Why I Want Winnipeg In The First Round:
-Hellebuyck playoff stats in the last two years:
GAA over 2.50
Sv% in the low .910 range
Why I DONT Want Montreal In The First Round:
-Price playoff stats in the last two postseasons
GAA under 2.00
Sv% in the .930s
Price WILL steal games. He has a history of stealing games.
Caufield seems to have the Leafs' number, IDK if the rest of their regular lineup will return for the playoffs, but if they do, MTL has a better offensive lineup than WPG. The Habs we have seen in the regular season are not the real Habs. WPG will be roughly the same with slightly improved goaltending. MTL will go from Primeau and Allen who are both mediocre goalies to GOD MODE CAREY PRICE. Campbell will have to be sharp and outplay Price. I believe he can.
Preferably we play the winner of EDM/MTL (if it ends up this way). Between the two, again, EDM will be a better postseason matchup. EDM is a lot like the Leafs were last season, all offense and crap D. above avg goaltending.
Price will be the difference this playoffs if he gets HOT.
The biggest weapons we have this time around are the new additions and some regulars, namely:
-Foligno
-Nash
-Galchenyuk
- Simmonds
-Bogosian
-FRAKKING Joe Thornton
- Jack "Name A Trophy After This Man" Campbell
-Zack Hyman
- Our Offense which can match up with the league's best (TB, CAR, PIT, EDM)
DEFENSE, GOALTENDING, & TOUGHNESS/GRIT/RESILIENCY will be the game changers for us this year. We could see a similar thing happen this year to the Leafs- where in 20?? TB after they were swept by Colombus, but then retooled and became a more playoff ready team.
I am hoping and praying for MTL to win and for WPG to tank these last few games.