The puck drops tonight

[DollarManSteve]

Originally Posted by Nickatilynx

From you guys that follow the games perspective do you think the rule changes have improved the game?

The game looks completely different. At one point last night Havlat (sens) caught McCabe (leafs) flat-footed and blew past him for a scoring chance. In the 'old' nhl, McCabe would have hooked/grabbed/tackled him.. but as it was, he got beat and could do nothing - this is the way it should be. A faster, skilled forward got the better of a defenceman and it made for an exciting play.

There were also 3-4 long 2 line passes.. plays which would have been offside previously. Also, the new tag-up offside rule and the no line change in icing rule really made a difference.

The games will only get better and more exciting as the players continue to adjust to the new rules.

[Bhelliom]

Originally Posted by DollarManSteve

The game looks completely different. At one point last night Havlat (sens) caught McCabe (leafs) flat-footed and blew past him for a scoring chance. In the 'old' nhl, McCabe would have hooked/grabbed/tackled him.. but as it was, he got beat and could do nothing - this is the way it should be. A faster, skilled forward got the better of a defenceman and it made for an exciting play.

There were also 3-4 long 2 line passes.. plays which would have been offside previously. Also, the new tag-up offside rule and the no line change in icing rule really made a difference.

The games will only get better and more exciting as the players continue to adjust to the new rules.

I agree
Definitely much more exciting. The new rules are going to very much improve the game.

I found it to be a lot faster and involved much more skill. I think things like this are going to be the end of team enforcers. Although Domi did have fun jumping onto the ice and getting unsportmanlike.