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Thanks to all who stopped by to celebrate blog 999. I will post the two videos a couple more times this week then back to the bell tower for Quasi Modo.
This is the time of year that I can actually chase my poor wife out of a room by “bean counting…. Unless something bizarre happens over the next 30 games, three Atlantic teams are fighting to stay in it. Toronto and Detroit both have 60 points and Tampa has 61. That’s position 3 and both wild cards with some Metro teams just 4 points behind. Boston and Florida have a cushion of 12 and 9 points respectively so it’s two blue and one red sweater fighting to avoid any major slips. So, here are the beans.
I’ve heard pundits say anywhere from 93-95 points will be the entry fee in the East. With the Stakes (will address in a minute) being high for two of the three teams in question it could be more like 96 or 98. 96 makes it fairly easy to play with the number. With 32 games left Detroit needs to win 18 (or get the points equivalent). Very nearly 2/3. So the argument is easily made that Tampa and Toronto are in a similar (if not more difficult) situation.
That brings us to this Western Swing. In 4 games, let me know how many points is a “win… for you. Husso will get a start at some point and Detroit will face some of the league’s very best players. With 8 points on the line, 5 points would be a sigh of relief and 6 points would feel like a “win… to yours truly. Somehow Detroit seems to have tight contests versus Edmonton and Seattle gives more than its share of issues to the wheel. Vancouver is probably in a bad mood about a penalty shot in OT, so this could be a very physical trip.
So let’s back up and talk about the blue sweaters. Of the three teams in the Atlantic holding the wild card and #3 spot all basically tied up, here are my personal thoughts on “pressure….
1. - Toronto. If for any reason the Leafs miss the post season it will be a loud summer out of Toronto. There are still comment sections from earlier days of “the rebuild is done… when Matthews came to town. When Tavares was signed (again, took a pay cut to do it) the pundits said that Toronto’s window was “now…. Matthews has avoided max term but not max dollar and Nylander has a healthy raise coming. The “balloons… of a hockey trade for Toronto would point back to Nylander’s initial holdout. Carolina really wanted the player but wouldn’t part with Pesce. Nylander didn’t get no trade on his last deal, but Dubas promised he wouldn’t. That’s a non issue now. Will the pressure push to try and get a grade A defenseman for the team? 2. Tampa Bay - pressure, but less pressure. Still fairly fresh off of two Stanley Cups, the team is facing the “reload vs. rebuild… over the next few years. Regardless, Tampa has the hardware and that goes a long way. 3. Detroit - a post season appearance still feels like it would send some “shock waves… as you’ll start to see more diminishing language about their season. “Seider plays too many minutes…. “Goal tending is still an issue…. Etc. This gets interesting IF Detroit gets in and one of the other two don’t.
The Chycrun rumors keep swirling. Chycrun has said he doesn’t want to leave Ottawa, but new ownership wants to change the dynamic. The issue is and will be price. If Detroit can somehow move a contract or two and not part with high draft picks that would be a nice add. (Opinion).
So, some of you are much better with beans than I am. Get me your points range on this 4 game swing and is 18 wins a fair assessment at this point to keep Detroit in a relevant position? There have already been steps forward, can this team make the next one?
Ok, this is just a repost of the two videos I did for 999. This is the guitar I designed for FrankStalloneGuitars.com. The pickups are handwound in Las Vegas (at the production facility) and the techs were taught by a former builder for Clapton and Paige on some trade secrets for winding. Very cool family run facility and a lot of fun!