|
|
Post by boffo on Feb 25, 2019 18:23:51 GMT -5
Just thinking we had a busy thread last playoffs and with the trade deadline today meaning the playoffs are looming once again how about a more permanent hockey thread this time around.
A couple teams really loading up the last few days. Outside of Columbus the East seemed too intimidated by Tampa to bother stocking up.
|
|
|
|
Post by ErixonStone on Feb 25, 2019 18:44:12 GMT -5
Go Stars and Lightning!
My team did the opposite of loading up. So I am stuck rooting for teams that sent us conditional draft picks that become first-rounders if they do well in the playoffs.
|
|
|
|
Post by boffo on Feb 25, 2019 19:06:31 GMT -5
Poor Dallas. Give up at least a 2nd and 3rd rounder for what quite possibly could be one game from Mats Zuccarello.
|
|
|
|
Post by ErixonStone on Feb 25, 2019 19:20:48 GMT -5
At least they got 1G 1A from him in a win, but yeah. Could be back for the playoffs if Dallas holds onto its spot.
|
|
|
|
Post by boffo on Feb 25, 2019 19:33:31 GMT -5
I'm fine with the moves the Bruins made. Fills out their top 9 much nicer with Marcus Johansson and another full year of Charlie Coyle. Also signed Lee Stempniak as a UFA to probably not play barring injuries. Also added a 7th rounder when the Rangers traded McQuaid. All for three draft choices and Ryan Donato who was struggling to stick in Boston but has potential to be a decent NHLer.
Overall it should help spread out the scoring a bit better. Will it be enough to get through the once again months in advance inevitable first and second round series against Toronto and Tampa? Anything can happen in the playoffs but Tampa will be a tough out for anyone no matter how much they've added.
|
|
|
|
Post by mrooola on Feb 26, 2019 1:37:29 GMT -5
I wonder what went through Marcus Johansons head when he found out he was going to be teammate with Brad Marchand. I'm tempted to say an elbow but....
Anyway. Interesting trade deadline for once. I feel bad for Sens fans.
|
|
|
|
Post by boffo on Feb 26, 2019 5:49:05 GMT -5
I wonder what went through Marcus Johansons head when he found out he was going to be teammate with Brad Marchand. I'm tempted to say an elbow but.... Anyway. Interesting trade deadline for once. I feel bad for Sens fans. The only thing I've seen him say publically was that he'd rather play with him than against him. I doubt they'll be bonding over the next couple months and become best friends. |
|
|
|
Post by mrooola on Feb 26, 2019 11:54:08 GMT -5
Seems a reasonable enough response.
Bruins just got even greater depth down the middle. I like Johansson
|
|
|
|
Post by boffo on Feb 26, 2019 16:15:32 GMT -5
Turns out Marchand was one of the first people to call Johansson after the trade which it sounds like Johansson genuinely appreciated. Hockey is a weird game like that where rivalries and friendships can quickly be forgotten on the ice depending on what jersey you're both wearing.
|
|
|
|
Post by boffo on Mar 1, 2019 7:58:31 GMT -5
Cautiously optimistic at this point but the Bruins two games since the deadline have been against San Jose and Tampa Bay and they made both of them look easy. This despite David Pastrnak being injured. After all the injuries they had in the first half of the season it's nice to finally be able to see just how good this full team can actually be.
|
|
|
|
Post by ErixonStone on Mar 1, 2019 9:29:46 GMT -5
Tampa is on cruise control at this point. They looked great for one period on Wednesday, but in the 2nd and 3rd, the Rangers made them look ordinary. At this point, the Rangers are half of an average team.
The Bruins have a good team. They'd be underdogs against Tampa in a playoff series, it isn't beyond possibility that they could win. Hockey is like that; the teams are generally so close, that upsets happen quite often.
|
|
|
|
Post by mrooola on Mar 1, 2019 9:50:22 GMT -5
Tampa is on cruise control at this point. They looked great for one period on Wednesday, but in the 2nd and 3rd, the Rangers made them look ordinary. At this point, the Rangers are half of an average team. The Bruins have a good team. They'd be underdogs against Tampa in a playoff series, it isn't beyond possibility that they could win. Hockey is like that; the teams are generally so close, that upsets happen quite often. They still need to get past the Leafs before they take on Tampa. I have 0 doubts that Leafs and Bruins will face off in the first round. As someone who cheers for the Leafs I would prefer to drop down to a wild card spot and take on the Isles, but it's not going to happen. |
|
|
|
Post by boffo on Mar 1, 2019 9:52:03 GMT -5
Tampa barely showed up for the first two periods and the third was only slightly better. If it wasn't for Dominque and a couple unlucky bounces the Bruins could have scored 8 or 9 very easily. Tampa is still obviously the team to beat but they haven't really had to play a meaningful game all season long so it'll be interesting to see how they ramp it up for the playoffs.
|
|
|
|
Post by ErixonStone on Mar 1, 2019 10:29:44 GMT -5
I don't love the NHL's divisional playoff format. It seems we get a lot of repeat matchups. Rangers/Capitals; Bruins/Maple Leafs; Sharks/Knights. We could get Jets/Blues again.
I don't mind the idea that two of the top three teams in one conference battle each other early, but I want to see different matchups, and the divisional playoffs limit the possibilities. Who wouldn't want Leafs/Caps in Round 1? And Bruins/Jackets? Habs/Isles for a rematch of the 1993 Wales Conference finals?
|
|
|
|
Post by mrooola on Mar 1, 2019 10:40:55 GMT -5
I get the idea behind the format, but years like this when you have what I believe currently is the no1, 2 & 3 ranked eastern teams in the same division and 2 & 3 meets in the first round and whoever wins probably get the no1 team in the second round. It's just a little bit sh%$.  |
|
