Ok, so most people would laugh about the idea of thinking about playoffs 2-3 games into a season, yet I know of reports North of the 49th parallel that some team fans are already planning parade routes
I wish I was kidding about that, oh well.
(North of the 49th parallel refers to the longitudinal lines on the globe that represents the Canadian area)
In order to keep me on the pulse of what goes on in the League and for those who pay attention to hockey either during or after football season to keep them informed into what is going on so I present to you what the playoffs would look like
if the playoffs started today:* Statistics courtesy of NHL.com
EASTERN CONFERENCERanking
1. Pittsburgh Penguins (7 pts; 3-0-1; +4 Goal Differential (G/D); Leads Atlantic Division)
2. Buffalo Sabres (4 pts; 2-0-0; +5 G/D; Leads Northeast Division)
3. Washington Capitals (4 pts; 2-0-0; +2 G/D; Leads Southeast Division)
4. Philadelphia Flyers (6 pts; 3-0-0; +5 G/D)
5. Toronto Maple Leafs (4 pts; 2-0-0; +4 G/D)
6. Tampa Bay Lightning (3 pts; 1-1-1; 0 G/D)
7. Carolina Hurricanes (3 pts; 1-2-1; -6 G/D)
8. Florida Panthers (2 pts; 1-1-0; 0 G/D)
So for the East the first round would be:
Penguins v Panthers, Sabres v Hurricanes, Capitals v Lightning, Flyers v Leafs
WESTERN CONFERENCE1. Detroit Red Wings (4 pts; 2-0-0; +5 G/D; Leads Central Division)
2. Dallas Stars (4 pts; 2-1-0, -1 G/D; Leads Northwest Division)
3. Colorado Avalanche (4 pts; 2-1-0;-1 G/D; Leads Pacific Division)
4. Nashville Predators (4 pts; 2-0-0; +3 G/D)
5. Minnesota Wild (3 pts; 1-1-1; +3 G/D)
6. Vancouver Canucks (3 pts; 1-1-1; -1 G/D)
7. San Jose Sharks (2 pts; 1-0-0; +3 G/D)
8. Edmonton Oilers (2 pts; 1-0-0; +1 G/D)
So for the West the first round would be:
Wings v Oilers, Stars v Sharks, Avalanche v Canucks, Predators v Wild
Some interesting matchups but most likely half of the listed teams will fall out of the top 16 to qualify.
Let's see what next week has in store.
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