E.11 Jan 23

Hello and welcome to another episode of What's Hot and What's Not.
Today we will head toward Denver and visit one of the hottest team in the league.  We'll also take a look at the 3 "important" races and we'll conclude with Anaheim's odd home/road record.

What's Hot: Colorado Avalanche

The Avs have been a disapointment so far, result wise, they were expected to be battling for the division lead but things didnt go as planned.  After a few trades, they've turned things around. After letting Gm Caughell know that he had to keep it up to get a segment in this article, he did just that. Colorado have won 5 in a row and has a 9-1 record in their last 10 games.  How do you go on a hot stretch like that and only move 1 spot in your division? by playing in the insane central.   They'll have to keep their winning ways if they hope to keep moving up the ladder, it wont be easy. 

What's Not: President Trophy race

Gm Wile and his Sharks have a comfortable lead in that race with 72 pts, 6 pts ahead of the Hurricanes with 66.   After these 2, we have the Sabres and Islanders at 63 pts a piece.   Buffalo should be the main challenger for the Sharks as they are the only competitive team in the atlantic after Boston gave away Pasta.  The top teams in the metro and centreal will be too busy battling other strong teams in their respective division to have a shot at finishing 1st overall at years end.

What's Hot:  Early playoff race

The east seems to be set for the most part, the last wild card spot currently owned by the Devils is up for grabs.  New Jersey, while lacking a superstar, has a really deep team that should be able to fend off the weaker teams.  In the west is where things get spicy, we have 7 teams between 52 and 57 pts with only 5 spots available after San jose, Dallas and Winnipeg hold the top 3 spots.   The last few weeks will be exciting to spectate and itll be interesting to see which of those teams make a big splash at the trade deadline.

What's Not: Battle for 1OA

Seattle is a lock to finish with the best odds with only 20 pts so far. Detroit is also is a solid 2nd spot with 33 pts.  They are followed by Tampa with 36 pts and the Rangers with 37 pts.  Those 4 teams should be the team in the lottery by years end.  Who will be the lucky winner of Shane Wright? The lottery gods will decide.

What's Hot: Anaheim's road record, What's Not: Anaheim's home record

Everyone knows home ice is huge in the dchl, everyone but Gm Paquette.  While most team have a decisive better record at home, Anaheim is 10-15 at the Honda center but owns a 13-8-1 record away from home.   The noticeable difference is goal against where they have surrended 72 goals at home while only allowing 54 on the road.  Goal scoring has shown no difference with 56 goals at home and 58 on the road.   Maybe Gm Paquette can enlighten us on this situation, im sure a lot of teams would love to own the recipe for winning road games come playoff time. 

Thanks for tuning in
You stay classy, Dchl