NHL Lockout?

[Neoteny]

Blackhawks are on an absolute tear.

It's infuriating and amazing at the same time.

I can't decide if I want someone to stop them at this point. Detroit obviously won't take the division, so I kinda just want to see it go. But it's also Chicago.

[Lil_SlimShady]

Blackhawks are on an absolute tear.

It's infuriating and amazing at the same time.

I can't decide if I want someone to stop them at this point. Detroit obviously won't take the division, so I kinda just want to see it go. But it's also Chicago.

I live in Vancouver and as far as this population is concerned the sooner their streak ends the happier everyone will be.

[whitestazn88]

As a terribly distraught caps fan (although we've made some good progress as of late), I'm ok with watching the blackhawks' run. If they can go the whole season without losing in regulation it would be a tremendous achievement and really awesome to see. Then, if they could get swept out of the playoffs by losing every game in overtime, that would be even more amazing and also hysterically funny.

[ben79]

Chicago's run is amazing, Anaheim as well ( Boudreau will be in the top-3 for the Jack Adams trophy ).

I'm extremely surprised by the habs, i thought they were gonna finish between the 11th and 14th place in the east .... right now they're playing like there's no tomorow ( 11th game in a row with 1 point ).

The referees in the NHL are probably the worst in all 5 major sports in america, and Shanahan is not doing his job at all, what a joke !!

[Army of GOD]

Chicago's run is amazing, Anaheim as well ( Boudreau will be in the top-3 for the Jack Adams trophy ).

I'm extremely surprised by the habs, i thought they were gonna finish between the 11th and 14th place in the east .... right now they're playing like there's no tomorow ( 11th game in a row with 1 point ).

The referees in the NHL are probably the worst in all 5 major sports in america, and Shanahan is not doing his job at all, what a joke !!

wait, what's the fifth major sport?

[Timminz]

If soccer counts, then those refs take the "worst officials" award.

[Lil_SlimShady]

As a terribly distraught caps fan (although we've made some good progress as of late), I'm ok with watching the blackhawks' run. If they can go the whole season without losing in regulation it would be a tremendous achievement and really awesome to see. Then, if they could get swept out of the playoffs by losing every game in overtime, that would be even more amazing and also hysterically funny.

Ah, its nice to run into a fellow caps fan. Don't see much of us coming out in the open these days. Major Question: Should Ovi keep the C. If not, who should take it?

[whitestazn88]

As a terribly distraught caps fan (although we've made some good progress as of late), I'm ok with watching the blackhawks' run. If they can go the whole season without losing in regulation it would be a tremendous achievement and really awesome to see. Then, if they could get swept out of the playoffs by losing every game in overtime, that would be even more amazing and also hysterically funny.

Ah, its nice to run into a fellow caps fan. Don't see much of us coming out in the open these days. Major Question: Should Ovi keep the C. If not, who should take it?

I think it's too late to take it back at this point. Should've been Laich all along, but it also turns out his health hasn't been great. I think a big problem is the high turnover in goalies as of late. Varlamov was decent, got booted after 1 playoffs for Neuvirth. Neuvirth was pretty good, got booted after 1 playoffs. We've now got Holtby, who's playing well, and we have another "top prospect" goalie in Hershey in Grubauer or however you spelled his name who backed up Holtby when Neuvy was injured last week.

But they look solid on the PP, and the goaltending and PK haven't been as abhorrent as it was the first 3 weeks of the season, so I've still got a lot of confidence they can make a run for the playoffs.

[Army of GOD]

Malkin's welcome back goal was dirttttyyyyyyyyyy

[xeno]

The mods are fascists

[Lil_SlimShady]

As a terribly distraught caps fan (although we've made some good progress as of late), I'm ok with watching the blackhawks' run. If they can go the whole season without losing in regulation it would be a tremendous achievement and really awesome to see. Then, if they could get swept out of the playoffs by losing every game in overtime, that would be even more amazing and also hysterically funny.

Ah, its nice to run into a fellow caps fan. Don't see much of us coming out in the open these days. Major Question: Should Ovi keep the C. If not, who should take it?

I think it's too late to take it back at this point. Should've been Laich all along, but it also turns out his health hasn't been great. I think a big problem is the high turnover in goalies as of late. Varlamov was decent, got booted after 1 playoffs for Neuvirth. Neuvirth was pretty good, got booted after 1 playoffs. We've now got Holtby, who's playing well, and we have another "top prospect" goalie in Hershey in Grubauer or however you spelled his name who backed up Holtby when Neuvy was injured last week.

But they look solid on the PP, and the goaltending and PK haven't been as abhorrent as it was the first 3 weeks of the season, so I've still got a lot of confidence they can make a run for the playoffs.

I was so dissapointed when they let Varly go. I know that he is prone to injuries but his turnaround time was rather impressive and he has been consistently healthy in Colorado. I really dislike Neuvys style of play though so Holtbys performace is a nice bonus; I hope he keeps the number 1 spot from now on.
As for Ovi, I dont think its too late. He will still be the face of the franchise but the changing room needs a leader not an individual.
Otherwise I agree with you. I dont think its too late for them but I dont have a whole lot of confidence in any long term playoff success. It would be an achievement to make the payoffs at this point in the shorteed season. I do believe that next season, with Oates system ingrained in their brains, they will be back in the elite.

[Lil_SlimShady]

AHHHHHH! What a come back for the Caps. Thank you Bruins for not finishing my team off way too quickly.

Also, Hawks extend their streak to 23 games. It makes me glad that my team is not in the western conference.

[Serbia]

The West is ridiculous. The Wings win ONE game, and jump from 10th to 4th (pending the results of the late games!). That is insanely tight.

[tzor]

The West is ridiculous. The Wings win ONE game, and jump from 10th to 4th (pending the results of the late games!). That is insanely tight.

My app has them as 6th, but there are 3 teams all tied with 26 points. The 3rd place team has 27 points. The 7th place team has 25 points and there are 3 teams with 24 points. I have a feeling that the Western Conference is going to go down to the last game to decide who is in and who is not.

The eastern conference is not that tight but the slots around 7 to 9 are only off by two points. Even the Islanders are only 2 points below current 8th place Rangers. So it's also going to be interesting there as well.

[Lil_SlimShady]

The West is ridiculous. The Wings win ONE game, and jump from 10th to 4th (pending the results of the late games!). That is insanely tight.

The west has always been tight. Remember last season? The la kings got in on the last game of the season against the sharks. And went on to win the cup.

[notyou2]

Chicago's run is amazing, Anaheim as well ( Boudreau will be in the top-3 for the Jack Adams trophy ).

I'm extremely surprised by the habs, i thought they were gonna finish between the 11th and 14th place in the east .... right now they're playing like there's no tomorow ( 11th game in a row with 1 point ).

The referees in the NHL are probably the worst in all 5 major sports in america, and Shanahan is not doing his job at all, what a joke !!

wait, what's the fifth major sport?

Bowling, if peasant sports can be sports.

[tzor]

wait, what's the fifth major sport?

Golf?

[DoomYoshi]

Nascar.

[Army of GOD]

Xarm?

[Neoteny]

It looks like realignment got through the Players' Association.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=6590 ... L|NHL|home

[whitestazn88]

Caps put on a nice show tonight, although I would have liked the shutout, as I'm sure Braden did as well.

[DoomYoshi]

It looks like realignment got through the Players' Association.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=6590 ... L|NHL|home

Nice. Now you are in the Northeast. It's like we're neighbours.

[tzor]

I'm an Islander's Fan. Tonight wasn't a good night.

Of course it's never a good night when they are playing.

[Army of GOD]

Pens/Flyers is the best rivalry in hockey at the moment. It would be fun to watch if I wasn't getting a heart attack after every Flyer goal.

[Lil_SlimShady]

Caps put on a nice show tonight, although I would have liked the shutout, as I'm sure Braden did as well.

Not to take anything away from their effort but it's Florida. And not last year's Florida where they pulled last minute goals out of their arses to then lose in overtime. This is injury depleted Cats with Theodore (a.k.a. three-or-more) as their #1 goalie. This weekend will really show if the Caps got what it takes.

I'm an Islander's Fan. Tonight wasn't a good night.

Of course it's never a good night when they are playing.

Let's hope that continues on Saturday. I would love it if the caps went into sunday's game against the rags with a four game winning streak.

Pens/Flyers is the best rivalry in hockey at the moment. It would be fun to watch if I wasn't getting a heart attack after every Flyer goal.

Are you kidding me? Their games are embodiment of horrible defence and even more horrible goaltending. Exciting to watch but send the wrong message about what it takes to be successfull in the league.