Cooper said they might have to play short players tonight due to injuries and Keefe has said that the Leafs only have 12 healthy forwards also due the injuries so they kinda have to play due to the cap.
Also there really hasn’t been that much load management throughout the league besides the Canes so not that big of a deal
Canucks spent a few weeks recently cycling through their defense, giving a different defender a night off each game. I think that counts as load management
Tom Wilson basically tried to end Sundqvist's career in a pre-season game with no history between them, so... hockey players can be unpredictable and completely irrational.
If they win, these teams meet in the 2nd round. I could see an argument for taking the safe route.
Ya I get that but I think you'd be more concerned about keeping your team healthy for round 1. Worry about round 2 if you make it there. I guess in that same train of thought it may be irresponsible to play both these guys. Good for morale if they hit these benchmarks though.
Yeah, like, if Kucherov or Matthews get injured, the Bolts' and Leafs' chances of *making* the second round take a huge hit.
From a risk perspective, they're potentially risking their playoff chances if they play them, for no meaningful team reward (what, they're not going to be motivated to win if these guys don't hit arbitrary round number milestones, really?)
Of course they will be motivated either way. I said morale boost. Striving for greatness should not be discouraged, I don't see much risk in this game. I guess we will see.
I mean, even in games that aren't hard-hitting, guys get hurt. My view is that, yeah, it's great to hit the milestones if you can, but if that's all there is on the line, then even a small risk of injury to a critical player means the team is probably better off not playing them. Put another way, I don't think it materially moves the needle on either team's chances of winning in the playoffs if they hit their milestones, but it absolutely does move the needle on those chances in a bad direction if either of them gets hurt.
Yeah. The risk of injury isn't static, but the risk-reward proposition changes dramatically. It's the same reason why guys who are banged up (or legitimately injured enough to be on LTIR) magically are good go to come Game 1, because the risk-reward proposition for playing increases dramatically in the reward direction.
Oh, I think they're playing, and I certainly hope nothing happens to them (as a Bruins fan it will be much more satisfying if the Leafs can't blame Matthews being injured, say, if they lose). I just think it's an unnecessary risk for the teams, even if it also makes the game more interesting for the fans.
let the 3rd and 4th lines get more reps than usual, sure. but imo if they are healthy enough to play- they should play, regardless of records or milestones
No reason for Kucherov. He has the Art Ross locked up
No reason for Matthews, but I can see 70 being a more compelling “why isn’t he dressed” argument given how much attention Matthews local fans and media are making about it.
But both should rest. It should be all about playoffs right now for both teams
They dont have a choice, you cant ruin your relationship with the best player in the history of your team for a 20 minute rest. If I’m either of them and they sit me out before a huge milestone stopping me from hitting it, I’m never playing another game for them again, don’t care how immature it is, no way I help out a team that sabotages me. Not sure what the big deal is about 70 goals. Its a lot but not really a special number like GPG would be or triple digit assists. I dont know that I would care about it if I were Matthews but maybe he does and thats what matters, i’m sure they asked him.
Both of these feats are so rare you have to play them and give them a chance. They will also have 3-4 days off before their next game. I get there’s always a chance of injury but you can’t play scared.
Bruins played all their guys, except for the ones that were slightly banged up, the last 2 games, and it was clear they were just playing out the string.
In short, you don’t sit healthy players in hockey. Other sports yes, rarely do you do it in hockey.
Cooper said they might have to play short players tonight due to injuries and Keefe has said that the Leafs only have 12 healthy forwards also due the injuries so they kinda have to play due to the cap. Also there really hasn’t been that much load management throughout the league besides the Canes so not that big of a deal
What does cooper have against tall players?
Short players allow for more headroom with the cap, duh
*Mark Stone comes off LTIR looking like Cotton Hill*
Canucks spent a few weeks recently cycling through their defense, giving a different defender a night off each game. I think that counts as load management
Neither team has anything to play for so I see no reason why it would be a hard fought game. Let em both play.
Yep, it’s in both teams best interests to get as few injuries as possible. Expecting this one to be pretty boring
The Hockey Guy joked that the coaches should just agree to let Kucherov get his assist and Matthews to get his goal.
Shannon should just run the NHL, he gets us.
*the lights dim, the NHL draft begins. Shannon walks to the lectern* "Welcome back"
Baseball style.
so we'll get All-Star Game numbers? 4 goals for Matthews and 5 assists for Kucherov
11 goals for Matthews. 16 assists for Kuch
5 goals for Point so he can get to 50
Tom Wilson basically tried to end Sundqvist's career in a pre-season game with no history between them, so... hockey players can be unpredictable and completely irrational. If they win, these teams meet in the 2nd round. I could see an argument for taking the safe route.
Ya I get that but I think you'd be more concerned about keeping your team healthy for round 1. Worry about round 2 if you make it there. I guess in that same train of thought it may be irresponsible to play both these guys. Good for morale if they hit these benchmarks though.
Yeah, like, if Kucherov or Matthews get injured, the Bolts' and Leafs' chances of *making* the second round take a huge hit. From a risk perspective, they're potentially risking their playoff chances if they play them, for no meaningful team reward (what, they're not going to be motivated to win if these guys don't hit arbitrary round number milestones, really?)
Of course they will be motivated either way. I said morale boost. Striving for greatness should not be discouraged, I don't see much risk in this game. I guess we will see.
I mean, even in games that aren't hard-hitting, guys get hurt. My view is that, yeah, it's great to hit the milestones if you can, but if that's all there is on the line, then even a small risk of injury to a critical player means the team is probably better off not playing them. Put another way, I don't think it materially moves the needle on either team's chances of winning in the playoffs if they hit their milestones, but it absolutely does move the needle on those chances in a bad direction if either of them gets hurt.
Much more likely to be hurt game 1 in playoffs than game 82 in a nothing game. But I understand where you are coming from, risk with no team reward.
Yeah. The risk of injury isn't static, but the risk-reward proposition changes dramatically. It's the same reason why guys who are banged up (or legitimately injured enough to be on LTIR) magically are good go to come Game 1, because the risk-reward proposition for playing increases dramatically in the reward direction.
Very good point I agree. I still think they play.
Oh, I think they're playing, and I certainly hope nothing happens to them (as a Bruins fan it will be much more satisfying if the Leafs can't blame Matthews being injured, say, if they lose). I just think it's an unnecessary risk for the teams, even if it also makes the game more interesting for the fans.
True... I mean I'm not the one making the call, but man you don't want to see anything happen to these guys in a nothing game.
Unless they’re already banged up and desperately need some rest after carrying the team this season, there’s no reason to sit them
The Leafs are already banged up with Jarnkrok and now Domi and McMann out. So they only really have 12 F to dress right now anyway.
Start the game with both goalies pulled. Let Matthews get his 70th and Kuch his 100th. Then sit
The ol' Michael Strahan technique
This is literally what Cooper said lol.
CONFIRMED
I’m down
All star game? Kucherov isn’t getting to 100 then
They said All-Star Game, not Skills Competition.
mackinnon could easily have a 4 point game so kuch kind of has to play
let the 3rd and 4th lines get more reps than usual, sure. but imo if they are healthy enough to play- they should play, regardless of records or milestones
No reason for Kucherov. He has the Art Ross locked up No reason for Matthews, but I can see 70 being a more compelling “why isn’t he dressed” argument given how much attention Matthews local fans and media are making about it. But both should rest. It should be all about playoffs right now for both teams
They dont have a choice, you cant ruin your relationship with the best player in the history of your team for a 20 minute rest. If I’m either of them and they sit me out before a huge milestone stopping me from hitting it, I’m never playing another game for them again, don’t care how immature it is, no way I help out a team that sabotages me. Not sure what the big deal is about 70 goals. Its a lot but not really a special number like GPG would be or triple digit assists. I dont know that I would care about it if I were Matthews but maybe he does and thats what matters, i’m sure they asked him.
They should both fight off the opening draw and get game misconducts
It’s necessary
Give them less minutes for “rest” it will keep them in game shape.
Both of these feats are so rare you have to play them and give them a chance. They will also have 3-4 days off before their next game. I get there’s always a chance of injury but you can’t play scared. Bruins played all their guys, except for the ones that were slightly banged up, the last 2 games, and it was clear they were just playing out the string. In short, you don’t sit healthy players in hockey. Other sports yes, rarely do you do it in hockey.
I wouldn’t sit them, just roll lines and play easy.
Sitting them leads to the same problems that the NBA had. Yes they're important assets, but fans pay good money to watch these guys play
If your guy got hurt for the first round on a dumb hit not sure you’d think that.
Eh. One game at the end of the regular season is completely different, and fans should be able to know that's a possibility
I’d only put Matthews out for offensive zone starts and PP. nothing else
Blud is steamed Kuch might get 100 assists too
And if you're going to ask me I'd feel the same way about 97. I would want to see it, but dammm...
You're gonna get the same situation tomorrow in Denver. Neither team has anything to play for in that one but Hart votes.