There are six games on tonight's schedule involving Eastern Conference teams
that are still in the playoff hunt- five games if you don't include ours. Here's
what's up, and here are the standings for easy reference:
Washington (14th, 65 pts) at Carolina (8th, 80 pts)
- Washington is done but they certainly don't mind being the spoiler, do
they? At least that's what I hear. I've blocked out last April.
- Carolina is in a dogfight for one of the last spots and their
competition is in action tonight too. They're desperate for a win. Olaf
Kolzig was shaky in his return last night so Carolina will probably see
Johnson. The Hurricanes are off for four days after this game and need to
bank the points.
- Preferred Outcome: Carolina has given Atlanta plenty of trouble
this season but I still wouldn't mind facing them in the playoffs. Ward
doesn't play well against us and I'm pretty confident that Grahame can't win
a playoff series versus the Thrashers. with an eight-point cushion over the
'Canes I don't think we should be too worried about them catching us, but if
you're the nervous sort you'll want to pull for Washington. I just can't
bring myself to do it, and I have a healthy respect for the Carolina
organization. I want them to make it as a seventh or eighth seed.
Montreal (10th, 80 pts) at Boston (13th, 73 pts)
- Boston is clinging to life and a loss tonight will kill their slim
hopes. They'd be at least eight points out (nine if Carolina wins or
Montreal wins in regulation) with 18 points on the table. they're not
passing five other teams with that schedule left.
- A win for Montreal puts them firmly back in the race and moves them as
high as seventh or, at worst, a tie for eighth again. They have to keep
pace, especially with the pressure from the Montreal press mounting. If
Montreal misses the playoffs they're in for a brutal off-season that should
be full of changes. Better them than us.
- Preferred Outcome: A Boston win. A desperate Boston team means
trouble for everyone they're fighting with and the longer their hopes are
alive the more they can help the Thrashers. All of their
remaining games are against playoff contenders and they could do us some
favors by winning some of them. A hungry Bruins team is good for Atlanta,
and to be honest Montreal in the playoffs scares me. No matter where they're
seeded they find ways to win in the first round, and I'd rather not face
them in the second season.
Pittsburgh (5th, 92 pts) at NY Islanders (11th, 79 pts)
- Pittsburgh is chasing New Jersey and really wants that second seed.
- The Islanders have been struggling and haven't won in four games. they
desperately need points and if it wasn't for Ryan Smyth and Marc-Andre
Bergeron they wouldn't be getting any production. A win keeps them in the
race. A loss could be a back-breaker.
- Preferred Outcome: An Islanders win. The Thrashers can still get
the second seed but they need some help. A Pittsburgh win just gives the
Devils more motivation, and a motivated Marty Brodeur is bad news. I'd
rather be chasing New Jersey than Pittsburgh at this point, and a win
tonight and on Saturday in Pittsburgh could pull the Thrashers even with the
Penguins is the islanders pull one out tonight. Pray for a regulation win so
both teams don't get points.
New Jersey (2nd, 94 pts) at Tampa Bay (6th, 84 pts)
- The Devils are trying to keep ahead of the Penguins but have lost three
of their last four.
- Tampa is trying to stay in contention and is hoping to catch the
Thrashers. their goaltender has been weak and they've dropped three of four
as well.
- Preferred Outcome: This is a no-brainer. Go Devils. I'll settle
for the third seed instead of the second if it means Tampa doesn't make it
to the dance. As much as I'd like to spend a few days in Florida in April I
don't want to face the Lightning. Brad Richards was scary good under
pressure when they won the Cup and Lecavalier has Conn Smythe potential. I
want no part of the Lightning.
Ottawa (4th, 94 pts) at Florida (12th, 75 pts)
- Florida has been on a mission lately and refuses to quit. They need two
points to stay alive.
- Ottawa is everyone's favorite dark horse and they've only lost in
regulation once in their last ten. I smell an upset. Ottawa really isn't a
factor for the Thrashers.
- Preferred Outcome: I'm taking the same stance I did with Boston.
We're not competing with Florida for a post so I want them to be hungry.
They have
two more games against Tampa and two against the Lightning. Incredibly,
their last seven games are against Southeast Division teams, so don't count
them out yet. They could grab that eighth spot if they stay hot and get some
help, and i'm okay with that.
That's it for now. Time to go to the arena. If you're watching tonight's game
at home feel free to post some comments in this thread. I'll be checking in.
