I'm an anti-All Star game person, but I think the NHL skills competition might be the best all-star game event of the major sports.
it's like the HR derby, 3-point shooting contest, etc. but better. I'd be fine if they left it at simply a skills competition, old-timers game, and recognition, and moved it to after the season, not during.
but...here it is.
Atlantic:
Metro:
will post others as released on twitter
Don't forget I think it's a 3 on 3 tournament, look at the D in the Pacific and Atlantic. Far better suited for this format than the Metro IMO.
Central might be the best team by far. but I doubt Subban and Laine play.
As are the D's for Atlantic.
As are the D's for Atlantic.
Pacific D too. Burns and Doughty? They might as well be forwards they're so good with the puck.
I said I'm anti-all-star game.
being the best all-star game is like being the tallest midget. someone has to be it.
should be interesting to see, kind of like a pond hockey feel.
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get off your high horse.
I said I'm anti-all-star game.
being the best all-star game is like being the tallest midget. someone has to be it.
i was joking bud. referring to the thread from last night.
But somehow Rangers seem to be playing well through all the back-to-backs so whatev (so far)
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In comment 13319964 B in ALB said:
Quote:
get off your high horse.
I said I'm anti-all-star game.
being the best all-star game is like being the tallest midget. someone has to be it.
i was joking bud. referring to the thread from last night.
Missed it, rangers game thread or was there an NHL all-star game thread?
Either way, hockey has me depressed right now.
Canadiens have 7 regulars out of the lineup, many long-term. the Capitals have lost 10-man games all season. All f-ing season. Canadiens lost 7-man games last night, Capitals 10 all season.
They are becoming the Giants of the NHL the past couple years with the injuries.
I know no one cares, "bummer", but whatever.....
...which basically means the first and second rounds, like last year, will look like the NHL semis and final (the Caps/Penguins series last year i felt was for the Cup).
....and for a second straight year if Montreal holds on for the division, like Florida they will be penalized for doing so, since they would then face a top 4 NHL team versus Ottawa/Boston who are currently positioned 7th & 8th respectively, in the conference.
I dont think any team lays down, but with Tampa seemingly going through the motions this year (yes I know Stamkos is hurt) you wonder if they are trying to do just enough to be part of that 2 vs 3 first round series again.
...which basically means the first and second rounds, like last year, will look like the NHL semis and final (the Caps/Penguins series last year i felt was for the Cup).
....and for a second straight year if Montreal holds on for the division, like Florida they will be penalized for doing so, since they would then face a top 4 NHL team versus Ottawa/Boston who are currently positioned 7th & 8th respectively, in the conference.
I dont think any team lays down, but with Tampa seemingly going through the motions this year (yes I know Stamkos is hurt) you wonder if they are trying to do just enough to be part of that 2 vs 3 first round series again.
Look at Pittsburgh, Washington and even Columbus records vs. the Atlantic.
It's a whopping 27 - 5- 4 (for the record they're 22 - 11 - 4 vs the metro, they're all just flat out playing well).
but that record vs the Atlantic is ridiculous and IMO explains the standings.
the rest of the conference inter-division games pretty much are even, but those three have been lights out vs. the Atlantic this year and I don't know if there's even enough inter-division games left to allow it to normalize.
if not, c'est la vie. sucks for some teams.
the rest of the conference inter-division games pretty much are even, but those three have been lights out vs. the Atlantic this year and I don't know if there's even enough inter-division games left to allow it to normalize.
So the bottom 5 of the Metro are even against the entire Atlantic, including its top dog MTL. Shows you the Metro is head-and-shoulders better than the Atlantic, its not just about 3 teams.
Especially when the Rangers are 28-13-1 so I'm not even sure what focusing only on ATL vs Metro matchups even tells you. Rangers are 14-4-0 against the West. Those games count too.
So if you have such a disaprity of inter-conference records for the 3 teams I mentioned it explains the overall record disparity without looking any further. But look further if you want or don't understand my rationale.
I don't also agree that on January 10th we know who is better than anyone else. A lot of hockey left it would be like saying in November based on records at that time the NFC North is the best division in football. Let's let the season play out before crowning anyone. not that I care. If it works out the metro is the best division in hockey I don't care. it's the way it goes sometimes.
For reference, the Penguins weren't even a playoff team at this time last year.