A Look at the Math: 2/1/10

February gets underway with a quartet of games around the rinks tonight. Two Eastern powerhouses collide in prime time to get the night underway, but the last game is an inter-conference battle of who could care less. Start at sublime, descend to ridiculous, I guess.

BUFFALO SABRES AT PITTSBURGH PENGUINS. Game 3 of 4. BUF leads by 1. The Penguins are back at home, and back on national television, for a second consecutive day. (How could anyone suspect the league of favoritism when THAT happens, I wonder?) Buffalo is currently second in terms of points still available, and Pittsburgh would like to catch up with them before it gets late. Smallest magic number is BUF +26 against Toronto for 14 East and 4 Northeast. Series possibility: BUF can clinch series with a regulation win. Caps fans should root for–hate to say it, but–Pittsburgh. Buffalo is within hollering distance of the Caps, and the Penguins are much further back. The Penguins would be giving us some breathing room if they beat Buffalo, and they would still have to win a lot more games to catch up to us.

ANAHEIM DUCKS AT FLORIDA PANTHERS. Game 1 of 1. This will be the first game for the Ducks since trading “Jiggy” to the Maple Leafs. (Side note: This is the mark of a classy organization. Bravo, Anaheim.) The Ducks swiped a shootout win in Tampa Bay Friday night, and have had the weekend to prepare for the Panthers. Not sure how Sunday’s trade is going to play out in the room, but if the Caps’ slump after trading Chris Clark is typical, the Ducks may have an uphill battle tonight. Both teams are -30 against San Jose for the President’s Trophy. Caps fans should root for the Ducks.

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS AT CALGARY FLAMES. Game 1 of 1. Both of these teams are in the middle of their respective conferences, and both are fighting to stay in contention. Both also have a ways to go before their magic numbers start getting interesting. Caps fans should root for the Flames.

CAROLINA HURRICANES AT EDMONTON OILERS. Game 1 of 1. Neither team is going to make the playoffs, but the math for this game is must-watch. Carolina is -20 against San Jose, and Edmonton is -15, also against San Jose. Caps fans, don’t forget: the Caps are only one point behind San Jose right now, so the Hurricanes are -21 against the Caps. But we’ll get to that later. For now, a couple of cellar dwellers are going to be slugging it out for the shovel. Caps fans should root for the Oilers.

CAPITAL SPIRIT
JUST ANOTHER MANIC MONDAY