hockey fan 0 Posted March 18, 2007 Share Posted March 18, 2007 Is it me or has the Eastern Conference playoff push become a turtle race? Only two teams seem to be playing with any kind of momentum right now - the Rangers and the *gasp* Panthers.....(though I think it's very much a "too little, too late" situation for Florida)What the heck is going on here?Tampa is in for now, but don't appear to be worried about playing too well.Carolina is stumbling along....missing Cam Ward?The Islanders....well they are missing DiPietro for sure ....maybe Simon too.Montreal and Toronto both seem to not want to make a run.....okay the Habs are missing Huet, the Leafs Kaberle.Boston just keeps shooting themselves in the foot.....(and like Florida they appear to be dead)But while we are making excuses for some teams about missing players, the Rangers are missing Shanahan fer cryin' out loud.....Right now there are only 4 points separating 6th place from 11th place: Pl Team GP W L OTL Pts Last 10 6 Tampa Bay 72 39 29 4 82 4-5-1 7 Carolina 73 36 29 8 80 5-4-1 8 NY Rangers 72 35 28 9 79 6-1-3 9 NY Islanders 71 34 27 10 78 4-4-2 10 Toronto 72 34 28 10 78 4-5-1 11 Montreal 73 36 31 6 78 4-6-0 Any thoughts on who will finally take the last 3 spots in the East? Link to post Share on other sites
serge 904 Posted March 18, 2007 Share Posted March 18, 2007 I hardly think the Leafs are stumbling along....They will get in along with Tampa Bay and the Rangers Link to post Share on other sites
Zach6668 513 Posted March 18, 2007 Share Posted March 18, 2007 I hardly think the Leafs are stumbling along....They will get in along with Tampa Bay and the Rangers4-5-1 in the last 10 isn't stumbling along? Link to post Share on other sites
serge 904 Posted March 18, 2007 Share Posted March 18, 2007 4-5-1 in the last 10 isn't stumbling along?actually yes...they have played much better with Tucker and Wellwood back... Link to post Share on other sites
hockey fan 0 Posted March 18, 2007 Author Share Posted March 18, 2007 I hardly think the Leafs are stumbling along....They will get in along with Tampa Bay and the Rangers4-5-1 in their last 10 games ain't exactly lighting the world on fire.... :PThe Rangers look good right now as Lundqvist is very hot for them.Tampa still has to worry about giving up goals, they'll go as far as their offense will carry them.....and if the Islanders get DiPietro back, they can be dangerous.Lots of "ifs" out there.... Link to post Share on other sites
serge 904 Posted March 18, 2007 Share Posted March 18, 2007 4-5-1 in their last 10 games ain't exactly lighting the world on fire.... :PThe Rangers look good right now as Lundqvist is very hot for them.Tampa still has to worry about giving up goals, they'll go as far as their offense will carry them.....and if the Islanders get DiPietro back, they can be dangerous.Lots of "ifs" out there....The Leafs have shown they will come to play in big games...Today they played a very good game especially in the second half....Islanders are toast....Rangers still have issues...Itst Tampa,Toronto and Carolina Link to post Share on other sites
Zach6668 513 Posted March 18, 2007 Share Posted March 18, 2007 I hardly think the Leafs are stumbling along....They will get in along with Tampa Bay and the Rangers The Leafs have shown they will come to play in big games...Today they played a very good game especially in the second half....Islanders are toast....Rangers still have issues...Itst Tampa,Toronto and Carolina Dude... 19 minutes apart and you contradict yourself... Link to post Share on other sites
serge 904 Posted March 18, 2007 Share Posted March 18, 2007 Dude... 19 minutes apart and you contradict yourself...Does it matter ...who cares who else gets in...The Leafs are getting in...Just worry about your stupid furry little Penguins. Link to post Share on other sites
Zach6668 513 Posted March 18, 2007 Share Posted March 18, 2007 Does it matter ...who cares who else gets in...The Leafs are getting in...Just worry about your stupid furry little Penguins.lolI wish them good luck, they are one of my favorite non-Penguin teams due to proximity, and them being my Dad's favorite team growing up, however, I don't like their chances. Link to post Share on other sites
hockey fan 0 Posted March 18, 2007 Author Share Posted March 18, 2007 The Leafs have shown they will come to play in big games...Today they played a very good game especially in the second half....Islanders are toast....Rangers still have issues...Itst Tampa,Toronto and CarolinaDude, I don't care how many "issues" they have - Lundqvist has given up only 13 goals in his last 8 games!He's only lost once in regulation over that span.If he stays this hot, the Rangers are a shoo-in.And it looks like Shanny may be back soon too....Carolina is one team I can't figure out....they appear to be too good to be struggling, yet they are. Link to post Share on other sites
serge 904 Posted March 18, 2007 Share Posted March 18, 2007 lolI wish them good luck, they are one of my favorite non-Penguin teams due to proximity, and them being my Dad's favorite team growing up, however, I don't like their chances.You should listen to your dad...He is a smart man...You have gone to the dark side...Its not too late to come back. Link to post Share on other sites
hockey fan 0 Posted March 18, 2007 Author Share Posted March 18, 2007 As a side note - when was the last time BOTH of the previous year's Stanley Cup finalists failed to make the playoffs the following year??? It sure looks like it could happen this year.... Link to post Share on other sites
DanielNegreanu 141 Posted March 18, 2007 Share Posted March 18, 2007 The Rangers are in. No doubt about it. They are finally starting to play like the winning team last season that relied on superstar goaltending and great defense. Lundqvist is the real deal. AGAIN, HOW SICK ARE MY AHL GOALIES!!!!! All my guys are on fire right. 4 goalies in the top 10 Lundqvist, Luongo, Nabakov, and Toskala. Back to back shutouts and a GAA under 1.00 during the AHL playoffs. Link to post Share on other sites
hockey fan 0 Posted March 18, 2007 Author Share Posted March 18, 2007 As a side note - when was the last time BOTH of the previous year's Stanley Cup finalists failed to make the playoffs the following year??? It sure looks like it could happen this year....Wow....unless my Google skills are failing me, this has NEVER happened.Never, in the history of the NHL, have both of the Cup finalists not made the playoffs the following year.We may have a historic event this year....and yes Daniel, your goalies ARE sick! Link to post Share on other sites
Jason12 0 Posted March 18, 2007 Share Posted March 18, 2007 The Rangers will go as far as Lundqvist takes them, without Shanahan the Rangers rely too much on the Jagr line.The Hurricanes have been streaky all year, but they need Ward back if they are gonna make the playoffs.The Habs need Halak to play like he played tonight for the rest of the year to make the playoffs.The Leafs probably have the toughest schedule to end the season. They can't afford to play like they did against Washington or they won't make the playoffs. The Islanders need to get Dipietro back, Dunham can't stop a beach ball. Link to post Share on other sites
Zach6668 513 Posted March 18, 2007 Share Posted March 18, 2007 Daniel, have I mentioned that your AHL goalies are sick? Link to post Share on other sites
hockey fan 0 Posted March 18, 2007 Author Share Posted March 18, 2007 Okay, how about some fearless predictions?In:Tampa - 7 home games, 3 road games; only 5 playoff teams to face - an easy schedule should get them in.Rangers - riding Lundqvist, and the return of Shanahan puts them over the top. They also have the easiest schedule - the only playoff team they face over their last 10 games is Pittsburgh, twice.Carolina - only 4 playoff opponents in their last 9 games - they should just squeak in on that scheduleOut:Islanders - 8 of their last 11 games are against playoff teams - their schedule is their worst enemyToronto - 7 of their last 10 are against playoff teams - a tough schedule and too many teams to beat will cause them to fall just short - AGAIN! Montreal - only 4 playoff teams to face in their 9 remaining games. If they can beat up on Boston (3 games) they MIGHT be able to nip Carolina out for the last playoff spot. (but I doubt it....) Link to post Share on other sites
hockey fan 0 Posted March 18, 2007 Author Share Posted March 18, 2007 Good news for all the chasers with Tampa getting whupped by the Capitals today 7-1.Maybe the Caps will be the mega-spoilers this year?? They still play Montreal, Carolina and Tampa one more time.Also the Flyers can definitely cause some pain as they play the Rangers and Islanders each twice and the Leafs and Carolina once.Florida also gets to try and derail Tampa and Carolina - they play them twice more each Link to post Share on other sites
Speed Limit 0 Posted March 19, 2007 Share Posted March 19, 2007 Florida does get to play spoiler, their realistic chances of getting in are gone but hopefully they'll still play hard. Link to post Share on other sites
LongLiveYorke 38 Posted March 19, 2007 Share Posted March 19, 2007 Speaking of Rangers, I was at Saturday's game when they blew out Boston 7-0, and it was pretty entertaining. Without a few of their great players, including Shanahan and with Straka being hurt in the first period, they were able to put on an amazing show and showed that they have the drive and passion to make a real run at the playoffs. With Shanny returning hopefully in a game or two, some strong players stepping up (Avery, Cullen, Nylander), Lundqvist being probably in the top two best goaltenders of the league, and of course Jagr, I think they have a good chance. I just hope we don't get blown out if we actually make the playoffs like last year.ps. the above signature picture is pretty amazing!!! Link to post Share on other sites
hockey fan 0 Posted March 20, 2007 Author Share Posted March 20, 2007 The Rangers really helped themselves by beating Sid the Kid and the Pens last night.I really think the weak link in the current #6-8 teams is Carolina.Next would be Tampa, they have proven to be defensively suspect and that could be their downfall.Another big night tonight for the East "Bubble" teams:Boston at Montreal NY Islanders at Tampa Bay New Jersey at Toronto Link to post Share on other sites
runthemover 40 Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 Lundqvist being probably in the top two best goaltenders of the league I'm not sure if he's top 10 even Link to post Share on other sites
hockey fan 0 Posted March 24, 2007 Author Share Posted March 24, 2007 Update time.....Then: Pl Team GP W L OTL Pts Last 10 6 Tampa Bay 72 39 29 4 82 4-5-1 7 Carolina 73 36 29 8 80 5-4-1 8 NY Rangers 72 35 28 9 79 6-1-3 9 NY Islanders 71 34 27 10 78 4-4-2 10 Toronto 72 34 28 10 78 4-5-1 11 Montreal 73 36 31 6 78 4-6-0 Now: Pl Team GP W L OTL Pts Last 10 6 Tampa Bay 75 41 30 4 86 5-5-0 7 NY Rangers 75 38 28 9 85 7-1-2 8 NY Islanders 74 36 27 11 83 4-4-2 9 Carolina 74 37 29 8 82 5-4-1 10 Montreal 75 38 31 6 82 5-5-0 11 Toronto 74 35 29 10 80 5-4-1 Every team has gained some ground except the Leafs and Carolina:Tampa: 4 points in 3 gamesCarolina won their only game, but lost ground due to other team's games in hand.NY Rangers: 6 points in winning all 3 of their games - remaining red hot.NY Islanders: 5 points in 3 gamesToronto: 2 points in 2 games - losing to Buffalo after being up 4-1 in the 3rd really hurt themMontreal: 4 points in 2 gamesIt looks more and more like the only battle will be for 8th as Tampa and the Rangers continue to look strong.Carolina will have to rely on it's weak schedule to help them pull ahead of the Islanders who have a much tougher one.The Habs and Leafs both have uphill battles. The Leafs especially are on life support as their hard schedule makes it almost impossible to gain ground, especially against now 3 teams for them to beat. Link to post Share on other sites
strategy 4 Posted March 25, 2007 Share Posted March 25, 2007 I'm not sure if he's top 10 evenI'd say top 5. Link to post Share on other sites
pezeveng 207 Posted March 25, 2007 Share Posted March 25, 2007 Just make sure the Rangers don't play the Devils in the first round again this year. That was one of the worst let down series ever. I though it was going to be a battle instead of the cakewalk that it was. Link to post Share on other sites
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