It is that time of year again, where the Snores fail to make the Stanley
Cup playoffs an,,wait ,,,what???? They made the play offs?!!?!?
SO here is the info to join the play off bracket challenge. I should
look later for an actual old style hockey pool with actual players to
pick. Anyhow, fairly easy, you just pick the winners of each round
https://bracketchallenge.nhl.com/en/brackets/pre-registration
League is called RSS, password is rss2026
Warm Weather Theory will want to defend its title (are we
on for a threepeat?),
but it will be tough without the Florida Panthers.
Futbolmetrix wrote:
Warm Weather Theory will want to defend its title (are we
on for a threepeat?),
FWIW, I reckon Cooper and the Bolts could be worth a punt.
but it will be tough without the Florida Panthers.
No Chucker or Brad = no loss!
On 2026-04-14 5:58 p.m., Blueshirt wrote:
Futbolmetrix wrote:
Warm Weather Theory will want to defend its title (are we
on for a threepeat?),
FWIW, I reckon Cooper and the Bolts could be worth a punt.
but it will be tough without the Florida Panthers.
No Chucker or Brad = no loss!
This has to be the year that the Oilers win it. I am sticking with that >Homeresque prediction.
On Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:13:11 -0400, Binder Dundat <dundat@mail.com>
wrote:
On 2026-04-14 5:58 p.m., Blueshirt wrote:
Futbolmetrix wrote:
Warm Weather Theory will want to defend its title (are we
on for a threepeat?),
FWIW, I reckon Cooper and the Bolts could be worth a punt.
but it will be tough without the Florida Panthers.
No Chucker or Brad = no loss!
This has to be the year that the Oilers win it. I am sticking with that >>Homeresque prediction.
Looks like Tampa Bay will be the winner according to WWT. A couple of >interesting WWT derbies in the East, with Boston just edging Buffalo
and Philly just edging Pittsburgh. But it will be Tampa versus
Carolina in the conference finals.
On Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:22:32 -0400, Futbolmetrix
<futbolmetrix@yahoo.com> wrote:
On Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:13:11 -0400, Binder Dundat <dundat@mail.com>
wrote:
On 2026-04-14 5:58 p.m., Blueshirt wrote:
Futbolmetrix wrote:
Warm Weather Theory will want to defend its title (are we
on for a threepeat?),
FWIW, I reckon Cooper and the Bolts could be worth a punt.
but it will be tough without the Florida Panthers.
No Chucker or Brad = no loss!
This has to be the year that the Oilers win it. I am sticking with that >>> Homeresque prediction.
Looks like Tampa Bay will be the winner according to WWT. A couple of
interesting WWT derbies in the East, with Boston just edging Buffalo
and Philly just edging Pittsburgh. But it will be Tampa versus
Carolina in the conference finals.
Bracket is now set. It will be Tampa over Anaheim in the Stanley Cup
final, with Tampa taking home the Cup. Warm Weather Theory never
fails.
On Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:22:32 -0400, Futbolmetrix
<futbolmetrix@yahoo.com> wrote:
On Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:13:11 -0400, Binder Dundat <dundat@mail.com>
wrote:
On 2026-04-14 5:58 p.m., Blueshirt wrote:
Futbolmetrix wrote:
Warm Weather Theory will want to defend its title (are we
on for a threepeat?),
FWIW, I reckon Cooper and the Bolts could be worth a punt.
but it will be tough without the Florida Panthers.
No Chucker or Brad = no loss!
This has to be the year that the Oilers win it. I am sticking with that >>> Homeresque prediction.
Looks like Tampa Bay will be the winner according to WWT. A couple of
interesting WWT derbies in the East, with Boston just edging Buffalo
and Philly just edging Pittsburgh. But it will be Tampa versus
Carolina in the conference finals.
Bracket is now set. It will be Tampa over Anaheim in the Stanley Cup
final, with Tampa taking home the Cup. Warm Weather Theory never
fails.
Let's see how badly actually watching games fares compared to WWT.
Sabres (A1) vs Bruins (WC1)
One of the more intriguing series. I have Boston in 6, cynicism beats >exuberance.
Lightning (A2) vs Canadiens (A3)
I believe the old guard will prevail one more time. Tampa in 6.
Hurricanes (M1) vs Senators (WC2)
Carolina in 5.
Penguins (M2) vs Flyers (M3)
I go for offence. Pittsburgh in 6.
Avalanche (C1) vs Kings (WC2)
Colorado in 5.
Stars (C2) vs Wild (C3)
A complete toss-up. I say Dallas in 7,
Golden Knights (P1) vs Mammoth (WC1)
Utah in 6. I hope.
Oilers (P2) vs Ducks (P3)
Edmonton in 5.
Is Anaheim really warmer than Las Vegas or Los Angeles (I assume yes,
since you would have checked)?
On 17/04/2026 15:37, Futbolmetrix wrote:
On Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:22:32 -0400, Futbolmetrix
<futbolmetrix@yahoo.com> wrote:
On Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:13:11 -0400, Binder Dundat <dundat@mail.com>
wrote:
On 2026-04-14 5:58 p.m., Blueshirt wrote:
Futbolmetrix wrote:
Warm Weather Theory will want to defend its title (are we
on for a threepeat?),
FWIW, I reckon Cooper and the Bolts could be worth a punt.
but it will be tough without the Florida Panthers.
No Chucker or Brad = no loss!
This has to be the year that the Oilers win it. I am sticking with that >>>> Homeresque prediction.
Looks like Tampa Bay will be the winner according to WWT. A couple of
interesting WWT derbies in the East, with Boston just edging Buffalo
and Philly just edging Pittsburgh. But it will be Tampa versus
Carolina in the conference finals.
Bracket is now set. It will be Tampa over Anaheim in the Stanley Cup
final, with Tampa taking home the Cup. Warm Weather Theory never
fails.
Let's see how badly actually watching games fares compared to WWT.
Sabres (A1) vs Bruins (WC1)
On December 17, 2025, 32 games into the season, the Buffalo Sabres sat
- as usual - in last place of the Eastern Conference, looking dead-set
to prolong their 14-year playoff drought, and were even getting mocked
in an episode of 'Heated Rivalry'.
Two days before, they had fired their hapless GM Kevyn Adams and brought
in a European, Jarmo Kek|nl|ninen, who had done a decent but in the end
not overly successful job with Columbus. Veteran coach Lindy Ruff, as
likable as he is, was generally seen as a dinosaur just waiting for the
final axe.
What happened since then is nothing short of miraculous, as the Sabres
went 36-9-5 in their remaining 50 games, and stormed all the way to the
top of the Atlantic division. They are the best team in the NHL since
January 1.
So we have a young, enthusiastic group in Buffalo that see it all coming >together in real time - but one can't help but wonder whether it will be >different in the playoffs, and especially against the Bruins.
Because whereas Buffalo made it in thanks to their offence, Boston
- also with a European at the helm, Marco Sturm has done a stellar job
as head coach - surprised everyone who expected a lowly rebuilding
season with their grinding, stingy defensive play, David Pastr+e|ik
suddenly becoming an elite playmaker, and above all great goalie >performances by Jeremy Swayman who stole more than one game, or three,
or twenty.
One of the more intriguing series. I have Boston in 6, cynicism beats >exuberance.
Lightning (A2) vs Canadiens (A3)
A repeat of the Stanley Cup final from a mere five years ago, but while
Tampa are basically still the same old Tampa, another young,
enthusiastic group that sees it all coming together in real time has
emerged in Montr|-al. Cole Caufield has become the Habs' first 50-goal
scorer since St|-phane Richer in 1989-90, Nick Suzuki hit 100 points for
the first time in his career, and Juraj Slafkovsk|+, Lane Hutson and Ivan >Demidov have been stepping up as well.
As the Athletic has put it, it's a duel between past and future, and the
one I will have the most interest in from an Austrian point of view
since David Reinbacher might get some games for the Habs. But what's
good news for me (and possibly Reinbacher) is bad news for Montr|-al, as
Noah Dobson's injury could throw a proper spanner in the works. Victor
Hedman might be out for the Lightning as well, but they have way more >defensive depth.
I believe the old guard will prevail one more time. Tampa in 6.
Hurricanes (M1) vs Senators (WC2)
So the Senators have made it to the playoffs after all, overcoming quite
a bit of adversity - above all terrible goaltending to start the season, >until Linus Ullmark took a personal leave and reset himself - and now
they face a team they've never met in the postseason before but one that >plays the same kind of dump-and-chase shutdown style, only usually
better.
The similarities extend down to the fact that there are questions around >Carolina's goaltending, too - Brandon Bussi has cooled off considerably >following an amazing rookie start, Fredrik Andersen looks shaky even
more frequently than in previous years, and Pyotr Kochetkov hasn't
played a game since December.
What it might boil down to is which team will be better at protecting
their dodgy goalies with elite shutdown defence, and here I'd still give
the benefit to Jaccob Slavin (who was as crucial for Team USA at the
Olympics as he is for his club) over Jake Sanderson. But Slavin is 31
while Sanderson is 23, so at least the future looks brighter for the
Sens.
Carolina in 5.
Penguins (M2) vs Flyers (M3)
Before the start of the season I don't think *anybody* had a Battle of >Pennsylvania pencilled in as a possible playoff series, yet here we are.
A lot of credit needs to go to the two head coaches, who both managed to >completely change the downward trajectory of their respective
franchises, and I'd give the edge here to Pittsburgh's Dan Muse over >Philadelphia's Rick Tocchet, because unlike the Flyers the Pens are also >entertaining to watch. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are enjoying
their umpteenth resurgence (Malkin already won a Conn Smythe Trophy
17 years ago, let that sink in), and even Erik Karlsson, whose
lackadaisical approach to defence I used to loathe (it was worst when he
won the Norris Trophy while with a terrible San Jose Sharks team - yes
he put up 100 points, but he never actually played any defence, which
is, you know, in the job description) has turned it around and is
playing more responsibly around his own net than perhaps ever before.
The Flyers don't have anything like this star power up front, so this is >going to be a proper offence vs defence clash.
I go for offence. Pittsburgh in 6.
Avalanche (C1) vs Kings (WC2)
While the entire rest of the league was about 'PARITY!' more than ever >before, the Central Division bucked the trend and dominated, above all
the Avs who not only won the President's Trophy but looked utterly
convincing doing so, especially in the first half of the season. They
are the hands-down favourites to win the whole thing.
But... there are chinks in the armour. For some unfathomable reason
a power play with Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon on it is one of the
worst of the league (I suppose this is where they miss Mikko Rantanen
the most). With the division title sewn up, their performances after the >Olympic break have been lacklustre. Nathan MacKinnon might still wake
with a start in the middle of the night because he dreamt of *that*
empty net.
But it should be more than enough for the Kings, who made it out of the
worst divison, with a negative goal difference, the second-fewest
regulation wins in the league (dear NHL, what's so bad about using a
3-2-1-0 system instead of the stupid loser point?? the PWHL manages
just fine!), Kevin Fiala out for the season, and new arrival Artemi
Panarin going through the motions. The only positives I can think of are >all-around great guy An++e Kopitar getting a well-deserved playoff run-
out in his final season, and we're finally rid of Kings vs Oilers First >Rounds (but it was close).
Colorado in 5.
Stars (C2) vs Wild (C3)
Out of practically nowhere the boring, boring Minnesota Wild created the >biggest splash on the trading front when they lured Quinn Hughes out of
the mess that is the Vancouver Canucks, albeit at a rather steep cost,
giving up three young players (including our own Marco Rossi) that
everyone thought would have been part of their core for years to come.
That move has been a gamble for Bill Guerin, but one I (reluctantly)
have to applaud because it's become so rare to see a GM swinging for the >fences. As it stands, the jury on that trade is still out - if Minnesota >finally make it past the First-Round hurdle after eight consecutive
failed attempts, if they should win a banner, if Quinn Hughes really
signs long-term, if-if-if...
Because of course their First-Round opponents are no slouches either,
coming off three consecutive Conference Final appearances. Jason
Robertson, Mikko Rantanen and Miro Heiskanen can play with the best of
them, and have.
A complete toss-up. I say Dallas in 7, just because it would be a better
fit for Minnesota's 'try harder, fail better' narrative. And I'm a bit
miffed about Rossi.
Golden Knights (P1) vs Mammoth (WC1)
Just to show how bad the Pacific Division has been, Vegas won it, and
they fired their head coach Bruce Cassidy on March 29. And so far it
looks like the move paid off, too, because they've looked much improved
under the always-entertaining John Tortorella (although I kind of wonder >whether Mitch Marner was really happy about that coaching change).
But to me there's much more to like about Utah, another team like the
Sabres and Canadiens that are fun to watch and have a young core that's
only just starting to click. Give me Logan Cooley and Clayton Keller
over Jack Eichel any day. And Carter Hart can go f himself.
Utah in 6. I hope.
Oilers (P2) vs Ducks (P3)
It's the same old with the Oilers, they have stretches where they look >terrible, a lot of stretches where their elite players just drag them
along kicking and screaming, and in the end it's all just enough without
ever looking like the complete package. Well, this kind of approach has >brought them to two consecutive Stanley Cup Finals.
Could they repeat that? They did surprisingly well without an injured
Leon Draisaitl during the last stretch of the season, Connor Ingram has >emerged as an unlikely goaltender solution (what were they even thinking >swapping Stuart Skinner with Tristan Jarry? such an Oilers move to
make), and a series against Anaheim could be exactly they jolt they need
to galvanise them because the Ducks are close to an ideal opponent, what
with their own terrible defence and run-and-gun style of play.
As for Anaheim, there's much to like, similar to Utah, but they're even
less seasoned than the Mammoth, and I think the lack of experience will
show. Could be a fun series, at least.
Edmonton in 5.
Ciao,--
Werner
On Sat, 18 Apr 2026 13:02:42 +0200, Werner Pichler
<wpichler@gmail.com> wrote:
Another uphill battle for WWT. 4-4. Still, not too shabby.
In article <10rvocj$gm77$1@solani.org>,
Werner Pichler <wpichler@gmail.com> wrote:
On 17/04/2026 15:37, Futbolmetrix wrote:
On Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:22:32 -0400, Futbolmetrix
<futbolmetrix@yahoo.com> wrote:
On Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:13:11 -0400, Binder Dundat <dundat@mail.com>
wrote:
On 2026-04-14 5:58 p.m., Blueshirt wrote:
Futbolmetrix wrote:
Warm Weather Theory will want to defend its title (are we
on for a threepeat?),
FWIW, I reckon Cooper and the Bolts could be worth a punt.
but it will be tough without the Florida Panthers.
No Chucker or Brad = no loss!
This has to be the year that the Oilers win it. I am sticking with that >>>>> Homeresque prediction.
Looks like Tampa Bay will be the winner according to WWT. A couple of
interesting WWT derbies in the East, with Boston just edging Buffalo
and Philly just edging Pittsburgh. But it will be Tampa versus
Carolina in the conference finals.
Bracket is now set. It will be Tampa over Anaheim in the Stanley Cup
final, with Tampa taking home the Cup. Warm Weather Theory never
fails.
Let's see how badly actually watching games fares compared to WWT.
Sabres (A1) vs Bruins (WC1)
On December 17, 2025, 32 games into the season, the Buffalo Sabres sat
- as usual - in last place of the Eastern Conference, looking dead-set
to prolong their 14-year playoff drought, and were even getting mocked
in an episode of 'Heated Rivalry'.
Two days before, they had fired their hapless GM Kevyn Adams and brought
in a European, Jarmo Kek|nl|ninen, who had done a decent but in the end
not overly successful job with Columbus. Veteran coach Lindy Ruff, as >>likable as he is, was generally seen as a dinosaur just waiting for the >>final axe.
What happened since then is nothing short of miraculous, as the Sabres
went 36-9-5 in their remaining 50 games, and stormed all the way to the
top of the Atlantic division. They are the best team in the NHL since >>January 1.
So we have a young, enthusiastic group in Buffalo that see it all coming >>together in real time - but one can't help but wonder whether it will be >>different in the playoffs, and especially against the Bruins.
Because whereas Buffalo made it in thanks to their offence, Boston
- also with a European at the helm, Marco Sturm has done a stellar job
as head coach - surprised everyone who expected a lowly rebuilding
season with their grinding, stingy defensive play, David Pastr+e|ik >>suddenly becoming an elite playmaker, and above all great goalie >>performances by Jeremy Swayman who stole more than one game, or three,
or twenty.
One of the more intriguing series. I have Boston in 6, cynicism beats >>exuberance.
Boston in 7
Lightning (A2) vs Canadiens (A3)
A repeat of the Stanley Cup final from a mere five years ago, but while >>Tampa are basically still the same old Tampa, another young,
enthusiastic group that sees it all coming together in real time has >>emerged in Montr|-al. Cole Caufield has become the Habs' first 50-goal >>scorer since St|-phane Richer in 1989-90, Nick Suzuki hit 100 points for >>the first time in his career, and Juraj Slafkovsk|+, Lane Hutson and Ivan >>Demidov have been stepping up as well.
As the Athletic has put it, it's a duel between past and future, and the >>one I will have the most interest in from an Austrian point of view
since David Reinbacher might get some games for the Habs. But what's
good news for me (and possibly Reinbacher) is bad news for Montr|-al, as >>Noah Dobson's injury could throw a proper spanner in the works. Victor >>Hedman might be out for the Lightning as well, but they have way more >>defensive depth.
I believe the old guard will prevail one more time. Tampa in 6.
Habs in 6
Hurricanes (M1) vs Senators (WC2)
So the Senators have made it to the playoffs after all, overcoming quite
a bit of adversity - above all terrible goaltending to start the season, >>until Linus Ullmark took a personal leave and reset himself - and now
they face a team they've never met in the postseason before but one that >>plays the same kind of dump-and-chase shutdown style, only usually
better.
The similarities extend down to the fact that there are questions around >>Carolina's goaltending, too - Brandon Bussi has cooled off considerably >>following an amazing rookie start, Fredrik Andersen looks shaky even
more frequently than in previous years, and Pyotr Kochetkov hasn't
played a game since December.
What it might boil down to is which team will be better at protecting
their dodgy goalies with elite shutdown defence, and here I'd still give >>the benefit to Jaccob Slavin (who was as crucial for Team USA at the >>Olympics as he is for his club) over Jake Sanderson. But Slavin is 31
while Sanderson is 23, so at least the future looks brighter for the
Sens.
Carolina in 5.
Ottawa in 6
Penguins (M2) vs Flyers (M3)
Before the start of the season I don't think *anybody* had a Battle of >>Pennsylvania pencilled in as a possible playoff series, yet here we are.
A lot of credit needs to go to the two head coaches, who both managed to >>completely change the downward trajectory of their respective
franchises, and I'd give the edge here to Pittsburgh's Dan Muse over >>Philadelphia's Rick Tocchet, because unlike the Flyers the Pens are also >>entertaining to watch. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are enjoying
their umpteenth resurgence (Malkin already won a Conn Smythe Trophy
17 years ago, let that sink in), and even Erik Karlsson, whose >>lackadaisical approach to defence I used to loathe (it was worst when he >>won the Norris Trophy while with a terrible San Jose Sharks team - yes
he put up 100 points, but he never actually played any defence, which
is, you know, in the job description) has turned it around and is
playing more responsibly around his own net than perhaps ever before.
The Flyers don't have anything like this star power up front, so this is >>going to be a proper offence vs defence clash.
I go for offence. Pittsburgh in 6.
Flyers in 7
Avalanche (C1) vs Kings (WC2)
While the entire rest of the league was about 'PARITY!' more than ever >>before, the Central Division bucked the trend and dominated, above all
the Avs who not only won the President's Trophy but looked utterly >>convincing doing so, especially in the first half of the season. They
are the hands-down favourites to win the whole thing.
But... there are chinks in the armour. For some unfathomable reason
a power play with Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon on it is one of the
worst of the league (I suppose this is where they miss Mikko Rantanen
the most). With the division title sewn up, their performances after the >>Olympic break have been lacklustre. Nathan MacKinnon might still wake
with a start in the middle of the night because he dreamt of *that*
empty net.
But it should be more than enough for the Kings, who made it out of the >>worst divison, with a negative goal difference, the second-fewest >>regulation wins in the league (dear NHL, what's so bad about using a >>3-2-1-0 system instead of the stupid loser point?? the PWHL manages
just fine!), Kevin Fiala out for the season, and new arrival Artemi
Panarin going through the motions. The only positives I can think of are >>all-around great guy An++e Kopitar getting a well-deserved playoff run-
out in his final season, and we're finally rid of Kings vs Oilers First >>Rounds (but it was close).
Colorado in 5.
Kings in 7
Stars (C2) vs Wild (C3)
Out of practically nowhere the boring, boring Minnesota Wild created the >>biggest splash on the trading front when they lured Quinn Hughes out of
the mess that is the Vancouver Canucks, albeit at a rather steep cost, >>giving up three young players (including our own Marco Rossi) that
everyone thought would have been part of their core for years to come.
That move has been a gamble for Bill Guerin, but one I (reluctantly)
have to applaud because it's become so rare to see a GM swinging for the >>fences. As it stands, the jury on that trade is still out - if Minnesota >>finally make it past the First-Round hurdle after eight consecutive
failed attempts, if they should win a banner, if Quinn Hughes really
signs long-term, if-if-if...
Because of course their First-Round opponents are no slouches either, >>coming off three consecutive Conference Final appearances. Jason
Robertson, Mikko Rantanen and Miro Heiskanen can play with the best of >>them, and have.
A complete toss-up. I say Dallas in 7, just because it would be a better >>fit for Minnesota's 'try harder, fail better' narrative. And I'm a bit >>miffed about Rossi.
Minnesota v1 vs Minnesota v2!
Wild in 6
Golden Knights (P1) vs Mammoth (WC1)
Just to show how bad the Pacific Division has been, Vegas won it, and
they fired their head coach Bruce Cassidy on March 29. And so far it
looks like the move paid off, too, because they've looked much improved >>under the always-entertaining John Tortorella (although I kind of wonder >>whether Mitch Marner was really happy about that coaching change).
But to me there's much more to like about Utah, another team like the >>Sabres and Canadiens that are fun to watch and have a young core that's >>only just starting to click. Give me Logan Cooley and Clayton Keller
over Jack Eichel any day. And Carter Hart can go f himself.
Utah in 6. I hope.
I say 7
Oilers (P2) vs Ducks (P3)
It's the same old with the Oilers, they have stretches where they look >>terrible, a lot of stretches where their elite players just drag them
along kicking and screaming, and in the end it's all just enough without >>ever looking like the complete package. Well, this kind of approach has >>brought them to two consecutive Stanley Cup Finals.
Could they repeat that? They did surprisingly well without an injured
Leon Draisaitl during the last stretch of the season, Connor Ingram has >>emerged as an unlikely goaltender solution (what were they even thinking >>swapping Stuart Skinner with Tristan Jarry? such an Oilers move to
make), and a series against Anaheim could be exactly they jolt they need
to galvanise them because the Ducks are close to an ideal opponent, what >>with their own terrible defence and run-and-gun style of play.
As for Anaheim, there's much to like, similar to Utah, but they're even >>less seasoned than the Mammoth, and I think the lack of experience will >>show. Could be a fun series, at least.
Edmonton in 5.
I will go with that.
Ciao,
Werner
----
Member - Liberal International This is doctor@nk.ca Ici doctor@nk.ca
Yahweh, King & country!Never Satan President Republic!Beware AntiChrist rising!
Look at Psalms 14 and 53 on Atheism ;
All I want to hear from Jesus is WEll Done Good and Faithful Servant.
In article <10s053b$2rru$4@gallifrey.nk.ca>,
The Doctor <doctor@doctor.nl2k.ab.ca> wrote:
In article <10rvocj$gm77$1@solani.org>,
Werner Pichler <wpichler@gmail.com> wrote:
On 17/04/2026 15:37, Futbolmetrix wrote:
On Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:22:32 -0400, Futbolmetrix
<futbolmetrix@yahoo.com> wrote:
On Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:13:11 -0400, Binder Dundat <dundat@mail.com>
wrote:
On 2026-04-14 5:58 p.m., Blueshirt wrote:
Futbolmetrix wrote:
Warm Weather Theory will want to defend its title (are we
on for a threepeat?),
FWIW, I reckon Cooper and the Bolts could be worth a punt.
but it will be tough without the Florida Panthers.
No Chucker or Brad = no loss!
This has to be the year that the Oilers win it. I am sticking with that >>>>>> Homeresque prediction.
Looks like Tampa Bay will be the winner according to WWT. A couple of >>>>> interesting WWT derbies in the East, with Boston just edging Buffalo >>>>> and Philly just edging Pittsburgh. But it will be Tampa versus
Carolina in the conference finals.
Bracket is now set. It will be Tampa over Anaheim in the Stanley Cup
final, with Tampa taking home the Cup. Warm Weather Theory never
fails.
Let's see how badly actually watching games fares compared to WWT.
Sabres (A1) vs Bruins (WC1)
On December 17, 2025, 32 games into the season, the Buffalo Sabres sat
- as usual - in last place of the Eastern Conference, looking dead-set
to prolong their 14-year playoff drought, and were even getting mocked
in an episode of 'Heated Rivalry'.
Two days before, they had fired their hapless GM Kevyn Adams and brought >>> in a European, Jarmo Kek|nl|ninen, who had done a decent but in the end
not overly successful job with Columbus. Veteran coach Lindy Ruff, as
likable as he is, was generally seen as a dinosaur just waiting for the
final axe.
What happened since then is nothing short of miraculous, as the Sabres
went 36-9-5 in their remaining 50 games, and stormed all the way to the
top of the Atlantic division. They are the best team in the NHL since
January 1.
So we have a young, enthusiastic group in Buffalo that see it all coming >>> together in real time - but one can't help but wonder whether it will be >>> different in the playoffs, and especially against the Bruins.
Because whereas Buffalo made it in thanks to their offence, Boston
- also with a European at the helm, Marco Sturm has done a stellar job
as head coach - surprised everyone who expected a lowly rebuilding
season with their grinding, stingy defensive play, David Pastr+e|ik
suddenly becoming an elite playmaker, and above all great goalie
performances by Jeremy Swayman who stole more than one game, or three,
or twenty.
One of the more intriguing series. I have Boston in 6, cynicism beats
exuberance.
Boston in 7
Lightning (A2) vs Canadiens (A3)
A repeat of the Stanley Cup final from a mere five years ago, but while
Tampa are basically still the same old Tampa, another young,
enthusiastic group that sees it all coming together in real time has
emerged in Montr|-al. Cole Caufield has become the Habs' first 50-goal
scorer since St|-phane Richer in 1989-90, Nick Suzuki hit 100 points for >>> the first time in his career, and Juraj Slafkovsk|+, Lane Hutson and Ivan >>> Demidov have been stepping up as well.
As the Athletic has put it, it's a duel between past and future, and the >>> one I will have the most interest in from an Austrian point of view
since David Reinbacher might get some games for the Habs. But what's
good news for me (and possibly Reinbacher) is bad news for Montr|-al, as >>> Noah Dobson's injury could throw a proper spanner in the works. Victor
Hedman might be out for the Lightning as well, but they have way more
defensive depth.
I believe the old guard will prevail one more time. Tampa in 6.
Habs in 6
Hurricanes (M1) vs Senators (WC2)
So the Senators have made it to the playoffs after all, overcoming quite >>> a bit of adversity - above all terrible goaltending to start the season, >>> until Linus Ullmark took a personal leave and reset himself - and now
they face a team they've never met in the postseason before but one that >>> plays the same kind of dump-and-chase shutdown style, only usually
better.
The similarities extend down to the fact that there are questions around >>> Carolina's goaltending, too - Brandon Bussi has cooled off considerably
following an amazing rookie start, Fredrik Andersen looks shaky even
more frequently than in previous years, and Pyotr Kochetkov hasn't
played a game since December.
What it might boil down to is which team will be better at protecting
their dodgy goalies with elite shutdown defence, and here I'd still give >>> the benefit to Jaccob Slavin (who was as crucial for Team USA at the
Olympics as he is for his club) over Jake Sanderson. But Slavin is 31
while Sanderson is 23, so at least the future looks brighter for the
Sens.
Carolina in 5.
Ottawa in 6
Game 1 Carolina 2 Ottawa 0
Penguins (M2) vs Flyers (M3)
Before the start of the season I don't think *anybody* had a Battle of
Pennsylvania pencilled in as a possible playoff series, yet here we are. >>>
A lot of credit needs to go to the two head coaches, who both managed to >>> completely change the downward trajectory of their respective
franchises, and I'd give the edge here to Pittsburgh's Dan Muse over
Philadelphia's Rick Tocchet, because unlike the Flyers the Pens are also >>> entertaining to watch. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are enjoying
their umpteenth resurgence (Malkin already won a Conn Smythe Trophy
17 years ago, let that sink in), and even Erik Karlsson, whose
lackadaisical approach to defence I used to loathe (it was worst when he >>> won the Norris Trophy while with a terrible San Jose Sharks team - yes
he put up 100 points, but he never actually played any defence, which
is, you know, in the job description) has turned it around and is
playing more responsibly around his own net than perhaps ever before.
The Flyers don't have anything like this star power up front, so this is >>> going to be a proper offence vs defence clash.
I go for offence. Pittsburgh in 6.
Flyers in 7
Avalanche (C1) vs Kings (WC2)
While the entire rest of the league was about 'PARITY!' more than ever
before, the Central Division bucked the trend and dominated, above all
the Avs who not only won the President's Trophy but looked utterly
convincing doing so, especially in the first half of the season. They
are the hands-down favourites to win the whole thing.
But... there are chinks in the armour. For some unfathomable reason
a power play with Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon on it is one of the
worst of the league (I suppose this is where they miss Mikko Rantanen
the most). With the division title sewn up, their performances after the >>> Olympic break have been lacklustre. Nathan MacKinnon might still wake
with a start in the middle of the night because he dreamt of *that*
empty net.
But it should be more than enough for the Kings, who made it out of the
worst divison, with a negative goal difference, the second-fewest
regulation wins in the league (dear NHL, what's so bad about using a
3-2-1-0 system instead of the stupid loser point?? the PWHL manages
just fine!), Kevin Fiala out for the season, and new arrival Artemi
Panarin going through the motions. The only positives I can think of are >>> all-around great guy An++e Kopitar getting a well-deserved playoff run-
out in his final season, and we're finally rid of Kings vs Oilers First
Rounds (but it was close).
Colorado in 5.
Kings in 7
Stars (C2) vs Wild (C3)
Out of practically nowhere the boring, boring Minnesota Wild created the >>> biggest splash on the trading front when they lured Quinn Hughes out of
the mess that is the Vancouver Canucks, albeit at a rather steep cost,
giving up three young players (including our own Marco Rossi) that
everyone thought would have been part of their core for years to come.
That move has been a gamble for Bill Guerin, but one I (reluctantly)
have to applaud because it's become so rare to see a GM swinging for the >>> fences. As it stands, the jury on that trade is still out - if Minnesota >>> finally make it past the First-Round hurdle after eight consecutive
failed attempts, if they should win a banner, if Quinn Hughes really
signs long-term, if-if-if...
Because of course their First-Round opponents are no slouches either,
coming off three consecutive Conference Final appearances. Jason
Robertson, Mikko Rantanen and Miro Heiskanen can play with the best of
them, and have.
A complete toss-up. I say Dallas in 7, just because it would be a better >>> fit for Minnesota's 'try harder, fail better' narrative. And I'm a bit
miffed about Rossi.
Minnesota v1 vs Minnesota v2!
Wild in 6
Agreed!
Minnesota v2 4 Minnesota V1 1 37'
Golden Knights (P1) vs Mammoth (WC1)
Just to show how bad the Pacific Division has been, Vegas won it, and
they fired their head coach Bruce Cassidy on March 29. And so far it
looks like the move paid off, too, because they've looked much improved
under the always-entertaining John Tortorella (although I kind of wonder >>> whether Mitch Marner was really happy about that coaching change).
But to me there's much more to like about Utah, another team like the
Sabres and Canadiens that are fun to watch and have a young core that's
only just starting to click. Give me Logan Cooley and Clayton Keller
over Jack Eichel any day. And Carter Hart can go f himself.
Utah in 6. I hope.
I say 7
Oilers (P2) vs Ducks (P3)
It's the same old with the Oilers, they have stretches where they look
terrible, a lot of stretches where their elite players just drag them
along kicking and screaming, and in the end it's all just enough without >>> ever looking like the complete package. Well, this kind of approach has
brought them to two consecutive Stanley Cup Finals.
Could they repeat that? They did surprisingly well without an injured
Leon Draisaitl during the last stretch of the season, Connor Ingram has
emerged as an unlikely goaltender solution (what were they even thinking >>> swapping Stuart Skinner with Tristan Jarry? such an Oilers move to
make), and a series against Anaheim could be exactly they jolt they need >>> to galvanise them because the Ducks are close to an ideal opponent, what >>> with their own terrible defence and run-and-gun style of play.
As for Anaheim, there's much to like, similar to Utah, but they're even
less seasoned than the Mammoth, and I think the lack of experience will
show. Could be a fun series, at least.
Edmonton in 5.
I will go with that.
Ciao,
Werner
--
Member - Liberal International This is doctor@nk.ca Ici doctor@nk.ca
Yahweh, King & country!Never Satan President Republic!Beware AntiChrist rising!
Look at Psalms 14 and 53 on Atheism ;
All I want to hear from Jesus is WEll Done Good and Faithful Servant.
THe Snores were robbed by English referees
On 2026-04-18 7:21 p.m., The Doctor wrote:
In article <10s053b$2rru$4@gallifrey.nk.ca>,
The Doctor <doctor@doctor.nl2k.ab.ca> wrote:
In article <10rvocj$gm77$1@solani.org>,
Werner Pichler-a <wpichler@gmail.com> wrote:
On 17/04/2026 15:37, Futbolmetrix wrote:
On Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:22:32 -0400, Futbolmetrix
<futbolmetrix@yahoo.com> wrote:
On Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:13:11 -0400, Binder Dundat <dundat@mail.com> >>>>>> wrote:
On 2026-04-14 5:58 p.m., Blueshirt wrote:
Futbolmetrix wrote:
Warm Weather Theory will want to defend its title (are we
on for a threepeat?),
FWIW, I reckon Cooper and the Bolts could be worth a punt.
but it will be tough without the Florida Panthers.
No Chucker or Brad = no loss!
This has to be the year that the Oilers win it.-a I am sticking >>>>>>> with that
Homeresque prediction.
Looks like Tampa Bay will be the winner according to WWT. A couple of >>>>>> interesting WWT derbies in the East, with Boston just edging Buffalo >>>>>> and Philly just edging Pittsburgh. But it will be Tampa versus
Carolina in the conference finals.
Bracket is now set. It will be Tampa over Anaheim in the Stanley Cup >>>>> final, with Tampa taking home the Cup. Warm Weather Theory never
fails.
Let's see how badly actually watching games fares compared to WWT.
Sabres (A1) vs Bruins (WC1)
On December 17, 2025, 32 games into the season, the Buffalo Sabres sat >>>> - as usual - in last place of the Eastern Conference, looking dead-set >>>> to prolong their 14-year playoff drought, and were even getting mocked >>>> in an episode of 'Heated Rivalry'.
Two days before, they had fired their hapless GM Kevyn Adams and
brought
in a European, Jarmo Kek|nl|ninen, who had done a decent but in the end >>>> not overly successful job with Columbus. Veteran coach Lindy Ruff, as
likable as he is, was generally seen as a dinosaur just waiting for the >>>> final axe.
What happened since then is nothing short of miraculous, as the Sabres >>>> went 36-9-5 in their remaining 50 games, and stormed all the way to the >>>> top of the Atlantic division. They are the best team in the NHL since
January 1.
So we have a young, enthusiastic group in Buffalo that see it all
coming
together in real time - but one can't help but wonder whether it
will be
different in the playoffs, and especially against the Bruins.
Because whereas Buffalo made it in thanks to their offence, Boston
- also with a European at the helm, Marco Sturm has done a stellar job >>>> as head coach - surprised everyone who expected a lowly rebuilding
season with their grinding, stingy defensive play, David Pastr+e|ik
suddenly becoming an-a elite playmaker, and above all great goalie
performances by Jeremy Swayman who stole more than one game, or three, >>>> or twenty.
One of the more intriguing series. I have Boston in 6, cynicism beats
exuberance.
Boston in 7
Lightning (A2) vs Canadiens (A3)
A repeat of the Stanley Cup final from a mere five years ago, but while >>>> Tampa are basically still the same old Tampa, another young,
enthusiastic group that sees it all coming together in real time has
emerged in Montr|-al. Cole Caufield has become the Habs' first 50-goal >>>> scorer since St|-phane Richer in 1989-90, Nick Suzuki hit 100 points for >>>> the first time in his career, and Juraj Slafkovsk|+, Lane Hutson and
Ivan
Demidov have been stepping up as well.
As the Athletic has put it, it's a duel between past and future, and
the
one I will have the most interest in from an Austrian point of view
since David Reinbacher might get some games for the Habs. But what's
good news for me (and possibly Reinbacher) is bad news for Montr|-al, as >>>> Noah Dobson's injury could throw a proper spanner in the works. Victor >>>> Hedman might be out for the Lightning as well, but they have way more
defensive depth.
I believe the old guard will prevail one more time. Tampa in 6.
Habs in 6
Hurricanes (M1) vs Senators (WC2)
So the Senators have made it to the playoffs after all, overcoming
quite
a bit of adversity - above all terrible goaltending to start the
season,
until Linus Ullmark took a personal leave and reset himself - and now
they face a team they've never met in the postseason before but one
that
plays the same kind of dump-and-chase shutdown style, only usually
better.
The similarities extend down to the fact that there are questions
around
Carolina's goaltending, too - Brandon Bussi has cooled off considerably >>>> following an amazing rookie start, Fredrik Andersen looks shaky even
more frequently than in previous years, and Pyotr Kochetkov hasn't
played a game since December.
What it might boil down to is which team will be better at protecting
their dodgy goalies with elite shutdown defence, and here I'd still
give
the benefit to Jaccob Slavin (who was as crucial for Team USA at the
Olympics as he is for his club) over Jake Sanderson. But Slavin is 31
while Sanderson is 23, so at least the future looks brighter for the
Sens.
Carolina in 5.
Ottawa in 6
Game 1 Carolina 2 Ottawa 0
Penguins (M2) vs Flyers (M3)
Before the start of the season I don't think *anybody* had a Battle of >>>> Pennsylvania pencilled in as a possible playoff series, yet here we
are.
A lot of credit needs to go to the two head coaches, who both
managed to
completely change the downward trajectory of their respective
franchises, and I'd give the edge here to Pittsburgh's Dan Muse over
Philadelphia's Rick Tocchet, because unlike the Flyers the Pens are
also
entertaining to watch. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are enjoying
their umpteenth resurgence (Malkin already won a Conn Smythe Trophy
17 years ago, let that sink in), and even Erik Karlsson, whose
lackadaisical approach to defence I used to loathe (it was worst
when he
won the Norris Trophy while with a terrible San Jose Sharks team - yes >>>> he put up 100 points, but he never actually played any defence, which
is, you know, in the job description) has turned it around and is
playing more responsibly around his own net than perhaps ever before.
The Flyers don't have anything like this star power up front, so
this is
going to be a proper offence vs defence clash.
I go for offence. Pittsburgh in 6.
Flyers in 7
Avalanche (C1) vs Kings (WC2)
While the entire rest of the league was about 'PARITY!' more than ever >>>> before, the Central Division bucked the trend and dominated, above all >>>> the Avs who not only won the President's Trophy but looked utterly
convincing doing so, especially in the first half of the season. They
are the hands-down favourites to win the whole thing.
But... there are chinks in the armour. For some unfathomable reason
a power play with Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon on it is one of the
worst of the league (I suppose this is where they miss Mikko Rantanen
the most). With the division title sewn up, their performances after
the
Olympic break have been lacklustre. Nathan MacKinnon might still wake
with a start in the middle of the night because he dreamt of *that*
empty net.
But it should be more than enough for the Kings, who made it out of the >>>> worst divison, with a negative goal difference, the second-fewest
regulation wins in the league (dear NHL, what's so bad about using a
3-2-1-0 system instead of the stupid loser point?? the PWHL manages
just fine!), Kevin Fiala out for the season, and new arrival Artemi
Panarin going through the motions. The only positives I can think of
are
all-around great guy An++e Kopitar getting a well-deserved playoff run- >>>> out in his final season, and we're finally rid of Kings vs Oilers First >>>> Rounds (but it was close).
Colorado in 5.
Kings in 7
Stars (C2) vs Wild (C3)
Out of practically nowhere the boring, boring Minnesota Wild created
the
biggest splash on the trading front when they lured Quinn Hughes out of >>>> the mess that is the Vancouver Canucks, albeit at a rather steep cost, >>>> giving up three young players (including our own Marco Rossi) that
everyone thought would have been part of their core for years to come. >>>>
That move has been a gamble for Bill Guerin, but one I (reluctantly)
have to applaud because it's become so rare to see a GM swinging for
the
fences. As it stands, the jury on that trade is still out - if
Minnesota
finally make it past the First-Round hurdle after eight consecutive
failed attempts, if they should win a banner, if Quinn Hughes really
signs long-term, if-if-if...
Because of course their First-Round opponents are no slouches either,
coming off three consecutive Conference Final appearances. Jason
Robertson, Mikko Rantanen and Miro Heiskanen can play with the best of >>>> them, and have.
A complete toss-up. I say Dallas in 7, just because it would be a
better
fit for Minnesota's 'try harder, fail better' narrative. And I'm a bit >>>> miffed about Rossi.
Minnesota v1 vs Minnesota v2!
Wild in 6
Agreed!
Minnesota v2 4 Minnesota V1 1 37'
Golden Knights (P1) vs Mammoth (WC1)
Just to show how bad the Pacific Division has been, Vegas won it, and
they fired their head coach Bruce Cassidy on March 29. And so far it
looks like the move paid off, too, because they've looked much improved >>>> under the always-entertaining John Tortorella (although I kind of
wonder
whether Mitch Marner was really happy about that coaching change).
But to me there's much more to like about Utah, another team like the
Sabres and Canadiens that are fun to watch and have a young core that's >>>> only just starting to click. Give me Logan Cooley and Clayton Keller
over Jack Eichel any day. And Carter Hart can go f himself.
Utah in 6. I hope.
I say 7
Oilers (P2) vs Ducks (P3)
It's the same old with the Oilers, they have stretches where they look >>>> terrible, a lot of stretches where their elite players just drag them
along kicking and screaming, and in the end it's all just enough
without
ever looking like the complete package. Well, this kind of approach has >>>> brought them to two consecutive Stanley Cup Finals.
Could they repeat that? They did surprisingly well without an injured
Leon Draisaitl during the last stretch of the season, Connor Ingram has >>>> emerged as an unlikely goaltender solution (what were they even
thinking
swapping Stuart Skinner with Tristan Jarry? such an Oilers move to
make), and a series against Anaheim could be exactly they jolt they
need
to galvanise them because the Ducks are close to an ideal opponent,
what
with their own terrible defence and run-and-gun style of play.
As for Anaheim, there's much to like, similar to Utah, but they're even >>>> less seasoned than the Mammoth, and I think the lack of experience will >>>> show. Could be a fun series, at least.
Edmonton in 5.
I will go with that.
Ciao,
Werner
--
Member - Liberal International This is doctor@nk.ca Ici doctor@nk.ca
Yahweh, King & country!Never Satan President Republic!Beware
AntiChrist rising!
Look at Psalms 14 and 53 on Atheism ;
All I want to hear from Jesus is WEll Done Good and Faithful Servant.
For now, I have the Oilers beating the Snores in the Final, but we all
know that wont happen.
Based on all my Ice Hockey Knowledge, like the one game I saw this year, live in person, the Snores beat Colorado, so are therefore better than Colorado.
I predicted
West
Col in 6 games
Dallas in 6 games
Vegas in 6
Oilers in 7
East
Snores in 7
Pengs in 7
Boston in 7
Habs in 7
Snores were robbed by bad refereeing in the first game and lost 2-0, if
they dont win tonight it is over, you cannit come back from 2-0 down
On 2026-04-19 1:32 p.m., Binder Dundat wrote:
THe Snores were robbed by English referees
On 2026-04-18 7:21 p.m., The Doctor wrote:
In article <10s053b$2rru$4@gallifrey.nk.ca>,
The Doctor <doctor@doctor.nl2k.ab.ca> wrote:
In article <10rvocj$gm77$1@solani.org>,
Werner Pichler-a <wpichler@gmail.com> wrote:
On 17/04/2026 15:37, Futbolmetrix wrote:
On Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:22:32 -0400, Futbolmetrix
<futbolmetrix@yahoo.com> wrote:
On Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:13:11 -0400, Binder Dundat <dundat@mail.com> >>>>>>> wrote:
On 2026-04-14 5:58 p.m., Blueshirt wrote:
Futbolmetrix wrote:
Warm Weather Theory will want to defend its title (are we
on for a threepeat?),
FWIW, I reckon Cooper and the Bolts could be worth a punt.
but it will be tough without the Florida Panthers.
No Chucker or Brad = no loss!
This has to be the year that the Oilers win it.-a I am sticking >>>>>>>> with that
Homeresque prediction.
Looks like Tampa Bay will be the winner according to WWT. A
couple of
interesting WWT derbies in the East, with Boston just edging Buffalo >>>>>>> and Philly just edging Pittsburgh. But it will be Tampa versus
Carolina in the conference finals.
Bracket is now set. It will be Tampa over Anaheim in the Stanley Cup >>>>>> final, with Tampa taking home the Cup. Warm Weather Theory never
fails.
Let's see how badly actually watching games fares compared to WWT.
Sabres (A1) vs Bruins (WC1)
On December 17, 2025, 32 games into the season, the Buffalo Sabres sat >>>>> - as usual - in last place of the Eastern Conference, looking dead-set >>>>> to prolong their 14-year playoff drought, and were even getting mocked >>>>> in an episode of 'Heated Rivalry'.
Two days before, they had fired their hapless GM Kevyn Adams and
brought
in a European, Jarmo Kek|nl|ninen, who had done a decent but in the end >>>>> not overly successful job with Columbus. Veteran coach Lindy Ruff, as >>>>> likable as he is, was generally seen as a dinosaur just waiting for >>>>> the
final axe.
What happened since then is nothing short of miraculous, as the Sabres >>>>> went 36-9-5 in their remaining 50 games, and stormed all the way to >>>>> the
top of the Atlantic division. They are the best team in the NHL since >>>>> January 1.
So we have a young, enthusiastic group in Buffalo that see it all
coming
together in real time - but one can't help but wonder whether it
will be
different in the playoffs, and especially against the Bruins.
Because whereas Buffalo made it in thanks to their offence, Boston
- also with a European at the helm, Marco Sturm has done a stellar job >>>>> as head coach - surprised everyone who expected a lowly rebuilding
season with their grinding, stingy defensive play, David Pastr+e|ik
suddenly becoming an-a elite playmaker, and above all great goalie
performances by Jeremy Swayman who stole more than one game, or three, >>>>> or twenty.
One of the more intriguing series. I have Boston in 6, cynicism beats >>>>> exuberance.
Boston in 7
Lightning (A2) vs Canadiens (A3)
A repeat of the Stanley Cup final from a mere five years ago, but
while
Tampa are basically still the same old Tampa, another young,
enthusiastic group that sees it all coming together in real time has >>>>> emerged in Montr|-al. Cole Caufield has become the Habs' first 50-goal >>>>> scorer since St|-phane Richer in 1989-90, Nick Suzuki hit 100 points >>>>> for
the first time in his career, and Juraj Slafkovsk|+, Lane Hutson and >>>>> Ivan
Demidov have been stepping up as well.
As the Athletic has put it, it's a duel between past and future,
and the
one I will have the most interest in from an Austrian point of view
since David Reinbacher might get some games for the Habs. But what's >>>>> good news for me (and possibly Reinbacher) is bad news for
Montr|-al, as
Noah Dobson's injury could throw a proper spanner in the works. Victor >>>>> Hedman might be out for the Lightning as well, but they have way more >>>>> defensive depth.
I believe the old guard will prevail one more time. Tampa in 6.
Habs in 6
Hurricanes (M1) vs Senators (WC2)
So the Senators have made it to the playoffs after all, overcoming
quite
a bit of adversity - above all terrible goaltending to start the
season,
until Linus Ullmark took a personal leave and reset himself - and now >>>>> they face a team they've never met in the postseason before but one >>>>> that
plays the same kind of dump-and-chase shutdown style, only usually
better.
The similarities extend down to the fact that there are questions
around
Carolina's goaltending, too - Brandon Bussi has cooled off
considerably
following an amazing rookie start, Fredrik Andersen looks shaky even >>>>> more frequently than in previous years, and Pyotr Kochetkov hasn't
played a game since December.
What it might boil down to is which team will be better at protecting >>>>> their dodgy goalies with elite shutdown defence, and here I'd still >>>>> give
the benefit to Jaccob Slavin (who was as crucial for Team USA at the >>>>> Olympics as he is for his club) over Jake Sanderson. But Slavin is 31 >>>>> while Sanderson is 23, so at least the future looks brighter for the >>>>> Sens.
Carolina in 5.
Ottawa in 6
Game 1 Carolina 2 Ottawa 0
Penguins (M2) vs Flyers (M3)
Before the start of the season I don't think *anybody* had a Battle of >>>>> Pennsylvania pencilled in as a possible playoff series, yet here we >>>>> are.
A lot of credit needs to go to the two head coaches, who both
managed to
completely change the downward trajectory of their respective
franchises, and I'd give the edge here to Pittsburgh's Dan Muse over >>>>> Philadelphia's Rick Tocchet, because unlike the Flyers the Pens are >>>>> also
entertaining to watch. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are enjoying
their umpteenth resurgence (Malkin already won a Conn Smythe Trophy
17 years ago, let that sink in), and even Erik Karlsson, whose
lackadaisical approach to defence I used to loathe (it was worst
when he
won the Norris Trophy while with a terrible San Jose Sharks team - yes >>>>> he put up 100 points, but he never actually played any defence, which >>>>> is, you know, in the job description) has turned it around and is
playing more responsibly around his own net than perhaps ever before. >>>>>
The Flyers don't have anything like this star power up front, so
this is
going to be a proper offence vs defence clash.
I go for offence. Pittsburgh in 6.
Flyers in 7
Avalanche (C1) vs Kings (WC2)
While the entire rest of the league was about 'PARITY!' more than ever >>>>> before, the Central Division bucked the trend and dominated, above all >>>>> the Avs who not only won the President's Trophy but looked utterly
convincing doing so, especially in the first half of the season. They >>>>> are the hands-down favourites to win the whole thing.
But... there are chinks in the armour. For some unfathomable reason
a power play with Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon on it is one of the >>>>> worst of the league (I suppose this is where they miss Mikko Rantanen >>>>> the most). With the division title sewn up, their performances
after the
Olympic break have been lacklustre. Nathan MacKinnon might still wake >>>>> with a start in the middle of the night because he dreamt of *that*
empty net.
But it should be more than enough for the Kings, who made it out of >>>>> the
worst divison, with a negative goal difference, the second-fewest
regulation wins in the league (dear NHL, what's so bad about using a >>>>> 3-2-1-0 system instead of the stupid loser point?? the PWHL manages
just fine!), Kevin Fiala out for the season, and new arrival Artemi
Panarin going through the motions. The only positives I can think
of are
all-around great guy An++e Kopitar getting a well-deserved playoff run- >>>>> out in his final season, and we're finally rid of Kings vs Oilers
First
Rounds (but it was close).
Colorado in 5.
Kings in 7
Stars (C2) vs Wild (C3)
Out of practically nowhere the boring, boring Minnesota Wild
created the
biggest splash on the trading front when they lured Quinn Hughes
out of
the mess that is the Vancouver Canucks, albeit at a rather steep cost, >>>>> giving up three young players (including our own Marco Rossi) that
everyone thought would have been part of their core for years to come. >>>>>
That move has been a gamble for Bill Guerin, but one I (reluctantly) >>>>> have to applaud because it's become so rare to see a GM swinging
for the
fences. As it stands, the jury on that trade is still out - if
Minnesota
finally make it past the First-Round hurdle after eight consecutive
failed attempts, if they should win a banner, if Quinn Hughes really >>>>> signs long-term, if-if-if...
Because of course their First-Round opponents are no slouches either, >>>>> coming off three consecutive Conference Final appearances. Jason
Robertson, Mikko Rantanen and Miro Heiskanen can play with the best of >>>>> them, and have.
A complete toss-up. I say Dallas in 7, just because it would be a
better
fit for Minnesota's 'try harder, fail better' narrative. And I'm a bit >>>>> miffed about Rossi.
Minnesota v1 vs Minnesota v2!
Wild in 6
Agreed!
Minnesota v2 4 Minnesota V1 1 37'
Golden Knights (P1) vs Mammoth (WC1)
Just to show how bad the Pacific Division has been, Vegas won it, and >>>>> they fired their head coach Bruce Cassidy on March 29. And so far it >>>>> looks like the move paid off, too, because they've looked much
improved
under the always-entertaining John Tortorella (although I kind of
wonder
whether Mitch Marner was really happy about that coaching change).
But to me there's much more to like about Utah, another team like the >>>>> Sabres and Canadiens that are fun to watch and have a young core
that's
only just starting to click. Give me Logan Cooley and Clayton Keller >>>>> over Jack Eichel any day. And Carter Hart can go f himself.
Utah in 6. I hope.
I say 7
Oilers (P2) vs Ducks (P3)
It's the same old with the Oilers, they have stretches where they look >>>>> terrible, a lot of stretches where their elite players just drag them >>>>> along kicking and screaming, and in the end it's all just enough
without
ever looking like the complete package. Well, this kind of approach >>>>> has
brought them to two consecutive Stanley Cup Finals.
Could they repeat that? They did surprisingly well without an injured >>>>> Leon Draisaitl during the last stretch of the season, Connor Ingram >>>>> has
emerged as an unlikely goaltender solution (what were they even
thinking
swapping Stuart Skinner with Tristan Jarry? such an Oilers move to
make), and a series against Anaheim could be exactly they jolt they >>>>> need
to galvanise them because the Ducks are close to an ideal opponent, >>>>> what
with their own terrible defence and run-and-gun style of play.
As for Anaheim, there's much to like, similar to Utah, but they're
even
less seasoned than the Mammoth, and I think the lack of experience
will
show. Could be a fun series, at least.
Edmonton in 5.
I will go with that.
Ciao,
Werner
--
Member - Liberal International This is doctor@nk.ca Ici doctor@nk.ca
Yahweh, King & country!Never Satan President Republic!Beware
AntiChrist rising!
Look at Psalms 14 and 53 on Atheism ;
All I want to hear from Jesus is WEll Done Good and Faithful Servant.
On 2026-04-20 7:08 p.m., Binder Dundat wrote:
For now, I have the Oilers beating the Snores in the Final, but we all
know that wont happen.
The Snores coming back from 2-0 to make it 2-2 at the end of 2.-a If they pull of the win today, we can project them winning the series.
Based on all my Ice Hockey Knowledge, like the one game I saw this
year, live in person, the Snores beat Colorado, so are therefore
better than Colorado.
I predicted
West
Col in 6 games
Dallas in 6 games
Vegas in 6
Oilers in 7
East
Snores in 7
Pengs in 7
Boston in 7
Habs in 7
Snores were robbed by bad refereeing in the first game and lost 2-0,
if they dont win tonight it is over, you cannit come back from 2-0 down
On 2026-04-19 1:32 p.m., Binder Dundat wrote:
THe Snores were robbed by English referees
On 2026-04-18 7:21 p.m., The Doctor wrote:
In article <10s053b$2rru$4@gallifrey.nk.ca>,
The Doctor <doctor@doctor.nl2k.ab.ca> wrote:
In article <10rvocj$gm77$1@solani.org>,
Werner Pichler-a <wpichler@gmail.com> wrote:
On 17/04/2026 15:37, Futbolmetrix wrote:
On Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:22:32 -0400, Futbolmetrix
<futbolmetrix@yahoo.com> wrote:
On Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:13:11 -0400, Binder Dundat <dundat@mail.com> >>>>>>>> wrote:
On 2026-04-14 5:58 p.m., Blueshirt wrote:
Futbolmetrix wrote:
Warm Weather Theory will want to defend its title (are we >>>>>>>>>>> on for a threepeat?),
FWIW, I reckon Cooper and the Bolts could be worth a punt. >>>>>>>>>>
but it will be tough without the Florida Panthers.
No Chucker or Brad = no loss!
This has to be the year that the Oilers win it.-a I am sticking >>>>>>>>> with that
Homeresque prediction.
Looks like Tampa Bay will be the winner according to WWT. A
couple of
interesting WWT derbies in the East, with Boston just edging
Buffalo
and Philly just edging Pittsburgh. But it will be Tampa versus >>>>>>>> Carolina in the conference finals.
Bracket is now set. It will be Tampa over Anaheim in the Stanley Cup >>>>>>> final, with Tampa taking home the Cup. Warm Weather Theory never >>>>>>> fails.
Let's see how badly actually watching games fares compared to WWT. >>>>>>
Sabres (A1) vs Bruins (WC1)
On December 17, 2025, 32 games into the season, the Buffalo Sabres >>>>>> sat
- as usual - in last place of the Eastern Conference, looking
dead-set
to prolong their 14-year playoff drought, and were even getting
mocked
in an episode of 'Heated Rivalry'.
Two days before, they had fired their hapless GM Kevyn Adams and
brought
in a European, Jarmo Kek|nl|ninen, who had done a decent but in the end >>>>>> not overly successful job with Columbus. Veteran coach Lindy Ruff, as >>>>>> likable as he is, was generally seen as a dinosaur just waiting
for the
final axe.
What happened since then is nothing short of miraculous, as the
Sabres
went 36-9-5 in their remaining 50 games, and stormed all the way
to the
top of the Atlantic division. They are the best team in the NHL since >>>>>> January 1.
So we have a young, enthusiastic group in Buffalo that see it all >>>>>> coming
together in real time - but one can't help but wonder whether it
will be
different in the playoffs, and especially against the Bruins.
Because whereas Buffalo made it in thanks to their offence, Boston >>>>>> - also with a European at the helm, Marco Sturm has done a stellar >>>>>> job
as head coach - surprised everyone who expected a lowly rebuilding >>>>>> season with their grinding, stingy defensive play, David Pastr+e|ik >>>>>> suddenly becoming an-a elite playmaker, and above all great goalie >>>>>> performances by Jeremy Swayman who stole more than one game, or
three,
or twenty.
One of the more intriguing series. I have Boston in 6, cynicism beats >>>>>> exuberance.
Boston in 7
Lightning (A2) vs Canadiens (A3)
A repeat of the Stanley Cup final from a mere five years ago, but >>>>>> while
Tampa are basically still the same old Tampa, another young,
enthusiastic group that sees it all coming together in real time has >>>>>> emerged in Montr|-al. Cole Caufield has become the Habs' first 50-goal >>>>>> scorer since St|-phane Richer in 1989-90, Nick Suzuki hit 100
points for
the first time in his career, and Juraj Slafkovsk|+, Lane Hutson
and Ivan
Demidov have been stepping up as well.
As the Athletic has put it, it's a duel between past and future,
and the
one I will have the most interest in from an Austrian point of view >>>>>> since David Reinbacher might get some games for the Habs. But what's >>>>>> good news for me (and possibly Reinbacher) is bad news for
Montr|-al, as
Noah Dobson's injury could throw a proper spanner in the works.
Victor
Hedman might be out for the Lightning as well, but they have way more >>>>>> defensive depth.
I believe the old guard will prevail one more time. Tampa in 6.
Habs in 6
Hurricanes (M1) vs Senators (WC2)
So the Senators have made it to the playoffs after all, overcoming >>>>>> quite
a bit of adversity - above all terrible goaltending to start the
season,
until Linus Ullmark took a personal leave and reset himself - and now >>>>>> they face a team they've never met in the postseason before but
one that
plays the same kind of dump-and-chase shutdown style, only usually >>>>>> better.
The similarities extend down to the fact that there are questions >>>>>> around
Carolina's goaltending, too - Brandon Bussi has cooled off
considerably
following an amazing rookie start, Fredrik Andersen looks shaky even >>>>>> more frequently than in previous years, and Pyotr Kochetkov hasn't >>>>>> played a game since December.
What it might boil down to is which team will be better at protecting >>>>>> their dodgy goalies with elite shutdown defence, and here I'd
still give
the benefit to Jaccob Slavin (who was as crucial for Team USA at the >>>>>> Olympics as he is for his club) over Jake Sanderson. But Slavin is 31 >>>>>> while Sanderson is 23, so at least the future looks brighter for the >>>>>> Sens.
Carolina in 5.
Ottawa in 6
Game 1 Carolina 2 Ottawa 0
Penguins (M2) vs Flyers (M3)
Before the start of the season I don't think *anybody* had a
Battle of
Pennsylvania pencilled in as a possible playoff series, yet here
we are.
A lot of credit needs to go to the two head coaches, who both
managed to
completely change the downward trajectory of their respective
franchises, and I'd give the edge here to Pittsburgh's Dan Muse over >>>>>> Philadelphia's Rick Tocchet, because unlike the Flyers the Pens
are also
entertaining to watch. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are enjoying >>>>>> their umpteenth resurgence (Malkin already won a Conn Smythe Trophy >>>>>> 17 years ago, let that sink in), and even Erik Karlsson, whose
lackadaisical approach to defence I used to loathe (it was worst
when he
won the Norris Trophy while with a terrible San Jose Sharks team - >>>>>> yes
he put up 100 points, but he never actually played any defence, which >>>>>> is, you know, in the job description) has turned it around and is
playing more responsibly around his own net than perhaps ever before. >>>>>>
The Flyers don't have anything like this star power up front, so
this is
going to be a proper offence vs defence clash.
I go for offence. Pittsburgh in 6.
Flyers in 7
Avalanche (C1) vs Kings (WC2)
While the entire rest of the league was about 'PARITY!' more than >>>>>> ever
before, the Central Division bucked the trend and dominated, above >>>>>> all
the Avs who not only won the President's Trophy but looked utterly >>>>>> convincing doing so, especially in the first half of the season. They >>>>>> are the hands-down favourites to win the whole thing.
But... there are chinks in the armour. For some unfathomable reason >>>>>> a power play with Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon on it is one of the >>>>>> worst of the league (I suppose this is where they miss Mikko Rantanen >>>>>> the most). With the division title sewn up, their performances
after the
Olympic break have been lacklustre. Nathan MacKinnon might still wake >>>>>> with a start in the middle of the night because he dreamt of *that* >>>>>> empty net.
But it should be more than enough for the Kings, who made it out
of the
worst divison, with a negative goal difference, the second-fewest
regulation wins in the league (dear NHL, what's so bad about using a >>>>>> 3-2-1-0 system instead of the stupid loser point?? the PWHL manages >>>>>> just fine!), Kevin Fiala out for the season, and new arrival Artemi >>>>>> Panarin going through the motions. The only positives I can think >>>>>> of are
all-around great guy An++e Kopitar getting a well-deserved playoff >>>>>> run-
out in his final season, and we're finally rid of Kings vs Oilers >>>>>> First
Rounds (but it was close).
Colorado in 5.
Kings in 7
Stars (C2) vs Wild (C3)
Out of practically nowhere the boring, boring Minnesota Wild
created the
biggest splash on the trading front when they lured Quinn Hughes
out of
the mess that is the Vancouver Canucks, albeit at a rather steep
cost,
giving up three young players (including our own Marco Rossi) that >>>>>> everyone thought would have been part of their core for years to
come.
That move has been a gamble for Bill Guerin, but one I (reluctantly) >>>>>> have to applaud because it's become so rare to see a GM swinging
for the
fences. As it stands, the jury on that trade is still out - if
Minnesota
finally make it past the First-Round hurdle after eight consecutive >>>>>> failed attempts, if they should win a banner, if Quinn Hughes really >>>>>> signs long-term, if-if-if...
Because of course their First-Round opponents are no slouches either, >>>>>> coming off three consecutive Conference Final appearances. Jason
Robertson, Mikko Rantanen and Miro Heiskanen can play with the
best of
them, and have.
A complete toss-up. I say Dallas in 7, just because it would be a >>>>>> better
fit for Minnesota's 'try harder, fail better' narrative. And I'm a >>>>>> bit
miffed about Rossi.
Minnesota v1 vs Minnesota v2!
Wild in 6
Agreed!
Minnesota v2 4 Minnesota V1 1 37'
Golden Knights (P1) vs Mammoth (WC1)
Just to show how bad the Pacific Division has been, Vegas won it, and >>>>>> they fired their head coach Bruce Cassidy on March 29. And so far it >>>>>> looks like the move paid off, too, because they've looked much
improved
under the always-entertaining John Tortorella (although I kind of >>>>>> wonder
whether Mitch Marner was really happy about that coaching change). >>>>>>
But to me there's much more to like about Utah, another team like the >>>>>> Sabres and Canadiens that are fun to watch and have a young core
that's
only just starting to click. Give me Logan Cooley and Clayton Keller >>>>>> over Jack Eichel any day. And Carter Hart can go f himself.
Utah in 6. I hope.
I say 7
Oilers (P2) vs Ducks (P3)
It's the same old with the Oilers, they have stretches where they >>>>>> look
terrible, a lot of stretches where their elite players just drag them >>>>>> along kicking and screaming, and in the end it's all just enough
without
ever looking like the complete package. Well, this kind of
approach has
brought them to two consecutive Stanley Cup Finals.
Could they repeat that? They did surprisingly well without an injured >>>>>> Leon Draisaitl during the last stretch of the season, Connor
Ingram has
emerged as an unlikely goaltender solution (what were they even
thinking
swapping Stuart Skinner with Tristan Jarry? such an Oilers move to >>>>>> make), and a series against Anaheim could be exactly they jolt
they need
to galvanise them because the Ducks are close to an ideal
opponent, what
with their own terrible defence and run-and-gun style of play.
As for Anaheim, there's much to like, similar to Utah, but they're >>>>>> even
less seasoned than the Mammoth, and I think the lack of experience >>>>>> will
show. Could be a fun series, at least.
Edmonton in 5.
I will go with that.
Ciao,
Werner
--
Member - Liberal International This is doctor@nk.ca Ici doctor@nk.ca >>>>> Yahweh, King & country!Never Satan President Republic!Beware
AntiChrist rising!
Look at Psalms 14 and 53 on Atheism ;
All I want to hear from Jesus is WEll Done Good and Faithful Servant. >>>>
On 2026-04-20 9:24 p.m., Binder Dundat wrote:
On 2026-04-20 7:08 p.m., Binder Dundat wrote:
For now, I have the Oilers beating the Snores in the Final, but we
all know that wont happen.
The Snores coming back from 2-0 to make it 2-2 at the end of 2.-a If
they pull of the win today, we can project them winning the series.
yeah that turned out.-a I have seen Italian soccer teams score more
goals!-a In Italian jon soccer games!
Based on all my Ice Hockey Knowledge, like the one game I saw this
year, live in person, the Snores beat Colorado, so are therefore
better than Colorado.
I predicted
West
Col in 6 games
Dallas in 6 games
Vegas in 6
Oilers in 7
East
Snores in 7
Pengs in 7
Boston in 7
Habs in 7
Snores were robbed by bad refereeing in the first game and lost 2-0,
if they dont win tonight it is over, you cannit come back from 2-0 down
On 2026-04-19 1:32 p.m., Binder Dundat wrote:
THe Snores were robbed by English referees
On 2026-04-18 7:21 p.m., The Doctor wrote:
In article <10s053b$2rru$4@gallifrey.nk.ca>,
The Doctor <doctor@doctor.nl2k.ab.ca> wrote:
In article <10rvocj$gm77$1@solani.org>,
Werner Pichler-a <wpichler@gmail.com> wrote:
On 17/04/2026 15:37, Futbolmetrix wrote:
On Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:22:32 -0400, Futbolmetrix
<futbolmetrix@yahoo.com> wrote:
On Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:13:11 -0400, Binder Dundat
<dundat@mail.com>
wrote:
On 2026-04-14 5:58 p.m., Blueshirt wrote:
Futbolmetrix wrote:
Warm Weather Theory will want to defend its title (are we >>>>>>>>>>>> on for a threepeat?),
FWIW, I reckon Cooper and the Bolts could be worth a punt. >>>>>>>>>>>
but it will be tough without the Florida Panthers.
No Chucker or Brad = no loss!
This has to be the year that the Oilers win it.-a I am sticking >>>>>>>>>> with that
Homeresque prediction.
Looks like Tampa Bay will be the winner according to WWT. A >>>>>>>>> couple of
interesting WWT derbies in the East, with Boston just edging >>>>>>>>> Buffalo
and Philly just edging Pittsburgh. But it will be Tampa versus >>>>>>>>> Carolina in the conference finals.
Bracket is now set. It will be Tampa over Anaheim in the Stanley >>>>>>>> Cup
final, with Tampa taking home the Cup. Warm Weather Theory never >>>>>>>> fails.
Let's see how badly actually watching games fares compared to WWT. >>>>>>>
Sabres (A1) vs Bruins (WC1)
On December 17, 2025, 32 games into the season, the Buffalo
Sabres sat
- as usual - in last place of the Eastern Conference, looking
dead-set
to prolong their 14-year playoff drought, and were even getting >>>>>>> mocked
in an episode of 'Heated Rivalry'.
Two days before, they had fired their hapless GM Kevyn Adams and >>>>>>> brought
in a European, Jarmo Kek|nl|ninen, who had done a decent but in the >>>>>>> end
not overly successful job with Columbus. Veteran coach Lindy
Ruff, as
likable as he is, was generally seen as a dinosaur just waiting >>>>>>> for the
final axe.
What happened since then is nothing short of miraculous, as the >>>>>>> Sabres
went 36-9-5 in their remaining 50 games, and stormed all the way >>>>>>> to the
top of the Atlantic division. They are the best team in the NHL >>>>>>> since
January 1.
So we have a young, enthusiastic group in Buffalo that see it all >>>>>>> coming
together in real time - but one can't help but wonder whether it >>>>>>> will be
different in the playoffs, and especially against the Bruins.
Because whereas Buffalo made it in thanks to their offence, Boston >>>>>>> - also with a European at the helm, Marco Sturm has done a
stellar job
as head coach - surprised everyone who expected a lowly rebuilding >>>>>>> season with their grinding, stingy defensive play, David Pastr+e|ik >>>>>>> suddenly becoming an-a elite playmaker, and above all great goalie >>>>>>> performances by Jeremy Swayman who stole more than one game, or >>>>>>> three,
or twenty.
One of the more intriguing series. I have Boston in 6, cynicism >>>>>>> beats
exuberance.
Boston in 7
Lightning (A2) vs Canadiens (A3)
A repeat of the Stanley Cup final from a mere five years ago, but >>>>>>> while
Tampa are basically still the same old Tampa, another young,
enthusiastic group that sees it all coming together in real time has >>>>>>> emerged in Montr|-al. Cole Caufield has become the Habs' first 50- >>>>>>> goal
scorer since St|-phane Richer in 1989-90, Nick Suzuki hit 100
points for
the first time in his career, and Juraj Slafkovsk|+, Lane Hutson >>>>>>> and Ivan
Demidov have been stepping up as well.
As the Athletic has put it, it's a duel between past and future, >>>>>>> and the
one I will have the most interest in from an Austrian point of view >>>>>>> since David Reinbacher might get some games for the Habs. But what's >>>>>>> good news for me (and possibly Reinbacher) is bad news for
Montr|-al, as
Noah Dobson's injury could throw a proper spanner in the works. >>>>>>> Victor
Hedman might be out for the Lightning as well, but they have way >>>>>>> more
defensive depth.
I believe the old guard will prevail one more time. Tampa in 6.
Habs in 6
Hurricanes (M1) vs Senators (WC2)
So the Senators have made it to the playoffs after all,
overcoming quite
a bit of adversity - above all terrible goaltending to start the >>>>>>> season,
until Linus Ullmark took a personal leave and reset himself - and >>>>>>> now
they face a team they've never met in the postseason before but >>>>>>> one that
plays the same kind of dump-and-chase shutdown style, only usually >>>>>>> better.
The similarities extend down to the fact that there are questions >>>>>>> around
Carolina's goaltending, too - Brandon Bussi has cooled off
considerably
following an amazing rookie start, Fredrik Andersen looks shaky even >>>>>>> more frequently than in previous years, and Pyotr Kochetkov hasn't >>>>>>> played a game since December.
What it might boil down to is which team will be better at
protecting
their dodgy goalies with elite shutdown defence, and here I'd
still give
the benefit to Jaccob Slavin (who was as crucial for Team USA at the >>>>>>> Olympics as he is for his club) over Jake Sanderson. But Slavin >>>>>>> is 31
while Sanderson is 23, so at least the future looks brighter for the >>>>>>> Sens.
Carolina in 5.
Ottawa in 6
Game 1 Carolina 2 Ottawa 0
Penguins (M2) vs Flyers (M3)
Before the start of the season I don't think *anybody* had a
Battle of
Pennsylvania pencilled in as a possible playoff series, yet here >>>>>>> we are.
A lot of credit needs to go to the two head coaches, who both
managed to
completely change the downward trajectory of their respective
franchises, and I'd give the edge here to Pittsburgh's Dan Muse over >>>>>>> Philadelphia's Rick Tocchet, because unlike the Flyers the Pens >>>>>>> are also
entertaining to watch. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are enjoying >>>>>>> their umpteenth resurgence (Malkin already won a Conn Smythe Trophy >>>>>>> 17 years ago, let that sink in), and even Erik Karlsson, whose
lackadaisical approach to defence I used to loathe (it was worst >>>>>>> when he
won the Norris Trophy while with a terrible San Jose Sharks team >>>>>>> - yes
he put up 100 points, but he never actually played any defence, >>>>>>> which
is, you know, in the job description) has turned it around and is >>>>>>> playing more responsibly around his own net than perhaps ever
before.
The Flyers don't have anything like this star power up front, so >>>>>>> this is
going to be a proper offence vs defence clash.
I go for offence. Pittsburgh in 6.
Flyers in 7
Avalanche (C1) vs Kings (WC2)
While the entire rest of the league was about 'PARITY!' more than >>>>>>> ever
before, the Central Division bucked the trend and dominated,
above all
the Avs who not only won the President's Trophy but looked utterly >>>>>>> convincing doing so, especially in the first half of the season. >>>>>>> They
are the hands-down favourites to win the whole thing.
But... there are chinks in the armour. For some unfathomable reason >>>>>>> a power play with Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon on it is one of >>>>>>> the
worst of the league (I suppose this is where they miss Mikko
Rantanen
the most). With the division title sewn up, their performances
after the
Olympic break have been lacklustre. Nathan MacKinnon might still >>>>>>> wake
with a start in the middle of the night because he dreamt of *that* >>>>>>> empty net.
But it should be more than enough for the Kings, who made it out >>>>>>> of the
worst divison, with a negative goal difference, the second-fewest >>>>>>> regulation wins in the league (dear NHL, what's so bad about using a >>>>>>> 3-2-1-0 system instead of the stupid loser point?? the PWHL manages >>>>>>> just fine!), Kevin Fiala out for the season, and new arrival Artemi >>>>>>> Panarin going through the motions. The only positives I can think >>>>>>> of are
all-around great guy An++e Kopitar getting a well-deserved playoff >>>>>>> run-
out in his final season, and we're finally rid of Kings vs Oilers >>>>>>> First
Rounds (but it was close).
Colorado in 5.
Kings in 7
Stars (C2) vs Wild (C3)
Out of practically nowhere the boring, boring Minnesota Wild
created the
biggest splash on the trading front when they lured Quinn Hughes >>>>>>> out of
the mess that is the Vancouver Canucks, albeit at a rather steep >>>>>>> cost,
giving up three young players (including our own Marco Rossi) that >>>>>>> everyone thought would have been part of their core for years to >>>>>>> come.
That move has been a gamble for Bill Guerin, but one I (reluctantly) >>>>>>> have to applaud because it's become so rare to see a GM swinging >>>>>>> for the
fences. As it stands, the jury on that trade is still out - if
Minnesota
finally make it past the First-Round hurdle after eight consecutive >>>>>>> failed attempts, if they should win a banner, if Quinn Hughes really >>>>>>> signs long-term, if-if-if...
Because of course their First-Round opponents are no slouches
either,
coming off three consecutive Conference Final appearances. Jason >>>>>>> Robertson, Mikko Rantanen and Miro Heiskanen can play with the
best of
them, and have.
A complete toss-up. I say Dallas in 7, just because it would be a >>>>>>> better
fit for Minnesota's 'try harder, fail better' narrative. And I'm >>>>>>> a bit
miffed about Rossi.
Minnesota v1 vs Minnesota v2!
Wild in 6
Agreed!
Minnesota v2 4 Minnesota V1 1 37'
Golden Knights (P1) vs Mammoth (WC1)
Just to show how bad the Pacific Division has been, Vegas won it, >>>>>>> and
they fired their head coach Bruce Cassidy on March 29. And so far it >>>>>>> looks like the move paid off, too, because they've looked much
improved
under the always-entertaining John Tortorella (although I kind of >>>>>>> wonder
whether Mitch Marner was really happy about that coaching change). >>>>>>>
But to me there's much more to like about Utah, another team like >>>>>>> the
Sabres and Canadiens that are fun to watch and have a young core >>>>>>> that's
only just starting to click. Give me Logan Cooley and Clayton Keller >>>>>>> over Jack Eichel any day. And Carter Hart can go f himself.
Utah in 6. I hope.
I say 7
Oilers (P2) vs Ducks (P3)
It's the same old with the Oilers, they have stretches where they >>>>>>> look
terrible, a lot of stretches where their elite players just drag >>>>>>> them
along kicking and screaming, and in the end it's all just enough >>>>>>> without
ever looking like the complete package. Well, this kind of
approach has
brought them to two consecutive Stanley Cup Finals.
Could they repeat that? They did surprisingly well without an
injured
Leon Draisaitl during the last stretch of the season, Connor
Ingram has
emerged as an unlikely goaltender solution (what were they even >>>>>>> thinking
swapping Stuart Skinner with Tristan Jarry? such an Oilers move to >>>>>>> make), and a series against Anaheim could be exactly they jolt
they need
to galvanise them because the Ducks are close to an ideal
opponent, what
with their own terrible defence and run-and-gun style of play.
As for Anaheim, there's much to like, similar to Utah, but
they're even
less seasoned than the Mammoth, and I think the lack of
experience will
show. Could be a fun series, at least.
Edmonton in 5.
I will go with that.
Ciao,
Werner
--
Member - Liberal International This is doctor@nk.ca Ici doctor@nk.ca >>>>>> Yahweh, King & country!Never Satan President Republic!Beware
AntiChrist rising!
Look at Psalms 14 and 53 on Atheism ;
All I want to hear from Jesus is WEll Done Good and Faithful Servant. >>>>>
The Snores go out in 4 games. To be fair they doubled their goals
output in game 4.
Interesting to note that the Local CBC TV station did not show the
Snores final game, but aired the Ottawa Girls Ice Hockey game. They
also aired a girl soccer game that day.
On 2026-04-23 10:21 p.m., Binder Dundat wrote:
On 2026-04-20 9:24 p.m., Binder Dundat wrote:
On 2026-04-20 7:08 p.m., Binder Dundat wrote:
For now, I have the Oilers beating the Snores in the Final, but we
all know that wont happen.
The Snores coming back from 2-0 to make it 2-2 at the end of 2.-a If
they pull of the win today, we can project them winning the series.
yeah that turned out.-a I have seen Italian soccer teams score more
goals!-a In Italian jon soccer games!
Based on all my Ice Hockey Knowledge, like the one game I saw this
year, live in person, the Snores beat Colorado, so are therefore
better than Colorado.
I predicted
West
Col in 6 games
Dallas in 6 games
Vegas in 6
Oilers in 7
East
Snores in 7
Pengs in 7
Boston in 7
Habs in 7
Snores were robbed by bad refereeing in the first game and lost 2-0,
if they dont win tonight it is over, you cannit come back from 2-0 down >>>>
On 2026-04-19 1:32 p.m., Binder Dundat wrote:
THe Snores were robbed by English referees
On 2026-04-18 7:21 p.m., The Doctor wrote:
In article <10s053b$2rru$4@gallifrey.nk.ca>,
The Doctor <doctor@doctor.nl2k.ab.ca> wrote:
In article <10rvocj$gm77$1@solani.org>,
Werner Pichler-a <wpichler@gmail.com> wrote:
On 17/04/2026 15:37, Futbolmetrix wrote:
On Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:22:32 -0400, Futbolmetrix
<futbolmetrix@yahoo.com> wrote:
On Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:13:11 -0400, Binder Dundat
<dundat@mail.com>
wrote:
On 2026-04-14 5:58 p.m., Blueshirt wrote:
Futbolmetrix wrote:
Warm Weather Theory will want to defend its title (are we >>>>>>>>>>>>> on for a threepeat?),
FWIW, I reckon Cooper and the Bolts could be worth a punt. >>>>>>>>>>>>
but it will be tough without the Florida Panthers.
No Chucker or Brad = no loss!
This has to be the year that the Oilers win it.-a I am sticking >>>>>>>>>>> with that
Homeresque prediction.
Looks like Tampa Bay will be the winner according to WWT. A >>>>>>>>>> couple of
interesting WWT derbies in the East, with Boston just edging >>>>>>>>>> Buffalo
and Philly just edging Pittsburgh. But it will be Tampa versus >>>>>>>>>> Carolina in the conference finals.
Bracket is now set. It will be Tampa over Anaheim in the Stanley >>>>>>>>> Cup
final, with Tampa taking home the Cup. Warm Weather Theory never >>>>>>>>> fails.
Let's see how badly actually watching games fares compared to WWT. >>>>>>>>
Sabres (A1) vs Bruins (WC1)
On December 17, 2025, 32 games into the season, the Buffalo
Sabres sat
- as usual - in last place of the Eastern Conference, looking >>>>>>>> dead-set
to prolong their 14-year playoff drought, and were even getting >>>>>>>> mocked
in an episode of 'Heated Rivalry'.
Two days before, they had fired their hapless GM Kevyn Adams and >>>>>>>> brought
in a European, Jarmo Kek|nl|ninen, who had done a decent but in the >>>>>>>> end
not overly successful job with Columbus. Veteran coach Lindy
Ruff, as
likable as he is, was generally seen as a dinosaur just waiting >>>>>>>> for the
final axe.
What happened since then is nothing short of miraculous, as the >>>>>>>> Sabres
went 36-9-5 in their remaining 50 games, and stormed all the way >>>>>>>> to the
top of the Atlantic division. They are the best team in the NHL >>>>>>>> since
January 1.
So we have a young, enthusiastic group in Buffalo that see it all >>>>>>>> coming
together in real time - but one can't help but wonder whether it >>>>>>>> will be
different in the playoffs, and especially against the Bruins.
Because whereas Buffalo made it in thanks to their offence, Boston >>>>>>>> - also with a European at the helm, Marco Sturm has done a
stellar job
as head coach - surprised everyone who expected a lowly rebuilding >>>>>>>> season with their grinding, stingy defensive play, David Pastr+e|ik >>>>>>>> suddenly becoming an-a elite playmaker, and above all great goalie >>>>>>>> performances by Jeremy Swayman who stole more than one game, or >>>>>>>> three,
or twenty.
One of the more intriguing series. I have Boston in 6, cynicism >>>>>>>> beats
exuberance.
Boston in 7
Lightning (A2) vs Canadiens (A3)
A repeat of the Stanley Cup final from a mere five years ago, but >>>>>>>> while
Tampa are basically still the same old Tampa, another young,
enthusiastic group that sees it all coming together in real time has >>>>>>>> emerged in Montr|-al. Cole Caufield has become the Habs' first 50- >>>>>>>> goal
scorer since St|-phane Richer in 1989-90, Nick Suzuki hit 100 >>>>>>>> points for
the first time in his career, and Juraj Slafkovsk|+, Lane Hutson >>>>>>>> and Ivan
Demidov have been stepping up as well.
As the Athletic has put it, it's a duel between past and future, >>>>>>>> and the
one I will have the most interest in from an Austrian point of view >>>>>>>> since David Reinbacher might get some games for the Habs. But what's >>>>>>>> good news for me (and possibly Reinbacher) is bad news for
Montr|-al, as
Noah Dobson's injury could throw a proper spanner in the works. >>>>>>>> Victor
Hedman might be out for the Lightning as well, but they have way >>>>>>>> more
defensive depth.
I believe the old guard will prevail one more time. Tampa in 6. >>>>>>>>
Habs in 6
Hurricanes (M1) vs Senators (WC2)
So the Senators have made it to the playoffs after all,
overcoming quite
a bit of adversity - above all terrible goaltending to start the >>>>>>>> season,
until Linus Ullmark took a personal leave and reset himself - and >>>>>>>> now
they face a team they've never met in the postseason before but >>>>>>>> one that
plays the same kind of dump-and-chase shutdown style, only usually >>>>>>>> better.
The similarities extend down to the fact that there are questions >>>>>>>> around
Carolina's goaltending, too - Brandon Bussi has cooled off
considerably
following an amazing rookie start, Fredrik Andersen looks shaky even >>>>>>>> more frequently than in previous years, and Pyotr Kochetkov hasn't >>>>>>>> played a game since December.
What it might boil down to is which team will be better at
protecting
their dodgy goalies with elite shutdown defence, and here I'd >>>>>>>> still give
the benefit to Jaccob Slavin (who was as crucial for Team USA at the >>>>>>>> Olympics as he is for his club) over Jake Sanderson. But Slavin >>>>>>>> is 31
while Sanderson is 23, so at least the future looks brighter for the >>>>>>>> Sens.
Carolina in 5.
Ottawa in 6
Game 1 Carolina 2 Ottawa 0
Penguins (M2) vs Flyers (M3)
Before the start of the season I don't think *anybody* had a
Battle of
Pennsylvania pencilled in as a possible playoff series, yet here >>>>>>>> we are.
A lot of credit needs to go to the two head coaches, who both >>>>>>>> managed to
completely change the downward trajectory of their respective
franchises, and I'd give the edge here to Pittsburgh's Dan Muse over >>>>>>>> Philadelphia's Rick Tocchet, because unlike the Flyers the Pens >>>>>>>> are also
entertaining to watch. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are enjoying >>>>>>>> their umpteenth resurgence (Malkin already won a Conn Smythe Trophy >>>>>>>> 17 years ago, let that sink in), and even Erik Karlsson, whose >>>>>>>> lackadaisical approach to defence I used to loathe (it was worst >>>>>>>> when he
won the Norris Trophy while with a terrible San Jose Sharks team >>>>>>>> - yes
he put up 100 points, but he never actually played any defence, >>>>>>>> which
is, you know, in the job description) has turned it around and is >>>>>>>> playing more responsibly around his own net than perhaps ever >>>>>>>> before.
The Flyers don't have anything like this star power up front, so >>>>>>>> this is
going to be a proper offence vs defence clash.
I go for offence. Pittsburgh in 6.
Flyers in 7
Avalanche (C1) vs Kings (WC2)
While the entire rest of the league was about 'PARITY!' more than >>>>>>>> ever
before, the Central Division bucked the trend and dominated,
above all
the Avs who not only won the President's Trophy but looked utterly >>>>>>>> convincing doing so, especially in the first half of the season. >>>>>>>> They
are the hands-down favourites to win the whole thing.
But... there are chinks in the armour. For some unfathomable reason >>>>>>>> a power play with Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon on it is one of >>>>>>>> the
worst of the league (I suppose this is where they miss Mikko
Rantanen
the most). With the division title sewn up, their performances >>>>>>>> after the
Olympic break have been lacklustre. Nathan MacKinnon might still >>>>>>>> wake
with a start in the middle of the night because he dreamt of *that* >>>>>>>> empty net.
But it should be more than enough for the Kings, who made it out >>>>>>>> of the
worst divison, with a negative goal difference, the second-fewest >>>>>>>> regulation wins in the league (dear NHL, what's so bad about using a >>>>>>>> 3-2-1-0 system instead of the stupid loser point?? the PWHL manages >>>>>>>> just fine!), Kevin Fiala out for the season, and new arrival Artemi >>>>>>>> Panarin going through the motions. The only positives I can think >>>>>>>> of are
all-around great guy An++e Kopitar getting a well-deserved playoff >>>>>>>> run-
out in his final season, and we're finally rid of Kings vs Oilers >>>>>>>> First
Rounds (but it was close).
Colorado in 5.
Kings in 7
Stars (C2) vs Wild (C3)
Out of practically nowhere the boring, boring Minnesota Wild
created the
biggest splash on the trading front when they lured Quinn Hughes >>>>>>>> out of
the mess that is the Vancouver Canucks, albeit at a rather steep >>>>>>>> cost,
giving up three young players (including our own Marco Rossi) that >>>>>>>> everyone thought would have been part of their core for years to >>>>>>>> come.
That move has been a gamble for Bill Guerin, but one I (reluctantly) >>>>>>>> have to applaud because it's become so rare to see a GM swinging >>>>>>>> for the
fences. As it stands, the jury on that trade is still out - if >>>>>>>> Minnesota
finally make it past the First-Round hurdle after eight consecutive >>>>>>>> failed attempts, if they should win a banner, if Quinn Hughes really >>>>>>>> signs long-term, if-if-if...
Because of course their First-Round opponents are no slouches >>>>>>>> either,
coming off three consecutive Conference Final appearances. Jason >>>>>>>> Robertson, Mikko Rantanen and Miro Heiskanen can play with the >>>>>>>> best of
them, and have.
A complete toss-up. I say Dallas in 7, just because it would be a >>>>>>>> better
fit for Minnesota's 'try harder, fail better' narrative. And I'm >>>>>>>> a bit
miffed about Rossi.
Minnesota v1 vs Minnesota v2!
Wild in 6
Agreed!
Minnesota v2 4 Minnesota V1 1 37'
Golden Knights (P1) vs Mammoth (WC1)
Just to show how bad the Pacific Division has been, Vegas won it, >>>>>>>> and
they fired their head coach Bruce Cassidy on March 29. And so far it >>>>>>>> looks like the move paid off, too, because they've looked much >>>>>>>> improved
under the always-entertaining John Tortorella (although I kind of >>>>>>>> wonder
whether Mitch Marner was really happy about that coaching change). >>>>>>>>
But to me there's much more to like about Utah, another team like >>>>>>>> the
Sabres and Canadiens that are fun to watch and have a young core >>>>>>>> that's
only just starting to click. Give me Logan Cooley and Clayton Keller >>>>>>>> over Jack Eichel any day. And Carter Hart can go f himself.
Utah in 6. I hope.
I say 7
Oilers (P2) vs Ducks (P3)
It's the same old with the Oilers, they have stretches where they >>>>>>>> look
terrible, a lot of stretches where their elite players just drag >>>>>>>> them
along kicking and screaming, and in the end it's all just enough >>>>>>>> without
ever looking like the complete package. Well, this kind of
approach has
brought them to two consecutive Stanley Cup Finals.
Could they repeat that? They did surprisingly well without an >>>>>>>> injured
Leon Draisaitl during the last stretch of the season, Connor
Ingram has
emerged as an unlikely goaltender solution (what were they even >>>>>>>> thinking
swapping Stuart Skinner with Tristan Jarry? such an Oilers move to >>>>>>>> make), and a series against Anaheim could be exactly they jolt >>>>>>>> they need
to galvanise them because the Ducks are close to an ideal
opponent, what
with their own terrible defence and run-and-gun style of play. >>>>>>>>
As for Anaheim, there's much to like, similar to Utah, but
they're even
less seasoned than the Mammoth, and I think the lack of
experience will
show. Could be a fun series, at least.
Edmonton in 5.
I will go with that.
Ciao,
Werner
--
Member - Liberal International This is doctor@nk.ca Ici doctor@nk.ca >>>>>>> Yahweh, King & country!Never Satan President Republic!Beware
AntiChrist rising!
Look at Psalms 14 and 53 on Atheism ;
All I want to hear from Jesus is WEll Done Good and Faithful Servant. >>>>>>
The Snores go out in 4 games. To be fair they doubled
their goals output in game 4.
Binder Dundat wrote:
The Snores go out in 4 games. To be fair they doubled
their goals output in game 4.
With a great Captain's performance from the Goon...
On 2026-04-27 5:56 a.m., Blueshirt wrote:
Binder Dundat wrote:
The Snores go out in 4 games. To be fair they doubled
their goals output in game 4.
With a great Captain's performance from the Goon...
Ok, I did pick the Snores to play the Oilers in the final, not
gonna do it.
But now I think I should bet the house on the Habs (Montreal).
Binder Dundat wrote:
On 2026-04-27 5:56 a.m., Blueshirt wrote:
Binder Dundat wrote:
The Snores go out in 4 games. To be fair they doubled
their goals output in game 4.
With a great Captain's performance from the Goon...
Ok, I did pick the Snores to play the Oilers in the final, not
gonna do it.
But now I think I should bet the house on the Habs (Montreal).
I'm sure they will thank you for jinxing them!
On 2026-05-02 5:36 a.m., Blueshirt wrote:
Binder Dundat wrote:
On 2026-04-27 5:56 a.m., Blueshirt wrote:
Binder Dundat wrote:
The Snores go out in 4 games. To be fair they doubled
their goals output in game 4.
With a great Captain's performance from the Goon...
Ok, I did pick the Snores to play the Oilers in the final, not
gonna do it.
But now I think I should bet the house on the Habs (Montreal).
I'm sure they will thank you for jinxing them!
Yeah, they were looking good to win that game, before I fell asleep. Not
a good year for Canadian Ice Hockey.-a Maybe Canada has become a Soccer country now.
The theoretical underpinning of WWT is that in places with harsh
winters, the last thing you want to be doing in May-June is playing
hockey in an indoor arena, hence cold-weather teams underperform.
Bet all the houses you own on the Habs!
Yeah, they were looking good to win that game, before
I fell asleep.
Not a good year for Canadian Ice Hockey.
Maybe Canada has become a Soccer country now.
On 17/04/2026 15:37, Futbolmetrix wrote:
On Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:22:32 -0400, Futbolmetrix
<futbolmetrix@yahoo.com> wrote:
On Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:13:11 -0400, Binder Dundat <dundat@mail.com>
wrote:
On 2026-04-14 5:58 p.m., Blueshirt wrote:
Futbolmetrix wrote:
Warm Weather Theory will want to defend its title (are we
on for a threepeat?),
FWIW, I reckon Cooper and the Bolts could be worth a punt.
but it will be tough without the Florida Panthers.
No Chucker or Brad = no loss!
This has to be the year that the Oilers win it.-a I am sticking with
that
Homeresque prediction.
Looks like Tampa Bay will be the winner according to WWT. A couple of
interesting WWT derbies in the East, with Boston just edging Buffalo
and Philly just edging Pittsburgh. But it will be Tampa versus
Carolina in the conference finals.
Bracket is now set. It will be Tampa over Anaheim in the Stanley Cup
final, with Tampa taking home the Cup. Warm Weather Theory never
fails.
Let's see how badly actually watching games fares compared to WWT.
Sabres (A1) vs Bruins (WC1)
On December 17, 2025, 32 games into the season, the Buffalo Sabres sat
- as usual - in last place of the Eastern Conference, looking dead-set
to prolong their 14-year playoff drought, and were even getting mocked
in an episode of 'Heated Rivalry'.
Two days before, they had fired their hapless GM Kevyn Adams and brought
in a European, Jarmo Kek|nl|ninen, who had done a decent but in the end
not overly successful job with Columbus. Veteran coach Lindy Ruff, as
likable as he is, was generally seen as a dinosaur just waiting for the
final axe.
What happened since then is nothing short of miraculous, as the Sabres
went 36-9-5 in their remaining 50 games, and stormed all the way to the
top of the Atlantic division. They are the best team in the NHL since
January 1.
So we have a young, enthusiastic group in Buffalo that see it all coming together in real time - but one can't help but wonder whether it will be different in the playoffs, and especially against the Bruins.
Because whereas Buffalo made it in thanks to their offence, Boston
- also with a European at the helm, Marco Sturm has done a stellar job
as head coach - surprised everyone who expected a lowly rebuilding
season with their grinding, stingy defensive play, David Pastr+e|ik
suddenly becoming an-a elite playmaker, and above all great goalie performances by Jeremy Swayman who stole more than one game, or three,
or twenty.
One of the more intriguing series. I have Boston in 6, cynicism beats exuberance.
Lightning (A2) vs Canadiens (A3)
A repeat of the Stanley Cup final from a mere five years ago, but while
Tampa are basically still the same old Tampa, another young,
enthusiastic group that sees it all coming together in real time has
emerged in Montr|-al. Cole Caufield has become the Habs' first 50-goal
scorer since St|-phane Richer in 1989-90, Nick Suzuki hit 100 points for
the first time in his career, and Juraj Slafkovsk|+, Lane Hutson and Ivan Demidov have been stepping up as well.
As the Athletic has put it, it's a duel between past and future, and the
one I will have the most interest in from an Austrian point of view
since David Reinbacher might get some games for the Habs. But what's
good news for me (and possibly Reinbacher) is bad news for Montr|-al, as
Noah Dobson's injury could throw a proper spanner in the works. Victor
Hedman might be out for the Lightning as well, but they have way more defensive depth.
I believe the old guard will prevail one more time. Tampa in 6.
Hurricanes (M1) vs Senators (WC2)
So the Senators have made it to the playoffs after all, overcoming quite
a bit of adversity - above all terrible goaltending to start the season, until Linus Ullmark took a personal leave and reset himself - and now
they face a team they've never met in the postseason before but one that plays the same kind of dump-and-chase shutdown style, only usually
better.
The similarities extend down to the fact that there are questions around Carolina's goaltending, too - Brandon Bussi has cooled off considerably following an amazing rookie start, Fredrik Andersen looks shaky even
more frequently than in previous years, and Pyotr Kochetkov hasn't
played a game since December.
What it might boil down to is which team will be better at protecting
their dodgy goalies with elite shutdown defence, and here I'd still give
the benefit to Jaccob Slavin (who was as crucial for Team USA at the
Olympics as he is for his club) over Jake Sanderson. But Slavin is 31
while Sanderson is 23, so at least the future looks brighter for the
Sens.
Carolina in 5.
Penguins (M2) vs Flyers (M3)
Before the start of the season I don't think *anybody* had a Battle of Pennsylvania pencilled in as a possible playoff series, yet here we are.
A lot of credit needs to go to the two head coaches, who both managed to completely change the downward trajectory of their respective
franchises, and I'd give the edge here to Pittsburgh's Dan Muse over Philadelphia's Rick Tocchet, because unlike the Flyers the Pens are also entertaining to watch. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are enjoying
their umpteenth resurgence (Malkin already won a Conn Smythe Trophy
17 years ago, let that sink in), and even Erik Karlsson, whose
lackadaisical approach to defence I used to loathe (it was worst when he
won the Norris Trophy while with a terrible San Jose Sharks team - yes
he put up 100 points, but he never actually played any defence, which
is, you know, in the job description) has turned it around and is
playing more responsibly around his own net than perhaps ever before.
The Flyers don't have anything like this star power up front, so this is going to be a proper offence vs defence clash.
I go for offence. Pittsburgh in 6.
Avalanche (C1) vs Kings (WC2)
While the entire rest of the league was about 'PARITY!' more than ever before, the Central Division bucked the trend and dominated, above all
the Avs who not only won the President's Trophy but looked utterly
convincing doing so, especially in the first half of the season. They
are the hands-down favourites to win the whole thing.
But... there are chinks in the armour. For some unfathomable reason
a power play with Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon on it is one of the
worst of the league (I suppose this is where they miss Mikko Rantanen
the most). With the division title sewn up, their performances after the Olympic break have been lacklustre. Nathan MacKinnon might still wake
with a start in the middle of the night because he dreamt of *that*
empty net.
But it should be more than enough for the Kings, who made it out of the
worst divison, with a negative goal difference, the second-fewest
regulation wins in the league (dear NHL, what's so bad about using a
3-2-1-0 system instead of the stupid loser point?? the PWHL manages
just fine!), Kevin Fiala out for the season, and new arrival Artemi
Panarin going through the motions. The only positives I can think of are all-around great guy An++e Kopitar getting a well-deserved playoff run-
out in his final season, and we're finally rid of Kings vs Oilers First Rounds (but it was close).
Colorado in 5.
Stars (C2) vs Wild (C3)
Out of practically nowhere the boring, boring Minnesota Wild created the biggest splash on the trading front when they lured Quinn Hughes out of
the mess that is the Vancouver Canucks, albeit at a rather steep cost,
giving up three young players (including our own Marco Rossi) that
everyone thought would have been part of their core for years to come.
That move has been a gamble for Bill Guerin, but one I (reluctantly)
have to applaud because it's become so rare to see a GM swinging for the fences. As it stands, the jury on that trade is still out - if Minnesota finally make it past the First-Round hurdle after eight consecutive
failed attempts, if they should win a banner, if Quinn Hughes really
signs long-term, if-if-if...
Because of course their First-Round opponents are no slouches either,
coming off three consecutive Conference Final appearances. Jason
Robertson, Mikko Rantanen and Miro Heiskanen can play with the best of
them, and have.
A complete toss-up. I say Dallas in 7, just because it would be a better
fit for Minnesota's 'try harder, fail better' narrative. And I'm a bit
miffed about Rossi.
Golden Knights (P1) vs Mammoth (WC1)I didnt even know the Utahs have a team
Just to show how bad the Pacific Division has been, Vegas won it, and
they fired their head coach Bruce Cassidy on March 29. And so far it
looks like the move paid off, too, because they've looked much improved
under the always-entertaining John Tortorella (although I kind of wonder whether Mitch Marner was really happy about that coaching change).
But to me there's much more to like about Utah, another team like the
Sabres and Canadiens that are fun to watch and have a young core that's
only just starting to click. Give me Logan Cooley and Clayton Keller
over Jack Eichel any day. And Carter Hart can go f himself.
Utah in 6. I hope.
Oilers (P2) vs Ducks (P3)
It's the same old with the Oilers, they have stretches where they look terrible, a lot of stretches where their elite players just drag them
along kicking and screaming, and in the end it's all just enough without
ever looking like the complete package. Well, this kind of approach has brought them to two consecutive Stanley Cup Finals.
Could they repeat that? They did surprisingly well without an injured
Leon Draisaitl during the last stretch of the season, Connor Ingram has emerged as an unlikely goaltender solution (what were they even thinking swapping Stuart Skinner with Tristan Jarry? such an Oilers move to
make), and a series against Anaheim could be exactly they jolt they need
to galvanise them because the Ducks are close to an ideal opponent, what
with their own terrible defence and run-and-gun style of play.
As for Anaheim, there's much to like, similar to Utah, but they're even
less seasoned than the Mammoth, and I think the lack of experience will
show. Could be a fun series, at least.
Edmonton in 5.
Ciao,
Werner
On Sat, 18 Apr 2026 09:21:31 -0400, Futbolmetrix
<futbolmetrix@yahoo.com> wrote:
The theoretical underpinning of WWT is that in places with harsh
winters, the last thing you want to be doing in May-June is playing
hockey in an indoor arena, hence cold-weather teams underperform.
Not a great year for WWT: only 4 out of 8 first round winners guessed correctly, and the overall WWT favorites Tampa knocked out in the
first round. Oh well, experimental error...
On 04/05/2026 04:23, Futbolmetrix wrote:
On Sat, 18 Apr 2026 09:21:31 -0400, Futbolmetrix
<futbolmetrix@yahoo.com> wrote:
The theoretical underpinning of WWT is that in places with harsh
winters, the last thing you want to be doing in May-June is playing
hockey in an indoor arena, hence cold-weather teams underperform.
Not a great year for WWT: only 4 out of 8 first round winners guessed
correctly, and the overall WWT favorites Tampa knocked out in the
first round. Oh well, experimental error...
Better than Watching Games (TM) which went 2/8.
Air Corgi beat us all with 5 correct predictions.
But can't we skip ahead to Game 7 between Carolina and Colorado anyway?
Ciao,
Werner
On 2026-05-10 8:38 a.m., Werner Pichler wrote:
On 04/05/2026 04:23, Futbolmetrix wrote:
On Sat, 18 Apr 2026 09:21:31 -0400, Futbolmetrix
<futbolmetrix@yahoo.com> wrote:
The theoretical underpinning of WWT is that in places with harsh
winters, the last thing you want to be doing in May-June is playing
hockey in an indoor arena, hence cold-weather teams underperform.
Not a great year for WWT: only 4 out of 8 first round winners guessed
correctly, and the overall WWT favorites Tampa knocked out in the
first round. Oh well, experimental error...
Better than Watching Games (TM) which went 2/8.
Air Corgi beat us all with 5 correct predictions.
But can't we skip ahead to Game 7 between Carolina and Colorado anyway?
It is looking that way, Carolina win both series 4-0.-a Sometimes they
say the wait is a bad thing and it looks like the Montreal series will
go 7 games.-a Colorado not quite there but probably will be by the end of the night.-a The Vegas series might go 7 games as well.-a But yes,
Carolina vs Colorado would be the expected final.
I still have hope for the Habs, they are the Real Madrid of the Stanley
Cup.
Will the Ice hockey still be on when the World Cup starts?-a Speaking of
the WC and to go back on the topic of rss, I want to see proper
Countries boycotting the WC.-a USA hosting is worse than a country like Russia or Saudi Arabia hosting.-a Hopefully this might be the end of the giant pig that the World Cup has become.-a If countries boycott and FIFA expels them, then league football will have to take over and break away
from the giant pig that is FIFA.
Also after this WC, expect to see matches have regular breaks in the
middle of each half for tv commercials-now known as water breaks,-a with
all the TV money it will happen and I am not overly bothered by a short
2-3 minute break around the 23 min.
Ciao,
Werner
On 2026-05-13 6:40 p.m., Binder Dundat wrote:
On 2026-05-10 8:38 a.m., Werner Pichler wrote:
On 04/05/2026 04:23, Futbolmetrix wrote:
On Sat, 18 Apr 2026 09:21:31 -0400, Futbolmetrix
<futbolmetrix@yahoo.com> wrote:
The theoretical underpinning of WWT is that in places with harsh
winters, the last thing you want to be doing in May-June is playing
hockey in an indoor arena, hence cold-weather teams underperform.
Not a great year for WWT: only 4 out of 8 first round winners guessed
correctly, and the overall WWT favorites Tampa knocked out in the
first round. Oh well, experimental error...
Better than Watching Games (TM) which went 2/8.
Air Corgi beat us all with 5 correct predictions.
But can't we skip ahead to Game 7 between Carolina and Colorado anyway?
Maybe the North Stars are going to make it tough for the Colorados.
It is looking that way, Carolina win both series 4-0.-a Sometimes they
say the wait is a bad thing and it looks like the Montreal series will
go 7 games.-a Colorado not quite there but probably will be by the end
of the night.-a The Vegas series might go 7 games as well.-a But yes,
Carolina vs Colorado would be the expected final.
I still have hope for the Habs, they are the Real Madrid of the
Stanley Cup.
Will the Ice hockey still be on when the World Cup starts?-a Speaking
of the WC and to go back on the topic of rss, I want to see proper
Countries boycotting the WC.-a USA hosting is worse than a country like
Russia or Saudi Arabia hosting.-a Hopefully this might be the end of
the giant pig that the World Cup has become.-a If countries boycott and
FIFA expels them, then league football will have to take over and
break away from the giant pig that is FIFA.
Also after this WC, expect to see matches have regular breaks in the
middle of each half for tv commercials-now known as water breaks,
with all the TV money it will happen and I am not overly bothered by a
short 2-3 minute break around the 23 min.
Ciao,
Werner
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