No Canadian Representation In The East?

With Toronto and Ottawa several points back, and Montreal barely clinging to the final playoff position, it’s entirely possible that there will be no Canadian teams represented in the playoffs.

Granted, Ottawa’s on a tear, Montreal’s far from done, and Toronto is…well…Toronto, but it’s not looking especially good.

Since Bob Gainey fired Guy Carbonneau and stepped behind the bench, the Canadiens are 1-5-0, and have lost five straight. It’s still a puzzling move, since the Canadiens had won 5 of their previous 7 games before the firing and it appeared they were headed in the right direction again. Of their remaining 10 games, they only have three ‘easy’ opponents (and against Atlanta this year, they’re 1-2).

The problem for Toronto is that they’re only playing .500 hockey right now, and in their position, that’s not going to do them any good. I don’t see any magical run only to be eliminated on the final day this year.