The Playoff Push

Guess who's back! Hi, everyone, it's been a while since the last time I posted so I figured I would get back on the horse. If you didn't notice from the background of my blog I am a huge Buffalo Sabres fan, but more importantly, a fan of the sport in general. I came back here to talk about the final few weeks of what the NHL regular season has to offer.

In the Eastern Conference, it quite literally is a fight to the last second with Washington, Buffalo, and Winnipeg within four points of each other for the 8th and final spot. The Ottawa Senators are in 7th with a 5 point buffer over the Capitals so the real race is for 8th. Tampa Bay is behind the Jets for now but they have the ability to get back into the race, but their time is extremely limited. Buffalo is currently the hotter team of the trio, going 7-1-2 in their last ten with some very winnable games in the next two weeks against teams like the Canadians, Wild, and Avalanche, with one final game against the Capitals which will be at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo. But the most difficult piece of this race for either of the three teams is that the Caps and Jets will face-off twice more before the season end. This will be crucial because Washington will want to eliminate their soon-to-be former division rivals, but at the same time Buffalo will have no choice but to sit back and watch what can be up to 6 points be given up between these two games. Assuming they go into overtime/shootout. If the Caps win, then the Jets lose ground, the Caps increase their point total. But if the opposite were to happen, Winnipeg may very well  leapfrog into 8th with consistent play. So out these 3 teams with the least control of the situation, it will be the Sabres.

Now the West. 5 teams, 3 points. That's all that separates 7th place and 11th place. This may sound cheesy but the Flames are currently on a hot streak, winning 3 straight and going 4-1-1 their last 6. They find themselves 2 points back of the 8th place Avalanche, but with 2 games in hand. The Los Angeles Kings are in the same situation, but they have had trouble finding the back of the net and can thank the sensational play of Johnathan Quick for saving their season. Honestly I cannot see the Kings in the playoffs simply for this reason. Quick will wear out in the playoffs, that is IF Anze Kopitar and the rest of the Kings offense can start scoring. Also, with the trade of star D-man Jack Johnson the Kings watered down defense and stagnant offense will face a powerhouse St. Louis, Detroit, or Vancouver.

3 Bold Predictions


1. Ottawa will make it to 4th or 5th place in the Eastern Conference:

• Between now and the end of the season, the Sens have 6 games against teams in the bottom of the conference. (Mon: 3, NYI: 1, Tor: 1, Car:1) I see them earning at least 9 of those 12 points.

2. Winnipeg will beat Washington twice, but miss the cut:

• These two wins give the Jets 4 valuable points, but the Sabres will be better rested for this game against the Capitals as Washington will be playing 4 games in 6 nights. Meaning, Buffalo will find their way into the 8th and final position.

3. The Avalanche will lose the 8th spot on the final day of the regular season:

• The Sharks have a slightly easier schedule and the Flames are heating up at the right time, but at the wrong time for the Aves. Colorado will fall to Nashville in their final game, giving either of these teams a chance to get that spot.

Again these are only predictions, tell me what you think will happen before final seeds are set!