for display only
Big Blue Interactive The Corner Forum  
Back to the Corner

Archived Thread

NFT: NHL - Playoff Matchups Set - playoffs start Wednesday

pjcas18 : 4/7/2019 7:12 pm
Like I said in the final 10 thread, the teams were pretty much locked, but there was some jockeying for position and one team flip in the West (ARI out, COL in).

Some positioning changes, NYI had the M1 seed, now M2 and play PIT instead of CAR. Not sure I feel they did themselves any damage, PIT is obviously skilled but they are old team trending down, and CAR (a bunch of jerks) is young and full of energy.

Anything can happen in hockey, 1 seeds lose, 2 seeds lose, it happens. So my predictions are not something I'd wager on per se, but just my feeling about the series and how they'll go.

East match-ups:

A1: TBL vs WC2: CBJ 4/10 IMO this is not a cake walk for the Lightning. Yes, they're the best team in hockey and one of the best teams in a long time, but CBJ went all-in. Not just with their acquisitions, but by the players they kept knowing there was a very low chance of keeping them (Panarin and Bobrovsky to name a couple).

Prediction: TB wins, but closer than some people think

A2: BOS vs A3: TOR 4/11 my favorite series of the 1st round, and this is why IMO the NHL changed the playoff format. they want these matchups "guaranteed" and they want them early. I love Boston to win this matchup, TOR has been coasting for a while (and they shouldn't have been) I don't love the TOR D and I don't love Andersen in the playoffs. BOS has the best line in hockey (if they keep them together) with Bergeron centering Marchand and Pastrnak. Their 2nd line is like many teams 1st line with Krejci, deBrusk and probably Heinen. He could shuffle things up, but Bergeron, Marchand and Pastrnak tallied 30 pts in the 7 game series vs TOR last year. I wouldn't mess with it. Toronto's fowards might even be deeper - and Boston has David Backes in their 4th line - but man that D could be exposed.

Prediction: BOS, in 6 or 7 in a great series

M1: WAS vs WC1: CAR 4/11
I like that CAR made the playoffs a year early (they just had the #2 pick in the last draft), but WAS should handle them. In the end this will provide the canes some good experience for their young team.

Prediction: WAS in 5.

M2: NYI vs M3: PIT 4/10
In a matchup of the last two stanley cup winning coaches, I think the Islanders actually helped themselves playing PIT instead of CAR, CAR is a team that I don't think anyone likes to play - highest shot total in the league. But IMO PIT with their aging skill is still a bad matchup for NYI who rely on timely scoring, solid D and stingy goal-tending, PIT PP IMO makes the difference. If the Islanders can stay out of the box, they can win this series, but it's the playoffs, and the spotlight will be on the officiating and they'll call it tight, benefiting the Pens.

Prediction: PIT in 5 or 6

West match-ups:

P1: CAL vs WC2: COL 4/11
The Flames are one of the most unheralded 1 seed I can remember. I think it's because a) they're in mountain time and b) their goalie situation is tenuous. But they have such a solid team on O and D I hope they get a long run and people get to see players like Gaudreau, Giordano, Monahan, etc. tough team in all facets. I said above the bruins have the best line in hockey, but Colorado's top line of MacKinnon, Rantanen and Landeskog isn't far behind. If Rantanen can return from injury. However, the Flames should roll.

Prediction: CAL in 5

P2: SJS vs P3: LVG 4/10
LVG team this year is MUCH better IMO, but they don't play quite the same style. SJS is everyone's pick every year to win the cup, they have probably the best D in the playoffs.

So they're mine to win this series.

Prediction: SJS in 5/6

C1: NSH vs WC1: DAL 4/10
Dallas owner publicly ripped his team - mostly stars Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn - Preds owner should have ripped his team. The Stars responded from mired in futility to make the playoffs, and they are my upset pick.

Prediction: Stars in 7

C2: WIN vs C3: STL 4/10
Love this series. Laine, Connor, Wheeler, Scheifele, Trouba, Ehlers, big Byfuglien - WIN has a star studded roster. The Blues are not bereft of talent either with Tarasenko, two-way prototype center Ryan O'Reilly (my favorite Oz character), Schenn, 19-year old Robert Thomas ans good D plus phenom goalie Jordan Binnington - yes he's a 25 year old rookie, but he's a rookie and he led the league in GAA.

Prediction, going with the HTA: Jets in 6.


Even though my team isn't in it, I'm looking forward to the playoffs. I hope the Bruins get knocked out early (doubt it), otherwise don't care who wins.
Pages: 1 2 3 ... 31 32 33 | Show All |  Next>>
Based on the interest this  
pjcas18 : 4/7/2019 7:29 pm : link
thread gets I'll add my post-season award predictions so people have some "news" to get then through until Wednesday

/sarcasm
NHL playoffs to me seem to be such a crapshoot.  
SFGFNCGiantsFan : 4/7/2019 7:48 pm : link
Whichever goalie gets hot. I admit I don't follow the sport that much.
I wouldn't say a crapshoot  
pjcas18 : 4/7/2019 8:11 pm : link
it is a 7-game series, even the 1st round, and I also wouldn't say it's a hot goalie who can dictate a series, but there are upsets.

a hot goalie certainly can help with an upset, but it requires more than that IMO.
Pjcas  
Fish : 4/7/2019 8:14 pm : link
That vaunted pens defense and goaltending is trouble......NOT. No mention of that weak trash they trotting out there?
RE: Pjcas  
pjcas18 : 4/7/2019 8:27 pm : link
In comment 14376222 Fish said:
Quote:
That vaunted pens defense and goaltending is trouble......NOT. No mention of that weak trash they trotting out there?


The Islanders split the season series with the trash pens D and goalie, and now it's post-season where Murray has a stellar career 2.08 GAA even with last year's poor/mediocre showing.

I think the series comes down to specials like I said, and that's where I think the Pens separate.

Toronto winning it all would be cool.  
SFGFNCGiantsFan : 4/7/2019 8:33 pm : link
They haven't won in decades.
RE: RE: Pjcas  
Fish : 4/7/2019 8:44 pm : link
In comment 14376254 pjcas18 said:
Quote:
In comment 14376222 Fish said:


Quote:


That vaunted pens defense and goaltending is trouble......NOT. No mention of that weak trash they trotting out there?



The Islanders split the season series with the trash pens D and goalie, and now it's post-season where Murray has a stellar career 2.08 GAA even with last year's poor/mediocre showing.

I think the series comes down to specials like I said, and that's where I think the Pens separate.



Wanna go?
Thank You  
steviej : 4/7/2019 8:54 pm : link
Liked the predictions Definitely rooting against Dallas u know probably all cowboys fans. Isles Pitt should b intense Goooo Islanders
Go Canes! Suck it Don Cherry!  
Jints in Carolina : 4/7/2019 8:57 pm : link
RE: RE: RE: Pjcas  
pjcas18 : 4/7/2019 9:05 pm : link
In comment 14376279 Fish said:
Quote:
In comment 14376254 pjcas18 said:


Quote:


In comment 14376222 Fish said:


Quote:


That vaunted pens defense and goaltending is trouble......NOT. No mention of that weak trash they trotting out there?



The Islanders split the season series with the trash pens D and goalie, and now it's post-season where Murray has a stellar career 2.08 GAA even with last year's poor/mediocre showing.

I think the series comes down to specials like I said, and that's where I think the Pens separate.





Wanna go?


lol, it's just my opinion. you are of course free to disagree,
Isles PP  
Fish : 4/7/2019 9:48 pm : link
Is poor and Crosby Malkin and the other douche are tough.
Just stopped in to read the post and say  
BlueHurricane : 4/8/2019 7:15 am : link
Fuck the Yinz!!!!
RE: Toronto winning it all would be cool.  
5BowlsSoon : 4/8/2019 7:52 am : link
In comment 14376267 SFGFNCGiantsFan said:
Quote:
They haven't won in decades.


I appreciate your support here but as a Leads fan, I do not feel very confident today playing our nemesis, the Bruins. Pj said it alldefense plus Anderson = close your eyes.

Hey pj, sorry your boys didnt make it into the dance. What a finish though...Ryan Poehling might be that sniper your fans desperately desire.
RE: RE: Toronto winning it all would be cool.  
pjcas18 : 4/8/2019 8:12 am : link
In comment 14376578 5BowlsSoon said:
Quote:
In comment 14376267 SFGFNCGiantsFan said:


Quote:


They haven't won in decades.



I appreciate your support here but as a Leads fan, I do not feel very confident today playing our nemesis, the Bruins. Pj said it alldefense plus Anderson = close your eyes.

Hey pj, sorry your boys didnt make it into the dance. What a finish though...Ryan Poehling might be that sniper your fans desperately desire.


Obviously I was disappointed and then 5 seconds later I was over it.

Poehling had a great debut, but he's not going to be a sniper. two of those goals were from the doorstep. He's more of a 2nd/3rd line C, and I think he'll be a good one, can score, play physical, defensively responsible, but I don't think he'll be in the race for any scoring titles.

Looking forward to the future with youth like Poehling, Kotkaniemi, Suzuki, and many more, I just wish Carey Price was 5 years younger.
question to the OP starter:  
ColHowPepper : 4/8/2019 9:06 am : link
how the hell year after year do you stay up on teams across the League--and not only the teams but who's hot and who's not? Amazing. Like a Monday Through Sunday Ticket.
RE: question to the OP starter:  
pjcas18 : 4/8/2019 9:16 am : link
In comment 14376661 ColHowPepper said:
Quote:
how the hell year after year do you stay up on teams across the League--and not only the teams but who's hot and who's not? Amazing. Like a Monday Through Sunday Ticket.


It's a labor of love. lol. The West teams are hard, but the East teams not too bad. I have the NHL Center Ice package so I watch hockey every single night. While I avoided it for a long time, I was coerced into a fantasy hockey league with some of my men's league teammates. And it's helped me learn about players I normally wouldn't have otherwise. I watch all the juniors tournaments to see the younger kids come up and see what I can about the draft eligible and recently drafted players, I've even watched some KHL games

and some of it is what I read/watch/listen to from real experts.

I'm in a hockey house (wife and kids are all hockey fans), and my youngest is now very interested in it too and she (yes she) is rabid, in a good way, for anything hockey. She plays hockey on an elite club team that I coach, so it's nice to have something to bond over.

anyway, mostly what I post is purely my opinion unless I cite others, I'm not a scout, not THAT experienced as a coach (5th year coaching - all youth hockey), and I peaked as a player in high school (if not earlier) and only played D3 college, but I find the game to be the best sport on the planet and I like talking hockey with my fellow Giants fans.

Some interesting offensive stats  
pjcas18 : 4/8/2019 9:40 am : link
about the season:


Gino Reda
‏Verified account @GinoRedaTSN
6m6 minutes ago

Crazy Offensive season in the NHL!
Kucherovs 128pt - most in 23 years(Lemieux/Jagr)
6-100+ point players - most since 06-07
2-50 goal scorers - most since 11-12
Brent Burns - 83pts - most since Brian Leetch -95-96
#TSNHockey @7ElevenCanada #ThatsHockey #NHL
RE: Some interesting offensive stats  
timintey : 4/8/2019 10:55 am : link
In comment 14376716 pjcas18 said:
Quote:
about the season:


Gino Reda
‏Verified account @GinoRedaTSN
6m6 minutes ago

Crazy Offensive season in the NHL!
Kucherovs 128pt - most in 23 years(Lemieux/Jagr)
6-100+ point players - most since 06-07
2-50 goal scorers - most since 11-12
Brent Burns - 83pts - most since Brian Leetch -95-96
#TSNHockey @7ElevenCanada #ThatsHockey #NHL


which makes what Trotz and co. have done for the Isles all the more remarkable...
impressive, and some follow on  
ColHowPepper : 4/8/2019 10:59 am : link
Alex Nunn on twtr @aj_ranger, I'm sure you know, is glued into the KHL. His clips, sadly brief, give me a tiny insight into the quality of play in that league, which looks pretty good to my eye. He is of course NYR centric. Rykov, Kravtsof, Igor, Reunanen--there's some talent there.

ok, enuf re. home town stuff

re. coaching your daughter, it's wonderful experience: I did that with my daughter (soccer) for three years, by which time the girls outgrew and outperformed the ability of their coach to teach and improve their play. BUT: always good to take a big step or two back from time to time to assess the bigger picture, your relationship as dad, to make sure the coach/player dynamic is not trespassing!!

Neat article in NYT this AM about how Trotz has become, within space of less than a year, a beloved figure on the Island. I would say it should be up there for one of the stories of the year in NHL. It would be a hoot if he continued to haunt Pens.
I think Trotz probably wins  
pjcas18 : 4/8/2019 11:07 am : link
the Jack Adams award for coach of the year.

In the Athletic today there was an article by Pierre with his predicitions for the East series' and 2 unidentified Eastern Conference non playoff team coaches.

Their predictions were very close to mine.

TBL vs CBJ (all agreed TB but closer than expected)
WAS vs CAR (all had WAS)
BOS vs TOR (all had BOS - one coach said this about the Leafs D: Its amazing how many goals they give up right now, he said. I think theyve been bad defensively for a while and the goalie was masking it. But when the goalie isnt playing as well, they give up way too many goals."

NYI vs PIT: one has NYI, one had PIT, and Pierre had this: "Penguins in 7. Game 7 goes to double OT."

That's what I root for in the playoffs. OT's and Game 7's, As a fan, nothing better in any sport than NHL Playoff OT and game 7's. When the stars align and you get the rare Game 7 OT holy shit.
RE: RE: Some interesting offensive stats  
pjcas18 : 4/8/2019 11:11 am : link
In comment 14376867 timintey said:
Quote:
In comment 14376716 pjcas18 said:


Quote:


about the season:


Gino Reda
‏Verified account @GinoRedaTSN
6m6 minutes ago

Crazy Offensive season in the NHL!
Kucherovs 128pt - most in 23 years(Lemieux/Jagr)
6-100+ point players - most since 06-07
2-50 goal scorers - most since 11-12
Brent Burns - 83pts - most since Brian Leetch -95-96
#TSNHockey @7ElevenCanada #ThatsHockey #NHL



which makes what Trotz and co. have done for the Isles all the more remarkable...


those are individual stats, league wide goal scoring is barely up from last year, how does this make anything Trotz has done more remarkable?
I'd rather get swept.  
Mike in Long Beach : 4/8/2019 11:33 am : link
Quote:
NYI vs PIT: one has NYI, one had PIT, and Pierre had this: "Penguins in 7. Game 7 goes to double OT."


I simply couldn't handle this.
Maybe Backes is a healthy scratch  
pjcas18 : 4/8/2019 11:35 am : link
unless he's got today off for some reason.


It does look like Cassidy has his top line back together.


Fluto Shinzawa
‏Verified account @FlutoShinzawa
12s13 seconds ago

Prax lines, first rotation:

Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak
DeBrusk-Krejci-Kuhlman
Johansson-Coyle-Heinen
Nordstrom-Acciari-Wagner
Wow. Pierre picks the Pens.  
Jints in Carolina : 4/8/2019 12:25 pm : link
Shocking.
RE: Wow. Pierre picks the Pens.  
pjcas18 : 4/8/2019 12:28 pm : link
In comment 14377045 Jints in Carolina said:
Quote:
Shocking.


He named Letang series MVP.

ok, I made that up, but in his write-up he did say the series could go either way and he picked the Pens because he had to pick a winner.
I don't take what he says seriously  
Jints in Carolina : 4/8/2019 12:36 pm : link
Since he has his head so far up Crosby and Lemieux's ass.
Find someone who loves you as much as Pierre McGuire  
Greg from LI : 4/8/2019 12:38 pm : link
loves Kristopher Letang
Ive never, ever had the opportunity to say this before...  
tony stg : 4/8/2019 12:55 pm : link
Lets go defend the Cup, boys!

RE: Ive never, ever had the opportunity to say this before...  
pjcas18 : 4/8/2019 1:07 pm : link
In comment 14377108 tony stg said:
Quote:
Lets go defend the Cup, boys!


good luck Tony, you were very classy in victory last year and I feel like Ovie is one of the more underrated super stars of this era. Yes, he's highly regarded, but it's not enough IMO. The rate he's putting up goals in this era is Gretzky-esque (era adjusted).

Another 100 goals in his career (easy IMO) he'll be 4th all-time. Another 200 he'd be 2nd, behind only Gretzky - and not by much. He's got over 200 more goals than Crosby (Crosby leads Ovie in points).

I don't expect him to put up 50-goal seasons every year, but 4 more decent years he'll be among the all-time greats if he's not already. He has 2 years left on his contract, so we'll see what he wants to do.

And I loved seeing his "cup tour" (heck, I like seeing all the players with the cup after they win).
RE: Ive never, ever had the opportunity to say this before...  
rnargi : 4/8/2019 1:16 pm : link
In comment 14377108 tony stg said:
Quote:
Lets go defend the Cup, boys!


Lol, Tony...I hate the Caps with every fiber of my being (Fuck John Druce!) but I'm happy you got your Cup. It really, really sucks to have been rooting for lottery position for a month. Freakin' Rangers....
Captain obvious?  
pjcas18 : 4/8/2019 1:16 pm : link
the Penguins are a better team when Crosby is on the ice.


Quote:

Dimitri Filipovic
‏Verified account @DimFilipovic
31s31 seconds ago

Doing some playoff prep and one of my main takeaways is that this Sidney Crosby character might have a future in this league


RE: Captain obvious?  
JayBinQueens : 4/8/2019 1:19 pm : link
In comment 14377164 pjcas18 said:
Quote:
the Penguins are a better team when Crosby is on the ice.




Quote:



Dimitri Filipovic
‏Verified account @DimFilipovic
31s31 seconds ago

Doing some playoff prep and one of my main takeaways is that this Sidney Crosby character might have a future in this league




Dude couldn't even have gone through the effort of breaking it down to /60 ?
If true  
pjcas18 : 4/8/2019 1:41 pm : link
big loss for the Bruins. Their D is a shade better than Toronto because I love McAvoy. But not much better.


Rear Admiral
‏ @RearAdBsBlog

Per source, Bruins defenseman Kevan Miller is out for the playoffs with a LBI. For second straight year, the team loses a regular D-man prior to playoffs.
11:04 AM - 8 Apr 2019
Not playoff related  
pjcas18 : 4/8/2019 2:13 pm : link
but some say Luke Hughes is destined to be better than Jack.

Quote:

Stars n Stripes Hockey
‏ @StarsStripesHKY
53s53 seconds ago

Stars n Stripes Hockey Retweeted Michael Caples

Future #NTDP player Luke Hughes wins a national title with the Little Caesars 03s.


Luke is 15 and is already bigger than Jack (height at least).

Shane Wright and Luke Hughes I think in the same NHL draft (2022) (a lot of projection there though)
RE: RE: RE: Some interesting offensive stats  
timintey : 4/8/2019 2:56 pm : link
In comment 14376921 pjcas18 said:
Quote:

those are individual stats, league wide goal scoring is barely up from last year, how does this make anything Trotz has done more remarkable?


I know those are individual stats. Sorry I don't have time to go look up historical league wide scoring. Your post made it sound like we're in some golden age of scoring and I just commented that Trotz has joined the Isles and done just the opposite.
RE: RE: RE: RE: Some interesting offensive stats  
pjcas18 : 4/8/2019 2:57 pm : link
In comment 14377415 timintey said:
Quote:
In comment 14376921 pjcas18 said:


Quote:



those are individual stats, league wide goal scoring is barely up from last year, how does this make anything Trotz has done more remarkable?



I know those are individual stats. Sorry I don't have time to go look up historical league wide scoring. Your post made it sound like we're in some golden age of scoring and I just commented that Trotz has joined the Isles and done just the opposite.


No, sorry, didn't mean to make it seem that way. There was some ridiculously good individual offensive performances.

But overall goals per game were up only slightly from last year.
All good  
timintey : 4/8/2019 3:56 pm : link
It is amazing the number of great years that players have had this year
My prediction:  
Anakim : 4/8/2019 4:22 pm : link
Lightning vs. Stars in the SCF with the Lightning winning it all.


Make it happ'n!
Draft - top pick odds  
pjcas18 : 4/8/2019 4:53 pm : link
the lottery is on tomorrow at 8pm. I did not realize that with 96 pts the Canadiens tied the highest point total in league history to miss the playoffs. no consolation.

This is impressive  
pjcas18 : 4/8/2019 4:56 pm : link
the Oilers have to be the worst team on this list (the 2018-2019 Oilers).

Quote:

NHL Public Relations
‏Verified account @PR_NHL

2018-19 marked the 10th time in League history and second in the past 25 years that teammates age 23 or younger hit the 100-point mark in the same season (@cmcdavid97 and Leon Draisaitl).

#NHLStats: https://atnhl.com/2TZDs2o



RE: RE: Captain obvious?  
BrettNYG10 : 4/8/2019 5:02 pm : link
In comment 14377169 JayBinQueens said:
Quote:
In comment 14377164 pjcas18 said:


Quote:


the Penguins are a better team when Crosby is on the ice.




Quote:



Dimitri Filipovic
‏Verified account @DimFilipovic
31s31 seconds ago

Doing some playoff prep and one of my main takeaways is that this Sidney Crosby character might have a future in this league






Dude couldn't even have gone through the effort of breaking it down to /60 ?


What's your email? I have a debt to settle!
Isles  
2cents : 4/8/2019 5:25 pm : link
Shocker no love for the islanders. Just the way we like it. But I agree on the specials point, our PP will be our downfall if we lose. I just think our 5 on 5 style of play is very conducive to playoff success; tight d with emphasis on possession. Sprinkle in a couple timely goals and we can make a run. Also given how the last month of the season played out I think home ice against the pens was the best we could hope for. Go isles !!
At least the Islanders fans  
pjcas18 : 4/8/2019 5:39 pm : link
don't have to listen to Pierre slobber over Crosby and Kristopher. Game 1 at least.

Quote:

NBC Sports PR
‏Verified account @NBCSportsPR

Following are the @NHLonNBCSports commentary teams for the Game 1 Stanley Cup Playoff matchups this Wednesday and Thursday.


RE: At least the Islanders fans  
JayBinQueens : 4/8/2019 5:54 pm : link
In comment 14377713 pjcas18 said:
Quote:
don't have to listen to Pierre slobber over Crosby and Kristopher. Game 1 at least.



Quote:



NBC Sports PR
‏Verified account @NBCSportsPR

Following are the @NHLonNBCSports commentary teams for the Game 1 Stanley Cup Playoff matchups this Wednesday and Thursday.





I assume Brendan isn't doing the Isles because of potential bias? Though they do have AJ as an analyst for us...
RE: RE: RE: Captain obvious?  
JayBinQueens : 4/8/2019 5:56 pm : link
In comment 14377666 BrettNYG10 said:
Quote:
In comment 14377169 JayBinQueens said:


Quote:





What's your email? I have a debt to settle!


Jay5627@gmail.com

Would ya wanna do double or nothing?

I'll take Brock Nelson over Tavares for total playoff points
For Rangers' fans  
NYerInMA : 4/8/2019 6:38 pm : link
the rooting interests are as follows to maximize the Rangers' draft position:

#1: TB wins the Cup
#2: DAL makes it to the WCF
#3: WIN eliminated ASAP
#4: CBJ eliminated ASP
RE: Pjcas  
Rover : 4/8/2019 9:49 pm : link
In comment 14376222 Fish said:
Quote:
That vaunted pens defense and goaltending is trouble......NOT. No mention of that weak trash they trotting out there?

Pens defense is not trash, it's pretty deep and Murray has been great.
The Pens problem is their TEAM wide inattention to defense (forwards not covering).
RE: At least the Islanders fans  
Rover : 4/8/2019 9:49 pm : link
In comment 14377713 pjcas18 said:
Quote:
don't have to listen to Pierre slobber over Crosby and Kristopher. Game 1 at least.



Quote:



NBC Sports PR
‏Verified account @NBCSportsPR

Following are the @NHLonNBCSports commentary teams for the Game 1 Stanley Cup Playoff matchups this Wednesday and Thursday.




I'm upset there is no Mike Tirico.
I think he was better than ANYBODY.
PJ  
Rover : 4/8/2019 9:49 pm : link
Surprised, very, that you took SJ.
Jones has been a mess and Karlsson is not healthy.

Also surprised you don't like Nashville.
I think every play by play  
pjcas18 : 4/8/2019 9:51 pm : link
guy on that list is better than Tirico and my favorite from the list is Doc.

I don't hate Tirico, but that is a solid list. And i hope I don't have to hear one second from Jack Edwards until next year.
Pages: 1 2 3 ... 31 32 33 | Show All |  Next>>
Back to the Corner