2016 NHL Thread

The Red Wings' season is all about trying to keep the playoff streak alive.  Best bet is that this is the year that it ends.  Datsyuk has retired from the NHL to move back and play in Russia and too much money is tied up in great players on the downside of the hill.  Zetterberg, Kronwall, Franzen, and Ericsson all afflicted with various chronic injuries that will severely limit their effectiveness this year.  A 6-1-1 preseason may give some hope and there is a lot of good youth on the team so with any luck they can repeat last year and sneak into the playoffs again. 

Do believe a Pens repeat is not likely to happen, but as good a chance as any I guess.  Crosby suffered another concussion in pre-season and will not play in tonight's opener against Mickey's Capitals.

For long suffering Blue Jackets’ fans, the scene at Nationwide Arena on Friday night was 2½ hours of euphoria and incredulity. Is this really happening? The Blue Jackets beat the Montreal Canadiens 10-0 — that is not a typo — before a stunned, celebratory crowd of 14,436. In the future, thousands more will claim to have paid witness. It was that kind of night.

AEProgman wrote: Do believe a Pens repeat is not likely to happen, but as good a chance as any I guess.  Crosby suffered another concussion in pre-season and will not play in tonight's opener against Mickey's Capitals. Amazing feat by Matthews in his first game.  Made the opening headlines in that 4 letter sports network's talking heads this morning, good for hockey! Lets go PENS!

so begins another season which will lead to mass consumption and breaking of hearts.. ie ... the Ovechkin era of Washington hockey.

that said.. man oh man does the East look loaded this year. In particular the Metro division...  can wait to watch the Rangers, Caps and Pens slug it out not only for the Division title.. but the President's Cup. 

Good start by the Habs.... I have my over/under on their eventual collapse at mid-January.

looks to be a great year.

not doing predictions...  too long a season.. too many (ahem.. Caps) can look great for 6,7,8 months then fall apart as spring comes. Even more so than baseball.. it is all about being hot at the right time and having a goaltender that carry you to the finish line.

Nice to see a heartbeat in the Oiler franchise though...

^ Pretty unbelievable that it lasted as long as it did. Even in your crappy part of the east you guys just seem to plummet. :p

micky wrote: whoo hoo!!!! It is almost that time of year. A rite of passage for D.C sports fans Getting geared up for the annual Springtime heartbreak/collapse here.... first bottle of Jack Daniel's pocketed.. suppose I'll need another before their season comes crashing down around them oh yeah...  ditch the stupid f**king playoff format already....

Not this year. The Caps are hoisting the Cup.

micky wrote: my liver and years of abusing it come springtime warn me to not get my hopes up. Perhaps you are the good luck charm this year!!

Well I imagine I haven't sufferred through as many playoff colapses as you have. I hope I can be that lucky charm.

micky wrote:   we wouldn't be true fans if we hadn't had our hearts crushed a few times and keep coming back for more. That said.. yeah.. I really like the way the team is built this year.  It isn't all Ovi  they can, and have been winning without him scoring goals.

I love the addition of Kevin Shattenkirk.

micky wrote: I never saw that move coming... and that might well prove the missing piece they always lacked.. then again.. the beauty and pain of the NHL playoffs is the amount of luck involved..  we are due for a timely puck roll this year. For once be the team for whose goalie the puck looks like a beachball... just please God.. I know you are out there... listen to my prayers.. if it not to be us this year... PLEASE.. oh please don't let the Penguins win it again this year

That is what it always seems to come down to in the Playoffs and it don't seem really fair. Which ever team has the hot Goalie and last year it was Matt Murray and the Penguins they will win.