How Shortened-Season Will Impact the NHL Playoff Picture

This season's 48-game shortened schedule will impact the NHL playoff picture by forcing teams to make important decisions sooner than they would in a normal 82-game season. Patience will not be shown with players and coaches who don't perform. The expectations of teams and players are as high as they normally are, but with just 48 games to earn a playoff spot, mistakes will be more costly and each loss will add more pressure than usual. Let's examine how the shortened season will impact the play...