League News: NHL Talk - (News n' Scores n' Stuff) - 2021-2 Regular Season Edition, Vol. 2

[zappa4ever]

The West:

CENTRAL:
COLORADO (C1) v ? (WC2)
MIN/STL (C2) v STL/MIN (C3)

PACIFIC:
CALGARY (P1) v ? (WC1)
EDMONTON (P2) v LA KINGS (P3)


WILD CARD:GP W L OTL PTS RW ROW
1 NSH (C) 80 44 29 7 95 35 41
2 DAL (C) 80 45 30 5 95 30 40
-------------------------------------------------
3 VGK (P) 80 42 31 7 91 33 38

WEST POSS. SEEDS:
*COL (C1)
MIN (C2,C3)
STL (C2,C3)
CGY (P1)
EDM (P2)
LAK (P3)
NSH (WC1,WC2)
DAL (WC1,WC2,out)
-------------------
VGK (WC2,out)

* clinched Western Conference 1 seed

NSH:
Thu 4/28 @ COL 9:00
Fri 4/29 @ ARI 10:30

DAL:
Wed 4/27 v ARI 8:30
Fri 4/29 v ANA 8:30

VGK:
Wed 4/27 @ CHI 8:30
Fri 4/29 @ STL 8:00

 

[kicksavedave]

interesting tidbit - Caps/Rangers Fri - NYR might have the power to decide if they want to face Caps or Pit

The players and coaches will always say they don't care who they play and they want to win every regular season game. No one on the planet believes that crap, I think its a fact they look at their options and make a preference, and that impacts their effort level in a deciding game like this.

I would think the Rags would want the Pens any day, they are much softer than we are and even in a 4-5 game series pose much less physical threat than the Caps. So, expect the Rags to pound us in this otherwise meaningless RS game, to help the Pens secure 3rd.

 

[RedRocking]

The players and coaches will always say they don't care who they play and they want to win every regular season game. No one on the planet believes that crap, I think its a fact they look at their options and make a preference, and that impacts their effort level in a deciding game like this.

I would think the Rags would want the Pens any day, they are much softer than we are and even in a 4-5 game series pose much less physical threat than the Caps. So, expect the Rags to pound us in this otherwise meaningless RS game, to help the Pens secure 3rd.

Come on - they’d definitely prefer to play us - We don’t have an NHL caliber goalie, Pens have 2, and Jarry is excellent if healthy (though a bit unproven in playoffs), AND Ovi is friggin’ hurt!

I’m sorry, but I think every team in the East would pick us right now.

 

[twabby]

Vegas is about to be officially eliminated if the Stars hang on to beat the Coyotes.

I wonder if Robin Lehner will be available this offseason. I know he has been outspoken about some of the challenges he has dealt with both physically and mentally, but I wonder if he’d be a good trade option if Washington’s goaltending lets them down again. $5 million a year for 3 more years, and some very impressive numbers. Could be a buy-low situation as well, given his coach kind of throwing him under the bus.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Vegas is about to be officially eliminated if the Stars hang on to beat the Coyotes.

I wonder if Robin Lehner will be available this offseason. I know he has been outspoken about some of the challenges he has dealt with both physically and mentally, but I wonder if he’d be a good trade option if Washington’s goaltending lets them down again. $5 million a year for 3 more years, and some very impressive numbers. Could be a buy-low situation as well, given his coach kind of throwing him under the bus.

Hard pass…

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

Lehner needs help. He’s spoken about his mental health, and it is visibly holding him back. He’s very athletic for a big guy and has good fundamentals as a goaltender, but he wouldn’t be reliable in the long run. He hasn’t been reliable anywhere in fact.

Caps need stability between the pipes.

 

[Empty Goal Net]

Lehner needs help. He’s spoken about his mental health, and it is visibly holding him back. He’s very athletic for a big guy and has good fundamentals as a goaltender, but he wouldn’t be reliable in the long run. He hasn’t been reliable anywhere in fact.

So you're saying Lehner would be an upgrade over what the Caps currently have?

 

[twabby]

Lehner needs help. He’s spoken about his mental health, and it is visibly holding him back. He’s very athletic for a big guy and has good fundamentals as a goaltender, but he wouldn’t be reliable in the long run. He hasn’t been reliable anywhere in fact.

Caps need stability between the pipes.

This is true but I struggle to find a better option that would be realistically available.

For instance, if they were to take a run at Connor Hellebuyck what do you think he might cost in a trade? I’d guess several picks and a key roster player or two. Maybe it’s worth it, but they should be looking for other upgrades this offseason as well.

FWIW, the list of goalies with a better save percentage above expected than Lehner over the past 3 seasons is: Shesterkin, Kuemper, and Hellebuyck. If Lehner is being held back, then it doesn’t really show up anywhere in the numbers.

If Lehner is available for a reasonable price like I suspect he will be, then Washington really ought to take a hard look at him, assuming Vanecek and Samsonov don’t break out this postseason.

 

[Kuz]

I believe Caps will need to beat both Isles and Rangers to get 3rd seed. I would prefer Rangers over Panthers. The only good thing with the Panthers is they let in a lot of goals aswell. While Shesterkin can steal games.

Pens play CBJ at home who comes from a back to back. Where the other game is at home and they are probably most interested in finishing the season with a victory at home. Doesnt matter that much, but I believe Caps have better chances against Rangers then Carolina/Boston than against Florida and then Tampa/Toronto.

 

[marcel snapshot]

The core of both the Rangers and the Panthers does not have experience in winning playoff series. They don't know how to win. Doesn't mean they won't learn this year, but it does mean that they're susceptible to having doubt created and then having that snowball. You know, exactly the thing that haunted the Caps for years.

Florida gives up more chances and Bob is prone to bad spells of play. Don't know what to think about Shesterkin, and it will be interesting to see how he responds to a playoff opponent going Chris Kreider on him (someone will - it's practically hockey law to run an unproven playoff goalie). Florida D corp moves the puck so well it may be risky to pound them - less sure the same can be said for the Rangers. Rangers do have Reaves, who in the last couple of regular season games with us seems to have neutralized Willy a bit (I would sit Willy on Friday - no sense in having him tangle with Reaves, who is probably dying to show he needs to in the lineup on a regular basis in the playoffs). Not sure whether Florida has anyone that can mitigate Willy's impact on the game.

So, I'm ultimately indifferent about who we play - both teams have vulnerabilities that can be exploited. And the real challenge for us will be to shore up our own obvious vulnerability in net, and our proclivity (less apparent over the last month) to abandon a connected, mutually supportive, 5-man game. Our guys know that's the only way they have a chance to win, but they can't always do it - especially when their head case goalies give up softies early in games

 

[Peeri]

The core of both the Rangers and the Panthers does not have experience in winning playoff series. They don't know how to win. Doesn't mean they won't learn this year, but it does mean that they're susceptible to having doubt created and then having that snowball. You know, exactly the thing that haunted the Caps for years.

Florida gives up more chances and Bob is prone to bad spells of play. Don't know what to think about Shesterkin, and it will be interesting to see how he responds to a playoff opponent going Chris Kreider on him (someone will - it's practically hockey law to run an unproven playoff goalie). Florida D corp moves the puck so well it may be risky to pound them - less sure the same can be said for the Rangers. Rangers do have Reaves, who in the last couple of regular season games with us seems to have neutralized Willy a bit (I would sit Willy on Friday - no sense in having him tangle with Reaves, who is probably dying to show he needs to in the lineup on a regular basis in the playoffs). Not sure whether Florida has anyone that can mitigate Willy's impact on the game.

So, I'm ultimately indifferent about who we play - both teams have vulnerabilities that can be exploited. And the real challenge for us will be to shore up our own obvious vulnerability in net, and our proclivity (less apparent over the last month) to abandon a connected, mutually supportive, 5-man game. Our guys know that's the only way they have a chance to win, but they can't always do it - especially when their head case goalies give up softies early in games

There is no such thing as "know how to win". It's all made up stuff by NHL media, it goes well with intangibles bs they love to throw around aswell.

In the end it doesn't matter who they are playing against, caps underdogs against every single team and it will come down if offense can generate goals and either of our goalies being good enough. Special teams are also key because PP opportunities are more scarce in the playoffs.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

I don’t think I care. I want to see them play like they’re capable of playing and get good goaltending. So frustrating watching goaltending throw a series. Last year I had little hope since we entered the playoffs with a ton of injuries and it was clear that we were a wounded animal that needed to be put down.

I just want to see this team healthy and playing well. If that’s not enough then so be it.

 

[Langway]

There is no such thing as "know how to win". It's all made up stuff by NHL media, it goes well with intangibles bs they love to throw around aswell.

If that were true inexperienced teams would break through much more regularly. It doesn't really happen. I don't think it's a huge deal in the first round, particularly against a team like the Caps who are nominally veteran but do lots of shit disproving that they've gained equivalent wisdom re: game management and structure (at home at the very least). But in terms of going on a serious deep run it's definitely a factor barring special circumstances. Igor could do it. He's capable. They do also have a lot of headline talent. But in terms of the overall cohesion needed it far more often than not requires seasoning to have the needed collective buy-in to adapt, stick with it and not deviate defensively. That level of fortitude takes time unless it's a special, special group.

I do think Florida is good and deep enough for lack of previous wins not to be much of a factor. But goaltending and expectations could be a problem at some point. I don't think the Caps have the goaltending to bump anyone off. It would take really mammoth team defense efforts to pull something off. And probably a much more deadly sharp offense than what I'd expect.

 

[g00n]

There is no such thing as "know how to win". It's all made up stuff by NHL media, it goes well with intangibles bs they love to throw around aswell.

In the end it doesn't matter who they are playing against, caps underdogs against every single team and it will come down if offense can generate goals and either of our goalies being good enough. Special teams are also key because PP opportunities are more scarce in the playoffs.

Not true at all. Talk to any coach, player, trainer, etc and they will tell you there are things you can only get from experience, which allow you to react and stay in control when the pressure is on and things go sideways. And even if you prepare some guys have it and some guys don't.

People today think they can sit around and look at numbers and make predictions bases solely on that but it RARELY ever works out, doesn't it? Don't you ever wonder why?

Look, this is not made up. It's an entire field of study and optimization that's been making champions for a long time.

That said, Bob's playoff history is a problem for FLA. He had one decent year and is .899 in the playoffs for his career.

He's had decent reg season numbers and then tanked in the playoffs. His best postseason of 2018-19 he actually stepped up vs reg season.

So FLA is not a lock.

 

[zappa4ever]

all 16 teams finally settled, bye bye Vegas

TBL/BOS seeding can be settled tonight, everything else comes down to game 82

still only 2 matchups set in stone:
MIN/STL (C2) v STL/MIN (C3)
EDMONTON (P2) v LA KINGS (P3)


---------------------------
Race for M3/WC2:
---------------------------
CAPS: 80GP 44-24-12 100pts 35RW 39ROW
Thu 4/28 @ NYI 7:00
Fri 4/29 @ NYR 7:00

PIT: 81GP 45-25-11 101pts 36RW 42ROW
Fri 4/29 v CBJ 7:00

---------------------------
Race for A3/WC1:
---------------------------
TBL: 80GP 50-22-8 108pts 38RW 48ROW
Thu 4/28 @ CBJ 7:00
Fri 4/29 @ NYI 7:30

BOS: 80GP 50-25-5 105pts 39RW 48ROW
Thu 4/28 v BUF 7:00
Fri 4/29 @ TOR 7:00

---------------------------
Race for C2/C3
---------------------------
MIN: 80GP 51-22-7 109pts 36RW 46ROW
Thu 4/28 v CGY 8:00
Fri 4/29 v COL 8:00

STL: 81GP 49-21-11 109pts 43RW 47ROW
Fri 4/29 v VGK 8:00

---------------------------
Race for WC1/WC2
---------------------------
DAL: 81GP 45-30-6 96pts 30RW 40ROW
Fri 4/29 v ANA 8:30

NSH: 80GP 44-29-7 95pts 35RW 41ROW
Thu 4/28 @ COL 9:00
Fri 4/29 @ ARI 10:30

 

[Empty Goal Net]

Another possible shortcoming for FLA compared to other Eastern teams is the relative inexperience of their coaching staff. Brunette is new to this position and as a player maybe got to the conference finals one time. Idk whether the other coaches have significant experience in the loffs behind the bench, although Oaf Samuelsson was with the Pens for a couple of cup wins. Rags have Gallant, Bolts have Cooper, Pens Sullivan, Caps Lavi (and Blaine!). Not that coaching staff playoff experience is guaranteed to make the difference, but it's going to be something new for most if not all of the Panthers' suits.

 

[marcel snapshot]

There is no such thing as "know how to win". It's all made up stuff by NHL media, it goes well with intangibles bs they love to throw around aswell.

We'll just have to disagree on that. But you might read up on the Islanders 4th Stanley Cup win in 82-83 (I think) against Edmonton. The Oilers were young, fast, and dynamic, and on the verge - and the Islanders were starting to decline physically. Listen to what the Oilers themselves had to say about why they lost that series. Or listen to what opponents said about playing the Canadiens in the 70s. More recently, look at the number of times the Caps failed in key moments of playoff series, or look at how a highly talented and touted Maple Leafs has spent the last 5 or so seasons just trying to win a single playoff series.

If you've ever played any competitive sport for a period of time, it's evident that there are opponents that know how to handle pressure moments, and there are opponents that don't - and can be exploited because of it.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

Florida will be interesting. They’re all in and if Bob shits the bed and they lose one (or both) of their first two games do they panic and go to Knight? Punching them in the mouth early would be a bigger deal against Florida than against other teams I think.

 

[crab]

Typically when an underdog team wins a series its because of their goaltending. Looking at the Caps goaltending I have very little confidence that either would step up which makes upsetting a team like Florida highly unlikely.

Unfortunately the other team is the Rangers which have amazing goaltending and have the Caps number in the playoffs. Still probably better chance of upsetting the Rangers.

 

[895]

Am I crazy for thinking Toronto will beat Tampa?

 

[ovikovy817]

Am I crazy for thinking Toronto will beat Tampa?

Yes.

 

[Langway]

Life is hard.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

Life is hard.

Block or charge?

 

[ovikovy817]

The first time I watched the clip without the sound so it was funny.
But with the sound I do understand that he was looking at the puck in the air.

 

[zappa4ever]

welp, nothing decided yesterday, still only 2 of 8 matchups set in stone
everything finally gets figured out tonite on Game 82, pretty wild

---------------------------
Race for M3/WC2:
---------------------------
CAPS: 81GP 44-25-12 100pts 35RW 39ROW
Fri 4/29 @ NYR 7:00

PIT: 81GP 45-25-11 101pts 36RW 42ROW (Would win tiebreaker)
Fri 4/29 v CBJ 7:00

---------------------------
Race for A3/WC1:
---------------------------
TBL: 81GP 50-23-8 108pts 38RW 48ROW
Fri 4/29 @ NYI 7:30

BOS: 81GP 51-25-5 107pts 40RW 49ROW (Would win tiebreaker)
Fri 4/29 @ TOR 7:00

---------------------------
Race for C2/C3
---------------------------
MIN: 81GP 52-22-7 111pts 36RW 47ROW
Fri 4/29 v COL 8:00

STL: 81GP 49-21-11 109pts 43RW 47ROW (Would win tiebreaker)
Fri 4/29 v VGK 8:00

---------------------------
Race for WC1/WC2
---------------------------
NSH: 81GP 45-29-7 97pts 35RW 41ROW (Would win tiebreaker)
Fri 4/29 @ ARI 10:30

DAL: 81GP 45-30-6 96pts 30RW 40ROW
Fri 4/29 v ANA 8:30