What's At Stake

[Commish Bub(NYR)]

With just five days remaining in the regular season, there are still some very critical games left to play. Here's a breakdown of the upcoming tilts for YOUR team.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Boston -- has clinched third place; will face the #6 team, which currently is the Carolina Hurricanes.

Buffalo -- has clinched the eighth and final playoff spot, and will face the defending Cup champs, the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Carolina -- currently in sixth place, with three games left to play: vs. DET (0-0), @ ATL (5-0), vs. TB (2-3). The Canes are also four points behind the three teams battling for the 2nd, 4th, and 5th places. OUTLOOK: they probably need to win all three games to move up a spot or two.

NY Rangers -- currently in fifth place, tied with WSH but with one less win; two games left, vs. ATL (2-1) and vs. NJ (3-1-1). The Rangers are also tied with the 2nd place Penguins, but the Pens hold the tie-breaker with two more wins. OUTLOOK: probably 5th, but 4th is possible if the Caps slip. Second place only happens if the Rags win twice and the Pens don't win both of their games. (Go Isles!)

Philadelphia -- has clinched seventh place, and is now just waiting for their first round match-up to be determined.

Pittsburgh -- currently in second, but tied in points with the fifth place Rangers; two games left, @ NYI (2-1-1) and @ ATL (2-1). OUTLOOK: the Isles are better of late (winners of 4 of their last 5), but neither Pens opponent is playing for more than pride. Wins are best, but if they match points with the Rangers, they'll stay in 2nd due to having more wins. My bet is the first round will be the Battle for Pennsylvania.

Tampa Bay -- has clinched first place in the East, and will battle the Sabres in the first round. The Lightning won all four regular season games, but never by more than two goals.

Washington -- currently in fourth, but tied in points with PIT (2nd) and NYR (5th); the Caps have a home-and-home with Florida, against whom they are unbeaten this year (4-0). OUTLOOK: they should win both and hold on to home-ice for the first round.


WESTERN CONFERENCE

Calgary -- has clinched third place, and will play either the Kings or the Blackhawks in the first round. LA seems more likely at the moment.

Chicago -- currently in seventh, four behind the Kings and three clear of the Stars. Three games left: STL (3-2), two with DET (3-0-1). OUTLOOK: They must get at least a point against the Blues to keep the pressure on the Stars to win again; could catch the Kings, but LA is hot right now.

Columbus -- second place, and four points up on the Blues in the division race; two games left, @ NAS (3-2) and vs. BUF (1-0). OUTLOOK: shootout wins could be a factor if the Jackets and Blues end up tied. So it's simple for CBS: get a point against the Preds, and you clinch the division.

Dallas -- currently in eighth, and losers of five in a row; three games left: two with COL (2-0) and one with MIN (3-0). OUTLOOK: Making up three points in three games won't be easy, but if CHI slips it could happen. Although a five-game losing streak doesn't bode well...Also, can't be caught by VAN even if they go 2-0 and the Stars go 0-3, since the Nucks have eight SO wins against the Stars three.

Los Angeles -- currently in sixth, four points up on the Blackhawks; three games left: vs. PHO (4-1) and two with ANA (3-1). Six points in back of the Blues for fifth place. OUTLOOK: nearly impossible to move up, but a win or a CHI loss tonight seals sixth place and a trip to Calgary.

Nashville -- currently in ninth, three points behind Dallas; two games left: vs. CBS (2-3) and @ STL (1-4). OUTLOOK: the Preds have struggled down the stretch, but Dallas' slide has left them with some hope. A Dallas win on Thursday ends the Preds run.

Phoenix -- currently in fourth, but just three points behind San Jose for the division. Can't be caught for fourth place. Three games left: @ LA (1-4) and two with SJ (2-2). OUTLOOK: If the Yotes lose and the Sharks win tonight, it's fourth place. Any other outcome, however, and you'll want to get your tickets now for the season-ending home-and-home tilts against the Sharks.

San Jose -- currently in first, but just three points ahead of Phoenix for the division. It's first or fourth for the Sharks. Three games left, vs. ANA (5-0) and two with PHO (2-2). OUTLOOK: Let's hope the Sharks and the Yotes win tonight so we get treated to a fun end of the season. No tension here, guys.

St. Louis -- currently in fifth place, with just two games left: @ CHI (2-3) and vs. NAS (4-1). OUTLOOK: only an outside chance of getting caught by LA, so they'll likely face the "loser" of the SJ/PHO divisional sweepstakes.

[Jets GM]

Nice writeup Pat.

[Virtual Jarmo]

Very nice, Pat. Thanks for checking all that out for us. All the playoff teams are pretty much decided, but a lot can happen with seeding. And with EHM being very home-friendly, home ice is huge. Thanks again. Great stuff.

[Virtual Jarmo]

Also, Pat, you are technically the leader in wins. He has 5 SOW (so 48 ROW) and you have 2 SOW (49 ROW). If the season ended today, though you have fewer wins, with the new NHL tiebreaker not counting shootout wins, you would win the Atlantic. Helps that you haven't won a shootout since November.

Next tiebreaker would be points earned in your head-to-head games.

[Commish Bub(NYR)]

Never thought to check the NYR/PIT win breakdown...

[GM Office Q]

Awesome job as always, Pat. Always enjoy reading your statistical analysis, even if my team usually has nothing to do with them (except for Barrett Jackman ).

[CapsGM]

Also, Pat, you are technically the leader in wins. He has 5 SOW (so 48 ROW) and you have 2 SOW (49 ROW). If the season ended today, though you have fewer wins, with the new NHL tiebreaker not counting shootout wins, you would win the Atlantic. Helps that you haven't won a shootout since November.

Next tiebreaker would be points earned in your head-to-head games.

How many regulation wins do I have? That would affect fourth and fifth too if the season ended today.

[Virtual Jarmo]

How many regulation wins do I have? That would affect fourth and fifth too if the season ended today.

Tommy's charting all the SO wins. He should be done soon.

[GoJetsGo]

Shootout wins prior to games on April 9, 2011.

Atlantic
Rangers (2)
Penguins (5)
Flyers (1)
Devils (7)
Islanders (3)

Northeast
Bruins (7)
Sabres (3)
Canadiens (4)
Senators (4)
Maple Leafs (4)

Southeast
Lightning (4)
Capitals (5)
Hurricanes (3)
Thrashers (2)
Panthers (2)

Central
Blue Jackets (10)
Blues (3)
Blackhawks (2)
Predators (4)
Red Wings (1)

Northwest
Flames (3)
Canucks (7)
OIlers (3)
Avalanche (4)
Wild (2)

Pacific
Sharks (3)
Coyotes (5)
Kings (2)
Stars (3)
Ducks (4)

I know it's a huge pain in the ass, but if anybody wants to, check my figures just to be sure.

[Virtual Jarmo]

No, I have never re-simmed a shootout for my own benefit. In case you're all wondering since that number looks really bad. In fact, I don't even know how to. EHMShootouts saves automatically so I wouldn't be able to.

[Commish Bub(NYR)]

So there's something to NOT winning shootouts after all, eh?

No, I have never re-simmed a shootout for my own benefit. In case you're all wondering since that number looks really bad. In fact, I don't even know how to. EHMShootouts saves automatically so I wouldn't be able to.

You'd have to re-sim that night's games, yes?

[GM Office Q]

No, I have never re-simmed a shootout for my own benefit. In case you're all wondering since that number looks really bad. In fact, I don't even know how to. EHMShootouts saves automatically so I wouldn't be able to.

I'm pretty sure if Adam was going to be re-simming games for his own benefit, he wouldn't put himself in a first round match-up with da hawks(!!!).

[Virtual Jarmo]

So there's something to NOT winning shootouts after all, eh?

No, I have never re-simmed a shootout for my own benefit. In case you're all wondering since that number looks really bad. In fact, I don't even know how to. EHMShootouts saves automatically so I wouldn't be able to.

You'd have to re-sim that night's games, yes?

Yep, and with a computer that freezes in an instant, with no advance notice, the last thing I ever want to do is re-sim.

[CapsGM]

No, I have never re-simmed a shootout for my own benefit. In case you're all wondering since that number looks really bad. In fact, I don't even know how to. EHMShootouts saves automatically so I wouldn't be able to.

rigged

[Bruins]

Carolina in sixth place, Rangers in fifth, Philadelphia clinched seventh.

Los Angeles in sixth, Chicago currently in seventh, Dallas in eighth, Nashville in ninth.

Big boys better watch out.

[Penguin]

Just bring on the playoffs! Whoever it is.

[SharksGM]

So if I've got this right, I have one more regulation/OT win than Parker, so I can clinch the conference with a shootout loss tonight, but an overtime loss is no good?

Also if I manage to win in regulation/OT and TB loses in regulation, I can still get the President's trophy as we'd be tied in non-shootout wins and I've got the next tiebreaker in hand.

Bring it on.

[Virtual Jarmo]

Along with the SJ/PHX scenarios and the SJ/TB President's Trophy, the Rangers can lock up the Atlantic crown with a win over New Jersey. Dallas and Chicago are fighting to see who plays San Jose and Columbus. With a DAL win and CHI regulation loss, Dallas is the 7. With any CHI point, they hold the tiebreaker. Washington can lock up the 4 seed with a win and a PIT/NYR loss. If all of them win, the Rangers win the division and Pittsburgh is the 4 seed. If NYR and WSH win while PIT loses, in regulation or OT, Washington is the #4, PIT is the #5, and NYR wins the Atlantic.

There's more, but I'm confusing myself already.

[CapsGM]

Washington can lock up the 4 seed with a win and a PIT/NYR loss. If all of them win, the Rangers win the division and Pittsburgh is the 4 seed. If NYR and WSH win while PIT loses, in regulation or OT, Washington is the #4, PIT is the #5, and NYR wins the Atlantic.

There's more, but I'm confusing myself already.

Yeah, this tiebreaker for #2/#4/#5 and #4/#5 is ridiculous on its own. 54 wins and 113 points for the fifth seed...

[Virtual Jarmo]

Let's throw another wrinkle in this. The following is the 2nd tiebreaker following regulation/OT wins.

The greater number of points earned in games between the tied clubs. If two clubs are tied, and have not played an equal number of home games against each other, points earned in the first game played in the city that had the extra game shall not be included. If more than two clubs are tied, the higher percentage of available points earned in games among those clubs, and not including any "odd" games, shall be used to determine the standing.

Which then brings us to this:

The greater differential between goals for and against for the entire regular season.

So, San Jose would win the Presidents Trophy on account of having a +79 GF/GA, where TB has 66. Both teams only played once, so that game would be thrown out. So, if they are tied, and are tied in regulation/OT wins, then SJ wins on account of a better GF/GA differential.

[Penguin]

Pffft getting the divison stolen cause of OTLs. Go to bed, Pat!

[Jets GM]

Does anyone actually care about winning the presidents trophy?

[Virtual Jarmo]

Does anyone actually care about winning the presidents trophy?

Home ice guaranteed in the Cup. With software that is biased toward the home team? I'd say yes.

[Jets GM]

Does anyone actually care about winning the presidents trophy?

Home ice guaranteed in the Cup. With software that is biased toward the home team? I'd say yes.

Never thought of that, although the edge given to the home team isnt as big as most ppl think imo. Id bet if you ask BruinsGM having home ice isnt that big of a deal.

[Virtual Jarmo]

Does anyone actually care about winning the presidents trophy?

Home ice guaranteed in the Cup. With software that is biased toward the home team? I'd say yes.

Never thought of that, although the edge given to the home team isnt as big as most ppl think imo. Id bet if you ask BruinsGM having home ice isnt that big of a deal.

You can ask me. Nashville swept me last year.

[Jets GM]

Lol. Although the home team lost 5/7 games in the ECF last year so thats a little sicker.