Opening Night Wrap Up

Philadelphia kinda ruined the celebration in Boston. Vancouver had an iffy goal waved off. Toronto shuts out the Canadiens.

I'm sitting here watching the Vancouver/Pittsburgh game and I'm reminded how awesome hockey is. One big reason is the balance of human judgement and technology that has been in place for a while. The video replay assist. Another reason is the willingness to change things during the offseason.

I've discussed the rule changes and the videos explaining the suspensions. The needed suspensions. But there are other changes I'm seeing that I haven't mentioned on this blog yet but are certainly worth noting.

First, the rounded glass around the benches. After the serious hit by Chara last year, a change was certainly needed. So now, the glass is rounded where it once was a perpendicular hard edge.

(Vancouver just tied it in the 3rd)

The safety issues addressed in rule changes and in rink design helps show the immediate evolution this sport is capable of.

Another change that I was extrodinarily worried about was the new numbers on the helmets. Skater helmets will now have to have a number on the front/top part of the helmet. Goalies will not have to have the number.

I was concerned for the aestitics aspect of the number. But watching it on television, it's not that distracting. Not even noticable really. I don't know why they thought it was necessary. You already have a nameplate on the back, the big number on the back, and now every team has numbers on both sleeves (almost all had them before, except Atlanta only had them on one sleeve since ATLANTA ran down the other).

As I'm watching NHL regular season action again, I'm reminded of some rules I don't like. Icing and the no-play trapezoid. Stupid rules. Well, the trap is in all aspects. Icing has its place, but I think the NHL should adopt the international rules of no-touch. I just don't think there have been all that many scoring chances created by the offense which is why it was created. A chance to dump the puck and catch up to it. I'd argue that more scring opportunities have been missed because the tender is stuck not being able to go and grab the puck behind his net and pass it up ice. My argument for no touch icing is essentially the same thing.

I briefly mentioned the replay system and I'll go back to that. I really like how every possible scoring play is reviewed in the booth. No need for a flag. No challenge. And, if the replay official is still not sure, he can call the War Room in Toronto for help. That's awesome.

It is different than the new NFL rules where scoring plays CAN be reviewed by the video assistant. Not will be, like the NHL, but can be. That makes no sense whatsoever. A coach could challenge a play where the player may have not put two feet in bounds a play earlier for a three yard gain but cannot ask for a second look with 6 points on the line.

That doesn't make sense to me at all.

This is a great game by the way. The Vancouver Pittsburgh game. Lots of almost scores. Trickling pucks galore this third period. Which just ended, heading to OT.

Exciting!

Speaking of replay, that was used earlier this game. A possible goal by Vancouver was not allowed because replay failed to show the puck going all the way over the line. It was in the glove of Fleury (who deserves a star for this game by the way) and the glove went over the line. If it was conclusive that the puck itself went over the line, regardless of whether or not it was in the glove, it's a goal.

Here's the replay.



Let's look at some other highlights from around the NHL this opening night while this game in Vancouver wraps up. Oh, before I move on, Vancouver is wearing stickers on their helmets for Rick Rypien this year. He played games for the Canucks and also for the Moose in Manitoba where the Jets now play. The Jets are also wearing Rypien memorial stickers.

First, the Bruins raised the banner with Lord Stanley's Cup in attendance.



Like I said, Philadelphia ruined the party with a 2-1 win over Boston. Ilya Bryzgalov stopped 22 shots. The Flyers penalty kill appeared to be the big difference maker though.

Here's the highlights.



Vancouver and Pittsburgh are going to the shootout, btw. And Malkin just held onto the puck for about 3 1/2 minutes to win in the shootout, going top shelf over Luango who was laying down on his stomach. Pittsburgh wins.

The game I was more interested in was Toronto and Montreal.



I hope the video is working better. At this moment, this isn't looking good.

Nor did the Canadiens powerplay unit. They not only allowed in a shorthanded goal, but failed to score on 5 attempts. That goal was scored by Matthew Lombardi who played in his first NHL game since last October 13 where he suffered a concussion and neck injury.

The Canadiens said they were rattled by the early score and never recovered. That could indicate they aren't clicking just yet. And going into Winnipeg on Sunday, they have quite a hill to climb if they are at all stumbling. Granted, the Jets have yet to play a game this season, so Montreal does have an advantage there.

Still, you have to give the advantage to Winnipeg. Maybe it's wishful thinking. But the Canadiens failed to score in the game with 14 shots in the first period alone and 32 total. The Leafs only had 18 shots. Total. And they scored on 2 of them. Price didn't appear to have his stuff.

That should be quite a game on Sunday. I cannot wait.

Here's a recap of the game in Vancouver.

Fluery did not get a star, but two Canucks did? Hmmmm...

Well, I didn't see the goal Fluery kicked into his own net. I guess that does kinda eliminate him from a star selection. And Vancouver did dominate much of the game. They just couldn't put the puck in the net themselves.

Here's the highlights.



Out.