Playoffs Positivity Thread .......... Re-Poll, option to change your vote is open as of Jan 7

[Lafleurs Guy]

We could pass the Bruins for a playoff spot if we win our games in hand.

And we're also only four points out of a top 5 pick.

This is crazy.

There's a world where we're in the mix for most of the year and still somehow end up with a top 5 pick by getting a 5-7 game losing streak to end the year. So we technically could be in the mix AND tank lmfao.

It’s not what I’d want but it’s also not a terrible scenario either.

It’d just be so much better to bump Boston from the playoffs and beat the Leafs in the first round. What a year that’d be considering we didn’t even expect the playoffs to happen at all.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

No game of significance in terms of the standings tonight.

Only game that is related to MTL is CGY vs. LAK. A CGY regulation loss is what we want. They're currently sitting outside a playoff spot, but they're tied at 45 pts with VAN and the 2WC spot. VAN is ahead because they have a game in hand.

What we want is for CGY to miss the playoffs, but not be in the Top-10 because then we get FLA's 1st.

That whole thing is too complicated for me to worry about. As far as I’m concerned you get what you get and you don’t get upset…

 

[morhilane]

Ulmark is hurt. They're now struggling with goaltending again.

And scoring goals, although that's since the start of the season. Sens have 114 GF vs the Habs 122 GF in 41 games.

 

[Leto]

Ulmark is hurt. They're now struggling with goaltending again.

There needs to be a case study on goaltending in Ottawa, they are cursed.

 

[Jurivan Demidovsky]

I never thought I'd be posting this in the present season, but...

When you changing your vote?

 

[Habs Halifax]

View attachment 957395

Do that with Hutson as well.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Desired results for tonight:

- MTL win vs. WSH: MTL win moves them 1 point behind PIT with 2 games in hand + 1 point behind CBJ with 1 game in hand + 2 pts behind BOS with 3 games in hand + 3 pts behind TBL for 3rd in Atlantic. TBL will have 2 games in hand after tonight.

- DET reg. loss vs. CHI: DET reg. loss + MTL win = MTL moves 3 pts ahead of DET.

*A MTL win keeps DET behind them, even if DET wins. A MTL win can also keep them in the mix, not only for a WC spot, but within distance of the 3rd spot in the division. If MTL loses in regulation, they are still in the mix, but DET will move ahead of them in the standings.*

 

[Habs Halifax]

I positively think we will continue to stay in the mix but not make the playoffs.

 

[Adam Michaels]

I positively think we will continue to stay in the mix but not make the playoffs.

Which is fine with me. There will be a sector of the fans and media who will talk about Habs being in that spot means they're in no man's land (no playoffs + not a high pick). But the progress is what is important.

We can't only want high picks and ignore the growth of those who are already here (Suzuki, Caufield, Guhle, Hutson, Dach, Newhook, Xhekaj, Heineman, and others).

Not to mention, if Habs are in the mix and miss the playoffs, they will be picking in the same range they took Caufield and Guhle. So it's not like they won't be able to take a player that can be a key part of the team's success down the road.

I won't be mad if Habs sink and pick high again. However, I'll feel like the season isn't lost if they do remain in the mix, even if they don't make the playoffs.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Which is fine with me. There will be a sector of the fans and media who will talk about Habs being in that spot means they're in no man's land (no playoffs + not a high pick). But the progress is what is important.

We can't only want high picks and ignore the growth of those who are already here (Suzuki, Caufield, Guhle, Hutson, Dach, Newhook, Xhekaj, Heineman, and others).

Not to mention, if Habs are in the mix and miss the playoffs, they will be picking in the same range they took Caufield and Guhle. So it's not like they won't be able to take a player that can be a key part of the team's success down the road.

I won't be mad if Habs sink and pick high again. However, I'll feel like the season isn't lost if they do remain in the mix, even if they don't make the playoffs.

What might happen is we stay in the mix till the deadline and when the realize they are too far out, they falter more. Once you know you have a long shot, players might not work as hard.

I said our pick will be 8-12 range heading in. Moved it to 5-10 about a month ago and now I'm moving it back to 8-12 lol. Maybe a better range is 10-15. I agree, that is a good dart and if our scouts are doing their job well, it will be another potential grade A added to the pool.

 

[Rapala]

I've learned over the years the only thing that matters is the game at hand.

 

[schwang26]

Yeah I don' see Savard having great value. Maybe we get a late 2nd if we retain.

Armia (retained) and Evans could get us a late 1st each. If it's the case and feel they can't resign them, they probably will be traded.

But just for fun, let's assume we are in a situation to make the playoffs comes trade deadline and we can't garner a 1st for any of our UFAs. Do you really think HuGo will still trade them for future assets?

I don’t think he lets Savard, Armia or Evans walk just for the sake of maybe making the playoffs. Hughes has shown excellent asset management up to this point. The Habs have one of the best 4th lines in the nhl. Evans and Armia will be sought after. Just being in the mix at the deadline doesn’t mean a lot because there’s like, 20 games left. That’s a lot of points. Plus, the teams they’re competing against are not all rebuilding teams. They’re older teams that will make big moves at the deadline to give that extra push to make it. The Habs won’t make those moves. They’ll either be sellers or make a minor move here or there. So others might improve their odds at the deadline.

 

[schwang26]

What might happen is we stay in the mix till the deadline and when the realize they are too far out, they falter more. Once you know you have a long shot, players might not work as hard.

I said our pick will be 8-12 range heading in. Moved it to 5-10 about a month ago and now I'm moving it back to 8-12 lol. Maybe a better range is 10-15. I agree, that is a good dart and if our scouts are doing their job well, it will be another potential grade A added to the pool.

I still they they hover around 10-12 at the deadline, but if they sell, they’ll drop. They can’t afford to lose centres or break up that 4th line if they want a shot. Plus, other teams around them will try and make big acquisitions for a playoff push because they’re older. Like Pittsburgh, TB, Boston. The habs won’t do that, so that might make them drop as well. Not to mention that they’ve been unusually healthy so far this year. I’m sure that’ll change.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I still they they hover around 10-12 at the deadline, but if they sell, they’ll drop. They can’t afford to lose centres or break up that 4th line if they want a shot. Plus, other teams around them will try and make big acquisitions for a playoff push because they’re older. Like Pittsburgh, TB, Boston. The habs won’t do that, so that might make them drop as well. Not to mention that they’ve been unusually healthy so far this year. I’m sure that’ll change.

I think there is a very fair chance we are making a huge trade near the draft. We know Hughes is after adding pieces around Suzuki's age and other teams likely know our situation as well. We will be getting lots of phone calls and players that might be available that we are not even thinking about today.

A pick 10-12 and then another around what? 14-18 range (Flames/Panthers)? Doesn't appear the Flames will slip to 10 or lower at this stage.

 

[schwang26]

I think there is a very fair chance we are making a huge trade near the draft. We know Hughes is after adding pieces around Suzuki's age and other teams likely know our situation as well. We will be getting lots of phone calls and players that might be available that we are not even thinking about today.

A pick 10-12 and then another around what? 14-18 range (Flames/Panthers)? Doesn't appear the Flames will slip to 10 or lower at this stage.

Huge trade for what though? He’s not sacrificing the future for that. He’s already said as much. There’s no one they’re willing to give up that’ll fetch a big name.

 

[BLONG7]

I positively think we will continue to stay in the mix but not make the playoffs.

I also think this is where we end up...............that said the next 20 games are huge, and who knows.
Spoken like a politician eh........

 

[Habs Halifax]

Huge trade for what though? He’s not sacrificing the future for that. He’s already said as much. There’s no one they’re willing to give up that’ll fetch a big name.

Huge trade for a piece we need that is not over the hill and comes with term. He actually said he could use acquired 1st in a trade to improve the team.

I also think this is where we end up...............that said the next 20 games are huge, and who knows.
Spoken like a politician eh........

Lets face it... many of us are too afraid to be gullible and say we get in the playoffs. I kind of like it this way... fly under the radar a bit and let them prove to us they can do it. If not, no big deal, they accomplished the transition up the standings and the younger players start to understand what it takes to get in and how much work is required.

 

[BergevinBurner]

The top 3 of the Atlantic and Metro look pretty locked in. The wildcard teams are currently closer to 2nd last in the East by point percentage then they are to the 3rd team in their division.

It's essentially just a deadlocked race between 10 teams fighting for 2 spots. We'll see how long we can go without faltering. The Rest of our January is rough, but after that it gets much more manageable. So if we can come out of this month in a good spot then our odds should go way up.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

The top 3 of the Atlantic and Metro look pretty locked in. The wildcard teams are currently closer to 2nd last in the East by point percentage then they are to the 3rd team in their division.

It's essentially just a deadlocked race between 10 teams fighting for 2 spots. We'll see how long we can go without faltering. The Rest of our January is rough, but after that it gets much more manageable. So if we can come out of this month in a good spot then our odds should go way up.

We need at least 23-24 points in the next 20 games imo.

 

[Justsayin]

I thought at the beginning of the year we had a good chance to make the playoffs. I still think that and hope that we do. At some point losing starts to have a negative impact on the core players and I think we are getting to that point in a hurry.

 

[JianYang]

I still they they hover around 10-12 at the deadline, but if they sell, they’ll drop. They can’t afford to lose centres or break up that 4th line if they want a shot. Plus, other teams around them will try and make big acquisitions for a playoff push because they’re older. Like Pittsburgh, TB, Boston. The habs won’t do that, so that might make them drop as well. Not to mention that they’ve been unusually healthy so far this year. I’m sure that’ll change.

They have been unusually healthy since laine came back. I wouldn't say the whole year.

I think that's part of the reason why they are getting better results recently, but your right, that health situation can change quickly.

 

[JustAHabFan]

I positively think we will continue to stay in the mix but not make the playoffs.

How can it is positive thinking if we don't make the playoff?

 

[Habs Halifax]

How can it is positive thinking if we don't make the playoff?

We make a move up the standings and the young players understand how much work is required to get in. Gives them extra focus

 

[Kennerback]

The Western Conference is more of a common standings pattern. You have those hopeless bottom teams like the Sharks, the Hawks, the Preds… This year the Eastern Conference is in an extreme realignment with teams that were recently in a Cup window going one direction (Bruins, Rangers,…) and you have other teams taking a big step in the other direction (Habs, BJ…) while all the teams that were in the mix last season spinning their tires. It clogs everything up. It’s going to be a dog fight.

 

[Habs Halifax]

The Western Conference is more of a common standings pattern. You have those hopeless bottom teams like the Sharks, the Hawks, the Preds… This year the Eastern Conference is in an extreme realignment with teams that were recently in a Cup window going one direction (Bruins, Rangers,…) and you have other teams taking a big step in the other direction (Habs, BJ…) while all the teams that were in the mix last season spinning their tires. It clogs everything up. It’s going to be a dog fight.

Some teams in the east are going to want to tank and deflate any attempt to stay in no mans land by their coach/players. Kind of how Monahan was traded in early Feb last season. It basically sealed our faith.

Still going to be a dog fight and remember heading into the season when most fans had the Wings, Sabres, and Sens ahead of us? I said we are in the same group