NHL Thread

[hip hop bunny hop]

I think the Predators offense is underrated; further, the method they use on offense isn't dependent on single players, just crash the net hard and often. It's absolutely brutal; people seem to forget just how well it did against the Canucks in the playoffs.

[captaincaptain]

I'm very happy with the Sabres' opener. Two things I was hoping to see this season started very well this game.

1. Vanek improving as a goal scorer
2. Our free agents being worth the money Pegula has spent.

[cd2117]

Yes i was thinking Lundqvist as well...Vokoun more of a dark horse maybe. No questioning Lundqvist's consistency, and don't forget about his 10 shutouts last year. Thomas is a question mark year-to-year, with his age and all. Luongo will probably put up solid regular season numbers again but I don't think he merits first pick. The other five you listed are amazing second choices if someone like Lundqvist gets snapped up. All five of them go into stretches where they are straight up unbeatable. (However, in my opinion, Ward is always a huge question mark)

[Thom Yorke]

Pretty big fail by Doughty's agent. He couldn't get that ideal 5 year deal and tacks on 3 more potential UFA years to boot, for only 200K more than the Kings were offering a year. And I'm sure contracts will be going up within the next 8 years so he'll miss out on even more money. Of course Doughty still is a 21 year old that will be making $56 million over the next 8 years to play hockey...

[Thom Yorke]

Standings

East

1. Capitals - 120 pts
2. Bruins - 105 pts
3. Rangers - 102 pts
4. Sabres - 101 pts
5. Flyers - 100 pts
6. Penguins - 99 pts
7. Canadiens - 95 pts
8. Hurricanes - 93 pts
9. Lightning - 91 pts
10. Devils - 89 pts
11. Leafs - 85 pts
12. Islanders - 80 pts
13. Jets - 80 pts
14. Panthers - 78 pts
15. Senators - 64 pts

West

1. Canucks - 110 pts
2. Sharks - 108 pts
3. Blackhawks - 102 pts
4. Kings - 104 pts
5. Red Wings - 100 pts
6. Blues - 98 pts
7. Ducks - 97 pts
8. Wild - 95 pts
9. Predators - 94 pts
10. Flames - 89 pts
11. Blue Jackets - 87 pts
12. Stars - 83 pts
13. Coyotes- 76 pts
14. Oilers - 70 pts
15. Oilers - 65 pts

Playoffs

Round 1 - East
1. Capitals vs. 8. Hurricanes - Capitals in 5
2. Bruins vs. 7. Canadiens - Bruins in 7
3. Rangers vs. 6. Penguins - Penguins in 6
4. Sabres vs. 5. Flyers - Sabres in 7

Round 1 - West
1. Canucks vs. 8. Wild - Wild in 7
2. Sharks vs. 7. Ducks - Sharks in 6
3. Blackhawks vs. 6. Blues - Blackhawks in 6
4. Kings vs. 5. Red Wings - Kings in 6

Eastern Semis
1. Capitals vs. 6. Penguins - Penguins in 7
2. Bruins vs. 4. Sabres - Bruins in 6

Western Semis
2. Sharks vs. 8. Wild - Sharks in 4
3. Blackhawks vs. 4. Kings - Blackhawks in 7

Eastern Conference Final
2. Bruins vs. 6. Penguins - Penguins in 7

Western Conference Final
2. Sharks vs. 3. Blackhawks - Sharks in 7

Stanley Cup Final
2. Sharks vs. 6. Penguins - Sharks in 6

Awards

Conn Smythe: Thornton - 30 pts
Art Ross: Ovechkin - 105 pts (H. Sedin - 98 pts, Malkin - 95 pts)
Richard: Ovechkin - 50 g (Stamkos - 45 G, Tavares - 43 g)
+/- Award: Ovechkin - + 45 (Backstrom - + 40, Knuble - + 35
Jennings: Thomas/Rask - BOS (Lundqvist - NYR, Luongo/Schneider VAN)
Hart: Toews - 88 pts (Ovechkin, Malkin)
Lindsay: Ovechkin (Malkin, Toews)
Norris: Burns - 60 pts (Weber - 50 pts, Chara - 45 pts)
Vezina: Lundqvist - .930 S % (Vokoun - .925 S %, Miller .923 S %)
Selke: Datsyuk (Bergeron, Kesler)
Calder: Bernier - .920 S % (Schenn - 40 pts, Larsson 25 pts)
Lady Byng: B. Richards (St. Louis, Eriksson)
Adams: Yeo - MIN (Tortorella - NYR, Maurice - CAR)

[Electrophonic Tonic]

Sabres looked good again today against a top 3 team in the West. The team looks VASTLY improved from last year.

Gonna be a fun year in Hockey Heaven.

[lucifer_sam]

I dunno how Crosby is going to play this year, but from the way Malkin looked these past few weeks, he's relishing the opportunity to turn this into a milestone season. I wouldn't be surprised if he carried the 'Guins into the playoffs; it seems like he took last season as a personal blow to his ego. And minus the (hopefully) momentary absence of Crosby, the lineup is thankfully intact...whether or not it stays the case in April is another thing entirely.

I think the Kings are better than most will admit, they just haven't had a reliable anchor since the good old great one departed for fairer waters in the '90s. But it's refreshing to see them draw some young blood to fill the gaps in their roster; Dustin Penner was definitely a worthwhile acquisition, albeit not of the same caliber as the Mike Richards trade.

For the first time in many years, I feel like Detroit is going to struggle rather than benefit from the burdens of experience. It may not be this year, but injuries are going to cost Detroit heavily by the time they reach the playoffs.

[Thom Yorke]

Originally Posted by lucifer_sam

I dunno how Crosby is going to play this year, but from the way Malkin looked these past few weeks, he's relishing the opportunity to turn this into a milestone season. I wouldn't be surprised if he carried the 'Guins into the playoffs; it seems like he took last season as a personal blow to his ego. And minus the (hopefully) momentary absence of Crosby, the lineup is thankfully intact...whether or not it stays the case in April is another thing entirely.

I think the Kings are better than most will admit, they just haven't had a reliable anchor since the good old great one departed for fairer waters in the '90s. But it's refreshing to see them draw some young blood to fill the gaps in their roster; Dustin Penner was definitely a worthwhile acquisition, albeit not of the same caliber as the Mike Richards trade.

For the first time in many years, I feel like Detroit is going to struggle rather than benefit from the burdens of experience. It may not be this year, but injuries are going to cost Detroit heavily by the time they reach the playoffs.

I thought Malkin looked terrible against Vancouver. He was falling all over the place. Never got to see the game vs. Calgary though. But I do agree with you, I think he has a big bounce-back year.

And people say that about Detroit every year. Has to happen eventualy I guess, but I doubt it happens this year. I say they take a noticeable step back next year when Lidstrom (most likely) retires.

[pourmeanother]

Malkin wasn't brilliant against the Nucks, but there was something wrong with the ice. Dudes were falling left and right, and I don't even mean just Floppy Lappy.

Respect the analysis Thom. I'd probably slot the Lightning above the 'Canes, but that's nitpicky given how close you have them. In the West I have the Blackhawks a little lower, and I like the Preds team to get in there... but I agree that Minnesota and/or St. Louis should slip in there too and surprise some people.

Outside of that, the playoffs are going to be super competitive. Can't remember this much parity and this many favorites in both the East AND West in one season. Surprised to see so much Sharks love, but I'm done picking my team... they aren't going to win.

[Thom Yorke]

Man, Seguin is looking like an absolute beast this year. Too bad the rest of the team (minus the goalies) is still hungover.


And last year:


That shot is absolutely lethal, on 3 of the best goalies in the league too.