2013 NHL Thread

[CH David]

Chicago is just a tough team that seems built for the playoffs, & like the Pens they're getting hot at the right time, they're 7-2-1 in their last 10 & are currently riding a 3 game winning streak.

The thing about this is they have been doing it without Toews on the ice. He has been out for the past few weeks because of a concussion. Kane has stepped it up huge with Hossa and Brunette on his line, the defense has been playing well lately, and I think it was the stability of bringing in Oduya and not having to play Lepisto or O'Donnell for minimal minutes a game. Having Dylan Olsen playing with Keith, Seabrook with Leddy, and now Hjalmarsson on the ice with Oduya, it's a formidable defense when they all play the team game that they preach.

As far as forwards go, Bryan Bickell stepping up the past month or so has been huge. He was stuck in such a shitty year and now he is playing with the confidence he had last year. Brian Bollig provides a nice tough-guy role on the third or fourth line. Shaw has been excellent, always chirping on the ice and usually in good position. You usually know what you're gonna get from your stars. It's all about the lower line guys. If they can contribute, it adds to the formula for success.

If it ends up being Chi/Pit in the Finals I would be ecstatic, as long as the 'Hawks won of course. But the Blackhawks have been streaky all season, and I can't be so confident just yet.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

I wouldn't be shocked to see the Rangers get knocked out in the first round. 8 seeds typically come in with a lot of momentum, & have been in playoff mode for the previous few weeks leading into the post season.

Right now I'm leaning toward a Chi/Pit Stanley Cup prediction. Pens are obviously the hottest team in the league right now, & are turning it on at the right point of the season, if they can keep up this kind of momentum they're going to be pretty tough for anyone to beat. Chicago is just a tough team that seems built for the playoffs, & like the Pens they're getting hot at the right time, they're 7-2-1 in their last 10 & are currently riding a 3 game winning streak.

Sadly I do not see my Wings fairing well this year, right now I'm guessing they'll be knocked out pretty quick, like first round pretty quick.

I would be, for two reasons:

1. It's rare a team contending for the President's Trophy suffers total collapse barring injury or major, major locker room issues — neither of which the Rangers (knock on wood) are suffering from too much yet.

2. What eight seeded team do you see coming in white hot this year in the East? Not a one of the three teams in contention have really looked to want that spot. The closest would have been Buffalo, and even they aren't quite there. I'm sorry, but Washington, Winnipeg and Buffalo may not be cake walks, but I can't really see them being all that tough of an opponent to go up against either.

 

[CH David]

1. It's rare a team contending for the President's Trophy suffers total collapse barring injury or major, major locker room issues — neither of which the Rangers (knock on wood) are suffering from too much yet.

It happened two of the last three seasons. I know it doesn't happen that often, but it has happened more often within the past 10 years. Hell it's happened in three of the past six seasons. The Capitals just had no defense and couldn't help their goaltender. The Sharks just couldn't do much in the playoffs, and the Wings in '06 got beat.

Rare isn't the right word for it. Not anymore anyway. More along the lines of unlikely. I can't see Washington doing it this year, especially on the road. They've been terrible on the road, and same goes for Winnipeg. Buffalo has been less than average on the road. I could see the Rangers going to at least the second round. But 8 seeds do play with a little more fire against the 1, especially when they are considered the best in the league, or last year if they are rivals ('Hawks/Canucks).

 

[hatehabsforever]

If the Rangers do manage to finish first in the Eastern Conference (and I do mean if), I would be a little worried about the Winnipeg Jets (believe it or not). Rabid, hockey starved fans who haven't experienced NHL playoff hockey in years, the sea of white could energize the former Atlanta franchise and provide a pumped up team who could give the Rangers a true test.

Assuming, of course, the Rangers do not open this year's playoffs in Philadelphia.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

It happened two of the last three seasons. I know it doesn't happen that often, but it has happened more often within the past 10 years. Hell it's happened in three of the past six seasons. The Capitals just had no defense and couldn't help their goaltender. The Sharks just couldn't do much in the playoffs, and the Wings in '06 got beat.

Rare isn't the right word for it. Not anymore anyway. More along the lines of unlikely. I can't see Washington doing it this year, especially on the road. They've been terrible on the road, and same goes for Winnipeg. Buffalo has been less than average on the road. I could see the Rangers going to at least the second round. But 8 seeds do play with a little more fire against the 1, especially when they are considered the best in the league, or last year if they are rivals ('Hawks/Canucks).

I get that, but look at the make-up of the teams there. The only club that was really all that much of a first-round exit shocker was the Wings.

The Caps never had defense (and still don't), and a lot of pundits were saying that while they'd never officially predict a collapse, it was highly likely they could be an early exit team.

Fact is, if defense wins championships, how are the Rangers likely to be a first-round exit when you look at how they're composed? Third best GA/A in the NHL at 2.16, fifth best PK (86.4%), third best goal differential (+37) and best home record in the NHL (24-9-2).

Sorry, but I just don't see the writing on the wall there, regardless of it having happened somewhat frequently over the past 10 years. Not with this club, at least.

 

[CH David]

I get that, but look at the make-up of the teams there. The only club that was really all that much of a first-round exit shocker was the Wings.

The Caps never had defense (and still don't), and a lot of pundits were saying that while they'd never officially predict a collapse, it was highly likely they could be an early exit team.

Fact is, if defense wins championships, how are the Rangers likely to be a first-round exit when you look at how they're composed? Third best GA/A in the NHL at 2.16, fifth best PK (86.4%), third best goal differential (+37) and best home record in the NHL (24-9-2).

Sorry, but I just don't see the writing on the wall there, regardless of it having happened somewhat frequently over the past 10 years. Not with this club, at least.

Right. I'm not even saying it will happen. I was more concerned with your "rare" comment. I certainly don't think the Rangers will lose in the first round and even did my extremely quick analysis of the three possible #8s. There are better odds that Colorado or San Jose would take out the potential President's Trophy winner St. Louis Blues. More arguing just for the sake of arguing if you will.

 

[LSN80]

The fan of the club who gets more officiating breaks than any other club in the NHL due to who the captain of the club is complaining about officiating being a factor in a game his club happened to lose? Oh, the irony! Oh the hilarity!

A couple of things here:

1. It wasn't the officiating that cost the Penguins the game. I was quite explicit about that. I made mention of the fact that the Flyers won the game mostly due to Ilya Bryzgalof, and that the Penguins couldn't kill off a critical penalty early in the period. Should the penalty have been called? No. But they couldn't kill it off, no excuses here. I made mention of the penalty, because it was a turning factor in the game, but it was the 2nd best PK in the league that couldn't kill it off.

2. When Sidney Crosby is in the lineup, the Penguins do get the majority of breaks when it comes to penalties. Not only is he the best player in the league, which causes teams to take penalties against him, he's also one of the most cerebral. He knows how to work the refs- some would call it whining - better then perhaps any player in the league. No argument from me here.

3. Ilya Bryzgalof was the biggest reason the Flyers won the game yesterday. That and I believe you run the risk of taking a penalty by tackling the opposition if need be if they get an odd man rush with less then 10 seconds to go in overtime. It's not very sportsmanslike, but who cares? It's also smart.

I'll admit this much — there are only two clubs in the Eastern Conference that "scare" me as a Rangers' fan as a potential playoff match-up, and one of those clubs is the Penguins. Not only will officiating be a factor (in your favor), but fact is the Penguins, as I said a week ago or so, are the best team in the NHL right now, and its not even a close race. They are light years better than any other team. They are, however, riding a hot streak, and as we all know — what goes up...

The Penguins don't stand a chance of continuing the level of play they've displayed the past three weeks. They don't need to. Even yesterday, they dominated the Flyers despite not being able to win the game. The way they not only beat but dominated the Bruins, Rangers, and Devils in succession through puck possession and out-skating the opposition has been remarkable. So even if they do "cool off", will it be far enough that the other top teams in the NHL will be able to play with them?

Couple that with the fact that a certain Sidney Crosby is currently playing third line minutes on the third line-Which won't last long- and this team could possibly get better.

Who's the other club? The New Jersey Devils. Too much going right in both towns right now that could easily spell disaster for the Rangers in the opening round IMO.

Not only for the Rangers, but for the Penguins as well. The Flyers do as well, but I don't believe Bryzgalof would hold up against the Penguins offense over a full series. Two games left between the two teams this year should say alot as to how the two teams will match-up. The Devils have flopped the past few years in the first round, or were just plain terrible last year, they've still got a fast club with a goalie capable of stealing a series, even at the age of 39.

The 1, 4, 5 and 6 seeds in the conference are as hotly contested as Ive ever seen them this late in the season, and any of the Rangers, Penguins, Flyers, and Devils could wind up with the 1, or slide down to the 6. The fact that all four teams play each other so many times within the final ten games only makes for exciting hockey.Which leads to my biggest concern....

What will be left of the four teams- all of whom will be ready to kill each other by the time the playoffs comes around- in the second round? I think the two teams that will be in the best positions to come out of the East will be the 1 and 6 seeds as a result. The 4/5 matchup is guaranteed to be an Atlantic Division one, where as even the 6 seed is guaranteed an easier matchup, even if it is on the road.

I wouldn't be shocked to see the Rangers get knocked out in the first round. 8 seeds typically come in with a lot of momentum, & have been in playoff mode for the previous few weeks leading into the post season.

Right. I'm not even saying it will happen. I was more concerned with your "rare" comment. I certainly don't think the Rangers will lose in the first round and even did my extremely quick analysis of the three possible #8s.

Im shocked so many people are assuming the Rangers are a shoe-in for that one seed simply because they hold it now. They've got a one point lead on the Penguins, four on the Flyers, and eight on the Devils, the team they're playing tonight. Any of those four teams could conceivably wind up with the top spot by season's end.

 

[hatehabsforever]

Nice to see such an offensive barrage by the Bruins last night. I know, I know, it was only against the Leafs. I could probably score against these guys and I can barely skate. But it is nice to see the offense kick in and to see Boston begin to kick into playoff mode. I'm a big believer in the power of momentum and it is nice to see a performance like this as the playoffs loom. And it's reassuring to see that Thomas fellow begin to work his magic as well.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

Im shocked so many people are assuming the Rangers are a shoe-in for that one seed simply because they hold it now. They've got a one point lead on the Penguins, four on the Flyers, and eight on the Devils, the team they're playing tonight. Any of those four teams could conceivably wind up with the top spot by season's end.

A shoe-in? No, but it's hardly a lock that they won't finish there considering they've held it firmly for nearly two and a half months now.

Fact is, as hot as the Pens and Devils have been, the Rangers are still a point up on the Penguins in the Atlantic and have 10 games remaining to play, including a final match-up with the Pens that is very likely to be a swing game.

The only team though, IMO, that can possibly catch them is the Penguins. The Devils and Flyers are too far back, because even when dealing with the four-point lead they have on Philly, that's not just four points the Flyers needs to win — it's four points the Rangers have to lose as well, and even then the Rangers win the ROW tie-breaker.

By the way... I absolutely love seeing the NHL thread rival the NFL thread in the Sports section this year! With the playoffs coming, I'm willing to bet we overtake them in post count in no time.

 

[CH David]

After last night the Blackhawks are now only two points behind the Red Wings and the Preds in the standings. A question I have, because Nashville has kicked the 'Hawks' asses this year, should they really want to try and move up to the 4th or 5th seed and play either Nashville or Detroit? With eight games left it's entirely possible for them to go for it, and it's always nice to finish higher in the standings, maybe get home ice. It's just at this point I'd kinda rather they play the Stars in the first round as I think it is a better matchup for them. I just hope Dallas stays in that position. Kings worry me a bit with Quick in net, and Phoenix is just a pain in the ass. San Jose could sneak in, and Niemi is fully capable of standing on his head.

 

[Thriller Ant]

Right. I'm not even saying it will happen. I was more concerned with your "rare" comment. I certainly don't think the Rangers will lose in the first round and even did my extremely quick analysis of the three possible #8s. There are better odds that Colorado or San Jose would take out the potential President's Trophy winner St. Louis Blues. More arguing just for the sake of arguing if you will.

You wound me, David.

After last night the Blackhawks are now only two points behind the Red Wings and the Preds in the standings. A question I have, because Nashville has kicked the 'Hawks' asses this year, should they really want to try and move up to the 4th or 5th seed and play either Nashville or Detroit? With eight games left it's entirely possible for them to go for it, and it's always nice to finish higher in the standings, maybe get home ice. It's just at this point I'd kinda rather they play the Stars in the first round as I think it is a better matchup for them. I just hope Dallas stays in that position. Kings worry me a bit with Quick in net, and Phoenix is just a pain in the ass. San Jose could sneak in, and Niemi is fully capable of standing on his head.

I've seen the argument thrown about, and I happen to agree with it: If I'm not winning the Central, I want to be a 6 or 7 seed. The Central is probably the best division in hockey, so ending up as a 4, 5, or 8 seed will put you again another team from that division. By ending up at 6 or 7, you will face the winner of one of the weaker divisions. I'm against tanking, but if I was tied or only a game back of the 5th seed on the last day of the season, I might be resting my starters and hoping to face a team outside the Central.

 

[CH David]

You wound me, David.

It was more an example. Honestly I don't think either #1 will lose in the first round. Should the Rangers be the 1, the 8th seed may play with fire under their asses, but the Rangers have Henrik Lundqvist in net and the Caps have no defense should they be the 8. Theoretically he could take them the whole way, and it wouldn't surprise me if he did, very similar to Tim Thomas last year.

I've seen the argument thrown about, and I happen to agree with it: If I'm not winning the Central, I want to be a 6 or 7 seed. The Central is probably the best division in hockey, so ending up as a 4, 5, or 8 seed will put you again another team from that division. By ending up at 6 or 7, you will face the winner of one of the weaker divisions. I'm against tanking, but if I was tied or only a game back of the 5th seed on the last day of the season, I might be resting my starters and hoping to face a team outside the Central.

I can agree, but I'll also tangent after this next statement. Outside of Columbus the Central has 4 of the top 5 teams in the West. But then again so does the Atlantic division. Actually an argument for the Atlantic is that they have the four best point totals in the East as of right now. The six seed is the best spot for the Blackhawks when you look at a chance to move forward in the playoffs. They seem to be hitting a stride right now, and facing Dallas or Colorado is easier than the Blues, Canucks, Preds, or Wings.

From a standpoint that I see as an easy venture to go to the 2nd round, staying the six seed is best. Slipping to seven gives us an opening rematch against the Canucks, though hopefully with a better outcome, but would be difficult. Falling to the 8 seed, would pit you and I against each other, but amp up a rivalry that has been rekindling for the past year or two. Rad. Moving up to the 4th or 5th seed means Nashville or Detroit. Neither are easy. I'd personally rather skip Nashville entirely. They've beat us pretty solidly. Detroit would be awesome though. Each game has been a one goal game this season and have felt like playoff games throughout. Imagine that as a Conference semi final or final, strictly as a hockey fan without bias.

I would thoroughly enjoy the West semis to be Blues/'Hawks and Canucks/Wings, and the East be Rangers/Devils and Bruins/Flyers. Why Flyers? I don't like Pitt, that's why. 6 out of 8 teams coming from the two best divisions in hockey? Yes please!

 

[It's Damn Real!]

...and like that the Rangers open up another two-point lead on the red-hot Penguins beating the Wings in OT tonight off a tremendous team effort and especially tremendous effort from team captain, Ryan Callahan!

Best of luck, LSN — you boys need a win tomorrow against a top-notch Predators team who'll be fired up with a returning Alex Radulov!

 

[It's Damn Real!]

With the Blue's losing to the Kings last night, with a win tonight against the Sabres (a team the Rangers have beaten in all three previous match-ups with them thus far this season), the Rangers will once again take over for first overall in the NHL with ROW factored in (43, leads the NHL).

 

[CH David]

With the announcement yesterday, Duncan Keith shall be suspended for five games for his elbow to the mug of Daniel Sedin. I agree that Keith should have been suspended, even if I loathe the Canucks. Though at the initial hit I was happy for it. Then I felt less happy because it caused an injury, but I didn't feel bad it happened. Interesting timing as the Blackhawks are on a five game winning streak. With seven games left for the 'Hawks, of which Keith is out five, and Phoenix, as well as eight for the Kings, I don't think either team will catch them. They only need six points to do so, but the 'Hawks need to also lose. There is a better chance of this happening without Keith and Toews, but I don't see them slipping from the six seed. Keith will hopefully be able to rest up a little bit and get ready for the playoffs.

The one thing I don't like about the suspension to Keith is the inconsistencies that Shanahan has shown. Keith is a first time offender and has only been fined once since he has been in the league. Shane Doan got three games for his shot to Jamie Benn and he is a repeat offender. Again I agree with a suspension, I just think Shanahan needs to be consistent in his stance. Plus he called Daniel Sedin's hit on Keith a hit high on Keith's shoulder, which if you have seen the replay clearly shows a shot to his head. At least admit what it is.

With both Keith and Toews out, it makes me curious who gets the third A on the sweater. Hossa got it earlier this season when Sharp and I think Keith were out, or Sharp and Toews. But now I don't know if it will go to him or Patrick Kane. Since Toews went down Kane has stepped it up big time on the ice. Hell he has even dished out some nice checks/hits.

Toews seems to be progressing, but he will likely be a target when he comes back because of his concussion. This is going to be a key for Jamal Mayers and every other player on the team to make sure if he gets messed with or checked high, that retaliation is coming, though within the confines of the game.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

You're right. Shanahan was wrong about the Keith suspension. Wrong in that it wasn't long enough for a vicious play.

Fact is, it was a completely predatory hit performed entirely out of retaliation for the hit levied on Keith earlier in the game/shift. He made absolutely no effort whatsoever to keep his arm down, instead leading with his elbow in one of the most blatant elbows-to-the-head I've seen all year — probably the worst I've seen since the one that cost Matt Cooke 10 games and the first-round of the playoffs last season when he tried to injure Rangers' defenseman Ryan McDonagh.

Shanahan, just like his predecessor Colin Campbell, is feeling the pressure from the NHL Board of Governors and the owners, which in turn is making his tenure as Player Safety enforcer not only minimized, but dangerously so. Fact is, early in his tenure he had a fantastic grip on things and was handing out suspensions left and right for these types of dangerous plays, but the length of his disciplines has slipped, as has the frequency of their being handed out.

This is exactly why I've maintained for the last two years that all of the NHL's rule-enforcing positions should be maintained and controlled by unbiased, impartial suits — guys like Donald Fehr. Not ex-players, coaches or referees who have personal relationships with the players that can negatively affect the effectiveness/efficiency of their job.

 

[hockeydude29]

You're right. Shanahan was wrong about the Keith suspension. Wrong in that it wasn't long enough for a vicious play.

Fact is, it was a completely predatory hit performed entirely out of retaliation for the hit levied on Keith earlier in the game/shift. He made absolutely no effort whatsoever to keep his arm down, instead leading with his elbow in one of the most blatant elbows-to-the-head I've seen all year — probably the worst I've seen since the one that cost Matt Cooke 10 games and the first-round of the playoffs last season when he tried to injure Rangers' defenseman Ryan McDonagh.

Shanahan, just like his predecessor Colin Campbell, is feeling the pressure from the NHL Board of Governors and the owners, which in turn is making his tenure as Player Safety enforcer not only minimized, but dangerously so. Fact is, early in his tenure he had a fantastic grip on things and was handing out suspensions left and right for these types of dangerous plays, but the length of his disciplines has slipped, as has the frequency of their being handed out.

This is exactly why I've maintained for the last two years that all of the NHL's rule-enforcing positions should be maintained and controlled by unbiased, impartial suits — guys like Donald Fehr. Not ex-players, coaches or referees who have personal relationships with the players that can negatively affect the effectiveness/efficiency of their job.

The suspension should be at least 10 games plus a fine, that elbow was meant for an injury, he wanted to hurt Sedin

 

[Davi323]

Just a friendly reminder: Today is the 15 year anniversary goalie Mike Vernon's 300th career win...oh, you don't remember that game? What if I told you it was infinitely more famous because of something else? Because that game was THE brawl. Yeah. That one. Mike Vernon vs. Patrick Roy.



This game was a defining moment in the growth of the Detroit Red Wings into Stanley Cup champions. The previous year in the Western Conference finals, Colorado Avalanche forward Claude Lemieux broke Kris Draper's draw with an absolute cheap shot, running him into the boards. They eliminated the Red Wings and went on to win the Stanley Cup. For the 1996-97 season, they had played 3 times previously, mostly without incident. But, for game #4 of their regular season meetings, something was different. Everything that the two clubs had been holding back broke like a dam, and Detroit flat out beat the shit out of Colorado. 9 fights. Goalies. Darren McCarty getting revenge on Lemieux for Draper, AND scoring the game winning goal in overtime. Detroit would later beat the AVs in the playoffs and beat the Flyers for their first Stanley Cup since 1955, but, that regular season brawl against the AVs is what lit that fire under the Red Wings ass...

As a Red Wings fan, that day was perhaps the single greatest non-playoff related Red Wings moment of my lifetime.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

So at what point, exactly, do you all (especially Habs) finally man up and admit that this New York Rangers club is not only dangerous, but for real? Or are we still sitting back, re-living the dark years as though reality has no relevance here, waiting for the other shoe to drop for a club that is again first in the NHL in points, first in the East, has a five-point lead on Pittsburgh and was the first NHL club to clinch a playoff spot?

I'm waiting...

 

[hatehabsforever]

So at what point, exactly, do you all (especially Habs) finally man up and admit that this New York Rangers club is not only dangerous, but for real? Or are we still sitting back, re-living the dark years as though reality has no relevance here, waiting for the other shoe to drop for a club that is again first in the NHL in points, first in the East, has a five-point lead on Pittsburgh and was the first NHL club to clinch a playoff spot?

I'm waiting...

Hey, I'll be the first guy to concede the fact that the New York Rangers are a very dangerous team and that they are for real, without a doubt. I don't think I have ever assessed their regular season in any other way. I guess there have been so many dark years, I keep assuming they are going to ultimately meet the same fate.

Which, incidentally, is a very real possibility if they remain in first, the Sabres end up finishing eighth, and Buffalo stays as hot as they've been. Momentum can be a very dangerous thing and the Sabres may just have it at the right time. Hopefully your optimism will not be squashed by the dropping of that proverbial shoe again this season.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

Hey, I'll be the first guy to concede the fact that the New York Rangers are a very dangerous team and that they are for real, without a doubt. I don't think I have ever assessed their regular season in any other way. I guess there have been so many dark years, I keep assuming they are going to ultimately meet the same fate.

Um...

Never realized you were a baseball fan, IDR. I assume you are cheering for Texas this post season, as that's the only post season activity any Rangers team is going to see anytime soon. I mean, your tastes in pro wrestling seem to indicate a love of the underdog, and that's fine, but at least TNA shows glimpses of promise every now and then

...you were saying?

Which, incidentally, is a very real possibility if they remain in first, the Sabres end up finishing eighth, and Buffalo stays as hot as they've been. Momentum can be a very dangerous thing and the Sabres may just have it at the right time. Hopefully your optimism will not be squashed by the dropping of that proverbial shoe again this season.

Yes, momentum can be a very dangerous thing, so who's to say the Rangers don't ride a wining streak in? Who's to say they don't steam roll numerous teams in the final stretch of regular season games here and go in high on fire?

I get the sense you are still fighting the reality of this situation.

Denial is, after all, the first step to acceptance

 

[Thriller Ant]

With a victory tonight against those losers from Chicago (), the St. Louis Blues will clinch the Central Division, and a 1 or 2 seed in the playoffs. It's been a rough few years for the Bluenotes post-lockout, but the team has developed young players well, and has finally been able to at least mostly fight off the injury bug. It's been clear that there was plenty of talent in St. Louis for a few years now, and it is awesome to see it all come together.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

Five.

The magic number for the New York Rangers to clinch the Eastern Conference.

For those of you who have no idea how magic numbers work, what that means is any combination of points gained by the Rangers and/or points lost by the Penguins that totals in five is all they need to clinch. The very same five points they currently lead the only team likely to usurp them at the moment.

I won't be so bold as to say it's in the bag, but the chances for an Eastern Conference championship are looking very, very good, and a the potential for the President's Trophy is right there with it.

Neither is what I want as a fan, but hey, who's gonna say no to them along the way to the Cup?

 

[It's Damn Real!]

I'll say this, much, too...

The defending Stanley Cup Champion Bruins sure aren't looking like the same threat they were last season. I get that can change in the playoffs, but based off what we're seeing at the moment, I smell a bit of an upset coming for fans in the Bean.

 

[hatehabsforever]

Five.

The magic number for the New York Rangers to clinch the Eastern Conference.

For those of you who have no idea how magic numbers work, what that means is any combination of points gained by the Rangers and/or points lost by the Penguins that totals in five is all they need to clinch. The very same five points they currently lead the only team likely to usurp them at the moment.

I won't be so bold as to say it's in the bag, but the chances for an Eastern Conference championship are looking very, very good, and a the potential for the President's Trophy is right there with it.

Neither is what I want as a fan, but hey, who's gonna say no to them along the way to the Cup?

Thanks for the discussion of the meaning of the term "magic number", and the elaboration on the significance of the number five.

I assumed when you first posted that, you were talking about the winning streak of the current #8 seed in the Eastern Conference. And the number of games it will likely take to pull off the upset in the first round of the playoffs. And the number of celebratory beers I will enjoy when it happens.