Playoff Chase: Who’s Got the Mettle? Oilers, Sabres or Ducks

Another night,  another bunch of important games were played to determine who’s going to be in and who’s going to be out.  Just in case for those of you who don’t follow hockey, I’m talking about the NHL playoff race.  In the last 2-3 weeks teams have begun to jockey for playoff positions, some have been rising to the challenge while others seem to be widdling away.  There is true chaos in the western conference.  Five teams who are fighting for the last 2 playoff spots are all within 2 points of each other.  A couple of days ago the Edmonton Oilers looked as if they would be one of the teams to make it in, however if the regular season ended today the Oilers would find themselves out of the chase.  Edmonton’s loss last night to the lowly Phoenix Coyotes coupled with a Nashville win over the the San Jose Sharks vaulted the Predators into the west’s final playoff spot. The Oilers have a chance to earn 2 points tonight but they’ll have to beat the Anaheim Ducks, a team who is peaking at the right time.

Over in the eastern conference things are beginning to seem pretty clear. While the Florida Panthers won last night so did the Montreal Canadiens.  The Panthers are chasing the Canadiens for that ever precious last playoff spot.  The Canadiens with their win over the Tampa Bay Lightning remained 2 points ahead of the Panthers with a game in hand.  The light at the end of the tunnel for the Panthers seems to be fading fast.  The interesting thing happening in the east is who will get that most important 4th spot which gives home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.  With eight games left five teams all within 5 points of each other are fighting for it.

This is the most exciting playoff run I have seen in the last few years.  Two teams tonight face must win situations.  The Oilers and the Buffalo Sabres are both caught in a vicious fight for the last playoff spot in their respective conferences.  Whoever loses tonight can kiss their dreams of winning a Stanley Cup good-bye.