GWT - Week #18
PostedCOLON Sun Feb 01, 2015 9:32 pm
Anaheim Ducks vs San Jose Sharks - The ducks have been risers lately, slowly closing a 40 point gap to 19 on 3rd in the Pacific, while the Sharks have slipped from a top 5 position in early december to 13th in the league. This could be a close match.
Calgary Flames vs Chicago Blackhawks - 3rd in the Pacific vs 4th in the Central. This is an important match for Calgary as they fend off Vancouver & Anaheim. Chicago would like to grab 3rd from Nashville to avoid a first round encounter vs the Wild/LA.
Edmonton Oilers vs Los Angeles Kings - LA had its toughest month in January with a 10-6 win vs EDM, 8.5-7.5 win vs NYI, 8-8 tie vs Pittsburg, and 12-4 win vs the flyers. Let's see if LA can return to its dominant 2014 form. Edmonton is only 2 points up on the flyers and could move into a 4th overall draft position after this week.
Arizona Coyotes vs Ottawa Senators - Phili's other 1st rd pick (ottawa) is also 2 points up on Detroit. If Arizona can put ottawa in their place, Phili could move into the "Eichel" Position. However, with a healthy Ottawa roster that is easier said than done.
Vancouver Canucks vs Colorado Avalanche - Colorado Led the Central almost the entire year. They haven't come out on top in 3 weeks. A past GM had seemed to lose the dressing room and was let go. Let's pay attention, Ladies and Gentlemen. Will New GM Casper scare this team into action, or simply be invisible. This week Colorado could rise back to the top, or fall back to 3rd in the Central. Vancouver, in the midst of a rebuild, had no plans of making the Playoffs this season; however, here they are, only 10 points back.
Dallas Stars vs St. Louis Blues - This match could not come at a better time for STL. They have lost 4 straight and sunk to the last wildcard spot in the west despite adding the CHI system in net. This easy week will help to stave off the circling vultures. Though generally considered no threat this late in the season, their matchup vs TOR has shown the Stars under GM Darkness could pull out an upset or two. -
Minnesota Wild vs Nashville Predators - These two central teams have been on rolls of late. Since mid-December NSH has climbed from 18th to 11th, and Minny from 16th to 6th while ascending the Central Throne. In fact, both teams are undefeated since Dec 21st.
Washington Capitals vs Winnipeg Jets - This is not the team WPG wants to face in a week STL faces Dallas. WPG is Only 10 points back of STL, but a WSH landslide and Jets loss could put a nail into his playoff chances. Last week the Jets were dominated by the Bruins, but hope to rebound versus this Metro powerhouse. The Caps have absolutely steam-rolled their last 3 opponents 13-3, 13-0-3, 15-0-1.
Boston Bruins vs New Jersey Devils - The Bruins could pass Toronto this week for 1st in the East, 1st in the Atlantic, and 2nd in the league. The sit only 5 points back. Meanwhile, the Devils, 7th in the east, need to pick up a few points as 9th and 10th TBL and NYR inch closer.
Buffalo Sabres vs New York Islanders - The top 3 spots (Wash, Pitts, NYI) in the Metro are only separated by 17 points. Buffalo (4th in Atlantic), like the Devils, would like at least a few points to fend off TBL and NYR.
Detroit Red Wings vs Carolina Hurricanes - Carolina shook up their roster last week and managed to just slip past the Canucks. Again, this week a few moves were made. Let's hope the Canes can get a bump in the standings vs a weak opponent, but otherwise, perhaps it's time for yet another roster overhaul. If Detroit does well here they could move up to 28th in the league for the first time this season.
Florida Panthers vs Columbus Blue Jackets - The Panthers are happy to see their pick improve while keeping matches close. The Jackets, without a pick would at least like to make a run of it. Dubinsky returning from an early season injury hasn't been enough to pull this team back into the playoff picture over the last few weeks in the tough East.
Montreal Canadiens vs Pittsburgh Penguins - Pittsburgh has gone 2-2-1 the last 5 weeks. Montreal has won 8 straight. After being upset last week vs the lowly Ducks, do the Pens really have what it takes to stop those damn'ed marauding Canadiens? Doubtful.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs New York Rangers - GAME OF THE WEEK Only two points separate these two teams at 9th and 10th in the east. They each sit approx. 10 points back of a playoff spot. There isn't enough room for both. Who will Seize this chance to prove they actually have what it takes to compete with the big boys of the east? Who will seize this chance to prove they are a stinking piece of Crap?
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Philadelphia Flyers- Phili faces LAK and TOR back-to-back. Toronto, like the Kings lately, need this matchup after ties the last 2 weeks. They don't seem to be as invinsible as everyone assumed. Late season collapse? Perhaps this team isn't so different from their NHL counterparts.
Calgary Flames vs Chicago Blackhawks - 3rd in the Pacific vs 4th in the Central. This is an important match for Calgary as they fend off Vancouver & Anaheim. Chicago would like to grab 3rd from Nashville to avoid a first round encounter vs the Wild/LA.
Edmonton Oilers vs Los Angeles Kings - LA had its toughest month in January with a 10-6 win vs EDM, 8.5-7.5 win vs NYI, 8-8 tie vs Pittsburg, and 12-4 win vs the flyers. Let's see if LA can return to its dominant 2014 form. Edmonton is only 2 points up on the flyers and could move into a 4th overall draft position after this week.
Arizona Coyotes vs Ottawa Senators - Phili's other 1st rd pick (ottawa) is also 2 points up on Detroit. If Arizona can put ottawa in their place, Phili could move into the "Eichel" Position. However, with a healthy Ottawa roster that is easier said than done.
Vancouver Canucks vs Colorado Avalanche - Colorado Led the Central almost the entire year. They haven't come out on top in 3 weeks. A past GM had seemed to lose the dressing room and was let go. Let's pay attention, Ladies and Gentlemen. Will New GM Casper scare this team into action, or simply be invisible. This week Colorado could rise back to the top, or fall back to 3rd in the Central. Vancouver, in the midst of a rebuild, had no plans of making the Playoffs this season; however, here they are, only 10 points back.
Dallas Stars vs St. Louis Blues - This match could not come at a better time for STL. They have lost 4 straight and sunk to the last wildcard spot in the west despite adding the CHI system in net. This easy week will help to stave off the circling vultures. Though generally considered no threat this late in the season, their matchup vs TOR has shown the Stars under GM Darkness could pull out an upset or two. -
Minnesota Wild vs Nashville Predators - These two central teams have been on rolls of late. Since mid-December NSH has climbed from 18th to 11th, and Minny from 16th to 6th while ascending the Central Throne. In fact, both teams are undefeated since Dec 21st.
Washington Capitals vs Winnipeg Jets - This is not the team WPG wants to face in a week STL faces Dallas. WPG is Only 10 points back of STL, but a WSH landslide and Jets loss could put a nail into his playoff chances. Last week the Jets were dominated by the Bruins, but hope to rebound versus this Metro powerhouse. The Caps have absolutely steam-rolled their last 3 opponents 13-3, 13-0-3, 15-0-1.
Boston Bruins vs New Jersey Devils - The Bruins could pass Toronto this week for 1st in the East, 1st in the Atlantic, and 2nd in the league. The sit only 5 points back. Meanwhile, the Devils, 7th in the east, need to pick up a few points as 9th and 10th TBL and NYR inch closer.
Buffalo Sabres vs New York Islanders - The top 3 spots (Wash, Pitts, NYI) in the Metro are only separated by 17 points. Buffalo (4th in Atlantic), like the Devils, would like at least a few points to fend off TBL and NYR.
Detroit Red Wings vs Carolina Hurricanes - Carolina shook up their roster last week and managed to just slip past the Canucks. Again, this week a few moves were made. Let's hope the Canes can get a bump in the standings vs a weak opponent, but otherwise, perhaps it's time for yet another roster overhaul. If Detroit does well here they could move up to 28th in the league for the first time this season.
Florida Panthers vs Columbus Blue Jackets - The Panthers are happy to see their pick improve while keeping matches close. The Jackets, without a pick would at least like to make a run of it. Dubinsky returning from an early season injury hasn't been enough to pull this team back into the playoff picture over the last few weeks in the tough East.
Montreal Canadiens vs Pittsburgh Penguins - Pittsburgh has gone 2-2-1 the last 5 weeks. Montreal has won 8 straight. After being upset last week vs the lowly Ducks, do the Pens really have what it takes to stop those damn'ed marauding Canadiens? Doubtful.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs New York Rangers - GAME OF THE WEEK Only two points separate these two teams at 9th and 10th in the east. They each sit approx. 10 points back of a playoff spot. There isn't enough room for both. Who will Seize this chance to prove they actually have what it takes to compete with the big boys of the east? Who will seize this chance to prove they are a stinking piece of Crap?
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Philadelphia Flyers- Phili faces LAK and TOR back-to-back. Toronto, like the Kings lately, need this matchup after ties the last 2 weeks. They don't seem to be as invinsible as everyone assumed. Late season collapse? Perhaps this team isn't so different from their NHL counterparts.
