The Post Season Approaches

Well, The Stanley Cup playoffs are approaching and it is becoming clearer on who is going to make it and who is not. The teams that have clinched are: In the East, the Washington Capitals, who have already clinched the conference, the New Jersey Devil, the Buffalo Sabres, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Ottawa Senators. The teams in the West who have clinched are the San Jose Sharks, the Chicago Blackhawks, the Vancouver Canucks, the Phoenix Coyotes, and the Nashville Predators. The Detroit Red Wings and LA Kings are pretty much locks as well but still can mathematically not make the playoffs but the Calgary Flames and Colorado Avalanche both have 89 points and are highly unlikely to win out the season.

I am going to give my opinions for teams that I think are locks for the playoffs and what the keys are for them.

Well, lets start in the East.

The Washington Capitals: The Capitals play in the weakest division in the NHL, and they took full advantage of it. This could be a benefit and a challenge for the Capitals, the benefit is that they have locked up home ice advantage for the playoffs. The challenge is having dominated the weakest division in all of hockey, they have played no real challenging games wear they had a chance of falling down the standings. This no pressure situation could cause them to falter early as teams who get in to the playoffs in the 7 or 8 spot have been playing playoff hockey for the last month and could beat them. Also, a good team defence can shut down this team, look at what the Canucks did to Ovechkin, he was hardly noticeable in that game.

The New Jersey Devils: The Devils are in a dogfight with the Penguins for the top spot in the division, this will give them a playoff readiness facing off against what could possibly be a lowly #6 or #7 seed should they win the division. However, it has been shown that Marty Brodeur isn't the goalie he was a few years ago and the Devils have yet to come close to the Stanley Cup Finals since their last one in '03. I don't see them moving past the second round, they don't have what it takes as far as I am concerned and if they don't win the division, that means Ottawa and they are probably a match up the Devils don't want.

The Buffalo Sabres: However Ryan Miller goes, the Sabres follow, if Miller is on his game the Cup is attainable, however, if Miller stumbles, they could be in a world of hurt.

The Pittsburgh Penguins: Have yet to show that jump from last year that they had from last year in the playoffs. I am skeptical if they can repeat but wouldn't be surprised if they have turbo chargers for the post season.

The Ottawa Senators: The Sens are peaking at the right time and are on a roll with Brian Elliot in goal, they could go deep if Elliot keeps up the great play.




The Western Conference

The San Jose Sharks: The question is, will Joe Thorton look as bad as he did at the Olympics or will he actually show up this year. Another potential question is what is Nabakov's confidence level at right now after being shell shocked by Canada at the Olympics.

The Chicago Blackhawks: The only question for this team is goaltending, if they get it, hard to beat, if they don't could be sent home early.

The Vancouver Canucks: If Luongo gets back into form the Canucks could easily take the cup back to Vancouver for the first time since the Millionaires did it in 1915.

The Phoenix Coyotes: If there is a glass slipper, when will it hit midnight. Also this team wasn't planning a big playoff run, just to make the playoffs, it could be there Achilles come playoff time.

The Nashville Predators: Have quietly amassed 98 points so far this season, they are a sleeper pick but don't think they have the mettle to get it done.

The Detroit Red Wings: Have made there way back into the playoff picture, question is, how will they deal without home ice advantage. Also goaltending could be another question mark this year.

The LA Kings: Another entrant that I am surprised to say will easily make the playoffs, could be in tough because they look to be winding up in the #7 spot.