Well, here we go!
Into the last three days and much still up for grabs....
The New Projected Standings now have the Islanders squeaking out the final spot, but honestly ANYTHING is possible right now as some teams are resting players and some teams are just playing out the rest of the games...
To look at the schedule between Toronto, NY Islanders, and Tampa...it's easy to see why, if all these teams were playing as they should play, the Islanders would have an inside track.
The Leafs are three up on both Tampa and the Islanders with two to go...that would appear pretty safe...HOWEVER, the Leafs have to play Columbus and Pittsburgh...Those are two teams who could end up with over 110 points...but also two teams without much to play for right now...And two teams who both have shown they want to go into the playoffs on a roll...
And here is the other thing...Many would call these last two games being in Toronto to be to the Leafs advantage...I am not sure, given the circumstances, that is the case. These teams without much to play for are less dangerous in their own building. The city of Toronto is a place where all players LOVE to play and often they have family and friends in town. That ALWAYS works against the Leafs.
The Islanders have NJ and Ottawa. NJ hasn't had the same kind of success with the Isles that they have had with the Rangers and the Flyers...If the Isles can beat the Devils and Ottawa, and Toronto were to lose both games the Isles would get the spot...IF Tampa doesn't win both games.
The Lightning has Montreal and Buffalo...Historically Montreal has played very well against Tampa.....Montreal/Tampa is tonight. If Tampa wins tonight, then according to my Projected standings they would beat Buffalo and take the final spot.
Personally I think Toronto/Washington would be a highly entertaining series. If Tampa makes it, the Caps would be very nervous...If the Islanders make it we'd be talking about another 1 v 8 Caps series against Halak...So honestly we can't lose... Of course it's also still possible that Toronto could push Boston to eighth...
We will know where this all stands in 72 hours...
Here are your new projected Final Standings... (hit refresh if it fails to load)
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