I'll tell you, this division has been really good after a slow start. Elminate the crap teams at the bottom the Canes, Devs and Flyers, and the rest have been VERY good. CBJ 2 wins in a row. 8-1-1 in their last 10...I saw this one coming weeks ago. Caps 6-1-3 in their last 10. Isles 6-3-1 in their last 10. Pens 5-3-2 in their last 10...and have been playing without a ton of regulars. We are 9-1 in our last 10. The battle for the top 3 spots is going to be a great one. Not sure if CBJ can make up for their terrible injury riddled start, but they are trying. They are still 9 points behind us (even in games) and 10 behind the Caps (with two games in hand). We are 1 behind the Caps, but have two games in hand to go up 3. And we are 7 behind the Pens and Isles, but we have two games in hand on each so we could close within 3 points. Going to be an interesting 2nd half of the season in the Met.
For some reason that point the Isles gave the Caps is still bothering me. And Chicago did absolutely nothing in the 3rd period today.
Yeah, Caps have been solid at coming back. That point bothers me also. I wanted the Isles to win in regulation, secure playoff position before you worry about 2nd, and up 3-0 it was crazy the Caps got a point. Today they score with 13 seconds left to win after a terrible call on Toews, and a no show on their own PP. Give the Caps credit though, they play hard and don't give up. We saw it last week at 3-0 and they came charging back and almost tied it before we got a 2-man advantage goal. They remind me a lot of us last season. I think they will stick around all season now. I like Trotz and I always thought Holtby had skills. If OV plays a 2-way game they are tough.
Another night and the Met just wins again. Pens beat TB and the Isles beat the Flames. The Canes, Devs, and Flyers are now 100% done. So we have 5 teams battling for the 3 spots. While we can get to within 3 of the Pens and Isles with games in hand, you have to figure they have a great shot to be in given the actual # of points they have. And while I like CBJ, they are going to have to continue to play out of their minds to make up 9 points on us. They have a better shot to make up 6 points on the Caps, when you factor in games in hand, but that won't be easy either. More likely it is us and the Caps battling for the last locked in playoff spot in the Met (that doesn't mean I don't think either can pass the Pens or Isles...it means I think it would be unlikely for both to pass them and the Rangers and Caps BOTH finish top 3 in the Met). I am sure at some point some of the 5 Met teams will lose a few games, outside of the Pens who had a cushion and a ton of injuries, none have more than 2 L's in their last 10 games (Pens have 3). I just hope it isn't us as we start a crazy hard 7 game stretch after a W over the Sabres at MSG tonight...hopefully.
Caps win again today. Isles play at the Oilers tonight, should be a win you'd figure. Pens lost last night against Montreal. BJ's lost last night at Zona. 7 behind the Isles...3 games in hand to get within 1 point. 7 behind the Pens...3 games in hand to get within 1 point. 1 behind the Caps...2 games in hand to go ahead by 3 points. 9 ahead of the BJ's...1 game in hand to go ahead by 11 points. They are almost done because of their awful start. Caps and Isles not losing right now.
Time for the weekly Met update. Highlights: Top of the division continues to win. The BJ's are just about done now since they have lost a couple, and couldn't afford it after a terrible start. 5 behind the Isles...3 games in hand to go ahead by 1 point. 4 behind the Pens...2 games in hand to tie in points. Tied with the Caps...2 games in hand to go ahead by 4 points. 13 ahead of the BJ's...1 game in hand to go ahead by 15 points. Unless this week changes something, they will be removed for next week. We are just about down to 4 teams for 3 locked in Met division spots. If we finish 1st I think we have a great shot to get out of this division and get back to at least the ECF. Even if we don't finish 1st I still think we have a pretty stong shot to get out of the Met.
enormous week for metro, especially for Isles. They got Pitt, NYR and Montreal. Now that there getting more and more attention, this will be the acid test for them. We need to be at our best tues. night, and im sure we will. The last 3 games against them are in the coliseum. Should be wild.
What makes Tuesday tough on us is the first home game after a long trip, or West trip, is always tough to get going. No excuses we need to be ready, but that could be a factor for us. I will be at the game on LI the 27th. Should be a great crowd.
be careful at coliseum, can get intense in there, security not the best. be ready to drop the gloves. Ha.
Time for the weekly Met update. Highlights: Pens starting to struggle. They have a lot of injuries, but I think they could be the odd team out and end up as a WC. The BJ's are done, 15 behind us and the Caps. I am taking them out. All 4 of the Met teams have pretty much locked in playoff spots IMO. 5 behind the Isles...2 games in hand to get within 1 point. 2 behind the Pens...1 game in hand to tie in points. Tied with the Caps...2 games in hand to go ahead by 4 points (no change from last week). Down to 4 teams for 3 locked in Met division spots.
Your weekly Met update is back after a week off for the AS break. Highlights: Pens continue to struggle. Lost again today. Got whipped by the Caps this week as well. The Caps are finally coming back down to earth. Lost 2 straight and are 4-4-2 in their last 10. And the Isles dropped two straight after beating us. All 4 of the Met teams have pretty much locked in playoff spots. I think the Isles wil be 1. We'll most likely be 2. And the Caps and Pens will battle for 3 and 4. I rather have the Pens finish 3 and play them in round 1. Then have the Caps and Isles battle in round 1. And most likely we'd face the Isles in round 2. 5 behind the Isles...2 games in hand to get within 1 point. 4 behind the Pens...3 games in hand to go ahead by 2 points. Tied with the Caps...3 games in hand to go ahead by 6 points. We'll also own the ROW TB on all 3 teams as well. Down to 4 teams for 3 locked in Met division spots.
if we upgrade our top 9 and add a face-off specialist, we can finish first in the division. If we don't upgrade our roster then we will probably end up third.
I actually think we'll finish 2nd as is. If we upgrade maybe we can be 1st. To be honest I am fine with 2nd. I would like to play the Pens, and I think they will stay ahead of the Caps.
I am sick and tired as the Pens the face of NHL & NBC broadcasts. Anything to build up that franchise! Nauseatingly boring.
Mess, You knew Toronto would self-desruct in the face of rotten team morale....and a rambunctious Icelander squad.... who just do not lose to inferior teams. Nothing fazes that team this year.
I wouldn't worry too much about it Mess. The fact that the Isles struggled in OT to beat the Leafs isn't a great look. The Isles D is very shaky. Right now with games in hand we are 5 up and own the TB over the Isles and Pens. Even if we lose tonight at the Isles we can still be 3 up and own the TB with games in hand. If we continue to play well we'll win the division regardless of what these other teams do. If we win tonight we'll finish ahead of the Isles 98% for sure. If we lose tonight I think we'll still finish ahead, but maybe 60% for sure. Tonight is bigger for them no doubt. We sit in a very good spot playing well, owning all the TB's, and having games in hand. Good position to be in.
Just saw Okposo may play tonight. Adds to the fun. Should be an exciting game. Big game both ways of course, but with 4 more games played, the Isles know if they want to win the division they must win tonight.
