Roblogg’s Panthers Portal

The playoff race, both in the Eastern and Western Conferences, has been tightening up after the All Star break. Many teams are involved and have a realistic shot at making the post-regular season games.

Especially in the West. All teams in fact have a realistic shot at making the playoffs there!

It is no secret that the Western Conference is the stronger of the two half’s of the NHL; dominating inter-conference play since 2005/6. Only two western teams are below .500 versus eastern opposition (St. Louis and Anaheim). No surprise then that the Western Conferences’ teams have generally more points on the lower half of the table than its Eastern counterparts – and that the playoff race is much more congested.

Every point is pivotal for these clubs and one win could potentially catapult a team up the standings – while a loss could consequently set lose a freefall down the table.

Yesterday two games of playoff importance were played in the west. Phoenix went to Detroit to try and avoid a fifth straight loss, while the Red Wings were also digging deep to try and find some form. Propelled by another Marian Hossa show, the home team ended up on top (winning 5-4) after a late goal from Nicklas Lidstrom on the power-play. Former Panther Olli Jokinen has been called upon lately by the Coyotes to lead by example; but for a fifth game in a row he failed to come up with any goods to help the struggling franchises cause. Now why is it, that he has never played a playoff game in his career, I wonder?

A pitched battle was in the meantime being contested in Minnesota between the Wild and Ducks. While Anaheim has seen some much sought after wins of late, they came up with nothing against a defensively dogged home side. Niklas Backstrom came up big between the pipes, denying the swirling Ducks any goals from 34 shots. Minnesota meanwhile scored three to win the match three-nothing.

Vancouver Canucks snapped a long losing streak the day before yesterday when they made Florida a great favor by defeating Carolina 4-3 in a rare home-ice victory. Yesterday they also announced a trade with Anaheim; receiving D Nathan McIver while giving up RW Mike Brown.

So, Vancouver are back in playoff contention and Edmonton will hope to make a similar bounce back; after losing 2-10 at home to Buffalo immediately after the All-Star break then won one (against Minnesota 3-1) and now have another two consecutive defeats (vs. Nashville 1-2 and Chicago 1-3).

The in-form team of the moment is Dallas Stars; who now have racked up five straight triumphs. This impressive streak started before the All Star break, when the Stars visited Sunrise and beat the Panthers in an imposing 4-1 fashion. They followed up this with wins against Atlanta 2-0, Detroit 4-2, Columbus 7-3 and Calgary 3-1. Early season difficulties and off-ice controversy (Sean Avery) has been overcome and the Stars are looking sharp at the moment!

Otherwise the only teams with consecutive wins or defeats, outside the top four – which look set for playoff qualification, is Nashville with two wins (against Edmonton and Phoenix, both won 2-1) and Columbus – with two defeats (again Dallas 3-7 and St. Louis 2-4).

Here is the Western Conference Standings at this time, but expect changes to occur on a daily basis…

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