Excellent win, and two very big points as they take down another top team. 3 up on both the Canes and Bruins, with a game in hand on each, and 5 up on the Panthers even in games played. They would really have to struggle in these final 9 games (6 at home) to not be the top seed in the East now. Flyers 82 points with 74 games played; Caps 81 points with 72 games played; Wings 79 points with 73 games played; Isles 77 points with 72 games played. Very strong chance we'll play one of these teams. Also, Fox was on the bench for the win as I saw him in the post-game high five line, so that hopefully is good news.
One thing about that OT, Jones had no clue how to play 3 on 3. He turned the puck over at the Avs blueline, when the play was to skate it out of the zone into the neutral zone and maintain possession. Then he iced the puck when all he had to do was take it behind the net and wait. New situation for him, and he did not play it well. Not knocking him as he has played well, just an observation. With the way things are shaping up, again barring something unforeseen, having the Bruins/Panthers/Leafs/Lightning all in the Atlantic bracket beating up on each other in rounds 1 and 2 is also a big edge. It will all come down to round 2 against the Canes to determine very good season with potentially more, or not IMO. Because if you get to the ECF, that is a good season, and you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Once you get that far you start to feel like it can happen.
And even if they do 1 point worse, the other 3 teams would all have to win out. With a 5-point lead when you factor in games in hand, and the Rangers remaining schedule, no top teams left and 6 of 9 at home, they would really have to fall apart not to get the top seed.
