Last 10

I was just taking a peek at the current standings, and something really caught my eye. Record in Last 10. The majority of every team's last 10 games have been versus division opponents, so you would think 2 or 3 teams would have winning records, and the opposite have losing records. Don't get me started on how stupid that type of schedule is when only 3 of 8 playoff spots are determined by division winners; I think battling 4 or 5 conference foes, as to compared to 1 or 2 division opponents, leads to a greater chance of non-division teams fighting for the last playoff spots. Who wouldn't want to see a Caps-Flyers game this time of year? But anyway, on to the Last 10....let's take a look at the East:


Pittsburgh 7-2-1 (15 out of 20 possible points)
New Jersey 5-4-1 (11 out of 20 possible points)
NY Rangers 5-3-2 (12 out of 20 possible points)
Philadelphia 5-3-2 (12 out of 20 possible points)
NY Islanders 2-6-2 (6 out of 20 possible points)

Montreal 7-2-1 (15 out of 20 possible points)
Ottawa 4-5-1 (9 out of 20 possible points)
Boston 4-2-4 (12 out of 20 possible points)
Buffalo 6-3-1 (13 out of 20 possible points)
Toronto 5-4-1 (11 out of 20 possible points)

Carolina 6-3-1 (13 out of 20 possible points)
Washington 9-1-0 (18 out of 20 possible points)
Florida 6-3-1 (13 out of 20 possible points)
Atlanta 3-7-0 (6 out of 20 possible points)
Tampa Bay 3-6-1 (7 out of 20 possible points)


So, even though things have come down to the last game of the season, with the exception of Washington, things really haven't changed all that much. If you're sitting in 9th or 10th, trailing by a few points, it's near impossible to leapfrog anyone, even if you're playing decent hockey and a few games above .500. If you're chasing, you basically have to win out the last 10, because almost everyone is going to get 10 points or better, thanks to the bonus point system. How all games don't have the same potential point total is beyond me. So this is what we get. Perceived "parity" and playoff "races", and playoff spots determined by a bonus point awarded for losing in OT or winning a skills competition.

Call me bitter because the Sabres missed this year, but the logic isn't flawed, the reasons are clear, and while many fans have engaged in good discussion for solving this problem, the league seems to be oblivious to our frustrations. My patience is wearing thin Mr. Bettman.

3 Point Games and the Skills Competition (aka Shootout)

I love this time of year. Races for playoff spots and final positioning. Tons of meaningful games. Exciting hockey. But I can't help but be completely annoyed by the current point system and OT/shootout format used by the NHL. I'll be the first to admit that I didn't think twice about it last season, as Buffalo dominated the league and won the President's Trophy, all while going 10-4 in the shootout. I'll even admit that I used to hate ties, and was in favor of the change to 4 on 4 OT and the shootout. But if this season has given me anything, it's a new perspective on just how important every point is, and how cheap that bonus point for a shoutout win is.

I know: the standings probably wouldn't end up all that different, and teams like Buffalo will have had 82 chances to get enough points to make the playoffs, just like everybody else. And while they could easily be right in the thick of things by getting the job done during regulation, or even OT, in a handful of games recently, it's a tough pill to swallow knowing they lost 9 points to other teams, some of them contenders, through a skills competition. I enjoy the shootout as entertainment; but it belongs in the All-Star game as a showcase and exhibition of the game's best talents. I'd also argue that if Buffalo were 9-3 this year in the shoutout, and in a playoff spot, they'd be so as basically the same flawed team who's underperformed all season. Do I want a skills competition allowing a lesser quality team a chance to make the playoffs? A team who during the course of regular play, and 12 OT's, wasn't good enough to get the points needed to make the playoffs? Do I want another 2006-2007 Islanders team getting in on the last shot in a shootout in the last game of the year? No, no, and no. I do not want the NFL's version of parity, where medicore .500 teams are playoff contenders.

So, even though I know that the shootout is here to stay as long as Mr. Bettman and his NBA marketing genius is still running this joke of a league, I'll hold out hope that someone comes to their senses and gets rid of the shootout. Give me a 10 minute four on four OT with 2 points for the winner and 1 for the loser or tie, to help ensure an exciting OT instead of teams just playing for the tie. My biggest problem with the old ties was five minutes of boring OT, with teams (especially the visitor) ensuring themselves of a point. I still don't like the 3-point game, but there needs to be incentive to win, unless it's 2 for a win and 0 for a tie or loss, which I don't see ever happening. But please, just allow games to be won or lost based on actually hockey, and not a skills competition.

Pronger/Kesler incident & Bettman

Noticed a lot of chatter on various blogs and message boards relating to the stomping incident by Chris Pronger on Ryan Kesler in Wednesday's Vancouver-Anaheim game. Who knows if the contact info is right, but I decided to send an quick email to Mr. Bettman and Mr. Campbell regarding the current lack of disciplinary action taken against Pronger, as follows:

Dear Mr. Bettman,

If the current reports regarding the Chris Pronger/Ryan Kesler stomping incident are accurate, I feel compelled to voice my enormous disappointment in the lack of any disciplinary action taken against Mr. Pronger. You are allowing this league to become an absolute joke. I will fully expect to hear from you personally when a player ends up seriously injured or dead due to the lax policies the NHL has towards such actions. I'm curious what kind of suspension the league will hand out when a player's intentional action results in someone being paralyzed, or worse, killed. What's the penalty to match the injury there Mr. Bettman? It is a disgrace that you and the others in charge of this league have turned a blind eye, in most instances (slap on the wrist 3 games suspensions are token gestures) and play favorites. I anxiously await the day when a real commission has control of our game.

Sincerely,

Rocco Russo

The opinions on this incident cover the spectrum, some of which I just can't understand. Regardless of this one specific example, I find it an utter disgrace what the league allows to happen and go unpunished, and what they do choose to punish at times. I find the complete lack of officiating and disciplinary consistency to be a major problem arising in the post-lockout NHL. For the sake of the great game we love I hope either Bettman and his gang either get their heads out of their asses or let new leadership take over before hockey and the NHL fades from the public (American lat least) consciousness.