[OOT] April 2 with ten games.

[Firebot]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

It’s possible that the Pens miss the playoffs which I didn’t think was possible until I looked this morning.

That would be funny actually.

It's kinda insane that the Penguins at 97 points are in danger of missing the playoffs, while the Oilers were still in a 'playoff race' just 2 days ago with 20 less points at 77 points. Whatever it takes to make the Oilers OBC believe they were close and have nothing change works for me

[Johnhitbox]

Originally Posted by Manhattanboy

COL scares me.

Damn was hoping that AZ could get a win tonight. Not looking good for the Dogs. They have to win out against Vegas and Winnipeg and COL needs to lose to both Winnipeg and San Jose.

Don’t let them scare you. Edmonton makes every team look good.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Enoch Root]

Has there been any word on Kuemper?

I have been hoping we get COL in the first round, but if Kuemper is hurt (not wishing it on him), then ARI becomes the easy preference.

[agulati]

It is going to be very difficult for Arizona to find a way in now. They are 4 points back with 2 games left.
Colorado plays Winnipeg and San Jose.
Arizona plays Vegas and Winnipeg.
Winnipeg is still truing to hold on to winning the central, so that is going to be a wash in terms of difficulty. Vegas is a more difficult opponent IMO. Arizona needs to win both, and Colorado needs to lose both in regulation.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by agulati

It is going to be very difficult for Arizona to find a way in now. They are 4 points back with 2 games in hand.
Colorado plays Winnipeg and San Jose.
Arizona plays Vegas and Winnipeg.
Winnipeg is still truing to hold on to winning the central, so that is going to be a wash in terms of difficulty. Vegas is a more difficult opponent IMO. Arizona needs to win both, and Colorado needs to lose both in regulation.

Arizona has no games in hand. All of these teams have played 80 and have two left.

[Textcritic]

Lost in the action from last night was Mats Zuccarello's return from injury suffered right after the trade that brought him to Dallas on TD Day. He has now played two games with the Stars and has a goal and two assists.

Zuccarello is going to be an important player for them in the playoffs.

[Yoho]

Dallas will be a nice team to dodge until Confrence final at the earliest.

[agulati]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Arizona has no games in hand. All of these teams have played 80 and have two left.

Sorry I meant 2 games left.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Yoho

Dallas will be a nice team to dodge until Confrence final at the earliest.

As good as the Vegas v. SJ series is going to be, both of he Central Division series's are going to be amazing. Who do you pick to come out of the draws between Winnipeg, Nashville, St. Louis and Dallas? Any one of those teams could make an appearance in the WCF.

[Sylvanfan]

The Central is up for Grabs. All of Winnipeg, Nashville, and St.Louis can finish with 100 points.

Really between those 3 and Dallas, there is very little to chose from. I'd argue that Dallas having Zuccarello come back gives them a pretty substantial boost.

For a lot of the year it looked like 3 of the top 4 teams were in the Pacific. But when the Standings are finalized, it might be that the 2-3-4-5 teams are all fighting each other in the first round in the Central.

Both of those series should be very competitive. I expect that we could see St.Louis and Dallas as the two teams who move on.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

The Central is up for Grabs. All of Winnipeg, Nashville, and St.Louis can finish with 100 points.

Really between those 3 and Dallas, there is very little to chose from. I'd argue that Dallas having Zuccarello come back gives them a pretty substantial boost.

For a lot of the year it looked like 3 of the top 4 teams were in the Pacific. But when the Standings are finalized, it might be that the 2-3-4-5 teams are all fighting each other in the first round in the Central.

Both of those series should be very competitive. I expect that we could see St.Louis and Dallas as the two teams who move on.

I don't believe that to be the case, and think that all three of SJ, Calgary and VGK are likely to beat the four top Central teams in a playoff series. The Pacific Division completely owned the Central Division this year.

[Tsawwassen]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

The Central is up for Grabs. All of Winnipeg, Nashville, and St.Louis can finish with 100 points.

Really between those 3 and Dallas, there is very little to chose from. I'd argue that Dallas having Zuccarello come back gives them a pretty substantial boost.

For a lot of the year it looked like 3 of the top 4 teams were in the Pacific. But when the Standings are finalized, it might be that the 2-3-4-5 teams are all fighting each other in the first round in the Central.

Both of those series should be very competitive. I expect that we could see St.Louis and Dallas as the two teams who move on.

That is a crazy division with 3 teams fighting for 1st place and all 4 teams can get 2nd place and home ice in the 1st round. Too tight to call.

The Metro div is also interesting with the Caps and Isles fighting for 1st place, while the Penguins and Hurricanes can still get 2nd place or fall to 5th and maybe out of the playoffs. The BJs can go as high as 3rd.

[Tsawwassen]

The Penguins lose to the hot Red Wings that have won 6 straight. Betuzzi and Larkin each had 3 points and Howard with 38 saves. Kessel with the Pens only goal. This is the first part to a home-away series.

The Stars went all out offense to win 6-2 over the Flyers and clinch a playoff spot. Radulov took charge with 2g and 2a. The Stars were 2 for 6 on the PP.

The Lightning had nothing to lose with starting their #3 goalie. Eddie Pasquale got more than he expected as the Habs fired 45 shots at him and it was 19-7 in favour of the Habs in the 1st period. He played despite the 4-2 loss as the Habs were desperate to win and stay in the playoff race.

The Jets don't seem to interested in winning their div as they also started their #3 goalie, Eric Comrie. Yes, his half brother is Mike Comrie. The Wild won 5-1. Parise had 2 goals and the Jets only goal was a SHG by Trouba.

The Oilers had that 2-0 lead and then were smothered in a massive Avalanche as they lost 6-2. The Avs scored 3 goals in in under 3 minutes to take the lead for good.

The Kings played spoiler and can thank their goalie, Campbell made 49 saves in the 3-1 win over the Coyotes who really needed to win.

Carter Hutton was in net against his former team, the Predators. Nashville won 3-2 in reg time. Hutton made 32 saves, but, the Sabres just can't win, what a slump. The Predators are on the cusp of taking the division.

Good on the Hurricanes for beating the Leafs and the Bruins crushed the BJs 6-2. Give credit to the BJs, even though they were down 5-0 early in the 3rd period, they out shot the Bruins 17-4 in the final period. Marchand with 2 points as reaches 100 points in the season. DeBrusk had 3 points.