BleacherCoaches.com

Chicago is another team in desperate need of points.

The western conference is the craziest playoff race I can ever remember seeing in any sport. Phoenix, Nashville, Anaheim, Dallas, San Jose, Calgary, and Los Angeles are 3rd-9th and separated by 2 points. The teams 3-8 have all played more games than the teams 9-13 (except Nashville have played the same amount) so it is even closer than the points suggest.

The Blues, for instance, are in 13th but only 9 points from 4th. They have played 3 less games than any team currently in the playoffs and 5 less games than 8th place Calgary.

Its gonna be fun to watch coming down the stretch here that much is for sure.

I just hope Calgary can keep winning and get in there. I root for all the Canadian teams as well as the Pens.

Heritage Classic is on Sunday (I believe). For those that don't know its an outdoor game in Calgary between the Flames and Canadians. I'm pretty sure its on Versus.

Western Conference is maybe a little clearer after the weekend. I think nashville, sj, phx, det, and van are gonna stay in there, but then you basically got the other 10 teams fighting for 3 spots. I think in the end its gonna be La, Calgary, and anaheim that grab those spots. Hard to believe with all their talent, but chicago has just been too inconsistent over the season to make it in.

I think the East will pretty much stay the same, maybe Buffalo will jump carolina for the 8th spot. I think its too little too late for nj, toronto, and the islanders, who have all been playing really well lately. If the Pens get healthy the favorites have gotta be them and the Flyers, but the caps, bruins, and habs all could upset one of those two if they get on a run, much like philly and montreal did last year.

Well we made that inevitable deal before the deadline.

We're rumored to be hot the Alex Kovalev trail...

crimson

I really like the Goligoski trade, now the potential Kovalev trade not sure how I feel.

Yeah I really like the trade with Dallas, we still have most of our top defensemen, and now we add a wing that can give us some scoring.

Devils won again tonight down in Dallas, and with Carolina losing in a shootout they pull within 9 points of 8th. And the guy thats been carrying Jersey is the Moose Johan Hedberg, he is now 8-0-1 with 1.12 GAA, a .956 save percentage, and 2 shutouts his last 9 starts including tonight. Broduer was out with injury the past few weeks but now hes back, should be interesting to see which direction they go in net.