Two Days – and a lot of drama – Remain

Worst case scenario, Pens finish fourth and host Senators. (photosource: Yardbarker.com)

Forty-eight hours remain in the 2009-10 NHL hockey regular-season.    Again this year the Penguins have thrilled their fans with many heart-pumping moments.  There have been bouts with frustration, but this year’s squad should be proud of its overall effort – especially considering the amount of games they have played in the last three years!  In fact, this team is not much statisically different than last year’s squad who finished fourth.  We all remember how splendidly that seed worked out.

Although last night’s 7-3 drubbing of the Islanders gave us pause to reflect on the Civic Arena’s  - yes, now that it’s closing I will forever refer to it by its proper name – heritage, the all-important second season looms.  I agree with my blog-partner that the tribute was fitting, but I can’t bring myself to say goodbye yet.  There is still work to be done.

Let’s take a look at what drama remains to unfold in the next two days.

Eastern Conference

The Washington Capitals have boisterously earned the top-seed.  A trip to the Stanley Cup finals from the East will go through the nation’s capital.  It is hard to argue that the Caps are the league’s best team…for now.

The second seed will go to either the Atlantic Division Champion – New Jersey or Pittsburgh – or Buffalo, who has already clinched the Northeast title.   The Pens are in Atlanta for a 7 p.m. tilt Saturday and close out the season on Long Island with a 5 p.m. game against the Islanders Sunday.  The defending Stanley Cup champs will be without one of their newest forwards, Alexei Ponikarovsky, who is suspended for the weekend after an inopportune boarding hit on New York’s Josh Bailey Thursday night.

The Devils host the Islanders at 7 p.m. Saturday before hosting the Sabres in a colossal tussle at 5 p.m. Sunday.  Buffalo is in Ottawa Saturday night at 7 p.m. before travelling to New Jersey.  For those of you – like me – with the NHL package, it is clear that Saturday from 7-10 p.m. and Sunday from 5-8 p.m. the remote will be buzzing.

The Nos. 3-4 seeds will be the two remaining between Pittsburgh, New Jersey, and Buffalo.  Ottawa has locked in the No. 5 seed, while Nos. 6-8 are a mess.  Currently, Boston and Montreal are tied with 87 points in sixth.  The Bruins have two more games while Montreal has just one more left.

The most interesting showdown remaining is when the New York Rangers visit Philadelphia for a 3 p.m. winner-take-all contest Sunday.  With the Rangers 4-3 victory Friday night, the two teams are tied with 86 points.  The loser of Sunday’s contest will hit the links.  The winner could finish as high as sixth.

The Western Conference’s eight playoff teams have been decided although their seedings will be determined in the season’s final weekend.

Enjoy hockey fans.  This is coming down to the wire.