[GDT] Vancouver Canucks vs Nashville Predators, Rogers Arena, Apr 30 7PM PST (10PM EDT), the Let's Bury Them Today Game!

[Rocket-68]

A Random Hockey Story

Spoiler

25 Craziest Players in NHL History

By: KEVIN GOFF

Along with being some of the most physically gifted athletes in the world, hockey players are often some of the strangest characters out there. Not because they are constantly being arrested or anything like that; instead, it's the on-ice activities that make hockey players unique.

 

The outside observer, and even some diehard fans, could very well look at some of these guys and think that they are crazy.

Whether it be the way they go after anybody and everybody on the ice with reckless abandon, or for some of their superstitions, hockey players have always been a little bit different.

Here are some of the craziest players that hockey has ever seen, in no particular order.

 

Ilya Bryzgalov

1 OF 25

With the Flyers' appearance on the HBO program 24/7, Ilya Bryzgalov became a bit of a fan favorite thanks to some of his unique views on life and the universe.

My personal favorite was his expertise on tigers.

At the very least, Bryzgalov is a bit "out there."

 

Ray Bourque

2 OF 25

I thought this one was particularly entertaining.

Ray Bourque had a rather interesting superstition that would take place during each and every single intermission.

Bourque would change his skate laces before every game and during every intermission.

Might explain why that guy had some pretty good hands.

 

The 1975 New York Islanders

3 OF 25

On the more disgusting side of crazy, the 1975 New York Islanders are well remembered for coming back from a 3-0 series deficit to defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins.

What people might not remember from this is that the Islanders kept elephant poop with them throughout that series.

This was from the series before, actually, when they played the New York Rangers, who were sharing Madison Square Garden with the circus at the time.

 

Link Gaetz

4 OF 25

Link Gaetz definitely falls into the crazy section of things, but not for the delightfully quirky reasons that a lot of the other guys on this list do.

Gaetz was just plain nuts.

Hockeyfights.com has a pretty good collection of film on this guy and a pretty interesting description of his career as well.

3,301 PIMS, over the span of almost 15 leagues around North America. Over that span Link has left a path of blood, destruction, 911 calls. This on top of visits to league commissioner office(s), local jails, drunk tanks, hospitals and hockey arena hamburger stands. To get this far, The Missing Link has had to gone through the likes of Chris Simon, Bill Goldthorpe, Joel Theriault and the legendary lunatic, Gino Odjick.

 

 

Glenn Hall

5 OF 25

The man they called "Mr. Goalie" wasn't really that crazy, but he did have an unfortunate habit of vomiting before every game.

I guess the crazy part was that he never really tried to find a way to stop vomiting and just embraced it.

A little gross, but he had a pretty OK career, nonetheless.

 

Stan Mikita

6 OF 25

Stan Mikita played in a different era in many different ways.

The players didn't wear helmets, goalies didn't wear masks and smoking in the locker rooms was expected.

Mikita had a habit of smoking a cigarette between each period and making certain to toss the butt over his left shoulder when he was finished.

He could have just used salt.

 

Ed Belfour

7 OF 25

Ed Belfour, or "Crazy Eddie" as a friend of mine and I liked to refer to him, was just that.

Goalies are usually quirky and particular about certain things, and Belfour was no different; though, he was a great deal more extreme about things than others.

Belfour was very particular in not letting anybody touch his equipment. Not so bad, right?

It wasn't too bad until he would warn anybody that might not already know, "You touch my stuff, I'll kill you."

He was also arrested a couple of times for drunkenly resisting arrest while in Dallas and Florida.

 

Pelle Lindbergh

8 OF 25

Yes, you have noticed a theme. A lot of goalies seem to be a bit crazy.

Pelle Lindbergh is another shining example of just how eccentric goalies can be.

Lindbergh had one shirt that he would wear under his equipment for every game. Not one style of shirt, not one color of shirt, exactly one shirt that he wore his entire career.

He never allowed it to be washed and if the shirt began to tear or fall apart, he would just have it sewn up again.

He would also only drink a specific kind of Swedish soda between periods, which he would only take from a certain trainer and would only accept it with his right hand.

Let's also not forget that this drink, Pripps, had to have exactly two ice cubes in it.

 

Daniel Briere

9 OF 25

When most people have a good game with a particular piece of equipment, they make sure that they use the exact same things again. Not Daniel Briere.

Briere brings three sticks with him at all times because if he has a good game with one of his sticks, he will give it a night off as a reward for its fine performance.

A crazy hockey player, or just a good boss?

 

Brendan Shanahan

10 OF 25

Now the long arm of the NHL law, Brendan Shanahan used to be one of the grittiest and toughest players to play the game of hockey.

He played the game tough and mean and was incredibly good at it.

Which is why he absolutely has to be crazy for listening to Madonna songs before games.

Perhaps he just wanted to think about something that made him really angry? I have no idea, but Madonna before a hockey game? 

That's just not right.

 

Darcy Tucker

11 OF 25

Darcy Tucker was known for being an agitator, and at times, it just seemed like the guy enjoyed hurting people.

He is responsible for several very questionable hits throughout his career.

To play that kind of a roll, just as Matthew Barnaby and other agitators like him, you have to have some kinds of screws loose.

 

Dale Hunter

12 OF 25

Another one of the most amazing pests the game has ever seen, Dale Hunter could lose it from time to time.

And when he lost it, watch out. Just ask Pierre Turgeon.

Dale Hunter was very good at getting under people's skin, but when something got under his skin, he would just lose his mind.

 

Stephan Lebeau

13 OF 25

Stephan Lebeau has one of the more disgusting traditions in my mind.

Lebeau would chew 20-25 pieces of gum before game time and would spit them all out exactly two minutes before game time.

Just weird.

 

The Green Men

14 OF 25

A couple of the craziest guys that hockey has ever seen are the Green Men in Vancouver.

Their unique way of cheering on their team is one of the nuttiest, but also some of the most entertaining action out there.

They don't really have an impact on the game, but their shenanigans can't be overlooked.

 

Sidney Crosby

15 OF 25

Sidney Crosby is quickly making a name for himself with some of his crazy superstitions.

Crosby is insane about his sticks.  He must be the one to tape them and nobody is allowed to even think about touching them once he has finished.

If it looks to him like somebody was going to touch his stick, Crosby will have to re-tape it all over again.

Crosby also will never talk to his mother on game days.

He's quite strange.

 

Bruce Gardiner

16 OF 25

Bruce Gardiner must have had something against his stick because he would dunk it in the toilet before every game.

Most guys are obsessed with the well-being of their stick. Not Gardiner.

 

Sean Avery

17 OF 25

Sean Avery has to be on a list like this because somebody would have to be crazy to constantly do the same things over and over again and never learn from the suspensions and fines.

It was Albert Einstein that said, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

I don't know that Avery expects different results, but he sure seems to do the same stupid things time after time.

 

Matthew Barnaby

18 OF 25

Jump to the 2:21 mark of the above video to take a look at Matthew Barnaby.

One of the greatest pests in the history of the NHL, Matthew Barnaby enjoyed his job just a little bit too much.

There aren't that many guys that scream in enjoyment while fighting somebody, but Barnaby did.

To do his job the way the he did, you have to be crazy.

 

Joe Nieuwendyk

19 OF 25

Joe Nieuwendyk is another guy who had quite a strange habit before games.

Nieuwendyk would put baby powder on his stick before every single game because he thought that the baby powder had magical properties that helped him score goals.

Apparently, keeping sticks from getting diaper rash is key to goal scoring.

 

Theo Fleury

20 OF 25

I always compare Theo Fleury to that little dog that thinks that it's about 10 times larger than it actually is.

The only difference is that that dog is usually on a leash and being held back; Fleury was never on any leash.

He would go at guys twice his size all of the time and was incredibly effective as both an agitator and a scorer.

To be as small as he is and to play that intense of a game against guys who could fit you in their pockets takes somebody who is a little bit nuts.

 

Stéphane Quintal

21 OF 25

Stéphane Quintal was known to give the silent treatment to people on game days.

He didn't discriminate, though, he didn't talk to a single person after 1:30 p.m. on game days.

Probably good for focusing, but not talking to a single person? That's a bit strange.

 

Wayne Gretzky

22 OF 25

Sure, The Great One seems like just your average guy, but during his playing days, he was quite cooky.

Gretzky had several crazy little quirks. Whenever he came out for pregame warm-ups, Gretzky would make certain to shoot his first shot wide right of the net.

After warm-ups, Gretzky had to have four beverages in a specific order.

Diet Coke, followed by a glass of ice water, followed by a Gatorade, followed by another Diet Coke.

With that many drinks, it's amazing he didn't have to run off the ice between shifts to relieve himself, unless there was one other tradition that nobody knew about.

 

Patrick Roy

23 OF 25

Patrick Roy is arguably the greatest goalie to ever play the game of hockey. He was also one of the most eccentric goalies to ever play.

Roy is known for his many superstitions. The superstitions that he is best known for were talking to his goal posts during games and never skating across the lines on the ice.

Roy also had quite the temper. There is a well-documented story about his temper after a game that Roy won against the Anaheim Ducks when Bob Hartley was coaching the Avalanche.

Hartley told Roy that he had given up a soft goal, and Roy went into the video room and destroyed all of the equipment.

A completely natural reaction.

 

Ron Hextall

24 OF 25

Probably the most violent goalie to play the game of hockey, Ron Hextall loved to get involved in the physical aspects of the game.

The above clip might show exactly how wild he was. I have never seen a goalie charge out at a guy the way that Hextall charged Chris Chelios in this one.

Hextall was certifiably nuts.

 

Gilles Gratton

25 OF 25

Gilles Gratton was a goalie that lives in a bit of obscurity due to when he played the game and how young he got out of it.

Gratton's eccentricities, however, are well chronicled.

Gratton was a great believer in reincarnation and claimed that he knew vivid details of some of his past lives. Apparently, he wasn't too shy about sharing those, either.

In one interview with Marv Albert, Marv asked him about one of his many nicknames, the Count.

"Well, I've got something to tell you," Gratton began to explain. "In my last life I was a Spanish Count and one of the things I loved to do when I was a count in Spain was take all the commoners, line them up against a wall and throw rocks at them."

Can you imagine the look on Marv's face?!

In addition to this, Gratton had a habit of hanging out naked after practice and would fake illness or injuries to avoid playing in games. An interesting fellow.

 

Source: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1049935-25-craziest-players-in-nhl-history

 

Overview

Well, well, well, just when the wet blankets were cheering on the Predators the VANCOUVER CANUCKS ARE COMING INTO THIS GAME UP 3 games to 1. Magic 8-Ball predicts a 5-2 thumping of the Preds by the largest member of the dolphin family - OUR ORCAS. Taking nothing away from the Predators who suffered a heart-breaking loss last Saturday, the Canucks are clearly in their heads and the Predators are trying the stiff upper lip approach.

 

“Yeah, I thought for 55 minutes we played really well,” Josi added. “Even in the third period I thought we, obviously 2-1 lead, we get a goal early. I felt like we kept pushing, kept being aggressive. We didn’t give them much. We couldn’t get that fourth goal and, obviously, crazy ending … I feel like we’ve been getting better and better in this series. I thought tonight was our best game probably. We definitely deserved to win the game, but once we go on that plane to Vancouver, we’ve got to forget about this one.”

 

Will be a crazier ending tonight at Rogers Arena. GO CANUCKS GO!

 

Quote of the Day:

Rick Tocchet post game, “You know, I’m trying to be as honest as possible. I’m happy for the guys, I’m happy, but we know we got to play better. We’ve got to get some guys going, you got to start to win some battles. I mean, it’s not about hitting, it’s about actually holding on to pucks and winning battles because they play a style, if you can win some battles you’re going to get some looks. But if not, you’re not going to get looks, so I think that’s what it comes down to. We’ve got to get some guys to understand that. You’ve got to start to really, you’ve got to step up your game a little bit, you have to. If we, you know, because they’re going to play like this again."

 

One word to sum up the Canucks this series - Resilient

 

Media

You know the drill, BUY A TICKET and go support our Boyz, bring your Signs, VUVUZELAS, Accordians, etc , and see if we can't raise the decibel level to 140dB's. They booed our boys early, let's get in their heads early. Otherwise go to your local watering hole to support your team and swill some beer.

 

TV: Sportsnet Pacific, TVA Sports 2

Radio: SportsNet 650

Streaming: lots on various Reddit threads, here are a few sites (results may vary)

https://reddit.nhlbite.com/live

https://nhlwebcast.com/

https://v2.sportsurge.to/nhlstreams

https://nhlstream.net/

 

By the Numbers

Spoiler

Playoff Points Leader Stats

Source: https://www.quanthockey.com/nhl/seasons/nhl-players-playoff-stats.html

 

Regular Season Stats for the Canucks

Source: https://www.quanthockey.com/nhl/teams/vancouver-canucks-players-2023-24-nhl-stats.html

 

Regular Season stats for the Predators

Source: https://www.quanthockey.com/nhl/teams/nashville-predators-players-2023-24-nhl-stats.html

 

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

 

 

What the Bookies are Saying

Spoiler

 

 

Detailed Breakdown: Predators vs. Canucks

Matchup Overview

• Teams: Predators vs. Canucks
• Date: Tuesday, April 30, 2024
• Time: 10:00 PM ET
• Venue: Rogers Arena

Current Betting Odds

• Spread: Canucks favored at -1.5
• Total (Over/Under): 5.5
• Moneyline Odds: Predators +100, Canucks -118

Win Probabilities

• Predators: 45%
• Canucks: 55%

Dimers.com's predictive model, renowned for its accuracy, assesses each team's chances by simulating the outcome of the game 10,000 times. This method provides a precise and unbiased view.

Comprehensive Analysis of Predators vs. Canucks Picks

Our specialized model for NHL games, coupled with rigorous testing and analysis, identifies betting opportunities where odds favor the informed bettor.

We dive beyond surface-level predictions, offering a full examination of the Predators vs. Canucks matchup.

Detailed Insights for Bettors and Fans

Whether you're a seasoned bettor or a die-hard fan, our predictions cater to your needs, covering all aspects of the Predators vs. Canucks game.

 

Trustworthy Predictions

Our predictions stand out due to the proven accuracy and reliability of our advanced computer model, making Dimers a trusted source for NHL betting insights.

Updated Predictions

We continually update our Predators vs. Canucks predictions, integrating the latest data and trends for the most relevant and current information.

Responsible Betting

We advocate for responsible gambling practices. Visit our responsible gambling page for more information and resources.

Live Updates: Predators vs. Canucks Game Day

For real-time predictions and game updates, Dimers is your go-to source. Track live scores and win probabilities on April 30, 2024, directly from Rogers Arena.

Final Prediction: Who Wins?

After extensive simulations, our model gives the Predators a win probability of 45%, while the Canucks have a win probability of 55%. Discover the best spread, over/under, and moneyline odds for the game on this page.

Source: https://www.dimers.com/bet-hub/nhl/schedule/2023_204_van_nsh

 

 

Da Roster

Spoiler

 

Source: https://www.capfriendly.com/depth-charts/canucks

 

 

Source: https://www.capfriendly.com/depth-charts/predators

 

Da Zebras

Spoiler

 

 

Now for some fun stuff

This is too much fun not to put up here while I work on the GDT. Apologies, RL got in the way yesterday.

 

Edited April 30 by Rocket-68
Refs Added

[Rocket-68]

Woohoo, another one I don't think has a loss attached to it so in keeping with tradition, here we go:

 

 

Should this ticket hit the big one, then the usual rules apply:

1) I am the sole determiner of who gets what in the prize split, but am a generous sort

2) Must be posting here to qualify to be in the prize pool ... easiest way is to vote in the poll

3) Those on my ignore list, well you should already know but for the record - will receive a hearty handshake and a gift certificate for a Denny's breakfast.

Edited April 30 by Rocket-68

[6of1_halfdozenofother]

[JustRich]

Anyone else have a good feeling about tonight?

[Toni Zamboni]

...

Edited April 30 by Toni Zamboni

[Toni Zamboni]

[Goal_thecup]

There it is!

Glad you're ok @Rocket-68

As someone once said, just now,

LFNGO!

[Goal_thecup]

Look out Lauzon, you're overdue:

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/video/flames-zadorov-drops-gloves-with-predators-lauzon-after-big-hit-on-pospisil/ 

[-dlc-]

Thanks for an amazing GDT (once again)...can hardly wait for you to fill in the blanks. Epic

 

LET'S GO!!!!

 

7:00 just can't come soon enough. I sure hope that this city behaves WHEN WE WIN TONIGHT!!!!

[Miss Korea]

Tolopilo with the GWG

[Goal_thecup]

1 minute ago, -dlc- said:

Thanks for an amazing GDT (once again)

 

LET'S GO!!!!

 

7:00 just can't come soon enough. I sure hope that this city behaves WHEN WE WIN TONIGHT!!!!

Start early and watch Boston send the LAFFS packing.

As Underpants Matthews says, "Fore!"

[LaBamba]

We need to start making plays off the rush instead of dumping it in and waiting for the preds to set up in front of the net. 
 

Move the puck and shoot without hesitation. 
 

Pete needs to stop swimming on the ice all time. If you want to draw a penalty use your speed. 
 

 

[Sergiomomesso]

Is there a game today? 

[PhillipBlunt]

12 minutes ago, Toni Zamboni said:

I can't stop watching this. A work of art, @Toni Zamboni

[OldFaithfulcap]

Garland and Joshua rolling up to the game like

 

 

 

 

 

 

[PhillipBlunt]

Miller with the game winner. He's been solid this series. 

 

Any word on goaltending?

[OldFaithfulcap]

1 minute ago, PhillipBlunt said:

Miller with the game winner. He's been solid this series. 

 

Any word on goaltending?

 

Few more hours:

 

[Goal_thecup]

2 minutes ago, PhillipBlunt said:

Miller with the game winner. He's been solid this series. 

 

Any word on goaltending?

Yup.  We got it.  They don't!

[Rip The Mesh]

                                                                          

                                                           

                                                         

 

               

[Rip The Mesh]

Miller with two / Boeser with two / Hughes with one + four assists 

[Bounce000]

[AlwaysACanuckFan]

20 minutes ago, Goal_thecup said:

Start early and watch Boston send the LAFFS packing.

As Underpants Matthews says, "Fore!"

Boston with a stranglehold on the series 

[Goal_thecup]

14 minutes ago, Sergiomomesso said:

Is there a game today? 

Yup.  There are 4 games today, and all are 3-1 series:

 

4:00 Leafs @ Bruins Golf, Mathews, Golf!!

4:30 Islanders @ Hurricanes  Don't Go Bo Go, Go Bye-Bye Bo!

6:30 Avalanches @ Jets Pick Your Poison: Which one do you want?

7:00 Predators @ Canucks  Ah, now we're Talkin' Playoffs!

[AlwaysACanuckFan]

20 minutes ago, LaBamba said:

We need to start making plays off the rush instead of dumping it in and waiting for the preds to set up in front of the net. 
 

Move the puck and shoot without hesitation. 
 

Pete needs to stop swimming on the ice all time. If you want to draw a penalty use your speed. 
 

 

Dump and chase works better if you have the speed, gotta move the puck and shoot with confidence 

[AlwaysACanuckFan]

Just now, Goal_thecup said:

Yup.  There are 4 games today, and all are 3-1 series:

 

4:00 Leafs @ Bruins Golf, Mathews, Golf!!

4:30 Islanders @ Hurricanes  Don't Go Bo Go, Go Bye-Bye Bo!

6:30 Avalanches @ Jets Pick Your Poison: Which one do you want?

7:00 Predators @ Canucks  Ah, now we're Talkin' Playoffs!

Every rose has its thorn!