Looks Like The East Is Down To 10 Teams

[IPostedWhat]

I am at the point where I have to think that the Sabres, Leafs, Sens, Isles, and Devils are missing the PO's this year.

You have your top 8 right now as Philly, Boston, Tampa, Pits, Washington, NY, Montreal, and Atlanta.

Then you have Carolina who is in 9th but only 1 points back from Atlanta in the 8th spot. Panthers are 7 points back but they have 4 games in hand coming into tonight. I think they are still a bit of a longshot, but they could make it in with some help.

I think Atlanta falls out and Carolina gets in. I could even see the possiblility of the Habs or Rags falling and allowing the Panthers to sneak in, but that is at best a 30% chance IMO.

I really have no point to this thread other than finally admitting that the Sabres are done this year.

 

[Comeds]

I am at the point where I have to think that the Sabres, Leafs, Sens, Isles, and Devils are missing the PO's this year.

You have your top 8 right now as Philly, Boston, Tampa, Pits, Washington, NY, Montreal, and Atlanta.

Then you have Carolina who is in 9th but only 1 points back from Atlanta in the 8th spot. Panthers are 7 points back but they have 4 games in hand coming into tonight. I think they are still a bit of a longshot, but they could make it in with some help.

I think Atlanta falls out and Carolina gets in. I could even see the possiblility of the Habs or Rags falling and allowing the Panthers to sneak in, but that is at best a 30% chance IMO.

I really have no point to this thread other than finally admitting that the Sabres are done this year.

Atlanta was really looking solid earlier this season but havent looked like the same team in weeks. I can see them dropping.

The Habs have defensive injury problems and they do not score as much as they should to compete a lot of nights so I can see it coming down to the final week for their playoff fate.

 

[BostonAJ]

The Habs have defensive injury problems

Any word on when Gorges is due back?

 

[Comeds]

Any word on when Gorges is due back?

Next season. However his contract is up, like Markov, so the Habs have to figure out how much money to risk to two players coming back from major knee surgeries.

 

[pixburgher66]

Atlanta will drop out IMO. They rely too heavily on defensive scoring. Sure, they're getting great numbers from the blue line, but those numbers are bound to go dwindle as we go toward the home-stretch, merely because they're going to have to focus on defense when they play those desperate teams.

 

[Comeds]

Atlanta will drop out IMO. They rely too heavily on defensive scoring. Sure, they're getting great numbers from the blue line, but those numbers are bound to go dwindle as we go toward the home-stretch, merely because they're going to have to focus on defense when they play those desperate teams.

I watch a ton of Thrashers hockey. I think their offense is good all the way around and do not expect that to drop too much. Its their defense and goaltending that I think will hurt them. Byfuglien may have to play more conservative but I still think they will score plenty. Enstrom is a fast skating good puckhandler who is strong on both sides of the ice and I see no reason to think that wont continue. If he was on a better team I think he would get a lot more attention than he does, I am glad to see he made the all star team. I think he is a great young player.

Pavelec is very good some nights but inconsistent overall like a lot of 22 year old goaltenders.

I think this was a transition year for the Thrashers and missing the playoffs wouldnt normally hurt them so bad. However the fact that for two straight seasons they started well then collapsed does not exactly build optimism. They had a nice late comeback last night, perhaps that will straighten them out for a while.

 

[devs30rko]

Florida might be my darkhorse to make it. they look good the other night when I saw them, gallon is good for that group.

that kid dadonov is slick