Does the shortened season give any team an advantage?

[FightingIsGood]

The teams with the most depth will have the biggest advantage, because I expect a lot of injuries around the league.

[JKidd]

I think the defensive minded teams with little changes from last year will see the biggest advantage. They know what they're going to do, and don't need to work on scoring chemistry as much as other teams who might have had to add 2-4 players through the offseason.

Teams with elite goalies as well. A 40-50 game stretch can see an elite level goalie get hot, stay hot, and really tear it up.

Teams with new headcoaches are going to be ****ed. No camps, no preseason and a likely new system? Yikes.

[mikebflorida]

I'm going out on a limb and saying that the team that scores the most goals and gives up the least will have the biggest advantage.

[cookie monster]

I was just reading online that the Boston Bruins has 13 players playing overseas, the most of any team. You add Dougie Hamilton who I believe is expected to make the club and that could be a big advantage, having so many guys in game shape already.

I'm expecting the Blue Jackets to have no advantage at all, except more time to scout Jones and McKinnon, lol.

[Mike Tython]

I think teams in competitive divisions are at a disadvantage. The Rangers, Pens, Flyers, and Devils (sorry NYI fans) playing each other seven times, or whatever the number is, is a crap load of games against good teams. Same with Detroit, Chicago, St. Louis, and Nashville.

Also teams that benefitted from success against the other conference are obviously at a disadvantage as well, since there won't be any East/West games during the regular season.

[fansince65]

Whoever has the most players playing in Europe and the AHL will have the advantage out of the gate , they will be in game shape , same thing goes for goaltenders that have been playing all season , they will be sharp while the ones that have been couch potatoes will have to just wing it ..

[Gunslinger]

Originally Posted by bustoff

It's a sprint till the end. Whoever stays healthy has the edge. See alot of injuries coming.

Yep. I can see alot of ab strains/tears and hammie's getting pulled.

[acdcrocksno1]

Originally Posted by Mike Tython

I think teams in competitive divisions are at a disadvantage. The Rangers, Pens, Flyers, and Devils (sorry NYI fans) playing each other seven times, or whatever the number is, is a crap load of games against good teams. Same with Detroit, Chicago, St. Louis, and Nashville.

Also teams that benefitted from success against the other conference are obviously at a disadvantage as well, since there won't be any East/West games during the regular season.

That stands the flyers in good stead they always struggle out west

[FurnaceFace]

Not the vancouver canucks. Even if they make it . Everyone knows you can just push them around.

[mikebflorida]

Originally Posted by FurnaceFace

Not the vancouver canucks. Even if they make it . Everyone knows you can just push them around.

Yeah but you're not allowed to any more. Bettman thinks hockey should be a non-contact sport.