If the Playoffs started today...

[lookalive07 251]

Eastern Conference: Team [Last 10] {Season Series}

(1) Capitals [5-5] vs. (8) Bruins [5-5] {Capitals 2-0, 2 games remain, both @ Washington}

(2) Penguins [4-6] vs. (7) Canadiens [6-4] {Penguins 3-1}

(3) Sabres [6-4]vs. (6) Flyers [3-7] {Sabres 3-1}

(4) Devils [5-5] vs. (5) Senators [5-5] {Devils 3-1}

Western Conference: Team [Last 10] {Season Series}

(1) Sharks [4-6] vs. (8) Avalanche [4-6] {Sharks 2-1, 1 game remains, @ Colorado}

(2) Blackhawks [3-7] vs. (7) Kings [3-7] {Blackhawks 3-1}

(3) Canucks [5-5] vs. (6) Red Wings [8-2] {Red Wings 3-1}

(4) Coyotes vs. [8-2] (5) Predators [8-2] {Coyotes 2-1, 1 game remains, @ Phoenix}

(I've adjusted the OT/Shootout losses to actual losses considering we're talking about the playoffs here.)

If everything were to follow the trends of the last 10 games and the season series, the second round would probably look like this:

(1) Capitals vs. (4) Devils {Devils 3-1}

(2) Penguins vs. (3) Sabres {Penguins 3-1}

and

(1) Sharks vs. (6) Red Wings {Red Wings 3-1}

(2) Blackhawks vs. (4) Coyotes {Coyotes 3-1}

Again, according to season series trends, the Conference Finals should look like this:

(2) Penguins vs. (4) Devils {Devils 6-0}

(4) Coyotes vs. (6) Red Wings {2-2}

Therefore, since the Red Wings and Coyotes are tied, we'll leave it up to consideration. Even though the Coyotes are finishing the year strong (and we did say if the playoffs started today), you could expect them in the Cup Finals vs the Devils (if all goes according to trend), but I know the Red Wings better and think they have more playoff experience on their side. Being a tad biased, I will choose the Red Wings to face the Devils in the Cup Finals.

(4) Devils vs. (6) Red Wings {Devils 1-0}

With only one game played between the two (and the fact that it was decided in a shootout), I'll leave this one up to the LGW faithful to say it for me.

Now, while not forgetting that this post is based solely on the regular season, which can't be compared to the Playoffs considering the Playoffs are "a totally different beast" (as read and borrowed from another thread), none of these predictions could hold up and we could see teams come in and dominate, when they were flat-out horrible against said opponents in the regular season. But that's what I love about playoff hockey.

At least a little bit of a "the pieces fall into place" perspective, if anything.

[Carman 387]

Good stuff, I could definitely see that happening.

A Devils-Wings SCF would be a great series too.

[Pucks 66]

That would be a hard fought road to get to the WCF, not to mention the travel involved. Hopefully it doesn't work out that way. Also in that scenario the Hawks get 2 first time playoff rosters, Booo I say.

Edited for clarity.

Edited March 30, 2010 by Pucks

[lookalive07 251]

Phoenix went to the playoffs in the 2001-2002 season, and the Kings have been there quite a few times, including a Stanley Cup Final appearance, losing to Montreal.

[Pucks 66]

Phoenix went to the playoffs in the 2001-2002 season, and the Kings have been there quite a few times, including a Stanley Cup Final appearance, losing to Montreal.

Well obviously I meant first time for these relevant rosters, not franchises.

[cupforwings 138]

Eklund just did something like this.....

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Eklund/YOU-WILL-NEVER-GUESS-WHO-THE-CURRENT-MATCHUPS-FAVOR-FOR-THE-CUP/1/27305

[hooon 1,089]

Great post! Color coded and all. I like the outcome as well.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I salivate at the thought of going up against the Sharks at any point of the first three rounds. The Wings simply match up so well against them.

(2) Penguins vs. (4) Devils {Devils 6-0}

I was curious about the bolded since it seems like that should be closer but sure enough, the Devils are 6-0 against Pittsburgh this season. On top of that, PIT has a whopping 5 total goals over the course of those 6 games (or 0.833 GF per game average). Very interesting stat!

[BamaWing 37]

If the Wings and Devils faced off in the SCF, I'd make the trip to Hockeytown for a game without a doubt in my mind

[lookalive07 251]

Eklund just did something like this.....

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Eklund/YOU-WILL-NEVER-GUESS-WHO-THE-CURRENT-MATCHUPS-FAVOR-FOR-THE-CUP/1/27305

Wow, I swear I didn't read that before I made this thread. Weird.

[edicius 3,269]

If the Wings and Devils faced off in the SCF, I'd make the trip to Hockeytown for a game without a doubt in my mind

And I'd definitely be hopping on a train into Newark for some playoff games.

[Guest Shoreline]

Oops wrong topic.

Edited March 31, 2010 by Shoreline

[BuckeyeWingsfan80 209]

a win plus a Calgary loss would put them right on the clinch line for the playoffs.

That would put Detroit +10 on Calgary with 5 to play for both teams. Calgary could still technically catch Detroit in the win column, so if the Wings win 2 more games they're in.