POINTS PARADE

Last season it took the Nashville Predators 91 points to secure the 8th and final playoff spot in the West (Although 89 would have done – 9th place Edmonton finished with 88 pts) and that same 91-point level was what was needed in the East.

Prior to Saturday’s victory over the Wild the 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th place teams were on pace for 88, 86, 86, and 85 pts – and none of the four included the red hot St. Louis Blues. FYI, the Stars were the 8th seed.

REPLACEMENT PLAYERS

One of the true bright spots in this rather pedestrian and injury-riddled season has been the play and production of the new boys, rookies James Neal and Fabian Brunnstrom. Their existence, along with the signing of Sean Avery, made Nik Hagman and Antti Miettinen expendable. A checks and balances review of the swap divulges:

Miettinen (MIN)/Hagman (TOR)      33 goals 5 game winning goals

Neal/Brunnstrom      35 goals 7 game winning goals

(Avery 6-8=14 with DAL/NYR)

RIBBY CAN DISH

Anybody notice that Eriksson and Ott have shooting percentages this season that are almost double their career percentage?

ENGLISH MAJOR

How great am I? Well show me another hockey color guy who can so seamlessly and accurately work “onomatopoeia” into a broadcast. I made my 4th grade teacher Mrs. Runchky proud when using it in conjunction with the Wild’s masticating winger, Cal Clutterbuck. You’re welcome society.