History 2023-24 Season

The Florida Panthers (Marcel) were out. GM Marcel was just 1.6 away from his team’s Cup hopes dashed in the first-round of the NHLP playoffs. “It was over,” stated Muddy Capone, “Perfetti had to point, and somehow he did.” That somehow might just have changed the entire NHLP playoffs. No team looks as strong and with as much chance right now than Florida. Marcel’s three Dallas Stars players Rantanen, Granlund, and Marchand, are the strongest Dallas built team remaining. With Toronto at home Marcel is cheering hard for the Leafs to win. Yes, you read that right. Marcel is one of the league’s biggest Leafs fans. The Cincinnati Rage (Matt) would suddenly be crippled next round, 16-10 point underdogs as things sit. Marcel would likely be just Dallas winning next round versus Edmonton, and Marcel would have 16 points in the finals. Who could beat that? GM Chad in Colorado could get 21 with Dallas and Toronto in the Stanley Cup Finals, 12 without Toronto. The issue is Chad’s Avs are losing 16-14 and could lose Hintz and Johnson now in the next game. The NY Islanders (Ryan) could get 16 with Dallas and Toronto and only 6 without Toronto. The issue for the Islanders is that they would only be a 16-13 Conference Finals favorite over the NY Rangers team of GM Charlie. So if next round the Leafs lost to the Canes, GM Marcel would be hoisting his second Cup in Florida 17 years after his first. If it happens, 1.6 seconds will join many other NHLP incredible stories that won NHLP teams the Cup.

GM Ryan’s first-ever NHLP Championship is now riding a very thin line. The Green Bay Knights, right now with today’s snapshot, have the best team in the entire league for scoring next round, with 22. After that, things start to get troubling in a hurry. Seeing this team in round two with a chance to move on is no surprise and was called by the CTR. The West Conference was wide-open, having CTR teams #6, 7, 9, 10, 11, and the Knights #12. Expected to win and score big in round one, the Knights did just that with a round high of 43 (tied with Seattle). The difference between Colorado (Chad) at #7 and Green Bay at #12 was literally a razor-thin line. The Knights cannot have Winnipeg beat Dallas tonight and even up that series, adding extra man games. The ripple effect of that happening is GM Chad now will have at least two more games from Johnston, Tavares, and Knies, and just down two points. With the Knights Draisaitl, Nugent-Hopkins, and Burns all playing potentially just one more game this round, Green Bay may just lose out this round. Even if the Knights get through, the dark night tonight means GM Shawn gets extra games from Connor, potentially putting Seattle through to the next round. With Connor alive, suddenly the Wild West can make Seattle the favorites to go to the Cup. Ryan does not want to colors to change, just have Dallas win and get to the next round, where things are very possible GM Ryan could end up winning a first-ever Cup in Green Bay.

No GM in the NHLP is a bigger Winnipeg Jets fan than Shawn. Seattle is in a good place, not great, not bad. The Storm are down 12-10, leading the tie-breaker, and with Connor playing tonight. A Jets win could go a long way towards moving this team to the next round. If Dallas were to knock the Jets out it would seem unlikely the Storm could win next round over Ryan in Green Bay. Having Colorado (Chad) win without his two Leafs could put Shawn into the NHLP Championship, where he could easily win with Carolina or maybe even Edmonton in the Stanley Cup Finals. The worse-case scenario for Shawn is the Stars winning and Connor getting nothing tonight. Matthews and Nylander still have two more games, maybe three for Vancouver (Joel). GM Joel is in a tight space, needing Toronto to win and Dallas to lose if teams up 3-1 don’t collapse. The Canucks would need to play the Avs with Chad losing his Stars. If that were to play out, this would mean Shawn would get at least three more games from Connor, which could further doom Joel’s chances. A lot rests on this game tonight. Shawn is just one strong surge away and we will be talking a lot more of the Storms Cup chances in the coming weeks.

A lot of things have went right for GM Charlie’s New York Rangers team. The Rangers have a shot at being the first ever NHLP team to win a third franchise Cup. GM Lee, a 12-year veteran of the NHLP won the Cup in 1995-96 season for the Rangers, a strong 5-man team that included Joe Sakic, Ray Bourque and Glenn Anderson. For Sakic, Bourque and Lee it would be their only NHLP Championships. Charlie’s first three seasons in the NHLP, starting in 1999-00 would be the last three of Lee who retired after the 2001-02 (GM Ryan’s first season). During those three years, GM’s Chad and Jr both won their first Cups and Andrew his third Lee’s final season. Charlie was able to add a Cup to the Rangers franchise in 2021 with his Kucherov led team, both the only Cup for GM and player. For Charlie he has a perfect path to a Championship right now. Currently up 9-6 over a seemingly dead team in Memphis (Jr) Charlie has everything aligning just perfectly. If Charlie can hold off Jr’s Machine and move on McDavid, with Florida advancing the Rangers would be 10-6 favorites to go to the Cup Finals. If Vancouver (Joel) holds on he would be a Walk-Over next round. If Colorado (Chad) comes back to beat Green Bay (Ryan), Chad would have nothing left in the finals as Toronto, Dallas and Vegas would be out if the Oilers ran for Charlie. In the Central Florida (Marcel) would lose his Dallas players next round to Edmonton leaving Charlie then only needing Carolina to knock out Florida next round, crippling Cincinnati (Matt). With today’s snap shot of NHL/NHLP series, although it is having all the breaks go your way, that is what NHLP teams have happen when they win. Someone gets every break. With the breaks Charlie has had to end the season and so far halfway through the playoffs, why not just a few more. If it happens it means the first ever NHLP team to hoist a third team Cup, bringing legends Lee and McDavid along for the ride.

GM Jr and Ovie have done it together before. In the 2017-18 season Jr won his first Cup for the Memphis Machine franchise, going to the NHLP Finals with three Capital players, including Ovechkin. The Machine won easily, a second Cup for Ovechkin. Now, Jr is playing for his 5^th Cup as a GM, the second in Memphis, and if it happens, a third Cup for Ovechkin. Ovie won his first Cup in 2010 in Cleveland (Tyson) in dominating fashion. Now the NHL all-time goal scoring leader has a shot at doing what only Alexei Yashin has been able to accomplish in his career, winning a third NHLP Cup as a player. Yashin, while maybe not the NHL legend some are, is certainly a legend in the NHLP. Yashin got his name on three Cups with three different teams, the Las Vegas Strip (Leo) in 1998, Chicago Blackhawks (Andrew) in 1999, and again in 2004 with the Washington Capitals (Andrew), the lone NHLP not currently in the league to have ever won a Cup. For Jr his run back isn’t that hard. Memphis as a 5 point underdog in round one and somehow pulled off a stunning upset. Now, in round two, the tables have turned for Memphis, a six-point projected favorite needing to pick up the pace. If Jr can find scoring, come back and win with his Caps, it is clear sailing. The Capitals in the finals means the worst Jr could be would be about 22-16 favorites over Florida (Marcel) shall they get there with Dallas players still alive. Memphis got three Washington players on the Cup last run and can do it with four more. For Ovechkin, time is ticking on a third Cup. With next season likely his last, this would be a special run. It can happen, but it might take Ovie himself rising to the occasion, or the entire dream can be over within as little as the next two games.

The Seattle Storm knows there are clear skies ahead. GM Shawn finds his team down 12-7, facing a rough ride in the second round at the mid-way point. Connor who is without a point in round two, after scoring 12 last round, is by far the best Jets player in the NHLP playoffs remaining. The Storm can also say the same about Aho and Stankoven of the Hurricanes. Winning this round with the Jets and Canes moving on, should put Seattle through to the Cup Finals, where maybe either team making it will be enough for Shawn to win it all. To get things done right now, Matthews and Nylander need to be shut down. GM Joel’s two players in Vancouver have 9 points in three games and don’t appear to be slowing. Either Toronto winning the next two games or Florida finding some defence is key to contain the Canucks scoring. If then Shawn can find a long series in Winnipeg, the game 7 nail biter, it is very possible Connor can have a couple two and three point games for the comeback. The Jets moving on this round could all but cripple several current NHLP team’s chances of winning the Cup. There are clear skies ahead for GM Shawn’s Storm but they are going to have to get through a rough ride in round two or Seattle’s first ever Cup might break apart and fall from the sky.

GM Matt was in a bit of disbelief this week at his fortunes in Cincinnati. “I can’t believe I could lose the Cup on the Leafs advancing,” the GM stated to the NHLP Yearbook, seeing the irony of the situation. On the surface, that is how it looks and feels. After all, the Rage have the best built Florida Panthers NHL team with Tkachuk, Reinhart. and Marchand. If Florida comes back and beats the Leafs, Cincinnati is going to the NHLP Finals. Even if GM Marcel advances Rantanen, Granlund, and Marchment, about 16 Conference Finals points. The Rage would have about 24 and as many as 28 or 33. Florida going to the Stanley Cup Finals almost assures GM Matt his first Cup. What Matt might not see, is the alternate route. If Toronto does win, as long as the Stars are out, Cincinnati would be a 4-4 matchup in the Conference Finals with Marcel. The tie-breaker pick next round is the NHLP team that scored the most points first two rounds of the playoffs. Right now that is Cincy who has a 39-33 advantage and would pick either NHL series. Gostisbehere is every bit good enough to outscore Perfetti, putting Matt in the Finals. If he gets a Winnipeg and Carolina Stanley Cup Matchup as things sit with advancing teams, Charlie’s Rangers could have Namestnikov (3) and Green Bay (Ryan) Burns (2). There is nothing let anywhere with the Jets and Canes if all current NHLP winning teams win their series. So, the Leafs beating Florida might not be as bad as the Leafs beating Carolina in the NHL Conference Finals.

GM Chad isn’t used to losing anymore. The GM who is looking for an unprecedented third straight NHLP Cup win has dominated the playoffs the past two seasons. His 5 NHLP Championships are just one off the all-time number by GM Andrew. “He builds solid teams year in and year out,” stated Muddy Capone about GM Chad, “He has this GM’ing thing down pat.” Chad knows how to build winners and his proven track record supports this. Down 10-5 Chad will need more from his guns Tavares, Johnson, and Knies tonight. GM Ryan’s Lundell has outscored those three by himself 3-2 for Green Bay. Both these GM’s are currently favorites to go to the NHLP Cup Finals with the colors as they are. For Chad his Avs have four players winning their series, but a longer Toronto and Dallas series will likely be needed. Chad is likely getting the best news he can get out of the Edmonton and Vegas series, where the Oilers are up 2 games to nothing heading home. A four-game sweep here is the best Chad can hope for as there is no stopping the Knights Draisaitl and Nugent-Hopkins who alone are beating Chad’s five Avs 6-5. A win by Florida and Winnipeg tonight might be what the Avs need to get back into the series and eventually pull it out late. Chad has done it before, and GM Ryan undoubtedly is feeling the pressure of finally breaking through. So far Ryan has done all he could do, but we haven’t heard the last of GM Chad just yet.

GM Jr was likely happy with how Thursday night went. “It is just the first draft, we can edit that out,” Muddy Capone told the Yearbook reporter covering this series, “That guy is never happy about anything.” Point taken. From the NHLP Yearbooks point of view, Washington winning and Edmonton looking like they could sweep the Vegas Golden Knights, is about as best-case scenario as the Memphis Machine could have asked for Thursday night. With Jr’s four Capitals looking like a team that in no way will reach their projected 22 points between the four, they might need everything to go perfectly their way. Getting through with four players could give them a chance new round versus the CTR #1 New York Islanders team of GM Ryan. Getting a full seven-games and four-games sweeps by Edmonton and Toronto has to be the hope now. You can’t hope Vegas or Florida comes back with Rielly alone 3-3 with all four Caps players after two games. Having Vegas going into Edmonton and not being swept is asking for big problems with the Rangers McDavid likely not going to reach his projected 10 points in a four-game sweep. McDavid can put up a four-point game in any game, quite easily, so things must go just perfectly for the Machine from here on out.

It is hard to say who has had the more magical run the past week, GM Marcel or Rantanen? Marcel found his first-round opponent, GM Joel’s Buffalo team out of man-games remaining in the first round. Marcel needed at the time 7 points with the Jets having a potential two games remaining and the Stars one in the round. Not only did Marcel get just the seven, with the final with 1.6 seconds left in game 7 by Perfetti, he put through all four of his remaining players. Rantanen was the comeback all by himself, ending the first round with 11 points in three games. Those 11 points in the team’s last 14 goals of the first-round. Rantanen upped that to start round two, with three more points, a hat trick in back to back games, scoring 7 of the teams last 8 goals. Rantanen has had a point in the last 12 straight Dallas goals and 14 of their last 15. The last four games he has a 3-4-4-3 for Marcel who is now officially through, likely facing GM Matt in Cincinnati in the Central Conference Finals. Right now that series is 16-10 as is, meaning the Panthers would likely be heading to the Cup finals where Rantanen at that point might be unstoppable for GM Marcel. It is a magical run and we are excited to see how far the magic goes.

GM Ryan’s run started back in September. With the #3 pick in draft the Green Bay Knights selected Draisaitl and Nugent-Hopkins 1-2, the team’s leaders Ryan is hoping can get them to the Cup. The third pick scored 10 first-round points for the Knights, Kempe, who had to go to leave Ryan’s two Oilers moving on. The Knights are looking to extend their lead of 7-4 over GM Chad tonight. If all series ended as they have started in the NHL and NHLP, the Knights will surely be in the Cup Finals, facing none other than the NY Islanders. Ryan’s Islanders also drafted strong with the 13^th pick adding Marner, and Rielly, 1-2 with Theodore a 6^th rounder that is still on the roster. The Islanders are easily on their way to the Conference Finals, up 6-3 in should outscore Halifax (Shawn) two points to one in the round. With colors as they are, the Islanders would also be the favorite to go all the way to the NHLP Finals, being a 16-13 favorite over GM Charlie and his Rangers. If Ryan is to win his first ever NHLP Cup, he can look back at his draft where he set the stage for the entire 2025 playoffs.

GM Marcel is playing on house money in Florida. The CTR #5 Panthers won their first round series on the tie-breaking, getting a goal from Perfetti with 1.6 seconds left in game 7. Marcel has a second-round Walk-Over just needing a point to put his team of three Stars and the hero on through to meet Cincinnati (Matt) #3 who also has an easy time in round two. The Rage are 33-5 point favorites with players in all four NHL series. For Matt he is hoping Florida gets through or Dallas loses, crippling Marcel. These two GM’s could both win the NHLP Championship but likely need there three player teams to still be alive come the Finals. Last night wasn’t a good night for GM Matt with his Panthers already behind the Leafs after game #1.

It appears the CTR #1 and #2 teams will likely be meeting for the right to go to the NHLP Cup Finals. GM Ryan’s top-ranked Islanders are a 28-14 point favorite over Halifax (Shawn) while GM Jr’s Memphis Machine are going to battle GM Charlie’s NY Rangers with Jr a 25-19 point favorite. Charlie is getting 13 points from the Vegas-Edmonton series with McDavid a 10-point check of that. Charlie will need a long series there. For Jr he has his entire stack of chips on the Great 8 and will be out the round after Washington is knocked out. If Jr can get the Capitals to run, no one is likely beating his four Capitals in the Finals, although Florida (Marcel) could have three Stars in Jr and the Caps both run. The worst case scenario for Memphis is a quick four or five-game Capitals and Canes second-round series because anything less than the full 22 from the four Caps would tighten this series quickly.

Maybe the most exciting and wide open Conference is the West. All four remaining teams have potential chances to go to the NHLP Finals and meet little from the other two Conferences if matchups align. Green Bay (Ryan) the CTR #12 is a favorite over GM Chad’s #7 in Colorado by just 2 points. In total 19 players are alive in the West with all teams with 5 except Vancouver (Joel) #6 who is a four-point underdog versus the CTR #9 of Seattle (Shawn). Every remaining NHL team is well represented here somewhere. For Chad and Ryan no one is getting away with man-game’s in the series, where all but Burns are in player matchups. Ryan has a 14-3 advantage in the Oilers-Knights series while Chad gets that back 9-4 in Leafs-Panthers and 12-6 in Stars-Jets series. The Storm have 15 points expected from Connor and Aho versus 13 from Matthews and Nylander for the Canucks in a battle of star players. These two matchups are huge with such good teams and chances. The CTR just can’t predict the Conference, even now, whereas reported numerous times 7 of 8 teams could win the Conference and so far hasn’t been proven to be wrong.

The CTR went 9-3 in round one of the NHLP playoffs. The 75% win percentage is standard for the CTR. Over the years the CTR usually runs at the 70 to 80 percent range for predicting the NHLP series annually. “There are always upsets,” said Muddy Capone about the process. No team overcame a bigger deficit than the CTR #2 Memphis Machine (Jr), who were officially a five-point underdog, winning the series by 2 points. Halifax (Shawn) overcame 3 points and Vancouver (Joel) was called a 2 point underdog and won by a dozen. The highest CTR team to go out was the #4 Toronto Maple Leafs of GM Chad’s who without Robertson were officially a 2 point underdog, losing by one in the end. The Leafs were the only NHLP team to go all green in the first round.

Who Made it Through?
CTR – Division – Favorites or Underdog – Won By (CTR Team they Beat)

#1 (EA) – NY Islanders (Ryan) F+9 WB 6 (#24)
#2 (EE) – Memphis (Jr) U-5 WB 2 (#13)
#3 (CS) – Cincinnati (Matt) F+7 WB 7 (#18)
#5 (CN) – Florida (Marcel) F+2 WB TB – 0 (#15)
#6 (WW) – Vancouver (Joel) U-2 WB 12 (#11)
#7 (WP) – Colorado (Chad) F+5 WB 9 (#22)
#8 (CN) – Dallas (Jr) F+8 WB 22 (#23)
#9 (WW) – Seattle (Shawn) F+3 WB 16 (#10)
#12 (WP) – Green Bay (Ryan) F+2 WB 15 (#17)
#19 (EA) – Halifax (Shawn) U-3 WB 3 (#14)
#20 (CS) – Boston (Ryan) F+2 WB 1 (#4)
#21 (EE) – NY Rangers (Charlie) F+6 WB 3 (#16)

NHLP Divisions for 2025-26
*First Round Winners Stay & 5th Place Team

Central - North
Florida - Marcel (Stays in North)
Dallas - Jr (Stays to North)
Las Vegas - Bryce (Stays in North)
Miami - Charlie (Moves to North)
Toronto - Chad (Moves to North)
New Orleans - Shawn (Moves to North)

Central - South
Boston - Ryan (Stays in South)
Cincinnati - Matt (Stays in South)
San Fran - Scott (Stays in South)
Chicago - Andrew (Moves to South)
Buffalo - Joel (Moves to South)
Cleveland - Scottie (Moves to South)

East - Atlantic
Halifax - Shawn (Stays in Atlantic)
NY Islanders - Ryan (Stays in Atlantic)
Philadelphia - Scott (Stays in Atlantic)
Atlantic City - Bryce (Moves to Atlantic)
Hamilton - Scottie (Moves to Atlantic)
Montreal - Marcel (Moves to Atlantic)

East - East
NY Rangers - Charlie (Stays in East)
Memphis - Jr (Stays in East)
Pittsburgh - Chad (Stays in East)
Hartford - Andrew (Moves to East)
Barrie Island - Joel (Moves to East)
Quebec - Matt (Moves to East)

West - Pacific
Colorado - Chad (Stays in Pacific)
Green Bay - Ryan (Stays in Pacific)
Edmonton - Scott (Stays in Pacific)
Calgary - Jr (Moves to Pacific)
Los Angeles - Andrew (Moves to Pacific)
Portland - Bryce (Moves to Pacific)

West - West
Seattle - Shawn (Stays in West)
Vancouver - Joel (Stays in West)
Phoenix - Charlie (Stays in West)
Alaska - Marcel (Moves to West)
St. Louis - Scottie (Moves to West)
Indianapolis - Matt (Moves to West)

Four first round NHLP series will be decided by 2 points or less. GM Jr is moving on in Memphis, up 28-26 with Niederreiter who could take him out of this club. GM Marcel in Florida and GM Chad in Toronto couldn’t get anything from either Granlund or Marchment who combined for 5 of their expected 10 points this round. This leaves Florida needing just two points from Perfetti to easily go to the Conference Finals knocking out the Dallas Stars (Jr) who are facing a Walk-Over if St Louis doesn’t win their game 7. If Florida cannot get the two points, Buffalo (Joel) will win the North Division. For Chad’s Leafs he must have Namestnikov outscore Schenn by two points. Chad could still move his entire team through, about 28 points to play Cincinnati (Matt) who has 33 through. If neither Chad or Marcel can win tonight, we know the Central Conference Finals will be Buffalo and Cincinnati where one will be going to the NHLP Cup Finals. The last of the two point club is Barrie Island (Joel), who needs a miracle. Down 22-20, Sundqvist actually needs a gain of three points over Buchnevich of Halifax (Shawn). It would appear the Destroyers are a safe bet to advance but will need the Blues along for the ride. With the CTR #1 New York Islanders moving on 28, only with the Blues and the Holloway twins returning would GM Shawn compete.

Central - North
Panthers Look to Stars Run

GM Marcel's Florida Panthers have one big thing going for them in the NHLP's first round - man games. In an anticipated battle for the right to play the CTR #8 Dallas Stars, Marcel is a clear man-game favorite over the #15 ranked Buffalo Sabres team of GM Joels. Marcel is a 2 point favorite, 35-33 with four big guns in the Stars-Avs NHL series. If that series goes as expected, 6 or 7 games, Marcel could easily get his 23 points and be on his way to victory. However, a shorter series there may be what Joel needs to shift the power in the division his way. Of Joel's 7 players, 6 are expected to play 5 to 6 games in the first round which may end up costly in the NHLP tight playoff battles of the first round where a couple of points are usually the difference. The winner of Marcel and Joel already has a date set with GM Jr's Dallas Stars. No, Dallas didn't earn a bye. GM Andrew just handled them one. Dallas gets a free ride up against a weak 6-man team, the CTR's number 23 in Chicago. If Andrew could have added a 6-point player for his top gun Raymond he'd still be a 32-30 point underdog, but with a real chance to win. There is no chance Chicago advances here, leaving Jr just cheering hard for the Kings and Bolts. With Kucherov the Stars are always good for double digits in any round he plays. Jr also has three Kings, Kopitar and Kuzmenko twice, another 13 a round. With the Bolts and Kings advancing, that is about 23 second-round points and enough to battle Marcel's Panthers or be a favorite over the Sabres if Joel moves on. If Jr loses either the Kings or Bolts the division will surely be owned by the winner of Florida and Buffalo. The CTR is picking Florida to come out of the division to meet up with a tough Cincinnati team of GM Matt's.

How it unfolded: The CTR basically banged out the North Division. GM Jr easily won in Dallas and he didn’t bring through the Bolts and Kings, meaning the division was the winner of Florida (Marcel) or Buffalo (Joel). Marcel could still win but it appears Buffalo will advance. The Sabres were a two point underdog and the Panthers were thought to win on a longer Dallas-Colorado series, and that did not happen. It was not that the Sabres were above their CTR, they were right as expected. The issue is the Panthers didn’t score, even with Rantanen hitting 5 over his expected 7. The rest of the team was supposed to hit 28 points, they got 16 with Perfetti to play game 7.

Central - South
One Door Closes, Another Opens

It certainly has been that type of year for GM Chad. Rocked by continuous injuries in the second half of the season. The GM didn't buckle but rather bared down and made the best of those situations. Now the word is Robertson is week to week, taking the CTR #4 and potentially throwing that entirely out the door. A massive 32-26 favorite just became the second coin flip matchup in round one, now expected 26-26. GM Ryan, already with the CTR #1 elsewhere, just got some life in Boston, even if it still likely can't save the CTR #20 Bruins. With two of the top teams in the playoffs, according to the CTR's projections, the South is a tough division. Cincinnati, GM Matt, has a round topping 38 projected points. The Rage, the CTR #3 might be able to capitalize on the Robertson injury. By the time Toronto and Cincinnati do meet, however, that week-to-week might be day to day and have no effect on that potential matchup anyhow. For Matt his Rage will have a shot to do what he hasn't been able to do in his first 16 years, win an NHLP Championship. The Rage have only one top-seeded player in Hertl, but they have a nice mix, including three players Tkachuk, Reinhart, and Marchand off the defending NHL Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers. A Panthers repeat would spell doom for the rest of the NHLP. That doom is projected to be a hell of a second-round battle with Toronto. That may have just gotten a lot easier for Matt with the Robertson injury. If the Florida Panthers NHL win does not happen the Rage still have enough matchup strength to do damage. Cincinnati has work to do as Miami (Charlie) has a great team, much better than most in the league, and way better than CTR #18. Charlie is just in a first-round matchup, at a 6-point underdog, he seemingly won't win. If Miami can turn the tables and pull a massive upset, they likely go as far as Vegas goes. For now, however, it appears Matt's to lose. The CTR is calling Cincinnati go to the NHLP Finals, getting passed Florida in the Central Conference Finals.

How it unfolded: The Robertson injury seemingly sealed GM Chad’s chances in Toronto, however, even with all 7 players moving on, which still could happen, GM Matt in Cincinnati was just too strong. The CTR number three should easily win the South Division as we expected. Where things now get interesting is the path to the Cup Finals, with Buffalo (Joel), that is a battle that is looming large. We will be talking a lot about that one, but Cincinnati is looking like the CTR #3 we thought they would be.

GM Ryan has been close on a number of occasions where a win here or there might have changed his fortunes. In 23 NHLP seasons, the GM has never won it all, making his last appearance in the Cup Finals in 2016. The Cupless streak is the longest drought in NHLP history for a GM without a Cup, eclipsing GM Charlie's 20 years when Charlie won. We certainly aren't putting much weight in Ryan winning his first this season, because the CTR #1's have a long curse of their own. Outside of that, this Islanders team has a lot to like. Thanks to an NHLP Head Office screw up the Islanders chances got a whole lot easier since when they were handed the CTR #1. How could that happen? Well, a computer glitch caused the NHLP Final Standings to not update properly, leading many to believe Halifax (Shawn) had won the Atlantic Division and bringing their 32 potential first-round points as Ryan's opponent. After the error was corrected, the matchup didn't make the Islanders, a 33-32 favorite versus Halifax, but rather a 33-21 landslide dream matchup versus Hartford. This is because Hartford (Andrew) the CTR #24 with a team missing a leading scorer in Panarin now face the Islanders in what amounts to an unofficial Walk-Over. It also completely changed GM Joel's plans. Knowing Barrie Island would be playing Hartford, rumor has it the ½ Chance Stumblers GM told his assistant GM just to rest guys and headed up north for some language lessons. When Joel found out about his new opponent, he said "oh merde". Who knows what that means, but it likely wasn't good. Barrie Island the CTR #14 has the best Tampa Bay Lightning team with Hagel, Guentzel, Bjorkstrand and Gourde, about a point better than GM Jr's Kucherov in any given series. If Joel can now get by Halifax #19 in what is a 32-32, the Stumblers can go as far as the Lightning can take them. If Holloway doesn't play for Halifax Joel might as well start resting players, as the Destroyers are essentially a 5 man team. For Joel, banking so heavily on one team hasn’t often worked with only three NHLP teams hosting a Cup with four players or more off one team. What looks most likely is the Islanders and 23 second-round points winning the division, and the Conference Finals meeting a by then weak East Division opponent.

How it unfolded: Hartford (Andrew) made the series point totals a lot closer than the CTR expected, likely losing by around 5, but the CTR wasn’t wrong about the Islanders and GM Ryan’s chances. The CTR though Ryan would move on about 23 points and he topped that with a 6-player 28 point second round team. The injuries to both GM Shawn’s Destroyers and GM Joel’s Stumblers played into the low scoring round for each team. The CTR surely had Halifax out without Holloway and Holloway but that was offset by Bjorkstrand and Hagel injuries and a short Tampa Bay series, sending Barrie Island out. Shawn won’t give Ryan any trouble in round two and the NY Islanders will be a series away from the Cup Finals.

GM Jr’s decision to keep Protas past the NHLP Deadline will impact the Memphis Machine (CTR #2) chances of winning his fifth NHLP Championship. The Machine have the best Washington Capitals built team and a Caps run may have made this team unstoppable. Although Memphis appears now to be a one-and-done the CTR has them high as Protas still coming back in this series might make all the difference. With Protas the CTR has this a battle at 34-33, but Jr falls to a much further underdog by 6 points if Protas puts up a zero instead of the healthy version five. Standing in Jr’s way is a team the NHLP doesn’t often see in the playoffs, making their first appearance in five seasons, GM Bryce’s Atlantic City Gamblers. For Bryce the experience wasn’t good last time the Gamblers were in the playoffs, with a first-round team of just three players (yes, just three players in 2019-20) and a 32-10 first-round thumping. Now a Cup later and in his sixth season, Bryce’s teams look much more promising with the CTR #13 Gamblers looking for a run of their own. Bryce is the favorite 34-33 (likely 33-27) with all seven of his players expected to play 6 or 7 game series, while Jr’s Machine with four Capitals and a Jet are projected to play 5 or 6 game first round series. Those man games will surely come into play. If the Machine wins round one, they will likely have Protas back and go as far as the Capitals take them. More likely is the decision Jr made to keep Protas has him out early and the East Division is decided between the Gamblers and NHLP rookie GM Scottie’s Hamilton Hitmen. The CTR #16 team in Hamilton isn’t a sure thing even against the lowly CTR #21 of GM Charlie’s. Charlie has a weakened 6-man team, but McDavid. With the Hitmen a 31-29 point favorite, but an underdog without Bjorkstrand who is expected out round one. Charlie likely could have used one more scorer to get through and run with McDavid. For Scottie he will likely do well in the second round should Atlantic City be the opponent and Colorado be knocked out. If Colorado moves on, GM Bryce likely goes as far as the Avs go. Most likely, we are looking at a weak team coming out of the East Division and GM Ryan going to the Cup in New York from the Conference’s other half, although Memphis with Washington and Atlantic City with Colorado will change that should either occur.

How it unfolded: GM Scottie had one of the best scoring teams of the round per man game, but without Bjorkstrand was an underdog and L Hughes injury in New Jersey sealed the fate of the Hitmen. GM Charlie just hit his number. GM Jr pulled the biggest upset of the first round and is now the favorites to win the East Division. The CTR had a lot of confidence in Memphis, handing them the CTR #2, but the CTR also knew without Protas there just seemed no way Jr could win in round one. Jr can in at 28, perfectly nailing his CTR mark and might crack it tonight with Niederreiter. How could Jr win? Atlantic City (Bryce) were handed every opportunity, a full seven games from their four Avalanche players and still could not get it done, falling 8 points shy of their mark. Makar and Necas fell four points shy at the top and Paul and Samoskevich four points shy at the bottom. While the CTR was hard on Jr’s decision to keep Protas, the GM now is rewarded for his risk. With Protas back Memphis comes in at a 6 point favorite in round two versus Charlie’s McDavid led Rangers. Looks like the CTR #1 and #2 could play in the Conference Finals for a chance to represent the East Conference in the NHLP Finals.

GM Chad has everything going for him. A beautiful family, a drop-dead gorgeous wife, and more Cup rings on his fingers than his surgically rebuilt shoulder can bear the weight of. Good thing he has fingers on the end of his other arm, because they might be needed. For Chad his CTR ranked #7 Avalanche team looks like a sure thing to move forward, blessed again with their first round matchup. GM Scottie, not born yet when Chad won his first Cup in 2000, is a 34-29 underdog with the CTR #22 in St. Louis. Without a healthy number from Miller, Scottie likely threw away his hopes of a rookie run with the likes of Stone, Tavares, Hertl, Nichushkin, and Jarvis. All five of those players are expected to score, 5 or more each, but without that one more guy, the Blues likely will watch what might have been. The Pacific’s other matchup is all about the scoring. GM’s Marcel and Ryan match up in a projected 36-34 battle. The series is all about game 7’s, with all but just one player not expected to play 6.5 games on average. The Knights of Green Bay has high-scoring Draisaitl, one of three players who the CTR sees might reach 10 first round points. Ryan will need every point he can get. The CTR sees the Conference as anyone’s as 7 of the 8 teams have routes out. Green Bay will need an Oilers run if there is any hope of going the distance, while GM Marcel can do damage with Tampa Bay and matchups. Chad has nice matchup strength, and runs with either Dallas or Toronto could give the Avs a shot in the Conference Final. It won’t be an easy run for anyone here, but one thing is for sure. We’ll hear about it if Chadwick goes three in a row.

The top four teams in the NHLP’s standings all finished within five points of each other. The CTR playoffs projects are all between 29-33 points. The CTR ranked them between 6 and 11. The best of the West appears to be GM Joel’s Vancouver Canucks, hoping to win a second team Cup 35 years after GM Raymond won the first ever NHLP Championship in 1989-90. Although slight underdogs at 33-31 the Canucks first round matchup is actually a good one for Joel. His top two players Matthews and Nylander are outscoring Stutzle and Batherson 12-10 in an already predicted short series and GM Andrew’s top two scorers Duchene and Duchene, a projected 12 to 14, or 13 points, are in 6.5 games. So there is more room for Joel to move than Andrew. The same holds true for Joel’s two Caps, outscoring Andrew’s two Blues 8-6, both in shorter series. So If Joel can extend anywhere, odds are they can get to round two. For Andrew, this is certainly his best hope for a historic 7^th NHLP Championship. It isn’t good odds, but it is his best odds. If Andrew can get it done in round one Duchene and Duchene are a great start of a second-round team, but things likely fall flat without Ottawa or St Louis pulling an NHL upset for support. Seattle (GM Shawn #9) is a slim favorite over GM Jr’s #10 in Calgary, a top-built Jet’s team. In this series, both teams leading scorers cancel out with Connor. So, although Jr’s three Jets are power moving forward, they are only a true 7-6 advantage in the round versus Thomas. Jr’s next hope is an extended series in Minny where Zuccarello and Rossi are expected to get 8 in 5.5 games. This matches up with 9 points Shawn is getting in 6.5 games from Aho and Stankoven. So Jr will need a longer series where he can get them and hope Shawn falls a little shorter in man-games. Jr can make a serious run with the Jets, but more than likely will be out in round one watching Shawn play with Andrew or Joel. Every team here will be vying for every little piece of scrap they can bring to the next round because it is wide open, and anyone can win the West Division. Who ever comes out of the West has a solid chance of going to the Cup Finals as the Conference is 7 of 8 teams to win.

How it unfolded: The CTR just about hammered the entire West Conference in both the Pacific and West Divisions. It was thought 7 of the 8 teams had ways through and right now all four of the remaining teams definitely do. For Joel in Vancouver and Shawn in Seattle they both scored well in the round, about 8 over. Jr scored ok in Calgary, about his CTR but ended up the highest scoring first round team to lose. Calgary’s 32 points would have beat every other series losing teams, all 11 of them and 7 of the winning teams. The Kings (Andrew) just didn’t score. For Shawn he moves on 24 to Joel’s 21 in what will be a great battle for the West Division. With GM Ryan a 26-24 favorite over Chad in the Pacific, the CTR really couldn’t have made a better call then the West Conference being wide open, as it certainly is just that with all four remaining teams, not only threats to go to the Cup Finals but each having their path to winning it all.

GM Marcel knows it won’t be easy but the GM is very much confident he can’t get it done, “Even five tonight and I have a chance,” the GM stated this morning about a massive night of hockey. Marcel’s Panthers were big winners Friday night, advancing a key piece to game 7 and having Perfetti add what could turn into the point. The task now is to gain 6 points in just 5 player games, each player playing their final game of the first round. Rantanen who was added to Florida a few days before the NHLP Trading Deadline has 7 points his last two games. In that deal with Indianapolis (Matt) Marcel added Rantanen and Benn (turned into Drouin) for Bratt and Hischier. Rantanen has matched Bratt and Hischiers first round total of 7 points just in the past two games alone, a deal that obviously Marcel got the best of. Getting 6 points won’t be easy. Dallas is at home and Marcel’s Cup hopes will be back in a big way should the Stars advance, at worse an 8 point favorite versus Dallas (Jr) next round who could also be a Walk-Over. Marcel sends out Rantanen, Granlund, Marchment, and Drouin tonight with six points an automatic win. Whatever Marcel is shy of that six points Perfetti will have to get himself on Sunday. (Note: All players in this series where checked for accuracy this morning and verified to be correct.)

The Atlantic City Gamblers joined the NHLP in the 1992-93 season as an expansion team, and at the time were run for the first two seasons by a convicted criminal. After that, GM Marcel took control of the team for seven seasons. The franchise moved around among many GMs over the years and was even run by GM Andrew in the 2018-19 season, the last time the team made the second round of the NHLP playoffs. The following year, GM Bryce took charge of the franchise in the 2019-20 season, the last time the team made the playoffs, the NHLP’s longest drought over the past 5 seasons. Bryce will look to move the team back to the second round in a back and forth first round series with GM Jr in Memphis. The Machine has a very slim lead, 28-26 with the tie-breaker being decided tonight in game 7. All Jr can do tonight is watch. He is cheering for an Avs 1-0 win. If the Avs do win Bryce will need to gain three points from Makar, Necas and Toews to take the lead. Jr has Niederreiter to play his game seven to end the first round Sunday night. The winner here will likely play GM Charlie’s Rangers team. Jr will be the favorite if he wins, and Bryce will be the favorite if he wins and the Avalanche win. This is a big game tonight for the GM’s, as Bryce or Jr are not winning a Cup this season outside of this chance right here. Someone is sadly going to be out and someone could total change how the NHLP playoffs unfolds the rest of the way.

The good news is that it appears GM Chad will have his leading scorer, Robertson back in round two. The bad news is GM Chad might not be playing in round two. “What an incredible story this could become,” said Muddy Capone, “Winning round one without your leading scorer and going on from there to a sixth NHLP Championship.” You could sense the excitement in Capone’s voice. This is a big deal and not something likely ever done in NHLP history. Capone would know, he has seen it all. Muddy has not seen a GM win three straight NHLP Cups, or a team win a third Cup. Chad’s Leafs won in 2016 and 2023 and can move on with seven players to the second round. Chad is also chasing his third straight Cup. Chad must have Dallas winning tonight if he is to have any shot, as GM Matt in Cincinnati is advancing six players and a minimum of 30 points. That’s a big second-round number. With Stars and Jets wins, Chad’s Leafs can match that number. (A check of the numbers at this point just revealed Marchand has 4, not 5 as was believed – all other players were correct). This scoring change now has the Leafs down 18-16, needing a gain of two points, not just one point. Chad sends out Granlund and Marchment (Robertson injured) versus Toews and Coyle. So far, this matchup is 5-5. Tomorrow Chad has Namestnikov, who suddenly has three in his last two games, versus Schenn who has three in his last three. Chad gains two points; his Cup dreams are alive if Dallas wins tonight. If he doesn’t, GM Ryan’s Bruins advance, playing the spoilers and crushing Chadwick’s Cup hope dreams in Toronto.

The Atlantic City Gamblers (Bryce) had a massive night, keeping their Cup hopes alive in what could only be called a stunning event. The Gamblers three Avs that mattered had 6 points and are within striking distance of winning, down 27-26 to the CTR #2 Memphis Machine (Jr). The Machine still has Niederreiter, who is coming off a two-point game. He could still play tonight and in a game 7. The tie-breaker is 3-3 with the Gamblers having the Stars at home in game 7. The Gamblers need Makar, Necas, and Toews to outscore Niederreiter by two points to secure the win in the series. Bryce will be hoping the Jets win tonight, which would mean Memphis will have no players left (Nelson and Nelson cancel out). If the Gamblers only get a one-point gain, the series will be decided on the tie-breaker Saturday night. The Cup hopes are running both ways, in fact, all four ways in the East Division. Memphis winning makes them the favorites in the next round, no matter what, already advancing 22 points, which can only improve with Winnipeg and Colorado, about 30 points. If Atlantic City wins with Colorado, they will win the Division. However, if Atlantic City wins without the Avalanche advancing, GM Charlie will win the Division in New York if he wins against Hamilton (Scottie), only up 28-26. GM Scottie could yet have his own stunning comeback. Scottie needs Kyrou, who has been dead, to outscore Namestnikov by just two if the Blues win back-to-back games, thus winning on the tie-breaker, or three points otherwise. Namestnikov is likely playing with the Jets Connor with Scheifele out, making the Rangers all the more favorites, and a comeback by the Hitmen, all the more shocking. If the Hitmen come back, and the Gamblers win without the Avs, GM Scottie is the favorite to win the Division with Strome and Knies. All four of these teams have between 26-28 points, and all four have a path to victory with just two or three games left in the entire first round. (Note: All players on these four teams were double checked this morning for points and all are accurate according to the NHL.com playoff statistics – please check your players)

Going The Distance

The Toronto Maple Leafs (Chad) could have the only NHLP team of 7 players in round two, or might not even still be playing. The injury to Robertson might be an injury GM Chad looks back on as a potential Cup-costing injury. Without Robertson Chad’s Leafs have struggled to score and are losing 17-16 to GM Ryan’s Bruins, who are playing for price, with no chance of beating GM Matt in Cincinnati, who is moving on at least 30 points next round, about 18 more than the best the Bruins can do. However, Chad’s full 7 players with Robertson getting healthier by the day could be 31 points, at least enough to battle Matt’s Rage. Chad has the tie-breaker, so this is easy. Chad just needs Granlund, Marchment, and Namestnikov to gain one point on Schenn, Toews, and Coyle. If the Jets win tonight, everything is decided Saturday. If the Blues win at home, things could come down to a point or two on Sunday's final game of round one.

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Counting Them Down

The Buffalo Sabres (Joel) are done in round one and are likely walking straight through to the Conference Finals. There is just one slight, tiny weenie, little issue yet. The Florida Panthers (Marcel) just need 7 points to either put themselves through or give GM Jr in Dallas some kind of hope with back-to-back Blues wins. If Florida doesn’t get those 7 points, neither Marcel nor Jr can win the division. How can Marcel get to 7 points? Perfetti could play tonight and a game 7 on Sunday. On Saturday the Panthers have one last game from Rantanen, Drouin, Granlund and Marchment. These 5 players, between them, have had games of 1-3-3-2-4-5 (+ Perfetti’s game 6). If Perfetti can get one tonight and a Blues win, having the 5 of them get 6 points in a game 7, still isn’t great odds, but would have to be considered possible. Rantanen just had a four point game in a loss. Game sevens are also famous for seeing two and sometimes even three empty net goals. We certainly still like GM Joel’s chances, but we liked some other things that didn’t exact go as they appeared in the first round of the NHLP playoffs.

Buffalo (Joel) are up 9 points and likely playing in the North Division finals. The Sabres just have 17 already in the next round and that could go up to 20 with an Oilers win, and four more could come from Tkachuk should the Sens pull a miracle. GM Jr in Dallas is the opponent and right now is a Walk-Over. The Stars must have LA Kings coming back, winning a game six tonight on the road. They aren’t playing like a team about to do that, so GM Joel is looking like the division champion.

It appears the big boys are going to get it done. The Bruins (Ryan) weren’t going to be any competition in the next round, but they had a chance to knock out a team that could go all the way. Chad’s Leafs have never led the series and are poised to pull what will be a very big upset. Without their top scoring player, the Leafs were a 5 point underdog. Now just down a single point for the win, Chad sends out Granlund and Marchment tonight versus Toews, Coyle, Smith and Saad. All those players could be out tonight. Chad just needs a point gain. However, know matter what happens tonight, each GM has a player in the Jets-Blues series which is likely destine for 7. This is too close to call. The Cincinnati Rage (Matt) are watching with great interest, up 29-15 and with 25-29 points already, and more from Hertl if the Knights get it done. Boston is done. Toronto, however, would have 24 with the Stars and Jets. Robertson could be back next round, 6 more points. Chad’s hopes for an unbelievable third straight cup, his 6^th tying all-time NHLP Champion GM Andrew, could come down to gaining just one single point.

GM Ryan has the team the NHLP Yearbooks CTR liked the best. “It isn’t just the team itself,” states Muddy Capone, “But the team's matchups right on through and we determined the Islanders had the best chance.” Well, the Islanders have made the CTR look good so far, but aren’t feeling too good themselves with GM Andrew just 7 points back. It wouldn’t be shocking if the Sens win 5-0 tonight to see each Cozens and Chabot have 2 point games, that is easily done. “Back to back Sens big wins and suddenly you have the CTR #24 moving on their four Sens and favorites next round” laughed Capone about the insaneness or GM Andrew cheering for the Sens. Barrie Island, who’s GM Joel said he was going fishing instead of going to his team’s games tonight just needs a four point gain tonight from Kopitar and Benn to take the series lead. Both teams have a Blue, but that is all Halifax (Shawn) has left is Buchnevich. Joel won’t know it out on the lake, but if the Kings or Stars go 7 games, he could win this. He wouldn’t be much competition for the Islanders, but Hartford could be a Walk-Over should those 2 point games be flying tonight. Reality tells us GM Ryan is good and Islanders are going to get it done.

Makar, Necas and Toews have a combined 8 points in the playoffs. They need to gain at least 7 on Moore and Niederreiter. We do not see that happening. Hamilton (Scottie) is just down 3 points, but with just Kyrou and Knies, it seems so unlikely they can come back versus 6 players and McDavid. Anything can happen, but the feeling is Memphis (Jr) and the New York Rangers (Charlie) are looking like, the #2 and #21 rated teams are going to advance to a real battle for the division. Jr has 22 point already through and could add 3 with Niederreiter, 5 with Nelson and the knockout blow, 4 with Moore. The Rangers have 4-9 and are cheering hard for the Wild to force a game 7. If that doesn’t happen could be at 20 points with Oilers, Leafs and Jets. Almost every way you slice it, the Machine look destine. They just can’t have the Avs do what they haven’t done all series, light it up and force a game 7.

GM Ryan has had a phenomenal playoffs. The GM’s Green Bay Knights are heading to Colorado (Chad) for a second round matchup that looks like fun. Ryan has 16-20 points through already, with the high total the Oilers beating the Kings. Adding Hintz only cancels GM Chad’s Hintz. Both teams also have Kempe, but the Kings coming back hurts Ryan, but still leaves him adding Doughty. It appears the Knights total will be 26 next round, should the greens advance. Chad’s Avs would have 24. Chad is cheering hard for the Kings, giving him a 24-22 advantage if the Oilers are out.

“Those fucking wagon-jumping, maggot-eating, Oak Bush Crickets headed to the South” said Fin. We couldn’t read his lips through the face covering, but it sure sounded like what he said. Nonetheless, it was "Fin" while it lasted. The Canucks are still brining through 8 points and if the Leafs win 20. The Kings would make it 28. GM Shawn is up 35-28 with 19 next round already and 23 with Hymen or 22 with Giroux, both devastating hits for the Canucks should Shawn get to those numbers. Jr’s Flames need to gain 8 points, but have 13 points moving on if the Jets make it through. Miracle comebacks from the Wild or Sens and the Flames would be back in business. We have called the West Division the Wild West from the start and even now it can go one of three ways and only two teams might still be playing round one after tonight.

The Seattle Storm (Shawn) just played themselves into the conversation in the Wild West Division. GM Shawn had a big night from Aho and has built a comfortable 31-25 lead with the tie-breaker. Shawn lost two players, Aho and Stankoven, who did their part, getting 11 points of a predicted 9, and likely the difference here in the end. Now things have boiled down to Calgary (Jr) having 6 players – Morrissey (2), Perfetti (2), Zuccarello (3), Rossi (3), Sanderson (3) and Danault (7) for 20 points in 28 games played. Shawn counters with Thomas (6), Giroux (4), Hymen (3) and Jones (2) for 14 in 18 games. Shawn has a minimum of 5 to a maximum of 10 man games to play while Jr sits at a Minimum of 8 to 14 max. The best Jr can do is have Shawn a minimum of 5 man games, and Jr can get a maximum of 10 if Shawn’s series all end in the minimum and Jr gets a full seven from his Minnesota players. No gain can be elsewhere, as all players are in the same series. At both GM’s current PPG in the playoffs, Jr could gain 4 more if everyone averages what they have been with that maximum amount of man games played. Right now, the Flames would need 7, Jr would still be short by 3 points. The Storm are guaranteed 16 points next round, and with Hymen and Jones, that is 24. Joel in Vancouver is only moving on 20 now, with Fiala and Moore no longer winning their LA series. Joel is going to need the Kings to come back or the Flames to pull it out, as Seattle suddenly has a Storm brewing out West.

Usually, when you are playing elimination games, it is pretty late in the round. For GM Charlie’s NY Rangers, they are likely going to be losing at the end of the night. GM Scottie should have the lead in Hamilton, currently down just 25-23, and with Strome and Kyrou playing just Namestnikov. For the Hitmen, things are desperate. They are essentially down to just 4 players remaining and two games from Kyrou. Their four players can score with Strome, Kyrou, Knies, and Danualt, but Charlie still has 6 players, and McDavid. All the Rangers scoring Rangers are playing elimination games. Scottie must get extra games, a game 7 even from either Strome, Kyrou or Knies and win this late. Right now, anyone can win the East Division, which is shocking. GM Jr somehow has stayed afloat in Memphis, up 19-16 with what appears to be finally his four Caps in the lineup if Protas is in. If Washington goes out with a low-scoring game, Atlantic City (Bryce) will still have their Avs players. Bryce is cheering hard tonight for Tampa Bay to extend for his Bennett, Paul and Samoskevich players. Jr may be hoping Washington can lose a 5-4 game, or as predicted, this series may come down to man-games.

The Buffalo Sabres (Joel) don’t care what you call them, they just want to take care of business. The CTR’s #15 has the luxury of not being in a strong Division with the CTR #5 of Florida (Marcel) the strongest of the group. With the Panthers just a two-point favorite, there was a chance for Buffalo to get through and face Dallas (Jr) who, without Tampa Bay and Los Angeles, wouldn’t stop the Sabres at that point. Right now, that matchup in the second round looks good. First things first Buffalo has to extend their 19-17 lead on Tuesday, which should be a given with a 14-3 point advantage in the players playing. Vegas winning at home gives the team an 18-point next round, which goes to 21 with LA. The Stars could be walked over, so with some more points this round, Joel can be heading to Cincinnati (Matt) where one of them could be heading to the NHLP Cup Finals. All a way away, yes, but that is what we do. For GM Matt’s Rage, you have to love how things have gone. With the wipeout of Sasquatch, the CTR #3 has gotten more great news thanks to the falling Leafs. GM Chad’s disastrous first round has opened the door for Boston (Ryan), who is the actual favorite with the Leafs' injuries and up 16-10 in a defensive battle. Right now, Boston doesn’t look like any issues in round two for the Rage, who are living large. With all the bullshit this team has been through this season, it must surely feel nice to quiet the Champ and a few other NHLP doubters. This team is good!

It seems at this point GM Jr is at best playing for the gate in Calgary. Down 26-24 and not sending on enough without a massive NHLP upset coming from Minnesota. Without the Wild a Flames first round win won’t give them any shot with what the Canucks (Joel) has going down in Vancouver. Joel is moving on; that is a given. Right now, he has 20 to 31 points coming along for the ride. That isn’t a number the Flames can reach in the best case. The best Jr can hope for outside 3-1 winners collapsing is Edmonton, Minnesota, and Winnipeg winning. GM Shawn can do more in Seattle with Edmonton moving on, the Storm could be a couple of points favorite. Whoever gets through will likely have Green Bay (Ryan) or Colorado (Chad), who are by far the most exciting potential matchup looming in round two. No matter how you slice things, these two teams are going to battle, and both have the potential favorite tag depending on the outcome of the LA and Edmonton series.

The New York Islanders look set up perfectly. The CTR #1 team of GM Ryan’s biggest problem is the potential tourism damage from the beached Whale. Everything is going the Islanders' way and looking ahead to a second-round matchup, not a hell of a lot of worry. Halifax (Shawn) must have both St Louis to win and Holloway and Holloway to return, otherwise, things could be ugly. The Destroyers are up by essentially four points. It seems the 1/2 Chance Stumbers will have a hard time coming back. Without back to back to back wins by Tampa Bay, it ain’t happening. Who would Ryan play coming out of the East Division? That might be the thing we are least sure of, with four teams clinging to their own slim chances of just moving on to round two.

The Memphis Machine (Jr) survived the night. The lead is only three, but the Machine has the lone player playing Tuesday in Moore, who has gotten a point a game. The Machine will be hoping for Moore’s Kings to win and advance, as this could help the second round matchup that is looking like GM Charlie in New York. Memphis was thought to potentially roll through the division if they could win round one. That still hasn’t happened, and every point and man-game now in this series is crucial. GM Charlie is winning on nothing more than having two of three games to play at home in his tie-breaker. That however, should change in a big way tonight. The Rangers are sending out players who have scored 20 of the team's 22 points. GM Scottie answers with just two players who have scored 10, thanks to the unstoppable Danault, who has 7, just two less than Charlie’s McDavid. It still might end up a 6 point advantage with this series playing at least two more games, but that was the Rangers expectations between those two players. With Boldy, Zuccarello, and Barbashev not only playing, playing two more games the Hitmen just don’t seem to have enough left in the tank to pull what would be an upset without Bjorkstrand and L. Hughes injured. The Hitmen are set to lose Knies, Meier, and Hughes for this round, surely ending this series in the Rangers Favor. The Rangers have bucked the losing trend, with short-handed teams in the first round of the NHLP playoffs playing 13-32 (29% win rate) over the past 15 seasons. Although Charlie did have a 6-man team on paper, it is not the typical 6-man team that usually is missing their top scoring player. Lafreniere was the team's 5^th leading scorer and not the typical leading scorer we usually see with 6-man teams. This meant the Rangers had a CTR potential of 29 first-round points, not enough to beat a full seven of GM Scottie until the injury bug hit. The Hitmen’s total of 31 dropped to 23, making Charlie’s 6-man team a big favorite by sheer luck, playing a 7-man team with two injuries. Without McDavid moving forward, the Rangers likely can move on about 10 points to round two, and no chance without the Wild miracle over Vegas. If Edmonton goes through the Rangers are about 20 points next round, likely a four-point underdog versus Memphis and a heavy favorite over Atlantic City, who has nothing without Colorado.

Four NHLP GM’s with Washington Capitals players all could use longer series than 5 games, but like Toronto, the Capitals are heading home for game 5 with a chance to end the series, likely ending some NHLP Caps built teams in the process. The Buffalo Sabres (Joel) were not high in the CTR at #15 even though they were only a two-point first-round underdog. Part of the problem the CTR spoke about was that the top 6 players on the team were all expected to play only 5.5 games in the first round. Three are getting 6 and three could end in 5, about right where the CTR had them pegged, and likely meaning a loss to Florida (Marcel), who is down 19-13 in the series. For Marcel that changes tonight. The Panthers top five players, Rantanen, Drouin, Granlund, Cirelli and Machment all play against a zero-point night of the Sabres. So they all get a point each. Marcel will be done 19-18, with the tie-breaker back home in Vegas. The winner here might fair well next round with Dallas (Jr), the competition, and facing what could be anywhere from a Walk-Over to a full team. The Stars have lit up the round, on their way to 40+ but won’t like the look if both the Kings and Blues are gone from the second round of the NHL Playoffs.

The Green Bay Knights has a real shot of making a run this playoffs. The GM Ryan team is well up 26-18 and everything is pointing to a matchup with Colorado (Chad) next round. The interesting thing in the NHLP is you never want to cheer for losing one of your teams players. You only have 7 of them. What is compelling here is Ryan might be cheering for his Dallas Star to advance. The issue is if Hintz does advance, he will be not only cancelled by Chad’s Hintz, but Chad’s Avs have Johnston, a potential 6 point player. Ryan is much better of moving forward with the Colorado Avalance in the playoffs. How much so? Well, there isn’t a Avs player on Vancouver (Joel), Seattle (Shawn) or Calgary (Jr) teams they would play in the Conference Finals and no two Colorado Avs players on any current winning teams right through to the NHL Finals, except his own team in Boston. The only Avs threat comes from Atlantic City (Bryce) and if they don’t come back, down 19-13, they aren’t advancing. If the Knights are to win the Pacific Division they might have to do it next round as underdogs if Dallas Stars are still in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Atlantic City Gamblers (Bryce) are a big night away from getting back into their East Division first-round matchup with the Memphis Machine (Jr). All Jr can hope for tonight is to keep as much of his current 6-point lead as he can. Make no mistake, the Gamblers are coming hard. Down 19-13 the Makar led Gamblers send out their other three Avs to join their leader, Necas, Toews, and Nelson (who cancels) and also Benett, Paul and Samoskevich. Combined without Nelson, who’s points don’t affect this series that is 11 points in 21 man-games amongst them. All 6 players will not have a response if Bryce gets one per tonight, the series will be tied. Memphis has hung on without Protas but now faces just possibly one more game from their four Caps. While the Gamblers might be hoping Florida and Tampa Bay can even up their series, where Bryce is getting 2 points a game from the three in that series. The series is getting two more games, so adding a sixth will be a win. The winner here would appear to be getting the NY Rangers (Charlie), but that series is suddenly tied at 22. That series sits idle tonight with only another x for Bjorkstrand, who will likely be the difference it Hamilton (Scottie) loses.

The home teams have had their usual advantage in the NHL playoff series so far, winning 19 of 27, 70% of the games in the first round. Sunday could be a shift in the playoff colouring from green and red to black (GRB). If any of the four home teams win Sunday, they tie their series, so there is a high likelihood that 3 of the 4 series end up turning to black, meaning tied 2-2 and creating a best of three. The GRB after Saturday saw two such series end tied 2-2 is now 71-54-47. The Sunday results, just in man-games played, will be the difference between losing and winning your first-round series for a few of these teams. Man-games are such a big part of the NHLP first round, one player out, one shortened series, or one game 7 can be that difference between eventually watching a Cup being won and winning a Cup. The Blues, Devils, Canadiens, and Oilers are the home teams that will have a big impact in several series.

The Boston Bruins (Ryan) have caught their share of breaks in the NHLP playoffs so far in 2025. “You go from a heavy underdog to a heavy favorite with an injury and suspension,” said Muddy Capone. The Toronto Maple Leafs (Chad) were expected to be a 31-26 favorite and on the final day of the regular season, Dallas plays Robertson in a meaningless game and he is now a zero for Chad, already without Ekblad for two games of the playoffs, dropping to a 26-21 underdog. Could things get any better for the Bruins? Actually, yes, they could. In the 18 games Toronto has played, they have 5 points. The Bruins' 12 is enough to be up by 7 points, even though the team would be outscored by 18 of the 24 playoff teams. “The Bruins are winning by 7 with 12 points, while Calgary is losing, having scored 20,” pointed out Muddy Capone about the absurdity of it all. With home wins by Montreal and St Louis on Sunday, the Bruins will have all 7 players in the black (from red), the maximum games they can play at this point, and all still potentially have a chance to move on. Chad was supposed to be the one to give Cincinnati (Matt) a go in the division finals. Ryan, even with a full 7 players moving on, still looks like a 31-26 point underdog in the second round. With the Bruins luck, well, the Rage players best be watching for motorbikes. Hell, it might only take a moped.

The Atlantic City Gamblers (Bryce) will just sit and watch on Sunday. The Memphis Machine (Jr) are throwing out everyone, the 6 players who can possibly make any difference in this first-round series. At this point, there is no room for error by either team. Up 15-13, the Machine find themselves in a really tough spot. Not a good spot or a bad spot, just a tough spot with little wiggle room. GM Jr went all in on the Washington Capitals, Ovechkin, Strome, Chychrun, and the injured Protas. Washington proved they have a real shot at winning this season and earned the right to play Montreal, a lowly wild-card team in the first round. The CTR looks at this team and in the end, it is can Memphis win in the first round? After that, things just open right up, and there is a good likelihood they travel as far as the Capitals go. Winning in the first round, however, becomes a big if. If Washington disposes of Montreal in 5.5 games, with 5 points from Protas, who has yet to play, the Machine would still be first-round underdogs. So with the tie-breaker back in hand, the question will be how much of a lead the Machine can build by the end of the day, and are the teams' four Capitals set to win in five? Both GM’s teams are getting at least two more games from their teams of four, the Caps and Bryce with his Avs. This matchup has Jr up 10-5 in just 9 man-games to 12 of the Gamblers, with the Nelson and Nelson cancelling. This series is looking like a difference of one. One man-game extra by either Washington or Colorado at this point likely moves that GM’s team on. The difference of one.

Friday night was that night many NHLP teams needed, and many dreaded. Three NHL series, home teams all down 2-0, and just like that, 2-1, extended series and potentially three-game series looming in them all. “It is a series-defining game,” stated Muddy Capone, “You go down 3-0, NHL history has shown you are done. Now, if you win that next game, you are in a best-of-three. These NHLP man-games change many series and Cup hopes.” Although there were many NHLP GM’s that won big on the night with extra games, and potential comebacks, maybe none bigger than the Memphis Machine. Jr’s East Division team added extra games from five of the team’s 7 players and took a huge 13-8 point lead from the Atlantic City Gamblers (Bryce). This was a series defining moment. The Gamblers now need their own extra games Saturday, wins by Colorado and Tampa Bay. When you extend a series, you have to get some points in the games your team loses, and Jr did that with 5 points to break a 8-8 deadlock. It is harder to get those points in a game your players team loses, which Jr did. For Bryce he will be hoping his player’s team with Makar, Necas, and Toews win in Colorado while hoping his Florida players Bennett and Samoskevich can get points from a losing game. GM Charlie’s NY Rangers extended from Edmonton with McDavid. Edmonton coming back and knocking out LA means more games for Charlie and adding 10 points next round if he gets through.

The Green Bay Knights had an awesome Friday for GM Ryan. With a massive 7 points, the Knights now lead 19-14 over the Alaska Attack (Marcel), who aren’t going down easily. An Edmonton win extended the things in a series-defining game for Green Bay. The Knights have 24 points invested in that series, 14 from Draisaitl and Nugent-Hopkins, who have 6 in three games, and 10 from Kempe and Doughty, who have 12. The Knights are moving on one of the sets, but clearly, Edmonton gives them a better long-term chance with Draisaitl a potential double-digit player in any round. The Colorado Avalanche (Chad) are handling business up 19-11 over the weighted-down Blues (Scottie). Both the Knights and Avs have Kempe so Ryan is cheering hard for the Oilers to come back, which would make his Green Bay team the round two favs in Titletown.

In one of the more shocking NHLP first round series, the Barrie Island ½ Chance Stumbers are down 13-11, a team the CTR has as a 5 point favorite with the current series injuries. “You can’t win when your top guys don’t score,” stated Muddy Capone, “That is how upsets occur.” Just how bad are things on the Island? Jones, the lowest CTR scoring player on the Halifax Destroyers team of GM Shawns has equaled Hagel, Guentzel, Gourde, and Bjorkstrand (injured), the four Tampa Bay players who were thought to make the Stumbers favorites. That is an expected 17 points, with nothing from Bjorkstrand, 21 if he were playing. Making this even more shocking, GM Shawn hasn’t a point from the injured Holloway and Holloway, about 9 points if they were playing. Heading into Saturday, neither of these teams look like anything worth getting excited about as they won’t compete with GM Ryan’s Islanders 25 next round as the NHL series stands. The Destroyers have some new life with both St Louis and Montreal now having home games to tie their respective series, while GM Joel is in a really bad place with his Tampa Bay players. The only NHL team to lose both their home games, now the Bolts must go into Florida and at the minimum, head home with the series still alive. If the Panthers win both home games, it won’t matter even if Joel comes through here as the NY Islanders will be the Atlantic Division Champions.

Well GM Joel is having one hell of an NHLP Playoffs and his Vancouver Canucks are on cruise control. The Fin led Canucks fans are having a good time, with the Oak Bush Crickets thumping the Queens of LA 22-6. About the worse thing to happen to the Canucks so far this playoffs is four of the teams players added extra games Friday night. The GM was not quite as happy as many of the league's others with the extra games. Joel just wants to end things as they are and move on to thumping his next opponent, right now Seattle (Shawn). While the Storm-chasing Flames (Jr) have a better matchup next round for Joel, Calgary is close to having their Flame blown out, down a massive 5 without the breaker. Joel just wants to get things over as they currently stand. Keeping Fin happy and the Oak Bush Crickets alive and well for the team’s fans.

We have all seen the videos. “Scott, why did you give all your points to Charlie”. In the final week before the NHLP Trading Deadline, the Philadelphia Flyer (Scott) traded Zuccarello 54 and Boldy 73 (127) to the NY Rangers (Charlie) for Drouin 37 and Bennett 51 (84), a total point gain for the Rangers of 43 points. The Rangers would have missed the NHLP playoffs instead of ending in first and Philadelphia would have ended in first instead of missing the playoffs. “Yes, those trades did happen,” stated Muddy Capone. The Rangers are now starting to pull away, a two point underdog turned 29-23 point monstrous favorite do to injuries in Hamilton (Scottie). Charlie is living large with Boldy’s three game total of 6, passing his first-round 5 projection, adding man games and with McDavid only having played just two games. The Rangers are now up 14-11 with the tie-breaker and moving on 15 without McDavid right now versus a 7 point second round team of GM Bryce in Atlantic City. How Charlie does it, no one knows, but GM Scott hopefully has learned to stop dealing with the guy. GM Jr, losing on the tie-breaker in Memphis still has hope with by far the best team in the division and moving on 23 to 28 points with Protas back any day. The Machine were not predicted to win round one, even with Protas and now Washington on Friday, could go up 3-0, meaning Memphis just won’t have the manpower available to come back. Right now, at 8-8 the chance is there and the Machine could easily run to take it all. If only they had a guy like Boldy.

Thomas and Giroux’s big nights have moved the Seattle Storm (Shawn) back in front in the first-round West Division matchup with GM Jr’s Calgary Flames. Seattle is a decent three point favorite but was down until Thomas put up a huge 4 spot. Calgary right now is sending 25 points through while the Storm just 19. Jr did get some help from Zuccarello and Rossi who have 3 of their 8 adding extra games but the Flames will surely be in a deeper hole after Aho, Hymen and Stankoven play Friday versus just Danault. Although Winnipeg is adding man games for Jr, with Thomas outscoring Morrissey and Perfetti 5-3, it doesn’t appear to be an advantage for Calgary. As is neither of these teams is going to stop Vancouver (Joel) is riding high, up 18-5 with 7 players and 31 points advancing. The CTR favorite here is Vancouver, but they were not expected to win round one. Right now without a massive finish from Duchene and Duchene in LA, this one will end a route.

While GM Chad has all 7 players advancing in Toronto, his Leafs are down 6-5 to a team advancing no one, the NHLP Walk-Over. For Chad it isn’t good. His team is hanging tight, but is a four-point underdog with the injuries to Robertson and Ekblad not yet in the lineup. GM Charlie, no wait, scratch that. GM Matt is excitedly watching this series while laying a beat down on GM Charlie’s Miami Surf. Rumor has it that the film crew working on the Surf documentary has packed up and headed home for the summer. Things got even worse when the team's mascot, Sasquatch, had to dress as the backup goalie. For the Rage GM, having Hertl advance or a Tampa Bay comeback could help if Chad gets through with his green monster, but Matt has hope the Bruins advance with what would be a Walk-Over without Hertl. One thing is for certain, NHLP fans are excited for the 2040 release of the documentary and will finally get the answer to the most asked question by fans in Miami – “Why do we have a Sasquatch as a team mascot?”

The Islands are holding off their attackers in the Atlantic Division. Neither those Destroyers, down 9-5, or the Whalers, down 11-5, are having any luck versus the NY Islanders and the Barrie Island ½ Chance Stumblers. It seems Long Island and Barrie Island are heading for a second round meet and greet. As things stand, the CTR #1 ranked team of GM Ryan’s is looking strong. Ryan is moving on 25 to 30 points next round, a sure path to the Conference Finals versus the current 9 by the Stumbers. Ryan has yet to win an NHLP Championship, but runs by Toronto and Washington could help this year’s chances. In that Conference Finals, the CTR’s #1 and #2 (Memphis – Jr) could meet in what could be an epic battle. For Ryan, there is hope it isn’t the Machine, as they are in very tough, meaning Ryan might be heading to the Cup Finals if everything goes according to the CTR predictions.

The first NHLP player to top his CTR first-round projection sends two divisional teams in the Pacific towards a head-to-head division finals matchup. Kempe put up a 3-4 for 7 points in two games for GM Chad in Colorado, up 15-10, and GM Ryan in Green Bay up 12-7. This is the matchup the CTR had predicted, and Chad’s Avs are the favorites at the moment, sending 27 points to that matchup versus 22 for the Knights. Green Bay has to hope the Oilers can show up at home and get back to even after being pounded for two straight in LA. “You are never truly losing until you lose a home game,” Muddy Capone pointed out. The Oilers have been hammered so badly that it might feel over, but Green Bay could turn the second-round matchup in their favor with Draisaitl and Nugent-Hopkins. How high will Kempe go this round? Safe to say he is on a double-digit path, great news for Chad.

The Dallas Stars (GM Jr) are not holding back. Without Kucherov playing a second game, the Stars have scored 21 against the Blackhawks. The Hawks have enough with 9 to be ahead in three of the dozen first-round matchups, but not this one. As good as the scoring is Jr’s two-time NHLP Champion Stars are only moving on 13 points to the next round and just three Kings. “That likely won’t get another Cup,” stated Muddy Capone, “But Tampa Bay coming back changes everything.” With just Washington advancing, GM Joel would be sending 18 points through the next round, while the Florida Panthers (Marcel) team is even better with 24 points in the green. The Panthers are the favorites to come through according to the CTR but are down 12-10 early. GM Joel’s Sabres will be extending that lead Thursday night with his big shooters in action.

At the time, it might not have appeared to be a Cup-winning deal, but for Cincinnati and GM Matt it is where their hopes rest. Right after the Four Nations ended their tournament and a month before the NHLP Trading Deadline GM Scott was in a bad place in Edmonton. “We couldn’t carry Tkachuk, Hieskanen, and Theodore, all out for the season,” the GM stated, “Matt gave us the best we could have hoped for to save our season, and it still wasn’t enough.” The Oil did score a great package of Boldy and Harley, ending with 123 points to Tkachuck and Gostisbehere 102. For Matt, it was an aggressive move, not surprising, but one now that looks good in Cincy. The Rage are kicking the shit out of Miami, not surprising, with likely the best Panthers team if the reigning Stanley Cup Champs run again. Tkachuk, Reinhart and Marchand, combined for 6 points in their first playoff game. The team is stacked with Seguin, Hertl, Coyle and of course, Gostisbehere who is looking like a sure second-rounder. A second round matchup with Toronto (Chad), who is down 6-3 to Boston (Ryan) could be tough, but the CTR is loving Cincinnati. If Matt does win his first Cup, he might finally have his aggressive approach be the reason he won in 2025.

The Buffalo Sabres (Joel) were not expected to win their round one series with the CTR #5 team in Florida (Marcel). The Panthers were a very slim two-point favorites but find themselves down 10-6 with Joel taking the Minny tie-breaker. Kaprisov was a monster all season, and to GM Joel’s credit, he hung on to him. That is paying off now with 5 points in two games and at least three more to play. Kaprizov has outscored Rantanen, Drouin, Granlund…well, basically Marcel’s entire team. Lots of action in this series tonight, and Marcel does have his top three scorers playing, so it might tighten, but so far, the Sabres couldn’t be happier with Kaprizov so far in round one.

GM Jr sends everyone out in his 7-7 battle in Memphis. With games at, but fewer player games to play, this is turning into a hell of a battle. The Machine have turned the tie-breaker into theirs with Colorado going home even and has five game twos to, two more than GM Bryce. These man games are from the top gunners in Memphis, Ovechkin and Strome. For Bryce he has added four additional man games while Jr has but one extra so far. The winner in this series is looking like a decent chance to win the Division. Hamilton (Scottie) came in the favorite from the fourth seed to knock out a 6-man entry by GM Charlie, but Charlie’s Rangers have turned that into 11-7 lead with McDavid only playing one game. Charlie needs Edmonton to win and not only extend, but with McDavid in round two, can potentially change his fate. For Scottie the injury bug has hit, without Bjorkstrand and now L. Hughes. Without those players, the Hitmen aren’t favorites but underdogs by about six points. A lot of first-round games yet to play, but so far it is looking like Atlantic City and the NY Rangers are aligning to meet in round two.

It wasn’t the Kings best season. No we ain’t talking the NHLP’s leading point getting team in Los Angeles, we are talking the team's GM, six-time NHLP Champion GM Andrew. The GM did take three playoff spots but entered the playoffs with two of the league's four 6-player teams, the CTR’s #23 and #24, the two worst teams according to the NHLP Yearbook. In LA, the team finished the season as the highest scoring team and a points favorite in their West Division matchup with Vancouver (Joel). The King and Kings find themselves down 11-2 and things are set to get much worse on Wednesday if Duchene and Duchene don’t finally get on the board. Elsewhere, Andrew’s teams are down 9-5 and 13-9 with just 2 green players winning their series and 14 playing on teams losing their first-round series. “Those scores won’t look better come Thursday morning,” stated Muddy Capone when looking at the matchups. GM’s are not used to seeing poor playoff performances from Andrew, it is something that just doesn’t happen often. “It could be worse,” GM Scott said. Although we aren’t too sure how that could be possible.

This usually isn’t the time of year when we see severe droughts in the South, but you’d not know it looking at the point production from four teams totals in the South Division. Just a total of 10 points have been scored, with GM Charlie the only Easter Egg in the NHLP. Miami, already a potential 6 to 8 point underdog, the NHLP CTR’s version of “It ain’t happening” is down 4-0 and GM Matt hasn’t even tapped the shoulders of his top dogs for their first shift. “This has the potential to get ugly quick,” stated Muddy Capone of the NHLP Yearbook. Miami could have 6 green players after game one, but without more production, the deficit is going to be to big to overcome. The Rage are the CTR number three and cane score, a projected 38 this round so Miami is in tough even scoring. GM Chad’s Toronto team, the CTR #4 sends out their Florida three tonight to climb back into the series with GM Ryan in Boston. Ryan is up early 5-1. Without Robertson this is a 26-26 toss-up and should surely get closer tonight.

You listen to GM Chad, and you think the sky is falling. “Poor me, I won’t dominate you guys for a third straight year.” Oh, but he will. The Colorado Avalanche have everything going for them. Expected to come out of the Pacific, a dream first round matchup, and now up early with added man games. “It’s a green show,” said Muddy Capone, referring to the Avs perfectly colored team. Up 9-5 against a short-handed St Louis team of rookie GM Scottie’s, the Avs just have it going on. Adding Dallas to their green wave will sail them through to the Conference Finals, where matchups already look very attractive. Already the first two-time NHLP Cup winner in 30 years, Chad is attempting to do what no one ever has: win three straight Championships. Tonight’s another night of playoff hockey, so we’ll surely hear about how poorly things are going when reality is, who can stop this beast from his 6^th NHLP Championship?

GM Joel’s Vancouver Canucks were a slight favorite in a very tight and hotly contested West Division, according to the CTR. Early on, the two point underdogs have come out sniping. Up 8-1 with six players winning their game ones the Canucks are doing their part to make the CTR look good early. For GM Andrew things have been disappointing for his LA Kings. The expected favorites on the scoreboard have a single point in 11 man games. Duchene and Duchene have extended their series but down 7 is a steep climb in any playoff series ever. Jr’s Flames are hanging on 9-8 in the divisions 2-3 matchup. Jr’s fear in the series is the short series, and so far, no players are seeing more than the minimum in the very early going.

The Dallas Stars (Jr) are scoring at will. In nine player games, the Stars have scored in all but one, taking a 12-8 lead in their first round series with Chicago (Andrew). Every point has been needed with the Hawks early surprise scoring. Jr’s dozen comes without Kucherov playing his first game of the playoffs, which occurs tonight. A Bolts win would be a welcome sight for the Stars, who will likely be in tough versus either second round opponent. That series is 6-6 in Florida, Marcel’s favor. The Panthers added extra man games which will be needed in a close battle with Buffalo (Joel).

GM Jr’s Memphis Machine look to get on the board, down 3-0 against a strong Colorado built team in Atlantic City. “When you are against Makar, Necas, and Toews, and they win you only get two, that is a win” said Muddy Capone when looking at the matchups early happenings. For Jr he sends out his big guns Ovechkin, Strome, Chychrun and Protas. Jr is confident Protas will be in the lineup and if that is the case the CTR #2 Machine’s Cup hopes will be very much alive. This series is all coming down to who plays the longer series in the NHL – Washington or Colorado. A sweep by either team likely means the Cup hopes ends early for either of these two teams. A Colorado win tonight would be just fine with Jr, especially if the Gamblers only throw up another two points. GM Bryce is likely happy with his start but knows Cup hopes get dashed quickly in the NHLP’s unforgiving first round.

Islanders Start Strong

Wilson and Dubois look to extend the Islanders (Ryan) early 5-3, after even games versus GM Andrew's Hartford Whalers. GM Ryan cannot send through a perfect seven to the NHLP second round, so with a Washington game one win the team will look as strong as possible in the Atlantic Division. For Andrew his hope lays in a long high-scoring Ottawa-Toronto series to pull one of the league's biggest historical wins at a minus 12 in the CTR. Barrie Island (Joel) look to take the lead, down 2-1 versus Halifax (Shawn) but with a 22-15 advantage in unplayed game ones if Bjorkstrand doesn't play and more if he is back. The Stumblers will need a strong game from Tampa Bay with four Bolts. Either team will have to be near perfectly green to have any hope next round against a projected strong team on the island.
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Central - North
Panthers Look to Stars Run

GM Marcel's Florida Panthers have one big thing going for them in the NHLP's first round - man games. In an anticipated battle for the right to play the CTR #8 Dallas Stars, Marcel is a clear man-game favorites over the #15 ranked Buffalo Sabres team of GM Joels. Marcel is a 2 point favorite, 35-33 with four big guns in the Stars-Avs NHL series. If that series goes as expected, 6 or 7 games, Marcel could easily get his 23 points and be on his way to victory. However, a shorter series there may be what Joel needs to shift the power in the division his way. Of Joel's 7 players, 6 are expected to play 5 to 6 games in the first round which may end up costly in the NHLP tight playoff battles of the first round where a couple points are usually the difference. The winner of Marcel and Joel already have a date set with GM Jr's Dallas Stars. No Dallas didn't earn a bye. GM Andrew just handled them one. Dallas gets a free ride up against a weak 6 man team, the CTR's number 23 in Chicago. If Andrew could have added a 6 point player for his top gun Raymond he'd still be a 32-30 point underdog, but with a real chance to win. There is no chance Chicago advances here leaving Jr just cheering hard for the Kings and Bolts. With Kucherov the Stars are always good for double digits any round he plays. Jr also has three Kings, Kopitar and Kuzmenko twice, another 13 a round. With the Bolts and Kings advancing, that is about 23 second round points and enough to battle Marcel's Panthers or be a favorite over the Sabres if Joel moves on. If Jr loses either the Kings or Bolts the division will surely be owned by the winner of Florida and Buffalo. The CTR is picking Florida to come out of the division to meet up with a tough Cincinnati team of GM Matt's.
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Central - South
One Door Closes, Another Opens

It certainly has been that type of year for GM Chad. Rocked by continuous injuries the second half of the season the GM didn't bucket but rather bared down and made the best of those situations. Now the word is Robertson is week to week, taking the CTR #4 and potentially throwing that entirely out the door. A massive 32-26 favorite just became the second coin flip matchup in round one, now expected 26-26. GM Ryan, already with the CTR #1 elsewhere just got some life in Boston, even if it still likely can't save the CTR #20 Bruins. With two of the top 24 teams in the playoffs, according to the CTR's projections, the South is a tough division. Cincinnati, GM Matt, coming in at a round topping 38 projected points, the CTR #3 might be able to capitalize from the Robertson injury. By the time Toronto and Cincinnati do meet however, that week to week might be day to day and have no affect on that potential matchup anyhow. For Matt his Rage will have a shot to do what he hasn't been able to do in his first 16 years, win an NHLP Championship. The Rage do only have one top seeded player in Hertl, but they have a nice mix including three players M. Tkachuk, Reinhart and Marchand off the defending NHL Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers. A Panthers repeat would spell doom for the rest of the NHLP. That doom was only projected to be only hell of a second round battle with Toronto. That may have just gotten a lot easier for Matt. If the Florida Panthers NHL does not happen the Rage still have enough matchup strength to do damage. Cincinnati has work to do as Miami (Charlie) has a great team, much better than most in the league and way better than CTR #18. Charlie is just in a first round matchup, at a 6 point underdog, he seemingly won't win. If Miami can turn the tables and pull a massive upset, they likely go as far as Vegas goes. For now however, it appears Matt's to lose. The CTR is calling Cincinnati go to the NHLP Finals, getting passed Florida in the Central Conference Finals.

GM Ryan has been close on a number of occasions where a win here or there might have changed his fortunes. In 23 NHLP seasons, the GM has never won it all, making his last appearance in the Cup Finals in 2016. The Cupless streak is the longest drought in NHLP history for a GM without a Cup, eclipsing GM Charlie's 20 years. We certainly aren't putting much weight in Ryan winning his first this season, because the CTR #1's have a long curse of their own. Outside of that, this Islanders team has a lot to like. Thanks to an NHLP Head Office screw up the Islanders chances got a whole lot easier then when they were handed the CTR #1. How could that happen? Well, a computer glitch caused the NHLP final standings to not update properly, leading many to believe Halifax (Shawn) had won the division and bringing their 32 potential first round points as Ryan's opponent. After the error was corrected, the matchup didn't make the Islanders, a 33-32 favorite versus Halifax, but rather a 33-21 landslide dream matchup versus Hartford. This is because Hartford (Andrew) The CTR #24 with a team missing a leading scorer in Panarin now face the Islanders in what amounts to an unofficial Walk-Over. It also completely changed GM Joel's plans. Knowing Barrie Island would be playing Hartford, rumor has it the ½ Chance Stumblers GM told his assistant GM just to rest guys and headed up north for some language lessons. When Joel found out about his new opponent, he said "oh merde". Who knows what that means, but it likely wasn't good. Barrie Island the CTR #14 has the best Tampa Bay Lightning team with Hagel, Guentzel, Bjorkstrand and Gourde, about a point better than GM Jr's Kucherov in any given series. If Joel can now get by Halifax #19 in what is a 32-32, the Stumblers can go as far as the Lightning can take them. If Holloway doesn't play for Halifax Joel might as well start resting players as the Destroyers are essentially a 5 man team. For Joel, banking so heavily on one team hasn’t often worked with only three NHLP teams hosting a Cup with four players or more off one team. What looks most likely is the Islanders and 23 second round points winning the division and the Conference Finals meeting a by then weak East Division opponent.

GM Jr’s decision to keep Protas past the NHLP Deadline will impact the Memphis Machine (CTR #2) chances of winning his fifth NHLP Championship. The Machine have the best Washington Capitals built team and a Caps run may have made this team unstoppable. Although Memphis appears now to be a one-and-done the CTR has them high as Protas still coming back in this series might make all the difference. With Protas the CTR has this a battle at 34-33, but Jr falls to a much further underdog by 6 points if Protas puts up a zero instead of the healthy version five. Standing in Jr’s way is a team the NHLP doesn’t often see in the playoffs, making their first appearance in five seasons, GM Bryce’s Atlantic City Gamblers. For Bryce the experience wasn’t good last time the Gamblers were in the playoffs, with a first round team of just three players (yes, just three players in 2019-20) and a 32-10 first round thumping. Now a Cup later and in his sixth season Bryce’s teams look much more promising with the CTR #13 Gamblers looking for a run of their own. Bryce is the favorite 33-32 (likely 33-27) with all seven of his players expected to play 6 or 7 game series, while Jr’s Machine with four Capitals and a Jet are projected to play 5 or 6 game first round series. Those man games will surely come into play. If the Machine wins round one, they will likely have Protas back and go as far as the Capitals take them. More likely is the decision Jr made to keep Protas has him out early and the East Division is decided between the Gamblers and NHLP rookie GM Scottie’s Hamilton Hitmen. The CTR #16 team in Hamilton isn’t a sure thing even against the lowly CTR #21 of GM Charlie’s. Charlie has a weakened 6-man team, but McDavid. With the Hitmen a 31-29 point favorite, but an underdog without Bjorkstrand who is expected out round one. Charlie likely could have used one more scorer to get through and run with McDavid. For Scottie he will likely do well in the second round should Atlantic City be the opponent and Colorado be knocked out. If Colorado moves on, GM Bryce likely goes as far as the Avs go. Most likely, we are looking at a weak team coming out of the East Division and GM Ryan going to the Cup in New York from the Conference’s other half, although Memphis with Washington and Atlantic City with Colorado will change that should either occur.

NHLP Official Pecking Order
Trade Deadline

Marcel 1101
Jr 1091
Charlie 1082
Shawn 1065

Chad 1063
Bryce 1060
Joel 1048
Ryan 1042

Andrew 1038
Matt 1034
Scottie 1022
Oz 994

Daytona 500 Best Crash Champions

2016/17 - Scott (2 Car Field)
2017/18 - Scott (4)
2018/19 - Shawn (5)
2019/20 - Jr (11)
2020/21 - Jr (13)
2021/22 - Andrew (10)
2022-23 - Scottie (10)
2023-24 - Shawn and Scott (7)
2024-25 -?

Will Matt or Muddy Ever Win?

It has been a long eight year drought for Muddy Capone and almost as long for Matt, winless in seven seasons. "This is my Super Bowl" said Capone, "But I realize just how hard this race is to win." Last season was the first ever tie in the race, leaving Scott with three Championships, Shawn and Jr with two each while both Andrew and Scottie have won the Great America Race, Best Crash Pool. For the first time ever two awards are possible in the 2024-25 race. If no clear best crash, the best carsh and the top finishing car both win. However, if any of the pools cars flip or get upside down, they take it all by themselves. For Muddy and Matt, seems like a great year to win their first Championship.

Scott - #1 - Ross Chastain

Matt - #19 - Chase Briscoe

Shawn - #35 - Riley Herbst

Scottie - #41 - Cole Custer

Muddy - #51 - Cody Ware

Jr - #71 - Michael McDowell
(Secret Paint Scheme - Not released yet)

Shawn - #88 - Shane van Gisbergen

Matt - #91 - Helio Castroneves

Scott - #99 - Daniel Suarez

Pecking Order for Winter Meetings

1 - Marcel 624
2 - Joel 619
3 - Charlie 594
4 - Matt 591
5 - Jr 583
6 - Oz 572
7 - Scottie 567
8 - Chad 563
9 - Ryan 557
10 - Shawn 550
11 - Bryce 547
12 - Andrew 541

Winter Meeting Date Set

The NHLP has set a date of Saturday, January 11th for the 35th Winter Meeting. The NY Islanders are hosting the event from 10:30 to 4 PM at the beautiful Ritz-Carlton, New York Central Park. "It is exciting to have the Islanders hosting again" stated Muddy Capone. The league is hoping for all 12 GM's to be in attendance. "There is a chance less than twelve make it out of town" Capone stated, "But we will provide the best security we can for GM Andrew and hope for the best."

35th Season

The NHLP prepares for its 35th season with anniversary years for several GM's. GM Scott is marking his 35th season, having seen it all, while GM Marcel is celebrating his 30th. GM Charlie has been in a quarter of a century, making the 2024-25 season his 25th season and GM Shawn hits the 20 year mark in this special year. "That’s not a lot of Cups there for 110 years of service" stated Muddy Capone, "Maybe that'll get them going." The NHLP also welcomes first year GM Scottie who everyone expects will fit right in. "I hope the fuck can play cards" stated GM Scott before welcoming the leagues youngest member to the fold. It should be another great NHLP season with many Cup hopes on the line for winning this 35th anniversary Cup.

The NHLP Cup Champions

Pittsburgh Penguins
GM Chad

Tkachuk
Bouchard
Hymen
Tarasenko
Bennett
Heiskanen
Benn
---

NHLP Divisions for 2024-25
*First Round Winners Stay & 5th Place Team

Central - North
Florida - Marcel (Stays in North)
Chicago - Andrew (Stays in North)
Buffalo - Joel (Stays in North)
Cleveland - AJ (Moves to North)
Dallas - Jr (Moves to North)
Las Vegas - Bryce (Moves to North)

Central - South
New Orleans - Shawn (Stays in South)
Toronto - Chad (Stays in South)
San Fran - Scott (Stays in South)
Miami - Charlie (Moves to South)
Cincinnati - Matt (Moves to South)
Boston - Ryan (Moves to South)

East - Atlantic
Hartford - Andrew (Stays in Atlantic)
Barrie Island - Joel (Stays in Atlantic)
NY Islanders - Ryan (Stays in Atlantic)
Philadelphia - Scott (Moves to Atlantic)
Quebec - Matt (Moves to Atlantic)
Halifax - Shawn (Moves to Atlantic)

East - East
Pittsburgh - Chad (Stays in East)
NY Rangers - Charlie (Stays in East)
Hamilton - AJ (Stays in East)
Montreal - Marcel (Moves to East)
Memphis - Jr (Moves to East)
Atlantic City - Bryce (Moves to East)

West - Pacific
Indianapolis - Matt (Stays in Pacific)
Alaska - Marcel (Stays in Pacific)
Colorado - Chad (Stays in Pacific)
St. Louis - AJ (Moves to Pacific)
Edmonton - Scott (Moves to Pacific)
Green Bay - Ryan (Moves to Pacific)

West - West
Portland - Bryce (Stays in West)
Los Angeles - Andrew (Stays in West)
Seattle - Shawn (Stays in West)
Phoenix - Charlie (Moves to West)
Calgary - Jr (Moves to West)
Vancouver - Joel (Moves to West)

The NHLP Cup Finals

Florida Panthers vs. Edmonton Oilers

GM Chad

Tkachuk - 7
Bouchard - 9
Hymen - 6
Tarasenko - 3
Bennett - 3
=28

GM Andrew

Hymen - 6
Nugent-Hopkins - 7
Ekholm - 3
=16

GM Marcel

Bouchard - 9
Verhaeghe - 5
=14

How Can I Win?

GM Charlie - CTR #1

For GM Charlie it is about the Boston Bruins. With Pastrnak and Marchand the Bruins will offer the best hope and hitting a matchup with Dallas or Edmonton would then easily be enough for Charlie to win his 2nd NHLP Championship. Charlie's Rangers are not expected to advance out of this round but are 7-7 with GM Chad in Pittsburgh early on. Charlie knows if he beats Chad he has Hartford Andrew who would be favorites over Charlie if both the NY Rangers and Colorado advance in the NHL this round. Rangers are 6-0 and up 2-0 versus Carolina so they look like 15 points for Andrew next round. Charlie can get that from Boston, otherwise he'd need Dallas knocking out Colorado or things end next round regardless. If Hartford has the Rangers and Avs moving on, without Boston Charlie is done. So without the Bruins advancing, the CTR sees no hope for Charlie to win a Cup in 2024. Odds to win it all: UNLIKELY

GM Andrew - CTR #3

It appears if GM Andrew has the New York Rangers make the Stanley Cup Finals, Hartford would only need Colorado or Edmonton to not be their opponents and the Whalers would be the favorites to win it all. Andrew knows he is in the Conference Finals, but he doesn't know if it will be GM Charlie's Rangers who he'd beat without Boston or GM Chad's Penguins who he'd beat without Florida and Edmonton. Andrew is in a dangerous situation as he likely needs his Mittelstadt and Mittelstadt to help him make the NHLP Finals, but he likely could not win an NHLP Championship in Hartford shall Colorado be in the Stanley Cup Finals. If the Rangers and Avs are in the NHL Finals, any year in NHLP history, this Hartford team with about 24 points would be favorites to win it all with a 5 man team. The Issue is New Orleans (Shawn) would also have 5 players and about 27 to 29 points. Andrew has his work cut out just making the NHLP Finals but will need the Rangers playing anyone but the Avs for his best shot. Odds to win it all: POSSIBLE

GM Matt - CTR #4

GM Matt has never had this good of chance of winning his first ever Championship. If Florida runs to the Stanley Cup Finals Indianapolis will have a great chance to win it all. Matt was able to get all 7 players advancing and it was definitely required as GM Marcel in Alaska is only a 2 point underdog this round. Indy is up 6-4 but this is going to be very scary for Matt. Both teams have one injured player and that player returning is enough in the CTR's eyes of making that team the favorite. Matt, with his Florida built team, is all in on the tie-breaker with Florida as well. If Matt can win this round he is surely going to face GM Andrew in Los Angeles, the CTR #7 team. If Florida goes out this round against Boston we see no real way for Matt to go on and win it all. It would be possible to win without Florida, but improbable. If Florida wins this round, we know Matt will be in the NHLP Finals (if he beats Marcel out) where he is going to have a shot should the Panthers go to the Stanley Cup. It won't be a given if GM Chad is still around in Pittsburgh, but a very realistic shot it will be. It is sink or swim with the Rats of Florida. Odds to win it all: AS GOOD AS IT CAN BE

GM Marcel - CTR #5

There was no stopping GM Marcel if the Avs and Canes were the final matchup. With MacKinnon and Makar Marcel has 19 points a round from just those two. Marcel is heavy favorites over Chicago (Andrew) so should be in the Conference Finals. Andrew is putting up a fight early, up 9-7, but the CTR has played this game long enough to know an 11 point underdog has won the series 1 in 35 years, even less odds the NHL teams coming back from 3-0 deficits. After saying that, if Marcel can't add more games to his three Canes who are expected to get those exact 11 points, this could get fun. Winning the NHLP Championship isn't likely to occur without the Hurricanes coming back and knocking out the New York Rangers this round. Even with Marcel's 19 points from his two Avs, he is dead if the Rangers move on as New Orleans (Shawn) is just to powerful. So GM Marcel won't win a Championship unless Carolina comes back and knocks out the Rangers this round. If the Avs and Canes can win this round, then either team in the Stanley Cup Finals should give GM Marcel an opportunity. MacKinnon and Makar in the Finals by themselves might be good on a normal year, but he could still be facing a team like Indy (Matt) who could have 25 points from Florida-Colorado or maybe 17 from Chad in Pittsburgh. So it sees easy, Canes must win this round or Marcel won't have any shot in Florida to win their second Cup. Odds to win it all: VERY LONG

GM Shawn - CTR #6

If GM Shawn can get both the NY Rangers and Colorado Avalanche to the NHL Stanley Cup, maybe Shawn could win his second Championship. With about 27-29 potential points projected in the NHLP Finals, you wouldn't think the word maybe would factor in with a 5 man team, but Hartford (Andrew) is CTR #3 for a reason, as they would likely be there with 24 points and what a battle for the Cup. Shawn's dream season will be over if the NY Rangers do no win this round, as that CTR #5 in Florida (Marcel) will be going to the Cup Finals, so Shawn must have the Rangers advancing. If Colorado goes out this round to Dallas things will all then depend on if GM Andrew is out by the Finals in Hartford, as his three Rangers would lay a shit kicking to Panarin in the NHLP Finals. If the Avs go out this round Shawn would also need to either play Marcel in Florida next round or likely have both Edmonton and Boston out, otherwise Chicago (Andrew) likely might be in the NHLP Finals over the Wolverines. The odds of Shawn winning with only his Panarin and Brodzinski team is possible, but we see this as a very long shot. Now if both the Avs and Rangers win this round and the Finals play out with Colorado Shawn be there with 20 points and Shawn's only nightmare could then come from GM Matt in Indy if Florida goes to the Stanley Cup Finals with the Avs. Odds to win it all: IT IS POSSIBLE

GM Andrew - CTR #7

For GM Andrew winning a Cup in Los Angeles is likely going to depend on about three things. Firstly, the Florida Panthers must lose this round and the NY Rangers must win. If Florida doesn't lose, Andrew will at best have 10 points from his two Rangers next round. That would be a good number from them in the NHLP Finals, but he'd not beat GM Matt in Indy next round with just 10 points if the Patnerhs are still in and be such an underdog if Alaska (Marcel) knocked out Indy, that it is game over for LA. Now, if Florida is out this round Andrew needs Indy to knock out Alaska to give Andrew a shot at making the NHLP Finals at which time he'd need Colorado to not be there and a possibility, albeit slim, could exist for a Kings second Cup. It is even possible Boston then winning next round over the Rangers could make this team the favorite in the finals with Geekie as the Bruins built teams elsewhere could be gone. If the Avsare out, meaning Edmonton, Vancouver or Dallas matchup with Boston, this could mean Geekie plays large. If Florida isn't out this round, nothing else matters. Odds to win it all: JUST UNLIKELY

GM Andrew - CTR #11

The odds are very, very slim for GM Andrew to win a third team Cup in Chicago. Firstly, just winning this round is a long shot being an insurmountable 11 point underdog. But as we write this Andrew is up 9-7 with GM Marcel not liking the possibility of a Rangers sweep of the Canes. To win this round, that might be Andrew's break but even then the odds are not good for advancement. Andrew would be the NHLP 2024 Champions if he was in the Finals and Edmonton and Boston were playing for the Stanley Cup. If Andrew can beat Marcel, to beat Shawn in New Orleans next round will be a tall order. Andrew can get help if either Colorado or the NY Rangers are out this round. If the Rangers go out and Avs advance, Andrew would need both Edmonton and Boston in all liklelihood to compete. If the Avs go out, Andrew could then win the NHLP Cup should Edmonton run to the Finals or maybe ever the Bruins. Realistically, Andrew is out this round and barring that needs a lot of help to get by New Orleans and it is likely just too much to say there is any real hope for Chicago in '24. Odds to win it all: VERY LONG

GM Chad - CTR #12

The highest scoring NHLP team in the first round with 40 points GM Chad's Penguins were only one of two teams, Indianapolis (Matt) the other, to bring all 7 players to round two. The only reason for the hgiher CTR #12, was the CTR expected a second round matchup with GM Charlie's NY Ranger team, and Chad was actually a slight favorite in that matchup, however, Charlie's team was much stronger the next two rounds after. That was it and why these teams weren't reversed. To win it all Chad was going to have to beat Charlie's Rangers, then later either Marcel in Montreal (CTR#2) who lost 25-24 to Barrie Island (Joel) or Hartford (Andrew) who had the CTR #3 team. There just wasn't a good chance for a fourth solid team in the same Conference beating all those other teams, with a team not as strong as them in the late rounds (as we saw it). So if Chad can knock out Charlie this round, which won't be easy, things will still be very tough for Chad here. Chad only has Florida, Edmonton and Dallas players. The best Florida team if GM Matt isn't there in Indy (which isn't good odds for Chad as Indy if fucking good). Chad has as good of Edmonton team as GM Andrew in Chicago and the best Dallas team. To beat Andrew in Hartford to make the Finals is going to be tough. If the Rangers and Avs move on this round, without Florida Chad is out. If Florida also advanced, he would be the favorite if Edmonton knocks out Vancouver. Without Florida Chad would still be the favorites if both Edmonton and Dallas win this round which would mean Chad could then win the NHLP Championship if Dallas made the Finals as the Ranger built teams elsewhere would be crippled. If Florida does run that same unbelievable matchup between New Orleans and Hartford that could happen on a finals of the Rangers-Avs, well GM Matt and Chad both have three Panthers and the Oilers or Stars in the finals could be one of the best ever matchups. It is looming. Odds to win it all: VERY GOOD

GM Marcel - CTR #20

When you are the CTR #20 to win it all, you get your own space. While all the other NHLP hopefuls loaded up with multiple players on the same teams, GM Marcel went the route of 7 different teams and was on his game. Alaska hit 6 of those teams advancing to round two, where the CTR didn't have Marcel's Alaska team even being there. We don't have Alaska moving on again, but clearly this is anyone's series and it is very possible now for Alaska to believe it or not, win their first ever NHLP Championship. First things first, will be knocking out Matt in Indy. Already down 6-4, that will be a chore. If Marcel wins this round, future rounds could get easier. A round one and two underdog, turns almost surely is a round three favorite, as Marcel just has all the combinations covered and LA (Andrew) can only be strong with the Rangers winning and the Florida Panthers out. If Florida doesn't go out, GM Marcel will go to the NHLP Finals in Alaska (if they can win this round). If Florida does go out this round, it might be the best thing for Alaska in the long but there next round series with LA will be a lot tougher unless the Rangers go out this round as well. Finals with Vancouver, Edmonton or Dallas playing Boston or Carolina are all very much potential winning matchups in the NHLP Finals. Alaska doesn't match up in the end likely with Colorado, Florida or the Rangers being there. This team is #20 for a reason, there are only a few combinations that work well in the end, but I'd rather a few then not to be mentioned on this board at all about winning the Cup in '24. Odds to win it all: WHAT A LONG SHOT STORY THIS WOULD BE.

Florida Panthers vs. Dallas Stars

GM Chad

Tkachuk - 7
Heiskanen - 6
Benn - 4
Tarasenko - 3
Bennett - 3
=23

GM Marcel

Verhaeghe - 5
Stankoven - 3
=8

NY Rangers vs. Edmonton Oilers

GM Andrew

Hymen - 6
Nugent-Hopkins - 7
Ekholm - 3
=16

GM Chad

Bouchard - 9
Hymen - 6
=15

GM Marcel

Bouchard - 9
Lafreniere - 5
=14

NY Rangers vs. Dallas Stars

GM Chad

Heiskanen - 6
Benn 4
=10

GM Marcel

Lafreniere - 5
Stankoven - 3
=8

vsvs

NY Rangers and Dallas Stars Stanley Cup Finals

If Vancouver takes out the Edmonton Oilers, advancing to the Conference Finals in the NHL, there is potential for one of the best NHLP Finals in league history (on paper anyways). If the Rangers and Stars play for the Stanley Cup, the NHLP Finals would look very exciting.

New Orleans (Shawn) should be there being a 8-3 favorite over Florida (Marcel) or the Walk-Over Chicago (Andrew). In the Finals:

Panarin - NYR 7
Brodzinski - NYR 1
=8

Pittsburgh (Chad) looks like a 22-15 favorite over Hartford (Andrew). Chad's Finals would be like:

Heiskanen - Dal 5
Benn - Dal 4
=9

Alsaka (Marcel) would be about 18-10 favorites over Los Angeles (Andrew). The Attack Finals would be:

Lafreniere - NYR 5
Stankoven - Dal 3
=8

Good Either Way? Not Really

A quick glace might give you the impression that GM Andrew is good either way with how the Edmonton and Vancouver series turns out. If the Oilers win, Chicago could be a 15-9 point favorites to go to the Cup Finals over New Orleans (Shawn). If Vancouver wins Hartford is only a 25-15 underdog instead of 35-15. Sure if Vancouver wins Hartford's chances are better and with Fox, Kreder and Zibanejad, the Rangers in the Finals make Andrew the favorite of teams with the Rangers in the Finals. But 10 points underdogs? Seems unlikely Hartford can get to the NHLP Finals with Pittsburgh (Chad) so powerful. So Vancouver winning, likely means GM Andrew won't be. Edmonton winning on the other hand, could make Chicago a 6 point favorite next round but that comes with a catch. Chicago is down 27-23 with Florida (Marcel) having the tie breaker (This series was verified this morning and all player's numbers are correct). So Andrew needs 5 points from Hymen, Nugent-Hopkins and Ekholm. Those three have had game totals of 5-3-3-2-0, so it would seem one game likely won't be enough but a game 7 should easily give Andrew the win. If Edmonton wins and Chicago can pull this upset, Andrew should be going to the Cup Finals where the Oilers then being there would make Andrew favorites to win the Cup over anything Chad in Pittsburgh or Marcel in Alaska would have left. Andrew can do this, Chicago is that close. So in all reality, Andrew needs Edmonton and if it is Vancouver, likely won't be a Cup 7 in 2024.

Game 7, Anyone?

A NHLP Yearbook count says 7 NHLP Franchises are hoping for some game 7's in the NHL second round playoffs, while maybe one or two NHLP GM's hope everything ends in 6. "It appears the only teams to benefit from no game sevens would be Alaska and maybe Pittsburgh" said Muddy Capone, "Although Florida losing to the Bruins might be a great long-term win for the Attack, giving GM Matt's Florida three an extra game, might turn the series." Currently Alaska is up 19-15 with GM Matt's Cup dreams seemingly gone to Siberia. Indianapolis needs points from their Florida players, but the Panthers to also lose for man-game purposes, a combination that seldom goes any GM's way in the NHLP Playoffs. Alaska is incredibly close to advancing and although things won't be easy, the team should be on the way to the NHLP Finals, where they may yet be able to pull off a miracle.

The Perfect Nights on the Drawing Board

GM Chad must be feeling good these days. Even when his team loses, they win. Getting things done 29-24 over the NY Rangers (Charlie) it now appears the Pens are heading to an East Conference Final matchup with GM Andrew in Hartford. With Edmonton losing Thursdayday night to go down 3-2 versus Vancouver, you'd think the two red players in the Pens lineup was a loss for the GM. In truth, that might be the win that helps gives Chad a 5th Cup. Having the Oilers moving on is potentially a good thing for Chad you'd think, if the Florida Panthers are in the Stanley Cup Finals. However, Florida winnign this round and not getting to the Stanley Cup, means the Pens could be outmatched by Chicago, GM Andrew's three Oilers, in the Finals. Then again Chicago is losing 26-21 and Chicago might not move on regardless, meaning if Edmonton and Dallas play next round, Chad would at least have a shot in the finals, without his Florida players, where he'd be guaranteed two players, likely the same as Alaska (Marcel) and New Orleans (Shawn) if those NHLP teams are the opponents. Game 7's in the NHL could change that. For Chad, a perfect night is just having the Panthers and Stars end their series, clearly up all but the Oilers and Canucks series. If we get a game 7 in either series tonight, we have to erase the drawing board and start all over.

NiCRUSHkin

Just one full season after GM Ryan suffered a first round loss in a series that surely would have gone his way otherwise, GM Matt's loss might even be greater. News traveled quickly through the league when it was announced Nichushkin is gone for the playoffs. The news broke out of Alaska, where ironically enough it is the Attack, who are 14-14 with Indianapolis. Nichushkin had a point in all but one game this playoffs, 10 in total and in a six game series would lose three points off the CTR number for Indy, enough to give GM Marcel the series win. The dream might end for GM Matt as soon as tonight if his three Panthers players go quietly to the next round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. If that happens, surely with the additional games Pettersson and Bouchard should move on Alaska who just seem destine this season. With seemingly everyone going in their series playing tonight both GM's need massive nights, Matt really needing a Bruins victory while Marcel is hoping for a low scoring Florida win which should mean the Cup Finals for Alaska.

Oilers For The Cup

It now seems more than ever the Chicago Blackhawks (Andrew) are going to pull off a stunning upset which would be as big as the NHLP has seen. A full 11 point underdogs the Hawks are tied 18-18 with all 5 players playing tonight. For Andrew he can't win next round unless some current series totally change colors. If Edmonton can even their NHL series tonight, the 6 additional man-games would surely be enough to ensure Chicago can get through and moving on with his three Oilers could mean Chicago not only goes to the Cup, but could easily be favorites to win it all. If the Oilers did make the Finals in all likelihood Pittsburgh (Chad) would win the Cup should it be Edmonton and Florida, but Edmonton and the NY Rangers, makes Andrew the favorite. No matter what, Andrew must win first over Florida and have something turn, either the Rangers losing or Boston or Edmonton coming back and winning their series.

The Good Years

The Alaska Attack were last in the NHLP Finals in the 2010 season, losing to a powerful team in Cleveland (Tyson) who had at that time set an NHLP record for points in the finals with 18. That record had been toppled by the 21 in Halifax (Shawn) in 2019, as well as the 19 point finals by Calgary (Jr) in 2020 and GM Chad's Toronto Cup team just last year. "Those were some good years" GM Marcel told Muddy Capone, "We were close a few times." Well Marcel was more than correct, and more than close. He won his lone Cup in 2008 with his best team ever, right in the middle of those 'Good Years'. Marcel made NHLP Final appearances in 2006 (Montreal), 2007 (Alaska), 2008 the Florida Cup, 2010 (Alaska) and 2012 (Florida), a run of 5 Finals in 7 NHLP Cups. Although it has been a while since the Attack were last in the Finals there is a good feeling surrounding this Alaska team. Alaska is in a serious battle with GM Matt in Indianapolis, a GM to never make an appearance in the NHLP Finals in 16 long seasons. GM Matt joined the year after GM Marcel won his lone Cup. Both these teams have outstanding chances of winning a Cup this season for their GM's, but one is going to stop the other. A 13-13 deadlock is about to leave one franchise out before the mid-point of the playoffs. The CTR knew this one was going to potentially be the battle it has become, having Indy favorites, but Alaska if Marchment in Dallas didn't play the series and Heinen did. Well both players are back to finish the series. While it is clear what Indy can do with a run from Florida to the Stanley Cup Finals, Alaska has a beautiful mix of players of 7 different NHL teams and combinations galore with 6 still playing. No matter the Attacks next round matchup, the team is almost surely going to the NHLP Finals if the Icemen don't stop them now. With Los Angeles (Andrew) getting it done 13-7, in a series we may end up talking about should the Kings have a Rangers win and don't score any points Monday night, but it appears GM Andrew is the matchup. Alaska will have Petterson or Bouchard and either Verhaeghe or Heinen, maybe Stankoven and Lafreniere who has become his teams leading scorer this round with 5 points. With all those combinations, Marcel should easily be favorites over Andrew's team. Currently the Central Conference is beat to hell with 3 green players and 15 red players. The East Conference could see a GM Andrew Hartford team matching up with Pittsburgh (Chad) and if Hartford won and Florida goes to the Stanley Cup, or Pittsburgh wins and Rangers go to the Stanley Cup, there wouldn't be enough competition to stop Alaska from winning it all. "These are very real scenarios with today's series leads in the NHL" says Capone, "Here is a team that goes two rounds as the underdog and if they win, could go the next two as the favorite." Maybe for GM Marcel, this is the start of those "Good Years" all over again.

The Path of Least Resistance

When one looks at the color schemes currently from the NHLP's Central Conference, one might think this is terrible news for GM Shawn. If the Avs go out this round, with a huge game four tonight, losing Rantanen, Nichushkin and Lehkonen, one might think the dream is over for the Wolverines. "It might be the best thing to happen to this team" said Muddy Capone, "Although it is hard to wrap your mind around advancing five players instead of two, but it can be the better option of winning." There is nothing wrong with having the Avs advance as Shawn might have an unstoppable team if the Rangers meet the Avs for the Stanley Cup. This path however becomes potentially more resistant. If the Avs come back and win, we'd have to think Florida (Marcel) will get some points from MacKinnon, Makar and Stankoven, which they need, being upset 18-14 versus Chicago (Andrew). So if the Avs are in for Shawn, they are also in for Marcel in Florida, Andrew in Hartford and Matt and Indy, teams the Woverines could meet next round and in the Finals, and do well against, maybe. However, if the Avs are out, it isn't all lost for the Woverines. As is they'd move on 9 points with Florida having 3 and Chicago 0 right now. At this point New Orleans could be heading the the NHLP Finals and if Pittsburgh (Chad) knocked out Hartford (Andrew) with the Rangers going to the Stanley Cup and Indy knocks out Alaska this round, that Cup Finals would at worse be a coin flip (with Pittsburgh) if Dallas was there or a Walk-Over Fianls shall Dallas not be there. So the NHLP seemed destine to have an outstanding Finals this season, but for the Wolverines, the path of least resistance doesn't seem a horrible way to travel.

Cup Hopes Fading Away?

GM Andrew, the only 6 time NHLP Champion, was able to get all three his teams into the second round. "For a minute, we thought it might be GM Andrew's year" stated Muddy Capone, "But realistically, those hopes are fading very fast." In Chicago, the Blackhawks are surprisingly up 14-9, a huge lead for a heavy underdog. Things will help Andrew if the New York Rangers can sweep aside Carolina on Saturday, leaving GM Marcel down to MacKinnon, Makar and Stankoven (A player Andrew personally attacked in the media Friday) to outscore Andrew's entire 5 players by 5 or more points the rest of the series. For Chicago to have real hope in the Conference Finals they need Colorado out and Edmonton in, but Colorado out and Boston in still can work. But it is hard to cheer against Colorado...Mittelstadt and Mittlestadt. In Hartford, GM Andrew's three huge Rangers players are supported by his two Mittelstadt's, great if Colorado moves on for Hartford, but killing Chicago because of New Orleans (Shawn). Even if Hartford gets help by Colorado moving on, sacrificing his Chicago team, Hartford with 5 players in the Conference Finals, will not be favorites if Edmonton moves on. Chad's Penguins would be way to strong with Edmonton and if Dallas beats out Colorado, Chad is still likely a 3 point favorite next round versus just Andrew's 3 Rangers. With Florida now winning their series, Andrew's LA team will get hammered next round by GM Matt in Indy. The Kings must have Florida and Colorado out to have any hope. So although Andrew has solid teams, remarkable really, he has just ran into some unbelievable teams this season who all have even more going for them. Andrew hasn't lost out and has a chance, but his path to the finish line is seemingly so narrow that there is just little wiggle room to get through and in the end have the best team to win it all in 2024.

On His Game

It is hard to argue about the run GM Chad has been on the last couple of NHLP seasons. Winning his 4th Cup last year, the GM has been in more NHLP Finals the last 10 Cups than any other GM. Chad has brought 6 teams to the finals the past 10 seasons, winning two Cups in Toronto in '16 and '23. His 6 teams in the Finals with two wins outpaces GM Andrew's 5 teams and one Cup, and doubles up any other GM with the most appearances in the finals dropping down to three after Chad and Andrew. In this seasons playoffs the GM has one shot to get a team there and win and so far so good for the Cup-less Penguins, a team in every NHLP season since year one. Tonight Chad will be cheering hard for more things to go his way, this time hoping Dallas can take the series lead on Colorado. If Colorado can go out this round, several NHLP hopefuls will be weakened. If Chad can get Dallas and Edmonton moving on, the Pens will be assured at least 2 players in the finals, either Bouchard and Hymen or Heiskanen and Benn. If Florida goes to the Finals, Chad would have at least his three Panthers Tkachuk, Tarasenko and Bennett. For Pittsburgh, up 17-13 in their second round series with GM Charlie's Rangers, winning the rest of the way likely will never be easy. Getting to next round puts up Hartford who are likely to have their 3 Rangers and 15 points and adding Colorado gives Andrew 24, meaning there is no way for Chad to compete without then Florida and Edmonton, about 27. If Chad gets Floirda and Dallas moving on this round, he knows he is going to the Finals (if he beats Charlie) and adding Edmonton would give him a 7 player Conference Finals and maybe 5 players in the Finals shall Florida go again to back to back Stanley Cup Finals. No NHLP GM has won back to back Cups since GM Norman in '93 and '94, but if there is one GM good enough right now to do it, clearly GM Chad's numbers speak for themselves.

GM Marcel - CTR #5

There was no stopping GM Marcel if the Avs and Canes were the final matchup. With MacKinnon and Makar Marcel has 19 points a round from just those two. Marcel is heavy favorites over Chicago (Andrew) so should be in the Conference Finals. Andrew is putting up a fight early, up 9-7, but the CTR has played this game long enough to know an 11 point underdog has won the series 1 in 35 years, even less odds the NHL teams coming back from 3-0 deficits. After saying that, if Marcel can't add more games to his three Canes who are expected to get those exact 11 points, this could get fun. Winning the NHLP Championship isn't likely to occur without the Hurricanes coming back and knocking out the New York Rangers this round. Even with Marcel's 19 points from his two Avs, he is dead if the Rangers move on as New Orleans (Shawn) is just to powerful. So GM Marcel won't win a Championship unless Carolina comes back and knocks out the Rangers this round. If the Avs and Canes can win this round, then either team in the Stanley Cup Finals should give GM Marcel an opportunity. MacKinnon and Makar in the Finals by themselves might be good on a normal year, but he could still be facing a team like Indy (Matt) who could have 25 points from Florida-Colorado or maybe 17 from Chad in Pittsburgh. So it sees easy, Canes must win this round or Marcel won't have any shot in Florida to win their second Cup. Odds to win it all: VERY LONG

GM Shawn - CTR #6

If GM Shawn can get both the NY Rangers and Colorado Avalanche to the NHL Stanley Cup, maybe Shawn could win his second Championship. With about 27-29 potential points projected in the NHLP Finals, you wouldn't think the word maybe would factor in with a 5 man team, but Hartford (Andrew) is CTR #3 for a reason, as they would likely be there with 24 points and what a battle for the Cup. Shawn's dream season will be over if the NY Rangers do no win this round, as that CTR #5 in Florida (Marcel) will be going to the Cup Finals, so Shawn must have the Rangers advancing. If Colorado goes out this round to Dallas things will all then depend on if GM Andrew is out by the Finals in Hartford, as his three Rangers would lay a shit kicking to Panarin in the NHLP Finals. If the Avs go out this round Shawn would also need to either play Marcel in Florida next round or likely have both Edmonton and Boston out, otherwise Chicago (Andrew) likely might be in the NHLP Finals over the Wolverines. The odds of Shawn winning with only his Panarin and Brodzinski team is possible, but we see this as a very long shot. Now if both the Avs and Rangers win this round and the Finals play out with Colorado Shawn be there with 20 points and Shawn's only nightmare could then come from GM Matt in Indy if Florida goes to the Stanley Cup Finals with the Avs. Odds to win it all: IT IS
POSSIBLE

GM Andrew - CTR #11

The odds are very, very slim for GM Andrew to win a third team Cup in Chicago. Firstly, just winning this round is a long shot being an insurmountable 11 point underdog. But as we write this Andrew is up 9-7 with GM Marcel not liking the possibility of a Rangers sweep of the Canes. To win this round, that might be Andrew's break but even then the odds are not good for advancement. Andrew would be the NHLP 2024 Champions if he was in the Finals and Edmonton and Boston were playing for the Stanley Cup. If Andrew can beat Marcel, to beat Shawn in New Orleans next round will be a tall order. Andrew can get help if either Colorado or the NY Rangers are out this round. If the Rangers go out and Avs advance, Andrew would need both Edmonton and Boston in all liklelihood to compete. If the Avs go out, Andrew could then win the NHLP Cup should Edmonton run to the Finals or maybe ever the Bruins. Realistically, Andrew is out this round and barring that needs a lot of help to get by New Orleans and it is likely just too much to say there is any real hope for Chicago in '24. Odds to win it all: VERY LONG

GM Matt - CTR #4

GM Matt has never had this good of chance of winning his first ever Championship. If Florida runs to the Stanley Cup Finals Indianapolis will have a great chance to win it all. Matt was able to get all 7 players advancing and it was definitely required as GM Marcel in Alaska is only a 2 point underdog this round. Indy is up 6-4 but this is going to be very scary for Matt. Both teams have one injured player and that player returning is enough in the CTR's eyes of making that team the favorite. Matt, with his Florida built team, is all in on the tie-breaker with Florida as well. If Matt can win this round he is surely going to face GM Andrew in Los Angeles, the CTR #7 team. If Florida goes out this round against Boston we see no real way for Matt to go on and win it all. It would be possible to win without Florida, but improbable. If Florida wins this round, we know Matt will be in the NHLP Finals (if he beats Marcel out) where he is going to have a shot should the Panthers go to the Stanley Cup. It won't be a given if GM Chad is still around in Pittsburgh, but a very realistic shot it will be. It is sink or swim with the Rats of Florida. Odds to win it all: AS GOOD AS IT CAN BE

GM Andrew - CTR #7

For GM Andrew winning a Cup in Los Angeles is likely going to depend on about three things. Firstly, the Florida Panthers must lose this round and the NY Rangers must win. If Florida doesn't lose, Andrew will at best have 10 points from his two Rangers next round. That would be a good number from them in the NHLP Finals, but he'd not beat GM Matt in Indy next round with just 10 points if the Patnerhs are still in and be such an underdog if Alaska (Marcel) knocked out Indy, that it is game over for LA. Now, if Florida is out this round Andrew needs Indy to knock out Alaska to give Andrew a shot at making the NHLP Finals at which time he'd need Colorado to not be there and a possibility, albeit slim, could exist for a Kings second Cup. It is even possible Boston then winning next round over the Rangers could make this team the favorite in the finals with Geekie as the Bruins built teams elsewhere could be gone. If the Avsare out, meaning Edmonton, Vancouver or Dallas matchup with Boston, this could mean Geekie plays large. If Florida isn't out this round, nothing else matters. Odds to win it all: JUST UNLIKELY

GM Marcel - CTR #20

When you are the CTR #20 to win it all, you get your own space. While all the other NHLP hopefuls loaded up with multiple players on the same teams, GM Marcel went the route of 7 different teams and was on his game. Alaska hit 6 of those teams advancing to round two, where the CTR didn't have Marcel's Alaska team even being there. We don't have Alaska moving on again, but clearly this is anyone's series and it is very possible now for Alaska to believe it or not, win their first ever NHLP Championship. First things first, will be knocking out Matt in Indy. Already down 6-4, that will be a chore. If Marcel wins this round, future rounds could get easier. A round one and two underdog, turns almost surely is a round three favorite, as Marcel just has all the combinations covered and LA (Andrew) can only be strong with the Rangers winning and the Florida Panthers out. If Florida doesn't go out, GM Marcel will go to the NHLP Finals in Alaska (if they can win this round). If Florida does go out this round, it might be the best thing for Alaska in the long but there next round series with LA will be a lot tougher unless the Rangers go out this round as well. Finals with Vancouver, Edmonton or Dallas playing Boston or Carolina are all very much potential winning matchups in the NHLP Finals. Alaska doesn't match up in the end likely with Colorado, Florida or the Rangers being there. This team is #20 for a reason, there are only a few combinations that work well in the end, but I'd rather a few then not to be mentioned on this board at all about winning the Cup in '24. Odds to win it all: WHAT A LONG SHOT STORY THIS WOULD BE.

Big Guns Out Tonight

The CTR was up to its usual self in round one, going 9-3 with the expected few series that change everything happening. If the CTR is close to correct, three of the four highest scoring players in the second round all come from the Central Conference. Outside of Panarin (8, NY Rangers, Charlie) the Central has MacKinnon 11 and Makar 8 in Florida (Marcel) and Rantanen of New Orleans (Shawn). No two NHLP players remaining in the NHLP playoffs can score like GM Marcel's two who are coming off scoring 18 or a predicted 19, which is the CTR estimate from the two again this round. For Chicago (Andrew) overcoming the improbable 33-22 CTR predicted deficit there seems but little hope if Colorado and Dallas play a longer 6 or 7 game series and there is no defence to be found. Chicago is going to need a full 7 games from Edmonton and Hymen, Nugent-Hopkins and Ekholm who got 15 of 16 in round one and are about 15 potential points in round two. Andrew will need at least an average scoring series and hope the Avs and Stars are somehow in the 3 goal range of the winning teams with a quick four game sweep. Dallas shutting Colorado down completely and taking them out with Edmonton advancing could put Chicago through to the Cup Finals. So can Dallas stop the big guns or is this series going to be the expected blowout the CTR calls it as? "We were wrong three times in round one" said Muddy Capone, "So we don't expect to go 6-0 in round two."

Play Through

GM Andrew is use to etiquette on the golf course so it is very nice of the rest of the NHLP to let his Hartford Whalers play through. Two other NHL series will not have even started yet when the Rangers and Hurricanes are finished their second game in round two, something that suits GM Andrew just fine. Having advanced to the Conference Finals the Whalers are looking at short and long term matchups but don't have many options on their own roster. No NHLP team has a better Rangers built team with Fox, Kreider and Zibanejad's 15 per round enough to get it down and next round looks good with the Rangers playing. A four game sweep would be a dream for the Whalers. However, getting through next round might not be easy should Colorado no be able to also hope next rounds total. If the winner of Pittsburgh (Chad) and NY Rangers (Charlie) like up green with their players in the Florida - Boston series, with the Avs players Andrew will find himself likely as underdogs as his competition both have two Stars apiece. A perfect round is open for debate on the golf course, but Andrew needs to keep it in the fairway as losing either the Rangers or Avs likely means letting another team play through to the NHLP Cup Finals.

Six Teams - One Canuck

The Alaska Attack (Marcel) are the only NHLP team remaining who have players from six different NHL teams. That means the Conference Finals shall they get there can be 2, 3 or 4 players advancing, but it is the one player in Vancouver who jumps off the sheet. The Central and East Conference do not have one single Canucks player between the 8 teams remaining, meaning Pettersson could at the very worse match up with either Florida-Boston or Rangers and Canes come the finals if they get there. Well that would work for Marcel who has all but a Hurricane. For Marcel, he'd love the Hurricanes in the NHL Finals, as his three in Florida are the only ones in the Central and East Conferences. So if he isn't there in Florida, Alaska would have a Walk-Over in the Finals if Vancouver played Carolina for the Stanley Cup.

North Division

Florida Vs. Chicago

Florida (Marcel) will be at the very worse 30-24 point favorites over Chicago (Andrew) next round and that can move to 33-16 if Dallas and Toronto advance in their game 7's. We can't call the 30-24 series as it Florida would have work to do, so GM Andrew must have a Boston win over Toronto or this one will be all but over.

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South Division

New Orleans vs. Toronto

New Orleans (Shawn) has a huge game 7 Sunday when he needs Vegas moving on to have a full team advancing and about 39 points. At worse that would be a 39-29 advantage over Toronto (Chad). However, GM Chad is right there and must have his Toronto Maple Leafs beating Boston Saturday night in game 7, and if that happens at worse 39-29 has potential then on Sunday and a Dallas win over Vegas to become 29-29. We did not foresee that. Chad is all in on Toronto and them losing out Saturday night means it is New Orleans in the Conference Finals as they would be at worse 29-9 favorites in a round two pounding. Chad's chance of back to back Cups in Toronto is very much alive with just game 7 to decide if it is ever mentioned again.

Hartford vs. ?

So do know GM Andrew is going to advance to the Conference Finals in Hartford. Andrew has a huge weekend ahead if there is long term hopes of a third franchise Cup in Hartford, already with the 1997 and 2015 wins. Andrew can advance all 7 with a Vegas win Sunday. Without that Hartford can at worse be 25-13 favorites over Montreal (Marcel) or 33-8 over Barrie Island (Joel), both just too much to not declare a Whaler advance at this point. Playing for who stays in the Atlantic Division next season, Joel is up 25-24 so we know Seguin must outscore Stone and Mantha and Marcel moves on, otherwise it is Joel. What would be nice is the Discount Double Check already having been performed and knowing we have the series currently correct at 25-24 Barrie Island, so let us know if you have double check this one.

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East Division

Pittsburgh vs. NY Rangers

GM Chad is in the driver seat in Pittsburgh. If Dallas wins Sunday than Chad's Penguins are at worse 34-30 point second round favorites over the CTR #1 New York Rangers team of GM Charlie's. If Dallas doesn't win Chad can still be 26-21 favorites if Boston also loses. GM Charlie needs Boston for sure and if the Bruins can win Saturday night the Rangers will be 27-26 favorites if Vegas wins or 34-30 underdogs if Dallas advances. Most combinations favor GM Chad but they are all mostly close and a second round battle will occer one way or another for the East Division crown.

Pacific Division

Indianapolis vs. ?

GM Matt can assure a full 7 players in round two if Dallas can win game 7 on Sunday. That would mean their second round CTR number would be around 32, and at worse it can be 28. He has some stiff competition coming when we figure out his opponent.

It Appears Alaska (marcel) is the clear favorite won win their series. Up 29-24 it appears GM Charlie has little realistic hope in his final game 7's. Charlie needs to gain 5 from Pavelski, Rielly, Tavares and McAvoy over Hertl, Stankoven and Heinen. Charlie's four players have game totals of 2-2-1-1-1-2 or a total of 9 in 24 player games and have not had a game over 2. So to get a game of 5+ which is the very minimum it will take, just isn't likely. Now Marcel's three mentioned have 4 points in 18 player games so them putting up a zero in game 7's wouldn't be a shock as much as statistically what will happen. If Phoenix pulls off the improbable they could be 32-32 versus Indy shall Toronto and Dallas advance, so it could really get exciting for Charlie should he get some first period points Saturday night. What is move real is Alaska winning and being GM Matt's second round opponent. The Attack can be 28-28 versus the Icemen on wins by Boston and Vegas and at worse 32-25 underdogs shall it be Dallas and Toronto moving on. Either way there will be a battle second round in the Pacific.

West Division

Portland vs. Los Angeles

GM Andrew's LA Kings have 13 current points moving into round two versus Portland (Bryce). That goes to 16 if the Bruins win Saturday night.

Portland has 9 points moving on, 12 with Boston winning and 20 with Vegas moving on Saturday.

So round two will be Andrew in Los Angles if Dallas wins Sunday either...

Boston and Dallas
Andrew 16-12
Toronto and Dallas
Andrew 13-9

or, round two will be Bryce in Portland if Vegas wins Sunday either...

Boston and Vegas
Bryce 20-16
Toronto and Vegas
Bryce 17-13

We know one of these GM's are winning the 2024 NHLP Championship

GM's Marcel, Andrew, Shawn, Chad, Charlie, Matt or Bryce

Who it won't be
GM's Ryan, Scott, Jr, AJ or Joel

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North Division

Florida Vs. Chicago

Florida Owns the North

GM Marcel just got it done in the North Division and is looking like clear favorites to represent the Central in the Conference Finals. The Panthers are already brining 30 points to round two versus Chicago (Andrew) and could bump that to 33 should Dallas move on. Marcel's players moving on have scored 32 points this round compared with 19, the best Andrew can do with his still needing Edmonton and Boston to ensure at least that amount. The CTR called the Panthers to go all the way to the NHLP Championship, but one step at a time. That next step is having Dallas knock out Vegas which would lay a serious hurt on a potential meeting with New Orleans (Shawn)

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South Division

New Orleans vs. Toronto

GM Shawn has got it done so far moving on 27 points his team has scored in round one of a CTR predicted 29 from those same players. For Shawn he needs Eichel and Hertl also moving on for best chances of winning his second NHLP Championship. Round two here isn't officially in New Orleans favor just yet as GM Chad is still trying to pull off a minor miracle. Chad's Leafs are a nothing opponent for Shawn in the Division Finals if the Toronto Maple Leafs do not come back and knock out Boston in their NHL first round matchup. If that don't occur, Chad is done here and Shawn will play Florida (Marcel) in the Conference Finals in all likelihood. However, Chad has four Leafs players and if some how, some way, they can win game 6 and game 7, with Boston blowing a 3-1 lead as they did last year, in an event that helped put Chad right into the NHLP Championship, Chad could do it again. Chad's Toronto team the NHLP Defencing Champions, just need back to back wins for Toronto and then would be at best 29-29 opponents for New Orleans next round if Vegas goes out. GM Chad also has Moore he is still cheering for to come through here.

Atlantic Division

Hartford vs. ?

The NHLP is running out of miracles, as it seems every team needs one. That is the case here for Montreal (Marcel) who would need Dallas and LA to both win in the first round. Outside of that occurring, they stand no chance to beat out Hartford (Andrew). Oh yes, and Montreal still must beat out Barrie Island (Joel) who at this point are only playing to win Round One. Barrie Island is up 23-22 and at best next round can hope to not be a Walk-Over. So Hartford the CTR #3 should be in the East Conference Championship.
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East Division

Pittsburgh vs. NY Rangers

The CTR anticipated battle between Pittsburgh (Chad) and the NY Rangers (Charlie) is going to occur and it has great potential to be something great in the sense of a nail biter. Both these teams are Championship material, but both have to have things go their way. For Chad Dallas moving on and Edmonton wrapping up their first round series gives him 7 players and makes him the favorite to be in the Conference Finals. Charlie has enough to battle be it Dallas or Vegas, but Edmonton going out would likely assure Charlie goes on to the Conference Finals and maybe all the way as the CTR predicts. Both GM's have much to play for yet in round one and both can win the NHLP Championship in 2024.

Pacific Division

Indianapolis vs. ?

The Indianapolis Icemen are GM Matt's best shot ever at his first NHLP Championship. Dallas moving on gives Matt a full 7 players and makes him favorites next round. His opponent is in the air at this point with GM Marcel's Alaska Attack leading 24-20 over Phoenix (Charlie). Marcel at worst case will battle Indy next round but be the favorite in a 29-28 if Vegas moves on. Now Marcel still has to win and this won't be easy versus McDavid. Although the Coyotes are the longer shot of the three teams they could still have Dallas and Toronto win round one with the Oilers getting through and maybe still be the favorites next round with a possible 32 points from 6 players including McDavid. The Phoenix-Alaska series is a big one for GM's Charlie and Marcel's who both look to be the spoiler for the CTR #4 and predicted advancers in Indy.

West Division

Portland vs. Los Angeles

Portland (Bryce) will be the favorites next round if Vegas knocks out Dallas and the underdog shall Dallas advance. GM Andrew is advancing 4 players if Boston wins and about 16 points. Bryce is advancing 12 but that moves to 20 should Vegas win. These teams tied in the regular season at 417 points, so why not have a second round matchup that comes down to the bitter end for who wins the West Division.

North Division

Florida Vs. Chicago

Focus on Avs and Oilers Sunday

With big leads GM's Marcel and Andrew are on the anticipated CTR second round matchup which as is heavily favors the Florida Panthers team of GM Marcel in the Division Finals by about 29-24. For Marcel he needs his Avs players MacKinnon and Makar to move on as their 19 outweighs the 5 Vilardi could bring next round versus Andrew. For Andrew he can do no better than his current 5 green players and must have his core Edmonton players Hymen, Nugent-Hopkins and Ekholm about 16 compared to Kopitar and Doughty's potential 10. In a series Andrew will not be favorites is current series all stay as it is, he can't fall to an 11 point underdog and expect to win the division. So Sunday Marcel will be cheering on Colorado and Los Angeles while Andrew will need those team's opponents.

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South Division

New Orleans vs. ?

GM Chad's lead of 16-11 doesn't appear safe at all as GM AJ's will tighten this series by the end of game 4's and AJ must have Winnipeg knocking out Colorado or nothing matters. We know AJ can come back in Cleveland and win against Chad and if that did occur, as is it would lead to a New Orleans (Shawn) Walk-Over next round. However, if AJ can win and Winnipeg came back and knocked that Avs out the matchup for the division title would be around 20-19 in favor of New Orleans in a 4 player on four player battle. Now even if Winnipeg did come back to win, AJ still must beat Chad's Toronto team. Chad would also need Colorado or Vegas out and the Leafs coming back and knocking out the Bruins in game 7. That is a longer shot than AJ has, but won't be if the Avs win Sunday.

Atlantic Division

Hartford vs. ?

We know the Whalers are going to be in the division finals, but we do not know their opponent, either Barrie Island (Joel) who is currently leading 19-17 versus Montreal (Marcel). If the 1/2 Chance Stumblers win they must have the Jets knock out the Avs. That occurring and everything else the same puts Joel's Barrie Island team about a 5 point underdog next round. Not impossible. If green stays green, nothing her matters and Whalers cruise. Montreal is clearly not looking like a CTR #2 team, but there is hope. The Habs must have Winnipeg or Dallas and Los Angeles coming back and winning in the 2-1 NHL series. It seems like a lot but Winnipeg and Dallas would have home ice advantage should they tie their series at 2 games apiece. Andrew is the huge sized favorites here, but Sunday can alter that outlook.
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East Division

Pittsburgh vs. NY Rangers

These GM's have just got it done. Next round is a 27-26 Rangers (Charlie) favored battle. For Chad he needs green and Dallas to come back to help his next round. Yes both teams have two Dallas players including Heiskanen, but if Dallas moves on Chad's entire team does and his 7 would outscore Charlie's 6 next round about 34-30. Charlie may be best suited for winning an NHLP Championship is Dallas comes back with Heiskanen and Marchment versus Karlsson. Marchment is hurt, but is questable Monday, meaning he should be ok by round two. Of course Charlie is cheering hard for LA to knock out the Oilers. That would mean Charlie would be about 10 point favorites and all would be easier winning the division and back on track for going all the way.

Pacific Division

?

Ya, who knows how this is going to end up going. One big question mark. So lets start with the CTR's choice Indianapolis (Matt). We do see the Marchment injury in Dallas. Not worrisome long term maybe, but the Icemen are up 18-15 over GM Jr's very red Calgary Flames. Dallas coming back would mean GM Matt could move on all 7 players (Just as GM Marcel's Attack and both with about 32 points next round). For Matt, he might be toast right now had Florida not got extra man games. That is still a worry. The Flames have the same worries and would be equally as toast had the Islanders not won in OT. If the Panthers or Islanders get a game 6, it could be enough to swap the first round series. It appears Jr is only playing a spoiler roll here unless numerous game 7's appear everywhere. Alaska is tied at 18-18 with a slim game 4 player game edge to take the lead. Marcel with or without Dallas moving on, winning this series and all else staying the same is a favorite next round, maybe a point versus Indy. For Phoenix, all is not lost here at all. If Charlie can beat Marcel, and Charlie is tied with the tie-breaker in hand with the NY Rangers pick, Charlie wouldn't fair well versus Matt, but could hammer Calgary should that upset occur. Then Charlie has McDavid and could just go as far as the Oilers run. So Charlie is cheering to win his series and cheering hard for GM Jr in Calgary.

West Division

Portland vs. Los Angeles

GM's Bryce and Andrew are well in control of their NHLP first round series and appear heading to the division matchup next round. As is GM Bryce would be a 20-16 favorite to win the division. Bryce is OK with the way things. For GM Andrew, a four point underdog next round is winnable, but he completely alters the landscape should his Jets come back and win. That would be enough to ensure the Kings are in the Conference Finals.

Whalers Domination of Atlantic on Full Display

GM Andrew is moving on as many players to round two as the entire other three teams combined in the Atlantic. "It is cruise control" said Muddy Capone, "Get the series over and stay healthy, start resting guys, this is going to be a fun run." A 10 point night Friday to go up 22-10. The second round opponents in the 1-4 series are tied 12-12 with both GM Marcel in Montreal and GM Joel in Barrie Island facing losing a combined 5 players Saturday if the Panthers complete the Sweep of the Lightning. The expected CTR Conference Finals of the CTR #1, versus the #2 or #3 teams is very possible at this point in the playoffs with only Pittsburgh (Chad) maybe having a say in that.
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Winter Hawks Quietly Kings of West

Two Cups in three years? GM Bryce just gets it done. "The kids knows what he is doing and proves it seemingly every year" stated Muddy Capone, We haven't seen a more dominate rookie GM join the league since GM Tyson." Tyson dominated the NHLP with 3 Cup winning teams in just 13 seasons as a GM, unheard of numbers. GM Bryce has one in his first four season and this could make 2 in 5, possibly setting a new pace for excellence. The CTR called the West Division as any team but Portland, who was expected to lose out round one, hence the CTR #21 rating. The Winter Hawks have scored at will scoring a point in 12 of 19 player games and leading 16-9 over the leaky Oil. What has turned after Friday's games is Portland is looking at a 22-16 advantage over Los Angeles (Andrew) in round two, moving Portland within a series of the NHLP Finals. "This was not expected" said Capone, "But Bryce is constantly unappreciated as a GM, but he is clearly making the right moves others just can't envision." A long road ahead and things change quickly, but today we'd be putting our money on the Winter Hawks to come out of the West Division. We'll see how quickly that changes and the ever evolving NHLP Playoffs.
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What About The Attack?

If the Portland Winter Hawks (Bryce) were over-looked in the NHLP's West Division, the Alaska Attack (Marcel) can be said to have been counted out in the Pacific prematurely. Another team the CTR just did not see winning in the first round, so no way would win the Division, is pulling that massive upset. Four point underdogs the Attack are up 17-16 with Hertl and Stankoven to end out game 3's versus Pavelski for the Coyotes (Charlie). Heading into Saturday Alaska could be a point favorite in round two against the CTR #4 Icemen (Matt) who are laying a beat down on the flickering Flames 16-10 with both teams possibly losing 6 total players on Saturday. Both the Icemen and Flames would lose 3 of their top 4 scorers with sweeps by Carolina and Florida. If it is only a Florida Sweep, the Icemen beat down might turn into a late round TKO if the Flames find some late oxygen. Getting the Icemen out here could allow either the Attack or Coyotes to take the Division easier than having to face the Icemen is a battle to the death. Saturday is a big day and everyone here is still alive if the day goes perfectly their way.
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Wolverines Loving Their Avs

With 13 points in just 9 player games from their three Avs players, GM Shawn must be feeling good about his NHLP playoffs so far. Getting it done with a 19-15 lead and having Eichel and Hertl yet to play a game 3, the Wolverines should be up about 21-15 after game threes are competed. With all 7 players moving on after a huge Friday night, Shawn is again back on track to own the South. Toronto (Chad) moving on 9 second round points is currently the opponent up 13-11 over the Walk-Over Fury of AJ who still have Benn to tighten the score after game threes. AJ is toast without the Jets and Chad is done without the Leafs, current red teams that must come back and win their series or winning this round is just for pay dirt. Shawn is getting it done but the long road is going to ave some anticipated bumps ahead, but today, the CTR #6 team is looking strong.

V1

For GM AJ, it is time to make his move with his Winnipeg Jets players. Down 12-8 the Cleveland Fury send out four Jets players tonight. For AJ all he needs is to win his First Round series with Toronto (Chad) and have the Jets move on. That would give this team at the very worse 19 points and just a point underdog versus New Orleans (Shawn). At that point AJ likely goes as far as the Jets go in the playoffs. No Perfetti has not drawn into the first two games of the series and is not listed on any injury reports, so there is hope the Fury get him back. Not having the tie-breaker AJ needs to gain five but has a 7-2 second games player advantage. So AJ can easily come back here but without the Jets this team will not even take off in the 2024 NHLP playoffs.
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Taking Control

GM Andrew can take total control in his first round series matchup in Hartford, up 12-10 but sending out 25 points to the Memphis (Jr) response of 10 Friday night. The Whalers already have 4 extra player games in the game two's and an average night tonight should put the team up around 6 points. For Andrew he is big on have the Avs win tonight, making this team looking to advance 7 players and dominate next round versus either GM's Marcel or Joel who are 12-10 Montreal in their series. As is neither of Andrew's potential opponents will put up any fight with the current series as is if Colorado moves on. Andrew has two Cups in Hartford and no NHLP has ever won three. This team is scary so allowing it to move on with 7 players will certainly spell doom down the road for other NHLP GM's this playoffs.
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Upset in the Making

The Alaska Attack (Marcel) were supposed to go quietly, paving the way for Indianapolis (Matt) to win the Pacific Division. Matt is doing what he needs to do winning 13-8 over Calgary (Jr) with player games in round one a serious issue now for both those GM's. Marcel has the lead now on GM Charlie's Coyotes 15-12 and with Vancouver and Edmonton advancing the Attack could move forward 6 players to give the Icemen all they can handle for the Division crown. The Attack were 4 point underdogs against a Coyotes team with McDavid who by himself could basically outscore Marcel's top two players on paper. McDavid has shown up with 6 points in two games, matching the rest of what Charlie's players have done in 16 player games. For Marcel he is leading the series and yet to get a point for Pettersson his leading scorer who still has at least 3 first round games. This bolds well for the upset here. Charlie needs to find scoring from the bottom 6 players or the upset here is going to send the Coyotes to Utah a little sooner than Charlie might like.
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Pens Need Oilers

GM Chad is rooting hard for the Edmonton Oilers tonight as that series now turns to play in Los Angeles. Chad's Pens are laying a beat down on Quebec (Matt) up 22-10, but the projected round two matchup with GM Charlie's Rangers isn't looking like a close one without Chad moving on Bouchard and Hymen. Without those two the Penguins will be getting a beat down of their own next round as the Rangers will outscore them 2 to 1 in points. Chad can definitely run with his Panthers and easily have enough to knock out the Rangers next round if Edmonton can beat out the Kings. That series is looking long, as a split in LA means at least 6 games. Tonight's game is huge as the winner will have one shot at going up 3-1, a deadly NHL statistical advantage over playoff history.
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Battle of the Pacific

The Alaska Attack (Marcel) are getting it done. Versus McDavid the Attack are up 13-12 with the end of game two's ended notched at 12 versus Phoenix (Charlie). Both top scorers in the series are getting at least 3 more games although that matchup is currently 6-0 McDavid over Pettersson. Marcel is currently bringing 16 points to a matchup with Indianapolis (Matt) next round who has 15 in the green. At even games Indy is up 9-7 versus Calgary (Jr) who are as red as their logo. If just Vancouver and Los Angeles win their series and all else stays the same the Flames would be heavy favorites to go to the Conference Finals if they played Phoenix next round. With both series very tight here all four teams could yet come out of the division and who knows what the Conference Finals could look like by then. Every point is huge in the Pacific.
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Don't Forget 2022

The NHLP Yearbook took heat from the Portland Winter Hawks fans who were slighted with the NHLP Yearbook forgetting to add in the 2022 Championship year beside the Portland logo on the playoff page. "It was an oversight" stated Muddy Capone "But we will be more than happy to find a space for a third number, 2024 shall they find a way to get it done." So far GM Bryce is finding a lot of ways, a pounding of the Edmonton Oil (Scott), up 14-7. Right now it would appear the LA Kings (Andrew) are the opponents for the Division Finals and would be favored 16-13 green on green over Portland. Edmonton isn't putting up any more of a fight than St Louis (AJ) but GM Scott says don't count the Oil out. "We are taking a pounding, no offence, worse defence, and it is unacceptable and is going to change tonight because I refuse to put up with this shit show we have on display" said GM Scott, "Have some fucking heart and go out there and score a fucking goal. You don't need a six point night, but stop playing like you have a broken toe-nail and get the fucking job done." Don't forget 1992.
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Bolt on Bolt Action

GM's Marcel and Joel are in a series battle, 9-9 after even games apiece in their Atlantic Division First Round matchup. Tonight both GM's need Tampa Bay to win instead of going down 3-0 to Florida. For Marcel he has Kucherov who has just 2 points of a projected 10 this round while Joel answers with Hedman, Hagel and Cirelli who have 4 of 13. Obviously when just one player can outscore three, you understand why Marcel's Habs are the 35-32 favorite here. Now Marcel still has Barkov and Montour about 9 points a round who have 2 so far. So while Marcel isn't all in on Tampa, moving on Kucherov can cancel out any two players GM Andrew's Hartford team can bring on next round. Hartford is up 12-8 versus the Memphis Machine (Jr) who is trying to keep his series close and hope for four games sweeps in New York Rangers and Vegas series, leaving Andrew's team in a bad player game situation that now seems very possible. If it is Jr pulling it out both Marcel and Joel chances go way up than meeting the CTR #3 Whalers. A big game tonight in Tampa Bay which plays rather large here in the Atlantic.
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Wrong Matchup

A million things must go perfectly your way when you win the NHLP Championship. It is just the way the greatest hockey pool in the world works. For GM Jr in Dallas, no NHLP team has as many green players winning their first round series as the Stars have at 6. With Novak tied 1-1 in Nashville, the green is a beautiful as the teams logo. There is one huge problem. Green is needed to win it all, but green don't get you automatically to the next round. In the next round Toronto (Chad) is the current matchup winning 11-8 over the greenless Cleveland Fury (AJ). Chad is moving on just one player. For Dallas they would be tied versus Chad and up on AJ, but down 15-11, in the series, but you are matched up with the deadly New Orleans Wolverines (Shawn) who are chasing their first Cup after an historic season. Plainly put, Jr got the wrong first round opponent and it could be the difference this season of watching or winning. This Stars team has deep run written all over it with two Rangers, Canes and Bruins and a Pred, who aren't really any dark horse as they have as good of team as anyone else. Is there any way Dallas can beat New Orleans? The more the Rangers play the better for the Stars. So if they can somehow not sweep that helps. Vegas sweeping Dallas really helps the Stars. That only leaves Colorado who is killing Jr with 9 points in 6 player games and 9 more player games to play. Jr needs the Jets to somehow stop the Avs from scoring at will. If those things happen on the defensive side, Jr is still going to need to help himself scoring. A longer Islanders and Canes series helps that, so the Islanders must win at home and not get swept themselves. Boston and Nashville both playing 7 game series, which is very possible, would add more points to the CTR total for Novak, van Riemsdyk and DeBrusk. Like we said. You need a million things. Well, that is about ten or so right there just to get out of the first round. But if Dallas can find a way to just beat the Wolverines, maybe it wasn't the wrong matchup this round after all...and we'll worry about the other 999,990 things later.

"It's The Fucking Catalina Wine Mixer"

"It's the fucking NHLP playoffs". The St. Louis Blues have yet to show up to the biggest event on the NHLP annual schedule, the PLAYOFFS. "The team is worse than the 1996 Florida Panthers" said Muddy Capone referring to the then GM'ed One Foot team that finished 9th and 197 points out of a playoff team (GM Marcel's second NHLP season and he GM'ed Atlantic City, Anaheim and Montreal). Ya, that team sure was bad but these Blues with one point in 11 playoff games are making a name for themselves. It must be crushing for GM AJ who is down 13-1 in a series on paper that could have been theirs. Is there time to regroup? "No chance" stated Capone, "You get down 10 points in the playoffs, you don't come back, ever" said the man who has seen it all. Is that actual fact? "If I had the time, I'd confirm it, but I don't think a team has ever overcame a playoff deficit of 12 and came back to win, that one would have stuck with me" he added. So, we know the Kings will be moving on. The question is can they still be playing in the 2024 playoffs when the real Catalina Wine Mixer is schedule in Southern California May 31st and June 1st. If they are still playing then, they are just about to head to the NHLP Finals.
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On Ice

While the Calgary Flames (Jr) are seemingly in their Pacific Division first round matchup with Indianapolis (Matt), the 9-6 lead by the Icemen seems pretty secure. The Icemen just got extra games from Nichushkin and Toews and while the GM Matt's a little concerned about his three Florida players winning four straight, he knows GM Jr has the same worries with his high scoring Islanders pair of Dobson and Horvat. Matt only is losing Marchment of Dallas but his next round opponents are both losing a Dallas player in Pavelski and Stankoven. That opponent right now is Alaska (Marcel) winning 12-11 over the McDavid team of GM Charlie in Phoenix. The Coyotes look to take back control tonight sending out 33 points to 17 for Alaska. Both Phoenix and Alaska can be tough opponents for GM Matt next round so player matchups here in the Pacific are going to be huge next round. So far, GM Matt has got to be happy where he is at early on.
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Andrew's Playoffs Are Dreamlike

The Los Angeles Kings are up 13-1, Chicago Blackhawks 11-5 and Hartford Whalers 9-6. "Duclair is holding things back" stated Muddy Capone about GM Andrew's only player losing a series that isn't matched up on one of his teams (3 Oilers and 2 Kings in Chicago, so one must be out). Andrew is outscoring his opponents 33-12 to start the playoffs and at the moment, his Division Finals matchups are looking very favorable. Surprising? No at all considering he has the 3rd, 7th and 11th CTR rated teams and was a favorite to win all three matchups, even if one was coming on a pick. Andrew would like to see all series end as they are for the winning teams and the series that are tied, his biggest one is either advancing Scheifele and Morrissey in LA or Middelstadt and Middelstadt in Hartford, either way one of those teams gains a lot. So far the first round just could not have gone any better for the 6 time NHLP Champion.
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Penguins Better Then CTR Ranking

Muddy Capone said the CTR did not make a mistake. "Understandably Pittsburgh would beat the New York Rangers in round two if all the home seeded teams move on" Capone explained, "But both teams were so good we looked at the entire playoffs after the second round, but Pittsburgh arguably could have been that top team, just how close things are." GM Chad is up 16-9 and is hoping for a Dallas comeback which could see the Pens advancing a full team to round two. Last NHLP season this same Pens team limped into the NHLP playoffs with three Florida players who qualified to play in the playoffs in the final moments of the season. Then Chad went right to the finals. This team, another three Florida players including Tkachuk, but a totally different mix with two Oilers and two Stars. Pittsburgh has never won a Cup and Chad could be on route to his 5th NHLP Championship, an unbelievable thought. This team is going to be extremely hard to knock off if they move on 7 players. For the CTR #1 team of Charlie's they need Boston moving on and next round could be 27-26 in Chuck's favorite should the Bruins move on and all green stays green. Winning the East Conference is going to be a crazy ride with so many hopefuls.

Scoring At Will

With 6 multi-point games from his first 10 player games GM Marcel is riding high in Florida, up 14-9 over GM Matt in Cincinnati. Matt had been hot himself scoring 9 points in 9 player games to start the series and was the first to add more player games from McAvoy. Matt will likely need sweeps in both the Carolina and Colorado series to be able to come back late in this series being a crazy 9 point underdog. For Marcel things are going as planned but as things are now would be a 22-16 point underdog next round versus Chicago (Andrew) who is up 11-5 over the low-tide Surf (Miami). As far as moving on players Chicago can at best move on the current five.
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Bouchard Answers McDavid

GM Marcel had to be happen knowing a 5 point night by McDavid in Phoenix (Charlie) was basically cancelled out by Bouchard who had four of his own for the Attack. The good news for the Coyotes, up 9-8, was the three additional player games added for Rielly, Tavares and McAvoy. Not getting a longer series from Edmonton could eventually be in Marcel's favor, being a 4 point underdog in the series if McDavid and Nurse plays 6.5 games this round and outscoring Bouchard 14-7, the difference in the CTR predictions.
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Kings in the West

GM Andrew is accustom to winning. It is a way of live for his NHLP teams and his 6 Championships. So far this round, Andrew's Kings is laying a beat down on GM AJ who's cap gun lineup have a single point in game ones, being gunned down 8-1 early on. This series is projected to be close at 31-31, the CTR's lone first round coin flip. The bad news for AJ's Blues is there is nowhere in this series to get extra man games with almost every player matching up, meaning not staying close can't help with any short or long series. If the Kings win this series they may travel a distance with top seeded players who have potential for long runs. The Kings lone Cup win was 2002 and Andrew is hoping 2024 is his year for a 7th NHLP Championship.
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Ranger Danger Three

The real "Ranger Danger" might be the CTR #3 team of GM Andrew in Hartford. Expected to get by the Memphis Machine (Jr) 33-32 in what might be the series to prevent GM Andrew from running deep in the 2024 playoffs. Early on the Whalers have a 6-3 lead from their Ranger built team of Fox, Kreider and Zibanajad. For GM Jr he only has three series from Andrew to worry about and could go for low scoring games int he Rangers-Capitals series where Hartford is expected to hit 16 points in just 5.5 first round games. So if Jr can get a four game sweep by the Rangers, it would be enough for Memphis to then be favorites. Adding extra games from Zacha and Coyle have added games for the Machine. Hartford is living large, but a Ranger sweep would put the Hartford Whalers chances of a long NHLP playoffs in real Danger, something many other NHLP Gm hopefuls might be cheering for a because this team will get stronger ever round the Rangers are still playing playoff hockey.

Pure Trash

GM Chad just can't help but find himself in bitter squabbles with other NHLP GM's. Chad is just now mending on of the most recent bitter NHLP feuds, one lasting years with GM Andrew. Now Chad has seemingly moved on to attack the NHLP's newest GM AJ. "It got so bad that AJ just completely left the NHLP's official chat room for several days" said Muddy Capone, "GM's Scott and Jr have done everything in their power to bring AJ back and make him feel like home, but Chad can be vicious." The two GM's are in an evenly matched tussle, tied 2-2 with a man game each remaining in game ones of their Cleveland and Toronto first round matchup. Dallas (Jr has came out hard, tied 6-6 with the NHLP's powerhouse in New Orleans (Shawn) but Eichel and Hertl can start to open the series up tonight. Jr does have four players starting game two and needs to keep this series close. Dallas finished game ones with 6 players in the green, so a long playoffs for the Stars could await if the Wolverines don't blow them out as anticipated. As for AJ and Chad. This is just getting started.
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Stone's Throw Away

There are many stones on Barrie Island, but the one that matters most is in Vegas. GM Joel's 1/2 Chance Stumblers are expected to get stoned 35-27 without Stone in the lineup. Off to a good start in the series, up 5-3 Joel is hoping Stone is in tonight. Winnipeg won game won and the GM would be quite happy moving on Scheifele, Stone, Ehlers and Mantha if losing Hedman, Hagel and Cirelli means beating GM Marcel's Habs. In the NHL's Florida and Tampa Bay series, although Barrie Island has three Bolts, Montreal has three in that series including Kucherov and Barkov who are expected to outscore Joel's three 19-13. With Stone in Joel is about a 3 point underdog. So to see Florida just win in four straight, could give Barrie Island enough to win on longer series in Winnipeg and Vegas. Barrie Island's next round opponent, either Andrew or Jr would match up fairly close to Barrie Island if Joel can get just the four players moving on. Will Stone be in game one? Stay tune.
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Punch for Punch

The Florida Panthers (Marcel) have come out swinging in their first round series with Cincinnati (Matt). The Panthers have 11 points in their first 6 man games while the Rage have thrown a few punches themselves with 4 points in 3 man games. Cincinnati is coming hard on Monday night with Duchene, Johnston, Stephenson, Mantha, Jarvis and McAvoy while Marcel throws up four players of his own. Both teams have nice coloring early on. Florida is a 38-29 CTR anticipated shit-kicking favorite and expected to go all the way to the finals. Do the Rage how enough to keep this one close? They must come out on the attack on Monday.
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Ranger Danger

GM Charlie owns the NHLP Yearbooks curse of being the team the Yearbook predicted to go to the NHLP Finals and win it all. In a seemingly easy first round matchup with Philadelphia (Scott), one of only two 6-man teams to make the playoffs along with Charlie's Miami Surf, the Rangers are about 4 point favorites. However, is this curse real? The Rangers got news Evander Kane has a sports Hernia and although he claims to be game time decision, he admits he isn't up to full speed. You take his projected four out of the equation and suddenly we are flipping coins in this one. The Flyer have been able to stay close at 4-4. The entire league might be paying attention to this series as if the Rangers get going, there may be no stopping GM Charlie along the way. Does Kane play? Several GM's may be hoping not.

vsvs

CTR Predicts NHLP Playoffs
NY Rangers Become First NHLP Team With Three Cups

With the NY Rangers and the Dallas Stars making the NHL Stanley Cup Finals, the NHLP Yearbook was able to come out with the Playoff CTR. The New York Rangers (Charlie) are able to win it all with this finals, beating out the Indianapolis Icemen (Matt) and GM Marcel's Florida Panthers in the Finals. It will not be easy for GM Charlie's Rangers with the CTR #2 Montreal Canadiens (Marcel) and CTR #3 Hartford Whalers (Andrew) both also Eastern Conference teams. Both the Habs and Whalers would be strong enough in the Conference Finals to beat out Charlie's Rangers, but CTR #9 Memphis Machine (Jr) are strong enough to knock out both Hartford and Montreal in rounds one and two, but not strong enough to beat the Rangers in the Conference Finals. Memphis is a one point underdog in round one versus Hartford and would be a one point favorite in round two versus Montreal, if they can make it there. Hartford and Montreal are dead heats in the second round and both would be strong enough to knock Charlie out and go to the NHLP Finals, if they can make it far enough to play Charlie. The CTR is pretty convinced the NHLP Champion is coming from the East Conference, just depends who can get through when it is all said and done.

For GM Matt in Indianapolis his CTR #4 team is in a battle round one versus Calgary #16, only a two point favorite. Phoenix (Charlie) #15 and Alaska (Marcel) #20 could both take out Calgary in round two, but neither will beat Indianapolis according to the CTR if all home teams win in the first round. When does that ever happen? "Well never, but someone has to make these predictions" said Muddy Capone. Indianapolis would have enough to get to the NHLP Finals by knocking off either Los Angeles (Andrew) #7 or St. Louis (AJ) #8 who both have enough to beat Edmonton (Scott) #17 in the Division Finals. Currently the CTR has Los Angeles and St Louis a 31-31 first round pick'em series.

The NHLP's Central Conference, dominated this season by New Orleans (Shawn) who comes in with a respectable CTR rank of #6. Here is where it gets Interesting. GM Shawn has enough to make the NHLP Finals and battle the NY Rangers (Charlie) if they meet CTR #11, GM Andrew's Chicago team, who is favorite round two to knock out Floirda (Marcel) #5. If Chicago gets to the Conference Finals, they would be a walk over if things shake out in a way they never do. However, GM Marcel's Florida team doesn't truly have enough to beat out Andrew in the Division Finals, but enough to knock out New Orleans in the Conference Finals. This is where the NHLP Yearbook factors in all the potential points and player numbers and possibilities for the semi-finals and finals to determine Florida does have the best shot of representing the Central in the Finals, even though Chicago can take care of them in round two, which would put New Orleans in the Finals should that happen. Got it?

One thing we know for certain. It won't play out this way. But that don't stop the CTR from predicting GM Charlie's NY Rangers win their three NHLP Championship, Charlies second overall, winning in 2021 with his Rangers team.

NHLP Playoff Tie-Breakers
Conference Winners

New Orleans - Shawn
Montreal - Marcel
Phoenix - Charlie

All Pick From Either
Vegas at Dallas
Washington at NY Rangers

NHLP Playoff Tie-Breakers
Conference Runner-Up

Florida - Marcel
Pittsburgh - Chad
Portland - Bryce

All Pick From Either
Nashville at Vancouver
Tampa Bay at Florida

NHLP Playoff Tie-Breakers
Conference Higher 2nd Seeds

Chicago - Andrew
Hartford - Andrew
LA Kings - Andrew

All Pick From Either
Colorado at Winnipeg
NY Islanders at Carolina

NHLP Playoff Tie-Breakers
Conference Lower 2nd Seeds

Cleveland - AJ
NY Rangers - Charlie
Calgary - Jr

All Pick From Either
Los Angeles at Edmonton
Toronto at Boston

a) Regular season ties – When two GMs are tied at the end of the regular season the tie is broke as follows:

4) Most Overall points on all a GM’s teams of only playoff players from GM’s tied

Pecking Order
Made Day Minors Freeze

Marcel 1259
Charlie 1177
Andrew 1147
Shawn 1137
AJ 1116
Matt 1115
Chad 1105
Joel 1082
Jr 1068
Bryce 1059
Scott 1053
Ryan 1046

Biggest Week in 34 NHLP Seasons

For the past 17 years GM Shawn held the biggest week in NHLP history with his amazing 37 points in Halifax. That week Shawn's 6 player team was Henrik Sedin 9, Daniel Sedin 8, Tanguay 8, Markov 5, Laich 4 and Pavelski 3. Now that record will still stand, but has been broken. It will still stand for the most average points per player in a week at 6.16 and of course for a team of 6 players. GM Marcel in Montreal had a 38 point week, with his 7 player team, or 5.42 per player. No NHLP team ever had a 38 point week. For Marcel his teams scoring came the way of Kucerov 9, Tavares 8, Kempe 7, Kyrou 6, Geekie 3, Dubois 3 and Hedman with 2. The GM also flirted with another history, points by a GM in a week held by GM Chad's 30-30-23 (83) with a 38-26-17 (81) point week.

New Orleans Flexes With Massive 52 Point Deal

The New Orleans Wolverines are having a season for the ages for GM Shawn. Loaded all season with points, the team just made a 52 point deal, trading Kucherov the leagues leading scorer, along and Hedman to Montreal (Marcel) for M. Tkachuk and Nichushkin. The Wolverines are still 90 points up on fifth. For Shawn the question all season was the GM going to keep his big three Tampa players, Kucherov, Hedman and Hedman or come off Tampa and build something else. With the way Kucherov has scored at will this season, that was going to be a hard decision to make. It is easy to see Kucherov getting double digit first round points, maybe 15 is out of the realm. Now the GM is completely off Tampa altogether with a team of Rantanen, Tkachuk, Duchene, E. Karlsson, Nichushkin, Heiskanen and Lehkonen, three Avs, two Stars a Panther and a Penguin. Shawn has set himself up and has a legitimate opportunity to go all the way. As far as GM Marcel goes, his Habs team were struggling in fifth and the GM sees this as an opportunity to rebuild around his now high scoring potential first round, just needing some distance guys if Tampa can't run. The 52 points is four points shy of the 56 GM Ryan once receive in a deal that helped GM Scott win the 2006 Championship in 2006. In that deal Eric Staal was traded by Philadelphia for Weight and Recchi and Scott went on to win the Cup. Is another 50+ point deal going to win New Orleans their first Championship?

Are You In?

See All Car Paint Schemes Here

Is This Muds Year?

Muddy Capone has to be asking himself if he will ever get a Daytona win. The longest running "Daytona 500 Best Crash" pool driver has yet to win a championship after his first 7 races. "Is it not the hardest pool to win" Capone asked, "But I always believe, this is my year." Fellow running mate GM Matt has said he'd love to start with his first Best Crash win followed by his first NHLP Cup. That feat,"The Duel" as it is now called was accomplsiehd by GM Shawn in 2018/19, both firsts and again the follow year in 2019/20 by GM Jr, although certainly not his first NHLP Championship. The race peaked at 13 cars in 20/21 and has had at least 10 in the past four years. The hope is we can get 10 cars this year, but as Capone said, "As long as I have someone to take me out, the day is enjoyable.". Is this your year to crash and burn?

Shawn - #36 - Kaz Grala

Kaz Grala will drive the No. 36 Ruedebusch Ford. SHOP: <a href="https://store.nascar.com/diecast/d-26335540+z-9827061-1428123289?vap=1&_s=BM-NAScom-NAScom-Diecast_Shop_Link_Merch_Story-5.11.23">NASCAR die-casts</a>

<p>Kaz Grala will drive the No. 36 Ruedebusch Ford.<br /><br /><strong>SHOP:</strong> <a href="https://store.nascar.com/diecast/d-26335540+z-9827061-1428123289?vap=1&_s=BM-NAScom-NAScom-Diecast_Shop_Link_Merch_Story-5.11.23">NASCAR die-casts</a></p>

Muddy Capone - #42 - John Hunter Nemechek

John Hunter Nemechek will drive the No. 42 Dollar Tree Toyota. SHOP: <a href="https://store.nascar.com/diecast/d-26335540+z-9827061-1428123289?vap=1&_s=BM-NAScom-NAScom-Diecast_Shop_Link_Merch_Story-5.11.23">NASCAR die-casts</a>

<p>John Hunter Nemechek will drive the No. 42 Dollar Tree Toyota. <br /><br /><strong>SHOP:</strong> <a href="https://store.nascar.com/diecast/d-26335540+z-9827061-1428123289?vap=1&_s=BM-NAScom-NAScom-Diecast_Shop_Link_Merch_Story-5.11.23">NASCAR die-casts</a></p>

Matt - #62 - Anthony Alfredo

Anthony Alfredo will drive the No. 5 Dude Wipes Chevrolet. SHOP: <a href="https://store.nascar.com/diecast/d-26335540+z-9827061-1428123289?vap=1&_s=BM-NAScom-NAScom-Diecast_Shop_Link_Merch_Story-5.11.23">NASCAR die-casts</a>

<p>Anthony Alfredo will drive the No. 5 Dude Wipes Chevrolet. <br /><br /><strong>SHOP:</strong> <a href="https://store.nascar.com/diecast/d-26335540+z-9827061-1428123289?vap=1&_s=BM-NAScom-NAScom-Diecast_Shop_Link_Merch_Story-5.11.23">NASCAR die-casts</a></p>

Scott - #99 Daniel Suarez

Couch-Cuddlers New Year's Splish-Splash

A massive move in the NHLP came out of the blue. "Often is the case" said Muddy Capone, "While no one thinks anything is happening, everything is happening." With NHLP teams everywhere having a ton of points to move, two veteran GM's took each other up and altered the NHLP's landscape. Pittsburgh (Chad) added a couple key pieces in Ehlers and Bennett, while GM Andrew's Hartford team added some needed points and scoring, bringing in Bouchard and Norris. The Eastern Conference teams shook up the standings in their respective divisions with Hartford suddenly moving from the bottom to the top and Chad's Pens dropping from second to fourth. The GM's who have a colorful history, seemingly just yesterday at such odds with each other they couldn't sit on the same couch without potentially dropping their minors-list and coming to jabs. Now the two are curled up under the couch covers and who knows what will happen next with their roaming hands. This could be a wake-up call for many GM's who have literally hundreds of points. "Points are useless unless in use" I think the famous NHLP quote goes said Capone. Great to see the Pens and Whalers hook up on a huge deal to maybe kick off some NHLP chatter heading into the New Year.

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How Special This Wasn't

Now entering the 11th year of round the clock filming at the Miami Surf head office, the Netflix series of the Surf which is set to release in 2050 should have had some of their most exciting footage ever last evening. Back in 2018-19 the Surf had an incredible 10 point night but the camera crew had gone home early the night before and completely missed it. After that debacle there were changes made so this would never happen again during the season and playoffs. "We are there every step of the way towards Miami building an eventual Cup winning team" states a producer. However, with the Holiday break the crew couldn't get back into Miami from their holidays yesterday due to the storms and completely missed all footage of the event, another crushing blow to the series. This was the first time ever the Surf had a 12 point night. "We are hoping GM Charlie took some home videos or selfies we could use" said a Netflix producer. The Surf had 6 points from Letang, 3 from Guentzel, 2 each from DeBrincat and Tarasenko and Stone added the career-high tying 14th point. Crosby and N. Robertson didn't point as the Surf became only the 14th NHLP team ever to hit 14+ and incredibly after 6120 hockey nights as an NHLP franchise the Surf finally had a 12+ point night. "Its a crushing blow to have no footage of this, like it never occurred' the producer said. On December 1st the crew did get some awesome footage. In the captured scene Charlie is typing in his injury transaction in the WhatsApp Transaction room, dropping Backstrom and adding N. Robertson. "Click. Send" the GM says as you can hear in the background a roar of excitement and someone asking, "Did we get that". To see a GM making an official transaction live, something the crew hasn't seen a lot, can take your breath away. This particular transaction the camera man had just returned from the bathroom break and failed to get that piece of footage. "We are hoping they don't trade the Waiver this year" a camera man told the NHLP Yearbook. The series is going to be fantastic when released. It is just so unfortunate there was no footage of the BIG TEAM NIGHT. "We simply can't get everything over an 11 year period, but we are sure more amazing things will be captured in the coming years" the lead producer added.

Back in 2018-2019

Miami for REEL

Plans of a 2050 release may go up in smoke said an excited NETFLIX executive in charge of the sports documentary the network is doing in Miami. If the #6 Miami Surf (Charlie) win it all this season, the footage will be on the cutting room floor for a much sooner release. Are the Surf for real? "This team can go" said Muddy Capone, "Washington, San Jose or Tampa Bay runs might give Charlie his first ever elusive Championship." Already smoking the #24 starless Cincinnati (Matt) team who was a 8 point underdog and already down 9-3. "The Surf can start resting players anytime" Capone added. The Surf are currently advancing about 21 points next round but with two Tampa Bay players, six more points could easily be in the lineup in round two. Toronto (Chad) and New Orleans (Shawn) are tied 3-3 and both can have decent second round teams but Chad might need Columbus moving on and Shawn Vegas to truly have realistic round two chances against this Surf team. "Once Charlie made that Trading Deadline deal, we just looked at this team differently" said Capone. Now Charlie may have very well cost himself if Washington goes, having traded a third Capital in Oshie for Karlsson. Others believe the move was a turning point for Charlie, one he seldom makes in the past. "Well you have Ovechkin and Carlson already, enough to win it all without Oshie" explains Capone, "So by bringing in Karlsson to align with Nyguist means Miami can now win on potentially three different runs and with Bonino as the number seven, a three or four player finals is very possible with any finals of Washington-Tampa Bay versus San Jose or Nashville, four teams that can all make the NHL Semi-Finals." If that happens, the Surf have a full team of 7 players in the Semi's, something unheard in the NHLP. With the reels spinning this Surf team has a real shot at winning it all in 2019. (Update: After an incredible run the Surf did make the NHLP Finals losing the Halifax 21-0)

The Truest Big Nights Ever

When GM Ian's Bruins had a 12 point night in the NHLP in 1994, almost 30 seasons ago, it jumped out at the time as an unheard of night. Some 30 years later, there has only ever been two nights better and just three that can compare. Ian's 12 was done with 5 players, or 2.4 points per player. When Jr became the second GM to accomplish the feat in Calgary in 1999-2000 the NHLP was still with 5 players per team, so another night of 2.4 points per player. It would not be until "The Week" in April of 2010 that the NHLP would see a third and fourth team set the mark for the biggest night in NHLP history for points per player. On April 10th, 2010, Dallas got 4 from each Henrik, Henrik and Daniel Sedin and 3 from Bieska for a 15 point night, from just 6 players, or the first ever 2.5 points per player. Demitra played but did not point and Schneider was injured. This was the first team ever to cross over 2.5 points per player in a night, but it wouldn't hold the week. On April 17th, 2010, just 7 days later, GM Jr's Devils hit 17 points, in the playoffs no less for the NHLP's all-time record of 2.83 points per player, the only team in history to have over 2.5 points per player in a single night. That night Jr had 5 players all get 3 points each, Kovalchuk, Zetterberg, Elias, Elias and Filppula while Kronwall finished with 2. In 34 NHLP seasons, Ian's night and Jr's three different nights from three different teams, are the only four nights ever to see a team get 2.4 points per player or better. Starting next season the NHLP is retiring the 12 point night, which with 7 players works to 1.71 points per player on a night. Rare still, but the feat must be higher. So starting next season a team must have 2 points per player or 14 points to get noticed, something after GM Marcel did it last night, has only been done 13 times in 34 seasons.

GM Marcel Ties Career High

For the second time in his career GM Marcel hit the 14 point mark, becoming only the league's 13th team to reach that plateau. MacKinnon led the night with a four goal and assists, 5 point night and also became the first ever Avalanche to have 4 goals in a game. Keller and Skinner added 3 each, Suzuki 2 and miller added a single. Bunting and Rodrigues both played but didn't add to the total which was a mere 3 off GM Jr's 17.
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Surprise!!! Wolverines 13

For the fourth time this season GM Shawn has had a night 12+ in New Orleans. The team can undoubtedly score at will. Kucherov, Hedman and Hedman had 3 points each while Rantanen and Duchene added 2 each. E. Karlsson and Kotkamiemi shockingly didn't score a point on a team with 220 NHLP points, 100 points ahead of 5th place in their division. How strong is this team? That remains the sole question, as the team isn't loaded with currently playoff players. There is no shortage of potential but how GM Shawn plays his cards will say if this becomes one of the most dominate teams in leagues history.

AJ Has Career Night With 12, Misses NHLP Record

GM AJ had a huge 27 point night on a 12-10-5, hitting his first ever 12 point night and just missing tying the all-time NHLP mark of 28 points in a night of three teams of seven players. The 12 in Cleveland was their second, with GM Tyson accomplishing the feat as the GM, and AJ's first as an NHLP GM. Jack Hughes, Verhaeghe and Domi all had 3 point nights and singles went to Fiala, M. Rielly and Seguin, while Luke Hughes was held pointless.

At It Again

New Orleans has had a 12, 14 and 16 point night for GM Shawn all in the month of November. This time Kucherov went off on Black Friday with a career high 6 point night, half of the Wolverines number. What this team is going this season in the scoring category is seldom seen in the NHLP. Their 159 points is over double what four teams currently have including the GM's Halifax team with 79. The team is 82 points up on fifth in the South Division. New Orleans has 94 points with a full week left in the month, 27 points behind GM Marcel's all-time mark of 121. Kucherov was on Marcel's Montreal team that month and recorded 31 points. He leads the Wolverines with 24 this month with three games to play. It will be interesting to see what New Orleans does with their points, as they must come off Tampa Bay with Kucerov, Hedman and Hedman, or they won't have much impact with their points this season. When the GM decides he is going to build around another team, points will fly and the GM will be the leagues attention grabber being able to move a record number of points this season.

Huge Week of Scoring

A 30 point week is a hard thing to accomplish. The most points ever scored in a week by one team was GM Shawn's 37 in 2008-09 by Halifax. So any team crossing 30 in a week is close to that insane-paced mark. It likely surprises no one to hear New Orleans had a 32 this week, however, GM Shawn's team was almost not the highest scoring team with Florida (Marcel) at 31 and GM Charlie's NY Rangers team at 30. That shows how high the week was to see three teams all reading the mark in the same week. Not surprisingly is the teams also rank 1-2-3 in overall NHLP scoring with New Orleans and Florida crossing over 100 season points this week while the Rangers are next in line at 98. The three, in the same order again are the lone three teams averaging over a PPG on the season with New Orleans running at an insane 1.17. Usually by season's end if an NHLP team can have 7 playoff players and average over 0.8, it is one of the better scoring playoff teams in the first round of the playoffs, a feat that isn't exactly easy to pull off. Often high scoring NHLP teams are deceptive, as they aren't very good NHLP teams, as they are usually led by bottom feeders and that GM's must trade at some point. These three teams do have playoff players as their top scoring player, meaning they have great potential to build strong teams.

Career High Blows GM Away

As the 12+ point night becomes more irrelevent with 67 teams now having accomplished the feat in 34 NHLP seasons, don't tell GM Scott his career high 15 didn't mean anything. "I have been in this league for over 6000 nights of hockey and I had never hit a 15 point night, it is special" said the GM about the magical night in Philadelphia. The Flyer had their third ever 12+, the GM's eight thanks to Thomas having 4, Buchneivich and Cooley added 3 each, STuesdaytzle and Novak added two each and Konecny added the 15th and final point. Heiskanen did play but also didn't bring anything to the career night but a "Go Team". The Flyer became the 5th ever team, followed just a week after New Orleans (Shawn) became the 4th to have a 15+ point night. The NHLP record now seems more and more likely to fall, but still is held by New Jersey (Jr) at 17.

Habs Make First Transaction

GM Marcel officially got the NHLP season off with the first transaction of the season. On Saturday Montreal also has the first Waiver of the 36 that will come this season. "This is when things start to heat up" said Muddy Capone. NHLP GM's can now start to unload the dead-weight that is holding their teams back and now GM's with the Waiver on any given night hold some power across the league as there is always someone looking to do something. In November there are 5 Waivers as well as numerous injury picks on the injury calendar.

Continued Craziness

New Orleans is having quite an incredible run. Coming off a 16 point night the team follows it right up immediately with a 14, of which only four teams ever had more, and the GM only had 4 players playing on the team. Kucherov and Hughes had 4 each while Hedman and Hedman added 3 apiece. The 12+ is GM Shawn's 8th ever such night, tying Marcel for the race to a dozen. The Wolverines just hit 16 on Saturday a night when Hughes was the lone player not to score, although the team's top scorer. Quinn Hughes is now tied with his brother, and Kucherov for second overall in NHL totals with 20, behind only Pettersson.

Career Night for GM Shawn

GM Shawn was flirting with history in an exciting and high-scoring night in the NHLP. New Orleans ended a single point away from GM Jr's New Jersey Devils 17 point night and one more to break GM Chad's record for points in a night with 3 teams of 7 players. For Shawn everything has been working in New Orleans, a team on pace for 643 points thanks to the NHLP's Stats Department. The Wolverines also became the first team in league history to have four 12+ nights. The GM has done it 7 times. Recently the NHLP Yearbook had reported GM Jr became the first GM to have a 12+ on four different teams, but fans of GM Shawn quickly pointed out that Shawn had already done that with New Orleans, Halifax, Detroit and Seattle. With New Orleans 16 it is officially the second highest night ever, behind Jr's 17, but leaves only 4 teams to hit 15+ with Dallas (Jr) and Los Angeles (Andrew) having 15 point nights. Kucherov had 5, O'Reilly 4, Hedman, Kotkaniemi and Hedman each had two points while Kreider rounded out the 16. Quinn Hughes, the team's leading scorer starting the night, played but did not point.

A 28 Flirts With History

GM Chad has some company. GM Shawn had a 16-7-5 point night to tie a league record of 28 points in a night with 3 teams of 7 players. Previously GM Chad had this record with his 13-10-5 a decade ago in 2013. For Shawn he now shares with Chad a 1.33 Points Per Player record for the most in the 3 teams of 7 era. GM Scott had a 1.42 Points Per Game, a 34 point night with 4 teams of 6 players in 2006, still known as the single best GM night per the PPG. No GM has hit 30 in the 3-7 era but it seasons that day is nearing. If a team does hit 30 with the current 3-7, that would be 1.43, the all time record.

Portland and GM Bryce Record Firsts

The Portland Winter Hawks have two NHLP Championships, one with GM Bryce, but the franchise never had a 12+ point night in NHLP history. Either had Bryce. The GM hit his career high in his 5th NHLP season as a GM and now leaving only four NHLP teams to never record a 12+. The GM's other team Las Vegas with two Cups, Chicago (Andrew) with two Cups join Cincinnati (Matt) and Miami (Charlie) as the lone teams never achieving the feat. Reilly Smith and Point had 4 point nights, Horvat 2 and Marchessault and Cirelli adding singles. Both Miller and Barbashev played but did not score in what could have been something even higher than 12.

Historic Night for GM Jr

GM Jr had quite the night. On a night when the NHL had 16 games and called it the "Frozen Frenzy", just the second time in league history all teams in the now 32 team league played, it was bound the see something also occur in the NHLP. Jr came within a single point of tying GM Chad for the most points ever in a night with 3 teams of 7 players. Chads record was 28 and Jr's three teams hit 27 on a 12-11-4 night. It was only the third time in league history a GM had two teams of 10+, with Chad's 28 point night being a 13-10-5. GM Charlie had a 10-10-7 for 27 on April 8, 2023, the first ever night the NHL played 16 games and 32 teams played. Adding to the night was Memphis finally hitting a 12 point night for the first time in Franchise history, leaving just 5 teams to have never accomplish the feat. For Jr it was his 6 ever 12+ point night. Jr is now the only GM in league history to have a 12+ point night on four different teams, previously having done it twice in Calgary and Dallas and once in New Jersey. The Memphis night could have been much bigger with only 4 of the 7 players playing actually getting any points. Hartman led the way with 5, Kaprizov and Larkin added 3 and Pavelski added the 12th point. Burns, Morrissey and Werenski all enjoyed donuts. Memphis is lighting up the NHLP in scoring, having the most points at 27 last week and starting this week off even better.

Marcel Does It An 8th Time

GM Marcel has been an NHLP GM 29 season and tonight he become the first GM ever to have his eight 12+ point night. Florida hit the mark for the second time. Alaska and Montreal have had three 12+ point nights each and no team has ever done the feat a fourth time. Current NHLP teams Cincinnati, Chicago, Las Vegas, Memphis, Miami and Portland, teams that have won a combined total of 7 NHLP Cups, between them have never had a 12+ point night. All 7 of Marcel's players got a point tonight and no one had more than two. MacKinnon, JT Miller, Skinner, Suzuki and Rodriques all had two each while Keller and Bunting added singles. Florida is one of only two teams who ever had a 12+ point night the same year they won the NHLP Cup, doing it in 2007-08. Philadelphia (Scott) had done it in 2005-06. Florida is now in first in the South Division, 17 points up on 5th place.

"Leader of the Room" Has Hamilton at the Top

GM AJ said he learned a lot in his first year as an NHLP GM. "I knew I had to be more prepared to compete from the start" the second year GM told Muddy Capone, "That's why we had such a great draft." Off to quick starts with an early first and second place team the GM said he is most proud of what is occurring in Hamilton. The Hitmen have skyrocketed to the front lead by a hidden gem the GM says. "It isn't always about the points, but you get leadership guys like Knies and the dream season unfolds" Knies is leading the room and is surrounded by two Rangers and two Devils, potentially anyhow, making Hamilton a tough team. Out of the gate in first place with Arvidsson yet to play and Knies pointless, it is easy to see why AJ feels he could be blowing the rest of the teams away here. "Those points later are going to turn into huge trades and hopefully a second Cup in Hamilton" he said. Asked what he learned in his first year that he is taking into this season. "For one, Marcel keeps trying but Hamilton isn't for sale and we aren't open to a franchise swap with Alaska even with the Forum seat thrown in" the GM said then adding, "But there are some really great GM's, nice stand up guys, who know how to deal behind closed doors with Leaf players rookie cards thrown in on the side and under the table. I'd deal with that guy again if he has a Knies Rookie, Upper Deck Young Guns preferably this season. He might turn into the greatest Leaf ever."

GM Chad Happy About Injury

GM Chadwick has grown a mean streak over the years. The Pittsburgh GM laughed at GM Shawn's early season injury of Talyor Hall in Halifax. "I love seeing injuries of the other teams in my division, who doesn't" the GM stated. Chad went on to say he thinks his Pittsburgh team might be one of the best teams he ever drafted. "This season, three Rangers including playoff performers Panarin and Fox, seven playoff players on that team." he said. The GM said he heard from another GM Shawn was the one doing the laughing when Norris was hurt pre-season so the reinging champ took to the message boards to ensure the shot was fired back. In the interview with Muddy Capone Chad stated Halifax was one of the worst teams drafted in the NHLP this season and "Might" as Chad puts it have one playoff player. We have seen these feuds between GM's start and pick up steam and it seems Pittsburgh and Halifax have started one early in the NHLP's 34th season.

Quebec Wins First Overall

GM Matt who has the 5th overall draft pick this NHLP Draft just added the first overall pick in the 2026-27. "I'll never be able to hold onto it" Matt told Muddy Capone when contacted for a reaction. The GM loves trading and loves trading draft picks, so it is very possible that isn't in the Nordiques hands in three seasons. The first overall is always a big pick and they seldom ever move. GM Chad who had the lottery ball honors lined himself up as poorly as you can get with the 12th, 24th and 31st pick. Many NHLP GM's love the 36th, going to GM Ryan in Boston. The East has picks 1 and 2, and 4 total in the top 8, so is looking potentially strong that season if picks were ever held. In this seasons draft 4 of the top 12 were dealt in trades and already one next seasons, so seldom are GM's not moving picks when time comes to better their teams in the coming years.

NHLP 2023-24 Draft

The NHLP's 34th season features an online draft prior to the 35th season's draft in Barrie Island in the fall of 2024. The NHLP is back with reigning Champion GM Chadwick looking for a 5th Championship now having Cups in 2000, 2007, 2016 and adding those years all up, 2023. The 26 year veteran, with the coming season, joins a group of 7 GM's with 22+ seasons each. GM Bryce receives his 5 year badge this season while GM AJ comes back from that all important rookie season to see if he paid attention or slept though the last campaign. His head is swelled from winning his first poker game, but we don't expect a repeat. GM Charlie not only makes the first pick of the season but also has picks 12 and 16, all before GM Scott makes his first pick at 22. The South Division has picks 6,7,8 and 9, throughout the draft, although picks have been dealt, and GM Andrew has the first pick in the West Division at 13th overall. With Connor Bedard, the NHL's next generational player joining the league, how fast will he become an Elite and shoot into the top 5, which mostly are staple picks every year depending on projected points and team value placed by NHLP GM's. What NHL teams will garner the most picks this year and will the Golden Knights look to repeat? The draft itself, to start to find the answers, starts Monday, September 25th and a pace of 18 picks a day has things wrapped up two days before the October 10th NHL season launch. The Waiver season kicks off Saturday, November 11th with GM Marcel in Montreal. Marcel is also the host of the Winter Meeting this season while GM Jr is slated for the Trading Deadline. Finally what would a season be without the NHLP Headoffice, back for a 34th time is Muddy Capone. "Looking forward to a fun season and one bad car-wreck" said Capone, already making plans for the long season to come.

NHLP Divisions for 2023-24
*First Round Winners Stay & 5th Place Team

Central - North
Chicago - Andrew (Stays in North)
Buffalo - Joel (Stays in North)
Florida - Marcel (Stays in North)
Cincinnati - Matt (Moves to North)
Boston - Ryan (Moves to North)
Miami - Charlie (Moves to North)

Central - South
Toronto - Chad (Stays in South)
Las Vegas - Bryce (Stays in South)
New Orleans - Shawn (Stays in South)
Cleveland - AJ (Moves to South)
San Fran - Scott (Moves to South)
Dallas - Jr (Moves to South)

East - Atlantic
Memphis - Jr (Stays in Atlantic)
Barrie Island - Joel (Stays in Atlantic)
NY Islanders - Ryan (Stays in Atlantic)
Montreal - Marcel (Moves to Atlantic)
Hartford - Andrew (Moves to Atlantic)
Atlantic City - Bryce (Moves to Atlantic)

East - East
Pittsburgh - Chad (Stays in East)
Philadelphia - Scott (Stays in East)
Halifax - Shawn (Stays in East)
NY Rangers - Charlie (Moves to East)
Hamilton - AJ (Moves to East)
Quebec - Matt (Moves to East)

West - Pacific
Alaska - Marcel (Stays in Pacific)
Phoenix - Charlie (Stays in Pacific)
Vancouver - Joel (Stays in Pacific)
Calgary - Jr (Moves to Pacific)
Colorado - Chad (Moves to Pacific)
Indianapolis - Matt (Moves to Pacific)

West - West
Edmonton - Scott (Stays in West)
Seattle - Shawn (Stays in West)
Portland - Bryce (Stays in West)
Green Bay - Ryan (Moves to West))
Los Angeles - Andrew (Moves to West)
St. Louis - AJ (Moves to West)

Team	#	Player	Players Team	Period 1	Period 2	Period 3	Total
Top 4 Seeds - Championship Game
Marcel	29	N. MacKinnon	Can	1-0-1	0-0-0	0-0-0	1-0-1
1st	8	Z. Werenski	USA	0-0-0	0-1-0	0-0-0	0-1-0
			Totals	1-0-1	1-1-2	1-1-2	1-1-2
Matt	87	S. Crosby	Can	0-0-0	0-0-0	0-0-0	0-0-0
2nd	59	J. Guentzel	USA	0-0-0	0-0-0	0-0-0	0-0-0
			Totals	0-0-0	0-0-0	0-0-0	0-0-0
Shawn	97	C. McDavid	Can	0-0-0	0-0-0
3rd	81	K. Connor	USA	0-0-0	0-0-0
			Totals	0-0-0	0-0-0	OUT
Scottie	9	J. Eichel	USA	0-0-0
4th	61	M. Stone	Can	0-0-0
			Totals	0-0-0	OUT

Team	#	Player	Players Team	Game 1	Game 2	Game 3	Total
Top 4 Seeds
Marcel	29	N. MacKinnon	Can	1-0-1	0-0-0	2-0-2	3-0-3
1st	63	J. Bratt	Swe	0-1-1	0-0-0	1-0-1	1-1-2
4-8-12	20	S. Aho	Fin	0-0-0	0-1-1	0-1-1	0-2-2
	8	Z. Werenski	USA	0-3-3	0-1-1	0-1-1	0-5-5
			Totals	1-4-5	1-6-7	4-8-12	4-8-12
Matt	87	S. Crosby	Can	0-3-3	0-0-0	1-1-2	1-4-5
2nd	88	W. Nylander	Swe	0-0-0	0-1-1	0-1-1	0-2-2
4-7-11	59	J. Guentzel	USA	1-1-2	2-0-2	0-0-0	3-1-4
	86	T. Teravainen	Fin	0-0-0	0-0-0	DNP	0-0-0
			Totals	1-4-5	3-5-8	4-7-11	4-7-11
Shawn	97	C. McDavid	Can	0-1-1	1-0-1	1-1-2	2-2-4
3th	16	A. Barkov	Fin	0-0-0	1-0-1	0-1-1	1-1-2
4-6-10	81	K. Connor	USA	0-1-1	0-0-0	0-0-0	0-1-1
	65	E. Karlsson	Swe	0-1-1	1-0-1	0-1-1	1-2-3
			Totals	0-3-3	3-3-6	4-6-10	4-6-10
Scottie	9	J. Eichel	USA	0-2-2	0-1-1	0-1-1	0-4-4
4th	77	V. Hedman	Swe	0-1-1	0-0-0	0-0-0	0-1-1
1-8-9	92	P. Laine	Fin	0-0-0	0-2-2	0-1-1	0-3-3
	61	M. Stone	Can	1-0-1	0-0-0	0-0-0	1-0-1
			Totals	1-3-4	1-6-7	1-8-9	1-8-9
Did Not Qualify for Finals
Jr	19	M. Tkachuk	USA	2-1-3	0-0-0	DNP	2-1-3
5th	13	S. Reinhart	Can	0-0-0	0-0-0	0-3-3	0-3-3
3-5-8	93	M. Zibanejad	Swe	0-0-0	1-0-1	DNP	1-0-1
	62	A. Lehkonen	Fin	0-0-0	0-0-0	0-1-1	0-1-1
			Totals	2-1-3	3-1-4	3-5-8	3-5-8
Scott	86	J. Hughes	USA	0-1-1	0-0-0	0-0-0	0-1-1
6th	96	M. Rantanen	Fin	0-0-0	1-0-1	0-0-0	1-0-1
2-5-7	23	L. Raymond	Swe	0-2-2	0-1-1	0-0-0	0-3-3
	21	B. Point	Can	0-1-1	0-0-0	1-0-1	1-1-2
			Totals	0-4-4	1-5-6	2-5-7	2-5-7
Joel	24	A. Matthews	USA	0-1-1	0-0-0	DNP	0-1-1
7th	16	M. Marner	Can	1-0-1	0-0-0	0-0-0	1-0-1
4-2-6	40	E. Pettersson	Swe	0-0-0	0-0-0	0-0-0	0-0-0
	64	M. Granlund	Fin	0-1-1	1-0-1	2-0-2	3-1-4
			Totals	1-2-3	2-2-4	4-2-6	4-2-6
Chad	8	C. Makar	Can	0-0-0	DNP	0-0-0	0-0-0
8th	23	A. Fox	USA	0-0-0	0-0-0	0-0-0	0-0-0
0-0-0	9	F. Forsberg	Swe	0-0-0	0-0-0	0-0-0	0-0-0
	24	R. Hintz	Fin	0-0-0	0-0-0	0-0-0	0-0-0
			Totals	0-0-0	0-0-0	0-0-0	0-0-0

CTR Predictions	Underdog Winner	Final Score	Favorite Lost
-11 (33-22) in 2024	Chicago (Andrew)	30-27	Florida (Marcel
-9 (30-21) in 2021	Philadelphia (Scott)	18-18	Montreal (Marcel)
-8 (28-20) in 2018	Boston (Ryan)	21-18	Las Vegas (Vinnie)
-8 (29-21) in 2017	Carolina (Joel)	35-28	Halifax (Shawn)
-7 (16-9) in 2019	Miami (Charlie)	7-6	San Fran (Scott)
-7 (28-21) in 2013	Quebec (Matt)	24-12	Pittsburgh (Chad)

CTR Predictions	Underdog Winner	Final Score	Favorite Lost
-9 (30-21) in 2021	Philadelphia (Scott)	18-18	Montreal (Marcel)
-8 (28-20) in 2018	Boston (Ryan)	21-18	Las Vegas (Vinnie)
-8 (29-21) in 2017	Carolina (Joel)	35-28	Halifax (Shawn)
-7 (16-9) in 2019	Miami (Charlie)	7-6	San Fran (Scott)
-7 (28-21) in 2013	Quebec (Matt)	24-12	Pittsburgh (Chad)

NHLP Season	Transactions
2023-24	217
2022-23	173
2021-22	192
2020-21	191
2019-20	193
2018-19	226
2017-18	194

GM	Teams in Finals Last 10 Cups 2015-2024	Cups	All-Time Cups
Chad	7	3	5
Andrew	5	1	6
Tyson	3	1	3
Shawn	3	1	1
Marcel	3	0	1
Scott	2	0	5
Jr	2	2	4
Charlie	2	1	1
Ryan	1	0	0
Bryce	1	1	1
Joel	1	0	0
Matt	0	0	0
AJ	0	0	0
	30	10	27

GM	Teams in Finals Last 10 Cups	Cups	All-Time Cups
Chad	6	2	4
Andrew	5	1	6
Tyson	3	1	3
Shawn	3	1	1
Scott	3	1	5
Jr	2	2	4
Charlie	2	1	1
Marcel	2	0	1
Ryan	2	0	0
Bryce	1	1	1
Joel	1	0	0
Matt	0	0	0
AJ	0	0	0
	30	10	26

Team	Total	Pool #1 - Final Results	Week 7 Points	New Total
Scott	13	Winner 240 Points
Matt2	11	-2
Ryan	9	-4
Shawn	9	-4
Joel	8	-5
Jr	8	-5
Bryce	8	-5
Marcel	8	-5
Scott2	8	-5
Chad	7	-6
Matt	4	-9
Shawn2	3	-10