NHL Playoff Preparations, Standings Update, & Game Previews

SportsGrid

Watch NHL Playoff Preparations, Standings Update, & Game Previews - SportsGrid on Dailymotion

Transcript

00:00Pittsburgh into New Jersey against the Devils. Now the Devils have won 8 out of 10 against Pittsburgh.

00:05We know that the Penguins are playing out the stretch. It's been a miserable season for them.

00:09But the Devils are now also locked into what they're doing.

00:13They're playing Carolina. It's going to be next week. All these games for the Devils coming down the stretch mean nothing.

00:20And it's like I was saying before at the top, the last week of the regular season, it's difficult.

00:24Because you have a lot of teams that are really just getting these last 3 or 4 games in

00:30and getting ready for next weekend when they play their first playoff game.

00:34So you've got to be careful. I know there's trends here and all those things.

00:37You know, the Penguins are probably going to put out a better squad than the Devils this evening.

00:42So that could be a little bit tricky there.

00:45San Jose in Edmonton against the Oilers. The Oilers destroy the Sharks every chance they get.

00:50They have won 12 of their last 13 games against them.

00:53And as far as where the Oilers are sitting right now, they have 95.

00:58They really can't be caught by anybody behind them.

01:02They're 4 points back of L.A. to have home ice against them.

01:06That's another situation where I don't think Edmonton cares too much

01:09if they have home ice against L.A.

01:12because they beat L.A. every year in the playoffs.

01:16Beat them every year. I don't know if they're going to beat them this year.

01:19But they beat in L.A. every year in the playoffs.

01:22So I don't think they're too concerned.

01:23I'd be more concerned if I was them to make sure that by next weekend you have

01:27Drysaddle and McDavid as healthy as possible wrapped in bubble wrap.

01:31So that would be the most thing for me when it comes to the Edmonton Oilers here

01:35coming down the stretch.

01:37And finally tonight, Minnesota is in Calgary against the Flames.

01:41Minnesota's been playing some wild games lately.

01:43As you look at that 5.5, they are road favorites tonight.

01:48Now the Flames are the only team in the West that's still hanging on.

01:51They are 5 points back.

01:53They have 4 games left.

01:55And St. Louis actually only has 2 games left.

01:59So, you know, it's bleak.

02:02But the Flames are still holding out hope to potentially get in.

02:06Minnesota, meanwhile, is even in points with St. Louis at 93.

02:11Tonight is their game in hand where they could push themselves up to 2-up on them.

02:17And each will have a couple to play.

02:19Now neither are going to get into the top 3 in the Central.

02:22But difference between playing Winnipeg and Vegas?

02:25Honestly, yeah.

02:26I think there is a little difference in playing Winnipeg and Vegas in the first round.

02:30Winnipeg's going to have a lot of pressure.

02:32Winnipeg's got this little stigma of not being able to get it done in the playoffs.

02:36Vegas is a proven playoff performer.

02:38If I'm Minnesota or St. Louis, I think there is a big difference between who you're going to play once you get down into that first round.

02:47So, there you go.

02:48Tonight's action, 5 games we have this evening.

02:51We'll get Dave's thoughts on a couple of them as well.

02:53You saw the standings a couple of times there.

02:55So, you see where you sit.

02:57Carolina, Jersey, the only series that is locked in right now.

03:00They will absolutely be playing next week.

03:02Carolina is going to be heavy favored in that series, especially with no use for the Devils.

03:07Minus 275 for that now.

Category

Transcript

Recommended