Lets break down exactly how crazy tomorrow is for the NALCS.
All 4 games tomorrow could impact the standings in some way shape or form.
Lets start with the easiest of the 4.
TSM vs P1
Phoenix 1 is solely in possession of 3rd place. It doesn't matter whether they win or lose, for they can't catch C9, and they can't be caught by any of the next 4 teams (we'll get to that). For TSM, however, this becomes a game of honor. Losing to Liquid hurts....ALOT. Sure they keep a first round by, no matter what, but going 0-2 right before spring split playoffs doesn't really get you in the mood for the playoffs. But, not only would going 0-2 hurt their morale going into playoffs, they would also lose their first place ranking, which would only add insult to injury.
Fly vs TL
Doublelift was recruited by TL for one reason: keep them out of the promo tournament. At first, everyone thought he couldn't do this......until TL picks up a win against TSM. Now, they actually have a real chance of staying out of the promo tourney, if they win their next match. If they do, Echo Fox gets sent to the tourney, but if they lose, it'll be Echo fans breathing in a sigh of relief.
Unfortunately, they happen to be playing Flyquest, of which this match is just as important to them as it is to TL. Simply put, if Fly wins the match, they get a playoff spot (we won't worry about actual rank, or seeding). If they lose......well......things get a hell of a lot more complicated.
Dig vs IMT
This match is just nuts. Both teams need to win this match in order to get a playoff spot, and they will, if it happens. Even if Fly wins their game, the winner of this gets a playoff spot. It gets complicated for the loser, however.
If Fly wins their match, the loser of this match gets kicked out of playoffs, period. If Fly loses their match, then Dignitas had better won their match, because, due to win percentages, Fly would automatically get a playoff spot if Dignitas loses. If Immortals lose, then we have the possibility of a tie breaker IF both matches have the same number of games played.
Lets say both Fly and IMT lose 0-2 in their matches. Both teams would have a 47% total win rate (Fly actually has a slight lead due to less games, but it's a fraction of a percent.....I don't know if Riot would count that). If both teams go 1-2, they'll both have a 48% win rate.
So, if Dig happens to clean sweep IMT, going 2-0, then all Flyquest has to do is win a game. They don't have to win their match, they'll just have to win a single game against TL, and they get a playoff spot.
CLG vs NV
Now, you would think this game wouldn't have any impact on the standings. In fact, if you were to ask anyone just yesterday if this game would have any impact, they'd most likely say no.
That is, until Stixxay got sick, and CLG had to bring an emergency sub mere hours before their matches, who is currently only ranked in Masters, is a support main, and thus forcing CLG to put their main support onto the ADC role. Did anyone really expect CLG to win against IMT? (And, as a side note, its because of this that IMT actually has a chance at the playoffs).
Because of this, NV has a chance to shake things up a bit, and go out with one last "hurrah" before being sent to the promo tourney. Regardless, CLG has a playoff spot, whether they win or lose. If they lose, however, they get put into 6th place, which affects their seeding.
But, if Stixxay comes back, then CLG has a firm grasp on 4th spot.
So, yeah, I hope you could follow all of that. Really fricken crazy in the NALCS right now, wouldn't you agree.
