2018-19 Hockey Megathread: Lightning-Proof Jackets

[Shofercia]

Tie isn't possible, as Polska has an odd number of points, and you can only get an even number starting from the second round and moving up.

True but this is a tournament where the Presidents Trophy winner got swept by a team who never made it past the first round, the reigning Stanley Cup champs lost their series to a team that hasn't made the playoffs in about a decade and, as Naz pointed out, the Sharks are the only team from the last four finals to make it to the second round of the playoffs, so I wouldn't be surprised if their reality-breaking games started spreading to our brackets as well and made the two people tie.

Or, more accurately, I glossed over the results and clearly missed that. But that's not as poetic.

I like the poetic version more

[Impaled Nazarene]

Oh, and since you're a Yinzer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrDVhAErxEQ

[Shofercia]

Oh, and since you're a Yinzer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrDVhAErxEQ

Ok, I deserved that

[Idzequitch]

So the Jackets took Boston to OT, but didn't quite finish the job and lost 3-2. I'm still feeling alright about my pick there for now.

And then another close game in St. Louis was narrowly won by the home team as the Blues edged the Stars by the same score of 3-2.

[Viridus]

Great win for the Canes. I'm feeling good about picking them

[Idzequitch]

The Isles have a really good defense, but it's not enough when they can't score. They appear to be in serious trouble.

[Tarsonis]

Yes. Canes. Yes. Destroy the Isles.

[Impaled Nazarene]

STOP RUINING MY BRACKET!

[Viridus]

Yes. Canes. Yes. Destroy the Isles.

Haha, yes, let's finish cleaning up the Eastern side of the playoff bracket. We've already taken care of the Pens and the Caps, only the Bruins and the Islanders remain

[Idzequitch]

The Hurricanes are the only team that believes in leading a series, apparently. Everyone else is tied.

[Elejamie]

One migraine later, let's get to work on some quick replies and wonder why the hell I'm still up at this ungodly hour before I go to bed:

The Hurricanes are the only team that believes in leading a series, apparently. Everyone else is tied.

And with tonight's result the Blues have regained their series lead. It's just a question of whether or not they can keep it, though.

Then again, the Canes are one of those teams that's not great normally but when they're good, they're REALLY good. As in, the last three times they made the playoffs, they made it to the conference finals or better, even if they ended up missing the playoffs the following year. Hell, they even made it to the playoffs the second year after leaving Hartford, even if they lost 4-2 in the first round.

The Isles have a really good defense, but it's not enough when they can't score. They appear to be in serious trouble.

I don't think Trotz (which, in all honesty, sounds like how you'd market pig trotters to the 16-25 year old demographic if this was the 1990s) has realised that "parking the bus" may be fine and dandy (albeit a bit boring) in soccer, it just doesn't work in ice hockey due to the speed of the puck and fewer players on the ice. So yes, unless he and his side gets lucky these next 4-5 games then I'd say that not only are they going to go home much earlier than planned but also it might be time to start regret picking the NYslanders.

[United Kingdom of Poland]

Doesn't help that Lehner seems to be returning to old self at the worst possible moment

[Impaled Nazarene]

Defending Champion Barry Trotz forgot winning the championship in exchange for losing in the second round.

[Shofercia]

Quick question guys: should I do the World Championship Scoring? It starts on May 10th, and here's how I'd do the scoring:

56 round robin games at one point per game = 56 points
8 teams advance, play four games in the Quarter Finals at five points per game = 20 points
Semifinals and Medal Games at ten points per game = 40 points
Getting the Gold Medal Winner right = 4 points
Total: 120 points

This would be in addition to the playoffs, just wondering if anyone's interested

[Idzequitch]

Quick question guys: should I do the World Championship Scoring? It starts on May 10th, and here's how I'd do the scoring:

56 round robin games at one point per game = 56 points
8 teams advance, play four games in the Quarter Finals at five points per game = 20 points
Semifinals and Medal Games at ten points per game = 40 points
Getting the Gold Medal Winner right = 4 points
Total: 120 points

This would be in addition to the playoffs, just wondering if anyone's interested

Personally, I don't know anything about hockey outside the NHL, so I probably wouldn't participate. Not saying don't do it, but it wouldn't be for me.

[Tarsonis]

Quick question guys: should I do the World Championship Scoring? It starts on May 10th, and here's how I'd do the scoring:

56 round robin games at one point per game = 56 points
8 teams advance, play four games in the Quarter Finals at five points per game = 20 points
Semifinals and Medal Games at ten points per game = 40 points
Getting the Gold Medal Winner right = 4 points
Total: 120 points

This would be in addition to the playoffs, just wondering if anyone's interested

Seems like a lot of work tbh

[Idzequitch]

A Jackets/Canes ECF is becoming an increasingly likely (and exciting!) possibility.

[Elejamie]

A Jackets/Canes ECF is becoming an increasingly likely (and exciting!) possibility.

I'd probably laugh in all honesty if it's St. Louis vs Columbus in the Stanley Cup Final. And if they don't use Blue Monday, Blue (Da Ba Dee) or I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues at some point then they've wasted a good opportunity. Probably won't happen but a man can dream.

Apologies if none of the links work in your country by the way.

Quick question guys: should I do the World Championship Scoring? It starts on May 10th, and here's how I'd do the scoring:

56 round robin games at one point per game = 56 points
8 teams advance, play four games in the Quarter Finals at five points per game = 20 points
Semifinals and Medal Games at ten points per game = 40 points
Getting the Gold Medal Winner right = 4 points
Total: 120 points

This would be in addition to the playoffs, just wondering if anyone's interested

I'd have to agree with everyone else here. I mean, it's not a bad idea but I don't think a huge amount of us actually watch the World Championships, so there probably wouldn't be enough interest to take part. That and the slim possibility that you might end up giving someone points for their NHL bracket for winning a game in their WC bracket, though I'm sure you would've had a safeguard against that.

[Tarsonis]

Nice to see the Stars bounce back. Stars and Sharks in the WCF, Canes and Jackets in the ECF. Would be perfect.

[Viridus]

Nice to see the Stars bounce back. Stars and Sharks in the WCF, Canes and Jackets in the ECF. Would be perfect.

Yeah, I'm thinking exactly that as well

[Impaled Nazarene]

Jackets please, we cannot afford Boston winning another fucking championship.

[Idzequitch]

Once again, everyone is tied except for Carolina railing on the Isles.

[Tarsonis]

Once again, everyone is tied except for Carolina railing on the Isles.

As long as Carolina sweeps the leg tonight, I don’t care who wins the cup.

[Viridus]

Once again, everyone is tied except for Carolina railing on the Isles.

As long as Carolina sweeps the leg tonight, I don’t care who wins the cup.

I really hope that the Canes finish the job tonight. If they do, they'll be my favorite to win the cup (I picked the Jackets on the poll)

[Impaled Nazarene]

If the Canes sweep then that means Pittsburgh is the worst team in the Playoffs.