Is Ottawa REALLY out of it?

[Bushay]

The Race For Eighth: March 23





After this weekend, the first seven spots seem to be secure in the Eastern Conference playoff race. With the Sabres, Canadiens and Panthers all losing on Saturday it has turned into a three four team race for the eighth and final spot in the Eastern Conference. It seemed that one of the three above teams would easily be in the playoffs but with all three teams struggling and the resurgence of the Ottawa Senators, it appears that the Sens could sneak into the eighth spot.

With 10 games remaining on the schedule it's impossible to pick who will earn the final spot but the Boston Bruins are hoping it's not the Sens. The Sens have been unbelievable and have won nine of their last 10 games. They are currently only two points behind the Sabres and seven points behind the eighth place Canadiens.

Current Standings

Team GR PTS Max PTS
Montreal Canadiens 10 81 101
Florida Panthers 10 80 100
Buffalo Sabres 10 76 96
Ottawa Senators 10 74 94


Montreal Canadiens

Home: (6 Games) - Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Buffalo, Chicago, Ottawa, Pittsburgh

Away: (4 Games) - NY Islanders, Toronto, NY Rangers, Boston



Florida Panthers

Home: (5 Games) - Carolina, Ottawa, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Washington

Away: (5 Games) - Buffalo, Philadelphia (2 Games), Dallas, Atlanta



Buffalo Sabres

Home: (5 Games) - Florida, Toronto, New Jersey, Detroit, Boston

Away: (5 Games) - Montreal, Atlanta, Washington, Toronto, Maple Leafs



Ottawa Senators

Home: (3 Games) - Philadelphia, Boston, New Jersey

Away: (7 Games) - Carolina, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Florida, Boston, Montreal, Toronto

Tonight's Games

Carolina @ Florida

 

[VegasVic]

The problem is they are not only 7 points behind with 10 games remaining but trail three teams who play each other.

They would almost have to run table against Boston, (twice), New Jersey, Philly, Carolina, Florida...ain't going to happen.

 

[PassTheBuck]

Great topic. Two of my buddies are from Ottawa, and everyday at lunch they are going on about how Ottawa is not out of it. This started before Ottawa made their 9-1-0 run, so you can imagine the four letter words I had for them. I mean, one guy still wears his Mike Fisher jersey to the bar (in Vancouver) when the Sens are playing. I don't mind Ottawa, but for my sake I hope they don't make it.

However, that being said... very doable. They really have two problems..

a) their win total
b) Florida

Montreal is doomed, they aren't gonna make it...

 

[VegasVic]

I still think their biggest hurdle is in the math and propensity of three point games at this time of year.

 

[SportSavant]

Imagine if they did make it, they were 500/1 at some books

 

[eaglezzz]

The problem is now you get 1 point for an OT or Shootout lose. It is much harder for a team down 7 points with 10 games left. The teams you are chasing can go 3-3-4 = 10 points and you could be 8-2-0 = 16 points and still miss by one point.

The NHL really did good giving out 1 point for the OT/shootout loss, makes all teams feel like they have a chance.

 

[VegasVic]

The NHL really did good giving out 1 point for the OT/shootout loss, makes all teams feel like they have a chance.

Getting rewarded for a loss is a good thing?

 

[SharksFan]

its the reward for getting to overtime?:think2:

 

[docmercer]

Getting rewarded for a loss is a good thing?

Seems to be the mindset with the pro leagues for establishing the order of the draft.

 

[VegasVic]

3 point games is the most ridiculous system in all sport. Does a baseball team get rewarded for losing in extra innings? Football or Basketball get a 1/2 win for any team that loses in OT?

If hockey wants to attract more fans let's have just two columns in the standings.

 

[VegasVic]

Seems to be the mindset with the pro leagues for establishing the order of the draft.

lol...okay you got me. Only in this case is it deserved.

 

[Bushay]

If hockey wants to attract more fans let's have just two columns in the standings.

You REALLY don't believe that's keeping fans away do you?hno:

 

[VegasVic]

You REALLY don't believe that's keeping fans away do you?hno:

It's part of the problem. Only avid hockey fans have any kind of clue in how to read the standings and know what they mean. Especially in the playoff picture.

Shit even when I look at goaltender lifetime records I'm confused what 13-6-3-2 means. Give me fucking break. You either win a game or lose.

 

[jdigae01]

i gotta agree with vic here.

why should you get 1 point for losing in overtime. you fuking lost. you get nothing.

they basically cut teams out of it down the stretch because if a team happens to make it to overtime they get a point.

i mean seriously stop it now.

i dont see any other sport giving points for losing in extra time.

soccer? NOPE

football??? NOPE

baseball??? NOPE


NBA???? NOPE

so why hockey.

they should stop focusing on fighting and focus on the fuking point system because it is so fuked up its a sin.

 

[artiesliver]

You REALLY don't believe that's keeping fans away do you?hno:

I think the fact that fans actually need to watch the game and pay attention to the action on the ice that has turned off the ADD-ladened Americans. It seems as if many of my fellow Americans rather look at their blackberrys, bullsh!t about plans for the weekend, try and look "pretty" for the camera, etc., that for them, hockey is "too hard to follow". Waaaaaaa.........

 

[sportsfan882]

The shootout is a joke.

They should go to a 10 minute 4-on-4 OT. Winner gets 2 points, loser gets 0. If it's still tied after 10 minutes both teams should get 1 point.

 

[VegasVic]

The shootout is a joke.

They should go to a 10 minute 4-on-4 OT. Winner gets 2 points, loser gets 0. If it's still tied after 10 minutes both teams should get 1 point.

NOOOO!! Please no more ties either. Play till there's a winner.

Once the point system is changed to 2 points to the winner or nothing to the loser you will see a drastic downtrend of OT games. They will go the way of the dinosaur. No longer will teams play for the guaranteed 1 point then take their chances in OT. Believe me once they realize they are playing the next night in another city they won't be so quick to play it tight to the vest in the 3rd period of a tight game. The game will open up, scoring will increase and all will be right with the world again.

As it is now, (last 10 games of the season), I see teams playing slow down, puck control, take no chances, always leave one man back...in OT! In essence they are now playing for the shootout. Where will this crap end?

Go ahead and go to the 4 on 4 in OT to open up the ice and scoring chances. Play 20 minute OT periods. I bet over the entire year, you will be able to count on one hand how many games go to a second OT period.

Please make the standings like baseball or basketball. Simple...Understanable. Wins, loses, and games behind.

President Obama....PLEASE! I beg you ...Help us fix Wall Street.....save our mortgages...then give us back our two point hockey game.

Amen

 

[Coaster]

NOOOO!! Please no more ties either. Play till there's a winner.

Once the point system is changed to 2 points to the winner or nothing to the loser you will see a drastic downtrend of OT games. They will go the way of the dinosaur. No longer will teams play for the guaranteed 1 point then take their chances in OT. Believe me once they realize they are playing the next night in another city they won't be so quick to play it tight to the vest in the 3rd period of a tight game. The game will open up, scoring will increase and all will be right with the world again.

As it is now, (last 10 games of the season), I see teams playing slow down, puck control, take no chances, always leave one man back...in OT! In essence they are now playing for the shootout. Where will this crap end?

Go ahead and go to the 4 on 4 in OT to open up the ice and scoring chances. Play 20 minute OT periods. I bet over the entire year, you will be able to count on one hand how many games go to a second OT period.

Please make the standings like baseball or basketball. Simple...Understanable. Wins, loses, and games behind.

President Obama....PLEASE! I beg you ...Help us fix Wall Street.....save our mortgages...then give us back our two point hockey game.

Amen

Nice write
The President could make a change but that would be President Bettman.
So it ain't gonna happen.
They love this tie shit........everybody still alive cause of the ties.
Ergo..........more ticket sales for should be bottom feeders.

 

[Bushay]

i gotta agree with vic here.

why should you get 1 point for losing in overtime. you fuking lost. you get nothing.

they basically cut teams out of it down the stretch because if a team happens to make it to overtime they get a point.

i mean seriously stop it now.

i dont see any other sport giving points for losing in extra time.

soccer? NOPE

football??? NOPE

baseball??? NOPE


NBA???? NOPE

so why hockey.

they should stop focusing on fighting and focus on the fuking point system because it is so fuked up its a sin.

My point was not weather you agree'd with him or not. It was... did he actually feel that the point system was keeping fans from watching our game?

And to that i think that's a little rediculas.

Weather you love the game and watch it and how they score it in the standings are 2 completely different issues.

 

[Bushay]

The shootout is a joke.

They should go to a 10 minute 4-on-4 OT. Winner gets 2 points, loser gets 0. If it's still tied after 10 minutes both teams should get 1 point.

I love the shootout!