I don't think it'll work out this way at all, but out of the possible standings outcomes, I think the most exciting matchups would be:

1Pens vs 8Rangers
2Habs vs 7Sens
3Jets vs. 6Isles
4Bruins vs. 5Leafs
- UIF

I'm pretty shocked that the Isles are in the playoffs. I'd be even more shocked if the Jets knock off the caps. Especially after today and tonight. It's 52 for the caps, 49 for the Jets and the caps are on fire.

I do hope you are right though. I'd love to see that as well.

I don't think it'll work out this way at all, but out of the possible standings outcomes, I think the most exciting matchups would be:

1Pens vs 8Rangers
2Habs vs 7Sens
3Jets vs. 6Isles
4Bruins vs. 5Leafs
- UIF

Most exciting yes, but Id rather not face off against that Jets team in the first round. let the Sens have em, we can smack around the Habs (if they hold on to 2) if the B's take 2... then bring on the Jets!!

XxNYIxX

I'm pretty shocked that the Isles are in the playoffs. I'd be even more shocked if the Jets knock off the caps. Especially after today and tonight. It's 52 for the caps, 49 for the Jets and the caps are on fire.

I do hope you are right though. I'd love to see that as well.
- kencan98

Yeah, the way the Caps played tonight, it's hard to see them falling out of it.

Yeah, the way the Caps played tonight, it's hard to see them falling out of it.
- UIF

Yeah and I think it's official that after tonights game, JT will NOT be getting the Richard Trophy. Ovi got 2 and he could have had about 5.

Most exciting yes, but Id rather not face off against that Jets team in the first round. let the Sens have em, we can smack around the Habs (if they hold on to 2) if the B's take 2... then bring on the Jets!!

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Honestly I think the Bs take second. Two points back but two games in hand, and Montreal seems a bit lost lately. I think 1-4 goes Pens, Bs, Caps, Habs. 5-8 is anyone's guess. Still possible to face the Habs if the Isles can overtake the Leafs. Two points back with three games left...it's possible, although they get the tiebreaker.

I can't see Isles/Pens in the first round. Maybe the second if we both make it through but not the first. With the schedules remaining it would take a pretty dramatic turn of events for the Isles to come in 8th.

I'd like to see PRICE in the first round but I have a feeling we'll get the Caps and I'm a little worried about that one.
- kencan98

yea given the schedule remaining and the current standings, I think we see Ottawa in round 1.

yea given the schedule remaining and the current standings, I think we see Ottawa in round 1.
- SuperHenderson13

Ottawa? I don't think that's mathematically possible.

Nevermind. You're a Pens fan. I thought you meant the Isles seeing the Sens.

I honestly don't think it matters for you guys.

Ottawa? I don't think that's mathematically possible.
- kencan98

He means the Pens...they could see Ottawa. Sens have a tough schedule for the last four...Pens, Caps, Flyers, Bruins. Rangers and Isles have better schedules, at least on paper.

3 months ago I was looking at who we should pick with our #1 overall.

Now we're talking about who we'd rather play in the first round.
- kencan98

I like this conversation better...don't you?

Ottawa? I don't think that's mathematically possible.

Nevermind. You're a Pens fan. I thought you meant the Isles seeing the Sens.

I honestly don't think it matters for you guys.
- kencan98

eh gotta be careful with that. I def. think we wont see a 2012 Penguins playoff performance but still, nothing is certain.

the fact that this team has lost 2 games since February is great.

the thing im worried about most is Crosby, Malkin, Neal, and Martin coming back and killing the definition of this team. right now the penguins are winning on hard work and doing all the little things right. hopefully guys don't think it's over when we get them back. we have the leadership, so I hope it wont be a problem.

penguins have a lot of decisions to make. bylsma could put 5 lines out there a night and have 4 defensive pairs if we were able to.

a strength that we will have is that we will be able to roll line after line the whole game.

heck, I think we should leave the team the way it is and just make Malkin-Crosby-Neal a line not to screw up the chemistry.

eh gotta be careful with that. I def. think we wont see a 2012 Penguins playoff performance but still, nothing is certain.

the fact that this team has lost 2 games since February is great.

the thing im worried about most is Crosby, Malkin, Neal, and Martin coming back and killing the definition of this team. right now the penguins are winning on hard work and doing all the little things right. hopefully guys don't think it's over when we get them back. we have the leadership, so I hope it wont be a problem.

penguins have a lot of decisions to make. bylsma could put 5 lines out there a night and have 4 defensive pairs if we were able to.

a strength that we will have is that we will be able to roll line after line the whole game.

heck, I think we should leave the team the way it is and just make Malkin-Crosby-Neal a line not to screw up the chemistry.
- SuperHenderson13

You know you have an awesome team when you're worried about those guys coming back

PP Actually looked good, showed some movement but still too much setup time from the blue line.

BRI is out so we should be seeing some call ups to cheer on.

NYR got a gift in BUF last night and expect them to make it but NJD games with them should be good.

ISLES playing as good as anyone, however need to stay focused on last three but they seem to enjoy the road.

OK, now they have three piles of feces to bury, and I expect that to happen. Again, if you want to be a playoff team, play like one.

Guys please stop jinxing the Isles, they are not yet official and they have always had a history of making things hard. They have been beasts for sure, but a loss in Carolina and they will feel the heat. They ''should' beat the remaining teams but there is still no guarantee. So stop with the we are in and who do you want to play in round 1......when they get the x next to their name in the standings go for it. Stranger things have happened and we all no it, be confident and behind the boys but don't get too sure of yourselves.....Go Islanders

Just some thoughts about yesterday's game:

----Not too concerned with the D in the last two games, mostly because those two teams (Toronto and Winnipeg) play pond hockey, and so I expected those games to deteriorate into that cr*p at different points (how can a game featuring Dustin Byfuglien NOT deteriorate into pond hockey?...he's a thrilling player.....coaches have a different word for it, and I'm sure I'd have to use an asterisk somewhere in that word if I was to post it on this website). Just hope they understand that despite the idea that they can play pond hockey with anyone who chooses to play that way, and still come out with points, they need to go into shut down mode again, quickly. You go into a first round series against what might be Boston or Washington, with the way they've been playing, it's back to the grind, or you'll be making a cameo appearance in the playoffs.

----One thing that did concern me was Brian Strait. He was actually their best defenseman before he got hurt (in their end of the ice), but a lot of things have changed since then. Him chasing the player Nielsen was already covering and leaving Wellwood alone on the other side of the net gave me flashbacks to an earlier time, when the weather was colder. He's going to have to get with the program quickly, or he's going to have to sit. We have no time for that now.

----Was very proud of JT yesterday- he skated toward that net with a job to do for his team, and got it done. That's what your best player is supposed to do, and that's what he did.

----Not happy with the officiating either, but besides the fact that you can't win anyway, here's why I don't generally b*tch about that: if the Isles were just constantly being f***ed by the officiating, then I might get angry. However, it's just a general trend throughout the league this season.

It's like I always say about how well the government prevents me from buying Claritin, meanwhile bombs are going off and people are being shot, and no one can do anything about that (but I digress)- it takes a real eagle eye to figure out whether or not someone shot the puck over the glass, or whether or not someone closed their hand on the puck instead of just pushing it with their glove, but they're right on that. However, if anyone gets run face first into the glass, unless they don't get up, the arm stays down and the whistle doesn't blow. Defensive players literally stick out the leg and deliver a knee shot at 25 MPH, and no one knows what the he11 happened.

I'm glad they call obstruction and holding, because I always thought that was cr*p, but they're going to have to start making more calls in cases where someone MIGHT get hurt, because that just might prevent more players from being injured by careless/stupid actions that never GET penalized UNLESS someone gets hurt. Just saying....off the soapbox now.

At any rate.....next....they've lost to this festering pile of cr*p twice this year. If they're still playing their backup goalie, the Isles need to bury him in an avalanche of rubber in the first period. Enough said...

Toronto plays T.B., Fda, Mon
Ottawa plays Pitts,Wash, Phil, Bos
Rangers play NJ, Fda, Car, NJ
Winnipeg plays Buff, Mon, Wash
Wash plays Winn, Ott, Bos
Mon plays NJ, Winn, Tor,

1) I don't see the islanders catching the leafs
2) Washington takes third
3) can the rangers over take Ottawa
4) take miracle for Winnipeg to make it. Ottawa needs 2 wins however look at there schedule.
IMO

Pits vs Ott
Bos vs NYR
Wash vs NYI
Mon vs Tor

2nd round
Pitts vs NYR
Tor vs NYI

Toronto plays T.B., Fda, Mon
Ottawa plays Pitts,Wash, Phil, Bos
Rangers play NJ, Fda, Car, NJ
Winnipeg plays Buff, Mon, Wash
Wash plays Winn, Ott, Bos
Mon plays NJ, Winn, Tor,

1) I don't see the islanders catching the leafs
2) Washington takes third
3) can the rangers over take Ottawa
4) take miracle for Winnipeg to make it. Ottawa needs 2 wins however look at there schedule.
IMO

Pits vs Ott
Bos vs NYR
Wash vs NYIMon vs Tor

2nd round
Pitts vs NYR
Tor vs NYI
- 2raven2

Washington is hot...Ovechkin seems to be unstoppable right now...I guess you're thinking an Islanders vs. Rangers Eastern Conference final...now that would be something...

Washington is hot...Ovechkin seems to be unstoppable right now...I guess you're thinking an Islanders vs. Rangers Eastern Conference final...now that would be something...
- kear20

Caps and Isles are prob the hottest two teams in the east. Either way i dont think anyone wants to play the isles. If Nabby stays healthy, they can upset some teams with how theyre playing right now.

Sidenote : How can anyone chirp Boyes with how he's been playing lately. The guy can still dangle....

Has anyone read how many points the Islanders need to clinch a playoff spot? I'm thinking 2 or 3...

Caps and Isles are prob the hottest two teams in the east. Either way i dont think anyone wants to play the isles. If Nabby stays healthy, they can upset some teams with how theyre playing right now.

Sidenote : How can anyone chirp Boyes with how he's been playing lately. The guy can still dangle....
- kindlyrick

I'd resign Bailey first before Boyes in my opinion...

Caps and Isles are prob the hottest two teams in the east. Either way i dont think anyone wants to play the isles. If Nabby stays healthy, they can upset some teams with how theyre playing right now.

Sidenote : How can anyone chirp Boyes with how he's been playing lately. The guy can still dangle....
- kindlyrick

if the Isles advance past the first round, it's not an upset. Theyre one of the hottest teams in the league right now and what better time to find your groove.

I'd resign Bailey first before Boyes in my opinion...
- kear20

I (frank)ing hate Boyes

I'd resign Bailey first before Boyes in my opinion...
- kear20

Absof'nlutely. Bailey has turned a major corner and has finally started to prove himself. Boyes sucks defensively and offensively. He is decent in the shoot out but we have plenty of good shoot out guys. Boyes brings down the first line. Why Cappy refuses to put Grabs up there but keeps him on the 4th line instead is mind boggling.
The newsday article about Boyes thinking he should get a new contract is laughable.

Would be nice if the Devils helped up out today and gave us a little more breathing room. Some help for a change wouldn't be the worst thing.

I'd resign Bailey first before Boyes in my opinion...
- kear20

Ive been very vocal on here as a bailey fan. He should absolutely be extended...