There are 10 teams battling for the 8 Eastern Conference playoff spots. This week has dealt some tough blows to the two teams on the outside looking in, making the selections a little easier. The top 3 seeds have a substantial lead in their divisions, and barring their losing out they’ll hold their top three statuses.
Here is my take on the East.
#1-Bos
They’ve been sliding with only 4 wins in the last ten, but their points lead is very solid, and their schedule is a little easier than the Devils. I think it’s likely they lose 5 of their last 11, but I think they can find away to lose 3 of them in OT and help hold of the Devils. They finish 6-2-3.
Final Record 51-19-12 114 Pts
#2-NJ
First off congratulations to Marty Brodeur, 552 wins, wow. The Devils have a tough road to finish out, 3 back-to-backs, with one of them being back-to-back road games. They also face more teams currently in playoff positions than the Bruins. The X-factor here is that for the first team in franchise history they have a fresh Marty Brodeur going into the playoffs. Assuming that the team plays a group of mortals in front of the almighty Marty, I think they finish 6-4-2. The back-to-backs are the ultimate factor here, as we saw last night against the Canes, sometimes it’s hard to win both. Would anybody be surprised if they pass the Bruins for the 1 seed?
Final Record 52-25-5 109 Pts
#3 WSH
The Caps have the easiest schedule of any of the contenders in the East. Only 1 game against a team currently in a playoff spot, no back-to-backs, the only downside is they play 6 of the last 10 on the road. My predictions here are based on the fact that the team will play hard, despite the fact they have almost nothing to get them motivated. They can’t realistically finish lower than 3rd, they play almost exclusively against non-playoff teams, perhaps the only motivation they have is that the teams they play are in the division. That OT playoff loss last year might be some motivation, but probably not until the second season begins. They should finish 7-2-1.
Final Record 51-24-7 109 Pts
#4 PHI
They have games in hand and play fewer playoff teams, these are the only reasons they get the edge over the Pens. It’ll be a close race for home ice, maybe the game this Sunday in Pittsburgh could be the ultimate decider. They should finish 7-3-3.
Final Record 44-25-13 101 Pts
#5 PIT
They’re schedule is tough to say whether it’s hard or easy, I’ll call it a push. No back-to-backs, 6 out of 10 at home, but they face more playoff teams than not. This could be an advantage. They way they’re finding ways to win it’s hard to see them losing any games, but they should finish 7-2-1.
Final Record 45-28-9 99 Pts
#6 CAR
They finish with 7 out of 10 at home and play as many playoff as non-playoff teams, they have 1 back-to-back but both at home. I see a strong 6-2-2 finish.
Final Record 43-30-9 95 Pts
#7 MON
I think they’ll 8th, but the math favors them over the Rags. They play 7 of the last 12 at home, they have a game in hand, they face fewer playoff teams, these are the only reasons they get the nod for 7th. They could finish 5-4-3.
Final Record 41-29-12 93 Pts
#8 NYR
They only determinate that drops them below le bleu, blanc, et rouge is the number of playoff teams they play, 7 out of 11. They limp across the finish line 4-4-3.
Final Record 41-30-11
Oot
Florida- They play too many on the road, if they get in I think it’s at the expense of the Canadiens who I don’t think can finish as strong as the math says they could.
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