NHL 2023-2024 Out of Town: Stanley Cup Playoffs - The Atlantic Division Crown runs through Florida

[Olden McGroin]

 

[EverettMike]

Thought the regular season ended three days ago have been confused every night since.

 

[DKH]

Thought the regular season ended three days ago have been confused every night since.

I noticed they are playing as well. They are West teams. I’m not sure if the West is doing a play in like the NBA. That I think is what’s happening

Sort of like when mlb AL had a DH and NL didn’t

It’s confusing but if Arizona wins tonight I think they make playoffs but will play in Salt Lake City

 

[22Brad Park]

Vatrano scores his 35th.Save to say that is one that got away.Couid use him on our pp.36th now

 

[Olden McGroin]

 

[22Brad Park]

If I had to Vote from these I guess Venom.

 

[McGarnagle]

Blizzard is the only one that doesn't completely embarrass me.

Most of those sound like 90s Beach Roller Hockey on ESPN2 names

 

[Bruinaura]

Oh, is that all?

 

[Bruinswillwin77]

I think LA just bumped Vegas back down to WC2

 

[Aussie Bruin]

I think LA just bumped Vegas back down to WC2

They did. Bit weird how it panned out - Kings were leading the hopeless Hawks 3-1 after 40 mins and I though they had 3rd in the Pacific sown up after Vegas lost their game. But then they coughed up 3 goals to Chicago in just a few minutes and I wondered if they were deliberately tanking to avoid a 3rd consecutive clash with the Oilers. Nope, seems not, they rallied, tied it then won in OT. So Edmonton it is, and Vegas get Dallas. Tough tough first rounds all over the place.

 

[Bruinswillwin77]

They did. Bit weird how it panned out - Kings were leading the hopeless Hawks 3-1 after 40 mins and I though they had 3rd in the Pacific sown up after Vegas lost their game. But then they coughed up 3 goals to Chicago in just a few minutes and I wondered if they were deliberately tanking to avoid a 3rd consecutive clash with the Oilers. Nope, seems not, they rallied, tied it then won in OT. So Edmonton it is, and Vegas get Dallas. Tough tough first rounds all over the place.

Yup saw that. At one point it was 3-1 Kings over Hawks at the same time Vegas was losing 3-1 in the 3rd.

 

[TCB]

 

[Alicat]

Not sure where to put this as it involves both Charlie McAvoy and John Carlson and mentions Adam Fox and Brock Faber.

 

[BruinDust]

Whatever name they end up with, it should be just one syllable. Like Utah Jazz.

I seen a couple suggestions like Utah Swarm or Utah Sting where it's the Bee-hive State. I think either of those could work.

 

[Number8]

Oh, is that all?

Shocking to me that this Mensa star couldn't make things work despite being given everything by NHL. He seems so capable of grasping the nuances of things?!?!

 

[Ludwig Fell Down]

They did. Bit weird how it panned out - Kings were leading the hopeless Hawks 3-1 after 40 mins and I though they had 3rd in the Pacific sown up after Vegas lost their game. But then they coughed up 3 goals to Chicago in just a few minutes and I wondered if they were deliberately tanking to avoid a 3rd consecutive clash with the Oilers. Nope, seems not, they rallied, tied it then won in OT. So Edmonton it is, and Vegas get Dallas. Tough tough first rounds all over the place.

I think

Florida - Tampa,
Dallas - VGK,
Winnipeg - Colorado and
Vancouver - Nashville

are all going to be drawn out. I still think Vegas is capable of turning it on despite recent appearances. The only division winner with a likely cakewalk is NYR. The Rangers starting with Washington reminds me of 1994 when the Isles snuck into the 8th seed and got smoked over 4 games.

 

[McGarnagle]

The way the brackets line up is awesome. That pacific quadrant is especially stacked.

We could have four absolutely tremendous second round matchups if it falls VAN/EDM, DAL or VGK/COL, FLA/BOS, and NYR/CAR

 

[Olden McGroin]

 

[jgatie]

Gee, who could predict a city which is a former/upcoming host of the Winter Olympics, that actually has a winter season, and where snow/ice sports are incredibly popular, could embrace an expansion hockey team?

Urr durr no, let's put it in the desert!

 

[McGarnagle]

I'll say one thing from my experience doing a weekend in SLC last year, it's a beautiful city and area but you run out of stuff to do fast. The only time all weekend I saw people on the streets was Saturday night when the Jazz were playing. Outside of that, it was pretty calm (and everything is shut on Sundays).

So it's not like Vegas where you have a thousand entertainment choices going on. I think the team will do well because there's not a hell of a lot else to do.

 

[Terrier]

Former BU standout John Hynes to coach U.S. men’s national team at world championships in Czechia - The Boston Globe

Brett Peterson, an alumnus of Boston College who is in his fourth season as assistant general manager of the Florida Panthers, will serve as general manager.

www.bostonglobe.com

 

[Aeroforce]

This won't be a popular sentiment, but kudos to Gary Bettman.

I've never been crazy about the playoff format, but the first round is incredible. Tampa/Florida, Boston/Toronto, Dallas/Vegas in a rematch of last year's WCF.

As for parity, of the 16 qualifying teams, the only huge shock to win the Cup is Washington, and to a lesser extent the Islanders and Kings.

 

[smithformeragent]

I went Colorado over Carolina.

 

[Aussie Bruin]

I think

Florida - Tampa,
Dallas - VGK,
Winnipeg - Colorado and
Vancouver - Nashville

are all going to be drawn out. I still think Vegas is capable of turning it on despite recent appearances. The only division winner with a likely cakewalk is NYR. The Rangers starting with Washington reminds me of 1994 when the Isles snuck into the 8th seed and got smoked over 4 games.

Yeah Vegas are very hard to read. Still a stacked roster, we know they can get it done, but is there enough energy and motivation there? Dallas might almost have the most well-rounded squad in the league, so if there are any weaknesses in the Knights the Stars will likely find them.

Agree that Nucks-Preds and the Florida series will probably go long. Not sure about the Jets. Colorado undoubtedly have more top talent but to be fair to Winnipeg they've played some really solid, tough hockey all season and Hellebuyck is one of the very best goalies in the league. If the Avs get on a roll I could see them winning it in 5 or so, but on the flip side if the Jets can shut down Colorado's scoring and keep it tight, they just might squeeze through in 6 or 7.

Every series should be entertaining with the possible exception of Canes-Isles. First 2 rounds of the playoffs are the best hockey time of the year I reckon. Lots of games and different teams, good contests between quality opponents pretty much every night.

 

[Ludwig Fell Down]

Yeah Vegas are very hard to read. Still a stacked roster, we know they can get it done, but is there enough energy and motivation there? Dallas might almost have the most well-rounded squad in the league, so if there are any weaknesses in the Knights the Stars will likely find them.

Agree that Nucks-Preds and the Florida series will probably go long. Not sure about the Jets. Colorado undoubtedly have more top talent but to be fair to Winnipeg they've played some really solid, tough hockey all season and Hellebuyck is one of the very best goalies in the league. If the Avs get on a roll I could see them winning it in 5 or so, but on the flip side if the Jets can shut down Colorado's scoring and keep it tight, they just might squeeze through in 6 or 7.

Every series should be entertaining with the possible exception of Canes-Isles. First 2 rounds of the playoffs are the best hockey time of the year I reckon. Lots of games and different teams, good contests between quality opponents pretty much every night.

I agree with your take on Dallas. They are my pick to win the cup this year.