Columbus and New Jersey avoiding Pittsburgh

[John Matthews]

Blue Jackets and Devils have both won like 13 of their last 16 games and still didn't clinch until Game 81.

I think both teams are more than content with how their team is playing. I would assume they preferred resting their top players and taking their chances against any team with how well they're doing.

Its not that they weren't going to clinch, its that Florida decided in January that they weren't a bottom dweller and tore the league up to gain points, and made up almost a 15 point deficit. Thats why Cbus Philly and NJ couldn't clinch until yesterday.

Teams really don't care if they play washington or pittsburgh, its gonna be a tough match up regardless. Fans get a bit extra during this time of the year with conspiracy theories. Never comes to fruition.

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

Yep you got it, NJ wanted Philly to do their dirty work and eliminate Pittsburgh.

 

[MapleLeafs9]

lmao the Pens are not the weakest team, it helps when you use context. Playing an extra two months than any of the other teams you listed; who either missed the playoffs or didn't make it past the Pens... With an almost entirely returning roster thats been upgraded. Yes, the early season was bleak for the Pens but they were the second hottest team in the back half of the season. its clear you cant see past your own opinion. 3 peat in bound.

I said in the regular season they were the weakest team of all 4 of TB/WSH/BOS/PIT. And they were. How you think they will perform in this upcoming playoff has nothing to do with what I said.

 

[SladeWilson23]

Considering the Pens' PP had the highest percentage in the NHL in something like 20 years that's a curious statement.

I'm not talking about powerplays.

 

[3074326]

I'm not talking about powerplays.

It's still a curious statement.

 

[Viqsi]

Yep you got it, NJ wanted Philly to do their dirty work and eliminate Pittsburgh.

It was discussed among all the Metro teams and we ultimately decided that really, Philly deserved it the most.

 

[glenwo2]

The only good matchup they have is Arizona.

I sense some bitterness. Nah. Must be my imagination.


But seriously, aside from the Caps, Boston is the next worst opponent the Devils can get.

Of course that's provided that Boston gets 2 points(not one) against Florida tonight in that makeup game.

Otherwise, Devils get Tampa.

 

[glenwo2]

No, but I watched the last three minutes where the Devils were down by two and had plenty of chances to pull the goalie. They didn't. That's a coach with intentions to not win. There's really no arguing against it.

Screw that.

You just wanted Ovechkin to get the opportunity to get #50.


Besides, Keeping Cory in(as GOD-AWFUL as he has been the past 15 games he's played) gave Ovy a better shot at getting #50 than if they pulled him for another goaltender(Lack).

Cory Schneider is not the same as he was prior to the groin injury.

 

[The Shovel Penguin]

I just find it hard to believe the Devils would deliberately want to avoid the Pens when they played them well all year. They're eager and fast.

 

[glenwo2]

Does any other team have Crosby, Malkin, and Kessel?

Does any other team have a 3-0-1 record against Crosby, Malkin, and Kessel?



Thank you.

 

[glenwo2]

Ok. Kucherov, Stamkos, Point, Gourde, and Hedman are scarier as a unit than those 3 on PIT.

And BTW, for all those who are saying "Oh! Who wouldn't want Tampa that is without an injured Stamkos?" :

Devils SWEPT THEM 3-0-0 and that was WITH Stamkos

 

[Its a Trap]

I just find it hard to believe the Devils would deliberately want to avoid the Pens when they played them well all year. They're eager and fast.

Sshhhhh. Stop with your logical comment. It ruins the conspiracy.

 

[Pandaman11]

I'm sure that if they wanted they would've won. After all, they only played on the road against the teams #1 and #6 in the overall standings. Piece of cake

 

[KIRK]

I can understand the Blue Jackets wanting no part of the Penguins.

I do not understand the Devils wanting no part of the Penguins, although, joking aside, I suspect in their minds (a) it makes little difference whether they play Pittsburgh, Boston, or Tampa in the playoffs (a different animal than the regular season) and (b) no point to risking Hall and others to injury in a game where the Caps were dressing everyone and playing to win anyway.

 

[Edmonton East]

I can understand the Blue Jackets wanting no part of the Penguins.

I do not understand the Devils wanting no part of the Penguins, although, joking aside, I suspect in their minds (a) it makes little difference whether they play Pittsburgh, Boston, or Tampa in the playoffs (a different animal than the regular season) and (b) no point to risking Hall and others to injury in a game where the Caps were dressing everyone and playing to win anyway.

Oh look, an actual logical post that makes sense.

 

[glenwo2]

Oh look, an actual logical post that makes sense.

Love your avy. Wayne Gretzky would've been proud.

 

[NeedleInTheHay]

Does any other team have a 3-0-1 record against Crosby, Malkin, and Kessel?



Thank you.

The 2013 pens sweep the bruins in regular season, go on to score 3 goals in 4 playoff games vs them. Regular season means nothing.

 

[db2011]

Both teams iced poor rosters in games that determined their match-ups, it's not hard to see that they may have felt better off losing their games there.

This is such a stupid take. It’s called resting your players, and mitigating injury risk before the playoffs. There was nothing on the line in the game because home ice had already been determined.

 

[ncm7772]

My gawd, dey is some angry a$$ Devils fans up in hurr.

 

[Cheddabombs]

wow this is nuts, now the Bruins are clearly trying to avoid the Devils!! what a twist

 

[glenwo2]

The 2013 pens sweep the bruins in regular season, go on to score 3 goals in 4 playoff games vs them. Regular season means nothing.

I get your point but that doesn't mean that the opposite will happen once the playoffs start. It may be a bit more of a struggle to beat the Pens but it's doable.

 

[glenwo2]

Bruins are definitely not wanting any part of the Devils.

(Am I doing it right, OP?)

 

[My3Sons]

My gawd, dey is some angry a$$ Devils fans up in hurr.

As opposed to the crazy a$$ insulting takes being hurled at NJ? Yeah some people are too sensitive but there’s an old statement about not suffering fools gladly that applies as well.

 

[glenwo2]

Looks like the Devils decision to rest their players against the Caps didn't "backfire" as some here stated after all. I like their chances against Tampa better than Boston.

Thanks, Florida!

 

[ZeroPucksGiven]

Figured you would have learned by now:

Yes because a player is going to openly admit : yea we wanted x team instead of y team

And players are super duper honest with the media and say interesting and meaningful things , with nary a sports platitude invoked.