NHL’s Eastern Conference Playoff Set–The Western Conference Still Unsettled
We saw some awesome hockey last night, teams fighting for playoff spots seems to bring out the best hockey. The eastern conference saw its playoff brackets sealed after the New York Rangers defeated the Philadelphia Flyers and the Montreal Canadiens earned a point for its overtime loss to the Boston Bruins. Now all that’s left is to determine the order of position for each team. Even though the Florida Panthers and Buffalo Sabres won their games last night they were still both eliminated from playoff contention.
The New Jersey Devils collected their 50th win of the season becoming the 5th team in the NHL to reach that plateau. The Devils beat the Ottawa Senators 3-2 in a shootout securing the Atlantic division. Martin Brodeur turned aside 28 shots to get the win adding to his NHL career leading win totals.
In the western conference the Nashville Predators beat the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 in a shootout to remain alive in the hunt for that ever elusive last playoff spot. The Predators were led by Jason Arnott who scored a third period goal, his 31st of the season, also added the game winner in the shootout. Chris Osgood played a decent game but if Detroit wants to go far in the playoffs their goaltending will have to be much sharper.
Tonight will settle the playoff race when all three who are vying for the last 2 spots play. All three teams have 88 points however Anaheim and St.Louis both have a game in hand over the Predators. Easy way to look at it Nashville needs a miracle to make it, we’ll see tonight if they get their miracle.
Apr 10th, 2009 at 7:38 am
Two hated teams played each other last night. Boston and Montreal in Boston. Montreal decided not to dress heavy weight fighters Georges Laraque and Gregory Stewart. This decision played for them, and as well against them as many fights broke out. Without the help of these heavyweights Boston ran over the Habs but as well earned too many penalties of which Montreal scored 3 times on the power play. By earning 1 point last night Montreal is assured of a playoff position. Should be quite interesting if Montreal finishes in 8th position and faces Boston in the opening series. Alex Ovechkin has gone dry in depositing the rubber. He must be saving it for the playoffs. Nashville will try tonight to qualify for the playoffs facing Detroit. Good night Nashville until next season.