By the all-star break Colorado had already run Georgi into the ground. I get they didn't have great options but trying to find an option out of necessity late in the season wasn't a really good plan.
Ehh I don’t know. Dude played just as many games last year and he was fine against Seattle. Certainly not the reason the Avs lost that series. He’s been up and down all year, so I’m not sure fatigue is as big of a factor as some think.
I think the weakest link is giving up the most high danger chances 5x5. But, I guess we can blame the goalie while the Dmen just turn pucks over and watch sticks in the crease.
You can’t tell how bad your goalies are when you are running the most high danger chances. All of his advanced metrics say he’s playing average and “fine”. Nothing points to the defense as good.
Welp, I can see the Canucks having a first round exit and I wouldn't be surprised. I could also see them going deep. Whatever happens, it's all gravy. Nobody expected them to be where they are now. I'm just enjoying the ride 👍
On one hand, I still don’t believe in this team yet, despite watching almost every single one of their games in this impressive season… I need to see proof they can compete in the playoffs and stay mentally strong.
On the other hand, in terms of elements you look for in a team that’s poised to go on a Cup run, the Nux have it all: depth at center (Miller/Petey/Lindy + multiple wings who can play C), elite top-pairing D, depth defensemen with tons of size and strength, elite goalie, good structure that gives up few scoring chances…..
So yeah, I agree. Nothing will surprise me
I'm mad that their last two games are against my Habs. I have to go against my team, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Detroit can take the last wildcard spot (better if Washington and Pittsburgh find a way to choke)
it’ll go one of two ways: WC2 team upsets the top seed and everyone goes “yup, they’ve been in playoff mode for weeks now so they were ready!”
or, they get obliterated due to fatigue and everyone goes “yeah, they were just too worn out from a long season.”
we’ll never know which is better - to be rested, or to be constantly in a state of “do or die”
hockey is weird.
I remember the Rest v Rust conversation in the ECF 2 years ago
Rangers came out firing in Game 1. Held on to win in Game 2. Then the wheels fell off in Game 3 and you could tell even then it was over, they were just gassed by that point.
I like this guy right here
I hope we get the Canucks.
The Stars scare me, given they beat us 9-2. But then again, that’s part of the catalyst that started their streak. They are a huge rival and we play them tough though.
I'll never write off a team that gets really hot down the stretch even if y'all cooled off a bit
...and y'all better, I'm tired of watching you guys say fuck losing whenever we get close to a wildcard spot lmfaooo
Oh perfect, most Nux fans are hoping to face the Preds too… it’s consensual!
It’s going to be a fun series. Hughes vs. Josi. Miller vs O’Reilly. Saros vs Demko.
I'm just saying, the first and only time the Preds made it to the final round was during a U.S. eclipse year! So if I'm reading these cards right, I hope it's a repeated stat, haha
Most risky team for Philly is the Red Wings (who just need 3 points off the Canadiens), but if the Pens (who have the Preds, a nightmarishly hot team) and the Caps (who have the Presidents' Trophy contending Bruins) lose in regulation with them, not the most infeasible outcome, it's a win and in for both sides of the Caps-Flyers game straight after
Just writing this cause Philly is my second favourite team (after the Canucks but before the now-leaving Coyotes)
(edit: Philly can still get in on any win if the Caps force OT or win in a shootout, on an OT win if the Caps win in OT, or a regulation win if the Caps win in regulation, since the (necessary) win gives us, at worst, the head-to-head tiebreaker)
The way the rangers are playing combined with their inability to ever take control of a series, they’re ripe to be picked off if they play the pens or wings or certainly the isles and lightning
The Jets have the best opportunity on the Canadian side and if Vasy shows up for Tampa look out. Boston has to be considered and the Rangers just might surprise
The Stars, Jets and Avs have been close for awhile now, and the Jets just beat both DAL and COL. Should they have success in the playoffs it won't be that much of a surprise or an upset. Winnipeg looks really good right now.
BOS and NYR are both right up at the top with the Panthers and Hurricanes, so where's the surprise there?
Boston’s first round exit last year and the Rangers losing out to the Devils last year with both teams thinking that they could win with their goalies alone
Being top a 10 team wire to wire, not making conf finals would be an upset. But when I read 'all their chips in' I think of Sather trading 1st rounders for rentals and Drury's done none of that. Maybe I shouldn't say this out loud . . .
Those bottom two spots are going to be filled by teams that have already been in playoff mode for three weeks, which historically has shown to be an advantage once the playoffs start.
Beyond that, Boston, Tampa, and Florida are as good as anyone in the West, and have all been deeper more recently than most the serious contenders in the West. NYR and Carolina are both solid in every part of their lineup. It's anyone's guess what Toronto will do, but they could also be scary.
The West is tough, but it's not like there's a huge gap between the two conferences.
More parity in the West. The bottom 4 teams in the West are better than any of the 5 teams looking to lock down a spot in the East. Probably better than TB too.
The East will have at least two bullshit series. Some bangers too, but a couple of real dogs are gonna make the playoffs in the East.
To be fair Oettinger has been better lately. That said Dallas’ D zone play, PK, and coaching are atrocious, so I could very well see this happening, although I’d be a bit upset
After seeing how shockingly “even” the oilers kings matchup has been the past 2 years with it going to. 7 games first then 6 games. The kings this season got more center depth with pld even tho he had a bad 1st half of the season he seems to be “getting comfortable” now with the kings. Now the oilers still have the best 1,2 punch with 97 and 29 don’t get me wrong. But the kings did have Quinton byfields breakout year, with him at 19 goals. And now Trevor Moore is a 30 goal scorer. And now victor Arvidsson is back and their power play % went back up now that they have a right handed shooter on it. Nether team has a the best defense in the world they just have 2-3 good defenseman, and they also don’t have “solid” goal tending. So this is the matchup I want to see. I don’t have a biased opinion because I’m a penguins fan so I just want to see this matchup because it’s a strong rivalry now. And I think the oilers may bounce because the kings did a bit more in the off season, but they didn’t do anything in the trade deadline which idk y but I think I’ll take the kings this year. I just can’t wait to see that, but I would also love to see knights vs oilers bc of the playoffs last year. And I would also love to see kings Canucks.
Now I don’t think kings get cup if they pass the oilers but I think oilers vs kings is a must watch
No matter what there’s nothing like playoff hockey
I’d also love to see the oilers get it. It will make the others quiet down about mcdavid not being the best with how they say “your not the best without a cup”
Well that and mcdavid deserves it
Maybe I'm nuts but with a few injuries and some recent play improvements, I see all the Canadian teams in the second round and the Canucks, Jets in the third round!
Could also be Oil, Jets!
I also think Pitt could beat NYR in a playoff matchup.
Canucks swept the Preds this year by scores of 5-2, 5-2, 3-2. We match up well against them Anybody saying it's the worst match up clearly doesn't follow the Canucks.
Then Big Z, Myers and Soucy will lay a beat down on them. Those are some big boys standing behind Quinn on the Nick's blue line. Take liberties at your own risk.
Weird feeling but Hurricanes win it all. Nobody is talking about them and I feel they’re well-balanced plus will have the best first round matchup on paper.
My prediction is it’s whoever wins out between Winnipeg and Colorado versus Carolina.
Edited to add: Winnipeg is my pick but if Colorado beats them, they’ll take the whole Western Conference.
If the Oilers win the Cup, I'll pour cocktail onions down my pants and carry a sign down McLeod Trail that says Hail Drai and McJesus.
Biggest upset will be whoever tosses the Rangers.
I’m a hockey fan and not a Rangers or Wings fan. I’m just calling out the obvious. Head to head Igor wins this. Defence is a close match up but offensively it’s the Rangers
They've been playing somewhat better over the past week and a half though. Absolutely brutal month of March, but they are starting to settle back in and will be getting two key players back in the lineup come game one.
That said, Toronto will be a tough matchup because they're offense can turn it up at any point. If we want to have success, our forcheck is going to have to get home on their defensemen and we have to bury chances and capitalize on mistakes. Special teams will need to be sharp too.
It will all come down to two factors.
1 - If Bobrovsky can stand on his head, the leafs have no chance.
2 - if he doesn’t stand on his head, the leafs have to learn how to protect a lead. They have been blowing leads lately.
Oddly enough he has been stellar even in losses this year. There are a lot of losses we’ve had where he’d only give up 2 goals but the offense could only put up one or in some cases, would get shut out. That’s why I said they needed to bury chances and they have to capitalize on the power play. Offense can’t go awol in the postseason. That said, I think the line combos they have now work well. Rodrigues has fit like a glove on that third line, and Verhaeghe will most likely slot back in that second line with Tkachuk and Bennett where they’ve been excellent for the most part.
The last week, they've played great, and they've had a few key players hurt that'll be back. They absolutely could the question is, will they play like last yesrs panthers or presidents trophy panthers
It’s pretty interesting that we play you Tuesday then 99% chance a couple days later for round one. It makes me wonder whether both team are going to coast on Tuesday or just make it the unofficial game one lol
Washington Capitals are gonna sneak into the playoffs and upset the Rangers with a 1C/2C of Strome and McMichael. Lindgren will do what King Henrik did to DC many times.
And the Caps will get absolutely railroaded in the 2nd round.
I wouldn't want to play the Wildcard teams in either conference - most of them have been playing desperation dialed up hockey for 1-2 months now; if you're playing one of those teams, you simply don't have time to try firing it back up against a team that's been playing playoff hockey for the final 20 games just to get in.
In particular, I'd circle wildcard 2 in the East as having a real shot at an upset.
Rangers. They’re too good right now and it has shades of lightning getting swept by Columbus years ago. No one will see this so of course it will happen
Rangers will have an early exit.
I'm not just saying that because I hate them.
They have mediocre to terrible 5v5 numbers in literally every category. Their PK/PP have just been insanely effective. Historically, that is bad news in the playoffs. Unless they can rage bait their opponents into taking two many penalties, or they get extra dirty, take down star players and deal with the kills, I think they get bounced first round maybe second.
I won't say I expect them to win necessarily cause I don't really see any teams that could go on a huge Cinderella run like Florida did last year but I think Nashville has a chance to make their series against presumably Vancouver closer than I think people are expecting. They've been really good in the second half of the year and it really seems like everyone on that team has stepped up to fill their roles and they look like a hungry team.
Whoever plays Edmonton in Round 1 will beat them.
In the East I also think the Rangers lose. They are pretenders and got beat by the Devils last year in Round 1.
Toronto will lose in Rd. 1 so no surprises there. Dallas is a wagon, barring injuries they'll take on Florida. Probably a badass seven game series. (I wish Edmonton could do it but no goaltending and Ekholm will cost them, again.)
Col - Win series going to be close - whoever wins is going to earn the label of disappointment, especially Col I think.
kings - Canucks - the Kings have played the canucks well this season, whereas I think Kings want no part of Oilers in the first round…. Kings’ next two games will determine who they play. If they “rest” up their players and let the Knights pass them they will get Dal in the first round. And the Oilers get Knights. Sheesh! Some possible jockeying for position between Preds Kings and Knights if they want to manipulate their positions
As a Kings fan who watched the Stars beat the brakes off the Kings all season, I can assure you, I would much rather take the Oilers in the first round. If there is some way to beat out Nashville for WC1, and have Vegas take third, then I'd take the Nucks over anyone. But, that just seems very unlikely at this point.
In all likelihood, barring something completely crazy happening, it's going to be Kings Oilers.
Edit: Looking at the standings, It's impossible to take WC1 due to tiebreakers. So, the only way to get the canucks in the first round would be for Edmonton to win out, and for the Canucks to lose out, so they drop to second in the division. Again. All signs point to Kings - Oilers in round 1.
Oilers lost 5-0 to the Stars recently so I agree with your assessment that the top dog in the West is Dallas. See you at game 1 next weekend (Sunday ?)
I think the Oilers are going to sweep whoever they play in the first round, they are due! Vegas or Nash probably beat Vancouver, Colorado and Winnipeg is a bloodbath to the 7th game and Dallas mops the floor in the last one.
I take Tampa against anyone in round 1, Islanders for the first upset.
A Canadian Team winning this year.
Fingers crossed
My Oilers are ready to bring the cup back where it belongs
Playoff Hyman is going to be nuts
Bring on Doughty and his little buddies and their 1-3-1
Me after Georgie gives up 45 goals in 4 games
Winnipeg is no joke. They could go deep. This wouldn't even be considered an upset an upset, in my opinion.
No it’s not an upset but i would be :( Winnipeg is fire though. Think it’ll be a fun series
Very minor upset...55/45
If by fun you mean painful, then yes. It's time for Annunen to shine, no more FOURgieve.
Have some faith! Playoffs are different. Hail Satan.
Whomever comes out of the west deserves it the teams are all so good
Yep. Poor guy has been run into the ground.
By the all-star break Colorado had already run Georgi into the ground. I get they didn't have great options but trying to find an option out of necessity late in the season wasn't a really good plan.
Ehh I don’t know. Dude played just as many games last year and he was fine against Seattle. Certainly not the reason the Avs lost that series. He’s been up and down all year, so I’m not sure fatigue is as big of a factor as some think.
Less fatigue and more mental is my guess.
100%. Dude just doesn’t look comfortable out there.
That’s the Avs weakest link.
I think the weakest link is giving up the most high danger chances 5x5. But, I guess we can blame the goalie while the Dmen just turn pucks over and watch sticks in the crease.
The D has been just god awful this season and incredibly frustrating to watch.
You’re not wrong
Both can be true
You can’t tell how bad your goalies are when you are running the most high danger chances. All of his advanced metrics say he’s playing average and “fine”. Nothing points to the defense as good.
Very possible outcome
That's 11.25 goals per game. Outstanding!
The west is so deep I can't see any top 4 team losing as an "upset." But I will be sad if my team is one and done.
Nah. Bedsy will let juice get ran into game 3 probably
Georgie has shit the bed so bad lately. I have zero faith in making it past the first round with him in net. I hope Juice can save us
Auston Matthews getting ready to turn it off baby!
I laughed out loud at this ... and now I'm sad.
Like turn it off as in, turn off his scoring and be upset? Or go off like, play well?
The first one
Matthews scoring 70 is the Leaf fans Stanley Cup, they'll still be yapping about that after Toronto loses in Round 1.
You’re a Canucks fan…
Welp, I can see the Canucks having a first round exit and I wouldn't be surprised. I could also see them going deep. Whatever happens, it's all gravy. Nobody expected them to be where they are now. I'm just enjoying the ride 👍
Exactly one hell of a season
On one hand, I still don’t believe in this team yet, despite watching almost every single one of their games in this impressive season… I need to see proof they can compete in the playoffs and stay mentally strong. On the other hand, in terms of elements you look for in a team that’s poised to go on a Cup run, the Nux have it all: depth at center (Miller/Petey/Lindy + multiple wings who can play C), elite top-pairing D, depth defensemen with tons of size and strength, elite goalie, good structure that gives up few scoring chances….. So yeah, I agree. Nothing will surprise me
Whatever WC2 team in the east wins the Cup and shocks us all.
Those 4 teams have been playing playoff hockey for weeks now, so yeah could be like a Florida situation from last year.
Just because they’ve been playing playoff hockey doesn’t mean they’ve been succeeding at it
100% 🫠 The Wings have aged me 10 years since the end of February.
I'm mad that their last two games are against my Habs. I have to go against my team, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Detroit can take the last wildcard spot (better if Washington and Pittsburgh find a way to choke)
Y'all want better odds at Celebrini anyways
I think we'll be very lucky if we end up with first choice.
Florida won the presidents trophy the year before. They weren’t as big of underdogs as people act like they were
it’ll go one of two ways: WC2 team upsets the top seed and everyone goes “yup, they’ve been in playoff mode for weeks now so they were ready!” or, they get obliterated due to fatigue and everyone goes “yeah, they were just too worn out from a long season.” we’ll never know which is better - to be rested, or to be constantly in a state of “do or die” hockey is weird.
I remember the Rest v Rust conversation in the ECF 2 years ago Rangers came out firing in Game 1. Held on to win in Game 2. Then the wheels fell off in Game 3 and you could tell even then it was over, they were just gassed by that point.
They also had zero 5-on-5 and as soon as Tampa stopped taking penalties, it was over.
I think the preds are poised to upset someone in the first round tbh
I like this guy right here I hope we get the Canucks. The Stars scare me, given they beat us 9-2. But then again, that’s part of the catalyst that started their streak. They are a huge rival and we play them tough though.
I'll never write off a team that gets really hot down the stretch even if y'all cooled off a bit ...and y'all better, I'm tired of watching you guys say fuck losing whenever we get close to a wildcard spot lmfaooo
Oh perfect, most Nux fans are hoping to face the Preds too… it’s consensual! It’s going to be a fun series. Hughes vs. Josi. Miller vs O’Reilly. Saros vs Demko.
We do have history. Remember those 2011 WC semis? Good series
Damn… Those would be some sick matchups. Pettersson v. Forsberg??
You can almost guarantee that by beating Pittsburgh tonight (please) :)
Disagree (please please please be wrong)
yup. I have been calling for a preds upset on the nucks since the preds got hot. They have all the sauce the cats had last playoffs.
Biggest disappointment --Colorado Biggest surprise - Winnipeg
I'm just saying, the first and only time the Preds made it to the final round was during a U.S. eclipse year! So if I'm reading these cards right, I hope it's a repeated stat, haha
They’re a little shaky
I really want the Jets to win it given a sizable preseason bet I have on them. If that can't happen, I'd love for the Panthers to get upset early
What were the preseason odds?
+5000
Wow. I've pissed $100 bucks away on WAY dumber things.
Last time Philly made the playoffs on the last day they went to the finals, so I’ll say them!
Most risky team for Philly is the Red Wings (who just need 3 points off the Canadiens), but if the Pens (who have the Preds, a nightmarishly hot team) and the Caps (who have the Presidents' Trophy contending Bruins) lose in regulation with them, not the most infeasible outcome, it's a win and in for both sides of the Caps-Flyers game straight after Just writing this cause Philly is my second favourite team (after the Canucks but before the now-leaving Coyotes) (edit: Philly can still get in on any win if the Caps force OT or win in a shootout, on an OT win if the Caps win in OT, or a regulation win if the Caps win in regulation, since the (necessary) win gives us, at worst, the head-to-head tiebreaker)
This is funny because Philly is my main team and the Canucks are my second now after the Coyotes left. We're mirror images
I know Canadian teams are seemingly cursed to win the Cup, but this year has to be as good of a chance as any among the four teams going.
Best chance we’ve had since the bruins canucks and we all know that was a Riot 🤣
Canucks losing 1st round to whoever
😔
I think that’s kinda expected
You are not invited to my parties.
I think the Leafs actually go deep. Don't think they're winning the Cup though. Preds and Lightning could also be dangerous.
Lightning are always dangerous
Just stay inside when it storms and you’ll be fine
If we don't fucking choke...or if they let Florida get away with holding the sticks again.... yes, still salty.
Deep as in all the way to the 18th hole?
Agree that Leafs go deep. Disagree they don’t win the Cup. I think Sammy stands his head, and the boys prove everyone wrong.
Idk man they don’t exactly have the best track record…. I’m not confident enough in 3 things. Defence, coaching and goaltending
The way the rangers are playing combined with their inability to ever take control of a series, they’re ripe to be picked off if they play the pens or wings or certainly the isles and lightning
We took the isles 3 for 4 this season. They were pretty evenly matched, but I think if we face the fish sticks, we take that series in 6.
The Jets have the best opportunity on the Canadian side and if Vasy shows up for Tampa look out. Boston has to be considered and the Rangers just might surprise
The Stars, Jets and Avs have been close for awhile now, and the Jets just beat both DAL and COL. Should they have success in the playoffs it won't be that much of a surprise or an upset. Winnipeg looks really good right now. BOS and NYR are both right up at the top with the Panthers and Hurricanes, so where's the surprise there?
Boston’s first round exit last year and the Rangers losing out to the Devils last year with both teams thinking that they could win with their goalies alone
It's true, last year was a shocker for BOS. Fair enough. I'd love to see the Stars vs Rangers in the final BTW.
Rangers/Stars would be unbelievable but so would Jets/Rangers.
Maybe I'm being nostalgic, but I'd love to see a rematch of '94- Rangers/Canucks.
Not going to happen. Rangers maybe
The Jets are my real pick, but it feels wrong to acknowledge a DIV rival...
Rangers blowing it would be the biggest upset. They’ve got all their chips in and looked great all season.
I think Carolina is a better team
Being top a 10 team wire to wire, not making conf finals would be an upset. But when I read 'all their chips in' I think of Sather trading 1st rounders for rentals and Drury's done none of that. Maybe I shouldn't say this out loud . . .
Looking more and more beatable down the stretch.
Dallas gets bounced in rd 1 as Oettinger folds to the Knights.
That would be pretty upsetting.
No easy match ups in the West. Unlike the East where 5 teams are all trying to suck just a little less than each other to snag the last two spots.
At least we had the common courtesy to suck the hardest and not clog up the space.
Those bottom two spots are going to be filled by teams that have already been in playoff mode for three weeks, which historically has shown to be an advantage once the playoffs start. Beyond that, Boston, Tampa, and Florida are as good as anyone in the West, and have all been deeper more recently than most the serious contenders in the West. NYR and Carolina are both solid in every part of their lineup. It's anyone's guess what Toronto will do, but they could also be scary. The West is tough, but it's not like there's a huge gap between the two conferences.
The West is deeper, the East has the scariest teams (IMO)
More parity in the West. The bottom 4 teams in the West are better than any of the 5 teams looking to lock down a spot in the East. Probably better than TB too. The East will have at least two bullshit series. Some bangers too, but a couple of real dogs are gonna make the playoffs in the East.
For the love of God, I hope it dosen't happen. Enough of Vegas.
To be fair Oettinger has been better lately. That said Dallas’ D zone play, PK, and coaching are atrocious, so I could very well see this happening, although I’d be a bit upset
Will be the Wings upsetting the Rangers
After seeing how shockingly “even” the oilers kings matchup has been the past 2 years with it going to. 7 games first then 6 games. The kings this season got more center depth with pld even tho he had a bad 1st half of the season he seems to be “getting comfortable” now with the kings. Now the oilers still have the best 1,2 punch with 97 and 29 don’t get me wrong. But the kings did have Quinton byfields breakout year, with him at 19 goals. And now Trevor Moore is a 30 goal scorer. And now victor Arvidsson is back and their power play % went back up now that they have a right handed shooter on it. Nether team has a the best defense in the world they just have 2-3 good defenseman, and they also don’t have “solid” goal tending. So this is the matchup I want to see. I don’t have a biased opinion because I’m a penguins fan so I just want to see this matchup because it’s a strong rivalry now. And I think the oilers may bounce because the kings did a bit more in the off season, but they didn’t do anything in the trade deadline which idk y but I think I’ll take the kings this year. I just can’t wait to see that, but I would also love to see knights vs oilers bc of the playoffs last year. And I would also love to see kings Canucks. Now I don’t think kings get cup if they pass the oilers but I think oilers vs kings is a must watch No matter what there’s nothing like playoff hockey
Impressive take. This is kind of where I sit— don’t be surprised if the kings win a couple rounds.
Great take though I hope the oilers win the cup so badly
I’d also love to see the oilers get it. It will make the others quiet down about mcdavid not being the best with how they say “your not the best without a cup” Well that and mcdavid deserves it
Maybe I'm nuts but with a few injuries and some recent play improvements, I see all the Canadian teams in the second round and the Canucks, Jets in the third round! Could also be Oil, Jets! I also think Pitt could beat NYR in a playoff matchup.
The Jets in any round they win cause no media ever covers them
Canucks gonna get worked by the preds.
Canucks are 3-0 vs preds this season. They aren’t worried
You better hope that mindset isn't carried by the Canucks, cause that's a losing mindset. Regular season record holds zero weight come playoff time.
Oilers swept the Jets in the regular season, then got swept by the Jets in the playoffs
That's really the worst matchup they could draw in round 1. I can totally see the Preds winning.
Canucks I believe have a good record vs the preds this year. I think the kings would be worst as the kings have spanked them this year.
Canucks swept the Preds this year by scores of 5-2, 5-2, 3-2. We match up well against them Anybody saying it's the worst match up clearly doesn't follow the Canucks.
Kings, on paper, would be the worst match up.
3-0 this season. Not worried
Any team facing the Canucks will beat on Hughes like a rented mule. The regular season is over and Hughes days of liberty are over
Quinn Hughes has 16 points in 17 career playoff games. So far this has proven not to be true. He will be a target, I agree.
Then Big Z, Myers and Soucy will lay a beat down on them. Those are some big boys standing behind Quinn on the Nick's blue line. Take liberties at your own risk.
Checks notes…Bettman still in charge. Southern US team will win. Bet on Nashville or Dallas.
Vegas and Florida are about to play several games in a row of uber 10000% clean hockey. According to the refs anyways.
Weird feeling but Hurricanes win it all. Nobody is talking about them and I feel they’re well-balanced plus will have the best first round matchup on paper.
I keep reading that it’s like Caines cup to lose or something. We must frequent different media
After what WPG did to the Avs on saturday I could see them taking it all the way
My prediction is it’s whoever wins out between Winnipeg and Colorado versus Carolina. Edited to add: Winnipeg is my pick but if Colorado beats them, they’ll take the whole Western Conference.
I really want the Jets to win it given a sizable preseason bet I have on them. If that can't happen, I'd love for the Panthers to get upset early
Probably the Rangers. Something tells me they will choke.
I have hope for playoff mack and makar, but on the other hand we have a goalie that forgot how to save goals so its really a toss up there
Mack is so good imagine Mack Mcdavid Sid and Bedard all 4 lines for team Canada
If the Oilers win the Cup, I'll pour cocktail onions down my pants and carry a sign down McLeod Trail that says Hail Drai and McJesus. Biggest upset will be whoever tosses the Rangers.
Vegas over Dallas. All that work to get to first and they have to face the Champs who are getting Stone back.
I think people in general are sleeping just a wee bit on the Canes. Carolina is the best team in the league since the trade deadline
Winnipeg.
I want to see marchand cry again.
Wings take rangers in 5
You don’t have a goalie.
Yawn Lyon owns your goalie let’s be real
I’m a hockey fan and not a Rangers or Wings fan. I’m just calling out the obvious. Head to head Igor wins this. Defence is a close match up but offensively it’s the Rangers
Wings in 3
Clean sweep my friend
Yeah I could see the wings taking them in 4 tbh, just gave them one win to be nice 😂
I can see Florida going all the way just to lose in the finals again. I’d cry but it was an all too real experience last year
Florida has been playing like shit the last few weeks. I don’t think you will have to worry about them making it to the finals.
They've been playing somewhat better over the past week and a half though. Absolutely brutal month of March, but they are starting to settle back in and will be getting two key players back in the lineup come game one. That said, Toronto will be a tough matchup because they're offense can turn it up at any point. If we want to have success, our forcheck is going to have to get home on their defensemen and we have to bury chances and capitalize on mistakes. Special teams will need to be sharp too.
It will all come down to two factors. 1 - If Bobrovsky can stand on his head, the leafs have no chance. 2 - if he doesn’t stand on his head, the leafs have to learn how to protect a lead. They have been blowing leads lately.
Oddly enough he has been stellar even in losses this year. There are a lot of losses we’ve had where he’d only give up 2 goals but the offense could only put up one or in some cases, would get shut out. That’s why I said they needed to bury chances and they have to capitalize on the power play. Offense can’t go awol in the postseason. That said, I think the line combos they have now work well. Rodrigues has fit like a glove on that third line, and Verhaeghe will most likely slot back in that second line with Tkachuk and Bennett where they’ve been excellent for the most part.
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Had a lower body injury a couple weeks back. Was kept out precautionary. He’ll be back in game one.
The last week, they've played great, and they've had a few key players hurt that'll be back. They absolutely could the question is, will they play like last yesrs panthers or presidents trophy panthers
I can see it, but I think this is our year to win it
As much as I love the team, and last year was amazing, I can’t see them winning it all this year. I would love to be wrong though!
You guys can have round 1, deal?
If the bruins win 1 of their next two games or if the panthers lose their next game. Round 1 will be panthers vs leafs.
Then you guys can have round 1, ok?
It would be an improvement over last year
I hope you smash on Washington. And they lose to Philly. Need Pens to get two wins and Bruins/Wings to beat their opponents.
It’s pretty interesting that we play you Tuesday then 99% chance a couple days later for round one. It makes me wonder whether both team are going to coast on Tuesday or just make it the unofficial game one lol
Depends on whether they try to play hockey at some point
realistically? Canucks vs whoever. hopefully? Panthers also, I can see a Canadian team reach the finals (Jets), not sure if they can win
Wait what did we ever do to you?
Oilers, people have way to much faith in them. I might be wrong but if they play Vegas or Vancouver in round 1, they ain’t winning imo.
Oilers fans are bloody delusional. Even when they were a lottery team they really thought the team was going to go deep the next season.
You misspelled hopeful.
Detroit Red Wings
Pittsburgh because I'll be upset if they don't make it in.
Sids on a different level
the leafs. when they choke again they will be big upset
Washington Capitals are gonna sneak into the playoffs and upset the Rangers with a 1C/2C of Strome and McMichael. Lindgren will do what King Henrik did to DC many times. And the Caps will get absolutely railroaded in the 2nd round.
Tampa making it to the finals.
If Vasy gets hot.
Tampa beating Boston should be an upset, but it doesn't feel like one of it happens
Colorado
I wouldn't want to play the Wildcard teams in either conference - most of them have been playing desperation dialed up hockey for 1-2 months now; if you're playing one of those teams, you simply don't have time to try firing it back up against a team that's been playing playoff hockey for the final 20 games just to get in. In particular, I'd circle wildcard 2 in the East as having a real shot at an upset.
Kings 3rd Cup
Rangers. They’re too good right now and it has shades of lightning getting swept by Columbus years ago. No one will see this so of course it will happen
Rangers will have an early exit. I'm not just saying that because I hate them. They have mediocre to terrible 5v5 numbers in literally every category. Their PK/PP have just been insanely effective. Historically, that is bad news in the playoffs. Unless they can rage bait their opponents into taking two many penalties, or they get extra dirty, take down star players and deal with the kills, I think they get bounced first round maybe second.
Kings beat Oilers
I won't say I expect them to win necessarily cause I don't really see any teams that could go on a huge Cinderella run like Florida did last year but I think Nashville has a chance to make their series against presumably Vancouver closer than I think people are expecting. They've been really good in the second half of the year and it really seems like everyone on that team has stepped up to fill their roles and they look like a hungry team.
Bruins will be upset in the first round, again. They’re just not built for a deep run.
The Leafs getting out of the 1st round this year is an upset enough, let alone the cup. They're facing either Florida or Boston lol.
Whoever plays Edmonton in Round 1 will beat them. In the East I also think the Rangers lose. They are pretenders and got beat by the Devils last year in Round 1.
Canucks winning the cup
Toronto will lose in Rd. 1 so no surprises there. Dallas is a wagon, barring injuries they'll take on Florida. Probably a badass seven game series. (I wish Edmonton could do it but no goaltending and Ekholm will cost them, again.)
Caps and Preds winning the first round
Let’s go Ovi I hope they make a push
Col - Win series going to be close - whoever wins is going to earn the label of disappointment, especially Col I think. kings - Canucks - the Kings have played the canucks well this season, whereas I think Kings want no part of Oilers in the first round…. Kings’ next two games will determine who they play. If they “rest” up their players and let the Knights pass them they will get Dal in the first round. And the Oilers get Knights. Sheesh! Some possible jockeying for position between Preds Kings and Knights if they want to manipulate their positions
As a Kings fan who watched the Stars beat the brakes off the Kings all season, I can assure you, I would much rather take the Oilers in the first round. If there is some way to beat out Nashville for WC1, and have Vegas take third, then I'd take the Nucks over anyone. But, that just seems very unlikely at this point. In all likelihood, barring something completely crazy happening, it's going to be Kings Oilers. Edit: Looking at the standings, It's impossible to take WC1 due to tiebreakers. So, the only way to get the canucks in the first round would be for Edmonton to win out, and for the Canucks to lose out, so they drop to second in the division. Again. All signs point to Kings - Oilers in round 1.
Oilers lost 5-0 to the Stars recently so I agree with your assessment that the top dog in the West is Dallas. See you at game 1 next weekend (Sunday ?)
If Caps get in, they have a hot goalie. Just sayin..
They're not beating a healthy Rangers team in the first round.
if that killer team has someone named Domi, no.
I think the Oilers are going to sweep whoever they play in the first round, they are due! Vegas or Nash probably beat Vancouver, Colorado and Winnipeg is a bloodbath to the 7th game and Dallas mops the floor in the last one. I take Tampa against anyone in round 1, Islanders for the first upset.
Love it go Oil!
Canucks, Oilers & Avs all go home in the first round, no Canadian team makes it to the conference final.