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With only about 13 games per team remaining on the NHL season, the Playoff races are heating up. In every division, except the Central with Detroit, teams are vying for the chance to capture a division crown and a top three seeding in their conference. Within the next few weeks, as teams secure a playoff spot or division title, I will list them accordingly.
Some milestones to look for as the season comes to an end:
Ovechkin: 54 goals
Kovalchuk: 45 goals
Iginla: 40 goals
While Ovechkin should hit 60 and Kovalchuk should hit 50, Iginla’s chase for 50 goals is a bit tougher. If he is able to score 50, it will be for only the second time in his career.
According to Gary Bettman, an outdoor game in Chicago would make a lot of sense. The game is rumored to be played at Wrigley Field.
On Thursday night, the Florida Panthers are set to honor Dave Zenobi, the trainer that saved Richard Zednik after his throat had been slashed. He will be given the ADT Good Sport Award for his actions in rushing over to Zednik to stop the bleeding. “I am touched and humbled,” said Zenobi.
Notable injuries:
Corey Perry(Ana) – 6 weeks, lacerated tendon above knee
Jason LaBarbera(LA) – season, hernia surgery
Mattias Ohlund(Van) – 4 to 6 days(or possibly the season), bone chips in knee
Now for the rankings…
30. Tampa Bay Lightning 26-34-8: Last week: 0-2-1; Four losses in a row, one win in the past 10. Needless to say they are eliminated from the playoffs.
29. Los Angeles Kings 27-38-5: Last week: 1-2-1; Losing 6 of the past 7, the only win was an upset 2-0 win over Ottawa.
28. Atlanta Thrashers(-1) 30-32-8: Last week: 1-1-2; Atlanta has slowly slumped down into the 2nd worst spot in the East.
27. St. Louis Blues(-3) 29-29-10: Last week: 1-2; The Blues now have the 3rd least amount of wins in the league. They just keep fading and fading.
26. Florida Panthers(+2) 32-31-8: Last week: 4-0; The Panthers won all four games last week and two game at a 1-0 final. Now tied with WSH for 10th in the East.
25. Edmonton Oilers 32-31-5: Last week: 2-1; Not mathematically eliminated from the playoffs yet, the Oilers are playing better than any other West team not in the playoffs.
24. Toronto Maple Leafs(+2) 30-30-10: Last week: 1-2; The ‘charging’ Leafs are 8 points back, winning two against 8th place Philly next week would help significantly.
23. Columbus Blue Jackets 30-28-11: Last week: 0-1-2; I know their season is over but couldn’t they at least try beating Edmonton?
22. New York Islanders(-1) 32-31-7: Last week: 1-3; The Islanders are only one of four Eastern Conference teams playing under .500 in the past 10 games. That doesn’t bode well for the playoffs.
21. Chicago Blackhawks(+1) 33-29-6: Last week: 3-1; The Hawks honored Brett hall and Stan Mitka before Friday nights game against the Sharks. That was the only loss of the week.
20. Washington Capitals 32-29-8: Last week: 2-1; Now a full seven points behind Carolina, the playoff chances are looking slimmer and slimmer.
19. Buffalo Sabres 32-27-10: Last week: 1-2-1; Jochen Hecht is back and had an assist in the loss to Carolina.
18. Phoenix Coyotes 34-30-5: Last week: 1-2; They were able to beat Dallas but stood no match for the top teams in the East like Montreal and Ottawa.
17. Nashville Predators 35-26-8: Last week: 2-1; Still in playoff position, the only loss of the week was to 9th place Vancouver who still has a game on hand.
16. Philadelphia Flyers(-2) 35-26-8: Last week: 2-1-1; Before Saturday’s game, the power play was clicking at a fantastic 11% since they start of the 10 straight losses.
15. New York Rangers(+1) 35-24-9: Last week: 2-0-1; The Rangers still have not lost in regulation in 10 games. A playoff spot is looking more secure.
14. Carolina Hurricanes(+1) 37-29-5: Last week: 3-0; Now with more points than the 8th place team, the Canes have won 7 of 8 and 4 straight.
13. Vancouver Canucks 34-24-10: Last week: 2-2; Vancouver’s road record is 15-13-5. 8 of the next 10 games are on the road, so the biggest test of the season awaits.
12. Ottawa Senators(-2) 38-25-7: Last week: 1-2-1; Now losing 6 of 8, the Senators were only able to win one game out west. The lead on the 8th place Flyers is only 5 pts.
11. Boston Bruins(-3) 36-25-7: Last week: 1-2-1; Boston GF: 7, GA 20. They lost 10-2 and 8-2, the Bruins need a little help…and some.
10. Calgary Flames(+1) 35-23-10: Last week: 1-0-1; In a three team race for the division with a game on hand, getting the power play up could secure the final spot.
9. Minnesota Wild 37-26-6: Last week: 1-2-1; The Wild struggled against(out of the Eastern Conference teams) Carolina and Atlanta. They’re also being outscored overall on the season.
8. Colorado Avalanche(+4) 37-26-6: Last week: 3-0; The Aves have won 6 straight and 7 of the past 8. Forsberg picked up his first two points in a win against Dallas.
7. Pittsburgh Penguins 38-24-7: Last week: 2-1; With Sidney Crosby back and scoring 2 pts, it’s only a matter of time before Hossa get back and the Pens rise to number 1.
6. Anaheim Ducks(-3) 38-25-7: Last week: 1-2; The six game win streak was put to an end as they have been blanked the last two games.
5. Montreal Canadiens(-1) 38-22-9: Last week: 2-1; Montreal might be the second highest scoring team in the league, but the defense is lacking at 16th.
4. Dallas Stars(-2) 41-25-5: Last week: 0-2; Well a 1-15 power play has resulted in a three game losing streak in which they’ve scored 3 total goals.
3. New Jersey Devils(-1) 40-23-6: Last week: 3-0; Defense is the way to go allowing only 1 goal in each win. Good thing considering NJ can’t score.
2. San Jose Sharks(+4) 39-21-8: Last week: 3-0; Cheechoo has risen to the team leader in goals and the Sharks have won 8 straight.
1. Detroit Red Wings(+4) 44-18-6: Last week: 2-0; They may be back on track, but 13 of the final 14 are against Central division opponents of whom they’ve struggled against.
Thanks for the explanation.
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