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

[GoAwayPanarin]

I had them finishing 5-7 before the season started, they split the difference and finished 6.

It should have been 5 or even 4. f***ing Georgiev.

 

[TheTakedown]

I had them finishing 5-7 before the season started, they split the difference and finished 6.

It should have been 5 or even 4. ****ing Georgiev.

Geo stole at least 4 f***ing wins... 8 points

 

[NYRFANMANI]

Let's all root for the hot goalie Binnington in STL to bounce the Peg.

And Zucc obviously!

 

[Synergy27]

6 sounds so much better than 7 for some reason. Still pissed tho

It’s because 6 will probably become 7, and 7 will probably become 8.

 

[eco's bones]

No doubt Georgiev was our best goalie in the second half. Looking forward to next season the Rangers should be an even more competitive team. If Georgiev continues to play well and Henrik has problems I don't think Quinn will hesitate at all to play Georgiev and that's not even factoring for whatever Shestyorkin does. So the goalie position should be fine. I also think Lindgren and Hajek will really compete for jobs next year. Both looked really good to me. They can play at an NHL pace and neither looked out of place. They were both solid. So I wouldn't be surprised if Claesson is not brought back or if one of our veteran D gets moved along. Have to find a taker though because all of Smith, Staal and Shattenkirk are overpriced.

At forward Buchnevich finished really strong. He looks like he finally gets it. Vesey and Names are decent 3rd liners. Strome overall was very good. Howden finished strong and should be better. Chytil and Andersson should make positive steps too. If one or two of them can become a 40 point player that will be a big help too. Also Lemieux I expect will be much better. The team made positive steps this year. They battle and stick up for each other. They're young and they should improve.

As far as the draft goes--hopefully we at least hold on to the 6th spot. If Winnipeg gets bounced early and Dallas can make it to the final four and Tampa win the Cup--we'll be sitting on three more 1st's. The way the Jets finished I think there is a pretty good chance of that. Dallas making it to the conference finals seems a reach but Tampa has got to be the odds on favorite of going all the way.

 

[aufheben]

No doubt Georgiev was our best goalie in the second half. Looking forward to next season the Rangers should be an even more competitive team. If Georgiev continues to play well and Henrik has problems I don't think Quinn will hesitate at all to play Georgiev and that's not even factoring for whatever Shestyorkin does. So the goalie position should be fine. I also think Lindgren and Hajek will really compete for jobs next year. Both looked really good to me. They can play at an NHL pace and neither looked out of place. They were both solid. So I wouldn't be surprised if Claesson is not brought back or if one of our veteran D gets moved along. Have to find a taker though because all of Smith, Staal and Shattenkirk are overpriced.

At forward Buchnevich finished really strong. He looks like he finally gets it. Vesey and Names are decent 3rd liners. Strome overall was very good. Howden finished strong and should be better. Chytil and Andersson should make positive steps too. If one or two of them can become a 40 point player that will be a big help too. Also Lemieux I expect will be much better. The team made positive steps this year. They battle and stick up for each other. They're young and they should improve.

As far as the draft goes--hopefully we at least hold on to the 6th spot. If Winnipeg gets bounced early and Dallas can make it to the final four and Tampa win the Cup--we'll be sitting on three more 1st's. The way the Jets finished I think there is a pretty good chance of that. Dallas making it to the conference finals seems a reach but Tampa has got to be the odds on favorite of going all the way.

I could see Dallas beating Nashville. Preds have had trouble this season, their fans have been dumping on them all year. Rinne as always the f***in wildcard. Their powerplay is ghastly, like laugh-out-loud tragic. Greasy, take a lot of dumb penalties. Dallas has exceptional special teams, probably 2nd only to Tampa.

Winnipeg... what are the Jets? That team is lacking an identity. Story of their season is a should-be superstar playing too much goddamn video games. Still, they have players who can take over games. The Blues are not f***ing around.

 

[NYR Viper]

Let’s go Blues and Stars! Otherwise I’m the West, let’s go Vegas and Colorado!

In the East all that matters to us is TB winning it all.

 

[Paulie Walnutz]

Florida has fired the Boogie Man

 

[nyrage]

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Tampa Bay Lightning (A1) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (WC2)

Wednesday, April 10, 7 p.m.: Blue Jackets @ Lightning | USA, SN360, TVA Sports
Friday, April 12, 7 p.m.: Blue Jackets @ Lightning | CNBC, SN360, TVA Sports
Sunday, April 14, 7 p.m.: Lightning @ Blue Jackets | NBCSN, SN360, TVA Sports
Tuesday, April 16, 7 p.m.: Lightning @ Blue Jackets | CNBC, SN360, TVA Sports
*Friday, April 19, TBD: Blue Jackets @ Lightning | TBD
*Sunday, April 21, TBD: Lightning @ Blue Jackets | TBD
*Tuesday, April 23, TBD: Blue Jackets @ Lightning | TBD
Boston Bruins (A2) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (A3)

Thursday, April 11, 7 p.m.: Maple Leafs @ Bruins | NBCSN, SN, CBC, TVA Sports
Saturday, April 13, 8 p.m.: Maple Leafs @ Bruins | NBC, CBC, TVA Sports
Monday, April 15, 7 p.m.: Bruins @ Maple Leafs | CBC, TVA Sports, NBCSN
Wednesday, April 17, 7 p.m.: Bruins @ Maple Leafs | CBC, TVA Sports, NBCSN
*Friday, April 19, TBD: Maple Leafs @ Bruins | TBD
*Sunday, April 21, TBD: Bruins @ Maple Leafs | TBD
*Tuesday, April 23, TBD: Maple Leafs @ Bruins | TBD
Washington Capitals (M1) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (WC1)

Thursday, April 11, 7:30 p.m.: Hurricanes @ Capitals | USA, SN360, TVA Sports
Saturday, April 13, 3 p.m.: Hurricanes @ Capitals | NBC, SN, TVA Sports
Monday, April 15, 7 p.m.: Capitals @ Hurricanes | CNBC, SN, TVA Sports
Thursday, April 18, 7 p.m.: Capitals @ Hurricanes | SN360, TVA Sports
*Saturday, April 20, TBD: Hurricanes @ Capitals | TBD
*Monday, April 22, TBD: Capitals @ Hurricanes | TBD
*Wednesday, April 24, TBD: Hurricanes @ Capitals | TBD
New York Islanders (M2) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (M3)

Wednesday, April 10, 7:30 p.m.: Penguins @ Islanders | NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports
Friday, April 12, 7:30 p.m.: Penguins @ Islanders | NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports
Sunday, April 14, 12 p.m.: Islanders @ Penguins | NBC, SN, CBC, TVA Sports
Tuesday, April 16, 7:30 p.m.: Islanders @ Penguins | NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports
*Thursday, April 18, TBD: Penguins @ Islanders | TBD
*Saturday, April 20, TBD: Islanders @ Penguins | TBD
*Monday, April 22, TBD: Penguins @ Islanders | TBD
WESTERN CONFERENCE

Nashville Predators (C1) vs. Dallas Stars (WC2)

Wednesday, April 10, 9:30 p.m.: Stars @ Predators | USA, SN1, TVA Sports
Saturday, April 13, 6 p.m.: Stars @ Predators | CNBC, SN, TVA Sports
Monday, April 15, 9:30 p.m.: Predators @ Stars | NBCSN, SN, TVA Sports
Wednesday, April 17, 8 p.m. Predators @ Stars | USA, SN, TVA Sports
*Saturday, April 20, TBD: Stars @ Predators | TBD
*Monday, April 22, TBD: Predators @ Stars | TBD
*Wednesday, April 24, TBD: Stars @ Predators | TBD
Winnipeg Jets (C2) vs. St. Louis Blues (C3)

Wednesday, April 10, 8 p.m.: Blues @ Jets | SN, TVA Sports, NHL Network
Friday, April 12, 9:30 p.m.: Blues @ Jets | SN, TVA Sports, CNBC
Sunday, April 14, 7:30 p.m.: Jets @ Blues | CNBC, SN, CBC, TVA Sports
Tuesday, April 16, 9:30 p.m.: Jets @ Blues | CNBC, SN, TVA Sports
*Thursday, April 18, TBD: Blues @ Jets | TBD
*Saturday, April 20, TBD: Jets @ Blues | TBD
*Monday, April 22, TBD: Blues @ Jets | TBD
Calgary Flames (P1) vs. Colorado Avalanche (WC1)

Thursday, April 11, 10 p.m.: Avalanche @ Flames | SN, CBC, TVA Sports, NBCSN
Saturday, April 13, 10:30 p.m.: Avalanche @ Flames | SN, CBC, TVA Sports, NBCSN
Monday, April 15, 10 p.m.: Flames @ Avalanche | CNBC, CBC, TVA Sports
Wednesday, April 17, 10 p.m.: Flames @ Avalanche | NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports
*Friday, April 19, TBD: Avalanche @ Flames | TBD
*Sunday, April 21, TBD: Flames @ Avalanche | TBD
*Tuesday, April 23, TBD: Avalanche @ Flames | TBD
San Jose Sharks (P2) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (P3)

Wednesday, April 10, 10:30 p.m.: Golden Knights @ Sharks | NBCSN, SN, TVA Sports
Friday, April 12, 10:30 p.m.: Golden Knights @ Sharks | NBCSN, SN360, TVA Sports
Sunday, April 14, 10 p.m.: Sharks @ Golden Knights | NBCSN, SN, SN360, TVA Sports
Tuesday, April 16, 10:30 p.m.: Sharks @ Golden Knights | NBCSN, SN360, TVA Sports
*Thursday, April 18, TBD: Golden Knights @ Sharks | TBD
*Sunday, April 21, TBD: Sharks @ Golden Knights | TBD
*Tuesday, April 23, TBD: Golden Knights @ Sharks | TBD

 

[Edge]

Best case hopes:

Tampa for cup.

Dallas to the WCF, with Zucc leading the charge.

Winnipeg an early first round exist.

Win the lottery.

Silver level hope:

All of the above, except Rangers pick 6 or 7.

Even without Hughes or Kakko, I’d be thrilled to head into the draft at 7, 22, 28, 31, 37, 68, and 99.

4 firsts

5 picks in the top 37

7 picks in the top 100 - which we’ll have no matter what. It’s just a matter of getting them as high as possible.

 

[TheBloodyNine]

Florida has fired the Boogie Man

AV come on down south.

 

[Leetch3]

Best case hopes:

Tampa for cup.

Dallas to the WCF, with Zucc leading the charge.

Winnipeg an early first round exist.

Win the lottery.

Silver level hope:

All of the above, except Rangers pick 6 or 7.

Even without Hughes or Kakko, I’d be thrilled to head into the draft at 7, 22, 28, 31, 37, 68, and 99.

4 firsts

5 picks in the top 37

7 picks in the top 100 - which we’ll have no matter what. It’s just a matter of getting them as high as possible.

hopefully we don't drop below 7th...none of that other stuff is coming true

 

[Edge]

hopefully we don't drop below 7th...none of that other stuff is coming true

Certainly wouldn’t rule out Winnipeg making an early exist or Tampa winning the cup. Pretty much the pipe dreams are lottery, and to a lesser extent a Dallas run.

 

[Leetch3]

Certainly wouldn’t rule out Winnipeg making an early exist or Tampa winning the cup. Pretty much the pipe dreams are lottery, and to a lesser extent a Dallas run.

winnipeg losing is probably the most likely...i'm not sure tb is built for the playoffs though

 

[HFsNumber1Heel]

Here's the deal with Winnipeg, they may have saved another level for the playoffs. No one will care about Laine only scoring 30 if he goes on a tear in the playoffs, or this may be their version of the 2012-13 Rangers in between the 2011-12 and those 13-14 and 14-15 seasons.

Sometimes teams don't go full throttle in the regular season. Islanders back in the late 70s had to learn that as well.

 

[Edge]

winnipeg losing is probably the most likely...i'm not sure tb is built for the playoffs though

You also have to think changes are coming if they can’t close the deal after winning 62 games during the regular season.

 

[HFsNumber1Heel]

Tampa isn't very gritty. I worry about them in a series against Washington or Boston who have guys that will pound them constantly.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

Tampa isn't very gritty. I worry about them in a series against Washington or Boston who have guys that will pound them constantly.

I don’t trust Tampa at all

They’ve proven to be a group of losers, and have some of our previous losers to boot

I could easily see them being bounced in the first round. By all accounts they should win the cup this year, and I think I’d be the most shocked with that result.

 

[Irishguy42]

Winnipeg wasn't "saving another level."

They just straight up sucked for the last few weeks.

 

[Tob]

So we want to root for Tampa over Columbus, Dallas over Nashville, STL over WPG,

 

[Zibanejbread]

 

[Tob]

shame.

 

[LORDE]

Something had to change there

 

[Zibanejbread]

 

[E-Train]

Home run for Viola. Panarin will be a Panther.