A big cluster-eff to the finish.

Boston, Washington and New Jersey have all clinched playoff spots, but the final 5 spots are pretty much wide open. With just over a week to go before the season ends.

So who will make it, and who will be sitting on the outside with the Leafs and Sens.

Currently the cut off for points is 89, but fouth place has 93. Anything could happen.


Carolina

has a tough schedule down the stretch and the fewest games to get some points. But since the re-addition of Erik Cole, they've been on fire. They play Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Islanders, and New Jersey. I'd say they will win 2 of these games. Possibly get a point from an overtime loss.

Finish with 98 points.


Philadelphia

The Flyers have six games left, but I would not like to be them. They play the Leafs, Senators, Islanders, Panthers and Rangers times two.

The leafs beat the flyers on Wednesday, although I can't see them letting that happen again. That's 2 points. The Senators have been on fire recently (hence the lack of draft lottery spot) but the Flyers may pull it off. 2 points. Islanders... 2 points. But the Panthers will win and they'll split the games with the Rangers. 2 points.

100 points.

Pittsburgh

It's hard to believe this team seemed like it was completely down and out a few months ago.

They've got Hurricanes, Panthers, Lightening, Islanders, and Habs. I'd guess that Pittsburgh beats the Hurricanes and certainly the Lightening are are terrible at the best of times and Lecavalier is done for the season. But the Islanders may become the giant killers down the stretch and the Panthers want a spot so damn desperately and they're losing Mr. Bouwmeester in the off-season so we'll put two in the L column. And It'll go to a shootout with Montreal... cuz it seems to with these two teams. Give the extra point to the Pens.

98 points.

Montreal

Yuckiest schedule ever. yes. I just said "yuckiest". This schedule warrents it. Trust me.

Leafs, Sens, Rangers, Boston, Pittsburgh. Three Northeast division rivals and two teams also fighting to keep their playoff arses. However, the Canadiens have been clicking ... again.

They'll grab points against the Leafs and Sens, we've said they'll go to a shootout with the Pens sot there's a single point. They'll lose to Boston, beat the Rangers.

97 points.

NY Rangers

They're out. I've said it. They currently sit in eight. They're out.

They have four games left, Canadiens, Bruins and a home-and-home with the Flyers.

They win one game out of the four. They could possibly end up with an extra point somewhere for an overtime appearance.

91 points ... maybe 92.

Florida

Florida needs a lot of other stuff to go right. They need teams like the Islanders to play the role of giant killers down the stretch and they need to win a few themselves too. But I have them in. 8th spot.

They play Atlanta twice, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Washington.

Atlanta twice, who made this schedule? They'll probably split it though. 2 points agains the Pens and flyers. One more for good measure in the L column against Washington.

93 points.


This will probably all end up being completely incorrect. But it sure was fun. Sit back and relax and take in the gongshow that is end of the season hockey. That is, unless you're a fan of one of the teams below. But even so, what a great time of year. You get to watch journalists do math, see teams that have no hope in hell to make the playoffs shatter the dreams of those on the brink (see: wade dubielewicz and 2007 Leafs playoff hopes), and see everything go to the final second of the final game.

For some, next Sunday is going to seem a bit too far away.

4th > 100 Flyers
5th > 98 Carolina
6th > 98 Pittsburgh
7th > 97 Montreal
8th > 93 Florida
--------
9th > 91 NY Rangers

Olympics, Olympics!! Canadians love talking about the Olympic hockey team wayyyy before the Olympics.

The Canadian Press released their predictions for Canada's 2010 Olympic team Monday. And since I did just that on December 4, I thought I'd compare the two lineups.

The players that both CP and I picked are bolded, with some notes of who they chose instead and my agree/disagree reasons as well. Fun!



Forwards

line 1: Dany Heatley, Sidney Crosby, Joe Thornton
line 2: Simon Gagne, Vincent Lecavalier, Jarome Iginla
line 3: Shane Doan, Marc Savard, Jonathan Toews
line 4: Brendan Morrow, Mike Richards, Ryan Getzlaf/Rick Nash.

Instead of Marc Savard, Brendan Morrow — CP has Jeff Carter, Corey Perry.

Mark Savard HAS to be on the team. People overlook this kid for everything. I drafted him in my pool in like the fifth round, but this kid has the touch. Yzerman would be crazy not to take him for Team Canada.

Brendan Morrow is a born leader, but either Carter or Perry is more than acceptable.


Blueline

Dion Phaneuf, Chris Pronger,
Mike Green, Brian Campbell,
Shea Weber, Rob Blake,
Kevin Bieksa, Dan Boyle

Instead of Bieksa, Blake and Campbell — CP has Brent Burns and Jay Bouwmeester.

CP has Canada carrying 7, whereas I have 8. I am including the taxi squad in my lineup, though. I would agree to trade off Blake and Bieksa for Bouwmeester and Burns for size, but Campbell has to stay.


Goal
Martin Brodeur, Roberto Luongo, Carey Price

CP has opted for Steve Mason as a third stringer. The play of Price and Mason in the rest of the season/playoffs will be critical, but again, this is the third stringer. The real fight will be between Brodeur and Luongo for who will be #1.

Team Canada Picks.

Yes folks, i'm doing it already.

Now... as I have said before I'm a big believer in putting people on the team who are playing well and NOT INJURIED during the few months leading up to when the team is finalized in December. So, this is round 1 of picks.

Since the Olympics are still over a year away (the team will be finalized about a year from now) there will no doubt be cuts and additions to the team that I would like to see in Vancouver. One thing I can tell you for sure... no Todd Bertuzzi, no Kris Draper.

Forwards

line 1: Dany Heatley Sidney Crosby Joe Thornton
line 2: Simon Gagne Vincent Lecavalier Jarome Iginla
line 3: Shane Doan Marc Savard Jonathan Toews
line 4: Brendan Morrow Mike Richards Ryan Getzlaf/Rick Nash

notes: Joe Sakic, is questionable. He's just sustained a long term injury and was already on the fence about returning for next season.

Blueline

Dion Phaneuf, Chris Pronger,

Mike Green, Brian Campbell,

Shea Weber, Rob Blake,

Kevin Bieksa, Dan Boyle.

Goal
1. Martin Brodeur 2. Roberto Luongo 3. Carey Price

Jenn's Picks.

Montreal (1) — Boston (8)

People might call me biased in this one, but I really don't think Boston stands a chance. They couldn't have finished in a worse position. Boston lost all eight contests against the Canadiens, and none of them were close. Chara will be a force to reckon with. But it does look like shot-blocking specialist Mike Komisarek will be back for the Canadiens playoff run.
Montreal in 4



Pittsburgh (2) — Ottawa (7)

It's widely believed around the league that the Penguins threw their final game of the season so they would play the Senators instead of the Philadelphia Flyers. And I don't blame them. I do believe Pittsburgh can handle the Flyers, but they have a better chance of coming out of a series with the Senators, will all their players (and teeth) in one piece. Let someone else take care of the Flyers and get beat up by the newest edition of the broadstreet bullies in the process.
Now the Senators really shouldn't be underestimated, but the fact that they've had the worst second half of the season (besides some teams vouching for the top draft pick in the lottery earlier today), and that they're missing captain Daniel Alfredsson and playoff performer Mike Fischer. Top it off with the way that Malkin has turned it on this year, and that Crosby has started to get his stride back after his prolonged ankle injury and it doesn't bode well for a second round appearance by the Senators.
Pittsburgh in 5



Washington (3) — Philadelphia (6)

The Washington Capitals, despite just squeaking into the playoffs in their last game managed to get the third place in the seeding because they are the leader of the Atlantic Division (the rest of the division is now golfing). Will face off against the Philadelphia Flyers who also squeaked into the playoffs near the end of the season.
The Flyers are known for their aggressive play and you can be sure they will be running league scoring champion Alexandre Ovechkin every chance they get. If they manage to throw the Russian off his game (or injure him... which is a huge possibility) then I believe the Flyers can pull out a win. But if Ovechkin continues his play the Flyers don't have a chance, but that is the "if". This is Ovechkin's first playoffs and they might not be able to overcome. I think this might be one of those series that goes to seven.
Flyers in 7



New Jersey (4) — New York R. (5)

This will be a scrappy, ridiculous, series. The two teams are natural enemies, being so geographically close. Look to see Sean Avery mixing it up, as per usual. Martin Brodeur will have to continue his big play in big games. Lundqvist is fairly questionable I think.
New Jersey in 6