Weekend NHL rankings_ Ryan O’Reilly to Maple Leafs, Wild worries and are we cursed_
of the issues that occur if you do energy rankings, particularly one which’s restricted to a couple groups, is that followers get mad at you. The place’s my group? Why aren’t they larger? Do you even watch them? It’s a part of the deal, and up to some extent it even provides to the enjoyable.
Then you’ve gotten these rankings and readers who’ve a unique query: How a lot would it not price us to bribe you to by no means point out us once more?
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It occurred once more final week after I puzzled if the Oilers had been turning into a Western drive. Full disclosure, I wrote most of that tackle Sunday morning, assuming they’d have the ability to deal with the Habs later that day. They misplaced that sport, by loads, after which misplaced to the Crimson Wings too. Message obtained, Oilers, I gained’t hassle you once more.
Look, I feel I do a fairly good job with these rankings. On the finish of the yr, after we look again on them, they virtually at all times maintain up properly. I like that we strive to not get caught up in short-term swings, and I feel it helps us paint a extra reasonable image. I stand by my work.
But in addition, sure, there does appear to be a disturbing development of groups which can be enjoying properly getting a pat on the again on this column, after which instantly forgetting how you can hockey.
Let’s simply put it on the desk: These rankings is likely to be cursed. We must always dig into the proof.
High 5 occasions these rankings cursed a group (perhaps)
5. Dallas Stars, January 2 — After being hesitant in regards to the Stars all season, I lastly put them within the prime 5 as a part of a New 12 months’s shakeup. They debuted at a lofty quantity three, partly on the energy of a four-game win streak. They instantly misplaced to the Kings and Geese (!), and have misplaced 11 of 18 since that rating.
4. Maple Leafs, December 13 — The Leafs didn’t simply crack the highest 5, they bought a complete part explaining why. (You must do that when so many followers have made complaining a couple of group their complete character.) They’d gained 4 in a row and 9 of ten. They instantly misplaced their subsequent two, and 5 of 9.
3. Sabres, January 30 — I didn’t put them within the prime 5, however I did pump their tires fairly arduous and made that the case for why you need to bandwagon their playoff push. Did you pay attention? I hope not, as a result of they bought crushed 5-1 of their subsequent sport and Tage Thompson left with an harm. They’d find yourself dropping 4 straight, seeing their playoff hopes dwindle again all the way down to long-shot territory.
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2. Penguins, October 24 — Granted, we had been solely two weeks into the season, however I used to be already bought on the Penguins, who had thumped the Lightning and had been trying good at 4-1-1. They misplaced their subsequent seven video games in a row. As an added bonus, this piece was headlined “5 early success tales I’m not shopping for but”. Apparently, it ought to have been six.
1. Just about everybody, January 16 — Oof. I put the Jets within the prime 5 for the primary time, they usually instantly misplaced to the Habs on their method to dropping 5 of seven. I made the case that the Kraken might be legit contenders, they usually misplaced 5 of eight. And I moved the Golden Knights again into the highest 5 after an absence; they misplaced to the Crimson Wings, and 5 of their subsequent six, and everybody bought harm. As a bonus, this was additionally the column the place I stated it was time to fret about Colorado, after which they gained 5 in a row, so perhaps the mojo works each methods.
So what’s the decision? Are these rankings cursed?
No, in fact not. Curses aren’t actual. If something, this can be a lot just like the previous Sports activities Illustrated or Madden cowl jinxes of years passed by. Whenever you spotlight groups (or gamers, or whoever) which can be doing properly within the second, it’s extra possible than not that they’ll regress. It’s not a curse, it’s simply chance. Anything is simply superstitious nonsense, one thing for fools to cling to as a result of they don’t perceive how the world works.
I feel. I’m like 80 p.c positive.
Anyway, let’s transfer on to this week’s rankings and see which groups are doomed ceaselessly.
Highway to the Cup
The 5 groups with the perfect possibilities of profitable the Stanley Cup.
Assist me out right here everybody: Ought to the Rangers be within the prime 5? They’re an excellent group that simply traded for Vladimir Tarasenko and aren’t finished including, they usually’ve been pink scorching for a lot of the month. They’re additionally nonetheless simply third within the Metro, and having three groups from the identical division in a prime 5 would appear bizarre. Perhaps they bump out the Devils quickly? It might need to occur. I suppose what I’m saying is that bribes from Ranger followers who don’t wish to be cursed are being accepted.
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5. Vegas Golden Knights (34-18-4, +25 true objectives differential*) — Hey, talking of getting issues improper …
VGK is 5-0 since your hatchet job, they usually simply went toe to toe with Tampa and bought the W. When do you print the retraction, trying ahead to the following muttonhead piece. — Steve W (@Steve_W5) February 19, 2023
Honest level! We’ll give the West’s slot to the Golden Knights this week, who rejoin our rankings after a month on the sidelines. That doesn’t imply it was cof the issues that occur if you do energy rankings, particularly one which’s restricted to a couple groups, is that followers get mad at you. The place’s my group? Why aren’t they larger? Do you even watch them? It’s a part of the deal, and up to some extent it even provides to the enjoyable.
Then you’ve gotten these rankings and readers who’ve a unique query: How a lot would it not price us to bribe you to by no means point out us once more?
Commercial
It occurred once more final week after I puzzled if the Oilers had been turning into a Western drive. Full disclosure, I wrote most of that tackle Sunday morning, assuming they’d have the ability to deal with the Habs later that day. They misplaced that sport, by loads, after which misplaced to the Crimson Wings too. Message obtained, Oilers, I gained’t hassle you once more.
Look, I feel I do a fairly good job with these rankings. On the finish of the yr, after we look again on them, they virtually at all times maintain up properly. I like that we strive to not get caught up in short-term swings, and I feel it helps us paint a extra reasonable image. I stand by my work.
But in addition, sure, there does appear to be a disturbing development of groups which can be enjoying properly getting a pat on the again on this column, after which instantly forgetting how you can hockey.
Let’s simply put it on the desk: These rankings is likely to be cursed. We must always dig into the proof.
High 5 occasions these rankings cursed a group (perhaps)
5. Dallas Stars, January 2 — After being hesitant in regards to the Stars all season, I lastly put them within the prime 5 as a part of a New 12 months’s shakeup. They debuted at a lofty quantity three, partly on the energy of a four-game win streak. They instantly misplaced to the Kings and Geese (!), and have misplaced 11 of 18 since that rating.
4. Maple Leafs, December 13 — The Leafs didn’t simply crack the highest 5, they bought a complete part explaining why. (You must do that when so many followers have made complaining a couple of group their complete character.) They’d gained 4 in a row and 9 of ten. They instantly misplaced their subsequent two, and 5 of 9.
3. Sabres, January 30 — I didn’t put them within the prime 5, however I did pump their tires fairly arduous and made that the case for why you need to bandwagon their playoff push. Did you pay attention? I hope not, as a result of they bought crushed 5-1 of their subsequent sport and Tage Thompson left with an harm. They’d find yourself dropping 4 straight, seeing their playoff hopes dwindle again all the way down to long-shot territory.
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2. Penguins, October 24 — Granted, we had been solely two weeks into the season, however I used to be already bought on the Penguins, who had thumped the Lightning and had been trying good at 4-1-1. They misplaced their subsequent seven video games in a row. As an added bonus, this piece was headlined “5 early success tales I’m not shopping for but”. Apparently, it ought to have been six.
1. Just about everybody, January 16 — Oof. I put the Jets within the prime 5 for the primary time, they usually instantly misplaced to the Habs on their method to dropping 5 of seven. I made the case that the Kraken might be legit contenders, they usually misplaced 5 of eight. And I moved the Golden Knights again into the highest 5 after an absence; they misplaced to the Crimson Wings, and 5 of their subsequent six, and everybody bought harm. As a bonus, this was additionally the column the place I stated it was time to fret about Colorado, after which they gained 5 in a row, so perhaps the mojo works each methods.
So what’s the decision? Are these rankings cursed?
No, in fact not. Curses aren’t actual. If something, this can be a lot just like the previous Sports activities Illustrated or Madden cowl jinxes of years passed by. Whenever you spotlight groups (or gamers, or whoever) which can be doing properly within the second, it’s extra possible than not that they’ll regress. It’s not a curse, it’s simply chance. Anything is simply superstitious nonsense, one thing for fools to cling to as a result of they don’t perceive how the world works.
I feel. I’m like 80 p.c positive.
Anyway, let’s transfer on to this week’s rankings and see which groups are doomed ceaselessly.
Highway to the Cup
The 5 groups with the perfect possibilities of profitable the Stanley Cup.
Assist me out right here everybody: Ought to the Rangers be within the prime 5? They’re an excellent group that simply traded for Vladimir Tarasenko and aren’t finished including, they usually’ve been pink scorching for a lot of the month. They’re additionally nonetheless simply third within the Metro, and having three groups from the identical division in a prime 5 would appear bizarre. Perhaps they bump out the Devils quickly? It might need to occur. I suppose what I’m saying is that bribes from Ranger followers who don’t wish to be cursed are being accepted.
Commercial
5. Vegas Golden Knights (34-18-4, +25 true objectives differential*) — Hey, talking of getting issues improper …
VGK is 5-0 since your hatchet job, they usually simply went toe to toe with Tampa and bought the W. When do you print the retraction, trying ahead to the following muttonhead piece. — Steve W (@Steve_W5) February 19, 2023
Honest level! We’ll give the West’s slot to the Golden Knights this week, who rejoin our rankings after a month on the sidelines. That doesn’t imply it was cof the issues that occur if you do energy rankings, particularly one which’s restricted to a couple groups, is that followers get mad at you. The place’s my group? Why aren’t they larger? Do you even watch them? It’s a part of the deal, and up to some extent it even provides to the enjoyable.
Then you’ve gotten these rankings and readers who’ve a unique query: How a lot would it not price us to bribe you to by no means point out us once more?
Commercial
It occurred once more final week after I puzzled if the Oilers had been turning into a Western drive. Full disclosure, I wrote most of that tackle Sunday morning, assuming they’d have the ability to deal with the Habs later that day. They misplaced that sport, by loads, after which misplaced to the Crimson Wings too. Message obtained, Oilers, I gained’t hassle you once more.
Look, I feel I do a fairly good job with these rankings. On the finish of the yr, after we look again on them, they virtually at all times maintain up properly. I like that we strive to not get caught up in short-term swings, and I feel it helps us paint a extra reasonable image. I stand by my work.
But in addition, sure, there does appear to be a disturbing development of groups which can be enjoying properly getting a pat on the again on this column, after which instantly forgetting how you can hockey.
Let’s simply put it on the desk: These rankings is likely to be cursed. We must always dig into the proof.
High 5 occasions these rankings cursed a group (perhaps)
5. Dallas Stars, January 2 — After being hesitant in regards to the Stars all season, I lastly put them within the prime 5 as a part of a New 12 months’s shakeup. They debuted at a lofty quantity three, partly on the energy of a four-game win streak. They instantly misplaced to the Kings and Geese (!), and have misplaced 11 of 18 since that rating.
4. Maple Leafs, December 13 — The Leafs didn’t simply crack the highest 5, they bought a complete part explaining why. (You must do that when so many followers have made complaining a couple of group their complete character.) They’d gained 4 in a row and 9 of ten. They instantly misplaced their subsequent two, and 5 of 9.
3. Sabres, January 30 — I didn’t put them within the prime 5, however I did pump their tires fairly arduous and made that the case for why you need to bandwagon their playoff push. Did you pay attention? I hope not, as a result of they bought crushed 5-1 of their subsequent sport and Tage Thompson left with an harm. They’d find yourself dropping 4 straight, seeing their playoff hopes dwindle again all the way down to long-shot territory.
Commercial
2. Penguins, October 24 — Granted, we had been solely two weeks into the season, however I used to be already bought on the Penguins, who had thumped the Lightning and had been trying good at 4-1-1. They misplaced their subsequent seven video games in a row. As an added bonus, this piece was headlined “5 early success tales I’m not shopping for but”. Apparently, it ought to have been six.
1. Just about everybody, January 16 — Oof. I put the Jets within the prime 5 for the primary time, they usually instantly misplaced to the Habs on their method to dropping 5 of seven. I made the case that the Kraken might be legit contenders, they usually misplaced 5 of eight. And I moved the Golden Knights again into the highest 5 after an absence; they misplaced to the Crimson Wings, and 5 of their subsequent six, and everybody bought harm. As a bonus, this was additionally the column the place I stated it was time to fret about Colorado, after which they gained 5 in a row, so perhaps the mojo works each methods.
So what’s the decision? Are these rankings cursed?
No, in fact not. Curses aren’t actual. If something, this can be a lot just like the previous Sports activities Illustrated or Madden cowl jinxes of years passed by. Whenever you spotlight groups (or gamers, or whoever) which can be doing properly within the second, it’s extra possible than not that they’ll regress. It’s not a curse, it’s simply chance. Anything is simply superstitious nonsense, one thing for fools to cling to as a result of they don’t perceive how the world works.
I feel. I’m like 80 p.c positive.
Anyway, let’s transfer on to this week’s rankings and see which groups are doomed ceaselessly.
Highway to the Cup
The 5 groups with the perfect possibilities of profitable the Stanley Cup.
Assist me out right here everybody: Ought to the Rangers be within the prime 5? They’re an excellent group that simply traded for Vladimir Tarasenko and aren’t finished including, they usually’ve been pink scorching for a lot of the month. They’re additionally nonetheless simply third within the Metro, and having three groups from the identical division in a prime 5 would appear bizarre. Perhaps they bump out the Devils quickly? It might need to occur. I suppose what I’m saying is that bribes from Ranger followers who don’t wish to be cursed are being accepted.
Commercial
5. Vegas Golden Knights (34-18-4, +25 true objectives differential*) — Hey, talking of getting issues improper …
VGK is 5-0 since your hatchet job, they usually simply went toe to toe with Tampa and bought the W. When do you print the retraction, trying ahead to the following muttonhead piece. — Steve W (@Steve_W5) February 19, 2023
Honest level! We’ll give the West’s slot to the Golden Knights this week, who rejoin our rankings after a month on the sidelines. That doesn’t imply it was c