Will Kings and Sharks both miss playoffs?
The Los Angeles Kings are defending Stanley Cup champions. The San Jose Sharks were projected to be a strong contender in the West, along with the Chicago Blackhawks, Anaheim Ducks and Kings. Instead, the Sharks are floundering and the Kings are struggling to gain traction. Los Angeles is tied for third in the Pacific Division with at Calgary Flames at 74 points, with San Jose two points behind.
Los Angeles appeared to be rolling after a seven-game winning streak, only to lose the following three games. The Kings have failed to put everything together in the 2014-15 season and now face the real possibility of missing out of on the postseason. Los Angeles has played 34 home games and only 30 road dates, meaning it will spend a majority of the regular season’s balance away from the comfort of Staples Center. To date, the Kings are 10-14-6 on the road.
San Jose has played two more games than the Kings and Flames, and also has more road than home contests. The Sharks, however, have actually been better away from the Shark Tank. San Jose is a pedestrian 15-14-5 at home while rolling to an impressive 17-11-3 on the road. Since Feb. 2, the Sharks are 5-8-2, severely crippling postseason hopes. The Sharks have the back end of a home-and-home coming up with the contending Vancouver Canucks before a brutal three-game homestand which includes the Pittsburgh Penguins, Nashville Predators and Blackhawks.
After that, San Jose goes on a make-or-break seven-game road trip that sees it visit the Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Detroit Red Wings, Philadelphia Flyers and Penguins.
The last game of the regular season features San Jose hosting Los Angeles, a contest which could decide who goes on and who goes home. With the top three teams in each division guaranteed a playoff spot, being out each other and the Flames is of paramount importance. The Central Division may send both of the wild card teams, with the Winnipeg Jets and Minnesota Wild currently occupying those spots.
The Sharks and Kings are both teetering on the edge of oblivion. Somebody needs to make a move; fast.
Sizing up the Eastern Conference
The Metropolitan Division is a circus, with the New York Rangers, New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins all battling for the crown. Regardless of who comes out on top, the trio are assured of the playoffs, taking up the three guaranteed spots. In the Atlantic, the Canadiens are rolling toward the title with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Red Wings virtually certain of the postseason, taking up the other three automatic spots.
The wild card race is heating up. The Washington Capitals appear certain of a seventh seed, but the eighth seed is up for grabs. The Boston Bruins have struggled down the stretch but still hold the spot, with the Florida Panthers only two points back. The Philadelphia Flyers are also in the mix, although in need of a big run.
