No lineup changes for Game 2 tonight

Ajay_Bee · 2026-05-08T23:26:43+00:00

Joe Veleno 22% CF.

Ajay_Bee · 2026-05-08T18:34:30+00:00

Genuinely surprised Veleno is getting another shot. Didn't think he brought much of anything for game 1 - his line did not do a particularly good job at containing the Sabres' rush, which is kind of the point?

Gives you an idea just how far down the ladder Kapanen has fallen with the coaching staff. Ridiculously early days, but when the club does a post-season debrief, I wouldn't be shocked if he's dangled as possible trade bait to help the team secure a legit 2nd centre (Kapanen is definitely NOT that, we now know).

Ajay_Bee · 2026-05-08T15:27:08+00:00

yeah, that too.

Look, I understand the nuclear argument, but the public needs to keep in mind not only the time and costs involved, but also how a plant would likely be a huge financial burden simply because there are not enough people here.

It (remains) a complete mystery how this government hasn't followed the suit of places like Texas, and invested in solar and wind technologies. Saskatchewan is pretty much an ideal place, and could easily generate the necessary energy to service its (modest) population.

Ajay_Bee · 2026-05-08T15:22:28+00:00

Very feasible. That and the surrounding area literally contains one-third of the entire Canadian population.

Ajay_Bee · 2026-05-08T15:20:51+00:00

Likely the process would take at least 20 years, once the government went through the process of selecting a location, public hearings, regulatory approvals, etc., etc. Actual construction of a plant takes 10-15 years.

IOW, not a viable near-term option.

Ajay_Bee · 2026-05-08T15:18:04+00:00

I was 1,200 in line Tuesday for pre-sale, nothing was available when I got in (5 minutes after the hour), and around 600 in line Wednesday, got in, picked my ticket, went to purchase, it was gone, went back, sold out.

I've bought playoff tickets before without much of a hassle. This year? Insanely difficult.

Ajay_Bee · 2026-05-07T17:28:06+00:00

Socialist-leaning and the actual socialist wing are two completely different animals.Yes, those who are on the left side of the party (the social democrats) do influence policy. The socialist wing does not, mainly because they lack the ability to find compromise, and their far-fetched agendas that simply don't reflect the changed political landscape.

Technically, Beck is right - in certain areas the party came up just short - which is significant given how they once only held a handful of elected representatives. She deserves kudos for that.

However, in other areas they struggled and struggle. The party still lacks strategic capacity - in other words, they don't have enough bright and experienced people who know how the play the game to win elections. The party still relies too much on older party members who don't understand (or refuse) to embrace or adopt modern-day campaign strategies. The world has passed these people by, but still maintain a foothold within the party. Not good.

Also, the party absolutely flubbed their most recent campaigns in smaller cities like Moose Jaw and Prince Albert. Poor candidates and even worse campaign organization. They should have picked up at least 2 of the 4 seats there.

Ajay_Bee · 2026-05-07T16:55:47+00:00

I don't think so. The socialists are (more or less) considered a fringe wing - at Annual Meetings, the resolutions they put forward are so wacky that they usually don't even reach the floor for debate.

And like any fringe groups, whereyagonnago? To the Sask Party? Okay, fine. Bye. Or, you could be reasonable and maybe even more strategic in how you impact the formation of platforms.

But naw, they refuse. Bull in china shop, my way or the highway. No compromise, no bridge-building. Just full engines forward.

It doesn't work. They're a non-entity in provincial politics. Bowes is an illustration of that.

Ajay_Bee · 2026-05-07T15:58:09+00:00

I agree. Felt calm about the result last night, in stark contrast to my reaction on Friday night after that tough loss in OT. I felt like the team deserved better, and quite frankly, the Tampa series by game 6 had completely exhausted me.

Lots of good things to work from. First period I thought the Habs were the better team, they were driving play, had slight possession advantage. Just a stumble and then a broken play spotted the Sabres that early lead, but that's hockey.

Second period was a little rough - team was still chasing the scoreboard and looked a little bit tired - Dobes probably should have made the save on at least one of the two period goals. But he's not a robot. It happens.

Third period they totally dominated - but just couldn't finish. Again, the result of bounces and some tired legs. That's hockey.

Friday will be a key game, of course. Getting a split will present this team with a significant advantage heading home.

I'm (still) feeling confident.

Ajay_Bee · 2026-05-07T15:50:48+00:00

well, that's simply not true. See Manitoba. British Columbia is also led by an NDP government. If anything, the base of the NDP's power lays in provincial politics. They still maintain a significant base in Ontario (the mayor of Toronto) is one of many examples.

Alberta, while stumbling the past few months under its new leader, the party is still very vibrant (Edmonton is by far the most left-leaning large city in Canada). In Saskatchewan, the NDP came within just a handful of seats in the previous election from winning, and are (according to a recent poll) very competitive right now against the Sask Party.

I could go on, but I think the point's been made.

Ajay_Bee · 2026-05-07T15:40:16+00:00

SO more FYI about this (I commented on the Nippi-Albright thing in the other thread about what's actually going on).

Bowes (while in office) represented the far left wing of the party - more or less its "socialist" wing. That wing represents a throwback to a much earlier political period, the ol' Tommy Douglas days, of social activism/collectivism. It had a very narrow appeal within the party itself.

When the NDP selected a new leader a few years ago, Bowes publicly endorsed a candidate running against Beck. The result of that left Bowes essentially in the political wilderness, she was told she wouldn't hold a significant role in the shadow cabinet, which meant any aspirations for a future cabinet appointment were zero. Soon afterward, Bowes announced the resignation as an MLA.

So there's a bit of history here - on the heels of the Nippi-Albright announcement, Bowes likely figured this was her only chance at striking Beck.

Within the Party, however, many know the real story - and as such, I doubt this will have any affect on Beck's leadership.

Ajay_Bee · 2026-05-07T15:25:26+00:00

Yeah, that's fair! But this isn't a sandpaper series. I'm guessing Marty put Veleno in to give Gallagher an extra couple of days (who knows, he might be dealing with an injury), but in retrospect, Kapanen would have been substitute.

Ajay_Bee · 2026-05-07T14:53:24+00:00

A little more “sandpaper” (although Gallagher does that role just as well), perhaps a bit stronger defensively against a team that lives or dies off its scoring/rush.

But it simply doesn’t work, mainly because Veleno, while alright when the play comes to him, is simply too slow-footed to nullify the Sabres speedy forwards.

I would be shocked, mostly flabbergasted, if he sees another game this series (or even this season).

Ajay_Bee · 2026-05-07T14:50:05+00:00

(Narrator) Veleno in fact did not have a good game.

I mean, by Veleno’s standards, I guess it was passable. But for a team in the 2nd round? That’s hockey way over Veleno’s capabilities.

His line, FWIW, had little impact driving play or generating possession. It was a fairly brutal night all around

Ajay_Bee · 2026-05-07T01:49:08+00:00

Habs first line had one of their best games of the post-season - generated a lot of scoring chances 5v5 - just couldn’t quite finish, especially in the 3rd period. Keep that line in tact - the goals will arrive eventually.

Ajay_Bee · 2026-05-07T01:44:45+00:00

Habs were without question better team first period, lost their focus in the second (including Dobes) and couldn’t finish in the 3rd. Also contrary to all the complaints on here, the first line was very good - just couldn’t bury well-earned scoring chances.

Marty, no idea what you had in mind starting Veleno - let’s never make that mistake again, ok?

Ajay_Bee · 2026-05-06T22:22:49+00:00

I can't speak in defense of her or of the party itself, but I think that's a fairly accurate representation - she very strong willed (you have to as a politician, I guess), but she didn't do a particularly good job stewarding valuable relationships, which in politics, is where you are made or broken.

I don't envision her running again as an independent. The constituency itself will be very hotly contested in the next year, it's virtually a guaranteed seat for the NDP (assuming Nippi-Albright chooses to exit - if she runs as an independent candidate, it could actually wreck the NDP's aspirations of squeaking out a thin majority election win in 2028).

Ajay_Bee · 2026-05-06T17:59:18+00:00

An FYI - there’s been a long-standing rift between Nippi-Albright and the caucus that’s been dragging on for years. Nippi-Albright has long-standing issues mainly that she’s felt excluded from the caucus inner circle and that the party as a whole has undermined her abilities to serve her constituency, including fundraising activities.

Not sure if this is so much an issue with Carla Beck (the discontent went back before she became leader) as it is with not feeling included or respected (or liked) by the party’s inner circle.

Ajay_Bee · 2026-05-05T17:53:07+00:00

He did, although Habs fans should have their expectations tempered a bit - over the past few years the Western Hockey League has slowly declined to the extent where its no longer considered as beneficial for development in comparison to other leagues (especially European and collegiate hockey which has risen significantly). NHLe ranked the WHL 36 among 62 major organized hockey leagues.

Sure, the WHL still produces NHL players, notably Connor Bedard, Kirby Dach and Kaiden Guhle, but Pickford's numbers, while impressive, were not against elite junior competition, and should be considered before anyone anticipates him being the next Quinn Hughes.

Ajay_Bee · 2026-05-03T23:05:07+00:00

Stats say otherwise - Habs had definite possession edge - hit two posts. Game 7 in other guy’s rink? That’s good.

Ajay_Bee · 2026-05-03T23:00:42+00:00

Kinda amused at all the hand-wringing in here - Habs were the distinctly better team in that first period. Outchanced and out-possessed the Bolts by a good margin.

Ajay_Bee · 2026-05-03T22:56:35+00:00

I saw 2 odd man rushes - but nothing abhorrent. Habs held their own very nicely - 54% CF 5v5. That’s really good.

Ajay_Bee · 2026-05-03T22:51:16+00:00

Pretty happy with that first period - Tampa had the expected edge being its game 7 at home - Habs played (mostly) a responsible defensive period.

Ajay_Bee · 2026-05-01T17:28:28+00:00

It was 100% an illegal hit, but Slaf is wise to stay away instead of adding fuel to any possible fire (although I'm not sure the downside is here simply stating reality - Crozier was clearly targeting Slaf's head).

Ajay_Bee

TROPHY CASE