(Official) - It's Back, the Magic Number Chart - 2021-2022 NHL Season

[cleowin]

Hi Everyone,

 

it's been a few years but I am bringing back the famous Magic Number Chart for this season. I will do my best to update this chart regularly. There will not be any commentary provided except on a limited basis. If there is anything notable, I will let you know, such as when Canucks control their destiny to make the playoffs and when teams are eliminated. I will provide projections once we get into the second half of the season. As usual, here is the chart.

 

Magic #:

This is the formula that is used to calculate how many combinations of wins/losses to eliminate a team from contention against Vancouver. Everyone starts the season at 82.5 (you need to achieve 165 points to eliminate a team). Once a team loses, the magic # falls by 1, and 0.5 for every OTL/SOL accrued. This chart takes out the guess work of tiebreakers so I added an extra 0.5 for clarity.

 

X/Y/Z/P

These are the current points required to clinch that particular spot. This is determined by taking the 9th place team and adding one point to determine the clinch line. It could also be the 4th team in a division where only 3 teams clinch.

 

 

 

 

Edited April 21, 2022 by cleowin
Updated for April 20th

[-AJ-]

Love seeing the classic magic number thread return.

[cleowin]

9 minutes ago, -AJ- said:

Love seeing the classic magic number thread return. / Agreed man!

[Where's Wellwood]

Did the calculations have to change much with Seattle's addition?

[cleowin]

23 minutes ago, Where's Wellwood said:

Did the calculations have to change much with Seattle's addition?

The only difference is the canucks now need minimum 5 teams to be eliminated in their own divison and 8 teams in the west versus 4 and 7. But otherwise, not much has changed. It is statistically a little harder to make the playoffs now though overall.

[Ghostsof1915]

Great to see, and appreciate the work.

But maybe wait until midseason?

 

Oh well.

[cleowin]

1 hour ago, Ghostsof1915 said:

Great to see, and appreciate the work.

But maybe wait until midseason?

 

Oh well.

More fun to track all year long. but yes, it wont become super meaningful until the second half.

[cleowin]

Chart has been updated.

[cleowin]

Updated for October 14th, Canucks sit 6th in Pacific division.

[RU SERIOUS]

Love this Chart !    Now we're talking !   

 

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cleowin]

Chart has been updated for Oct 15th. Some teams have begun to control their destiny for a playoff spot.

[cleowin]

Chart has been updated for October 16th, 2021. Canucks lose control of it's playoff destiny.

[HockeyHarry]

92 points is my guess. Canucks need 89 now with 79 gamez to go.

 

Go Canucks Go

[VancouverHabitant]

Good to see this thread back.  

Probably won't look at it for a couple of months, but I'm already actively cheering for Eastern conference teams to take all the points.  I don't care if we get into the playoffs with a historically low number. 

[cleowin]

Magic # Chart updated for October 17th.

[cleowin]

Magic # Chart updated for October 18th.

 

Of Note: The Western Conference playoff contenders are set with 8 teams now in control of their destiny. The east has been basically unstoppable and 14/16 teams have a record above .500.

[cleowin]

Magic # Chart updated for Oct 19th. Canucks losing ground very quickly, but still early.

[cleowin]

Magic # Chart updated for October 20th.

[cleowin]

Magic # Chart updated for Oct 21st, 2021.

[cleowin]

Magic # Chart has been updated for October 22nd.

 

Clinch Line in east: 116 points

Clinch line in west: 63 points

 

Expected clinch line:

East: 98-106 points

West: 82-90 points