[squiggs96]

That's disingenuous. There is a large gap between the top 8 and the bottom 8 in the east. If Washington only had 83 points, those 17 points would have to go somewhere. Do they all go to the Islanders? Probably not, but they have to go somewhere. If the Capitals only had 83 points, the thought process that if you get 96 points you will make the playoffs, still holds true.

The theory isn't to get one more point than 9th place. The theory is that if you get 96 points, you will make the playoffs. No team in the west has acquired 96 points and missed the playoffs. That's not to say you need 96 points every year. It's only saying that if you get 96 points, and you are in the west (like the Flames), you will make the playoffs. That holds true again this year, and it holds true for both conferences. Every team that acquired 96 points made the playoffs.