Philly is off until Thursday, while the Habs don’t play again until Wednesday. By that point, Boston will have pulled even in games after a tough back-to-back that starts tonight against Buffalo and ends tomorrow night in New Jersey. The Thrashers will also catch Montreal in games played with a back-to-back starting tonight against Carolina and finishing tomorrow in Toronto. So Montreal could potentially be eighth in the conference by the time it takes the ice against the Hurricanes, and Atlanta could pull even with Montreal in points if the Thrashers manage a sweep of their back-to-back.
But before panic starts to set in, know that the Canadiens, Sabres and Maple Leafs are the only teams in the East who have won more than half of their past 10 games. In that sense, the Bruins will be in tough the rest of the way as three of their remaining eight games are against Buffalo and Toronto, plus two against Washington and another against New Jersey.
Carolina will have the biggest impact on the race moving forward as the Hurricanes play each of these teams except Philly at least once the rest of the way.
(UPDATE: I goofed up Atlanta's number of remaining games, which is what happens when the Morning Playoff Check-up precedes the Morning Coffee. It's been fixed to show that the Thrashers will have played one more game than Montreal come Wednesday).
(UPDATE: I goofed up Atlanta's number of remaining games, which is what happens when the Morning Playoff Check-up precedes the Morning Coffee. It's been fixed to show that the Thrashers will have played one more game than Montreal come Wednesday).
Ottawa Senators – Fifth place, 41-30-5, 87 points
Last night: Did not play
Next game: @ Washington Tuesday
6 games remaining, 2 against teams in playoff spot
Home (2) –Car April 1, Buf April 10
Road (4) –Was March 30, NYI April 3, Fla April 6, TB April 8
Philadelphia Flyers – Sixth place, 38-32-6, 82 points
Last night: 5-1 win over New Jersey
Next game: @ NYI Thursday
6 games remaining, 2 against teams in playoff spot
Home (3) – Mtl Apr 2, Det April 4, NYR April 11
Road (3) – NYI April 1, Tor April 6, NYR April 9
Montreal Canadiens – Seventh place, 37-31-8, 82 points
Last night – Did not play
Next game: v. Carolina Wednesday
6 games remaining, 2 against teams in playoff spot
Home (3) – Car March 31, Buf April 3, Tor April 10
Road (3) – Pha April 2, NYI April 6, Car April 8
Boston Bruins – Eighth place, 34-28-12, 80 points
Last night: Did not play
Next game: v Buffalo tonight
8 games remaining, 5 against teams in playoff spot
Home (4) – Buf March 29, Fla April 1, Buf April 8, Car April 10
Road (4) – NJ March 30, Tor April 3, Was April 5, Was April 11
Atlanta Thrashers – Ninth place, 33-30-12, 78 points
Last night: Did not play
Next game: v Carolina tonight
7 games remaining, 5 against teams in playoff spot
Home (3) – Car March 29, NJ April 6, Pgh April 10
Road (4) – Tor March 30, Was April 1, Pgh April 3, Was April 9
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6 comments:
From Ottawa and down, not a single eastern conference team from #5-#8 or below would even make the western conference playoffs.
@Anonymous: It's true that the Eastern playoff teams have fewer points, but Western teams play Edmonton more often than Eastern teams. That difference doesn't explain the entire disparity, of course, but I'm just pointing out that the conferences are *different*.
The same fact also explains why Washington is running away with the Eastern Conference. Look at the other teams in their division and you'll start to understand why they're 14 points ahead of Pittsburgh.
Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying they're not a great team. Just that it's a pretty big advantage when you consider that they play 24 division games and the second place team in that division is currently 22nd overall.
And don't forget to take into account that the other teams in their division are bottom-feeders despite having the same luxury (okay, 18 instead of 24, but still).
Sliver24 said...
The same fact also explains why Washington is running away with the Eastern Conference. Look at the other teams in their division and you'll start to understand why they're 14 points ahead of Pittsburgh. .. when you consider that they play 24 division games and the second place team in that division is currently 22nd overall.
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exactly and how many times have we seen the #1 team get knocked off by the #8 team whether it was Detroit, San Jose or Boston having it happen to them? Plus as good offensively Washington is they are terrible defensively and worse in goaltending , I have watched too many bad goals scored on Theodore as well as in Chicago's case on their two goalies. San Jose who last year with #1 overall got bet ib the first round and have tailed off every year in the playoffs. On eastern side Washington has that flaw - defense and goaltending. Pittsburgh I still think is the best in the east when gonshar and malkin come back. every other team who makes it can beat any of the ones they face save pittsburgh.
How many points do you think it will take Arpon? Eight? Maybe ten?
Dann said...
How many points do you think it will take Arpon? Eight? Maybe ten?
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IF Atlanta would win 5 out of their remaining 7 games/get 10 points to get to 88 points, which is pretty tough for them, all the Habs would need was 3 wins or 6 points out of their remaining 6 games to basically make the playoffs.
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