Stanley Cup Playoffs

[Greyvtrayn]

So far these playoff series have been a blast to watch. Especially this TB/Fla series! Lots of scoring and physical play. Gonna be some fantastic games!

 

[Ranger71]

Rough late loss for Florida, hopefully they can get game 2.

 

[Greyvtrayn]

Yeah, I agree. I'm pulling for them to win the series. Was a great game though. Lots of scoring chances, some hard-nosed physical play...super chippy. Just a great NHL playoff game.

 

[Greyvtrayn]

Pretty cool watching Craig Anderson in net for the Caps. Dude is 39 years old and still has it. Great story. But still, fuck Tom Wilson.

 

[NYR Fan]

Since winning the Cup in 2018, the Caps have lost in the 1st round 3 straight years.
Since winning the Cup in 2019, the Blues have lost in the 1st round 2 straight years.

I think both teams will look to make some changes this off-season, especially the Caps who need to re-sign OV, and have some age and cap issues.

 

[Greyvtrayn]

Rooting hard for the Predators to beat the 'canes. I think that is the only chance, and even then it is slight, they would move on from Brind'Amour is with an early exit from the playoffs.
Also hoping for the Lighting to finish off Florida and then they look at moving Barkov.

 

[NYR Fan]

When you step back and look at it, it shouldn't be a big shocker it looks like the Bruins and Isles will play in round 2. Both the Caps and Pens have goaltending issues this year, and age/cap issues moving forward. Both teams are at a crossroads for their next steps. Are their windows closed? I say yes for sure Caps, and we'll see on the Pens. Maybe they have one more run if they fix the goalie position.

As for the Isles/Bruins, I'd give the Bruins a slight edge due to home ice, and total roster talent, but that is a close toss-up series that can go either way IMO. Bruins in 6 or 7 I'd lean.

TB should roll to the ECF once they finish off Florida. TB and Boston would be a really good ECF. Edge TB, but Boston would have a shot.

The winner of Colorado and LV will be in the SCF from the West as the Canadian division winner is a cut below or more. Give me Colorado right now over LV.

Colorado and TB would be a great SCF. I would give TB the edge due to goaltending. It is also why LV has a shot against Colorado. If Colorado gets good goaltending they can beat any team.

 

[Ranger71]

So basically, Florida now has a $10m paperweight backup goalie.

 

[Greyvtrayn]

Yikes....How many years left on his contract? I can't imagine the Kraken taking him the expansion draft.

 

[Greyvtrayn]

Welp, so much for a chance at Brind'amour being let go.

 

[mrmel29]

Welp, so much for a chance at Brind'amour being let go.

You never know grevy. Trotz left the caps after winning the cup. In the end it will come down to not only brindamours contract but what the canes are willing to pay his asst coaches which sounds like it’s just as important to brindamour. Don’t see any chance the canes beat Tampa in round 2. Looks like Sullivan could also be available now too. Glad at least to this point drury showing patience in not rushing to hire a coach.

 

[Greyvtrayn]

Yeah, that's true. However, I do expect the Rangers to be either the first or second team with a head coach vacancy to announce a hiring. I was thinking about Sullivan too but, like Brind'Amour until they leave their current team there's not much to think about. We will see!

 

[kreidertime]

Bruins sure found their playoff game. Didn't look like it for most of the regular season that would be the case.

 

[Ranger71]

Toronto needs a face lift.

 

[NYR Fan]

Toronto needs to remake their team. They have not won a playoff round since 2004. It starts with them adding a goalie, something they have needed for years, and similar to us, they need to trade some of their skill upfront and add some grit. If they don't make some big moves after yet another huge letdown, this year in the weakest division by far, they are lost. Watch them try and convince themselves that they lost because of the Tavares injury. As if they didn't have a 3-1 lead without him.

That team needs to be remade for sure. In hindsight, adding Tavares was probably the exact wrong move for what they needed.

 

[kreidertime]

The Rangers can control this entire off-season. After the expansion draft I think you see them make at least 3 trades. Georgiev I can see going. They might play Lundkvist for a season to showcase him before bringing Schneider up but they also could use him to get that top faceoff, top 2 line center. Vancouver blows on defense. Especially the right side. There is a match there. Edmonton needs more depth on offense and their defenseman still suck. Their goalies are old and they suck. I don't care what Smith's numbers were. He sucks. Holloway and McLeod are two guys I'd zero in on. Edmonton simply can't afford to wait any longer for more kids to develop. They have to win now. I see a match there. I'd go after both Holloway and McLeod in a deal. I figure if Howden isn't claimed you could offer, Buchnevich, Georgiev, Howden and either Jones or Reunanen. They can't afford to go another year with scrubs in net, waiting for McLeod to get better. Holloway is probably 2 years away. They have to add pieces now.

 

[Greyvtrayn]

I've seen a lot of hits in my life but that Sheifele hit on Evans last night was the first one that I actually thought 'That dude may be paralyzed'. Just gruesome. Glad it wasn't as serious as it looked to me.

 

[NYR Fan]

As most of us have said all season, the Isles are a very good, deep, very well coached team. They certainly play playoff style hockey.

That series will be better this year than it was last year IMO. Give me TB in 7, but man the Isles have a chance I think.

 

[Greyvtrayn]

Yeah, the Isles are playing well but so has TB. TB is a more offensively gifted team than the Bruins. I think it will be tough for the Isles to keep them in check.. I'd guess TB in 6, maybe 5. The Islanders are fun to watch so I expect it to be an entertaining series.

 

[NYR Fan]

I think TB will win as well, but I would be shocked if it's a 5 game series. I can see TB in 6, but right now lean 7.

 

[panzerporter]

It was nice watching theose dirty B's get a taste of their own medicine. The Fishsticks took them to the woodshed They can throw the Bolts off ith their physical style especially if they have the same lenient officiating.

 

[Ranger71]

It's one of the only times i'd actually pull for the Bruins to win a series, against the Isles, Philly or NJ, but they failed.

 

[Greyvtrayn]

Thats funny, I am the opposite....The only time I would pull for the Isles is against the Bruins (ok and the Flyers too)! ha

 

[Greyvtrayn]

Was just reminded that Lamoriello is the GM of the Islanders. Have to give the man credit. He knows how to build a winning hockey franchise.

 

[panzerporter]

Think the Bruins were a Chara short of taking the series. The Avs are another team tobe added to the list of needing a shakeup, they are serious underperformers post season.

 

[Greyvtrayn]

I think they were missing a stronger physical presence. Teams like the Islanders and Knights play a punishing forecheck style that can wear down opposing teams that can't match their physicality.

 

[Greyvtrayn]

With Barkov winning the Selke I should prob quit holding out hope that he can be acquired this off-season.

 

[NYR Fan]

Not surprised the Isles/TB series is 2-2. I still stay with TB in 7, but it is going to continue to be a close battle of a series.

As for Montreal/Vegas, Price stole the game everyone thought he could. I'd stay with Vegas in 6 after the Price steal, but obviously tonight's game will dictate that. If Vegas wins I think they'll win the next 3. If they lose I think Montreal will actually win the series, which I admit will really shock me. Good for them playing with a lot of confidence currently, so who knows.

 

[Ranger71]

TB looked like the Rangers usually do with the goalie pulled. No idea what they're doing and mental brainfarts.

 

[BigDaddyAl1973]

The Ning making a statement tonight...fuck the Icelanders