Eastern Conference

[USCDoom]

Are the 8 playoff teams already set? I look at the 8 teams in the playoffs and other than Tampa I dont really see a team having a long drought (though Montreal has a brutal December) I can see Buffalo making a nice run, maybe Ottawa but not much else...

I guess my real question is if you had to pick 2 teams in the Top 8 now that wont be in the playoffs who would they be, and which 2 not in the Top 8 that will end up there?

For me I see Tampa falling out and Buffalo getting in, other than that I think the Top 8 in the EC is kinda set (though I really have no clue...)

 

[BOSSMANPC]

It's a bit early to say Doom. Ask me after Jan 1 st.

 

[Bizzle McDizzle]

Are the 8 playoff teams already set?

no, god damn it

 

[dash]

no, god damn it

The Canes are just getting ready to go on a 30-10 tear and rocket up the standings...just like the Flames.

/It's good to have dreams

 

[naslundfan19]

What Boss said, but after the trade deadline for me.

 

[Darkstone42]

Tampa's staying in, I think. They give up a lot of goals, but they also score a lot. Stamkos and St. Louis can pace that team to a low seed in the playoffs.

The Rangers will probably fall out. I predict injury trouble for them, as well as some key cold streaks, that will keep them out. Carolina will take their place, I believe. I don't see anyone else dropping out, though. However, I think Boston, and not Montreal, will win the Northeast. I guess if I have to pick someone else, I would put Atlanta out and Buffalo in.

 

[klyper]

yeah I wouldn't quite count out the Sabres yet. Especially with Miller back and riding a hot glove.......and stick.....and pads

 

[Winged_Wheel88]

no, god damn it

Somehow I correctly detected from the tone of this post that Carolina was currently outside the bubble without looking up the standings.

 

[Urkie]

I don't think the Sens will make it this year. The team just has too many holes to consistently win games.

In my mind, the only 2 teams outside the top 8 in the east that have a chance to make it in are Buffalo and Carolina.

 

[klyper]

I don't think the Sens will make it this year. The team just has too many holes to consistently win games.

In my mind, the only 2 teams outside the top 8 in the east that have a chance to make it in are Buffalo and Carolina.

yeah Ottawa sure doesn't look good at all lately. I watched most of the first two periods of that Sens/Habs game last night (fell asleep on the couch by the end of the 2nd) and I thought both teams looked real sloppy. It just seemed there was no communication between linemates at all. It almost reminded me of watching the Leafs at their worst....which is pretty bad.

The Sens still have a core of good players, but Spezza needs to get going. I think Alfie is all washed up. His best years are far behind him

 

[Urkie]

yeah Ottawa sure doesn't look good at all lately. I watched most of the first two periods of that Sens/Habs game last night (fell asleep on the couch by the end of the 2nd) and I thought both teams looked real sloppy. It just seemed there was no communication between linemates at all. It almost reminded me of watching the Leafs at their worst....which is pretty bad.

The Sens still have a core of good players, but Spezza needs to get going. I think Alfie is all washed up. His best years are far behind him

Well, every Sens game is like that this year...

I think the core is the problem. We need some new players to be the leaders and a new direction. Alfie is too old to carry the load and that's becoming quite apparent this year.

And to be quite honest, I thought the core should have been dismantled in 08/09 when they missed the playoffs. Last year was kind of fluke. If it wasn't for that 11 game win streak then they would have missed out last year too.

I don't know what the hold up is on going in a new direction. This group didn't get it done, it's time to move on. If it goes on for much longer then they'll turn into the Leafs from 05-08. Not a team you want to be associated with.

 

[mooger_35]

The Canes are just getting ready to go on a 30-10 tear and rocket up the standings...just like the Flames.

/It's good to have dreams

Would that be enough for the Flames to make it?

 

[dash]

Would that be enough for the Flames to make it?

Yeah, that should do it...I think the parity in the league will actually drive down the number of points it will take to make the playoffs (in the past it's been around 94 or 95 points, but I think 90 or 91 points will get you in this season). A heck of a lot easier said than done, though.

 

[USCDoom]

Yeah, that should do it...I think the parity in the league will actually drive down the number of points it will take to make the playoffs (in the past it's been around 94 or 95 points, but I think 90 or 91 points will get you in this season). A heck of a lot easier said than done, though.

True, I dont think any team has ever Not made the playoffs with 94 points. I think the western conference though could push that mark this year though...

The one thing though about the NHL that is more true than any other sport is Injuries play a must bigger role as the season goes on... Philadelphia last year was great example of how Top Team barely makes the playoffs...

Anyways it gonna be an interesting year, I looks like to me the EC will be open and shut, while the WC will be a a great race with alot of opinion, for instance I think I can make a EC Power Poll right now for the Top 8 that might gets some arguments on placements but would be generally accepted, and in 4 months it will probably look the Same. But with the WC a Power Poll for the Top 8 right now would be almost crazy to try, and if you did I can almost assuredly say would be very different in 4 months.

 

[IPostedWhat]

True, I dont think any team has ever Not made the playoffs with 94 points.

The Avs missed the PO's back in the 06-07 Season with 95 points.

 

[Bizzle McDizzle]

as of today

'Canes 3 points behind Montreal for 8th spot with game in hand
6 points behind Atlanta with 4 games in hand and a head to head match up tomorrow.

TOP 8 NOT SET YET!!!


Watch your rearview, bitches... there's a hurricane a'comin' :-D

 

[dare2be]

Watch your rearview, bitches... there's a hurricane a'comin' :-D

Is that a watch or a warning? Looks like just a depression

 

[Bizzle McDizzle]

1 pt out.

games in hand

 

[dash]

Canes are smokin', Thrashers look like trash these days...

 

[beantownmaniac]

I think Atlanta falls out, Canes get in. Hopefully the Habs fall out too, maybe for the Sabres