NHL Storylines

The seventh installment looking at the "Circle The Date" landmarks laid out in my NHL Predictions.

The season is coming to a close but there are still a couple playoff spots at stake and several seedings to be decided.

Florida - Mar 17 vs Buffalo - After this game the Panthers finish with 9 of 12 on the road. Any hope of making the playoffs depends on being firmly in on Mar 17.

Florida was in first place in the division on March 17th but Washington and "another team" weren't far behind. Two weeks later the Panthers have almost wrapped up the division primarily because neither Washington or the "other team" can't find any consistency.

Chicago - Mar 21/25 - home games against Vancouver and Nashville should test just how playoff ready the squad is.

Chicago eeked out an OT Win against Vancouver but followed it up with a very poor showing against a Predator team they desperately needed to beat. It was mirror of Chicago's entire season. Keep playing that way and they'll have a tough time winning 7 game series.

Columbus - Mar 26/28 - home and home with a Detroit team that usually has its way with the Jackets. Have things really changed?

Columbus got blasted in the first of these two games as the Wings toyed with Columbus's shallow and defensively challenged lineup. Columbus responded to the beatdown by winning the second game but there is still a lot of work ahead. Columbus may be at the bottom of the NHL for a long time.

Elsewhere around the league

New York Rangers - The team may look back on early/mid March as the point that defined their season. They suffered a bit of a setback, dropping multiple games and suffered their first significant injuries of the season. Now back to their winning ways there are only a win or two away from securing the top seed and prepared for a long playoff run.

Boston - If the Bruins hadn't built such a big lead, more people would be talking about an epic collapse. Somehow they even yield first in the division to Ottawa for a day. Things are going better lately but they'll need to find that mid-season magic to have a deep playoff run. One of the few teams that hasn't suffered significant injuries.

Pittsburgh - On a roll and looking like the team to beat come playoff time. Crosby returned just in time to be going full steam come the playoffs. I see no reason to waver from my preseason prediction for them.

Philadelphia - Injuries have taken their toll but they are still in the thick of it thanks to much improved goaltending. Now out with an injury, the Flyers hopes of a deep run may hinge on Bryzgolov's quick return.

Buffalo - I'll admit, I was one of those that left the Sabres for dead. Frankly, they've benefited hugely from the lack of consistency among the East's bottom dwellers. They picked a good time to get hot, but are still in a battle just to make the playoffs. Will they have anything left when they get there.

Washington - This team is a pathetic. There is no excuse for them being so low in the standings based on the talent on the roster. It is simply a matter of desire to do the little things that the Caps don't have. Some hard choices ahead for management unless they somehow sneak in and win some playoff games.

St. Louis - All this team does is win and they do it by playing together as a team and making a commitment to defensive hockey. Huge props go to Hitchcock for getting the most out of this group. Playoffs are a different animal so it'll be interesting to see how the team handles it. They'll start at home and better get off to a go start.

Vancouver - It's tough playing hard when you've got little to play for. They are having real difficulty putting up points but at least the defense and goaltending is still strong.

Detroit - A ridiculous amount of injuries to three of their best players (Datsyuk, Lidstrom and Howard) led to an extended losing streak that killed any chance of winning the division. Starting to get healthy they should be in better shape come the playoffs. They had better be as the competition is going to be tough from game 1.

Nashville - Made the best moves at the trade deadline and are looking like a serious contender to win The Cup. Nothing seems to phase this team and the addition of Radulov will create matchup problems. I may have to set aside some time and cash to catch a playoff game or two.

Pacific Division - For what seems like months I've been watching this division race to see which team would take control. Here we are with 6 games left and only 2 points seperating 4 teams. San Jose has a big advantage in that they play all the other contending teams. Keep an eye out for the weekend finale where LA and San Jose meet twice in final 3 days and don't forget that the Kings stole an extra point due to a clock error in a game against Columbus.



April 7th is the last game of the season. I know where I'll be parked.