Something to keep in mind over next week of hockey!

[ND2002HORNS]

Considering players were willing to miss the all-star game so they could get more rest for the Olympics WE ALL need to take a look at NHL rosters that have many players going to Salt Lake to represent their country.

Consider this: Tomi Salo of the Oilers, Roman Cechamanek of the Flyers & Peter Bondra of the Caps have all encountered the flu over the last few weeks but refused to take any medication so as not to test positive for the Olympics. Team management in all these cases were furious because these players missed quality games so they could still represent their country without testing positive.
Yzerman had a procedure done to his knee 10 days ago so he could be healthy for the Olympics and therefore missed game time.

All of these situations lend me to think that over the next week teams might be in reverse if they have many Olympians competing. GM Kevin Lowe has gone on record as saying that his players were not trying to hit Rob Blake hard a few games so as not to hurt him before the Olympics.

All of this is a joke, these players are paid by their NHL and not the countries they are representing.

Palffy of L.A., Hossa & Chara of the Sens & 3 players from the Coyotes are being sent on charters to play in one or two games to help their country qualify for the Big 8 on the weekend. For Hossa & Chara that is 5 games in 7 nights not to mention all the travel on the road. All of this has to make you wonder who will be going hard the next week of the NHL season. So for myself I will be playing fewer games as to not get screwed like last night when Salo did not play in nets for the Oilers against the lowly Thrashers, it should have been an easy 2 points for them which they need in the playoff race but instead they are now falling back to the pack in the West.

Hope this thought helps all of us while capping hockey as we lead up to the Olympics.

HORNS

 

[ND2002HORNS]

I would really like to hear what others have to say about this thread I started. Comments welcome!

HORNS

 

[Terryray]

M. Satan is flying on a private jet too, for quick turnaround play. The thought is keep the european player happy, he might play better back on NHL team, not sulk around. Tho won't be 100% for sure.

But overall it certainly does complicate handicapping.

For some players have stepped up their game, using NHL for training. Hasek is the best example. No goalie ever done so-so in regular season and excellent at Olympics.

Bettors need to realize that if you ask a NHL player "Would you rather win the Stanley Cup or the Olympic gold" the North American players would regard it as a ridiculous question----the Europeans would have an hard time coming up with an answer.

 

[Centre Ice]

Damn mind reader

I was thinking that last night. Have to look at the players AND coaches that might try and rest players they need for the Olympics.

I know Lindros won't go all out for his team, he just wants to show Gretz he's fine so he can play. But your right on, have to look for those players who may not be giving 100% so their ready for the Olympics, especially the last few days.

I've never thought the pro's should be in the Olympics, it will be a good series (I have no idea why the NBA goes) but with the NHL season so brutally long, most games are getting so boring, I hope this is the last time they do it.

Players will be tired, and especially the one's wo play for the gold and silver medal teams. Going to be tough stretch with teams having to face Khabibulin AND Hasek.

Good write up and excellent points Horns.

 

[Terryray]

good stuff guys!

Most NHL coaches hope US and Canada get knocked out early, them most NHL olympic players will have time to rest.

But NHL wants the publicity, need it, will continue it, and hope it's US vs Canada for gold.

That Oilers team other night just collectively gave up on defense and played a loose, sloppy offensive game. I think Salo on meds would have been worse than the no2 and no3 Finn olympic goalies trying to show their stuff. Nurimen stopped 39 of 41 sog!! Markkanen was nearly as good.

 

[Centre Ice]

Will be somethin else when they bring in that American flag.

IOC is so out of touch it's unbelievable, glad they changed their mind.

 

[Stewy]

I saw an interview with the Kings coach!

I saw an interview with the Kings coach!

He said the next few games are exremely important for his team. He says these five games could decide the outcome of the season and his team won't take them lightly at all. I think the Kings only have 1 guy going to the olympics. They may be the team to bet on the next week or so.

 

[wigs]

great discussion Horns, so many things going on in hockey right now. talking about olympic hockey and nhl hockey as well. who is leaving to play in qualifying games, etc. so many topics. i will always try to post who is out for the game, but yes i say tread lightly during this crazy scheduling. it really is a strange time, something NHL players are not that accustomed to...i find it difficult to project a player's mental state right now, they definitely could be wandering upstairs while on the ice... cant wait for the olympics though, will watch a ton, i think a lot of the veteran nhl refs are doing the games, hope to find a site that will list them beforehand. thanks to everyone for making this place so great, let's keep up the hard work.

and thanks for reminding me about those players that cant take cold medicine, this drug testing is strange stuff, they really have to lay off a lot in order to pass-- i'd never make it...

 

[Terryray]

LA Times sez

"With some players perhaps holding back as they anticipate representing their country in the olympics and others possibly looking forward to a vacation after a grueling five months since start of training camps last fall, [Kings' coach] Murray said, 'there may be some teams that play themselves out of the playoffs'

He is confident, however, that the Kings won't be one of them"


story goes on to quote a Swede on team about how focused he, and his other six Kings teammates headed to Olympics, are on winning for Kings. And about how focused they stayed before All-Star break.

 

[ND2002HORNS]

CI, Stewy & wigs,

Great feedback! I was hoping to get people invovled with this topic. This way none of us lose money on a game we should not have bet. It just makes people more alert as to the different angles to look at a game.

The more info we all post on this thread about possible angle on games in the next week the more we all profit from it.

Thanks again guys,

HORNS

 

[ND2002HORNS]

Alot of us have been burned this week with teams playing bad hockey when you least expect it.
Monday night STL screwed alot of us, now last night Philly screwed many of us.
Tonights ATL/NJ is another one of those games that NJ should walk away with but after Ott. barely beating Columbus last night we all need to tread lightly.

HORNS

 

[Terryray]

Need to figure out how olympics can help us!

Hasek is playing like crazy in preparation. Looks like Kariya too. Who else? Who is taking it easy and not focusing or playing hard?

 

[Centre Ice]

I don't think it will affect the goaltenders at all, they'll be giving 100%"if"the coaches put them in.

All reports were Lindros didn't show much last night. Alot don't want to take a chance and get hurt and miss the Olympics, especially the ones already hurt. It's just weeding those teams/players out that is the tough part.

Will Quinn rest Joseph but play Sundin alot because Canada may face him ?
Will Keenan give Bure lot's of minutes ?
Lindros, Fluery, Richter, Leech take it a little easier ?
Look at NJ, at home and 19 shots on Montreal. 6 shots in the second with 2 power plays, one a double minor ?

I think the big focus will be on two teams. Canada because there is so much pressure and prestige playing for this team and the U.S., being in there country and with the World Trade Centre attack.

If I was selected to any of these two teams, a once in a lifetime opportunity, would I risk a big hit to make a play, block a shot, stand in front of the net, bang along the boards ??

You may say you'd give 100%, but it's always in the back of your mind, and the closer it get's.......

 

[saint]

Do you guys think the upcoming Olympics will effect team picks more or maybe Totals? Tonight the Under went 4-1 with the Kings game pending which halfway through is on pace for the under. The only loss would have been under if not for the last second "miracle" goal at NJ.

Of course this could be a one night thing, but it was just a thought.

So if players let up some, that could mean two things: looser defense and more goals or less offensive attack, less forecheck and less goals. With the goalies remaing constant most likely or even improving, I could see maybe a decrease in totals over the next few days. Players may sit back and wait for a scoring chance to fall in their lap (like smyth's pass in tonight's oilers game:nono: rather than attack and press the issue.

We'll have to see the next few days to see if a small trend may develop. Tonight's games had some low scoring teams so may mean nothing.

What do you guys think?

 

[Stewy]

Colorado will be motivated tonight!

Colorado will be motivated tonight!

Patrick Roy through a tantrum after the loss to the Redwings and critisized the lack of intensity shown by his defense. I can see a possible shutout tonight if they step up the intensity.

 

[ND2002HORNS]

saint,

There are trends with the totals at this time of year. Like you mentioned the unders from last night. Something to watch for again tonight before we can see if that is the way to play the angle on totals.

HORNS

 

[Ranstl]

Post Olympics

Post Olympics

My question is how these players respond after Olympics. I know my home team STL will play their final 20 games in 40 days as well as the rest of the league , I'm sure. This has to effect teams sending several players to olympics.... like Det. I think the home stretch of the season will be real hard to handicap. Hell, I gave up trying to figure out this current Blues team months ago. Enjoy this discusion though.