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* Note the number before the team name is where they place in the overall league standings today according to NHL.com
2 OTTAWA 9-1 -0 A+
Requires no elaboration
6 MONTREAL 6-2 -2 B+
Somewhat of a surprise or are they? WE knew that goaltending should be excellent and this Montreal team was streaky last year. The big thing so far is that PP excellence has continued this year so maybe Souray wasn't that big a piece. But there are disturbing trends of blowing leads. The Pittsburgh game ( where they did get the two points) was only the latest example
9 CALGARY 5-3 -3 C
Much is expected of this team and so far they have been inconsistent. Really positive signs like winning on the road or overcoming a 3 goal disadvantage against Minny are counterbalanced by blowing a 4 goal lead to Colorado and sleepwalking through a pathetic loss to San Jose. Their OT loss against Colorado was actually their most complete game and one of the best showings by Kipper. Their is much upside as this team has been winning mainly despite Kippers very average play.
11 TORONTO 5-5 -3 D
The 11th place ranking can be deceiving as TO has played 3 or even 4 more games than the majority of the 13 teams within 3 points of them. The Leafs are often awful to watch but rarely boring. After some rare relatively low-scoring wins they reverted and suffered an overwhelming loss to the Caps. BUt tomorrow they may beat someone 7-1. Overall they are playing pretty much as predicted. Their defense is usually terrible but they are capable of explosions on offense. Their current winning % would NOT realistically make the playoffs
22 VANCOUVER 5-7-0 F
Much more was expected of this team after last year's showing. Luongo has not been as consistently brilliant and the remainder of the team has not adapted. They still score far too few goals.
23 EDMONTON 5-7 -0 D-minus ( the Peanuts grade? )
Edmonton would also warrant a failing grade but do better due to lesser expectations. For this team to make the playoffs would require some extra superlative performances. ON some nights this team does look pretty awful. But one way or another they have (often with some stellar goalkeeping) clawed out 5 wins so far. With this assortment of talent, I would continue to give them a pass as long as the can stay anywhere within a few games of .500.
2 OTTAWA 9-1 -0 A+
Requires no elaboration
6 MONTREAL 6-2 -2 B+
Somewhat of a surprise or are they? WE knew that goaltending should be excellent and this Montreal team was streaky last year. The big thing so far is that PP excellence has continued this year so maybe Souray wasn't that big a piece. But there are disturbing trends of blowing leads. The Pittsburgh game ( where they did get the two points) was only the latest example
9 CALGARY 5-3 -3 C
Much is expected of this team and so far they have been inconsistent. Really positive signs like winning on the road or overcoming a 3 goal disadvantage against Minny are counterbalanced by blowing a 4 goal lead to Colorado and sleepwalking through a pathetic loss to San Jose. Their OT loss against Colorado was actually their most complete game and one of the best showings by Kipper. Their is much upside as this team has been winning mainly despite Kippers very average play.
11 TORONTO 5-5 -3 D
The 11th place ranking can be deceiving as TO has played 3 or even 4 more games than the majority of the 13 teams within 3 points of them. The Leafs are often awful to watch but rarely boring. After some rare relatively low-scoring wins they reverted and suffered an overwhelming loss to the Caps. BUt tomorrow they may beat someone 7-1. Overall they are playing pretty much as predicted. Their defense is usually terrible but they are capable of explosions on offense. Their current winning % would NOT realistically make the playoffs
22 VANCOUVER 5-7-0 F
Much more was expected of this team after last year's showing. Luongo has not been as consistently brilliant and the remainder of the team has not adapted. They still score far too few goals.
23 EDMONTON 5-7 -0 D-minus ( the Peanuts grade? )
Edmonton would also warrant a failing grade but do better due to lesser expectations. For this team to make the playoffs would require some extra superlative performances. ON some nights this team does look pretty awful. But one way or another they have (often with some stellar goalkeeping) clawed out 5 wins so far. With this assortment of talent, I would continue to give them a pass as long as the can stay anywhere within a few games of .500.
Kubina, almost as much.
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