I don't think Montreal will make it, they have ALOT of injuries.
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The Everything NHL Thread
- Thread starter Jackal
- Start date
After Carolina, the nearest playoff contending team is Buffalo, who are out 5 points and are losing, thought trending upward. The Thrashers are falling apart. They are 6-2-2 in their last 10 games. Other team(s)? are making due with injuries... I think if the Habs hold on till fresh guys come back, they'll make it. I just might be too optimistic.
Which team are you even talking about? Atlanta isn't 6-2-2 in their last 10 (and if you consider that struggling...)
Yeah, he meant Montreal.
I really can't stand loser points, now more than ever. I wish ties would come back. The playoff field is pretty much set after the first month of the season, and that just shouldn't be true. The gap between 8th and 9th in the East was 10 points at one point, and a gap like that has become next to impossible to overcome because every team ahead of you keeps getting loser points to keep you from gaining any ground on them. It's awful and need to be ditched.
Yes, the West is very tight this year, but that doesn't lighten my hatred for loser points (and don't even get me started on the shootout).
I really can't stand loser points, now more than ever. I wish ties would come back. The playoff field is pretty much set after the first month of the season, and that just shouldn't be true. The gap between 8th and 9th in the East was 10 points at one point, and a gap like that has become next to impossible to overcome because every team ahead of you keeps getting loser points to keep you from gaining any ground on them. It's awful and need to be ditched.
Yes, the West is very tight this year, but that doesn't lighten my hatred for loser points (and don't even get me started on the shootout).
No way. Byfuglien clearly couldn't keep up that crazy offensive pace all season long. Combine that with Andrew Ladd playing over his head and this team is clearly setup for a continued downfall in the 2nd half of the season. Plus, they have a really offensive blueline that doesn't offer anything in the way of defense. We will see how long Pavelec can continue to carry the team I guess.
I maintain Enstrom is the best blueliner(in real life, obviously, not fantasy) on that team, not Byfuglien. He was exclusively an offensive guy when he was a rookie(one of the best stretch passers in the NHL even then, I remember owning him in fantasy that year since I found myself watching him a lot) but he's strong defensively now. Think he's the most underrated D in the league, its funny now that Byfuglien is making that even worse, lol.
I'm half and half on the playoff thing. I think they're one of the 8 best teams in the conference even when they're slumping but that team is designed to sell tickets in a market where hockey isn't very popular and it has an awful lot of defensive holes in the system as much as with the personnel. Really fun team to watch but I think they're going to struggle if they have to win a lot of close, low-scoring games down the stretch. I have faith in Enstrom and Pavelec to get them to a first round exit, though.
It's a pity Atlanta plays in the market they do, though. Surprisingly good coach, surprisingly good young talent, if they could spend a little more money and attract FAs a little better they'd be a very legit franchise now that Kovalchoke is gone. Would be surprised if Enstrom retires without a Norris and there's a lot of other youngish talent there like Buff, Bogosian, Evander Kane, and Burmistrov that will make that team at least reasonably decent for a while, I think.
Can't see Flames making the playoffs but the West is so weird right now... I wish Nashville and Phoenix would fall out - I would be both shocked and disappointed of LA, SJ, or Colorado missed the playoffs and it looks like even two of them could at this point. Shit markets playing boring hockey getting in over decent to good markets playing fun hockey makes me sad.
I'm half and half on the playoff thing. I think they're one of the 8 best teams in the conference even when they're slumping but that team is designed to sell tickets in a market where hockey isn't very popular and it has an awful lot of defensive holes in the system as much as with the personnel. Really fun team to watch but I think they're going to struggle if they have to win a lot of close, low-scoring games down the stretch. I have faith in Enstrom and Pavelec to get them to a first round exit, though.
It's a pity Atlanta plays in the market they do, though. Surprisingly good coach, surprisingly good young talent, if they could spend a little more money and attract FAs a little better they'd be a very legit franchise now that Kovalchoke is gone. Would be surprised if Enstrom retires without a Norris and there's a lot of other youngish talent there like Buff, Bogosian, Evander Kane, and Burmistrov that will make that team at least reasonably decent for a while, I think.
Can't see Flames making the playoffs but the West is so weird right now... I wish Nashville and Phoenix would fall out - I would be both shocked and disappointed of LA, SJ, or Colorado missed the playoffs and it looks like even two of them could at this point. Shit markets playing boring hockey getting in over decent to good markets playing fun hockey makes me sad.
Agreed, Flames certainly shouldn't make the cut, but they are surging so you never know. They'd be a first round exit at any rate. The Wild are one team I HATE watching and I hope falls out forever, or at least until they play less annoying hockey. I saw them last time they were here and they had three guys lined up at the blue line on the first play of the game. That's all they do: trap and neutral zone play disruption via intercepted passes or their two forward playing forwards pressuring whoever has the puck. It's ridiculously boring hockey.
That said, they are only in a position to possibly make the playoffs cause they have the number of the Flames, Canucks and Oilers. Sutter's first few years he focused on beating divisional rivals and it payed off. Lots of points to be had comparative to other teams (the so called "4 point games") if you beat up on your division.
That said, they are only in a position to possibly make the playoffs cause they have the number of the Flames, Canucks and Oilers. Sutter's first few years he focused on beating divisional rivals and it payed off. Lots of points to be had comparative to other teams (the so called "4 point games") if you beat up on your division.
Damn no.
Ties are a fucking aberration. They should not exist in any sport and thankfully, they don't have to exist in hockey.
Teams trailing can also get those "loser points", they don't make it any harder to catch up and the shootouts are awesome. I try to tune in whenever a game may lead to one.
hes had that stance for a long time, have been capable of getting an espn deal since the original contract with versus expired and he keeps choosing not to
i really dont understand the logic of a guy who puts teams in places like phoenix to build the game in the US but then wont get on a national station in the states that people actually have/watch. he gets more money from versus obviously but the trade-off....
i really dont understand the logic of a guy who puts teams in places like phoenix to build the game in the US but then wont get on a national station in the states that people actually have/watch. he gets more money from versus obviously but the trade-off....
If Phoenix gets into the playoffs (Very Likely right now) I'd highly suggest watching them. Outside of game 7, they made that series with Detroit last year very exciting (then again, you could count Games 4 and 5 that Jimmy Howard stole from the Coyotes towards unexcitement...). Yeah, the aspect of Hockey in the Southwest Desert not making any sense, but they play interesting Hockey.
They were a novelty, to be sure, but now they are just boring. Why you would go out of your way to see them is beyond me. If they are kept, at the very least, make a straight up win 3 points, OT/SO wins 2 and then 1 loser point. Mind you it's all these three point games that bettman wants- a giant clusterfuck in the west as a result of them.
They never got old to me and I'm pretty sure they didn't to most besides the worst of hockey purists which frankly I hate with a passion. Bettman did manage to make hockey more exciting than it was, I'm glad the league isn't as static as some want it to be. At the very least our purists seem to have less of a push than they do in soccer or baseball, thank god for that.
Bring back ties? Fuck that shit. Changing the points system I wouldn't mind, but I'm not entirely against "losers" points. Ever since they exist, it actually led to teams trying to score during OT, people are sure quick to forget how shitty NHL overtime was before them. No it isn't true that teams stall until the shootouts, the opposite is true and I'm certain this can be backed by numbers. There are a lot more goals scored in that 5 minutes of OT than there was before and it isn't only due to the 4v4 format, moreso because you cannot lose your already earned point and can only win an extra one.
Back to the shootouts, there's hardly anything more exciting for the fans, always on the edge of their seats when they happen. If I go to a game and its tied after 3 periods, I'm definitely hoping it'll lead to a shootout. It's intense, especially when it goes longer than 3 rounds.
Bring back ties? Fuck that shit. Changing the points system I wouldn't mind, but I'm not entirely against "losers" points. Ever since they exist, it actually led to teams trying to score during OT, people are sure quick to forget how shitty NHL overtime was before them. No it isn't true that teams stall until the shootouts, the opposite is true and I'm certain this can be backed by numbers. There are a lot more goals scored in that 5 minutes of OT than there was before and it isn't only due to the 4v4 format, moreso because you cannot lose your already earned point and can only win an extra one.
Back to the shootouts, there's hardly anything more exciting for the fans, always on the edge of their seats when they happen. If I go to a game and its tied after 3 periods, I'm definitely hoping it'll lead to a shootout. It's intense, especially when it goes longer than 3 rounds.
how about using the olympic points system, where if you win in overtime/SO you don't get the two points. so win is three points, win in OT/SO is 2 and loss in OT/SO is only one
I dislike shootouts because I feel it's wrong to decide a team game in such an individual fashion. I feel they cheapen the 65 minutes that precede them.
I'm excited. I have a lot of respect for Golisano for everything he did to save the franchise, but now we need someone who will open up the wallet and get more involved. I never have blamed Darcy Regier (and certainly not Ruff) for the play of this team, they both do the best with what they are given.
I'm excited. I have a lot of respect for Golisano for everything he did to save the franchise, but now we need someone who will open up the wallet and get more involved. I never have blamed Darcy Regier (and certainly not Ruff) for the play of this team, they both do the best with what they are given.
Shootouts do kind of make for a cheaper end to a game because of what you mentioned. Though in all fairness, sudden death OT's are kind of the same, one shitty bounce, one lucky play and the whole game is over. It's kind of like they shouldn't make it sudden death but have the game be decided after the full 5 or something, anything to kill the luck of a bounce.
However, shoot outs are a lot more interesting than watching a game drag on and on and on, and on and on. I would prefer 5v5 for shootouts though, more of a chance to keep it close and fans get to see a few more shooters that way too. Seems like a win-win on both sides (game decisions and excitement) there.
Ugh, anything but making it longer!
And I know what you mean about lucky bounces in overtime, but isn't overtime just a microcosm of the other 60 minutes? I can't count how many games I've watched where a team gets a lucky goal in regulation to pull out an extremely undeserved/unlikely victory. Luck will always be a part of every sport, I can't use that as a reason to argue against axing the shootout and using OT to decide games.
And I know what you mean about lucky bounces in overtime, but isn't overtime just a microcosm of the other 60 minutes? I can't count how many games I've watched where a team gets a lucky goal in regulation to pull out an extremely undeserved/unlikely victory. Luck will always be a part of every sport, I can't use that as a reason to argue against axing the shootout and using OT to decide games.
Good lord, change the channel and lie to yourself into believing the game ended in a satisfying draw with both teams half celebrating the hard earned 'no-decision'.
Is there anything better in sports than a game with no winner? Geeze does it feel like money well spent when you buy tickets to a game that cannot have a victor at the end of the day! What about the 0-0 ties? Do you remember those?
Is there anything better in sports than a game with no winner? Geeze does it feel like money well spent when you buy tickets to a game that cannot have a victor at the end of the day! What about the 0-0 ties? Do you remember those?
Agreed... You gotta have a winner. Nothing is perfect in this world and right now the shootout suffices to pick a winner.
Not gonna lie, when I saw BizNasty get his first delibrately shot goal in his career against us (that guy's Twitter is fucking hilarious btw!) and the scoreboard 3-0 in favour of the Coyotes in the second period, I thought that was a bad omen. I'm still in shock 11 hours after the start of the game at how we happened to manage to win...