Numbers Game: Projected Final Standings

As we enter the final stretch of the NHL season, the playoff picture still remains very unclear.  In the East, all of the seeds are up for grabs and with the Habs continuing to fall in the standings, the Panthers, Sabres and even the surging Sens, have a very realistic shot at the final playoff seed.  In the West, the Sharks and Red Wings will continue to battle for the President’s trophy, the Flames risk losing 3rd place to the hot Canucks, and 5 teams sit within 7 points of the 8th place Predators.  

How will it all turn out come April 12th?  In today’s Numbers Game, we project the final NHL standings based on each team’s record in the previous number of games that they have remaining.  So, for example, the Bruins have 9 games left to play, so we looked at their record in the previous 9 games.

What does this mean for your team?  Well, I hope for your sake that you are not a Habs fan as the Sens would actually slip into 8th spot if both teams continue at their current pace.  In the West, the Sharks would maintain their claim to top seed, the Cancuks would overtake the Flames for the Northwest division title, and the Oilers would hold on to the final playoff seed.  And for all those Leafs fans, rest assured, the Leafs will be in a great position to draft a London Knights prospect. Unfortunately, with the 9th overall pick, the Knights prospect that would be availabe is Nazim Kadri.

Projected 1st round matchups:

EASTERN

(1) Bruins vs. (8) Senators

(2) Devils vs. (7) Hurricanes

(3) Captials vs. (6) Rangers

(4) Flyers vs. (5) Penguins

WESTERN

(1) Sharks vs. (8) Oilers

(2) Red Wings vs. (7) Predators

(3) Canucks vs. (6) Blackhawks

(4) Flames vs. (5) Blue Jackets

 

Projeted NHL standings:

EASTERN

Rank	Team	W	L	OT	PTS
1	y-Boston	50	21	11	110
2	New Jersey	52	27	3	107
3	Washington	50	25	7	106
4	Philadelphia	46	26	10	102
5	Pittsburgh	44	28	10	96
6	NY Rangers	44	30	8	96
7	Carolina	44	29	9	95
8	Ottawa	41	31	10	92
9	Montreal	39	32	11	87
10	Florida	37	31	14	85
11	Toronto	35	34	13	83
12	Buffalo	37	36	9	82
13	Atlanta	37	39	6	80
14	Tampa Bay	26	36	20	68
15	NY Islanders	29	44	9	66
WESTERN
Rank	Team	W	L	OT	PTS
1	y-San Jose	54	17	11	118
2	x-Detroit	54	18	10	117
3	Vancouver	46	26	10	101
4	Calgary	47	29	6	100
5	Columbus	45	31	6	96
6	Chicago	42	27	13	95
7	Nashville	40	32	10	87
8	Edmonton	39	30	13	87
9	Anaheim	40	35	7	86
10	St. Louis	38	34	10	85
11	Minnesota	38	33	11	84
12	Dallas	37	36	9	82
13	Los Angeles	34	37	11	78
14	Phoenix	32	41	9	71
15	Colorado	34	46	2	70