AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > March > 28
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Guess Florida wasn’t a gimme
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The first person to say, “Hey, at least we got a point” will get banned from the message board for the rest of their days.
This team is taking all the fun and excitement out of this race and turning it into an excruciating experience. When it was 2-1 for, like, forever, we were dominating play, and I kept saying to myself, “They need this game to not be a one-goal game.” The Panthers looked horrible, the game was constantly in their end, and yet you knew that if the Thrashers didn’t tack on that third goal it was going to get tied up.
And it did. And then we didn’t win in OT. And then we didn’t win the shootout. One point is better than nothing, there’s no denying that from a mathematical standpoint. But the utter lack of production from this team is scary.
Ready for me to blow your minds?
It is mathematically possible for the Thrashers to still win the division and claim the No. 3 seed and home ice in the first round … and finish with the NINTH best record in the East. It would be the biggest travesty in the history of sports, one of the biggest fiascos. It’s not likely, but it’s possible that a team with more points would miss the playoffs.
Here’s how:
The Thrashers have 89 points right now. Let’s say they lose the rest of their games EXCEPT for the last one against Tampa Bay. That gives them 91 points.,
Now, let’s say Carolina (84 points) beats the Thrashers, splits a pair with Tampa Bay and loses the rest. And let’s say Tampa (86 points) wins only the one against Carolina. That gives both of them 88 points. Thrashers win the division and clinch the third seed.
NOW … in the meantime, let’s say the Rangers (87 points) beat the Flyers, Habs and Penguins: They would finish with 93 points. They’re in.
And let’s say the Leafs (84 points) win four of these games: Atlanta, Penguins, Rangers, Flyers and Montreal. And let’s say the Habs (86 points) beat Ottawa, Buffalo and Boston. And let’s say the Islanders (84 points) beat Buffalo, Ottawa, Toronto and Philadelphia.
That’s 92 points for each those three teams.
That gives the East something like this:
Buffalo 105-plus New Jersey 98-plus ATLANTA 91 Ottawa 98-plus Pittsburgh 98-plus Rangers 93 Montreal 92 Toronto 92 --------------- Islanders 92 Hurricanes 88 Lightning 88
Listen, I’m not saying it’s gonna happen. In fact, the odds are incredibly low. But don’t you think it’s amazing that it COULD?!!!! As if hockey needs the sports world mocking it any further.
So listen up, Thrashers, for the sake of your sport: Put some damn points on the board and take care of business.
The phones lines are open and hot, young girls are waiting to talk to you ….
