04-19-2024, 06:13 PM
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#3
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All Star
OVR: 20
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Vancouver, BC
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Re: The Official NHL 2023-2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread
Here's my hot take: the Rangers are the most underwhelming Presidents' Trophy winners ever.
1st place overall teams since 1967/68 without either a top-3 offence or top-3 defence:
- 2011/12 Vancouver Canucks (T4th in Goals For, 4th in Goals Against)
- 2023/24 New York Rangers (6th in GF, 7th in GA)
1st place overall teams since 1967/68 that finished outside the top-3 in Goal Differential:
- 1979/80 Philadelphia Flyers (4th in GD)
- 2023/24 New York Rangers (7th in GD)
1st place overall teams since 1967/68 that finished with a worse GD than the Rangers' +53:
- 2011/12 Vancouver Canucks (3rd in GD with +51)
(Yes, all the 1st place teams from lockout- or COVID-shortened seasons had a GD of +53 or better without the need for prorating!)
The Rangers are also extreme special teams merchants. Here's how their 5-on-5 GD stacks up against the most recent Presidents' Trophy winners:
2008/09 Sharks: +8 GD (11th)
2009/10 Capitals: +74 GD (1st)
2010/11 Canucks: +39 GD (2nd)
2011/12 Canucks: +25 GD (5th)
2012/13 Blackhawks: +39 GD (1st) - in 48 games!
2013/14 Bruins: +64 GD (1st)
2014/15 Rangers: +42 GD (1st)
2015/16 Capitals: +36 GD (1st)
2016/17 Capitals: +66 GD (1st)
2017/18 Predators: +40 GD (2nd)
2018/19 Lightning: +49 GD (1st)
2019/20 Bruins: +34 GD (3rd) - in 70 games!
2020/21 Avalanche: +42 (1st) - in 56 games!
2021/22 Panthers: +57 (T1st)
2022/23 Bruins: +86 (1st)
2023/24 Rangers: +1 (16th)
In case you were wondering if the Rangers were exceptionally unlucky 5-on-5, it doesn't appear so: their expected 5-on-5 GD actually ranks 21st! Among playoff teams, the only ones worse 5-on-5 are Tampa (also reliant on special teams) and Washington (who just suck).
Now, does this necessarily mean anything when it comes to postseason success? Nope: it's the NHL, after all. Regular season frauds can and often do turn things around in April and May. Especially since their 1st round opponent is probably the worst playoff team in 30+ years.
Keeping company with the 08/09 Sharks and 11/12 Canucks though doesn't inspire a lot of confidence, though!
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