Follow @james_tanner123 "PLUS/MINUS is the NHL's best stat, and the only one I use" - John Shannon* PLUS: After inexplicably trading Paul Stastny to the Jets at the trade deadline, the St. Louis Blues missed the playoffs by one point. Their fans should be absolutely furious and their GM should be immediately fired, due to the fact that he is a disgrace to the NHL.
It would be hard for me to imagine that every player on the Blues roster isn't completely disgusted with their management right now. To trade one of your best players for a draft pick when you're in the hunt for a playoff spot is, if nothing else, a complete breach of trust.
PLUS: If were starting off with the schadenfreude, then I'd be remiss if I didn't celebrate Taylor Hall's amazing season. I don't believe in Karma (because I am an adult) but if I did, certainly Hall nearly winning the scoring title while the Oilers languish in one billionth place would be a fine example.
MINUS: I am legally obliged to tell you that the Washington Capitals will be playing the Columbus Blue Jackets in the Playoffs. IF you are a Capitals fan, this is the worst possible news because the Blue Jackets are, in reality, a better team than Washington and should be considered the favorite, despite not having home ice.
The Jackets have better goaltending, better defense (by a lot) and a better and deeper group of forards.
MINUS: Ovechkin scored two goals last night to finish with 49. Too bad.
PLUS: Connor McDavid might not have won the Rocket Richard, but the only reason he didn't was because of Ovechkin's totals were padded by the power play.
McDavid scored three more goals than anyone at even strength, and incredibly, he beat Claude Giroux by 18 points for the even-strength scoring title.
McDavid also won the overall scoring title, but winning by 18 points if you take out the power-plays is one of the most impressive things I've ever seen in hockey.
McDavid should win the Hart Trophy hands down. It will be interesting to see what happens because the voters now have to release their ballots publicly. I thought about it for a while and I honestly can't think of anything more stupid than the idea that a player has to make the playoffs in order to win the Hart.
PLUS: I never would have suspected Claude Girioux would score over a 100 points. I actually thought he was on the decline, but I guess once again, I was wrong.
PLUS: Another top-ten finish for Phil Kessel, he is amazing.
MINUS: Sucks the Sedins are retiring. Then again, they are creepy and weird ginger doppelgangers, so I guess, who cares?
MINUS: Pretty weird that the last place you want to go to look up hockey stats, check the standings, or look at a game summary is NHL.com. Truly an awful experience.
PLUS: A salute to my favorite hockey stats website Naturalstattrick.com
PLUS: I really hope the Bruins win today, as the Leafs should definitely prefer a Tampa Bay matchup.
PLUS: Jake Gardiner, 52 points.
PLUS: When I watch the Godfather, I always cheer for Fredo.
MINUS: The Coyotes have a tradition where they give away the game worn jerseys to 18 "lucky" fans on what they call "Fan Appreciation Night." I don't really understand why anyone would want an actual jersey worn in the game, as that is disgusting. If you've smelled a bag of hockey equipment, it really begs the question why anyone would want a game worn jersey.
Wouldn't it be better just to get the players to sign some clean, fresh and new jerseys? This is one prize I would not want to win.