NFT: NHL Thread - the stretch run

In comment 16083536 BH28 said:

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If the devils can beat Boston on Saturday, Carolina becomes even in games on Monday. If they are still within a point after Monday, they have a shot at the Metro, IMO.

As a hockey fan, you'd have to want the Devils to win the division, right?

If Isles keep WC1 it becomes a local battle and then you have Carolina vs NYR which is a phenomenal series. If Rangers win, the 2nd round also becomes an all NY/NJ affair

coming up (Captain obvious?) the final weekend of the season. Regular season ends a week from today.

Here is how things stand:

EAST
Atlantic (wrapped up - no more movement)
BOS: 127 pts clinched president's trophy/ 1 Seed
TOR: 103 pts clinched home ice vs TBL
TBL: 96 pts clinched Atlantic 3 seed

Metro (the three teams are locked, but seeding is not)
CAR: 109pts 4 games left
NJD: 108pts 3 games left
NYR: 104pts 3 games left

Wild Card
FLA: 89pts 3 games left
NYI: 89pts 3 games left
PIT: 88pts 3 games left
BUF: on life support 83 pts 5 games left

WEST
Central (teams are locked, seeds are not)
COL: 100pts 5 games left
DAL: 100pts 4 games left
MIN: 98pts 4 games left

Pacific
LVG: 106pts 3 games left
EDM: 103pts 3 games left
LAK: 100pts 3 games left

Wild card:
SEA: 96pts 4 games left (could still sneak into pacific 3 seed)
WIN: 89pts 4 games left
CAL: 89pts 3 games left
NSH: 88pts 4 games left

the WC battles will be fun to watch

Big games Sat (no games today and just a couple mostly inconsequential games Sunday unless Boston ties the wins record on Sunday - then good for them):
SAT
CAR @BUF
PIT @DET
NSH @WIN
FLA @WAS
PHI @NYI
NJD @BOS (NJD for division, BOS for wins/pts record)
CAL @VAN
CHI @SEA
COL @LAK

Checking for official confirmation that Luke Hughes has signed with the Devils.

In comment 16083710 Jay on the Island said:

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Checking for official confirmation that Luke Hughes has signed with the Devils.

I was wondering what he would do. He (Hughes), Fantilli, McGroarty, Brindley, Duke, Casey, Nazar, etc.

would they try and go back after a disappointing end to the season and try and win a title or go pro. Knies and Faber went back to win a title and they're a game away from doing it.

In comment 16083710 Jay on the Island said:

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Checking for official confirmation that Luke Hughes has signed with the Devils.

Haha same here Jay. I know Columbus put nothing in the neighborhood of an NHL product on the ice last night but good to see Jack flying again. He's at 95 points now. He'll get Elias' 96 point Devils record, but I'd love to see him go off the last 3 games, get 5 points and amazingly only be the first Devil to get to 100. with a 4 point lead on the Rangers its looking real good for 2nd. I do think they have a legit shot at 1st if Carolina loses in Buffalo tomorrow afternoon. It will take beating Boston though. After that we finish with Buffalo home and away Washington. Carolina without Svesh has struggled to score. I think the Rangers would 100x rather see them in the 1st rd over the Devs.

Tuesday they lose at home in regulation to the AHL Blackhawks, then waltz into Winnipeg the next night and take out the Jets 3-1. They have lost a bunch of games this year in mind numbing fashion. Whomever grabs WC2 them, the Jets or even Nashville will be no picnic for the 1 seed Vegas or Edmonton. Nasville and Winnipeg have elite goaltending, and Calgary has all kinds of talent. the juicy part about the 3 team race is the Nashville has a game left against both Winnipeg and Calgary. The WC races in both conferences are really good.

In comment 16083770 Stu11 said:

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In comment 16083710 Jay on the Island said: Quote: Checking for official confirmation that Luke Hughes has signed with the Devils. Haha same here Jay. I know Columbus put nothing in the neighborhood of an NHL product on the ice last night but good to see Jack flying again. He's at 95 points now. He'll get Elias' 96 point Devils record, but I'd love to see him go off the last 3 games, get 5 points and amazingly only be the first Devil to get to 100. with a 4 point lead on the Rangers its looking real good for 2nd. I do think they have a legit shot at 1st if Carolina loses in Buffalo tomorrow afternoon. It will take beating Boston though. After that we finish with Buffalo home and away Washington. Carolina without Svesh has struggled to score. I think the Rangers would 100x rather see them in the 1st rd over the Devs.

Luke is coming up tomorrow per NJ.com

probably the equivalent to moving day in a golf tournament.

Here are the notable games

CAR @BUF
PIT @DET

ANA @ ARI (last place implications)
NSH @WIN
FLA @WAS
PHI @NYI
NJD @BOS
CAL @VAN
COL @LAK


Plus not to mention the NCAA Frozen Four National Championship between Quinnipiac and Minnesota 8pm on ESPN2 and streaming on the ESPN app

3rd round of the masters

and a full slate of NBA and MLB games, other than October when all sports (including NFL) are in action and MLB playoffs are going on, this is the best time of the sports year.

for hockey fans, we're less than 2 weeks away from the start of the WJC U18 in Switzerland (I think?) where fans get a first glimpse of the upcoming prospects and some who will be drafted this June.

I think the Tkachuk's are the current best hockey brothers, but the Hughes can pass them if Luke is the goods.

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x - New Jersey Devils @NJDevils Good morning.

participate in Olympics again the Hughes and Tkachuk's could be a brother line for USA.

I have no idea how the Devils will incorporate Luke Hughes into the lineup but hopefully this ends any chance of Brendan Smith playing in the playoffs.

I hope that they seriously consider benching Wood and going with a 11-7 lineup with Luke Hughes as the 7th. Use him in offensive situations and on the power play.

First time in NHL history 32 teams play on the same day. Kaprizov return for Minnesota. NHL.com did a story where all 16 games have either playoff or seeding implications or personal performance record type importance. Over 12 hours of non stop hockey starts at 12:30 with Carolina-Buffalo. Triple header on ABC- Pittsburgh-Det, then Vegas-Dallas with NJ-Boston the nightcap.

this. I guess there was no day last year or yet this year.

TSN
@TSN_Sports
·
1m
For the first time in NHL history all 32 teams will be playing on the same day!

Is these few games burn a year of his ELC. However it's really exciting to see him here finally.

In comment 16084249 Stu11 said:

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Is these few games burn a year of his ELC. However it's really exciting to see him here finally.

If he is as good as expected then I think the Devils will lock him up early anyway just as they did Jack.

In comment 16084249 Stu11 said:

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Is these few games burn a year of his ELC. However it's really exciting to see him here finally.

Pretty standard for players his age. His ELC can't slide so if he can help this year/playoffs you add him. The playoff experience alone is worth it.

Think of McAvoy as a good comp for Hughes - in contract/age terms, the Bruins lost a year of his ELC for 6 playoff games - and it was the right decision.

In comment 16084249 Stu11 said:

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Is these few games burn a year of his ELC. However it's really exciting to see him here finally.

Wouldn't he need to play 9 games for it to burn the year? ;)

In comment 16084259 JayBinQueens said:

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In comment 16084249 Stu11 said: Quote: Is these few games burn a year of his ELC. However it's really exciting to see him here finally. Wouldn't he need to play 9 games for it to burn the year? ;)

No as PJ mentioned he's at the age where you can't slide a year any more. The 9 game thing is only for 18and 19 year olds (19 year olds depending on the month)

In comment 16084262 Stu11 said:

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In comment 16084259 JayBinQueens said: Quote: In comment 16084249 Stu11 said: Quote: Is these few games burn a year of his ELC. However it's really exciting to see him here finally. Wouldn't he need to play 9 games for it to burn the year? ;) No as PJ mentioned he's at the age where you can't slide a year any more. The 9 game thing is only for 18and 19 year olds (19 year olds depending on the month)

yep, it's as of age of September 15th, and Luke turns 20 before then, so it cannot slide.

I wonder if he's going to play tonight.

In comment 16084277 Jay on the Island said:

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I wonder if he's going to play tonight.

I hope he does, really little downside to getting him as many reps as possible before playoffs, IMO

looks so happy at practice today.

Luke Hughes will not play tonight.

In comment 16084262 Stu11 said:

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In comment 16084259 JayBinQueens said: Quote: In comment 16084249 Stu11 said: Quote: Is these few games burn a year of his ELC. However it's really exciting to see him here finally. Wouldn't he need to play 9 games for it to burn the year? ;) No as PJ mentioned he's at the age where you can't slide a year any more. The 9 game thing is only for 18and 19 year olds (19 year olds depending on the month)

Ah interesting.

Either way I think you have to find him ice time

Taylor Hall back for BOS

Kaprizov back for MIN

Adam Fantilli wins Hobey Baker - so no shot for Knies or Cooley to win the Hobey Baker and National title same year. A few have done it, I think the player who did and became the biggest star was Kariya with Maine. And he played with one of my high school teammates (who also went pro following the National title game, though he was far less famous, but such a good player and even better person).

So if the Devs beat Boston tonight they move into first though Carolina still would have a game in hand. Pitt cruising 5-1 in the 3rd vs Detroit.

Penguins vs Red Wings. Good. Because I have clams on this one lol

Damn it though I want to see Pittsburgh and Washington miss the playoffs the same year. End of an era.

In comment 16084374 Route 9 said:

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Penguins vs Red Wings. Good. Because I have clams on this one lol Damn it though I want to see Pittsburgh and Washington miss the playoffs the same year. End of an era.

FLA and NYI have a cakewalk (today at least).

So the #1 just plays the #4 WC and #2 and #3 play each other on each side?

In comment 16084372 Stu11 said:

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So if the Devs beat Boston tonight they move into first though Carolina still would have a game in hand. Pitt cruising 5-1 in the 3rd vs Detroit.

I would love to see the Devils win the division and play Pittsburgh in the first round.

In comment 16084379 Route 9 said:

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So the #1 just plays the #4 WC and #2 and #3 play each other on each side?

Yeah.

#1 seed (Bruins) plays #8 seed (WC2), #2 seed (whoever wins the Metro) plays #7 seed (WC1)

then 2nd and 3rd in each division play each other.

draft goes it's viewed as a down year when you take a D #1 overall.

and gun to my head if I had BUF's #1 pick in 2018 I *may* take Tkachuk or Svechnikov at #1 but man Dahlin has really turned into a star.

I mean if Bobby Orr is the guy at 1 it's not a let down, but it usually means there is no Crosby, McDavid, Matthews, Bedard, etc but no regerts if I'm BUF right now with Dahlin. He's legit and a win as a draft pick IMO.

And my way of thinking about it could be a little off too.

Oh yeah forgot the Wings have the record for the most wins in a season, 1996. A year they did not win the SC. When hockey was great.

Very entertaining game as usual for Buffalo. Right before Mittlestadt tied it for Buffalo, Dahlin saved a sure goal coming out of nowhere to block a shot on a wide open net. He had 3 more points today including a ppg for 72 now on the season. Man what a year he's had. Took a few years, but what a race it's gonna be between Dahlin/Fox/Makar for the Norris year in year out.

Dahlin a great example why Rangers fans should shut the fuck up about Kakko/Laf. :)

Does Karlsson take Norris this year?

In comment 16084419 BrettNYG10 said:

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Dahlin a great example why Rangers fans should shut the fuck up about Kakko/Laf. :) Does Karlsson take Norris this year?

I think so....in a landslide.

100 pts from blue line (with two more points), and the gap is so far to Hamilton (and others).

He would be the first 100 point defenseman in 30+ years (since Leetch had 102 in 1991-1992 if I searched correctly). Josi had 96 points last year but lost to Makar - who had 86. Closest to Karlsson is Hamilton with 73.

and an assist (so far) McDavid hit the 150 point mark.

the NHL Center Ice package is worth it just to get to see McDavid.

I know Edmonton is not exactly hockey's version of [insert city from any sport where no one gets to see the players play], but for his sake and for hockey's sake I hope he forces a trade out of Edmonton.

In comment 16084428 pjcas18 said:

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In comment 16084419 BrettNYG10 said: Quote: Dahlin a great example why Rangers fans should shut the fuck up about Kakko/Laf. :) Does Karlsson take Norris this year? I think so....in a landslide. 100 pts from blue line (with two more points), and the gap is so far to Hamilton (and others). He would be the first 100 point defenseman in 30+ years (since Leetch had 102 in 1991-1992 if I searched correctly). Josi had 96 points last year but lost to Makar - who had 86. Closest to Karlsson is Hamilton with 73.

They need to separate the awards for defensemen already. One for top offensive and one for best defensive.

Karlsson having a great season offensively but the few games I've seen him, he's made some really bad defensive plays

Josi case last year. Makar was better defensively, enough to overcome the 10 point gap he had behind Josi.

I think this year though Karlsson is so far beyond anyone else offensively he gets it no matter how bad his D.

Just my 2c.

Scott Wheeler
@scottcwheeler
·
6h
Between the World Juniors and the WHL regular season and playoffs, Connor Bedard has scored 90 goals in 69 games this season.

That’s goals.

puck drop now....

Biggest regular season game for us in 5 years and the idiot start friggen Blackwood. So of course it's 2-0 already. Un-fuckingbelievable

Why the hell wouldn't you throw Blackwood in vs Columbus and their AHL lineup?

leapfrogs MTL by a point with the OT win vs ANA (if MTL doesn't come back from 3 down vs TOR.

With two games left each.

In comment 16084522 Stu11 said:

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Biggest regular season game for us in 5 years and the idiot start friggen Blackwood. So of course it's 2-0 already. Un-fuckingbelievable

Dude I said the same thing to my cousin. Vanecek had yesterday off and they don’t play until Tuesday why the hell would he play Blackwood with first place on the line against the best team in the NHL???

And at least they got out of the 1st period with their heads attached at 2-1. The Bruins are flying with 22 shots. This is a great dress rehearsal for the playoffs for the Devils. The Bruins are playing at a different level right now and the young Devils have to up their game if they wanna compete.

so far in Tampa.

Minnesota all the talent, Quinnipiac hanging tough though.

2 - 1 Minnesota after 2.

deals NSH a blow in their h2h WC battle.

WIN wins 2 - 0.

up 3 pts with 3 games to play (and CAL in the mix)

Tanner Jeannot injured in TBL, that massive trade (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th round picks) may be wasted (for this year at least). Jeannot hasn't been dominant, but TOR catches a break.

NYI look to be on cruise control vs PHI, up 3 with under 10 left.

FLA locked in a battle - 2 - 2 tied @ WAS. Losing that could be a disaster.

pulls it out, they control their destiny with two games left.