The Second Jersey Race

A quick little post about the final day of action, regarding the second segment of the season, where one of the Heritage Classic jerseys are up for grabs. The race is now between two teams, with a third team added as a real long shot, but down to two teams with only three matinée games left to go.

Leading the way into the final afternoon of action is the duo of Kristy and Don, who unofficially go into the last day of action with 251 points, before the last statistical audit of the week, 1 point better than Don D. The outside shot at the title would come from Stuart G., who is 6 points out of 1st place, but he's into miracle range for the win.

Kristy and Don carry a 1 point lead with a couple of skater games to their name in Steve Downie and Jaroslav Spacek. Downie will be playing against the Blues at 1pm today and has 3 points in his last 5 games, so he's running a decent scoring clip to help defend the lead. Spacek will go against the Devils, having no points in his last 5 games (or more) and will be dropped by this pool team on Monday. The duo have a slight possibility of a goaltending start, as Michal Neuvirth may get the nod against the Penguins for the Capitals.

For Don D., he's only got one skater going on Sunday afternoon, as he's holding onto Chris Kunitz of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who are playing the Capitals today.  Kunitz has been having a good week, sharing the scoring lead on Don's team in Week Eighteen with 3 points.  With no Crosby or Malkin in Pittsburgh, the team will likely lean on Kunitz to try and pot some points against their bitter rival.  Don does have a goaltender who will be dressed on Sunday, but Johan Hedberg will be playing back-up for the Devils on Sunday afternoon and a win from the back-up position seems very unlikely.

Our long shot team on Sunday is Stuart G. and his team has a couple of skater games posted, but his long shot is coming from the blueline, as both of his skaters are rearguards.  Paul Martin of the Penguins and Andy Greene of the Devils are going to be entrusted with the task of making up 6 points, with the unlikely help of Lightning goaltender Dan Ellis, who I don't believe will get the nod for Tampa.  Stuart's best bet would be if Ellis does get a start and a shutout against the Blues, but I believe Dwayne Roloson will go for the Bolts.

Things to consider going into Sunday night, the race is still unofficial for Week Eighteen, as the statistical audit may not be so kind to any team here in the post, with the league adding or taking away points, crediting goals and assists after the fact.  Another thing to consider is the possibility of a tie-break, which the first is goals scored in the 9-week segment and lucky for you, I do keep track.  Don D. has 92 goals in these nine weeks, 20 goals better than Kristy and Don, so a tie would go to the underdog today, so all Don needs is the tie.  Stuart is behind both teams, with 71 goals to his name, so he would have to be 1-point better than both the duo and Don.