Not So Quiet On The Western Front--3/20 to 3/26

As we all know, our Ducks have made a terrific run to get themselves back into the playoff picture. But, the Ducks have the toughest schedule remaining and will need to focus on each game one by one, and do some scoreboard watching in the process.

Updated Morning of 3/26

GP W L OTL PTS
5 Anaheim 70 37 21 12 86
6 Colorado 71 39 25 7 85
7 Vancouver 72 38 28 6 82
8 Edmonton 71 35 24 12 82
__________________________________
9 San Jose 70 36 24 10 82
10 Los Angeles71 38 28 5 81

Ducks: 4-0-0; 8 points
Colorado: Mon. @ LA (W), Wed. @ Anaheim (L-OT), Sat. @ St. Louis (W-OT), Sun. vs. Edmonton
LA: 1-1-0; 2 points
Edmonton: Tues. vs. Vancouver (L), Thurs. @ Vancouver (L-OT), Sat. @ Vancouver (W), Sun. @ Colorado
Vancouver: 2-1-0; 4 points
San Jose: 3-1; 6 points

The Edmonton/Vancouver sked for this week is weird. It's basically make or break for Vancouver though.

eh the ducks just gotta take things 1 game at a time. Dallas is a powerhouse, but we've played nashville and phoenix well all year. and Colorado isn't the same team we played earlier due to injuries.

hopefully a point or two is stolen tomorrow.

I'm starting to really like the title of these threads. Its alot better than calling it Scoreboards Watch Thread which every other team boards have.

The final stretch is tough but if we can't make the playoffs because we can't beat these teams, we don't deserve to be in the playoffs anyways. Hopefully the team will have a strong showing tomorrow against the Stars.

Well, I'll be at the World Baseball Classic Final tomorrow night, so "unfortunately" I won't get to see my Ducks. :sarcasm:

Well, I'll be at the World Baseball Classic Final tomorrow night, so "unfortunately" I won't get to see my Ducks. :sarcasm:

Cuba vs. Japan?

You must really love baseball.

Cuba vs. Japan?

You must really love baseball.
Or a cuban is paying him to take him so he can defect.

I'm starting to really like the title of these threads. Its alot better than calling it Scoreboards Watch Thread which every other team boards have.


Glad I'm not the only one who likes these titles.

Edmonton/Vancouver is going to be very intriguing. If one team sweeps in reguation, the other team is behind the 8 ball. Edmonton having to go to Colorado the next night after the 3rd game is rough.

Ducks schedule starts to get tough now. Going in to Dallas is always tough, I'd be shocked if this team gets a point tommorow.

Cuba vs. Japan?

You must really love baseball.

Yeah, I'm a pretty big fan. I've had tickets to this game forever though, and of course I was hoping for U.S. vs. Dominican. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing some Cubans trying to run away though.

Yeah, I'm a pretty big fan. I've had tickets to this game forever though, and of course I was hoping for U.S. vs. Dominican. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing some Cubans trying to run away though.

I'm sure George Steinbrenner got a couple of fake greencards ready to go. Your name is now Fernando Valenzuela. Welcome to America.

I'm sure George Steinbrenner got a couple of fake greencards ready to go. Your name is now Fernando Valenzuela. Welcome to America.

Hopefully Fidel's there. :sarcasm:

As we all know, our Ducks have made a terrific run to get themselves back into the playoff picture. But, the Ducks have the toughest schedule remaining and will need to focus on each game one by one, and do some scoreboard watching in the process.

Updated 3/19

GP W L OTL PTS
5 Colorado 68 37 25 6 80
6 Los Angeles 69 37 27 5 79
7 Edmonton 68 34 23 11 79
8 Anaheim 66 33 21 12 78
__________________________________
9 Vancouver 69 36 27 6 78
10 San Jose 66 33 23 10 76

Ducks: Mon. @ Dallas, Wed. vs. Colorado, Fri. vs. Nashville, Sat. @ Phoenix
Colorado: Mon. @ LA, Wed. @ Anaheim, Sat. @ St. Louis, Sun. vs. Edmonton
LA: Mon. vs. Colorado, Sat. vs. Nashville
Edmonton: Tues. vs. Vancouver, Thurs. @ Vancouver, Sat. @ Vancouver, Sun. @ Colorado
Vancouver: Tues. @ Edmonton, Thurs. vs. Edmonton, Sat. vs. Edmonton
San Jose: Tues. @ St. Louis, Thurs. @ Detroit, Sat. @ Minnesota, Sun. @ Chicago

Great title and great thread 76!

LETS GO DUCKS!!! :) :yo:

I'm sure George Steinbrenner got a couple of fake greencards ready to go. Your name is now Fernando Valenzuela. Welcome to America.
Arte will gobble them up, the Angels only sign young cubans!

Great title and great thread 76!

LETS GO DUCKS!!! :) :yo:

Thankyouverymuch.

That kid Gourriel for Cuba looks real good...2B with a Manny Ramirez-esque swing..I'm sure if he could defect he would be highly sought after.

March 20th.

:avs :1
:kings :0 (First Period)

Hopefully Colorado scores a few more...what we don't want is a 3 point game here, so I'd rather the Avs just take the game over.

Ask and you shall receive Mac19. :)

:avs :2
:kings :0 (First Period)

Joe Sakic 2 Los Angeles 0

:avs :4
:kings :0 (Second Period)

EDIT

Things don't look good for Kings fans...if they lose this one...that puts them at 79 points with only 12 games left (11 against playoff contenders).

I'm more worried about the Sharks now.

edit: 4-0 Colorado...

Things don't look good for Kings fans...if they lose this one...that puts them at 79 points with only 12 games left (11 against playoff contenders).

I'm more worried about the Sharks now.

edit: 4-0 Colorado...It'll sure be interesting if L.A. and Vancouver drop out of the playoffs, especially since they have both had spots since October. Heads will roll during the offseason. Right now, the Ducks and Sharks definitely deserve spots much more than the Kings and Canucks. They're also more likely to cause damage in the 1st round, IMO.

If the Kings finish out of the playoffs, after the start they had, they really should look to dumping the coaching staff. The Kings seem to fade every year, injuries or no. Not a good quality.

Things don't look good for Kings fans...if they lose this one...that puts them at 79 points with only 12 games left (11 against playoff contenders).

I'm more worried about the Sharks now.

edit: 4-0 Colorado...


I would be more worried about the Sharks also...the way the Kings have collapsed is pathetic and Id rather a playoff spot go to a team that actually plays with heart. Trust me this is very hard to say as a Kings fan.

Updated Standings:

1.) Detroit 67 GP (99 Points)

2.) Dallas 67 GP (93 Points)

3.) Calgary 67 GP (84 Points)

4.) Nashville 68 GP (90 Points)

5.) Colorado 69 GP (82 Points)

6.) Anaheim 67 GP (80 Points)

7.) Edmonton 68 GP (79 Points)

8.) Los Angeles 70 GP (79 Points)

------------------------------------

9.) Vancouver 69 GP (78 Points)

10.) San Jose 66 GP (76 Points)

Updated Standings:

1.) Detroit 67 GP (99 Points)

2.) Dallas 67 GP (93 Points)

3.) Calgary 67 GP (84 Points)

4.) Nashville 68 GP (90 Points)

5.) Colorado 69 GP (82 Points)

6.) Anaheim 67 GP (80 Points)

7.) Edmonton 68 GP (79 Points)

8.) Los Angeles 70 GP (79 Points)

------------------------------------

9.) Vancouver 69 GP (78 Points)

10.) San Jose 66 GP (76 Points)

:handclap: Let's keep this up Ducks!

A very realistic shot at 5th.. I'd love to get Nashville in the 1st round and make Paulie kiss our ***.

Boos would reign at the Pond. As would booze. Which already does. So boos would co-reign with booze, and then the world would blow up.

Eliminating Kariya from the playoffs would make this season every bit as satisfying as going to the Finals in '03.

Then again, Vokoun always plays amazing against us.

Boos would reign at the Pond. As would booze. Which already does. So boos would co-reign with booze, and then the world would blow up.
We're not worthy.

God. Can you imagine if the Ducks played Nashville in the playoffs? That would be insane.

I would like to get the Flames. They are the weakest of the teams 1-4 right now (they've got the least points). Also, people have been saying that have a hard time scoring goals, which would also be good for us.

But a play off against the Pred would be interesting.

A Ducks/Preds matchup sure would be exciting. There's nothing better than a packed playoff atmosphere at the Pond, and I can't wait much longer for it.

Games of Interest for Tommorow, Tues. 3/21:

Calgary @ Minnesota 5:00 P.T.
San Jose @ St. Louis 5:00 P.T.
Vancouver @ Edmonton 6:00 P.T.

God. Can you imagine if the Ducks played Nashville in the playoffs? That would be insane.
The games would be fun to watch, whereas Calgary games would be good for nap time..

As long as we don't get Dallas then I'm happy. Obviously facing Nashville or Calgary is better than Detroit but I'm fine with any of the 3. (in that order to I suppose)

Kings fired Andy Murray today.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=159570&hubname=nhl

Kings fired Andy Murray today.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=159570&hubname=nhl
I was hoping they'd wait until their tailspin was complete. New coaches can change the atmosphere or change nothing...we'll see.

I was hoping they'd wait until their tailspin was complete. New coaches can change the atmosphere or change nothing...we'll see.

Lol, I was hoping for the same thing.

Hope AM and Van Boxmeer find a job elsewhere.

Lol, I was hoping for the same thing.

Hope AM finds and CO find a job elsewhere.

In all seriousness, NJ might be a good fit for him. I don't wish him ill at all, he did some great things, it was just more than time for a change.

March 21, 2006 Games of Interest:

:nucks :3
:edmonton :1 (Second Period) :hockey:


:sharks :6
:blues :0 (Final) :cry:


:wild :3
:flames :1 (Final) :hockey:

The day after the Ducks jumped the Kings in the standing, AM gets fired. Coincidence?

wow the standings are even closer now. 5th place has 82 points 10th place has 78 points. 4 point gap from 5th to 10th place, amazing.

5th Calgary 82
6th Anaheim 80
6th Vancouver 80
8th Los Angeles 79
8th Edmonton 79
10th San Jose 78

The day after the Ducks jumped the Kings in the standing, AM gets fired. Coincidence?
Oh please. :) It was long overdue!

A playoff match between Nashville and Anaheim would be amazing. Imagine the crowd at the Pond after Paul gets beat. I think I'd actually buy tickets to see that too. Although at this point I'm happy with whoever we play in the playoffs, except if it's Dallas or Detroit.

Actually a match up between the Preds & Ducks would be pretty good. The two most improved players this year have been former co-horts - Selanne & Kariya. Both have had amazing comebacks this season. It would make for great hockey watching to see who ultimately prevailed!

All in all, today was a pretty good one for the Ducks. Calgary continues their slide, while Edmonton drops out of the top 8 for now.

There aren't really any games that interest the Ducks for tomorrow:

Colorado @ Anaheim 7:30 P.T.
Minny @ Dallas 5:30 P.T.--(Not really important, just the only other western game tomorrow)

It will be interesting to see how the Kings play in their last 12 games now. Credit to Taylor for at least trying to change things with the firing of Murray. I don't think it will be enough.

assuming the magic number is 96 the Kings need to go 8-3-1 to make it. Think a coaching change is going to get them playing that type of hockey with the schedule they are up against?

The Ducks with 15 games left and 80 points right now need to go 8-7 to make it.

Vancouver with 12 games left and 80 points needs to go 8-4.

Edmonton with 13 games left and 79 points needs to go 8-4-1.

San Jose with 15 games left and 78 points needs to go 9-6.

Colorado with 13 games left and 82 points needs to go 7-6.

Calgary with 14 games left and 84 points need to go 6-8.

Minnesota with 13 games left and 71 points need to go 12-0-1. wow :eek:

Based on the 96 points number, Minnesota is out already, Calgary and Colorado are going to have to be terrible down the stretch to miss out.

San Jose will easily do better than 9-6 with their easy schedule so they are in.

I see Los Angeles going about .500 the rest of the way. 8-3-1 is pretty tough with their schedule unless they play some amazing hockey for their new coach.

The Ducks will at least go 8-7...I hope!...I think they are in if they keep playing as determined as they have been.

That leaves one spot for Edmonton and Vancouver...that could go either way.

my predicted final standings...

1.Detroit
2.Dallas
3.Calgary
4.Nashville
5.Colorado
6.San Jose
7.Anaheim
8.Edmonton

9.Vancouver
10.Los Angeles

my predicted final standings...

1.Detroit
2.Dallas
3.Calgary
4.Nashville
5.Colorado
6.San Jose
7.Anaheim
8.Edmonton

9.Vancouver
10.Los Angeles

That's reasonable. If the Ducks could manage to miss Det/Dal in the 1st round it would be quite loverly.

I really like this Ducks team. Being a Sharks fan, it's going to be fun these next few years with the young talent on both teams. The Stars will win the division, obviously, this year. But their window is closing. I think next year, the younger teams take over.

3 points out of the 3 games remaining against the Stars and we should be in.

. . . my predicted final standings...

1.Detroit
2.Dallas
3.Calgary
4.Nashville
5.Colorado
6.San Jose
7.Anaheim
8.Edmonton

9.Vancouver
10.Los Angeles

My sense is that 94 points could get you into the playoffs, but the tiebreakers may mean 95 are necessary. Nevertheless:

1. No way LA is going to go anywhere near 8-4 or 8-3-1, especially with their coaching turmoil, residual damaged players, and the 2nd toughest schedule.

2. SJ's easy schedule, and the hot Thornton/Cheechoo pair will take them past Colorado. They'll go 6-7 easily.

3. The Ducks must go at least 7-8 with the toughest schedule out there, but they could beat out Colorado also, given the AVs physical problems.

4. Edmonton and Vancouver will vie for the last spot; not much heart there, and they'll be beating up on each other. I don't think either will get 7 wins in their 12-13 games remaining.

With a little favoritism, then, my call is:

1. Detroit
2. Dallas
3. Calgary (by division winner)
4. Nashville
5. San Jose
6. Anaheim
7. Colorado
8-9. Vancouver/Edmonton
10. LA

1. Detroit
2. Dallas
3. Calgary (by division winner)
4. Nashville
5. San Jose
6. Anaheim
7. Colorado
8-9. Vancouver/Edmonton
10. LA
I hope the Ducks don't play Calgary. That would be a snoozefest. I'm hoping they play Nashville. That would be tight.

Updated Standings:

1.) Detroit 68 GP (100 Points)

2.) Dallas 68 GP (95 Points)

3.) Calgary 67 GP (84 Points)

4.) Nashville 69 GP (92 Points)

5.) Colorado 70 GP (83 Points)

6.) Anaheim 68 GP (82 Points)

7.) Vancouver 70 GP (80 Points)

8.) Edmonton 69 GP (79 Points)

------------------------------------

9.) Los Angeles 70 GP (79 Points)

10.) San Jose 67 GP (78 Points)

Games of Interest (March 23, 2006)

:sharks @ :wings (Go Wings!)

:flames @ :blues (Go Blues!)

:edmonton @ :nucks (Go Nucks!)

It's a close call, but I think a win by Vancouver is actually more favorable for the Ducks, at least based on standings points. Edmonton can afford to lose 5-1/2 games and still make 94 points, whereas Vancouver can afford to lose only 5 games and make 94 points.

This is "the guy in the best position should lose" thinking. Of course, there's also the "knock someone out asap" school of thought, because if Vancouver and LA can take a couple of hits in the next few days, they're probably both out, and the Ducks are in.
It probably doesn't matter much, given the other variables.

As long as it's decided in regulation I don't care who wins...although I hate the Oilers team really.

San Jose has 78 points.

I am hoping Vancouver wins in regulation for this reason, if the Oilers win both teams will basically be within a win of tying or passing the ducks...a van win just ties them with the ducks but the Oilers will be 3 points back and we have games in hand I believe.

San Jose has 78 points.

I am hoping Vancouver wins in regulation for this reason, if the Oilers win both teams will basically be within a win of tying or passing the ducks...a van win just ties them with the ducks but the Oilers will be 3 points back and we have games in hand I believe.

Right. After tonight, we will have 3 games in hand over Vancouver, and 2 in hand over Edmonton.

San Jose has 78 points.

Thanks for catching that Rally. Missed that. :)

BTW, go Nucks.

BTW, our win last night officially eliminated the Blues, Jackets, and Hawks from the playoff picture according to "HansH".

It could be worse. Anaheim's win last night eliminated three teams at the same time -- Columbus, Chicago, and St. Louis are all now mathematically eliminated.

Well, Detroit took San Jose 4-0, and Calgary leads St. Louis by 5 with half a period to go.

welp, atleast Detroit spread around the loses and didn't just beat the ducks.

March 23, 2006 Results:

:wings :4
:sharks :0 (Final) :hockey:


:flames :7
:blues :2 (Final) :cry:


:edmonton :3
:nucks :2 (Second Period) :dunno:

As long as its not a 3 point game between the Canucks and Oilers, I'll be happy. I hope I didn't jinx it.

:edmonton :3
:nucks :3 (Third Period) :dunno: :cry:

As long as its not a 3 point game between the Canucks and Oilers, I'll be happy. I hope I didn't jinx it.

Good job Jerky! :p:

UCLA WON! Unfreakin believable. GO BRUINS!

UCLA WON! Unfreakin believable. GO BRUINS!

Haha, you saw that too eh? That guy on Gonzaga gave up the ball waaaay to easily, and Morrison needs to either get a haircut/shave or just come out already.

As long as its not a 3 point game between the Canucks and Oilers, I'll be happy. I hope I didn't jinx it.

:shakehead Thanks Jerky.

:shakehead Thanks Jerky.

My Bruins just completed an unbelieveable win! Give me some love okay? hehe

Good lord this replay is taking FOREVER in the Edm/Van shootout. Make a decision!

:nucks :4
:edmonton :3 (SOF) :dunno:

Sorry guys. The next time, I'm just going to keep my mouth shut.

:cry:

Updated Standings:

1.) Detroit 69 GP (102 Points)

2.) Dallas 68 GP (95 Points)

3.) Calgary 68 GP (86 Points)

4.) Nashville 69 GP (92 Points)

5.) Colorado 70 GP (83 Points)

6.) Anaheim 68 GP (82 Points)

7.) Vancouver 71 GP (82 Points)

8.) Edmonton 70 GP (80 Points)

------------------------------------

9.) Los Angeles 70 GP (79 Points)

10.) San Jose 68 GP (78 Points)

Sorry guys. The next time, I'm just going to keep my mouth shut.

:cry:
I hope you've learned your lesson.

Morrison needs to either get a haircut/shave or just come out already.

haha.

I like how the opposing fans taunt Morrison and J.J Redick for being gay.

When Redick said he writes poetry opposing fans started putting his picture on Brokeback mountain posters and saying Brokeback JJ when he was trying to take foul shots.

Vancouver has surprised me. I thought they were done, now they win the first 2 of the 3 vs Edmonton.

Hate to see Edmonton also get a point from that game.

at least Detroit beat San Jose. San Jose's schedule is so easy though this was one of the few games I thought they'd lose.

Some quick figuring in my head, hope it's right:

If we go 8-6 to finish the season, the Sharks would have to go 10-4, and the Kings would have to go 9-2-1 for us to be knocked out.

8-6 doesn't seem too unreasonable. If we go .500, the numbers become 9-5 for the Sharks and 7-4-1 for the Kings.

8-6 doesn't seem too unreasonable.That's not unreasonable at all. Boy, those wins over Dallas and Colorado have really put Anaheim in the catbird seat. They just have to play solidly (not even great) and they'll have a spot. It might not be long before we're talking about what the team needs to do to secure at least 6th (so as to avoid playing Detroit and Dallas) instead of just any playoff spot.

I don't think Ducks will go 8-6, 7-7 is the best we can realistically hope for IMHO.

Let's face it, Ducks are overachieving big time at the moment. Look at our offense for crying out loud! Hedström, Marchant, Kunitz, Pahlsson all playing 15mins per night!

I'd love to be wrong but the schedule is so god damn tough that it makes me quite sceptical.

Going .500 would put us at 96 pts. I have never heard a team not make the playoffs with that many pts. Since the ducks still play LA 2 more times, we can knock them out by winning both games.

I don't think Ducks will go 8-6, 7-7 is the best we can realistically hope for IMHO.

Let's face it, Ducks are overachieving big time at the moment. Look at our offense for crying out loud! Hedström, Marchant, Kunitz, Pahlsson all playing 15mins per night!

I'd love to be wrong but the schedule is so god damn tough that it makes me quite sceptical.

Ya just had to get in a dig at Pahlsson's offense, didn't you? ;)

It is tough, but OTOH if you believe we're at least as good as the other teams in the race then we should go at least .500 overall against those teams. Then we have those extra games against Dallas ... even if we only manage to scrape up a point or two there, this race is so tight that those one or two points might just end up being the difference.

Besides, if LA and SJ really get that hot, then chances are they're beating up on the other teams in the race.

Ya just had to get in a dig at Pahlsson's offense, didn't you? ;)


It's not a dig, it's a fact.

Like I've said so many times, I have nothing against Pahlsson and would like him to stay in Ducks, just in a different role.

Hedström OTOH, I see no role for him in the team.

I still think San Jose's going to fade. Their schedule may be against technically weaker opponents, but 9 of their remaining games are on the road, and they just aren't a good road team. The matchup against their one good line is too easy. Ron Wilson must be having flashbacks to 1996 with his one line team.

For us, we're easily as good a team as Vancouver, LA, Edmonton and Colorado. Those games could go either way. Looking at the remaining games, I just don't see 8 losses there. Even if we lose every game we have to Dallas.

Let's face it, Ducks are overachieving big time at the moment. Look at our offense for crying out loud! Hedström, Marchant, Kunitz, Pahlsson all playing 15mins per night!
What do you mean at the moment? Since thanksgiving the ducks are the 3rd best team in the west. Those same players were playing those minutes in dec-feb as well.

Some quick figuring in my head, hope it's right:

If we go 8-6 to finish the season, the Sharks would have to go 10-4, and the Kings would have to go 9-2-1 for us to be knocked out.

8-6 doesn't seem too unreasonable. If we go .500, the numbers become 9-5 for the Sharks and 7-4-1 for the Kings.

Statistics are catching on. :D

What do you mean at the moment? Since thanksgiving the ducks are the 3rd best team in the west. Those same players were playing those minutes in dec-feb as well.

Well I mean this whole period of superb play. I look at the roster and I just don't understand how they play this well.

Like I said, I'd love to be wrong but this is just how I see it.

Well I mean this whole period of superb play. I look at the roster and I just don't understand how they play this well.


This team is better than the sum of it's parts. The Rangers had big names on their roster and couldn't sniff the playoffs for 7 years.

This team is better than the sum of it's parts. The Rangers had big names on their roster and couldn't sniff the playoffs for 7 years.

Correct. In fact, it's a widespread occurance in sports. It's also not just the roster, it's coaching and management. Carlyle is a superb coach, managing his players and changing his game to meet the opposition.

This team is better than the sum of it's parts. The Rangers had big names on their roster and couldn't sniff the playoffs for 7 years.

Yes, I know that. The mysterious part is how this team managed to gel together this well in late december.

One could speculate that Fedorov had a bigger negative impact inside the lockerroom than we thought.

One could speculate that Fedorov had a bigger negative impact inside the lockerroom than we thought.

Or the Ducks needed a solid top four defenseman to fill the role Ozolinsh couldn't.

Or the Ducks needed better effort from Giguere on a nightly basis.

Or Sykora was the cancer.

Or all of the above plus what ever I haven't thought of.

Games of interest for Friday, March 24th:

Calgary @ Columbus 4:00
Nashville @ Anaheim 7:30

Or Sykora was the cancer.

I don't think Sykora was a cancer that made the team worse. He was just a useless waste of space on the ice.

I don't think Ducks will go 8-6, 7-7 is the best we can realistically hope for IMHO.

Let's face it, Ducks are overachieving big time at the moment. Look at our offense for crying out loud! Hedström, Marchant, Kunitz, Pahlsson all playing 15mins per night!

I'd love to be wrong but the schedule is so god damn tough that it makes me quite sceptical.
The ducks have averaged about 3.2 goals per game the last 45 games

I look at the roster and I just don't understand how they play this well.
They are playing really great, maybe it is because you underestimate such key parts to our team.

I still think San Jose's going to fade. Their schedule may be against technically weaker opponents, but 9 of their remaining games are on the road, and they just aren't a good road team. The matchup against their one good line is too easy. Ron Wilson must be having flashbacks to 1996 with his one line team.

For us, we're easily as good a team as Vancouver, LA, Edmonton and Colorado. Those games could go either way. Looking at the remaining games, I just don't see 8 losses there. Even if we lose every game we have to Dallas.

I also think San Jose's going to fade down the stretch. They're a good team and all, but how can people consider them nearly a lock to make it if they haven't been in the top 8 since the early points of the season? They've been hot, but their defense isn't great, their goaltending is inconsistant, and like you said, their schedule is no walk in the park. Considering that LA would have to make a huge effort to knock us out if we even go .500, and the two Canadian teams(Edmonton and Vancouver) would have to play very well to do so as well, how do about half the people figure we'll miss the playoffs while almost everyone thinks the 10th place team is a lock? I understand that they have games in hand on many a team, but Anaheim is not one of them(if they have games in hand on us, it's no more than 2, and I doubt it's as much as 2).

wow Columbus actually scored late in the 3rd to give the BJs a 3-2 win over Calgary.

Updated Standings:

1.) Detroit 69 GP (102 Points)

2.) Dallas 70 GP (97 Points)

3.) Calgary 70 GP (86 Points)

4.) Nashville 70 GP (92 Points)

5.) Anaheim 69 GP (84 Points)

6.) Colorado 70 GP (83 Points)

7.) Vancouver 71 GP (82 Points)

8.) Edmonton 70 GP (80 Points)

------------------------------------

9.) Los Angeles 70 GP (79 Points)

10.) San Jose 68 GP (78 Points)

March 24, 2006 Games of Interest:

:avs @ :blues (Go Blues!)

:sharks @ :wild (Go Wild!)

Oilers @ Canucks (Tough Call)

Predators @ Kings (Go Predators!)

As a Kings fan, I'd say the Ducks are solidly in. It'll take an absolute collapse for them to miss the playoffs, and they're playing too well right now. All 3 California teams control their own destiny, and with good play, all 3 will be in. I'd like to see it.

They are playing really great, maybe it is because you underestimate such key parts to our team.

Such as...?

I am pleasantly shocked that Anaheim has compiled 3 straight wins against Dallas, Colorado and Nashville. If someone were to suggest a week ago that that'd happen, it'd be far too good to be true. We've also talked a lot about the brutal schedule that the Ducks have ahead of them. With 3 of the toughest games already behind them, and all of them being wins, their remaining schedule, though still hard, isn't quite so brutal anymore.

I am pleasantly shocked that Anaheim has compiled 3 straight wins against Dallas, Colorado and Nashville. If someone were to suggest a week ago that that'd happen, it'd be far too good to be true. We've also talked a lot about the brutal schedule that the Ducks have ahead of them. With 3 of the toughest games already behind them, and all of them being wins, their remaining schedule, though still hard, isn't quite so brutal anymore.
Correct, but it's still hard with all the road games left. The key thing is not looking ahead and going one game at a time. It also helps when your coach is constantly looking for a matchup edge, and usually gets it.

I hope they have a spot locked up before that sj,cal,edm,van road trip otherwise we're playing with fire.

It could come much closer today. A Kings loss in regulation would reduce their affordable losses to 3-1/2, and an Oilers or a Canucks regulation game would reduce the loser's affordable losses to 4. With those teams having only 11 or 12 games left, it's doubtful that more than one team could win 2/3 of them.

[Affordable losses being the number of games you can lose and still make 94 points by winning all the rest.]

Statistics are catching on. :D
Doh!

:blues :1
:avs :0 (First Period)

:sharks :1
:wild :0 (First Intermission)

You know, you guys oughta stop wondering about a playoff spot, and start making sure the building is available, because at the rate you're blowing by other teams, you're going to have home ice advantage in the first round. :)

Lots of action tonight (3/25), but almost no change in the race to the playoffs. Every team in contention for seeds #5-#10 won in regulation except Vancouver. From one perspective, a gain for the Ducks as they are in #5 and one more game has gone by for everyone.

You know, you guys oughta stop wondering about a playoff spot, and start making sure the building is available, because at the rate you're blowing by other teams, you're going to have home ice advantage in the first round. :)

Things change in a hurry in such a tight race, though. Nothing's for sure until it's for sure, ya know?

You know, you guys oughta stop wondering about a playoff spot, and start making sure the building is available, because at the rate you're blowing by other teams, you're going to have home ice advantage in the first round. :)

No way to get home ice in the first round, as #1-#3 go to division winners (we can't pass Dallas) and Nashville has #4 locked up. Building availability is not a problem; it's a hockey-primary venue and the Ducks and the venue operator have the same owner.

Updated Standings:

1.) Detroit 70 GP (103 Points)

2.) Dallas 70 GP (97 Points)

3.) Calgary 70 GP (86 Points)

4.) Nashville 71 GP (92 Points)

5.) Anaheim 70 GP (86 Points)

6.) Colorado 71 GP (85 Points)

7.) Edmonton 71 GP (82 Points)

8.) Vancouver 72 GP (82 Points)

------------------------------------

9.) Los Angeles 71 GP (81 Points)

10.) San Jose 69 GP (80 Points)

ESPN shows Detroit with 103 points . . .

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/standings?season=2006&group=conference&column=playoffs&order=false&seasontype=2 (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/standings?season=2006&group=conference&column=playoffs&order=false&seasontype=2)

ESPN shows Detroit with 103 points . . .

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/standings?season=2006&group=conference&column=playoffs&order=false&seasontype=2 (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/standings?season=2006&group=conference&column=playoffs&order=false&seasontype=2)

Thanks, sorry about that. :rolly:

Looks like we've almost reached the point where if we play .500 the rest of the way we'd likely get the #5 seed, and it would take a fairly bad slump to knock us out of the playoffs.

.500 in our last 12 would put us at 98 points. Here's what the other teams would need to do to catch us:

Col: 6-4-1
Edm: 8-3
Van: 8-2
LA: 8-2-1
SJ: 9-4

If we can pull out the win against Colorado, we'll be in even better shape for #5. For merely making the playoffs, 5-7 the rest of the way would probably be enough to squeak in.

Someone's running a hockey simulation based on GA/GF, strength of schedule to date, and strength of sched remaining. As of a few days ago he had our odds at about 90% to make the playoffs:

http://www.mc79hockey.com/

Getting 50% from our last 12 games would give us 92 points...

The Team in unbeaten since we revived the Sammi Pahlsson avatars...

Getting 50% from our last 12 games would give us 92 points...
It would give us 98 points. 50% is 12 points (6-6).

Col: 6-4-1
Edm: 8-3
Van: 8-2
LA: 8-2-1
SJ: 9-4
Looking at it that way, we should get in. The home stand coming up will be huge as we will only have 1 home game left after it. If we go 3-1, with the loss going to one of the Dallas games than it will make things much easier going out west. Beating L.A and Vancouver would be huge their. That combined with a win in Colorado tuesday will make me very happy. I don't want it to come down to having to go something like 4-1 or 3-2 on that 5 game roady.

Looking at it that way, we should get in. The home stand coming up will be huge as we will only have 1 home game left after it. If we go 3-1, with the loss going to one of the Dallas games than it will make things much easier going out west. Beating L.A and Vancouver would be huge their. That combined with a win in Colorado tuesday will make me very happy. I don't want it to come down to having to go something like 4-1 or 3-2 on that 5 game roady.

That Avs game will be huge. Win that, and we've got the inside track on the #5 seed. Then if we get more than 2 points in 3 games against Dallas we should be able to nail down 5th place barring a massive slump.

That being said, I'd still like to see us tighten up the team D a bit. This offensive burst won't last forever.

It would give us 98 points. 50% is 12 points (6-6).
My bad, must have confused my self.

No way to get home ice in the first round, as #1-#3 go to division winners (we can't pass Dallas) and Nashville has #4 locked up. Building availability is not a problem; it's a hockey-primary venue and the Ducks and the venue operator have the same owner.

Actually, one could argue that Nashville does NOT have #4 all locked up. The Ducks are six points back with a game in hand. I know that the Preds have one of the easiest sked's remaining, but hey, anything's possible.

so guys, who are we for tonight? Avs or Oilers? My guess would be Oilers? :dunno:

Games of Interest for Sunday, March 26th:

Calgary @ Dallas 12:00 P.T.
San Jose @ Chicago 4:00 P.T.
Edmonton @ Colorado 6:00 P.T.

Interesting enough, the three game series between the Canucks and Oilers resulted in the least amount of points possible for the two teams to get.
Vancouver got four out of a possible six
Edmonton got three out of a possible six

So in the end, they remain close and neither team benefited as much as they could have from the series.

Interesting enough, the three game series between the Canucks and Oilers resulted in the least amount of points possible for the two teams to get.
Vancouver got four out of a possible six
Edmonton got three out of a possible six

So in the end, they remain close and neither team benefited as much as they could have from the series.

Wouldn't the least amount of points have been six, considering there were three games? :dunno:

Wouldn't the least amount of points have been six, considering there were three games? :dunno:

No because someone had to win the other game, there's no ties anymore.
What I meant is neither team really was able to capitalize on the other and use the series as a springboard to pull ahead.
Considering the games were against one another, if say Vancouver won all three outright, it would be like 12 points, because it would be six for them and six that Edmonton didn't get. Unfortunately for both of them, they pretty much split the series right down the middle, resulting in the teams continuing to remain close and neither one taking advantage and pulling ahead.
It's not good for them, but it's good for us.

No because someone had to win the other game, there's no ties anymore.
What I meant is neither team really was able to capitalize on the other and use the series as a springboard to pull ahead.
Considering the games were against one another, if say Vancouver won all three outright, it would be like 12 points, because it would be six for them and six that Edmonton didn't get. Unfortunately for both of them, they pretty much split the series right down the middle, resulting in the teams continuing to remain close and neither one taking advantage and pulling ahead.
It's not good for them, but it's good for us.

OK, I see where you're coming from now. I though you meant that seven points was the least amount possible for the teams to get combined, when six points would obviously have been the least amount possible.

so guys, who are we for tonight? Avs or Oilers? My guess would be Oilers? :dunno:

Go Oilers! :)

. . . they pretty much split the series right down the middle, resulting in the teams continuing to remain close and neither one taking advantage and pulling ahead.
It's not good for them, but it's good for us.

From one point of view, yes. Another way of looking at is is to hope two teams get knocked out asap (say, LA and Edmonton), thus ensuring the Ducks a playoff spot.

We may have realizable aspirations of doing more than simply making the playoffs, however.

From one point of view, yes. Another way of looking at is is to hope two teams get knocked out asap (say, LA and Edmonton), thus ensuring the Ducks a playoff spot.

We may have realizable aspirations of doing more than simply making the playoffs, however.

I think the pressure is good for the Ducks. It keeps the guys motivated to play every night. The last thing you need is to get complacent right before the playoffs.

Anyone think we have a chance to catch Nashville?

They've now lost two in a row, so maybe their hot streak has cooled off. We're 6 points back with 1 game in hand. If we win that one, we're only 4 back from home ice for the first round :handclap:

I think if we can remain fiery hot (not an easy schedule, but hey it's not too far-fetched), we can pass them for 4th.

Anyone think we have a chance to catch Nashville?

They've now lost two in a row, so maybe their hot streak has cooled off. We're 6 points back with 1 game in hand. If we win that one, we're only 4 back from home ice for the first round :handclap:

I think if we can remain fiery hot (not an easy schedule, but hey it's not too far-fetched), we can pass them for 4th.

It's possible, but unlikely IMO. Their schedule isn't anywhere near as tough as ours, but hopefully the Ducks keep this streak going, and prove me wrong.

Flames leading Stars 1-0 after 1st.

Come on Dallas, do your job!

Stars make it 1-1

Dallas' 3 second period goals send them to a 3-2 victory over Calgary.

The Ducks remain tied with Calgary at 86 points, but Anaheim now has a game in hand. It's too bad division leaders must retain a top 3 seed.

Dallas' 3 second period goals send them to a 3-2 victory over Calgary.

The Ducks remain tied with Calgary at 86 points, but Anaheim now has a game in hand. It's too bad division leaders must retain a top 3 seed.

:hockey:

I'd rather cheer for San Jose, Vancouver, and Colorado as I don't like the fact that Edmonton's in the playoffs. Cheapshots like Ryan Smyth don't deserve the honor of a playoff spot anyways.

I'd rather cheer for San Jose, Vancouver, and Colorado as I don't like the fact that Edmonton's in the playoffs. Cheapshots like Ryan Smyth don't deserve the honor of a playoff spot anyways.

lol and you're cool with Bertuzzi in the playoffs?

San Jose and Chicago in OT!

go Chicago!

and San Jose wins in OT of course... :shakehead

The two teams we got to root against are the Kings and Oilers. Colorado, Vancouver, and San Jose will make it IMO.

These OT games are hurting!

Edmonton and Colorado have now taken it into OT.

Edmonton wins in the SO.

Updated Standings:

1.) Detroit 70 GP (103 Points)

2.) Dallas 71 GP (99 Points)

3.) Calgary 71 GP (86 Points)

4.) Nashville 71 GP (92 Points)

5.) Anaheim 70 GP (86 Points)

6.) Colorado 72 GP (86 Points)

7.) Edmonton 72 GP (84 Points)

8.) San Jose 70 GP (82 Points)

------------------------------------

9.) Vancouver 72 GP (82 Points)

10.) Los Angeles 71 GP (81 Points)

Edmonton wins in the SO.

another 3 point game. :banghead:

Game of Interest March 27, 2006:

:kings @ :nucks (Go Kings!)

Games of Interest March 27, 2006:

:kings @ :nucks (Go Kings!)

I don't know if I can cheer for the Kings. I'll be cheering for someone to win in regulation. Just no 3 point game please!

I'm cheering for a small bomb that wipes out both teams during the game.