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Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 2:41 pm
by Steve Spurrier III
Wednesday, April 1
Standings going in:
Code: Select all
# Team Pts GR
1 Penguins (A) 100 2 - clinched playoffs
2 Canadians (N) 98 3 - clinched playoffs
3 Hurricanes (S) 90 3 - magic number: 5
4 Devils 93 4 - magic number: 2
5 Rangers 93 3 - magic number: 2
6 Senators 92 3 - magic number: 3
7 Flyers 91 3 - magic number: 4
8 Bruins 91 3 - magic number: 4
--------------------------
9 CAPITALS 88 3 - elimination number: 5
10 Sabres 86 3 - elimination number: 2
Hurricanes at Capitals; 7:00
Canadians at Senators; 7:30
Sabres at Maple Leafs; 7:30
Make or break tonight. A regulation win moves the Capitals into a tie for the Southeast Division lead, a regulation loss drops the Capitals elimination number to two. Get excited.
Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 3:20 pm
by JansenFan
It's do or die. The Caps have got to get this one, and they've got to get it in regulation. If only they would have gotten the last one against the 'Canes in regulation, this would be a completely different conversation.
Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 4:10 pm
by GSPODS
FIRST STAR -- ALEX OVECHKIN, LW, WASHINGTON CAPITALS Ovechkin video
Ovechkin led all NHL scorers in March with 26 points (14 goals, 12 assists) and recorded a +17 rating in 14 games as the Capitals went 10-4-0 in pursuit of a playoff position in the Eastern Conference. Ovechkin recorded points in 11 of 14 games, including nine multiple-point performances. He recorded goals in nine contests, including his 50th of the season against Boston, Mar. 3. Two of his goals were game-winners, against Boston, Mar. 3 and Calgary, Mar. 12. On Mar. 21 in Atlanta, he became the first player to notch 60 goals in a season since Pittsburgh’s Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr both did it in 1995-96. Entering play Tuesday night, Ovechkin leads the League in goals (62), points (109), power-play goals (21), game-winning goals (10) and shots (430).
Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 9:39 pm
by GSPODS
Sweet Victory
Code: Select all
# Team Pts GR
1 Penguins (A) 100 2 - clinched playoffs
2 Canadians (N) 98 3 - clinched playoffs
3 Hurricanes (S) 90 2 - magic number: 4
4 Devils 93 4 - magic number: 2
5 Rangers 93 3 - magic number: 2
6 Senators 92 3 - magic number: 3
7 Flyers 91 3 - magic number: 4
8 Bruins 91 3 - magic number: 4
--------------------------
9 CAPITALS 90 2 - elimination number: 4
10 Sabres 86 3 - elimination number: 2
Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 9:56 pm
by Sir_Monk
Well, two games left, tied for 1st place! C-A-P-S CAPS CAPS CAPS!!!! great win tonight, I got a little worried when Hartford scored to make it 2-1. What a turn of events after that big save by Huet. I watched the game, but did not have any sound. After the Huet save, when Ovie drilled Staal, did Scott Walker get called for a penalty and negate Ovechkins penalty? or was nothing called?
Oh well, another big one on Thursday night!
GO CAPS!
Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 6:04 am
by GSPODS
Sir_Monk wrote:After the Huet save, when Ovie drilled Staal, did Scott Walker get called for a penalty and negate Ovechkins penalty? or was nothing called?
13:03 2nd Period
Ovechkin 2:00 Roughing
Wallin 2:00 Roughing
No penalty to that dirty bastard Scott Walker
Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 7:00 am
by Sir_Monk
No penalty to that dirty bastard Scott Walker
really? cause it looked like he came in throwing haymakers after the Ovie hit. None the less, we win!!!!
Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 7:44 am
by GSPODS
The Caps and the Canes each have two games remaining.
The Caps and the Canes play the same opponents in the Lightning and the Panthers.
The Canes play each opponent the night before the Caps play each opponent.
The Caps have to win both remaining games.
The Canes have to lose or tie one game.
It would also help if the Senators, Bruins and Flyers would lose one game each.
Tonight's Games
Bruins @ Devils 7:00PM
Lightning @ Hurricanes 7:00PM
Flyers @ Penguins 7:00PM
Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 10:36 am
by Bob 0119
Canes lost to Tampa this past weekend, didn't they? Now they have to play Tampa tonight, after a punishing loss to us, while Tampa had the night off.
All We need is for Carolina to lose. Regulation, overtime, doesn't matter...they just need to lose one.
Tonight seems like the better chance. They played very physical last night versus us. They felt they got shafted on some calls. They are going to be sore, and angry, this could throw them off balence and cause them to make some mistakes.
Tampa knows they can beat them. They've had time to rest and get ready for them. Even though Tampa is the away team, they really could be in better shape than Carolina who will be tired, and beat up when they come in tonight.
I think this is the first time I've ever rooted for Tampa!
Go Bolts!
Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 11:37 am
by Steve Spurrier III
Updated Standings:
Code: Select all
# Team Pts GR
1 Canadians (N) 100 2 - clinched Northeast
2 Penguins (A) 100 2 - clinched playoffs
3 Hurricanes (S) 90 2 - magic number: 4
4 Devils 95 3 - clinched playoffs
5 Rangers 93 3 - magic number: 2
6 Senators 92 2 - magic number: 3
7 Bruins 91 3 - magic number: 4
8 Flyers 91 3 - magic number: 4
--------------------------
9 CAPITALS 90 2 - elimination number: 4
10 Sabres 88 2 - elimination number: 2
Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 12:01 pm
by Bob 0119
This is going to sound like a stupid question, but what are the magic number, and elimination numbers representative of?
Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 12:15 pm
by JansenFan
I believe the magic number is games they need to win to clinch their playoff spot and elimination is the number of games they have to lose to eliminate themselves.
Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 12:20 pm
by JansenFan
From Paul Rovnak, Caps PR person extraordinaire...
Simplifying the Scenarios – Washington’s impressive 4-1 victory in front of a raucous Verizon Center crowd last night against Carolina moved the team one step closer to the playoffs and dramatically simplified the scenarios in which the Capitals would get in should they win their two remaining home games. If Washington is 2-0-0 against Tampa Bay (Thursday) and Florida (Saturday), any of the following would get the team its first spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs since 2003:
-- Carolina goes 1-0-1 or worse in its last two games (beginning tonight)
-- Ottawa goes 1-1-0 or worse in its last two games
-- Either Boston or Philadelphia goes 1-1-1 or worse in their last three games
-- The New York Rangers go 0-2-1 or worse in their last three games
In the event of a tie at 94 points, the Caps would hold the tiebreaker against each of these teams except Carolina.
Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 1:02 pm
by Bob 0119
Wow, so we are rooting for Tampa, Jersey, and I never thought I'd say this, Pittsburg tonight!
Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 1:14 pm
by JansenFan
JansenFan wrote:I believe the magic number is games they need to win to clinch their playoff spot and elimination is the number of games they have to lose to eliminate themselves.
Please replace games with points. brain fart.
Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:30 pm
by GSPODS
Thanks for sucking, Tampa Bay.
Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 8:11 am
by JansenFan
At least the Flyers and Bruins both lost. Now we need to beat the Lightning or none of this matters anyway.
Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 8:24 am
by GSPODS
JansenFan wrote:At least the Flyers and Bruins both lost. Now we need to beat the Lightning or none of this matters anyway.
Let's hope Tampa does the Caps the same courtesy of giving no effort whatsoever. The Caps will play like the Caps have been playing.
I'd still feel more comfortable knowing the Lightning will continue to play like they are Sucking Hind Inner Teat. After all, Tampa, why break tradition?
Either way, just the thought of relying on the Florida Panthers to win or tie any game is not a comforting one, although I'd be certain they'll give more effort than the Lightning did last night.
Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 8:48 am
by GSPODS
Code: Select all
Rank Team GP W L OT Pts
3 Carolina Hurricanes* 81 43 32 6 92
4 x - New Jersey Devils 80 45 28 7 97
5 New York Rangers 79 41 27 11 93
6 Ottawa Senators 80 42 30 8 92
7 Boston Bruins 80 40 28 12 92
8 Philadelphia Flyers 80 40 29 11 91
9 Washington Capitals 80 41 31 8 90
Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 9:44 am
by Bob 0119
So, if Ottowa loses tonight, we can tie them. Do we have the tie-breaker on them since we swept them this year?
I watched the Philthy-Pitt game, what a bloodbath! Philthy has to play NJ, and then Pitt again, so we may have a good chance there. Ottowa is not favored to win their remaining two. We may not be able to overtake Carolina, and Boston may win both of their next two, but we have a lot of scenarios to work with.
All we have to do is take care of our own business and win out these next two games...against tired opponents (Tampa and FLA both having to face Carolina the night before they face us).
No excuses...no regrets.
Go CAPS!
Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:05 am
by GSPODS
Bob 0119 wrote:So, if Ottowa loses tonight, we can tie them. Do we have the tie-breaker on them since we swept them this year?
I watched the Philthy-Pitt game, what a bloodbath! Philthy has to play NJ, and then Pitt again, so we may have a good chance there. Ottowa is not favored to win their remaining two. We may not be able to overtake Carolina, and Boston may win both of their next two, but we have a lot of scenarios to work with.
All we have to do is take care of our own business and win out these next two games...against tired opponents (Tampa and FLA both having to face Carolina the night before they face us).
No excuses...no regrets.
Go CAPS!
The Caps hold the tie-breaker advantage over every team except the Hurricanes. Although the Caps could conceivably backdoor their way into the playoffs, it would be nice to see them steal the division and the #3 seed from Carolina. Same discussion as ten games ago. Unless the Caps handle their own business, the rest of the discussion is moot. But the way the Caps are playing, I can't see them folding now.
Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:21 am
by Sir_Monk
The Caps hold the tie-breaker advantage over every team except the Hurricanes. Although the Caps could conceivably backdoor their way into the playoffs, it would be nice to see them steal the division and the #3 seed from Carolina. Same discussion as ten games ago. Unless the Caps handle their own business, the rest of the discussion is moot. But the way the Caps are playing, I can't see them folding now.
It would be nice to see the Caps win the division, but with the way the Eastern Confrence is, I think if we get in we have as good a shot as anyone to make a run. I have a bad feeling that we will end up playing Pittsburgh in the first round.
Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:36 am
by Bob 0119
I wouldn't mind some payback against the Pens. I know we don't usually play very well against them, but we've shown we can match up with anyone. I think we would benefit from a best-of-seven atmosphere.
Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:56 am
by Steve Spurrier III
A Capitals regulation win and a Senators regulation loss puts us in the playoffs. Awesome stuff.
Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 2:10 pm
by JansenFan
Caps Media Relations wrote:Simplifying the scenarios – Washington enters its last two games of the regular season within reach of the playoffs, but possibly needing some assistance from other teams – and in all likelihood, two victories – to reach the postseason for the first time since 2002-03. If the Capitals win their last two games, they would make the playoffs if any of the following occurred:
- Carolina loses in regulation or overtime to Florida tomorrow
- Ottawa loses one of its two remaining games in regulation or loses both in overtime
- Boston loses one of its two remaining games in regulation or loses both in overtime
- Philadelphia loses one of its two remaining games in regulation or overtime
Boston and Ottawa play each other tomorrow in Ottawa. If that game ends in regulation, the most one of those teams could earn is 94 points, and the Capitals hold the tiebreaker against both of them. That means that as long as that game is decided in regulation the Capitals control their own destiny.