Zebra grades affect playoffs

SO WHO WILL make the playoffs? There are 30 NHL teams wondering that as we forge our way into the second half of the season. And there are dozens of NHL referees and linesmen asking the exact same question. On-ice officials are rated periodically and graded on things such as skating, positioning, rule knowledge and comportment. The highestrated move on to the playoffs. Stephen Walkom, the NHL’s director of officiating, insists it is not a popularity contest, as some have claimed it has been in the past, and that all refs and linesmen are judged with an open mind. “Are they working to the standard that has been laid down by our league?” Walkom says. “We have a standard and we all need to work to it. You try to nail it. The question…

2006-07 Statistics

Western howls blast schedule

The Stars were disappointed when the NHL’s board of governors were one vote short of changing the schedule. “The teams in the Northeast (region) like playing teams in the Northeast and that’s disappointing,” said Dallas owner Tom Hicks. “It’s the same people. It’s the Northeast against the rest of us.” President Jim Lites added: “The fact there are guys voting without conscience, in my opinion, based totally on their own personal circumstances, suggests to me parochial decisions are being made, and that’s a significant problem.” Colorado captain Joe Sakic was outspoken on the subject as well. “Eight games in a division is too much,” he said. “Slim that down to six and add more games from the East and it’d be nice. I think it’d be better for the league…

To the Point

THIS YEAR’S OILERS? Picture NHL commissioner Gary Bettman standing at center ice presenting the Stanley Cup to Sidney Crosby. “Ladies and gentlemen,” Bettman says to the screaming crowd, “please join me in congratulating the Kansas City Orphans for winning the Stanley Cup.” Don’t laugh; it could happen. The fact is, Bettman could present Crosby the Cup as early as this spring. The Penguins were in eighth spot in the Eastern Conference at the all-star break and as we saw last season – when Edmonton finished eighth in the Western Conference and came within a game of winning the Cup – the path to a miracle run begins simply by making it to the post-season. Will the Penguins be this season’s Cinderella team? Surely with the likes of Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and…