The Winnipeg Jets have a 10-point edge on the Dallas Stars and a 13-point margin on the Colorado Avalanche in the Central Division standings with less than four weeks remaining in the regular season.
It appears to be destiny that the Stars — who sit third in the league behind the Jets and Washington Capitals — and Avalanche will meet in the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Whether it is the Stars or Avalanche, placing second in their division is hardly a reward because of their opening-round opponent.
When the dust settles on the opening round of the chase for hockey’s Holy Grail, either the Stars or Avalanche will be eliminated, which will truly be a shame — even though we all know it has the makings of a series for the ages, and not just because it will feature Mikko Rantanen of the Stars against his former teammates.
The Eastern Conference also has an incredible dogfight on its hands in the three-team race for the Atlantic Division crown.
Heading into Saturday’s action, the reigning champion Florida Panthers hold the top spot in the division. The Panthers are tied with the Toronto Maple Leafs in both points and games played, but have the edge with one more regulation-time win.
Amazingly enough, the Tampa Bay Lightning are only two points behind and actually have one game in hand on both leaders. The value of winning the Atlantic Division cannot be overstated. Finishing first will mean an opening-round clash with a wild-card team. Finishing second will mean a clash against a club that could have won the division had a couple of breaks gone its way.
But that is only part of the joy of the Stanley Cup tournament, especially its opening round featuring the 16 best clubs.
Another thrill is the impact of the underdogs, and rest assured there are teams higher seeds would prefer to avoid.
Take Winnipeg, for example. The Jets are truly in the driver’s seat to claim the Western Conference’s regular-season crown. With how things are shaping up, their reward will be to face the second wild-card club.
On the surface, Winnipeg will be the odds-on favorite, but delve deeper.
Currently, the chase for that final playoff spot in the West is a three-team battle between the St. Louis Blues, who currently hold the spot, the Vancouver Canucks and the Calgary Flames.
How comfortable will the Jets really feel against those clubs in a best-of-seven series?
Let’s start with St. Louis. The Jets won two of the first three meetings this season — one via shootout — with a fourth and final clash to come April 7. Sure, the Blues would be underdogs, but they also have won more games than any other squad in the month since the league returned to action following the 4 Nations Face-Off break, skating to victory in 10 of 14 games.
The Canucks have split their season series with the Jets thus far, with one game remaining. And the Flames — who were pegged to be bottom feeders — would feel no pressure should they make the playoffs.
Speaking of hot clubs since that thrilling tournament final, the Montreal Canadiens have moved into the Eastern Conference’s second wild-card spot thanks to an impressive 8-1-3 run. Considering how the Canadiens were supposed to be also-rans this season, they have the potential to derail any division champion’s playoff hopes.
And what if the Blues and/or Canadiens cannot hang onto their perch? Hot on Montreal’s tail are the New York Islanders, a team with a style designed for playoff hockey, and the New York Rangers, who have made their mark in the last two playoffs and would love to erase what has been a shockingly disappointing regular season.
The fact there are no easy outs in the Stanley Cup playoffs makes the opening round two of the best annual weeks in sports. You bet the favorites know they are in for a tough task regardless of who they meet.
