I was sincerely baffled that NY's top line didn't pan out. How is that even possible? By the start of the 2nd, Nash was skating on a different line. King Henry was filthy in net tonight. 38 shots and he was a champ.
Another Sharks victory, another gutless 2-goal game for Patrick Marleau. There were free hats there at Opening Night at the Tank and I was so disappointed he didn't take a shot at the open net in the final minute and instead opted to pass. 17,000 hats raining down would have been pure beauty. Seriously though, the Sharks had a fantastic come from behind victory tonight. Down 3-1, they scored 4 goals in the final 10 minutes of the game. I'm loving what I'm seeing from San Jose this year. If they can just fix the PK they'll be golden.
I agree with you. Gaborik may be the best pure scorer we have, but Nash attacks the net like none of our wings can, and should always be paired with Richards, at least. Henry was great, but all props to Bryz for stopping Nash on the 5on3. That was the game breaker, he was incredible in the 3rd. What do you think about Philly signing Knuble?
@heels1785: While I have no delusion of Knuble scoring... or even being healthy... at the level he maintained from 05-09 with us, the man is invaluable as a leader to a team as young as ours. While I certainly hope he can contribute on the ice, I am far more interested in his impact in the locker room. When Sean Couturier, Brayden Schenn, Scott Laughton, Tye McGinn, Zac Rinaldo, Matt Read, etc. are all only (at most) starting their 2nd year, losing Jagr's "work ethic" as far as studying the game, training, and approaching each game seriously has serious implications. To have a hard working veteran there to co-sign Timonen is a great situation. Next morning, and I am still shaking my head over the Richards/Nash/Gaborik line somehow not gelling. That pairing should be on the cover of SI.
I think he'll stick with them, they're the 27 million dollar line- gotta pull through some time, right? With Taylor Pyatt starting to catch fire, he can slide onto the 2nd, where Stepan and Callahan already have developed a good bond. I'm much more worried about our 2nd and 3rd defensive pairings than our offense, honestly. Torts is taking a ton of flack right now, and it's not helping that DZ and Callahan also trashed the effort last night- that's raw meat for the NY media, especially for a team favored by most to at least give the Pens a run in the East. Schedule doesn't get a lot easier, but we do get three at home next week- obviously Boston, Philly, and Pittsburgh are outstanding teams, regardless of week 1 records. We should get by Toronto, try to get at least one win between the Pens and Flyers, and then roll into the third week strong against the Lightning, Devils, and Islanders- all very winnable games.
It kind of annoys me how there really aren't that many super lines like there used to be (Heatley-Spezza-Alfredsson, Ovechkin-Backstrom-Semin, etc). I mean, I get why coaches break them up but there's nothing more magical than having three elite players skating together.
I agree. I grew up watching Mario-Jagr and the Legion of Doom skating on the top lines together. Next to the Rangers, I guess you could call Kane-Toews-Sharp one (I'm not even sure they skate together anymore, haven't caught a ton of Hawks this year), and Sedin-Sedin-Burrows, although I think that one was broken up a few nights ago.
Kane and Sharp are still together but with Bolland Toews is with Hossa and it doesn't matter who you put them with that's a super front line
Kovalchuk wins it in OT vs Caps. Looking forward to seeing if Vancouver shows up this time against the Ducks in the nightcap.
I sincerely miss the Legion of Doom line. Watch out for the Islanders. I think they may have awakened from their 2 decade coma.
I've got a pair of tickets center ice and lower level for tomorrow's Hawks vs Wings. You can all be jealous now
Man, that sounds awesome. Should be a great game too. Rangers sign Jason Arnott to one year deal, comes full circle with Glen Sather. I like the move, good stability on the lower lines.
Awesome win after a horrible start. Boyle and Staal were great, and Girardi and McDonough did a great job shutting down Kessel. Nash did a lot right, but that first line needs a bit more time to gel. Much needed win, I'll take it!
Patrick Marleau has now opened the season with back-to-back-to-back-to-back 2 goal games. This hasn't been done since 1917. Roenick probably thinks he's still not playing with enough heart though.
No Arnott in NY, failed his physical. Would've been a nice surplus and boost on PP, but I think we'll be alright with who we've got. And @Frank T., hope you enjoyed that game- was a wild one.
The shorter season might make that possible for him. He tends to fade in the second half of the season.
