So if we make the finals, we're guaranteed home ice, right?

[lordofgun]

5, 6, 7, 8 are all alive in the west. We're a 4 with more regular-season points. Does that mean we'd get home ice?

Records of teams remaining in west:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=#afb088><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH>RK</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH></TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>GP</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>W</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>L</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right> </TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>OT</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>PTS</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>GF</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>GA</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>HOME</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>AWAY</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>L10</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=#e1d8b9><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH>5</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH>x - SAN JOSE (http://www.sjsharks.com/)</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>82</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>44</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>27</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right> </TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>11</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right bgColor=#afb088>99</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>266</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>242</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>25-9-7</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>19-18-4</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>8-1-1</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH>6</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH>x - ANAHEIM (http://www.mightyducks.com/)</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>82</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>43</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>27</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right> </TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>12</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right bgColor=#afb088>98</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>254</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>229</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>26-10-5</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>17-17-7</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>6-4-0</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#e1d8b9><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH>7</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH>x - COLORADO (http://www.coloradoavalanche.com/)</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>82</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>43</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>30</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right> </TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>9</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right bgColor=#afb088>95</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>283</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>257</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>25-10-6</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>18-20-3</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>4-5-1</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH>8</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH>x - EDMONTON (http://www.edmontonoilers.com/)</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>82</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>41</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>28</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right> </TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>13</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right bgColor=#afb088>95</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>256</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>251</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>20-15-6</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>21-13-7</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>5-4-1</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH>4</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH>x - BUFFALO (http://www.sabres.com/)</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>82</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>52</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>24</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right> </TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>6</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right bgColor=#afb088>110</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>281</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>239</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>27-11-3</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>25-13-3</TD><TD class=HEADLINEGRAPH align=right>7-3-0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[Dr. Lecter]

I think so.

[Ebenezer]

the East winner has home ice based on points.

[Dude]

I really like the Sabres' chances if they make it that far.

[JD]

If we make the Finals we'll sweep them. I'm calling it now.

[slakjaw157]

I know you said IF, but I want to put Ottowa away first.

[MTBillsFan]

It should be that way.

[PUCKER]

I like our chances,too if we get that far.

[PUCKER]

I know you said IF, but I want to put Ottowa away first.

Ditto. We need to end this series in a hurry.

[SABURZFAN]

don't let san jose's record fool you.they were off to a slow start before the thornton trade.thornton and cheechoo look as if they've been playing together for years.

[YardRat]

Home ice advantage means nothing in the NHL.

[don137]

Home ice advantage means nothing in the NHL.

I wouldn't say it means nothing. Look at the home and away records of those teams. A big difference in there records except for Edmonton.
I agree San Jose is not to be taken lightly.