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| "IF YA DON'T HAVE ANY ONTARIO PLAYERS, YA CAN'T MAKE THE PLAYOFFS! HOW CAN YA MAKE THE PLAYOFFS IF YA DON'T HAVE ANY ONTARIO PLAYERS?" |
The playoffs begin in just over a month, and there's still plenty of teams that have a chance, or think they have a chance, to be a part of it this season. As a hockey blogger, I feel that it is my duty to provide you with a carefully written and intelligent analysis of who I think will miss the playoffs and won't will miss them. Naturally, I decided not to do that. Instead, here's a hopefully more entertaining look at the "bubble" teams.
Winnipeg Jets
Why they can make the playoffs: Their fans would give up breathing if it meant seeing their team in the playoffs.
Why they can't make the playoffs: According to Pierre McGuire, they have many of the most underrated players in the league. If Pierre McGuire says you're underrated, you must suck. A lot.
Verdict: They could, and if they do, I hope the architects who built MTS Centre don't let the roof blow off.
Florida Panthers
Why they can make the playoffs: Lots of people like to take in games at BankAtlantic Center, such as Rangers, Bruins, Caps, Habs and Leafs fans.
Why they can't make the playoffs: If their top line can't carry them offensively, Jose Theodore becomes their biggest offensive threat.
Verdict: Then again, Jose Theodore has scored a goal before...
Washington Capitals
Why they can make the playoffs: Despite the injury to Nicklas Backstrom, they still have talent in Alex Ovechkin, Alex Semin and Mike Green.
Why they can't make the playoffs: Well, this isn't 2008, so Alex, Alex and Green are pretty useless.
Verdict: Perhaps this is all a plan, since finishing first in the Conference so many times didn't work out for Washington.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Why they can make the playoffs: Steven Stamkos can outscore your favorite team combined.
Why they can't make the playoffs: Mike Smith left Tampa Bay for a more up-and-coming hockey market.
Verdict: They have four active players on their roster from Ontario. How could they not make the playoffs?
Buffalo Sabres
Why they can make the playoffs: Ryan Miller is in mid-season form...late in the season.
Why they can't make the playoffs: Ville Leino's offensive production is slightly worse than terrible this season.
Verdict: If Jason Pominville keeps slumping, they make it. Whatever he does, his team does the opposite.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Why they can make the playoffs: After a 1-9-1 slump, they broke out and won in Randy Carlyle's coaching debut.
Why they can't make the playoffs: The team they beat is the worst team in the Eastern Conference.
Verdict: When the Leafs didn't sign Mats Sundin to a player contract after honoring his number, you knew this team was in trouble.
Dallas Stars
Why they can make the playoffs: Joe Nieuwendyk has been a true leader for this team to look up to.
Why they can't make the playoffs: He hasn't played a game since 2007.
Verdict: Even if they miss the playoffs, at least they don't have to worry about Brad Richards leaving them this summer.
San Jose Sharks
Why they can make the playoffs: They have lots of playoff experience due to their recent history of strong regular season teams.
Why they can't make the playoffs: The concussion epidemic has reached San Jose, as head coach Todd McLellan suffered a concussion recently.
Verdict: They've decided to pretend that the playoffs started early this season, and their epic collapse is already under way.
Los Angeles Kings
Why they can make the playoffs: General Manager Dean Lombard finally pulled off a deal that brought a star player to the L.A. Kings.
Why they can't make the playoffs: Well, Jeff Carter used to be a star player, at least.
Verdict: The Kings are so bad offensively that they commonly refer to Minnesota Wild games as "shootouts." Not sure what they mean by that.
Colorado Avalanche
Why they can make the playoffs: They've been carried by rookie forward Gabriel Landeskog.
Why they can't make the playoffs: They could benefit long-term by missing the playoffs and drafting a future superstar.
Verdict: Oh, wait, about that draft pick...
Calgary Flames
Why they can make the playoffs: Olli Jokinen is having a very good season after years of being mediocre.
Why they can't make the playoffs: His regular season games played to playoff games played ratio is 171:1.
Verdict: They're "going for it." You can't argue with that.
Anaheim Ducks
Why they can make the playoffs: They have Teemu Selanne. They can do anything.
Why they can't make the playoffs: The regular season is not infinitely long.
Verdict: Please don't retire, Teemu!
