With approximately 10-12 games left in the Regular Season, the playoff races are heating up. While some teams are planning their golfing trips (Columbus & Dallas) there are some teams making a push to squeak into the post season.
ATLANTIC:
Boston are all but certain to finish atop the Atlantic Division as they have a 16 point cushion over both the Maple Leafs and Sabres. The latter two teams are sitting with 86 points but the Leafs have the edge in Regulation Wins. Sitting just below them in the final WildCard place, the Nordiques are quietly hanging around and only trail the Leafs and Sabres by 2 points. One of this years biggest surprise is the drop off by the Lightning. Once a 2 time Presidents Trophy winner, the club is currently just out of the playoff picture, and trail Quebec by 6 points with 11 games to go (even with a +23 rating). They face each other on the 24th, 29th and 30th of this month. Those games will be the deciding factor for Tampa Bay. Although Montreal gave up and began contemplating their future, they are having the best season to date with a 34-31-5 record, good for 10th in the Conference. Its very unlikely they will reach the playoffs as they sit 11 points out with 12 games remaining.
METRO:
Look who isn’t leading the Metro. That’s right… The Hurricanes… Once running away with not only the Division but the League, they have come back to earth and now trail last years runner up (Capitals) by 2 points. The top 3 teams will be the Caps, Hurricanes and Penguins, but its uncertainly who will face each other in the first round (2nd vs 3rd seed). Either way, it should be a good series whatever the outcome. On the other side of the spectrum (opposite of the Lightning), the New York Rangers are ever so close to reaching the post season for the first time. They currently hold the 1st WC spot with 84 points. Their only concern will come from that Tampa Bay team if the Lightning are able to have a good run down the stretch. CENTRAL:
Last years Stanley Cup champions do not have any hangover, as they are still taking charge of the not only the Division but the Western Conference with 94 points. The Hawks trail the Preds by 9 points but only have 11 games remaining to the Preds 12. So the the Preds will likely be facing the 2nd WC team which currently are the Flames, but that is still up in the air as only 3 points separate the Sharks, Ducks and Flames, and the Ducks have 2 games in hand. The Hawks will likely face the Avalanche in the first round, but it is uncertain who will take home ice advantage. The Blues are holding onto the last thread of hope of a playoff appearance, but trail the WC teams by 6 points. Will the acquisition of Anders Lee help the team reach the Post Season? Time will tell.
PACIFIC:
Seattle seems to be the favorite to win the Pacific Division, but not at the lack of trying from the Canucks. Vancouver currently sit with 83 points, trailing the Kraken by 5 points with one less game remaining. The Sharks trail those Canucks by 2 points, so it is still a tight race in the Pacific. Looks like the Pacific will be represented with 5 teams in the Post Season, while the Central look to only have the 3. (Sorry Derek).
POWER RANKINGS:
Evgeni Malkin (SEA) currently leads the league with 41 goals, one up on Auston Matthews (TOR) for the Rocket Richard Trophy.
Two Krakens lead the way in Assists. Big Buff with 52 and Marchand with 51. Those 3 (Malkin included) are the main reason they lead the Pacific.
Cliff Pu (PIT) who excelled in the CCAHL, hasn’t slowed down in the Pro’s as he leads all rookies with 59 points and leads the entire league with a +37.
A few goalies are making a run at the Vezina Award: Rask (BOS) - 36 wins (1st), 0.916 SV% (3rd) and 2.32 GAA (3rd) Mason (CAR) – 35 wins (2nd), 0.917 SV% (2nd), 2.36 GAA (4th) Petr Mrazek (TBL) – 31 wins (7th), 0.919 SV% (1st), 2.29 GAA (1st)