Tie-breakers

It's been a long time since this has mattered to the Isles, at least in terms of playoff seeds, but here are the official NHL tie-breakers:

Tie-Breaking procedure * - Division leaders are seeded 1, 2, and 3 in Conference standings. If two or more clubs are tied in points during the regular season, the standing of the clubs is determined in the following order:

• The fewer number of games played (i.e., superior points percentage).
• The greater number of games won, excluding games won in the Shootout. This figure is reflected in the ROW column.
• The greater number of points earned in games between the tied clubs. If two clubs are tied, and have not played an equal number of home games against each other, points earned in the first game played in the city that had the extra game shall not be included. If more than two clubs are tied, the higher percentage of available points earned in games among those clubs, and not including any "odd" games, shall be used to determine the standing.
• The greater differential between goals for and against for the entire regular season. NOTE: In standings a victory in a shootout counts as one goal for, while a shootout loss counts as one goal against.

(Tie-breaker #1 is why the Isles are currently behind the Devils, even though they have more regular season wins.  Note that the third tie-breaker would also favor Isles over New Jersey -- Opening night does NOT count, for tie-breaking purposes Isles win season series six points to three.  This comes into play this season with every opponent EXCEPT the two team the Isles faced 4 times: Philly and the Rangers.  So, for example the Isles have clinched a split of this tie-break with Winnipeg; the January game in 'Peg doesn't count and the Isles lead 2 points to 0 with a game remaining there on April 20th.  Isles will need a regulation win over NYR to split this tie-break with Rangers if it comes down to it (Rangers have 5 points to Isles 3).

 

Forever1940 is the nom de plume of Eric Hornick, statistician on Islander home telecasts since January 21, 1982. Visit my blog: NYISkinny.com and follow me on Twitter @ehornick