First of all, in case there was any question, McDavid is the best player on the planet and is really getting himself into the discussion of ATGs IMO. He just needs a ring.
Second, down to the final 20 games or so for almost every team, some less.
Playoff positioning is pretty solid other than some seeding and a couple WC races.
As of this morning:
EAST
Atlantic:
BOS (103 points, 20 games left)
TOR (84 points, 19 games left)
TBL (79 points, 19 games left)
In the WC hunt:
BUF (68 points, 20 games left)
OTT (68 points, 19 games left)
FLA (68 points, 18 games left)
Metro:
CAR (90 points, 21 games left)
NJD (88 points, 20 games left)
NYR (79 points, 19 games left)
In the WC hunt:
NYI (72 points, 17 games left)
PIT (71 points, 20 games left)
WAS (68 points, 17 games left)
WEST
Central
DAL (81 points, 18 games left)
MIN (78 points, 19 games left)
WIN (75 points, 18 games left)
In the WC hunt:
COL (74 points, 21 games left)
NSH (69 points, 21 games left)
Pacific
LVG (82 points, 19 games left)
LAK (81 points, 17 games left)
SEA (78 points, 19 games left)
In the WC hunt:
EDM (78 points, 17 games left)
Isles have a huge game tonight with the Sabres. Win and they can't get leapfrogged with the other teams' games remaining
Atlantic: no change in top 3 (teams, not necessarily seeding)
Metro: no change in top 3
East WC:
NYI and OTT. I really think FLA but MTL has their 1st, so I'm hoping they don't make it
Central:DAL, MIN, COL - WIN bumped
Pacific: LVG, LAK, EDM - SEA bumped
West WC:
WIN and SEA
Still little room for error for NYI. Big games vs Buffalo and @Pit next two. If Isles can come away with 4 points, they'd be better than even money to make the playoffs with a legitimate shot at the #7 seed too.
Yep, that's crucial. We badly needed this break as the boys were exhausted. I hope we come out swinging with newfound energy in Montreal. I have a feeling we'll come out slow (what else is new?), but once we get our legs going, we'll be fine. I predict Kane will get his first goal as a Ranger.
Who wins the Cup?
All time great
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but what does ATG mean? McDavid is the fastest combo of stick handler/skater I think I have seen. You shouldn't be able to skate that fast when stick handling the puck, amazing what he can do out there.
All time great
Got it, thanks Jints.
Who wins the Cup?
If there is an early exit or playoff miss this year I wouldn't be surprised to see McDavid request a trade.
And I think the only team who might even remotely make sense would be whoever gets the top pick this year. Bedard plus a lot more for McDavid.
No idea who wins the cup.
Bruins are obviously running a lap around the league so they are the favorite, but I love Dallas if Oettinger plays well - he is very inconsistent.
They have such a unique combination of size, skill, and have a very complete team - when they get consistent goalie play.
CAR is dominant at times
NJD is so deep and play the most aggressive forecheck in the east
NYR are a lot like Dallas.
I never respect Vegas, but results are what they are
so if I ranked them it would be something like:
BOS
DAL
CAR
NYR
NJD
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When does McDavid ask for a trade?
Who wins the Cup?
If there is an early exit or playoff miss this year I wouldn't be surprised to see McDavid request a trade.
And I think the only team who might even remotely make sense would be whoever gets the top pick this year. Bedard plus a lot more for McDavid.
No idea who wins the cup.
Bruins are obviously running a lap around the league so they are the favorite, but I love Dallas if Oettinger plays well - he is very inconsistent.
They have such a unique combination of size, skill, and have a very complete team - when they get consistent goalie play.
CAR is dominant at times
NJD is so deep and play the most aggressive forecheck in the east
NYR are a lot like Dallas.
I never respect Vegas, but results are what they are
so if I ranked them it would be something like:
BOS
DAL
CAR
NYR
NJD
Dallas and the Rangers above the Devils?
Is that because the Devils lost to the Rang.....oh nevermind
Is it because of the Rangers better record against the same teams...oh nevermind
so tell me.....why?
I have the Rangers over the Devils because the Devils goalies have one combined playoff win and a GAA of 4.25 in the playoffs with a .855 save percentage (albeit in a SSS but that's also the point).
And even though Igor right now isn't playing like he did in 2022, he has that gear and ability to steal a game. I'm not sure if Vanecek or Schmid or Blackwood can. Until they do.
I firmly believe elite goalie play is almost essential to winning in the post season and not every goalie has a playoff gear.
No real reason, like I said I never feel like they should win, but they do.
If I had to pinpoint a reason - other than Eichel - lack of stars and also unproven goalies. Traditionally the Stanley Cup winner has stars on it.
COL: MacKinnon, Makar, and more
TBL: Stamkos, Kucherov
WAS: Ovi, etc.
PIT: Crosby, Malkin
CHI: Toews, Kane
I guess you can say the Kings weren't star laden, but Kopitar is a star and so was Quick. Maybe Doughty on the blue line.
Anyway, again, just my opinion.
agreed
I agree with the overall point. Cup winners are driven by elite talents. I'd have to find the exact % but something like 85% of cup winners have one or more top 3 draft picks.
I'm getting strong 2012 flyers/pens vibes from this match up.
They win because they have balanced lines when healthy, a rarity these days for any club
Bruins 47% chance of making the SCF, 35% to win the Cup. That seems insanely high to me. Same with the Avs ranking.
538 - ( New Window )
Bruins 47% chance of making the SCF, 35% to win the Cup. That seems insanely high to me. Same with the Avs ranking. 538 - ( New Window )
Dom Lotsofconsonants at the athletic has them @ 33%. His models are useful for long range predictions but always wrong with the individual player and short series predictions. I can't tell you who will win the Cup but I'm quite confident it won't be the Bruins.
That's interesting. Not sure how Carolina has the highest chance of winning the cup.
I am very concerned about Vanecek right now. He has had 4 rough games in a row now. He has to get right soon if the Devils are to have any chance in the playoffs. Honestly I would prefer to see Schmid more down the stretch. It's not a large sample size but Schmid has been the best goaltender this season for the Devils. Hopefully Vanecek just needs more rest to turn things around.
Rangers odds are way too low. Penguins are way too high.
Amongst other issues lol
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tough loss in regulation for the Devs as they were up with 5 minutes to go. Timo Meier had a rough 3rd period. Give away at the blueline ledt to a shorthander by Marner and then took a careless highstick penalty right after the Leafs tied it that lead to Mathews' PP winner with about 2 minutes left. He did have a couple of great chances where Samsonov absolutely stoned him in the 1st. Samsonov stood on his head in the 1st for some spectacular saves to keep it 0-0 after one. The 3 Leafs-Devs games this year have been great hockey. both teams love to skate and create. It would be fun if they met up in the playoffs.
I am very concerned about Vanecek right now. He has had 4 rough games in a row now. He has to get right soon if the Devils are to have any chance in the playoffs. Honestly I would prefer to see Schmid more down the stretch. It's not a large sample size but Schmid has been the best goaltender this season for the Devils. Hopefully Vanecek just needs more rest to turn things around.
I was a little concerned going into last night. However I though he played well especially in the 2nd period when Toronto really brought it. He didn't have much of a shot on the goals. The Devils coverage and backchecking on the weakside last night was atrocious. On the first goal Tatar was covering the empty area up the slot while leaving Jarnkrok wide open at the far post. On the 3rd goal late Bunting was once again left wide open at the far post for an easy open netter. On the PP winner Mathews was left wide open 10 feet up the slot. That's curtains. The one thing I will say is that Samsonov was left out to dry multiple times as well especially on that sequence in the first where he stoned Jack and then Timo from opposite sides of the net within seconds of each other so he outplayed Vanacek. Also Bratt got stoned on a breakaway in the 3rd. Its uncanny how this team absolutely cannot score on breakaways for all the top end skill they have.
How exactly does anyone come up with Carolina having much better chances than Boston???
Ottawa is an interesting one….they might pass Islanders.
Oh, Pitt won’t make it in either.
Ottawa is an interesting one….they might pass Islanders.
Oh, Pitt won’t make it in either.
Agree with this, however hoping FLA does not make it.
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Buffalo won’t.
Ottawa is an interesting one….they might pass Islanders.
Oh, Pitt won’t make it in either.
Agree with this, however hoping FLA does not make it.
Are you hoping Florida doesn’t make it because you have Florida’s 1st round unprotected draft choice this year? Or do you just dislike Florida like I do?
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In comment 16057309 5BowlsSoon said:
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Buffalo won’t.
Ottawa is an interesting one….they might pass Islanders.
Oh, Pitt won’t make it in either.
Agree with this, however hoping FLA does not make it.
Are you hoping Florida doesn’t make it because you have Florida’s 1st round unprotected draft choice this year? Or do you just dislike Florida like I do?
I like Barkov and Tkachuk but otherwise not a fan of FLA, my feeling though really is because the Habs have their unprotected 1st from the Ben Chiarot trade.
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on moneypuck, but EDM? They're a WC team as of today.
How exactly does anyone come up with Carolina having much better chances than Boston???
As a Bruins fan I can tell you, that the Hurricanes have been the Bruins kryptonite in the playoffs. Maybe that's why.
So, it's not likely they win and all three other games work out too, but I knew they were on a historic pace, but I didn't realize just how historic.
This would be the fastest any team has ever clinched a playoff spot in NHL history.
Everyone else gets abused.
Everyone else gets abused.
What is their weakness? Ulmark not being playoff tested and age of some of their forwards are the only things I can think of and both can be easily overcome.
To be clear, I think they beat Florida in five. But Florida has the potential goaltending and star power to do something. I don't think anyone else has any sort of shot, lol.
To be clear, I think they beat Florida in five. But Florida has the potential goaltending and star power to do something. I don't think anyone else has any sort of shot, lol.
Taylor Hall is on their 3rd line (before going on LTIR). He is a former #1 overall pick and Hart winner who is still just 31 years old. Charlie Coyle was on their 3rd or 4th line. Tyler Bertuzzi is on their 3rd line.
Matt Grzelcyk is on their 3rd D pair.
I don't know I've seen a team with more depth in the past few years.
I was not sold on their D, because I felt like it was McAvoy, Grzelcyk, and Carlo with some question marks, but Lindholm has greatly exceeded my expectations, Orlov adds the veteran I felt like the Rangers should add and Connor Clifton can't even get in the lineup.
The Bruins are a machine right now, - maybe some of this is convincing myself so I don't have to deal with the personal angst if they, my most hated sports rival, win a cup, but objectively I feel like this is all true.
Olivia Reiner
@ReinerOlivia
·
30m
From me and @giana_jade
: Chuck Fletcher is out as Flyers GM and president of hockey ops. Danny Brière has been named interim GM. The Flyers plan to permanently fill two separate roles of GM and president of hockey ops. @PhillyInquirer
Huge loss for them and hockey fans, he's a fun player to watch.
Bad timing too- they could have used his LTIR cap hit to add more at the deadline.
5 is the fewest shots on goal ever in a D1 college hockey game.
Frozen Four is about as hard to win as the Stanley Cup (maybe even harder since it's single elimination), but Quinnipiac has a shot this year.
5 is the fewest shots on goal ever in a D1 college hockey game.
Frozen Four is about as hard to win as the Stanley Cup (maybe even harder since it's single elimination), but Quinnipiac has a shot this year.
B1G semis are tonight too. Ohio St-Michigan at 6:30 and Mich St-Minnesota at 9 both on big ten network. I may tune in to see Luke and Seamus Casey.
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tourneys in full swing. Quinnipiac guaranteed a spot regardless of what happens but in their first quarterfinal (it's best of 3 in ECAC) they outshot Yale 30 - 5.
5 is the fewest shots on goal ever in a D1 college hockey game.
Frozen Four is about as hard to win as the Stanley Cup (maybe even harder since it's single elimination), but Quinnipiac has a shot this year.
B1G semis are tonight too. Ohio St-Michigan at 6:30 and Mich St-Minnesota at 9 both on big ten network. I may tune in to see Luke and Seamus Casey.
That is a great double-header, so many good NHL prospects in those two games.