NFT: NHL Thread (the stretch run)

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.