When you cover a tournament as intense as the World Junior Championship with multiple games every day and lots of work to do, not to mention a six hour time difference in which NHL games are played in the middle of the night, it's hard to keep up with what's going on. I call it the IIHF bubble because anything outside of it almost doesn't exist, but now that I'm back, I'm once again reminded that a lot can happen in two weeks…but that doesn't mean a lot has changed.
As I catch up on the news, I see hat tricks and overtime goals and injuries and winging streaks and losing streaks and then I look at the standings and….they look pretty much the same.
The Penguins have a virtual stranglehold on the Eastern Conference. The Bruins, Lightning and Canadiens are trying to chase them down as the Flyers, Rangers, Red Wings, Capitals, Hurricanes, Leafs, Senators and Devils are trying to keep their head above water as they try to steak their claim on the final four playoff spots.
In the West, the Ducks, Blue and Blackhawks are running the show with the Kings, Avs and Sharks jockeying for position and Canucks, Stars, Wild and Coyotes aiming at the final two spots in the conference.
While everyone else technically still has a chance to get their act together and earn a spot in the postseason, barring a big trade, it's unlikely to happen. The teams that are in the bottom have been there for the past three months and while they might flip flop their positions every now and then, no one seems to be gaining any traction. They're not finding any sustained success and it will take a miracle for any of them to climb their way out of the basement.
There is a lot more hockey to be played before the end of the season, but while a lot can happen in three months…are you expecting much to change? What do you want to see your team do before the clock strikes 3pm ET on March 5th?
Although I'm disappointed that some teams in particular are presently on the outside looking in, they can't all make the playoffs and I'm ok with that. And as I look at the race for the Wild Card spots, I'm hopeful that we will be treated to some ridiculously good, super competitive hockey down the stretch that forces the powers that be to once again consider the possibility of a play in game or best-of-three series for the final spot (or two) like what they do in the european leagues. Admittedly, I used to think that was dumb, but I've come around these past few years as each season I've watched a team that's on fire get left behind over another team still clinging to their first half success who goes on to be a complete pushover in the first round. That, plus a totally awesome multi-player blockbuster trade that makes me think 'Holy smokes, I can't believe that just happened', is my wish.
What's yours?
Julie
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