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r/hockey•
DyingFirstClass

With the regular season coming to an end, let’s take a minute to reflect on 2018/2019.

Hi, r/hockey!

Now that the regular season has come to an end, let’s chat about what happened this season! I’ve listed a few discussion questions below, and would like to see what this sub thinks about the 2018/2019 year.

  • Most improved team? Least improved team?

  • Are Tampa Bay going all the way, or will their hot streak come to an end in the playoffs?

  • What was your favourite memory from this season?

  • Who is winning the Calder/Hart/Vezina? Who is winning the Cup?

Cheers hockey fans.

Posted Apr 8, 2019, 2:41 AM UTC

2730
columbo222:NHL-VAN4: VAN - NHL•

Tampa's not on a hot streak. That's just how good they naturally are.

76
DyingFirstClassOP•

I agree.

I guess what I meant to say was do they have the experience to go all the way? Is it time for Stamkos to get a cup? Vasy looks solid in net, but as we all know the playoffs can be a totally different beast.

Ex: Kings winning the Cup as 8th seed

15
enigma_hal:NHL-TBL6: TBL - NHL•

Experience with the Bolts is not an issue; Stammer, Heddy, Killorn have all been to 3 out of the last 4 ECF; and 1 SCF (2015) and McDonagh and some of the ex-rangers went to SCF in 2014.
Coop coached championship teams at lower levels incl AHL; and has been there with the Bolts since late in 2013 season. Won Clark Cup (2010) in USHL and Calder Cup in AHL (2012).

Vasy has had a mix of fantastic and OK games; a little concerning that about the last 3 weeks of season were below his pacing for most of the year, but I'm not worried about him. Also has playoff experience from last year and 2015.

Compared to last year, our offense is slightly better, PP is slightly better (or was, until the last few weeks) PK is much better, from something like 3rd to last previous season, to very near the top this year. Defense is improved tho they have been a bit streaky (allowing more GA than ideal, but I think some of that is related to having injuries on blue line; hope is that everyone is back and healthy by Wed.

12
bigladnang:NHL-MTL1: MTL - NHL•

Tampa have had the pieces in both the past and present to go all the way. It's just whether they will or not, which is something you cannot predict.

8
enigma_hal:NHL-TBL6: TBL - NHL•

Yep, there are no guarantees. Teams with great reg seasons over multiple years (caps, till last year, several 'Nucks teams, a lot of Sharks teams, several Preds teams, for example) were not able to convert those seasons into Cup wins. Even the 95-96 Wings, with their reg season record didn't win it (tho they did a bunch of other years).

People seem to forget that if all the odds-makers, models, etc give you a 15-25% to win it all (quite a bit higher than the next closest team); that still means there is 75%-85% chance that you won't make it. No guarantees, or near guarantees, despite the great reg season.

1
yosoo:NHL-VAN1: VAN - NHL•

Yeah, experience, skill, goaltending, coaching, scoring, whatever intangible or tangible thing you can think of Tampa’s got it. It’ll take something monumental to take them down in a 7 game series.

1
LordZuko:NHL-TBL2: TBL - NHL•

People were saying they were on a cold streak. Imagine that. Granted the were missing a lot of players.

1
DyingFirstClassOP•

So... uhh... about Tampa...

1
byzantinebobby:NHL-ARI1: ARI - NHL•

If you told me we'd have so many injuries, I'd have said we're dead in the water at the start of the season. That we just missed the Playoffs still blows my mind, all things considered.

21
DyingFirstClassOP•

Arizona was a shocker this year! I thought they’d be in the basement for sure.

2
FailureToExecute:NHL-CAR1: CAR - NHL•

Most improved:

  • From last season: Islanders

  • From Jan 1: Blues, Hurricanes

Least improved

  • From last season: Senators, Oilers, Ducks
  • From Jan 1: Sabres

If Tampa makes it past the second round, I think they go all the way.

Favorite memory is hard to pick. Probably Svechnikov hitting 20 goals with an OT winner (skip to 3:50 for the goal). Honorable mention to Quinn Hughes' NHL debut a week or two ago, watching him go to work with Boeser and Pettersson was incredible.

  • Calder: Pettersson
  • Hart: idk but probably Kucherov or Crosby
  • Vezina: Vasy
  • Cup: Tampa
19
nofakefans18:NHL-VAN1: VAN - NHL•

Improved: Easy, the Islanders considering some thought they would be where NJ and NYR would be in the Metro

Least: Edmonton as even with Draisaitl becoming a 50 goal scorer, multiple players having career years , on top of having McDavid they are still looking to be in the same spot they were last year.

Tampa: I have no fucking clue considering I would not be shock if they pull a 09/10 Caps

Fav Moment: Pettersson’s debut and Tavares’ homecoming ;)

Calder: Petey Hart: Kuch Vezina: Hopefully Bishop but probably Vasilevskiy Cup: Nashville?

18
DyingFirstClassOP•

Edmonton is a dumpster fire. Having two players reach 100+ points including one with 50 goals and you still can’t even grab a wild card spot. Pathetic.

How about that Pettersson shootout goal a little while ago where he pulled the Forsberg? Kid is disgusting.

3†
Dragonsandman:NHL-OTT4: OTT - NHL•

Can anybody hook me up with one of those memory deleting devices from Men In Black? I wanna see if I can wipe all Sens-related stuff going back to late May 2017 from my brain.

9
JJulu:NHL-CHI1: CHI - NHL•

continues to cry

7
DyingFirstClassOP•

Not gonna lie, gonna miss hearing Chelsea Dagger and watching the Hawks. They were exciting to watch in the playoffs from 2012-2015.

8
JJulu:NHL-CHI1: CHI - NHL•

They are still exciting to watch, but I can guarantee you that anyone who watches a Hawks game knows who is in our net

“SAVE BY CRAWFORD” “SAVE BY CRAWFORD” “SAVE BY CRAWFORD” “SAVE BY CRAWFORD” “SAVE BY CRAWFORD” “SAVE BY CRAWFORD” “SAVE BY CRAWFORD” “SAVE BY CRAWFORD” “SAVE BY CRAWFORD”

18
DyingFirstClassOP•

That Patrick Kane guy is decent too

9
Ltsurge43:NHL-SJS1: SJS - NHL•

Most improved team would have to go to the Blues

As for Tampa Bay I can feel the pressure, it feels like anything less than a cup victory would be considered a massive failure, but yet again that also applies to most teams.

My personal favorite memory has to be the Sharks/Caps game back in January, it was a complete defensive mess on both sides but the last second score from Kane followed by the OT winner by Hertl made it great.

7
robi1k819:NHL-WSH1: WSH - NHL•

Thanks for bringing up one of my top worst memories from the season. It was a pretty crazy game to watch though.

1
IsAnthraxBayad:NHL-WSH3: WSH - NHL•

Pretty sure that's the only game where we've squandered an Ovi hat trick :(

1
Ltsurge43:NHL-SJS1: SJS - NHL•

Sorry about that, at least you had that rematch.

1
HarrisJB78:Bandwagon-WPG: WPG - Bandwagon•

What was your favourite memory from this season?

Pommers goal at the last Sabres home game.
I felt like I wrote too many comments about it that night, but I can't describe how important that was (to me at least). Lets be honest, being a hockey fan in Buffalo sucks. That moment made the rest of the season worth it. I do not give two shits about the "downfall" of this team, Housley, Risto's +/- or any of the other Buffalo hot-topics. I made a comment a little while before his goal that all I wanted was for him to score and it happened. I got my wish.
Fuck making the playoffs, Pommer got a goal in what was possibly his last home game and it was fucking awesome!

4
Fuck_Yeah_Dumba:NHL-MIN1: MIN - NHL•

I loved Pommers in Minnesota. He got way too much shit for his play here (as do nearly all of the veterans we ever seem to have). Does he still have a decent defensive game? I'm hoping he signs somewhere like Pittsburgh next year on a cheap contract to contend for a Cup, but I haven't really watched him since we traded him.

2
HarrisJB78:Bandwagon-WPG: WPG - Bandwagon•

I would say he had a decent season. Nothing exciting, but not bad either. I'm hoping he sticks around but I see no point in doing it here. At that point just go enjoy your life with the family.

1
OtherThingsILike:NHL-PIT1: PIT - NHL•

I'm hoping he signs somewhere like Pittsburgh next year on a cheap contract to contend for a Cup

If Cullen retires we could use another Old Guy.

1
APigthatflys:NHL-BOS7: BOS - NHL•

Most improved team: Arizona. Didn't make the playoffs, but going from 29th in the NHL to barely missing the playoffs despite all their injuries, I don't see any reason to think they didn't improve the most.

Least improved: Are we talking teams who actually got better? In which case Columbus. If it's just the worst compared to last season, Ottawa.

The Lightning wont go all the way. While they are essentially gods, it's been proven this season that shut down defense is the key to beating them. I can see Tampa getting off-kilter after one or two low-scoring losses to a team like Boston or the Islanders.

Favourite memory...idk. There weren't a whole ton of super-memorable moments this season for me. Probably the 2 goal comeback and regulation win late against Florida. That ending had me hyped as fuck. That or our 4-1 win against Tampa.

Calder is likely Petersson, Hart will be Kuch although I believe Binnington deserves it more, and the Vezina probably goes to Vasy, although Bishop deserves it imo. Only starter to have a sub 2 GAA and also led the league in sv%. Him only playing 46 games will certainly hurt his chances though.

And who else could I possibly predict to win the cup but Boston :)

4
Pucklyunlucky•

Homer pick for most improved: Montreal

Non home pick: Islanders, especially after your captain/franchise player leaves, and they turn around and pull this season off?

Tampa could do it, but I want to see Calgary or Winnipeg, because Canada could use a cup after so long.

Favourite memory of this season: Poehling getting a hat trick and shoot out goal. I know it's a recency thing, but with the season ending with so many points and still out of the playoffs AND the fact we were a bottom team last season to fall just short of the playoffs this year? Ya Poehday with the hatty!

I've been a big supporter of this kid since he was drafted, and have followed him. love his play style and can't wait to see him prove the player he can be.

3
SDAisaleaf•

most improved: Montreal

most regression: Anaheim or LA

Tampa is the favourite to win the cup for sure, but it's still more likely a different team wins. We'll see.

Calder: Pettersson

Hart: Kucherov

Vezina: Vasilevskiy

3
lehkoniemi:Bandwagon-STL: STL - Bandwagon•

Montréal has definitely improved their future in past year.

3