North Division

Two NHLP CTR Cup threats are in the NHLP's North Division. With GM Marcel having the CTR #2 in Florida and New Orleans (Shawn) coming in at #6. Marcel and Shawn are looking like locks to play in Round #2 with the winner having a great chance of going to the Cup Finals. The Central is the closet battle of the three Conferences as the South has San Fran (Scott) at #4 and Chicago (Andrew) at #7. Florida was given the very close edge to go to the Finals clearly on the strength of Marcel's three Avalanche players. Marcel and Shawn could be a potential 23-23 second round battle depending on the teams moving on. For Shawn he is a huge Wild fan with 15 points in round two from his three Minnesota players. Even without the Wild Shawn can have 17 points with the rest of his team. Shawn will not want Tampa Bay in round 2 and have to face Kucherov, about a 13-3 advantage for the Panthers. If Kucherov is out Marcel could bring at the best 19. Shawn is a massive 12 point favorite over GM Bryce’s CTR #24 in Las Vegas, the lone 6 man team in the playoffs. However, GM Chad, still a low CTR #20, but is only a 6 point underdog versus Marcel. Chad’s Toronto team would have 19 second round points just from Vegas and Buffalo. Chad would need quick Tampa Bay and Colorado Series and a long Vegas and Buffalo series to overcome the CTR 6. It appears there is a good shot of Marcel running with Tampa Bay or Colorado and Shawn getting there with some matchups or a Wild run to the Cup.

South Division

The CTR likes three teams from the South Division with San Fran (Scott) coming in at #4 and Chicago (Andrew) #7 as the favorites. GM Ryan does have the #10 in Boston and clearly has a good enough team to go far. For the Titan they are underdogs in the first round, but if Dobson is missing half the first round as has been mentioned, suddenly this could be a 35-35 battle. The CTR likes San Fran as the team could have 33 second round points if the home teams all win. The Bruins could have close to 30 in round two if Montreal wins. Without the Habs in the second round, it is very unlikely GM Ryan would be able to compete with what it appears GM Andrew would have in round two from his Chicago team. Andrew would have 14 from his Carolina players alone and 17 more if Dallas moves on. Andrew’s opponents, the reigning NHLP Champions come in at just the CTR #17 for GM Matt. The Rage were CTR #3 in their Cup run, so were expected to do damage unlike this season when it appears they are easy pickings, a one and done. After saying that, they a just four point dogs. A longer Bruins and Knights series combined with a shorter Stars and Canes series and suddenly Matt will be on the run again. The CTR is leaning towards San Fran here with GM Scott having potentially a good second round team of maybe 17 minimum to maybe 33. Scott will have nothing without runs from Tampa or Buffalo. Those teams meeting in round two, means the Titan would have about 15 in the Conference Finals, the reason for the CTR #4. So the South does lean San Frans way, if they are even around in round two. If they are not GM’s Ryan and Andrew will have at it to play Shawn or Marcel for representing the Central in the NHLP Finals.

Atlantic Division

The good news is that some NHLP Atlantic Division team must make two rounds and be int eh Conference Finals. The bad news is these teams suck ass. It appears highly likely that the CTR #11 in Montreal (Marcel) will meet the Philadelphia (Scott) CTR #15 team. Both these teams are expected to win easily. The Habs are a six point favorite over the NY Islanders (Ryan) #19. The bad news for the Islanders is that is a minus six when Draisaitl is expected to get 10 if healthy. If he isn’t at peak performance, this one could get ugly. If Ryan has any hope, a four game series in Montreal might be required. Hamilton (Scottie) has the CTR #21. The Hitmen are also six point underdogs. GM Scottie will might not be able to gain on man games (as the time this is written) the Oilers and Ducks are to play in round one. Scottie has four Oilers for about 14 points and Scott has four Ducks for everything, about 23 points. What is likely to occur here is the Ducks will be out round one, leaving Marcel a clear lane to the Conference Finals. Without Montreal, it is just a best some single matchups. Montreal might get there, but unlikely beat the team that comes out of the East.

West Division

GM Jr got the perfect matchup in round one. Calgary is the CTR #9 team from a really weak Division. That is great news for the Flames who should easily walk to the Conference Finals before things get tough. A 40-31 favorite the Flames are expected to be the only 40 point first round team. Well, before the games begin. Jr’s Flames can score. They enter the playoffs banged up with Kadri and Kadri playing with a broken finger. As long as the Flames win, that is good because he likely isn’t needed until round two and even then, the second round looks good for Calgary. Los Angeles (Andrew) #16 is a four point favorite to be Jr’s second round opponent and the Kings will look mighty week once Ottawa and Utah start golfing. If the Sens play a short series GM Chad in Colorado #18 could pull the upset with a 7 man team. This series has six Utah players but Chad’s three are outscoring Andrew’s 14-10 in the series. So extending that helps Chad. It just shouldn’t matter who wins, Jr almost just wins by default at neither Andrew or Chad have anything moving forward without a massive upset in the NHL. Can the Sens or Utah pull one off? That might be the only thing stopping Calgary from the Conference Finals.

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West Division

The CTR has the Vancouver Canucks (Joel) at #3 and heading the to Conference Finals versus Calgary. For Joel his ratings all rest on the Sabres running and when they go, as might the Sabres chances. However, if the Sabres can get Joel into the Conference Finals, two Canes heading to the Finals could be a strong chance to win it all. The CTR is liking the Canucks here but St Louis (Scottie) #8 has a sweet team if Edmonton makes a run. If the favorites all win the Blues could have the better second round team. It might even be a coin flip at that point. If the top seeds win right through, this is where Joel gets the nod and the very slight #3 to #8 rankings. The Blues have a good enough team to go all the way, as do the Canucks. It is a battle and we are certain the winner ends up with Calgary for a shot at going to the Cup Finals. Indy #14 of GM Matt isn’t getting much love here with the weaker of the options in the second round, but if Matt can pull off a first round surprise maybe a Pens run to the Cup shocks the entire NHLP and GM Matt is hoisting Back to Back Championships with Sid the Kid.