nhl standings...

[21pro]

Price for the habs looked very weak on their west coast swing, though...

BTW- this is the standings before tonight's games...

Eastern Conference
1. * New Jersey 69 86
2. * Montreal 70 85
3. * Carolina 71 79
4. Pittsburgh 70 85
5. Ottawa 70 83
6. NY Rangers 70 83
7. Boston 69 80
8. Philadelphia 69 78
9. Buffalo 70 75
10. Washington 70 72
11. Florida 71 72
12. NY Islanders 70 71
13. Toronto 70 70
14. Atlanta 70 68
15. Tampa Bay 69 60
* = Division Leader

Western Conference
Team GP Pts
1. * Detroit 69 96
2. * Dallas 72 89
3. * Calgary 69 82
4. San Jose 69 88
5. Anaheim 71 85
6. Minnesota 70 81
7. Vancouver 69 80
8. Colorado 70 80
9. Nashville 70 78
10. Phoenix 69 73
11. Chicago 69 73
12. Columbus 70 73
13. Edmonton 69 71
14. St. Louis 69 68
15. Los Angeles 71 60
* = Division Leader

key notes:

Anaheim is not performing as strong as expected.

San Jose looks to be on the move to overtake Dallas and possible Detroit.

Ottawa`s troubles are still present despite good goaltending from Gerber.

Pittsburgh, though competitive, is still shaken from the trade that upset team chemistry--- also Sidney Crosby is no where near 100%

---------------------
teams that can kiss playoff hopes good-bye, IMO:
East
10. Washington 70 72
11. Florida 71 72
12. NY Islanders 70 71
13. Toronto 70 70
14. Atlanta 70 68
15. Tampa Bay 69 60

West
10. Phoenix 69 73
11. Chicago 69 73
12. Columbus 70 73
13. Edmonton 69 71
14. St. Louis 69 68
15. Los Angeles 71 60

IMO it is just juggling for final playoff positioning and draft positioning from here on in... except for Buffalo and Nashville, that both are in the run with the lowest 6 of the top 16 in the plaoff race.

Draft positioning right now:

1. Los Angeles
2. Tampa Bay
3. Atlanta
4. St. Louis
5. Toronto

 

[Scenicdrive]

Price for the habs looked very weak on their west coast swing, though...


IMO it is just juggling for final playoff positioning and draft positioning from here on in... except for Buffalo and Nashville, that both are in the run with the lowest 6 of the top 16 in the plaoff race.

If Price is in top shape for the playoffs, Montreal will be the team to beat in the Eastern Conference. As for the headless chicken Sabres, earning one point per game or no point at all guarantees them an early trip to the golf course instead of playoffs. Oh yeah, they are still competitive, cried the upper management three stooges. Somebody need to enlighten them with some good old 2 by 4s and leave them hanging just like they did to the team.

 

[21pro]

I'm in agreement with Montreal being the team to beat in the East.

Standings don't matter to Montreal... when those crazy fans see post season play, they will make Montreal the most difficult home ice to play on in the entire NHL...

it will be like a 6th skater on the ice.

 

[Scenicdrive]

Eastern Conference
Team GP Pts
1. * New Jersey 71 88
2. * Ottawa 72 87
3. * Carolina 73 81
4. Pittsburgh 71 87
5. Montreal 72 87
6. NY Rangers 71 83
7. Boston 71 80
8. Philadelphia 71 79
9. Buffalo 72 77
10. Washington 72 76
11. Florida 73 76
12. Toronto 72 74
13. NY Islanders 72 71
14. Atlanta 73 70
15. Tampa Bay 71 64
* = Division Leader



Western Conference
Team GP Pts
1. y-Detroit 71 100
2. * San Jose 71 92
3. * Colorado 72 84
4. Dallas 73 89
5. Anaheim 73 88
6. Minnesota 71 82
7. Calgary 71 82
8. Vancouver 71 80
9. Nashville 72 78
10. Phoenix 71 77
11. Chicago 72 75
12. Edmonton 71 73
13. Columbus 71 73
14. St. Louis 71 69
15. Los Angeles 72 62
* = Division Leader

Here is an updated standing as of today March 15 before teams play. The Eastern Conference teams are packed tighter than the Western conference, with six points separating between the 12th seed Toronto (74 pts) and the 7th seed Boston (80 points). So essentially six teams fighting for two playoff spots. The sixth seed Rangers (83 points) may drop enough to become part of this fight. It may very well that playoff spots will be determined by tie-breakers this time around.

 

[Scenicdrive]

It looks like in the Eastern Conference, Rangers, Boston, and Philadelphia may trade places with Sabres, Washington, and Florida when the dust settles.

 

[21pro]

hope so, though Rangers are playing fine hockey.

i'd really like to see Sabres and Washington in the playoffs. Florida too, only 'cause it would be quite a triumph...

 

[Scenicdrive]

hope so, though Rangers are playing fine hockey.

i'd really like to see Sabres and Washington in the playoffs. Florida too, only 'cause it would be quite a triumph...

It will be reversal of fortune of sorts if Sabres, Washington, & Florida make it to the playoffs. But you are quite right that Rangers are doing well and will likely remain in the playoffs. So it looks like two spots for five teams to compete. Washington is buoyed by Ovechkin and will likely make the playoffs. If so, it will be the remaining four teams for one playoff spot. If Sabres remain hot, they probably will win another six games or seven and will be in. If not, tough luck indeed!!!

 

[blueline]

I'm in agreement with Montreal being the team to beat in the East.

Standings don't matter to Montreal... when those crazy fans see post season play, they will make Montreal the most difficult home ice to play on in the entire NHL...

it will be like a 6th skater on the ice.

You can now apply that comment to when Habs play in Boston as well. While Jacobs must have been thrilled to see a packed house last night, how pathetic was it that about half of the fans were cheering for the Habs. How times have changed when Montreal fans out cheer Bruins fans in their own rink, when they are allowed to sing their Na-Na-Na song so loudly, when Habs fans in attendance pretty much outnumber Bruins fans.

What a pathetic excuse for a hockey team. The Bruins are no match for the Canadiens who skate better, have more talent and have more of a future then the B's. Nice goal by Kovalev who split through B's two best defencemen like he was parting the red sea. The sad thing is that they may make the playoffs or just barely miss out and then think they are not far off from being a contender.

 

[shack]

The sad thing is that they........ or just barely miss out and then think they are not far off from being a contender.

Sounds familiar to those of us in southern Ontario.

 

[blueline]

Sounds familiar to those of us in southern Ontario.

True. When I mentioned leafs fans and sheep in the same sentence earlier, I should also have applied that to many B's fans. I can't believe the garbage I read daily on the Bruins message boards, people defending this team. I think maybe they are too dumb to know a bad hockey team and maybe they are too dumb to spell bahhhhhh so they say boooooo instead because it's the closest word to it .....

 

[shack]

True. When I mentioned leafs fans and sheep in the same sentence earlier, I should also have applied that to many B's fans. I can't believe the garbage I read daily on the Bruins message boards, people defending this team. I think maybe they are too dumb to know a bad hockey team and maybe they are too dumb to spell bahhhhhh so they say boooooo instead because it's the closest word to it .....

Do you get a sense that the hierachy of either of these teams actually does try harder to put a good team on the ice or alternatively that they at least try to give the appearance that they are trying harder. Two separate questions, actually.

 

[blueline]

Do you get a sense that the hierachy of either of these teams actually does try harder to put a good team on the ice or alternatively that they at least try to give the appearance that they are trying harder. Two separate questions, actually.

Hard to say, but one thing though - Leafs make a ton of money and pack the place every night (albeit corps are buying up a lot of the seats) so right or wrong, it can give one the impression that people care because they show up. Toronto is and always has been a 'hockey mad' city.

JJ in Boston obviously just doesn't get it when he looks down and sees a building with 5000 empty seats every night. If last night doesn't send him a message as to how low this team has sunk, nothing will. The three other major sports teams in Boston are now experiencing tremendous success because they brought in the right people, made the changes necessary to build winners. The B's do not appear to have any interest which is why they find themselves 4th on the food chain among the local sports teams. As much as I used to like Sinden, (he was a pretty shrewd GM at one time, made a lot of great deals) his departure was long over due and they needed to go in a different direction. Hiring O'Connell was the beginning of the end for him. People in Boston are already calling for Chiarelli's head, begging JJ to sell the team and get some respectability back. I don't see any hope for this team for a long time.

I think the Leafs will rise faster than the B's will.

Just found this, very good article. Backs up what I said about the other 3 teams in Boston and how changes at the top have brought success. JJ has been at the helm for 33 years and still no cup.

http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2008/03/02/to_be_a_champion_/?page=2

 

[Scenicdrive]

I know there is about 5 games remaing for most teams but wow ... Last year 92 points means you missed the playoffs and this year right now Conference leader only has 94 points .

For most teams there are still seven games left. The way the Leafs play, they may just win all 7 of them and get a playoff berth with 94 points.

 

[21pro]

As the regular season hits the final two weeks, only two of 16 possible playoff spots have been clinched, and seedings change by the day.

I know there is about 5 games remaing for most teams but wow ... Last year 92 points means you missed the playoffs and this year right now Conference leader only has 94 points .

though, 91 points meant you missed playoffs in the east... i know what you mean. btw- look below, i think it is somewhat similar for this season:

this is what i think could be a possibility for standings for the season's end in the east... difficult to predict, the west is much easier...

1. * Pittsburgh 101-104
2. * Montreal 100
3. * Carolina 94
4. Ottawa 100
5. New Jersey 99
6. NY Rangers 98
7. Philadelphia 93
8. Washington 91
9. Boston 90
10. Florida 90
11. Buffalo 89
12. Toronto 89
13. NY Islanders 79
14. Atlanta 79
15. Tampa Bay 71
* = Division Leader

personally, that's a fantasy favorite scenario for me IMO... i'd love to see the PENS / CAPS meet in the 1st round... Pittsburgh has a long historical record of successfully beating the snot oughtta washington and handing it back to them... it would be entertaining.

 

[blueline]

Wow you have the Leafs going 4-1-1 and still missing the playoffs ... Damm we can't raise that 9th place banner up in the rafters for the 3rd consecutive year ..

Speaking of banners, the Bruins used to have a ton of them hanging from the old Boston Garden, (still in the TD Garden? most likely, I never noticed) but only 5 were for Stanley Cups. With all them Adams Division banners hanging, it looked like they won more championships than the freaking Montreal Canadiens.

 

[blueline]

Well you can raise an Atlantic Division Championship banner ... Celtics ruined Raptors chance of raising another one this year ..

Sometimes I would think the Bruins hung all those division banners because they were embarrassed compared to all the Celtics NBA Championship banners hanging.

 

[Questor]

What a pathetic excuse for a hockey team. The Bruins are no match for the Canadiens who skate better, have more talent and have more of a future then the B's. Nice goal by Kovalev who split through B's two best defencemen like he was parting the red sea. The sad thing is that they may make the playoffs or just barely miss out and then think they are not far off from being a contender.

I don't want to argue with you too hard because I am a Habs fan. But to be fair to the Bruins, it should be noted that while the Canadiens have destroyed the Bruins with a record of 8-0 in the season series between the two clubs, IF you discount those 8 games, then the Bruins actually have a better record than the Habs. Habs would have a 35-24-10 record for 80 pts (69GP). The Bruins would have 37-20-10 for (67GP) for 84 pts. Of course that is a big IF. The other thing to consider is that the Bruins have been hit hard by injuries this season while Montreal has mostly escaped injuries to its key players. Given all that, I would say that the Bruins, with a little bit of fine tuning in the off-season, could be a good hockey team next year. Mind you, I have to agree with you that the Canadiens skate better, have more talent, and have more of a future (youth and depth).

Go Habs.

 

[21pro]

this is what i think could be a possibility for standings for the season's end in the east... difficult to predict, the west is much easier...

1. * Pittsburgh 101-104
2. * Montreal 100
3. * Carolina 94
4. Ottawa 100
5. New Jersey 99
6. NY Rangers 98
7. Philadelphia 93
8. Washington 91

actually, it would be really interesting and a good story if Ottawa dropped down to 6th to play against Carolina in the post season... wouldn't that be a story!

Corvo and Eaves against their former Sens... Commodore, Stillman and Gerber facing their former! a potential great rivalry built... it would be nice tv.

Ottawa is moving in that direction... current standings of March 25 before gametime:
1. x-Montreal 77 96
2. * Pittsburgh 76 93
3. * Carolina 76 87
4. New Jersey 75 91
5. Ottawa 76 89
6. NY Rangers 75 88
7. Philadelphia 76 86
8. Boston 75 84
9. Washington 76 82
10. Buffalo 75 81
11. Florida 76 81

 

[blueline]

I don't want to argue with you too hard because I am a Habs fan. But to be fair to the Bruins, it should be noted that while the Canadiens have destroyed the Bruins with a record of 8-0 in the season series between the two clubs, IF you discount those 8 games, then the Bruins actually have a better record than the Habs. Habs would have a 35-24-10 record for 80 pts (69GP). The Bruins would have 37-20-10 for (67GP) for 84 pts. Of course that is a big IF. The other thing to consider is that the Bruins have been hit hard by injuries this season while Montreal has mostly escaped injuries to its key players. Given all that, I would say that the Bruins, with a little bit of fine tuning in the off-season, could be a good hockey team next year. Mind you, I have to agree with you that the Canadiens skate better, have more talent, and have more of a future (youth and depth).

Go Habs.

I see what you are saying but you really can't sugar coat this. With Bergeron in the lineup, yes they are a better team but along with Savard - what else do they have? The next guy behind Savard has 27 fewer points, Marco Sturm. BTW Savard has not done much at all in the past several games ( 1 point in his last 5) and that seems to be a trend with him late in the season. Maybe that explains something about why he has never been in one playoff game? Glen Murray is not the same player he once was. I doubt that Manny Fernandez would have contributed anymore than Auld and Thomas have. As for the B's being close to the Habs if you take away a few of their losses vs. Montreal, that's true, but much of the whole Conference is that way. Add 4 wins to the Leafs, take 4 from Habs and they both have the same number of points. It may look like the B's are better than their record is had they maybe split with Montreal, but the fact is that they are just not a legitimate contender. Montreal surely is. Mix in that Boston hasn't won a playoff series in 10 years, are tooth and nail just to get in the playoffs every year and you can see why us fans are a little frustrated with them.

IMO they need a lot more than a little fine tuning. This team is a long way from being respectable.

 

[Questor]

I see what you are saying but you really can't sugar coat this....
...IMO they need a lot more than a little fine tuning. This team is a long way from being respectable.

I will take your word for it blueline. I am quite sure you know the team much better than I do. I follow the Canadiens quite closely, but I don't know the other teams so well. It sounds like you have been dealing with a frustrating situation and a losing team for quite some time.