BobbyJet
The accountability era?
Interesting, I have to disagree with this. I think the West is easier. And it is way easier.
LA's D is GARBAGE. Repeat garbage. They are playing Drew Daughty 31 min a night the last 6 games. We are coasting, taking games off in Feb (Minny etc) and they are burning the candle at both ends. They are NOT CLOSE to what they were. Kane has Quick's head mounted on his wall at home. They need some serious SERIOUS D help if they are going to make it to the WCF. they have 3 D that can play. that's it. I must assume they get help today on D. Verstteeg isn't the answer in LA.
I agree with Ana, but they can't score and we already showed we can out-will them.
Dal can't defend as the games tighten up. They need Hamuis to be in the picture. But yeah they took a step to MAKE the playoffs, winning rounds another issue. They have REALLY slowed down. no scared now.
Preds- Rinnie SUCKS. I know he had a good game against us.
STL I don't think will beat us in our lifetimes. I just thing David Backes could not lead them out of a wet paper bag, with power tools.
Really, the only team that would even bother me in the first round is Col. We are getting closer on their goalie but a 1-8 versus them, to me might feel like the hardest round. STL we would own.
If I could pick a team in Rd 1 it would be STL. We win that. easily
Then Dallas if they can win a wildcard round. I wouldn't mind them at all.
I think it will be Ana. They aren't as good as last year, and we are with more D depth, so yeah we can take that many hits again.
Wsh in finals. Can WSH actually do it and muster the leadership there. I think Williams is a monster add for them. And people talk about Wsh doesn't have that extra gear, well Kuznetsov is a PORCHE. That guy is elite and gives them BIG TIME balance. 2-2 in the 3rd and you are shutting down Ovi, well that guy can make a play and you lose. He walked Keith and hit the post. I think Wsh does have another gear this year, and a good coach. I woudn't mind them in the finals at all, I think experience will matter, but I hope it is Wsh.
That sounds too easy. Despite the current standings, I don't think our division has changed much when it comes to strengths and weaknesses. Your analysis is based on the easy part of the schedule. Let's remember that crunch time separates the men from the boys.
On paper, Hawks are just as good if not better than last season but obviously with all the new faces, it will take some gelling to put it all together. With just over a month to go it would be nice if Q established the lines and specialty teams now and went with them for most of the stretch drive. (yeah right)
Yes, Avs are always gonna be tough it seems, but any one of Blues, Preds, Wild, Ducks are not the pushovers that you suggest. None of those teams will go easily. Home ice against our own division would be quite helpful I reckon and Crawford will need to keep up his stellar play.
As for LA: I don't get to see them play much, but yeah, something is afoot when they go out and recruit a Justin Schultz at this juncture in the season. I reckon their destiny will be all about Doughty and Jonathon Quick once again.... what else is new.
In the East, it's difficult not to pick Caps but their PO record over the years isn't exactly frightening.... but then again, they didn't have Trotz behind the bench. I think that Rangers are the only other Eastern team that can compete with Caps.
If Hawks/Caps do meet in the finals, it will a great battle, from coaching on down.