A lot of the drama is basically decided in the East.
All 8 playoff teams have clinched, only jockeying for position/seeding is left.
All teams have anywhere from 2 to 4 games left.
As it stands today (games remaining in () at the end):
E1: (Atlantic champ) Panthers 120 pts (clinched 1 seed) (4)
E2: (Metro champ*) Hurricanes 110 pts (*not clinched) (3)
E3: Leafs 109 pts (3)
E4: Rangers 108 pts (3)
E5: Lightning 105 pts (4)
E6: Bruins 101 pts (4)
E7: Pens 101 pts (3)
E8: Caps 99 pts (4)
If nothing changes the 1st round matchups would be:
Panthers vs Caps (A1 vs WC2)
Hurricanes vs Bruins (M1 vs WC1)
Leafs vs Lightning (A2 vs A3)
Rangers vs Pens (M2 vs M3)
If I'm the Rangers I'm fine where I am and they have clinched at worst the 2 seed in the Metro. I'd rather play the Pens than the Bruins.
I will add the West in a separate post (5 teams have clinched and basically 4 teams vying for the final 3 spots).
2023 draft is supposed to be loaded.
And lovely, I can't wait to hear all the "Wright for Lafreniere" speculation up until the Draft. It'll be insufferable. I hope Gorton nips it in the bud quickly.
And lovely, I can't wait to hear all the "Wright for Lafreniere" speculation up until the Draft. It'll be insufferable. I hope Gorton nips it in the bud quickly.
Yes the Rangers. You're seriously gonna whine after 2 years in a row you moved up like 10 spots and got gifted Laffy when you basically made the "playoffs"?
And lovely, I can't wait to hear all the "Wright for Lafreniere" speculation up until the Draft. It'll be insufferable. I hope Gorton nips it in the bud quickly.
The Rangers have been pretty lucky. I mean moving up for Kakko and Lafreniere was pretty fortunate based on where they began those years.
I'd love for that to be true.
As of now I am hoping for Slafkovsky because of his size but Cooley and Nemec would be good picks as well.
I kind of like Slafkofsky too - not many 6' 4" 220 pound NHL ready 18-year olds. Sort of like a Byfield clone (but a LW).
Both up 2 - 0. CAR end of the 1st, TBL halfway through.
Thanks, and not to be negative, but with all the shit Lafreniere gets can you imagine the pressure Wright will be under in MTL? I almost feel bad for him. MTL is way worse than NY with the hockey media (and fans).
Rangers at least had other big names to shield Laf and Kakko. Wright is sort of the premier name next year for Montreal.
Yes, they do.
This year I didn't care if MTL won, knowing they couldn't be worse than 3rd was enough. I do feel like Wright is the crown jewel of the class, but I feel like a bunch of options at 2 - 5 could be really good too.
Seider
Bunting
Zegras
Zegras should win, but Seider will IMO.
Another month of the season Caufield takes this IMO (or is at least a finalist), but he had such a bad long stretch from November to February (lol) he played himself out of contention - though he finished the season furiously it wasn't enough.
McDavid for #1 overall, Jeff Petry and Carey Price.
Who says no?
I would be happy with Slafkovsky or Cooley. You can never have too many centers even if the Devils are currently very deep with Hughes, Hischier, Mercer, and Boqvist plus Sharangovich can also play center. They can always move Mercer and/or Boqvist to the wing if they draft Cooley.
@NHLPlayerSafety
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Edmonton’s Darnell Nurse has been suspended for one game for Head-butting Los Angeles’ Phillip Danault. https://nhl.com/video/nurse-su
Even with Crosby I felt like the Rangers are the better team but without Crosby the Rangers have a cake walk (if they show up).
FL was on the brink of doom, down 3 - 0, came all the way back and leads 4 - 3.
Carter Verhaege is becoming a playoff legend.
Best player? How can you say that when Ryan Reaves is out there?
Even with Crosby I felt like the Rangers are the better team but without Crosby the Rangers have a cake walk (if they show up).
FL was on the brink of doom, down 3 - 0, came all the way back and leads 4 - 3.
Carter Verhaege is becoming a playoff legend.
I’m a Pens fan. I thought we’d lose 4-0 or 4-1. No idea how they are wining the series. After the first line, it’s rough, then add in the 3rd string goalie. I wanted to blow up the team the past few years. They better not resign Malkin or Letang.
I’ve been rooting hard for the Caps
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Up 2-0, then everything changes when Crosby gets hurt. Not good losing the best player on the ice. They’ve in trouble if he’s seriously hurt
Best player? How can you say that when Ryan Reaves is out there?
I forgot about him. 2nd best
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The draft will start at #2. Very interesting to see where the Devils go with it. Logan Coolie is the next ranked guy but with Jack and Nico I don't think we're dying for another small C but he is talented. I have a feeling they go Cutter Gauthier or the #1 Euro skater that 6'4 winger Slafkovsky who exploded at the Olympics for 7 goals. They need size on the wing. I like how Slaf got dirty goals in the Olympic tournament but it was just 7-10 days of hockey so we'll see.
I would be happy with Slafkovsky or Cooley. You can never have too many centers even if the Devils are currently very deep with Hughes, Hischier, Mercer, and Boqvist plus Sharangovich can also play center. They can always move Mercer and/or Boqvist to the wing if they draft Cooley.
Yeah I did a deeper dive in today and it seems like there is no clear cut #2, but there are 3 tremendously talented guys in Cooley, Slaf and Nemec. Nemec seems to have top pairing potential. Seeing as they took L. Hughes last year I don't think they're as desperate this year for one. Seems to like Slaf probably is the best fit with his size and finishing ability next to a guy like Hughes. However outside the Olympics his #'s don't blow you away. I think all things equal I think Cooley is probably the 2nd best player in the draft. Didn't realize how good of a 2 way player he is on top of his elite point production potential. Even though it doesn't fit our needs as much it's really hard to pass up on such a talent when your picking #2.
Sullivan is a piece of shit
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To think the hit on Crosby was dirty. Looked a bit high, but I didn’t see dirty
Sullivan is a piece of shit
Why’s that? Besides he wins, and you’re jealous.
I get fan hate between teams, but no one feels like he is a crybaby or a piece of shit except for Rangers fans or I don't know maybe Caps or Flyers fans I guess.
The Rangers are the better team, but Gallant has been outclassed.
I root for OT's and game 7's, and so far not a lot of OTs.
McDavid
Matthews
Igor
I begrudgingly have to give it to Matthews
I think that's the right decision.
USA had a tune up and lost to Canada in a shootout.
USA schedule:
5/13: Latvia
5/15: Austria
5/16: Finland
5/19: Great Britain
5/21: Sweden
5/23: Czechia
5/24: Norway
5/26: QF
5/28: SF
5/29: Medal games
Big names on USA roster:
Jones brothers (Seth and Caleb)
Nate Schmidt
Luke Hughes (Jack and Quinn brother)
mostly younger forwards
That TBL meltdown end of the 2nd was pitiful.
I think the Bruins upset the Hurricanes in Carolina for Game 7
I think Maple Leafs take Game 7 over the Lightning. Man, I would not want to be in Toronto if the Maple Leafs drop Game 7 at home...
I think the Oilers will hold on to the lead tonight and then win Game 7 at home as well
I think the Bruins upset the Hurricanes in Carolina for Game 7
I think Maple Leafs take Game 7 over the Lightning. Man, I would not want to be in Toronto if the Maple Leafs drop Game 7 at home...
I think the Oilers will hold on to the lead tonight and then win Game 7 at home as well
And just as I say that, Kings tie the game and McDavid gets hurt
I was thinking how invisible Point has been, good to see him get the OT GW.
3 7's on Saturday. Something screams slot machine about that.
What happened to McDavid? Did he come back in the game?
I was thinking how invisible Point has been, good to see him get the OT GW.
3 7's on Saturday. Something screams slot machine about that.
What happened to McDavid? Did he come back in the game?
Yeah, he came back. He's fine. It looked like he fucked his shoulder up, but he was back out there skating like only he can.