Winnipeg Jets has a 10-point edge on the Dallas stars and a 13-point margin at Colorado Avalanche in the Central Division position with less than four weeks left in the regular season.
It seems to be deserted that the stars – which are in third place in the league behind Jets and Washington Capitals – and Avalanche will meet in the opening round in the Stanley Cup final game.
Whether it is the stars or the avalanche, it is hardly a reward to place others in their division because of their opening cover.
When the dust sits on the opening round on the hunt for Hockey’s holy Grail, either the stars or the avalanche will be eliminated, which will really be a shame – even if we all know it has a series for a series for the ages, and not just because it will contain the micko rantan of the stars against their previous teammates.
The eastern conference also has an incredible dog fight on the hands in the Tremeagsloppet for the Atlantic Division Crown.
On the way into Saturday’s action, the reigning champion Florida Panthers has the top spot in the division. The Panthers are tied with the Toronto Maple Leafs in both points and games that are played, but has the edge with another victory for regulation time.
Amazingly, Tampa Bay Lightning is just two points behind and actually has a game in the hand on both leaders. The value of winning the Atlantic Division cannot be overestimated. Finishing first will involve an opening round collision with a wild-card team. Ending others will mean a collision against a club that could have won the division if a couple of breaks have gone their way.
But it’s just part of the Joy of the Stanley Cup tournament, especially its opening round with the 16 best clubs.
Another tension is the effects of the sub -dogs, and be sure that there are teams that higher seeds would prefer to avoid.
Take, for example, Winnipeg. Jets are really in the driver’s seat to claim the regular seasonal season of the Western conference. With how things are shaped, their reward will be to meet the second joke.
On the surface, Winnipeg will be the odds on the favorite, but part deeper.
At present, the hunt for the last playoffs in the West is a three-team battle between St. Louis Blues, which currently holds the site, Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames.
How comfortable will jets really feel against these clubs in a best-seven series?
Let’s start with St. Louis. Jets won two of the first three meetings this season-one via shootout-with a fourth and final collision in the future April 7. Sure, Blues would be sub -dogs, but they have also won more matches than any other squad a month since the league returned to action after the four nations’ facial outages and went to Victory in 10 of 14 matches.
Canucks has shared their season series with Jets so far, with a game left. And the flames – which were tied to be the bottom feeder – would feel no pressure if they were to make the playoffs.
Speaking of hot clubs since the exciting tournament finals, Montreal Canadiens has moved into the Eastern Conference’s second Wild-Card place thanks to an impressive 8-1-3 driving. Considering how the Canadiens would be-Rans this season as well, they have the potential to track all division champions’ playoffs.
And what if Blues and/or Canadiens can’t hang on their perch? Hot on Montreal’s tail is New York Islanders, a team with a style designed for playoff hockey, and the New York Rangers, which has made their brand in the last two playoffs and would like to delete what has been a shockingly disappointing regular season.
The fact that there are no simple outs in the Stanley Cup finals makes the opening round two of the best annual weeks in sports. You are investing in the favorites knowing they are in a tough task no matter who they meet.
