Predictions?

Time to see how smart we all think we are. While I think I usually do pretty well with this, I admittedly don’t have a good feel for it this year. I think that’s led me to take more favorites than usual.

Before we get to the predictions, if anyone wants to run a beard contest, short as I think it will be, I will definitely give it publication on the HAV.  Also, if anyone wants to write a series preview for tomorrow, I will gladly accept that and post it tomorrow as well.

Now, for the predictions.

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No prize this year other than bragging rights. Also, if anyone wants to start a group for the NHL bracket challenge, feel free to post the information in the comments. Feel free to copy and paste the following and alter it as needed to fit your selections:

Canadiens over Rangers in 6
Bruins over Senators in 6
Capitals over Leafs in 4
Penguins over Blue Jackets in 7

Blackhawks over Predators in 6
Wild over Blues in 6
Flames over Ducks in 7
Oilers over Sharks in 6

237 thoughts on “Predictions?”

  3. Grrrrr…. being a TV Weatherman doesn’t allow me the luxury of growing a playoff beard. Can’t even grow out the stache for Movember (which may be a blessing in disguise).

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  5. Told myself id go with my head over my heart this year but i cant help it…

    Rangers over Canadiens in 5
    Bruins over Senators in 6
    Leafs over Capitals in 7
    Blue Jackets over Penguins in 7

    Blackhawks over Predators in 4
    Blues over Wild in 6
    Flames over Ducks in 7
    Oilers over Sharks in 6

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  7. Canadiens over Rangers in 6*
    Senators over Bruins in 6
    Capitals over Leafs in 5
    Penguins over Blue Jackets in 6

    Blackhawks over Predators in 6
    Blues over Wild in 7
    Ducks over Flames in 6
    Sharks over Oilers in 7

    *- toss up series. Two things the Rangers need to do. Get to game 3 tied 1-1 at the worst and avoid game 7 in Montreal.

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  15. I’d feel a lot better about predictions if it weren’t for injuries. If I knew Malkin was full go for the Penguins, I’d probably cut them down to 6. If I knew whether Carlo or Krug would be back early in their series, I’d probably pick the Bruins over the Senators. If Fowler wasn’t hurt, I’d pick the Ducks over the Flames.

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  17. Montreal is playing Ott and King. If Hayes, Grabner and Miller can return to what they were our depth is far better. I also dont think playing Glass over Buchnevich is that big of a deal. I think both will see a few games this series.

    Our PK got a little better towards the end. PP finally looks like it’s clicking.

    If Price plays a notch below superstar level we’ll be fine.

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Lev – that’s a lot of ifs. The Cup winner will be the team who doesn’t have to rely on ifs…instead, they impose their will on other teams for 6 weeks and four rounds. Who knows who that will be this year, but the Rangers have no will to impose – a lot of talent that has to play near perfect to advance, but no real will to impose

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  22. Lev!

    I agree, a lot of ifs. tons of them. but reasonable ones. Rangers certainly have some crucial areas to clean up. They also have some categorical advantages over the Habs and their slow D, and remember, Price has never done it in the playoffs. Obviously, Lundqvist has done it to a great degree, but he hasn’t been the same Lundqvist this season.

    I still think the result of this series is up to the Rangers and what they do or don’t do. Play as they can/should, they win. That’s also assuming Price doesn’t outplay Lundqvist by a wide margin.

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  34. Ott has not been effective in 5 years…think Rangers also have clear advantage over Habs down the middle…Danault, Plekanek, Mitchell and Shaw who recently moved to center) ..think Kreider and Miller will be key to Rangers winning…time for these boys to step up as leaders of this team

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  35. This team in particular is tough to figure out…most think (and I tend to agree) the team you see the first 15 to 20 games of the season isn’t indicative of the actual team you have (especially true of this season with many teams “recovering” from WCoH) due to teams getting players and systems in place. Further more, usually the last 15-20 games of the season are more playoff “style”, but imho you have to take into account incentives (or lack there of) for clinched playoff positions or playing out the season for golf times. All wins are still worth 2 points no matter when you get them, but are the middle of the season 40-50 games a team’s true “potential”?
    –
    Just curious

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  38. Guys like ott…you tolerate them on your roster during the regular season and their contract is for the post season imo.
    –
    Depending how the series first couple of games go, you may not see ott a lot after that…speculation on my part.

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  45. I agree with the beginning of the season theory as well as the end. I do think the mid 40-50 games are the most accurate, but more of a guideline if you will because of injuries etc. Also, in the cast of the rangers the last part of the season was “decided” for the most part, so who knows. I do think you still need to win more at the end because I’m not sure there is an instant “switch” that can be flipped on to start the playoffs with more successful habits.
    –
    I really hope I’m wrong on that last part.

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  49. Rangers might not last more than five games. Some matches will be close, but it’ll always be Lundqvist who ends up on the losing end. Les Canadiens play with more passion, intensity, and anger; they’re more likely to raise the nastiness level. Rangers have too many nice and polite boys who take on the personality of their coach. And will NYR have an answer for a healthy Shea Webber?

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  52. Hi Carp!

    A lot of ifs for sure. Like I said, i foolishly went with my heart again. Head says Montreal in 6.

    I dont think Montreal (or Boston or Ottawa or Toronto) is the team that can expose our weakness on D. Their edge is at G. Lundqvist needs to make that edge as small as possible and Hayes/Miller/Grabner need to produce.

    Also, i actually dont think Kreider will have a great series. Hope im wrong. Has to get off to a good start tomorrow–go to the net and not shy away from Weber or Ott who will try to get him out of the crease

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  57. They were coming off the rush of having a new coach and a reenergized Price. And if im not mistaking that coincided with one of our worst stretches of the year. But yeah faceoffs are an issue for sure.

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  58. Canadiens over Rangers in 7
    Senators over Bruins in 5
    Capitals over Leafs in 5
    Penguins over Blue Jackets in 6

    Blackhawks over Predators in 4
    Blues over Wild in 7
    Ducks over Flames in 5
    Oilers over Sharks in 6

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  61. Oh man, Klein out? I wonder if he’s still injured. He and Staal looked like a pretty stable pairing and Holden hasn’t been anything special in quite a while. I liked the idea of Klein and Smith in the top 6 in this series. I guess all we need is Tanner the hero.

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  62. FG, they worked hard to extend AV because they feel he’s a great coach, that this season might be a step backward, and that he’s the right guy for them next season and beyond.

    If they lose in four, each by 10-0, he might be in trouble.

    Or if the crybabies mutiny again (they won’t).

    So the timing of the extension was fine. He’s going nowhere.

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  64. Wasnt this season supposed to be a stepforward? They promised wholesale changes after last year’s massacre. That
    obviously didnt come. To a lot of people’s surprise we overachieved this year (mostly due to Grabner’s first half of the year).

    Lundqvist wont be getting any better. Question is how much worse and how quickly will he get. What makes next season look more promising? Banking on the idea that Girardi/Staal is bought out and we get Shattenkirk? That doesnt do much.

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  66. Bracket challenge still challenging:

    We’re just giving you a little extra time to think about your picks.
    The 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket Challenge will be live shortly.

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  67. Step backward in that they were up against the Cap, were very limited with what they could do, decided to not blow it up, knew they’d lose Yandle and Moore and some others. Thought, honestly, that this wouldn’t be as legit a contender as the previous few years.

    But that they could turn the corner fairly quickly after this …

    and, still, ifs.

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  71. Canadiens over Rangers in 6
    (head, heart says rangers in 4)
    Bruins over Senators in 7
    Capitals over Leafs in 4
    Penguins over Blue Jackets in 5

    Blackhawks over Predators in 5
    Wild over Blues in 7
    Ducks over Flames in 5
    Oilers over Sharks in 5

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  74. CCCP, I don’t always pick against the Rangers. In fact, if they make it out of the first round, I’d pick them over either the Senators and the Bruins. I would even seriously consider them in the Conference Final against any of the three teams that are there. I just really don’t like the match up with Montreal and their form entering the playoffs.

    Liked by 1 person

  75. Well, that’s not good. They shouldnt be surprised if it doesnt last long against Pittsburgh or Washington but they should at least expect to be competitive against all the Atlantic teams and even Columbus.

    Wouldnt replace AV with any coach that’s on the market right now. Would be a big mistake.

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  77. AV is a great hockey coach but if the Rangers get their doors blown off again, and there’s another great hockey coach available that also has Cup rings, ya gotta consider a change. It’d be insane malfeasance not to

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  78. Im sure a former NYR from that team would be glad to confirm/deny rumors. Maybe not someone still playing in the league but someone that’s retired

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  81. Sutter would completely change this team’s style back to what the core players wanted to get rid of. And we dont have the size to play how he wants his teams to play.

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  85. I picked Toronto over Caps because im very excited to see the changes Washington makes after another way premature exit.

    Also Calgary over Ducks in 7 because i think if Calgary wins one in Anaheim theyll take the series and Getzlaf/Perry just cant win a Game 7 at home. Also Fowler is out..

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  86. who cares what the core players wanted if it doesn’t lead to rings rings and more rings. Most of those guys are gone anyway. Would the current guys prefer flopping on the PK, PP and in the POs? Because this year’s style didn’t exactly set the hockey world on fire

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  87. Unlike when Carp worked for LoHud and ran the blog, Carp now works for MSG and doesn’t run the blog…so all good on calling them Frogs or whatever gets your competitive juices flowing

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  107. so if they fire AV and sign Sutter what happens when he brings back Glass for the heavy and tough lineup everyone wants that would fail in today’s NHL

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  111. Top management is very happy with AV’s demeanor, especially how the NY Press doesn’t make heads nor tails about what he’s saying or not saying while still allowing the Coach into their good graces.

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  130. Going out on a limb here:

    Les Habs or the Rangers will win 4.
    The Sens or Bruins will win 4.
    The Caps or Leafs will win 4.
    The Pens or Blue Jackets will win 4.

    The Hawks or Preds will win 4.
    The Wild or Blues will win 4.
    The Ducks or Flames will win 4.
    The Oilers or Sharks will win 4.

    Book it.

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  135. Rangers over Canadiens in 6
    Bruins over Sens in 6
    Caps over Leafs in 5
    Dubinsky over Crosby in 7

    Blackhawks over Predators in 5
    Wild over Blues in 6
    Flames over Ducks in 6
    Oilers over Sharks in 7

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  137. Canadiens over Rangers in 6
    Senators over Bruins in 6
    Capitals over Leafs in 4
    Penguins over Blue Jackets in 7

    Blackhawks over Predators in 6
    Blues over Wild in 6
    Ducks over Flames in 7
    Sharks over Oilers in 7

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  151. The website for the bracket challenge seems kind of wonky. I searched for pozy bonehead league five or six times and it found nothing. Then I just put the word pozy by itself and it found the bracket. (shrug) Got my picks in.

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  157. Corporate Carp, I think you were really fair with your writing except for this phrase, regarding Kreider:

    “full knowing he had been tripped and couldn’t have stopped before the collision).”

    Aside from it being speculative, since you said Kreider won’t comment on the matter, it’s speculation for the sake of propping our guy up, even if it is correct.

    John Shannon of Sportsnet said that on Friday night he got a text from someone inside the Rangers organization to tell them to stop running the Kreider/Price incident highlight reel, which they had run something like four times.

    Seems like it’s a touchy subject.

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  159. game 1 prediction tied 2-2 late 3rd period. nick holden gets called for holding the stick call under 5 mins to go. shea weber bomb wins it. this after girardi is a minus 2

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  166. Dolan is supposed to be paying 50 million in NY taxes and pays none of it. ZERO.

    Nice to have (well compensated) friends in high places, eh?

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  170. Well I wore my road sweater out boarding at lunch time today. Given that it is t-shirt or less weather even at elevation, I sweated a lot for our team today 🙂

    @Eric – they won’t let you across the border with any NYR evidence on you

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  173. In my recent viewing of the video, his front let where he would put his weight was wacked in mid stride which knocked his balance off kilter and the rest is history.
    .
    This was a Canadien newspaper’s pic about it – hilarious. Looks like he is ready to poke his eyes out as well…

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  174. Bobbyo
    Heavy and tough lineups do not fail in today’s NHL (by 97% of opinions). Have and tough lineups without skill or mobility fail, but not ones with skill and mobility.

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  175. ‘Cause you got great mobility
    Walk, with great mobility
    Talk, with great mobility
    Style, with great mobility
    Charm, with great mobility
    Love, with great mobility

    Plus, you got great overall Siiiize !’

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  176. Great posts today very entertaining you guys are great. I’m sticking with my heart prediction NYR in 6, but honestly I don’t believe Hank will ever return to form. Game 1 will set the tone. If Hank place lights out it will boost their confidence and they play with fire. If he plays like a strainer it will look similar to the pens series last year. I know I have stated the obvious!

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  177. 1996 was a pretty entertaining series. Rangers stormed back from down 0-2 and Mario Tremblay’s “there will be a game 7” nonsense. plus Damphousse w/ 4 goals in the first two games then Gravey with 5 goals through the next 3. Game 7 of that series would have been a circus. Game 7 in 2014 would have been nuts too.

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  178. Make no mistake. This team doesn’t need a “rebuild” if they lose this series. They need to eliminate the “old core” and keep building the new.

    Speaking of the “old core”…Food for thought- IF Edmonton makes noise this season the Talbot supporters have a legit leg to stand on. 42 regular season wins and a .919 save percentage this year while making about a million and a half on a team with a less than stellar defense.

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  179. I don’t care if Kreider did or didn’t do it on purpose. It’s three years ago, get over it you crybabies. He’s gonna do it again, how bou dah? Do something about it in the scoreboard. Frikkin Habs fans babies

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  183. Dolan’s tax break makes Cally look like a silly piker, Carp. Plus, Cally didn’t spike the bank accounts of any lobbyists and politicians to ensure his deal. Certainly Dolan didn’t either.

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  185. I don’t do predictions, in general. I think I’ll try this year.
    I don’t really care whether I’m right or wrong in this case. Nor I need to protect my psyche in case they lose.
    I’m a Rangers fan. Rangers in 4.

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  190. Canadiens over Rangers in 6
    Senators over Bruins in 7
    Capitals over Leafs in 5
    Blue Jackets over Penguins in 6

    Blackhawks over Predators in 7
    Wild over Blues in 7
    Ducks over Flames in 7
    Oilers over Sharks in 6

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  191. Alex, forgive me. Idk why I thought he was making so little. Must have misread something. But you’re right still about half what Hank makes

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  194. Speaking of game 1- if I’m Kreider I make a bee line for the crease on my first shift of the game. Maybe a little snow shower for Price. He’ll take his lumps but it’ll set a tone.

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  196. To be succinct, screw le habs.

    Rangers in six, just like last time. This time we beat price and the sniveling habs fans will have no excuses. Then it’s on to Boston and let’s win there. We meet the caps in the ECF a depleted caps team I might add. Lastly, We meet the upstart team from chi town and send them packing also. We hoist the silver and I collapse in joyous ecstasy while those around drown in my tears of joy.

    Simple really.

    Imma go look up succinct.

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  197. Watching the NHL guys sizing up the series. Most giving the edge to the Habs (no surprise). But then Reider says that Hank’s slow start against Pitt last year in Game 1 was a big part of their downfall. What? Umm. Seems to me Hank had stopped all of Pitts shots in the first period before getting his eye poked out. Then he had a .935 and .933 with a 2 GAA in Games 2 and 3. That doesn’t seem like a slow start to me. Now the end on the other hand….😱

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  203. Wow, a lot of Rangers jerseys in Naples. I probably saw more of these today than convertible Bentleys. 😀
    Also saw a poor schmuck walking out of golf store wearing the Islanders cap. Was going to ask him if he was a part of that organization.

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  208. Rangers over Canadiens in 6
    Bruins over Senators in 7
    Capitals over Leafs in 5
    Blue Jackets over Penguins in 7

    Black Hawks over Predators in 5
    Wild over Blues in 6
    Ducks over Flames in 6
    Oilers over Sharks in 7

    Black Hawks over Rangers in Finals in 6.

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  209. Habs in 5
    Boston in 6
    Washington in 5
    Columbus in 7
    Chicago in 6
    St. Louis in 7
    Anaheim in 6
    Edmonton in 7

    Anaheim over Washington in 6

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  210. I’ve given this a lot of thought, and it falls to me to bless you all with its outcome: this upcoming series between the red-white-and-blue and the rouge-blanc-and-bleu will depend almost entirely–bear with me closely here–on the number of times the puck crosses the goal line and whose goal line it is. It depends also, research indicates, not only on how many times these events occur, but when and how soon. During which periods, as they are called, they happen, you understand. And in groupings of three, apparently, these aforementioned periods.

    Ground rules established, then, who wins the series will depend on a modified goal tally, based on timing and amount, as we have seen. I predict that whoever manages the best combination of goals and timing of same. And the best way to discover that outcome will be to WATCH THE FORKING GAMES! Predicting the future is fun and all–humans are so good at it–but, really, who cares? The whole point of watching games is that, unlike most other entertainment, you have NO IDEA what’s going to happen, or why would you watch!? lgr.

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  213. oopp… just click the link to see the image. Not sure why it doesn’t load on here…

    SKATIN’
    PASSIN’
    SHOOTIN’

    W.I.N.

    (what does W.I.N. stand for?…besides the obvious, of course…)

    Liked by 1 person

  215. Terrible defense in front of Hank. Top 4 same as under Torts with an added large, speedy baby tadpole. Who’s responsible for this deterioration? Shall we blame Mother Nature, coaching, or stupidity?

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  217. ‘Well, who are you? (who are you? who, who, who, who?)
    I really wanna know (who are you? who, who, who, who?)
    Tell me, who are you? (who are you? who, who, who, who?)
    ‘Cause I really wanna know (who are you? who, who, who, who?)’

    Liked by 1 person

  220. From a Rangers stand point, there are 2 simple keys to winning the series. One is Hank. He needs to be as good as Price. He doesn’t have to be better, just as good. If he is that, the Rangers will score enough to win the series.
    Two is AV. He can’t coach scared. What I mean by that is this, there are two types of coaches, one coaches to win, and the other coaches not to lose. AV must coach to win. I am already a little concerned about this. AV has let the Canadiens dictate his lineup by playing Glass. Glass should be nowhere near this series. Won’t be able to keep up to throw his body around. The one or two checks he may throw won’t be worth his presence. Tonight they will have 4 fourth liners in the lineup.

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  221. So the November Cup Champs hire Doug Weight. Does that mean Garth Snow’s job is safe? I mean no organization would be dumb enough to let an outgoing GM hire a coach. Right?

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  222. Bdl – The only area of Buch’s game right now that is any advantage is offensively the potential to score a goal and perhaps an assist to Les Machine. Glass on the other hand, while not likely to score, is going to give you a forecheck, steadier defensive play and probably all around better compete. I think Buch has a bright future for NYR but now is probably not his moment and the last thing you want is to see the kid crushed after making mistakes in the playoffs. Finally, if one player on the fourth line is going to make or break this series then it is probably already lost?

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  224. Beezle,
    Glass is the safer play. A response to the last Habs game. If you play it safe, chances are you lose. I would much rather have a player that can break the game open with a great play, than a guy who is more likely to have the great play made against him.

    Liked by 2 people

  226. One other thing on the series, if the Rangers try to play the game behind the Habs net, it would be a big mistake. There D is big and slow. Attack with speed. If they play it behind the net, it plays right into the Habs D strength.

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  227. Guys, I don’t get it. People have mentioned about how Montreal got tougher at the deadline with Ott and King yet bemoan the inclusion of Glass on the fourth line. If you want the team to have that player with a physical presence then you have to give up offensive ability.

    Personally, I’m not enamored with Buchnevich. He started off well in his first 10 games, then…..meh.

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  229. I don’t want the physical presence in the lineup. He is there as a response to the guys you mentioned. Those guys are not going to beat the Rangers. It’s Pacioretti, and the SKILL guys who are going to beat the Rangers. What little Glass brings is not needed.

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  231. Rangers over Canadiens in 7
    Senators over Bruins in 7
    Capitals over Leafs in 5
    Penguins over Blue Jackets in 6

    Black Hawks over Predators in 6
    Wild over Blues in 7
    Ducks over Flames in 6
    Oilers over Sharks in 7

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  236. The answer to some questions may happen tonight. Certainly after the series we will more.

    Can AV out coach julien?
    Will skjeL and trs be able to win any wall battles?
    Can hank perform close to price?
    Will not adding playable forward grit at the deadline hurt this team?
    How much of a facade was the first 15-20 games offencively?
    Is this team more than a one trick pony?
    Can they win that important draw or make that timely save?

    LGR!!!

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