Playoff Highlights for 2015/16
---
NHLP Champions 2016
Toronto Maple Leafs
GM Chad
Joe Thornton
Brett Burns
Patrick Marleau
Craig Smith
Rick Nash
Keith Yandle
Cam Fowler
---
Chad's Leafs Just Too Strong
The CTR had them down and out, well kind of. The 21st strongest
playoff team that "If
San Jose runs, no one beats Chad in Toronto with Thornton, Burns and
Marleau." We all knew this team could score. They
were in fact predicted to outscore every single NHLP Playoff team in
round one (29, along with Cleveland). Chad's Leafs just needed the
San Jose Sharks, a team that had never even made the Finals in their
teams history, to make the Finals knocking out teams like Chicago,
Anaheim, Los Angeles, St Louis, Dallas...hell we are only leaving out
Nashville and Minnesota, along the way. The Sharks did it.
Toronto did along the way what they had to do each round. It
wasn't easy, not as easy as it may have looked. Chad got through
some tense series, completing one of the best comebacks ever and and
even had the Sharks win a game 7 along the way, something that would
have completely altered the NHLP's Champions course. In the end it
was a crazy, wild, memorable run. Chad wins Cup three, something
only two GM's before him had ever done. The Toronto Maple Leafs
win a Championship. Can you believe that? Get a hat
embroidered Chad, "2016 NHLP Champions". You will turn heads for
years to come with that hat. Maybe the only time in your lifetime
you see Champions on a Leafs hat!!! Congratulations to everyone on
a great season. GM's Marcel and Ryan, making the finals, ending a
league record by GM Andrew of 4 straight trips to the Finals.
Chadwick has the bragging rights boys. I can hear it already....
---
Round One
Burns 8 Points - Leafs Hang On
Toronto 25 - San Fran 22
Toronto was only a two point favorite against San Fran (Scott) in a
series of three Sharks versus four Ducks. The Leafs took an early
6 point lead that was narrowed to just 3 points after games 4 were
completed. Game 5 was the turning point. Burns had a three
point series clinching game, but Chad was down to only Smith and Fowler
and only a four point lead. The Titan had all their big guns, and
would get extra games 6 and 7s from 5 of their 7 players. It
appeared Getzlaf, Kesler, Shattenkirk, Rakell, Vatanen and Gostisbehere
would blow by the Leafs, but in their final 11 man games, they scored
just 2 points and Chad hung on in a wild finish. Chad admitted he
couldn't watch and a shot with one second left would have given the
Titan two points, meaning overtime with Scott's four Ducks just needing
a single point. The shot didn't go in and Chad moved on to the
Division Finals 25-22.
Division Finals
Four Point Game 7 Stuns Cleveland
Toronto 20 - Cleveland 19
Toronto was just a couple point favorite over a very strong Cleveland
(Tyson) team, predicted 18-16. Both teams scored more than the CTR
prediction and GM Tyson had a 19-16 lead after games 6 were completed.
Chad's Leafs had a game 7 from Thornton, Burns, Marleau and Smith
against Hertl. Chad only had to tie as Cleveland picked Washington
to beat Pittsburgh. In just a totally insane game 7 Chad grabbed
two first period points and after two periods the San Jose Sharks were
in control 3-0, but Chad still needed two third period points.
Just 32 seconds in Thornton scored to tie the series. The final
goal of the game was only 3 minutes later, Marleau scored and Chad ended
up shocking the NHLP that night with his amazing comeback. It was
stunning considering after completed game 3s, Cleveland was winning
13-6. It was that night, May 12th that Chad can look back on
knowing just how close things were to being completely over. We
said at the time, "Knowing what could come next this is one of the most
amazing comebacks in league history". He pulled out the miracle,
winning 20-19 to go to the Conference Championship and what we thought
could come next actually did.
---
Conference Finals
Sharks Win Round
Toronto 15 - New Orleans 5
GM Shawn did a great job to have Steen and Lehtera in the Conference
Finals but was a 17-7 underdog. The Leafs big three were the only
players left for GM Chad and they scored 15 in the 10 point win over the
Wolverines. For Chad the Conference Finals was about hoping San
Jose could get past St Louis, moving further than the team ever has in
Franchise history. It did happen and with it was the cup for Chad,
sending a dominating team to the NHLP Championship.
NHLP Championship
Leafs Hoist First Cup
Toronto 8 - Montreal 1 - Green Bay 0
GM's Marcel and Ryan both had realistic shots, had the previous round
went their way. Getting to the Finals versus Thornton, Burns and
Marleau just left GM Chad to strong. To Chad's credit he acquired
Thornton and Burns. The story goes GM Chad told GM Jr he would
trade anyone for them. Of course he did, Kuznetsov, Carlson and
Palat was a huge package. Chad brought them in
because he himself admitted San Jose wasn't his top two teams to win the
West, but San Jose was "My dark-horse team" said GM Chad, "I felt they
could do well." Funny thing is no one had a Pittsburgh team like
this and they won the Stanley Cup. Chad showed you can build a
team no one else is willing to build. Toronto won their first
championship in 26 years in the NHLP and GM Chad wins his third Cup.
He is only the third GM in history to win more than two and certainly is
in elite company. With three Cups in 18 seasons it is one of the
highest Cups per year of any GM, with Chad bringing one home every 6
seasons. What a run. 00-7 Sweet 16. Congrats.
---
| First Round At a Glance...(Click for Playoff Page) | ||
| Seed | Team | Score |
| Central Conference Champs | ||
| 2 |
#21 - Toronto Maple Leafs (Chad)+9 |
8 |
| East Conference Champs | ||
| 4 |
#22 -
Montreal Canadiens (Marcel) |
1 |
| West Conference Champs | ||
| 1*** |
#1 - Green Bay Knights (Ryan) |
0 |
* - Predicted to win Division
** - Predicted to Go to NHLP Finals
*** - Cup Favorites
Updated After Games Completed: Final
| First Round At a Glance...(Click for Playoff Page) | |||||
| Seed | Team | Score | Score | Team | Seed |
| Central Conference Finals | |||||
| 2 |
#21 - Toronto Maple Leafs (Chad)+10 |
15 | 5 |
#8 - New Orleans Wolverines (Shawn) |
2** |
| East Conference Finals | |||||
| 4 | #19 - Halifax
Destroyers (Shawn) |
4 | 17 |
#22 -
Montreal Canadiens (Marcel)+6 |
4 |
| West Conference Finals | |||||
| 4 | #23 - Indianapolis Icemen (Matt) |
0 | 2 | #1 - Green Bay Knights (Ryan)+5 |
1*** |
* - Predicted to win Division
** - Predicted to Go to NHLP Finals
*** - Cup Favorites
---
Wrong Shark
For GM Marcel, if he had Couture in the finals and not Pavelski, he
would be down 7-5, not 7-1. Couture has just been on fire this
playoffs with 8 multiple point games and 4 games of at least 3 points.
He has not scored in just 6 of the teams 23 playoff games. That is
just insane! The Sharks, maybe much to GM Chad's delight, staved
off elimination and now head home for game 6 of the NHL's Stanley Cup
Finals. Only one team in league history ever came back in the
Finals from 3-1 down and for GM Chad, that would just put the icing on
the cake. "I have cheered for them so hard all playoffs" said GM
Chad, "It would be nice to see them win the Cup." Chad fell short
of saying "As well", a classy move by the GM. If the NHLP Finals
weren't out of reach, Chad would have surely been anxious to end the
Finals as quick as possible. There is no realistic threat Chad's
Leafs now can lose and it is only a matter of the NHL ending their
season before we can make the NHLP Finals official. It has been a
very exciting season, so why not max it out. Why not send it back
to Pittsburgh for the game 7? Why not let the San Jose Sharks, who
were the team that ultimately will win it for Chad, why not let them
also win the NHL's Stanley Cup?
----
How to Build a Winner?
The Toronto Maple Leafs had a very busy season. The Leafs made the
first trade and the last trade of the NHLP season in building what
appears to be the NHLP Champions. Starting with the 35th overall
draft spot, GM Chad had moved into position 22 in a deal with Seattle
(Shawn). The Drafted team was completely changed over into 7
different players.
Stepan, Palat, Riberio, Josi, MacArthur, Bjugstad and Reilly were all
swapped out, but how did it all occur?
Drafted: Stepan, Palat, Riberio, Josi, MacArthur, Bjugstad and
Reilly
Nov 10th - NHLP's Seasons very first trade. MacArthur was traded
to Philadelphia (Scott) for Hamilton
Stepan, Palat, Riberio, Josi, Bjugstad, Reilly, Hamilton
Nov 10th - NHLP's Season's second trade, Chad traded his Elite player
already, sending Stepan to Los Angeles (Andrew) for Hanzal. You
read it correctly.
Palat, Riberio, Josi, Bjugstad, Reilly, Hamilton, Hanzal
Nov 11th - The season's second Waiver. Toronto was busy early,
making 3 of the seasons first 6 Transactions. Toronto made a four
for four move, dropping Hanzal, Reilly, Bjugstad and Hamilton.
This was a major move by Toronto as it set up a major deal later.
Added were Kuznetsov, Carlson, Hoffman and Havlat. Yet Havlat.
Stepan was traded for Hanzal and turned into Havlat. In a round
about way only a Champion can make sense of. The truth is Stepan
was traded for Kuznetsov and Chad had the foresight, and the balls, to
make this move early.
Palat, Riberio, Josi, Kuznetsov, Carlson, Hoffman, Havlat
Dec 14th - Havlat was dropped in an injury pick for Pastrnak
Palat, Riberio, Josi, Kuznetsov, Carlson, Hoffman, Pastrnak
Feb 11th - Stepan is back. Toronto and Los Angeles traded again,
this time Andrew giving Stepan back to Chad, this time for Riberio.
Palat, Josi, Kuznetsov, Carlson, Hoffman, Pastrnak, Stepan
Here we are. It is now March 7th and GM Chad is sitting with the
future NHLP Champions. The team that wins it all and guess what?
The current team:
Palat, Josi, Kuznetsov, Carlson, Hoffman, Pastrnak, Stepan
Not one of those players, just three weeks from the NHLP Trading
Deadline would end up on the Cup winning team. But how?
March 7th - This was the big move. Chad traded Kuznetsov, Carlson
and Palat. Palat, along with Josi were the last two drafted
players. Here is where that first big Waiver paid off. Added
were Thornton, Burns and Berglund setting the Cup run team up.
Josi, Hoffman, Pastrnak, Stepan, Thornton, Burns,
Berglund
March 26th - The NHLP Trading Deadline. Chad and Joel hook up.
Vancouver gets Stepan for Chad's third Shark, Marleau.
Josi, Hoffman, Pastrnak, Thornton, Burns,
Berglund, Marleau
In Toronto's first move to the Minors, Hoffman, Pastrnak and Berglund
are dropped for Hemsky, C. Smith and Fowler, two more pieces of the
final team.
Josi, Thornton, Burns,
Marleau, Hemsky, C.
Smith, Fowler
Toronto now is two moves away. GM Matt trades Chad Sharp for Josi,
the final player Chad had Drafted.
Thornton, Burns,
Marleau, Hemsky, C. Smith, Fowler,
Sharp
The first NHLP trade of the season was Toronto and Philadelphia.
Well, they also made the last as well. GM Scott sends the final
two players of the Championship team, Nash and Yandle to Toronto for
Sharp and Hemsky. It was done, the NHLP Championship team:
Thornton, Burns,
Marleau, C. Smith, Fowler, Nash, Yandle
Toronto made 10 Transactions.
7 Trades (Andrew and Scott twice each, Jr, Joel and Matt)
1 Waiver
1 Injury Pick
1 Minors Transaction
----
Big Joe Makes It 5-0
Rest easy GM Chad, the Cup is going to be yours. Big Joe Thornton,
the rare Elite player cast away to the Minors, added two huge points to
give GM Chad a 5-0 lead in the NHLP Finals. After Chicago (Andrew)
drafted Thornton 30th overall the GM simply gave up on the struggling
San Jose Sharks during the NHLP Winter Meeting on January 9th.
Andrew had changed direction and added two Florida players, Trocheck and
Bjugstad in the second Transaction to start the meeting. Two
Transactions later, GM Jr added Thornton in Memphis and would eventually
trade Thornton to Toronto during GM Jr's "Trading Frenzy" period of the
first week of March. Jr made 6 of his 22 Transactions during that
one week. A huge deal at the time Chad traded Kuznetsov, Carlson
and Palat to Jr for Thornton, Burns and Berglund. "You knew
Thornton was moving" said Muddy Capone, "But we never saw Kuznetsov
added with Toews." At the time it looked like Memphis would be
unstoppable. The move has made GM Chad into the genius, besting
his rival right into his Third Cup, again one-upping GM Jr. It
wasn't like Toronto gained so many points, it was more a sideways move
as neither team gained or lost a position in the standings at the time
as reported by the NHLP. Outside of Chad, likely to a GM it looked
like Jr bested Chad. As things unfolded, it is these two players,
Thornton and Burns who have single handedly handed GM Chad the NHLP
Championship in Toronto. "It is always fun to look back" said
Capone, "When it works out that a trade wins you the Cup, you can do
nothing but take your hat off to the GM. Chad saw what others
failed to see and the credit is all his for doing so." The
Headlines at the time of the trade said "Machine Add Leagues Best Player".
Maybe it should have read "Leafs Add Leagues Two Best Playoff Players".
There isn't much left at this point but sit back and let the last games
unfold. Maybe gloat a little! The NHLP will dawn the Blue
and White Leafs colors in 2016/17 as the Toronto Maple Leafs are set to
win their first ever NHLP Cup. (Editors Note: From the trade
announcement at the time it would be the very next day GM Jr traded
Malkin, who has 15 playoff points. Jr had in fact had the best
playoff players already, Burns, Thornton, Malkin. Stunning how
things unfold sometimes.)
---
Machine Add Leagues Best Player
When Memphis added Toews the NHLP Yearbook reported GM Jr is back.
Well nothing could be further from the truth. He is back!!!
Jr ruled as a GM, literally feared for years with his ability for
greatness, building team after team no one wanted to play. For the
past few years there was something missing in Jr's game. Maybe the
co-GM'ing was holding him back, the drive, the strategy. Whatever
it was, it is no more. Added with Toews is arguable, according to
the CTR, the most valuable player in the entire NHLP. The Machine
pulled off a huge deal, trading Thornton, Burns and Berglund, to the
Toronto Maple Leafs (Chad) for Kuznetsov, Carlson and Palat. The
points were minimal at 10, with neither team changing or losing a
position. "This is the old Jr" said GM Andrew, "He suddenly has
transformed back into what he always has been." You could see the
new Jr coming for a while now and with the deals in the past week, his
teams will all surely be near the top of the CTR come the final rating.
The Divisions are all so very tight with a few GM's totally set on
certain teams. Not Jr. "I have a lot of work yet to do, so I
hope to get down to business with a few other GM's shortly" the GM said,
"Does anyone recognize the name Malkin?"
---
Jumbo Deal for Jumbo Joe
Ben Dover who has reported for the Memphis Machine since their inception
into the NHLP says the team has a deal in place that could happen yet
tonight. It is believed Thornton and Burns are involved in the
three for three deal. "GM Jr continues to move massive amounts of
points and adding with Toews certainly can give Memphis a Cup chance."
Jr told Muddy Capone the "Machine is starting to roll and you don't want
to be the poor son-of-a-bitch who tries and stops it." Stay
tune as the deal breaks for the details.
---
Memphis Nears 30
GM Jr has not only been busy trading points, his teams are busy scoring
them as well. "We can't move all these points this fast" said GM
Jr who gained 27 more points in Memphis this past week. Hornqvist
lead the way with 8, Burns 6, Thornton 5, Toews and Spezza 3 each and
Berglund and Lecavalier had singles. The week also saw 24 points
from Dallas, another team Jr says isn't done trading yet.
---
Habs Game - Still Down Three
If GM Marcel had a perfect game in this NHLP Finals, it might have
slipped past in game #2. It would have been the perfect game to
get a point, making the finals 3-1 and holding the tie-breaker. If
Marcel could get to a point where he is down 2 in the elimination game,
it could be possible to have a two point game in the 3-2 overtime final.
It isn't over and Pittsburgh up 2-0 is likely what was hoped for, just
down three is at least one to many if Marcel was ever to pull off a
miracle. Now the sights are set on gaining a point, even having
Pittsburgh going up 3-0 in the series next game. That leaves
Marcel with a chance to still win it on the tie-breaker. Low
scores favor Marcel as San Jose getting 5 in a game likely means 5 more
points for GM Chad's big three. It isn't over and it is still
worth following as GM Chad is there, but there is enough doubt remaining
that we'd not throw up the Leafs logo just yet.
---
Enough, Already?
A perfect start in the NHLP Championship for GM Chad. Toronto got
two from Burns and another from Marleau while Pavelski could only muster
two shots on goal for GM Marcel's Habs. Toronto hasn't ran away
with things, but the team has stayed consistently strong while all the
competition has weakened. At this stage, a three point lead likely
means it is over already and Chad should be well on his way to his third
NHLP Championship, Toronto's first. Chad did choose San Jose as
the tie-breaker, and the Pittsburgh win does mean Marcel is only three
back. Pavelski will have to find a way to keep it close and for
Marcel, a four game sweep would give him his best chance. Even in
just two goals Chad was able to grab three points, showing just how
difficult he will be to beat.
---
Leafs - Longest CTR Champions Ever?
The NHLP Yearbook is not taking anything from the Toronto Maple Leafs
(Chad) as they are very rightful NHLP Champions, if they do in fact
complete the job. GM Chad's Leafs are expected to get 16 points in
the NHLP Finals. Chad's threesome of Thornton, Burns and Marleau
have had rounds of 15, 20 and 15, scoring 50 of the teams total 60
playoff points so far. They have been unstoppable and collectively
must only beat Pavelski of GM Marcel's Montreal Canadiens to win.
Pavelski has got better each round going 6, 7 and 9, only scoring 6 less
then Chad's three by himself last round. For Chad, no NHLP team
has ever won the Championship, according to the CTR, from a CTR worst
than 20. "This team was clearly hit and miss with the San Jose
Sharks" stated Muddy Capone, "Clearly that worked out well for Chad."
Toronto has never won an NHLP Championship and GM Chad is set to become
the third highest Cup winning GM in league history by winning his third
team Cup.
---
Tie-Breakers
After an official double check, the NHLP Yearbook had it correct and
Toronto (Chad) has 60 playoff points to 59 for Montreal (Marcel).
This means Chad picks the first tie-breaker and may take either San Jose
or Pittsburgh. Marcel makes a pick as well, but that pick will
only play if all three teams ended with zero points and Chad got the
pick wrong. That won't happen. If however Toronto and
Montreal tied in the Finals with any points at all, Chad would win if he
gets his pick right, other wise GM Marcel would win the Cup. Chad
is a 9 point favorite for his Leafs to be the NHLP Champions.
---
Thornton, Burns & Marleau Vs. ?
GM Chad did it. His big three Sharks are now in the NHLP Finals.
Toronto officially advances to play Montreal (Marcel) and Green Bay
(Ryan). Green Bay is now officially out of the running as they are
playerless. This leaves only GM Marcel who can have Killorn join
Pavelski in what could make for at least an interesting finals. If
Montreal fails to get Killorn, it would seem almost a certainty that GM
Chad will walk to his three team cup. There is a lot yet to play
for in the final NHL game before the Stanley Cup Finals. GM Marcel
needs a single point from Killorn tonight and the Habs will have the
first tie-breaking pick in the Finals. If Killorn fails to get a
point, Toronto will have the first tie-breaking pick. These
numbers are not official and it is very possible there has been a change
in a point, or other error in any of the earlier three rounds. The
NHLP has a policy to check all series ending within 3 or less points,
but outside that it is left to the GM's to ensure accuracy in all
series. "With these two teams within a point in overall playoff
scoring, we will do a double check" said Muddy Capone, before the NHLP
Finals. We do know the teams, but not all the players. With
a Tampa win, it at least will be work for Chad's Leafs, but a Pens win
tonight would make Chad at least a 9 point favorite. With Killorn
Marcel will be just a 5 point underdog and who knows how things will
unfold.
---
| First Round At a Glance...(Click for Playoff Page) | |||||
| Seed | Team | Score | Score | Team | Seed |
| Central Conference Finals | |||||
| 2 |
#21 - Toronto Maple Leafs (Chad)+10 |
15 | 5 |
#8 - New Orleans Wolverines (Shawn) |
2** |
| East Conference Finals | |||||
| 4 | #19 - Halifax
Destroyers (Shawn) |
4 | 17 |
#22 -
Montreal Canadiens (Marcel)+6 |
4 |
| West Conference Finals | |||||
| 4 | #23 - Indianapolis Icemen (Matt) |
0 | 2 | #1 - Green Bay Knights (Ryan)+5 |
1*** |
* - Predicted to win Division
** - Predicted to Go to NHLP Finals
*** - Cup Favorites
---
Chadwick Within a Win of Finals
Heading back to San Jose, GM Chad knows he does not want his NHL San
Jose Sharks to play in a 7th and deciding game, for his NHLP
Championship life. Chad was the big winner on the night, having
his three Sharks, the dominating threesome, only needing one win in the
next two games to advance to what should be his third NHLP Championship.
For Chad three is a big number, three Sharks, three Cups. Only two
GM's in 26 years have won a third Cup, Andrew with 6 and Scott with 5.
For Chad he would sit third all time, a feeling that would be hard to
put into words. Three Cups in 18 seasons, one every 6 years is
quite the insane number. Most concerning for Chad my be the
non-point-factor play of Marleau this round. The playoffs as a
whole Marleau has 10 points, but is he slowing down? With a single
point this round, of a projected four, Chad would be in an 11-11 tied
with GM Marcel's Habs who would have their 11 from Pavelski and Killorn
if this was next round. Marcel is basically two points ahead of
Chad (57-56) as things sit now for getting the first tie-breaking pick
in the Finals, so although tonight's game may seem like nothing to Chad,
Killorn could still play a huge part this round and the NHLP Finals.
We have confidence Marleau will rebound. The Leafs are sitting OK,
but do not want to play a game 7 in St Louis for all the marbles.
Just one more win and it will most likely be a Third cup for Chadwick.
Territory very few have gone before.
---
Kill or Be Killed
What a huge comeback for GM Marcel. Montreal stepped up with a
huge win, keeping Killorn alive and now a game away from being alive on
the Habs roster in the NHLP Finals. If the St Louis Blues and
Tampa Bay Lightning go to the Stanley Cup Finals, GM Marcel will be
heavy favorites to win his second Championship in 21 NHLP seasons as a
GM. The Habs are not a Cupless team, winning the NHLP's second Cup
in 1991 with GM Edward at the helm, but the Habs have not won under GM
Marcel's reign. During Marcel's rookie season as a GM he took
control over the Canadiens, one of the original NHLP Franchises.
Montreal was under control of GM Scott in the inaugural season of
1989-90 before GM Edward had the team in his 4 seasons as a GM.
Marcel has now had Montreal for 21 seasons, only behind the 26 seasons
GM Scott has had Philadelphia, the only team to never change hands since
the first season and Edmonton's 25 seasons with GM Scott, taking the
team over in year two after GM Clark had them the first season. No
GM has had a team longer than GM Marcel and not have won a championship,
something that could end this season. Marcel's Habs are right
there. A Blues win tonight moves this team a step closer to the
Cup. For Marcel it will be a triumphant win after such a run with
his favorite team. The Yearbook gave this team zero chance of
winning, ranking them 22nd out of 24 playoff teams. "This is an
awesome story" said Muddy Capone, "But we all know, nothing is ever won
easy in the NHLP." True, nothing is won at all for Montreal, but
the Tampa Bay victory was a huge step in the winning direction.
---
Habs - Leafs - TIED
Although New Orleans (Shawn) is the top scoring NHLP Playoff team at 53
points, it is the 52 of the Toronto Maple Leafs (Chad) and the Montreal
Canadiens (Marcel) that are huge with their teams leading the NHLP
Conference Finals. The team who has scored the most playoff points
in total has the first tie-breaker pick in the NHLP Finals. The
teams are tied right now, meaning the team scoring the most the previous
round (the Conference Finals) would pick first. The Habs have
scored 10 and the Leafs 7 this round. The third expected team in
the Finals right now, Green Bay (Ryan) who is in fact already there,
only has 43 points through the first three rounds, so will not get a
pick. The pick can play a huge part this season on a Sharks -
Bolts or Blues - Pens Finals. Every point is huge and the
importance of these games, for the 2016 NHLP Championship cannot be
understated.
---
Who Were TRULY The BEST NHLP Teams?
According to the CTR, the Green Bay Knights (Ryan) were the best team.
Every GM will tell you they had a great team or how close they would
have come. Yes it is true, sometimes a team out in the first round
would have went on to be strong. In fact, Edmonton (Scott) would
still have Stamkos, Schwartz, Palat, Horqvist and Shattenkirk still all
alive if the Knights hadn't knocked out the Oil in round one. That
aside, is the Oil the best NHLP team this playoffs? Well we have a
time tested method of determining if the best NHLP team really wins.
That is, by taking the total playoff points of all 7 players and adding
them together. Clearly that GM built the best playoff team,
whether or not his team is alive now or not. Funny thing is,
almost every single year, the NHLP team who has the most playoff points
does in fact win. So who is the best this year? About to be
passed with 53 points is New Orleans (Shawn), leaving the two top
scoring NHLP playoff teams in the entire NHLP, even all teams out in
round one, as the current projected finalists. With 52 points each
so far, Montreal (Marcel) and Toronto (Chad). They in fact deserve
to be where they are for they built stronger playoff scoring teams then
any teams out. The current top scoring team of teams out is
Cleveland (Tyson) who would still have Hedman, Johnson and Hertl and 51
points and Edmonton with 5 players alive, even though Stamkos has yet to
play a game, but with 45 points. So, the very best are playing for
the NHLP Championship. Once again, no surprises.
---
New Orleans Has Pulse
The difference another point could make. The New Orleans
Wolverines (Shawn) are down just 7-3, a huge four points, but only four.
With the tie-breaker locked at two the Wolverines can secure that tight
with a Blues six or seven game victory. Heading back to St Louis
now with home ice for the all to crucial game 5, Shawn must be feeling
again like he has a chance. If the lead can go to 3 or even 2,
heading into an elimination game, why can't a shutout and a couple point
game by Steen and Lehtera seem possible? You have to stay close
when you are a massive underdog. All San Jose goals the rest of
the way might be the final dagger, so Shawn must hope for a shutout next
game by the Blues and then, yes, there is a chance.
---
Habs, Knights - "Come on Blues"
Both GM's Marcel and Ryan know the San Jose Sharks cannot win tonight,
going up 3-1 in their NHL series. Friday was a great night for GM
Marcel's Montreal team, going up two more points but most importantly
having Killorn now at two games each in his NHL series. Green Bay
is waiting in the NHLP Finals, with a realistic shot at winning on a
Pittsburgh - St Louis battle for the Stanley Cup, so Ryan must be all
over tonight's game, cheering like hell for the Blues to also tie their
NHL series. Although GM Chad is very confident, that same
confidence will be shaken heading back to St Louis, where the Blues will
have home ice in the best of three, if the Sharks can't do the job
tonight. Chad's Leafs will stand no chance to win if San Jose
fails to win this round. We are getting close to an NHLP Champion,
but right now it could still go one of three ways.
---
Killorn Needed Now
GM Marcel would only be down 6-5 against Toronto (Chad) with Pavelski
and Killorn. The issue is Killorn isn't in the Finals as of yet
and a Tampa loss Friday puts them down 3-1. The Habs are in
control versus Halifax (Shawn) who have yet to score and are down five.
Marcel needs Tampa worse than ever now and even with the Bolts, with GM
Chad's Sharks in the Finals, it may take a miracle for anyone to knock
the Leafs out in the Finals. A three player on two player Finals,
with Pavelski hot and the only player on the other team, Killorn, maybe
it can happen. It would be close at this moment. Marcel just
needs the Bolts and hopefully Friday has his series back even.
---
Leafs Too Strong
GM Chad flexed his NHLP muscle and has now taken control and a 6-1
lead over undermanned and overpowered New Orleans (Shawn). A this
point even a point a game by Shawn, maybe 6-3 and we could see some
potential, but Chad's players on this San Jose Sharks team are just too
strong. Chad is now just two Sharks wins away from moving this
dominate force into the NHLP Finals. They have really got it done
in San Jose, making the Blues look like a team purely lucky to have won
game one. Chad just needs to keep it going and surely, finally,
can actually feel the cup right in his hands.
---
Burnt Again
Brent Burns has just dominated these NHL playoffs so far. He could
easily win the playoff scoring title and is likely the favorite if the
Sharks win the Cup to take down the Conn Smythe. He has scored in
10 of 14 playoff games and has not put up back to back blanks. He
has scored 2 or more points in half of the Sharks playoff games.
For GM Chad, the Leafs had the perfect playoff game. He moved in
front and is now with home ice in a best of 5 NHL Conference Finals
between the Sharks and Blues, two teams looking for their first Stanley
Cup wins. Ironically Chad's NHLP Entry, the Toronto Maple Leafs
are the only NHL team with a longer streak of not having won a Cup then
the NHL St Louis Blues, at 47 to 47 years. The NHL Leafs won the
cup in 1966-67, the same year the St Louis Blues joined the NHL.
The San Jose Sharks, who in 23 seasons have yet to win it all just have
to get there for GM Chad, who would surely then win the NHLP
Championship, the first for the NHLP's Toronto Franchise, who at 25 NHLP
winless seasons have a longer streak than San Jose. Burns has been
off the charts great in these playoffs and is a feel good story amongst
so many in these playoffs. Chad is three wins away from his second
Cup and adding Burns name to a long list of immortalized NHLP players
with their names on our Cup.
---
Y?
Yandle is trying to make NHLP history. Players names starting with
the letters I, Q, U, X and Y have never found their way onto the NHLP
Cup. Of course there just aren't many players names starting with
Q, U or X, but we have had the chance with Iginla and surprisingly never
the Y. Yandle, traded at the NHLP Deadline to Toronto (Chad),
along with Nash at the time, can become the first ever player if GM Chad
can finish off what he started. Nash is trying himself to become
just the 18th player to have his name on the Cup twice and 7th to win
back to back Championships, having won last year in Hartford (Andrew).
Of course GM Marcel in Montreal has the most experienced team remaining.
Killorn played with Nash and won last season while Pavelski and Parise
are also Cup winners. GM Ryan who is very much alive with only
Backes yet to play, hopes Ovechkin can also be a two-time NHLP Champion,
already the only "O" player to have won a Championship. It seems
like Yandle will have a good chance to break the letter "Y" curse, and
of course, Y not?
---
Knights In Finals
It wasn't the way GM Ryan had hoped it would play out, but the Green Bay
Knights are in fact in the NHLP Finals. With Backes getting his
point early, the Indianapolis Icemen (Matt) have officially ended any
hope GM Matt had, leaving only four NHLP GM's with with any hope of the
NHLP Championship. For Ryan the first cup isn't yet a lost hope as
the Blues won game one and if they can advance versus Pittsburgh, Ryan
would be straight up players for the title if the CTR favorites win.
Good news when Crosby lit the lamp in OT, giving Pittsburgh home ice in
their best of five series remaining. GM Ryan's Knights have been
high and low and high and low all playoffs, but certainly tonight the
hope this team has must leave the GM feeling pretty good. All that
changes again with a San Jose Sharks win tonight, something that will
likely be this teams downfall.
---
Coquilles
GM Marcel understands. There is a very fine line the Habs are
walking. GM Marcel does have a great opportunity to go after Cup
two, but it is very difficult to reach the finals as the NHLP favorites.
If Marcel's Habs are favorites, it will likely mean Tampa Bay and St
Louis are in the NHL Finals playing for Lord Stanley's Cup. Marcel
is currently up 2-0, but with the Pens win only has Stastny and Green
Bay (Ryan) is already there with Backes. Marcel will also need San
Jose to score enough that Toronto (Chad) wins his series, but not enough
the Sharks knock out the Blues, as then Chad will take everything.
Montreal must also hope San Jose isn't shut right down, as then maybe
New Orleans (Shawn) is in the finals with Steen and Lehtera or even
Fabbri and Parayko knock Marcel out in Halifax. This team is
walking on eggshells and the wrong step anywhere means all hope could be
gone. Still best case for Marcel will likely be the Blues and
Bolts as the Sharks and Bolts likely means Pavelski and Killorn must
face Thornton, Burns and Marleau. Ask GM's Tyson and Scott how
that worked out for them.
Tread lightly!
---
Wolverines - One Down
Each time GM Chad's three Sharks players take to the ice, GM Shawn just
holds his breath. In game one Chad jumped out to an quick,
basically series ending 2-0 lead, only to have a point by Thornton taken
off the board. The game ended 1-1 in points, leaving New Orleans
feeling quite good about just still being alive. If you watched
the game, the Blues won, but the Sharks hit more posts, missed more
chances and were robbed way to many times. St Louis must tighten
up or the Sharks are going to net 5 against them sometime soon.
For Shawn, he does now have the tiebreaker and any extra games in this
series is likely death. One perfect game down and a 1-0 Blues win
in game two won't bring too many tears to GM Shawn's eyes. This
series must turn into a defensive battle as it will take a low scoring
series for anything exciting here to occur.
---
6-4-1-0
GM Andrew always says you don't have to over build your team in the NHLP
and if you have three guys on one NHLP team, you have too many.
With the NHLP only in our conference Finals, there is only one Eastern
Conference player in the 6 remaining NHLP teams, Killorn with Montreal
(Marcel). There are no players from Pittsburgh while St Louis
leads the way with 6 remaining players and San Jose 4, three on GM
Chad's team alone. If Chad's Toronto team is to not have San Jose
in the NHL Finals, a Pen or Bolts player would look pretty good at that
point. There are many ways to build NHLP teams and if we were
giving grades, GM Marcel would have to get the A+ at this point, for
having a player off three of the four teams remaining. Montreal
can be in great shape to win the Championship, likely the only team that
could knock off Chad's Leafs if the Sharks win this round, while if it
isn't the Sharks moving on, Marcel's chances will be increased further.
A two player NHLP Finals is a winning combination and that has never
changed over the years even if some years teams had more than two, but
it happens very infrequent. Even if you are out you can still
learn how to build a winning team. Many GM's are doing just that,
watching and hoping next year it is their team we are bragging about in
the final six.
---
"So Your Saying There's a Chance"
GM Shawn has seen a lot in his 11 years as an
NHLP GM. Last year everyone knew it was a New Orleans Cup if one
game 7 goes the GM's way. He has been close, very close, but it
has never been officially his year, his time to win the NHLP
Championship. Shawn said he was on such an emotional high on
Wednesday night after completing the unforeseen comeback in Halifax only
to have San Jose win their NHL game 7, bringing both Shawn's teams down
to earth. For Shawn he went from a pick'em and 7 point favorite to
underdogs of 6 and 10 points. "So your saying there's a chance"
the GM told the Yearbook. Well, when the other team only have
three players, it would seem now that it is more possible to pull off a
huge upset, based on having to stop fewer players, or teams. In
Shawn's New Orleans case against Toronto (Chad), yes a 10 point CTR
underdog is a little overwhelming, but all that likely has to happen is
the Blues absolutely dominate the Sharks, shutting them down for four
straight games. Is that likely? Probably not. But it
certainly isn't impossible either. We have seen great teams
collapse. Then, although like the word shutout, no one likes to
say it out loud, but we know there is always the injury factor. If
a Burns or Thornton goes down for two weeks, suddenly anything is
possible. So yes, we are saying there is a chance. Shawn
hasn't lost yet. If he thinks Wednesday night was something
special, trying winning this round in either New Orleans or Halifax with
the Blues going to the Stanley Cup Finals. This story is only
unfolding, the final chapter has yet to be written.
---
Ten Players - Every Point Matters
If you are following the NHLP playoffs, the Western Finals is where all
the action is. Ten players in the game, almost every goal an NHLP
point somewhere. For the Sharks, Thornton, Burns and Marleau for
GM Chad, along with Pavelski for GM Marcel. The Blues Backes
(Ryan) needs a single point and he is no longer a factor, while Steen,
Lehtera and Fabbri and Parayko are duos of different GM Shawn's teams,
while Stastny will play a huge role for GM Marcel.
---
Final Deal - Had To Make It
The final deal GM Shawn made this season, at the Trading Deadline, just
had to be done. As it is Halifax finished tied for the final NHLP
playoff spot with Carolina (Joel) in the East Division and without the
gained 15 points in the deal, that would have never happened. The
Wolverines traded Fabbri and Toffoli to Pittsburgh (Chad) for Okposo and
Hudler. Having Fabbri twice right now in the playoffs isn't
something lost on the GM. Fabbri has 13 playoff points, tied for
the team lead and only four off the NHL leader Couture. It is
possible that he could take the scoring lead with the extra games played
in the finals if the Blues eliminate the Sharks this round. How
good is Fabbri? Lost in this years great set of rookies, the 20
year old had 37 points in 72 games, a number that could double next
season. In the OHL he had close to two points a game his final
year in Guelph and scored 70 goals in his final 88 OHL games while
having 28 points in 16 playoff games his next to last season. He
scored in 8 of the final 12 Blues games this season and all season was
running about 13 minutes a game. Last game, game 7 against Dallas
he had 3 points, just 12:01 of ice time. Game 5, two points in
12:05. The previous round he had two points in game 3 against
Chicago, 9:31 of ice time. Imagine when they decide to give this
kid actual playing time, say 17 or 18 minutes a game. Watch out.
Good old Canadian boy, we know Fabbri's NHLP stock is growing with each
game. "I don't think I will ever have him twice again on the same
team" said GM Shawn. Likely not, but just having this kid once
might be good enough with his future.
---
Epic Comeback Could Lead To Cup
Nothing is ever easy. GM Chad's four point game 7 come back, even
with amazing players should not be downplayed in any way. Chad's
Leafs had a 4 point gain on the night, ending the hopes of the Cleveland
Fury (Tyson) officially 20-19. For Chad, and the rest of the GM's
alive in the run for the Championship, this wasn't just a big night, but
one that will make Chad an easy NHLP Cup winner if San Jose goes onto
the NHL Stanley Cup Finals. The Leafs big three of Thornton, Burns
and Marleau are coming off back to back rounds of 15 and 20 this past
round. There is no slowing down anticipated. They are all
first line powerplay and the Kings nor Preds could stop any of them.
The Blues may be the better of the competition and anything can happen,
but it would seem a stretch for Steen and Lehtera, a 10 point underdog,
to be able to stay close for GM Shawn in New Orleans. This is a
rematch of lasts years Central Conference Finals and GM Shawn was the
heavy favorites to win and win the Cup if the Ducks won the
corresponding series. Of course the series was a blowout but Shawn
lost his Ducks. If Chad does the expected, wins, but goes to the NHLP
Finals without a player it will just be a role reversal of what happened
last year with these same two teams and GMs. Chad can taste cup
three. Just one more Sharks series win should be all it takes.
---
Montreal Loves Chances
GM Marcel likes his chances. Why not? All Marcel will need
in Montreal is to win the Conference Finals, a 14-6 favorite and advance
to the NHLP Finals with the St Louis Blues. Worst case if the
favorites in the NHLP win, Marcel would be one on one with Green Bay
(Ryan), Statsny versus Backes for the Cup. Marcel would have the
tie-breaker pick by his players this round outscoring Backes. The
Habs could bring Killorn to close out the deal and then be heavy
favorites to win the Cup. The worse case for Montreal will be
having San Jose win, even with Pavelski and Killorn Marcel will be heavy
underdogs against Toronto (Chad). Of course Halifax (Shawn) are
hoping Fabbri and Parayko can pull off what would be just an insanely
incredible upset. One series, four to seven games. Who knows
what can happen. Each game it stays close favors the underdogs.
Montreal can feel a Cup. Marcel is in decent shape, he just needs
the Blues going to the Stanley Cup Finals.
---
Knights Going to NHLP Finals
Congratulations to GM Ryan who needs just one point to secure a spot in
the NHLP Cup Finals. Backes should get that done quite easily for
the CTR predicted Cup favorites and number one ranked NHLP team.
For Ryan it really must be a Blues- Penguins NHL Stanley Cup Finals.
If that happens, Green Bay should likely battle Montreal (Marcel) in a
Backes - Stastny winner take all finals. Considering it was
suppose to be the Capitals, Ryan has to be happy to still have a shot at
it all.
---
CTR Hammers Out Division Finals
The CTR hit 5 of 6 winners, only losing the Pick'em series. What
was most impressive is the scores in the round lined up very close to
everything the CTR predicted. It is looking like the CTR will have
one of their predicted three Cup Finalists. Green Bay (Ryan) was
expected to outduel New Orleans (Shawn) and Pittsburgh (Chad) for the
Cup. New Orleans is still alive, but a 10 point underdog to the
Toronto Maple Leafs (Chad), who although #21 overall in the Power
Rankings, the CTR did have to win both their first two round series.
The Leafs were expected to fail because of the San Jose Sharks, the very
reason they are succeeding extremely well so far in the playoffs.
With the CTR #19, #21, #22, and #23 teams in the final 6, GM Andrew was
totally right after all. Andrew called the CTR Drunk, saying they
had not clue. Only now do we see we may have a problem.
Maybe we truly are in denial. While it is the end of the road for
the #23 Icemen (Matt), who knocked out #3 Vancouver (Joel) in a shocking
first round upset, one of #19 Halifax (Shawn) or #22 Montreal (Marcel)
are moving onto the NHLP Finals. The Destroyers took out #2
Memphis (Jr) in a scandalous first round win, followed of course by the
inconceivable game 7 comeback over #9
Quebec (Matt). The #7, Defending Champions in Hartford (Andrew)
fell to the Habs. "Maybe we just don't drink enough" said Muddy
Capone, "With all those massive early upsets, a good drunk would have
done us well." Congrats to the 5 GM's who make up the final six
teams. GM's Chad, Marcel, Ryan, Matt and of course Shawn, who has
two of the six remaining teams. The remaining five GM's have four
Cups between them, we just don't know yet who has the fourth one.
---
Reminder - Tie-Breaker RulesSeason Ties to be Broken as Follows:
1)
Most Playoff players
2)
Most goals from only
playoff players
3)
Most overall points on all
three teams of only playoff players
NHLP Playoffs - Semi Finals & Finals Tie-Breakers
Pick Order
1)
Team who has scored most
playoff points in first two (Semi Finals) or three rounds (Finals) picks
first and so forth.
2)
If two teams are tied, the
team that scored the most points the previous round breaks that tie
3) If teams scored the same every round, the NHLP season breaking tie-breakers kick in.
---
Tie-Breakers for Conference Finals
GM may pick from either series, any of the four teams remaining.
New Orleans (Shawn) - St Louis
Montreal (Marcel) - San Jose
Green Bay (Ryan) - Pitsburgh
Get your picks in, games start Friday night.
---
DID THAT REALLY HAPPEN?
All things considered, it was one of the most amazing comebacks in game
seven in NHLP history. The Halifax Destroyers (Shawn) needed to
score four points form Fabbri and Parayko, plus have a St Louis Blues
win for it to be meaningful. Fabbri had three points and Parayko
added an assist and the Destroyers will play Montreal (Marcel) in the
East Conference Finals. For GM Matt the loss in Quebec is
devastating to say the least. Having it in his grasp only to lose
it late hurts like hell. Quebec was looking strong with Kucherov
and Hornqvist but their season is officially over. The NHLP had
double checked this series heading into game 7 and found the score
accurate, meaning this series is going to end 14-13. For GM Shawn
the series with Montreal will now have a huge Thursday. The
players who are through would make next round a CTR predicted 8-8
pick'em series, even though Marcel's two just outscored Shawn's 11-10
this round. Of course this changes if Montreal adds Pavelski who
brings 6 more points this round and with about that likely with the CTR.
It is a huge Thursday, but for Shawn he just completed one of the
biggest ever comebacks.
---
Back to Back Comebacks?
GM Chad just saw that it can happen. Halifax (Shawn) just came
back needing 4 points in game 7. For Chad's Leafs, he only needs a
three point gain from twice as many players. Down 19-16, the Leafs
officially have the tie-breaker so will only needs to tie Cleveland
(Tyson). The NHLP officially double checked this series and found
that Thornton had only two points in game two, not three. However,
that point that Thornton lost was awarded to Burns, meaning this series
is in fact 19-16. The winner here gets New Orleans (Shawn) who
will have about 7 predicted points next round from Steen and Lehtera who
just scored 8 between them. If Chad can't come back Tyson will
have Hedman and Johnson who just scored 14 points, much higher than the
CTR prediction next round of 9. Tyson can still add Hertl which
would make them a heavy favorite. If the Leafs come back they can
be huge underdogs if they only have Smith left, but if the Sharks win at
home, would have about 16 points predicted from Thornton, Burns and
Marleau and surely Chad would only then be a Sharks win over the Blues
for the Toronto Maple Leafs to easily win in the NHLP Finals. For
that to happen another perfect comeback will be needed, the second in
two straight nights. This one would not rank as one of the
greatest of all time, for we almost expect it to happen. But it
will still be a comeback of monstrous proportions considering what could
then come afterward.
---
Knights Huge Sharks Fans
A night after losing their three Caps, GM Ryan is now ready to regroup
with the Green Bay Knights very much alive for the NHLP Championship.
If the Nashville Predators win, Green Bay will be a slight underdog in
the Conference Finals, but if the Sharks win, the Knights are easily
through to the Finals and now it gets interesting. For Ryan no
matter who wins in the Central, Toronto (Chad) or Cleveland (Tyson),
Ryan would only need St Louis in the NHL Finals to play Pittsburgh and
neither those two teams could have a player left. So if the Sharks
won Montreal (Marcel) would be favorites over Halifax (Shawn) and can
take out Shawn's two Blues, leaving Marcel with only Stastny versus
Backes in the NHLP Finals for the Cup. This is a very realistic
take on how it could all go if you are GM Ryan. It is crazy to
think it was Washington or nothing all along, but now clearly a Blues -
Pens final with a Sharks win tomorrow gives the Knights a clear shot at
still winning it all.
---
All's Not Lost
It might very well seem like nothing else matters, but trust us, it
does! For GM Matt, sleep tonight won't be easy. His NHLP
Quebec team just suffered a loss that cost the Nords a shot at the Cup.
There is still a small chance, a decent chance, that GM Matt still go on
to win the NHLP Championship. Just in Indianapolis. If the
Nashville Predators win their game 7 the Icemen will be favorites to
represent the West Conference in the NHLP Finals. With Forsberg
and Josi the CTR would have Indy as a 6-5 favorite to beat Green Bay
(Ryan). Of course those same two in the NHLP Finals would play no
one if Pittsburgh is there as there are no more Penguins in the
playoffs. If Forsberg and Josi are in the NHLP Finals and Toronto
(Chad) knocks off Cleveland (Tyson), the worst Indy could face is
Killorn (Montreal - Marcel) and Smith (Toronto). So, it isn't over for
GM Matt and Indy is still a potential Cup threat, they just have to pull
off a huge game 7 win, as they did in round one, on the road in
California.
---
Divisions for 2016-17
First round winners stay
with the 5th place team and are joined by the two first round losers and
the 6th place team of other Division within Conference.
North Division
Cleveland (Tyson) - Stays in North
Toronto (Chad) - Stays in North
Florida (Marcel) - Moves to North
Dallas (Jr) - Moves to North
Boston (Ryan) - Stays in North
Cincinnati (Matt) - Moves to North
South Division
Chicago (Andrew) - Stays in South
New Orleans (Shawn) - Stays in South
San Fran (Scott) - Moves to South
Buffalo (Joel) - Moves to South
Miami (Charlie) - Stays in South
Las Vegas (Vinnie) - Moves to South
Atlantic Division
Memphis (Jr) - Moves to Atlantic
Pittsburgh (Chad) - Stays in Atlantic
NY Rangers (Charlie) - Moves to Atlantic
Montreal (Marcel) - Stays in Atlantic
Atlantic City (Vinnie) - Stays in Atlantic
Philadelphia (Scott) - Moves to Atlantic
East Division
NY Islanders (Ryan) - Moves to East
Hartford (Andrew) - Moves to East
Quebec (Matt) - Stays in East
Hamilton (Tyson) - Moves to East
Halifax (Shawn) - Stays in East
Carolina (Joel) - Stays in East
Pacific Division
Los Angeles (Andrew) - Moves to Pacific
Alaska (Marcel) - Stays in Pacific
Edmonton (Scott) - Moves to Pacific
Indianapolis (Matt) - Stays in Pacific
Colorado (Chad) - Stays in Pacific
Portland (Vinnie) - Moves to Pacific
West Division
Vancouver (Joel) - Moves to West
Green Bay (Ryan) - Stays in West
Calgary (Jr.) - Moves to West
St Louis (Tyson) - Stays in West
Seattle (Shawn) - Moves to West
Phoenix (Charlie) - Stays in West
---
| First Round At a Glance...(Click for Playoff Page) | |||||
| Seed | Team | Score | Score | Team | Seed |
| Central Conference - North Division Finals | |||||
| 2 |
#21 - Toronto Maple Leafs (Chad)+2 |
20 | 19 | #10 - Cleveland Fury (Tyson) |
1* |
| Central Conference - South Division Finals | |||||
| 2** |
#8 - New Orleans Wolverines (Shawn)+14 |
19 | 8 | #5 - Chicago Blackhawks (Andrew) |
1 |
| East Conference - Atlantic Division Finals | |||||
| 4 |
#22 -
Montreal Canadiens (Marcel)+11 |
20 | 10 |
#4 - Pittsburgh Penguins (Chad) |
2** |
| East Conference - East Division Finals | |||||
| 4 | #19 - Halifax
Destroyers (Shawn) |
14 | 13 | #9 - Quebec Nordiques (Matt) Pick |
2* |
| West Conference - Pacific Division Finals | |||||
| 4 | #23 - Indianapolis Icemen (Matt)+6 |
6 | 0 |
#24 -
Alaska Attack (Marcel) |
2 |
| West Conference - West Division Finals | |||||
| 3 | #12 - St Louis Blues (Tyson) |
9 | 17 | #1 - Green Bay Knights (Ryan)+1 |
1*** |
* - Predicted to win Division
** - Predicted to Go to NHLP Finals
*** - Cup Favorites
---
Heartbreaking Loss for Cup Favorites
With the season the Washington Capitals had it was hard to argue that
they weren't the most feared team in the NHLP. For GM Ryan the
Green Bay Knights appeared poised to have a very memorable season, but
although all is not all lost, that season and those Cup hopes took a
major hit with the Capitals season ending Tuesday. Saved by Beagle
and three straight over the glass delay of game penalties Ryan's own
players could not get it done when on two full 5 on 3's and instead left
fait to overtime. For the Knights they must now hope Backes can
carry the work load from here on out. St Louis must win tonight or
the Knights will be playerless and stand zero chance. If Backes
can get through tonight Ryan will still need Nashville likely out
tomorrow, or they still should not even make the NHLP Finals. Odds
are heavily stacked against the Knights at this point but a Blues win in
game 7 and a Preds lose, at least still puts them into the finals and
who knows what will be left at that point.
---
Four - A Point Too Many?
The Halifax Destroyers (Shawn) have Fabbri and Parayko to get four
points in game 7 to move on. Twice in the playoffs the two have
gotton three, but never four which doesn't inspire much hope heading
into the elimination game. Fabbri has been sensation, one of the
top playoff scorers, and his 10 points puts him tied with Crosby for
playoff points. Shawn will need a wild high scoring 5-5 type game
with some late empty netters. These teams score better than they
play defense, so the score kind of works well for Shawn. For
Quebec GM Matt once he gets by Shawn, his attention will be on Montreal
(Marcel) where a Blues loss leaves the Habs without Stastny. The
Nords have Kucherov and Hornqvist, so would be guaranteed a player in
the NHLP Finals, but St Louis and San Jose wins in game 7, would easily
make Montreal the favorites to go to the Finals with a two on two a
dream NHLP matchup. Three GM's all with hopes and a huge Blues-
Stars game to determine where we go from here.
---
Can't Go Wrong Either Way?
On one hand we know GM Shawn is personally cheering for the St Louis
Blues to win game 7 tonight. For New Orleans that wouldn't be bad
with Steen and Lehtera then moving on to play the North Division winner
Toronto (Chad) or Cleveland (Tyson). However, if Dallas wins, GM
Shawn has the final Dallas Star's player left in the NHLP Conference
Finals and Benn has actually outscored Steen and Lehtera combined so far
in the playoffs. For the Wolverines either combination leaves them
an underdog against the Fury and the Leafs if San Jose goes through.
Best case for GM Shawn is no matter who wins tonight, that Chad gets
through in Toronto, which would take a three point gain on Cleveland,
yet the Preds win, leaving New Orleans then the favorites to represent
the Central Conference in the NHLP Finals where Shawn would be set up
with just Benn or Steen and Lehtera at that point if their team's got
through. Three more GM's all with realistic chances that
start becoming more clear within 48 hours.
---
Big Game Sevens
For the 1991 NHLP Champion Montreal Canadiens (Marcel) these back to
back game sevens are crucial. Marcel has Killorn moving on to
likely face Quebec (Matt) who just had a 7 point round from Kucherov and
Hornqvist, although CTR had them to get 11. Killorn just had a 4,
so either Stastny (4) or Pavelski (6) could make Montreal a slim
favorite with both players likely ensuring a Cup Finals for the
Habitant. If Montreal goes 0 and 2 in these two games, GM Matt's
Nordiques will likely go through to represent the East Conference in the
NHLP Finals, where they are assured a player with either Tampa Bay and
Pittsburgh having to be there in the end. Back to back big nights
for Marcel, but a Blues win tonight at least takes some pressure off
Thursday's game in San Jose.
---
Did You Know - It is Game 7
We grabbed this stat a few weeks back, so the totals may have changed
slightly, but updated since 2009 here are how the NHL series have gone:
4 Games (14)
5 Games (25)
6 Games (36)
7 Games (42)
That is a crazy 73% of all series have gone either 6 or 7 games and 40%
of all series in that time have played 7 games. Can you believe
that? That is parity. No one sweeps anyone anymore.
For the NHLP it is nerve wracking. You think you have a shot and
then you don't. You think it is all but over, and suddenly you
catch yourself saying, ok, wait a second here. We have so many
GM's who do all have a great shot today. Of course there is the
Pittsburgh-Washington series and two more game sevens all going to play
into their odds. Who isn't a fan of this? Love It!!!!
If you have a chance right now, good luck and congrats to you.
Hope you are enjoying all this as much as I am.
---
Seventh Heaven
Two more NHL series are going 7 games and another could be heading that
way after tonight. Everything changed in just a night with
Nashville and Dallas the potential matchup next round while it was San
Jose and St Louis when the night began. The Indianapolis Icemen,
one of a few clear winning teams still have hope of a positive matchup
in the NHLP West Conference Finals. For Matt it is a hit and miss,
all or nothing Preds situation. Serving and forcing a game 7 where
Forsberg and Josi could face a Green Bay (Ryan) team who now can be
playerless, a complete reversal of what this series was expected to be.
For Matt to see things through, likely a Pittsburgh win tonight would
help best. The Icemen do not want to see the possibility of Green
Bay having a three man Washington team next round and rolling into the
Cup Finals.
---
Habs Take Hit to Chances
If St Louis and San Jose completed the job and won game 6, GM Marcel
would be looking powerful heading into the East Conference Finals.
Pavelski, Stastny and Killorn, a solid 13 points next round and assured
at least one player in the NHLP Finals if he got there. Now
suddenly things could just be Killorn, Montreal could be an underdog and
the Habs dream season could be over. With the Quebec (Matt)
matchup looking all but a certainty now, Marcel will need at least a
Sharks or Blues game 7 win to have two players, something the Nords will
have. Things turn quickly in the NHLP and Montreal was on a high
all week, looking into the mirror and seeing the possibilities.
Things changed quickly. For a fleeting second you have the best
shot but the Polaroid has been replaced with pictures that move even
after you take the picture. The thing is today's snapshot can look
like yesterday's again, later in the week, but the Sharks or the Blues
need to be in the photo of the Conference Finals teams or the Habs will
be a thing of the past a short time there afterward.
---
Pick Please
The Cleveland Fury (Tyson) are now up just 19-16 over the Toronto Maple
Leafs (Chad) with the pick still up in the air (Leafs have the Pens).
Both GM's are hoping the pick can yet go their way, and it might be
needed. With the lone 5 players here remaining all playing a game
seven Thursday, the difference between a 3 or 4 point lead might be
crucial. Chad can score and his four have had POINT GAINS, by game
of 1-3-0-3-4-2, over Hertl in each of the first 6 games. So you
can see only once did Chad gain 4 in a game, but 50% of the time he
gained the 3 currently needed. For Tyson, Cleveland is already
sitting with Hedman and Johnson who could join Hertl and be a massive
Central Conference Contender, playing Benn or Steen and Lehtera from New
Orleans (Shawn) who is through but with whom he is not sure. Now
you have the Leafs who could easily be the Conference Finals competition
for Shawn, pulling the Cup chances right out from underneath the Fury's
feet. For the Wolverines, they would in fact prefer to play the
Leafs, but without Thornton, Burns and Marleau, then leaving New Orleans
the clear favorites to go to the NHLP Finals no matter who they have
left. Chad is so close. The 3 point gain, assuming he has
the Pittsburgh tie-breaker, is a better than 50% shot knowing this is a
game 7 and two or three empty net goals are possible. In game 7
you pull your goalie down by 3 with ten minutes to play if you get a
powerplay. Why not? Chad could truly be unstoppable if he
can pull the miracle comeback with a Sharks win. The Leafs could
still beat the Habs in the NHLP Finals. In the NHLP that is a
possibility. Then again, maybe neither team is even there.
---
Back in Black?
The road to the NHLP Championship is never just easy. What fun
would that be? Down 3-1, written off by all others, GM Ryan can
move one step closer to the Green Bay Knights being the Champions after
all. With a Washington win, they force a home game 7 and place
Kuznetsov, Ovechkin and Johansson all a game away from playing in the
NHL's Conference Finals. The Knights are up 13-7 over St Louis
(Tyson) who just could never muster any competition after falling down
early. Now it seems it will be Green Bay moving on, but what type
of team will be left? A Backes or playerless team, or a lights out
powerful, dominating version the rest of the GM's alive fear, even if
they will never admit it out loud. It will be almost impossible to
beat this team if Washington is in. Just the facts. Are they
in? Can they complete the comeback? Ryan hopes they are back
in black after tonight's game.
---
---
Fury Looking In Rearview Mirror
The Cleveland Fury (Tyson) have Hedman, Hertl and Johnson leading their
NHL series and would be a decent favorite, maybe 11-7, to go to the NHLP
Cup Finals. For Tyson this may be his only remaining hope, and a
good hope it is. Sunday could be the end of Okposo, Hedman and
Johnson's second round so the Fury will need a big game if that is the
case. "Clearly the Islanders extending the series is best case"
said Muddy Capone. Cleveland at the moment does not have the
tie-breaker (Washington) and is winning 15-13 over the charging Toronto
Maple Leafs (Chad). The Leafs had four points Saturday from
Thornton and Marleau, somehow leaving Burns off the score sheet, a rare
playoff occurrence. Tyson won't feel comfortable even with a 5
point lead here if Tampa closes out their NHL series as Chad could come
up with a huge night or a seventh game. Now with San Jose leading
their series, both these GM's can taste the NHLP Championship and both
have each other in their cross-hairs. This is a classic NHLP
battle of heavyweight's and both GM's have tremendous teams that are
more than deserving of the title. It isn't over by any stretch but
Tyson is looking in the mirror, knowing if Sunday isn't a great
day, the Fury season could all but be over.
---
Lead Changed Every Shift
Two Cupless NHLP GM's standing at center ice and throwing haymakers at
one another. Throw. Hit. Land. Brace.
Defend. Take and throw again. Quebec (Matt) landed the most
recent blow with two points from Oshie to take the lead back from
Halifax (Shawn) who had Fabbri start the day giving them a temporary
lead. Heading into Sunday's Islanders and Lightning game, the
Nordiques are now up 11-10 with a Bolts win giving them the official
tie-breaker. Kucherov again goes toe to toe with Okposo and
Nelson, a battle 4-3 favoring Shawn this round. The Nords were
able to get the Capitals win, to extend both Oshie and Hornqvists
series, a solid blow. Until things change again the winner is now
looking like an underdog next round against Montreal (Marcel) who got
the perfect news of Pavelski moving into the lead in his series.
"Anything can happen we you are down to a couple players" said Muddy
Capone, "So you have to get there and take your shot at it." Both
GM's are likely hoping their team wins, meaning Shawn the Islanders and
Matt the Bolts. Way to close to call but way to fun not to watch
and enjoy.
---
Day of Rest
We all know GM Ryan will have his arms literally full on this Mother's
Day, but it is a good day for his NHLP team in Green Bay as well.
Keeping their 5 point lead and their NHLP Championship dream alive the
Knights now have to wait until Tuesday to see if Washington can push
their NHL series to a game 7. Helping matters on Saturday night
was the San Jose win, leaving potential Conference Final's opponent
Indianapolis (Matt) again with an all grey team next round. Ryan
can roll into the NHLP Finals with Backes and take his chances of the
right matchups. However, Washington is not quite dead just yet.
A game 7 is on the horizon and once again NHLP GM's everywhere should be
Pittsburgh fans if your team is alive as no one will want this team with
the Caps in the NHL Finals. Enjoy the day Everyone!
---
Strong Draft & Three Transactions
The Green Bay (Ryan) Roster came together at this seasons NHLP Draft.
Ovechkin was the Elite pick by the Knights with the 5th overall pick.
Brassard was the second pick who was traded for Anisimov, followed by
keepers Backes, Johansson and Kuznetsov, a draft day find in the 5th
round. The lone two other deals saw Hemsky turned into Kesler and
Ekholm for Teravainen. With Washington's unbelievable season it
became apparent early that this team was never going to come off
Washington, basically with their top three players. Ryan actually
did an outstanding job. "If he was staying with the Caps players"
wonders Muddy Capone, "What more could he really have done?" There
is really nothing more the Knights could have done with this team.
The consensus is likely Ryan did all he could do. This was an
unstoppable force, had and if Washington went all the way. There
was a risk early of a short first round, but after that this team grew
in stature. For Ryan, it likely all ends with the next Caps lose.
It has been done, comebacks, game by game, one at a time. For the
Knights, it must be, or it surely won't be. The best chance is a
win, win and a win. For Ryan his cup hopes are resting where they
began with the 5th overall pick, with Ovie and the Caps.
---
Halifax Needs Blues Win
With the Islanders falling down 3 to 1 in their NHL series, Halifax
(Shawn) will certainly need Fabbri and Parayko to be big tonight.
The Destroyers are now down 9-8 after completed game fours and without
the tie-breaker, Shawn needs a comeback. For Shawn, he likely will
need a Nashville win in that series knowing that even if he does win, it
will be Montreal (Marcel) in the Conference Finals. With Pavelski
in the lineup, as things sit now, it would seem Halifax would be a long
shot with just the two Blues players. There is a lot to do, but
first things first, a big night and get back into the lead in this
series. Of course the Nords (Matt) has Oshie and Hornqvist where a
6th game could work for Matt. If the two go out today, only
Kucherov is left in the Nords lineup and that might get real dicey.
This has been the series we thought it would be and there is a lot to be
decided before this Conference sends a team to the NHLP Finals.
NHLP playoff hockey at its best!
---
Indy Invested in Saturday's Games
Man it must be fun to be GM Matt right now. What a great day of
hockey ahead for the Icemen GM. Of course Forsberg and Josi are a
big part of the day. Having them win tonight in San Jose would be
such a crazy feeling, knowing what could be having them next round
against Green Bay. A Washington win, further ensure his opponent
next round is Green Bay (Ryan) where as long as Pittsburgh wins in the
end, with the Preds moving on a spot could be open in the NHLP Finals
for Matt's Icemen. If Nashville is playing
for the NHL Stanley Cup, the Indianapolis Icemen could be the 2016 NHLP
Champions. Matt has to be feeling it. Things can go from a
dream to a nightmare very quickly, so the perfect night is needed or the
Preds are facing elimination in game 6, and out likely go the Preds with
a playerless roster. It can be done. Right now the dream is
alive and well.
---
End Is Near
With all hands on deck in the St Louis Blues (Tyson) and Green Bay
Knights (Ryan) series, things are either going to get tense or all but
be over. For Tyson, a Pittsburgh shutout would be the dream night,
ending all the Knights hopes of adding more from their big three.
With the Blues down 9-4 Crosby must have a big game. Sharp finally
had two last game and two more tonight could help this comeback for the
two-time Champion Tyson. The Blues are very much an NHLP wildcard.
Still potentially having Crosby, Sharp and Marleau around next round
with a potential Finals of Crosby and either Sharp or Marleau possible,
Tyson could still easily win it all. What is more likely now is
this team is dead this round. What a comeback this would be but
the end is near if Washington wins and Ryan adds another three or four
points to his lead. More GM's with a shot. More GM's that
can be dead in the water. HUGE Night!
---
Triple The Excitement
A huge triple overtime win in what may have been the most exciting game
of the NHL playoffs to date has put Indianapolis (Matt) back in the
running for the NHLP Championship. "Things are going just about
perfect" stated Matt. Icemen star Josi played 49:07, over two
games worth of time for any NHL forward. This was a huge win,
instead of down 3-1 in games the Predators are into a three game series.
It has been a magical run for the Preds after knocking out Anaheim and
now giving San Jose all they can handle. With Green Bay (Ryan)
only having at best one player left if Washington does not win three
straight games, Josi and Forsberg could go right into the finals.
Indianapolis will be a serious threat to win the NHLP Championship if
they are in the Finals with Nashville. Indy pulled a huge first
round upset over a very strong Vancouver (Joel) team who would have sent
through a league best 6 players to the second round. Matt is
living the dream and must have Nashville win two of the next three as
the series heads back to San Jose where they lost the first two.
---
Great Night For Leafs
GM Chad put himself into position to win his second round series against
Cleveland (Tyson) with a huge three point night from his Sharks and the
accompanying overtime loss. "This is exactly how the NHLP goes"
said Muddy Capone, "Chad needed the Preds to win, it changed
everything." Of course the Leafs will need the Sharks to move on,
and the guaranteed two more games, 8 more player games, might alter the
outcome of this series. Chad is down 13-9 with the Pittsburgh
tie-breaker. Thornton, Burns and Marleau are a 5 point threat any
one game, easy 5, so Chad is never out of it as long as the Sharks have
another game to play. The Leafs are in tough, but things will get
easier tonight for Chad with a Tampa Bay low scoring win, putting Tampa
in their elimination game going home for Tyson's
Okposo, Hedman and Johnson. With Chad's four players
outscoring Hertl by two points a game, if Tampa ends this series and
Tyson does not extend his lead, the door will be swung way open for the
Leafs comeback. For both these GM's Cup homes are on the line.
Cleveland is strong and the Leafs unstoppable with San Jose moving on.
Tonight is another huge night as every other. Chad has to keep it
close and Tyson must extend it beyond its current four.
---
Kucherov - The Beast
GM Matt held onto his 8-7 lead over Halifax (Shawn) but is outnumbered
in Friday nights game 2 players to 1. With Kucherov having 10
points so far in the playoffs for Quebec, tonight might seem more an
even matchup against Okposo and Nelson (who have 12). Kucherov is
making Tampa Bay breathe easier about maybe losing Stamkos this year to
free agency. His one timers are Stamkos-like and he is easily
Elite player NHLP status. Kucherov came to Quebec on March 17th,
and you guessed it, from GM Shawn. New Orleans got Benn and
Carlson in the deal that seemed one-sided at the time for Kucherov and
Lucic. Matt makes these deals that just work out time after time
and this season, Kucherov has been gold. Of course Benn has 14 and
Carlson has been on fire and still alive, but it is about who goes to
the NHLP Finals and Matt said he likes his chances with Kucherov, the
only of the players leading their NHL series. If Tampa wins
tonight Kucherov is closer to the Conference Finals. This is
anyone's series and Halifax has additional player games from Fabbri and
Parayko, so Kucherov will be needed tonight to outscore Okposo and
Nelson or this series will at least be tied in points.
---
Finally Sharp On Board
The St Louis Blues (Tyson) are down 9-5 with the tie-breaker and now
added games from Sharp and Marleau. Suddenly this is a series and
with the potential to put through Crosby, Sharp and Marleau, St Louis
has to be considered a threat to win it all if they can come back and
catch Green Bay (Ryan). This was the night the Blues needed,
almost perfect outside of maybe Marleau adding a point. Four
points with the tie-breaker isn't a lot. What will be needed is
Crosby to outgain Ryan's three Caps on Saturday. It is a hard
task, but even a Pittsburgh win where suddenly it is Sharp and Marleau
versus Backes and only a four point series to win, the Knights won't
feel comfortable about that situation. Of course Cup hopes are on
the line here for both GM's, joining a long list that with the NHLP
Snapshot of this current moment, all have a legit chance to win it all.
Only one team will but we like St Louis if they can come back from the
incredible hole of 9-1 they were once in.
---
Wild Series Halifax Tries For Lead
Back and forth they go. Blow for blow. The Quebec Nordiques
(Matt) now have an 8-7 series lead over Hailifax (Shawn). The
Destroyers come right back tonight with Fabbri and Parayko. With
GM Shawn having four between his two Blues through three games, they
would be at least due to tie the series tonight with two points putting
Shawn's Eastern most NHLP team back in front. With the Penguins
win in overtime, the Washington Capitals are in jeopardy of being
eliminated and that would not be good news for Quebec. The sooner
that NHL series ends, the sooner the Destroyers will likely take this
series with both Oshie and Hornqvist then done in round two. For
Shawn the same can be said for his Blues, unlike his other two players
are not in a series involving Quebec. So not scoring tonight and
the Blues win clearly favors Matt as the Blues would be in Elimination
games. Both these GM's put a lot of sweat into their seasons and
this battle is a long ways from over. May the sweatiest GM win!
---
This Is It
If GM Tyson has any hope at all of coming back in St Louis, tonight you
could claim that this is it. The Blues down 9-2 versus the Green
Bay Knights (Ryan) that had their three Caps all held off the score
sheet and Crosby finally got on for Tyson. That is a huge deficit
but it can be overcome. Sharp and Marleau must have a healthy gain
on Backes tonight. A three or four point gain could make this
series say 9-5 after tonight. Crosby goes and gains another point
in a shutout in next game makes it 9-6 with Green Bay down to just
Backes. With Ryan picking Washington as the tie-breaker, Sharp and
Marleau would only have to gain three more points on Backes in their
series. The duo are up 9-8 in the playoffs and it isn't from
Backes doing anything but his predicted numbers. Sharp and Marleau
need to wake up. One point this round in 6 player games is
disgraceful. It can be done but two more goose eggs tonight just
means we have to make up an even more unlikely scenario for the Blues.
This one is already almost to hard to believe.
---
Little Joe Big For Habs
Knowing GM Marcel he has already worked it all out, so he isn't hearing
anything new from us today. Marcel is a HUGE Sharks fan. If
all NHLP and NHL series go as is a Sharks and Pens Stanley Cup would
have Marcel playing for the Cup with Pavelski against Hertl from
Cleveland (Tyson) with "Little Joe" having outscored Hertl 10-4 so far
in the playoffs. "This team has just been an incredible story"
said Muddy Capone, "We certainly can see how Montreal can win the NHLP
Championship today." Montreal was the CTR's number 22nd of the 24
playoff teams and were not expected to get out of round one against the
Hartford (Andrew) team who was a three point favorite. Runs by the
Sharks and Islanders were not CTR style victories but they have made
this team strong. Leading 10-5 it is looking like the Habs will be
favorites next round as long as Tampa Bay doesn't lose. Even if
the Lightening go out, things would actually be better still for Marcel
if they played Quebec (Matt) where he'd lose Kucherov and Marcel would
gain Nelson. If it were the Islanders next round and Halifax
(Shawn), this would make Shawn likely a 12-9 favorite to go to the Cup.
Montreal is trying to shock the NHLP. We are huge fans.
---
All's Not Lost After Crushing Final
You could not blame GM Ryan for being a tad in the dumps today.
Outside of the Washington Capitals now winning three straight hockey
games, the big three in Green Bay will be grayed out of the NHLP
playoffs. Certainly Ryan likely feels his Cup hopes are going with
the Caps. Well, likely yes, but certainly not a foregone
conclusion as Iron Mike Tyson may say. See, if all NHLP and NHL
series end as they currently are (or even if Halifax and Quebec go
either way), things could line up for Green Bay. The would have a
walk over in the Conference Finals against a playerless Indy (Matt)
team. So then if the Blues go to the NHL Finals, GM Ryan would
have Backes. If Cleveland (Tyson) beat out New Orleans
(Shawn) and the Penguins are playing the blues for the Stanley Cup,
Tyson would have a playerless team in Cleveland. Finally, Montreal
(Marcel) is there and in this scenario they would only have Stastny
left. Green Bay would be the favorite with Backes outscoring
Stastny 8-3 so far with the CTR likely having it predicted as either a
one or two point Knights edge. Bottom line is although Pittsburgh
beating the Caps seems like it is over, if they go all the way against
the Blues, it is anything but over. There is always a way, a
light, but sometimes we are so blinded with what we think is best, we
fail to see the other winning scenerios.
---
Hedman and Johnson Dominate
GM Chad got his Preds win, allowing his three Sharks to get at least a
fifth game, but was outscored on the night 5-1 by the strong Cleveland
(Tyson) entry. Hedman and Johnson, players who played in last
seasons NHL Finals have been their usual playoff selves, totally
dominating in the playoffs when it matters most. Just last season
it was Hedman and Killorn that were the unstoppable duel for the
Hartford Whalers (Andrew) who won the NHLP Championship. For much
of the NHLP season GM's weren't exactly overly excited about Tampa Bay.
Cleveland is now up 13-6 over GM Chad's Leafs. Ironically, as
always, it was Chad who traded Hedman to Cleveland on March 8th, days
before the NHLP Trading Deadline. Cleveland also picked up Sharp
in that deal, trading him for current playoff high scorer Okposo in a
trade with GM Andrew a week before the Deadline. It was only hours
later on that same day that Tyson acquired Hertl for Burakovsky from
Joel. Outside of the teams first round pick Johnson, Hedman,
Okposo and Hertl all came late March when Tyson was using his points to
build a winning team. Now is the payoff. The Leafs are down
7 and can easily get that in one game from their Sharks, but Chad may
need more than one point in a loss and hope the Preds and Sharks can
play seven games. For Tyson things are going good and his players
right now are unstoppable.
---
Dream Alive For Veteran GM
It was 1994 when GM Marcel joined the NHLP for the start of their 6th
season. It would be the final year of the original 5 GM's, Scott,
Raymond, Ian, Clark and Glen. Although four would go on for years,
GM Glen called it a career (Of course returning for 5 years between
03-08). Legendary GM's Lee, Leo and Norm were also around that
season with Leo winning his first of two Las Vegas Cups on his team led
by Messier and Coffey. Joining Marcel as new GM's that season were
an old guy named "One Foot". GM Dave lasted 6 NHLP season.
The final rookie, a young heavy drinking lad, who became known as GM Jr.
It would not be until 2008, the first year of current 9 year veteran GM
Joel that Marcel won his first and still only NHLP Championship.
Marcel has officially one Cup in 21 years, but has three years to win a
second and be right on average, well at least with the law of averages.
Marcel has learned over that time, just how hard it is to win, something
GM's Charlie at 16 years and Ryan at 14 years without a Championship,
understand all to well. Everything must be absolutely perfect in
every way. You don't realize it, but every series must go right,
as everything alters everything else. All that happens, was meant
to happen, for the team that wins the Championship. Of course if
2016 is meant to be for GM Marcel, that can only mean a Cup win in
Montreal where things have gone just about perfect so far. Now
wouldn't that be a site. The Montreal Canadiens the NHLP
Champions. Well, so far, that dream is still alive for Marcel.
---
Red Bay
GM Ryan loves Green but he will gladly take some Black after tonight's
Washington and Penguins game 4. The CTR #1 rated Green Bay Knights
are easily up 9-1 in their series with St Louis (Tyson). This is
an expected battle that has not materialized, thanks mostly do to the
non scoring round of GM Tyson's Blues. With just one point the
Blues have been major disappointments with even a 5 or 6 putting them
very much alive. For GM Ryan, it is bitter sweet. Leading is
important, but priority one was always getting Kuznetsov, Ovechkin and
Johansson through to the Conference Finals. With a win tonight,
they will even their series and head home where they can take the series
lead. Without the three, Green Bay could still be OK as Backes has
been strong, but even with Backes in the Finals by himself there is a
good chance Green Bay would be underdogs or even have no hope. If
things stay Red in the Bay, this monstrous run with huge expectations
could spell doom. Clearly the Caps must break through and find a
way or 14 will be 15, a number GM Ryan knows all too well.
---
Separating Halifax and Quebec
The CTR has it a pick'em series and so far the series has lived up to
the billing with the Destroyers up 7-6. The two cities are
separated by just over 1000 KM's and about a 9 hour and 46 minute drive.
People who make the trip often stop at Shediac, near Moncton. It
is famous for their fresh lobster and swimming at Parlee Beach.
Near Fredericton there is Kings Landing, an historical site and of
course the famous
Mactaquac Provincial Park. Of
course stopping at the
Grand Falls Gorge/ Grand Sault Falls
would be a sensible stop for most NHLP GM's. "It is a trip I would love
to make" said GM Matt, adding, "But I really want to go through
Montreal." Of course, as the NHLP sits, the winner of this series
will be going through Montreal (Marcel) who is pulling away in their
Division Finals series. For GM's Shawn and Matt a lot is on the
line in this series. Matt will need Oshie and Hornqvist to get
more points and with one player sure to move on, Matt is happy with a 7
game series between Pittsburgh and Washington. For Shawn he will
need the Blues and was heartbroken last night with the Islanders loss in
overtime. There isn't many points separating these two teams but
there is one beautiful country if you ever decide to take the drive.
---
Chad Needs Preds Wins
GM Chad's Toronto Maple Leafs may be sitting with the strongest
threesome in the NHLP. That may also be the Leafs downfall.
"I have wanted that third Cup, been chasing it for so long" said GM
Chad, "I didn't think this would be the year for a while, but I am close
now." There have been 8 NHLP Champions since "Little Joe" helped
Chad's Portland team win in 2007. Pavelski helped big shooters
Heatley, Gomez and Getzlaf at the time get by GM Glen's Ottawa team 5-3,
in a finals that also saw the Leaf's current opponents in Cleveland (GM
Vinnie at the time). This time around Chad is being carried by
"Big Joe" Thornton who has been dominate in the NHLP playoffs.
Thornton and Burns along with Berglund were sent to Toronto from Memphis
(Jr) for Kuznetsov, Carlson and Palat in a massive March 7th deal.
The deal seems to have been a great deal for both GM's, 6 players all
very much alive in the NHLP playoffs thus far. The biggest issue
GM Chad is now facing is the San Jose Sharks are in Nashville tonight
where a win puts them in their elimination game, up 3-0 in the series.
With Cleveland leading 8-5, the Leafs not only need to have a scoring
comeback, but will need more than a 4 game sweep. If Toronto could
come back and San Jose win, Chad could be nothing more than a Sharks win
next round from being the NHLP Cup favorites in the finals, on what
could be total domination. Both these GM's are trying for their
third GM Cups, with Chad having three in 18 years with a win this year,
making him one of the best averages all time for winning if he can carry
through. "It has been a while" Chad added. It will be a
while longer if the Preds can't come back and extend this series.
---
Islanders and Blues Final?
With all the talk of GM Ryan's Green Bay Knights and GM Chad's Toronto
team being able to bring strong teams to the NHLP Finals, over looked is
the team that the Halifax Destroyers (Shawn) could have on the NHL
Finals of St Louis and the New York Islanders. The Isles may not
have been high on anyone's radar heading into the playoffs but have had
solid goaltending from "Jesus Greiss" and all kinds of scoring.
For Shawn, Okposo and Nelson are becoming the teams two leading
Disciples. "I am a huge Islanders fan" the GM said recently, "They
are fun to watch." Many who did watch said that the openness of
the first round series with New York and Florida made it the most fun
series in the first round and so far the same can be said about the
second round. It is the kind of players you want in the NHLP this
time of year. Of course the Destroyers have Fabbri and Parayako,
two of the most exciting young players alive. It seems clear the
Islanders can get by Tampa Bay, maybe giving Shawn the hopes of the four
player finals, something very seldom ever done in the NHLP where four
man second round teams dominate. Halifax puts all four in action
tonight with the series with Quebec (Matt) now 6-5 Destroyers. It
is a big night for Shawn to take the lead against Matt and have an all
green team after game threes.
---
Icemen GM: "I Believe"
Indy is already through to the NHLP Conference Finals. "It is a
nice gate" said GM Matt, "But I think I can play for more." If
Nashville goes out, there is still the possibility of beating a
playerless Green Bay Knights (Ryan) if Washington and St Louis are gone.
There is even the possibilities this year has no NHLP players in the
NHLP Finals, easily seen on a few combinations, but the most likely a
Washington/Pittsburgh and Dallas/San Jose Finals. Of course for
Matt he likely will not make the Finals if Washington moves on or even
St Louis unless Nashville wins. If Nashville can sweep at home,
Forsberg and Josi can still win the entire NHLP Championship for Matt.
"Scoring is still very important" said Muddy Capone as the NHLP rules
stipulates the tie-breakers in the Conference Finals come from the team
scoring the most points the first two rounds, with Green Bay (Ryan)
currently up on Matt's Icemen 31-30 in that tie-breaker battle. It
could make all the difference on a playerless series or even Forsberg
and Josi versus Backes. Matt must have the Preds come back.
That would change the dynamics here. "I believe" Matt told Capone,
"I worked hard to get those Preds because I believed in them."
That could be a belief that pays off if they suddenly tie their series.
---
"Four Score and Need Seven More"
It might not have the power of the "Gettysburg Address" but GM Andrew to
the NHLP is as iconic as Abraham Lincoln is to American history.
Down 6-5 and totally out according to the CTR, GM Andrew is looking for
another four point game from his two players who have been sensation
after game two. The lone NHLP team with two Stars, Goligoski and
Eakin are the Blackhawk's last chance of NHLP glory this season.
"The longer it stay's close, the better chance of something unbelievable
here" said Muddy Capone. Usually four player teams never lose to
two player teams, happening so seldom you can count them on half a hand,
but usually it isn't 6-5 after game twos. What makes this hard, or
maybe easier is that 5 of the 6 players in this series are all facing
each other. If Andrew can grab a lead, everyone here can be out
except New Orleans (Shawn) Carlson. So if Andrew gets another four
point game out of these two, things could be really iconic in a hurry.
Against Benn on the other team it seems so improbable. But
Improbable only means, unlikely to happen. Doesn't mean it have
NEVER happened before.
---
Feeling Blue
It isn't the start GM Tyson was looking for after two games in the bag
but there is hope. "There is a lot of hockey left to play" Tyson
said, but with the St Louis Blues now down 5-0 to Green Bay (Ryan) the
GM must be feeling it a little bit. Tyson is trying to become the
first GM to have a team with three cups, which would also be his third
as a GM in just 7 years. Crosby was hoped to keep Ryan's Caps as
close as possible, with the CTR predicting Crosby would be outscored by
5 (about 12-7). Anything less then that would give Tyson a great
chance to steal the series with Sharp and Marleau outscoring Backes.
Backes currently is winning this battle 2-0, but is expected to lose it
by about 4. Tyson was able to steal the pick, with Pittsburgh
winning a game on the road and game 3 in the series, where Crosby
certainly should finally be on the board, goes tonight.
---
Carlson Can
A 14 point favorite to win the round, GM Shawn has been scoring, just
not expected has been the oppositions scoring through completed game
two's. GM Andrew was expected to get 6 the entire series, but is
sitting tied 5-5 with just Goligoski and Easkin and now with the
tie-breaker. For Shawn, Carlson is the lone player in the series
going Monday and he can score, with a point a game so far in round two.
Shawn just needs to keep putting the pucks in and surely Andrew's Hawks
will eventually slow down. This New Orleans team can bring two
players to the NHLP Finals, either on just the Blues or a Dallas and
Washington matchup. The home run for Shawn could be the Blues and
Caps finals where he would have three players. With Green Bay
(Ryan) having three Caps, we would call that finals about a 12-12
pick'em series. If you go purely by the stats, Benn and Carlson
would possibly be a favorite against Ryan's three Caps, even outscoring
them 16-12 in the first round. The Wolverines actually have a
great opportunity, as they have had in the past, for Shawn. "I am
taking it one game at a time" said Shawn, "Just want Carlson to get a
point tonight." Well, Carlson can.
---
Nords Down - Look to Draw Even
The predicted battle between Quebec (Matt) and Halifax (Shawn) is
shaping up with all players already getting extended NHL series.
Matt is down 6-4 but has Hornqvist and Oshie against no one to close the
gap Monday night. The winner here will likely have Montreal
(Marcel) which will surely be a battle to go to the NHLP Finals.
"Anyone can come out of the East Conference" said Muddy Capone, "It
could be the Cup winner so these are big games." Halifax has two
Islanders and two Blues, so outside of either of those teams going to
the Finals, Shawn can't win it all in the end. If Tampa Bay wins
this round, Matt is assured a player as he would have two players
matching up in the NHL Conference Finals from the East. The Nords
are down a player so need every point they can get. Halifax
currently has the tie-breaker with the Islanders heading home with a win
on the road. Big night in Quebec.
---
Head Office Moved In
It was a chaotic few days but some normalcy is finally back to the NHLP
head office. "You'd of thought we could have moved in the off
season" said Muddy Capone, "But we are back and excited to follow
someone's dream season unfold." There are clearly many GM's who
have great shots today. It is totally wide open. We will be
here as things unfold as we look for the 26th NHLP Champion in 2016.
---
New Orleans Game 7 win
When you have these types of things happen to you during a playoff run,
we often believe it is destiny. "Every winning team has a story,
faces adversity and gets through it somehow, someway" said Muddy Capone.
Of course the Wolverines are creating a great story. Ending the
first round with the highest scoring team, GM Shawn was actually losing
once Wilson got the games first goal for Florida (Marcel). This
drew the series even at 30-30, creating the fact one would be the third
team in league history to lose while scoring 30 or more in a round.
Shawn left it to the third period before Lindholm got a no doubt second
assist which eventually would end any hope of another Panthers run.
New Orleans is now the most heavily CTR favorite in round two and should
easily pound home a win against GM Andrew's Chicago team. Only
Goligoski and Eakin, Shawn is a 14 point favorite to win with Benn,
Steen, Carlson and Lehtera. Game 7 of the Chicago series went
Shawn's way, keeping his two Blues while Andrew lost Panarin and
Anisimov. Shawn is catching the proper breaks often the winner
looks back on and agrees he needed that. New Orleans will get the
winner of Toronto (Chad) and Cleveland (Tyson) for the right to go to
the NHLP Finals,
---
Favorite Leafs Get It Done
GM Chad admitted he could not watch the end while GM Scott said he was
in it to the very final swing and miss by Kesler. Toronto became
the 6th NHLP team to cover for the CTR in Round One, a somewhat hard to
swallow 6 for 12. "A Monkey spinning a wheel could have picked
better" admitted Muddy Capone. While three top 5 seeded teams
remain the bigger shock is the last four on the CTR Power Ranking, are
all still in. Indianapolis (Matt) at #23 has left a miracle run by
Forsberg and Josi to do their damage. A single point will knock
out the #24 - Alaska Attack (Marcel) who are playerless. The #22 -
Montreal (Marcel) should fair much better, 11 point second round
favorites over Pittsburgh (Chad) who appear heavily outgunned by
Montreal who is one of the six teams remaining all tied with the most
players left at 4. Although the CTR had Chad's Leafs to win round
one, the Toronto teams was still the CTR #21 overall team. Well,
they are two point favorites now to win again and go as far as their
three Sharks take them. It was an awesome first round. GM's
Chad and Tyson are chasing their third Cups while Marcel is alive for
number two. Although Andrew would have Cup 7, his 14 point
underdog Chicago team likely could never go the rest of the way.
GM's Shawn, Matt and Ryan all look strong and will certainly all have
the opportunity for a first ever Cup. Embrace it. It is
incredibly hard, oh, but so much fun.
---
"A Little Soon For Crosby"
GM Ryan said he hoped to not have to go through GM Tyson's Crosby team,
"But it is what it is" the GM said. The Green Bay GM has four
players left and is a one point favorite over St Louis (Tyson) who has
Crosby, Sharp and Marleau. The Knights top three, all Capitals
will meet up head to head versus the hot Pittsburgh team of Crosby's in
what is expected to be one of a few close second round series. For
Ryan the chase for Cup one is likely all his Washington three, but
Backes has been great for the Blues. Ryan lost support from Kesler,
as well as Anisimov and Teravainen. The interesting thing about
these two NHLP teams, is all seven players who were lost in the first
round, all lost out in their NHL teams game sevens. Ryan may think
it is a little soon for Crosby but the NHLP loves this battle in which
the winner, if the Predators lose, will face no opposition in the
Conference Finals and have a walk over to the NHLP Championship.
Of course, they first have to have a player left themselves.
---
| First Round At a Glance...(Click for Playoff Page) | |||||
| Seed | Team | Score | Score | Team | Seed |
| Central Conference - North Division | |||||
| 4 |
#20 - Buffalo Sabres (Joel) |
21 | 23 | #10 - Cleveland Fury (Tyson)+2 |
1* |
| 3 |
#6 - San Fran Titan (Scott) |
22 | 25 |
#21 - Toronto Maple Leafs (Chad)+2 |
2 |
| Central Conference - South Division | |||||
| 4 | #13 - Dallas Stars (Jr) +1 |
19 | 22 | #5 - Chicago Blackhawks (Andrew) |
1 |
| 3 |
#15 -
Florida Panthers (Marcel) |
30 | 31 | #8 - New Orleans Wolverines (Shawn)+1 |
2** |
| East Conference - Atlantic Division | |||||
| 4 |
#22 -
Montreal Canadiens (Marcel) |
22 | 20 |
#7 -
Hartford Whalers (Andrew) +3 |
1 |
| 3 |
#18 - New York Islanders (Ryan) |
13 | 18 |
#4 - Pittsburgh Penguins (Chad)+3 |
2** |
| East Conference - East Division | |||||
| 4 | #19 - Halifax
Destroyers (Shawn) |
28 | 25 |
#2 - Memphis Machine (Jr) +4 |
1 |
| 3 |
#17 - NY Rangers (Charlie) |
14 | 28 | #9 - Quebec Nordiques (Matt)+4 |
2* |
| West Conference - Pacific Division | |||||
| 4 | #23 - Indianapolis Icemen (Matt) |
25 | 20 |
#3 - Vancouver Canucks (Joel) +3 |
1* |
| 3 | #14 - Calgary Flames (Jr) +4 |
15 | 18 |
#24 -
Alaska Attack (Marcel) |
2 |
| West Conference - West Division | |||||
| 4 | #16 - Edmonton Oil (Scott) |
19 | 24 | #1 - Green Bay Knights (Ryan)+8 |
1*** |
| 3 | #12 - St Louis Blues (Tyson) |
25 | 17 | #11 - Los Angeles Kings (Andrew) Pick |
2 |
* - Predicted to win Division
** - Predicted to Go to NHLP Finals
*** - Cup Favorites
---
Memories of 1992 and 2010
"The two highest scoring teams in the first round and one will be out"
said GM Marcel to Muddy Capone Tuesday. In all the NHLP
excitement, Capone had overlooked that little fact. Florida
(Marcel) is in fact losing with 29 points to New Orleans (Shawn).
With a point Wednesday by Wilson, GM Marcel is assured not necessarily
to win, but to create a very rare NHLP occurrence and one to not have
occurred since the NHLP has went to 7 player rosters. That is the
30 point team that losses. Back in 1992, only the third NHLP
season, when San Jose (co-GM's Craig and Roy) matched up against Calgary
(GM Glen) we didn't know the novelty of what we witness at the time.
What was of note was the first year GM's Craig and Roy were not happy to
have finished second overall in San Jose with 385 points, in a 27 team
league, and have to play Calgary who finished third overall at 364
points. Imagine, back than with just 5 player rosters scoring like
this. Oh the scoring. Glen scored 31 first round points to
Craig and Roy's 30 and knocked them out. What became even more the
story was Edmonton (Scott) had finished first overall at 409 points and
scored 32 points in the Pacific Divisions first round. Round two,
Edmonton with Mario Lemieux hurt, outscored Glen's Calgary team who was
down to Stephen Lebeau, 2-1, after the two teams just combined for 63
first round points. Of course Lemieux came back for the final two
rounds scoring 8 and 7, and GM Scott won his first cup. Craig and
Roy had had enough, becoming the first ever 30 point losing team.
It wouldn't be until 2010, now with 6 player rosters, that GM Marcel's
Alaska Attack would score 37 first round points to "Get by" the 30
scored by Seattle (Matt). The Attack had 10 from Cammalleri, while
others lit it up, Plekanec 7, Giroux 6, Hanzus 5, Bergeron 5 and Markov
4. Matt's Storm had 4 players get 5 or better including the late
great Demitra. It is still very rare to get 30 in the first round,
even after all these years, but it is even rarer to get 30 and lose.
Either of these GM's on Wednesday night can become the third GM in
league history to join the 30/30 club.
---
Habs WIN! Take Atlantic Division
(Official)
GM Marcel clearly did not know it, but once Shaw scored the first point
of the night, Montreal had won their series, not needing the dramatic
later point from Stastny. When the CTR Official verified with
NHL.com this series, Brassard had two points, not three in game 2.
All other players were correct and Montreal official knocks off the NHLP
Defending Champions of Hartford (Andrew) 22-20. For Marcel he was
a one point underdog with Parise who never played a game all series,
meaning the Habs pulled off even a bigger upset. "I could not be
more happy" said GM Marcel who now will officially get Pittsburgh (Chad)
and be around a 17 to 6 point favorite to win the Atlantic Division.
The Habs carry on Pavelski, Stastny, Killorn and Nelson, assured of one
player in the Conference Finals. Montreal is battling for their
second team Cup, the first won in 1991 by GM Edward. Marcel is
going after his second Cup, previously winning in 2008 in Florida, just
eight years ago. The CTR had the Habs at no chance to win the NHLP
Championship, #22 of 24 playoff teams in strength. Winning in
round one and NHL upsets by both San Jose and the NY Islanders have
changed this teams course and will easily now be one of the final 6 NHLP
teams, playing either Halifax (Shawn) or Quebec (Matt).
---
Wolverines Retake Official Series Lead
With all players in this series now officially checked heading into game
7, the New Orleans Wolverines (Shawn) are alive and well for their
potential NHLP Cup run. Down 30-29, GM Marcel will still have hope
in Florida with Wilson only needing to gain one single point on Lindholm
to win the series on the tie-breaker. Wilson has doubled up on
Lindholm 4-2 through the first 6 games, so it isn't out of the realm and
very much anyone's series at this moment. The winner will likely
play Chicago (Andrew) who is officially up 22-19 after no changes were
found in that series. Chicago is only bringing Goligoski and Eakin
who combined for 7 first round points to the next round after losing
Panarin and Anisimov. GM Jr still has a long shot hope of Ribeiro
and Vatanen combining for 4 points in game 7 to pull out the series but
with only 5 points in the first 6 games, that seems improbable to occur.
With Florida truly only playing the upset spoiler roll, GM Shawn has a
legitimate team of Benn, Steen, Carlson, Lehtera and maybe Lindholm.
Shawn has played these game sevens for all the marbles, as recent as
last year, where his cup hopes rested on the outcome of a game seven,
and clearly here this is the case on Wednesday. New Orleans will
have an awesome opportunity to go all the way but Wilson could be a
single shot killer of the dream again for GM Shawn's strong South
Division team.
---
Titan Officially in Deep Hole
The Yearbook has confirmed the Toronto Maple Leafs (Chad) are officially
up 25-21 heading into the last and very final NHL game of the first
round. Although no errors were found in this series, Brassard was
docked a point for the Buffalo Sabres (Joel) who had hopes of Weber
getting three points, now would need a four point game 7 to knock off
the Cleveland Fury (Tyson). Tyson is going to move on with Okposo,
Hedman, Hertl and Johnson, a combined first round of 16 points to battle
either Toronto or San Fran (Scott). The Titan did not gain a point
thanks for the pant legs of Perry, who caused the goal to go from two
points for Scott to one each and no gain. Chad needs just one more
stop to go head to head with Cleveland for the Division and it will be a
huge battle. For Scott, he thinks it can be done. "I will
need one power play goal go my way, with a combination of at least two
of Getzlaf, Kelser and Vatanen without Fowler." The Titan have not
had the three point goal but Scott said this is what makes the best
memories. "I have had that shot, it just did not go in. One
shot is all it takes."
---
Halifax Perry Dependent
GM Shawn pulled off an amazing upset and his Cup aspirations can grow a
little further on Wednesday. Halifax has knocked off Memphis (Jr),
leading unofficially 28-25 but has Perry to play. With Quebec
(Matt) already waiting and with Fowler the unknown, the players through
already were 17-17 between the two teams in their first round scoring.
Perry's four is one better than Fowler so it shouldn't alter things
much, but you want the more players moving on in later rounds.
Both Halifax and Quebec have realistic chances of winning it all and to
get to the Finals will certainly be Montreal (Marcel) in the Conference
Finals. Neither GM has won an NHLP Championship and we can
certainly make the case this could be their year. It is going to
be someone's and why not two of the more aggressive GM's in the entire
league who are long overdue.
---
Cup Front Runners Season in Jeopardy
The Memphis Machine (Jr) are all in tonight. Down 25-24 (I hope
all these numbers are correct - but who knows if you haven't double
checked your own series, I did mine) the Machine have two players left,
two-time NHLP Champion Toews and Ladd. The Machine have Anaheim as
the tie-breaker, so that could only mean they have to tie this series.
Halifax (Shawn) could be very strong next round with a Blues win, having
five players and be the likely favorite. Shawn still has Perry,
Fabbri and Parayko, who are collectively outscoring Jr's two 9-7.
In the Ducks win, giving Jr the tie-breaker Perry will have a greater
chance of scoring. However, it is game 7 for the Hawks and it is
possible to see two empty net goals in a game 7, meaning Toews and Ladd
could have a big night. This is a huge night. The Atlantic
Division would likely be no match for the winner here and these teams
are strong. For Memphis there are no bigger nights. Having
potentially 7 players in the second round is a massive accomplishment
and serious Cup hopes rest on tonight for both these GM's. Memphis
was down and are not favorites to come through looking at their
disadvantage based on just tonight, but this is what makes winning it
all so memorable. These nights when odds are against you you step
up and pull the carpet from everyone else's feet.
---
Leafs Must Play Defence
It always depends who you ask what position you want to be in. GM
Scott always said he would rather have the player left who needs to
score then having no one and just defending. That isn't quite the
case here in this series as both teams have players left, but it is just
a lopsided number. Toronto (Chad) is winning 24-20 and will lose
if San Fran (Scott) ties the series. Toronto is down to Smith
(game time decision to play) and Fowler. The Titan have Getzlaf,
Kesler, Shattenkirk, Rackell and Vatanen. So far in round one the
Titan would have gained the four needed points in 3 of the first 5
games, about 60% of the time. That is per game, so there is no way
Chad can have a Preds win and give the Ducks another opportunity unless
it is a shutout as any Ducks goal likely gets a point for GM Scott.
The winner here could be very strong if the Ducks go through.
Toronto already with their powerhouse three Sharks and Scott if the
Blues and Ducks move on. The winner is set to get Cleveland
(Tyson) who might have the best team still, but is only 5 points up with
just Ladd left. We said only because GM Joel has Tarasenko, Steen
and maybe two games from Weber. Five is a massive amount, but we
all know in an elimination game Tarasenko could easily get three points
if the game opens up because of scoring.
---
Deadlocked
Tied at 28-28 with a very interesting night ahead. The Florida
Panthers (Marcel) was ahead most of his first round series versus New
Orleans (Shawn) but an amazing late comeback have put the Wolverines in
position to pull this out. Everything is opposite teams tonight.
Marcel has two Hawks and a Pred versus Shawn's two Blues and a Duck.
Marcel's three however are outscoring Shawn by 15-7 so far in the
series. Kane, Keith and Wilson have lit it up while Steen, Lehtera
and Lindholm have been respectable but none has the points Marcel's
lowest player, Wilson, even has so far this round. With the
tie-breaker with Florida, it would seem New Orleans need a miracle night
just to gain the one point they will need to move on. The team
that moves on here will be favorites next round if Chicago wins and it
is Marcel or the Blues win and it is New Orleans. Of course that
is playing against Chicago (Andrew) but they are only up 22-19 without
the tie-breaker. Dallas (Jr) would need a miracle themselves but
with a Preds win does get a game seven from Ribeiro and Vatanen if they
can get it down to one or two after tonight.
----
Blues Totally Hawks
GM Tyson will be a heavy favorite over the Green Bay Knights (Ryan) if
the Chicago Blackhawks win game 7. If not, then Tyson's Blues team
will be the underdog. These are massive teams and this is a huge
night. Two season's ago GM Ryan literally lost the NHLP
Championship because of a game 7 loss by Chicago (O.T. no less) and it
could happen again with a game 7 win by those same Hawks. These
are the kinds of things that must go the winning teams way. It
isn't easy being an NHLP GM and right when things are looking good, out
of no where is a motorbike. NHLP Cup hopes are clearly riding on
tonight across the entire NHLP.
---
Habs Need Massive Night
The defending NHLP Champions are done for round one. Hartford
(Andrew) has the tie-breaker and a one point lead, no one left.
Montreal (Marcel) must gain two points to move on from Stastny and Shaw.
GM Andrew has always said he would take the points in this very
situation. Marcel's two players have collected two or more points
in two of the 6 games, meaning about a 33% chance. How big is this
game? Hartford with just Backstrom could be a favorite to win next
round. Marcel would be a landslide favorite with four players and
could easily compete to go to the NHLP Finals. This is another
huge night. Odds are Montreal is going to struggle to get two
points but the sooner in the game they get the first one their odds
dramatically change in their favor.
---
Blues Rules
This would be three Cups in his first seven years! GM Tyson got
what he hoped for and is now looking like he could bring a full 7
players to the NHLP second round. The only other team that can do
that is the Memphis Machine (Jr). but they are currently down and not
the easy through as the Blues have turn out to be versus the
disappointing Los Angeles Kings (Andrew) team, that the CTR apparently
had right after all. St Louis is set to face the Green Bay Knights
(Ryan) and will be heavy favorites if Chicago moves on. Things are
getting very interesting. These two teams could be the two
strongest remaining and have to face each other next round.
---
Silfverberg Vs. Silfverberg
It looks like Silfverberg will be on the Pacific Division winning NHLP
team. "The two worse CTR rated teams in the entire league
are both going to win and meet in round two" said Muddy Capone, "I am
not sure who is more embarrassing, the CTR ranking or these pathetic
teams". Alaska (Marcel) the CTR #24, the very worst chance of
winning the NHLP Cup, was a four point underdog against Calgary (Jr) but
will easily move onto the Division Finals against what is likely
Indianapolis (Matt). This would mean neither GM will have more
than Silfverberg versus Silfverberg as things currently sit. Indy
was the CTR's #23 team, meaning the two very worst of the worst could be
battling for the NHLP West Conference Championship.
---
Machine Not Dead
It seems the East Conference will be sending their NHLP Cup
Representative form the East Division. That means the winner of
GM's Shawn and Jr, currently 22-20 in Shawn's favor, Halifax over
Memphis, will play Quebec (Matt) with the winner in the NHLP finals.
The Atlantic Division favorites Hartford (Andrew) and Pittsburgh (Chad)
currently have two player second round teams. GM Jr has
potentially a full 7 player second round team, likely why the CTR #2
ranked playoff team, but is down two with the tie-breaker in hand.
This team can easily gain two now as all NHLP series go to 6 or 7 games.
If the Machine win round one they likely go straight to the NHLP Finals
to represent the East Conference.
---
Head Office Moving Locations
The NHLP Head Office is moving locations to their new head office.
"The final three days of the month could be completely offline" said
Muddy Capone, "If all goes well, we will be without a keystroke missed,
but just in case be prepared for anything." Moving trucks arrive
the morning of the 29th so we should be online the night before and
likely the night of the 29th. So if you have picks to make, send
them to everyone. Double check your own series now as well and let
us know of anything.
---
It Could Happen To You
What a turn of events. The NHLP Yearbook reported the Edmonton Oil
(Scott) were leading 18-17 in their series with Green Bay (Ryan).
Of course Ryan pointed out the fact that Backes did have an extra point.
This made the series 18-18. The Yearbook took a quick look at all
the other players just in this series to find that Hornqvist did not
have 6 points as the Yearbook reported, but only 5. This mean
without a point scored in this series on the night, Edmonton when from
Winning, to tied, to losing. "Things happen so quick, there is no
time to double check anything" said Muddy Capone, "An error, oversight,
change in points, can all mean we are reporting the wrong results.
Check your teams and let us know. More eyes so we report the
facts." Of course all series are looked at the conclusion of the
series, but this would have been devastating to think you won only to
actually have lost. The Knights have yet to lose a player, meaning
a 7 to 4 player advantage. Suddenly GM Scott said the tie-breaker
isn't as in the back as he thought. The Flyers winning on home ice
means a game 7 and anything can happen in any game 7. Green Bay
must now not only seal this series, but get their Washington players
through or this team will be decimated. What a series.
---
Ranger Danger
Who's shoes would you feel more comfortable in, the Buffalo Sabres
(Joel) or Cleveland Fury (Tyson)? The Fury lead 19-16 and look
like they have the tie-breaker with Washington. However, today GM
Joel sends out Tarasenko, Steen, Brassard, E. Staal, Klein and Weber.
Rangers and Blues could be playing their last games of the round today
and Weber gets at least one more after today. The Fury have Ladd
today but in their back pocket is Jagr, Okposo and Huberdeau. For
Joel he likely will need a game 7 from the Blues or the Rangers staying
alive. The same will be said for Tyson who will likely want the
Panthers to go 7. This is an insane series and the winner, well
still could get Toronto (Chad) who is up 6 with 5 player games to go
against San Fran who has open highway with Chad's Burns, Thornton and
Marleau done for the round. With the Titan locked in now
officially having the tie-breaker, a tie series favors San Fran.
The Titan also have at least 6 player games more than Chad with all four
Ducks playing at least two more games.
---
Icemen Retake Series Lead
One of only two NHLP series where all 14 players are still playing, GM
Matt has retaken the lead in his first round series in Indianapolis.
The Icemen now have a 19-17 lead and send out a team of four players to
the Canucks (Joel) three to stretch the lead out. The teams are
potentially different looking next round with Vancouver having six
players still winning their series and the Icemen, none but guaranteed
something with two Preds versus a Duck in that series. It is a
huge day in this series that is far from over no matter what happens
today.
---
Attack Down, Not Out
Calgary (Jr) has a 15-13 lead over Alaska (Marcel) but Jr's Flames are
down to just Seabrook and Miller who have combined for five points in
the series. For Alaska, after huge Flyers & Wild wins, still have
five players and six player games. Seabrook and Miller could end
today, leaving Calgary's end of the day total as the number Alaska would
then have to beat by one point. It would seem Jr will need a Hawks
or Rangers win to yet have any hope of holding off the Attack who could
win and not have a single player alive in round two. Of course
Marcel is now the biggest Flyers fan in the NHLP. Winning on home
ice will mean the Flyers can get Marcel a 7th game and his best Philly
team could still be alive for a miracle, and I do mean miracle, run for
a Cup.
---
North Division
Massive battles that could go one of four ways yet with each GM having a
way through to winning the Division crown. The favorite was
Cleveland (Tyson) who is up 18-16 with the tie-breaker. Tyson can
still have Florida win and be even better than the expected 17 in the
second round thanks to San Jose where he wasn't suppose to have Hertl.
Tyson must hold onto his lead and thanks to a longer Florida and
Islanders series he still has 8 player games left, same as GM Joel in
Buffalo. If Joel can somehow pull this off and get on with
Tarasenko and Steen he could add Weber in a Nashville series win and
destroy San Fran (Scott) next round. San Fran is down 17-15 to
Toronto (Chad) but has the San Jose tie-breaker so far. The Titan
can be very strong or weak depending on if Anaheim can yet win in round
one. The Titan have an 11-8 player game advantage remaining and
Chad still may not have Smith who has a two point series. If Scott
wins with the Ducks he could put up a huge battle for the Division title
against Tyson or likely be heavy favorites against Joel. Chad is
sitting with his three Sharks and they either must lose tonight or have
a big night, again. If San Jose knocks the Kings out tonight and
Chad does not score from Thornton, Burns and Marleau, Chad will
certainly likely be out with the Ducks still playing two games or more.
This is anyone's Division at this point.
---
South Division
It was expected to be two battles and is currently two upsets. It
is looking like Chicago (Andrew) is going to finish off Dallas (Jr) who
is now down 12-8, but has one extra man game remaining. The Stars
were majorly disappointing. Datsyuk finishes without a point and
still pointless but playing are Klingberg, Ribeiro and E. Staal.
You can't win with that many goose eggs. Trocheck's return is
near. For Andrew he still needs the Panthers and is hoping for the
Blackhawks. If they both win this team can be strong, but a
nothing team without them both. New Orleans (Shawn) was favored to
win the Division but is now down 25-20 to GM Marcel's Florida team.
Marcel now has a 10-8 man game advantage remaining and although the
Wolverines could have five guys alive next round, odds are they won't be
there now. Even a huge finish likely can't be enough for Marcel is
likely going easily over 30 points this round. GM Shawn was
suppose to represent the Conference in the finals and although he is
currently the highest scoring losing first round team, Marcel was just
too much to handle. For Marcel he still needs Florida and Chicago,
same teams GM Andrew is cheering for and all their combinations of with
them, some of them or none of them means battles between these two next
round. If Florida and the Hawks go out however, it is highly
likely the North Division represents the Conference in the NHLP Finals.
---
Atlantic Division
GM Marcel gave it all he had. Montreal, against all odds battled
the Hartford team of GM Andrew's, only down 18-17 but with just what
appears no hope left. The Whalers have double the remaining man
games at 8-4 and of the remaining players outscoring Marcel 17-12.
If Andrew does finish it off, he will have nothing without the NHL
Panthers but maybe then still enough to beat Pittsburgh (Chad) who
without the Panthers would be a one point favorite if things finish as
they now are. Chad was really given a run by the New York
Islander's team of Ryan's who can still find a way to gain 4 points and
win on the tie-breaker. The player games left are 6-6 of playing
players so a four point gain might be wishful thinking. Ryan could
have the best second round team if he could get through, but it is
looking like being a man down in the playoffs will be his downfall.
---
East Division
The Memphis Machine (Jr) could be the biggest disappointment of the NHLP
playoffs. Kuznetsov, Spezza, Toews, Carlson, Ladd, Palat and
Winnik where the CTR's #2 most powerful team entering the playoffs.
Jr was a four point favorite and now is down 20-15 in points and 11 to 6
in man games. There is just no hope left and the Destroyers will
be playing the Quebec Nordiques (Matt) who are hammering Charlie's
Rangers 26-11. The Nords are looking like a small favorite or
small underdog next round with New Orleans still having many
combinations of what their team could be. These two teams will
have hopes of beating the Atlantic winners for the Conference
Championship.
---
Pacific Division
Maybe the most exciting finishes of round one will be here in the
Pacific Division. GM Joel in Vancouver has 6 players currently
winning their NHL series. This team is awesome!!! Big
problem though. Indianapolis (Matt) is losing by just a single
point at 17-16, could have the tiebreaker in Nashville and is guaranteed
11 more player games to only 7 for the Canucks. Joel must go out
scoring. He has Williams, Williams and Johansson who have scored 9
of the teams 17, likely playing their last game of the round tonight.
Can the Flyers go into Washington and extend the series? Matt be
hoping not while it might be Joel's only remaining hope. A
powerful unstoppable second round team and maybe Cup favorites are in a
wicked, stomach turning position. Talk about blowing it.
Calgary (Jr) led 10-3 at the end of game three's and it is 11-10 now at
the end of game four's. Alaska (Marcel) has came all the way back
and is down one with Chicago as the tie-breaker. So Marcel would
need a two point gain if Chicago doesn't win in 7. This series
could basically be over tonight. Jr has three Kings, he needs them
to win and he still could have the best Kings team in the entire league.
If they lose, he is down to just Seabrook and Miller. Marcel has
his three big Flyers playing tonight. They have one point between
them the first three games and four points last game. So if the
Kings lose, Marcel could be down to just Koivu (could be out tonight)
and Silfverberg if the flyers can't pull another miracle. If
Vancouver does not win this Division, it is likely a bunch of two man
second round teams. Huge night. Huge battles.
West Division
If you only look at the score you would think, OMG, Edmonton (Scott) can
actually take out the CTR's #1, Cup favorites to boot, the Green Bay
Knights (Ryan). Then you look closer. Yes the Oil are
winning right now, this moment, 18-17. The Knights have Washington
as the breaker, so are down 1 point. The Knights have at least an
8-4 man game advantage to gain that one point. A CTR predicted 8
point favorite team losing doesn't happen often at all.
Ironically, in just last years playoffs the fourth place team beat out
the first place team in the West Division in round one. Alaska
(Marcel) was a 27-19 point favorite and lost 22-21 to Portland (Vinnie).
Same Division, seeds and CTR prediction of 8 points. Undoubtedly
GM Ryan is feeling the pressure. The Knights Washington three can
take care of business and put enough distance between the Oil and
Knights that it can be over. If those three don't take this series
over tonight and Washington wins, suddenly Cinderella will be at the
ball. In the Divisions other series the Blues (Tyson) are taking
it to the Kings (Andrew), 17-12 in what has been a huge battle.
Tyson is bringing through Crosby, Sharp and Marleau and maybe McGinn and
could have a full 7 players if Chicago came back in their NHL series.
That would make Tyson the easy favorite to win next round and maybe go
out the way with what would be a powerhouse. This has been a great
Division and it isn't over by any stretch. Everything matters
everywhere. I'd say it is a "Big Night", but of course, "There all
BIG".
---
Nail Biters Everywhere
We all love to see great NHLP series and this year we are getting our
fill. Of the 12 First Round series, 9 of them are within just 3
points or less. At this snapshot in time, most series can go
either way and with some luck, almost every NHLP team can see a path to
a long run to the NHLP Finals. "This is what you start dreaming of
the year prior when your last team goes out" stated Muddy Capone,
"Months and months of planning and hard work is now for many down to
just over a week." Starting tonight we see the first of the
elimination games with Washington looking like a sure bet to sweep out
the Flyers. After a classic meltdown in game three there would
seem almost no hope of pulling so many pieces together to give the
Capitals a run tonight. Philadelphia is the only team not yet to
win an NHL playoff game this playoffs.
---
Crawford Costs Hawks?
Divers! It never pays to dive. Yes, you may get away with it
and get a call, but word gets around. Officials are called out
through a simple scoring system on the strength of each call they make,
usually out of four. These are made by the in-game Supervisor, all
legends, and tallied in the league office. So when you make an
Official look bad, word gets around and you no longer get the benefit of
the doubt on close calls, thus hurting your team in the long run.
The Official himself sees his own score and does not forget that you not
only embarrassed him but lowered his ranking. It isn't favoritism,
the highest rated guys work the biggest games. Now to Crawford.
Fabbri gets shoved into Crawford from behind and Fabbri falls and slides
into the corner. At this point, if Crawford doesn't lose his
fucking mind and Fabbri just gets up and skates up the ice, we never
even see a replay of this ever again. No penalties. Nothing.
No Interference on Fabbri. Nothing. But Crawford does in
fact lose his mind. Skates out of his net, starts throwing
minor-hockey-match-like-haymakers with his blocker. The on-ice
Officials put the Blues a man down. Why? Well, clearly no
goalie loses it like that for no reason. The Blues player did
something. Hawks score. Announcers are in disbelief.
Blown call. Horrible call. Making matters worse is the Hawks all
go and hi-five Crawford afterward. Crowd loves it. "Corey -
Corey." Oh to be a fly on the wall. When that Supervisor
walked into that Officials room between periods. When the
Officials watched the replay. Crawford made them look stupid.
Embarrassed the entire team. The biggest team in
the entire league. There are more Officials than almost the entire
rosters of two NHL teams. Did I mention the Supervisors are
legends? They are scoring this call for the league for these
officials future action in these playoffs. It usually isn't a
two-way conversation but more listening and agreeing than anything else.
Oh, to only be able to listen to what was said. I knew it when I
seen it that Chicago was not going to get a third period power play and
the Blues would go on the man advantage time and time again until they
scored. That only took two minutes of the third period.
So Crawford may have gotten away with it at that moment. He may
have gotten a huge call at the time. But in the end, the team paid
for his actions. They may likely even pay a little more as well.
Word does get around and next time, he will never get the benefit of the
doubt!
---
Buffalo Saviours
Just when it appears the Buffalo Sabres (Joel) were down and out a huge
6 point night has drawn the series close at 17-15. Tarasenko and
Steen have helped keep the dream alive for Joel who where trailing by 4,
5 and 6 at the end of even games. Now Cleveland (Tyson) brings
back the unstoppable Okposo but the Sabres still have a man advantage in
the game fours (5-4). Tyson's four players have outscored Joel's
five by a 9-8 but there is always strength in numbers. Either GM
winning this series could do quite well next round depending on what NHL
teams yet get through. This is a battle and Joel wasn't looking
like much competition. How things change quickly.
---
Good-Knight
With 6 of 7 players facing their elimination games the Green Bay Knights
(Ryan) need a 'Good Night' or it could be 'Goodnight'! Edmonton
(Scott) just won't go away and is now down 15-14. Green Bay has
the tie-breaker surely locked up with their money on Washington.
With 10 of the Knights 15 team points just from the Washington series,
losing Kuznetsov, Ovechkin and Johansson versus Gostisbehere is a trade
of GM Scott is dying to pull the trigger on. The Oil have been
outscored 9-1 there, about 3-0 per game. So another three puts
Green Bay up say 18-14 with the tie-breaker, maybe 5 points. GM
Scott is outscoring Ryan a point a game in the Blues/Hawks series,
making this 18-15 if the Blues end that series next game. Now Ryan
would only have Kesler to keep a three point lead over Palat and
Hornqvist with four points likely giving Edmonton the biggest upset by
far in the NHLP First Round this playoffs. The Knights dream of
winning would all be over before it even got rolling. So, if
Philadelphia can't win it may take a special good night for Ryan, maybe
even more than the expected 3. So which is
it; Good Night or Goodnight?
---
Blues Sharp - Take Back Lead
In what is becoming a battle the St Louis Blues (Tyson) have retaken the
lead back against Los Angeles (Andrew) 8-6. The Blues have Crosby
to go against Klein to complete the game three's in this series, a 3-0
advantage so far for Tyson. With the Green Bay Knights (Ryan)
finally having their big night of the playoffs and now up 15-9, the
Knights could bring through about 17 points next round. If Tyson
can have Crosby, Sharp and Marleau, the Blues would be about 15 points,
just a slight underdog. The Blues would make that an even series
if also Chicago came back to beat out the Blues in their NHL series.
Tyson has a lot to play for. By no means is this round over but
the potential path and matchups are making it clear what has to happen
to compete for the big prize. Tyson has won in Cleveland and
Hamilton and another win this year would be sweet, tying GM Andrew for
the fastest GM to win 3 Cups (7 Years).
---
Icemen Serve
In a back and forth series that has seen the lead changing daily,
Vancouver (Joel) took back the lead over Indianapolis (Matt) 15-13.
It will be up to the Icemen to retake the lead again sending players who
have outscored the Canucks 10-4 so far to complete the game three's.
GM Joel finally got some points from the Williams twins, a huge two
point night each but Joel now faces the fact his three Capitals who have
9 of the teams 15 points are facing their first elimination game.
That would be a critical loss, so keeping the lead is imperative if Joel
has any hope of the dream matchup with Green Bay (Ryan) in the
Conference Finals. GM Matt might not like to see the Preds lose
tonight, but the Predators could be facing sweeping in the first round
if they don't lose tonight with over half the teams first round scoring
coming from that series. Often it is scary in the first round as
you may need your team to win in 7 if that is what it takes. It
beats the alternative of not moving on. Can the Canucks hold on or
will the Icemen lead by tomorrow?
---
Halifax In Control
GM Shawn is in control about to pull off one huge NHLP First Round
upset. Halifax is leading 14-11 over the CTR #2 and favorites to
win the round one matchup Memphis (Jr). Perry goes again tonight
for the Destroyers to round out what will be a lead after completed game
three's. Shawn has 6 of his 7 players playing tonight and a big
night could really shut down the Machine. Memphis is facing losing
their three Washington players who have combined for 7 of the teams 11
points this round. "It is tough to witness great players having a
point or two when they could have five" said GM Jr. Kuznetsov
leads the series in scoring chances, but has one point while Spezza and
Toews have two each, respectable yes, but dominating no. Okposo
has 5 by himself for Shawn's team and it seems Florida can't stop the
Islanders from scoring. While no team has the 5 player's showing
green for leading their respective series as Memphis, Halifax at four
players isn't far behind. The winner here gets the high scoring
Nordiques (Matt) team who currently is bringing at least 14 points to a
Round Two matchup, making for one hell of a series if things stay as is.
Only three NHLP series are currently upsets, all involving GM's Jr and
Shawn's teams.
---
3 For 18 & In It!
The Dallas Stars (Jr) have had 18 man games so far in the NHLP Playoffs
and scored points in three of those 18 games. It is hard to get
worse than that. It is also hard to only have 4 points and be in a
great position to still win the series. That is the case, down 8-4
to Chicago (Andrew). Jr is sitting with Ribeiro, Vatanen and Staal
to close the 4 point deficit which will end out game three's. It
is very possible this series could be 8-7 or 8-6 after the third games
with all players playing at least a game 5 if the Ducks somehow won
tonight. It is anyone's series at this point. Dallas
currently could ice a 4 or 5 man roster next round while the Panthers
(Marcel) who are pulling a huge upset are looking at a current 1 or 2
player team. Marcel of course is cheering for Andrew to win this
series as they have a worse potential team then even Florida. The
South Division is currently anyone's. Who is going to step up when
the potential shows everyone has it?
---
Bracket Busters
Every NHLP GM has an opinion. This team will never beat that team
or this team is a lock or that series is wide open. What you do
with your opinion is build your winning team accordingly. For
instance the quick check of Player Tracking sees 15 Panthers in the
pool, only 4 Islanders. Ducks 14, Preds 6 - Kings 16, Sharks 9 -
Hawks 16, Blues 13. If all series end the way they are, madness
occurs everywhere in the NHLP and two player second round teams do
battle. Who will come back? The Florida Panthers are
horrible in their own end. Do they know how to play team defense
or did they just forget how? The Islanders play like the Harlem
Globetrotters in the Panthers end. Luongo has been beat time and
time again over his shoulders. Florida seemingly has to outscore
them to win because they can't stop them from scoring. The Anaheim
Ducks are not the team that finished 26-3. They don't have the
better goaltending nor defense. The Preds are very structured.
If Forward One cannot make a play on the puck, Forward Two drops back.
The Ducks cannot come through the neutral zone. The Los Angeles
Kings have helped kill themselves. The Sharks power play is
clicking and dangerous beyond belief. It seems the Kings have lost
their structure. The Sharks fore check is just to much for them.
The Chicago Blackhawks and the Blues is just war. Seems the lucky
bounces have been the difference almost each game. A shot hits a
skate and in. A shot hits the shin pad, the ice and bounces top
corner. We see this every year, the "Bracket Buster Scare" but it
is scary as likely the NHLP GM's built the wrong teams somewhere, we
just aren't sure who is officially cooked and who will make the down 3-1
comeback and win.
---
Be Careful What You Wish For
GM Scott let it be known his Edmonton Oil wanted the Green Bay Knights
(Ryan). He got his wish. The Oil is somehow still alive,
without Stamkos and a player short, only officially down 10-9. "It
seems like 10 points to me" said the Oil GM this morning. With the
Knights lineup, it could be very soon, at any point. The Knights
strike back with a player advantage in game three's of 4-2.
Kuznetzov, Ovechkin and Johansson are expecting an emotional game from
their NHL opponents, the first home game since their beloved owner past
away. Ryan would likely be happy with a 5-4 Caps loss while GM
Scott will be hoping for a 1-0 Caps win. "I do not have the team
to come back from five down" said Scott about staying close. The
funny thing is the Oil, without Stamkos, have 9 points. Enough
points to be leading either the second place Los Angeles Kings (Andrew)
or third place Blues of GM Tyson, who's series is 6-5 Kings. Scott
was granted his wish. Quite often in the NHLP the thing you think
you want, one team beating another for example, isn't the best thing for
you in the long run. Be careful what you wish for, it just might
come true.
---
Smith Dominates
Kane, Keith, Purcell, Coyle, Hagelin and Wilson = 8 playoff points.
Smith = 8 himself. That sure is looking like a great move that GM
Marcel made, adding Smith at the Winter Meeting in a drop of Zibanejad
and Andrighetto for Smith and Berglund. Smith's is the type of
round that carries a team through a tough spot and then from there to
glory. For Marcel's Florida team, a one point first round underdog
even with Kane hitting 8, it is Smith's domination, already 5 points
over his projection that could now give Marcel hope. His current
second round opponent, Chicago (Andrew) has a second round team of
Goligoski and Eakin. If Smith helps the team through and now the
NHL's Hawks get rolling, Kane and Keith could be the names on a Panthers
Cup. Marcel is up 16-9 and GM Shawn has some battlers in New
Orleans. But right now Smith is a one player wrecking crew, a
Wolverines nightmare that just won't go away.
---
The Next Generation
In his 8th year as a GM, only GM Tyson has been in the league less time
at 7 years than GM Matt. "You could see GM Matt getting better
every year" said Muddy Capone, "An outside the box type. A fresh
thinker who applies analytics to his aggressive approach." The guy
predicted an 8th place team would win the NHL's Stanley Cup, and they
did. Matt made 32 Transactions this year, again at the very top.
He is always thinking of his next move and isn't shy to pull the
trigger. "I have learned so much" said GM Matt, "There is a lot of
working parts to this league. This is why it is the best league in
the world and I want to win it all. I will do anything it takes."
One thing it takes is a good team. He has that in Quebec, has all
year. Currently up 16-4 the GM could have started resting guys
after game one was complete. Seemingly in trouble early in
Indianapolis, the never-say-die Matt is now shockingly leading 11-10
over CTR #3 rated and heavy favorites in Vancouver (Joel). With
Forsberg and Josi his Nashville team will match up tough against what
Calgary (Jr) is currently bringing through. The writing is on the
wall for this "Lifer" as he refers to himself. One of these days,
all this hard work is going to pay off with the engraving of a GM Matt's
team as the NHLP Champions. Great story for a great GM.
---
Still Tied
The teams finished the season in second and third, only three points of
separation. According to the CTR they are #11 and #12 overall,
both expected to score 27 first round points and at present are
deadlocked 5-5. There is nothing to separate the Los Angeles Kings
(Andrew) and the St Louis Blues (Tyson). GM Andrew had the home
advantage in the series and went with Los Angeles to beat San Jose for
the tie-breaker, knowing of course it could easily come into play.
Andrew's Kings are invested with Carter and Doughty, so we see why the
pick was easy to make. So far that series isn't working out for
Andrew, tied 1-1 from Carter and Doughty versus Marleau, what is suppose
to be a 9-4 advantage. What jumps out the most here is Andrew has
four players who have yet to get a game 5 while Tyson is looking at a
game 5 from Crosby at this point. That is a scary position for
Andrew and without the pick in hand and not looking like the Kings will
come back at this point, St Louis has to be looking like the team that
can break this tie in the very end and maybe make some noise with
Crosby, Sharp, Marleau and maybe his three Hawks Seabrook, Hossa and
Fleischmann. These two GM's are also tied at two Cups each over
the past 6 years. Now that is the real tie-breaker if there ever
was one.
---
Pressure Mounts in Memphis
GM Jr always seems to play it cool on the outside. There can be
little doubt GM Jr must really being feeling the pressure on the inside.
Here we have the story of Jr. A huge, honestly feared, deadly and
potentially unstoppable team. You can't beat these guys, this
team, this year on a Washington and Dallas or Chicago Finals.
Kuznetsov, Toews, Carlson, Ladd and Winnik. Or throw in Spezza.
Good luck with that. The CTR says they are the second strongest
NHLP team, rightfully behind Green Bay (Ryan), likely truly the only
team that can compete if Jr did go here. Right now Memphis is
losing on the tie-breaker 6-6 to Halifax (Shawn) who still have Perry to
complete their game twos. The Machine only have Toews and Ladd
that are guaranteed a game 5 so far while the Destroyers only have Perry
and Niederreiter who aren't, yet. Perry can assure his game 5 with
a Ducks win tonight. For the Machine, Kuznetsov, Palat and Ladd,
projected to get 13 points in round one, have yet to get a cheap assist
between them. We have seen Chimera score from center ice and
Roussel actually kicked in a goal, from behind the net, off the goalies
head. Kuznetsov, Palat and Ladd, not a cheap second assist between
them in 6 man games. Memphis must be feeling the pressure.
---
Titan Up
The very deadly combination of Thornton, Burns and Marleau have given GM
Chad's Leafs an 8-5 lead over the San Fran Titan (Scott). Not
quite the overall big names but Getzlaf, Kesler, Rakell and Vatanen
aren't slouches either. The "Titan Four" have a chance to get the
two-time NHLP Champions back in the series Sunday. The Leafs were
made the favorites by the CTR to win this series by about two points,
however GM Chad's team was given no hope of winning an NHLP
Championship. That of course would have taken lower seeded teams
San Jose and NY Rangers winning in round one, something that is looking
like a sure thing for the Sharks. Anyone who has watched that
series knows the Kings are in deep trouble. Each Kings defensemen
has stacked the shin pads and saved a sure goal for Quick, and we have
only played two games. Quick is way over playing everything and
wide open nets are everywhere. The Kings have not shown us
anything to think they will come back, as they have in past years when
down. Chad's Leafs get deadly, unstoppable deadly, if they move on
with the Sharks. That won't be easy however. If the Sharks
don't lose at home, the series is over in the NHL, meaning Thornton,
Burns and Marleau will play just two more first round playoff games.
GM Scott is facing the same issue with the "Titan Four" if the Ducks
lose tonight. If they don't, GM Scott could pick up that four
extra man games and be able to win this series late, at which time the
Titan become an unstoppable force if the Ducks run. This is a big
series and one other GM's should be paying attention to, hoping the
Leafs get through with the Kings winning or the Titan with the Preds.
First things first. The Titan Four are up!
---
Champs Return Fire
Backstrom and Brassard combined for 6 points as Hartford (Andrew)
reclaims the lead in his series with underdogs Montreal (Marcel).
The Whalers have a 13-10 point lead, over half their projected 25, after
this series now sees everyone playing games two. It was just last
year in the first round Hartford got a scare thanks to a 7 point round
from the opposition player in Quebec (Matt), Parise. Without
Parise in the lineup this year, Marcel has done all he can to stay
close, but every time you look at this matchup you can't see it staying
close without Parise. After the first round last year, the Whalers
were never given a go in any round running away with the Cup. Only
St Louis (Norman) in 1993 and 1994, two years before GM Andrew was even
an NHLP GM, has won back to back Championships. Stopping Hartford
this year according to the CTR, was a second round matchup with
Pittsburgh (Chad), who is currently being upset 6-5 by the Islanders
(Ryan) team of rejects. The Whalers have a full team of Eastern
Conference players but do have three Panthers and Backstrom, so a Finals
with Florida and maybe Washington if help can be found elsewhere, could
mean a repeat for the first time in 22 years. Finally at least,
Andrew is back in control of this series.
---
Fog Horn More Killer
GM Andrew can't shake Killorn. Two seasons ago the GM laughed at
the player with the now famous Foghorn comment. Then GM Andrew
placed his name amongst the 35 players that have played for GM Andrew's
six cup winning teams. Fog Horn was now a Killer in Andrew's
books, a player that help Hartford take down opponents. Now
Killorn is again doing the same thing, only for GM Marcel in Montreal.
Killorn now has 4 points in two games and the Habs lead the Whalers 8-7.
Montreal is serious underdogs without Parise, playing with just 5
playoff players. Andrew has high hopes with Hartford, calling
their CTR #7 ranking a joke. The Habs came in at #22 in that same
ranking but are currently outscoring 20 other NHLP teams in the first
round. "Just happy to be ranked" said GM Marcel who clearly is
feeling good about his playoffs early on. It was February 19th
when Marcel plucked Killorn out of the Minors in a Waiver.
Everyone was shying away from Tampa players at that point, not exactly
sure if they were a real playoff team. Marcel's chance on Killorn
has been the entire leagues loss, as he shines in the playoffs.
The odds of the Habs winning this series is extremely long and unlikely.
But with a Fog Horn to guide you least you are giving the other teams a
fair warning to stay out of your way before you crush through them!
---
PURRRRfection
They truly are more cats than rats. The Florida Panthers (Marcel)
pounced Friday scoring 7 and gaining 5 points on the New Orleans
Wolverines (Shawn). Kane, Keith and the now unstoppable Smith
scored two each for the Panthers in what is now the highest scoring NHLP
series at 11-6. The Wolverines will answer now with a 5-3 game
two, man game advantage, including from the highly touted Benn.
For Marcel he could not have asked for a better night. More man
games from the three Kane, Keith and Smith. Smith now has 5 points
in two games, already demolishing the 3 predicted by the CTR.
"Winning teams have players who step up this time of season" said Muddy
Capone, "For a team out of the race with 4 days to play in the NHLP
season, with Keith out, this is suddenly a feel good story. This
is still a battle and both teams are bringing their offenses to the
party. With Chicago now having the home ice advantage the entire
league might be hearing a lot more of this teams PURRRRing in the
playoffs to come.
---
Last & Last
The Alaska Attack (Marcel) were rated last amongst the 24 NHLP playoff
teams in the power ranking. Of course the CTR ranks their chances
of winning the NHLP Championship, and has little to do with their
chances of beating Calgary (Jr) in round one, where the Attack without
Gaborik would be about a 5 point underdog. The team is now last
again, the last NHLP team to score a single point in the playoffs and
are down 4-0 early to the Flames. With three Flyers this team
could be fun to watch if the Flyers gave the Capitals a series, but at
that same time, could be ugly if they go out four straight and can't
score on the powerful Washington defensive unit. That would also
spell doom for Calgary who would have to potentially play the powerful
#3 ranked Vancouver (Joel) team who's lead was shaved to 7-3 by GM
Matt's Icemen. Joel sits with three Capitals and that is yet
another "Last". The "Last" team the winner of this series will
want to have to face in the Division Finals.
---
Flashbacks
GM Joel's Buffalo Sabres are getting pounded in their first round series
against Cleveland (Tyson) 12-2. The Sabres just aren't scoring.
Last season Buffalo had a powerhouse team all season and come playoffs
the Sabres hit for 7 of their projected 23 first round points and before
that 12 of 29 for a GM Joel team. Joel is hit or miss, making the
NHLP Finals with four teams and having nothing to show for it. It
is painful to be out of it so quickly. All hope is not lost just
yet however, as a 5 player to one man game advantage still awaits the
end of game two's. The Sabres must step up, wake up. This
team was expected to have a high scoring round and the two points they
have scored would have them in most other series, but not this one.
It is now or never in Buffalo.
---
Second Degree Burns
With the two points from Burns, GM Jr has taken early control of his
Dallas Stars series with veteran GM Andrew in Chicago. With those
two points and a clean defensive game from the Stars they will now look
to extend the series lead with first games from Ribeiro and Vatanen who
is a go in game one. These two GM's don't say much in the playoffs
but don't be fooled, this series means a ton behind closed doors.
The GM's have 40 combined years of experience and 8 Cups between them,
with the years equally split and the Andrew out of fingers for his 6
rings. This is a big battle, two strong teams who could both run,
Jr likely with a combination of teams while Andrew is a bit loaded with
Chicago and Florida, both first game losers. This should be an
awesome series.
---
Vlasic Shines in Return
GM Jr now leads his Calgary/Alaska (Marcel) series 2-0 with only
Silfverberg to play game one for GM Marcel. "Happy to see Vlasic
back" said the GM who hung onto the Shark who was spectacular in the win
over Los Angeles in game one. The Flames only have two of their
seven players who are on game one winning teams but Jr said he isn't
worried. "It is a long playoffs, long series" said Jr, "You can't
get to excited after one lose or to over confident after just one win."
Alaska was hoping to have Gaborik back for the start of the playoffs but
it is not looking like a return any time soon is in the cards. The
winner of this series needs to bring through a strong team with
Vancouver (Joel) looking dominating early one. It is only one
game, but game two often means the series is half over.
---
Canucks Not Green To Runs
GM Joel has six of his seven players winning their game one, showing
green, and is off to a perfect start in Vancouver, leading now 7-1 after
a two point night from Johansson. With Williams, Williams and
Johansson this is a deadly team off to the perfect start. "We need
a lot of points early on" said GM Joel, "Just in case Washington sweeps
the Flyers." Game one of that series was a total battle, heavy
hits and injuries, but none related to the NHLP. Joel was in last
years Finals with Vancouver and has unfinished business. This is a
team that can easily make something happen if everything aligns.
It is now up to Indianapolis (Matt) to stay close with Forsberg, Josi
and Silfverberg, all yet to lace up. Three points from those three
can make this 7-4, once again a close battle.
---
Smith Matches Benn in Battle
GM Marcel just keeps coming through. Making the NHLP playoffs
during the final week of the season the Florida Panthers have potential
on a run with Chicago and Florida or Pittsburgh to win GM Marcel another
Cup. "Now that we are in we can go far" said Marcel prior to the
series, "It was scary getting in, but now I think we can score enough to
win in round one." Smith's three point night kept the Rat Pack
right with the Wolverines on the night where Benn had himself a three
point night. Smith was everywhere with 8 shots on the night,
completely dominating in every way except his team losing after
outshooting the Islanders by a two to one margin. This NHLP series
is deadlocked at 4-4 with Marcel having C. Wilson against Lindholm to
end out the first games. This series is expected to be a battle
and New Orleans is predicted to go to the NHLP Finals, clearly sitting
with a great team.
---
One Man Show
Knowing you face the worse predicted, most lopsided first round, GM
Scott must be thrilled to be up 4-1. "If Schwartz converted half
the open net chances Tarasenko feed him, he'd of have two more himself"
said GM Scott who had a four point night from Hornqvist to start.
GM Scott told GM Andrew that the only way he could now get by Green Bay
(Ryan) was if he had one of his players hit a 10 point round. Well
when you get four in the first game and were only predicted to get four,
everything Hornqvist gets now is added to the zero Stamkos won't be
getting. So if Hornqvist got 5 more points this round, it was like
Stamkos played. For the Knights, they bring a lot of pain each
Washington game with Kuznetzov, Ovechkin and Johansson, matched up with
the Oil player Gostisbehere in that NHL series. That matchup will
favor Ryan, an expected 13 to 4 by series end, which is more than what
Ryan is expected to win by right there. That series will be
crucial for the Knights to do what should be easy to do, but still must
be done to achieve the bigger picture. "If I can have someone
grossly over achieve and keep it close to where I have a chance come a
game seven, that is something I would certainly take" said Scott, "But
any moment we are leading is better then any moment we are behind as
these series disappear quickly."
---
Nords Goal Horn Heard
Hornqvist started the playoffs on the right note, hitting his expected
first round total in the first game of the NHLP playoffs. GM Matt
got four from Hornqvist and another three more from Kucherov for to jump
out to a 7-1 lead. "It was a great night for the good guys" said
GM Matt in a text to the Yearbook, "I think this year, this team can go
a long ways." Outside of Kreider all other 6 players start their
NHL series at home, meaning they are favorites to move on. NHL
night one saw all three playoff home teams win, something GM Matt would
take this first round right across the league. Quebec is expected
to battle in the Division finals with Memphis (Jr) who is still
scoreless in his first round series after 5 total man games. GM
Charlie's Rangers simply cannot fall further behind, as digging out of
any deficit is almost impossible, let alone already down 6 before half
his team has played. Making matters even worse for the Rangers is
only Lehtera is not matched up in a series with Quebec so there is no
way Charlie can hope to squeeze out any possible man games and must beat
GM Matt with even games played by the end of the series. Time to
start digging or you get buried.
---
Parise Break for Champs
The Hartford Whalers (Andrew) are now a three point first round favorite
after Montreal (Marcel) lost Parise for games one and two of the NHLP
opening round series. Expected to be a battle this is a huge blow
for Montreal, already the CTR #22 ranked team of the 24 in the playoffs.
In other news Ladd could be out for Memphis (Jr) and Cleveland (Tyson)
as he is not not expected to play in game one after his wife has gone
into labour, meaning he will likely not be in St Louis for tonight's
game. The Fury are only a two point favorite and every point
counts. GM Tyson is expected to win the North Division but this
isn't how you want to start the playoffs. Action heats up starting
tonight with three NHL games.
---
Playoff Player
Tracking
Checkout the new Playoff Player Tracking. As NHLP and NHL teams
are eliminated, they too will disappear off this page. In the NHLP
playoffs are 16 Hawks and Kings while close behind are 15 players alive
from the Panthers, Capitals and Rangers to start the playoffs. "It
is a great quick reference" said Muddy Capone. This season only
one NHLP team has a twin, Williams and Williams on Vancouver (Joel) who
is also the only team to have two Penguins on the same roster with
Letang and Hagelin. The board dries up quickly as half the NHL
teams and half the NHLP teams will both be eliminated 15 days from now
at the end of round one. "This could be the most exciting two
weeks of the NHLP season" said the life-time league analyst Capone,
while downing a nice cold Miller Genuine Draft, his 8th of the night.
This season GM's Andrew, Jr & Marcel all have three playoff teams each,
but none of their collective 9 NHLP teams are expected to be one of the
final six Division winners when we play the Semi-Finals. Seven
GM's have two teams involved in the marathon, while GM Charlie has one
team and Vinnie has no playoff teams after a long season. There is
nothing sweeter then the ride to the Championship after eight long
months of building a winner. GOOD LUCK TO ALL GM'S!
---
GM Takes Shots At CTR's Predictions
GM Andrew did not like that the NHLP Yearbook did not have any of Andrew's
teams to win any of his three Divisions. "I think Muddy Capone is
a drunk" Andrew said today. The GM said there is no way St Louis
will knock off Chicago who the GM said "Let up down the stretch."
Andrew who has the most NHLP Championships said Chicago can turn it on
any time they choose. "It is more likely GM Andrew will lose all
three his first round series than win them all" said Muddy Capone of
Andrew's chances. It is hard to bet against GM Andrew who have
been in each of the last four NHLP Championships. "Without Trocheck, Chicago will likely be out and the other two of his series
Andrew is a single point favorite and involved in the lone Pick'em
series" added Capone. After today when Trocheck was declared
out the first two games of the series, the Yearbook has now officially
made Dallas (Jr) a single point favorite in his series with Chicago and
Chad in Pittsburgh drops to just a 3 point favorite from five. The NHLP did predict 4 of 6 of last years
Division winners so believe it or not, the odds might be against GM
Andrew's teams after all. Overall the CTR does quite well with the
NHLP playoff predictions.
Amazingly the
CTR predicted 18 of 22 total series last season
and
as seen here, 18 of 22 series the season prior.
"The history speaks for itself" said Capone, "We never get them all
right, but we will hit 8 out of 10 because that is what we do."
GM's should go back over past years season and playoff highlights,
"It is a great walk down memory lane" added Capone. If GM Andrew
is to make it to his fifth straight Cup Finals, the CTR will have to be wrong,
but we already know they will be wrong, just where and how many times?
---
Final CTR Ranks Top
24 Playoff Teams
We did what we do best. The NHLP Yearbook ranked all playoff
teams, by Divisional standings and from 1 to 24 overall. The
Yearbook has already predicted the playoffs, round by round, based of
course on our usual method that the higher seeded team will win each NHL
series. Where do you rank? Each team has an official
ranking, based on the Final NHLP CTR, which doesn't necessarily mean the
top three strongest teams will make the NHLP Finals. The CTR shows
four colors with the ranked teams 1st to 6th dark green, 7th to 12th
light green, 13th to 18 teal (lighter blue) and the 19th to 24th dark
blue. Most NHLP series are very close with 10 of the 12 first
round series predicted at four points or less. Only Edmonton
(Scott) at minus 8 and the Islanders (Ryan) at minus 5 at long shots at
best. The Yearbook predicts an NHLP Finals from #1 Green Bay
(Ryan), #4 Pittsburgh (Chad) and #8 New Orleans (Shawn) on a Dallas -
Washington final. The finals would be close, about 13-10 for the
NHLP Champions, the Green Bay Knights. New Orleans would be very
close and GM Chad would be playerless. See how the CTR predicts
your playoffs.
---
Printable NHLP Sheets Expected Tuesday
---
Divisions for 2016-17
First round winners stay
with the 5th place team and are joined by the two first round losers and
the 6th place team of other Division within Conference.
North Division
Cleveland (Tyson) -
Toronto (Chad) -
San Fran (Scott) -
Buffalo (Joel) -
Boston (Ryan) - Stays in North
Las Vegas (Vinnie) - Moves to South
South Division
Chicago (Andrew) -
New Orleans (Shawn) -
Florida (Marcel) -
Dallas (Jr) -
Miami (Charlie) - Stays in South
Cincinnati (Matt) - Moves to North
Atlantic Division
Hartford (Andrew) -
Pittsburgh (Chad) -
NY Islanders (Ryan) -
Montreal (Marcel) -
Atlantic City (Vinnie) - Stays in Atlantic
Hamilton (Tyson) - Moves to East
East Division
Memphis (Jr) -
Quebec (Matt) -
NY Rangers (Charlie) -
Halifax (Shawn) -
Carolina (Joel) - Stays in East
Philadelphia (Scott) - Moves to Atlantic
Pacific Division
Vancouver (Joel) -
Alaska (Marcel) -
Calgary (Jr.) -
Indianapolis (Matt) -
Colorado (Chad) - Stays in Pacific
Seattle (Shawn) - Moves to West
West Division
Green Bay (Ryan) -
Los Angeles (Andrew) -
St Louis (Tyson) -
Edmonton (Scott) -
Phoenix (Charlie) - Stays in West
Portland (Vinnie) - Moves to Pacific
---
Playoffs Page
Check your own teams for mistakes. Tiebreakers coming tomorrow and
please have them back by Wednesday morning so we can update the site.
---
Each NHLP Team making a pick gets the
choice of either series. Please get your picks in as I hate no picks.
Of course no pick means you get the default pick (Bolded).
First Place Each Conference
Philadelphia at Washington or
Minnesota at Dallas
Cleveland (Tyson)
Hartford (Andrew)
Green Bay (Ryan)
Other Division Winner Each Conference
NY Islanders at Florida or Nashville at
Anaheim
Chicago (Andrew)
Memphis (Jr)
Vancouver (Joel)
Top Second Place Team Each Conference
NY Rangers at Pittsburgh or Chicago at
St Louis
New Orleans (Shawn) (won tiebreaker
against Toronto, Chad on Goals)
Pittsburgh (Chad)
Alaska (Marcel)
Other Second Place Team Each Conference
Detroit at Tampa Bay or San Jose at
Los Angeles
Toronto (Chad)
Quebec (Matt)
Los Angeles (Andrew)
---
The 25 NHLP Cup Champions
GM Andrew (6) - '97, '99, '02, '04, '13, '15 (8th, 10th, 13th, 15th, 23rd & 25th 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)
---