lol.. that 40 goals was a function of the entire team playing lights out and pretty much crushing every team during the reg season. Several players beat their own personal records.

People aren't going to give Kesler credit for that season? Empty netters and Sedins... :facepalm:

No wonder people say Vancouver fans are the worst.

I remember when the Sharks used to dominate us pre-2011, then we had our way with them in 2011 and 2012.

Feels like pre-2011 all over again

Seems we're like a completely different team when we're playing the sharks

Sharks are damn good. They have what we need. Young all stars taking over for the old regime when the old regime is still effective.

They've been in the mix consistently for so long. Wonder if this might be the year for them..

Damn santorelli leading all skaters in TOI

Torts has a favourite :)

^ It's because he's practically the only player that showed up. Wtf is up with Edler? He looks so lost out there.

Unfortunately I don't think he will be scoring 40 goals and 100 points. If he's the best we have, we're in trouble.

Higgins, santa, and hansen have been the only consistent players in my mind.

D-man have been off.

I'm pretty sure Edler is slightly retarded

https://d13csqd2kn0ewr.cloudfront.ne...EdlerHertl.gif

Torts' live post game interview on youtube now:

The coach hit the nail on the head with his comments "We need more people going". -lack of overall team effort. "slow reaction, slow response".

If Hertl had continued to go for the puck along the boards rather than trying to bank it off and cut to the inside and avoid the hit that would have been shoulder to shoulder.

Duchene's NOS

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8139/1...870e6b56_o.gif

-wonder what Torts will do to make this team play harder and smarter at the boards, and win more battles for the pucks.

How can this team play their puck possession game when they can't get win those battles for the pucks at the boards? -gotta get the dirty work done. :facepalm:

Kassian is back Saturday, so it will be interesting to see how he fits in. Schroeder has the walking boot off, so maybe he'll start practicing again soon? Mix in a playmaker somewhere on line 2-3.

Hawks and Sharks, best of the west

Sharks are playing so well i'm starting to like them :pokerface:

he pretty much carried the team for a long stretch in the regular seasson that year
even through the nashville and sharks series he carried them
was an easy candidate for Conn Smythe before he got injured in game 5 vs sharks

its odd seeing regression like that though. maybe he tried to define himself as a skill player afterwards and gave up on the grittiness and hustle he had before?

Kesler sucks, I've been a hater since the beginning. Hands of stone with no vision. If you guys play hockey you'll have encountered a few of these guys, can't pass, just bee lines to the line and shoots.

wait for it... Kesler will be the brad richards of 04 under torts in the playoffs :lol

I don't think he's gonna let that happen. Since Duthie pretty made torts admit that he fucked up with Richards

Kesler thrived playing with the Sedins, that's the bottom line. There's a reason why he potted 15 goals, and at least half were easy ones around the net or passes where the goalie had no time to react.

I love how you automatically assume I'm discrediting him, its called being realistic. On any other given season his max goal output is 30, and its clear that the whole league knows his style of play and the way he looks for his shot which will make it only harder for him. And with having hip and shoulder surgery you have to tweak the biomechanics of your shot and learn to shift/balance weight again.

Thanks for only reading the first sentence.

PS: you only perpetuate and contribute to it more by repeating it over and over.

Kesler needs a creator to be useful offensively. He doesn't have the brain nor the skill to create offense for the second line. It's always been like that throughout his career. Not sure why everyone has such high expectations for him.

he had a 20-50-75 season in 2009-2010

I think everyone exceeded expectations points wise tho

That's his ceiling. 70 point, 2 way centre. That 40 goal season was a fluke. Right now it's looking like he's on a downward slope from that ceiling.

This game was a good benchmark game... it was fun winning the last 3 games,
but once again, we're not even close to competing with a cup contending team.

Just shows how far we are now.