The regular season is beginning to wind down, and that means the playoff talks will start. With around 25 games left in the regular season, and every game being so important, there have been some major headlines circling around the eastern conference. Teams trying to make the playoffs, and teams trying to hold onto their current positions have made some moves.
The New Jersey devils might not make any drastic move before the trade deadline on March 4th. However with the expected return of Martin Brodeur in about 10 days, its like signing the best free agent on the list. The Devils goalie tore a bicep on November 1st just 10 games into the season keeping him out for most of the season. Brodeur’s injury forced a young goalie Scott Clemmensen to step up and be the only other number one goalie for the New Jersey Devils since Brodeur stepped in as the definitive number one in 1995. Clemmensen came in and was up for the task the devils never missed a beat they have risen to second in the eastern conference, and first in the Atlantic division. Look for the devils to win the Atlantic and end in the top three in the eastern conference. The only threat for the devils will be the Philadelphia Flyers who also are getting back a key player in Danny Briere coming off of an abdomen injury. The flyers are to streaky and will not be able to put enough wins together to catch the devils.
The Ottawa senators recently fired their coach and have been surging. Craig Hartsburg, first year coach, was fired on February 1st, after a very disappointing season record of 17-24-7. Cory Clouston the head coach of the Senator’s American hockey league affiliate in Binghamton was called in as the new head coach. With the change in personnel the Senator’s have begun to surge. They have gone on a 5 game win streak, and their most prolific scorers have been finally playing to their potential. In the last 15 days since the change Daniel Alfredsson, and Dany Heatly have responded positively. They have combined for 7 goals and 7 assists for 14 points. The Senators have been slowly climbing out of the basement of the Eastern Conference, and are now in 11th place 12 points out of the playoffs behind the Buffalo Sabres. The change may have come a little to late for the Senators however look for them to spoil other teams playoff hopes in the upcoming weeks.
The struggling Pittsburgh Penguins have been on the outside looking in for almost half of the season now. The Penguins lost to the Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup finals and are now in danger of not making the playoffs. The penguins started off the season atop of the Atlantic Division, and in the top three of the conference. As of December 1st the penguins were 5th overall in the NHL. Since then they have hit a rut and are now in 10th place 4 points behind Buffalo for the final playoff spot. Like the devils the penguins have just gotten back a huge player from an injury. Penguins top defensemen Sergei Gonchar went out in a pre season game with a separated shoulder that would need surgery. Gonchar made his first start Monday against the Islanders 58 games into the season. It will take a little time for Gonchar to get back into game condition being out all season. Gonchar should improve the Penguins breakout. The Penguins have been missing a good breakout in this skid they have gone on in the last two and a half months. The Penguins also fired their head coach Michel Therrien, and hired the AHL affiliate head coach Dan Bylsma. This may be what saves the Penguins season. Look for them to make a surge at the end of the season to just sneak into the playoffs. When the players get used to Bylsma and his systems, and Gonchar gets back into the swing of things the Penguins will begin playing hockey the way everyone expects them too. Look for Sidney Crosby, and Evgeni Malkin to put the team on their back and finish very strong in the last 25 games.
Now this leaves the other three teams in the hunt. The Florida Panthers holding 7th place with 64 points, the Buffalo Sabres holding the 8th and final playoff spot also with 64 points, and the Carolina Hurricanes in 9th place with 61 points.
The Carolina Hurricanes will not make the playoffs. They do not have what it takes, their team is old and will begin to tire at the end of the season falling out of the playoff race. The loss of Justin Williams also does not help their chances much either.
The Florida Panthers will fall out of the 7th place spot and not make the playoffs. The toughest part of their schedule is coming up. The Panthers are just a combined 3-11 against the teams they play in the next couple weeks. The trade deadline is coming up and the Panthers have all ready said they do not have the money to re-sign all star defensemen Jay Bouwmeester. Loosing Bouwmeester will be the difference for Florida they are a defensive team, and this will be a blow they will not be able to recover from.
Look for the Sabres to maintain their playoff position Head coach Lindy Ruff runs a tight ship, and will not allow his team to fall out of the playoffs two years in a row. The Sabres have been getting solid goaltending with Ryan Miller all season, and will keep them in the playoffs.
If your not a hockey fan now is the time to start watching. Every game matters and every point is so precious in the standings. Like always the playoff race should come down to the last games of the season. So get excited and enjoy watching the remainder of the season.
My playoff predictions:
1st-Boston Bruins
2nd- Washington Capitals
3rd -New Jersey Devils
4th-Philadelphia Flyers
5th-Montreal Canadiens
6th-Buffalo Sabres
7th-New York Rangers
8th-Pittsburgh Penguins
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