NHL FINAL 20 GAMES

Down to the Last Quarter of the Season

Who makes the playoffs and who doesn’t? The Detroit Red Wings in the East and the Nashville Predators in the West have gone on hot streaks putting them in great positions to get into the mix to pursue the Stanley Cup.

The Red Wings had won 6 games in a row before losing to the New York Islanders and then Saturday night to the East leading Florida Panthers, 4-0. And in the loss, they also had an injury to their Captain and leading scorer with 26 goals and 54 points, Dylan Larkin. He is expected to be out of action for two weeks. Can they get another streak going without him? Or will the last two games be the start of a streak in the wrong direction and allow another team from the East to grab the final playoff spot? They will have their hands full when they take on the Colorado Avalanche in Denver on Wednesday. The Avalanche have the best home record this year and will be trying to avenge an overtime loss to the Red Wings in Detroit on February 22nd.

The Nashville Predators have gone on an impressive eight game winning streak to put themselves in control of a playoff spot in the West. The Predators take on the Montreal Canadians in Nashville on Tuesday. They are in a good position to keep their streak going and solidify a playoff berth. They have a healthy lineup to date. Nine of their last 20 games will be on home ice.