Around the League - PLAYOFFS!?

[Dekes For Days]

Tampa's a point ahead of us for 3rd in the division. Detroit is a point behind us but still have a game remaining vs Ottawa before the all star game. We probably will be in the second WC but will have 3 games in hand.

Point % is what matters. Nobody can kick us out of 3rd in the division before the break.

 

[Commander Clueless]

Gary loves this system. Maybe it will change after someone drives a stake through his heart.

I don't understand why.

1-8 is simple, straightforward and fun.

 

[Evilhomer]

It will be Leafs vs Boston or Leafs vs Florida in the 1st round of the playoffs.

As of now, it's certainly looking that way. I don't think there is any reason the Leafs can't beat both of those teams so long as they get decent goaltending. All three of those teams will also likely make upgrades at the deadline.

 

[BallardEra]

As of now, it's certainly looking that way. I don't think there is any reason the Leafs can't beat both of those teams so long as they get decent goaltending. All three of those teams will also likely make upgrades at the deadline.

I think Boston would be the easier match up of the two.

 

[Menzinger]

Karlsson is a boring asset so I never looked into what Pens gave up for him until today. Leaf game switched to pens/habs OT so I became curious.

I was bit shocked to see a 1st round pick involved. Pens are very old with little chance to win a cup.

If they sell this season, they have to let Sharks take the top 10 pick in 2024. They will finish even lower in 2025 so can't let the pick slide.

Twist of events Sharks will be ahead of the Penguins next season if they draft twice in top 10 this season. Penguins will be starting from scratch as crosby malkin approach 40 year old.

Pens might not be relevant again until 2030 and beyond. The rebuild should have started this season and stay away from karlsson

I'd imagine Pens ownership wanted the team to try and be as competitive as possible while Crosby is still able to play at a star player level

 

[Evilhomer]

I think Boston would be the easier match up of the two.

Agreed. I don't think the Bruins make it out of first or second round again this season.

 

[leafsfan5]

Tampa is 13-5 in their last 18

They have appeared to have figured it out. Will be a battle for third in the Atlantic, though I kind of prefer to go through the Metro this year

 

[Evilhomer]

Tampa is 13-5 in their last 18

They have appeared to have figured it out. Will be a battle for third in the Atlantic, though I kind of prefer to go through the Metro this year

Look at the teams they have beaten in that stretch. They beat bad teams and lose to good/decent teams. They just don't have depth in their lineup anymore, which is completely understandable.

 

[Sypher04]

Tampa is 13-5 in their last 18

They have appeared to have figured it out. Will be a battle for third in the Atlantic, though I kind of prefer to go through the Metro this year

I agree with the bulk of this post, just gonna say I think Tampa has hit a soft part of their schedule more than anything.

5 losses: BOS, FLA, NYR, WPG, DET
All most all of the good teams

13 wins: STL, WSH, MTL, MIN x2, LAK, NJD x2, ANA, BUF, PHI, ARI, VGK
Not many good teams in there

 

[ToneDog]

Difference between Leafs and Bruins is that Bruins are good both at home and the road. Leafs are just above 500 at home. Panthers are also equally good at home and on the road but not as good as Boston.

Tampa is less than 500 on the road.

 

[Nineteen67]

Difference between Leafs and Bruins is that Bruins are good both at home and the road. Leafs are just above 500 at home. Panthers are also equally good at home and on the road but not as good as Boston.

Tampa is less than 500 on the road.

Vasi is back in game shape and looks like he’s found his game. As we know, he cost them a round last year and if he’s legit and stays healthy that’s a big boost to their chances. Although, I’d like to see them find a way to add some more toughness if they’re going to compete against Florida.

 

[Nineteen67]

Look at the teams they have beaten in that stretch. They beat bad teams and lose to good/decent teams. They just don't have depth in their lineup anymore, which is completely understandable.

I know the league will never ever consider it, $$$$$$$$, but an 8 team playoff would be so much better. Shorter and far more compelling.

Do the good/ mediocre middle teams like Nashville, LA, Tampa, Detroit,Toronto, Philly, Winnipeg deserve a shot? I don’t care about watching Cinderella stories that we’ve seen in the past.

 

[rumman]

Please Never change Torts

Tort’s is honest as the day is long………

 

[LeafalCrusader]

Tampa is 13-5 in their last 18

They have appeared to have figured it out. Will be a battle for third in the Atlantic, though I kind of prefer to go through the Metro this year

Theyre taking advantage of their schedule. Not going to change much. Leafs have the 5th hardest remaining schedule. Tampa has the 21st.

NHL Remaining Schedule Strength | Tankathon

Shows the remaining strength of schedule for NHL teams based on the points per game of the opponents left on their schedule.

www.tankathon.com

 

[Evilhomer]

Vasi is back in game shape and looks like he’s found his game.

He has been consistently average since he came back from injury. Look at his numbers over the last 10 games. Barely a .900 save percentage. I understand his reputation, but I think people have to come to grips with the fact that he isn't that goalie anymore, and he hasn't been for at least a couple of years now.

 

[PromisedLand]

WTF is going on in the league?

 

[Nineteen67]

He has been consistently average since he came back from injury. Look at his numbers over the last 10 games. Barely a .900 save percentage. I understand his reputation, but I think people have to come to grips with the fact that he isn't that goalie anymore, and he hasn't been for at least a couple of years now.

small sample. He had some bad starts when he first cam back but seems to righting the ship. If he does they have a chance.

 

[Evilhomer]

small sample. He had some bad starts when he first cam back but seems to righting the ship. If he does they have a chance.

Look at the numbers from his last 10 games. They aren't great. Tampa is winning because they score a ton of goals against weak opponents.

 

[I am Canadian]

WTF is going on in the league?

I can interpret this as a postiive thing [amount of players entering the program]. I highly doubt there were less cases of players going through personal struggles in the past - more so that players are willing to get help with it.

 

[Malachi Crunch]

Formenton officially at the London police station. I mean, no surprise, but at least we know.

 

[PROUD PAPA]

Kings really need to get their shit together. They should be so much better than they've been.
Could be the old guard and new guard aren't on the same page, or a combination of that, goaltending and coaching. PLD trade and extension is turning out to be the big mistake many believed it would become.
Worst part is we had many fans clamoring to acquire that loser which i found absurd. Apparently they're the ones that don't watch other teams.

 

[Evilhomer]

Formenton officially at the London police station. I mean, no surprise, but at least we know.

It's interesting that he was basically ex-communicated from the NHL. Makes it very hard to believe that teams, and therefore the league, didn't have more info on what happened than we have been led to believe.

 

[ULF_55]

WTF is going on in the league?

Perhaps it is getting better at getting help for those who have suffered in silence?

I've wondered if SAD affects on-ice performance of some players?

 

[Nineteen67]

What a schedule of games today?

 

[VanW27]

It's interesting that he was basically ex-communicated from the NHL. Makes it very hard to believe that teams, and therefore the league, didn't have more info on what happened than we have been led to believe.

Yes, it is interesting. Especially when you consider he's likely the best skater of the group. Not that it should matter, but we all know it does.

A good Devils team kept a 4th liner in McLeod and a organizational depth player in Foote (Benoit/Lagesson level). While a garbage Sens team completely cut ties with a probably top 6 and certainly top 9 winger.

Could be nothing, but like you said, interesting..