Not counting losses is a pretty good racket, NHL
Posted on February 18th, 2008 – 2:40 PMBy Michael Rand
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When it comes to the loves of his life, Patrick Reusse puts blogs slightly ahead of the NHL’s method of calculating its standings. So when an e-mailer noted disgustedly that the NHL only has five teams “under .500,” he bellowed that this was a case for RandBall. Find out how many teams are really under .500, counting losses in OT and a shootout, he said. So we did. And you know what? It’s 16 (with another right at .500). We figured the number would be high, but we didn’t know it would be that high. The two teams directly below the Wild (Vancouver and Calgary) in its division: both 29-30 if you count the non-regulation losses, too. Enough grade inflation, NHL. Give them a point if you want, but count those losses just the same.
12 Responses to "Not counting losses is a pretty good racket, NHL"
Dear National Hoc-key League,
We recently read about your scoring methodology, and are intrigued by how losses don’t count, and that you are in fact rewarded with points even if you lose. We would like a brochure, preferably before March 4th.
Sincerely,
Hillary for President
RandBall: Doing what Reusse tells us to since 2006.
Reusse: Wrong and loud about it since the creation of “talkies”
Math is hard. Let’s go shopping.
Roughkat/Barbie: +2
It’s the method of tallying points, not the standings, that are flawed. Only five teams are averaging less than a point per game played, which makes them “better than .500.”
But if you take into account that the typical NHL game is now worth something like 2.23 total points, you understand why.
Um, can you repeat the part of the stuff where you said all about the…things?
A sphincter says what?
By definition aren’t all hoc-key players losers even when they win?
I think the “pity” point should only be given if the game goes to a shootout. I don’t understand why overtime games give a point to the loser. They don’t do that in any other sport.
Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades…and the NHL.
My Malibu Stacy sounds funny…
