Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Playoff update: The fittest survive

Tuesday night seemed like a day in which “the establishment” put down a few puck-based insurgencies. The Boston Bruins won their second game a row against their biggest bubble threat, the Ottawa Senators widened what was once a shrinking lead for fifth place in the East and the San Jose Sharks seemed to reestablish reason by taking back the Pacific. First, let’s look at the Eastern Conference scenario (apologies for my lack of technical grace):

Image (1) eastconfmar24-thumb-250x187-7721.png for post 478

Boston 4, Atlanta 0

The bad news for Atlanta and the other East underdogs is that Boston keeps moving away from that pack. The Thrashers might actually want to cast their net wider, now, because Philadelphia or Montreal might end up being easier targets than the Bruins. Could one of Boston, Montreal or Philadelphia falter enough to allow the Thrashers to sneak into the post-season?

Ottawa 2, Philadelphia 0

The Senators outlasted the Flyers in a notably rugged affair last night. So far Ottawa looks like they are in the driver’s seat to take the fifth spot, which is essentially turning into the right to play whomever turns up second in the Atlantic division. (Then again, I might prefer to test my luck against Buffalo than take on either Pittsburgh or New Jersey. That’s just me, though.)

New Jersey 6, Columbus 3

The Devils are once again positioned nicely for an Atlantic division title. They simply keep doing things their way. It might not always be sexy, but it works exceptionally well.

Western Conference scenario

Image (2) westconfmar24-thumb-250x187-7724.png for post 478

Chicago 2, Phoenix 0

The Blackhawks grabbed a nice hold of first place in the Conference while Phoenix relinquished their Pacific division lead to the Sharks. Some might wonder if Antti Niemi is “the answer” in net for Chicago after a performance like this.

San Jose 4, Minnesota 1

The Sharks took advantage of lowly Minnesota to re-gain their lead in the division. Can they hold off the hungry Coyotes?

Calgary 3, Anaheim 1

The Flames’ playoff hopes are dwindling right now, but they’re still making things stressful for Detroit by keeping up a steady pace. They need to finish the season strong to make the playoffs, though, there’s no doubt about that.