NHL Insider

April 11, 2009

The Road to the Stanley Cup

The road to the Cup is set with the 16 participants having been decided.  All that remains are the match-ups which are still unsettled as the final two days of the season come to an end.

On Friday night, the St. Louis Blues and Anaheim Ducks secured the final two spots in the Western Conference with wins.  The Northwest Division title though is still up for grabs as the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames are separated by just two points, with the Canucks having the advantage.

Eastern Conference

Boston locked up the division (Northeast) and also took the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.  They remain in the hunt for the President’s Trophy (overall standings leader) with 114 points and must win their remaining two games (against Buffalo and the NY Islanders) coupled with a San Jose loss.

The Washington Capitals clinched their second consecutive Southeast Division title and have locked up the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.  The New Jersey Devils took home the Atlantic Division title and the No. 3 seed in the East.

With 93 points, the Rangers needed to win both of their games this past week to make the playoffs and did so with victories over the Canadiens and Flyers.  New York has the tie-breaker with Montreal for 7^th place as they’ve won one more game.  The Rangers will end the season on Sunday against the Flyers in Philadelphia.

Montreal earned a playoff spot despite taking an overtime loss to the Bruins on Thursday night.  Montreal will need a win against the Penguins on Saturday and a loss or non-win by the Rangers to take the 7^th spot in the East.

The Flyers have plenty riding in their final two games of the season.  They currently hold 4^th place (a head of the Hurricanes and Penguins) and will need at least three points to guarantee themselves the lock in 4^th and home-ice advantage in the first round.

Carolina’s season comes to an end on Saturday against the Devils in New Jersey and a win would mean they can finish no lower than fifth.  Earlier in the week the Hurricanes had a chance to secure the 4^th spot, but were handed a loss by the Buffalo Sabres.

With 97 points, the Pittsburgh Penguins will need a win over Montreal and a loss by the Flyers to finish in 4^th or 5^th place.  No matter what, the Penguins will fall no lower than 6^th.

Western Conference

The San Jose Sharks had no problems wrapping up the Pacific Division and taking home the division crown.  With a win on Saturday and a non-win by the Bruins in one of their two remaining games, the Sharks can take home the President’s Trophy.   Regardless of Detroit’s home-and-home weekend series against the Blackhawks they’ll finish in the No. 2 spot in the Western Conference.  Detroit wrapped up the Central Division title.

The Northwest Division title is still up for grabs as the Canucks (98) hold a two-point advantage over the Flames (96).  The Flames will need a win on Saturday against the Oilers to at least tie the Canucks… meanwhile; the Canucks could wrap it up on Saturday with a win against the Avalanche – the last place team in the West.

The Columbus Blue Jackets will be heading to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in their history.  With 92 points and one game left in the season (home on Saturday against the Minnesota Wild), the Blue Jackets need just one point to finish in the No. 6 spot.  A win would have the Blue Jackets face the Northwest Division winner in the opening round.

With Calgary’s loss on Friday night, the Chicago Blackhawks were assured of finishing fourth and getting home-ice advantage in the first round.  They’ll face the Northwest runner-up to open the playoffs.  Chicago has two games remaining; a home-and-home series against the Red Wings.

With a shootout win on Friday night over the Dallas Stars, the Anaheim Ducks locked up a playoff spot.  They’ll end the season on Saturday against the Coyotes and need at least one point to get the 7^th spot.  A win and a regulation loss by the Blue Jackets will move them into 6^th.

With a 16-5-3 run since Feb. 18, the St. Louis Blues did a leap frog from last place in the West to no worse than 8^th place and a trip into the post-season. 

Polishing the NHL Hardware

Although it’s still early to determine the overall winners of the many NHL Awards that will be given out following the Stanley Cup Finals, a few have more or less been determined.

The Maurice Richard Trophy (awarded to the individual goal-scoring leader) will be won by Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals.  With one game remaining, Ovechkin leads the league with 55 goals.  Philadelphia’s Jeff Carter, currently with 45 goals has two games left and New Jersey’s Zack Parise has 44 goals with one game left.  2008 Winner: Alex Ovechkin

The Art Ross Trophy (awarded to the individual point’s leader) is still up for grabs.  The current leader is Evgeni Malkin of the Penguins with 112 points.  Alex Ovechkin is currently holding down the No. 2 spot with 108 points and Sidney Crosby is currently 3^rd with 103.  All three players have one game remaining.  2008 Winner:  Alex Ovechkin

Hart Memorial Trophy - annual award given to the player judged to be the most valuable to his team. The winner is selected in a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association in all NHL cities at the end of the regular season.  2008 Winner: Alex Ovechkin

James Norris Memorial Trophy - annual award given to the defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position.  The winner is selected in a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association at the end of the regular season.  2008 Winner:  Nicklas Lidstrom

Calder Memorial Trophy - annual award given to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League. The winner is selected in a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association at the end of the regular season.  2008 Winner: Patrick Kane

Lady Byng Memorial Trophy - annual award given to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability. The winner is selected in a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association at the end of the regular season.  2008 Winner:  Pavel Datsyuk 

Frank J. Selke Trophy - annual award given to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game. The winner is selected in a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association at the end of the regular season.  2008 Winner:  Pavel Datsyuk

Jack Adams Award - annual award presented by the National Hockey League Broadcasters' Association to the NHL coach adjudged to have contributed the most to his team's success. The winner is selected in a poll among members of the NHL Broadcasters' Association at the end of the regular season.  2008 Winner:  Bruce Boudreau

Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy - annual award under the trusteeship of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association and is given to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey. The winner is selected in a poll of all chapters of the PHWA at the end of the regular season.  2008 Winner:  Jason Blake

Lester B. Pearson Award - presented annually to the “most outstanding player” in the NHL as voted by fellow members of the National Hockey League Players' Association.  2008 Winner:  Alex Ovechkin

Vezina Trophy - annual award given to the goalkeeper adjudged to be the best at this position as voted by the general managers of all NHL clubs.  2008 Winner:  Martin Brodeur

2010 Winter Classic

The success of the past NHL Winter Classic first in Buffalo and then this past January in Chicago could be headed to Boston’s Fenway Park to bring in 2010. 

Artist rendering of Fenway Park for the 2010 NHL Winter Classic

According to reports, NHL reps visited three potential host cities; Boston, New York and Philadelphia.  Besides looking at Fenway, the reps also took a look-see at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots.

Gillette Stadium’s seating capacity of 68,756 would certainly fill the bill compared to Fenway’s 38,805, but scheduling around any Patriots post-season play would have caused havoc, thus Fenway gets the call.

New York Yankee officials have shown approval of the Classic being held at the new Yankee Stadium with the Rangers being the host team.  Additionally, the Yankees would like a New York Winter Classic (Rangers vs. Islanders), but the NHL seems to be against that idea because of possible poor ratings and would prefer Boston or New Jersey to replace the Islanders. 

There is speculation that the Bruins opponent, should this deal become finalized could be the Rangers, Washington or any of the other U.S. based teams to capitalize on the ratings.

Saturday Afternoon Roundup

The New Jersey Devils defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 in what could likely be a preview of a first-round matchup.  Carolina will now have to wait to find out its opening round opponent.  If the Flyers can win their final two games, the ‘Canes will be the No. 6 seed and face the Devils who already have the No. 3 seed locked.

If you like this column, Althea also writes the MLB Insider, the Rays Corner and Lightning Nutz and Boltz all while serving as VP of Sports for NutzMedia.  Listen to Althea on NewsTalk1220 -WSRQ Sarasota and TBSNRadio510.com Sunday's, live from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm as Althea Co-hosts "Speaking of Sports" with Ted Fleming.