Division 3 playoff teams predictions

[aragorn]

Last yr we barely got in 7th spot, this yr we move up a spot or two & fight it out with Tampa/Toronto for the wildcard.

Detroit
Boston
Toronto
Ottawa
Tampa
Montreal

 

[Super Cake]

Last yr we barely got in 7th spot, this yr we move up a spot or two & fight it out with Tampa/Toronto for the wildcard.

Detroit
Boston
Toronto
Ottawa
Tampa
Montreal

Actually, we most likely would have made it much higher then the 7th spot if nobody got injured on our team. The injuries we suffered were most likely the reason why we barely got into 7th spot. I think we were even projected to finish in the top 5 or even win the division if our squad remained healthy. So forget about what happened last year. With a healthy squad next season, who knows what we could accomplish. On paper, we are a top 5 team imo.

 

[aragorn]

Actually, we most likely would have made it much higher then the 7th spot if nobody got injured on our team. The injuries we suffered were most likely the reason why we barely got into 7th spot. I think we were even projected to finish in the top 5 or even win the division if our squad remained healthy. So forget about what happened last year. With a healthy squad next season, who knows what we could accomplish. On paper, we are a top 5 team imo.

Actually, most of the so called experts had us not making the playoffs even with our star players healthy last yr which is why they were so surprised we continued to win without 4 of them. I also think we are a top 5 team on paper but just in our division, let's not forget that Pittsburgh took us to school in the playoffs. While it's exciting to have Ryan on the team we're also the youngest team in the NHL, IMO we still lack a little experience. We'll see.

 

[Here I Pageau Again]

Actually, most of the so called experts had us not making the playoffs even with our star players healthy last yr which is why they were so surprised we continued to win without 4 of them. I also think we are a top 5 team on paper but just in our division, let's not forget that Pittsburgh took us to school in the playoffs. While it's exciting to have Ryan on the team we're also the youngest team in the NHL, IMO we still lack a little experience. We'll see.

Looking back more people predicted Sens IN than out.

That being said, once the injuries piled up, the team was 100% written off, and basically saying they were getting a top pick.

Personally, I see Boston and Detroit at the top.

Then I see Ottawa/Toronto/Montreal dueling it out.

I personally see Ottawa having the advantage, because they have decent depth at all positions, and they have a true top line. They have good goaltending as well. But the biggest factor with Ottawa is its coaching. Last year really hit the nail on the head for me, and showed me how good our coaching was. I thought MacLean was great in 2011-2012, but he drove it home the following year.

MacLean won't stand for a losing mentality. And if the team is losing, he will switch things up. Last year when the team went down, the system changed. He plays the team to its strengths, and I can't see that changing.

Either way, I don't see Ottawa being in the top two, but I could see them surprise again.

 

[Super Cake]

Actually, most of the so called experts had us not making the playoffs even with our star players healthy last yr which is why they were so surprised we continued to win without 4 of them. I also think we are a top 5 team on paper but just in our division, let's not forget that Pittsburgh took us to school in the playoffs. While it's exciting to have Ryan on the team we're also the youngest team in the NHL, IMO we still lack a little experience. We'll see.

At least we are still competitive even if we are the youngest team. I am confident that this team will make the playoffs again next year. We may not be cup contenders yet, but i fully believe we are a team that can make the playoffs on a consistent basis.

 

[HockeyNymphomaniac*]

Leaf fan here... rare case of Leaf/Sen fan since my wife is from Ottawa and have family living/working in Ottawa. You guys will make the playoffs next year and for years to come... have the youngest team and a lot of great piece's. Losing Alfy sucked, but you have a great player in B.Ryan. If the team can stay healthy, you should make the playoffs easy. Just hope we don't face each other in the 1st round or me and the wife will be fighting for weeks

 

[MtRundle]

Boston
Toronto
Detroit
Ottawa
Tampa
Montreal
Florida
Buffalo

I don't see it for Montreal. Maybe I'm biased
We proved the template on how to beat them on the ice and in the alley. Vigneault totally lost it, the team hates subban etc etc

 

[Super Cake]

Boston
Toronto
Detroit
Ottawa
Tampa
Montreal
Florida
Buffalo

I don't see it for Montreal. Maybe I'm biased
We proved the template on how to beat them on the ice and in the alley. Vigneault totally lost it, the team hates subban etc etc

You put toronto ahead of detroit? If detroit, toronto and boston is going to consist of the top 3, then the top 3 will most likely be boston, detroit, toronto.

 

[TroubleInTurrisTown]

Would you guys be happy to play the Leafs in the first round?

I think Ottawa is a better team, they just need to learn how to beat the Leafs.

 

[Super Cake]

This new playoff format is still confusing as hell. I am starting to understand bits and pieces of it, but i don't know if i will ever fully be able to comprehend it until i see it in action. Reading this piece in an article seemed to help a little though:

"The top three teams in each division will make up the first 12 teams in the playoffs. The remaining four spots will be filled by the next two highest-placed finishers in each conference, based on regular-season points and regardless of division. It will be possible, then, for one division to send five teams to the postseason while the other sends three. The seeding of the wild-card teams within each divisional playoff will be determined on the basis of regular-season points. The division winner with the most points in the conference will be matched against the wild-card team with the fewest points; the division winner with the second-most points in the conference will play the wild-card team with the second fewest points. The teams finishing second and third in each division will play in the first round of the playoffs. The winners of each series will play for berths in the conference championship series. The winners of the conference championships advance to the Stanley Cup Final."

Source: http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=660138&navid=nhl:topheads

What i take from that paragraph is that it is going to be even harder to make it to the playoffs.

 

[18Hossa]

Boston
Toronto
Detroit
Ottawa
Tampa
Montreal
Florida
Buffalo

I don't see it for Montreal. Maybe I'm biased
We proved the template on how to beat them on the ice and in the alley. Vigneault totally lost it, the team hates subban etc etc

Vigneault? He coached Vancouver... I think you mean Therrien.

 

[Ser Grogu]

Vigneault? He coached Vancouver... I think you mean Therrien.

No rispeck.

 

[DylanSensFan]

The only reason the habs even made it to second place is because boston decided to lose its last game against us so that they could face the leafs.

Anyways, here is my prediction:

1. Boston
2. Detroit
3. Ottawa
4. Toronto
5. Montreal

1. Ottawa
2. Boston
3. Toronto
4. Montreal
5. Detroit

 

[MtRundle]

Vigneault? He coached Vancouver... I think you mean Therrien.

You put toronto ahead of detroit? If detroit, toronto and boston is going to consist of the top 3, then the top 3 will most likely be boston, detroit, toronto.

ya guys I don't care what that frenchi coach Therigneault has to say

I just don't see Toronto dropping much- they were fifth last year and added 2 good players. Bad D but offensive powerhouse. Tossup btwn them and Detroit.

 

[John Holmes*]

Toronto is just as good, if not better than us.

I believe that had last year been a full season, Montreal could have dropped out of the playoff picture completely.

It all depends on health, and Anderson for us.

 

[Vesa Awesaka]

i believe that montreal will be ahead of ottawa . Watching their they looked to dominate their opponents . Against us in the playoffs it can be argued they outplayed us in 3 games and ended up with losses .
Boston
Montreal
Ottawa
Detroit
Toronto

I think detroit is on the decline . Toronto doesnt have a number 1 goalie , center or dman. Montreal did over achieve but they were eating teams alive all season and if price would have played up to par imo they would have beat us .

 

[John Holmes*]

All that matters at the end of the game is the score.

We beat them BAD twice in that series. OT wins / losses happen.

That's hockey.

 

[Dysentery]

I dont see Detroit in the top 3. It's not going to happen.

Ottawa
Boston
Toronto

 

[danishh]

i believe that montreal will be ahead of ottawa . Watching their they looked to dominate their opponents . Against us in the playoffs it can be argued they outplayed us in 3 games and ended up with losses .
Boston
Montreal
Ottawa
Detroit
Toronto

I think detroit is on the decline . Toronto doesnt have a number 1 goalie , center or dman. Montreal did over achieve but they were eating teams alive all season and if price would have played up to par imo they would have beat us .

that was up to par for price in the playoffs. Except for one year (2011 playoffs, he still lost giving up 3 OT goals), he's been terrible his entire career. Even dating back to junior, he was bad, except for a spectacular WJC.

 

[We Want the Cup 2010]

I think there are three tiers in our division and no clear cut favourite to win it.

Tier 1

Boston (Stanley cup hangover and the subtractions of Horton and Ference will have an effect)
Detroit (Great forward group, good goaltending, defense is a bit of a weakness)
Ottawa (Wilcard as we don't know how good they really are when healthy)
Toronto (Gritty and tough to play against, not as quick this year, Defense and center position are questionable)

Tier 2

Montreal (Markov needs to be healthy, and yet again very small up front, which Price shows up for them)
Tampa Bay (Team always looks good on paper, but need to upgrade D and get goaltending from Bishop)

Tier 3

Buffalo (rebuilding, will get a boatload if they move Vanek and Miller at deadline)
Florida (good luck!)

 

[YNWA14]

Philly is not in our division i believe.

It's determined by top 3 in each division as guaranteed spots and then the next 2 best records from either division get the wildcard spots.

So if it's:

1. Ottawa
2. Boston
3. Toronto

and

1. Pittsburgh
2. New York Rangers
3. New York Islanders

IMO Philly, Montreal and Detroit will be fighting for the 2 wildcard spots.