Hockey 2010-2011

[k.sucks.you]

Originally Posted by Captn Sacto

I don't think it really matters who they play. Every team in the west is pretty darn good and would be a tough match-up. The only team I think they have a real advantage on is the coyotes. They have won every game easily, scoring at least 4 goals and have beaten them 7 straight times. The playoffs are whole different ballgame as shark fans know well.

I think the most encouraging thing is that the sharks have always gotten off to great starts and were playing medicore at best when the playoffs started. This year they are playing their best hockey now. Nabakov was a solid goaltender, but rarely ever stole a game while the sharks would lose games where they put 40-50 shots on goal. Niemi has won more games this year where the sharks have been outplayed than Nabby ever did. I thinks this much more important during the playoffs where one or two games can be the difference.

Will see, some good teams are going to be out in the first round out west.

That's pretty much exactly how I feel. I always worry about Detroit. Vancouver is pretty clearly the class of the league this year. Otherwise, I don't really care who we face in the first two rounds. 3-10 are all just as dangerous.

Our PK is pretty weak recently, and we've got a couple of injuries with a few players still slumping offensively (I'm looking at you, Heatley), but as you said Niemi is on fire. Stellar goaltending is what it takes in the playoffs (and stay healthy).

If we beat Dallas tonight, we'll clinch a spot in the playoffs and pretty much finish their playoff chances. Then two each against the Ducks and Phoenix, with one Kings game. One game at a time.

Good luck to everyone (unless you're playing the Sharks!)

[shadows]

Originally Posted by k.sucks.you

That's pretty much exactly how I feel. I always worry about Detroit. Vancouver is pretty clearly the class of the league this year. Otherwise, I don't really care who we face in the first two rounds. 3-10 are all just as dangerous.

Our PK is pretty weak recently, and we've got a couple of injuries with a few players still slumping offensively (I'm looking at you, Heatley), but as you said Niemi is on fire. Stellar goaltending is what it takes in the playoffs (and stay healthy).

If we beat Dallas tonight, we'll clinch a spot in the playoffs and pretty much finish their playoff chances. Then two each against the Ducks and Phoenix, with one Kings game. One game at a time.

Good luck to everyone (unless you're playing the Sharks!)

San Jose smoked 'em 6-0, so it looks like Dallas is done. I think Calgary will be the next Western team eliminated from contention as the deck is stacked against them right now(for example, the other teams ahead of them have games in hand).

[shadows]

Here are the scores of note:

1. Toronto beat Boston 4-3 in the shootout. Sorry smc, but I am glad the Leafs won as it keeps their slim playoff hopes alive. Toronto can look at their play towards Buffalo and Boston the past few games as a huge positive. The Leafs would usually lay an egg when playing either of those two teams, but they play against them with a lot more fire than before! Toronto held a 4-2 advantage in games won over the Bruins.

2. The Islanders beat the Rangers 6-2. This also helps the Leafs! I think that Gaborik should have gotten a game misconduct for his hit, but at least the Islanders still won.

3. Atlanta beat Philadelphia 1-0(on a goal that perhaps shouldn't have counted?). Boooo! Hisssss!

[smc]

Originally Posted by shadows

...

1. Toronto beat Boston 4-3 in the shootout. Sorry smc, but I am glad the Leafs won as it keeps their slim playoff hopes alive. Toronto can look at their play towards Buffalo and Boston the past few games as a huge positive. The Leafs would usually lay an egg when playing either of those two teams, but they play against them with a lot more fire than before! Toronto held a 4-2 advantage in games won over the Bruins.

...

Don't get your hopes up too much, my friend. I think, given the math, that "slim" would perhaps be best replaced with "infinitesimal."

That was a tough loss for the Bruins. A win would have clinched the division title (which they will still win), but more than that it would have been a nice momentum builder. There was an absolutely terrible penalty-shot call against the Bruins in the overtime ... seriously, I haven't seen so obviously a wrong call in the NHL all this year.

[shadows]

Originally Posted by smc

Don't get your hopes up too much, my friend. I think, given the math, that "slim" would perhaps be best replaced with "infinitesimal."

That was a tough loss for the Bruins. A win would have clinched the division title (which they will still win), but more than that it would have been a nice momentum builder. There was an absolutely terrible penalty-shot call against the Bruins in the overtime ... seriously, I haven't seen so obviously a wrong call in the NHL all this year.

Well, the call against Toronto in overtime was pretty weak as well.

I think Miller is more hurt than Buffalo is letting on. That could crumble their confidence and Toronto could squeak in. I'm not holding my breath, but it would be a pleasant surprise if they made it.

The Rangers have played poorly two games in a row, and they don't have a large margin of error either.

I just wish that Carolina would stop winning. If Toronto doesn't make it, I want their position to be as high as possible so Boston gets a worse pick.

[k.sucks.you]

Originally Posted by shadows

San Jose smoked 'em 6-0, so it looks like Dallas is done. I think Calgary will be the next Western team eliminated from contention as the deck is stacked against them right now(for example, the other teams ahead of them have games in hand).

Fun game. Some highlight reel goals, everything going well, everyone having fun. Great to see this time of year.

Sharks clinched a playoff spot (only the second team to do that out west). The best part was passing Detroit. Now Sharks control their destiny for home ice in the playoffs.

I read that playoff tickets went on sale in the afternoon, before we clinched a spot. That takes some confidence!

Calgary is 3 points behind Chicago in the 8th spot (but 2 more games plyaed). Would have been nice to see those two swap places, but I'm now okay with whatever happens out west. I think the top 8 will stay that way. Everyone is playing each other, so they'll be some shifting up and down.

Iginla got his 1000th point last nigh. Jumbo Joe Thornton is sitting at 997, so I hope he'll get it before the end of the season.

Good luck, and I hope you don't need to do any math to see if your team will make the playoffs!
-K

[dauls]

A Patrik Elias hat trick.

...10pts behind 7th and 8th in the east with just five games left this season.