dlbalr

Sergei Kostitsyn noticeably AWOL from practice this morning, the stupidity continues. Practice lines also in the link. http://www.ckac.com/hockey/nouvelles/ou-es...tsyn-13371.html

My keys to the game are to not kill the top-2 lines like in recent games. Let Darche play a couple of first period shifts at least, give him a chance to play and at the same time, you don't have to double shift Cammalleri et al on that line. The other is to better balance the D pairings with the forward unit on the ice, I don't want to see Gill/Gorges with the Plekanec trio unless they're designated as the shutdown unit. I'd prefer to see Hamrlik/Subban, players with some offensive abilities with the scoring lines, especially when it comes to the transition game.

It's a CBA issue and the rule has been in place for a few years now. Until the new CBA comes into play, this rule won't be tweaked. An odd note is that there is a letter agreement in the late stages of the CBA that says the rule was still to be discussed - as that was over 4 years ago now, I think it's set for a couple more years at least.

What you say is easily doable though. The average shelf life for a coach is what, 2-3 years? If someone wants to bring Boucher up now, let them - he'll be fired at or around the same time Martin's deal expires anyways. Best of both worlds, let Boucher go through the growing pains elsewhere.

They "Clear Dayed" (not really a word but it works here) basically any player eligible that was with them at some point in the year. Hamilton didn't because a lot of the guys they signed were PTO's (such as Kinasewich, Murphy, and Curadeau), those players were released and no longer had ties to the team.

I wouldn't say the Heat have all hands on deck to be honest, they're banged up quite a bit actually. They're missing a couple of their top-10 scorers (Stuart, Smolenak) as well as a former 1st rounder (Chucko) and a good stay at home d-man (Negrin). Mind you, the Bulldogs are missing more guys but they are the better team which negates that. One thing's for sure, picking up Vernace at the deadline has turned out to be huge for the blueline, what with the injuries to Carle/Weber and Subban's recall.

More on Ryan White who took a puck to the face Sunday but returned in the 3rd: Talk about giving it your all, even if he was rendered unable to play early on in the game. http://www.thespec.com/Sports/article/763310

Might as well ask since I wound up continuing the GDT's despite losing Game 1, anyone up for doing the one for tomorrow? If not, I'll keep tossing them together...

I hate 10 PM Bulldog games, no one way I can force myself to stay up until 12:30, 1:00 for them. The good news is that Hamilton won with a couple of real raw rookies stepping up for Hamilton. Joining Benoit as Hamilton goal scorers were Gabriel Dumont (1st career AHL goal in 2nd game) Olivier Fortier (1st career AHL goal in 5th game). Desjardins with the win once again. I'm a little concerned with the PK though as the Heat scored on both their opportunities; Hamilton was 2/6. http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007299

They brought Coldplay back for Game 6, I imagine it'll stay for this series. The guy who paid an extra first round pick to avoid offer sheeting Kessel will offer sheet Sergei? If only we were so lucky...

Sergei's going one way or the other, that much is a given. My bet is that it's to the KHL though, it wouldn't surprise me if he has a deal in place already. Guerin I think will play tonight, sounds like it was just a recovery day for him.

Guerin wasn't at the morning skate today for the Pens. Mark Letestu skated with the team in his spot, though the lines were jumbled somewhat. Guerin's now listed as a game time decision; Dupuis would likely move up to the Crosby line if Guerin can't play.

If only I had the same one you did, I still have scars and not much of a hamstring after it got yanked. Interesting to learn about the advancements in ACL surgery...boy is this getting a little off track.

Skated today, not a good sign for us. If nothing else, he wasn't in gear so he's a few days away at least. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10124/1055461-100.stm

Wasn't publicized (I'm sure to avoid controversy), I heard this from a contact of mine. I should emphasize, this is off the record stuff so I can't 100% guarantee its validity - it makes sense though which is why I mention it. As to what was said, I'm pretty sure we can figure it out (player whines, coach benches, player comes back, coach gives instructions, player ignores, player gets benched again) - insert standard script here.

To note on the officials, the last game they did, the home team had 10 PP's (DET vs SJ). Suddenly I don't feel quite so good...

Speaking of those refs, they are Kevin Pollock and Brad Watson. No Chris Lee, a step in the right direction already.

Nah, saying it like this might help generate the "against all odds, us vs the world" mentality that every team seems to strive towards come playoff time.

Not the expression I had on my face when I heard the news - brings back some painful memories (heck, my ACL surgery was 5 years ago and my knee still flares up in pain at times). ACL surgeries typically don't see the player coming back at 100% afterward, though players are recovering from them better and quicker now than in years past.

Let's not forget the "incident" when he'd just finished junior (in 2007). The Habs signed him to an ATO so he could skate with the Bulldogs. When he quickly learned he wouldn't be playing, he whined until they let him go. Anyone remember what happened back in 2007? As for now, I mentioned this the other day: some things were said after Game 5 of the Washington series; unless there are multiple injuries (or the Habs become flat out desperate), he ain't playing.

Not only the playoffs, but an ACL injury can be up to 6 months from the date of surgery. 6 months from now is a month into next season.

Metropolit is confirmed back in the lineup, Maxwell out. Sounds like the only change for the game.

I needed to put something for #3, his offensive numbers are down. It worked for me...

Projected lines for Montreal: Left Wing Centre Right Wing Defence/Goalies Cammalleri Plekanec Moen Hamrlik Subban Pouliot Gomez Gionta Gill Gorges Pyatt Moore Lapierre Bergeron O'Byrne Darche Metropolit A. Kostitsyn Halak Price Other Notes: Injuries: Mara, Markov, Spacek Scratches: S. Kostitsyn, Laraque, Maxwell Projected lines for Pittsburgh: Left Wing Centre Right Wing Defence/Goalies Kunitz Crosby Guerin* Orpik Gonchar Ponikarovsky Malkin Dupuis Eaton Letang Cooke Talbot Kennedy Leopold Goligoski Rupp Adams Fedotenko Fleury Johnson Other Notes: Injuries: Staal Scratches: Conner, Curry, Engelland, Godard, Jeffrey, Johnson, Letestu*, Lovejoy, Tangradi, Thiessen, Wagner, Wallace Game time: 7:00 PM EST TV: CBC, RDS, Versus Radio: CJAD,CKAC dlbalr's 3 Keys to Success: 1) Mr. Momentum - The Habs have it somewhat after winning Game 2, use the loud Bell Centre crowd to your advantage. 2) Proactive adjustments - It's safe to say the Pens have adjusted their PP after going 0/3 Sunday. The Habs better have made some tweaks also. 3) Pleky, where art thou? The leading scorer in the season has struggled offensively this series (pretty sure I called that a while back) despite his linemate thriving. He needs to get the offensive game going, Cammalleri can't keep up this pace forever.

Another small blurb about Boucher's potential NHL coaching future: That's the first time I've heard Atlanta's name linked to them, odd particularly since the belief was that they'd go after a "name coach." http://espn.go.com/nhl/blog/_/name/nhl_pla...latest-buzz-nhl