OT: Around the NHL: Countdown to the Playoffs

[Jaded-Fan]

My guess is that we get to the ECF and lose in 7 to Tampa. I don't fear anyone in the Metro and I think we'll win the Division. Get Columbus or NJD, then get Philadelphia and beat them.

As I pointed out McCurdy's models are not especially impressed with TB. They currently have a full eight teams with better chances at the cup, and a total of a dozen with as good or better chance. Washington and Pittsburgh have the best chances according to his models. He updates them often, daily during the playoffs, but as of now those are his model's predictions.

 

[Shrimper]

As I pointed out McCurdy's models are not especially impressed with TB. They currently have a full eight teams with better chances at the cup, and a total of a dozen with as good or better chance. Washington and Pittsburgh have the best chances according to his models. He updates them often, daily during the playoffs, but as of now those are his model's predictions.

I think the biggest problem for Tampa Bay is the same that Nashville had in the Finals, their center depth.

 

[Turin]

I think the biggest problem for Tampa Bay is the same that Nashville had in the Finals, their center depth.

Stamkos-Point-Johnson isn’t Crosby-Malkin-Brassard but it’s pretty damn good...

 

[ZeroPucksGiven]

My guess is that we get to the ECF and lose in 7 to Tampa. I don't fear anyone in the Metro and I think we'll win the Division. Get Columbus or NJD, then get Philadelphia and beat them.

Either Atlantic team: Bos or TB will be difficult outs if we get to the ECF

 

[Shrimper]

Stamkos-Point-Johnson isn’t Crosby-Malkin-Brassard but it’s pretty damn good...

On DailyFaceOff Johnson was listed on the wing with the middle being Stamkos-Point-Cirelli-Paquette?

 

[Jaded-Fan]

I think the biggest problem for Tampa Bay is the same that Nashville had in the Finals, their center depth.

Pens and Washington are given almost twice the chance of TB of winning the cup.

 

[Dey so soff*]

Either Atlantic team: Bos or TB will be difficult outs if we get to the ECF

They’re both tough. Tampa may have the slight edge in offense but Boston can smack you in the mouth and still score at will...

 

[Turin]

Pens and Washington are given almost twice the chance of TB of winning the cup.

I’d certainly rather play Minnesota or San Jose again than deal with the corny Nashville hysteria a second time. Not sure how likely that really is though..

 

[BHD]

Pens and Washington are given almost twice the chance of TB of winning the cup.

Interesting... I suppose Tampa could have a tougher path to the final.

 

[Jaded-Fan]

Interesting... I suppose Tampa could have a tougher path to the final.

Maybe part of it, but from what I have read Micah puts a lot into his models including I am fairly sure that I had read analytics on individual players for each team. I do know that he is constantly fiddling with his models each year and has become more accurate with each passing year.

 

[Andy99]

They’re both tough. Tampa may have the slight edge in offense but Boston can smack you in the mouth and still score at will...

Yep. BOS scares me a lot more than TB, and imo they’re a tougher matchup for us....

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Yep. BOS scares me a lot more than TB, and imo they’re a tougher matchup for us....

Same. I think it comes down to strengths and weaknesses of the Pens.

With Tampa, it's basically going to be which team can outscore the other. I feel like if the Pens are at their best, they have a chance to outscore the Lightning.

With Boston, you'll have to defend better than them. They'll give up less scoring chances than Tampa will, so the Pens can't afford to be sloppy defensively against them because the offense can't compensate like it could against a more leaky Tampa defense.

 

[BHD]

Maybe part of it, but from what I have read Micah puts a lot into his models including I am fairly sure that I had read analytics on individual players for each team. I do know that he is constantly fiddling with his models each year and has become more accurate with each passing year.

Yeah, but the Bolts are known for their high end talent. Maybe some of their other players are that bad. Their defense was a weakness for them against the Pens in the ECF that year.

 

[Gurglesons]

Same. I think it comes down to strengths and weaknesses of the Pens.

With Tampa, it's basically going to be which team can outscore the other. I feel like if the Pens are at their best, they have a chance to outscore the Lightning.

With Boston, you'll have to defend better than them. They'll give up less scoring chances than Tampa will, so the Pens can't afford to be sloppy defensively against them because the offense can't compensate like it could against a more leaky Tampa defense.

I’m curious because Boston with their injuries may actually be the best team to face in the ECF.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

I’m curious because Boston with their injuries may actually be the best team to face in the ECF.

Unless I missed a report that has said otherwise, all their injured guys are expected back by the time the playoffs begin.

 

[Gurglesons]

Unless I missed a report that has said otherwise, all their injured guys are expected back by the time the playoffs begin.

So, they will immediately be in game shape / not be reinjured in round 1 or 2?

 

[66-30-33]

I know John Scott wishes the fans voted on awards

Have you seen some of the posts just from this 1 message board? 1 guy says Pens fanbase has said Cooke is not a dirty player, I don't want people like that voting. Hell I don't want people who dislike a player snub him that actually deserves an award.

 

[Shockmaster]

Yeah, but the Bolts are known for their high end talent. Maybe some of their other players are that bad. Their defense was a weakness for them against the Pens in the ECF that year.

Kunitz was there!

 

[LOGiK]

Have you seen some of the posts just from this 1 message board? 1 guy says Pens fanbase has said Cooke is not a dirty player, I don't want people like that voting. Hell I don't want people who dislike a player snub him that actually deserves an award.

I love Cooke he was so fun to watch, but c'mon... who in their right mind would think he wasn't a dirty player. Cooke even admitted his issues. So anyone who said he wasn't dirty kind of has no idea what they are talking about.

 

[ColePens]

When you don't score on a PP - you want 6 shots. They have 1 powerplay and 15 seconds of another one and like 9 shots. (Bruins)

 

[BHD]

Their (Columbus’) PK was all over the place.

 

[MetalheadPenguinsFan]

Let's get to the playoffs first before we worry about easiest roads, no?

 

[Honour Over Glory]

Boston's supposed to get Calgary's 1st this upcoming draft, right?

I'd vomit if Boston won the cup AND the draft lottery...

Jesus Christ, is Jay Feaster still the GM there or something?

 

[LOGiK]

BEEEE YOOOT EEE FULLL goal.

 

[ColePens]

Ian Cole taking dumb penalties.