NFT: NHL Home Stretch thread - put this season out of its misery

They had/have a brutal March schedule.

Vegas twice.
Full west coast swing including @ Kings, @ Ducks.
Tampa Bay again.
@ Pitt.

To make matters worse Columbus and Florida have been playing very well. One out of FLA, COL and NJD is not making the playoffs. Devils did pull out a solid win on Saturday night in Nashville so hopefully they can build some momentum.

Sitting first row on the bridge. I bought these tickets around Christmas time, thinking I'd be at the very least watching a game the Rangers should win as they get closer to a playoff position.

Yeah.

and in the current matchup LVG vs DAL I like Dallas to win.

but I've been waiting for Vegas to fall apart all year and I was dead wrong on that one.

I think teams had a little bit of the Vegas flu, and maybe that's not happening so much anymore, or maybe the teams is just hitting a rough patch, but I see no reason they're as good as they were.

huge miss by me. I not only thought they'd be bad, but I thought they'd be historically bad, even with the favorable expansion terms.

thanks for keeping the NHL talk going all year. Like you i am ready for this nightmare season to be over, but unfortunately i think it may just be the start of it for NYI.

Ideal scenario for me: isles lose all remaining games for abetter pick, finally end this horrendous reign of Garth Snow and resign JT long term!

more likely: isles go on crazy win streak, end up season 1 pt from playoffs (again), ownership is happy with "improvement", keep FO intact, JT signs with rags for 10 years and we are stuck in purgatory for all of eternity.

from your OP.

I'm still a Florida Panthers season ticket holder, so I'm hopping aboard that bandwagon. 2 points back of CBJ and 3 points back of NJ with 3 games in hand on both. 8 straight home wins now playing in front of the packed house / rabid fan base (/sarcasm). Ottawa comes to Sunrise tonight. Then... they play Boston for the first time all year on Thursday -- 4 games with Boston in the last ~3 weeks (one matchup earlier this year was postponed due to blizzard).

I just declined to renew my Rangers tix for next year by the way - they want to hold prices flat at outrageous amounts despite a lousy product on the ice and tax reform eliminating 50% deductibility for most businesses. Its just not worth the investment if the team isnt contending. Hope they eat shit with their pricing policy next year, scumbags.

Things are looking up. Glad we beat Pitt Saturday, we needed that. Ever since Matthews went down, so did my boys. Or, you could say, ever since we signed Plekanec my boys went down. Sorry pj....

In comment 13859868 MetsAreBack said:

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from your OP. I'm still a Florida Panthers season ticket holder, so I'm hopping aboard that bandwagon. 2 points back of CBJ and 3 points back of NJ with 3 games in hand on both. 8 straight home wins now playing in front of the packed house / rabid fan base (/sarcasm). Ottawa comes to Sunrise tonight. Then... they play Boston for the first time all year on Thursday -- 4 games with Boston in the last ~3 weeks (one matchup earlier this year was postponed due to blizzard). I just declined to renew my Rangers tix for next year by the way - they want to hold prices flat at outrageous amounts despite a lousy product on the ice and tax reform eliminating 50% deductibility for most businesses. Its just not worth the investment if the team isnt contending. Hope they eat shit with their pricing policy next year, scumbags.

LOL, that was seriously unintentional.

Even if it was convenient I doubt I would would pursue season tickets for my teams, too much commitment. I used to be on the Giants season ticket wait list, thinking in my 50's when I got through the list I'd get an RV and drive down for the games, but the new stadium they got through the whole list and the PSL's etc, I knew I'd get to 1 or 2 games max and it wasn't worth it to me. So there's one retirement dream shot to hell (for now).

I'm at a point in my life and I don't mean this to be douchy, but when it works out that I want to go to a game and schedules line up I like to get great seats and have a great time at that game. For one, I just can't afford that from season ticket standpoint and life gets in the way too often.

Sadly for me I go to Bruins games most often and will never ever root for the Bruins.

Side note, the Bruins made think of a story some might find interesting.

My 10-year old daughter got to play at the Boston Garden last Sunday. It was incredible, not sure who was more excited, me or her. I'm a coach on the team so I was on the bench and walked on the ice (though I played at the old Garden when I was her age for mini one on one in between periods - never a real game though).

It was the night after they played the Canadiens. They used the visitors locker room, so we saw the Canadiens notes all over the place, the kids went dumpster diving and found Andrew Shaw and Brendan Gallagher's broken sticks.

And best of all my daughter score a goal at the Garden, I practically had tears in eyes, the kids - completely un-phased. Just another Sunday morning game.

In comment 13859883 5BowlsSoon said:

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Things are looking up. Glad we beat Pitt Saturday, we needed that. Ever since Matthews went down, so did my boys. Or, you could say, ever since we signed Plekanec my boys went down. Sorry pj....

I thought Plekanec would help on the dots at least and with PK. His finesse days are gone though.

In comment 13859907 pjcas18 said:

Quote:

In comment 13859883 5BowlsSoon said: Quote: Things are looking up. Glad we beat Pitt Saturday, we needed that. Ever since Matthews went down, so did my boys. Or, you could say, ever since we signed Plekanec my boys went down. Sorry pj.... I thought Plekanec would help on the dots at least and with PK. His finesse days are gone though.

Saturday for example, he played 9:29 and was only effective on the PK. Not good on faceoffs and not much ice time 5-5. I think we know his value is limited. Enjoy your second round pick on us.

is one of the best people on the planet, view this link. The NHL is missing a major opportunity not marketing PK more.


Link - ( New Window )

In comment 13859925 5BowlsSoon said:

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In comment 13859907 pjcas18 said: Quote: In comment 13859883 5BowlsSoon said: Quote: Things are looking up. Glad we beat Pitt Saturday, we needed that. Ever since Matthews went down, so did my boys. Or, you could say, ever since we signed Plekanec my boys went down. Sorry pj.... I thought Plekanec would help on the dots at least and with PK. His finesse days are gone though. Saturday for example, he played 9:29 and was only effective on the PK. Not good on faceoffs and not much ice time 5-5. I think we know his value is limited. Enjoy your second round pick on us.

Canadiens need it, Toronto has a youth movement. MTL needs one.

Matthews will be back in time. I still don't like the Leafs goalie or D that much, but they're fun to watch.

... every spring, but especially last year. Maybe by sucking now, as they have been for the last 2 weeks, they�ll get it together in April / May?

Nah.

is the won't likely have the President's Cup stigma, and everyone now expect them to lose.

I am usually indifferent toward the Caps, but Ovie has grown on me. I wouldn't mind seeing him win a cup. I wouldn't care if he didn't win, but I feel like his cup celebration/stories would be incredible.

I think my Devs are going to fall short. Florida is just too damn hot and with their fucking AHL every game at home schedule they will probably blow by us. Maybe we can beat out Columbus. Think is we can play great hockey on this trip and still go 3-3/2-4. Vegas/Pitt/Nashville all could be cup finalists and the S/N California leg could all be playoff teams. Then we come home to play Tampa as the 2nd half of a back to back (@Pitt the first night) are you kidding me? If somehow we are in playoff position or damn close after these next 6 games then we have a decent shot but something tells me we won'tbe who knows. It was adamn gutsy win Sat. night. We have a real goalie controversy with Schneider being so so since his return and Kinkaid getting better and better with every start. I'd be shocked if Kinkaid wasn't in net Wed. in Vegas.

In comment 13860185 Stu11 said:

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I think my Devs are going to fall short. Florida is just too damn hot and with their fucking AHL every game at home schedule they will probably blow by us. Maybe we can beat out Columbus. Think is we can play great hockey on this trip and still go 3-3/2-4. Vegas/Pitt/Nashville all could be cup finalists and the S/N California leg could all be playoff teams. Then we come home to play Tampa as the 2nd half of a back to back (@Pitt the first night) are you kidding me? If somehow we are in playoff position or damn close after these next 6 games then we have a decent shot but something tells me we won'tbe who knows. It was adamn gutsy win Sat. night. We have a real goalie controversy with Schneider being so so since his return and Kinkaid getting better and better with every start. I'd be shocked if Kinkaid wasn't in net Wed. in Vegas.

Devils are probably a year ahead of expectations though, sort of like Edmonton last year.

If they get in, they can do damage though if the goalie situation is straightened out.

Just better hope next year they build on this, unlike Edmonton.

In comment 13860185 Stu11 said:

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I think my Devs are going to fall short. Florida is just too damn hot and with their fucking AHL every game at home schedule they will probably blow by us. Maybe we can beat out Columbus. Think is we can play great hockey on this trip and still go 3-3/2-4. Vegas/Pitt/Nashville all could be cup finalists and the S/N California leg could all be playoff teams. Then we come home to play Tampa as the 2nd half of a back to back (@Pitt the first night) are you kidding me? If somehow we are in playoff position or damn close after these next 6 games then we have a decent shot but something tells me we won'tbe who knows. It was adamn gutsy win Sat. night. We have a real goalie controversy with Schneider being so so since his return and Kinkaid getting better and better with every start. I'd be shocked if Kinkaid wasn't in net Wed. in Vegas.

Florida plays 41 home games and 41 road games this year. I just double-checked. They've also got to play Boston 4x.

NJ's schedule is tough down the stretch but this late in the season with most of those teams really only playing for seed positioning... who knows how motivated some of them will be. Nashville who you just beat, for example, has been resting healthy superstars most nights.

Oh ,and fuck the Devils. I'd probably rather see Washington win one than NJ.

... I'm enjoying what's left of this season and have been seriously bummed by the absence of the Ranger threads

his 600th career goal. Only three players did it faster. Gretzky, Lemieux and Hull (Brett).

seems like he's got a lot left too. as long as he still wants to play.

In comment 13860710 pjcas18 said:

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his 600th career goal. Only three players did it faster. Gretzky, Lemieux and Hull (Brett). seems like he's got a lot left too. as long as he still wants to play.

Ovechkin has a shot at Gretzky's 894 - he would probably even be likely if not for the lockout year in 04-05.

What do you think the chances he makes it are?

Obviously not as awesome as the 3 Cups, but definitely fun.

Also hilarious to watch the Rangers fade.

In comment 13860722 BrettNYG10 said:

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In comment 13860710 pjcas18 said: Quote: his 600th career goal. Only three players did it faster. Gretzky, Lemieux and Hull (Brett). seems like he's got a lot left too. as long as he still wants to play. Ovechkin has a shot at Gretzky's 894 - he would probably even be likely if not for the lockout year in 04-05. What do you think the chances he makes it are?

I think it's unlikely, but when you consider what players like Ovie and Laine are doing to put up numbers like they are in an era where scoring is roughly 50% of what it was during the Gretzky/Lemieux era makes it more impressive.

If Ovechkin averages 40 goals per season from 33 - 38 (so 6 seasons) that still puts him short of Gretzky.

For reference, Gretzky only even broke 30 goals once after turning 32 and never scored 40.

The only advantage today's players have, and it's new, is 3v3 OT. Gretzky would have cleaned up in 3v3 OT, but put bigger pads on goalies, get some composite sticks, and get rid of the goons/plodding 4th linhers, and who knows how his career goes.

In comment 13860185 Stu11 said:

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I think my Devs are going to fall short. Florida is just too damn hot and with their fucking AHL every game at home schedule they will probably blow by us. Maybe we can beat out Columbus. Think is we can play great hockey on this trip and still go 3-3/2-4. Vegas/Pitt/Nashville all could be cup finalists and the S/N California leg could all be playoff teams. Then we come home to play Tampa as the 2nd half of a back to back (@Pitt the first night) are you kidding me? If somehow we are in playoff position or damn close after these next 6 games then we have a decent shot but something tells me we won'tbe who knows. It was adamn gutsy win Sat. night. We have a real goalie controversy with Schneider being so so since his return and Kinkaid getting better and better with every start. I'd be shocked if Kinkaid wasn't in net Wed. in Vegas.

Schneider's play of late has been alarming. I would like to see the Devils trade him in the offseason, perhaps to the Isles, to clear his contract off the books. I would like to see the Devils trade for a young goaltender like Washington's Grubauer. If they can't pry him loose then a 3 year deal for Antti Raanta would be ideal.

Unfortunately the Devils don't have any young goaltender close to ready as Ken Appleby is likely the long term backup after Kinkaid's deal expires after next season and MacKenzie Blackwood is a couple of years away if he develops as hoped.

In comment 13860727 pjcas18 said:

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In comment 13860722 BrettNYG10 said: Quote: In comment 13860710 pjcas18 said: Quote: his 600th career goal. Only three players did it faster. Gretzky, Lemieux and Hull (Brett). seems like he's got a lot left too. as long as he still wants to play. Ovechkin has a shot at Gretzky's 894 - he would probably even be likely if not for the lockout year in 04-05. What do you think the chances he makes it are? I think it's unlikely, but when you consider what players like Ovie and Laine are doing to put up numbers like they are in an era where scoring is roughly 50% of what it was during the Gretzky/Lemieux era makes it more impressive. If Ovechkin averages 40 goals per season from 33 - 38 (so 6 seasons) that still puts him short of Gretzky. For reference, Gretzky only even broke 30 goals once after turning 32 and never scored 40. The only advantage today's players have, and it's new, is 3v3 OT. Gretzky would have cleaned up in 3v3 OT, but put bigger pads on goalies, get some composite sticks, and get rid of the goons/plodding 4th linhers, and who knows how his career goes.

Yeah, he'd probably need 2 or 3 50 goal seasons. I don't see it, but it's not impossible. I really think the lockouts killed any chance for him.

and holy shit whenever i watch Scott Darling face us this year he wouldnt be good enough to man the net for most New Jersey prep schools.

bad loss for Florida. I guess we always have hope that the Panthers remember they're the......Panthers.

In comment 13860596 pjcas18 said:

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Devils are probably a year ahead of expectations though, sort of like Edmonton last year. If they get in, they can do damage though if the goalie situation is straightened out. Just better hope next year they build on this, unlike Edmonton.

Yep PJ thats why I've been enjoying this year so much. Team/player development isn't always linear. just because we are young and have had success this year doesn't necessarily mean we'll take that next step next year. Edmonton is a great example of that.

Jay I think you're being way too alarmist on Schneider. Yea he hasn't been great, but since he came back including games vs. Winnipeg and Vegas 2 of the best offensive teams in the league he's only giving up 3 a night. Yea some goals have gone in you don't like but I think many Devils fans are gong way overboard here. Schneider will be fine long term.

can catch Ottawa they have a chance to get in the top 5 and I really think this draft has 5 or 6 legit top of the draft contribute immediately players.

I'm coming around on Zadina or Tkachuk as a really good consolation prize for missing out on Dahlin.

and next year's projected #1 NA player, Jack Hughes is lighting it up (his brother Quinn is a top 5/6 er in this draft).

Rangers not helping themselves by playing well. Or at least well enough to win, in a losable game.

it is what it is. I think they botched bringing back Kreider too soon, but its hard - guys like Zuccarello, Hayes, Ziba and Hank are going to try... you can't ask them not to.

Also their shooting percentage feels like its about 20% over the past 3 weeks - eveyrthing goes in. Part of it is these are good snipers above, but the opposing goaltending has been truly pathetic- I dont know why Carolina thought Scott Darling was a good goalie last offseason, but his play against the Rangers in 3 starts now this year has been beyond laughable. Vancouver got awful goaltending against us last week too.

We're picking either 8 or 9, maybe 10 if we pass NYI. Still too much talent on this roster, and thus we're stuck in hell - not good enough to make the playoffs, not bad enough to start accumulating future assets that can help us win a Cup.

and maybe that's a good sign that this year is an anomaly.

at least MTL has Price, Weber, and Pacioretty out for the year making it easier on them.

playing without any pressure... the GM announced the tank, which eliminated all playoff expectations and thus all pressure on the players... they were suddenly free to go out and just play

back up to about 2.5%. #soyoursayingtheresachance

Worst possible place to be.

In comment 13861787 Greg from LI said:

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Worst possible place to be.

Not sure I agree, 3 prospects in the top 30 NHL prospects and 5 (?) picks in the upcoming draft first two rounds.

Plus a possible (likely?) coaching change.

Chytil and Andersson probably contribute next year at the NHL level. Shesterkin is a top 10 prospect, but is blocked, so no clue when he contributes, but he's an asset at worst.

Plus, and fully admit NHL cap is not my expertise, but I have to believe they cleared cap space with dealing McDonagh, Nash, Holden, etc. at the deadline.

I think the Rangers are in a good spot to rebound like the Bruins did. Only major difference is Boston relied in the core and changed coaches, plus infused some youth (McAvoy, DeBrusk, etc.).

In comment 13860043 pjcas18 said:

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is the won't likely have the President's Cup stigma, and everyone now expect them to lose. I am usually indifferent toward the Caps, but Ovie has grown on me. I wouldn't mind seeing him win a cup. I wouldn't care if he didn't win, but I feel like his cup celebration/stories would be incredible.

Ugh, god why is it the Rangers have to rebuild, but the Caps don't?
Can't wait for them to go downhill.

haven't made it out of the 2nd round/conference semi-finals of the playoffs in the Ovie era I believe.

To Greg's point, you really need high draft picks. The Bruins are sort of an outlier with Pastrnak in late round one and Bergeron in round 2.

Embrace the tank.

and its been glorious.

With that said -- Eagles just won a SB and every single one of my teams is in the toilet, or even worse, the Rangers had a great opportunity to grab a generational talent and they pissed it away for personal prides (and 95% save rates in Western Canada)... only extending the run of mediocrity.

So.. I'm expecting the Caps to break through. It makes too much sense at this point for it not to.

In comment 13862221 BrettNYG10 said:

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To Greg's point, you really need high draft picks. The Bruins are sort of an outlier with Pastrnak in late round one and Bergeron in round 2. Embrace the tank.

I'm not saying not to embrace the tank, I'm hoping the Canadiens lose out.

But I think some of you underestimate the significance of Chytil and Andersson.

If they're both centers that's ridiculously valuable.

You're #1 and #2 center organically grown/developed and 19 years old.

it makes everything mediocre about your team better.

In comment 13862221 BrettNYG10 said:

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Embrace the tank.

Too late now. The sad part is Ottawa and a few others had been playing better lately too - a top 5 pick was so possible... one of the more hateable Rangers teams in memory.

In comment 13862238 pjcas18 said:

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In comment 13862221 BrettNYG10 said: Quote: To Greg's point, you really need high draft picks. The Bruins are sort of an outlier with Pastrnak in late round one and Bergeron in round 2. Embrace the tank. I'm not saying not to embrace the tank, I'm hoping the Canadiens lose out. But I think some of you underestimate the significance of Chytil and Andersson. If they're both centers that's ridiculously valuable. You're #1 and #2 center organically grown/developed and 19 years old. it makes everything mediocre about your team better.

I think Chytil has a high ceiling. The Rangers have some really good pieces. But without the elite talent, they are looking at another stretch of being an above-average team.

Layering on a couple top three picks to what they have in the pipeline could make them a contender in 4-5 years.

In comment 13862249 MetsAreBack said:

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In comment 13862221 BrettNYG10 said: Quote: Embrace the tank. Too late now. The sad part is Ottawa and a few others had been playing better lately too - a top 5 pick was so possible... one of the more hateable Rangers teams in memory.

I know. Sucks.

Yes they've probably lost their chance at Dahlin, though it was slim to begin with. But they have the assets to be sure they get into the top 5, even if it takes a trade. And if the draft is as good as Pjcas Kiper Jr. says it is, they'll be able to grab an elite talent once there.

Tkachuk is an odd one for me. Pj, any insight into why he's only for 8 goals at BU this season? Seems a bit low. Not that he won't be a good player but maybe not quite an elite prospect? Maybe the name is carrying him a bit but that's pure speculation

In comment 13862311 Kyle in NY said:

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Yes they've probably lost their chance at Dahlin, though it was slim to begin with. But they have the assets to be sure they get into the top 5, even if it takes a trade. And if the draft is as good as Pjcas Kiper Jr. says it is, they'll be able to grab an elite talent once there. Tkachuk is an odd one for me. Pj, any insight into why he's only for 8 goals at BU this season? Seems a bit low. Not that he won't be a good player but maybe not quite an elite prospect? Maybe the name is carrying him a bit but that's pure speculation

Sometimes it's easy to forget players like Tkachuk who is a young freshman (he only turned 18 in September) is playing in NCAA against players on average 3 or 4 years older than him. He's the youngest player on his team. Eventually, it won't be a big deal (the age gap), but he's still growing into his body, plus he's got 28 points in 38 games, so not like he's over-matched.

But, even though I like his shot and stick handling, he's also a great passer with good vision, so he may be a pass-first guy too. which is fine with me. He's got the size and physicality to cycle and get the greasy goals, or play the skill game. He's very versatile. legit two-way player with an edge, it may be lazy, but his father is a good comp, more so than his brother.

In the World Juniors he was dominant.

The only prospects I have ahead of him are Dahlin and Zadina. But Zadina is pure filth, no grit (from what I can tell). Possibly Svechnikov, who is also filthy.

Someone may take Wahlstrom or Hughes or Boqvist or Bouchard over him, but not me.

He's a no-brainer top 5 pick and would be a fit for the NHL IMO if not day 1, then season 1.

I really like the top of this draft.

kind of like when I was in squirts and played against Roenick. Only my team had just one future NHL player (and he was a fringe player) and Roenick wasn't a dick who scored 8 goals (at that time at least) he played D and (like everyone else) realized he was the best player on the ice and could score at will, he played defense that game and had a couple goals, but mostly set up his teammates. We got killed and we didn't lose once all year, we lost a few games, we were maybe 35 - 5 on the season.

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Patrick O'Sullivan ‏Verified account @realPOSULLIVAN 19h19 hours ago I�ve said this before but I knew Ovechkin was gonna be a legend when I was 10 and my team played his in a tournament. We had 3 other guys who would play in the NHL and we lost once all year. It was to his team 10-2. He had 8 goals.

Quinn Hughes if he was a few inches taller?

In comment 13862573 Kyle in NY said:

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Quinn Hughes if he was a few inches taller?

I'm actually changing my thinking a little on D. I'm an admitted laggard in this thinking as evidenced by NHL rosters and success of players like McAvoy, Mete, Butcher, Girard to an extent, but smaller puck moving D are becoming more and more valuable in the NHL.

I watched Victor Hedman beaten repeatedly against MTL partly because he took chances offensively, but also because he's just not quick enough. Don't get me wrong, he's an immense talent, but with speedy forwards like MTL has he gets exposed.

So while my prototypical defenseman is still a Sergachev (6' 3" 215 lb great skater, booming shot, physical D), I no longer devalue the smaller D necessarily just based on size.

I think for me it took Charlie McAvoy - I watched him for three or four years in juniors INTL tourneys and some in summer hockey and I finally admit he can hang and bang with the big boys.

Hughes is a little smaller than McAvoy but he's also a better skater with better vision.

I think at his current size Hughes will be a valuable top 4 NHL D.

Just have to hope he's more Charlie McAvoy and less Torey Krug to keep the Bruins comps alive. Krug is partly why I don't like small D. So finesse.

Really IMO should only be on the PP.

winds up 5th and the draft falls like:

Dahlin
Zadina
Svechnikov
Tkachuk

I wouldn't be upset with any of:
Boqvist (similar sized D similar to Hughes)
Dobson (more prototypical D size)
Wahlstrom (forward)
Bouchard (like Dobson)
Hughes


Kjell Samuelsson's son is also in this draft and I put some stock into bloodlines. He might be a Rangers target with their 2nd 1st round pick. Big kid, more of a stay-at-home defenseman, so not flashy, but there's a place for a player like him in the top 4 D IMO.

playoff matchups today look like:

East:
TBL vs CBJ
BOS vs TOR (looking forward to this, hope it stays this way)
WAS vs NJD
PIT vs PHI (I like intra-state battles)

In the hunt: FL really it

CAR and NYR only 8 points out, so not eliminated, it would be something if after the public tank the Rangers make the playoffs. The players giving a big FU to the FO.

Rangers would need to be road warriors with only 4 of their final 11 games at home, and 10 of 11 vs quality opponents.

Technically no one in the East is eliminated, even BUF, while in the West ARI and VAN are eliminated.

Far cry from last year when top 3 teams were in the Metro, today the top 3 teams are from the Atlantic.

West:
LVG vs DAL
SJS vs LAK
NSH vs COL
WIN vs MIN

In the hunt:
ANA (tied with COL in pts), STL - the West could have some drama down the stretch.

If you haven't seen the youtube/video clip of the Carolina sportscaster review the Hurricanes 6 - 4 loss in Boston after being up 4 - 1 search for it, it's hilarious.



West:

Florida has games in hand on all 3. Insane past 2 games for the Devs, especially last night in Vegas. The Devs have had zero puck luck for a month and it all came due for them last night as they were getting favorable bounces all over the place. Plus I think were lucky catching them on the dreaded first home game after a long trip. The most impressive thing about last night is that we scored 6 goals before Hall even got a point. Grabner finally potted his first as a Devil. Someone on here mentioned that catching Vegas and Nashville now is favorable because they are locked in first. I tend to agree. That won't be the case over the next 3- LA/Anaheim/SJ as all 3 are fighting for their playoff lives and will be just as hungry as we are.
Big match-ups tonight:
Columb. @ Philly
Bos@Fla
Wash @ NYI
Pitt @ Mont.
Ottawa and the Habs have been playing much better lately so they really have a chance to be a spoiler down the stretch.

on Tuesday for the first time in 6 games, so it's not translating into W's thankfully.

What do you mean by this?

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Vegas and Nashville now is favorable because they are locked in first

Nashville could overtake TB for Presidents Cup. I know Brett doesn't like him but Rinne is almost a lock for Vezina while Vasilevsky (the one time leader) is pulling a Tom Petty (free-falling).

This year will be put up or shut up in the playoffs for Rinne since he no-showed a few games.