The chase for the playoffs (standings, scoreboard watching, and, of course, sagacious commentary)

[KCbus]

Isles win in OT.

We keep winning, but we're still only a point ahead of them, and they have three fewer games played.

 

[DJA]

It might take 100 pts to make the playoffs in the East

 

[Robert]

CBJ..... second in the league only to the Bruins in defense..... DEFENSE WINS CUPS!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ViD]

Carolina loses in regulation. Finally, some help

 

[Madifer]

CBJ..... second in the league only to the Bruins in defense..... DEFENSE WINS CUPS!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes but offense still needs to become better. Its not doing enough

 

[Theo Von]

Toronto's high end talent makes them as scary as we were to Tampa last playoffs. I still hold the opinion that they get in and are a lock to do so, but its almost go time. They need to turn it around quickly. Their high end talent says they will, but their lack of depth on defense and goaltending is shining through right now.

NYI are basically the same team as they were last year. Solid, probably a playoff team, but not a contender.

CAR, CBJ, PHI, and FLA are the hard ones. The CBJ aren't as good as their 25 game run implies, but they are also not as bad as they showed at the start of the year. Carolina is kind of the same way, except reversed (and I don't trust their goaltending at all). Philadelphia is probably the most dangerous offensive team of the Metro cluster, but their depth is meh, and goaltending is unproven. Florida has a very potent offense, but a bad defense that bleeds chances. They're starting to play better though, and are the best team of these 4 on talent alone.

NYR has a few high end pieces and a bunch of youth/nothing. They're out of it, but they're still going to be competitive.

MTL and BUF are out of it too. Unless Carey Price goes on an absurd run.

Locks (IMO): WSH, PIT, BOS, TB, TOR

That leaves 3 spots. Both wild cards and Metro 3. Between CBJ, FLA, NYI, CAR, and PHI.

It's going to be a really tight finish. At least one of these teams is going to make a desperate move at the deadline to get a leg up to get in (my gut says it'll be Florida given how much they invested into this season).

really curious as to why you think we're not as good as our (now) 26 game run has implied. maybe I can see that during a 10 game 'hot streak', but now it's up to a 2 month hot streak.. which is absolutely no fluke. I know that you have a history of being stern with this team, but give credit where credit is due.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

really curious as to why you think we're not as good as our (now) 26 game run has implied. maybe I can see that during a 10 game 'hot streak', but now it's up to a 2 month hot streak.. which is absolutely no fluke. I know that you have a history of being stern with this team, but give credit where credit is due.

I didn’t say it was a fluke. But we have points in 25 of the last 27 or something, if this is really us then we’re going to be the best team of all time and could walk to the cup. I think we’re good. I don’t think we’re this good. I’ve been one of the more positive posters about this team all year.

 

[EspenK]

really curious as to why you think we're not as good as our (now) 26 game run has implied. maybe I can see that during a 10 game 'hot streak', but now it's up to a 2 month hot streak.. which is absolutely no fluke. I know that you have a history of being stern with this team, but give credit where credit is due.

Of course it is a fluke. Just like the 16 game winning streak that led to an 0-8 stat to the next season. I agree with CBJW10. The Jackets are playing really well right now with incredible goaltending, which to quote an illustrious poster, is UNSUSTAINABLE! The Jackets need to keep this up (at least close to it) if they want to be sure they make the playoffs. Unfortunately there is little room for error.

 

[spintheblackcircle]

8 of the next 12 against non-playoff teams
8 of the last 10 against playoff teams

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Of course it is a fluke. Just like the 16 game winning streak that led to an 0-8 stat to the next season. I agree with CBJW10. The Jackets are playing really well right now with incredible goaltending, which to quote an illustrious poster, is UNSUSTAINABLE! The Jackets need to keep this up (at least close to it) if they want to be sure they make the playoffs. Unfortunately there is little room for error.

The good news is our goal scoring has rebounded well. The goaltending is unsustainable, but with our goal scoring picking up its not like we don't have some wiggle room. We've gave up 3 goals to Montreal and won. 3 to the Jets and won. I think we'll be in it to the end.

 

[Hello Johnny]

Rangers help out with a RW against Toronto. They're now 4 points back with the same amount of games left.

 

[Madifer]

Rangers help out with a RW against Toronto. They're now 4 points back with the same amount of games left.

Im glad the Rangers have won against Toronto.
Toronto may not be allowed to have a late season revival.

Rangers pose no danger imo.

 

[Cowumbus]

Strength of remaining schedule (As of February 3)

1. COL: 32 left; 16 H; 16 R; .524 opp. P%
2. BOS: 29 left; 13 H; 16 R; .539 opp. P%
3. WSH: 29 left; 15 H; 14 R; .543 opp. P%
4. CGY: 29 left; 16 H; 13 R; .544 opp. P%
5. STL: 29 left; 16 H; 13 R; .544 opp. P%
6. FLA: 32 left; 15 H; 17 R; .552 opp. P%
7. PIT: 30 left; 14 H; 16 R; .553 opp. P%
8. VAN: 29 left; 16 H; 13 R; .554 opp. P%
9. MTL: 28 left; 12 H; 16 R; .555 opp. P%
10. CHI: 30 left; 14 H; 16 R; .556 opp. P%
11. EDM: 30 left; 16 H; 14 R; .556 opp. P%
12. DAL: 31 left; 15 H; 16 R; .556 opp. P%
13. NYI: 32 left; 15 H; 17 R; .557 opp. P%
14. MIN: 31 left; 16 H; 15 R; .558 opp. P%
15. TOR: 30 left; 15 H; 15 R; .559 opp. P%
16. ANA: 30 left; 16 H; 14 R; .559 opp. P%
17. NJD: 31 left; 16 H; 15 R; .559 opp. P%
18. TBL: 30 left; 17 H; 13 R; .559 opp. P%
19. BUF: 30 left; 15 H; 15 R; .560 opp. P%
20. WPG: 29 left; 15 H; 14 R; .561 opp. P%
21. SJS: 29 left; 13 H; 16 R; .563 opp. P%
22. VGK: 28 left; 14 H; 14 R; .563 opp. P%
23. PHI: 30 left; 15 H; 15 R; .565 opp. P%
24. LAK: 29 left; 17 H; 12 R; .566 opp. P%
25. ARI: 28 left; 15 H; 13 R; .567 opp. P%
26. NSH: 31 left; 15 H; 16 R; .571 opp. P%
27. OTT: 30 left; 15 H; 15 R; .572 opp. P%
28. CBJ: 29 left; 14 H; 15 R; .574 opp. P%
29. CAR: 30 left; 13 H; 17 R; .578 opp. P%
30. NYR: 32 left; 15 H; 17 R; .590 opp. P%
31. DET: 29 left; 14 H; 15 R; .598 opp. P%

 

[Cowumbus]

Go Devils
Go Kings
Go Bolts
Go Knights
Go Coyotes

 

[Long Live Lyle]

And our schedule’s only going to get harder after Friday. Almost a must win.

That’s unbelievable the Red Wings have the hardest schedule left. Will they hit 45 points?

 

[Nanabijou]

Well, at least Philly and Carolina have similar schedules as CBJ. Have to keep at least even in points with those two to get in.

 

[ViD]

And our schedule’s only going to get harder after Friday. Almost a must win.

That’s unbelievable the Red Wings have the hardest schedule left. Will they hit 45 points?

Wonder how it feels to go from 20 years of winning to be the worst in the league ?

 

[Jive Pawnbroker]

Wonder how it feels to go from 20 years of winning to be the worst in the league ?

For those of us who were Wings fans during the 70s and 80s, I'm sure it's just like old times. Thankfully I'm not emotionally tied to that team anymore; it's bad enough still being a Tigers & Lions fan lol.

 

[Crede777]

That’s unbelievable the Red Wings have the hardest schedule left. Will they hit 45 points?

It makes sense since every team is statistically better than them and they don't get the benefit of playing the Red Wings.

 

[blahblah]

It makes sense since every team is statistically better than them and they don't get the benefit of playing the Red Wings.

I was just thinking the same thing.

Happy the Jackets are playing well. Six goals in the three games in Feb, have to get the offense going again.

 

[Long Live Lyle]

It makes sense since every team is statistically better than them and they don't get the benefit of playing the Red Wings.

That’s a pretty small factor in it. Most teams will only have one game (of about 30) left against the Wings; some don’t have any (a few might have multiple). Further, that’d also be a factor in the schedule played to date, but Sagarin (based on his rankings) has them at 14th-toughest so far and the following site (which is a compilation of power rankings) has them at 21st-toughest so far, while also the toughest remaining. I couldn’t find a schedule ranking to-date based on point percentage but that gives an idea.

Basically, they’ve put up 28 points in 54 games (and a -96 GD) against a league average schedule, and their final 28 is the toughest slate in the league. Brutal.

NHL Strength of Schedule Rankings

 

[spintheblackcircle]

And our schedule’s only going to get harder after Friday. Almost a must win.

8 of next 12 against non playoff teams, this is the easy part of the schedule coming up

 

[Finner]

28games left and for "guaranted" playoff spot we need 33points(aim 100 east is hard). So we need 1.17points per game. Simply math win 17games and you are definitely in. 17/28 is rough, id say we win 14/28, OT/SO losses 6 and end up with 101points end up wc1 and face Caps on 1st round.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Strength of remaining schedule (As of February 3)

28. CBJ: 29 left; 14 H; 15 R; .574 opp. P%

Damn it doesn't ever get easier

 

[ViD]

28games left and for "guaranted" playoff spot we need 33points(aim 100 east is hard). So we need 1.17points per game. Simply math win 17games and you are definitely in. 17/28 is rough, id say we win 14/28, OT/SO losses 6 and end up with 101points end up wc1 and face Caps on 1st round.

We’ve shown we can beat both Caps and Bruins so placement is not as much of a concern for me as getting in.