wow how i missed this..................

48 is obviously not 82, but usually (not always) teams who are 1-6 in the division make the playoffs after 48 games. the final two spots may bounce around slightly. And normally a 7 or 8 dont get to the final (I think its happened 3 or 4 timers that I can think of) so is a team less deserving for a 48 gamer ached, no, the playoffs are where the real "challange" is, most people can pick the top 8 in both conferences without much error at game 1, is game 49 on that is the hard part.

In the situatio where some teams had players playing and some didnt, that should recitfy its self quickly, these are high end athletes, not wed mens leauge guys, the skill and conditioning is there it may take a few games to get into "game shape".

I dont think the final 8 per conbference will be affected by eithier reason, length or pre play time


My 8 in order of points not standings

Pitt
NYR
BOS
Wash
NJ
Phil
Ott
Florida


Van
Stl
SJ
Nash
LA
Pheo
Det
Edm

A 48 game season, played over the course of under 100 days.

The original 2012 / 2013 schedule was going to have most teams play 82 games over 185 days, which is one game every 2.25 days.

The 48 game season will have most teams playing about once every two days. This is roughly equivalent to an extra game every 18 days.

An 82 game schedule is over 70% longer than a 48-game one.


This means starting 3-6-1 is similar to a 5-10-2 start in an 82 season.

So even a modest slump will put a team behind the proverbial 8 ball, with less chances to dig themselves out.

It'd be interesting to see if any of the cup winning teams in the last decade or so were out of the playoffs at the 48 game mark that season. I can't imagine any were.

I don't really think it's any less impressive to win in a shortened season than it is to win during an 82 game season. You still have to win 16 games in the playoffs which is pretty damn hard to do.
- daeth

No one has said it's less impressive, just different.

For example, ALL games are going to be "4 Point games" because there will be no inter- conference games.

Last Season, Minnesota was "in the playoffs" after 48 games, but in the end did not make the playoffs.

You can't measure a 48 game season, with a compressed schedule without inter- conference games, with the same measuring stick as 82 game schedule, that allows time off between games for practises and recovery from extended road trips and inter conference games against teams you're not fighting with for a playoff spot (4 point games).

No one has said it's less impressive, just different.

For example, ALL games are going to be "4 Point games" because there will be no inter- conference games.

Last Season, Minnesota was "in the playoffs" after 48 games, but in the end did not make the playoffs.

You can't measure a 48 game season, with a compressed schedule without inter- conference games, with the same measuring stick as 82 game schedule, that allows time off between games for practises and recovery from extended road trips and inter conference games against teams you're not fighting with for a playoff spot (4 point games).
- Doppleganger