Three spots in the East. Seven teams. Who makes the playoffs?

Question

As of today the standings in the NHL are as follows in the East:

6. Tampa Bay (84 pts, 8 games left)
7. NY Rangers (81 pts, 9 games left)
8. Carolina (80 pts, 9 games left)
9. Toronto (80 pts, 9 games left)
10. Montreal (80 pts, 8 games left)
11. NY Islanders (79 pts, 10 games left)
12. Florida (75 pts, 9 games left)

So, who takes spots 6, 7, and 8? No obvious fanboyism, please. Try to be objective with this.

Answer 1

I think it's really six teams and three spots. Florida would almost have to win out at this point.

Tampa Bay-- Had a spot all but clinched, but they have slipped up. They still have 6 home games and 3 games against inferior teams. Lightning don't lose in OT much so I predict a 5-3-0 finish, giving them 94 points.

Habs-- Trailing in the standings, they have 4 games at home. They also have 2 against the down and out Bruins, plus one against the Capitals. Maybe Halak is the boost they needed--I have a feeling we're going to see a late run from the Habs. 5-1-2 finish with a total of 92 points.

Carolina-- Five home games out of nine, and one against the Sharks but otherwise no superior opponents. 5-3-1 finish to get 91 points and a tiebreaker on NYR.

NY Rangers-- Six road games remain. All three home games are winnable but they will probably slip up and lose one of them. Their toughest game left is in Pittsburgh (who loves to go into OT). I'll say they go 2-2-2 on the road to finish 4-3-2. 91 points.

Toronto-- Have 5 home games left and a home + home with Buffalo. They are 5-3-1 in their last 9 so I'll go ahead and say they finish that way.

NY Islanders-- Probably the toughest schedule of the remaining playoff teams. They finish with a chedule that includes the Sabres, Penguins, Sens, once and the Devils twice. The good news is that they face Philly twice, but this doesn't look good for the Isles unless they play very well. I see them going 3-5-2 to finish with 87 points.

So there you have it. Lightning, Habs, Harricanes are my picks.

Answer 2

If I honestly had to guess I'm saying
6-Rangers. Let's say Shany comes back and is good, that and their goalie gives them the 6 out of the list. Either way I say a few good games and they get it anyway.
7 Islanders- Not sure they will be 7th but more putting them in as they still have 10 games and are right in it.
8 Tampa Bay- Maybe they are at 7th. I think they have enough right now to stay in it. With this few games left they just need to keep pace, it is their playoffs to lose in a sense. I think they stay in, although it is close.

Looking at all them I really think Florida is out. I don't think they have enough games to catch up, because I don't think the other teams mess up enough for them. Although I should be looking at schedules(standard thing for me to figure these things) right now I'm going by games left, points, and teams.

Answer 3

Tampa pretty much has it in the bag, but the spot may change.
Carolina Has been playing well recently, they only seem to be getting better right now. So I'll say they'll get in.

I'll also say the islanders. They are right up there with a game or two less then anybody else, and Smyth should really help them.

Florida stands pretty much no chance at this point.

Answer 4

I fully expect Tampa Bay to overtake Atlanta and move back into the number 3 spot. That leaves Atlanta in 6th. I also expect Carolina to step it up and move into at least 7th. And that leaves the Rangers in 8th. However there is a strong possibility that the Islanders will overtake the Rangers.

Answer 5

first off, I'm a Detroit fan so throw subjectivism out the window

I think Tampa Bay is the closest team to a lock for making it. Its hard to imagine a team with Lecavalier and St. Louis not making it, but they do have plenty of holes in goal and defense.

The Rangers are hard to count out too with veteran leadership in Jagr and Shanahan.

That 8th spot is a big question mark. First off, count Florida out. They gave up when they traded Bertuzzi and Roberts and likely aren't going to gain any ground.

The Islanders have been a big surprise and the addition of Smyth should really help give them a veteran edge, but they've been inconsistant. Montreal can't seem to score goals on even strength although their special teams rock. Carolina has been here before and has the experience to do it, but once again, inconsistancy. Toronto is going for their first playoff spot in 3 seasons, so that could give them inspiration.

I'm going to go out on a limb and call Carolina for the last spot. They have a couple very solid forwards in Cole and Williams and decent goaltending. They could easily blow it to any of the other teams, but I think they hold a very slight advantage having the most playoff experience.

Answer 6

6)Carolina, 7).Tampa Bay, 8). NY.Islanders..Islanders have 2 games on hand to Montreal.

Answer 7

Tampa Bay has 6th (not sealed but if they play well no problems)... Rangers will finish 7th, and Carolina will finish 8th not because they'll finish strong but because Toronto has too tough of a end of the season... Starting with 2 vs buffalo this week.

Answer 8

Rangers got all of the stupidity out of their systems early. While everyone else is tripping over banana peels, the Rangers have tightened the lug nuts.

Aside from them: Islanders and Toronto, purely on gut instinct

Going to Rangers/Flyers tonight!

Answer 9

6.tampa Bay they have that sealed
7.carolina, i predict a nice win streak
8.NY rangers

Answer 10

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