10-0-0 to start the season and average a shade under five goals per game. I don't think these guys are the second-coming of the 80s Oilers but this is definitely a team to fear this season even though they had to let a few guys go to stay under the cap.
The other up-and-coming team that fell short in the conference finals last year is off to a hot start as well. The Ducks are getting great goaltending out of Giguere and great production from their young forwards...Kunitz, Getzlaf, Perry, Penner and Shannon have accounted for exactly one-half of their offense...and they have only one goal from Selanne. I picked them to win it all...they've been as good as advertised so far.
Atlanta and Minnesota are pleasant surprises as well. I picked Atlanta to be a darkhorse team this year...they're start doesn't surprise me nearly as much as the Wild's start. Atlanta has the best 1-2 offensive punch and Lehtonen is world class if he ever stays healthy. If he goes down, I don't think they have a shot at the playoffs. Speaking of goaltending, no goalie has been better than Fernandez in the early going...best GAA and SV% so far. With a young goalie in Harding as his backup, the Wild will also be depending heavily on him to carry the load...plus with Gaborik's nagging injuries, they will probably need to win some games 1-0 and 2-1. The Northwest is the deepest division in the league...I don't expect the Wild to be at the top of this divsion for very long nor do I think the Flames will be in last place for very long either.
Can't say I've watched as much hockey as I'd like to so far with the Tigers occupying my October TV viewing...by November, I'll be in full hockey mode.
Your thoughts on the season so far?
Bow down to the mighty Sabreslugs
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The Sabres also won their last five regular season games to end the season last year. So in a way they have won 15 straight regular season games.
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The Rat Pack
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The Rat Pack wrote:I remember when the Leafs started out 10-0 back in '93. hehe
There's no way the Sabres go 11-0. They'll lose to Atlanta who is pretty good on the road.
Good call, Ratso...exciting game in Buffalo with the Thrashers taking it in a shootout. Two of the most exciting teams in the league in a back and forth game...good stuff and we're only in October.
Man, the way you're going, you might actually gain some credibility around here!The Rat Pack wrote:There's no way the Sabres go 11-0. They'll lose to Atlanta who is pretty good on the road.
I didn't call it at all. I picked Buffalo. I suck.
As for the season, lots of great games, but I still hate the "new NHL". Chinsy calls and no physicality is apparently the way we're going to goad Americans into watching our game.
Still a FlameFan