NHL '08- '09 Thread

[motortown]

WTF is up with the Wings (and "pesky" Saturday opponents)?!!! For a while I was thinking that it might be Detroit/San Jose playing for the West... until last Wed came along (w/Calgary getting a whole lot better). And now, down the stretch, I'm seeing the team playing unfocused in certain games, and their defense taking most nights off. Just please don't use the "hurt/injured player(s)" excuse... it's late in the season, and everybody's banged-up and trying to get healthy. While I always want to see good, competitive play through til the end, I just hope this isn't another early-out season (1st or 2nd round). And no, I'm not freakin' out.... just a bit concerned...

[icehog3]

Hawks are in the exact same boat, John...playing like they have already clinched a playoff spot. Brian Campbell has been awful the past couple weeks, not acceptable for a 7.5 million dollar player, and now Havlat joins Sharp and Khabibulin on the injured list. Not a good way to go into the last month of the season.

[cigarusmaximus]

The Flames seem to be falling into a complacent trend as well. Losing their last two games to teams they should have beaten, albeit on the road.

Iginla has been hot and cold this season. I'm hoping the new top line will start gelling in time for the post season run....

Assuming the top line starts rolling and they start playing with the grit and dertermination they have in years past, I see the Flames or San Jose coming out of the West.

[motortown]

"DOUBLE WTF"... Gainey fires Carbonneau, takes helm as interim coach??...WOW!!... I mean, we all knew that he was kinda on the hotseat, with Habs fans and the press mounting a small revolt. Still, I thought the dude was safe for now, with a possible move made off-season (depending upon.._). Bummer.

Originally Posted by cigarusmaximus

The Flames seem to be falling into a complacent trend as well....

Dude... Keenan's the coach that really needs to be fired!!!!

[motortown]

Originally Posted by icehog3

Hawks are in the exact same boat, John...playing like they have already clinched a playoff spot. Brian Campbell has been awful the past couple weeks, not acceptable for a 7.5 million dollar player, and now Havlat joins Sharp and Khabibulin on the injured list. Not a good way to go into the last month of the season.

Yeah Tom, but as you well know... they're setting themselves up for a lotta nice runs, and for a number of years!!! Man, I'd absolutely love another great Wings-Hawks rivalry!!

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by motortown

Yeah Tom, but as you well know... they're setting themselves up for a lotta nice runs, and for a number of years!!! Man, I'd absolutely love another great Wings-Hawks rivalry!!

I am hoping the Hawks are good enough to give the Wings a run sometime soon!

[bugmenot]

Originally Posted by icehog3

Hawks are in the exact same boat, John...playing like they have already clinched a playoff spot. Brian Campbell has been awful the past couple weeks, not acceptable for a 7.5 million dollar player, and now Havlat joins Sharp and Khabibulin on the injured list. Not a good way to go into the last month of the season.

Just wait till the playoffs for Campbell... That guy flat out disappeared for the sharks last season. Didn't think he was worth that amount of money either. Anybody think the blues may find a way to sneak their way in?

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by bugmenot

Just wait till the playoffs for Campbell... That guy flat out disappeared for the sharks last season. Didn't think he was worth that amount of money either. Anybody think the blues may find a way to sneak their way in?

Campbell has been playing like crap lately.

A gifted "puck mover" and powerplay QB, but a defensive liability...not worth what the Hawks paid, though I hope he proves me wrong come playoff time.

The Blues? They can set their tee-times for April 13th.

[SmokeyJoe]

How about a little love for the Hurricanes...

Look like a great sleeper from the East. They are 8-2 over their last ten games, including big wins over Calgary and the Rangers... not to mention, the total beatdown they put on Tampa Bay the other night. Erik Staal had 4 goals!

Eric Cole has been a real spark plug since the trade. Watch this team... they went from 9th in the East to 6th (closely contested part of the East standings right now). I feel real good about their chances.

[bugmenot]

Originally Posted by motortown

WTF is up with the Wings (and "pesky" Saturday opponents)?!!! For a while I was thinking that it might be Detroit/San Jose playing for the West... until last Wed came along (w/Calgary getting a whole lot better). And now, down the stretch, I'm seeing the team playing unfocused in certain games, and their defense taking most nights off. Just please don't use the "hurt/injured player(s)" excuse... it's late in the season, and everybody's banged-up and trying to get healthy. While I always want to see good, competitive play through til the end, I just hope this isn't another early-out season (1st or 2nd round). And no, I'm not freakin' out.... just a bit concerned...

You and I both. Sharks have been playing flat for the past 2-3 months now. I think they have played maybe 2 good games, the rest have sucked. Yeah, they got injuries, and some major ones, but come one. Injuries means you can loose, not play like crap. I think for the sharks a lot has to do with the fact that they have clinched, but there is still the whole conference to go for. Saddening.