NFT: NHL Playoffs are here! Starts tonight

Leafs finally make it out of the first round.

Dallas & EDM in the Western Conference Final.

Any East predictions would be too influenced by bias (LGI!)

Glad they avoided the b's although I would have loved to see them with a chance to make the best regular season in NHL history an afterthought.

Edmonton over Colorado

and Boston over NJ.

Boston wins it all.

Carolina after they swept us in the second round in 2019.

Having said that......

Boston beats Toronto and Colorado beats Dallas.

Boston wins the cup in 6

of the Rangers chances. Check the records for the last 60 games of the regular season. They were pretty damn good.
Can't see anyone stopping Boston (barring injury of course)

In comment 16090165 JayBinQueens said:

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Leafs finally make it out of the first round. Dallas & EDM in the Western Conference Final. Any East predictions would be too influenced by bias (LGI!)

I think the Leafs could take out Tampa this year, too.

In comment 16090183 Dave on the UWS said:

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of the Rangers chances. Check the records for the last 60 games of the regular season. They were pretty damn good. Can't see anyone stopping Boston (barring injury of course)

FWIW, Barry Melrose said today the one team in the East that could knock off the Bruins are the Rangers. I don't think the Bruins are invincible and the Panthers are not going to lay down in this series against them, either.

and will be fucking nervous until the playoffs are no more. Hopefully for the Rangers that's well into June. That's all I got.

Go Canes! Beat the Fish Sticks! LOL

East-Rangers vs Boston
West-Colorado vs Edmonton

Colorado vs Rangers

Colorado in a heartbreaker for me (7 games)

Sorry I am a Ranger fan so I am completely bias and hope we go through the Devils, Islanders, and Boston. Settle all family business this playoffs.

In comment 16090196 larryflower37 said:

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East-Rangers vs Boston West-Colorado vs Edmonton Colorado vs Rangers Colorado in a heartbreaker for me (7 games) Sorry I am a Ranger fan so I am completely bias and hope we go through the Devils, Islanders, and Boston. Settle all family business this playoffs.

I am a Rangers fan that is so down on this team and I can't really understand why. They have played well over the last 60 games, but I just can't see a long run this post-season. Desperately hope I am wrong--there is nothing like a hockey run in the playoffs. Just some of the most fun you can get out of sports.

a bit pessimistic considering the East this year is a gauntlet.

In comment 16090202 Essex said:

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In comment 16090196 larryflower37 said: Quote: East-Rangers vs Boston West-Colorado vs Edmonton Colorado vs Rangers Colorado in a heartbreaker for me (7 games) Sorry, I am a Ranger fan so I am completely biased and hope we go through the Devils, Islanders, and Boston. Settle all family business these playoffs. I am a Rangers fan that is so down on this team and I can't really understand why. They have played well over the last 60 games, but I can't see a long run this post-season. I desperately hope I am wrong--there is nothing like a hockey run in the playoffs. Just some of the most fun you can get out of sports.

Damn, I agree but I think this team is better suited for playoff hockey. Boston is the only team that really scares me with that said it is a gauntlet to get to the finals.
Crazy that in the first 2 series, they could get to sleep in their own beds every night.

I never expect the Rangers to win it because of their history, but I sure hope they do. And I think they have a legit chance.

FWIW, both Brooks and Walker in the NYP have the Bs beating the Rangers in 7 in the East finals.

!!

In comment 16090211 larryflower37 said:

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In comment 16090202 Essex said: Quote: In comment 16090196 larryflower37 said: Quote: East-Rangers vs Boston West-Colorado vs Edmonton Colorado vs Rangers Colorado in a heartbreaker for me (7 games) Sorry, I am a Ranger fan so I am completely biased and hope we go through the Devils, Islanders, and Boston. Settle all family business these playoffs. I am a Rangers fan that is so down on this team and I can't really understand why. They have played well over the last 60 games, but I can't see a long run this post-season. I desperately hope I am wrong--there is nothing like a hockey run in the playoffs. Just some of the most fun you can get out of sports. Damn, I agree but I think this team is better suited for playoff hockey. Boston is the only team that really scares me with that said it is a gauntlet to get to the finals. Crazy that in the first 2 series, they could get to sleep in their own beds every night.

If the Rangers advance this year, it would be of benefit for them to not have to go 7 games every series. It eventually caught up to them vs Tampa last year. I'm a little anxious for this series vs the Devils. I don't like how the Rangers played since they clinched a playoff spot.

Pumped for tonight.
Hoping it's the start of a deep run.

But Devs make it there at least!
Best playoff format of any sport.

LGR!!

....having some issues with the flu running thru the locker room. Bergeron is in doubt for tonight, also has an injury of some sort.

Will be interesting to see how the Bruins fare playing a team over a 4-7 game series. Does their depth wear down the other team or do teams find weaknesses to exploit.

And yes Ulmark is the best goalie in the league this year but he doesn't have a playoff win career wise...plus he's got some injury or flu too. As does the backup Swayman.

Going to be a great playoff overall, esp in the East.

After carefully analyzing everyone’s weaknesses and strengths I have determined the below team to be the winner of the East….

The TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS!

I know some of you are wondering how I cannot anoint the Bruins, the obvious choice….but to my recollection their goalie has never won a playoff game and has the flu….this could affect him these first two games at least. Toronto is healthy and brimming with confidence. Oh, 4 other reasons….

Matthews
Marner
Taveras
Nylander

I don’t think they have said yet, but they have a goalie named WOLL who is the next big thing. I expect Sammy to start, but if he falters, watch for the Big Woll! You heard it here first….

Go Leafs Go!

Bruins in 5
Leafs in 6
Canes in 6
Rangers in 6

Knights in 6
Oilers in 7
Avalanche in 5
Wild in 7

Heavily biased Rangers over Bruins in the ECF
Oilers over Wild in WCF

Rangers over Oilers for the Cup

I know next to nothing about the NHL, but there's some so called 'Presidents' Trophy' curse, or so I read on The Athletic.

It'd be cool if the Oilers won. That one guy of theirs is amazing. Playoff hockey is awesome though. Very intense.

...is just plain stupid. They do it in all sports and I wish it would stop already.

In comment 16090449 Pete in CO said:

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...is just plain stupid. They do it in all sports and I wish it would stop already.

***...i mean interviewing coaches during the game.

In comment 16090411 SFGFNCGiantsFan said:

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I know next to nothing about the NHL, but there's some so called 'Presidents' Trophy' curse, or so I read on The Athletic. It'd be cool if the Oilers won. That one guy of theirs is amazing. Playoff hockey is awesome though. Very intense.

Yep, it's awarded to the best regular season team

with 1 of the worst calls on the islanders leads to a pp goal.

In comment 16090411 SFGFNCGiantsFan said:

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I know next to nothing about the NHL, but there's some so called 'Presidents' Trophy' curse, or so I read on The Athletic. It'd be cool if the Oilers won. That one guy of theirs is amazing. Playoff hockey is awesome though. Very intense.

I agree 100%, nothing like playoff hockey

to wake up and see the Kings beat the Oilers 4-3 in OT. I went to bed late last night in the 3rd period of that game with the Oilers being up 3-1 late 3rd period.

In comment 16090456 Pete in CO said:

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In comment 16090449 Pete in CO said: Quote: ...is just plain stupid. They do it in all sports and I wish it would stop already. ***...i mean interviewing coaches during the game.

Agreed. It adds nothing to the broadcast. I hate when coaches/players are interviewed during the game in any sport.

but did not play a great game at all offensively. Hope for a better effort game 2. Dallas-Minnesota game was excellent. Watched until almost 2am and am paying the price today.

for the most of the third period. Carolina's defense really is suffocating. Isles are going to have to shoot the puck a lot, even some low pct% shots, and crash the net hard. It'll lead to some CAR breakaways I'm sure, but they aren't going to be able to win the series playing more games like Game 1.

and only hung on 2-1. ranta played great, their d was really good, they got the better whistle, barzal was rusty and blew 2 great chances, nelson was mostly invisible and missed a golden one at the end.

2 pretty evenly matched teams imo, will hopefully be a fun series that goes the distance.

In comment 16090631 Eric on Li said:

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and only hung on 2-1. ranta played great, their d was really good, they got the better whistle, barzal was rusty and blew 2 great chances, nelson was mostly invisible and missed a golden one at the end. 2 pretty evenly matched teams imo, will hopefully be a fun series that goes the distance.

It looked more like a 4/5 matchup than it did a 2/7. Need to get 1 on Wednesday

Ullmark looked fine to me. In fact, no one was out with the flu. Bergeron was hurt in the last game of the season.

Carolina is too strong for Isles. Isles will be competitive but lose by one goal every game. Sorry, that’s how I see it.

In comment 16090727 5BowlsSoon said:

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Ullmark looked fine to me. In fact, no one was out with the flu. Bergeron was hurt in the last game of the season. Carolina is too strong for Isles. Isles will be competitive but lose by one goal every game. Sorry, that’s how I see it.

The Bruins were flopping around the ice like a bunch of flounders and the refs ate it up, 2 PP's in the first 5 min. Too much to overcome - especially with Lyon, who actually played great - so not pinning game 1 on him, giving up a back breaking softie on the Marchand shot.

In comment 16090730 pjcas18 said:

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In comment 16090727 5BowlsSoon said: Quote: Ullmark looked fine to me. In fact, no one was out with the flu. Bergeron was hurt in the last game of the season. Carolina is too strong for Isles. Isles will be competitive but lose by one goal every game. Sorry, that’s how I see it. The Bruins were flopping around the ice like a bunch of flounders and the refs ate it up, 2 PP's in the first 5 min. Too much to overcome - especially with Lyon, who actually played great - so not pinning game 1 on him, giving up a back breaking softie on the Marchand shot.

Huh? The interference call was legit and the Pastrnak trip was questionable. But Marchand was certainly high sticked in the face before all of that.........

In comment 16090984 BillKo said:

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In comment 16090730 pjcas18 said: Quote: In comment 16090727 5BowlsSoon said: Quote: Ullmark looked fine to me. In fact, no one was out with the flu. Bergeron was hurt in the last game of the season. Carolina is too strong for Isles. Isles will be competitive but lose by one goal every game. Sorry, that’s how I see it. The Bruins were flopping around the ice like a bunch of flounders and the refs ate it up, 2 PP's in the first 5 min. Too much to overcome - especially with Lyon, who actually played great - so not pinning game 1 on him, giving up a back breaking softie on the Marchand shot. Huh? The interference call was legit and the Pastrnak trip was questionable. But Marchand was certainly high sticked in the face before all of that.........

The way I saw it, Marchand tried to sell the call and reacted less to the high stick more to the contact. None of those other two were playoff penalties IMO - or no different than plays the Bruins were making. All borderline and in the playoffs if it's borderline I try and be consistent and draw the line. IMO it was not consistent.

And McAvoy (who I'm a big fan of), accused the Panthers of diving after he cross checked someone in a scrum. For the record, I thought that was a bad call too.

Are you ready to see my Leaf’s finally get out of the first round?

For what it’s worth, after Habs beat my boys in the playoffs a few years ago, I rooted for them to go all the way. I figured if you were good enough to best my boys you deserve to win it all. You almost did….

In comment 16091137 5BowlsSoon said:

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Are you ready to see my Leaf’s finally get out of the first round? For what it’s worth, after Habs beat my boys in the playoffs a few years ago, I rooted for them to go all the way. I figured if you were good enough to best my boys you deserve to win it all. You almost did….

The Leafs should beat Tampa, but as usual for them it's a tough match up they could lose. Tampa looks old and slow, but still have the key elements to winning in the playoffs, goalie, good specials, skill and grit.

Good luck, 5 bowls, I'm hoping you get a good result, but I can't root for the Leafs.

Cooper is also a master strategist.

The Lightning toggled their system against NYR and neutralized them in the ECF in games 3-6. Hedman is declining and they aren't as good as they once were. Keefe might be good but Cooper and Sullivan are the best at this IMO.

Pj: I honestly didn’t expect you to say you would root for the Leafs. In fact, many Leaf fans mocked me greatly for my support for your boys that playoffs. I know the rivalry is intense, but I have always at least admired the many great Hab teams in the 60s and 70s as I watched Hockey Night in Canada practically every Wednesday and Saturday.

Brett: I sure hope your assessment is off a bit and doesn’t materialize. Plus, I can’t stand Cooper….arrogant prick if you ask me..

series starts for TOR and NJD.

when TBL is getting goals from Bellemare you know you're in for a long night. He had 4 goals in 73 regular season games.

NJD played well for long stretches - and dominated at times, but my biggest concern for them, goalie, showed up. And not to say Vanecek is why they lost (he made some good saves), when I ranked the NYR over NJD and fans asked me why since NJD had a better record it was because I believed Igor can steal a game and I was not sure if Vanecek could. Well Igor did. He was incredible. And the Rangers had all the elements of my post-season formula working - goalie (check), specials (2/3 on the PP and 4/4 on the PK), skill (check), and grit (check) (23 blocked shots - grit is not just dropping the gloves - in fact it's not dropping the gloves at all - it's working the corners, blocking shots, hits, back checking).

Both NJD and TOR have a lot of pressure to win game 2 (captain obvious?)

SEA over COL was the only real surprise for me last night and I didn't watch a second of it - COL had been red hot heading in to the playoffs.

Still too numb to comment…..

In comment 16091146 BrettNYG10 said:

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Cooper is also a master strategist. The Lightning toggled their system against NYR and neutralized them in the ECF in games 3-6. Hedman is declining and they aren't as good as they once were. Keefe might be good but Cooper and Sullivan are the best at this IMO.

Even before this, in some ways, the Lightning scare me more than the Bruins do. The Lightning have had the Rangers number the past few seasons.

are the most complete team I can recall in recent memory.

If they lose it will take a perfect effort from the team who beats them.

Ullmark/Swayman was my last hope, but Ullmark looked great in game 1.

They played without their captain and 1C in game 1 and dominated the dots and beat a really good team. Bergeron will probably be back tonight.

Tampa is nowhere near Boston (IMO).

In comment 16091664 pjcas18 said:

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are the most complete team I can recall in recent memory. If they lose it will take a perfect effort from the team who beats them. Ullmark/Swayman was my last hope, but Ullmark looked great in game 1. They played without their captain and 1C in game 1 and dominated the dots and beat a really good team. Bergeron will probably be back tonight. Tampa is nowhere near Boston (IMO).

Talent-wise, no, but I also know that the Lightning are the ones who kicked the Rangers out of the playoffs the past few years and Vasilevskiy seems to play very well in the Playoffs against the Rangers.

They need better goaltending but if Hedman misses a game or two that could flip things a bit.

NJD will push back too, that was a nervous start for them but they still have a killer roster. That series will go long imo.

definitely not writing anyone off after 1 game.

In some regards it's maybe better off for TOR and NJD to get blown out than to lose a heart breaker. the embarrassment may be more of a motivator than the heart break would have been.

not really playoff per se, but it's always reinforcing IMO to see how healthy teams were/are and how they fared.

Most playoff teams were healthy and most of the heavily injured teams did not make the playoffs.

COL and LVG did the most with the worst situation. CAR and TOR did well too.

I'm not sure I've seen a team ever get through a season as healthy as the 2022-2023 NYR. I wonder if these stats go back far and the provider can confirm if any team has ever been this healthy.

53 man-games lost and not to "key" players.

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NHLInjuryViz @NHLInjuryViz · Apr 15 Final NHL injury summary for the 2022/23 regular season (playoff teams highlighted)