Last night's win over Nashville was vital to keeping with striking distance of Nashville, but perhaps just as important as that, the win helps stave off the group of teams trying to chase down the Wings for the coveted 8th and final playoff spot. Among them is Calgary, who won at home against the Devils last night, 5-3, to remain just one point shy of the Wings 72 point total.
Minnesota fell victim to a rare Edmonton victory last night, losing 2-1 in a shootout and falling one point further back of 8th, now with a 5 point deficit with a game in hand.
Other teams breathing down the necks of Detroit are Dallas, who visit the defending Champion, Penguins today, St. Louis who'll head to the Pepsi Center tonight to try and knock off the Avalanche, and arch-rival Anaheim, who'll fight for points in Phoenix.
As it stands, there are seven teams fighting for two playoff spots, one of them owned by Detroit:
7 - Nashville Predators, 75 pts, 18GR
8 - Detroit Red Wings, 72 pts, 18GR
----------------------------------------
9. Calgary Flames, 71 pts, 18GR
10. St. Louis Blues, 69 pts, 18GR
11. Dallas Stars, 68 pts, 19GR
12. Minnesota Wild, 67 pts, 19GR
13. Anaheim Ducks, 67 pts, 19GR
There is still a lot of hockey to play, so this picture will surely change in many ways, but whether they're from this group or not, five good hockey teams won't be playing playoff hockey. As unsettling as the thought is of Detroit possibly being one of them, it surely makes for an exciting stretch, something not seen for many years for a Red Wings fan.
The win against the Preds, as you say, was vital to the Wings' chances for a playoff berth. They can't afford to lose many games in the final stretch because, again as you say, some very good teams are fighting for the last couple of spots. Of the five teams out of the picture, who do you believe has the best chance, and why?
ReplyDeleteI think Calgary is still a good hockey club despite the obvious disappoining season they've had so far. I think they've still heavily underachieved and I would think they've still got an excellent chance of making it in, particularly after the unsuccessful weekend the Predators just had. The Flames also look like a more focused team since Sutter's trade activity, despite their lingering inconsistency.
ReplyDeleteThe Blues are also a shot to make it in. Last year's run for them is unforgettable and you can't rule them out. But the other three, Anaheim, Dallas and Minnesota might be just about done. There just isn't enough room.
How do you see it BB?