Here's how I see teams right now.
The Nopes: They sit at the bottom of their conferences and don't have a chance to make the playoffs.
Things are only getting worse as a general rule for teams down at the bottom.
The Long Shots: Not eliminated, but they are sitting on the outside looking in. They will need help from other teams to have a chance and aren't in control of their destiny as much.
Carolina has been putting on a point-a-ba-looza recently. Still probably won't be enough to clinch a spot, but exciting nottheless.
Let's continue.
The Bubbles: These teams are right there on the edge. Depending on what day you look; they are in the playoffs or out. Assuming they keep playing the way they are playing, it will simply depend on who has the best week to end the year really.
Things still look the same overall. Florida is looking a lot more likely to win the Southeast, so they moved up. Calgary is really hot as of late, so they do are looking really likely to play on. Still trying to sort out the Pacific division. Dallas is the most likely right now, so they moved up too.
Okay, let's move on with those teams.
The Probables. These guys are likely to make the playoffs if they keep winning. I know that sounds redundant, but you know what I mean. They are much more in control of their own destiny. They will still be fighting for position, but aren't in great danger of missing the playoffs altogether.
Chicago looks like it should have been here all along. It was questionable at first, but now its more solid.
The Dominates. These are the teams that are laying waste to the opponents. A trail of destruction in their wake. Basically, they are in the playoffs barring an epic meltdown.
Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and New Jersey have all joined the group as they march into the playoffs. This is becoming the division to watch in the East and will likely produce the Finals representative. Meanwhile, the West remains the same as St. Louis, Vancouver, Detroit and Nashville all continue doing what they do best: winning.
