Outside of the top 3 teams (NSH is on the edge, but 4 if you want to count them as well), the entire conference is way down. Thankfully for us.
I would.
Vancouver
Detroit
St. Louis
Nashville
Chicago
These are the powerhouses this season, for me. I know Chicago sucks right now, but they're probably one of the most talented teams in the league (outside of goaltending) and I'd hate to play them in the playoffs. We play any of these teams heading into the postseason and I doubt we advance.
Don't have any faith in Chicago, honestly. Especially without Toews. Their defense is pretty damn bad this season (not that their goaltending situation has helped them or anything). Definitely wouldn't consider them a powerhouse in the West this year, no matter what.
Don't have any faith in Chicago, honestly. Especially without Toews. Their defense is pretty damn bad this season (not that their goaltending situation has helped them or anything). Definitely wouldn't consider them a powerhouse in the West this year, no matter what.
Agree. I think their stint at the top was as much of a fluke as ours was.
Will Toews really be out that long? And I didn't know their defense was so bad.
That changes my opinion then. Still would prefer not to play them in the playoffs, but they're a much better option than the other 4. And we'd have home ice advantage, then, as well.
The two powerhouse teams are Detroit and Vancouver in the West. They have both the offense and defense/goaltending.
Predators are actually the third best option in the West, as crazy as it sounds. The Predators are 10th in the league in goals for per game(2.78) and 8th in goals against (2.48). The Predators also have the second best powerplay in the NHL.
Sharks are close to cracking into the top ten league wise on offense (2.70, which is 12th) and they're already in the top ten in defense (2.50). However, the Sharks penalty kill is really bad.
St Louis has played well, but I don't like their chances. Due to having the 21st ranked offense (2.50 goals for per game). Blues also have the 23rd best PP and 10th best PK. They could win in round one, but they won't go past round two.
Defense doesn't win championships anymore, you need a really good offense. (See Below)
By the way, entering tonight's game the Stars are 18th in Offense(2.56) and 13th in Defense (2.64). Stars PP is 27th and the PK is 11th.
Phoenix is 30th on the PP, shocking a Tippett team terrible on the powerplay?
May or may not be interesting, but in the past two years in the playoffs in the first round the team who had more goals for in the regular season won 6 of the 8 playoff matchups.
Last years exceptions Capitals over Rangers and Predators over Ducks.
2010's playoffs Montreal over Washington and Bruins over Sabres.
3 of the top 4 teams offenses in the East made it past the first round, the lone exception? Buffalo, who lost to Flyers (#1) in East offense. Bruins #3 and Tampa #2 played in the ECFs.
In the West similar thing if you want to omit Calgary, the 4th best offense in the West regular season, that means 3 of the top 4 offenses made it out of the first round, with the lone exception being (Chicago) who played Vancouver(#1). With Vancouver (#1) playing Sharks (#4 of Playoff teams in offense in the West).
The top defense teams, who weren't top ten in offense
2011
Predators defeated the Ducks, lost in round two
Capitals defeated the Rangers, swept by Tampa in round two.
Rangers lost to Caps first round
Kings lost to Sharks first round
Penguins lost to Tampa first round
Montreal lost to Boston first round
2010
Devils lost first round
Bruins won first round, lost in second round
Coyotes lost in first round
Kings lost in first round
Also a somewhat interesting stat, the last two years the #3 team in the East in offense has made the SCFs. Boston in 2011, Flyers in 2010.
7-0-1 in our last 8 .... who would have guessed! No way we can keep this up but if we can play just above .500 hockey we should make it in. I think i speak for many of us, I want playoffs so bad! And I honestly think we have the team to make a cinderella run. But I just want playoffs as of right now!
Big test will come when they lose in regulation. Gotta learn from the Phoenix situation.
Yep. DBD had an article about it earlier, but the biggest thing is how they handle it once this streak ends. It will end, but they need to be able to bounce back from it and make it only a 1-2 game thing. Or keep getting to OT after that. Can't lose 4 in a row like Phoenix just did.
I can't tell you guys how dumb I feel about going on that SELL-SELL-SELL spiel after the trade deadline. I've never been happier about being so blatantly wrong about something. Even if we don't make the playoffs, these guys deserved the opportunity.
I can't tell you guys how dumb I feel about going on that SELL-SELL-SELL spiel after the trade deadline. I've never been happier about being so blatantly wrong about something. Even if we don't make the playoffs, these guys deserved the opportunity.
Deserved the opportunity but lets not forget how quickly things can fall.
Stars went 4-0-2 to start March last season as well and then boooooom. Things went down hill fast!
Just gotta hope they can keep on keepin on and when this run ends they can answer back fast.
Deserved the opportunity but lets not forget how quickly things can fall.
Stars went 4-0-2 to start March last season as well and then boooooom. Things went down hill fast!
Just gotta hope they can keep on keepin on and when this run ends they can answer back fast.
No doubt. I'm not counting my chickens. Far from it. I'm just saying that this team has recently been playing at a level that I, quite frankly, didn't think they were capable of. If we can continue to play this way consistently, we can certainly make some noise in the playoffs.
No doubt. I'm not counting my chickens. Far from it. I'm just saying that this team has recently been playing at a level that I, quite frankly, didn't think they were capable of. If we can continue to play this way consistently, we can certainly make some noise in the playoffs.
yeah well just remember how ugly the effort was at times in the Edmonton and Calgary games
It's a nice sign that Dallas seems to get up for the big teams right now. Gives me confidence in the boys for Thursday night against the Sharks.
