Tuesday night's round of games tightened the West playoff race even more. The teams right on the outside of playoff bunch, Calgary, Los Angeles and Colorado, all pulled off valuable victories. Meanwhile the last ones inside, San Jose and Phoenix took one more loss in their disappointing streaks. The Sharks have a game or two in hand, but haven't been able to produce much lately. The Coyotes hang on the playoff berth by a mere one point. Dallas has taken over the Pacific division lead and is playing strong.
Meanwhile in the East, Philadelphia Flyers and New Jersey Devils reminded the top teams Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers, by beating them respectively, that the margins between the playoff bound teams are very narrow. Sloppy approach for even part of a game will turn the tables. By no means are these teams pushovers come playoff time. Last night displayed also the playoff hopefuls, Tampa Bay and Washington, lose yet another chance to narrow the gap to the playoff bracket. They should watch some videos on the Western counterparts and pick up a pointer or two on motivation.
On a side note, it seems that Sidney Crosby has been cleared for contact, again. It remains to be seen if he stays healthy long enough to make it to actual NHL game action. But if he does, and manages to stay in the lineup through the season, I'd put the Penguins right on top of the Cup candidates' list. The impact on ice, mental push for the whole team and the extra spark in the fan section will definitely push this highly capable team even further.
2012/03/06
Playoff race - Mar 6 - Jets roll and Ducks cling
Only three games last night, but some meaningful results. Winnipeg Jets are making a statement in the Southeast division with another win. They seem determined to either take the home ice by winning the division or at least make it to the playoffs as the last seed. They've played a few more games than the other hopefuls, but have also been on a remarkable groove lately. It takes a complete shift in directions to change the dynamics in the bottom of Eastern conference.
Anaheim Ducks' win keeps them clinging to the last straw for their postseason dream. They still have a remote chance to make it, but need to collect about 16 of available 20 points. That leaves room for two losses this season. Considering that they still play St. Louis twice, Detroit and Vancouver once, just to mention a few tought ones, it is definitely a long shot. Hats off to Teemu Selänne, he'll be the all time number one scoring Finn with the next point. Hopefully it's a game winner that keeps the team's dream alive for another night.
Anaheim Ducks' win keeps them clinging to the last straw for their postseason dream. They still have a remote chance to make it, but need to collect about 16 of available 20 points. That leaves room for two losses this season. Considering that they still play St. Louis twice, Detroit and Vancouver once, just to mention a few tought ones, it is definitely a long shot. Hats off to Teemu Selänne, he'll be the all time number one scoring Finn with the next point. Hopefully it's a game winner that keeps the team's dream alive for another night.
2012/03/05
Playoff race - Mar 5 - Postseason previews and Western bubble
Last night there were a couple of early previews of potential big matchups in the postseason. League's top team, New York Rangers, took a tasty victory against last season's Cup champions and always dangerous Boston Bruins. This tight game could have gone either way, but Rangers seem to have the upper hand while heading to the playoffs.
Perennial Western powerhouse Detroit took a stingy defeat at home against 2010 champions Chicago Blackhawks. Another one goal game, but at the same time a strong message saying that the Hawks may have put their struggles behind them and are again a force to be reckoned with. When they get healthy Jonathan Toews back to the lineup, even more so. How will the Wings' aging core survive the last stretch of regular season and playoffs, remains to be seen
Western conference playoff bubble seems to come down to San Jose's recent slump. If they can't snap out of it, there's a few teams willing to take the last spot. Los Angeles Kings seem like the strongest candidate for now, having discovered some scoring touch lately. Also Colorado Avalanche is playing well with their young corps leading the way. Calgary took another costly defeat last night in the hands of Dallas stars, but managed to salvage one point for overtime. Their recent play is not on the level to overtake the others in this race. Anaheim was super strong during February, but their chances are extremely slim after couple of losses in the last weeks. Only a miraculous win streak could postpone the Ducks' offseason golf plans.
Perennial Western powerhouse Detroit took a stingy defeat at home against 2010 champions Chicago Blackhawks. Another one goal game, but at the same time a strong message saying that the Hawks may have put their struggles behind them and are again a force to be reckoned with. When they get healthy Jonathan Toews back to the lineup, even more so. How will the Wings' aging core survive the last stretch of regular season and playoffs, remains to be seen
Western conference playoff bubble seems to come down to San Jose's recent slump. If they can't snap out of it, there's a few teams willing to take the last spot. Los Angeles Kings seem like the strongest candidate for now, having discovered some scoring touch lately. Also Colorado Avalanche is playing well with their young corps leading the way. Calgary took another costly defeat last night in the hands of Dallas stars, but managed to salvage one point for overtime. Their recent play is not on the level to overtake the others in this race. Anaheim was super strong during February, but their chances are extremely slim after couple of losses in the last weeks. Only a miraculous win streak could postpone the Ducks' offseason golf plans.
2012/03/04
Playoff race - Mar 4 - Penguins' depth and Kings' comeback
Last night the Pittsburgh Penguins showed everyone that they are one of the teams that really has a chance this year to take the Cup. Still playing without their captain Sidney Crosby and now also without leading defenseman Kris Letang, they easily beat Colorado Avalanche, a team desperately clinging for their chance to make it to the playoffs. And this all on a night where some of the other big teams (Vancouver, Boston, San Jose) stumbled with losses. What made Penguin's feat even more impressing was that the guys scoring the goals came throughout the lineup. NHL scoring leader Evgeni Malkin contributed one goal, which was expected. Other four came from rare scorers; Arron Asham (3rd), Deryk Engelland (4th), Richard Park (6th) and Steve Sulliven (13th). This team really has the winning spirit and will be hard to contain.
On the West, Los Angeles is showing signs of finally waking up with their impressive lineup. The whole season they're been solid defensively, but haven't been able to score. Now, after the acquisition of troubled star forward Jeff Carter from lowly Blue Jackets, they seem to have found some confidence. With San Jose Sharks in free fall and other bubble teams struggling to find another gear, the city of angels might well find themselves in the top eight when the regular season ends.
On the West, Los Angeles is showing signs of finally waking up with their impressive lineup. The whole season they're been solid defensively, but haven't been able to score. Now, after the acquisition of troubled star forward Jeff Carter from lowly Blue Jackets, they seem to have found some confidence. With San Jose Sharks in free fall and other bubble teams struggling to find another gear, the city of angels might well find themselves in the top eight when the regular season ends.
2012/03/03
Playoff race - Mar 3 - Carlyle, Parise and the Lightning
March 3rd provided the anticipated move in Toronto. Coach Ron Wilson got sacked and was immediately replaced by Randy Carlyle, who was dumped by Ducks earlier this season. Funny how it works again that the coach who couldn't get a brilliant Anaheim roster to work at all, is all of a sudden again trusted with another franchise. These guys truly are untouchable. This just makes it harder for anyone to break into the head coaching in NHL, no matter how you're doing in other leagues. Spots open mostly through retirement. I wrote about this earlier on a separate post on coaching in NHL. Toronto is way too late for anything spectacular this season. They were one of the biggest surprises for a long period, but have pretty much fallen out of the competition in the latest slide. Miracles happen, but not likely for the Leafs.
The New Jersey Devils pulled off another solid performance, thrashing the disappointing Washington Capitals 5-0. They're on pace for the playoffs again and will be a tough opponent for anyone. Team captain and superstar Zach Parise was crushed on a check by two Capitals' players and had to leave the game. If he misses any time, it's a big blow to the spirits and game chemistry for the Devils. Parise was in good spirits after the game, but it wouldn't be the first time when players misinterpret the effects of a big hit.
Led by scoring machine Steven Stamkos, the Tampa Bay Lightning took another step in their late push for the playoffs. They're way behind in the points charts, but luckily have the door open through the lowly Southeast division. Tampa Bay still has the chance to sneak into the postseason by outplaying Florida, Winnipeg and Washington in the final month of the regular season. The big difference is that the Bolts seem to be enjoying their game right now and are scoring like they should with that lineup. At the same time all the others fighting for that lone spot in the postseason seem to struggle in various degrees. There's still a lot of four point games to play against the division foes, so this might get interesting in the coming weeks.
The New Jersey Devils pulled off another solid performance, thrashing the disappointing Washington Capitals 5-0. They're on pace for the playoffs again and will be a tough opponent for anyone. Team captain and superstar Zach Parise was crushed on a check by two Capitals' players and had to leave the game. If he misses any time, it's a big blow to the spirits and game chemistry for the Devils. Parise was in good spirits after the game, but it wouldn't be the first time when players misinterpret the effects of a big hit.
Led by scoring machine Steven Stamkos, the Tampa Bay Lightning took another step in their late push for the playoffs. They're way behind in the points charts, but luckily have the door open through the lowly Southeast division. Tampa Bay still has the chance to sneak into the postseason by outplaying Florida, Winnipeg and Washington in the final month of the regular season. The big difference is that the Bolts seem to be enjoying their game right now and are scoring like they should with that lineup. At the same time all the others fighting for that lone spot in the postseason seem to struggle in various degrees. There's still a lot of four point games to play against the division foes, so this might get interesting in the coming weeks.
2012/03/02
Playoff race - Mar 2 - Giants and Southeast
Last night showed that the giants in this season's NHL are firmly on track for playoffs. Boston, Philly, Vancouver and New York Rangers all pulled off another tick in the win column. The surprising St. Louis Blues had to bend under pressure from league leading Canucks and San Jose took another nosedive to further jeopardize their playoff berth. Otherwise the big teams took their share of the points. Polarization of the standings table increased another notch.
Winnipeg was clearly the team of the night, sending a big warning message to Panthers and Capitals. The fight for the lone guaranteed playoff spot for the weak Southeast division is not over yet. The division leading Panthers took a 7-0 beating in the hands of surprisigly well connecting Jets' team. While the Capitals keep on stumbling on their internal identity issues, it seems that Jets are on pace to seriously challenge the two season long candidates for the division crown. They're three games ahead in the schedule, so it's a bit early to look at the points totals, but last night's game is a definite statement. The Jets still face Capitals twice and Panthers once. Looking forward for a couple of previews of playoff hockey.
Winnipeg was clearly the team of the night, sending a big warning message to Panthers and Capitals. The fight for the lone guaranteed playoff spot for the weak Southeast division is not over yet. The division leading Panthers took a 7-0 beating in the hands of surprisigly well connecting Jets' team. While the Capitals keep on stumbling on their internal identity issues, it seems that Jets are on pace to seriously challenge the two season long candidates for the division crown. They're three games ahead in the schedule, so it's a bit early to look at the points totals, but last night's game is a definite statement. The Jets still face Capitals twice and Panthers once. Looking forward for a couple of previews of playoff hockey.
2012/03/01
Playoff race - Mar 1 - Ducks and Letang
Two big things on the first of March. If Pittsburgh Penguins lose Kris Letang for another concussion after Eric Nyström's high hit, it will put a big dent in the team's cup dreams. Letang had a serious concussion that sidelined him for a lengthy period earlier this season and if this is remotely as bad, he might be out for the season. Penguins have showed remarkable ability to carry on strong without their best players Crosby and Letang, but the impact will be massive for the small margins in playoffs. Let's hope it's just a scare and Letang is back in business for the next game.
Anaheim Ducks had a spirited run going on for the final push to make it to the playoffs. Now they lost to lowly Buffalo Sabres and the climb seems just a little bit tougher. They have 18 games remaining and need to hit something like 94 points to make it to the playoffs. Colorado, Dallas and LA are all going with a velocity to take them to 90+ points and only one of these four currently has a spot for the playoffs. Only Chicago and San Jose have shown signs of weakness, but I don't believe either of those talent packed teams is going to fall out of the playoffs. So, the Ducks need to rack up 28-30 points in 18 games. That's roughly playing .800 for the rest of the regular season. And that still fails if any of the other bubble teams comes up with a .600 finish. Tough seems like an understatement here. Calgary, LA and Edmonton in the next three, one loss there would be the end of the push.
Anaheim Ducks had a spirited run going on for the final push to make it to the playoffs. Now they lost to lowly Buffalo Sabres and the climb seems just a little bit tougher. They have 18 games remaining and need to hit something like 94 points to make it to the playoffs. Colorado, Dallas and LA are all going with a velocity to take them to 90+ points and only one of these four currently has a spot for the playoffs. Only Chicago and San Jose have shown signs of weakness, but I don't believe either of those talent packed teams is going to fall out of the playoffs. So, the Ducks need to rack up 28-30 points in 18 games. That's roughly playing .800 for the rest of the regular season. And that still fails if any of the other bubble teams comes up with a .600 finish. Tough seems like an understatement here. Calgary, LA and Edmonton in the next three, one loss there would be the end of the push.
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