Comments on: A Stretch Run That Could Yield a Southeast Facelift

By: Bob

Bob — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:23:23 +0000

This old Whaler fan, now Caps fan, would love nothing more than some WDC wins over the Carolina in the final stretch! We’re overdue for a “must win” victory.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 17:21:33 +0000

This should be updated each day, and depending on the outcome of the game between Buffalo and Ottawa, the Sens might need to be added.

By: NS2NOVA

NS2NOVA — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 03:04:46 +0000

Based on tonights performance against the Islanders, Pittsburgh’s games against the Flyers should be marked as LW for Philly. How could the Pens lose 4-1 against the Islanders who are without DP in net, and have been on a losing skid for most of the second half of the season?

By: Dan

Dan — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 22:20:42 +0000

Anyone know who gets the tiebreaker between the Caps and either Philly, Buffalo, & Boston?

By: JR

JR — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 21:18:20 +0000

Right on OC. I think I’d rather just have it the way it used to be, but if not, then they need to go with the three points for all games system instead of having all these “Gentleman’s OT games.”
On the bright side, one would hope the NHL would conspire in any manner possible to get AO in the playoffs. I mean, Bettman IS of NBA lineage.

By: OrderedChaos (Mike Rucki)

OrderedChaos (Mike Rucki) — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 21:00:39 +0000

I’m with you JR — and the whole idea of an OTL not showing up as a loss makes me twitchy.
About a year ago I did a little number-jockeying to show how the OTL skews teams’ records, if you were curious:
http://www.onfrozenblog.com/2007/04/25/when-is-a-loss-not-a-loss/

By: JR

JR — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 20:35:43 +0000

If the Caps can’t make it, the reason will unfortunately be lackluster performance against their own weak division. I don’t subscribe to the Bettman theory on winning records. OT losses are losses and 12-14 against Tbay, Florida, Carolina and Atlanta stinks. As interesting as that chart is, now is not the time for scoreboard watching. The desperation level has to be win or else. Remember the Rockies last October?

By: OrderedChaos (Mike Rucki)

OrderedChaos (Mike Rucki) — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 19:44:47 +0000

@Rage:
Glad to oblige with the schedules. As for the LW-TU-LL ratings, we tried to identify trap-games like Pucks said, as well as home/away, back-to-backs, etc. Oh, and the obvious “who’s better?” element played a part.

By: b.orr4

b.orr4 — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 19:35:07 +0000

Great chart. I agree that the easiest (and most likely) route to the playoffs is the 8th spot. Boston’s schedule is brutal as is Buffalo’s. My biggest concern is Florida. However, I’ve got a funny feeling that the Panthers are going to get pounced on by the Lightning tomorrow. I’ve been getting nervous about tomorrow’s game against the Canes since Friday night.

By: pucksandbooks

pucksandbooks — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 18:43:31 +0000

It’s as clear as day, Rage — it’s a letdown-trap game: at home against last-place after the high-profile matchup vs. Ovie and the Caps.