Around the League - PLAYOFFS!?

[MCR74]

Panthers have their eyes on the prize. They're not running around like last year's SCF. They're a disciplined side, I don't expect anyone to do anything stupid as retribution and feed EDM powerplays. Oilers clearly can't hang 5v5. Florida will grind out two more wins.

And at worst, Draisaitl will be fined, no way the league will remove him from this series.

This. They know running around like idiots is bad for business, especially with two games left. The Panthers can seal this one on enemy ice. Imagine those crazy fan videos after Bennett lifts and kisses the cup on the Oilers logo.

 

[Nineteen67]

Atlantic has made 6 straight cup finals. It is not a weak division. Been easily the most consistent division for the past half decade. Just funny seeing people draw conclusions after 1 game.

They’ve have good teams over the years and the top three have cycled through…the rest is not very good.
The year TTOE made the finals they weren’t representing the Atlantic.

 

[Zybalto]

The Oilers are pretty much the Leafs with great special teams.

Garbage support and poor starting goaltending being propped up by the top players and if the Leafs had a ghost of a PP, they would win a few more rounds too. I expect McDavid to get slagged for forever for somehow not dragging him team over the finish line despite being, by far, the best player in this years playoffs.

McDavid:

All situations: 32 points in 20 games
5v5 points: 15 points in 20 games:
(these both lead all players)

5v5:
Goals for/60: 3.54
Goals against:/60: 2.16
Differential % with REL: 62.11 (+23.56)

The rest of the Oilers team not playing with McDavid:
5v5:
Goals for/60: 1.70
Goals against:/60: 2.71
Differential %: 38.55

Drai's splits away from McDavid are pretty brutal too.

 

[RunItBackAgain]

You know what the panthers didn’t do a single time the entire game? Try to greedily maintain possession. They flipped the puck out and hunted it down like rabid dogs! Zero drop passes, zero passes ragging around your own zone trying to maintain possession for clean breakouts. Just north south win pucks hockey!

 

[Gabriel426]

When people say it was an easy path they really mean they shouldn’t beat the team they’re supposed to beat.


That’s a guy that wants to win the Cup, clearly.


Review it over the summer and give him a two suspension.

Dallas is the only team Oilers is not supposed to beat but Dallas did played without their 1C in Hintz.
Nucks didn't have Demko all series and Boser, their leading goal scorer in the final 2 games.
LA sucks.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1800549144916115562

Bettman is such a douche. The salary cap is the most important factor when it comes to roster construction and how a team operates and he and the powers that be didn’t like that fans had a tool to access necessary information. NHL is run by out of touch morons.

 

[Menzinger]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1800549144916115562

Bettman is such a douche. The salary cap is the most important factor when it comes to roster construction and how a team operates and he and the powers that be didn’t like that fans had a tool to access necessary information. NHL is run by out of touch morons.

Without a hint of exaggeration, the NHL is the worst run professional sports league in the world

 

[Trapper]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1800549144916115562

Bettman is such a douche. The salary cap is the most important factor when it comes to roster construction and how a team operates and he and the powers that be didn’t like that fans had a tool to access necessary information. NHL is run by out of touch morons.

Bettman has been trying to make us the NBA for years. Gimmicks and heavy on the USA.

Of course fans are concerned about the cap. Maybe he should read this board starting in the you can’t pay 4 forwards half the cap section.

 

[Gabriel426]

The Oilers are pretty much the Leafs with great special teams.

Garbage support and poor starting goaltending being propped up by the top players and if the Leafs had a ghost of a PP, they would win a few more rounds too. I expect McDavid to get slagged for forever for somehow not dragging him team over the finish line despite being, by far, the best player in this years playoffs.

McDavid:

All situations: 32 points in 20 games
5v5 points: 15 points in 20 games:
(these both lead all players)

5v5:
Goals for/60: 3.54
Goals against:/60: 2.16
Differential % with REL: 62.11 (+23.56)

The rest of the Oilers team not playing with McDavid:
5v5:
Goals for/60: 1.70
Goals against:/60: 2.71
Differential %: 38.55

Drai's splits away from McDavid are pretty brutal too.

I would say Oilers is the Leafs when their top players play like top players. Whenever our top players play like top players-regular season and playoffs, we look like we can beat anyone.
Thats pretty much what you expect from a top heavy team.

Difference is that Oilers got a 5mil deadcap goalie plus another 3 mil overpaid Dman and a 1.9mil on retention/buyout of Neal. Thats 10mil cap space that they can't use.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1800549144916115562

Bettman is such a douche. The salary cap is the most important factor when it comes to roster construction and how a team operates and he and the powers that be didn’t like that fans had a tool to access necessary information. NHL is run by out of touch morons.

Don't understand why that is the case and honestly, it is not as hard as people think to start another site like Capfriendly. The blueprint is set. Just need to fine tune it to make it a little different

 

[3blizzard4]

Doesnt look like Drai will get any discipline for that arm/elbow on Barkov.

Oilers fans calling it a nice hockey play. Its nice and dandy until it happens to an Oilers player. Then its the mean nasty dirty Panthers running tricks to win.

 

[MCR74]

Doesnt look like Drai will get any discipline for that arm/elbow on Barkov.

Oilers fans calling it a nice hockey play. Its nice and dandy until it happens to an Oilers player. Then its the mean nasty dirty Panthers running tricks to win.

If the Panthers finish them off in Edmonton, I hope they dedicate their cup win to Draisaitl.

 

[BallardEra]

Dallas is the only team Oilers is not supposed to beat but Dallas did played without their 1C in Hintz.
Nucks didn't have Demko all series and Boser, their leading goal scorer in the final 2 games.
LA sucks.

Dallas also had to go through Vegas and the Avs.

 

[MCR74]

Dallas also had to go through Vegas and the Avs.

Two former cup champs as opposed to LA and a Vancouver team riding their backup goaltender - apples and oranges.

 

[TheGreenTBer]

If the Panthers lose Barkov the Oilers are going to come back and take this IMO.

If they only lose him for 1 or 2 games, Florida should be able to hold on.

 

[BallardEra]

If the Panthers lose Barkov the Oilers are going to come back and take this IMO.

If they only lose him for 1 or 2 games, Florida should be able to hold on.

I think we see him back for Game 3.

 

[MCR74]

If the Panthers lose Barkov the Oilers are going to come back and take this IMO.

If they only lose him for 1 or 2 games, Florida should be able to hold on.

I'm not so sure. If Barkov is out, all the more reason to play with a chip on their shoulder. McDavid and Draisaitl have been no-shows so far.

 

[Zybalto]

I would say Oilers is the Leafs when their top players play like top players. Whenever our top players play like top players-regular season and playoffs, we look like we can beat anyone.
Thats pretty much what you expect from a top heavy team.

Difference is that Oilers got a 5mil deadcap goalie plus another 3 mil overpaid Dman and a 1.9mil on retention/buyout of Neal. Thats 10mil cap space that they can't use.

They buried Campbell in the minors (our great "starter" for two years) and he's taking up 3.85 now and I'd argue Brodie fell off so hard he was at least 3 million overpaid too. Our crap starter makes almost a million more than their crap starter and our huge LTIR is causing all sorts of problems.

I say they are similar too outside of special teams as the 5v5 differentials show just how huge a gulf there is between teams like Toronto and Edmonton and a team like Florida.

EDMONTON THIS RUN (20 games):

5v5 with McDavid:
Goals for/60: 3.54
Goals against:/60: 2.16

5v5 with Drai:
Goals for/60: 3.34
Goals against:/60: 2.76

5v5 with Bouchard:
Goals for/60: 3.8
Goals against:/60: 1.84

5v5 the rest of the Oilers team not playing with McDavid/Bouchard/Draisaitl:
Goals for/60: 1.06
Goals against:/60: 2.53

Goaltending: sub .900, crap analytics


TORONTO THE LAST 3 YEARS (25 games):

5v5 with Rielly:
Goals for/60: 3.07
Goals against/60: 1.55

5v5 with Marner:
Goals for/60: 3.08
Goals against/60: 1.72

5v5 with Matthews:
Goals for/60: 2.81
Goals against/60: 2.06

5v5 The entire rest of the team without them:
Goals for/60: 1.57
Goals against/60: 3.14

Goaltending: sub .900, crap analytics outside of Woll


FLORIDA THIS RUN (19 games):

Barkov 5v5:
Goals for/60: 2.36
Goals against:/60: 1.77

Reinhart 5v5:
Goals for/60: 1.68
Goals against:/60: 1.26

Ekblad 5v5:
Goals for/60: 2.42
Goals against:/60: 1.40

The rest of the Panthers team not playing with Barkov/Reinhart/Ekblad:
Goals for/60: 2.23
Goals against:/60: 1.97

Goaltending: .916, good analytics.



Two deeply flawed incomplete teams in terms of goaltending and support versus a super complete team that can win even when their PP isnt firing.

Kind of points in the direction both teams should be going although Im not sure much can be done with the stupid cap in place. Both team should sweep away their bottom 6 setup as they are getting killed and replace their current goalies. Just doing that with the right guys would make a massive difference.

Maybe McDavid can will his team to a cup still...who knows? Much like with the Leafs, he really cant count on any kind of 2 way game from his bottom 6 or much clutch goaltending like the Panthers have. I still hope he can pull it off as the opportunity may not come again.

 

[ULF_55]

If the Panthers lose Barkov the Oilers are going to come back and take this IMO.

If they only lose him for 1 or 2 games, Florida should be able to hold on.

That would be like saying if the Leafs lost Matthews ...

 

[Seath The Scaleless]

Doesnt look like Drai will get any discipline for that arm/elbow on Barkov.

Oilers fans calling it a nice hockey play. Its nice and dandy until it happens to an Oilers player. Then its the mean nasty dirty Panthers running tricks to win.

Lol of course he won't. If that was Bennett on McDavid, Bennett would be gone for the series

 

[Gabriel426]

They buried Campbell in the minors (our great "starter" for two years) and he's taking up 3.85 now and I'd argue Brodie fell off so hard he was at least 3 million overpaid too. Our crap starter makes almost a million more than their crap starter and our huge LTIR is causing all sorts of problems.

I say they are similar too outside of special teams as the 5v5 differentials show just how huge a gulf there is between teams like Toronto and Edmonton and a team like Florida.

EDMONTON THIS RUN (20 games):

5v5 with McDavid:
Goals for/60: 3.54
Goals against:/60: 2.16

5v5 with Drai:
Goals for/60: 3.34
Goals against:/60: 2.76

5v5 with Bouchard:
Goals for/60: 3.8
Goals against:/60: 1.84

5v5 the rest of the Oilers team not playing with McDavid/Bouchard/Draisaitl:
Goals for/60: 1.06
Goals against:/60: 2.53

Goaltending: sub .900, crap analytics


TORONTO THE LAST 3 YEARS (25 games):

5v5 with Rielly:
Goals for/60: 3.07
Goals against/60: 1.55

5v5 with Marner:
Goals for/60: 3.08
Goals against/60: 1.72

5v5 with Matthews:
Goals for/60: 2.81
Goals against/60: 2.06

5v5 The entire rest of the team without them:
Goals for/60: 1.57
Goals against/60: 3.14

Goaltending: sub .900, crap analytics outside of Woll


FLORIDA THIS RUN (19 games):

Barkov 5v5:
Goals for/60: 2.36
Goals against:/60: 1.77

Reinhart 5v5:
Goals for/60: 1.68
Goals against:/60: 1.26

Ekblad 5v5:
Goals for/60: 2.42
Goals against:/60: 1.40

The rest of the Panthers team not playing with Barkov/Reinhart/Ekblad:
Goals for/60: 2.23
Goals against:/60: 1.97

Goaltending: .916, good analytics.



Two deeply flawed incomplete teams in terms of goaltending and support versus a super complete team that can win even when their PP isnt firing.

Kind of points in the direction both teams should be going although Im not sure much can be done with the stupid cap in place. Both team should sweep away their bottom 6 setup as they are getting killed and replace their current goalies. Just doing that with the right guys would make a massive difference.

Maybe McDavid can will his team to a cup still...who knows? Much like with the Leafs, he really cant count on any kind of 2 way game from his bottom 6 or much clutch goaltending like the Panthers have. I still hope he can pull it off as the opportunity may not come again.

Well, Boosh, Edmundson and McCabe are all on retention as part of the Leafs. And it does cost the Leafs, just that we don't care about it till draft day and a few years down the line when there are no prospects.

For the Oilers, I think once they clear a lot of their deadweight, mainly Nurse and Campbell, and get more useful players. They should be good as long as Bouchard don't ask for 9mil. As we all know Drai is getting paid on his next contract.

For the Leafs, they need to restructure their cap allocation. Can't have money three 11mil plus forwards on the team. And more importantly, the top guys need to just show up in playoffs like McD, Drai and Hyman.

Scoring on PP or EV, it really doesn't matter as long as you score. Last time I check, you need to score at least ONE goal more than the opposing team to win a game.

Lastly, not saying depth players are not important but to me, your top guys need to be your top guys, if they can't pull their weights on the scoreboard, whats the point of having them on the team if they can just be shut down by players who make a lot less than them.

 

[TheGreenTBer]

Lol of course he won't. If that was Bennett on McDavid, Bennett would be gone for the series

Exactly.

Edmonton is counting on Florida overreacting to this event. Panthers have to play hard but clean here. Eyes on the prize and keep Edmonton off the PP. Win Game 3 and the Oilers are done. Get stuff on net because Oilers goaltending is suspect at best.

 

[MCR74]

Exactly.

Edmonton is counting on Florida overreacting to this event. Panthers have to play hard but clean here. Eyes on the prize and keep Edmonton off the PP. Win Game 3 and the Oilers are done. Get stuff on net because Oilers goaltending is suspect at best.

Edmonton disappears when pushed around. If the cats keep their cool, this one is over by the weekend.

 

[Nineteen67]

Dallas is the only team Oilers is not supposed to beat but Dallas did played without their 1C in Hintz.
Nucks didn't have Demko all series and Boser, their leading goal scorer in the final 2 games.
LA sucks.

Boston had their top 2 C retire…..

Boils down to the fact they have some superstars that are playing well.

 

[thewave]

If the Panthers lose Barkov the Oilers are going to come back and take this IMO.

If they only lose him for 1 or 2 games, Florida should be able to hold on.

If they crash the net hard and take out Bob, maybe you're right. Florida is pretty relentless and take away time and space like no other team right now.

 

[TheGreenTBer]

If they crash the net hard and take out Bob, maybe you're right. Florida is pretty relentless and take away time and space like no other team right now.

They need to play like the creature they're named after. Once a cat identifies a prey item, good f***ing luck getting them to focus on anything else. The prey item needs to be that trophy, not Drai's head.