Vancouver Canucks

[Danielson99]

(minor disadvantage to Calgary with 5 games remaining after tonight)

Minor disadvantage goes to LA not Calgary. Even if LA wins their game in hand they are still 1 pt behind Calgary.

[GordonH]

(minor disadvantage to Calgary with 5 games remaining after tonight)

Minor disadvantage goes to LA not Calgary. Even if LA wins their game in hand they are still 1 pt behind Calgary.

Calgary's remaining games are: St Louis, Edmonton, Arizona, LA & Winnipeg
Los Angeles remaining games are: Edmonton, Colorado, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary & San Jose
Vancouver remaining games are: Nashville, Chicago, Winnipeg, LA, Arizona & Winnipeg

As I see it:
LA has the easiest
Calgary is next
Vancouver has the most difficult

Based on that Canucks could be odd team out, unfortunately. Anything can happen at this time of the year.

[Glacier]

You should throw in Winterpeg into the mix because whoever is last between Van, Calgary, and LA will be fighting the Jets for the last playoff spot:

Winnipeg: NYR, Van, Min, StL, Col, Calg

Remember that in the event of a tie at the end of the regular season, Winnipeg loses every time because they have fewer non-shootout wins. LA loses among Pacific division teams. Winnipeg has few ROW (regulation and overtime wins) than San Jose and Dallas.

[GordonH]

Winnipeg has 39 regulation wins meanwhile LA, Dallas & San Jose have 37 each.

[Glacier]

Winnipeg has 39 regulation wins meanwhile LA, Dallas & San Jose have 37 each.

Regulation wins don't count. It is regulation and overtime wins (ROW).

Montreal = 41
Vancouver = 40
Calgary = 38
LA = 35
Winnipeg = 32

[GordonH]

Winnipeg has 39 regulation wins meanwhile LA, Dallas & San Jose have 37 each.

Regulation wins don't count. It is regulation and overtime wins (ROW).

Montreal = 41
Vancouver = 40
Calgary = 38
LA = 35
Winnipeg = 32

Okay, it is rare occurrence only 4 in past 20 play-off's.
Until the end of regular season GIH is the main tie breaker.

[Danielson99]

As I see it:
LA has the easiest
Calgary is next
Vancouver has the most difficult

Based on that Canucks could be odd team out, unfortunately. Anything can happen at this time of the year.

This is pro sport. You can look at a schedule all you want and think some games are easier than others. The fact is, at the end of a season really good teams lose to the worst teams in the league with regularity. Pressure is an equalizing factor. Do you really think Calgary is going to have an easy time playing Edmonton late in the season? Think again....

The ONLY reason I would call a teams schedule easier is if they have more home games than road games because in reality, teams basically always win more at home. It also makes it easier because you're at home and not living in a hotel somewhere.

[mexi cali]

However it plays out, it's getting exciting. I have taken to standing up and watching the games paly. I am way to involved from a yelling at the screen standpoint.

[Thinktank]

Canucks pretty much guarantee playoffs with that win.

[GordonH]

Canucks pretty much guarantee playoffs with that win.

LA still has a chance of knocking either Calgary or Vancouver out top 3 in Pacific division. If Vancouver is knockout of top 3 in their division only team could knock them out of wildcard is Winnipeg. Based on numbers

Next few games will answer any questions

[Danielson99]

LA still has a chance of knocking either Calgary or Vancouver out top 3 in Pacific division. If Vancouver is knockout of top 3 in their division only team could knock them out of wildcard is Winnipeg. Based on numbers

Next few games will answer any questions

LA can't knock the Canucks out of the top 3, they can only knock Calgary out. I would bet huge money that LA and Calgary both make the playoffs this year. Winnipeg will be going no further once dustin byfuglien is suspended for that cross check he gave tonight.

Calgary will be playing Anaheim in the first round. Nashville will be playing Minnesota. St Louis vs LA and Vancouver vs Chicago. Obviously Chicago and St Louis could change places but you can all but guarantee that Winnipeg will not be making the playoffs.

[Glacier]

This is pro sport. You can look at a schedule all you want and think some games are easier than others. The fact is, at the end of a season really good teams lose to the worst teams in the league with regularity. Pressure is an equalizing factor. Do you really think Calgary is going to have an easy time playing Edmonton late in the season? Think again....

The ONLY reason I would call a teams schedule easier is if they have more home games than road games because in reality, teams basically always win more at home. It also makes it easier because you're at home and not living in a hotel somewhere.

Think again. The Canucks play better on the road than at home. Just look at their record.

[GordonH]

Calgary will be playing Anaheim in the first round. Nashville will be playing Minnesota. St Louis vs LA and Vancouver vs Chicago. Obviously Chicago and St Louis could change places but you can all but guarantee that Winnipeg will not be making the playoffs.

You may want to re-check the current play-off format:
Top team in Conference plays worst team in wildcard spot
Top team in the other division plays other wildcard team
#2 & 3 in the 2 divisions play each other, as an example based on current standings in Pacific division:
Winnipeg @ Anaheim
Calgary @ Vancouver

Added later: its doubtful Vancouver will be knocked out of top 3, since they are 7 points up on LA. Its between LA & Calgary who ends up in top 3.

[Danielson99]

You may want to re-check the current play-off format:
Top team in Conference plays worst team in wildcard spot
Top team in the other division plays other wildcard team
#2 & 3 in the 2 divisions play each other, as an example based on current standings in Pacific division:
Winnipeg @ Anaheim
Calgary @ Vancouver

Right, which is why Anaheim will play Calgary and Nashville will play Minnesota like I said. Vancouver vs LA and St Louis Chicago ....but like I said, they might end up switching places which will only change home ice.

[GordonH]

^^^ Re-read your post I quote.
#2 & 3 within there own division play each other, not outside of there division.