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Eastern Conference Wild Card Watch

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Crazy Cizikas said:
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.
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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.
 
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.
 
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VivaLasVegas said:
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.
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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.
 
Aashir Mallik said:
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.
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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.
 
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Viqsi said:
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...
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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
 
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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.
 
Check out last season's standings at the same point. Notice in 2023/24 the top teams were much further ahead of the pack than they are this year:

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This season is much tighter overall. Previous strong teams have gotten weaker and previous weak teams are stronger. Not one really dominant team, except for Washington. Best race I can remember in ages.
 
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Essenege said:
Exactly. MTL has the easiest schedule. NYR has the best team IMO if they put it together so you can’t count them out. The 2 favorites.

NYI, and DET even more, have tougher schedules. If NYI lose on Thursday they’re out. DET are already out for me. CBJ looks like they running out of gas too.
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I wouldn't put too much stock in schedule strength. Montreal had their biggest push up the standing in late December and January, when their schedule was the hardest.

If anything, I put even less stock in schedule strength down the stretch. You are more likely to catch Top teams playing uninspired games as we get closer to the end.

Look at how the standing looked at 4 nation break compared to now. Montreal was essentially out of it, and there's still runway for teams like Detroit to go on a big streak again.
 
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Lshap said:
Check out last season's standings at the same point. Notice in 2023/24 the top teams were much further ahead of the pack than they are this year:
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What I notice (as an Islanders fan) is we seem to have this issue every year where we sort of get behind the pack then make a late season rush to make the playoffs. lol
 
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