One thing that could aid their chase for a spot: Philadelphia could conceivably sell. I'm skeptical they'll weaken their chances considerably but they're still rebuilding and may bite the bullet a bit to adhere to the bigger picture. Pittsburgh seems poised to sell so that's one less team you'd think.
However Tampa has a lot of cap space to utilize now. New Jersey should be motivated to be aggressive and try to work their way in. Those two seem like the most motivated to be aggressive buyers among the East's bubble teams. But it is thinning to the point where perhaps Washington could pull off a legit forward-focused hockey trade and perhaps ride a wave in. No idea if it's feasible or realistic to expect something of that magnitude to align so conveniently. But that's what it would take IMO.
Flyers might sell, sure. But they seem content on staying as is and while they are listening, it sounds like they aren't going to sell unless someone blows them out of water with an offer. Latest we've heard on both Walker and Seeler is that they are trying to find a way to keep them. But for Flyers, that decision is much tougher than it is for the Capitals.
I don't buy a scenario where the Capitals wouldn't sell and the Penguins would, as of right now. Penguins sit 1pt behind us, with the exact same point %. Why would they sell? It's a bridge they haven't crossed yet. MacLellan crossed that bridge half-way year ago. I think it's a massive week for both us and the Penguins. But as of now, i'd put us selling at 70% and Penguins selling at 30%. We were here year ago. Capitals sold and re-tooled, Penguins bought. Penguins bought again in the summer, big time.
I put Tampa out of reach for us, already. They sit where they are because they missed Vasilevsky dearly. Their D sucks right now so it's going to be a short Playoff run for them but i don't think we can catch them. They seem eager to add, too, as you mentioned.
New Jersey are apparently working hard to make an early deal. They seem set on buying right now. It doesn't look great for them but they do play both Sharks and Ducks this week, so they are right there in it.
We were right there in it year ago too. When we traded Orlov and Hathaway year ago, we were 2 points away from the Playoffs. Right now we are 6 points back. 8 points away from WC spot. Last season we were on a losing streak when we sold, but still like i said, much closer to a spot. Right now we are further back, and while our last 4 games have been great, our record in the last 10 is still only 4-3-3.
This week likely sorts out this quest:
Capitals: Sens at home. Then Red Wings (rest advantage: DET). Flyers and Coyotes too at home. Massive week, regulation loss against the Red Wings kind of puts that chase to bed. Flyers is their game of the season, but they need to take care of Sens and Coyotes too. Sens are rolling so that's tough. 3 home games this week, just 1 away. They'll only have 10 home games left after this week, and those include some very tough opponents. Also notable that they don't play until thursday next week. They play the Penguins there, day before the deadline day.
Red Wings: vs. Capitals (rest advantage: DET). vs. Isles, massive game. Panthers too at home.
Lightning: @ Flyers, massive game. Then they can put the Sabres to bed at home with a win. Also Habs at home.
Flyers: vs. TBL, massive game. @ Capitals, massive game. Then Sens at home.
Devils: California road trip. First Sharks, Ducks and finally Kings. No back-to-backs.
Penguins: 4 games on the road, geez. @ Canucks, Kraken, Flames and Oilers. That's a brutal week for them, given it's 2 very tough teams and Flames who are rolling.
Isles: @ Stars, @ Red Wings, which is a massive game. Then Bruins at home. Really tough week.
Sabres: Tough week ahead, they are basically out if they don't beat atleast 3 of FLA, TBL, VGK and WPG.
Got to hand it to the team though. I thought we were going to be much further away from the chase, but here we are. This close to the deadline and they still are right there in it. They are going to need a really huge week here to make up some ground though, as the rest of the schedule is going to be a really tough one.
