Well folks, we have arrived at the NHL All-Star Break and the races are heating up. First, however, let's talk a little about the festivities this weekend. The fans in Atlanta actually showed up for the event with starts like Crosby, Staal, and Malkin headlining the game. I don't think the people in Hotlanta are as passionate as those in Toronto or Detroit, but at least their preventing the Thrashers from moving (at least for the near future). The Super Skills competition was one of the best in some years with newcomers participating in a host of activities. Sure, we all miss Ray Bourque hitting target after target and Al McInnis breaking the twine of the net, but Thomas Karbele and Zedeno Chara aren't bad substitutes.
The game was a high scoring shootout as usual, but the goalies had the last word. In fact, the Bruins played a decisive role in the game. Marc Savard scored the game winner to break a 7-7 tie with about 20 ticks remaining. Tim Thomas was a show stopper near the end of the game and helped to put an end to the bleeding of the second period. Staal put on a solid performance and brought home the MVP trophy.
The Eastern Conference is extremely bunched up with just tweleve points separating the eight seed from the first. Ottawa, like Detroit, has a comfortable lead both atop the Conference and their division. Montreal has played extremely well and is second in the Northeast and fourth in the Conference with 60 points. They have played a solid 60 minutes of hockey nearly every game as a team. Nobody, including myself thought the Canadiens had anything more than an outside shot at the playoffs. Huet is incredible in big games and the Habs have managed to pull out the close ones. (Did I mention the fact that they've killed the Bruins the past six meetings--still hurts!) Philly and New Jersey are tied atop the Atlantic with 59 points and have made the best with some injuries. New Jersey doesn't score a lot but have an experienced defense and Marty Brodeur. Need I say more? Philly has a young but talented team. Nittymaki (I make no attempt to correctly spell his name) is solid. The team should finish strong, but lacks (besides Donald Brasher) the physical toughness that epitomized the team in the 70s and the early part of this century. I expect Philly to fold in the playoffs due to lack of experience. Look for the Devils to compete deep into Lord Stanley's competition.
Now, this is where the logjam begins. The Penguins are solid at 58 points and have done well in a tough division. Conklin has won them games in the absence of Fleury, but has reliability issues down the stretch. The team quickly gained experience last year and made a splash in the playoffs. The defense needs to step up if the Penguins want to separate themselves from the pack.
Three points behind are the Bruins (55 for the mathematically challenged---good for 7th in the Conf). The B's have struggled at times, but have also played solid hockey. When Tim Thomas is hot, the team is hot and no puck seems to find its way into the back of the net. Marc Savard has been dominant with Bergeron and Murray out of the lineup. Savard earned his first All-Star nomination this season. Dennis Wideman and Zedeno Chara have been warriors on the blue line directing the team and leading them in ice time. Look for the Bruins to make a run at some point in time. They could surprise someone in the playoffs if they find their "A" game. Pulling up the rear (tied for 8th place) are the Islanders and the Rangers with 54 points. The Rangers are too talented a team to keep playing inconsistently. The defense needs to step up, but the lack of overall depth on the team seems to have hurt them dearly.
An interesting team that is currently just six points out of the playoff picture are the Maple Leafs. The Leafs, with a mix of veteran experience and young talent, were expected to reach playoff glory for the first time in three years in TO. The natives have grown restless as the Leafs are stuck in the pit of the Northeast Division. The replacement of incompetent GM John Ferguson Jr. with Cliff Fletcher seems to have motivated the team. Like the Rangers, the Leafs seem too talented not to make a run at some point. If the Leafs manage to squeak into the playoffs, watch out Ottawa. The Leafs have a great deal of playoff experience and could make a cinderella run. Just don't get your hopes up TO.
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