The NHL Thread

Isn't the thing I just posted of 7 games (no rest) vs sweeps (rest) evidence in hockey? Yes small sample size, but it's something at least.

Just did a quick search and it seems at least that the rest should favor Canes in game 1. My intuition was the opposite. Thought it would favor Habs in game 1, but Canes throughout series. Data wasn't quite clear about post game 1.

didn't see that before i posted, yeah sure. but like you say, the sample is so small idk

Just sort by who's got the best goalie

While I get the rhythm versus rest argument, the Habs coming off of two 7 game series where they weren’t the home team and the Canes here to avenge a lot of recent failure against an inexperienced team, is pretty important context. I’ll be shocked if they come out rusty and don’t play with urgency and focus from the start.

That said, game 1 is house money for the Habs and basically a must win for the Canes. The recent failures and pressure can build quickly.

Game one definitely not a must win for either team.

It’s impossible to have the intensity of playoff NHL hockey during practice. Canadiens have been dealing with it on a nightly basis and Canes haven’t experienced it in over a week, that’s the advantage imo.

If anything, Andersen was on a massive heater and he's not a great goalie, so time off interrupts his rhythm and will trend back to his normal poor quality. Won't be surprised if we see Bussi this series

When your team is 1-16 in the last four conf finals, and 1-12 in the last three under the current coach and core, and as heavy favorites at home in the rest versus rhythm argument, this game 1 is a must win.

I don’t really care about missing out on playoff intensity over the last two weeks compared to Montreal. This team understands playoff intensity. It’s time for our experience to payoff.

For a typical goalie, you’re probably right. But Freddie is someone who thrives on rest. That doesn’t mean he won’t let us down and we’ll have to turn to Bussi. Freddie is high variance. But if he lets us down, it won’t be because he’s out of rhythm due to having time to rest.

See: Lyon, Alex

Although I guess he was still good in G1 after a long rest, but he was absolutely horrific the rest of the series. Luukkonen and a zamboni door nearly saved them.

Makar out for Game 1

Totally agree

lol

ok, but seriously

1. orr
2. mario
3. hasek
4. mcdavid
5. sid
6. wayne
7. makar
8. coffey
9. jagr
10. luongo

Makar? c'mon bro.

Edit: Clearly didn't read your whole list. You got me.

Luuuuuuuuuuu

Vegas doing it. Better opponent imo for Montreal, aside from the fact Habs would get home ice advantage and we're road warriors.

avs unsurprisingly gettin smoked without 7.makar

Avs made it interesting at the end

Carter Hart has been really good

That's an interesting one. Let's say theoretically Habs could choose to be home or away for Carolina series, which do you choose?

Regular season:

Home win % = .610
Away = .683

Playoffs:

Home = .333
Away = .750

Most I think would say "don't be ridiculous, you always want to play at home when you can", but that's getting to be a sizable sample, and just seems like Habs play looser on the road.

Yes if the opponent was the same I think strongly consider road.

But I'd prefer Vegas @ home rather than @ Colorado.

Colorado is a machine. The Habs vs Nordiques narrative would be epic though.

I'd also likely go to Vegas for game 3 (and maybe 4). Could do 1/2 in Denver as well, but I gotta go to Vegas at some point this summer so would be nice to kill a few birds with one stone.

Canes finally play again tonight after sweeping up that phillthy trash so quickly

is that the longest break ever in the playoffs?

2-0 Norway vs Canada right now in world championships

That was the biggest thrashing of the playoffs so far. Canes had a 59.3% xG output over the series. Avs 58% over Wild was another big one. Every other series was under 55/45.

lol

LA PASSION