NFT: NHL Thread (the stretch run)

ties MTL with a Mo Seider seeing eye shot from the point.

1-1 end of 1.

scores to put WAS up 1-0 as the 1st winds down.

worlds team should be fun to watch.

Bedard, Celebrini, Cozens, Parayko, Binnington, and more. and I heard if they don't make the playoffs Crosby may go.

I read Caufield may go play for USA. I wonder if the Hughes brothers (from NJD, not Quinn obviously) and Brady Tkachuk will play.

a couple and Primeau lost the puck and DET gets one back.

3-2 in MTL

both down 2-0.

If it stays that way BOS takes ATL1 and it solidifies FLA vs TOR in round 1.

Kind of think BOS wouldn't mind playing TOR. They own TOR in the playoffs.

PHI ties it up with WAS. 1-1 in PHI, 4 min left in the 2nd.

in PHI in a 1-1 game.

everything on the line, game 82, 3rd period.

wouldn't want it any other way.

ties up TOR and then takes the lead, now up 3-2

If things stay this way (FLA getting at least a point and BOS losing in regulation) then FLA leap frogs BOS and gives us the battle of FLA and BOS gets TOR.

I think this is what BOS wants.

To start the third period. Reminds me when the Rangers pulled to goalie with several minutes left in the game to get 9 goals. Later that night, Montreal pulled the goalkeeper for the whole third periods versus Toronto and couldn’t score enough goals to get the tiebreaker against the Rangers

ties up MTL, 3-3. Not a strong game from Primeau.

Johnny Gaudreau scored vs CAR. His 12th goal.

he's always been more of a passer, but man 12 goals on that contract is brutal.

cut the OTT lead to 2-1 with 6:30 left.

has some moves.

shake and bake on the blue line, shoots and Slafkovsky tips it. 50 points on the season for Slafkovsky. 2 in two games for Hutson.

MTL up 4-3.

Four minutes?

In comment 16471374 schabadoo said:

Quote:

Four minutes?

My guess three minutes

Detroit=unreal.

DET stays alive.

I think MTL didn't have to ice it. DET was offside, but it doesn't matter now.

Perron

takes the lead in PHI, so it may not matter what happens in DET.

Eng

In comment 16471387 pjcas18 said:

Quote:

takes the lead in PHI, so it may not matter what happens in DET.

in MTL I mean.

2:30 left in PHI

"holds on" for the loss to OTT.

If FLA wins BOS dodges TBL

holds on.

everyone else eliminated.

and their -37 goal differential will be the 8 seed.

wins the shootout for DET, but it doesn't matter.

in the east (west has a few TBD's still)

EAST

MET1: NYR vs WC2: WAS
ATL1: FLA vs WC1: TBL

MET2: CAR vs MET3: NYI
ATL2: BOS vs ATL3: TOR

had to make VAN feel better. He's been out for a while and he looked good.

LVG leaps LAK into PAC3 for now. both have 1 game left.

Loser gets VAN.

Still not a lot of West match ups determined.

WIN (CEN2) vs COL (CEN3) is locked in.
NSH as WC1 is locked in.
DAL as CEN1 is locked in
VAN as PAC1 is locked in
EDM as PAC2 is locked in

VAN can still catch DAL for #1 in the West
LAK and LVG still battling for PAC3/WC2

that could change tonight is if DAL get a point.

With 1 pt, DAL would clinch #1 in the West.

A regulation loss by DAL would leave the door open for VAN to catch them (and pass them in the standings) with 2 pts on Thursday.

And Thurs is when the season wraps for LAK and LVG, so those two won't be settled until late Thursday.

last night MTL "leaps" ARI/SLC for 6th worst record.

With a point in their final game, ARI/SLC takes back the 6th spot and puts MTL in the top 5.

ARI last game is tonight, at home vs EDM who has nothing to play for, so let's hope the last dance in the desert motivates ARI and they play inspired hockey. They are 6-4 in their last 10.

Not that it matters much. If they don't get the top pick and Celebrini, this upcoming draft has a good top 10 that are largely interchangeable after Macklin.

More and more I like Iginla's son Tij.

with some team having their last game on Tuesday, and others on Wednesday or even Thursday. Given that the playoffs start on Saturday, it doesn't really seem like the best practice to have such a disparity in rest for playoff teams.

The NBA did a much better job with the schedule IMO. All of the teams played their last game on Sunday. It was an exciting day with 15 games going on at once. The NHL should adopt something similar to that IMO.

Second year in a row that they were under 10% to make the playoffs well into the season in the Athletic's model yet were able to get in. It shows the character of the players, and the coaching change to Roy made a big difference (you can see that goal differential pre and post Roy hire).

Sure I'd prefer the situation that CAR, VGK, COL have compared to NYI, but seeing the endless rebuilds that teams go through and don't sniff the playoffs for 7-10+ years, and it's nice to be part of the action.

Really hate the 1st round matchup with CAR. NYR would've been tough, but NYI showed they can play with them. CAR is going to relentlessly forecheck NYI and it's going to be hard to breakout. NYI will get some prime counterattack chances, but it's really going to be asking a lot for them to pull this kind of upset off. Hopefully they can steal Game 1 and take it from there.

In comment 16471721 Metnut said:

Quote:

Second year in a row that they were under 10% to make the playoffs well into the season in the Athletic's model yet were able to get in. It shows the character of the players, and the coaching change to Roy made a big difference (you can see that goal differential pre and post Roy hire). Sure I'd prefer the situation that CAR, VGK, COL have compared to NYI, but seeing the endless rebuilds that teams go through and don't sniff the playoffs for 7-10+ years, and it's nice to be part of the action. Really hate the 1st round matchup with CAR. NYR would've been tough, but NYI showed they can play with them. CAR is going to relentlessly forecheck NYI and it's going to be hard to breakout. NYI will get some prime counterattack chances, but it's really going to be asking a lot for them to pull this kind of upset off. Hopefully they can steal Game 1 and take it from there.

I'm excited fir multiple periods only getting 3 shots on net. Hope the goalies are locked in

is awful overall.

very few games on Friday or Sundays typically and I don't understand why.

In other news...while they obviously haven't had on ice team success I love what MSL is doing to develop the young guys.

Eric Engels
@EricEngels
Kent Hughes says that the Canadiens have exercised the option on Martin St. Louis's contract and extended him two years. That means he's here for the next three.

Jon Morosi
@jonmorosi
Hockey update:

Zach Werenski (CBJ) is a good candidate to play for Team USA at the upcoming Men’s Worlds Championships. He last played for the U.S. in 2019.

Reminder that @usahockey
games are available on @NHLNetwork
, with Team USA opening the preliminary round on May 10.

Freshman I felt like was most NHL-ready will return.

Big loss with Cutter Gauthier, but big add with James Hagens (and I think his older brother too) and my guess now is the whole "freshman line" returns with Will Smith, Leonard, and Perreault and probably Fortescue, Minetian, and Fowler too from the Freshman class.

Quote:

Bailey Johnson @BaileyAJohnson_ Ryan Leonard plans to return for his sophomore year at Boston College. Statement from Brian MacLellan:

100th assist (and a goal - so far) - cementing Ross (and Hart IMO).

match up locked in.

DAL clinches the #1 seed in the West, and by default VAN gets to the 2 as PAC1.

That means VANvsNSH is the other round 1 series we know in addition to WINvsCOL.

The other two series depend on the outcome from LAK and LVG games tonight.

a LVG win of any kind and they clinch PAC3. If they don't get a win and LAK do, then LAK leapfrogs them and LAK is PAC3 and LVG is WC2. If LVG loses in reg and LAK get one point LAK leapfrogs them due to tiebreakers.

Kucherov became 5th player in NHL history with 100 assists in a season, a few days after McDavid did it.

Kucherov clinched Ross and Hart IMO. Ross definitely.

If not for McDavid's 153 points last year, the 144 points for Kucherov would be the most in almost 30 years (Lemieux 1995)

It will be the 2nd Ross trophy for Kucherov and likely 2nd Hart (he won both in 2018-2019 when he led the league with 128 points).

It's amazing that players who had incredible seasons like McDavid, MacKinnon, Panarin, Matthews ("stuck" on 69 goals) had such great seasons with no reward to show for it, but they're all in the playoffs so they're after a bigger prize.

I think Hellebuyck clinched Vezina

Norris is less clear, I think Hughes wins, but man I can make a case for Josi or Makar too. But Hughes to put up 90+ points and be a +39 (even recognizing the flaws in +-) I think seals it.

Todd Walsh, Coyotes broadcaster. I forgot those early Coyotes teams had Tkachuk and Roenick.




link - ( New Window )

1. Why would Habs resign their ST coaches, led by Burrows? Every year your team is one of the worst in PP and PK

2. Do you definitely draft a forward even if a Dman is considered a better player?

3. Assuming Habs pick #5, in order, what two guys do you hope they pick assuming he will be available. I’m reading the big guy Lindstom won’t be available at 5.

4. What can you do with Josh Anderson? Such a waste of money.

5. What young Dman or two are you okay trading away in order to get a promising forward who can score goals?

In comment 16473498 5BowlsSoon said:

Quote:

1. Why would Habs resign their ST coaches, led by Burrows? Every year your team is one of the worst in PP and PK 2. Do you definitely draft a forward even if a Dman is considered a better player? 3. Assuming Habs pick #5, in order, what two guys do you hope they pick assuming he will be available. I’m reading the big guy Lindstom won’t be available at 5. 4. What can you do with Josh Anderson? Such a waste of money. 5. What young Dman or two are you okay trading away in order to get a promising forward who can score goals?

See below
1. I think getting Dach back and maybe Hutson on PP will help the top unit. Matheson is good, but reminds me of Drouin but as a D. Hutson is legit smooth and probably a better PP QB. PK improved a lot 2nd half. But also I believe in the saying you need your goalie to be your best penalty killer. With the way both Montembeault and Primeau improved I think next year will be better on the PK. Here is a quote from last week:

Quote:

...Thursday's perfect performance shorthanded has been a trend as of late. Since February 27th, the Canadiens have allowed one power play goal to the opposition in 26 kills. Their 96.2 percent success rate ranks them first in the NHL since that date....

But...if they made coaching changes there I wouldn't complain.

2. Probably, unless it is a reach for the F (you know like if the D is so good and the F is not it wouldn't make sense). I can see MTL taking Zeev Buium at 5/6 and he's a D or Silayev, he's just that good.

3. Depends how it falls but of the players who *could* be available at 5 (so removing Celebrini, Demidov, and Levshunov) my order would be:

1. Lindstrom
2. Eiserman
3. Iginla
4. Silayev (he's 6'7")
5. Buium
5a. Catton - maybe Catton and Buium flip

Wild card Helenius - Habs love the Fins (though that could have just been a Bergevin thing)


4. See if they can trade him, but otherwise his output is as much a function of his line mates as it is him. He still has value on a team, just not commensurate with his contract.

5. Harris
and/or
Barron

I really like Struble, Xhekaj, Guhle, Hutson, Mailloux

haven't seen enough of Reinbacher.

your chances round 1, 5 bowls?

Do you think the Bruins "tanked" to play the Leafs knowing they basically own Toronto?

In comment 16473646 pjcas18 said:

Quote:

your chances round 1, 5 bowls? Do you think the Bruins "tanked" to play the Leafs knowing they basically own Toronto?

Loved reading your answers, thanks.

Funny you asked that question because I just told my brother (Habs fan) this morning that I do believe the Bruins tanked to avoid Tampa with all their playoff experience and a much more reliable goalie. Plus, they always beat Toronto in the playoffs and the Leafs goalies are not dependable and don’t scare anyone. Sammy or Woll I don’t believe will cut it.

The Bruins don’t scare me but I think they win because much better goaltending.

your bother is a habs fan. What team are/were your parents fans of?

My wife and kids are Bruins fans. When the Bruins and Canadiens play my wife and I have to watch in separate rooms. lol.

My brother and father are Rangers fans (which of course isn't as bad as Bruins fans).

In comment 16473724 pjcas18 said:

Quote:

your bother is a habs fan. What team are/were your parents fans of? My wife and kids are Bruins fans. When the Bruins and Canadiens play my wife and I have to watch in separate rooms. lol. My brother and father are Rangers fans (which of course isn't as bad as Bruins fans).

Father born outside of Toronto, but was not into hockey. All he cared about was golf. Mom couldn’t care less about sports, any of them.

My brother and I always had to go against each other, so I couldn’t like the Habs because he did. Back in the early 60s Hockey Night in Canada played both Leaf and Habs games, so I then chose the Leafs.

Wife a Bruins fan! Definitely grounds for divorce!

Colin Stephenson
@ColinSNewsday
Greetings from Greenburgh, where the #NYR are back at practice after 2 days off. Filip Chytil is in top 6 blue today.
11:26 AM · Apr 18, 2024


Sounds like my hunch that he will slot in at RW with Zib/Kreider is correct

In comment 16473794 Greg from LI said:

Quote:

Colin Stephenson @ColinSNewsday Greetings from Greenburgh, where the #NYR are back at practice after 2 days off. Filip Chytil is in top 6 blue today. 11:26 AM · Apr 18, 2024 Sounds like my hunch that he will slot in at RW with Zib/Kreider is correct

this would be a huge boost (and a great story)

the wife is the least of my concerns. My youngest picked #73 for her hockey number because she liked Charlie McAvoy so much (who is a Giants fan by the way). But I definitely did not have buying a McAvoy jersey on my bingo card growing up. lol.

She (my youngest) found a charity event for autism where several Bruins would be and begged my wife and I to take her. here she is getting McAvoy to sign her jersey. And then Matt Grzelcyk and to be fair - those guys could not possibly have been any nicer. Tuukka was there, Torrey Krug, Pasta (who definitely was not as friendly as McAvoy or Grzelcyk) and many more Bruins. Gronk was there - a ton of Boston sports celebrities. And it was practically empty - it was early COVID days. Still I felt like I was in enemy territory. lol.

In comment 16473888 pjcas18 said:

Quote:

the wife is the least of my concerns. My youngest picked #73 for her hockey number because she liked Charlie McAvoy so much (who is a Giants fan by the way). But I definitely did not have buying a McAvoy jersey on my bingo card growing up. lol. She (my youngest) found a charity event for autism where several Bruins would be and begged my wife and I to take her. here she is getting McAvoy to sign her jersey. And then Matt Grzelcyk and to be fair - those guys could not possibly have been any nicer. Tuukka was there, Torrey Krug, Pasta (who definitely was not as friendly as McAvoy or Grzelcyk) and many more Bruins. Gronk was there - a ton of Boston sports celebrities. And it was practically empty - it was early COVID days. Still I felt like I was in enemy territory. lol.

Great story….great photos….and no way can I throw stones at your young daughter……but your wife is another matter….she is way past the age of accountability …..

.