National Hockey League Eastern Conference, you have me
It is the most exciting race for the playoffs for at least the past five seasons. Three spots, 6-7-8, and five teams (although the fifth team, the NY Islanders, is a longshot).
| Rk | Team | Pts | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6. | Tampa Bay | 92 | - | v FLA | @ ATL | - |
| 7. | NY Rangers | 92 | v MON | - | @ PIT | - |
| 8. | Montreal | 90 | @ NYR | - | @ TOR | - |
| 9. | Toronto | 89 | @ NYI | - | v MON | - |
| 10. | NY Islanders | 86 | v TOR | - | @ PHI | @ NJD |
For Montreal and Toronto to get in...
- Toronto must win both games. If not, then they would not have either more points (92+) or wins (41+) than TB (92/44) or NYR (92/41), if either lost their two last.
- Montreal must beat the Rangers, if TO wins on Saturday, because they cannot finish ahead of TB unless they have three points (and if TB lost its last two). The TO win on Saturday must then be an OT win, because Montreal lose the tie-breaker (nb of wins) to TB (44 vs 43).
- If NYR loses its last two in regulation, then Montreal can afford to lose Saturday versus TO in regulation. If NYR were to win just a point from its two last games, then an OT win for TO on MTL would do it, as MTL wins the tie breaker with NYR (43 vs 41 wins), and TO also wins its tie breaker (2-1-1 versus NYR this season), with all three teams at 93 points.
- If TB loses its last two in regulation, then an OT win by Toronto does it.
Montreal is in the playoffs on Thursday...
- If it wins against the Rangers, and Toronto doesn't win (one point or less), or loses in overtime and Toronto loses.
We have a Montreal at Toronto deathmatch on Saturday, and...
- If Montreal is still ahead by one point after Thursday's game, then Toronto must win in regulation. Montreal must hope for a tie at end of regulation or better.
- If both teams have the same number of points, then obviously the winner takes all.
- If Toronto is now ahead by a point, then the same situation applies, as an OT win by Montreal places both equal in points, but Montreal ahead in the tie-breaker (43 vs 40 wins).
We don't care about the Islanders, but...
- Montreal must still win one game to eliminate them for good.
- Or eliminate themselves by losing a game in regulation, or two in OT.
And then I'll know whether I'll be watching the Sens / Canucks / Flames this Spring, or go line up at the Bell Centre for ticks next week...
*ded*
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