NHL 2023-24 at the 2/3rd Mark - Who Ya Got for Conf.Playoffs?

[hockeyrobot]

The % should add up to 800% for each conference. I think you could have 15 teams above 50% at worst.

I clearly don't understand probabilities.

[Pengwin7]

In any playoff %... the teams realistically having shots at final playoff spots *should* add up to: #PlayoffSpotsUpforGrabs x 100%

East seems to have 5 locks.
73% TB
64% DET
57% PHI
54% NYI
22% PIT
15% NJ
14% WAS
----------
299% for the 3 spots.

[hockeyrobot]

Oh sweet Jesus. Not again.

[hockeyrobot]

It's over. This is no longer fun.

[Invictus]

It's over. This is no longer fun.

It's fine. 4 game losing streak... you know who else has a 4 game losing streak? the Golden Knights and they won the Cup last year!

Detroit's got this!

[ross10019]

It's fine. 4 game losing streak... you know who else has a 4 game losing streak? the Golden Knights and they won the Cup last year!

Detroit's got this!

I agree. All this shows is how much this team needs Larkin, stirs the drink on ice and in terms of leadership.

The team I’m worried about (only because I have Vasy, despise them in real life) is Tampa. Just seem lost in terms of structure and Vasy not bailing them out at all like he normally would. That loss v Cgy on home ice was bruuuuutal.

[ross10019]

The other reason I would NOT bet against the Wings is their schedule. It is so easy these last 19 games - they play the Hurricanes, Panthers, Rangers, Preds, Leafs and Bolts 1x, all other games v non-playoff teams going nowhere, including a 2-game set v Canadiens to finish off the season. I’d put good $ on them finishing strong.

Contrast with the Flyers - Bolts tonight and Sharks Tuesday, then Bruins 2x, Leafs 2x, and Hurricanes Panthers Rangers, brutal stretch. Then a face off with the Isles April 1 which could have huge playoff implications.

Then the Isles with an easy stretch coming up and overall reasonably light schedule though not as easy as the Wings. And they’re hot and with Roy there I can see them sustaining it.

Bolts meanwhile have a tough road trip coming up but balanced with a soft stretch in April, and I cannot see that team missing the playoffs - too much skill and pride and good coaching.

So my prediction:

East - Isles overtake Flyers for 3-seed in Metropolitan, Wings and Bolts maintain their wild card position. NYR and Fla take their divisions. First round:

Panthers v Bolts (!!)
NYR v Wings (original 6)
Leafs v Bruins (ditto)
Isles v Canes

West - i’ll have to think about that! I think Preds and Knights/Kings should be good for the wild card with the only threat being Calgary. They have a tough set of games next 4 v Panthers, Canes, Avs, VGK but then it eases up considerably. If they get 4-5 points out of that stretch they could be a factor. But it’s unlikely.

Pacific should be easy - it’s Vancouver no 1 and then Edmonton with the Knights taking 3rd. Central is going to be a barn burner- Dallas heating up and looking dangerous, Colorado and the Jets arguably had the best trade deadlines, all bets are off but i’m going to say Dallas takes the no 1 seed and the Jets have to face the Avs on a brutal first round series.

So, first round:

Canucks v Kings
Stars v Preds (that will be a physical series)
Oilers v Knights (ditto!)
Avs v Jets (threeto!)

[Invictus]

I agree. All this shows is how much this team needs Larkin, stirs the drink on ice and in terms of leadership.

The team I’m worried about (only because I have Vasy, despise them in real life) is Tampa. Just seem lost in terms of structure and Vasy not bailing them out at all like he normally would. That loss v Cgy on home ice was bruuuuutal.

Tampa without Sergy is rough

[hockeyrobot]

It's fine. 4 game losing streak... you know who else has a 4 game losing streak? the Golden Knights and they won the Cup last year!

Detroit's got this!

It's moreso coming out flat vs Arizona after getting smoked by Colorado. Not a great look.

[ross10019]

Tampa without Sergy is rough

Dumba to the rescue! lol

All kidding aside, he’ll help a bit and the Bolts got him for nothing. And Duclair will help their ES scoring and inject some energy.

[Pengwin7]

Crazy finish to the year in the East:

Assuming a team needs 4pts to get in...
Which TWO schedules seems EASIEST among these?

a) @NYR, @NJ, PIT
b) BOS, NSH, @NYI
c) TB, BOS, PIT
d) @TOR, MON, MON
e) NJ, WSH

[Eskimo Brother]

Probably d)