Ottawa wins at Philly, which means we will NOT play the Sens in round 1. We are down to Pitt, Boston, or Detroit. If Pitt wins the Bruins are done. If Pitt wins and Detroit gets 0 points at the Canes, we play Detroit in round 1. If Pitt gets 1 point and the Bruins win in regulation or OT, we play the Bruins in round 1. If Detroit gets 1 point at the Canes we cannot play Detroit. To me root for the Pens to beat Buffalo. Then hope the Wings get 1 point and we play the Pens. If the Wings get 0 points we play the Wings. But to me it all starts with hoping the Pens win at the worst team in the NHL, the Sabres. If that happens most likely we play the Pens, but still a chance we'd play the Wings if they get a 0 at the Canes.
We also did a nice favor for the Isles. For them it is simple, they need 2 points tonight in anyway (reg/OT/SO) and they'll get home ice in round 1. 0 or 1 is not enough. The Caps own the TB. I hope the Isles win tonight because I want them to beat the Caps. The Caps and TB are the best teams in the East after us. I rather play the Isles in round 2 if we get there. For the record I think the Caps beat the Isles in 6. Caps are a good team IMO.
I totally agree Mess. That is why I say # 1 for us should be root for the Pens to get 2 points tonight at Buffalo. They do that and Boston is done period. Odds are right now we get the Pens, we also get the Pens if they lose and the Bruins lose, but again I think the Wings and Boston are still alive because the Pens could lose AND/OR the Wings could get 0 at the Canes.
Say it again, do not want Boston. Granted, they could play a bumbling Pitt and lose. It's the playoffs. I don't like the matchup vs. Boston. I'd rather take Detroit or Pitt. Tampa has something to play for tonight also. I think they knock Boston out. It's in their interest as well to want the Pens in who aren't nearly as tough of a team.
Nothing would shock me but I don't see Pitt and Detroit losing tonight. We shall know all the match ups soon enough.
If Pitt gets beat by THE worst team in the NHL with their playoff lives on the line, they need to overhaul that whole team. Not sure I need to say anything other than that. Cannot lose that game with Malkin and Crosby if you are the Pens. As for Boston, yeah they would be the 3rd team I'd want to play (Pens, Wings, Bruins in that order), but I say what I have been saying for over a week now...if we are a real cup team you have to beat this Boston team. That simple really. Forget the matchup and just be real. This is not the same Boston team as the past few seasons. If we get them we need to beat them if we really are a true SC fav. With that said I tend to agree with Mess. It is not real hard for me to see the Pens laying an egg tonight given how poorly they have played, but man I keep coming back to the fact that this is the Sabres. YES they have locked in the worst record so I bet they come out fired up to end strong tonight, but come on you HAVE to win that game if you are the Pens. As for the Wings, I can see the Canes beating them...I really can, but again I would expect Detroit to at least play well. My final call on how it plays out is a tossup between the Pens and Wings. I have to believe the Pens beat the Sabres, but I also think the Canes have a decent shot to beat the Wings (not sure the Wings have much to play for here). So flip a coin Pens or Wings IMO. Edge we play the Pens, but I think it is close. As for TB, they may have nothing to play for dump. By the time their game starts it could be 2-0 Montreal at Toronto OR by the end of the 1st period it could be Montreal up big on the Leafs. So right now yes TB has something to play for, but at 7:30 or 8:15 they may not (if the Habs get a point TB is locked into 2nd).
The longer that Pens game goes 0-0 the tighter the Pens become. I think the 1st goal in that game is huge IMO. Pens score it I think they'll be good. If the Sabres score it I think the Pens are in trouble.
BTW...the Wings have rested like all their top players. Shows you what they think of the game tonight.
Turned out to be a solid day for us...it appears. Sens won. Pens won. Wings won (which means we get the Pens). Isles tied late and hopefully will get the 2nd point and pass the Caps (I want the Isles with home ice because I rather play the Isles in round 2 than the Caps). Here is what I will say about the Pens, you can never count out a team with Malkin and Crosby, 2 of the top 5 or so players in the NHL, but if we don't win that series in 5...maybe 6...I would be very surprised. Their D is not good. Letang is out for the series. MAF in the playoffs is bad. They go about 7 or so deep at forward. Their 3rd pair on D is bad. And their 2nd pair on D is a 3rd pair on most good teams. Simply no excuses to not beat the Pens in 5 or 6...and it should be 5. Stay out of the box and don't let Malkin and Crosby kill you and we should win for sure.
Canes played up to their terrible record tonight...LOL. Good for us, rather have played the Pens than Wings. Make no mistake about that game though, the Wings didn't play well. The Canes outshot them. The Wings scored early and it held up (2nd goal was an empty netter). So the Wings held on, but very easily could have lost with all their top players resting.
5 or six games? LOL...They better sweep that crappy team, the way they have played the last month. Look at their d.
Get that 2nd point Isles. If they don't I feel the Caps will roll them. The Isles D, and goalie, are not good. They need that home ice. I think they still lose in 6, but at least they'd have a punchers chance. I don't think they get past 5 if the Caps have home ice.
I never predict sweeps. Those are never easy. I will say Rangers in 5. That seems like the most logical outcome to me.
How crazy is it the Kings and Bruins missed the playoffs. That is good for us really. Two bigger teams that have winning histories. Crazy stuff.
