Tonight's Picks and Updated Final Projected Standings...

Tonight Predictions:

New Projected Final Standings

I am an eternal optimist, and I know this pisses a lot of you off...I took a long look at the last 6 NHL seasons and the 16 teams who were in the playoffs on March 1 versus those made the playoffs at seasons end to see if I could really be optimistic for teams currently on the outside looking in..I also wanted to once again speak out against this ridiculous current points system which awards points to teams who lose. The three-point game is beyond dumb needs to be fixed. Unfortunately, the NHL owners would rather have a fake point system that gives the illusion of many markets still being in a playoff race than give teams an actual chance to make up ground by awarding three points for a regulation win.Anyway...let's look for optimism in history...(always a scary proposition...)*On average teams have played 65 games with 17 Games left (34 possible points to be had)*There have been 31 teams (avg: 5 per year) who were sitting 4 points or less outside of playoffs spot.* Only 5 of those 31 teams within 4 points have made the playoffs.* Only once over the last 6 seasons has a team who was over 4 points out made the playoffs (Ottawa 7 points out in 14-15)*Removing Ottawa as the outlier, the average amount of points out the teams who made the playoffs is 2.2 points back.2018-19 Colorado and Pittsburgh each were 1 points out on March 1 but made the playoffs2017-18 Colorado was 4 points out on March 1 but made the playoffs2016-17 The Final 16 were set on March 12015-16 Philly was 3 points out on March 1 but made the playoffs2014-15 Ottawa was 7 points out on March 1 but made the playoffs2013-14 Columbus was 3 points out on March 1 but made the playoffsSo if your team is out of the playoffs now, how should you be looking at this?You can look at the numbers above and see the glass half empty or you can look at the 2014-15 Ottawa Senators, who were 7 points out and made it.The Sens went 15-3-2 over their final 20 games…Carolina is 3 points out 64GPNY Rangers are 4 points out 66GPFlorida is 5 points out 66GPMontreal is 7 points out 68GPBut the West is way more intriguing…Vancouver is in the first wild card with 74 points in 66GPWinnipeg and Arizona are tied with 74 points in 68GPMinnesota is 1 point out 66GPNashville is 2 points out 66GPChicago is 6 points out with 66GPOur projected standings bases the results of all the remaining games being played on several factors including each team’s recent records against their opponents, and travel, back to backs, current injuries etc. Based on these factor we project Florida and Nashville being the two teams currently NOT in the playoffs who will make it.. (of course this assumes these teams can get their normal goaltending…a BIG issues as of now...)1-329-34***********************Points Predicted to Be Gained Tonight...BUF 0 PIT 2TB 2 MTL 0FLA 2 BOS 0NYR 0 WSH 2PHI 1 CAR 2OTT 0 NYI 2NSH 2 DAL 1CHI 2 EDM 1LAK 0 TOR 2SJ 2 MIN 0