from Larry Brooks of the New York Post,

Forty-one victories. That’s the target.

Because even as the loser’s point and the three-point game have combined to produce the appearance of convoluted standings, the number under the “W” column doesn’t mislead.

And since the introduction of the shootout, the loser’s point and the three-point game in 2005-06, 135 of the 149 teams to win at least half of their games have made the playoffs.

In the East, it’s 65 out of 71, 36 out of 37 over the past five years, and 28 of 28 in the past four full, 82-game seasons, including all seven last year following realignment.

As of Saturday morning, seven teams in the East and nine in the West had won at least half of their games.

more topics including Theo Fleury and the Calgary Flames...