Jets scramble early for NHL playoff berth
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They call the last two months leading into the NHL playoffs the stretch run, and, for members of the Southeast Division, there's a heightened sense of urgency this season.
"You look at the standings, and it's possible that the team that wins our division is the only team that's going to make the playoffs," Winnipeg goals leader Evander Kane (19) said Friday after the Jets practiced at Consol Energy Center.
"It's kind of crazy like that. For us, we have to treat every game like it's a playoff game."
The Penguins face the Jets at 2:08 p.m. today, then play host to another Southeast team, Tampa Bay, Sunday night. Neither was above the playoff line in the Eastern Conference standings before games Friday.
The three division champions from each conference are guaranteed a playoff berth and a top-three seed. Going into Friday night, Florida led the Southeast with 61 points and was the only division team sitting in a playoff slot.
While the Lightning, with 52 points, has a pretty steep climb to reach a possible playoff spot, Winnipeg is more in the hunt with 58.
"I think we're talking about a team that is in playoff mindset right now, where you need to win to go on, and not necessarily just this game. They need to win games to go on," Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said of the Jets.
"I think we're playing a playoff-mode team. I think we're playing that with Tampa Bay. These teams are fighting for their lives and fighting for their positioning, trying to get in the [playoff] picture."
That doesn't translate into pressure as much as it heightens the senses, Kane said.
"If you're not able to get up for a game this time of the season, you might want to check your pulse," he said.
Weekend afternoon games are fairly common the second half of the season, but the Penguins have a somewhat unusual arrangement with a day game today and a night game Sunday.
First Published February 11, 2012 12:00 am
