With the playoffs just around the corner, both the Eastern and the Western conferences are looking rather similar in terms of standings, posing a problem for those looking to finally decide which is the better conference. With the two top spots on either coast taken by teams that are miles ahead in points, and the last few berths in each conference still under contention, both conferences are offering up an exciting race to the finish going into the playoffs.
Over in the Eastern Conference, the battle for playoff berths remains a little more reserved compared to the frantic West, though the level of play is just as intense. Three possible teams can claim the final position in the Eastern Conference: current eighth placed New York Rangers are tied at 89 points with the Florida Panthers, both of whom are ahead of the final contender, Buffalo, by four points. Both Florida and New York share the same record in the last 10 games at 5-4-1, though New York has lost their last two, whereas Florida is coming off a big win in Pittsburgh and looking to continue this new trend into the post-season. With the standings where they are right now, Florida may be the best bet to take eighth, dropping New York into ninth, leaving them to play the Boston Bruins who are currently riding a 6 game winning streak with an 8-1-1 in their last ten.
On the opposite end of the Eastern Conference, Boston is dominating the points column with 112, eight above second place Washington. Coming in at third are the New Jersey Devils who may be the last team in the conference to break the 100 point mark if Philadelphia – who hold fourth place – and Carolina – currently placed fifth – fail to find success in their last four and three games, respectively. However, Carolina is riding an eight game winning streak going into their next game against the New York Islanders who are placed last in the league. If Carolina can continue their success, they may be able to grab home ice advantage against their first round match-up Philadelphia – a team they are 1-1-2 against this season.
While Montreal hasn’t clinched their current seventh playoff berth as of yet, they are currently on a three game winning streak going into a game against a struggling Ottawa Senators, a team that has failed to even contend for a spot in the East despite their success in recent seasons. If the Canadiens can manage to win their remaining four games, they could possibly overtake Philadelphia and their fourth spot, guaranteeing them home ice advantage in the first round; an advantage that would benefit Montreal and their solid 24-8-7 record at home this season.