HF Habs: When Does Our Postseason Fate Sort Itself Out? Rebuild Thread

[Lshap]

even by that logic, our odds are stilll pretty bad as we only have 3 spots to make the playoffs instead of 5, due to the metro being way better than the atlantic and most likely having both wild cards. Boston is a lock, so that leaves 2 spot for 5 teams

and as I said earlier if you look at the strength of schedule, our 4 direct opponents are all past the hump of the hard schedule and have a significantly easier schedule moving forward while ours remain much harder

even if you're being optimistic, realistically the numbers are not looking good

I don't see much of a difference in schedules. If I counted correctly, we have 5 remaining back-to-backs, Florida and Buffalo have 6, Leafs 2. Tampa has 8!

Travel-wise, we're almost finished the west-coast trip. Tampa still has to make that northwest trip. We still have California -- so does Toronto.

The rest is matchups, and that's as much about preconceived notions than actual difficulty. The Habs aren't really disadvantaged. What we've seen through 45% of the season is probably what we'll see for the remainder. The teams that avoid injury are the ones with the better odds of making the playoffs.

 

[Tabarouette]

I don't see much of a difference in schedules. If I counted correctly, we have 5 remaining back-to-backs, Florida and Buffalo have 6, Leafs 2. Tampa has 8!

Travel-wise, we're almost finished the west-coast trip. Tampa still has to make that northwest trip. We still have California -- so does Toronto.

The rest is matchups, and that's as much about preconceived notions than actual difficulty. The Habs aren't really disadvantaged. What we've seen through 45% of the season is probably what we'll see for the remainder. The teams that avoid injury are the ones with the better odds of making the playoffs.

NHL Strength of Schedule Rankings

there are people who do that job for us, thankfully

basically the difference between so far and from now on is that everyone else in our division has an easier schedule than we do, not just traveling and back to backs but in terms of quality of opponents, etc. So on paper, over the course of the next 40+ games, we should be trending downward. It's not an exact science but it is an indicator

I get what you mean but like, idk man. In terms of odds, they're stacked against us and I just don't see it happening, or at least I wouldn't bet on it

plus I truly don't believe in the "let's make the playoffs and see what happens" mentality and especially not with that group so, idk

 

[montreal]

i've had them missing the playoffs since the off-season, but surprised that Tatar/Weber/Armia are all doing so well. Looks like a wild card will be tougher to get so it will come down to the division which looks like boston is going to run away with it (puke) but after that I assume it's wide open (haven't watched any games).

 

[Kimota]

It goes hand in hand with my question: Should we give up assets and rebuild or "go for it" in a big trade. Or a bit of both like the Max Pac trade?

 

[OldCraig71]

It would be for the best if we are out of contention before the TDL.

 

[atrud66]

It would be for the best if we are out of contention before the TDL.

100% agree. We need two of Toronto, Tampa, Florida, and Buffalo to run away from the pack and establish at least a 5-6 point gap between us and the 3rd spot in the Atlantic by the TDL

 

[Lshap]

NHL Strength of Schedule Rankings

there are people who do that job for us, thankfully

basically the difference between so far and from now on is that everyone else in our division has an easier schedule than we do, not just traveling and back to backs but in terms of quality of opponents, etc. So on paper, over the course of the next 40+ games, we should be trending downward. It's not an exact science but it is an indicator

I get what you mean but like, idk man. In terms of odds, they're stacked against us and I just don't see it happening, or at least I wouldn't bet on it

plus I truly don't believe in the "let's make the playoffs and see what happens" mentality and especially not with that group so, idk

Thanks for the info. I still think the team has a decent shot, but don't get me wrong -- even if we make the playoffs, I'm not expecting anything beyond a fun couple of weeks in April.

 

[HuGo Sham]

IT ALREADY HAS. it already has

 

[sandviper]

The Habs are currently two points back of Toronto for second in the Atlantic and five points behind Philly for the second wild card spot. Montreal is also only 6 points up on LA for 28th in the league. How confident are you guys that we'll make the playoffs? At what point in the season/schedule do you think the outcome of the season will become clearer?

IMO, not until trade deadline. Florida, Toronto, Tampa and Montreal are going to be fighting for the 2nd and 3rd spots all season. I think all 4 teams haven’t shown enough consistency to really make their respective fan bases confident.

I mean, barring a crazy win streak or losing skid, it’s too hard to predict.

That said, I am not terribly confident as mentioned. I have a feeling the Metro are going to put 5 teams in the playoffs and basically the Atlantic will have 3.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

It was sorted when the puck dropped on the first game because Bergevin is inept.

 

[LaP]

Last two weeks. Doesn't really matter though as we are out of the playoffs in the first 2 rounds if we make it.

 

[peate]

We might make it in and then....nothing will happen.

 

[Milhouse40]

I think our fate was sealed July 2nd of last summer when Bergevin failed to improve this team.

Right now we are 5 points out of Wildcard spot and there's no way we take one of the 2 place left in our division, not with our schedule, not with the competition and not with this team without help (And Bergevin, like last summer, seems to sit on his hands and do nothing). So i'm not sure why some think we still have chance.

 

[Help]

All will be revealed on April 4th

I think they get in this time

 

[Habs10025]

The Habs are currently two points back of Toronto for second in the Atlantic and five points behind Philly for the second wild card spot. Montreal is also only 6 points up on LA for 28th in the league. How confident are you guys that we'll make the playoffs? At what point in the season/schedule do you think the outcome of the season will become clearer?

Not until there's only 7 - 8 games remaining in the season .

 

[Vachon23]

When we will be eliminated, for know the goal is still to make the playoff. There is always teams that we don’t except in the playoff each year.

 

[angusyoung]

It was sorted when the puck dropped on the first game because Bergevin is inept.

That would be the consensus expected here no doubt.As for me......

 

[LaP]

Last two weeks which will help MB avoid taking the big decisions he has to take before the end of 2021 trade deadline where half the team is going to be on their way to UFA (ideally he would take those decisions before this year's deadline but i guess it's easier to hope for the best).

 

[atrud66]

Seems like our fate is already sealed lol

 

[LaP]

Seems like our fate is already sealed lol

Pretty much. It's still possible but it would be more than very surprising. Right now it's more hope than anything else.

 

[HockeyDBspecialist]

I think the Soft limit is tonight, if we lose it's done in the Management's head but not enough for them to make a statement.
The hard limit is around the trade deadline where they will tell the fans what they will be doing ( hoping to sell some Vet and move Price if possible).


Bottom line, please lose vs Detroit so we can finally finish the retooling with some tanking

 

[26Mats]

Seems like our fate is already sealed lol

The trend of course is not good.

But we're six points out of a playoff spot, and we only just passed the half way point of the season. Sealed is too strong of a word for me - as bleak as our chances look.

Another point is that we've lost every one of the games in this 6 game losing streak by 1 goal.

So, I think our fate will be sealed by the bye week. If we manage to stay 6 points out by the bye week and we get healthy bodies back, it certainly possible for us to make a run. That's why I'm not saying the season is over yet - even though I of course wouldn't bet on us making the playoffs.

 

[26Mats]

i've had them missing the playoffs since the off-season, but surprised that Tatar/Weber/Armia are all doing so well. Looks like a wild card will be tougher to get so it will come down to the division which looks like boston is going to run away with it (puke) but after that I assume it's wide open (haven't watched any games).

How things change in a couple of weeks. Now a wild card is far easier to get that to catch Tampa, Toronto who just each went 8-1-1, while Philly and Carolina each went 5-5-0. (and where Columbus went 7-1-2 and Florida 7-3)

Will be interesting to see what the next couple of weeks bring up until the bye week.

 

[Paddyjack]

The trend of course is not good.

But we're six points out of a playoff spot, and we only just passed the half way point of the season. Sealed is too strong of a word for me - as bleak as our chances look.

Another point is that we've lost every one of the games in this 6 game losing streak by 1 goal.

So, I think our fate will be sealed by the bye week. If we manage to stay 6 points out by the bye week and we get healthy bodies back, it certainly possible for us to make a run. That's why I'm not saying the season is over yet - even though I of course wouldn't bet on us making the playoffs.

If we were the only team battling for that spot, maybe. But between us and that 8th position you have 3 other teams. So even if one of the current P.O holder were to fail, you have to beat the other teams also in front that are right behind. Not going to happen. Especially without Drouin, Gally, Armia in the line up.

Like Metallica would say, "sad but true"

 

[LeHab]

Bergevin is obviously following Blues plan from last season.

1. Reach bottom rankings at mid-season.
2. ???
3. Win Stanley cup