Hockey 2010-2011

[k.sucks.you]

Originally Posted by shadows

I'm not sure he's a lock for ROTY. Skinner from Carolina could also win(Hall may have had a chance before getting a season-ending injury).

Some Montreal fans(thankfully the majority of Montreal fans don't think this) seem to think that PK Subban will win it all. I don't see that happening to be honest.

I would like James Reimer to win it, but I don't think he will(or if he even played enough games to be eligible).

There's really good parity in the league; almost too much. It's no surprise that the ROTY is close. It often is though.

Trash talk aside, I think it's between Skinner and Couture. Logan, to me, is clearly better when you look at the complete game. He's tough in all three zones. He doesn't just get to the net, he's working hard on defense.

Tough for a rookie goalie, especially for a Leafs goalie. :-)

[k.sucks.you]

Originally Posted by k.sucks.you

There's really good parity in the league; almost too much. It's no surprise that the ROTY is close. It often is though.

Trash talk aside, I think it's between Skinner and Couture. Logan, to me, is clearly better when you look at the complete game. He's tough in all three zones. He doesn't just get to the net, he's working hard on defense.

Tough for a rookie goalie, especially for a Leafs goalie. :-)

Sorry Shadows, I shouldn't drink and post...

Logan got two more last night in our fourth four goal victory over the amazing Coyotes. They get such little fan support and are constantly surrounded by distractions of trades. I don't know how they do it (besides great coaching and net minding). It's like watching 300. I expect Shane Doan to yell "Sparta!" soon.

It's posible that we'd face them in the first round. If so, we'd play seven games in a month against them. Crazy.

[shadows]

Originally Posted by k.sucks.you

Sorry Shadows, I shouldn't drink and post...

Logan got two more last night in our fourth four goal victory over the amazing Coyotes. They get such little fan support and are constantly surrounded by distractions of trades. I don't know how they do it (besides great coaching and net minding). It's like watching 300. I expect Shane Doan to yell "Sparta!" soon.

It's posible that we'd face them in the first round. If so, we'd play seven games in a month against them. Crazy.

I would think that the Sharks would not want to face either Anaheim or Chicago(both teams that seem to be very hot right now). Who knows? The West is so tight right now, that this could happen!

[Captn Sacto]

Originally Posted by shadows

I would think that the Sharks would not want to face either Anaheim or Chicago(both teams that seem to be very hot right now). Who knows? The West is so tight right now, that this could happen!

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.

[dauls]

Won after blowing a 2-0 lead in the 3rd period, but it's too little too late.

...only 6 games left and 12pts behind 8th placed Sabres.

[shadows]

Wow! Montreal is playing like they don't want to be in the playoffs!

They are only 5 points up on Carolina(and 2 points up on New York and Buffalo), and if they don't wake up it will be Buffalo, New York, and Carolina in the playoffs with Montreal on the outside looking in.

[transjen]

Originally Posted by shadows

Wow! Montreal is playing like they don't want to be in the playoffs!

Would you believe they are taking lessons from the Flyers
Flyersfan Jen

[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!

[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