Playoff Magic Numbers for the NHL

With the NHL playoffs just around the corner, we take a look at the magic numbers needed for each team to clinch a spot.

What are Playoff Magic Numbers?

In order to make the playoffs, a team must earn enough points to pass the magic number The magic number is the sum of the maximum number of points that any team below them in the standings could possibly earn, and the minimum number of points that any team above them could possibly lose. To put it more simply, it’s the number of points a team needs to clinch a playoff berth.

For example, let’s say that the Pittsburgh Penguins have a magic number of 3. That means that if they earn 3 points (by winning or getting overtime/shootout losses), or if any combination of teams below them in the standings lose enough points so that the Penguins’ maximum possible point total goes up to 97, then the Penguins will clinch a playoff berth.

How do Playoff Magic Numbers work?

The Magic Number is the combined total of points gained by the leading team and points forfeited by the trailing team. Once the sum of these two values equals or exceeds the magic number the leading team clinches a playoff berth. If a team has a magic number of 3, it needs 3 more points (or the trailing team needs to lose 3 points) to clinch a playoff berth.

What is the history of Playoff Magic Numbers?

In order to make the playoffs in the National Hockey League (NHL), a team must first earn enough points. The number of points a team needs to clinch a playoff berth is known as that team’s “magic number.” The magical number can change on a nightly basis throughout the course of the NHL regular season

The history of Playoff Magic Numbers can be traced back to the 1999 Stanley Cup Playoffs. That year, the Dallas Stars became the first team in NHL history to clinch a playoff berth with a magic number of 1. Since then, several teams have clinched playoff berths with very low magic numbers. In 2012, for example, the Chicago Blackhawks clinched a spot in the playoffs with a magic number of 5.

The lowest magic number ever recorded belongs to the Colorado Avalanche who clinched a spot in the playoffs with just 3 points in 2001. It should be noted that the Avalanche’s 3-point magic number is also the lowest in any major North American professional sports league (MLB, NBA, NFL).

As of 2018, the Tampa Bay Lightning have the highest magic number of any team in NHL history They clinched a spot in the playoffs with 113 points in 2018.

What teams are currently in the playoff picture?

As of January 21st, the magic numbers for teams qualifying for the playoffs in the National Hockey League are as follows:

Eastern Conference:

Boston Bruins – 98 points, 5 games remaining
Washington Capitals – 97 points, 5 games remaining
Philadelphia Flyers – 95 points, 6 games remaining
Pittsburgh Penguins – 95 points, 6 games remaining
Montreal Canadiens – 92 points, 7 games remaining
Carolina Hurricanes – 87 points, 7 games remaining
Columbus Blue Jackets – 86 points, 7 games remaining

Western Conference:
Nashville Predators – 94 points, 6 games remaining
Winnipeg Jets – 93 points, 6 games remaining
Vegas Golden Knights – 92 points, 5 games remaining
St. Louis Blues – 90 points, 7 games remaining
Calgary Flames – 88 points, 6 games remaining

These magic numbers are subject to change as the NHL season comes to a close.

Who is likely to win the Stanley Cup this year?

The Stanley Cup playoffs are upon us, and with that comes the annual race to calculate each team’s magic number. With the expansion to a 24-team playoff format things are a little different this year, but the magic numbers can still give us a good indication of who is likely to win the Stanley Cup

As of right now, the Tampa Bay Lightning have the best chance of winning the Stanley Cup with a magic number of 11. That means that if they win 11 more games (or if any combination of them and their opponents lose 11 games), they will clinch the top spot in the playoffs. The Bruins and Capitals are close behind, with magic numbers of 12 and 13 respectively.

At the other end of the spectrum, there are a few teams who are already facing long odds. The Pittsburgh Penguins have a magic number of 26, which means they would need to go on an absolute tear to have any chance of winning the Stanley Cup The same can be said for the Edmonton Oilers (magic number: 25) and Nashville Predators (magic number: 24).

So who’s your money on?

How have Playoff Magic Numbers changed the NHL?

Playoff Magic Numbers (PMNs) are a statistical tool used to determine how many points a team needs to earn in order to clinch a playoff spot. To calculate a team’s PMN, simply take the total number of points available (i.e. the maximum number of points that could be earned by that team over the course of the season) and subtract the number of points that team has already earned. The resulting number is that team’s PMN.

The introduction of PMNs has changed the way teams approach the NHL playoffs In the past, teams would often times rest their starters in the final few games of the season in order to preserve their energy for the playoffs. However, with PMNs now in play, teams are more likely to push their starters harder in order to ensure that they clinch a playoff spot. This has led to more competitive and exciting games down the stretch of the NHL season

What do experts think of Playoff Magic Numbers?

The Playoff Magic Numbers are a formula created by Michael Lopez to estimate the probability that a team will make the playoffs. The New York Times recently published an article discussing whether or not the magic numbers are accurate.

The article states that the magic number is based on a team’s current record, their remaining schedule, and the records of the teams they are competing against for a spot in the playoffs.

Some experts believe that the magic numbers are accurate, while others believe that they are too simplistic and do not take into account enough variables.

What do you think of the Playoff Magic Numbers? Do you think they are accurate?

What are the benefits of Playoff Magic Numbers?

NHL teams that have clinched a playoff berth often use what is known as a “playoff magic number” to keep track of how close they are to clinching the division title or securing home-ice advantage in the playoffs.

The playoff magic number is simply the number of points that a team needs to clinch a certain playoff spot. For example, if a team has a magic number of 5, that means they will clinch a playoff spot if they win 5 points or if any combination of 5 points are gained by them and lost by their closest competitors.

Knowing the magic number can help teams focus their efforts on specific tasks. For example, if a team knows they need 5 points to clinch home-ice advantage in the playoffs, they may focus on trying to win more games rather than trying to get more overtime losses (which are worth 1 point).

Playoff magic numbers can also help fans follow along with their team’s playoff hunt. Knowing the magic number can make it easier to understand what needs to happen for your team to clinch a certain playoff spot.

Are there any drawbacks to Playoff Magic Numbers?

Playoff Magic Numbers (PMNs) are a great way to keep track of your team’s progress towards the playoffs. They tell you how many points your team needs to clinch a playoff spot, or how many points you need to gain in order to pass the team ahead of you in the standings. PMNs are simple and easy to understand, which makes them a popular tool for fans and analysts alike.

However, there are some drawbacks to using PMNs. First, they only take into account the points that have been earned so far; they don’t account for future games or tiebreakers. This means that a team’s PMN can change on a daily basis, which can be confusing for casual fans. Also, because PMNs only look at points, they don’t consider other factors such as head-to-head records or goal differential. This can lead to teams with better records being left out of the playoffs while teams with worse records sneak in.

Overall, Playoff Magic Numbers are a helpful tool, but they should be used with caution.

How can I learn more about Playoff Magic Numbers?

NHL Teams that reach the playoffs have their “playoff magic number” clinch when the sum of:
– Their current points
– The points of the team immediately behind them in the standings
– The maximum number of points that could be earned by the team behind them
reaches a certain total. That total is the difference between the team’s current number of points and the number of points needed to guarantee a playoff berth.