The loss to the Oilers was the one that really eliminated the Kings IMO. That showed they didn't have the magic this season. Injuries and a lot of games the past few seasons, but still a huge upset they missed. If the Bruins miss also, that would be crazy they are both out. Who would have predicted that at the start.
No clue which team to root for tonight. I guess I'll say the Isles so we can still play the Pens. Just hope the Pens beat the Sabres tomorrow night and the Sens beat the Flyers and/or the Bruins lose at TB. Then we'd play the Pens or Sens (small outside chance we could play the Wings if a perfect storm happens).
If I had to pick one I'd say the Bruins are done. Ottawa my lord what a run they went on. Pitt I expect to beat the Islanders tonight at home.
I don't see the hype about MTL. I think their bottom 6 sux... All they have is Price and Pacioretty is hurt
Funny Mess...I don't know what to think about tonight. Some part of me says Isles win. Truth is both teams have been awful, so who knows. I do think it will be tough for Boston to win tomorrow and I think the Sens will win. Another reason I want the Isles to win tonight. Then we get the Pens in round 1 if they lose at Buffalo, and the Pens or Wings if the Pens win at Buffalo (could get the Wings if they get 0 points at the Canes).
I think the bruins are done which is surprising to me. I guess they mailed in and thought, they will make it because they are the bruins. Like I said before. No matter who we play in the first round now, since the bruins wont make it, it wont be a difficult first round for us. The Sens may give us some problems but I dont see us losing to them more than one game. The Pens have too many injuries on d. The Isles have played like crap for the last two months. They can still give us some problems as it is a rivalry. Does not look like we are going to play the wings.
Pens in huge trouble. Logic says they beat the worst team in the NHL tomorrow night to lock in a playoff spot, but it is no guarantee. Pens, Sens, Wings, Bruins possible teams. Bruins need to beat TB in regulation/OT AND hope the Pens lose to Buffalo in regulation or OT. OR Beat TB in a SO and hope the Pens get 0 points at Buffalo. OR the Bruins need to beat TB AND hope the Sens get 0 points at Philly. - As much as I doubt the Pens right now I still say unlikely these happen as I expect the Pens to win at Buffalo and the Sens to win at Philly. Wings get 1 point tomorrow night and we cannot play them. Only way we play them is Sens win to get to 99 points AND a Pens win to get to 98 points AND the Wings get 0 points at the Canes. - I think the Wings get a point at the Canes, but this isn't impossible. If the Sens win at Philly we CANNOT play them. They would be at 99 points, and either the Bruins (97), Pens (98), or Wings (98) would have less and be the team we'd play. If they lose and stay at 97 (or lose in OT/SO and get to 98) we can play them if the Pens win and get to 98 (or get 1 point and get to 97 and own the TB over Ottawa if they lose). The Bruins would also have to lose in regulation/OT/SO if the Sens get 0 points. - I don't see the Sens as the team. I think they beat Philly and jump to 99 points. Pens win and they get to 98. If they do I think we will play them since I expect Ottawa to win and the Wings to get a point at the Canes. To me right now I say we play the Pens or Wings. And I know I'll start my day by rooting for Ottawa to win and get to 99 points. Then the only shot the Bruins will have to make it in is win at TB and hope the Pens lose at Buffalo. My calls: Ottawa wins ends at 99. Pens win end at 98. Wings get at least a point at the Canes end with 99 or 100. We play the Pens. 2nd best shot to me is we play the Wings because they get 0 at the Canes.
I agree Mess, but I don't think jam is crazy for saying the Pens get beat by the Sabres. Even with Cindy and Malkin and their playoff lives on the line against THE worst team in the NHL, I don't think it is a lock the Pens win. They have been that bad. But I do think when push comes to shove, Cindy and Malkin and their ability to score will beat the Sabres. Boston could still get in, but it won't be easy to beat TB in their building. They may get a break though if Montreal rolls up early on Toronto and TB is locked into 2nd in the Atlantic. Plus I don't think it is a lock Ottawa wins at Philly. I think they will, but Philly could win that game. Lastly, watchout for the Wings as the team. Pens win. Ottawa wins. Wings might get 0 at the Canes and we'd play them. It is possible. My order of likely matchups: 1. Pens 2. Wings 3. Bruins 4. Sens
The best thing for the Pens or Bruins (if they make it), is to play the Rangers. For some reason both these teams know how to bring it when they play them, and for that reason alone the Rangers better be ready for a fight ... no matter who they play. Cannot let anybody get a foot in the door.
Bruins would worry me match up wise but there would be no excuse when it comes to the Pens. They have been playing like crap for a very long stretch. Considering where they were the first half of the season to need game 82 is ridiculous.
Personally, none of the matchups worry me. Not saying we just roll all those teams, just saying we should not lose to any of them. Sens and Pens we'd beat in 5 IMO. Bruins and Wings we'd beat in 6 IMO. Those would be my predictions. The thing about the Pens is this. MAF is terrible in the playoffs. Their D is real bad (played 5 dmen by choice last night in a HUGE game). But they have Malkin and Crosby. They may get Letang back. AND if they do slip in things start over for them. Like hitting a reset button. I can promise you that would be their mantra heading into game 1. And they'd love to pay us back from last year. So I think we'd beat them in 5, but I also think the Pens would get a new life and believe they are hitting reset as they head into game 1. That could be dangerous. And we all know they have those 2 studs. Pens, Wings, Bruins, Sens my order of likely matchups as I said. Start the day rooting for the Sens, which eliminate us from playing them AND means the only way in for the Bruins is a win at TB (a MUST no matter what for them) and a loss by the Pens at awful Buffalo. Not likely IMO.
I never root for one team over the other, thinking that team will be an easier match-up for the Rangers (it rarely works out that way). Let the chips fall where they may, and beat whoever happens to be on the other end of the ice. If the Rangers play there game, they can beat anybody.
Something for everyone to keep in mind. If the Sens get 2 points against the Flyers today we CANNOT play them in round 1. It will be down to Pitt, Detroit, or Boston.
