The Playoff Race - It is a Thriller!
Feb 1, 2016 14:56:18 GMT -5
Rob, Beans (BOS), and 2 more like this
Post by bjernagris (PHI) on Feb 1, 2016 14:56:18 GMT -5
So I sat down and had a look at the standings to try and predict how the first round of the iStanley Cup playoffs are going to look. Partly because I am involved, partly because it is simply really exciting! First out, the Eastern Conference. Here are the current standings:
(Team - Points (Games Played) - Division)
1. Tampa Bay Lightning - 106 (75) - Atlantic (A)
2. New Jersey Devils - 103 (76) - Metro (M)
3. Pittsburgh Penguins - 95 (75) - M
4. Montreal Canadiens - 94 (76) - A
5. Detroit Red Wings - 93 (75) - A
6. Philadelphia Flyers - 91 (75) - M
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7. Columbus Blue Jackets - 89 (75) - M
8. Washington Capitals - 87 (75) - M
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9. Ottawa Senators - 87 (76) - A
10. New York Islanders - 85 (75) - M
11. New York Rangers - 84 (76) - M
12. Carolina Hurricanes - 80 (76) - M
13. Buffalo Sabres - 63 (75) - A
14. Florida Panthers - 62 (75) - A
15. Toronto Maple Leafs - 56 (74) - A
16. Boston Bruins - 40 (76) - A
Prediction: During the 2015-16 iNHL season, the East has turned into clearly the stronger of the two conferences. With big names like Mark Giordano, Jordan Eberle, Brent Seabrook, Marian Hossa, Jiri Hudler, Radim Vrbata and the Sedin brothers being shipped East from the Western Conference, there are more than a handful teams who have the firepower to mount for a deep playoff run. This has meant that the race for playoff spots is very tight, with several skill-stacked teams hanging on to their top eight spot by a thread. With around 7 games left in the regular season schedule, five teams look to be in the safe zone for making the playoffs. The percentage next to the team name is my predicted probability of each team making the playoffs:
Tampa Bay Lightning (100%)
New Jersey Devils (100%)
Pittsburgh Penguins (100%)
Montreal Canadiens (95%)
Detroit Red Wings (95%)
After those five top teams, there are a handful of teams who are battling it out for the remaining three spots.
Columbus Blue Jackets (80%)
Led by star netminder Sergei Bobrovsky Blue Jackets have found the rhythm lately, winning their last three games and trailing Flyers by two points. The eternally young Jaromir Jagr has been an injection to the team, and the Blue Jackets ice a deadly, newly acquired first line consisting of Jagr, Ryan O'Reilly and Rick Nash. The Blue Jackets have a fairly easy schedule to round up their regular season and their form is promising.
Philadelphia Flyers (70%)
The Flyers have shown average form lately, going 5-5-0 in their last 10. However, they are currently third in Metro for the last regular playoff spot. Although they are currently 4 points into the safe zone and the playoffs are within reach, with a relatively tough schedule ahead of them a playoff spot is definitely not a sure thing
Ottawa Senators (60%)
The Senators are breathing down the Capitals' neck after a wild run lately, going 14-3-0 since trade deadline. With a relatively easy schedule left, playoff is definitely within reach for Ottawa as they look to repeat their mighty climb from last year.
Washington Capitals (50%)
The Capitals are a mystery as of late; despite some strong additions at trade deadline, including Hanzal, Versteeg and Campbell, the Caps have so far been unable to stop the bleeding, going 3-5-2 in their last 10. Lackluster goaltending seems to be the key issue here, and the Caps are within safe territory by only a very slim margin.
New York Islanders (25%)
The Isles are only two points out of a playoff spot, but recent injuries have left the roster somewhat weakened. They will have to outperform themselves if they are to make the climb and snag one of the final playoff spots.
New York Rangers (20%)
The Rangers haven't gotten much working for them since the departure of Nash/Girardi. The team has not been able to keep up with their division rivals in the Metro and has plummeted in the standings. Evander Kane has been a non-factor since acquired from the Sabres, netting only 2+2 in his 16 games with the team after returning from injury in late February.
Carolina Hurricanes (5%)
Not surprisingly, The 'Canes have had trouble winning hockey games after the speed-of-light rebuild that occured around trade deadline, going 4-7-1 since March 1st. Noone is expecting the Hurricanes to make the playoffs - to do so they depend heavily on other Metro teams severy underperforming.
And, finally, there are the ones who are already planning for next season, focusing on getting their prospect pool ready for big league action and on who to pick in the upcoming draft.
Buffalo Sabres (0%)
Florida Panthers (0%)
Toronto Maple Leafs (0%)
Boston Bruins (0%)
Next up, the Western Conference!
(Team - Points (Games Played) - Division)
1. Tampa Bay Lightning - 106 (75) - Atlantic (A)
2. New Jersey Devils - 103 (76) - Metro (M)
3. Pittsburgh Penguins - 95 (75) - M
4. Montreal Canadiens - 94 (76) - A
5. Detroit Red Wings - 93 (75) - A
6. Philadelphia Flyers - 91 (75) - M
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7. Columbus Blue Jackets - 89 (75) - M
8. Washington Capitals - 87 (75) - M
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9. Ottawa Senators - 87 (76) - A
10. New York Islanders - 85 (75) - M
11. New York Rangers - 84 (76) - M
12. Carolina Hurricanes - 80 (76) - M
13. Buffalo Sabres - 63 (75) - A
14. Florida Panthers - 62 (75) - A
15. Toronto Maple Leafs - 56 (74) - A
16. Boston Bruins - 40 (76) - A
Prediction: During the 2015-16 iNHL season, the East has turned into clearly the stronger of the two conferences. With big names like Mark Giordano, Jordan Eberle, Brent Seabrook, Marian Hossa, Jiri Hudler, Radim Vrbata and the Sedin brothers being shipped East from the Western Conference, there are more than a handful teams who have the firepower to mount for a deep playoff run. This has meant that the race for playoff spots is very tight, with several skill-stacked teams hanging on to their top eight spot by a thread. With around 7 games left in the regular season schedule, five teams look to be in the safe zone for making the playoffs. The percentage next to the team name is my predicted probability of each team making the playoffs:
Tampa Bay Lightning (100%)
New Jersey Devils (100%)
Pittsburgh Penguins (100%)
Montreal Canadiens (95%)
Detroit Red Wings (95%)
After those five top teams, there are a handful of teams who are battling it out for the remaining three spots.
Columbus Blue Jackets (80%)
Led by star netminder Sergei Bobrovsky Blue Jackets have found the rhythm lately, winning their last three games and trailing Flyers by two points. The eternally young Jaromir Jagr has been an injection to the team, and the Blue Jackets ice a deadly, newly acquired first line consisting of Jagr, Ryan O'Reilly and Rick Nash. The Blue Jackets have a fairly easy schedule to round up their regular season and their form is promising.
Philadelphia Flyers (70%)
The Flyers have shown average form lately, going 5-5-0 in their last 10. However, they are currently third in Metro for the last regular playoff spot. Although they are currently 4 points into the safe zone and the playoffs are within reach, with a relatively tough schedule ahead of them a playoff spot is definitely not a sure thing
Ottawa Senators (60%)
The Senators are breathing down the Capitals' neck after a wild run lately, going 14-3-0 since trade deadline. With a relatively easy schedule left, playoff is definitely within reach for Ottawa as they look to repeat their mighty climb from last year.
Washington Capitals (50%)
The Capitals are a mystery as of late; despite some strong additions at trade deadline, including Hanzal, Versteeg and Campbell, the Caps have so far been unable to stop the bleeding, going 3-5-2 in their last 10. Lackluster goaltending seems to be the key issue here, and the Caps are within safe territory by only a very slim margin.
New York Islanders (25%)
The Isles are only two points out of a playoff spot, but recent injuries have left the roster somewhat weakened. They will have to outperform themselves if they are to make the climb and snag one of the final playoff spots.
New York Rangers (20%)
The Rangers haven't gotten much working for them since the departure of Nash/Girardi. The team has not been able to keep up with their division rivals in the Metro and has plummeted in the standings. Evander Kane has been a non-factor since acquired from the Sabres, netting only 2+2 in his 16 games with the team after returning from injury in late February.
Carolina Hurricanes (5%)
Not surprisingly, The 'Canes have had trouble winning hockey games after the speed-of-light rebuild that occured around trade deadline, going 4-7-1 since March 1st. Noone is expecting the Hurricanes to make the playoffs - to do so they depend heavily on other Metro teams severy underperforming.
And, finally, there are the ones who are already planning for next season, focusing on getting their prospect pool ready for big league action and on who to pick in the upcoming draft.
Buffalo Sabres (0%)
Florida Panthers (0%)
Toronto Maple Leafs (0%)
Boston Bruins (0%)
Next up, the Western Conference!
