Gonna be a short one but Detroit takes out Philly tonight 2-0. Go Penguins, Islanders, and Rangers.
April NHL Game Thread
- Thread starter kenneycb
- Start date
Detroit is up 2 points on Boston. Remaining schedules:
Det: at Bos, at NYR
Bos: vs Det, vs Ott
If Detroit beats Boston (which right now looks like it's a good bet), then obviously the B's are toast. But if Boston beats Detroit (and not in OT), then it comes down to the two teams being tied with Detroit at the Rangers (not an easy game) and Boston home vs. Ottawa (which should be an easier game). Unfortunately, Detroit would win the tiebreaker between the two, which is the regulation and overtime wins (not counting shootout wins). Detroit is presently up 39-37 over Boston in that category, meaning if the Bruins beat the Red Wings, it'll be a tie in the standings but Detroit will be ahead in ROW 39-38. That would mean the Bruins would still need to pick up a point over Detroit in their respective last games.
In other words, a lot has to go right for the Bruins here.
Philly, meanwhile, is tied with Boston at 91 points, but they have three games left, not two. So all they need is one point somewhere in there. Their remaining schedule: vs Tor, vs Pit, at NYI.
The Pittsburgh and Islander games should be tough, but they should mop the ice with Toronto.
All in all, it's not looking good for Boston. Going 2-8 in your last 10 down the home stretch will do that for you. Ugh.
Det: at Bos, at NYR
Bos: vs Det, vs Ott
If Detroit beats Boston (which right now looks like it's a good bet), then obviously the B's are toast. But if Boston beats Detroit (and not in OT), then it comes down to the two teams being tied with Detroit at the Rangers (not an easy game) and Boston home vs. Ottawa (which should be an easier game). Unfortunately, Detroit would win the tiebreaker between the two, which is the regulation and overtime wins (not counting shootout wins). Detroit is presently up 39-37 over Boston in that category, meaning if the Bruins beat the Red Wings, it'll be a tie in the standings but Detroit will be ahead in ROW 39-38. That would mean the Bruins would still need to pick up a point over Detroit in their respective last games.
In other words, a lot has to go right for the Bruins here.
Philly, meanwhile, is tied with Boston at 91 points, but they have three games left, not two. So all they need is one point somewhere in there. Their remaining schedule: vs Tor, vs Pit, at NYI.
The Pittsburgh and Islander games should be tough, but they should mop the ice with Toronto.
All in all, it's not looking good for Boston. Going 2-8 in your last 10 down the home stretch will do that for you. Ugh.
There's a particular deadly sequence of games tonight that could kill the Bruins, even if they beat Detroit. If Philadelphia beats Toronto (lol), the Rangers beat the Islanders, and Pittsburgh wins at nothing-to-play-for Washington, the Metro is completely locked up, and no one has anything left to play for over the weekend. Why is that bad? The Red Wings are at MSG Saturday, and the Flyers are vs. Pitts./@ NYI. So even a win over the Red Wings tonight might not be enough.
Well I could easily see the Bruins beating Detroit tonight and then losing to Ottawa in inexplicable fashion....
One other scenario...the B's beat Detroit (non-shootout) and win their last game (non-shootout), and Detroit beats NYR in a shootout. They'd be tied in ROW (39-39), and the Bruins would win in head to head (second tie breaker).
And that would give last year's and this year's team the distinction of 1st and 2nd spot for most points without making the playoffs.
That's what I'm talking about. I'm speaking more long term. It seemed that 90 was virtually a guarantee until 5-6 years ago.
Dallas also had 95 not long ago.
It's probably a combination of a few things...
The shootout provides more points per game (for ~10 years now)
And in years like this year and last year where there are potential franchise-level draftees (McDavid, Eichel, Matthews), the lower teams are tanking a bit which pads the upper teams' points totals.
The shootout provides more points per game (for ~10 years now)
And in years like this year and last year where there are potential franchise-level draftees (McDavid, Eichel, Matthews), the lower teams are tanking a bit which pads the upper teams' points totals.
Meh. The Islanders curb stomped the Rangers, so those two could still swap places in the standings. Means that the Rangers should be playing hard vs. Detroit Saturday, and the same for the Islanders vs. Philly Sunday.
Probably just the opposite. I'd assume both teams would rather finish 4th and move to the Atlantic bracket and play Florida, rather than finish 3rd and play Pittsburgh.
Well, when I said "inexplicable", I didn't think 6-1. Holy crap. Losing 2 of 3 at home in the last week while Detroit gave the Bruins the opening they needed.
Just unreal.