jjd06e 10 Report post Posted March 29, 2009 If the playoffs started today all 5 teams would be in the playoffs. Remember when people used to say the Wings racked up wins because the division they played in on the other hand the pacific only has one team currently in....... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bluedevils_13 0 Report post Posted March 29, 2009 I can't remember the last time an entire division has made it into the playoffs, but I think the division has come a long way this season, and it's crazy that St.Louis and Nashville are still in the playoff contention. I'd like to hear what some of the critics have to say about the Central this year, even though it hasn't completed yet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jjd06e 10 Report post Posted March 29, 2009 beat you by two minutes Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bluedevils_13 0 Report post Posted March 29, 2009 But mine has more replies. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
XxGoWingsxX 0 Report post Posted March 29, 2009 I know man right? The wings used to be picked on for playing in a weak division. This year the wings have had a rough season and are still managing to be at the top of the league, and I'd like to think that maybe the reason the wings have looked a little flat despite winning all season is because the teams in our division which we play more games against, got stronger this year. Right? Thats not to say that our boys haven't just had some flat out atrocious games though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blood On The Ice 15 Report post Posted March 29, 2009 If the playoffs started today all 5 teams would be in the playoffs. Remember when people used to say the Wings racked up wins because the division they played in on the other hand the pacific only has one team currently in....... Actually, St'Louis would not make it. They lose the tire breaker with Edmonton for the 8th spot. Oilers win based on head to head. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CopenhagenWing 38 Report post Posted March 29, 2009 on the other hand the pacific only has one team currently in....... True, not once this season have I heard mention of the Sharks being the beneficiary of playing in a "weak" division. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blood On The Ice 15 Report post Posted March 29, 2009 I can't remember the last time an entire division has made it into the playoffs, but I think the division has come a long way this season, and it's crazy that St.Louis and Nashville are still in the playoff contention. I'd like to hear what some of the critics have to say about the Central this year, even though it hasn't completed yet. I hope they all make it too. But St.Louis is not in yet. Edmonton holds the tire breaker for the 8th spot based on head to head. However the blues are playing better than the Oilers, so hopefully they can over take Edmonton for the 8th spot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jjd06e 10 Report post Posted March 29, 2009 Actually, St'Louis would not make it. They lose the tire breaker with Edmonton for the 8th spot. Oilers win based on head to head. are you sure, NHL.com standings have St. Louis listed in the 8th spot Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lets go pavel 2 Report post Posted March 29, 2009 Edmonton wins the tie break and is in 8th at the moment ... same # points, same # games, same # wins, head-to head EDM earned 8 pts compared to 2 for STL ... imagine if this was the end of the season, what a s***ty way to miss the playoffs. Glad it's not us! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SouthernWingsFan 854 Report post Posted March 29, 2009 Even last year when the division improved, the Wings still won the division without much difficulty, even with that lengthy losing streak as well. Nothing to get too riled up about. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dimaline312000 51 Report post Posted March 30, 2009 When can Detroit clinch the Division if they haven't already if they get back on the winning side of things? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheOwl 77 Report post Posted March 30, 2009 Columbus and Nashville both have real shots at upsets. Imagine an all Central 2nd round, it would have to be the first time anything even close to that occurred. Vancouver though is a scary team, they have a mediocre roster, but they're playing with confidence because of their one trick pony Luongo. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trapt1307 81 Report post Posted March 30, 2009 When can Detroit clinch the Division if they haven't already if they get back on the winning side of things? They just clinched tonight, with Chicago's loss. Chicago can get to 107 points (what the Wings have now), but the Wings would hold the tiebreaker because the Hawks can't match the Wings win total at this point. Pretty crappy way to clinch, but whatever. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dimaline312000 51 Report post Posted March 30, 2009 They just clinched tonight, with Chicago's loss. Chicago can get to 107 points (what the Wings have now), but the Wings would hold the tiebreaker because the Hawks can't match the Wings win total at this point. Pretty crappy way to clinch, but whatever. You're right it is kinda a crappy way to clinch but I'll take it. Go Wings!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grypho 195 Report post Posted March 30, 2009 You're right it is kinda a crappy way to clinch but I'll take it. Go Wings!!!! Meh, definitely more fun when it happens after a win of your own, rather than someone else's loss, but a clinch is a clinch, and every past win contributed to that. It is very strange to see an entire division poised to make the playoffs, but also very cool. The last time it happened was 1980-81, with the entire Adams Division. That was also five teams - Boston, Buffalo, Minnesota, Quebec, and Toronto - but the league was smaller then, which makes this one more statistically meaningful if it happens than back then, given the added competition. The Ducks are out of 8th by only one point now (with Oilers and Wild 1 and 2 points behind them). They're going to do everything in their power to keep 100% of Central out, but the Sharks will do everything in their power to keep the Ducks' dreams from coming true -- (that is, after they go against the Flames, who are still reeling from their humiliating 5-0 defeat by Columbus, but still neck in neck for Division, and that coveted third seed, against Vancouver). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Shoreline Report post Posted March 30, 2009 (edited) Not only are the Central teams winning games, but, contrary to what I thought wouldn't happen, they are involved in a good handful of 3 point games against division opponents, which is the winning combo needed for all five teams making it, as well as the Wings/Hawks/Jax (for the most part secure in the playoffs) losing to the lower teams (Nashville/St. Louis). I'm still doubting all five will do it, but it would be funny if they did. Their last 8 games: (some of them have played 1 or 2) St. Louis' last 8 games, 5 of them = Division games. Chicago's last 8 games, 7 of them = Division games. Columbus' last 8 games, 7 of them = Division games. Nashville's last 8 games, 6 of them = Division games. Edited March 30, 2009 by Shoreline Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted March 30, 2009 beat you by two minutes Actually I beat you both by a couple weeks. Anyway, right now all teams from the Central are still in the playoffs, with every playoff contending team below them having an equal amount of games played. What makes it even more probable that they will all still be here 7-8 games from now is the fact that even though there is a number of intradivisonal games in the Central, Anaheim Edmonton and Minnesota each have a pretty rough schedule ahead of them. Anaheim: at Edmonton (another playoff contender outside the bubble) at Vancouver at San Jose (awesome for Wings fans) vs San Jose (back to back nights is even better) vs Dallas at Phoenix Edmonton: vs Anaheim (see above) vs San Jose (awesome for Wings fans, also) vs Vancouver vs LA vs Calgary at Calgary (home and home) Minnesota: vs Vancouver vs Calgary at Detroit (this should cancel out the wins that the Wings pick up vs Central opponents ) vs Dallas vs Nashville at Columbus Columbus, Nashville, and St. Louis all have intradivision games coming up, but they may very well be able to lose at least one each, assuming neither of the above teams is flawless in their fairly difficult schedules. They've tended to all go to OT anyway, so hopefully that trend continues. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SouthernWingsFan 854 Report post Posted March 31, 2009 SI.com article regarding this... http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writ...on/?eref=sircrc Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SDavis35 140 Report post Posted April 1, 2009 (edited) SI.com article regarding this... http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writ...on/?eref=sircrc NHL.com as well http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=416233 Edited April 1, 2009 by SDavis35 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
