RAZOR'S 2 OF 3 THEORY

“Now don't be sad (Don't be sad)
'Cause two out of three ain't bad”
                                        - Meatloaf

I first came up with this brilliant ‘Two out of Three’ algorithm while working over the foosball table with Meatloaf’s Bat Out of Hell crackling on the turntable. Yes, I was good - damn good – rolling my wrists and filling the bucket like a farmer’s daughter at milking time, which is in no way a euphemism for anything, its just a vivid analogy. Anyway, the rotund 70’s rocker sang “two out of three ain’t bad” and a hockey handicapping revolution was born.

I, the Razor, have come to believe that in order for a hockey team to be good, and by “good” I mean a playoff team, it has to be strong in two of the three main player categories.

Good defense, strong group of forwards = Playoffs

Terrific goaltending, strong scoring and balance up front = Playoff Team

Good goaltending, firm and stingy D = Playoff Club

However, when the ratio falls to 1 of 3 that team is going to have a long summer no matter how good - even league leading – that the one strength area is.

Should a club enjoy the luxury of depth and strength at all three positions they are usually referred to as: The 70’s Canadiens, early 80’s Oilers,, early 90’s Penguins, late 90’s Stars, etcetera, etc.

Now let me bring it back around to our current little Stars.

Last season they were strong up front, scored a lot, but were too charitable behind their own blueline. Translation to formula: 1 of 3. Result: No playoff birth. This season? Well, the D is the D. Can they be better? Sure. But they need some personnel help, some bolstering, some emergence, and some confidence. The group of forwards should be good, led by Brad Richards, who is riding the crest of a career year and motivated by the carrot of a contract year. Which leaves goaltending. Kari Lehtonen is a gigantic key. If he plays to his lofty potential he’ll make the current D-corp seem adequate at worst, and coupled with the teams collection of centers and wingers he’ll help make the 2010-11 Stars a 2 of 3 team – a playoff team.

“I'm tired of words and I'm too hoarse to shout
But you've been cold to me so long
I'm crying icicles instead of tears
And all I can do
Is keep on telling you…
Two out of three ain’t bad.”