Early Playoff Predictions

[gregoire]

I think this is my least favorite month of hockey over the last couple of years.

Really? I thought April and May were worse for you...at least the tensions is usually over by May though.

[evilducks]

I think this is my least favorite month of hockey over the last couple of years.

Really? I thought April and May were worse for you...at least the tensions is usually over by May though.

Nah, much like public speaking the build up to it is much worse than actually doing it.

So, the fear that we're going to choke is much worse than actually going through the anger of choking.

[landonhockey4]

I agree with those rankings, although the Oilers always bring the Northwest down so I don't think you needed to say that.

Firstroundplayoffexitsayswhat?

-NonMint

Touche

[Sharks2009]

well the caps now have one of the top three seeds in the east, not that that is too surprising, but it does seem really early for it.

Helps being in the worst division in hockey.  It's like winning the NFC west...

yeah ... last year I thought this division had finally pulled itself out of being the worst. I mean they have had strong teams in the past ... but usually only one at a time. Then last year it seemed that Carolina was good, WAshington was good, Florida was on the cusp, TB and Atlanta even seemed to be getting better.

But this year ... how stinky can you get ... to have 4 of 5 teams at or below .500 in the era of the loser point? yikes ... that truly sucks. 4 of the worst 8 teams in the league ... Pacific is probably the best right now ... hmmm ... lesseee ranking the divisions

1. Pacific -  no teams in the bottom 8 and 3 of the top 7.
2. North West - two teams in the top 8 ... 3 in playoff position - Edmonton really really brings the division down a bit though.
3. Atlantic - only scrapes above Central because Pitt and NJ  are so strong - they have three teams in playoff contention but Philly would be out of it in the west. The Islanders still kind of suck although they are improving.
4. Central - Columbus isn't as big a stinker as Edmonton, Leafs or Islanders but only two teams in playoff position right now and one of those is marginal
5. North East - only one team in the top ten (Buffalo at 10th) and one of the worst two teams in the league
6. South East - 4 of the worst 8 teams - all at or below .500

I think the Atlantic is better than the Northwest.  Pens, Devils, Flyers > Canucks, Avs, Flames, with the bottom two teams in each being a wash. 

The funny part about the Pacific is that everyone thought it may be the worst division this year, as both Anaheim and Dallas were due to fall, and no-one expected the quick rise by LA, and Phx being any better than the bottom 5 in the NHL.  I think the Ducks make it, if they had pulled the Lubo trade off earlier.  But, now will Selanne and Getzlaf possibly hurt, their season should be over...

[Sharks2009]

I think this is my least favorite month of hockey over the last couple of years.

Really? I thought April and May were worse for you...at least the tensions is usually over by May though.

I guess you are lucky, since Montreal has picked it up...but I was wondering who you were going to find allegiance with if neither team made the playoffs.  Although, I'm sure you would become a Kings fan.

[NonMint]

I agree with those rankings, although the Oilers always bring the Northwest down so I don't think you needed to say that.

Firstroundplayoffexitsayswhat?

-NonMint

Touche

-NonMint

[ap_cymru]

I think the Atlantic is better than the Northwest.  Pens, Devils, Flyers > Canucks, Avs, Flames, with the bottom two teams in each being a wash. 

I dunno about that ... the argument can be made I suppose. Particularly with the strong history of both the Devs and the Pens ... the latter being the defending champs.

But this year the record of the West against the East is way better ... waaaay better ... and overall the Canucks have a better record than the Pens, the Avs have a better record than the Devils and the Flames have a better record than Philly.

If those teams were in the east they would be 2nd, 3rd, and 6th.

[SensFan07]

I am definitely starting to get that playoff feeling. Can't wait until they start.

[Sharks2009]

I think the Atlantic is better than the Northwest.  Pens, Devils, Flyers > Canucks, Avs, Flames, with the bottom two teams in each being a wash. 

I dunno about that ... the argument can be made I suppose. Particularly with the strong history of both the Devs and the Pens ... the latter being the defending champs.

But this year the record of the West against the East is way better ... waaaay better ... and overall the Canucks have a better record than the Pens, the Avs have a better record than the Devils and the Flames have a better record than Philly.

If those teams were in the east they would be 2nd, 3rd, and 6th.

Good point, surrounding the West being better, overall, than the East. 

I think, as teams go, the Pens have a better team than anyone in the NorthWest, and the Devils, as a team, would be better than the Avs/Flames.

As much as I know it would never happen, I would love to see a 1-16 ranking for the playoffs, instead of two different conferences.  The travel in the West hurts the teams in the playoffs, and they end up tired come SCF time.  I think if they mixed up all the teams, and used total points to rank the teams 1-16 (top 8 still make it from the East and the West), it would take that advantage away from the Eastern teams.

[ap_cymru]

I am definitely starting to get that playoff feeling. Can't wait until they start.

After watching the Sens on Saturda ... you might just 'hope' they start ....

[SensFan07]

I am definitely starting to get that playoff feeling. Can't wait until they start.

After watching the Sens on Saturday ... you might just 'hope' they start ....

That was a terrible, terrible game. The Sens are a better team than what you saw. They've just played like crap since the Olympics. Hopefully they can re-find their game before the playoffs start. I hate 1st Round exits.

[geduffer]

I am definitely starting to get that playoff feeling. Can't wait until they start.

After watching the Sens on Saturday ... you might just 'hope' they start ....

That was a terrible, terrible game. The Sens are a better team than what you saw. They've just played like crap since the Olympics. Hopefully they can re-find their game before the playoffs start. I hate 1st Round exits.

You should move to Long Island. You wouldn't have to worry about first round exits.

[ap_cymru]

back to the strength of the western conference ... column.

http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Canucks+Western+Conference+playoffs+full+strong+contenders/2713659/story.html


"Finding a pushover in the first round is like trying to find a wimp to fight in Sparta. Or going for the breakfast buffet in Stockholm, hoping for Froot Loops and being confronted by eight kinds of pickled herring. I'm sure they're all good, you just don't want to eat any of it. OK, maybe the playoffs aren't quite like that."

and

"The Sharks can go only as far as Joe Thornton takes them, which is not very."

ouch.

[evilducks]

back to the strength of the western conference ... column.

http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Canucks+Western+Conference+playoffs+full+strong+contenders/2713659/story.html


"Finding a pushover in the first round is like trying to find a wimp to fight in Sparta. Or going for the breakfast buffet in Stockholm, hoping for Froot Loops and being confronted by eight kinds of pickled herring. I'm sure they're all good, you just don't want to eat any of it. OK, maybe the playoffs aren't quite like that."

and

"The Sharks can go only as far as Joe Thornton takes them, which is not very."

ouch.

I'm already kind of cranky thanks to our amazing 6 game losing streak... but what has Vancouver ever done in the playoffs that makes them so special?

They dismiss Phoenix, LA and Nashville because they've never really been there.  Is the experience of blowing lead after lead to Chicago really that useful?  The Sharks have blown several series, hasn't seemed to help us any.  Maybe you get to be the Sharks of the Great White North...  Well, if Calgary doesn't make it this year anyway.

[ap_cymru]

back to the strength of the western conference ... column.

http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Canucks+Western+Conference+playoffs+full+strong+contenders/2713659/story.html


"Finding a pushover in the first round is like trying to find a wimp to fight in Sparta. Or going for the breakfast buffet in Stockholm, hoping for Froot Loops and being confronted by eight kinds of pickled herring. I'm sure they're all good, you just don't want to eat any of it. OK, maybe the playoffs aren't quite like that."

and

"The Sharks can go only as far as Joe Thornton takes them, which is not very."

ouch.

I'm already kind of cranky thanks to our amazing 6 game losing streak... but what has Vancouver ever done in the playoffs that makes them so special?

They dismiss Phoenix, LA and Nashville because they've never really been there.  Is the experience of blowing lead after lead to Chicago really that useful?  The Sharks have blown several series, hasn't seemed to help us any.  Maybe you get to be the Sharks of the Great White North...  Well, if Calgary doesn't make it this year anyway.

absolutely ... in fact there was a column just the other week that raised the Sharks as a cautionary tale for Vancouver. I don't think the 'nucks haven't been past the second round since 1994 when they were a Nathan Lafayette goal post away from overtime in game 7 of the finals. *sniff*

that was a riot I tell ya ....