The National Hockey League’s regular season is finishing up now as all the teams have either 2 or 3 games left to play. As usual, there is a bit of drama leading to the final games where some positionings in the standings aren’t known until the very end. After last night’s games, the Eastern Conference looks more settled as far as which 8 teams will be moving on to the playoffs.
Just a couple of days ago there were 5 teams competing for the final 3 slots, but Atlanta went into a meltdown losing 4 of their last 5 games and effectively taking themselves out of the playoffs. The New York Rangers had a decent shot to sneak into the number-8 spot, but last night’s thumping by the Buffalo Sabres (5-2) has pretty much taken them out, although not mathematically. There are two things going on in the East to watch now. Positioning for the playoff seedings is still all up in the air. The last 3 teams, Montreal, Philly and Boston are all competing to elevate their finishing position, but all three of them have been losing more than they’ve been winning lately. Montreal did pick up a point last night in a shootout loss to the Islanders, but they have to win a game or two to stay up there in #6.
There is a real contest for the still-unsettled winner of the Atlantic Division and the #2 seed that goes with it. Before last night’s games, New Jersey and Pittsburgh were tied for the division lead, but Pittsburgh wilted under Washington’s offense and lost by a score of 6-3 while New Jersey was beating hapless Atlanta 3-0. Each of them have three games left, so it can go either way. I’d put my money on Jersey.
The Western Conference is set as far as who moves on after last night. Calgary and Colorado were competing for the 8th slot, but Calgary’s loss last night along with Colorado’s win have shut the door on anybody else moving into the playoffs. There will be some jockeying among three of the teams for the 5th, 6th, and 7th spots, but that’s all. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t say something about the Chicago Blackhawks. Just a couple of years ago they were in a 10-year run of serving as the doormats of the Central Division. With some sharp trading and good coaching, they’ve completely turned their game around and this year they have the 3rd-best record in the entire league, 107 points after San Jose’s 109 and Washington’s league-leading 118 pts. (Wow!)
Well, we’ve got our own game to take care of here, so let’s get this equipment checked out now. I’ll go get the coffee started and then in a little while we can meet back in the day room and watch this video that the NHL put together of this season’s 10 Best Saves:
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Also on FireGeezer…
- Morning Lineup – April 1 – April 1, 2012
- Morning Lineup – April 24 – April 24, 2012
- Morning Lineup – December 29 – December 29, 2010
- Morning Lineup – February 26 – February 26, 2012
