toby91_ca

I think the intention was for those that will be competing in this year's Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Some already benefit from weak division, and why should they benefit even more. Pens and Flyers playing in the first round is kind of silly for example.

Do you really expect him to last until he is 40? If so, I can't imagine him averaging anywhere close to 28 goals a year over that period. He hasn't scored close to that many in a few years and you'd have to imagine he'll continue to decline as is normal.

Didn't see it, but I think there are instances when the goalie is pulled where automatic goals can be awarded.

Now, I'm assuming that response is from a Canadian....I am now embarrased to share a country with someone like that, but anyway, his/her statement is so ironic: Last year's playoff teams: Vancouver - 14 Canadians, 5 Americans Boston - 15 Canadians, 1 American

There way no elbow from Sedin to Keith. There was some head contact with shoulder, but not much to scrutinize.

In reference to Marchand in the playoffs....what were they looking for him to receive? How you justify anything other than 2min?

Maybe more close to home when it comes to Pens (close to their home).....did they think their 1993 team had it locked up?

Couple comments: '96 - yes, teh Avs were #2 in the West, but the West was pretty s***ty, #3 had 94pts. They were 10pts up on #3, but Detroit was 27pts ahead of them. '09 - Anaheim was not only the 8th seed in the West, they were actually the worst team (points wise) going into the playoffs (East and West combined) that year. It is true...anything can happen in a 7 game series, nothing is guaranteed. There are several examples of that, some of which apply to Detroit (2006 is another good example). How about the '86 Oilers. They scored 424 goals in the regular season, they finished 30pts ahead of the team that beat them in the playoffs.

Rather than argue against your "logic", can you answer the question I asked? Do you think henri Richard is the best player of all time?

I'm sorry, but your logic is severely flawed. First of all, Lidstrom is no longer close to being the best player in the, that is a simple fact. You are putting him there just because teams he played on in the last 15 years happened to win more cups than other players in the league? How messed up is that. All else being equal, you can use Cups as a measuring stick, but when it comes right down to it, it doesn't matter how good you are as a player or as a teammate, if you don't have other good players, a good team, to play with, you have no chance at the cup. This isn't the NBA where individuals have such an impact on the outcome. Is Henri Richard the best NHL player of all time?

Please don't use +/- as an argument, it is a flawed stat, but if you really insist, Crosby has 21pts in 12 games this year and is a +14, Datsyuk has 60pts in 61 games and is a +19......what does that tell you? It doesn't tell me anything at all really, but based on what you are saying, it would appear as though Crosby must be much better defensively, right? Look, no one is going to argue that Crosby is better defensively than Datsyuk (at least not right now). I will argue that he is just as good if not better defensively than Datsyuk was at the same age though. None of that matters though, fact is, Datsyuk is one of the best forwards out there defensively, Crosby is not one of the best, but he is certainly responsible and continues to improve that area. So, Datsyuk gets the edge there, but the edge he has there is much smaller than the edge Crosby has offensively. The other problem is measuring defense is very difficult. Datsyuk probably gets more credit than he should defensively for his takeaway stats. But how else can you measure defense? +/-.....yikes, I hope not. I wouldn't look at penalty killing either because Datsyuk was like the 5th option on the Wings but still one Selke. The Pens started to play Crosby there, but will likely hold him back quite a bit until he gets back into the lineup for the long term. The big issue with puting stars out on the PK is risk of injury.

That's what I'm saying, players benefit from who the play with.....depending on who they play with.

Ask Matt Cooke and Tyler Kennedy if their stats have been boosted over the past 4 games because Crosby has been inserted as their centre. Cooke has 4 goals and 6pts over those 4 games and Kennedy has 2 goals and 6pts. It doesn't always work the same way with centres, but it depends on the player. Crosby, for example, seems to produce regardless of who he plays with. That said, I don't think he's ever really had the opportunity to play with a true sniper on his wing. I think Neal was brought in to play with Crosby eventually, but with Crosby out, looks like he's developed good chemistry with Malkin.

He's easily the best 3rd line Centre in the league right now. Wonder how much better he'll get when his minutes increase and he gets better linemates.

Nope, we aren't sure...which is why I suggested that if Crosby and Letang are able to play the rest of the regular season and enter the playoffs healthy, then Pittsburgh probably is the favourite. I think the rest of the regular season should give some indication of whether Crosby will be able to stay healthy, I think there will be enough physical play down the stetch to test him.

If Crosby and Letang make it through the rest of the regular season and are healthy going into the playoffs, they are likely the favourites, but most people around here should no better than to suggest they are a lock....see 1995-96 Wings. I remember back then when I was thinking they were going to win the Cup having only to play 16 games in the playoffs.

Somewhat related, funny thing as a Winnipeg vs. Washington game the other day

If you are talking pure offensively, yes, he is far and away better. If he hadn't gotten hurt last year, he would likely have scored close to 65 goals and won the scoring title by 30+ points. If healthy this year, probably even more than that.

17 pts, +12 in 10 games. Pretty impressive after all the time he's missed. What he showed before getting hurt last year and in the small sample size this year, no one is even close offensively. He's good defensively as well, just not the best. Why do so many people try to argue defensive ability is so much more important than offensive when you are talking about best all-around forward? I can understand when you are talking about a one-dimensional player, but he's not. Another point of reference....the players voted him the best a few weeks ago even though he had only played 8 games a few months before the poll.

Didn't he leave his feet and catch him in the head with an elbow? I understand the lunge for the puck dropped the other player down low, but that probably causes the suspension to be less than it otherwise would be. You cannot remove all responsibility from the hitter just because the player getting hit put himself in a vulnerable position.

First time I've ever heard/seen someone suggest "x" games behind when referring to hockey. To answer the question though, it is mathematically possible to catch St. Louis, but with only 11 games to go and being behind by 7 points, it's highly unlikely.

I had a look at the video of the Malkin hit....not sure how you can conclude that it was the same thing...pretty glaring differences if you ask me: - Malkin isn't obviously angry and looking to take it out on someone like Myers was - The puck was in play (not so on the Myers hit) - Malkin was looking to make shoulder to shoulder contact was the other player drops his right shoulder at the last second causing Malkin to hit him in the back (Myers hit was directly from behind all the way).

It was 6 games, not 8, but that's not the point. I can't speak for everyone else, but it's not this year that I am worried about....at all.

Tell me you are not serious. As you age, you become more susceptible to injuries....period. A puck off the ankle at the end of 20 may just result in a bruise, but it could result in a break at the age of 40. The bigger issue though, as someone has alrady noted, is recovery time.