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[bonesmccoy]

I agree that the game has become hard to watch, if not outright boring. Too much equipment, too many blocked shots.

 

[OriginofHysteria]

What's hockey?

Spoiler

Of course I watch it =P

 

[Stasis]

I'm watching it right now.

 

[MetatronM]

I think something happened to the sport a few years ago, but it became less... speedy? It's really rough to watch my favorite team the Flyers because they're just so S L O W, I don't remember the sport having lost so much dynamic edge and current / counter-currents.

Of course it may all just be in my head, but I don't remember hockey being so unenjoyable to watch since I watched so much of it for so much of my life.

Well there's your problem right there.

 

[JABEE]

I think something happened to the sport a few years ago, but it became less... speedy? It's really rough to watch my favorite team the Flyers because they're just so S L O W, I don't remember the sport having lost so much dynamic edge and current / counter-currents.

Of course it may all just be in my head, but I don't remember hockey being so unenjoyable to watch since I watched so much of it for so much of my life.

You watched the Flyers in Berube's system with a gimpy Read/Umberger and Vinny the anchor. Not to mention how slow the Flyers defense was last year.

 

[Stasis]

Well there's your problem right there.

 

[jello44]

The NHL isn't as low scoring as it used to be, although some teams and systems might push for low scoring defensive battles (bruins cough cough). I've only been watching hockey for around 5 years now, started watching back in 2010 when the Bruins made that spectacular collapse in the post season.

Next to football I think hockey is the best sport, my view is it's a faster paced condensed version of soccer.

This was a thing of beauty.

Well there's your problem right there.

Spoiler

Fuckin' Ranger fans

You watched the Flyers in Berube's system with a gimpy Read/Umberger and Vinny the anchor. Not to mention how slow the Flyers defense was last year.

Slow. Bad. Broken.

Thankfully, two of those bums (MacDonald/Grossmann) are gone. But it didn't get much better. There's hope on the horizon though.

And Morin and Sanhiem and Provorov

 

[VendettaRed07]

I try to keep up.. But it doesn't feel as fun to watch as it used to be.

There seems to be a lot more dump and chase/ battling on the boards and less break aways and playing through the middle.. But maybe it's just me

 

[Marvie_3]

Hockey is the best sport by far.

NHL-GAF is the best GAF by far.

 

[v1lla21]

Nope, we should deport hockey to Canada.

 

[B_Spooky13]

HOCKEYTOWN REPORTING IN.

Red Wings every game


I live in South Carolina now and was watching hockey in my the tattoo shop where my wife works. A customer walks in and watches it for a few minutes and says "I have no idea whats going on. How do you even follow the puck?"

I say "Where I'm from it comes as a 6th sense"

 

[Livingskeletons]

The low scoring, defense first game is the Kings bread and butter.

Worked for them, well until last year.

 

[Nyoro SF]

Well there's your problem right there.

I knew it!

You watched the Flyers in Berube's system with a gimpy Read/Umberger and Vinny the anchor. Not to mention how slow the Flyers defense was last year.

Yeah. I guess I've just opened my eyes since I moved to LA and began watching some Kings games last year... It's rough to support your home team when they look so sluggish. I probably shouldn't have put the sport down like that. God, our team is so uncoordinated.

 

[Quick]

As a Leafs fan, my sixth sense is disappointment.

 

[SirMossyBloke]

As an Englishman in Canada new to all these north american sports (for the most part), I gotta say I feel Hockey to be the most boring of them all. American football has its moments but the Superbowl is a sight to behold. Baseball is great, and I've really started to enjoy it. Just have to get down some of the acronyms.

 

[TwntyOneTwlv]

The Blue Jackets suck this year, ergo hockey sucks.

Spoiler

Please start winning CBJ

 

[DrForester]

Not as much as I would like. I canceled my cable, which had my Avalanche games. The NHL's stupid season pass thing won't let you watch your home team, so fuck that.

Hockey Streams seems totally messed up at the moment, so I can't sign up there either.

 

[Isotope]

I try to watch the Flyers every chance I get; second favorite team in Philly and always fun to watch, even if they've been mediocre the past few seasons. They have very good prospects in the minors, mainly in Defense. Gonna be fun when they all come up and (hopefully) make an impact.

 

[SURGEdude]

I'm a casual hockey fan but the low scoring is a serious issue. It's one of the reasons I struggle to get into soccer. It also makes games less fun since you can't do anything other than sit there eagle-eyed in fear that you might blink and miss the sole goal of the whole game.

 

[Velcoro]

I barely watch regular season games anymore. But during playoffs usually try and watch every game.

 

[SmackCrackleNPop]

Hockey is the best sport by far.

NHL-GAF is the best GAF by far.

Best GAF reporting in.

This is true and verified.

 

[Brashnir]

I'm a casual hockey fan but the low scoring is a serious issue. It's one of the reasons I struggle to get into soccer. It also makes games less fun since you can't do anything other than sit there eagle-eyed in fear that you might blink and miss the sole goal of the whole game.

Yeah right? I mean it sucks so hard having to pay attention to the thing you're watching!

 

[CitizenCope]

I'm with you OP. It's just so defensive and a real 5 on 5 scoring chance is when a puck is deflected from a defensemans shot. Exciting! These forwards can hardly ever get the puck on their forehand facing the net.
Remember 3 on 2 break outs? Yeah that was a thing.
I'm an oldie so I miss the smaller Ice surface too. The thrill of a bigger neutral zone to skate through. Edge of my seat!

 

[Unhandled Exception]

Hockey is a terrible sport where only the thuggiest of thugs succeed.

 

[eddievanclaylen]

ive been a rabid blackhawks fan since the 80's. looking forward to 3 on 3 ot this season.

 

[Red_Man]

6-0-0 is pretty great

¯_(&#12484_/¯

 

[SmackCrackleNPop]

Hockey is a terrible sport where only the thuggiest of thugs succeed.

That's how the Kings won their Cups

2007 Ducks were nice guys, but had a Pronger Physics problem

 

[MetatronM]

I'm with you OP. It's just so defensive and a real 5 on 5 scoring chance is when a puck is deflected from a defensemans shot. Exciting! These forwards can hardly ever get the puck on their forehand facing the net.
Remember 3 on 2 break outs? Yeah that was a thing.
I'm an oldie so I miss the smaller Ice surface too. The thrill of a bigger neutral zone to skate through. Edge of my seat!

Maybe you're watching the wrong teams? Here's a goal from the one game in the league tonight:

Not exactly an unusual beast.

 

[LJ11]

Love it, fan since I was 8, game is still just as good. If I'm honest with myself it's still my favorite sport. Spend more time watching football, but I never miss a Rangers game. Nothing like playoff hockey, MLB comes close though.

 

[Fata1moose]

Hockey is the only sport I watch, the lack of scoring doesn't bother me, but it really doesn't seem that low. I don't need something to happen every 5 seconds to keep my attention. Hockey is great because it's so dynamic, the game could be swayed at any given moment.

Hockey is a terrible sport where only the thuggiest of thugs succeed.

When Roy fires himself we'll be alright.

Spoiler

:'(

 

[Rafa=FedKilla]

Yep, you know the sport is in bad shape when the Greater Toronto Area can't even put an expansion bid together.

 

[Pikma]

Stop living in the past and learn how much this ever evolving sport has changed ever since the last time you watched it, and by learn I mean to actually invest time in it, not that "I glimpsed the numbers and they didn't look like the numbers from +10 years ago" thing you mentioned in the OP.

 

[Lourio]

6-0-0 is pretty great

¯_(&#12484_/¯

Going to be a hell of a game tonight against St. Louis!

 

[Hari Seldon]

Hockey is my only sport, however there needs to be more scoring. Last season was incredibly boring and I found myself watching the least amount of games I have watched since the dark days of the pre-lockout.

 

[entremet]

At bars. It's still fun, but I cut the cord and don't have any local hockey broadcasts.

 

[malfcn]

As a goalie in biased. Scoring doesn't make game fun in itself. Shots and scoring chances are fun to watch.

 

[Hari Seldon]

At bars. It's still fun, but I cut the cord and don't have any local hockey broadcasts.

Game Center Live + VPN, works flawlessly.

 

[Foggy]

Hockey is amazing. The decision to stop watching NFL and start watching hockey was the best sports watching decision of my life. Also, watching hockey in an arena is S-tier.

 

[Raw64life]

Never understood the appeal. Can anyone explain to me why they don't just find 600 pound guys and lay them sideways in front of the net? If you found two of them you could just squish them together into the net and it would be impossible to score a goal.

 

[Quick]

I'm with you OP. It's just so defensive and a real 5 on 5 scoring chance is when a puck is deflected from a defensemans shot. Exciting! These forwards can hardly ever get the puck on their forehand facing the net.
Remember 3 on 2 break outs? Yeah that was a thing.
I'm an oldie so I miss the smaller Ice surface too. The thrill of a bigger neutral zone to skate through. Edge of my seat!

If you're referring to the entire ice surface, size never changed. If you're referring to the neutral zone shrinking, they made tweaks prior to the 2005-06 season.

Scoring chances are probably better now than pre-2004-05 lockout, especially with the removal of two-line pass offside.

Never understood the appeal. Can anyone explain to me why they don't just find 600 pound guys and lay them sideways in front of the net? If you found two of them you could just squish them together into the net and it would be impossible to score a goal.

lol

 

[apocalidiot]

Never understood the appeal. Can anyone explain to me why they don't just find 600 pound guys and lay them sideways in front of the net? If you found two of them you could just squish them together into the net and it would be impossible to score a goal.

Wow, holy shit, this is a game changer for me

 

[Stet]

As a goalie in biased. Scoring doesn't make game fun in itself. Shots and scoring chances are fun to watch.

Yeah. Hockey is the best sport for OHHH...OHHHHHHHHHHHHH...! ...awwwwwwww.

It's a rollercoaster.

 

[Cake Boss]

only losers don't watch hockey.

do you want to be a loser.

 

[Stasis]

Never understood the appeal. Can anyone explain to me why they don't just find 600 pound guys and lay them sideways in front of the net? If you found two of them you could just squish them together into the net and it would be impossible to score a goal.

They actually did a silly test somewhere with a sumo wrestler in net and one of the worst NHL players, a goon basically, and he scored at will. Mythbusters maybe? I have no idea.

Two goalies? Two nets. Let's do it.

 

[Violence Jack]

I do live. I love going to hockey games even more than football games now. It's a shame that Atlanta keeps losing hockey teams so that I have to travel to NHL cities. TV, I'll only watch during the playoffs.

 

[PeregrinSe7en]

Never understood the appeal. Can anyone explain to me why they don't just find 600 pound guys and lay them sideways in front of the net? If you found two of them you could just squish them together into the net and it would be impossible to score a goal.

i always fantasized shaquille o neal as a goalie

he would have broken goalie records if that were true.

lol

 

[ryan299]

The league is absolutely clueless. They keep taking it out on the goalies when lets face it, there are too many teams for the amount of real talent. Thats the real problem. You will rarely if ever see real dynasties anymore cause there's just too many teams and not enough Crosbys to go around. And when you do see dynasties, it will be dismantled in no time because of the salary cap. Low scoring isnt necessarily a problem when the show is good. Soccer is the most popular sport in the world and is almost always low scoring games. Its not all about amount of goals per game, but that doesnt hurt either.

Soccer has always been low scoring though and fans are used to that. The NHL over the last 30 years has seen scoring go down dramatically. Low scoring games can be extremely fun, but when every game is like that the game is boring.

 

[Joe T.]

Soccer has always been low scoring though and fans are used to that. The NHL over the last 30 years has seen scoring go down dramatically. Low scoring games can be extremely fun, but when every game is like that the game is boring.

The European rink sizes some GMs have wanted to bring over to the NHL would help, but it's impractical because no one thinks losing a few rows of seats and a few million dollars is worth it, even if it means a faster paced game with more exciting marquee players.

 

[Andrew Korenchkin]

Yes.

Go Coyotes!!!!

 

[_Clash_]

Just bought an NHL gamecenter subscrption to watch NHL in Australia!

Love the sprot every time it comes on for the Olympics.

Watched St.Louis vs. Black Hawks. 6-5 in OT first up. Wowee.


Someone hit me with a team to follow. I'm interested in a club with culture and history. Not so much a franchise.

And maybe some tips to develop my appreciation. So we puck watch and zone out when watching a game? Any key structures to keep an eye on?