As I look at the standings, I think the teams most likely to fall out of position are the Coyotes and the Hawks. The Sharks will pull it together, and the Stars look pretty legit, but the Hawks are really struggling on a lot of levels despite their top end talent, and I think the Coyotes are WAY over-achieving and already starting to slip back.
Chicago has a BRUTAL stretch schedule too.
True, but I believe Stars is just on a hot streak. They'll cool off at some point, they have to! Just keep winning, Colorado still has this in their own hands.
As I look at the standings, I think the teams most likely to fall out of position are the Coyotes and the Hawks. The Sharks will pull it together, and the Stars look pretty legit, but the Hawks are really struggling on a lot of levels despite their top end talent, and I think the Coyotes are WAY over-achieving and already starting to slip back.
Chicago has a BRUTAL stretch schedule too.
I fully expect Coyotes to win vs Wild though.
Extremely important game for the Coyotes and we all know that Wild sucks right now.
Almost a must win for Avalanche tonight against a good team.
Hopefully the Avalanche wants this game more and it should pay off.
Sharks - Stars... well, I have no idea who this game will end tonight.
As I look at the standings, I think the teams most likely to fall out of position are the Coyotes and the Hawks. The Sharks will pull it together, and the Stars look pretty legit, but the Hawks are really struggling on a lot of levels despite their top end talent, and I think the Coyotes are WAY over-achieving and already starting to slip back.
Chicago has a BRUTAL stretch schedule too.
The hawks really should've made a deal for a goalie at the deadline. It's hard to imagine that a team with so much elite talent sucks so bad right now.
The hawks really should've made a deal for a goalie at the deadline. It's hard to imagine that a team with so much elite talent sucks so bad right now.
Emery got 3rd star of the week, which I know doesn't negate his outright bad streaks beforehand, but goaltending is not necessarily the main issue afflicting the Hawks--it's depth, especially on defense. Keith and Seabrook have been overworked for years now, and Montador going down with an injury only makes things worse.
Besides, the only deal I saw for a goaltender at the deadline was for Ben Bishop. No one else who would've been worthwhile was available. There will be plenty of goalies available in the offseason though, and a lot of teams vying for their services (Tampa, Columbus, probably Toronto).
I wonder if Coach Sacco's job is dependent on a playoff berth. There is no reason why he shouldn't..
Everything indicates that is the case. As much as we all dislike Sacco, Avs management got no reason to not renew his contract if Avs make the playoffs. The question is then what happens if Avs struggle next season and they have handed Sacco a 3 year contract this summer? They didn't want to sack him this season because of compensation payouts so does that mean us fans have to endure 3 more years of Sacco even if the team plays like crap?
Everything indicates that is the case. As much as we all dislike Sacco, Avs management got no reason to not renew his contract if Avs make the playoffs.
It is possible that this management or ownership is simply being financially conservative and may have fired him at many points in this season if they were not concerned about his compensation. I do not have a concrete basis for speculating this. There are, however, hockey reasons for him not to be re-signed even if the Avalanche were to miraculously make the playoffs, so "everything" does not indicate this is the case because we are not privy to some essential information critical in reaching that conclusion.
You could also argue it's the games we lost in the division. That is definitely a black mark on Sacco's tenure this year.
I think this is the biggest thing. If this team is .500 within the division(at least before the two recent games against Minnesota), they're firmly in the 6th spot with about 8 points separating them from 8th. Sadly, they're not.
Just watched last few mins of LA / Det game WOW.. I know its herisy to root for D, but when I am rooting againsty LA...
So LA scores and its 3-2 and Detroit has under 15 shots on goal at that point...
then they score.. then they score again.. then its 6 on four Kings pp and they hold on, what a finish for me as an avs fan, rooting for the bad DRW! lol
so LA stumbles... now if the avs can just win some fo these last games we could possible still make it!
Added GR (Games remaining) to stats. Basically the bigger number, the more teams can control their own destiny. It varies is more than a lot between teams, SJS has ten games remaining while Chicago has only two.
Pacific teams are in the best position now for having one extra spot to take and also so many games against the other six.
Right now it's pretty clear that Avs are in the worst position of these seven. Reasons:
-They have the least points
-They have the least games remaining
-They have only four games against the other six teams
-They have the toughest remaining schedule
-Their #1 center (sure, go ahead and argue that Duchene is not number one center) is pretty much out for regular season
But still, Avs easily control their own destiny. Even if all the others would be three-point games, Avs still easily makes it by winning the remaining games (including the four against the other six in regulation).
If Yotes beat the Sharks today and Avs beat the Oilers Avs will take the 8th spot. But as we know, Avs can't win a game when a win puts them in the playoff spot.
They have what? like 4 or 5 chances to do that and they haven't been able to.
If Yotes beat the Sharks today and Avs beat the Oilers Avs will take the 8th spot. But as we know, Avs can't win a game when a win puts them in the playoff spot.
They have what? like 4 or 5 chances to do that and they haven't been able to.
If Yotes beat the Sharks today and Avs beat the Oilers Avs will take the 8th spot. But as we know, Avs can't win a game when a win puts them in the playoff spot.
They have what? like 4 or 5 chances to do that and they haven't been able to.
If the Avs win, it would be best if the Sharks won this one due to how many fewer games they've played. The Avs would remain 1 behind the Sharks, but tie Phoenix.
I think Sharks are likely to get going and get into the playoffs comfortably. Remember that Chicago, Detroit and Vancouver had rough stretches during the season and now are back to normal form.
Dallas, LA and Phoenix are more likely to stumble a little bit, I'd guess.
I think Sharks are likely to get going and get into the playoffs comfortably. Remember that Chicago, Detroit and Vancouver had rough stretches during the season and now are back to normal form.
Dallas, LA and Phoenix are more likely to stumble a little bit, I'd guess.
I haven't seen anything from San Jose to suggest they will magically turn it on and stroll into the playoffs. This is team with a very soft defense, inconsistent goaltending, and a bunch of heartless guys up front. They look like a right old mess, I don't see it suddenly turning around.
Phoenix, on the other hand, have an outstanding coach and coaching staff, which ensures they don't go into prolonged slumps and get the best out of their talent level. Those are the type of teams that make the playoffs.
