The word "playoff" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used to refer to the final round of a professional sports tournament, where the winner is determined. For example, "The Lakers and the Celtics will face off in the NBA playoff finals to determine who will win the championship."
A win for Chicago would be a bump to their playoff chances.
It was Gaborik's NHL-best 11th playoff goal.
Cashman has never left, although he came close when his contract expired at the end of the 2005 season, breaking down in tears after the Yankees' first-round playoff loss against the Angels.
Even though a combination of a tie/loss for Montreal could ensure Montreal of a playoff spot, it's not the best of time to play Russian Roulette with your playoff future.
And Chivas's counterparts in the East, wooden-spoon wise, will have their own say on the playoff race when D.C. host a Houston team who had the worst possible set of results for their own playoff hopes last weekend and find themselves on the outside looking in at the start of the last weekend.
The win eliminated the Caps from playoff contention, and after San Jose took only a point from L.A. the Pids are on the cusp of the playoffs.
The fact that their playoff lives lasted this late into the season was surprising.
Either of those teams could clinch a playoff spot with a positive result in that game and the right combination of results elsewhere.
Ben Hoelzel, Crew Union, Columbus Crew: Interim coach Brain Bliss has the Crew battling for a playoff spot.
Kirkham's fame as a referee was widespread enough that, in addition to multiple internationals, he had been selected to officiate one of the most daunting assignments imaginable: a one-match playoff between Celtic and Rangers to decide the 1905 Scottish League title.
Celebrating the minor achievements – a League Two playoff win here, a Wembley Auto Windscreens final appearance there.
