The alternate title for this thread is: "Will this topic of conversation get killed on another Catalyst message board?"
First and foremost, I am a Blackhawks fan and I will speak from my perspective. The regular season ended yesterday with the Blackhawks backing into the 8th seed in the West. This is good, as I believe it leaves Carolina as the only team to win the Stanley Cup and then not make the playoffs the following season. This also keeps the Blackhawks from being the team with the highest point total and not make the playoffs, an "honor" held by Coach Q from his days in Colorado.
Looking at the rankings I'm actually glad the 'Hawks ended up in the 8th seed. We have matched up well against Vancouver the last few playoffs and I expect this season to be more of the same. I also think we'll do well against the Battle of the Californias winner. On the other hand the only way we'll ever have home ice is in the Finals and only if the Canadians, Horned Hamsters or the Rangers survive.
So what say you?