Question for all you NHL Puck Heads out there?

[stevenash]

I love the game, I just don't have the time to follow it all.

Question?
Who's the sleeper team to keep an eye on that has a realistic chance of winning the Cup?

[DwightShrute]

I hate the Oilers but they have, without any doubt whatsoever, the best player in the NHL and arguably a top 4 or 5 player who plays along side him in Draisaitl. Edmonton has underachieved in the playoffs for years.

Offense was never an issue but they never had the goaltending. For several years the same story in net and a poor defense. The tried several goalies but no one helped them get over the hump. In the off season they signed Campbell from the Leafs but that didn't work out as planned. 25 million dollar contract and he let in a ton of goals. The good news is the rookie back-up Skinner. He has been outstanding the last month or so and is clearly their #1 goalie. If he can play like he has been lately in the playoffs, they could win it all.

So Edmonton is my sleeper team but I can see how someone would argue calling them a sleeper team. There are 16 pretty good teams in the playoffs and anyone could win. Injuries will play a role. Look at Boston, their #1 is injured. But their back-up goalies is excellent. They clearly have the best one-two goaltending in the NHL.

Boston vs Edmonton in the finals? Wouldn't surprise me.

[Headsterx]

I think for the underdog, you will need great goaltending and Dallas goalie, Oettinger, is red hot right now. And with the West so closely packed, it’s anyone game to win it. Boston won the President Cup and recent past winners have not been very successful in winning the Cup. So Western team might pull it off and I think Stars have been clicking at the right time with the right combo of offense and goaltending.

[goduke]

I hate the Oilers but they have, without any doubt whatsoever, the best player in the NHL and arguably a top 4 or 5 player who plays along side him in Draisaitl. Edmonton has underachieved in the playoffs for years.

Offense was never an issue but they never had the goaltending. For several years the same story in net and a poor defense. The tried several goalies but no one helped them get over the hump. In the off season they signed Campbell from the Leafs but that didn't work out as planned. 25 million dollar contract and he let in a ton of goals. The good news is the rookie back-up Skinner. He has been outstanding the last month or so and is clearly their #1 goalie. If he can play like he has been lately in the playoffs, they could win it all.

So Edmonton is my sleeper team but I can see how someone would argue calling them a sleeper team. There are 16 pretty good teams in the playoffs and anyone could win. Injuries will play a role. Look at Boston, their #1 is injured. But their back-up goalies is excellent. They clearly have the best one-two goaltending in the NHL.

Boston vs Edmonton in the finals? Wouldn't surprise me.

Got to beat the long curse of winning a cup as a canadian team. It’s one of those bets where if you take it and then they lose you feel like an idiot simply because canadian teams don’t win the cup

[goduke]

I think for the underdog, you will need great goaltending and Dallas goalie, Oettinger, is red hot right now. And with the West so closely packed, it’s anyone game to win it. Boston won the President Cup and recent past winners have not been very successful in winning the Cup. So Western team might pull it off and I think Stars have been clicking at the right time with the right combo of offense and goaltending.

Otter is another level type goalie but his team around him I don’t think has enough tools to win it all

[goduke]

I would say Avs repeat. Maybe devils as a dark horse. And if you want to get real crazy for value pens. Their biggest issue is their goalies, if they figure it out they have the talent

[DwightShrute]

Got to beat the long curse of winning a cup as a canadian team. It’s one of those bets where if you take it and then they lose you feel like an idiot simply because canadian teams don’t win the cup

haha I haven't thought about it as a curse or even heard it talked about in those terms. Is that what they are saying in the States? Its just geography anyways because most of the players are Canadian anyways.

I would say Avs repeat. Maybe devils as a dark horse. And if you want to get real crazy for value pens. Their biggest issue is their goalies, if they figure it out they have the talent

They have all the talent still and are playing well down the stretch which is huge. I wouldn't call them a sleeper. They lost their #1 goalie Kuemper from last season but didn't downgrade with Georgiev. He's been great at times. The only concern I have is the health of Makar lately. He's missed a lot of games. When he plays, he's lights out and the best defenseman in the league.

[lakerboy]

Value plays

Carolina
Stars

I did like the kings but they have injuries.

Rangers look good as well.

Edmonton is getting respect from the books. I see they are favorites in Colorado tomorrow. I don't think you can win with that goaltending but they have everything else.

Devils aren't ready.

Tb is old.

Tor if they can win a round vs tb might finally make a run.

The East is a awfully tough grind.

[DwightShrute]

Winnipeg might surprise. They started the season extremely well but looked average to bad around the 60 game mark where the unthinkable almost happened, missing the playoffs. If they get in, which is looking like a 95% chance they will, they have a great goalie and many skilled players.

They could be the darkest of the horses heading into the playoffs.

[DwightShrute]

Value plays

Carolina
Stars

I did like the kings but they have injuries.

Rangers look good as well.

Edmonton is getting respect from the books. I see they are favorites in Colorado tomorrow. I don't think you can win with that goaltending but they have everything else.

Devils aren't ready.

Tb is old.

Tor if they can win a round vs tb might finally make a run.

The East is a awfully tough grind.

Rangers have tons of talent and a top 5 goalie.

As does Tampa and they seem to turn it up a notch come playoff time.

Its a coin toss in round one in both conferences. Especially in the East.

[mr. leisure]

Give me the Rangers / AVs in the finals .

[Headsterx]

Got to beat the long curse of winning a cup as a canadian team. It’s one of those bets where if you take it and then they lose you feel like an idiot simply because canadian teams don’t win the cup

Oh yeah, the Canadian curse. Sorry Oilers, Leafs, and Jets but thanks for participating.

[k13]

Oilers are just a power play team.
Overrated trash.

Good thing the West is garbage or else they wouldn't even make playoffs.

Terrible odds on them now.

[dark star]

Just took Toronto to win East +650.I know they have to beat Boston but your getting 6.5-1.....solid team

[agendaman]

well gomma try the toronto maple leafs again gents.no cup since 1967.p.s. what a year for absolutely the 2 best players in the nhl.connor mcdavid-64 goals and david pasternak-60 goals.

[k13]

well gomma try the toronto maple leafs again gents.no cup since 1967.p.s. what a year for absolutely the 2 best players in the nhl.connor mcdavid-64 goals and david pasternak-60 goals.

That's because the NHL is a joke right now.

[slewfan]

I bet Edmonton to win the West. Maybe they’ve learned how to win. Best time of the year approaching for my money…

[DwightShrute]

[Kami40]

Kraken

[Headsterx]

That's because the NHL is a joke right now.

Why is it a joke right now?

[k13]

Why is it a joke right now?

Because there's no hitting, no one is scared.
After Covid the league can't be taken seriously.
Just one big garbage power play fest.

There's a reason why scoring is up so much with the same players.

Bums scoring 40 goals when Mcdavid could not score 40 just a few years ago and no he never got better.

[Headsterx]

Because there's no hitting, no one is scared.
After Covid the league can't be taken seriously.
Just one big garbage power play fest.

There's a reason why scoring is up so much with the same players.

Bums scoring 40 goals when Mcdavid could not score 40 just a few years ago and no he never got better.

Ah ok, thanks!

[blackbart]

Give me the Rangers / Winny Peg in the finals .

Good goalies

[Mike Huntertz]

I agree with Shrute(first time) hahaha
Oil have #1 PP and best player in the world. It's all about goal tending as it always is.

[Headsterx]

Welcome to the party Islanders! Penguins are eliminated.

[lakerboy]

Because there's no hitting, no one is scared.
After Covid the league can't be taken seriously.
Just one big garbage power play fest.

There's a reason why scoring is up so much with the same players.

Bums scoring 40 goals when Mcdavid could not score 40 just a few years ago and no he never got better.

You enjoyed watching the trap devil teams of the 90,s and early 2000,s?

[Mike Huntertz]

Because there's no hitting, no one is scared.
After Covid the league can't be taken seriously.
Just one big garbage power play fest.

There's a reason why scoring is up so much with the same players.

Bums scoring 40 goals when Mcdavid could not score 40 just a few years ago and no he never got better.

It's hard to score when you're on the IR.
McDavid "just a few years ago" missed 18 games one season and 26 the next. Yet scored 34 and 33 times.

[Headsterx]

Got Dallas +1400 to win the Cup.

[DwightShrute]

[k13]

It's hard to score when you're on the IR.
McDavid "just a few years ago" missed 18 games one season and 26 the next. Yet scored 34 and 33 times.

He played 3 straight years without injuries.
Anything after covid don't count.

[k13]

Without powerplays oilers are automatically out so better hope for cheap calls.

[k13]

Every NHL playoff series line will be low.

Florida vs Bruins is only +265

[Headsterx]

Every NHL playoff series line will be low.

Florida vs Bruins is only +265

At first I’m thinking that’s not low but then I saw NBA with Nets +600 and Hawks +650 and so that’s low. That’s crazy that the best record in NHL is only -340 to win first round series. I guess it’s indicative on the unpredictable NHL playoffs of the past.

I’m taking Bruins as Panthers ain’t winning anything in this series.

[Microphone]

With Lakerboy, Carolina, Carolina, Carolina.

[Headsterx]

See ya'all in the 2nd round!