miller76 463 Report post Posted April 5, 2010 here's the link Well, well ... doesn't that chart open up some eyes? The veteran Red Wings, hockey's model franchise over the past two decades, are at it again. The best record since the Olympics, the fourth-best record overall in the second half. Tough to ignore the Winged Wheel, eh?Don't say I didn't warn you puckheads about Detroit's rise. It was pretty much a universal belief around the league that once the Wings finally put an injury-riddled first half behind them, they'd be primed for a run. Well, that's exactly what happened, and the Wings are very much ready for another spring run thanks to excellent goaltending from Jimmy Howard. Right now, my money is on either Detroit or Vancouver to make the Cup finals out of the West. Of course, if the playoffs started Monday, the Canucks and Wings would face off in the first round in the No. 3 versus No. 6 matchup. That would knock off a red-hot team in a hurry. POINTS SINCE OLYMPIC BREAKTEAM GP RECORD PTS PTS % Detroit 18 13-3-2 28 .778 Washington 16 10-2-4 24 .750 Phoenix 16 11-4-1 23 .719 Nashville 19 13-5-1 27 .710 Montreal 16 10-4-2 22 .687 Vancouver 18 11-5-2 24 .667 Pittsburgh 16 9-4-3 21 .656 Toronto 18 10-5-3 23 .639 St. Louis 16 10-6-0 20 .625 N.Y. Rangers 16 8-5-3 19 .594 Calgary 17 10-7-0 20 .588 New Jersey 17 8-5-4 20 .588 Buffalo 18 10-7-1 21 .583 Carolina 18 9-6-3 21 .583 Anaheim 16 8-6-2 18 .563 N.Y. Islanders 16 8-6-2 18 .563 Columbus 16 7-6-3 17 .531 Chicago 17 8-7-2 18 .529 San Jose 17 8-7-2 18 .529 Boston 18 9-8-1 19 .528 Atlanta 19 8-8-3 19 .500 Los Angeles 17 7-7-3 17 .500 Minnesota 18 7-8-3 17 .472 Florida 17 7-8-2 16 .470 Ottawa 16 7-8-1 15 .469 Philadelphia 19 7-9-3 17 .447 Dallas 18 7-9-2 16 .444 Colorado 17 7-9-1 15 .441 Edmonton 17 5-10-2 12 .352 Tampa Bay 17 5-11-1 11 .324 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barrie 900 Report post Posted April 5, 2010 I agree with LeBrun, it's either Detroit or Vancouver as the 2010 Western Conference Champions. And I have Washington to win the East. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mindfly Report post Posted April 5, 2010 Why are you guys forgetting about Chicago? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Konnan511 1,736 Report post Posted April 5, 2010 Detroit was terrible heading into the playoffs two years ago when they won the cup. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marty Barry 230 Report post Posted April 5, 2010 I hate it when the Wings are favored. With the exception of the 2002 team, I mean, how could you not favor them? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doc Holliday 1,888 Report post Posted April 5, 2010 Why are you guys forgetting about Chicago? Because we like to spite you and your negative ways. PS: We didn't right the article. 2 blankrap and Hossa4Life reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barrie 900 Report post Posted April 5, 2010 Why are you guys forgetting about Chicago? Injuries on their D and questionable goaltending. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted April 5, 2010 ESPN thinks that the Wings will come out of the West? Well, there goes the Wings chances for any playoff success this year. Barry Melrose and crew are supposed to doubt the Wings and then the Wings prove them wrong. That's how the dynamic goes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mindfly Report post Posted April 5, 2010 Injuries on their D and questionable goaltending. Oh you think Campbell is that important, he's back to the 2nd round last time i heard... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heroes of Hockeytown 694 Report post Posted April 5, 2010 Oh you think Campbell is that important, he's back to the 2nd round last time i heard... A position Chicago will never reach if they run afoul with the Winged Wheel in the first round. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kylee 727 Report post Posted April 5, 2010 (edited) when is sammy coming back for the nucks? Edited April 5, 2010 by kylee Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted April 5, 2010 Detroit was terrible heading into the playoffs two years ago when they won the cup. What? From March until the end of the season they went 12-2-1 that year. 1 Drake_Marcus reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barrie 900 Report post Posted April 5, 2010 What? From March until the end of the season they went 12-2-1 that year. Right. Konnan511 must have got 2008 mixed up with 2002. Simple mistake considering we've won so many times 2 Lidstrom for life and aflac9262 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Konnan511 1,736 Report post Posted April 5, 2010 What? From March until the end of the season they went 12-2-1 that year. Right. Konnan511 must have got 2008 mixed up with 2002. Simple mistake considering we've won so many times Fact. Bears. Beats. Battlestar Galactica. Trying to multitask opening day, listening to my girl tell some pointless story about her friend and how she talks behind peoples back or something about shoes, haven't been paying attention long enough, but I'm sure it's about one of those two, and trying to cook dinner. My posts today have all been jacked up and i appreciate tit2 for pointing them all out haha. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
swiss_fan 3 Report post Posted April 5, 2010 The results since the olympic break make me think it would be nice to face either the Hawks or the Sharks. This is the last 17 games so their record is definitively relevant. Unfortunately i can see us facing either the Nucks or the Yotes, two of the hottest teams in the league.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SDavis35 140 Report post Posted April 5, 2010 Why are you guys forgetting about Chicago? Chicago is slumping since the Olympic Break. If they make it past round 1, they're one of the strongest, but if they get stopped early they won't get injuries back. Washington vs. Vancouver is my theoretical Cup final, with Washington winning out. Problem with Vancouver right now is that they haven't been strong since the Olympic break either. There's weak points to each team in the West right now, but Detroit has looked best in the past month so who knows. It's a tough call. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barrie 900 Report post Posted April 5, 2010 Trying to multitask opening day Man those Tigers! A new season, and they still can't hit ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cupforwings 138 Report post Posted April 5, 2010 If Detroit isn't in the cup finals, it will be Chicago, unfortunately ... As much as we want to write off the Hawks, they are still one of the best teams in the league... The only team that can stop Chicago is Detroit IMHO.... And the only way I can see the East winning the cup is if the west beats each other up too bad Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Konnan511 1,736 Report post Posted April 5, 2010 Man those Tigers! A new season, and they still can't hit ! I know I know!!! But the Tigers are facing Zach "Cy Young" Greinke. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kylee 727 Report post Posted April 5, 2010 If Detroit isn't in the cup finals, it will be Chicago, unfortunately ... As much as we want to write off the Hawks, they are still one of the best teams in the league... The only team that can stop Chicago is Detroit IMHO.... And the only way I can see the East winning the cup is if the west beats each other up too bad capitals, penguins... no? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barrie 900 Report post Posted April 5, 2010 (edited) I know I know!!! But the Tigers are facing Zach "Cy Young" Greinke. True, but the last inning they had 1st and 2nd and no one out, and only got one run!.. Sizemore just lead off the 7th with a walk, hopefully they can add a few more here. Edit: There we go! The Tigs have put up a 4-spot in the 7th, and still only one out! 6-4 Tigers Edited April 5, 2010 by Barrie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Konnan511 1,736 Report post Posted April 5, 2010 True, but the last inning they had 1st and 2nd and no one out, and only got one run!.. Sizemore just lead off the 7th with a walk, hopefully they can add a few more here. Edit: There we go! The Tigs have put up a 4-spot in the 7th, and still only one out! 6-4 Tigers Make that a six spot. 8-4 Tigers! Back on point. I don't see Vancouver making it that far. They are above average everywhere. Sharks don't worry me at all and I think goaltending and over confidence will be the hawks' downfall. All other team in the West are irrelevant IMHO. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tommy_Like_Wingy 25 Report post Posted April 6, 2010 Fact. Bears. Beats. Battlestar Galactica. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted April 6, 2010 I really wanted to disagree with the conventional wisdom and come up with some unique reasons for picking different teams, but I just don't see anyone other than Vancouver, Detroit and Washington making the finals. The East is so weak that barring some collossal upset by a lucky team, no one will beat Washington. If they lose it's a crap shoot as each other team could beat any other team because they're all at the same level. In the West it's up for grabs, but I don't see the Sharks breaking their bad karma and I don't think Chicago really has that grit to dig down deep and gun for the Cup, especially against a more experienced Wings team with similar talent or an all around solid Vancouver squad. As for Phoenix, they won't go far, they just aren't deep enough. And as for the rest....meh. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheOwl 77 Report post Posted April 6, 2010 I don't know if other people agree, or have noticed, but I've watched Ovechkin's last half dozen games, and he really stands around a lot waiting for things to happen. I mean, he doesn't back-check very hard, and he's always seems to be just floating around waiting for a one-timer. He hasn't been playing well lately, he looks a bit "lost". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites