What"s Going on With the NHL Standings
Well, I've noticed a pretty interesting thing about the current standings in the NHL.
If you've been paying attention you'll notice the same thing.
Some of the teams that were doing really bad last year are at the top of the standings.
Teams like the New York Rangers, LA Kings, and Colorado Avalanche.
So, what makes these teams so special.
New York Rangers If you're a Rangers fan, you may be thinking about how the Rangers have never been a terrible team.
You're probably questioning my hockey knowledge right now.
You probably can't believe I mentioned them in this article.
I'll admit, the Rangers have been pretty consistent since the 2004 playoffs.
Finishing in either 5th, 6th, or 7th every year since then.
The thing about the Rangers is that they haven't had a top team in a really long time.
They haven't been the top 3 team in the Eastern Conference since 1996 and haven't won a cup since 1994.
This year their different.
They're playing really good hockey right at the beginning of the season.
They're competing with the defending Stanley Cup champions which means that they may be one of the top teams this year.
The problem is that they may not get into the top 3.
Since the top 3 spots go to the division winners, they'll have to compete with Pittsburgh.
They may have to settle for 4th.
LA Kings The LA Kings are another team that haven't played well in the past.
They haven't been to the playoffs since 2002 and for the last few years, have finished in the bottom 2 of the Western Conference.
This year, LA looks like they're going to be better.
The beginning of their season definitely looks good.
They don't have many big name players on their team and as a result don't have anybody to rely on.
They're talent is a lot more spread out over all of their lines then a lot of other teams.
I've never heard of their goalie Ersberg.
But, he looks like he's doing pretty well this year.
They may finally make the playoffs and start turning their bad luck around.
Colorado Avalanche This really surprised me.
I really didn't think that the Aves would be able to even come close to the top of the standings.
I still don't think that they'll stay there, but I do admire their start.
They definitely won't finish in dead last like they have in the past.
The problem with Colorado is that they don't have many players that they can rely on.
There aren't any key players.
They haven't been able to find a solid goalie since Roy left.
This has caused a huge meltdown on the rest of the team.
Last year, they finished dead last in the standings.
I think that Colorado needs to get a few players that they can build a franchise around.
Once they do this, they need to surround them with young guys and future talent.
They have to rebuild their club.
My Conclusions Out of the teams I mentioned above, I think that the Rangers are the only "shoe-in" to the playoffs.
The Kings are going to have to fight for a spot, but you could see them coming in 6th-8th.
As for the cup, it's too early to tell.
I'll make sure to let you know what I think later on in the season.
If you've been paying attention you'll notice the same thing.
Some of the teams that were doing really bad last year are at the top of the standings.
Teams like the New York Rangers, LA Kings, and Colorado Avalanche.
So, what makes these teams so special.
New York Rangers If you're a Rangers fan, you may be thinking about how the Rangers have never been a terrible team.
You're probably questioning my hockey knowledge right now.
You probably can't believe I mentioned them in this article.
I'll admit, the Rangers have been pretty consistent since the 2004 playoffs.
Finishing in either 5th, 6th, or 7th every year since then.
The thing about the Rangers is that they haven't had a top team in a really long time.
They haven't been the top 3 team in the Eastern Conference since 1996 and haven't won a cup since 1994.
This year their different.
They're playing really good hockey right at the beginning of the season.
They're competing with the defending Stanley Cup champions which means that they may be one of the top teams this year.
The problem is that they may not get into the top 3.
Since the top 3 spots go to the division winners, they'll have to compete with Pittsburgh.
They may have to settle for 4th.
LA Kings The LA Kings are another team that haven't played well in the past.
They haven't been to the playoffs since 2002 and for the last few years, have finished in the bottom 2 of the Western Conference.
This year, LA looks like they're going to be better.
The beginning of their season definitely looks good.
They don't have many big name players on their team and as a result don't have anybody to rely on.
They're talent is a lot more spread out over all of their lines then a lot of other teams.
I've never heard of their goalie Ersberg.
But, he looks like he's doing pretty well this year.
They may finally make the playoffs and start turning their bad luck around.
Colorado Avalanche This really surprised me.
I really didn't think that the Aves would be able to even come close to the top of the standings.
I still don't think that they'll stay there, but I do admire their start.
They definitely won't finish in dead last like they have in the past.
The problem with Colorado is that they don't have many players that they can rely on.
There aren't any key players.
They haven't been able to find a solid goalie since Roy left.
This has caused a huge meltdown on the rest of the team.
Last year, they finished dead last in the standings.
I think that Colorado needs to get a few players that they can build a franchise around.
Once they do this, they need to surround them with young guys and future talent.
They have to rebuild their club.
My Conclusions Out of the teams I mentioned above, I think that the Rangers are the only "shoe-in" to the playoffs.
The Kings are going to have to fight for a spot, but you could see them coming in 6th-8th.
As for the cup, it's too early to tell.
I'll make sure to let you know what I think later on in the season.
Source...