Not really sure. This team has risen to adversity all season, so to say they will only get 4 or 5 points out of the road trip might be undermining their general attitude and performances over the season. I think a lot depends on how they start the games, because they haven't started games well recently. I thought they were very slow out of the blocks yesterday and handed the initiative over to Dallas. If they start slow in Minnesota or St. Louis they'll be a couple of goals down before they can even blink, and there are only so many comebacks you can pull off. If they can just stay in the games they'll have a chance.
The other thing is that they are looking incredibly tired in stretches during games. Yesterday was an another example. They're going to have to summon some energy from somewhere to get through this.
As for the games, I just can't see them getting anything in Minnesota. The Wild are in such a zone right now, basically anything they touch turns to gold. However, I think that will be a kick up the arse and they'll come back to win in Nashville. I think they'll get a point in Dallas, nothing in St Louis and 2 points in Edmonton.
Minnesota - Loss
Nashville - Win
Dallas - OT Loss
St. Louis - Loss
Edmonton - Win
The way I see it is that 96 points should get us in, so we need 9 points. If we get 5 on the road trip we need 4 from the next 3 games. It's doable because you have to factor in other teams dropping points.
A loss for the both LA and the Jets tonight would really help.
It does look like a tough road trip. Than again, so did that 6 gamer to start the season, the 5 Gamer through the Division, and the recent 7 game one. They survived those road trips, so why not another one? 5 points which keeps them in it.
__________________ "Some guys like old balls"
Patriots QB Tom Brady
I'm starting to get this sense as well. Out of all the teams in the mix, we look to be the weakest link at the moment, and we just haven't (understandably) had the same level of energy for the last few weeks that we had before.
Hopefully this team has one more push in them this season...and then hope for some extra energy in the playoffs. Either way, it's a learning moment.
This is a great post. The teams we're battling with seem to have either added these energizing pieces (WPG--Stafford, Stempniak, Myers, Tlusty) or rejuvenated currently existing ones (LA--Richards, or just overall team recommitment to style of play). We didn't do anything major--and couldn't, given the bigger picture and commitment to the rebuild. At the same time, it's clear that the energy is sagging.
As silly as it sounds, this is why I think Byron returning to the lineup would be huge. At very least, it'd give us an energetic player back who can take some ice time away from some in the bottom 6...
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