What Happened to the Central Division?

[toby91_ca 620]

Seriously, I don't remember talking about this much, but earlier in the season, the talk was that the central division was no longer a cake walk, every team seemed to be fairly competitive. Now, as we approach the end of the season, 3 of the worst 5 teams in the conference are from the Central division and 4 of the 5 teams from the division are out of the playoffs. Nashville is only out by 2 pts, so they could theoretically get in, but still.

I guess I just didn't really notice the downward spiral of the other teams in the division until looking at standings recently. Maybe its because I normally do not look at the standings all that often during the year other than to see any battles for division leads, etc., not looking at the standings in totality.

[Zion 93]

Good question. I remember for a while noting that all 5 times were above the .500 mark. Now look.

I guess Nashville, St. Louis, Chicago and even Columbus are still a joke in this vastly-superior Western Conference.

[Icer 0]

The Blackhawks, Blues, and Jackets are still bottom feeders, but they are much improved bottom feeders. The Jackets have already surpassed last year's point totals. Chicago has too. The Hawks could finish as much as 20 points higher than last year.

[norrisnick 1]

They waste so much energy and focus trying to beat the big bad Red Wings that they have nothing left for anyone else.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Plain and simple, the Central Divisoin as a whole is apparently lazy and it sucks.

I think much like plenty of other hot start teams, they dropped back to reality. I actually give Nashville a lot of credit due to what they had to deal with this offseason (ownership change, fire sale), but the bottom line is that the other 3 just don't know how to win, and that goes for their brass as well.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

The Blackhawks, Blues, and Jackets are still bottom feeders, but they are much improved bottom feeders. The Jackets have already surpassed last year's point totals. Chicago has too. The Hawks could finish as much as 20 points higher than last year.

Very true, but the real test will be what they do next year. I've seen runs like the Blackhawks and the Jackets are having only to be followed by an embarrassing run the following season. The fact of the matter is, it happened to Chicago more than a couple times.

[arnoldbuck 0]

They waste so much energy and focus trying to beat the big bad Red Wings that they have nothing left for anyone else.

norrisnick, good to see you again. In a friend a few days back, it was mentioned about some of the regulars who werent around as much any more.

Yeah, its funny, because out here, people still try to credit Detroit success with feasting on the central, but this year, we haven't been anywhere near dominant against these guys. Its been when playing outsiders.

I think it is just growing pains. These teams are improved, but it takes a lot to remain at the top.

[cirov19 1]

... And it sucks for rivalries. We play these teams like 9 times a year and we don't even have any good rivalries going with any of them.

I would prefer Chicago as unreal.

[seeinred 1,488]

Chicago's only 4 points out of a playoff spot too, so they still have an outside shot.

[toby91_ca 620]

Chicago's only 4 points out of a playoff spot too, so they still have an outside shot.

True, but since they'd have to leapfrog 3 other teams, it makes it that much more unlikely.