NHL Playoffs Poll 2024

[von Rantala]

Hey, in past we had playoffs pools going in here clan. Then many of us got busy, but i think we can let and try it again. Its fun and give more excitement for the playoffs. I will copy and past Meow old post here, where he explain how everything works.

 

There is still about two week left regular season. So i will post this bit early. You have time till playoffs start. You can wait till regular season end, before sending your predictions. We can also discuss here on coming playoffs. I will try to remember bump this topic once season is ended and i can calculate points. I can do it in google Sheets and if anyone have google account and is willing to help me, let me know in pm. Thank you!

 

Here is rules and infos. Thank you @meow

 

Past years winners

2018 @L3ftY.

2017: @Letdown

2016: @L3ftY.

2015: @hobbit

 

 

Here's how it works:

 

We give a rank to each teams from 1 to 16

16 = the team you think has the best chance to win the Stanley Cup

15 = the team you think has the 2nd best chance to win the Stanley Cup

...

1 = the team you think has no chance to win the first round

 

After each round, you are awarded points using the rank you gave to the winning teams

1st round = rank x 1pts

2nd round = rank x 2pts

3rd round = rank x 4pts

final round = rank x 8pts

 

Example:

I give Chicago a rank of 14 and they lose in the 3rd round.

1st round = 14 x 1 = 14 pts

2nd round = 14 x 2 = 28 pts

3rd round = 0 pts

final round = 0 pts

So Chicago gave me 42pts.

 

We do this with every team and add up all the points.

 

You can post your picks here or send them to me by PM if you don't want everyone to copy you before playoffs starts.

I will post everyone's picks together when the playoffs begins.

 

You have until *INSERT STARTING DATE OF PLAYOFFS* (until the first game starts) to send me your picks or make changes to them.

 

Let's try to get every hockey fan in this pool. The more the merrier!

 

 

Good luck to everyone!!

Edited April 20 by von Rantala

[von Rantala]

Playoffs will start today. So here comes mine

 

16. Carolina

15. Dallas

14. Colorado

13. Florida

12. New York Rangers

11. Edmonton

10. Nashville

9. Boston

8. Vegas

7. Los Angeles

6. Vancouver

5. Winnipeg

4. Tampa Bay

3. Toronto

2. New York Islanders

1. Washington

 

 

I do think current format what NHL use is bad. How many Toronto vs Boston series we have seen in first round? Or how many Edmonton vs LAK we have seen? I dont think its fair system, because some divisions are a lot stronger. Example in my mind Toronto had to beat a lot stronger teams than Edmonton. I did like 1vs8 (old) system more. But i think NHL should use Europe system. Where winning of regular season truly have impact. Now i dont think Dallas is happy to face Vegas in first round? In EU system winner would meet team who is at 16 position (last playoff position).

So now we would have

Rangers vs St. Louis Blues (Washington season would end in regular season)

Dallas vs New York Islanders

Carolina vs Vegas

Winnipeg vs Tampa

and so on...

I think those would be good series too.

 

 

Now NHL think that making bigger rivalries is right way. Yes that mean we see best hockey in first round. How many times we have seen series to go game seven in first round? Comparated to Stanley Cup finals or Conference finals, where we see 4-0 or 4-1 series. If you watch history and biggest rivalries, those did born when teams was playing in later rounds, those Toronto vs Boston series did happen in Stanley cup or Conference finals in past and those did born those rivalries, not playing in first round. Its not fair to fans or to players that you dropp out in first round, when you should dropp out in Conference finals or Stanley Cup finals. I think two best teams should see in Stanley Cup finals, but now its possible that best teams see in first or second round and winner of that serie often has win Cup in past years. I understand this system you can have "bigger underdog" to go Stanley Cup finals, but no matter what system, there always come those miracle stories and runs to Cup. To win Cup you have to win every team, and its no matter who you face, but to face biggest challange in Stanley Cup finals rather than first round is better for everyone. Thats how i believe. Example Toronto, i think in other system, they wouldn't dropp out in first round in so many years, probably in second or third round and some years in finals, and for fans, organisation and players, its better to have long runs and not dropp out in first round. And no i am not Toronto fan, i just use them example, because they division been very hard last 5-6 years. Imagine Stanley Cup finals between Rangers and Islanders or Calgary vs Edmonton, or Toronto vs Montreal or Pittsburgh vs Flyers. Now those cant happen. I understand that there might be travel issues, but those can be always solved.

 

[von Rantala]

These are @D..X Playoff predictions.

 

 

16. Dallas

15. Carolina
14. Edmonton
13. Rangers
12. Florida
11. Vegas
10. Vancouver
9. Colorado
8. Tampa
7. Boston
6.  Winnipeg
5. Toronto
4. Nashville
3.  LA
2. Washington
1. NYI

 

[Lusciousdrunk]

Red Wings came so close to making it. Should be a good postseason though. Hope I did this right 🫣 If not let me know and I’ll adjust accordingly. Here are my predictions:
 

16. Edmonton 

15. Dallas

14. Colorado

13. Vancouver

12. Carolina

11. Tampa

10. Florida

9. Winnipeg

8. Rangers

7. Vegas

6. LA

5. Nashville

4. New York Islanders

3. Boston 

2. Toronto

1. Washington

[mraw435]

B TEAM !!! 

 

16. Dallas

15. Edmonton

14.Carolina

13. Florida

12. DC Caps

11. Nashville

10. Colorado

9. NY Rangers

8. Winnepeg 

7. Los Angeles

6. Vancouver

5. NY Islanders

4. Tampa Bay Losers

3. Toronto

2. Vegas Knights

1. BOSTON!!!!!!!!

 

16. BOSTON!!!!!!!

15. Vegas Knights

14. Toronto

13.  Tampa Bay Losers

12. NY Islanders

11. Vancouver

10. Los Angeles

9. Winnepeg 

8. NY Rangers

7. Colorado

6. Nashville

5. DC Caps

4. Florida

3. Carolina

2. Edmonton

1. Dallas

Edited April 22 by mraw435
I failed to read the directions and flipped the order I wanted xD

[von Rantala]

Its been great playoffs. I been watching all Carolina, Dallas, Nashville and Colorado games and 10 min recapts from rest of the series. Vegas looking strong, but i do believe Oettinger. He is first and only second goalie after Niittymäki who is my idol. I did love to follow Bäckström and Koskinen careers too and enjoyng to watch Fleury in Wild now. Today is Hockey day, i watched Nashville and Colorado games and now waiting to watch Carolina live game

[Renegade Pig]

Let's go LEAFS.

 

Even though it probably won't happen..

 

In that case, RANGERS !

[von Rantala]

Will try to update points in this week. Sorry for minor deley.

 

I been glad to follow playoffs again. Last year was first year when i only watched 10 min Recapts and i continued doing that in regular season, but had to take playoff pass and havent regred that. I been following my favorite players and idols. Oettinger (DAL) and Aho (CAR) are my main teams, but also watched all Zucker (NSH) and  Rantanen (COL) games too. Has watched all the other series 10 min recapts.

 

Also did watch Toronto vs Boston game seven. I have to say Toronto was bit better in game seven, but they also made costly mistake. Marner got all the blame, but Reilly didnt defence either and it was just good play and you cant blame one or two player for serie loss. I think all other NHL fans say same, you cant use 50% salary to 4 players. You cant blame players or agents for asking maximum moneys, its GM's job to think what is best for team.

 

NSH vs VAN was boring serie to watch, not a lot goals, not a lot offence or physicality and that end in game 4 was epic fail from NSH. I did follow Minnesota before and i had gray hair when Brunette was running our PP and he never did any changes to lineups or tactics. He is great motivator, but his tactical knowledges is poor and he basicly didnt do any lineup changes in serie. Only changes in lineups happened because couple injuries. I think this is end of Saros era in NSH, he havent been able to win any playoff serie yet and he need new team and start. Silovs is good goalie and have star lvl potential. He have done very good and solid job in AHL and EU and World Championship lvls.

 

COL-WPG It was probably most entertaining serie what i watched. A lot goals and WPG wasnt able to change they tactic. It was Bowness last game as Coach when he decided to retire. Bowness was good motivator, but wasnt able to change tactics when it was needed. You cant blame Hellebuyck on giving so much goals, but its bit ironic that he will probably win Vezina as best goalie of the year, when being worse goalie of the playoffs. I understand that in playoffs you only give one indivual and Stanley Cup is main trophy, because in playoffs you play as team, when in regular season you have to please stars more, but how different would be NHL if all the trophies would be given on players who are best in both regular season and playoffs.

 

DAL - VEG This serie got my hearth beating and it was great serie. I become huge Oettinger fan. Followed him since rookie season and i like him a lot. He wasnt sharpest at start of serie, but when it was mattering most he was best goalie of serie and one of main reasons why they did win the serie. I think some love VEG and some hate them being over the cap hit, but they dont broke any rules atm. I have to admire how Nill has been drafting and still keeping team in Stanley Cup race almost every year. Johston has been great and made huge impression to me. I think he will be key role if DAL is able to dropp COL in next round. DAL defence looks a lot more thin without Hakanpää and they basicly played with 5 defender and had to overplay Heiskanen and he did look tired in game 6 and 7. Tanev was great and i did like his game a lot.

 

CAR - NYI Carolina was a lot stronger, and biggest difference was defence group. If Bortuzzo was 7 or 8 defender in St. Louis which dropp out in playoffs, its tell your d-group is thin. Carolina is well balanced team and in my mind biggest question mark on they Stanley Cup run is they goalies. Andersen did look very good in first 3 games, but was shaky in game 4 and 5. I think coaching group made mistake when they didnt give Kochetkov start in game 3 or 4. Roy and Lamiorello will be back in next year. NYI roster is old time roster and Roy is right coach to lead them. I think we might see them in playoffs next year too. Jarvis (Car) has made huge impression to me, i like him a lot already. He is funny outside of ring and doing everything in ice. I always admire those guys who working hard, are modest and give they hearth on game.

 

Round 2.

 

EDM-VAN I do hope Vancouver win, buts its likely too early them to win Edmonton, but they did play very solid d-game against NSH, if they do that and not try to go goal scoring competition they migh upsed Edmonton and go to third round. Skinner is underrated goalie. Ekholm is key what Edmonton need him to be and he make they d-group a lot stonger. Nurse contract cost them some overall wideness, but Van isnt wide either. Dose Demko play in serie is question mark? Healthy Demko can be player who turn serie, but i do believe Silvos will do just fine.

Key players from VAN: Silvos and Garland. Key players from EDM Ekholm and Skinner. Prediction EDM 4 - 2 VAN

 

DAL-COL This is very interesting serie for me and i have to say i will cheer Dallas more, because Oettinger is playing in there, but i dont mind Colorado going through either. Even that Oettinger is my idol, i do think Colorado have minor advange. Dallas basicly use 5 defender and in long play off run that not good and give benefit for more rested d-groups. Dallas truly miss Hakanpää. With Hakanpää i would put Dallas favorite. Key on how Dallas can win is in goal. Georgiev is big question mark. In my mind he is not top goalies of league. If Dallas can make this more as goal scoring race, they can win this serie, there is no questions MacKinnon, Rantanen and Makar are best players of the serie and top 10 players of NHL. Any other team dont have three top 10 players in they roster, but Dallas have more wide offence group. They can get scoring from three line and fourth line is stronger in defence zone. Hintz have to be better and Depoer have to change Hintz to third line and put Johnston or Seguin to play with Robertson if Hintz continue to strugle. He has been biggest disapointment of the playoffs atm and i do predict he will be traded after season or after next season.

Key players from DAL: Johnston and Heiskanen Key players from COL: Lehkonen and Parise.

 

FLA-BOS Game one was already played. Boston did win it and they might run win with they hot goalie Swayman, but i do predict Florida will win serie. I think they are bit more wide group in forwards. Some young Boston players are making breakthrough and they can upsed Florida and win the serie. I wait very even serie. Coach who can react fastest and change tactics when needed will lead team to third round.

Key players from Boston: They rookie group Key players from Florida: Lundel and Forsling. Prediction FLA 4 - 3 BOS (Game seven go to overtime)

 

CAR - NYR Game one was already played. This serie will likely decide who go to Stanley Cup finals from east, As huge Aho fan, i ofc cheering Carolina, but i do fear Laviolette a lot, he is in my mind one of best coach all time. He is great playoff coach, he get more out of his players than coaches usually get and thats also been his curse, because you cant get more out of players too long time, so he is not lasting long in his coaching jobs. Goalies are Carolina biggest question mark and in there NYR has levarage on Carolina. I do think we might see Kochetkov at goal in this serie. Both teams have very powerfull and wide forward groups and i did wait Laviolette getting more out of Lafreniere and he did play his best season. Carolina have stronger defender group. This serie will be epic.

Key players from CAR: Jarvis and Slavin. Key players from NYR: Lafreniere and they coach Laviolette. Prediction CAR 4 - 3 NYR

 

 

[von Rantala]

Better late than never. Here come results from first round!

 

 

CAR vs NYR has been epic serie, even that its 3-0 for NYR. Goalies has been deciding factor in that serie. It was strange how CAR did go with same goalies for this year and now they are losing again because goalies cant win they counter pair. Bob did outplayed Carolina goalies last year and now Igor is doing it. Might cost job for BrindAmour. Coach too often have to pay GM's mistakes. Serie is not over yet, i still want to believe Carolina will win it. BrindAmour has made his own mistakes too like not making any line changes to powerplay what not producing goals. He shouldnt use same tactis either. He should change tactics and lineups. Jarvis-Aho-Guentzell was they best line in last serie and end of playoffs, but BrindAmour keep Svechnikov in line and Svechnikov take stupid penalties what cost them games. Twice he has taken penalty in PP and he is still in first unit even that that unit not make goals. Carolina had one of best PP in end of the year and Svechnikov was playing in second line then in both PP and even strength. BrindAmour is blind for his own mistakes and stubbornes. I think that when Carolina is stronger team, opponent have to model they own tactics against them and then BrindAmour is great, but when Carolina is strugling, BrindAmour dont know how to change Carolina tactics(fast/from fly), he is not able to model and change tactics fast what great coaches is able to do. Difference between great regular season coach and great playoffs coach is, how fast coach is able to change and model his tactics when his team is not winning with they own strenghts.

 

Btw. VAN-EDM is 1-1 and Carolina NYR could end today. This year its been stupid playoff schedule. If NYR end serie today, they might have to wait 10 day before next game. If FLA win 4-1 and if east will start they finals before EDM-VAN end, its very possible that east team have to wait week before west finals end and in worst case, there might come almost two week waiting period for east team. I didnt understands why second round had to be started before first round ended and why did Dallas play before Edmonton-Vancouver serie, when both of those teams did win they serie before Dallas.

 

Referee line has been bit strange in this year playoffs. There has came couple strange embellishment calls. Some clear penaltys gone unseen. Start of game all minor stuff get penalty and then end of games nothing gets penalty. Let see if that strange line continue. Playoffs hockey been epic this year. Also World Hockey Championship tournament started, i will watch every Finnish games if possible and i try to watch as many USA game as possible because Kunin. Granlund is captain second time for Leinojat! So atm i might i have 1-4 game per day. A lot hockey

[von Rantala]

 

 

@D..X Lead the race I and @Lusciousdrunk are still very close. Not looking so good for @mraw435, but did put all in for Boston win and Vegas could easily be in finals, if they wouldnt face Dallas in first round. I fully understand that you have to and must to put your team to winner, i did that with Wild also every year. I do believe that you always have to believe your own team. I am cheering Dallas to win, ofc in poll it would meen D..X win.

 

 

Just got news done. A lot to read so no need to read it once. Hopefully you will enjoy to read it Forgive my typos.

 

 

 

Second round notes.

 

FLA-BOS. Did watch last three game. Barkov was great and i did like Lohrei a lot, i think it was just too early to Boston. It was first year without Bergeron and team was just learning. Its show a lot promise that they got game six against FLA and was able to dropp out TOR. Once they get top line center, they might be contendor again and doing that without re-build is great job from GM and draft crew. Swayman man was crazy good, havent seen that kind goalie game for while. What i hear, his heart is in correct place too and he is team first guy. Boston future looks good and they can still get good value from Ullmark, but if they  are able to keep both, thats huge pluss. NHL has changed, and you need two starter now days. Times when Rinne and Luongo was playing 70+ are gone, and i am super glad of that. If my idol Niittymäki would got chance to play current NHL, he would have been able to show his true potential better and not always sitting at bench when coach is favoring one guy over another.

 

NYR-CAR Did watch all games. I think we all was surprised that serie was 3-0 after three games. We shouldnt tho. They chose to keep same (three) goalies like last year, and it cost them some wins again. I dont think they problem is scoring, they problem has been goalies and i am not often blame goalies, but if you constanly lose playoff rounds, because your goalies lose to they counterpart, you have to do changes. I always like and admire loyalty, but they should have bring new goalie last summer or trade deadline. Coach Brind'Amour is valued high, but keep using coaching baddles too. He is too stubborn to make changes, he keep pushing using samelines and tactics. He cant make goalie play better, but have to make changes when needed. He is like Brunette, these two guys is valued high because regular season success, but they losing coaching and tactic baddles in playoffs. I personally value Keefe over Brind'Amour, why? Because Keefe hands been tied because salary cap, but he has been able to get his teams to game sevens before dropping out. No doubt core 4 of Toronto is better in paper than Carolina top 4, but Brind'Amour had one of NHL best d-group and more widness in forward group. Brind'Amour should have give more games to Kochetkov. Brind'Amour didnt play Jarvis with Guentzel and Aho at all in this serie (even strenght) He basicly kept same line ups through serie. He finally did change PP unit and surprise surprise it start to product more.

 

DAL-COL Did watch all games. Game 6 was long. I had my friend visiting at day, and had to watch FLA-BOS game first and i get tired fast, so had to take 3 break while watching Game 6 (Dal-Col) so it was close to midnight once i got game watched. Was so tired that i didnt had powers to cheer Dallas victory and was just happy game ended so i can go to sleep xD Anyway serie was show from Heiskanen and Oettinger. Colorado didnt get any production from they second line and Nichushkin case did hurt them. I hope he get his life back in track. Georgiyev wasnt bad, you cant put too much losing to his shoulders, but i do think Colorado need update to goal in next year. Maybe Annunen can be that upgrade? Lehkonen-Mittelstadt-Parize was great line in first round, but wasnt able to get samekind push in this round. I think biggest disappointment in ice was Lehkonen. He was engine of second line in first round, but wasnt able to find samekind "mojo" in second round. Colorado was over using Rantanen and MacKinnon and they did look bit tired. I am big believer of ice time management. If you look from Colorado Duhaime only got 8 min game time in double overtime game, example from Dallas did gave Faksa 15 min game and he was "extra" player who did replace Hintz. So if Dallas is able to give extra player double game time compared to Colorado who gave only 8 min to they regular fourth liner, its make it harder to win series.

 

EDM-VAN Did watch last 6 games. Didnt watch first game, because VAN-NSH serie was so poor, but this serie was so different. I did like Garland game a lot, he was my favorite player from Vancouver group, that guy had legs and he was skating every game. Its long time that i have seen someone skating so much and being center of every offence what happened when he was at ice. Zadorov was great too. If i would be GM of Vancouver i would tr to keep Zadorov in Vancouver. (yes i know who is GM of Vancouver, but it looks more like Rutherford making final calls) I did a lot what Vancouver did in this serie. Game 5 was they best and i was sure they will win the serie, but they lost they legs. I think that gamestyle just beat them this time. I dont think losing Demko did cost them this serie, i see it more as losing Demko, Boeser and Petterson cold game cost them this serie. Ofc i dont like to rush, but i would try to trade Petterson and fast, i probably would wait till next season trade deadline and then would trade him, because after next season he would have full NMC. Vancouver could see situation where they have to keep some of salary to trade him if they are not act fast. He is hot/cold guy and those guys not usually lead you to long playoff runs, but ofc i can be wrong too. Hronek was biggest disappointment of playoffs tho, i did think he can be top 2 (in team) defender, but no, he cant and Vancouver shouldnt pay him more than what Wild pay for Brodin (6milj) (Legit Top2 defender and best defensive defenders in NHL) Also i wouldnt re-sign Myers either, he has shown that he play his best hockey in contract year and then just dissapear and is overpayed player rest of the time. Same type that Petterson looks to be, always play best hockey in contract year. This serie was boys vs mens. By that i mean in playoff experience. Edmonton just won this serie because they had more playoff experience. Coach Tocchett get huge plus, and should win coach of they year trophy.

 

 

 

Conference finals!

 

NYR-FLA Will try to watch every game. I am cheering Florida, because i did put FLA players to my Hockey GM (second team) roster (Finnish Fantasy hockey)

 

Florida will go to Stanley Cup finals if: They can get great game from Bob at net, he have to win Shestyorkin. Barkov have to be his best and have to be able to shutdown Trocheck line. Caroline was playing defence type of game, but Barkov is best two way player of the world. If there is someone who can stop Trocheck line its Barkov. Barkov is main example how good ice time management make you better or more fresh in playoffs. Not over playing Barkov has been key to Florida success in this year. Florida have to be able win one game in road. Home game can always play line vs. Line game more easier and in this serie, i do wait home team winning every game and Florida is just have to stole one in Madison Garden. Tkachuk have to be better, he have to find mode from last year. He have to be able to get under the skin of NYR players. Lundell is better third line center than Rangers third center. Florida is bit wider group in offence, but lose in d group.

 

New York will go to Stanley Cup finals if: They are able to solve Barkov. Thats guy is probably most valuable player of playoffs. He is guy who can shutdown anyone and still make a lot points. Can you get kitchen of Barkov? It will not be easy. What can Troube do? Can he get under the skin of FLA players. He have to be MVP of NYR in this serie. To be MVP in my book not mean you have to make most points or goals. They third line and fourth line lose to Florida third and fourth line, so are they able to keep good ice time management for they stars, so they not get tired. Can Zibanajed continue solid game or dose he go back to regular season mode?

 

MVP of New York so far: I. Shestyorkin and V. Trocheck

MVP players of Florida so far: A. Barkov and G. Forsling

Surprise players might be: Kakko (NYR) and A. Lundell

Offence: To Florida

Defence: To New York

Goalie: To New York

Overall Widness: To Florida

Coach: To New York

 

Prediction. Florida win 4-3, but could easily go another way too. We will see couple overtime games, and those eventually decide who will continue to Stanley Cup Finals

 

 

DAL-EDM

 

Dallas go to Stanley Cup finals if: Wyatt Johnston is able to continue his strong game. Johnston game been most important factor to Dallas. Yes Miro Heiskanen was MVP in last serie and Oettinger is great goalie and some put him to favorite to win Conn Smyth, but in playoffs deciding factor is not best players, but those guys who bring widness and can product when other team shutdown your team stars. Hintz been biggest dissapointment and i think that losing him to injury actually helping Dallas more than hurting them. Depoer was stubborn and did keep playing Hintz in first PP unit and first line and Robertson and Pavelski game did hurt on that. Its not surprise that Johnston played his worst game when he was same line with Hintz. I dont know what has happened to Hintz who was solid two-way player. Maybe there was injury prior that injury what eventually put him outside of roster? Or did they use that as excuse to dropp him out of roster? Seguin and Benn has find they old game and after Hintz dropp out Duchene find his game too once getting more ice time. Dallas have best third line and if that can keep producting it make they chances to win a lot better. Oettinger had difficult season, he has been hot and he has been cold. Can Oettinger be hot? Thats huge question mark, if he can, Dallas can go to Cup run. If he lose his touch team will dropp out. Can Dallas get Hakanpää back? That would also be huge boost to them. He is great defensive defender and could take 15-20 min gametime easily (if fully healthy) Tanev did make huge impression to me and i like him a lot. He is warrior and best trade of the year. I hope Dallas re-sign him in summer, even that its mean that they lose Hakanpää (best penalty killer of league)

 

Edmonton go to Stanley Cup finals if: They are able to broke Dallas defence game and push Dallas to overplay they 5 d-man group. If Edmonton can make games even and push some to overtimes Heiskanen ice time go up to 30 min and even that he is iron man and best skater of league on saving powers and skating without using a lot powers or energy, even he would get tired against Edmonton. Heiskanen did look tired against Vegas, but a lot more fresh against Colorado and i think it was because Vegas gamestyle. Can Edmonton get secondary scoring is always issue, but for me its hard to get anykind secondary scoring if you give you players 8-10 min game time and not any in powerplay. Can Edmonton keep they powerplay hot? Hakanpää would be huge help in PK for Dallas, so Edmonton probably wish Hakanpää stay injured. Skinner, what type of Skinner we get? It was absolutely right call from Knoblauch to put Skinner to net in game 6, and i would have say this even if they would lost the game. Knoblauch did think about bigger picture, its no matter if its Skinner or Picard if you lose, but if you win that can lead them to Cup run if Skinner find his confidence back. Idk if i am just blind, but i do value Skinner close to Swayman. I mean with full confidence, defencesive gamestyle (as Boston have) and more kind press/fans, he could be star goalie in league. His playoffs stats are uckly, but so has been for several star goalies in start of they career or 20 game sampling. Best example Bobrovsky, his stats was uckly too, before he found confidence and defensive team in playoffs. I hope that if Edmonton lose now, they would Skinner to some better place (for goalie) to play and find his confidence and potential. Draisaitl, McDavid and Hyman are best forwards of serie, but Dallas two-way forwards widness in overall Offence put them ahead in my papers.

 

MVP players of Dallas so far: W. Johnston and Miro Heiskanen

MVP players of Edmonton so far: E. Bouchard and L. Draisaitl

Offence: To Dallas

Defence: To Dallas

Goalie: To Dallas

Overall Widness: To Dallas

Coach: To Dallas

 

Prediction: Ofc i am biased so i just say, i hope Dallas win.

 

 

 

 

[von Rantala]

Hopefully i am not jinx Dallas, because usually teams who i cheer lose in playoffs 😂. Anyway first game was great. Edmonton was better tho, there was long periods where Dallas was better, but overal Edmonton was better. Also i have to give a lot credit for coaches Knoblauch and Coffey. First they dont use McDavid and Draisaitl at PK. Thats super good, because it give those PK specialist more time and they can get more momentum and to be bigger part of team. Main reasons why they PK been has been so good is because they now use PK specialist in there, instead of McDavid and Draisaitl who then are more fresh in even strenght. Second where i give a lot credit is that they win a lot small goal games, they defence as team now, what always been they problem. They did win low scoring games against Kings and Vancouver too. I saw sight of promise in there. If they keep doing it, they will be hard team to win. It was just first game of the serie and it was 7 time row when Dallas lost serie opener, but way how they lost it might frustrate them and turn serie to Edmonton. Let see how Dallas will answer, that a key, how they answer and then we can see what direction this serie will go. Pavelski has been bad whole playoffs, and even that Faksa game was very bad too, i would scratch Pavelski instead of Faksa when Hintz return, also Dallas should play Dellandrea. Ofc by saying this Pavelski make winning goal in next game 😂 Anyway, every guy who play at his line, lose his scoring, happened with Hintz and Johnston, Robertson Benn and Duchene. Robertson has been shadow too from his normal mode in these playoffs and in this game. Oettinger had flu in middle days, and you cleary saw he was shake in first two periods, but he is strong bouch back goalie. This year been difficult to him and he struggled with his game, i hope he find his game. I had my pulse between 130-145 whole overtime 😂 So had to start fast forward to end of game when not feeling good. Nextime when game go to overtime, i will just watch first 5 min and then rest from DTMTS site, because in overtime, goal usually happen either fast (in first 5 mins) or it will go to be long overtime. I knew Dallas probably will lose game when not scoring in PP. Let see if they can solve Edmonton PK. Heiskanen was shadow from himself too. Today to US ppls and tomorrow for me, there is coming next game of FLA vs NYR. Hopefully it will be epic.

[von Rantala]

Just got Dallas game 3 watched. Great game. First period was probably team worst period and Oettinger kept them in game and after that it was Dallas game. Its amazing how DeBoer is able to change game so much inside of game. Happened in Vegas and Colorado series too. Sometimes he shuffle lines and sometimes he just get players to play a lot better. I have a lot gray hairs too when watching Suter and Pavelski game. Suter just did killed Dallas momentum by taking very stupid delay of the game penalty. Pavelski and Suter also looks very slow. I stil think Pavelski should be put on fourth line. Dadonov playing a lot better than Pavelski, he was team best skater in first period. Now Duchene and Marchment game suffer when Pavelski is in that line. I do respect and admire eveything what Pavelski has done in hockey. I do admire Mikko Koivu a lot, when he realised he has lost his touch and cant give 110% anymore, he decided to  retire in middle of season, he didnt want to hurt team game and stole gametime from those who was playing better. I dont say Pavelski should retire, but as leader and alternate captain of team, he should let those play more who has been stronger. I like Dellandrea game a lot, i think he should be in fourth line, but that fourth line also done very good job. I like a lot what Marchment has done in these playoffs.

 

We have seen some strange penalties in these playoffs. I truly hate when players filming (Embellishment) penalties. That was reason why i did stop watching soccer and it shouldn be part of hockey. Maybe i remember incorrectly, but was it Reinhard from FLA who did cleary filming in last game? Game got stopped because that and NYR was going 3vs1 in penalty kill. Referees should have give penalty from that. I hope NHL react fast, because its been drent of these playoffs. Thats so ironic that some guys like Tkachuk fell on to ice with on small touche's. I hope that in future referees could check these from video or coach could challange goal.

 

I think NHL should make bigger punishmends when players try to hurt someone. Example cross checking to someones back. Players dont have a lot prodection in they back, they back could go broken. So cross checking to back should be 5 min, no matter how hard it is or if player filming, its easy to check from video, if you use cross check, then 5 min penalty. Hits to head, should automaticly get 5+20min. No matter if you try to hit somewhere else and its take ricochet to head. Example Trouba penalty, how to heck thats just 2 min, it should be 5+20 and because history 3-5 game penalty. Playoffs should not be competition where team who injure most enemy key players win. Now some teams just targeting to injure some of key players from opposite side. Players do anything to win, thats why rules are key, if you know you will get hard punisment you dont do illegal things. Like in soccer, if you get red card you sit next game(s). Then players try to avoid hurting players. Mistakes happen to all, so player history should be look when giving on match penalties. My big idol Mikael Granlund made uggly cross check in WC game, he is one of cleanest players, so mistakes happen, but 5+20 and match penalty was right call. Its not change my opinion on Granlund, he did apologize, admit his mistake. Mistake was not to defence himself, mistake was to use cross check and he didnt mean to hit in neck.

 

NHL should make came safe to players, rule changes shouldnt come after someone lost his life or got career ending injury. Icing rule was changed after Joni Pitkänen got injury what ended his career in old icing situation. NHL did change rule after that.

 

Playoffs been great, i enjoyed playoff hockey a lot. Next night will be game 4 between FLA and NYR. Didnt watch game 3 live, because i was so so tired. Let see if Dallas go to finals, if i try to wake up and see at least one game live. Cheers!

[von Rantala]

Not look good for Dallas. Dallas is so slow, Dallas try to win by defence, but Edmonton doing better job in that area too. Harley been huge disappointment and not ready yet, he has high potential just like Johnston, but this might be too early to them. Johnston been best forward, so he is ready, but he still not playing with full potential. I hope Dallas can win next game and push it to game seven where everything is possible, but i think Oettinger has only reason why Dallas still playing and didnt get full sweep from Edmonton. Suter has been awful, every game he take stupid penalties, how many time he got deleyed of game penalty? Or some other stupid penalty what changed momentum of game. I understand DePoer to be loyal to Pavelski. I do think DePoer is great coach because he is players coach who players want to play, but that also his weakness when game not work, he is too loyal to his player and blind on facts. I did wish Dellantrea to play, but he did bring puck back to own zone and then Edmonton got PP and he was late on puck and Nugent Hopkins scored. I do think refs could also take McDavid for slashing and then holding the stick after face off. Then i just felt, is NHL wanting Canadien team in finals. But i think Bettman hate Canadien teams. Anyway Edmonton was a lot better. Let see, i honestly saw Edmonton to be strong this year when they did won game 6 against Vancouver, i knew that if there is some team who can beat Dallas it might be Edmonton. So many Dallas player strugling with goal scoring thats its hard to see them get this fixed, they are still great team, but every great team has they weak points and strugles and Dallas just has those strugles in wrong time and Edmonton playing great two way game. First time since i started follow Edmoton i see them playing good two-way game. First time they defence very well, and i like they coach giving trust to Skinner and not throw him under bus like fans, media and ex-coaches have done. I have to give credit to Edmonton and they coaches, now lets see if they are able to end serie, its often hardest win to take, that fourth victory, when losing team is giving they everything. Let see.

 

Big credit also to Edmonton fans, its so great to hear them singing nation anthem before games. They didnt give a lot Stuuuu cheers after Dallas lead the game 5, but after they tied game, Stuuu cheers was very loud, thats give boost for goalie.

 

 

 

I been tired, so i havent been able to watch full games, i had to skip some part of games. Had to do it in last four games. Playoff hockey has been great. Big plus is that there havent been so much dirty hits, execpt Trouba and Bennett. I hope you guys and girsl has been able to watch playoff hockey too.

Edited June 3 by von Rantala

[von Rantala]

Here will be latest result from our Playoffs Poll.

 

 

 

@D..X Is still in lead and trying to get his first win, but Stanley Cup finals will decide who will win. Will post small "notes" from first round and Stanley Cup News/Predictions. Pls forgive my typos. Hopefully you enjoy. I will try to start do my NHL predictions for next season in summer and try to post all before season start, but cant promise anything.

 

 

Notes from Conference finals

 

 

FLA-NYR

 

Did watch all the games, but had to skip some parts for games 3 and 4. I think story of the serie was Carter Verhaeghe. Barkov and Florida was able to shutdown NYR offence what was dangerous in first two round. Shesterkin was Rangers mvp in this round. Goodrow also show why he did won Cups in Tampa. He is build for Playoff hockey. Last two goal what NYR scored was 6vs5 goals. Last even strenght goals came in game 4. Laviolette didnt shuffle lines a lot, but when he did those didnt give boost for team. I liked how Laviolette gave small joke in his interview at game 6. That kid was behind glass in earlier games too. I always liked Laviolette as coach a lot, but ofc i dont know how he treat players and staff when cameras are off. Zibanajed did disappear and Trocheck wasnt able to score either. Kakko was healthy scratch in one game and probably will be traded in summer.

 

NYR TOP 3 players of the playoffs

 

1. I. Shesterkin (G)

2. V. Trocheck ( C )

3. C. Kreider (LW)

 

 

DAL-EDM

 

This serie was a lot better to watch. Ofc for me its was more interested to watch. My wristwatch did alarm me about high pulse what was 145-155 most of games. My gf gave me bit feedback on that, so i had to take breaks and skip overtimes till goal come 🤣. I enjoyed this serie a lot. Edmonton was better, no questions asked. I think Oettinger did keep Dallas hope alive. So many Dallas veterans dissapeared in this serie. Benn, Duchene, Hintz, Pavelski, Seguin, Suter, Robertson all played very poorly. Seguin had one good game where he scored couple times and Robertson had hatrick in one game, but rest of time you didnt even notice they was playing. Tanev was true warrior. I started to like his game instantly, its not happen often, but he did eat puck and lost teeth and probably had broken leg, but he was still playing. Ofc i think doctors shouldnt allowe players to play, if they have to use drugs to be able to play. Players have dream to win Cup, and its doctors duty to make sure its safe to players to play and not get addicted to pain killers. Johnston will be interesting player to follow. He has huge potential and what i hear his head is in right place too.

 

DAL TOP 3 players of the playoffs

 

1. Miro Heiskanen (D)

2. Jake Oettinger (G)

3. Wyatt Johnston ( C )

 

 

Stanley Cup Finals Predictions

 

FLA-EDM

 

Florida win if:

 

Is Florida able to do what Dallas wasnt? Can they defence and shutdown McDavid, Draisaitl, Hyman and Bouchard? This serie will be baddle of two of world best players in they own role. McDavid is world best offensive player, and Barkov is world best two-way player. Can McDavid score a lot or is Barkov able to shutdown Edmonton stars. They both been great so far in the playoffs and in big roles why they teams are in Stanley Cup finals. Is Florida able to shutdown Edmonton as it done for Tampa, Boston and Rangers? Biggest concern and question mark is that, they won past series bit easily and havent gone through adversitys. Gustav Forsling has been great. Tkachuk havent been same powerhouse as he was last year. Maybe he has take bit easy now to avoid injuries? Will be interesting to follow his and Hyman baddles. Bobrovsky hasnt been so sharp as he was last year. I do give minor advange in goal to Edmonton, because Skinner had his strugless, but he has been strong in last couple games. Can Florida solve Edmonton PK? Florida hasnt have best PP in the playoffs or regular season. For Florida its key to keep game in event strength and avoid penalties. Players probably want to play for coach Paul Maurice, he has most games coached without Stanley Cup. Can Maurice win rookie coach Knoblauch? This year Maurice did reduce Barkov ice time a lot. Maurice was able to manage ice time a lot better. That might play key role in these playoffs, because McDavid and Draisaitl did had a lot more 21+ min games in regular season and playoffs. So Florida stars should be more fresh. If serie go to game 6 or 7, team who has more legs could win Cup.

 

 

Edmonton win if:

 

 

Edmonton window to win is now. After Draisaitl and Bouchard cheep contracts end it will be a lot harder. Even that we give a lot critic to Peter Chiarelli, he made great contract to Draisaitl. I never been huge Edmonton fan, even that i did follow them and cheer them to win when Mikko Koskinen was playing in Edmonton, i always got crazy when i did see how lazy some of players was in defence zone. So this year i give a lot credit to Edmonton and they stars, they are playing good defence game and make wise choises with puck. Also i did like a lot, when they put Skinner back to net in second round. I always valued Skinner in same lvl as Swayman and Oettinger is and its shame he not get same recognasation than those two young goalies get. When you play offensive game, you will give more goals and its never easy for goalie. All goalies strugling and have bad periods, and those look a lot worse, when you already give 0,5-1 goal more per game because offensive game style. Edmonto has got more production from they bottom six too and they defence been solid. They use penalty kill specialist in PK and thats why its best PK of the playoffs. Players feel they are part of team, when they get ice time in key sitations too like PK or PP. They dont use same guys in PK and PP anymore and you can cleary see it in numbers. Players are more fresh when you have good ice time management. Canada team havent won Cup since Montreal 1993. I see Edmonton have all the tools to win it. Edmonton can won small goal games and they can win goal racings too. We cant even imagine how huge pressures McDavid and Skinner have now. Whole Canada is cheering them.

 

 

 

 

Prediction:

 

I think who came more ready to play after break win this serie. Its not easy when there is week without games and then you have to start play for Cup. Basicly you lost all the momentum and i think Edmonton did run with bigger momentum than Florida. Florida did play more as they regular game and had bit easier route to Finals. When Edmonton was more as momentum team, they did win Vancouver because momentum shifted to them and whole Dallas serie was momentum changes after momentum changes. Can Edmonton find any momentum against Florida or is Florida able to keep game ”bit lame” and not give momentum and drive to Edmonton? Florida have experience from last year and Edmonton playing with huge pressures, is those pressures too much for them? Or are they able to stole one game in Florida and then come home having that great fan base behind them and cheering them to victories? I have bit mixed up opinions, this could easily go to Florida or Edmonton. Either Florida walk through Edmonton and win 4 – 1 or Edmonton win this in game six 4-2.

 

 

FLA MVP players so far: A. Barkov and G. Forsling

EDM MVP player so far: C. McDavid and E. Bouchard

FLA Surprise players might be: E. Rodrigues and E. Luostarinen

EDM Surprise players might be: D. Holloway and S. Skinner

Offence to: Edmonton

Defence to: Florida

Goalies to: Edmonton

Overall widness: Florida

Coaches: Florida

 

 

 

May best win!

[von Rantala]

I did watch game 1 and game 2. Those was great hockey to watch. Oh boy how good Florida is looking. They game is so so so good. Lets remember Edmonton been playing great too. Sometimes look like McDavid try to make goals by himself and Florida just let him keep the puck. Its look nice when McDavid is keeping puck so much, but Florida keep him outside of scoring places and he cant find passing lines when there is 2-3 guys on him all the time. I dont know if i ever seen so perfect defence what Florida has been doing. They game is not pooring either. Lets remember this season was very high scoring season, we saw first 100 assist season and almost got 70 goals from Matthews for very long time. So its amazing what Florida is doing. In season when scoring was high, they could win Cup using defence/two-way style. Tkachuk have to be bit better in offence zone, but in defence zone his been very good and he playing physically, but not taking too much penalties.

 

Game 1 Edmonton was better in first half of game, second half of game Panthers was better. Game 2 Panthers was a lot better. Skinner has been solid, you cant blame him on those loses. Bob been amazing. Game 2 Oilers was dirty, you saw that Draisaitl was very frustrated and made dirty hit to Barkov. I think NHL should give 2-3 game penalty to Draisaitl, no matter if Barkov injured or not. His leggs was off the ice, so he did jump and did made hit to Barkov head, that should be automatic 1-3 game penalty. We can always argue that if Verheage would have made same hit to McDavid? That would have been 5+20 in game and automatic match penalty. But it shouldnt be name behind jersey, all should get same punishment and cross checks and head hits should be punished hard. In long run, it would make game more safety and we would also see more goals, when players stay healthy. Also if players know it will be automatic penalty, they wouldnt cross check or hit at head. I truly hope Barkov will be healthy, and can play. I fear that if he is injured and if its change serie to Edmonton favor, that in future we start to see more and more situations where other team take out best players out of games. We start to see that fourth and third line players will take star players out and move advange to they team. Honestly i dont think NHL have courage to suspent Draisaitl and if Barkov is injured and Florida is losing game 3 or 4 they might target McDavid or Draisaitl and take  them out of the game/serie. Best for Draisaitl and NHL is to suspend him, if Barkov is injured, this might leave bad mark to Draisaitl career. If Draisaitl cant start to product, this hit will be remembered rest of his career and it might mean he not re-sign with Edmonton and might be traded. Edmonton and Canada is difficult place to play, thats why i admire what Skinner is doing in the net. He is future star goalie, if Edmonton fans start to love him, like Montreal did with Price, second opinion is that Edmonton fans destroy his confidence and he might never play with his full potential.

 

 

 

Also we got bit sad news too for hockey fans, when CapFriendly was sold to Washington Capitals and they close that site. I am using CapFriendly a lot, i dont post they forum often, but i do check it daily and in free agent market day or trade deadline day i check that a lot. Its good site, its not show spoilers from games, but do show all the signings and trades fast. I/we still have Elite Prospect, i had Premium membership there many years. We also have Puckpedia, but its not so good site yet. I do think they will get better, just like Capfriendly. It wasnt so great at start either. Washington did buy site, because many if not all NHL GM's was using it. Its great tool to track contracts and calculate buyouts etc... Ofc i am sad we lose it, but sametime i understand it, those guys got pay day. Its American dream, you invent something good and hope that someday someone will buy your company or product and make you rich. There will come new sites. I am not too worried about it.