I think the difference comes from teams they have beaten, all three have won 8 of their last 10 but their opponents are quite different.
- Montreal has beaten: Florida, Tampa Bay, Vegas, Colorado, Vancouver, Washington, Utah and Dallas (P% of teams beaten .611)
- Detroit has beaten: Washington, Pittsburgh, Columbus, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Chicago, Seattle and Florida (P% of teams beaten .550)
- Columbus has beaten: Boston, Carolina, St.Louis x 2, Pittsburgh, Seattle, Philadelphia and San Jose (P% of teams beaten .497)
It will be interesting how these teams fair with a tougher or lighter schedule. For example, the Habs have lost to Chicago during their run and play down to their opponents. Upcoming ''easier games'' against Anaheim, San Jose x 2 and Buffalo x 2
Columbus have games against the Leafs, Canes, Kings, Vegas and Dallas x 2 coming up.
Detroit have played 25 home games against only 19 road games. Upcoming road opponents include Tampa Bay, Dallas, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver and Minnesota.
Lets also not forget Boston and Ottawa who are both fully entrenched in this race.
At the end of the day, these teams will play each other a lot before the end of the season and could decide the final two playoff spots.