The Chicago Blackhawks Win The Stanley Cup

[WEFFPIM]

Lots of games last night and some shifting occurred because of it.

In the East:
-There really wasn't any movement in the top 8, but rather the bottom 6. Atlanta is now one point behind 8th seed Boston. Hard to believe that a team that traded most of its scoring power away is this close to just its second playoff berth in franchise history.
-Remember when Carolina sucked? Well, it's a longshot, but they're now in 11th, six points back.

In the West:
-Phoenix with a come-from-behind win over the Hawks gets them their eighth straight win, puts them two points back of the top of the conference, a point back of San Jose. Sooooo, who saw that coming before the year? The Hawks muster a point out of it, they're alone at the top for now.
-As you can see in the thread title, the real shifting happened in the middle of the playoff hunt. LA's 1-0 victory over the Islanders puts them in 5th, Nashville moves to 6th, and Colorado slides to 7th.
-Detroit with a "buzzer beater" OT winner in Vancouver widens the gap between 8th and 9th.

A big slate of games last night is followed by 9 games today. Huge matchup in Boston between the Rangers and Bruins on NBC. Calgary looks to answer Detroit's win in Minnesota. Tampa Bay is still hanging around, they battle in-state rival Florida. Buffalo and Carolina in a suddenly important game. St. Louis is just six points back in the playoffs as they host the Preds tonight. Phoenix looks to make it nine against a Dallas team holding on to playoff hopes. Atlanta can wind up in the 8th slot today with a win in Philly and a loss by Boston. Colorado in Anaheim, San Jose in Edmonton.

This is fun, folks.

[WEFFPIM]

Lots to breakdown again tonight, we'll start on in the East:

-Boston beats the Rangers 2-1, but do not extend their lead for 8th any because Atlanta won in Philly.
-The loss by the Flyers puts them in 6th now, Ottawa bumps up to 5th.
-Florida beating Tampa rockets them all the way to 11th, 7 points back of 8th.

In the West:
-Phoenix won their ninth straight, shootout win in Dallas. The Coyotes are now tied atop the West with 97 points and have taken the top of the Pacific Division because San Jose loses their fifth straight tonight, falling in Edmonton (seriously).
-That shootout loss by Dallas puts them 12th. Anaheim throttles Colorado, they bump to 11th.
-Nashville beats the Blues, putting them in 5th.

Light schedule tomorrow, as usual on Mondays. Only three games, but they're all important. Pittsburgh in Detroit, Ottawa in Montreal, Avs in LA.

[ajaX82]

Detroit with a very nice win vs the Penguins. I think they have won 8 of 11 now.

The Wings are chargin hard!

[trwi7]

This race for 8th in the West is turning into a dud. Calgary has choked against the Wild on the road twice this month, granted the Wild are really good at home, but the Flames are better on the road than at home.

[SportsWorld]

The Coyotes can have 1st in the West.

[WEFFPIM]

Colorado ties the game with 10 seconds in regulation, but LA wins in OT. They're now 5th in the West. Detroit wins, widens the gap between 8th and 9th. Ottawa shuts out Montreal, emerges from the pack towards the bottom of the East playoffs.

10 games tomorrow, including Boston and Atlanta for the 8th seed, and a battle for the West with Phoenix and Chicago. Good games all around tomorrow.

[DaDragicShow]

Phoenix vs Hawks game is very intriguing. Both tied for first place in their conference but Hawks played 2 less games then Coyotes.

[ajaX82]

and seriously Sid really annoys me sometimes. At the end of last nights game he went after Z and started slashing and crosschecking him for no reason. Not cool. Though I was humored that Jimmy Howard stepped in to get some.

Tim, not a personal attack on you or your team. I just find stuff like that aggravating and it makes Crosby look like a prick.

[timd1218]

and seriously Sid really annoys me sometimes. At the end of last nights game he went after Z and started slashing and crosschecking him for no reason. Not cool. Though I was humored that Jimmy Howard stepped in to get some.

Tim, not a personal attack on you or your team. I just find stuff like that aggravating and it makes Crosby look like a prick.

I didn't see it so I don't know what happened but I think I have an idea as to why he did it. I've never seen a player fustrate Crosby more then Zetterberg. He just knows how to shut Crosby down. I think it wa just more fustration.

And ajax, what was with Detroit fans sinking to Philly fans standard? Chanting Crosby sucks even before that happened.

[ajaX82]

and seriously Sid really annoys me sometimes. At the end of last nights game he went after Z and started slashing and crosschecking him for no reason. Not cool. Though I was humored that Jimmy Howard stepped in to get some.

Tim, not a personal attack on you or your team. I just find stuff like that aggravating and it makes Crosby look like a prick.

I didn't see it so I don't know what happened but I think I have an idea as to why he did it. I've never seen a player fustrate Crosby more then Zetterberg. He just knows how to shut Crosby down. I think it wa just more fustration.

And ajax, what was with Detroit fans sinking to Philly fans standard? Chanting Crosby sucks even before that happened.

Hey man im not one to personally chant crosby or whomever sucks. I think Detroit fans are a little edgy right now with how our sports teams have performed (or rather not performed) this year. And there is some bitterness about the finals loss, no doubt about it. Sid is an easy target and the face of your franchise, so he catches the brunt of the frustration. Not saying its right or condoning it....but thats probably why.

[Celtics_Champs]

I'm soooooooo betting against the bruins when they face the caps. Gonna make some money.

And don't tell me I'm not a true fan, cause I just renewed my season tickets for next season.

I am loving the teams future if they can get there heads together. Let's hope that happens.

[ajaX82]

Wings win again, beating the Blues. That virtually kills their playoff hopes. We are looking really good

[WEFFPIM]

Wings win again, beating the Blues. That virtually kills their playoff hopes. We are looking really good

I would do anything to avoid Detroit in the first round.

EDIT: This will be updated later, have been really busy the last 18 hours

[ajaX82]

whew

Flames lost to the Islanders of all teams. That puts Detroit in a pretty comfortable 8th with a chance to keep moving up

[WEFFPIM]

And puts Chicago officially in despite maybe the worst showing of the year from Huet (and that's saying something).

Will update tomorrow morning.

[WEFFPIM]

FINALLY updated, sorry about the delay, kids.

[timd1218]

As of right now, would prefer the Pens to finish 4th. Don't want them to play Montreal. Montreal is going to be a very tough series for whoever they play.

[ajaX82]

wow Detroit it flying up the standings. niceeee. Though i dont wanna see Vancouver first round; i would very much prefer a Nashville 4 v 5 first series.

Flyers v Pens first round looks possible and would be fun for the whole family

[WEFFPIM]

Absolutely no movement in either conference tonight. Nothing to see here.

[trwi7]

Eastern Conference = teh suck