NHL Game Thread- Playoff Push
- Thread starter cshea
- Start date
Final week. Here’s where things stand with each team having 3 or 4 games left.
East:
Tampa is locked in as the #1. Washington has a 3 point lead on the Isles for the Metro lead. Pittsburgh is 2 points behind the Isles for home ice in the first round. The wild card still needs to be sorted out. CBJ has moved i to the #1 wild card spot, 1 point ahead of Carolina and 2 ahead of Montreal. Carolina has dropped 3 of 4 to make their situation a bit more dicey.
West:
Calgary locked up the 1 seed last night, and as a result, Vegas @ San Jose got locked in as the 2/3 in the Pacific.
The Central is a clusterfuck. Winnipeg and Nashville are tied with 94 points, but Winnipeg has a game in hand. St. Louis, once in last place overall in the league, is at 92 points with 4 games to play too. So all 3 teams are alive for the top spot and a date with the 1st wild card. The Wild Card still needs sorting out. Dallas is in the top spot at 89 points, Colorado in the second spot at 85 points, Arizona is the first team out at 84 points. Colorado has a game in hand on both Dallas and Arizona. There’s a scenario where Montreal misses the playoffs but has more points than 3 or 4 West teams. So that’s fun.
While we’re here, Colorado is also having some fun at the other end of the spectrum. Ottawa has a healthy 5 point cushion in the race to the bottom, without their top pick. So Colorado could have a playoff appearance with the best lottery odds. Always a fun place to be.
East:
Tampa is locked in as the #1. Washington has a 3 point lead on the Isles for the Metro lead. Pittsburgh is 2 points behind the Isles for home ice in the first round. The wild card still needs to be sorted out. CBJ has moved i to the #1 wild card spot, 1 point ahead of Carolina and 2 ahead of Montreal. Carolina has dropped 3 of 4 to make their situation a bit more dicey.
West:
Calgary locked up the 1 seed last night, and as a result, Vegas @ San Jose got locked in as the 2/3 in the Pacific.
The Central is a clusterfuck. Winnipeg and Nashville are tied with 94 points, but Winnipeg has a game in hand. St. Louis, once in last place overall in the league, is at 92 points with 4 games to play too. So all 3 teams are alive for the top spot and a date with the 1st wild card. The Wild Card still needs sorting out. Dallas is in the top spot at 89 points, Colorado in the second spot at 85 points, Arizona is the first team out at 84 points. Colorado has a game in hand on both Dallas and Arizona. There’s a scenario where Montreal misses the playoffs but has more points than 3 or 4 West teams. So that’s fun.
While we’re here, Colorado is also having some fun at the other end of the spectrum. Ottawa has a healthy 5 point cushion in the race to the bottom, without their top pick. So Colorado could have a playoff appearance with the best lottery odds. Always a fun place to be.
You know what could be fun?
If Pittsburgh loses tomorrow, and all three of Montreal, Columbus and Carolina win. The 7 PM slate of games on Saturday could be mayhem.
If Pittsburgh loses tomorrow, and all three of Montreal, Columbus and Carolina win. The 7 PM slate of games on Saturday could be mayhem.
Watching Price vs. Holtby here tonight. Dunno why I am - already getting bad flashbacks.
I'd personally like to see WAS vs. CBJ, NYI vs. CAR, and TBL vs. PIT as playoff series. Fuck the Habs.
I'd personally like to see WAS vs. CBJ, NYI vs. CAR, and TBL vs. PIT as playoff series. Fuck the Habs.
Canes are in.
Habs aren’t dead yet but the fat lady is warming up. CBJ needs 1 point in their last 2 to officially KO the Habs.
Habs aren’t dead yet but the fat lady is warming up. CBJ needs 1 point in their last 2 to officially KO the Habs.
Columbus wraps up @NYR tomorrow, @OTT Saturday. Montreal hosts Toronto Saturday night.
Meantime, Preds came back from down 1 with 5 minutes left to win 3-2 in regulation. Blues are killing the Flyers late, 7-3. Winnipeg leads in Colorado late in the 2nd, but Colorado wants to win to clinch. The Central is nuts.
Meantime, Preds came back from down 1 with 5 minutes left to win 3-2 in regulation. Blues are killing the Flyers late, 7-3. Winnipeg leads in Colorado late in the 2nd, but Colorado wants to win to clinch. The Central is nuts.
No way to get TB/PIT in round one any longer. CBJ/MON max out at 98 with PIT already at 99. Could get PIT/WAS though which never gets old.
I’ll sit down and deal with the Friday/Saturday meaningful games, but there’s only one playoff spot left. The Coyotes were eliminated once Jets and Avalanche went to OT. WC2 in the East is all that remains, and a win at MSG tomorrow would be enough to clinch the last spot.
Two of the 8 matchups are set in stone: Boston hosts Toronto, and Vegas will start their Campbell Trophy defence in San Jose. Everywhere else depends on the remaining games.
Two of the 8 matchups are set in stone: Boston hosts Toronto, and Vegas will start their Campbell Trophy defence in San Jose. Everywhere else depends on the remaining games.
Okay, so here we go...
EASTERN CONFERENCE
ATLANTIC DIVISION
Tampa Bay Lightning - clinched Presidents’ Trophy, will host WC2
Boston Bruins - clinched 2nd in division, will host TOR
Toronto Maple Leafs - clinched 3rd in division, will play @BOS
METROPOLITAN DIVISION
Washington Capitals - clinched division, will host WC1
New York Islanders - finishing range: 2nd in Metro to 3rd in Metro
Remaining games: 1 (@WSH 4/6)
Clinching scenario: 2nd in Metro - Win/OT loss or any PIT loss
Pittsburgh Penguins - finishing range: 2nd in Metro to WC1
Remaining games: 1 (vs. NYR 4/6)
Clinching scenarios: 2nd in Metro - Win AND NYI loss (In event of a PIT SO win, the applicable tiebreaker is goal differential, as both teams would have 42 ROW and a 2-1-1 head-to-head record in this scenario)
3rd in Metro: Win OR OT loss OR any CAR loss
WILD CARD
Carolina Hurricanes - finishing range: 3rd in Metro to WC2
Remaining games: 1 (@PHI 4/6)
Clinching scenarios: 3rd in Metro - Any win and PIT regulation loss (Applicable tiebreaker is ROW. Carolina would lead either 43 or 44 to 42)
WC1 - Win OR OT/SO loss AND CBJ combination of one regulation loss or two OT/SO losses (In the event of an OT/SO loss and CBJ wins, ROW would be the applicable tiebreaker, with CBJ winning at least 44-43)
Columbus Blue Jackets - finishing range: WC1 to OUT
Remaining games: 2 (@NYR 4/5, @OTT 4/6)
Clinching scenarios: WC2 - Any win in either remaining game, OR consecutive OT/SO losses, OR one OT/SO loss and one regulation loss AND MTL loss of any kind OR two regulation losses AND MTL regulation loss
WC1 - Win both games AND any CAR loss (see CAR tiebreaker) OR win one, lose other in OT/SO AND CAR regulation loss (CAR tiebreaker applies here as well)
Montreal Canadiens - finishing range: WC2 to OUT
Remaining games: 1 (vs. TOR 4/6)
Clinching scenario: Win AND two CBJ losses, no more than 1 in OT/SO, or OT/SO loss AND two CBJ regulation losses)
WESTERN CONFERENCE
CENTRAL DIVISION
Nashville Predators - finishing range: 1st in Central to 3rd in Central
Remaining games: 1 (vs CHI 4/6)
Clinching scenarios: 1st in Central - Any win OR OT/SO loss AND WIN OT/SO loss AND STL SO win OR loss (In the event of a NSH OT/SO loss and STL SO win, the applicable tiebreaker will be head-to-head record, which STL wins 4-1-0 [NSH loses 1-3-1]) OR a regulation loss AND WIN and STL regulation losses
2nd in Central - Any loss AND WIN/STL win, and the other team suffers regulation loss (In event of OT/SO loss and wins by BOTH WIN and STL, NSH would place 3rd in Central due to tiebreaker losses to WIN (44 or 45-42 ROW) AND STL (In event of NSH OT/SO loss AND STL SO Win, the applicable tiebreaker would be head-to-head as referenced above; in event of NSH OT/SO loss AND STL regulation win, applicable tiebreaker is ROW [43-42 STL]))
Winnipeg Jets - finishing range: 1st in Central to 3rd in Central
Remaining games: 1 (@ARI 4/6)
Clinching scenarios: 1st in Central - Win AND any NSH loss (In event to any point ties in Central Division, WIN wins through ROW), OR OT/SO loss AND NSH regulation loss
2nd in Central - OT/SO loss AND NSH regulation loss OR STL OT/SO loss (In the event of BOTH a NSH regulation loss AND STL OT/SO loss, WIN wins divison), OR regulation loss AND STL regulation loss
St. Louis Blues - Finishing range: 1st in Central to 3rd in Central
Remaining games: 1 (vs. VAN 4/6)
Clinching scenarios: 1st in Central - win AND NSH OT/SO loss AND WIN regulation loss (In this event, the applicable tiebreaker is ROW (43-42 STL)) OR OT/SO loss AND NSH AND WIN regulation losses (In this event, the tiebreaker is between STL and NSH, and is season head-to-head as referenced in NSH clinching scenarios)
2nd in Central - win AND NSH OT/SO loss AND WIN OT/SO loss, OR OT/SO loss AND NSH regulation loss AND WIN OT/SO loss or win
*In the event that all three teams tie, Winnipeg would win the division on ROW, with STL placing 2nd either by ROW or head-to-head vs NSH, and Nashville would place 3rd.
PACIFIC DIVISION
Calgary Flames - clinched best record in Western Conference, will host WC2
San Jose Sharks - clinched 2nd in Pacific, will host VGK
Vegas Golden Knighs - clinched 3rd in Pacific, will play @SJS
WILD CARD
Dallas Stars - finishing range: WC1 to WC2
Remaining games: 2 (@CHI 4/5, vs. MIN 4/6)
Clinching scenario: One win OR one OT/SO loss (In the event of a regulation loss AND an OT/SO loss AND a COL win, the applicable tiebreaker is ROW, in favour of Dallas 41-36 or 37)
Colorado Avalanche - finishing range: WC1 to WC2
Remaining games: 1 (@SJS 4/6)
Clinching scenario: win AND DAL loses both remaining games in regulation (See DAL tiebreaker note)
EASTERN CONFERENCE
ATLANTIC DIVISION
Tampa Bay Lightning - clinched Presidents’ Trophy, will host WC2
Boston Bruins - clinched 2nd in division, will host TOR
Toronto Maple Leafs - clinched 3rd in division, will play @BOS
METROPOLITAN DIVISION
Washington Capitals - clinched division, will host WC1
New York Islanders - finishing range: 2nd in Metro to 3rd in Metro
Remaining games: 1 (@WSH 4/6)
Clinching scenario: 2nd in Metro - Win/OT loss or any PIT loss
Pittsburgh Penguins - finishing range: 2nd in Metro to WC1
Remaining games: 1 (vs. NYR 4/6)
Clinching scenarios: 2nd in Metro - Win AND NYI loss (In event of a PIT SO win, the applicable tiebreaker is goal differential, as both teams would have 42 ROW and a 2-1-1 head-to-head record in this scenario)
3rd in Metro: Win OR OT loss OR any CAR loss
WILD CARD
Carolina Hurricanes - finishing range: 3rd in Metro to WC2
Remaining games: 1 (@PHI 4/6)
Clinching scenarios: 3rd in Metro - Any win and PIT regulation loss (Applicable tiebreaker is ROW. Carolina would lead either 43 or 44 to 42)
WC1 - Win OR OT/SO loss AND CBJ combination of one regulation loss or two OT/SO losses (In the event of an OT/SO loss and CBJ wins, ROW would be the applicable tiebreaker, with CBJ winning at least 44-43)
Columbus Blue Jackets - finishing range: WC1 to OUT
Remaining games: 2 (@NYR 4/5, @OTT 4/6)
Clinching scenarios: WC2 - Any win in either remaining game, OR consecutive OT/SO losses, OR one OT/SO loss and one regulation loss AND MTL loss of any kind OR two regulation losses AND MTL regulation loss
WC1 - Win both games AND any CAR loss (see CAR tiebreaker) OR win one, lose other in OT/SO AND CAR regulation loss (CAR tiebreaker applies here as well)
Montreal Canadiens - finishing range: WC2 to OUT
Remaining games: 1 (vs. TOR 4/6)
Clinching scenario: Win AND two CBJ losses, no more than 1 in OT/SO, or OT/SO loss AND two CBJ regulation losses)
WESTERN CONFERENCE
CENTRAL DIVISION
Nashville Predators - finishing range: 1st in Central to 3rd in Central
Remaining games: 1 (vs CHI 4/6)
Clinching scenarios: 1st in Central - Any win OR OT/SO loss AND WIN OT/SO loss AND STL SO win OR loss (In the event of a NSH OT/SO loss and STL SO win, the applicable tiebreaker will be head-to-head record, which STL wins 4-1-0 [NSH loses 1-3-1]) OR a regulation loss AND WIN and STL regulation losses
2nd in Central - Any loss AND WIN/STL win, and the other team suffers regulation loss (In event of OT/SO loss and wins by BOTH WIN and STL, NSH would place 3rd in Central due to tiebreaker losses to WIN (44 or 45-42 ROW) AND STL (In event of NSH OT/SO loss AND STL SO Win, the applicable tiebreaker would be head-to-head as referenced above; in event of NSH OT/SO loss AND STL regulation win, applicable tiebreaker is ROW [43-42 STL]))
Winnipeg Jets - finishing range: 1st in Central to 3rd in Central
Remaining games: 1 (@ARI 4/6)
Clinching scenarios: 1st in Central - Win AND any NSH loss (In event to any point ties in Central Division, WIN wins through ROW), OR OT/SO loss AND NSH regulation loss
2nd in Central - OT/SO loss AND NSH regulation loss OR STL OT/SO loss (In the event of BOTH a NSH regulation loss AND STL OT/SO loss, WIN wins divison), OR regulation loss AND STL regulation loss
St. Louis Blues - Finishing range: 1st in Central to 3rd in Central
Remaining games: 1 (vs. VAN 4/6)
Clinching scenarios: 1st in Central - win AND NSH OT/SO loss AND WIN regulation loss (In this event, the applicable tiebreaker is ROW (43-42 STL)) OR OT/SO loss AND NSH AND WIN regulation losses (In this event, the tiebreaker is between STL and NSH, and is season head-to-head as referenced in NSH clinching scenarios)
2nd in Central - win AND NSH OT/SO loss AND WIN OT/SO loss, OR OT/SO loss AND NSH regulation loss AND WIN OT/SO loss or win
*In the event that all three teams tie, Winnipeg would win the division on ROW, with STL placing 2nd either by ROW or head-to-head vs NSH, and Nashville would place 3rd.
PACIFIC DIVISION
Calgary Flames - clinched best record in Western Conference, will host WC2
San Jose Sharks - clinched 2nd in Pacific, will host VGK
Vegas Golden Knighs - clinched 3rd in Pacific, will play @SJS
WILD CARD
Dallas Stars - finishing range: WC1 to WC2
Remaining games: 2 (@CHI 4/5, vs. MIN 4/6)
Clinching scenario: One win OR one OT/SO loss (In the event of a regulation loss AND an OT/SO loss AND a COL win, the applicable tiebreaker is ROW, in favour of Dallas 41-36 or 37)
Colorado Avalanche - finishing range: WC1 to WC2
Remaining games: 1 (@SJS 4/6)
Clinching scenario: win AND DAL loses both remaining games in regulation (See DAL tiebreaker note)
I know he’s not what he used to be, but Bob Cole’s calling his last game tonight, Toronto-Montreal at 7 on NHL Network.
Blues win via SO to temporarily take lead of Central. Preds and Jets can each leapfrog them with any kind of win.
East matchups
Atlantic
#1 Tampa vs. WC2 Columbus
#2 Boston vs. #3 Toronto
Metro
#1 Washington vs. WC1 Carolina
#2 NY Islanders vs. #3 Pittsburgh
Atlantic
#1 Tampa vs. WC2 Columbus
#2 Boston vs. #3 Toronto
Metro
#1 Washington vs. WC1 Carolina
#2 NY Islanders vs. #3 Pittsburgh
Ryan Poehling has a hat trick in his NHL debut, the first Hans debut hatty since 1943.
And tacks on the game winner in the shootout. NBD.
And tacks on the game winner in the shootout. NBD.
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Winnipeg’s down 1-0 early.
Nashville is up 3-2 late.
Dallas leads Minnesota 3-0, also late.
If the results hold, it’ll be Nashville-Dallas, St. Louis-Winnipeg, Calgary-Colorado, and San Jose-Vegas
Nashville is up 3-2 late.
Dallas leads Minnesota 3-0, also late.
If the results hold, it’ll be Nashville-Dallas, St. Louis-Winnipeg, Calgary-Colorado, and San Jose-Vegas
Yup. Dallas winning clinched the matchups. Jets-Coyotes is the last important game, as a Jets loss of any kind has them going to St. Louis for game 1. Any win gives them HIA.
McDavid had to be helped off the ice after crashing into the goalpost. It looked like the Stamkos injury in Boston a few years ago.
Hockey Night in Canada crew said they think he told the trainer “it’s broken”. Take that FWIW.
Looks like the Jets will win, so they’ll have home ice vs. the Blues.
Looks like the Jets will win, so they’ll have home ice vs. the Blues.
He’ll be fine for training camp but unfortunately still in an environment that he’ll never win in.