What's Wrong With Ottawa?
The Goose's Roost — ... What's scary about Ottawa's current situation is that it happened so fast. They sunk a ton of money into three or four players, signed smaller deals with a group of guys they thought could produce, and suddenly are stuck with a team with very little turnover and a spot in the basement of the East. Things could change and their young talent could improve, but it's getting a bit too late for that this season. Mirtle has his "Push for 90" numbers up, and the Sens would need to finish 29-16-0 to hit the magic number necessary for a playoff spot. When James says to ...

What's It Gonna Take? The Playoff Numbers.
St. Louis Game Time — ... First, the big boss man, James Mirtle is tracking the entire NHL on what they have to do to hit 90 points. The assumption being that in the new NHL, 90 points is the threshold to get in. ...

Therrien Rumors Persist, Though Nothing Seems Imminent
Faceoff Factor — ... lists the Penguins as having a 36.9 percent chance of making the post season at this point. Their most likely finish is 10th place (18 percent chance), while their average finish rounds out to ninth place. Noted journalist and blogger extraordinaire James Mirtle of From The Rink has been monitoring the playoff race as it shapes up. By his estimation, it will take a minimum of 90 points to make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference, a number that is almost certain to increase to a level closer to last year’s 94-point cut-off. But, as it stands now – using the 90 point ...

Game Day: Florida Panthers @ Tampa Bay Lightning
Litter Box Cats — ... AP via NHL.com game preview AccuScore via The Sporting News Mirtle's Playoff Push Panthers website Lightning ...

Pieces Parts
The Goose's Roost — ... - Speaking of records, if you were with us last year we kept checking in with Mirtle's 90 Points or Bust until the bitter end. This year things are looking better, with the Sabres only needing to finish 19-16 to get to the (now 91) point total necessary. Getting that number under .500 on the road trip would be huge for this team down the stretch. ...

What Do You Think: Trades
In Lou We Trust — ... putting out feelers to make some moves. And after the All Star Game, the unofficial mad rush for positioning for playoffs and/or rushing to get into a playoff position will begin. Teams who could contend drop out. Teams who weren't contending could catch hot and move up.  And some teams, well, their shot at the postseason is nearly dead within the first week of the month of February. So it's isn't readily apparent as to who will be willing to "trade for the future," so to speak. Mirtle has been keeping up a regular look at the playoff push for all the teams in ...

What We Learned: Don’t trust the Spartans, passerby
The Two-Line Pass — ... Carolina — Quite the pile-up for the bottom of the Eastern Conference playoff spots. Buffalo, Florida, Carolina and Pittsburgh all need to go about 20-15-1, and they’re battling for two slots. All the teams above them can get in with sub-.500 records (coughrangerscough) and teams like Toronto and Tampa need to go like 24-10-0, which obviously won’t happen. Personally, I’m pulling for Florida (the novelty) and Buffalo (the hilarity). ...

Poll: Will The Penguins Make The Playoffs?
Faceoff Factor — ... Thirty-two games remain for the 10th place Pittsburgh Penguins. That means the Penguins have 32 games to get back on track and find a way into the Stanley Cup Playoffs. But can they actually do it? To make it in — assuming the cutoff is 91 points, as James Mirtle speculates it will be — the Penguins will need a 20-13-1 record for 41 points. In this week’s interactive poll, we’ll skip the facts and skip the auxiliary questions and get right down to it. Please feel free to add as much support for your vote as you like in our comments section below. Previous Poll Results What is ...

Game 48: Devils @ Ottawa
In Lou We Trust — ... Tonight's game will be important, as is nearly every game from here on out.  It's the first game for both teams in the rush for the playoffs.  For the Devils, it's to keep pace in the Atlantic and compete for the division title.  For the Senators, it's to keep hope alive for the playoffs (as faint as it may be).  Both want to start strong. Especially for the Devils, who have games against the Bruins and the Penguins looming later this week. ...

Florida Panthers ground Philadelphia Flyers 3-2
Litter Box Cats — ... AP via NHL.com: game recap/stats/video Mirtle's Playoff Push Panthers website Flyers website ...

Five for Reading - No Chance Edition
Fanster.com — ... sucked. We looked awful. It was a craptacular game where 5 of 7 goals weren't on Bryz, but the team playing horribly in front of them. That's all I have to say about that. However, some fans take it upon themselves to start screaming about a collapse and screaming at coaches etc. That's quite simply not the coaches fault when everyone forgets how to play a damn game. Could there have been some help somehow? I don't know. What I do know is that of the remaining 33 games we need to get 19 wins to make 91 points and that should get us in the playoffs. (Thanks Mirtle) 1 game ...

Five for Reading - No Chance Edition
Five For Howling — ... sucked. We looked awful. It was a craptacular game where 5 of 7 goals weren't on Bryz, but the team playing horribly in front of them. That's all I have to say about that. However, some fans take it upon themselves to start screaming about a collapse and screaming at coaches etc. That's quite simply not the coaches fault when everyone forgets how to play a damn game. Could there have been some help somehow? I don't know. What I do know is that of the remaining 33 games we need to get 19 wins to make 91 points and that should get us in the playoffs. (Thanks ...

'Liners & Divisionally Speaking for Monday
Litter Box Cats — ... Cat Scratch (FLA) Panthers on the Prowl (FLA) Mirtle's Playoff Push Gear up for tomorrow's epic battle in TO at Pension Plan Puppets ...

Canadiens Character About To Endure Severe Test
Habs Eyes On The Prize — ... The Canadiens have 62 points and 32 games left to play, and if it is 92 points they need to clinch a playoff spot, they will need 15 more wins this season - a task that grows more difficult with each additional piece of the sky falling on their head. ...

The Return
The Goose's Roost — ... Dr. Mirtle projects that the Sabres will need to finish roughly three games over .500 the rest of the way if they want to return to the postseason. It starts tonight. ...

James Mirtle's Playoff Push
Bangin Panger — ... He has this feature called "The Playoff Push" which chronicles each teams push towards the playoffs, but more specifically, 90 points or better. The average post lockout 8th place team (does that make sense?) in each conference had 93 points, so he uses 90 as the benchmark. Counting this weekends games... ...

A look at the Standings
Blue & Gold (of Buffalo) — ... According to Mirtle's simple standard of needing 91 points to make the playoffs, the Sabres need to finish the season with a 14-13-1 record. While that does not make Buffalo's entrance to the post season automatic, it is simple enough that they should have no problem in achieving it. ...

Hi, I'm here to fix the Penguins
PensBurgh — ... As SBN comrade James Mirtle points out in his latest update, the Penguins need to go 17-10 to pretty much guarantee themselves a playoff berth based off of recent history.  While that in and of itself doesn't seem too daunting, it means they need to pick up 34 points in 27 games.  Conversely, if the Carolina Hurricanes get 32 points in 28 games, they're in and Pittsburgh is out, if the Florida Panthers gets 33 points in 29 games, they're looking good.  As you can tell, their "magic numbers" are a litle more friendly. ...

Islanders Gameday: Yay - I mean 'darn' - the Kings are okay
Lighthouse Hockey — ... One reason the Western Conference playoff bubble is so ridiculously tight right now (see standings below) is that even the worst teams are starting to finally reap the rewards of several years of struggles. ...

Panthers prevail in come-from-behind OT thriller over Leafs, 5-4
Litter Box Cats — ... Panthers website Maple Leafs website Mirtle's Playoff Push Puck Daddy: Happy anniversary, Richard ...

Gameday: Florida Panthers at Carolina Hurricanes
Litter Box Cats — ... AP via NHL.com: game preview AccuScore via The Sporting News Mirtle's Playoff Push Panthers website Hurricanes website ...

The East's Surprise Is In The Middle
Faceoff Factor — ... and final playoff spot. With 26 games remaining, gaining ground on a few opponents isn’t exactly impossible. In fact, it’s quite probable, especially if the Penguins build on a week’s worth of solid performances, dating back to their third period, come-from-behind victory over the Lightning last Wednesday. It’s been said before each game for the last two weeks (if not longer): the next game is a must-win. You see, the Penguins need a 16-10-0 record to finish with 91 points, a cutoff Mirtle has predicted for the eighth and final playoff spot. They don’t have to win all of ...

Game Day: New York Rangers at Florida Panthers
Litter Box Cats — ... AP via NHL.com: game preview AccuScore via The Sporting News Mirtle's Playoff Push Panthers website ...

Game Day: Washington Capitals at Florida Panthers
Litter Box Cats — ... AccuScore via The Sporting News Sports Club Stats: Playoff Picture Mirtle's Playoff Push Panthers website Capitals ...

The Burning Question: Can The Pens Make The Playoffs?
Three River Sports — ... which was inspired by the From The Rink folks I thought I'd take a look at the Pens playoff chances with exactly 24 games remaining. From the Rink said the Pens had to have 90ish points to even have a slight shot, and that 92 would make them reasonably safe. The Pensblog concluded with the 92 assessment and then took an in-depth look at the Pens schedule to try to find if that's even possible. (it's just conceivable enough to keep you interested for the next couple weeks. Beyond that who the hell knows?) I'm not trying to redo what they did. No one knows the Pens better ...

There's Some Good With The Bad
Faceoff Factor — ... lies the problem. The Penguins quite simply haven’t proven capable of winning with any regularity. That has to change. It begins tomorrow night — as the Penguins host to the Canadiens, who will be playing their second road game in 24 hours — and it must continue through the weekend against formidable opponents in Philadelphia and Washington. Clearly, the Penguins must defeat the Canadiens to gain ground, but they also must win at least one of the other two games. To hit 91 points ( James Mirtle’s projected total needed for an Eastern Conference playoff berth), the Penguins ...

NHL Games to Watch this Weekend
The Sporting Blog — ... Hockey blogger James Mirtle estimates that it's going to take 90 points to make the playoffs in the West, which means the Ducks need to earn 29 points in their last 23 games. While it's not an impossible feat, especially for a recent Stanley Cup champion, nothing I've seen from the Ducks as of late (5-5-0 in the last 10) convinces me they can turn it around. ...

Speechless: Islanders down Devils ... 4-0?
Lighthouse Hockey — ... A great team effort that starts with Danis, who -- Eureka! -- kept Islanders killer Son of Parise off the board despite six shots. Alas, despite the win, the Islanders are officially eliminated from James Mirtle's playoff push tracker, as even running the table would get them no more than 88 points. Ha. ...

Rechecking Reactions: Brodeur's Injury & Surgery
In Lou We Trust — ... First and foremost, my main hope was that the Devils would keep pace in the Eastern Conference and be able to stay in the playoff hunt when Brodeur would return.  I am very happy to be wrong about that.  As of yesterday, the Devils will have to do worse than 6-16-0 to miss the playoffs according to Mirtle's latest figures.  New Jersey is in first in the Atlantic with an 8 point lead.   Forget the making the playoffs, they can take the division! ...

Florida Panthers - Litter Box Liners for Monday
Litter Box Cats — ... The Hockey News: Goalie prospect carousel (Jacob Markstrom) Sports Club Stats: Monday's Panthers Playoff Picture Mirtle's Playoff Push Panthers website ...

The Gameplan for the Coyotes to Make the Playoffs or Reason Takes a Vacation
Fanster.com — ... Well, we've won our last couple of games but the chances of our making the playoffs is still looking kind of bleak. With how everyone is clumped together in the West, it's possible, though not likely for us to make a run at it. I'll try and break down exactly what has to happen in order for that to occur. First. I'm going to use Mirtle's standard of 90 points to make the Playoffs. It may be a point or 2 more or less at the end with how much canibalism will happen with the teams so close together, but it's a reasonable estimate. As of today we need to go 15-6-1 to get 90 points. ...

The Gameplan for the Coyotes to Make the Playoffs or Reason Takes a Vacation
Five For Howling — ... Well, we've won our last couple of games but the chances of our making the playoffs is still looking kind of bleak. With how everyone is clumped together in the West, it's possible, though not likely for us to make a run at it. I'll try and break down exactly what has to happen in order for that to occur. First. I'm going to use Mirtle's standard of 90 points to make the Playoffs. It may be a point or 2 more or less at the end with how much canibalism will happen with the teams so close together, but it's a reasonable estimate. As of today we need to go 15-6-1 to ...

Resetting the Bar
The Goose's Roost — ... So where does this team stand? Right now they're in 8th place, just a point out of ninth and three points from fourth place. According to the 90+ Points or Bust standings from Mirtle, the Sabres need to finish the season 11-10-1 to hit that mark and finish in 8th place. ...

GDT - 2/24/09 Blues VS Coyotes
Fanster.com — ... time! You’ve got a 2 win foundation, build on it. Remember, we need to win about 3 for every 4 played! Lets save the Ls for the rough games, hoard them away by gettin a lil W streak cushion goin.   Blues official Preview Yotes official Preview Thrill of the Blues St. Louis Game Time   News and Notes: The Big Rig takes on fan questions for those still infatuated w/ Blake Wheeler Myrtle’s Math for Playoff Hopefuls Watch the game on AZ 7 or at ...

News and 'Liners for Wednesday: Post-apocalyptic edition
Litter Box Cats — ... sucks!, Southbound and down Sun-Sentinel:  Bad bounces aren't only issue, Cats Notebook Palm Beach Post:  No Vokoun, no chance Boston Globe:  Bruins shine brightly, Fight Club: Kobasew vs. Ballard Boston Herald:  Bruins break out AP via NHL.com: game recap/stats/video (don't bother on the video) Mirtle's Playoff Push Sports Club Stats: Panthers playoff chances ...

Atlantic Division Snapshot 2/26 - 3/4
In Lou We Trust — ... The Islanders get a nice home streak going with games against Toronto, Buffalo, and the Avalanche.  While they almost are mathematically eliminated - Mirtle says they have been out of it for a week now - they did prove to the Devils that they can still play.  So the Long Island Spoilers play on, though their success or failure won't change anything in the Atlantic.  Follow Dominik at ...

Sharktistical Analysis: The Bubble Boys of The West
Fear The Fin — ... Colorado, Phoenix, St. Louis, Nashville, and St. Louis have also been omitted due to their place in the current NHL standings, as well as their current place in James Mirtle's "Playoff Push" articles. If any one of these teams makes a run we will include them in future editions, but as of this posting it looks to be a long and tumultuous road for them to crack the top 8. Crazier things have happened however, and the advent of the three point game makes nearly anything possible. Don't hold your breath. ...

Canucks Final 20 Games At A Glance
Nucks Misconduct — ... If your math is the same fifth grade C+ caliber as mine is, you'll see that's a possible 14 points sitting there against two of the worst teams in the conference. Pretending we get those points would take us from today's 72 points to 86. If you pay attention to Capt. Mirtle's 90 point playoff push you'll know that 90-95 points or higher is effectively a sure lock for the playoffs. Granted 90 points wouldn't have made the playoffs last year (Nashville squeaked in with 91) but just go with it. ...

Game Day: Florida Panthers at Atlanta Thrashers; Jay's swansong?
Litter Box Cats — ... AP via NHL.com: game preview AccuScore via The Sporting News Mirtle's From the Rink: Playoff Push Sports Club Stats: Panthers playoff picture ...

Playing Below Capacity: Atlanta Thrashers
Puck Money — ... that metropolitan Atl anta is the fastest growing metro area in the nation. This is obviously good, but I don't think it can make a huge difference to the franchise. - On Ice Product The Thrashers will fail to make the playoffs this season once again, being mathematically eliminated in late February . Their second half average attendance will most likely drop from their first half mark as the team is playing for its pride and their paychecks. Lets take a look at the past couple of years (click to enlarge): ...

Koz: TRADE DEADLINE WRAPUP
Mondesi's House — ... As of today, the Penguins need to go 10-7 to make the playoffs. James Mirtle has put together the “playoff push” at fromtherink.com. Seeing that no team makes the playoffs in the shootout era with less than 90 points in the standings, this is a good gauge. Given the competition this season, it looks as though it will take closer to 92 points. The Pens have what I would call six “swing games” left – games against opponents also competing for the same playoff spot. Losing a swing game will have a big impact on the playoff push figure. ...

Game Day: St. Louis Blues at Florida Panthers
Litter Box Cats — ... AP via NHL.com: game preview AccuScore via The Sporting News: Not loading as of noon Mirtle's From the Rink: Playoff Push Sports Club Stats: Panthers playoff chances ...

Mirtle's Playoff Push Numbers. Can the Blues make it?
St. Louis Game Time — Mirtle's Playoff Push Numbers. Can the Blues make it? When middle management speaks, we listen. Most of the time. Some of the time we just nod and stare at their mouth and wonder why we can't hear the actual words that are coming out. But in this case, we ...

Stargazing: Coming home after a successful road trip
Defending Big D — ... James Mirtle has the updated standings on the push for 90 points in the West, stating that the Stars need to go 10-7-0 to reach the mark that generally spells a playoff berth. ...

Daily Rounup for 3/8
Die By The Blade — ... Mirtle has his traditional look at the playoff race for 90 points.  The news isn't all bad for the Sabres but they need to start stringing together some wins. ...

Litter Box Liners and notes for Monday
Litter Box Cats — ... Miami Herald Palm Beach Post Mirtle's From the Rink: Playoff Push Sports Club Stats: ...

Liners: Penguins top Panthers 4-3 in SO; Florida's Vokoun has 47 saves
Litter Box Cats — ... AP via NHL.com: game recap/stats Mirtle's From the Rink: Playoff Push Sports Club Stats: Panthers playoff run ...

A look at teams in the mix for the 2009 NHL playoffs
PensBurgh — ... James Mirtle has been tracking the progress of each team's point total on his site From The Rink.  According to his standings, last night's win over the Panthers officially puts the Pens in the zone of .500 hockey for the remainder of the season.  ...

Game 67 Preview: Devils vs. Phoenix Coyotes
In Lou We Trust — ... However, good things tend to come to an end.  While Phoenix is just about eliminated from the playoffs per Mirtle's scheme (14-1-0? Not happening, Phoenix), they have certainly not given up on the season.  OK, ignore that they are 1-3-1 in their last 5 for a moment.  As ...

Game Day Liners: Tampa Bay Lightning at Florida Panthers
Litter Box Cats — ... Sports Club Stats: Panthers playoff run Mirtle's From the Rink: Playoff Push Panthers website ...

Even Mirtle Continues To Hate
St. Louis Game Time — Even Mirtle Continues To Hate Come on now, James. It's time to drop your East-Coast bias, media-centric, Toronto (and allegedly Nick Kypreos) love and admit what you need to admit: These Blues are a real threat at this point. Despite his declaration it's ...

'Liners for a quiet Monday
Litter Box Cats — ... Sports Club Stats: Panthers playoff run Mirtle's From the Rink: Playoff Push Panthers website ...

Game Day: Washington Capitals at Florida Panthers
Litter Box Cats — ... Sports Club Stats: Panthers' playoff chances Mirtle's From the Rink: Playoff Push Panthers website ...

Florida Panthers: Off-day 'Liners for Friday
Litter Box Cats — ... AP via NHL.com: game recap/stats Mirtle's From the Rink: Playoff Push Sports Club Stats: Panthers' Playoff Picture ...

PLAYOFFS!!!1 is dead! As per Mirtle's Predictive Metric. So that silliness can end now. The only...
Pension Plan Puppets — ... PLAYOFFS!!!1 is dead! As per Mirtle's Predictive Metric. So that silliness can end now. The only thing left for the Leafs is to ruin the PLAYOFFS!!1 for the Habs starting on Saturday. ...

Ducks Gameday—Calculating the final eleven games
Battle of California — ... Well, with eleven games left I decided to run a quick set of scenarios about how the Ducks might finish out their 08-09 season. I really don't know how many points they'd need to qualify (Mirtle says 16), but here's a look at how many they might get. ...

Game Day 'Liners: Carolina Hurricanes at Florida Panthers
Litter Box Cats — ... Sports Club Stats: Playoff Picture Mirtle's Playoff Push Panthers website Blue Jackets ...

Playoff Bound?
Nucks Misconduct — Playoff Bound? If you buy Mirtle's take, we're in like a dirty shirt. Also, according to Mile High Hockey, we officially eliminated the Avs last night. If you chuck in the Dallas win earlier in the week, it's a been a decent string of sticking it ...

Fights, hot chicks and a big win for the Baby Pens: Your Monday Morning Mini Link Roundup
PensBurgh — ... The Penguins may only need to go 1-4-1 to get 93 points to probably ensure a playoff berth, but doesn't it feel like there's more work to be done than that? [From the Rink] ...

Flyers will play supporting role in race for eighth
Broad Street Hockey — ... The unseen story here is the Flyers role in all of this. Sure, they've yet to clinch a playoff spot themselves, but barring a ridiculous collapse, they've just about sealed up a spot at least higher than seventh. Mirtle's very accurate playoff push rankings say the Flyers need to go 0-5-1 the rest of the way to clinch. I think they can manage. ...

Possibly the end
Blue & Gold (of Buffalo) — The Sabres lost 3-2 to the New Jersey Devils in a defeat that could possibly mark the end of Buffalo's playoff hopes. While mathematically still in it, and still able to hit Mirtle's magic number if they win out, things do not look promising for the post season hopes of the Sabres. There is still a ...