NFT: NHL Playoff Thread and Misc Hockey - All Teams Discussion

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I think they have a legit shot shot this year.

I also think the Isles have a shot at an upset. CAR is much better, but the Isles are playing with house money, play tough and together and have excellent goaltending.

(except WAS) can win in these 1st round match-ups.

I only picked one upset just because in most cases I think the favorite is better, but Dallas did not get any favors being the 1 seed in the West with Vegas as the 8. And Vegas being a little like Tampa in '21 when they got Kucherov for the playoffs after missing him all season. Vegas gets Mark Stone and Tomas Hertl after missing Stone for the past 2+ months and Hertl was acquired at the deadline but played just 6 games all year.

So, I can see Vegas beating Dallas if those two come back healthy. Two massive top 6 forward pieces added to a defending cup champ, with good goalie and solid D.

LGI!!!

some of the NHL awards are simply based on counting stats. I don't say that to imply they're not impressive, they are, but just to separate them from the awards that are subjectively voted on and awarded.

The winners:
Art Ross Trophy (most points): Nikita Kucherov
Rocket Richard Trophy (most goals): Auston Matthews
Jennings Trophy (fewest goals allowed (min 25 starts)): Connor Hellebuyck

Very much looking forward to this Round 1 rematch from last year. I like the Islanders chances with Roy at the helm.

That being said, I'm really annoyed about Game 1 being tomorrow at 5:00 as it conflicts with my nephew's wedding which has the commencement beginning at 5:15.
My nephew's wife-to-be enacted a cell phone ban for the ceremony so people won't be taking photos.
I know it's a losing cause, but I intentionally started a shit storm yesterday morning with a group text saying "phones are allowed during the ceremony as long as you're watching hockey, right?"
My wife and sister-in-law are rapid fired replies condemning my audacity to even suggest such disrespect for over an hour.
I'm hoping to be in the reception hall before the second period ends at least.

fair disclosure, while I am not a fan of any of these teams in the playoffs, if you catch me leaning a certain way it's due to bets:

1. I bet $300 on the NYR to win the cup. I bet this in October with +1500 odds.

2. I bet Igor to win Conn Smythe.

3. In fairness I also bet Igor to win Vezina which he won't

4. I bet Connor Bedard to win Calder, but also bet Logan Cooley and Luke Hughes

5. I bet McDavid to win Hart and I bet Crosby to win Hart - I think Kucherov has this locked.

Richter was streaky and he could look really bad at times, including in the playoffs (1992 leaps to mind). But man, when he was on, there was no one better.

I hope we get that Igor.

In comment 16474889 truebluelarry said:

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Very much looking forward to this Round 1 rematch from last year. I like the Islanders chances with Roy at the helm. That being said, I'm really annoyed about Game 1 being tomorrow at 5:00 as it conflicts with my nephew's wedding which has the commencement beginning at 5:15. My nephew's wife-to-be enacted a cell phone ban for the ceremony so people won't be taking photos. I know it's a losing cause, but I intentionally started a shit storm yesterday morning with a group text saying "phones are allowed during the ceremony as long as you're watching hockey, right?" My wife and sister-in-law are rapid fired replies condemning my audacity to even suggest such disrespect for over an hour. I'm hoping to be in the reception hall before the second period ends at least.

You could always fake your sick. Just hold your stomach and give the eye roll look and walk out. People will think you have diarrhea and you can sit in your car in the parking lot (or on the toilet in the church, lol) and watch/listen. I mean it's a nephew. they won't even know if you're there.

In comment 16474903 pjcas18 said:

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In comment 16474889 truebluelarry said: Quote: Very much looking forward to this Round 1 rematch from last year. I like the Islanders chances with Roy at the helm. That being said, I'm really annoyed about Game 1 being tomorrow at 5:00 as it conflicts with my nephew's wedding which has the commencement beginning at 5:15. My nephew's wife-to-be enacted a cell phone ban for the ceremony so people won't be taking photos. I know it's a losing cause, but I intentionally started a shit storm yesterday morning with a group text saying "phones are allowed during the ceremony as long as you're watching hockey, right?" My wife and sister-in-law are rapid fired replies condemning my audacity to even suggest such disrespect for over an hour. I'm hoping to be in the reception hall before the second period ends at least. You could always fake your sick. Just hold your stomach and give the eye roll look and walk out. People will think you have diarrhea and you can sit in your car in the parking lot (or on the toilet in the church, lol) and watch/listen. I mean it's a nephew. they won't even know if you're there.

I've contemplated a "false positive COVID test" ;) and blowing the whole thing off and staying home by myself!

In comment 16474914 truebluelarry said:

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In comment 16474903 pjcas18 said: Quote: In comment 16474889 truebluelarry said: Quote: Very much looking forward to this Round 1 rematch from last year. I like the Islanders chances with Roy at the helm. That being said, I'm really annoyed about Game 1 being tomorrow at 5:00 as it conflicts with my nephew's wedding which has the commencement beginning at 5:15. My nephew's wife-to-be enacted a cell phone ban for the ceremony so people won't be taking photos. I know it's a losing cause, but I intentionally started a shit storm yesterday morning with a group text saying "phones are allowed during the ceremony as long as you're watching hockey, right?" My wife and sister-in-law are rapid fired replies condemning my audacity to even suggest such disrespect for over an hour. I'm hoping to be in the reception hall before the second period ends at least. You could always fake your sick. Just hold your stomach and give the eye roll look and walk out. People will think you have diarrhea and you can sit in your car in the parking lot (or on the toilet in the church, lol) and watch/listen. I mean it's a nephew. they won't even know if you're there. I've contemplated a "false positive COVID test" ;) and blowing the whole thing off and staying home by myself!

That would be the selfless things to do. You're just looking out for everyone else.

The intensity and speed of these games is ratcheted up to another level.

WAS/NYR certainly looks like a mismatch on paper. The key for game 1 will be which team gets the first goal. The Caps are not a team that can come back from a deficit. If the Caps win that first game the pressure on the Rangers will be immense.

The Caps are playing with house money while the Rangers are supposed to demolish them. That can be a dangerous place to be (see Boston Bruins last year).

And yes, the Caps' record in the last 10 games were not great, but winning the last three games with a hot goalie puts them in a good spot going into this series.

in the playoffs?

It seems so in my head.

I don't like the Canes matchup but I'm all in for it. Will be at the watering hole at 4:30 tomorrow tuned up and tuned in. Hope the boys keep it rolling.

Yes! Yes! Yes!

Florida vs Tampa should be fun.
Boston vs Toronto has potential for so much but i think Toronto rolls over them pretty easy
Rangers vs Wash isn't worth watching as that's be a quick 4 or 5 game series.
Nobody wants to watch NYI vs Carolina - boooooriiing

Colorado vs the Jets will be tons of fun to watch
Nash vs Vancouver - meh
Vegas & Dallas are both great teams and that should be top quality
Edmonton always fun to watch for McJesus but LA is fucking boring so I hope they don't drag that down too much.

Rangers
Carolina
Toronto
Florida

Colorado
Vancouver
LA
Dallas

That's who I have moving on.
Florida vs Dallas for the Cup.

In comment 16474932 Chris684 said:

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in the playoffs? It seems so in my head.

I remember so vividly Jack Edwards saying "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss" last time BOS beat TOR in the playoffs, not every year, but they own them in recent history.

...

they have enough to do it if they can stay out of the box and catch a few breaks. Gun to my head, my conference finals and cup predications are:


Carolina over Tampa in 5
Edmonton over Dallas in 7

Carolina over Edmonton in 6

in net (and on D). For that reason I'm out.

The West is better than any year I can remember.

DAL, WIN, and VAN are complete teams. Skill, forward depth, D and goalies. Will they show up? Who knows, only DAL is really playoff tested of the three.

LVG are reigning champs.

EDM and COL have the most skill in the league.

LAK and NSH are the "weak links" but LAK has the best defensive forward group in the conference and NSH may have the best goalie.

gun to my head, Dallas comes out of the West, but they're the one seed, so a non-chalk pick is Winnipeg. Love their deadline.

talking extension with Crosby.

I think it's a mistake, but as they say "breaking up is hard to do" I think it's time for both. Some players value staying in one place their whole career and maybe that's important to Sid, but if I am Kyle Dubas I have a long talk with Sid about accepting a trade and starting the rebuild because it's coming to PIT IMO. I expected much more from this team - especially on the PP with all that talent and they massively under performed I don't see how it gets better with age.

The 'Mac' Battle of two of the most skilled players in the NHL: McDavid vs. MacKinnon

In comment 16475028 RCPhoenix said:

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The 'Mac' Battle of two of the most skilled players in the NHL: McDavid vs. MacKinnon

McDavid needs some revenge. When COL won the cup in 2022 they swept EDM in the WCF.

made his debut last night for ANA. Still not sure why PHI traded him.

In the past few days Lane Hutson, Cutter Gauthier and a couple more USNDTP players made their debuts. Nice to see.

In comment 16475049 pjcas18 said:

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made his debut last night for ANA. Still not sure why PHI traded him. In the past few days Lane Hutson, Cutter Gauthier and a couple more USNDTP players made their debuts. Nice to see.

Frankie Nazar (Dylan Duke was another one - but he maybe just signed his ELC and didn't debut).

In comment 16475049 pjcas18 said:

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made his debut last night for ANA. Still not sure why PHI traded him.

He asked to be traded. Didn't want to sign with Philly, according to Briere.

I’m rooting for Vancouver because they, along with Buffalo, have never won a SC.

Teams I absolutely despise and hope they don’t win- Carolina, Boston, Tampa, Winnipeg, Florida, and Washington.

In comment 16475065 Diversify yo bonds said:

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In comment 16475049 pjcas18 said: Quote: made his debut last night for ANA. Still not sure why PHI traded him. He asked to be traded. Didn't want to sign with Philly, according to Briere.

thanks. I remember some of this now. I just looked it up and this is the lamest thing ever if this is truly why.

From wikipedia....

Quote:

...Shortly after the trade announcement, it was reported that Gauthier had refused to sign with the Flyers,[8][9] and Gauthier had stated in an interview the previous month that he did not think being drafted by the Flyers was going to "roll over well," because his favorite team as a child was the rival Pittsburgh Penguins.[10] Later that evening, in response to questions from the press on the matter, Flyers management confirmed that Gauthier had informed the team in May 2023, that he did not intend on signing with the Flyers...

Oettinger needs to be at his best.
Dallas has the deepest forward group in hockey imo.
Adding Tanev strengthens back line.

Playoff hockey is awesome, especially Game 7s.

If Varly or Sorokin get hot it could be a good run and neither would be totally shocking.

The Rags Caps will be fun for me locally. Lots of places become Caps' bars during the playoffs.

...

They're one of those teams I have to remind myself exists

In comment 16475226 Greg from LI said:

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They're one of those teams I have to remind myself exists

they've never won, or really come close to winning, so often when teams never win, it's hard to hate them.

even the old Jets (Coyotes) never won.

the franchises teams went to one conference finals in their history (and lost to Vegas).

Plus they had some memorable players like Selanne, Tkachuk, Housley, etc.

As long as the game is played entirely at 5 on 5 the Islanders should be fine :)

The original Jets lasted 17 seasons. They never made it past the second round of the playoffs (and only made it past the first round twice) and topped 90 points in a season once. That team, the 1984-85 Jets, was actually a good team with some really good players, but they had the misfortune of being in the same division as the Oilers.

The current Jets have played 13 seasons, including this one. They've had some good regular seasons and the one run to the conference finals in 2018, when Vegas knocked them out, but other than that haven't really made a mark.

Crosby may play. If he does gives them time to talk extension (or what I would...trade). Can you imagine Crosby on Edmonton or Boston or Toronto?


Darren Dreger
@DarrenDreger
Kyle Dubas added as an Associate GM to Team Canada for Men’s Worlds.

In comment 16475226 Greg from LI said:

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They're one of those teams I have to remind myself exists

Pjcas should like this reason why I despise Winnipeg. The year his Habs beat my Leafs, the Habs subsequently went on to play Winnipeg. And I will never forget what MARK SCHEIFELE did to I think the Montreal player was JUSTIN EVANS. Almost killed him unnecessarily with a huge hit to the head while he was so vulnerable. Got a 4 game suspension I believe.

After that, I lost respect for that team. Like I said, my brother is a Habs fan and we both root for each others team in the playoffs when not playing against each other. I would like to see my brother happy if I can’t be. He feels the same.

In comment 16475465 5BowlsSoon said:

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In comment 16475226 Greg from LI said: Quote: They're one of those teams I have to remind myself exists Pjcas should like this reason why I despise Winnipeg. The year his Habs beat my Leafs, the Habs subsequently went on to play Winnipeg. And I will never forget what MARK SCHEIFELE did to I think the Montreal player was JUSTIN EVANS. Almost killed him unnecessarily with a huge hit to the head while he was so vulnerable. Got a 4 game suspension I believe. After that, I lost respect for that team. Like I said, my brother is a Habs fan and we both root for each others team in the playoffs when not playing against each other. I would like to see my brother happy if I can’t be. He feels the same.

Jake Evans. and I definitely don't like Scheifele, but that still didn't make me hate the Jets.

His good Halifax buddy Nate MacKinnon being there and them being contenders.

He's not as tight with Marchand (another Halifax guy) but they were amazing together playing for Team Canada so that would be fun to see too.

In comment 16475610 Andy in Halifax said:

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His good Halifax buddy Nate MacKinnon being there and them being contenders. He's not as tight with Marchand (another Halifax guy) but they were amazing together playing for Team Canada so that would be fun to see too.

Good call on COL. I can see that. Those two (MacKinnon and Crosby) train together, do a bunch of philanthropic things together. They seem very like minded on and off the ice. I bet they would play well together too (like Marchand and Crosby).

I wonder what Canada will do for 4 nations and Olympics. Crosby or youth movement.

Can’t wait. I was pleasantly surprised this morning to see they don’t play Thursday as the wife a I have a concert. I didn’t get to watch this year as much as I normally do. Thoughts on the other series.

Isles-Canes: Carolina in 6 but I could see the Isles making it more difficult than that and upset them in 7
Bruins-Leafs: I think Boston in 7
Panthers-Lightning: Should be a fun one. As much i’m tired of Tampa I think they win in 7 due to goaltending

Stars-Knights: what a shitty end of the stick for Dallas to draw Vegas. Stars in 7
Canucks-Predators: no idea what to think on this one
Jets-Avs: Arguably the best opening round series. Jets in 7

In comment 16475024 pjcas18 said:

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talking extension with Crosby. I think it's a mistake, but as they say "breaking up is hard to do" I think it's time for both. Some players value staying in one place their whole career and maybe that's important to Sid, but if I am Kyle Dubas I have a long talk with Sid about accepting a trade and starting the rebuild because it's coming to PIT IMO. I expected much more from this team - especially on the PP with all that talent and they massively under performed I don't see how it gets better with age.

I want Crosby to play until he gets 2k points, which is unlikely. One of my favorite players to watch.

In comment 16475665 BrettNYG10 said:

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In comment 16475024 pjcas18 said: Quote: talking extension with Crosby. I think it's a mistake, but as they say "breaking up is hard to do" I think it's time for both. Some players value staying in one place their whole career and maybe that's important to Sid, but if I am Kyle Dubas I have a long talk with Sid about accepting a trade and starting the rebuild because it's coming to PIT IMO. I expected much more from this team - especially on the PP with all that talent and they massively under performed I don't see how it gets better with age. I want Crosby to play until he gets 2k points, which is unlikely. One of my favorite players to watch.

He would need to pull a Joe Thornton or Zdeno Chara for that I think (if he stays healthy). I see him going out on top more than milking it. But who knows, sometimes these guys who have been doing nothing else but this since they were 5 or 6 years old cling to it.

My guess is once he dips below 70 points, he dips. Probably needs 5-6 seasons to do it.

Year preceding it was 51 pts in 73 games. So if Crosby declines at the same pace he has three more good years before turning to ass.

In comment 16475079 pjcas18 said:

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In comment 16475065 Diversify yo bonds said: Quote: In comment 16475049 pjcas18 said: Quote: made his debut last night for ANA. Still not sure why PHI traded him. He asked to be traded. Didn't want to sign with Philly, according to Briere. thanks. I remember some of this now. I just looked it up and this is the lamest thing ever if this is truly why. From wikipedia.... Quote: ...Shortly after the trade announcement, it was reported that Gauthier had refused to sign with the Flyers,[8][9] and Gauthier had stated in an interview the previous month that he did not think being drafted by the Flyers was going to "roll over well," because his favorite team as a child was the rival Pittsburgh Penguins.[10] Later that evening, in response to questions from the press on the matter, Flyers management confirmed that Gauthier had informed the team in May 2023, that he did not intend on signing with the Flyers...

The real story is this. Gauthier wanted to leave BC after his freshmen year last season. He felt he was ready, and he was. Philly didn't want him yet. Not only is Philly rebuilding but you can't blame them for not wanting to burn one year off his entry level for a few worthless regular season games. Apparently Gauthier thought he had the leverage and wanted to work the system and Philly didn't play ball. Gauthier took it personally and cut them off after that.

Is it right what he did? I haven't seen a player do that before, after only their freshmen season. But a player can do what they want...and a top player like him could try and use leverage. Philly could have called his bluff and made Gauthier play two more years at BC before becoming a FA able to sign with anyone. But they didn't, they traded him. So it is what it is.

The Ducks traded for him knowing what they would need to do, and they did it...they signed him this year after the national championship game. Gauthier played one meaningless regular season game with them last night and burned a whole year off his entry level. Nazar did the same thing with the Blackhawks. Hutson the same with the Habs. So apparently this is becoming a thing where top players are using leverage to get teams to lose a year of entry level contract control on that player. Flyers didn't play ball and he said eff you.

In the end it happened to the Flyers and the worst sports fans in the country of Philly. So screw them! haha

than being a Penguins fan.

In comment 16475842 pjcas18 said:

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than being a Penguins fan.

Yeah, that 100% had nothing to do with it. But could Gauthier have said that though? Sure, he's a cocky teenager...that says shit. But that wasn't the reason he wouldn't play for Philly. He also said in an interview before the national championship game vs. Denver that there were going to be a lot of tears on Denver's side after the game. How did that work out for him?

In comment 16475917 BC Eagles94 said:

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In comment 16475842 pjcas18 said: Quote: than being a Penguins fan. Yeah, that 100% had nothing to do with it. But could Gauthier have said that though? Sure, he's a cocky teenager...that says shit. But that wasn't the reason he wouldn't play for Philly. He also said in an interview before the national championship game vs. Denver that there were going to be a lot of tears on Denver's side after the game. How did that work out for him?

I cringed when I was watching that interview. Just bad karma.