Lurker > SmartMuffin

https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1237176867460874242

O_O

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

That Boston/Tampa game sure was fun. Hopefully they actually meet in the playoffs this year!

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

Just realized the Blues are leading (really comfortably leading?)

Not really. Adjusting for games in hand, they're only one game up on the Avs. But those two are pretty far up on everyone else.

That said yeah, it IS impressive that the Bruins and Blues are both doing great this year despite deep playoff runs last year.

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

The Detroit Red Wings are so bad...

HOW BAD ARE THEY????

So bad that the gap between them and the second worst team in the league, the Kings (who I must remind you are terrible, have been terrible all year, have never had any designs on not being terrible, and have been actively shipping out their best players all year) is 21 points. That's the largest point gap between teams adjacent to each other in the standings in the entire league (by far, the next closest such gap is at the very top of the standings where the Bruins and Blues are separated by 8 points). That 21 point gap is the same as the gap between the 30th place Kings and the 12th/13th place Leafs and Flames. So the gap separating the Red Wings from second worst in the league is the same as the gap separating second worst in the league from being in the playoffs.

The good news? They haven't quite clinched "worst in the league" just yet. The "magic number" for this is 6 points. Any six points lost by the Red Wings or gained by the Kings clinches 31st place. They will likely hit this threshold sometime next week, with 10+ games remaining in the season. Technically the Sens and Sharks could still finish last overall if they lose out as well, but that's even more unlikely.

One metric of failure they aren't quite leading on (but are close and very well might achieve) is "worst point total compared to themselves last year." As of today, they are 37 points behind where they themselves finished last year. Tampa (39) is technically worse than that as of now, but should almost certainly close the gap. San Jose is also sitting at 39. If the Red Wings can stay within one game of the Sharks from here on out, they'll manage the feat of only being the second worst team in terms of falling off versus their own performance a year ago. Note that last year, they sucked too, and finished 28th in the league.

One thing they have already clinched... they are guaranteed to finish worse than the worst place team in the league last year. Remember how bad last year's Senators were? How they sucked all year and traded away all their decent players at the deadline? They finished with 64 points, a number the Red Wings can no longer reach. Even if they were to win out from here and finish the season on a 14-game winning streak, they'd be worse than last year's Sens.

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

Are you kidding? Over the past month, Stalock has basically been the best goalie in the league!

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

Absolutely pathetic effort (or lack thereof) from the Capitals tonight.

The Flyers are fucking garbage, but may very well win this division solely because the Caps and Pens both seem to be under the impression that the season ended in February.

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

getting swept by the blues and getting locked in to the 16th overall pick would be the perfect end to this Wild season tbqh

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

Also if you account for games in hand, the 2nd wild card in the west is currently held by.... the Minnesota Wild >_<

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

Flyers have officially overtaken the Pens for 2nd in the Metro

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

Strife2 posted...

Likely a rumor at this point, but fun to mention anyway.

The Parise/Koivu deal this week was supposedly this at one point

Parise/Koivu to NYI
Ladd, Bellows, and a 1st

Not sure what Koivu dropping out changed it to...but woof Islanders. Dodge a fucking bullet there.

This sounds as real as that "Gaborik for both Sedins rumor" that was going around years ago... no freaking chance

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

Panthers/Leafs is like that episode of South Park where they're all trying to lose at little league so they won't have to keep playing...

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

imagine losing to the Kings

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

the baseball gods do not condone whining

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

Nobody is ever sitting their goalie in the playoffs for rest. And yes, IF Fleury has a bad stretch Lehner could totally steal the crease. But that's not really "things going to plan."

Like, don't get me wrong. Having a really good backup goalie is a good thing. But it's a luxury. It's a nice to have, but not a must have. I have a tough time believing this was really Vegas' most pressing need (and a bit surprised that someone like Carolina or Edmonton or someone wasn't willing to pony up more).


---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

Vegas getting Lehner is also such a weird and high risk sort of move. Like, on the one hand, they probably now have the best 1-2 combo in the league. On the other hand, MAF hasn't been bad, and he's more playoff tested than anyone out there, and if everything goes to plan, Lehner won't play a single playoff minute.

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

Crescent-Moon posted...

I feel like the Islanders aren't good enough to be trading away three picks.

On the one hand, yes, that was entirely too much to give up for Pageau.

On the other hand, they signed him to a pretty reasonable deal, so maybe it's worth it for that?

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

Shadow Dino posted...

SMuffin, please roast the Oilers.

First round exit. Regardless of opponent. Book it.

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

TheKnightOfNee posted...

Mike Green and Andreas Athanasiou are healthy scratches tonight. Likely trades incoming.

Athanasiou plus/minus might finally stop plummeting now.

Trading for Mike Green was a terrible idea five years ago. Why in God's name would anybody do it now?

And wasn't Athanasiou supposed to be part of Detroit's young rebuild?

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

Kuemper, Jarry, Francouz, and Khudoblin, combined, have a cap hit of less than Price (23rd in save percentage) or Bobrovsky (43rd, lol)

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

Seriously, here are the Top 5 goalies in the league with a minimum of 25 games played by save percentage, and their contract status (most recent contract or extension signed):

1. Kuemper - 0.929 - 2 yrs, 4.5m/yr
2. Rask - 0.928 - 8 yrs, 7m/yr
3. Jarry - 0.927 - 2 yrs, 675k/yr
4. Francouz - 0.927 - 2 yrs, 2m/yr
5. Khudoblin - 0.926 - 2 yrs, 2.5m/yr

With the exception of Rask, all of these guys were backups and could have been had for peanuts as recently as two years ago.

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

https://twitter.com/NathanGraviteh/status/1231661557597253632

I like Carlson but this is just embarrassing...

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

And of course, Grubauer was hurt for a bit earlier this year, too.

Francouz is 16-5-3 with a 2.27 GAA and a 0.927 save percentage. Those are better stats than Grubauer, and that save percentage is better than basically every starter in the league except Rask and Jarry.

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

Strife2 posted...

I'm still shocked the Wild aren't shopping Dubnyk. After checking Stalock's stats, he's "not bad" for being so cheap. Aside from goalies who plaed maybe 5-10 games, he's at like 20th or so in save percentage, and that factors in both he and Dubnyk going on those crazy ass losing streaks early and mid season.

Stalock went from something like 3.10 to 2.70, so he is playing "better". Dubnyk is at 3.30 is at $4m price tag, ouch.

Dumba and (especially) Brodin deserve some credit for playing better, but dumping Dubnyk's salary is something the Wild hasn't even hinted at for some reason.

Recent history is that it's possible to find serviceable goaltending for really cheap. Hell, the reigning cup holders found it in the AHL. There is basically no market for high-priced goalies anymore. Particularly when you look at what's going on in Florida right now and how signing the high-price goalie has probably crippled that organization for the next decade.

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

How much better is the Metro than the Atlantic?

If the Leafs were in the Metro, they'd be in 8th place.

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

Caps: Go ahead, you have the division.
Pens: No really, you can go ahead and keep it.
Caps: But I insist
Pens: Oh no, it's all yours

Gritty: HAI GUYS!!!

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

Meow1000 posted...

So yeah the Islanders aren't even in a playoff spot right now after that road trip

"lol"

They are if you make any reasonable attempt at all to account for games in hand (they're one point behind Columbus with three fewer games played).

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

Coyotes shots per period tonight: 8, 4, 2

Currently sitting at 10th in the West.

Good thing they traded for Kessel and half a season of Taylor Hall, tho

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

Is "Oilers are better without McDavid" weirder or less weird than the "Pens are better without Crosby" phenomenon?


---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

The Caps collapse is starting to have me legit worried here...

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

The Devils managed to get more for Coleman than for Hall.

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/28713085/hockey-fans-miss-large-portions-kings-avs-game-air-force-falcon-stadium-traffic

This is shitty. NHL needs to do a MUCH better job on logistics at these events.

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

As pathetic as the Leafs are, the Panthers are even worse.

Honestly I think Toronto is safe at this point. Nobody else in that division is capable of putting together a string of enough wins to threaten them.

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

Dat trade value for Toffoli skyrocketing!

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

This game looks like shit on TV.

Whoever came up with those shiny helmets the Kings are wearing should be fired immediately.

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

The Sharks trading for Karlsson in the first place was one of those franchise-altering decisions. For the worse. They're going to be irrelevant for the next 5+ years.

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

NHL head offices last offseason:

"We need an opponent for Colorado in a showcase outdoor game that will be broadcast nationally"

"How about a team that isn't a division rival, hasn't met them in the playoffs in recent memory, finished second-to-last in the league last year, clearly won't be any better this coming season and will almost certainly be intentionally tanking?"

"Brilliant!"

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

Moneyline odds for Bruins/Red Wings today are -500/+400. That's pretty steep given recent history!

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

Yeah, I don't know WTF happened to player safety, but they went from "way oversuspending" to "way undersuspending" really damn fast...

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

Boudreau's job this year was to tank. He didn't do a very good job. Firing well deserved.

Now here's hoping Kassian also gets what he deserves (suspended for the remainder of the season)

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

Wasn't Kapanen the guy Marner ranked dead last on his "list of players who give effort"?

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

WTF happened to Dumba anyway? He was supposed to be the leader of the Minnesota youth movement. Supposed to be the next Burns or Carlson or whoever. Doesn't seem particularly close now...

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

Also is Kessel for Galchenyuk ultimately one of those "bad for both players and both teams" trades?

No winners there, only losers!

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

More importantly is the sign that they actually realize they need to rebuild. Technically they're only a few games out of the playoffs. Takes some balls to finally admit that the writing is on the wall.

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

Yeah that's a p respectable return for a guy who has been underperforming his potential.

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

Honestly the Coyotes have been cratering lately... it may be too late for them.

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

Honestly, just how bad the Red Wings are is probably one of the most undercovered stories of this season.

Consider how bad the Kings are. Second worst in the league. 19-33-5. Clearly selling like mad and are tanking and have given up on the season.

The Red Wings are 11 points behind them!


---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

TheKnightOfNee posted...

Looks like NBC picked wisely this week!

Detroit vs Boston & Montreal: 5-0-0, +8 goal differential

Detroit vs everyone else: 9-39-4, -103 goal differential

Too bad next week they're going right back to the well. Wings vs Pens!

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

Meanwhile, at NBC:

"We have one game this week to showcase the skill and competition of the NHL. What should we pick?"

"I know, how about the very best team in the league against the very worst?"

"Promote this man!"

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

For the first time since like November, the Caps are knocked off the Presidents Trophy perch. Boston now top in the league. Caps close behind with Tampa and Pittsburgh close behind them.

Overall, the East is SO much better than the West. Check out the standings +/- here:

Bruins +24
Caps +22
Lightning +20
Penguins +19
Islanders +15
Bluejackets +13
Hurricanes +12
Flyers +12
Panthers +10
Leafs +10
Habs +4
Rangers +3
Sabres +1
Devils -4
Sens -8
Red Wings -26

Blues +17
Avs +15
Stars +12
Canucks +11
Oilers +9
Knights +7
Flames +6
Preds +5
Jets +5
Wild +4
Hawks +4
Coyotes +4
Sharks -3
Ducks -4
Kings -13

The East has four teams better than the best team in the West. The Leafs (currently the last team out of the playoffs in the East) would be second place in the Pacific division (trailing the Canucks by one game), or 5th overall in the West. The two wild card teams in the East currently are better than the Pacific division leader.


---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/

The Hawks are in much better shape than the Wild overall though. Their aging superstars are better, and their young prospect pool is better, too.

Who do the Wild have that's an equivalent of like Debrincat? Where is their next generation? It was supposed to be Granlund and Coyle but they sucked and were traded away for scraps.

---

SmartMuffin - Because anything less would be uncivilized - https://imgur.com/W66HUUy
http://dudewheresmyfreedom.com/