Battle of the Central Division

The Blues and the Blackhawks are tied atop the Central with 58 points and the Red Wings are 1 back of them with 57, and dont look now, the Predators have won 4 straight to get to the 54 point mark. A great battle is under way in the Central. Nashville has went 7-3 to climb right back in it. As of today, the 4th place Predators would be second in the Northwest Division, 2nd in the Pacific Division 1 point back of the Sharks, 3rd in the Atlantic, 3rd in the Northeast, and 1st in the Southeast Division. With those kind of numbers and the amount of wins between these club's, I think the Central Division is the best over all Division right now.
Its been a fun race, every other day it seams there is a different leader in the Central, and when any of the 4 teams get together, it's really been high intencity Play-off style hockey.

Chicago plays tonight vs. the Sharks and the Blues, Wings, and Predators play Monday. Who do you think wins the Division? What are some of your comments and idea's about the Central? Is the Central the best in the NHL right now? There's great battles and races all over the NHL now. Every night there is alot at stake. Home ice advantage to start the play-offs is going to be extremely critical for most clubs IMO.   So what do you thinks?

The way the Blues are playing at this point, it's hard not to like their chances. They're playing Hitchkock lock down hockey, are young and talented. That being said though, Hawks are deep and talented and the Wings are what they always are and have very good goaltending. Pred's are a tight d-team but I think they's #4 of this group still.
Watched the Blues play the habs the other night, while Habs are not a great test, the Blues looked impressive in the win. They simply grind teams for 60min.

Judging by yesterday's game, Chicago isn't playing their game right now, poor transitions and the powerplay looked hesitant to say the least. There's pressure on them from Detroit and the Blues and they aren't responding well right now.

I'd love for the Blackhawks to beat the Sharks today, yet I fear not. They're playing tight. I see both the Blues and the Red Wings passing Chicago, at least for the short term.

Detroit looked awesome, especially when they took the game back in OT. If they keep playing at that level, it might be over....

Watched the Blues play the habs the other night, while Habs are not a great test, the Blues looked impressive in the win. They simply grind teams for 60min.

The Blues are playing great hockey after the hiring of Hitchcock, but I think they lack the firepower needed. Although they have given up only 94 goals wich is 3rd best in the NHL. Its amazing the difference a coach can make sometimes.

Judging by yesterday's game, Chicago isn't playing their game right now, poor transitions and the powerplay looked hesitant to say the least.

And yet they keep winning. Beat the Sharks 4-3. Now their back up by a couple at 60 points. Just when I think the Red Wings are going to catch them, they string some wins together. Detroit was impressive, but so were the Hawks. If there not hitting on all cylinders, I dont want to see them when they are:)

Today, I'll pick the Islanders at home to beat the Predators. The Wings over the Sabres. Blues defeat the Stars. Im no good at picking games, just put the whammy on some teams probably.

Nashville is Nashville-I don't think they're going to get any easier and are still do for a better stretch of hockey at some point this year.  Trotz isn't whining publically about the team which means they are on the same page.   Some of the forwards like Hornquist, Smith, and Fisher are likely going to have a hot streak too.    No surprise what's going on in Nashville.    The looming contract drama with Suter and Weber may limit what Poile is able to do to add to the team.   They will remain a team that nobody is going to be excited about playing, and Rinne hasn't caught fire for an extended period yet.   They finish 3rd in the division but not by  much.   The pp is solid and the pk may be getting better.    Trotz will have them playing better 5 on 5 again and then it will be very tough to beat them convincly.    Trotz is one of the better coaches in the league, and he'll have his team playing much better than the talent on the roster suggests (outside of the 3 big names).

STL-Hitchcock has them playing an outstanding team game.   They are probably overachieving a little bit and the hustle is covering up some of the deficiencies on the roster.  Like Nashville, nobody wants to play them.   Unfortunately, with the sale not concluded, Armstrong won't be able to add a few of the pieces that they need.   The blueline still has weaknesses and the team is due for a stumble but I still think that Hitchcock will have them finish above any team not from Van, SJ, or LA in the other two divisions.     Great to see STL back on the hockey map, and I think they are set up to stay there for a while when the new owner emerges.   Their depth may not be good enough to take the division, but their ability to play for a full 60minutes consistently may offset that too.

Detroit is Detroit, rolling along, another 100+pt year and home ice in the first round.   They have great depth and few defined weaknesses.    They have been unbelievable at home this year so if they get a little better on the road they could be the best team in the West.  The reason for concern in Detroit is that this is one of the healthiest startst to the year for the last decade and a half for the wings.   The Swedes whose names don't end in "strom" haven't missed a game yet, I don't think that's going to last.    Detroit has endured significant injuries (like almost every team) every year but haven't this year and the rosters' lineup suggests that injuries are due.   No, Eaves doesn't count.   Howard could probably offset the loss of a top 4 d-man for a  while, he's playing extremely well, best in the division.   Holland has enough space to add a bunch of help if needed, but they don't right now.    This may be an issue if the injury bug doesn't catch them until right at the deadline or later.   Given Zetterberg's rough start, it's possible he's been dealing with an injury most of the year.    Lidstrom still averaging 23+ minutes a game, no reason to expect a dropoff as he was able to maintain that all year last year.

Chicago-Probably the most talent 1-23 and 1-30 but not sure they are the best team in terms of winning games.    The team doesn't look like it did in October and doesn't look like it will in the Spring.   The defensive pairings are settling in the forwards are looking better and better in the neutral and defensive zones.   Tough to say if the Hawks have chronic defensive issues or if it's a matter of large roster turnover and a desire for naps during the colder months.   Crawford has been great and bad and Emery has proved to be a pretty good backup.   History suggests that the Hawks will play a better defensive game in the 2nd half but that remains to be seen, I expect their depth to be the reason they win the division.    They have been pretty healthy like Detroit, but have had to deal with injured lower defenseman and the loss of centers lately with Sharp out, Kruger out and Bolland playing for 6 weeks on restricted ice time because of the broken foot (no healed).     Stan Bowman has a bunch of space that will allow him to make a move.    Carcillo can be retroactively placed on LTIR later, and with the Hawks' accumulated space, they'll be able to pick up a 6 million (annual hit) player before the deadline.

The Central Division is the best in hockey and I don't think it's close. As of right now the top four in the division are separated by four points and are all among the top eight in the entire NHL in terms of points. Obviously the Blue Jackets suck but one through four this division is by far the best. If I were to predict the final division standings against my better judgement they would look like this:


1. Red Wings: Finish 24-11-2 (53-26-3, 109 points -- ROW: 49)...1st in West

2. Blackhawks: Finish 23-11-2 (50-24-8, 108 points -- ROW: 44)...4th in West

3. Blues: Finish 19-13-5 (46-25-11, 103 points -- ROW: 44)...5th in West

4. Predators: Finish 21-13-3 (47-28-7, 101 points -- ROW: 42)...6th in West

C'LV...your predictions dont look bad at all. Crazy thing is, the very last game of the season is a Red Wings vs. Blackhawks classic wich could be the game that decides the division.

The Blackhawks and the Blues are not playing today. The Wings have a road game with the Stars, and the Predators have a tough road game against the Rangers. At the end of the day the Red Wings could grab 1st place, and I cant remember the last time that happend.

Crazy thing is, the very last game of the season is a Red Wings vs. Blackhawks classic wich could be the game that decides the division.

Part of me is hoping it does just because that game would have a playoff atmosphere like no other regular season game they've played -- which is saying something considering the first three they've played against each other so far. The last two seasons the Wings have beaten the Hawks on the final day of the regular season for both teams, with a lot on the line both games. It's also at the Joe where the Wings seemingly can't lose anymore. It would be awesome if it came down to that game to decide the winner of the division.

The other part of me just wants the Wings to have the division all sewn up by April 1st. It wouldn't be as exciting but it would allow me to breathe at a more regular rate over the final two weeks.

1. Red Wings: Finish 24-11-2 (53-26-3, 109 points -- ROW: 49)...1st in West

2. Blackhawks: Finish 23-11-2 (50-24-8, 108 points -- ROW: 44)...4th in West

3. Blues: Finish 19-13-5 (46-25-11, 103 points -- ROW: 44)...5th in West

4. Predators: Finish 21-13-3 (47-28-7, 101 points -- ROW: 42)...6th in West

I'm obviously a bit biased seeing as I am a Blues fan, but with the way they've been playing under Hitchcock, I just don't see them dropping 13 games alone in regulation. Since Hitch took over they're like 22-5-6 or something, there is no way that they triple the amount of regulation losses they have had thus far in this season under Hitch. Heck, they're one of the few teams that has proven they can beat both Detroit and Chicago this year, going 2-2 against the Wings and 1-1 against the Hawks. 

I just don't see them dropping 13 games alone in regulation. Since Hitch took over they're like 22-5-6 or something, there is no way that they triple the amount of regulation losses they have had thus far in this season under Hitch. Heck, they're one of the few teams that has proven they can beat both Detroit and Chicago this year, going 2-2 against the Wings and 1-1 against the Hawks.

While I see the Blues making the playoffs, I don't think expectations should remain too high.   One or a couple things are likely to happen at some point:

The team has a multi-week slump from some "burnout" that comes from playing at such an intense level for so long
The league adjusts to STL, they are in a different system than Payne, and the league has only seen it for a couple months, adjustments by the opponents will be made.
Hitchcock runs a few of the kids into the ground as he's done at his last 3 coaching stops (I'm hoping for Blues fans that this doesn't happen because they have a bunch of fun young players to watch).

I'm not suggesting that the Blues won't recover or will collapse, only that there are too many very good teams in the West that aren't going to let STL just run away with a bunch of pts like they have been.

I also think Nashville's lack of offense will cause them to slump at some point
Chicago will have a couple really bad weeks as Quenneville tinkers with the 23-man roster through March
The injury bug will catch up with Detroit a bit.

No matter what happens, all 4 teams have plenty of games remaining against each other and it'll be fun seeing everybody slide up and down in the standings (wasn't part of my plan).   

Red Wings with the road win over the Stars move into 1st place in the Central and occupy the top spot in the Western Conference.
But, and a big ol' but like Brenda, I have the feeling the Blackhawks playing at home tonight against the Sabres might have something to say about that.  Can Buffalo pull off the upset @ Chicago? 

Can Buffalo pull off the upset @ Chicago?

Bonafied miracle.

Buffalo too banged up right now. They are thin at D. The forwards such as Stafford and Leino are underachieving. Great night to break out of this horrible slump.

6-2 Hawks win over the Sabres.  No miracle on ice for Buffalo.  10th straight road loss for the Sabres.  Tied the score early in the second at 2-2, then pretty much gave up the rest of the night as the Hawks scored four straight goals (and probably could have had 2-3 more, with one sure goal waived off by the ref with no explanation or video review and two more off the post).

Back on top of the Western Conference again, but one more game played than the Wings and two more played than the Blues.  

Everyday these three teams rotate going from first to fifth.  It's almost funny...but not really if you are a true fan of your team. Including Vancouver, two points separate four teams in the West.  Sick.

Hawks getting terrific play from two rookies just called up.  Andrew Shaw (supposedly 5'10", but not even close), 20 years old, has five goals in eight games.  Jimmy Hayes (definitely every bit of 6'6" and 23 years old) has four goals in ten games and seven points.  These two are playing great and helping out with Patrick Sharp out about another 10 days or so and with numbnuts Daniel Carcillo done for the year with a severe knee injury.

Interesting to the end of the season.  Hawks have two out of three at home, then go on a NINE game road trip after the All Star break (damned Disney on Ice).

Who the F*** cares about that stupid ice show anyways entertaing little rugrats with green noses and having their parents pay $8 for cotton candy.  Sick of that crap occupying the UC every year.  Tons of other venues in the Chicago area...let them prance around there.

Interesting to the end of the season.  Hawks have two out of three at home, then go on a NINE game road trip after the All Star break (damned Disney on Ice).

Absolutely brutal schedule.  How well they adapt to playing on the road all the time, will be very crucial to where the Blackhawks finish in the standings. I didnt realise they had that bump in the schedule.


The Predators (still on the road) desprately need the 2 points available in Columbus tonight and the Blues are at home against the Oilers. I'll take the Blues there. Red Wings in Phoenix need to keep it going and get out of there with 2 points. Pressure on everybody!

Preds-Blue Jackets.  Preds will win because Columbus is awful.

Blues-Oilers.  Home game for the Blues, wil pick them

Wings-Coyotes.  Wings have a tough time on the road, but 'Yotes 3-4-3 in the last 10.  Picking (gulp) the Wings.

Hawks go back to fifth place again in the conference.  LOL.  Almost ridiculous.   

Hawks go back to fifth place again in the conference.  LOL.  Almost ridiculous.

It's the new reality in today's NHL.

Lead Central Division? check

Got a night off? check

In fifth place again? check

Looks like a dogfight right down to the wire. Love it.

I have all three Central teams winning tonight.

Preds win 3-1

Blues win 3-1

Wings win 4-2

Which team is going to blink first?

I feel bad for Nashville and their 58pts, they don't get to go from 1st to 5th every other day.   Their time will come though.  

gmalis and C'LV your picks for winner's were perfect. Good calls. FortheLulz...I love it to. Every night in the NHL even when your favorite team isnt playing is very interesting...great battles for points and home ice advantage in the play-offs, wich is going to be huge it looks like this year. No real dominate road warriors...yet.

How about Halek and the Blues (wich are going to the JLA soon)...lately nobody can get the puck past him. Another shut-out last night and the defence in front of him only allowed 15 shots...thats insane.

Red Wings with 31 wins and 63 points, first overall (for today). Fallowed by the Blues with 62. The Blackhawks with 62 and the Predators doing a fine job hanging in there with 58 pts.

Blackhawks @ home tonight against the Florida Panthers. Im sure the hawks are going to try to flip everything back upside down again.

Almost feel bad for the Blue Jackets. When talking about the Central Division, they never get any mention. Maybe they will be a big spoiler for somebody down the stretch. I hope they never loose again when they play the Hawks, Blues, or Preds.