By: M. Patton
Baltimore, MD - With a nine point spread between the 8th and 9th spots in the Western Conference, it looks like the West is all but sewn up in terms of what teams will be playing spring hockey. However, with a nine point spread between the 7th and 13th spots in the Eastern Conference, there exists the potential for some great hockey to be played in the days leading up to the first round of the playoffs.
Topping the list of "what ifs" is Carolina. The defending Cup Champs (because of Buffalo injuries last year), are hanging on to the 8th spot with 75 points. As I write this, they are tied 1-1 in the third against the Rangers, who are in 10th place with 74 points and could take over that spot with a win sending Carolina down to 10th spot because Toronto (75 points) would have a game at hand.
The second "what if" is Montreal. The once hot Canadiens have hit a rough patch and find themselves outside looking in, albeit only by one point. Their streaky play has made them the team with the most doubt cast on them to make it back to the postseason, but the Canadiens will have plenty of opportunities playing the Rangers and Leafs twice each.
The dark horse could be Florida. All of a sudden, Florida is above .500 and has gone 7-1-2 in their last 10 games and is only 4 points out of a playoff spot. The one downside for Florida is that the only team they play, who is in the playoff mix, is Carolina so along with winning their own games, they will need help.
Baltimore, MD - With a nine point spread between the 8th and 9th spots in the Western Conference, it looks like the West is all but sewn up in terms of what teams will be playing spring hockey. However, with a nine point spread between the 7th and 13th spots in the Eastern Conference, there exists the potential for some great hockey to be played in the days leading up to the first round of the playoffs.
Topping the list of "what ifs" is Carolina. The defending Cup Champs (because of Buffalo injuries last year), are hanging on to the 8th spot with 75 points. As I write this, they are tied 1-1 in the third against the Rangers, who are in 10th place with 74 points and could take over that spot with a win sending Carolina down to 10th spot because Toronto (75 points) would have a game at hand.
The second "what if" is Montreal. The once hot Canadiens have hit a rough patch and find themselves outside looking in, albeit only by one point. Their streaky play has made them the team with the most doubt cast on them to make it back to the postseason, but the Canadiens will have plenty of opportunities playing the Rangers and Leafs twice each.
The dark horse could be Florida. All of a sudden, Florida is above .500 and has gone 7-1-2 in their last 10 games and is only 4 points out of a playoff spot. The one downside for Florida is that the only team they play, who is in the playoff mix, is Carolina so along with winning their own games, they will need help.
The long shot is Boston who still finds themselves with an outside shot at making the postseason with 69 points, and leading Detroit 3-2 as I write this. The good news for Boston is that they play Montreal three times and the Rangers twice. The bad news is that they have not been consistent lately, going 4-5-1 in their last 10 games.
What this all spells out is a great stretch for Center Ice subscribers who want to watch good hockey games leading into the playoffs. What this situation in the East will provide is a plethora of games that matter between teams who will be clawing for that 8th spot with many of the games being between teams who are on the bubble. Whatever happens come the first week of April, it is sure to be a great mid and late March. Thank god of Center Ice.
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