I think that if the Atlanta Thrashers do make the playoffs, they will get a very seed (between 6-8) and they will not last long in the playoffs this year.
122427
there are 3 reasons \n1.inconsistinsy\n2.lack of defense\n3.and that i luv listening to 680 the fan but i have to listen to guys who i cant understand
45184
If you look at the standings, the best teams right now are Detroit, Carolina, Dallas, Ottowa and the NY rangers. Having watched alot of NHL games, I tend to lean toward the Red Wings as being the best to this point. They are playing as good as they have in recent years and have made an effort to enfuse their younger players early in the year which will make them stronger during a Cup run.
194770
the top seed plays the lowest seed in the second round.  if that were the 7th seed they would play them if the 7th seed defeats the 2nd seed in the first round.  if it were the 5th or sixth seed they would play the 6th seed if they won the first round bot that would happen if the 6th seed beats the 3rd seed in the 1st round.. the 5th seed would play the 1st seed if they won the first round series between the fourth and fifth seed and the sixth seed lost to the 3rd seed.  now if the 1st, 2nd and 3rd seeds lose, the 4th seed would play the 8th seed and the 5th seed would play the 7th seed.  that rarely happens.  as far as reseeding in the playoffs, the nhl does not reseed.
570445
It is the Stanley Cup so anything can happen, but unfortunately for Oiler fans, time has already ran out. The Hurricanes are on a roll. Plus not only has Edmonton lost their starting goalie, that 3-goal lead they blew has sucked the life out of them. They have to play desperate hockey and I see no signs of that yet. So realistically I can't see them winning even another game. No chance whatsoever of winning Lord Stanley's coveted cup. Watch and learn!
27007
The team is definitely one of the fastest and most aggressive out there,  they can definitely score and they are fun to watch.  However it is a very young and inexperienced team.  There defense has looked shoddy at times and to win the cup, a team needs a defense that can get it done.  Another key is goaltending, again you see that they are inexperienced in this area, while Gerber has looked excellent at times, its hard to say how he will hold up in the playoffs. We need to remember that the last Cup winner was the Lightning, a young talented team riding hot scorers and a hot goalie.  We can't count out the 'Canes but you need to remember that if they don't get it done this year, this is a team that will be good for many years.
98429
The Sabres are definitly a great hockey team and I think they have been the best team in the league since november. Obviously alot of things have chage lately, in my opinion the players have lost their focus with their leader the coach worried about his little girl. If the Sabres play as well as they did the last five month they will be better than the Senator this year and they will win the Stanley Cup (Maybe that is too much). My point is, I am not sure that the Senators is a better team as of right now, they may have a better record due to their great start but as of today, I think the Sabres have a better chance to beat them in the playoffs. Just watch!!!
91074
They're pretty good, and might make the playoffs yet, watch out for Florida though won 7 in a row. They need a big Defenceman like that Chara guy Ottawa has, to keep the front of the net clear for the goalies. They also have to keep guys like Savard and Hossa happy (ie. more money), and they have both played great this season. Thats about all I can think of. Go Lightning!
469004
I'll have to argue and say that the Sharks will win the Pacific division.  Great teams are built up the middle and the Sharks truly follow this path, with the best 1 2 combination of centres in the NHL in Marleau and Thornton, and in goal with Toskala and Nabokov. The centres are able to split much of the ice time among each other and can team up for key power plays and late game situations(think Messier and Gretzky).  Add in the scoring punch of young guns Jonathan Cheechoo, Steve Bernier, and Milan Michalek and you're looking at a deadly combination.  The back end is sharp too, with rookie Matt Carle quarterbacking the powerplay and gritty Scott Hannan and Kyle Mclaren locking up the back end.  Again considering how much rest both star netminders can get(think Gerber and Ward, Vernon and Osgood, or Barrasso and Wregget) and you're not only looking at a team that is good enough to win the Pacific division crown, but will surely compete for Lord Stanley's Cup.
160396
New Jersey has a very good chance of advancing to the semis since they have homecourt advantage and the Pacers aren't what they used to be, but I think their luck will run out if they face the Heat in the semis.  As for Sacramento, I like to root for the underdog, but were talking about beating the San Antonio Spurs four times so I'm afraid they'll be booted out of the playoffs in four or five games (even though as a Mavs fan, it would be great if the Spurs got dethroned, but I would rather have Dallas do it than Sacramento - to earn the respect of the league.)
590430
They certainly could do it.  There are are at least 3 more games, maybe 6 more, and anything can happen in that time.  I think the Canes are very strong, but too much like the Flyers (I'm a Devils fan). Edmonton has the heart and the spirit to carry it off.  Pronger's penalty shot in the last time was amazing! The Oilers have a lot of spirit  and heart and they deserve to win the Cup. Tonight it could go either way.  I'd say the odds are 50/50.
8781
If they keep finishing low in the standings and keep getting high draft picks they should be all right in a few years.
251523
I believe that Detroit is going to wake up and win 6-2 before clinching the series in game 7.  If they aren't up 2 or 3-0 after the first period, then Edmonton will win 3-1.
276423
Most definitely.  It happens in almost every sport; you sit around for 10 days waiting for your next opponent and the rust shows when you start.\n\nHowever, if the Oilers are the better team, they will bounce back quickly, especially against a team worn down from a 7-game series.  That's why Buffalo/Carolina should jump all over Edmonton as quickly and as hard as they can.  Score early, and often and try to take a lead that will keep them from having to use energy that they'll need for dead legs around game 3 on opponent's ice.\n\nIf they don't, Edmonton should be able to win in 5 or 6.
79244
I think they will get some where from a 2-4 seed. I think they will definitely make it to the Sweet 16, maybe even the Final 4.
52564
They're only 2.5 games out of the eight seed going into tonights games so it's possible.  I don't know if they have it though.  I'd have to say no.  They're just not that good this year.
24204
The better question my be will they ever get to the playoffs?  No not this year.
4852
I don't think that it's fair that the division leader automatically gets a top seed in the playoffs.  It can, and usually does leave out a team that would have normally made it to the playoffs if it were by record.  Plus, like what was mentioned on an ESPN article that I read about a month or so ago, it works out where the top two teams by record in the conference will never play each other anymore in the conference finals because of the way the divisions are set up now.  So I don't think they are a good idea.