2020 MRFHL Playoff Races

We’ve entered the home stretch of the MRFHL season and with only a handful of games left for most teams, the playoff picture remains quite undecided. Only half of the 16 playoff positions have been clinched, with only the Edmonton Oilers firmly locking their position heading in to the postseason as the Western Conference Champions. So let us take a dive in to each race and what might be the result at the end of the season 

Brendl Division Race for 1st 

Philadelphia Flyers - 99 PTS 3R (@EDM, @CBJ, vs.COL)

Washington Capitals - 98 PTS 3R (@BOS, vs.SJS, vs.CGY)

Carolina Hurricanes - 96 PTS 6R (@ARI, vs.BOS, @COL, @LAK, @EDM, @NJD)

Let us start with an easy one. The Brendl division race is one of the lesser stakes races in the league, with all three teams clinching playoff spots and division spots. The question left is who will have home ice advantage in the Brendl and who will get to play a wildcard team. The Capitals have been red hot down the stretch narrowing the gap to the Flyers for the division lead. Both teams have three games remaining,with some tough games against teams in their own playoff races and the Flyers who . The real question mark here is the Carolina Hurricanes who have the most condensed end to the season in the league with 6 games in the last 7 days of the season (5 on the road). If the Hurricanes can pick up points in the games in hand they have, they could make a serious run for the division title. 

Commissioner Prediction: 1. Carolina 2.Washington 3.Philadelphia 

Daigle Division Race for 1 thru 3

Montreal Canadiens - 97 PTS 3R (@WPG, @CGY, vs.TOR)

Toronto Maple Leafs - 95 PTS 5R (@BUF, @TBL, vs.NYI, @TBL, @MTL)

Detroit Red Wings - 94 PTS 2R (vs. NYI, vs.PIT)

Tampa Bay Lightning - 93 PTS 3R (@CHI, vs.TOR, vs.TOR)

Ottawa Senators - 93 PTS 2R (vs.BUF, vs.BUF)

What a wild chase to the finish we have here in the Daigle. Four points is all that seperates 1st and 5th, which could mean home ice in the first two rounds or teetering on the edge of the last wildcard spot. Montreal and Toronto are in the driver's seat with the slight lead and the most games available to them. The last game of the regular season between the rival Canadiens and Leafs could decide who sits on top of the division at the end of the year. The juiciest set of matchups may be the two games the Lightning will host against those same Toronto Maple Leafs. If the Lightning can take advantage of those games they could leap frog the Leafs and put themselves in strong consideration for one of the top two spots. The Senators are on the outside of the race with only two games left, but with both of them being home games against the worst team in the East, they could sneak into the 2nd or 3rd spot in the East. The Red Wings also have a pair of home games against non-playoff teams that could help them secure one of the division spots. 

Commissioners Prediction: 1. Toronto 2. Montreal 3. Ottawa

*East Wildcard

2 Losers from Daigle Race

Columbus Blue Jackets - 91 PTS 2R (vs.PHI, vs.WPG)

The two losers of the Daigle race are in the safer spot of clinching the last two spots of the Eastern Conference wildcard race, but there is another team stalking on the outside. The Columbus Jackets are in a tougher spot with only two games left against tough opponents and needing to gain points, but if one of the Daigle teams slide they could sneak in, although they will probably need to win both games. 

Commissioners Prediction: WC1. Detroit WC2. Columbus

Bonsignore Division Race for 2 and 3

Anaheim Ducks - 90 PTS 3R (@VAN, vs.WPG, @CHI)

Calgary Flames - 90 PTS 4R (@FLA, vs.MTL, @BUF, @WSH)

Los Angeles Kings - 88 PTS 2R (vs.MIN, vs.CAR)

The Edmonton Oilers have the division, conference and league locked up by a mile, but there is plenty of intrigue left in the race for the 2 and 3 spots in the Bonsignore. The Ducks and Flames have been on a hot streak down the stretch racking up points, while the Kings have crumbled and may have missed their shot. Both the Ducks and Flames have games in hand a two point cushion. The Ducks have a decent run of games, but not even the Canucks game is a gimme. The Flames have four games to the end the year with a string of games against Eastern Conference opponents. The Kings have a shot with two games at home, but with games against a playoff team and another team fighting for their lives, it may not even be enough at the end of the day if they can win both. 

Commissioners Prediction: 2. Calgary 3. Anaheim 

Stefan Division Race for 1 thru 3

Nashville Predators - 99 PTS 2R (vs.DAL, vs.DAL)

Chicago Blackhawks - 95PTS 3R (vs.TBL, @DAL, vs.ANA)

Colorado Avalanche - 93 PTS 3R (vs.CAR, @PHI, @MIN)

Dallas Stars - 90 PTS 3R (@NSH, vs.CHI, @NSH)

Winnipeg Jets - 89 PTS 4R (@STL, vs.MTL, @ANA, @CBJ)

The Stefan division has been a rollercoaster all season (the Jets were sellers at one point!). Let’s start off with the obvious, the top 3 in the division have already clinched playoff spots, it’s just a matter of where. The Predators can crush the Stars playoff dreams, but if they don’t they’ll still be on home ice to start the playoffs, so easy sailing for them. The Blackhawks have no days off with three tough opponents all in their own battles. Colorado again have a string of tough matchups against East opponents. The Dallas Stars could see the biggest swing, they could position themselves with a division spot or if they drop games to the top 2 teams in their division, they may be out of a playoff spot. The Jets have the games in hand with four left on the schedule including the (hopefully) locked in win against the Blues, they could make a late charge for a top 3 spot and it may be possible with the way they’ve been playing the last 10 games. 

Commissioners Prediction: 1.Nashville 2.Chicago 3.Winnipeg

*West Wildcard

Loser in Bonsignore Race

2 Losers from Stefan Race

Minnesota Wild - 86 PTS 3R (@LAK, @STL, vs.COL)

The wildcard race will be a scramble (or limp in) for whatever teams are in this position. If the Wild, who are on an upsetting five game losing streak, beat the Kings it could put them in a spot to jump over them. They will probably need the Stars to drop their games against the division rivals but like the Jets, the Wild have that all important game against the Blues left on their schedule. They are definitely on the outside, but that game against the Kings in two days could really shape the playoff picture that will certainly come down to game 82. 

Commissioners Prediction: WC1. Winnipeg WC2. Dallas