First off, congratulations to Vesa Toskala for being named the NHL's second star for his work last week. He went 3-0-0 with a 2.00 GAA and .940Sv%.
Here's a look at the last set of plausible predictions:
Thursday March 20
- Canadiens beat Bruins (in Boston) Canadiens win
- Hurricanes beat Panthers (in Florida) Hurricanes win/
Friday March 21
- Maple Leafs beat Sabres (in Buffalo) LEAFS WIN!
- Thrashers beat Capitals (in Atlanta) Capitals win
- Rangers beat Flyers (in Philadelphia) Flyers win. Damn Jagr./
Saturday March 22
- Maple Leafs beat senators (in ottawa) LEAFS WIN!
- Canadiens beat Bruins (in Montreal) Canadiens win in SO
- Panthers beat Lightning (in Florida) Panthers win/
Sunday March 23
- Flyers beat Islanders (in Philadelphia) Flyers win/
Those results have left the standings in the race for the playoffs as follows:
| Rank | Team | GP | Wins | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Philadelphia | 76 | 38 | 86 |
| 8 | Boston | 75 | 37 | 84 |
| 9 | Washington | 76 | 37 | 82 |
| 10 | Buffalo | 75 | 35 | 81 |
| 11 | Florida | 76 | 36 | 81 |
| 12 | Toronto | 76 | 35 | 80 |
Here's a look at this week's games and some completely plausible outcomes:
Tuesday March 25
- senators beat Sabres (in Buffalo)
- Hurricanes beat Capitals (in Carolina)
- Leafs beat Bruins (in Toronto)
- Rangers beat Flyers (in New York)
- Panthers beat Lightning (in Tampa)/
Thursday March 27
- Maple Leafs beat Bruins (in Boston)
- senators beat Sabres (in ottawa)
- Capitals beat Lightning (in Tampa)
- Panthers beat Thrashers (in Florida)/
Friday March 28
- Devils beat Flyers (in New Jersey)
- Canadiens beat Sabres (in Buffalo)/
Here's how the standings would look on Saturday morning as the Leafs prepare to play the Montreal Canadiens if these predictions come true:
| Rank | Team | GP | Wins | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Philadelphia | 78 | 38 | 86 |
| 8 | Florida | 78 | 38 | 85 |
| 9 | Boston | 77 | 37 | 84 |
| 10 | Washington | 78 | 38 | 84 |
| 11 | Toronto | 78 | 37 | 84 |
| 12 | Buffalo | 78 | 35 | 81 |
Those results would set the table for an exciting weekend with the following games:
Saturday March 29
- Canadiens at Maple Leafs
- senators at Bruins
- Flyers at Islanders
- Capitals at Panthers/
Sunday March 30
- Bruins at Sabres/
Of course, all of this hemming and hawing over possible outcomes and how they might benefit the Leafs is moot if they don't win their two games against the Bruins. First up is Tuesday night at home on the back of another two huge back-to-back wins. If they win more people will be still dreaming.