2010 NHL Playoff Projections - 20 Games To Play

With 62 games banked and 20 to play, the NHL playoff picture is taking shape. The chart below projects final standings based on the points-per-game pace to date.

Projected 2010 NHL Playoff Picture At 62 Games
EAST				WEST
Team	W	Pts	Pace	Team	W	Pts	Pace
1. WAS	41	90	1.45	1. SJS	40	89	1.43
2. NJD	38	79	1.27	2. CHI	41	87	1.40
3. BUF	33	75	1.21	3. VAN	38	78	1.26
4. PIT	37	76	1.22	4. LAK	38	80	1.29
5. OTT	35	74	1.19	5. PHO	37	79	1.27
6. PHI	33	69	1.11	6. COL	35	76	1.22
7. BOS	28	67	1.08	7. NAS	34	73	1.18
8. ATL	28	66	1.06	8. DET	29	70	1.13
9. MTL	29	64	1.03	9. CGY	30	69	1.11
10. NYR	28	63	1.02	10. DAL	28	68	1.10
11. TBL	26	63	1.02	11. ANA	30	67	1.08
12. NYI	25	58	0.93	12. MIN	31	66	1.06
13. FLA	24	58	0.93	13. STL	28	65	1.05
14. CAR	25	57	0.92	14. CLB	25	59	0.95
15. TOR	19	49	0.79	15. EDM	19	44	0.71

Hovering around 94 points for the past four season, this year's cutoff appears lower with the East at 90 and the West at 93. With this in mind, the chart below shows points and pace needed by bottom dwellers in each conference over the final 20 games to qualify for the second season.

Points Needed In Final 20 Games
EAST			WEST
Team	Pts	Pace	Team	Pts	Pace
9. MTL	26	1.30	9. CGY	24	1.20
10. NYR	27	1.35	10. DAL	25	1.25
11. TBL	27	1.35	11. ANA	26	1.30
12. NYI	32	1.60	12. MIN	27	1.35
13. FLA	32	1.60	13. STL	28	1.40
14. CAR	33	1.65	14. CLB	35	1.75
15. TOR	41	2.05	15. EDM	49	2.45

Though possible to collect 40 points in 20 games (2.00), it's improbable these laggers will outpace the league leader (1.45). Barring heroics of the five week variety, expect the Islanders, Panthers, Hurricanes, Blue Jackets, Maple Leafs, and Oilers to close shop come April 11th.

For the rest, anything is possible.