NFT: NHL Thread (the stretch run)

but how long can they keep it up having traded Mantha is really the question. They already struggled to score, losing him hurts. Metro is insane right now. Rangers/Canes battling for 1-2, Islanders/Flyers/Caps battling for 3/WC. Devils down but not out (hopefully the Rangers can start nailing that coffin tonight), while Pittsburgh appears to be mailing it in. In the Atlantic, it's a bit more settled in that it'll be Florida/Boston 1-2 (not in any particular order), and Toronto will be 3, with Tampa and Detroit fighting for wild cards.

If I was betting on the outcome, I'd say the Islanders take 3rd in the Metro, Detroit wakes up from their slumber and claims a wild card, along with Tampa, leaving the Flyers on the outside despite a really strong season from them.

My boys (Toronto) get to lose in the first round to the Bruins…..that story needs to be put to bed….

and saw Carolina right on Rangers heels. With their big moves at deadline, made me think it will be tough for Rangers to hold on to the division. But then I looked at playoff match ups and said to myself who cares! If we win the division we get the joy of probably playing Tampa in first round. Whereas if we end up in 2nd in the division, we would be matched up with either Philly or NYI. I'd sign up for the former in a heart beat.

In comment 16424058 5BowlsSoon said:

Quote:

My boys (Toronto) get to lose in the first round to the Bruins…..that story needs to be put to bed….

the only good thing about that series for me is one of the two teams will lose. lol.

Predict the series ends when the Bruins win (in 4 or 5 or however many games) and Jack Edwards in his nails on a chalkboard demeanor says "meet the new boss, same as the old boss"

the Bruins own the Maple Leafs once again.

against a quality opponent on the back-to-back.
If they can pull this one out I'll start to believe this run they are on isn't a mirage.

The real race now is for 3rd in the Metro between the Flyers and Islanders. 2 points back with two games in hand.

I hadn't realized that that puts the loser point at risk - if Nashville had scored in OT, Min would have gotten zero. Ballsy, though given their situation laid out by pj above, probably a worthwhile risk.
Winning goal scorer Matt Boldy didn't know the rule either - ( New Window )

And Carolina is going to jump the Rangers setting up Islanders/Rangers round one. Take a look at Philly/Rangers remaining schedule.

In comment 16424298 Doubledeuce22 said:

Quote:

And Carolina is going to jump the Rangers setting up Islanders/Rangers round one. Take a look at Philly/Rangers remaining schedule.

This is a possibility, though I believe the Rangers will hang on and win the Metro. As long as Igor maintains the level of play he's had the past month and a half (and there is no reason to believe he won't, the mid-season slump was atypical of him), coupled with their roster being much deeper top to bottom, they are good enough to get through this challenging month ahead of them. I'm a Brodzinski fan, but in one game, it is evident that Wennberg is a huge upgrade at 3C, putting Goodrow in a 4C role which is really where he belongs. Guentzel being with Carolina is not ideal, but I still think the Rangers are the better team, as they are pretty even, but Igor has the ability to singlehandedly win them games. I don't think that is the case of any of the Carolina goalies.

Rangers have 5 games in 7 nights this week and two back to backs including a 3PM start on Saturday at Penguins and hosting the Islanders at 1PM on Sunday.

In comment 16424276 Mad Mike said:

Quote:

I hadn't realized that that puts the loser point at risk - if Nashville had scored in OT, Min would have gotten zero. Ballsy, though given their situation laid out by pj above, probably a worthwhile risk. Winning goal scorer Matt Boldy didn't know the rule either - ( New Window )

Not much to lose for them, and they're generating some buzz by bringing over Marat Khusnutdinov. I think he will debut in the next couple days.

they also have Danila Yurov, who maybe the best Russian out of Khusnutdinov, Kaprizov and him. They love to draft Russians.

MIN had the #1 prospect pool in 2023 (per Wheeler) and graduated Brock Faber and Marco Rossi and still had #11 in 2024.

They fit to a T a team who should be taking risks IMO.

but I didn't know that rule either. I wonder if it's ever happened.

In comment 16424353 Costy16 said:

Quote:

Rangers have 5 games in 7 nights this week and two back to backs including a 3PM start on Saturday at Penguins and hosting the Islanders at 1PM on Sunday.

After playing like 1 game last week. So stupid

CHI and SJS battling for Celebrini.

Of course with the lottery nothing is guaranteed, but they would have the best odds.

Bedard and Celebrini would be an incredible core to build a team on. Long-term.

CHI and SJS both have 39 points and CHI has two more games played.

This is not a bad draft, but there is only one clear #1 and a bunch of top 10-type guys. I saw one draft where Cole Eiserman fell to MTL at 7 or 8. He has an NHL shot. the two Cole's would be great together on the PP. At one time i thought he'd battle Celebrini for #1. I guess not.

Still have the U18's next month (not sure if Celebrini will play, I expect Eiserman to). and of course the Russians will be prohibited from playing. Could also be an "audition" for James Hagens who is in the discussion for 2025 #1 and Lane Hutson's younger brother Cole is likely on the US squad.

In comment 16424361 Bear vs Shark said:

Quote:

In comment 16424353 Costy16 said: Quote: Rangers have 5 games in 7 nights this week and two back to backs including a 3PM start on Saturday at Penguins and hosting the Islanders at 1PM on Sunday. After playing like 1 game last week. So stupid

Isles will be 5 in 8 including a west coast road trip

Craig Morgan
@CraigSMorgan
The Coyotes' (Miracle Development) pursuit of land in NE Phoenix is officially on the Arizona State Land Department Board of Appeals' final agenda for March 14.

In comment 16424276 Mad Mike said:

Quote:

I hadn't realized that that puts the loser point at risk - if Nashville had scored in OT, Min would have gotten zero. Ballsy, though given their situation laid out by pj above, probably a worthwhile risk. Winning goal scorer Matt Boldy didn't know the rule either - ( New Window )

I knew this rule.

*pats self on back*

clearly they are closer to contending than MTL. I get players have preferences, but Allen has no MTL ties I am aware of (like being born in Quebec or anything like that).

Montreal Hockey Now
@MTLhockeynow
Former #GoHabsGo goaltender Jake Allen blocked a trade to New Jersey earlier in the season.

Allen, 33, was given a modified no-trade clause when he signed a two-year extension offered by Kent Hughes in 2022.

The Devils were on his list⬇️

saturday. Tocchet says he's not worried, but he probably is. Demko was playing at Vezina level. he's week 2 week but expected back by the playoffs.

McDavid has basically caught Kucherov (1 point behind in 2 less games) and is just 9 points behind MacKinnon for the league lead. Would be pretty amazing if he catches him.

He leads the league in assists.

The Penguins announced today that the shipment carrying the Jagr bobbleheads for tonight’s game has been stolen en route to Pittsburgh.

As a result, the bobbleheads will not be distributed at tonight’s game, but will be distributed at a later date.
Link - ( New Window )

Just incredible

In comment 16431254 Burt64 said:

Quote:

The Penguins announced today that the shipment carrying the Jagr bobbleheads for tonight’s game has been stolen en route to Pittsburgh. As a result, the bobbleheads will not be distributed at tonight’s game, but will be distributed at a later date. Link - ( New Window )

I laughed when I read that too. WTF is someone going to do with a truck load of Jagr bobbleheads?

With all those Penguins/Rangers fans in his family, have to look their way in connection with that heist.

In comment 16431349 Greg from LI said:

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Just incredible

I don't know if there is a perfect historical duo comparison because Crosby as good as he is/was just wasn't at McDavid's level, but what Matthews is doing from a goal scoring standpoint is sort of like Crosby/Ovi.

Matthews:
544 games, 353 goals

McDavid:
631 games, 328 goals

Through his age 26 season Ovi had 339 goals. Matthews is still in his age 26 season.

If Matthews stays healthy he may have a better shot at Gretzky's goal record than Ovi does. Long way to go obviously.

In comment 16424502 JayBinQueens said:

Quote:

In comment 16424361 Bear vs Shark said: Quote: In comment 16424353 Costy16 said: Quote: Rangers have 5 games in 7 nights this week and two back to backs including a 3PM start on Saturday at Penguins and hosting the Islanders at 1PM on Sunday. After playing like 1 game last week. So stupid Isles will be 5 in 8 including a west coast road trip

Yeah, some of the scheduling is just wonky. That wasn't a "woe is rangers" post, that was a "wtf NHL" post and I'm sure could apply to most teams at some point this year.

Then again, I guess if each team has the same number of shitty stretches like that, it's kinda even?

more or less (have scheduling quirks), NHL scheduling is a shit show. the unofficial bye weeks, the high volume of back to backs, very few Friday and Sunday games for some reason.

the same novelty outdoor games done over and over.

the league needs a complete marketing overhaul.

In comment 16431440 Bear vs Shark said:

Quote:

In comment 16424502 JayBinQueens said: Quote: In comment 16424361 Bear vs Shark said: Quote: In comment 16424353 Costy16 said: Quote: Rangers have 5 games in 7 nights this week and two back to backs including a 3PM start on Saturday at Penguins and hosting the Islanders at 1PM on Sunday. After playing like 1 game last week. So stupid Isles will be 5 in 8 including a west coast road trip Yeah, some of the scheduling is just wonky. That wasn't a "woe is rangers" post, that was a "wtf NHL" post and I'm sure could apply to most teams at some point this year. Then again, I guess if each team has the same number of shitty stretches like that, it's kinda even?

No worries. My post was more, at least the Isles won't be much more rested

Quote:

Jaromir Jagr @68Jagr Did anybody see my bubbleheads?? 18000 of them. Actually, I got one ,missing 17,999. Let me know. Thank you.

In comment 16432137 pjcas18 said:

Quote:

Quote: Jaromir Jagr @68Jagr Did anybody see my bubbleheads?? 18000 of them. Actually, I got one ,missing 17,999. Let me know. Thank you.

Bahckle up baybee... - ( New Window )

here are my award predictions:

1. Bedard running away with Calder. He passed 50 points his last game and probably ends up around 65 (my guess).

McDavid had 48 points as a rookie (in 45 games) Bedard has 51 points in 52 games. Matthews had 69 points in 82 games, so he is in the mix with his contemporaries. Crosby had 102 in 81 games (as an 18 year old).

Bedard is 18, McDavid and Matthews both turned 19 as rookies. Ovie has 106 points as a rookie, but he was 20.

2. Hart - still TBD between MacKinnon, Kucherov, McDavid and Hughes (but don't look now, Makar is going to catch Hughes) and Matthews I guess if he hits 70 goals.

3. Vezina - still TBD between Hellebuyck and Bobrovsky. I think Demko had a real shot here but he's now out to week to week and I think that eliminate him.

4. Norris - Hughes and Makar - a few weeks ago I thought Hughes was running away with it, and right now he still wins for me, but Makar is closing the gap

5. Adams - Tocchet - in a runaway

6. Ted Lindsay (pearson) - McDavid IMO, but the same Hart names are in contention here

these are the subjective ones. Richard, Ross, etc. not going to speculate.

Calder: Othmann
Vezina: Shesterkin
Norris: Fox
Jack Adams: Laviolette
Hart: Panarin

Selke: Kakko

Selke.

Selke: Bergeron

just kidding, I think Barkov.

come to an end and/or as rights expire these deals are common:

Mike McMahon
@MikeMcMahonCHN
Merrimack goalie Hugo Ollas has signed with the New York Rangers. He’s reporting to the Hartford Wolfpack (AHL). Will have more later.

tourneys QF's today/this weekend (mostly).

ECAC:
1. Quinnipiac
12. RPI

2. Cornell
8. Harvard

3. Colgate
7. St Lawrence

4. Dartmouth
6. Union

these are best of the QF's then on to Lake Placid for the final 4/finals.

Hockey East QF's
Umass
vs
Providence

Northeastern
vs
BU

New Hampshire
vs
Maine

Uconn
vs
BC

Hockey East is single elimination

Big 10

Already had best of three QF's and MSU had a bye, OSU beat WIS, MIN beat PSU, MICH beat ND

Semis
#1 MSU vs #7 OSU
3 MIN vs 4 MICH

will post other conferences as I see them

Chris Johnston
@reporterchris
Ilya Samsonov just left the #leafs morning skate after falling awkwardly while making a save. Didn't look good.

of obnoxious uniforms like some KHL or euro leagues have, but I hope USNTDP wears these for the WJC U18's or some version of them. Teams will lose before the opening puck drop.

Doug Armstrong was named general manager of Canada's men's team for the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics on Friday.

In comment 16434819 pjcas18 said:

Quote:

Chris Johnston @reporterchris Ilya Samsonov just left the #leafs morning skate after falling awkwardly while making a save. Didn't look good.

Sounds like crisis averted, Samsonov is starting tonight.

Johnston on fire.

with a goal (so far) tonight, the 20 year old has 8 goals in his last 6 games. Up to 26 on the season.

He's one of those players I think has a sneaky chance for the 2026 Olympics for Canada.

Dustin Wolf looks legit. He's on the small side (6'), but very athletic, I think he makes the Markstrom trade easier at just 22 years old. He was on the 2021 WJC USA team that Spencer Knight led (as goalie) with Caufield, Zegras, Boldy, Turcotte, etc. and won the gold.

with two goals in the last 90 seconds to force OT in TOR.

In comment 16435850 pjcas18 said:

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with two goals in the last 90 seconds to force OT in TOR.

CAR kills off an OT PP to TOR and wins in the shootout

on now. A lot of talent on this ice.

In comment 16435863 pjcas18 said:

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on now. A lot of talent on this ice.

What. A. Game.

Somehow still alive because nobody seems to want WC #2.

Since the trade deadline/Ruff firing two observations:

Timo Meier looks like Timo Meier again, he's been on fire the last half a dozen games.

Jake Allen should get the majority of the play time down the stretch, IMO. Through 5 periods against Dallas/Vegas, he's stopped 58 of 60. Devils should be down 4-0 vs Vegas but it's 0-0.

He's exactly what he Devils have been missing so far. Curious to see how his play will continue down the stretch.

with all teams now having between 13 and 15 games left.

- Martin St. Louis has taken an indefinite leave of absence to deal with family issues. something related to his son, but out of respect for his and his families privacy, people who know are keeping it quiet.

- DET and TBL currently occupy the WC spots in the East. WAS in striking distance. 1 pt behind DET with two games in hand. NYI too - they have 1 GIH on DET. Setting up for a good end to the season with at least 3 teams vying for one spot.

- BOS, NYR, and FLA all vying for #1 seed in the East and President's Trophy (not that anyone wants that - it hasn't been a predictor of success from what I recall).

- West has more separation for WC, so I won't consider it a race yet.

.

In comment 16437233 Greg from LI said:

Quote:

.

PHI is 3rd in the metro.

very early top 25 for '25.

Hagens #1 and Hensler #2. Would it be the first time Americans went 1/2?

Hagens is insanely skilled. Hensler a big RH D. At 17 he's already 6' 2" 200 lbs.

As of today he has 4 Americans in the top 9.

Should see most of these guys at the U18s next month - even as underagers where we may not see players like Celebrini and Eiserman (but I hope we do)

link below behind Athletic paywall
link - ( New Window )

Elliotte Friedman
@FriedgeHNIC
Proposed rule changes coming out of GM meetings (need to go through Competition Committee & Board of Governors for approval)…(1/x)

Elliotte Friedman
@FriedgeHNIC
Rule 63.A (iv) adding goalie to list of players who can get a penalty for intentionally dislodging the net…

Elliotte Friedman
@FriedgeHNIC
On a faceoff after an icing, right now defensive centre gets a warning for a violation, but offensive centre gets tossed. There is an ask for an offensive centre to get a warning as well…

I read they are considering making puck over the glass a possible coaches challenge and "friendly fire" high sticking challenge-able too - ideally with the risk of a penalty if you're wrong on both challenges

assign Reinbacher (2023 #1) to Laval.

I wonder if he's called up to MTL at all - his ELC can slide. he has to play in Laval to play in the AHL playoffs I believe (if Laval is even in the race and that is something they considered)

Elliotte Friedman
@FriedgeHNIC
No change to 3-on-3 overtime. Some talk about ECHL 7-minute OT, but no momentum

also I'd love to see them trash the offsides challenge. I'm the biggest fan of getting calls right and using technology to do it. However to have a team score and everyone celebrates only to have the goal wiped out by a shoelace offsides when often it didn't even affect the play and the goal came 10 to up to like 20 seconds later is plain silly and common sense.

In comment 16439203 Stu11 said:

Quote:

also I'd love to see them trash the offsides challenge. I'm the biggest fan of getting calls right and using technology to do it. However to have a team score and everyone celebrates only to have the goal wiped out by a shoelace offsides when often it didn't even affect the play and the goal came 10 to up to like 20 seconds later is plain silly and common sense.

Sometimes I feel like these people make decisions just to show they are dominant and can make decisions.

Who likes the shootout? no one.

What is the downside of extending 3v3 OT? The potential for the game to drag on is small IMO and the more tired teams get the more wide open it becomes, it's one of the best game changes in the past decade, why not capitalize on it?

the NHL is their own worst enemy. it seems like they are allergic to success by making stupid decisions like this and the 2022 Olympics.

That's 34+ saves in three consecutive starts. Timo Meier now has 10 goals in his last 10 games.

That's all I got for the devils

In comment 16439265 pjcas18 said:

Quote:

Sometimes I feel like these people make decisions just to show they are dominant and can make decisions. Who likes the shootout? no one. What is the downside of extending 3v3 OT? The potential for the game to drag on is small IMO and the more tired teams get the more wide open it becomes, it's one of the best game changes in the past decade, why not capitalize on it? the NHL is their own worst enemy. it seems like they are allergic to success by making stupid decisions like this and the 2022 Olympics.

I've said this 1,000 times but Bettman needs to go. The game hasn't grown under him in nearly 30 years. They need new vision moving forward. How they once again fail to eliminate the shootout is mind blowing. Everyone loves 3 on 3 OT. All they have to do is extend the time or have multiple OT's until somebody scores.

Costa Rontzocos
@Rontzeeez
The CCHA will crown a champion as Michigan Tech faces off against Bemidji State

AHA has their final on Saturday with AIC vs. RIT

Michigan and Michigan State face off in the Big 10 Final

The rest of the conferences are playing their semi-finals tomorrow

#CollegeHockey

is stealing my shit....lol. I was all over this weeks ago.


The Hockey News
@TheHockeyNews
Alex Ovechkin is only 49 goals away from breaking Gretzky's all-time goal-scoring record. But is there a chance Auston Matthews could one day pass them both?
@pool88
compares their careers:
link - ( New Window )

seedings/regions being revealed now.

Top 4 seeds: BC (1 overall), BU, Denver and Michigan State

BC is in Providence (with defending champ Quinnipiac). makes sense.

So BU should be in Springfield, and Denver in SD IMO but those two are reversed for some reason.

Michigan State and Michigan in same region, could play in the regional finals for a trip to the final 4.

Here are the regions:

Providence Region (Friday/Sunday)

No. 1 Boston College
Quinnipiac
Wisconsin
Michigan Tech

Maryland Heights Region (Friday/Sunday)

No. 4 Michigan State
Michigan
North Dakota
Western Michigan

Springfield Region (Thursday/Saturday)

No. 3 Denver
Cornell
Maine
UMass

Sioux Falls Region (Thursday/Saturday)

No. 2 Boston University
Omaha
Minnesota
RIT

today allowed 5 goals on 15 shots (one ENG) to OTT.

for this reason I'm out. Sure, it was Pickard, not Skinner who has been better and even really god for stretches, but I don't trust him and I think it's criminal that EDM shells out cash for Zach Hyman, but ignore goalie for McDavid's whole career basically.

He has two more seasons in EDM on his current deal. I wonder what it would take to move McDavid. Of course they win the cup this year it changes everything, but I doubt that happens.

more for the fact MTL is a pretty old franchise.

Priyanta Emrith
@HabsInHighHeels
#FunFact: with his goal tonight, #Habs Juraj Slafkovský tied Mario Tremblay (in 1974-75) for the most points by a teenager in a season in #GoHabsGo history!

(one team - EDM, has 13).

Current standings:
EAST
A1 FLA 97 pts 11 games remaining
A2 BOS 97 pts 10 games remaining
A3 TOR 89 pts 12 games remaining

M1 NYR 98 pts 11 games remaining
M2 CAR 97 pts 10 games remaining
M3 PHI 81 pts 10 games remaining

WC1 TBL 85 pts 11 games remaining
WC2 WAS 79 pts 12 games remaininf

In the hunt:
DET 78 pts 11 games remaining

On life support:
NYI 75 pts, NJD 74 pts, BUF 73 pts


WEST
C1 COL 97 pts 11 games remaining
C2 DAL 97 pts 10 games remaining
C3 WIN 93 pts 11 games remaining

P1 VAN 98 pts 11 games remaining
P2 EDM 88 pts 13 games remaining
P3 LAK 85 pts 12 games remaining

WC1 NSH 88 pts 11 games remaining
WC2 LVG 83 pts 12 games remaining

In the hunt:
STL 79 pts 11 games remaining

On life support:
MIN 77 pts

Mostly seedings at stake with WC2 in the East the real battle would be a surprise for STL or MIN to make it at this point.

they have located the Jagr bobbleheads.

thank god.

The Canadiens coach had been away from the team since March 16 because of family reasons. His 16-year-old son, Mason, sustained an injury while playing for U15 Mid-Fairfield (Connecticut) and was hospitalized a week later after suffering from complications from the injury.

Mason's condition has since stabilized and he is recovering at the family's home in Connecticut.

tonight for jockeying and matchups of playoff teams or hopefuls.

WAS vs DET
FLA vs BOS
NYR vs PHI
NSH vs LVG
WIN vs EDM

for several Eastern conference teams

NYR
NYR win (any way) and they're in
or
or NYR get the loser point and DET get no more than the loser point
or
NYR lose to PHI in reg AND DET loses to WSH in regulation

FLA
FLA beats BOS (any way)
and any of the following happen
WSH beats DET (any way) or PHI loses to NYR in reg or (PHI loses in OT/SO AND WSH loses in regulation)
OR
FLA gets 1 point vs BOS
AND
DET loses to WASH in Reg

CAR
CAR beat PIT (any way)
AND any of the following happens
DET loses to WSH (any way) or
PHI loses to NYR in reg or
PHI loses to NYR in OT/SO AND WSH loses to DET in reg

BOS
BOS beat FLA (any way)
AND
DET loses to WSH in reg

And made a lot of good deadline moves. Watch out!

In comment 16447035 BleedBlue46 said:

Quote:

And made a lot of good deadline moves. Watch out!

I watched their game vs PIT when they came back from being down 4-0 to win in OT. Jonathan Drouin looked great.

revenues are likely to surpass expectations. Especially if NYR, BOS, TOR, EDM have deep playoff runs.

if this happens the escrow from COVID would be repaid faster and could mean an increase in the 2024-2025 cap.

Or they can leave it as is and just get the money back from escrow sooner.

back for the Ducks tonight. What a nightmare sophomore season for the youngster.

I hope he gets traded because Anaheim has "too many good forwards".

Love to see him in MTL. I'd trade a 1st and one of the glut of D they have. Maybe Mailloux since I doubt MTL wants to hear the shitbag fans complain if he gets called up but I'd prefer to trade someone like Harris over Mailloux. Without the baggage Mailloux is a mid 1st round pick. Harris got drafted where he should but is solid. I like Struble's toughness a little more. Maybe even Barron would be the guy I trade.

In comment 16447088 pjcas18 said:

Quote:

back for the Ducks tonight. What a nightmare sophomore season for the youngster. I hope he gets traded because Anaheim has "too many good forwards". Love to see him in MTL. I'd trade a 1st and one of the glut of D they have. Maybe Mailloux since I doubt MTL wants to hear the shitbag fans complain if he gets called up but I'd prefer to trade someone like Harris over Mailloux. Without the baggage Mailloux is a mid 1st round pick. Harris got drafted where he should but is solid. I like Struble's toughness a little more. Maybe even Barron would be the guy I trade.

not sure how that became "sophomore" this is Zegras' 4th season, but technically his 2nd season was his rookie year.

In comment 16447057 pjcas18 said:

Quote:

In comment 16447035 BleedBlue46 said: Quote: And made a lot of good deadline moves. Watch out! I watched their game vs PIT when they came back from being down 4-0 to win in OT. Jonathan Drouin looked great.

Yeah, Drouin is playing like a weight has been lifted off his shoulders and he's just having fun like back in his Jr hockey days with Nathan Mackinnon.

games of the season.

They hadn't won in COL since 2014 and COL had won 9 straight. Montembeault and Primeau could be their goalie tandem going forward. I wouldn't have a problem with that - until Fowler is ready, if he pans out.

Suzuki is establishing himself as a mini-Bergeron. such a smart player with a legit 200 foot game (no cliche).

I wonder if he has a shot at Team Canada. Probably not at Center where they have McDavid, MacKinnon, Crosby, Draisaitl, Reinhart, Point, but all those guys can't play C (thought MacKinnon and Reinhart are not great at FOs and who knows Crosby's status for 2026 Olympics I can see that as a career bookend for him), so some great player is going to have to be a wing on that team - for the 4 nations and the Olympics.

in AZ, Shane Doan (probably "Mr. Coyote" if there is such a thing) son Josh drafted by the Coyotes in the 2nd round a couple years ago, made his debut last night, scores 2 goals and AZ gets the W. Josh is the first player born in Arizona to play for the team. His father presented him his 1st goal game puck after the game. Cool moment.

What was interesting is at the time it was his 2nd year in the draft. It's not often re-draft candidates go this high, but he grew a few inches in between years.

tonights clinch scenarios:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

The Boston Bruins will clinch a playoff berth:

If they get at least one point against the Tampa Bay Lightning (7:30 p.m. ET; MAX, TNT, NESN, TVAS).

leaders all scuffling lately (last 10)
BOS (6-4)
FLA (4-5-1)
TOR (5-4-1)

MET cruising (mostly)
NYR (8-2)
CAR (7-2-1)
PHI (4-4-2)


WCs
TBL on fire (8-1-1)
WSH on fire (7-3)
DET choking (3-6-1)

Some teams have just 8 games left.

@ COL I came away with a couple thoughts.

COL top line may be as good a line as I've seen in a long long time.

Especially when their F1 line was with their D1 pair.

MacKinnon, Rantanen and Drouin, with Makar and Toews is a good a line as I have seen - maybe since the Gretzky days and you had Gretzky with Kurri and Tikkanen with Coffey on D.

once that line gets possession it was hard to get it from them.

It's like a power play line and they play like they're on a PP even when at even strength.

And no disrespect to players like Mittelstadt or Nichushkin or Lehky, etc. but they're a one line team IMO.

At least they played like it vs MTL. and I can't believe they traded a 1st for Sean Walker.

that one line can carry them far, but they'll only go as far as that line does carry them IMO.

They are loaded offensively. They need Oettinger to pick up his game in goal.
Stronger on defense with the pickup of Tanev.

I like DAL chances to come out of the West - loaded with talent, good mix of veterans and youth, solid on D and in net, not 100% sure on VAN - but they'd be the other one I would expect to come out of the West.

If Demko comes back healthy and when Lindholm returns, they may be the deepest team in the league.

they can legit run 4 lines and 6 D.

And don't get me wrong, COL will be a tough out simply because of how good that top line is, but I think they're beatable.

EDM lacks consistent goaltending, and depth on D
WIN can be sneaky good, Hellebuyck can steal a game and they have a solid veteran core, like their deadline
LAK have talent all over the roster, but do they have enough? and enough in net?
LVG is a WC? Defending champs should never be ruled out IMO.

the West I think is better than I usually give them credit for, but I think DAL and VAN are the cream of that crop.

In comment 16447324 pjcas18 said:

Quote:

in AZ, Shane Doan (probably "Mr. Coyote" if there is such a thing) son Josh drafted by the Coyotes in the 2nd round a couple years ago, made his debut last night, scores 2 goals and AZ gets the W. Josh is the first player born in Arizona to play for the team. His father presented him his 1st goal game puck after the game. Cool moment. What was interesting is at the time it was his 2nd year in the draft. It's not often re-draft candidates go this high, but he grew a few inches in between years.

This was pretty cool, be great if he carves out a nice career.

Have you followed the Zach Hyman discourse?

In comment 16448509 BrettNYG10 said:

Quote:

In comment 16447324 pjcas18 said: Quote: in AZ, Shane Doan (probably "Mr. Coyote" if there is such a thing) son Josh drafted by the Coyotes in the 2nd round a couple years ago, made his debut last night, scores 2 goals and AZ gets the W. Josh is the first player born in Arizona to play for the team. His father presented him his 1st goal game puck after the game. Cool moment. What was interesting is at the time it was his 2nd year in the draft. It's not often re-draft candidates go this high, but he grew a few inches in between years. This was pretty cool, be great if he carves out a nice career. Have you followed the Zach Hyman discourse?

that he only has been successful because he comes from a wealthy family?

That's idiotic. Who's saying that?

This tweet, Greg.

I had a friend tell me recently about the amount of money he spends on his son each year for hockey here in NY and I was stunned. Hockey is a rich man's game, my assumption is every player now has this advantage. It's actually an important conversation. But taking it out on an individual player is just insane.
Twitter - ( New Window )

In comment 16448867 BrettNYG10 said:

Quote:

This tweet, Greg. I had a friend tell me recently about the amount of money he spends on his son each year for hockey here in NY and I was stunned. Hockey is a rich man's game, my assumption is every player now has this advantage. It's actually an important conversation. But taking it out on an individual player is just insane. Twitter - ( New Window )

It is absolutely fair to link wealth to advantage in hockey. I grew up in a single parent home, and we didn't have a pot to piss in. My buddies were the same though. We used to laugh at this one guy worse off then most of us and say his helmet was his mother's zuppa di pesce bowl. lol. still makes me laugh.

The rich kids in our town and state (and in general) had the best equipment, the best coaches, trainers, technology, played in the best tournaments etc. and it wasn't always talent that got them there, often it was money. And the prep school aspect (mostly juniors/NCDC now) was also crazy because only the wealthy could afford those schools. There is maybe, maybe 1 to 5 draftees every year from a public high school - and that includes Minnesota where its religion. The pipeline to the draft is exclusively juniors, prep, USNDTP, NCDC - or foreign.

but you reach a point where the money and talent intersect and that's as far as money takes you.

if it were as simple as being wealthy to be 50-goal NHL scorer there would be a lot more of them.

By all accounts Hyman is a hard worker who busts his ass every practice and plays the game the right way.

I guess what this reporter is saying is Hyman was born on 3rd base, but I don't buy it and agree singling him out is lame, but denying wealth and hockey are linked is impossible.

And it's way "worse" today than when I was playing because it starts so much younger now.

My daughter played summers against kids at 8 and 10 years old who were on tournament teams that didn't know each other well and flew to different game locations every week across the US. And this was girls. Boys is this times ten. And I felt like we were the privileged ones simply by the fact my daughter played on a summer "all-star" tournament team that was very expensive and drove to different locations every week all over the Northeast. lol. These people put us to shame.

starts out with a bang.

Denver (the 3 seed and top seed in Springfield) beats UMass in double OT.

BU (the 2 seed) beating RIT 3-1 almost halfway through the second (Lane Hutson with a goal and assist for BU)

Other games today/tonight:
Cornell vs Maine
Omaha vs MIN

on a Celebrini goal.

Celebrini and Bedard will be quite a duo (hope it doesn't happen)

Chris Peters
@chrismpeters
Macklin Celebrini scores his 32nd goal of the season. He passes Craig Simpson for most goals by a U18 player in NCAA history.

tonight.

Man, the NHL is awful at scheduling.

1 game tomorrow night heading in to a holiday weekend, but 14 games tonight.

tons of playoff implications and clinching scenarios.

copied from nhl.com:

Quote:

EASTERN CONFERENCE The Boston Bruins (idle) will clinch a playoff berth: If the Detroit Red Wings lose to the Carolina Hurricanes in any fashion (7:30 p.m. ET; BSSO, BSDET). OR If the Philadelphia Flyers lose to the Montreal Canadiens in regulation (7 p.m. ET; RDS, TSN2, NBCSP). The Florida Panthers will clinch a playoff berth: If they defeat the New York Islanders in any fashion (7 p.m. ET; MSGSN, BSFL). OR If they get one point against the Islanders AND either of the following occurs: 1) The Red Wings lose to the Hurricanes in any fashion. 2) The Flyers lose to the Canadiens in regulation. OR If the Red Wings lose to the Hurricanes in regulation. The Carolina Hurricanes will clinch a playoff berth: If they defeat the Red Wings in any fashion. OR If they get one point against the Red Wings AND the Flyers lose to the Canadiens in regulation. WESTERN CONFERENCE The Dallas Stars will clinch a playoff berth: If they defeat the Vancouver Canucks in any fashion (10 p.m. ET; SNP, BSSW). OR If they get one point against the Canucks AND the St. Louis Blues lose to the Calgary Flames in any fashion (8 p.m. ET; BSMW, SNW). OR If the Minnesota Wild lose to the San Jose Sharks in any fashion (8 p.m. ET; BSN, NBCSCA+) AND the Blues lose to the Flames in regulation. The Vancouver Canucks will clinch a playoff berth: If they defeat the Stars in any fashion. OR If they get one point against the Stars AND the Blues lose to the Flames in any fashion. OR If the Wild lose to the Sharks in any fashion AND the Blues lose to the Flames in regulation. The Colorado Avalanche will clinch a playoff berth: If they defeat the New York Rangers in any fashion (9 p.m. ET; MSG, ALT, TVAS-D) AND the Blues lose to the Flames in any fashion. OR If they get one point against the Rangers AND both of the following occur: 1) The Wild lose to the Sharks in any fashion. 2) The Blues lose to the Flames in regulation.

Hockey East, which had 4 teams goes 1 - 2 on day 1.

BC plays tomorrow.

The Isles w the win vs Florida and the other games ending as they did. Now just a little.more hope before the rip it from us for good

set the record for most points in a season for a teenager in MTL history. officially. that's a long history. He has 41 points. He would challenge for most points as a teenager period in MTL history but he only had 10 points last year before being injured, so he missed half the season.

he is really establishing himself as the best player in that draft class.

Cooley is slightly ahead on PPG, but Cooley got to play at U Minnesota as an 18 year old while Slafkovsky was running the gauntlet in the NHL. Such a great forechecker, you can see him learning the game defensively, such a high compete level, wins puck battles, very soon I expect him to be on the ice in all situations. He's already on the top line and PP1, I wouldn't be shocked to see him on PK1 or 2 soon too.

if MTL can trade for Zegras (still no idea why ANA would shop him, but....) and keep their top 1st round pick I think their rebuild is probably 2 off-seasons away. 2025-2026 I expect them to be a contender (for the playoffs).

i dont expect them to get a spot but if NYR hold on to the top spot in east and isles get 8th, would we finally get a NY/NY playoff series?

In comment 16449691 JayBinQueens said:

Quote:

The Isles w the win vs Florida and the other games ending as they did. Now just a little.more hope before the rip it from us for good

This has been the most frustrating season ever. At least three times they go on some losing streak where they look awful and then go on a winning streak where the analytics look great and it seems like they are gonna make it only to go on a losing streak again.,

A true bubble middle of the pack team. As frustrated as I am with Lou, the offseason is long and I'm still rooting for playoff hockey despite everything.

Find a way to steal two points in tampa and it'll set up a crucial game @Philly with a chance to pass them in point %.

In comment 16449950 Eric on Li said:

Quote:

i dont expect them to get a spot but if NYR hold on to the top spot in east and isles get 8th, would we finally get a NY/NY playoff series?

Would prefer NYR in the first round 10X over CAR. Anyone but CAR honestly (of course I'll take CAR if it means a playoff berth).

BC (1 seed) vs Michigan Tech at 2pm

Michigan State (4 seed) vs Western Michigan at 5pm

Quinnipiac vs Wisconsin at 5:30pm

Michigan vs North Dakota 8:30pm

36 seconds in (Gauthier) and looks like it could be a laugher then MI Tech comes back with a shortie.

tied at 1, end of 1.

puts BC back on top.

2-1 BC, a couple minutes into the 2nd.

just got mugged on his way to the net - no call.

Perreault right after gets a borderline major. Looked dirty real time.

MI Tech is challenging.

and Perreault ejected. Stupid play.

a good goal, off a nice clear.

then Gauthier went to dump the puck in and the MI Tech goalie leaves the net to stop the wraparound and it hits the ref in the ass and goes in the empty net.

I think they're going to call it no goal. Not sure of the rule.

looks like its 3-1 not 4-1.

I have never seen this in 40+ years of hockey

Will Smith with a beauty pass to Jellvik

Leonard takes a hit to make a play.

4 - 1 BC

getting chippy now. BC needs to be careful and not retaliate here and lose a player for the next game.

again, then Gauthier - BC pp goals during 5 min major resulting from the (interrupted by a BC minor)

Gauthier BC player with most goals in one season (37) since Johnny hockey.

winning puck battles early, beats the NCAA top goaltender for the 1-0 lead over Wisconsin. Just a couple min in.

from the badgers, and they lead Quinnipiac 2-1.

One off a brutal turnover in the d-zone. the other a wrap around by a D for his 1st goal of the season. not a great start to the 2nd for the Bobcats. lol.

ties it up at 2 off a face off win/shot rebound.

2-2 end of 2.

great game.

beating Michigan State 4-2.

If MSU loses I wonder if Isaac Howard goes pro.

He's a Lightning draftee. Not big, but like a Brayden Point type.

MSU with 2 late, one in the final minute, to send it to OT in Missouri.

MSU 4 Western Michigan 4

wins in OT.

Headed to OT in Providence too. Quinnipiac and Wisconsin remain tied at 2.

wins it in OT. Great game.

They play like this though on Sunday, BC will beat them by 4 or 5.

(thanks to Frankie Nazar and Dylan Duke) had just enough to beat North Dakota and held on for a 4-3 win.

Todays regional final games:
Denver (3) vs Cornell (4:00pm)
BU (2) vs Minnesota (6:30pm)

All the one seeds advanced.

15 games.

4 teams clinched in the East (NYR, CAR, BOS, FLA) No EC teams can clinch today though TOR is not far off. 8 - 11 games left for most teams.



Here are the Stanley Cup Playoffs clinching scenarios for March 30:
WESTERN CONFERENCE

The Vancouver Canucks will clinch a playoff berth:

If the Minnesota Wild lose to the Vegas Golden Knights in any fashion (3:30 p.m. ET; HULU, ESPN+) AND the St. Louis Blues lose to the San Jose Sharks in regulation (8 p.m. ET; BSMWX, NBCSCA).

The Colorado Avalanche will clinch a playoff berth:

If they defeat the Nashville Predators in regulation or overtime (6 p.m. ET; BSSO, ALT)

OR

If they defeat the Predators in a shootout AND any result in the Blues-Sharks game other than a Blues regulation win

OR

If they get one point against the Predators AND the Blues lose to the Sharks in any fashion

OR

If the Wild lose to the Golden Knights in any fashion AND the Blues lose to the Sharks in regulation.

DAL has already clinched in the West - the only West team so far, but COL and VAN can clinch.

pound Russian goalie Ivan Fedotov finally gets to PHI. He was drafted in 2015 and has had a roller coaster ride since.

he is playoff eligible should PHI make it. I think Ersson has been playing well, but not well enough IMO. Not sure Fedotov is the answer but can't hurt.

great story about his journey on nhl.com

it would be McDavid. but just amazing he's this close he only played 2 games less but he came back a couple weeks ahead of schedule to play in the heritage classic and was clearly not 100%.

David Pagnotta
@TheFourthPeriod
Top 10 NHL points leaders, as of today:

1. Nikita Kucherov, 124
2. Nathan MacKinnon, 123
3. Connor McDavid, 122
4. Artemi Panarin, 103
5. David Pastrnak, 101
6. Mikko Rantanen, 97
7. Leon Draisaitl, 96
8. Auston Matthews, 94
8. William Nylander, 94
10. JT Miller, 92

I think if McDavid passes Kucherov and winds up #1 in points then McDavid wins Hart.

putting the pressure on Kucherov and MacKinnon with 2 goals (through 2 periods).

gets the 3rd point (nice assist on a Hyman one-timer), to (temporarily) take the points lead.

holds on vs a pesky Cornell team, 2-1 and heads to the Frozen Four.

LaChance (I played with his father) ties it up for BU (off the Celebrini assist) 2-2 BU and Minnesota.

BU other goal came from Quinn Hutson (Lane's younger brother)

the lead 3-2 of a Harvey goal (assisted by LaChance and Celebrini)

MIN ties it up. 3-3 late second.

Luke Mittelstadt with the assist (Habs pick and Casey's younger brother)

MacKinnon will not go easily. This is going to be a fun race to watch.

Kucherov with 1 point so far (after 1) and MacKinnon with 2 (2nd winding down)

Lane Hutson this time to give BU the 4-3 lead, 2nd winding down.

has been playing decoy for most of the season. He is going to average 3 points a game the rest of the way.

says "I'll give you a decoy" and puts up 4 pts of his own tonight (2 min left)

Kucherov still just the one point through 2 periods.

ices it with the ENG.

5-3 with under 1 min left.

Chalk so far halfway through the regional finals with BU (2 seed) and Denver (3 seed) headed to St. Paul.

with his 60th.

I don't think he has a shot at 70, but who knows if they get some cookie games the rest of the way.

Ovechkin came close but I think 65 was his best. Brett Hull? I know he broke 80 once but I can’t remember what year. I know Selanne and Mogilny each had 76 in 1993. Lemieux’s 80something season was 1990 I think.

And it was Selanne and Mogilny who were last. Lemieux had 69 in 1996, Ovechkin 65 in 2008 and McDavid 64 two years ago. Hull had 72, 86, and 70 1990-92 and Lemieux 70 and 85 in 1988-89.

BC puck drop coming up from Providence.

my wife and kids are at the game. I am home watching the dogs. WTF?

In comment 16451699 Greg from LI said:

Quote:

And it was Selanne and Mogilny who were last. Lemieux had 69 in 1996, Ovechkin 65 in 2008 and McDavid 64 two years ago. Hull had 72, 86, and 70 1990-92 and Lemieux 70 and 85 in 1988-89.

that's why I was thinking if Matthews gets 70 he is in the Hart discussion automatically, but I doubt he does so I think the 3 Hart finalists are all but locked at MacKinnon, Kucherov and McDavid.

No D is getting to 100 points like Karlsson last year and no goalie has been so lights out they warrant inclusion IMO (and Makar has caught Hughes too in the Norris race IMO).

dominant period by BC, but Duplessis comes up huge and keeps BC off the scoreboard.

Scoreless after 1.

tips it home on the PP Quinnipiac up 1-0.

another. The Bobcats up 2-0.

one back on the PP on a ridiculous embellished high stick call (by Perreault).

never touched the BC player, but the refs called it.

2-1 Quinnipiac

about the Lightning. Playoffs against the Lightning haven't been kind to us, and Vasy seems to be back to his old self.

Kucherov + Vasy + Cooper = frightening

In comment 16452149 pjcas18 said:

Quote:

one back on the PP on a ridiculous embellished high stick call (by Perreault). never touched the BC player, but the refs called it. 2-1 Quinnipiac

I hope Fortescue wasn't responsible for either of those goals

In comment 16452159 Anakim said:

Quote:

In comment 16452149 pjcas18 said: Quote: one back on the PP on a ridiculous embellished high stick call (by Perreault). never touched the BC player, but the refs called it. 2-1 Quinnipiac I hope Fortescue wasn't responsible for either of those goals

Direct turnover by Fortescue on the 2nd. Just threw it up the boards.

Quinnipiac kills off another PP but BC scores just after.

Tied at 2 8 min left in the 2nd.

not going away. Fillion skate to stick on the rebound gives Quinnipiac the 3-2 lead. 4 min left in the 2nd.

even a penalty, let alone a 5?

this should be no penalty.

BC player taking a dive IMO.

ties it up on the PP.

Ryan Leonard is BC's best player.

but you can't like the antics and as a hockey fan you have to hope Karma pays them a visit.

in the 3rd and it ends up tied at 3.

Quinnipiac still has 18 seconds of PP time heading into the 3rd.

Casey for Michigan vs Michigan State in the other regional final. Big loss.

fails to get a puck deep and BC transitions and ties it up.

4-4 4:44 left.

players diving all over the ice like flounders

in Providence.

BC has the edge in OT, where I feel like talent wins.

Gauthier opened Quinnipiac's season, at the banner raising, with an OT GW. Hopefully Quinnipiac can pay him back.

I think BC has a big edge though.

it in OT, Duplessis made a great save, but lost it.

a no show in the big games, so much for the "Collin Graf sweepstakes" the Rangers fans were hoping to win.

good luck with that.

Quillan is a much better player, but probably still an AHL player or maybe a bottom 6 guy. He can win some face offs.

freshman line (and Fortescue) should stay another year. Playing against older NCAA players (like Quinnipiac has) showed they need another year physically. especially Will Smith, who I thought was the best of them before the season. Ryan Leonard is the most NHL ready of them all, and I think maybe this time next year he could consider signing an ELC.

Fowler looked disappointing in the BC net (as a Habs fan).

Gauthier could play in the NHL after the season IMO.

this is the 5th time Michigan State and Michigan are playing this season? MSU 4-1 vs Michigan I think I heard.

Freshman Trey Augustine (of USNDTP fame) playing really well for MSU. Spartans lead 1-0. Even without Seamus Casey MICH is still loaded with talent.

ties it at 1, we are halfway through the game, another good one.

this frozen four has delivered. such entertaining hockey.

takes the lead in the 3rd. up 2-1 half a period left.

answers, tied at 2 8 left in the game.

pulling away, up 2 now with just a couple min left.

Frankie Nazar is a beast. Dylan Duke MICH - too much today.

5-2 MICH wins and ruins a chalk frozen four.

Red Wings fighting for their playoff lives tonight vs TBL.

DET 2 pts behind PHI with 1 game in hand.

DET wins the RW and ROW battle which I believe is 1st tiebreaker.

that game and FLA @ TOR the most compelling games - right now these two teams meet 1st round in the playoffs - FLA can pass BOS though and BOS vs TOR is awesome. BOS owns TOR and I hate both, but it's funny to see TOR bounced early every year.

.

In comment 16452524 Anakim said:

Quote:

.

unlikely, IMO.

a lot needs to happen for that matchup.

it's likely NYR vs WAS, PHI or DET and while no matchup is easy in the playoffs any of those are about as cake a match-up as you could hope for. it's truly a payoff for being the 1 seed (unlike BOS last year who got FLA)

for Matthews (after 1 period)

the Leafs won the Quillan "sweepstakes".

The Hockey Writers
@TheHockeyWriter
Maple Leafs Sign Jacob Quillan to 2-Year Entry-Level Contract https://ift.tt/jqtM2bh

with the ENG (62).

Who knows, he can get 70 I guess.

for MacKinnon in the 4-1 loss to CBJ, 1 pt for Kucherov in the 4-2 loss to DET.

None yet for McDavid in the 1st.

as of this morning:

MacKinnon 127 points
Kucherov 127 points
McDavid 126 points

McDavid did it in 71 games, MacKinnon 75 and Kucherov 73.

So, McDavid has highest PPG of the three, but it's obviously really close.

Not that I pay much attention to it, but McDavid and MacKinnon tied at +32, Kucherov +5, McDavid has the most 5v5 points of the three with 84

Kucherov has 80
MacKinnon has 83

This is as close a race as I can recall.

McDavid has far less goals that either of the other two, but he is closing in on 100 assists. No one has reached 100 since Gretzky in 90-91. McDavid's 97 already top 15 most in a season all time.

just a side bar to Gretzky for a second.

Gretzky has the top 7 and 9 of the top 10 assist totals in one season (Lemieux has the 8th most) and Gretzky has 11 of the top 15 (Lemieux has two, Orr has one which is pretty f-ing amazing and now McDavid)

in a ROW.

What might be most amazing, though, is that he still led the league in assists at age 37 with the crappy 1998 Rangers.

In comment 16453612 Greg from LI said:

Quote:

in a ROW. What might be most amazing, though, is that he still led the league in assists at age 37 with the crappy 1998 Rangers.

I'm a huge Gretzky fan. I was in school for the Gretzky Ranger years, and my roommate was a Ranger fan. We watched a lot of hockey in procrastination of work. It would have been 12 years easily with competent linemates. It was infuriating watching him setup high danger chances only to watch dogshit like Sundstrom or Todd "heartbeat" Harvey flub the shot. Then the season after he retires they sign Theo, Kamensky, etc. Skill guys who would've been great with Wayne but bombed with the corpse of John Maclean. It enhanced my Ranger hatred.

don't get the dominance of Gretzky. McDavid is the closest I've seen from a pure talent gap standpoint and I'm not sure its close.

The Heartbeat Kid 🤣

In comment 16453679 Greg from LI said:

Quote:

The Heartbeat Kid 🤣

When the islanders shitbag owners had their real estate deal fall through, they wanted to cut payroll to under 10 million.
Had Bettman not stepped in, Ziggy was going to the Rangers for Todd Harvey.
As pathetic and embarrassing as those years were, that would've been a new depth of despair.

In comment 16453662 pjcas18 said:

Quote:

don't get the dominance of Gretzky. McDavid is the closest I've seen from a pure talent gap standpoint and I'm not sure its close.

+infinity

I read hockey reddit from time to time. There can be some good insightful stuff there, but most of the posters are pretty young and they *love* to denigrate the NHL of the 20th century, how bad goaltending was in general compared to today, how the huge point totals of the players of the 1980s was the result of that.

Now, there's truth to that. When most goaltenders were little guys who played standup, coming way out of the net to cut off angles and stacking the pads in the crease, scoring was easier. Plus they wore much smaller pads which were nevertheless much heavier than today's gear. You don't see goalies get beat by unscreened blueline slappers anymore, which used to be pretty common.

So there's plenty of discussion there that Gretzky's accomplishments were inflated, that he wasn't as far ahead of other stars as most people think, etc. Here's the thing about that, though - everyone in those days played in the same environment, and the only guy who could even approach what Gretzky did was Pepe LePew. In those 11 seasons of 100+ assists, here's the gap between Gretzky and second place by year:

1981 - Kent Nilsson, 27 assists behind
1982 - Peter Stastny, 27 assists behind
1983 - Denis Savard, 39 assists behind
1984 - Paul Coffey, 32 assists behind
1985 - Paul Coffey, 51 assists behind
1986 - Mario Lemieux, 70 assists behind
1987 - Ray Bourque, 49 assists behind
1988 - Mario Lemieux, 11 assists behind
1989 - Lemieux and Gretzky tied with 114 assists
1990 - Mark Messier, 18 assists behind
1991 - Adam Oates, 32 assists behind

That is pure dominance. Only Lemieux could come close to what Gretzky did.

when you look at the size of goalies today vs the 80's (60/70's even worse - especially pre-masks) and today they're all like the Michelin man and a 6' 1" goalie is considered on the small side, but as you say it's not just Gretzky vs today it's vs his contemporaries that makes him more impressive.

It also makes players like Crosby and Ovi more impressive too IMO.

Crosby just tied Gretzky for most career seasons at a ppg with 19. 19 seasons of averaging a ppg. People don't consider Crosby in the same offensive stratosphere as Gretzky but for the era he probably is. And Bergeron owned the Selke but Crosby was a heck of a defensive player.

Now offense has opened up a little from the Crosby era especially with 3v3 OT and the way they call slashes and hooks now (I call it the McDavid era since I think it was his rookie year they added 3v3 OT and those stats count), and add in the big goalies and big goalie pads it puts a different view of some things. Like Ovi and the goals record. Matthews pursuit of 70, etc.

in the post-season.

Michael Russo
@RussoHockey
Quinnipiac’s Collin Graf is down to a handful of finalists and could make a decision today or tomorrow. About 25 teams pursued the right-shot forward and 2-time Hobey Baker nominee. He cut them down and did Zooms with about 6 teams three weeks ago. Hearing #mnwild still alive

Mark Divver
@MarkDivver
Bruins are not in on Collin Graf and have not been all season, per source

Quinnipiac winger down to half a dozen teams with decision expected in next couple of days

Washington loses

game and I thought they're going to watch WAS lose to BUF (a game they were expected to win) and get beat by CHI aren't they?

lol, they woke up in time.

WC2 in the East (and MET 3) are really the only "races"

surpassed 70 points for the 1st time in his career.

I remember seeing the scouting reports on him. For the most part they were close - "off the charts IQ, surprising toughness for smaller player, skill in all areas.." but..."he will never be a 70+ point scorer".

if you don't exactly have an NHL future. Now I'm not saying I was ever this good, but back when I played no one was really this smart (or maybe the eligibility rules have changed).

Spends 3+ years in juniors - doesn't get drafted or signed by an NHL team (or probably even a SHL/KHL/La Liga, etc. team).

Joins Quinnipiac as a 21 year old freshman (for reference, I am most of my class was 21 when we graduated college). Spends 4 years at Quinnipiac, probably has a BS in something, now transfers to Miami of Ohio for a 5th year, maybe gets an MBA out of it. He'll be 25 when he graduates but will not have paid a cent for school and probably (or possibly) has a BS and MBA. Oh, and he has a national title.

Christophe Fillion
@ChristopheFill7
Thank you to everyone at Quinnipiac University for a wonderful 4 years there. I am now happy to announce my commitment to play for the Miami Redhawks! Excited get things going! @MiamiOH_Hockey
12:26 PM · Apr 3, 2024
·
1,356
Views

with #63 (so far after 2) and 2 pts for Kucherov.

Kucherov keeps putting up points like this will be hard for McDavid to catch him

and the Oilers blanked by Otter and the Stars.

Kucherov has a 3-point night and now holds a 4 point lead.

Kucherov: 130 points
MacKinnon: 127 points
McDavid: 126 points

still alive for WC2 in the East (and MET3 for some).

MET3: PHI 83 pts, 6 games left

WC1: TBL 91 pts, 7 games left
WC2: WAS 82 pts, 8 games left (MET)*
E9: DET 82 pts, 7 games left (ATL)
E10: NYI 81 pts, 7 games left (MET)*
E11: PIT 79 pts, 7 games left (MET)*
E12: BUF 77 pts, 6 games left (ATL)

The * means they could be in play for MET3 too

I think the West spots are wrapped pretty much, just jockeying for position remains.

In comment 16455858 pjcas18 said:

Quote:

still alive for WC2 in the East (and MET3 for some). MET3: PHI 83 pts, 6 games left WC1: TBL 91 pts, 7 games left WC2: WAS 82 pts, 8 games left (MET)* E9: DET 82 pts, 7 games left (ATL) E10: NYI 81 pts, 7 games left (MET)* E11: PIT 79 pts, 7 games left (MET)* E12: BUF 77 pts, 6 games left (ATL) The * means they could be in play for MET3 too I think the West spots are wrapped pretty much, just jockeying for position remains.

This Metro/WC race is freaking amazing.

Gun to my head, I think the Flyers fall all the way out, Caps in and Red Wings in.

have the most well rounded team and they have one of those goalies who can steal games in the playoffs so I feel like as an 8 seed they'd be way worse a "reward" for the 1 seed than WAS or PHI, but I think it's wide open right now. I'd like to see DET sneak in, just because original 6, tradition, blah blah blah.

Key games tonight in the East:
NYI@CBJ
TBL@MON (j/k lol)
huge game PIT@WAS

finalists named:
Cutter Gauthier (BC ANA '22 #5 overall)
Jackson Blake (ND (North Dakota) CAR '21 #109 overall)
Macklin Celebrini (BU 2024 draft eligible, presumptive top pick)

"sweepstakes" won by SJS. He's not a needle mover for me. Hope he proves me wrong.

Cameron Levasseur
@c_levasseurr
More on Collin Graf signing with San Jose, for @QUChronicle
. He'll immediately join the Sharks, burning the first year of his ELC.

....

New Jersey Hockey Now
@njdhockeynow
Lots to like about forward Dylan Wendt - a 2023-24 NCAA Hobey Baker nominee - who the #NJDevils are reportedly signing.

WAS loses.

latest bottom of the EC:

MET3: PHI 83 pts, 6 games left (no change)

WC1: TBL 93 pts, 6 games left
WC2: NYI 83 pts, 6 games left (MET)*
E9: WAS 82 pts, 7 games left (MET)*
E10: DET 82 pts, 7 games left (ATL)
E11: PIT 81 pts, 6 games left (MET)*
E12: BUF 77 pts, 6 games left (ATL)

also interesting is TBL gets 2 points closer to ATL3.

ATL3: TOR 95 pts, 7 games left

3 point night for Kucherov (plus a typical dirty play).

MacKinnon has 3 pts through 2 to keep pace.

McDavid a lot of ground to make up.

PHI@BUF, BUF has been playing spoiler
WAS@CAR, WAS lost last two
NYR@DET, 1st round preview? If DET winds up 8 seed you could see this - NYR would love this I believe


That's it, but interesting matchup in the west:

COL@EDM - not just MacKinnon vs McDavid in the Art Ross battle, but possible playoff matchup eventually.

Playoff run in the West to the finals is going to be a grinder!!!

In comment 16457135 Rick in Dallas said:

Quote:

Playoff run in the West to the finals is going to be a grinder!!!

definitely a reverse of most years.

the East will possibly have two teams in the playoffs with negative goal differential. And while goal differential isn't everything as an indicator, it's not nothing.

I'll get to in a min, but the only new clinching scenarios are:



Here are the Stanley Cup Playoffs clinching scenarios for April 5:

The Nashville Predators will clinch a playoff berth if they defeat the New York Islanders in any fashion (7:30 p.m. ET; MSGSN, BSSO) AND both of the following occur:

-- The Minnesota Wild lose to the Winnipeg Jets in any fashion (4 p.m. ET; BSWIX, BSN, TSN3)

-- the St. Louis Blues lose to the San Jose Sharks in regulation (6 p.m. ET; BSMWX, NBCSCA)


After last night in the East (x = clinched):
ATL1: BOSx 105 pts, 5 games left
ATL2: FLAx 101 pts, 5 games left
ATL3: TORx 095 pts, 7 games left

MET1: NYRx 108 pts, 5 games left
MET2: CARx 103 pts, 5 games left
MET3: NYI 083 pts, 6 games left

WC1: TBLx 093 pts, 6 games left
WC2: PHI 083 pts, 5 games left
EC9: WAS 082 pts, 6 games left
EC10: DET 082 pts, 6 games left
EC11: PIT 081 pts, 6 games left
EC12: BUF 079 pts, 5 games left

5 teams fighting for one WC spot and really MET3.

In the East the teams are basically locked but still some jockeying for PAC3 and WC1 and WC2 between LVG (PAC3), NSH (WC1) and LAK (WC2) (current place in ())

Art Ross race:
Kucherov: 133 pts (6 games left)
MacKinnon: 131 pts (5 games left)
McDavid: 128 pts (7 games left)

TBL@PIT 1pm
FLA@BOS 3:30
PHI@CBJ
TOR@MTL - ok, j/k, lol
NSH@NYI - rare inter conference late season game with playoff implications for both, should be a good one

In comment 16458523 pjcas18 said:

Quote:

TBL@PIT 1pm FLA@BOS 3:30 PHI@CBJ TOR@MTL - ok, j/k, lol NSH@NYI - rare inter conference late season game with playoff implications for both, should be a good one

Tor/mtl can be big. Tb may jump them

In comment 16458535 JayBinQueens said:

Quote:

In comment 16458523 pjcas18 said: Quote: TBL@PIT 1pm FLA@BOS 3:30 PHI@CBJ TOR@MTL - ok, j/k, lol NSH@NYI - rare inter conference late season game with playoff implications for both, should be a good one Tor/mtl can be big. Tb may jump them

true, I doubt it, but it's true.

If WAS makes it and their goal differential stays similar to what it is now (-40) I wonder if they will be the team with the worst goal differential to ever make the playoffs.

As it stands it seems like some MET team will make the playoffs with negative goal differential.

Between NYI (-25), WAS (-40), and PHI (-19) - at least one likely gets in. DET, from the ATL is currently +1, so in theory they could get in with negative goal differential, but it's not likely.

blows a 3 goal lead vs TBL (4-1), but have enough poise to come back and win 5-4.

Three more points for Kucherov. I think the Ross race is done, but who knows.

temporarily (at least) in WC2 spot (and in striking distance of MET3). Sort of miraculous if they hold on.

Bob Grove
@bobgrove91
Pens were 9 points out of a playoff spot after games of March 27, when there were still 22 days left in the regular season. Since Sid entered NHL, the farthest any team who made the playoffs was out of them with 22 days to play was Colorado in 2018-19 (5 points out).

FLA in OT to basically clinch ATL1 (5 pts lead with 4 remaining for each team).

Only real competition for NYR for EC1, but I think NYR have a significant edge. Up 1, a game in hand and easier schedule (two NYI, one PHI, one MTL and one OTT).

In comment 16458944 pjcas18 said:

Quote:

FLA in OT to basically clinch ATL1 (5 pts lead with 4 remaining for each team). Only real competition for NYR for EC1, but I think NYR have a significant edge. Up 1, a game in hand and easier schedule (two NYI, one PHI, one MTL and one OTT).

Yeah was hoping for Bos to get no more than 1 today.

But this would be a huge win for the Isles tonight. Didn't look dominant against Chicago and Columbus and have a good Predators team tonight. Place should have a great atmosphere

for NYI.

With TOR win I think the flipping of TBL to ATL3 is off the table. Obviously not mathematically but TOR is up 4 with 1 game in hand.

must wins tomorrow for WAS and DET in winnable games.

Losses could be the death blow.

scenarios for today from nhl.com

The Nashville Predators will clinch a playoff berth:

If they defeat the New Jersey Devils in any fashion (7 p.m. ET; MSGSN, BSSO, SN) AND the St. Louis Blues lose to the Anaheim Ducks in any fashion (8 p.m. ET; BSSD, BSMW, BSSC).

OR

If they get one point against the Devils AND the Blues lose to the Ducks in regulation.

The Los Angeles Kings (idle) will clinch a playoff berth:

If the Blues lose to the Ducks in regulation AND any result in the Minnesota Wild-Chicago Blackhawks game (3:30 p.m. ET; BSWIX, BSN, NBCSCH+) other than a Wild win in regulation.

not dead, but on life support.

Kucherov: 136 points
MacKinnon: 131 points
McDavid: 130 points

I also think the winner of this wins Hart.

On yesterday's TBL vs PIT broadcast all the studio guys (PK, Mess, etc.) said Kucherov should win regardless because of less teammate support than the other two, but Kucherov seems like he has a ton of secondary assists. I hate plus minusm but Kucherov is +8, MacKinnon is +33 and McDavid is +34 - I only cite it to indicate how much more of Kucherov scoring is on the PP.

He has 6 or 7 more PPP than both MacKinnon and McDavid - and that's the difference right now. Not to take anything away from Kucherov - he's had a phenomenal season, just saying if MacKinnon or McDavid leaps him they should get Hart too.

TBL has 5 games left
COL has 5 games left
EDM has 6 games left

for DET temporarily puts them ahead of PIT for WC2.

WAS could leap DET if they win later today vs OTT.

gets his 40th, such a fun player to watch. Shame he didn't get to the US sooner (and a shame his team is going to miss the playoffs).

x - Carolina Hurricanes
@Canes
Our Maine man 👏

The #Canes have signed 2023 first-round selection, Bradly Nadeau, to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Details » http://bit.ly/3J7l9Ei

was a disaster for them in a winnable game.

Here is how things stand:

ATL is basically locked.

ATL1: BOS 107 pts, 4 games left
ATL2: FLA 102 pts, 4 games left
ATL3: TOR 97 pts, 6 games left

MET 1/2 is locked:

MET1: NYR 110 pts, 4 games left
MET2: CAR 105 pts, 4 games left
MET3: TBD

WC1 is locked:

WC1: TBL 93 pts, 5 games left
WC2: TBD

As of today:
MET3: NYI 85 pts, 5 games left
WC2: DET 84 pts, 5 games left
EC09: PIT 83 pts, 5 games left
EC10: WAS 83 pts, 5 games left
EC11: PHI 83 pts, 5 games left

what a f-ing traffic jam.

Remaining game analysis:
NYI: 3H/2A, 2 with NYR (home and away), 1 with MTL, 1 with NJD and ends the season on 4/17 at home vs PIT (could be huge)

DET: 2H/3A, home vs WAS (huge), @ PIT (huge), @ TOR, end with a home and home vs MTL (last one on the road 4/16)

PIT: 3H/2A, @TOR (tonight), vs DET (huge), vs BOS, vs NSH, @NYI (aforementioned game on 4/17)

WAS: 3A/2H, @DET, @BUF, vs TBL, vs BOS, end @PHI in what could be a huge game on 4/16

PHI: 2A/2H, @MTL, @NYR, vs NJD and ends in the game vs WAS on 4/16

MTL could be spoiler (or not) - they play all these teams except PIT and WAS

lots of drama in the East to end the season.

In the West, it's just Vegas and LAK figuring out who is PAC3 and who is WC2.

No one has stepped up, all them win some then lose some.

In comment 16460623 Greg from LI said:

Quote:

No one has stepped up, all them win some then lose some.

and so many of them play each other down the stretch, could be considered like an extra week of playoffs. lol.

I would have never guessed this one.

Yeah, that doesn't seem possible. Andersen??

Art Ross/Hart race which I am saying are one in the same.

if they are....then.....

Panarin having an all-world season, approaching Jagr's single-season Rangers point record. Won't sniff an award.

Pastrnak, probably gets another 50-goal season (he's at 47 with 4 games left) and I believe has the 2nd most goals over the past three seasons (to Matthews), and won't sniff an award in that entire time

Matthews could get 70. He has 64 with 6 games to go and he won't sniff an award (though if he does get 70, and the three Ross battlers stall the rest of the way I do wonder if he knocks one of them out. I don't think so).

Crosby has 40 goals and tied Gretzky for the most seasons in NHL history averaging a PPG (19 times) and Crosby is unlikely to sniff an award.

in the 2027 NHL draft has been identified:


Sportsnet
@Sportsnet
Landon Dupont has officially become the ninth player in CHL history to be granted exceptional status. 👏

The defender from Calgary will play in the WHL next season at the age of 15.

the Montreal Canadiens have been spending a TON of time with Tij Iginla. He is the son of Jarome and will be a 2024 draft picks (somewhere in the 1st round). Jarome has another son, Joe, who will be in the 2026 draft.

Both will be drafted, just depends how early.

If MTL is picking top 5 may be too early (for Tij), but they have like 12 picks or something ridiculous.

65th.

James Mirtle
@mirtle
Players by era with 65+ goals in a season:

70s: Esposito, Bossy

80s: Gretzky, Kurri, McDonald, Lemieux, Yzerman, Nicholls

90s: Hull, Selanne, Mogilny

Cap era: Ovechkin, *Matthews*

Pretty exclusive list.
9:13 PM · Apr 8, 2024
·
16.3K
Views

In comment 16461525 pjcas18 said:

Quote:

65th. James Mirtle @mirtle Players by era with 65+ goals in a season: 70s: Esposito, Bossy 80s: Gretzky, Kurri, McDonald, Lemieux, Yzerman, Nicholls 90s: Hull, Selanne, Mogilny Cap era: Ovechkin, *Matthews* Pretty exclusive list. 9:13 PM · Apr 8, 2024 · 16.3K Views

Bossy did it in both the 70s and 80s. Mario did it 80s and 90s.

Here are the Stanley Cup Playoff clinching scenarios for April 9:
EASTERN CONFERENCE

The New York Rangers will clinch the Metropolitan Division:

If they defeat the New York Islanders in any fashion (7 p.m. ET; MSGSN, MSG 2) AND the Carolina Hurricanes lose to the Boston Bruins in regulation (7 p.m. ET; BSSO, NESN)

The Bruins will clinch the Atlantic Division:

If they defeat the Hurricanes in any fashion AND both of the following occur:

The Toronto Maple Leafs lose to the New Jersey Devils in any fashion (7 p.m. ET; MSGSN2, TSN4) AND the Florida Panthers lose to the Ottawa Senators in regulation (7 p.m. ET; BSFL, TSN5, RDS2)
WESTERN CONFERENCE

The Nashville Predators will clinch a playoff berth:

If they get at least one point against the Winnipeg Jets (8 p.m. ET; BSSO, TSN3)

The Los Angeles Kings will clinch a playoff berth:

If they defeat the Anaheim Ducks in any fashion (10 p.m. ET; BSSD, BSSC, KCAL, SN360)

The Dallas Stars will clinch the Central Division:

If they defeat the Buffalo Sabres in any fashion (8 p.m. ET; BSSWX, MSG-B) AND both of the following occur:

The Colorado Avalanche lose to the Minnesota Wild in regulation (9:30 p.m. ET; ESPN) AND the Jets lose to the Predators in regulation

In comment 16461912 pjcas18 said:

Quote:

Here are the Stanley Cup Playoff clinching scenarios for April 9: EASTERN CONFERENCE The New York Rangers will clinch the Metropolitan Division: If they defeat the New York Islanders in any fashion (7 p.m. ET; MSGSN, MSG 2) AND the Carolina Hurricanes lose to the Boston Bruins in regulation (7 p.m. ET; BSSO, NESN) The Bruins will clinch the Atlantic Division: If they defeat the Hurricanes in any fashion AND both of the following occur: The Toronto Maple Leafs lose to the New Jersey Devils in any fashion (7 p.m. ET; MSGSN2, TSN4) AND the Florida Panthers lose to the Ottawa Senators in regulation (7 p.m. ET; BSFL, TSN5, RDS2) WESTERN CONFERENCE The Nashville Predators will clinch a playoff berth: If they get at least one point against the Winnipeg Jets (8 p.m. ET; BSSO, TSN3) The Los Angeles Kings will clinch a playoff berth: If they defeat the Anaheim Ducks in any fashion (10 p.m. ET; BSSD, BSSC, KCAL, SN360) The Dallas Stars will clinch the Central Division: If they defeat the Buffalo Sabres in any fashion (8 p.m. ET; BSSWX, MSG-B) AND both of the following occur: The Colorado Avalanche lose to the Minnesota Wild in regulation (9:30 p.m. ET; ESPN) AND the Jets lose to the Predators in regulation

This may sound weird, but I'm rooting for Carolina to beat the Bruins tonight. Rangers need to win the conference or lose the division to better set up the playoff run. Ideally, they win tonight and Carolina wins tonight. As far as I'm concerned, anyway.

and I would always want to win President's Trophy. I don't believe in curses and 2013 isn't exactly that long ago.

but I am superstitious and I would not touch the wales trophy or campbell bowl.

lol, there is intrigue in almost every game.

the two big ones:

WAS@DET DET currently in WC2 one point up on WAS both with 5 games left

PHI@MTL PHI only has 4 games left and this maybe the most winnable (other 3 vs NYR, WAS and NJD), they too are one point back of DET, but DET has the game in hand

who looks happy to be there.

Slafkovsky with a hat trick, 1st career. MTL up 5-0 on PHI.

In TBL, Kucherov with 2 assists, McDavid day to day basically ends the Art Ross race. MacKinnon still alive, but the way Kucherov is putting up points, it's over IMO.

gets #66, game not over yet in NJ.

go for 2 vs PHI and convert. 8-1.

Gally has 2, Dvorak has 2, Slaf has 3.

most goals of the season for MTL.

Tortarella can't be happy. A fan threw his Flyers jersey on the ice, lol.

adds a 3rd assist (on an ENG).

DET runs into beast mode Charlie Lindgren and WAS takes the 2pts despite Patty Kane ruining the shutout with 2 seconds left.

PHI laying an egg basically ends their season IMO. just 3 games left for them. @NYR, vs NJD and vs WAS.

Huge win for NYI. they control their destiny.

says "Over? nothing is over until we decide it is.."

2 pts so far (1G/1A) halfway through the 1st.

In comment 16462966 pjcas18 said:

Quote:

says "Over? nothing is over until we decide it is.." 2 pts so far (1G/1A) halfway through the 1st.

MacKinnon winds up with 4 pts - a hat trick and an assist.

He's not going away in the race for Art Ross.

As of this AM:

Kucherov: 139 points
MacKinnon: 137 points

MacKinnon is running out of runway though. COL only has 3 games left. TBL has 4.

but to recap:

PHI laid an egg in MTL, likely out of it
NYI huge win and puts themselves in the drivers seat for MET3/WC2

WAS with a huge win vs DET gives themselves the edge of DET and PIT for WC2.

WAS -40 goal differential has to be among the worst all time for a playoff team (if they make it).

LAK fail to separate from LVG and lose to ANA. Maybe they want to though. I know EDM hasn't exactly been dominant in the playoffs, I think some people think VAN screams fraud and they'd rather play VAN than EDM in round 1. Not saying anyone loses on purpose, but its human nature to have teams you prefer to play.

LAK 3 - 0 - 1 vs VAN this year only loss in OT
LAK 1 - 2 - 1 vs EDM this year

but apparently Scottsdale doesn't want them.

Frank Seravalli
@frank_seravalli
Sources: #NHL is drafting two schedule versions for next season - one with #Yotes in Arizona, another with the relocated franchise playing in Salt Lake City.

Fluid situation. Lots of moving parts. Details on dual paths and a potential transaction.

Link: https://dailyfaceoff.com/news/sources-n

Weird choice. I'm sure a 75% smaller city will totally support the team much more than Phoenix did.

In comment 16463726 Greg from LI said:

Quote:

Weird choice. I'm sure a 75% smaller city will totally support the team much more than Phoenix did.

for some reason SLC is #1 on the expansion city list.

I think one of the other major sports also has it highly ranked. MLB?

But whatever. It's a Gary Bettman move, what could possibly go wrong?

hockey hot beds like Quebec City but put teams in places they can't be supported to "grow the game".

I'd rather they "bring back the whale" than put a team in SLC, but they won't.

Sounds like no McDavid.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

The Vegas Golden Knights will clinch a playoff berth:

If they defeat the Edmonton Oilers in regulation (8:30 p.m. ET; TVAS, SN1, SNE, SNO, SNW, TNT, MAX, SCRIPPS) AND the St. Louis Blues lose to the Chicago Blackhawks in any fashion (8 p.m. ET; BSMW, NBCSCH+, TVAS-D)

OR

If they defeat the Oilers in overtime or shootout AND the Blues lose to the Blackhawks in regulation

The Los Angeles Kings will clinch a playoff berth:

If the Blues lose to the Blackhawks in regulation.

Modest .79% growth between 2020 and 2023.

And yeah, they should bring back the Nordiques. They have the arena now, which was supposedly the entire reason they left in the first place. You don't have to worry about them supporting a team. Yes, it's even smaller than SLC, but with innumerably more hockey fans.

How Bettman still has the job, I will never know.

Yotes Twitter account just posted this

Arizona Coyotes
@ArizonaCoyotes
Committed to keeping Coyotes Hockey in the desert & building an arena in Phoenix.

they don't have the land. Not sure I even understand option 3.

this beat writer sums of it well (if you get #3):

John Gambadoro
@Gambo987
The options for the Coyotes are simple. 1. Sell team. 2. Relocate temporarily (League does not want them at a college arena). 3. Sell it with the option of coming back as an expansion team IF Alex Meruelo can win the land bid and get an arena built. Option 3 is the most likely

John Gambadoro
@Gambo987
from what I am being told. I am not sure that playing more seasons at Mullet is an option anymore as the league seems adamant that something has to be done.

is attractive because logistically and geographically it's close to Arizona and they have an arena in use for the Jazz that can maybe be dual purpose like many other basketball/hockey arenas.

Crosby voted most complete player by his peers.

signs 8-year extension in Vegas.

7.35M AAV.

resumes tonight in St. Paul with the final four.

Denver vs BU 5pm
Michigan vs BC 8:30

stating the obvious but tons of talent on the ice in both games. Including expected top pick Macklin Celebrini from BU in the early game and 18 1st round picks on the ice in BC vs MICH at 8:30 (I made that up but I don't think it's far off if it is off - there are a ton of 1st round picks between those two teams).

Denver in OT tied at 1.

Luke Tuch (MTL) for BU


Auston Matthews with #67, still in the first
Kucherov 2 assists in the first. He gets point on every TBL goal, lol

with his 47th.

some players could be close to milestones with nothing to play for, wonder if their coaches play them (Matthews, Kucherov, Panarin, etc.)

beats BU in OT.

At least we don't have to hear about how great Boston college hockey is if it were a BC/BU final.

BC MICH next.

still in the 2nd

PIT wins in OT (over DET) to leap frog back into the PO's.

WAS lays an egg in BUF
PHI stays alive
NYI win in OT vs MTL

So MET3 and WC is as follows.

MET3: NYI 89 pts, 3 games left
WC02: PIT 86 pts, 3 games left
EC09: WAS 85 pts, 3 games left
EC10: DET 85 pts, 3 games left
EC11: PHI 85 pts, 2 games left

It could set up Isles Rangers rd 1, assuming Carolina wins their games (Chicago, CBJ, STL)

is down to 2 or 3 games left. Except EDM who has 5 games left.

LAK clinched yesterday, so only 3 playoff spots remain open.

WC2 in the West

and
MET3
WC02

in the East

The only games of real consequence tonight are:

CAR@STL (I don't think they catch NYR but they could)
MIN@LVG (LVG still could be WC2 or PAC3)

Tomorrow is huge. 26 teams playing.

NYI@NYR the most consequential h2h, but almost all the contending teams in action.

In comment 16465941 JayBinQueens said:

Quote:

It could set up Isles Rangers rd 1, assuming Carolina wins their games (Chicago, CBJ, STL)

Dobson going down is a major major loss. NYI can't really afford to lose a 60+ assist d-man if they are going to pull off a round 1 upset. Let's hope for good news on that front.

In comment 16466037 Metnut said:

Quote:

In comment 16465941 JayBinQueens said: Quote: It could set up Isles Rangers rd 1, assuming Carolina wins their games (Chicago, CBJ, STL) Dobson going down is a major major loss. NYI can't really afford to lose a 60+ assist d-man if they are going to pull off a round 1 upset. Let's hope for good news on that front.

Did they ever show what happened? I was watching the game, saw Barzal go down the tunnel after falling awkwardly - he came back to the bench right away and the announcers said "but Dobson isn't on the bench". Never even saw him get injured.

Fowler (MTL) and BC shut out MICH and head to the finals vs Denver.

should be a good game.

In comment 16466055 pjcas18 said:

Quote:

In comment 16466037 Metnut said: Quote: In comment 16465941 JayBinQueens said: Quote: It could set up Isles Rangers rd 1, assuming Carolina wins their games (Chicago, CBJ, STL) Dobson going down is a major major loss. NYI can't really afford to lose a 60+ assist d-man if they are going to pull off a round 1 upset. Let's hope for good news on that front. Did they ever show what happened? I was watching the game, saw Barzal go down the tunnel after falling awkwardly - he came back to the bench right away and the announcers said "but Dobson isn't on the bench". Never even saw him get injured.

They never showed it on TV. One of the beat writers said it looked like he got slashed on his wrist on his last shift.

or even Russia, Czech Republic and Slovakia (but then I guess it's the Olympics, lol).

Frank Seravalli
@frank_seravalli
Expect #NHL and #NHLPA to confirm in the near future that Montréal and Boston are the two host cities of the 4 Nations Faceoff, as previously reported.

Feb. 12-20, 2025
Canada, Finland, Sweden, United States
🇨🇦🇫🇮🇸🇪🇺🇸

Can’t wait.

In comment 16466085 Metnut said:

Quote:

In comment 16466055 pjcas18 said: Quote: In comment 16466037 Metnut said: Dobson going down is a major major loss. NYI can't really afford to lose a 60+ assist d-man if they are going to pull off a round 1 upset. Let's hope for good news on that front. Did they ever show what happened? I was watching the game, saw Barzal go down the tunnel after falling awkwardly - he came back to the bench right away and the announcers said "but Dobson isn't on the bench". Never even saw him get injured. They never showed it on TV. One of the beat writers said it looked like he got slashed on his wrist on his last shift.

I have a sinking feeling Dobson broke a bone. Anything less than a fracture and he would've returned. I don't see anything other than the friendly fire Romanov slash. Certainly nothing concussion related

and some seed solidification options.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

The Vegas Golden Knights will clinch a playoff berth:

If they defeat the Minnesota Wild in regulation (10 p.m. ET; SCRIPPS, BSNX, TVAS) AND the St. Louis Blues lose to the Carolina Hurricanes in any fashion (8 p.m. ET; NHLN, BSSO, BSMW, TVAS).

OR

If they defeat the Wild in overtime or shootout AND the Blues lose to the Hurricanes in regulation.

The Edmonton Oilers will clinch home ice in the Stanley Cup First Round if they get at least one point vs. the Arizona Coyotes (9 p.m. ET; SNW, SCRIPPS).

and Hobey Baker in the same season. Not sure if anyone has done that.

Fantilli and Eichel were both 2nd overall picks and Hobey Winner in their draft year. Not sure who else was close.

NCAA Ice Hockey
@NCAAIceHockey
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 🏆

Macklin Celebrini has been named the 2024 Hobey Baker Memorial Award Winner!

#NCAAHockey

things in the East to to bottom - this is crazy.

Top of the ATL is now:
ATL01: BOS, 107 pts 3 games left (@PIT today, @WAS mon, OTT tue)
ATL02: FLA, 106 pts 2 games left (BUF today, TOR Tue)
ATL03: TOR, 101 pts 3 games left (DET today, @FLA Tue, @TBL Wed)

I doubt TOR moves out of ATL03 but it's not resolved.

Top of the MET is now:

MET01: NYR, 110 pts 2 games left (NYI today, OTT Mon)
MET02: CAR, 109 pts 2 games left (@CHI tomorrow @CBJ Tue)
MET03: NYI, 089 pts 3 games left (@NYR today, @NJD Mon , PIT Wed)

Then Wild Card battle looks like this:
EWC01: TBL, 096 pts 3 games left (@WAS today, BUF Mon, TOR Wed)
EWC02: PIT, 086 pts 3 games left (BOS today, NSH Mon, @NYI Wed)
EC09: WAS, 085 pts 3 games left (TBL today, BOS Mon, PHI Tue)
EC10: DET, 085 pts 3 games left (@TOR today, MON Mon, @MON Tue)
EC11: PHI, 085 pts 2 games left (NJD today, WAS Tue)

It's amazing heading in to the last weekend of the season and not one spot in the East is resolved. 6 out of 8 spots are clinched but no seeds.

I do think at least one team can be eliminated today (PHI at with a regulation loss and a PIT win of any kind) but that's it.

all 8 spots are clinched, but like the East little is determined for seeding.

In fact nothing is determined for seeding.

to SLC sounds official.

signs ELC with the Habs.

NGL, I'm unsure what to expect. He has the vision, IQ, skating, and elusiveness of someone like Makar, but in Caufield's body.

Is he Quinn Hughes? Torrey Krug? Or just not an NHLer?

Looking forward to seeing him play with people who can skate with him.


BU Men's Hockey
@TerrierHockey
Congrats to Lane Hutson on signing a three-year deal with @CanadiensMTL
!

Wishing you all the best as you begin your pro career, Laner!

chased, COL could be in trouble if Annunen is can't be "the guy".

but also Hellebuyck is a goalie (Vezina favorite?) who can steal a series.

These two teams (COL and WIN) very likely face each other in the 1st round.

of 2020-2021 TBL vibe, that TBL team was the one who repeated, and had Kucherov sit out all year and used the LTIR space to add to their roster.

Mark Stone is now back after missing a ton of time and Tomas Hertl is healthy and has not yet played since the deadline.

they're the presumptive 8 seed. lol.

kicks the xp and are up a TD on COL.

7-0 still in the 2nd.

resolution.

In the West, with DAL win over SEA we have:

DAL clinches CN01.

So, while that doesn't resolve what you'd think it does (VAN can still catch them for #1 in the WC01), but what it does is lock in WIN and COL as the 2/3 seeds in CN02 and CN03. those two can flip flop but we finally have a 1st round match up locked in and WIN is running COL off their home ice today.

If VAN loses in regulation tonight DAL would be #1 in the West so after today we could have some decisions.

B/R Open Ice
@BR_OpenIce
Frank Nazar has officially signed with the Blackhawks, following the conclusion of his sophomore season.

Help on the way for Connor Bedard 👀

just missed an empty net. looked like he heeled it.

Scoreless national title game, so far, almost 5 min in.

the scoreless tie about halfway through the game.

1-0 Denver

Denver. Lorenz off a sweet backhand feed from Zeev Buium, he is helping his draft stock.

I thought MTL could get him with their 2nd 1st, now I think he's going top 15, maybe top 10 with a good U18.

for Matthews

wins the natty. 2-0 over BC.

on for Gauthier, Leonard, Perreault, Smith, Fortescue, Fowler, Minetian, Powell, etc,

2nd year in a row the team with all the young freshman lost to the more veteran team in the title game.

I don't think any of those BC players are NHL ready except Gauthier and Ryan Leonard and I doubt any sign now but who knows.

WAS wins
DET is winning
if DET holds on and PIT wins it's really going to come down to the last one or two games.

DET.

Because WAS and PHI play each other and one of them is therefore guaranteed two points, without a regulation win tonight I believe DET is eliminated.

They're eliminated with a regulation loss. So they stay alive with a point.

won in OT.

PIT losing 4-2 heading to the 3rd vs BOS.

They aren't helping him much and it's seemed to have gotten to his head. They're also facing the Jets who appear to have their number with an ability to slow the game down with sound play on every level along with the best goalie in hockey this year.

have 1 or 2 games left - except EDM and LVG (who both have 3) and very little has been decided.

Today won't help much either.

only playoff relevant team in action:
COL (they're already playing WIN) but them vs LVG should be interesting.

LVG still vacillating between WC1, WC2 and PAC3

And CAR needs to put away CHI to keep pace with NYR.

I think he could have become a FA this summer so really had no "reason" to sign with MTL.

I assumed he wanted to play in BUF with his brother.

Elliotte Friedman
@FriedgeHNIC
Still work to be done, but looking like 2020 second-rounder Luke Tuch will sign with the Canadiens

he was MVP.

The save he made on Ryan Leonard (if you haven't seen it) is beyond highlight reel stuff.

Chris Peters
@chrismpeters
Still just marveling at the run Matt Davis went on for Denver. David Carle said he was "super human."

NCAA Tournament Stats:
4 GP
141 shots against
3 goals allowed
.979 SV%

Yup.

could have a real problem on their hands. Georgiev seems to have no confidence.

Chased from the last game, today he (and the team to be fair) blow a 3 goal 3rd period lead vs LVG.

Not sure what they do to get it back. And quickly.

took his rookie lap today for CHI.

If CHI gets Celebrini that young core is going to be really good.

Rumor is Lane Hutson will play the final 2 for MTL vs DET.

scores in his first game.

Eichel finishes off COL in OT.

Hertl with the OT GW vs COL.

LVG could be favored as an 8 seed if that's where they wind up when you factor in Hertl and Stone

.

(captain obvious?)

MTL@DET (87 pts 2 left)
NYI (90 pts 2 left)@NJD
NSH@PIT (86 pts 2 left)
BOS@WAS (87 pts 2 left)
OTT@NYR (112 pts, last game)

Also, noteworthy, Cutter Gauthier signed his ELC with ANA.

And DAL clinched the West

They are incredibly deep with 8 players with over 20 goals each offensively.
The Chris Tanev trade IMO was the most important trade as it solidified their back line which was a weakness. Oettinger needs to play strong in goal in a packed Western Conference.

since October DAL is a threat.

They have a great mix of veterans and youngsters - similar to NYR but I like DAL youngsters a little more. Wyatt Johnston is a star already. Logan Stankoven and Thomas Harley will be really good - even Robo if you still count him as a youngster is awesome.

Otter had some bad playoff moments, really bad, last year after a sparkling 2021-2022, if he can avoid them I expect a long run in the playoffs....but if LVG gets the 8 seed Dallas gets hosed for a dominant regular season, because that team isn't an 8 seed.

impossible. Maybe even worth its own thread.

8 games and 7 with playoff "implications" - even though some are just seeding.


BUF@TBL - TBL locked in WC1

NYI@NJD - a win of any type clinches a spot for NYI

NSH@PIT - without 1 pt (depending on other games) PIT is eliminated b/c WSH and PHI play each other, so one of them is guaranteed at least 89 points (NSH needs 1 pt to lock in WC1 - tonight is their last game)

MTL@DET - DET loses RW tie breaker with everyone, so need to avoid a tie which means they need at least 3 pts in their final two (both vs MTL). so a regulation loss eliminates them

BOS@WAS - b/c WAS finishes with PHI this game has no immediate impact, but obviously more points is better

OTT@NYR - a win of any type gives NYR the President's Trophy

SJS@EDM - EDM locked in PAC2

MIN@LAK - LAK and LVG battling for PAC3 and WC2. LAK own the tiebreaker

on the ice for practice, all but confirmed he will debut tonight.

more succinctly from nhl.com




Here are the Stanley Cup Playoff clinching scenarios for April 15:
EASTERN CONFERENCE

The New York Rangers will clinch the Metropolitan Division, Eastern Conference and Presidents' Trophy:

If they defeat the Ottawa Senators in any fashion (7:30 p.m. ET; MSG, TSN5, RDS2).

The Boston Bruins will clinch the Atlantic Division:

If they defeat the Washington Capitals in any fashion (7 p.m. ET; MNMT, NHLN, NESN).

The New York Islanders will clinch a playoff berth:

If they defeat the New Jersey Devils in any fashion (7 p.m. ET; MSGSN2, MSGSN) OR if they get one point AND either of the following occurs:

-- The Detroit Red Wings lose to the Montreal Canadiens in any fashion (7 p.m. ET; BSDETX, SN, RDS)

-- The Capitals lose to the Bruins in any fashion

OR if any of the following occurs:

-- The Red Wings lose to the Canadiens in regulation AND the Capitals lose to the Bruins in regulation

-- The Red Wings lose to the Canadiens in regulation AND the Pittsburgh Penguins lose to the Nashville Predators in any fashion (7 p.m. ET; SN-PIT+, BSSO)

-- The Capitals lose to the Bruins in regulation AND the Penguins lose to the Predators in any fashion

The Islanders will clinch the No. 3 seed in the Metropolitan Division:

If they defeat the Devils in any fashion OR if they get one point AND the Capitals lose to the Bruins in any fashion

OR

If the Capitals lose to the Bruins in regulation AND the Penguins lose to the Predators in any fashion
WESTERN CONFERENCE

The Vancouver Canucks (idle) will clinch the Pacific Division:

If the Edmonton Oilers lose to the San Jose Sharks in any fashion (9:30 p.m. ET; TVAS, SNW, SNOL, NBCSCA).

The Predators will clinch the first wild card:

If they get at least one point against the Penguins.
First Round matchups that can be locked today:

Carolina Hurricanes (M2) vs. New York Islanders (M3) – Locked in with the Rangers' AND Islanders' playoff seed clinching scenarios outlined above.

Boston Bruins (A1) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (WC1) – Locked in with the Bruins' AND Rangers' playoff seed clinching scenarios outlined above.

Florida Panthers (A2) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (A3) – Locked in with the Bruins' playoff seed clinching scenario outlined above.

prove to be a steal of a draft pick.

NHL News
@PuckReportNHL
#GoBolts have signed Dylan Duke out of Michigan to a three-year entry-level contract. Deal starts next season, 2021 4th rd pick had 49 pts in 41 NCAA GP

just took his rookie lap in DET. I bet he has a lot of family and friends there. He grew up in MI about 2.5 hours from DET.

this is going to be like March madness.

lol, so many games at once all with playoff implications.

first shift he carries the puck in the o-zone throws it in front and Gally bangs home the rebound. the rookie gets an assist his 1st shift. More importantly, MTL up 1-0 on DET.

PIT also breaks the ice first and is up 1-0 on NSH.

BUF beating TBL but I don't think that game matters to anyone.

MTL Justin Barron scores on the 3-2.

DET in trouble.

cuts the lead in half - wide open game.

NYI opens the scoping in NJ. Up 1-0

NYI.

3-0 PIT.

still 2-1 MTL (over DET)

WAS 1-0 over BOS.

all in the 1st.

PIT sorry, maybe a goal called back.

NYR up 1-0 vs OTT.

no other changes so far

scores in DET, to put MTL up 3-1.

NJD cuts the NYI lead in half, 2-1

no other meaningful changes other than TB ties it up and Kucherov gets his 99th assist. He has Ross and Hart locked IMO.

turnover goes right to Gallagher 4-1 MTL and DET answers. Compher with his second so now 4-2 in DET.

PIT up 3-1
WAS up 1-0
NYI up 3-1

4-2 MTL over DET
3-1 NYI over NJD (in 3rd)
3-2 PIT over NSH
1-0 WAS over BOS
2-0 NYR over OTT (2nd winding down)

NYI on the verge of clinching MET3. Up 4-1 on NJD

DET cuts the MTL lead to 4-3
PIT up 4-2
WAS up 1-0 on BOS
NYR up 2-0 (3rd hasn't started yet)

Will win the last WC…barely.

Habs will win one of the two so that leaves them out.

Wash will beat Philly….that leaves Philly out

Wash will win the last two and edge out Pitt by one, who also win the last two.

ties it up with the ENG.

4-4 in DET.

NYI clinch MET3
NYR clinch 1 seed (up 3 I don't see them giving that up)
WAS up with under a min left

PIT up 2 with 4 min left

out BOS who had 16 shots on net and no high danger scoring chances.

WAS goal differential is -38.

McDavid scores his 1st game back.

wins in OT

DET wins 5-4 (OT)
PIT wins 4-2

down to PHI vs WAS tomorrow.

WAS wins (any way gets 2pts) they're in.

If PHI wins (in regulation it gets complicated, and even OT/SO it gets complicated)

now moneypuck cup favorites (15%).

I bet them in October at +1500. Right now in sportsbooks/DK they are +900. a $200 bet pays out $2000 ($1800 profit).

I get an extra $1,000 for my $200 bet.

fires Granato. As usual, they had high expectations after years of ineptitude.

they have some talent, but it's always something.

Maybe the best top 4 D in the East with Dahlen, Power, Byram and Jokiharju or Samuelsson and add in the grit with Clifton they have a good D group.

They have F talent too with Thompson, Skinner (who is charmin soft, but can score), Cozens, Peterka, Benson, etc.

worse than '96 because at least we had the cup glow fresh in our minds. I can't think of one positive to take out of this season. Not one. I just want to forget it ever happened and move on to the Summer hopefully with a good new coach and a good goaltender. Good luck to all still left with rooting interest.

surprises and biggest disappointments and the two that came to mind were Detroit for biggest surprise, even bigger than Philly for me and Devils for biggest disappointment.

The Devils disappointment wasn't because of it or just because of it, but you knew when they didn't address goalie something was bound to go wrong. it was the most obvious move of the off-season and didn't get done.

In comment 16470559 Stu11 said:

Quote:

worse than '96 because at least we had the cup glow fresh in our minds. I can't think of one positive to take out of this season. Not one. I just want to forget it ever happened and move on to the Summer hopefully with a good new coach and a good goaltender. Good luck to all still left with rooting interest.

Definitely frustrating for you guys to sit through. Ultimately Hughes and Nemec gained a lot of seasoning and situational experience. You'll be very happy with that going forward. Really impressed with both.

1. New Jersey collapse after last year (I had them pegged to finish 2nd in the Metro)

2. Ottawa being a shitshow (They were my sleeper for the year)

3. Philly being in the playoff picture in April.

but I can't remember so much coming down to the wire in the past. and FWIW the NHL is looking at going back to a 1-8 seeding like in the past. they changed the format to influence more 1st round rivalry series (like the old Adams, Patrick, Norris, Smythe days) but it just hasn't worked out like they expected.



Here are the Stanley Cup Playoff clinching scenarios for April 16:
EASTERN CONFERENCE

The Washington Capitals will clinch a playoff berth:

If they defeat the Philadelphia Flyers in any fashion (7 p.m. ET; MNMT, NBCSP, TVAS2, SNP, SNW)

The Detroit Red Wings will clinch a playoff berth:

If they defeat the Montreal Canadiens in any fashion (7 p.m. ET; RDS, TSN2, BSDET) AND the Capitals lose to the Flyers in any fashion

The Boston Bruins will clinch the Atlantic Division:

If they defeat the Ottawa Senators in any fashion (7 p.m. ET; NESN, TSN5, RDS2) OR if they get one point AND the Florida Panthers lose to the Toronto Maple Leafs in any fashion (7:30 p.m. ET; ESPN, TSN4)

The Panthers will clinch the Atlantic Division:

If they defeat the Maple Leafs in any fashion AND the Bruins lose to the Senators in any fashion OR if they get one point AND the Bruins lose in regulation
WESTERN CONFERENCE

The Dallas Stars (idle) will clinch the West if:

The Vancouver Canucks lose to the Calgary Flames in any fashion (10 p.m. ET; SNW, SNP, ESPN+, HULU)

The Canucks will clinch the Pacific Division:

If they get at least one point against the Flames

The Winnipeg Jets will clinch the No. 2 seed in the Central Division:

If they get at least one point against the Seattle Kraken (8 p.m. ET; TSN3, ROOT-NW+)

The Nashville Predators will clinch the first wild card:

If the Vegas Golden Knights lose to the Chicago Blackhawks in any fashion (10 p.m. ET; HULU, ESPN+, SN360, TVAS)
First-round matchups that can be locked today:

New York Rangers (M1) vs. Washington Capitals (WC2) – Locked if Washington clinches a playoff berth (scenarios outlined above)

New York Rangers (M1) vs. Detroit Red Wings (WC2) – Locked if Detroit clinches a playoff berth (scenarios outlined above)

Boston Bruins (A1) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (WC1) and Florida Panthers (A2) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (A3) – Locked if Boston clinches Atlantic Division (scenarios outlined above)

Florida Panthers (A1) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (WC1) and Boston Bruins (A2) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (A3) – Locked if Florida clinches Atlantic Division (scenarios outlined above)

Vancouver Canucks (P1) vs. Nashville Predators (WC1) – Locked if the Canucks get one point and if the Golden Knights lose to the Blackhawks in any fashion.

In comment 16470581 LawrenceTaylor56 said:

Quote:

1. New Jersey collapse after last year (I had them pegged to finish 2nd in the Metro) 2. Ottawa being a shitshow (They were my sleeper for the year) 3. Philly being in the playoff picture in April.

Hah, same here on all counts--except I thought NJ would win the division.

for U18. No Celebrini - but I do believe he will be on Canada in the WC.

Gavin McKenna is Connor Bedard's cousin and is a double underager (predicted already as top pick in 2026) and was granted exceptional status for the WHL at 14 (joining Bedard and Matthew Savoie as the only other players to receive the exception). Not to be outdone, since this happened, Landon DuPont was granted exception status and is projected as top pick in 2027.

A lot can change obviously but these are the guys who you look for in U18's. Dupont not playing in this year's U18. I believe he's still 14. His 1st year in the WHL would be this coming season.

Surprised no Michael Misa unless he's still alive in the OHL post-season - he is Canada's top 2025 prospect. Porter Martone and Roger McQueen are also among the top prospects for 2025 for Canada.

From Michigan Isles signed.. Marshall Warren?

In comment 16470724 JayBinQueens said:

Quote:

From Michigan Isles signed.. Marshall Warren?

I was surprised to see him on Michigan this year in the frozen four since I didn't see much of MI during the season, he was BC's captain last year. And I remembered them making a big deal about him being the first black captain. Good player, at the college level. Hard to know if he's maxed out or not.

I think he's probably an AHL player or a late bloomer, who knows. He was drafted forever ago. lol. Easy player to root for and take a shot on.

are against them, but I'm pulling for PIT. Playoff Crosby is worth watching IMO.

But I didn't realize just how special until I read that it was the fourth highest point total by a left wing.

Luc Robitaille '92-93: 63-62-125
Kevin Stevens '91-92: 54-69-123
Michel Goulet '83-84: 56-66-122
Artemi Panarin '23-24: 49-71-120

In comment 16471054 Greg from LI said:

Quote:

But I didn't realize just how special until I read that it was the fourth highest point total by a left wing. Luc Robitaille '92-93: 63-62-125 Kevin Stevens '91-92: 54-69-123 Michel Goulet '83-84: 56-66-122 Artemi Panarin '23-24: 49-71-120

Most ever for a right-handed LW.

sounds like Jack Edwards is retiring after the playoffs.

67 years young, other than being a virulent homer when he became Bruins announcer, he always called a good game and was knowledgeable. I hated him for the homerism (sports hate of course) but always admired his skill - especially when he was one of the few "hockey guys" at ESPN. That was when ESPN was the best.

In comment 16471110 pjcas18 said:

Quote:

sounds like Jack Edwards is retiring after the playoffs. 67 years young, other than being a virulent homer when he became Bruins announcer, he always called a good game and was knowledgeable. I hated him for the homerism (sports hate of course) but always admired his skill - especially when he was one of the few "hockey guys" at ESPN. That was when ESPN was the best.

Not surprising. There was an article back in February about how he was slowing down and having issues with his speech.
NESN’s Jack Edwards opens up about his speech issues, saying he is fine medically and puzzled himself - ( New Window )

In comment 16471150 NYerInMA said:

Quote:

In comment 16471110 pjcas18 said: Quote: sounds like Jack Edwards is retiring after the playoffs. 67 years young, other than being a virulent homer when he became Bruins announcer, he always called a good game and was knowledgeable. I hated him for the homerism (sports hate of course) but always admired his skill - especially when he was one of the few "hockey guys" at ESPN. That was when ESPN was the best. Not surprising. There was an article back in February about how he was slowing down and having issues with his speech. NESN’s Jack Edwards opens up about his speech issues, saying he is fine medically and puzzled himself - ( New Window )

And Mike Gorman is retiring for the Celtics too. New blood next year in the winter sports booth up in Boston for the first time in a long time.

making his Canadiens debut tonight.

Mailloux was a controversial pick for those who do not remember. A projected lottery pick he "withdrew" from the draft because he was embroiled in a "sexting" scandal where he took pictures of a woman he slept with and shared them on social media.

Very talented offensively, needs work defensively, he signed his ELC over the summer so may as well get a game out of it.

I wonder if there will be blowback for him playing, there was a lot of online "noise" about it. Montreal is a very "progressive" city and some fans/people were vocally unhappy when MTL still took him at the end of the 1st round.

last night, Mailloux gets his first assist in his first game.

Habs up 1-0 on DET. They blew a 3-goal lead last night, so nothing is safe, obviously, but they are outplaying DET. Again.

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 …..

.