Atlantic Division
Prediction: NJ-Philadelphia-Pittsburgh-Islanders-Rangers. 4 and 5 could change if the islanders get the injury bug or have more goaltending issues. Still look for 3-4 teams from the atlantic division to make the playoffs.
Well, it looks like 3 out of 5 teams can still make it. While Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are playing leap frog for the division, conference and overall NHL lead, the Devils have fallen hard and fast. The Islanders have been decimated by injuries and the owner's wallet closing hard and fast. The Rangers remain in the hunt, but will need to step it up to really be a force come playoff time.
Revised predictions: Philadelphia-Pittsburgh-Rangers-New Jersey-Islanders. While neither NJ or the Islanders will make the playoffs, the Devils have started to play better but still aren't getting breaks. Look for some moves to come before and up until the deadline to overhaul the roster. They have the chance to pass the islanders, but the Devils will still have a top 5 draft pick.
Northwest Division
Predictions: Boston-Buffalo-Ottawa-Montreal-Toronto. Toronto has the most potential to move up this list. we'll see how it goes.
Man, my picks are off again here, but that's why I do this for free. Boston is leading the division thanks to a dominating performance by Tim Thomas in goal. Ottawa and Buffalo are feeling injuries to key players, and despite Carey Price playing well up in Montreal, they are currently barely hanging on to the last spot in the east. Toronto is still...well, Toronto. I am not so surprised by Ottawa as they are still a bit of a one trick pony, but I have to admit to being surprised by Buffalo. Last year's division champs are currently on the outside looking in. Thankfully their division has Ottawa and Toronto, so there is time to pick up much needed points. However, they are 8 points back of Montreal at this point for the 8th and final spot. The scary thing about this entire division is that the division leaders (sitting 3rd due to their division lead) are tied with the 8th place team in terms of points. Someone is going to have to go on some kind of a run to make the playoffs.
Revised Precitions: Boston-Montreal-Buffalo-Ottawa-Toronto. It is possible that Toronto could pass Ottawa, but given the woes both teams have it really won't matter.
Southwest Division
Predictions: Washington (duh) - Tampa - Atlanta - Carolina - Florida
Ok so at the halfway point, I'm pretty on point here. One point seperates the Capitals from the Lightning, but the Lightning have a negative goal differential. That does not bode well for the division leaders. It also speaks volumes to their goaltending situation. They trade for Dwayne Roloson and after an impressive debut, he gets pulled twice (yes twice) in the blowout by Pittsburgh. While they have the offensive weapons, the back end is clearly suspect for Tampa Bay. The same goes for Washington who has seen both Neuvirth and Varlamov struggle at times. Atlanta has been playing well, but will have to overcome some injuries to stay in the playoff race. They are currently 7th, but if they keep playing well, they can hold on to make it. the Cardiac Canes continue to toe the line between success and failure. Jeff Skinner has been a treat to watch though, so that's a plus.
Revised Predictions: I'll be sticking with my preseason predictions. So far so good. The Caps December slump hurt them in the standings, but they're still the best team in the division.
Central Division
Prediction: Detroit (a shock i know) - Chicago - Nashville - St. Louis - Columbus
Once again, pretty close with Nashville and Chicago flip flopping. Both Chicago and St. Louis have had some injuries to contest with, and while St. Louis has been more adversely affective, Chicago has had their fare share of struggles. Detroit stays the same almost in spite of injuries to Datsyuk and Cleary. Columbus continues to stagnate in this tough division. They still have a few roster concerns to address before they can really turn this around. I think the biggest story of the division is the tandem of Pekka Rinne and Anders Lindback. With Renne's early season injury there was a lot of pressure placed on Lindback to keep this team in the hunt. And he performed admirably, carrying the predators on his back. I think more than a few people were willing to write this team off without Rinne in goal, but now it seems like a good problem to have in Nashville...which goalie do you start?
Revised Predictions: Detroit, Nashville, Chicago, St. Louis, Columbus.
Northwest Division
Predictions: Vancouver-Colorado-Calgary-Edmonton-Minnesota
Ok, picking Vancouver in this division is like rooting for death at an old folks home, it's a sure thing. Morbid for sure, but Vancouver in the best team in the league right now, and the rest of their competition is mediocre at best. Minnesota has jumped ahead of the Alberta teams, while the Flames seem to be going down in their namesake. Darryl Sutter has "resigned" which is a good thing for the organization as Jay Feaster will now make the tough decisions that need to be made. I would seriously look for this team to move Iginla for the right price. While the guy is the face of the franchise, they need to rebuild and Iginla will get a good return. Also depending on their position I can see Kiprusoff moving too...if the Flames really do go into fire sale mode.
Revised predictions: Vancouver-Colorado-Minnesota-Calgary-Edmonton. Minnesota is a point behind Colorado so they can easily switch, but no one will catch Vancouver. Edmonton is in the hunt for the 1st overall pick again this year, but Calgary possibly being a lottery pick is amazing.
Pacific Division
Predictions: Los Angeles - San Jose - Phoenix - Dallas - Anaheim
Ok, I was way off on this one. Dallas is leading the division and 3rd in the conference with a 5 point lead on the second team in the division. The surprise is that the second place team is Anaheim. This division has been fun to watch, but way off of predictions (well mine anyway). Los Angeles, Phoenix and San Jose (8th, 9th and 11th respectively) are all tied with 47 points so a few wins in a row can get any one of these teams up in the stands and depending on where they are now, into the playoff picture. With the Langenbrunner trade I think Dallas did themselves a favor adding a competent veteran presence to help them come playoff time.
Revised predictions: Dallas-Los Angeles-Anaheim-Phoenix-San Jose. My money is still on Los Angeles to make a move up in the standings. They have a decent crop of players and a trade or two could really help them out, but that depends on whether or not Lombardi is willing to part with some prospects for the short term. San Jose, aside from rookie Logan Couture, haven't been much to watch this season. Goaltending issues certainly haven't helped. That's not to say that Niemi and Niittymaki have been bad, but I don't think they have been good enough to get the Sharks to the promised land. Good news is, Nabokov is available.
Overall performance: If I had to give myself a letter grade, I'd have to give myself a C-. In all fairness (aka me justifing my shitty picks) you can't predict some of the things like injuries and players going down, but at the end of the day, I missed some stuff. what the puck ever. I blame the Pacific division for being topsy turvy, and the Devils killing me in the Atlantic. Oh well, here we'll see how if I improved come playoff time.
No comments:
Post a Comment