Home
Unlike most of the post-lockout seasons, there really isn’t a lot of teams in contention for a playoff spot with most teams having 5 or 6 games remaining in the regular season. There will be 14 teams that miss the playoffs this year and we can pretty much name 11 of them (Carolina, Florida, NY Islanders, Tampa Bay, Toronto, St. Louis, Anaheim, Minnesota, Dallas, Columbus and Edmonton). There are only three teams not currently in a playoff spot that are within 4 points of a playoff position. So, what is left to watch over the remainder of the season? Well, here are a few races to watch:
Philadelphia/Montreal/Boston/Atlanta/NY Rangers – This is the playoff race in the eastern conference. There are five teams and three playoff spots up for grabs. With 82 points and 6 games left to play the edge for those three spots go to Philadelphia, Montreal and Boston. Atlanta is only 2 points back but have one fewer game to play and also have a tough schedule with a pair of games against both Washington and Pittsburgh and a single game against New Jersey. Thats tough and will likely leave the Thrashers on the outside looking in. The Rangers playoff hopes are nearly as thin as they sit 4 points back and really haven’t played well post olympic break. On the plus side they have a game each against Tampa, Florida and Toronto and a pair against the Flyers as well as a game against Buffalo. That is a fairly favourable schedule if they can get on a roll (and they are 3-0-1 in their last 4 games). I think the Rangers have a fairly decent chance of making the final two games of the regular season against the Flyers really interesting.
Pittsburgh/New Jersey – The Penguins and Devils are locked in a tight race for Atlantic division lead and the winner will get either second or third seed in the eastern conference (depending on what the Sabres do) and the other team will end up 4th seed and most likely play the Ottawa Senators. The Senators have been a streaky team this season (largely depending on whether their goalies go on a hot streak) and if they get hot in the playoffs they would be a much tougher opponent than and of Philadelphia, Montreal or Boston so there is more than just a division title and pride at stake.
Calgary/Colorado – Not long ago Colorado looked like a near lock to make the playoffs but they have stumbled recently (1-4-1 in last 6) and several teams have passed them and they now find themselves in 8th spot just 4 points ahead of the Flames. Now the Avalanche are still in a good position with the 4 point edge and 7 games remining vs Calgary’s 6, but they need to turn things around soon as they have a game against the Flames on Friday. With a win the Avalanche could pretty much put an end to the Flames playoff hopes and securing themselves as a surpise playoff team this year.
Phoenix/San Jose – This was more interesting a week or two ago when Phoenix actually caught San Jose for the division title, but San Jose has pulled out to a 4 point lead with an extra game to play so it is the Sharks to lose. These two teams play each other in their final game of the season. Will it matter?
Phoenix/Nashville/Detroit – This isn’t really interesting in terms of playoff race but more in terms of playoff matchup. Phoenix is most likely going to end up in the 4th seed while right now Nashville sits in the 5th seed but Detrot (and Los Angeles) are right on their heels. If Phoenix-Nashville play in the first round it will be a matchup between two of the most troubled franchises post lockout and both franchises could desperately use the revenue from a few second round playoff games. The more likely matchup would be Phoenix-Detroit which is quite an intriguing matchup as it would see the most successful franchise of the past decade face maybe the lease successful franchise of the past decade. Unfortunately that would be bad news for the Coyotes as the Red Wings are healthy and playing great (12-2-1 in March) and may just be the team to beat in the western conference.
Tags: nhl playoff race
David Johnson