SPNHL, Season 29: Week 4 Update
By: Dirty-Dietrich.
“The one where everybody gets drunk during the week”.
“It’s a celebration, bitches!” Dave Chapelle’s portrayal of Rick James from Chapelle’s Show was incredibly entertaining, and this season has been nothing short of that. On the topic of celebrations, this was a shortened week with Canada Day and Independence Day in ‘MERICA. Bossman decided we were taking Monday off, but that didn’t make as much of a difference as he hoped. Availability wasn’t the best this week, which had a major affect on some teams.
Availability can be very crucial to teams; look at the case of Arizona. They have had a diminished roster for the majority of the season, basically up until this past week (maybe the shortened week helped with that, ironically?). Getting back some key players helped them go 5-1-0 this past week and help tie them for the top spot of the Western Conference with 44 points. If they had that same 5-1 ratio for the past three weeks, the rest of the league would be in loads of trouble.
Maybe we still are.
Anyways, enough about Arizona. Tread is probably more gassed up than all the cars in a Nascar race. Let’s take a look at the conference standings and analyze the past week for each team as we move towards a full-length week!
EASTERN CONFERENCE
1. New York Rangers. This week: 4-1-1.
After half the team left the league, Dafoumanchew took control of a diminished Rangers squad and put together a solid week. Their opponents were no slouches either, so scrambling to put together a team and putting together a 9 point week is a great start and a positive sign of things to come.
2. Tampa Bay Lightning. This week: 3-2-1.
The Bolts were in the best situation possible heading into this week after the Rangers fiasco, being hot on their tails and having the firepower in the redflag and TrueLegend duo to catch up and take the division and conference lead. However, a 7 point week was decent, but not what Tampa wanted.
3. Toronto Maple Leafs. This week: 5-1-0.
Ending the week on a four game point streak, the Leafs shot up the standings with a 10 point week. They kicked our asses on Friday night, and have one of the most potent offenses in the league, scoring 155 goals this season, good for second in the league. The sky is the limit for Stammer, Cupid, and co.
4. New Jersey Devils. This week: 4-2-0.
How did this happen? My team is tied for fourth in the conference and after getting our asses kicked by Vegas in game 1 on Tuesday, salvaged the week with a 4 game win streak to finish with 8 points. Having the lead-leader in goals scored never hurts, but the Devils need contributions from all players on the ice.
5. Ottawa Senators. This week: 3-2-1.
Tied for fourth in the conference and the Adams Division lead with 44 points, the Sens were a team plagued with availability issues this past Tuesday night. They rebounded with 3 wins on Friday, and need to keep the momentum going if Kozmo, Ransom, Marc and co. want to make it back to the Stanley Cup finals.
6. Detroit Red Wings. This week: 1-5-0.
A tough week with a tough schedule and, you guessed it, tough availability caused some issues for the Red Wings this week, who only put up 20 points in the ultra-competitive Patrick Division. They still have 39 points and with a strong rebound next week, could get themselves back in contention for a playoff spot.
7. Pittsburgh Penguins. This week: 0-5-1.
Yikes. Tough week for Cookieman’s squad, who have just had atrocious luck this season. Their lineup has been in constant flux, but now have a decent combination of offense, defense, and with the recent pickup of Chadkillz, have a goaltender who can take them from a 27-points team to a 27-wins team.
8. Philadelphia Flyers. This week: 0-5-1.
The Flyers have had a dismal season so far, but at least they got a point out of a very tough week. Peacekeeper has had a revolving door in his offence this season, but getting Sfic may be the start to somewhat of a turnaround for them. Cmon Vinny, salvage this season and end up with a respectable record buddy.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
1. Arizona Coyotes. This week: 5-1-0.
Hey Tread, look at you! Top of the conference! Good job hombre. The return of MJ to the Coyotes was very much welcomed, as the reigning Hart Trophy winner brings another dangerous element to a very talented Arizona squad. If they can maintain their lineup, this team has the potential to make it to the Cup Finals.
2. Calgary Flames. This week: 3-3.
The former undisputed leaders of the Western Conference are now tied for that position at 44 points, but still lead their division. However, a mediocre week allowed other teams to close the gap on their lead. Uber’s squad needs a big rebound week, and needs stellar performances from Benn and Seguin.
3. Winnipeg Jets. This week: 6-0.
Reap’s team was the only team to go undefeated this past week and are on a 7 game win streak, which has helped them climb the standings in the Western Conference and bring life to the Smythe Division. Kidmoney and the rest of the Jets need to maintain momentum and keep flying (PUN) towards the playoffs.
4. Vegas Golden Knights. This week: 5-1-0.
Why, hello Vegas? The Knights have had a strong team ever since winning the cup two seasons ago, even though only remaining player from that team is Prodigy. It took the Knights a bit to get going, but after a 10 point week and sitting at 32 points, it may be hard to stop Sliyumshady’s squad.
5. Anaheim Ducks. This week: 3-1-2.
The Western Conference has underachieved a bit this season, but Scal_Yanks and co. turned in a decent week, collecting 8 of a possible 12 points. They still sit at 26 points and third in their conference, but with a forward duo like Boutch and etthan, they have a very underrated and capable offensive core.
6. Colorado Avalanche. This week: 2-4-0.
The reigning Stanley Cup champions got hit by Carolina syndrome and are in danger of not making the playoffs. The lack of availability from players like Woy and Kamakaz has been a huge factor for Colorado’s lack of success, but they still sit at 23 points and if their stars return, could easily triple that number.
7. Dallas Stars. This week: 2-3-1.
Another team plagued by consistent roster turnover, Dallas sits tied for second-last in the conference and the bottom of their division with 17 points. However, they got just about a third of their points over the past week, and if Castles makes the right moves, this team could still fight for a playoff spot.
8. Edmonton Oilers. This week: 0-6-0.
Tied with Dallas for 17 points for second-last (and technically last, now that I think about it), Vandoos’ Oilers squad had a disastrous week and are on an 11 game losing streak. The rest of the Western Conference stepped up this week, and though it wasn’t their week, Caper and Hunter need to turn it around next week.
The Western Conference was full of pleasant surprises this week, while the Eastern Conference struggled to an extent (with the exception of Toronto). Although there is a lack of parity in points, there are still many teams who have a great chance at winning the Cup. 4 weeks into the season and with the trade deadline slowly approaching, teams need to finalize their roster and develop chemistry, and prepare themselves for a shot at the cup (or golfing, who knows).
Good luck in week 5, everybody. We’ll see ya next week!
-DD.