Official 2017-2018 NHL Thread v. Break the Ice

[mikeyd23]

No offense!


Might be seeing a whole lotta Philly next week.

Or might not, it's so up in the air right now. We have the easiest schedule to finish out of the teams running tight in the East, but anything can happen. We could play the Pens or Blue Jackets home or away, or start on the road against the Bruins, Lightning, or Capitals. Hell, I think we could still theoretically get 2/3 in the division with New Jersey and play them first round.

I want Pens and Flyers first round match up baby.

[pg1067]

I bet Avalanche fans are feeling even worse right now because they have to play the Sharks next

San Jose clinched a playoff spot yesterday (although it's been a foregone conclusion for a while), so I'm hoping they're off their game tonight against the recently eliminated Stars.  Kings are only two points back of San Jose for second place in the Pacific and were lights out against Colorado last night.

Last night had to be brutal for St. Louis fans.

We're now officially down to four teams for three playoff spots:

Kings -- 96 points and 42 ROW (2 games left)
Anaheim -- 95 points and 37 ROW (3 games left)
Colorado -- 93 points and 40 ROW (2 games left)
St. Louis -- 92 points and 40 ROW (3 games left)

I hate that Anaheim always seems to have a game in hand on the Kings!

No games on tonight's schedule that impact these teams fighting for the remaining playoff spots.  Huge games for St. Louis and Anaheim tomorrow.  Hopefully Minnesota will go Wild in Anaheim.

The east looks like the same 3 teams for 4 spots situation, but Florida looks to be on life support.

End of an era.  I seriously doubt there'll never be a brother duo like these two ever again in my lifetime.

Wow...I didn't realize it had been 18 seasons!  One of the lasting memories of the Kings 2012 Cup run is Dustin Brown clocking Henrik right in front of the Vancouver bench.

I wonder, if one of them is elected to the HHOF and the other isn't, if the one elected will refuse to show up for the ceremony....

That is the benefit that the west coast sport fans have over us.  They can see all the games.

Every time I travel to the east coast I wonder how y'all handle it.  World Series and MNF games starting at 8pm and frequently not ending until after midnight.  I turned off the Dodger game last night around 10:15 (after the Dodgers choked away a 3 run lead in the bottom of the 9th) and woke up this morning to see that the game went 15 innings!  Some folks on the east coast might have been waking up while that game was still going.  Every once in a while, my wife renews her "I wish we lived back east" mantra.  I typically squelch that by reminding her that she can watch all the Celtics games by buying the NBA package (which she's done for the past half dozen years or so), but I'd almost never be able to watch Kings or Dodgers games because they wouldn't even start until 10:30 eastern time.

[Nick]

If the Flyers or Devils were playing really poorly I'd give Florida a shot, but realistically, even if they win out, they are done I think. Which is pretty much the fate they deserve given they let Gallant go.

[gmillerdrake]

It's essentially StL or Colorado getting the second wild card in the West  and then getting throttled by Nashville. Neither team can match up against the Preds.....maybe there's a 'miracle' series there for either of those teams and Nashville collapses under the pressure of them being the favorites to win it all, but I doubt it.

Me personally....I'd love to see StL make it in and pull off the miracle against the Preds. For those of you who don't know my brother in law lives in Nashville and is a Predator "fan"....meaning.....he knows zippity squat about hockey and started liking them about two years ago when they started playing well. The texts and conversation he gears towards me when the Blues play the Preds are brutal to deal with....made even more brutal by the recent history of those match ups. So yeah....I have that to look forward to should the Blues get lucky enough to back in to the last wild card spot.

[Anguyen92]

It's essentially StL or Colorado getting the second wild card in the West  and then getting throttled by Nashville. Neither team can match up against the Preds.....maybe there's a 'miracle' series there for either of those teams and Nashville collapses under the pressure of them being the favorites to win it all, but I doubt it.

Me personally....I'd love to see StL make it in and pull off the miracle against the Preds. For those of you who don't know my brother in law lives in Nashville and is a Predator "fan"....meaning.....he knows zippity squat about hockey and started liking them about two years ago when they started playing well. The texts and conversation he gears towards me when the Blues play the Preds are brutal to deal with....made even more brutal by the recent history of those match ups. So yeah....I have that to look forward to should the Blues get lucky enough to back in to the last wild card spot.

I surely wouldn't want to the Kings to get that matchup against the Preds.  They didn't fare so well against Nashville this season as well.  Either they go against Golden Knights (which is probably the best team they can go up against given the circumstances) or they face the......... Sharks (again, for the 5th time in 8 years, in the first round for the 4th time in 8 years).  Man, that Kings/Sharks matchup in the playoffs is the west coast version of Rangers/Capitals.  I think a small part of me wants the Ducks to get the 3rd slot in the Pacific and Kings get the first wild card slot.  Let the Ducks/Sharks duke it out for once.

[pg1067]

It's essentially StL or Colorado getting the second wild card in the West  and then getting throttled by Nashville. Neither team can match up against the Preds.....maybe there's a 'miracle' series there for either of those teams and Nashville collapses under the pressure of them being the favorites to win it all, but I doubt it.

Me personally....I'd love to see StL make it in and pull off the miracle against the Preds. For those of you who don't know my brother in law lives in Nashville and is a Predator "fan"....meaning.....he knows zippity squat about hockey and started liking them about two years ago when they started playing well. The texts and conversation he gears towards me when the Blues play the Preds are brutal to deal with....made even more brutal by the recent history of those match ups. So yeah....I have that to look forward to should the Blues get lucky enough to back in to the last wild card spot.

I surely wouldn't want to the Kings to get that matchup against the Preds.  They didn't fare so well against Nashville this season as well.  Either they go against Golden Knights (which is probably the best team they can go up against given the circumstances) or they face the......... Sharks (again, for the 5th time in 8 years, in the first round for the 4th time in 8 years).  Man, that Kings/Sharks matchup in the playoffs is the west coast version of Rangers/Capitals.  I think a small part of me wants the Ducks to get the 3rd slot in the Pacific and Kings get the first wild card slot.  Let the Ducks/Sharks duke it out for once.

I don't think anyone except Minnesota matches up well against the Preds this year.  They're 51-17-11 (or 51-28), and they only lost 15 games to other Western Conference teams.  Of the teams in the WC playoff hunt, only Minnesota (3 times) and Vegas and Winnipeg (twice each) have beaten Nashville more than once.  Kings are 0-2-1 against Nashville; 2-1-1 against Vegas; and 1-3-0 against San Jose.  I guess, all in all, Vegas is the best matchup for the Kings, but there are no "easy" playoff matchups.

[jingle.boy]

No offense!


Might be seeing a whole lotta Philly next week.

Or might not, it's so up in the air right now. We have the easiest schedule to finish out of the teams running tight in the East, but anything can happen. We could play the Pens or Blue Jackets home or away, or start on the road against the Bruins, Lightning, or Capitals. Hell, I think we could still theoretically get 2/3 in the division with New Jersey and play them first round.

The Leafs are the only team you're guaranteed NOT to play.  I don't see you playing NJ either.

[KevShmev]

It's essentially StL or Colorado getting the second wild card in the West  and then getting throttled by Nashville. Neither team can match up against the Preds.....maybe there's a 'miracle' series there for either of those teams and Nashville collapses under the pressure of them being the favorites to win it all, but I doubt it.

Me personally....I'd love to see StL make it in and pull off the miracle against the Preds. For those of you who don't know my brother in law lives in Nashville and is a Predator "fan"....meaning.....he knows zippity squat about hockey and started liking them about two years ago when they started playing well. The texts and conversation he gears towards me when the Blues play the Preds are brutal to deal with....made even more brutal by the recent history of those match ups. So yeah....I have that to look forward to should the Blues get lucky enough to back in to the last wild card spot.

Ignore the texts. Do not respond to them. Or respond to them talking about something else.  Easy solution. 

[gmillerdrake]

It's essentially StL or Colorado getting the second wild card in the West  and then getting throttled by Nashville. Neither team can match up against the Preds.....maybe there's a 'miracle' series there for either of those teams and Nashville collapses under the pressure of them being the favorites to win it all, but I doubt it.

Me personally....I'd love to see StL make it in and pull off the miracle against the Preds. For those of you who don't know my brother in law lives in Nashville and is a Predator "fan"....meaning.....he knows zippity squat about hockey and started liking them about two years ago when they started playing well. The texts and conversation he gears towards me when the Blues play the Preds are brutal to deal with....made even more brutal by the recent history of those match ups. So yeah....I have that to look forward to should the Blues get lucky enough to back in to the last wild card spot.

Ignore the texts. Do not respond to them. Or respond to them talking about something else.  Easy solution. 

Clearly you’ve never met my bro in law.     It’s just not that simple

[jingle.boy]

It's essentially StL or Colorado getting the second wild card in the West  and then getting throttled by Nashville. Neither team can match up against the Preds.....maybe there's a 'miracle' series there for either of those teams and Nashville collapses under the pressure of them being the favorites to win it all, but I doubt it.

Me personally....I'd love to see StL make it in and pull off the miracle against the Preds. For those of you who don't know my brother in law lives in Nashville and is a Predator "fan"....meaning.....he knows zippity squat about hockey and started liking them about two years ago when they started playing well. The texts and conversation he gears towards me when the Blues play the Preds are brutal to deal with....made even more brutal by the recent history of those match ups. So yeah....I have that to look forward to should the Blues get lucky enough to back in to the last wild card spot.

Ignore the texts. Do not respond to them. Or respond to them talking about something else.  Easy solution. 

Clearly you’ve never met my bro in law.     It’s just not that simple

You need to up your trash talk game.

[axeman90210]

Chad, it seems like you guys are pretty locked into 3rd place in the Atlantic, so if you want to rest some players on Thursday that would be just fine with me

[jingle.boy]

Chad, it seems like you guys are pretty locked into 3rd place in the Atlantic, so if you want to rest some players on Thursday that would be just fine with me

We are absolutely 100% locked in.  The only question is whether we start in Tampa or Boston.  Not sure if Babs is going to rest anyone... we gotta stay sharp.  He is rotating the fourth-liners, to get them some action before heading in to the playoffs, but all the top lines have stayed in the lineup.

[axeman90210]

Meanwhile over in the Metropolitan Division, Pittsburgh and Columbus are in second and third place tied with 96 points (and they play each other tomorrow), and the Devils and Flyers are in the two wild card spots with 95 and 94 points respectively. Florida needs to run the table (2 games against the Bruins and one against Buffalo) but they theoretically have a shot at the second wild card spot. Going to be a very interesting last few days of the season, and it's going to kill me that I likely won't be able to watch any of it.

[pg1067]

Dallas was polite enough to beat San Jose last night -- even came back to win 4-2 after being down 0-2 early.

Kings are 2 points back of San Jose for second place in the Pacific, and both teams have 2 games to play, and the Kings have clinched the ROW tiebreaker against San Jose.  San Jose's remaining games are against Colorado and Minnesota.

Of course, the Kings are also only a point in front of Anaheim, and Anaheim has 3 games to play.  If Anaheim wins out, they'll finish ahead of the Kings, so the Kings need a little bit of help from one of Anaheim's remaining opponents (Minnesota, Dallas and Arizona).

The Kings remaining games are against Minnesota and Dallas, so those two teams will play a big role in shaping both the Pacific Division and the wild card.

St. Louis is in a similar situation as Anaheim.  If the Blues win out, they'll finish ahead of Colorado.  They need to win and need help as against the Kings and Anaheim.  In fact, I believe the Kings will clinch a play off spot if St. Louis loses in regulation tonight (unless they can win their last two games in regulation with a combined goal differential of at least +33), so GO MINNESOTA and GO CHICAGO tonight.

[Dittomist]

The end of the Florida-Nashville game last night was very entertaining! The Predators pulled their goalie and tied the game up with 0.6 seconds to go (of course they did), but after a few minutes of looking at the footage, the goal was overturned due to goaltender interference. It makes me wish the Devils had lost their game so that this outcome would have mattered more.

Those goddamn Blackhawks have been responsible for ending so many seasons for the Blues (watch this video for proof https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HUwd3fKsj0 ) and so it sure makes me uneasy knowing that they get yet another opportunity this week. But it's comforting to know that the Sharks will be really hungry for a victory tomorrow (against Colorado) seeing as how they've now lost three in a row.

I want to blue myself tonight so Let's go Blues!!!

[gmillerdrake]

Those goddamn Blackhawks have been responsible for ending so many seasons for the Blues (watch this video for proof https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HUwd3fKsj0 ) and so it sure makes me uneasy knowing that they get yet another opportunity this week. But it's comforting to know that the Sharks will be really hungry for a victory tomorrow (against Colorado) seeing as how they've now lost three in a row.

I want to blue myself tonight so Let's go Blues!!!

All the Hawks keystone players are quoted and on record as stating they'd love to destroy the Blue's playoff hopes. So, these two games are not going to be easy by any means. If I had to guess I'd say they'll split the two with the Hawks. Which, if Colorado does lose then against San Jose it puts the Blues in a must win on Saturday.

Best case is Blues win tonight....Colorado loses tomorrow against San Jose and the Blues go in to the game Friday against the Hawks knowing all they need is 1 pt to get in being they hold all the tie breakers over Colorado.

[KevShmev]

Jake Allen is itching to get on my Blues goalie shit list, currently occupied by Roman Turek and Ryan Miller.  If we lose tonight, it's on him. 

[pg1067]

Duncan Keith with a dagger to the Blues’ season.

[gmillerdrake]

Rage post is imminent

[KevShmev]

Jake Allen sucks.

Blues power play sucks.

Please let this team not make the playoffs so I can actually enjoy the first round of the playoffs without another playoff loss by the Blues tainting my enjoyment.

[pg1067]

And the Blues’ loss means the Kings clinch!  Never thought I’d be appreciative of Duncan Keith.

[gmillerdrake]

Jake Allen sucks.

Blues power play sucks.

Please let this team not make the playoffs so I can actually enjoy the first round of the playoffs without another playoff loss by the Blues tainting my enjoyment.

I hope they squeak in so they can get utterly throttled and embarrassed by the Preds. That’s what they deserve....to be nationally embarrassed. Bunch of heartless pansies.

[KevShmev]

Nope, I love the first round, and I'd rather enjoy it without having the annoyance and stress of the Blues every other night. 

[gmillerdrake]

Nope, I love the first round, and I'd rather enjoy it without having the annoyance and stress of the Blues every other night.

It’s stress free. They don’t have a chance in hell if winning a series in the playoffs.....maybe not a single game.

It’s a mute point anyway......they’re not going to win either of the two games they have left.

[dparrott]

Dallas was polite enough to beat San Jose last night -- even came back to win 4-2 after being down 0-2 early.

Freakin stupid.  3 goals in the 3rd.   

[SystematicThought]

Saturday night Blues vs Avalanche is gonna be a lot of fun

[gmillerdrake]

Saturday night Blues vs Avalanche is gonna be a lot of fun

I won’t even matter. Blues will lose Friday, Colorado will beat San Jose tomorrow. The Blues suck and are now finding new and creative ways to abuse their fan base.

[jingle.boy]

Wow... those were three super soft goals.  Can't really fault him on the Keith goal - double screen by his own players.  Good swift kick to the balls for the Blues fans.  I think it would just prolonging their inevitable demise if the got in the playoffs.  I hope the Hawks just take them out to the woodshed and put everyone out of their misery.

[gmillerdrake]

Wow... those were three super soft goals.  Can't really fault him on the Keith goal - double screen by his own players.  Good swift kick to the balls for the Blues fans.  I think it would just prolonging their inevitable demise if the got in the playoffs.  I hope the Hawks just take them out to the woodshed and put everyone out of their misery.

Ehh...I think they were all soft....even the Keith goal. Freaking ugly.

This F’n team finds new, creative ways to torture their fan base each season. Rather than wait to the playoffs this year.....they decide to tease us with a gripping win streak to propel themselves into the playoffs only to crap the bed the second they get right up to the line...refusing to cross it.
  At this point I wish desperately that they make the playoffs. Not because I think they’ll make any noise whatsoever.....but because I want them to get utterly throttled and embarrassed by Nashville. They deserve that. They deserve to be whipped Nationally and embarrassed for the team they are. Armstrong deserves it.....they players....all of them. They need a National spanking and if they get lucky and somehow back into the playoffs (not convinced they will...I say the Blackhawks beat them again and Colorado wins tonight) it will be tough to watch, but much like a Father who has to spank his kid for spitting in his moms face....he doesn’t want to but he has to.....I want to watch the Blues get their a$$es handed to them by the Predators and get humiliated. That’s what they deserve.

[mikeyd23]

Big game for the Pens tonight. A win against the Jackets nearly locks the Pens into 2nd place in the Metro. A loss tonight could have them drop down to a wild-card spot.

I'm cool with the Pens facing pretty much any Metro team in the first round, I really don't want to see them drop down and have to play Boston or Tampa in the first.

[pg1067]

Well...the Wild sucked last night, letting Anaheim leapfrog the Kings again.  Hopefully they continue to stink against the Kings tonight.  Need to take advantage of getting Minnesota on the second night of a back-to-back.

Also pulling for the Avs over the Sharks, but the Kings really need help from either Dallas or Arizona in the final two games against Anaheim.  If Anaheim wins out, the Kings won't be able to pass the Sucks in the standings.  However, with some help, the Kings could end up in second place in the Pacific.

Of course, a first round series against Vegas would be intriguing (and might require an impromptu road trip).

[romdrums]

So, based on the posts here, if I were to sum up the essence of the Blues franchise in one single play from their entire history, the most accurate would be a play from Game 4 of the 2002 Western Conference Semi-Finals, when Chris Pronger skated in on Steve Yzerman to take his knee out and instead blew out his own ACL and missed the rest of the series and almost the entire next season.  Does that describe the general futility of the Blues franchise?

[gmillerdrake]

Scholars maintain that there is no correct arrangement of words that could ever accurately depict nor describe the true futility of the Blues franchise.

[pg1067]

Scholars maintain that there is no correct arrangement of words that could ever accurately depict nor describe the true futility of the Blues franchise.

Without faith, without hope, there can be no peace of mind.

[jingle.boy]

Scholars maintain that there is no correct arrangement of words that could ever accurately depict nor describe the true futility of the Blues franchise.

Without faith, without hope, there can be no peace of mind.

I don't think he's got truth or love at this point either.