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Wow, the CBj should have won that easily, but then they left the Rangers hit the post three times and gave up a shortie and 2 power play goals. I am learning to hate power play zone entries where a puck carrier makes a backpass into empty ice for someone else to carry it in the zone at full speed. the CBJ can't do that and have a decent power play.
I think everyone got reminded how fine a line it is between good and bad teams in the NHL . ]Detroit stuck it to Philly for a good part of the game, and won in a shootout. PHI must be kicking themselves for making Marzek their #1 goalie.
Then the dead fish NYI blew out PIT. I hope the CBJ places a large pile of money in front of John Tavaras when free agency time comes. A line of Breadman and Atkinson on the wings with JT in the middle is the kind of line that wins Stanley Cups.
After last might making predictions is almost a fool's errand, but here goes:
CBJ:
FLA, STL, @EDM, @CAL, @VAN, DET, PIT, @NHS (predict 12 points if a miracle happens out West, maybe 16 if they can keep on a roll. Have to beat FLA and do great in Canada).
PHI:
NYR, @PIT, @DAL, @COL, BOS, @NYI, CAR, NYR (predict 8 points, thinking they will split 2 games with NYR and split WC road trip).
PIT:
MTL, NJD, PHI, @DET, @NJD, WSH, @CBJ, OTT (predict 12 points, would be nice if they beat NJ twice and PHI once. Be great to have PIT/CBJ tilt in game 81 with at least home ice on the line).
NJ:
@PIT, TBL, CAR, PIT, NYI, @MTL, NYR, TOR, @WSH (predict 8 points, if they can
take one from a team with more points than them, like PIT at home. Struggle in goal may doom this team, along with brutal end of season schedule. Needed to beat ANA or SJS and didn't).
FLA:
@CBJ, ARI, @NYI, @TOR, @OTT, @BOS, CAR, NSH, BOS, BUF, @BOS
(predict 12 points, hoping they lose to CBJ and 2 or 3 to BOS, but that might still be good enough for a wild card berth)
Standings:
PIT: 87 (ROW over everyone)
CBJ: 87 (and with tiebreak over PHI)
PHI: 86 (and no ROW tiebreak over CBJ)
NJD: 82 +1 game in hand
FLA: 81 +3 games in hand.
Another great CBJ night, winning at MSG, and with NJD and PIT losing and PHI getting only a loser point is about as good as you can get. For the CBJ and possibly FLA their season rides on Thursday night's game. It's is a must win for both sides, esp. FLA. If the CBJ wins, they would be nine points up on FLA and that would 99% assure a playoff spot. Lose, and it's a mess again.
PIT plays four games against Metro teams chasing them. If by some miracle NJD, PHI, and CBJ can beat them, then 2nd in the division is up for grabs too.
Current guess finish:
PIT: 99 (2nd in division, they are healthy except for G with a fairly easy schedule to finish and all tiebreakers unless they completely blow up)
CBJ: 99 (3rd in division, all depends on Thursday and Canada trip)
PHI: 94 (1st Wild card)
FLA: 93 (2nd Wild Card, but Thursday may change everything)
NJD: 90 (Out, still a great season for them)
Could easily change by Thursday night/Friday morning, I hope CBJ can string three or four wins together! |
