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.
Jones has been a mess and Karlsson is not healthy.
Also surprised you don't like Nashville.
Karlsson is playing and IMO SJS have the best D in the playoffs.
Like I said just my opinions.
And the Predators might have the 2nd most well rounded/complete team in the West, but they do every year and they lose every year.
I had to pick an upset.
I wouldn't be even a little surprised if LVG and NSH win.
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.
I thought Tirico doing hockey was better than anybody.
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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.
I thought Tirico doing hockey was better than anybody.
You should listen to Cuthbert. He and Emrick the class of the league right now IMO.
Bob Cole called his last game when MTL and TOR played and he retired right after the game, he's a legend but has lost his fastball, much better than Tirico - and in his day was probably the best or close.
All the people on the list IMO are better than Tirico.
I would start a thread for it, separate from the playoff thread, but i have my own men's league game so I won't be around to watch live.
another fan (maybe a Rangers fan since they have a lot riding on this) can start a thread if they want or it can be discussed here.
Hate to see him leave for nothing and if he's not going to sign an extension may as well maximize a return for him.
I imagine the interest would be massive.
Results linked below (Full story) and summary below:
Hart: Nikita Kucherov
Norris: Mark Giordano
Vezina: John Gibson
Calder: Elias Pettersson
Selke: Mark Stone
Lady Byng: Aleksander Barkov
Jack Adams: Jon Cooper
the link has the full results.
I agree with Hart, Norris, and Calder.
no vote from me on Byng, but I found it hilarious Marchand got a vote.
But Jack Adams I vote for Trotz (2nd) and Vezina Bishop (2nd).
I don't have an issue with Stone, but I think this year I'd give Crosby the award for Selke.
Link - ( New Window )
In the finals.
Also stars like Pavel Datsyuk (SKA) and former prospect Nail Yakupov (SKA) and other lesser known players.
I think it's on at 12:30 PM local time (NY).
I thought so. but I guess their analytics say how bad the team in front of him was.
He wouldn't be in my top 5.
these guys are heavy analytics guys who voted.
Results linked below (Full story) and summary below:
Quote:
The winners:
Hart: Nikita Kucherov
Norris: Mark Giordano
Vezina: John Gibson
Calder: Elias Pettersson
Selke: Mark Stone
Lady Byng: Aleksander Barkov
Jack Adams: Jon Cooper
the link has the full results.
I agree with Hart, Norris, and Calder.
no vote from me on Byng, but I found it hilarious Marchand got a vote.
But Jack Adams I vote for Trotz (2nd) and Vezina Bishop (2nd).
I don't have an issue with Stone, but I think this year I'd give Crosby the award for Selke. Link - ( New Window )
Sure Tampa had one of the all-time great seasons, but they were expected to do well. Maybe that puts him in the running for the Jack Adams but I have Trotz, Peters, and Brind'Amour as my top 3 names. Heck, I might even consider Craig Berube over Cooper for his turning around St. Louis in season.
Carolina picked 2nd in the draft and has had front office issues the past couple seasons.
I'd vote for Trotz simply because I think Carolina is more talented than the Islanders.
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36m36 minutes ago
The NHL announced that defenseman Slava Voynov has been suspended for the 2019-20 season (including Playoffs) for unacceptable off-ice conduct. Voynov's eligibility to play in the NHL will be restored (assuming good behavior) no later than July 1, 2020.
If they never allowed him back again I'd be ok with it, but part of me also believes people deserve a 2nd chance.
He'll be 31 when he's eligible for reinstatement so it's not like a death sentence, but a punishment commensurate with the crime IMO.
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In comment 14377169 JayBinQueens said:
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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
Sure, I'm ready to lose until you take everything I own.
This is a really tough one. I think the Isles have a better shot of round 2 than TOR.
Ditto from this Caps fan! I can't stand the Penguins - plus Trotz facing the Caps in the playoffs a year after winning the cup for them would be great drama. Caps have to take care of business first, but I like the first round matchup - Caps didn't lose to Carolina this season.
Not having Kempny sucks though, but trading for Jensen was huge. As was the trade for Hagelin.
Let's go Caps!
That's something. I didn't see that one going any further than 6 and that fact enforces that. Ours is a toss up and I really have no idea what's going to happen.
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I like the first round matchup - Caps didn't lose to Carolina this season.
That's something. I didn't see that one going any further than 6 and that fact enforces that. Ours is a toss up and I really have no idea what's going to happen.
I like the Isles chances - Trotz has done wonders with the team this year.
hate this f-ing rule, but this one is offsides.
The Bob is going to get Torts fired.
better than TB/CBJ, this is playoff hockey
Islanders the more physical team, plus they got an unexpected PP goal. With the disallowed goal they beat Murray 3 times in the period and he has looked shaky.
Pens going to the PP on the island.
Barzal needs to shoot that puck