its a trap if a team sweeps the third seed their level of play in the second round and amount of time off will be a HUGE disadvantage to them in the following rounds.
Winnipeg's arena and atmosphere is absolutely bonkers in the regular season, hopefully they hold on to make the playoffs so we can see what it is like then.
The other nice thing about the 6th is that if you're of the opinion (I am) that the Bruins are better than the Rangers, you are in a better position to avoid the Bruins in the 2nd round in the 6th seed.
Keep in mind, that the Panthers are one of the league leaders in man games lost due to injury. But players are going to be coming back in the next 3 weeks so that could really change things. Two players currently out of the lineup that will greatly impact the playoff race is Kris Versteeg and Dmitry Kulikov. I wouldnt be surprised that once Kulikov is back, the Panthers get on a roll and you never want to face a team that gets hot right before the playoffs start.
If the Caps win the division and Backstrom returns, I do not think you'll want to see Washington lined up with your favorite team in round 1 (not that I think the Caps will win the division or that Backstrom will return).
Wow, people are overly sensitive. Nobody is saying playing the 3rd seed will be easy, but lets be honest, the 3rd seed will be an easier opponent than Pittsburgh + Crosby in the 4th seed... So yes, teams would much rather be in the 6th seed than the 5th seed.
The Panthers lately have been bipolar. Played a great game against Ottawa on Sunday and tonight look utterly pathetic against the Flyers. It depends on which team shows up (if they end up winning their division) on how easy it will be to beat them or not.
Sens got to an 'easy' 2-0 lead in Florida by the 1st intermission and fell a sleep on the wheel there. Before that Panthers lost to the Sens 9 games in a row going several seasons back.
If the Caps win the division and Backstrom returns, I do not think you'll want to see Washington lined up with your favorite team in round 1 (not that I think the Caps will win the division or that Backstrom will return).
Meh, I think Caps mojo is gone for good. As in Ovy will never be as dominant as he once was, nor will Green and they still can't play top level D to protect their net.
Wow, people are overly sensitive. Nobody is saying playing the 3rd seed will be easy, but lets be honest, the 3rd seed will be an easier opponent than Pittsburgh + Crosby in the 4th seed... So yes, teams would much rather be in the 6th seed than the 5th seed.
Didn't you get the memo? The Pens will finish 1st in the East .
Who says that the Pens could not fall to 6th place?
Generally, I hate threads like this where you wish for an opponent. Always seems to bite you in the ass. I could care less who the Pens play. I have seen far too many 'easy' teams win in the playoffs, and can't miss cup final teams bow out in the first round. Second, assuming the Pens are healthy, with a rested Crosby with something to prove, teams should be looking out for the Pens more than the other way around. Bring on whoever, I have a healthy respect for all, but like our chances against all of them as well. I really have no preference except for a good series and healthy team.
Also, semi-relevant, how awesome would it be if the Atlantic finished with the top 4 records in the east? Very possible, NJ are currently 4th in the Atlantic with 81 points, and the only non-Atlantic eastern conference team with more points is the Bruins, with 83.
Also, semi-relevant, how awesome would it be if the Atlantic finished with the top 4 records in the east? Very possible, NJ are currently 4th in the Atlantic with 81 points, and the only non-Atlantic eastern conference team with more points is the Bruins, with 83.
They play each other too much near the end of the season. Still, the Atlantic in the East and the Central in the West have been a cut above to this point.
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