Western Conference War

[Curtrain]

I lost a bet a week ago and have had this avatar for the past 7 days...It will be gone tomorrow.

Boooo. Can't wait until the next bet

Chicago is now at 68 points.

 

[puckhead]

Chicago is now at 68 points.

yeah, I don't like that.
would much prefer that they were left out of the mix.

 

[Curtrain]

Maybe facing Chicago in the first round would be a good thing... maybe

 

[puckhead]

Maybe facing Chicago in the first round would be a good thing... maybe

it's a demon that needs to be exercised, that's for sure.
though I really wouldn't mind just going around them

 

[The Q stache]

it's a demon that needs to be exercised, that's for sure.
though I really wouldn't mind just going around them

I don't think you are gonna get that lucky. I think the Hawks might have just turned the corner. at the very least they are rounding it.

 

[Ho_Brah]

 

[Eddie_Shack]

Five teams at 68 points, and Columbus and St. Louis nipping at their heels with 64 and 63, respectively. The Jackets and the Blues are playing well and have games in hand, so we can't really count them out at this point. Dallas is dropping like a rock and Anaheim has cooled down considerably, but in a race this tight every spot is up for grabs.

 

[dash]

Just glad to be in this position where games still matter...Two months ago, it wasn't much fun being a Flames fan.

 

[Eddie_Shack]

Just glad to be in this position where games still matter...Two months ago, it wasn't much fun being a Flames fan.

Pretty crazy season. You went from eying a lottery pick to being a potential giant killer in the playoffs. I don't think there are any teams who want to go up against the Flames in the first round...

 

[dash]

Pretty crazy season. You went from eying a lottery pick to being a potential giant killer in the playoffs. I don't think there are any teams who want to go up against the Flames in the first round...

We'll see (if and when they make the dance). This team has a first round bugaboo that's seems very difficult to shake.

/Interesting that of the Kings remaining 23 games, 11 of them are against the Pacific Division. I see lots of intensity (and blood spilled) before the playoffs even begin.

 

[Eddie_Shack]

We'll see (if and when they make the dance). This team has a first round bugaboo that's seems very difficult to shake.

/Interesting that of the Kings remaining 23 games, 11 of them are against the Pacific Division. I see lots of intensity (and blood spilled) before the playoffs even begin.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but for a majority of the Flames first round exits since '04 hasn't Regehr been injured? I know he's not the same player he was even two years ago, but he's exactly the kind of guy you want in your own end and in front of the net in the postseason. (or at least he used to be...)

 

[Ho_Brah]

We'll see (if and when they make the dance). This team has a first round bugaboo that's seems very difficult to shake.

/Interesting that of the Kings remaining 23 games, 11 of them are against the Pacific Division. I see lots of intensity (and blood spilled) before the playoffs even begin.

and all 23 are against WC teams. Kings would need a 12-8-3 record to get to 95 points (number to where they should be able to make the playoffs)

I see it happening.

 

[dash]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but for a majority of the Flames first round exits since '04 hasn't Regehr been injured? I know he's not the same player he was even two years ago, but he's exactly the kind of guy you want in your own end and in front of the net in the postseason. (or at least he used to be...)

He did miss some action in a couple of those playoff rounds and his absence was felt. He's playing some of his best hockey of late as well, very strong defensively and chipping in with a some points as well.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

At this point I'd settle for a Ducks vs Canucks 1st round matchup. However I think the Ducks are in serious trouble. Hiller can't get healthy fast enough.

When is Lombardi going to do something? Obviously Minnesota needs help at Center. Don't know what they have to trade though. Their farm system is bascially Granlund.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Kings vs Ducks tonight at the Honda Center.

Emery can't get to Anaheim soon enough. I never thought I'd say that.

 

[Slimpikins]

NO OT TONIGHT!!!

 

[Ho_Brah]

 

[Ho_Brah]

some observations

The official standings show a significant gap between SJS and PHX (76, 75 points) and MIN, LAK, NAS, CGY (all at 70). However, SJS and PHX have played two more games than MIN, NAS and LAK, so in reality the gap is very small.

Six teams (5th through 10th) need records ranging from 11-8-3 to 13-7-3 to get to the playoff threshold of 95 points( what I think it will be). That's a difference of one loss separating those teams, at most.

In other words, we're still looking at a situation where -- for MIN, LAK, NAS, CHI, DAL and CBJ -- the season may as well start today. Play 3 to 5 games above .500 (varies by club) you're in; worse than that, sorry.

The Blues and Avs are all but eliminated. The odds of the Blues going 15-6-2 to close out the season are about nil. But everybody else has a good healthy shot.

 

[kenyg54]

I'll still go with my picks from a few weeks ago.

 

[IPostedWhat]

100!