4/09/09 AM: Recap and Tonight's Games That Matter

by RickyRage on Apr 8, 2009 11:02 PM EDT

[Ed. Note: Fates conspired against me last evening and this morning, so I figured I'd throw Rage's daily recap of the games that matter (slightly edited) out there for discussion as the playoff picture starts to come into focus.]

Last night's games (involving Eastern Conference teams):

Sabres 3 - Leafs 1: The Sabres stay alive, but their tragic number is 1 (Rangers).

Tonight's games (involving Eastern Conference teams):

Capitals @ Lightning: 1 point for the Caps clinches the second seed.
Devils @ Senators: A win for the Sens clinches the 2nd seed for the Caps. A single point for the Devils clinches the division.
Canadiens @ Bruins: A single point for the Canadiens clinches the playoffs.
Islanders @ Penguins: Any combo of 2 points earned by the Pens/lost by the Canadiens (e.g. 2/0, 1/1, 0/0) guarantees that the ~~Caps~~ second seed play either the Candiens, Rangers or Panthers.
Flyers @ Rangers: A win by the Rangers clinches at least the 8 seed.
Sabres @ Hurricanes: 3 team race (Phil/Car/Pitt) for the 4/5/6 seeds.
Panthers @ Thrashers: Looking dicey for the Panthers. Check out bullets 4 and 5 above.

You can find an updated Playoff Tracker here. Note that in the tracker, I don't account for tiebreakers but I've added a little table to help compare total wins and head to head points earned.

Best case Scenario for Tonight:

A point earned by the Caps/lost by the Devils. And a guarantee of either Montreal, NYR or Florida in the first round.

If this FanPost is written by someone other than one of the blog's editors, the opinions expressed in it do not necessarily reflect those of this blog or SB Nation.

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Yikes. I think I’m rooting for the Pens tonight … and maybe the Flyers as well. Whoever you don’t want to face in the second round, hope they get the sixth seed.

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri

by gotsparkly on Apr 9, 2009 7:48 AM EDT reply actions

That’s it. I’ve been pulling for the Pens to win for a couple weeks now. Strange bedfellows and all.

The big thing is, the Caps need a point tonight. One single, solitary, measly little point.

Icing on the cake would be for the Canadiens to man up and scratch out two points from Boston, who has nothing to play for, while the Rangers lose a point at Philly.

But I’ll settle for a point from the Caps.

by fat_daddyo on Apr 9, 2009 8:20 AM EDT up reply actions

I’ve been taking it game by game. I’d like to see the Canes drop to sixth myself, leaving Philly/Pitt as the 4/5 matchup. Probably won’t happen, but it’s my dream scenario.

But you’re right. As long as the Caps get one point (and preferably two, I wouldn’t mind a franchise season points record either), I’m good.

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri

by gotsparkly on Apr 9, 2009 8:33 AM EDT up reply actions

I would LOVE to have Pittsburgh and Philly play in the first round…

Let those two teams beat the hell out of each other for 7 games, pick up the scraps

Ron and Fez Noon to Three

by YvonLabresMoustache on Apr 9, 2009 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Philly was still able to plow through the Habs last post season after the 7 game scrap we had with them.

by snowburnt on Apr 9, 2009 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions

This is true. Although Price did his best to spot them a couple of games.

Best case scenario for the Caps is that Philly goes down in round 1. I think they have a pretty good chance of beating any other team (and would certainly have a decent chance against Philly), but I just don’t like that Philly matchup.

by grapejoos on Apr 9, 2009 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Im still hoping for a Flyers-Pens matchup in the 1st

which would feed the Devils to Carolina.

by Wisper on Apr 9, 2009 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions

Via Mirtle, current likelihood of the Caps finishing 2nd: 97%. As for 7th place:

Habs – 64%
Rags – 30%
Pens – 4%
Panthers – 2%

Lookin’ awfully likely that Jose will get one hell of a shot at redemption, eh?

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Apr 9, 2009 8:20 AM EDT reply actions

Yes, it is. Here’s to him making good on it.

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri

by gotsparkly on Apr 9, 2009 8:34 AM EDT up reply actions

Habs – 64%

Yeah, by the numbers, it’s looking good.

How-e-vah (to quote Screamin A Smith), the straight statistical analysis does not account for the fact that the Canadiens are dinged up on the blueline, shaky in goal, and not playing so well lately. So I can definitely see them losing in regulation @ Boston and to Pittsburgh.

They might just back into it, though. The Rangers have back to back games with Philly, after all.

It’s gonna be interesting. Love this time of year. Just love it.

by fat_daddyo on Apr 9, 2009 8:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Lets hope that the caps get into it and sweep the lighting or beat the panthers or NJ takes 2 more games off.

Not to be pessimistic, but there’s still a 3% chance things don’t line up.

by snowburnt on Apr 9, 2009 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions

3%! I’ll take those odds as license to be a little excited this morning. I knocked on wood and threw a little salt over my shoulder before posting:)

by mechanicsville on Apr 9, 2009 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions

not to count our chickens or anything, but it’s sure setting up as well as we could have expected! seems like just two weeks ago, 2nd place looked out of reach. jose excorsising some demons vs. les habitants would be more than a little entertaining.

by mechanicsville on Apr 9, 2009 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions

And, if there are any stumbles, we know Varly can beat them.

by grapejoos on Apr 9, 2009 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions

i dig it

by ns on Apr 9, 2009 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions

How-e-vah (to quote Screamin A Smith), the straight statistical analysis does not account for the fact that the Canadiens are dinged up on the blueline, shaky in goal, and not playing so well lately. So I can definitely see them losing in regulation @ Boston and to Pittsburgh.

Needs more yelling.

"Thank God there is a sport for middle-sized white boys.."

by Bald Pollack on Apr 9, 2009 9:16 AM EDT reply actions

NEXT TIME I’LL KEEP. THAT. IN. MIND.

;D)

I hate Screamin’ A.

by fat_daddyo on Apr 9, 2009 9:22 AM EDT up reply actions

Alright, this (via Kukla) is a pretty novel idea, and somewhat intriguing:

The NBA’s developmental league has come up with a novel twist on the playoffs that would be perfect for the National Hockey League: allowing teams to pick their postseason opponents.

Now, it’s not as radical as it sounds. The top finishers in each conference get to select from the lower-ranking qualifiers in the first round only. In the NHL’s case, let the three division winners in each conference pick from the teams that round out the playoff field. The first-place team would get to choose from the teams finishing fifth through eighth. The second-place finisher would then pick from the remaining teams, and the third-place team would be left with two teams to choose from. The fourth-place finisher—not a division winner—would still get home-ice advantage in the opening round and would face whichever team was not selected by the three teams that earned the right to choose.

Read the rest of the article. It’s interesting.

You’d think Boston would pick Montreal and the Caps would then take the Rangers. Ultimately, it would probably not greatly alter the way things would shake out normally, but the drama would be pretty good – imagine the extra motivation at being actually selected by the team you were facing?

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Apr 9, 2009 9:36 AM EDT reply actions

and the extra motivation to be able to pick your victim.

by snowburnt on Apr 9, 2009 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Or your killer.

by Ovechwin on Apr 9, 2009 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions

Though could you imagine picking at #3 if you’re the Devils? Talk about picking your poison between Pitt and Carolina. Not only are you facing a hot team, but you’re also riling them up via the disrespect card. If I were them I’d rather the league flip a coin (I would pick Pitt, for the record).

by grapejoos on Apr 9, 2009 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Which would be awesome drama, no?

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Apr 9, 2009 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Re: bullet 4 – that guarantee is contingent on the Caps taking the 2 seed, no?

by CVDTerp on Apr 9, 2009 9:38 AM EDT reply actions

Yes. What it really guarantees is one of MTL, NYR or FLA in the 7 spot.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Apr 9, 2009 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Got it. Thanks!

by CVDTerp on Apr 9, 2009 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions

They'd better take a #2

seed that is.

If they can’t bat at least .250 against Tampa and Florida, something is really wrong here.

by fat_daddyo on Apr 9, 2009 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Tonight's game

I’ll admit it – tonight’s game (and the next) are all about the Art Ross race for me once the clinching point seems wrapped up. Hopefully Ovie will torch the Lightning tonight. No “hot stick” though, please.

I was kind of amazed by this stat from Peerless today: In their 5 games against the Lightning this year, Ovie, Backstrom, Green, and Semin have combined for 34 points. Yowza.

by grapejoos on Apr 9, 2009 11:05 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah, about the Art Ross…Malkin gets the Islanders tonight, who just coughed up nine to the ‘Canes. I’m thinking Malkin gets at least 3 points tonight, and it certainly wouldn’t shock me if he got 5+.

Don’t really care either way, but I’m not holding out too much hope for a repeat by AO.

by fat_daddyo on Apr 9, 2009 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Probably so, it would be nice to unseat Jagr as the last back-to-back Ross winner though (and of course, make the Pens fans cry).

The Hart is a done deal I think, and that’s the one that I care more about.

by grapejoos on Apr 9, 2009 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

well, making the Pens cry isn’t too hard, so i imagine their fans are about the same.

by SethB on Apr 9, 2009 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions

it would be nice to unseat Jagr as the last back-to-back Ross winner though (and of course, make the Pens fans cry).

Hahahaha. Rec’d for being perfect. Could not agree more.

by fat_daddyo on Apr 9, 2009 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions

We couldn’t put those numbers up on the isles, maybe the isles will look better against a team they think are better.

by snowburnt on Apr 9, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions

so i’m in daytona beach for the week… and i’m seriously debating borrowing my roommate’s car to drive the 2 hours to the game in tampa tonight…

seriously though, if we could not only clinch #2, but guarantee the habs, rags, or panthers in the first round… that would be amazing. let’s do it.

by kellobellow on Apr 9, 2009 11:14 AM EDT reply actions

Do it. Two hours isn’t a bad drive (sez I who’s been known to drive to Hershey on a weeknight). When will you get the chance again?

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri

by gotsparkly on Apr 9, 2009 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah, two hours is nothing, and i’m avoiding the sun today (a little too much yesterday, haha)… i mean, it’s not like i don’t go to enough caps games, but away games are a lot of fun. if i had my own car, i’d already be there ;)

by kellobellow on Apr 9, 2009 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Per Tarik:

Assuming the Caps get a point, it’s possible they’ll know which team they’ll face in the first round next week before getting on the charter later tonight. A Montreal win (at Boston) coupled with Rangers’ loss (home vs. Philly) and a point gained by the Penguins (home vs. the Islanders) would assure the Caps of facing the Canadiens.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Apr 9, 2009 12:18 PM EDT reply actions

I hate to say it but I sense an upset tonight. It’s really hard to sweep a division team in the regular season—MON v BOS last year notwithstanding—no matter how shitty they seem to be.

from the house that Red Jesus built

by bigonetimer on Apr 9, 2009 5:57 PM EDT reply actions

Good thing you were wrong, dude. I admit, I was worried in the first ten or so, but the early goal seemed to wake them up and kick them in the butt, and they dealt pretty good by the end of the first.

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri

by gotsparkly on Apr 10, 2009 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions

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Southeast Standings

	GP	W	L	OTL	PT
Florida Litter Box Cats	53	25	17	11	61
Washington Japers' Rink	54	28	21	5	61
Winnipeg Arctic Ice Hockey	56	26	24	6	58
Tampa Bay Raw Charge	53	23	24	6	52
Carolina Canes Country	55	20	25	10	50