Wow. 10 Points separate 4th from 14th

[kenyg54]

Welcome once again to the wild, wild West. Anyone care to select who makes it and who don't?

I'll start:

Currently 4-8: Nashville, San Jose, Anaheim, Phoenix, LA

I'll keep Nashville, SJ and Ducks. They are playing extremely well right now, and have the defensive side down well enough to make it and be a contender.

Currently 9-14: Minny, Calgary, Chicago, Colorado, CBJ, St Louis.

I don't think StL and CBJ have enough in them to jump over the rest, even with these tight standings. I'm eliminating Chicago and LA due to they aren't winning enough close ones. They both have a >+20 goals scored differential, yet are barely .500. Phoenix seems to be in a bit of a funk, and has played a couple more games than most, a couple longer road trips left, I'll say they miss the party. Colorado has 11 homes games, 19 road games left, and has poor defensive stats....they are out for me.

So I say the other two spots are Minny & Calgary. Minny as usual has a tough time scoring, but has the defense down. they have scored 26 goals in the last 8, so anything over a 3.0 per game scoring rate I think gets them there. 16 home, 14 away left. Calgary has 17 @ home, 12 away left, playing very well. It's a tough pick between them and LA. Last night's SO game betwen the two is about how I feel, it will be close between them.

 

[Eddie_Shack]

Vancouver, Detroit, and Dallas seem like locks right now... Dallas and Detroit are close to the rest of the pack, but have been hovering in their division leads long enough to be safe picks.

Nashville is a scrappy team who seems to scratch out wins, I'm keeping them in the mix although I think they may end up falling to 7th or 8th. San Jose is really picking up steam, they have enough talent to make it work. I wouldn't be surprised to see them end up with the division title.

I think Phoenix has been using smoke and mirrors for a while now, and they are going to start falling by the wayside. Anahiem has been playing over their heads all season, especially with Geztlaf's injury. If the keep playing well and get healthy, they're in. I think they end up falling out.

LA can by Jekyl and Hyde, but I think they're in. Especially if they can land a guy like Mike Fisher at the trade deadline. That leaves one slot open, and I'm giving it to Chicago. They have been struggling with injuries, chemistry, and player turnover all season but they are finally healthy. They are starting to gel, starting to click, and I think they will make a strong push down the stretch.

That leaves Minny, Calgary, St. Louis, Columbus, and Colorado as teams that are in the hunt, out of the playoffs, and won't get in. If one of my picks falls out, I think it will be LA. If one of my outs gets in, I think it will be Calgary.