The Return of the Playoff Tracker Thread

[Badger Bob]

Geno's parents are not permitted to leave the country at this point.

[DelPen]

Caps lost in OT so that’s nice.

[KG]

Seems like it's going to come down to Pens/Isles/Wings. 3 teams for 2 spots...

They all play against each other too. Giddy up!

[Sigwolf]

Seems like it's going to come down to Pens/Isles/Wings. 3 teams for 2 spots...

They all play against each other too. Giddy up!

Too early to discount the Caps, unfortunately. Their recent free-fall has been nice to observe, but if they can turn things around for a few games they are still easily in striking distance.

[FLPensFan]

What scares me is, the Penguins and Islanders have been the 2 hottest teams of the 5 teams in the battle. They are bound to cool off. The question is, can they return to just .500 play and stay ahead of the other struggling teams, or does WSH, DET, and/or PHI get hot.

[VA Fan]

What scares me is, the Penguins and Islanders have been the 2 hottest teams of the 5 teams in the battle. They are bound to cool off. The question is, can they return to just .500 play and stay ahead of the other struggling teams, or does WSH, DET, and/or PHI get hot.
[/quote

I agree that is my concern too.

[IntangibleBeer]

You KNOW this is going to be decided April 17 against the Islanders on the island.

[KG]

Islanders have 2 games against the Rangers and 1 against the Devils. They are not going to make it easy on the Isles to get in.

[largegarlic]

Yeah, my worry is that while the Pens have been winning, I don't think they've been playing THAT outstanding. Obviously, a lot better than they were a month ago, but this isn't like 2009 or 2016 where they were just dominant down the stretch. They blew a lead to a bad Columbus team, got overwhelmed by Colorado and Tampa when they dialed up the intensity (though obviously to the Pens credit, they were able to hang on and grab the winner against Tampa), and looked like mud for 2 periods against the Devils before coming to life. It feels like they're due to regress a bit.

[Puck-Lurker]

Yeah, my worry is that while the Pens have been winning, I don't think they've been playing THAT outstanding. Obviously, a lot better than they were a month ago, but this isn't like 2009 or 2016 where they were just dominant down the stretch. They blew a lead to a bad Columbus team, got overwhelmed by Colorado and Tampa when they dialed up the intensity (though obviously to the Pens credit, they were able to hang on and grab the winner against Tampa), and looked like mud for 2 periods against the Devils before coming to life. It feels like they're due to regress a bit.

We are due some excellent compete levels from a team that has given up the ghost too many times -- and know it. It's still our spot if we play right. Let's go Pens!

[Guinness]

Yeah, my worry is that while the Pens have been winning, I don't think they've been playing THAT outstanding. Obviously, a lot better than they were a month ago, but this isn't like 2009 or 2016 where they were just dominant down the stretch. They blew a lead to a bad Columbus team, got overwhelmed by Colorado and Tampa when they dialed up the intensity (though obviously to the Pens credit, they were able to hang on and grab the winner against Tampa), and looked like mud for 2 periods against the Devils before coming to life. It feels like they're due to regress a bit.

I don't know, man. I see a team flying up and down the ice, forechecking like their jobs depend on it (for the most part), backchecking the same, battling, getting to the net and making things happen. There is energy in this team suddenly and while they're not prefect - not even contenders in my view, really, they are making things interesting at least. I could see this iteration of this team making a 2-round run this spring assuming they keep this energy level... and Sullivan doesn't gink it by freaking putting Harkins or any of those other duds back in... which we can assume he will... which will lead to a 0-for end to the season. But oh we can't can him because we'd immediately need to hire him back because he's exactly the coach we need or something.

Sorry... kind of got off the rails there at the end.

[KG]

Yeah, my worry is that while the Pens have been winning, I don't think they've been playing THAT outstanding. Obviously, a lot better than they were a month ago, but this isn't like 2009 or 2016 where they were just dominant down the stretch. They blew a lead to a bad Columbus team, got overwhelmed by Colorado and Tampa when they dialed up the intensity (though obviously to the Pens credit, they were able to hang on and grab the winner against Tampa), and looked like mud for 2 periods against the Devils before coming to life. It feels like they're due to regress a bit.

I think the first 2 periods they played against Tampa were dominant and reminiscent of the 16-17 cup teams.

Problem is they can't keep that pace going all game andymore. They really need to put all of their effort into team defense and minimizing odd-man rushes.

[largegarlic]

Yeah, my worry is that while the Pens have been winning, I don't think they've been playing THAT outstanding. Obviously, a lot better than they were a month ago, but this isn't like 2009 or 2016 where they were just dominant down the stretch. They blew a lead to a bad Columbus team, got overwhelmed by Colorado and Tampa when they dialed up the intensity (though obviously to the Pens credit, they were able to hang on and grab the winner against Tampa), and looked like mud for 2 periods against the Devils before coming to life. It feels like they're due to regress a bit.

I think the first 2 periods they played against Tampa were dominant and reminiscent of the 16-17 cup teams.

Problem is they can't keep that pace going all game andymore. They really need to put all of their effort into team defense and minimizing odd-man rushes.

That's probably a fairer way of putting what I was thinking. They have at least looked dominant in stretches but haven't been able to do that for 60 minutes. But in this winning stretch, they've been dominant enough of the time and at the right times that it's worked out for them. My worry would then be that looking great for 20-40 minutes won't be enough down the stretch to get them all the points they'd need.

[Dynasty1970]

Yeah, my worry is that while the Pens have been winning, I don't think they've been playing THAT outstanding. Obviously, a lot better than they were a month ago, but this isn't like 2009 or 2016 where they were just dominant down the stretch. They blew a lead to a bad Columbus team, got overwhelmed by Colorado and Tampa when they dialed up the intensity (though obviously to the Pens credit, they were able to hang on and grab the winner against Tampa), and looked like mud for 2 periods against the Devils before coming to life. It feels like they're due to regress a bit.

We are due some excellent compete levels from a team that has given up the ghost too many times -- and know it. It's still our spot if we play right. Let's go Pens!

Like Donald Sutherland says" Lets have some positive waves!" At least when we fail to make the playoffs our draft pick will be outside the top 10 and we can complete the EK trade this year. I am still rooting for them to make the playoffs at this point. But just look at all the points we have already left on the table! And when do we start to string wins together??? When Sully plays the youngsters! LOL. We are winning despite Sully's coaching!

[penny lane]

So we want Detroit to beat the CAPS?

[Sigwolf]

So we want Detroit to beat the CAPS?

It's bad either way, but one thing we definitely need is for it to be over in regulation.

[Admin]

So we want Detroit to beat the CAPS?

I think this is implying the Pens want the Caps to win in regulation? Not positive though.

[FLPensFan]

So we want Detroit to beat the CAPS?

I think this is implying the Pens want the Caps to win in regulation? Not positive though.

Without seeing that chart, my own guess was it was better for the Caps to beat Detroit, mainly because after that game, all 3 teams will have 4 games left. If Capitals win, they will be 1 point ahead of the Penguins. If Detroit wins, they'll be 2 points ahead of the Penguins.

So I think overall it is better for the Caps to be a point above us rather than Detroit to be 2 ahead of us.

[Admin]

Full chart at https://moneypuck.com/preview.htm?id=2023021240

My take is we'd rather have the Caps with a win at 43% chance of getting in vs the Wings at 66.9% at getting in with a win.

Which is the same as "Caps to be a point above us rather than Detroit to be 2 ahead of us."

[FLPensFan]

Penguins biggest advantage is, they hold the Regulation Wins tiebreaker over all other teams (NYI, PHI, DET, & WSH).

[Puck-Lurker]

Penguins biggest advantage is, they hold the Regulation Wins tiebreaker over all other teams (NYI, PHI, DET, & WSH).

Which is nice!

... but then you realise it's because they tend to crumble and throw everything away in OT.

[Guinness]

Full chart at https://moneypuck.com/preview.htm?id=2023021240

My take is we'd rather have the Caps with a win at 43% chance of getting in vs the Wings at 66.9% at getting in with a win.

Which is the same as "Caps to be a point above us rather than Detroit to be 2 ahead of us."

How about I just have someone water board me for 2.5 hours and then when I finally come to I won't care who'd won?

[penny lane]

Started watching The West Wing, will continue tonight.
Who am I kidding, I'll be checking all night long.

[FLPensFan]

Let's Go Capitals....oh my gosh....

[100565]

If DET wins in regulation tonight and the Pens win all their remaining games in regulation, the Pens are guaranteed a playoff spot.

If WAS win tonight, the Pens could win all remaining games in regulation and miss the playoffs.

Just sayin.

I doubt the Pens win all their remaining games in regulation so I am rooting for any outcome that does not involve OT.