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The NHL Postseason is Coming Quickly and the Only Thing on the Mind of NHL-ers is the Stanley Cup. To Get Closer to the Stanley Cup Though, These Teams Need to Secure Their Playoff Position. This Has Led to the Full-Blown Frenzy That is the Eastern Conferences' Second Wild Card Spot.
The Eastern Conference is loaded. The NHL's standings have officially reached an all-time frenzy as the playoffs come closer and playoff spots lessen. Teams are already clinching the playoffs- in the Eastern Conference the top three have already clinched (Capitals, Blue Jackets and the Penguins).
The big race though is for the Eastern Conference's second wild card. The Rangers currently have the first wild card spot secured with 94 points; the rest of the conference's contenders are around 12 points back.
It's pretty safe to say the Rangers have the the first wild card reserved, but which team will end up taking the second spot?
NHL Playoffs: A Three-Team Frenzy
The Maple Leafs recently stole the Bruins' third place spot in the Atlantic Division and, while they've passed the wild card threshold this doesn't count them out of the race. No matter how the teams fall, this is a three-team race for the second wild card spot.
Currently, the Boston Bruins sit in the second wild card with 82 points. Just behind the Bruins are the New York Islanders, who are chasing the playoff position with, currently, 80 points. It doesn't end there- the Lightning aren't too far off with 77 points.
You also can't forget that, while the Leafs are ahead of the Bruins in the third playoff spot, they're only ahead by one point and sit in third with 83 points.
The race is tightening up and these teams want it back.
The Bruins
The Bruins have lost their last three games and their coming games won't be any easier. In fact, the Bruins will be hosting the Lightning tonight, Thursday, March 23rd and their next matchup will be in New York to visit the Islanders.
Following these two rivalry matchups, the Bruins will face the Predators, Blackhawks and Capitals before their season ends. This schedule won't make holding down a playoff position easy but the team has a shot if they get disciplined and focus.
Brad Marchand has been incredible for the Bruins this season and if he can step up to motivate his team with his own play, they might just rise to the occasion.
The Islanders
The Islanders are coming off a 3-2 win over the Rangers and while many might consider this a victory, the Isles haven't been as consistent as they should be. Prior to their win over their city rivals, the Isles fell in games they needed to win, like a 3-2 OT loss to the Jackets and an 8-4 blow out loss from the Hurricanes.
Even though the Isles left Madison Square Garden with a win, their victory was more the result of Ranger mistakes rather than high level play. Not to mention, captain John Tavares notched himself a hat trick of penalties early in the game due to frustrations.
The Isles face the Penguins next and the rest of their season features matchups against the Bruins, Predators and Senators. It might seem like some of the other matchups, like the Devils and Hurricanes, won't be threatening but with fairly inconsistent play, you can't afford to think a game might be easy.
The Isles are only two points behind the Bruins with a game in hand, so grabbing the second wild card spot won't be too far off for them if they can master the rest of the season. Their play might be somewhat inconsistent but they need to overcome it with discipline and determination.
The Lightning
To continue the waterfall of wilf card-chasing teams is the Lightning, who sit three points behind the Isles with 77 points. Sure, the Lightning have a few more points to notch than the Islanders and the Bruins, but it wouldn't be wise to count the team out- they're too close.
The Lightning, like the Bruins, are heading into their next matchup (also against Boston) with three losses. Their last loss was 5-3 to the Arizona Coyotes, which, given the Coyotes' season, doesn't paint the best picture for Tampa.
The Lightining face their Boston rivals next but won't finish their season without facing tough teams, the Blackhawk and the Canadiens. Other matchups, like two games against the Red Wings might not seem like much but it is enough to rough them up a bit.
It isn't an easy schedule ahead but if the Lightning want it bad enough they might force themselves to rise to the occasion. One thing is for sure though, they're close but they've got work to do.
The Wild Card Toss-Up
These teams have some work to do and there really is never a dull moment once the playoffs swing around. The NHL's standings have been pretty close all season but as the playoffs near the frenzy really kicks into gear.
Here, we have three teams who desperately want their shot in the playoffs but only one team will be able to edge ahead of the rest.
Will the Isles' find their way after a rough season or will the Lightning kick it into gear for the final run? Or maybe the Bruins and the Leafs will keep ahead of the pack and claim third in the Atlantic Division and the second wild card for themselves?
Only time can tell as the frenzy continues. Here comes the highly entertaining, yet incredibly stressful findal race for the playoffs.
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