6th for the 666 and 8th place predictions

The Devils are in a dead lock of sixth place for quite some time now. Although I haven't posted in the past two weeks or so a lot has happened in the NHL. The Devils are 5-3-0 since my last post. But we all know what Devils' fans truly care about don't we: Sidney Crosby is back! Yes, because apparently Glenn Resch doesn't know which team he does commentary for. We get to hear the name Crosby at least once a broadcast minimally whether they are playing against the Pens or not. It seems to coincide with that overused outdated "Rangers Suck" chant we have done for so many years. Real fans are tiring of hearing it, just as we are tired of hearing about Crosby and how "wonderful it is to have him back" and what an "all-star player he is".

Aside from that it's been a pretty plateaued hockey week for the Devils. We pretty much hit the scoring wall not getting more than two GPG wince March 7th.

On a broader NHL note: PF&HS is going to take a quick look at bubble teams and who I think will get in and who will need to wax up the ole 9-iron.

Eastern Conference

Washington Capitals: Honestly the East I feel is a no-brainer. These guys are in, and will stay in. In fact, I think they will overcome Ottawa for 7th place in the East. Ovechkin finally is showing why he is 8 the Great after (honestly by his standards) a pretty average season with 5 goals in the past week or so including two against the Red Wings in just one game.

The only downside is Mike Green has been out since January and is doubtful for the playoffs. Final Verdict: Caps and their #8 will stay in 8th

Buffalo Sabres: Talk about coming out the woodwork. These guys were beyond the cellar. They were in the Earth's crust of the standings just a couple of months ago. After a disappointing loss against NJ where Kovalchuk got a hat trick on Valentine's Day it seemed to be the final nail in the coffin. But they have battled back into contention and although I don't think they will squeeze in, I think they will come in 9th and only be eliminated on the final day of the regular season. Final Verdict: The Sabres will be sheathed!

Winnipeg Jets: Even if these guys did get in they would drop the first two games to their first round opponents for sure. Most likely win game three, only to be beaten barely in game 4. Then dominated in game 5 on the road. Case in point, HORRID road record. 11-20-4 away from Manitoba. So even if somehow the Caps AND the Sabres fall apart, these guys would be an easy sweep or 5-game series win for the winner of the Atlantic Division. But, they won't make it in. They are nothing more than the Atlanta Thrashers with a price tag after all. Final Verdict: Jets will make an emergency landing at Pebble Beach, CA

Carolina Hurricanes: one word: no. Final Verdict: The Hurricanes will turn at the last moment and miss land completely without scaring anyone into evacuating



Next conference!..

Western Conference

Colorado Avalanche: Honestly a name that sends shivers down my spine. Between losing Lemieux to those clowns in 96, losing in 2001 in the finals to them, and even now Landeskog being the front-runner for the Calder over Henrique: I loathe this team. BUT that being said, they have a solid tam who fought so hard to make it into 7th place where I feel they will either stay or go down to 8th and stay. But the Avs WILL make the playoffs this season.

Final Verdict: An Avalanche will whiteout the Arizona Whiteout

Los Angeles Kings: Among the glitz and glammer of Hollywood lies a hockey team on the rise. Never have they won a Stanley Cup and haven't been to the Finals since 1993 when they lost to the Canadiens. But truthfully, I do think these guys are going to sqeeze in on the final day of the season. And why do I think that? The answer is simple:.....

Phoenix Coyotes: ...... Shane Doan is about to be suspended. Without Shane Doan, this team has no chance. And in this post-lockout era every game this time of year counts bigger than ever. Even with the stellar play of old-timer Ray Whitney, this team will NOT make the playoffs UNLESS Doan remains in the lineup. So basically the fate of the Coyotes possible final season in Arizona lies in the hands of Brendan Shanahan. Ohhhh joy! Final Verdict: The Monarchy of the Kings will overthrow an win after an amazing Coyote "dog"fight

San Jose Sharks: Possibly more than anyone this team needs a Cup. They have only been around since the early 90's but since being the joke of the NHL for most of the 90's they have become an elite team with some of the most passionate fans in American hockey. They are also my second favorite team and always have been. But much like the Jets, the fans can only do so much but yell. They don't have the paychecks. The players do. But the Sharks are in trouble this year if they don't start stringing some wins together. Do I think hey will make it in? Let me put it to you this way: if the Sharks were inching closer to a playoff spot, the Coyotes and Kings will have a scuba tank and rifle on hand to say "Smile you son of a -----!" and deny that chance. Thumbs up for a forced Jaws reference! Final Verdict: uhhh, I already made a Jaws reference so what the hell more do you want from me!?

Calgary Flames: People forget this but Calgary is actually still in this thing. The West is so much tighter than the East. The East it seems teams are fighting for mostly playoff POSITION as opposed to playoff spots. The West is a dead sprint for 8th place. And honestly whoever comes in 8th has a small advantage because the Blues are not and never were a playoff team. The Flames are only 2 points out but the tiebreakers are what is going to kill them in the long run. Final Verdict: Extinguished!

There you have it. Pitchforks and Hockey Sticks' predictions of the final 18 days of NHL hockey before it's playoff time!