Central Division Race Part II [warning in the OP and #355]

[b1e9a8r5s]

I want to eliminate the Blackhawks.

I don't know that I'm confident enough to actually want to play the Blackhawks

Hahaha. The feelings are mutual.

 

[BlueSinceBirth]

Toews was either uninterested (or tired), or Backes matched him up harder than I noticed...just didn't see that Toews extra gear tonight. Regardless, the Hawks played 3 good games that they just happened to lose. They're still the Hawks -- the gap is just closing.

He took a pretty hard hit early and looked hurt.

 

[Falco Lombardi]

Engblam said that Toews hadn't killed any penalties to that point in the game (I think it was still 0-0 at that point but not sure).

Chicago may have reigned him a bit to keep him fresh.

 

[pegjets]

5 teams in Central going to finish with 97+ points. NHLs Royal Rumble.

If the Avs win on Saturday, all 7 central division teams would have at least 90 points. If the Stars and Avs were in a different division, they would have probably gotten those extra points and made the playoffs with their rosters.

 

[TaLoN]

If the Avs win on Saturday, all 7 central division teams would have at least 90 points. If the Stars and Blues were in a different division, they would have probably gotten those extra points and made the playoffs with their rosters.

Umm... the Blues won the division...

 

[pegjets]

Umm... the Blues won the division...

lol I meant Avs.. sorry a little excited and drunk

 

[TaLoN]

lol I meant Avs.. sorry a little excited and drunk

I figured as much...

Congrats on reaching the playoffs btw! If you guys win your last game, the FIFTH place team in the Central will have 99 fricking points!

 

[2 Minute Minor]

Preds fans sound about as hopeless as Blues fans did last year on their 6 game losing streak and numerous injuries headed into the postseason. The playoffs are a new season. Anything can happen.

 

[Krossbar]

Wait 'til the Stars get decent D and goalies. This division is undoubtedly the best division right now.

 

[Toews2Bickell]

I want to eliminate the Blackhawks.

I don't know that I'm confident enough to actually want to play the Blackhawks

Sweet, bring it. Kane is looking to be back round 1.

 

[Taze em]

Wait 'til the Stars get decent D and goalies. This division is undoubtedly the best division right now.

how? Hawks took 5 years to develop their D corp before being ready. If you're doing it through trades then your team is losing forward talent.

Maybe Dallas can pull a Colorado in the near future if they find goaltending. Goaltending is the easiest thing to find so who knows.

 

[Total Bender]

Sweet, bring it. Kane is looking to be back round 1.

Tarasenko and Steen should be back as well.

 

[TaLoN]

how? Hawks took 5 years to develop their D corp before being ready. If you're doing it through trades then your team is losing forward talent.

Maybe Dallas can pull a Colorado in the near future if they find goaltending. Goaltending is the easiest thing to find so who knows.

Absolutely! Of all the places a team can be weak at... goaltender is one that is easiest to resolve on the fly.

The Wild have had to do it two years in a row... and now may have a long term solution.

 

[jstreet]

Preds fans sound about as hopeless as Blues fans did last year on their 6 game losing streak and numerous injuries headed into the postseason. The playoffs are a new season. Anything can happen.

The Preds are choking on turds, have been for about 30 games now.

 

[LGB51]

Backes is a *****

So is Shaw.

 

[LGB51]

Central 3rd is still up for grabs with 1 game to go.

Place at the podium

 

[LowSodium]

If stars can get their goalie problem fixed by next year and the Avs players progress and have good years then there could be 6-7 playoff-caliber teams next year, what do we do at that point? Did the NHL front office expect this?

 

[TaLoN]

Place at the podium

More like... chance to play Nashville in the 1st round instead of Anaheim or St.Louis.

 

[57special]

There really is no clear cut favorite.

Hawks have pedigree, high end talent, but lack depth, especially on D. Feels like this isn't their year, but you'd be crazy to underestimate them.

Blues can steamroller teams, but be let down by goaltending.

I don't know why the Jets aren't better. Scary team. Goalie?

Wild have best depth and are relentless, but lack a high end offensive C. Prone to being bullied, but not as much as in the past.

Don't know what the deal is in NSH. If Rinne becomes Rinne again they are back in it.

 

[MoPucks]

I think Winnipeg has a legit shot at knocking off Anaheim if that is who they end up playing.

 

[MoPucks]

Wild have best depth and are relentless, but lack a high end offensive C. Prone to being bullied, but not as much as in the past.

How do the wild have the best depth? I disagree.
They are a deep team but I don't think they are as deep as St. Louis. Wild have 4 players who topped 40 points. St. Louis has 9.

 

[linusandvarlamov]

How do the wild have the best depth? I disagree.
They are a deep team but I don't think they are as deep as St. Louis. Wild have 4 players who topped 40 points. St. Louis has 9.

Avalanche have 6 players over 50 points and yet we didn't even make the playoffs .

Guess our defense really is terrible .

 

[frivolousz21]

The blues are going into the playoffs with everyone healthy or healthy enough to play.

I'm sure they want to take over 1st and play the Jets.

The Wild are a much larger threat.

The blues lose 4 of 7 to the jets.

Then time to gut the older core.

That is just not acceptable.

 

[Romang67]

The blues are going into the playoffs with everyone healthy or healthy enough to play.

I'm sure they want to take over 1st and play the Jets.

The Wild are a much larger threat.

The blues lose 4 of 7 to the jets.

Then time to gut the older core.

That is just not acceptable.

... I'm not sure what just happened. Did we advance to the second round?

 

[2 Minute Minor]

... I'm not sure what just happened. Did we advance to the second round?

Congratulations!

I think he's saying if the Blues lose (hypothetically to the 8th seed) then they'll blow it up a bit and re-identify the core.

But I don't see Anaheim losing to Arizona as very likely, so I think the Ducks keep that Winnipeg match-up.

I think the Blues and most of their fans don't care who they're matched up with in the first round at this point. Personally, I know I really don't care. It will be a great series, because they're all good teams.