Wild Thing

I also never feel very comfortable with teams that are playing extremely well such as the Avs and the Panthers heading into the playing. I always look for a let down of some sort in the playoffs. Whether that be in the first round of the second round I see it happening with those teams. 

I also feel that the teams like the Avs and Panthers have a bit more added pressure on them because they have to be the two teams that are expected to go the distant in their conferences to the finals. That has to add some pressure and all the other teams will most definitely be trying as hard as they can to shoot them down off the top. 

I don't see either of those teams making it to the Stanley Cup Finals and there might be whining because of that from their fans as that is what most people are expecting. 

4 minutes ago, TropicalFruitGirl26 said:

LA Kings.

Looks like these guys took my comment about not being able to definitively nail down a playoff start personally....
Since that comment, they have played very well and in fact, are on a current three game winning streak, and are NO LONGER the 'lowest hanging' fruit for teams like Vegas and Vancouver to try and catch for a playoff spot.

LA sits at 94 pts, while Nashville and Dallas (the current wild cards) sit at 93 and 91 respectively.
Vegas is at 89 pts, while Vancouver is at 87 pts.

 

Colorado Avalanche.

So...the running joke now is, which team finishes in that second wild card to be fodder for the number 1 Avalanche.
While that has merit, I just can't help but shake the feeling that if some somewhat solid defensive team gets in there, like a Dallas, Nashville, or Vegas, that they could actually upset the Avalanche.

Which of course may lead to Avs fans crying about something ELSE this year as to why their team didn't advance.
You know...that actually sounds fun!

Let's go Stars! Let's go Preds! Let's go Knights!
(Sorry Vancouver...even if you make it in, I highly doubt you guys have the stifling necessary to keep Colorado down...you WOULD be fodder...rock fodder!)

I think you are spot on with the Avalanche. I also think they go down in the 1st round to a defensive minded club that can shut them down like a Preds or Stars. The Canucks are done now and the Knights, I think are the team going to be left out.  I definitely think the Preds take down the Avalanche and the Stars will make it really tough.  

The Kraken just doesn't to seem to match up well with the Wild anywhere on the ice  and if it wasn't for the fact that the Wild were playing a back to back and will probably be tired by the 3rd period this could be a blow out. 

Back to back games are always a bit tough and the Kraken are more rested and coming off a huge win over the Avalanche. The Kraken still have to come into Minnesota tonight which is going to be tough and play a well rested Fleury in net. There is no doubt that the Wild is a better team overall then the Kraken and have more depth. I still think the Wild will win this game, but I think they need to get off to a fast start and out in front in the first period. Kap and Fiala will have a good night. I think the Wild win this on 5-2. 

Very sad news. A true legend of hockey and only 70 years old.  Like Mike Bossy, I never got to enjoy seeing him play a game live. When Lafleur decided to return to the NHL I was born, but only a baby and not watching hockey. Watching videos of these legends has been such a pleasure. 

Hartman!!!!!

Looks like he worked on that goal. 

He stays hot. Fiala!!!!!!!

It looks like Linus brought his blanket to the ice tonight?

That was one of the latest high sticking calls I have ever seen. It was the right call though. 

10 minutes ago, EmptyShelf said:

Your opinion, and you are entitled to it.  Not remotely what I see.  The effort is high at ALL times, and his coach attests to this (as do the players).  He does get frustrated at times, and is learning how to deal with all the hacks, cross-checks and late hits that clearly were not prevalent in the KHL (and he is NOT getting all the calls as a McD yet).  In any case, you just saw him set up a play for a Zucc goal and one that Hartman should have buried.  This happens EVERY game.  I have seen all but 5 games this year, and that is my opinion.  Playoffs are a different beast entirely, I expect he learned something from last year (and all the hacks, cross-checks, and late hits from behind that he saw against Vegas).  We shall see.....

Young players bring frustration with their game at points , but just as EmptyShelf has attested and what I really go by more than what I myself even watch in the games is what the coaches and his teammates have said about his efforts and that has always been praise from everyone in the organization. 

I can sit on my couch and say he is floating around on the ice and may miss a pass or two, but when it comes down to it I know jack compared to what his coaches and teammates know he puts in to his game. So that is what I take it all from. 

ZUCC!!!!!!!!!

Get em fired up.

This Elias Pettersson guy, I have had enough of him.

2 minutes ago, Jimtown guy said:

Without a doubt. What’s up with Greenway? Any time line on his return?

They said he skated with the team today in practiced , but there is still not specific timeline on his return. It should be close though. 

Still think Kap gets one tonight and possibly Boldy. 

You don't see that from Spurgeon. 

Spurge!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That was too damn quick. 

Fiala!!!!!

That was pretty.

Big time Kill

I love a little competition. If Talbot continues this sort of play he has got to be the Goalie that is given the net going into the playoffs. 

That ended that quick. 

Let's end this period on a high note. 

PP Time!!!!!

Talbot looks like he is on again tonight.