Playoff Chase

[Run the Jewels]

Wallinder has put his time in the AHL, he 100% deserves a call-up and a chance to play. May as well see how he looks at the next level as opposed to Lagesson.

He's playing huge minutes in Grand Rapids, top pairing and both specialty teams. Not sure it makes sense to bring him up so he can play 10 or so minutes in Detroit. He'll make the team next season and then it's up to him to earn his ice time in Detroit.

 

[Run the Jewels]

So just like power levels, expected goals are bullshit.

If you have shit scorers they are, but as we're seeing with Kasper, when you improve the team's overall skill, those expected goals should start to be reflected in actual goals. Four goals for Kasper in his last 6 games.

 

[The Real Pastafarian]

I went through the schedules of several teams and here's how I see the final points for the wildcard contenders:

Ottawa: 95 pts, WC1

Montreal: 87 pts, WC2

NYI: 86 pts
NYR: 84 pts
C-Bus: 83 pts

DRW: 82 pts

This makes the big assumption that one of those 4 teams between us and Ottawa doesn't go on a hot streak. If one of them does, that team will have some unexpected wins against better opponents and they'll finish with 92 points and the Red Wings won't even be close. I can see the NYR doing that.

And I've assumed that the Red Wings won't go 12-0 to end the season. If that happens we'll have 96 points and we'll leapfrog Ottawa for WC1. I've assumed that the Red Wings will finish pretty strong though, with quite a few loser points when they lose, and a couple of wins against better teams. Even just 10 points out of the remaining 12 games won't be easy.

To get 6 more points than I've projected and maybe get WC2, they'll have to get 4 wins out of the Avs, Canes, Panthers (2 games), Lightning, Stars, and Leafs, so they'll have to go 4 wins and 3 losses against that murderers' row.

 

[RED WINGS STOMP]

Islanders lost again. No one seems to want WC2 all that bad. As much as we all think the Wings are dead, others in this race aren't completely putting the Wings away.

4 of the next 5 at home, then a road game at Montreal. If ever there was a time for one of those patented McLellan 7 game win streaks, this would be it.

Sorry, I can't help but hope.

 

[ShanahanMan]

Bruins have been instructed to tank for sure. Zadorov is scratched and Pastranak playing limited ice time. It’s comical watching them play against the Ducks right now. Purposely giving up on plays, and like 20 2 on 1’s so far. This is full on 90’s/00’s Pens and Oilers level shit.

Pretty expected by Neely.

 

[Ulysses31]

was hoping devils would fold after losing hughes freeing another spot, but they stayin afloat.