Just a random note on something that'll no doubt be fun to watch the rest of this NHL season...
Five (yes, 5) teams are tied for the final three playoff spots in the Western Conference. The Dallas Stars, the Minnesota Wild, the Edmonton Oilers, the Columbus Blue Jackets, and the Phoenix Coyotes all have 53 points. The Vancuver Canucks, in 11th place, have 52 points.
take a look
If I had to pick right now, I'd say the Canucks are cooked. Five straigt losses, inconsistent play, and the subpar netminding of Roberto Luongo since his return are going to be the anchor that helps them sink deeper into the Western Conference Standings...so they're out.
I'd also cast off the Columbus Blue Jackets. I just don't see them making a significant push, and treading water won't do enough to last in this race.
The Dallas Stars are in. They are hot right now (4 straight wins) and a playoff tested, Avery-less team backed up by Marty Turco is always a safe bet. Two spots left...
The Minnesota Wild are also in. Fantastic (even if it's incredibly boring) defensive hockey and one of the best goalies in the game today are a pair that will have the Wild playing postseason hockey. One more spot to go...
Figuring out this last spot is tough, but I'm going to with the Edmonton Oilers (remind you, these picks are based largely on what I've seen so far, and what's going on at this moment). Phoenix just seems too young. They're fourth (out of 5) in their division, and the home stretch of their shedule is pretty brutal.
There is still a lot of hockey to be played though. 32 or so games left for the majority of teams, and this race is as tight as can be.
Who do you have coming out of this cluster-f?
Showing posts with label Western Conference. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Western Conference. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
How the Hawks stack up against division leaders
A unnerving note from the other night...
The Chicago Blackhawks, when facing off against division leaders this season, do not fare well.
4-5-5...four wins...five losses...five overtime losses.
Currently, the division leaders are as follows.
The Detroit Red Wings, the San Jose Sharks, and the Calgary Flames from the Western Conference. From the Eastern Conference, it's the New Jersey Devils, the Boston Bruins, and the Washington Capitals.
Here's a closer look at the exact head-to-head numbers.
Detroit Red Wings: 0-2-2
San Jose Sharks: 1-2-1 (they beat the Sharks for the first time in six attempts, and the first time since 2003 on Saturday night.)
Calgary Flames: 3-0-0
Boston Bruins: 0-0-1
Washington Capitals: 0-1-0
New Jersey Devils: 0-0-0
With seven games remaining against the current division leaders (and if history has anything to say about it, the current divison leaders will finish the season that way), there is ample oppurtunity to improve on these numbers.
The Hawks will play the Sharks one last time, two more games at the end of the season against the Wings, one more against Calgary, two against New Jersey, and one more matchup with the Boston Bruins. Highlight these games on the schedule.
The Chicago Blackhawks, when facing off against division leaders this season, do not fare well.
4-5-5...four wins...five losses...five overtime losses.
Currently, the division leaders are as follows.
The Detroit Red Wings, the San Jose Sharks, and the Calgary Flames from the Western Conference. From the Eastern Conference, it's the New Jersey Devils, the Boston Bruins, and the Washington Capitals.
Here's a closer look at the exact head-to-head numbers.
Detroit Red Wings: 0-2-2
San Jose Sharks: 1-2-1 (they beat the Sharks for the first time in six attempts, and the first time since 2003 on Saturday night.)
Calgary Flames: 3-0-0
Boston Bruins: 0-0-1
Washington Capitals: 0-1-0
New Jersey Devils: 0-0-0
With seven games remaining against the current division leaders (and if history has anything to say about it, the current divison leaders will finish the season that way), there is ample oppurtunity to improve on these numbers.
The Hawks will play the Sharks one last time, two more games at the end of the season against the Wings, one more against Calgary, two against New Jersey, and one more matchup with the Boston Bruins. Highlight these games on the schedule.
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