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Playoff Race in the East will come down to the wire
March 31st, 2018 -
The competition for the final two wild card spots in the East will be tight. The Buffalo Sabres, led by Connor McDavid, have catapulted themselves into the conversation with a seven game win streak. The Sabres are one point out of the final spot, but they have a game in hand on the Rangers and Red Wings. Rumours are circulating that Rangers GM Brendan Shanahan is on the hot seat and if this late season collapse sees them drop out of the playoffs it could be the last straw. The Red Wings have a -26 goal differential, the only current playoff team in the East with a negative differential.
Buffalo could certainly dislodge either team with continued strong play, but is their hot streak sustainable? If McDavid carries them into the playoffs it will be a heck of a story. Also impressive is the story of 24 year old Andrey Makarov who could be the real deal for them, taking over as the #1 and recording nine shutouts so far in his rookie year. Also overshadowed by McDavid are young stars Sam Reinhart (72 points) and Mikhail Grigorenko (54 points) as they continue their unlikely push for the playoffs.
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