Management Travis Green [Head Coach]

[swiftwin]

There's actually some pretty significant differences in how they've been playing, night and day really.

Last year, the underlying numbers, such as xGF%, were bottom 5 in the league, this year we are 6th in xGF% at 5v5.
Last year our 5v5 xGA/60 was 26th worst in the league, this year we are tied for 2nd best.
Last year after 16 games, we were out of a playoff spot by pts%, this year we currently hold a wild card spot.

The eye test makes it even more obvious how much better they are playing.

Moneypuck has us at 2nd best xGF%

 

[swiftwin]

We're currently in a wild card spot using pts %, so both sides of the coin currently show us as improved.

Exactly. If before the season started, you told me we'd have some of the best underlying metrics in the league AND be sitting in a playoff spot at this point in the season, I'd be ecstatic.

 

[UglyPuckling]

We're currently in a wild card spot using pts %, so both sides of the coin currently show us as improved.

What I was referring to in my post was that in the final analysis like at the end of the year, the NHL will use the standings and points. I thought the words “in the end” made that pretty clear, but apparently not. Maybe I needed to bold that part.

 

[Golden_Jet]

What I was referring to in my post was that in the final analysis like at the end of the year, the NHL will use the standings and points. I thought the words “in the end” made that pretty clear, but apparently not. Maybe I needed to bold that part.

Ya but using points is useless these days, when there is a potential of a 10 point swing in standings, because of differences in games played.

If you want a true accurate snapshot of today, you have to use points percentage.

That’s why MLB and NBA use point percentage and games behind leader.

 

[Tnuoc Alucard]

They are very visibly a better team regardless of the record.

And anyway, it was December that did them in last year. They have to avoid lengthy losing streaks and instead put together a nice winning streak eventually. The latter feels more likely this year.

The Sens were out of it before December even stared….

A general rule of thumb is that teams not in a playoff spot by US Thanksgiving, are not going to make the playoffs….

 

[swiftwin]

We have the 5th best odds to win the Stanley Cup, even ahead of Winnipeg and Edmonton.

We're officially Canada's team!

 

[UglyPuckling]

Ya but using points is useless these days, when there is a potential of a 10 point swing in standings, because of differences in games played.

If you want a true accurate snapshot of today, you have to use points percentage.

That’s why MLB and NBA use point percentage and games behind leader.

Yes, points percentage provides a snapshot of today, and at the end of the regular season, the NHL will determine playoff seeds based on points. Agreed.

The NHL doesn’t award the Cup or determine playoff seeding in November though. So, seeing as how this seems to be about feeling good now about where we stand, and using stats to help us determine that, I’d feel a lot better if we were closer/close to .600 (Tampa is .567) which would give us the 3rd divisional seed. People will have different ideas or thresholds when it comes to this i suspect.