that's pretty much how they win games ... but ARI's getting better, i think the Kings will be a bit better, CGY and EDM will be really good and San Jose's a great team so they won't make it in if you ask me.

Okay, first off there's zero chance LA or Arizona makes the playoffs. Second of all, San Jose isn't a good team at all. They struggled last year and lost Marleau (as well as Schlemko), and didn't replace them. They most likely won't make it either. Anaheim is a lock to make in the playoffs, whether you like it or not

The point total is just impossible and the predictions are just awful. Wait, Islanders with 100 points? Well, I'm not getting any sleep as I'll be puking my insides out for the rest of the night.

EDM, CGY, ANA in the Pacific in no order

STL, NSH, MIN, CHI, DAL/WIN in the central

I don't mind the Ducks ... i just don't think they'll make it ... and LAK does have a superstar in Kopitar (who i think will play better), the best D-Man in the league, and a conn-smythe winning goalie. And either way they have a chance.

I'd be curious to hear why you think the Islanders will be so bad. They went 24-12-4 with Doug Weight as the coach this year after 17-17-8 with Jack Capuano ... they finished the season really well and missed the playoffs by ONE POINT ... and if Hamonic's so bad, then he's not a big loss and they didn't lose any key players, and got Eberle. I think Hamonic was a big loss, but Doug Weight has been a good coach there ...

Ducks
Defense includes Fowler, Montour, Manson and Lindholm. That's a very good top 4. Not to mention an injured Vatanen who makes rhis team much deeper when he returns from injury
Forwards include Silferberg and Rakell who both had breakout years and are the rise
Not to mention the ageless Getzlaf and very good forward prospects such as Steel who can make an impact as soon as this year.
They also have Kesler and Perry, two pests that can **** up almost anyones game for the night.

Kings
They have Drew Doughty, not the NHL's best dman... that's it besides a Muzzin and Martinez who are typical top 4 dmen
The forwards include an health risk Kopitar, Jeff Carter who is still going somewhat strong, and a few overpaid bums (Gaborik, Brown)
Their goaltenders include an ofter injured Quick and a rejected Darcy.
Also their prospect pool is depleted

They have two goalies that both aren't long term solutions for the starter position. And haven't gotten that much better, if not worse. All the other teams have improved except FLA, NJ, DET, WSH.

Isn't Lindholm out with an injury too?



Tell me what you think of Anders Lee.

Greiss is good enough to be a starter ... maybe he can't win the cup but he can make the playoffs.

Lindholm will be ready for the season.
Lee has nothing to do with LA and ANA

He did not have a great season playing more than 50 games last season. Halak has declined as fast as Heatley and Carle combined

he got a .913 SV%

1) ok

2) Lee and Rakell are super comparable ... neither of them got a lot of assists this year, though they each got 30 goals ... and neither of them had got 30 goal seasons before this year.

If you expect that to carry you to the playoffs, you have a long season aheqd

it can get you IN the playoffs.

Goo job you have a good forward besides Tavares

more than 1

Name your top 6 forwards

Where has this gone to? LOL

I think the Islanders forward crop is improving with the permanent additions of Barzal, Ho Sang and Eberle. Hamonic is a big loss though.

Ladd-Tavares-Eberle
Lee-Nelson-Ho Sang
Bailey-Barzal-Beauvillier
Chimera-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

Leddy-Boychuk
De Haan-Pulock
Pelech-Hickey

Greiss
Halak

In what world? You play in the Metro. There are 4 teams already better than you : Washington, Pittsburgh, Columbus, New York Rangers. Thats leaves on WC spot left, which in the Atlantic, Ottawa, Tampa Bay, Toronto Montreal, Boston, Buffalo. a .913 SV% isn't going to get you into the WC w/ these teams, let alone at 100 points

Dallas, Chicago, and Anaheim's rosters are far and away better than LA's and you think LA will outperform all of them?

I am guessing it is past your bed time by the time the west coast games come on and that is why you don't get to see how good the Ducks really are, I will let slide.

On another note, Perry played with a sprained MCL all year, he will come back ready to go and should pop an easy 25 goals and if he does, it will be a fun battle for first between EDM, ANA, and CGY. I think EDM and ANA have the ability to go to the finals and win it all. CGY is still a season or 2 out. I am not sold with Smith being their goalie.