NHL Season

[89Hen]

Wrapping up in the next week. Big surprises this season have to include the Caps looking like a strong contender, Boston wrapping up the East and St. Louis and Columbus fighting for a playoff spot after dismal seasons last year. On the down side, Montreal and NYR fans have to be scratching their heads after such good starts are left fighting for the last couple spots in the East.

EAST
1 Boston 112 (Clinched Conf)
2 Washington 104 (Clinched Div)
3 New Jersey 102 (Clinched Playoffs)
4 Philadelphia 95
5 Carolina 95 (Clinched Playoffs)
6 Pittsburgh 93
7 Montreal 92
8 NY Rangers 89

Bubble...
Florida 89
Buffalo 85

WEST
1 San Jose 115 (Clinched Div)
2 Detroit 111 (Clinched Div)
3 Calgary 96 (Clinched Playoffs)
4 Chicago 97 (Clinched Playoffs)
5 Vancouver 94 (Clinched Playoffs)
6 Columbus 90
7 Anaheim 88
8 Nashville 86

Bubble...
St. Louis 86
Minnesota 83
Edmonton 83

[wkuhillhound]

Nashville MUST take care of business to get to the playoffs! They play (in no particular order), Minnesota, Detroit, and (Chicago I believe). The Predators vs. Wild will be the biggest of the three games. Lets go Predators!!!! xthumbsupx

[appmaj]

Yeah Canes!!

[4th and What?]

Caps a surprise? Nonsense!!! Now just to line up the Penguins in the first round and the Flyers in the second round, and all will be perfect.

[ISUMatt]

Blackhawks have all but sewn up 4th place and the 1st round home ice in the West

[Gil Dobie]

Wild win, get 2 points tonight. xeekx

[AshevilleApp2]

The Wings stumbled a couple of weeks ago. They need to make a move and hope for some help to clinch home ice throughout.

[whitey]

I'm a Rangers fan and I'm not really scratching my head. Haha. I knew going into this season that Sather put together a pretty mediocre team and that's exactly what they've proven to be despite the hot start.

The Rangers are such an odd team with a bunch of guys who can score about 20 or more: Drury, Naslund, Antropov, Callahan, Gomez, Avery & Zherdev but none of them can produce offensively on a consistent basis. Antropov and Avery were late additions though so maybe they can make a little noise if they make it into the playoffs and Lundqvist continues to play to his high level, but I'm not holding my breath.

They did get a big win last night against Montreal and also got helped by our friends for the day, the Flyers, who beat the Panthers in regulation. If the Rangers win one more or if the Panthers and Sabres lose one more each the Rangers will clinch a spot. I'm kind of hoping the Rangers can leapfrog the Canadians for a first round matchup with the Caps. A) because I live in the DC area and B) the Caps offense is incredible but their defense and especially goal-tending is very suspect. A good series from Lundqvist and I could see the Rangers maybe stealing one.

If I was a Flyers or Pens or Devils fan the team I would want to avoid in the first round right now is the Canes. They are on fire.

[bodoyle]

Blackhawks have all but sewn up 4th place and the 1st round home ice in the West

Stupid ass Vancouver just had to win last night...xrolleyesx

[bluehenbillk]

Flyers win clinched a playoff spot last night.

[89Hen]

UPDATED...

EAST
1 Boston 112 (Clinched Conf)
2 Washington 106 (Clinched Div)
3 New Jersey 102 (Clinched Playoffs)
4 Philadelphia 97 (Clinched Playoffs)
5 Carolina 97 (Clinched Playoffs)
6 Pittsburgh 95 (Clinched Playoffs)
7 Montreal 92
8 NY Rangers 91

Bubble...
Florida 89
Buffalo 85 (really not sure how they are still mathematically in)

WEST
1 San Jose 117 (Clinched Div)
2 Detroit 111 (Clinched Div)
3 Calgary 96 (Clinched Playoffs)
4 Chicago 99 (Clinched Playoffs)
5 Vancouver 96 (Clinched Playoffs)
6 Columbus 90
7 Anaheim 88
8 St. Louis 88 (moved up)

Bubble...

Nashville 86 (bumped to outside looking in)
Minnesota 85
Edmonton 83 ELIMINATED

[bodoyle]

Flyers win clinched a playoff spot last night.

I hate them almost as much as I hate the commie pinko red wings!

I was so pissed when what's his face, the big lug scored in the 5th OT against Pitt a few years ago. I was watching that in the dorms at Coastal. I think it was 2000and the lug was Keith Primeau - stupid, frigging flyers!

[89Hen]

7 Montreal 92
8 NY Rangers 91

Bubble...
Florida 89
Buffalo 85 (really not sure how they are still mathematically in)
All four of these teams fighting for the last two spots really have a tough road. xeekx

MON - @ Boston, Pittsburgh
NYR - Philly, @ Philly
FLA - @ ATL, Washington
BUF - @ Toronto, @ Carolina, Boston

Could be a very interesting finish in the East. xeyebrowx

[89Hen]

Caps a surprise? Nonsense!!! Now just to line up the Penguins in the first round and the Flyers in the second round, and all will be perfect.
Looking more and more like Les Habitants will be making the trip to DC.

[AshevilleApp2]

I hate them almost as much as I hate the commie pinko red wings!

I was so pissed when what's his face, the big lug scored in the 5th OT against Pitt a few years ago. I was watching that in the dorms at Coastal. I think it was 2000and the lug was Keith Primeau - stupid, frigging flyers!



xlolx xlolx Advance Comrades!! xnodx

[appmaj]

Which network will have the playoffs???

[89Hen]

Which network will have the playoffs???
I think Oxygen. xnonono2x

[whitey]

RE: Buffalo

The Sabres are mathematically still alive because if they win out they can finish with 91 points. They hold the tiebreaker over the Rangers. So the Sabres would have to win out and the Rangers would have to earn zero points in their home-and-home with the Flyers. They would also need the Panthers to only pick up at the max 2 points in their final 2 games as well. Not easy.

[whitey]

Looking more and more like Les Habitants will be making the trip to DC.

Maybe. Price is playing terribly for the Habs though. I can definitely envision them losing their last two while the Rangers could split their home and home with Philly. Rangers finish in 7th, Canadians (or Panthers) in 8th.

[89Hen]

Did you guys know the son of one of the Hanson Brothers was now in the NHL? Had his first ever goal last night for the Leafs against Marty Brodeur. xthumbsupx

Hanson of 'Slap Shot' lineage nets first NHL tally to keep Devils from division title (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=290407011)

[89Hen]

the Rangers could split their home and home with Philly.
How good is that home and home going to be? xthumbsupx Except the Flyers have the Isles in between the two games. xoopsx

[AshevilleApp2]

Which network will have the playoffs???

I think Versus carries most of the NHL regular season games that get shown nationally. I'm not really sure about the playoffs though. NBC will probably televise the finals.

[whitey]

Did you guys know the son of one of the Hanson Brothers was now in the NHL? Had his first ever goal last night for the Leafs against Marty Brodeur. xthumbsupx
]

Yeah, ha. They mentioned that during the Rangers broadcast last night. I'm glad it was against Maaarrrrrrtttttttyyyyyyy too.

[gmoney55]

RE: Buffalo

The Sabres are mathematically still alive because if they win out they can finish with 91 points. They hold the tiebreaker over the Rangers. So the Sabres would have to win out and the Rangers would have to earn zero points in their home-and-home with the Flyers. They would also need the Panthers to only pick up at the max 2 points in their final 2 games as well. Not easy.

Nope, guess that's what happens when you decide to break up a core that went to two straight conference finals. Though I do think they would have made the playoffs if it weren't for the Ryan Miller injury, they were around fifth in the conference when he went down and went I think 4-7 without him. Might have been Scott Gomez' biggest contribution to the Rangers' playoff pushxnonono2xxnonono2x

[whitey]

I hope you're not insinuating that that was a cheap shot on Gomez'z part? It's pretty obvious he lost his edge a bit when he was trying to stop and unfortunately ran into Miller. Cry Baby Ruff can bitch and moan all he wants but from the looks of things I don't think it was intentional.

[gmoney55]

I hope your not insinuating that that was a cheap shot on Gomez'z part? It's pretty obvious he lost his edge a bit when he was trying to stop and unfortunately ran into Miller. Cry Baby Ruff can bitch and moan all he wants but from the looks of things I don't think it was intentional.

I'm not, but I believe it was Gomez that made the contact. Sabres were 4-7-2 without Miller and I think they would have the 4-6 extra points they need if he didn't miss that time.

[whitey]

Yeah, it was definitely Gomez and it was most definitely an accident. Now if it had been Avery.....

[bluehenbillk]

Looking like a Canes/Flyers 1st round matchup. Funny how these teams haven't played ion forever & they're in the same conference. I'd say winner gets the Bruins but the NHL re-seeds and there's upsets every year.

[813Jag]

Bolts were done before they even started. But Stamkos has looked good.

[wkuhillhound]

Wild win, get 2 points tonight. xeekx

Wild vs. Predators is gonna be BIG!!!!!! :D

[Gil Dobie]

Wild vs. Predators is gonna be BIG!!!!!! :D

The return of Marian Gaborik has really sparked the Wild in the playoff stretch. Still need help from other teams, and win.

[ISUMatt]

Stupid ass Vancouver just had to win last night...xrolleyesx

Fine by me Id rather play Calgary over Vancouver

CAL and VAN have 96, CAL has Tiebreaker

VAN has LA and COL left
CAL has home and home vs EDM

Advantage Vancouver

[ISUMatt]

Bolts were done before they even started. But Stamkos has looked good.

Not as good as Patrick Kane's rookie season xsmiley_wix

[813Jag]

Not as good as Patrick Kane's rookie season xsmiley_wix
Well Melrose didn't play him much, at least he's getting ice time now.

[bodoyle]

Fine by me Id rather play Calgary over Vancouver

CAL and VAN have 96, CAL has Tiebreaker

VAN has LA and COL left
CAL has home and home vs EDM

Advantage Vancouver

Me too, but I just wanted it clinched last night so I could focus on the Sox tonight and not have to flip channels lol.

[bodoyle]

Not as good as Patrick Kane's rookie season xsmiley_wix

You see Kaner's backhanded goal last night?

[bulldog10jw]

All I have are memories............and they are getting very old

http://hockey.classicauctions.net/images/northstar/lots/36/preview_36_29.jpg

[Gil Dobie]

All I have are memories............and they are getting very old

I don't even have memories of them winning, just memories of them losing to the Canadiens.

1961 Black Hawks
http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/trophies/winners/STC1961.jpg

[89Hen]

Looking like a Canes/Flyers 1st round matchup. Funny how these teams haven't played ion forever & they're in the same conference. I'd say winner gets the Bruins but the NHL re-seeds and there's upsets every year.
They played like four or five times over a 2-3 week span early in the season. Whoever does the NHL scheduling needs an assistant.

[89Hen]

All I have are memories............and they are getting very old


I don't even have memories of them winning, just memories of them losing to the Canadiens.
There are a lot of us in the same boat. 1975 for the Flyers. At least they've been back several times (5?) but that's little consolation.

[ISUMatt]

There are a lot of us in the same boat. 1975 for the Flyers. At least they've been back several times (5?) but that's little consolation.

That makes it worse IMO

[ISUMatt]

Well Melrose didn't play him much, at least he's getting ice time now.

What the Lightening did to Melrose is criminal!! What an awful run organization this season

[gmoney55]

There are a lot of us in the same boat. 1975 for the Flyers. At least they've been back several times (5?) but that's little consolation.

I'm there with you guys....I've seen the Sabres in four conference finals and a Stanley Cup with no rings. 2006 is the one that really gets me still.

[89Hen]

I'm there with you guys....I've seen the Sabres in four conference finals and a Stanley Cup with no rings. 2006 is the one that really gets me still.
I've seen them in two. xsmiley_wix

[gmoney55]

I've seen them in two. xsmiley_wix

Haha yea that one bothers my dadxbawlingxxbawlingx

[89Hen]

Haha yea that one bothers my dadxbawlingxxbawlingx
Damn, that's a low blow there g. :p

It was Philly's other "Fog Bowl"...

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eRJ6KQFaW2M/SX6NskJOQwI/AAAAAAAAEPw/k5bXbyo17LQ/s400/robert.bmp

Was also the Bat Game...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvzp32zYtCY

[ISUMatt]

Columbus clinches a playoff spot last night...Chicago 1 pt away from home ice advantage in round 1

[bodoyle]

Columbus clinches a playoff spot last night...Chicago 1 pt away from home ice advantage in round 1

Why the hell did Bolan go last night and not Havlat? That made no sense.

[89Hen]

East 8 are set, now it's just a matter of what spots. Flyers, Canes and Pens all tied in points, but the Flyers have two games remaning. A win over the Isles on Saturday clinches the 4th spot.

[ISUMatt]

Why the hell did Bolan go last night and not Havlat? That made no sense.

I have no problem with Bolland going...As long as it either Kane, Toews, Havlat, Sharp, Versteeg or Brouwer...Im ok with it

[bodoyle]

I have no problem with Bolland going...As long as it either Kane, Toews, Havlat, Sharp, Versteeg or Brouwer...Im ok with it

Now Versteeg is out for tomorrows game. Fell during the practice skate today.

[TheValleyRaider]

Playoffs are set, starting Wednesday

East
#1-Boston Bruins vs. #8-Montreal Canadiens
#2-Washington Capitals vs. #7-New York Rangers
#3-New Jersey Devils vs. #6-Carolina Hurricanes
#4-Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #5-Philadelphia Flyers

West
#1-San Jose Sharks vs. #8-Anaheim Ducks
#2-Detroit Red Wings vs. #7-Columbus Blue Jackets
#3-Vancouver Canucks vs. #6-St. Louis Blues
#4-Chicago Blackhawks vs. #5-Calgary Flames

Some really great matchups in this opening round xnodx xnodx xnodx

[JayJ79]

Go Pittsburgh!

[bluehenbillk]

Pens will take out the Flyers.

[93henfan]

Pens will take out the Flyers.

Eskin said Flyers in six (on SportsFinal), and he's never wrong. xsmiley_wix

I'm actually glad they start on the road. They had 20 road wins this year. Philly teams generally play well on the road without the home crowd pressure, and in the NHL playoffs in particular home ice means little.

That being said, the Pens are on fire right now. I forget the exact number, but I believe they finished the season 18-3-4 or something. That's impressive.

[Gil Dobie]

Wild coach Jacques Lemaire has resigned. Rumors are that he is heading to Montreal.

[ISUMatt]

Have dates been announced yet?

Hawks in 5 over Calgary
Wings in four over Columbus
Sharks in 6 over Ducks
Canucks in 5 over the Blues

[TheValleyRaider]

2009 EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS

SERIES A #1-Boston vs. #8-Montreal
Thursday, April 16 at Boston, 7:00 p.m. CBC, RDS
Saturday, April 18 at Boston, 8:00 p.m. VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Monday, April 20 at Montreal, 7:00 p.m. CBC, RDS
Wednesday, April 22 at Montreal, 7:00 p.m. CBC, RDS
*Saturday, April 25 at Boston, 7:00 p.m. CBC, RDS
*Monday, April 27 at Montreal, TBD CBC, RDS
*Wednesday, April 29 at Boston, TBD CBC, RDS

SERIES B #2-Washington vs. #7-NY Rangers
Wednesday, April 15, at Washington, 7:00 p.m. TSN
Saturday, April 18 at Washington, 1:00 p.m. NBC, TSN
Monday, April 20 at New York, 7:00 p.m. VERSUS, TSN
Wednesday, April 22 at New York, 7:00 p.m. VERSUS, TSN
*Friday, April 24 at Washington, 7:00 p.m. VERSUS, TSN, RDS
*Sunday, April 26 at New York, 2:00 p.m. NBC, TSN, RDS
*Tuesday, April 28 at Washington, TBD VERSUS, TSN, RDS

SERIES C #3-New Jersey vs. #6-Carolina
Wednesday, April 15 at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m. TSN, RIS
Friday, April 17 at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m. TSN, RIS
Sunday, April 19 at Carolina, 7:30 p.m. TSN, RIS
Tuesday, April 21 at Carolina, 7:30 p.m. TSN, RIS
*Thursday, April 23 at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m. TSN, RIS
*Sunday, April 26 at Carolina, TBD TSN, VERSUS
*Tuesday, April 28 at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m. TSN

SERIES D #4-Pittsburgh vs. #5-Philadelphia
Wednesday, April 15 at Pittsburgh, 7:00 p.m. VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Friday, April 17 at Pittsburgh, 7:00 p.m. VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Sunday, April 19 at Philadelphia, 3:00 p.m. NBC, CBC, RDS
Tuesday, April 21 at Philadelphia, 7:00 p.m. VERSUS, CBC, RDS
*Thursday, April 23 at Pittsburgh, 7:00 p.m. VERSUS, CBC, RDS
*Saturday, April 25 at Philadelphia, 3:00 p.m. NBC, CBC
*Monday, April 27 at Pittsburgh, TBD VERSUS, CBC

2009 WESTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS

SERIES E #1-San Jose vs. #8-Anaheim
Thursday, April 16 at San Jose, 10:30 p.m. VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Sunday, April 19 at San Jose, 10:00 p.m. VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Tuesday, April 21 at Anaheim, 10:30 p.m. VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Thursday, April 23 at Anaheim, 10:30 p.m. VERSUS, CBC, RDS
*Saturday, April 25 at San Jose, 10:00 p.m. VERSUS, CBC, RDS
*Monday, April 27 at Anaheim, TBD VERSUS, CBC, RDS
*Wednesday, April 29 at San Jose, TBD VERSUS, CBC, RDS

SERIES F #2-Detroit vs. #7-Columbus
Thursday, April 16 at Detroit, 7:00 p.m. VERSUS, TSN
Saturday, April 18 at Detroit, 6:00 p.m. TSN
Tuesday, April 21 at Columbus, 7:00 p.m. TSN
Thursday, April 23 at Columbus, 7:00 p.m. TSN
*Saturday, April 25 at Detroit, 7:00 p.m. VERSUS, TSN
*Monday, April 27 at Columbus, TBD TSN
*Wednesday, April 29 at Detroit, TBD VERSUS, TSN

SERIES G #3-Vancouver vs. #6-St. Louis
Wednesday, April 15 at Vancouver, 10:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS, RDS
Friday, April 17 at Vancouver, 10:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS, RDS
Sunday, April 19 at St. Louis, 7:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS
Tuesday, April 21 at St. Louis, 8:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS
*Friday, April 24 at Vancouver, 10:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS, RDS
*Sunday, April 26 at St. Louis, 8:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS, RDS
*Tuesday, April 28 at Vancouver, TBD CBC, VERSUS, RDS

SERIES H #4-Chicago vs. #5-Calgary
Thursday, April 16 at Chicago, 8:30 p.m. TSN, VERSUS
Saturday, April 18 at Chicago, TBD TSN
Monday, April 20 at Calgary, 9:30 p.m. TSN, VERSUS
Wednesday, April 22 at Calgary, TBD TSN, VERSUS
*Saturday, April 25 at Chicago, 10:00 p.m. TSN, RIS
*Monday, April 27 at Calgary, TBD TSN
*Wednesday, April 29 at Chicago, TBD TSN

- * denotes if necessary
- All Times are Eastern Standard Time

[bluehenbillk]

Eskin said Flyers in six (on SportsFinal), and he's never wrong. xsmiley_wix



OK, well if Howard said so...he'll still never live down that Eagles NFC Championship "stone, cold mortar lock" over the Bucs.

[appmaj]

Go Canes!!!

http://flamesfan77.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/0620brind.jpg

[TheValleyRaider]

Go Islanders! xnodx


Win the lottery! xoopsx

[89Hen]

I'm actually glad they start on the road. They had 20 road wins this year. Philly teams generally play well on the road without the home crowd pressure, and in the NHL playoffs in particular home ice means little.

Have you convinced yourself yet? xoopsx

[TheValleyRaider]

Go Islanders! xnodx


Win the lottery! xoopsx

Islanders win! Islanders win! xnodx xnodx

Isles to select first in the 2009 Draft after winning tonight's lottery

Now, to resume watching actual hockey..... :o xoopsx :o xoopsx

[ISUMatt]

Now trade that pick cuz no kid in his right mind wants to play in that dump...Until the Isles build a new rink, they will suffer...or maybe its the curse iof the 15 yr contract for Rick DiPietro

[seantaylor]

Caps take home the Cup this season.