2023 NHL Playoffs Around the League

[JKP]

Of course not silly, because nobody had the Panthers getting past the Bruins on their Bingo card in the first place.

But I hear you. Not a sweep of Carolina, but with the Canes losing the war of attrition and the Bob and Matthew show I did have the Panthers winning the series. They got on a mega roll.

I know it was a closely fought series, but still shocks me that there was a sweep. FLA in 7 wouldn't have surprised me. FLA in 4 did. They are def on a heater.

 

[leeroggy]

No. But it's not surprising that Carolina's lack of goal scoring (particularly with Svechnikov out) finally caught up with them. We also know Bobrovsky can play like this, even if he hasn't often. Still, I think Vegas stomps them.

VGK over Winnipeg (95 pts), Edmonton (109) and Dallas (108)
vs
Florida over Boston (135 pts), Toronto (111) and Carolina (113)

No reason to think the Finals would be a stomping; I'd give Florida the advantage when you look at some data. Panthers had the better regular season special teams and in the playoffs VGK has had a terrible PK number.

 

[leeroggy]

Interesting analysis on how the Panthers evolved this year:

 

[SI90]

Rod Brind’Amour identifies as a team that didn’t get swept lmao this guy has become such a clown with his statements. It’s crazy because he actually is a really good coach

 

[Lame Lambert]

The Horvat trade was our Tkachuk trade.

 

[SI90]

The Horvat trade was our Tkachuk trade.

Which writer said that again? Lol


I’m a big Horvat fan and I think ultimately he will be a big time player for us but I don’t see him having the Tkachuck type impact and being a 100pt player.

 

[Osakahaus]

I remember during the Snow years I suggested McPhee as a potential new GM for the Islanders. The reaction was pretty unanimous. McPhee sucks.

McPhee is bad

Its McCrimmon who rules

The Horvat trade was our Tkachuk trade.

Horvat will be fine. The issue lies in deployment of Bo and him needing to get that touch back. Also get that puck mover. Isles need to do everything for Durzi.

 

[mm11]

gotta admit, enjoying seeing gritty guys leading the way for the Panthers. #19, Bennett and Gudas making a deep run.

 

[PK Cronin]

gotta admit, enjoying seeing gritty guys leading the way for the Panthers. #19, Bennett and Gudas making a deep run.

I hate Gudas, I like the other two though.

 

[CaptDenisPotvin]

So glad the Panthers smoked the Canes in the conference finals. Aho is quickly becoming a baby Marchard, completely unlikeable player. I like Brind Amour but you gotta keep it together postgame....He sounds like an idiot saying they didn't get swept.

 

[doublechili]

Interesting analysis on how the Panthers evolved this year:

That was great, thanks for posting. Very worth the 5 or so minutes. I liked how Maurice said the playoffs are a different game - the rush goes away and net front becomes most important. He basically instilled a kinda Trotz-like system to minimize mistakes and focus on making safe plays to get the puck in the offensive zone and then forecheck.

Florida over Boston (135 pts), Toronto (111) and Carolina (113)

Is there a "If FLA wins it will be the toughest road to the Cup Ever" thread on the main board yet?

Seriously though, it could be. The 1980 Isles had a really tough path - maybe the toughest to date.

 

[Big L]

.


Is there a "If FLA wins it will be the toughest road to the Cup Ever" thread on the main board yet?

Seriously though, it could be. The 1980 Isles had a really tough path - maybe the toughest to date.

Florida is not winning the cup anyway. Should have sold at the deadline.

 

[BelovedIsles]

That was great, thanks for posting. Very worth the 5 or so minutes. I liked how Maurice said the playoffs are a different game - the rush goes away and net front becomes most important. He basically instilled a kinda Trotz-like system to minimize mistakes and focus on making safe plays to get the puck in the offensive zone and then forecheck.

Yup. Many on the main boards minimize the impact he has had. He implemented a conservative system to an offensively skilled team. He helped get Bob on track. He inherited a roster in transition, and adapted. He's often labelled as an avg. coach, but what he has done is well above avg.

 

[JKP]

Yup. Many on the main boards minimize the impact he has had. He implemented a conservative system to an offensively skilled team. He helped get Bob on track. He inherited a roster in transition, and adapted. He's often labelled as an avg. coach, but what he has done is well above avg.

I always thought of Maurice as a below-average coach. But there is no question he has been really good for the last few months. Their run to scrape in and their PO performance have been impressive.

 

[leeroggy]

I always thought of Maurice as a below-average coach. But there is no question he has been really good for the last few months. Their run to scrape in and their PO performance have been impressive.

Below average coaches don't get to 2 Stanley Cup Finals and 4 Conference finals. Trotz has one Cup and 3 Conference finals (including the Cup year). A Panthers win and Maurice has the better playoff resume.

 

[doublechili]

Below average coaches don't get to 2 Stanley Cup Finals and 4 Conference finals. Trotz has one Cup and 3 Conference finals (including the Cup year). A Panthers win and Maurice has the better playoff resume.

Yeah, but is Maurice a Hall of Fame coach like Trotz is?

 

[Doshell Propivo]

I wonder what the reaction would've been like here on April 11 if the Isles hired Maurice instead of Lambert, and he lead them to an 8th place finish.

 

[leeroggy]

Yeah, but is Maurice a Hall of Fame coach like Trotz is?

Why is Trotz a Hall of Fame Coach? His playoff record does not show that.

List of members of the Hockey Hall of Fame - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Off a quick check, when you look at who got in for being coaches, I'd guess that's around 10.

Adding the OT losses to losses, he's 914 wins, 838 losses and 60 ties before the OT was initiated.

He's 83-79 in the playoffs. He didn't even win a playoff round until his ELEVENTH year in Nashville.

Why do you assume he's a HOF inductee?

I wonder what the reaction would've been like here on April 11 if the Isles hired Maurice instead of Lambert, and he lead them to an 8th place finish.

Pretty much the same whining until this round, and then Maurice is a genius that was underappreciated and a potential HOF coach . . .

 

[doublechili]

I wonder what the reaction would've been like here on April 11 if the Isles hired Maurice instead of Lambert, and he lead them to an 8th place finish.

One or two points can be the difference between a parade and a missed opportunity to trade players for picks at the TDL.

Wasn't Maurice in the mix when the Isles hired Trotz? If so, my guess is people weren't excited about him as an option.

If anyone checks old threads from back then, please ignore my posts.

Why is Trotz a Hall of Fame Coach? His playoff record does not show that.

List of members of the Hockey Hall of Fame - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Off a quick check, when you look at who got in for being coaches, I'd guess that's around 10.

Adding the OT losses to losses, he's 914 wins, 838 losses and 60 ties before the OT was initiated.

He's 83-79 in the playoffs. He didn't even win a playoff round until his ELEVENTH year in Nashville.

Why do you assume he's a HOF inductee?

I don't assume that, but others do. I should have included this .

 

[The Real JT]

Florida The Isles weren’t winning the cup anyway. Should have sold at the deadline.

Fixed it.

Would’ve pocketed some assets, trade chips most likely, if that had been the route taken. Not a big haul admittedly, but that was the way to go.

At a minimum, it would’ve allowed us to dump Bailey’s contract with less pain. With those assets, the potential for moves this coming off-season would’ve been expanded.

 

[Big L]

I wonder what the reaction would've been like here on April 11 if the Isles hired Maurice instead of Lambert, and he lead them to an 8th place finish.

There were many here who were vehemently against a Maurice hire.

Fixed it.

Would’ve pocketed some assets, trade chips most likely, if that had been the route taken. Not a big haul admittedly, but that was the way to go.

At a minimum, it would’ve allowed us to dump Bailey’s contract with less pain. With those assets, the potential for moves this coming off-season would’ve been expanded.

shouldn’t Florida have done the same? They were the 8th seed

 

[The Real JT]

There were many here who were vehemently against a Maurice hire.

shouldn’t Florida have done the same? They were the 8th seed

Fair question but I’d say no.

They have a couple of forwards that arguably had a higher ceiling to elevate their play this postseason. Throw in Bob regaining some form and it’s been a perfect storm for them.

Did I see it or think it was realistically possible? Nah.

 

[PK Cronin]

Fair question but I’d say no.

They have a couple of forwards that arguably had a higher ceiling to elevate their play this postseason. Throw in Bob regaining some form and it’s been a perfect storm for them.

Did I see it or think it was realistically possible? Nah.

Then it doesn't make sense to suggest they shouldn't have sold.

 

[The Real JT]

Fair question but I’d say no.

They have a couple of forwards that arguably had a higher ceiling to elevate their play this postseason. Throw in Bob regaining some form and it’s been a perfect storm for them.

Did I see it or think it was realistically possible? Nah.

Then it doesn't make sense to suggest they shouldn't have sold.

I don’t know enough about Florida and their cap status and impending UFAs to offer an opinion on what they should’ve done. Frankly I don’t particularly care either.

Hindsight’s always 20/20 but let’s not forget Florida was a team coming back as the prior season’s President’s trophy winner. Apples and oranges comparing their situation to the Isles I’d say. It’s been a very unexpected run for them and to think this version of the Isles could’ve performed in a similar manner….hmmm….well you know how I feel.

Again, not the end of the world but it was a missed opportunity for the Isles to accumulate some sorely needed assets that undoubtedly will be needed in the next episode of As Lou’s World Turns.

 

[MJF]

Fair question but I’d say no.

They have a couple of forwards that arguably had a higher ceiling to elevate their play this postseason. Throw in Bob regaining some form and it’s been a perfect storm for them.

Did I see it or think it was realistically possible? Nah.

Bobrovsky lost his job to career minor leaguer Alex Lyon right around the TDL. Lyon carried them down the stretch. All things considered it’s a miracle the Panthers got this far.