After losing four of its last five games, the Avalanche went into Friday's NHL games only two points behind Northwest Division-leading Vancouver, yet also only four points ahead of the first "nonplayoff" team in the Western Conference - the Detroit Red Wings. ❋ Unknown (2010)
However, after blowout losses to nonplayoff teams like Dallas and Edmonton, the Sharks steadied themselves and closed out the season with an impressive string, winning 8 of their last 10 games. ❋ Rob Higgins (2010)
Denver has a relatively favorable schedule after the rematch against Phoenix on Tuesday night; the Nuggets then face three nonplayoff teams - Sacramento, Seattle and the Los Angeles Clippers. ❋ Unknown (2007)
Let's say we cut down the regular season to 78 games, lock down the top seven seeds in each conference, then stage a week-long, single elimination, 16-team tournament between the nonplayoff teams for the 8-seeds. ❋ BRUCE DOWBIGGIN (2011)
Two nonplayoff teams worth watching in the East: 1. ❋ Jake Leonard (2011)
Since the 1994 strike, only six most valuable players have come from nonplayoff squads. ❋ By NEIL PAINE (2011)
In the final week of the regular season, they were shut out by nonplayoff teams three times while being held to three hits (twice) and two hits (once). ❋ By JOHN BRANCH (2010)
Phoenix: Winners of nine of their past 10, the scorching Suns play only one nonplayoff opponent in their final five games (home against Houston). ❋ The Denver Post (2010)
"He was the leader that ignited a renaissance of Flames hockey, moving us from a nonplayoff team to an organization that was viewed as a respected and popular contender each year," King said in a statement. ❋ Unknown (2010)
In a sport in which the difference between a playoff team and a nonplayoff team can be the width of a skate blade, how do the Avs stay inside the velvet rope of playoff teams? ❋ < (2010)
R u out of your friggin minds? this is probably the biggest case of a nonplayoff team being in the playoffs. the jets played two twams that quit. my bills absolutely smoked the jets. shut your fkn mouths and be happy you backed into the playoffs. cincy will absolutely crush the jets today!!! ❋ Unknown (2010)
And, just as important, his team has been a surprising success story, while the Islanders appear headed for another nonplayoff finish. ❋ Adrian Dater The Denver Post (2010)
They now have the chance to perform full time as teammates, and Stoudemire and Felton, the two captains appointed to pull the Knicks out of nonplayoff purgatory, are still developing their chemistry. ❋ By JONATHAN ABRAMS (2010)
I would give every nonplayoff team the same odds for winning the lottery, just so these teams wouldn't destroy six to eight weeks of a season for paying customers. ❋ Unknown (2010)
Then, I would cut the season by four games, guarantee only the top 12 playoff spots, then decide the seventh and eighth seeds in each conference with a double-elimination tournament for every nonplayoff team that I would call the Entertaining As Hell Tournament (see my 2007 column for the gory details). ❋ Unknown (2010)
Bill Simmons '"fan-friendly solution to fix the NBA" includes a plan to "cut the season by four games, guarantee only the top 12 playoff spots, then decide the seventh and eighth seeds in each conference with a double-elimination tournament for every nonplayoff team that I would call the Entertaining As Hell Tournament." ❋ Unknown (2010)
The loss kept Colorado in seventh place in the conference, five points ahead of Calgary, the first nonplayoff team in the standings. ❋ Unknown (2010)
