yeah, I can't see a team with around fifty points at this point being a legit contender...the Leafs are more in that 2nd tier with the Vancouvers
- Zezel

Perhaps, mind you Vancouver had a mis-mash of Henrik, Ebbet, Raymond, Lappy and Shroeder playing center all season not counting injuries to the D.

Frankly i'm surprised the Nucks are in the position they are currently in, but you cant tell me you would take Toronto's centers over Henrik, Kesler, Roy and Lappy.

If the team manages to stay healthy, and that's a big IF, we have the same shot as any team in the league.

I made the mistake of using recent history as an influence and picked them to make it a decade without playoff hockey. Woulda been fun if they could have made it one full decade without playoffs, but 9 years is a pretty good run. I know I've enjoyed it.
- woopstash

what's past is prologue

Perhaps, mind you Vancouver had a mis-mash of Henrik, Ebbet, Raymond, Lappy and Shroeder playing center all season not counting injuries to the D.

Frankly i'm surprised the Nucks are in the position they are currently in, but you cant tell me you would take Toronto's centers over Henrik, Kesler, Roy and Lappy.

If the team manages to stay healthy, and that's a big IF, we have the same shot as any team in the league.
- Whiskey-Tango

true.

no chance toronto is in vancouvers class.

a healthy vancouver is a legitimate cup threat

Perhaps, mind you Vancouver had a mis-mash of Henrik, Ebbet, Raymond, Lappy and Shroeder playing center all season not counting injuries to the D.

Frankly i'm surprised the Nucks are in the position they are currently in, but you cant tell me you would take Toronto's centers over Henrik, Kesler, Roy and Lappy.

If the team manages to stay healthy, and that's a big IF, we have the same shot as any team in the league.
- Whiskey-Tango

Oh geez here comes the excuses...

Perhaps, mind you Vancouver had a mis-mash of Henrik, Ebbet, Raymond, Lappy and Shroeder playing center all season not counting injuries to the D.

Frankly i'm surprised the Nucks are in the position they are currently in, but you cant tell me you would take Toronto's centers over Henrik, Kesler, Roy and Lappy.

If the team manages to stay healthy, and that's a big IF, we have the same shot as any team in the league.
- Whiskey-Tango

definitely a shot, although not the same shot as the top teams

lol that's not what i'm saying, anything can happen in the playoffs with a little luck. I'm merely making reference to the leaf fans who believe their team ranks among the Chicago's and Pittsburgh's of the league.
- Whiskey-Tango

So... what should we call the legions of Canuck's fans who feel that way?

Because those actually exist outside of your altered imagination... but it's still just as laughable

if you can find a Leafs fan who thinks that, be sure to link it here
- Zezel

Sure: http://www.hockeybuzz.com...nd-1/1/50875#.UWr10MrK0uA

Toronto ranked second behind Pittsburgh in "Real Contender Category".

Sure: http://www.hockeybuzz.com...nd-1/1/50875#.UWr10MrK0uA

Toronto ranked second behind Pittsburgh in "Real Contender Category".
- Whiskey-Tango

Toronto fans

true.

no chance toronto is in vancouvers class.

a healthy vancouver is a legitimate cup threat
- hugefemale dog77

really, cause Toronto's one point behind Vancouver, and have been missing their best player most of the year, and their starting goalie missed a chunk of time

i could see the habs getting bounced early. they fit the mold perfectly.

of course whoever wins the southeast

i wanna say anaheim too, but i think theyre actually for real

Sure: http://www.hockeybuzz.com...nd-1/1/50875#.UWr10MrK0uA

Toronto ranked second behind Pittsburgh in "Real Contender Category".
- Whiskey-Tango

oh yeah, an Eklund poll, I stand corrected.....Leaf fans really think that

dude, I voted for Toronto in that poll and I don't even think that

Teams and tiers:

1. Pittsburgh
2. Chicago
3. Boston
4. LA

5. Vancouver
6. St. Louis
7. Montreal
8. Minnesota

9. San Jose
10. Washington
11. Toronto
12. Ottawa

Everyone else

Sure: http://www.hockeybuzz.com...nd-1/1/50875#.UWr10MrK0uA

Toronto ranked second behind Pittsburgh in "Real Contender Category".
- Whiskey-Tango

...to get out of the 1st round... ya that's the same as asking who's gonna win the cup.

Most Leaf fans still expect Boston to finish ahead of Montreal... or hope anyway

God I wanna throw up

God I wanna throw up
- cranford93

Hungover?

Teams and tiers:

1. Pittsburgh
2. Chicago
3. Boston
4. LA

5. Vancouver
6. St. Louis
7. Montreal
8. Minnesota

9. San Jose
10. Washington
11. Toronto
12. Ottawa

Everyone else
- woopstash

should be teams and tears in that order.

Oh geez here comes the excuses...
- Fruitcakenipple

What excuse?

The Canucks have one point more then the glorious Maple leafs despite missing our "best" player the majority of the season while rolling a one line offensive team. From my point of view to be third in the west with the absence of a true second and third line is still somewhat remarkable.

Does the opportunity to finally field a healthy team diminish our chances of playoff success?

God I wanna throw up
- cranford93

roommate testing your gag reflexes again?

Teams and tiers:

1. Pittsburgh
2. Chicago
3. Boston
4. LA

5. Vancouver
6. St. Louis
7. Montreal
8. Minnesota

9. San Jose
10. Washington
11. Toronto
12. Ottawa

Everyone else
- woopstash

Dude, if you include Anaheim, you can knock TO down further on that list

History shows that there are teams not expected to make noise in the playoffs that actually do quite well. Cases to support:

2012: LA - Stanley Cup Champs (8 seed in west)
2010: Philadeplphia - Stanley Cup Final Runner-up (8 seed in east, made playoffs on last day of season with shootout win)
2006: Edmonton - Stanley Cup Runner-up, 7 games (8 seed in west)
2004: Calgary - Stanley Cup Runner-up, 7 games (6 seed in west)
2003: Anaheim - Stanley Cup Runner-up, 7 games (7 seed in west)

This is why I love HOCKEY PLAYOFFS, especially the first 2 weeks! Can't wait!

Dude, if you include Anaheim, you can knock TO down further on that list
- Zezel

Forgot about them. They seem like a good candidate to get bounced in the first round though.

Forgot about them. They seem like a good candidate to get bounced in the first round though.
- woopstash

there'll be some long series and upsets no doubt, an interesting playoff is shaping up

...to get out of the 1st round... ya that's the same as asking who's gonna win the cup.

Most Leaf fans still expect Boston to finish ahead of Montreal... or hope anyway
- Big_Lightnin

Dude,

"Who is for Real?

With only a few games to go there are a few teams in each conference who have look like world beaters from pretty much game 1. History tells us that were this season 82 games a few of these teams would come back to earth while others below would rise up...However...this season is NOT 82 games!"

Who is for REAL in the East?

Toronto ranked second.................................

really, cause Toronto's one point behind Vancouver, and have been missing their best player most of the year, and their starting goalie missed a chunk of time
- Zezel

im not looking at points.

im talking who i think has a real shot at the cup.

toronto's a pretty good team. im impressed with their physical style. good coaching and gaining confidence from putting wins together is huge in this league.
i wouldnt be that surprised if they took out washington or mtl in the first round.
but i dont think theyre in the bruins or the pens class in the east. neither do i think theyre in the hawks, kings, nucks or blues class in the west.

ive seen the canucks be an elite team for a few years now. i believe a healthy canucks team is in the very elite contender group. ive got zero love for them, but i think theyre quite abit better than toronto.

just my opinion

there'll be some long series and upsets no doubt, an interesting playoff is shaping up
- Zezel

Ya. I have a feeling it's going to be a very entertaining playoffs. Last year was a bit of a let down for me to be honest. There were a couple great series, but I found the entertainment value was a little lacking.