I didn't do this yesterday because there was only one game I cared about: Montreal vs Detroit. Montreal needed to take of care business regardless of what anyone else did. And, they did! Boys came through!
Now, it really is about clinching scenarios.
Today's Games:
7 PM: Toronto @ Tampa Bay - It's not a clinching game for us, but Toronto can pretty much clinch #1 in the Atlantic with a win over Tampa Bay.
Montreal can still catch Ottawa for WC1, especially if they win on Friday, which we all want them to do. In that case, Montreal would play Toronto or Tampa Bay and not Washington in Round One.
Tampa Bay needs to win in regulation to tie Toronto in points, and to take the RW tie breaker from them. Then it'll come down to the last 4 games for each. Tampa Bay is playing at home, so odds should be in their favour.
7:30 PM: Flyers @ Rangers - Philadelphia is the worst Eastern Conference team, and are 29th overall, but their record over their last 10 games is identical to the Rangers: 3-6-1. Rangers fell off hard & fast. NYR probably win this one, but Flyers are at least a hard working team and have a bit of offense in Michkov & Konecny. Rangers seem to have given up.
A Flyers win wouldn't eliminate New York, but they'll be on their death bed. Rangers would be one point away from elimination. Hopefully, Philadelphia wins.
8 PM: Sharks @ Wild - Minnesota has been shitting the bed in this Wild Card race in the West. They are playing the worst team in the NHL, and it's a Wild home game. Surely, we can expect a win here. Right, Minnesota?
Unfortunately for Utah & Vancouver, a Minnesota win eliminates them.
10 PM: Flames @ Ducks - Believe it or not, Calgary can still catch Edmonton for #3 spot in Pacific. There are multiple ways Calgary can do this, as Flames can still get to 97 pts, while Edmonton is only at 93 points. For now, Edmonton holds the RW & ROW tie breaker.
Flames are 6-2-2 in their last 10. They are not a great road team, but they have definitely improved that since the 4 Nations. They're 6-2-2 in their last 10 road games, which is far above their seasonal record. Anaheim is eliminated, but they're a tough team to play against. I expect Calgary to win this, unfortunately.