Well, we are approaching the midway point of the NHL season ~ 41 games played.
Eastern Conference
Atlantic
This division is close, really close. Somehow with all their struggles the Rangers remain in first place. Overall, I think the flyers have the best team in the division on paper. However, they have struggled to remain healthy. The devils lost Brodeur early on but Clemenson has done a surprisingly solid job in his place. The question is can he keep it up for 30 more starts. The penguins are waddling south. You know you are in trouble when your franchise player is fighting and taking 20+ minutes in penalties. The Islanders – well they’re the Islanders.
Northeast
Obviously the cream of the crop in the East is Boston . They don’t have any big-name superstars besides for Chara on D. They rely on their sold goaltending duo and a deep line-up. The obvious stat that stands out is their goal differential, +55. Montreal has been up and down this year and seems to get another big injury every night. If the all-star game was not in Montreal they would not be starting 4 players. Buffalo started hot but have obviously gone cold for a while. Ottawa and Toronto – should be sellers, Spezza anyone?
Southeast
The only team in this division that I see as a legitimate contender is Washington . Ovechkin is capable of dominating if he wants to. Carolina could sneak in to the playoffs but I don’t see them doing much. The only one that scares you on their team is Staal. Florida , Tampa , Atlanta – spring training is soon.
Part 2. Western Conference – stay tuned.
AM
- The Rangers will not win the division. philly will. Dumbqvist isnt an elite goalie and he is very inconsistant. Huge mistake signing Redden for so long over Brooks Orpik.
ReplyDelete-Pittsburgh will make the playoffs but barely. Fluery has had one half of a good year in his carrer, thats it. They are missing 2 key defensement and 2 key forwards who are not on the team this year. The coach might have to go. Malkin is also the best player on the team and if they have to trade one, you heard it first keep him, since hes better than crosby.
-This is the years for the isles to crash, since John Tavares has the chance to be the best player to come out since Ovechkin, He has better goal s coring ability than crosby. He has a chance to save the franchise
- Boston is by far the best team in the league right now. A bunch of amazing forwards, a great story in Tim Thomas who came out of nowhere 2 years ago after 30. And a sick defense which has a lot more beyond Chara who isnt even the best defensemen right now on his team.
- Ovechkin when it is all said and done will be the greatest left winger of all time. They have a legit shot to make it to the conference finals this year
about Sundin....two words...money talks....otherwise he should've signed with mtl at the beginning of the season because he was what they needed to make it far in the playoffs...but it seems like Lang was a great plan B for montreal
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