COL just needs any type of win, they crush LVG in RW (behind by one in ROW and I think RW is the tiebreaker), so 2 pts for COL and I believe they're the 1.
Doesn't matter much IMO, if I had to pick I guess I'd rather play STL the way MIN is playing right now.
I hate that noon start on Sunday. I'm going to end up missing the first period.
I got you beat. If it goes to game 7, I will be near the Virginia/NC border at puck drop on my way to Myrtle Beach. Brutal. Should make for an interesting car ride with the kids.
COL just needs any type of win, they crush LVG in RW (behind by one in ROW and I think RW is the tiebreaker), so 2 pts for COL and I believe they're the 1.
Doesn't matter much IMO, if I had to pick I guess I'd rather play STL the way MIN is playing right now.
The other advantage to the 1/4 match is that timewise only one game is likely to start outside of 9:30-10:30 PM Eastern start time. You tend to see less randomness when you have consistent starting times.
As long as Philly doesn't win another Cup, I'm good. So we're safe for this year. Now it's the Caps (re: Wilson, bandwagon fans, most of whom are also presumably WFT fans). Anyone but them. Bruins dislike (Ratelle/Park trade...) is always there, so after they beat the Caps, let them lose too.
Also, what is the Canadian team that gets tot he CF going to do? Are they traveling to Canada?
There are no Conference Finals this year, since there are no conferences. As I understand it, the 3rd round will follow the 1v4, 2v3 format as the first round, but teams will be seeded based on their regular-season records.
Also, what is the Canadian team that gets tot he CF going to do? Are they traveling to Canada?
TBD, I think the league is waiting to see the status of border travel between US and Canada after the division finals wrap because the mutual border closure was only until like May 21.
My guess is if cross border travel isn't an option the Canadian team will get hosed and have to play home games in Buffalo, Seattle or somewhere like that depending on who comes out of the North.
but not sure it matters THAT much, Canadian teams still cannot have fans I believe - but I'd bet everyone would rather be home.
playoff games. Great atmosphere. Hope whatever crowd the old barn gets, they bring the noise this time around.
I prefer the 3pm start time personally. Out of the barn at 6 and home at 610.
no idea how to explain it, when I watched the Devils play, especially when they were injury depleted, they looked like an AHL team a lot, except against the Bruins, they looked like the Red Army.
no idea how to explain it, when I watched the Devils play, especially when they were injury depleted, they looked like an AHL team a lot, except against the Bruins, they looked like the Red Army.
Had the best Defensemen in the league a couple years ago when they upset Washington in the playoffs. Now they have the likes of Bean, Gardener, and Murphy to chose from for their LD final pair. Plus they only have one decent goalie. As good and deep as they are in the forward group, I don’t see how they can overcome their deficiencies on the back end.
PIT vs NYI: NYI in 6. I have been trying to throw dirt on the grave of the Pens for a couple years, but in the playoffs I just don't think they have enough to compete with the disciplined (and talented) NYI
WAS vs BOS: BOS in 7. Should be a great series, hopefully we see Wilson and Marchand rip each others heads off, but likely playoffs will be tame as usual. I think these teams are close, especially since Holtby is gone and he kind of owned BOS
BOS vs NYI. BOS in 7. Another close series, decided by special teams, Marchand is a SH beast.
Central
CAR vs NSH. CAR Sweeps. Not often to people predict sweeps, but NSH is worse than many teams who did not make the playoffs.
FLA vs TBL. If Kucherov is back and himself (and he is expected to play), TBL in 6. FLA is a very good team, losing Ekblad hurts them more than people realize and if Kucherov is back for more than a cameo like Stamkos last year TBL is too much.
CAR vs TBL - a battle of the titans, could go either way, I'll pick TBL because of the goalie.
West:
COL vs STL. COL in 4. See my comments on NSH. STL is similar.
LVG vs MIN. LVG in 7. Maybe my favorite series, LVG is such a tough team to play, big power forwards, solid two-way D and consistency in net, but MIN is a lot of fun to watch right now. Kaprizov is so creative for a rookie (yeah a 23 year old rookie, but it's not like he's Hideki Matsui old for a rookie.
LVG vs COL - COL in 6. COL is my pick the past few years to win the cup, so much talent, time to show it.
North:
TOR vs MTL. TOR in 5. TOR is just too talented and MTL too banged up. I do think TOR is top heavy so if MTL can somehow neutralize the Marner/Matthews line and stay out of the box, they can hang for a game or 2, but TOR is too much especially how Campbell is playing.
EDM vs WIN. EDM in 5. McDavid, Draisaitl, Nugent-Hopkins - sick offensive talent. solid team overall. playoff style hockey benefits a team like them.
TOR vs EDM. TOR in 6. Again, TOR is too much. too deep, too physical now they have Foligno and Simmonds, they can't be pushed around like usual and expect to get inconsistent performance in net. TOR 4th line has been Thornton, Spezza and Simmonds - that's old and slow, but man that's some seasoned veteran depth.
Semis? Not sure how they will align, so I'll make assumptions.
TOR vs BOS. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss to quote The Who. BOS rolls.
TBL vs COL, epic battle, I'll say TBL in 7.
Finals, TAM vs BOS and TAM wins in 6.
my only rooting interest is for BOS and TOR to lose and for OT's and game 7's.
I disagree about the Pens, I think this is the most complete team they’ve had in years. Malkin is back, they are deep at forward and at the blue line, really depends on how Jarry plays. I think the Pens will score some goals this series, but they’ve shown this year they can win 1-0 just as easily as they can win 6-5. If the Islanders had home ice, I may be predicting them, but they have not been the same team on the road.
I disagree about the Pens, I think this is the most complete team they’ve had in years. Malkin is back, they are deep at forward and at the blue line, really depends on how Jarry plays. I think the Pens will score some goals this series, but they’ve shown this year they can win 1-0 just as easily as they can win 6-5. If the Islanders had home ice, I may be predicting them, but they have not been the same team on the road.
One point someone mentioned is the pandemic shortened season helps teams like the Pens with their age, and fair point.
I think the NYI showed in the bubble how their style can be tough, especially in the playoffs.
And nothing would surprise me - my predictions are usually wrong.
But like I said earlier, I feel like this is the most complete team the Pens have had since they won the Cup in 2017. I personally don’t think the Palmieri/Zajac trade was a good move for them, and think they would have been better suited setting their sights on Hall, a legitimate top line winger. He and Barzal together would have given opponents fits. Palmieri is probably a better two way player and I’m sure that’s why the Islanders went and got him, but what they really need is scoring punch. That’s why they lost to Tampa last year, and I think it will limit them this year as well.
Like you, I’m always wrong too, so we’ll see who’s really wrong this time! I picked the Islanders to get to the Conference Finals last year, I just think this year, it comes down to them not being a great road team, and Pittsburgh being dominant at home with the extra home game as the deciding factor, because these teams are close.
Winning lets MN-Vegas play. Vegas has a lot of trouble with MN while they pounded STL. Vegas went 3-5 vs MN.
Avs have 2 issues 1- will be health - McKinnon is questionable for game 1. They have enough talent for sure. 2 - Goalie - Grubauer is fantastic and they are going to have to ride him because their backup now is really not good and their other backup is on Covid list
Was-Bos, FLA-TB, MN-Vegas are going to be tremendous series where good teams are going to be eliminated
Fuck Jesper Fast. Let the Panthers or Predators win. Fuck the Icelanders. Fuck the Brooons. Fuck the Yinz. Fuck the Lightning. And a BIIIIIIIIG fuck to Tom Wilson and his merry band of pussies.
Plus, maybe an early exit would mean Rod the Bod would shake loose
only possible change is if COL wins tonight in regulation they become the 1 seed in the West and LVG becomes 2.
Doesn't matter much IMO, if I had to pick I guess I'd rather play STL the way MIN is playing right now.
I got you beat. If it goes to game 7, I will be near the Virginia/NC border at puck drop on my way to Myrtle Beach. Brutal. Should make for an interesting car ride with the kids.
LGI
Doesn't matter much IMO, if I had to pick I guess I'd rather play STL the way MIN is playing right now.
The other advantage to the 1/4 match is that timewise only one game is likely to start outside of 9:30-10:30 PM Eastern start time. You tend to see less randomness when you have consistent starting times.
There are no Conference Finals this year, since there are no conferences. As I understand it, the 3rd round will follow the 1v4, 2v3 format as the first round, but teams will be seeded based on their regular-season records.
It's about optics and ethics!
TBD, I think the league is waiting to see the status of border travel between US and Canada after the division finals wrap because the mutual border closure was only until like May 21.
My guess is if cross border travel isn't an option the Canadian team will get hosed and have to play home games in Buffalo, Seattle or somewhere like that depending on who comes out of the North.
but not sure it matters THAT much, Canadian teams still cannot have fans I believe - but I'd bet everyone would rather be home.
I prefer the 3pm start time personally. Out of the barn at 6 and home at 610.
But this year the B's took the season series, and I think a lot has to do with Holtby who just was in the Bruins' head.
Still expecting a tough series and either teams can win it.
no idea how to explain it, when I watched the Devils play, especially when they were injury depleted, they looked like an AHL team a lot, except against the Bruins, they looked like the Red Army.
I don't think there has been a correlation b/w Presidents Cup and playoff success, but still a cool accomplishment.
no idea how to explain it, when I watched the Devils play, especially when they were injury depleted, they looked like an AHL team a lot, except against the Bruins, they looked like the Red Army.
Maybe they just weren't trying those nights? Lol
Now I feel more comfortable picking Vegas for the Cup.
The East absolutely no outcome would surprise me. Any of the 4 could sweep, be swept, go 7.
I will miss the all day viewership of the bubble playoff s. Still, the first round is my favorite 2 weeks of the sports calendar.
Pens in 7
Bruins in 6
Carolina in 5
Tampa in 6
Toronto in 4
Edmonton in 6
Colorado in 5
Vegas in 7
PIT vs NYI: NYI in 6. I have been trying to throw dirt on the grave of the Pens for a couple years, but in the playoffs I just don't think they have enough to compete with the disciplined (and talented) NYI
WAS vs BOS: BOS in 7. Should be a great series, hopefully we see Wilson and Marchand rip each others heads off, but likely playoffs will be tame as usual. I think these teams are close, especially since Holtby is gone and he kind of owned BOS
BOS vs NYI. BOS in 7. Another close series, decided by special teams, Marchand is a SH beast.
Central
CAR vs NSH. CAR Sweeps. Not often to people predict sweeps, but NSH is worse than many teams who did not make the playoffs.
FLA vs TBL. If Kucherov is back and himself (and he is expected to play), TBL in 6. FLA is a very good team, losing Ekblad hurts them more than people realize and if Kucherov is back for more than a cameo like Stamkos last year TBL is too much.
CAR vs TBL - a battle of the titans, could go either way, I'll pick TBL because of the goalie.
West:
COL vs STL. COL in 4. See my comments on NSH. STL is similar.
LVG vs MIN. LVG in 7. Maybe my favorite series, LVG is such a tough team to play, big power forwards, solid two-way D and consistency in net, but MIN is a lot of fun to watch right now. Kaprizov is so creative for a rookie (yeah a 23 year old rookie, but it's not like he's Hideki Matsui old for a rookie.
LVG vs COL - COL in 6. COL is my pick the past few years to win the cup, so much talent, time to show it.
North:
TOR vs MTL. TOR in 5. TOR is just too talented and MTL too banged up. I do think TOR is top heavy so if MTL can somehow neutralize the Marner/Matthews line and stay out of the box, they can hang for a game or 2, but TOR is too much especially how Campbell is playing.
EDM vs WIN. EDM in 5. McDavid, Draisaitl, Nugent-Hopkins - sick offensive talent. solid team overall. playoff style hockey benefits a team like them.
TOR vs EDM. TOR in 6. Again, TOR is too much. too deep, too physical now they have Foligno and Simmonds, they can't be pushed around like usual and expect to get inconsistent performance in net. TOR 4th line has been Thornton, Spezza and Simmonds - that's old and slow, but man that's some seasoned veteran depth.
Semis? Not sure how they will align, so I'll make assumptions.
TOR vs BOS. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss to quote The Who. BOS rolls.
TBL vs COL, epic battle, I'll say TBL in 7.
Finals, TAM vs BOS and TAM wins in 6.
my only rooting interest is for BOS and TOR to lose and for OT's and game 7's.
Or Pittsburgh, or Tampa. Pretty much anyone from the east other than Carolina will annoy me.
One point someone mentioned is the pandemic shortened season helps teams like the Pens with their age, and fair point.
I think the NYI showed in the bubble how their style can be tough, especially in the playoffs.
And nothing would surprise me - my predictions are usually wrong.
Like you, I’m always wrong too, so we’ll see who’s really wrong this time! I picked the Islanders to get to the Conference Finals last year, I just think this year, it comes down to them not being a great road team, and Pittsburgh being dominant at home with the extra home game as the deciding factor, because these teams are close.
Hmmmmm....I am very nervous about this series for some reason.
Only two playoff teams were worse:
The Blues (-1)
The Habs (-9)
two teams who missed the playoffs had a better goal differential
Avs have 2 issues 1- will be health - McKinnon is questionable for game 1. They have enough talent for sure. 2 - Goalie - Grubauer is fantastic and they are going to have to ride him because their backup now is really not good and their other backup is on Covid list
Was-Bos, FLA-TB, MN-Vegas are going to be tremendous series where good teams are going to be eliminated
So I got Toronto winning the cup vs .... Nashville?
Malkin GTD for the pens, but Sullivan likes to play coy, I'd guess Malkin plays.
Plus, maybe an early exit would mean Rod the Bod would shake loose
Oshie wins it.
And Palmieri opens the scoring, deadline acquisitions paying dividends.
Score 2 - 1, 2-and a half min left in the 2nd.
NYI tied is (JGP), go ahead (Nelson) and then PIT came back to tie (Kapanen). 2nd straight OT to kick off the playoffs.
FLA gets a goal called back and TBL (Coleman) comes back with the shortie, 1 - 0, TBL