NFT: NHL Thread (the stretch run)

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:

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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:

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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:

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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:

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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:

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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:

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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:

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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:

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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.