Wild Card Race (Western Conference)

[jaikorven]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Dubnyk has started something like 28 in a row. Expect him to start both games - and be fresh against us but tired for LA.

I don't disagree, but we can hope they rest him...please don't crush the dream.

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by heep223

96 points with the tie break will make the playoffs. IMO.

Agreed. 5-4 needed in next nine. Would be nice to have at least 5-3-1 with many of the 5 wins coming in the next 5 as possible!

[MissTeeks]

Possible break for tomorrow:

Mark Stepneski‏@StarsInsideEdge8m8 minutes ago

Jamie Benn a question mark for tomorrow. Injured late in last night's game.

[Resolute 14]

We could become the 8th wild card seed, but until we do, Dallas doesn't care about us. A win tomorrow doesn't put them four back of a spot, they would still be six or eight back.

Put simply, if Dallas catches us, neither team makes the playoffs.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

But if Dallas wins, they are only 4 back, and next week is HUGE for them.

Yeah, no, Dallas is finished. You can stop worrying about them.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Yeah, no, Dallas is finished. You can stop worrying about them.

You are right, but so is Enoch in commenting that they don't think they are finished yet. They are a wounded animal, and that is dangerous.

[jaikorven]

^ That's a great analogy. If we win, it changes things so much for them.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

We're assuming a 96 point threshold for the playoffs - and that's being conservative at the rate all the teams in the race are winning. In order to get there, Dallas must go 8-1.

It's not happening. I liked how you put it - if Dallas catches the Flames the Flames miss the playoffs anyway.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

Possible break for tomorrow:

Mark Stepneski‏@StarsInsideEdge8m8 minutes ago

Jamie Benn a question mark for tomorrow. Injured late in last night's game.

This is huge. Jamie Benn is a beast.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Murph

For all the talk of the Flames having "crucial" and "must-win" games, the Kings game tonight against the Rangers is as close as it gets to must win for them.

Yup. They lose and they're effectively 3 points back with 9 games left. Doable, but very difficult

[Hockeyguy15]

I hope Seguin and Spezza both get the flu before tomorrow.

[skudr248]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

I hope Seguin and Spezza both get the flu before tomorrow.

I have it right now, where they staying.. I'll go sneeze on them

[getbak]

Originally Posted by jaikorven

I don't disagree, but we can hope they rest him...please don't crush the dream.

If there was any game to rest him, it was last night when the played in Toronto in the first half of a back-to-back where they play the Islanders tonight.

They didn't rest him for that game, so I don't think they'll be resting him against the Flames.

[Sylvanfan]

Well in my opinion, Colorado was pretty much killed off last night. They had been pretty hot coming into the game at 7-2-1 in the last 10, but still 8 points back of the Jets. With the Jets win and Avalanche loss in regulation, they are now 10 points back with 10 games left and a low number of ROW's. That pretty much forces them to win out to have a shot as they will need more points to claim a spot. At this point win your hearts out Colorado!

Dallas though holds a ROW tie breaker on Winnipeg so they only need to draw even. Should the Jets win tonight and get to 90 points, the Stars are forced to make up 10 points in 9 games as the WC threshold looks to move to 98 points. But if Winnipeg loses than it's 8 points in 9 games which is still a long shot, but not impossible. Still Dallas is at a critical point where one more loss in regulation severely cripples them and two more would be a certain death blow. Their current 8-2 stretch in their past 10 games is more or less their best stretch of the season. 8-1 to close the season would get them to 96 points. They need to do something they haven't done yet to get to 98. It's not happening, another situation where a team really has no chance at the playoffs, but due to some hot play get's an outside shot...and hopefully fold like a cheap shirt now that it really is critical that they win, or else they die.

[hwy19man]

After Tuesday's games:


1. Minnesota (42-25-7) 38 ROW, 91 pts
Vancouver (43-26-4) 39 ROW, 90 pts--second in the Pacific Division
2. Winnipeg (38-24-12) 31 ROW, 88 pts
Calgary (40-27-6) 36 ROW, 86 pts--third in the Pacific Division
3. Los Angeles (36-23-14) 34 ROW, 86 pts--and fourth in the Pacific Division
4. Dallas (35-28-10) 32 ROW, 80 pts
5. Colorado (33-27-12) 24 ROW, 78 pts
6. San Jose (35-30-8) 32 ROW, 78 pts--and fifth in the Pacific Division

Canucks and Kings won in regulation
Jets lost in regulation
Wild won in the shootout

______________________________________



Eastern conference playoff race


Pittsburgh (40-22-11) 37 ROW, 91 pts
Detroit (39-21-12) 36 ROW, 90 pts--third in the Atlantic Division
1. Washington (39-24-10) 35 ROW, 88 pts
2. Ottawa (37-24-11) 32 ROW, 85 pts--and fourth in the Atlantic Division
3. Boston (36-25-12) 33 ROW, 84 pts--and fifth in the Atlantic Division
4. Florida (33-26-14) 25 ROW, 80 pts

Penguins and Red Wings lost in overtime
Panthers lost in regulation

[blender]

Win for Flames tomorrow and they are capable of holding two playoff spots.

[expatflame]

Flames have more ROW than Chicago, we deserve to be in.

[hockey.modern]

Now if Calgary Wins/Lose tomorrow

Win:
- Maintain a spot in third
- Tie with the Jets (ROW & Game in hand for us)
- Get two points ahead of LA

Lose:
- Out of the playoff picture
- LA moves 3rd
- Two points back of Jets
- Four points back of Canucks

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by sec304

Records required to get to 96 points:

Minnesota: 3-5-1 (9 games left)
Vancouver: 4-6-0 (10 games left)
Winnipeg: 4-5-0 (9 games left)
Calgary: 5-4-0 (9 games left)
Los Angeles: 6-4-0 (10 games left)

Does anyone think any of those teams won't finish at least that well? I think this proves that a team will need more than 96 points to ensure a playoff spot

[polak]

I know every game from here on will be crucial but I wouldn't be shocked if how the playoff picture looks like tomorrow will be how it will end in terms of the jets, kings and Flames.