Playoff Highlights for 2013/14

---

2014 NHLP Champions
San Fran Titan
GM Scott

Anze Kopitar
Jonathan Toews
Drew Doughty
Drew Doughty
Duncan Keith
Slava Voynov
Charlie Coyle

---

GM Scott Wins 5th Cup

The 2013-14 NHLP Season ended with GM Scott winning his 5th NHLP Championship in his 24th season as a GM.  No NHLP GM has been on the run GM Scott has been on, winning his 4th Cup over the past 11 NHLP Seasons, in a time no other GM has won more than 2.  The San Fran Titan dominated the NHLP playoffs with a record setting 105 points, a team Scott has already said is his best work yet.  "You don't get the opportunity to have your favorite players all on one team and then go out and win it all" said the joyous Scott, "It will be hard to ever duplicate a team this solid."  The NHLP Finals were closer than anyone expected with GM Andrew drawing to within a point in the final game before the Titan ended up winning 8-4-3 with GM Ryan's bid for his first Cup falling short after another incredible season.  "So many times I was out" said Scott, "San Jose had the Kings down 3-0, St Louis and Colorado had Chicago and Minnesota down 2-0" said Scott referring to the first round when it looked like the Titan could lose all 7 players, but turned it around and moved on with 7 players.  "Game after game this team was against the wall" Scott explained, "We kept somehow finding a way, getting a break and eventually come back round after round to win."  They all are memorable, but it won't be any time soon the 2014 NHLP Champions will be forgotten, going down as one of the best teams in league history.

---

How The Titan Formed

The San Fran Titan groundwork for winning the NHLP Championship started at the Draft.  Drafting 35th overall the Titan got their hands on the previous seasons NHL scoring leader, something GM Scott found hard to believe at the time.  St Louis was just ignored and he and Iginla in the 1-2 spots, with the seasons they had, really set the season in motion.  The rest of the drafted team was D. Brown, Wheeler, Berglund, Tlusty and Glencross, nothing that resembled the finished product.  The Titan made Transactions 3, 4 and 5 of the young season, adding key piece Steen in a Waiver Pickup given the team St. Louis - Iginla - Steen.  "I didn't want to keep any of them but I knew Iginla and Steen would be hard to replace" said Scott.  After weeks of negotiations, on March 26th, just three days prior to the NHLP Deadline, the pieces really started to fall into place.  In a major deal with Boston (Ryan) Scott got the guys he wanted for St Louis and his points, giving Ryan 20 points and brining in Doughty and Keith, adding them with Steen, Iginla and Doughty.  Now at the Deadline GM Scott made two huge deals, basically Iginla for Toews in a two for two and then Steen straight up for Kopitar.  The Titan then went to the minors for Voynov and Coyle and the 2014 NHLP Champions were complete.  "I loved Steen, Iginla, Doughty, Doughty and Keith" said GM Scott, "But how can you pass on Toews and Kopitar", deals that ultimately helped GM Scott's Titan win their second team Cup.

---

Here is How the Playoffs Went

---
The 24 NHLP Cup Champions

GM Andrew (5) - '97, '99, '02, '04, '13 (8th, 10th, 13th, 15th & 23rd Cups)

GM Scott (5) - '92, '03, '06, '11, '14 (3rd, 14th, 16th, 21st & 24th Cups)

GM Norman (2) - '93, '94 (4th & 5th Cups)

GM Leo (2) - '95, '98 (6th & 9th Cups)

GM Chadwick (2) - '00, '07 (11th & 17th Cups)

GM Jr (2) - '01, '09 (12th & 19th Cups)

GM Tyson (2) - '10, '12 (20th & 22nd Cups)

GM Raymond (1) - '90 (1st Cup)

GM Edward (1) - '91 (2nd Cup)

GM Lee (1) - '96 (7th Cup)

GM Marcel (1) - '08 (18th Cup)

---

NHLP Finals At a Glance...(Click for Playoff Page)
Score	Team
Central Conference
8	San Fran Titan (Scott)
East Conference
3	New York Islanders (Ryan)  -12
West Conference
4	Los Angeles Kings (Andrew) -11

---

Conference Finals At a Glance...(Click for Playoff Page)
Seed	Team	Score	Score	Team	Seed
Central Conference Finals
1*	New Orleans Wolverines (Shawn)	2	31	San Fran Titan (Scott) +24	4
East Conference Finals
2	Quebec Nordiques (Matt)	9	16	New York Islanders (Ryan)  +9	3
West Conference Finals
1*	Los Angeles Kings (Andrew) +8	23	11	Portland Winter Hawks (Vinnie)	1**

---

Second Round At a Glance...(Click for Playoff Page)
Seed	Team	Score	Score	Team	Seed
Central Conference - North Division
4	San Fran Titan (Scott) +14	21	9	Las Vegas Strip (Vinnie)	2
Central Conference - South Division
3	Boston Bruins (Ryan)	2	10	New Orleans Wolverines (Shawn) +5	1*
East Conference - Atlantic Division
2	Quebec Nordiques (Matt) +2	17	16	Hartford Whalers (Andrew)	1*
East Conference - East Division
3	New York Islanders (Ryan)  +18	25	4	Montreal Canadiens (Marcel)	1
West Conference - Pacific Division
2	St Louis Blues (Tyson)	8	22	Los Angeles Kings (Andrew) +14	1*
West Conference - West Division
2	Alaska Attack (Marcel)	19	22	Portland Winter Hawks (Vinnie) +2	1**

First Round At a Glance...(Click for Playoff Page)
Seed	Team	Score	Score	Team	Seed
Central Conference - North Division
4	San Fran Titan (Scott)	45	22	Cleveland Fury (Tyson) +3	1
3**	Chicago Blackhawks (Andrew)  +5	15	18	Las Vegas Strip (Vinnie)	2
Central Conference - South Division
4	Toronto Maple Leafs (Chad)	15	21	New Orleans Wolverines (Shawn) +4	1*
3	Boston Bruins (Ryan) +10	22	8	Florida Panthers (Marcel)	2
East Conference - Atlantic Division
4	Atlantic City Gamblers (Vinnie)	20	22	Hartford Whalers (Andrew) +2	1*
3	Philadelphia Flyer (Scott) +2	24	38	Quebec Nordiques (Matt)	2
East Conference - East Division
4***	Pittsburgh Penguins (Chad) +4	26	26	Montreal Canadiens (Marcel)	1
3	New York Islanders (Ryan)  +1	27	19	Hamilton Hitmen (Tyson)	2
West Conference - Pacific Division
4	Indianapolis Icemen (Matt)	18	19	Los Angeles Kings (Andrew) +5	1*
3	Calgary Flames (Jr. & Scottie)	16	21	St Louis Blues (Tyson) +1	2
West Conference - West Division
4	Seattle Storm (Shawn)	26	32	Portland Winter Hawks (Vinnie) +1	1**
3	Vancouver Canucks (Joel) +2	17	30	Alaska Attack (Marcel)	2

---

---

GM Andrew Robbed of Point

There is no doubt in this world that Kreider did not touch the puck he was given credit for touching.  His phantom assist cost GM Andrew a point in the NHLP Finals, something GM Scott laughed at, "It's karma is what it is" said the GM, "Clearly McDonagh never touched the puck on his first point of the series, so knowing the NHL as we do, they won't take this point from Kreider even though frame by frame clearly, CLEARLY, shows he did not touch the puck at all."  The Rangers were able to push the series on but a 6-4 or 6-3 difference is huge if the Rangers can win next game and keep the series alive.  No official points were recorded in the game and now the teams are back in Los Angeles Friday night in game 5 where the NHL Kings will hope to win it all on home ice.

---

Phanton Assist to Kreider

Place your mouse at 23 seconds and click over and over and watch it a few times.  I slowed it down frame by frame several times and in no way does Kreider touch it, taking a point from GM Andrew as McDonagh loses a point.  It is extremely sad that they don't get these correct.  It matters big time.  Funny but in GM Chad's pool, it would have broken the tie for first place as well.  This is one of three the NHL has wrong but they are refusing to look at them anymore, so there is nothing I can do.  I'd be calling if I was GM Andrew, but that is just me.

---

  Titan Get Lone Points

At 6-3-2 you'd definitely think the NHLP Finals is anyone's at this point, but with the trailing teams only having single players and the Titan with the tie-breaker in hand, a comeback now seems a daunting task.  Voynov and Kopitar added assists and Doughty missed an empty net point twice in the final 4 minutes of which he never left the ice.  "You got the sense Doughty was not getting off the ice in his efforts to get Quick the shutout" said Muddy Capone, "And I highly doubt anyone on the LA Bench was raising too much of a stink about it either."  If the Rangers likely do not shut the Kings down for 4 straight games the NHLP Finals will almost certainly end as expected.  The Titan are hoping to end things Wednesday night when GM Scott can officially win his NHLP 5th Cup with a Kings victory.

---

No Ranger Breaks

The Los Angeles Kings didn't score a clean goal all night.  The Rangers, just couldn't score on Quick.  Deserving a better fate after outshooting the Kings 32-15 the Rangers just could not find the back of the net and now have their playoff lives hanging by a thread.  "The thing that is hardest to believe is the Rangers could very easily be up 3-0 instead of down 3-0" stated Muddy Capone.  With two overtime losses and deserving a win in game three, it would be hard to argue that the Rangers easily deserve better.  Can they come back?  "You are never out of it" Capone believes, "Just win the next game and now the Kings don't want to lose and have to come back for a game six, so things can change very quickly."  If it was to occur the Rangers Power Play must be better and Quick is going to have to be average, which briefly in every series so far he has, but not once in Game 7 if it every goes that far.

---

Kopitar Breaks NHLP Tie in NHL OT

Kopitar had a huge point, his first for San Fran (Scott) in the NHLP Finals, giving the Titan the very slimmest of leads 4-3 (Los Angeles) - 2 (New York Islanders).  The Titan found themselves down 3-2 to GM Andrew's Kings after McDonagh grabbed two quick points.  Voynov tied it and Kopitar added a huge Titan point on the OT winner.  San Fran was expected to run away with the series and now with it possibly half over GM Scott is a little uneasy.  "I keep waiting for one power play goal Doughty from Kopitar" said GM Scott, "But it now looks like it is going to be a grind, every assist means so much." With the Finals being so close the NHLP Tie-Breakers may come into play.

---

 Rangers Win Would Have Kings Ahead

GM Andrews Los Angles Kings are down 4-3 in the NHLP Finals, but if the Rangers could have won the game in overtime, Andrew would be tied 3-3 with the tie-breaker in hand heading back to New York.  McDonagh was stellar again and his two point game keeps a huge upset still very much alive.  "It is unlikely either the Islanders or Kings now would fair well with a longer series" said Muddy Capone, "It seems a couple 2-1 Kings wins with McDonagh grabbing the lone point each time and maybe GM Andrew could squeak out a 5-4 win in the Finals."  Andrew would surely take an elimination in game 4 and be down a single point or tied where McDonagh could have a point or two and win the series.

---

King Dominated Game

GM Ryan could have easily been tied 3-3-3 in the NHLP Finals if King had scored on two quality chances late in the third period or one unbelievable opportunity in overtime.  King was as good a player as their was in the game for the Los Angeles Kings.  If King had scored in overtime, we are down to possible just a two game series were a single point gain could have been enough.  Now the Islanders find themselves needing King to score at least three more points this series for any hope to win, a huge difference from the single point had he ended overtime.  Ryan is still now hoping a four game series and two low scoring games where King can duplicate his play of game two.  "Just getting to an elimination game down 1 or 2 points you have a shot" said Muddy Capone.

---

Doughty The Key

GM Scott said he hopes Doughty, McDonagh and King all can at least play the NHLP Finals with even points.  "Doughty is the key to me winning the Championship" said the GM, "And I only need him to match his opponents."  Doughty did exactly that in game one, scoring the Kings second goal, but giving GM Scott's San Fran Titan two points and the lead after game one, 2-1.  With the Titan having Doughty twice, if the three mentioned players did end a point a game, say at 4-4-4, the Titan would have 8 points and win, clearly making Doughty the critical player in the NHLP Finals.  "There have been injuries over the years" said Muddy Capone, "And even when things look bleak, there is always that possibility at any time, that a player goes down."  That thought isn't lost on the Titan GM who says staying close is nerve racking, "When you have the opportunity heading into the Finals as we have, you truly can't get excited about winning something that in your mind was already won.  We have nothing left to win and yet everything to lose.  In my mind it is impossible to think I don't have 5 Cups, so being up 2-1 after game one doesn't exactly have me thrilled at this point."  If San Fran were to lose this NHLP series, with a 4-1 player advantage, it would be the biggest upset in league history.

---

Controversy Already?

The NHLP couldn't get two goals into the NHL Stanley Cup Finals without already some controversy.  The Los Angeles Kings (Andrew) struck first with an assist from McDonagh in a point that will never be taken away but likely never did ever touch his stick to start the play.  "It seemed very clear that the puck hopped over his stick" said GM Scott, "But I certainly would not expect the NHL to not give that point, but is that right?"  GM Scott has been very out spoken towards the NHL's lack of concern over getting the correct points on all goals.  "it pisses me off they don't take every point seriously and ensure at all costs each point is correct" said the GM, "Sure this point may not mean anything, but someday is a call like this going to make the difference of who wins the Cup?"  GM Andrew is happy to take the point and after an OT goal by the NHL Kings, is only down a point after the first game of the NHLP Finals.

---

Finals Set

Although hardly official GM Scott is a heavy favorite now to win his 5th NHLP Championship.  The San Fran Titan will bring Kopitar, Doughty, Doughty and Voynov, a CTR predicted 15 points to the Finals.  GM Andrew is an 11 point underdog with McDonagh while GM Ryan's lone player King makes him a 12 point underdog.

---
Tie-Breakers Procedure

GM Scott on the strength of most points scored in the playoffs will make the first pick.  This pick is kept secret until GM Ryan picks.  Ryan's Islanders outscored GM Andrew's Kings 68-64 in the NHLP Playoffs, meaning Ryan has the important second pick.  If their is a two way tie involving Scott, the Titan pick breaks the tie.  If GM's Ryan and Andrew tie, it is Ryan's pick that breaks the tie.  If all three GM's tie, San Fran wins if they get the tie-breaker correct.  If the Titan had it wrong, GM Ryan's Islanders would then win if they got the pick correct.  If both Scott and Ryan got the tie-breaker incorrect, GM Andrew's Kings would win.

---

Heartbreaking Loss

GM Ryan said how badly he wanted to win his first NHLP Championship in a "Good luck in advance" email to GM Scott prior to game 7 between the Blackhawks and Kings.  "GM Ryan was classy in our communications throughout the last round" said GM Scott, "It is bitter-sweet my feeling today for I know what it is like to lose and I really wanted to see Ryan win, I guess just not at our expense."  The Kings reversed the tables on the Hawks in game 7, being the team to come back late in the third period to tie.  The Hawks could have won in the final 5 seconds of the game on a play that was very offside, but would have counted.  Overtime ended quickly on "just a shot" at net that somehow found a way through.  Ryan had admitted the prior weeks were very difficult on him even saying "I could not stand to watch the final 5 minutes of game six."  The pressure felt by Ryan was very much the same feeling GM Scott was going through and undoubtedly GM Andrew as well.  "I knew it was GM Ryan's Cup to lose if Chicago won" said Scott, "It came down to a goal, he was that close."  Although it isn't officially over, Ryan's lone player remaining, King, will have to pull off a miracle that just doesn't seem probable.  Although Ryan cannot see it today, he certainly did have an amazing season building one of the very best teams in the NHLP in 2014. 

---

Los Angeles Kings Go To Finals Again

GM Andrew has now brought his Los Angeles Kings team to the NHLP Finals for the third straight season, a feat never before accomplished by any GM.  McDonagh just came off an incredible 10 point round in the Conference Finals, but the San Fran Titan foursome still hit 21 between them, meaning for the Kings to win a 6th Cup for Andrew is a very tall order.  The CTR has Andrew's Kings an 11 point underdog.  The game 7 loss was felt just as hard by GM Andrew as it was by GM Ryan.  Andrew would have had Saad joining McDonagh, the team teaming for 19 points this past round.  The Kings don't get a tie-breaking pick in the Finals and with the only New York Ranger, GM Andrew will have to hope the NHL Kings 21 games played finally catch up with them and they get hammered very badly in the NHL Finals, likely increasing greatly Andrew's chances of doing the unthinkable.  "If McDonagh plays like he did last round and the Rangers won four straight, can you imagine the feeling" said Muddy Capone, "It is never, never, never over and the unthinkable has happened in sport more than we can truly think."

---

GM Scott's "Best Ever"

The San Fran Titan got the bounce they needed in advancing to the NHLP Finals and barring major injuries or a miracle round, the heavily favored Titan should win their second NHLP Championship.  GM Scott who has 4 Cup wins has been saying for over a month now that if this team did win it all, it would be known as his greatest team of all time.  "Currently my 2003 San Fran team I feel is my best" said GM Scott, "But it would be hard not to put this team in that slot."  How can't they be?  Kopitar leads the playoffs in scoring and is one of the best two-way players in the world.  He just had three rounds of 10-9 and 4 points.  Toews, one of GM Scott's all time favorite players, joined the 19th overall picked Kopitar for an unstoppable 1-2 punch in the Playoffs.  Toews was drafted 5th overall in this years NHLP draft, giving the Titan two highly regarded players.  GM Scott says "D wins Cups" and he had plenty of that on this team as well.  Two of the very best defensemen in the world complemented Kopitar and Toews nicely.  Or is it three?  Doughty, Doughty and Keith, all playing about 30 minutes a night, team leaders in their own right.  Finishing off the team Voynov, nice second power play player who just chips in here and there.  The Titan's 7th man was none other then Parise's winger, Coyle who had rounds of 5 and 2.  The Titan had a never accomplished 31 points in the NHLP Conference Finals giving them 97 so far in the playoffs, a new NHLP Record.  The record for points in the finals is 18 and the Titan four remaining have had rounds of 26-15 and 21, so 18 is possible.  "You can't be the best ever team if you don't complete the job and win it all" said GM Scott, "Don't think I won't still be watching in slo-motion, my heart is pounding at the thought already of not scoring."  The CTR is 16-5 in the playoffs, not getting one wrong since round one.  We think it is a safe bet GM Scott will have his "Best Ever" team over the next two weeks.

---

Conference Finals At a Glance...(Click for Playoff Page)
Seed	Team	Score	Score	Team	Seed
Central Conference Finals
1*	New Orleans Wolverines (Shawn)	2	31	San Fran Titan (Scott) +24	4
East Conference Finals
2	Quebec Nordiques (Matt)	9	16	New York Islanders (Ryan)  +9	3
West Conference Finals
1*	Los Angeles Kings (Andrew) +8	23	11	Portland Winter Hawks (Vinnie)	1**

---

7th Heaven & Hell

The Chicago Blackhawks have not lost in 12 straight games 5, 6 or 7.  The Los Angeles Kings have not lost in this playoffs 6 straight times when facing elimination and are 2-0 in game 7's this playoffs after trouncing San Jose and Anaheim on the road in the biggest games of those series.  "It is clearly do or die now for three NHLP GM's" said Muddy Capone, "Almost a full year of blood and sweat rides on one game."  For GM Scott it is likely an instant NHLP Championship if the Kings win.  If the Hawks can win, GM Scott is in a very unusual spot where he will still have a shot at winning, even though not the favorite remaining.  That would go to GM Ryan, maybe a point favorite over Scott and a two to three point favorite over GM Andrew.  It all comes down to this next game to seemingly be over or set up possibly the greatest NHLP Finals in league history where every GM has at least 2 players.

---

San Fran Titan -  GM Scott

Loaded with talented high-scoring players, team leaders at both ends, GM Scott's run to the NHLP Cup Finals has been full of drama, back against the wall games every series.  Setting personal bests with 45 first round points and likely an unheard of 30 in the Conference Finals, scoring hasn't been an issue.  "My first Cup I scored 2 points in the Second Round, winning 2-1" said GM Scott, "I have never had a team this strong, this late."  A Kings win Sunday should solidify the Titan a 5th GM Cup for Scott and second for the organization who won it all in 2003.  A finals of Kopitar, Doughty, Doughty and Voynov have per round scoring of 26-15-19 versus McDonagh (Andrew) 0-3-10 and King (Ryan) 1-2-3.  It does not look like the Titan will be stopped if the Kings win Sunday night giving Toews his second Cup with GM Scott (2011 in Edmonton) and Voynov back to back cups, winning last year with GM Andrew's Chicago team.  "I am not going to lie" said GM Scott, "The love I have for the NHLP has me excited about the potential Finals and living through the intensity of those games if the Hawks win but if that happened and we lost, it could be the most devastating and disappointing finish we have ever had."  Sometimes the thrill of playing just one more hand out ways the ability to take the money and run.

---

New York Islanders - GM Ryan

GM Ryan is going to the NHLP Finals either as Cup favorites or a well deserving participant of the Main Event.  Ryan admittedly said he cannot take much more of this roller coaster ride.  Down in the third period of each of the last two games including a double overtime game where a Kings goal was the "sudden death" of any hopes of winning his first ever NHLP Championship.  In his 12th year as a GM Ryan has never had a team score like this, winning easy rounds of 27-19 (Hamilton), 25-4 (Montreal) and up 12-7 on Quebec.  A Blackhawks win in game 7 leaves Ryan's Isles with Hossa, Seabrook and Shaw who have per round scoring of 12-14-9.  The Titan would have Toews and Keith 14-4-9 while Andrew's Kings Saad and McDonagh weigh in at 4-6-17.  That means GM Scott's Titan would have won Round One 14-12 (Ryan) - 4.  Round Two would have been Ryan's Cup 14-6 (Andrew) - 4.  The current Conference Finals has Andrew winning 17-9-9.  Each GM took one round setting up a crazy finish.  GM Ryan is deserving but up against two other veteran GM's who share 9 Championships between them.  He is currently the Cinderella story, the GM the little guy is cheering for.  If he thinks it is intense now, just have the Hawks win game 7 and let's see how he sleeps for the next two weeks.  Maybe quite comfortably.

---

Los Angeles Kings - GM Andrew

The reigning NHLP Champion, winning his 5th GM Cup last season with his Chicago team can easily go for Cup 6 with a Blackhawks win in game 7.  The 2002 NHLP Champions, Los Angeles Kings was GM Andrew's middle Cup.  Andrew has also set a league record after hammering Portland (Vinnie) 21-9 to go to his third straight Franchise Championship.  The Kings barely got out of Round One when Indianapolis (Matt) put forth a fierce battle, losing 19-18 before things got easier against St Louis (Tyson) last round, winning 22-8.  Not often do teams have a lower scoring first round then their next two but on round scoring of 19-22-21 that is what Andrew has accomplished.  With McDonagh unlikely to have a second straight double digit round in the Finals, GM Andrew knows he cannot win it all if the Kings win Sunday.  He'd be at least a 14-4 point underdog and for a GM who hates losing, those odds aren't his style.  If the Hawks win game 7 the odds greatly increase for Saad and McDonagh who have averaged 9 points per round, the same as GM Scott's Titan with Toews and Keith.  GM Ryan's Hossa, Seabrook and Shaw have averaged 11 points per round, even though Seabrook was suspended three games and Shaw missed two with injuries.  GM Andrew's legendary status just continues to grow and he could easily pull off a mild upset to win the hard to fathom 6th Championship with a Hawks win Sunday.

---

King Issue Put to Bed - No Point

It took a couple days but conclusive video shows King did not get the deflection of Doughty's shot in game 4.  "We stuck with it and are very happy to know for fact one way or the other" said Muddy Capone.  The goal in question was a shot from the point, just below the crossbar that dips 2 to 3 feet upon entering the net.  TSN camera angles blew up the shot from behind Doughty, clearly showing the puck clearing the Chicago defensemen and Williams.  TSN blew up the shot from the front showing what appeared to be the puck hitting King's stick and dropping a few feet into the back of the net.  "This was one of the best examples of an optical illusion as you can get" stated Capone.  This is the second such goal we have seen in this playoffs that it took several camera angles put together to determine what happened.  The front blown up angle shows the puck does not hit Williams or the Chicago Player.  The back angle shown by CBC last night clearly shows King never came within a full foot of the shot.  King is raising his stick as the puck goes by him and by the time it reaches the goalie King now has his stick where the puck passed.  From the front it now appears to dip because it hit his stick but from the back his stick is no where near the puck ever.  King wasn't close to touching the puck and it dipped only after hitting the Crawford.  The NHLP is still working with the NHL (awaiting an answer that the play was reviewed officially and we are either right or wrong) to have Gallagher's no-point reviewed but as of now GM Ryan is officially up 8-5 on GM Matt and 8-6 if Gallagher is awarded the goal on the Subban shot.

---

Isles Alive

GM Ryan had a huge four point night and more importantly the Blackhawks are still alive, keeping New York's chances for a first ever NHLP Championship alive with them.  "This is way to intense" stated GM Ryan after the overtime game.  By NHL.com, the official NHLP source of numbers the Islanders are up 8-5 but the NHLP Yearbook is still pushing for the correct points to be award by the NHL, possibly making this series 8-6.  Friday is now a huge night, where GM Ryan can be a game away from heading to the NHLP Finals as favorites or all Cup dreams can be shattered.  "If Chicago can make it, we might have one of the best Finals ever" said Muddy Capone, "And they are right there, a few bounces and breaks away from a game 7."

---

Gallagher Draws Nords Closer

With another game now to play, Gallagher's point has moved GM Matt to a single point behind in a shocking East Conference Final.  With each team being shafted by the NHL on a point, the official series is likely 4-3 while the NHLP is still holding out hope it is 5-4.  What really can change this series again is if one of the players get the point added and the other does not.  For example if they gave Gallagher the point and not King, the Nords would be tied and with the tie-breaker, go to the NHLP Finals, as seemingly unfair as it is.  Gallagher now plays an extra game and GM Ryan will have Tuesday to hope his three Hawks can do the same.  It is an elimination game for Chicago so GM Matt will be hoping they get shutout, meaning he will have Brown and Gallagher to outscore what King gets by one point and will move onto the NHLP Championship just that easy.

---

McDonagh Now Has 9 Points This Round

The guy is a machine and GM Andrew is loving it.  After Portland (Vinnie) moved within striking distance GM Andrew's Kings opened things back up in a big way with a 4 point night, two from McDonagh and Pacioretty.  The two players also get a extra game.  Andrew was likely cheering for Montreal to win and have Pacioretty in the Finals, but now that McDonagh is one of the hottest players in the league with 9 points this round, it may appear Andrew is best of if the Rangers are in the Finals.  If the Rangers won and Chicago came back GM Andrew would have McDonagh and Saad versus San Fran's Toews and Keith.  Now if the Nords came back and won their series, they'd have no one in a Finals of Chicago-New York, likely leaving Andrew's Kings the favorites.  Of course if the Hawks did come back, and GM Ryan is hoping, Hossa, Seabrook and Shaw would get 3 more games likely meaning they'd be in the Finals on the Island.

---

Here We Go, AGAIN

I guess you could say they are even.  A night after GM Matt got screwed out of a goal by Gallagher, his rival GM Ryan has the say fait, a goal by King awarded to Doughty.  "There is simply no doubt in the world about either of these two goals" said Muddy Capone, "It is so embarrassing as a league to not get these right.  You don't see the NFL award the running back with a touchdown when the wide receiver caught the bal.  These are pretty simple calls."  Capone who emailed the NHL review department for Matt said he'd do the same tomorrow afternoon if King doesn't get the point.  There is a ripple effect in the NHLP if King is awarded the point.  Portland (Vinnie) who has came back to within 12-8, would lose a point from Williams.  The NHLP has the series at 5-3, even though the NHL has it at 4-2, either way the Islanders only have a 2 point lead.  Both NHL series are now in elimination games meaning either Quebec or New York still have work to do to make the NHLP Finals.

---
Here They Come, AGAIN

Portland (Vinnie) was down 18-8 after completed game 3's in Round won and won the series 32-26 against Seattle (Shawn).  In Round Two at the same point was down 13-6 against Alaska (Marcel) and again came roaring back to win it 22-19.  So when they were down 10-4 at the end of game 3's in the NHLP Conference Finals, should we really be thinking they are out?  A crazy come back to make it 12-8 against Los Angeles (Andrew) with the Kings Pacioretty and McDonagh possibly playing their last game with a Rangers win on Tuesday.  Portland is the comeback team of the 2014 playoffs and making the NHLP Finals with Williams and Muzzin might make them a possible threat to win it all.  

---

86

In 2010 the Cleveland Fury (Tyson) not only won the NHLP Championship, they dominated and set an NHLP record for most points ever in the playoffs with 83, including a league record 18 in the NHLP Finals.  The San Fran Titan (Scott) have now erased that mark, scoring 86 points after last night and the team is assured at least 3 or more games yet this playoffs and either at least 8 or 16 player games in the NHLP Finals, leading now 20-1 this round.  It has been one of the more dominating performances in NHLP history, starting the playoffs with 45 and winning by 23 and 12 points in the first two rounds and leading by 19 so far in the Conference Finals.  Keith is just off the top ten playoff scorers but Kopitar, Toews, Doughty and Doughty are in that group.  It would seem 100 playoff points is certainly possible but GM Scott admits only one thing matters.  "These are awesome things and do mean something" said the GM, "But my focus right now is on winning the NHLP Championship and you can win the first 11 rounds on the scorecard but if you get KO's in the final round, you lost to someone better, it is that simple."  Well, the Titan are clearly up on the Scorecard as they prepare for the Final round.

---

Kings Dominate Hawks, AGAIN

Well we had to get the AGAIN in there AGAIN.  For the first 5 periods of their Conference Final NHL series the Chicago Blackhawks looked unbeatable.  For the last 7 periods of their NHL series the Los Angeles Kings have been unstoppable.  It boils down to Chicago now being on the ropes, and for the first time this playoffs will be facing an elimination game back in Chicago Wednesday.  Everything LA is doing to win, Chicago isn't doing.  The Hawks top scorers aren't scoring, they are getting no secondary scoring and their goaltending has been horrible.  Crawford stole a few games this playoffs, throwing up a wall against St Louis and Minnesota only to have totally lost his confidence.  He seems to fight every shot right now and his subtle looks and reactions have clearly shown he is a beat goaltender.  Chicago is a Cup Champion.  They were down to Detroit last year 3-1 before winning and winning the Cup.  Can they do it again?  They just may be the only team outside of the Kings, that believe in themselves enough and have enough leadership to know they can come back to win.  Will they though?  That is another story altogether.

---

 Still Waiting - NHL Fucks Up Another Goal

"This is what I am talking about" said Muddy Capone, "It seems certain rinks don't want to make changes to their goals and assists once they make the official call."  GM Matt is waiting for the call to be corrected, making his series officially 4-2 in Quebec with the Islanders (Ryan).  The goal was so obvious that the NHLP Yearbook, in anticipation of a change that will come after numerous complaints to the NHL, has already awarded the point to Gallagher.  "If the NHL does not change the goal, ultimately at the end of this round it does not matter what we know as fact, but rather what the NHL official points are" stated Capone, "So if we have to take the point from Gallagher, we'd have no choice."  Matt said he is emailing the NHL himself today.  Quebec could have really used a Gallagher point in the overtime winner and tying the NHL series, making the NHLP series 4-3 and extra games added.  Now things are bleak.  Ryan's Islander's can pull away and end the misery at any time, but as long as it stays close the NHL will be receiving pressure to change the point and make the correct call.

---

Gallagher Keeps Things Close

GM Matt knows the series could even be close than 3 to 1 as Gallagher missed several opportunities and could easily of had a three point night.  Quebec (Matt) is severe underdogs against New York Islanders (Ryan) but is hanging around.  "What hurts is King is outscoring Brown" stated Matt, "If that was the other way around, we'd be right there."  The Nords now must hope Chicago has trouble scoring and losing two low scoring games in LA while Montreal can keep pushing and somehow get to a seven game series.  No one expected this would be a series but Shaw has yet to return for Ryan and Seabrook yet to get a point.  At this point if Gallagher could have had a point a game this series would be tied.  The tie-breaker is up for grabs with Ryan choosing Chicago, so Quebec could be as little as two points from the upset.  "If I entered a game seven from Gallagher needing two or three points to win, I'd take that in this series" stated Matt, "I just have to take it a game at a time."

---

Carter Gets Tricky

It didn't look like it was going to happen.  The Los Angeles Kings were struggling all night and the Chicago Blackhawks who were yet to lose a game on home ice this season were in command 2-0 just about heading into the third.  "The wheels came off in a hurry" said Muddy Capone, "Suddenly Crawford couldn't stop a beach ball and if Chicago was a little over-confident, they aren't anymore."  Carter laid a third period hat trick on Chicago and most shots went in after 35 minutes of the game as LA scored six straight and 5 in the third in a 6-2, series tying win.  Now the series heads to LA with a different feel, like it could be a long series.  It has been over 20 years since a team lost the first two, as Montreal has, in the Conference Finals and came back to win, so clearly it was a huge win for the Kings.

---

 Islanders Take Hit

If this was the NHLP Finals, GM Andrew's Los Angeles Kings would have 8 points on a NHL Finals of Chicago-NY Rangers.  GM Scott's Titan would have 3 points and GM Ryan's Islanders would have 2 points after game two's.  "This isn't the NHLP Finals" said Muddy Capone, "And neither GM Andrew or Scott would want to face GM Ryan's team of Hossa, Seabrook and Shaw."  With Ryan having his best opportunity ever, the Blackhawks collapse was a tough hit for "My team" as GM Ryan has been referring to the Hawks.  "Certainly it is his team and certainly he has the best built Hawks team" Capone added.  It also certainly looked like Ryan's three would be heading to LA in the green, up 2 games and likely needing a split for the stranglehold on the series.  "The next game now feels like game seven" Capone figures, "As you don't want to face being down 3-1 in game four."  Well, either team will and for the NY Islanders Gm Ryan knows his only hope at all is if Chicago wins this round, so there are two big games coming in Los Angeles Saturday and Monday.

---

Titan GM - "What Could Have Been"

GM Scott said he was extremely bitter after game one of the Kings-Blackhawks series, a series where the Titan are best served if the Kings go to the NHL Finals.  After a short turn around and long travel day Scott said the Kings faired well but that "You can't just give them one and make excuses in a short seven game series."  Although Scott doesn't think the Kings mailed in the contest, not in the least, but could have gotten a better deal with what he called a cheap first penalty of the game, a non call on Toews for goalie interference and two open nets that should have been goals.  "We could have took game one, now we need to play our best game and nothing less is acceptable" said the GM.  The only series the Kings have lost the past three seasons is to Chicago in last years Conference Finals and are appearing in their their straight Conference Finals.  Either of these teams winning are on the verge of a dynasty in the Cap era, the Kings could go 2 in 3 and the Hawks 3 in 5.  Game two is a huge one for GM Scott's Titan as he hopes LA can head home even instead of down two where a split will put them in the dreaded win three straight or out category.

---

Eye on McDonagh

When you have 5 NHLP Championships under your belt it is never a surprise when you come up with the surprise of the NHL playoffs.  "GM Andrew has a knack for finding these guys and making them Cup winners" said Muddy Capone.  Los Angeles (Andrew) grabbed McDonagh up very quickly at the NHLP Trading Deadline, the first transaction of the day to the minors and the only move the Kings would make at the meeting.  Down went Kesler and Higgins and up came McDonagh and Stempniac.  If that deal sounds familiar, it isn't the first time it was ever made, well sort of.  See the NHL Montreal Canadiens actually drafted McDonagh with their first pick in 2017, 12th overall.  Before he ever played his first game with the Habs he was traded with Higgins to the New York Rangers for Gomez.  McDonagh had a good season, a career high 43 points.  Now he has 9 points this playoffs and his 6 points in the Conference Finals may be one round too early for GM Andrew's Kings.  "Right now the Kings could have McDonagh and Saad in the NHLP Finals" said Capone, "Those points may be needed then more than this round."  If the favorites according to the CTR are there, that means playing Hossa, Seabrook and Shaw from the Islanders (Ryan) and the Titan (Scott) dual of Toews and Keith.  Obviously if any player had 6 points in the first two games of the NHLP Final, that team would likely win it all.

---

McDonagh Career Game

GM Andrew started the Conference Finals in dream like fashion, getting 4 points from McDonagh and putting GM Vinnie's Portland Winter Hawks in a hole they may not be able to climb out of.  "Portland has been the comeback team of the playoffs but Williams and Muzzin, even great rounds and doubling their prediction is only 10 points" said Muddy Capone.  If Chicago wins their NHL series GM Andrew's Kings will have at two players in the NHLP Finals, possibly enough to win it all.  With games like this in the Finals, even an underdog can put pressure on the favorites instantly.

---
Ryan and Vinnie Pick Chicago

The tie-breakers are in and although the Conference Finals appear potentially lop-side according to the CTR who was a perfect 6 for 6 in Round Two, there is always the chance of an injury or upset.  GM's Ryan and Vinnie both chose Chicago while San Fran (Scott) took the New York Rangers.

---

7th Heaven

GM Scott said he is never overly confident but did feel the Los Angeles Kings were good enough to knock off the Sharks and the Ducks.  "The Kings were up 5-1 entering the third period last night and I say to myself, this isn't over boys, not to the buzzer sounds" said the GM, "And I would have had the exact same feeling if they were tied or down a goal."  Scott said the problems he say with both the Sharks and Ducks was in net.  "The Ducks didn't know who to play in net during the very first game of the NHL playoffs and teams that don't have a solid number one guy seem to never be around long in the playoffs and neither of those teams, or Minnesota or Dallas did."  What a wasted season for Anaheim to finish first like that and "Gamble" on who they play in the playoffs.  For GM Scott the Titan have moved themselves in what appears a Walk-Over into the NHLP Finals.  If the Kings beat out Chicago it would appear the Titan will be huge favorites to win the NHLP Championship with at worst Kopitar, Doughty, Doughty and Voynov playing only 2 players, the best any other team can then send through.  It hasn't been an easy journey for GM Scott but how can't it be memorable.  "I am not overly confident" explained Scott, "But I do feel the Kings are good enough, not better, but good enough, to beat Chicago and this time of year, often good enough beats better."

---

Nordiques Play for Miracle

GM Matt is a 9 point underdog in his Quebec series against the very strong New York Islanders of GM Ryan.  Starting off Matt today is Gallagher, only one of 3 NHLP players still alive in the Rangers-Habs series.  The Kings-Hawks series has 8 Kings and 7 Blackhawks still alive where Matt also has Brown to defend against Hossa, Seabrook, Shaw and King.  The hope here for Matt is somehow Chicago or LA can sweep and Montreal and the Rangers can go 7 games where Gallagher could have a career series, say 7 points.  Outside of that it appears this series may be over early as Hossa can throw up crooked numbers as fast as any player left in the NHLP Playoffs.

---

Williams Game 7 King

Passing Wayne Gretzky on the all time game 7 goals list Williams now is only one behind the all time NHL leader, two time NHLP Champion Glenn Anderson.  Williams has still never lost a Game 7 and wasted no time in scoring the goal only minutes into the game that GM Vinnie needed for Portland to go to the Conference Finals.  Portland is in tough against the LA Kings (Andrew) who are hoping to set an NHLP record for three straight Cup appears, but somehow avoid losing all three.  Pacioretty and McDonagh get this series underway today, a series the Kings are 8 point favorites to win.  Portland will need a short Montreal-Rangers series and as long a series as possible from their two Kings.  The Kings have played 14 games so far so who thinks they won't play 7 more this round.

---

Second Round At a Glance...(Click for Playoff Page)
Seed	Team	Score	Score	Team	Seed
Central Conference - North Division
4	San Fran Titan (Scott) +14	21	9	Las Vegas Strip (Vinnie)	2
Central Conference - South Division
3	Boston Bruins (Ryan)	2	10	New Orleans Wolverines (Shawn) +5	1*
East Conference - Atlantic Division
2	Quebec Nordiques (Matt) +2	17	16	Hartford Whalers (Andrew)	1*
East Conference - East Division
3	New York Islanders (Ryan)  +18	25	4	Montreal Canadiens (Marcel)	1
West Conference - Pacific Division
2	St Louis Blues (Tyson)	8	22	Los Angeles Kings (Andrew) +14	1*
West Conference - West Division
2	Alaska Attack (Marcel)	19	22	Portland Winter Hawks (Vinnie) +2	1**

---

  Islanders Still Team to Beat

It was a big hit for GM Ryan, losing his three Penguins, but after Boston went out it appears that GM Ryan's Islanders still could be the team to beat.  If the Kings move on in the NHL, GM Scott will have a solid team in San Fran and if Portland does get a point, GM Marcel can be strong in Alaska.  Ryan is now down to simply needing the Blackhawks to make the NHLP Championship and getting by likely Quebec (Matt) who will be an underdog next round with if the Kings win and Brown moves on with the Nordiques.  Having Hossa, Seabrook and Shaw in the finals will be hard to beat.  GM Ryan has to be on edge, being so close to making this first Cup win a reality yet knowing there is work to be done and it is possible that he gets to the Finals without any shot at all of winning if the Ducks make the Stanley Cup Finals.  "Doors open and close rather quickly in this cruel league" said Muddy Capone, "But looking at everything today, we still like the Islanders chances as good as anyone else's today."

---

3-6-3 
(Any Guesses?)

Well that is how the Los Angeles Kings have started the NHL playoffs.  Losing the first three games, winning the next 6 and then losing 3 straight again.  By avoiding the 3-6-4, the Kings now can become the first team in NHL history to ever lose 3 straight games in two straight playoff rounds and win both series.  The San Fran Titan will be the big winners, keeping GM Scott's 5th Cup hopes alive if the Kings win game 7 and likely shattering them if they lose.  "It isn't the way I'd of drawn it up" said the GM, "But if it happens it will be one of the most memorable runs in all my years as a GM."  GM Scott said he hasn't missed a second of the Kings or Hawks games in the playoffs and that Kopitar and Toews were "Chocolate Bars well spent" said the GM who used Chocolate to entice GM Matt to trade Toews for Iginla and GM Chad to trade Kopitar for Steen, deals that appear to have worked out with those other players lockers already cleared.  The Titan GM said times have changed in the league were alcohol once was a deciding factor in many trades, "Now it is food" laughed Scott, "If I'd of only known this 10 years ago I might have another Championship or two."  If the Titan win, certainly expect to see a few more Titan bars flying around meeting rooms in the meetings ahead.

---

Points Confirmed - Portland Needs One

GM Vinnie needs a single point in game 7 from any of his four players Perry, Cogliano, Williams or Muzzin, a feat he has accomplished 11 of 13 times those players played so far in the playoffs.  The point will put Portland on through to the West Conference Finals, eliminating what is likely the best team remaining in the NHLP, GM Marcel's Alaska Attack who will have 4 players next round if somehow they can hold Vinnie's four players pointless just one game.  GM Andrew is awaiting the winner with Pacioretty, Saad and McDonagh a team that will be favored against Portland and an underdog against Alaska.  If Portland does get the point GM Vinnie knows he must have Anaheim win game 7, moving on his his bigger guns Perry and Cogliano to possibly pull the upset against Andrew.  If it is the Kings that win that game 7, even winning against Andrew could then mean likely no hope in the NHLP Finals even with the Kings there with only Williams and Muzzin against Kopitar, Doughty, Doughty and Voynov of San Fran (Scott).  Do or die game 7 and just a point from one of four players and Portland advances Friday night.

---

Shockers

The Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers will battle to go to the NHL Stanley cup, not exactly first choices of the NHLP GM's.  "I couldn't give Vanek away for anything" said GM Scott, "No one wanted Rangers either."  Montreal just capitalized on Boston's weakness and never played into the Bruins game of wanting to be rough and tumble.  Montreal was clearly faster and Chara seemed to finally show his age, maybe no longer the defensemen other teams feared.  Price was sensational, as expected and Subban is stepping up to be the "D-man" GM's will want to enter the playoffs with for many years to come.  All in all these teams were not expected to knock of the Bruins and Penguins but were likely the more deserving of the 4 teams.

---

Kings "All In" on Bruins & NHLP History

GM Andrew is holding three Bruins and has gone "All In" on Wednesday's game 7 showdown.  If things all go right Wednesday night, Andrew's Kings may walk into the NHLP Finals with a huge win tomorrow from the Bruins and Alaska (Marcel) then winning in the NHLP against Portland (Vinnie).  If that happens the Kings will surely be the first team to ever make three straight NHLP Finals.  "Everything good opens up for this team" said Muddy Capone, "If Boston wins this one game.  This is one team that could even beat GM Ryan's Islanders in a Boston-Chicago finals."  GM Andrew isn't one for quotes in the NHLP playoffs, he seems to hibernate more than anything this time of year.  He is a fierce competitor that doesn't accept losing.  Andrew build this team for that NHL rematch of Boston and Chicago from last years Stanley Cup and he is very close to getting that wish.  GM Andrew is chasing an unprecedented 6th NHLP Championship Cup and also the first to win two NHLP Cups with different teams.  Andrew won Chicago's second Championship just last season and the Kings already have one themselves.  The only GM to win back to back Championships was 20 years ago when GM Norm won in 1993 and again in 1994, both those in St Louis.  "Tomorrow night is almost historical already" said Capone, "I have witnessed every single big game this league ever has had.  For GM Andrew, and every other GM still alive in the playoffs, game seven between Montreal and Boston is as big as they ever come."

---

Tie-Breaker in Hand

The Portland Winter Hawks (Vinnie) now know they only need to gain two points on Alaska (Marcel) to win their NHLP West Division Title.  Of course numbers have not been verified, a reminder to check them yourself, something the NHLP will try and do Wednesday before these important games.  Vinnie is looking good with Perry, Cogliano, Williams, Muzzin and Soderberg needing that gain against the less players, Desharnai, Subban and Plekanec of the Attack.  The Attack may seem down but are an even 13-13 points in this player matchup, so if the Habs can win big in Boston and the Ducks a low score in LA, those two points may seem very large for Portland.  GM Vinnie may actually be hoping the Habs win by a low score.  If the Bruins win, even winning this series means a match up with GM Andrew's Kings who'd bring forward Krejci, Lucic, Krug as well as Saad and McDonagh to play the best Portland could bring Perry, Soderberg and Cogliano. 

---

Pens Blow Series

It must be hard to be a Pittsburgh Penguins fan.  Seemingly always dominating in the regular season and in the last several years a weak playoff team.  It is hard to build a winning team in the cap era when you pay so much of your salary to a few top players and in the playoffs everything seems to be about depth and 3rd and 4th line scoring.  They can't blame it as much on their own goaltending then they can say they were beat by a goal on top of his game.  Lundqvist was truly the difference in the series and now the Rangers await another Original Six team in Montreal or Boston, another huge series with NHLP Cup ramifications for almost every GM.  Taking the hardest hit with the Pens out was the New York Islanders (Ryan) who will advance Hossa, Seabrook and Shaw with King yet playing.  With three Blackhawks GM Ryan now waits to see if he gets Hartford (Andrew) who could have as little as the injured Galchenyuk and as much as Gaborik, Smith and Smith.  GM Matt is still leading that series in Quebec and with Shaw injured for Ryan Matt can still hope to have Gallagher and Brown against Hossa and Seabrook if Shaw doesn't return next round.  If the Islanders can win next round with Chicago going to the Finals surely GM Ryan will be in his best shape ever to win it all.

---

No Justice For Quebec

The Chicago Blackhawks won a game in Minnesota they completely had no business winning and in turn surely ending GM Matt's Cup hopes in Quebec.  The Wild came wave after wave and had not just shots, but glorious opportunities that were somehow turned back time and time again by Crawford.  In the end it was a bad bounce off the glass that ultimately ended what appeared to definitely be a series that was going the distance.  Quebec now needs Gallagher and Brown to not only advance but also keep the 15-13 lead in the series to at least advance to the Conference Finals.  Hartford (Andrew) sends out Gaborik, Smith and Smith with Galchenyuk still hurt and only needs a gain of two points if Boston wins which would give Hartford the tie-breaker.  If the Kings don't beat the Ducks Wednesday the NHL's second round is over, so it is another huge night of hockey.

---

 Titan Down But "Not Out"

GM Scott said it isn't the preferred way to win, coming back games 6 and 7 but he said "I would have been ok knowing if the Kings won at home in game six a game seven would follow."  That is exactly the case and although the Kings haven't looked the better team there aren't many NHL teams better when their facing elimination then Los Angeles.  On Tuesday the Titan will hope Chicago actually wins on the road and does not force a game seven where they could face being knocked out on home ice.  "I'd have to win it all on a Minnesota and New York Rangers final if that were to happen" said the GM, "There is always a way and the team that wins it all (in the NHLP) often sees that something they hoped didn't happen, was a thing that helped them win and turned out to be the best thing that could have happened when all was said and done."

---

Portland Go After Breaker

The comeback is almost completed for GM Vinnie's Portland Winter Hawks and we aren't surprised in the least.  Now only down 18-16 with the tie-breaker in hand with Chicago, Vinnie will look to gain with Kunitz versus GM Marcel's throwing out Pominville and Nash for the Attack.  Marcel has the upper hand in that matchup at 5-3 this round.  A free man game can occur for GM Marcel if Pominville plays a game 7 where as GM Vinnie's Winter Hawks can still get two games from Perry, Cogliano, Williams and Muzzin if the Kings can win game 6 at home.  Kunitz woudl be a big help to Portland next round, especially if Boston loses game 7 which could severally cripple the Los Angeles Kings (Andrew).  Andrew is loaded with a ton of options and in the Pittsburgh series will have either McDonagh or Stempniak advance.  The Kings have the decided best Bruins team left with Krejci, Lucic and Krug, three players who are said to have a quiet series with Montreal but still have 8 points between them.

---

Islanders Need The Pens

GM Ryan's first Cup opportunity is very much alive.  Ryan's Islanders would advance 6 players and total destruction will follow if both Pittsburgh and Chicago win Tuesday.  Then either of those teams making the NHL Stanley Cup Final will likely make Ryan odds on favorites to win his first Championship.  It starts with Neal, Jokinen and Niskanen advancing followed by Hossa, Seabrook and Shawn.  King, kind of low man on the depth chart is still alive as well meaning a full 7 players in the Conference Finals is still very possible.  Looking at a possible matchup for GM Ryan's Islanders, currently Quebec (Matt) is looking the likely to advance up 15-13 with the tiebreaker in his favor if Montreal wins their game 7.  The Nords have their Cup hopes riding on Tuesday's Wild game hoping Parise, Pominville and Suter can force a game 7 where if they then advance he could battle Ryan's Islanders for the rights to go to the NHLP Championship.  GM Andrew is still hoping to get an extra game from his top scorer Gaborik who has 7 of his 13 this round.  If the wild go quietly Tuesday there will be an opportunity for Hartford to yet advance next round but in this series Andrew would certainly need Pittsburgh out if Chicago advances.

---

Malkin Ready For 7

GM Shawn will have a great opportunity of going to the NHLP Finals but it is unlikely to happen if Malkin cannot advance in game 7 Tuesday.  New Orleans is set to advance, winning 9-1 and with Malkin and the current series ending the way they are New Orleans would have Malkin, Maroon and Kruger, good for about 12 points versus only Toews and Keith who would be expected to get about 11 in a round.  Of course GM Shawn will be cheering for the Blackhawks to lose out, almost making this Conference Finals a walk over if Malkin can only advance.  The Pittsburgh - New York game seven is followed by another series that could go seven, Chicago and Minny.  "It is possible that they call go seven" said Muddy Capone, "Something that can easily happen if the Wild and Kings win game six on home ice."  Malkin is key to likely any hope the Wolverines have reminaing.

---

11-0-3

Those were the period shot totals for the Anaheim Ducks who started a goalie who wasn't even the back up last game and won his first ever NHL playoff game, with a 2-0 shutout of the Kings.  This NHL series is a huge series for several GM's in the NHLP including GM Scott who has 4 Kings and GM Vinnie who has Perry & Cogliano, but also has Williams and Muzzin.  GM Shawn's New Orleans Wolverines could still advance to the NHLP Finals and win GM Shawn his first Cup, but it will not likely happen if the Kings move on.  We say likely not, because Malkin can always light it up for 10 points in any round, but GM Scott's Titan would be a very heavily favorite.  The Road team has won each of the first 4 games in this crazy series and GM Scott hopes that continues as the series now shifts back to Anaheim for Game 5.

---

Nords Wild Sunday

With the dream of an NHLP Championship still alive GM Matt needs a huge win Sunday from his 3 Wild players.  Quebec is up 14-11 over Hartford (Andrew)and a 4-1 man game advantage in unplayed Game 5's.  A dream night for Matt would be both a Wild and Ranger win for with the New York Islanders (Ryan) up 20-1, it is a given the winner of Matt and Andrew will get Ryan's Islanders with 3 Pens and 3 Hawks.  Next round won't matter for Matt if the Wild don't win their NHL series this round but if they do the incredible dream will be alive and well as even if the Pens went through for GM Ryan a battle to represent the East Conference in the NHLP Cup Finals would exist.

---

Soderberg 3 Big Ones

GM Vinnie's Portland Winter Hawks are now down 17-13 after a three point game from Soderberg and assured a 10-6 man game advantage the rest of the Second Round.  "Clearly there is 4 more man games just sitting there" said Muddy Capone referring to if the Kings-Ducks go 7 games.  Portland will need Kunitz to at worst equalize Nash and Pominville, a tall order Sunday, being outscored so far in the series 5-3.  With Alaska (Marcel) outscoring Portland 12-5 in the Montreal-Boston series, GM Vinnie is best to hope that series ends next game.  Portland can have as good a team next round as Los Angeles (Andrew) who is assured to move on up 17-3 over St Louis (Tyson).  Vinnie is having a dream playoffs and can come back and win this round but it won't be easy and every point is huge.  GM Andrew is watching and hoping that Alaska can keep the series in their favor and have the NHL Bruins move on, giving Andrew a huge advantage and almost guarantee the LA Kings go back to the NHLP Finals for an unprecedented third straight season.

---

Islanders Hope It Ends

Up 17 to 1 the New York Islanders (Ryan) don't want to risk a Rangers come back in that NHL series and would rather his three Pens, Neal, Jokinen and Niskanen get plenty of rest before they play Montreal or Boston.  "It is shaping up really well for GM Ryan" said Muddy Capone, "A number of NHLP teams have a great chance right now, but likely none have the shot the Islanders may have."  Of course Ryan is also a huge Blackhawks fan, so Friday is a great night of hockey for the 12 year veteran GM.  With GM Marcel winning his only Cup in his 13th season and GM Charlie yet to win a Cup after 14 complete seasons as a GM, Ryan Trails only Charlie for the longest streak without a Cup.  If Chicago and Pittsburgh go to the NHL Stanley Cup Finals, GM Ryan will be a gimme NHLP Champion.  "It is a long ways to go" said Capone, "But so far the Islanders are taking care of business."  Friday they can really move much closer to their goal.

---

Quebec Looks to Take Charge

It seems the Hartford Whalers (Andrew) are against the ropes in a bad way, though tied 9-9 with the tie-breaker against Quebec (Matt).  With Galchenyuk injured for Hartford, GM Matt's Nords now have a 10-6 man games advantage and send out Parise, Pominville and Suter Friday, three players averaging this round two points a game for Quebec.  Matt will be on the edge of his seat Friday, hoping the Wild can even their NHL series, leaving Matt likely his only hope of NHLP glory this season. The Wild shut the Blackhawks down at home and it would seem very likely the Wild will play great defense in game 4.

---

GM Shawn - Alive and Well

The New Orleans Wolverines had a big game from Maroon and his Ducks, now putting GM Shawn's team up 8-0 in their Second Round series.  If Maroon can come back and join New Orleans next round, with Malkin and maybe Kruger, GM Shawn would at worse be a couple point favorite to go to the NHLP Championship and a huge favorite if he meets San Fran (Scott) with only Coyle to play Malkin and Maroon.  "Every game is huge and GM Shawn is only a single game away from both the Ducks and Wild tying their series and creating a best of three" said Muddy Capone.

---

Portland Coming Back

GM Vinnie just won't stay down in this 2014 playoffs.  After coming back from an totally insane 10 back to win in Round One, Portland was down 13-6 at the end of Game Threes.  Now it is only a five point deficit for Vinnie who does have man games in hand now after the Ducks won versus the Kings.  Portland has 4 players including Perry, Cogliano, Williams and Muzzin in that series so the longer it goes the more odds Portland can come back.  If Perry and Cogliano move on the Winter Hawks could also have Kunitz and Soderberg in the Conference Finals.  With the best Ducks built team remaining GM Vinnie still could win his first NHLP Championship if they come back and he can do the same.  Alaska (Marcel) did get extra games from their three Montreal players, but they completed game 4 now where as Portland's 4 players still have game 4 of their series on Saturday.

---

Quacks Showing

If you watched the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks Series you know the Kings should never be winning 2-0.  But they are.  The reason is great defense.  When any puck comes in the Kings zone it is always the same thing, puck support.  "Chicago is good and Boston a decent second, but no team defends like the Kings" said Muddy Capone.  "It is a thing of beauty" said Capone, "The puck comes in the Kings zone and just watch the puck leave the zone."  Capone says the system is so great  it makes the Kings the best in the NHL at what they do.  "Slo-mo it a hundred straight times and you see a system."  What is the system?  "Puck support" says Capone. 

1)  The first option always is for the first on the puck to take the puck up ice themselves, to clear the zone.  If you don't have to pass it out, carry it out.

2-3)  If they don't carry the puck themselves, options two and three are equal (50-50).  Send the puck around the net to an open Defensemen or up the boards to the hash marks, to near side winger.  You will notice that is exactly where the players go for outs.  Each and every time you will see the Kings D and Wing positioned in these locations.  If we get this far and a team is defending the Kings great that means they have a man on the puck carrier, a second player on the near boards and third a player on the far side D.  That means they have two players left, likely defensemen outside the zone.  Perfect.

4)  If the first three outs are gone, if all those aren't possible, the Kings throw it out front to option 4.  Usually a wide open option play out front of their net, a short 5 to 10 foot pass.  Option 4 is almost always open, as the opposition still plays defense and at best has 2 players that are not closer than the Kings Blueline, no further as they'd be leaving themselves too open for 2 on 1's. 

5)  If none of the above are options, eat the puck.  Cause a scrum and have puck support equal to oppositions players if even strength.  Always under all options stay between you and your net.  This leads to a puck battle and sometimes a loss of puck possession, where Quick is depended on to make a save. 

"I have been watching this in slo-mo for years" says Muddy Capone, "Some teams have no clue what to do in their own end but tomorrow night tape the game and watch a Championship team exit their own end, each and every time.  You will see why they are the leagues best at allowing the fewest goals.  It is a thing of beauty to witness and understand why they are second to none at what they do."

---

West Conference:  Marcel vs. Andrew

While the Attack (Marcel) are only up 8 points and the Kings (Andrew) seemingly a little more comfortable and up 11 points, the NHLP West Conferences Finalists will likely be decided on the outcome of the NHL series between Montreal and Boston.  "GM Marcel is much more invested in this series" stated Muddy Capone, "GM Andrew may have a few outs but it is all or nothing for GM Marcel."  The NHLP Yearbook hasn't yet done their story on GM Andrew's Los Angles Kings, a team set to possibly make the NHLP Finals for a third straight season, something never accomplished by an NHLP team.  "We have certainly noticed this fact and it could go the way of the Buffalo Bills" said Capone, "Or it could go the way of a 6th NHLP Championship."  It appears at this time that Los Angles is GM Andrew's only remaining hope of winning in 2014 and will become either back to back wins as a GM or three straight losses in the NHLP Finals as a Kings Franchise.

---

Nash Could Be Key

The Alaska Attack (Marcel) stretched out their surprising lead over Portland (Vinnie) to 13-4.  GM Marcel is hoping the New York Rangers can come back in their NHL series, possibly adding Nash to what could be next round for the Attack.  What could be is a battle against Los Angeles (Andrew) who are in complete control, up 12-2 versus St Louis (Tyson).  If the Attack can win with Nash, that will be at least a 4 player Conference Finals and a guaranteed player in the NHLP Finals if Montreal is battling the Rangers for a spot there in the NHL.  "With how things are unfolding, Nash is a big player" said Muddy Capone, "That one extra player next round when things are close that could be the difference of winning an NHLP Cup or not even being there." 

---

Nordiques Alive & Well

At six years as an NHLP GM, next to GM Tyson's five years, GM Matt is the leagues rookie.  "I think I have gotten better every year" said Matt earlier in the season, "I am a big fan of learning and want to win it all very badly."  One thing the NHLP Yearbook has grown to know is GM Matt's desire and dedication.  Matt's 32 Transactions on the season were second only to the 35 of GM Andrew.  "I believe you have to make a lot of moves, adding little pieces as you go" said Matt.  Matt's Quebec entry in the NHLP through up 38 first round points in a dominate performance and after another big night last night, now have a 9-8 lead on GM Andrew's Hartford team.  With the accompanying win of the Minnesota Wild the Nords could still win and move 5 players into the East Conference Finals, then being a favorite against the New York Islanders (Ryan).  Many teams are wondering how the Islanders will be stopped but a Wild win this round could be all it takes for the Nordiques to possible get to the Cup Finals.  "It is a game by game, point by point journey" said Matt, "It is also Wild."  We think it is all Wild.

---

Divisions for 2014-15 Set Below
The Two Teams that win in the first round of the playoffs in each Division and the 5^th place team – Stay in that Division, the two first round losers and 6^th place teams – move to the other Division within the same Conference.

North Division
2 First Round Winners
San Fran (Scott)
Las Vegas (Vinnie)
2 South's First Round Losers
Toronto (Chad)
Florida (Marcel)
5th - Cincinnati (Matt)
6th (South) - Miami (Charlie)

South Division
2 First Round Winners
New Orleans (Shawn)
Boston (Ryan)
2 North's First Round Losers
Cleveland (Tyson)
Chicago (Andrew)
5th - Buffalo (Joel)
6th (North) - Dallas (Jr & Scottie)

Atlantic Division
2 First Round Winners
Hartford (Andrew)
Quebec (Matt)
2 East's First Round Losers
Pittsburgh (Chad)
Hamilton (Tyson)
5th - Memphis (Jr & Scottie)
6th (East) - NY Rangers (Charlie)

East Division
2 First Round Winners
Montreal (Marcel)
NY Islanders (Ryan)
2 Atlantic's First Round Losers
Atlantic City (Vinnie)
Philadelphia (Scott)
5th - Halifax (Shawn)
6th (Atlantic) - Carolina (Joel)

Pacific Division
2 First Round Winners
Los Angeles (Andrew)
St Louis (Tyson)
2 West's First Round Losers
Seattle (Shawn)
Vancouver (Joel)
5th - Phoenix (Charlie)
6th (West) - Colorado (Chad)

West Division
2 First Round Winners
Portland (Vinnie)
Alaska (Marcel)
2 Pacific's First Round Losers
Indianapolis (Matt)
Calgary (Jr. & Scottie)
5th - Edmonton (Scott)
6th (Pacific) - Green Bay (Ryan)

---

Minny Must Win

GM Matt's three Wild players haven't scored often in the first two games of their series, leaving Matt's Quebec Nordiques down 8-4 against Hartford (Andrew).  If Minnesota doesn't change this series on home ice they will be down 3-0 to the Chicago Blackhawks, as deep a team as their is remaining in the NHL playoffs and certain doom would likely follow the Wild soon there after.  Winning on home ice means the series could be tied 2-2 and suddenly with the extra man games the confidence would be back in the Nordiques, a team simply unstoppable in Round One.  The Wild play great defence at home even a split would be a tall order for a team not known for their offence. 

---

Attack Need Points - Win

GM Marcel's Alaska Attack are in a battle for the West Division crown, up 8-4 over Portland (Vinnie) who's solid team will be hard to beat by the end of the series.  Marcel needs his Habs to win on home ice and do some scoring.  With Desharnais, Subban and Plekanec getting a solid 7 points in Boston, Marcel must be confident they can continue to score.  The Attack's opportunity to win the NHLP Cup likely rest with the Habs making the finals and there isn't likely a harder team they'd play then Boston.  With GM Andrew's Kings winning 10-2 it will still only be an even match-up if Marcel's three Habs are there and a potential Walk-over if they are not.  "If Alaska can make the NHLP Finals with Montreal joining them in the NHL, GM Marcel will be as good as any other team remaining" said Muddy Capone.  Clearly GM Marcel will be glued to games 3 and 4 as Montreal hopes to knock out the heavily favored Bruins.

---

Gab, Gab, Gab

"It just isn't going away" said GM Scott about the final NHLP deal of the season in which the Hartford Whalers (Andrew) Grabbed Gaborik from Philadelphia (Scott) for Briere.  The deal has paid off for Hartford who would have been knocked out of the NHLP playoffs in Round One had it not been for Gaborik's extra points and after a 3 point game one from "Gabby" GM Andrew certainly looks every bit the genius for this move.  "My weakness as a GM is I keep coming back to certain players I see something in that clearly others find laughable" said GM Scott, "You question yourself all the time as a GM when you are the minority, but how often does the majority believe the St Louis Blues are going to make the NHL Finals this season."  GM Andrew seems in good shape to represent the Atlantic Division in the Conference Finals, currently up 7-3 and with GM Matt in Quebec not sending out many texts this round, but with his next round matchup certainly the New York Islanders (Ryan) the Whaler will go quietly next round unless one of Chicago or Pittsburgh lose this round.  Andrew isn't saying much, not answering the NHLP Yearbook texts, something the NHLP Yearbook has come accustomed to over the years.  "We beg for quotes but GM Andrew is like trying to get a good interview out of Kings Coach Sutter" laughed Muddy Capone, "Isn't he just a waste of minutes on TV."  Gab, Gab, Gab - They Aren't.
---

Ho33a - with "LOVE"

It was only a week before the NHLP Trading Deadline that GM Ryan made his big move.  "Trading O'Reilly, Marchard and Wingles for us was a huge deal" stated the GM, "But Hossa, Shaw and Hjalmarsson we thought was the fairest of returns."  Well Hossa just went back to back 3 point games in the Second Round of the NHLP playoffs, the same day the Hamilton Hitmen (Tyson), who traded Hossa, went golfing for the third straight day on different golf courses throughout the world.  "We'd be fishing this time of year" stated the GM who admitted he isn't much on golf, "But fishing is going to have to wait" said the GM with a huge smile.  GM Ryan has 7 players who all could move on and if Chicago and Pittsburgh meet in the NHL finals this season there isn't a damn thing the other NHLP GM's can do but crown GM Ryan a winner.  "This means a lot to me" said Ryan, "I've invested 12 years into this goal and I have had more teams lose in the Finals then I even care to think about.  I've taken my knocks from Muddy Capone and for a change it would be nice to have him sing my praises for a season or two instead of looking for more ways to knock my Franchises."  Well Ryan, believe it or not the NHLP Yearbook has been singing your praises:

GM Ryan - "I'm Not Surprised"

The New York Islanders (Ryan) could in fact be the best NHLP team said Muddy Capone, "And if they are not, they aren't too far off."  That is high praise for GM Ryan who put the team together. 

A Cup Threat
LOVE

---

Attack Attack

GM Marcel will have played 8 man games to 2 before GM Vinnie even plays the first games of four of his players series.  Alaska has an early lead of 4-0 and Marcel's three Habs play an early game Saturday before GM Vinnie and his Portland Winter Hawks even play their game ones.  "Portland has a lot of scoring potential" said Muddy Capone referring to Perry, Williams. Cogliano and Muzzin who although down early are a couple point favorites to advance in the NHLP playoffs.

---

Islanders Hossa Big Three

Many NHL players end their careers without ever playing in the NHL Championship let alone getting their name on the Stanley Cup.  For Marian Hossa he has played in 4 of the last 6 Stanley Cup finals, but yet his name does not appear on the NHLP Championship team.  "You go all out as a GM to grab a player like this, a winner" said Muddy Capone, "GM Ryan's huge deal may be his name on his first Cup."  The huge deal Capone refers to is a deal with fellow GM Tyson in Hamilton.  Ryan traded O'Reilly, Marchand and Wingles and added three Blackhawks Hossa, Shaw and Hjalmarsson.  Along with Ryan's three Penguins, these players could be all he needs to win his first NHLP Cup.  Ryan's Islanders got 7 points tonight and are now up 7-0 over Montreal (Marcel).  With Niskanens points cancelling out it seems impossible now for Marcel to move on leaving Ryan a huge Chicago and Pittsburgh fan.  Editors Note:  If Chicago makes the finals Hossa would play in 5 of the last 7 NHL finals - no wonder so many GM's love this guy.

---

Remember the Titan

It was a dream season in 2003 for the San Fran Titan, a team that GM Scott calls his "Best team of all time."  Of course he says he likely had better teams, "But only a team that wins it all can truly be called your best team of all time" the GM said.  The team included Alfredsson, Hull and Elias in the prime of their careers and three defensemen Zubov, Morris and Jovanovski.  Scott was excited to have one player from each of the top 6 teams in the league, three per conference.  By the time the finals rolled around first year GM Vinnie had made the Championship with Sykora who had 59 points during the regular season, second on the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim to Kariya and GM Scott had Elias, who's 57 during the season was enough to lead the Devils, a very defensive minded team.  "I recall watching with Vinnie, game 5 of the Final series, a 6-3 Devils win with Vinnie and I neck and neck in points" said Scott, "About 15 others there that night couldn't believe the intensity of my cheering and likely either could Vin Dog."  Scott explains it had been 11 years at that time since his first and only Cup win, "So I knew how hard it was to win the NHLP Championship and I can't say GM Vinnie did at that time".  Now 11 years later GM Vinnie has yet to win himself and he too now understands just how hard it is to win.  GM Scott says this seasons Titan, led by true NHL warriors Toews, Keith, Kopitar, Doughty and Doughty would in fact be his greatest team of all time shall they eventually win.  They all had 7 or more points each in round one and 3 of the 5 lead the NHL in playoff minutes played.  Keith has played more minutes the last 5 seasons then any other NHL player.  "This is my kind of team, my kind of players" said the GM, "Two-way players, top defensemen on good teams.  The players you want when you go into battle."  The Titan ended up winning their only Cup, 7-5 in the 2003 finals.  A series that wasn't decided until the Devils won game 7.  In the past 11 years GM Scott has had the fortune of adding two more Cups while it hasn't happened for GM Vinnie who has his best chance since to win his first Cup and of course, that team is led by none other then another MIGHTY Duck, Perry.  GM Vinnie can easily go to the finals this season and although down early in his Second Round series, he is use to that after coming back down 10 points in Round One.  "I think Vinnie gets it now" said Scott about the "Intensity" GM Scott felt back in 2003 and if all goes well for the two GM's they could easily meet again in the 2014 Finals where GM Vinnie or Scott could someday look back at what could become their greatest team ever.

---

Subban Big Start for Attack

There are three NHLP series predicted to be blowouts of double digits while the other three are under 5 points predicts the CTR.  Alaska (Marcel) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in a series that likely comes down to the series lengths of Boston-Montreal and Anaheim-Los Angeles.  GM Marcel is expected to get 11 of his roughly 19 points in the Montreal series, so going 7 against the Bruins could be enough to overcome the two point underdogs they are.  GM Vinnie's Portland Winter Hawks would benefit with Soderberg but Marcel has no benefit from a very long Anaheim-LA series where Vinnie has 4 of his 6 players and 14 of his expected 23 points.  "If someone takes the other out quick Portland could be doomed" stated Muddy Capone.  It appears GM Marcel's best bet to win a Cup is for Montreal to go to the Finals while GM Vinnie could be well on an Anaheim final or a matchup of Pittsburgh or Boston versus either Anaheim or Los Angeles.

---

Islanders Friday BIG

GM Ryan has 7 players in Round Two, one of actually three teams to accomplish that this season (San Fran, Scott and Los Angeles, Andrew) but is the only team remaining with three Blackhawks and three Penguins.  The New York Islanders will be very strong as long as either of those two teams remain and being almost a 20 point favorite this round it seems the Islanders will be playing for the Conference Finals.  If that is the case the Chicago series will be very big with GM Matt the favorite to beat out Hartford (Andrew) with Matt's Quebec team who has three Wild players, Parise, Pominville and Suter.  The CTR predicted those three would score 12 points in round one but to the dismay of the Philadelphia Flyer (Scott) they scored 19.  "We Come Atcha" is the Nordiques slogan and GM Scott received 38 texts last round, something GM Matt sends out each time his team gets a point.  "I thought it was cool" said GM Scott of receiving the texts, "But it tired after we were losing 7-2 after game ones."  Scott said he had no response for Matt's Wild players something GM Andrew is about to find out for himself first hand on Friday night when the Wild play game one against Chicago.

---

2014-15 Divisions Set

You can scroll down this page and see next years Divisions.  Winners of the first round stayed and losing teams were relegated to the other division.  This allows minor changes each year so GM's are not always in the same divisions as other GM's and it is completely random and ever changing each year.  Of course the NHLP Draft has teams picking high and low which makes it interesting as well.

---

Brown Empty Net Goal Sinks Pens

The CTR curse got the best of GM Chad's Penguins.  Predicted to win the NHLP Championship by the Yearbook Pittsburgh lost out on the tie-breaker in round one, 26-26.  GM Marcel needed a late point and into the empty net he got it from Brown as the Kings sealed the Sharks fate and GM Marcel sealed Chad's only remaining hope for a championship in 2014.  "We have double checked all those point totals and it does appear Brown's point was the point to tie the series" stated Muddy Capone.

---

All Tie-Breakers are In

Thanks - good luck everyone

---
Check YOUR Series

I double checked everything, but only checked last nights games once.  Check for a late change.  I will later in the day, but things are happening fast because there is hockey tonight. 

Picks will be in the email, get your picks right back quick.  The site will be updated within hours.  Sheets emailed tonight or tomorrow.
---
CTR Goes 7-5

The biggest shocker was the 5 point favorite Chicago Blackhawks (Andrew) of the 4 upsets.  Andrew's Champion team didn't score near their predicted 26 points as Thornton and Marchand had 3 points between them of an expected 10.  The Hawks had made a huge Deadline deal trading Malkin, Steen and Kruger to New Orleans (Shawn) for Thornton, Landeskog and Bouwmeester, three players that all went out in the first round.  The Wolverines still have Malkin and Kruger who make up a three man unit with Maroon who will play only St Louis after the Bruins had a devastating night losing their 4 Sharks.

---

First Round At a Glance...(Click for Playoff Page)
Seed	Team	Score	Score	Team	Seed
Central Conference - North Division
4	San Fran Titan (Scott)	45	22	Cleveland Fury (Tyson) +3	1
3**	Chicago Blackhawks (Andrew)  +5	15	18	Las Vegas Strip (Vinnie)	2
Central Conference - South Division
4	Toronto Maple Leafs (Chad)	15	21	New Orleans Wolverines (Shawn) +4	1*
3	Boston Bruins (Ryan) +10	22	8	Florida Panthers (Marcel)	2
East Conference - Atlantic Division
4	Atlantic City Gamblers (Vinnie)	20	22	Hartford Whalers (Andrew) +2	1*
3	Philadelphia Flyer (Scott) +2	24	38	Quebec Nordiques (Matt)	2
East Conference - East Division
4***	Pittsburgh Penguins (Chad) +4	26	26	Montreal Canadiens (Marcel)	1
3	New York Islanders (Ryan)  +1	27	19	Hamilton Hitmen (Tyson)	2
West Conference - Pacific Division
4	Indianapolis Icemen (Matt)	18	19	Los Angeles Kings (Andrew) +5	1*
3	Calgary Flames (Jr. & Scottie)	16	21	St Louis Blues (Tyson) +1	2
West Conference - West Division
4	Seattle Storm (Shawn)	26	32	Portland Winter Hawks (Vinnie) +1	1**
3	Vancouver Canucks (Joel) +2	17	30	Alaska Attack (Marcel)	2

---

Habs ONLY Need 3

GM Marcel must feel he can do this.  Marcel's Habs are down 26-23, three points now that one was added to GM Chad's Penguins when it was realized Shaw has 4 points in the playoffs.  To win Marcel will need to tie, so his players Giroux, Duchene, Couturier, Demers and Brown to outscore Stepan by just 3 points on the night.  Game by game breakdowns are not as positive as GM Marcel's thinking:  0-1, 1-1, 2-1, 2-0, 2-1 and 4-0.  Only last game did Marcel's 5 players outscore Stepan by the required 3 and Stepan won or tied both games one and two.  Of course the Canadiens did not have Duchene in the series outside of last game and that is a very scary thought for GM Chad as Duchene is a monster and easily able to have a 3 point night by himself.

---

Champs MUST Score

GM Andrew must now score.  He has kept waiting for his team to explode, but with only 3 games left in round one, there is no tomorrow.  Thornton, Landeskog, Richards and King must outscore Moulson, Williams and Havlat by one point tonight or GM Vinnie will win this series.  The winner will play San Fran (Scott) who will be unstoppable next round if the Kings complete their comeback, so both GM's need to not only win, but have San Jose win tonight.
---

Gamblers Odds Remote

GM Vinnie and Andrew have had a couple classic battles in round one.  Vinnie's Atlantic City Gamblers are only down 21-20, but must have a two point gain to win.  The Gamblers send out Boyle and McDonagh, hoping for a huge Rangers game, to outscore Pavelski, Gaborik, Voracek and Burns.  "There likely isn't a betting man alive that would bet on that to happen" stated Muddy Capone, "But the games have to be played before things are official."

---

Three Crucial Game 7's

The NHLP has a lot on the line.  Definitely several teams who are do or die on tonight's games.  Here is a quick list of who is cheering hard for who.

San Fran - Kings
Boston - Sharks
Quebec - Wild
Montreal - Flyers
St Louis - Kings

There are many other GM's affected, but these teams are heavily invested and if thing don't go their way tonight, are likely not strong enough to win the cup without the players they will lose.  Of course many GM's who are winning aren't affected tonight in a certain game, but will be in next rounds matchup.

---

Pavelski Gets OT Assist in Game 3

When I was double checking the numbers, it was noted that Pavelski did in fact get an assist in game 3 of the San Jose series, making the NHLP series 20-20 between Hartford (Andrew) and Atlantic City (Vinnie).  With the tie-breaker Andrew now is winning the series with Voracek playing tonight against McDonagh and Boyle.  Vinnie must now gain tonight or get another game from his two Rangers or he loses this series.  Other series are being checked.
---
Shaw Game 5 Point Added

GM Chad gets an extra point in Pittsburgh, now leading GM Marcel in Montreal 26-23.  It is a huge point, but Shaw has 4 points, not 3.
---

Check Your Series

I believe all else is correct heading into Wednesday Game 7s.  I double checked every series within 5 points or that could swing tonight.

---

Gaborik: "A Hartford Savour"

It never fails that the final NHLP trade of the season gets talked about, good or bad.  "The one before it just doesn't have the same stigma" said Muddy Capone, "Even though it is equally important."  This season's final deal saw the Philadelphia Flyer (Scott) turn to desperation knowing Kane and Letang were out until the playoffs and just heard Duchene was likely out for certain.  Feeling the heat the Flyer went hard after an 8 point deal with Hartford (Andrew) for Galchenyuk.  Andrew's counter wasn't anything Scott wanted, but when Andrew didn't budge off Galchenyuk who ironically hasn't played and likely will not play next round for Andrew in this years playoffs, Scott accepted Briere even though many GM's were trying to talk him out of such a "Bad" move (Jr trying to make GM Scott think it through but Scott telling him, 'I got this Jr'.).  Gaborik did come back and outscore Briere and so far in round one, has 4 points compared with Briere's 2.  Hartford is losing 20-19 but would be worse at 20-17 without Gaborik.  With this series about to end and with Hartford with the tie-breaker, they only need a single point gain from Pavelski, Voracek, Burns and Gaborik who are matched against McDonagh and Boyle of Atlantic City (Vinnie).  With the four Whalers outscoring the two Gamblers 15-3 so far in Round One, it would seem a certainly they can gain one more point.  Better one than without Gaborik which would mean gaining 3.  Winning GM's make great deals, always looking to improve their team, even if only with ten minutes to go in the NHLP Trading Deadline.

---

"Are You Still Trying to Win?"

It is hard enough to get up by 10 points in the NHLP playoffs when most First Round winning teams only score into the 20's, some not even that.  So to have a 10+ point lead and lose, we aren't even sure that has happened.  "Without going back over all the past playoffs, I always thought an eight point comeback was the record" stated Muddy Capone, "But it will be fun to look into the biggest comebacks of all time."  The favored Portland Winter Hawks (Vinnie) are a CTR favorite to get to the NHLP Finals, but certainly didn't start the playoffs that way.  After having come roaring back, now winning 25-22 over Seattle (Shawn) with the Hawks tie-breaker on Pittsburgh, the series still isn't over.  Vinnie sends out Kunitz, Williams and Muzzin tonight, players combining for 9 playoff points so far versus the Storm's Marleau, Maatta and Matta.  Regardless of what happens tonight GM Shawn is still hoping for two more games from both Simmons and Hartnell.  "To have come back and fail now reminds me of the Princess Bride scene" said the movie buff Capone (he really only knows Bad Santa, Tombstome, Miracle and The Princess Bride).  Editor Note:  Don't laugh, anything that has ever happened in the NHLP you can somehow relate to those four movies.

---

King for a Year?

The Los Angeles Kings (Andrew) have 7 players advancing if the Rangers and Penguins can both complete their series, both up 3-2.  The Kings team includes three Bruins, Krejci, Lucic and Krug, not a team any NHLP team wants to play the rest of the way.  The three scored 11 of their predicted 12 First Round points and shouldn't be expected to get less than double-digits in any further round they play.  For GM Andrew the Kings are an unfolding story, which with Andrew the author, has him winning his 6th NHLP Championship.  A run of domination, doom and destruction of every team they play the 'rest of the way'.  Of course the story has a little drama early on, as far fetched as it would seem, but after all, a great writer wants to keep the reader interested.  Wants them to keep reading, for what fun would it be if the Cup was already engraved.  The 'early drama' revolves around the six-playered Indianapolis Icemen (Matt).  A team always with high hopes, little finish and never truly anything realistic.  A GM who loves building his teams, loves the league, but just cannot seem to catch a break.  Well the Icemen would seem to have finally caught their break, a dominate LA Kings team that hasn't scored 20 points in Round One, where they certainly now appear most vulnerable.  Even with these early troubles the Kings are still leading 19-17, with the tie-breaker already secured.  They just now need that Ranger (McDonagh) and that Penguin (Stempniak) to not lose 3 points to what the Icemen have left.  For GM Matt, his best scoring playoff player Dubinsky and his own Ranger, Brassard.  Both the GM's players will play even up the rest of the way.  Dubinsky has outscored Stempniak 6-2 in the first 5 games, so GM Matt clearly is in good shape if the Blue Jackets can extend their series.  Shall the Penguins end it tonight GM Matt's Icemen will surely be doomed, as Brassard has only a single point in the playoffs, even though one more than McDonagh.  So far you can't write this script more exciting.

---

Stepan Stone

The CTR predicted the Pittsburgh Penguins (Chad) would win the NHLP Championship after tough battles in Rounds One & Two.  GM Chad is ready to take that next step, his final move is advancing Stepan who will be needed next round.  GM Marcel's Montreal Canadiens want a different ending title to this story, one titled "Stepan Stoned".  The Habs are down 25-17, a whopping 8 points, with the tie-breaker so far going their way having chosen Pittsburgh.  The Habs miracle finish of Round One could yet see them have 7 players in round two if Philadelphia and Los Angeles could ever come back and yet move on.  Marcel now needs his players, Giroux, Duchene (who might play tonight but certainly game 7 if it goes the distance), Niskanen, Couturier, Demars and Brown, at least a 6-1 man game advantage and possibly as many as 10-1 or 12-2 if the right series for the Habs go 7.  It is a tall order for sure as even a point per game gain means Marcel's team would need a 9-1 advantage and Pittsburgh winning the tie-breaker.  The winner here will play the New York Islanders (Ryan) who is still hoping to have a full 7 players himself if Pittsburgh and Los Angeles advance.  Hossa, Seabrook and Shaw already have advanced making the Islanders a deadly team but still needing his three Pens or next round will be dicey at best versus Chad or Marcel.

---

Benn There, Haven't Done That

GM Vinnie has been to the NHLP Championship, almost winning in his rookie season in a narrow decision to San Fran Titan (Scott).  Vinnie is in three huge series, none separated by more then 3 points heading into today.  Tied 13-13 in Las Vegas with GM Andrew's reigning Champions the Strip send out Benn for what they hope won't be the last time.  Benn needs to finish big and he has the potential to do it with a point every game in the playoffs, facing only Bouwmeester.   The Hawks still have plenty of artillery with Thornton, Landeskog, Richards and King, but that is another night.  Portland (Vinnie) is now up 22-21, after being down a full 10 points after completed game three's, Vinnie can be up by the end of game fives if Simmonds and Hartnell don't have points today for GM Shawn in Seattle.  Both these teams have six players left, so the winner still likely needs 30 points.  Finally GM Vinnie is again in a battle, down 19-16 but with major man games and and players remaining that he can turn this huge series in his favor.  Hartford (Andrew) could yet have 6 players moving on but only have Voracek to keep his lead today versus Sharp, Shattenkirk, McDonagh, Seabrook, Roy and Boyle.  The Whalers likely cannot afford a St Louis Blues NHL win today giving Vinnie full game 7's in that series where he has 10 points without Sharp having a point.  You know that won't continue.

---

Sunday Crucial Games

Every NHLP series and potential matchups are affected by the outcomes of the games today.  "Many series just have to many permutation and combinations entering the day" said Muddy Capone, "Cup dreams are clearly playing out with each shift today."  In typical NHLP fashion there are NHLP teams tied or within a few points and seemingly are finding it impossible to turn the series and other teams down 5 or more points who realistically still can pull it out.  The day starts with a big game 5 between Philadelphia and the Rangers before St Louis then Dallas both face elimination to the Blackhawks and Ducks.  Either of those series could go 7 games and change everything as far as who wins this round the the matchups next.  "There is no pool in the world where one point in the first round means as much as it does in the NHLP" said Capone, "A point or a win today can be the event that changes the outcome when one day we look back and see how the Champion made it happen." 

---

Comeback or Collapse?

The Portland Winter Hawks (Vinnie), predicted to go to the NHLP Championship and possibly win it all were being hammered at the end of game threes, 18-8.  "That is usually a little late to start your comeback" stated Muddy Capone, "But GM Shawn is use to letting teams come back this season."  GM Shawn's Seattle Storm have games at hand and are still up 22-21, but after a colossal collapse by Halifax to end the NHLP season, one has to wonder if maybe this just isn't his year after all.  What looked so promising for Shawn's other team in New Orleans who is firmly up 16-9 isn't looking as great now that Steen, Schwartz and Pietrangello and maybe even Malkin might not advance with the team.  "It isn't over by a long shot" said Capone, "GM Shawn has to be thinking of the comeback himself, points, players and series and turn his biggest collapse in his years as a GM into his greatest comeback." 

---

Champs - Now or Never?

GM Andrew's Chicago Blackhawks are in solid position to move on, even though down 11-10 and now with the tie-breaker versus the Las Vegas Strip (Vinnie), a team that just won't go away.  "Most teams down this late may be a tad nervous but there is no reason when you have built this kind of team, you can't get it done tonight" said Muddy Capone.  The positives look very positive as Andrew will need to gain a point tonight with Thornton, Landeskog, Marchand, Krug, Richards and King, players all but Landeskog facing elimination games today.  The Strip send out Moulson, Williams, Chara and Havlat, who is yet to play this playoffs.  If all those players are eliminated tonight who could be, now GM Vinnie's Strip would have Been and Moulson versus Landeskog and Boumeester, something that suddenly may be considered the "not so positive" for the reining champions.  "The Champs backs are against the ropes" said Muddy Capone, "But down a mere point, likely winning the current round tonight could be all it takes for the judges to have them firmly ahead on the scorecard before this final decision is read."

---

What do Oshie, McDonagh and Tarasenko Have in Common With Marchand?

It is painful to watch your player miss a wide open net and just a day after Marchand missed to completely empty nets, three others missed opportunities you still cannot believe after watching the replays.  One could argue both Oshie and McDonagh were robbed by great saves, others could argue they simply choked by not being able to bury game winners.  GM Andrew's Kings find himself down 14-13 and surely could have used McDonagh's point.  If Boston advances very quietly today the Kings might have a very sick feeling that these chances cost them a series run at an NHLP Championship.  In the Pacific Division's other series, now led 14-10 by The Blues (Tyson), the Flames (Jr) surely didn't like the Oshie miss.  The Flames have Lucic, Landeskog and Stempniac to try and come back today versus Richards and Toffoli who face elimination.  Miss opportunities seem to hurt a whole lot more when you are losing.

---

Quebec All Wild

GM Matt knows he must have the Minnesota Wild win in their NHL series or frankly his massive upset win in round one of the NHLP series surely won't be the same.  Matt's Nordiques are up 23-17, a whopping 6 points for a team that was at least a 4 point underdog.  With Parise, MacKinnon, Pominville, Suter and Brown all going tonight there is reason to believe this team is moving on.  With Gallagher already in round two and Brown still a miracle away, the Nordiques know they will have Parise, Pomminville and Suter, an unstoppable force next round, or MacKinnon a great consolation but likely not near enough scoring to move into the Conference Finals.  The good thing for the Wild is tonight is only game 5 and even if the Wild are shutout, the Nordiques will still have a lot of life for a series destine to go the distance.  The bad thing is if the Wild do get shutout tonight, GM Scott surely will have gained with Johansen, Johansen, Letang and Sheahan still giving all they have for the Flyer.  Every Johansen point closes the gap in a hurry and with the Pens-Jackets series still looking like a 7 game series the Wild Three don't have to be amazing, just keep scoring and winning and the Nordiques will continue to have a WILD playoffs!

---

Editor Note, Insert - "Couldn't Hit Water If He Fell Out of a Canoe Joke"

GM's Chad and Andrew are in battles in their NHLP series.  It must have been excruciating watching Marchand play Thursday night.  Not only did he miss a wide open net, HE MISSED TWO!!!  If you didn't see these click the link above.  The one shown was hysterical because the Detroit Goalie actually turned and gave up on the play as he assumed the puck when into the net.  After a second or two when he realized Marchand didn't score, I don't think he even knows what happened.  Chad's Maple Leafs are down 12-8 and those two gimmes could have completely changed everything for Chad's team that could still have 7 players moving on.  In a battle with New Orleans (Shawn) where every point is huge, it is almost a certainty these points matter later when the series ends.  GM Andrew's reining Cup winners in Chicago are tied 10-10, and tied on the pick, so how important were these misses for his team that has Thornton.  These are the ones you can't shake when you lose by a point and I am certain Marchand did have a sleepless night.

---

Blues Hope for Extension

GM Tyson's St Louis Blues now have a 10-8 lead over Calgary (Jr & Scottie) and with the teams both with 6 players remaining, the Blues could lose both Richards and Toffolli tonight.  The Flames send out Lucic and Landeskog, a 4-1 point gain so far for the Flames, so this series should again tighten up after tonight.  This series is turning epic for the GM's who both have two NHLP Championships and would love nothing more than to knock the other out.  Every team in the Pacific can make a run right out of the Division right now and that plays into how massive these games are.  "You work long before the draft in September, all season long and now it comes down to 10 to 15 player games and the right teams winning" said Muddy Capone, "If you aren't wired for puck drop maybe the NHLP just isn't your game."

---

Dubinsky HOTman

The Indianapolis Icemen (Matt) are getting a great offensive series for the seemingly unstoppable Dubinsky, now 6 points in 4 games and at least 2 more games to come.  The Icemen are up 13-10, the largest lead of the series over the Los Angeles Kings (Andrew).  Iginla and Eriksson go tonight against Krejci, Lucic and Krug in what has been a 3-3 saw-off after three games.  "Underdogs do best when series end fast" said Muddy Capone, "So the Icemen have nothing positive coming out of Detroit extending the NHL series with Boston."  With all players in this NHLP series head to head, a 3 point lead is very massive.  You always hate to cheer for your team to lose but barring a big night for his players, GM Andrew will likely be hoping Detroit can win a 4-3 game where Andrew picks up a few points his way.

---

Nords kNOw Fear?

You speak with GM Matt and he has no fear.  "I love Minnesota's chances of coming back and beating Colorado" says Matt over and over.  The GM said he isn't worried about the Flyer either, even after their big 7 point night cut this series to 19-16.  GM Scott said he believes GM Matt.  "He doesn't have a cocky or arrogant approach" said Scott, "I know he believes in his heart in his team and his Minnesota players but I also know if they lose tonight that Orange dot in the rearview mirror will be much closer than it appears."  So it is a huge night.  The Nordiques have a free night, all players on board including Parise, MacKinnon, Pominville, Suter and Brown to stretch out the lead against only Sheahan.  That looks good on paper, but GM Scott views things a totally different way.  "These are our games at hand, not his" stated the Philly GM pointing out that Quebec has 4 player games remaining after tonight if the Wild and Kings don't win, while the Flyer have 9 more for certain without the two Duchene has that he won't play.  So it is a big night and if Matt gets his wish of points and a Wild win that Orange dot might be back to where it was.

---

Defensive Battle

The only NHLP series where both teams have less then 10 points is the only NHLP series in history to feature two, two time winning teams.  Las Vegas (Vinnie) is up on the tie-breaker and hopes to play more defense tonight when Moulson, Williams, Chara and Havlat (likely won't play) who have a combined one point in the playoffs go up against Chicago's (Andrew) team of Thornton, Landeskog, Marchand, Krug, Richards and King who have 8 points in the series.  "You keep waiting every day for the bubble to burst" said Muddy Capone, "And next thing you know teams are playing elimination games."  A sharks win tonight, 1-0, likely is best case scenario for Vinnie, leaving Andrew only a 4-3 advantage in players.  Vinnie did get a huge break last night when Benn, who has a point every game, is now certain to play at least 2 more as Dallas is pushing Anaheim.

---

Nothing Sweeter Than a Repeater

The Chicago Blackhawks (Andrew) are likely loving what they are seeing in the North Division.  Up by the slimmest of margins liking isn't making the reigning Champ sweat, even though Las Vegas (Vinnie) is truly only down 8-7.  After last nights games, the already shorthanded Strip lost Gionta and with Havlat not playing, are down 7-4 in men and at least 11-7 in remaining man games.  Vinnie currently does have St Louis as the tie-breaker, but needs Benn and Moulson to come alive or face certain destruction.  For GM Andrew his powerhouse Blackhawks are currently facing a walk over from San Fran (Scott) who are up 17-11 without a single player next round.  This could send the Hawks right back to the Conference Finals and with Thornton, Landeskog, Marchand, Krug and Bowmeester they could have a very solid team the round after next and even in the NHLP Finals.  You have a mere one point lead, so that close to losing, yet can see how easily you can win it all.  That is the NHLP.  Each team seemingly has a path but who can follow it furthest while there is still light even to take you to the end.

---

Boston Strong

GM Ryan has to be feeling pretty good in Boston.  He placed his season on four Sharks, Couture, Burns, Boyle and Demers.  Now add in St Louis or Hartnell and Lacavalier for good measure and you do have one strong NHLP team.  Up 18-6 the Bruins are in coast mode and although the other South Division series isn't in the bag for New Orleans (Shawn) with the Leafs (Chad) not scoring and down 9-4, it seems the second round matchup the odds makers would bet on.  The Wolverines have potentially even a better second round scoring team then the Bruins, which is hard to believe and the two GM's could be in for an epic battle.  Shawn will need the Blues to win this round or will likely be pounded by Boston next round, giving Ryan lots to yet cheer about even though his Bruins are safely advancing.  Cup hopes and dreams change nightly but for these teams they have to be feeling good heading into tonight's games.

---

Calgary's Shot Very Realistic

GM Jr and his protege GM Scottie built a team with top players of 7 different top teams in the NHL.  With 5 of those players currently set to move on, the Calgary Flames have a very real opportunity.  Currently losing 9-8 to St Louis (Tyson) every night is a battle for these teams.  The Pacific's other series is now 11-10 for Indianapolis (Matt).  The Icemen have 4 players moving on while the LA Kings (Andrew) currently have 6.  Any of these four teams could be a second round matchup and although the Blues seem the weakest of the teams that could advance, they could still for certain end any hope Calgary has by finishing them off in round one.  The head to head matchup in the Blues-Hawks series has favored Tyson who has Keith and Sobotka outscoring Oshie and Versteeg 4-2.  Tyson also has Seguin and Winnik tonight who have 3 points versus Landeskog and Stempniac for the Flames who have 4 points.  Tyson had picked the Rangers as the tie-breaker so is technically up two points.  The Flames can see their shot at a run easily take shape, but they have to get out of round one to have any realistic hope.

---

Lead Just Too Large

The Alaska Attack (Marcel) had Desharnais, Subban and Plekanec advance, ending their round one scoring, but with a 22-9 point lead over Vancouver (Joel) it seems the Attack should easily see second round action regardless.  "Sweeps can be bad if you are in a close series" Muddy Capone said, stating the obvious, "But eight-plus point leads aren't leads we ever see overcome in the NHLP Playoffs."  This is a huge 13 point lead and with the Rangers and Avalanche winning their NHL series, the Attack could yet add MacKinnon and Nash to that second round team.  Barring a miracle comeback from Portland (Vinnie) it seems Alaska will match up against Seattle (Shawn), leading 18-8 and who currently would send through Marleau, Shattenkirk and Maatta twice.  Shawn will be cheering hard for a Flyers comback, giving him Simmons and Hartnell as well, while Marcel will then lose Nash.

---

Battles Everywhere

Half the NHLP series are within 3 points including two series in the Pacific that are both tied.  With home ice shifted on the tie-breakers, both visiting NHLP teams Indianapolis (Matt) and Calgary (Jr & Scottie) are winners of their series should they end today.  Somehow the Icemen are staying close and tonight this series will either lose Palat and Pacioretty or keep them playing.  Both players have a point and both were expected to cancel each other out.  Every player in this series is matched up against another player, so neither GM Andrew or Matt can get too far ahead on player games the rest of the way, even though Andrew has an extra player.  Andrew's Kings are favorites, but so far things are just tight.  Here is a quick breakdown of the series and why it is so exciting.  Andrew's Krejci, Lucic and Krug have 3 points, same as Matt's Iginla and Eriksson.  So there is the extra player for Andrew.  We mentioned Pacioretty and Palat both have one each.  Andrew has Saad who has 4 versus Bouwmeester who has zero, big advantage Andrew.  McDonaugh hasn't scored while Matt's Brassard has one point.  Finally Stempniak got one for Andrew and Matt has got a big series, huge 4 points from Dubinsky.  You can easily see why this can be close as as players will play and go out at the same time.  The pick could play a part as well as the man games of the extra player, which would be Krug.  If the Icemen do lose this series, they likely can blame it on only having 6 playoff players, an NHLP no-no for every GM.

---

Shocker!!!

The Montreal Canadiens have the opportunity to become the first NHL team to get to Round Two of the NHL playoffs by dealing the final blow to the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight.  To many that isn't a huge surprise and neither is the fact that GM Marcel is most affected if this were to happen.  The series ending early does in fact officially kill the Florida Panthers (Marcel), already down 13-3 to GM Ryan's Bruins, and would lose half the team, Pacioretty, Markov and Johnson.  It would also hurt Marcel in Alaska where the Attack lose of Desharnais, Subban and Plekanen could give life to the Canucks (Joel) who would lose Filppula, but are down 18-7 and need to stop the bleeding and creep back into this series.   Finally and this may be the shocker, GM Marcel would get help in his Montreal series.  Marcel is down 14-6 to GM Chad's Pens who would lose Purcell, Killorn and Gallagher.  These lopsided series will be impacted tonight depending on if Tampa goes quietly into their off-season.

---

Chicago - Minnesota - Dallas

They are not dead just yet.  Three NHL teams all lost the first two games of their series and all won on home ice.  With the Pittsburgh win, you have all four games last night now 2-1 adding extra man games everywhere.  Two of the winning teams were outshot badly yet the three games were shutouts.  Minnesota had as many shots from Parise, Suter and Granlund as the Avalanche had in the game and the Wild had 45 on Varlamov.  In Chicago the Blackhawks finally got it.  "You have Toews and Kane going no where near the net in games one and two simply because they can't with their injuries" said Muddy Capone, "So Chicago electing to play the rough and tumble game, going toe to toe, power play for power play and giving the refs no option but to let every cross check and slash go because every single player is doing it.  You are keeping your best players furthest from where they are going to help you win with this style of play.  That goes against what you want your star players going through.  Chicago is soft, that is why after 82 games they had the 4th least penalty minutes per game at 9 minutes per game.  St Louis had 14, so why go to their level, change your style and game only to get beat up.  Make them play your game and beat them on the score board for you aren't going to win the war of strength with the Blues.  It makes more sense to play a speed game and stop the bullshit, allowing your star players to get close to the net, so when they do it to your stars players, it can get called."   In Dallas the Ducks doubled up the shot totals of the Stars but Lehtonen stopped all 37 shots, six from Maroon to get back in the series.  Any of these teams winning again on home ice suddenly means a three game series where anything can happen.

---

Opponents Goal Makes GM Smile

"It sucks" said San Fran Titan GM Scott, "But it is really awesome to see someone at the NHL office is finally paying attention."  GM Scott has been a big advocate of making sure the correct goals and assists are called on each and every goal.  He has gone as far as gaining an inside contact at the NHL in the review office.  Believe this or not but the GM goes to great lengths to watch the goals, frame by frame from the time the puck leaves the players stick until it officially crosses the goal line.  How does he do it?  "A puck at 6 ounces is heavy enough that it will not change direction, up or down or left to right and it will not change it's motion from the time it is shot until it hits something" said the GM.  "So a puck will not magically start to flutter in mid air for no reason even if we are in denial when it relates to our teams and our players" explained the GM.  On the goal in question GM Scott said he instantly knew the puck that was shot by Maata was not scored by Maatta as the puck first hit a Columbus players stick and raised upwards.  Jokinen was jumping out of the way of the shot and would have had the puck go under his skate had it not deflected this first time.  How do we know the puck hit Jokinen when real time replays don't show it?  When the puck hit Jokinen it clearly started to flutter, ever so slightly, even if so little you would never see it in full speed.  Finally it hit a Blue Jacket in front and careened into the net.  Jokinen's goal!  "I didn't think they would change it" Scott says after they first gave it to Maata, "But the difference is a goal for Jokinen or no point at all for Jokinen.  How can't you make the right call?"  In the past the GM says if it is a players hat trick goal or a top player, like Crosby, or just in the wrong rink like Boston or Detroit, they won't change it.  The fact they got this right was a clear message to GM Scott, "If they got this one right, I don't think they will miss another one.  I was actually blown away they changed it and made it right.  Finally the NHL must get it and even though this goal went against us this time, it finally has put a smile on my face the review room is using super slow-mo as well."

---

Total Domination

The Boston Bruins (Ryan) likely didn't expect the San Jose Sharks to be setting franchise playoff records for goals scored against the LA Kings.  Who knows, maybe he did?  After finishing the NHL season with the least amount of goals allowed in the league, only one of four teams (Boston, NY Rangers and St Louis) to allow under 200 goals on the season, the Kings have allowed 13 goals in just two games.  GM Ryan's Bruins have 4 Sharks and are in total control over the Florida Panthers (Marcel), up now 13-3 and set to have at least 5 or 6 players next round if the Sharks can beat LA two of the next 5 games.  With games at hand and Florida set to lose half their team if Montreal wins next game it seems the extra player Bruins can't help but get excited about a possible long run in this years playoffs.  "With four Sharks, the run will get easier as this team goes" said Muddy Capone, "If all your eggs had to be in one basket right now, why wouldn't you want that on the high-flying Sharks right now."

---

Pacific Deadlock

The Pacific Division has 3 teams at 7 points and one at 6.  GM Andrew's LA Kings are finding the going tough against a pesky short-handed Indianapolis Icemen (Matt) but had a good Sunday in the tied series, extending Krejci, Lucic, Krug and McDonagh an extra game in NHL series where the Kings have a 16-11 predicted point advantage.  Those 5 points are this series in a nutshell and although great to be tied, you still can't see how the Icemen can somehow pull off an upset here.  In the Pacific's 2 versus 3 seeding matchup, the Calgary Flames (Jr & Scottie) seem in good shape, up 7-6, but now with at least 3 extra man games on the St Louis Blues (Tyson) who have 7 players all still sitting on teams sweeping or being swept.  The Division really is anyone's at this point as every NHL series is now heading back to a different city for games 3 and 4.

---

Hitmen - So Close But Yet...

The NHLP 2012 Champions Hamilton Hitmen (Tyson) are use to first round battles.  In 2012 their series with the NY Rangers (Charlie) was tied at 21 after game fives were completed.  The big difference between this year and 2012, is after GM Tyson won that series 25-21, pulling the upset, he was left with only Vrbata and Henrique.  As history played out it was enough to win the next three rounds 7-5, 5-1 and 2-0 in the Finals.  This season's team is tied 9-9 with the other New York team, the Islanders (Ryan) but the Hitmen have a league best 6 players potentially advancing.  "You can be losing by 10 points and see a way you can come back in the series" said Muddy Capone, "And yet other times, tied 9-9 and can't see how you can win it."  Although that would be a stretch, saying the Hitmen can't win this series, it seems a lot of things are working against them.  The NY Islanders are without Seabrook for the next three games, the one bright spot for a Hitmen team that has 7 players all facing potential sweeps, a man-game killer.  The Hitmen likely must have the NHL Blackhawks extending their series with the Blues.  That job is now made harder without Seabrook.  Also if Chicago does come back and win a couple, Hossa and Shaw certainly would have more opportunity then to score.  With the Islanders having three Pens and that series already extended and now in Columbus, a Pen's split there adding 6 more man games from Neal, Jokinen and Niskanen may be the daggar that kills the Hitmen.  So, so close, but yet...

---

Titan Sponsors See Red

The good news is chocolate sales were up this Easter.  The bad news is although the San Fran Titan (Scott) are winning Round One 10-8, they are the only NHLP team that are potentially facing being walked over in Round Two.  While other GM's put their eggs into winning baskets the Titan GM choose the Blackhawks and Kings, teams both facing elimination if not early exits.  "It was extremely difficult sitting through those two Kings games" stated GM Scott, "I really believed in that team (the Kings) but I really didn't believe the Sharks were so big, so fast, so good."  Scott admitted he was rooting for the Sharks to matchup against the Kings in the NHL playoffs First Round, "Even though I felt the Kings would have an easier series if matched against the Ducks."  The logic there was if you have to go through both teams to make the Conference Finals, why not take out the team with the most NHLP players in the first round, devastating other teams chances when doing so.  With additional man games in the bag the Cleveland Fury (Tyson) are in relative good shape even though down a deuce and facing a very uncertain second round team themselves, which could be as little as just two players.  The Titan never say die but if changes don't occur on home ice it will be the death of them regardless of an NHLP First Round win.

---

MacKinnon Dominates

The Alaska Attack (Marcel) and Quebec Nordiques (Matt) are both destroying in their series, thanks mainly to 7 points from MacKinnon.  Alaska now is up 13-4 and Quebec 14-6, both teams underdogs in their first round matchups.  MacKinnon set a record in his first ever playoff game, the youngest player in league history to get 3 assists in one game.  Well, he matched his own record in his second career playoff game, and through in a goal for good measure.  MacKinnon would be beating 17 NHLP teams so far.  "We see every year someone have a huge round" said Muddy Capone, "How high is this guy going to go in the next NHLP Draft?"  It is likely a safe bet he isn't too far off from Elite status, if he isn't already there.  NHLP teams rarely ever come back from 8 points down in the playoffs.  "I certainly don't feel good about being down 8 points" said GM Scott, "But some of the best horses in history never lead wire to wire and there is hope when players dominate that they only play 4 games."  Shorter series may be the only hope for GM's Scott and Joel who are getting pounded and we haven't even completed game twos.

---

Seabrook Gone 3

In a crushing blow to the NY Islanders (Ryan) and Atlantic City Gamblers (Vinnie), Seabrook has in fact been suspended for three games.  Off to a great start to his playoffs with 4 points in two games, it can be said he got his just desserts.  "Every time you leave your feet, make contact with the head and level a player who ends up hurt, you are risking exactly this length of playoff suspension" stated a unsurprised Muddy Capone.  The Chicago Blackhawks were easily good enough, even though undeserving, of winning both the first two games.  Now things just got harder for those who thought the Hawks may run in the playoffs.  You are never in trouble until you lose a home game but winning without Seabrook will be difficult.

---
Hitmen Hope Seabrook Suspended

Every NHLP playoffs there is the one unlucky team that scores a lot of points and still loses.  This season it could be the Hamilton Hitmen (Tyson) or NY Islanders (Ryan), both scoring 9 points already and would be leading almost every other NHLP series.  Seabrook has been strong for GM Ryan's team, he and Niskanen both having 4 points in two games, but now could be suspended.  Many feel he deserves a game or two after a monstrous hit on Backes that likely also ultimately cost the Blackhawks their NHL game.  Seabrook is also playing for Atlantic City (Vinnie) who is in control of his series with Hartford (Andrew) 9-3.  A suspension, like an injury, is very huge in the NHLP playoffs as games are limited and every game missed is surely a big game.

---

Pacific Division Slow Starts

Three NHLP teams have scored as many points by themselves, as all 4 NHLP teams so far from the Pacific Division where their combined score is 8 points.  The Indianapolis Icemen (Matt) are down 2-1 to the LA Kings (Andrew) but have the misfortune of icing a 6 man team that is now down to 5 players after rumors of a concussion have sidelined Palat, their top scorer.  Also now without their top scorer is Calgary (Jr & Scottie) who are also down a single point, 3-2 to GM Tyson's St Louis Blues.  Oshie is expected back at some point, but with his NHL team winning game one, there is never any rush brining back a star until you are at the worse tied in a series.   
---

Just Plain Fucking Cool!

It is worth watching the entire thing (first 8 minutes).  They really out did themselves with this one.

---

Series Gets Ugly After Texts

GM Scott said he is getting tired of games played by Quebec GM Matt.  "Each time those fuckers score I get a text" said the Flyer GM who is down 8-2 in their series, "It is like it is automated or something."  Scott said he tried to block the text "But I am not very text savy" said the GM.  The Nordiques GM said it was just a promotion the team ran for all season ticket holders like the "Budweiser red light" stated the GM.  Each time the Nordiques score, the texts all go out with the teams new slogan, "We Come Atcha!"  Matt went on to say he does not know why GM Scott is getting the text but that "He should get use to them as he'll be getting another 25 or so more this round."  Scott said starting today during the Blackhawks and Blues game each time the Flyer get a point GM Matt can expect a text himself, "It is just a new promotion we started 5 minutes from now."

---

MacAttack

The first NHLP player to get three points in a game so far in the playoffs is MacKinnon, helping Alaska (Marcel) jump out to an early 6-1 in what would be a mild NHLP upset.  Vancouver (Joel) still has 3 players, Nygquist, Bergeron and Chara yet to play a game, but the early pressure is surely on.  GM Marcel has made Alaska into a perennial NHLP powerhouse, seemingly winning a few series every year to always fall short, like last year losing 0-0 in the Conference Finals to Los Angles on the tie-breaker in a series where they have Neal against Brown and Stoll.  "That left a sour taste in our mouths" said GM Marcel, "The only way to forget it will be to win it all this time around."  If MacKinnon keeps up his dominating ways the Attack may just get back to the Conference Finals again in 2014.

---

Fog Horn Great For Storm

What could be a key series in deciding what teams come out of the NHLP's West Division, GM Shawn's Storm jumped out to an early 7-3 lead getting scoring from all but one player and two from Killorn.  The series was predicted to be a one point battle with Tarasenko playing, but without him Seattle was getting the nod.  Shockingly, Tarasenko not only played game one, but looked outstanding, although only ending in one point for Portland (Vinnie).  Soderberg rounds out the completed first round of this series, so anything he gets cuts into the 4 point deficit facing the Winter Hawks.  The CTR had to do multiple walk throughs based on this series, as with Tarasenko, Portland was the odds on favorite to win the NHLP Championship, but without him would be out in round one.  Now that he is back, this should be an awesome series and so far it is all Storm. 

---

7 Tough Ones

Not often after the first night of the NHLP playoffs would the lead story be about a team not in the NHLP playoffs, but that is just the season GM Joel has had.  On opening night his Buffalo Sabres could only watch what could have been, scoring 7 points from Stamkos, Crosby, Bennett, Johnson and Bonino.  The Stamkos-Crosby one-two would have been exciting to watch play said Muddy Capone, "If they both played 7 first round games, could they reach 20 to 25 points between them, one would have to think it would be possible."  GM Joel took the "Points are useless, unless in use" NHLP rules to extremes trading over 60 points in deals (in could have been 100).  Now the same saying has a new meaning for the playoffs but changing "Points" for "Players", a tough pill to swallow for a GM who went for it.  "Winners go for it" said Capone, "And often the result is a great team misses.  This type of GM believes it is better to miss with a great chance then just get in with little realistic hope."  The silver lining to this story is GM Joel's Canucks, who ironically drafted Stamkos, are CTR predicted to make it to the NHLP Finals.  This undoubtedly could soften the blow of what could have been in Buffalo but certainly will not be in 2014.

---

Living Legend Still "Rolling" His Dominance

GM Andrew has never really stopped getting better.  After 4 Cup wins in his first 8 NHLP Seasons he hit a dry spell, maybe complacency, where he didn't win a Cup for 8 years.  Heading into the 2013 season you could sense the urgency, desperation and clear frustration in the way Andrew spoke.  You simply don't win 4 times in 8 years and get use to losing, ever.  After winning Cup 5, the only GM to achieve such staggering numbers, the 2014 season had a different feel with Andrew and his teams.  "You clearly sensed early on that he was back" said Muddy Capone, "The things he did this season were the moves of legends, building dominating teams you fear playing in any round."  In Round One, Andrew's teams are all favored.  One CTR spin on NHL winners actually had the GM with the final 3 teams, although officially, we only give him one there, when the finals roll around.  While some GM's are chasing their first Cup win, Andrew has now won 5 in his first 18 seasons (1 every 3.6 seasons) and he hopes to make that 6 in 19 this season.  "A twelve-sided die doesn't roll number 1, five times in eighteen rolls" said Muddy Capone, "And I will lay money it continues to come up higher than average each time it is rolled as long as GM Andrew is a GM in the NHLP."

---

Pittsburgh Tops Chicago and Vancouver for Cup?

The NHLP CTR Yearbook predicted an NHLP winner, after factoring in a very key injury, which changed everything.  GM Chad's Pittsburgh Penguins are the CTR favorite to win the 2014 NHLP Championship, what would be Chad's third Cup and first for the Pittsburgh Franchise.  The CTR does not take any upsets into this prediction, meaning the NHL finals of Boston and Anaheim would give Chad the Cup.  Chad's Pens are a 4 point favorite over a first round team of GM Marcel's in Montreal that will severally miss Duchene.  The 5 points lost to this injury will give Pittsburgh the series.  With the favorites winning round one, Chad's entry led by Getzlaf would be strong enough to topple a great New York Islanders (Ryan) and another in the Conference Finals, Hartford (Andrew).  The finals would include Chicago (Andrew) who would have Marchand and Krug remaining versus Getzlaf and Selanne of Pittsburgh (Chad) and Bergeron and Chara of Vancouver (Joel).  "Picking good NHLP teams isn't nearly as difficult as working a winner through four completed rounds" said Muddy Capone, "But what fun would it be to not take our frequently correct stab."  Many GM's have considered it a curse to be chosen a potential winner by the CTR, who last nailed the winning team when GM Marcel's Panther's won it all in 2008.

---

Portland "Tarasenko Injury Key"

Before the CTR factored in the NHLP injuries, Portland (Vinnie) ended with the Cup winning team with a final team of Perry, Soderberg and Cogliano.  If Tarasenko had the predicted 4 points in the first round the CTR is giving him had he played, Portland would have been favored to beat Seattle (Shawn) by a single point, instead of now predicted to lose the series by 3 points.  If the favorites all won Round One the Winter Hawks would have 5 players remaining, enough to knock out Vancouver (Joel) in Round Two before besting Los Angeles (Andrew).  "They can still win the series" stated Muddy Capone, "But with such parity in the NHLP, missing any player in the first round usually means you lose."  Of the 24 NHLP playoff teams, 22 are predicted to get 20 or more points, meaning all 24 teams are within 11 first round points of each other.  "You may have a player not expected to have a big round get 4 points" explained Capone, "But if you don't have that player playing, he will certainly get zero without question."  Other injuries that may change series outcomes include Duchene and Galchenyuk who are expected to miss round one along with Tarasenko.  Most players are playing but questions marks for game one still include Oshie, Hedman, Palat, Berglund, and Brassard.  In a short series even one game missed sometimes is the difference when it is all over.

---

Pens Hope For Flying Start

GM Chad starts Wednesday night with 5 of his 7 players playing including stud Getzlaf.  Getzlaf won back to back NHLP Champions, his first with a GM Chad team in Portland in 2007 and again on one of the best teams in NHLP history, the 2008 Florida Panthers (Marcel).  In this first round NHLP Matchup, those two GM's due battle, this time with their teams Pittsburgh and Montreal.  GM Marcel will have to overcome a 4 point deficit in the series without big gun Duchene.  If Marcel has any hope, it might rest on short series from Anaheim where Chad has an 8-2 predicted edge and in the Montreal-Tampa series where Chad gains another 9 full points.  "I think they can both be sweeps" GM Marcel said in an email to the Yearbook, "There is no better feeling than beating out the team expected to win it all."  GM Chad is hoping Getzlaf can join NHLP legend Alexei Yashin who is the only player in the leagues history to have his name on three NHLP Championship Cups.  No other NHLP player winning this season would result in a third win, although many players can join the Elite Second Cup group.

---

Playoffs Page Updated

All Tie-Breakers updated in site
---

The Race For 3

The Chicago Blackhawks (Andrew) is favored to make the NHLP Finals, so would be close off becoming the first team in league history to win three team Cups.  That would also make Chicago only the second team in league history to win back to back Championships.  This Blackhawks team is also led by Joe Thornton and is likely a better team than last season Champs.  Last year's team of Joe Thornton, Tyler Bozak, Slava Voynov, David Perron ,Patrik Berglund, Bryan Bickell, Bryan Bickell may not be as good as Thornton, Landeskog, Marchand, Krug, M. Richards, Bouwmeester and King.  If Andrew is to get the elusive third team Cup, they will have to beat two time Champions Las Vegas (Vinnie) in round one, a huge historical matchup, the first time two "2 Cup" winning teams have ever battled in a playoff series.  The Strips Champions came under the direction of GM Leo in 1995 and 1998.  Las Vegas are huge 5 point underdogs in Round One, entering the NHLP Playoffs with a weakened 6 man unit.  Finally the St Louis Blues (Tyson), winners of back to back cups in 1993 and 1994 go for a third team Cup, and although first round favorites, aren't expected to reach the NHLP Conference Finals.

---

Only Four Playoff Teams With 6

Only four of the 24 NHLP playoff teams to make the playoffs do not have full teams.  Many do have injuries but now is the time we see who is really hurt.  Some players have been ruled out of the first round, notably Duchene, Tarasenko and Galchenyuk.  Many other players that haven't played, now we will see if they are really hurt, such as Kane, Toews, Oshie, Malkin, McDonagh, Doughty, Filppula and others.  These players may have a huge impact on their series if they continue to sit out games.

---

NHLP Playoff Players in Each Series

Detroit (7) at Boston (17)
Columbus (3) at Pittsburgh (12)
Montreal (14) at Tampa Bay (10)
Philadelphia (11) at NY Rangers (10)

Dallas (2) at Anaheim (9)
Minnesota (9) at Colorado (7)
Chicago (13) at St Louis (17)
Los Angeles (17) at San Jose (10)

---

Destroyed!

With a shocking finish from both teams, the Halifax Destroyers (Shawn) fell by a single point to the New York Islanders (Ryan) who had two 8 point nights in the final 4 nights of the regular season to grab the 4th spot (actually 3rd).  Halifax found themselves left with 5 injured players the final few nights of the season, including 4 St Louis Blues.  "The was one of the best teams GM Shawn ever had" stated Muddy Capone, "To see the season end in such a shocking way will be a very hard pill to swallow if the Blues ending up with a huge NHL playoffs."  Either way a good team was set to miss, with Ryan's Islanders having three Pens and three Hawks, including stars Neal and Hossa.  Not only did Ryan get in, but caught another falling team, Pittsburgh (Chad) who needed tied with New York, putting the new NHLP Tie-breaking rules to work for the first time.  The first tie-breaker now was not most goals, but most playoff players, which both teams had 7.  The next tie-breaker rule was previously most points from all your teams, where as now it was Most Goals from the teams tied from playoff players only.  With both teams having full playoff teams, all goals counted and Ryan won the tie-breaker 130-125, meaning they end up 3rd to play Hamilton (Tyson) while Pittsburgh plays Montreal (Marcel) in round one.

---

7 NHLP Teams - One Playoff Spot

The NHL's Phoenix Coyotes have a game at hand tonight versus Nashville before playing a Sharks team that should now be resting players Saturday while Friday night Dallas plays the Blues.  Phoenix must gain at least 1 point in that two games to one advantage, or Sunday's matchup to end the season between the Stars and Phoenix in the desert will not matter.  When Sunday ends, the Stars have the tie-breaker in points, so the Yotes must finish ahead of them making their job even tougher.  The NHLP is invested quite heavily in this race as so many GM's banked on the Coyotes at the NHLP Trading Deadline, leaving 5 teams that will penalty out if the Coyotes miss and two if it is Dallas.  "They comatcha" said GM Scott, likely one too many times.  They could also penaltyoutcha come Sunday or sooner.


Will miss if:
Dallas miss:
Phoenix (Charlie)
Las Vegas (Vinnie)

Phoenix miss:
Carolina (Joel)
Green Bay (Ryan)
Colorado (Chad)
Edmonton (Scott)
Cincinnati (Matt)

---

North Division

Cleveland (Tyson), Chicago (Andrew) and San Fran (Scott) are assured to be in the playoffs while Las Vegas (Vinnie) or Cincinnati (Matt) will take the last spot, solely based on which of the two penalties out.  If the Stars miss, so does GM Vinnie while the opposite is true for GM Matt who goes out with the Coyotes.  The North's playoff matchups will be affected as Vegas could get the 2nd seed if they make it.
---

South Division

GM Joel went all out in Buffalo, trading likely 75 points to acquire his players, top guns at that.  Sitting with Crosby and Stamkos the Sabres must score in and with just 17 player games remaining and 6 points back of Boston (Ryan) this just won't be easy.  The Sabres likely have a better chance of catching Toronto (Chad) who is riddled with injuries, but today with the Leafs sitting with the tie-breaker, this could be an 8 point climb.  With a record number of NHL players sitting out due to this new playoff format it would seem very improbable Crosby will play a meaningless game Sunday against Ottawa, while Stamkos could also sit the game with Washington if Tampa cannot catch Montreal in the NHL standings.  GM Joel appears to have cut himself too thin and the two best NHL players may not qualify for the NHLP dance.

---

---

Atlantic Division

The race for 4th is for nothing if Carolina (Joel) cannot get his three Coyote players into the NHL playoffs.  The Canes are a whopping 6 points back of Atlantic City (Vinnie) who appears in very rough shape with Iginla and McDonagh hurt.  The Gamblers easily have the tie-breaker in this one, so a huge finish by GM Joel's team will be required.  Certainly Joel could also catch Philadelphia (Scott) but with the tie-breaker and Letang back, this would be a crazy 10 point gain over the next 18 player games.
---

East Division

Just when it appeared GM Ryan was going to be toast on the Island, he comes up with a huge 8 point night.  Halifax (Shawn) has 6 player games at hand, all coming Thursday night.  They are needed as the Destroyers are only 2 points in front of the Islanders who are sitting with the tie-breaker.  Ryan has 14 player games left if everyone plays which may be unlikely with Neal and Hossa hopeful of a night off.  Pittsburgh (Chad) isn't out of the woods only 5 ahead, but with games at hand it would seem the New York Islanders did too little at the NHLP Trading Deadline to get this awesome team into a playoff spot.

---

Pacific Division

One of the most interesting races is now in the Pacific where things can be made easy if the Coyotes penalty out Green Bay (Ryan).  If Ryan doesn't penalty out, he still may miss as from second to fifth is only 4 points.  Calgary (Jr) does have the tie-breaker on the other three teams but clearly with all 4 teams having lots of man games, Thursday's games may be huge in who is in and who may miss if Phoenix does make it in a NHL spot.  Indianapolis (Matt) who is on the outside looking in, does have Iginla who may not play until game one of the playoffs, making his job even more difficult.  It seems tonight's big nights will determine who battles this weekend right until potentially the very final game on the NHL schedule in if matters Sunday night in Phoenix.
---

West Division

Sitting in 6th place isn't all too bad for Seattle (Shawn) as they are in as easily as the Phoenix Coyotes go out.  Barring that, it would seem this Marleau led team will not make the NHLP playoffs, leaving Colorado (Chad) and Edmonton (Scott) to fight it out for the final spot.  GM Chad will be holding his breath the longer this stays close as it is highly likely both Parise and Suter sit Sunday's meaningless game with Nashville.  GM Scott's Oil do have 6 of their 7 players on teams that seem to be in races right until the final night, including two games left from his lone star Vanek.  Both Colorado and Edmonton have two Coyotes, making tonight's Phoenix-Nashville game of great importance, for player points and a Coyotes win.  The Coyotes must be within at least a point of Dallas on Sunday Morning, or these two GM's automatically miss.

---

Here is a Reminder of the NHLP