Comments on: Southeast Division: As wide-open as it is pathetic

By: rsl22

rsl22 — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:31:33 +0000

I’m an admitted Caps apologist….but, it’s really hard to replace an all-star caliber 1C (Backstrom) and two-time Norris trophy nominee (Green).

I hate to blame this waste of a season on the loss of two players, but their absence undoubtedly has played a huge role in the Caps demise this year.

If 19 gets healthy and 52 stays healthy….they could be a dangerous team in the playoffs. Without them, there’s no denying they look pathetic and are not going to be a difficult out for any team playing them in the first round.

By: polegojim

polegojim — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 23:26:23 +0000

Exactly – Vancouver is at least showing heart and drive to earn one.

By: hockeyhome

hockeyhome — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 23:14:43 +0000

Well I know the fans in DC, like the fans in Vancouver, are starving for the Cup and they both Do deserve a team that will Finally bring it home.

By: polegojim

polegojim — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 22:57:30 +0000

Not a Caps fan at all… standing up for ‘our team’ as fans is one thing, but to pretend nothings wrong and defending bad hockey is completely another

That’s my issue. Washington deserves better.

By: polegojim

polegojim — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 22:54:13 +0000

True – guess we’ll see if some of these east teams get it together over the next 2 months.

By: hockeyhome

hockeyhome — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:53:50 +0000

You must be a frustrated Caps fan? or just really bitter? I don’t think these people are really making “excuses” but if they are isn’t that our job as hockey fans? To stand up for the teams we love regardless of the “standings”

By: hockeyhome

hockeyhome — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:47:55 +0000

The Eastern conference, overall is weak. They have the Rangers. Boston is doing OK (not looking too good recently). Otherwise there are a couple beat-up teams that, if healthy, could be Much Better (but they’re not so…). Some interesting stories (in Devils, Panthers, Senators, and Jets), and team-destructive goal tending (Flyers and Lightning)
However, looking at the standings I think the bottom 4 spots are still up for grabs regardless of the SE automatic seed- that just makes another race within a race.
So, whatever way you want to slice it, the Eastern Conference just pales in comparison to the West, but it also has a “pathetic” division: the NW. The NW division has the Canucks (no need to name the others).

By: letangshair

letangshair — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:07:55 +0000

when the only teams you’re beating are in your own crap division yes. that’s terrible hockey.

By: polegojim

polegojim — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 18:46:22 +0000

Woefully underperforming is pathetic folks.

MOST other division leaders current have 15-20 more points, THEN the same point differential begins.

I aint hatin, just statin. Caps fans shouldn’t act like its ok.

By: polegojim

polegojim — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 18:44:23 +0000

… until this year – that’s exactly the point.

Middle of the standings in the worst division in hockey. That is pathetic compared to expectations.

Please stop making excuses for this.

By: bethgoesglobal

bethgoesglobal — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 16:21:08 +0000

Why does everyone always hate on the SE division. Other than the Canucks the NW isn’t exactly a powerhouse division either. And need I remind “ya’ll” that the Caps had dominated the entire Eastern conference for several seasons until this year!

By: dcfan4life

dcfan4life — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:18:53 +0000

Agreed, less than 10 points seperate the top 4 teams in half the divisions. Thats a little harsh to call a team pathetic when they r 5 more wins away from a division lead.

By: polegojim

polegojim — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:15:05 +0000

@bcjim – sorry to rub in the pain, but your comparison is lateral, that’s really not the point.

Just the facts and nothing but the facts:

The SE Division is the worst in the NHL. Yes, that’s terrible hockey.

The SE Division leader is (-18) in goal differential. Every other division leader is has a positive and double-digit goal differential. Most are 50+ positive. Yes, that’s terrible hockey.

The SE Division leader would be in the bottom three or near the cellar in any other division. Yes, that’s terrible hockey.

Add to those facts that the Caps have been supposedly been built-for and favorites to win the Cup. They’re not even leading the worst division in the NHL and Ovi seems more worried about defending his Rock Star status than playing superior hockey. That is pathetic.

By: scottfmullin

scottfmullin — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 06:46:51 +0000

“Pathetic” seems like too harsh a word to describe anything in hockey other than the Blue Jackets.

By: bethgoesglobal

bethgoesglobal — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 05:48:59 +0000

There are 20+ games left to be played and a lot can happen between now and the end of the regular season. The draft deadline is around the corner and that could shake up the standings quite a bit (or not). However, what’s more likely to rattle the standings is some teams getting hot and others floundering. It’s a good thing Philly can score because if they don’t get a new goalie they could fall apart. If Toronto continues to trade they’ll run the risk of throwing off the teams chemistry and they could falter. If Jersey continues to play as they have been they’ll be set, but…. Florida seems like they’ll continue as they have unless they pick up a piece or 2 that give them that extra push, which means they’ll be in the hunt right up till the end. Washington is up in the air but the return of Mike Green is huge for them. Their GM McPhee is reportedly very busy on his phone these days but we’ll have to wait until the 27th to see what that amounts to since he likes to make his moves in the final hours of the deadline. Winnipeg has a long stand at home which could make or break their season. Their record in Dec was outstanding but the team barely left home. Finally, there’s Ottawa. I’ll be honest I’m not as familiar with their team but I know that the most important factor for them is probably their goaltending. If Anderson can stand strong the team has a good chance to stay in the hunt.

My point: The SE division is not as pathetic as some may think. I think there will be at least 2 teams in the playoffs and depending on how the cards fall there could even be 3. If Tampa gets a solid goalie they could even push into the race. Regardless, there’s a lot of hockey left and I think 5-8th place will be a battle to the finish.

Oh- and don’t forget how damaging injuries can be for a team. What would the picture look like today if Washington hadn’t lost Green for nearly the entire season and Backstrom these last 2 months.What if Pittsburgh had Crosby, Letang, and Staal healthy, or Philly had Pronger? A lot can happen in a cross-check or with an errant puck and they only take a second to cause damage.

By: natswizskincap

natswizskincap — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 05:13:31 +0000

Caps could go into the playoffs healthy. It’s nice that they aren’t on cruise control and could
help them get past the second round!!! Here’s to wishing and hoping Nicky is back soon!!! And that Crosby gets healthy
and motivates OVI again!!!

By: bcjim

bcjim — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 03:17:55 +0000

Oh please, 28/29 wins is significantly different than 30/32/33 (OTT/PHI/PIT)? that is equals “terrible hockey”?

By: velocirapist

velocirapist — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 03:10:38 +0000

“Whoever wins, we lose” because we have to see them play for at least 4 more games. What terrible hockey in that division.

By: trbowman

trbowman — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 02:53:40 +0000

Bolts don’t have consistent enough goaltending to do it.

Caps will probably make a deadline move, I think they take the division.

Panthers make it as an eighth or seventh seed.