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Guest8149
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 Posted - 10/30/2011 : 21:55:37
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It's only 10-11 games into the season, but the biggest surprise has to be the Edmonton Oilers. They're currently sitting on top of the Western Conference, and in 2nd place overall!
They lead the league in GAA, and while they're not scoring a ton of goals, they're scoring enough to win games. (And at the right time.)
The Leafs are also playing well, and Kessel is a big part of their strong start, which has them sitting in 2nd place in the East at this early juncture.
The Penguins and Caps are not big surprises to be doing so well, but with Crosby out (and Malkin only playing a few games), it's a bit of a surprise to see them 1st overall right now.
Ottawa is a surprise to be 4th in the East, and they are the league's hottest team right now
with six straight wins. They're scoring lots, but they're also allowing a lot of goals, the most in the league right now with 45 GA in 12 games.
On the other side of things, the Stanley Cup champs (Bruins) are off to a horrendous start, and currently sit in last place (15th) in the Eastern Conference. The Canucks (notorious
slow starters) are not doing much better (10th place in the West), and Detroit is off to a slow start too, sitting in 12th place in the West at this present time.
Things can change in a hurry though. The Oilers are going on the road for a while, so if they're still near the top of the West in 10 games, I would be surprised. And I suspect the Bruins, Canucks and Wings will turn things around. There's just too much talent for them to be in the lower part of their conferences.
And the Leafs? I can't tell if they're for real or not? I think they will be near the cut-off to make the playoffs ~ 2-3 points on the outside looking in, or 7th or 8th place in the East and
making the cut. Ottawa, on the other hand, would be a surprise to be near the playoff cut-off. Their goals against numbers will catch up with them, so I see them sliding down the ladder in the East.
But it's neat to see the early surprises, and who knows - maybe the Oilers and Leafs are
for real, and we will see these two Canadian teams in the playoffs this hockey season! I wouldn't rule it out!
slow start as well. (Currently 12th in the West.)
The Penguins
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4809 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2011 : 05:18:04
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Yeah, lots of surprises so far - the biggest ones for me are Ottawa, and the one you didn't mention - Colorado.
Colorado is 7-4-0 so far, and they have looked very good while getting that record. Oddly, they are 6-1 on the road and have a losing record at home . . . but you'd have to think that the home record will straighten out. 6 road wins so far! Impressive.
The other one you forgot is Dallas . . . right now the top Western Conference team. Who would have thought?
So, looking at the teams who have had surprisingly good starts:
East - Ottawa, Toronto, Florida
West - Dallas, Colorado, Edmonton
Which team or teams will make the playoffs this year?
Now THERE'S a question!
My guess is Toronto and Colorado.
"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug |
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Leafs81
PickupHockey Pro
735 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2011 : 07:53:02
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I totally agree with your surprises Slozo. In fact I wanted to start a thread about those surprises and ask who do you think will make the playoffs.
I think Dallas has a great shot, Colorado has a good shot and Edmonton needs to have more support from the kid line and Smyth. Khabibulin is playing great and I dont think he can hold it off.
Some pleasant surprise in Leaf land, they will fight for a playoff spot right to the last game
I can't see Florida keeping that pace with Theodore and Markstrom in goal (although Markstrom is looking good)
As for Ottawa, it's so hard to predict, if Anderson gets on a roll like he did in Colorado two years ago... watch out. But my prediction is they will switch with Montreal and Boston and finish last in the division which is why they wont make the playoffs. |
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nuxfan
PickupHockey All-Star
3670 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2011 : 08:31:49
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I have been surprised be every Canadian club except VAN and CGY, and BOS. TOR, OTT, EDM have all had unbelievable starts - better than most of their fanbases could have hoped I think. MTL has been a bit rocky, but seems to be getting things together. CGY and VAN - right where I thought they would be at the end of October.
BOS is an interesting one, they have not done well at all. I read they have the worst start for a Cup champion since the 1990-91 Oilers, and frankly need to get their junk together soon.
COL - as I recall, they started quite strong last year as well, and I think were first in the NW division until mid-November when the Canucks took over ane never looked back. Which should be a good reminder of how much the first 10 games can be for overall success  |
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Odin
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
350 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2011 : 08:39:32
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Thought that home and home against the Bruins might cure whats ailing the Habs.
Hopefully it continues. |
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Guest6786
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Posted - 10/31/2011 : 10:05:50
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quote:
Originally posted by nuxfan
I have been surprised be every Canadian club except VAN and CGY, and BOS.
Didn't realize BOS was in Canada?  |
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Pasty7
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
2312 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2011 : 10:36:16
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quote:
Originally posted by Guest6786
quote:
Originally posted by nuxfan
I have been surprised be every Canadian club except VAN and CGY, and BOS.
Didn't realize BOS was in Canada?
we annexed them last week
"I led the league in "Go get 'em next time." - Bob Uecker
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Surprises! 
