Magic Number Question - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

photon · 03-12-2008, 03:51 PM

Ok, looking at this link:

http://zorak.best.vwh.net/nhl/

If I wanted to deduce the Flames' magic # to make the playoffs, do I simply look at the magic # of the 9th place team on the Flame's row (today Nashville at 19), and that's the # of points that either the Flames have to earn or Nashville has to give up in order for the Flames to make the playoffs?

I don't have to worry about which team it is or the #'s for any other teams right, just the # for the 9th place team whoever that is?

Gozer · 03-12-2008, 03:54 PM

Much more complicated.
The 9th place team could go on a wicked tear, but Dallas could lose every game and miss the playoffs.
Calgary could be 9th but win the division.
You have to consider everything.

photon · 03-12-2008, 04:29 PM

Yeah but the Flames ultimately only need to finish in 8th or better, so day by day who their magic number is against may change..

Basically I want to know how to figure out the magic number for the Flames to make the playoffs each day.

kermitology · 03-12-2008, 04:39 PM

It should be based on the number of the 9th place team.

Prototype · 03-12-2008, 04:45 PM

I think in this case, you'd have to do 9th place team. The fact that they could be 9th, but win the division is a side factor. In all truth, you'd probably be better off to figure out both playoffs and division.

V · 03-12-2008, 04:57 PM

The magic number for Calgary is whatever the number is for the ninth place team (ninth place based on W%, maybe the 10th place team in points has played 5 less games), unless that number is greater than the number for the best NW div team not named Calgary, in which case it would be that number.

Simple enough.

photon · 03-12-2008, 05:04 PM

Cool, thanks guys. That makes sense.

Flashpoint · 03-12-2008, 05:06 PM

Here's how I see it. I could be missing something, so feel free to correct me.

First, you rank the teams by winning %, not points, or the standings.

Then you look at the 9th placed team.

You calculate the maximum number of points they can get.

You then look at the number of points the Flames need to surpass that number.

The number of points the Flames need is your magic number.

Example:

The Flames have 8 points.
The Oilers have 2 points
The Oilers have 7 games left.
The Oilers can finish with a maximum of 16 points.
The Flames' magic number is 9 (9+8=17).

V · 03-12-2008, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flashpoint

The Flames have 8 points.
The Oilers have 2 points
The Oilers have 7 games left.
The Oilers can finish with a maximum of 16 points.
The Flames' magic number is 9 (9+8=17).

Not necessarily. The Flames may be able to get in with 16 points, depending on how many wins they have at the end. So the magic number could be 8.

Flashpoint · 03-12-2008, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by V

Not necessarily. The Flames may be able to get in with 16 points, depending on how many wins they have at the end. So the magic number could be 8.

True, but you know with absolute certainty that 9 will get you in.