BoC Gameday -- Is the Western basement too lofty for the Eastern draft lottery?

by Earl Sleek on Dec 17, 2009 11:03 AM PST Comment 49 comments

Anaheim Ducks (13-13-7, t-14th in west) at San Jose Sharks (19-8-7, t-2nd in west), 7:30 pm
Anaheim Calling for the birds, Fear The Fin for the fish.

Some teams don't celebrate the season of Positivity, evidently.

I brought this up in last night's comments, but here's the crazy accomplishment of positivity the web-footed ones achieved with a win last night: If the season ended right now, the Anaheim Ducks would have a lottery pick in this summer's entry draft, but not their own! They've not only passed the Philadelphia Flyers point-wise, but crazily, are now sitting "ahead" of SEVEN (!) eastern conference teams. Here's how the bottom of the league standings look, from the Ducks on down.

Rank	Team	GP	W-L-O	Pts.
23	Anaheim	33	13-13-7	33
24	NY Islanders	34	13-14-7	33
25	Montreal	35	15-17-3	33
26	Philadelphia	32	15-16-1	31
27	NY Rangers	33	14-16-3	31
28	Tampa Bay	33	11-13-9	31
29	Toronto	34	12-15-7	31
30	Carolina	33	8-19-6	22

Mirtle has more on the one-sidedness of the conference power balance this season, and it's crazy to compare standings boards right now -- if the Ducks were transplanted to the eastern conference, they'd be two points out of eighth with two games in hand! As it sits in the west, the Ducks are still at the bottom but only six points out of eighth -- but with six extra teams in their way.

And it's not strictly in head-to-head team battles that the west is dominating -- western conference players are creeping onto the scoring leaderboards with new frequency also. Eleven NHLers have scored 37 points so far this season -- seven are western conference players, and five are BoCers. That has never happened this late in a season during the life of this blog, at least -- typically the west has had better teams but the east has had better scorers (mostly because they played against shittier penalty kills). Who knows? If this keeps up, we may shockingly see player trophies headed west this season, but there's still a lot of injuries to avoid and media bias to overcome for that to happen.

Prediction: Sharks haven't taken two standings points in any of their last five games; Ducks haven't taken zero standings points in any of their last six games. No wonder Chen's begging for overtime. Positivity prevails, though. Ducks 4, Sharks 2. Goals by Perry, Cotton Gin, and each one of the Kyle C's.

I won't be around for game comments tonight, so play nice. Go Ducks.

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Oh yeah, and I keep advancing in this Ducks blog-off, if anybody’s super-interested in internet voting.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Dec 17, 2009 11:09 AM PST reply actions

Sharks haven’t taken two standings points in any of their last five games; Ducks haven’t taken zero standings points in any of their last six games.

Which is why it’s time to change all that. Sharks with two points, Ducks with zero. Has a nice ring to it. :)

Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality? (boycott Hollywood!)

by ang6666 on Dec 17, 2009 11:10 AM PST reply actions

I could go either way. Two points is always great, but then again losing to the Sharks seems to bring out a wicked tear of subsequent games from the Ducks.

But it has been a few months since Shark tears, and I am sort of thirsty. Go Ducks.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Dec 17, 2009 11:16 AM PST up reply actions

If you are thirsty, drink more beer. :)

Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality? (boycott Hollywood!)

by ang6666 on Dec 17, 2009 11:18 AM PST up reply actions

Mmmm… Heatley Pale Ale. :)

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Dec 17, 2009 11:23 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs

Makes me proud to be a west coast hockey fan.

Screw you east coast.

there is no gravity, the world just sucks.

by tu madre on Dec 17, 2009 11:18 AM PST reply actions

Seriously — while it would be easier to make the playoffs in the east, I’m quite satisfied watching and fighting through the better conference (imo). Still, I suppose it would be nice to have one spot reserved for you in the cup finals.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Dec 17, 2009 11:20 AM PST up reply actions

Yes, for these reasons I think for the next few years we’ll see no one else but the Penguins representing the East in the finals.

Maybe Washington here and there, but Penguins have it very easy.

by Ivano M on Dec 17, 2009 11:45 AM PST up reply actions

It also seems ripe for a team-of-the-moment like Carolina to create some noise. Hard to stay too depressed when you can look over and see even a huger fall-from-glory happening in the other conference.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Dec 17, 2009 11:48 AM PST up reply actions

now that is something we can agree on … :)

Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality? (boycott Hollywood!)

by ang6666 on Dec 17, 2009 11:21 AM PST up reply actions

Someone needs to buy Sleek an Eastern Conference All-Star team jersey for X-Mas.

When I'm not battling in California:
Cycle Like The Sedins

by jamestobrien on Dec 17, 2009 7:03 PM PST reply actions

I will if i can get them to custom make it in green

and a bottle of jack…or gentlemens jack…hmmm

anaheim ducks now feature the sex monster...lock up your daughters!!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Dec 18, 2009 6:24 AM PST up reply actions

Woo! Giguere makes the save on the penalty shot and avoids the PK.

by g r a c e on Dec 17, 2009 8:03 PM PST reply actions

Well, the Ducks can thank Giguere for keeping it a scoreless tie after that first period. C’mon Ducks, let’s have a better 2nd.

by g r a c e on Dec 17, 2009 8:18 PM PST reply actions

just as much action around here as there is for the Ducks tonight…

You can call me CK...Spade does. GO DUCKS!!!
DUCKSandPUCKS.com
SKeleven on Twitter

by SK eleven on Dec 17, 2009 9:19 PM PST up reply actions

GOOOOOOAL!!!

Anaheim Calling

by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Dec 17, 2009 9:31 PM PST reply actions

more please!

You can call me CK...Spade does. GO DUCKS!!!
DUCKSandPUCKS.com
SKeleven on Twitter

by SK eleven on Dec 17, 2009 9:33 PM PST up reply actions

WOO! Thanks Getz!

You can call me CK...Spade does. GO DUCKS!!!
DUCKSandPUCKS.com
SKeleven on Twitter

by SK eleven on Dec 17, 2009 9:31 PM PST reply actions

He can be as patient as Perry! ;)

by g r a c e on Dec 17, 2009 9:36 PM PST up reply actions

Getzlaf tends to make it look so damn easy though.

I wish he did it more often.

You can call me CK...Spade does. GO DUCKS!!!
DUCKSandPUCKS.com
SKeleven on Twitter

by SK eleven on Dec 17, 2009 9:38 PM PST up reply actions

It’s probably not Calder’s fault, but on those last few chances he’s had, I keep thinking that if he was better, Getzlaf might not have to do it more often. :P Not sure that made sense?

by g r a c e on Dec 17, 2009 9:41 PM PST up reply actions

HAHA, it does…

Getzlaf should just do it anyway though! LOL

You can call me CK...Spade does. GO DUCKS!!!
DUCKSandPUCKS.com
SKeleven on Twitter

by SK eleven on Dec 17, 2009 9:43 PM PST up reply actions

Okay, it worked when Earl and Spade bashed him before the Vancouver game, so I’m going to let Calder have it: he needs to bury his chances on that top line, or else he needs to be replaced.

by g r a c e on Dec 17, 2009 10:08 PM PST up reply actions

yea see below…calder yoooooooou suck!!!

anaheim ducks now feature the sex monster...lock up your daughters!!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Dec 18, 2009 6:26 AM PST up reply actions

DOUBLE FUCK!

You can call me CK...Spade does. GO DUCKS!!!
DUCKSandPUCKS.com
SKeleven on Twitter

by SK eleven on Dec 17, 2009 9:44 PM PST reply actions

Damn damn damn.

by g r a c e on Dec 17, 2009 9:45 PM PST up reply actions

ughhhhhhh

You can call me CK...Spade does. GO DUCKS!!!
DUCKSandPUCKS.com
SKeleven on Twitter

by SK eleven on Dec 17, 2009 9:46 PM PST up reply actions

Wow, how did Seto miss there??

by g r a c e on Dec 17, 2009 9:49 PM PST up reply actions

i’m going to go with…

“who cares?!”

LOL!!!

You can call me CK...Spade does. GO DUCKS!!!
DUCKSandPUCKS.com
SKeleven on Twitter

by SK eleven on Dec 17, 2009 9:49 PM PST up reply actions

Haha, I’m with you there. Let’s hope the luck continues in the form of a tying goal.

by g r a c e on Dec 17, 2009 9:51 PM PST up reply actions

WOW. Jiggy, WOW. PK, WOW

You can call me CK...Spade does. GO DUCKS!!!
DUCKSandPUCKS.com
SKeleven on Twitter

by SK eleven on Dec 17, 2009 9:49 PM PST reply actions

Unbelievable — can’t believe the Ducks escape the 4-3, 5-3, 5-4 situations.

by g r a c e on Dec 17, 2009 9:49 PM PST reply actions

OH GOOD! Bobby’s back!

You can call me CK...Spade does. GO DUCKS!!!
DUCKSandPUCKS.com
SKeleven on Twitter

by SK eleven on Dec 17, 2009 9:52 PM PST reply actions

probably broke his tailbone, pulled out the shards and handed them to Sluggo. that’s a hockey player right there

Anaheim Calling

by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Dec 17, 2009 9:52 PM PST up reply actions

Is B-Ry hurt? That’d kill a lot of my positivity.

But hey — a loss that I missed watching hardly counts at all. We’ll rebound on Saturday.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Dec 17, 2009 10:32 PM PST up reply actions

Looking back at the fall, I wasn’t sure what happened exactly, but his initial reaction seemed as if he was in a lot of pain. He did come back onto the ice pretty quickly after the Ducks killed a couple of overlapping penalties, so that’s a good sign.

by g r a c e on Dec 17, 2009 10:37 PM PST up reply actions

You know, it looked like he slid into someones skate – I thought maybe he got cut. He did seem to be in a lot of pain when he left the ice, but he got up and was moving around on his own. He wasn’t being super careful or anything, which also makes me guess that it wasn’t like a pulled muscle or anything.

You can call me CK...Spade does. GO DUCKS!!!
DUCKSandPUCKS.com
SKeleven on Twitter

by SK eleven on Dec 18, 2009 10:10 AM PST up reply actions

Great to see BRy take a shift. Whew.

by g r a c e on Dec 17, 2009 9:52 PM PST reply actions

Unbelievable! Another call on Koivu. Back to the PK.

by g r a c e on Dec 17, 2009 9:53 PM PST reply actions

figures…

You can call me CK...Spade does. GO DUCKS!!!
DUCKSandPUCKS.com
SKeleven on Twitter

by SK eleven on Dec 17, 2009 9:54 PM PST up reply actions

Damn.

by g r a c e on Dec 17, 2009 9:55 PM PST up reply actions

Wow. That sucked.

by g r a c e on Dec 17, 2009 10:00 PM PST reply actions

yea, just a bit

You can call me CK...Spade does. GO DUCKS!!!
DUCKSandPUCKS.com
SKeleven on Twitter

by SK eleven on Dec 17, 2009 10:02 PM PST up reply actions

ahhh, we’re good for letting teams snap shitty streaks.

You can call me CK...Spade does. GO DUCKS!!!
DUCKSandPUCKS.com
SKeleven on Twitter

by SK eleven on Dec 17, 2009 10:04 PM PST reply actions

Yes, we seem to have a knack for curing slumping teams. Now if only some other team would return the favor for us.

Still, not a bad roadtrip overall. 5 out of 8 points, right? That’s a big improvement over our last trip.

by g r a c e on Dec 17, 2009 10:12 PM PST up reply actions

That’s right. 2-1-1, with only two third period blown leads. :)

Still definitely room to grow, but I have to like the direction.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Dec 17, 2009 10:33 PM PST up reply actions

I take fuill responsibility for that loss guys…apparently my powers of hating/talking shit on someone and them subsequently proving me wrong also work on other teams…for years ive said marleau is an overrated piece of shit..why does everyone get a hard on cuz of this guy..plus he has no heart yada yada!!!!….I also (in my mind) starting saying to myself..hey maybe calder will work out…and he didnt do much…or maybe he did…i was too drunk to notice

sux cuz jiggy gave us momentum early with that penalty shot save and getz had the pateint perry goal….man did he juke nabokov out of his jock strap lol….im gonna also say we lost cuz we ran out of gas on the back to back nite…why cant that be an excuse? the wheels did come off in the third?

so I declare shan doan the best power forward that ever lived and bryzgolov is channeling his countryman tretriak….and calder sucks big dick…so does perry and getzlaf

sorry again my fault guys….my fault…i will be careful how i use my powers from now on…

go ducks…lets get one back on saturday….yay i get to go im so excited!!

call me overrated? fuck you spade!! I just ruined your fuckin evening

p.s.
i was hoping for sex monster magic it never came arrrg

anaheim ducks now feature the sex monster...lock up your daughters!!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Dec 18, 2009 6:22 AM PST reply actions

oh forgot to mention..i just saw this cartoon this morning…holy shit i was laughing my ass off hahahaha….if you dont laugh u cry right? good work sleek…another classic…unfortunatly in a losing effort

anaheim ducks now feature the sex monster...lock up your daughters!!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Dec 18, 2009 6:29 AM PST reply actions

Welp, hell of a night for me. Had to drive to commerce to pick up my girlfriend because her car broke down. I missed most of the game, but I came back just in time to see the Ducks give up two goals and lose. I blame myself. I’ve had shitty luck lately. Maybe I shouldn’t have turned the game on. Sigh. I’m still kind of curious to see where this team goes from here though. They’re certainly not as bad as they were in the beggining of the season.

Anyway, here’s a stand up act from Bob Saget. Yes, that guy from Full House. I saw him live at the Irvine Improv. The guy is fucking filthy as hell and hysterical.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8sCORuqZQY

by JohnQPhats on Dec 18, 2009 8:03 AM PST reply actions

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Pacific Standings

	GP	W	L	OTL	PT
San Jose Fear The Fin	82	51	20	11	113
Phoenix Five For Howling	82	50	25	7	107
Los Angeles Jewels From The Crown	82	46	27	9	101
Anaheim Anaheim Calling	82	39	32	11	89
Dallas Defending Big D	82	37	31	14	88