wjag Posted February 8, 2007 Report Posted February 8, 2007 Just as a curiosity, I'm going to track in this thread the fortunes of the Eastern Conference teams as they jockey for playoff position and seedings. I'll update after each Sabres game. 26 Sabres games remaining Buffalo versus Carolina Devils versus Lightning Thrashers versus Penguins Canadians versus Senators Penguins and Lightning have gone 8-2 and made a solid move out of the pack of hopefuls in the 6 and 7 holes. Carolina is in a free fall (3-4-3) and is clinging to the 8th spot. Toronto is hot lately going 8-2 over their last ten and sits two points out for a clear in and one point out for a tie with Carolina. Rangers (3-6-1) and Islanders (5-2-3) are fading.
wjag Posted February 11, 2007 Author Report Posted February 11, 2007 25 games remaining Buf vs Tampa NJ vs Carolina ATL vs Montreal Ottawa vs Pitt I would LOVE to see this as the final bracket... Toronto, Islanders and Rangers could gain with a run but are on the outside looking in. Ottawa and Pitt both have 67 points, but tie breaks go to Ottawa. By the time the Sabres play again, Pitt, who is playing as well as anybody right now, will probably move into the four slot.
Screamin'Weasel Posted February 11, 2007 Report Posted February 11, 2007 25 games remaining Buf vs Tampa NJ vs Carolina ATL vs Montreal Ottawa vs Pitt I would LOVE to see this as the final bracket... Toronto, Islanders and Rangers could gain with a run but are on the outside looking in. Ottawa and Pitt both have 67 points, but tie breaks go to Ottawa. By the time the Sabres play again, Pitt, who is playing as well as anybody right now, will probably move into the four slot. Pittsburgh wins the first tie break: If two or more clubs are tied in points during the regular season, the standing of the clubs is determined in the following order: 1. The fewer number of games played (i.e., superior points percentage). 2. The greater number of games won. 3. The greater number of points earned in games between the tied clubs. If two clubs are tied, and have not played an equal number of home games against each other, points earned in the first game played in the city that had the extra game shall not be included. If more than two clubs are tied, the higher percentage of available points earned in games among those clubs, and not including any "odd" games, shall be used to determine the standing. 4. The greater differential between goals for and against for the entire regular season. Pittsburgh: 55GP Ottawa: 57GP
wjag Posted February 11, 2007 Author Report Posted February 11, 2007 Pittsburgh wins the first tie break: Pittsburgh: 55GP Ottawa: 57GP Right you are. I used CBS Sportsline's ranking last night. They only showed points and not GP. It's interesting that they show all the tie break rules on their page and don't have it right. With 2 games to play, I would agree Pitt is ahead of Ottawa.
wjag Posted February 16, 2007 Author Report Posted February 16, 2007 Game 58 was devastating... With Max out at least six weeks a major chunk of the Sabres speed was put on the bench. Throw in Novo and the Sabres are quickly looking like an ER Ward. 24 Games remaining Some significant changes have occurred in five short days. Montreal's free fall continues and that helps Toronto ascend into the 8 hole. Pitt continues their surge and is the 4th spot tied with Ottawa but having played two less games. Tampa Bay has quietly gone 8-2 to move into the sixth slot. Buffalo has Ottawa by 13 but Pitt is closing in on NJ and now trails by only seven. They still have four left to play between them. Buffalo vs Toronto NJ vs Carolina Atl vs Tampa Pitt vs Ottawa
carpandean Posted February 17, 2007 Report Posted February 17, 2007 Pitt is closing in on NJ and now trails by only seven. Pitt picked up two more with a 5-4 win over the Devils. Thankfully, they didn't go to OT.
wjag Posted February 18, 2007 Author Report Posted February 18, 2007 Game 59 was another expensive one for the Sabres. While they pick up one point, they lose another forward. Kotalik is out indefinitely with the dreaded "lower body injury" With the ottawa win, Buffalo surrenders one point off the division lead and one off the conference lead. They still retain the most points in the league at 83 followed by Detroit at 82 and Nashville at 81. This one will be remembered for the 16 penalty shots taken. Buffalo is playing .67 win-loss percentage hockey. That means they should win about 15-16 more games and lose 8-9. Ottawa would have to play nearly flawless hockey to wrest away the division crown. They have two games later this week that will be piviotal in any attempt at securing the NE. 23 games remaining. Buffalo vs Leafs Devils vs Canes Lightning vs Thrashers Penns vs Ottawa Thrashers are falling while Penns and Lightning are moving up. Lightning are now leading the division and the third seed. Montreal lost again as did the Rangers and Islanders. Toronto drops Oilers and retains slim hold on the 8th seed.
deluca67 Posted February 18, 2007 Report Posted February 18, 2007 Even if the League went to the 1-16 seeding format the Sabres would still face the Leafs. Sabres - Leafs Wings - Canes Devils - Thrashers Ducks - Wild Canucks - Flames Lightning - Stars Preds - Sens Sharks - Pens How does that song go? Too much time on my hands. :doh:
wjag Posted February 21, 2007 Author Report Posted February 21, 2007 I'll remember Game 60 as the day the 4th line came alive with Peters and Mair both netting a goal. The Flyers were the right team at the right time. Paille was lost for a few weeks on a slash. SSDD. With the Sabres win, Buffalo regains the President Trophy lead by 2 points and one less game played. They gain no ground in the division or conference as both Ottawa and NJ won last night. Buffalo is leading the division by 12 and the conference by 5 points. 22 Games remaining. Buffalo vs HatedCanes Devils vs Habs Lightning vs Thrashers Pens vs Sens The jockeying at the bottom of the bracket continues. Boston knocked off Toronto and as a result the Leafs fell out of the 8th spot. The Canadiens played a good game against the Capitals and surged into the 7th slot. The Canes lost to Atlanta and fell into the 8th spot. This is getting wild with the 3rd to 8th spot separated by just 6 points. Lightning, HatedCanes and Thrashers are separated by just 4 points. 10 teams are alive for those 6 spots and a case could even be made for 12 with only Philly too far out to have a chance. Islanders beat Penns in a wild one to keep them in the hunt. BIG, BIG games coming up with Home and Home vs Sens this weekend.
wjag Posted February 23, 2007 Author Report Posted February 23, 2007 Game 61 had everything... Might be a game for the ages. The fights, the scores, the OT, the shootout, the coaches, the goalies.... The Rochester Americans beat the Ottawa Senators in a game where Drury was knocked out making that seven lost starters in six consecutive games. Interesting that for the first time since I started this, there are no changes in the brackets. Buffalo gained no ground on NJ for the conference lead and padded their division lead by 1 with the Senators. They have a 5 point conference lead and a 13 point division lead. Buffalo has the President's Trophy lead by 3. 21 Games remaining Buffalo vs Carolina NJ vs Montreal Tampa vs Atlanta Pitt vs Ottawa These are the magic points to win outright. No ties are considered. Playoff Berth: 24 Division: 30 Conference: 38 Presidents Trophy: 40 Points Left: 42 Toronto and NYR fail to hold their position while the NYI move into the 9th slot 1 point out.
wjag Posted February 25, 2007 Author Report Posted February 25, 2007 Game 62 -- The rematch went to Ottawa 6-5. For all the talk about getting even, this game was settled by the skill players and goalies. Sure it had its obligatory fights, but that wasn't the story. It was a classic Ottawa -- Bufalo game very reminiscent of last year's playoff series. Surprise of the night was Tallinder getting 2 goals. With the Montreal loss, Carolina win and NYI win, a change in the standings occurred. Carolina moved up to 7th with the NYIs taking 8th. Pitt and Ottawa swapped spots at 4 and 5. Montreal and Toronto are very much alive but below the mendoza line. 20 Games remaining Buffalo vs NYI NJ vs Carolina Tampa vs Atlanta Ottawa vs PITT These are the magic points to win outright. No ties are considered. Trimmed the President trophy lead to 1 with Detroit and Nashville at 86. With the NJ loss the conference lead remains 5. No change in the division but Ottawa trimmed the Buffalo lead to 11. Reduced the playoff number to 20 points. Playoff Berth: 20 Division: 30 Conference: 36 Presidents Trophy: 39 Points Left: 40
Orange Seats Posted February 26, 2007 Report Posted February 26, 2007 Buffalo vs NYI NJ vs Carolina Tampa vs Atlanta Ottawa vs PITT http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/matchups?season=2007 I think this is an all-around very favorable scenario for the Sabres. NJ/ Carolina and Ottawa/Pitt all have to beat each other up. Buffalo hasn't had great trouble with the Islanders this season, leading the series 2-1. When we lost to them it was after the all star break losing streak when nothing was clicking with the team. We would play them one more time on March 30th just before Rd 1 would begin, a win there would set the tone for what was coming. The only downside to this is that Round two would be more difficult for the Sabres than it would be for the middle-seeded teams. IMO whoever wins NJ/Carolina would have an easier job with either Tampa or Atlanta than we would with either Ottawa or Pitt. It's all hypoethetical, but I am a standings watcher.
Taro T Posted February 26, 2007 Report Posted February 26, 2007 http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/matchups?season=2007 I think this is an all-around very favorable scenario for the Sabres. NJ/ Carolina and Ottawa/Pitt all have to beat each other up. Buffalo hasn't had great trouble with the Islanders this season, leading the series 2-1. When we lost to them it was after the all star break losing streak when nothing was clicking with the team. We would play them one more time on March 30th just before Rd 1 would begin, a win there would set the tone for what was coming. The only downside to this is that Round two would be more difficult for the Sabres than it would be for the middle-seeded teams. IMO whoever wins NJ/Carolina would have an easier job with either Tampa or Atlanta than we would with either Ottawa or Pitt. It's all hypoethetical, but I am a standings watcher. In that scenario, if Carolina were to beat Joisey then Buffalo would play Carolina in the 2nd round. After each round is finished, the top seeded remaining team plays the lowest seeded remaining. So it would be 1 vs 7. The only way the Sabres would play the winner of 4v5 is if 2 and 3 both win. The NHL doesn't have "brackets" where your path to the big game is set in advance regardless of upsets.
Orange Seats Posted February 26, 2007 Report Posted February 26, 2007 In that scenario, if Carolina were to beat Joisey then Buffalo would play Carolina in the 2nd round. After each round is finished, the top seeded remaining team plays the lowest seeded remaining. So it would be 1 vs 7. The only way the Sabres would play the winner of 4v5 is if 2 and 3 both win. The NHL doesn't have "brackets" where your path to the big game is set in advance regardless of upsets. :bag: Yep, I'm sorry, I completely forgot about this. Now I look like a noob. :doh:
thesportsbuff Posted February 26, 2007 Report Posted February 26, 2007 buffalo vs nyi buffalo vs carolina buffalo vs ottawa buffalo vs dallas ^^^^^ somehow it's all gonna workout like that
SDS Posted February 26, 2007 Report Posted February 26, 2007 :bag: Yep, I'm sorry, I completely forgot about this. Now I look like a noob. :doh: As I was explaining earlier - hockey is played with a "puck" and it is not inflated...
wjag Posted February 28, 2007 Author Report Posted February 28, 2007 Game 63 -- No captains, no problem An improbable outcome to be sure as Buffalo beats Toronto 6-1. Toronto controlled big chunks of time, but Buffalo capitalized on chances and chased the goalie. Miller was outstanding as was the Buffalo D. Toronto lost back-to-back division games and is sinking like a rock. Hecht 2, MacArthur, Pomminstein, Stafford and Roy all scored. Montreal lost to the NYR, NYI beat Philly and Carolina dropped out of the playoffs when they lost to Ottawa. Ottawa has some breathing room now that NJ shutout Pitt. NYI get Ryan Smith and a hat trick from Blake to reclaim the 8th spot. Tampa has Atlanta by just 2 in the SE. 19 Games remaining Buffalo vs NYI NJ vs Montreal Tampa vs Atlanta Ottawa vs PITT These are the magic points to win outright. No ties are considered. With 89 points and one less game Buffalo leads the President trophy race by 1. With the NJ win the conference lead remains 3 but NJ has played one more game. No change in the division with the Ottawa win. Buffalo leads by to 11 with 19 to play. Reduced the playoff number to 17 points. Playoff Berth: 17 Division: 28 Conference: 34 Presidents Trophy: 36 Points Left: 38
wjag Posted March 3, 2007 Author Report Posted March 3, 2007 Game 64 -- Pinball Anybody? In a must game for Montreal, Buffalo came out faster than any game I can recall. They had two goals within 100 seconds and if not for some bad bounces, posts and great saves, it could have been four or five nothing with just four minutes gone. Montreal called a timeout and regrouped. They then proceeded to dissect Buffalo on their PP which is number one in the league. This game had so many goals scored and some only seconds apart. Buffalo was the better 5-on-5 team; Montreal was the better 5-on-4 team. Buffalo let Montreal back into it in the second but played a better third and shut down a divisional opponent desparate for a win. Ryan 2, Vanek 2, Kalinin, Stafford, Teppo and Roy all scored. Toronto beat the Devils, Atlanta doubled up Ottawa, Carolina beat Pitt. That of course juggled the 7th and 8th seeds again. The Islanders are now 7th and Carolina is now 8th. Montreal is one point out and Toronto is now two back. Tampa has Atlanta by just two in the SE. As bad as Carolina has played this year, they are just six back from the outright lead in the SE. 18 Games remaining Buffalo vs Carolina NJ vs Islanders Tampa vs Atlanta Ottawa vs PITT These are the magic points to win outright. No ties are considered. With 91 points and one less game Buffalo leads the President's Trophy race by one. Buffalo reduced the President's Trophy magic number by two to 34. With the NJ SO loss the conference lead is now four and NJ has played one more game. With the Jersey SO loss and Buffalo win, the conference magic number was trimmed by three to 31. Thank you Atlanta for cooling off Ottawa. Buffalo leads by to 11 with 18 to play and reduced the divisional magic number by four to 24. Reduced the playoff number by four to 13 points. Playoff Berth: 13 Division: 24 Conference: 31 Presidents Trophy: 34 Points Left: 36
wjag Posted March 4, 2007 Author Report Posted March 4, 2007 Game 65 -- A workman like effort This was Toronto's first game since the Kaberle injury and marked the return of our favorite nemesis Darcy Tucker. Without Kaberle, Toronto really changed their offensive game plan and it showed. They played a much slower more deliberate game. They had a number of good chances nonetheless but Miller stoned them. This team continues to get production from all over the lineup. Paetsch joined the rush and Danny found him in the slot. Paetsch ripped it past Aubin. Lydman gets one thru from the point and Stafford pops out from behind the net just in time to tip Soupy's pass past Aubin. The NY Islanders thumped Washington. Montreal lost again this time to Boston, Florida beat Tampa. NY Rangers storm back to beat the Blues. No change in the 7th or 8th seeds. Montreal is one point out and Toronto is now two back. 17 Games remaining Buffalo vs Carolina NJ vs Islanders Tampa vs Atlanta Ottawa vs PITT These are the magic points to win outright. No ties are considered. With 93 points and one less game Buffalo leads the President's Trophy race by one. Buffalo reduced the President's Trophy magic number by two to 32. With NJ idle the conference lead is now up to six with an even number of games played. With Jersey idle and the Buffalo win, the conference magic number was trimmed by two to 29. With Ottawa idle, Buffalo leads by to 13 with 17 to play and reduced the divisional magic number by two to 29. Reduced the playoff number by two to 11 points. Playoff Berth: 11 Division: 22 Conference: 29 Presidents Trophy: 32 Points Left: 34
elcrusho Posted March 7, 2007 Report Posted March 7, 2007 If they eneded today Leafs vs. Sabres Carolina would not make it... Ha.........Ha
wjag Posted March 8, 2007 Author Report Posted March 8, 2007 Game 66 -- The AVs Slo Sabre Mo Welcome back Drury. That was the highlight of this one. Buffalo takes early lead and then proceeds to struggle to even enter the offensive zone the rest of the night. AVs have answer to every Sabres rush and goal. Buffalo outworked and outplayed on home ice. No shots on goal over final eight minutes of game; yes it was that ugly. Buffalo-AVs game only significant EC game of the night as most others played Tuesday. Atlanta now leads the division and took home ice away from Tampa in their series. Toronto has slid into the 8 hole ahead of Carolina, NYR and Montreal. Ottawa holds a slim one point lead over Pitt and Pitt has a game in hand. 16 Games remaining Buffalo vs Toronto NJ vs Islanders Atlanta vs Tampa Ottawa vs PITT These are the magic points to win outright. No ties are considered. With 93 points and two less games Buffalo trails the President's Trophy race by one. Buffalo reduced the President's Trophy magic number by two to 30 after Tuesday's Detroit-Nashville game. With NJ idle tonight the conference lead is just five but Buffalo has a game in hand. With Jersey tie at Philly and the Buffalo loss, the conference magic number is now 26. With Ottawa OTL to Pitt on Tuesday, Buffalo leads by 11 with 16 to play and reduced the divisional magic number to 20. No progress on the playoff number as it remains 11. Playoff Berth: 11 Division: 20 Conference: 26 Presidents Trophy: 30 Points Left: 32
wjag Posted March 10, 2007 Author Report Posted March 10, 2007 Game 67 -- Deja Vu For the second straight game a western conference team who played Boston the night before came to Buffalo and dominated the Sabres. This time it was the Wild. Interesting Wild game plan. They came out and skated up and down the ice with the Sabres until they got a lead and then played another solid defensive game. Buffalo threw tons of shots at the goalie but most were sent harmlessly at his chest. Buffalo avoids being shut out when Ryan stole the puck and lifted it by the goalie. Carolina beat Washington to strengthen their playoff hopes. They temporarily move into the 8th spot. 15 Games remaining Buffalo vs Carolina NJ vs Islanders Atlanta vs Tampa Ottawa vs PITT These are the magic points to win outright. No ties are considered. No change in any magic numbers with the Buffalo loss. Playoff Berth: 11 Division: 20 Conference: 26 Presidents Trophy: 30 Points Left: 30
wjag Posted March 11, 2007 Author Report Posted March 11, 2007 Game 68 -- No Joy versus New Jersey For the third straight home game, Buffalo couldn't solve a trapping team. New Jersey answered every Buffalo goal almost immediately. Buffalo scores first but it didn't matter as they were blanked again in the 3rd. Time to go on the road as the home cooking was a disappointment. Toronto does Buffalo a favor by beating Ottawa in OT. Pittsburgh beats the New York Rangers and the New York Islanders beat Washington. Florida beat Atlanta, Montreal and Tampa also win keeping pace. Florida very quietly making a move to get back into contention. 14 Games remaining Buffalo vs Carolina NJ vs Islanders Tampa vs Atlanta Ottawa vs Pittsburgh These are the magic points to win outright. No ties are considered. With 93 points and two less games Buffalo trails the President's Trophy race by five. Nashville is now the clear front runner. With NJ win tonight the conference lead is just one but Buffalo has a game in hand. With Ottawa OTL to Toronto, Buffalo leads by 8 with 14 to play and reduced the divisional magic number to 19. The playoff number was reduced by one to 10. Playoff Berth: 10 Division: 19 Conference: 26 Presidents Trophy: 30 Points Left: 28
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