That was the ONLY thing I've ever liked Hordichuk do. It's a shame he didn't do more of it 'cause I honestly don't see what else he brings to the game. There was a reason why he didn't play in the playoffs at all this year.

Rypien is our #1 tough guy IMO despite him being much smaller than the usual tough guy size. But when he fights it really gets the team and fans jacked up since he always goes in as the underdog and holds his own.

The problem with our "pluggers" is this - they have one skill (e.g. fighting, shot-blocking, etc.), but they have nothing else. We need our bottom six to be able to skate, have confidence to carry the puck out of the zone, and chip in once in a while. Aside from Kyle Wellwood, nobody on the bottom six was remotely threatening. Let me break it down:

Ryan Johnson - has decent speed, courage, and faceoff skills, but no hands and little hockey sense
Darcy Hordichuk - can hit, but rarely wins fights
Rick Rypien - can fight, has a decent shot when given time, but little hockey sense
Jannik Hansen - has NHL speed and can chirp, but no hands
Steve Bernier - can stand in front of the net, but can't skate, can't hit, has no hands
Tanner Glass - can hit, but doesn't have NHL speed and can't make decisions quick enough at this level

Tough isn't just limited to fights. It's more about hitting. Ever since Game 2, Period 2, Canucks were flinching at every Hawk bodycheck. In return, most of our hits were soft to the point that finishing their checks looked like touching along the boards :(

There is a use for the Hordichuk-type players out there and it's not for scoring, playmaking or defense. Its for softening up the other team; which is exactly what the Hawks did by adding Burish and Eager to the lineup from Game 2 on onwards.

For every time he gets side stepped, he blocks 2 shots. If you notice, a lot of the shots he blocks are the cross ice passes for one-timers from the point. And the shooters rarely stop the puck to sidestep those. More often then not, when you see a juicy onetime pass coming your way, you take it. The goalie is caught moving side to side and most players aren't set for it. Those are the times Johnson goes down to block the shot.

And remember 3 years back when the number 1 topic was how we couldn't win a damn faceoff? And now our faceoff % is just fine because of Henrik, Kesler, and Johnson.

When it comes down to a crucial PK, late in a game and tied, you want to win that faceoff.

GO MONTREAL GO 2-0!!!!!

PK % numbers:

178 for 223 (79.8%) with Johnson.

71 for 81 (87.6%) without Johnson.

This chart shows shorthanded minutes per shorthanded goal allowed. 9-10 first column, 08-09 second column. The first number shows the rate which a SH goal is allowed when they're on the ice, the second number shows the rate when they're on the bench.

Burrows: 13.6/7.1, 8.7/8.4
Kesler: 10.2/7.7, 8.8/8.2
Raymond: 9.3/8.4, 9.4/8.4
Hansen: 8.7/8.6, 11.7/8.1
Johnson: 5.8/11.1, 6.6/9.9

So with Burrows on the PK, we gave up a power play goal every 13.6 minutes. When he's benched, we gave up one every 7.1 minutes.
Now look at Johnson's numbers.

He plays hard, sacrifices the body, has a lot of heart. But he just doesn't have the hockey IQ and doesn't fit in our system. That being said, Gillis and AV have a hard-on for the guy, so I wouldn't be surprised if he's back.

Wow @ the Habs but still a long ways to go. The Habs blew a 4-1 lead vs the Caps.

Agree, he's no Murray Baron. I'd rather see them try someone who would fit better then resign Johnson.

subban owning crosby
and hes the #1 selling jersey at the bell center right now ahead of camalleri

woot woot. I got +240 on the Habs.

San Jose vs Chicago
Boston vs Montreal

San Jose vs Boston finals

wow 4 - 0 Montreal

Bye bye pittsburgh hahaha, go habs

habs are pwning LOL they pulled fleury

wow so close almost another goal

Halak is a beast

i told my friends MTL in 7 against WSH and then i said MTL/PIT series would go 7 games, never thought they could actually pull it off

Gee, the MTL game is getting intense! :eek:

Rypien/Hansen are the only bottom 2 line players i'd want to keep

everyone else is completely expendable imo, Johnson isnt even a "defensive forward" all he does it block shots, he doesnt play a shut down game and has virtually zero offensive upsides

everyone else is basically the same and just fill roles

Hansen has no finish whatsoever.

Hansen's goals arent pretty but for a guy who played half the season, and plays 4th line minutes can pk and still be able to score 9 goals. I'd keep him for cheap

to add to this, he has to block shots cause the puck is never on his stick.

Go, Pittsburgh, GO!!!!!

Go, Boston, GO!!!!

GIONNNNNNNNNNTAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!