There’s little room for error in the NHL’s Eastern Conference playoff race

Typically, as we approach late March, the majority of playoff teams in the NHL have established themselves, with just a couple spots still waiting to be claimed in late-season battles. This season’s Eastern Conference, however, remains a mass of confusion.

The only teams in the East, which has been a logjam all year, that have virtually guaranteed themselves a playoff berth at this point are the Buffalo Sabres, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Carolina Hurricanes. Under those three, there are six teams within two points of each other vying for five playoff spots. Even teams on the outside looking in, like the Ottawa Senators, Philadelphia Flyers, and Washington Capitals, are still threats to jump back into the playoff picture.

On Monday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, hosts Tyler Yaremchuk and former NHL goaltender Carter Hutton discussed the quagmire that is the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Tyler Yaremchuk: When you look at the East; Montreal, Pittsburgh, Columbus, Boston, Detroit, and the Islanders. Six teams that are seperated by two points or less. That’s insane.

Carter Hutton: It’s so tight. The only game on the schedule tonight is the Ottawa Senators vs. the New York Rangers in a game that feels must-win for the Ottawa Senators as they’re hanging around. I look back to that big late win they had against the New York Islanders.

This is a great bit of coaching in my opinion. You’re playing Saturday night in Montreal, the New York Islanders just lay an egg. Montreal Canadiens, unbelievable, Cole Caufield is Mr. Saturday Night with the hat trick. He has to pull his starting goalie, Ilya Sorokin gets into the third period and gives up six goals. They have a back-to-back, and right away you’re going again tonight. You’re our guy, we believe in you. You have Craig Berube with the Toronto Maple Leafs calling out Joseph Woll after breakaway after breakaway and they play like shit in front of him. I think the confidence of Patrick Roy being able to do that to a starting goalie, and yes Ilya Sorokin has earned it, he’s a Vezina-worthy goalie, but that’s galvanizing to a group. Those are big moments. If they get into the playoffs, that 1-0 win against Columbus is a huge difference maker.

You can catch the full discussion and the rest of Monday’s episode here…