6 Games for 1 Spot

[CowboyinAmerica 2,891]

 

Davos, Switzerland -- Following a long season of VHL play, we're to the final 10% of the season. And after all of those games, the differences between Malmo, Riga and Davos... are about the same as they were at the beginning of the season.

 

Malmo currently sits in second in the European Conference with 95 points in 65 games played. Riga and Davos have played 66 games a piece, and sit just 1 and 2 points behind Malmo, respectively, in the standings. That means it's going to be a very tight competition in the remaining games to see who can finish in second and third - and crucially, avoid the Wild Card matchup between the fourth and fifth best teams.

 

Two of Davos' remaining games are against Malmo themselves, crucial matchups of which Davos would like to win both. But captain Antonia Bucatini isn't looking past the other games against D.C., Toronto and Chicago, noting that every point matters.

 

"We don't have any wiggle room any more. Every game is a must win," Bucatini said. "Messing around is how you end up out of the playoffs, we know that from last season. So we need to get in that playoff mindset now."

 

Some analysts have said that missing the Wild Card isn't as crucial this year, given that Warsaw sits in fifth at just 54 points. Especially after trading Syko at goalie at the trade deadline, whoever finishes in fourth will be a heavy favorite. But to hear Bucatini tell it, the Dynamo aren't taking any potential Wild Card opponent into account.

 

"I've seen too much weird stuff happen in the VHL playoffs - hell, even our sweep against Moscow last season. There's no reason to chance it," Bucatini added. "The only guaranteed way to advance from the Wild Card is to not have to play in it. And that's what we intend to do."