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Playoff GDT: Stanley Cup Final Game 3 Canes @ Vegas 6/6 8:00

The one for me that still burns in my brain from last night was that Jankowski chance in overtime one, if he even elevates that puck slightly it’s in the back of the net, he made a great play to shift around and Hart made a solid save but that was the best chance by far to complete the comeback for the ages.
 
jeffbear said:
Gotta be honest … I’ve been watching hockey since the 70s and I simply don’t have a frame of reference for what I watched last night.
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Same. I was talking this morning with a buddy who was responsible for getting me into hockey in 1973 and we both agreed we have never seen a string of Finals games like the last three.
 
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That’s because there hasn't been one. Or anything particularly close. Words and logic fail because this is fresh new territory.
 
I just can't get over Martinook being cross checked to the head when he's down, after he scores, after the whistle, somehow it isn't a penalty. WTAF? That's not remotely close to how the game is supposed to be played or officiated. I guess it's a me problem, but that nonsense cheapens the game and makes a mockery of the rules in my eyes. Think about if 1% of the kids watching tried that shit, where it would get them? It's a bad example of good sportsmanship, a textbook example of a double minor (at least), and an absolute horrible no call. But guess what?, since it wasn't called, there's a green light for it to happen again. That's not hockey. I don't watch hockey to see the refs stop the game, but I expect it to be played within the framework of the rules and for the rules to matter. If I wanted to see a cage match, I'd go to one. I went to my first professional hockey game when I was 3 (62 years ago) and that shit didn't used to go on. Turning a blind eye to blatant violations doesn't improve today's game. It's the National Hockey League, act like it.

Jim
 
I agree with you Jim 100%, but one positive about this Final is that there has been way less of that after-the-whistle crap than previous years (ahem, Florida, cough, Tampa). I guess the NHL tolerates that garbage because they think it engages and entertains the audience. But if this Final has shown us anything, it’s that the between-the-whistle stuff can be way more compelling (and hence sell way more tickets and advertising spots) than the schoolyard bully nonsense. At least that’s what I hope.
 
I keep thinking about last night’s game: 2 Canes players scoring on their net and that comeback does not happen without Bussi.

I’m hard pressed to see how Brind'Amour does not come back with Bussi. Not blaming Anderson for those two gaffs, but he did absolutely zero to cover for his team and in Game #2 he was soft again. Knowing Bussi is in net has to have a positive impact on an offense squeezing their sticks and a gaff prone defense this series.
 
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SlapShots said:
I keep thinking about last night’s game: 2 Canes players scoring on their net and that comeback does not happen without Bussi.

I’m hard pressed to see how Brind'Amour does not come back with Bussi. Not blaming Anderson for those two gaffs, but he did absolutely zero to cover for his team and in Game #2 he was soft again. Knowing Bussi is in net has to have a positive impact on an offense squeezing their sticks and a gaff prone defense this series.
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We have talked about Rod’s loyalty and at times his stubbornness to a fault, I just see that winning out and Freddy starting game four over Bussi every time. I just can’t see Rod telling Freddy to have a seat after the amount of wins he has piled up this playoff run, and that’s not to say that Bussi did not have a big hand in what this team accomplished all season long, I just think in the end Rod has final say and it will be Freddy in game four. Now if it goes sideways and it’s 3-1 Vegas heading back home then Bussi might get that start.
 
Pucking Lamplighter said:
I just can't get over Martinook being cross checked to the head when he's down, after he scores, after the whistle, somehow it isn't a penalty. WTAF? That's not remotely close to how the game is supposed to be played or officiated. I guess it's a me problem, but that nonsense cheapens the game and makes a mockery of the rules in my eyes. Think about if 1% of the kids watching tried that shit, where it would get them? It's a bad example of good sportsmanship, a textbook example of a double minor (at least), and an absolute horrible no call. But guess what?, since it wasn't called, there's a green light for it to happen again. That's not hockey. I don't watch hockey to see the refs stop the game, but I expect it to be played within the framework of the rules and for the rules to matter. If I wanted to see a cage match, I'd go to one. I went to my first professional hockey game when I was 3 (62 years ago) and that shit didn't used to go on. Turning a blind eye to blatant violations doesn't improve today's game. It's the National Hockey League, act like it.

Jim
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There were at least three post play scrums that absolutely should have resulted in penalties … all in the 3rd period. That was the first one and sent a pretty loud message. Smith decided to assault Martinook because he had the temerity to score a goal and then wildly overreacted when Marty defended himself. He 100% got away with it because the refs were too chicken shit to make a call in that situation and thus … it got worse. Go figure.

Honestly, you have to treat these guys like particularly violent Pre-K kids. They will take every inch you give them until somebody gets hurt. By instructing* their refs to swallow their whistles and just manage these games in the Finals, the NHL basically send a VERY loud message about how they feel about player safety.

*let’s not kid ourselves here. There’s a WILDLY different standard of officiating in the Final than we’ve seen in the previous three rounds. Everybody knows it, and everybody knows why it has happened … and it ain’t organic. The commissioner’s office has their grubby fingerprints all over that decision.
 
CanadaCanes said:
We have talked about Rod’s loyalty and at times his stubbornness to a fault, I just see that winning out and Freddy starting game four over Bussi every time. I just can’t see Rod telling Freddy to have a seat after the amount of wins he has piled up this playoff run, and that’s not to say that Bussi did not have a big hand in what this team accomplished all season long, I just think in the end Rod has final say and it will be Freddy in game four. Now if it goes sideways and it’s 3-1 Vegas heading back home then Bussi might get that start.
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Rod’s not the first coach that will ride a vet and extend loyalty. If he goes with Andersen, it has to be a short leash. However, I am hoping Rod has memories of Laviolette going with Cam Ward over Martin Gerber in his Cup run as Canes captain.
 
SlapShots said:
Rod’s not the first coach that will ride a vet and extend loyalty. If he goes with Andersen, it has to be a short leash. However, I am hoping Rod has memories of Laviolette going with Cam Ward over Martin Gerber in his Cup run as Canes captain.
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Actually, I hope it’s the opposite and he remembers that when Cam got pulled in the Sabres series, Lavy let Gerber start the next game and we won. And then Gerber got pulled in the game after that and Cam returned.
 
I think that the graphic needs to get back to its original form. We just want to spur the team on in a Ron Francis style even keeled emotions way. Ya know? Don't get too high and don't get too low.
 
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