NHL Down The stretch
 

Well the season is coming to a close, we are a couple of games into every teams ''New'' playoff jacked roster.

Who are the contenders? What teams look ready to take it all?

I believe that the eastern conference has to be the favorite to win. The absolute stacked West will be impossible to get through. Any team that comes out of the west is likely to be beat down. All those great teams are going to really make for a exausted Conference champ.

I am throwing it out there. Ottawa looks like an early favorite.

Thoughts?

Re: NHL Down The stretch
 

Ottawa looks like an early favorite every year. This could be their year, but I really think the Sabres would take them in a series - if the Sabres can get healthy.

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Ottawa looks like an early favorite every year. This could be their year, but I really think the Sabres would take them in a series - if the Sabres can get healthy.

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Yeah, I really think its Buffalo or Ottawa, I would put New Jersey as a darkhorse because if Brodeur gets hot he can steal a series by himself.

I love the west but imagine how beat they will be.

Nashville
Anaheim
San Jose
Detroit

All 4 legit contenders and all 4 might have 2 hard series to contend.

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The Sabres are in Emery's head. I'd say Buffalo would like to avoid New Jersey, that's about it. Possibly if the Penguins get hot, but their goalie/defense just doesn't scare me that much.

Of course if Buffalo can't stay healthy that goes right out the window.

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Why is emery afraid of the sabers? he wanted to fight. He was smiling while peters pounded his brain in. Not so sure that is a good argument.

Goaltenders I think Ottawa is stronger as well. Overall I think Ottawa is stronger atm.

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7 out of 8 teams in the West can make it to the final IMO. The 4 you mentioned and the Canucks, Flames and Wild. Only Dallas has no shot.

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I think the wild have less chance than Dallas, Canucks are in there for sure, at an outside 5th but even at what I consider 5th they are a very strong team so is Calgary. Solid goaltending for both and good D

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The Wild have been pretty hot since Gaborik returned to the lineup...

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Why is emery afraid of the sabers? he wanted to fight. He was smiling while peters pounded his brain in. Not so sure that is a good argument.

Goaltenders I think Ottawa is stronger as well. Overall I think Ottawa is stronger atm.

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Fighting doesn't stop pucks.

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I think the wild have less chance than Dallas

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I agree, if it weren't for extra SO points this team wouldn't even be in the top 8. Their goaltending and defense is solid, but they have no offensive punch. I can't see them getting past the first round unless they get very lucky.

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Why is emery afraid of the sabers? he wanted to fight. He was smiling while peters pounded his brain in. Not so sure that is a good argument.

Goaltenders I think Ottawa is stronger as well. Overall I think Ottawa is stronger atm.

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Fighting doesn't stop pucks.

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Right, but why does he fear the sabers than? Since the all star break he has been one of the winningest goalies in the league.

Re: NHL Down The stretch
 

STAY PENS STAY!

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Why is emery afraid of the sabers? he wanted to fight. He was smiling while peters pounded his brain in. Not so sure that is a good argument.

Goaltenders I think Ottawa is stronger as well. Overall I think Ottawa is stronger atm.

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Fighting doesn't stop pucks.

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Right, but why does he fear the sabers than? Since the all star break he has been one of the winningest goalies in the league.

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Last year, I'd definitely say the Sabres were in his head. This year, I'd say he has looked really uncomfortable against Buffalo as he seems to be flailing around or out of position a lot. Maybe that's just his style, I don't know. But he's like 5-1 against Buffalo this year, so I don't believe he doesn't think he can beat them.

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STAY PENS STAY!

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Here, here.

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The Wild have been pretty hot since Gaborik returned to the lineup...

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21-6-5 with Gaborik in the lineup, 15-17-2 without him.

Enough said, lookout for the Wild come playoffs time, they could pull some upsets.

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Why is emery afraid of the sabers? he wanted to fight. He was smiling while peters pounded his brain in. Not so sure that is a good argument.

Goaltenders I think Ottawa is stronger as well. Overall I think Ottawa is stronger atm.

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Fighting doesn't stop pucks.

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Right, but why does he fear the sabers than? Since the all star break he has been one of the winningest goalies in the league.

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Last year, I'd definitely say the Sabres were in his head. This year, I'd say he has looked really uncomfortable against Buffalo as he seems to be flailing around or out of position a lot. Maybe that's just his style, I don't know. But he's like 5-1 against Buffalo this year, so I don't believe he doesn't think he can beat them.

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He did very well earlier in the season, but the last two games he has been not so good again. The Sabres creative ability really hurts Emery, as he gets out of position very easily. It might not be so much that they are in Emery's head as much as it's the whole Senators team. They've never beaten Buffalo in a playoff series.

I could be wrong too, since I am pretty biased here.

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The Wild have been pretty hot since Gaborik returned to the lineup...

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21-6-5 with Gaborik in the lineup, 15-17-2 without him.

Enough said, lookout for the Wild come playoffs time, they could pull some upsets.

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If Gaborik is in the lineup maybe. If not they're easy first round prey.

The favourites in each conference imo are Buffalo and Calgary.

Dallas doesn't have a hope. Turco is some kind of awful in the playoffs.

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The Wild have been pretty hot since Gaborik returned to the lineup...

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21-6-5 with Gaborik in the lineup, 15-17-2 without him.

Enough said, lookout for the Wild come playoffs time, they could pull some upsets.

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If Gaborik is in the lineup maybe. If not they're easy first round prey.

The favourites in each conference imo are Buffalo and Calgary.


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That is a silly statement, you could just as easily say the same thing about Calgary/Iginla, Vancouver/Luongo or SJ/Thornton. Gaborik is healthy right now and the fact that he missed almost 1/2 the season is a positive since he will be fresher come playoffs time.


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Dallas doesn't have a hope. Turco is some kind of awful in the playoffs.

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He was good in '03, bad in '04 and '06. Two bad 5-game series are not enough to reach any meaningful conclusions. He is a better than average goalie who plays for a very good defensive team, I don't see any reason to expect anything different in the playoffs.

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Who cares if Ottawa has never beaten Buffalo? Ottawa's first series with Buffalo was ended by a Derek Plante goal - almost no one from either team is still playing.

It helps that this year, Buffalo is an unequivocally better team in all three aspects than Ottawa. Buffalo is a big favorite to beat Ottawa if they met in the playoffs - since Ottawa is really a lesser Buffalo with a touch more elite skill (that never shows up).

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That is a silly statement, you could just as easily say the same thing about Calgary/Iginla, Vancouver/Luongo or SJ/Thornton.

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This is a silly statement. Granted with out Luongo, the Canucks are in the NW basement, but both the Flames and the Sharks are significantly deeper than just the players you listed.

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That is a silly statement, you could just as easily say the same thing about Calgary/Iginla, Vancouver/Luongo or SJ/Thornton.

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This is a silly statement. Granted with out Luongo, the Canucks are in the NW basement, but both the Flames and the Sharks are significantly deeper than just the players you listed.

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Still, it was silly to point out that if Gaborik got hurt again it would hurt the Wild's chances...

Re: NHL Down The stretch
 

Looking very good for the Thrashers to get a high seed after all the moves they've made, Lehtonen playing well again, and TB about to play their next 5 games

@ VAN
@ EDM
@ CGY
@ TOR
vs BUF

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That is a silly statement, you could just as easily say the same thing about Calgary/Iginla, Vancouver/Luongo or SJ/Thornton.

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This is a silly statement. Granted with out Luongo, the Canucks are in the NW basement, but both the Flames and the Sharks are significantly deeper than just the players you listed.

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Did you read what he wrote? Why are you nitpicking?

*If Gaborik is in the lineup maybe. If not they're easy first round prey.*

Obviously any team losing their star player would hurt their chances. But unless he can see the future or something, why point this out?

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How about the Avalanche winning at Buffalo, 2nd win in 2 days and 5th in a row overall?


There is a clump of teams 8-12 points ahead of them, what would it take over the last 15 games for the Avs to pass one? 22 points? more?

Re: NHL Down The stretch
 

Ottawa always looks good, but always blow it. I know spring is here when I see Alfredsson looking like a deer caught in headlights explaining why the team choked.

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How about the Avalanche winning at Buffalo, 2nd win in 2 days and 5th in a row overall?


There is a clump of teams 8-12 points ahead of them, what would it take over the last 15 games for the Avs to pass one? 22 points? more?

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Making up 6 points on Minnesota in the last 14 games is going to be damn near impossible. Minnesota has 15 games left, so in order for Colorado to cath them, they would need 22 points & Min would have to play 500.

Colorado has 3 games against each of Calgary & Vancouver, 2 against Min, 1 against Nashville & 2 against San Jose. It's not looking good for htme at all.

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I just don't see Emery carrying them very far. Sure he played great so far but no playoff success yet...I will have to see it to believe it.

AS mentioned, Van was the big goalie winner this year getting Luongo. That guy is good.

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The avs would basically need to win all, but 3 of their games and get a lot of help in order to make the playoffs. The top 8 in the West are the teams you're going to see come second week of April.

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Belfour, Belfour, Belfour

4 pts out of a playoff spot, HUGE game for the Pathers Sat night vs Thrashers who they are 0-6 against this year.

I am going to watch the game as I am in south florida right now.

Hossa and Kovalchuk are always fun seeing live.

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Omfg the Laffs.

LOL at Alfie being jeered in his own building. The sens fans actually had to chant in order to muffle the 'Go Leafs Go.' Stealing 2 points Saturday night isn't mandatory but it'd be so crucial.

Oh, and sorry 1C5, the cats aren't goin' to the dance.

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Yeah, I don't see the Panthers making the playoffs - gl to them though, their franchise has been up and mostly down since Pavel Bure said goodbye. Lots of questionable management there for sure.

Big win for the Rangers tonight as well - the East definitely looks like it will come down to the last game.

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I agree, they never do, in a week or 2 they will burn out. But nice little run in the mean time to make watching the games interesting.

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That is a silly statement, you could just as easily say the same thing about Calgary/Iginla, Vancouver/Luongo or SJ/Thornton.

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This is a silly statement. Granted with out Luongo, the Canucks are in the NW basement, but both the Flames and the Sharks are significantly deeper than just the players you listed.

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Got news for you. Wtithout Kipper the Flames are last too.

I'm not sure if you were saying SJ and Cal are much deeper teams, but Van and Calgary are almost mirror images. Canucks have the edge in goal, D is a saw-off and Calgary has a slight edge in forwards. Nucks special teams are much better tho.

As for SJ, Van has a better D, much better goaltender but are nowhere near as skilled up front.

Vancouver is the hottest team in the league since Christmas and its not close, going 23-4-4. They got deeper at the trading deadline and looking at their record in one-goal games, appear to be a team built for playoff hockey.

Tuco.

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Canucks have the edge in goal

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I like Luongo as much as anyone else, but to say he is better than Kipper is tough. Equal, I agree. Better....hmmm maybe but I am not 100% sure. Close argument either way. Both A+ goalies.

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Got news for you. Wtithout Kipper the Flames are last too.

I'm not sure if you were saying SJ and Cal are much deeper teams, but Van and Calgary are almost mirror images. Canucks have the edge in goal, D is a saw-off and Calgary has a slight edge in forwards. Nucks special teams are much better tho.

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First of all for the guy who complained about my Gaborik comment, the difference is that Gaborik is ridiculously injury prone, while Iginla/Kipper/Luongo/Thornton are not.

And here's really how the flames and canucks match up. Goaltending is a tie, both top 3 goalies in the league. Granted Kipper is having a bit of an "off year" and Luongo is having his best season ever. Still pretty much a tie though.

Defense is not close. Calgary easily has the best defense in the NHL. Vancouver is middle of the pack, maybe 10-15.

Forwards are not close. Calgary is hovering around top five in the NHL in scoring. Vancouver is not even close. Flames have 4 forwards who are outscoring the Canucks' leading scorer.

The place where the Canucks have a rather large edge is in team chemistry. They play as a team and their mediocre parts make a pretty solid whole. The Flames' stellar parts make, also, (just) a pretty solid whole.

If the Flames had the canucks' chemistry, they would be heading for the Presidents Trophy.

Re: NHL Down The stretch
 

I don't think that having one recurring injury makes him "injury prone". Yeah, his groin keeps getting reinjured, but I feel fairly confident that they handled him with baby gloves this time around to make sure he is fully recovered.


Also, LOL at how important you think chemistry is.

Re: NHL Down The stretch
 

Dominic Moore the clutch trading deadline pickup scores his 7th and 8th goals of the year, time for the pure hat trick Dom!

Re: NHL Down The stretch
 

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I don't think that having one recurring injury makes him "injury prone". Yeah, his groin keeps getting reinjured, but I feel fairly confident that they handled him with baby gloves this time around to make sure he is fully recovered.


Also, LOL at how important you think chemistry is.

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65 games in 03/04, 65 games in 05/06, 34/68 in 06/07. That's not injury prone?

And have you never played on a competitive sports team in your life? LOL at how UNimportant you think chemistry is.

You are obviously a donk who knows very little about hockey.

Re: NHL Down The stretch
 

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I don't think that having one recurring injury makes him "injury prone". Yeah, his groin keeps getting reinjured, but I feel fairly confident that they handled him with baby gloves this time around to make sure he is fully recovered.


Also, LOL at how important you think chemistry is.

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65 games in 03/04, 65 games in 05/06, 34/68 in 06/07. That's not injury prone?

And have you never played on a competitive sports team in your life? LOL at how UNimportant you think chemistry is.

You are obviously a donk who knows very little about hockey.

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As I pointed out earlier, it is the same injury that he reaggravates. This time they took him to a groin specialist and kept him out longer to ensure he is fully healed. In my opinion the fact that he has missed half the season is a positive because he will be fresher for the playoffs. Peter Forsberg anyone?


You said yourself that Calgary's parts make a pretty solid whole. They have no serious problems, yet you claim that if they had even better chemistry they would improve 20points/year. Sorry, but this donk doesn't think so.

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I don't think that having one recurring injury makes him "injury prone". Yeah, his groin keeps getting reinjured, but I feel fairly confident that they handled him with baby gloves this time around to make sure he is fully recovered.


Also, LOL at how important you think chemistry is.

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65 games in 03/04, 65 games in 05/06, 34/68 in 06/07. That's not injury prone?

And have you never played on a competitive sports team in your life? LOL at how UNimportant you think chemistry is.

You are obviously a donk who knows very little about hockey.

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As I pointed out earlier, it is the same injury that he reaggravates. This time they took him to a groin specialist and kept him out longer to ensure he is fully healed. In my opinion the fact that he has missed half the season is a positive because he will be fresher for the playoffs. Peter Forsberg anyone?


You said yourself that Calgary's parts make a pretty solid whole. They have no serious problems, yet you claim that if they had even better chemistry they would improve 20points/year. Sorry, but this donk doesn't think so.

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Peter Forsberg had a [censored] up spleen. Not something that can be reinjured so easily like a groin. I pulled my groin months ago and it still [censored] up my sports.

And the Flames probably have the best team (at least top 4) ON PAPER in the nhl. But of course, the game isn't played on paper, it's played on the ice. What's the difference between paper and ice? The interaction and level of cohesion of the players.

This is not difficult stuff.