2007-03-23 11:14:37 · 6 answers · asked by slippy_j99 1 in Sports ➔ Hockey
Same as in any sport. When a team is far enough ahead of the other teams in their division nearing the end of the year where it is impossible for the other teams to catch up they have "clinched" their spot. Meaning even if they lose every game for the rest of the season they still make the playoffs.
2007-03-23 11:19:37 · answer #1 · answered by Jesse 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You clinch when you have more points than the 9th place team could possibly end with. For example, as of before games Friday March 23, Colorado can end the season with 100 points. Therefore, if your team has more than 100 points right now, then they have clinched the playoffs. In the East a team needs 99 points because thats as many as the Islanders can get. You look at the Islanders because they can get more points then Montreal because they have 2 less games and are only 1 point behind. You clinch the Division and Conference the same way only you look at the next best team in the Division or Conference.
2007-03-23 18:23:23 · answer #2 · answered by gohawk4 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Same as all sports. Take the last position. Add 2 points for every remaining game they have. When your team has more then the highest possiable 9th place finish you are in the playoffs no matter what. Either that or when you take a large enough lead that you clinch your Division(no team behind you can get enough points to overtake you using the same formula as you use for a playoff spot).
Oh and contrary to what most of them are saying it ISN'T just 8th or 9th seed. It IS 9th through 16th. After all the team in 10th could be right there and move past the 9th place team and 8th place team.
2007-03-23 18:54:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
When you clinch a playoff spot it means that nothing you can do can prevent you from making the playoffs because none of the other teams can knock you out.
2007-03-23 18:37:53 · answer #4 · answered by All-Star 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When seeds 9-16 won the rest of their games but could not reach the teams points
Ex. Flyers 96 points 6 games left
Penquins-9th Seed- 80 points 6 games left if they win the rest of their games they have 92 points which isnt enough so the Flyers would clinch
Understand?
2007-03-23 18:24:56 · answer #5 · answered by Dave (Proud Flyers Fan) 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it means the team cannot lose a playoff berth or a spot in said playoffs
2007-03-23 18:18:14 · answer #6 · answered by sshueman 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋