Quote:
Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle
Not sure in a shortened season we can put too much stock in some of the results. Not saying that teams haven't played well or earned their spots, but unless something has been trending in a certain direction for a while before the start of this year (like say the Flames finally really hitting rock bottom), then I'm not sure if we know if it's an anomily or not.
For example:
- The resurgance of the Canadiens. Are they for real, or is this an overachievment aided by small sample size.
- The Leafs. Have they really made the jump? Easier time believing this is just part of the small steps forward they were making, but did they make a bigger jump than should be expected.
- The Flyers, are they really that bad? I think the shortened season is making things look worse than they are for Philly.
One thing I won't ever fault is Staal's decison to leave Pittsburg. People look at the standings and critique him for lack of loyalty and a bad decision. But I applaude him for taking a risk and wanting to be the go to guy, the key player. Those are the types of guys, the guys that want the responsibility that show character and want to be THE difference maker. The kind of guys we always want here. I respect he analyzed his situation with the Pens and basically said, I think I'm more than a 3rd line player, I think I can be the guy that leads a team to victory, and then appropriately guaged that with Malkin and Crosby a head of him in Pittsburg, he would never get to be that guy there. Time will tell if he actually can "lead a successful team" versus just being a solid contributor to a successful team, but can't fault the guy for wanting that responsibility.
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All teams get the same amount of games to play, and every team is in the situation. It is a sprint to the playoffs, instead of a marathon. The hockey this season has been much more entertaining to watch than in the past. More importance put on each game has really made it more exciting. It didn't take nearly as long to watch good, fast paced hockey, where as in a long season, teams dog it for the first half anyways.
I don't know how people can blame the shortened season or the "sample size" on how teams are doing. 48 games is more than enough games to find out who is good and who is not.