Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Morning playoff check-up

The Canadiens got another favour last night as the New Jersey Devils downed the Boston Bruins 3-2, and did not require overtime to do it. That means even if the Bruins were to win their two remaining games in hand on Montreal, the Habs would remain in seventh because they would still have more wins than Boston.

But that was only the appetizer for tonight's main event, as all seven teams on the board are in action, with the Morning Playoff Check-Up Marquee Match-up taking place at Madison Square Garden between the Habs and Rangers. It's the only four-pointer among the teams being tracked here, and I would say if Montreal can extend its winning streak to six games it would also remove any semblance of doubt that the Habs will be in the playoffs this year.

I wouldn't be too surprised to see both Ottawa and Philadelphia lose tonight to Toronto and Nashville, respectively, which would make the battle for fifth and sixth very intense indeed. The loser of that three-team fight obviously draws the Penguins or, if it finishes eighth, the Capitals.

If Atlanta loses at home to Buffalo tonight, I will be removing the poor Thrashers from the board because their playoff hopes will be all but officially dashed.


Ottawa Senators – Fifth place, 37-27-5, 79 points
Last night: Did not play
Next game: v. Toronto tonight
13 games remaining, 5 against teams in playoff spot
Home (5) – Toronto March 16, Philadelphia March 23, Florida March 27, Carolina April 1, Buffalo April 10
Road (8) –Atl March 18, Dal March 20, Mtl March 22, Buf March 26, Was March 30, NYI April 3, Fla April 6, TB April 8

Philadelphia Flyers – Sixth place, 36-28-4, 76 points
Last night: Did not play
Next game: @ Nashville tonight
14 games remaining, 6 against teams in playoff spot
Home (6) – Atl March 21, Min March 25, NJ March 28, Mtl Apr 2, Det April 4, NYR April 11
Road (9) – Nash March 16, Dal March 18, Atl March 20, Ott March 23, Pgh March 27, NYI April 1, Tor April 6, NYR April 9

Montreal Canadiens – Seventh place, 35-29-6, 76 points
Last night – Did not play
Next game: @ New York Rangers tonight
12 games remaining, 5 against teams in playoff spot
Home (6) – Ott March 22, Fla March 25, NJ March 27, Car March 31, Buf April 3, Tor April 10
Road (6) – NYR March 16, Tor March 20, Buf March 24, Pha April 2, NYI April 6, Car April 8

Boston Bruins – Eighth place, 30-26-12, 72 points
Last night: 3-2 loss to New Jersey
Next game: @ Carolina tonight
14 games remaining, 7 against teams in playoff spot
Home (8) – Pgh March 18, NYR March 21, TB March 25, Cgy March 27, Buf March 29, Fla April 1, Buf April 8, Car April 10 
Road (6) – Car March 16, Atl March 23, NJ March 30, Tor April 3, Was April 5, Was April 11

New York Rangers – Ninth place, 31-29-9, 71 points
Last night: Did not play
Next game: v. Montreal tonight
13 games remaining, 6 against teams in playoff spot
Home (5) – Mtl March 16, StL March 18, NYI March 24, Tor April 7, Pha April 9
Road (8) – Bos March 21, NJ March 25, Tor March 27, NYI March 30, TB April 2, Fla April 3, Buf April 6, Pha April 11

Tampa Bay Lightning – 10th place, 28-28-12, 68 points
Last night – Did not play
Next game – v. Phoenix tonight
14 games remaining, 7 against teams in playoff spot
Home (8) – Phx March 16, Buf March 18, Was March 20, Car March 23, NYR April 2, Car April 6, Ott April 8, Fla April 10
Road (6) – Fla March 21, Bos March 25, Buf March 27, CBJ March 30, Pgh March 31, Fla April 11

Atlanta Thrashers – 11th place, 28-29-11, 67 points
Last night: Did not play
Next game: v. Buffalo tonight
14 games remaining, 10 against teams in playoff spot
Home (8) – Buf March 16, Ott March 18, Pha March 20, Bos March 23, Tor March 25, Car March 29, NJ April 6, Pgh April 10
Road (6) – Pha March 21, Car March 27, Tor March 30, Was April 1, Pgh April 3, Was April 9

4 comments:

Shutdown said...

The team that finishes 7th can also draw the Devils, they're 2 points behind the Pens with 1 game in hand.

Arpon Basu said...

true enough

Khabo said...

Hi Arpon

I know it is crazy but maybe include Buffalo in this since their is still a mathamatical chance of catching them for 1st in our division.

Really enjoy your blog. It is nice to read something well thought out.
Best Regards.
Keith

Anonymous said...

Venting!!!!!

Bruce Boudreau is a class A jerk. He talks with such arrogance. He would be nowhere without Ovechkin. I get he needs to back him up but to say "he hurt himself"...what a jerk! What is almost as bad..McGuire and Melnick saying Ovechkin is just too strong. Give me a break.