We are now in the final ten games of the regular season. Before the playoffs begin there are still many questions that need answering and potential milestones to be reached.
It has certainly been an entertaining season, with many ups and downs, and the playoffs are surely to entertain. The standings will not be finalized until the final few days so it is unclear what first round match-ups will be in store. It is certain Washington will play the second wild card team, but will that be Philadelphia or Detroit, we shall have to wait and see.
Numerous individual players have had impressive seasons as well. With strong finishes they will reach single season stats of impressive proportions.
Patrick Kane, 100Pts?
He currently sits on 92 points this season and with eight games left on the Blackhawks schedule will have to play at a point-per-game calibre to reach the century mark. They have an easy schedule to finish the regular season with five out of eight games versus non-playoff teams. This edge will surely help the team in their Central division aspirations as well as Kane.
Alex Ovechkin, 50G?
The Capitals have ten games remaining on their schedule and Ovi currently has forty-three goals. Only two out of those ten games are against non-playoff teams. Despite this, he only needs seven goals to reach fifty this season, and he should find a way to get there.
Erik Karlsson, lead the league in assists?
With eight games left on the Senators schedule he may not only reach seventy assists, but he will likely be a top the league in this stat category as well. Currently sitting on sixty-one he is a defenseman all teams hope to have. Kane, E. Kuznetsov, and J. Thornton are closest in the assists race with fifty-three respectively.
Branden Holtby, will he reach 50 wins?
He currently has forty-four this season and is a big reason behind the success in Washington. With the playoffs around the corner he may get some rest in these final ten games. 50 wins would be a near clinch for the Vezina, but a deep playoff run and Stanley Cup shot is much more desirable.
Duos to finish with +/- of +30 or better?
Kopitar (+32) and Toffoli (+30) have been key to the Kings success this season and their return to playoff action. Kunitz (+31) and Maatta (+28) have done the same for Pittsburgh, while Pavelski (+27) and Thornton (+27) are the veteran duo that could see the Sharks deep through the playoffs.
Who will win the Atlantic division?
The Lightning and Panthers are both tied with 89 points a top the division, with Boston hot on their heels with 86. Detroit could be a dark horse with a near perfect finish at 83 points. All teams have nine games remaining on their schedule, with the exception of Boston with eight. Saturday will be a key matchup between Tampa and Florida to determine the division champ. That game is the only real challenge left in the Panthers schedule. After that game all of their opponents are non-playoff teams. Tampa, on the other hand, still has a back-to-back in New York.
Who will win the Central division?
Dallas (97), St. Louis (95), and Chicago (93) all have eight games remaining. Chicago has the easiest schedule of the three, and these teams only play each other one more time with Chicago visiting St. Louis on April 7th. Dallas has two games versus Nashville, which may be a first round preview. St. Louis still has to meet Washington twice and a possible first round opponent for them in Colorado twice. This division will come down to the wire and all three teams could come away with 100 point seasons.
Who will win the Pacific division?
The L.A Kings currently have a four-point lead over Anaheim in the division with San Jose close behind. Six of their remaining nine games are against non-playoff teams. They meet San Jose on Monday in a critical matchup and the April 7th game versus Anaheim may be the division title decider. Anaheim plays all Canadian teams for the remainder of the month, and we all know what that means. They finish their season against Washington and that will be a true test before the playoffs begin. San Jose has the most difficult remaining schedule of the three, but does play Vancouver twice and could sneak into the top of the division if L.A and Anaheim slip.
The season is winding down with numerous thrilling and critical games still to take place. April 7th is a key date in NHL action this season, so mark that date on your calendar. Will Kane reach 100 points? Is this Washington’s’ year? and who will be the division champs? These questions and more will shortly be answered.
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