The playoff picture as of today

by FrankD on Mar 24, 2009 11:42 AM EDT in News Comment 8 comments

Eight games in 18 days. That's all that remains to the Pittsburgh Penguins' 2008 season. Of course three more regulation wins can make all the difference between a season that ends in April and one that can last through June.

Three more points puts the Pens at 92, a point total that will at the least seal an eighth place finish.

As of yesterday morning the Penguins were fifth in the Eastern Conference, just two point behind the Flyers. By the time midnight hit, the Pens dropped to sixth.

Just because Pittsburgh didn't have a game on the schedule yesterday doesn't mean the standings can't change. Carolina, who just a day ago remained a point behind the Pens, took a jump into fifth place thanks to a 3-2 win over the Panthers. Unfortunately this game ended in overtime, which also means Florida benefited from a point of their own.

Try as they may, the Devils' chances at catching up to Boston took a bit of a stumble last night. New Jersey dropped their second straight game, this one a 4-2 loss to none other than the Flyers. Giving two points to NJ wouldn't necessarily hurt Pitt's chances, but seeing Philly take a six-point lead in the standings is something no Pens fan wants to see.

Before today is over we may likely see the Rangers in an 86-point tie with the Pens. The Minnesota Wild will hopefully prevent that from happening. If not, then it will come down to Pitt to prevent New York from advancing up the standings Saturday afternoon.

Oh and by the way, if the playoffs started today the Pens would take on the Capitals in the first round. That's enough to make any NHL marketing director's head explode.

Here's a look at the standings:

Seed	Team	Pts	Games remaining
1	Boston Bruins	102	9
2	New Jersey Devils	97	9
3	Washington Capitals	96	8
4	Philadelphia Flyers	90	10
5	Carolina Hurricanes	87	7
6	Pittsburgh Penguins	86	8
7	New York Rangers	84	9
8	Montreal Canadiens	81	10
9	Florida Panthers	81	9
10	Buffalo Sabres	76	10
11	Ottawa Senators	74	10
12	Toronto Maple Leafs	73	9
13	Atlanta Thrashers	66	9
14	Tampa Bay Lightning	62	10
15	New York Islanders	56	10

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way to keep us updated Frankie.

I thought I should point out that TFP has an article that says Hossa is willing to take a pay cut if it increases the likelihood of a long term deal in Detroit. I understood him leaving for the only team better than us from last year but did we not offer him a long term deal in the off season?? I think this really speaks to the troubles that were going on when Therrien was coach. I hate our reputation for the treatment of veterans. I just hope that Guerin can stay here and show the rest of the league that veterans don’t always get the S*** end of the stick here.

by penskorn6687 on Mar 24, 2009 1:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ah, it’s a different regime for Guerin though. I’d like to see him stay, but first they should focus on Sykora. Get him on Malkin’s wing again and then pick up Guerin again. He’s at that stage in his career where money is nice and all, but a championship is what he’s really gunning for.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Mar 24, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My read on the Hossa situation is a little different. I agree to some extent that he didn’t want to stay when he saw that the team was quitting on its coach. But even more than that I think it’s a case of misjudging the market. I think Hossa was looking for Ovechkin/Crosby/Lacavalier money last offseason, and decided on a 1-year deal when no offers like that came. And now that the economic outlook for NHL franchises is less certain, he’s realizing that a 9-figure contract offer is unlikely this offseason as well.

P is for Latrobe.

by holiday park on Mar 24, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

an offer like was made by Edmonton but he turned it down to give it a go in Detroit.

by PensFan024 on Mar 24, 2009 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

For those Pens fans still bitter about the Hossa situation (still can’t decide if I am or not) I think his financial situation is just another example of poetic justice.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Mar 24, 2009 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

don't be bitter about it

Can you imagine how screwed the Pens would be against the salary cap if he’d signed that deal?

P is for Latrobe.

by holiday park on Mar 24, 2009 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You sir make an excellent point…

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Mar 24, 2009 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Honestly, I was impressed.

He was offered a much larger contract by the Oilers, and the Pens offered him security with a 7 year contract. It’s actually admirable that he took less money and risked his long time security in the pursuit Lord Stanley’s Cup. You often hear fans chastise players for going for taking a huge contract with a bad team when it’s supposed to be about winning, not the money. So, it pains me that he went to the team that defeated the Pens in the cup, but it’s not like he was a long time Penguin, he just wanted to win the cup.

by PensFan024 on Mar 25, 2009 8:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs