***Official (2020)-2021 NHL Thread***
 

Well, it's gonna be a weird year, but here's your format:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/NHLPA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NHLPA</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/NHL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NHL</a> have announced an agreement to play a 2020-21 regular-season schedule of 56 games beginning on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021. <a href="https://t.co/2on0oStnMd">https://t.co/2on0oStnMd</a> <a href="https://t.co/aggYeVMjfj">pic.twitter.com/aggYeVMjfj</a></p>&mdash; NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) <a href="https://twitter.com/PR_NHL/status/1340757002927153152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The biggest thing is that there are NO GAMES OUTSIDE THE DIVISION in the regular season. It's purely a race for the top four spots in the division to make the playoffs.

That Canadian division is gonna be tough for my Habs.

That's really close to what I randomly made up last night thinking about the divisions.... I had Dallas and Minnesota swapped.

Should be the Blues' and Avalanche's division to lose.. and probably stupid Vegas.

On the plus side, you're only competing against 6 other teams instead of 7.

I take it they took into consideration of Canada's policy as well (the 14 day rule if leaving their country/returning), as to why it's all Canadian division?

If that's the case, that makes sense.

Correct. That's really the main reason for the bizarre structure.

I was gonna post and say that Minnesota is actually more of a "Northern" team than Vancouver (whos really a Western team), but that's before I realized that 14 day rule.

Bizzare structure, yes it is, but if it works and allows them to have a season, sometimes you just have to do things in a unconventional way.

Dallas being in the Central while STL and MIN are West makes 0 sense to me but whatever.

Habs are weakest team by far , 6 or 7 teams won’t make a difference it atleast I get to see mcdavid more often.

Those Canadian games would’ve been CRAZY with a full crowd

Great change to hopefully reduce challenges.


https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/...otocols-season

Yeah, that's a net positive. I wonder if there will be any issue with guys stretching their legs out backward in the air or whatever, but that's probably a fairly awkward move. (I'm not a skater if you can't tell.)

Here's to my Ducks landing the best odds at not getting the number 1 pick.

I'm sure there will be a playoff "couldn't tell from the angle if the player's leg was across the line" botched call.

Doable but having 2 skates on the ice is better for balance especially if you 're fighting for space/body position at the same time , doing a full lunge I think is more effective(further)with better balance.

Anything that can help create more goals, less delays makes me happy.

Gotcha. I'm a big fan of eliminating the "was the blade a quarter inch off the ice" discussion as long as it doesn't otherwise impact how players would move to try and stay onside.

Won't change how guys play but mentally it's going to help, getting a goal called back because a guy pushed you off balance enough that your skate came off the ice 1cm after working your ass off for what might have been 1 of 3 scoring chances during a tight game sucks balls.

It'll never happen, but I'll always be a proponent of LIMITING the ability to be precise in reviews. In my opinion, reviews should help to reverse obvious errors, but anything that requires ultra zoom and ultra slow mo is just taking it too far. Something like "you get one shot to view it again at full speed, and if it's clearly wrong, you can reverse it" would do it.

But it is what it is. Hopefully this is an improvement.

Yeah, I'm as big of a fan of replay as anyone, but it does get old at times.... especially in the NHL, when you're reviewing for offsides that might have happened 45 seconds before the goal was scored.

And MLB when a player might have separated from the base for a quarter of a second by a quarter of an inch while sliding head first at full speed.

I'm kind of on the fence with how obvious it should be in real time, but I'd also wish they would put an 'official' in the booth who is only there to review calls... there's no reason to deal with iPads and bullshit.

And there's also the argument of using more technology, whether it's for calling balls and strikes or whatever.... but, at least putting more cameras around blue lines, goal lines, etc; would help speed things up, too.... and people dedicated to watching those feeds and immediately starting to review without needing a whistle first.

Lets Go Blues!

The NHL offsides rule is needlessly complicated. The entire blue line should be counted as being onside. Instead, the rule differentiates between entering the zone vs leaving the zone. In the latter scenario, for the puck to leave the offensive zone, the entire puck must cross the blue line.

Full schedule is out. Avs and Blues open up the season against each other.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rivalries will take center stage during the 2020-21 <a href="https://twitter.com/NHL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NHL</a> season, which begins Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021.<br><br>Schedule: <a href="https://t.co/NwxVjVlUsb">https://t.co/NwxVjVlUsb</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHLStats?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NHLStats</a> <a href="https://t.co/0uywbZbG5f">pic.twitter.com/0uywbZbG5f</a></p>&mdash; NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) <a href="https://twitter.com/PR_NHL/status/1341839495537299458?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

My first thought was... why not just schedule 4 Avalanche/Blues games in St. Louis, followed by 4 in Colorado... then the Blues can travel somewhere else for 4 games and then go home, while Colorado starts their next 4 game home stand. ...granted, that would leave out one Canadian team each round.

Looks like they're doing pairs of games though, so they are reducing travel some while still trying to have some normalcy with the schedule.

How about 4 in a row against the Wild! :Lin:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mark those calendars, because we have a SCHEDULE!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoAvsGo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoAvsGo</a> <a href="https://t.co/ULTNA3tfVC">pic.twitter.com/ULTNA3tfVC</a></p>&mdash; Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) <a href="https://twitter.com/Avalanche/status/1341839455909421057?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

It's kind of like when you have to take some really nasty medicine. Sometimes it's just best to get it overwith all at once rather than spread the misery out.

Also - damn. The Avs have 12 home games and 4 road games in March. That's...different.

Kind of crazy that the NHL will be back before the Chiefs play again.

This season should be crazy. For example, having Calgary and Edmonton playing each other 10 times in 4 months should lead to a blood bath.
It'll be interesting to see the biggest rivalries that come out of this format.
The role of "Goon" may see a comeback.

The Avs have a stretch of 4 games against the Wild. That will be interesting to see.

**** that is what soccer is supposed to have but it is still terrible/

The Avs are are used to facing the Wild, but what if a guy like Ryan Reaves takes out Kadri on Feb 14th, (or something along those lines).
Now there's a blood feud between Vegas and Colorado with 3 more consecutive games.
Vegas is typically an afterthought to an Avs fan in normal times but now it's a war since they're in the same division.
In the North Division, you have teams spanning 3 of the 4 previous divisions across conferences. You could have the Canadiens and Canucks fighting to the death over 3 games which would never happen under normal circumstances.
While things may get out of hand, the whole setup looks like fun to me.

I was listening to Don Cherry's podcast and it reminded me that every game this year is now a 4 point game.

Pity points, (OT loser), will also have a huge impact on the standings.

I'm excited for Wednesday.

Hockey!

Pretty lame that they put Avs/Blues on so late tonight, but I'll take it.

I've been researching Sling and other sports-heavy streaming sites, so still debating if I want to buy Dish's Center Ice or be done with these assholes and just do the online nhl.tv. :hmmm:

This is the perfect time to start though... no more MNF/TNF (mostly just to have on while doing other stuff), no more CFB, the IIHF World Juniors was great, don't even know what's happening with college hockey (used to see it 2-3 times/week).... needed something besides just CBK to fill the void during the week.

Favorites my ass. Grubaur is trash. Not enough depth.

ROFL

Didn't take you long. Impressive.

Well to be honest. I'm not wrong ROFL

Ball Arena. Cracks me up that is what the Pepsi Center got renamed as.

We got big Ball(s).

The NHL realignment for this year. St. Louis fans are pissed about going West. If the Blues were in Kansas City I don't think the rumbles would be as loud about the division realignment. St. Louis as a city always does look east as its peers.

*** Official 2021 NHL Thread ***
 

I can't find a thread for this season, so let's get things going.

Blues looking like complete ass tonight. Wow...

Still haven't purchased nhl.tv, but looks like the Avalanche bounced back.... definitely feels like preseason, a lot of goals being scored and not many close games yet.

I suspect road teams are going to look like shit a lot in the second games of series this year. But yeah, they look slow.

Dude. Do you not internet? There are ways...

It's like the Blues just 100% gave up.

LOL, this is a beat-down.

Tonight's game is no more indicative of how the season will go than Wednesday's game was, but I can't help but laugh at this now. Eleven Avs got points tonight Grub got a shutout.

Yeah... I mostly buy it on Dish for the ability to record games. I kind of want to hold out this season and maybe do the online streaming thing, just to ween myself off Dish.... buuuut, in these Covid times especially, it's nice to have something on every night.

And I also have a data cap for internet, so there's a trade off cost-wise. :#

Seven minute review of a goal in the Caps/Pens game... JFC.

That's ridiculous. I don't understand why it's so hard to stick with the call on the ice when it's not conclusive.

Yeah, and it did take a couple minutes for NBC to find a good angle on it, but it's ridiculous they've confirmed goal on the telecast and we have to spend another 5 minutes for them to review it on an iPad.

ROFL Uh we didn't need a gane for that. It's a fact.

I was just wondering about Byram, looks like him and EJ will be back from quarantine and available to play this week.

Kane should have his ass kicked for that stunt... What an asshole..

What did Evander do this time? (unless you're talking about Patrick).

Evander. 2 min for jabbing the toe of his stick into the goalie's junk. Screen all ya want, it's part of the game, but jabbing the junk is crap.

I think Kane spent all of their time in the box last night.

Kane has to play spicy, He owes a lot of people a lot of money. https://www.tsn.ca/report-san-jose-s...ptcy-1.1575922

Well all he has to do if keep the toe of his stick out of the other team's goalie's junk and he might be around long enough to pay-off some of that. But somebody does that to my goalies and they better skate very carefully and defensively for the next few games. Goalie have it bad enough as it is, they usually invite the pain, but that bullshit won't be forgotten.

haven't seen the Habs scoring like this since the 70s, feels weird not needing our goalie to stand on his head to have a chance to win.

I hope they keep the Canadian division and these mini series style format going forward.

Your dreaming of the 70's after winning 2 of 3 against the Canucks?
Montreal needed to get Dubois to have 2 decent Centers but they didn't have the juice to get the deal done.
If you look at the Canadian division's centers:
EDM - McDavid, Dreiseitl
WPG - Scheifele, Dubois
TOR - Matthews, Tavares

Montreal has a decent team but I think they'll end up in the middle of the pack.

Just surprised how well they are doing 5 on 5 if they can stay out if the box they are going to be a tough out, price has never had run support before , I mean I don’t see them finishing first but I think they finish ahead of edm/ tor .

Hey, LET'S GO BLUES!!!

1-1, vs. ARI. In!

Whoo-hoo!!!

Blues look good, Tron. Deep team. Just need to shore up the special teams

Thx.

Real early yet, but they look decent. Some rust, and wasn’t happy with Binnie tonight, but I have faith he’s going to be okay. Weird not seeing Petrie out there.

Krug and Faulk are making me miss him less by the day. Faulk has really stepped it up this year

Just weird not seeing him out there. Plus, the man was a genius at slowing/stopping the rush and putting the puck on another Blue's stick.

You a Blues fan then?

Sure am dude

Well cool. At least now we'll have one thing to agree about, if nothing else.:p

Two long droughts broken that close together may have broken me lol. Love their roster this year. Haha yeah man just a passionate sports fan

Exactly how I felt about it. First the Blues, waited my whole damned life, nearly quit on them a few years ago, and actually stopped watching them around mid-December 2018, I think? Couldn't take it anymore. Then a buddy called me around the end of January I think and told me I should check them out. Saw Binnie get a shutout, and the defense looked like they actually could play, and kind of got back into it. When they won the Cup, I was on the phone with my friend that actually got me into being a Blues fan 33 years ago, and we both were screaming "5, 4, 3, 2, 1!!!" together, and there may have been some crying. By her. She's a girl, and they can get emotional.:D

Then a few months later we're screaming at each other again on the phone as the Chiefs won LIV. Best sports year of my life.

Damn Blues. Gave up the tying goal with less than second left.

The Tahoe thing is pretty cool... nice outside-the-box given they didn't have to worry about fans.


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It&#39;s happening!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHLOutdoors?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NHLOutdoors</a> at Lake Tahoe begins at 3 ET this Saturday on <a href="https://twitter.com/NHLonNBCSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NHLonNBCSports</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/Sportsnet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Sportsnet</a>. <br><br>(📷 <a href="https://twitter.com/cotsonika?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cotsonika</a>) <a href="https://t.co/Q7IxzCioeY">pic.twitter.com/Q7IxzCioeY</a></p>&mdash; NHL (@NHL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NHL/status/1362492075602833409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This Lake Tahoe game is amazing. The scenery is breathtaking. Great job by the NHL.<br><br>Also, while I admit I was skeptical at first, it’s pretty great seeing the old Nordiques jerseys again. What a great logo. Miss that team. <a href="https://t.co/TQEaNYDDz9">pic.twitter.com/TQEaNYDDz9</a></p>&mdash; Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) <a href="https://twitter.com/arielhelwani/status/1363224222970114050?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Sunshine over Lake Tahoe and Edgewood Golf Course on Saturday deteriorated ice conditions, making ice conditions dangerous for the players and forcing the suspension of Nazem Kadri for 4 games.

Lulz except for the whole...you know canceling the game abomination

Who knew that sunlight could melt ice?

Second Tahoe game is starting on NBCS. Bumping to the evening was probably a good choice. You get the beautiful scenery, but without the sun issue. And frankly, it still looked damn cool at night.