NHL

[gselkhunter]

With the regular season winding down who do you like to win it all. The team I see making a statement is Carolina, 9 in a row is a statement for this time of year. Is this the Sharks year, will the Red Wings pick it up, will Boston turn back on, can NJ win and put Marty over the top? Can the Habs suck it up and play after losing two key components? Can the King steal enough games to give the Rangers a chance[not likely but I can hope!]? In any event it is a good time for Hockey.

Gselkhunter

[Ben Hong]

As a diehard Habs fan of 60 years, I am bitter and sad to say that they will not win another game this season - hence no playoffs. Watching the body English of the team last night, even a blind man can see that their morale is lower than a snail's tail.

Regardless of whatever the forwards can do, it's the defence that is the alpha and the omega of any hockey team. To lose two key components: both top tier defencemen, leading scorer, and both power play generals would be difficult for any team to adjust to and overcome in such a short period of time. The  fragile Habs don't have the grit to overcome. They are also missing Lang who was their leading scorer until he went down two months ago.

Cursed be the Toronto Maple Leafs.

GO HABS!!!

[gselkhunter]

I think your wrong Ben. I think the Habs will dig deep and win one more game to get them in the play offs.

[Ben Hong]

I do hope you are right Greg, because it would pull me out of this hockey depression.

[John]

While it would be great for the Cap's to win, I just dont think they are there this year, but I dont  put it beyond them to make the finals, I would not be suprised at all to see them in the finals in fact.

Det is always stronger in the playoffs, I personally look to see them go deep...I look to see them switch out Osgood for Conklin after the first series or at the latest in the second match up.

I see the sharks fading, the HABS  -Ben I see them surprising, so brace yourself.  The pens will be giving it their best, but they fall early. The Boston Bruins may well take it this year

The final will be the Black Hawks vs either the Caps or Bruins....that is as much as I can call right now.

[Steve Hunts]

Detroit and San Jose are looking awful good.  Buffalo, Ottawa and Chicago are my sentimental favorites now that the Nordiques and Whalers are long gone. Gotta pull for Calgary some as they are the only team I can pick up on the radio(AM), kinda local.

Tomorrow the final "frozen" four NCAA teams face off.  With St Lawrence out I'll pick UVM as I used to live in Burlington way back when and have many fond memories of that town and friends at the "Chicken Bone".

[Guest]

Think the west is down to two teams to get to the cup finals.  The east looks open as usual.  Carolina does have the hottest hand going in, Boston looks tough, think NJ is heading downward and the flyers are never easy.

Ben, hope your guys make it in.

Me?  Hoping for a Pens/Devils 1st round match-up.  Am da#n glad that Gonchar is back.

[gselkhunter]

Ben being dealt this kind of blow this close to the playoffs takes a game or two to adjust to, but great teams do it. Gainey knows a little bit about hockey, he will get the fire lit. And who better to take that wrath then the Bruins and Crosby!

[calgaryrookie]

Ben being dealt this kind of blow this close to the playoffs takes a game or two to adjust to, but great teams do it. Gainey knows a little bit about hockey, he will get the fire lit. And who better to take that wrath then the Bruins and Crosby!

Ben, Gainey should have gone out and gotten some players like... well, Gainey.

I admit to taking a bit of perverse delight in seeing GMs take over coaching and fail to do any better than the guy they canned. If the Habs fail to make the playoffs most of the blame will rest with him... didn't get the right players, firing coach didn't work, couldn't outcoach the guy he replaced.

Interesting the two teams fighting for the last two east playoff spots both gassed their coaches and have done worse since (NYR were 6th and Habs were 5th. And Montreal has a much worse win/loss record than before the firings)

[gselkhunter]

History made! Blue Jackets fans rejoice, but who will they get?

More fun tonight, right Ben? Rangers and Habs in must win games. Because wishing ill to Buffalo and Florida would be wrong[maybe not]. So Ben who would you rather face in the first round, Washington or Boston? I would pick Boston I think.

[Bushwood]

When this topic came up last year, I made a passionate aruement for the huge talent of the Wings.  Oh yeah, and I was right.  The talent is there, and they have a chance, but I'm not as confident in the defense this year.

[calgaryrookie]

but I'm not as confident in the defense this year.

Yes, they're only very very good now. That Kronwell (sp?) is their third best, and would be THE best D-man on 20 other teams. I do think Liddy has given up the mantle of best defenceman however, unlikely to ever get it back. Good run though. Hall of Fame spot waiting for him upon retirement.

I wouldn't bet on the Wings, but I wouldn't bet against them.

[Ben Hong]

So Ben who would you rather face in the first round, Washington or Boston? I would pick Boston I think.

Maybe the question will be moot after tonight . But IF the Habs can sneak into the playoffs by default, I would love to face Washington. The Habs will get into Theodore's head...and maybe they can convince "someone" to get into his bed :'> .

If Markov and Schneider were healthy, I would drool at the chance to give the Bruins another heartrending first round disappointment. Even with a depleted roster, I don't believe that Montreal would be the Bruins first choice to dance with. Some many beatings over the years at the hands of the Habs.

[Guest]

but I'm not as confident in the defense this year.

Yes, they're only very very good now. That Kronwell (sp?) is their third best, and would be THE best D-man on 20 other teams. I do think Liddy has given up the mantle of best defenceman however, unlikely to ever get it back. Good run though. Hall of Fame spot waiting for him upon retirement.

I wouldn't bet on the Wings, but I wouldn't bet against them.

One thing for sure, the wings will be better in the playoff's than in the regular season.  That seems to be their MO year over year.

Ben, am rooting for your guys and would especially love a Habs/Ovechkins series.

[calgaryrookie]

but I'm not as confident in the defense this year.

Yes, they're only very very good now. That Kronwell (sp?) is their third best, and would be THE best D-man on 20 other teams. I do think Liddy has given up the mantle of best defenceman however, unlikely to ever get it back. Good run though. Hall of Fame spot waiting for him upon retirement.

I wouldn't bet on the Wings, but I wouldn't bet against them.

One thing for sure, the wings will be better in the playoff's than in the regular season.  That seems to be their MO year over year.

Not really. since 2000 they have 8 division championships, 4 President's trophies, and 2 cups. I'd say they slightly underachieve in the playoffs. Still a great team, but they can be had in a series.