Yes, it’s Tie Breaker Story Problem #2! [POLL]

Problem #1 is to be found here.

To repeat my intro from last time: This is not a quiz, because if there’s a right answer, I don’t know it. Maybe somebody does, somewhere, but I don’t believe the rules as stated on the NHL.com or ESPN site resolve these issues. So in the comments, if you “know” it’s one way or the other, or some as yet unmentioned way, I’m mostly interested in what is actually true, not what we’re “sure” must be true.

I’m looking for iron-clad logic based on the rules, or some set of other rules I haven’t been able to find (yes, I have looked in the CBA and the rule book; I see nothing, but I may have missed a crucial clause somewhere). I’m dying to know what everyone thinks. The hive mind ought to be able to get to the bottom of this.

And if you happen to work for the league, um, don’t hesitate to chime in. 🙂

NHL tiebreaking procedures – NHL – ESPN

In the event teams are tied in the standings, the following tiebreakers are applied to determine which team receives the higher seeding.1. The fewer number of games played (i.e., superior points percentage).

2. The greater number of games won (not including games won in a shootout).

3. The greater number of points earned in games between the tied clubs. If two clubs are tied, and have not played an equal number of home games against each other, points earned in the first game played in the city that had the extra game shall not be included. If more than two clubs are tied, the higher percentage of available points earned in games among those clubs, and not including any “odd” games, shall be used to determine the standing.

4. Goal differential.

PHX, LAK, ANA and CHI are tied in points and wins. PHX, ANA and LAK have played each other 6 times. Each has played CHI 4 times. So CHI has played 12 games while the others have played 16. The “odd games” rule requires that you: