2019 - Hunt for the Playoffs (Metro/Eastern Conf GDT)

[Shrimper]

Seeing as it is quite tight it feels worthy to get something like this going. I seem to recall us doing something similar in 2015 or maybe 2016? Anyway. Below is the current table, the five teams fighting for those last two Wild Card spots and the two Metro Spots and the schedules. I haven't used tables in a while, so it might be formatted well.

​

Team	GP	W	L	OTL	PTS	GR
Washington	59	32	20	7	71	23
Blue Jackets	57	33	21	3	69	25
Penguins	59	31	21	7	69	23
Canadiens	59	31	21	7	69	23
Hurricanes	59	31	22	6	68	23

[THEAD] [/THEAD]
[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Schedule:

Washington: @Kings, @Leafs, @Sabres, v Rangers, v Senators, @Isles, @rangers, @Flyers, v Devils, v Jets, @Penguins, @Flyers, @lightning, @devils, v Lightning, v Wild, v Flyers, v Canes, @Canes, v Lightning, @Panthers, @canadiens, @Isles

Blue Jackets: v Lightning, @canadiens, @Senators, v Sharks, v Pens, v Flyers, v Oilers, v Jets, @devils, @Pens, v Pens, @Isles, v Bruins, v Canes, @Bruins, @Flames, @Oilers, @CANUCKS, v Isles, v Canadiens, @Predators, @Sabres, v Bruins, v Rangers, @Senators

Pens: @devils, v Sharks, @Flyers, @CBJ, @Sabres, @canadiens, v Panthers, v CBJ, @CBJ, v Bruins, v Capitals, @Sabres, v Blues, v Flyers, @Canes, @Preds, @Stars, @rangers, v Preds, v Canes, @rwings, v RWings, v Rangers

Canadiens: v CBJ, v Flyers, @Leafs, @devils, @rwings, @rangers, v Pens, @Kings, @sharks, @Ducks, v RWings, @Isles, v Hawks, @Flyers, v Isles, v Sabres, @Canes, v Panthers, @CBJ, @Jets, v Lightning, @Capitals, v Leafs

Hurricanes: v Rangers, @Panthers, @Stars, v Kings, v Blues, @Panthers, @Bruins, v Jets, @Preds, @Avs, @CBJ, v Sabres, v Pens, v Lightning, v Wild, v Canadiens, @Capitals, v Capitals, v Flyers, @Pens, @Leafs, v Devils, @Flyers

So, will we make it?

Click to read more...

 

[Shrimper]

And, I put 2018 instead of 2019....

 

[StaalForOne]

 

[orby]

To be perfectly honest I won't even be heartbroken if they miss the playoffs this year, I have a hard time believing that the Pens could really compete with a team like Tampa even if they went "all-in" and somehow got Duchene to play with Crosby. In any case I think the Pens will sneak into the playoffs because I don't think Columbus are as good as their record says they are.

 

[Pancakes]

The one thing that concerns me is our schedule looks pretty tough. Although given we seem to play up to good opponents and down versus bad ones, maybe that's a good thing?

I think we will make it. I see Montreal or Columbus being the ones to miss if anyone does.

 

[cheesedanish87]

I think they will probably make it, but they need to finish in the top 7 if they have any hope of going anywhere IMO.

Carolina has the toughest schedule left, after the Canes next 4 games their schedule is brutal.

If it goes down to the last week which it probably will Pens got a pretty good schedule playing Detroit twice and NYR to end the year.

 

[Andy99]

I think they will probably make it, but they need to finish in the top 7 if they have any hope of going anywhere IMO.

Carolina has the toughest schedule left, after the Canes next 4 games their schedule is brutal.

If it goes down to the last week which it probably will Pens got a pretty good schedule playing Detroit twice and NYR to end the year.

It’s hard to quantify who has the “tougher” schedule left because teams have matchup problems with different teams who may not even be in PO position..like I think NJD is a tougher game on the schedule for the Pens than they would be for the other teams...also, the Red Wings have won 4 of the last 6 matchups with the Pens...not an easy matchup for the Pens either

 

[cheesedanish87]

It’s hard to quantify who has the “tougher” schedule left because teams have matchup problems with different teams who may not even be in PO position..like I think NJD is a tougher game on the schedule for the Pens than they would be for the other teams...also, the Red Wings have won 4 of the last 6 matchups with the Pens...not an easy matchup for the Pens either

I just don't see the Pens losing to Detroit the final week of the season if their season is on the line.

Detroit might also be in full tank mode the final week of the season, those games for Detroit might mean the difference between picking in the top 3 or picking in the top 8.

Pens have done well in the past against Carolina Buffalo CBJ and NYR, 9 of the final 23 games are against those teams.

 

[Jaded-Fan]

 

[Andy99]

So Micah has MTL falling out and CAR getting a higher seed than the Pens, who just make the POs as the eighth seed and have to play TB...sounds about right

 

[Bingo71]

So Micah has MTL falling out and CAR getting a higher seed than the Pens, who just make the POs as the eighth seed and have to play TB...sounds about right

1st round sweep and exit it is!

 

[EightyOne]

I'm feeling positive, they'll be good


For no reason.

 

[Gurglesons]

1st round sweep and exit it is!

Wouldn’t be surprised to see us upset them.

Then promptly get destroyed in the 2nd round by someone like the Islanders.

 

[Shwag33]

0% chance tampa wants to play the pens in the first round. While they may be the best team in the league they haven't been world beaters in the playoffs. Washington steam rolled them last year even though it took 7 games; incredibly lopsided.

 

[StaalForOne]

Tampa 117% ha


edit: I'm a dummy

 

[Jaded-Fan]

Tampa 117% ha

117 Points.

As an aside it still is a bit early to not take Micah's models with a huge grain of salt. Yes, he looks at future opponents, etc.

That said his model routinely swings by as much as 5% one way, and even a 10% swing between two teams playing one another, based on a single game. As we get closer toward the end of the season, and during the playoffs, are where his models really shine.

 

[BHD]

And, I put 2018 instead of 2019....

Fixed it for ya.

 

[Ugene Magic]

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

0% chance tampa wants to play the pens in the first round. While they may be the best team in the league they haven't been world beaters in the playoffs. Washington steam rolled them last year even though it took 7 games; incredibly lopsided.

I don't think the Pens can win the Cup as currently constructed, but I do think they've got enough firepower that no one will want to face them in Round 1. If Murray stands on his head and our big guns show up to play, they can take out anyone. I just don't know if that's sustainable for more than 1 round.

 

[Tacitus Kilgore]

f*** I hope we make it, i need to watch Sid play more playoff hockey before he retires. That's THE closest we ever see him to peak levels before concussion,due to that he gives maximum effort in the playoffs


If we don't make it, where would our 1st round pick likely fall? Im comforting myself with the pipe dream that we could strike a Barzal and make up for what could've been

 

[BrookswasHere44]

I love people saying Tampa sweeps us. Fun times

 

[Empoleon8771]

I feel like people are way more down on the Penguins chances in the playoffs than they should be. The sole problem is getting to the playoffs, once they're in the playoffs, I really think a lot of their problems will immediately get better. I don't think their problems are from not being that good of a team, I think it's more of a problem of them not caring about the regular season enough to play structured and disciplined hockey every game. I don't think those will be problems in the playoffs.

Murray has a .932 save% since coming back from his injury in December, and has had above a .900 save% in 14 of 18 starts over that span. Crosby is having one of his best seasons of all time, with having a 105 point pace and legitimately playing at a Selke level defensively. Guentzel has had a torrid pace pretty much all season, and Rust has had a torrid pace in his last ~30 games after a horrid start. Letang is playing at a near Norris level this year. Schultz has come back from his injury looking fantastic. Pettersson has done a really good job at solidifying the bottom-2 pairs on defense. This doesn't even mention guys like Malkin, Kessel and Hornqvist, who are struggling now but have been showing signs of life at different points this year.

The point is that this team is a really damn good team, regardless of how they finish in the regular season. All that matters is that they make the playoffs, they're one of the top contenders regardless of whether they're the #1 seed or the 2nd WC team.

 

[Scandale du Jour]

We'll finish 2nd in the Metro.

 

[StaalForOne]

117 Points.

As an aside it still is a bit early to not take Micah's models with a huge grain of salt. Yes, he looks at future opponents, etc.

That said his model routinely swings by as much as 5% one way, and even a 10% swing between two teams playing one another, based on a single game. As we get closer toward the end of the season, and during the playoffs, are where his models really shine.

bad look for me ha.Thought that didn't seem quite right.

 

[Gurglesons]

I don't think the Pens can win the Cup as currently constructed, but I do think they've got enough firepower that no one will want to face them in Round 1. If Murray stands on his head and our big guns show up to play, they can take out anyone. I just don't know if that's sustainable for more than 1 round.

If we play Tampa in the 1st we’d likely have a good chance at winning the cup if we get passed them.

We also have players I think will be really good in the playoffs that look average in the regular season. I honesty think we have a pretty good mix going. Even if the framework is for next season.