I'm willing to bet that the news isn't positive.
- stveshdy

That would be about the safest bet you could make unfortunately.

Seems like there have been lots of comments today on the merits of having the division winner be guaranteed a top seed in the playoffs. I have to say I hate this idea in every sport, but especially in hockey.

At the same time, I understand the need for divisions, the travel issues that would result from doing away with them, as well as the uneven/unfair schedule argument (although less so since that situation still exists with divisions today).

I would like to see the system modified as follows. The winner of each division is guaranteed a playoff spot (just a spot, not a top seed). The actual spot is determined by the conference standings. If the weakest division winner is so bad they would not otherwise make the playoffs, then they get the eighth seed, and the would-be 8th seed is dropped. Otherwise, points determine the seeding.

So the reward for winning your division is guaranteed playoffs, regardless of point total. However the final seedings are still done according to points earned, unless there is a division winner that would otherwise not qualify for the playoffs. This system isn't perfect either, but I think it's better than anything in use today, as well as more fair.

SF won the world series with good pitching and suspect hitting all year long. They got hot hitting at the right time and made the most of their opportunities.
- stveshdy

Exactly. That would have to be the Phillies formula for success, at least until they get some reinforcements back.

Exactly. That would have to be the Phillies formula for success, at least until they get some reinforcement back.
- PLindbergh31

So do you think the Penguins win the division? I'm hoping that they do bc I want to play the Rags in the first round. I want the team that has given us the most problems all season.

Wooo...No OT in New York

I wouldn't be surprised if Utley's career is just about over.
- MJL

That may be alarmist speech. Even if his knees are messed up, he has another year on the deal and I 'm sure he'll either grit through the pain this year, or take the year off and get ready for 2013.

SF won the world series with good pitching and suspect hitting all year long. They got hot hitting at the right time and made the most of their opportunities.
- stveshdy

i wouldn't want to rely on getting hot at the right time

i wouldn't want to rely on getting hot at the right time
- 2Real

Thats who seems to win every single year. St. Louis just did the same exact thing.

Oh, and the Rangers clinch a playoff spot with the win

Oh, and the Rangers clinch a playoff spot with the win
- Jsaquella

So do you think the Penguins win the division? I'm hoping that they do bc I want to play the Rags in the first round. I want the team that has given us the most problems all season.
- stveshdy

I have to look at the schedules. Rangers are 3 points up on Pittsburgh now with a game in hand I believe.

Unless the Flyers fall behind the Devils in the standings, they are going to play Pittsburgh or the NYR in the first round.

Looking at the schedules the Rangers might hold them off, after their game with Detroit (who is crippled with injuries) Wednesday, the Rags play 5 straight games against non playoff teams.

Thats who seems to win every single year. St. Louis just did the same exact thing.
- stveshdy

i suppose so but that puts your fate in luck and not really skill

but then again against the giants the phils bats were ice cold

Oh, and the Rangers clinch a playoff spot with the win
- Jsaquella

it was inevitable

it was inevitable
- 2Real

Yup. It would have been nice to see the Devils win and delay it, but as long as it didn't go to OT, I can live with it.

Oh, and the Rangers clinch a playoff spot with the win
- Jsaquella

i've never seen a team score as much garbage, deflection, lucky goals as that one.

i've never seen a team score as much garbage, deflection, lucky goals as that one.
- hammarby31

They go to the net, get their noses dirty and work hard.

I have to look at the schedules. Rangers are 3 points up on Pittsburgh now with a game in hand I believe.

Unless the Flyers fall behind the Devils in the standings, they are going to play Pittsburgh or the NYR in the first round.

Looking at the schedules the Rangers might hold them off, after their game with Detroit (who is crippled with injuries) Wednesday, the Rags play 5 straight games against non playoff teams.
- PLindbergh31

non playoff teams can often be dangerous. nothing to play for...except some guys are playing for jobs next season.

Holy crap. Jonas Hiller had started 32 straight games for Anaheim. That's insanity.

non playoff teams can often be dangerous. nothing to play for...except some guys are playing for jobs next season.
- hammarby31

True. Will be interesting to see how it plays out. Wouldn't surprise me either way.

They go to the net, get their noses dirty and work hard.
- Jsaquella

they do. definitely a hard working group. their 3rd goal was a perfect example of what i was talking about. volchenkov does a poor job of shot blocking and it goes right to del zotto (i think) standing wide open in the crease and he taps in an empty net while brodeur thinks the puck is in the corner. every goal they score seems derivative of that one.

Holy crap. Jonas Hiller had started 32 straight games for Anaheim. That's insanity.
- PLindbergh31

He's built for it. Plus he wont have to worry about playing come playoff time.

Holy crap. Jonas Hiller had started 32 straight games for Anaheim. That's insanity.
- PLindbergh31

Their back-up isn't that quick

He's built for it. Plus he wont have to worry about playing come playoff time.
- stveshdy

He missed a bunch of games last year with Vertigo, I guess they figure he's fresh. 32 in a row is a ton tho.

they do. definitely a hard working group. their 3rd goal was a perfect example of what i was talking about. volchenkov does a poor job of shot blocking and it goes right to del zotto (i think) standing wide open in the crease and he taps in an empty net while brodeur thinks the puck is in the corner. every goal they score seems derivative of that one.
- hammarby31

They had a couple like that tonight. 4th goal was a flukey rebound, too

I was curious to see if the Winter Classic was the only two goal game of Rupp's career. He's actually had four other 2 goal games, as well as a hat trick as a Penguin against the Rags. That surprised the hell out of me.