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If no new major pandemic-related hurdles get in the way, the NHL will be resuming for potentially its strangest of post-seasons. No fans in attendance, a pre-playoff stage featuring 24 teams, round robins for the top 4 seeds in each conference, 5-game play-in rounds for the other 16 teams, and re-seeding after each round instead of a bracket format.
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I like the Bruins or Capitals as the top seed in the East, and expect the Penguins and Rangers to win their play-in rounds. The Islanders-Panthers series and Leafs-Jackets series are much harder to call. Leafs-Jackets will be a fun one to watch.
St. Louis likely takes the top seed in the West. I expect Edmonton, Nashville, and Vancouver to win their rounds. Calgary-Winnipeg is harder to call, but I give the edge to the Flames.
It would still be possible to see a Calgary-Edmonton series, which would be awesome, but I think the 'Nucks are Canada's best shot if they're able to get going and stay healthy. Also, of course, some of the drama that otherwise would have been in a Flames-Oilers series is probably dead now because of the break.
Can Philadelphia count as a wild card even though they're a top seed? I feel like no one expects them to go deep, but that they've got a good shot to surprise. -
Calgary Flames and Winnipeg Jets series.I like to see Blake Wheeler and Sean Monahan???
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The health order in Manitoba was extended 30 days to July 21 ,2020.Comment
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I think you're right about Vancouver as Canada's best shot. Heck of a team. Could be a situation where Demko comes in and steals the show and they go on a deep run.
I actually think it wouldn't take long for Calgary and Edmonton to rekindle the rivalry. Seems to be a lot of hate between those teams.
I haven't paid much attention to Philly this year but yeah they seemed to be rolling. Guess the coaching Hydra is paying off.Comment
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It'll be interesting to see how Hughes, Pettersson, Boeser, Virtanen, Horvat, and Markstrom fare with their first tastes of the NHL playoffs, providing Vancouver does indeed make it out of the qualifying round. I don't anticipate a strong showing from Virtanen, but I do I expect Horvat and Pettersson to be dominant. Boeser, Hughes, and Markstrom are question marks for me (in regards to postseason performance).
I will say that I think some are being too quick to wish for Demko to take over. Markstrom's just hitting his peak, he's got a few years ahead as a top-flight goalie I'd wager. As an aside, what a great goaltending position the Canucks are in. If Demko doesn't pan out as a starter, DiPietro certainly has a shot. And in terms of the postseason, well, he went on a legendary 13-0 run with the 67s in last year's OHL playoffs before getting injured. He knows how to turn it up.
Miller's never had a great playoffs, but he was absolute fire this season. I'd definitely keep my eye on him. Leivo is a playoff guy and could be a difference maker. Edler's been good in the postseason before. Toffoli is an interesting wild card.Comment
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Yeah you hit on a few good points. While I think Vancouver is Canada's best chance, I wouldn't put them among the favorites overall. Like I always say, a team usually needs a deep run or two to get the experience first.
And you're right about the goaltending at this point. Demko is young and inexperienced, whereas Markstrom is a very solid NHL goalie. But I'm not sure Markstrom is the guy that's gonna put them over the top. If they're going to win a Cup one day, I think it will have to be with Demko, or perhaps Dipietro.
I guess my main concern is, what are they doing with Markstrom short term? Canucks fans don't want to see another Luongo-Schneider situation where they sign Markstrom long-term and then have Demko sitting, waiting, wishing. But if they don't lock up Markstrom long-term this summer, someone else likely will. So I think it could be good for Demko to get a run this playoffs and see what they've got.Comment
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Tampa Bay wins the Cup! Victor Hedman for Conn Smythe. Not exactly a bad choice, but I'd have given it to Point.
There have been those who said this year somehow shouldn't count. I'd argue it might have been one of the most challenging. Then there were those who said "just cancel it all now" before the NHL had even announced their full plan. They did it. Zero positive tests during the playoffs with over 33,000 tests. The league deserves a lot of credit. Now how the hell are they gonna do the regular season?Comment
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Yeah I'm super happy they did the playoffs and awarded the Cup. Im with you Josh? no need for asterisks. I know a lot of people weren't as into it as they would usually be. For myself I watched a lot early on when the playoffs started, but once every team I was rooting for was gone by the conference finals, I didn't watch much of the last two rounds.
Was sad at first that hockey is over now, but just realized SHL and KHL are already up and running!
Oh and Bettman insists they want to do a full season... even though they're not going to start until probably December.Comment
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