1) Well,technically the NHL half way point passed a couple of weeks ago, but the traditional point that's used is the All Star Break, so for all intents and purposes we will use that as the new starting point for this discussion
1. Buffalo *- We don't see any one overtaking them.
2. Atlanta * - Our preseason Cup favourite. They are team to beat in SE
3. New Jersey * - Marty having MVP season. Should carry division easily
4. Ottawa - Starting to come together, but will come up short for division
5. Carolina - Cup champs can't be counted out
6. N.Y. Rangers - Lundqvist is key, but division out of range
7. Montreal - Not as good as start, but better than they've been recently
8. Tampa Bay - Should sneak into playoffs and give Buffalo a scare
9. Pittsburgh - With Sid and others playing well will give TB run for playoffs
10. Toronto - Another non-Cup year for the Leaf Nation
11. Boston - Big Z not big enough to carry this team into post season
12. Washington - Mild improvement in Nation's capital, but no playoffs
13. NY Islanders - 'Yashin-led Islanders' is all that needs to be said
14. Florida - Will be active 'sellers' at deadline.
15. Philadelphia - How bad can they get/be? Might see some mild improvement
1. SanJose * - Quietly creeping up on Ducks. Will pas them before season is over
2. Nashville * - Best team last 2 months. Will carry over the rest of the way
3. Calgary * - Will win the NW division but won't be pretty.
4. Detroit - Geezers finish behind Preds, but best non divisional winner
5. Anaheim - Will falter a bit more and lose division to SJ
6. Dallas - Should make playoffs despite injury bug
7. Vancouver - Luongo will carry team into playoffs, but fall short of division
8. Minnesota - Back in the playoffs if they can stay healthy
9. Colorado - Young guns and Budaj not enough, but future looks bright
10. Edmonton - Won't be able to make up for long mid season slump
11. Phoenix - Too bad they waited until December to start season
12. Chicago - Another season, another non playoff year in Shy-town
13. St. Louis - Playing better as of late, but will sell off most vets at deadline
14. Columbus - Yet another losing season in Ohio. They need a change at the top!
15. Los Angeles - Gunning for the bottom with Burke!
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15 years ago
2 comments:
As crazy as this sounds...I still think the Devils could win the conference if everything breaks right. Buffalo won't be able to do much at the deadline and neither will the Devils, but I think right now the Devils are playing a hair better. That may be enough to win 2 of the 3 remaining meetings and take the #1 seed in the East. Then again who knows....Atlanta is always in the mix along with Ottawa even.
stevens@www.thenhlarena.com
a. Hey Stevens, not crazy at all -I believe the Devs could win the Cup... When Marty is your goalie, ANYTHING is possible...
b. Ok Faux, here's my analysis... Buffalo probably wins East, due to the phenomenal start... I bump NJ ahead of Atlanta - I am not a big Lehtonen fan... The Rangers WILL make the playoffs, but as an 8th seed... Move Montreal and Tampa up a space... I totally agree with the 8 you've selected - However, wasn't it you folks who picked the Flyers for the "Patrick" Division preseason? LOL
c. Your West is solid also, however, I believe the Ducks will hold on... Funny though, I love San Jose to get to the finals... Of course, don't be surprised if the Sakic-led Avalanche edge out the Wild...
Antz, marching into the weekend
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