Featuring Pavel Puckov & Bob McKenzie
March 29th, 2004
We are almost to the trade deadline and the end of the season. The standings are stuffed with perenial powerhouses like the Avs, Sharks, Stars, Panthers and Leafs. Leading the charge into the postseason is the mighty Ranger's juggernaut, led by the man most despised on Broadway, Mario Lemeiux. We have a gutsy Windy City squad hanging onto every last leg brace and bandage but nonetheless ready for war. We have a defensive first bunch in Motown lead by a true trident of centers who want to show the world they are not merely hanging on their famous goalie's shoulders. There is a damn good race emerging among the Devils, Pens and Bolts for the 8th spot in the East. Likewise, albeit with slightly better odds, in the West the Yotes, Preds and Kings are sprinting for the last two spots. And of course no discussion of playoff hockey would be complete without the team that gets no respect, yes of course you have guessed, the Rodney Dangerfield team of the league, the Ottawa Senators.
The following rankings are a composite between the opinions of myself, Pavel Puckov, and my colleague, Bob McKenzie. We don't always agree who should go where, but between us, we are insanely accurate. You will find my comments prefaced with PP and Bob's with BM. I will usually comment first, and give the right of rebuttal to Bob (that is: PP is #1 and BM is #2).
NOTE: Ratings cover games leading up to March 29th, 2004
| Rnk | Prv | Team | Record | The Skinny |
| 1 | 1 |  |
51-16-7-2 | PP>
Strength: Mario, overflowing quality.
Weakness: PK. Cup Odds: 6-1. BM> With Mario on the out, look for the team to slip.. to only 3 goals a game. |
| 2 | 3 |  |
41-24-8-2 | PP>
Strength: Skill. Weakness: Too laid back, not
built for the postseason. Cup Odds: 25-1. BM> Hasnt dealt for an NHL player since 8/28/02! |
| 3 | 2 |  |
42-24-7-2 | PP>
Strength: GM Dennis knows how to build a cup
winning team, top 2 centers. Weakness:
Goaltending. Cup Odds: 8-1. BM> Clinched the Northwest division... 3 players in the running for major awards. |
| 4 | 5 |  |
42-26-6-2 | PP>
Strength: Quality vets. Weakness: Defensive
leader. Cup Odds: 12-1. BM> Recent string has set them back, will struggle in playoffs. |
| 5 | 8 |  |
47-21-6-1 | PP>
Strength: Balance. Weakness: Special teams.
Cup Odds: 12-1. BM> Quietest 2nd place team Ive ever known... should clinch Northeast soon. |
| 6 | 4 |  |
41-26-7-4 | PP>
Strength: Depth. Weakness: Special teams,
goaltending. Cup Odds: 12-1. BM> 2-4-2 in last 8, losing to 'Canes always hurts. |
| 7 | 6 |  |
40-25-9-2 | PP>
Strength: Goaltending. Weakness: Spotty
depth. Cup Odds: 15-1. BM> Went undefeated in 12, to losing the previous 2 games, one to the Bolts! |
| 8 | 9 |  |
39-29-6-2 | PP>
Strength: Elite playoff vets. Weakness: As
always, consistency. Cup Odds: 18-1. BM> Struggles against weaker teams ie, 2 losses to BOS, 2 to CAR. |
| 9 | 10 |  |
39-24-10-2 | PP>
Strength: Defensive forwards. Weakness:
Offensive defensemen. Cup Odds: 22-1. BM> 8-1-1 in 10 games, catching fire at the right time. |
| 10 | 11 |  |
33-30-10-4 | PP>
Strength: Top 2 centers. Weakness: Scoring
(sometimes), PK. Cup Odds: 12-1. BM> Roloson had 3 shutouts in a row, team is hot right now. |
| 11 | 7 |  |
39-28-6-4 | PP>
Strength: Experience, dominating top 3-4
forwards. Weakness: the right side. Cup Odds:
16-1. BM> 4 games against CBJ in their final 10. |
| 12 | 13 |  |
35-24-14-2 | PP>
Strength: Special teams. Weakness: Depth down
the middle. Cup Odds: 33-1. BM> Lost 2 in a row after beating quality teams like SJ and NYR. |
| 13 | 12 |  |
40-24-9-1 | PP>
Strength: Discipline, defense. Weakness:
Superstars. Cup Odds: 59-1. BM> Undefeated in last 5... 4th seed at best. |
| 14 | 16 |  |
33-31-9-1 | PP>
Strength: Hull is a great go-to guy.
Weakness: Quality depth. Cup Odds: 38-1. BM> Ties are killing teams playoff hopes. |
| 15 | 14 |  |
31-32-11-3 | PP>
Strength: 2 rockin' lines that no-one wants
to face in the first round. Weakness: Defensive
leader. Cup Odds: 20-1. BM> Lines seem to be clicking after slow start... but 3 or more losses would kill hopes. |
| 16 | 20 |  |
28-32-13-1 | PP>
Strength: Defense. Weakness: Quality after
top line. Cup Odds: 45-1. BM> 9-1-0 after dealing away some players?? Whats going on here. |
| 17 | 15 |  |
32-34-7-5 | PP>
Strength: Imposing defense. Weakness: Lack of
stars. Cup Odds: 55-1. BM> Playoffs look like a stretch after team deals most of its top players. |
| 18 | 24 |  |
30-34-10-2 | PP>
Strength: Team D. Weakness: Lack of defensive
leader. Cup Odds: 55-1. BM> Locked in tight battle for 8th, team may be too inconsistant to make it. |
| 19 | 22 |  |
30-34-9-1 | PP>
Strength: PK. Weakness: Scoring threats,
blueliners. Cup Odds: 58-1. BM> Tough road ahead makes playoffs look impossible to make. |
| 20 | 19 |  |
29-36-9-2 | PP>
Technically, the Bolts could slip in, but
will face a hard road. Have 2 firsts among 8
total picks. Draft Pick Report Card: A-. BM> Lost to Flyers and 'Canes, wrong time to go bad. Ovechkin next season will turn them into a contender. |
| 21 | 18 |  |
33-36-5-1 | PP>
The Wild waved the white flag a number of
days ago, but have not been officially
eliminated. Have only 3 picks in coming draft.
Draft Pick Report Card: D. BM> Top line was scary, but gave up a little too early, or too late depending on how you look at it. |
| 22 | 21 |  |
29-37-6-2 | PP>
The Oil will continue to try to build around
Datsyuk and Morrow. Have 6 picks in coming draft,
but not a 1st. Draft Pick Report Card: C+. BM> Team does look scary 2 years from now. |
| 23 | 17 |  |
23-42-8-3 | PP>
Atlanta will have a lot of high priced talent
on the links early. Have 7 good picks in coming
draft. Draft Pick Report Card: B-. BM> 5 in a row and 9 in last 10... Losses piling up. |
| 24 | 23 |  |
27-40-6-2 | PP>
The flames have a nice crop of 10 picks in
the upcoming draft. Draft Pick Report Card: A-. BM> Iginla and Palffy are FA's, rebuilding in CGY? |
| 25 | 25 |  |
23-41-10-1 | PP>
The Ducks as well have 10 picks. Draft Pick
Report Card: A-. BM> Not bad enough to get a top 5 pick, but should pick up SOMEONE with some offensive upside. |
| 26 | 26 |  |
25-41-7-3 | PP>
The Jackets have 8 draft picks this year.
Draft Pick Report Card: B-. BM> No quality players, but prospects galore. |
| 27 | 27 |  |
21-45-7-0 | PP>
The Habs have 6 picks in the upcoming draft,
as well as a well-spent first on Toskala. Draft
Pick Report Card: A-. BM> How a team with Arnott/Elias can do soo baf is beyond me. |
| 28 | 28 |  |
13-53-7-1 | PP>
The Flyers have 9 late picks, and have
already started to add some veteran core. Draft
Pick Report Card: C. BM> Finishing last has its benefits, yet the Flyers STILL dont get them. |
| 29 | 29 |  |
22-45-7-0 | PP>
The Canes have 18 picks and a solid youth
core. Impressive. Draft Pick Report Card: A+. BM> Picking up Marleau was smart, another quality player to compliment him would help. |
| 30 | 30 |  |
21-45-8-0 | PP>
The Bs have 2 firsts among 10 picks. Draft
Pick Report Card: A. BM> Cup contender in 3 years. GM has the right idea and the right players. |