Ryan Wilson: Still alive, for now Still alive, for now

I just can't see both of those teams losing tonight... Maybe one... Maybe.

Why would the Habs or Flyers play with any kind of desperation to match the Wings and Caps?

This team threw away standings points throughout the season. It just goes to show how damning some of the other losses in the year have been. So much of this was avoidable with just barely competent play instead of the disjointed and undisciplined mistakes we saw over and over again this year.
- Ryan_Wilson

This applies to the Pens, as well as to the Caps, Flyers, and Wings. Any one of those 4 could/should have this all wrapped up. Each team kept leaving the door open and nobody stepped in. Really, none of them deserve to make it. But if it's the Pens or Flyers, I'll be glad they did. Otherwise, just want the Rags and Leafs to lose early.

I just can't see both of those teams losing tonight... Maybe one... Maybe.

Why would the Habs or Flyers play with any kind of desperation to match the Wings and Caps?
- MattStrat

Because IF the Flyers beat the Caps and both the Wings and Pens lose in regulation (unlikely but possible), the Flyers would make it. Montreal...yeah, they got nothing to play for.

Because IF the Flyers beat the Caps and both the Wings and Pens lose in regulation (unlikely but possible), the Flyers would make it. Montreal...yeah, they got nothing to play for.
- jmatchett383

Yes, that's right. They still have super slim chance. That's enough for a good effort, no doubt.

This applies to the Pens, as well as to the Caps, Flyers, and Wings. Any one of those 4 could/should have this all wrapped up. Each team kept leaving the door open and nobody stepped in. Really, none of them deserve to make it.
- jmatchett383

While I agree with the sentiment I will most likely get called a homer for saying it but I think the Pens deserve it the most due to their play/record in last three weeks of season. However, there is something to be said about the Wings big come backs in games lately to scratch out points.

While I agree with the sentiment I will most likely get called a homer for saying it but I think the Pens deserve it the most due to their play/record in last three weeks of season. However, there is something to be said about the Wings big come backs in games lately to scratch out points.
- MattStrat

I agree they've been playing well, and they also had a good run for most of December too. But all of the teams in the mix have had solid streaks, they've all just been too inconsistent.

Not correct, Washington holds the tie-breaker over the Flyers - they are officially eliminated...

I agree they've been playing well, and they also had a good run for most of December too. But all of the teams in the mix have had solid streaks, they've all just been too inconsistent.
- jmatchett383

...and also the Pens beat the Wings and Caps down the stretch here in the final weeks. haha

Not correct, Washington holds the tie-breaker over the Flyers - they are officially eliminated...
- pier6687

Boooo....Flyers lose, then

They aren’t listed as eliminated in the standings.

They aren’t listed as eliminated in the standings.
- Victoro311

yeah...I bounced over to their blog and their blogger is saying the same that Matchett is.

Not correct, Washington holds the tie-breaker over the Flyers - they are officially eliminated...
- pier6687

Check again smart guy. Since they'll play the same number of games, tiebreak 1 is only for in-season standings, so all teams are tied at 82. They'd tie Washington in RW (tiebreak 2), ROW (tiebreak 3), W (tiebreak 4), and would win the head-to-head series (tiebreak 5).

But thanks for playing.

Edit: I don't think they'll beat Washington anyway, and I don't think Montreal can beat Detroit, and I don't think the Islanders beat the Pens, so it probably doesn't matter.

Here is a little known fact that will irk Penguin fans
The leading scorer for the Sharks is none other than M Granlund He has almost 60 points on a bad team But playing a leader role on that team made him much better
Getting lost in Sully's dog house would never work He never had a chance here
A lot of others fall into that dog house too WOOF WOOF

It's pretty dumb but I can totally see Sully dismissing it.

OT has become a gain possession and Richard around until the other team gets trapped and tired. When it was first implemented teams would go end to end trying to score and it was exciting.
- Thorny87

Being average to good at 3v3 would have gotten them into the playoffs the past two seasons. You'd think he'd want to put some effort into it. In the real world, this would totally disqualify you from a high level job.

Bylsma was overrated, but his team cleaned up in the shootouts. They worked on it in every practice.

The more I think about Sully, the more he pisses me off. This team isn't great, but they easily should be in the playoffs.

Here is a little known fact that will irk Penguin fans
The leading scorer for the Sharks is none other than M Granlund He has almost 60 points on a bad team But playing a leader role on that team made him much better
Getting lost in Sully's dog house would never work He never had a chance here
A lot of others fall into that dog house too WOOF WOOF
- broncohorvath

Everyone here knows this, man, and no, it doesn't irk anyone because we are capable of critically thinking as to why he has 60 points this season after only 5 points in 21 games with the Pens. Here's one hint though: he wasn't in the doghouse with Sullivan.

Both goalie interference calls were correct. The first one was a no doubt about it. I know Bunting is making a pure hockey play and does not intentionally step on Saros's stick but it clearly impedes his ability to make the save, though I do not believe he would have stopped it were his stick free.

The second people want to argue that Saros initiated the contact. You bet he did, because it was a free pass for an interference call. Saros is entitled to the blue paint, sure an opposing player can be in there but absolutely cannot impede the ability to make a save. Saros smartly hooks his stick around Eller's leg to create the interference. Eller made the mistake of willingly going into the paint with this leg, I'd hope our goalies would be smart enough to initiate contact in such a situation because it will rightly be called as it went down.

Both goalie interference calls were correct. The first one was a no doubt about it. I know Bunting is making a pure hockey play and does not intentionally step on Saros's stick but it clearly impedes his ability to make the save, though I do not believe he would have stopped it were his stick free.

The second people want to argue that Saros initiated the contact. You bet he did, because it was a free pass for an interference call. Saros is entitled to the blue paint, sure an opposing player can be in there but absolutely cannot impede the ability to make a save. Saros smartly hooks his stick around Eller's leg to create the interference. Eller made the mistake of willingly going into the paint with this leg, I'd hope our goalies would be smart enough to initiate contact in such a situation because it will rightly be called as it went down.
- TopShelf66

There problem is, is that there's no consistency with this stuff. I agree on the first goal, he was standing on his stick. However, we've seen a lot worse, a lot more contact, let go in other reviews than on the 2nd called back goal.

MTL didn't have anything to play for last night and took DET to OT, and tonight they'll be at home playing their last game of the season. They'll give it what they have. DET is still definitely the favorite, but MTL could beat them.

I'd say WSH/PHI is 50/50 (Flyers are at home, which helps them), and DET/MTL is maybe 60/40 (again, MTL being home this time helps). So about a 20% chance that both games go the way we need.

MTL didn't have anything to play for last night and took DET to OT, and tonight they'll be at home playing their last game of the season. They'll give it what they have. DET is still definitely the favorite, but MTL could beat them.

I'd say WSH/PHI is 50/50 (Flyers are at home, which helps them), and DET/MTL is maybe 60/40 (again, MTL being home this time helps). So about a 20% chance that both games go the way we need.
- MickV

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGdhc9k07Ms

EDIT: that's a 45% chance from your numbers btw

MTL didn't have anything to play for last night and took DET to OT, and tonight they'll be at home playing their last game of the season. They'll give it what they have. DET is still definitely the favorite, but MTL could beat them.

I'd say WSH/PHI is 50/50 (Flyers are at home, which helps them), and DET/MTL is maybe 60/40 (again, MTL being home this time helps). So about a 20% chance that both games go the way we need.
- MickV

Is this the new math?

MTL didn't have anything to play for last night and took DET to OT, and tonight they'll be at home playing their last game of the season. They'll give it what they have. DET is still definitely the favorite, but MTL could beat them.

I'd say WSH/PHI is 50/50 (Flyers are at home, which helps them), and DET/MTL is maybe 60/40 (again, MTL being home this time helps). So about a 20% chance that both games go the way we need.
- MickV

Detroit only a 60%? I am biased and optimistic too... but Montreal blew their chance last night... its a 85% chance after that comeback.

Any team playing at home in the last game of the season is going to play hard. Especially if they can play spoiler. Detroit played 6 forwards for almost the entire 3rd last night and it took everything they had. There’s better than a Zero chance both teams lose.

Is this the new math?
- jmatchett383

Not sure why both you guys are complaining here. It's 0.5*0.4 = 0.2, which is 20%. (I had WSH losing at 50% and DET losing at 40%.)

Detroit only a 60%? I am biased and optimistic too... but Montreal blew their chance last night... its a 85% chance after that comeback.
- Guile

MTL is at home tonight. Home teams win 60% of games in the NHL. DET being better reduces that for me to 40%, but MTL will still have a chance.