NHL

  Today, I think I'm gonna talk about what the upcoming NHL Playoff will possibly look like. It's probably not going to turn out exactly as I say, but it should be pretty close.

  Current top 3 teams from each conferences are as following: East-Flyers, Bruins, and Capitals, West-Canucks, Red Wings, and Sharks. Well these teams are very familiar with the Playoff. There was no doubt that these 6 teams are going to make the playoff for sure, especially Flyers (everyone was expecting them to do really good this season after last year's unbelievable playoff run) and Red Wings (full of veterans, strong team). In the East Conference, the remaining 5 teams that possesses the playoff spots are: Penguins, Lightning, Canadiens, Rangers, and Sabres. I'm pretty surprised by this standings. First of all, Penguins are without their top scorers, Crosby and Malkin, and yet, they are still almost guaranteed to have that playoff spot. Lightning didn't do so well last season, so probably not many people expected them to do good this year. Well, they are doing real good. Steven Stamkos has finally started to play his role in Tampa, being a top scorer. Along with Martin St. Louis, Vincent Lecavalier, and Simon Gagne, they are pretty tough to beat. BUT, they are 3-4-3 in last 10 games, so they have to pick it up to stay in the playoff spot. Montreal Canadiens barely made it to the playoff last year and they surprised everyone by defeating the Presidents' cup winner, Washington Capitals, and the defending Stanley Cup Champion of 2009, Pittsburgh Penguins. So this season was all about showing people that that playoff run was no fluke. Carey Price has really picked up his game after Halak's trade to St. Louis Blues for Lars Eller, who has been playing well with the Habs this year. Also, Tomas Plekanec, Andrei Kostitsyn, and Brian Gionta has been playing really well, and P.K. Subban and Jaroslav Spacek has worked really hard, along with James Wisniewski. Without their top defenseman, Andrei Markov, and their best player, Cammellari who has missed several games due to injuries, the Habs definitely surprised everyone and almost convinced everyone that the last year's playoff was no luck. I believe the Rangers ended up in 9th or 10th place last year. They are currently sitting at 7th place in Eastern Conference, just 2 pts. ahead of Sabres and 3 pts. ahead of Hurricanes. The Rangers are pretty close to losing that playoff spot but they are playing their hardest to win the Cup on their 85th anniversary. Buffalo Sabres is currently holding the 8th and final playoff spot in the East. They really have worked hard since the All-Star break. The Sabres was at 11th place in the East, but with a little help from their 'tender, Ryan Miller, and their top scorers, Jason Pominville, Thomas Vanek, Tim Connolly and Tyler Ennis, and some tough guys like Nathan Gerbe, and Patrick Kaleta, they are also looking to win the Cup for the first time on their 40th anniversary. Carolina is just 1 point away from taking that 8th spot and they have a really good chance of taking that spot back tomorrow against the Thrashers, who is 3-6-1 in their last 10 games. Other teams that have a really good chance of making the playoff are: Toronto Maple Leafs, and New Jersey Devils. It seems like the Devils have found their chemistry just in time and Brodeur has been playing WAY better than earlier this season. So, in East, I think the first round might possibly look like this: Philadelphia Flyers vs. Carolina Hurricanes, Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning, and Washington Capitals vs. Montreal Canadiens.

  Western Conference standings has been surprising everyone lately. Chicago Blackhawks, the defending champion, holds the 4th spot. Just few weeks ago, they were at 10th place but then they had an amazing 7-8 game winning streak. After about 40 years of Cup draughts, until last year, the Hawks are looking to win the cup again this year with a little help of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa. Now, what's Dallas doing in 5th spot?!?! Stars didn't play so well last year, but Kari Lehtonen has been playing amazing, and with Mike Modano gone (to Detroit), they were able to replace him with Jamie Langenbrunner from the Devils. The Coyotes really amazed me last year by doing really really good last year and made it to the playoff. And this year, they still have that chemistry and heat left to continue on this year. They are currently at 6th spot with 79 points tied with the Flames. WOW. I'm not a big fan of the Flames, but I gotta say, I'm really impressed by their performance since the All-Star break. I remember at one point during the first half of the season, they were at 14th spot, just above the Oilers, and now, they are sitting at 7th spot. The Flames are one of the hottest team right now with 7-2-1 in last 10 games. There is no doubt that they will continue to move up the standings, possibly all the way up to the 3rd spot (the point difference between the 3rd and 7th is only 3 points lol). The final playoff spot is held by LA Kings. Another team that surprised everyone. With players like Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, and Dustin Brown, plus the newest player, Dustin Penner, they will play hard, and continue on with their success. The Wild, Ducks and Predators still have a lot of potential to make the playoff. EASILY. Because the point difference between the 3rd and 11th is only 10 points whereas in the East, it's almost 20. So it could be anybody's game. My prediction for the first round of playoff in the West is: Vancouver Canucks vs. Nashville Predators, Detroit Red Wings vs. Phoenix Coyotes, San Jose Sharks vs. Dallas Stars and Chicago Blackhawks vs. Calgary Flames.

  Well there was my first hockey analysis or whatever it's called lol. I know it's nothing like what they write on the NHL.com, but I tried my best to keep it interesting haha. It is my dream to work with the National Hockey League so I thought doing this may help me with achieving that dream of mine haha.