A sign of times to come?

[Nakor BlueRider]

Well, probably not, but here are this year's preseason final standings, by division.<
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>PACIFIC W-L-T-OTL PTS <
>Los Angeles 7-1-0-0 14 <
>Dallas 4-4-0-0 8 <
>Anaheim 3-4-1-0 7 <
>San Jose 3-5-1-0 7 <
>Phoenix 2-5-0-0 4 <
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>Nakor's Comments: Not a big surprise here, IMO. I could see any of these teams in the playoffs, save perhaps Anaheim.<
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>NORTHWEST W-L-T-OTL PTS <
>Minnesota 7-0-1-0 15 <
>Vancouver 5-3-1-0 11 <
>Calgary 3-5-0-0 6 <
>Edmonton 3-6-0-0 6 <
>Colorado 2-5-0-0 4 <
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>Nakor's Comments: Ooooh, Minnesota on top! And Colorado on the bottom? Interesting, ne? This division is probably the largest surprise of the preseason.<
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>CENTRAL W-L-T-OTL PTS <
>Detroit 6-2-1-0 13 <
>Columbus 6-3-0-0 12 <
>St. Louis 4-3-0-1 9 <
>Chicago 3-3-1-1 8 <
>Nashville 3-4-1-0 7 <
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>Nakor's Comments: The only eye-opener here is a 2nd place Columbus. They also placed 5th overall! (Top 5 in order: Minnesota, Montreal & LA, Detroit, Columbus.)<
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>ATLANTIC W-L-T-OTL PTS <
>NY Rangers 4-2-1-2 11 <
>Philadelphia 5-4-0-0 10 <
>NY Islanders 4-1-0-0 8 <
>New Jersey 3-3-2-0 8 <
>Pittsburgh 2-4-1-0 5 <
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>Nakor's Comments: Rangers on top might mean we'll see more of them, but they're very spontaneous. No big surprises here.<
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>NORTHEAST W-L-T-OTL PTS <
>Montreal 7-2-0-0 14 <
>Toronto 4-3-1-1 10 <
>Buffalo 4-2-1-0 9 <
>Boston 2-5-1-1 6 <
>Ottawa 2-5-0-0 4 <
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>Nakor's Comments: I'm a bit surprised to see Ottawa on the bottom, but considering the competitive level of this division, somebody's gotta be there. Top two are no surprise.<
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>SOUTHEAST W-L-T-OTL PTS <
>Tampa Bay 5-3-1-0 11 <
>Atlanta 3-2-1-1 8 <
>Washington 3-4-0-1 7 <
>Carolina 2-6-1-0 5 <
>Florida 1-3-1-2 5 <
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>Nakor's Comments: Not much to surprise anybody here. This is a weak division, though Tampa Bay did well.<
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>Nakor's opening day predictions:<
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>Dallas 3 @ 1 Colorado<
>-- Colorado's been weak, and Dallas has shown a lot of spirit. They'll be fighting hard to make sure they don't miss the playoffs again.<
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>NY Rangers 4 @ 2 Carolina<
>-- Carolina was a surprise last playoffs, but the Rangers are the surprise right now. They're on a roll, and will likely walk away with the win.<
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>Phoenix 1 @ 2 L.A.<
>-- LA has a huge division advantage against Phoenix coming out of the preseason. Phoenix will be fighting hard, but I think LA will outperform them at this early stage.<
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>2 hrs 45 mins left 'til game 1... <
><i>Time passes, people move...<
>Like a river's flow, it never ends...<
>A childish mind will turn to noble ambition...<
>Young love will become deep affection...<
>The clear water's surface reflects growth...<
>(In memorium of the Wild Wolf Society.)</i><i></i>

[CORVETTE GIRL]

Time will tell! <i></i>

[Nakor BlueRider]

Well, Minnesota's certainly making good on that record... <
><i>Time passes, people move...<
>Like a river's flow, it never ends...<
>A childish mind will turn to noble ambition...<
>Young love will become deep affection...<
>The clear water's surface reflects growth...<
>(In memorium of the Wild Wolf Society.)</i><i></i>

[Tanthalasis]

I'm still annoyed at Vancouvers beginning... they were doing so well, then kinda slumped off....<
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> <i></i>

[NOAImawario]

Stupid Wild..... GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR <i></i>

[gaimeguy]

That's my team! *iz a Minnesota citizen* "Simple And Clean" <
>Written By: Hikaru Utada <
> When you walk awayYou don't hear me say pleaseOh baby, don't goSimple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonightIt's hard to let it go <
>You're giving me too many thingsLately you're all I needYou smiled at me and said, <
> Don't get me wrong I love youBut does that mean I have to meet your father?When we are older you'll understandWhat I meant when I said "No,I don't think life is quite that simple"<
>When you walk awayYou don't hear me say pleaseOh baby, don't goSimple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonightIt's hard to let it go <
>The daily things that keep us all busyAre confusing meThat's when you came to me and said, <
>Wish I could prove I love youBut does that mean I have to walk on water?When we are older you'll understandIt's enough when I say soAnd maybe some things are that simple When you walk awayYou don't hear me say pleaseOh baby, don't goSimple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonightIt's hard to let it go <
>Hold meWhatever lies beyond this morningIs a little later onRegardless of warnings the future doesn't scare me at allNothing's like before <
>When you walk awayYou don't hear me say pleaseOh baby, don't goSimple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonightIt's hard to let it go <
>Hold meWhatever lies beyond this morningIs a little later onRegardless of warnings the future doesn't scare me at allNothing's like before <
>Hold meWhatever lies beyond this morningIs a little later onRegardless of warnings the future doesn't scare me at allNothing's like before <
><i></i>

[DEVILRAYS]

I'll give Minnesota hockey fans this much...they sure as hell are loyal. The Wild has yet to fail to sell out a home game. (The Blue Jackets sell out most of their games too, but I don't think they have a perfect record.) When a second-year expansion team has fans in the same league as Detroit and Dallas, they are doing something right. <B>God bless America, land that I love; stand beside her and guide her through the night with a light from above. From the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans white with foam; God bless America, my home sweet home; God bless America, my home sweet home.</B><
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><B>"I read people fairly well, and I think I'm reading Elavia. I could be wrong; somebody at home right now is going, 'You ain't reading nothing well. You're way off. It's Bill!'...Maybe it is; I don't know..." Al from Mole 2: The Next Betrayal in a confessional long before he learned Bill was the Mole.</B><i></i>

[gaimeguy]

Well we've ALWAYS been a hockey state. Once the Stars left, everyone started watching football. <i></i>

[NOAImawario]

hehe <i></i>