What's At Stake
Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2011 11:47 am
With just five days remaining in the regular season, there are still some very critical games left to play. Here's a breakdown of the upcoming tilts for YOUR team.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Boston -- has clinched third place; will face the #6 team, which currently is the Carolina Hurricanes.
Buffalo -- has clinched the eighth and final playoff spot, and will face the defending Cup champs, the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Carolina -- currently in sixth place, with three games left to play: vs. DET (0-0), @ ATL (5-0), vs. TB (2-3). The Canes are also four points behind the three teams battling for the 2nd, 4th, and 5th places. OUTLOOK: they probably need to win all three games to move up a spot or two.
NY Rangers -- currently in fifth place, tied with WSH but with one less win; two games left, vs. ATL (2-1) and vs. NJ (3-1-1). The Rangers are also tied with the 2nd place Penguins, but the Pens hold the tie-breaker with two more wins. OUTLOOK: probably 5th, but 4th is possible if the Caps slip. Second place only happens if the Rags win twice and the Pens don't win both of their games. (Go Isles!)
Philadelphia -- has clinched seventh place, and is now just waiting for their first round match-up to be determined.
Pittsburgh -- currently in second, but tied in points with the fifth place Rangers; two games left, @ NYI (2-1-1) and @ ATL (2-1). OUTLOOK: the Isles are better of late (winners of 4 of their last 5), but neither Pens opponent is playing for more than pride. Wins are best, but if they match points with the Rangers, they'll stay in 2nd due to having more wins. My bet is the first round will be the Battle for Pennsylvania.
Tampa Bay -- has clinched first place in the East, and will battle the Sabres in the first round. The Lightning won all four regular season games, but never by more than two goals.
Washington -- currently in fourth, but tied in points with PIT (2nd) and NYR (5th); the Caps have a home-and-home with Florida, against whom they are unbeaten this year (4-0). OUTLOOK: they should win both and hold on to home-ice for the first round.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Calgary -- has clinched third place, and will play either the Kings or the Blackhawks in the first round. LA seems more likely at the moment.
Chicago -- currently in seventh, four behind the Kings and three clear of the Stars. Three games left: STL (3-2), two with DET (3-0-1). OUTLOOK: They must get at least a point against the Blues to keep the pressure on the Stars to win again; could catch the Kings, but LA is hot right now.
Columbus -- second place, and four points up on the Blues in the division race; two games left, @ NAS (3-2) and vs. BUF (1-0). OUTLOOK: shootout wins could be a factor if the Jackets and Blues end up tied. So it's simple for CBS: get a point against the Preds, and you clinch the division.
Dallas -- currently in eighth, and losers of five in a row; three games left: two with COL (2-0) and one with MIN (3-0). OUTLOOK: Making up three points in three games won't be easy, but if CHI slips it could happen. Although a five-game losing streak doesn't bode well...Also, can't be caught by VAN even if they go 2-0 and the Stars go 0-3, since the Nucks have eight SO wins against the Stars three.
Los Angeles -- currently in sixth, four points up on the Blackhawks; three games left: vs. PHO (4-1) and two with ANA (3-1). Six points in back of the Blues for fifth place. OUTLOOK: nearly impossible to move up, but a win or a CHI loss tonight seals sixth place and a trip to Calgary.
Nashville -- currently in ninth, three points behind Dallas; two games left: vs. CBS (2-3) and @ STL (1-4). OUTLOOK: the Preds have struggled down the stretch, but Dallas' slide has left them with some hope. A Dallas win on Thursday ends the Preds run.
Phoenix -- currently in fourth, but just three points behind San Jose for the division. Can't be caught for fourth place. Three games left: @ LA (1-4) and two with SJ (2-2). OUTLOOK: If the Yotes lose and the Sharks win tonight, it's fourth place. Any other outcome, however, and you'll want to get your tickets now for the season-ending home-and-home tilts against the Sharks.
San Jose -- currently in first, but just three points ahead of Phoenix for the division. It's first or fourth for the Sharks. Three games left, vs. ANA (5-0) and two with PHO (2-2). OUTLOOK: Let's hope the Sharks and the Yotes win tonight so we get treated to a fun end of the season. No tension here, guys.
St. Louis -- currently in fifth place, with just two games left: @ CHI (2-3) and vs. NAS (4-1). OUTLOOK: only an outside chance of getting caught by LA, so they'll likely face the "loser" of the SJ/PHO divisional sweepstakes.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Boston -- has clinched third place; will face the #6 team, which currently is the Carolina Hurricanes.
Buffalo -- has clinched the eighth and final playoff spot, and will face the defending Cup champs, the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Carolina -- currently in sixth place, with three games left to play: vs. DET (0-0), @ ATL (5-0), vs. TB (2-3). The Canes are also four points behind the three teams battling for the 2nd, 4th, and 5th places. OUTLOOK: they probably need to win all three games to move up a spot or two.
NY Rangers -- currently in fifth place, tied with WSH but with one less win; two games left, vs. ATL (2-1) and vs. NJ (3-1-1). The Rangers are also tied with the 2nd place Penguins, but the Pens hold the tie-breaker with two more wins. OUTLOOK: probably 5th, but 4th is possible if the Caps slip. Second place only happens if the Rags win twice and the Pens don't win both of their games. (Go Isles!)
Philadelphia -- has clinched seventh place, and is now just waiting for their first round match-up to be determined.
Pittsburgh -- currently in second, but tied in points with the fifth place Rangers; two games left, @ NYI (2-1-1) and @ ATL (2-1). OUTLOOK: the Isles are better of late (winners of 4 of their last 5), but neither Pens opponent is playing for more than pride. Wins are best, but if they match points with the Rangers, they'll stay in 2nd due to having more wins. My bet is the first round will be the Battle for Pennsylvania.
Tampa Bay -- has clinched first place in the East, and will battle the Sabres in the first round. The Lightning won all four regular season games, but never by more than two goals.
Washington -- currently in fourth, but tied in points with PIT (2nd) and NYR (5th); the Caps have a home-and-home with Florida, against whom they are unbeaten this year (4-0). OUTLOOK: they should win both and hold on to home-ice for the first round.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Calgary -- has clinched third place, and will play either the Kings or the Blackhawks in the first round. LA seems more likely at the moment.
Chicago -- currently in seventh, four behind the Kings and three clear of the Stars. Three games left: STL (3-2), two with DET (3-0-1). OUTLOOK: They must get at least a point against the Blues to keep the pressure on the Stars to win again; could catch the Kings, but LA is hot right now.
Columbus -- second place, and four points up on the Blues in the division race; two games left, @ NAS (3-2) and vs. BUF (1-0). OUTLOOK: shootout wins could be a factor if the Jackets and Blues end up tied. So it's simple for CBS: get a point against the Preds, and you clinch the division.
Dallas -- currently in eighth, and losers of five in a row; three games left: two with COL (2-0) and one with MIN (3-0). OUTLOOK: Making up three points in three games won't be easy, but if CHI slips it could happen. Although a five-game losing streak doesn't bode well...Also, can't be caught by VAN even if they go 2-0 and the Stars go 0-3, since the Nucks have eight SO wins against the Stars three.
Los Angeles -- currently in sixth, four points up on the Blackhawks; three games left: vs. PHO (4-1) and two with ANA (3-1). Six points in back of the Blues for fifth place. OUTLOOK: nearly impossible to move up, but a win or a CHI loss tonight seals sixth place and a trip to Calgary.
Nashville -- currently in ninth, three points behind Dallas; two games left: vs. CBS (2-3) and @ STL (1-4). OUTLOOK: the Preds have struggled down the stretch, but Dallas' slide has left them with some hope. A Dallas win on Thursday ends the Preds run.
Phoenix -- currently in fourth, but just three points behind San Jose for the division. Can't be caught for fourth place. Three games left: @ LA (1-4) and two with SJ (2-2). OUTLOOK: If the Yotes lose and the Sharks win tonight, it's fourth place. Any other outcome, however, and you'll want to get your tickets now for the season-ending home-and-home tilts against the Sharks.
San Jose -- currently in first, but just three points ahead of Phoenix for the division. It's first or fourth for the Sharks. Three games left, vs. ANA (5-0) and two with PHO (2-2). OUTLOOK: Let's hope the Sharks and the Yotes win tonight so we get treated to a fun end of the season. No tension here, guys.
St. Louis -- currently in fifth place, with just two games left: @ CHI (2-3) and vs. NAS (4-1). OUTLOOK: only an outside chance of getting caught by LA, so they'll likely face the "loser" of the SJ/PHO divisional sweepstakes.
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