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HUGE Weekend Ahead. What are the big games? + Predicting who makes it. |
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We are getting down to it!
This weekend makes the first of the final four weekends of games that will attempt to, scratch that..WILL somehow determine who gets to go to the dance.
Starting tonight, 22 games will be played before the end of Sunday and many teams are playing huge games as they battle for their lives.
Big games:
Tonight:
The NY Rangers @ Columbus
Both teams have 78 points, but the Rangers have played one more game at this point. The Jackets have been very good as of late (7-2-1 in their last ten) while the Rangers have been on and off (4-5-1) That said, the Rangers just put up an eight spot against Ottawa this week, while Columbus beat the Habs last night. As of today the Jackets are sitting in the 3rd spot and would play the Flyers, while the Rangers are sitting in the 8th spot and would face the Bruins. But more importantly, both teams are only in the playoffs at all by a single point.
Tomorrow:
Detroit @ Minnesota
Ah, I miss the Norris division when these North Stars and Wings would do battle. This weekend the teams play an old fashioned home and home series! The Wild are looking good for a playoff berth and suddenly the Red Wings are slowly turning it on. The Wings are only 1 game out going into tonight and they have a game-in-hand on the Rangers and 2-in-hand on the Maple Leafs who are three ahead.
Ottawa @ Dallas
Two teams who are in desperate need of a win and fast. It's worse for Ottawa, who sit 11 out, but Dallas is now four back from Phoenix after losing 3 straight. Last night in Philly the Stars played tough, but ran into hot goaltending...
Montreal @ Toronto
Does there ever need to be a reason when these teams play on Hockey Night in Canada? Well, throw on top of all else that the teams are 3 points apart in the standings and they both have played 72 games and.....war.
NY Rangers @ NJ Devils
Many are saying the Devils are in trouble, but honestly they are only 5 out of a playoff spot and when they play this game they will have two game sat hand on the team they are chasing.....the rangers. Controlling your own fate is all you can ever ask for.
Carolina @ Winnipeg
You can take the thrashers out of Atlanta, but you can't take the fact that this franchise ALWAYS does this. The late season run to either just miss or once make the playoffs. It's in the DNA. the Jets were LOST a few months back and now...they are only 6 back due to run a few weeks back. Lately, they have once again been very average, going 3-4-3 in their last ten. However, the schedule isn't too bad and I just get a feeling the Jets will be in this race for four more weekends.
Washington @ San Jose
The Sharks are the hottest team in hockey right now. Going 8-1-1 in their last ten. For the Caps, a week ago things looked really bleak. Then, last Friday and Saturday, they found ways to win two close ones at home against Vancouver and Toronto, and then headed on the California swing...always dangerous. Yet they beat the Ducks and lost in OT to the Kings. Now, they are only 1 point out of a playoff spot.
Sunday night
Columbus@ NY islanders
This is a game the Jackets NEED to win, and should win, but one trait of this team is its inability to win these easy games. You can't let two points get away here.
Toronto @ NJ
Again, for NJ...they get to control their own fate. For Toronto if they can manage a victory against Montreal and two points here the playoffs will look a whole lot better!
and special note....
Tomorrow afternoon...
St Louis @ Philly
It feels like these teams NEVER play each other, but over the past 2 months they are two of the hottest teams in all of hockey. The Flyers have taken 4 in a row against very good teams and now they face their toughest test to date. Don't miss this.
So how do you see the playoffs stacking up?
My prediction....
Boston vs Detroit
Pittsburgh vs Montreal
Tampa vs. Toronto
Philly vs. Columbus
St. Louis vs. Dallas
Anaheim vs. Minnesota
Chicago vs. Colorado
San Jose vs. LA
Let's hear your picks...
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