blank'/> THE PUCK REPORT: March 2010

Thursday, March 4, 2010

2010 NHL Playoff Projections - 20 Games To Play

With 62 games banked and 20 to play, the NHL playoff picture is taking shape. The chart below projects final standings based on the points-per-game pace to date.
























































































































































































































































































































Projected 2010 NHL Playoff Picture At 62 Games
EASTWEST
TeamW Pts Pace TeamW Pts Pace
1. WAS
41
90
1.45
1. SJS
40
89
1.43
2. NJD
38
79
1.27
2. CHI
41
87
1.40
3. BUF
33
75
1.21
3. VAN
38
78
1.26
4. PIT
37
76
1.22
4. LAK
38
80
1.29
5. OTT
35
74
1.19
5. PHO
37
79
1.27
6. PHI
33
69
1.11
6. COL
35
76
1.22
7. BOS
28
67
1.08
7. NAS
34
73
1.18
8. ATL
28
66
1.06
8. DET
29
70
1.13
9. MTL
29
64
1.03
9. CGY
30
69
1.11
10. NYR
28
63
1.02
10. DAL
28
68
1.10
11. TBL
26
63
1.02
11. ANA
30
67
1.08
12. NYI
25
58
0.93
12. MIN
31
66
1.06
13. FLA
24
58
0.93
13. STL
28
65
1.05
14. CAR
25
57
0.92
14. CLB
25
59
0.95
15. TOR
19
49
0.79
15. EDM
19
44
0.71



Hovering around 94 points for the past four season, this year's cutoff appears lower with the East at 90 and the West at 93. With this in mind, the chart below shows points and pace needed by bottom dwellers in each conference over the final 20 games to qualify for the second season.



















































































































































Points Needed In Final 20 Games



EAST

WEST
Team
Pts
Pace
Team
Pts
Pace
9. MTL
26
1.30
9. CGY
24
1.20
10. NYR
27
1.35
10. DAL
25
1.25
11. TBL
27
1.35
11. ANA
26
1.30
12. NYI
32
1.60
12. MIN
27
1.35
13. FLA
32
1.60
13. STL
28
1.40
14. CAR
33
1.65
14. CLB
35
1.75
15. TOR
41
2.05
15. EDM
49
2.45


Though possible to collect 40 points in 20 games (2.00), it's improbable these laggers will outpace the league leader (1.45). Barring heroics of the five week variety, expect the Islanders, Panthers, Hurricanes, Blue Jackets, Maple Leafs, and Oilers to close shop come April 11th.


For the rest, anything is possible.

Monday, March 1, 2010

2010 Olympic Hockey Individual Statistics

Having documented every aspect of men's ice hockey at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, including format and schedule, scores and standings, rosters by NHL salary, NHL team and source league, and medals by NHL team, tournament player statistics are listed below.

G. Canada
S. United States
B. Finland
4. Slovakia
5. Sweden
6. Russia
7. Czech Republic
8. Switzerland
9. Belarus
10. Norway
11. Germany
12. Latvia

Pavol Demitra led all skaters in points (10) and Jarome Iginla scored the most goals (5). In net, Henrik Lundqvist posted the best GAA (1.34) and most shutouts (2), with Ryan Miller leading in SV% (94.56), saves (139), and minutes (355:07).

Olympic MVP honors went to Ryan Miller with Brian Rafalski voted best defenseman and Jonathan Toews best forward. The remainder of the tournament all-star team included Shea Weber, Zach Parise, and Pavol Demitra.