Hockey is back

I’d have to disagree almost completely with the top 4 for real teams…

San Jose needs to prove it can win a game that is NOT in the regular season before I will even recognize them as a for real team.

I still say NYR will be relevant, even though my Pens are now 2-0 on them…

Speaking of those Pens…why are they not on this list?  Standby for revenge for last year.

Boston right now is just an average team.  They have the tools, but are lacking something, like senior leadership as when they had Recchi.

Chicago IS the team to beat in the West right now, and I really don’t think come playoff team there will be much resistance to them.  You are looking at the Campbell Champs, and possibly the Cup winners.

So with NYR, Pitt, and Chicago being the real teams, I don’t really have a fourth.  There are teams that could be a number 4 (STL, TB, Bos, Ott), but I need to see big games from them.

so you think the Av’s have a chance?

@Mallery29:

I’d have to disagree almost completely with the top 4 for real teams…

San Jose needs to prove it can win a game that is NOT in the regular season before I will even recognize them as a for real team.

I still say NYR will be relevant, even though my Pens are now 2-0 on them…

Speaking of those Pens…why are they not on this list?  Standby for revenge for last year.

Boston right now is just an average team.  They have the tools, but are lacking something, like senior leadership as when they had Recchi.

Chicago IS the team to beat in the West right now, and I really don’t think come playoff team there will be much resistance to them.  You are looking at the Campbell Champs, and possibly the Cup winners.

So with NYR, Pitt, and Chicago being the real teams, I don’t really have a fourth.  There are teams that could be a number 4 (STL, TB, Bos, Ott), but I need to see big games from them.

Just as a disclaimer… none of the above choices were ones that I would necessarily pick. Those were my guesses at what YG was thinking. He corrected me obviously, on exactly what his teams were. I contested based on my opinion. Certainly, that would indicate that his picks are not my own. Not sure why you say Boston is just an average team right now… I mean they aren’t as glamorous perhaps as they were 2 years ago, but they have excellent depth, they are tough and they have been winning. Plus, they are poised to take advantage of a weak division. Seems like a good top four pick at the moment.

fun reading gents, I am learning allot.

I am a Football fan first (much more knowledgeable about that sport) but hockey is a close second.  I love my team (Blackhawks), and it is good to learn more about the other good teams in the league.

I would agree with the (albeit a homer) view that Chicago should go far this year.  Their goaltending play is much improved.  Emery won the Calgary game himself, something you have not seen in Chicago since Neimi did this in the Stanley Cup winning year.

@Young:

Let me clarify….

Teams that I think will make the playoffs without any problems…

1. Chicago
All the tools needed to dominate, Leadership (Toews) Skill (Kane, Hossa, Sharp), Defense (Kieth, Seabrook)… and Goaltending has answered the critics.

2. San Jose
They will again make the playoffs without any problems, their past playoff failures are not what I measure as a present indication. If anything, their chances of succeeding are greater because of their awareness of failure, This spot could easily be shared by Vancouver.

3. New York Islanders
The maturity of one of the best (Traveres) and the most underrated forward in the league (Molson), and the most under appreciated defenseman (Striet) with a very proven goalie (Nabokov). This team will easily make the playoffs.

4. Montreal
New Coach, New Philosophy, New management, All star Defenseman (Markov), All star goalie (Price), best mix of youth (Paciretty, Suban, Galager, Galchenyek) and veterans (Cole, Gionta, Georges) in the conference, best goals against vs. goals for ratio, and a top power play. Lethal combination of grit, skill and confidence. With the way they support the puck, and force quick transitions, they will make the playoffs (IMO).

5.  7 way tie…
    Toronto (well coached, despite their defense)
   Pittsburgh (Top end skill despite the lost confidence of Flury)
   Vancouver (Great goaltending despite the trade rummers)
   New York Rangers (the best line in the NHL despite everything else)
   Boston (Could very easily be 4th on this list despite the inexperience in net)
   Ottawa (great Chemistry, and superb goaltending despite losing their best player)
    Minnesota (Everything is there despite the coaching, and Goaltending)

Teams that will miss the playoffs for sure:

Philadelphia
Washington
Columbus
Calgary

Please don’t be offended by my list… it’s all in good fun (and Hell Ya! I’m bias, aren’t we all?).

A compelling analysis, even if I don’t quite agree with some of the choices in #5.

Come on. Offense tight first period  back home after 2 weeks. Go Blackhawks.

Been on hiatus from this site but glad to be back, rough one to swallow as a hardcore blackhawks fan last night, but I can’t be too critical with all the success so far.  Go BlackHawks!

yea how many PP do you need?

the goalie for anaheim looked pretty good

Ha Ha HA as many as you can get.

How about them Sharks? HA HA HA HA!  If it walks like a Duck, talks like a Duck…oh wait…at least the Ducks have won once!  More like, if it walks like a Blue Jacket…

Sharks do, always have, and always will…blow goats.

Blackhawks add to the record, they are on an unprecedented roll right now.

Da Da Dut Da Da Da      Da Da Dut Da Da Da      Da Da Dut Da Da Da

Da Da Dut Da Da Da

@SS:

Da Da Dut Da Da Da      Da Da Dut Da Da Da      Da Da Dut Da Da Da

Da Da Dut Da Da Da

How tremendously annoying… and I like Chicago.

Yes it can be.  :roll:

Pfftp.

@Gargantua:

Pfftp.

:-P

That’s your trademark though.

:-D Trolly  :-D