By that theory, Klesla is farrr superior to Lidstrom.. Fat chance.

Plus Minus is not overrated. It's a more representative of what a defensive player does.
- JoeRussomanno

It can be. I try not to use +/- because it's more indicative of how good a team is defensively than a specific player.

Steve Kasper was a great defensive forward. But his career +/- is -56.