It may be late in the playoff push, but I thought I'd hop on it. Here's what we're currently looking at:
East:
Sure things - NYR, PIT, PHI & NJ
Fighting - FLA, WSH, BUF, WPG, OTT, TB, BOS
Only an epic collapse would allow Boston and/or Ottawa to miss the playoffs.
West:
Sure tings - STL, VAN, DET & NSH
Fighting - DAL, CHI, PHX, COL, SJ, CGY, LA, ANA
Only an epic collapse would allow Chicago to miss the playoffs
Remaining Schedules
E:
Florida (13GR) - BOS, BUF, PHI, CAR (x2), EDM, NYI, MON, MIN, CBJ, DET, WPG, WSH
Washington (12GR) - WPG (x2), CHI, DET, PHI, MIN, BUF, BOS, MON, TB, FLA, NYR
Buffalo (11GR) - FLA, TB, MON, NYR, MIN, WSH, PIT, TOR (x2), PHI, BOS
Winnipeg (12GR) -
WSH (x2), CAR, PIT, NSH, OTT, NYR, CAR, TB (x2), FLA, NYI
Boston (13GR) - FLA, PHI, TOR, SJ, LA, ANA, TB,
WSH, NYI, NYR, PIT, OTT, BUF
Ottawa (11GR) - MON (x2), TOR, NJ (x2), PIT, WPG, PHI, NYI, CAR, BOS
Tampa Bay (13GR) - TOR (x2), STL, BUF, EDM, NYI, PHI, BOS, NJ, WPG (x2), WSH, MON
W:
Dallas (11GR) - CHI, PHX, VAN (x2), CGY (x2), EDM, SJ (x2), NSH, STL
Chicago (11GR) - DAL, WSH, CBJ, VAN, NSH (x2), NJ, STL, MIN (x2), DET
Phoenix (11GR) - CGY, EDM, DAL, COL, SJ (x2), STL (x2), ANA, CBJ, MIN
San Jose (13GR) - NSH, DET, ANA (x2), LA (x3), BOS, PHX (x2), COL, DAL (x2)
Calgary (12GR) - PHX, EDM, CBJ, COL (x2), MIN, DAL (x2), LA, VAN (x2), ANA
Colorado (10GR) - NJ, NYR, CGY (x2), PHX, VAN (x2), SJ, CBJ, NSH
Los Angeles (12 GR) - ANA, NSH, SJ (x3), STL, BOS, VAN, CGY, EDM (x2), MIN
Anaheim (11GR) - LA, NSH, SJ (x2), STL, BOS, PHX, EDM (x2), VAN, CGY
In the East, I really believe there are only two spots open (3rd & 8th) and one belongs to Winnipeg, Florida or Washington. With all of the divisional games between these Southeast teams, it'll be interesting to see how this finishes up. My guess is as good as yours. Florida plays six of its next 13 games against playoff-potential teams. Washington has ten; Winnipeg has nine. On the other hand, Florida plays seven of its remaining games against teams out of the playoff race. Washington has two; Winnipeg has three. Let's break down the ratio for the other teams battling (games against teams fighting for playoffs/games against teams out of playoff chase). Buffalo (7/4), Ottawa (6/5), Boston (11/2) and Tampa Bay (8/5).
Best chances of making the final two spots: Florida and Buffalo (even three points back).
The Pacific is the Southeast Division of the Western Conference. This will be the most intriguing aspect of the playoff push. The three games remaining between San Jose and Los Angeles will be exciting, especially after they met last year in the playoffs. I think there are really only four spots open in the West (3rd, 6th, 7th and 8th). How about using the same ratio for battling teams in the West? Dallas (10/1), Chicago (8/3), Phoenix (7/4), San Jose (13/0), Calgary (9/3), Colorado (9/1), Los Angeles (9/3) and Anaheim (9/2).
Best chances of making the final four spots: Chicago, Phoenix, San Jose and Calgary.
In all honesty though, any team can win on any given day. That's why the NHL is supreme. Here's to an exciting playoff run!
