Who would you rather play

[Messiah717]

Interesting story in the Post today about the playoff seeding. The premise is that the first WC would be better because since they don't reseed. You then play the first two rounds in the Atlantic starting with Florida and if you win wouldn't get Washington or anyone in the Metro until the ECF.

 

[kreidertime]

Pitt. Barkov has taken a huge step up with many of their young players. Pitt really doesn't have many guys that can hurt you. Honestly, they are playing way over their heads. Runs like those come to a crashing halt sooner than later.

 

[NYR31]

The Pens for sure. There is always high probability that Fleury will choke and be a total mess.

 

[Messiah717]

Pens wouldn't have Malkin either so there's that also.

 

[mrmel29]

I guess pitt as the saying goes if your gonna be the champs you have to beat everyone anyway and if we get there I would just as well play the caps early in the run.

 

[cagedlion]

I wonder who would rather play the Rangers?
(what with all their injuries....)
My guess.................all teams in playoffs.

 

[kreidertime]

The answer is no teams. You would be a moron to want to play Lundqvist and the team that has won the most playoff games in hockey the past 5 years. I am not too optimistic about this team but don't be insane thinking teams want to play the Rangers.

 

[cagedlion]

Insane? LmfaOL

 

[theProdigy223]

Yes Caged, insane.

Jeff Marek Twitter (1/2): Panthers owner Doug Cifu on @SiriusXMNHL says if asked to pick he'd prefer to play the Islanders than the Rangers in the playoffs.

(2/2): Cifu said they're both "great teams" but cited Lundqvist as the difference.

 

[cagedlion]

As usual, you are putting this on Lundy.
I see it as a team sport, and as things stand now.......
the D looks shaky with injuries. If all play,
what the hell.....it's anybody's game.

My God, it's as if I made a personal assault. lol

 

[Disturbed]

I wanted Pitt before but not now. Also if they get 7 seed they also avoid Caps until ECF

Give me Florida

 

[strudwickisthebest]

If they get the 7th seed they can verse the caps in round 2 I think

 

[chuckd3534]

Nope...they would be in the Atlantic bracket and play the winner or the TB/Boston/Detroit series. No shot they could play the Pens or Caps until the ECF if they finish behind the Isles.

 

[Ranger71]

Florida would be sort of like playing the Isles which would be more challenging for sure.

 

[Stepupstepan]

No matter where they finish. First round exit is most likely when you haver a playoff trash like Nash on your team.

 

[Messiah717]

There will be a lot of Ranger fans down in Florida so not such a hostile building.

 

[Rangers94]

I'd much rather play Florida. Young team with quite a few mental lapses and you'd have to hope we could get up early and break their spirits. I want nothing to do with Pitt. Regardless of Fluery in goal for them, this team would still have to play defense and prevent goals and they've shown that they can't do it. The games against Pitt would be 5-3 losses and people would be blaming Hank stupidly. Rather play Florida and stay in the Atlantic bracket until the ECF, if we got that far.

 

[Messiah717]

The Pens are the hottest team in the hockey right now so let the Islanders play them in round one. At the end of the day getting Florida gets you an inexperienced playoff club, a friendly road building and if they're fortunate enough they stay in the Atlantic for round two. Putting it all together I don't see how it's that hard of an option to pick from.

 

[theProdigy223]

To me it wasnt about Florida or Pitt, it was about playing good hockey during this last stretch and going into the playoffs firing on all cylinders. We saw it a little against Columbus, we saw a gritty comeback against Tampa, and I wanted 2 60 minute efforts on these last two games. If all that meant Pitt then so be it, they are absolutely beatable. But now we back in to the postseason going from 2nd to 7th while playing inconsistent hockey. Regardless of matchup I dont like it.

 

[Rangers94]

To me it wasnt about Florida or Pitt, it was about playing good hockey during this last stretch and going into the playoffs firing on all cylinders. We saw it a little against Columbus, we saw a gritty comeback against Tampa, and I wanted 2 60 minute efforts on these last two games. If all that meant Pitt then so be it, they are absolutely beatable. But now we back in to the postseason going from 2nd to 7th while playing inconsistent hockey. Regardless of matchup I dont like it.

They're consistent prod. Consistently inconsistent. Does that count? Hahaha

 

[chuckd3534]

I actually think they played well tonight Prod. We have had MANY games where we won and didn't play well and everyone complained. I think tonight was the exact opposite. We played well IMO and didn't get the breaks...so be it.

So I think we are playing well right now.

And now we face Detroit who will need the game Saturday to make the playoffs. We'll see how that one goes.

 

[Rangers94]

One issue is that once again no one did anything when a cheap shot was taken on one of our guys. Tavares cheap shots Glass and no one does shit, not even Glass. They have fully bought into AV's pacifist philosophy.

 

[Stepupstepan]

Maybe this is a good thing that they dont have any expectations but LOL...looking for the favorable matchups should already be a signal that this group wont get past the first round. Maybe they can get to the second round by some miracle.

 

[Ranger71]

That would something if the Rangers ended Detroits long playoff streak.

 

[Messiah717]

Get the playoffs started and just go out there and play.

 

[mrmel29]

Regular season doesn't mean as much in hockey as other sports. Plenty of 7 and 8 seeds have gone far in the past. We have the most important ingredient in hank that can carry us and a lot of players that have been there before. No Mcd is the biggest negative. not as concerned without girardi as he has been bad anyway and dylan if he actually gets ice time will help on the D. Maybe this is the year nash finally lives up to his salary in the playoff.

 

[strudwickisthebest]

Right, I'm still thinking the old way, 1-8

 

[cagedlion]

NHL will change it's rules about playoff
match ups........nothing is in stone when
it comes to rules in this league. Just become one of the eight teams, and then you take your chances. Maybe down the road, the NHL will have 10 teams make the playoffs. You get the picture........more teams in the playoffs means more money for the league and the hockey clubs, and then we'll be able to see Canadian teams in the playoffs!!!!! Ugh!