The way I see the playoff picture now, the Wild will take the Jets down - the question only remains, can they muster enough points to sneak in as the last wildcard? I think, no. At best, 4 central teams make it. Pacific more likely to send 5, though I think it will be 4 from each.
The Pacific will turn into a real dogfight. All of the teams in contention have question marks on them:
Vancouver: easy schedule to start? reliance on special teams play? (5:5 ratio close to 1.0)
Anaheim: goal differential, reliance on overtime, injuries on D?
Calgary: rookies to drop off? chemistry issues with players returning? sustainability of being outshot? weak PK to become an issue?
LA Kings: will they wake up? will road record be their downfall? weak PK to become an issue?
San Jose: will their big guns show up? are they better than their record? tough start, or just not good enough?
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