Onwards.
Minnesota Wild at Columbus Blue Jackets
This game, however unimportant it may be to the Eastern playoff picture, is particularly relevant to the Leaf cause. This is because the Blue Jackets are one of the teams the Leafs could theoretically catch. The Blue Jackets have 67 points on the year thus far, and that puts them only five points ahead of the Leafs, who rest at 62 points.
Five points is not a particularly forgiving margin in the NHL, however - we basically need every team remotely near us in the standings to do terribly at this point, but there's a bit of a wrinkle in that plan.
You may have noticed that the Leafs are doing better these days than they've generally done through the rest of the season. There are a few reasons for this (trades, young players trying to earn spots, etc.) and there's plenty of room for debate on what exactly is the biggest cause of this recent improvement in play. What everyone can agree on, however, is the complete removal of playoff stress, and the Leafs are not the only team that is in such an... ignominious position.
However, keep in mind I haven't watched Columbus play much, if at all, this whole season; as such, I'm not particularly acquainted with their skill level. Perhaps they belong where they are in the standings. Also, Minnesota is desperately fighting for a playoff spot, so this game might end up being a beating.
To be honest, I'm dreadfully uninformed about both these teams - I should really watch this game, as I know nothing, really, about either of them.
Takeaways: Basically, cheer for Minnesota. Minnesota is on a three game winning streak, while Columbus won their last game 5-3... against Edmonton. Minnesota is playing their backup goalie, but Columbus may be missing Rick Nash. This one's a bit of a tossup, but I'd give the ball to Minnesota, if just because this game only really matters to one team.
Projected Score: Hell if I know. Let's say 4-2 Minnesota.
Projected Score: Hell if I know. Let's say 4-2 Minnesota.
Detroit Red Wings at Edmonton Oilers
This game is, in all honesty, not relevant. With a 13 point gap between the Oilers and the next-worst team (the Leafs... sigh), it would take an unprecedented streak from the Oil for them to possibly climb out of last place - and even if they did that, it's extremely improbable that they'd be able to climb anywhere higher than 29th place.
Why would they even want to do that, anyway? With an almost-certain lock on the first draft pick in 2010 (likely to be Tyler Seguin, possibly Taylor Hall), the Oilers would benefit most from losing this game. I expect them to try, though - good luck getting a team of competitive athletes to deliberately try to lose.
Takeaways: I will be very surprised if Detroit doesn't win this game. At this point in the season, with the Wings close to missing the playoffs for the first time in roughly two decades, this game is basically a gift to Detroit.
Projected Score: 3-1 Detroit.
Why would they even want to do that, anyway? With an almost-certain lock on the first draft pick in 2010 (likely to be Tyler Seguin, possibly Taylor Hall), the Oilers would benefit most from losing this game. I expect them to try, though - good luck getting a team of competitive athletes to deliberately try to lose.
Takeaways: I will be very surprised if Detroit doesn't win this game. At this point in the season, with the Wings close to missing the playoffs for the first time in roughly two decades, this game is basically a gift to Detroit.
Projected Score: 3-1 Detroit.
San Jose Sharks at Calgary Flames
This game is also irrelevant to the Leafs - even more so than the Edmonton game. This is a match-up between a team certain to make the playoffs and one struggling to sneak into the playoffs through the back door. Neither of these teams will have anything to do with the draft lottery.
Takeaways: San Jose is a very dangerous regular season team - there's plenty of reasons as to why they're where they are in the standings. Calgary, however, has desperation on its side - with Detroit likely picking up two points in Edmonton, they practically have to win this game to have a good chance in the playoff race. Still, gotta cheer for the Canadian team, eh?
Projected Score: 3-2 San Jose
Takeaways: San Jose is a very dangerous regular season team - there's plenty of reasons as to why they're where they are in the standings. Calgary, however, has desperation on its side - with Detroit likely picking up two points in Edmonton, they practically have to win this game to have a good chance in the playoff race. Still, gotta cheer for the Canadian team, eh?
Projected Score: 3-2 San Jose
New York Islanders at Anaheim Ducks
Ah, we return to relevance. Two of the lower-end teams in the league (although if you check the standings, the Ducks are in 13th in the West, but if they were in the East, they would be in 9th place and only two points out of a playoff spot. In the West, they're 8 points out. Eep.) competing for scraps. Both of these teams are very unlikely to make the playoffs, so that means they matter to us.
The Leafs losing to the Islanders was a particularly harsh blow, as right now we want the Islanders to get as few points as possible. Consider this - if the Leafs had won against the Islanders last Sunday, they would now be only one point behind the Islanders and two points behind Carolina. Alas, they did not, and the gap is large. Also, dwelling on the past is a waste of time; forgive me if I do forget that from time to time.
Now, the Islanders have a little win streak going (3 games) while the Ducks have won their last two games. The Isles have done slightly better over their last ten games, and seeing as they're only seven points behind the Bruins for 8th in the East, they may have spotted a bit of light at the end of the tunnel.
Takeaways: Really comes down to who wants it more in this one. However, from a Leaf perspective, we want the Islanders to lose this one. Quite badly, if I'm honest.
Projected Score: 4-3 Anaheim
The Leafs losing to the Islanders was a particularly harsh blow, as right now we want the Islanders to get as few points as possible. Consider this - if the Leafs had won against the Islanders last Sunday, they would now be only one point behind the Islanders and two points behind Carolina. Alas, they did not, and the gap is large. Also, dwelling on the past is a waste of time; forgive me if I do forget that from time to time.
Now, the Islanders have a little win streak going (3 games) while the Ducks have won their last two games. The Isles have done slightly better over their last ten games, and seeing as they're only seven points behind the Bruins for 8th in the East, they may have spotted a bit of light at the end of the tunnel.
Takeaways: Really comes down to who wants it more in this one. However, from a Leaf perspective, we want the Islanders to lose this one. Quite badly, if I'm honest.
Projected Score: 4-3 Anaheim
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