AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2008 > April > 21
Monday, April 21, 2008
Making A Point Or…Five
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
First of all, I was at the Big Shanty Festival in Kennesaw all weekend and, as per usual this time of year, failed to apply the necessary sunscreen application. Maybe it’s the winter months and all the nights spent in the cool confines of Philips Arena that freezes the part of my brain that links the words “sun” and “burn” together and, in connecting the two, equates them with “pain”…but, alas, here I am again, as so many prior Aprils, red-faced.
Yes…the Ice Man burneth! Funny thing though, every year the burn seems to include more and more of the forehead and scalp region…go figure!
Anyway, moving right along…
I put this next little ditty up on the Nasty Nest sight last weekend…it was a response to a thread topic put out there regarding how many points an NHL game should be worth. Yeah, yeah…I know, this subject has been kicked to death around these parts before, but I think I have a different twist to it…so stick with me.
Now, as we all know, games are worth either 2 points or 3 points in the standings, depending on whether it goes into overtime or not…and this is somewhat of an inequity for some, myself included. I am of the belief that all games should be worth the same amount of points.
How many times have you been scoreboard watching and thought “Gosh, just as long as Washington/Carolina do NOT go into OT…”? The reasoning being that the Thrashers could be in a three-way race with those two and playing a team outside of the division. Atlanta could trounce their opponent, say, 4-1 while the Caps and Canes played an overtime game. Sure, we gain two points in the standings but the teams we are competing with for the division title earn a total of three between them.
So if you could remedy this, would you simply go with wins and losses regardless of OT or not, scrapping the points system altogether, (the way baseball and basketball do)? Or do you opt for a three point system in which the entirety is given to the winner if in regulation and a 2-1 split should it go to OT? Some would even argue that the “splitting” of points should only occur should the match need a shootout to determine the winner.
Personally, I would go with the points system…BUT if you really wanted to get CRAZY about it, try this out…
Since there are three ways to win a game, (regulation, OT and shootout)…consider a tiered system for doling out the points accordingly by making all games worth 5 points.
Regulation games: 5 to winner 0 to loser…
Overtime games: 4 to winners and 1 to loser…
Shootout games: 3 to winners and 2 to loser…
This way, every time the games slips to another level of tie-breaking, your points chances decrease…thus, theoretically, coaches and players are pushing for that regulation win late in a tie game or pushing for an OT win late in that period…not just satisfied with getting the point, coasting and taking their chances for the extra point in the overtime period.
Plus, greater emphasis is given to beating your opponent outright in regulation, then a little less in OT and the minimum difference dished out for wins going to the shootout.
Yes, I know this would destroy all the records for points earned in a season and change it forever…but that can of worms was already opened up when they started insisting that a “winner” be determined in every game and, thus, giving away extra points.
While I know it is highly unlikely that five-point games will ever bee seen in the NHL in the manner I described above…nevertheless, I toss it out to you for your consideration and thoughts.
PLAYOFF UPDATE
Movin’ On Up Crowd
The New York Rangers became the second team to earn a spot in the second round of The Great Cup Quest of ’08 by defeating the Devils 5-3 Friday night. The Rangers won the series 4-1. With just over seven minutes left in the third, and the Devils down one, New Jersey’s John Madden was awarded a penalty shot but Henrik Lundqvist was able to deny him the trying goal. Jaromir Jagr had a goal and two assists for New York finishing the series with 2 goals and 8 points.
Colorado became the first team out west to join the second round club. Their 2-1 win Saturday night gave them a 4-2 series win over the Minnesota Wild. Avalanche net minder Jose Theodore stopped 34 f the35 shots launched against him…Aaron Voros goal 36 seconds into the second period being the only one to beat him. Ryan Smyth netted the ultimate game winner at 12:20 of that same period. Smyth’s goal was assisted by David Jones, (hey, wasn’t he the lead singer and tambourine player for The Monkees)?
Detroit then followed suit Sunday afternoon with a 3-0 win in Nashville to take that series 4 games to 2. The Red Wings defense limited the Predators to only 20 shots on goal and Chris Osgood was able to turn them all away. Nashville net minder Dan Ellis faced 42 shots after seeing 54 in game five. Detroit averaged 40.3 SOG in the six games played in the series…. Impressive!
The Dallas Stars are moving on up to round two after disposing of the Anaheim Ducks. Their 4-1 win Sunday Night gave them a 4 games to 2 series win. Dallas scored all four goals in the third period to erase a 1-0 deficit after 40 minutes. The Stars defense only allowed the Ducks an average of about 22 shots on goal. So, now both Stanley Cup Finalist from last year have been eliminated in the first round this year.
Hangin’ In There Crowd
The Washington Capitals prevailed in a must-win game over the Philadelphia Flyers Saturday afternoon to the tune of 3-2. Game six is Monday night in Philly. In the loss, Daniel Briere had 2 assists. He now has five goals and nine points in the post-season. Game six is set for Monday night with a game seven Tuesday if needed.
Takin’ It To The Limit Crowd
Calgary forced a game seven in their series with San Jose by beating the Sharks 2-0 Sunday night. Flames keeper Miikka Kiprusoff turned away all 21 Shark attacks on the net. Owen Nolan and Daymond Langkow provided goals for the 7th seeded Flames. Game seven is Tuesday night in the Shark Tank.
Then there are the Boston Bruins…my, my, my! The eight seed found themselves in a 3-1 series hole to the top-seeded Canadiens with game five in Montreal. It’s over, right?
Ummmmmm… no.
After pulling away in the third period of game five to win 5-1, the Bruins returned to Beantown and forced a deciding game seven on Monday by way of an awesome 5-4 see-saw-type game. Phil Kessel, (who was held out of three games earlier in the series), scored two goals and has three for the series as well as an assist. Boston has tallied 4 goals in the third period for two games in a row. Montreal better put these guys away early in game seven or….
You know, it is entirely possible that your humble blog host could go only 2 for 8 in first round predictions depending on the outcome of the three series yet to be decided.
Ouch…now THAT burns!
