While everyone is wondering who improved at the deadline and who is the leading favorite for the Stanley Cup, an equally interesting topic remains on the sidelines: who will occupy the last spots under the sun. This is a strategically important fact, because in the NHL everything starts again in the playoffs and each team is capable of going far. You don’t have to look far to find examples: Los Angeles won the title in 2012, finishing eighth in the conference, and Florida reached the finals last year, ultimately clinching just a second wild card. Therefore, the fight for 15-17 games before the end of the regular season is expected to be very tenacious.
Eastern Conference
Let’s start with the situation in the Eastern Conference, where a real battle is going on this year and everything can be resolved only in the last games. For the moment, the positions of five teams that will share the sweetest spots seem unshakable: Boston, Florida, Rangers, Carolina and Toronto. Only three teams left the competition, whose goal will probably be a higher selection in the next draft: Montreal, Ottawa and Columbus. But in the middle not everything is so clear: at the moment, eight teams are fighting for the three remaining places. These eight teams will be discussed.
Third place in the Metropolitan Division
Currently ranked team: Philadelphia
The team that will occupy it is the Islanders.
The Islanders changed head coaches during the season and the older Patrick Roy celebrated his return to the NHL. The arrival of the coach did not act as a quick-acting revitalizing potion for the team, but over time the game of the “islanders” began to gradually improve. Yes, the Islanders have suffered four straight losses, but they have plenty of room to make the final push. Perhaps Ilya Sorokin will be inspired by his friend Igor Shesterkin, who was in incredible shape at the end of the championship, and lead the team to the playoffs. He already has that experience.
Ilya Sorokin
Photo: AP/TASS
First wild card
Current ranked team: Tampa Bay
The team that will occupy it is Tampa Bay.
Tampa, which is having a rather disorganized season by its standards, must maintain the place it currently occupies. That core, which recently played three finals in a row, will not leave the team without the playoffs. In addition, Nikita Kucherov has unfinished business: the confrontation with MacKinnon, like the fight for the playoffs, must go to the end.
Second wild card
Currently ranked team: Detroit
The team that will occupy it is Buffalo.
Yes, such a high place was given to the Sabers, rather, in advance. It is worth remembering that the Blades have not played in the playoffs since 2011. During this time, the NHL managed to add two teams, and one of them has already won the Stanley Cup. But the progress is also supported by facts: at the end of the championship, Buffalo finally began to play as many predicted before the season. A team with a lot of potential began to win in various ways, and such a long absence from the playoffs will be an incentive for a young team.
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Teams that will not make the playoffs
“Detroit”
In fact, Detroit has taken a big step forward this season and is one of the main contenders to get into the top eight. The team sometimes plays incredible hockey, which is based on the interaction of players of all levels, and not on primitive “hit and run”. But at the same time, the Red Wings are terribly unstable and can, after an impressive winning streak, produce a series of defeats of the same magnitude. Now the second is underway: eight losses in regulation time in the last nine games. This is what could keep Detroit from making the playoffs.
“Washington”
The “capitals”, despite the actions of the management at the deadline when they traded Edmundson, Kuznetsov and Mantha, continue to fight for the playoffs. Precisely the fight, because almost every Washington victory is based on three pillars: patience, character and perseverance. Such a will to win may reward Ovechkin and company with a spot in the top eight, but it is likely that the team simply does not have enough resources to offer serious resistance to the rest.
Alexander Ovechkin
Photo: AP/TASS
“Philadelphia”
“Pilots” became the main discovery of the season, because before the start of the season it was predicted that the team would only fight for the high peaks. But John Tortorella once again showed that he knows how to build teams, even when the selection of players does not allow it. Tippett and Konecny made great progress, with the former earning a considerable pay rise for the following years. But Philadelphia’s competitors look stronger and will knock the team out of third place in the Metropolitan Division.
“Pittsburgh”
The Penguins go deeper and deeper each year, and by trading Gunzel to Carolina, they finally deprived themselves of even a slim chance of making the playoffs. Unlike Washington, which is in a similar situation, the Penguins cannot even achieve victories, but instead squander their lead on the scoreboard and lose key games.
Evgeny Malkin
Photo: AP/TASS
“New Jersey”
The Devils have been disappointing on a daily basis this season because expectations were high for the team after last season’s breakthrough, when a young team beat the Rangers in Game 7. Lindy Ruff was rumored to be holding the team back and not It allowed him to breathe, but after the dismissal of the head coach the situation did not change drastically. It even got worse. New Jersey and Pittsburgh will be the first to lose their playoff chances in the near future.
Western Conference
In the West, things with intrigue are much worse, because de facto the eight have already been formed. All that remains is to decide who will end up where.
Third place in the Pacific Division
Currently ranked team: Los Angeles
The team that will take over is Vegas.
At the moment, Los Angeles is ahead of Las Vegas only in additional indicators. The defending champion looks like the leading contender for a playoff spot outside of the wild card based on the combination of all the factors: more stars, more experience, a more complete game. And don’t forget about the reinforcement at the deadline, after which Vegas became furiously angry.
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First wild card
Current ranked team: Nashville
The team that will take over is Nashville.
“Nashville” pleasantly surprised everyone this season, because the summer restructuring, when the contract purchases of the leaders began, promised to last for several years. But the Predators passed this stage without problems, even improving the result compared to last season. The team has a fantastic streak of 14 games with points (12 wins). There are almost no prerequisites for this whole structure to eventually fall apart.
Second wild card
Currently ranked team: Vegas
The team that will take over is Los Angeles.
Los Angeles looks significantly worse this season than last. The change of coach gave life to the team for a moment, but then everything continued as it was. The Kings alternate wins and losses and can only feel safe in the playoff zone due to the lack of rivals.
“The Angels”
Photo: AP/TASS
Teams that will not make the playoffs
“Saint Louis”
In theory, the “blues” have very good chances, the distance from the playoff zone is only four points. In addition, the team achieved four victories in a row, which demonstrates the team’s desire to take the last car. But throughout St. Louis’ season, there is no clear understanding of what the team’s ultimate goal is. Either this is perestroika, then the desire to change Buchnevich becomes evident, or it is an attempt with the current core (very good) to try to be in the top eight. It seems that not even in “St. Louis” made up their minds, but simply left everything in the hands of fate.
“Minnesota”
Many words have already been said about the uselessness of Minnesota, so there is no point in repeating them over and over again. The team led by Kirill Kaprizov demonstrates in every match that it is ready to do everything possible to reach the playoffs, even eliminating the goalkeeper in extra time, but, most likely, these attempts will be in vain. The “savages” will fight to the end, but the current squad is not capable of fighting for a long time.
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“Calgary”
With Calgary, everything became clear at the deadline, when the Lights made a sale, trading Hanifin, Tanev and Lindholm. This step clearly shows resignation to the situation and the organization looks to the future.
“Seattle”
Last season, the Krakens were one step away from reaching the West finals, which bodes well for this season. But it does not work. Many players did not play at last season’s level, and the system that produced results played a cruel joke on Seattle this regular season. Furthermore, the difference of 11 points with respect to the playoff zone clearly says that there is no chance.
