2023-24 NHL Playoffs Thread

[hairysasquatch]

Kinda surprised there wasn't one posted yet - figured I better get it done before Toronto is eliminated!!

[ewilkens]

As someone who's been sitting on a Stars to win the Cup bet since the preseason, I'm not loving the first round draw of Vegas. But if I'm gonna win, they'll have to win a tough series or two at some point anyway, so here we go.

[stoopid]

The Avs v Jets game 1 was a #@#@#@#@ show. Hopefully the Avs get better goaltending out of Georgiev, and the Jets figure out how to slow the Avs entering the zone.

Back and forth hockey is fun for a game, but trying to just outscore your opponent isn't a recipe for a deep run. Both of these teams need to do better if they expect to survive the next round.

[kluke84]

Ill guess Oilers finally win the Cup for Canada, ending a 31 yr drought. Beating NYR in Game 7.

[anusinha]

Originally Posted by kluke84

Ill guess Oilers finally win the Cup for Canada, ending a 31 yr drought. Beating NYR in Game 7.

Stars over the Rangers, cant let the cold north win the Cup.

[anusinha]

Kings are terrible so they wont be the ones stopping the Oilers.

[rrk100]

Originally Posted by anusinha

Kings are terrible so they wont be the ones stopping the Oilers.

It’s just one game. Kings can still make this a series. Deep down though I wouldn’t mind a sweep.

[rrk100]

Tyler Bertuzzi is evidence that, yes, things are hereditary.

[kingb22]

How fitting is it that Mark Stone scored all of 2 minutes into the game? and the 2nd goal was scored by one of two guys his LTIR salary helped them rent (Hertl)? and both goals were assistant by Noah Hanifin, the other LTIR salary rental? a perfect storm

[kellmuff]

becoming a joke at this point that a team is allowed to be 20M over the cap lol

[slightlyrounded]

The Vegas situation is disgusting. Clearly the perfect storm of corrupt management, a player (Stone) and medical staff willing to cheat repeatedly. Honestly, after the Luongo and Kovalchuk situations in the past I can't believe the NHL won't step in.

[ewilkens]

Originally Posted by slightlyrounded

The Vegas situation is disgusting. Clearly the perfect storm of corrupt management, a player (Stone) and medical staff willing to cheat repeatedly. Honestly, after the Luongo and Kovalchuk situations in the past I can't believe the NHL won't step in.

It sucks, but it's not cheating. It's allowed in the CBA, and until that changes any team can try to take advantage of this loophole. Vegas just bets on themselves to make the playoffs without one or two of their best players. This year it barely worked as the 8 seed.

[ShoutFan2020]

Tampa Bay and Kucherov were the blueprint.

If you are going to be pissed, be pissed at your team's management.

Remember, it could always be worse. You could root for the Sabres who have essentially said they won't make the playoffs for awhile after signing Ruff.

New league rules should be "if your team doesn't make the playoffs for 10+ years, your ownership has to sell".

[ewilkens]

Originally Posted by ShoutFan2020

Tampa Bay and Kucherov were the blueprint.

If you are going to be pissed, be pissed at your team's management.

Remember, it could always be worse. You could root for the Sabres who have essentially said they won't make the playoffs for awhile after signing Ruff.

New league rules should be "if your team doesn't make the playoffs for 10+ years, your ownership has to sell".

Blackhawks did it with Kane in 2015, though they barely played Vermette in the playoffs after using the LTIR space on him

[kellmuff]

Demko out for game 2, maybe the entire series

[Giroux]

Originally Posted by slightlyrounded

The Vegas situation is disgusting. Clearly the perfect storm of corrupt management, a player (Stone) and medical staff willing to cheat repeatedly. Honestly, after the Luongo and Kovalchuk situations in the past I can't believe the NHL won't step in.

Disgusted? Gimme a break...it's within the rules. It's lame but it's on the NHL to change the rules. Corrupt management??

[kluke84]

Originally Posted by Giroux

Disgusted? Gimme a break...it's within the rules. It's lame but it's on the NHL to change the rules. Corrupt management??

If it's in the rules it's in the rules. Blame the GMs who sold off at TDL to Vegas if you want but nothing but sour grapes. I do want to see EDM and VGS match up next rd.

[Giroux]

Originally Posted by kluke84

If it's in the rules it's in the rules. Blame the GMs who sold off at TDL to Vegas if you want but nothing but sour grapes. I do want to see EDM and VGS match up next rd.

EDM gets the winner of Vancouver and Nashville if they beat LA. So that would have to be in the WCF

[kluke84]

Originally Posted by Giroux

EDM gets the winner of Vancouver and Nashville if they beat LA. So that would have to be in the WCF

Thanks. Still forget the new seeding rules. WCF would be cool.

[slightlyrounded]

Originally Posted by Giroux

Disgusted? Gimme a break...it's within the rules. It's lame but it's on the NHL to change the rules. Corrupt management??

Kovalchuk was also 'within the rules' but went 'against the spirit' of the CBA....and the NHL came down hard.

Yes, other teams have done it. Personally think this is way more blatant with Vegas because its three years in a row of the exact same situation/timelines with the exact same player. Takes a player who is shameless enough to pull it off, a management with no compunction, and a medical staff who will look that other way. If other teams have that combo they can certainly do it too I guess.

[valleynuckfan]

Originally Posted by kellmuff

Demko out for game 2, maybe the entire series

He's listed week-to-week.
To me that means the rest of this series and the next, should Vancouver knock out the Preds. Which would mean Vancouver meets Edmonton with their BUG. Ooof!

[JohnnyAppleseed]

Originally Posted by slightlyrounded

Kovalchuk was also 'within the rules' but went 'against the spirit' of the CBA....and the NHL came down hard.

Yes, other teams have done it. Personally think this is way more blatant with Vegas because its three years in a row of the exact same situation/timelines with the exact same player. Takes a player who is shameless enough to pull it off, a management with no compunction, and a medical staff who will look that other way. If other teams have that combo they can certainly do it too I guess.

I honestly can't see how the handling of Mark Stone isn't "Against the spirit of the CBA." Though I can't really fault him or management for doing it - saves 82 games of wear, tear, and travel then go all-out for 20-odd games to win a Cup? I'd think a lot of players would be ok with that.

[mallowciraptor]

Swayman is a beast and it should be his crease going forward until he shows he can’t carry the mail.

[Giroux]

Originally Posted by JohnnyAppleseed

I honestly can't see how the handling of Mark Stone isn't "Against the spirit of the CBA." Though I can't really fault him or management for doing it - saves 82 games of wear, tear, and travel then go all-out for 20-odd games to win a Cup? I'd think a lot of players would be ok with that.

Stone played in 56 games this year

[Giroux]

I don't get what you are accusing Stone of doing to be that outraged. Completely faking a ruptured spleen? He most likely sat out a few extra weeks, which doesn't seem like the craziest thing for an oft injured veteran player.

I am not a Vegas fan by any means but just don't share the outrage over this. It's been done by a few other teams already. I agree it's lame but it's on the NHL to fix it.