Around the NHL: Part V – Nice Try, Sabres (or, Playoffs?!)

[aufheben]

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Around the NHL: Part IV

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[NYR Viper]

With a loss in regulation tomorrow, the Rangers should be all but guaranteed a top-7 selection (Pre draft lottery). Catching Vancouver who has 5 more points than the Rangers will should they lose with 5 games left would seem to be insurmountable for a team who has had major issues getting points consistently.

Tonight we should be looking for:
Rangers regulation loss
Detroit win in OT
Anaheim win
Preds win over PIT

Saturday we should be rooting for:
Habs over Jets
NJ over St Louis
Buffalo over the Islanders
Preds over Jackets
Canucks over Stars
Ducks over Oilers
Kings over Hawks

Sunday we should be rooting for:
Rangers regulation loss
Sabres over Jackets
Wings over Bruins

Monday we should be rooting for:
Rangers regulation loss
Hawks over Jets
Edmonton over Knights
Kings over Flames

Tuesday
Sabre’s over Preds in OT
Wings over Pens
Wild over Jets
Oilers over Avs
Canucks over Sharks
Kings over Yotes

 

[eco's bones]

Seriously I think the Sabres would be nuts not to dump their GM and their coach. The way they've collapsed? The O'Reilly trade was a disaster. Even if they couldn't have made the Skinner deal they shouldn't have done that. As far as Housley--he has to have lost his team. They can't be listening to him.

 

[UAGoalieGuy]

Huge win by the Islanders last night over the Jets. Nashville would tie them for the division lead with a win tonight (although the Jets will have 1 game in hand with more ROW).

A Rangers loss and a 3 point game between Detroit and New Jersey would put Detroit 1 point behind the Rangers ( with 4 games remaining) and the Devils 3 points back (with 4 games remaining, one against the Rangers).

Finishing 3rd worst is not that unrealistic. Would guarantee at worst the 6th overall pick (15% chance) and a 34% chance at a top 3 pick.

 

[Larrybiv]

Been saying all along, I thought we woukd end up 5th, but mentioned the Devils could pass us (mostly based on Hall coming back) but if they could be within a few points, that April fools game could decide a helluva lot.

Those 2 points vs Toronto will end up hurting.....watch.

 

[Larrybiv]

Ya know, its funny. Even though I don't willingly "wish" they lose, because I am happy for them when they win......but how would you like to be a Ranger player......KNOWING you're fan base is basically hoping you sink in the standings, for a better pctg. in winning the lose for hughes campaign.

 

[TheBloodyNine]

what a night for the tank!

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Yeah the only thing that stands between the Rangers and a top 6 pick (pre lottery) is goaltending f***ery (either for or against)

 

[Ghost of jas]

Is it too much to ask the Rangers to go pointless the rest of the way?

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

An 8 game regulation losing streak is pretty crazy.

It doesn’t happen too often anymore. I’d be content if they only pick up 3 points the rest of the way.

 

[RangerBoy]

I grew up watching Brian Leetch. I would love to see another great skating offensive minded D play for the Rangers.



Look at this skating. Vancouver has a great one.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Is it too much to ask the Rangers to go pointless the rest of the way?

It’d be tight but I expect us to get 3 points

if we got no points or even 1 we’d likely finish 3rd or 4th, so I’m hoping

 

[Profet]

I grew up watching Brian Leetch. I would love to see another great skating offensive minded D play for the Rangers.



Look at this skating. Vancouver has a great one.

I just have this bothersome feeling that Vancouver ends up with both brothers.

 

[Leonardo87]

After reading a certain comment I really hope Montreal misses the playoffs now. If they do they won’t be able to blame Kreider for that...then again they might still find a way.

 

[Edge]

Is it too much to ask the Rangers to go pointless the rest of the way?

Yeah, that's what I find myself hoping for.

At this point, I'm focusing on the long-term. Forget winning the lottery for a second, I'd like as much of a cushion against falling too low.

 

[FireGerardGallant]

Is it too much to ask the Rangers to go pointless the rest of the way?

We can pick up one point for the rest of the season or Buffalo will pass us

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

I just have this bothersome feeling that Vancouver ends up with both brothers.

They've gotten boned by the lottery process.

May be time for them to finally cash in. Plus with the draft being in Vancouver it would be fitting.

Hopefully not though. From the Sedins to the Hughes?

They're gonna end up with superstar Russian sibilings in 20 years.

 

[Gardner McKay]

I just have this bothersome feeling that Vancouver ends up with both brothers.

You wonder how much Vancouver would pay to get their hands on 1st OV.

 

[Gardner McKay]

Colorado v Arizona game tonight should be good. Both teams fighting for that last playoff spot.

 

[bl02]

The lowest we can fall is 6th with that big Vancouver win last night and highest we can go is 4. Thing is there is a 5 percent difference for getting into the top 3 between finishing 6th overall and 4th overall. So would be nice if the Devils could win tonight then somehow beat us when we play april 1st. Is it worth a spot higher to see us get hammered the rest of the way or see some of the younger kids like Chytil, Howden, ADA, Georigie play really well?

 

[bl02]

You wonder how much Vancouver would pay to get their hands on 1st OV.

hmmm. are you implying something If so maybe Dolan can throw some of that cablevision money cause we sure as hell deserve kakko or a Hughes

 

[bl02]

Colorado v Arizona game tonight should be good. Both teams fighting for that last playoff spot.

Seems like Landeskog is coming back and colorado playing well at the right time. Arizona and Minn have their work cut out for themselves now for sure.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Arizona playing Nick Cousins during three on three (turned it over badly twice) then giving him one of their three shootout attempts

Just...wow. That dude wouldn’t break our top-5 shootout guys and we’re really bad.

I guess that’s what happens when you hire a guy who likely has CTE as coach.

 

[Rongomania]

Concerning Montreal - I am currently dating a wonderful woman (from LI but she’s in school up there) and she works at one of the more popular Bell Centre bars and they’re full on promoting the playoffs already.

They’re still on the outside, that place is bonkers.

 

[Machinehead]

St. Louis made the playoffs.

Sam said Nashville had to lose but I think he meant Arizona.