DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum NHL topic/predictions

Season starts tonight! Hawks put up the banner again for the second time in 3 years.

I think predictions in NHL are kind of silly, but it will also be fun to come back and look.

There is a ton of change with the realignment, a few rule changes, and a little bit of player movement.

There are now only 2 divisions per conference. Each division winner gets a playoff berth. The next two best teams in each division get a berth. There are then 2 wild card spots awarded to the 2 best teams that remain.

All teams get slotted 1-8, however the 2nd and 3rd place teams in each division play each other, which probably cuts down on any possible cross country travel. It also strengthens rivalries in each division. I think this is actually a good change. After the first round it's all bracket style.

I don't think the Blackhawks repeat again. I think it's so hard in today's NHL which is becoming a lot like the NFL with changeover and predictability to repeat. I think they make a deep run, but come up short in a conference final.

I actually like LA to win again. I think they re-energize after losing in the conference final last year. Jonathan Quick is the best goalie in the league right now. They're well coached, and very talented.

I think people should keep an eye on Edmonton too. If they fix their goalie issues, that is going to be a really fun team to watch. They can flat out score.

Final prediction is LA over Detroit.

MVP of the league I am giving to Zach Parise.

Quick gets the Vezina

I think those of you who follow the Blue Jackets are in for a good season too. I think they finally get back to the playoffs. I hope they can start off well and continue what they started about mid-season last year.

Hockey Night in Canada! Habs v Leafs. gotta love it!

With the realignment, this is a tough call. I think the Pens are in goalie hell right now. Vokoun's injured and old and Fleury's lost it. I think the Wings are going to have it tough with Boston and the 3 eastern Canadian teams all in their division, but that youth gained some valuable playoff experience last year. Boston's probably the team to beat in the east. I think Chicago got lucky being placed in that Central division, they can rack up some points against that competition. I also like LA in the west. I'll pick Boston over LA in the final.

Boston v LA would be a manly series. Bodies flying all over the place. Those teams grind.

...just wanted to say

Hawks are very good (even with Raanta in net)
Kane is amazing
I'm worried about the Blues
Thorton needs to be out the 15 games
NHL Tonight is a great show
I can't wait for the outdoor games

I got through the Ticketmaster rush but the tickets they offered were garbage. I could have bought the 2nd row from the field or row 31 in the far upper NW corner. Both would have been horrible views of the game.

I get to go to so many games at Soldier Field that I realized my $100+ would be spent better elsewhere, like my motorcycle. A buddy of mine got through and ordered 12 tickets in the 200 level. Those should flip easily for some cash.

Ya, NHL Tonight is the NHL's version of Sportscenter. It's nice turning that on and see expanded highlights, real analysis, good interviews and not too much bias on the order of the teams they talk about.

As good as the Hawks were last year I still think the Kings should have beat them. Dustin Brown was hurt coming into that series and played at 40%. If he's healthy, I'm not sure the Hawks win. But that's in the past I suppose. I'm glad it worked out the way it did. 17 crazy seconds. We'll eventually have a moment like that as Cleveland sports fans, just hope I'll be around to see it.

I need to look up the dates of the US hockey games. I'll be in Vail/Beavercreek at the end of Feb and it would be cool to watch games with all my buds. I'm still pissed over losing to Canada. Freaking Crosby.

You hear the NHL is still pushing that expansion angle? Seattle, Vegas, Quebec and Martham (sp?) are the four locations they're looking at. I would rather they just move the Panthers and Yotes to two of them. Vegas would seem like a great idea, be the first pro team in town.

I've heard Quebec and Seattle are fighting to be the next town to get a team. I'm against expansion. The league doesn't need anymore teams. It's already watered down as it is. There just isn't the talent going around to support 31 or 32 teams. I thought they should have just folded the Thrashers...

Take the Panthers out of Miami, I mean they don't even support the most popular and best basketball team on the planet.

An outdoor Nhl game is on today.

The out of doors in not a good place to hold an NHL game.
The people are far from the rink.
It's cold
The whole thing is just a novelty.
It is stupid x 3.
The biggest thing is they make it out like it is something special. If someone were to get a front row seat, they are 100 feet from the rink. And the boards hide half the action at that distance.
It is as stupid as playing a game on a roof, and making fans watch from the street below. The NHL could do better; and they should.

I totally disagree. This Winter Classic is an epic event. There are 106,000 people in a snowstorm having the time of their lives, with millions more watching on TV. That knocks your novelty and stupid theories into the dumpster. I would have been there if I had my work schedule earlier. How could or should the NHL do better? Name one realistic thing that would generate more fan interest during the regular season than the Winter Classic. If it were such a stupid thing to do, they would have stopped it after the first one.

It's cold? Are you frickin' kidding? I've been to football games in colder weather than this.

As usual, your negative insight makes no sense.

Besides, If it were a stupid event why would that horde of fans bother?

I'm watching it over bowl games and loving it!

I had to turn over and see it. The fans really seem to be loving this; dancing and singing, they appear to be having a lot more fun than crowds I've seen at football games.

If anybody's interested, the Classic is going to a shootout right now.

I love the Winter Classic, but I can kind of see your point about some horrible vantage points in the stands at these games.

The NHL is doing 4 more of these this season. Two at Yankee Stadium, one at Dodger Stadium, and one at Soldier Field.

I'll be in attendance for the Soldier Field game (Penguins/Blackhawks) and will share my thoughts after.

I thought today's crowd was amazing. Maybe the best setting in the short history of this game. They were really into it, I think the Leafs fans even outnumbered Detroit fans....

The only downer for this game was a shootout. They should make a rule that the Winter Classic has to be continuous OT. I don't think the players would mind if this one was won 5 on 5.

I'm against shootouts, but I understand why they have them. You can't do continuous OT every game for 82 games, the toll it takes on these teams would be too much. As long as they keep the playoffs without shootouts, I'm fine. The NHL should grant a special consideration for the Winter Classic.

Really glad that the Leafs have maybe figured out their goaltending issues. Bernier was special today and has been solid all season.

I actually played in Winter Classic myself this morning at an outdoor rink. Covered roof but still open air. Was a blast. We got 2 hours in with an ice cut halfway through.

Normally it's kind of a no no for other goalies to try and score, but in the last few minutes the other guy came down on a rush and tried to get on the scoresheet. I went down to his end (with him in net) and one timed a perfect pass in the net. I think that's my first actual goal in hockey. It wouldn't have counted in a real game as the goalie cannot cross center ice.

Awesome times though.

Quote:

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I'm against shootouts,...

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....said every goaltender that ever played.

What are your thoughts on making OT 3-on-3 to force more games to end before the shootout?

The more I think about it, 3v3 would be so different from 4 v4. Like night and day.

how do you group your lines. Do you say screw it and use 2 forwards and a center? Do you mix in a D?

I don't think any of those guys can really tell you because there is just so much to consider. Speed, space, possession, etc... Wow.

I play in a 3 on 3 league in the spring and summer. It's run by a guy who played in Toronto and Pittsburgh. It's pretty laid back, coed and the levels of players vary from beginner to guys who played juniors.... It's so much fun though.

I get to play for free and can get 3 hours of ice a night if I want. I love the pace. It helps endurance so much. You see a shot, and then within 20-25 seconds, you see another. There is no stoppage. After a minute the horn sounds, and the line must get off the ice and the new one comes on.

They do cut off the ice though. They put these big black pads out around the blue line and move the goal up. It's a short rink.

I think most NHL fans are okay with a shootout to end a regular season game but would be open to just about anything else if it were better (not ties please).

I can't remember where I heard the 3-on-3 idea, I think the NHL said they were looking into other options of OT. I would really like it. I don't think we'd get to too many shootouts with that much open ice.

OT hockey in the playoffs is just about the most exicting thing in sports in my opinion. You could be there a few minutes or a few hours...and then BAM!

I'm starting to get really excited about Olympic hockey. I don't really know how far the US squad can get, but I'll be watching. Their sweaters are pretty cool, I might go try one on at the Nike store on Michigan Ave (not sure I'd spend the full $105 for one though).

I'm starting to get really worried about the Blues. They don't look like the usual Cleveland-like Blues team (1-and-done in the playoffs). They will probably take over first place soon.

The novelty of the shootout has worn off for me also (although Jimmy Howard sucking in them might have something to do with that ). 3 on 3 would be pretty damn exciting, but that would put a lot of wear and tear on your top players who undoubtedly would be on the ice quite a bit.

I always enjoyed the one more full period.

But...where I think the NHL needs to go is to make a regulation win worth 3 pts...then the OT/shootout win worth 2, and the OT loss 1...Thats still dumb to even read/write.


Regulation win 3
OT win 2
Tie 1
L 0

Thats how it should be.

Well, the coldest day of the year on average in Chicago is January 15th. So we're really close to hitting the middle of winter. It should start getting warmer soon.

I know a lot of Hawks fans are proud to have so many Olympic Hockey players, but I'm a little worried about the extra toll on their bodies for the playoffs. I know a lot of the good teams will be hit hard too, but that could really help out some of the lower teams come April-May.

It's too bad the NHL didn't shorten the season by 6-7 games to make sure the product doesn't suffer.

Oh well.

Worked out for the Hawks last time they sent guys over for the Olympics.

If they are playing on Olympic ice (which they didn't last time) there shouldn't be much of a physical wear down from the tournament. I hate Olympic rinks. They should just call them euro-garbage rinks, because it sissies up the game. You can't really forecheck at all, so I don't expect a very physical tournament. It's going to be about skating.

Was at the game the other night at Soldier field.

The atmosphere was amazing, but it was too damn cold. It was 13 degrees by the time the game ended, plus it was snowing.

tailgating was ok, because you're moving around a little bit, but as soon as you get to your seat, you start getting way colder.

I've wanted to invest in a heated vest, pants, gloves and socks for all of my Bears games (and to wear while riding the bike in cold weather too). It seems like that's the only true way to battle temps like that.

Man, it was really snowing for most of the first period. You could see the players struggle with puck possession too.

Good game. Good outcome. Good year for outdoor games.

Went to the Wings game last night and saw the Lidstrom jersey retirement celebration. It was one of the greatest sporting events I've ever attended. Many of the old time greats and personalities were there....even Vlady Konstantinov.

J/C

The Jackets, despite an awful flogging last night in Chicago, positioned themselves for a nice race to the playoffs. One of two wildcard spots remain in our possession. Our biggest problem involves beating elite teams. We can beat the Leafs, Flyers, Ducks, Sharks, Predators, Islanders, Bruins, Capitals and Rangers, Our bane of existence involves The Hawks and Pens. Hopefully we figure out elite caliber teams by the season's end.

I'm starting to become a believer in the Avs as a sleeper for a Cup team...

I think the West, while being the better conference, is wide open...

I think the Hawks are going to struggle to find the hunger from last year. It's only natural. The playoffs are such a grind that I think it makes it really really hard to repeat... Talent wise, if someone can pull it off, it's them. I just would not bet on them.

Ok I can talk hockey now. I am over the Leafs blowing a three-goal lead to the Bruins in Game 7.

Just read most of this thread, I have a few thoughts to add.

1. I'm OK with shootouts in the regular season. Not in love with them, but accept them. Three-on-three on OT in the regular season might be a cool idea, maybe the NHL should explore them in the pre-season next fall.

2. Thank YOU, Boston, for Phil Kessel!

3. Canada was dominant at the Olympics, even if the scoreboard didn't always reflect it (not rubbing your noses i it, guys). The women's game was freaking unbelievable hockey, will never make fun of chicks with sticks again... . I was obviously glad Canada won, but I honestly felt bad for the U.S. women.... thought it was their time to win gold.


The Russian men aren't quite what they used to be, the U.S. has made strides in the past several years but your depth isn't what Canada's is. All we asked Carey Price to do was make an occasional tough save and our suffocating defence did the rest.

4, I'm already bored with the Winter Classics. As usual, the NHL is overdoing it because it's a cash cow. Less is more when it comes to outdoor hockey (and there's no way I'd pay $100 to go to an outdoor game,. I might not even go if it were free. It's not the cold that would bother me, it''s being 10 miles from the ice surface. I did enjoy the New Year's Day game between Toronto and Detroit, from my warm and comfy couch, with beer.

5. If I had to bet, a Westerm Conference team will win the Stanley Cup. L.A. Anaheim, Chicago... all quite capable. St. Louis has a good chance, too, especially now with the trade for Miller.


In the East it's either Boston or Pitt,. the Canadiens could be dangerous, but they don't score enough.

I wish I could say my Leafs have a decent chance, but they don't have depth beyond the top 2 lines and our best defencemen are young and inexperienced (I absolutely love Morgan Reilly though. He turns 20 this month and has a LOT of upside). Scott Neidermeyer-type player

6, Most Disappointing Team of 2013-2014:

Edmonton. I really thought the Oilers would make great strides this year because they have a lot of young talent (at forward, at least). But they're defence corps is not good and they haven't really had good goaltending. I thought they'd blossom into a playoff team but they stunk it up.

Most Surprising:
Tough to think of one that stand out, I''ll go with Tampa Bay.

Edit: Sperg reminded me of the Avs. they`re probably more surprising than the Lightning.

I think the Hawks are crossing their fingers that they don't get matched up with the Avs in the first round... The way this new playoff system is structured, it's possible.

They play really good defense. They have good young talent. They hit gold with first overall pick Nate Mackinnon...

I have questions about their goaltending, but they also have the GOAT coaching their team, so I bet he can get whomever they go with focused. If they had better goaltending though, I'd lay some serious cash on a future prop for them..

I'm pretty excited for the playoffs though. It's an awesome time of the year. Tribe starts back up, NHL, NBA playoffs. Usually the good golf tournaments start popping up. Can't wait.

Yeah it's s great time to be a sports fan.... plus,. the snow's gonna be melting soon.

I think the Leafs will get in the playoffs, maybe win a round, possibly two, but that'd be it.
Vancouver's window has closed, and I am glad because I hate them!
Would like to see Winnipeg sneak in, they got hot after hiring Paul Maurice.

I've been rooting for the sharks for the past 5 years or so. I'm a casual fan, but I would love to see them get over the hump. No more choking in the playoffs. In the east I like the blue jackets, and penguins.

I watched the Devils/Wings game last night.....I couldn't believe how old the Devils are. I knew they had Jagr and Brodeur, but when they started calling out names like Patrick Elias, Danius Zubrus, Bryce Salvador and Marek Zidlicky....holy smokes! I didn't even know those guys still played, and I remember the Wings facing them in games many years ago . Is that the oldest roster of all time?