8 games left...one girl's take

So here we are. We have 8 games left in the regular season before playoffs start. I was thinking last night while watching the Blue Jackets game about our team going forward and I had some thoughts I'd like to share.

Right now, I think our chances of getting past the first round are decent. However, I think that our chances of moving past that are very low. I'm a fan, but I'm not optimistic about a cup this year by any means.

Defense -- I think that our defense right now is the one thing that is keeping our team in games. We are playing some fantastic D, we have players who are going out there and giving their all on defense on a day in day out basis -- Jackman, Shatty especially.

Offense -- we're getting goals, but we're not getting goals from the people we need to be getting goals from -- Backes, Perron (especially. Perron's my fave, but I"m mad at him right now. Seems to be hogging the puck a lot and taking stupid rookie penalties), Bergy to some extent, and Andy Mac. now I know that McDonald was hurt, but he hasn't done tons since he's gotten back, especially since this is his walk year. I feel like our big guys have to step up and start scoring goals.

Goaltending -- This is such a sticky situation right now. I love all three of our goalies. However, going into the playoffs, we cannot carry all three. Let's start with Halak. He's a fantastic goaltender that has playoff experience. However, he scares me. He's super fragile for a goalie. Seems like he keeps reinjuring the same groin muscle over and over, and I don't know if he's an asset or a liability going into the playoffs. However, he's our main goaltender, so he's coming.

I wish we could talk the best of Brian Elliott and the best of Jake Allen and put them into one super mega goaltender, but we can't. I think that even with a total lack of playoff experience, I would make Allen our second goaltender going into the playoffs. I keep wavering because I love Eliott and if I could be GM, I'd have him and Allen be our 1 and 2. But I'm not.

Leadership - I like the Bouwmeester and Leopold acquisitions, even with the Bouwmeester playoff curse. I think getting 2 more veterans really helps us. However, I think Backes needs to get the monkey off his back and start scoring some goals. I think that right now, Jackman, who I usually HATE, is throwing his weight around and really getting out there and making plays. It seems like our third and fourth lines are really solid right now. I just wish some of our more seasoned veterans would step up a little. I think Backes may be hurt or was playing hurt most of the season and was downplaying it, because he just has not been himself this season.

That's just my 2 cents. Let's beat the Whackhawks on national tv tomorrow and I'll feel a lot better.