Playoff race/Scoreboard watching thread

[Doggy]

Feels like we need one of these

Someone commented on the Canes losing last night. I have a hard time thinking we can catch them but it certainly doesn't hurt us if they keep losing (especially to teams not relevant to the Wild Card race...like the Sabres.

Thursday, January January 16th. Big night besides us critically needing to get two points at home vs Sharks.

Senators, Wings, Flyers, Habs and Rangers are all on the schedule and none are playing each other so we have clear rooting interests.

The biggest matchups for us look favorable. Sens vs Caps, Wings vs Cats, Habs vs Stars while Rangers vs Utah is a toss up.

Click to read more...

 

[squashmaple]

I smell a Jinx thread.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

It’s been like 6 years since we’ve had a thread like this. Used to tank threads.

 

[Doggy]

I smell a Jinx thread.

Nope. Maybe it's because I am a mentally scarred CBJ fan but if I am being perfectly honest with myself I think the Sens, Habs and Bruins have the inside track on the Wild Card spots.

1) Our injuries affect our depth and Monahan not back until February, Chinny still a mystery, Jenner not back until March and our goaltending still tenuous I am enjoying the ride but not buying playoff tix just yet.

2) We are now where the Sens were a couple years ago...young and hopeful but still bad goaltending. If Ullmark is not far from returning they have to be considered a favorite to grab a spot. And I don't know much about this young Leevi kid but he has really impressed the past few weeks. Doubt he is ready to be a full time starter but if he can reliably share the load...

3) Habs starting to feel for real. We all know Laine is not good at even strength but since his return he has been electric on the PP and the Habs have taken off. I think Montembault is just as good if not better than Elvis and it might be premature but former Buckeye Jakub Dobes has looked very sharp as the backup. Does has figured out every level he has played at, would not be surprised if he figures out the NHL too.

4) Not writing off the Bruins, they have been playing better of late, have a really good goalie who clearly got off to a slow start this season for obvious reasons and they have a lot of playoff experience on the team that can help them make a push in a tight Wild Card race.

But as I said, I am enjoying the ride. And frankly, discussing a Wild Card race we are currently a part of is fun.

 

[alphafox]

Ironically, since this thread started today. Tonight is actually a huge playoff implication night for the Jackets. It might be overblown but this is pretty close to a must win. The rest of the teams in the hunt are facing tough games (OTT vs WSH, DET vs FL, MTL vs DAL, NYR vs UT) and we have a very winnable game at home that is the definition of a trap game before a big road trip. If things break our way tonight it could actually be some breathing room heading into a road trip that if it goes well could knock the Islanders and Rangers out of the race in a lot of ways.

I still think Ottawa and Boston are the two that make the playoffs as I see DET, MTL, cooling off while we maintain and Ottawa & Boston regain form either through trade or growth.

 

[Monk]

Ironically, since this thread started today. Tonight is actually a huge playoff implication night for the Jackets. It might be overblow but this is pretty close to a must win. The rest of the teams in the hunt are facing tough games (OTT vs WSH, DET vs FL, MTL vs DAL, NYR vs UT) and we have a very winnable game at home that is the definition of a trap game before a big road trip. If things break our way tonight it could actually be some breathing room heading into a road trip that if it goes well we could knock the Islanders and Rangers out of the race in a lot of ways.

I still think Ottawa and Boston are the two that make the playoffs as I see DET, MTL, cooling off while we maintain and Ottawa & Boston regain form either through trade or growth.

Sounds like a critical game

 

[Doggy]

Ironically, since this thread started today. Tonight is actually a huge playoff implication night for the Jackets. It might be overblow but this is pretty close to a must win. The rest of the teams in the hunt are facing tough games (OTT vs WSH, DET vs FL, MTL vs DAL, NYR vs UT) and we have a very winnable game at home that is the definition of a trap game before a big road trip. If things break our way tonight it could actually be some breathing room heading into a road trip that if it goes well could knock the Islanders and Rangers out of the race in a lot of ways.

I still think Ottawa and Boston are the two that make the playoffs as I see DET, MTL, cooling off while we maintain and Ottawa & Boston regain form either through trade or growth.

What a coincidence

 

[DankoCBJ]

 

[VT]

I looked at the schedules of Boston, Ottawa, Detroit, Philadelphia, Rangers, Pittsburgh, Islanders and Buffalo in January.
(bold - home, red - conference, underlined - division)

COLUMBUS
Rangers, Islanders, Toronto, Carolina, Los Angeles, Vegas, Utah

BOSTON
Ottawa, San José, New Jersey, Ottawa, Colorado, Buffalo, Winnipeg

OTTAWA
Boston, New Jersey, Rangers, Boston, Toronto, Utah, Washington

MONTREAL
Toronto, Rangers, Tampa, Detroit, New Jersey, Winnipeg, Minnesota

DETROIT
Toronto, Rangers, Tampa, Detroit, New Jersey, Winnipeg, Minnesota

PHILADELPHIA
New Jersey, Detroit, Rangers, Islanders, New Jersey, New Jersey, Islanders

RANGERS
Columbus, Montreal, Ottawa, Philadelphia, Colorado, Calorina

PITTSBURGH
Buffalo, Washington, Los Angeles, Anaheim, Seattle, San José, Utah

ISLANDERS
San José, Columbus, Philadelphia, Carolina, Colorado, Philadelphia

BUFFALO
Pittsburgh, Seattle, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Boston, Nashville

 

[ThirdPeriodTurtle]

VT you have Detroit and Montreal schedules the same.

But at this point I don't know if it makes much sense to try to over-analyze the schedules. Detroit just beat Florida, Ottawa stole a point from Washington, Montreal beat Dallas... All the teams in the East are rolling and everybody's in the Playoff race. Or as Montreal fans say, "in da mix". Even Buffalo and New York Islanders are still within Wild Card reach. The amount of games played basically makes up for all the differences in points, it's neck and neck...

Could even say...

Every game is critical.

 

[DankoCBJ]

Next 4 games on the road. Then home game against Kings and then 4 road games again.

That is going to be a big test!

 

[VT]

VT you have Detroit and Montreal schedules the same.

But at this point I don't know if it makes much sense to try to over-analyze the schedules. Detroit just beat Florida, Ottawa stole a point from Washington, Montreal beat Dallas... All the teams in the East are rolling and everybody's in the Playoff race. Or as Montreal fans say, "in da mix". Even Buffalo and New York Islanders are still within Wild Card reach. The amount of games played basically makes up for all the differences in points, it's neck and neck...

Could even say...

Every game is critical.

I've already fixed it and will add Pittsburgh, Isles and Buffalo.

EDIT:
The worst part is that Montreal has, thanks to Dobeš, two excellent goalies. And Detroit got better after the arrival of the systemic McLellan. That's two teams right now. It's going to be tough, but this is where the strength, soul of the team will show.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

This stretch through the 4 Nations tournament will show if we’re going to stay in the race. It’s a pretty bad murders row of good teams and away games. Going to be tough. Win the division games and try to come out .500 against the rest

 

[Doggy]

I've already fixed it and will add Pittsburgh, Isles and Buffalo.

EDIT:
The worst part is that Montreal has, thanks to Dobeš, two excellent goalies. And Detroit got better after the arrival of the systemic McLellan. That's two teams right now. It's going to be tough, but this is where the strength, soul of the team will show.

Yeah, happy for Dobes without being happy for Montreal. It's a fine line.