There are lots of ways to look at it, but it's certainly possible. If they win the 3 games in hand, they are only 5 points out with 32 games to play. When you look at it that way, it's not so bad at all.
Actually, playoffs are as good as under way already. Tomorrow is another make-or-break game away at Dallas. Win and the hope remains, both of stacking the necessary points and of sorting the frightening away schedule. Lose, and golf beckons ever closer. Funny how games can become clutch as early as in January.
There are lots of ways to look at it, but it's certainly possible. If they win the 3 games in hand, they are only 5 points out with 32 games to play. When you look at it that way, it's not so bad at all.
Actually, playoffs are as good as under way already. Tomorrow is another make-or-break game away at Dallas. Win and the hope remains, both of stacking the necessary points and of sorting the frightening away schedule. Lose, and golf beckons ever closer. Funny how games can become clutch as early as in January.
Which will make them all the more fun to watch. Being a Sabre fan as well(and after shelling out for center ice), I'm going to need this excitement. I'm not even remotely a fan of any other teams than the Ducks and Sabres.
thanx bro, or is it man. I like a guy who covers all his bases.
We have to realize, that those 3 games in hand we have to play in the same strech when other teams will play less games. (IDK how to say it properly, but i hope ypu got the point ) In other words - we will be more fatigued at times. And when this team depends so much on Hillsy right now - it could be a problem.
Congrats Jepjepjoo ... you were right in the direction, the speed ... now let's test the sustainability !
I am all on your side ... make no mistake.
And actually essentially say the same.
and go even beyond saying that they will be tough cookies in the PO ... and can go far.
I won't adventure in trying to guess how far ... but Far !!! sure ;-)
We have to realize, that those 3 games in hand we have to play in the same strech when other teams will play less games. (IDK how to say it properly, but i hope ypu got the point ) In other words - we will be more fatigued at times. And when this team depends so much on Hillsy right now - it could be a problem.
The bigger issue is that was Hiller's 42nd game. He's going to wear out..
The bigger issue is that was Hiller's 42nd game. He's going to wear out..
I agree, the back-up situation will rear its ugly head at some point. Still, it's better to wear him out than not let him try to get us in, imo. He does really seem to be back to himself, and that may be attributed to him getting all this work, so it can go both ways. At any rate, he's playing great now, and we should be thankful(he's not in the All-Stupid Game).
Okay I'm just quoting this from another thread I posted it in.
Okay. So...
Let's say 90 is a magic number...you guys are too obsessed with Minny projecting 90 points. Projections are one thing. Last minute pushes from everyone desperate for a seed will amount to something else entirely. I still think 95 is the number needed. And that's disregarding history, which would tell us that 97 is needed.
Believers (90 points),
we need:
22-9-3
23-10-1
To the realists (95 points)
we need to go,
24-6-4
25-7-2
26-8-0
Assuming history will repeat itself this year (97 points),
we would need to go,
25-5-4
26-6-2
or
27-7-0
Either way its safe to say whether you believe history, are a realist, or you have your hopes too high, we're now in single digits in terms of losses needed to eliminate the Ducks from playoff contention. Though from a realist's standpoint, it's pretty damn ugly. Well...I mean it's ugly either way.
Typically from the ASG onwards what the 8th seed is on pace for will be the end result. The reason it's going to only take 91-92 points this year is because the East's record against the West has improved.
Anyways I'd rather hold out hope and root for us to go 25-9 even if we don't hit it than tank and get a lottery pick. It's much more fun winning.
The bigger issue is that was Hiller's 42nd game. He's going to wear out..
Carlyle/Boudreau were overplaying Hiller when Ellis was healthy. Now that Ellis is out he'll start every game until he cools off/the team starts losing again. It's kinda annoying that when we had a capable backup to take advantage of we still overplayed Hiller.
Typically from the ASG onwards what the 8th seed is on pace for will be the end result. The reason it's going to only take 91-92 points this year is because the East's record against the West has improved.
Anyways I'd rather hold out hope and root for us to go 25-9 even if we don't hit it than tank and get a lottery pick. It's much more fun winning.
Winning is fun until the offseason. Where you miss the playoffs, watch as Yakupov, Grigorenko, Galchenyuk, Murray, Forsberg...etc (all the good ones) get drafted by a team not named the Ducks, get excited for free agency only to watch every big name go by until we sign some mid-tier talent at a budget contract because Murray's "had his eye on them" for a while, start the year slow as hell like this year and then go on a late second half tear and maybe or maybe not make the playoffs...yeah let's go ahead and win all these games...
I mean...okay I just re-read that and it sounded bitter...and it all really stems from my hate toward Murray and me wishing he would just go...I don't want to tank...but I don't want to draft as low as possible and miss the playoffs either. That's just lame no matter how you slice it.
Just like the NFL, if you aren't in the top 5 picks, you're probably beat. We already got lucky with Cam, but picks in 10-15 range are usually projects. I'd rather the team went out as winners this year, than stink for a top 5. I might have to do that with the Sabres soon, and that's a bitter pill.
Just like the NFL, if you aren't in the top 5 picks, you're probably beat. We already got lucky with Cam, but picks in 10-15 range are usually projects. I'd rather the team went out as winners this year, than stink for a top 5. I might have to do that with the Sabres soon, and that's a bitter pill.
Why would we do that next year? The only elite level talent to speak of that I know of right now is mackinnon and Barkov. This club already has difficulty filling the seats. It's better to get the potential star now and re-tool immediately IMO. If any tanking is to occur (which I'd prefer their isn't) I'd prefer it be now while we're down and have a chance to be a better team next year.
I'm worried about the goalie issue, Hiller is the only one they got. They can't even test Tarkki now since they are doing this playoff pushy, JDD probably isn't any better in a long run and Ellis hasn't played in awhile. This team goes as far as Hiller goes.
Last edited by JabbaJabba: 02-16-2012 at 12:46 PM.
I'm worried about the goalie issue, Hiller is the only one they got. They can't even test Tarkki now since they are doing this playoff puss, JDD probably isn't any better in a long run and Ellis hasn't played in awhile. This team goes as far as Hiller goes.
Quotes for truth.
Rather ironic, that in the off-season it felt like Anaheim was making mostly goalie acquisitions to avoid a similar situation as end of last year. Now while Hiller has looked solid so far, I would want to see us play Tarkki / JDD against some easier opponent at a home game. Just so that if we end up losing Hiller before Ellis is back, we'll have someone who's played a complete NHL game lately. Although Ellis is no sure bet either, he's been away for a while...
I'm worried about the goalie issue, Hiller is the only one they got. They can't even test Tarkki now since they are doing this playoff puss, JDD probably isn't any better in a long run and Ellis hasn't played in awhile. This team goes as far as Hiller goes.
When under pressure, late in the season, Hiller seems to perform. He's playing really really well right now.
I have been happy to see the Ducks winning, but really, its starting at Hiller. And when Hiller is dominating, the team feeds off that.
I say let Hiller be the star. He seems to thrive under the pressure. Its a risk to run him non-stop till the end of the season, ESPECIALLY on this big road trip... But oh well, lets just hope he can handle it
Let's be honest, Hiller should be able to go for it, he's only played about 25-30 games so far this season, the other 20 or so games he just sat that doing nothing
) In other words - we will be more fatigued at times. And when this team depends so much on Hillsy right now - it could be a problem.
