I started to write some quick notes about the ways the Caps could still make it into the playoffs, but the added complication of division leads automatically getting the first three seeds made it too much of a headache and I deleted it all. So lemmie try again.

The Caps are in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference. Currently the Carolina Hurricanes are leasing the SE div with 90 points and we’re behind them with 88. Were we were to win 2 out of the remaining 3 games and they lose all three of theirs then we’d be tied up with 90 points.

Point ties are settled by looking at comparative games played (which would be the same), then number of wins (ditto), then.. well, let me quote the HHL page on the matter:

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.

Clear as mud.

Now, that’s not the only way for us to make it into the playoffs – eight total teams make it in, with the top 3 seeds being the division leads. And in fact, those three aren’t necessarily the best. Carolina, currently holding that #3 seed spot, is actually eighth in game points, behind Philly and Boston. Which is our other shot at a berth – if either of those teams loses their remaining three games (a real possibility for poor Philly, who is facing the top-ranked Penguins TWICE) while we win our next three that would tie us for game points, allowing us to bypass them on number of wins.

What a damned headache.

Annoyed, courtesy of Fenchurch!

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

When the weather finally decides to settle on its current state (70, sunny) then we all know it’s time for some sitting outside, and for the drinking of some tasty, tasty Bell’s Oberon. This tap was visible at the Boulevard Woodgrill in Clarendon today when I stopped in for a late lunch.

Soon enough, it’ll be time to sit outside with round after round of this summertime favorite.

Bring on the sunshine!!

Summers coming: Oberon back on tap — Originally uploaded by tbridge

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

If you didn’t get to go to the game on Saturday or Sunday but still want to see the new Stadium, the Nationals are hosting an open house this weekend. The park will be open Friday from 6 to 8, then Saturday for the away game against the Cardinals in St. Louis. All the concessions will be open, plus the Nationals/Cardinals game will be displayed on the monster scoreboard in center field.

The best part? Free. Totally, completely free. You just have to RSVP at Nationals.com and bring the print out of your RSVP with you to the stadium. Check out the sweet PlayStation arcade in Centerfield. Have a half-smoke all-the-way with Ben’s chili. Watch the Nats beat up on the Cards (sorry Chris) and pick up another victory.

All for free. Enjoy, DC!

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

I had a great breakfast the other day at Pete’s Diner on Capitol Hill. It’s right at the intersection of 2nd St. SE and Pennsylvania Ave. and they have some darned good food at reasonable prices. Go check it out!

The best part, though, was the “cash only” sign at the register, featuring a dog crapping out $100 bills. These folks have a great sense of humor! Now all I need is to find what kind of dog does that. It certainly isn’t a golden retriever, based on what I have to step over in my brother’s yard.

Photo: A dog that shits money! Originally uploaded by carlweaver

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

If you’ve ever seen a movie in DC that used the actual DC Metro raise your hand.

Okay, that’s two of you.

Want to know why you never see the real DC Metro in the movies? Here you go. It’s a story all about the agency in DC dedicated to making sure that no rules get broken in the movies on Metro.

See, I’d be okay with this if Metro actually enforced its own rules so furiously. But they don’t. How many times have I seen a guy chowing down on a sandwich on the Metro, or some guy finishing off the last of a can of Coke, slipping the can clandestinely into the platform trash can.

With rentals at $1,000/hr for movie production, and the city cashing in to the tune of $63M a year in films, it’d be nice if movie crews didn’t have to hike it up to Baltimore and pay their transit authority to fake like they’re in Washington. Didn’t Metro just announce that they’re short cash? Wouldn’t this be a perfect way to gin up some cash for some new cars?

Think, Metro! Think! “Sure, we’ll let you do something against the rules, but if you want to break our regs it’ll cost you double.”

They want the look and feel. They don’t want to move the crew to Charm City. They’ll pay!

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

I love playoff hockey.

Yes, yes, I know. It’s not quite yet time for the Cup race to begin – but this last week of the regular season might as well be the start of the playoffs.

It’s been a while since the NHL’s had such a tight race down to the wire, and the local boys have just as much at stake right now as any of the other five teams also fighting for their playoff lives – and the extra money those games bring into team coffers.

Carolina, Ottawa, New York (Rangers), Boston and Philadelphia can all see their playoff races end in success or failure alongside the Washington Capitals in these final days. And it may well come down to the final minutes of the final games this weekend before the playoff picture is settled once and for all.

The Capitals have been spectacular of late. Arguably, since the trade deadline. Since George McPhee pulled some magic out of the hat and snagged Huet, Federov, and Cooke for a fantastic end-season run, including a brilliant 5-1 series of games away from the Verizon Center, the Caps have looked 180 degrees different than the start of the season.

Scoreboard watching is about as interesting at Caps games as it is watching Huet stone opponents with spectacular saves.

I’ve got to hand it to Ovechkin – not only has the “Big O” pretty much nabbed the goal scoring and points titles, he’s led a remarkably mediocore team from the start of the year to a surging and dynamic playoff hopeful.

Now it is true I’m not a huge Caps fan, simply because of my (still strong) allegiance to the team of my youth. But I love great hockey above all else, and with a smorgasboard of games this week – many with playoff hopes on the line – I will be watching with interest the Caps final run of the season. Yes, they have to win all three home games against Carolina, Tampa and Florida PLUS see one of the five still in contention somehow implode in order to make it to Lord Stanley’s dance…. But I have to say, I’m fairly optimistic the Caps will see a return to the playoffs this year.

I’ll be attending Thursday’s game against Tampa Bay and looking forward to the thrill of playoff hockey. Even if just a taste of it.

It’s been too long, Washington. Let’s hope this year is the one that welcomes you back into the frozen elite.

OS Test 23, courtesy of YoLoPey

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs