As we head down the stretch now, we can basically look to the following teams in this race...

#1 The NY Islanders 56 Points (10 GR)
#2 The Tampa Lightning > 62 Points (10 GR)
#3 The Colorado Avalanche > 64 Points (9 GR)
#4 The Atlanta Thrashers > 66 Points (9 GR)
#5 The Phoenix Coyotes > 67 Points (9 GR)
#6 The LA Kings > 70 Points (10 GR)
#7 Toronto Maple Leafs > 73 Points (10 GR)

And while that is pretty clear, a look at the remaining schedules of each team even gets more to the point that the NY Isles are the team to beat...In a matter of speaking.

The NY Islanders only play 1 team (The Tampa Lightning) that isn't 20 points or more better than they currently are. In fact, of the ten games remaining the Isles play 7 teams that are 30 points better, and the two teams between 29 and 20 points better, The Wild and the Habs, are fighting for their playoff lives.

The Average Current Point Totals For Opponent's Schedules.

The NY Islanders 86.9
The Toronto Maple Leafs 86.4
The Tampa Lightning 83.6
The Atlanta Thrashers 81
The Phoenix Coyotes 80
The Colorado Avalanche 79.3
The Los Angeles Kings 79.2

NY ISLANDERS

Minn 76
@Det 105
Philly 88
@Wash 96
Montreal 81
Tampa 62
@Carolina 85
@Pittisburgh86
Philly88
Boston102

Tampa Bay Lightning

Columbus 82
@Mont 81
@Wash 96
Ottawa74
@Bost102
@NJ 97
@NYI 56
Pitt 86
Wash 96
@Atlanta 66


Looking at those two schedules I am not sure that the Lightning can make up those 6 points.

I am also not so sure that they wouldn't be fine picking Victor Hedman, the big puck moving guy, with their #1 pick regardless of where they pick just based on the team's needs.

I am heading down to the Philly/NJ Game in a bit here...I will update and hold a special chat from the game.

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