I expect this to be a Atlantic vs Central poll really, but if you think otherwise please explain
I do mean best, hardest to win, most competetive etc...not physical toughness incase that wasn't clear.
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"Trust me I'm an expert, I watched 13 rangers games on NHL center Ice this year through streaming." -Starburst
"I don't even understand what the point of all this arguing is. Are you guys hoping that the other side is going to have an epiphany and go 'Oh, OH! You're right, we ARE going to lose this series!'" -Crease
The Central with 4 of their teams in the top 6 in the west right now.
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Exhibit A as to how hockey doesn't matter on ESPN:
Last night an ESPN program was discussing how the Detroit Pistons needed a hero citing the heroes on the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions and no mention of the Detroit Red Wings. All this despite the Red Wings probably being the most succesful team in Detroit right now.
For the record (as of 1/20/12), half of the Central teams (St Louis and Detroit) have done what they have without the "bonus" points obtained by playing Columbus. They each have four more games versus the CBJ left on their schedules. Nashville has 1 more, Chicago has 2.
Has to be a central, absolute dogfight between 4 teams who are also contending for the top spot in the conference. They're all winning and not getting any separation right now which is making these pre-allstar games feel like must wins if you want to stay in contention for the division.
Wings/Hawks
Rangers
Flyers/Blues
Preds/Pens - Unless the Pens can get healthy
Devils
Isles
Blue Jackets
More like...
Rangers
Hawks/wings/flyers
Rangers are better than anyone outside of Boston right now, and flyers are even with the hawks and wings, in fact they just beat us... Top 2 in Atlantic is stronger, but overall the blues and preds make the central the toughest right now. Central
Rangers are better than anyone outside of Boston right now, and flyers are even with the hawks and wings, in fact they just beat us... Top 2 in Atlantic is stronger, but overall the blues and preds make the central the toughest right now. Central
The Blues dismantled the Rangers, beat the Penguins (with Crosby), and beat a healthy Flyers team. They've split 4 games with Detroit and split the 2 with Chicago (and have a better record than CHI). It's a pretty reasonable argument to make that St. Louis is the best team of the ones you've mentioned.
Rangers are better than anyone outside of Boston right now, and flyers are even with the hawks and wings, in fact they just beat us... Top 2 in Atlantic is stronger, but overall the blues and preds make the central the toughest right now. Central
The Rangers just won a huge game against Boston, but have been very up and down lately. In fact after winning 10 of 11, they've been 3-3. Then again the Bruins have had a couple of uncharacteristic losses lately too (Carolina and Tampa). It's just that the Rangers have been having a tough time scoring lately and when they do, it's been guys like Boyle, Rupp, Mitchell, and Fedetenko. Today was such a breath of fresh air as our top guys scored. My point is I'm not sure the Rangers have been playing like a top 2 team lately. But if 3-3 is their slump, which included 2 shutouts and a win against perhaps the best team in the league, I'll take it.
The Blues dismantled the Rangers, beat the Penguins (with Crosby), and beat a healthy Flyers team. They've split 4 games with Detroit and split the 2 with Chicago (and have a better record than CHI). It's a pretty reasonable argument to make that St. Louis is the best team of the ones you've mentioned.
The Rangers were outplayed in that game, dismantled they were not. A fluke goal and an empty net masks a one goal game.
The Central with 4 of their teams in the top 6 in the west right now.
2 of their teams traded the league lead last night and could happen again tonight. Three teams basically in top spot in the league give or take a couple points/games played.
