31.   The Blades entered the playoffs with the second-worst record in the IHL.

32.   The defending NBA champions enter the playoffs as an afterthought.

33.   The Dolphins enter the playoffs on a two-game winning streak for the first time in their past seven playoff appearances.

34.   The Indians, for the first time in three years, do not have the best record in the majors entering the playoffs.

35.   The Knicks will enter the playoffs in two weeks with their leading roustabout, Charles Oakley, needing a special mask for an injury around his eye socket.

36.   The hottest teams entering the playoffs are those in the bottom half of the seedings.

37.   The Oilers entered the playoffs in a slump, falling from fourth overall in the Western Conference to seventh.

38.   The Padres won the division and the Dodgers entered the playoffs with four consecutive losses.

39.   The Patriots had similar momentum entering the playoffs a year ago.

40.   The Sting entered the playoffs on a five-game losing streak but won at Detroit in the first round.