League News: 2018-19 NHL Talk - (News n' Scores n' Stuff) Vol. 4

[AussieCapsFan]

Very good night in the Metro. But did want to point out that the Jackets are still up 2 ROW on Carolina. So that razor thin 1 point lead the Canes have now has to hold at least.

EDIT: I'd love to see Pitt fall to the second WC and face Tampa in R1. Then while I'm dreaming, the Jackets could leapfrog the Canes so CBJ and the Isles could beat each other senseless. Both Columbus and Carolina have a ROW advantage on the Pens so it could happen, right?

That would be hilarious! Sadly it would require several planets to be aligned over the next few days. (I have my fingers crossed).

 

[AussieCapsFan]

The only reason I want to avoid the Jackets is because eventually the Jackets are gonna win a series, it's simply the law of averages. Let it be some other team that takes that hit.

Yeah you're right, but my God that is one schizophrenic hockey team. Tortorella's been coaching them too long and the team has taken on his persona.....it's pretty funny actually.

 

[ovikovy817]

We need the Pens, Canes and Cbus to win their games now.
Caps win again MTL
And it's the perfect end to the RS

 

[searle]

Ideal scenario is CAR --> NYI --> TOR (or the 8th seed, but that's not happening) --> someone beat up from the West.

So the Caps will probably get hot CBJ --> PIT --> TBL again.

They never seem to get to go around the obstacles in the playoffs, so they'll just have to go through them again.

If you want to be the best you have to beat the best.

Each of those teams are worthy opponents, no matter what happens I think I'll end this season happy.

Would be far happier after sticking it to Shittsburgh and the increasingly toxic Tampans though

 

[kuzy92]

Personally I don't care who we play.. Each team presents their own challenges but if the Caps play the way they have played Tampa the last two times then they will be very hard to beat..

 

[twabby]

None of the potential WC1 teams would be easy. CAR and MTL are both very strong at 5v5 and CBJ is up there as well.

 

[RandyHolt]

Make no mistake. No matter who we play, bet on the series going 7 games. At that point, its nearing garbage goal softies deciding the series.

Can't we f***ing sweep anyone? I am not convinced that is for the best, oddly. That is a testament to how random hockey can be. I think many will argue its better to keep playing at the risk of injuries and losing, vs sitting around for a week after a sweep, and getting out of the 6 month routine of playing regularly. Always bet on a heavy favorite that hasn't played in a week, to lose. Playoffs are the best time to bet on hockey. #workthedogs

 

[Sam Spade]

Also the Habs were favourite on the bookies today

If it was a road game I might take that action but the Caps at home with a chance to lock down the Metro. I think the Caps play a good game, and no slam to the Habs here, but the Caps are on another level everywhere but in net.

Win and then sit everyone you can on Saturday.

If you want to be the best you have to beat the best.

Been there, done that. How about the Caps getting to play a non-physical team like the Canes in round one for once? I'm not saying it would be easier but it would be a hell of a lot easier than the Jackets, whose 4th line is just a bunch of seek and destroy players.

 

[Devil Dancer]

None of the potential WC1 teams would be easy. CAR and MTL are both very strong at 5v5 and CBJ is up there as well.

Disagree, Carolina is a fancystat darling that isn't actually any good. They throw pucks at the net from wherever and pray, and the Corsi Gods shower them with love.

 

[twabby]

Disagree, Carolina is a fancystat darling that isn't actually any good. They throw pucks at the net from wherever and pray, and the Corsi Gods shower them with love.

They also lead the league in xGF% which takes into account throwing pucks at the net from distance and discounts those shot types.

Also, this:


They are very good.

 

[ChaosLord]

We can intimidate a lot of teams but the penguins are not one of them I do not get people wanting to see them in the first round

Because at the moment, even Pens fans acknowledge it, they are weak. Malkin and Letang are out, and even if they return for the series, they are likely to be rusty (Letang especially). They might gift the Caps a game or two early in the series, and then they would be toast.

Would you rather face them in the 2nd round, when they are starting to gain momentum?

 

[txpd]

If you want to be the best you have to beat the best

Maybe. If you want to be the Champion, you need to beat who is presented to you. If the Caps don't beat the Penguins this season or TB loses before they get to the Caps and the Caps beat some Cinderalla that turned back into a step sister in the finals, are they not the best? Maybe. They are the Champions.

 

[txpd]

They also lead the league in xGF% which takes into account throwing pucks at the net from distance and discounts those shot types.

Also, this:


They are very good.

Oh, brother. There is a reason why the Caps shouldn't want to play any team in the NHL in the playoffs. God knows they would lose to Buffalo.

Why is Carolina a good opponent? They needed to win a home and home with the Capitals and lost both. They are a team that hasn't been in the playoffs forever and had no expectation of making it this season. Same basically as the Islanders. The Caps have the most points in the league since the TDL. Then there is Mrazek.

 

[txpd]

Make no mistake. No matter who we play, bet on the series going 7 games.

Living in the past, RH. They had 1 7 game series last season and won the finals in 5. Have you forgotten that already?

 

[RandyHolt]

Living in the past, RH. They had 1 7 game series last season and won the finals in 5. Have you forgotten that already?

You think it will be cakewalk?

Look at the big picture, all games league wide, not just our finals blowout of an expansion team that had no business being in the finals, being gifted all the players they were. The chosen ones...

In the modern era, what is the average length of a playoff series? It has to be 6.x

 

[Red Dread]

Because at the moment, even Pens fans acknowledge it, they are weak. Malkin and Letang are out, and even if they return for the series, they are likely to be rusty (Letang especially). They might gift the Caps a game or two early in the series, and then they would be toast.

Would you rather face them in the 2nd round, when they are starting to gain momentum?

Good points. Still hoping they get to WC2 though

 

[twabby]

Oh, brother. There is a reason why the Caps shouldn't want to play any team in the NHL in the playoffs. God knows they would lose to Buffalo.

Why is Carolina a good opponent? They needed to win a home and home with the Capitals and lost both. They are a team that hasn't been in the playoffs forever and had no expectation of making it this season. Same basically as the Islanders. The Caps have the most points in the league since the TDL. Then there is Mrazek.

I’m not saying they should be scared of Carolina. The Capitals are the best team in the Metro and are IMO the team most likely to beat the Lightning.

I’m just saying the Hurricanes are a formidable opponent, as is every potential team the Capitals will play. There are no cakewalks.

Edit: and to be honest I want to see them play Carolina. I like new opponents in the playoffs and I think they would be a great opponent to get the Capitals fully engaged. I also don't see Carolina as a particularly dirty or physical team which should help if the Capitals hope to win another Cup.

 

[kicksavedave]

You think it will be cakewalk?

Look at the big picture, all games league wide, not just our finals blowout of an expansion team that had no business being in the finals, being gifted all the players they were. The chosen ones...

In the modern era, what is the average length of a playoff series? It has to be 6.x

I'm perfectly fine with a repeat of 4-2, 4-2, 4-3, 4-1. Same teams, that's fine too.


I just want the Caps playing in June, because for the first time years, I have confidence we belong there. Also, I want more Caps hockey, not less.

 

[RandyHolt]

I'm perfectly fine with a repeat of 4-2, 4-2, 4-3, 4-1. Same teams, that's fine too.

I just want the Caps playing in June, because for the first time years, I have confidence we belong there. Also, I want more Caps hockey, not less.

Hell yeah, f*** golfing. If I want golf I can watch Caddyshack.

For as "easy" as Tex makes it out to be, we averaged 6 games per series last year. I hope bettors know that we can likely expect the same, this year. Or as I say, 6.x. Expect 7 but if we can finish in 6, we will live longer. Betting #ALLCAPS all the time isn't always the best move.

 

[txpd]

You think it will be cakewalk?

Show me where I said that. Show me where I said anything like that.

 

[txpd]

I’m not saying they should be scared of Carolina. The Capitals are the best team in the Metro and are IMO the team most likely to beat the Lightning.

I’m just saying the Hurricanes are a formidable opponent, as is every potential team the Capitals will play. There are no cakewalks.

Edit: and to be honest I want to see them play Carolina. I like new opponents in the playoffs and I think they would be a great opponent to get the Capitals fully engaged. I also don't see Carolina as a particularly dirty or physical team which should help if the Capitals hope to win another Cup.

They are all formidable. Your analytics have to say that Tampa wins against the Caps. Come on.

 

[tenken00]

Carolina would be good just for the fact that they're young with barely any playoff experience. They just want and need that experience, nothing more.

Kind of like Toronto a few years back (although we made that series tougher on ourselves).

 

[RandyHolt]

Show me where I said that. Show me where I said anything like that.

You do see that little thing, called a question mark, right?

I asked you a question, since you were quick to point out an expansion team was finished in 5.

So no, show me where i said you said I said what you said I said.

 

[RandyHolt]

Carolina would be good just for the fact that they're young with barely any playoff experience. They just want and need that experience, nothing more.

Kind of like Toronto a few years back (although we made that series tougher on ourselves).

With all due respect, I give Babcock credit for giving us fits on that one. They gave us a good scare. It just took a game or 2 too long for Barry to adjust to their desperation ricochet shot via the slot offense. I saw what they were doing right away, and the LUCKY SHOT debate was birthed. Only after 2 or 3 games, did folks finally start to realize repeated hard passes and even slap "shots" towards forwards in the high slot, was deliberate. After we aggressively marked men in the slot, did we clear the TML hurdle. IIRC Holts was on tilt, and even putting in extra work with Korn.... something I cannot ever recall a starting G doing mid playoffs.

 

[Lindemann]

Carolina has been on a roll for sure and I’m happy for them but when they played against us it was whole different level between us and then

Im not too worried about them (famous last words)

CBJ and Pitt scare me the most