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Cheese · 04-15-2013, 10:06 AM

With the last game of the year coming up for a number of teams today, there are still many different scenarios that could play themselves out for playoff positioning.

In the Eastern Conference everything is set with the exception of the Winnipeg Jets and the Florida Panthers looking to grab the 3 seed and take home advantage over the "salivating" Montreal Canadiens.
A win by Florida today over the Sabres, who will likely be resting many top players, would move them into the 3 spot, a loss and the Jets get the chance at getting steamrolled in the first round. The Jets have lost 4 in a row down the stretch when all they needed was one win to lock down the post season.
The Habs get lucky in Round 1 with either opponent.
The Islanders will get the Sabres, Ottawa will get New Jersey and Pittsburgh will get the Flyers in other round one series.

In the West there are many different scenarios that could be played out today.
The Hawks are the only team that has played out their schedule and they will draw the Flames or the Red Wings in round 1. If the Flames win or the Wings lose today its Calgary, if the Flames lose to the Flyers and the Wings beat the Kings the Hawks will draw Detroit. Tough to plan for any of the teams right now.
In the most intriguing battle the Phoenix Coyotes who have risen like a "Phoenix" in the desert have a shot at the Western Conference title with a win over the Oilers while the Ducks host the Gummy Sharks. Both the Oil and Sharks are out of it so it is likely both win their final game and the Ducks take the top spot. A slip by the Quacks and the Yotes take #1 in the west and a date with the Wild. Im sure Minnesota GM Jiri Hrdina doesnt like either option very much as both teams are loaded and going for it all this year.
The other move that could take place today is if the Kings beat Detroit and the Avs lose to the Stars. The Kings could leapfrog the Avs and put them in position to play either the Yotes or the Flames in the first round.
Lots of other permutations possible tonight in the west, Im sure GMs are playing their cards close to the vest in an attempt to jockey their teams into a better Round 1 position.

Possibilities for Round 1 in the West:

Anaheim vs Minnesota or Phoenix vs Minnesota
Calgary vs Chicago or Detroit vs Chicago
Anaheim vs LA or Anaheim vs Colorado
Phoenix vs Colorado or Calgary vs Colorado

Round 1 in the West look to be a tough battle for all teams.

04-15-2013, 10:06 AM	#1
Cheese Franchise Player Join Date: Mar 2002 Exp:	Final Day Jitters With the last game of the year coming up for a number of teams today, there are still many different scenarios that could play themselves out for playoff positioning. In the Eastern Conference everything is set with the exception of the Winnipeg Jets and the Florida Panthers looking to grab the 3 seed and take home advantage over the "salivating" Montreal Canadiens. A win by Florida today over the Sabres, who will likely be resting many top players, would move them into the 3 spot, a loss and the Jets get the chance at getting steamrolled in the first round. The Jets have lost 4 in a row down the stretch when all they needed was one win to lock down the post season. The Habs get lucky in Round 1 with either opponent. The Islanders will get the Sabres, Ottawa will get New Jersey and Pittsburgh will get the Flyers in other round one series. In the West there are many different scenarios that could be played out today. The Hawks are the only team that has played out their schedule and they will draw the Flames or the Red Wings in round 1. If the Flames win or the Wings lose today its Calgary, if the Flames lose to the Flyers and the Wings beat the Kings the Hawks will draw Detroit. Tough to plan for any of the teams right now. In the most intriguing battle the Phoenix Coyotes who have risen like a "Phoenix" in the desert have a shot at the Western Conference title with a win over the Oilers while the Ducks host the Gummy Sharks. Both the Oil and Sharks are out of it so it is likely both win their final game and the Ducks take the top spot. A slip by the Quacks and the Yotes take #1 in the west and a date with the Wild. Im sure Minnesota GM Jiri Hrdina doesnt like either option very much as both teams are loaded and going for it all this year. The other move that could take place today is if the Kings beat Detroit and the Avs lose to the Stars. The Kings could leapfrog the Avs and put them in position to play either the Yotes or the Flames in the first round. Lots of other permutations possible tonight in the west, Im sure GMs are playing their cards close to the vest in an attempt to jockey their teams into a better Round 1 position. Possibilities for Round 1 in the West: Anaheim vs Minnesota or Phoenix vs Minnesota Calgary vs Chicago or Detroit vs Chicago Anaheim vs LA or Anaheim vs Colorado Phoenix vs Colorado or Calgary vs Colorado Round 1 in the West look to be a tough battle for all teams. Last edited by Cheese; 04-15-2013 at 11:10 AM.