This report for the Western Conference discusses the results for games between March 12 and 18th. The point predictions are for the week March 19 to March 25.
Period of Analysis 12-Mar-06 to 25-Mar-06| Seed | Team | Current Points | Last 10 Points | Predicted Points |
|---|
| 1 | Detroit | 97 | 16 | 103 |
Detroit won all it’s three games this week. Edmonton was the closest match with a shootout win. This week sees the Wings end their current road trip with a game in Vancouver. They return home to face Nasville, San Jose and Columbus. The Canucks are desperate. Detroit played last night in Edmonton. Maybe Schneider is still feeling charitable. Maybe Vancouver can win. Otherwise another six points for Chelios and crew.
Dallas won everything they could. Vancouver, LA and the Sharks were their victims. This week the Ducks, Minny and Chicago all visit Dallas. Let’s figure the Ducks for a high level of desperation. Give Dallas four points this week.
As expected Calgary and Colorado split a home and home set both with home ice wins. The battle of Alberta saw Edmonton win in overtime. The week ended with a thumping by Nashville. The Flames continue on a seven game road trip. They play four games in six nights this week. Four games they should win. Minny twice, St Louis and the CBJ’s all host Iggy and mates. Give the Flames eight points this week.
Nashville is rolling. They won all games convincingly this week. Vancouver (0 – 5), Phoenix (0 – 2) and Calgary (4 – 9) all fell to the Preds. This week has a game with St Louis then out onto the road for engagements in Detroit, Anaheim and LA. I’ve picked Detroit to win. I also think Anaheim is making moves. Give Kariya’s gang four points for wins against the Blues and Kings.
Colorado is rested and a good thing as they play four games on the road this week. They start fast with three California games in four nights. The order is San Jose, Anaheim then LA. I figure the Av’s to win these games. Then it is off to the Midwest for a date with the Blues. Likey another win. Give the Burnaby Joe and his mob eight points this week. If there is a surprise it will be in Anaheim.
My predictions for LA two weeks ago were goofy. This week I’m less than perfect again but on closer analysis it was just one unexpected loss to the Desert Dogs. The Sharks ad Stars won. St Louis lost – they again who besides the Canucks does St Louis beat. This week is quiet for the Kings but the opponents are big: Colorado; and Nashville. I suggest maybe no points for the LA Kings this week.
The Oilers played as expected and got a bonus in a SO loss to Detroit. They split games in Minny and won a battle of Alberta with home ice advantage. This week can be described in one word: Vancouver! Three in a row. One in Rexall Place followed by two in the Garage. Smyth, Smith and buds have not lost to Vancouver this season. Vancouver is better in goal. Vancouver has a better defence. Edmonton has more scoring prowess. Edmonton starts the week one point ahead of the Canucks. Why not end the week one point ahead of the Canucks. I’ve picked Vancouver to beat Detroit at home Sunday. Therefore for my prediction to come true Edmonton needs to win at home and in one of the road games. Give Edmonton four points this week. If they get six points and Vancouver only as few as two it will be time to consider booking a tee time.
Canucks lost to Dallas and lost bad to Nashville. They came out of Ohio with two points. The played marginally well enough that when the hockey gods smiled on the Team they were are to benefit. That benefit being when BMo banked one off Malhotra and into the CBJ’s net for a 3-2 win. Sunday 19-Mar-06 is a beautiful sunny day on the North Shore. One of those days when you can golf in the morning, ski in the afternoon and talk a stroll on the seawall in the evening. The time when we can flout or Lotusland noses at the rest of Canada. It is the time of year when distant memory reminds me of when you’d start to think about cleaning up the blueback gear, hoping the fairways would dry earlier in the day and consider who the Canucks might draft this time around. Are those days gone or are they about to return? Tonight the conference leading Detroit Red Wings will give us an indication. Three back to back games with Edmonton later in the week has the potential to cement it. This may be the ultimate in homer optimism but I think Nassy and the boys will beat Detroit tonight. I think they will also not make the road ahead easy for themselves and drop two of three to Edmonton. Look for the Canucks to pick up four points this week. Any less and fishing gear, tee times and draft position will be next week's topics.
Outside looking in.The Neidermayers and cast executed as expected. A lost to Detroit and two wins over bottom feeders. The Ducks have their destiny in their own hands. They are two points back of Vancouver. They have three games in hand on Vancouver and Edmonton. They have four games in hand on LA. They match the play of those teams and win the in hand games and they’re in and one of the others is out. It doesn’t come easy for the Ducks. This week they face Dallas, Colorado and Nashville sandwiched between Columbus and Phoenix. Five games in seven nights. Three of them road games. I predict six points. Wins over Columbus and Dallas.
Current Dance Partners.If the playoff were to start on March 26th my predictions for match ups are as follows:
Detroit – Vancouver or Anaheim
Dallas – Edmonton
Calgary – Los Angeles
Nashville – Colorado
Ciao,
Tags:
hockey;
Detroit+Red+Wings;
Dallas+Stars;
Calgary+Flames;
Nashville+Predators;
Vancouver+Canucks;
Los+Angles+Kings;
Edmonton+Oilers;
Colorado+Avalanche;
Anaheim+Ducks
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