Are the Mavs in the Playoffs Yet?

Short answer: Not quite, threat level "Blue"

Long answer: ...

Well, close.  They still wouldn't have clinched with a win over Tulsa on Sunday, but if so they would only need a point.  Rapid City had themselves an excellent weekend, and clinched with a win tonight.  That being said, it’s down to the Mavs and Quad City.  The Mavs still need three points to finish off the Mallards, or hope they lose two of their final three games.  The Mallards went 1-1 this past weekend and lost tonight.  Also, they have played one more game than the Mavs, and trail by four points.  Let's look at the standings:

Remember, the tie-breaking procedures work thusly:

-Most Wins (not including shootout wins)

-Head-to-Head Record

-Goals For/Against Differential

With Rapid City clinching tonight (it is mathematically impossible for QC to catch RC), let’s just look at Quad City.

The Mavs do not have the tiebreaker with Quad City, having lost five of the eight games.

Quad City plays this Wednesday.  If they lose, they are not eliminated since they can conceivably still win their final two games, tie the Mavs on the first tiebreaker, and beat them on the head-to-head tiebreaker.  If the Mavs go 1-2-1 in their final four games, they clinch because Quad City is mathematically unable to catch the Mavs.  But, if the Mavs fail to gain at least three points in the next four games, AND Quad City wins at least two games of their final three, they will clinch over the Mavs.  Oh, Quad City, will you ever just go away?  

I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted.  Go out and support your Mavs this Friday and Saturday!!!

Mavs remaining schedule:

@Evansville, Wednesday
vs. Bloomington, Friday
vs. Tulsa, Saturday
@Tulsa, Sunday