This past week saw the start of March; the month where many teams playoff hopes will be won or lost. In the Eastern Conference, the playoff picture is starting to clear up but there are still some bubble teams that are trying to get in. Over in the West, there are only 4 teams that can be crossed out of the playoff picture and any other team can still win their division. Teams from 4th to 11th have never been this close as long as I can remember with only 5 points separating those 7 teams. One bad week in March could see a teams playoff hopes vanish before their very eyes, while a team that is able to pile a bunch of wins in a row this month will increase their playoff chances immensely. In this post I will discuss some big story lines that are happening leading towards the end of the season.
This may finally be the year for Brian Burke and the Toronto Maple Leafs. The storied franchise hasn't made the playoffs since before the lockout and currently find themselves only 5 points back of 8th place Buffalo. Now 5 points seems like a lot but before their loss Saturday night to the Blackhawks, Toronto had been on a tear thanks to rookie goalie James Reimer's impressive 12-5-3 record in 22 games. When Burke traded away key players in Francois Beauchiman, Kris Versteeg and Tomas Kaberle away for a bunch of draft picks and prospects and forward Joffery Lupal. Lupal has ignited team all-star Phil Kessel and the 2 players have been on a goal scoring wave over the last couple of weeks. But watching the leafs play the defending champs from the windy city on Saturday proved that the leafs aren't quiet the contender Burke wants them to be. I predict they will miss the playoffs this season but they are certainly a team to watch in the years to come.
Jarome Iginla became part of history last night when he recorded his 30th goal of the season on a penalty shot against the Nashville Predators. The goal marked the 10th season in a row that Iginla had scored 30 or more goals, a feat accomplished by only 9 other NHL players in league history. Iginla's play is a big part of the turn around the Flames have had this season. When the calender flipped to start 2011, Calgary was 14th in the West and the season had become a write off. But they began winning and winning some more and now find themselves sitting 5th in the West. What a turn around. I do think they will be able to sneak into the playoffs as either the 7th or 8th seed but the question is, are the good enough to make a run?
The Chicago Blackhawks are visiting President Obama on March 11 to honour their championship season last year and right now they are playing like champions. Even though they lost many players from last years team, they still find themselves in 4th in the West and on an 8 game winning streak. Of course, Captain Serious Jonathan Toews is leading the way with 15 points in those 8 games and the Blackhawks are defiantly a contender. I don't know if they can win the cup again but they could give some teams a run for their money in the playoffs.
These are just some of the stories that are unfolding as March moves along. I am sure the standings will be changing every day from now until the end of the season, but that is what we like most about hockey. There are so many skilled teams that every game is worth the price of admission. I am excited for the playoffs but I won't complain about all of the exciting games that still remain this season. Who will survive the March madness playoff push? Only time will tell.
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