Official 13-14 NHL Regular Season Thread

[YZG]

Yeah, I had never seen something like this. Not many teams could boast such a performance... the Avs did with their so-called "no-name defence".

The Bruins have extended their sequence to 12 straight wins yesterday. They're 5 shy of the record set by the Penguins in 1992-93. I'll be curious to see how far they go. There's no one they can't beat in the 11 games left, but there's a couple of challenges against the Hawks, Flyers twice and several teams desperate to make the playoffs (Montreal, Detroit, Toronto, Washington, Minnesota).

[nino33]

The Bruins have extended their sequence to 12 straight wins yesterday. They're 5 shy of the record set by the Penguins in 1992-93.

IMO since there was no shoot-out in 1992-93 to actually equal the Penguins record the current Bruins would have to win 17 straight without a shoot-out being involved...Bruins are at 8 straight non-shootout wins

[jesterx7769]

I was looking at the standings this morning and the Bruins seemingly grabbed their huge lead out of nowhere. Interesting enough they also second in the league in Goals Scored (as of typing this) and you don't think of them as being offensive powerhouse

[philou21]

And the only thing the Bruins needed was the Habs. LOL I was sure MTL would get scored 2-3 goals in the third period seeing how the Bruins dominated it.

[philou21]

Things sure changed in Detroit. Game just started vs the Habs and half of the stands are empty. I know it's early in the game but still...when they said Detroit was a ghost town now. Sure looks like it. Maybe it's just an impression though.

[Primis]

Things sure changed in Detroit. Game just started vs the Habs and half of the stands are empty. I know it's early in the game but still...when they said Detroit was a ghost town now. Sure looks like it. Maybe it's just an impression though.

Meh. If you try to get tickets, you still can't most of the time. Too many corporate sponsors own season tickets down near the glass and then don't use them. Seriously, I've looked into lower bowl tickets to see availability numerous times and there really aren't any most games. The absolutely brutal winter combined with an injury-plagued roster has made them not such a hot ticket for the corporate types this year, so they are sold but sit unused. It's frustrating to be a fan just wanting a cheap ticket for one game even and not be able to get it, and then see season ticket seats in the lower bowl empty.

It also was bumped to a 7pm start to facilitate a TSN doubleheader, which made it worse. Those aren't really ok or normal around here, those are an east coast thing. We do 7:30pm start times, not 7pm. I often wonder how many fans don't get the notice when those start times are bumped or shifted, and not everyone gets out of work at say 5pm...

[philou21]

Bozon is out of the hospital and will even attempt the next Kootenay game. (Not playing of course)

Hasek's number will be retired by the Sabres next season.

[jesterx7769]

As mentioned, A lot of the tickets are sold but people don't always go because of weather/weeknight. My friends Dad had 4 seats for years as a bank manager but he didn't even like hockey, was supposed to use them for clients or w/e but they went unused half the time. With the success the Wings have had over the years corporate sponsorship is actually quite large (they re-did a huge bud light suite about 5 years ago?) so its not an uncommon sight. If Wings make playoffs it will be 90% filled again.

Little surprised at how dead this thread it with the playoff race on, couple of things of note...

-Haven't heard anything on Capitals and Adam Oates too much. The team is severely underachieving and while they still can make the playoffs I don't think anyone really expects it. The team has struggled with goaltending but for a team that is supposed to be a "contender" things seem super lost. They haven't had lots of injuries compared to other teams yet are still a wildcard. Not sure how much you can put on Oates but I wouldn't be happy as a fan.

-Leafs are of course seeming to collapse. I guess the midseason stat about no team making the playoffs with such a high SOG differential as the Leafs had is panning out. The team has talent and its goaltending was decent and carried them last year, but that defense needs to step it up. Some of it has to be put on coaching getting out shot by seemingly 10 every game.

-Islanders owner looking at selling. Of course like any time a sale comes up fans never know if new group will be better or not.

-The West def looks a lot more dangerous than the East for the cup. If you look at the east only Boston and Pittsburgh seem legit cup threats, does anyone have a lot of faith in Canadiens, Flyers, Lightning, or Rangers? However on the other hand in the West you have St. Louis, San Jose, Kings, Ducks, Blackhawks that all seem legit. Avs are only top team over there that I don't have faith in.

-I already ripped on the Capitals but Ovechkin is on pace to be the goal scoring leader by double digits and his team may not make the playoffs. Ouch, talk about looking like you're not valuable. I would like to do some research and see the last time someone outscored the field by 10+ and didn't make the playoffs.

[philou21]

Leafs are of course seeming to collapse.

7 defeats in a row for the Leafs. God that team is the same year after year. I almost feel bad for the fans. Reimer is collapsing after somewhat of a decent season. Bernier can't do anything on his own. Their defense must not play that well I guess.

I already ripped on the Capitals but Ovechkin is on pace to be the goal scoring leader by double digits and his team may not make the playoffs.

That's the proof that even when you have that kind of player in your team it doesn't make things a certainty. Ovechkin is as good as he is bad for the team. And I'm talking about leadership here. I don't think that guy fits the "C" he got on his jersey. Just look at the Olympics.....Even while looking at their roster right now, they don't have much vets who got experience from across the league. They don't have someone who can step up and motivate the guys. Their goalie situation doesn't help as well. Neuvirth and Holtby are decent but they don't look like #1. Now they got rid of Neuvirth for Halak but it's 4 quarters for 1$ to me.

[batdad]

Looking like only 1 Canadian team in the playoffs this year. Calgary Edmonton long out. Then Ottawa goes bye bye. Winnipeg just gone bye bye basically. Vancouver going bye bye, and Toronto just joined the almost bye bye club.

So yeah...Montreal the only Canadian team. Not good for the #s on TV this year.

[philou21]

Yes. Bad year for Canadiens teams. I never thought one day that the Habs would be the best Canadian team out there.

Ottawa got the potential to improve over the next seasons if Lehner becomes more reliable. Winnipeg seem ok to me by still needs some improvements. Vancouver most likely going into a small rebuild I think. Some guys are getting old soon and they don't have a good goalie. Edmonton, we all know the problems there and Calgary are rebuilding as well.

[batdad]

Goaltending is the least of Vancouver problems. Lack's numbers since he basically became #1 are decent for a young starter.

MOBILITY and SKATING is Vancouver problem. Oh and coaching.

Calgary has the longest way to go to get back to respectability. Edmonton I still believe will be really good in a couple of years. Don't know why I believe this...just a feeling.

Ottawa is just going to be okay. This Lehner love...it cracks me up. He is going to be okay, but not going to be any kind of Roy or Brodeur. He may even end up being Tommy Salo.

[philou21]

Well I noly said that about Lehner from what I've heard here. Because I don't really know the guy. I know some people here are really praising him but I tried to not think about it.

Edmonton sure as potential. The problem is the management. If they change that, maybe they will improve faster and the kids would start to play as adults.

[philou21]

Avs just got qualified for the playoffs.

[jesterx7769]

Avs were hands down my pick to be most improved team, they have way too much young talent to get a 1/2/3 draft pick again.

I think Edmonton is pretty well off for a Cadaian team, they have a lot of young guys if they can keep together should do well. Aren't they the team that's owned by the Candian Teachers Union though? Or is that someone else? (too lazy to google for a post )

And yeah Ovechkin is one of most overrated players. i don't even think he is that great of a scorer anymore. He gets 75% of his goals by standing on the face off dot during PP and one timing slap shots, that's why his +/- is so poor. He isn't going out there skating through double teams, or battling in front of the net. That is why I brought up coaching, Oates obv knows these things about Ovi, but is ownership/mngmt siding with Ovi and not letting Oates do his thing? Their roster isn't loaded but I think they def look good enough on paper to be a playoff team, that 10+ goal lead though is just embarrassing to not win.

[philou21]

but is ownership/mngmt siding with Ovi and not letting Oates do his thing? T

Yeah Ovy as always been put alongside Crosby by the NHL and Washington. In the first years of their careers it was maybe true but now we can clearly see the gap between both players. I think it's normal that the Caps are putting Ovy in the front row to attrack and sale tickets because he's got alot of talent but it's maybe that that made him what he is now. He got famous too young.

[philou21]

Leafs are of course seeming to collapse.

7 defeats in a row for the Leafs. God that team is the same year after year. I almost feel bad for the fans. Reimer is collapsing after somewhat of a decent season. Bernier can't do anything on his own. Their defense must not play that well I guess.

Make that 8.

[jesterx7769]

I chuckled outloud when I saw Ovi in the olympics doing the same thing on the PP. I understand if thats your sweet spot but atleast move to forecheck/go after puck/throw the D off.

8! Woot go Wings! Wings didnt look too good early.

[philou21]

Leafs scored the first goal but they can't keep the lead these days.

[batdad]

NO the Ontario teacher union at one point had a big ownership stake in the Leafs, but I believe have sold it. The Oilers are owned by one guy, and he is a bit involved. Owns the Oil Kings of WHL as well.

But the problem between the Leafs and Oilers is similar--too many cooks in the kitchen.

[rocker87]

I just don't think that Sharks and Pens are SC cup threats. Pens, especially with those injuries, now with Malkin and Goc probably miss first few games in PO. I would love to see that happen, but sadly I doubt it. Sharks are really great team, but I don't see them as PO team. They just miss something.

From East - Boston and Philadelphia
From West - St. Louis, Chicago, Anaheim and Los Angeles

Problem for Colorado is that they're going to play against Chicago in 1st round and Chicago is probably number 1 threat for cup this season. St. Louis and Boston are just one step behind, but not much. Philadelphia, because they will probably kill my Pens if they will play against each other in PO. They can hurt Boston as well. They don't look perfect, but they're a team made for PO. Not at Boston level, but not that far.

Problem in Edmonton... probably because I can't see a role model for all those youngsters. Islanders, with that GM, oh... no way. They have a lot of talent, they just need better management.

For me, Winnipeg is solid and they're improving year after year. They just need 2 pieces to make that PO puzzle.

Hopefully, Columbus will be in PO, they're really good team, with a lot of good young guys and PO will be a great boost for them.

Just my 2 cents.

EDIT: P.S. and yeah, I'm happy about that lottery lost in Ovechkin/Malkin draft year, I'm happy that Pens didn't pick Ovechkin. He's just not good for team. Goal scorer who don't play defense at all. Thanks, but no, thanks.

[Primis]

8! Woot go Wings! Wings didnt look too good early.

Ken Daniels and Mickey Redmond brought up an interesting point on FS Detroit telecast. With Helm back in the lineup, and then kids like Tatar, Nyquist, and Jurco in the lineup DET suddenly has speed seemingly out of nowhere, along with other guys like Miller and Abdelkader that while they aren't burners can't get it going too. TB looked like a team that didn't realize DET has speed now coming out of the neutral zone. The best example of that wasn't a goal, but the play where Miller split two Lightning d-men to not only negate an icing but then outright won the puck.

[philou21]

Nyquist scored one hell of a goal yesterday. That kid is amazing so far.

Problem in Edmonton... probably because I can't see a role model for all those youngsters.

That's exactly what I think. They took Ference to bring more leadership but that guy alone can't too everything. I've heard he is a good teammate but I'm not sure he can carry the whole team.

[philou21]

Duchene will be out for four weeks. Big loss for the Avs at the end of the season.

[batdad]

Yep Oilers have no role models. There is no Captain Canada on their team, no Stanley Cup winner, no leadership minded dman.

Ryan Smyth is a great role model. He and Ference however cannot do it on the rink night after night, and that is an issue.

Jets--To me are stagnating. They are the same team they were before left Atlanta. nothing exciting on them at this point. may have got better by a few in points, but really not improving. They need a shake up to get anywhere. Little is not the answer down the middle, Pavelec is not the answer in net, And Kane is not going to help a team win and carry on his back. Neither is Wheeler. Ladd is a leader but not a game breaker. Buffy...is well....Buffy...a great part to the team as a 4-5 dman or 3 line winger with PP time ....but none of them are guys going to lead a team to playoff glory.

Philly? No way no how. That defense is Swiss cheese, and their goalie is not a guy who is going to get hot enough to allow them to win the way they play in playoff hockey. Sure they have some great forwards, but that is all.


My picks:

Tampa (if Bishop can stay hot), Pittsburgh (missing Goc is so unpainful it is amazing...he contributes to the 4th line which will never play, Boston (obviously) and just to be odd...Montreal.


West--Anaheim, LA, Chicago, St Louis are the best 4, but they could have to take each other out in 1st round. Because of that San Jose is the other team.


Final 4 should be (should matchups work out and not play each other round 2)

Boston-Tampa
St Louis-San Jose (but that 2nd choice is really just a gut feeling...Anaheim and LA will be hell to put away.