After the shellacking by Tampa Bay the other night (8-5) the Panthers held a players only meeting led by Ekblad to air their grievances. Lots of talk tonight of a better effort, especially defensively (Panthers are 30th in goals against despite being 9th in goals for). The big question mark this season was supposed to be the offense, but the team has scored a lot of goals led by the Barkov line who have 42 points as a line so far (3rd best in the league). Surprisingly, the defense has been a major sore spot, with normally dependable guys like Pysyk having some really bad games here and there, but it's a team defense thing.
So far so good tonight. Panthers are up 1-0 early over Columbus (goal by Pysyk of all people) and have only allowed 1 shot on goal for the first 7 minutes. We shall see if it holds up over a full game, which has been the problem for most of the early season.
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"You know, that's kinda why I came here, to show that I don't suck that much" ~ Devin Cooley, Professional Goaltender
Welp, that went to hell pretty quick. Pretty poor second half of that period for the Panthers defensively, allowing 11 shots and 2 goals against. Looks like it's going to be a long year defensively for this team. It's the one thing I thought Boughner would coach into this team, but it looks like there are some bad habits that will take a LONG time to unlearn.
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"You know, that's kinda why I came here, to show that I don't suck that much" ~ Devin Cooley, Professional Goaltender
Dunno what kinda mesh they have behind the net in Boston but you can’t see it during the play at all.
I know that MLB has started adding netting along the baselines because too many people were getting hurt by foul balls and flying bats. The Mets were the first team this season to have the netting stretch all the way to the outfield fence. Some people were complaining that it was overkill and would obstruct too many people's view. The Mets' response was that the netting they're using has been rated as 97% invisible.
On the TSN broadcast they said when the Leafs got into LA they found out they were staying in the same hotel as the Astros. You gotta think they met up with those guys and partied.
Carey Price just doesn't have it and really doesn't have against the Wild. The Habs lose 6-3 as Price lets in 5 goals on 26 shots which similar to last January when Price played just as bad. The Habs came alive in the 3rd period outshooting the Wild 16-5 and scored twice to close the gap, but, it was too little too late.
The Coyotes continue to lose as they also put on a strong comeback that fell short. The Sabres won 5-4 in reg time with Kane scoring a SHG. The Coyotes were up 1-0 in the 1st period and the Sabres led 5-1 midway through the 3rd period.
Scheifle with a hattrick as the Jets beat the Stars 5-2. Jamie Benn and Dustin Byfuglien get into a fight, Benn hung in there. The Rangers are slowly improving as they beat the Lightning 2-1 in OT. JT Miller with the GWG and Kucherov had no points. The Lightning's lone goal was a SHG and Vasilevskiy made 33 saves and was the reason Tampa Bay gets a point.
The Capitals win 4-3 in reg time over the Isles. Lars Eller who had 3 points scored the GWG with just over 3 minutes left in the 3rd period. Anders Lee had 3 points in a losing cause. The Sens beat the Red Wings 3-1 and the Bruins hang on for the 2-1 reg win over the Knights. Lagace played well in net for the Knights. The Flyers win 2-0 over the Blues, Neuvirth with the 33 save SHUTOUT. Manning scored the GWG early in the 2nd period and Giroux with the empty net goal.
Varlamov was a stud in net, wow! That's what you call redemption after he let in 7 goals against the Knights last week. The eye of the Hurricane was in the Avs zone all game, 22 shots in the 1st, 16 in the 2nd, and 22 in the 3rd period.
On the TSN broadcast they said when the Leafs got into LA they found out they were staying in the same hotel as the Astros. You gotta think they met up with those guys and partied.
I doubt it under Lou and Babcock's watch. That is a rebuild 2.0 Oileresque red flag.
November 2 with eleven games!
at 
on 
(but not the West channel)
and 
