DON

Clean hits like the beautiful hip check Emelin tossed last game is an art and he was not called for it, nor was he when he flattened Lucic over and over again. Petry & Pateryn ride guys into the boards and dosent get called for it.

Injuries will happen, is he 1st or 3rd behind Rose-Byron on forward depth chart, who knows? Maybe Thomas, Hudon and Carr also are ahead of him? (dlbalr likely would have a better guess).

Good, MacMillan seems a solid quick 2 way centre, has grown but still bit undersized. And how Didier defends vs Pros I am curious about.

Beaulieu is 94 NHL gms in and 14pts and he cant defend real well, so hope that offensive upside kicks in soon. He has missed how many open nets so far? He can move the puck well and can almost skate as fast as Petry so he has that I suppose. Put him with Markov might help, did wonders for a slug like Komisarik.

Bourque should be 4 or 5 spots higher. Tinordi a bit too high. Scherbak nor Juulsen should be in top 5. Andrighetto, Hudon, Reway, Lehkonen, de la Rose would be my top 5, maybe Hudon at #1

He did very well in Sweden, the Swiss league, as well as AHL in the past and is tied for top scorer in AHL so far. I think he will see NHL action soon (and replace Semin hopefully).

thanks for looking that up

Of course he is a good passer, but what does that have to do with physicality? He is a soft 'pretty-boy' type not a tough-guy Frankie Boullion type d-man. Which again I say that is 100% fine, but you cant tell me he, Beaulieu and Markov are physical d-men (yes Beaulieu can fight, but still an underpowered youngster in the hitting dept who is easily pushed off the puck). In fact, I am not sure Beaulieu has progressed at all since last year, has he? Or maybe is just a slow starter and he needs more time to crank up his game?

Fucale's first 2 games (and last one in particular) are very encouraging, he also appears much bigger in the net than Tokarski as did Condon. Are there any short(ish) goalies left in the NHL?

In the past, you mean 10-15 years ago?

Subban physical? Still waiting for him to clear the crease once, he is heavy, skilled but short and smallish by d-man standards and hitting/fighting (unless it is against Marchand-type small guys) aint his thing. Which is fine by me, but he isn't a tough guy to play against in a physical way...in a skilled way he is dangerous and tough to play against for sure.

Don't think Gilbert, Beaulieu, Markov nor Subban would ever strike any fear in opposing forwards (maybe Subban on Marchand) nor would be called physically imposing at all.

Beaulieu and Gilbert get pinned in own end often, both make questionable decisions with puck every game, which isn't a surprise but is what it is. Sure they also both make some good plays and are OK as bottom pairing. At least Petry hits more than expected, otherwise this team would have exactly 1 physical d-man, which is why seeing Pateryn or Tinordi draw in might not be a bad idea (but obviously not till winning streak is over).

Whatever, many still love the "fire Therrien" threads, no matter that they are top of league or not, which hasn't been the case since 11-12, when he was just a talking head on RDS. 132-64-23 record must be best of any coach over past 4 yrs isn't it (again I add, especially with only 1 all-star forward seems even more impressive, yes I know there is the 'Price" factor)?

Subban, Petry, Beaulieu, Emelin all sucked in first half of 1st period. But Beaulieu has been shaky every game and paired with Gilbert they are what a 3rd pairing is... the weakest link on team. I know I know, Beaulieu is an offensive d-men and will break out sometime; but sorry to say his defense will likely always be suspect. (which would be OK, if he wasn't a d-man)

Right about what?

Hudon/Thomas/Andrighetto, all 6pts in 6gms Holloway 8pts Scherbak -5, worst on team

Tokarski must be getting a bit nervous! (they credited Fucale with 40 svs on 42 shots)

Still love the 3 on 3 OT, vs the old 4 on 4. Wide open exciting hockey and lots of breakaways and chances.

McNivan win, 1g on 27shots (6-2-2 ,931%, 2.21) Addison 1g, his 3rd in 11 gms. Bourque 1g 1a so far for 6pts in 10 gms

when is series? November

Therrien's record since being re-hired has simply been awesome and looking to be a 4th straight solid year at the helm. Can you give more credit to Bergevin and Price...possibly, but W-L seems to be how a head coach is generally judged...especially when a winning team has exactly 1 All-star forward to work with.

who won?

Defensemen were horrible in 1st period, with Beaulieu and Gilbert really suckin. Beaulieu still weak and a work in progress, other than fight he was not much use, but not a chance Tinordi and/or Pateryn will draw in... is there (is a back to back fri-sat games)? Love the bottom six speed, don't have to worry about odd-man rushes against with them on the ice, Mitchell can really fly and was very deserving of goal and Pelly of an assist. Galchenyuk 6pts and 52.3% on faceoffs...nice to see; but still not sold on Semin at all and just when I was really gonna crap on him like a Rene Bourque...he actually helps, but one fluky goal only gives him a small reprieve.

Holloway's was supposed a sweet goal and Scherbak assists on Dumonts, nice to hear. (Hudon-McCarron flip flopping at centre it seems)