If the Playoffs started today - March 19th, 24

[Cheese]

So we are over half way through the season and playoff partners are being set. Where do things stand now?

Eastern Conference

1. New Jersey Devils vs 8. Carolina Hurricanes
2. Pittsburgh Penguins vs 7. Montreal Canadiens
3. Florida Panthers vs 6. Toronto Maple Leafs
4. Tampa Bay Lightning vs 5. Philadelphia Flyers

The top 3 positions seem to be a race between Jersey, Pitts and Florida. Any losing streak could hurt one of these teams chances at the #1 in the East. 5 points separate 8th place from 4th place with Detroit a mere 3 points out of 8th. Anything can happen here but it is close, if not set, on the top 8.





In the West the top 8 is pretty much set with Colorado 4 points back of the final spot and hoping the Oilers blow a tire down the stretch. Dallas and San Jose appear to be fighting for #1 with positions 6 thru 3 a possible dogfight.



Western Conference

1. Dallas Stars vs 8. Edmonton Oilers
2. San Jose Sharks vs 7. St Louis Blues
3. Anaheim Ducks vs 6. Calgary Flames
4. Minnesota Wild vs 5. Columbus Blue Jackets







Now is the time to decide, am I in, or am I out, what are your chances of moving up 2 or 3 spots or falling out of the race?
Trade deadline is not far away.Make your moves!

[t0rrent98]

Props to San Jose as they've been skyward since the break. They may very well take the #1 spot sooner rather then later.

[simmer2]

If the Ducks do something with their games in hand, we can make it a fight for top spot.

We shall see.

Either way, and this is tough for me to do (haha), but props to MJK for trading his way out of a not great start. A good lesson to newer GM's, lots of trades can really help your team (waiting multiple years can get a little boring)

[savardandjokinen]

Oilers still in a wait-and-see position. Did not think I was going to be in a playoff spot at this point and expected to be a seller at the deadline, but that is not the case at the moment. We will see where things stand at around game 70 and see where we go from there.

[Blaster86]

Someone in a bubble position just do me a favour and panic so that they over pay for a guy like Weegar.

[Goffie]

As bad as we are, at least we got an easy round 1.

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by Goffie

As bad as we are, at least we got an easy round 1.

The way you're plummeting? Bold.


Time to pony up some of those firsts to salvage this.

[Cheese]

Almost a month later and what has changed?


In the east, outside of positional changes....nothing. The same 8 teams are in and simply juggling for playoff spot.
Detroit is still battling, tied in points with Toronto, so that could be a change if the Wings stay hot.

Eastern Conference

1. Pittsburgh vs 8. Toronto
2. New Jersey vs 7. Carolina
3. Florida Panthers vs 6. Tampa Bay
4. Montreal vs 5. Philadelphia








In the West...nada, nixta, nothing. The same teams hold the same positions. Colorado remains outside but now only 2 points back vs 4 a month ago.


1. Dallas Stars vs 8. Edmonton Oilers
2. San Jose Sharks vs 7. St Louis Blues
3. Anaheim Ducks vs 6. Calgary Flames
4. Minnesota Wild vs 5. Columbus Blue Jackets

[agulati]

Battle of Florida seems destined to happen. Panthers have had the Lightning’s number for the last year or so. Hopefully we can change that this playoff, if the matchup ends up happening.

[Cambam8]

The red hot Bruins are making a push

[Jiri Hrdina]

Minny/CBJ on paper is about the dullest matchup you can ask for.

[MJK]

Give me anyone but the Bruins in round 1.

[Cheese]

so what do we have for playoff matchups and what is to be settled?

In the West the Bruins are making an attempt at making the 8th and final spot in a battle with the Jackets with only 1 point separating them. The Avs are still within range as well but with 3 games left it would be surprising to see them in it.


The Bruins have the Oilers, Leafs and Ducks ahead of them and the Jackets have the Wild 3 times and the Canucks left. It certainly is there for the Bruins unless the Wild rest players down the stretch.
The Avs have LA, Anaheim and the Yotes left, so there is a chance if either the Bruins or Jackets slip.


The Blues and Flames along with Ducks and Wild are the only other positional fights going on in the West.



Right now the matchups are:


1. Stars vs 8. Jackets
2. Sharks vs 7. Oilers
3. Wild vs 6. Blues
4. Ducks vs 5. Flames


In the East things are a bit tighter at the bottom with all of the Wings, Islanders, Canes and Senators within shooting distance of the 8th with the Wings in the drivers seat.


Detroit has the Pens twice along with the Flyers, the Isles have the Caps, Oil and Flyers left the Canes have NJ, Tampa and the Oil and Senators have Buffalo twice along with the Ducks. Who has the easiest path?


Philly and the Habs are still fighting for the 4/5 slot and Tbay and the Leafs for 6/7.



Right now the matchups are:


1. Jersey vs 8. Wings
2. Pens vs 7. Lightning
3. Panthers vs 6. Leafs
4. Montreal vs 5. Philadelphia