As we approach week 9 of Season 4 in LGHL (PSN), we have some interesting things happening. As we stand currently, we have 4 teams who have clinched a playoff birth regardless of what happens this week. There are 2 from each Conference so far. From the East we have the Florida Panthers and the Washington Capitals , and from the West we have the Minnesota Wild and the Dallas Stars . In reality however, we have the Flyers , Devils , Penguins , Bruins , and Sabres that are likely in the playoffs from the East. This leaves the 8th and final Wild Card spot up for grabs between the Maple Leafs (70pts) who currently hold the spot, and the Hurricanes (70pts) , Canadiens (68pts), and Lightning (68pts) , who are all right there battling it out trying to squeeze into the "Loffs". It looks like the top 7 teams in the East are set unless something crazy happens this week, which isn't out of the question but is very unlikely. In the West, the Blues , Blackhawks , Kings , and Flames are all going to make the playoffs, though their spots aren't "clinched" officially yet. The really interesting race right now involves the Avalanche (84pts) who currently hold the 8th and final Wild Card spot in the West, their position is currently protected by the Western Pacific Division's race for the 3rd and final spot for their division. The Coyotes (81pts) currently hold that spot up by 6 pts on the Oilers (75pts) . If Colorado can maintain its lead on the Pacific divisions 3rd and 4th place teams, then they too will make the playoffs. Edmonton is currently 9 points back of Colorado and are chasing the Coyotes down by 6 points as I said a minute ago. The Winnipeg Jets (75pts) are sitting 9 points back of the Avalanche but it sounds like there is turmoil in their locker room and may not be a factor during this last week. So Colorado needs to be careful and just keep doing their thing and they will make the "loffs". However, if this Arizona and Edmonton battle turns into a win for win match all week, with the Coyotes sitting only 3 points back of Colorado, and the Avs don't take care of business, they could find themselves on the outside looking in. This week 9, having 10 games instead of the usual 9, has the chance to provide the most gripping story line of the season to this point! This week is bound to come down to a few factors: 1.) Availability- will teams have their team available to play often enough to allow the teams to play the matchups they want in their divisions? 2.) Which teams will "nut up" under the pressure to take over a playoff spot or to continue holding the one they have? 3.) Will there be any teams that fall under the weight of a loss and allow it to determine or define the rest of their season, or will they bounce back and continue on their path to the Postseason? With the playoffs right around the corner and so much still to be decided, we may see the emergence of a team this week that gets hot at the right moment and begins an historic run at Lord Stanley's Cup! Will the season long favorite Florida Panthers hold on to their Presidents Trophy? Or will the Minnesota Wild, Dallas Stars, or LA Kings catch them? What matchups will we see when this finally shakes out and will there be some very unfortunate first round matchups for Cup favorites that send them packing before their journey even gets started? Can the Chicago Blackhawks make a run and defend their Season 3 Championship? These are just some of the stories we will see unfold over the next month or so! But before all of that takes place, we have 10 games that will decide 3 playoff spots between 7 teams and could even see division round matchups change on a daily basis as we tear through the final week of the regular season! Also, which teams that will NOT make a playoff spot embrace the role of spoiler and prevent some of these teams from achieving greatness this season?!! Who will win the Art Ross Trophy this season? We have an established XBox veteran in @GB521 and a draft pick in @PenguinsHockey__ fighting it out for that, along with possibly a couple others. Who will win the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy? @Clarkeskog and @Hayesx11 have been battling it out for 8 weeks and will decide this week? Who will get 4 games this week and help their team gain an advantage in the standings and help hand out some of these individual greatness awards? Join us on LG Hockey Hotline and we will break this stuff down tomorrow night!!! Pay attention this coming week!! Greatness is born from great opportunity and this week there are plenty of opportunities for greatness to appear!!!
I've just talked to the kings and they said while y'all in the West are sleeping we gonna be eattin and steal that first spot in the west
Well there is no arguing that they went from last place in the division week 3 to division lead and 4 points off the Presidents Trophy at the end of week 8.... LA has become a powerhouse.
"Jumping into this tread and commenting before (Jclaus winning all the awards again) is a thing." In Before InB4
