Eastern Conference Wild Card Watch

[wetcoast]

Yes thanks for rubbing salt in the wound.

Just calling balls and strikes and the Jackets future looks bright moving forward.

 

[Crazy Cizikas]

There’s plenty of games left. I have no idea how this will turn out.

 

[CarolinaBlueJacket]

Just calling balls and strikes and the Jackets future looks bright moving forward.

I hear ya. It's just been a tough....25 years!!... as a Jackets fan.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

add the 80's Tigers and Pistons. I gravitated towards Detroit. Hating Montreal

I like the Habs and the Bulls

Kidding aside, to this day, Detroit is still my 2nd favorite team when playing NHL 94.

 

[ozzie]

I like the Habs and the Bulls

Kidding aside, to this day, Detroit is still my 2nd favorite team when playing NHL 94.

NHL'94 on the Sega Genesis is still the ultimate version. Good taste.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

NHL'94 on the Sega Genesis is still the ultimate version. Good taste.

Yes, especially on the Genesis. The friggin SNES version was always skipping.

 

[BHD]

The Isles have been doing this for the last 6-7 years. They lie low. Everyone forgets that they exist. By seasons end, they’re right there in the playoff hunt. Often jumping into a spot at the end.

Sure, and there have been other seasons where they hang around and just miss. Plus, Montreal has more points the higher winning percentage under the same amount of games.

Honestly, you can make a good argument for either the Habs or the Isles.

 

[Cowumbus]

Columbus is done. Was fun while it lasted.

 

[GrandBison]

Columbus is done. Was fun while it lasted.

My Habs were done before the break. Nothing is played yet.

 

[VivaLasVegas]

Only 12-14 games still remaining for the teams in contention meaning that the hill will start to get sharply steeper for the teams still outside a spot.

Sens are probably in barring some serious decline, while the Bruins and Pens (and maybe the Wings too) should probably be just go ahead and book their flights to Hawaii with non-refundable tickets.

 

[Aashir Mallik]

Columbus is done. Was fun while it lasted.

only 3 points back (1 extra game played though)

2 games against the islanders, unfortunately none against the habs

it's really not over yet, a 3 game win streak puts CBJ right back in it

 

[Viqsi]

My Habs were done before the break. Nothing is played yet.

Yeah, but a quarter century of past precedent pretty clearly shows we never get to have nice things and those few times we get built up it's only to get smacked back down even harder, so...

 

[Aashir Mallik]

Only 12-14 games still remaining for the teams in contention meaning that the hill will start to get sharply steeper for the teams still outside a spot.

Sens are probably in barring some serious decline, while the Bruins and Pens (and maybe the Wings too) should probably be just go ahead and book their flights to Hawaii with non-refundable tickets.

red wings are also not dead wings just yet IMO

they need to catch on a bit of fire, but only being back 4 points isn't insurmountable.

 

[VivaLasVegas]

red wings are also not dead wings just yet IMO

they need to catch on a bit of fire, but only being back 4 points isn't insurmountable.

Agree. The Wings are not quite dead yet, but they've also got to climb over four other teams who will give their own maximum effort to try to secure a spot. Not impossible, but not particularly likely either. Helps that the Rangers have two less opportunities for points, and the Jackets one less opportunity now, but that's still a very tough climb.

 

[GrandBison]

Yeah, but a quarter century of past precedent pretty clearly shows we never get to have nice things and those few times we get built up it's only to get smacked back down even harder, so...

You underestimated the abilities of these borderline playoff teams to go on their own losing streak.

The winners will peak in the last 6-7 games

 

[Schennanigans]

Would be funny if Rangers won their final 12 games and still missed it.

 

[mandiblesofdoom]

It amazes me how the Isles hang around. They are so mid. Credit to them.

All these teams are kind of mid, no? No one is running away with anything, though some are collapsing.

This race you win by not being total crap.

 

[voyageur]

only 3 points back (1 extra game played though)

2 games against the islanders, unfortunately none against the habs

it's really not over yet, a 3 game win streak puts CBJ right back in it

Columbus plays Ottawa 3 times before the season is out. Win those 3 games and the script flips.

Doesn't seem likely though.

 

[Ratsreign]

I hear ya. It's just been a tough....25 years!!... as a Jackets fan.

It may take 30 years

you’ll be there when it happens

lovin’ it all the more

 

[Zalos]

Anything can happen, but I think Detroit and Columbus would need to win 10 or 11 of their remaining games to make it. I believe it's unlikely with how things are looking right now for them, unless they turn it around really quickly. They would need at least a streak of 5 or 6 wins very soon.

If I was to bet, I think the two WC spots will go to two teams between Ottawa, Montreal, and the Islanders. The Rangers are a possibility, but they keep disappointing me every time I think they're back to form.