2009-2010 Playoffs

I posted this on the message board, but I also wanted to post it on the main page as well:

I was looking into this cause I found it curious as to why the SIM did not resolve it on its own.

In the Eastern Conference it shows Pitt with the 8th seed over Tampa and in the West is lists the Blues with the 8th seed over the Kings.

In looking this up, I have found that the tie-breaker when it comes to teams being tied in total points would be total wins. In that case both Pitt and St. Louis get the last spot.

Had they been tied in total wins, the next would be head to head. The Blues won their season series 3-1 over the Kings and would retain the 8th seed. Pitt and Tampa split the season series 2 wins apiece.

In that scenario, we then go to the greater positive goal differential. Pitt would retain the 8th spot due to Tampa having a negative goal differential of -13 where as Pitt has a positive goal differential of +13

While the standings do not show the  "X=Clinched a Playoff Berth" next to Pittsburgh and St. Louis, they are both the 8th seed in their respective conference.

I'd like to congradulate all teams that made the post season this year and hope that we have a great Playoffs regardless of who wins.

I'd like to specifically congradulate the Pittsburgh Penguins as they were the team that emerged from a dog fight of a race between 7 teams in the East. 10 Points seperated 7th place from 13th place. More specifically, 4 points seperated 5 teams. Considering where the Penguins came from arounf mid season, their cliching a PO spot is very impressive.

Another team I'd like to single out in the Phoenix Coyotes. I remember thinking to myself that it was going to be a shame to see that team not compete in the playoffs as recently as March. This is a very talented team and deep team that had struggled for a large part of the season. Out West it's no surprise as there are some very talented teams out West, however, with the roster that Phoenix boasts, it was expected that they would be contending for the Conference title. As it was, they struggled for a good portion of the season and made the playoffs by going 7-2-1 down the stretch winning their last 5 games.

Here's how good it was out West, if the Kings had played in the Eastern Conference, the would be the 5th seed. The Los Angeles Kings were just unfortunate that the West was as good as they were this year. They had a great season and will be back again next year.

Again, congrats to all those that made it, and for those that have not, as the saying goes, there's always next year.