[Jodiju]

vs. NE = 10-7-7 (.563)	vs. AD = 6-11-3 (.375)	vs. SE = 9-7-4 (.550)
vs. BOS = 2-2-2 (.500)	vs. NJD = 2-1-1 (.625)	vs. ATL = 2-2-0 (.500)
vs. BUF = 1-3-2 (.333)	vs. NYI = 1-2-1 (.375)	vs. CAR = 1-2-1 (.375)
vs. MTL = 3-0-3 (.750)	vs. NYR = 1-3-0 (.333)	vs. FLA = 2-2-0 (.500)
vs. OTT = 4-2-0 (.667)	vs. PIT = 1-2-1 (.375)	vs. TBL = 2-0-2 (.667)
	vs. PHI = 1-3-0 (.333)	vs. WSH = 2-1-1 (.625)

As nhl.com will tell you that gives us a season record of 25-26-13 (.492) vs. Eastern opposition.

So I guess the first thing that jumps off the page and surprises me is that we're above .500 in points earned per game vs. two of the three Eastern divisions. Did not see that coming. The next thing then is how abysmal our record against the Atlantic Division was. Seriously, it's piss-poor.

Ok then, on to the next part of my post. Bear in mind this is based on my opinion. If you disagree and make a decent case why, I'll change this.

Teams that have improved a lot - TBL
Teams that have improved - NJD, PIT, TOR, ATL
Teams that are neither better nor worse - OTT, BOS, BUF, NYR, PHI, CAR, WSH, NYI
Teams that have got worse - MTL
Teams that have got a lot worse - FLA

Ok then, now the prediction bit. I'm going to use last years winning percentage to try and predict next year's, factoring in whether a team improved or got worse and by how much they improved or got worse. This is solely based on transactions that have occurred since the end of the season. I can't account for player development.

vs. NE = 14-5-5 (.583)	vs. AD = 9-8-3 (.525)	vs. SE = 11-7-2 (.600)
vs. BOS = 3-0-3 (.750)	vs. NJD = 2-1-1 (.625)	vs. ATL = 2-2-0 (.500)
vs. BUF = 2-2-2 (.500)	vs. NYI = 2-1-1 (.625)	vs. CAR = 2-1-1 (..625)
vs. MTL = 5-1-0 (.833)	vs. NYR = 2-2-0 (.500)	vs. FLA = 3-1-0 (.500)
vs. OTT = 4-2-0 (.667)	vs. PIT = 1-2-1 (.375)	vs. TBL = 1-2-1 (.250)
	vs. PHI = 2-2-0 (.500)	vs. WSH = 3-1-0 (.750)

Essentially. I've made our record a bit better against teams that haven't improved, a fair bit better against MTL who got worse and a lot better against FLA who got a lot worse IMO. I've kept the record the same against teams who have improved and I've made our record worse against TBL who have improved a lot.

So what we end up with is a prediction for a record of 34-20-10 (.609) against Eastern opponents next year which, to be honest, is far higher than I was expecting. But then, the only prediction I've made in terms of season series that I feel might be a bit too high is the BOS one. So who knows eh? You'll tell me if you think I've fucked up.

PS. If we maintain last year's record against Western teams (5-12-1) next year we'll probably miss the playoffs even if we do as well as I'm suggesting we might against the East, finishing 39-32-11. Is 89pts enough for the big dance?

[Barilkos Ghost]

Originally Posted by Jodiju

Is 88pts enough for the big dance?

It was this past season. That's exactly what Montreal had.

[Alotar]

I think we are going to play a lot of games in overtime. If we can figure out a way to grab 2 points instead of 1 for the most part, it should really help our season.

I predict our season ending record to be 36-31-15

Which is 87 points.

[Rockweiler]

^^depends which teams we're taking to OT. If we're beating WSH, PIT, NJD in OT, great.. if we're beating ATL, MTL, NYR in OT, we're fucked.

[Leafs Forever13]

Not a bad prediction at this point.

Still, there's plenty of off-season left for teams to improve or get worse, even if things are happening so slowly.

[Leafs4life84]

Yeah I don't Burke is done quite yet.

[Nipzie]

Interesting... thanks for doing that. I've caught up on all hockey related posts since Sluggo got banned and I needed something to read.

Do you not think Boston has improved, however, with the addition of Horton? I think he'll be the wild card to the Bruins offense and whether or not he'll care to play to his abilities in a hockey market. Of course, I also think Kessel might score a goal or two against them this year...

[Nipzie]

The only other issue I see is our record against Ottawa. What are you, high?

[Jodiju]

Not really, I don't rate Horton.

Originally Posted by Nipzie

The only other issue I see is our record against Ottawa. What are you, high?

Yeah.

Our record last year vs. OTT was 4-2-0. I didn't change it for next season.

[Nipzie]

Originally Posted by Jodiju

Not really, I don't rate Horton.



Yeah.

Our record last year vs. OTT was 4-2-0. I didn't change it for next season.

Whose on bong cleaning duty next season? Spezza? That explains the laugh.

[LFSC]

Interesting theory. As much as I would love it to happen, i don't see us winning 5 against MTL. I understand we're the better team (on paper) going in, but I don't see it happening.

[CrazyCanuckEh]

Originally Posted by Jodiju

Not really, I don't rate Horton.



Yeah.

Our record last year vs. OTT was 4-2-0. I didn't change it for next season.

If we improved then we could go 6-0 on them next season, we will see. I don't see how Montreal got worse, they got slightly better up front but lost in the net, hopefully we can make the best of that situation and beat them down this season.

[Alotar]

Originally Posted by LFSC

Interesting theory. As much as I would love it to happen, i don't see us winning 5 against MTL. I understand we're the better team (on paper) going in, but I don't see it happening.

I don't remember how we did against them vs overtime or how they did as a team but since a lot of our games are pretty close, if we get into OT with them, I believe we are the under dogs by a fair margin. So I dont see us winning 5 either.

[LFSC]

Originally Posted by Alotar

I don't remember how we did against them vs overtime or how they did as a team but since a lot of our games are pretty close, if we get into OT with them, I believe we are the under dogs by a fair margin. So I dont see us winning 5 either.

Pretty sure we were tied 2-2 in OT against them. For sure I remember the first and last game of the season, then I remember the game where we score 2 goals to tie the game in about a minute, but then they beat us in SO. And something tells me there was one more OT.

Edit: There was 5 OT games in total, and MTL won 3 of them, just checked. Damn, 5 OTs out of 6 games?

[King4]

I see 40 wins and 88 points. Good enough for 7-10

[NikolaiKulemin]

I wonder if the same stats from the previous 2-3 seasons correlate with those stats. I'm not going to predict anything until the Kaberle situation is settled. At this point we have a team that will certainly compete, but we don't have a game breaker and that will cause for the same type of season as last years, lots of 1 goal losses, and lots of games lost in overtime. Until we can get a legit #1 center who can compliment Kessel then the playoffs can't be expected. Although it could happen if this team learned how to play a defensive system.

[CabanaBoy]

Excellent deductions Jodi. I think we'll win a few more in the West, and with the wins you've projected in the East, we'll be around 92 pts and good enough for 7th place.....I hope.

[TheDude]

Interesting theory. As much as I would love it to happen, i don't see us winning 5 against MTL. I understand we're the better team (on paper) going in, but I don't see it happening.

Really?

[Nipzie]

Originally Posted by TheDude

Really?

Yes. Really.

Just hasslin' you bro. Obviously both teams have their "issues", but the Leafs seem to be on their way up and the Habs down. The similarities of the Habs to the Leafs of yesteryear(s) are absolutely startling.

[LFSC]

Originally Posted by TheDude

Really?

Oh shit that's right, I forgot you guys still have Gomez. Please allow me to take back my statement.