HF Habs: 2023 Schedule & Standings Thread part 3: Race for Bedard

[Habs 4 Life]

For tonight:

- BUF win vs. BOS: BUF win moves them 3 pts behind FLA.
- WSH win vs. MIN: WSH win moves them 2 pts behind FLA. FLA will have 2 games in hand.
- NSH win vs. NYR: NSH win moves them 1 pt ahead of FLA in the OA standings with 1 game in hand.


The following games going to OT/SO would be ideal:

- STL vs. WPG: STL win moves them 7 pts ahead of MTL with 1 game in hand. WPG win moves them 6 pts ahead of FLA in the OA standings. FLA will have 2 games in hand.
- VAN vs. ANA: VAN win moves them 7 pts ahead of MTL with 1 game in hand. ANA win moves them 2 pts behind MTL.


Tank #1: MTL will remain in 28th place no matter what. But the VAN/ANA game will help serve this tank no matter what. VAN can grow their separation and ANA can get that much closer behind MTL. I'll give the edge to ANA to win this so they can pass MTL since VAN is already 5 pts ahead. But whoever wins is a positive for Tank #1.

Tank #2: As our hope for this one continues to fade, NSH can knock FLA down to 18th place in the OA standings if they get at least a point today. Meanwhile, BUF and WSH can keep themselves right behind FLA if they can win their respective games.

Anaheim in OT would complete a really good weekend!!!

 

[Belial]

Sabres taking a page out of the Oilers book and wasting Dahlin's good years.

Can you imagine that franchise without Thompson exploding all of a sudden? That scout that saw in Thompson star potential should get a damn raise!

 

[The Real Timo]

No good tank results today so far. Buffalo got smoked by Boston.

 

[Ezpz]

No good tank results today so far. Buffalo got smoked by Boston.

Just accept it Florida is making the playoffs. They've passed everyone but the Pens who are having a meltdown. Cheer for Anaheim.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Just accept it Florida is making the playoffs. They've passed everyone but the Pens who are having a meltdown. Cheer for Anaheim.

I'm holding out hope. But I've pretty much started to make peace with Florida making the playoffs.

 

[McGees]

Just accept it Florida is making the playoffs. They've passed everyone but the Pens who are having a meltdown. Cheer for Anaheim.

The playoffs???
I’ve accepted that they’re going to the finals.

 

[Boyon90]

If Florida doesn’t make it, it increases our shot at Bedard. Even if it’s just by a bit, it matters.

no it does not, they would have to be at 11th place at best for a chance at 1st overall, they wont drop back to 11th place

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

Stop it boys, A week ago we were gonna finish above Arizona and the Canucks.

Florida is missing hockey gods told me so

 

[CHwest]

To both. Both statements are dumb as hell.

Sorry to have triggered you tiger. See Nana she will talk you down.

 

[The Real Timo]

2-0 nucks. If they win I say they are no longer a threat to us.

 

[HabbyGuy]

I am going to refrain until next season. He was out for around 2 months, yes he has been great in his small sample size when none of these games truly matter.

That's fair, but man the eye test thus far has been absolutely fantastic. He looks like he's finally coming into his own and actually scratching his ceiling. I love watching him play. He looks like a real corner piece going forward.

But as you say time will tell.

 

[KevSkillz4]

2-0 nucks. If they win I say they are no longer a threat to us.

Blues too 2-0. So VAN and STL with a W tonight will be 7 pts difference with both one game in hands to Habs. That's really solid. So we can all expect a bottom 7 finish at minimum and securing a top 9 pick !

 

[HuGo Sham]

2-0 nucks. If they win I say they are no longer a threat to us.

Blues also winning . both would be 7 pts clear of us

 

[LV426]

Just accept it Florida is making the playoffs. They've passed everyone but the Pens who are having a meltdown. Cheer for Anaheim.

 

[417]

Can you imagine that franchise without Thompson exploding all of a sudden? That scout that saw in Thompson star potential should get a damn raise!

I remember when the Habs were looking to move Pacioretty, that Tage Thompson was a player I would have targeted back then, but I never thought he'd explode like this.

 

[atrud66]

A VAN regulation win would be disappointing. A missed opportunity for Anaheim

 

[Belial]

I remember when the Habs were looking to move Pacioretty, that Tage Thompson was a player I would have targeted back then, but I never thought he'd explode like this.

Hopefully, we're going to take our time with Slaf. Big lanky dudes take time to put it together.

 

[Scintillating10]

Can you imagine drafting both Bedard with Hutson in our farm system? Along with Slaf on our team. That's serious rebuild!

Plus, a star UFA may actually sign here. He will want to play with Bedard. All those bad contracts coming off next 3 years. Things lining up

 

[Runner77]

I remember when the Habs were looking to move Pacioretty, that Tage Thompson was a player I would have targeted back then, but I never thought he'd explode like this.

To think that Thompson could have been had for a moderate price not so long ago.

Shows you how often the pros don’t get it right.

 

[Milhouse40]

A VAN regulation win would be disappointing. A missed opportunity for Anaheim

There's still positive, that would put Vancouver out of reach for sure........but yeah, the best possible scenario is still a win by Anaheim in overtime. Still 20 minutes to go....

 

[McGees]

Bolts Gonna get swept by Leafs.

 

[George Lebay]

Bolts Gonna get swept by Leafs.

 

[26Mats]

Can you imagine drafting both Bedard with Hutson in our farm system? Along with Slaf on our team. That's serious rebuild!

Plus, a star UFA may actually sign here. He will want to play with Bedard. All those bad contracts coming off next 3 years. Things lining up

If you get Bedard and have nothing else in your franchise you're in great shape. But the odds are very low to get him.

 

[Belial]

Bolts Gonna get swept by Leafs.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Well, with Vancouver likely winning again, and Blues winning, Montreal has at least secured a bottom 7 finish. I don't think they catch Arizona either.

Really wanted an Anaheim win tonight though.