NFT: NHL Thread (the stretch run)

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)