Second to last round of regulation for most teams. Lots of hopefuls entering the games. And in the end, no more playoff spots to reach. It's all over in regards of making the playoffs or not. The games played the way that separated the sighs of relief from sighs of disappointment. What is left for the last round of play, are some positions within the playoff bound.
Thursday night's games ended with Buffalo Sabres, Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars all out of playoffs this season. At the same time it helped even more teams clinch the playoff spot. Kings, Sharks, Coyotes, Panthers and Capitals, to be exact.
The biggest remaining battles are for home ice. Washington could overtake Florida with a win and regulation loss respectively for Southeast crown and third seed in the East. San Jose and Los Angeles duel out the last game and winner takes a hold of the Pacific crown and third seed in the West. Phoenix Coyotes could take over both of them with four points in the remaining two games. There's St. Louis Blues in their way tonight, which makes it a tough task. Third race for home ice is between Nashville Predators and Detroit Red Wings. If both win their last games, it's Nashville, if they end up even in points, it's Red Wings. Despite the outcome, these two will face each others in the first round for an epic battle.
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Showing posts with label in. Show all posts
2012/03/29
Playoff race - Mar 29 - Lose one and you're out
Western conference and especially Pacific division has been thrilling to watch and follow for the last weeks. It's still very even, but some teams are now finally on the edge, or possibly already fallen over it.
While San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars have swapped division lead between themselves almost daily. Last night it was Dallas, who took a fine victory against Edmonton. Sharks instead were beaten by Anaheim Ducks, who are already heading for early summer vacation. Always nice to bother local rivals, huh?
Los Angeles Kings jumped to the playoff bracked and may have dealt Calgary Flames the final blow. At the same time Colorado Avalanche took a stingy defeat from Western powerhouse Vancouver Canucks. These losses now put Calgary and Colorado to a spot where they have to win all of the remaining games and still need some help in a form of losses to the other contenders. The real heartbreaker here is that they face off against each others on Friday evening. Both cannot be winners there and the loser can give up all hopes for the postseason.
Another tough game will be tonight when San Jose and Phoenix wrestle for the final playoff spot. Winner is in for now, loser is out. For Phoenix, a loss may end their season right here. Nerves, guts and heart, all called out.
While San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars have swapped division lead between themselves almost daily. Last night it was Dallas, who took a fine victory against Edmonton. Sharks instead were beaten by Anaheim Ducks, who are already heading for early summer vacation. Always nice to bother local rivals, huh?
Los Angeles Kings jumped to the playoff bracked and may have dealt Calgary Flames the final blow. At the same time Colorado Avalanche took a stingy defeat from Western powerhouse Vancouver Canucks. These losses now put Calgary and Colorado to a spot where they have to win all of the remaining games and still need some help in a form of losses to the other contenders. The real heartbreaker here is that they face off against each others on Friday evening. Both cannot be winners there and the loser can give up all hopes for the postseason.
Another tough game will be tonight when San Jose and Phoenix wrestle for the final playoff spot. Winner is in for now, loser is out. For Phoenix, a loss may end their season right here. Nerves, guts and heart, all called out.
2012/03/28
Playoff race - Mar 28 - Two in, one out in the East
The race for the final Eastern conference playoff spots is between three teams, Panthers, Capitals and Sabres. Florida Panthers went for another overtime, and this time came out as the shootout winners. Valuable two points to pad their division lead and steady hold of the high seeded playoff spot and home ice advantage.
The real deal happened in Washington, where visiting Buffalo Sabres stomped over the hosting Capitals with a 5-1 victory. A big part of the result was difference in goaltending, but one can not overlook the troubles in the Caps team. Somehow they haven't been able to really turn the machine on the whole year and this is the last moment to turn things around. They're running out of games to catch the Panthers, unless there's a complete collapse in Florida in the end. Capitals' only possibility is to regain the eighth spot from the Sabres. And comparing these two teams' last weeks of play we can all see it isn't going to be easy. Both teams will have games against some teams that are out already and others against the conference leaders. The grind of remaining five games will decide who's taking the last East spot.
A special mention needs to be given to St. Louis Blues' netminders. Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott have combined for a record tying 15 shutouts this season. And as a Cherry on top, Elliott now has three in a row for the franchise record. This team is definitely a tough nut to crack in the playoff series to come. Surprise cup to St. Louis, who knows?
The real deal happened in Washington, where visiting Buffalo Sabres stomped over the hosting Capitals with a 5-1 victory. A big part of the result was difference in goaltending, but one can not overlook the troubles in the Caps team. Somehow they haven't been able to really turn the machine on the whole year and this is the last moment to turn things around. They're running out of games to catch the Panthers, unless there's a complete collapse in Florida in the end. Capitals' only possibility is to regain the eighth spot from the Sabres. And comparing these two teams' last weeks of play we can all see it isn't going to be easy. Both teams will have games against some teams that are out already and others against the conference leaders. The grind of remaining five games will decide who's taking the last East spot.
A special mention needs to be given to St. Louis Blues' netminders. Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott have combined for a record tying 15 shutouts this season. And as a Cherry on top, Elliott now has three in a row for the franchise record. This team is definitely a tough nut to crack in the playoff series to come. Surprise cup to St. Louis, who knows?
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