The Metro Race to the Finish

[DarkandStormy]

You can stop listing the Rangers. They can only max out at 107 points.

 

[MAHJ71]

Here's to hoping the Avs pull a miracle on ice and do what we had thought the Wild could do...

 

[Cowumbus]

Cheering for Chicago tonight, feels weird

 

[Cowumbus]

Realistically we aren't winning the presidents trophy but we very well could get home ice against Pitt

 

[MAHJ71]

Realistically we aren't winning the presidents trophy but we very well could get home ice against Pitt

Which would be almost just as nice

 

[Cowumbus]

Which would be almost just as nice

I think that's our only chance of getting out of the first round, and even then it will be tough

 

[Kev22]

You can stop listing the Rangers. They can only max out at 107 points.

I understand that. I started the thread with all four, just thought I'd have some fun following them all until the finish. Okay with you?

 

[Kev22]

Realistically we aren't winning the presidents trophy but we very well could get home ice against Pitt

Having home ice on the Pens would be big, because the Pens are pretty average on the road. They are 17-13-7 this season. Much more mortal on the road.

 

[DarkandStormy]

I understand that. I started the thread with all four, just thought I'd have some fun following them all until the finish. Okay with you?

Haha yeah, just taking a dig at the Rangers was all.

 

[Kev22]

Cool. Beware the Rangers though, they are a really good road team. They actually I believe have more wins on the road than at home.

 

[CBJx614]

I just want some MFing banners in the rafters. I've been telling my friends when we go to games that our rafters are entirely too empty and those filler banners need to be replaced.

 

[We Want Ten]

I just want some MFing banners in the rafters. I've been telling my friends when we go to games that our rafters are entirely too empty and those filler banners need to be replaced.

The Mr. Mac one isn't enough for you???

 

[CarolinaBlueJacket]

Realistically we aren't winning the presidents trophy but we very well could get home ice against Pitt

Not true at all. 3 points behind the Caps with one head to head left. Win that and the boys are 1 point behind the Caps. Win one more game than the Caps down the stretch and Prez is a mathematical certainty.

 

[DarkandStormy]

Not true at all. 3 points behind the Caps with one head to head left. Win that and the boys are 1 point behind the Caps. Win one more game than the Caps down the stretch and Prez is a mathematical certainty.

Pssst....look at the remaining schedules. We have 3 games against the top 4 teams in the league and @ Carolina who is tough at home and battling for the playoffs. We also have two sets of away/away back-to-backs (thanks, NHL) to finish off the schedule. The Caps are playing the Avalanche and Coyotes their next two games.

 

[JohnnyJacket13]

Having home ice on the Pens would be big, because the Pens are pretty average on the road. They are 17-13-7 this season. Much more mortal on the road.

This prompted me to go check out our season splits at home vs on the road...

28-10-1 at NWA, 21-9-6 on the road

Now that's some great consistency. Honestly I'm not too worried about playing Pittsburgh in the first round, I think it'll be a great series - and a very winnable one, too. They're great at home (29-5-4), but if we can steal a game on the road, we'll be in great shape!

I just want to avoid playing the Caps at ALL costs in the first round.

 

[Nanabijou]

This prompted me to go check out our season splits at home vs on the road...

28-10-1 at NWA, 21-9-6 on the road

Now that's some great consistency. Honestly I'm not too worried about playing Pittsburgh in the first round, I think it'll be a great series - and a very winnable one, too. They're great at home (29-5-4), but if we can steal a game on the road, we'll be in great shape!

I just want to avoid playing the Caps at ALL costs in the first round.

This year will be a franchise record for home wins (and points); it was 25-13-3 in 2008-09.

I believe the record for road wins and points was in 2014-15: 23-15-3 = 49 points

The Jackets would have to win 3 of the 5 remaining road games to also get their franchise road win record.

 

[CarolinaBlueJacket]

Pssst....look at the remaining schedules. We have 3 games against the top 4 teams in the league and @ Carolina who is tough at home and battling for the playoffs. We also have two sets of away/away back-to-backs (thanks, NHL) to finish off the schedule. The Caps are playing the Avalanche and Coyotes their next two games.

Didn't say it would be easy, but that the opportunity is there. If they beat the Caps, then they are only 1 point behind. The Caps still have to play TML, Bruins and Rangers. They could easily drop 2 or all 3 of those. Hell they could lose tonight. You never know in this league.

 

[MoeBartoli]

Wonderful watching the Pens get their a** handed to them tonight. 4-0 already! For tonight, go Hawks!

 

[Bobcat110]

Hawks skating circles around Pens....already 4-0 and it could be worse.

If Pens lose, they may be better off resting their players up some for last few games.


CBJ may actually have home ice for any series not involving the Caps (and they still have an outside chance at overtaking them).

 

[Jyrki]

ouch, the hawks really are taking it to the pens.

 

[db2011]

Maybe the Jackets are right where we want them to be?

 

[EdwardG]

I think it's going to be difficult to get the 1 seed. Frankly if the TBL gets in hot and with Stamkos back that's not much of a prize. The CBJ always struggle with Boston, although maybe that was Julien. Now, an equally inexperienced Toronto squad, esp. with Mac in goal, is another story...

I think the team is kind of bored with the regular season, they are just getting ahead, and letting Bob bring them home. Hopefully they will get it cranked up for the playoffs. As we saw after the streak, this is a team that is unused to how to deal with winning. Most of these guys have never been in this situation. Given that, I'm not upset with what I've seen the last few games. They were losing these types of games back in January.

 

[Kev22]

Update...

The Caps beat the Avalanche 5-3 for their sixth straight win. I don't think we're catching them.
The Hawks drown the Pens 5-1. The Blue Jackets now are two points up with a game in hand and hold the tiebreakers.

Capitals 110
Blue Jackets 105
Penguins 103
Rangers 97

 

[Bobcat110]

Maybe the Jackets are right where we want them to be?

Yep. Pens dropping 4 straight, 6 of last 9, and their last 2 home games by a combined score of 11-3 look like as good of a first round option as any.

They may get a few players back, but I can't imagine they're anywhere close to 100% in just two weeks. They'll still be tough series though if they can get at least Malkin and a couple other starters back.

 

[DarkandStormy]

but if we can steal a game on the road, we'll be in great shape!

We stole a game on the road in 2014.