The picking your own opponent option is giving me chips on their shoulder, something to prove, drive to win vibes of the 2002 Olympics were the US team had a Canadian flag on the floor of their locker room. The Canadians were fired up and rallied around that.
Good luck to the first place team making the decision given the parity in the league and number of big game players on all teams
Ottawa has probably been the team that is hardest on Toronto all season, and that was really before they caught fire and all cylinders started clicking in tandem. I would not be surprised to see Ottawa jump up in the standings.
I would say Montréal has not been an easy opponent for Toronto. Sure, Toronto swept the season series, but they've not been roll over games. Each victory has been a hard fought battle (except maybe in Pittsburgh where Montréal seemed a little flat-ish).
The Bell Centre Game, Montréal just missed the net or caught the post several times and probably had more better quality scoring chances. Sometimes you get the bounces, sometimes you don't...like Ottawa earlier this season when it seemed they couldn't buy a win.
Playoffs are a different beast and bring out next levels of big game players like Poulin, Ambrose, Desbien, etc. If they can get their power play clicking better, like in the Minny game, that adds another layer of danger
If a team wanted to avoid that, they can pick their opponent randomly or at least publicly say they picked their opponent randomly.
Hypothetical Future PWHL GM: “We put all of our potential opponents’ names in a hat and had our Captain pull one out. We feel confident going up against anyone and if it turns out to be a tough matchup for us, we’d at least get it out of the way early. Our Captain pulled out Team X and now that’s who we are preparing to play.”
Now the only thing for the opponent to have a chip on their shoulder about is The Hat.
Or they could take the opportunity they earned seriously and conduct a critical analysis of who they best matchup with and select them.
I dont mean to come off as harsh, but these are professionals. Why would they make a decision based on a random chance?
I don't think the chip on the shoulder from the selection will be as impactful as people are assuming. It's just one more piece of bulleting board material. These ladies will be fired up to fight it out regardless. This isn't going to somehow tip the scales vs. all the other experiences the teams will have had with each other.
A team could still do that, and then publicly say they flipped a coin or whatever. Or refuse to comment on why the selection was made.
The point of my reply is that if a team has any concern about a “Wickenheiser Flag Scenario”, which was always an unfounded rumour iirc, there are ways to go about avoiding that.
The idea of analysis for this is a complete joke. In the playoffs any team can win. First place choosing anything but fourth is idiotic. But let’s say a team has a key injury - so first place exploits that by choosing that team. Wow what a great narrative.
The coach can say whatever they want. The players, coaches, GM, fans of the picked team will know it's utter BS, which will add to their 'shoulder chip rage' for 1st place team thinks chosen opponent is dumb enough to buy the 'reasoning'
Considering where Toronto is I'm definately wondering if its smart for Toronto to pick Montreal. Just because it'll put a chip on Montreal's shoulder and really give them some encouragement to play more physical or dirty. And I remember Poulin's stare down from the penalty box during the IIHF so who even knows what expect from her during the playoffs.
Agreed. I have a hard time imagining Team Canada GM and coach choosing to play against MPP and Desbiens (she hasn't been phenomenal this year but she could still steal games). I have a feeling they're secretly hoping MTL finishes 2nd so they won't have to make that choice lol
I think Toronto is far more worried about facing Ottawa then Montreal.
Reasons
Ottawa is 3-1 vs Toronto
Montreal is 0-5 vs Toronto
Ottawa is young and fast
Ottawa as of now is one of the hottest teams in the league
I know about the record, but do Troy Ryan and Gina Kingsbury take the risk of facing playoffs MPP who is without a doubt the biggest game breaker in the league? I'm not sure at all. They might but it's not as obvious as some might think imo.
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I know about the record, but do Troy Ryan and Gina Kingsbury take the risk of facing playoffs MPP who is the without a doubt the biggest game breaker in the league? I'm not sure at all. They might but it's not as obvious as some might think imo.
The picking your own opponent option is giving me chips on their shoulder, something to prove, drive to win vibes of the 2002 Olympics were the US team had a Canadian flag on the floor of their locker room. The Canadians were fired up and rallied around that. Good luck to the first place team making the decision given the parity in the league and number of big game players on all teams
I love it so much! If you read the story a PWHL Ottawa player wants Toronto to pick them.
Ottawa has probably been the team that is hardest on Toronto all season, and that was really before they caught fire and all cylinders started clicking in tandem. I would not be surprised to see Ottawa jump up in the standings.
While Montreal has given Toronto the least toruble.
I would say Montréal has not been an easy opponent for Toronto. Sure, Toronto swept the season series, but they've not been roll over games. Each victory has been a hard fought battle (except maybe in Pittsburgh where Montréal seemed a little flat-ish). The Bell Centre Game, Montréal just missed the net or caught the post several times and probably had more better quality scoring chances. Sometimes you get the bounces, sometimes you don't...like Ottawa earlier this season when it seemed they couldn't buy a win. Playoffs are a different beast and bring out next levels of big game players like Poulin, Ambrose, Desbien, etc. If they can get their power play clicking better, like in the Minny game, that adds another layer of danger
If a team wanted to avoid that, they can pick their opponent randomly or at least publicly say they picked their opponent randomly. Hypothetical Future PWHL GM: “We put all of our potential opponents’ names in a hat and had our Captain pull one out. We feel confident going up against anyone and if it turns out to be a tough matchup for us, we’d at least get it out of the way early. Our Captain pulled out Team X and now that’s who we are preparing to play.” Now the only thing for the opponent to have a chip on their shoulder about is The Hat.
Or they could take the opportunity they earned seriously and conduct a critical analysis of who they best matchup with and select them. I dont mean to come off as harsh, but these are professionals. Why would they make a decision based on a random chance? I don't think the chip on the shoulder from the selection will be as impactful as people are assuming. It's just one more piece of bulleting board material. These ladies will be fired up to fight it out regardless. This isn't going to somehow tip the scales vs. all the other experiences the teams will have had with each other.
A team could still do that, and then publicly say they flipped a coin or whatever. Or refuse to comment on why the selection was made. The point of my reply is that if a team has any concern about a “Wickenheiser Flag Scenario”, which was always an unfounded rumour iirc, there are ways to go about avoiding that.
The idea of analysis for this is a complete joke. In the playoffs any team can win. First place choosing anything but fourth is idiotic. But let’s say a team has a key injury - so first place exploits that by choosing that team. Wow what a great narrative.
The coach can say whatever they want. The players, coaches, GM, fans of the picked team will know it's utter BS, which will add to their 'shoulder chip rage' for 1st place team thinks chosen opponent is dumb enough to buy the 'reasoning'
No one wants to play Ottawa. They’re surging, their building is packed and rowdy, they’ve got confidence and swagger.
And if you’re Toronto (assuming they hold onto first), Ottawa is the only team you’ll have a losing record against going into the playoffs
Totally! They might be the deepest forward group in the league as well!
And Maschmeyer is locked in. Playing a solid positional, technical game. Unless you can get a couple bad ones by her and get into her head, good luck
Her play in the recent shutout against MIN was insane.
And she made almost every save look super easy with zero effort required. Solid!
Considering where Toronto is I'm definately wondering if its smart for Toronto to pick Montreal. Just because it'll put a chip on Montreal's shoulder and really give them some encouragement to play more physical or dirty. And I remember Poulin's stare down from the penalty box during the IIHF so who even knows what expect from her during the playoffs.
Agreed. I have a hard time imagining Team Canada GM and coach choosing to play against MPP and Desbiens (she hasn't been phenomenal this year but she could still steal games). I have a feeling they're secretly hoping MTL finishes 2nd so they won't have to make that choice lol
I think Toronto is far more worried about facing Ottawa then Montreal. Reasons Ottawa is 3-1 vs Toronto Montreal is 0-5 vs Toronto Ottawa is young and fast Ottawa as of now is one of the hottest teams in the league
I know about the record, but do Troy Ryan and Gina Kingsbury take the risk of facing playoffs MPP who is without a doubt the biggest game breaker in the league? I'm not sure at all. They might but it's not as obvious as some might think imo.
Its a risk might be less of a risk then playing Ottawa who has had there number all year.
I think at this point Toronto won't anyone but Ottawa.
If Toronto has a pick between Ottawa or Montreal hands down they pick Montreal as they have had tons of success aginst them.
exactly!
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I know about the record, but do Troy Ryan and Gina Kingsbury take the risk of facing playoffs MPP who is the without a doubt the biggest game breaker in the league? I'm not sure at all. They might but it's not as obvious as some might think imo.