12/21/24
February 18, 2004
NHL standings and magic numbers. : a different way of looking at the standings, as well as projected finishing positions, using magic numbers. it's not as esoteric as it sounds.
Assuming all teams continue to earn points at their current rates [This is funny] Seriously, although I respect the guy for taking the time to do all this analysis, I do not think NJD finishes sixth in the East--PHI will hit a rut and the Devils almost surely will take most of the points from the three games in hand they have on the Flyers.
posted by billsaysthis at 07:08 PM on February 18, 2004
"Assuming all teams continue to earn points at their current rates [This is funny] Seriously, although I respect the guy for taking the time to do all this analysis, I do not think NJD finishes sixth in the East--PHI will hit a rut and the Devils almost surely will take most of the points from the three games in hand they have on the Flyers." really billsaythis? you know, this isn't the the only site that leaves new jersey down there. ok, granted, its a ranger's fan site, but the guy seems pretty involved in getting the right stats, even if he hates what he sees.
posted by owl at 01:00 AM on February 19, 2004
Yeah, projections are good indicators for where a team might be going, but if they don't take into account the schedule they're pretty useless. For example, only 8 of Ottawa's last 23 games are at home. At the same time, they play Philly three times. One late season slump or streak can really earn you (or cost you) a few positions in the standings. Hell, the hottest team in the league right now (Boston) plays Philly twice this month. They win those, they could very easily leap-frog into first (especially when you consider that Ottawa and Toronto are average now. For all the flack that the Belfour-less Leafs are currently getting, it's still worth noting that in the last 10 games they have an almost identical record as the Sens.) So they're good for a quick comparison, but I think projections are always stupid.
posted by mkn at 07:51 AM on February 19, 2004
owl, why would a Rangers fan site have any credibility?
posted by billsaysthis at 10:24 AM on February 19, 2004
Don't cast judgement so easily Billy. Yes, I'm a Ranger fan, but the Rodent is one of the single best hockey sites I visit. As is it's sister-site HockeyBird. And we'll see on those Devils, but they just look different now. They don't seem to have the same "It". Whether that is because of the loss of Stevens or not, I don't know. We'll see.
posted by 86 at 10:36 AM on February 19, 2004
The Rodent is a stats demi-god. That guy finds angles Pythagoras hasn't thought of.
posted by garfield at 10:36 AM on February 19, 2004
Very interesting. Maybe a little too complicated for the average fan though. Also I'm sure the program can be modified to include the upcoming head-to-head matchups without much difficulty.