Eastern Conference Playoff Race

[Eazy_b97 1]

It's possible, Miller's been hot and cold while as odd as it sounds, I think all, but Carolina could have the potential to knock them off.

[ktang 34]

djinferno:

I was born and raised in Montreal, so I feel your pain...

Samsonov is probably embarassed and frustrated over his season and how he has been a healthy scratch. But, I think he shouldn't have gone public with his frustration in the middle of this race for the last spot.

I think Montreal's done.

[Vapor 0]

Very good point about most teams being beat up. As for a 8 vs 1 upset, it is very possible that the Blueshirts could do it. The rangers have played Buffalo very well all year (aside from a 7-4 loss where they lead 2-0), the other three took 4+ periods. The Rangers also played the devils very well. The key is to get everybody healthy. A friend of my fathers talked to Shanny and he said that Shanny said there is no way he comes back for the regular season but a playoff return is possible.

I think it's between the Rangers and Toronto to be quite honest. I do not think the defending champs have it in them.

[Eazy_b97 1]

I know Toronto and I believe MTL gave Buffalo good runs earlier in the season. Toronto has done well against NJ as well, not sure on MTL, they usually struggle against Brodeur.

[RadioGaGa 162]

I know Toronto and I believe MTL gave Buffalo good runs earlier in the season. Toronto has done well against NJ as well, not sure on MTL, they usually struggle against Brodeur.

Montreal can't beat Jersey in Jersey....and Brodeur LOVES playing "at home" in Montreal. In short....NJ OWNS the Habs. I like Montreal's chances in a Buffalo game more than in a NJ game. They are always entertaining games, win or lose.

As far as the Final 2 spots go...Carolina & NYI. Montreal wont' make it, but they will beat the Leafs to prevent them from getting in too.

[Eazy_b97 1]

DiPietro gets knocked out of the game and all of a sudden NYI and Carolina are tied for 7/8th, Leafs 1 point behind, Habs and NYR are 2 points behind.

[RadioGaGa 162]

DiPietro gets knocked out of the game and all of a sudden NYI and Carolina are tied for 7/8th, Leafs 1 point behind, Habs and NYR are 2 points behind.

From a Habs fan point of view...I don't know what to think anymore. They can look awesome and awful in the same game (Hell, same shift). They score 6 against Buffalo but give up 8....get blown out in New York and give up a 3 goal lead to the Blues, but end up winning. Then they put together a solid effort tonight on a night where almost everyone else wins too, so they don't gain any ground.

But, I think I saw the graphic that of all the teams chasing 7 & 8...the Habs have the most games against the other teams (4 points games if you will). They MIGHT pull this out yet.

Having to play the Sabres in the first round...great reward for all the hard work.

[Cavs019 710]

Those four point games only help if you win them. If you lose they kill you.

[RadioGaGa 162]

Those four point games only help if you win them. If you lose they kill you.

No kidding. :(

[Adam91 0]

Having to play the Sabres in the first round...great reward for all the hard work.

The Habs matchup better with them the New Jersey, they wouldn't even need to bother showing up against them

[Razr 2]

(1)Buffalo

(2)New Jersey

(3)Atlanta

(4)Pittsburgh

(5)Ottawa

(6)Tampa Bay

(7)Carolina

(8)Rangers (If Shanny Returns, and DiPietro does not, Islanders if Vise Versa)

Second Round:

(1)Buffalo

(7)Carolina

(3)Atlanta

(4)Pittsburgh

[Hidious 0]

Yea, i think the Devils are going to steal first place. I'd rather play against the Sabres to be honest...

[ktang 34]

When does DiPietro return? Isles are in 9th, and the Hurricanes and Rangers are in with the Leafs and Habs just behind.

And, the Avs are only 4 pts behind the Flames in the West.

When does DiPietro return? Isles are in 9th, and the Hurricanes and Rangers are in with the Leafs and Habs just behind.

And, the Avs are only 4 pts behind the Flames in the West.

[Vapor 0]

Rangers, Toronto, Carolina, Boston, Isles all SUCK big time. I am ashamed at the Rangers for even being around these teams, but 22 one goal losses will do that to you and make you poor to mediocre. The fact that they are still in playoff position is amazing.

The more things progress, the more I see the Isles not holding on as well as TO. Boston and Montreal are lost causes, really. It is up to the Rangers to take that spot or even move up to 6th if they decide they want it enough

That is Blasphomy!!!!!! The rangers are 7-1-2 in there last ten and have been playing great lately. Sometimes all you need is a hot streak going into the playoffs to get you there... Oilers

[RadioGaGa 162]

After the way Halak played Saturday I'm (Cautiously) optimistic again....especially seeing as how Montreal has 2 v. Bos...2 v. NYR and one more v. Toronto. They are definitely running their own show.

[Vapor 0]

As long as you make the dance, who cares how you got there? You only need 16 wins in the playoffs. I would rather barley make it, but goin hot rather than have 90 points in january and enter with a whisper. Time and time again this has proven effective. Look at all the teams that rested players and cruised into the playoffs (Red Wings, more than once) and lost to low seeds.

[Super Star 0]

I hat to agree but Vapor is right lokkt at Oilers last season they just made it and went all the way to the finals

[mack 44]

Ahhh, the springtime hope of Rangers fans.

[Swiss17 0]

A friend of my fathers talked to Shanny and he said that Shanny said there is no way he comes back for the regular season but a playoff return is possible.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2805817

I guess Shanny lied to him?

[ktang 34]

4 teams within 1 point (Rangers, Hurricanes, Leafs, Habs), and Isles 1 point behind them.

I have a theory about why Carbonneau benched Samsonov, even after Kovalev was scratched for vertigo: he is going with a defensive team because Huet is out, and Samsonov isn't a good or average defensive player. As RadioGaGa says, the Habs are in control of their own destiny.

I'm hoping that the Isles get back in, because everybody was dumping on Wang and Snow for being idiots. They made the right moves at the deadline, but then DiPietro went all the way to the blueline and got hurt. I usually root for underdog players, but in this case it's the underdog owner and GM.

Leafs: it would be interesting to see them pull together after Maurice's sobbing in front of the media.

[kosydar 0]

Maurice's sobbing?

[ktang 34]

It was about a month ago, after a hard Leafs loss.

[Cavs019 710]

His head looked like a bobble-head doll after that one. Yikes.

[Eazy_b97 1]

It was about a month ago, after a hard Leafs loss.

I'd love a little more of an explanation considering I've watched almost all of his interviews and missed this one.

Destroying Philthy looked like just another day at the office...NEXT

Updated standings:

6) TB- 84 pts (8GR)

7) NYR- 83 pts (8GR)

8) Car- 80 pts (9GR)

9) TO- 80 pts (9GR)

10) MON- 80 pts (8GR)

11) NYI- 79 pts (10GR)

BTW- Avery was the best trade around the deadline, IMO. No team has been jumpstarted more from a trade than the Rangers w/ Avery

Avery has helped the Rags immensely. I wonder if the added time with NYR helped them, since he came about a month before the deadline.

[Hidious 0]

I have a theory about why Carbonneau benched Samsonov, even after Kovalev was scratched for vertigo: he is going with a defensive team because Huet is out, and Samsonov isn't a good or average defensive player. As RadioGaGa says, the Habs are in control of their own destiny.

Your theory is wrong. Samsonov is out the lineup because he publicly spoke against the Montreal Canadiens organisation. He clearly said he wanted out of Montreal. Would you make him play after that? No, stay home bitch.