[Cheese]

OK GMs...so youve always wanted to know how the Cheese melts when it comes to the playoff sandwich? Well wait no more. The Cheese process...or processed Cheese as I like to call it, has used a formula to determine who the real playoff teams are on an overall basis (OV) a Defensive basis (DF) and an Offensive basis (OF).
The processed Cheese calculates a number of factors into the formula and in the end the lowest number, typical to Golf, holds the best place and chances overall.

The Overalls
League Cheese OV and (rank)

1. THRASHERS 3.42 (1)
2. OILERS 3.42 (1)
3. BRUINS 5.85 (3)
4. FLAMES 8.28 (5)
5. PANTHERS 8.14 (4)
6. PENGUINS 10.14 (7)
7. RANGERS 5.0 (2)
8. SENATORS 9.57 (6)
9. HURRICANES 13.85 (10)
10. WILD 14.25 (12)
11. SABRES 18.14 (19)
12. PREDATORS 10.57 (8)
13. CANUCKS 18.00 (18)
14. ISLANDERS 17.42 (16)
15. DUCKS 17.85 (17)
16. KINGS 15.28 (14)
17. WINGS 13.42 (9)
18. JETS 14.85 (13)
19. CANADIENS 17.28 (15)
20. JACKETS 14.14 (11)

Conference style gives a different skew...

Gretzky
THRASHERS 3.42 (1)
BRUINS 5.85 (3)
PANTHERS 8.14 (4)
PENGUINS 10.14 (6)
RANGERS 5.00 (2)
SENATORS 9.57 (5)
HURRICANES 13.85 (7)
SABRES 18.14 (10)
ISLANDERS 17.42 (9)
CANADIENS 17.28 (8)

Howe
OILERS 3.42 (1)
FLAMES 8.28 (5)
WILD 14.25 (12)
PREDATORS 10.57 (8)
CANUCKS 18.00 (18)
DUCKS 17.85 (17)
KINGS 15.28 (14)
WINGS 13.42 (9)
JETS 14.85 (13)
JACKETS 14.14 (11)

Based on the above we might see Conference placings a little clearer based on the teams overall play. Does it matter? Maybe...Ive seen patterns, but the teams that do best are defensive powerhouses that can score....especially with an experienced skillset.

Heres how the Conferences stack up Offensively and Defensively.

Gretzky (OF)
THRASHERS 2.66 (1)
BRUINS 6.00 (3)
PANTHERS 10.33 (7)
PENGUINS 8.66 (5)
RANGERS 4.33 (2)
SENATORS 10.00 (6)
HURRICANES 12.66 (10)
SABRES 22.66 (17)
ISLANDERS 21.0 (15)
CANADIENS 18.66(13)

Howe (OF)
OILERS 2.66 (1)
FLAMES 8.66 (5)
WILD 12.66 (10)
PREDATORS 8.00 (4)
CANUCKS 19.66 (14)
DUCKS 21.33 (16)
KINGS 11.33 (8)
WINGS 15.66 (12)
JETS 12.00 (9)
JACKETS 15.00 (11)

Gretzky (DF)
THRASHERS 3.00 (1)
BRUINS 4.33 (3)
PANTHERS 6.00 (5)
PENGUINS 9.66 (8)
RANGERS 7.00 (6)
SENATORS 5.33 (4)
HURRICANES 12.33 (11)
SABRES 17.33 (16)
ISLANDERS 18.33 (17)
CANADIENS 12.33(11)

Howe (DF)
OILERS 3.33 (2)
FLAMES 7.66 (7)
WILD 18.33 (17)
PREDATORS 12.00 (10)
CANUCKS 18.66 (18)
DUCKS 11.00 (9)
KINGS 22.33 (20)
WINGS 15.00 (12)
JETS 21.66 (19)
JACKETS 11.00 (9)

A better idea of who can shut down the other teams becomes apparent. Obviously the Oil and Thrashers having already clinched show the best and eerily almost identical stats. If they should meet in the final its anybodys guess who the sim will favor. These stats should also show a team where they need to look for help in the homestretch before the trade deadline. Some of these stats may be skewed based on a teams trading behaviour over the year...and some may not be the same as teams juggle great numbers of players.

Good luck and digest as you like.