Playoffs Discussion 2023-24

[jkr]

I guess Brodzinski is the guy picked over Rempe. According to ESPN he played 2 and half minutes & he did take a nasty hit from Okposo.

[jkr]

On pretty much the only clear cut chance of the 2nd period Tkachuk is stopped on a breakaway. Looks like Miller slashed his hands but surprise- no call.

[folatre]

Ouch, Miller got his pocket picked and Lundell dished a pretty pass to Tarasenko for the 2-0. Hockey is unpredictable and 10 minutes remain, but something about the style of how the Panthers grind tells me it is finished, stick a fork in the Rangers.

[jkr]

Panthers win 2-1. Panarin with his only goal of the series, makes it close with less than 2 minutes to go but it's not enough.

[Willie Dog]

I hate the rags

[jkr]

Their top forwards let them down. Kreider scored once, in game 5. Panarin scored once, last night very late and Zibinajad was scoreless in the series.

[IamCanadiens]

I was glad to see the Panthers win. I'm hoping back to back runs to the final wears them down a bit and creates nagging injuries to improve our potential draft pick.

[seventeen]

One set of flying elbows did indeed get sent packing, but the other guys have their own set of elbows too.

If you're going to beat Florida, you need speed. One thing noticeable in the Ranger series was that the Panthers were never outnumbered. They were able to forecheck hard, yet still get back on defense. That is due to speed and what it does is allow your D to stand up and be far more effective both in takeovers and in transition because you can focus on the attacker leaving the backchecker to deal with the puck.

I don't think Dallas has enough speed to counter Florida and Oettinger hasn't exactly been the Berlin wall either. It feels like the Oilers are the only team with sufficient speed to counter Florida. If Florida's defense doesn't have the immediate support from backchecking forwards, they won't look nearly as dominant as they have. They also won't be able to transition the puck to attack as quickly. If they're faster getting on the Florida defense, the Panthers will have to spend more time in their own end, too. This is my strategy to beat Florida, speed.

On the other side, Edmonton will have to protect Ceci. He can be a turnover machine and a cycling mismatch that Florida would love to take advantage of.

but....the Oil have to win vs Dallas first. Game on, tonight.

[seventeen]

Jun 2, 2024 9:10:04 GMT -5 IamCanadiens said:

I was glad to see the Panthers win. I'm hoping back to back runs to the final wears them down a bit and creates nagging injuries to improve our potential draft pick.

That's the spirit!!

[Boston_Habs]

Jun 1, 2024 22:48:43 GMT -5 Willie Dog said:

I hate the rags

I think the Rangers record was better than the underlying numbers. Despite winning the Presidents Trophy, their goal differential of +53 was 3rd in the conference (after FLA and CAR) and 7th overall in the NHL. They also had like 35 come-from-behind wins which was a record. Florida badly outplayed them in the series. I have a hard time seeing how Edmonton or Dallas can beat them.

[seventeen]

It's all about speed, Boston. The advantages that Florida has shown above their competition is all about speed. The 76/79 Habs were like that. So much faster than their competition that when they were at their best, the other team was inconsequential. I recall one game against Buffalo. It wasn't a blowout, something like 4-0 or 3-0, but you couldn't notice the Sabres. It might as well have been a Habs practice.

The thing is, that if you're able to match that speed, that significant advantage gets taken away and then all the warts that the Panthers may have, which don't show right now, will surface. Is Ekman-Larsson really as solid as he's been? He's been a problem for at least 3 years and suddenly on a fast, structured team that backchecks like crazy, he's a solid defenseman? I'm not on that wagon, but it is a matter of being able to expose the Panthers by negating their advantage. I don't think Dallas is fast enough, but Edmonton is. And they're big enough and mean enough to take care of business too.

I hope that's the match up cause otherwise, Florida walks away with this one (barring an injury to Barkov, of course).

[jkr]

Florida also controlled the Rangers' most productive forwards. Through the first 4 games Kreider, Panarin and Zibinajad were goaless. Kreider scored a shortie in game 5 and Panarin ( a guy who scored 49 in the regular season) only scored last night when the series was almost over. I don't remember Florida being overly physical with those guys. Lomberg did flatten Zibinajad in game one or two but it didn't seem enough to throw him off his game. But when 3 guys that combined for 114 goals during the season are held to 2 goals in 6 playoff games then you're in trouble.

The other problem for Edmonton is obviously goaltending. Skinner is going to have to be rock solid, no lapses & no softies because Bobrovsky is playing at a Conn Smythe Trophy level.

[folatre]

Dallas is working hard tonight, actually cratering the Oilers 5v5. But it is not amounting to anything thus far. Skinner looks stable. Edmonton's power play is killing it.

[PTH]

Jun 2, 2024 20:34:28 GMT -5 folatre said:

Dallas is working hard tonight, actually cratering the Oilers 5v5. But it is not amounting to anything thus far. Skinner looks stable. Edmonton's power play is killing it.

Skinner is decent enough on straight-on shots, it's his rebounds that end up in the crease that are heart-attack inducing.

[folatre]

Yeah, that is the heart of the issue of Skinner. He goes down and does not really reset, he just tends to stay down. The Panthers are 5v5 juggernaut so they are going to get in his grill.

I prefer Edmonton over Florida. And I think they can probably produce a longer series than the Habs mustered on their miracle run in 2021, but I would be somewhat surprised in the Panthers are denied.

[Tankdriver]

I just wish they called playoff games like the regular season. So much clutching and grabbing, stick work and obstruction.

This style should favour the Panthers but fully behind the Oilers.

[CentreHice]

Would 10 shots be a record low for a series-ending victory?

[jkr]

I did not see the game but I saw that total. It was hard to believe a team could win any game with such a low total. They did have a similar game in the LA series. The Kings held them to 12 shots and one goal but lost 1-0.

[Boston_Habs]

This could be a fantastic final. I agree that Edmonton's ability to play with pace is something the Rangers couldn't do. I also forgot how strong Edmonton finished the season. After starting out 5-12-1 and firing the coach, the Oilers went 44-15-5 the rest of the way. Pretty impressive. They certainly have the firepower up front to match Florida, but I'd say the Panthers have the edge in physicality, team defense, and I'd probably give the edge to Bobrovsky over Skinner in net. Special teams as always are a wild card. Should go at least 6 games.

[Willie Dog]

Perry sets a record

http://instagram.com/p/C7vN76aN1EJ

[jkr]

Perry has now been on 4 of the last 5 Cup finalists. He seems to be a lucky charm for getting to the Finals but unfortunately not for winning it.

[folatre]

I really hate the five day lay off before the SCF. If this series goes the distance, game 7 would be like three or four days before the draft.

I know the other 30 GMs are focused on their off-season work and hopefully a couple of them say eff it and make a trade during this long wait until Saturday.

[PTH]

Jun 3, 2024 17:26:23 GMT -5 jkr said:

Perry has now been on 4 of the last 5 Cup finalists. He seems to be a lucky charm for getting to the Finals but unfortunately not for winning it.

The Shigure of the NHL ?

(please, someone, anyone, get the reference)

[Cranky]

Jun 3, 2024 17:26:23 GMT -5 jkr said:

Perry has now been on 4 of the last 5 Cup finalists. He seems to be a lucky charm for getting to the Finals but unfortunately not for winning it.

I love Perry's game, but he seems not to be able to control his love.

That aside, a couple of him can make contenders out of pretenders and I would absolutely want a couple of him on the Habs.

Remember when he came out to meet the kids even though he was banged up and injured? How else do you PROVE dedication and the boiling fire to win?

I'm hoping the X bros and Dach are those Perry's of our future.

[Willie Dog]

Jun 3, 2024 21:43:07 GMT -5 Cranky said:

Jun 3, 2024 17:26:23 GMT -5 jkr said:

Perry has now been on 4 of the last 5 Cup finalists. He seems to be a lucky charm for getting to the Finals but unfortunately not for winning it.

I love Perry's game, but he seems not to be able to control his love.

That aside, a couple of him can make contenders out of pretenders and I would absolutely want a couple of him on the Habs.

Remember when he came out to meet the kids even though he was banged up and injured? How else do you PROVE dedication and the boiling fire to win?

I'm hoping the X bros and Dach are those Perry's of our future.

I think Beck could fall into the Perry category, he'll frustrate and piss off the other teams best

[folatre]

Yeah, for sure, Beck has plenty of sandpaper. And I would bet a kid from a hard working family like the Deputy is not spending his summer playing video games and what's trending on Instagram or tiktok. I have feeling he is pumping iron most days and skating hard twice a week. Maybe the Sheriff has some limitations on his workout regimen after the surgery but I bet he is in the gym there every day encouraging his brother.

[Cranky]

The bros are not that far apart in age or physique so I can see a heck of a rivalry working out.

Poor weights...I can feel their abuse...

[Willie Dog]

Jun 4, 2024 18:32:56 GMT -5 folatre said:

Yeah, for sure, Beck has plenty of sandpaper. And I would bet a kid from a hard working family like the Deputy is not spending his summer playing video games and what's trending on Instagram or tiktok. I have feeling he is pumping iron most days and skating hard twice a week. Maybe the Sheriff has some limitations on his workout regimen after the surgery but I bet he is in the gym there every day encouraging his brother.

Watch what Beck does as he skates by the Knights bench after scoring his 2nd goal

https://instagram.com/reel/C7w1aCkOAxK

[frozone]

Jun 5, 2024 7:01:09 GMT -5 Willie Dog said:

Jun 4, 2024 18:32:56 GMT -5 folatre said:

Yeah, for sure, Beck has plenty of sandpaper. And I would bet a kid from a hard working family like the Deputy is not spending his summer playing video games and what's trending on Instagram or tiktok. I have feeling he is pumping iron most days and skating hard twice a week. Maybe the Sheriff has some limitations on his workout regimen after the surgery but I bet he is in the gym there every day encouraging his brother.

Watch what Beck does as he skates by the Knights bench after scoring his 2nd goal

https://instagram.com/reel/C7w1aCkOAxK

I’m disappointed… Beck should be saving those cellies for the Leafs bench.

This was my first chance to see Beck play against his peers outside of the WJC, and I was impressed that he has the ability to find soft spots. I always thought of him as the digger on his line, but he can get open and shoot the puck too. Nice.

[seventeen]

I was hoping to see him in the scrum at the end trying to poke the puck in, but instead the twit was back at the blue line, covering for someone who had gone deep. That responsible fool!