Paul McCann: Topsy goes Turvy in the Central

At this point, I expect either the Blues or Jets to win the division. The Preds need both teams to basically lose their remaining games because they trail in the ROW category.
I don't see that happening.

Since the Preds really don't control their own destiny in terms of playoff seeding, then perhaps they can at least try to improve their play on the ice. It was nice to see Subban and Turris both have points last night. Considering they make up 20% of the team payroll, it's nice for them to play a decent game more than once or twice a month. Perhaps Turris will round into form and develop good chemistry with Granlund and Smith. It has the makings on paper of a really good 2nd line. I think the biggest boost to the team might be the flexibility that's afforded with Watson back in the lineup. Now, they have multiple ways to set up the forward lines. We might see something like this:

Forsberg-Johansen-Arvidsson
Granlund-Turris-Smith
Jarnkrok-Bonino-Simmonds
Watson-Sissons-Boyle

Josi-Ellis
Subban-Eckholm
Hamhuis-Fabbro (Irwin)

And you still have Grimaldi, McLeod, Tolvanen, Gadreau and Solomaki that can fit in on the 3/4 lines for injuries and matchups.

This team is plenty strong on paper to make a run. But I could just as easily see them flaming out in 5/6 games in the first round.

A hard fought win, but in typical Preds fashion for this year at least, found a way to make the game more interesting than it probably should've been. Credit Buffalo for showing up to play last night. I really liked what I saw out of the Turris line yesterday. Preds really need these guys to at least be a threat when on the ice, if they hope to go anywhere in the playoffs. I know it's just one game and against Buffalo, but it was an encouraging sight and good to see them playing hard.

I'll admit, this team feels a little different with all their bodies back in the lineup now. Everyone's slotted where they probably should be. No more trying to force fit Simmonds or Boyle on the second or third lines. They're both probably most effective as 4th liners at this point in their careers, at least in Lavy's system. Still have my doubts they'll be able to get by the Jets or Blues, but the road to the Playoffs feels a little less like a death march than it did just a week ago.

Looks like we're going to have to root for the Hawks tonight... I feel dirty.