Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted March 17, 2009 I'm looking at the standings right now and although the Wings and Sharks are the only teams to officially clinch at this point, I think its a safe bet that Chicago is a shoe-in as well. Columbus has been playing phenomenal and are currently sitting atop the logjam at 6th place, with no team capable of overtaking them with any games-in-hand. Nashville is right behind Columbus for 7th, although right now Dallas can overtake them with their only game-in-hand, so at the very least, Nashville needs to win one more game than Dallas (or one more OT loss). Otherwise they're sitting pretty. St. Louis is an interesting case, because they're currently in 10th place, but 1 win will jump them 2 spots to 8th place, tentatively right behind Nashville. What's so interesting about this is the two teams that St. Louis can potentially jump they have an opportunity to beat (Edmonton tonight, and Dallas on April 4th). So despite being in 10th place, they statistically have more of their fate in their own hands than Nashville does (oh, and if St. Louis does beats Dallas on the 4th, that could very well be the game that Nashville can use to get ahead). So although we definitely won't know for sure until the last game of the season, the chances of all 5 teams in the Central making the playoffs doesn't sound far-fetched in the least. Especially with how hot these three teams have been playing. By the way, has every team from a division ever made the playoffs before? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
finalfilppula 2 Report post Posted March 17, 2009 definitely seems plausible at this point. plus, it would extinguish those tired stereotypes that we feed off the weaknesses of the central. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike 0 Report post Posted March 17, 2009 I'm looking at the standings right now and although the Wings and Sharks are the only teams to officially clinch at this point, I think its a safe bet that Chicago is a shoe-in as well. Columbus has been playing phenomenal and are currently sitting atop the logjam at 6th place, with no team capable of overtaking them with any games-in-hand. Nashville is right behind Columbus for 7th, although right now Dallas can overtake them with their only game-in-hand, so at the very least, Nashville needs to win one more game than Dallas (or one more OT loss). Otherwise they're sitting pretty. St. Louis is an interesting case, because they're currently in 10th place, but 1 win will jump them 2 spots to 8th place, tentatively right behind Nashville. What's so interesting about this is the two teams that St. Louis can potentially jump they have an opportunity to beat (Edmonton tonight, and Dallas on April 4th). So despite being in 10th place, they statistically have more of their fate in their own hands than Nashville does (oh, and if St. Louis does beats Dallas on the 4th, that could very well be the game that Nashville can use to get ahead). So although we definitely won't know for sure until the last game of the season, the chances of all 5 teams in the Central making the playoffs doesn't sound far-fetched in the least. Especially with how hot these three teams have been playing. By the way, has every team from a division ever made the playoffs before? It has never happened before. If all 5 teams from the Central make it, then everyone can bow down to the awesome Central Division. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Z and D for the C 712 Report post Posted March 17, 2009 That would pretty much be the coolest thing ever. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lets go pavel 2 Report post Posted March 17, 2009 Nashville has a potentially brutal schedule from here on out ... SJ twice, Anaheim twice, Detroit twice, Columbus twice, Chicago twice, LA and Minnesota 7 of 12 on the road, where they are 14-17-4 St. Louis has a slightly easier schedule, but 9 of 13 on the road. I'd be surprised if either of them make it, but it would be cool. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wombat 26 Report post Posted March 17, 2009 I hope St. Louis makes it if it means the Wings get to play them instead of CBJ, NSH, or DAL. I'd really like to see the Wings/Blues rivalry heat back up and a 1st round playoff matchup would be nice. The home/road schedule breakdown for the contending teams: Columbus - 6 H, 6 R Nashville - 5 H, 7 R Dallas - 5 H, 8 R Edmonton - 8 H, 6 R St. Louis - 4 H, 9 R Minnesota - 6 H, 7 R Anaheim - 6 H, 7 R Los Angeles - 3 H, 10 R Anaheim is about the same at home or on the road, and EDM has more road wins than losses (not counting OT/SO losses). I think looking at the H/R breakdown, LA has no shot to make a big run to the playoffs and STL probably doesn't have a chance either with so many road games left. It does give me hope that Dallas will also miss the playoffs and the Oilers will make it in. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted March 17, 2009 Edmonton has been playing horribly lately (3-2-5), and besides against the Wings, the Blues have only dropped 1 of their past 10. They're playing with more hunger than any other team right now. If I can, I'll be watching the Blues/Oilers game tonight. I would also love a 1st round Wings/Blues series. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heroes of Hockeytown 694 Report post Posted March 17, 2009 I would also love a 1st round Wings/Blues series. Be pretty neat. Just like old times with Hull, Pronger, MacInnis and the rest of the gang. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SDavis35 140 Report post Posted March 17, 2009 Just guessing here, but it'd be fairly difficult for the central to make it, cause they have to play each other to make it in. When two teams collide, only one can make it out alive. It'll take some luck, but it could happen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lovin Jiri Fischer 147 Report post Posted March 17, 2009 Imagine playing central teams throughout the playoffs and how little travel that would mean. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HD30 6 Report post Posted March 17, 2009 I'm guessing there might have to be several 3 point games when two cemtral division teams meet. It's definitely a possibility and one I'd love if it would happen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedWingAbner 13 Report post Posted March 17, 2009 I would also love a 1st round Wings/Blues series. I'd hate a Wings/Blues matchup. Why risk losing a good player to a petty little cheap shot? We all know it would happen, it's the MO of the Blues to do that crap. I'll take Dallas, please. No Zubov, no Morrow, +Ott's guaranteed 2 penalties per game...oh yeah, and Marty "I hate being a goalie" Turco. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Inultus 12 Report post Posted March 17, 2009 Just guessing here, but it'd be fairly difficult for the central to make it, cause they have to play each other to make it in. When two teams collide, only one can make it out alive. It'll take some luck, but it could happen. Yeah, that's the whole problem is a lot of the remaining games are against teams in the central, so unless teams that are way up in the points (basically Detroit, and to a lesser extent Chicago) drop a lot of their games, it's not gonna happen. So, looking at it that way I don't want all of the central to make it, although it would be cool. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Shoreline Report post Posted March 17, 2009 (edited) Slim to none. This division pretty much plays one another for the last 2-3 weeks of the season. Unless there's a s***-ton of 3-point games, it's highly unlikely and my guess is two teams don't make it because of that (Nashville's schedule is hardly friendly either, playing their last 7 or so games against teams well into the playoff picture). If they played other divisions, I'd say one misses. Edited March 17, 2009 by Shoreline Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
#19=Legend 29 Report post Posted March 17, 2009 it would be really cool. but im going to say 3 of the 5 make it. we know who those are.. i think its safe to say that the central is the best division in the league. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
up2here 41 Report post Posted March 17, 2009 Part of me hopes only Chicago. The entire Central plays every game against the Wings like its game 7 of the Cup final. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Shoreline Report post Posted March 17, 2009 (edited) What's really funny is St. Louis' current streak involves beating up mostly on teams outside of the playoff picture. Like Nashville they are going to have a nice finish mostly against playoff-bound opponents. If either of them make it, it will surely be earned and test if they have what it takes to beat decent teams just to make it to the postseason. This is, hoping those teams don't play soft on them for the sake of resting players. Edited March 17, 2009 by Shoreline Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
