I'm curious to see where the Caps end up in the standings. I never thought (well not in recent weeks) they would end up in 1st. I think we will be fighting for 3rd in the division at best. I'd be okay ending up in second or third, but would prefer not to end up in a wild card spot. I certainly don't wan't Tampa in the first round, and not really Boston either. I'd say it's pretty much a given that Boston and Toronto are a lock for 2, 3 so they will play each other. (Montreal is 10 points out and I don't think they make the wild card spot, much less catch Toronto)
I'd really be okay starting the playoffs against anyone in our division other than Tampa. I am not overly confident that we beat any team, but none of them really scare me. I think the Caps can handle Carolina or Columbus, and Shittsburg doesn't scare me either. I'm not that bothered by the Isles either. Don't get me wrong, ANY of these teams could beat us, but I think Tampa is the only team that is truly dominant, and the Caps could beat them. I'd rank Tampa as the best (wow, go out on a limb, I know) and Boston second, with the Caps third best in the East. Maybe rank Toronto in their with the Caps, but I'm a Caps fan so....
Caps play Carolina twice in the last ten games, so we they can sort of control their own destiny of NOT finishing last IF they show up and beat the Canes in both games, and if it comes down to a wildcard spot.
I know this is all fantasy at this point, but I can still dream, can't I? (DAMN YOU, font size change thingamajig)
Oh, and someone call Kuzy and tell him we know he likes the playoff games and the regular season is just a warm up, but if he doesn't start warming up there won't be any playoffs. About time for Holtby to find his groove too.
Go Caps