TropicalFruitGirl26

And not even a minute in, the Blues took up Subban on his 'habits' advice, had floaty players in the neutral zone, and the Red Wings used the seams to drive the net and get the opening goal, 1-0 Detroit.

Hah... PK Subban showing his colors during the Blues-Red Wings pregame show. Subban: " ....no time for delay, the stretch drive, time for teams to develop their bad habits as things come to a close..." Steve Levy: " ...wait...did you say, develop BAD habits? Or good habits? Sounded like you..." Subban (cutting in annoyed): "Habits...HABITS....good ones...." Funny as hell that exchange! Subban let it slip about his bad habits during the playoff drives.... ooops....

Not sure what kind of return a 39 yr old pending UFA would command overall, BUT, the Laffs ARE hurtin for a steady goalie (they currently have Samsonov, whom they have shown they don't have the upmost confidence in, and Martin Jones, who has played well, but really, has never been viewed as the type of guy who takes a team to a Cup), so they might be willing to overpay a bit to get a goalie in Fleury who wants that one last Cup before he hangs them up. TOR doesn't have much in the way of picks to give... a first and a third (that belongs to the Islanders) this year...they likely won't want to give up their first (or maybe BG can persuade them into that)....but, I tell ya what..... Since he is further down on the depth chart on the deep Toronto forward units, I'd LOVE to get back in any sort of deal, Matthew Knies. Big bodied winger that you guys on this board may know from his one season with the U of M, that seems to have the chops to stay at the NHL level. Toronto has him playing all over the lineup (including sometimes as a winger for Auston Matthews), and he would instantly be a regular top six guy on the Wild, and should provide the nice combination of strength and scoring that Wild fans were expecting, but disappointed with, from a guy like Jordan Greenway. Under normal circumstances, I'd say Toronto wouldn't be too keen on trading a 21 yr old with lots of potential still, like Knies, but if they want that Cup, I don't think they can seriously rely on Samsonov or Jones to get that done, and they might need to give up a very good young player to get a goalie that can push them to a SC Finals. I can dream anyways. Knies would look very nice in MN green, gold, n red.

@Jimtown guy That Van-Min game was just nuts! I didn't get a chance to watch it, but I did follow some on my phone via box scores. Saw the 'Nucks were up 4-2 at one point, and I was thinking, "Meh, Wild gonna lose this one, but VAN is one of the better teams in the league this year". Check in on the game later (I didn't even know about the hat tricks yet!), only to see an NFL defensive struggle type score of 10-7! Not sure who should be more embarrassed...the Wild, because they pride themselves on defense, fundamentals and goaltending...yet gave up 7... Or the Canucks, having the kind of season they are having, being UP a few times during the game....then give up a 10-spot to a team that is not known for prolific goal scoring. Ok, ok...I think I answered my own question: Shame on you Vancouver! I wonder what kind of mentality the Canucks are gonna have going into their game against the Avlanche tonight. If the 'lowly scoring' Wild put up 10...what the HELL are the more dangerous offensive minded Avs gonna put up!?? Rick Tocchet has GOT to be hot under the collar over this loss....

Yes, I do like those new thirds, even with the rounded logo. The color scheme is just fantastic. I've never been a fan of the Maple Leaf inspired blue n white they switched to years ago as their main colors. Honestly, nothing wrong with the blue n white...but is just isn't "Tampa Bay"....it is Toronto. Always has been. Lots of teams have, over the years, adopted a black scheme as their third sweaters, but the Lightning, from their very beginning back in 1992-93 had black as their main color in their unis. Black, blue n silver (or white). Lots of amateur designers have come up with a color scheme for the Lightning, and some are pretty damned good....much better (for them) then the blue n white....so just glad to see these!

All day slate of games for Saturday, Feb 17th. I'll run'em down in order of when they take place and a few lines about each because I feel like it. Late Morning/Early Afternoon: LOS ANGELES at BOSTON Man, the Kings have gone from a 'lock' to be in the post season, to a point where there is a possibility they miss the playoffs altogether! Lots of their guys played well early on, but many of those same guys are now hitting some rough patches and NOT helped at all by some of the 'passengers' (cough, PL DUBOIS...COUGH..) or injury cases (Arvidsson) they've had! Of course, I don't know how much can really be expected from the Kings when their goalie tandem is Cam Talbot and David Rittich.... And things do not get easier going to Boston, facing a p$$$ed off Bruins team who WILL be going to the playoffs, but just happen to be a bit off their game lately. OTTAWA at CHICAGO Two teams with bright futures, but for now, are near the bottom of the standing. Of course, some thought the Sens would make huge strides THIS season and even, gasp, compete for a playoff spot. Maybe that draft is looking better than the playoffs for Ottawa? One thing is for sure... The Hawks are NOT liking all these slumping teams horning in on their tank-not tanking thing they got going on for the next season or two EDMONTON at DALLAS A possible Western Conference Finals preview. Stars have been pretty consistent at the top of their division all year, while the Oilers had to come back from the dead with an incredible run to where they should have been all along: a serious contender. Of course, I am PRETTTTY sure it won't be Calvin Pickard in net for the Oilers should they face Dallas in any WCF series.... For those that like fast action, contrasting styles, and star power throughout the lineups, this would be a great early schedule matchup to tune into! DETROIT at CALGARY Red Wings doing their part to stay relevant and continue the 'Yzerman Plan' to compete, and perhaps make the post season. They go up against a Calgary team that epitomizes "being on the fence" with the upcoming trade deadline. Flames have made a run or two recently, have some good players and a good goalie, but it might still not be enough to make the playoffs, so decisions need to be made there. They don't appear to me to be a team that wants to play the draft game, and coupled with the fact that Detroit wants standings points, and this game should be played very hard by both sides. Early afternoon/Mid Afternoon Tier NASHVILLE at ST. LOUIS Preds weren't supposed to be a contender this season...but then they were...but now, they don't look the part anymore....and rumors are swirling about which players of theirs may get traded. The Blues are in a similar position, but, as I mentioned before, it seems they have decided to do their annual come-from-behind schtick to make the playoffs after everyone left them for dead. Not really sure what to expect from this game. Fans of either team should enjoy it, but anyone else likely won't be too intrigued by what is going on here. BUFFALO at MINNESOTA Man....the very disappointing Sabres against a mildly disappointing Wild team. Let me explain: Buffalo was SUPPOSED to be doing what Detroit is doing......playing well, continuing to develop young players, sorting through their vets for long or short term worthiness, and competing for a playoff spot. They are not doing that. Not even a little bit. They look like the same ol freakin out of contention group they've been for the last decade.....but this time, with actual talent on the team. Yes, I know, injuries haven't helped them, and goaltending is still a bit of an issue, but there IS a thing called team depth that apparently the Sabres didn't look into, or simply don't have. The Wild weren't supposed to do much (and they aren't really), but then they go on these runs that give fans hope....until the fans realize it will only end in just missing the playoffs or just getting in, and bounced in the first round....again... So yea...like to see them win, but at the same time, I think anyone with eyeballs and who is paying attention knows, that despite their heart n soul, they simply are not constructed as a very competitive team as it relates to the league. Another game that is best for fans of either team only.... FLORIDA at TAMPA BAY Possible Eastern Conference Finals matchup. Florida continues their steady climb to what they hope is Stanley Cup glory.....while the Lightning are still pushing (and still dangerous) as a club looking to try and squeeze at least one more Cup, maybe two, out of it's current core. The homestanding Bolts should be underdogs believe it or not because I really think the Panthers have put things together nicely this year. That said, the two teams have developed a genuine, non media made up, rivalry....and the games between them are usually nasty. I don't think it matters where in the standings they are right now, each team just wants to beat the other and possibly show them up while doing it..... If you like your games filthy, grimy, yet injected with lots of skill and speed, this might be the one... Late Afternoon and into the Evening Slate of games... ANAHEIM at TORONTO Bottom feeder vs playoff contender here. Of course, any team that goes in and takes any other team lightly is just asking for trouble. And while the Ducks will likely be a bottom five team, they certainly have players with lots of pride who would love nothing more than to go into Toronto and knock off the Rielly-less Maple Leafs....and MAYBE even score a triple wind up EN slap shot from the red line if they get the chance.... WASHINGTON at MONTREAL Talk about old lion vs young lion here. I believe the Caps are one of the oldest teams in the league with the Habs being one of the youngest. So...who wants it more? I will say this for Montreal: they aren't a gimme win for anyone. Marty St. Louis simply will not have it! And they see Ovechkin and the Caps on the other side, and that is just another reason for them to put on their game faces. As for Washington, not sure if actually making the playoffs is something they think about these days....or who won't be on the team come trade deadline. Their gimmick though, is course, Alex's chase of Wayne. PHILADELPHIA at NEW JERSEY Two teams that traditionally don't like each other, and, two teams that are in bit of a role reversal. It was SUPPOSED to be the Devils in a playoff spot with the Flyers scratching and clawing to get in, but instead, the Fly Boys have played well all season, are playing John Tortorella hockey, and just may be a playoff team....while the seemingly regressed Devils miss out entirely! How bout dem apples, eh? EH?? Another game that could turn out nasty during the proceedings.... WINNIPEG at VANCOUVER I would have said this could also be a West Finals preview, but while the Canucks have continued to play well despite a recent rough patch, the Jets have fallen back a bit. WPG still plays a tough, physical, defensive game, and Connor Hellebuyck can lock down a game at any given time, but the Jets' lack of consistent scoring, I think, will really hinder them. They definitely are a team that could use a scoring winger or two at the trade deadline. And they do not want to fall too far behind Vancouver in the game either as Thatcher Demko can be every bit as 'lock down' as Hell Boy. Another game of contrasting styles that should be interesting to not only fans of both teams, but for fans of hockey in general! CAROLINA at LAS VEGAS Stanley Cup Finals preview? Hmmmm.....couuuuuld beeeeeeee..... Hurricanes, like the Panthers, have been steadily building towards a Cup championship the last few years and some think this year could be their year. Of course, the defending SC champion Knights would love nothing more than to do what the Bolts did recently, and that is win back to back Cups and continue to be the team to beat in the entire NHL. These days the Knights are looking a bit ordinary, but still, they should get into the post season to defend their title, and once there, they do have the personnel to keep the Cup in Sin City. Can the Knight stand up to the storm? Or a bunch of whalers?? We will see.... COLUMBUS at SAN JOSE Sigh...only if MUST watch this. Will they play nasty enough, rack up enough PIMs to forfeit the game, thereby helping their lottery cause, and keep things entertaining despite their non status as contenders? Meh...I wouldn't count on it.....not the nasty and exciting parts anyways... If you like the Jackets or the Sharks, well, here they are. For everyone else, there should be some cool episodes of The Wall or Weakest Link being re-run worth watching

I would agree, yes, McDavid makes the skating look VERY easy....he does lots of things on the ice that look easy when he does'm in fact!

Well, yea, at this point in his career, he is a complete 'hanger-on', trying to get his championship, even if he is an unnecessary player on a given team. He was done when the Wild bought him out, as I don't recall anything of note he did with the Islanders. A far cry from when he was healthy and at his best with the Devils and Wild, that's for sure.

Anthony Cirelli ices the game for the Bolts with the EN goal to make it 5-3 Tampa Bay. VERY entertaining game this was! Lead kept going back n forth and really, there WAS defense and goaltending in this game, despite the score. Without the goalies playing as well as they did, and without great defensive plays, the score would likely be much higher. Another EN goal by the Bolts as the Avs pulled the goalie one last time... 6-3 Bolts. Anyone looking at a stat sheet will think TB dominated, but that was NOT the case. Evenly played game and Colorado could have just as easily have won it....score is just ballooned by the pair of EN goals. TB doing well in this "test stretch". They played awful against the Rangers and Islanders in New York, but since those games, have won at Columbus (expected), at Boston (huge win!), and now at home against Colorado (nicely done!)....and now await the Florida Panthers who are currently tied with Boston for top spot overall in the East. Ohhh, yea...and some guy named Zach Parise was seen skating around in an Avalanche sweater tonight..

Nathan MacKinnon. Not sure there is anyone in the league who can go from a complete standstill to full speed, with the puck, and maneuver around traffic like he can. MAYBE Connor McDavid....but for some reason, MacK seems a bit more explosive, and he's pretty good at stiff-arming defenders as he protects the puck, not missing a beat as he sets up a play or shoots the puck himself. And he is tough too. He took a puck square on the nose....bled like a stuck pig, went back for 'repairs', and was back out there doing what he was doing before he got smacked...torturing TB defenders...

Ya want goals? The Avs and Lightning will provide goals! 7 so far between them! And it's not like no defense is being played, or that the goalies are not on.....it's just both teams have deadly attacks. Defensemen on both sides are gonna need a chiropractor to work on their spines near their necks. "Heads on a swivel" doesn't begin to describe what the d-men are going through here..

VERY fast and skilled game going on between the Colorado Avalanche in town in Tampa against the Lightning. Avs took the early 1-0, but since, the Bolts have added two to take the lead themselves. Both teams looking real hot on offense that it wouldn't surprise me if this ended up being somewhat high scoring.

Hmmm, I see.....oh, and ... ---Temporary insanity ---Greig told me, as he hit the ice, he thinks Bettman sucks! ---I thought I was hitting Sean Avery ---Dog ate my homework!

Appeals?? LOL....you kidding me? "Umm, well, Mr. DPS person.... you see, it really WASN'T me using a graphite weapon cranked across the cranium of my fellow player. No. Not my game at all. That was someone else. I suspect I was superimposed onto that footage....and please consider that I play for YOUR Toronto Maple Leafs" --- Morgan "Oh Reeeally" Rielly

I'm completely onboard with people saying Greig was out of line, he should've known better, etc.....I won't defend him doing what he did anymore than I would defend Artem Anisimov when he scored on the Lightning years ago, then celebrated by pretending his stick was a rifle and he knelt and aimed as if "killing" the goalie.... The Bolts went after him for that BUT, no one tried to take his head off with a weapon. And that there is the crux of the Rielly-Greig situation. Nevermind "codes" or what you do, don't do...... Greig did something wrong, and Rielly escalated it to a dangerous level by taking a stick to the guy's head. And I am glad, for once, that the league looked at this, and got it completely right with the decision. If Rielly had gone after Greig, mauled him without using a weapon, then the entire storyline could go something like, "Rielly showed that showboat youngster you just don't do that in the NHL and disrespect an organization like that". And honestly, from that point, Greig likely is the villain, while Rielly comes off as a hero to even NON Leaf fans. Like @Tomdog had said in an earlier post on here: "I don't see how anyone could see what Rielly did as 'ok'".... despite Greig being bush league. And I agree with that. Cro-Magnons like Reaves and some other pro-Maple Leaf people would be singing an entirely different tune if it had been the other way around, no?

Well deserved. And NOT just because he plays for the Leafs. But because he took a stick to another player's head. Talking heads today were all about, "Well, Rielly showed leadership by taking one for the team...showing others they are not to be messed with or disrespected" That's a load of crap because Rielly could have done that by throwing his stick down and going after Grieg with his hands. But, then again, that isn't Rielly's game, is it? Neither is crosschecking a guy with graphite to the noggin. But he took the easier, emotional way out. Yea, great leadership. Guarantee you if Rielly goes after Grieg mano a mano: A) There is no suspension B) His point of not disrespecting the Leafs is made C) People OTHER than Leafs fans could actually get behind his actions. But bottom line was, and putting aside Grieg's shenanigans is, the took a stick to a fellow player's head. And the league gave him what he deserved for that. Period.

Brilliant! And not only all this you said, but he actually DEKED the defenders a bit to get to the open net! Surprised Jack Eichel didn't come down from the pressbox and let EEK have a piece of his curly headed mind on his way back to the locker room!

Oh I am sure Antoine was all in on Morgan's side here. I mean, he was the type of player that I used to keep on my fantasy team (mostly when he was with your Dallas Stars), simply because I knew at some point in the week, he was gonna lose his $#!& on the ice and give me the PIMs category for the week!

Found this...thought it was pretty funny

I see what you are doing there. You are trying to get Grieg killed, aren't you? Is that some sort of French-Canadian thrill I don't know about?

Apparently, Sheldon Keefe, John Tavares, and, shocker....Ryan Reaves and Don Cherry are all ok with Morgan Rielly doing what he did. FFS. So...the Toronto head coach, the Toronto captain, the guy trying to stay relevant, and Mr. Loud Suits all agree with what Morgan did. Safe to say that same group of people would be screaming bloody murder if it were someone on the Senators who did that to say, oh, I dunno, Mitch Marner, Willie Nylander or some such. They'd be screaming about how the Senators should have taken it hand to hand instead of taking a stick to a guy's face. But because it was Rielly doing it, THEIR guy, it's ok. Yeah. Again...I don't need much reason to clown on the Laffs, but not only do I hope Toronto goes into a tailspin missing what is probably their best overall defenseman, but that somehow, two teams in the East play well enough to nudge the Loafs out of the wildcard playoff picture. THEN we will see how ok all these pro-Toronto figures feel about what Rielly did and what he cost them. Oh right...they will just blame the league....

Well, ok... I was thinking more along the lines of Chicago (Cell Block Tango), but this will work too

Well, apparently Morgan remembers that. Problem is, he is NO Dale....

I agree the showboating thing by Greig was highly unnecessary, but then, Reilly didn't need the overkill. Had Rielly gone towards Greig, shouldered him, maybe even shoved him a bit with a few words, it STILL is a bad look on him, but certainly more acceptable and understandable than taking lumber to the other guy's head! Picture this: Woman finds evidence that her husband is sleeping around with the neighbor from Grant Street. The husband then goes on social media bragging (in code) about what he is doing, not aware his wife knows. What an awful, heinous thing he did! Wife then goes and gets the family rifle, shoots him dead as he takes a shower ( He had it comin....He had it comin.....he took a flower in her prime...and then used her, and he abused her....it was a murderrrrrr but not a crime! )..... ahem...sorry bout that...if you know, you know. So there you go. Morgan Rielly should NOT have shot Ridly Greig because he cheated on him! Moral of the story.

As if I need MORE reasons to make fun of the Laffs....Morgan Rielly....Morgan Freakin Rielly of all people...does this. This is the sort of thing I expect from someone like Max Domi or Ryan Reaves, but Reilly...cmon now. Not only do I believe he deserves a suspension, but in the grand scheme of things, this has to be one of the most waaa-waaa baby, insecure moves I have ever seen by a player on the ice. People....if you think guys having to fight after making a big clean hit is stupid, this is worse. Who CARES how the guy scores his empty netter?? I always hear how hockey is an "emotional game"....well, Greig was highly fired up beating what is perceived a Stanley Cup contender, as he put the finisher on the game. Just like baseball pitchers who get mad because some batter 'admires' his HR shot, then wants to hit the next guy with a pitch, big baby Reilly decides he is going to go out of character, be some pseudo etiquette police, and hit the Ottawa player for showboating?? Like the pitcher who threw the meatball pitch, the Laffs should play better defense if they don't want to see the other team capitalize. Grow the ^%$# up. Oh right...Rielly was playing the 'emotional' game too. Hope he thinks that suspension is worth it.