Ducks Booed Off Home Ice Following 5-2 Loss to Leafs
by Daniel AC on Nov 27, 2011 10:51 PM PST
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Well...so much for positivity. I won't bore you with long analysis, that's what good/bad/ugly is for. I will say I think this is the best game the Ducks have played in a long time. I was very pleased that they didn't role over and die when things got tough. They kept coming; the top line kept hitting. The third and fourth line both got shifts in the final 5 minutes of the game.
Maybe it was just me, but I think the only thing I didn't like about the way we played tonight was that we lost. I suppose when you're losing every mistake ends up in the back of the net, and that's exactly what happened tonight. The Ducks didn't play a perfect game, but they played a good one. Unfortunately, it wasn't good enough to win. Alright, lets try this good/bad/ugly thing, please forgive my unconventional observations.
The Good
Ok...let's get back to this one.
The Bad
Deflections: When things are going bad, the bounces are against you, and the Ducks seem to be victims. Luca Sbisa deflects a puck passed Jonas HIller for the second goal; Cam Fowler doesn't tie up Joey Crabb's stick for the third goal - a deflection. The empty net goal at the end deflected off of Ryan Getzlaf. I saw countless tips go just wide in the offensive zone. The past few games the Ducks haven't been able to get too many lucky bounces, remember Devante Smith-Pelly putting the puck off the shift of Jimmy Howard's goal stick? The Ducks have been the victims of these types of plays for the entirety of this streak. Tonight it just seemed to stand out to me.
Brian Hayward: I swear by the great feats of Paul Kariya if I have to listen to this man say "Gee, the Ducks just can't buy one", one more time, I channel my inner Barstool Bob and throw a chair at the man. I love Hayzie, but the man just isn't helping. I imagine it's difficult to say something different when you keep seeing the same things happen over and over again, but, as a fan, I need a little variety to keep me interested.
Hiller's stats: Robby mentioned this in the thread, and I have to agree. Poor Hiller has been left abandoned on so many goals this season. You have to wonder if eventually he's going to be like Token in that "Lord of the Rings" episode in South Park, walk into the locker room and say "I'm out".
The Ugly
The Movemeber Mustaches: I can't be the only person who thinks those mustaches are the source of all our bad magumbo, right? Ever since these guys started growing the facial hair the losses have piled up. Maybe it's just me being paranoid, but I'm starting to believe that when the 'staches go, so do our losing ways.
The losses: I don't know who or what to blame. I could blame Murray for over estimating the talent on this team. I could blame Carlyle for not squeezing more out of the roster. I could blame Getzlaf for not playing desperate until the last two games, or the entire roster minus Teemu for simply not meeting expectations. At this point, I don't care. I just want the losses to cease. Everything is going against the Ducks at this point, and it just needs to stop.
The Good...For Reals:
Devo's game keeps improving: Once he finally starts cracking the score sheet, I think he'll get his crack at the top line. I would have rather seen him there than Matt Beleskey late in this game. The kid always goes to the front of the net and isn't afraid to take a shot. He's been the best thing about this season, in my opinion. He'll be a good player in this league, and that makes me nervous, because the second good thing is...
Someone is getting traded: The season is still salvageable, but only if Murray acts now, and I imagine he will. Personally, I don't think the Ducks need to make a major deal. However, they'll have to move a prospect because they don't have any picks. The Ducks still need that good defensive center that can be counted on to shutdown the other team's top line. They need someone Carlyle can roll over the boards to preserve leads. Either that, or they need to package Bobby Ryan for an elite defenseaman. If Toronto doesn't offer Dion Phaneuf or Luke Schenn, they don't get Bobby. Boston doesn't want to part with Zdeno Chara or Dennis Seidenberg, so they can't have him either. In a trade, it's important to get the best player. Murray has to make sure he does that. No matter who gets moved. A change will come and hopefully it's enough to get the Ducks out of this funk.
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McMillan likely has some trade value. I was thinking maybe a trade with Calgary for Bouwmeester. He is probably one of the only High end defensmen that might be available. Schenn may also be available but he just signed a new contract so he is also unlikely. Ballard could also be moved but he has been playing like crap so we shouldn’t look at him. Foster should be included in any move we make. Washington may be a possible trade partner as well, with their struggles. NJ is also having trouble. The other thing that we may want to consider, is just stand pat. I know this idea sucks but it may be the best move. We don’t sell low on any of our real talented players, get a decent pick in the draft and have about a 3rd of the team coming off the books this summer to rebuild with.
My dream trade would be Getzlaf + Visnovsky for Backstrom+Green, though obviously that will never happen.
A prospect for a veteran? Sorry Jen, I couldn’t disagree more with this. This season is gone. I don’t think a third line center is the only thing that is stopping us from playing .700 hockey the rest of the way and sneaking into the playoffs somehow.
Unless you are talking about getting a real impact player, I don’t want to see any of our promising young guys on the way out. That’s how Murray ends up giving up Tangradi for Whitney or tossing in Gardiner in a deal to bring back Beauchemin. Almost every trade Murray has made has weakened the organization and brought back a player that he has greatly overvalued. Once we get a real GM, then let’s talk about trading prospects or one of our big stars.
Actually, I’m tyne one who wrote this post, not Jen. I think it’s an easy mix up since this is my first recap of the season.
As for the prospects, I wonder if a trade like Beleskey for Pablason would work. We take on a ton more salary, but it’s the type of move that could really impact the team.
As for the season being gone, I think looking at it in baseball terms really helps. The Fucks are only 5-6 games back, I haven’t checked the new standings, with about 3/4 of the season to play. Now, it not as simple as all that, but it’s certainly not an insurmountable gap.
Finally, I do agree that Murray might make a bad trade, but he’s the GM we’ve got, which means he has to make the move. I wish I had a better explanation than that, but I just can’t being myself to give up on Teemu’s last season.
by Daniel AC on Nov 27, 2011 11:54 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
I just don’t see a minor move making a difference for this team. For a trade to work we really need to shake up that locker room, which means one of the big 3 or multi-player deals with maybe multiple teams.
I honestly don’t know. I think the right player with the eight attitude can make a big difference. Just some smaller role player who can be a steadying force might just cleanse the room. I’d love to have Pahlason back. I think he could have the positive influence we really need.
by Daniel AC on Nov 28, 2011 7:30 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
I would be very happy with Pahlsson for Beleskey, but I don’t really consider Beleskey a prospect at this point I guess. I think his ceiling is pretty much established.
We should lock Murray away from our top five at the very least. I could see him trying to deal Etem for Pahlsson or something equally as short sighted
by bhlloy on Nov 28, 2011 7:59 AM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
I dont think they will trade Etem. He can be marketing gold for the Ducks when he peaks.
by Newport Rebel on Nov 28, 2011 9:41 AM PST up reply actions
Indeed
When Teemu does retire, Etem will hopefully have established himself and will slip in nicely on the wing…just saying. Not to mention, Smith-Pelly is honing in on his skilll and the net. All he has to do is stop hitting goal sticks and goal posts. I already have a doorbell.
Daniel you are so right
I haven’t agree with you a lot recently Daniel, but this is the best way to approach the Duck’s situation. I think the right player in the right situation can turn this team around. If the Duck’s acquire someone like Pahlason think about this: it gives the 3rd line a clear role (to shutdown opponents and forecheck), which in turn gives the 3rd a steady amount of minutes, which in turn gives the 1st and 2nd lines more rest, which should translate into better play. A lot of people are starting to point out that the losing started when Blake went down. Thats because Blake played well and worked on the second line, giving Cogliano third line minutes, and Carlyle was able to “sort of” run 3 lines. Carlyle loves veterans, and without Blake on the Second and Cogs on the third it limits who he feels comfortable putting on the ice.
by Kevin Riach on Nov 28, 2011 10:55 AM PST up reply actions
A line of Pahlsson, Hagman and Devo would be devastating!
I just think something else is wrong. The fact that the Blackhawks could thoroughly man handle RPG for 3 goals so fast is outrageous. I just don’t think the problem is with any of the other lines…Koivu, Cogs, Selanne line is probably our top line right now. The 3rd/4th line (whoever is on it these days) doesn’t seem to make the headlines and in fact out PK is great consisting of mostly those guys.
I don’t really think it’s the D or necessarily Hiller being as bad as he is. I mean the team did great with a cripple and an overpaid backup last year! Something is up with RPG…
This appeared in the Register last night. Maybe Getzlaf does need to be stripped of the C, so he can get back to playing.
Interesting quotes in there for sure. Maybe RC and the coaching staff should just remove the captaincy from Getzlaf, and then go with rotating A’s between Selanne, Koivu, Beauchemin and Perry (who, if I remember correctly, played better with an A on his sweater).
"That might've been a little push, but that was a major flop. That would make Vlade Divac very proud." - Jerry Reynolds
Very good article, I agree with most of what he says. Definitely would like to see Palmieri and Holland get a real shot on the top two lines, maybe after DSP. Let’s shake things up within the lineup before we consider more drastic permanent measures. Give the kids a shot, it’s not like we could do much worse
by bhlloy on Nov 28, 2011 12:42 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
I think Arthur once thought Boudreau would be a good fit here. I think he’s more appropriate for the team Murray has built. I guess there is always hope.
by Daniel AC on Nov 28, 2011 7:23 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
Agreed
I think Boudreau would be a great fit here, but I also think its not likely to happen. Carlyle is here to stay as much as I wish he wasn’t. Still, I think someone will pick him up. He’s a great coach who just couldn’t meet the sometime’s ridiculous expectations put upon him.
by Kevin Riach on Nov 28, 2011 10:41 AM PST up reply actions
Boudreau + Perry + Getzlaf + Ryan + Selanne = Offensive explosion of serious proportions. Hire Boudreau, then bring up Holland, Palmieri and the rest of our offensive prospects. It’ll be crazy scoring pandemonium.
"That might've been a little push, but that was a major flop. That would make Vlade Divac very proud." - Jerry Reynolds
That would be a dream come true
I would love to see someone unleash all of these offensive weapons Murray has gathered. Carlyle is not that guy sadly, I just wish Murray had realized that before last year.
Boudreau had some extremely good teams with high end talent in Washington and couldn’t get it done, what makes you think things will be different in Anaheim? Truth is he’s been out coached in each of the last 3 playoff series that the Caps have lost. I don’t think he’s the answer we’re looking for.
Maybe because in Anaheim he wouldn’t get Russian primadonna’s who challenge his coaching philosophy game in and game out, while those same players are the ones who are running the entire locker room. Reports say Boudreau never had a grip on that locker room, and that’s not a slight on him; it’s just Ovechkin, Backstrom, Semin and other who ran that locker room’s credibility to work hard and do the little things into the ground. Even the most well balanced and coachable guys (Laich, Knuble, Chimera) couldn’t change the atmosphere there. I doubt Gabby would have a similar situation in Anaheim, because there aren’t guys like that here.
"That might've been a little push, but that was a major flop. That would make Vlade Divac very proud." - Jerry Reynolds
I think there’s an argument to be made that if we don’t spend, we aren’t a Cup contender anyway. At that point, are the regular season wins and occasional playoff series win worth the exciting hockey we’d be playing?
by Daniel AC on Nov 28, 2011 4:36 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
well one of my arguments has been there wasnt a ready coach available to take over from RC…maybe now there is. And if Murray is doing his job, he’ll approach him for an assistant job also…can never have too much talent on the coaching front
by BennyLightning on Nov 28, 2011 4:41 PM PST up reply actions
I think this ugly streak started a couple of games after Blake went down. I know most people here hate him, well at least his salary for sure.. but I guess we all can agree that he gives all 100% every game and together with Teemu are great role models for the rest of the team. In addition to some hockey luck this team also lacks selfless fighters.
Well at least our farm team in Syracuse is finally starting to play well, they just beat two of the best teams in the league with wins over Wilkes Barre and Binghamton.
Desperate skating
Every member of the Ducks roster glides in on the ice, glides around the rink in every period and only until they realize time is running out do they start to skate! Skating hard from beginning to end and shooting the puck at every chance and angle will make good things happen. But you must SKATE! SKATE HARD! Like it’s a game 7! SKATE!
Could not agree more. This is not open skate night at the local rink, Wake up boys. Time is running out!
by BlondeBettie on Nov 28, 2011 12:20 PM PST up reply actions
Carlyle
I do like Carlyle and think he is a heck of a coach, but something has got to give here. This funky funk we are in has to be shaken out. Unfortunately, coaching is a key element that may have a ton to do with the funk. Much like Boudreau being tuned out by the Caps, so may the Ducks be tuning out Carlyle. We need an offensive minded coach, not a defensive one. And even with that we are struggling defensively by not being able to hold the lead. So, something must give here. We need to turn the corner soon or this season is over.
Yeah, which may actually be a better indication of our situation. Apparently Rutherford and Maurice were “very good” friends, and it almost seemed unlikely Maurice would get canned. But he did.
"That might've been a little push, but that was a major flop. That would make Vlade Divac very proud." - Jerry Reynolds
They won the Cup with Lavvy, and then completely tuned him out. They hired Maurice and he brought them all the way to the ECF the first year he was back if I remember correctly.
Sad that it seems like that team, along with the Blues, always end up tuning out great coaches who go onto having success elsewhere.
"That might've been a little push, but that was a major flop. That would make Vlade Divac very proud." - Jerry Reynolds
Murray
His decision is to part ways with players or the coach.. If the season is salvageable lose the coach if it’s not save the players for bait in the offseason for possible trades with NJD, NAS, CAG. And not TOR or EDM look what its doing for us now.
Etem and Schultz should be put into categories of unmoveable. The only other decent D prospect is in his sophomore year at ND so unless our D really performing now which they aren’t should stay. Where’s the second line next year? That’s why ETEM needs to stay.. Plus Cali boy drafted and plays at home marketing and PR has wet dreams about that..
My opinion let Carlyle go and see where our draft position is and let Getz go.. He’s the one that everyone looks up too wearing the C but cannot motivate/will his team to turn it around. I agree you only give up Getz or Ryan for top 10 players in there respective positions
by ShamuSalami on Nov 28, 2011 11:44 AM PST via iPhone app reply actions
Hockeybuzz
According to Ekland from hockey buzz Getzlaf wont be moved, but there are several teams inquirering about Ryan. He listed them as: Carolina, Ottowa, NYI, Montreal, St. Louis and Columbus. Columbus had rumblings of Carter+prospect for Ryan. Ekland goes on to say the Ducks aren’t actually shopping Ryan but may start to listen.
by DavidBL on Nov 28, 2011 11:56 AM PST via mobile reply actions
Underwhelming teams for sure. No to Ottawa, Columbus, Carolina and New York. Something with St.Louis or Montreal could work, as well as Buffalo, Toronto or Boston (which I heard from another source).
Who would be your ideal return for Bobby, DavidBL?
"That might've been a little push, but that was a major flop. That would make Vlade Divac very proud." - Jerry Reynolds
Actually, now that I think about it, a deal centered around Carter/Pahlsson/Pick would actually work. And I sure love me some Pahlsson.
"That might've been a little push, but that was a major flop. That would make Vlade Divac very proud." - Jerry Reynolds
That would depend on the trade partner. I don’t see what Boston has to gain. They won 10 of the past 11. Ideally I would want a top 2 defensmen, but they just aren’t available. I will have to take a look at the rosters, when I get home from work.
by DavidBL on Nov 28, 2011 12:12 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Mcmillan
Sent down to syr earlier today and no one was called up. Does this mean there is an extra roster spot at the moment? Could we see a trade coming?
It would be great
I think this team really needs him back. As sad as it is to say this, he is probably one of the “leaders” on this team. I thought they said something about him coming back around the end of the month.
I actually think we miss Parros more than Blake. He’s definitely one of the emotional leaders of the team and often the one that gets the hitting and physical play going. I dont think it’s a coincidence that we don’t seem to be mixing it up as much with him out of the lineup.
by bhlloy on Nov 28, 2011 1:57 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
you know your team is in trouble, when fans are starting to argue that you absolutely need guys like Parros and Blake in your lineup.
It isn’t all about stats pal. Those guys provide things that are useful, and you could argue that they do those things well, since they are the exact things needed for the team to win. We used to win when they were both healthy; we’re not winning now, they’re both injured. Hmm, yeah, I think it’s a fair argument.
"That might've been a little push, but that was a major flop. That would make Vlade Divac very proud." - Jerry Reynolds
i don’t think that the loss of an 4th line enforcer and a washed up 2nd line winger who can’t score, is undersized and should rather play on the 3rd line isn’t the reason the team looses.
the ducks make or break by the play of our topline and our PP. It was this way the last years since we begun the rebuild on the fly, and it will continue as long as some of our ducklings can form a serious 2nd line.
Eric Stephens reporting
That Bobby Ryan is skating on the third line in practice with Hagman and Maxwell. I hate this.
Probably not
My guess is that they moved Beleskey up and DSP down. I could be wrong, but RC has shown he more comfortable with that then having DSP up top (seeing as DSP has never played there). In which case DSP is getting even less minutes than he already was. Its sad to see us burn a year of his rookie deal just to see him play on the 4th line. If I’m wrong then I will praise this move (although I would still rather see Hagman and Cogliano switch too) but I doubt that DSP will be one the top line :(
Think he played 4th line and Beleskey was on the top line
by Hockey Phreak on Nov 28, 2011 2:50 PM PST up reply actions
Yup.
Full lines were:
Beleskey – Getzlaf – Perry
Cogliano – Koivu – Selanne
Ryan – Maxwell – Hagman
Parros/Gordon – Macenauer – Smith-Pelly
"That might've been a little push, but that was a major flop. That would make Vlade Divac very proud." - Jerry Reynolds
From Daniel, earlier in the thread:
The Fucks are only 5-6 games back, I haven’t checked the new standings, with about 3/4 of the season to play.
haha
Contributor - Anaheim Calling
That was an accident. A potentially appropriate accident, but an accident nonetheless.
by Daniel AC on Nov 28, 2011 4:40 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Our bottom 6 are minor leaguers.. And the only legitimate players are DSP and Macenauer… There is a curve but it starts in practice and if the players aren’t taking practice seriously then changes to practice need to happen… There needs to be a change of pace.. Players are too comfortable .. I’d hate to see bobby go
by ShamuSalami on Nov 28, 2011 5:32 PM PST via iPhone app reply actions
Yup, I agree, I too would hate to see Bobby go. For all the panic around here, and trade proposals (I point a large finger at myself), I feel like it would be the wrong thing to do if we were to trade away one of our core players (Getzlaf, Perry, Ryan, Fowler, Hiller) due to a quarter season of underwhelming efforts. I think it’s safe to call this season a wash, and hope to add through the draft and free agency so we can field a more competitive and complete team next year.
"That might've been a little push, but that was a major flop. That would make Vlade Divac very proud." - Jerry Reynolds
This is where I’m at right now as well. If we are still this bad near the deadline maybe we move someone. But for now, let’s try the easy fixes before blowing the team up based on a rough month. Sorry teemu.
by bhlloy on Nov 28, 2011 6:09 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
Is it really a rough month, though? Do you guys buy the argument that this is more a deep manifestation of a problem that’s been ongoing for the past few season? I know I feel as if we’ve been making the same arguments about consistency for a long time. If that’s the case, then we aren’t really panicking over a bad month; we are trying to make a change to a core that has consistency issues.
Yeah, it’s a valid point. I guess I’d say to that that I think the last couple of games the offense has shown signs that it’s waking up. I think the real issue is the defense just isn’t very good and has taken a huge step back from last year. I don’t know if that can be fixed in the short term.
If you tell me you can get me a true top pairing defenseman who isn’t on the downside of his career for Bobby I’d pull the trigger in a heartbeat. But I don’t see many of those guys out there on the block. And I’m terrified that Murray’s going to do his usual “overpay for a guy nobody else in the league wants” and we’re going to lose a 24 year old 30 goal scorer for far less than he’s worth.
Another advantage of waiting for the deadline is sometimes teams will overpay for impact players if they think they can be a contender.
I buy the lack of faith in Murray. I’m certainly no fan of his work so far. I know it’s mildly ridiculous, but I can’t shake this feeling that Weber can be had for the right price.
same here man…and I can’t stop thinking about how perfect he would fit in and look in a Ducks uniform…in a recent article in the OC Register Mark Whicker actually brought up the idea of a Getzlaf for Weber swap: “The thought of dealing Getzlaf to Nashville for incipient free-agent defenseman Shea Weber is a great conversation-starter. The Ducks would have to sign Weber long-term, of course, but he would wear the cloak of Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger very comfortably,”
Amen to that Whicker Man
by Ramsrnumerouno on Nov 28, 2011 11:29 PM PST up reply actions
Shea Weber is RFA next season, and as he doesn’t want to take a discount on a team that is more succesfull than the ducks this and last year, and a team he is the captain of, why on earth should he sign longterm with the ducks?
Weber wants money, and the Ducks can’t give him that large contract he obviously is looking for.
If we trade Bobby Ryan, there is a high chance that we have the last RFA year of Weber at a real high price tag, and after that he signs elsewhere…..
Weber @ Redwings to replaceLidstrom in the 2013 season anyone?
Bobby is signed long term, relatively cheap for his caliber of play. Weber is not.
And EVEN IF we could resign Weber, how could we afford to resign Getzlaf, Perry and Fowler.
Let’s say we move Bobby Ryan in the Weber deal. That’s 5 million off the books. Take away Blake’s and Teemu’s contracts and it’s another 7. Beauchemin should be losing at least a million on his next contract. Now we’ve got an extra 13 million.we have a lot of guys who will be on their first contracts for the next two or three years. If we don’t commit to Weber forever, say 4-5 years at 7.5-8, it might be doable.
by Daniel AC on Nov 29, 2011 6:49 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
yeah, but as i wrote, i can’t see Weber sign in Anaheim for 4-5 years at a 7,5 – 8 mil price tag.
maybe im wrong, but the whole league will be after this guy, and if you ask me, that’s the right thing to do.
don’t get me wrong, i absolutely love Weber, he is THE best defender in the league today (and that’s pretty tough given the fakt that a guy like lidstrom still plays), but i just can’t see him here in anaheim.
imo i feel like trading bobby at any point in this season would be a terrible mistake…before this year (unless things get much more positive) he was a 30+ goal scorer for us and i still dont think hes reached his peak yet…even people that are haters have to admit that seeing bobby at top potential a few years from now putting up 80+ points for another team is gonna hurt pretty bad..
…at last nights game…i felt that sbisa is just a beast for us right now…never stopped moving his skates and despite that unfortunate deflection he was the best 3 period player for us…is it just me or if your really close to the glass it kinda distorts your view when the play is on the other side of the rink…never sat that close before so i dont know if i was just drunk or is that a common occurence
Goalie Problem
After thinking about it I am REALLY wondering if we are having a goalie problem. For the entire history of this organization the have had good to great goaltending. That was of course because the of Butterfly man Francois Allaire. I don’t think we’ve seen goaltending like Hiller has displayed this year in a long time if ever. So when Hiller let’s one in it totally makes the team crap their pants, whereas when he or Jiggy would make save after save it would energize them and they’d feel confident to forecheck like madmen.
I think the Ducks need someone that is good without Francoise Allaire. So I’m thinking they need to keep RPG and trade Hiller. For who? I don’t know. Maybe Luongo could find his game here? Maybe one of the Minny goalies? Who knows…I just think our game starts with more than solid goaltending and we aren’t getting it right now…
I cant see many teams taken on Luongo’s salary, exp not Anaheim. And Honestly I dont see Hiller as the problem, its our swiss cheese defense.
by Hockey Phreak on Nov 28, 2011 7:16 PM PST up reply actions
Agreed 100%. Hiller hasn’t stolen us games like he has done the previous few years but he’s far from being the problem. Plus you’d be dealing him now when his value is the lowest.
If this season is lost (and it could be soon) I’d definitely be in favor of seeing what the Finnish guy in Syracuse can do however.
Also if we’re talking about Canucks goalies, let’s talk about Eddie Lack. Great prospect for the future who is stuck behind an unmoveable contract and a very talented backup. I wonder if we couldn’t get him on the cheap (although I like Gibson as well as a prospect)
Hiller is going to come back
He just needs a little help up front… and maybe a little rest. I know that right now our games are spread out and it seems like he should be getting rest, but I honestly don’t think that is the case. Going to practice and worrying about having to carry a team probably causes him to push too much. Let him sit on the bench, who knows maybe the backups will be so bad it will give him inspiration… or play so good he is doubly inspired… whatever the case… Let the guy rest and watch the game. But he will be back, and be better and I certainly wouldn’t want to see him getting back to his old self in front of some other teams net.
i think frustration and exhaustion is hurting hillers game more than anything else…u can see it in his body language everytime a screened goal goes in, or when he pretty much has to make 5 or 6 saves in a ten secon sequence and finally collapses on the puck…and after the 2nd period of each of the last two games it looked like they might need a stretcher to get him off the ice
I noticed something similar during the last game. There were times when he covered the puck, and just stayed there in the turtle position for what seemed like forever.
And I also remember after the second Bozak goal (the one where Getzlaf was backchecking), Hiller tried to scramble and save the puck, but he didn’t get it in time and then flopped onto the ice. And just laid there. I noticed the same thing about eight game ago as well. Hiller = exhausted.
"That might've been a little push, but that was a major flop. That would make Vlade Divac very proud." - Jerry Reynolds
Yah, the defense is making him work to hard.
He reminds me of me when I go play Pickup hockey at the rink.. Ill go play for about 2 hours straight, but thos guys dont play Defense, so its constant break aways, 3 on 1s, ect. Once we go to the locker room, Im 10 times more exhausted then anyone. Thats what Hiller reminds me of. His 60mins of play is like Getz, Fowler, Perry being out there for about 90mins. Imagine how there game would be if they where out there for 90mins straight.
by Hockey Phreak on Nov 28, 2011 7:35 PM PST up reply actions
And im not in anyway comparing my skill to Hillers, was just trying to paint a picture. lol
by Hockey Phreak on Nov 28, 2011 7:36 PM PST up reply actions
I think that’s where the confidence is getting shattered. With his play and attitude. I think the team knows they are not on solid ground back there and don’t know how to play because of it. It’s not like Nashville where they know Pekka is going to make the save and he’s healthy. It’s almost like when Vokoun had that blood problem and the team didn’t know if he was going to make the save or not. When that feels like a 50/50 proposition you play like crap…
on the flipside of that hiller could be thinking the same thing about his D by not thinking they are gonna have his back…which on certain goals theyre not i forget who said it or where but look at every time perry is in front of the other goalies net…the other team does everything but pull a switchblade on him but our boys arent takin away that backside stick
That was me that said that.
I can guarantee Hiller is more worried about the Defense helping him then they are of him helping them. Hiller makes amazing saves night after night. How often does our Defense make a good play? Or clear the net? Our Defense allows other teams to walk in on Hiller, and allow cross crease passes. Cross crease one timers are some of the hardest things to stop.
by Hockey Phreak on Nov 28, 2011 7:46 PM PST up reply actions
And speaking of Nashville and Pekka.. Pekka is an amazing goalie, but his defense and the system they play helps that. If you watch them play, they allow alot of perimeter shots, not alot of shots are from up close. Dallas plays a similar system, alot of shots against them are from the perimeter.
Honestly, if you put Hiller in Pekkas place, I bet his numbers are just as good if not better.
by Hockey Phreak on Nov 28, 2011 7:51 PM PST up reply actions
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