Teams that will rise, teams that will fall and teams that will self destruct this playoffs

[edevils]

I've heard a couple people say this now, and to them I say, try watching some games lol

Stolarz is our starter and although we operate in a tandem he has looked elite in damn near every game he's played this year

.922 svp, tied for 3rd best in the league
2.28 gaa, 4th best in the league

If he's elite, why aren't they playing him more? Does he have stamina issues? I'm genuinely curious. If the guys the bees knees, why not play him like a true #1?

 

[AvroArrow]

If he's elite, why aren't they playing him more? Does he have stamina issues? I'm genuinely curious. If the guys the bees knees, why not play him like a true #1?

Cause Woll is also a really good goalie, kinda like why the Bruins were rotating Ullmark/Swayman a couple years ago.

Why put all the burden on 1 guy and risk injury, keep both guys healthy and playing.

Stolarz will be starting every game in the playoffs without a doubt, unless he really shits the bed somehow.

 

[Sens With Benefits]

I’d be absolutely terrified to face teams like Ottawa and Montreal.

Ottawa is going to be so hungry after not making the playoffs for years. They’re third line of Greig, Pinto and Amadio is going to give teams fits. If Ullmark is hot too, he can absolutely steal games.

Montreal is riding high and have zero pressure or expectations. They’ve beaten some of the best teams lately. The injection of Demodov is going to spark the team as well. Home ice for Montreal in the playoffs is super scary for visiting teams.

 

[hangman005]

I’d be absolutely terrified to face teams like Ottawa and Montreal.

Ottawa is going to be so hungry after not making the playoffs for years. They’re third line of Greig, Pinto and Amadio is going to give teams fits. If Ullmark is hot too, he can absolutely steal games.

Montreal is riding high and have zero pressure or expectations. They’ve beaten some of the best teams lately. The injection of Demodov is going to spark the team as well. Home ice for Montreal in the playoffs is super scary for visiting teams.

I'd like our chance better this time round vs Montreal.... No Steve Spott powerplay, and Flower isn't their to gaffe it up on us

 

[Gizmoskevich]

I’d be absolutely terrified to face teams like Ottawa and Montreal.

Ottawa is going to be so hungry after not making the playoffs for years. They’re third line of Greig, Pinto and Amadio is going to give teams fits. If Ullmark is hot too, he can absolutely steal games.

Montreal is riding high and have zero pressure or expectations. They’ve beaten some of the best teams lately. The injection of Demodov is going to spark the team as well. Home ice for Montreal in the playoffs is super scary for visiting teams.

Ottawa is 100% getting looked over. I hope for Leafs fans sake that Toronto takes them as a threat (assuming no positioning changes). Ullmark has been reminding everyone that he’s a Vezina winner and unlike 2023 he’s expected to be healthy for the playoffs. Brady should be healthy and hungry. Can’t wait for that series

 

[banks]

Rise: Toronto and Winnpeg. Both teams have nothing but playoff failures recently. So there's nowhere to go but up. And I think both can make a deep run.

Self Destruct: Edmonton. That whole team looks like they're a discombobulated mess. Even McDrai won't be able to carry them far this year. I expect they'll be a 1st round bounce against LA, kicking off meltdowns from the fanbase and team alike.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

It just doesn't seem like Edmonton's year. They were so good that past couple of seasons but they've played a LOT of hockey. I think this year they don't make it out of the 2nd round.

I think St Louis look amazing. They could surprise people.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Self Destruct: Edmonton. That whole team looks like they're a discombobulated mess. Even McDrai won't be able to carry them far this year. I expect they'll be a 1st round bounce against LA, kicking off meltdowns from the fanbase and team alike.

They might, but it'll be after they get past LA. LA can make a series out of any opponent except Edmonton and Colorado, they have absolutely zero answer for McDavid/Draisaitl and MacKinnon/Makar. Their defense as a whole is great, but their PP sucks, their PK sucks vs. true superstars, and they can't outscore their problems once that goes south. None of their dmen have the footspeed to keep up, and the only player on the Kings entire roster who can physically match up is Byfield. They'll win round 1 even if it's just McJesus...but after that I do think they'll struggle, they have a lot of questionmarks/moving parts that need to coalesce and quickly.

 

[Two4Fighting]

Team that will rise:
Toronto - Seems to be their year. (Still don't get how this far into the season people think Leafs goaltending is poor.. Literally been their best asset all year)

Team that will fall:
Jets - Simply until Hellebuyck and the rest of the new core show they aren't an easy 5 game out in round 1, I need to see it to believe it.

Team that will self destruct:
Panthers - Simply they have not played good hockey this season and won a lot of games on goaltending I don't think is sustainable. With the injuries and Ekblad being out, I think Tampa's forecheck is too much for them and a "cup favorite" is out in 5 games.

I agree with others that you are wrong, if you think the Panthers won the cup on goaltending, then you don't know hockey. no point in arguing about it, if you don't know this much.

Toronto is a better team this year, Ottawa has what it takes to take them out.
Tampa's forecheck? wait did you see the last game Toronto vs Tampa?
Tampa is a real threat this year, for me is either Panthers or Tampa.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

Can we just please see a battle for ontario in round 1, its what everybody wants

 

[1specter]

I'd like our chance better this time round vs Montreal.... No Steve Spott powerplay, and Flower isn't their to gaffe it up on us

It's crazy how Spott has continued to fail upwards all because of his relationship with DeBoer. Dude blew a 3-0 lead in the OHL conference finals and in general got punked by London year after year, had a stacked Canada WJC squad with NHL talent thanks to the 2013 lockout and couldn't even medal because he loved his boy Ryan Murphy too much, and at the NHL level has been mostly trash running mediocre PPs year after year.

 

[BoardsofCanada]

When Ottawa's on, they're capable of beating anyone. I suppose that's true of most teams but when they're in synch, they are a tough out. Unfortunately, Ottawa is wildly inconsistent. Their goalies have bailed them out too many times this season. I'm, not convinced they play overall team defence well enough to upset a team like Washington, TO or the Florida teams. Whoever they play, they'll be a handful.

 

[hangman005]

It's crazy how Spott has continued to fail upwards all because of his relationship with DeBoer. Dude blew a 3-0 lead in the OHL conference finals and in general got punked by London year after year, had a stacked Canada WJC squad with NHL talent thanks to the 2013 lockout and couldn't even medal because he loved his boy Ryan Murphy too much, and at the NHL level has been mostly trash running mediocre PPs year after year.

He must have some amazing blackmail photos of DeBoer... at least that's my theory

 

[NyQuil]

Expect Ottawa to be swept. Sens will just be happy to make the players for the first time in a decade. Ullmark being Uhhhmark. He always craps the bed come playoff time.

Remember this?

Ottawa won't be sniffing the playoffs in the next 4 years so it won't matter for Linux anyways.

Keep up the good work! You're like a lucky talisman.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Expect Ottawa to be swept. Sens will just be happy to make the players for the first time in a decade. Ullmark being Uhhhmark. He always craps the bed come playoff time.

Counting years is hard I guess.

 

[Skidooboy]

Valid. I think there are differences though. The last time the Jets won a 2nd round playoff game was 2017-2018. The core of that team is gone. Also the manner in which they lose. For example, Leafs lost a hard fought injury filled series in game 7 OT last year. Jets were an easy out in 5 games B2B years.

Also for me, the main question is Hellebuyck because he has been a Vezina level goalie to make the Jets look this good but has also been the guy who has let them down the most when it counts. I think compared to the Leafs two goalies, they have shown in their careers they elevate in the post season.

No one really knows anything with this stuff. Just my opinions.

yourr opions they may be but the facts are 100% wrong.

"The last time the Jets won a 2nd round playoff game was 2017-2018. The core of that team is gone."

What?
players on the jets in 2018
#55 #44 #81 #17 #37 #22 #1 #27 #13

8 OF THOSE GUYS ARE NOT ONLY THE "CORE" BUT NIGHT IN NIGHT OUT OUR BEST PLAYERS.......

Jets drafted and developed those 8 guys.

 

[Golden_Jet]

yourr opions they may be but the facts are 100% wrong.

Get used to it poster refuses to fast check anything.
Yesterday I corrected poster on 3-4 things that were factually wrong, I wasn’t the only correcting facts.
Not sure if it’s a schtik, or just has something against fact checking. Seems like just hopes no-one will notice I guess.

 

[voxel]

I feel a first round exit with the Oilers due injuries and lack of chemistry.

And a few other teams that just are limping into the playoffs. Should be exciting to see the upsets.

 

[Mad Dog Tannen]

Team that will rise:
Toronto - Seems to be their year. (Still don't get how this far into the season people think Leafs goaltending is poor.. Literally been their best asset all year)

Team that will fall:
Jets - Simply until Hellebuyck and the rest of the new core show they aren't an easy 5 game out in round 1, I need to see it to believe it.

Team that will self destruct:
Panthers - Simply they have not played good hockey this season and won a lot of games on goaltending I don't think is sustainable. With the injuries and Ekblad being out, I think Tampa's forecheck is too much for them and a "cup favorite" is out in 5 games.

The conflicting logic in taking leafs to rise and jets to fall - mind boggling.

 

[bert]

I agree with this..... but for Jets you need to see it to believe it, but not the leafs?

Why do habs fans hate the Jets so much? There is obviously more going on here. Did they hurt your feelings?

 

[NyQuil]

Why do habs fans hate the Jets so much? There is obviously more going on here. Did they hurt your feelings?

 

[bert]

Expect Ottawa to be swept. Sens will just be happy to make the players for the first time in a decade. Ullmark being Uhhhmark. He always craps the bed come playoff time.

Thank goodness you are consistent. You have been right about them all year long!.......

 

[bert]

lol oh yeah, wildly unhinged fanbase gets even more unhinged. Clean hit, idiotic play by Evans.

 

[NyQuil]

lol oh yeah. Clean hit, idiotic play by Evans.

I think it was pretty unnecessary by Scheifele.

In any event, they had a playoff series not too long ago when Montreal won the Campbell bowl of all things.

 

[Yukon Cornelius Habs]

lol oh yeah, wildly unhinged fanbase gets even more unhinged. Clean hit, idiotic play by Evans.

Hit was so clean there was a suspension issued for it.