I think I would prefer the Blues next years pick the more I think about it. Odds are the pick ends up around the 20th overall now but could still be as high as the 30th. Even if they go on to win the Cup next year, it's not a monumental difference between the 20th this year and the 30th next. There is, however, likely an extreme difference between the 20th this year and the 1st-5th next year. Worth the gamble. Also, considering the Devils didn't give up their 1st last year when they ended up with the 29th, I don't see them giving it up this year when they're currently in the top 10. So they'll have to give it up next year and that's a free spot up on any team finishing ahead of them.
Not that it really matters, the Blues chance of missing the playoffs is extremely thin. 3 teams would need to overpass them without the Shark falling below them. Even if they get extremely unlucky and all their competition end up having 3 point games there's just not enough points to go around barring a catastrophic end of the season collapse.
6 of their next 7 are at home. Statistically they're a better road team but with virtually no travel at all during this last stretch that has to be an advantage. The teams they have to face are probably the easiest group out of everyone in the league down this stretch with only the Canucks and Blackhawks currently sitting in the playoffs. Their other opponents include a home and away with Colorado, the Flames, Phoenix and Dallas. If they can't manage a couple wins out of that group I'll become a firm believer in the Bouwmester curse. But really all they need to do is go 2-5 with one of the wins being against Dallas and odds are they're in.
As for the Flames, a win tomorrow against Minnesota could catapult them ahead of the Predators into 7th overall territory and only a point below Edmonton. Just so many bad teams this year when a gutted down Flames team isn't guaranteed a top 5 pick at this point.
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