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Last night, Vancouver cruised to their seventh win in their last nine games over the Edmonton Oilers.

The team was led by their usual cast— along with the new guy Derek Roy— in their 4-0 victory.

Was this just a well-rested club racking up a victory over a tired one that had played the night before and used up all their goals in Calgary? Or is this the start of something bigger?

I’m leaning towards the later on this one.

While some people feel that the failure to deal Luongo at the deadline will be a dark shadow that will weigh this team down, I believe that a sense of relief flew through the locker room as the deadline passed and their was no movement.

For the first time this season everyone knows who will be on the team for their 2013 Stanley Cup journey.

That has to be a relieving feeling for the players.

And at the same time, the non-movement of Luongo gives everyone in the locker room a player to rally around, much like the ravens did with Ray Lewis.

No player in that locker room is respected as much as Roberto Luongo is. Because of that, I think you will see the entire roster play for him.
And when you also add in that the media has mocked the franchise for the passed few days, I think you have a team that has won the last two Presidents Trophies that is very motivated.

This team has nothing to loose and everything to prove and that makes them a very dangerous team going forward.

Eleven games left and I bet they win 8-10 of them.

Let’s go.

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1970vintage point of view

(his words, not mine)


These totals are not calculated as being 100% possible, meaning I didn't play out each teams season and tabulate the results, it is simply a best guess scenario, enjoy.

Chicago Blackhawks: Rank 1st in the West with 57 points 27-5-3 (.771 winning %), 119 goals for, 76 goals against, PP rank 20th (17.5%), PK rank 6th (84.9%).

Chicago has one of the more challenging schedules over the last month of the season playing on back-to-back nights four times, and three times playing three games in four nights. They also have three games remaining against both St. Louis and Nashville and only one gimme against Calgary. The deadline addition of Handzus gives them a bit more flexibility at C, but his 1 goal and 1 assist with a -9 rating so far this season doesn’t look like he’s going to add much offense to this already potent lineup. Injuries are a minor concern with Sharp and Hossa (possibly back Thursday) out, and Bolland battling injury much of the season. Even if the Hawks can remain relatively healthy I can’t see them continuing to rack up points at the same pace as they did earlier in the year, in the final thirteen games the Hawks go 7-4-2 to finish the season 34-9-5 with 73 points.

Anaheim Ducks: Rank 2nd in the West with 55 points 25-7-5 (.676 winning %), 116 goals for, 92 goals against, PP rank 4th (23.5%), PK rank 22nd (79.2%).

Anaheim has a manageable schedule the remainder of the way, with only back-to-back games, and twice having to play three games in four nights. They have games against Colorado, Phoenix and Calgary, and three against Edmonton. Like most of the league, the Ducks were relatively quite at the deadline, acquiring speedy center Matthew Lombardi from the Coyotes. The Ducks now have plenty of options down the middle and if their goaltending can continue to dominate the ducks should be able to improve upon their .676 winning percentage. In their last eleven games the Ducks will go 8-3-0, finishing the season 33-10-5 with 71 points.

Minnesota Wild: Rank 3rd in the West with 44 points (based on ROW) 21-13-2 (.600 winning %), 100 goals for, 94 goals against, PP rank 21st (17.5%), PK rank 14th (81.4%).

Minnesota has a challenging schedule with three back-to-backs and one stretch of three games in four nights. The Wild have two games remaining against LA, Columbus, Calgary and Edmonton, which will be a key for them to win the division. Remaining games against Chicago, St. Louis, San Jose and Colorado are no easy task. The wild were however one of the real winners at the trade deadline acquiring winger Jason Pominville from the Sabres. Pominville should add a decent amount of offence to an already potent group of forwards. I expect the Wild to be able to maintain their winning ways and finish the final twelve games 7-2-3 for season totals of 28-15-5 for 61 points.

Vancouver Canucks: Rank 4th in the West with 44 points (based on ROW) 19-11-6 (.528 winning %), 94 goals for, 93 goals against, PP rank 29th (12.8%), PK rank 16th (81.1%).

The Canucks have one of the easier schedules coming down the stretch, with only one back-to-back series and only once have to play three games in four nights. They have two games remaining versus division rival Edmonton and Calgary with games against Phoenix and Colorado. Tough matchups against Detroit, Chicago and Anaheim down the stretch could make or break their season. The Canucks, like so many, were quite at the deadline acquiring center depth from the Stars in Derek Roy. Roy should help to distribute the puck 5-on-5 and anchor the second PP unit. Injuries have been an issue all season, but former Selke winner Ryan Kesler is back skating and due to return soon, which should help the PP, PK and 5-on-5 play. The Canucks have had one of the better power plays over the past few seasons and statistically speaking, it is due for a correction. The Canucks should be able to improve upon their .528 winning % over the remaining twelve games, going 7-3-2 to finish 26-14-8 for 60 points.

San Jose Sharks: Rank 5th in the West with 44 points (based on ROW) 19-11-6 (.528 winning %), 92 goals for, 88 goals against, PP rank 11th (19.4%), PK rank 3rd (87%).

The Sharks have a relatively easy schedule to close out the season, with two back-to-backs, both times playing three games in four nights. They have three games remaining against division foes Dallas, and two games each against Columbus, Phoenix and Los Angeles. The Sharks were active at the trade deadline, sending Ryan Clowe to New York and Douglas Murray to Pittsburgh and acquiring Scott Hannan and Raffi Torres, overall a bit of a wash for this season, but a change that could spark this team to exceed the expectations. They have a potent offence and great special teams, if Niemi can play well down the stretch the Sharks should be able to improve their position in the standings. I see the sharks going 8-1-3 down the stretch to finish 27-12-9 with 63 points

Los Angeles Kings: Rank 6th in the West with 43 points 20-13-3 (.556 winning %), 104 goals for, 91 goals against, PP rank 13th (19%), PK rank 11th (81.7%).

Los Angeles, like San Jose and Vancouver should be able to cruise into the playoffs with a less hectic schedule. The Kings play twice in back-to-back nights, with one of those being three games in four nights. They have two games remaining each against the Wild, Ducks, Stars and Sharks and seven of their final twelve games are at home. The Kings acquired stay at home defenseman Robyn Rhegehr who was averaging just over 18 minutes per night for a dreadful Sabers team. If Mitchell can return for the stretch drive / playoffs, the Kings should have a formidable defense corp. The light schedule, solid special teams and defensive depth should help the Kings finish strong, going 8-1-3 to finish 28-14-6 for 60 points and making them one of the favorites heading into the playoffs.

Detroit Red Wings: Rank 7th in the West with 41 points 18-13-5 (.500 winning %), 94 goals for, 94 goals against, PP rank 19th (17.5%), PK rank 24th (78.6%).

Could this finally be the year that the Wings miss the playoffs? They do have a taxing schedule with three back-to-back appearances, all three of them leading to three games in four nights, but they only have four games against teams ahead of them in the standings. There is just too much experience there for the Wings not to make the post season; they should be able to manage a 6-3-3 record to finish 24-16-8 for 58 points.

Edmonton Oilers: Rank 8th in the West with 39 points 16-13-7 (.444 winning %), 99 goals for, 98 goals against, PP rank 3rd (23.8%), PK rank 7th (84.5%).

The Oilers have been getting it done lately; scoring goals in bunches. Their third ranked power play has cashed in 31 times this season, that’s almost a third of their total goals scored. Depth acquisitions in Smithson and Stafford at the deadline should help, but the Oilers have a challenging schedule with two games a piece versus division rivals Vancouver and Minnesota, as well as three against Anaheim. The young Oilers will be hard pressed to make the post season when the games become tighter checking and power play opportunities dry up. Edmonton should be able to manage a 5-3-4 record over the final twelve games for a 21-16-11 record and 53 points.

St. Louis Blues: Rank 9th in the West with 38 points (based on ROW) 18-14-2 (.529 winning %), 98 goals for, 94 goals against, PP rank 6th (22.2%), PK rank 10th (82.9%).

The blues, who challenged for the presidents trophy last season relied on a stingy defensive system and great goal tending. This season, their goal tending has been average, with injuries and inconsistent play being major factors. Can they rely on Jake Allen to carry the load, will Halak be healthy enough to contribute, can Elliot bounce back? I think they can. The Blues also significantly upgraded their defense by sending Wade Redden packing and bringing in Jay Bouwmeester. This lineup has too much potential not to finish strong, and their two games in hand over Edmonton, Detroit and Columbus, and three games in hand over Nashville will help them firmly cement themselves among the Wests top 8. Blues finish 7-4-3 for a 25-18-5 record and 55 points.

Final Standings:
Chicago 73 points
Anaheim 71 points
Minnesota 61 points
San Jose 63 points
Los Angeles 60 points (ROW+)
Vancouver 60 points (ROW-)
Detroit 58 points
St. Louis 55 points
Edmonton 53 points
Columbus 48 points
Nashville 46 points
Phoenix 46 points
Dallas 41 points
Colorado 38 points
Calgary 35 points


That's a wrap

Ian


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