A disparity in conference competence is nothing new to the NHL, but the East is taking it to the extreme this year.
As of Monday morning, the New York Islanders sat tied for the eighth seed with the Montreal Canadiens with 50 points, but had played two less games for a total of 48.
By our quick math, there’s a chance roughly 84 points will be good enough to punch a ticket to the post-season in the Eastern Conference this spring. Last year it took 93 points and the eighth seed hasn’t been held by anybody with less than 92 points since play resumed after the lockout.
The West, which has housed better teams top to bottom seemingly forever now, could see a team as good as Detroit miss out on playoff action, as the Kings currently sit one spot ahead of the Wings in eighth place and are on pace for about 97 points.
Typically, the dramatic drop in the East starts after the sixth seed, but with Boston and Philadelphia both performing below expectations this season, it’s really only the top-four clubs of New Jersey, Washington, Buffalo and Pittsburgh who look poised to do any damage.
Especially since they’ll each be getting a first round bye this year.
The Hockey News ranks the teams 1-30 each Monday based on a combination of last week’s play and a squad’s overall outlook.
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