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 411mania » Sports » NHL
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Sports Kid Rankings 3.27.08: NHL Week 26
Posted by Ken Schmidt on 03.27.2008



The Atlantic race is heating up as it is beginning to look certain that four teams will make the playoffs. However, the two team race that is more important than the other is going to be the Flyers vs. the Rangers. I know I have said it before but the best first round position is going to be whoever finishes in sixth place in the East and though as of now that spot belong to the Rangers, back to back wins for the Flyers against their division rival could give them a jump start on getting into that spot.

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Climber of the Week Edmonton Oilers +10
Diver of the Week Colorado Avalanche -5

Ranking (previous) Team Commentary Record
1 (1)
The Sharks remain atop the Sports Kid Rankings as they still continue to get points out of every game they play in. There only losses in March came in shootouts. Though the Red Wings heating up mean they don't have a shot at winning the President's Cup they are still the top team going into the playoffs. 45-21-10
2 (7)
The Red Wings are back going 8-2 in their last 10 and just when I thought they would drop the best record in the NHL I was once again proven wrong. Even though they only have one good win in all of March it is still enough to get them the one seed in the West and the President's Cup so for that they climb 5 spots. 42-25-5
3 (5)
The Canadians are laughing all the way to the bank as the Atlantic division beat on each other. The Canadians own the number 1 spot in the Eastern Conference. Montreal has five games left and only one is against a playoff team so the Habs are looking good to go into the playoffs with that home ice advantage. 43-24-10
4 (4)
It is looking pretty solid that the Ducks will play the Stars in the first round which is going to be a real brawl. I give the advantage to the Ducks because they jumped the Stars for home ice in the first round and that could make the difference. That and a better defense. 43-26-8
5 (6)
You can't argue with what the Penguins have accomplished this season. With only 5 games left in the season they have a 4 point lead on the Devils, which should be enough to get them the second spot in the East. I said they need M.A. Fleury to make a playoff run and they have that right now, so look out for the Pens. 44-26-7
6 (3)
Down four spots because the Pens are making them their personal whipping boys. Tied with the Senators for the 4th spot could spell trouble with their difficult schedule the rest of the season it is not looking great for the Devils. 42-27-7
7 (2)
The Stars are dropping quickly but that could be said for the entire top 10. There really is no rearview mirror Dallas so they need to take the last five games to regroup and get themselves ready for the Ducks. 42-29-5
8 (9)
The Flames are not going out strong but are lucky enough to still be atop the Northwest, but only by a single point. Lucky for them the Wild, Canucks, and Avs are all playing weak hockey. Only one team in the Northwest looks strong but the Flames don't have to worry about them right now. 40-27-10
9 (17)
Are the Hurricanes really in my top 10? They sure are right now. Though they still are the weakest team to win a division and they really don't deserve that playoff spot atleast they are going in strong with a solid looking March. 41-30-6
10 (14)
The Flyers continue to flip-flop on whether they should make the playoffs or not. At this point just making the playoffs is not good enough, now they need to look to jump the Rangers and get out of playing the Pens in the first round. 39-28-10
11 (8)
The Rangers are starting to fizzle, but with their tough schedule it is understandable. They need to fend off the Flyers right now because they have no chance in moving up, they need to pray to stay still. 39-26-11
12 (12)
The Canucks are trying to gain some ground on the 6 spot because 7 and 8 are looking like automatic exits in the Western Conference. They need to catch the Wild but they are running out of time. 38-28-10
13 (23)
An unbelievable jump this week for the Oilers as they have gone from dead in the water to beginning to swim at full speed to catch up to the last playoff spot. They deserve it but it might be to little to late right now. With just three games remaining they have games against all playoff teams, but fortunately for them it is all against struggling division opponents including the Avs on Friday who are just 3 points ahead of Edmonton right now. 39-33-5
14 (13)
Talk about limping into the playoffs, the Sens are looking like they are going to finish at number 5. They are going into the playoffs with no steam and should be making an early exit. 42-28-7
15 (12)
So much for my playoff sleeper, these guys look terrible right now. If they aren't careful they might be getting a first round trouncing from the Sharks or Red Wings. They need to be looking the rearview and praying they can fend off everyone behind them. 40-28-9
16 (11)
So much for Peter Forsberg giving this team a jolt this year, the Avs are in serious danger of getting caught by their division rival the Oilers. I guess Peter made the wrong choice. 40-31-6
17 (18)
The Caps deserve to make the playoffs and with the way the Bruins are struggling it looks like Alexander the Great is going to get the Hart Trophy and his first playoff experience. 38-31-8
18 (15)
The Bruins are not playing like a team battling for their playoff lives. They are having trouble winning anything right now and need to be terrified of the red hot Capitols right behind them. 38-28-10
19 (16)
They are only 2 points out of the playoffs right now and have an easy schedule remaining, only one game against a playoff team. They really don't deserve the playoffs with their talent but if they make it they should be really proud. 38-31-8
20 (24)
Is it bad that the Panthers are playing some of the best hockey of any team in hockey? They aren't statistically eliminated yet but there shot is really slim at making the playoffs. It was a great end to the season for them though, so that is a good thing for all Panthers fans. 36-32-9
21 (19)
From playoff contender to bottom 10 in the NHL, not a good finish for the once hot Sabres. 35-30-11
22 (26)
Another team that doesn't have a shot at the playoffs but they sure did finish red hot and for that they should be proud. 35-32-10
23 (21)
The Blackhawks need to make a lot of changes if they want to make a run next year, and I just don't see them getting the star power they need. 36-32-8
24 (20)
Another squad that went from playoff contender to bottom of the NHL, the Coyotes are finishing the season in a bad way. 37-34-6
25 (22)
Pascal Leclaire was the most improved player this season and hopefully the Blue Jackets will have their first playoff run next season. 33-32-11
26 (25)
No offense and an over rated goalie signed to a 30 year deal. The Islanders might be in a bad way for a long time. 34-36-7
27 (27)
Weak season for everyone on the Blues this year. Not a good year as a whole. 30-34-12
28 (30)
This team is just a goalie and consistency away from making a playoff run. Next year could be good for all the young talent on this team. 30-40-6
29 (29)
Unfortunately the most underrated player in the world might be stuck on a team like this forever. The Thrashers continue to ship off all their talent not named Kovalchuk and Ilya can not be happy. 31-38-8
30 (30)
It is there, the Lightning have a shot to get right back in it next year. 30-38-8




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Comments (9)

 
I have a problem with your obviously unresearched Blackhawks comment.

The Blackhawks have two of the best young players in the sport and they're both 19 years old. They would be 1-2 in rookie points this year, except Toews missed a month. They also have an emerging star in defenseman Duncan Keith. A week or so ago he was leading the entire NHL in +/-.

They have the star power. They just need to mature and add a piece or two. For the first time in a very long time, the future of the franchise is bright and your comment doesn't reflect that at all.


Posted By: JD Koziarski (Registered)  on March 27, 2008 at 01:35 AM

 
 
JD if u think the Blackhawks are going to make a playoff run next year your an absolute idiot. Goaltending, most important part of hockey, they dont have it. They spent all that money on Khabibulan and that didnt work so hot did it? Wow one solid defenseman in Duncan Keith, thats going to win a Stanley Cup. Saying the Blackhawks need to make some moves to make a playoff run is a fair comment because right now they suck and i don't see one years maturity in the young players saving this team. I'm so unresearched because the Blackhawks suck; great point.

Posted By: Ken Schmidt (Registered)  on March 27, 2008 at 02:37 AM

 
 
Actually Ken, you're the idiot if you think everything in sports is black & white. I love how you "sport writers" are always willing to write off teams just because the rest of your ilk is doing so. The Blackhawks are a young team similar to how Montreal was last year. The same Montreal team that "experts" picked to finish 13th or lower in their conference.

The truth is Chicago can go either way next year. Their youngs guys like Toews & Kane can step up and be leaders on the team. Heck, they're even making a late run now.

Making bold statements like "team A sucks and won't make the playoffs without drastic changes" tends to bite a writer in the @ss later.


Posted By: The Puck (Guest)  on March 27, 2008 at 11:29 AM

 
 
Wow things like berating people publically on the internet for their opinion about why their team will be good next year is what makes 411mania look so bush league.

Even if you guys are friends or anything like that it doesn't look good regardless.


Posted By: Kent Baker (Guest)  on March 27, 2008 at 11:33 AM

 
 
I do disagree with the Blackhawks fan on them having the best young one two punch. I think our Flyers fan J.D. will agree that the best punch is in Pittsburgh with Sid and Geno.

But they Hawks were in the playoff hunt for the most part of the season, so I wouldn't see why they couldn't put together a run next year.

Also last 2 games against Philly. It would make my day to see the Pens clinch and knock the Flyers out of playoff contention haha.


Posted By: T.J. (Guest)  on March 27, 2008 at 12:55 PM

 
 
Who would want Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin when you can have guys like Toews and Kane! If certain people read my articles at all this year they would know I think Patrick Sharp was the biggest steal in hockey, but Anze Kopitar will tell you, you can be the best young player in the league, it doesn't mean your team would win.

As for the Pens clinching and knocking out the Flyers, you are going to need some help from the Caps as it looks like with 5 games left the Flyers are looking solid to slide into one of the last playoffs spots. As a Flyers fan I don't want to see the Pens in the first round right now, but than again I don't think we stand much of a shot against anyone in the first round.

Finally, Puck I picked the Canadians to make the playoffs this year and I am picking the Blackhawks to miss next year. You can't make a run at the playoffs in the West without a goalie. Look at the 8 goalies in the playoffs right now, Hasek, Nabokov, Backstrom, Kiprusoff, Luongo, Turco. I don't see a name like Lalime or an old Khabibulan fitting in that crowd.


Posted By: Ken Schmidt (Registered)  on March 27, 2008 at 06:37 PM

 
 
Ken,

I absolutely think the Blackhawks will be in the playoffs next year. They would've been this year had Toews and Khabibulin not each missed a month of action. I could toss in Havlat's injuries, but it's fair to never expect him to be healthy enough.

Khabibulin has been fine, when healthy. He's overpaid, but he's not bad by any means. They even have a decent backup in Patrick Lalime and one of the best goalie prospects in the sport in Corey Crawford (who appears ready to take over next year if somebody wants Habby for the last year of his deal).

See, again, you really don't even know who is on the Hawks roster, do you? Seabrook, Sopel, and Wisniewski are all solid (or even better).

You did NOT say they need to make moves to make a playoff run. That implies bringing in a vet or two. You said "lots of changes" which means they need to overhaul the roster. That's just plain wrong.

I never said I'd take Toews/Kane over Crosby/Malkin. People who create straw men arguments are just showing they've lost the battle.

TJ,

I didn't say they had the best 1-2 punch. I said Toews/Kane are "two of the best young players in the sport" and they would be 1-2 in points among rookies had Toews not been out for so long.


Posted By: JD Koziarski (Registered)  on March 29, 2008 at 04:20 AM

 
 
Wah, he said my favorite team sucks, wah.... Puck, at least he made a prediction without any shades of gray... its easy to say "If such and such happens, then maybe..." Atleast Ken went out on a limb and made a bold claim... and you can bitch and moan about someone calling out your favorite team, but I really don't think teams like Detroit, San Jose, Anaheim, Dallas, etc. will be fearing the Blackhawks next year.

Posted By: Guest#6671 (Guest)  on March 30, 2008 at 06:54 PM

 
 
JD i cant begin to explain how annoying you are with this thing. Here are some key points to remember:

A: The Oakland Athletics are not going to finish with a winning record because they S-U-C-K.

B: The Chicago Blackhawks will not make the playoffs next year because though they have young talent I'd rather have the Kings young talents. Toews, you are over rating. He is not Mike Richards. Patty Kane: decent player, loved having him on my fantasy team, but not a guy who can carry a team on his back, atleast not yet. He's in his first year so let's not jump on his pole right away.

C: The West is stacked with teams that are built to be good for awhile. Hell, I even like the Blue Jackets to get better and make a run next year.

D: You read the column one week where I have been disappointed in the Blackhawks. Where were you the whole season while I was saying "they are getting better but not there yet." So you think because baseball season is back and you are going to bore me another 1000 word analysis on why you think you are cool because you are "underground" you can read my column ONCE and make a comment? Go back in the achives there buddy. Do your research on what my claims actually are. A lot of changes just happens to be my way of saying quickly (because no one cares about the blackhawks) that they need a goalie, a 30 goal scorer, and someone else on the defense that is passable and experienced, Duncan Keith and Brent Sopel can't play 60 minutes a night. Three offseason moves: in the NHL those three things are alot in the scheme of things. The only reason the Hawks are hot right now they have played the Blues and the Blue Jackets over and over again. They will not win another game this season.

E: Don't call my arguments straw men when I am responding to a reader who reads every week, someone that i appreciate getting comments from and always answer him back whether to argue or agree (usually argue).

Happy?


Posted By: Ken Schmidt (Registered)  on March 31, 2008 at 02:00 AM

 


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