30 Games, and Times A'wasting
by BookieKiller.com's NHL Guru,Rink Rat
The National Hockey League is roughly thirty games into its schedule and even now we can see the play-off races shaping up. The Eastern Conference has, for all intents and purposes, finalized the eight teams who will parade proudly into the post-season and play the role yet again of Cup final patsies. Boston Bruins have had a good run so far, although a three-game losing streak is worrying. Even so they are close to having their goals for nearly a goal per game better than their goals against (3.30 - 2.40 ). The likelihood of them falling nine place and out the bottom of the standings is remote. Tampa are giving every indication they plan to hang around all year, and the New Jersey/Philadelphia/Ottawa defend-at-all-costs trio will also make it. The Carolina Hurricanes have reverted to Arturs Irbe in net recently. They don't score much (2.38 goals for) but their defensive number (2.56) is decent, considering that, of the competition below them in the standings, only Toronto's 2.53 is better. Montreal could slot into eighth just because the conference doesn't have nine decent teams.
The Rat hates to criticize, but who is left to challenge this group? The Rangers have a general manager who's lost his magic, a coach who has no magic, a beleaguered nineteen-year-old goalkeeper who wishes he knew magic, and an oft-concussed centre who doesn't give a crap anymore about magic. This lot also surrenders 3.27 goals every game. Pittsburgh's on an eight-game losing streak and even those pintails in Anaheim managed to stuff the Penguin power-play on Sunday. Now that the team has collapsed Shrewd Mario's back problems are sure to flare up again. Florida? Too young. Washington? A shambles. Perhaps the team which should compete is the New York Islanders. Yet even after all the parts have been back in working order for a month, nothing has changed. Their problem remains goaltending. Why didn't gm Mike Milbury make a pitch for Byron Dafoe? Why no trade? Why does Milbury still have a job? After Christmas the team plays 12 of 20 games at home. They better get a wiggle on because in March they have 10 road games.
The West, of course, is different. Over on that side wars are being waged. Dallas is the only team in the league with a goals for average more than a goal per game better than their goals against (3.19 - 2.00). They have a slender two point lead on the pack. Below them, every game results in a change in the standings. Vancouver/Minnesota/Edmonton are in a donnybrook for the Northwest Division seed, Detroit and St. Louis will scrap over the Central Division while LA Kings and Anaheim look nervously over their shoulders while trying to nail down the final two slots. Unlike the East, there are three contenders in the West who make everyone above them nervous.
The Chicago Blackhawks are one scorer away from creating pandemonium in the ranks. They are good at home, poor on the road. However they concede only 2.35 goals per game, which is better than six of the teams currently holding down playoff spots. Unfortunately, 15 of their next 26 games are on the road. Theo Fleury had better spark this team or they could have a problem. Colorado Avalanche has perhaps the best group of core players in the league. Trouble is coach Bob Hartley plays with the shortest bench in the NHL. This team is trying to win by playing the tails off six players. This next spell could be crucial to their chances - 12 of their next 20 are at home and 13 of their opponents are teams currently holding down play-off spots.
If Patrick Roy has one more great roll left in him, now would be the time to produce it. If he does, he'll give either Anaheim or L.A. the heebie-jeebies. The San Jose Sharks have had a tumultuous season, yet they are only five points adrift of the Kings. Their goals against isn't great (3.00) but it's moving in the right direction. They are mean and rough with a sprinkling of skill. Monday they begin a tricky five game road trip, but after that 14 of their next 17 games are at home. If they don't lose ground in the next five games, then the Rat thinks they will roar past Los Angeles and Anaheim so fast on that long home stretch it will make their eyes water.
The Western Conference has eleven dogs in the fight; the turmoil will continue at least through to the All-Star break.
And the fans are gonna love it.
the Rat can be reached via email @ rsbookiekiller@hotmail.com
by BookieKiller.com's NHL Guru,Rink Rat
The National Hockey League is roughly thirty games into its schedule and even now we can see the play-off races shaping up. The Eastern Conference has, for all intents and purposes, finalized the eight teams who will parade proudly into the post-season and play the role yet again of Cup final patsies. Boston Bruins have had a good run so far, although a three-game losing streak is worrying. Even so they are close to having their goals for nearly a goal per game better than their goals against (3.30 - 2.40 ). The likelihood of them falling nine place and out the bottom of the standings is remote. Tampa are giving every indication they plan to hang around all year, and the New Jersey/Philadelphia/Ottawa defend-at-all-costs trio will also make it. The Carolina Hurricanes have reverted to Arturs Irbe in net recently. They don't score much (2.38 goals for) but their defensive number (2.56) is decent, considering that, of the competition below them in the standings, only Toronto's 2.53 is better. Montreal could slot into eighth just because the conference doesn't have nine decent teams.
The Rat hates to criticize, but who is left to challenge this group? The Rangers have a general manager who's lost his magic, a coach who has no magic, a beleaguered nineteen-year-old goalkeeper who wishes he knew magic, and an oft-concussed centre who doesn't give a crap anymore about magic. This lot also surrenders 3.27 goals every game. Pittsburgh's on an eight-game losing streak and even those pintails in Anaheim managed to stuff the Penguin power-play on Sunday. Now that the team has collapsed Shrewd Mario's back problems are sure to flare up again. Florida? Too young. Washington? A shambles. Perhaps the team which should compete is the New York Islanders. Yet even after all the parts have been back in working order for a month, nothing has changed. Their problem remains goaltending. Why didn't gm Mike Milbury make a pitch for Byron Dafoe? Why no trade? Why does Milbury still have a job? After Christmas the team plays 12 of 20 games at home. They better get a wiggle on because in March they have 10 road games.
The West, of course, is different. Over on that side wars are being waged. Dallas is the only team in the league with a goals for average more than a goal per game better than their goals against (3.19 - 2.00). They have a slender two point lead on the pack. Below them, every game results in a change in the standings. Vancouver/Minnesota/Edmonton are in a donnybrook for the Northwest Division seed, Detroit and St. Louis will scrap over the Central Division while LA Kings and Anaheim look nervously over their shoulders while trying to nail down the final two slots. Unlike the East, there are three contenders in the West who make everyone above them nervous.
The Chicago Blackhawks are one scorer away from creating pandemonium in the ranks. They are good at home, poor on the road. However they concede only 2.35 goals per game, which is better than six of the teams currently holding down playoff spots. Unfortunately, 15 of their next 26 games are on the road. Theo Fleury had better spark this team or they could have a problem. Colorado Avalanche has perhaps the best group of core players in the league. Trouble is coach Bob Hartley plays with the shortest bench in the NHL. This team is trying to win by playing the tails off six players. This next spell could be crucial to their chances - 12 of their next 20 are at home and 13 of their opponents are teams currently holding down play-off spots.
If Patrick Roy has one more great roll left in him, now would be the time to produce it. If he does, he'll give either Anaheim or L.A. the heebie-jeebies. The San Jose Sharks have had a tumultuous season, yet they are only five points adrift of the Kings. Their goals against isn't great (3.00) but it's moving in the right direction. They are mean and rough with a sprinkling of skill. Monday they begin a tricky five game road trip, but after that 14 of their next 17 games are at home. If they don't lose ground in the next five games, then the Rat thinks they will roar past Los Angeles and Anaheim so fast on that long home stretch it will make their eyes water.
The Western Conference has eleven dogs in the fight; the turmoil will continue at least through to the All-Star break.
And the fans are gonna love it.
the Rat can be reached via email @ rsbookiekiller@hotmail.com
