I doubt Torres will be playing again, and can't say as I would be too sorry about that. Nevertheless, the NHL and its disciplinary board need to get their act together. Shanny was a great player, but I don't think he ever lived up to his promises in that role. Claiming that the league is now safer because suspensions have been down in the past seasons is completely false logic. Daly, Bettman, it has all become a bit of a joke [that isn't so secret]. A terribly unfunny skit that just won't end. I'd like to see more action taken against teams as well, losing a benchwarmer or coughing up a bit of money is nothing to them, so why would they be against this behaviour, really? If it takes out a strong opponent and balances out in their favour, of course they will turn a blind eye. The fact that Torres was wearing the 'A' for that game says it all.

Raffi Torres suspended 41 games for illegal hit in preseason game against Anaheim

The night before the incident, I was talking to my brother saying I hope Torres is back in the line up cause the Sharks need someone like him. I just hope he doesn't do anything stupid...and then he does that the next night. If he played just a little smarter, he would be okay, but bad hit after bad hit is going to make it hard for him when the Sharks let him go. On the flip side, I'm happy Pavs got the C. He deserves it no matter what team he is on.

WTF Torres? I hope he ends up living in a dumpster getting beat up every day with aluminum bats. What a waste of space...

I see Lucic had a fight with Manson from the Ducks the other night. Already miss him. At least we still have McQuaid, who if he can stay healthy usually wins fights.

Was a decent season opener, and interesting to see the Coach's challenge review in effect. I don't really have a particular problem with it, even if it cost us a goal this time. But WOW, is watching games on SportsNet unbelievably annoying. Broadcasters have always favoured the Leafs, but the commentary, colour, even video review during the games is just more biased than ever. Honestly, it is almost a joke to watch these clowns now. CBC was so much better than this. I don't really care if they think (or want everyone to know) that Toronto is Canada's team - it is not by the way, not by a long and incredibly wide margin - but dammit, don't be so annoying about it. You are supposed to be broadcasting on a national level [at least] so at least put up some pretense about it. Of course it is the start of the season, and I have no doubt once they are lagging behind and looking at another 'rebuild year' the broadcasts will conveniently change. Do you know they were repeating baseball scores during the game? Baseball! SN has pretty pathetic coverage overall of a game on any sports level to be honest, and I can't see how they can hold on the NHL rights this way. Oh wait, money.

Barely saw any highlights of the Habs game. Sharks game was something else. I guess now that Lucic is in the Western Conference, we're all going to see how much of a child he is.

That was absolutely wonderful to watch the sharks dismantle the kings last night. That Couture hit on Lucic was the cherry on top! Love how the new coach has them playing. JT's snapshot was so pretty, the pk really solid, and Martin Jones was a beast but I had no doubts about him starting between the pips for the sharks. So glad hockey is back!

forget you all!
go kings!
they gotta get their shit together quickly

Clean open ice hit on Lucic but yeah I'd think twice about taunting him, even if he's incensed and rag-dolling you. I've always hated Logan Couture so I'll tune into the next match up to see what goes down.

It's not going to be the same watching the B's this year

What's wrong with Couture, except for the fact that he doesn't speak clearly? I think Lucic should get something more. It looks like his feet left the ice when he went after Couture.

A lot of people think Dustin Brown is a dirty player and just gets away with everything.
http://www.csnbayarea.com/sharks/kings-brown-lucic-avoid-further-discipline-hits-sharks-couture

Lucic got caught by a smaller guy, pissed him off. Makes the these division rivalries even more fun to watch. And it totally looked like Lucic was head hunting with his elbow.

BTW @gatchbert I was totally yelling at the tv when I saw that dustin brown hit. Total headshot, that dude gets away with too much!

Fuck, lmao again. So the Bruins make some personnel changes but it's the same old story watching their games. Get the opening lead and look great in the first period. Give up a late goal in the last minute of the first or first minute of second period. Basically become the bad news bears, and let the other team score a bunch of goals with bad d or giveaways. Then mount a comeback in the third, get close only to give up a bunch more goals!

Same story different year

They had it on for about two minutes over here on the eastcoast, I was hoping they would leave it on as I wanted to see some Boston hockey. Do they have a bunch of injuries right now?

Chara and Seidenberg. But both those guys are on their last hockey legs anyhow.

Yeah thats true. How do you feel about Matt Irwin?

Dustin Brown is about the same as Raffi Torres except that Raffi gets caught almost every time. I bet off the ice, Lucic is some pompous I FART A LOT who thinks he is entitled to anything.

WTF Bruins lost 6-2 vs the Jets? Pens get shut out (awesome). The Wild make a come back with a Parise hat-trick (awesome). Sabres lost (no surprise). 3v3 is one of the dumbest things in the NHL (The Ducks old Wild Wing jersey is still tops on my list for the dumbest things in the NHL. If you don't remember it, do yourself a favor and don't search the web for it).

Do not like what I see. He was behind the net trying to set up a pass to break out of the zone and let Andrew Ladd (another player I fucking hate) poke check the puck from him, and bam one touch pass to a racing in opposing player from behind the net and Rask had no chance!

Basically cardinal rule as a d-man is: you're not supposed to get an assist for the opposing team:

https://youtu.be/ZgENj5mBv0Y?t=1m18s

Bert actually the Jets made the playoffs last year and looked pretty good against the B's. Granted the Bruins are a team on the down trend and in disarray but they were flying all over the ice and living in their end.

I think Matt Irwin will be a much better player as the season goes. You can't really judge on the one game plus, some players are really good at stealing pucks, like that Datsyuk guy.

I enjoyed the Bos/Mon game, even if it wasn't quite the passionate full-on antagonism that the matchup usually produces. It is early in the season, so no one has quite that desperation yet for really exciting games. I'd like to see the rivalry heat up with more matchups than they have in the current schedule though.

I'm probably not going to watch much hockey this year. I mean I know it's early, but just from the 2 games I've seen it looks like the same ol' frustrating Bruins. Different players, same ol' shit. Only plus I saw was they nailed some Habs pretty hard last night with checks. Still can't score and to save their lives. Price may be good but there were so many times they could have buried that puck in the net IMO.

I can't watch a team that never scores. I know they were in cap hell but it started with giving out ridiculous contracts to role players, getting Iginla- trading Seguin & Boychuck, losing Lucic & Hamilton, and the identity people they should have kept are gone (oh and aging is catching up with them). I love the B's will always root for them but I'll take the team from 2010-2013 over anything they've fielded in recent years. They are just no fun to watch anymore. I feel like we're headed back to the dark days of the late 90's or the few years before Julian took over. BTW I think his days are numbered. I suspect he's fired by November for sure.

I just can't justify the energy and ultimate frustration it takes to give 3 hours of my time a night for 82 games when I should be using the time to try and get higher grades in my classes.

Oh and to add to the shit show of last night in what world do the refs call goalie interference on Patrice when he was pushed into Price when that asshat Gallagher gets to do whatever he wants inside the paint usually? A non goon like Spooner tossed for that hit? That piece of shit Emelin targets Bergeron, Weise injures Marchand. Yet every time a Boston fan complains about the referees for a Habs B's game, we're just whining. The Canadiens gets away with so much shit and your fanbase knows it!

My only comfort is knowing that the current team will never touch the cup-EVER.

Highlights:

http://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/2015 ... 4-bruins-2

Yeah, and I can understand what you are saying too. I think as fans that follow any team, we have all been there at some point or another. As much as some folks like to tout the number of cups Montreal has won, for instance, there are still plenty of lean and dry years. And while we are incredibly lucky to have Price now, and had some playoff appearances pretty steadily, we have been far from a 'strong' team for a while now. But that is kinda what being a fan is all about. You stick around through the tough times, and always remain optimistic for that golden year. I can't say as I watch all 82 games in a season, even if I could, but as much as there is tiring times and malaise, I always end up finding that excitement that brings me back. But, yes, definitely recently, changes to the league, the formats, the broadcasting, the complete unaffordability of it all, etc., I do feel the passion is waning, for myself and amid a lot of the hockey fanbase.

I've stuck with the Bruins since the late 80's when I started watching games on ESPN. I actually lived near Boston as a wee kid and there are pics of me as a toddler running around with a Bruins knit cap even after I left the area. Anyhow it was much easier to actually watch in the 80's and 90's because the NHL was the red headed step child of all sports, so I think they were trying to build viewership rather than fleece fans by limiting where you could see games on TV. Bettman really changed the fucking NHL I grew up with.

Anyhow not abandoning my team just the drive to watch every single game like I have for the past 5 years or so is not there. If that makes me fair weather than so be it, I tuned into lots of games when they sucked for years but most of the core players I love are gone: Lucic, Horton, Boychuck, Ference, Thornton, Hamilton, Seguin, hell even Thomas and his crazy self. Chara and Seidenberg got old and are always hurt, so is McQuaid often. Who's left? Bergy, Marchy, Krejci? Of the new kids I only rate Krug, Pastrnak, and this new Colin Miller kid! He's going to be really good. Same thing happened to me in the mid nineties when the Bruins team I loved started changing: Oates, Neely Bourque, etc etc.

Heard they put Irwin on waivers today and Marchand has a concussion.

I don't think anyone would consider calling you a fairweather fan Chris, that wasn't what I was getting at. More just that we have all been there, and 'toned down' our following of the regular team from time to time, just to exhaustion, shitty seasons, other commitments, or whatever. That isn't fairweather at all, for that you need to go see fans (at least in Canada) in Toronto or Vancouver. That is pretty much the definition for me. But I am just more concerned about the general disillusionment we are all feeling as fans move away from the league, due to the stupid changes they have worked into the game.

In other news, of course I am happy to see the Habs on decent winning streak, but is it weird for me to not want them to win so many, at least so quickly? (and of course, the Pens going 0-3 now is amusing as well) It is very early in the season, and I would much rather them (1) not get overconfident, (2) win at the end when it matters and is harder to come by, and (3) have a consistent season - there is nothing worse than the mid-season collapse we have seen countless times from teams, Montreal included.

well that sucks. Couture got injured during practice

While I agree... Did you watch the game yesterday, which arguably was their first real challenge? It was beautiful! Pretty much everyone played well, so I can't help but feel very confident!

Pretty banged up right now. I guess better now than later :/