2018-19 Hockey Megathread: Lightning-Proof Jackets

[Kaboomlandia]

I'll post the bracket ratings over the weekend, been a really busy week for me IRL, but for now, to get my picks in before Thursday:

Golden Knights to beat Sharks
Capitals to beat Penguins
Lightning to beat Bruins
Predators to beat Jets

Just in case there's any doubt, winning team is listed first.

Lightning vs Bruins: It's close, but I think Tampa has the edge here on rest at home, having quickly dispatched NJ. Taking Tampa.

Capitals vs Penguins: Penguins. Because THE FUCKING PENGUINS.

Sharks vs Knights: Another close series, but I think Vegas will eventually prevail. Taking the Golden Knights.

Jets vs Preds: Okay, this second round is insanely close for every series, but I think the Preds are just too deep on defense. Nashville for me.

[Roberto Luongo]

I'll post the bracket ratings over the weekend, been a really busy week for me IRL, but for now, to get my picks in before Thursday:

Golden Knights to beat Sharks
Capitals to beat Penguins
Lightning to beat Bruins
Predators to beat Jets

Just in case there's any doubt, winning team is listed first.

Lightning vs Bruins: It's close, but I think Tampa has the edge here on rest at home, having quickly dispatched NJ. Taking Tampa.

Capitals vs Penguins: Penguins. Because THE FUCKING PENGUINS.

Sharks vs Knights: Another close series, but I think Vegas will eventually prevail. Taking the Golden Knights.

Jets vs Preds: Okay, this second round is insanely close for every series, but I think the Preds are just too deep on defense. Nashville for me.

Probably Pens versus Preds in the SCF once again.

[Tarsonis]

Lightning vs Bruins: It's close, but I think Tampa has the edge here on rest at home, having quickly dispatched NJ. Taking Tampa.

Capitals vs Penguins: Penguins. Because THE FUCKING PENGUINS.

Sharks vs Knights: Another close series, but I think Vegas will eventually prevail. Taking the Golden Knights.

Jets vs Preds: Okay, this second round is insanely close for every series, but I think the Preds are just too deep on defense. Nashville for me.

Probably Pens versus Preds in the SCF once again.

Nah, Knights Bruins

[Impaled Nazarene]

Thrashers are the Titans of the west conference. The only reason they advanced is because their opponent was the Bills. Swept by the Peds Juggernaut

[Tarsonis]

Normally the caps meltdown over games. Now they’re doing it over one period.

[Freezic Vast]

I'm a bit exasperated that the Penguins were 0-1 in the first 2 periods, and now with about 8 left in the third quarter it's 3-2 Penguins.

[Impaled Nazarene]

Save of the decade.

[Tarsonis]

I’m not satisfied. Vegas needs more goals

[Impaled Nazarene]

I’m not satisfied. Vegas needs more goals

If the Knights score 5+ every game and sweep the sharks I think that means Anaheim is the worst team in the playoffs.

[Idzequitch]

Well. That did not go well. Maybe we can at least make Game 2 a little less embarrassing?

[Roberto Luongo]

Save of the decade.

Murray's blocker saves were game-changing, but not noteworthy enough to be the "save(s) of the decade".

[Tarsonis]

Didn't watch the Jets / Preds game, but looking at the stats, how the hell did that happen?

[New Raffica]

Didn't watch the Jets / Preds game, but looking at the stats, how the hell did that happen?

Most of the Predators' shots in the first two periods were just pucks being thrown on net. No screens, and most were incredibly easy saves for Hellebuyck.

The Predators' didn't show up until the 3rd period

[Impaled Nazarene]

What the fuck Nashville you lost to the second worst (or third if the sharks get blown out and swept) team in the playoffs.

[Roberto Luongo]

What the fuck Nashville you lost to the second worst (or third if the sharks get blown out and swept) team in the playoffs.

Hellebuyck was the star. He has the potential to become a first-tier goaltender, if he continues making excellent saves as he did in Game 1 of Round 2.

[The Siri]

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[Gim]

I’m a huge Preds fan.

They’re being very hit-and-miss this season, some nights are much, much better than others. Sorta sucks.

(Only slightly related, but the road was blocked getting to the game last night! I don’t live right there, but traffic was a nightmare in other parts of town, so I’ve heard.)

They don't have a bona fide 1C, who can lead this team in scoring. Johansen's definitely not a 1C, so is Turris.

The defense and Rinne are the only pieces holding the fort in Nashville. Winnipeg, on the other hand, is very well-rounded.

[The Siri]

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[Kaboomlandia]

Top three picks in the draft, order hasn’t been announced:

Sabres, Habs, Canes.

[Tarsonis]

You guys watching the fight? These bouts of hockey between rounds is perplexing

[Elejamie]

Wow, Sharks. Massive improvement over game one. Granted I'm pegging the Golden Knights to win the series but still, it's just a question of whether or not you can keep this going for these last twenty minutes.

Also, some of these might be a bit late but I didn't have much to talk about before tonight:

You guys watching the fight? These bouts of hockey between rounds is perplexing

It's like that old joke, isn't it? "I went to a fight one night, and a hockey game broke out."

What the fuck Nashville you lost to the second worst (or third if the sharks get blown out and swept) team in the playoffs.

Here's hoping they're able to turn things around tomorrow night. If not then I'm going to start regretting my choice.

Normally the caps meltdown over games. Now they’re doing it over one period.

I guess you could say they've gone full Capitals. But again, it's only game one; chances are they might bounce back for game two to tie the series. I still don't think they're going to make it past the second round, though.

Also, some good news: After nearly 25 years, Team GB will be playing at the top flight at the IIHF World Championships following a 3-2* win against the hosts Hungary in Division 1A.

* The match itself ended 2-2 and overtime was scoreless but Great Britain won the shoot-out 1-0.

[Tarsonis]

Wow, Sharks. Massive improvement over game one. Granted I'm pegging the Golden Knights to win the series but still, it's just a question of whether or not you can keep this going for these last twenty minutes.

Also, some of these might be a bit late but I didn't have much to talk about before tonight:

You guys watching the fight? These bouts of hockey between rounds is perplexing

It's like that old joke, isn't it? "I went to a fight one night, and a hockey game broke out."

What the fuck Nashville you lost to the second worst (or third if the sharks get blown out and swept) team in the playoffs.

Here's hoping they're able to turn things around tomorrow night. If not then I'm going to start regretting my choice.

Normally the caps meltdown over games. Now they’re doing it over one period.

I guess you could say they've gone full Capitals. But again, it's only game one; chances are they might bounce back for game two to tie the series. I still don't think they're going to make it past the second round, though.

Also, some good news: After nearly 25 years, Team GB will be playing at the top flight at the IIHF World Championships following a 3-2* win against the hosts Hungary in Division 1A.

* The match itself ended 2-2 and overtime was scoreless but Great Britain won the shoot-out 1-0.

Honestly Vegas seems a bit off kilter tonight. They’re not holding the fundamentals well.

[Penguin Union Nation]

I'm a bit biased... but yeah, Pittsburgh.

Though they're making it harder for themselves than necessary at times.

[Kaboomlandia]

Sabres win the lottery. Canes, Habs next, and everyone just drafts in order from there.

[Idzequitch]

It took a couple extra periods, but the Sharks have removed the broom from the Knights' hands before it was really a serious consideration. Quite a turnaround, quite encouraging. Now they're gonna have to take care of business in the Shark Tank if they want a shot to advance. Probably still a longshot, but at least they've shown they're capable of it.