SIX QUESTIONS REMAIN
After this weekend’s play 11 of the 16 playoff spots in the NHL have been claimed. The final week of the season will be about answering six questions.
1
Who will win the Presidents Trophy? After stomping to the top of the Western Conference, St. Louis is 3-3-3 in its last nine games, allowing Vancouver to catch it at the top of the West. The Rangers and Canucks are currently tied at the top with 107 points, with St. Louis a point behind. Does winning the Presidents’ Trophy ultimately mean anything? Not really, but if you fancy yourself as a contender for the Stanley Cup, you will say it’s important to have home-ice advantage through the playoffs. NY Rangers Tuesday at Philadelphia; Thursday at Pittsburgh, Saturday vs. Washington Vancouver Tuesday vs. Anaheim; Thursday at Calgary; Saturday vs. Edmonton St. Louis Wednesday vs. Detroit; Friday vs. Phoenix; Saturday at Dallas
2
Who will win the Southeast Division title and the No. 3 seed in the East? Florida should have had this wrapped up a long time ago. The Panthers have been sitting in the No. 3 spot for weeks and because of Washington’s stumbling and bumbling, no one has noticed the Panthers 1-2-4 in their last seven games. The kings of the extra point have a league-leading 17 overtime and shootout losses. They have won just seven of their 24 trips through extra time. Washington’s loss to Tampa Bay on Monday means Florida can finish it with a win Tuesday. They play each other on Thursday if it isn’t already settled by then. Florida Tuesday vs. Winnipeg; Thursday at Washington; Saturday vs. Carolina Washington Thursday vs. Florida; Saturday at NY Rangers
3
Who will have home-ice advantage in an inevitable first-round series? Pittsburgh and Philadelphia started their series with their message-sending in Sunday afternoon’s 6-4 win by Philadelphia. And they have to play one more time. Pittsburgh still leads this race by one point, but the Flyers probably aren’t that invested in home-ice since they have won both games this season in Pittsburgh and they have a league-leading .663 point percentage on the road (25-12-3). Pittsburgh Tuesday at Boston; Thursday vs. NY Rangers; Saturday vs. Philadelphia Philadelphia Tuesday vs. NY Rangers; Thursday vs. Buffalo; Saturday at Pittsburgh
4
Who will claim the No. 8 seed in the East? Buffalo’s epic rise from the bottom of the standings has stalled and Washington keeps grinding out enough wins to remain the favourite. Buffalo Tuesday vs. Toronto; Thursday at Philadelphia; Saturday at Boston Washington Monday at Tampa Bay; Thursday vs. Florida; Saturday at NY Rangers
5
How will the No. 4, 5 and 6 seeds in the Western Conference finally fall? With attention elsewhere, Chicago has quietly compiled a 7-1-2 record in its last 10 games (without Jonathan Toews) to catch Detroit and Nashville. The Blackhawks only have two games left, though. Still, finishing sixth and playing the Pacific Division winner looks like a far better proposition. As you will hear increasingly over the next three weeks, it will be a shame that the losers of these two four-versus-five series have to bow out after one round. Detroit Wednesday at St. Louis; Thursday vs. New Jersey; Saturday vs. Chicago Nashville Tuesday vs. Minnesota; Thursday vs. Dallas; Saturday at Colorado Chicago Thursday at Minnesota; Saturday at Detroit
6
Eventually, these teams will untangle the mess in the West for No. 3, 7 and 8 seeds, right? Colorado remains a fringe player for the No. 8 seed. The attention will be on the four Pacific Division teams, and which will fall by the wayside. As we outlined last week, Dallas has the toughest road. Los Angeles (Monday vs.
Edmonton); Thursday vs. San Jose; Saturday at San Jose Phoenix Tuesday vs. Columbus; Friday at St. Louis; Saturday at Minnesota Dallas Tuesday vs. San Jose; Thursday at Nashville; Saturday vs. St. Louis San Jose Tuesday at Dallas; Thursday at Los Angeles; Saturday vs. Los Angeles Colorado Thursday vs. Columbus; Saturday vs. Nashville