Predicting Which NHL Teams on the Bubble Will Make the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs

January 20th, 2016 by Carol Schram Leave a reply »
The highway to the NHL playoffs looks like it's headed for a serious traffic jam this season.

As the 50-game mark in the 2015-16 schedule approaches, we still have very little clarity about which 16 teams will get the chance to play for the Stanley Cup in April. Here's why:

After the conclusion of games on Jan. 19, the playoff cut line in the Eastern Conference is 51 points.

Eleven of the 16 teams in the East are currently within four points or less of that 51-point mark on either side—competing for six playoff spots. At this point, only the Washington Capitals and Florida Panthers look assured of postseason berths, while the Buffalo Sabres, Toronto Maple Leafs and Columbus Blue Jackets are most likely out of contention.

In the West, 49 points is enough to earn a team one of three different fates. For the San Jose Sharks and Arizona Coyotes, it's enough to hold down a playoff spot in their division, while the Colorado Avalanche cling to the second wild-card berth. Meanwhile, the Vancouver Canucks are on the outside looking in due to a dismal 15 regulation and overtime wins—tied for second worst in the league in the tiebrea ...

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