Rangers look to cut in front of Thrashers waiting in Playoff Cafe line
While the Thrashers were busy dropping a 2-1 overtime decision to the Toronto Maple Leafs, a couple of other outcomes that effect Atlanta didn’t go our way either. The Montreal Canadiens whipped Florida 4-1 and Philadelphia gained a loser point in their 4-3 OT loss to Minnesota.
However, Boston was defeated by Tampa Bay 5-3…which was a positive result for the Thrashers.
With that, a quick look at the updated standings show the Thrashers with 76 points after 74 games played…matching the season totals for last year and the one prior…and are trailing the Bruins by two, the Flyers by four and the Habs by six.
Atlanta and Philly have eight games left to play, Montreal seven and Boston nine.
Ondrej Pavelec kicks out one of his 28 saves against the Maple Leafs Thursday night (AP/John Bozemore)
Thus, Atlanta remains on the outside looking in through the front window of the Playoff Café…shaving but one point from their deficit behind the eighth-place Bruins, remaining the same amount behind Philly and falling one more point behind the Canadiens.
But don’t look now… scooting in close behind us in line are the New York Rangers, one point back after their 4-3 win over the New Jersey Devils. And if it’s tough to be standing in the doorway of the Playoff Café, “outside looking in”, waiting for a table to clear in order to take the spot…it would be even that much tougher if the Rangers were to cut in line.
And that’s a real possibility if you simply look at the upcoming slate of games between the two teams.
After playing Carolina twice between now and Monday night, then go to Toronto, the Thrashers begin the much-dreaded five-game stretch with New Jersey, Washington and Pittsburgh to finish the season. Many believe that to be the final steps in what could be described as their 2010 Death March from the Playoffs.
Even if they do manage to take all six points from the Canes and Leafs…who are a combined 12-6-2 in their last ten games…that will leave them with 82 points with those last five games remaining.
Now, if you are one of those who are hoping to catch the Caps, Devils and Pens “napping” because they are sitting pretty at their Playoff Café table… I wouldn’t be too sure about that. Yes, Washington has a firm grip on the top spot in the east and are nine points up on San Jose in regards to the President’s Cup…but they do not seem to be playing out the string as they’ve gone 6-1-3 in their last ten.
Then there are Devils and Penguins who are in the process of slugging it out for the Atlantic Division championship, both with 91 points. The difference between finish first or second there is the difference between possibly being a number 2 seed in the conference and taking on someone like Philly in the opening round…or finishing fourth and facing either Ottawa or Montreal.
So, I don’t expect either of them to be “coasting” toward the playoffs.
Meanwhile, the Rangers have a little easier road to hoe…two with Toronto, the Islanders, Tampa Bay, Florida, Buffalo and then they will close the season with a pair against the hurting Philadelphia Flyers. No, it’s not a cakewalk…but between the Rangers and Thrashers, which schedule would you rather have right now?
So in light of that, I would not be the least bit surprised if the Rangers finish above Atlanta when all is said and done, regardless if New York makes the playoffs or not.
Not trying to be the pessimist, mind you…but it not too hard to think that the morning after the Thrashers lost to the last place team in the Eastern Conference while at the same time the Rangers were beating the second best one. New York has outscored their opposition 9-3 in the last two games while the Thrashers have mustered up a solitary goal in the last two games plus 39 second of overtime and have surrendered six.
Which team do you think is playing like they still have the post-season as their goal right now?
Uh-huh…that’s what I thought too.
So, while the Thrashers may be continuing to stand in the doorway of the Playoff Café… “outside looking in” as it were… and looking for an opening, they are in serious danger of being caught by the Rangers and tossed to the curb.
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84 comments Add your comment
Tom (Capital T Tom)
March 27th, 2010
9:32 am
Oh, My name is Tom and I do spell it with a capital T. Figured I would chime in.
I think this team is on a one week on, one week off schedule.
And I think that they are very poorly conditioned. The team is unable, either mentally or physically, able to play the rigorous schedule that they have this year.
R. Stroz
March 27th, 2010
10:59 am
Maybe the Thrashers are kind of like a DOT road crew….you know the ones you pass in your car…where 6 guys are standing around…
It took me years to figure this out and then one day it hit me…
One works on Monday, one works on Tuesday, one works on Wednesday….
HookyBob
March 27th, 2010
11:44 am
Stroz: I worked on a DOT road crew one summer in high school. One day we went out to work without someone putting the shovels in the truck. When we called it back in the supervisor said “Just lean on each other until I get there.” Thrashers aren’t even doing that.
Rawhide
March 27th, 2010
1:16 pm
Here are the lines for tonight’s game in Carolina…
Forward Lines:
Bergfors- Antropov- Little
MacArthur- Peverley- Afinogenov
Slater- Stapleton- Armstrong
Artyukhin- Reasoner- Thorburn
Defensive Parings:
Entrom- Kubina
Hainsey-Oduya
Bogosian-Popovic
Goal: Hedberg
Yung JB from MTL
March 27th, 2010
1:25 pm
Rawhide- Isnt R2 on the 3rd line and Slater on 4th? Thats what it pprojected on thrashers.nhl.com
Red Light
March 27th, 2010
2:57 pm
There was so much hope about a certain 48-year-old, former Stanley Cup-winning defenseman’s leadership role and teaching abilities that it bordered on the ridiculous. Well, it turns out that the Thrashers are 4-4-1 since his arrival, but in the four games he played they are 0-2-2. Look for the Thrashers to win one tonight since he has been scratched. Now, I by no means am blaming Chelios, but thinking he could make a difference is yet another miscalculation.
Is that Whitey Stapleton that’s playing on the third line, or Tim?
Red Light
March 27th, 2010
3:02 pm
Bruins up 3-0 on Flames in the 3rd. Flyers down 2-1 with 17 mins to go in the 3rd to Pitt.
Red Light
March 27th, 2010
3:02 pm
Make that 4-0 Bruins.
Red Light
March 27th, 2010
3:05 pm
Former Thrashers Dupuis and Kunitz are the goal scorers for Pitt.
Red Light
March 27th, 2010
3:24 pm
More help from Pitt, 3-1, with about 5 minutes left.
Red Light
March 27th, 2010
3:25 pm
5-0 Bruins
Rawhide
March 27th, 2010
4:05 pm
Yung JB from MTL - Those lineups came from Ben Wright and C-Viv. Personally, I’d go with what they say here.
Well…looks like we got some help today from Pittsburgh, no so much from Calgary. So what it means is two points tonight in Carolina will see us 2 points in back of both the Bruins and Flyers.
Tony C.
March 27th, 2010
4:08 pm
Stapleton? Ok towel has been thrown in officially. I would like to see Macachek(spl?) just to see what he looks like against NHL competition.
Sharon
March 27th, 2010
4:21 pm
Red Light… ditto on everything Chelios.
Thrashers27
March 27th, 2010
4:50 pm
It’s a little late now, but did anybody else take exception to the way X was acting Thursday night. The cheap shot on Little and lots of gum bumpin, but he wouldn’t back it up. I was always a huge fan of his, but he was being an arse of Avery proportions for that game.
rob
March 27th, 2010
5:31 pm
Thrashers27,
Yep, but we played so bad we couldn’t even find the nerve to go over and knock the snot outta his dumb a$$.
PLEASE OH PLEASE LET THE MOTIVATED THRASHERS SHOW UP TONIGHT!!! Not the our shadow just skated away from us because it was embarrassed by our play thrashers.
LET’S GO THRASHERS!!!
Tony C.
March 27th, 2010
5:50 pm
yeah the hit on Little was on he cheap side, but you know, it got kind of lost in the overall theme of the leafs beating on us. For this reason I’d like to see us retain R2
Brendan
March 27th, 2010
6:56 pm
I missed the Leafs-Thrashers game, so I cannot comment on XLB, but I’ll be looking out for it in the return matchup. So, the Penguins defeated the Flyers, and didn’t allow any pity point back. That’s good.
Here’s what’s un-good. The Calgary Flames, a team many here have adopted as their token Western Conference team, have recently lost to the non-plyoff bound Minnesota Wild, the non-playoff bound NY Islanders, and the Boston Bruins, today, 5-0. Dramatic pause. Is it time … to do the unthinkable, and fire Darryl Sutter as GM in Calgary?
Don’t answer yet. Let’s present some background. Darryl Sutter was named the GM of the Calgary Flames on April 11, 2003. In that name, he’s named, well, (1) HIMSELF as Head Coach, as well as (2) Jim Playfair, (3) Mike Keenan, and his brother, (4) Brent Sutter. Nepotism being what it is, I’ll still excuse the Brent Sutter hiring. How ’bout the results?
2004: Calgary lost the Stanley Cup Finals to Tampa Bay, 4-3. And some say, that in Game Six, that spinning puck, on its side, was over the goal line, under Nicholai Khabibulin’s skate, late in the 3rd period of a tie game. If it had been ruled a goal, then the Flames ‘may’ have held on to win the Cup that night. Instead, they lost, in double overtime, on a goal by Marty St. Louis, to force Game Seven, back in Tampa, which the Bolts won. By the way, the Flames knocked off the Vancouver Canucks, in overtime of Game Seven, in the opening round, in what was arguably the best series I have EVER, EVER seen. If you ever get the chance, during the offseason, to watch the NHL Network “Classic Series,” they may run an hour-long recap of that amazing series. In Round II, the Flames knocked off, Detroit, in overtime, of Game Six, to take the series, 4-2. In the 2004 Conference Finals, Calgary defeated San Jose, 4-2.
But uhh, post lockout??? No series wins. Playoffs every year. But I repeat, no series wins. In 2006, the Flames lost to Anaheim, 4-3. In 2007, the Flames lost to Detroit, 4-2. In 2008, they lost to Anaheim, 4-3. In 2009, they lost to Chicago, 4-2. It’s difficult to fire someone who so consistently places a team into the playoffs, where it experiences very COMPETITIVE series. On the other hand, the expectation after 2004 … was that the Flames would at least return to the Conference Finals. That hasn’t come close to happening. And Calgary is now 6-points back of Detroit, while losing to middling and non-playoff teams, here down the stretch. Yikes.
So, what say you, fellow bloggers? Does Darryl Sutter get the ax? Or does he stay another year? My heart says, “Keep Darryl around.” The accountability guy that dwells within says, “It’s six years from the magical run of 2004, in a league where 53% of the teams make the playoffs. This guy has more than had his chance. Perhaps, he’s taken them as far as he can go. It might be time to let someone else give it a try.”
Brendan
March 27th, 2010
7:01 pm
On Comcast Channel #298, it’s RIT vs. University of New Hampshire in some NCAA tournament action. Earlier today, the Miami of Ohio Redhawks knocked of University of Alabama-Huntsville, 2-1. You’ll recall that, Miami University defeated Bmidji State in the Frozen Four last year to advance to the Championship game, where they lost to the Boston University Terriers, 4-3, in overtime. What you might have forgotten is … that as the #13 ranked team in the field of 16, Miami held a 3-1 lead, with 0:59 seconds left in the tournament. BU scored two late goals to force overtime, then win the NCAA national title.
RIT has just scored to make it, 1-0. I’d bet the farm on New Hampshire to win this game.
Brendan
March 27th, 2010
7:39 pm
I suppose, it’s time for an AJC “Guess the Points Contest” update. Yes, it’s that time of year. Let’s see who’s been eliminated. Posters 12345 and Ex-STH, with respective guesses of 60 and 70-points, are eliminated. At 76-points is FrostyTheSnowman. He’s still alive, unless Atlanta gets a point tonight.
Here are the guess on the horizon:
80: LAC
81: Bob
82: Russ
83: Pam on Weck & Curly
84: polskidawg & BaldheadedThrasherFan
85: Brendan & Spudd Webb
86: Glovesave29, HookyBob, & Smoothie
87: Tom, Denny, Thrashy Thrashy & 3stripes
88: Viking, Rawhide, five_hole, GaVaHokie, Darrn & Get The Puck Out
89: lee & Hip Czech
90: Andrew & Tony C.
91: Hockey Biltong, Scotty, Thrasher Jim, Alan (R.), JLH, Statebird & Toby
92: Smitty, DWTOO, ben & mutton
93: WBF & Sharon
94: Putting On The Foil
Eliminated with picks of 95-points and higher are:
FIF, Thrashers27, thebigharybeast, dwayne, Dandylions, h, J.B., Mehoff, Jameson, rightshot, Adam, Will L., R.Stroz, and Buzilla in CT.
To all those who participated when the contest ENDED at “puck drop,” back in October, of Opening Night, GOOD LUCK the rest the way. No … you may NOT enter a guess now. That’s not allowed. If you make a guess, it won’t count. Last year’s winner was “Don,” (not THAT one,) who won the tie-breaker with Glovesave29, at 76-points.
Rawhide
March 27th, 2010
7:51 pm
Brendan – Thanks for the “Pick the Points Contest” reminder. I guess in order for me…and the others who predicted 88 points… to win, Atlanta needs to go 6-2 down the stretch. That’s a tough task given the last five games on the schedule.
But…a win tonight will help my chances, as well as the team’s playoff hopes.
Also, if I remember correctly, I said the Thrashers 88 points would get them 10th place in the conference. As things stand now, 88 points…if achieved…could be enough to get into the big dance.
Damn…Thrashers got off 18 SOG in the first and Many Legace stopped ‘em all.
Lee
March 27th, 2010
7:57 pm
Playoffs may be a dream, but at least play well tonight!
GO THRASHERS!
stendek
March 27th, 2010
9:08 pm
The Thrashers packed their blue uniforms for the journey to Carolina. Glad they left their pink ones in Atlanta. Blue guys up 3-0 midway through third period. Rooting for Johan Hedberg to register shutout. Would be nice after several recent substandard tough outings. Go Moose! ++STENDEK++
Brendan
March 27th, 2010
9:57 pm
Rawhide, your official guess was “88-points, 3rd in SE, and 10th in the Conference.” Indeed, 88-points might be enough to make the playoffs in the weak Eastern Conference field this year.
I’m about to go look it up, but tonight’s GWG by Rich Peverley might put him atop or close to the top of the NHL leaderboard in that category. For Moose, it was his 13th career shutout. And I guess, as I stated in an earlier blog, I think over at Vivlamore’s place, that “I’m a fan of the ‘closed door’ meetings.” Look at the results.
Rawhide, Atlanta has surrendered 1 regulation time goal in the past two games. Toronto defeated us in overtime, with their second goal. For Moose, his last six games have seen 16 goals against. That’s a 2.66 GAA over that span. I criticized the organization for ‘renting’ Moose at the deadline. But, he’s hanging in there. Moose is giving us a chance.
Tonight’s win has PROLONGED the season. A regulation time loss, and the talk turns towards “auditioning” players, potentially. But now, we’re 2-points back, with 7 games left to play, against the best competition in the league.
Now, let me explain to everyone what happens after the Thrashers defeat the Penguins and Devils, if you’re name is Bruce Levenson, part-owner of the Atlanta Thrashers. “Well, I think that wins over teams the caliber of Pittsburgh and NJ, including players like Malkin, Crosby, Staal, Elias and Kovalchuk, more than justifies a 2-year contract renewal for Don Waddell, for CLEARLY, ‘we are moving in the right direction.’” I’m telling you, those will be his words. Playoffs, or no playoffs. And Atlanta will defeat Pittsburgh and NJ down the stretch. And the STH’s will look at the last 10 games to decide if they renew or not. Though, I think they should listen to “Joe Friday.” History shows that STH’s will get a better deal down the road, by not renewing now. That’s called, “learned behavior.” Fans have learned to WAIT, knowing the discounts are coming. So, in essence, the STH’s have the possibility of doing TWO very powerful things. (1) They can still have an excellent seat, at a tremendous discount next season, virtually ANYWHERE in the rink they want and (2) they will get Waddell fired, causing the meaningful changes that are needed.
Brendan
March 27th, 2010
10:40 pm
Jim Slater has just established a career best eleven (11) goals this season. Here’s Slater’s bio. http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8470289. Way to Jim. All of them post Christmas goals. Just think, if Slater could score in October, November, or December, he could attempt to be a 20 goal scorer.
Lee
March 27th, 2010
10:40 pm
Boston can keep winning if Philly keeps losing!
Brendan
March 27th, 2010
10:48 pm
Here are you updated standings. http://www.nhl.com/ice/standings.htm?type=con#&navid=nav-stn-conf. Notice that Buffalo, New Jersey, and Pittsburgh have now joined Washington in the playoffs. Out West, Phoenix has clinched, joining San Jose and Chicago.
And now, after a MARATHON shootout, Jimmy Howard has led the Detroit Red Wings to a 1-0, shootout win over Nashville. 11 rounds. Oh well. Kiss Calgary’s chances goodbye.
Brendan
March 27th, 2010
11:00 pm
Here’s your boxscore from tonight’s big win. http://www.nhl.com/ice/boxscore.htm?id=2009021116. Notice that Nik Bergfors had seven (7) shots on goal. Antropov had six shots, and Artyukin and Peverley had 4 shots on goal.
At +2 were Pavel Kubina and Toby Enstrom. Twelve (12) Thrashers got on the stat sheet. That’s balance. Only six Thrashers were held without a point on the evening.
Gwinnett Fred
March 27th, 2010
11:15 pm
Thought all along (well since we kicked their butt back to back at least) that Philly was the team we had the best chance of passing.
Still believe so – their final 7 is brutal. Only 2 games against sub par opponents, and they are on the road (NYI & Tor), home against Devils, Habs, Wings & Rangers and at Rangers.
They will be there for the taking – just still shaking my head over the sadist that made out the schedule and gave us our last 5 games. Maybe the Caps will want to play us instead of Flyers and let us take one up there.
It just sucks too though, that the tie breaker is wins, not head to head as we are really 2.5 points behind the Flyers as we’d never catch them in wins.
Anyway – another MUST win Monday (and Tuesday) before figuring we have to get a minimum of 6 points over those final 5 games.
Brendan
March 27th, 2010
11:23 pm
Well, it’s Dany Heatley who is the NHL leader in game winning goals (GWG). But Rich Peverley is high up on the leader board. Here’s the link to go see for yourselves. http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.htm?fetchKey=20102ALLAASAll&sort=gameWinningGoals&viewName=summary
Brendan
March 27th, 2010
11:28 pm
I bet the Flyers wish they’d made a move for Marty Turco now. Then again, who “figures” on injuries? When is Leighton returning? Is he returning?
Brendan
March 27th, 2010
11:30 pm
Ranallo warning???
Rawhide
March 27th, 2010
11:50 pm
Brendan – Finishing up Sunday’s Thrasherville Times…but I may have it delivered earlier than usual.
StateBird
March 27th, 2010
11:57 pm
While everyone focuses on being 2 behind Philly and Boston don’t forget that while we are 4 behind Montreal we do have 1 game in hand on the Habs. I personally think 10 points in any manner would get us in with ease. However achieving 10 against the remaining schedule will be difficult.