The New Jersey Devils' magic number is a concept often used in sports, specifically ice hockey, to determine a team's playoff eligibility or seeding position. It refers to the combination of team wins and opposing team losses necessary for a team to secure a playoff spot or achieve a particular seeding. The magic number is calculated by subtracting the team's current point total (including both wins and overtime losses) from the total number of available points remaining in the regular season. This total is then adjusted based on the number of games remaining for both the team in question and their closest competitors. For instance, if the New Jersey Devils have a current point total of 80 and there are 10 games remaining in the regular season, their magic number would be calculated based on the number of points remaining in those 10 games. If there are 60 available points remaining and their closest competitors have a maximum potential point total of 78, the Devils' magic number would be 2 (78 - 80 + 2).
If there are 60 available points remaining and their closest competitors have a maximum potential point total of 78, the Devils' magic number would be 2 (78 - 80 + 2). In other words, the Devils would need to win 2 more games or have their competitors lose a combination of 2 games in order to secure a playoff spot or maintain a particular seeding. The magic number decreases with each win by the team or loss by their competitors, as it brings them closer to their playoff goal.
February 18, 2004
NHL standings and magic numbers. : a different way of looking at the standings, as well as projected finishing positions, using magic numbers. it's not as esoteric as it sounds.
posted by owl to hockey at 09:55 AM - 7 comments
Very interesting. Maybe a little too complicated for the average fan though. Also I'm sure the program can be modified to include the upcoming head-to-head matchups without much difficulty.
posted by Succa at 03:54 PM on February 18, 2004
Assuming all teams continue to earn points at their current rates [This is funny] Seriously, although I respect the guy for taking the time to do all this analysis, I do not think NJD finishes sixth in the East--PHI will hit a rut and the Devils almost surely will take most of the points from the three games in hand they have on the Flyers.
posted by billsaysthis at 07:08 PM on February 18, 2004
"Assuming all teams continue to earn points at their current rates [This is funny] Seriously, although I respect the guy for taking the time to do all this analysis, I do not think NJD finishes sixth in the East--PHI will hit a rut and the Devils almost surely will take most of the points from the three games in hand they have on the Flyers." really billsaythis? you know, this isn't the the only site that leaves new jersey down there. ok, granted, its a ranger's fan site, but the guy seems pretty involved in getting the right stats, even if he hates what he sees.
posted by owl at 01:00 AM on February 19, 2004
Yeah, projections are good indicators for where a team might be going, but if they don't take into account the schedule they're pretty useless. For example, only 8 of Ottawa's last 23 games are at home. At the same time, they play Philly three times. One late season slump or streak can really earn you (or cost you) a few positions in the standings. Hell, the hottest team in the league right now (Boston) plays Philly twice this month. They win those, they could very easily leap-frog into first (especially when you consider that Ottawa and Toronto are average now. For all the flack that the Belfour-less Leafs are currently getting, it's still worth noting that in the last 10 games they have an almost identical record as the Sens.) So they're good for a quick comparison, but I think projections are always stupid.
posted by mkn at 07:51 AM on February 19, 2004
owl, why would a Rangers fan site have any credibility?
posted by billsaysthis at 10:24 AM on February 19, 2004
Don't cast judgement so easily Billy. Yes, I'm a Ranger fan, but the Rodent is one of the single best hockey sites I visit. As is it's sister-site HockeyBird. And we'll see on those Devils, but they just look different now. They don't seem to have the same "It". Whether that is because of the loss of Stevens or not, I don't know. We'll see.
posted by 86 at 10:36 AM on February 19, 2004
The Rodent is a stats demi-god. That guy finds angles Pythagoras hasn't thought of.
posted by garfield at 10:36 AM on February 19, 2004
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Knowing the magic number allows teams and their fans to track their progress towards the playoffs and understand the implications of each game. It provides a tangible measure of success and motivates teams to push for wins or hope for losses by their competitors. Overall, the New Jersey Devils' magic number serves as a crucial statistic that aids in understanding a team's playoff chances and adds excitement to the final stages of the regular season..
Reviews for "Comparing the Devils' Magic Number to Other Teams in Their Division"
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