

It is that time of year again, playoffs are just around the corner. I thought after the "Commonly used terms in hockey" in episode 1 I would share some commonly used terms pre playoffs since the lingo does change a bit.
While watching a game a commentator may say "that team has a game in hand" which only means that that team has played one less game. You usually hear it when a team is leading another team by 1 point of maybe 2 points. Which means depending on a win or a loss the standings could change.
Remember Hockey Fans that the playoffs spots are determined by a points system. The top team in points from all 3 conferences are placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd and then the next 5 teams no matter the conference with the most points get seeds 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.
You will also hear commentators talk about games won in regulation. This comes up because if two teams are tied in points they will look at regulation wins to see who gets the top seed between the two. The team with the most regulation wins get the seed.
Possibly the team getting the most talk right now is the Detroit Red Wings. The Wings are fighting for a playoff spot for the first time in 21 years. I am not denying that teams fight for a spot every year but the Wings always make it in. The Wings have played in the playoffs for the last 21 years and won 4 Stanley Cups in that time! Saturday the Wings weren't in a playoff spot they were 9th after the Dallas Stars took the 8th seed (remember in the playoffs they aren't 1st spot 2nd spot, they are 1st seed 2nd seed) Looking at the standings in the west this morning Detroit is back in the playoffs with the 8th seed. The last few games before the start of the playoffs always have fans biting their nails. Good Luck Detroit and what a playoff run it will be!
I will be back to explain the playoffs in more detail, this is when all bets are off!