GDT: 2017-18 Other Playoff Games

[BaileyMacTavish]

We live in a universe where the Caps are potential cup champs. Oh god this season is worse than I thought. Not as bad as Vegas, but god damn! I need someone to end me.

 

[OrrNumber4]

We live in a universe where the Caps are potential cup champs. Oh god this season is worse than I thought. Not as bad as Vegas, but god damn! I need someone to end me.

On paper, Vegas, Winnipeg, and Washington would be one of the weaker teams to win the cup and not in line with historical norms.

 

[Friday]

Caps finally got passed the Penguins and boom they have so much confidence

 

[Tkachuk4MVP]

Let's go Caps! I can't help but root for them. They've been the Sharks of the East for a while now, with Ovechkin subbing in for Thornton as the guy who gets way too much hate/blame for his team's failures/bad luck.

 

[BaileyMacTavish]

f***ING BOLTS. f*** THIS CRAP

 

[TomasHertlsRooster]

On paper, Vegas, Winnipeg, and Washington would be one of the weaker teams to win the cup and not in line with historical norms.

I think Winnipeg would be up to par with most of the winners. Washington might not be far from the 2017 Penguins and they’ve had the same thing: strong goaltending, superstars carrying them, and “elite” opposition goaltenders playing awful.

 

[Maladroit]

On paper, Vegas, Winnipeg, and Washington would be one of the weaker teams to win the cup and not in line with historical norms.

I agree on Vegas and Washington. Winnipeg was the second best team in the league by standings points (and just eliminated the best team in a grueling 7-game series) and the fourth best possession team overall. Barring something unforeseen I think they'll win the Cup at this point.

 

[Bleedred]

Holtby > Vasilevskiy.

Goals 3 and 6 should have been stopped.

Actually, goal 6 shouldn't have even been scored on him. He should have been yanked at 5-2 to shut him down and get him some rest before game 3.

 

[JackSkellington]

Caps may get over the hump, after many years of being the east version of us. If the Caps take the whole things it has to be only right in the universe we’re due a cup

 

[Bleedred]

I think Winnipeg would be up to par with most of the winners. Washington might not be far from the 2017 Penguins and they’ve had the same thing: strong goaltending, superstars carrying them, and “elite” opposition goaltenders playing awful.

Washington has a lot of anchors that they're dragging around. Smith-Pelly, Chiasson, Jay Beagle, then you got Orpik on D.

And tonight, they're anchor line is scoring on Vasilevskiy, with that trash third goal, that looks like a goal that he has ''No chance'' on when you're Mike Milbury, but Brian Boucher was a little skeptical. And I'm sure he was ''Screened'' on that last goal, but that's pathetic if he let that screen him.

As far as Holtby goes, I can't think of too many weak goals he's allowed since a couple in the 3rd period of game 1 of the Pittsburgh series.

 

[OrrNumber4]

I think Winnipeg would be up to par with most of the winners. Washington might not be far from the 2017 Penguins and they’ve had the same thing: strong goaltending, superstars carrying them, and “elite” opposition goaltenders playing awful.

The magic formula that practically every SC winner (and a strong majority of cup finalists) have adhered to his two of these three things:

1) Vezina-quality goaltending
2) Norris-quality defenseman
3) Franchise-caliber center.

For Washington, Kuznetsov and Carlson are extremely close but just miss it. For Winnipeg, one can argue that Wheeler is basically a center, but otherwise, they would miss it.

To be fair, Carlson and Byfuglien have been "Norris-quality" this postseason by many statistical measures, and a case can be made for Scheifele playing like a franchise-caliber center as well.

 

[TomasHertlsRooster]

The magic formula that practically every SC winner (and a strong majority of cup finalists) have adhered to his two of these three things:

1) Vezina-quality goaltending
2) Norris-quality defenseman
3) Franchise-caliber center.

For Washington, Kuznetsov and Carlson are extremely close but just miss it. For Winnipeg, one can argue that Wheeler is basically a center, but otherwise, they would miss it.

To be fair, Carlson and Byfuglien have been "Norris-quality" this postseason by many statistical measures, and a case can be made for Scheifele playing like a franchise-caliber center as well.

Remember, all of this goes out the window when the other team’s goalie plays like Vasilevskiy has.

In addition, Kuznetsov and Schiefele are both certainly franchise caliber centers. Their regular season and playoff performances are both up to par with that tag.

 

[Maladroit]

The magic formula that practically every SC winner (and a strong majority of cup finalists) have adhered to his two of these three things:

1) Vezina-quality goaltending
2) Norris-quality defenseman
3) Franchise-caliber center.

For Washington, Kuznetsov and Carlson are extremely close but just miss it. For Winnipeg, one can argue that Wheeler is basically a center, but otherwise, they would miss it.

To be fair, Carlson and Byfuglien have been "Norris-quality" this postseason by many statistical measures, and a case can be made for Scheifele playing like a franchise-caliber center as well.

Yeah I would say Scheifele is a franchise center at this point for sure and Byfuglien and Trouba are both close to Norris-caliber in different ways. Also Hellebuyck is literally a Vezina finalist.

 

[OrrNumber4]

Yeah I would say Scheifele is a franchise center at this point for sure and Byfuglien and Trouba are both close to Norris-caliber in different ways. Also Hellebuyck is literally a Vezina finalist.

To clarify, I think all four goalies left in the playoffs could check off that box for their team. Hellebuyck and MA Fleury on their performances throughout the year, Holtby on his record and play throughout the playoffs, Vasilevskiy on his RS record.

 

[Bleedred]

I will say the Palat goal on Holtby in game 1 was a stinker. Can't remember too many others since the 3rd period of game 1 against the Pens.

To clarify, I think all four goalies left in the playoffs could check off that box for their team. Hellebuyck and MA Fleury on their performances throughout the year, Holtby on his record and play throughout the playoffs, Vasilevskiy on his RS record.

Holtby was not good in the regular season. He shouldn't even get a Vezina vote, his record was solely because of the team he played for. He was a passenger this regular season. That would be like Jones getting Vezina votes for 2016-2017. Most years he's definitely been getting/gonna get Vezina votes, if not a top 3 vote.

He has bounced back in the playoffs though and it looks like it's probably just an off-year, which I would have given him the benefit of the doubt on unless he came back and played like that again next year like *Cough* Cory Schneider *Cough*.

 

[Dicdonya]

Let's go Caps! I can't help but root for them. They've been the Sharks of the East for a while now, with Ovechkin subbing in for Thornton as the guy who gets way too much hate/blame for his team's failures/bad luck.

Agreed! Go Caps.

After Thornton, and Marleau, Ovi is who I want to see raise to cup most.

 

[Kcoyote3]

Fun stat, Brooks Orpik hasn't scored a goal in 214 games (regular season and playoffs) straight.

 

[Quid Pro Clowe]

I don't see anyone beating Winnipeg.

 

[BaileyMacTavish]

I'm still hoping the Bolts would wake up and start playing like the Bolts I know they can

 

[Pinkfloyd]

I don't see anyone beating Winnipeg.

Jets and Caps will be an interesting Finals.

 

[Maladroit]

I'm still hoping the Bolts would wake up and start playing like the Bolts I know they can

I still think the Bolts take this in seven. They're too good not to. Gonna need more out of Vasilevskiy and Kucherov though.

 

[BaileyMacTavish]

I still think the Bolts take this in seven. They're too good not to. Gonna need more out of Vasilevskiy and Kucherov though.

Yeah. Especially Vasi. That sv% Not looking pretty

 

[Herschel]

On paper, Vegas, Winnipeg, and Washington would be one of the weaker teams to win the cup and not in line with historical norms.

I follow your line of thinking with Washington and Vegas but Winnipeg?
How would they be considered a weaker cup winner?

 

[OrrNumber4]

I follow your line of thinking with Washington and Vegas but Winnipeg?
How would they be considered a weaker cup winner?

Like I mentioned earlier, SC winners tend to have a few superstars. So far, I think only Hellebucyk clearly qualifies. Byfuglien, Wheller, and Scheifele are having franchise-quality playoffs, but I'm not sure it is sustainable.

 

[TomasHertlsRooster]

Like I mentioned earlier, SC winners tend to have a few superstars. So far, I think only Hellebucyk clearly qualifies. Byfuglien, Wheller, and Scheifele are having franchise-quality playoffs, but I'm not sure it is sustainable.

You haven’t been paying enough attention to Schiefele if that’s how you feel about him.

Plus, Laine’s goal scoring alone probably propels him to that level as well.