Speculation: Simple question, Playoffs Yes or No

[ReginKarlssonLehner]

We need Ullmark back in a big way. Leevi can only do well for so long. We really need Ullmark for the stretch in a favorable schedule set-up.

 

[DrEasy]

I'm looking at the schedule and I'm in awe of how brutal it is. We thought the 9-game road trip was bad, but it's going to be pretty much back-and-forth home and road games for the next 4 games, including another one of those back-to-back games where a home game vs Boston is followed by a road game vs New Jersey the next day. And that's the beginning of a 3-game road trip...

The 4-game homestand that follows it is against pretty strong teams (Toronto, Utah, Washington, Minnesota). And that's followed by yet another 4-game road trip, where three of the games are against Tampa (x2) and Florida... and which includes one game in Nashville followed by a game in Tampa the next day. And there's another couple of those "home game followed by a road game the next day" after that!

So basically it's still a schedule from hell where we'd do well to just tread water in the standings, until at least the break for the Gimmick Cup. If we're even 2-3 points out of the playoffs at that point I'll feel pretty good about our chances.

Because the schedule only looks truly favorable at the very end of the season, with 8 out of 9 last games at home, but we need to be in the playoff race so these games are actually meaningful.