Comments on: A Night for Newcomers http://www.onfrozenblog.com/2010/03/05/a-night-for-newcomers.html A Haven for the Hockey Malnourished Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:47:46 +0000 hourly 1 By: mostholy2 http://www.onfrozenblog.com/2010/03/05/a-night-for-newcomers.html/comment-page-1#comment-17851 mostholy2 Sat, 06 Mar 2010 17:51:31 +0000 http://www.onfrozenblog.com/?p=8959#comment-17851 Well, the difference between "not skating players in case they might get hurt", vs. unnecessarily putting a star player on a 3-on-5 PK when you have others on your roster and in your system to fill that role perfectly is quite a large difference. I'm not saying keep Nick from skating at all in case he might get hurt, but rather don't put him in those situations unnecessarily. Given the huge advantage that the PP has on a 5-on-3, pretty much the main focus of the players is getting in the way of shots or passes. Nick was great in his efforts and "answering duty's call" and it speaks volumes about the loyalty and devotion of the all the players to sacrifice without question. I am just questioning Bruce's decision-making when he is (IMO) unnecessarily putting Nick in harm's way to win an uncritical regular season game. We should be focused on the playoffs and success in the playoffs, and not the result of a single regular season game which most likely doesn't have any affect on our post-season positioning. Well, the difference between “not skating players in case they might get hurt”, vs. unnecessarily putting a star player on a 3-on-5 PK when you have others on your roster and in your system to fill that role perfectly is quite a large difference.

I’m not saying keep Nick from skating at all in case he might get hurt, but rather don’t put him in those situations unnecessarily. Given the huge advantage that the PP has on a 5-on-3, pretty much the main focus of the players is getting in the way of shots or passes.

Nick was great in his efforts and “answering duty’s call” and it speaks volumes about the loyalty and devotion of the all the players to sacrifice without question.

I am just questioning Bruce’s decision-making when he is (IMO) unnecessarily putting Nick in harm’s way to win an uncritical regular season game. We should be focused on the playoffs and success in the playoffs, and not the result of a single regular season game which most likely doesn’t have any affect on our post-season positioning.

]]> By: Bill http://www.onfrozenblog.com/2010/03/05/a-night-for-newcomers.html/comment-page-1#comment-17846 Bill Sat, 06 Mar 2010 02:39:24 +0000 http://www.onfrozenblog.com/?p=8959#comment-17846 When it comes to cheers for players who hadn't scored a goal, don't forget Mike Knuble's single-handed penalty kill several months ago. When it comes to cheers for players who hadn’t scored a goal, don’t forget Mike Knuble’s single-handed penalty kill several months ago.

]]> By: pucksandbooks http://www.onfrozenblog.com/2010/03/05/a-night-for-newcomers.html/comment-page-1#comment-17829 pucksandbooks Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:08:06 +0000 http://www.onfrozenblog.com/?p=8959#comment-17829 Eric's right. Concern about a star player getting hurt is understandable, but answering duty's call is a must -- for everyone. Nick sure answered last night. Eric’s right. Concern about a star player getting hurt is understandable, but answering duty’s call is a must — for everyone. Nick sure answered last night.

]]> By: Eric http://www.onfrozenblog.com/2010/03/05/a-night-for-newcomers.html/comment-page-1#comment-17828 Eric Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:00:58 +0000 http://www.onfrozenblog.com/?p=8959#comment-17828 If you're not going to skate players because they might get hurt, you might as well not be involved in hockey. If you’re not going to skate players because they might get hurt, you might as well not be involved in hockey.

]]> By: mostholy2 http://www.onfrozenblog.com/2010/03/05/a-night-for-newcomers.html/comment-page-1#comment-17821 mostholy2 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:52:06 +0000 http://www.onfrozenblog.com/?p=8959#comment-17821 As much as I appreciate Nick laying down and making the sacrifice with his body to kill a 5-on-3 PP. I absolutely HATE that Bruce put him out there on the 5-on-3 no matter how well he killed the penalty. The last thing I want to see is Backstrom putting his body in front of a potential 100+ mph puck and risking serious injury. He is one of the key pieces of the Caps post-season success. Last thing we need is someone like him going down to win one of these regular season games, particularly with the Caps sizeable lead in the Eastern Conference. We got Walker and Belanger on the team to help improve the PK and provide us with PK depth. Why risk Nick when you have these guys available. A single regular season loss is not worth risking your top line player for. As much as I appreciate Nick laying down and making the sacrifice with his body to kill a 5-on-3 PP. I absolutely HATE that Bruce put him out there on the 5-on-3 no matter how well he killed the penalty. The last thing I want to see is Backstrom putting his body in front of a potential 100+ mph puck and risking serious injury.

He is one of the key pieces of the Caps post-season success. Last thing we need is someone like him going down to win one of these regular season games, particularly with the Caps sizeable lead in the Eastern Conference. We got Walker and Belanger on the team to help improve the PK and provide us with PK depth. Why risk Nick when you have these guys available. A single regular season loss is not worth risking your top line player for.

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