If the playoffs started tonight

by James Mirtle on Jan 4, 2009 2:19 PM CST Comment 7 comments

A quick look at who would be playing who if, based on projected point totals, the playoff matchups were determined tonight:

Eastern Conference

(1) Boston v. (8) Buffalo
(2) Washington v. (7) Carolina
(3) Philadelphia v. (6) NY Rangers
(4) Montreal v. (5) New Jersey

Western Conference

(1) San Jose v. (8) Edmonton/Minnesota
(2) Detroit v. (7) Phoenix/Anaheim
(3) Calgary v. (6) Anaheim/Phoenix
(4) Chicago v. (5) Vancouver

I included both teams in spots where there was a complete tie (as with the Ducks and Coyotes, for example).

Some great matchups here. Boston is on pace for a 130-point regular season but gets a tough opponent in the Sabres, while two Southeast Division teams would lineup in the Caps and 'Canes.

There's very little separating the third place through sixth place teams in the East, so those games would all be real battles.

In the West, things are very tight from spots six through 14, with just 10 projected points separating them. The Ducks and Coyotes are tied, as are the Oilers and Wild, and Colorado and Columbus are knocking on the door.

You'd have to think San Jose and Detroit come out of the first round given the way they've played, but Anaheim would be a toughie in a seven game series. Chicago likely gets the Northwest or Pacific Division runnerups in a 4-5 battle.

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Caps vs. Canes? I’d like that very much.

Capitals Kremlin, a Washington Capitals Hockey blog

by CapitalsKremlin on Jan 4, 2009 3:25 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

You’d have to think San Jose and Detroit come out of the first round given the way they’ve played

Except for the fact that the Oilers are the Sharks’ kryptonite. Three of SJ’s last four regular-season losses at home, going back to last Valentine’s Day (!) have been to Edmonton.

by Doogie2K on Jan 4, 2009 10:38 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Well, losing in the first round instead of the second would be a change. :)

Oil spills are major problems for marine life, though.

"A vacuum is a hell of a lot better than some of the stuff that nature replaces it with." -- Tennessee Williams

by Baroque on Jan 4, 2009 11:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Oil spills are major problems for marine life, though.

It’s true.

And apparently, so are grumpy-ass old ’keepers with a penchant for shedding equipment. ;)

by Doogie2K on Jan 6, 2009 10:24 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Canes have gotta be the prize draw in the east. Of teams who have a shot at making it (these eight plus Pittsburgh and Florida), I don’t see ANY weapons on Carolina that should scare anybody in a series format. The goaltending just isn’t there, no depth in the offense. Facing them in the first round over a Buffalo or Pittsburgh would definitely be a good reason to tank.

And for those who scoff at tanking, it sure worked well for the Penguins last year.

Swing by The Flyer Frequent if you have nothing better to do.

by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 4, 2009 11:32 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I don’t pay a lot of attention to the standings before the new year, and this is my first real look at the playoff positioned teams, and I was somewhat surprised to see Carolina in there given the weird year they’ve had. Of course, Cam Ward had crappy stats in 2006 as well so be careful what you wish for.

Hockey blogging can't get any flatter.

by saskhab on Jan 5, 2009 12:53 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs