from Elliote Friedman, who is fast becoming my favorite hockey writer outside of Bill:

30. Earlier in the season, we looked at a stat about Nov. 1. From 2005-06 to 2011-12, just three out of 32 teams who were four points or more out of the playoffs on that date recovered to get in. This year, two of eight beat those odds -- Dallas and Philadelphia, both of whom were five back. It's the first time more than one club did it in the same season. Ottawa, Winnipeg, Calgary, Florida, Buffalo and Edmonton were unable to make the climb.

enjoy the ride
- Marc D

What a year for BMeltz.

Correct: Couldn't care less.
Incorrect: Could care less.

Could care less means that on a continuum of caring, one can care anywhere from a little bit to an infinite amount.

Couldn't care less means that you already do not care at all. There is absolutely no amount that one could care less than one already does.


So when Luke Schenn says to Sarah Baicker "I can hardly wait" -- it really means that he does not seem to care about when the playoffs begin. He can wait, if needed.

But if he "can't hardly wait" -- well, that means he's champing (not chomping) at the bit for the playoffs to begin.

Horses "champ" at a "bit" -- which is placed in their mouths.
- Moose_15

Bo will love this.

from Elliote Friedman, who is fast becoming my favorite hockey writer outside of Bill:

30. Earlier in the season, we looked at a stat about Nov. 1. From 2005-06 to 2011-12, just three out of 32 teams who were four points or more out of the playoffs on that date recovered to get in. This year, two of eight beat those odds -- Dallas and Philadelphia, both of whom were five back. It's the first time more than one club did it in the same season. Ottawa, Winnipeg, Calgary, Florida, Buffalo and Edmonton were unable to make the climb.

enjoy the ride
- Marc D

But there are only 30 teams.

My friend (same guy) recently told me that math should cover the 4 basic operations and stop at the introduction of fractions, and should only be taught further to those that want to go further. In a sense, he's right. In a sense, I'm very sad that people don't understand fractions well.
- jmatchett383

i love math....more than literature...if you dont understand fractions you can easily be duped...mortgages, credit cards, car loans...that is why we are in the mess we are in.

My friend (same guy) recently told me that math should cover the 4 basic operations and stop at the introduction of fractions, and should only be taught further to those that want to go further. In a sense, he's right. In a sense, I'm very sad that people don't understand fractions well.
- jmatchett383

I'm still amazed that people can't calculate a tip in their heads. Everyone always takes out their phone.

I dont understand how a college graduate can't look at a $30 meal and determine 15-20% in their head.

i love math....more than literature...if you dont understand fractions you can easily be duped...mortgages, credit cards, car loans...that is why we are in the mess we are in.
- PhillaBully

That's probably true. For some reason a lot of people seem "scared" of math. I think that I could probably teach a math class that covered and explained everything that most people would know in about half a day.

Stop the word plethora.

Based on. Not based off. Of you base off something, your structure falls the (frank) over.

Centered on. Not around. If I'm in a helicopter and the pilot is landing it, I want it to be centered on the helipad so I land on the helipad. Not centered around the helipad so I miss the helipad
- Giroux_Is_God

Also, I hate "due to"

Hey. like I said...in 2010, we were all upset that we didn't have Michael Leighton late in the season. Really, let that sink in for a bit.
- jmatchett383

We were? I've never been upset over not having him, ever.

I'm still amazed that people can't calculate a tip in their heads. Everyone always takes out their phone.

I dont understand how a college graduate can't look at a $30 meal and determine 15-20% in their head.
- PhillySportsGuy

It's sad. You just double it, and then figure a nice round amount either above or below depending on how you want to do it. For instance, if I get a bill for $46.83, I'm leaving a $9 tip.

I'm still amazed that people can't calculate a tip in their heads. Everyone always takes out their phone.

I dont understand how a college graduate can't look at a $30 meal and determine 15-20% in their head.
- PhillySportsGuy

Wait...I almost got it...

is $50 enough?

I'm still amazed that people can't calculate a tip in their heads. Everyone always takes out their phone.

I dont understand how a college graduate can't look at a $30 meal and determine 15-20% in their head.
- PhillySportsGuy

Colleges are becoming less about education and more about the money....theyll graduate anyone if they have spent enough money there.

With Oxford Comma (before punctuation)
For our party, we invited strippers, JFK, and Marylin Monroe.

Without Oxford Comma:

For our party, we invited strippers, JFK and Marylin Monroe.

In the second, JFK and Marylin Monroe are the strippers.
In the first, we invited strippers as well as two public figures.
- Moose_15

I didn't say I was right I said I made a stand.


By the way, I'd go to both those parties.

We were? I've never been upset over not having him, ever.
- Flyersgod

When Boucher blew that Dallas game (I think it was Dallas) by kicking the puck into his own net and we were basically sunk, yes, people wanted Leighton in.

In college, yes, IN COLLEGE, we spent a 2 1/2-hour class going over the differences of the following homonyms:

to, too, and two
there, their, and they're
its and it's (the teacher was actually wrong)
than and then
- jmatchett383

Funny. The its and it's is a toughie. Hey, I'm no English teacher. I certainly understand short-cuts, slang, hockey parlance, etc. make for better communication on the board. And we all make mistakes. But what rubs me the wrong way is when I see someone trying to come off as an authority beyond reproach, often times talking down to others, yet they are lacking some of the basics of English. Perhaps a little less CORSI and a little more E.B. White is in order.

Mason being hurt is just so Flyers. Healthiest the team has been ever and they lose what is one of their two most important players. If you think they are winning this series with Emery, you havent watched the way he played closing out the season. Terrible slow post to post and soft goals galore.

I'm still amazed that people can't calculate a tip in their heads. Everyone always takes out their phone.

I dont understand how a college graduate can't look at a $30 meal and determine 15-20% in their head.
- PhillySportsGuy

Probably because they are too busy with gender studies and demanding a gluten free meal plan to bother to study useless subjects like math

I hope the team responds well to the news about Emery... Can't believe that Mason got hurt right before the playoffs.. fack... I must say I am a little bit worried about Mason being out long term here.. Guess it doesn't matter..Go Rayzor and go Flyers..

Wow. I had a math class like that. I had taken calc in high school and had to sit through a class that taught us basic arithmetic on the first day.
- PhillySportsGuy

all this talk about school.....man, lets go gameday!!!

I'm still amazed that people can't calculate a tip in their heads. Everyone always takes out their phone.

I dont understand how a college graduate can't look at a $30 meal and determine 15-20% in their head.
- PhillySportsGuy

I'm amazed people are still amazed by the gullibility and stupidity of other people.

I'm amazed people are still amazed by the gullibility and stupidity of other people.
- wolfhounds

With you there

That's probably true. For some reason a lot of people seem "scared" of math. I think that I could probably teach a math class that covered and explained everything that most people would know in about half a day.
- jmatchett383

Math is not hard. it requires discipline, practice, and repetition. Doing more problems will help train your mind into making connections a lot easier.

But there are only 30 teams.
- Moose_15

Bettman and the refs are the other 2 teams

Bettman and the refs are the other 2 teams
- Flyersgod

Quebec and Altanta

Probably because they are too busy with gender studies and demanding a gluten free meal plan to bother to study useless subjects like math
- BiggE

To be honest, high school now isn't as much of a cakewalk as people think. All assignments are posted online, so there is no excuse or extension on anything. All grades are also posted online and your parents are given their own passwords to log in. Therefore, your parents know your daily assignments, your grades and if you've missed a class.

Can you imagine growing up and having your parents know everything about your classes?

When they say "did you do your homework?" They can actually check it and make sure you aren't bullpoopting anything.

Also, I hate "due to"
- Giroux_Is_God

I'm still mad that untracked has been misused for so long that it's become an acceptable part of the language.