from Dave Hodge of TSN,

My thumb is down to the potential that exists for a complete lack of late-season excitement in the NHL's Eastern Conference, the kind of excitement that comes with a close and hectic playoff race.

With 16 teams in the East as opposed to 14 teams in the West, it figures that more teams will remain alive longer in the larger conference. Obviously not, because If you're hoping for a compelling stretch run in the East, you're basically pinning that hope on…..wait for it… Florida and Toronto.

The Panthers are currently four points out of the eighth and last playoff spot, and the Leafs are another three points back, so never mind the idea that things might not be too interesting in early April, the eight playoff teams in the East could be decided well before that.

The Western Conference promises to be tighter, especially because the Pacific Division is so bunched behind front-running Anaheim. I know it's supposed to matter how the playoff teams line up and what the first-round match ups will be, but the LA Kings' two Stanley Cup runs have shown that it really doesn't matter. Making or missing the playoffs does.

read on for this topic...

My thumb is up to the next NHL coach to be fired, especially if he has never been fired before. Let me explain.