This is what desperate hockey looks like. Colorado are throwing everything at the Canucks.

LA wins, DAL wins, SJ loses.

3 DAL - 89 (77 GP)
7 LA- 88 (77 GP)
8 SJ - 88 (77 GP)
9 PHX - 87 (77 GP)

COL, CGY are out.

EDIT: I think LA is the team I'd least like to play in the 1st Rd. For the others I don't care.

This is what desperate hockey looks like. Colorado are throwing everything at the Canucks.

LA wins, DAL wins, SJ loses.

3 DAL - 89 (77 GP)
7 LA- 88 (77 GP)
8 SJ - 88 (77 GP)
9 PHX - 87 (77 GP)

COL, CGY are out.

EDIT: I think LA is the team I'd least like to play in the 1st Rd. For the others I don't care.
- AlexF

LA doesn't scare me, they are not playing well as a team but I'd rather play San Jose. We've got their number!

Winning 1-0 with a short handed marker as the winner not sure if that's a good thing or not? But I'll take it!

Cory Schneider is the best goalie in the NHL. Yes, I'm serious. Sad thing is, he'll be sitting on the bench in game 1.

Winning 1-0 with a short handed marker as the winner not sure if that's a good thing or not? But I'll take it!
- LeftCoaster

It's not like they didn't get the chances tonight. Varlamov was very good.

Where has the offense gone? Two games in a row where the goalie won it for us.

shots 43-22

Our new defesive style.

I'm not buying it. This team is simply lost it's scoring touch. Higgins is 3/4 of our offense lately.

This is what desperate hockey looks like. Colorado are throwing everything at the Canucks.

LA wins, DAL wins, SJ loses.

3 DAL - 89 (77 GP)
7 LA- 88 (77 GP)
8 SJ - 88 (77 GP)
9 PHX - 87 (77 GP)

COL, CGY are out.
- AlexF

Yep. Still going to be a dog fight. Gotta think whoever we draw first round might already be a bit exhausted from a regular season push

SJ: @ PHX, DAL, @DAL, @LA, LA
LA: @EDM, @MIN, EDM, SJ, @SJ
PHX: SJ, ANA, CBJ, @STL, @MIN
DAL: @VAN, @SJ, SJ, @NAS, STL

I like PHX's chances the best simply based on the fact they have the fewest games left against divisional opponents. SJ holds it's own destiny with the home and home series with both DAL and LA. DAL has a rough remaining schedule against top teams.

Gonna guess they finish

3 SJ

7 PHX
8 LA
9 DAL

It's not like they didn't get the chances tonight. Varlamov was very good.
- hertzman

It's not like he was challenged much.

LA doesn't scare me, they are not playing well as a team but I'd rather play San Jose. We've got their number!
- LeftCoaster

To be clear, none of those guys "scare" me either, but LA has been playing much better of late since getting Carter.

The only teams that pose something of a concern for me in the West are STL, NSH, and CHI. That said, I think we remain the team to beat in the West.

Winning 1-0 with a short handed marker as the winner not sure if that's a good thing or not? But I'll take it!
- LeftCoaster

I agree. Just like the last game...Malholtra with a flukey shot... only goal.

To be clear, none of those guys "scare" me either, but LA has been playing much better of late since getting Carter.

The only teams that pose something of a concern for me in the West are STL, NSH, and CHI. That said, I think we remain the team to beat in the West.
- AlexF

Agree with your assessment on LA.

Playoffs are a different ball game, and we have two hot goalies, and an experienced team that is really just waiting for the season to be over to get to real business.

I agree. Just like the last game...Malholtra with a flukey shot... only goal.
- boonerbuck

On the bright side, can't say there were any glaring scoring chances allowed. And when there was anything substantial our goaltending was there. If you think these past 2 games are bad, imagining watching STL all season.

It's not like he was challenged much.
- boonerbuck

Booth and Malhotra both missed breakaways, Pahlsson was stoned on two point blank chances, and he also made a couple nice saves on point shots. It's concerning that they're not scoring for sure, but eventually the pucks got to go in. I hope.

Cory Schneider is the best goalie in the NHL. Yes, I'm serious. Sad thing is, he'll be sitting on the bench in game 1.
- hertzman

It would be hard to see this guy go in the offseason. Before then we may yet see some surprises between the pipes in the playoffs.

Booth and Malhotra both missed breakaways, Pahlsson was stoned on two point blank chances, and he also made a couple nice saves on point shots. It's concerning that they're not scoring for sure, but eventually the pucks got to go in. I hope.
- hertzman

Booth has been generating chances, just been snake bitten. Pahlsson and Hansen are going to be gold no matter who they play with come playoffs, and to boot, I think it will open up some space for Kesler as we have a defined 3rd line that can take all the defensive responsibilities.

Booth and Malhotra both missed breakaways, Pahlsson was stoned on two point blank chances, and he also made a couple nice saves on point shots. It's concerning that they're not scoring for sure, but eventually the pucks got to go in. I hope.
- hertzman

Agreed. We did have some solid chances that we normally put away.

It would be hard to see this guy go in the offseason. Before then we may yet see some surprises between the pipes in the playoffs.
- AlexF

Agreed. Grabner, Hodgson, Schnieder in the span of 3 years? IF he does get moved, the return will need to be a top 2 D or young top 6 forward with a good contract.

Booth has been generating chances, just been snake bitten. Pahlsson and Hansen are going to be gold no matter who they play with come playoffs, and to boot, I think it will open up some space for Kesler as we have a defined 3rd line that can take all the defensive responsibilities.
- kent

Booth Kesler were hot for about 4 games with Higgins... and then they decide to put Higgins on the 3rd line... and now he is still getting points but kesler burrows and booth have been useless.

I want to see a few games of booth hank raymond... daniel kesler higgins... burrows pahlsson hansen.... kassian manny lappy.

Roll that for a few games and see what happens.

Where has Kesler gone?

Booth Kesler were hot for about 4 games with Higgins... and then they decide to put Higgins on the 3rd line... and now he is still getting points but kesler burrows and booth have been useless.

I want to see a few games of booth hank raymond... daniel kesler higgins... burrows pahlsson hansen.... kassian manny lappy.

Roll that for a few games and see what happens.
- kneughter

Perhaps, although the timeline for Dan's return seems to be uncertain.

with that in mind....

Burrows Henrik Raymond
Higgins Kesler Booth
Kassian Pahlsson Hansen
Malhotra Lapierre Wiese/Ebbet

Pahlsson and Hansen have worked great with whomever they've been paired with so far. I know there are worried about Kassian's ability defensively, so it probably wouldn't last very long, a role on the 3rd line might get him to be more physical.

Where has Kesler gone?
- boonerbuck

He's out there making occasional bad passes and missing the net while wiffing on shots. I don't really care though as long as he's ready to go in the playoffs.

Perhaps, although the timeline for Dan's return seems to be uncertain.

with that in mind....

Burrows Henrik Raymond
Higgins Kesler Booth
Kassian Pahlsson Hansen
Malhotra Lapierre Wiese/Ebbet

Pahlsson and Hansen have worked great with whomever they've been paired with so far. I know there are worried about Kassian's ability defensively, so it probably wouldn't last very long, a role on the 3rd line might get him to be more physical.
- kent

Does anyone else get the impression that D Sedin and Ballard will both be available just in time for Game 1?

He's out there making occasional bad passes and missing the net while wiffing on shots. I don't really care though as long as he's ready to go in the playoffs.
- micah555

I've noticed a lot of it is overcomplicating his game, and not making the simple play, making the extra move, etc. Higgins seems to help with that for some reason.

Does anyone else get the impression that D Sedin and Ballard will both be available just in time for Game 1?
- AlexF

I hope so. I am still hesitant about D. Sedin. I could see Ballard being back first.

usually this time of year, AV would be throwing in RL as much as possible, Prepping him for the playoffs.

Look at it this way. They have both played a handfull of games in the last month. And Cory has played a ton of big meaning games. Boston, Detroit Etc. I have a feeling AV is testing him because he knows he may be relying on him in the playoffs................................................................Atleast I hope.