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)
I went to that Rangers Flyers game on 3/1 and it was packed with Ranger fans (after they got Kane) lol that stupid ass Flyers mascot was booed so loudly. I joined in.
I went to that Rangers Flyers game on 3/1 and it was packed with Ranger fans (after they got Kane) lol that stupid ass Flyers mascot was booed so loudly. I joined in.
for some teams yes, especially eliminated teams where it's now easier for visiting fans to get tickets.
But Rangers fans always travel well and are one of the most popular teams nationally.
NYI 85 points 7 games left
PIT 82 points 9 games left
FLA 79 points 8 games left
it would require a borderline miracle for FLA to catch NYI, but to catch PIT here is what they need.
if PIT goes 5 - 4 the rest of the way
FLA would need to go 6 - 1 - 1 just to tie
Of course PIT could fall apart and go 0 - 9, but just throwing out a decent but not great final 9 from PIT.
Remaining opponents:
PIT: Home (5) NSH,BOS,PHI,MIN,CHI, Away (4) DET,NJD,DET,CBJ
FLA: Home (4) BUF,OTT,CAR,TOR Away (4) TOR,MTL,CBJ,WAS
FLA has their work cut out for them
This is not just a thing in this area. Listening to NHL radio most of the hosts have been looking forward to this being a match-up for months.
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to be a first-round matchup. Highly unlikely that the Devils catch Carolina and even more unlikely the Rangers win the Metro
This is not just a thing in this area. Listening to NHL radio most of the hosts have been looking forward to this being a match-up for months.
Yeah, it's basically been set since December, lol
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In comment 16076654 dpinzow said:
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to be a first-round matchup. Highly unlikely that the Devils catch Carolina and even more unlikely the Rangers win the Metro
This is not just a thing in this area. Listening to NHL radio most of the hosts have been looking forward to this being a match-up for months.
Yeah, it's basically been set since December, lol
Yeah that's the strange thing with the current format. In the East its not rare for the 1st rd matchups to be set for months beforehand like Tor-TB this year and Tor-Boston for years when Tampa was dominating the division.
OT hurts the NYI more than shootouts.
OT/SO
NYR: 10-10/4-2
NJD: 12-8/2-4
NYI: 5-9/0-5
The shootout losses hurt, but the OT losses hurt more.
The Flames have 15 OT/SO losses - it's the difference between playoffs or not.
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wins that NYR have, and only have one less regulation win than NJD has (yes, there's games in hand for both those teams over NYI). It just goes to show how much 3v3 and shootouts can end up affecting the standings.
OT hurts the NYI more than shootouts.
OT/SO
NYR: 10-10/4-2
NJD: 12-8/2-4
NYI: 5-9/0-5
The shootout losses hurt, but the OT losses hurt more.
The Flames have 15 OT/SO losses - it's the difference between playoffs or not.
for the Flames that's also the cost of Gaudreau/Tkachuk vs Huberdeau/Weegar
PIT @DET
that's really it.
EDM and LVG in a battle of playoff teams
and
TBL vs CAR also a battle of playoff teams - with some possible seeding changes
BOS vs NSH in a chance for BOS to clinch Presidents Trophy I believe.
And President's trophy can be a curse but the winning team gets 350k (I believe) for winning it - to be split among players and personnel - so not a big payout, but I have read in the past many players forgo this payout giving more to the extended staff.
Not sure if BOS will do that.
Could have been a dagger.
Big game:
FLA @TOR
Other games:
NYI @WAS -WAS on life support
MIN @COL -a ton of skill in this game
That's it for today...
Nugent-Hopkins is very likely to put up a 100 point season. he is 6th in the league right now with 96 points (off his 5 point game yesterday).
EDM has 3 of the top 6 point producers and even with a slow finish by RNH will have 3 of the top 10.
And likely will wind up with 4 players over 80 points.
The Bruins will probably end up with 1 player over 80 points and may set the modern record for wins and points.
@spittinchiclets
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3m
4 Year $4.4375M AAV extension for Chytil✍️
Gave up the tying goal in the final minute and lost in OT to FLA.
NYI beat WAS basically ensuring WC2 is a battle between just PIT and FLA.
Today, FLA visits MTL, and MTL has a chance to help themselves out, though undermanned, I still expect them to try.
PIT in action too, against NSH who is fresh off a W over BOS and NSH suddenly still alive for WC2 in the West. Never know if it's good or bad when a team "sells" at the deadline and then makes the playoffs. Yeah, it's nice to get in, but if you didn't sell could you have won in the playoffs? Did you panic and let your team and fans down or did you just over-perform if there is such a thing down the stretch?
No other games with real playoff implications tonight except SEA hosting ANA - and SEA is one of the teams NSH is battling for WC2
I'm not a big fan of Ruff as a coach, but this should show at least the NYR defensive woes under Ruff were not on the "defense coach" - which I still don't really know what that role does except maybe define the pairs and line changes.
@MeghanChayka
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15h
Had to take a peak at the @NJDevils
year over year.
I'm not a big fan of Ruff as a coach, but this should show at least the NYR defensive woes under Ruff were not on the "defense coach" - which I still don't really know what that role does except maybe define the pairs and line changes.
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Meghan Chayka
@MeghanChayka
·
15h
Had to take a peak at the @NJDevils
year over year.
Great post PJ thanks. Yeah Jay and I have made our feelings clear on Ruff, however he needs to get credit for this season. When the team loses the coach gets the blame so when they win he needs to get credit. The advance stats totally prove what Jay and I said last year all season. If the Devils can just get league average goaltending they could win. The GT was basically league worst last year. Well this year its basically league avg by expected save % and vauala. Now I don't think Jay and I thought we'd be this good, but it shows how important GT is.
Also an interesting point on tanking and lottery position. The year the Devils won Jack in the lottery in game 82 they beat Florida in OT on a Zajac goal and we were all pulling our hair out because we passed a team in the standings by winning that game (I believe it was LA but I may be wrong). Well it turns out that won the lottery for us because that position came up in the ball machine. Now I know its a bit different now because they have increased the odds for the worst team winning the lottery, but its just something to keep in mind when you start wringing your hands over winning a game here late.
but I doubt he hurt the Rangers defense. I believe it's the head coach who defines "the system" and it's not like the NFL with an OC and DC, it's one system that includes the forwards and D acting in conjunction.
teams have unique PP's and PK's and set plays off faceoffs, but I don't think the D coach says "D - do this" and the forward coach has the forwards do something else.
The funniest comment I heard about this came from Eric Staal (? one of the Staals) who refused to wear a shirt this year, but has in the past and when asked by someone about the change in heart he claimed the prior time he thought it was "skittles night" he was not aware it was pride night.
Gave up the tying goal in the final minute and lost in OT to FLA.
NYI beat WAS basically ensuring WC2 is a battle between just PIT and FLA.
Today, FLA visits MTL, and MTL has a chance to help themselves out, though undermanned, I still expect them to try.
PIT in action too, against NSH who is fresh off a W over BOS and NSH suddenly still alive for WC2 in the West. Never know if it's good or bad when a team "sells" at the deadline and then makes the playoffs. Yeah, it's nice to get in, but if you didn't sell could you have won in the playoffs? Did you panic and let your team and fans down or did you just over-perform if there is such a thing down the stretch?
No other games with real playoff implications tonight except SEA hosting ANA - and SEA is one of the teams NSH is battling for WC2
Hey PJ, I didn’t see the game last night but my brother tells me Giordano’s penalty with 2 minutes left in the game was not his fault and almost saved the game for the Leafs. I was shaking my head over that comment because Fl scored a PP goal after pulling the goalie combined with the man advantage…it was 6 skaters vs. 4 skaters….Florida pressure for over a minute finally broke through.
Is my brother right? Was it a good penalty and would Fl have scored if Giordano didn’t hook the Fl guy? If you didn’t see the game, never mind…..
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came up small, as usual, if i didn't know better I'd say it was intentional to try and screw the Habs, but TOR has a mentally weak history going back quite a while now.
Gave up the tying goal in the final minute and lost in OT to FLA.
NYI beat WAS basically ensuring WC2 is a battle between just PIT and FLA.
Today, FLA visits MTL, and MTL has a chance to help themselves out, though undermanned, I still expect them to try.
PIT in action too, against NSH who is fresh off a W over BOS and NSH suddenly still alive for WC2 in the West. Never know if it's good or bad when a team "sells" at the deadline and then makes the playoffs. Yeah, it's nice to get in, but if you didn't sell could you have won in the playoffs? Did you panic and let your team and fans down or did you just over-perform if there is such a thing down the stretch?
No other games with real playoff implications tonight except SEA hosting ANA - and SEA is one of the teams NSH is battling for WC2
Hey PJ, I didn’t see the game last night but my brother tells me Giordano’s penalty with 2 minutes left in the game was not his fault and almost saved the game for the Leafs. I was shaking my head over that comment because Fl scored a PP goal after pulling the goalie combined with the man advantage…it was 6 skaters vs. 4 skaters….Florida pressure for over a minute finally broke through.
Is my brother right? Was it a good penalty and would Fl have scored if Giordano didn’t hook the Fl guy? If you didn’t see the game, never mind…..
I was watching the game, but not closely. I honestly could not say if the call was bad or not, if you find your brother to be fair about things and generally not a homer (assuming he's a Leafs fan) I'd trust him on it.
Quote:
In comment 16078173 pjcas18 said:
Quote:
came up small, as usual, if i didn't know better I'd say it was intentional to try and screw the Habs, but TOR has a mentally weak history going back quite a while now.
Gave up the tying goal in the final minute and lost in OT to FLA.
NYI beat WAS basically ensuring WC2 is a battle between just PIT and FLA.
Today, FLA visits MTL, and MTL has a chance to help themselves out, though undermanned, I still expect them to try.
PIT in action too, against NSH who is fresh off a W over BOS and NSH suddenly still alive for WC2 in the West. Never know if it's good or bad when a team "sells" at the deadline and then makes the playoffs. Yeah, it's nice to get in, but if you didn't sell could you have won in the playoffs? Did you panic and let your team and fans down or did you just over-perform if there is such a thing down the stretch?
No other games with real playoff implications tonight except SEA hosting ANA - and SEA is one of the teams NSH is battling for WC2
Hey PJ, I didn’t see the game last night but my brother tells me Giordano’s penalty with 2 minutes left in the game was not his fault and almost saved the game for the Leafs. I was shaking my head over that comment because Fl scored a PP goal after pulling the goalie combined with the man advantage…it was 6 skaters vs. 4 skaters….Florida pressure for over a minute finally broke through.
Is my brother right? Was it a good penalty and would Fl have scored if Giordano didn’t hook the Fl guy? If you didn’t see the game, never mind…..
I was watching the game, but not closely. I honestly could not say if the call was bad or not, if you find your brother to be fair about things and generally not a homer (assuming he's a Leafs fan) I'd trust him on it.
Trusting my older brother is not always an easy thing….I’m just can’t understand why he would not provide details as to why I should feel good about a guy getting a penalty with 2+ minutes left that would give FL a 2 man advantage when they pull the goalie. All he would say is “his penalty saved us a goal”…..when I asked him to be more specific, he wouldn’t. He wasn’t saying it was a bad call by the ref….he was saying Giordano saved a goal by hooking that FL player.
My brother loves Gio so much, I don’t think it’s possible for him to be unbiased, so I was merely looking to hear an “objective” perspective. The discussion started when i found fault with his man for getting a penalty with a little over 2 minutes remaining. He took,issue with that remark.
No big deal….just two brothers doing what brothers do…not agree….
Fantilli - (2023 draft eligible), projected to go just after Bedard, plays for Michigan next weekend in the Frozen Four
Cooley (2022 #3 ARI) plays for Minnesota next weekend in the Frozen Four
Knies (2021 #57 TOR) plays for Minnesota next weekend in the Frozen Four
I do think it will wind up Minnesota (vs BU) vs Michigan (vs Quinnipiac) in the finals and this has got to be a record if that happens (I hope it doesn't) for the three Hobey Baker finalists to be on the ice together for the National Title.
FLA and PIT both won last night
Panthers have 6 left Pens have 7 and a 1 point lead.
this will come down to the wire.
Season ends April 14th, but neither PIT or FLA play the final day, they both end the day before.
It may come down to Thursday the 13th
CAR @FLA (with CAR likely having nothing to play for)
PIT @CBJ (with CBJ obviously having nothing to play for except maybe last place)
Didn't expect that. Good to see he has sorted out his COVID issues. He will reportedly decide on his future after the season.
And it's a big one. If there is an obvious day FLA will over take PIT it is today.
PIT vs BOS
FLA @ CBJ
Just 1 pt separate the two teams. PIT has a game in hand but the harder schedule (and the worse team)
Other games of note (and also notable only 1 team in the West has clinched a playoff spot LVG)
EDM, on fire since I started this thread, can clinch today.
CAL and WIN turned into a real WC battle. I guess that CAL and FLA personnel swap wound up about neutral all things considered since both teams are in similar situation fighting for the final WC spot). Neither one is active today, but both play tomorrow.
Yeah me too, so I thought that I meant I could use the word to indicate this is the second to last Saturday of the season.
if not, that's what this is, lol.
@NHLdotcom
·
12s
Mathew Barzal will skate this weekend for the first time since sustaining a lower-body injury.
If he is in any kind of hockey shape this changes things. that #2 seed is not that desirable IMO if NYI are locked in as the #7 in the first place, but with a healthy Barzal it gets worse.
Currently at 144 points, could become the first player with 150 points since Lemieux in 1995-1996 and become just the 6th player to eclipse the elusive 150 point mark (Gretzky (9 times), Lemieux (4 times) and Espo, Yzerman and Nicholls once each)
* and holy shit at Gretzky doing it 9 times.
If he hits 65 goals (4 more) it would be the highest season goal total since Ovi's 65 in 2007-2008
He needs to win in the post-season to cement his legacy.
NSH now 3 pts behind WIN with a game in hand.
Tough to leapfrog them and CAL is in between but as a deadline "seller" it's a lot to be positive about as a fan
Pasta had a hat trick, 56 goals for him now on the season and if McDavid weren't in the league Pasta would be in the running for a lot of awards that he won't get now. I bet people said that a lot in the Gretzky era.
Pasta had a hat trick, 56 goals for him now on the season and if McDavid weren't in the league Pasta would be in the running for a lot of awards that he won't get now. I bet people said that a lot in the Gretzky era.
I was thinking about this the other day. I felt bad for Jack Hughes because if McDavid stays healthy Hughes will never win an MVP award.
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loses their game in hand today as they lost to BOS 4-3. after tying it up 3 times a clearing attempt with 2 min left hit the ref and wound up on Pasta's stick for the go ahead with 2 min left. Pens couldn't tie it back up.
Pasta had a hat trick, 56 goals for him now on the season and if McDavid weren't in the league Pasta would be in the running for a lot of awards that he won't get now. I bet people said that a lot in the Gretzky era.
I was thinking about this the other day. I felt bad for Jack Hughes because if McDavid stays healthy Hughes will never win an MVP award.
Good news for Hughes is he's 5 years younger than McDavid so if Hughes elevates a little and stays consistent maybe the torch gets passed. Pastrnak and McDavid are the same age.
Hughes might get snubbed by McDavid and then Bedard (obviously some projection on Bedard and actually, lol, this whole post has a lot of projection) - but if that happens Hughes has a case for worst timing for a career.
PIT re-gained their GIH and use it today vs PHI, do or die, PIT loses that game it could be the coup de grace.
NYI vs CAR in what could be a 1st round playoff matchup on the schedule today
NJD can catch CAR, closing that gap to 1 point (CAR has a GIH)
BOS can get their 60th win today, they are just a juggernaut who hopefully has peaked in the regular season.
NHL record for most wins in a seasons is 62 (1995 DET, and 2018 TBL), BOS need to win 4 of their final 6 to set the record.
Yeah I agree not that Boston is terrified of anyone especially in the 1st Rd, but Florida does present the toughest matchup talent wise that they'd be looking at.
If they were being honest I'd say every playoff team is hoping FLA doesn't get in.
One win closer, though this highlights a false historical comparison since there was no shootout prior to 2005.
Either way that team is a machine. they rest players, they have a couple on LTIR, doesn't matter.
Shot from the slot over the net off the glass rebounds back toward play and off the goalies back and in the net.
link - ( New Window )
I would not be confident if I were a Pens fan right now.
EAST
NYI 87pts 78 games played (vs TBL, vs PHI, @WAS, vs MTL 4/12 finish)
PIT 86pts 77 games played (@NJD, vs MIN, @DET, vs CHI, @CBJ 4/13 finish)
FLA 85pts 77 games played (vs BUF, vs OTT, @WAS, vs TOR, vs CAR 4/13 finish)
WEST
SEA 90pts 75 games played (vs ARI, @VAN, vs ARI, vs CHI, @ARI, @LVG, vs LVG 4/13 finish)
WIN 89pts 77 games played (vs CAL, vs NSH, vs SJS, @ MIN, @ COL 4/13 finish)
CAL 87pts 77 games played (vs CHI, @WIN, @VAN, vs NSH, vs SJS 4/12 finish)
NSH 84pts 75 games played (@DAL, vs LVG, vs CAR, @WIN, @CAL, vs MIN, vs COL 4/14 finish)
Both PIT and FLA will need to earn it IMO.