Esoteric question of the game: if Jason Robertson (heaven forbid) scored an own goal, would it be correct, by the rule book, to say that he’s scored against all 32 teams in the NHL? This sounds like a 32 Thoughts question.
It absolutely would! There are own goals in hockey, though they’re scored slightly differently than in soccer. But I think the chances of Robertson doing so are pretty slim. I am here for these sorts of esoteric questions.
Harley looked especially rough tonight. I’m not usually one to laser in on defensemen (other than Miro of course), but he was very noticeable tonight, in a bad way. Hes shown us too much over the last 2 seasons to make any grandiose claim about his long-term future with the franchise, but the very-short-term future is at a minimum reasonably concerning
That’s a good way of putting it, yeah. Something just feels off. You wonder if he’s in his head a bit about the Olympics or something. This is very unusual for him.
I feel like he has a Superman syndrome thing going on where he thinks he has to do a lot more than he actually has to to make a play happen. Seen a couple lazy turnovers where he’s trying to stick handle and not dish the pill
Some overtry could be in there. Certainly he came back into the lineup and the team had been rolling, so maybe he wants to make an impact, and he’s just not seeing the plays perfectly quite yet. As you say, we’ll give it more time. Anaheim was a good sign.
I know Johnston didn’t score tonight but it felt like he did a good job matched up against Matthews or Nylander’s line (I mean not with face offs but other than that).
Yeah, I think Johnston was solid last night in that matchup, though he lost the shot attempts battle pretty handily (as did most Stars players, in fairness).
I know folks don't love seeing Sam Steel on the top line, but I do think there's something about having Steel as a defensive conscience on that line which allows Johnston to do some other special things, too. Just a theory.
I love nearly stress free hockey from a fans perspective watching at home. My BP stays normal, heart rate calm at a mere 64bps resting. During the stressful times of the holidays, it is much appreciated.
I know people bag on Steel, but he's a tough little bastard, evidenced by him trying to deform the pipe on the Anaheim net the other night. I, for one, can live with him scoring the occasional goal, as long as he continues to be one of the best on the PK. Blackwell too.
Did you do your due diligence to determine the instigator of the Tequila shots? My guess was Robo's Dad! LOL
Steel is an ideal complementary player on a line that doesn't *have* to score, and a stout defensive presence on a line that can score without him. Fans who resent his playing up the lineup would do well to redirect their frusrtation to the depth in general, rather than Steel. He's done everything asked of him this year, within reasonable expectations.
I just wrote another piece today mentioning the postgame sleuthing work. Unfortunately we didn't learn about the shots until after we left the dressing room, but rest assured, we'll keep digging.
I have to say that the Steel hate I see on other platforms really annoys me. He’s a combination of speed, grit and hockey IQ that is invaluable to the Stars. Is he as skilled as 53 and 96? Of course not, but how many players are?? And I’d argue that with the exception of with Duchene vs San Jose the other night, that line has been most effective with Steel than any other left winger.
Agree that Harley has a case of trying to do too much. In addition to the Olympics, trying to live up to the big contract extension might also be a factor.
I believe Steel is tied for the team lead in game-winning goals, if you care about those sort of happenstats. Ideally he's slotted lower in the lineup, but with the Stars' lack of four bona fide top-six wingers, you have to make some compromises, and he's been at least decent, if not a great finisher.
Esoteric question of the game: if Jason Robertson (heaven forbid) scored an own goal, would it be correct, by the rule book, to say that he’s scored against all 32 teams in the NHL? This sounds like a 32 Thoughts question.
It absolutely would! There are own goals in hockey, though they’re scored slightly differently than in soccer. But I think the chances of Robertson doing so are pretty slim. I am here for these sorts of esoteric questions.
Anything to avoid thinking about what might be going on with Harley!! 😅
Harley looked especially rough tonight. I’m not usually one to laser in on defensemen (other than Miro of course), but he was very noticeable tonight, in a bad way. Hes shown us too much over the last 2 seasons to make any grandiose claim about his long-term future with the franchise, but the very-short-term future is at a minimum reasonably concerning
That’s a good way of putting it, yeah. Something just feels off. You wonder if he’s in his head a bit about the Olympics or something. This is very unusual for him.
I feel like he has a Superman syndrome thing going on where he thinks he has to do a lot more than he actually has to to make a play happen. Seen a couple lazy turnovers where he’s trying to stick handle and not dish the pill
Some overtry could be in there. Certainly he came back into the lineup and the team had been rolling, so maybe he wants to make an impact, and he’s just not seeing the plays perfectly quite yet. As you say, we’ll give it more time. Anaheim was a good sign.
I know Johnston didn’t score tonight but it felt like he did a good job matched up against Matthews or Nylander’s line (I mean not with face offs but other than that).
Yeah, I think Johnston was solid last night in that matchup, though he lost the shot attempts battle pretty handily (as did most Stars players, in fairness).
I know folks don't love seeing Sam Steel on the top line, but I do think there's something about having Steel as a defensive conscience on that line which allows Johnston to do some other special things, too. Just a theory.
I love nearly stress free hockey from a fans perspective watching at home. My BP stays normal, heart rate calm at a mere 64bps resting. During the stressful times of the holidays, it is much appreciated.
I know people bag on Steel, but he's a tough little bastard, evidenced by him trying to deform the pipe on the Anaheim net the other night. I, for one, can live with him scoring the occasional goal, as long as he continues to be one of the best on the PK. Blackwell too.
Did you do your due diligence to determine the instigator of the Tequila shots? My guess was Robo's Dad! LOL
Steel is an ideal complementary player on a line that doesn't *have* to score, and a stout defensive presence on a line that can score without him. Fans who resent his playing up the lineup would do well to redirect their frusrtation to the depth in general, rather than Steel. He's done everything asked of him this year, within reasonable expectations.
I just wrote another piece today mentioning the postgame sleuthing work. Unfortunately we didn't learn about the shots until after we left the dressing room, but rest assured, we'll keep digging.
You can always just call him the Hildebeast, as Razor so aptly did (he is a Big man!).
I have to say that the Steel hate I see on other platforms really annoys me. He’s a combination of speed, grit and hockey IQ that is invaluable to the Stars. Is he as skilled as 53 and 96? Of course not, but how many players are?? And I’d argue that with the exception of with Duchene vs San Jose the other night, that line has been most effective with Steel than any other left winger.
Agree that Harley has a case of trying to do too much. In addition to the Olympics, trying to live up to the big contract extension might also be a factor.
I believe Steel is tied for the team lead in game-winning goals, if you care about those sort of happenstats. Ideally he's slotted lower in the lineup, but with the Stars' lack of four bona fide top-six wingers, you have to make some compromises, and he's been at least decent, if not a great finisher.