The East crossover is Winnipeg's real safety net — and it changes the risk calculus

Montreal and Toronto are locked into East seeds while Hamilton and Ottawa can't salvage their seasons, so the fourth-place West team has a live crossover berth into the East bracket. That means the Bombers' floor is a playoff spot even if they can't outrun BC, Saskatchewan and Calgary in the West. But it also means a home playoff game — not just a berth — is the only thing worth chasing, since the crossover path sends them on the road.