Thrashers

By Ryan

December 21, 2005 05:16 PM | Link to this

In the NHL there are no “sure wins”. But I like the Thrashers chances. They have been playing better as a whole and I think the possibility of Lehts coming back soon will give them the extra boost. I think Larsen, correct me if I’m wrong, is out which may take away from a line that has stepped up. All in all, I like there chances if they can stay out of the box.

By John

December 21, 2005 05:25 PM | Link to this

Yes, they can win these two games, but it gets much tougher after that. Let’s see what happens over the next couple weeks not just two games…

By Ryan

December 21, 2005 05:58 PM | Link to this

Nice roster for Canada.

By Bob

December 21, 2005 06:11 PM | Link to this

They need to win both games, but the Devils will be tough to beat. So, probably a split and then get Lehtonen back and go for an extended run to get back in it.

By kracker

December 21, 2005 07:50 PM | Link to this

The Devils played better on the Island last night with Lou staring them in the eyeballs. They are playing in MSG right now, another road win might indicate they are stepping up for the GM. Rangers up 1-0.

But, yeah, these are games an improved Thrash team should win, must win if they want to challenge for the playoffs.

.500 sounds really good right now.

By kracker

December 21, 2005 08:30 PM | Link to this

Duh. Correction:

Devils beat the Rangers last night, playing Islanders now, Islanders still up 1-0.

By JB

December 21, 2005 09:29 PM | Link to this

Isles 3-1 in the 3rd period right now on the Island….we need to be focused on the 4 teams that are close enough to catch in the standings…Isles,Devils,Leafs and Habs….next 6 points are Wash,NJ and Montreal….we need 5 points out of those 3 games especially with Philly coming in on the 28th…..difficult but not impossible

By LAC

December 21, 2005 10:16 PM | Link to this

JB is 100% correct, as usual…

We can gain enough to even put pressure on Tampa, Won’t John T. like that THIRD PLACE.

Tampa is fading and are ripe to be passed, same for those wiliting Leafs, How do they beat us so badly, then get their heads handed to them ???

1/2 will be interesting, Guess AJC should ask this… Will you be there 1/2 to BOO or Cheer Heatley ?

We’ll see, but first things first… Washington !!!

By vik

December 21, 2005 10:31 PM | Link to this

this is like saying will indy make the playoffs this year.

HECK YES, they will, as will the thrashers.

this shouldn’t even be discussed. what should be discussed is who will get the most point for the thrashers in this stanley cup winning year.

By Brendan

December 21, 2005 10:54 PM | Link to this

Great post JB. That’s entirely correct. The Thrashers must focus on catching those teams above them. The Habs have been faltering lately. Though, I think they have Kovalev back. And the Leafs can be caught. The NY Isles have essentially hovered where they are since the season began. They can be a “streaky” type team.

As for the Devils … without Niedermayer and Stevens, and Daneyko long since retired, too, this Devils team is not what it once was. What’s more, as Manasso has pointed out, New Jersey has to trim payroll for Patrik Elias.

My guess is that New Jersey will either get the 8th and final playoff spot, or finish 9th. That makes the game vs. the Devils that much more important. Being 3-0 vs. the Devils might be the difference between making the playoffs and being eliminated. Atlanta plays New Jersey for the final time on March 23, 2006. And that game could be critical, too.

By JMar

December 22, 2005 02:48 AM | Link to this

That’s a “shoot-out” loss. Though we were shut-out in the shoot-out.

By JMar

December 22, 2005 02:58 AM | Link to this

I think we will have passed the Islanders and Devils by season’s end. My concern is getting up into that 8-seed. Brendan points out that the Leafs can be caught, but it’d be nice if we hadn’t been outscored by them 18-2 in our previous three meetings. For that reason, I’d say our best shot will be Toronto taking the 7-seed and us catching Tampa for the 8-seed; as least with them, the Thrashers can take matters into their own hands, as they play them once at home in January, and then three times in two weeks at Tampa Bay to finish off the season. That extended brutal road trip (10 of our last 14 games are on the road) will make or break our season for us. I’m just hoping we’re not all full of hope after the long homestand in March, only to go on that road trip and end the season with bitterness.

By JB

December 22, 2005 09:23 AM | Link to this

JMAR……There is no way that the Leafs will finish ahead of Tampa. The Bolts have hit a lttle bit of a slide but they will be there..Arguably, they have the 2nd best talent in the east, although their goaltending may be suspect…they may catch the Canes before all this is said and done.It looks like we will have to settle for the 7-8th spot if we get in.

Good point about all the road games we have to end the season. That will be a crucial time. Another intangible that hasn`t been brought up is how each team will react after the 2 1/2 week layoff for the Olympic break. Hockey is a sport that needs continuity to keep team play at a top level. The teams that get out of the gate fast after the break may get a lead that will difficult to overcome with just 6 weeks to go. That will be interesting to watch. The Thrashers just need to put themselves in a position to make a run in March.

By Brendan

December 22, 2005 10:37 AM | Link to this

JB made me think of something else. What about “Olympic injuries?” A few Thrashers may be playing. If Hossa and Kovalchuk, or Bondra, if he’s healthy-enough, play and get injured, any talk of the playoffs might be out of the question. But, others teams may be dealing with injured players returning from the Olympics as well. That could benefit the Thrashers.

My biggest fear for this season is a futile attempt at making the playoffs where Atlanta finishes 9th. All that did was screw up our draft order.

I don’t think the season is a “total loss” if the Thrashers wind up with a “Top Five” pick. (Assuming we don’t trade down to #16 again, to stockpile second round picks.)

If Atlanta finishes 8th, there’s a half-way decent chance the Thrashers would have to face the Dany Heatley-led Senators in the 1st round of the playoffs. (#8 always plays #1 in the first round.)

I’m just curious, how many of the bloggers want to see that? It might be a 50-50 split. Don’t we WANT to beat Ottawa more than anyone? Even more than the Leafs? Then again, how would you feel about a four-game sweep by Heatley-led Senators over our beloved Thrashers? Wouldn’t that be extra long “offseason” for all the Thrashers fans, particularly for those who have #15 Heatley jerseys hanging in their closets.

By JB

December 22, 2005 01:05 PM | Link to this

Excellent observation Brendan…..I for one want no part of Ottawa. Once you get past the Sens, the rest of the east starts to even out quickly. I will say one thing. Ottawa has dominted the Leafs all year but you ask any of their fans and they will tell you that they would rather open the playoffs against anybody but the Leafs. The Leafs own them in the playoffs and a Sens-Leafs first round series would cause a lot of anguish in Ottawa. It would be their worst nightmare.

Believe it or not but Atlanta would match up nicely against the Flyers. Rangers or the Canes. Tampa would be a tough draw and so would Buffalo. That is why we need to make a run at the 7th spot. Who would want Ottawa?…..maybe the Leafs ?

By Brendan

December 22, 2005 05:29 PM | Link to this

I’d want a SE division opponent in the first round. Probably the only way that would happen is for a 6th place finish for Atlanta, while the SE Division Champion (Tampa Bay, probably, but maybe Carolina), might be seeded third (3rd).

While I don’t particularly relish the idea of Tampa Bay, we certainly know them. There’s something about that “familiarity” of a divisional opponent that might favor Atlanta.

Atlanta has had some success against the Flyers. But in a seven-game series, it seems tough to pull off.

The Flyers aren’t as old as they used to be and we’re not as “young” as we used to be.

According to preseason oddsmakers in Las Vegas, the odds on favorites to win the Cup, were the Philadelphia Flyers, at 5:1.

The truth is … there aren’t a lot of “soft” opponents in the Eastern Conference. I wouldn’t even want to face Toronto in the opening round.

Buffalo hasn’t been in the postseason in a few years, but the way they’re playing, I wouldn’t want them either.

Maybe the Isles would be a good team to draw.

By sodapants

December 22, 2005 06:28 PM | Link to this

oh boy… Getting the Sens in the first round would mean an embarassing sweep and a worse pick. Might as well not have showed up at all. Lets face it… there is no comparisson between the Sens and Thrashers. Now, or after April…..assuming they’re all healthy.

Never know though… But realistically?? We have to do better then 8th to have ANY chance of winning a series….. because Ottawa is going to win the east… easily. Philly is suffering from injuries but are coming back… We play them well though so that’s not a bad draw considering. The canes or tampa know us just as well as we know them so that one’s a wash. Just depends on who shows up.

Regarless… the onbly thing they ought to care about right now is Washington. Not Kari… not the Olympics… just the Caps.

By Matt

December 22, 2005 06:33 PM | Link to this

Brendan…just in case you’re still checking this thread, wanted to answer your questions about the CA v. CR game in Salt Lake.

To be honest, I can’t remember who scored the tying goal for Canada, but you’re right that it was with only a few minutes left…and just a couple of minutes after the Czechs had scored. First the smaller contingent of Czech fans were going completely bonkers, then they went heart-broken and the Canucks went nuts. Through to the end, it was complete pandemonium. That’s why I don’t remember who scored that last goal…I was too caught up in everything to catch details. So much fun.

And sadly, no, I did not get to touch the Cup. I was walking towards it when one of the security people noticed I didn’t have whatever credentials I needed to be there and I was escorted out. I think it was a private event for Team Canada. Cool while it lasted.

By Brendan

December 22, 2005 11:53 PM | Link to this

Matt, that CAN-CZE game was one of the best of the Round Robin tourament.

You picked the right game to attend!

The late Nieuwendyk goal, set up by an amazing play by Theo Fleury behind the net, was maybe the most important goal Canada scored in the tournament. Without that tie, Canada would have had a much tougher route to the Gold Medal.

Canada may be the favorites to win again, but they also have a history of choking in the Olympics. Until 2002, it had been 52-years since they last won the Gold medal.