The NHL playoff picture in the Eastern Conference remains fluid with just over two weeks to go before the start of the playoffs. Several division titles and home-ice advantages are still up for grabs. As it stands, several teams are battling for position.
Sabres’ Resurgence and Playoff Prospects
Buffalo has moved back to the top of their division. The Sabres are a virtual certainty for the playoffs with seven games remaining. The team has secured its first 100-point season since 2009-10. The Sabres have endured 15 years out of the playoffs.
Coach Lindy Ruff’s single-season turnaround could earn him Jack Adams Award votes. Alex Lyon has been a saviour for the Sabres, holding a 6-1-1 record in his last eight games.
Bruins Face Road Challenges
The Bruins continue to benefit from a strong season from Jeremy Swayman. Swayman has only lost three times in his last 11 games. Boston has a 27-10-1 record at home, but they will be on the road for five of their next seven games.
Most of those opponents, including Philadelphia, Tampa Bay and Columbus, could still have something to play for in those games.
Eastern Conference Title Race Tight
The Lightning, Hurricanes and Sabres are neck-and-neck for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. The Canadiens have an outside chance of usurping those teams, too.
Dom Luszczyszyn’s model still favours the Lightning as the league’s best team. They have the highest odds of making the Stanley Cup Final and winning the championship. They boast a Hart Trophy candidate (Nikita Kucherov), a Vezina candidate (Andrei Vasilevskiy), a Jack Adams Award candidate (Jon Cooper) and a solid supporting cast.
Canadiens’ Injury Concerns
The Canadiens are currently riding a six-game win streak. However, they’ve recently been struck by the injury bug. Alexandre Carrier is out for up to four weeks with an upper-body injury. Montreal’s final four games of the season might not be easy, with Columbus, the Islanders and Philadelphia all presumably having something to play for.
The next few weeks promise excitement as teams jostle for playoff spots and aim for the top seed in the Eastern Conference.