Every year it comes down to this..and more than ever this year, the matchups could decide who goes all the way...very much like Nashville last year, if the stars align there can be a magical run ahead...I say: more so this year" because I feel that 1-8 in each conference are so much more even than in year's past. There really is no single dominant team, so it comes down to who is good versus who. So let's start with the Atlantic first and then move to the Metro in my next blog...
I have a formula that weighs how these teams have played versus each other over the last few years but weighs more heavily the most recent match ups
Starting at the top...with two teams with the best shot at winning the division...
The lower the number the more the match up favors the primary team
Tampa vs. 1. Columbus .83 2. Toronto .93 3. NJ 1.00 4. Philly 1.00 5. Florida 1.02
Boston vs. 1. Florida .19 2. Philly .49 3. NJ .83 4. Columbus .94 5. Toronto 1.43
So, who wants to win the division?
Boston REALLY wants to finish in first and avoid Toronto. Over the last two seasons in 8 games the Leafs have won 7 of them. Meanwhile, with a good chance that Florida, Philly, or NJ are most likely to finish in the 8th spot the Bruins have a very strong shot.
Meanwhile, it doesn't matter as much to Tampa with only a .20 spread between all these teams...
For Toronto....
They have dominated Boston and played Tampa pretty much even...There is no doubt that Toronto wants to play Boston
next up...the Metro
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— Michael Augello (@MikeInBuffalo) August 2, 2017