nhl standings...

[21pro]

feb 28th 1am:

Eastern Conference
Team GP Pts
1. * New Jersey 64 80
2. * Ottawa 64 78
3. * Carolina 66 71
4. Pittsburgh 64 79
5. Montreal 64 77
6. Boston 62 72
7. NY Rangers 64 72
8. Buffalo 64 71
9. Philadelphia 63 69
10. NY Islanders 64 67
11. Washington 64 66
12. Toronto 65 65
13. Florida 66 64
14. Atlanta 64 62
15. Tampa Bay 63 57
* = Division Leader



Western Conference
Team GP Pts
1. * Detroit 65 90
2. * Dallas 67 85
3. * Minnesota 64 75
4. Anaheim 66 79
5. San Jose 63 76
6. Calgary 64 75
7. Vancouver 63 73
8. Colorado 65 72
9. Nashville 65 72
10. Phoenix 64 69
11. Columbus 65 67
12. Chicago 63 66
13. St. Louis 63 66
14. Edmonton 64 63
15. Los Angeles 64 56
* = Division Leader

key notes:

Philly out of playoff stance right now.

Columbus no longer expects playoff berth and sold off Foote, Fedorov, Shelley, etc..

Colorado on the climb

 

[BallzDeep]

I think the team to beat is Dallas, so consistent and had a major upgrade, Pittsburgh in the east may surprise, Crosby will have lots of jump when he returns for the playoffs, Ottawa is a non factor.

 

[yaya17]

There is no question that the best team's in the NHL are in the west. That being said I'm not so sure that the cup winner can come out of that confernece.

The reasoning behind this is that all of these good team's are going to kick the shit out of each other just to win the west. By the time that one team gets to the final against an eastern team they are going to be worn out and beat up.

Meanwhile that east team is going to probably have had an easier run to where they are. It's very similar to the NBA right now - the best team's in each league are from the west.

IMO 7 of the top 10 teams in the NHL come from the west. ANA, SJ, CGY, DAL, MIN, DET, and COL based on the fact that Smyth is almost healthy, Sakic is back, Forsberg is days away, and Foote is now anchoring the D.

In the east NJ looks for real, PIT made a serious move on Tuesday, but OTT is tripping over themselves and have been going in reverse for about a month now. Mabye MTL has a chance but I'm not allowed to talk positive about them due to my contract with LEAF NATIOIN!!

 

[Brownie69]

In the east NJ looks for real, PIT made a serious move on Tuesday, but OTT is tripping over themselves and have been going in reverse for about a month now. Mabye MTL has a chance but I'm not allowed to talk positive about them due to my contract with LEAF NATIOIN!!

Does that contract have a NTC?

 

[Herodotus]

Does that contract have a NTC?

Of course it does - Carlton the Bear has a no-trade, no-movement clause for crying out loud!

 

[yaya17]

Does that contract have a NTC?

YUP

and a non-compete if I get bought out!!

 

[21pro]

don't count out Ottawa just yet... they are immensely powerful and a good slump is just what the doctor ordered for them to show them that it still all boils down to grit and effort in the post season. how soon we forget sunday's game against Pittsburgh- a battle for top spot in the east where Ottawa came back from a 3 goal deficit to win in OT. that's only 3 games ago...

they just need something to discipline, motivate and condition. hey, ain't that the primary job of a coach?

 

[BallzDeep]

Ottawa's still too soft and inconsistent, since thier fraudulent 14-0 start they are a .500 team, that's over a 50 game stretch, that's long enough to prove they're just an average team. Too many of their players are perimeter players, Spezza being the worst.

Here's my picks: East-Pitts or NJ, West- Dallas or Van., although I think Dallas will win it all.

 

[Radio_Shack]

The Leafs are the best

 

[elmo]

The Leafs are the best

At what?

 

[Tiffany_69]

The hunters become the hunted

MONTREAL - Labeled by many as long shots to even make the playoffs, the Canadiens are nonetheless now sitting atop the Eastern Conference and loving the view.

http://canadiens.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=355592

Go Hab go

Young tough and hungry with depth on the bulldogs of young hungry prospects. Great Gm and good coaches from farm club to the big show (Guy Carbonneau Don Lever and Big Bad BOB calling the shots)


Never count them out. I agree Dallas could take it all But division would be great for a team that just started rebuild 3 years ago.

 

[Tiffany_69]

losing

At what?

Losing of course and having the worst clusterfuck of a team in the NHL. Matt said himself The Stanley cup is not on his agenda.

 

[21pro]

Ottawa's still too soft.

Don't confuse me for a Sens fan... I clearly am not, but Ottawa is definitely not soft.

behind the #1 line in hockey is a very competitive grouping including McAmmond, Lapointe, and Fisher. those are tough lines to put out when need be.

the Sens are just finding their game, that's all. they'll be there in April.

 

[samcan]

I think the east will come down to goaltending the Habs&Devils have it in spades,Ottawa/Pitts not so much. Broduer could get tired though, didnt look good in playoffs last year.
Boy do I hate the seeding, one loss and you can go from 1st or 2nd to 5th and the leader of southeast still stays 3rd, bullshit.
Go back to first plays 16th.

 

[Scenicdrive]

don't count out Ottawa just yet... they are immensely powerful and a good slump is just what the doctor ordered for them to show them that it still all boils down to grit and effort in the post season. how soon we forget sunday's game against Pittsburgh- a battle for top spot in the east where Ottawa came back from a 3 goal deficit to win in OT. that's only 3 games ago...

they just need something to discipline, motivate and condition. hey, ain't that the primary job of a coach?

It is doubtful that the mighty Senators will dominate the Eastern Conference as they did in playoffs last season. But don't feel bad for the powerful Senators. The headless chicken Sabres will do even worse, probably miss playoffs altogether as a punishment to its fans and its inept upper managment. Come the Stanley Cup series, the Cup is for the team in the Western Conference to lose.

 

[21pro]

the Cup is for the team in the Western Conference to lose.

I do agree. atleast right now I do. Alot will change between now and then, but, it does make sense.

did you see Price's horrible outfit in San Jose? every goal was stoppable atleast...

and don't even get into the ana/sens game... talk about running and hiding sens then crying... maybe they are too soft...

how about da'Rangers, huh'? haven't had a regulation loss in over 10 games!

 

[Scenicdrive]

I do agree. atleast right now I do. Alot will change between now and then, but, it does make sense.

did you see Price's horrible outfit in San Jose? every goal was stoppable atleast...

and don't even get into the ana/sens game... talk about running and hiding sens then crying... maybe they are too soft...

how about da'Rangers, huh'? haven't had a regulation loss in over 10 games!

It is quite true that in this world pf possibilities, anything can happen between now and then. It all depends on lots of factors. The team which peaks at the most opportune time and can master the elusive 'force' will be the championship team. Present estimation is as such and does not determine future results. So sit back, relax, and enjoy.

 

[Tiffany_69]

Don't confuse me for a Sens fan... I clearly am not, but Ottawa is definitely not soft.

behind the #1 line in hockey is a very competitive grouping including McAmmond, Lapointe, and Fisher. those are tough lines to put out when need be.

the Sens are just finding their game, that's all. they'll be there in April.

McAmmond yes he can still Rock and roll, Lapointe seen better days not the same heart he use to have and Fisher blows in the crunch.

 

[21pro]

maybe so re: Lapointe and Fisher... but, i'd put my money on them in the post season to step up their play.

besides the sens and habs... i don't expect much from the east. it's not the Pens year yet...

 

[Scenicdrive]

maybe so re: Lapointe and Fisher... but, i'd put my money on them in the post season to step up their play.

besides the sens and habs... i don't expect much from the east. it's not the Pens year yet...

The Rangers are peaking at the right time. The Habs look great. The mighty Senators not necessarily so. Their moment in the sun was last season. But they failed their mission in the final series.