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We may well be witnessing the closest
playoff race in recent memory. With only 10 days left in the regular
season only one team in the West (Detroit) and four teams in the East
(Boston, Philadelphia, Toronto and Ottawa) have officially clinched
playoff spots. This should make for an exciting time for fans but a
difficult time for people like us who are trying to get our Playoff
Cheatsheets together. With a tradition we started last season (oh, and by
the way, we were dead on in our predictions -
check
it out if you don't believe us) we will take a quick look at the
contenders for the final playoff spots heading into the final week. How
will we do this year?
Eastern Conference
This is really only a three team race, but
we will expand it out a bit to include two more teams that could make a
run.
As usual, teams from the Southeast are
fighting it out for mediocrity. The Carolina Hurricanes have a 4 point
lead on the Washington Capitals and this lead is crucial. The winner of
the Southeast may be the Division's only rep at this year's post season
party. Don't get us started on how ludicrous it is for a team that on
paper should be fighting it out for 7th, 8th or 9th could very well be the
3rd ranked team in the East. The Hurricanes have a relatively easy
schedule with two games against Atlanta, and one against each of the
Islanders, Panthers and Lightning. The Caps, on the other hand, have a
brutal sked with only one game against a sub-.500 team (and that is the
upstart Sabres). So if the Caps can't take the Southeast Division what
hope do they have to make the playoffs? Well, they will need to leapfrog
the Montreal Canadiens and hold off the Sabres and Rangers.
The Habs, like the Capitals, don't have an
easy schedule. Their game against Columbus on the 6th is a must-win. If
they split the remaining games (two against the Senators and one against
each of New Jersey and Buffalo) then they should clinch 8th place.
As for the Rangers and Sabres, it will take
a miracle. New York plays against Boston, Toronto, Pittsburgh and
Philadelphia in their final four games and would need a sweep to even have
a chance. The Sabres aren't as desperate and have a much more favourable
schedule. But to have any chance they need to win 3 of their first 4 and
beat the Canadiens in their April 13th matchup. Even then they will need
some help for Montreal's opponents.
Teams Most Likely
to be Golfing on April 15th: Washington, New York Rangers, and
Buffalo
Western Conference
This is a race
that involves six teams. Detroit is guaranteed and Colorado, San Jose and
Chicago are pretty-much shoe-ins. The rest is up for grabs. From Phoenix
in 5th with 89 points to the Stars in 10th with 84 points, this race is
wide open. The winners and losers will most likely be decided in
head-to-head matchups coming down the stretch.
Phoenix has a very favourable schedule.
Other than key matchups against Edmonton and Vancouver they face sub-.500
teams Calgary, Minnesota and Nashville. They're pretty much a lock for a
playoff spot. And in fact, Canuck fans will probably be cheering for them
to take out the Oilers. Los Angeles is in a very vulnerable position.
They're goaltending has be suspect of late (except for a recent shutout)
and all but one of their games (vs. Anaheim) is against a playoff
contender. In fact, they could be a spoiler for any one of the playoff
hopefuls depending on the combination of games they win and lose with
games against Edmonton, Vancouver, Dallas and San Jose all on the
schedule. To guarantee a spot they need to make sure they win or tie games
against the Canucks and Stars. The Blues are a team in a very precarious
situation. They've just lost Chris Pronger for the next two games due to a
suspension, they have played exceptionally poorly recently AND they are
still without Doug Weight. Their only advantage is that they have 6 games
remaining. But with games against Chicago, Colorado, San Jose and two
against Detroit it is not going to be simple. They do have a must win
against the Predators, but they will need more than that. With a home and
home versus the Wings to finish the season, they have to hope that Scotty
Bowman will rest his veterans for the playoffs. However, seeing that he
didn't rest Dominek Hasek in his last game before the Olympic break, don't
look for the Blues to get any favours. Detroit would love to get rid of
their Central Division rival and not have to worry about possibly facing
them in the first round.
Then there are the 8th, 9th and 10th place
teams - Edmonton, Vancouver and Dallas. The Oilers have three games
against cellar dwellers (Calgary, Minnesota and Anaheim) and two games
against playoff rivals (LA and Phoenix). If they can take the games
against sub-.500 teams then they should make the post season. As for the
Canucks and Dallas they must win every game and look for help. The Canucks
have two games against lesser teams (Minnesota and Calgary), with their
other games against Phoenix, LA and Colorado. If they win 4 out of 5 they
may still have a chance, but another team would have to lose almost all of
their remaining games. The Stars are in a slightly more advantageous
position with six games left. But, with two against Colorado, and one each
against Chicago, LA, Anaheim and Minnesota, there are only two you would
call "gimmes".
Team Most Likely
to be Golfing on April 15th: Vancouver and Dallas. Although one
of those two teams could squeak by the faltering St. Louis Blues if they
sweep their final games.
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