NHL - Midseason Report

This is one of those years where the Winter Olympics interrupt the NHL season. So instead of the All-Star Break, we have now reached the Olympic Break. This is the unofficial midway point in the season, though most teams have played about 70% of their games. Teams are gearing up for the stretch run, and the playoff race will begin to take shape. Remember, the playoff format changed this season. The top three teams from each division qualify, as well as the top two teams that did not finish in the top three of their respective division. Make sense? Well if not, you can bet that the conclusion to the NHL season will be as fierce as ever, with some intriguing playoff matchups bound to unfold. Here is how the end if the season projects based off of current standings and simulations of the rest of the games.

*Denotes Wild Card team

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division
1. Boston
2. Montreal
3. Toronto
4. Tampa Bay*
5. Detroit*
6. Ottawa
7. Florida
8. Buffalo

Metropolitan Division
1. Pittsburgh
2. NY Rangers
3. Philadelphia
4. Columbus
5. Washington
6. Carolina
7. New Jersey
8. NY Islanders

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
Pittsburgh over Detroit
NY Rangers over Philadelphia
Boston over Tampa Bay
Montreal over Toronto

Eastern Conference Semifinals
Pittsburgh over NY Rangers
Boston over Montreal

Eastern Conference Finals
Pittsburgh over Boston

Western Conference

Central Division
1. Chicago
2. St. Louis
3. Minnesota
4. Colorado*
5. Dallas
6. Winnipeg
7. Nashville

Pacific Division
1. Anaheim
2. San Jose
3. Los Angeles
4. Vancouver*
5. Phoenix
6. Edmonton
7. Calgary

Western Conference Quarterfinals
Chicago over Colorado
St. Louis over Minnesota
Anaheim over Vancouver
San Jose over Los Angeles

Western Conference Semifinals
St. Louis over Chicago
Anaheim over San Jose

Western Conference Finals
St. Louis over Anaheim

Stanley Cup Finals
St. Louis over Pittsburgh

Not a lot has changed since my preseason pick! I still have the Blues hoisting their first Cup.
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