Kukla's Korner Hockey
Next entry: No Spark In Florida
Previous entry: Shaking It Up In Columbus
More Points But Out Of The Playoffs
by Paul on 01/09/08 at 03:37 PM ET
Comments (5)
from Ryan Dixon of the Hockey News,
The combination of league parity and the NHL’s current playoff seeding system could lead to a nightmare scenario for the league – and one really angry team.
Through Jan. 8, the Carolina Hurricanes held down third spot in the East by virtue of leading the Southeast Division with 48 points. The New York Rangers, having played two less games than the Canes, occupied the ninth position (which comes with no playoff privileges) with 45 points. Not exactly an insurmountable deficit.
I understand the NHL wants to reward division winners with a high seed, but how could the league stand by and do nothing if a team that didn’t make the playoffs had more points than a squad that did?
Filed in: NHL Teams | KK Hockey | Permalink
Comments
How could they stand by and do nothing?
Easily. The same way baseball “stands by and does nothing” if one division yields a winner and wild card to the playoffs, but the third-place team doesn’t make it because one of the other division winners has such a poor record.
Half the teams make the playoffs. If you don’t, then better luck next year. Them’s the rules.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/09/08 at 04:14 PM ET
Well said, Baroque. I don’t think I would have been nearly as nice.
Posted by Earl Sleek on 01/09/08 at 05:20 PM ET
Unless I’m missing something, there is no difference between what the NHL, MLB or NBA does in this area. For instance, we’ve had 9-7 NFL divisional winning teams make the playoffs while 10-6 teams miss out. We’ve even had 90-100 win MLB teams not make the playoffs while 83-89 win MLB teams get in. Now maybe the blogger is advocating for the elimination of divisions for every sport. My opinion, sounds like he’s writing it from a big market, New York Ranger viewpoint and percieves any playoffs without the Rangers in as a shammockery, particularly when the their God-given playoff spot is taken by a small market, division winning yet undeserving Tampa, Atlanta or Carolina team.
Posted by UMFan from Colorado on 01/09/08 at 06:44 PM ET
This guy is a real rocket scientist. How did he get a jerb at the Hockey News?
but how could the league stand by and do nothing if a team that didn’t make the playoffs had more points than a squad that did?
What does he mean, “if”? This happened last year! GASP! And in ‘02! SHUDDER! And in ‘01! THE HUMANITY! And presumably in other years before that.
An unbalanced schedule will yield unbalanced results. Until *every* team plays the same slate of games, the league has to make allowances for situations like this to occur. Get over it.
Posted by shep from california on 01/09/08 at 07:02 PM ET
Add a Comment
Please limit embedded image or media size to 575 pixels wide.
Add your own avatar by joining Kukla's Korner, or logging in and uploading one in your member control panel.
Captchas bug you? Join KK or log in and you won't have to bother.
Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.
Most Recent Blog Posts
Video- Sundin And Roenick Honored By Their Respective Teams
Randy Carlyle Ready To Coach Again
Just Another Game For The Wings?
Video- Flyers Lose 5-2 At Home To Rangers
Video- Lars Eller Goal, Good Offense Or Bad Defense?
Hockey Talk In the Middle Of February
About KK Hockey
Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.
From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.
Email Paul anytime at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
When learning from experts it’s best to learn personally from them, or from their blog. We can provide that with poker lessons blog, your home to learn poker personally.
Do you get shocked from the luck in the game of poker? Stop getting shocked and start being a Poker Shoker
Make extra cash while playing online poker. Rakeback is free and comes with rake races.
Kukla’s Korner is always a free service for readers, but it costs some money to maintain. If you’re ever in a position to donate a few dollars to help out, we’d be very appreciative.
“nightmare” what a laughable blog entry. Teams who don’t win the division are going for the consolation prize of one of the last 5 playoff spots if they are lucky.
Posted by canesice on 01/09/08 at 04:02 PM ET