4 X factors who could push their team to NHL playoffs (Eastern Conference)
The NHL is in the final sprint, and the race for the final two wild-card playoff positions in the Eastern Conference is giving hockey fans everything they could ask for. Lets take a look at some X factors who could help propel their teams to the playoffs.
Heading into Friday night’s games, four teams have primarily been battling it out for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. With the luxury of an extra game played, the Flyers currently lead the race with 92 points. Backed by a 5-2-3 record in their last 10 games, Philadelphia occupies the first wild-card spot in the East.
The Columbus Blue Jackets, amid a recent surge that has seen them win nine of their last 10 games, have moved into the third playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division. With 93 points and a game in hand on the Flyers, the red-hot Blue Jackets are finding their stride at the right time of year.
The New Jersey Devils also have a game in hand on the Flyers and occupy the second wild-card spot with 89 points. Led by Taylor Hall’s brilliance, the Devils have quietly played well over their past 10 games, boasting a 6-3-1 record.
Looking in from the outside are the Florida Panthers, who are 5-4-1 in their last 10 games. The Panthers sit at 86 points are in the thick of things in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Lets take a look at one X factor from each of these teams, who could help push their team to the playoffs.
Philadelphia Flyers X-factor: Travis Konecny
Travis Konecny has been given the chance to shine, playing on a top line with Flyers offensive stud and team captain Claude Giroux. As the season winds down, Konecny has potential to emerge as the team’s ultimate X factor, and help push the Flyers back to the playoffs.
With 45 points in 77 games, Konecny is having himself a fine sophomore season. A recent promotion to the Flyers’ top line, Konency has found himself centering Giroux and Sean Couturier. Combined, the first-line wingers have registered 164 points on the season.
The Flyers’ top line has been rolled out 30.7 percent of the time among recent contests, and Konency has responded well. Playing with the caliber of players Konecny is surrounded with should propel him to a scoring streak, and he is already on the right track by posting 11 points in 15 games through the month of March.
He has also seen time on the Flyers top powerplay unit. The Flyers have the offensive guns in Giroux, Coutuerier, Jakub Voracek and offensive defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere to literally rip teams apart with their power play alone.
Look for Konency to take full advantage of both his top line promotion and power-play stint while helping to push a hungry Flyers team into the postseason.