In the world of professional sports, there are always clear cut winners, and clear cut losers, but what’s difficult to determine is the final positioning of those middle teams. One injury can destroy a team’s playoff hopes faster than a cherry bomb in a toilet, and the sport of hockey is probably the most affected by this. Certain teams can survive the loss of one player (see Brodeur, Martin in 2008-2009; and Crosby, Sidney in 2008-2009), however most teams will absolutely fall apart at the loss of their highest paid player(s). It’s this unpredictability that makes picking which middle of the pack teams will make it to the summer shindig that much more difficult. With this, I present to you my picks of teams that won’t quite make it to the golf course(yet) come April.
Boston Bruins- The clear cut best team in the Northeast, with the offensive firepower to be the best team in the East, if not the league. Very solid goaltending, and 3 lines of offense make them the regular season team to beat.
Pittsburgh Penguins- It was a toss up between my favorite flightless birds and the flying nothings (Flyers). The Flyers goaltending situation drops them down a few rungs, while the addition of Mike Comrie to the Penguins puts them over the edge. Very easily can be at the top of the East standings, but has the tendency to go through a midseason slump that will knock them back.
Washington Capitals- You can never count out a team with Alex Ovechkin and Backstrom, but the loss of team depth might not help them win the division, especially with the next team looming.
If you notice, the first 3 teams are in order of placement in the standings. From here on out I will be choosing teams I think will make the playoffs, without much attention to placement in the standings. This is because, as evidenced this past year, an 8 seed can make it pretty far, so it doesn’t matter how high you’re ranked.
Tampa Bay Lightning- 2 Lines deep full of offensive superstars, an upgraded defense and goaltending, and they can easily make the playoffs here; possibly even win the division. However, with a long term injury to Simon Gagne, and Vinny LeCavalier deciding not to show up for a 3rd year in a row, would dismantle this team’s chances of making the playoffs. This is one of my bubble picks.
New Jersey Devils- The Devils will make the playoffs because they’re the Devils, and because of Kovalchuk, Parise, and Brodeur, but don’t expect much after that.
New York Rangers- Added another offensive threat in Alex Frolov to relieve the strain Marian Gaborik’s back has felt from carrying the Rangers offensively. I don’t like this pick because they can easily blow it, but there just isn’t another viable team in the East capable of taking them out of the playoff picture.
Montreal Canadiens- My intense hatred for this franchise and their goaltender Carey Price make me hate this pick even more than the Rangers. However, because of the boring system they play and the lack of other able teams, they make the playoffs in the bottom 2-3 spots. If Carey Price chooses to light up a fag (british term for cigarette, get your heads out of the gutter) instead of playing hockey, the Habs will be out of the playoffs in February.
Philadelphia Flyers- I almost forgot these guys because they’re such a sure bet on making the playoffs. Possibly the deepest team defensively, and 3 lines deep up front, they realistically would probably do better without a goalie (not that they have one you can name). Easily will make the playoffs, and easily will make it to the second round. Could be in the top of the standings in the East, but the Penguins will narrowly beat them to that spot.
So there you have it. Sound off in the comments to tell me you disagree and that I’m a moron…or that I’m a robot sent from the future to accurately describe the NHL playoff picture. Preferably the second one.
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Bravo
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