NHL Scenarios

The NHL has published a listing of clinching scenarios for tonight. The East's
are complex; the West's are absurd.

<< thanks NHL
EASTERN CONFERENCE
The #1 Washington Capitals (idle) would clinch the #1 seed in the Eastern
Conference...
* if the Flyers lose to the Sabres in regulation, overtime or shootout.

The #2 Philadelphia Flyers would clinch the Atlantic Division title...
* if they defeat the Sabres AND the Penguins lose to the Islanders in
regulation, overtime or shootout
OR
* if they get one point against the Sabres AND the Penguins lose to the
Islanders in regulation

The #6 Montreal Canadiens (idle) would clinch the #6 seed in the Eastern
Conference...
* if the Sabres lose to the Flyers in regulation.

The #7 Buffalo Sabres would clinch an Eastern Conference playoff berth...
* if they get at least one point against the Flyers
OR
* if the Hurricanes lose to the Thrashers in regulation, overtime orshootout.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

The #2 San Jose Sharks would clinch the #2 seed in the Western Conference...
* if they defeat the Coyotes in regulation or overtime AND the RedWings lose to
the Blackhawks in regulation, overtime or shootout.
OR
* if they defeat the Coyotes in a shootout AND the Red Wings lose to the
Blackhawks in regulation.

The #4 Los Angeles Kings would clinch the #4 seed in the Western Conference...
* if they defeat the Ducks AND the Predators lose to the Blue Jackets in
regulation AND the Coyotes lose to the Sharks in regulation.

The #5 Nashville Predators would clinch a Western Conference playoff berth...
* if they get at least one point against the Blue Jackets
OR
* if the Stars lose to the Avalanche in regulation, overtime or shootout

The #6 Phoenix Coyotes would clinch a Western Conference playoff berth…
* if they get at least one point against the Sharks
OR
* if the Stars lose to the Avalanche in regulation, overtime or shootout or
defeat the Avalanche in a shootout.

The #7 Anaheim Ducks would clinch a Western Conference playoff berth...
* if they defeat the Kings
OR
* if they get one point against the Kings AND the Stars lose to the Avalanche in
regulation, overtime or shootout
OR
* if the Stars lose to the Avalanche in regulation

The #8 Chicago Blackhawks would clinch a Western Conference playoff berth...
* if they defeat the Red Wings in regulation or overtime AND the Stars lose to
the Avalanche in regulation, overtime or shootout or defeat the Avalanche in a
shootout
OR
* if they defeat the Red Wings in a shootout AND the Stars lose to the Avalanche
in regulation, overtime or shootout

>>

Basically, you have 3 cities rooting for the Avs tonight, because a Colorado win
would clinch playoff berths for Nashville, Phoenix and Anaheim. Of the 10 games
being played tonight, 9 have playoff implications (all but Minnesota-Edmonton).

Not listed by the NHL, but also with implications, is Tampa Bay-Florida. A
Lightning regulation loss would clinch home ice for Pittsburgh. A Lightning
OT/SO loss and a Penguin win or OT/SO loss would also clinch at least the 4 seed
for Pittsburgh, as would a Penguin regulation/OT/SO win.

I think.

Most valuable people in the NHL -- the traveling secretaries. Get this: 4
different teams (LA, Nash, Phoenix and Anaheim) each still have eight potential
first round opponents. Only LA is assured of making the playoffs; one of the
others will miss the playoffs if Dallas sneaks in.

Forever1940 is the nom de plume of Eric Hornick, statistician on Islander home
telecasts since 1982. Visit my blog: forever1940.blogspot.com and follow me on
Twitter @ehornick