Of course I'm talking about the NHL. If you like the NBA, you don't read this site.
As it stands, the Eastern Conference looks like this:
1. Boston, 102 (9 GR)
2. Washington, 99 (6 GR)
3. New Jersey, 98 (8 GR)
4. Philadelphia, 90 (9 GR)
5. Pittsburgh, 90 (6 GR)
6. Carolina, 89 (6 GR)
7. New York Rangers, 87 (6 GR)
8. Montreal, 85 (8 GR)
9. Florida, 83 (7 GR)
10. Buffalo, 80 (8 GR)
As you can see, it's pretty easy to imagine the current top 8 will be the field of 8 in 3 weeks time. Buffalo is fighting the clock at this point, and probably won't make it. More importantly, the Penguins hold tiebreakers against almost everyone else in the wild card field:
vs. PHI: 4-2-0
vs. CAR: 2-1-0 (1 GR)
vs. NYR: 3-1-2 (win tiebreaker based on points percentage)
vs. MON: 1-2-0 (1 GR)
vs. FLA: 2-1-0 (1 GR)
vs. BUF: 2-2-0 (lose tiebreaker based on points percentage)
Because of the tiebreaker against Buffalo, the Penguins' magic number (to clinch a playoff spot) is 9.
Finally, the Pens went 10-1-2 in March, making it a very productive month. And best of all, the playoff push is happening against playoff contenders. Certain teams should be worried about the ease of their schedule down the stretch (cough Washington), and you have to wonder if they can't grab the number 1 seed if they'll be victims of a first round upset.
On to the Western Conference, which is shaping up to be an extremely entertaining race:
1. San Jose, 107 (8 GR)
2. Detroit, 107 (7 GR)
3. Calgary, 90 (8 GR)
4. Chicago, 91 (9 GR)
5. Vancouver, 89 (8 GR)
6. Columbus, 85 (8 GR)
7. Edmonton, 81 (7 GR)
8. Nashville, 80 (8 GR)
9. Anaheim, 80 (7 GR)
10. St. Louis, 79 (8 GR)
11. Minnesota, 78 (7 GR)
12. Dallas, 75 (8 GR)
Dallas is more or less in the same position as the Sabres in the East. Columbus is looking good, but is far from a lock. St. Louis is my personal favorite contender, but they have 3 games left against my other favorite, Columbus, including one tonight. Additionally, the Blues have 6 of their final 8 games on the road, meaning I wouldn't bet on them reappearing in the postseason this year. The 7 through 11 spots are kind of anyone's guess at this point.
I'm just assuming that someone from the Western Conference is winning the Cup this year, so let's take a look at who should be favored:
Detroit- No holes in this team. It's all about luck and favorable matchups at this point.
San Jose- Need to recapture the fire from earlier this season, and have a short playoff memory if they want to go far.
Calgary- Never an easy out in the playoffs. They'll go to the Conference finals I think.
Vancouver- Luongo is incredible. Team is clicking at the right time.
Chicago- Could be this year's Penguins, but lack of recent success has many worried.
Columbus- A guy can dream, right?
- Matt
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