Welcome to the most exciting event in sports and the hardest trophy to win. The NHL Stanley Cup playoffs. I am sure NYR fans and NYI fans probably have game threads, but this thread for all hockey discussion. Including the playoffs, the U18s, World Championships, awards, predictions and draft lottery. Playoffs start Saturday with all series beginning either Saturday, Sunday or Monday. Most series are every other day with an occasional 2nd day for travel or other reasons. Schedule in link.
The playoff match ups are finally set with LAK win (and LVG loss).
Here they are:
East
NYR* (1M) vs WAS (WC2) (Starts Sunday)
CAR (2M) vs NYI (3M) (Starts Saturday)
FLA (1A) vs TBL (WC1) (Starts Sunday)
BOS (2A) vs TOR (3A) (Starts Saturday)
West
DAL (1C) vs LVG (WC2) (Starts Monday)
WIN (2C) vs COL (3C) (Starts Sunday)
VAN (1P) vs NSH (WC1) (Starts Sunday)
EDM (2P) vs LAK (3P) (Starts Monday)
* President's Trophy Winner
My Predictions:
NYR in 5
CAR in 6
FLA in 6
BOS in 7
DAL in 6
COL in 7
VAN in 5
EDM in 7
What am I rooting for? Game 7's and OT's.
On the other end? The lottery teams will be (order determined at draft lottery which is usually during the playoffs):
32. SJS
31. CHI
30. ANA
29. CBJ
28. MTL
27. ARI/UTA
26. OTT
25. SEA
24. CAL
23. NJD
22. BUF
21. PHI
20. MIN
19. PIT
18. DET
17. STL
Playoff Schedule - (
New Window )
I thought he was the best of the BC three heading in to the season - though Ryan Leonard looked like the best during the season, but I also expected him to stay a year with Hagens and try and win a title.
The way they've neglected goalie as a position is just mind blowing.
The way they've neglected goalie as a position is just mind blowing.
Skinner was a net negative (no pun intended), and Otter was very good. DAL is a better team, but if EDM had Igor or comparable they'd be up 2-1 in the series.
EDM won the 1st period, DAL the 2nd and it was tied 3-3 after two, and the third was tightly played, but DAL was just better - Skinner didn't help things.
Skinner was -1.37 goals saved above expected.
Otter was .9 goals saved above expected.
In a 1 goal game (ENG added the 2nd) that's the difference.
I won't pretend to understand why.
I haven't seen NHL coaches do it that early, but Quinnipiac coach Rand Pecknold was pretty close to that in the National title game (3:28 left in a one goal game in 2023) and the Regional Finals (2022). It worked in 2023 vs MIN in the title game, failed the other in 2022 vs Michigan in the regional finals. When it worked they tied it and won the title in OT.
Game time 8:30.
I won't pretend to understand why.
I haven't seen NHL coaches do it that early, but Quinnipiac coach Rand Pecknold was pretty close to that in the National title game (3:28 left in a one goal game in 2023) and the Regional Finals (2022). It worked in 2023 vs MIN in the title game, failed the other in 2022 vs Michigan in the regional finals. When it worked they tied it and won the title in OT.
Yeah I figured it was an analytics thing. Just not my thing. I hate giving a team a chance to take pot shots at an empty net until you have to.
Geez that’s pretty bad. Most teams probably have 3 better than this guy.
Big injury for Stars when Tanev blocked a shot with his skate.
2-0 EDM
that's how you enter the zone on the PP. Nice pass up by Nurse and backhand pass by Draisaitl.
2-0 EDM
that's how you enter the zone on the PP. Nice pass up by Nurse and backhand pass by Draisaitl.
He does it regularly , but I am still blown away every time Draisaitl throws a backhand sauce 70ft to somebody's tape. His forearm strength is off the charts.
How many guys can be against the boards on their backhand and still put the puck anywhere in the offensive zone?
Quote:
again on the PP.
2-0 EDM
that's how you enter the zone on the PP. Nice pass up by Nurse and backhand pass by Draisaitl.
He does it regularly , but I am still blown away every time Draisaitl throws a backhand sauce 70ft to somebody's tape. His forearm strength is off the charts.
How many guys can be against the boards on their backhand and still put the puck anywhere in the offensive zone?
absolutely, he can do anything with the puck on his stick.
one of my favorite players to watch. especially on the PP.
Would love to see Edmonton - NYR finals but obviously it will probably be sawgrass outlets against Edmonton and best of luck to Canada in that series. Actually had a friend talked down by tsa agent on Tuesday in Fort Lauderdale for wearing rangers gear after a loss.
Was a panthers season ticket holder for 6 years 2013-2019 and had some
Decent teams - lost to islanders in 6 one year. Couldn’t give my tickets away unless it was Montreal Toronto Boston etc. what a joke - these clowns don’t deserve what they have now while NYR MTL and TOR fans continue to suffer
Would love to see Edmonton - NYR finals but obviously it will probably be sawgrass outlets against Edmonton and best of luck to Canada in that series. Actually had a friend talked down by tsa agent on Tuesday in Fort Lauderdale for wearing rangers gear after a loss.
Was a panthers season ticket holder for 6 years 2013-2019 and had some
Decent teams - lost to islanders in 6 one year. Couldn’t give my tickets away unless it was Montreal Toronto Boston etc. what a joke - these clowns don’t deserve what they have now while NYR MTL and TOR fans continue to suffer
Good call, definitely some similarities with Kakko's potential and what RNH has done. RNH has a 100 point season, not sure Kakko has that in him but it was an outlier for RNH.
agree with everything else you said. I remember you used to post about going to Panthers games.
Neither Edmonton or Dallas will have the space that they've been allowed in their series. Florida has stymied Panarin, Zibanejad and Kreider and they can do the same to McDavid, Draisaitl and crew.
If somehow the Rangers can pull it off, Shesterkin is miles better than Skinner.
With stating the obvious this would be their best chance (tonight) at home in game 6.
One impressive stat is EDM has the top 4 in points in the playoffs (Trocheck tied with RNH for 4th).
One other pretty amazing stat is Jeremy Swayman still leads the playoffs in goals saved above expected with 4, 5 or 6 less games played than the final 4 goalies. He has a shot at leading the playoffs in this when its all said and done (Otter or Bobrovsky can if Otter makes it to the finals and has a great series) but it would need to be a great series.
They can't all be clean players like Rempe and Trouba.
Let's Go!
Lol, no I just find it funny how you complain when a player on your team gets hit hard then completely ignore the fact that you have Rempe throwing elbows at people's heads after the get rid of the puck. Btw I am not saying the Panthers don't have dirty players but you can't claim that the Rangers don't.
Link - ( New Window )
1-0 EDM
1-0 EDM
lol. That was unreal.
Quote:
McDavid on the PP.
1-0 EDM
lol. That was unreal.
It was so fast I didn't know what I saw until I watched the replay, lol.
McDavid is such a special player.
DAL dominated, but took penalties and EDM capitalized.
NYR did not.
I see a lot of similarities with DAL and FLA.
Oilers being outshot 20 - 8.
but winning where it matters.
Hoping for OT and a game 7. It's the least the hockey gods can offer us fans.
Is he good?
we have a whole team of refs in my league. such douche bags.
DAL cuts the lead in half. almost half a period left.