Metal Reviews

Vancouver definitely has a shot this year. They've been the best team in the league for the past month.

Yeah...but unfortunately a month doesn't make a season

Could be said for any team. They got their asses handed to them against Buffalo last night.

Oh and the NHL Network is awsome, I watch it almost nightly as it shows every goal and shootout goal. But I still prefer to just watch TSN then I get all the sports together, but I know I couldn't live without my NHL Network, or Leafs TV.

well they were the best team for most of the second half of last season too :O

So does nobody watch hockey anymore?

Some interesting things have happened over the last little while. The Sens and that 7 game losing streak, the Leafs and the 5 game winning streak, Red Wings being 25-7-4 so far this season, the Ducks getting Scott back and trading McDonald to the Blues, Luongo getting hurt and then coming back and getting all those shutouts, and Crosby getting the Gordy Howe hatrick (goal, assist and a fight).

Both conferences are so tight that it will probably go right down to game 82 just like last season.

And what about the new schedule for next season? I think it's an awesome idea.

Yeah, I've been watching it a little bit but not as much as I'd like - just haven't had the time. Most of the divisions are pretty tight this year though, as you said. Much moreso than last, I think (and I'm looking at it from more than just points).

What's up with the schedule next year? I think I must have missed something...

They are making the schedule so now every team will play each other at least once a season. So next season the Leafs and the Blackhawks could have a home and home, which would be awesome. Instead of 8 divisional games now there is only 6, and they are thinking of making the schedule 84 games long so every team will play every team at least twice. IMO it's a great idea. Now I get to see the Red Wings and Blackhawks more, the Leafs have a good record against the Wings.

Oh, I see... I have to admit, I don't think it's such a great idea. Why does every team need to play each other at least once, particularly at the expense of division games? I think there's already a shortage of really good rivalries, so I'd hate to take any of those games away. Also, I'd be really curious to see how it will affect travel, particularly for the western teams. My initial thought is that it would create more travel and more expense, but that may not be the case...

I have to admit I think it makes things interesting when I see a game between two teams that haven't played each other in a couple of years. I don't know if local fans think that way or not though. ... They already play plenty of games, switching to 84 to fill a quota only puts more asterisks in the record books and gives the illusion of inflating the scoring totals.

Of course, I also think much of the issue would be eliminated if the NHL would contract back down to maybe 20 teams, if that. I'm sure that's not a very popular position though. Maybe if they ever get a new commisioner...

Good lord, the Kings are really bad this season. They look better on paper than they look in the standings, that's for sure. So many players not reaching their full potential.

On the other side, this is a good draft year so if they're gonna suck they might as well suck the most. Though it breaks my heart every time I check the results.

Ever since the salary cap it seems like all the teems are pretty even. I'm glad the canucks have gotten off to a good start to the year (srsly, that never happens ^^)

I dont get to watch any games since I dont have cable. I check the scores though and Montreal has been pretty sucky lately. They started off so well. They still have a decent record. Seems like they will finish with their usual position of hovering around the bottom of the playoff spots.

Try being a Leafs fan right. Our"high priced" winger has only 5 goals.

Wow, never saw this coming. First time Montreal has been leading the conference so late in the season since '93 I think.. And they haven't won the conference since '89. I honestly don't think they will win the conference this year, but it is nice to see them in first place at all so late in the season.

And not to start any fights with any Leafs fans, but I saw this on a forum and I love seeing it.




Toronto has picked up their game lately though. I would like to see Toronto sneak into 8th place and Montreal to stay in 1st so we could kick their ass in the first round of the playoffs

Hehe nice!
What I hate the most about the rankings is that the leaders of each division automatically makes it in the top 3 positions. Hurricanes suck and they don't deserve to make the playoffs. if it wasn't for that rule they would be in 8th position at best.

I agree, Carolina really doesn't belong there. If Montreal were in that situation and were in 3rd place with a crappy record I would say the same thing too. If I were Carolina I wouldnt even be proud of myself for making the playoffs in 3rd under those conditions. It needs to be changed somehow.

Kick our asses. HA! Would be a good series though.

Yeah, that division is garbage. For playoff seeding purposes, they should take the division winners plus the teams with the next 5 best records, and seed them according to points. In that scenario, the Canes would be the 8 seed. That way, at least there is still some incentive for winning your division. I still think the Caps will finish on top of the SE division anyway.

On another note, the balance of the NHL is astounding. Every team besides the Lightning and Kings has a good chance at finishing .500 or better.

Hey, be nice. Don't diss my new team guys. Are they that bad? They've done some good games the past month haven't they? Works for me.

Nobody's dissing them, just pointing out that they are the 8th best team in the Eastern Conference if you go by points. However, by virtue of playing in a mediocre division, they would be the 3 seed if the playoffs started today. I don't think they're a bad team by any means, just a fortunate one.