2018 NHL Thread: Cappy is happy while the rest of us pray to the ping pong gods for Tuesday night (2 Viewers)

[Stompin' Tom Connors]

Leafs getting ABSOLUTELY SHELLED at home in the first by the Hawks. Leafs look like they are decidedly headed in the wrong direction heading into the playoff stretch.

If they continue to look this terrible and lose, it will make the game vs the Flyers on Fri VERY interesting in terms of both team's momentum and playoff seeding/chances.

 

[JaxBill]

Not sure why they're doing this. Doesn't this start the free agency clock?

@SWhyno: Senators are wasting no time getting top prospect Erik Brannstrom to the NHL. He'll make his debut tonight against the Blues.

 

[AcerFC]

Not sure why they're doing this. Doesn't this start the free agency clock?

@SWhyno: Senators are wasting no time getting top prospect Erik Brannstrom to the NHL. He'll make his debut tonight against the Blues.

might even open him up to protection for Seattle. At least that is what would have happened with Kravstov

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Not sure why they're doing this. Doesn't this start the free agency clock?

@SWhyno: Senators are wasting no time getting top prospect Erik Brannstrom to the NHL. He'll make his debut tonight against the Blues.

Interestingly, the Senators will have a few decisions to make down the stretch. The team has 12 games remaining in the regular season, meaning Brannstrom could potentially cross a pair of thresholds if he plays out the year in the NHL. First would be playing a 10th game, which would burn a year off his current entry-level contract. The 19-year-old is still young enough to see his deal slide forward if he plays in nine or fewer matches. The other threshold, at 11 games, would make him eligible for the 2021 expansion draft and force the Senators to use one of their protection slots on him. Brannstrom is currently projected to be exempt from the draft.

Likely, the Senators will just give him a taste of the NHL and then return him to Belleville for a shot at the Calder Cup. The AHL Senators are battling for a playoff spot and could use the talented defenseman’s help if they’re going to make any noise in the postseason.

https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/erik_brannstrom_to_make_nhl_debut/s1_14825_28638632

they are banged up on the blueline and need a healthy body. Plus, he's earned the promotion.

 

[ItsOnlytheRiver]

Someone smarter than me please explain why the Blues seem to be handing the starting position back to Jake Allen again. How many times does this guy need to choke away his job mid season only to be rescued by his backup and then handed the job on a silver platter for merely having a few average/decent starts? 

Ive been way more forgiving of Allen than most of the fan base but this year was the final straw for me. I don’t care if they hold him and his contract that they’d have to pay someone to take on but he should be the backup until Binnington or whoever proves they are just as incapable and a few bad starts is not a good enough reason. 

 

[Foosball God]

Wings signed F Ryan Kuffner and LW Taro Hirose to two-year entry-level contracts yesterday.  Two productive college prospects, maybe one of them will catch on.

 

[Capella]

“Kucherov has 113 points, more than anyone in the NHL has had in at least 10 seasons.”

had to pay my playoff bill today. They sure took advantage of all these wins with the price tag. 

 

[Bill Brasky]

Russo reported through reliable sources that Fenton had a 1st + player for Staal at the deadline and turned it down.  all so he could make this push to finish 9th in the West, the absolute worst spot to be.  then again if he sells harder he’s doing stuff like Zucker for Frolik + a pick so there’s really no good outcome with this guy.  but this team just might be bad enough to lose 8 of the last 11 if goaltending doesn’t screw them into some wins...if you’re a glass half full type.  

Fenton sucks. 

 

[AcerFC]

Charra stick checked a stick into outer space tonight

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Fire Housley imo

 

[rick6668]

Fire Housley imo

I was at the game with my son.  Man I feel bad for you guys.  It was almost silent in the arena in the third other than the Let's Go Pens chants.

 

[The_Man]

That Metro first round series is really shaping up to be something - any combo of NYI, WASH and PITT is going to be excellent.

Also looking forward to tomorrow night's Caps-Lightning game, though I think TB might run them out of the rink. First time they've played since the ECF last year, plus TB is a tough place to play as it is and they will be fired up. After not playing all season, they face each other 3 times in the next 8 games which is a little weird.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

These Leafs don’t play much defense

 

[Capella]

Bolts/Caps was awesome. Cernak and Wilson may actually kill each other in a 7-game series. 

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Jack Hughes and Cole Caufield made @USAHockeyNTDP history last night. 

In attendance: Ken Holland, Jeff Blashill, Kris Draper, Chris Osgood, and Steve Yzerman — among others. https://t.co/GF9ZR6XTCw

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Pretty sure Hughes will make a fine Sabre

 

[IC FBGCav]

Pretty sure Hughes will make a fine Sabre

Montour looked like the best Sabre on the ice last night.  Impressed with his game.  Plus it seemed he was always on the ice.

 

[The_Man]

For @Aaron Rudnicki only 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=wnO5atiez5g

well also for any Finnish Liiga fans

 

[Stompin' Tom Connors]

These Leafs don’t play much defense

Gardiner and Dermott injuries play a big part of their thin D line play.

That said, no they don't.

Some real lackluster effort from all lines in slowing the puck up in the transition game, and badly (even lazily, in this last game against the Sens) overshooting on man coverage. 

They have 10 games to right this ship. Otherwise looks like yet another first round exit against the Bruins. They look far from playoff ready.

We'll see.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

For @Aaron Rudnicki only 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=wnO5atiez5g

well also for any Finnish Liiga fans

He seems a bit old for the parents to get that much attention. I assumed he’d be coaching by now. 

 

[Capella]

Gardiner and Dermott injuries play a big part of their thin D line play.

That said, no they don't.

Some real lackluster effort from all lines in slowing the puck up in the transition game, and badly (even lazily, in this last game against the Sens) overshooting on man coverage. 

They have 10 games to right this ship. Otherwise looks like yet another first round exit against the Bruins. They look far from playoff ready.

We'll see.

Don’t take this the wrong way and I realize this could haunt me later but I really hope you all beat Boston. 

 

[IC FBGCav]

Don’t take this the wrong way and I realize this could haunt me later but I really hope you all beat Boston. 

I want the Canes to play TB first round if they make the playoffs.  I think it will show the young team the bar.  I don't think the cup is realistic on any level for them this year but the experience is invaluable. 

 

[JaxBill]

Carter Hart brought the A game tonight and good thing because the Flyers have been trapped in their own end for extended periods of time.

 

[Stompin' Tom Connors]

Don’t take this the wrong way and I realize this could haunt me later but I really hope you all beat Boston. 

Let's not put any hopes and dreams out there, please. Way too superstitious for that, and really don't think at this stage the Leafs are primed to do it given the directions of both these clubs.

Let's just agree that having 3 of the Top 5 teams in the NHL having to face each other in first/mid playoff rounds is bogus.

 

[Zegras11]

Let's not put any hopes and dreams out there, please. Way too superstitious for that, and really don't think at this stage the Leafs are primed to do it given the directions of both these clubs.

Let's just agree that having 3 of the Top 5 teams in the NHL having to face each other in first/mid playoff rounds is bogus.

relocate

 

[AcerFC]

Rangers trying their best to get into that bottom 5. Please luck us into a top 2 pick. We have been suffering for a long two years. 

In all seriousness, the Rangers have not gotten a top 3 pick since the original 6 days. Is time. Oilers and Sabres have had enough imo. And does anyone really want to see the Avs get the Sens number 1. I think not. Well, maybe Rascal. 

 

[Bill Brasky]

Fiala might have tons of skill and offensive upside but if that guy can't figure out how to play in his own zone he's going to bust.  terrible decisions with the puck, turnover machine.

 

[JaxBill]

The Penguins may have to complete their march to the playoffs without Evgeni Malkin.

Coach Mike Sullivan said the star center is “week-to-week” with an upper-body injury. Malkin did not play in the 2-1 overtime loss to Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday, a day after he took a crosscheck to the torso from former Penguins teammate Robert Bortuzzo in a 5-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues.

 

[The_Man]

I know it's kind of shticky but I can't help how much I love 3-on-3 OT. Last night's OT between the Pens and Flyers had a half-dozen unbelievable chances, culminating in Philly stealing the extra point with 3 seconds left before the shootout. They should just get rid of the shootout and play 3-on-3 until there's a winner - I think it would almost always result in a decision in less time than a shootout, which can sometimes drag on and is not nearly as exciting.

 

[falguy]

I saw this on a Habs forum. Couldn't believe it.

Rerouin

"Last goal against a goalie on the road was almost 4 freaking months ago."

That's not good!

As the Habs settle into 9th place. :(

 

[Fantasy_Freak]

Jack Hughes and Cole Caufield made @USAHockeyNTDP history last night. 

In attendance: Ken Holland, Jeff Blashill, Kris Draper, Chris Osgood, and Steve Yzerman — among others. https://t.co/GF9ZR6XTCw

The son of a friend of mine played with Cole a few years ago, at the time Cole was committed to Ohio State.  It was fun watching him skate so effortless.

Can't wait to watch him play for the Badgers next year.

 

[JaxBill]

I know it's kind of shticky but I can't help how much I love 3-on-3 OT. Last night's OT between the Pens and Flyers had a half-dozen unbelievable chances, culminating in Philly stealing the extra point with 3 seconds left before the shootout. They should just get rid of the shootout and play 3-on-3 until there's a winner - I think it would almost always result in a decision in less time than a shootout, which can sometimes drag on and is not nearly as exciting.

At the very least extend it to 8 minutes. Or go 4v4 for  5 minutes followed by 5 minutes 3v3.

 

[Capella]

So is the presidents’ trophy a real trophy? Asking for a friend. 

Also, can you rest like 17 players a game?

 

[Stompin' Tom Connors]

So is the presidents’ trophy a real trophy? Asking for a friend. 

Yes. Yes it is.

Compared to all the other trophies the NHL has, it's the ugliest. And the last to the party, having only been established in the mid-80s.

 

[The_Man]

So is the presidents’ trophy a real trophy? Asking for a friend. 

Also, can you rest like 17 players a game?

It comes with an awesome banner 

 

[Capella]

From twitter:

Two teams in the entire NHL have clinched a playoff spot, yet the Lightning have already clinched the Presidents' Trophy. No way to deny how impressive that is.

 

[E Street Brat]

I saw this on a Habs forum. Couldn't believe it.

Rerouin

"Last goal against a goalie on the road was almost 4 freaking months ago."

That's not good!

As the Habs settle into 9th place. :(

Twitter has been full of Druin hate lately. 

So much talent so little heart.

 

[Capella]

What has Drouin been doing, or not doing I guess. 

 

[falguy]

What has Drouin been doing, or not doing I guess. 

From what I've seen lots turnovers. Nice flow though.

 

[Stompin' Tom Connors]

It comes with an awesome banner 

Like this one?

 

[falguy]

What has Drouin been doing, or not doing I guess. 

4 points in last 16 games. All assists, all in the same game.

Had a 3 game stretch prior to that (early Feb) where he had 9 points in 3 games. Problem is when he's bad, he's really bad. Like not invisible bad, but head scratching plays bad. I think this is all he will ever be too.

 

[Gally]

Rangers trying their best to get into that bottom 5. Please luck us into a top 2 pick. We have been suffering for a long two years. 

In all seriousness, the Rangers have not gotten a top 3 pick since the original 6 days. Is time. Oilers and Sabres have had enough imo. And does anyone really want to see the Avs get the Sens number 1. I think not. Well, maybe Rascal. 

Don't sleep on the Kings.  They are putting up quite a fight for the first spot....

 

[Bill Brasky]

if I’m San Jose or Calgary I’m doing everything I can to win that division and avoid Vegas first round.  I loved their deadline moves and it’s looking like it’s coming together nicely.

 

[E Street Brat]

if I’m San Jose or Calgary I’m doing everything I can to win that division and avoid Vegas first round.  I loved their deadline moves and it’s looking like it’s coming together nicely.

I don't get to see a lot of west coast games. Who do you like out there?

 

[AcerFC]

https://theathletic.com/875265/2019/03/20/analyzing-16-years-of-nhl-draft-data-to-see-which-teams-have-done-it-the-best-and-worst/

Interesting stuff. Surprised the Rangers werent in the lowest 3

 

[The_Man]

Carolina now just 2 points behind Pittsburgh with 2 games in hand. If they catch the Pens for the #3 spot in the Metro and knock Pittsburgh down to the #1 Wild Card, we're looking at Caps-Pens in the first round. 

Can't wait for tonight's Caps-Ning game. After falling behind 2-0 early, Washington played pretty well in TB the other night. This should be a good one.

 

[Bill Brasky]

I don't get to see a lot of west coast games. Who do you like out there?

Bakersfield Soft Pretzels have a pretty good rooster

 

[Bill Brasky]

when you factor in that Turris has like a million more years at $6 mil cap hit getting healthy scratched and playing 10 bad min a night when he's in the lineup...is it possible that the Preds were the worst losers out of the Duchene deal even if that Ottawa 1st ends up being #1 overall?  that Turris deal looks that bad right now.

never mind, it's still Ottawa.  but it's getting really close.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

when you factor in that Turris has like a million more years at $6 mil cap hit getting healthy scratched and playing 10 bad min a night when he's in the lineup...is it possible that the Preds were the worst losers out of the Duchene deal even if that Ottawa 1st ends up being #1 overall?  that Turris deal looks that bad right now.

never mind, it's still Ottawa.  but it's getting really close.

maybe Dorion will bail them out and trade to bring Turris back. They need some bad contracts to reach the cap floor.

 

[AcerFC]

maybe Dorion will bail them out and trade to bring Turris back. They need some bad contracts to reach the cap floor.

Maybe they will want Brendan Smith who plays more on the 4th line these days than he does on D