The EC - 3/27/09

Tim Kurnocik | National Hockey League

Mar 27, 10:42 AM | Hype this story!

Let’s dive right into the Atlantic Division. We’re talking about the playoff picture, projections, and news and notes from around the division. As always, comments and general banter are encouraged.

Standings
New Jersey │ 47-23-3 │ 97pts │ 9GR │ 2nd overall
Philthadelphia │ 40-23-10 │ 90pts │ 9GR │ 4th overall
Pittsburgh │ 40-27-8 │ 88pts │ 7GR │ 6th overall
NY Rangers │ 39-27-9 │ 87pts │ 7GR │ 7th overall
NY Islanders │ 24-41-8 │ 56pts │ 9GR │ 15th overall

Playoff Picture
New Jersey Still needs a win or two to officially lock up the division, but with Brodeur in net that’s just a formality. Who would have thought this would be the Atlantic Division Champ whenever Marty tore his biceps muscle?? Either way, it looks like they’ll finish 2nd overall in the East, provided they can play game for game with Washington down the stretch.
The Jokes gripped the 4th overall spot a little more tightly last Sunday when they beat the Pens at Mellon Arena. With at least 2 games in hand on everyone behind them, it’s definitely their spot to lose. Even with all of the goal scoring in the world, though, you can’t feel good about their chances for making a deep run with Marty Biron (per Pierre Mcguire… it’s pronounced Beeeroooouan. joke) in net. Being Pittsburgh fans, I guess we can feel good about that.
Pittsburgh continues to look strong, and depending on Saturday’s outcome against the Rangers should have the 5th spot in the playoffs. Carolina is playing great right now, but all the Pens need is a win in Raleigh next weekend and they’ll be getting themselves ready for a matchup against the hated Clowns in the first round of the playoffs.
NY Rangers, despite looking overmatched most nights, continues to keep pace with the teams in the playoff chase. A loss last night in overtime puts them 1 point behind the Pens for the 6th spot in the playoffs, and Saturday’s game could determine whether NY finishes 6th or 8th. NY Islanders are officially the front runners in the Tavares lottery. If anyone other than Garth Snow were leading this team, I’d be afraid that they could make a strong run in the future.

Atlantic Predictions
New Jersey
1st in Atlantic
2nd in Eastern Conference

Philthy
2nd in Atlantic
4th in Eastern Conference

Pittsburgh
3rd in Atlantic
5th in Eastern Conference

NY
4th in Atlantic
7th in Eastern Conference

News and Notes

  • Devils forward Zach Parise started the season on a torrid goalscoring pace, but only has one in his last 6 games. Currently sitting 5th in points and 2nd in goals in the league, Parise has certainly had a career year. The only problem is that NJ really needs him to find the touch again if they want to make a run at the Cup.
  • “Yeah, I thought we sucked,” Tortorella said in his post-game interview following a shootout loss last night. “Right on through the game. I think we’re fortunate to get a point, very fortunate to get that.” Now there’s the Tortorella that we’ve all been waiting for.
  • Brooks Orpik appears to be getting the hit parade ready for the trip through the playoffs. The Candy Man had 10 hits against Calgary, and a few of those were absolutely devastating. The Pens need to be a team that’s difficult to play against and are going to need his physical play come post-season time.
  • IHC Dan Bylsma gave Malkin the day off yesterday, calling it a “rest day”. Apparently Danny B watched film of the last 2 playoff runs and noticed Malkin gets a little tired in the post-season. I think these “rest days” could keep him fresh and on his game through the end of the playoffs (whenever that may be).
  • During another phenomenal Sunday afternoon broadcast, Pierre Mcguire and Mike Milbury informed us all that the Flyers Mike Richards is “the best young captain in the game today. The Flyers are a better team with him on the ice.”… Maybe I’m missing something, but I know of another young captain that does some pretty good things for his team (including helping some garbage wingers reach career highs).
  • Rick DiPietro contract watch: Only 12 short years until free agency

Public Service Announcement
Always remember: Friends don’t let friends yell “Shoot!” at hockey games.

Comments

  1. Respect the Flyers

    Mar 27, 11:10 AM

    There is more to being a good young captain than producing on the ice. You have to question Crosby’s leadership with the way the team collapsed under the former coach this year. Granted getting Gonchar back and the trades have helped a lot, but there was some off ice leadership missing. This is not a knock on Crosby as he is still very young and will grow into this role.

  2. Tim Kurnocik

    Mar 27, 11:18 AM

    I whole heartedly agree that there’s more to Captaincy than production. I don’t think that those things include crashing Frat parties and being photographed chugging beers with college kids. I’m not saying guys can’t have fun, but Crosby is a model of work ethic and dedication to the team. Richards is a good player and a good leader, but he’s also a clown off the ice. He’s also not forced to be a beacon in the media the way Crosby is.

    And the problems the team began having with Therrien were beyond anything any captain could pick up, and Crosby cannot be blamed for it. He’ll fight for calls, lead by example, and provide a steady and calming voice off of it. Preventing a dictator coach from being, well, a dictator isn’t in his job description. I’d love to see how Richards would handle a coach like that.

  3. DaBich

    Mar 27, 11:47 AM

    RESPECT, I wonder, how many teams fired head coaches this season? Are all the team captains lacking? I think not…

  4. Dan

    Mar 27, 04:06 PM

    Anyone ever notice that everyone’s better than Crosby these days? Is there that much jealousy out there? That’s all I hear – Semin’s better, Datsyuk’s better, Patrick Kane and/or Jonathan Toews is better, Mike Richard’s better, Parise’s better. Can’t anyone just give this kid his due? He’s better than all these players because he has the stat’s, and the hardware to prove his point. He’s done more than all of these players and will continue to do so. Sorry that other teams aren’t as lucky as we are, but that’s not our problem…

  5. Rick

    Mar 28, 10:27 AM

    As a captain, Richards IS better than Sid, as a player Sid is better. Although, I think its pretty clear at this point in time that Malkin has surpassed Sid as the best player in the league.

  6. Tim Kurnocik

    Mar 30, 09:49 AM

    Rick – I guess I’m not sure why you think Richards is a better captain. What exactly is Sidney doing, or not doing, that is causing him to be a poor captain? I hear a lot of people saying that he’s a bad captain, but nobody is able to answer WHY they think that.

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