NHL playoff hopefuls and their key players-NHL Part One
The closing week of February 2012 witnessed an increase in activity in the National Hockey League's (NHL) trade market.
Managers of almost all teams made sure, till the very last moment, that they do not miss out on anything on their shopping list, which has long-term repercussions on the performance of their teams.
In the worst case scenario, it affects their chances of making it to the playoff.
Some of them found it difficult to target a buyer for their disgruntled players, who were not useful for them anymore.
Hence, thankfully, the hustle bustle of players’ trade is now done with, and teams are back to focus on their crucial upcoming games, with the playoffs just around the corner.
With the 2011-2012 NHL regular season almost halfway through, a majority of teams seem to be in the balanced position.
A few of them are clearly ahead in their playoffs hopes, and have already started working on the strategies to make sure that their bid for the playoffs remains unaffected for rest of the season.
It can happen.
The example of Colorado Avalanche will be appropriate to refer here. The team gained 68 points at this time of the season, exactly a year earlier, and was seen as clear contenders for the playoffs.
Unfortunately, Avalanche nose dived in rest of its games and thus, got knocked out in the second round.
Interestingly, they are again at the same position, with 68 points, and have taken measures for creating depth in the squad to avoid last year’s meltdown's repetition.
With approximately 20 more games to go to end the current NHL regular season, the positions of the teams can drastically change.
So, there is no guarantee that the teams leading the race for the playoffs at the moment will able to win it at the end. The two-way result remains a possibility.
Yet, almost all the teams, and particularly those who see playoffs as their clear destination, have made arrangements, accordingly.
This includes hiring firing and reshuffling of the squads at certain positions to consolidate the strength.
Obviously, the team work is the key factor in the victories, yet there are individual players in all sides who will matter most to their game-winning performances.
It is equally essential for the NHL teams, and they are apparently well upto the task. For example, the
Los Angeles Kings will be looking up at the forward, Jeff Carter,
who is one of the consistent scorers on the NHL.
He has successively achieved the feat of scoring 30 goals for a side. Kings has acquired him from the Columbus Blue Jackets, and aim to ploy him strategically to boost the winning prospects.
The player is yet to score for the new side, but his contribution will be vital to their victories and playoffs opportunity.
The Washington Capitals are the team who are hoping for Southeast Division title yet again, and have landed the deal for the forward,
Alex Ovechkin.
Ovechkin, who once was considered to be very dangerous player, has recently lost the touch. Yet, Capitals are hoping he clicks to form at the right time.
His performance in the next 20 games will prove if his trade was the right choice made by the team. In spite that the player ranks at 75th, he is well capable of triggering wins.
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