The race is heating up with about one month to go before the Stanley Cup Playoffs start and there are a lot of teams in the East that are fighting for the last playoff spot. There are two wildcard spots up for grabs with five teams fighting like crazy. Let’s see who has the best chance of making it to the second season and who needs to get their golf clubs ready.
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are in the playoffs at the moment by the slimmest of margins. They are currently 3rd in the Metropolitan Division with a very slim lead over the Columbus Blue Jackets. New York will be a dangerous team down the stretch as they try to fight for a playoff spot. Newly acquired Martin St. Louis is back with his former teammate Brad Richards and could really kick start the Rangers’ offense. Henrik Lundqvist is also going to have to be huge down the stretch for the Rangers. I think they will make the playoffs because of the weakness of the division as much as their own merit.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus is a very good team this year and can be dangerous during the playoff push. They are currently tied with Detroit for one of the wild card spots in the East right now and yet only sit one point out of 3rd place in the Metropolitan division. Even though they lost Marian Gaborik via trade to the Kings, they still have some good offense in Brandon Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is also going to have to show why he won the Vezina Trophy last year if they are to make the playoffs this year. I see the Jackets making the playoffs and actually leap frog Philadelphia in the standings taking one of the three spots in the Metro.
Detroit Red Wings
Detroit has struggled at times this year and they are going to have to play their hearts out in the final month of the season as well. Their two best players Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg will both be out for over three weeks which means players like Johan Franzen, David Legwand, and Gustav Nyquist are going to have to help carry this team. Goaltender Jimmy Howard is also going to have to have the best month of his career if they are to keep their playoff streak alive. With that being said, I don’t think they will make the playoff this year. Having their two best players out is just too much for Detroit to overcome and the record-breaking streak will come to an end.
New Jersey Devils
New Jersey has surprised a lot of people this year. They were projected to be near the bottom of the Metropolitan division with the Islanders right now but have played very well this season. They are keeping their playoff hopes alive as they try to creep up in the standings to make the playoffs. Adam Henrique andJaromir Jagr have been arguably the best players for New Jersey this year. Cory Schneider has been excellent in goal, taking over for Martin Brodeur who is in his final season. I really don’t think New Jersey makes the playoffs this year, as there are just too many teams in front of them to climb over.
Washington Capitals
Washington has been a mess this year. Alexander Ovechkin has had to practically carry this team on his back the entire season with his 44 goals and that’s the only thing that is keeping Washington in the playoff race right now. They sit two points back of 3rd place in the Metro, which says more about how bad the division is. He’s going to have to keep scoring goals for Washington if the Caps have a prayer to get into the playoffs this year. The acquisition of Dustin Penner should help out the offense a lot as he brings good scoring ability and a physical presence. Jaroslav Halak should also be a great acquisition for the Capitals too as an upgrade over Braden Holtby. I don’t think Washington makes the playoffs simply because there really isn’t anyone else on that team that has helped Ovechkin much this year.