With the all-star break looming, I thought it would be informative to look closely at the standings, in particular at the "chasers" of that last and elusive 8th play-off spot.
My thinking is that, for handicapping purposes, it may be worthwhile to look closely at those games involving teams which are "not quite" with-in the top eight spots in their respective divisions - when they are playing the teams directly above them or teams which are low in the top eight.
There may be some added incentive for a team, for instance, if they can tie or jump into that 8th place spot with a victory over a team that is slightly above them in the standings, or pull within a point or 2...
As of today, 1/29/02, here are the standings of the lower teams:
I have not looked to see if teams have "games in hand"
EAST: NJD and Montreal are tied for 8th spot with 54 points...
Closest above them are NYR with 57 and NYI with 58
Below NJD and MON:
PIT 52
BUF 50
WAS 49
TB 45
[FLA 39]
[TB 36]
WEST: LAK and VAN with 57 are tied for 8th spot
Closest above them are DAL with 58 and EDM with 60
Below LAK and VAN:
PHO 55
CAL 52
MIN 48
NAS 47
[ANA 44]
[CMB 36]
I believe that teams follow this very closely, and will give extra if they have a shot to jump up ot tie in the standings with a win over a team directly above them. This also involves possible tie-breakers, so perhaps the incentive is even greater. The same may hold true among the teams with better records, but this theory deals with getting into that last 8th spot...
Looking at the teams right now that are out, in the EAST - PIT is definitely the hottest right now despite OT loss last night to PIT; BUF has been playing better this month also, and actually has scored more goals than allowed, the only team with a losing record for which this is true. WAS has been very inconsistent. TB has shown some signs of life, but has not been scoring.
PHO has been hot at home and terrible on the road, and despite a wiining record has scored less than it has allowed; CAL has some significant personel and attitude problems, but managed an OT win over MIN on Monday; NAS has improved and is tough at home, but not much O; and MIN always seems to play it's best against the better teams...
Of the teams being chased, the NYR, MON, and NJD seem the most vulnurable in the east; while DAL and EDM seem to be going a bit backwards in the west. VAN has played execellt hockey, and seem headed up in the standings.
Keep in mind this is only a theory, and I have not researced games within the parameters. Just thought I would put it forward and see what other cappers may think...
As always, good luck....IP
My thinking is that, for handicapping purposes, it may be worthwhile to look closely at those games involving teams which are "not quite" with-in the top eight spots in their respective divisions - when they are playing the teams directly above them or teams which are low in the top eight.
There may be some added incentive for a team, for instance, if they can tie or jump into that 8th place spot with a victory over a team that is slightly above them in the standings, or pull within a point or 2...
As of today, 1/29/02, here are the standings of the lower teams:
I have not looked to see if teams have "games in hand"
EAST: NJD and Montreal are tied for 8th spot with 54 points...
Closest above them are NYR with 57 and NYI with 58
Below NJD and MON:
PIT 52
BUF 50
WAS 49
TB 45
[FLA 39]
[TB 36]
WEST: LAK and VAN with 57 are tied for 8th spot
Closest above them are DAL with 58 and EDM with 60
Below LAK and VAN:
PHO 55
CAL 52
MIN 48
NAS 47
[ANA 44]
[CMB 36]
I believe that teams follow this very closely, and will give extra if they have a shot to jump up ot tie in the standings with a win over a team directly above them. This also involves possible tie-breakers, so perhaps the incentive is even greater. The same may hold true among the teams with better records, but this theory deals with getting into that last 8th spot...
Looking at the teams right now that are out, in the EAST - PIT is definitely the hottest right now despite OT loss last night to PIT; BUF has been playing better this month also, and actually has scored more goals than allowed, the only team with a losing record for which this is true. WAS has been very inconsistent. TB has shown some signs of life, but has not been scoring.
PHO has been hot at home and terrible on the road, and despite a wiining record has scored less than it has allowed; CAL has some significant personel and attitude problems, but managed an OT win over MIN on Monday; NAS has improved and is tough at home, but not much O; and MIN always seems to play it's best against the better teams...
Of the teams being chased, the NYR, MON, and NJD seem the most vulnurable in the east; while DAL and EDM seem to be going a bit backwards in the west. VAN has played execellt hockey, and seem headed up in the standings.
Keep in mind this is only a theory, and I have not researced games within the parameters. Just thought I would put it forward and see what other cappers may think...
As always, good luck....IP
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