< NHL Discussion Thread >

[Xiomera]

Yeah, it was injury prevention related.

But there are much better ways to do that that aren't so idiotic.

[MichaelJordanEberle (sabf)]

It would also make EASHL games unplayable.

[Hines]

Pens rising and the Rangers sliding. It's going to be an interesting 15 games and they play each other two more times.

[Xiomera]

Whoa, Red Wings. I guess I turned the radio off at the exact wrong time. They fell down 3-2 to LA with 6 minutes left, then scored twice and won 4-3.

Huge.

[TimD]

I was finishing up a 15 hour travel day so I missed the Wings game last night. I just watched the highlights and holy bejesus Val Filppula is incredible. His two assists to Zetterberg were absolutely brilliant (the 2nd better be on the Top 10) and his goal was huge. What a game, I wish I watched it live.

[Xiomera]

Originally Posted by TimD

I was finishing up a 15 hour travel day so I missed the Wings game last night. I just watched the highlights and holy bejesus Val Filppula is incredible. His two assists to Zetterberg were absolutely brilliant (the 2nd better be on the Top 10) and his goal was huge. What a game, I wish I watched it live.

Yeah, Zetterberg's goal in the second period, assist from Filppula, made SportsCenter's top 10 last night.

It was ridiculous.

[Stash]

The Sharks blow. That is all.

[Xiomera]

Wings suck too, but it's because they're missing half their roster.

Howard, Datsyuk, Lidstrom, Bertuzzi, Kindl, Ericsson, Eaves all injured.

[Bengals78]

Originally Posted by Xiomera

Wings suck too, but it's because they're missing half their roster.

Howard, Datsyuk, Lidstrom, Bertuzzi, Kindl, Ericsson, Eaves all injured.

Any eta on them?

[Xiomera]

Originally Posted by Bengals78

Any eta on them?

Bert and Howard MAYBE will play Tuesday. Lidstrom and Datsyuk MAYBE in a week. Eaves next season. Kindl two weeks? Ericsson a month?

[SuperMcGee]

Sharks boggle my mind.

Sabres vs. Southeast division for the 8 seed. Foligno might be up with us for a while after a few injuries (Ellis, Vanek). Could be good, he's part of the reason we were okay with trading Kassian.

[Borat]

Sharks need to be blown up. They just can't ever seem to put it all together. There is always a weakness that eventually gets exploited. Their window is shut.

[Hines]

The Pens are absolutely working the Bruins right now. I cannot wait until Thursday now.

[Rosebud]

Originally Posted by Borat

Sharks need to be blown up. They just can't ever seem to put it all together. There is always a weakness that eventually gets exploited. Their window is shut.

With how well the McGinn trades worked for them, I'm sure the Avs would love to help the Sharks out with another trade.

[holt_bruce81]

Blues have killed off 47 consecutive Power Plays, Some of Halak's saves today vs Columbus were just incredible.

Halak in his last 8 games is 8-0 with 11 goals against.

[MichaelJordanEberle (sabf)]

I remember looking at the standings a couple days ago and WTFing at St. Louis being tops in the league. Good for them, though. And if they go with Halak for the playoffs, that's a guy who has taken way worse teams very very far.

Also the top 4 teams in the East, pointswise, are all from the Atlantic Division. Rangers, Pens, Flyers and Devils all have more points than Boston, the #2 seed, although the Bruins have a game in hand on the Devils, that could draw them even.

[Xiomera]

Blues have locked up the Central. No way Detroit will catch them.

In other words, Detroit is toast. Will never survive a run to the finals that will likely mean series vs. Nasville, Vancouver and St. Louis, and not have home ice for the last two.

[njx9]

i dunno, 7 of 9 on the road to close out. it would take a fairly epic failure, but i've seen stranger things.

[Wootylicous]

St-Louis are incredible...only 1 guy over 20 goals :/

[SuperMcGee]

I didn't even realize Baertschi had been called up. Such a beautiful man.

I'm pretty intrigued by how Chicago closes out. They're currently in position for the 6 seed, which is probably better than the 5 seed, with games against the Blues x2, Preds x2, red-hot Dallas, Vancouver, and Devils by month's end. I'm currently imagining the idea of them taking on a so-so Pacific winner, followed by an inexperienced Blues team, then having another epic series against Vancouver in the finals. Of course they have some pretty serious issues and will most likely surrender 34 goals in the first round.

[CashmoneyDrew]

McGee. Fill me in on some Preds. How do you think those trade deadline deals will work out for us? Do we have a shot at a playoff seed higher than a 5? Will Carrie Underwood leave Mike Fisher for me? etc.

[SuperMcGee]

Originally Posted by CashmoneyDrew

McGee. Fill me in on some Preds. How do you think those trade deadline deals will work out for us? Do we have a shot at a playoff seed higher than a 5? Will Carrie Underwood leave Mike Fisher for me? etc.

I really liked the Kostitsyn move, and that has been paying off in the early going. The brothers are two of your biggest scoring threats now.

As a Sabres fan, I was really surprised to get a first round pick for Gaustad. He's a big body, great on faceoffs and penalty kill but limited all around. Good player to have, but that's a tough one to swallow if you don't go too far in the playoffs.

Both help establish a deep forward lineup with no real top talent. Erat, Fisher, Legwand, Kostitsyn x2, Hornqvist, Wilson, Smith, Gaustad, Tootoo, Halishcuk can all contribute. They play the right way and establish an effective powerplay. It's a good group.

Carrie Underwood would never leave Mike Fisher as he is a beautiful man and it is okay for me to love him since he left Ottawa.

Martin Erat is awesome. Just wanted to say that.

Preds could still potentially get the 4 seed, but it'd be tough. They look almost locked into a series with Detroit, so it would be great for them to get home-ice advantage with the 4 seed.

Anything is possible with Rinne. Best goalie in the conference.

And finally, the most intriguing subject regarding Nashville at the moment is the possible return of Alexander Radulov, who has been just about the best player in Russia for the past few years. A lot of speculation, but it could be possible for him to return to Nashville for the end of season/playoffs, if all parties find that acceptable. I can't even imagine the effect that would have on the team.

[Xiomera]

If Radulov returns, I'm already accepting defeat for the Red Wings, who continue to be without Lidstrom and Datsyuk and half the team.

[MaxV]

Would Radulov be able to come back this season?

I know that his team just got eliminated on Friday.

[holt_bruce81]

Blues signed Jaden Schwartz today, he'll be joining the big club in Chicago tomorrow night. I know very little about the kid but it sounds like he's pretty good. Anyone seen him play? Comparable to anyone?