The "80-point" playoff race

The race for the Western Conference wild-cards

As the season begins to wind down, the playoff races are heating up. In the Western Conference, the 8th place Coyotes are sitting at 82 points, only ahead of Dallas by three and Vancouver by four, following the Canuck's win over the Wild last night. Vancouver's win stopped the 7th place Wild, with 85 points, from jumping farther ahead of Phoenix.

Although the teams are spread out fairly evenly, it's close enough to worry if you're Minnesota or Phoenix. Vancouver has finally picked up the pace and won their last three, so tonight's game against Colorado will prove crucial in their playoff chances. Both Phoenix and Minnesota have games tonight as well, so tonight could be very telling for the West's wild-card.

The EPIC playoff race in the Eastern Conference

But the Western Conference doesn't come close to the current drama in the East. Four teams are tied at 80 points, battling for the two wild-card spots to make this year's first round. Unless the Flyers (three points ahead of the four-way tie) fall apart, two of those 80-point teams are going home early.

Gustav Nyquist is keeping Detroit alive in the playoff race with 9 goals in his last 6 games. But is that enough? (Photo by Greg Fiume)

Each one of these squads has quite a story. First we have Detroit, who is desperately trying to keep their playoff appearance streak alive. At 22 seasons, it's currently the fifth-longest all-time in the league. The Wings have struggled with injuries all season, and currently are without Zetterberg, Datsyuk, or Abdelkader. They lost a pivotal match in regulation against Columbus on Tuesday, bringing the Blue Jackets to 80 points. Gustav Nyquist, Tomas Tatar, and Alfredsson can only do so much alone. Wings fans are getting impatient to say the least, considering they haven't experienced missing the playoffs since 1990.

A few hours south, the Blue Jackets are attempting to make their second postseason appearance, ever. Their first, five years ago, was a four-game exit to Detroit...The Blue Jackets have surprisingly re-tooled quite well since losing Rick Nash, now with a near 30-goal scorer in young Ryan Johansen, who's having a breakout year. Anisimov and Dubinsky, both former Rangers, have been performing well. The Blue Jackets have a rough road to finish the season; four of their ten games are against Pittsburgh, Colorado, the surging Philadelphia Flyers, and Chicago.

Ovechkin, seen here scoring against LA on Tuesday night, leads the NHL with 48 goals this season (Photo by Rob Carr)

The Washington Capitals are an interesting situation. Alex Ovechkin leads the league in goals by a mile, and has near-singlehandedly made the team's offense this year. However, the team struggles with nearly everything else. With nine games remaining, the Capitals need to make a large offensive push. Although the Caps have made six-straight playoffs, it's been an early exit every single time. Even during their 2010 President's Trophy run, the Canadiens found their way around the Caps' strategy. This might be the team's last chance before big changes come sweeping through.

Gardiner, Gleason, Bernier, and Reimer watch from the bench as Toronto fails to tie Tuesday's game against St. Louis. (Photo by Nathan Denette)

And finally, Toronto, who earlier had a large jump on the playoff race, now have lost their last six. They have sat stagnant at 80 points since March 13, letting everyone catch-up. Partly due to Bernier's injury, and partly equated to sloppy play, the Maple Leafs are facing an uphill climb to what looked like an easy playoff spot. With only 8 games left in their season, Toronto has to do nearly perfect to catch up to the other 80-point teams, as they all have games in-hand. Toronto can max out at 96 points, while Detroit and Columbus can both still reach 100. 

Therefore, a key game is tomorrow at 7 p.m., when Toronto plays in Philadelphia. If the Leafs can snap their losing streak, this will give the pack of playoff hungry teams a chance to catch the Flyers.

All of this, of course, is to determine who gets to face the grueling first round matchup against either Boston or Pittsburgh...good luck! 

Nashville takes Game One 3-2

Rinne and Weber defending against Datsyuk.

It feels kind of weird to cheer for a certain team when you're predicting the opposing team will beat them. This is especially the case when everyone else you see/know is cheering for the same team. That's how today went at Central Michigan University. Everywhere you went, a Red Wings jersey, hoodie, or t-shirt was present, shining out among everybody walking on the sidewalk. I was one of those people, sporting Henrik Zetterberg's #40 all day. I wonder how many people had the same mindset I did, right now I'm not really upset since my bracket's starting out well.

The Predators proved why they have home ice advantage, winning game one over the Red Wings. Aside from some penalties that shouldn't have been called against Detroit in the first period, Nashville seemed to have the stronger game, even with much less shots in the second and third periods. The first period set the Wings back, and the crowd of "mustard-yellow" jerseys (as Mark Lee of CBC called it) were in it the entire game. Detroit's going to have to fight even harder to get past Rinne and possibly mess up my bracket. Hope Helm's alright, currently getting surgery after taking a skate to the elbow. (That'd be a player the Wings will miss)

It's also really odd to have CMU Cable, and get to choose which playoff game broadcast I prefer to watch. The Detroit-Nashville game tonight was on CBC, Fox Sports Detroit, and CNBC. I obviously chose CBC, no brainer there, as soon as Ken Daniels and Mickey Redmond started telling stories rather than actually calling the game below them. (For someone whose dream job is hockey play-by-play, something that little can be pretty annoying)

And from what I've seen so far tonight with the first period of the Canucks vs. Kings, Vancouver has played great so far. I certainly wouldn't rule out an upset though, Los Angeles looks pretty focused...I'm still stunned that Pittsburgh would give up a 3-1 lead to Philadelphia, that'll also be a close series.

AND SO THE PLAYOFFS COMMENCE!!

My 2012 Stanley Cup Playoff bracket

Kessel scored a career high 37 goals this season, currently at 99 with the Maple Leafs and 165 overall.

So once again a season where my beloved Maple Leafs fail to make the playoffs, though Kessel did have an incredible season, 37 goals and 82 points overall.

Now let’s stop right there, enough of Toronto, and onto the playoffs!

Here you go, here’s my bracket. You can click on it to zoom in if necessary.

For all the Detroit fans reading, yes I did just pick Nashville to beat the Wings. As much as I will also cheer on Detroit, I’m getting a little apathetic towards Detroit’s playoff hopes these days, esp. after the last 2 playoffs. Therefore, I completely accept my fate of being roasted when Detroit miraculously defeats Nashville in the first round and supposedly ruins my bracket. I’m certainly not one to predict spoilers, I have the #1, #2, #4, and #6 seeds moving on in each of the first rounds. If you’re better than the other team, why would I not predict you to beat them?

The toughest series for me to decide on was definitely Pittsburgh over Philly. If the Pens win that series, I think they can very likely march straight to the Stanley Cup Finals. (After somehow beating Boston of course) I picked them obviously because of Crosby’s return; and now that it’s once again the Crosby-Malkin duo – who they didn’t have either of in the 2011 postseason – I think Pittsburgh can potentially beat the Flyers. If not Pittsburgh, I can see Boston reaching the Finals again, and defending their cup.

Now for the Stanley Cup choice. Vancouver certainly have the experience of last year; a war against Chicago for the 3^rd straight year in a row, and then a drive to the Finals. The Canucks know what went wrong last year, and I feel like this year they’ve been serious, concentrated, and it got them another President’s Trophy. (They haven’t even had much of goal celebrations!) Hopefully, it can translate into a Stanley Cup for the first time in their history. Obviously Daniel Sedin sitting out a while with a concussion isn't helpful, but if they get him back – which I assume they will – they should be the playoff powerhouse.

Truly the most exciting moment of the 2011 playoffs, Alex Burrows wins Game 7 in OT against the Blackhawks...

So there you go. Here’s my top 3 selections for the Champion:

1. Vancouver

2. Pittsburgh

3. Boston

It’ll be very interesting to see how the Blues do with home-ice advantage in the playoffs, something that hasn’t occurred since 2002. They haven’t won the Central division since they had the best record in the league in 2000. Definitely a valiant effort by the Blues; and maybe a run to their first cup awaits if their stellar goaltending holds up. Plus, the Rangers haven’t been to the conference finals since 1997, can it happen again?

Make your own bracket before Wednesday night! See how yours holds up!

2011-12 NHL Season Preview

So it's once again that time of the year where the NHL season is starting and I get excited. Unlike previous years, my life as a college sophomore has pretty much taken control of my mind, so the preseason & regular season have snuck up on me. I have a little whiteboard in my room, where last year I wrote down team records, and until October 7th, counted down the days until the Leafs' home opener on there as well, starting at 30 days or so. This year there's been none of that. It's already week 7 of classes and I can't believe it's already October. Time sure flies when you're busy/maybe having fun.

So now I feel obligated to make a 2011-12 NHL prediction, even without knowing how to weigh teams as well as I have in the past. ESPN sure put in their fair share of predictions, with their "experts" putting their hopes in teams like Vancouver, Washington, Chicago, San Jose, and Pittsburgh. (Surprised to not see much for the Bruins) If I had to pick a team to win the cup, well........I don't know. It's probably toughest for an "expert" to predict a Stanley Cup caliber team, scanning the entire 30-team league for ONE champion is obviously difficult. I honestly don't want to pick one this year, in fact, I won't!!! I like teams like Philadelphia, the Rangers with Brad Richards, and Los Angeles with Drew Doughty & Mike Richards. If Crosby gets back, then I think Pittsburgh could head to the Finals, and if San Jose gets their act together in the playoffs, they've got a great fight to put up in the Finals. But for the fun of it, I'll just say the Winnipeg Jets will win the 2012 Stanley Cup! That'd be nice.....

Living in Michigan I obviously know my Red Wings as well. It'll certainly be a different year, and very likely the last for the captain Nicklas Lidstrom. Holmstrom & Bertuzzi are also on their way out sooner or later, at the ripe ages of 36 and 38. I'm excited to see Conklin back in goal for the Wings, as well as seeing Commodore & Ian White (former Maple Leaf) sign on. It's just a question of will this Wings team still be able to play as a team, like they have for the past 5 seasons? Lots of new/young faces either from other teams, or from the AHL. Detroit regardless shouldn't have any problems making their 21st postseason, but when they meet a team like the Sharks in the 2nd round again, if it happens, they once again won't get any farther.

And ahhhh yes…the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ever since I’ve been a decent fan, (right after the lockout) the Leafs have never made the playoffs. That to me is the goal above all things for Toronto right now, get some playoff hockey back in the ACC! Just like the start of last season, Toronto has a good line-up and some things going for it. I’m excited to see Reimer as the primary starter, hopefully he’ll be just as strong as he was in his 20 wins from last season, a team record for a rookie goaltender. I’m looking forward to the addition of Connolly, Lombardi, Franson, Liles, and just in the last few days, David Steckel (even with him being the guy who hit Crosby on New Year’s Day, but whatever, I guess we can look forward to some good headshots…RIGHT?). The Leafs seemed a bit more beefed-up then previous years. Some new faces, but ones I already know will be great, Kessel, Grabovski, Kulemin, Phaneuf, Schenn, and MacArthur are all here. It should be a great season, and if things go well, I can see Toronto slipping into the playoffs with 7^th or 8^th place. You’ve gotta hope, but hey, last year I predicted the Leafs would finish 10^th. They finished 10^th. MAGIC I TELL YOU! Even with this “hope” of mine, I’m just excited to get the season underway again, I just love following Toronto regardless of their record, it’s another source of entertainment in my college life, which by January or February gets a little sparse. Hockey’s there to fill the void.

And to watch Orr & Rosehill pound guys into the ice, like so!!! Hopefully Orr will be back on the roster soon enough...

Either way, I’ll be tuned into the home opener against Montreal tonight at 7pm EST, cheering for the blue & white as usual. I’ll have my Sundin jersey on, and maybe my Kessel sweater over top of that. Depends on how cold it is outside when I walk to a meeting afterwards, and how the game’s going.

My Leafs Vintage Hockey sweater, which I got customized with a big "81" last fall. Definately worth the $14 per number, I had always wanted to do that to it!

Even in Mount Pleasant, MI, there's still Canadians floating around somewhere....I FOUND THEM!

Another Retirement

So here we are about a week later, talking about the Red Wings….this time it’s Kris Draper, hanging up his NHL career after 20 seasons, 17 of them with Detroit. (The other three were with Winnipeg, the ORIGINAL Winnipeg!) Draper played on all four of Detroit’s recent Stanley Cup teams.

What a sad way to end it, the end of your contract, and to find that you’re only being offered a two-way contract for one season to come back, which means you have to play your way back on the team. Just like Maltby the year before, both players have met the end of the line the classic way, you’re old and all the 20 year olds are playing better and faster than you are. But hats off to a Red Wing that played 1,137 games with Detroit, that’s 5^th all time for the team. Glad Draper decided to retire like Ozzy and go home to his family.

Farewell to Chris Osgood

I would like to bid a well deserved farewell to Chris Osgood, longtime goalie of the Detroit Red Wings.

Osgood was a member of the Red Wings for 14 seasons, starting in 1993. He helped them to Stanley Cups in 1997, 1998, and 2008. In his career he won 401 games, had 50 shutouts, and is one of only 5 NHL goaltenders to have actually scored a goal.
As the Red Wings have slowly grown older, we've seen old heroes sign off after long tenures with the team.
Maltby, Chelios, McCarty, Rafalski, the list goes on. Lidstrom and Holmstrom are nearing the end of the line, and Draper may be done. I guess Ozzy decided it was time to go. At 38 years old, I don't blame him. He wants to spend time with his family I'm sure, they're not going to be there forever, and his kids wouldn't be kids anymore if he retired at 41 or something. This is a smart move by an aging goaltender, part of it likely had to do with the firm job Jimmy Howard has done since arriving. Joey MacDonald is also a backup, and the Wings can certainly find another from the Griffins or elsewhere.
This past season certainly wasn't the best for Ozzy, and I have first hand proof. I was at the game where he was supposed to win his 400th, against Dallas on december 19th. It was a struggle throughout the night for him, eventually losing in overtime, leaving the entire arena dissapointed. The few games he played, (only 11 of them) weren't the best, a 2.77 GAA can tell that story.
Though, a GOOD memory of him was game one of the 2009 Cup Finals against the Penguins. (I don't know how I was possibly that lucky, to be able to go to a finals game)

There he is, in goal during the opening faceoff, a night which I'll never forget. The Wings won 3-1.



So I would like to congratulate Osgood on a great career, and thank him for some great memories. If he isn't quite hall of fame worthy, look for a #30 banner hanging from the rafters of Joe Louis. You never know......