Time for the December push
In the NHL many believe that if
you are not in a playoff position by
Christmas then the chances of getting
in are slim. For some teams
they know how to make the push
and get into the playoffs, for others
it is a struggle.
This past week the NHL has seen the number of suspensions go down as the play starts to get cleaned up. Certain players and teams started to emerge as powerhouses and teams to watch. The Pittsburgh Penguins have shown they have returned to their Stanley Cup winning form, setting up a string of seven straight wins and counting. The Chicago Blackhawks have soared to the top and are playing great hockey in the West. A team that had a great week? The Atlanta Thrashers who weren't expected to do anything this year are surprising people. It's too bad fans don't come to watch them play
Sidney Crosby is currently on fire with a 15 game point streak. Crosby has 22 points over that stretch. A player going quietly about his business is Alex Semin in Washington, he is second in goals behind Steven Stamkos. Finally, Victor Stalberg is scoring points in Chicago playing on a line with Jonathon Toews and Patrick Kane.
Tampa sniper Stamkos has cooled off going three straight games without a goal, which is putting his 50 in 50 on hold for right now. No surprise New Jersey Devil sniper Ilya Kovalchuk has done nothing so far. Kovalchuk is currently on pace for 16 goals.
The three stars this week are: third star Crosby, who leads all scorers with 40 points. The second star is Atlanta defenceman Dustin Byfuglien, who leads all NHL defence in scoring. First star is Atlanta goaltender Ondrej Pavelec, who has recovered nicely since his collapse during the first game of the season.
This week's three big games are: San Jose at Ottawa as it is Dany Heatly's return to Ottawa; Toronto hosting Boston as Phil Kessel looks to get his first goal against his former team; and Ottawa heads to Montreal to battle with the Canadiens. This is always a good battle when these two teams meet up.
My five predictions this week are:
San Jose in Ottawa: Look for San Jose to continue their dominance over Eastern Conference teams. It will be an emotional return for Dany Heatly.
San Jose 5-3
Vancouver in Chicago: This new rivalry is ever-evolving. These two teams play hard and tight every game.
Vancouver 3-1
Boston in Toronto: Look for a low scoring affair between these two teams. Kessel and Tyler Seguin should each pot goals in the game.
Boston 3-2(SO)
Ottawa in Montreal: Bitter North East division rivals, these two teams play hard all the time. Look for the Sens to come out on top.
Ottawa 4-2
Nashville in Detroit: Detroit should be able to continue their dominance over the entire NHL.
Detroit 6-2
This past week the NHL has seen the number of suspensions go down as the play starts to get cleaned up. Certain players and teams started to emerge as powerhouses and teams to watch. The Pittsburgh Penguins have shown they have returned to their Stanley Cup winning form, setting up a string of seven straight wins and counting. The Chicago Blackhawks have soared to the top and are playing great hockey in the West. A team that had a great week? The Atlanta Thrashers who weren't expected to do anything this year are surprising people. It's too bad fans don't come to watch them play
Sidney Crosby is currently on fire with a 15 game point streak. Crosby has 22 points over that stretch. A player going quietly about his business is Alex Semin in Washington, he is second in goals behind Steven Stamkos. Finally, Victor Stalberg is scoring points in Chicago playing on a line with Jonathon Toews and Patrick Kane.
Tampa sniper Stamkos has cooled off going three straight games without a goal, which is putting his 50 in 50 on hold for right now. No surprise New Jersey Devil sniper Ilya Kovalchuk has done nothing so far. Kovalchuk is currently on pace for 16 goals.
The three stars this week are: third star Crosby, who leads all scorers with 40 points. The second star is Atlanta defenceman Dustin Byfuglien, who leads all NHL defence in scoring. First star is Atlanta goaltender Ondrej Pavelec, who has recovered nicely since his collapse during the first game of the season.
This week's three big games are: San Jose at Ottawa as it is Dany Heatly's return to Ottawa; Toronto hosting Boston as Phil Kessel looks to get his first goal against his former team; and Ottawa heads to Montreal to battle with the Canadiens. This is always a good battle when these two teams meet up.
My five predictions this week are:
San Jose in Ottawa: Look for San Jose to continue their dominance over Eastern Conference teams. It will be an emotional return for Dany Heatly.
San Jose 5-3
Vancouver in Chicago: This new rivalry is ever-evolving. These two teams play hard and tight every game.
Vancouver 3-1
Boston in Toronto: Look for a low scoring affair between these two teams. Kessel and Tyler Seguin should each pot goals in the game.
Boston 3-2(SO)
Ottawa in Montreal: Bitter North East division rivals, these two teams play hard all the time. Look for the Sens to come out on top.
Ottawa 4-2
Nashville in Detroit: Detroit should be able to continue their dominance over the entire NHL.
Detroit 6-2
