Popular Post da.moose Posted May 6 Popular Post Share Posted May 6 (edited) Caps Upset Devils in Dominant Fashion, Now Face the Pittsburgh Penguins The Washington Capitals defied the odds and sent a shockwave through the NHL by knocking off the defending champion New Jersey Devils in a convincing series win. The victory was a true team effort, but all eyes were on the red-hot Carter Verhaeghe, the undrafted free agent who emerged as a leader for the Caps with a jaw-dropping five goal series. "We knew it wouldn't be easy going up against the champs," said Capitals star Devon Toews after the series clinching win. "But we bought in to the system, blocked shots, and got pucks deep. Guys like Verhaeghe here, they willed it to happen." Verhaeghe, a player coaches love to call a "glue guy," has quickly become a fan favorite in Washington. "It's all about getting pucks to the net and going hard to the dirty areas," Verhaeghe said with a grin. "The bounces are going our way right now, and we're feeding off each other's energy on the ice." While the champagne is still flowing in the Capitals locker room, there's no time to rest. Up next is a rematch against their bitter rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins. The last time these two teams met in the playoffs, it was Jake DeBrusk's heart-breaking empty net goal that sent the Capitals packing in the first round. This Penguins team presents a different challenge. Stacked with talent, they boast former Capitals draft pick Filip Hronek and a hunger for their first ever GML Cup. The Capitals, despite missing some key players this season, believe their experience and desperation will be their advantage. "We're definitely the underdogs on paper," said veteran forward Andrew Cogliano "But we've got a group of guys in here who are willing to do whatever it takes, and we're not going to back down from a challenge." Head Coach Scott Stevens preached the importance of getting contributions from everyone if they want to extend their playoff run. "We need depth scoring," Laviolette emphasized. "Guys like Stefan Noesen, Adam Henrique, and Miles Wood, they have to step up and be difference makers. We can't rely solely on Verhaeghe's magic touch." One thing's for sure, the upcoming series between the Capitals and Penguins promises to be a battle of wills. Can the Capitals overcome the odds and silence the doubters once again? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: they'll leave it all on the ice. Edited May 6 by da.moose 3 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
da.moose Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 Here is the Capitals/Penguins matchup side by side: Washington Capitals Pittsburgh Penguins Verhaeghe - Kuznetsov - Henrique Hintz - Duchene - Lindholm Wood - Stenlund - Noesen Dadonov - Geekie - Rodrigues Duhaime - Cogliano - Okposo Drouin - Drury - Cotter Toews - Skjei Bouchard - Hronek Zadorov - Suter Montour - Lohrei Stecher - Desharnais Shattenkirk Quick Kochetkov Should be a close one @ActionJax09 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
da.moose Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 The other Eastern Conference matchup should be a barn burner as well between @Lethunder and @Gator Here's how the lineups stack up side by side: Toronto Maple Leafs Buffalo Sabres Frederic - MacKinnon - Reinhart Tarasenko - Trocheck - Teravainen Kane - Colton - Stankoven Goodrow -Staal - Martinook Heinen - Luostarainen - Mikheyev Fast - Kovalenko - Bonino Vesey Fox - Manson Hughes - Ceci Nurse - Mikkola Kulak - Peeke Myers Bobrovsky Ullmark 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theo5789 Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 Thank you for the wonderful series @Sergei Bobrovsky. I honestly didn't expect to sweat for so long! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JIAHN Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 14 hours ago, canuck2xtreme said: This is a good suggestion, as it seems there is still debate about this, so let's see what the league thinks. IMPORTANT!!! The option to expand and bring one team back (Anaheim) is being discussed. Please read this post and vote by interacting with this post. Our expansion rules would be as follows: ***EDIT: I should note, as far as minimum exposure requirements go, pending UFAs WILL count towards the exposure limit provided they have played at least 41 games in the 2023-24 season, or 25 games for goaltenders. RFAs who have been qualified will also count, as they did before.*** If you are in favour of expanding and bringing back Anaheim, please like this post with a goal light. If you are opposed to expanding at this time, please like this post with a brick wall. Voting will end when one side reaches majority (16 votes) or tomorrow evening, May 6th at 7pm Pacific time, so that Phase 1 of the draft lottery can be posted before the NHL draft lottery on May 7th. Thank you for your input! @canuck2xtreme hey, did I miss something here? I am voting for expansion, but IMO, May 7th for the draft lottery is way too early with teams still in the playoffs. Why would a team near the top of the playoffs trade a player who is scoring in the playoffs for picks? Aka Celibrini (1st Over all for say Draisaitl) I mean, it should be done after the playoffs, should it not? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ilunga Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 14 hours ago, canuck2xtreme said: No replacements mid-season this year. We have as many as 2 GMs leaving at the end of the playoffs, but we have two new GMs ready to step in and take those teams, as well as Rush interested in returning who would take the expansion team. I definitely agree with aGENT's point that we don't want to be yo-yo'ing, but I also remember the sentiment of teams wanting to return to a full league as soon as we're able to. This would get us a step closer. Contracting those two teams was because they went at least a full season without a GM and it was done as an absolute last resort, it wasn't a decision made on a whim. I believe we should strive to reach a full league again, especially when there is enough interest to get closer to that. However, I can understand the other sides point of view as well. So we will let majority rule, if people don't feel it's the right move, we won't do it. If our GMs want it, we will do it. But I'd prefer to get an answer quickly so I can post Phase 1 of our Draft lottery either with or without Anaheim before the NHL does their draft lottery on Tuesday. I hope we are mirroring NHL expansion rules. 7 forwards - 3 defenceman - 1 goalie First and second year pro's and unsigned draft picks are exempt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuck2xtreme Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 7 hours ago, JIAHN said: @canuck2xtreme hey, did I miss something here? I am voting for expansion, but IMO, May 7th for the draft lottery is way too early with teams still in the playoffs. Why would a team near the top of the playoffs trade a player who is scoring in the playoffs for picks? Aka Celibrini (1st Over all for say Draisaitl) I mean, it should be done after the playoffs, should it not? The NHL is holding their draft lottery on May 7th, so we have no choice in that matter. We need to get our phase 1 completed before that happens. This was around the same window last season as well. As for trading, there are no trades allowed at this point for teams still in the playoffs. But teams in the playoffs are not in the draft lottery, so it won't effect them. If you're thinking I meant the actual Entry Draft, that's not on May 7th, just the lottery. Our entry draft will be either the 22nd or 23rd of June. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuck2xtreme Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 5 hours ago, Ilunga said: I hope we are mirroring NHL expansion rules. 7 forwards - 3 defenceman - 1 goalie First and second year pro's and unsigned draft picks are exempt. Our expansion rules would differ slightly from the NHL's previous rules to help teams prepare, as they'd only have a month to prepare rather than a full season. Teams would have the option to protect either: 8 forwards, 3 defence, 1 goalie 7 forwards, 4 defence, 1 goalie 10 skaters (any position), 1 goalie As for exempt players, the exemption status would bump up from 2 seasons to 3. So players with 3 or fewer professional seasons would be exempt, as well as unsigned draft picks. Minimum exposure requirements would remain the same, as well as players with NMC's being automatically protected. Anaheim would select only 20 players of their choosing, meaning 10 teams would not lose anyone in the process. This keeps flexibility for both our current teams and the expansion team, and increases likely trades being made to protect a player, or in some cases, convince Anaheim to not choose a player from a teams roster. The Ducks would be involved in our draft lottery process, but unless they won the draft lottery their picks would be slotted 15th, after all the current non-playoff teams. ***EDIT: I should note, as far as minimum exposure requirements go, pending UFAs WILL count towards the exposure limit provided they have played at least 41 games in the 2023-24 season, or 25 games for goaltenders. RFAs who have been qualified will also count, as they did before.*** 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caboose Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 What about teams who own ANA picks from previous iterations of the team? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuck2xtreme Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 2 minutes ago, Caboose said: What about teams who own ANA picks from previous iterations of the team? You will still hold that pick. Anaheim will get their 1st, 3rd and 4th back but you hold their 2nd and will be able to select in that place. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Optimist Prime Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 2 hours ago, canuck2xtreme said: You will still hold that pick. Anaheim will get their 1st, 3rd and 4th back but you hold their 2nd and will be able to select in that place. teams still have teams picks that have been folded? ouch. With contraction that ought to have been handled without involving a new GM with a brand new club, imo. I wouldn't mind if in that rare circumstance the old pick is a 'freebie' for the club that owns it but the new GM and new club don't carry forward the penalty. Just my two cents, don't really care so much as it aint me, but fair is fair to the new guy right? (and yes i do have a history of pushin back on policies that make it incredibly hard for new people to join and enjoy fantasy keeper leagues, hehe, nothing has changed there) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuck2xtreme Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 28 minutes ago, Optimist Prime said: teams still have teams picks that have been folded? ouch. With contraction that ought to have been handled without involving a new GM with a brand new club, imo. I wouldn't mind if in that rare circumstance the old pick is a 'freebie' for the club that owns it but the new GM and new club don't carry forward the penalty. Just my two cents, don't really care so much as it aint me, but fair is fair to the new guy right? (and yes i do have a history of pushin back on policies that make it incredibly hard for new people to join and enjoy fantasy keeper leagues, hehe, nothing has changed there) While I don't disagree with your underlying point, the potential incoming Ducks GM has no issue with the draft pick situation, so it's not necessary to make it more complicated. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuck2xtreme Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 (edited) Heading to work, but it looks like I may not be home before the NHL holds tomorrow's Draft lottery. Seems it's a pretty solid bet at this point that expansion is going to move forward, so with that in mind, here is our Draft Lottery Phase 1 for tomorrow's NHL Draft Lottery odds. Edited May 6 by canuck2xtreme Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Optimist Prime Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharpshooter Posted May 6 Author Share Posted May 6 Well, shit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ilunga Posted May 7 Share Posted May 7 1 hour ago, Optimist Prime said: So a team can only fall two spots at most in the draft after both phases ? Like IRL. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Optimist Prime Posted May 7 Share Posted May 7 35 minutes ago, Ilunga said: So a team can only fall two spots at most in the draft after both phases ? Like IRL. It was pointed out to me after I posted this that the phase 1 shuffle is only for the purposes of the draft lotto tomorrow... above my pay grade, but yeah, I think only 2 winners, and they cant move up more than ten spots. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
da.moose Posted May 7 Share Posted May 7 Battle in the West: Canucks Aim to Keep Rolling, Oilers Look to Upset in Second-Round Showdown The second round of the GML playoffs is up and going in Vancouver, with the President's Trophy-winning Canucks taking on the red-hot Edmonton Oilers in a series brimming with potential. Both teams boast legitimate Stanley Cup aspirations, making this a matchup hockey fans won't want to miss. Vancouver enters the series fresh off a hard-fought seven-game battle against the Nashville Predators. Despite a valiant effort from the Preds, the Canucks' offensive firepower, led by JT Miller, Artemi Panarin and Artturi Lekhonen, proved to be too much to handle. "We learned a lot about ourselves in that series," said Canucks star JT Miller. "We faced adversity, but we stuck together. That kind of experience can be invaluable this deep in the playoffs." However, the Oilers shouldn't be underestimated. After a slow start to the season, Edmonton surged down the stretch, culminating in a pre-deadline trade that brought in superstar winger Mikko Rantanen. Rantanen's impact has been undeniable, bringing a much-needed spark of leadership and offensive creativity to the Oilers. "We weren't happy with how things were going," admitted Oilers forward Jamie Benn. "But bringing in Mikko [Rantanen] changed everything. He's brought a championship mentality to this team, and we're all feeding off his energy." Rantanen will be tasked with leading the charge against a potent Canucks attack. Edmonton boasts a deep, six-man defensive unit anchored by Aaron Ekblad, but they'll need to be at their best to contain Vancouver's dynamic top-six forwards. "It's going to be a battle," said Ekblad. "We know they have a lot of weapons up front, but we're confident in our group. It's all about taking it one shift at a time and making them work for every inch of ice." Both teams have the luxury of elite goaltending, with Jake Oettinger standing tall for the Canucks and Igor Shesterkin emerging as a true difference-maker for Edmonton. Whichever goaltender can steal a game or two could very well swing the series. "It's a goalie's dream on this stage," said Shesterkin. "You just want to give your team a chance to win every night. I'm ready for the challenge." This series promises to be a classic matchup of offense versus defense, with both teams hungry to take the next step towards their ultimate goal - hoisting the Stanley Cup. Puck drops tonight in Vancouver, and hockey fans across Canada are sure to be glued to their televisions. 2 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
da.moose Posted May 7 Share Posted May 7 Here's a side by side of this Western Conference powerhouse matchup Vancouver Canucks Edmonton Oilers Artemi Panarin JT Miller Artturi Lehkonen Jamie Benn Martin Necas Mikko Rantanen Chris Kreider Charlie Coyle Jake Debrusk Nick Cousins Tyler Seguin Craig Smith Derek Ryan Sam Girard Aaron Ekblad Mattias Ekholm Jani Hakanpaa Braden Schneider Brandon Carlo Parker Wotherspoon Sam Malinski Dmitry Kulikov Carson Soucy Caleb Jones Igor Shesterkin Jake Oettinger IR: Gabriel Landeskog Good luck to both @Theo5789 and @Canuck Surfer in what should be an intense battle! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharpshooter Posted May 7 Author Share Posted May 7 So you guys are trying to tell me that I didn’t win the First Round? Is that’s what’s happening? You guys are low-key assholes. 2 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Surfer Posted May 7 Share Posted May 7 1 hour ago, da.moose said: Here's a side by side of this Western Conference powerhouse matchup Vancouver Canucks Edmonton Oilers Artemi Panarin JT Miller Artturi Lehkonen Jamie Benn Martin Necas Mikko Rantanen Chris Kreider Charlie Coyle Jake Debrusk Nick Cousins Tyler Seguin Craig Smith Derek Ryan Sam Girard Aaron Ekblad Mattias Ekholm Jani Hakanpaa Braden Schneider Brandon Carlo Parker Wotherspoon Sam Malinski Dmitry Kulikov Carson Soucy Caleb Jones Igor Shesterkin Jake Oettinger IR: Gabriel Landeskog Good luck to both @Theo5789 and @Canuck Surfer in what should be an intense battle! Thanks da! Missing Justus Annunen. To my eye we look better on D; them up front. A pretty dead heat when analyzing... G's pretty close but Annunen could tip this thing my way? He would have got game two in the first round had he been available imo. On 5/4/2024 at 9:57 PM, Canuck Surfer said: Am I abrupt for calling a series? @kondorclipz619 congratulations on making the show. Awesome result for your team. I thought you might meet, and beat yer dad? Edmonton 2knd round Tyler Bertuzzi Martin Necas Mikko Rantanen Jamie Benn Tyler Seguin Keegan Kolesar William Carrier Nick Cousins Brett Howden Jake Leschyshyn Dmitri Zlodeyev Noah Hanifin Aaron Ekblad Brandon Carlo Samuel Girard Braden Schneider Carson Soucy Dmitry Kulikov Matthew Schneider Igor Shesterkin Justus Annunen Reserve the right to include Ivan Morozov in liu of Jamie Benn or Tyler Seguin if Vegas win their 1st round series... Italics are game 7 players while 2knd round has started... @canuck2xtreme 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ilunga Posted May 7 Share Posted May 7 3 hours ago, Sharpshooter said: So you guys are trying to tell me that I didn’t win the First Round? Is that’s what’s happening? You guys are low-key assholes. I think @Gator has been very magnanimous in victory. I can remember a Sharpie - Crabby " feud " that I am very glad has ended. Don't like it when my friends are not getting along. Anyway, congratulations on making the playoffs. That alone is a great achievement. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JIAHN Posted May 7 Share Posted May 7 16 hours ago, canuck2xtreme said: The NHL is holding their draft lottery on May 7th, so we have no choice in that matter. We need to get our phase 1 completed before that happens. This was around the same window last season as well. As for trading, there are no trades allowed at this point for teams still in the playoffs. But teams in the playoffs are not in the draft lottery, so it won't effect them. If you're thinking I meant the actual Entry Draft, that's not on May 7th, just the lottery. Our entry draft will be either the 22nd or 23rd of June. Yeah, I totally mis read that C2X....I am so sorry about my confusion.... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ActionJax09 Posted May 7 Share Posted May 7 (edited) Do I have to repost my roster if I’m not making changes? Edited May 7 by ActionJax09 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Optimist Prime Posted May 7 Share Posted May 7 12 hours ago, Sharpshooter said: So you guys are trying to tell me that I didn’t win the First Round? Is that’s what’s happening? You guys are low-key assholes. I am so glad we got the weinermobile as a like button out of the whole Kessel affair. lol. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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