Well Sunday is the end of the regular season. It will mark the start of the playoffs and the end of the miserable seasons of Los Angeles and Philadelphia.

Claude Julien Fired

With three games left in the season New Jersey has fired coach. General Manager Lou Lamoriello decided that his team was not moving in the right direction. Lou decided to make himself manager for the final three games. For Lou he is not in unfamiliar territory as in 2000 he fired Robbie Ftorek with 8 games left in the season and Larry Robinson took over the team and lead them to a Stanley Cup win. Lou is not scared of making a move like this. When I heard the news I was shocked as I've never seen it happen to a playoff team but that is Lou. Lou does what Lou wants and he has a trust in there that people believe in. He won three cups since 1995 so he has to be doing something right. New Jersey won last night against Ottawa in a very entertaining shootout.

Joe Sakic

If you've had a chance to watch the Colorado Avalanche this year you've been treated to watching Paul Stastny's rookie season. If you've had the Altitude feed you would hear the love affair that color commentator Peter McNab has with Paul. What has gone unnoticed by many is the season that "Super Joe" is having this year. With a four point night last night(1-3) Joe now has 95 points on the season(35-60). With two games to play Joe Sakic could hit 100 points for the first time since the 00-01 season when he had 118 points. With all the young guys getting press I feel that Joe is not given as much as he should outside of Colorado. Colorado kept their slim playoff hopes alive last night and still has to win out and have Calgary lose their remaining games. If Colorado sneaks into the 8th spot(Which would possibly produce a Detroit Colorado 1st Round) I think Joe Sakic needs to have consideration for the Hart Trophy. Without Joe where is Colorado?

East Playoffs

Carolina is gone and so are the Islanders so now we are left with Toronto and Montreal. Both teams have two games but the main attraction is going to be Saturday night most likely. Here are our scenarios

Thursday Night, Canadiens play Rangers and Toronto plays Islanders.
Team Decision Points

Montreal Win 92
Toronto Win 91- Saturday night decides

Montreal Win 92- Montreal clinches playoff spot
Toronto Loss 89

Montreal Win 92-Montreal clinches playoff spot(Toronto has less wins so Montreal wins Tiebreaker)
Toronto OT/SO Loss 90

Montreal OT/SO Loss 91
Toronto Win 91- Saturday decides

Montreal SO/OT Loss 91
Toronto SO/OT Loss 90- Saturday decides

Montreal Loss 90
Toronto Win 91- Saturday decides

Now when we get to Saturday night Toronto must have a one point lead at the end of the night. The Leafs lose the first tie breaker to Montreal so if both teams have 92 points it does not do Toronto any good. Basically for Toronto they have to win both games. Even though there is the OT loss scenario Toronto has to look at it as win or go home. Montreal can error on Thursday night but they cannot on Saturday night. It maybe all done tomorrow or we may decide the playoffs in the 82nd game of the season.

West Playoffs.

Besides seeding we're just waiting on Colorado and Calgary. Calgary needs two points and or a Colorado loss to clinch. They cannot gain only one point as if Colorado wins out they would win the first tiebreaker which is total wins.

Flames
Thursday @ San Jose
Saturday Oilers
Sunday @ Colorado

Avalanche
Thursday @ Vancouver
Saturday Nashville
Sunday Flames

It looks bleak for Colorado as they need to beat two tough teams in Vancouver(On the road) and Nashville at home. Calgary also plays Edmonton who has been almost a give me game in the last month as Edmonton's injuries have been awful. Hemsky is back but cannot lead the team. Good Luck to Colorado you have a large hill to climb while the other side of that hill needs to crumble.

Playoff Pool

If you are interested in a Playoff Pool please e-mail me and if we get enough we'll do a pool. Let me know ASAP

SC