Quote:
Originally Posted by shadows
It happens to all of the teams from time to time. You shouldn't feel too bad though, as Chicago is a very good team right now. I think they are better than the San Jose Sharks to be honest.
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The ESPN power rankings let you input your own rankings and I put the Blackhawks ahead of the Sharks.
However, it is only January and Chicago is unproven in the playoffs. In many ways, they remind me of the Sharks last year. They were by the far the best team through about the end of January, but then started having a lot of injuries. Even though they got nearly everybody back by the time playoffs started, they were never in sync like before.
The thing that worries me the most about Chicago is their goaltending. They lead the league in shots on goal and are second in fewest shots allowed, yet Huet is only 24th in save percentage. Once the playoffs begin, teams tighten up their defense and there won't be this large gap between shots for and against.
Last year, SJ outshot the Ducks in all but one playoff game. Goaltending was the difference. I can remember a number of games last year where they had 40 or more shots on goal yet still lost. I can only remember one game where they were badly outshot yet won. Chicago has been the same way this year. In the last couple of weeks they should have beaten both the sharks and stars, except the goaltending was substandard.
I think there are 8 to 10 teams that have a chance to win the Cup this year. Who will peak at the right time is yet to be determined.
Good luck to all your teams