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:

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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:

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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:

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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:

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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:

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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:

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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:

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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

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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:

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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:

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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:

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.

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