Looking at the Avalanche and the Panthers, I thought that scoring was way up in the NHL this season. It’s not really the case. From Hockey Reference, the number of goals per this season is 3.03, up from 2.94 last season and 3.02 two seasons ago. So, the 2021-22 seasons is not standing out compared to recent seasons. The last time the number of goals per game significantly jumped was in the 2017-18 season when it grew up by 0.

A lot of games have been postponed again this week. This means not much has changed in the predictions and the power ranking. Predictions for the 2021-22 season The Hurricanes are still on top. After a very strong week the Avalanche climbed to third and has the highest probability of winning the Cup. The Canadiens are now at the very bottom. Table 1: Predictions for end of season standings in the NHL

With COVID outbreaks forcing the NHL to report and re-schedule games, and some teams affected by COVID playing their B team (a good example is the Montreal Canadiens), recent games are less indicative of the teams’ respective strength. Nonetheless, I made no overlay to adjust to the situation. We will where this all goes. Predictions for the 2021-22 season The Hurricanes are still on top followed by the Maple Leafs who have once again the highest probability of winning the Stanley Cup.

COVID is once again wreaking havoc onto the NHL schedule. Several games have been canceled and participation of NHL players at the Olympic is becoming more and more uncertain. Predictions for the 2021-22 season The Hurricanes are still on top. The Maple Leafs are right below and currently have the highest probability of winning the Stanley Cup. Comparing these predictions to those from FiveThirtyEight, there are, as expected, differences but they generally give similar results.

It’s only been a week but things have changed quite a bit already. We have about a third of the season played and enough games left to see big swings. Predictions for the 2021-22 season The Capitals dropped to third. They did not have a bad week but results were below expectations. The Flames had a bad week and dropped to 8 in the predicted standings. The Hurricanes had a good week and climbed to the top.

I’m posting for the first time for the 2021-22 season predictions for the end-of-season standings and playoffs and I’m bringing back my power ranking. I prefer to wait for there being enough games played to run my model include data from the previous season. The previous season brings information that helps predict the season’s games. However, teams go through enough changes in the off-season that last year games do not help a lot, in my opinion, in predicting the outcome of games this season.

The season is almost over. Not much left to be decided. Predictions North Montreal is in and still has a small chance of catching up to Winnipeg. The Maple Leafs, the Oilers, the Jets and the Canadiens are in the playoffs. Table 1: Predictions for the North division West There is still a chance the Avalanche will catch up to the Golden Knights for the first place. The Golden Kignths, the Avalanche, the Wild and the Blues are in the playoffs.

Just a few more games to play. It’s pretty much all set now which teams will make the playoffs. Predictions North A bad weeks for the Canucks and their playoff probability is down to 0.1%. Montreal has almost secured its playoff spot. Table 1: Predictions for the North division West The Coyotes still have a small chance of making the playoffs but the Blues will most likely claim the last spot.

It’s been a little while since the last update. Predictions have not moved all that much in the meantime. Predictions More teams have 100% probabilities of making the playoffs. It seems pretty much all set except in the East where it’s very competitive. North The model says that the Canucks have an 18% probability of making the playoffs. What the model does not know is that the tight schedule that the Canucks will have to play will make it almost impossible for them.

Montreal has resumed its season and will play a tight schedule for the rest of the season. Some games were reported for the Canucks. Nonetheless, it seems that all games will be played. Predictions There are a few shifts in the predicted rankings. The model weighs more heavily recent games and depends on goals for and against. Teams who recently won games by several goals tend to jump up in the predicted standings.