Thursday’s Stanley Cup Playoff Clinching Scenarios
The Boston Bruins have a chance to lock up the overall one seed in the east tonight. The B’s are on the road in Toronto, and a win plus a Pittsburgh Penguins loss will give them home ice advantage. Another scenario that would get Boston the one seed would be an overtime loss in Toronto, plus a loss in regulation for Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh can clinch the Metro Division title, with at least one point from tonight’s game in Winnipeg. A couple other scenarios for them are if the Philadelphia Flyers lose to Columbus, or if the Flyers win in a shootout. Confusing, but win and the the title is theirs for the Penguins.
Ryan Miller and the St. Louis Blues take on Buffalo
For the first time since being dealt at the trade deadline, goalie Ryan Miller will face his former team, the Buffalo Sabres. Miller isn’t getting the start tonight, but expect something special in store for Miller when the teams take the ice tonight, from his former teammates.
With games coming up against division rivals, Colorado and Chicago, it’s obvious the Blues don’t need Miller against the struggling Buffalo Sabres.
“We’re not trying to get too far ahead, but definitely trying to be playing the right way leading into the playoffs,” Miller said. “For me [a 1-0 shootout victory against the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday] was a good step forward. I just want to keep making the steps necessary. Hopefully we’re where we all need to be. It doesn’t have to be perfect hockey but it needs to be the right kind of hockey. We have to have a good attitude and the belief in this locker room.”
The break should let Miller have a little fun with his old squad.
“On the human side of it I’m glad the guys are going to be in town. A chance to see some friends.”
Chicago Blackhawks Captain Jonathan Toews sidelined the rest of the season
Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews, has been ruled out for the rest of the regular season, Wednesday according to coach Joel Quenneville.
“We’re not gonna play him for the rest of these six games so he’ll be ready to go [for the playoffs],” Quenneville said.
Toews suffered an upper-body injury in Sunday’s loss to the Penguins. Chicago is currently sitting in third in the Central, while they are three points back in the race for home ice advantage.
Detroit Red Wing superstar set to return
Pavel Datsyuk announced this afternoon on twitter, that he is set to return from injury Friday night.
The center has not been on the ice since the end of February. Pavel is coming back in the heat of the Eastern Conference wild card race. The Red Wings currently hold the fifth seed with 86 points, they lead free-falling Toronto by just four points coming down the stretch.
Stat of the day
The state of Florida has produced only four NHL players. While the sport is growing in warmer climates now, more than ever before, the magic number for the state is four.
Look for the state to triple this number in the next decade, as hockey continues to grow all over the south.
Photo Credit: Getty Images GIF: bosstownsports