2024-25 NHL regular season thread

Apologies if this has been discussed, but ...

Did anyone else notice the couple of fuckfaces in the MAGA hats right behind the USA bench, mugging whenever the cameras were on them, even one time taking off their hats and holding them up for the cameras?

Their faces were absolutely begging to be punched.

 

My problems were as much about their smug, punchable faces as their hats and politics, but noted.

Apologies.

 

Given my extremely mild interest in most things NHL, there’s a pretty good chance the 4 Nations Face-off might have come and gone without me noticing it much. The political spat is the main reason I kept an eye on the score during the game. I wasn’t interested enough to watch the game, but I’ve read more NHL-related stories in the past week than at least the past year.

 

Regular season resumes tomorrow at 12:30 EST with the Wings hosting Minnesota. Will be interesting to see if the Winged Wheel can pick the pre-tournement momentum back up.
CBJ has Chicago in the evening. Boone Jenner will make his season debut. Busted a shoulder during training camp.
Guess the big thing overall is the Ovie Watch. Trade deadline is coming quickly, as well.

 

Things I'm watching as we resume...
* Caps have a nine-point lead (with two games in hand) over their closest pursuer (Florida) for best record in the East. The Peg can have the President's Trophy, but I sure wouldn't complain about home ice throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs. Related: Caps have the fifth easiest schedule down the stretch. After today's quickie in Pittsburgh, they get seven of eight at home, and the only trip is to MSG. Barring catastrophe, they're going to be very hard to catch, mostly because they keep picking up points even on off nights. Just one regulation loss in the calendar year so far.
* Staying in the Metro, it's almost looks like a Canes-Devils first-round matchup is a lock. New Jersey is eight points up on the Blue Jackets for third in the Metro and two behind the Canes for second. Only mystery is home ice.
* Everyone except Buffalo is in play for the two wild card spots in the East, with seven teams within six points of the second WC right now.
* Not as much drama in the West, as only Calgary (three points back) and Utah (six points back) have real shots of catching the Canucks for the second WC. The Edmonton/Vegas race for first in the Pacific is going to be interesting. The runner-up may actually have a better playoff path, as they'll likely get the Kings or Nucks in round 1, as opposed to Dallas/Minnesota/Colorado.
* Ovechkin is 16 goals away from breaking the record. ESPN's current projections has him scoring 13 more this season, so if it happens, it'll happen late. Washington plays three of its last four on the road. Would be sort of delicious if he broke it in the season finale at Pittsburgh. Sunday, April 13 vs. Columbus is probably the best chance of doing it at home. Related: Current get-in prices at Cap One for the late regular season games (per TickPick): 4/4 vs. Chicago, $175; 4/10 vs. Carolina, $142; 4/13 vs. Columbus, $171.

 

He might do it on Long Island! In inimitable NHL style, the Isles and Caps are forever division rivals who don't play on Long Island until they do so twice in the final 12 days of the season (Apr. 6, Apr. 15). Want to come up so we can finally fight?

 

I never heard this story before. And only Doc could tell it.

 

Ovechkin with a hat trick today. Number down to 13. And the Caps score 15 fucking times in two games against Pittsburgh and Edmonton this weekend. They won 40 games last year and snuck into the playoffs. They have 38 wins on Feb. 23 this year and, uh, related, Carbery is now -700 to win the Jack Adams. Holy hell what a season they're having.

 

Ovechkin with his 30th last night in a 3-1 loss to Calgary. It's the 19th time he has scored at least 30 in a season.
Gretzky chase is 12.
CBJ and Dallas were flying last night. Jackets won 6-4. Wings beat Minny 3-2. Detroit and CBJ at this writing hold the final two Eastern wildcard spots.
They play each other Thursday at the Parlor, then Saturday in the Shoe.