Playoff Hunting

At this point in the NHL season, the playoff teams are usually decided. But not this year, and especially not in the Eastern Conference. Before I go into what’s going on in the East, let’s discuss the Conference that seems to be more settled at this point, that of course being the West. 

The Detroit Red Wings and San Jose Sharks have each clinched their division and currently occupy the No. 1 and 2 seeds in the West. The Minnesota Wild, Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche occupy the next four slots and have clinched playoff berths as well, meaning there are only two spots not secured at this point. Currently, those spots are occupied by the Calgary Flames (92 pts) and Nashville Predators (89 pts). The Vancouver Canucks are breathing down Nashville’s neck (88 pts). That race may go down to the last day of the season, but Calgary seems like a foregone conclusion to be entering the playoffs.

In the East, only three teams have clinched playoff spots. Those teams are the Pittsburgh Penguins (100 pts), the Montreal Canadiens (100 pts) and the fourth seeded New Jersey Devils (95 pts). The three seed is still undetermined because the Washington Capitals pulled into a virtual tie with the Carolina Hurricanes with their most recent win. Both teams have 90 points, but Carolina has one more win under their belt.

The Rangers currently sit in fifth place with 93 points. The Ottawa Senators, who may have one of the biggest late-season collapses in NHL history going, are in sixth with 92 points. And, last but not least, the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers are tied for seventh place with both teams holding 91 points.

Depending on what plays out with the Capitals / Hurricanes battle, the loser of the two take the ninth seed, but with plenty of chances to get into one of the bottom seeds. The Buffalo Sabres are in tenth with 88 points, but will need Ottawa to complete their epic collapse to make the playoffs. Only time will tell and who knows, maybe someone I haven’t spoken about will sneak into the playoffs. We will have to wait and see. Until next time…

–MIKE GANCI

Read all of Mike’s blog’s at http://www.dailystache.com