2023 MRFHL Playoff Races

With only a handful of games left for each team, there is still a lot to play for around the league. We took a quick look at all the remaining playoff chases as teams try and lock down an advantage or a playoff spot.

Daigle Division #2 to Wildcard Race

Sabres - 98 pts (5 GR) @NYI, CBJ, NSH, OTT, @DET

Leafs - 96 pts (5 GR) - @OTT, @NYI, CAR, TBL, @MTL

Canadiens - 95 pts (4 GR) - @WPG, TBL, @WSH, TOR

While it looks like the Daigle will have a pretty serious bout in the 1st round, it’s still better than the alternative in playing the Red Wings. Leafs and Sabres have the advantage with the game in hand, but Montreal has a chance to take over the Leafs in the final game of the season. Montreal has a tough path forward though from getting out of the 1st Wildcard spot as Toronto gets a nice run of four non-playoff teams, including the league’s worst Ottawa Senators. Buffalo has those same Senators on the schedule and another couple playoff teams, but do have the Wings to end the season, who will likely have nothing to play for or in an unlikely event both would play it out for the division lead. The Leafs are the hottest team of the 3, currently riding a 4 game winning streak but the Sabres are almost matching them in their last 10. Zooming out, it seems the most likely outcome is this stays the same heading into the playoffs. 

Commissioner Prediction: D2 - Buffalo, D3 - Toronto, WC1 - Montreal

Eastern Wildcard #2 Race

Blue Jackets - 83 pts (5 GR) - @NSH, @BUF, BOS, @NYR, @OTT

Panthers - 80 pts (4 GR) - @BOS, WSH, NYI, NJD

Devils - 79 pts (4 GR) - STL, NYR, @CAR, @FLA

What a sad sack race we have here. All three teams here would be near the bottom of the west, but one of them is somehow going to “earn” a playoff matchup against the Presidents’ Trophy winning Pittsburgh Penguins. Jackets have a solid stranglehold on the position, with a 3 point gap and the extra game. They are playing well recently and while 4 of the 5 are on the road, it’s not the toughest schedule outside of Buffalo and the Rangers. Panthers are limping with all their goalie injuries and no sustained run of success, the clock is running out for the defending champs. Their schedule isn’t the toughest either, but it’s hard to imagine them making up the 3 points with what is left. The Devils are the longest shot and have a tough start with the Blues and Rangers, if they can get through those they may be able to take advantage if the Jackets stumble. None of these teams should make it, but here we are. 

Commissioner Prediction: WC2 - Columbus, Eliminated - Florida and New Jersey

Bonsignore Division Lead Race

Coyotes - 101 pts (4 GR) - MIN, LAK, @VGK, WPG

Oilers - 100 pts (5 GR) - ANA, @VGK, @COL, SJS, @CGY

While it may be wise to include the Jets here for who wins the West, this battle is key to see who gets to take on one of the Wildcard teams. Arizona is up for now, but also has one fewer game. They do get a steady run of non-playoff teams before facing the Jets, which may end up deciding the West depending on how things go. The Oilers first match-up is key, either they beat the Ducks and put themselves in a favourable spot to win the division, or the lose and set themselves up for a series with those Ducks. The Knights and Sharks match-ups should give the opportunity to bank points, but they may have to contend with a desperate Flames team on the last day of the season who could be fighting for their playoff lives (and could also lead to an eventual Battle of Alberta if the Oilers take care of business in the four games before that). 

Commissioner Prediction: B1 - Edmonton, B2 - Arizona

Stefan Division #2 Race 

Blues - 94 pts (5 GR) - @NJD, COL, @CHI, PHI, VAN

Avalanche - 91 pts (4 GR) - @STL, EDM, WPG, @SJS

It’s a battle for home ice advantage (unless Stars/Blackhawks make the unlikely climb). Blues should be able to cruise to this, but we figured it’d be worth pointing out because of the matchup between the two teams that could help shift it. If the Avalanche can beat the Blues, they’ll still need to beat two tough teams in Edmonton and Winnipeg, but Colorado has been one of the best home teams in the last stretch. St. Louis just needs to not blow it, with 3 games against non-playoff teams and even if they lose to the Avalanche in regulation they will have a point buffer between them, but if the Blues lose to the Devils - watch out! 

Commissioner Prediction: S2 - St. Louis, S3 - Colorado

Western Wildcard Race

Stars - 88 pts (4 GR) - @VAN, PHI, @CHI, MIN

Blackhawks - 87 pts (5 GR) - @LAK, WPG, STL, DAL, @NSH

Flames - 85 pts (4 GR) - @SJS, @LAK, @ANA, EDM

Wild - 85 pts (4 GR) - @ARI, WPG, BOS, @DAL

Canucks, Sharks, Kings

Neither spot is locked down in the West wildcard race, but two have a bit of an edge. The Stars and Blackhawks are up in the standings, but there is an opportunity for one of them to not get any points when they match up. Dallas do have the advantage though, with 3 games against teams outside the playoffs that should help them keep that lead. Chicago have the extra game but a tougher schedule with the Jets and Blues, so it’ll be key for them to take that game against the Stars. It felt crazy earlier to not have the Flames in the playoffs, but they’ve been awful as of late. They need to turn it on with 4 games left, including a Californian road trip which they need to take advantage of the first two games (which may be tough against the hot Los Angeles Kings). It really could come down to having to beat their provincial rival on the last day of the season. Wild are also just outside the picture with 4 games left, but they arguably have the toughest schedule of the four teams. If they can get on a bit of a run here and Dallas falters, that last game against the Stars could help them secure a spot. The Canucks, Sharks and Kings are all still technically in the fight, but would need a lot to go right for them to jump up. 

Commissioner Prediction: WC1 - Dallas, WC 2 - Calgary, Eliminated - Chicago and Minnesota