In this edition of the hotstove we look at which Atlantic Division team is the best of the bunch.
Todd Cordell
I have to say Tampa Bay.
The Florida Panthers have a good young core but their depth players aren't playing overly well and the numbers suggest they are not as good as their record indicates. I like the direction they're heading but I don't think they're there just yet.
I do like the Red Wings but, to me, the Lightning at their best are better than the Wings at theirs.
Montreal is banged up, Boston is trending downwards and the list goes on.
The Bolts have struggled offensively but they certainly have more fire power than anyone in the division. They also have one of the best defense pairings in hockey with Stralman and Hedman and a very good goaltending tandem.
The division is there for the taking and I expect they'll make a good push in the 2nd half. Even if the Bolts don't win the division there isn't a team in it I think would beat them in a playoff series.
Jason Lewis Despite Florida being the hot hand right now, they have some really unsustainable numbers. They are shooting at over 10% at even strength, and getting elite level goaltending from Roberto Luongo. They are also barely winning the possession battle on a nightly basis.
All things considered, If I had to put money on it, I'd still peg Montreal as the team to beat in the Atlantic if they can stay close to the top during the remainder of Price's absence. He is now about 5 weeks into his 6 week recovery table but it looks like it might be a bit longer. They have been getting sub .900 goaltending from Condon/Tokarski, which is not going to help you win a lot of hockey games.
It's either them or Tampa Bay. Which they have their own slew of problems with struggling stars who cannot seem to score right now. Florida might make the dance but I do not think they will remain atop the division for much longer. Something has to give in either their obscenely high shooting percentage or their remarkable goaltending.
Peter Tessier Going off he board here, but I'll say Detroit. Simply because they are not so far out of the lead, 3 points, and are not getting the goaltending support of the other teams. It may seem silly to say they are better without equal goaltending but maybe its not quite that simple.
The Redwings are shooting league average at 8.7% and have a combined save percentage of .918 so they are not bad, in fact a bit above average. It's simply that they are letting in too many but yet winning. Think of it this way- if it stabilizes and the scoring stays the same the two teams ahead of them, Florida and Washington better look out.
James Tanner The standings are tricky. You can't just look at them and say the first place team is the best - for a proper analysis, you must look beyond the standings and find out who has can sustain their record, or who is bound to improve.
The Panthers are first in the Atlantic, but they aren't even close to the best team. As has been widely discussed, they're a pretty terrible team outside of their first line/first pairing and their goalie (who, should the season end today would win the Vezina).
The Panthers are like the Avs or Leafs or Flames of years past.
The only real answer to this question is Tampa Bay. They are a top ten possession team with two of the NHL's best defensemen and two of the best centres. They have talent on the wings and lots of depth. Good goalies and generally the best roster in the division.
I predict that they'll eventually be the first place team in the Atlantic.
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