6 for 3
The struggle for post season berths in the East has been raging for more than a month now, and while the teams outside the bubble began to make their push, several within began to fall off.
The Tampa Bay Lightning (congratulations to Vinny Lecavalier for being the first Lightning player to hit the 100 point mark..... and if luck will have it perhaps the 50 goal mark as well?) and Atlanta Thrashers have dropped off so dramatically that now it looks as though the team that leads the Southeast division will have the third seed, and the other might be out of the playoffs. The Atlanta Thrashers have a 2 point lead over the Tampa Bay Lightning and sit 3rd overall in the East. The Lightning's 86 points are now only good enough for 7th. The Rangers hold 6th with 87, and the Hurricanes with 84 (also tied with the Islanders and the Canadiens with 84). The Toronto Maple Leafs are just outside with 82 in 11th place.
So what does that mean? Six teams fighting for three spots. Really we could say seven teams fighting for 4 spots since the Atlanta Thrashers are just barely holding onto third, but that's for Tampa Bay to decide. Most teams have between 6 and 7 games remaining, and it looks like the positions may be decided on the final day of the season. Nice!
I'd like to give a big congratulations to the P-boys (Marc and Jonny) of the Face Off Hockey Show. Both have made it to the finals of the first annual Playoff Beard Fantasy Hockey Tournament, and will be playing for the championship over the next week and change. I'd expect both to have full beards by the weekend. Congratulations and good luck boys!
Game of the Night:
Anaheim at Detroit 7:00 PM
The NHL takes a break tonight, because after this evening the rest of the week is packed with excitment. It's a full schedule. Tonight, the Detroit Red Wings and Anaheim Ducks battle for the President's Trophy and they both trail Buffalo and Nashville by 2 and 3 points. This should be a great preview for two teams that are likely to meet in the late rounds of the playoffs..... unless they both choke because I've just cursed them. We'll see. Enjoy the game!
Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh
Comments
Hey, what've we said about doing that to the wings, bosh?
Posted by: jeff | March 26, 2007 02:43 PM
DAMN YOU BOSH!! how dare you throw the bearded curse onto the winged wheel before the playoffs even start. Tonight should be a good game as everyone should be watching it, these guys have to perform right?
Posted by: Paul | March 26, 2007 02:43 PM
Reverse Curse boys! Reverse Curse. I still think it will behoove the Wings not to win the Prez Trophy.... less pressure is good, although facing off against the Minnesota Wild in the first round, is probably not what they are looking for.
Thoughts on that. Who would you rather see them play? The Wild, Canucks, or Flames? All three are possibilities. Personally with Bert in the lineup, I'd love to see them against the 'Nucks.
Posted by: Cap | March 26, 2007 02:59 PM
I'm with you Bosh. As a hockey fan and not a Red Wings fan, you have to think Detroit/Vancouver would be an awesome series. Hasek against Luongo? Are you kidding me? Who wouldn't want to see that?
The southeast is ridiculous. I can't believe Tampa is playing so poorly, but I also can't believe they don't have another upward streak in them. You know what would be the ultimate surprise? If Carolina ended up winning the division. They looked pretty darn good against the Sharks the other night, so who knows?
Posted by: Stache | March 26, 2007 06:11 PM