The NHL yesterday admitted the regular season was starting to look highly unlikely. The arenas are starting to melt their ice surfaces, and everywhere we look we hear more and more bad stuff....it's easy to feel like crap right now when it comes to hockey...Want to feel even worse?
The NHL Playoffs would have started TONIGHT. UGH!
You all know me by now... I am the eternal hockey optimist. During the lockouts, we have spent countless hours together looking for hope...
So want some good news? I am not the only Hockey Optimist out there.
I talked to an NHL source yesterday who was still VERY optimistic about the playoffs... He said he was 90% certain the NHL playoffs would still happen...likely starting in July. I asked him how he could feel this way given the fact that no one on this planet knows how long we are in for, and given the NHL's expressed desire for a full season next year.
So how would those playoff spots be set?
He gave me two options...
#1 Based the final standings on the winning percentages only.
#2 The other scenario (per this owner) I will get to tomorrow....(teaser, but it's really interesting, and I don't THINK its out there anywhere...so check back tomorrow.)
But the playoffs SHOULD start tonight and everything in my soul screams "predict!!"
So let's do this!!!
First, your match ups based on percentages...
In the East: Boston vs. NY Islanders
Toronto vs. Tampa
Washington vs. Carolina
Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh
In the West:
St Louis vs. Calgary
Colorado vs Dallas
Vegas vs Nashville (the most fun series to cover EVER)
Oilers vs. Canucks
So, who would play tonight?
Historically, the NHL would start on Wednesday with one big rivalry involving Crosby....and the Flyers/Penguins are the perfect kickoff....Hockey Night in Canada needs their early game too..The only option there would be Tampa vs. Toronto...The Late Doubleheader game...In Canada...Edmonton/Vancouver and in general there are only three games on the first night..so the states would pick up the Oilers? Canucks too...
What better way to kick this off? Crosby, Matthews, Stamkos, McDavid!
So welcome to an Alternate Reality...
Previewing: The Penguins vs. The Flyers in Philly
The Flyers were the hottest team in hockey when it all came to a halt. They lost their last game in the before days to Boston...but that was after winning 9 straight. It took a worldwide pandemic to stop them...
The Penguins had gone 3-7 in their last ten, but were fighting a SLEW of injuries..if we were to resume in July guys like Guentzel will likely return. The Penguins defense had really struggled as of late as well...
Season Series: The Penguins won 2 of the 3 match ups, including an early season 7-1 thumping of Philly. Both teams were entirely different in October however.... The teams met twice at the end of January...Philly winning 3-0 in Philly and the Penguins winning 4-3 in OT in Pitt 9 days later..Over the past two seasons the Flyers won 4 of 7.
The Goalies:
Carter Hart is young and will be nervous. The Penguins are a TOUGH first NHL Playoff Series.
Matt Murray would likely be the Pens goalie. He has been money in the playoffs.
Outlook:
These teams may have the best rivalry in hockey right now and we have learned over the years that when they meet in the playoffs ANYTHING can happen. The Flyers holding home ice is pretty huge given the fact that they hold the best home record in hockey.
Prediction:
Flyers in 7....perhaps...but honestly a coin toss. probably the tightest series of all.
Am I wrong? Give me your pick.....
Coming up next...Predicting the Leafs vs. Tampa and Oilers vs. Canucks.
Day 27 of the Quarantine...Who is the best #27 in the NHL?
#5. Ryan McDonagh
#4. Nik Ehlers
#3. Shea Theodore
#2. Anders Lee
#1. Alex Pietrangelo
Other #27s...
Karl Alzner MTL
Nick Bjugstad PIT
Adam Boqvist CHI
Austin Czarnik CGY
Alex Galchenyuk MIN
Ryan Graves COL
Mike Green EDM
Curtis Lazar BUF
Alec Martinez LAK
John Moore BOS
Ryan Murray CBJ
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