Olympic Break

Today is the last day of NHL action before the Olympic break and I can hardly wait, but I can't help but wonder what impact the break will have on NHL squads - and ultimately their playoff chances.

EAST

Boston has won four straight, but if they return to the form they had in their recent ten game slump they are doomed. Tim Thomas has not delivered this year.

Montreal has dropped two straight going into the break and could use the time to heal and regroup. They could really use Cammalleri back, and Price needs to play like a number one in net.

If either of these teams let up, I think they will be promptly replaced by the Tampa Bay Lightning who are trying to go into the break on a positive note with a win this afternoon. The Bolts' Stamkos has looked very dangerous on the powerplay as of late.

WEST

Calgary has played decent hockey as of late, however I don't see the Flames making the playoffs with a squad thrown together at the last minute. At least six roster players brought in on recent trades doesn't spell chemistry to me.

The Detroit Red Wings are sitting out of a playoff spot right now, but have just gained Johan Franzen back from injury, and defeated the red-hot Senators on Saturday night. I don't see the Wings missing the playoffs with all that experience in the room and on the ice.

Do you have a dark horse? Share in the comments!

Stay tuned for an Olympic Hockey article sometime on Monday.

Playoff Push

The Ottawa Senators have been quite a surprise to me this season - with a win over the league-leading Washington Capitals - and positioned to overtake the Buffalo Sabres for the Northeast Division lead, Sens fans are growing more excited as the playoffs approach.

Like many teams, the Sens' biggest question is between the pipes - but when a veteran Daniel Alfreddsson and a streaking Jason Spezza combine like they have been lately - and defeat the NHL's top team - I'd be hard pressed to take it as anything but a positive step on a march towards the postseason.

There will be a lot of seed juggling before the league's second season gets under way - let me know what matchups you want to see most come April 11th.

Championship Goaltending

With the Olympic break coming up, I have been hearing a lot of talk about the importance of goal tending.

I find it peculiar that not many people have brought up the issue of goal tending with two cup favorites in the Washington Capitals and the Chicago Blackhawks.

Chicago's starter in Cristobal Huet would be a bigger question mark next to any team but the Blackhawks this season; but a .903 save percentage doesn't come with luck either. The upcoming postseason may very well define him. Chicago has another significant advantage over Washington - they have actually chosen a number one goaltender.

The Caps rotate Varlamov .924 and Jose Theodore .906 but are either of these
goalkeepers capable of leading a team to the Finals and winning Lord Stanley's Cup?

If neither team makes a change in net before the deadline, I have trouble keeping them as favorites.

Chicago stands to have cap problems next season - why not solve two problems at once?
Washington has managed to win games in which they give up too many goals, simply because of the pure amount of firepower they have on the ice - but does that stand up going into a game 7 against, say, Brodeur and the Devils? I think Turco is still available.

With San Jose in the West's top seed with Evgeni Nabokov, and Last year's champion Penguins trying for a top four seed in the East with Fleury, they stand as my favorites unless General Managers Stan Bowman (Hawks) or George McPhee(Caps) make a big move.