Post by Aaron Brown on Mar 17, 2015 14:05:16 GMT -5
With a few weeks left in the season, the top six spots in the Eastern Conference are basically locked up. Columbus could push Pittsburgh to the Wildcard but currently the Bluejackets are closer to 9th than they are to 6th.
That basically leaves four teams vying for the 2 Wildcard spots. Here's a look at the stretch run:
(7) Columbus
Games remaining: 15 (9H & 6A)
Games against playoff teams: 3
Games against non-playoff teams: 12
Key games: #70 vs Ottawa, #82 @ Florida
The schedule maker was super kind to Columbus with only 3 games left out of 15 against teams currently holding down a playoff spot. There are a lot of match ups against the sisters of the poor so by the time CBJ hits their games against St. Louis, they might have a playoff spot locked up. Game #70 offers the Jackets a chance to bury one of their contenders so watch for that.
(8) Montreal
Games remaining: 18 (8H & 10A)
Games against playoff teams: 11
Games against non-playoff teams: 7
Key games: #80 @ Washington, #81 vs Winnipeg
The good new for the Habs is that they have the most games left of the 4 Wildcard contenders. The bad news is that the schedule is fairly ugly. A key stetch is going to be games 67 to 71 where they have a home & home with Buffalo followed by home against Minnesota and the @ NJ & Edmonton. If the Canadiens can pick up 5 or 6 points running the gauntlet of the better VHL teams it will go a long way towards cementing a spot. A 5 game losing streak uses up their games in hand advantage and likely drops them out of a playoff spot all together. If it does come down the wire, the Habs must grab 4 points against Washington and Winnipeg before ending the season against Buffalo.
(9) Florida
Games remaining: 14 (9H & 5A)
Games against playoff teams: 5
Games against non-playoff teams: 9
Key games: #70 vs Ottawa, #74 vs Nashville, #82 vs Columbus
The opposite situation of Montreal, the Panthers have the least amount of games left but definitely have an easier road with just 5 games against playoff teams. The Panthers have a test right away though in facing Ottawa at home in game 70. The Senators have taken points in 8 of their last 10 and a loss to the Sens could drop Florida into 10th. Always better to not have teams between you and 8th place. Game #74 is intriguing as it is a match up between the East & West's 9th place teams. Could this be a turning point for those franchises?
(10) Ottawa
Games remaining: 16 (8H & 8A)
Games against playoff teams: 10
Games against non-playoff teams: 6
Key games: #69 @ Florida, #79 & 80 @ Detroit
The 2013 VHL champions are in tough. Not only do they have a tough schedule but they only have 2 games left against Wildcard contenders so they definitely are going to need some help. The Sens next game might very well tell the tale as they visit the Panthers with a chance to grab 9th spot. The good news is the Sens have a ton of talent and have been building momentum. The two games near the end of the season are a vital 4 points for the Sens as they don't want to hit NYR & NJ needing to sweep. It's going to be a challenge though for a team used to being a title contender.
That basically leaves four teams vying for the 2 Wildcard spots. Here's a look at the stretch run:
(7) Columbus
Games remaining: 15 (9H & 6A)
Games against playoff teams: 3
Games against non-playoff teams: 12
Key games: #70 vs Ottawa, #82 @ Florida
The schedule maker was super kind to Columbus with only 3 games left out of 15 against teams currently holding down a playoff spot. There are a lot of match ups against the sisters of the poor so by the time CBJ hits their games against St. Louis, they might have a playoff spot locked up. Game #70 offers the Jackets a chance to bury one of their contenders so watch for that.
(8) Montreal
Games remaining: 18 (8H & 10A)
Games against playoff teams: 11
Games against non-playoff teams: 7
Key games: #80 @ Washington, #81 vs Winnipeg
The good new for the Habs is that they have the most games left of the 4 Wildcard contenders. The bad news is that the schedule is fairly ugly. A key stetch is going to be games 67 to 71 where they have a home & home with Buffalo followed by home against Minnesota and the @ NJ & Edmonton. If the Canadiens can pick up 5 or 6 points running the gauntlet of the better VHL teams it will go a long way towards cementing a spot. A 5 game losing streak uses up their games in hand advantage and likely drops them out of a playoff spot all together. If it does come down the wire, the Habs must grab 4 points against Washington and Winnipeg before ending the season against Buffalo.
(9) Florida
Games remaining: 14 (9H & 5A)
Games against playoff teams: 5
Games against non-playoff teams: 9
Key games: #70 vs Ottawa, #74 vs Nashville, #82 vs Columbus
The opposite situation of Montreal, the Panthers have the least amount of games left but definitely have an easier road with just 5 games against playoff teams. The Panthers have a test right away though in facing Ottawa at home in game 70. The Senators have taken points in 8 of their last 10 and a loss to the Sens could drop Florida into 10th. Always better to not have teams between you and 8th place. Game #74 is intriguing as it is a match up between the East & West's 9th place teams. Could this be a turning point for those franchises?
(10) Ottawa
Games remaining: 16 (8H & 8A)
Games against playoff teams: 10
Games against non-playoff teams: 6
Key games: #69 @ Florida, #79 & 80 @ Detroit
The 2013 VHL champions are in tough. Not only do they have a tough schedule but they only have 2 games left against Wildcard contenders so they definitely are going to need some help. The Sens next game might very well tell the tale as they visit the Panthers with a chance to grab 9th spot. The good news is the Sens have a ton of talent and have been building momentum. The two games near the end of the season are a vital 4 points for the Sens as they don't want to hit NYR & NJ needing to sweep. It's going to be a challenge though for a team used to being a title contender.
