There are five Eastern Conference games on the schedule tonight but only four
have playoff implications (the other one is Boston at Buffalo, but Buffalo has
clinched the conference title and Boston is long gone). Did I just say only
four? When was the last time there were this many games that mattered three days
before the season ended?
Here's what we have:
Montreal at NY Rangers
- Montreal can leapfrog the Rangers with a win and can clinch a playoff
spot if they win and Toronto picks up a point or less.
- The Rangers can climb to sixth (possibly setting up a first-round
meeting with Atlanta) with a win and can clinch a playoff berth in the
process. They also clinch if they lose but Toronto picks up a point or less.
- As you can see, both teams can clinch if Montreal wins and Toronto
doesn't.
- Desired Outcome: I'm not worried about a Rangers matchup, but
there's still a slim possibility that the Thrashers could drop as low as
eighth. They'd have to go 0-2-0 for it to happen and everyone else would
have to win out, but it's technically possible. I'd prefer a Montreal win,
just to keep things tighter at the bottom, though I'm not opposed to a
Rangers win and a Toronto win, which would make the Canadiens/Leafs game on
Saturday the deciding game for both squads with the winner getting a playoff
spot. In short, I'm torn. I'm just hoping it ends in regulation.
New Jersey at Philadelphia
- Philly doesn't matter
- The Devils can claim the Atlantic Division title with a win or if
Pittsburgh drops a point
- Desired Outcome: I've decided I want the Devils to win their
division and advance to the second round, just because I like how we match
up against them, and it would force someone else to deal with Pittsburgh.
Ottawa and Pittsburgh have been hot through March and April and it's in
everyone else's best interests if they play each other in the opening round.
Pittsburgh at Ottawa
- Home ice is on the line in this game which could be a preview of the 4
vs 5 series in the opening round. Ottawa can't climb any higher but the
Penguins can move as high as third if New Jersey loses out and they win out.
- Desired Outcome: An Ottawa win, giving the Devils the Atlantic
title for the reasons stated above.
Toronto at NY Islanders
- Toronto can stay in the playoff race tonight if they win, or if they get
a point and Montreal gets a point or less, or if they lose and Montreal
loses.
- The Islanders have to win to stay alive and they need Montreal to drop
at least a point.
- Desired Outcome: A Toronto win just so Montreal and Toronto can
play each other for a playoff spot on Saturday.
