illWill

If you view him as a better player and is valued more to a team moving forward than Slafkovsky, then I am glad that you aren't in the Canadien's GM role, respectfully.

I wouldn't pay Knies 9+ million as a UFA, let alone give up two firsts, one second and a third on top of that

Looks like a good bet to me regardless of the size, currently a co-favorite with Florida at +420. I was lucky enough to win a +700 on the Habs making the playoffs this year, and I have a bet on Marty winning the Jack Adams at +4000. I don't think he will win it, but still love the bet!

Dallas has been my Stanley Cup pick for like 5 years now, and they somehow keep adding quality prospects and players. The year that they made the finals I had a ridiculous bet on them preseason at like +2000 or something like that. They are absolutely stacked and just seem to be getting better.

I don't care if Crosby is 38, I also don't care if him joining makes sense for "our window". This would be the greatest Habs acquisition in my lifetime. Despite his age, he would instantly transform our entire team and his mere presence would have residual effects for years to come. Dach, a 1st round pick, and Kapenen? Both 1sts and Struble? I can't believe that some are arguing against adding a top 5 player of ALL TIME that was a PPG player this season and who grew up as a Habs fan. Don't overthink it, just do it if you can.

The Sportsnet broadcast just mentioned that since Laine rejoined the Habs after his injury, both teams were fairly similar in their record. Is that a good reason? What about a banged up starting goalie for the Caps, or their other injuries? What about the best prospect outside the NHL joining the Habs a week ago? What about the Caps letdown after the goal record? Washington hasn't won a round since their Cup win 6 years ago, and only have a few players on that roster, why are they so favored here?

I don't have any stats to back this up at all, but I think Washington might be one of the worst 1st seeds that I can remember. They seem to be sort of slapped together with spare parts that nobody wanted and have far exceeded expectations, possibly from a combination of chasing the goal record and hot goaltending. They do have some heavy forwards that can cause some chaos, but I don't believe they are a powerhouse by any means. Habs in 6

Nope, I couldn't get any in the pre-sale or in the general public sale unfortunately. Now all the tickets are listed for 2x face value. Contemplating going to Washington instead, tickets are still available and are much cheaper

Thanks guys, appreciate it. I figured there would be an improvement over last year, just with the youth further developing alone, but the trade for Patrik Laine is what made me think we had a real shot at making the playoffs. I assumed the scoring would be a bit more balanced overall, but definitely great to see Suzuki and Hutson exceed expectations from mostly everybody. I look forward to next year's prediction thread and seeing most of the point totals in the 90s and 100s, it's going to be a fun decade or so.

Well, one of two things are going to happen heading into the 3rd period: We either make the playoffs unexpectedly this season, or we give up 3 goals in regulation, and potentially lose in perhaps mathmatically the biggest choke job of all time. I'm here for all of it

I am more anxious about this game/playoff push than I was back during our cup run a few years ago. It's not that I bet them preseason at +700 to make the playoffs, or that I might win the preseason prediction contest for an unprecedented 3rd time (shoutout BC Habnut for winning a tiebreaker one year or it would be 4th), but because I really want to see more games this year from this squad.

I can, and it is amazing. I half jokingly called the Habs losing the last two games and Columbus winning theirs, to set the stage for Demidov tonight. I invited my Hawk fan buddy over to watch the greatness unfold, or the rapid decline of my mental health, either way he is getting a show.

1 goal, 2 assists, and the 1st star of the game. We all collectively lose our minds

I'm sure their math checks out on the 98.7% chance of making it, but my personal emotional model projects more like 50/50

I'd take the Atlantic conference route for sure. Not only because we owned the division this year, but because of all of the chaos that would ensue