The only thing keeping us within screaming distance of the playoffs is the fact that we still have 23 games left against the Pacific Division.
We have 6 games between now and American Thanksgiving, only one of which is against the Pacific. We've got three against division opponents (ANA, ARI, and SJS) right around the 26th.
I am of the opinion that we missed the playoffs in the first 10 games of the season and I've seen nothing which makes me think otherwise, however there is a faint, faint glimmer for those who are optimists.
If we're within two points of 3rd in the division by the time those three games against division opponents rolls around, we've got a shot. A slim shot, but a shot. We're chasing teams who have games in hand on us, and are playing better than us.
Based on the numbers at sportsclubstats.com, we currently have a better shot at Auston Matthews (9.5%) than of making the playoffs (7.0%).
If you want to hope, hope. But goddamn is it grim.
|