Welcome to Loffs Watch. In today’s episode of Loffs Watch we explore the infinite complexity and natural perversity of all human endeavor. The Washington Capitals got mauled by the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night, and yet their playoffs chances remain steady.
Nothing matters. Meaning is just mass delusion. Here are the standings:
While the Caps lost, so too did the Flyers, 4-1 to the Canadiens; and the Red Wings, 4-0 to the Hurricanes. The Islanders won their game, improving their long-shot status, but overall it was a flat night in the eastern playoff race.
A word on Tampa. The Lightning are on a short break right now, but they’ll host the Isles on Saturday. That game will matter for the Isles, but not so much for the Bolts. They’ve pretty much secured the first wild-card spot, unless the Leafs (91 points in 72 games) collapse down the stretch and the Bolts can steal third place in the Central Division. For our purposes, we should consider WC1 locked up – the battle is either for WC2 or third place in the Metropolitan.
And now, like the music video for George Michael’s “Freedom,” let’s look at some models.
| Source | % |
|---|---|
| HockeyViz | 69 |
| Moneypuck | 69 |
| The Athletic | – |
Good god.
I – I don’t know what to do. You know what I want to do, and yet I care too deeply for the decorum of Loffs Watch to do it. Yes, I shan’t. I will diminish and go into the West.
The Caps are down five points from last game according to HockeyViz and up three points according to Moneypuck. On balance, I call it flat.
Friday is yet another near-silent night in the NHL, but 30 teams will play on Saturday, including DC hosting Boston. That’ll be another ten-point swing game for the Caps. Loffs Watch will be off until then as the team behind the scenes exercises its labor power to improve working conditions.
Loffs Watch Theme Song of the Day
This was Loffs Watch. Have a good Friday.
