EDIT: The Islanders make the playoffs with a -18 GD, Capitals clinch with a -37!!

[Mike C]

To be fair, the team has looked better under Roy than Lambert.

I don't care enough to look it up, but I'd bet the difference in +/- is notable between the two coaches.

kudos to roy for benching sir chokin in favor of varly. gutsy move that's paying mucho dividends

 

[bringbacktheskate604]

The top teams in the West have like a .700 win% against the Metro but sure buddy.

Maybe not as important but the top teams in the west especially, Vancouver, Edmonton, Vegas, Colorado and Dallas, are extremely fun teams to watch.

I've got the NHL package through Telus and as hard as I try I can't watch an entire game from the east but the teams I mentioned are damn entertaining. Not because they play loose they are just so much crisper and up tempo. The east is like wild vs jackets level boring and not because they play solid defense over there, just boring. Except Florida. The announcers as well in the east suck besides the Florida and TB guys.

 

[bringbacktheskate604]

I am focusing on myself. I am voicing my displeasure at losers with 1950s sensibilities. Perhaps you are clueless to what is implied by your statement.

People like you make me miss the 90's when people weren't so emotionally weak that everyone has to walk on egg shells because someone's feelings might get hurt.
Words are just words. When I was 13 I was fat, people called me fat so I lost weight.

The reason this world is such a shitty place now is because everyone goes out of their way to be offended by something, like who gives a shit. This mentality has ruined comedy to the point where episodes of shows like sweet D doing impersonations IASIP omitted on FX or Chappelle show no longer available on comedy central and that's a shame because the world could use some actual laughs.

 

[chaz4hockey]

The top teams in the West have like a .700 win% against the Metro but sure buddy.

Given paucity of games, schedule Timing plays a role. Canes today are a much better team today than they were during their brutal ‘23 west coast road trip.

 

[BMOK33]

Its still remarkable though how both TB/NYI are exceptionally dangerous matchups if they both end up WC1 and 2 respectively. If you're FLA/NYR/BOS you'd almost certainly much rather face PHL/PIT/DET/WSH over either of those 2.

 

[FunkySeeFunkyDo]

Its still remarkable though how both TB/NYI are exceptionally dangerous matchups if they both end up WC1 and 2 respectively. If you're FLA/NYR/BOS you'd almost certainly much rather face PHL/PIT/DET/WSH over either of those 2.

Not sure why NYI is in the good team category w/TB and not in the sack of sh** category with the others.

 

[BMOK33]

Not sure why NYI is in the good team category w/TB and not in the sack of sh** category with the others.

Roster is just overall better...those others have gaping weaknesses in some area. The Isles really do not and despite the fact their goalie has been bad this year if he gets hot in a series he is probably better than anyone on those other teams other than Vas. Also NYI/NYR is just not what you want if you're NYR management...expending energy on a rivalry series right away can be problematic long term if you go 6 or 7. If you destroy them ala 1994 its okay but its just hard to win a cup these days when you are forced to play a series like LAK/ANA NYI/NJD/NYR right away

 

[ForumNamePending]

Not sure I would lump Pittsburgh in with the other also rans, at the very least if they make it they will be coming in hot, and not just stumbling backwards into the playoffs.

I agree about TB/NYI though. For most of the season TB felt like a former great power in gradual, but obvious, decline... Now it feels like they could have at least one more run in 'em. The NYI are the streakiest bunch of streakers who ever streaked and right now they are on a roll.

Wouldn't be the most shocking thing in the world if one of them went deep.

 

[Cleatus]

People like you make me miss the 90's when people weren't so emotionally weak that everyone has to walk on egg shells because someone's feelings might get hurt.
Words are just words. When I was 13 I was fat, people called me fat so I lost weight.

The reason this world is such a shitty place now is because everyone goes out of their way to be offended by something, like who gives a shit. This mentality has ruined comedy to the point where episodes of shows like sweet D doing impersonations IASIP omitted on FX or Chappelle show no longer available on comedy central and that's a shame because the world could use some actual laughs.

While I kinda agree with you to a point... Dave Chapelle, IASIP, and comedy in general is the least of our worries when it comes to world issues.

 

[ThreeLeftSkates]

And it's pretty clear that Penguins are the better team.

Really? How? Regular season?

No one wants the spot and watch one of WC2 or Metro 3rd make the Stanley Cup Finals because hockey is just weird like that.

That is why they play the games. Stuff happens.

 

[ThreeLeftSkates]

That's what happens with diluted leagues while fanboys scream athletes are the best ever......

Should be 6 teams from each conference and a first round Bo5 series so Top 4 teams in each Conference get 10 days off.

This would save embarrassment in some series, from recent memory.

 

[ThreeLeftSkates]

Wouldn't know it listening to Islanders fans on HF.

I credit the Oilers with the 1994 Cup. What was that chant?

 

[SnowblindNYR]

I credit the Oilers with the 1994 Cup. What was that chant?

Good for you.

 

[katfude]

Patrick Roy effect. Just make sure you draft who he wants or he might be gone just before the season starts

 

[Section 104]

Patrick Roy effect. Just make sure you draft who he wants or he might be gone just before the season starts

One could also ask how long coaches last under Lou Lamariello

Still I give the Islanders team a lot of credit. A couple weeks ago they looked dead in the water but have peeled off 6 straight victories while others have floundered and can conceivably clinch a playoff spot Saturday if several things go their way.

 

[StoveTopStauffer]

The east is weak is the main reason.

 

[ThreeLeftSkates]

Good for you.

I am far from alone. Bet the mortgage on the Rangers this year, LOL!

 

[Osakahaus]

Patrick Roy effect. Just make sure you draft who he wants or he might be gone just before the season starts

Not like the isles have drafted much to begin with

 

[SnowblindNYR]

I am far from alone. Bet the mortgage on the Rangers this year, LOL!

Dude, no one cares.

 

[Taswell]

Even as an Isles fan, I have no great illusion about how high chances are they get straight throttled in the first round. They are so damn streaky and while hot right now, that switch can turn off any moment as we've seen all season.

Now with Dobson possibly out for a bit, that hurts more than almost any other player we could lose to injury.

Kudos to the boys for making this push, though I worry it'll just make Lou more inclined to think they are something there not.

 

[TIGERCOOL]

Its still remarkable though how both TB/NYI are exceptionally dangerous matchups if they both end up WC1 and 2 respectively. If you're FLA/NYR/BOS you'd almost certainly much rather face PHL/PIT/DET/WSH over either of those 2.

Tampa is going to be a nightmare for Boston if prime Vasy is really back. Hell, Florida is probably super happy to be facing the Leafs instead of Tampa in round one. That would have been their worst matchup - the most penalized team against the top powerplay in the league. The refs would probably actually call that one fairly, too. Wouldn't be shocked if Maurice had them intentionally sandbagging right now to skip out on the top division spot to avoid that and hope Boston takes care of Tampa.

 

[Uncle Scrooge]

Tampa is going to be a nightmare for Boston if prime Vasy is really back. Hell, Florida is probably super happy to be facing the Leafs instead of Tampa in round one. That would have been their worst matchup - the most penalized team against the top powerplay in the league.

Well the Leafs have a good power play too and overall have scored more goals than Tampa, so I don't think they're much easier from that standpoint.

Vasy is always a concern though. I'd rather face Samsonov.

 

[TIGERCOOL]

Well the Leafs have a good power play too and overall have scored more goals than Tampa, so I don't think they're much easier from that standpoint.

Vasy is always a concern though. I'd rather face Samsonov.

I wish. Leafs have been bottom 5 league wide on the powerplay since the all-star break.

 

[CokenoPepsi]

Islanders lost in ot


Flyers win

Detroit up 4-1 in the 1st

Capitals tied in the 3rd.

Damn this race

 

[CokenoPepsi]

Penguins down by 2 would really hurt their chances with a regulation loss