This applies to all teams, who fail to win in regulation, and go on to accumulate points in 3 on 3 or in shoot outs.

For example the leafs are the biggest beneficiary of 3 on 3 & SO losses, in the NHL with 15 points.

Ottawa leads the Atlantic in regulation wins, and is in the top third of the league with 32 Regulation wins and have NOT lost in regulation, in consecutive games since the 7th of February................. so it terms of 5 on 5 hockey (regulation wins), Ottawa is one of the best in Eastern Conference, sitting in 5th behind only the top four teams in the Metro division.


The leafs have by comparison, have 28 regulation wins, 18th in the league and eighth in their Conference.


So by focusing only on total scoring while playing 5 on 5 ......... you're missing the bigger picture ............ Wins while playing 5 on 5 ........ and the Senators measure up as the Best 5 on 5 team in their division, 5th in their Conference and 10th in the NHL overall.
- D0PPELGANGER

you should not confuse leaf fans with facts

Another example of the Sens inability to score.

Fortunately there's no 3-on-3 or shootout in the playoffs.
- Feeling Glucky?

I'm absolutely shocked that the Leafs have a chance to have the best goal differential in the Atlantic this season.

you should not confuse leaf fans with facts
- spatso

I'm absolutely shocked that the Leafs have a chance to have the best goal differential in the Atlantic this season.
- walshyleafsfan

Would you also be shocked to know that goal differential is the LAST tie breaker ... and therefore meaningless?

If teams remain tied after calculating points, wins (i.e., regulation + overtime wins, excluding shootout wins), and their head-to-head season series, then the team with the greatest positive difference between goals scored (GF) and goals allowed (GA)

Points, ROW, head-to-head season series, GF minus GA.

Would you also be shocked to know that goal differential is the LAST tie breaker ... and therefore meaningless?

If teams remain tied after calculating points, wins (i.e., regulation + overtime wins, excluding shootout wins), and their head-to-head season series, then the team with the greatest positive difference between goals scored (GF) and goals allowed (GA)

Points, ROW, head-to-head season series, GF minus GA.
- D0PPELGANGER

No I wouldn't. I'm just shocked that the Leafs are currently +11 after being -48 last year and -51 the year before.

The improvement in the goal differential is astounding.

No I wouldn't. I'm just shocked that the Leafs are currently +11 after being -48 last year and -51 the year before.

The improvement in the goal differential is astounding.
- walshyleafsfan

Yeah, it's a positive.

But is there a little context needed?
Were the leafs not "tanking" for a couple of seasons, as part of the Shanaplan?
Now that they've moved on from "tanking" there is no reason to not have expected the GDiff to improve.

I certainly would not have expected the leafs to have basically grabbed a secure hold on a PO spot, with about 10 games left in the season ............ that's much more "shocking" than a GDiff improvement, in my books.


It would be interesting to compare the increase in points, by a team, over the previous year, and see how this season rates (for the leafs) against the biggest increases (in points) in NHL history.

I'm sure one of you leaf fans can find that somewhere on the inter webs.

Yeah, it's a positive.

But is there a little context needed?
Were the leafs not "tanking" for a couple of seasons, as part of the Shanaplan?
Now that they've moved on from "tanking" there is no reason to not have expected the GDiff to improve.

I certainly would not have expected the leafs to have basically grabbed a secure hold on a PO spot, with about 10 games left in the season ............ that's much more "shocking" than a GDiff improvement, in my books.


It would be interesting to compare the increase in points, by a team, over the previous year, and see how this season rates (for the leafs) against the biggest increases (in points) in NHL history.

I'm sure one of you leaf fans can find that somewhere on the inter webs.
- D0PPELGANGER

Agree.

Lots of stuff written about very young teams succeeding at high levels because they simply do not feel the post season pressure the way others might. Most of the young players have had great team success their entire careers and they expect to win. For that reason, I think the Leaves are a more dangerous first round match up than the Rangers.

you should not confuse leaf fans with facts
- spatso

The fact is, the Leafs have struggled maintaining leads for a large stretch of the season.

Over this last little stretch, however, they seem to have figured it out. 4 EN goals in the last 3 games

If they carry this newfound ability forward, they'll move up in the standings big time.

This applies to all teams, who fail to win in regulation, and go on to accumulate points in 3 on 3 or in shoot outs.

For example the leafs are the biggest beneficiary of 3 on 3 & SO losses, in the NHL with 15 points.

Ottawa leads the Atlantic in regulation wins, and is in the top third of the league with 32 Regulation wins and have NOT lost in regulation, in consecutive games since the 7th of February................. so it terms of 5 on 5 hockey (regulation wins), Ottawa is one of the best in Eastern Conference, sitting in 5th behind only the top four teams in the Metro division.


The leafs have by comparison, have 28 regulation wins, 18th in the league and eighth in their Conference.


So by focusing only on total scoring while playing 5 on 5 ......... you're missing the bigger picture ............ Wins while playing 5 on 5 ........ and the Senators measure up as the Best 5 on 5 team in their division, 5th in their Conference and 10th in the NHL overall.
- D0PPELGANGER

And as we've all seen, they've been struggling lately. Not good going into the playoffs.

And as we've all seen, they've been struggling lately. Not good going into the playoffs.
- Feeling Glucky?

What's not good, is the loss of Methot.

What's not good, is the loss of Methot.




- D0PPELGANGER

melnickel-and-dime-it is pissed.

What's not good, is the loss of Methot.




- D0PPELGANGER

yea that was gnarly.


That should be a suspension.

yea that was gnarly.


That should be a suspension.
- Feeling Glucky?

- D0PPELGANGER

that one was actually kind of funny.

the methot slash was nasty.

that one was actually kind of funny.

the methot slash was nasty.
- Tumbleweed

you're nasty

- D0PPELGANGER

who is Methot's D partner?

who is Methot's D partner?
- twiztedmike

The best Dman in the NHL!

The best Dman in the NHL!
- spatso

Phaneuf?

Phaneuf?
- twiztedmike

Laine.

Phaneuf?
- twiztedmike

Played an amazing game last night. Played Crosby really tough.

Played an even better game 2 nights before against Bergeron and Marchand. By the end of the game all the Boston players were trying to get at him based on the frustration he had caused their top line all evening.

Phaneuf is not the Sens best Dman but he is a really important part in the improvement that the Sens have made over last year.

The best Dman in the NHL!
- spatso

Leads the NHL in blocked shots, with 197

Second in total points by defense-men, three behind leader

Four consecutive seasons ( including this one) of scoring 66 or more points.


For sure another Norris Trophy nominee this season.

And as we've all seen, they've been struggling lately. Not good going into the playoffs.
- Feeling Glucky?

they're 8-2-2 since the trade deadline.............no doubt they looked bad in the home and home against montreal, but outside of that Ottawa has been one of the better teams in the league the last few weeks. they've been gaining in the standings so I'm not sure how you feel they've been struggling........outside of those 2 games, like I said.

they're 8-2-2 since the trade deadline.............no doubt they looked bad in the home and home against montreal, but outside of that Ottawa has been one of the better teams in the league the last few weeks. they've been gaining in the standings so I'm not sure how you feel they've been struggling........outside of those 2 games, like I said.
- sensarmy_11

I believe the two best Eastern Conference records in the month of March are Ottawa and Pittsburgh.

Kind of goofy (but cute) seeing Leaf fans straining to believe what they want to believe. They have been doing it for years. They never have enjoyed the simplicity of the scoreboard or standings.