Big night out West

[spintheblackcircle]

With the 8 playoff spots essentially wrapped up, it's all about jockeying for position. Tonight 6 of the 8 likely playoff teams go head-to-head. #1 Columbus host #4 Detroit, #7 St Louis hosts #6 Chicago and the hottest team in the league, #8 Anaheim, winners of 12 in a row, visit #5 Minnesota.

The Wild are 5 points out of the 3 spot with a game in hand against the current #3 seed Edmonton and one game left with the Oilers. But first things first. Can the red-hot Ducks be slowed down?

"Well, it's a great test for us," said GM Greg Dockus. "Of our 15 games left, only 6 are against current playoff teams, but we have to treat each of those 15 as playoff games. We have the best home record in the league, so you know that home ice is vital for us."

Who might the spoilers be for Minnesota? 3 road games at Vancouver and 2 home dates against the Avalanche and the Flames.

Click to read more...

 

[Pandastyle]

Message to Matt:

Win this one dammit!

 

[91]

Beat those Ducks plleeeeeeasseee!! My comfortable division lead isn't getting so comfortable.....!

 

[HFNHL Commish]

Beat those Ducks plleeeeeeasseee!! My comfortable division lead isn't getting so comfortable.....!

Easy there, fella...10 points is A LOT of ground to make up in 14 games.

 

[91]

Easy there, fella...10 points is A LOT of ground to make up in 14 games.

hahaha, yes I'm aware, but I dont need you guys to get the taste of blood then I could eventually be in trouble!

 

[spintheblackcircle]

But first things first. Can the red-hot Ducks be slowed down?

A resounding, "YES!"

4 goals in the first and an easy 4-1 win

 

[Ohio Jones]

We hope that last night's 4-2 loss against the Red Wings is not a precursor of playoff futility. The Wings elimitated us in seven games last year - although this year it seems we won't face them in the first round unless they (or we) drop significantly in the standings...

 

[HFNHL Commish]

A resounding, "YES!"

4 goals in the first and an easy 4-1 win

Someone finally got to Markkanen, giving Jussi his first loss as a Duck.

 

[spintheblackcircle]

While the Wild are thrilled to have defeated such a tough opponent, the Oilers continued to win as well.

Running to stand still.

 

[HFNHL Red Wings]

My first priority is to catch and pass those Jackets but the probility of that happening is diminishing.

After that, well let's just say I've been scouting your team Greg and have my playoff lineup ready for you. I have an endorsement to consider that requires I win my 1st round matchup

 

[Pandastyle]

I needed you to lose that one Greg.....argh

I'm about to head into a tough stretch with my next game against the Devils then the Red Wings. You on the other hand play the Canucks then the Avs (no offense Sean and Ville ).

I guess the race in the Northwest is going to be to the finish...

 

[HFNHL Red Wings]

It's tough being in the conference of champions.
Heck the gap from 1st to 8th is only 15 pointsin the West. In the East there's 15 points between 6th and 8th alone and 45 in all from 1st to 8th.
The 6th place Islanders wouldn't even be in the play-offs in the West as you need almost a .600 win percentage. We have GM's with .585 win percentages wondering why their team is having a bad year?!

It's much more interesting this way and those final 10 games will be as important as any this year. Bring it on.

 

[spintheblackcircle]

After that, well let's just say I've been scouting your team Greg and have my playoff lineup ready for you. I have an endorsement to consider that requires I win my 1st round matchup

I hope you win your 1st round matchup.

Against the Oilers.

 

[spintheblackcircle]

Wild win tonite, Oilers lose.

3 points out, game in hand.

*insert Jaws theme here*

 

[Ohio Jones]

*insert Jaws theme here*

Isn't that a San Jose trademark?

It's one heck of an exciting race, with only 12 games to go. Like the Proline ads say in Ontario: Anything can happen!!

 

[91]

Isn't that a San Jose trademark?

It's one heck of an exciting race, with only 12 games to go. Like the Proline ads say in Ontario: Anything can happen!!

Only 3 points behind, you should be hearing that loud and clear!

 

[spintheblackcircle]

With with Wild hosting Colorado and the Oilers facing an always tough Red Wing squad, will the lead in the division be down to one point after tonite?

While the Wild rode Vesa Toskala early when returning starter Dan Cloutier struggled, Cloutier has relcaimed his starting job.

 

[Pandastyle]

Yeah, tonights gonna be real tough against the Red Wings. Drew knows the most about this league and what kind of line combos work, and that scares me.

I remember a couple of years back I had St. Louis in the 1st round of the playoffs and Drew helped me with my lines. I didn't win, but the series went 7 games.

 

[spintheblackcircle]

Good news: Wild win again
Good news: Red Wings lose
Bad news: Edmonton beat the Wings. (NICE win!)

 

[Ohio Jones]

Only 3 points behind, you should be hearing that loud and clear!

Bring it, fish boy.

 

[Pandastyle]

I juggled my lines a little. I guess it worked.

With my boys beating the Red Wings 6-1, I'm thinking that my team is gonna start to pull away from you again Greg.

 

[spintheblackcircle]

I've won 5 straight. I can't fall further back if I don't lose.

 

[HFNHL Commish]

I think it's about time to start a thread titled: "Oilers-Wild Pissing Match".

 

[SPG]

I think it's about time to start a thread titled: "Oilers-Wild Pissing Match".

And have it stickified

 

[Pandastyle]

I've won 5 straight. I can't fall further back if I don't lose.

Well there goes that.

Good job Josh!