Here we go. This is the final week in the NHL regular season and by this time next week; both myself and Scott will be making our playoff picks. This is just a reminder that for anybody else that wants to participate, e-mail those picks in once the seeding is completed.

I love this time of the season, although I’d love it more if my team was going to make the playoffs. Then again, they still can, but we’ll know more after tonight. I doubt anybody has any kind of interest in this particular race, but I’m thinking that if Buffalo can beat Detroit tonight (unlikely) and Toronto on Wednesday (very likely), they will be tied with both Florida and the Rangers if both of those teams lost on Tuesday (likely). Therefore, they would all be tied with two games remaining for each. Buffalo faces Carolina on Thursday, so it isn’t looking very good for them, but anything can happen. The Sabres do have tie-breakers over both Florida and New York, so if all three are tied by Thursday, Buffalo would simply have to win out to gain a spot in the playoffs.

On a lighter note, I wanted to do something a little different since this is the final set of rankings for the season. In honor of the latest Guitar Hero game to be released and their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction, I wanted to do these rankings with a little flavor of the Metallica, my all-time favorite band.

Master of Puppets Division

- This is the division that is by far the most elite division. You know when you’re facing any of these three teams; you’re going to be getting their best effort for a whole 60 minutes. You would have to go a long ways to find a weak spot on any of these rosters.

1. San Jose Sharks (1) – The Sharks remain in the driver’s seat for the top spot overall, but it is a very slim margin. They have a three point lead on Boston with three games remaining on their schedule, while Boston has four games. In the final week, San Jose faces Colorado, Phoenix and Los Angeles. In other words, they should win out and claim the President’s Trophy.

2. Boston Bruins (2) – Boston seems to have found themselves again after a little slide a few weeks ago. They have won six in a row and are 8-1-1 in their last 10 games. They face Ottawa, Montreal, Buffalo and the NY Islanders this week. The game against the Canadiens could potentially be a playoff preview if Montreal slips to the eighth spot, although I highly doubt that.

3. Detroit Red Wings (3) – The Red Wings ended a three game losing streak last night against Minnesota and now face Buffalo tonight in a game that could very well determine the Sabres season. The Wings have their division locked up so this week will just be their final tune-up before the playoffs start. They have Buffalo, Nashville, and two games against Chicago to wrap up the regular season.

Kill ‘Em All Division

- This division is close to being the top division, but each team is lacking just a little bit compared to those above. Overall each team hits you with power and you fear what they can do on the ice.

4. Carolina Hurricanes (6) – Carolina literally went from a team that most had missing the playoffs, to a team that might have home ice for the first round. They are 8-1-1 in their last 10 games have three more remaining this week against the NY Islanders, Buffalo and New Jersey. Unless something dramatic takes place this week, it looks like it could be Carolina and Philly in the first round, with home ice being decided this week. They are currently tied in points but Philly has a game in hand.

5. Washington Capitals (9) – If there is one downfall to Washington, it’s their goaltending. It’s been shaky at times and will need to be much better heading into the playoffs. With that being said, the Caps can sure put points on the board when they want to. The Caps face Atlanta, Tampa Bay and Florida to wind down the regular season.

Ride The Lightning Division

- This division is very close to the Kill ‘Em all division, but it’s not quite there. They have the pieces in place for most of the roster, but when push comes to shove, would lose out to those teams listed above.

6. New Jersey Devils (5) – The Devils are a curious bunch. I had them at number one for several weeks before they started to go on an extended losing streak. After watching them this past weekend, I’m not sure where to put them. Sure, Martin Brodeur can do enough to win them some games, but overall, I wasn’t very impressed. They have won their last two games and face Toronto, Ottawa and Carolina to end the season. They should win two of those three games, but if they win all three that will be some good momentum heading into the playoffs.

7. Pittsburgh Penguins (7) – Ohhhhh Pittsburgh. On those rare occasions when I want the Pens to win, they still find a way to screw me over. With the Sabres trailing both the Rangers and Panthers in the standings, I figured the Panthers would lose yesterday against Pittsburgh and keep the gap at two points. I guess that is what I get for counting on a team that wears black and canary yellow. The Pens can pretty much coast through this week with games against the Lightning, Islanders and Canadiens.

8. Chicago Blackhawks (13) – Chicago is turning this around just at the right time. They have won their last three games and have four more before the regular season is over. They have already clinched a spot in the playoffs, so now it is just a matter of where they finish. All four games have playoff implications, well maybe not the last two, with games against Nashville, Columbus and two against Detroit.

9. Vancouver Canucks (4) – Vancouver is slipping and sliding one week after I had them in the top five. They only have one point in their last three games and only have three more remaining. They are currently tied with Calgary for the division lead, with one less game remaining, so each game is going to be extremely important. Starting things off will be a game against those Flames, then Los Angeles and finally Colorado. If they lose to Calgary I’d put my money on the Flames winning the division.

…And Justice For All Division

- There is just something about this division that is missing. Maybe where this album lacked a good strong bass sound, the Flyers miss out on that elite goaltending and the Flames miss out on consistent play from the entire roster. They have the potential to make a run, but the odds aren’t in their favor.

10. Philadelphia Flyers (8) – The Flyers still control their own destiny for fourth place in the Eastern Conference, but with the way Carolina is playing they might have to win out. Speaking from the standpoint of a Buffalo fan, I sure do hope they win out. They face the Panthers, Rangers, Islanders and Rangers again to end the season.

11. Calgary Flames (10) – As mentioned above, the Flames are tied with the Canucks for the division lead, with the Flames having an extra game in hand. They face the Kings tonight and then the Canucks tomorrow night. If they win both of those games, that would pretty much seal the deal for them. Afterwards they have a home and home with the Oilers to end the regular season.

Metallica (Black Album) Division

- This division represents the teams that look good at first glance, but have some major glaring holes to fill. They haven’t been nearly as consistent all season as they’ve shown lately, and that recipe usually results in an early exit from the playoffs.

12. Columbus Blue Jackets (11) – The Blue Jackets haven’t been playing their best hockey in the past week, but still remain in control for a playoff spot. Of course, anything can happen, and if Columbus slips up down the stretch they will be on the outside looking in. They face Chicago, St Louis and Minnesota this week.

13. Montreal Canadiens (NR) – Montreal came along at just the right time and it appears as if they will definitely make the playoffs now. The Canadiens could still get a higher seed, but they currently sit in the seventh spot. They have Ottawa, NY Rangers, Boston and Pittsburgh coming up. It will be a good test to see how playoff ready this team is, with me rooting heavily for them against the Rangers.

Death Magnetic Division

- This division represents the teams that seem to be gaining that killer instinct, but it just isn’t quite there. It’s like they have tasted that success before falling off, and seem to have righted the ship at just the right time.

14. Anaheim Ducks (NR) – The Ducks are anything but a sure thing with only two games remaining. With everyone else out West having at least three games, there will be a lot of scoreboard watching going on this week. They are facing two non playoff teams, so that much will work out for them with games against Dallas and Phoenix.