lordstanley

Like GalagaGuy posted in the games thread, there a is logjam of 6 teams with either 84 or 83 points, fighting for 5 spots. With NYI’s late loss in regulation to Ottawa, Columbus has moved into 3rd place in the Metro. Friday we can take a breather. No game with playoff implications for the Wings (unless you count Washington - 8 points behind the Wings - playing the Devils. I don’t.

That’s about as exciting as regular season games get.

53 seconds to hang on.

Oh my god!!!

Very chippy all night. Playoff race intensity.

The Wings have definitely been the better team in the 3rd. Much of the 2nd too.

Compher had been having a horrible shift ..and then he tied it!

No help out of town.

“Holding the stick” penalty is an insult after Kane had been stripped of his a few minutes earlier. 1-0 Habs on the power play goal.

Another one just now. Sore shoulder maybe?

Definitely. And I haven’t either on MBN

Copp a game item decision. Skating in the pre game.

Johnny O’s back in town (or at least a Johnny O jersey). Let’s go!!

Some better news on the out of town scoreboard tonight. Ottawa lost in regulation to Washington and are 5pts back of the Wings with a game in hand. While the Sens aren’t quite out of it, at the moment there are 6 teams battling for 5 spots: Montreal 84 pts (15 games left); Pittsburgh 84 (14); NYI 83 (14); Boston 82 (14); Detroit 82 (14); and Columbus 81 (15).

The Wings and Bruins are practically even-Steven, as Sid Abel would say, holding the two wildcard spots. Both have 37-23-8 records for 82 points through 68 games. Bruins lead Regulation Wins 27-26 while the Wings lead ROW 35-34, so the tiebreakers are very much undecided. Columbus is 1 pt back with a game in hand so is fractionally ahead in points percentage. Three games of note tonight: Ottawa at Washington - want an Ottawa loss. The Sens are only 5 pts behind Boston and Detroit with 2 games in hand and only 5 teams from a division can get in,, so can’t be ignored. Pittsburgh at Carolina - want a Carolina win. Penguins are 1 pt up on the Wings with a game in hand. Assuming the Wings hold off Ottawa, the Wings only have to beat out any one of Columbus, Boston, NYI or Pittsburgh. Philadelphia at Anaheim - this game is barely a factor, but since the Flyers are 8 pts back of the Wings with 2 games in hand and play the Wings 3 more time, might as well cheer for a Philly loss. But if we reach a point where we seriously need to worry about the Flyers, the Wings would be in big trouble.