Predict the Atlantic Standings

[T REX]

Is Colton a natural center?

Yes

 

[Golden_Jet]

After their win, during the on-ice celebration, Ryan McDonough was interviewed and said this was a weird playoffs. The further Tampa Bay got, the easier their opponents became. He mentioned that by far the best team they played in the playoffs was the Florida Panthers.

I put $100 on them to win the Stanley Cup at +2400.

Game 1 one of that playoff series, was the best game I’d seen all year, up to that point.

 

[Dondini]

Toronto
Tampa
Montreal
Florida (WC)
Boston (MP)
Ottawa
Detroit
Buffalo

 

[DrMartinVanNostrand]

After their win, during the on-ice celebration, Ryan McDonough was interviewed and said this was a weird playoffs. The further Tampa Bay got, the easier their opponents became. He mentioned that by far the best team they played in the playoffs was the Florida Panthers.

I put $100 on them to win the Stanley Cup at +2400.

I agree with that and have said so previously. I know the Islanders took the Lightning to 7 whereas Florida didn't, but it felt like the Lightning were generally in more control of that series even in spite of that. The Islanders scored 11 goals in seven games. They didn't score more than three in any game, and both times they came to Tampa late in the series with it tied, they got shutout. There's no questioning the resolve and tenacity of them, but only in the first and fourth games of the series (and only the second period of that Game 4 at that, though they sure made it count) did it feel - to me - they really were in control of things in any kind of clearly obvious manner.

Florida scored 17 goals in the first five games of the series. They also allowed 20, but the point being they were a constant threat when they had the puck and got into the offensive zone. If they could have a do-over and Knight starts from Game 1, it might've been a different series (which doesn't mean Q was wrong to trust Bob or Drieger first, it just turned out both of them struggled badly when given the chance). Games 1 and 2 could've easily turned out different, they were both close games where Florida had their chances.

It's why I'm expecting Florida to win the division this year. They're probably the best team over an 82 game season in the division right now. Whether that means they're the best team in a best-of-7 matchup from there is anyone else's guess.

 

[I Hart Conor Garland]

I’m pretty comfortable saying Tampa takes one division spot. I feel nearly as confident that Florida will too. Boston seems to just always make it. After that I definitely have Detroit and Buffalo at the bottom. I don’t really know what to make of the eastern Canadian teams but I cannot in good faith say I see anything higher than wildcard.

Boston
Tampa
Florida

Montreal/Ottawa/Toronto in any order

Detroit
Buffalo

 

[Golden_Jet]

I’m pretty comfortable saying Tampa takes one division spot. I feel nearly as confident that Florida will too. Boston seems to just always make it. After that I definitely have Detroit and Buffalo at the bottom. I don’t really know what to make of the eastern Canadian teams but I cannot in good faith say I see anything higher than wildcard.

Boston
Tampa
Florida

Montreal/Ottawa/Toronto in any order

Detroit
Ottawa

Nice, Ottawa has 2 teams

 

[I Hart Conor Garland]

Nice, Ottawa has 2 teams

Oops

 

[mr figgles]

Tampa
Florida
Boston
Toronto
Montreal
Ottawa
Detroit
Buffalo

Only 3 of them are making the playoffs.

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

If Spencer Knight impresses next season and (could win the calder) and Bennett maintains his 1.6PPG pace since being acquired from the Flames, then Florida will give Tampa a run of their money in the division.

 

[Necrobutcher]

If Spencer Knight impresses next season and (could win the calder) and Bennett maintains his 1.6PPG pace since being acquired from the Flames, then Florida will give Tampa a run of their money in the division.

That obviously won't happen. Florida will still make it really hard for Tampa to win the division though.

 

[wetcoast]

1 Tampa
2 Boston
3 Florida
4 Montreal
5 Toronto
6 sens
7 buffalos
8 wings

without the protection of the Canada division to drive up perception teams will now settle in properly ....

It's extremely unlikely that Montreal finishes ahead of the Leafs, the Leafs are built for regular season success plain and simple.

Montreal has huge problems this year filling the 2 hugs holes left by Weber and Danault and even with them they were a borderline layoff team at best.

 

[wetcoast]

If Spencer Knight impresses next season and (could win the calder) and Bennett maintains his 1.6PPG pace since being acquired from the Flames, then Florida will give Tampa a run of their money in the division.

Knight is probably the leading candidate for the Calder IMO.

 

[Mr Positive]

as the offseason moves on, and there's more time to think about (and some other moves happened), it seems like there's some shifting in the league happening.

I'll predict that Montreal is ahead of Boston now. The Bruins had a large drop in the standings this year. They added Hall, but lost Krejci. They lost Krug before that. Their veteran forwards are still good, but getting older. It's just a matter of time before a big drop off happens, and I'll predict that now is the time, especially with Montreal with all their aggressive additions to cover losses, and adding Caufield.

Florida
Tampa
Toronto
Montreal

Boston
Ottawa
Detroit
Buffalo

 

[letsgrowcactus]

Knight is probably the leading candidate for the Calder IMO.

I'm a FLA fan but the expectations we have on a 20-year-old goalie prospect (even one as excellent as Knight) make me uneasy.
We should make the playoffs next year but if something trips us, I'm pretty sure it will be goaltending.

 

[Deas]

Completely agree with the OP's ranking. That's a very strong top four, and Montreal is good too.

 

[slybel]

I see a lot are still bitter about their last playoffs runs...

Montreal DID not loose their 1C (They never had one)

Weber was getting slow... but 'pushed' people around... no PP effect last year.

Danault was good in the playoffs...

It will be a long season after 2 short ones. Montreal will have a tough time to crack the 90 points for sure.

 

[ER89]

If Spencer Knight impresses next season and (could win the calder) and Bennett maintains his 1.6PPG pace since being acquired from the Flames, then Florida will give Tampa a run of their money in the division.

Yeah, if bennet turns into mcdavid for sure florida will be the best

 

[Beezeral]

Yeah, if bennet turns into mcdavid for sure florida will be the best

He'd be Gretzky at that pace...

 

[SensFactor]

Tampa
Florida
Toronto
Boston
Montreal
Ottawa
Detroit
Buffalo

Seems about right. You can maybe interchange Toronto and Boston. My bold predication is the Sens could finish 4th in the division if they played like they did in the 2nd half of last year.

 

[Essenege]

It's extremely unlikely that Montreal finishes ahead of the Leafs, the Leafs are built for regular season success plain and simple.

Montreal has huge problems this year filling the 2 hugs holes left by Weber and Danault and even with them they were a borderline layoff team at best.

This is the common view, but you have your starting point off.

The last 25 games of last season are not a fair representation because:

1) 25 games in 42 days
2) They lost the forward with the best 5v5 possession metrics league wide in the last 3 seasons (Gallagher)
3) Price was off, Allen had a tough stretch
4) other injuries down the stretch to key players like Weber, Danault.

At the end of March they had the best GF% in the league. With an healthy roster in the playoff they posted the best 5v5 performance of any team vs Vegas, dominated Winnipeg and played very good against the Leafs (a very good 5v5 team) in the elimination games.

Here’s the 5v5 GD last year. The xGD follows a similar trajectory, although the drop at the end is less drastic.

EDIT: that being said no team in the east saved Tampa is guaranteed a playoff spot. There’s 9-10 team in the eastern conference that would qualify top 6 « odds wise » in the West, it will be very competitive.

 

[RangerDoggo]

1. Tampa Bay
2. Florida
3. Toronto
4. Boston
5. Ottawa
6. Montreal
7. Detroit
8. Buffalo

Habs seem prime to fall back to earth.

 

[ER89]

He'd be Gretzky at that pace...

Wouldn't that be something...

 

[bert]

This is going to be a very disappointing season for Habs fans. They have got worse in just about every way possible outside of goaltending. A team that wouldnt have made the playoffs last year if not for Covid. They all bought in and played a great team game due to leadership. Weber, Perry and Danault are gone. Two very short off seasons. I just dont see it.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

This is going to be a very disappointing season for Habs fans. They have got worse in just about every way possible outside of goaltending. A team that wouldnt have made the playoffs last year if not for Covid. They all bought in and played a great team game due to leadership. Weber, Perry and Danault are gone. Two very short off seasons. I just dont see it.

Are you referring to the regular season or the Playoffs run? I don't think anyone expected them make it to the NHL cup finals, so I am not sure how much disappointment will there be if they do not make it this year. But their regular season was not outerworldly with a .527 points %. Based on that moderate success, how much worse are they then a .527 team will they be very disappointed? It's not like they were playing at a .650% clip. Thus I find your statement confusing unless you are referencing the playoffs, where I don't even think the biggest Canadiens fan would expect to be back at the cup finals this upcoming season.

 

[bert]

Are you referring to the regular season or the Playoffs run? I don't think anyone expected them make it to the NHL cup finals, so I am not sure how much disappointment will there be if they do not make it this year. But their regular season was not outerworldly with a .527 points %. Based on that moderate success, how much worse are they then a .527 team will they be very disappointed? It's not like they were playing at a .650% clip. Thus I find your statement confusing unless you are referencing the playoffs, where I don't even think the biggest Canadiens fan would expect to be back at the cup finals this upcoming season.

The way I am reading these boards expectations are very high. Habs fans seem to think their team due to the run, is a top team in the league. I think they are going to miss the playoffs by a substantial amount.