North of the Border, Winnipeg Jets, Not Toronto Maple Leafs to Make Postseason

Ron Wilson, the Toronto Maple Leafs head coach laments the fact his general manager, Brian Burke, did not make a trade to bolster his troops moving into the 2012 NHL playoffs.

On the other hand,  Claude Noel, head coach of the Winnipeg Jets, appreciates his chemistry and has left the Jets' destiny in the hands of his players.

The Jets will finish ahead of the Maple Leafs for three reasons. In spite of Toronto having played two fewer games than the Jets, they remain three points behind them in the standings. Of their 17 games remaining, nine are on the road, and the Maple Leafs face stronger opposition against the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers, who they meet twice each, and the Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, Washington Capitals and New Jersey Devils, who they face one more time this season. The trend moving into the playoffs right now tilts in favour of the Jets, as the Maple Leafs are 1-8-1 in their last 10 games.

On the other stick, the Jets have 16 games left and face the Capitals, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes twice. The Jets should obtain eight points out of a possible 16 and then play the Rangers, Penguins and Nashville Predators once each. Matchups against the Buffalo Sabres, Calgary Flames, Dallas Stars and New York Islanders are games the Jets should win. The final tally for the Jets should be 18 points at season's end, giving them 86 points.

The real test is, can the Jets get past the Capitals for eighth spot in the conference? Alexander Ovechkin has the advantage of being one point ahead of the Jets with two games in hand and arguably a more favourable schedule down the stretch. Even though Ovechkin has had a mediocre season, he could have a strong finish.

He netted the winner in overtime as Washington rallied from a two-goal deficit against the Islanders on Feb. 28. It's in his hands; if he is the superstar everyone thinks he is, he will rise up to the occasion and get the job done. After all, it's not how you start; it's how you finish!

It will be great for hockey fans in Winnipeg to beat the Leafs and put them out of the playoff race for the umpteenth time. Winnipeg Jets fans have to be realistic, because it is most likely Washington has best control of their destiny.