Could Anaheim beat the Habs record for most Points in a single season ?

The Anaheim Ducks may want to put back Mighty in their name again , because thay have been just that this season so far. If the Ducks were to keep the same pace, they could finish with 133 pts, which would beat the Montreal Canadiens record of 132 points from the amazing 1976-77 season, thirty years ago.

An another team is on a strong pace, the Buffalo Sabres could tie a record from the 1995-96 season, established by the Detroit Red Wings, who finished the season with 62 wins. Scotty Bowman who coached the Habs team I mentionned earlier, was also behind the wings bench in 1995-96, which made him the first coach to win 60 games with two different teams. The Hall of Fame coach could have company this season, if Lindy Ruff keeps his team on the same pace.

Of course my calculations do not take in to account the injury factur or possible trades after the mid season point when half the salaries will have been paid out, which would change a lot of things. Also, possible slumps by teams who are on hot streaks now, like Anaheim and Buffalo.

If we were in perfect world and everything went as planned, this is how the Eastern and Western conferences could look like come April 9th. In the East, Buffalo would have home ice advantage in the first three rounds. They would meet the Washington Capitals. The Atlanta Trashers would meet the Boston Bruins. The New Jersey Devils would meet the Islanders in a New York area series. The New York Rangers would meet the Montreal Canadiens in an original six series.

In the West, The Ducks would meet Calgary. Edmonton and Detroit would meet for a second year in a row. The Nashville Predators would take on the Minnesota Wild. Dallas and San Jose would face off in the last of that conference’s first round match ups.

I will repeat the excercise after the trade deadline, and see where we are at that point and should give us a better idea at who will make the playoffs in April.

Is Mats Sundin playing his last year in the NHL ? Speculation is that he could retire and finish his playing in Sweden. If the Leafs don’t pick up the option, Sundin will be owed 1million US, which will count in the Leafs cap for next season.

My best wishes go out to the Gainey family, in hoping that they find Laura.